bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Intracytoplasmic morphologically selected sperm injection, but for whom?
Authors: Karabulut Seda , Aksunger Ozlem , Korkmaz Oya , Eren Gozel Hilal , Keskin Ilknur 
Published: August 2019

SummaryIntracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is performed in cases of infertility by injecting a motile and morphologically normal sperm cell under a routine ×400 magnification at which is hard to distinguish morphologically healthy sperm. Recently, the use of high-powered differential interference contrast optics gave the opportunity to select a sperm under ultra-high magnification of ×10,160. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of the intracytoplasmic morphologically selected sperm injection (IMSI) technique in different infertility populations undergoing ICSI. Main outcome measures of routine ICSI were compared with IMSI in three different groups of patients (1, non-selected; 2, male infertility; and 3, repeated implantation failure group). Results were analysed to evaluate the effects of the IMSI procedure and to find the most suitable group of patients who may benefit from the procedure. IMSI caused a significant increase in the fertilization and top quality embryo rates in the male infertility group and a significant increase in fertilization and pregnancy rates in the repeated implantation failure group, whereas no effect was observed in the non-selected group with patients of various indications. A positive effect of IMSI on the outcome of male factor infertility and repeated implantation failure patients was observed. Data observed confirmed that the application of IMSI was beneficial for a selected group of patients with male factor infertility and repeated implantation failure.
MicroRNA expression in infertile men: its alterations and effects
Authors: Kiani Maryam , Salehi Mohammad , Mogheiseh Asghar 
Published: August 2019

SummaryInfertility is an important reproductive health problem, and male infertility is especially important in more than half of infertility cases. Due to the importance of genetic factors in this condition, analysis of semen alone is not enough to recognize men with idiopathic infertility. A molecular non-invasive investigation is necessary to gain valuable information. Currently, microRNAs (miRNAs) are being used as non-invasive diagnostic biomarkers. miRNAs, single-stranded non-coding RNA molecules, act as post-transcriptional gene silencing regulators either by inhibition or repression of translation. Changes in the regulation of miRNAs have been investigated in several different types of male infertility, therefore the biological role of miRNA and gene targets has been defined. The purpose of this study was to review recent research on the altered expression of miRNA in semen, sperm, and testicular biopsy samples in infertile males with different types of unexplained infertility. Changes in miRNA regulation were investigated using microarray and the miRNA levels were confirmed by real-time qRT-PCR. This review explains why creating a non-invasive diagnostic method for male infertility is necessary and how changes in miRNA expression can be used as new diagnostic biomarkers in patients with differing spermatogenic and histopathologic injury.
Synthesizers, Virtual Orchestras, and Ableton Live: Digitally Rendered Music on Broadway and Musicians’ Union Resistance
Authors: GIBBS LIAM E. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractAs Broadway musicals embrace contemporary popular music styles, orchestrators must incorporate the digital technologies necessary for producing convincing simulations of genres like hip hop and electronic music. At the same time, as production values soar, producers work to minimize their budgets, often putting downward pressure on the size of the orchestra. Although digital and electronic music technologies can expand the sonic register of the Broadway orchestra, they can also replace traditional acoustic instruments and save money. The Broadway musicians’ union, Local 802, has regularly sought to control the use of digital technologies and ensure that live musicians produce as much music as possible. Thus, Local 802's advocacy for the employment of their members can limit the sounds heard on Broadway.The following narrative considers three digital technologies—synthesizers, virtual orchestras, and Ableton Live—and examines case studies and controversies surrounding their use in Broadway orchestras and implications for liveness in performance. Informed by interviews with industry professionals, author observation of pit orchestras in rehearsal and performance, archival research, popular and industry media, and previous scholarship, I argue that the union's entrenched interests and antiquated regulations can stifle musical innovation on Broadway by resisting the use of digital music technologies.
From Hipster to Hillbilly: Death, Bluegrass, and Gospel According to David Crowder
Authors: BUSMAN JOSHUA KALIN 
Published: August 2019

