bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Interaction study of L-phenylalanine/glycyl-L-phenylalanine in water-soluble 1-decyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide ([C10mim]Br) ionic liquid: thermodynamic/physicochemical approaches
Authors: Sharma Ravinder , Bahadur Indra , Gautam Manu , Abdullah Mahmood M. S. , Singh Sangeeta , Tumba Kaniki 
Published: January 2024

AbstractRecent times have witnessed notable progress in augmenting the effectiveness of pharmaceutical actions, leading to the creation of novel drug formulations and delivery technologies. A complete understanding of the molecular-level interactions between drug molecules and biological membranes is necessary to achieve optimal design in these processes. Comprehensive understanding of these interactions can be gained through thermodynamic research, which helps pharmaceutical professionals make well-informed decisions about which manufacturing compounds are most suited for a certain application. Because ionic liquids can interact with biological membranes and exert their effects on them, studying ionic liquids in combination with co-solvents in aqueous settings is important for many kinds of research. Using an Anton Paar DSA 5000 M apparatus, the densities, and speed of sound in a liquid mixture comprising L-phenylalanine and glycyl-L-phenylalanine within an aqueous 1-decyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide ([C10mim]Br), the ionic solution was measured. This was done across temperature ranges of 288.15 K, 298.15 K, 308.15 K, and 318.15 K and experimental pressure of p = 0.1 MPa with concentrations of “0.000, 0.005, 0.030, and 0.050 mol kg–1”. From the experimental results, various acoustic and physicochemical properties were derived, including apparent molar properties, partial compression, isentropic compression, and transfer properties. These computations provided insights into intermolecular interactions within the combination of 1-decyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide, water, L-phenylalanine, and glycyl-L-phenylalanine. The mixture’s characteristics were explored through pair and triplet coefficients, taking into account empirical constants and expansibilities, thereby delving into solute–solvent, hydrophilic-hydrophilic, dipole–dipole, and ion-hydrophilic interactions.
Graphical Abstract
April–September minimum temperature reconstruction based on Sabina tibetica ring-width chronology in the central eastern Tibetan Plateau, China
Authors: Li Teng , Peng Jianfeng , Au Tsun Fung , Li Jinbao 
Published: January 2024

AbstractMinimum temperatures have remarkable impacts on tree growth at high-elevation sites on the Tibetan Plateau, but the shortage of long-term and high-resolution paleoclimate records inhibits understanding of recent minimum temperature anomalies. In this study, a warm season (April–September) reconstruction is presented for the past 467 years (1550–2016) based on Sabina tibetica ring-width chronology on the Lianbaoyeze Mountain of the central eastern Tibetan Plateau. Eight warm periods and eight cold periods were identified. Long-term minimum temperature variations revealed a high degree of coherence with nearby reconstructions. Spatial correlations between our reconstruction and global sea surface temperatures suggest that warm season minimum temperature anomalies in the central eastern Tibetan Plateau were strongly influenced by large-scale ocean atmospheric circulations, such as the El Niño-Southern Oscillation and the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation.
Analysis of transcriptomics data from COVID-19 patients: a pilot research
Authors: Hadzega Dominik , Babisova Klaudia , Hyblova Michaela , Janostiakova Nikola , Sabaka Peter , Janega Pavol , Minarik Gabriel 
Published: January 2024

