bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Valorization of Pistacia Lentiscus L. oil: antifungal activity in an emulsion formula
Authors: Bouhadi Nabila , Rouane Asma , Aklil Douaa , Riabi Raouia , Alileche Khoukha , Boudriche Lilya 
Published: November 2024

This study was carried out with a view to replacing the synthetic active ingredient with a natural antioxidant, and thus contributing to the development of vegetable oil extracted from the Pistacia lentiscus, a plant that is abundant in Algeria.
Lentiscus oil was extracted from seeds collected in two regions (Boumerdes and Tizi Ouzou). Extraction by cold pressing yielded a vegetable oil that was better in terms of quantity and quality, while avoiding the use of solvents.
The study was completed by a formulation trial for an antifungal emulsion based on Pistacia lentiscus oil extracted at different percentages (0.5, 1.5 and 2%). Physico-chemical characterizations of the oil and the emulsions produced were carried out, as well as a study of the antifungal and antibacterial activities.
The results show that the Pistacia lentiscus oil analyzed has significant antioxidant activity due to its polyphenol content (843.55 and 499.26 meq g gallic acid /ml oil from the Boumerdes and Tizi-Ouzou regions, respectively) and flavonoids (39.15 and 17.85 mg Eq / mg oil extract from the Boumerdes and Tizi-Ouzou regions respectively), considered to be secondary metabolites and antioxidants.
The study of antifungal and antibacterial activity showed that both the vegetable oil and the emulsion had encouraging antibacterial and antifungal effects. These could contribute to the development of new antimicrobial agents.
Sensory analysis of the emulsions produced showed that they were moisturizing, creamy, homogeneous and easy to apply and incorporate into the skin. There were no side effects such as skin allergies.
Based on the results obtained, it may be possible to replace lentisk oil synthetic active ingredients in the formulation of an antifungal cream.
A novel coalesced quantum dot buffer approach to mitigate large lattice mismatch in III–V epitaxy
Authors: Tsai Yu-Li , Fang Jheng-Hao , Wu Chih-Hung 
Published: November 2024

III–V compound semiconductors, such as indium arsenide (InAs), are crucial in the fields of electronics and optoelectronics due to their unique properties, including a narrow bandgap, high electron mobility, low effective electron mass, and outstanding optoelectronic performance. However, the lattice constant mismatch of 7.2% between InAs and gallium arsenide (GaAs) leads to a high dislocation density in the InAs epilayer, typically around 109 cm−2 or higher when InAs is directly grown on GaAs (001). A common traditional approach to reduce material defect density involves using a compositionally graded buffer structure, which requires a thickness of several micrometers. This paper presents an innovative method for growing device-quality InAs epilayers on GaAs (001) substrates through an InAs coalesced quantum dot buffer (CQDB) layer. Remarkably, the InAs CQDB method requires a thickness of only several tens of nanometers, leading to significant improvements in film quality. Utilizing the InAs CQDB layer allows for a substantial reduction in dislocation density from 1.8 × 109 to 3.6 × 107 cm−2. The findings of this study provide a crucial research foundation for addressing lattice mismatch challenges in epitaxial growth, particularly for those investigating methods to integrate different materials in advanced device applications.
Pixels to pyrometrics: UAS-derived infrared imagery to evaluate and monitor prescribed fire behaviour and effects
Authors: O’Neill Leo , Fulé Peter Z , Watts Adam , Moran Chris , Hopkins Bryce , Rowell Eric , Thode Andrea , Afghah Fatemeh 
Published: November 2024