AbstractEven with the widespread adoption of rock-styled “praise and worship” music in American churches, bluegrass and gospel musics still serve as potent musical signifiers, especially among the white southern evangelicals comprising praise and worship's primary demographic. Drawing repertoire and influence from Hank Williams, Loretta Lynn, and Bill Gaither, evangelical artist David Crowder uses strategic musical references to establish his own sense of “hillbilly” religiosity but often deploys these references in ways that align him with a “hipster” community of young musicians and music fans. In this paper, I demonstrate the ways that strategic references to bluegrass and gospel music allow Crowder to situate himself within these multiple discourses of evangelical authenticity.
Re-evaluation of an early sphenacodontian synapsid from the Lower Permian of England
Authors: SPINDLER Frederik 
Published: August 2019

ABSTRACTThe holotypic isolated maxilla of the early sphenacodontianHaptodus grandisfrom the Cisuralian of England is revisited. A unique character combination includes haptodontine-grade traits like less specialised teeth and a high number of precanines, but at the same time a shortened lacrimal that is separated from the naris, which is strongly diagnostic of Sphenacodontoidea. As the specimen cannot be assigned to any known taxon, the new taxonHypselohaptodus grandisgen. nov. is proposed. Comparison with other sphenacodontians reveals a mosaic distribution of maxillary features, most significantly regarding the precanine region. Preliminary character histories precludeHypselohaptodusfrom Sphenacodontidae, but suggest a haptodontine-grade or basal therapsid position. The latter hypothesis is substantiated by an ecological model of episodic wet phases in an overall trend of aridification throughout the Permian, to explain the rareness of non-sphenacodontid sphenacodontians in the fossil record. Also from the early Permian of England, an isolated dentary has previously been assigned toOphiacodon, but can be shown to be either a sphenacodontian, possibly affiliated withHypselohaptodus, or a robust,Stereorhachis-like ophiacodontid. The absence ofOphiacodonin the intramontaneous Permian basis of Europe is explained by a narrow environmental tolerance range requiring limnic connection with lowland basins.
Subclinical involvement of common carotid arteries in patients with	fibromuscular dysplasia – a case-control study
Authors: Lippmann Matthew , Isom Nicholas , Buechler Tyler , Dalia Tarun , Masoomi Reza , Mabry Terrance , Wetzel Louis , Sharma Aditya , Gray Bruce , Gupta Kamal 
Published: August 2019

Summary: Background: Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) primarily involves medium-sized arteries, though the entire spectrum of vascular involvement is not fully understood. We hypothesized that larger arteries may also be affected, albeit sub-clinically. Patients and methods: We measured the cross-sectional diameter of the thoracic aorta, abdominal aorta, common iliac arteries (CIA) and common carotid arteries (CCA) in FMD subjects and compared them to matched controls. We retrospectively analyzed records of FMD subjects (n = 74) and of age- and sex- matched controls (n = 74) that underwent computed tomography of the neck, chest or abdomen. Cross-sectional diameters of the thoracic and abdominal aorta, CIA and CCA were measured in a standardized manner by two trained physicians. Results: The FMD group had a significantly greater diameter of the CIA and CCA bilaterally. The measurements (mm) in FMD and control groups were as follows: Right CIA: 10.85 + 1.75 vs. 10.23 + 1.36, p = 0.04, left CIA: 11.01 + 1.93 vs. 10.15 + 1.38, p = 0.007, right CCA: 7.70 + 0.81 vs. 6.80 + 1.10, p < 0.001 and left CCA: 7.70 + 1.10 vs. 6.80 + 1.0, p < 0.001). There was no difference in the diameter between the two groups in the ascending aorta, descending and the abdominal aorta. After adjusting for baseline differences, common carotid arteries (but not common iliac) were significantly larger in FMD group compared with controls. Conclusions: There is sub-clinical involvement of the common carotid arteries in patients with FMD and this manifests as a greater diameter of these arteries compared to age and sex matched controls.
Radiative Control of the Interannual Variability of Arctic Sea Ice
Authors: Huang Yi , Chou Gina , Xie Yan , Soulard Nicholas 
Published: August 2019

