bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Differentiated extracts from freshwater and terrestrial mollusks inhibit virulence factor production in Cryptococcus neoformans
Authors: Gutierrez-Gongora Davier , Raouf-Alkadhimi Fouad , Prosser Ryan S. , Geddes-McAlister Jennifer 
Published: December 2022

Abstract

The human fungal pathogen,Cryptococcus neoformans, is responsible for deadly infections among immunocompromised individuals with the evolution of antifungal resistance driving the need for discovery of new compounds that inhibit fungal virulence factors, rather than kill the pathogen. Recently, exploration into natural sources (e.g., plants, invertebrates, microbes) of antifungal agents has garnered attention by integrating a One Health approach for new compound discovery. Here, we explore extracts from three mollusk species (freshwater and terrestrial) and evaluate effects against the growth and virulence factor production (i.e., thermotolerance, melanin, capsule, and biofilm) inC. neoformans. We demonstrate that clarified extracts ofPlanorbella pilsbryihave a fungicidal effect on cryptococcal cells in a comparable way to fluconazole. Similarly, all extracts ofCipangopaludina chinensisnot only affect cryptococcal thermotolerance but also impair biofilm and capsule production with clarified extracts ofCepaea nemoralisalso conveying the latter effect. Next, inhibitory activity of extracts against peptidases related to these virulence factors combined with quantitative proteomics defined distinct proteome signatures and proposed proteins driving the observed anti-virulence properties. Overall, this work highlights the potential of compounds derived from natural sources to inhibit virulence factor production in a clinically important fungal pathogen.
Effects of acute Δ9 -tetrahydrocannabinol on behavior and the endocannabinoid system in HIV-1 Tat transgenic female and male mice
Authors: Yadav-Samudrala Barkha J. , Gorman Ben L. , Dodson Hailey , Ramineni Shreya , Wallace Diane , Peace Michelle R. , Poklis Justin L. , Jiang Wei , Fitting Sylvia 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Cannabis use is highly prevalent especially among people living with HIV (PLWH). Activation of the anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective endocannabinoid system by phytocannabinoids, i.e. Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), has been proposed to reduce HIV symptoms. However, THC’s effects on HIV-associated cognitive impairments are unclear. Using HIV-1 Tat transgenic mice, the current study investigates acute THC effects on various behavioral outcomes and the endocannabinoid system.
Minor or no effects of THC doses (1, 3, 10 mg/kg) were noted for body mass, body temperature, locomotor activity, and coordination, but spontaneous nociception was significantly decreased, with Tat induction increasing antinociceptive THC effects. Anxiogenic effects of THC (10 mg/kg) were demonstrated in Tat(−) females and males compared to vehicle-treated mice, with overall increased anxiety-like behavior in females compared to males. Object recognition memory was diminished by acute THC (10 mg/kg) injections in Tat(−) but not Tat(+) females, without affecting males. For the endocannabinoid system and related lipids, no effects were noted for acute THC, but female sex and Tat induction was associated with elevated 2-AG, AEA, AA, CB1R, CB2R, FAAH and/or MAGL expression in various CNS regions. Further, females demonstrated higher AEA levels compared to males in most CNS structures, and AEA levels in the prefrontal cortex of Tat(+) females were negatively associated with recognition memory.
Overall, findings indicate that acute THC exposure exerts differential effects on behavior in the context of neuroHIV dependent on sex, potentially due to an altered endocannabinoid system, which may be of relevance in view of potential cannabis-based treatment options for PLWH.
Statistical learning mechanisms are flexible and can adapt to structural input properties
Authors: Rutar Danaja , Wolff Erwin , Kwisthout Johan , Hunnius Sabine 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Evidence has been found for two different learning mechanisms that might underlie statistical learning, computation of transitional probabilities and chunking. It is not clear though whether humans use either of the two learning mechanisms or whether they flexibly implement both. Mixed results have also been taken to indicate individual differences in the employment of learning mechanisms. In our study, we examined whether learning mechanisms are exploited differentially depending on the structure of the input to be learned. Participants were presented with three different input structures. We measured reaction times in a self-paced task and created Bayesian models that formalised different learning mechanisms. There were chunking model, transitional probabilities model and three other models were a hybrid combination of these two models. We compared the reaction times with the models’ predictions to determine which model best described learning of each input structure. The results show that the employment of the learning mechanisms indeed depends on the input structure. Additionally, hybrid models had a better fit to the data than the traditional models which might lead to the reconsideration of the traditional chunking and transitional probability models. Lastly, our findings reveal only a minor role of individual differences in learning mechanisms.
