bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Potential anti-
Pythium insidiosum
therapeutics identified through screening of agricultural fungicides
Authors: Yolanda Hanna , Jearawuttanakul Kedchin , Wannalo Warawuth , Kanjanasirirat Phongthon , Borwornpinyo Suparerk , Rujirawat Thidarat , Payattikul Penpan , Kittichotirat Weerayuth , Wichadakul Duangdao , Krajaejun Theerapong 
Published: January 2024

ABSTRACT

Pythiosis is a life-threatening infectious disease caused by the oomycete
Pythium insidiosum
. Clinical manifestations of pythiosis include an eye, blood vessel, skin, or gastrointestinal tract infection. Pythiosis has been increasingly reported worldwide, with an overall mortality rate of 28%. Radical surgery is required to save patients’ lives due to the limited efficacy of antimicrobial drugs. Effective medical treatments are urgently needed for pythiosis. This study aims to find anti-
P
.
insidiosum
agents by screening 17 agricultural fungicides that inhibit plant-pathogenic oomycetes and validating their efficacy and safety. Cyazofamid outperformed other fungicides as it can potently inhibit genetically diverse
P. insidiosum
isolates while exhibiting minimal cellular toxicities. The calculated therapeutic scores determined that the concentration of cyazofamid causing significant cellular toxicities was eight times greater than the concentration of the drug effectively inhibiting
P. insidiosum
. Furthermore, other studies showed that cyazofamid exhibits low-to-moderate toxicities in animals. The mechanism of cyazofamid action is likely the inhibition of cytochrome
b
, an essential component in ATP synthesis. Molecular docking and dynamic analyses depicted a stable binding of cyazofamid to the Qi site of the
P. insidiosum
’s cytochrome
b
orthologous protein. In conclusion, our search for an effective anti-
P
.
insidiosum
drug indicated that cyazofamid is a promising candidate for treating pythiosis. With its high efficacy and low toxicity, cyazofamid is a potential chemical for treating pythiosis, reducing the need for radical surgeries, and improving recovery rates. Our findings could pave the way for the development of new and effective treatments for pythiosis.

IMPORTANCE

Pythiosis is a severe infection caused by
Pythium insidiosum
. The disease is prevalent in tropical/subtropical regions. This infectious condition is challenging to treat with antifungal drugs and often requires surgical removal of the infected tissue. Pythiosis can be fatal if not treated promptly. There is a need for a new treatment that effectively inhibits
P. insidiosum
. This study screened 17 agricultural fungicides that target plant-pathogenic oomycetes and found that cyazofamid was the most potent in inhibiting
P. insidiosum
. Cyazofamid showed low toxicity to mammalian cells and high affinity to the
P. insidiosum’s
cytochrome
b
, which is involved in energy production. Cyazofamid could be a promising candidate for the treatment of pythiosis, as it could reduce the need for surgery and improve the survival rate of patients. This study provides valuable insights into the biology and drug susceptibility of
P. insidiosum
and opens new avenues for developing effective therapies for pythiosis.
Phylogenomics analysis of velvet regulators in the fungal kingdom
Authors: Chen Wanping , Son Ye-Eun , Cho He-Jin , Choi Dasol , Park Hee-Soo , Yu Jae-Hyuk 
Published: January 2024

ABSTRACT
All life forms have evolved to respond appropriately to various environmental and internal cues. In the animal kingdom, the prototypical regulator class of such cellular responses is the Rel homology domain proteins including nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB). Fungi, the close relatives of animals, have also evolved with their own NF-κB-like regulators called velvet family proteins to govern cellular and chemical development. Here, we conducted a detailed investigation of the taxonomic broad presence of velvet proteins. We observed that velvet proteins are widely distributed in the fungal kingdom. Moreover, we have identified and characterized 21 major velvet clades in fungi. We have further revealed that the highly conserved velvet domain is composed of three distinct motifs and acts as an evolutionarily independent domain, which can be shuffled with various functional domains. Such rearrangements of the velvet domain have resulted in the functional and type diversity of the present velvet regulators. Importantly, our in-deep analyses of the primary and 3D structures of the various velvet domains showed that the fungal velvet domains can be divided into two major clans: the VelB and the VosA clans. The 3D structure comparisons revealed a close similarity of the velvet domain with many other eukaryotic DNA-binding proteins, including those of the Rel, Runt, and signal transducer and activator of transcription families, sharing a common β-sandwich fold. Altogether, this study improves our understanding of velvet regulators in the fungal kingdom.

