bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association between exposure to airborne trichloramine and health effects in indoor swimming pool workers
Authors: Ahmadpour Elham , Debia Maximilien 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Objective
The main objective of this study was to comprehensively investigate the association between trichloramine (TCA) exposure and respiratory health effects in swimming pool workers.

Methodology
In this study, air sampling was performed for TCA concentrations at fixed locations (static measurements) and on individual workers (personal measurements) in six indoor public swimming pools during periods of high swimmer attendance over the winter school break. Health effects were evaluated using questionnaires and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) tests performed before and after the working day.

Results
In these swimming pools, the environmental TCA concentration ranged from 0.11 to 0.88 mg/m³. Worker exposure ranged from 0.05 to 0.72 mg/m³ for personal measurements. Furthermore, in each swimming pool, the average worker exposure to TCA exceeded the recommended occupational exposure limit of 0.35 mg/m³. Personal TCA measurements were consistently lower than static measurements performed around the pool, with a reduction ranging from 21% to 49%. This can be explained by the time that the workers spend in the pool area, office, and break room. The most common respiratory health effects self-reported by the workers were coughing, shortness of breath, and sneezing with prevalence rates of 38%, 37%, and 35%, respectively. This study demonstrated an association between TCA exposure and eye irritation. Analysis of the FENO tests revealed that individuals with preexisting asthma or allergies exhibited sustained FENO elevation.

Conclusion
The findings suggest that occupational exposure to TCA in indoor swimming pools is a matter of concern. Implementing and improving workplace safety measures is crucial for safeguarding the respiratory health of swimming pool workers.
Recognition of cyanobacteria promoters via Siamese network-based contrastive learning under novel non-promoter generation
Authors: Yang Guang , Li Jianing , Hu Jinlu , Shi Jian-Yu 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
It is a vital step to recognize cyanobacteria promoters on a genome-wide scale. Computational methods are promising to assist in difficult biological identification. When building recognition models, these methods rely on non-promoter generation to cope with the lack of real non-promoters. Nevertheless, the factitious significant difference between promoters and non-promoters causes over-optimistic prediction. Moreover, designed for E. coli or B. subtilis, existing methods cannot uncover novel, distinct motifs among cyanobacterial promoters. To address these issues, this work first proposes a novel non-promoter generation strategy called phantom sampling, which can eliminate the factitious difference between promoters and generated non-promoters. Furthermore, it elaborates a novel promoter prediction model based on the Siamese network (SiamProm), which can amplify the hidden difference between promoters and non-promoters through a joint characterization of global associations, upstream and downstream contexts, and neighboring associations w.r.t. k-mer tokens. The comparison with state-of-the-art methods demonstrates the superiority of our phantom sampling and SiamProm. Both comprehensive ablation studies and feature space illustrations also validate the effectiveness of the Siamese network and its components. More importantly, SiamProm, upon our phantom sampling, finds a novel cyanobacterial promoter motif (‘GCGATCGC’), which is palindrome-patterned, content-conserved, but position-shifted.
PanDepth, an ultrafast and efficient genomic tool for coverage calculation
Authors: Yu Huiyang , Shi Chunmei , He Weiming , Li Feng , Ouyang Bo 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Coverage quantification is required in many sequencing datasets within the field of genomics research. However, most existing tools fail to provide comprehensive statistical results and exhibit limited performance gains from multithreading. Here, we present PanDepth, an ultra-fast and efficient tool for calculating coverage and depth from sequencing alignments. PanDepth outperforms other tools in computation time and memory efficiency for both BAM and CRAM-format alignment files from sequencing data, regardless of read length. It employs chromosome parallel computation and optimized data structures, resulting in ultrafast computation speeds and memory efficiency. It accepts sorted or unsorted BAM and CRAM-format alignment files as well as GTF, GFF and BED-formatted interval files or a specific window size. When provided with a reference genome sequence and the option to enable GC content calculation, PanDepth includes GC content statistics, enhancing the accuracy and reliability of copy number variation analysis. Overall, PanDepth is a powerful tool that accelerates scientific discovery in genomics research.