Efficacy and Safety of Detachable Microneedle Patch Containing Triamcinolone Acetonide in the Treatment of Inflammatory Acne
Authors: Thantaviriya Soraya , Rojhirunsakool Salinee , Kamanamool Nanticha , Sansureerungsikul Titiporn , Udompataikul Montree , Wanichwecharungruang Supason 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Detachable microneedles (DMNs) are dissolvable microneedles that detach from the base during administration. The use of DMNs-containing steroids for acne has never been investigated. Thirty-five patients with facial inflammatory acne were evaluated for acne treatment efficacy and safety of DMNs and DMNs containing triamcinolone acetonide (TA) via a 28-day randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. Four inflammatory acne lesions were selected from each participant and randomly treated with a single application of 700 µm DMNs containing 262.02 ± 15.62 µg TA (700DMNTA), 1000 µm DMNs containing 160.00 ± 34.92 µg TA (1000DMNTA), 700 µm DMN without TA (700DMN), and a control. Efficacy was measured by assessing physical grading, diameter, volume, erythema index, and melanin index. Safety was evaluated by assessing reports of adverse effects from patients and physicians. All three treatment groups achieved resolution of inflammatory acne significantly faster than the control group, with median times for resolution of 4.6, 5.25, 6.7, and 8.1 days in the 1000DMNTA, 700DMNTA, 700DMN, and control, respectively. When compared to the control group, the diameters and post-acne erythema of inflammatory acne were significantly reduced in the treatment groups. The 1000DMNTA decreased acne size and erythema more than other treatments. DMNTA also tended to decrease acne size and erythema more than DMN with no TA, but there was no statistically significant difference. All participants preferred DMN over conventional intralesional steroid injection due to less pain and self-application. No adverse effect was observed. DMNTA is a safe, effective alternative treatment for inflammatory acne that significantly reduces post-acne erythema.
Trial registration: TCTR20211215006 on December 15, 2021
Pen-drawn Marangoni swimmer
Authors: Song Seo Woo , Lee Sumin , Choe Jun Kyu , Lee Amos , Shin Kyungsub , Kang Junwon , Kim Gyeongjun , Yeom Huiran , Choi Yeongjae , Kwon Sunghoon , Kim Jiyun 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Pen-drawing is an intuitive, convenient, and creative fabrication method for delivering emergent and adaptive design to real devices. To demonstrate the application of pen-drawing to robot construction, we developed pen-drawn Marangoni swimmers that perform complex programmed tasks using a simple and accessible manufacturing process. By simply drawing on substrates using ink-based Marangoni fuel, the swimmers demonstrate advanced robotic motions such as square and star-shaped trajectories, and navigate through maze. The versatility of pen-drawing allows the integration of the swimmers with time-varying substrates, enabling multi-step motion tasks such as cargo delivery and return to the original place. We believe that our pen-based approach will significantly expand the potential applications of miniaturized swimming robots and provide new opportunities for simple robotic implementations.
Electrochemical, computational, chemical and surface investigation on novel synthesized imine surfactants as an eco-friendly inhibitor for carbon steel corrosion in 1 M HCl
Authors: Abo-Riya Mohamed , soliman kamal , El-Lateef Hany Abd , Tantawy Ahmed , Eid Salah 
Published: December 2022

Abstract

Novel quaternary ammonium surfactants based on imines, namely, (E)-3-((2-chlorobenzylidene)amino)-N-(2-(decyloxy)-2-oxoethyl)-N,N-dimethylpropan-1-aminium chloride, (ICS-10) and (E)-3-((2-chlorobenzylidene)amino)-N,N-dimethyl-N-(2-oxo-2-(tetradecyloxy)ethyl)propan-1-aminium chloride (ICS-14) were synthesized and their chemical structures were determined by different spectroscopic approaches. The surface properties of the target-prepared surfactants were investigated. The effects of both synthesized imine surfactants on carbon-steel corrosion in 1.0 M HCl solution were investigated by weight loss (WL), potentiodynamic polarization (PDP), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) methods. The outcomes show that the inhibition effectiveness rises with raising the concentration and diminishes with raising the temperature. The inhibition efficiency of 91.53 and 94.58% were attained in the optimum concentration of 0.5 mM of ICS-10 and ICS-14, respectively. The activation energy (Ea) and heat of adsorption (Qads) were calculated and explained. Also, the synthesized compounds were investigated using density functional theory (DFT). Monte Carlo (MC) simulation was utilized to understand the mechanism of adsorption of inhibitors on the Fe (110) surface.