IMPORTANCE
Fungi are the relatives of animals in Opisthokonta and closely associated with human life by interactive ways such as pathogenicity, food, and secondary metabolites including beneficial ones like penicillin and harmful ones like the carcinogenic aflatoxins. Similar to animals, fungi have also evolved with NF-κB-like velvet family regulators. The velvet proteins constitute a large protein family of fungal transcription factors sharing a common velvet domain and play a key role in coordinating fungal secondary metabolism, developmental and differentiation processes. Our current understanding on velvet regulators is mostly from Ascomycota fungi; however, they remain largely unknown outside Ascomycota. Therefore, this study performed a taxonomic broad investigation of velvet proteins across the fungal kingdom and conducted a detailed analysis on velvet distribution, structure, diversity, and evolution. The results provide a holistic view of velvet regulatory system in the fungal kingdom.
On the fermionic couplings of axionic dark matter
Authors: Smith Christopher 
Published: January 2024

AbstractIn the non-relativistic limit, two types of dark matter axion interactions with fermions are thought to dominate: one is induced by the spatial gradient of the axion field and called the axion wind, and the other by the time-derivative of the axion field, generating axioelectric effects. By generalizing Schiff theorem, it is demonstrated that this latter operator is actually strongly screened. For a neutral fermion, it can be entirely rotated away and is unobservable. For charged fermions, the only effect that can peek through the screening is an axion-induced electric dipole moment (EDM). These EDMs are not related to the axion coupling to gluons, represent a prediction of the Dirac theory analogous to the $$g=2$$

g
=
2

magnetic moments, are not further screened by the original Schiff theorem, and are ultimately responsible for inducing the usual axioelectric ionization. The two main phenomenological consequences are then that first the axion-induced nucleon EDM could be significantly larger than expected from the axion gluonic coupling, and second, that the electron EDM could also become available, and could actually be highly sensitive to relic axions.
Generating Well-Typed Terms That Are Not “Useless”
Authors: Frank Justin , Quiring Benjamin , Lampropoulos Leonidas 
Published: January 2024

Random generation of well-typed terms lies at the core of effective
random testing of compilers for functional languages.
Existing techniques have had success following a top-down
type-oriented approach to generation that makes choices locally, which
suffers from an inherent limitation: the type of an expression is
often generated independently from the expression itself.
Such generation frequently yields functions with argument types that cannot
be used to produce a result in a meaningful way, leaving those
arguments unused.
Such "use-less" functions can hinder both performance, as the
argument generation code is dead but still needs to be compiled, and
effectiveness, as a lot of interesting optimizations are tested less
frequently.
In this paper, we introduce a novel algorithm that is significantly
more effective at generating functions that use their arguments.
We formalize both the "local" and the "nonlocal" algorithms as
step-relations in an extension of the simply-typed lambda calculus
with type and arguments holes, showing how delaying the generation of
types for subexpressions by allowing nonlocal generation steps leads
to "useful" functions.
Análise das críticas à herdabilidade sob a perspectiva de Larry Laudan
Authors: Guerreiro Carlos Antônio Rodrigues , Antonelli-Ponti Mayra , Versuti Fabiana Maris 
Published: January 2024

