bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Antifungal activity of propolis extract against Candida albicans in patients with vulvovaginal candidiasis
Authors: Esteves Pairazaman Ambrocio Teodoro , Collanque Pinto Jesus Daniel , Alvarado Chávez Britt , Leon Apac Gabriel , Horna Sandoval Consuelo Berta , Malpartida Quispe Federico Martin , Collanque Meza Vadir Ali Jesús , Ibarra Fretell Walter Gregorio , Rodríguez Loyola Gina Andrea 
Published: October 2022

Background: The aim was to evaluate the antifungal activity of propolis extract against Candida albicans (or C. albicans) in patients with vulvovaginal candidiasis. Methods: The research presents a quantitative approach with an experimental design, with a population of C. albicans strains isolated from patients diagnosed with vulvovaginal candidiasis who were admitted to the Gynecology Service of the Maria del Socorro Clinic, district of Ate, Lima; a sample of 34 strains was chosen in total, considering three repetitions per strain, obtaining 102 experimental units. The antifungal susceptibility test was carried out by the disc diffusion plate method using a single concentration of propolis extract, with fluconazole as a positive control. Results: Propolis extract was shown to inhibit all strains of C. albicans, as was fluconazole, with the effect of the latter being significantly greater than that of the product under investigation. Conclusions: The conclusion is that propolis extract does show antifungal activity against C. albicans in patients with vulvovaginal candidiasis.
Co-cultures of cerebellar slices from mice with different reelin genetic backgrounds as a model to study cortical lamination
Authors: Merighi Adalberto , Lossi Laura 
Published: October 2022

Background: Reelin has fundamental functions in the developing and mature brain. Its absence gives rise to the Reeler phenotype in mice, the first described cerebellar mutation. In homozygous mutants missing the Reelin gene (reln-/-), neurons are incapable of correctly positioning themselves in layered brain areas such as the cerebral and cerebellar cortices. We here demonstrate that by employing ex vivo cultured cerebellar slices one can reduce the number of animals and use a non-recovery procedure to analyze the effects of Reelin on the migration of Purkinje neurons (PNs). Methods: We generated mouse hybrids (L7-GFPrelnF1/) with green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged PNs, directly visible under fluorescence microscopy. We then cultured the slices obtained from mice with different reln genotypes and demonstrated that when the slices from reln-/- mutants were co-cultured with those from reln+/- mice, the Reelin produced by the latter induced migration of the PNs to partially rescue the normal layered cortical histology. We have confirmed this observation with Voronoi tessellation to analyze PN dispersion. Results: In images of the co-cultured slices from reln-/- mice, Voronoi polygons were larger than in single-cultured slices of the same genetic background but smaller than those generated from slices of reln+/- animals. The mean roundness factor, area disorder, and roundness factor homogeneity were different when slices from reln-/- mice were cultivated singularly or co-cultivated, supporting mathematically the transition from the clustered organization of the PNs in the absence of Reelin to a layered structure when the protein is supplied ex vivo. Conclusions: Neurobiologists are the primary target users of this 3Rs approach. They should adopt it for the possibility to study and manipulate ex vivo the activity of a brain-secreted or genetically engineered protein (scientific perspective), the potential reduction (up to 20%) of the animals used, and the total avoidance of severe surgery (3Rs perspective).
Robust Minimum-Cost Flow Problems Under Multiple Ripple Effect Disruptions
Authors: Ansari Mehdi , Borrero Juan S. , Lozano Leonardo 
Published: October 2022

We study a class of adversarial minimum-cost flow problems where the arcs are subject to multiple ripple effect disruptions that increase their usage cost. The locations of the disruptions’ epicenters are uncertain, and the decision maker seeks a flow that minimizes cost assuming the worst-case realization of the disruptions. We evaluate the damage to each arc using a linear model, where the damage is the cumulative damage of all disruptions affecting the arc; and a maximum model, where the damage is given by the most destructive disruption affecting the arc. For both models, the arcs’ costs after disruptions are represented with a mixed-integer feasible region, resulting in a robust optimization problem with a mixed-integer uncertainty set. The main challenge to solve the problem comes from a subproblem that evaluates the worst-case cost for a given flow plan. We show that for the linear model the uncertainty set can be decomposed into a series of single disruption problems, which leads to a polynomial time algorithm for the subproblem. The uncertainty set of the maximum model, however, cannot be decomposed, and we show that the subproblem under this model is NP-hard. For this case, we further present a big-M free binary reformulation of the uncertainty set based on conflict constraints that results in a significantly smaller formulation with tighter linear programming relaxations. We extend the models by considering a less conservative approach where only a subset of the disruptions can occur and show that the properties of the linear and maximum models also hold in this case. We test our proposed approaches over real road networks and synthetics instances and show that our methods achieve orders of magnitude improvements over a standard approach from the literature. History: Andrea Lodi, Area Editor for Design & Analysis of Algorithms–Discrete. Funding: This work was supported by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research [Grant FA9550-22-1-0236] and the Office of Naval Research [Grant N00014-19-1-2329]. Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/ijoc.2022.1243 .
Photonic scheme for broadband frequency response measurement of PDs
Authors: Jiao Mingqi , Jiang Yuxuan , Lv Shirong , Yuan Wenyang , Lei Congbiao , Yao Jiaqi , Xie Liang 
Published: October 2022

