bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The potential of using non-coding RNAs in forensic science applications
Authors: Li Yawen , Wang Zhuoqun , Ishmael Dikeledi , Lvy Yehui 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
With the continuous development and integration of molecular biology and forensic science, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), especially ncRNAs with regulatory functions such as microRNA, long non-coding RNA, and circular RNA, have recently been actively explored by forensic scholars. In this study, we review the literature on these ncRNAs in various fields of forensic science, including postmortem interval determination, wound age estimation, forensic age assessment, cause of death analysis, and body fluid identification, aiming to evaluate the current research and provide a perspective for future applications.
Caenorhabditis elegans spermatocytes can segregate achiasmate homologous chromosomes apart at higher than random frequency during meiosis I
Authors: Gong Ting , McNally Francis J 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Chromosome segregation errors during meiosis are the leading cause of aneuploidy. Faithful chromosome segregation during meiosis in most eukaryotes requires a crossover which provides a physical attachment holding homologs together in a “bivalent.” Crossovers are critical for homologs to be properly aligned and partitioned in the first meiotic division. Without a crossover, individual homologs (univalents) might segregate randomly, resulting in aneuploid progeny. However, Caenorhabditis elegans zim-2 mutants, which have crossover defects on chromosome V, have fewer dead embryos than that expected from random segregation. This deviation from random segregation is more pronounced in zim-2 males than that in females. We found three phenomena that can explain this apparent discrepancy. First, we detected crossovers on chromosome V in both zim-2(tm574) oocytes and spermatocytes, suggesting a redundant mechanism to make up for the ZIM-2 loss. Second, after accounting for the background crossover frequency, spermatocytes produced significantly more euploid gametes than what would be expected from random segregation. Lastly, trisomy of chromosome V is viable and fertile. Together, these three phenomena allow zim-2(tm574) mutants with reduced crossovers on chromosome V to have more viable progeny. Furthermore, live imaging of meiosis in spo-11(me44) oocytes and spermatocytes, which exhibit crossover failure on all 6 chromosomes, showed 12 univalents segregating apart in roughly equal masses in a homology-independent manner, supporting the existence of a mechanism that segregates any 2 chromosomes apart.
Deformation of the Qinling belt revealed byP-wave velocity and azimuthal anisotropy tomography
Authors: Li Mengyang , Liu Shaolin , Yang Dinghui , Xie Chaodi , Xu Xiwei , Dong Guiju , Wang Wenshuai , Yang Shuxin 
Published: February 2023

SUMMARYThe Qinling belt is a transitional zone lying among three units: the North China block (NCB), the South China block (SCB) and the northeastern Tibetan Plateau (NETP). Owing to the interaction of these units, complex deformation has occurred in the Qinling belt. Although many studies have been conducted to understand the deformation mechanism in the Qinling belt, some key issues are still under debate, such as whether middle-lower crustal flow exists beneath the western Qinling belt (WQB). High-resolution images of subsurface structures are essential to shed light on the deformation mechanism. In this paper, high-resolution images of the velocity structure and azimuthal anisotropy beneath the Qinling belt are obtained by using an eikonal equation-based traveltime tomography method. Our seismic tomography inverts 38 719 high-quality P-wave first arrivals from 1697 regional earthquakes recorded by 387 broad-band seismic stations. In the WQB, our tomography results show low-velocity anomalies but relatively weak anisotropy in the middle-lower crust. These features suggest that middle-lower crustal flow may not exist in this area. In the central Qinling belt (CQB), we find low-velocity anomalies in the middle-lower crust; however, the fast velocity directions no longer trend E–W but vary from NNE–SSW to N–S. These characteristics can be ascribed to the convergence and collision between the NCB and the SCB. In addition, we find strong low-velocity anomalies in the uppermost mantle beneath the CQB, which may indicate delamination of the lower crust. In the southern Qinling belt, we observe significant high-velocity anomalies in the upper crust beneath the Hannan–Micang and Shennong–Huangling domes. These high-velocity anomalies indicate a mechanically strong upper crust, which is responsible for the arc-shaped deformation process of the Dabashan fold. Based on the P-wave velocity and azimuthal anisotropic structures revealed by the inversion of high-quality seismic data, the deformation of the Qinling belt is affected mainly by the convergence between the NCB and the SCB rather than by the middle-lower crustal flow from the Tibetan Plateau.
A deep Gaussian process model for seismicity background rates
Authors: Muir Jack B , Ross Zachary E 
Published: February 2023