Background Prescribed fire is vital for fuel reduction and ecological restoration, but the effectiveness and fine-scale interactions are poorly understood. Aims We developed methods for processing uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) imagery into spatially explicit pyrometrics, including measurements of fuel consumption, rate of spread, and residence time to quantitatively measure three prescribed fires. Methods We collected infrared (IR) imagery continuously (0.2 Hz) over prescribed burns and one experimental calibration burn, capturing fire progression and combustion for multiple hours. Key results Pyrometrics were successfully extracted from UAS-IR imagery with sufficient spatiotemporal resolution to effectively measure and differentiate between fires. UAS-IR fuel consumption correlated with weight-based measurements of 10 1-m2 experimental burn plots, validating our approach to estimating consumption with a cost-effective UAS-IR sensor (R2 = 0.99; RMSE = 0.38 kg m−2). Conclusions Our findings demonstrate UAS-IR pyrometrics are an accurate approach to monitoring fire behaviour and effects, such as measurements of consumption. Prescribed fire is a fine-scale process; a ground sampling distance of <2.3 m2 is recommended. Additional research is needed to validate other derived measurements. Implications Refined fire monitoring coupled with refined objectives will be pivotal in informing fire management of best practices, justifying the use of prescribed fire and providing quantitative feedback in an uncertain environment.
Effects of input frequency and microvariation on knowledge of negative inversion in L2 English
Authors: Rankin Tom , Wagner Thomas 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
The present study investigates whether L2 learners of English distinguish between (un)grammatical word orders
after fronted negative adverbials to identify negative inversion. Previous research on transfer and resetting of verb second (V2)
in L1 German–L2 English is extended to explore residual V2 in the form of negative inversion. An acceptability judgment task
elicited sentence ratings from advanced German-speaking learners of English for fronted negative adverbials with local and
sentential scope. In addition, corpus frequency data of these negative adverbials were related to the learners’ ratings in order
to investigate the potential role of input effects. Results suggest that linguistic constraints on microvariation with respect to
fronting negative adverbials are broadly in place for learners at this proficiency level, as the scope of fronted negation has an
effect on acceptability of negative inversion. Continued significant differences in acceptability judgements of advanced learners
compared to native speakers indicate, however, that learners have not completely converged on the target pattern of
microvariation. This is related to frequency and reliability of input.
Phase Field Simulation Study of the β′ Precipitation Phase of Mg-Gd-Y Alloys
Authors: Wang Yongbiao , Ren Ruizhuo , Jiang Junjie , Cui Hongyang , Li Xin , Wei Shizhong , Liu Xintian 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
The key reinforcing precipitation phase in the aging precipitation sequence of Mg-Gd-Y alloys is the bamboo-leaf-like substable β′ phase, which can effectively inhibit the crystal base slip to enhance the age-hardening response of magnesium alloys. In this work, a phase field model of the aging precipitation process of Mg-Gd-Y ternary alloys was created by combining the phase field method and thermodynamic database. The microstructure evolution of the β′ precipitated phase in the isothermal aging process of Mg-Gd-Y alloys was simulated, and the impact of anisotropic parameters on the precipitated phase’s morphology was examined. Finally, the effect of Gd content on the β′ phase in the Mg-Gd-Y alloys was disclosed from the standpoint of the kinetics. β′ precipitation phase precipitation mechanism of Mg-Gd-Y alloys from the kinetic point of view. The results show that the anisotropic elastic energy and the interfacial energy work together to influence the shape of the β′ precipitation phase. Gd content increases lead to refined grains, an increase in the volume fraction of the Mg-Gd-Y alloy β′ precipitated phase, and a greater aspect ratio of the precipitated phase.
Distribution models of antennas in radio astronomy:
Efficiency comparison of the golden spiral interferometry
Authors: Rodríguez Elio Quiroga 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
This work compares the performance of different antenna
configurations in radio astronomy interferometry, including the
golden spiral, a grid, a random arrangement, and the “Y”
configuration similar to the Very Large Array. One hundred antennas
are simulated in each configuration, and the resulting UV coverage
and image quality are analyzed. The results show that the golden
spiral provides more uniform UV coverage without significant gaps,
which improves image quality by reducing sidelobes and artifacts. In
comparison, the grid exhibits periodic structures in the UV coverage
that can degrade image quality due to gaps and artifacts. The random
arrangement offers more natural coverage but is less efficient in
terms of resolution and sidelobe control. The “Y” configuration
proves effective in achieving high resolution along its arms but
lacks complete coverage in certain directions, which can negatively
affect image quality at those angles. The self-similar nature of the
golden spiral allows for efficient capture of both large and small
structures in observed sources, maximizing the spatial information
obtained. We conclude that, for applications where resolution and
sensitivity are critical, the golden spiral represents the optimal
configuration, followed by the “Y” configuration, with the grid
being the least suitable.
Vector Calculus for Tamed Dirichlet Spaces
Authors: Braun Mathias 
Published: November 2024