Este artigo discute o conceito de herdabilidade, empregado pela genética do comportamento, genética molecular e a teoria da herdabilidade, sob a perspectiva do modelo reticulado de racionalidade científica, de Larry Laudan. Analisa os argumentos contrários à utilização do termo herdabilidade focando principalmente nos resultados de experimentos da genética do comportamento. Conclui que algumas críticas ao termo herdabilidade são válidas tais como o termo poder ser confuso para o público em geral, mas podem ser extremas como as que propõem sua extinção. A análise desenvolvida leva à conclusão de que a herdabilidade, tanto pela genética do comportamento, quanto pela genética molecular, é útil para seus respectivos fins. Os autores consideram que ao invés de ser extinto, o termo pode ser utilizado considerando mais análises, resultados e conclusões, sendo, portanto, essa a escolha mais racional e progressiva.
Neurobiological Causal Models of Language Processing
Authors: Fitz Hartmut , Hagoort Peter , Petersson Karl Magnus 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
The language faculty is physically realized in the neurobiological infrastructure of the human brain. Despite significant efforts, an integrated understanding of this system remains a formidable challenge. What is missing from most theoretical accounts is a specification of the neural mechanisms that implement language function. Computational models that have been put forward generally lack an explicit neurobiological foundation. We propose a neurobiologically informed causal modeling approach which offers a framework for how to bridge this gap. A neurobiological causal model is a mechanistic description of language processing that is grounded in, and constrained by, the characteristics of the neurobiological substrate. It intends to model the generators of language behavior at the level of implementational causality. We describe key features and neurobiological component parts from which causal models can be built and provide guidelines on how to implement them in model simulations. Then we outline how this approach can shed new light on the core computational machinery for language, the long-term storage of words in the mental lexicon and combinatorial processing in sentence comprehension. In contrast to cognitive theories of behavior, causal models are formulated in the “machine language” of neurobiology which is universal to human cognition. We argue that neurobiological causal modeling should be pursued in addition to existing approaches. Eventually, this approach will allow us to develop an explicit computational neurobiology of language.
Consultations on the System of Indigenous and Afromexican Communal Security and the Right to be Consulted in Mexico
Authors: Stachurski Alexander 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
The right to be consulted is a legal institution that originated in 1989 in the United Nations Convention 169, requiring states to conduct a consultation process of Indigenous peoples and communities on issues potentially impacting them. The Mexican state has subsequently implemented the right to be consulted in its legal system. The consultation processes were often riddled with inconsistencies and the violation of the rights of Indigenous communities and peoples. In this paper I analysed the case study of the consultation process in Guerrero, by researching press articles, engaging in participant observation and conducting interviews. I looked for similarities between the Guerrero consultations and past consultations in Juchitán, Sonora, and Campeche. I identified several violations and manipulations consistent with the history of the right to be consulted. In the last part of the article, I compared the proposed acts and established their potential impact on security in Guerrero.
The Role of Precipitation and Salinity Effect in Multidecadal Changes and Long-Term Trend of the Indonesian Throughflow
Authors: Lu Xi , Hu Shijian , Sprintall Janet 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Multidecadal variability of the Indonesian Throughflow (ITF) is crucial for the Indo-Pacific and global climate due to significant interbasin exchanges of heat and freshwater. Previous studies suggest that both wind and buoyancy forcing may drive ITF variability, but the role of precipitation and salinity effect in the variability of ITF on multidecadal time scales remains largely unexplored. Here, we investigate the multidecadal changes and long-term trend of the ITF transport during the past six decades, with a focus on the role of precipitation and salinity effect. The diverse datasets consistently indicate a substantial upward trend in the halosteric component of geostrophic transport of ITF in the outflow region at 114°E during the six decades. We find that the meridional differences of the salinity trend in the outflow region explain the increasing trend of the halosteric component of ITF transport. On a larger scale, the tropical western Pacific Ocean and Indonesian seas have experienced significant freshening, which has strengthened the Indo-Pacific pressure gradient and thus enhanced the ITF. In contrast, the equatorial trade wind in the western Pacific Ocean has weakened over recent decades, implying that changes in wind forcing have contributed to weakening the ITF. The combined effect of strengthened halosteric and weakened thermosteric components has resulted in a weak strengthening for the total ITF with large uncertainties. Although both the thermosteric and halosteric components are associated with natural climate modes, our results suggest that the importance of salinity effect is likely increasing given the enhanced water cycle under global warming.
Long-Term Variations and Its Driving Factors of the TOA Albedo over the Loess Plateau
Authors: Wang Qianru , Zhang Shuhua 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Solar radiation balances significantly affect Earth’s surface energy balance and climate change. Studying top-of-the-atmosphere (TOA) albedo changes is of great significance for understanding Earth’s energy budget and atmospheric circulation. The Loess Plateau (LP), located in the middle reaches of the Yellow River in China, is one of the most severely eroded areas in the world. In this paper, long-term remote sensing data were used to analyze the changes in the TOA albedo in the LP from 1982 to 2016. The results showed that the TOA albedo, its atmospheric contribution (AC), and surface contribution (SC) exhibited decreasing trends: −0.0012, −0.0010, and −0.0003 a−1. The spatial pattern of the TOA albedo was similar to AC, which indicates that AC dominates the change in the TOA albedo. We detected driving factors for AC and SC and found that the cloud fraction (CF) was the main driving factor of the AC, whereas the soil moisture (SM) dominated the SC. The driving factors of two typical regions with a significantly decreasing trend in the TOA albedo were also detected. The Mu Us Desert, where vegetation improved significantly, showed a decreasing trend in the TOA albedo, and we found that NDVI was the main driving factor for the change in the SC of the TOA albedo. However, the Eastern Qilian Mountains, where snow cover decreased in recent years, also showed a significant decreasing trend in the TOA albedo; the SC here was mainly driven by the changes in snow cover days (SCD). These results indicate that changes in the surface environment alter the radiation balance.