We report a scheme to measure the broadband frequency response of photodetectors (PDs) with the capacity of self-calibration. The optical carrier at

f
0

is modulated through one modulator, and this modulator is driven by a microwave signal with a fixed frequency

f
1

to produce the carrier-suppressed double sideband optical signals

f
0

−

f
1

and

f
0

+

f
1

. The frequency interval of the optical signals is

2

f
1

. Subsequently, the two optical signals are sent to another modulator driven by a swept microwave signal

f
m

. Two pairs of carrier-suppressed double sideband signals with a high signal-to-noise ratio are generated. The frequencies of these signals are

f
0

−

f
1

−

f
m

,

f
0

−

f
1

+

f
m

,

f
0

+

f
1

−

f
m

, and

f
0

+

f
1

+

f
m

. After the PD under test, the frequency response can be extracted from the amplitude of the microwave signals at

2

f
1

,

2

f
1

−

2

f
m

, and

2

f
1

+

2

f
m

. Two PDs in our laboratory are experimentally characterized from 0.1 to 40 GHz with a resolution of 100 MHz. Compared with the traditional vector network analyzer swept method, the proposed method extends the measurement range from

f
m

(

max

)

to

2

f
1

+

2

f
m

(

max

)

and has the capacity of self-calibration to eliminate the influence caused by the modulator frequency response on the measurement results.
Internal calibration for opportunistic computed tomography muscle density analysis
Authors: Smith Ainsley C. J. , Tse Justin J. , Waungana Tadiwa H. , Bott Kirsten N. , Kuczynski Michael T. , Michalski Andrew S. , Boyd Steven K. , Manske Sarah L. 
Published: October 2022

Introduction
Muscle weakness can lead to reduced physical function and quality of life. Computed tomography (CT) can be used to assess muscle health through measures of muscle cross-sectional area and density loss associated with fat infiltration. However, there are limited opportunities to measure muscle density in clinically acquired CT scans because a density calibration phantom, allowing for the conversion of CT Hounsfield units into density, is typically not included within the field-of-view. For bone density analysis, internal density calibration methods use regions of interest within the scan field-of-view to derive the relationship between Hounsfield units and bone density, but these methods have yet to be adapted for muscle density analysis. The objective of this study was to design and validate a CT internal calibration method for muscle density analysis.

Methodology
We CT scanned 10 bovine muscle samples using two scan protocols and five scan positions within the scanner bore. The scans were calibrated using internal calibration and a reference phantom. We tested combinations of internal calibration regions of interest (e.g., air, blood, bone, muscle, adipose).

Results
We found that the internal calibration method using two regions of interest, air and adipose or blood, yielded accurate muscle density values (< 1% error) when compared with the reference phantom. The muscle density values derived from the internal and reference phantom calibration methods were highly correlated (R2 > 0.99). The coefficient of variation for muscle density across two scan protocols and five scan positions was significantly lower for internal calibration (mean = 0.33%) than for Hounsfield units (mean = 6.52%). There was no difference between coefficient of variation for the internal calibration and reference phantom methods.

Conclusions
We have developed an internal calibration method to produce accurate and reliable muscle density measures from opportunistic computed tomography images without the need for calibration phantoms.
Glycyrrhizin through liquorice intake modulates ACE2 and HMGB1 levels—A pilot study in healthy individuals with implications for COVID-19 and ARDS
Authors: Buder Felix , Selejan Simina-Ramona , Hohl Mathias , Kindermann Michael , Herr Christian , Lepper Philipp M. , Bals Robert , Salzberger Bernd , Mahfoud Felix , Böhm Michael 
Published: October 2022