AbstractDuring SARS-CoV-2 infection, the virus transforms the infected host cell into factories that produce new viral particles. As infection progresses, the infected cells undergo numerous changes in various pathways. One of these changes is the occurrence of a cytokine storm, which leads to severe symptoms. In this study, we examined the transcriptomic changes caused by COVID-19 by analyzing RNA-seq data obtained from COVID-19-positive patients as well as COVID-19-negative donors. RNA-seq data were collected for the purpose of identification of potential biomarkers associated with a different course of the disease. We analyzed the first datasets, consisting of 96 samples to validate our methods. The objective of this publication is to report the pilot results. To explore potential biomarkers related to disease severity, we conducted a differential expression analysis of human transcriptome, focusing on COVID-19 positivity and symptom severity. Given the large number of potential biomarkers we identified, we further performed pathway enrichment analysis with terms from Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomics (KEGG) to obtain a more profound understanding of altered pathways. Our results indicate that pathways related to immune processes, response to infection, and multiple signaling pathways were affected. These findings align with several previous studies that also reported the influence of SARS-CoV-2 infection on these pathways.
Decadal Trends in Surface Elevation and Tree Growth in Coastal Wetlands of Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia
Authors: Bennion Vicki , Dwyer John M. , Twomey Alice J. , Lovelock Catherine E. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractCoastal wetlands surrounding urban environments provide many important ecosystem services including protection from coastal erosion, soil carbon sequestration and habitat for marine and terrestrial fauna. Their persistence with sea-level rise depends upon their capacity to increase their soil surface elevation at a rate comparable to the rate of sea-level rise. Both sediment and organic matter from plant growth contribute to gains in soil surface elevation, but the importance of these components varies among sites and with variation in climate over long time scales, for which monitoring is seldom available. Here, we analysed variation in surface elevation, surface accretion and mangrove tree growth over 15 years in Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia, a period that spans variation in the El Niño/La Niña (ENSO) cycle, which strongly influences rainfall and sea level in the region. Piecewise structural equation models were used to assess the effects of biotic (tree growth, plant cover and bioturbation by invertebrates) and environmental factors on annual surface elevation increments throughout this period. Our model for mangroves identified that surface accretion and tree growth were both positively influenced by rainfall, but surface elevation was not, and thus, higher levels of compaction of the soil profile in high rainfall/high sea level years were inferred. In contrast, our saltmarsh model found that rainfall positively influenced surface accretion and elevation gains. Declines in surface elevation in the mangroves were influenced by the species composition of the mangrove, with higher levels of elevation loss occurring in mangrove forests dominated by Avicennia marina compared to those with a higher proportion of Rhizophora stylosa. Decadal-scale variation in ENSO affected mangrove tree growth, but surface elevation trends were more strongly influenced by variation in environmental conditions than by tree growth, although effects of biotic factors (mangrove species composition and bioturbation) on surface elevation trends were observed. Further research into tipping points with extreme ENSO events (either La Niña with high rainfall and high sea level or El Niño with low rainfall and low sea levels) will help clarify the future of mangrove and saltmarsh distribution within Moreton Bay.
Effect of Rosa damascena Essential Oil Loaded in Nanostructured Lipid Carriers on the Proliferation of Human Breast Cancer Cell Line MDA-MB-231 in Comparison with Cisplatin
Authors: Yari Elham , Sari Soyar , Kelidari Hamidreza , Asare-Addo Kofi , Nokhodchi Ali 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Purpose
As Rosa damascena essential oils (RDEOs) have antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, and insecticidal activity, they could therefore be useful in the treatment of breast cancer. In the current study, an attempt was made to incorporate RDEO in a lipid-based drug delivery system, namely, nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) to boost its anticancer effect compared to cisplatin.

Methods
Gas chromatography (GC) identified the chemical compositions of RDEO. RDEO-NLCs were prepared using the probe ultrasonication method. The obtained nanoparticles were characterized in terms of particle size, polydispersity index, and zeta potential by dynamic light scattering. The encapsulation efficiency of the formulations and their loading capacity were also determined, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was employed to evaluate the morphology of the optimal formulation (quoted as RDEO-NLC2). The anticancer effect of RDEO-NLC2 on MDA-MB-231 cells and apoptosis were assessed using MTT and in vitro cellular assays respectively.

Results
TEM result revealed a distinct spherical shape for RDEO-NLC2, with an average particle size of 78.39 ± 1.5 nm obtained by Zetasizer. The results also showed that the obtained particles had a negative surface charge (− 31.0 mV) with a polydispersity index of 0.28 ± 0.01. The chemotherapy drug cisplatin showed more cytotoxicity than RDEO-NLC2 against cancer cells. Cellular data demonstrated that RDEO-NLC2 like cisplatin can decline the viability of MDA-MB-231 cells through apoptosis compared to cells treated with the placebo and free RDEO.