AbstractOn top of a declining trend driven by global warming, the Arctic sea ice extent (SIE) exhibits considerable interannual variations. In this study, we analyze the interannual anomalies of September SIE in relation to the surface radiation anomalies. We find that the accumulation of radiation energy in the early months (June, July, and August) very well explains the September SIE variability (R2 = 0.81). In Particular, strong correlations are found between September SIE and June radiation anomalies, which in the shortwave is due to cloud and surface albedo changes and in the longwave due to atmospheric warming. The results show that monitoring the radiation anomalies affords a potential means to improve the prediction of the late summer sea ice.
ITSG‐Grace2018: Overview and Evaluation of a New GRACE‐Only Gravity Field Time Series
Authors: Kvas Andreas , Behzadpour Saniya , Ellmer Matthias , Klinger Beate , Strasser Sebastian , Zehentner Norbert , Mayer‐Gürr Torsten 
Published: August 2019

AbstractITSG‐Grace2018 is a new series of GRACE‐only gravity field solutions based on reprocessed GRACE observation data (L1B RL03) and the latest atmosphere and ocean dealiasing product (AOD1B RL06). It includes unconstrained monthly and constrained daily solutions, as well as a high‐resolution static gravity field. Compared to the previous ITSG release, we implemented a number of improvements within the processing chain and use updated background models. In an effort to better model all known error sources, we propagate synthetic orientation uncertainties of the star camera assembly to the antenna offset correction for intersatellite ranging observations. This enables the disentanglement of the stationary noise of the K‐Band system and the nonstationary noise of the antenna offset correction. We further incorporated uncertainties of the atmosphere and ocean dealiasing product to reduce temporal aliasing effects. To mitigate errors in the applied ocean tide model, we used constrained GRACE estimates of selected tidal constituents as an additional background model. Variability over quiet ocean areas suggests a 27% to 46% lower noise level compared to the current spherical harmonic solutions of the official processing centers (300 km Gaussian filter applied). To ensure that the low noise floor is not accompanied by signal loss, we examined drainage basin averages, which showed consistent amplitudes with the official GRACE time series. These evaluations lead to the conclusion that ITSG‐Grace2018 is a state‐of‐the‐art GRACE time series which exhibits an excellent signal‐to‐noise ratio.
Observations of Near‐Bed Shear Stress in a Shallow, Wave‐ and Current‐Driven Flow
Authors: Egan Galen , Cowherd Marianne , Fringer Oliver , Monismith Stephen 
Published: August 2019

AbstractWe present in situ observations of mean and turbulent bottom stresses in a shallow, wave‐ and current‐driven flow over a cohesive sediment bed on the eastern shoals of South San Francisco Bay. Data from a Nortek Vectrino Profiler deployed with its measurement volume overlapping the bed allowed us to calculate mean velocity profiles and turbulent Reynolds stresses over a 1.5‐cm profile with 1‐mm vertical resolution. Additional acoustic instrumentation and pressure sensors provided mean current and wave data. From these observations we found that biological roughness elements protruding from the sediment bed result in a mean velocity profile qualitatively similar to that found in canopy shear mixing layers. Despite fundamental differences between this measured velocity structure and that assumed by wave‐current boundary layer models, we also found that the addition of waves to mean currents increases the net drag felt by the flow. The near‐bed momentum flux was often dominated by a wave‐induced component, which was generated by interactions between the wavy flow and the rough bed. Finally, we estimated the friction velocity using several different calculation methods and compared results to the measured bottom stress. This analysis revealed that traditional methods (e.g., log law fitting and point turbulence measurements) are consistent with one another when measuring the stress outside the wave boundary layer but were all poor approximations of the total stress at the bed.
Bacterial Community on a Guyot in the Northwest Pacific Ocean Influenced by Physical Dynamics and Environmental Variables
Authors: Liu Qian , Huo Ying‐Yi , Wu Yue‐Hong , Bai Youcheng , Yuan Yeping , Chen Min , Xu Dongfeng , Wang Jun , Wang Chun‐Sheng , Xu Xue‐Wei 
Published: August 2019