Extraction of urease from soybean for preparing biocement: Laboratory study
Authors: Yu Xiaoniu , Xu Yidong 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
The soybean urease-induced carbonate precipitation (SUICP) is proposed as a novel biocement for the treatment of nickel contaminants and cementation of sandy soil because of the high cost of cultivating urease-producing bacteria (UPB). The best soaking time and content of soybean powder are separately 30 minutes and 130 g/L according to 5 U of urease activity standard. When the best mass ratio of urea to nickel ions to soybean powder filtrate (SPF) is 1:2.4:20, the removal efficiency of nickel ions is the best. For treating 1 L of nickel ion solution (1200 mg/L), the removal efficiency of nickel ions can reach 89.42% in the best mass ratio. The removal efficiency of nickel ions is 99.33% under the best mass ratio in the incinerated bottom ash (IBA). In biocemented sandy soil, the average unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of sand blocks cemented through the soybean urease-based biocement can reach 118.89 kPa when cementation levels are three. Currently, the average content of CaCO3 was 2.52% in sand blocks. As a result, the SUICP process can be applied to remove heavy metal ions in wastewater or solid waste and improve the mechanical properties of soft soil foundations.
Transitioning to silvopastoral forestry. Testing the common drivers of farmer adoption in the Colombian Amazon
Authors: Sandino Carlos Alvarado , Barnes Andrew Peter , Sepulveda Ignacio , Garratt Michael P.D , Thompson J , Escobar-Tello Maria Paula 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Current land use systems in the Amazon largely consist of extensive conventional livestock operations that drive deforestation, degrade soil ecosystems, and tend to be socioeconomically unsustainable. Silvopastoral systems (SPS) have been promoted for decades as an alternative but widespread uptake has yet to be seen. We explore the main drivers and barriers to uptake through a bespoke survey of 172 farms in the Caquetá region of the Colombian Amazon split equally between adoption and non-adoption.
Pearson’s chi-square tests and logistic regression models are used to analyse the effects of categorical and continuous predictor variables on a binary adoption variable. Results show that knowledge gaps, years of experience in farming, as well as infrastructure issues around poor road access were negatively related to adoption, while perception of SPS benefits, proximity to other SPS farms, training in SPS, and understanding of SPS were positively related to adoption with statistical significance. The most promising intervention strategies involve addr­essing knowledge gaps via training and specialised extension and improving market access by removing regulatory barriers and strengthening demand for agroforestry products.
Avoiding “Paper Parks”: A Global Literature Review on the Socio- Economic Strategies to Enhance the Effectiveness of Marine Protected Areas
Authors: Cintio Antonio Di , Niccolini Federico , Scipioni Sara , Bulleri Fabio 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Marine protected areas (MPAs) are a common management tool for preserving marine biodiversity and halting resource depletion. The number of MPAs is rapidly increasing worldwide to achieve the global targets agreed under the Convention on Biological Diversity. Nonetheless, MPAs often achieve their objectives only partially. In some cases – the so-called phenomenon of “paper parks” – protected areas totally fail to achieve their conservation targets. Therefore, identifying the factors underpinning MPA success or failure is crucial to increase their effectiveness. Here, we present the results of a global literature review of studies suggesting different strategies that managers should pursue in order to enhance MPA effectiveness. A search of the Scopus database, using strings of keywords connected by Boolean operators generated a batch of 715 items, out of which 68 were retained after the application of inclusion/exclusion criteria. Six other articles were added through the scanning of the literature cited in selected papers. We grouped MPA success-strategies into 13 main groups and ranked them according to the frequency of citation in the literature. Each group was further split into a series of actions and relative frequencies. Our findings identify stakeholder involvement, increasing communication and awareness between specific stakeholder groups, as well as ensuring appropriate enforcement and monitoring, control and surveillance, as the leading strategies for MPA success. Our results will assist in the process of upcoming global expansion of MPAs, thus contributing to improve conservation of marine biodiversity and associated livelihoods.
Evaluation of Proximate Properties and Heating Values of Wood and Bark Content of Five Common Firewoods in Yobe State, Nigeria
Authors: Dadile A.M , Idoghor S.M , Umar M 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
The study determined the influence of proximate properties and heating values of wood and bark contents of five different firewood species. The experiment was conducted with a view to resolve the indiscriminate use of firewood with and without bark contents for energy values by the people in the study area. Majority of the people depend on firewood as a source of energy for domestic and commercial uses. Five different firewood species samples were obtained at three different locations at Damaturu, Yobe State. Each of the tree species was cut at 25 cm long and replicated three times. Therefore a total of fifteen firewood species samples were used for the study. The wood and bark were independently subjected to proximate analysis using ASTM standards. Meanwhile, the statistical test was performed using ANOVA and Duncan’s multiple range test (DMRT). The results of the study reveal that the high volatile matter was obtained in a wood portion of Sclerocarya birrea with 83.03% while a lower value of 75.19 % was found in Combretum lamprocarpum while its bark portion was found to be 65.69 % in Combretum lamprocarpum and lowest value of 44.69% was found in Piliostigma reticulatum. The variation in ash contents of wood portions ranges from 0.16% in Acacia sieberana to 0.46 % in Sclerocarya birrea. Conversely, the bark portion ranges from 5.36% in Tamaridus indica to 6.15 % in Acacia sieberana. The fixed carbon content of wood ranges from 16.51% in Sclerocarya birrea to 26.26% in Tamarindus indica, while 29.76 to 47.49% was recorded from bark portions. The heating value of the wood portion was found to be 33.48 Jkg-1 in Sclerocarya birrea to 33.65 Jkg-1 in A. sieberana. On the other hand the bark portion of 31.27 Jkg-1 was obtained in P. reticulatum and 32.22 Jkg-1was recorded from C. lamprocarpum. It is concluded that the bark content of wood insignificantly affects the proximate properties and heating value of firewood species.