Conclusion
RDEO-NLC2 has the ability to stimulate apoptosis in the human BC cell line MDA-MN-231; hence, it can be beneficial in the treatment of patients suffering from breast cancer.
(Neo)adjuvant approaches in lung cancer—paving the road to a cure
Authors: Wass Romana , Hochmair Maximilian , Lang David , Horner Andreas , Lamprecht Bernd 
Published: January 2024

SummaryImmune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have revolutionized the treatment landscape of metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). During the past few years the focus of research has shifted toward examining these therapies in patients with early-stage NSCLC to improve long-term overall survival and cure rates. As recurrence rates are high and the relapse pattern in patients with completely resected early-stage NSCLC is predominantly systemic, high expectations rest on the integration of ICI therapy in their treatment approach. A large number of studies with adjuvant or neo-adjuvant ICI are ongoing. The first data from phase III studies have demonstrated improvements in disease-free survival and pathologic remissions, but overall survival data are mostly immature. Additionally, targeted therapies have also been explored in early-stage NSCLC. The first very promising results are available from EGFR-mutant and ALK-translocated NSCLC and have already changed our clinical practice for some patient subgroups. This review discusses the most recent results of phase III trials in the neoadjuvant, perioperative, and adjuvant setting for ICI and targeted therapies in early-stage resectable NSCLC.
Mapping the Technology Transfer Offices in Greece: Initial Outcomes Concerning Medical and Health Technologies and Next Steps
Authors: Sachini Evi , Sioumalas-Christodoulou Konstantinos , Chrysomallidis Charalampos , Siganos Galatios , Megas Giorgos , Androutsopoulou Maro , Tympas Aristotle , Karampekios Nikolaos 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
While the academic debate on how to transfer technology from universities and research centres to the society is not absent in Greece, yet the study of the institutions mediating in this process is not that advanced. Here, we present the results from our first survey on the Technology Transfer Offices of 12 major Greek universities and research centres. We analyse their structure, regulations and classification of services, and report on their industrial (patents, trademarks, etc.) and intellectual (copyright, digital content, etc.) property outputs. Furthermore, we explore potential patterns of collaboration. With a few notable exceptions in a limited number of aspects that formulate the everyday workings and performance indicators of the examined TTOs, findings indicate an underdeveloped ecosystem with significant room for improvement. The research presented here is part of a broader project, which aims to map the entire ecosystem of the Greek higher education institutions and research centres.
Strategies for single base gene editing in an immortalized human cell line by CRISPR/Cas9 technology
Authors: Corrado Alda , Aceto Romina , Miglietta Simona , Silvestri Roberto , Dell’Anno Irene , Lepori Irene , Ricci Benedetta , Romei Cristina , Giovannoni Roberto , Poliseno Laura , Evangelista Monica , Vitiello Marianna , Cipollini Monica , Elisei Rossella , Landi Stefano , Gemignani Federica 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe use of CRISPR/Cas9 system has rapidly grown in the last years. Here, the optimization of gene editing of a single-nucleotide polymorphism in a human non-malignant somatic cell line of thyrocytes (Nthy-Ori) was described highlighting strategies for overcoming the problems concerning the delivery and off-targets. We employed both lentivirus and chemical lipids as delivery agents and two strategies for creating the double-strand breaks (DSB). The former induced a DSB by a classical Cas9 nuclease (standard strategy), while the second one employed a modified Cas9 creating a single-strand break (SSB). The knock-in was carried out using a single-stranded donor oligonucleotide or the HR410-PA donor vector (HR). The desired cells could be obtained by combining the double nickase system with the HR vector transfected chemically. This result could be due to the type of DSB, likely processed mainly by non-homologous end joining when blunt (standard strategy) and by HR when overhanging (double nickase). Our results showed that the double nickase is suitable for knocking-in the immortalized Nthy-Ori cell line, while the standard CRISPR/Cas9 system is suitable for gene knock-out creating in/del mutations.
‘Very little is done other than the odd reminder’…‘look after yourself’: a mixed-methods evaluation of what Australian teachers need and want from a wellbeing program
Authors: Beames Joanne R. , Roberts Anna , Deady Mark , O’Dea Bridianne , Werner-Seidler Aliza 
Published: January 2024