AbstractBacterial communities in sediments of the Caiwei Seamount, a typical guyot located in the northwest Pacific Ocean, were investigated. A total of 727,879 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequences were retrieved from eight sediment samples of the top (mean depth = 1,407 m) and the base (mean depth = 5,525 m) of the guyot through pyrosequencing of V6 hypervariable region and clustered into 32,844 operational taxonomic units. Abundant‐weighted UniFrac metric partitioned bacterial assemblies into two categories (the top community and the base community) by principal coordinates analysis, consisting with the grouping of sampling stations by environmental variables. Differences in depth and physicochemical properties of the surrounding environment (e.g., concentrations of dissolved oxygen and geochemical elements) between the top and the base of the guyot may cause this partition of bacterial communities, whereas the typical fluid flow around the guyot may potentially contribute to the bacterial dispersal and environmental homogeneity along the same layer, resulting in the similarity of bacterial community structure within the same region (the top or the base). The surface sediment on the top of the guyot harbored the bacterial communities with greater diversity and evenness, represented by Gamma‐ and Deltaproteobacteria involved in sulfur cycling. At the base of the guyot, Gammaproteobacteria related to sulfur‐oxidizing and Chloroflexi functioning in the decomposition of refractory organic matter dominated, suggesting that the redox condition at the interface of the sediment and the water can influence bacteria‐mediated elemental cycling, eventually shaping the physicochemical and geological characteristics of a guyot.
Acidity promotes tumour progression by altering macrophage phenotype in prostate cancer
Authors: El-Kenawi Asmaa , Gatenbee Chandler , Robertson-Tessi Mark , Bravo Rafael , Dhillon Jasreman , Balagurunathan Yoganand , Berglund Anders , Vishvakarma Naveen , Ibrahim-Hashim Arig , Choi Jung , Luddy Kimberly , Gatenby Robert , Pilon-Thomas Shari , Anderson Alexander , Ruffell Brian , Gillies Robert 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Background
Tumours rapidly ferment glucose to lactic acid even in the presence of oxygen, and coupling high glycolysis with poor perfusion leads to extracellular acidification. We hypothesise that acidity, independent from lactate, can augment the pro-tumour phenotype of macrophages.

Methods
We analysed publicly available data of human prostate cancer for linear correlation between macrophage markers and glycolysis genes. We used zwitterionic buffers to adjust the pH in series of in vitro experiments. We then utilised subcutaneous and transgenic tumour models developed in C57BL/6 mice as well as computer simulations to correlate tumour progression with macrophage infiltration and to delineate role of acidity.

Results
Activating macrophages at pH 6.8 in vitro enhanced an IL-4-driven phenotype as measured by gene expression, cytokine profiling, and functional assays. These results were recapitulated in vivo wherein neutralising intratumoural acidity reduced the pro-tumour phenotype of macrophages, while also decreasing tumour incidence and invasion in the TRAMP model of prostate cancer. These results were recapitulated using an in silico mathematical model that simulate macrophage responses to environmental signals. By turning off acid-induced cellular responses, our in silico mathematical modelling shows that acid-resistant macrophages can limit tumour progression.

Conclusions
This study suggests that tumour acidity contributes to prostate carcinogenesis by altering the state of macrophage activation.
COPD overdiagnosis in primary care: a UK observational study of consistency of airflow obstruction
Authors: Josephs Lynn , Culliford David , Johnson Matthew , Thomas Mike 
Published: August 2019

AbstractChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is heterogeneous, but persistent airflow obstruction (AFO) is fundamental to diagnosis. We studied AFO consistency from initial diagnosis and explored factors associated with absent or inconsistent AFO. This was a retrospective observational study using patient-anonymised routine individual data in Care and Health Information Analytics (CHIA) database. Identifying a prevalent COPD cohort based on diagnostic codes in primary care records, we used serial ratios of forced expiratory volume in 1 s to forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC%) from time of initial COPD diagnosis to assign patients to one of three AFO categories, according to whether all (persistent), some (variable) or none (absent) were <70%. We described respiratory prescriptions over 3 years (2011–2013) and used multivariable logistic regression to estimate odds of absent or variable AFO and potential predictors. We identified 14,378 patients with diagnosed COPD (mean ± SD age 68.8 ± 10.7 years), median (IQR) COPD duration of 60 (25,103) months. FEV1/FVC% was recorded in 12,491 (86.9%) patients: median (IQR) 5 (3, 7) measurements. Six thousand five hundred and fifty (52.4%) had persistent AFO, 4507 (36.1%) variable AFO and 1434 (11.5%) absent AFO. Being female, never smoking, having higher BMI or more comorbidities significantly predicted absent and variable AFO. Despite absent AFO, 57% received long-acting bronchodilators and 60% inhaled corticosteroids (50% and 49%, respectively, in those without asthma). In all, 13.1% of patients diagnosed with COPD had unrecorded FEV1/FVC%; 11.5% had absent AFO on repeated measurements, yet many received inhalers likely to be ineffective. Such prescribing is not evidence based and the true cause of symptoms may have been missed.
The role of chitin-rich skeletal organic matrix on the crystallization of calcium carbonate in the crustose coralline alga Leptophytum foecundum
Authors: Rahman M. Azizur , Halfar Jochen , Adey Walter H. , Nash Merinda , Paulo Carlos , Dittrich Maria 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThe organic matrix (OM) contained in marine calcifiers has a key role in the regulation of crystal deposition, such as crystalline structure, initiation of mineralization, inhibition, and biological/environmental control. However, the functional properties of the chitin-rich skeletal organic matrix on the biological aspect of crystallization in crustose coralline algae have not yet been investigated. Hence, the characterization of organic matrices in the biomineralization process of this species was studied to understand the functions of these key components for structural formation and mineralization of calcium carbonate crystals. We purified skeletal organic matrix proteins from this species and explored how these components are involved in the mineralization of calcium carbonate crystals and environmental control. Intriguingly, the analytical investigation of the skeletal OM revealed the presence of chitin in the crustose coralline alga Leptophytum foecundum. The sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis of the OM revealed a high molecular mass protein as 300-kDa. Analysis of glycosylation activity exposed two strong glycoproteins as 300-kDa and 240-kDa. Our study of the biominerals of live collected specimens found that in addition to Mg-calcite up to 30% aragonite were present in the skeleton. Our experiment demonstrated that the chitin-rich skeletal OM of coralline algae plays a key role in the biocalcification process by enabling the formation of Mg-calcite. In addition, this OM did not inhibit the formation of aragonite suggesting there is an as yet unidentified process in the living coralline that prevents the formation of aragonite in the living skeletal cell walls.
Antibody dynamics in Japanese paediatric patients with influenza A infection treated with neuraminidase inhibitors in a randomised trial
Authors: Hirotsu Nobuo , Saisho Yutaka , Hasegawa Takahiro , Kitano Mitsutaka , Shishido Takao 
Published: August 2019

AbstractNeuraminidase inhibitors (NAIs) complement influenza virus infection management by helping to clear virus, alleviate symptoms, and reduce transmission. In a previous randomised study, we examined the effect of 4 NAIs on virus clearance and influenza symptoms in Japanese paediatric patients. In this second analysis, we examined the effects of NAI treatment on antibody responses and virus clearance, and the relationships between antibody responses and patients’ infection histories (previous infection; asymptomatic infection via household members of same virus type/subtype; vaccination), and between infection histories and viral kinetics. Haemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibody responses produced HI titres ≥40 by Day 14 of NAI treatment, in parallel with virus clearance (trend test P = 0.001). Comparing patients with and without influenza infection histories (directly or asymptomatic infection via household members) showed that infection history had a marked positive effect on HI antibody responses in patients vaccinated before the current influenza season (before enrolment). Current virus clearance was significantly faster in patients previously infected with the same virus type/subtype than in those not previously infected, and clearance pattern depended on the NAI. Assessment of anti-influenza effects of antiviral drugs and vaccines should consider virus and antibody dynamics in response to vaccination and natural infection histories.