SUMMARYThe spatio-temporal properties of seismicity give us incisive insight into the stress state evolution and fault structures of the crust. Empirical models based on self-exciting point processes continue to provide an important tool for analysing seismicity, given the epistemic uncertainty associated with physical models. In particular, the epidemic-type aftershock sequence (ETAS) model acts as a reference model for studying seismicity catalogues. The traditional ETAS model uses simple parametric definitions for the background rate of triggering-independent seismicity. This reduces the effectiveness of the basic ETAS model in modelling the temporally complex seismicity patterns seen in seismic swarms that are dominated by aseismic tectonic processes such as fluid injection rather than aftershock triggering. In order to robustly capture time-varying seismicity rates, we introduce a deep Gaussian process (GP) formulation for the background rate as an extension to ETAS. GPs are a robust non-parametric model for function spaces with covariance structure. By conditioning the length-scale structure of a GP with another GP, we have a deep-GP: a probabilistic, hierarchical model that automatically tunes its structure to match data constraints. We show how the deep-GP-ETAS model can be efficiently sampled by making use of a Metropolis-within-Gibbs scheme, taking advantage of the branching process formulation of ETAS and a stochastic partial differential equation (SPDE) approximation for Matérn GPs. We illustrate our method using synthetic examples, and show that the deep-GP-ETAS model successfully captures multiscale temporal behaviour in the background forcing rate of seismicity. We then apply the results to two real-data catalogues: the Ridgecrest, CA 2019 July 5 Mw 7.1 event catalogue, showing that deep-GP-ETAS can successfully characterize a classical aftershock sequence; and the 2016–2019 Cahuilla, CA earthquake swarm, which shows two distinct phases of aseismic forcing concordant with a fluid injection-driven initial sequence, arrest of the fluid along a physical barrier and release following the largest Mw 4.4 event of the sequence.
The effects of climate-induced environmental variability on Pacific Ocean squids
Authors: Wang Jintao , Chen Xinjun , Li YunKai , Boenish Robert 
Published: February 2023

AbstractClimate-induced environmental variability is proving to be a driving factor reshaping the distribution and altering the movement of marine species. However, how Pacific Ocean squids, with their 1-year life span and adaptive abilities, and which support &gt;25% of global squid fisheries, respond to environmental variability is poorly understood. We address this knowledge gap by constructing spatio–temporal models for two squid species in three fishing grounds (Ommastrephes bartramii in the northwest Pacific Ocean and Dosidicus gigas in the eastern Pacific Ocean) using generalized additive mixed models based on data from digitized Chinese squid-jigging logbooks for 2005–2017. The relationships between environmental variables and local abundance of squids reflected by environmental and traditional spatial response curves track changes in climate. The peaks and troughs in squid biomass coincide with La Niña and El Niño events, but are moderate in contrast to the effects of directional climate-induced environmental variability. We find substantial poleward shifts by squids inhabiting low and middle latitudes. These findings have broad implications for food security and open ocean ecosystem dynamics.
Inferior pulmonary ligament division during left upper lobectomy causes pulmonary dysfunction
Authors: Kuriyama Shoji , Imai Kazuhiro , Saito Hajime , Takashima Shinogu , Kurihara Nobuyasu , Demura Ryo , Suzuki Haruka , Harata Yuzu , Sato Yusuke , Nakayama Katsutoshi , Nomura Kyoko , Minamiya Yoshihiro 
Published: February 2023

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The division of inferior pulmonary ligament (IPL) during upper lobectomy (UL) was believed to be mandatory to dilate the remaining lung sufficiently. However, the benefits, especially postoperative pulmonary function, remain controversial. This study aimed to evaluate whether IPL division leads to pulmonary dysfunction.