In the language of

L
∞

L^\infty

-modules proposed by Gigli, we introduce a first order calculus on a topological Lusin measure space

(
M
,

m

)

(M,\mathfrak {m})

carrying a quasi-regular, strongly local Dirichlet form

\usefont {U}{BOONDOX-cal}{m}{n}E

{\text {\usefont {U}{BOONDOX-cal}{m}{n}E}}

. Furthermore, we develop a second order calculus if

(
M
,

\usefont {U}{BOONDOX-cal}{m}{n}E

,

m

)

(M,{\text {\usefont {U}{BOONDOX-cal}{m}{n}E}},\mathfrak {m})

is tamed by a signed measure in the extended Kato class in the sense of Erbar, Rigoni, Sturm and Tamanini. This allows us to define e.g. Hessians, covariant and exterior derivatives, Ricci curvature, and second fundamental form.
The risk of malignancy in patients with psoriasis treated with long-term tumour necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wu Wen-Ting , Chiang Ming-Che , Huang Yu-Chen 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background
The relationship between tumour necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors (TNFis) and cancer risk is complex, given their pivotal role in managing chronic inflammatory conditions. Persistent concerns about TNFi therapy potentially increasing cancer risk necessitate a thorough understanding of its long-term effects on cancer development in patients with psoriasis to guide therapeutic decision making.

Objectives
To evaluate the association between long-term TNFi therapy and cancer risk in patients with psoriasis in a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods
Data were collected from PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library, from their inception to 1 January 2024. The studies included adults with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis receiving an TNFi, presenting standardized incidence ratio (SIR) data for cancer. Data extraction followed PRISMA guidelines, with independent extraction by two authors, and pooled data synthesis was conducted using a random-effects model. The primary outcomes were SIRs for all cancers excluding nonmelanoma skin carcinoma (NMSC) and for NMSC itself. The secondary outcome was SIRs for specific cancer types.

Results
We reviewed 13 studies, including 8 new studies and 5 from a previous meta-analysis. Of the 13 studies, only 8 were included in the meta-analysis comprising a total of 32 765 patients with psoriasis. The pooled results showed no increased risk of cancers for the categories: all cancers excluding NMSC; melanoma; lymphoma; prostate cancer; and breast cancer among individuals receiving long-term TNFi therapy for psoriasis compared with the general population. However, subgroup analysis found an elevated risk of NMSC in patients with psoriatic arthritis and a significant increase in the risk of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) among patients with psoriasis treated with TNFis compared with the general population [SIR 1.84, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.16–2.92 and SIR 2.84, 95% CI 1.64–4.91, respectively].