The Use of Neo – Adjuvant Denosumab in Treatment of Giant Cell Tumours of the Spine
Authors: Beresford-Cleary Nicolas , Dandurand Charlotte , Mawhinney Gerard , Reynolds Jeremy 
Published: December 2022

Abstract

Background The current recommended treatment for Giant Cell Tumour of the spine is en bloc excision. Denosumab is a monoclonal RANKL inhibitor that shows promising results when used as a neo – adjuvant treatment. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of Denosumab on tumour characteristics and symptom relief. Methods We performed a retrospective review of 12 patients treated with denosumab as neo adjuvant and stand - alone treatment. Tumour volume and PET SUV capitation measurements were taken before and after treatment and patients were interviewed for subjective pain responses. Clinical response was determined by reduction in tumour volume, PET SUV capitation, the Boriani calcification response classification, improvement in the Bilsky epidural grading and WBB layers and improvement in pain. Results Following treatment 75% of patients were pain free with 58% noting improvement within 48 hours. Mean relative volumetric reduction in tumour volume was 42%. All pathology specimens confirmed elimination of giant cells. Improvement in Bilsky epidural disease grading occurred in 7/12 cases. Median baseline SUVmax was 14.7 and post treatment was 3.3. Sixty - seven percent of patients demonstrated intralesional bone formation following treatment. At one year follow-up, there were no cases of local disease recurrence, malignant transformation or metastases. Conclusions This study demonstrates neo-adjuvant denosumab can facilitate en bloc resection by reducing the tumour burden around critical adjacent neurovascular structures, reducing the risk morbidity and improving preoperative pain. We recommend routine use when W-B-B – based criteria are fulfilled for en – bloc excision.
Revealing the stimulus-driven component of attention through modulations of auditory salience by timbre attributes
Authors: Bouvier Baptiste , Susini Patrick , Marquis-Favre Catherine , Misdariis Nicolas 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Attention allows a listener to select the relevant information of the environment and to ignore others. But irrelevant stimuli sometimes manage to capture it and stand out from a scene because of bottom-up processes driven by salient stimuli. This attentional capture effect was observed using an implicit approach based on the additional singleton paradigm. In the auditory domain, it was shown that attributes of sounds such as intensity and frequency tend to capture attention during auditory search (cost to performance) for targets defined on a different dimension such as duration. In the present study, the authors examine whether a similar phenomenon occurs for attributes of timbre such as brightness (related to the spectral centroid) and roughness (related the amplitude modulation depth). More specifically, the relationship between the variations of these attributes and the magnitude of the attentional capture effect was revealed. In experiment 1, the occurrence of a brighter sound (higher spectral centroid) embedded in sequences of successive tones produced significant search costs. In experiments 2 and 3, different values of brightness on one hand, and different values of roughness on the other hand confirmed that attention capture is monotonically driven by the sound features. In experiment 4, the effect was found to be symmetrical; the same positive or negative difference in brightness produced the same cost to performance. Experiment 5 revealed the non-additivity of the effect produced by variations of the two attributes. This work provides a methodology for quantifying the bottom-up component of attention and brings new insights on attention capture and auditory salience.
An Optimal Estimation Method on the Analysis of the Generalized Gamma Distribution Parameters Using Runge-Kutta Method
Authors: Maswadah M. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractRecently, in the literature many modifications introduced to improve the maximum likelihood estimation method, however most of them are less efficient than the Bayesian method especially for small samples. Therefore, in this study an improvement method based on the Runge-Kutta technique has been introduced for estimating the generalized gamma distribution parameters and compare them with the Bayesian estimates based on the informative gamma and kernel priors. A comparison between these estimators is provided by using an extensive Monte Carlo simulation based on two criteria, namely, the absolute bias and mean squared error. The simulation results indicated that the Runge-Kutta method is highly favorable, which provides better estimates and outperforms the Bayesian estimates using different loss functions based on the generalized progressive hybrid censoring scheme. Finally, two real datasets analyses for COVID-19 epidemic in Egypt are presented to illustrate the efficiency of the proposed methods.