METHODS
This retrospective study included 213 patients who underwent UL between 2005 and 2018. They were categorized into an IPL division group (D group, n = 106) and a preservation group (P group, n = 107). Postoperative dead space at the lung apex, pulmonary function and complications were assessed using chest X-rays and spirometry. Changes in bronchial angle, cross-sectional area and circumference of the narrowed bronchus on the excised side were measured on three-dimensional computed tomography.

RESULTS
There was no significant difference in the postoperative complication rate, the dead space area, forced vital capacity (FVC), or forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) between the 2 groups after right UL (FVC; P = 0.838, FEV1; P = 0.693). By contrast, after left UL pulmonary function was significantly better in the P than in the D group (FVC; P = 0.038, FEV1; P = 0.027). Changes in bronchial angle did not significantly differ between the 2 groups. The narrowed bronchus's cross-sectional area (P = 0.021) and circumference (P = 0.009) were significantly smaller in the D group than in the P group after left UL.

CONCLUSIONS
IPL division during left UL caused postoperative pulmonary dysfunction and airflow limitation due to bronchial kinking. IPL preservation may have a beneficial impact on postoperative pulmonary function.
Location of the phase-change material layer on thermal performance of light-weight walls
Authors: Liu Shuhan , Wang Jiahui , Meng Li , Hu Chenxi , Meng Xi 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Light-weight materials are commonly used in high-rise buildings to reduce the building weight, but their thermal inertia will increase the fluctuation of air-conditioning and heating load and reduce indoor thermal comfort. Phase-change material (PCM) is employed to improve the thermal behavior by latent thermal storage, but its location has the obvious impact on the thermal behavior improvement of the light-weight wall. According to this condition, by taking the common multi-layer wall as a reference, three walls were built with different locations of the PCM layer, including locating the PCM layer in inner side, locating the PCM layer in outer side and distributing PCM uniformly into foamed concrete. The dynamic heat transfer model with the phase change was built and verified by an experiment. Numerical results showed locating the PCM layer in inner side is the best in three locations and followed by distributing PCM uniformly into foamed concrete, while locating the PCM layer in outer side is the worst in spite of the high liquid fraction variation. Locating the PCM layer in the inner side can lower the attenuation factor by 101.25% and 33.87%, increase the delay time by 40.00% and 17.14%, reduced by the peak heat flow by 47.69% and 17.28%, compared to locating the PCM layer in the outer side and distributing PCM into foamed concrete uniformly.
Facilitating greenhouse gas emissions reduction via photovoltaic site characterization and deployment in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Aloufi Fahed A , Halawani Riyadh F 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
The study shows that oil production and consumption in the various sectors accounted for over 80% of the rising GHG emissions, especially CO2. Additionally, the study examines the solar photovoltaic (PV) potential of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, using computational modelling. The results show that the yearly average global horizontal irradiation, direct normal radiation and diffuse horizontal irradiations are 2244, 1967 and 863.3 kWh/m2, respectively. Other results are the yearly sum of monthly global tilted irradiation (GTI) and an average yearly daily sum of GTI are 2348.4 and 6.44 kWh/m2, respectively. These results show that Jeddah has huge solar PV potential.
Exploring consumers’ perspective of community pharmacists delivering COVID-19 vaccinations: an Australian pilot study
Authors: Bui Tien Ngoc Thi , Janetzki Jack Luke , Chai Wern Chern , Suppiah Vijayaprakash 
Published: February 2023

Abstract

Objectives
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Australian community pharmacists delivered a wide range of professional services, including COVID-19 vaccinations. The aim of this study was to understand the reasons for and attitudes of consumers receiving COVID-19 vaccinations from community pharmacists.

Methods
A nationwide anonymous online survey recruited consumers above the age of 18 years who had received their COVID-19 vaccinations at community pharmacies between September 2021 and April 2022.

Key findings
COVID-19 vaccinations at community pharmacies were positively received by consumers due to their convenience and accessibility.