Conclusions
Our systematic review and meta-analysis indicate that most cancers examined did not demonstrate an increased risk following long-term TNFi therapy in patients with psoriasis. However, for patients with psoriatic arthritis or those at high risk of SCC, these findings underscore the importance of personalized treatment strategies that weigh individual risks and benefits.
Applications of Big Data Analytics in Tax Compliance Monitoring: A Case Study of Rwanda’s Value-Added Tax
Authors: Tuyishimire Origene , Murorunkwere Belle Fille 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Most tax administrations have struggled with tax under-reporting, which has cost them greatly financially and hampered economic growth overall. For most countries, value-added tax (VAT) is the main source of domestic revenue. VAT is the major contributor to total tax revenue in Rwanda, so even a small increase in its collection can raise overall significant revenue. Researchers have attempted to address the issue of under-reporting using various techniques. The purpose of this paper is to use machine learning models to detect and predict the VAT under-reporting in Rwanda. Several evaluation criteria are used to compare different supervised machine learning models. A number of factors are shown to be more influential on VAT under-reporting than others, including cross-border businesses, taxpayers with fewer years of experience, and taxpayers in sectors such as wholesale and retail trade as well as construction. Leveraging such approaches can increase revenue mobilization as tax administrations will have a quick and innovative method of predicting VAT under-reporting in advance and identify high-risk cases for audit.
On the maximum bound principle and energy dissipation of exponential time differencing methods for the matrix-valued Allen–Cahn equation
Authors: Liu Yaru , Quan Chaoyu , Wang Dong 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
This work delves into the exponential time differencing (ETD) schemes for the matrix-valued Allen–Cahn equation. In fact, the maximum bound principle (MBP) for the first- and second-order ETD schemes is presented in a prior publication [SIAM Review, 63(2), 2021], assuming a symmetric initial matrix field. Noteworthy is our novel contribution, demonstrating that the first- and second-order ETD schemes for the matrix-valued Allen–Cahn equation—both being linear schemes—unconditionally preserve the MBP, even in instances of nonsymmetric initial conditions. Furthermore, we prove that these two ETD schemes preserve the energy dissipation law unconditionally for the matrix-valued Allen–Cahn equation, and their convergence analysis is also provided. Some numerical examples are presented to verify our theoretical results and to simulate the evolution of corresponding matrix fields.
Efficacy of the mLab App: a randomized clinical trial for increasing HIV testing uptake using mobile technology
Authors: Schnall Rebecca , Scherr Thomas Foster , Kuhns Lisa M , Janulis Patrick , Jia Haomiao , Wood Olivia R , Almodovar Michael , Garofalo Robert 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Objective
To determine the efficacy of the mLab App, a mobile-delivered HIV prevention intervention to increase HIV self-testing in MSM and TGW.

Materials and methods
This was a randomized (2:2:1) clinical trial of the efficacy the mLab App as compared to standard of care vs mailed home HIV test arm among 525 MSM and TGW aged 18-29 years to increase HIV testing.

Results
The mLab App arm participants demonstrated an increase from 35.1% reporting HIV testing in the prior 6 months compared to 88.5% at 6 months. In contrast, 28.8% of control participants reported an HIV test at baseline, which only increased to 65.1% at 6 months. In a generalized linear mixed model estimating this change and controlling for multiple observations of participants, this equated to control participants reporting a 61.2% smaller increase in HIV testing relative to mLab participants (P = .001) at 6 months. This difference was maintained at 12 months with control participants reporting an 82.6% smaller increase relative to mLab App participants (P &lt; .001) from baseline to 12 months.

Discussion and conclusion
Findings suggest that the mLab App is well-supported, evidence-based, behavioral risk-reduction intervention for increasing HIV testing rates as compared to the standard of care, suggesting that this may be a useful behavioral risk-reduction intervention for increasing HIV testing among young MSM.