Metabolic models predict fotemustine and the combination of eflornithine/rifamycin and adapalene/cannabidiol for the treatment of gliomas
Authors: Kishk Ali , Pires Pacheco Maria , Heurtaux Tony , Sauter Thomas 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Gliomas are the most common type of malignant brain tumors, with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) having a median survival of 15 months due to drug resistance and relapse. The treatment of gliomas relies on surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Only 12 anti-brain tumor chemotherapies (AntiBCs), mostly alkylating agents, have been approved so far. Glioma subtype–specific metabolic models were reconstructed to simulate metabolite exchanges, in silico knockouts and the prediction of drug and drug combinations for all three subtypes. The simulations were confronted with literature, high-throughput screenings (HTSs), xenograft and clinical trial data to validate the workflow and further prioritize the drug candidates. The three subtype models accurately displayed different degrees of dependencies toward glutamine and glutamate. Furthermore, 33 single drugs, mainly antimetabolites and TXNRD1-inhibitors, as well as 17 drug combinations were predicted as potential candidates for gliomas. Half of these drug candidates have been previously tested in HTSs. Half of the tested drug candidates reduce proliferation in cell lines and two-thirds in xenografts. Most combinations were predicted to be efficient for all three glioma types. However, eflornithine/rifamycin and cannabidiol/adapalene were predicted specifically for GBM and low-grade glioma, respectively. Most drug candidates had comparable efficiency in preclinical tests, cerebrospinal fluid bioavailability and mode-of-action to AntiBCs. However, fotemustine and valganciclovir alone and eflornithine and celecoxib in combination with AntiBCs improved the survival compared to AntiBCs in two-arms, phase I/II and higher glioma clinical trials. Our work highlights the potential of metabolic modeling in advancing glioma drug discovery, which accurately predicted metabolic vulnerabilities, repurposable drugs and combinations for the glioma subtypes.
The effect of a pre- and post-operative exercise program versus standard care on physical activity and sedentary behavior of patients with esophageal and gastric cancer undergoing neoadjuvant treatment prior to surgery (the PERIOP-OG Trial): a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Loughney Lisa , Murphy Kate , Tully Roisin , Robb William B , McCaffrey Noel , Dowd Kieran , Skelly Fiona 
Published: May 2024

Summary
Neoadjuvant cancer treatment (NCT) reduces both physical fitness and physical activity (PA) levels, which can increase the risk of adverse outcomes in cancer patients. This study aims to determine the effect of exercise prehabilitation on PA and sedentary behavior (SB) in patients undergoing NCT and surgery for esophagogastric malignancies. This study is a randomized pragmatic controlled multi-center trial conducted across three Irish hospitals. Participants were aged ≥18 years scheduled for esophagectomy or gastrectomy and were planned for NCT and surgery. Participants were randomized to an exercise prehabilitation group (EX) that commenced following cancer diagnosis, continued to the point of surgery, and resumed following recovery from surgery for 6 weeks or to usual care (UC) who received routine treatment. The primary outcome measures were PA and SB. Between March 2019 and December 2020, 71 participants were recruited: EX (n = 36) or UC (n = 35). No significant differences were found between the EX group and UC group on levels of PA or SBs across all measured timepoints. Significant decreases in moderate–vigorous physical activity levels (MVPAs) were found between baseline and post-surgery (P = 0.028), pre-surgery and post-surgery (P = 0.001) and pre-surgery and 6-week follow-up (P = 0.022) for all participants. Step count also significantly decreased between pre-surgery and post-surgery (P &lt; 0.001). Baseline aerobic fitness was positively associated to PA levels and negatively associated with SB. Esophagogastric cancer patients have lower than recommended levels of PA at the time of diagnosis and this decreased further following completion of NCT. An optional home- or group-based exercise intervention was not effective in improving PA levels or behaviors across the cancer treatment journey.