Conclusions
Future health strategies should utilise the highly trained workforce of community pharmacists for wider public outreach.
Genomic Epidemiology of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Transmission Among University Students in Western Pennsylvania
Authors: Srinivasa Vatsala Rangachar , Griffith Marissa P , Waggle Kady D , Johnson Monika , Zhu Lei , Williams John V , Marsh Jane W , Van Tyne Daria , Harrison Lee H , Martin Elise M 
Published: February 2023

Abstract

Background
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) control on college campuses is challenging given communal living and student social dynamics. Understanding SARS-CoV-2 transmission among college students is important for the development of optimal control strategies.

Methods
SARS-CoV-2 nasal swab samples were collected from University of Pittsburgh students for symptomatic testing and asymptomatic surveillance from August 2020 through April 2021 from 3 campuses. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was performed on 308 samples, and contact tracing information collected from students was used to identify transmission clusters.

Results
We identified 31 Pangolin lineages of SARS-CoV-2, the majority belonging to B.1.1.7 (Alpha) and B.1.2 lineages. Contact tracing identified 142 students (46%) clustering with each other; WGS identified 53 putative transmission clusters involving 216 students (70%). WGS identified transmissions that were missed by contact tracing. However, 84 cases (27%) could not be linked by either WGS or contact tracing. Clusters were most frequently linked to students residing in the same dormitory, off-campus roommates, friends, or athletic activities.

Conclusions
The majority of SARS-CoV-2–positive samples clustered by WGS, indicating significant transmission across campuses. The combination of WGS and contact tracing maximized the identification of SARS-CoV-2 transmission on campus. WGS can be used as a strategy to mitigate, and further prevent transmission among students.
Effects of penicillin V on the faecal microbiota in patients with pharyngotonsillitis—an observational study
Authors: Rystedt Karin , Edquist Petra , Giske Christian G , Hedin Katarina , Tyrstrup Mia , Ståhlgren Gunilla Skoog , Sundvall Pär-Daniel , Edlund Charlotta 
Published: February 2023

AbstractBackgroundThe intestinal microbiota functions as a reservoir of antibiotic resistance.ObjectivesTo evaluate penicillin V (phenoxymethylpenicillin) effects on the faecal microbiota with focus on beta-lactam resistance.MethodsWe included 31 primary care patients with group A streptococcal pharyngotonsillitis treated with penicillin V for 5 (800 mg × 4) or 10 days (1000 mg × 3). Twenty-nine patients contributed with three faecal swab samples each. The faecal specimens were collected at the start of penicillin V treatment, after the last dose and at follow-up 7–9 days after completed treatment. Samples were inoculated semiquantitatively on selective screening agar plates to study beta-lactam resistance, species shifts among Enterobacterales and enterococci, and colonization with Candida spp. and Clostridioides difficile. Representative colonies were identified using MALDI-TOF. Results were analysed by non-parametric statistical methods.ResultsAn increase in the proportion of patients colonized with ampicillin-resistant Enterobacterales, from 52% to 86% (P = 0.007), and Enterobacterales with decreased susceptibility to third-generation cephalosporins, from 32% to 52% (P = 0.034), was observed between the first and second samples. This increase was no longer significant at follow-up. New colonization with ampicillin-resistant Enterobacterales species and non-Enterobacterales Gram-negative species was observed, and persisted at follow-up.ConclusionsFollowing treatment with penicillin V, we observed decreased susceptibility to ampicillin and third-generation cephalosporins, and prolonged colonization with non-Escherichia coli Gram-negative species. These findings challenge the perception that penicillin V has limited ecological effect on the intestinal microbiota, and emphasizes the importance of avoiding even narrow-spectrum antimicrobials when possible.
Heterogeneous Fenton’s-like catalyst potentiation of hydrogen peroxide disinfection: an investigation into mechanisms of action
Authors: Sewell Samantha L , Owen Lucy , Laird Katie , Huddersman Katherine D , Walsh Susannah E 
Published: February 2023