Trial registration
This trial was registered with Clinicaltrials.gov NCT03803683.
Hand Burn Injuries and Occupational Impairment: A Study on the Impact of Burn Injuries on Return-to-Work Outcomes from the Burn Model System Research Program
Authors: Thrikutam Nikhitha , Kopp Charles M , Orton Caitlin , Bamer Alyssa M , Schneider Jeffrey C , Solis-Beach Kyra , Kazis Lewis E , Yenikomshian Haig A , Kowalske Karen , Stewart Barclay T 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Return to work (RTW) after burn injury is dependent on many variables, including type and location of burn injury, access to care, and preinjury mental and physical health. Noting that prior studies were limited by small sample sizes, we aimed to use a large database to explore the associations between hand burn severity, functional hand outcomes, and RTW postinjury. Data from a multicenter longitudinal study were analyzed. Adults with burn injuries were classified into 6 groups ranking in the severity of hand injury: (0) no hand burns, (1) single hand burn no grafting, (2) bilateral hand burn no grafting, (3) single hand burn requiring grafting, (4) bilateral hand burn requiring unilateral graft, and (5) bilateral hand burn requiring bilateral grafts. Grafting was used as a proxy for burn severity. Self-reported employment status, Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) upper extremity (UE) scores, and reported requests for work accommodations were collected at discharge, 6-, 12-, and 24-month postinjury. Descriptive statistics and analysis of variance (ANOVA) with post-hoc Tukey test were completed to examine differences in outcomes by hand injury severity. A total of 4621 participants met the inclusion criteria. Group 5, those with the most severe burns, had significantly longer RTW times than groups 0-3 (P &lt; 0.005). Group 5’s (bilateral burn/unilateral graft) average RTW was greater, however, not significantly, compared to group 4. At 6 months, the mean PROMIS UE scores for grafted groups (group 3, 40.6; group 5, 35.4) were significantly worse than non-grafted groups (group 1, 46.8; group 2, 45.0; P &lt; 0.0001). At 12 and 24 months, mean PROMIS UE scores were worse for grafted groups, though differences were no longer significant compared to non-grafted groups. At every time point, the majority of respondents did not request accommodations for their injuries from their employers, regardless of severity. Burn severity plays a significant role in both RTW and hand function for participants with hand burns. In addition, the lack of correlation between burn severity and request for work accommodations hints at the baseline vulnerability of these populations. These findings suggest a need for systematic improvements in the way these patients are cared for and re-integrated into the workforce.
Coordination between leaf pH and other leaf traits are divergent among life-forms and eco-geographic regions in plants of northern China
Authors: Liu Sining , Chen Jiashu , Luo Yan , Ren Junpeng , Chen Yahan , Yan Zhengbing , Han Wenxuan 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
As a key functional trait affecting many physiological processes, leaf pH is closely related to other leaf traits at the local scale. Nevertheless, whether and how leaf pH is linked with other leaf functional traits across geographic scales remains unclear. A field survey in northern China was conducted to investigate the relationships between leaf pH and some key leaf structural (specific leaf area, SLA; leaf dry matter content, LDMC) and chemical traits (elemental concentrations; total dissolved solids, TDS; practical salinity), as well as the effects of environmental factors on these relationships. Our results showed that the trait coordination may vary in degree or direction across eco-geographic regions (arid vs. non-arid regions) and life-forms (woody vs. herbaceous plants). Generally, leaf pH was negatively related to SLA, but positively related to TDS and salinity. However, leaf pH and LDMC were negatively correlated in arid regions but positively correlated in non-arid regions; leaf pH covaried with N (similarly, with Ca, Mg and Na) in the same direction for both herbaceous and woody plants in arid regions, but not in non-arid regions. Climatic factors mainly influenced the relationships of leaf pH with leaf Ca and Fe concentrations, while soil factors mostly affected those with leaf P, Ca and Mn concentrations. Our findings highlight the divergent coordination between leaf pH and other leaf traits across life-forms and eco-geographic regions and may shed light on the in-depth understanding of the role of acid-base balance in plant eco-physiological processes and ecological adaptation over biogeographic scales.
A deep mutational scanning platform to characterize the fitness landscape of anti-CRISPR proteins
Authors: Stadelmann Tobias , Heid Daniel , Jendrusch Michael , Mathony Jan , Aschenbrenner Sabine , Rosset Stéphane , Correia Bruno E , Niopek Dominik 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Deep mutational scanning is a powerful method for exploring the mutational fitness landscape of proteins. Its adaptation to anti-CRISPR proteins, which are natural CRISPR-Cas inhibitors and key players in the co-evolution of microbes and phages, facilitates their characterization and optimization. Here, we developed a robust anti-CRISPR deep mutational scanning pipeline in Escherichia coli that combines synthetic gene circuits based on CRISPR interference with flow cytometry coupled sequencing and mathematical modeling. Using this pipeline, we characterized comprehensive single point mutation libraries for AcrIIA4 and AcrIIA5, two potent inhibitors of CRISPR-Cas9. The resulting mutational fitness landscapes revealed considerable mutational tolerance for both Acrs, suggesting an intrinsic redundancy with respect to Cas9 inhibitory features, and – for AcrIIA5 – indicated mutations that boost Cas9 inhibition. Subsequent in vitro characterization suggested that the observed differences in inhibitory potency between mutant inhibitors were mostly due to changes in binding affinity rather than protein expression levels. Finally, to demonstrate that our pipeline can inform Acrs-based genome editing applications, we employed a selected subset of mutant inhibitors to increase CRISPR-Cas9 target specificity by modulating Cas9 activity. Taken together, our work establishes deep mutational scanning as a powerful method for anti-CRISPR protein characterization and optimization.