The Supply of Weapons to a Victim of Aggression: The Law of Neutrality in Light of the Conflict in Ukraine
Authors: Zugliani Niccolò 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
The relationship between the customary law of neutrality and the contemporary rules of the jus ad bellum is notoriously unclear, especially when an international armed conflict stems from an act of aggression, but the United Nations (UN) Security Council has not mandated or authorized any measure pursuant to Chapter VII of the UN Charter. The issue has emerged once again during the recent international armed conflict in Ukraine, in which states not participating in the conflict have disregarded, among other things, the customary prohibition to supply weapons to either belligerent by supplying weapons to Ukraine – that is, the state victim of armed aggression – despite the deadlock in the Security Council. These acts of unilateral unneutral support have not been characterized by the supplying states as being pursuant to exceptions to the law of neutrality or by Russia or other states as being violations of it. This raises the question whether the law of neutrality still bears relevance whenever an act of aggression occurs. In the uncertainty as to the legal regime applicable in this case, the Ukrainian conflict offers an important instance of state practice that might help shed light on the applicability of the customary prohibition to supply weapons, as well as of the law of neutrality in general, when the international conflict is initiated by an act of aggression.
Complex patterns of morphological diversity across multiple populations of an urban bird species
Authors: Diamant Eleanor S , Yeh Pamela J 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Urbanization presents a natural evolutionary experiment because selection pressures in cities can be strongly mismatched with those found in species’ historic habitats. However, some species have managed to adapt and even thrive in these novel conditions. When a species persists across multiple cities, a fundamental question arises: do we see similar traits evolve in similar novel environments? By testing if and how similar phenotypes emerge across multiple urban populations, we can begin to assess the predictability of population response to anthropogenic change. Here, we examine variation within and across multiple populations of a songbird, the dark-eyed junco (Junco hyemalis). We measured morphological variations in juncos across urban and nonurban populations in Southern California. We investigated whether the variations we observed were due to differences in environmental conditions across cities. Bill shape differed across urban populations; Los Angeles and Santa Barbara juncos had shorter, deeper bills than nonurban juncos, but San Diego juncos did not. On the other hand, wing length decreased with the built environment, regardless of the population. Southern Californian urban juncos exhibit both similarities and differences in morphological traits. Studying multiple urban populations can help us determine the predictability of phenotypic evolutionary responses to novel environments.
Unveiling the Genetic Blueprint of a Desert Scorpion: A Chromosome-level Genome of Hadrurus arizonensis Provides the First Reference for Parvorder Iurida
Authors: Bryant Meridia Jane , Coello Asher M , Glendening A M , Hilliman Samuel A , Jara Carolina Fernanda , Pring Samuel S , Rodríguez Rivera Aviel , Santiago Membreño Jennifer , Nigro Lisa , Pauloski Nicole , Graham Matthew R , King Teisha , Jockusch Elizabeth L , O’Neill Rachel J , Wegrzyn Jill L , Santibáñez-López Carlos E , Webster Cynthia N 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Over 400 million years old, scorpions represent an ancient group of arachnids and one of the first animals to adapt to life on land. Presently, the lack of available genomes within scorpions hinders research on their evolution. This study leverages ultralong nanopore sequencing and Pore-C to generate the first chromosome-level assembly and annotation for the desert hairy scorpion, Hadrurus arizonensis. The assembled genome is 2.23 Gb in size with an N50 of 280 Mb. Pore-C scaffolding reoriented 99.6% of bases into nine chromosomes and BUSCO identified 998 (98.6%) complete arthropod single copy orthologs. Repetitive elements represent 54.69% of the assembled bases, including 872,874 (29.39%) LINE elements. A total of 18,996 protein-coding genes and 75,256 transcripts were predicted, and extracted protein sequences yielded a BUSCO score of 97.2%. This is the first genome assembled and annotated within the family Hadruridae, representing a crucial resource for closing gaps in genomic knowledge of scorpions, resolving arachnid phylogeny, and advancing studies in comparative and functional genomics.