AbstractSchool teachers have demonstrated poor mental health and low levels of wellbeing, globally. Despite the high prevalence of depression, burnout, stress, and anxiety, few programs have been developed in collaboration with teachers that are appropriate for their needs and circumstances. The current mixed-methods study involved consultation with members of the teaching workforce in Australia to understand their preferences for a program to address their mental health and wellbeing. The sample included teachers and other key representatives from the education sector in New South Wales, Australia. There were 47 participants who completed online surveys, with a subset (n = 16) also attending two group workshops (n = 10 in the first workshop, n = 6 in the second workshop). Data were collected between May 2021 and October 2021. Descriptive statistics were calculated to summarise quantitative survey data, and thematic analysis was used to analyse qualitative data. Results from surveys and workshops found that a new approach is needed to address teacher mental health and wellbeing in schools. Participants expressed a preference for a strategy that combined a face-to-face approach with a digital component and focused on three areas: staff relationships, supportive leadership, and practical skill development. The results of this study provide guidance about areas to target to improve teacher mental health and wellbeing.
Facile preparation of sulfonated carbon particles with pomegranate peels as adsorbent for enhanced methylene blue adsorption from aqueous solutions
Authors: Genel Yaşar , Genel İlyas , Saka Cafer 
Published: January 2024

AbstractIn this study, in the first stage, activated carbon (AC) is produced from pomegranate peels, which are commonly found in Turkey, by pyrolysis after impregnation with NaOH (PPAC). In the second stage, the surface properties of the obtained PPAC sample are further improved by the sulfonation modification process with sulphuric acid (PPAC-S) for selective MB adsorption. For the characterization of the obtained samples, XRD, FTIR, SEM, nitrogen adsorption/desorption and EDS analyses were performed. Additionally, the zero charge points (pHzpc) of these samples were also determined. The isotherm, kinetic, and thermodynamic properties of the MB adsorption process with PPAC-S were examined. The qe values obtained for MB adsorption with PPAC and PPAC-S samples were found to be 98.79 mg/g and 199.18 mg/g, respectively. There is an increase of 100% in MB adsorption with the sulfonated PPAC adsorbent. Maximum adsorption capacity values of MB with the Langmuir model at temperatures of 298, 308, and 318 °C were 212.7, 216.9, and 245.1 mg/g, respectively. Additionally, the mechanism of MB adsorption onto PPAC-S was also attempted to be elucidated.
B. Y. Chen-Ricci inequalities for anti-invariant Riemannian submersions in Kenmotsu space forms
Authors: Polat Murat 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe aim of the present paper is to analyze sharp type inequalities including the scalar and Ricci curvatures of anti-invariant Riemannian submersions in Kenmotsu space forms$$K_{s}(\varepsilon )$$Ks(ε). We give non-trivial examples for anti-invariant Riemannian submersions, investigate some curvature relations between the total space and fibres according to vertical and horizontal cases of$$\xi $$ξ. Moreover, we acquire Chen-Ricci inequalities on the$$\ker \vartheta _{*}$$kerϑ∗and$$(\ker \vartheta _{*})^{\bot }$$(kerϑ∗)⊥distributions for anti-invariant Riemannian submersions from Kenmotsu space forms according to vertical and horizontal cases of$$\xi $$ξ.
Foreign Aid and Corruption: Do Women Make the Difference?
Authors: Carillo Maria Rosaria , Chiariello Valentina , De Siano Rita , Pennacchio Luca 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe longstanding debate on the effectiveness of foreign aid has largely concluded that corruption is one of the major reasons for the failure of aid to sustain development in recipient countries. This paper investigates whether greater involvement of women in recipient countries' political and economic life enhances the effectiveness of foreign aid by reducing the corruption that usually accompanies massive foreign aid. The hypothesis is tested by cross-country empirical analysis, addressing the potential endogeneity of aid and women’s participation using an IV approach. We provide robust and causal evidence that greater women’s political and labor market participation does reduce the corruption associated with foreign aid, especially when the aid targets sectors that enhance women’s well-being. Moreover, we find that while all the dimensions of women's social participation are effective in reducing corruption, the greatest effect derives from the political dimension.
Incorporating the choice of centralized vs. decentralized resource allocation into sustainability frameworks