Significance Statement
The Loess Plateau in China is one of the most severe cases of soil erosion in the world, and ecological restoration projects have been carried out to recover the fragile ecological environment. Our study was designed to explore changes in the top-of-the-atmosphere (TOA) albedo of the Loess Plateau between 1982 and 2016 using a long time series of multisource satellite products, and driving factors in the atmosphere and at the surface were analyzed. We concluded that the TOA albedo of the Loess Plateau decreased over 35 years, and its atmospheric contribution dominated the change in the TOA albedo. However, the significant ecological improvement in the Loess Plateau, especially in the central vegetation recovery region, such as the Mu Us Desert, was also strongly related to the regional changes in the surface contribution of the TOA albedo. The climate changes had a considerable impact on the eastern branch of the Qilian Mountains in the Qinghai region, where the decline in snow cover days affected the local Alpine meadow ecosystems; therefore, snow cover days also played a decisive role in the local variation of the surface contribution of the TOA albedo.
Synergistic Retrievals of Ice in High Clouds from Elastic Backscatter Lidar, Ku-Band Radar, and Submillimeter Wave Radiometer Observations
Authors: Grecu Mircea , Yorks John E. 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
In this study, we investigate the synergy of elastic backscatter lidar, Ku-band radar, and submillimeter-wave radiometer measurements in the retrieval of ice from satellite observations. The synergy is analyzed through the generation of a large dataset of ice water content (IWC) profiles and simulated lidar, radar and radiometer observations. The characteristics of the instruments (frequencies, sensitivities, etc.) are set based on the expected characteristics of instruments of the Atmosphere Observing System (AOS) mission. A hold-out validation methodology is used to assess the accuracy of the IWC profiles retrieved from various combinations of observations from the three instruments. Specifically, the IWC and associated observations are randomly divided into two datasets, one for training and the other for evaluation. The training dataset is used to train the retrieval algorithm, while the evaluation dataset is used to assess the retrieval performance. The dataset of IWC profiles is derived from CloudSat reflectivity and CALIOP lidar observations. The retrieval of the ice water content IWC profiles from the computed observations is achieved in two steps. In the first step, a class, of 18 potential classes characterized by different vertical distribution of IWC, is estimated from the observations. The 18 classes are predetermined based on the k-means clustering algorithm. In the second step, the IWC profile is estimated using an ensemble Kalman smoother algorithm that uses the estimated class as a priori information. The results of the study show that the synergy of lidar, radar, and radiometer observations is significant in the retrieval of the IWC profiles. Nevertheless, it should be mentioned that this synergy was found under idealized conditions, and additional work might be required to materialize it in practice. The inclusion of the lidar backscatter observations in the retrieval process has a larger impact on the retrieval performance than the inclusion of the radar observations. As ice clouds have a significant impact on atmospheric radiative processes, this work is relevant to ongoing efforts to reduce uncertainties in climate analyses and projections.
Orographic Controls on Extreme Precipitation Associated with a Mei-Yu Front
Authors: Cornejo Ian C. , Rowe Angela K. , Rasmussen Kristen L. , DeHart Jennifer C. 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Taiwan regularly receives extreme rainfall due to seasonal mei-yu fronts that are modified by Taiwan’s complex topography. One such case occurred between 1 and 3 June 2017 when a mei-yu front contributed to flooding and landslides from over 600 mm of rainfall in 12 h near the Taipei basin, and over 1500 mm of rainfall in 2 days near the Central Mountain Range (CMR). This mei-yu event is simulated using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model with halved terrain as a sensitivity test to investigate the orographic mechanisms that modify the intensity, duration, and location of extreme rainfall. The reduction in WRF terrain height produced a decrease in rainfall duration and accumulation in northern Taiwan and a decrease in rainfall duration, intensity, and accumulation over the CMR. The reductions in northern Taiwan are linked to a weaker orographic barrier jet resulting from a lowered terrain height. The reductions in rainfall intensity and duration over the CMR are partially explained by a lack of orographic enhancements to mei-yu frontal convergence near the terrain. A prominent feature missing with the reduced terrain is a redirection of postfrontal westerly winds attributed to orographic deformation, i.e., the redirection of flow due to upstream topography. Orographically deforming winds converge with prefrontal flow to maintain the mei-yu front. In both regions, the decrease in mei-yu front propagation speed is linked to increased rainfall duration. These orographic features will be further explored using observations captured during the 2022 Prediction of Rainfall Extremes Campaign in the Pacific (PRECIP) field campaign.