Associations of Relative Intensity of Physical Activity With Incident Cardiovascular Events and All-Cause Mortality
Authors: Schumacher Benjamin T , LaMonte Michael J , Di Chongzhi , Parada Humberto , Hooker Steven P , Bellettiere John , Simonsick Eleanor M , Liles Sandy , LaCroix Andrea Z 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background
The relative intensity of physical activity (PA) can be estimated as the percent of one’s maximal effort required.

Methods
We compared associations of relative and absolute intensity PA with incident major cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality in 5 633 women from the Objective Physical Activity and Cardiovascular Health Study (mean age 78.5 ± 6.7). Absolute intensity was measured by accelerometry. Relative intensity was estimated by dividing accelerometer-estimated metabolic equivalents (METs) by maximal MET capacity. Both were aggregated into mean daily hours of light intensity PA (LPA) and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA). Cox proportional hazard models estimated hazard ratios (HRs) for 1-hour higher amounts of PA on outcomes.

Results
During follow-up (median = 7.4 years), there were 748 incident CVD events and 1 312 deaths. Greater LPA and MVPA, on either scale, were associated with reduced risk of both outcomes. HRs for a 1-hour increment of absolute LPA were 0.88 (95% CI: 0.83–0.93) and 0.88 (95% CI: 0.84–0.92) for incident CVD and mortality, respectively. HRs for a 1-hour increment of absolute MPVA were 0.73 (95% CI: 0.61–0.87) and 0.55 (95% CI: 0.48–0.64) for the same outcomes. HRs for a 1-hour increment of relative LPA were 0.70 (95% CI: 0.59–0.84) and 0.78 (95% CI: 0.68–0.89) for incident CVD and mortality, respectively. HRs for a 1-hour increment of relative MPVA were 0.89 (95% CI: 0.83–0.96) and 0.82 (95% CI: 0.77–0.87) for the same outcomes. On the relative scale, LPA was more strongly, and inversely associated with both outcomes than relative MVPA. Absolute MVPA was more strongly inversely associated with the outcomes than relative MVPA.

Conclusions
Findings support the continued shift in the PA intensity paradigm toward recommendation of more movement, regardless of intensity. Relative LPA––a modifiable, more easily achieved behavioral target, particularly among ambulatory older adults––was associated with reduced risk of incident major CVD and death.
Subnational institutions, firm capabilities and eco-innovation
Authors: Kesidou Effie , Krammer Sorin M.S , Wu Lichao 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
We examine the role institutional pressures, at the subnational level, play in the generation of eco-innovations and explicitly consider how they interact with firms’ heterogeneous capabilities and ownership characteristics. Theoretically, we combine elements from institutional theory with the resource-based view of the firm to develop our hypotheses. Empirically, we use a novel dataset over the period 2003–2013 compiled from several sources: (I) environmental regulations (city-level) from the China Environmental Statistical Yearbooks and City Statistical Yearbooks; (II) green patents (firm-level) from the China National Intellectual Property Administration; and (III) ownership (firm-level) from the National Bureau of Statistics. Our econometric analysis employs an instrumental variable (IV) approach that controls for endogeneity and a negative binomial multilevel methodology for robustness. The results show that institutional pressures associated with environmental regulations, implemented at city level, lead to more green patents produced by firms in these jurisdictions. Crucially, the effectiveness of environmental regulation is enhanced when firms invest more in their internal technological capabilities. Finally, we find that a firm’s affiliation with a business group enhances the positive effects of regulations in terms of the production of eco-innovations.