AbstractAimsThis study aimed to establish the mechanisms of action (MOA) of a novel surface-functionalized polyacrylonitrile (PAN) catalyst, which was previously shown to have potent antimicrobial activity in conjunction with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2).Methods and resultsBactericidal activity was determined using a disinfectant suspension test. The MOA was investigated by measuring the loss of 260 nm absorbing material, membrane potential, permeability assays, analysis of intra- and extracellular ATP and pH, and tolerance to sodium chloride and bile salts.The catalyst lowered sub-lethal concentrations of H2O2 from 0.2 to 0.09%. H2O2 ± 3 g PAN catalyst significantly (P ≤ 0.05) reduced sodium chloride and bile salt tolerance, suggesting the occurance of sublethal cell membrane damage. The catalyst significantly increased (P ≤ 0.05) N-Phenyl-l-Napthylamine uptake (1.51-fold) and leakage of nucleic acids, demonstrating increased membrane permeability. A significant (P ≤ 0.05) loss of membrane potential (0.015 a.u.), coupled with pertubation of intracellular pH homeostasis and depletion of intracellular ATP, suggests potentiation of H2O2-mediated cell membrane damage.ConclusionsThis is the first study to investigate the catalyst’s antimicrobial mechanism of action, with the cytoplasmic membrane being a target for cellular injury.
The age-related metabolizable energy of cereal grains, oilseed meals, corn gluten meals, and feather meals for broilers
Authors: Song Mingqiang , Wang Yuming , Liu Youyou , Ren Cong , Yan Lei , Xie Jingjing , Lai Jinliang , Zhou Guilian , Li Yong , Zhao Feng 
Published: February 2023

AbstractA 2 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments with two ages of broilers (11 to 14 or 25 to 28 d of age) and three samples of feed ingredients was utilized to compare metabolizable energy (ME) and ratio of ME to gross energy (GE) in each group of three cereal grains (CG, including one corn, two wheat flour), three oilseed meals (OM, including one soybean meal, one peanut meal, and one cottonseed meal), three corn gluten meals (CGM A, B, and C), and three feather meals (FM A, B, and C). Each treatment contained six replicates of four Arbor Acre male broilers in energy balance experiments. Trends toward interactions between age and source of CG were observed on the ME and ME/GE of CG (0.05 &lt;P &lt; 0.10). The ME and ME/GE in corn were greater for broilers from 25 to 28 than for 11 to 14 d of age (P &lt; 0.05). However, the ME and ME/GE in wheat flour A and B were not affected by the age of the broilers. The ME and ME/GE of OM were not affected by the age of broilers but differed across sources (P &lt; 0.01). Conversely, the ME and ME/GE of FM were not different across sources of FM, but the ME and ME/GE of FM were less for broilers from 11 to 14 compared to 25 to 28 d of age (P &lt; 0.01). Significant interactions between age and sources of CGM affected the ME and ME/GE of CGM (P &lt; 0.05). The ME and ME/GE of CGM A were greater than CGM B (P &lt; 0.05) when fed to broilers from 25 to 28 d of age but there was no effect from 11 to 14 d of age. The ME and ME/GE of CGM were less in broilers from 11 to 14 compared to 25 to 28 d of age (P &lt; 0.05). These results indicate that the energy value of wheat flour and OM are similar regardless of age, but the ME in starter diets with corn, CGM, and FM may be overestimated if the ME values are obtained from growing broilers.
How informative is the text of securities complaints?
Authors: Badawi Adam B 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Much of the research in law and finance reduces complex texts down to a handful of variables. Legal scholars have voiced concerns that this dimensionality reduction loses important detail that is embedded in legal text. This article assesses this critique by asking whether text analysis can capture meaningful predictive information. It does so by applying text analysis and machine learning to a corpus of private securities class action complaints that contains over 90 million words. This analysis produces three primary findings: (1) the best performing models predict outcomes with an accuracy rate of about 70%, which is higher than baseline rates; (2) a hybrid model that uses both text and nontext components performs better than either of these two components alone; and (3) the predictions made by the machine learning models are associated with substantial abnormal returns in the days after cases get filed.