Authors: Solberg Runar J. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe grand societal challenge of implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) puts pressure on firms to improve their sustainability practices. Environmental innovation can improve firms' sustainability practices, depending, in part, on the firm’s dynamic resource allocation capability. However, addressing whether to centralize or decentralize resource allocation has so far received scant attention in sustainability frameworks. This point-of-view article argues that the choice of whether to centralize or decentralize resource allocation will be increasingly more important as a structural lever for firms seeking to implement the SDGs. Linking this choice to the dynamic capability of resource allocation shows that this lever is intricately connected to the strategies of firms seeking to improve their sustainability practices. A practical framework is demonstrated that offers managerial decision support for this choice. Finally, avenues for future promising research are proposed.
Subjective Socioeconomic Status Moderates How Resting Heart Rate Variability Predicts Pain Response
Authors: Tan Jacinth J. X. , Tan Chin Hong , Kraus Michael W. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractHigher resting heart rate variability (HRV)—an index of more flexible response to environmental stressors, including noxious stimuli—has been linked to reduced perception of experimentally induced pain. However, as stress responses are adapted to one’s chronic environments, we propose that chronic exposure to threats captured by one’s subjective socioeconomic status (SSS) may shape different adaptations that produce distinct pain responses linked to higher resting HRV. Specifically, lower SSS individuals with more threat exposures may prioritize threat detection by upregulating sensitivity to stressors, such as acute pain. Therefore, higher HRV would predict greater perceived acute pain among lower SSS individuals. In contrast, higher SSS individuals with less threat exposures may instead prioritize affective regulation by downregulating sensitivity to stressors, producing lower pain perception with higher HRV. We examined this stress response moderation by SSS in 164 healthy young adults exposed to experimental pain via the cold pressor test (CPT). Resting HRV, indexed by the root-mean-square of successive differences in heart rate, and self-reported SSS were measured at rest. Pain perception indexed by self-reported pain and pain tolerance indexed by hand-immersion time during the CPT were assessed. Results revealed that among higher SSS individuals, higher resting HRV predicted lower pain reports and subsequently greater pain tolerance during the CPT. Conversely, among lower SSS individuals, higher resting HRV predicted higher pain reports and subsequently lower pain tolerance. These findings provide preliminary evidence that environmental stress exposures linked to one’s SSS may shape unique biological adaptations that predict distinct pain responses.
Comparing direct (live-trapping) and indirect (camera-trapping) approaches for estimating the abundance of weasels (Mustela nivalis)
Authors: Hofmeester Tim R. , Mos Jeroen , Zub Karol 
Published: January 2024

AbstractInformation on the presence and abundance of a species is crucial for understanding key ecological processes but also for effective protection and population management. Collecting data on cryptic species, like small mustelids, is particularly challenging and often requires the use of non-invasive methods. Despite recent progress in the development of camera trap-based devices and statistical models to estimate the abundance of unmarked individuals, their application for studying this group of mammals is still very limited. We compared direct (live-trapping) and indirect (an enclosed camera-trapping approach—the Mostela system) survey methods to estimate the population size of weasels (Mustela nivalis) inhabiting open grasslands in Northeast Poland over a period of four years. We also live-trapped voles to determine prey availability. We used a Royle–Nichols model to estimate yearly (relative) abundance from the camera-trapping data in a Bayesian framework. The total number of live-captured weasels showed a similar change over time as the relative abundance of weasels estimated using camera-trap data. Moreover, estimates of weasel abundance increased with the availability of their main prey. Our study is part of a growing body of work showing that camera traps can provide a useful non-invasive method to estimate the relative abundance of small mustelids. Moreover, a combination of data from camera traps with statistical models allowed us to track the changes in weasel number over time. This information could be very useful for the conservation of small mustelids as well as their management in regions where they are invasive.