Trans-Atlantic genomic differentiation and parallel environmental and allelic variation in Lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus)
Authors: Langille Barbara L , Kess Tony , Nugent Cameron M , Messmer Amber , Duffy Steven J , Knutsen Tim Martin , Kent Matthew , Boyce Danny , Gregory Robert S , Gauthier Johanne , Fairchild Elizabeth A , Pietrak Michael , Eddy Stephen , Garcia de Leaniz Carlos , Consuegra Sofia , Whittaker Ben , Bentzen Paul , Bradbury Ian R 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
In marine species with large populations and high dispersal potential, large-scale genetic differences and clinal trends in allele frequency can provide insight into the evolutionary processes that shape diversity. Lumpfish, Cyclopterus lumpus, is found throughout the North Atlantic and has traditionally been harvested for roe and more recently used as a cleaner fish in salmon aquaculture. We used a 70 K SNP array to evaluate trans-Atlantic differentiation, genetic structuring, and clinal variation across the North Atlantic. Basin-scale structuring between the Northeast and Northwest Atlantic was significant, with enrichment for loci associated with developmental/mitochondrial function. We identified a putative structural variant on chromosome 2, likely contributing to differentiation between Northeast and Northwest Atlantic Lumpfish, and consistent with post-glacial trans-Atlantic secondary contact. Redundancy analysis identified climate associations both in the Northeast (N = 1269 loci) and Northwest (N = 1637 loci), with 103 shared loci between them. Clinal patterns in allele frequencies were observed in some loci (15%—Northwest and 5%—Northeast) of which 708 loci were shared and involved with growth, developmental processes, and locomotion. The combined evidence of trans-Atlantic differentiation, environmental associations, and clinal loci, suggests that both regional and large-scale potentially-adaptive population structuring is present across the North Atlantic.
Regnase-1 D141N mutation induces CD4+ T cell-mediated lung granuloma formation via upregulation of Pim2
Authors: Htun Thin Sandi , Tanaka Hiroki , Singh Shailendra Kumar , Diez Diego , Akira Shizuo 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Regnase-1 is an RNase that plays a critical role in negatively regulating immune responses by destabilizing inflammatory messenger RNAs (mRNAs). Dysfunction of Regnase-1 can be a major cause of various inflammatory diseases with tissue injury and immune cell infiltration into organs. This study focuses on the role of the RNase activity of Regnase-1 in developing inflammatory diseases. We have constructed mice with a single point mutation at the catalytic center of the Regnase-1 RNase domain, which lacks endonuclease activity. D141N mutant mice demonstrated systemic inflammation, immune cell infiltration into various organs, and progressive development of lung granuloma. CD4+ T cells, mainly affected by this mutation, upregulated the mTORC1 pathway and facilitated the autoimmune trait in the D141N mutation. Moreover, serine/threonine kinase Pim2 contributed to lung inflammation in this mutation. Inhibition of Pim2 kinase activity ameliorated granulomatous inflammation, immune cell infiltration, and proliferation in the lungs. Additionally, Pim2 inhibition reduced the expression of adhesion molecules on CD4+ T cells, suggesting a role for Pim2 in facilitating leukocyte adhesion and migration to inflamed tissues. Our findings provide new insights into the role of Regnase-1 RNase activity in controlling immune functions and underscore the therapeutic relevance of targeting Pim2 to modulate abnormal immune responses.
Genetic sex determination in three closely related hydrothermal vent gastropods, including one species with intersex individuals
Authors: Castel Jade , Pradillon Florence , Cueff Valérie , Leger Guillaume , Daguin-Thiébaut Claire , Ruault Stéphanie , Mary Jean , Hourdez Stéphane , Jollivet Didier , Broquet Thomas 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Molluscs have undergone many transitions between separate sexes and hermaphroditism, which is of interest in studying the evolution of sex determination and differentiation. Here, we combined multi-locus genotypes obtained from restriction site-associated DNA (RAD) sequencing with anatomical observations of the gonads of three deep-sea hydrothermal vent gastropods of the genus Alviniconcha living in the southwest Pacific. We found that all three species (Alviniconcha boucheti, Alviniconcha strummeri, and Alviniconcha kojimai) share the same male-heterogametic XY sex-determination system but that the gonads of XX A. kojimai individuals are invaded by a variable proportion of male reproductive tissue. The identification of Y-specific RAD loci (found only in A. boucheti) and the phylogenetic analysis of three sex-linked loci shared by all species suggested that X-Y recombination has evolved differently within each species. This situation of three species showing variation in gonadal development around a common sex-determination system provides new insights into the reproductive mode of poorly known deep-sea species and opens up an opportunity to study the evolution of recombination suppression on sex chromosomes and its association with mixed or transitory sexual systems.