Significance Statement
This study examines the impact of terrain on rainfall intensity, duration, and location. A mei-yu front, an East Asian weather front known for producing heavy, long-lasting rainfall, was simulated for an extreme rain event in Taiwan with mountain heights halved as a sensitivity test. Reducing terrain decreased rainfall duration in northern and central Taiwan. Decreases in rainfall duration for both regions is attributed to increased mei-yu front propagation speed. This increase in northern Taiwan is attributed to a weakened barrier jet, a low-level jet induced by flow blocked by the steep mountains of Taiwan. A unique finding of this work is a change in winds north of the front controlling movement of the front near the mountains in central Taiwan.
Who is in, for How Long and What for. Exploring the Social Dimension of Cannabis Social Clubs in Barcelona, 2017-2020
Authors: Obradors-Pineda Anna , Bouso José Carlos , Colom Joan , Manthey Jakob 
Published: January 2024

Analyzing the activity data of 2007 Cannabis Social Clubs (CSCs) members in Barcelona between 2017 and 2020 we describe the demographics, the amounts of cannabis collected (.46 g/day amongst men; .37 for woman) and the relationships established with the CSCs: frequency of procurement (every 15.4 days for woman; 11.6 days for men); and membership length (mean 657.3 days). An 80% of members were men (mean 36.1 years old). Women, older adults, and those registered as medical users had generally longer memberships than the average despite the frequencies and the amounts procured by them tended to be lower compared to young recreational male members. The daily amount used rose from an estimated general average of .44 g, to an estimated 1.41–4.76 g collected by a 5% of CSC members. Beyond providing small amounts of cannabis, CSCs are mainly used as socializing spaces for people who use cannabis.