BackgroundGlycyrrhizin, an active component of liquorice root extract, exhibits antiviral and immunomodulatory properties by direct inhibition of the pro-inflammatory alarmin HMGB1 (High-mobility group box 1).ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to explore the role of liquorice intake on the viral entry receptor ACE2 (angiotensin-converting enzyme 2) and the immunoregulatory HMGB1 in healthy individuals and to explore HMGB1 expression in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) or non-COVID-19 in ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome patients).Material and methodsThis study enrolled 43 individuals, including hospitalised patients with i) acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) due to COVID-19 (n = 7) or other underlying causes (n = 12), ii) mild COVID-19 (n = 4) and iii) healthy volunteers (n = 20). Healthy individuals took 50 g of liquorice (containing 3% liquorice root extract) daily for 7 days, while blood samples were collected at baseline and on day 3 and 7. Changes in ACE2 and HMGB1 levels were determined by Western blot analysis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Additionally, HMGB1 levels were measured in hospitalised COVID-19 patients with mild disease or COVID-19 associated acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and compared with a non-COVID-19-ARDS group.ResultsLiquorice intake significantly reduced after 7 days both cellular membranous ACE2 expression (-51% compared to baseline levels, p = 0.008) and plasma HMGB1 levels (-17% compared to baseline levels, p<0.001) in healthy individuals. Half of the individuals had a reduction in ACE2 levels of at least 30%. HMGB1 levels in patients with mild COVID-19 and ARDS patients with and without COVID-19 were significantly higher compared with those of healthy individuals (+317%, p = 0.002), but they were not different between COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 ARDS.ConclusionsLiquorice intake modulates ACE2 and HMGB1 levels in healthy individuals. HMGB1 is enhanced in mild COVID-19 and in ARDS with and without COVID-19, warranting evaluation of HMGB1 as a potential treatment target and glycyrrhizin, which is an active component of liquorice root extract, as a potential treatment in COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 respiratory disease.
Incidence of circumcision among insured adults in the United States
Authors: Nabavizadeh Behnam , Li Kevin D. , Hakam Nizar , Shaw Nathan M. , Leapman Michael S. , Breyer Benjamin N. 
Published: October 2022

Purpose
Although circumcision is the most commonly performed surgery in males, less is known about the incidence and indications of adult circumcision. In this study, we aim to present the incidence of adult circumcision across the United States.

Methods
Using IBM MarketScan® Commercial Database from 2015 to 2018, we obtained claims for circumcision in men between 18 and 64 years of age. We calculated the incidence of adult circumcision over the study period and across the United States. We also collected data on indications for surgery using International Classification of Diseases codes.

Results
We identified a total of 12,298 claims for adult circumcisions. The mean age was 39 (±12.9) years. The average incidence rates remained relatively constant from 98.1 per 100,000 person-years in 2015 to 98.2 per 100,000 person-years in 2018 (Δ+0.1%). The age-standardized incidence rates varied significantly across the United States (from 0 to 194.8 per 100,000 person-years) with South Dakota having the highest rate. The most common indications for adult circumcision were phimosis (52.5%), routine/ritual circumcision (28.7%), phimosis + balanitis/balanoposthitis (6.8%), balanitis (3.8%) and balanoposthitis (2.6%), and significantly varied by age groups.

Conclusion
This study suggested a wide geographic variation in rates of adult circumcision between states with highest incidences in the Northeast United States. Future studies can identify the underlying causes for the observed variations.
Expert-generated standard practice elements for evidence-based home visiting programs using a Delphi process
Authors: Haroz Emily E. , Ingalls Allison , Decker Sorby Karla , Dozier Mary , Kaye Miranda P. , Sarche Michelle , Supplee Lauren H. , Whitaker Daniel J. , Grubin Fiona , Daro Deborah 
Published: October 2022

Background
States, territories, non-profits, and tribes are eligible to obtain federal funding to implement federally endorsed evidence-based home visiting programs. This represents a massive success in translational science, with $400 million a year allocated to these implementation efforts. This legislation also requires that 3% of this annual funding be allocated to tribal entities implementing home visiting in their communities. However, implementing stakeholders face challenges with selecting which program is best for their desired outcomes and context. Moreover, recent reviews have indicated that when implemented in practice and delivered at scale, many evidence-based home visiting programs fail to replicate the retention rates and effects achieved during clinical trials. To inform program implementers and better identify the active ingredients in home visiting programs that drive significant impacts, we aimed to develop an expert derived consensus taxonomy on the elements used in home visiting practice that are essential to priority outcome domains.

Methods
We convened a panel of 16 experts representing researchers, model representatives, and program implementers using a Delphi approach. We first elicited standard practice elements (SPEs) using open-ended inquiry, then compared these elements to behavior change techniques (BCTs) given their general importance in the field of home visiting; and finally rated their importance to 10 outcome domains.

Results
Our process identified 48 SPEs derived from the panel, with 83 additional BCTs added based on the literature. Six SPEs, mostly related to home visitor characteristics and skills, were rated essential across all outcome domains. Fifty-three of the 83 BCTs were rated unnecessary across all outcome domains.

Conclusions
This work represents the first step in a consensus-grounded taxonomy of techniques and strategies necessary for home visiting programs and provides a framework for future hypothesis testing and replication studies.
Childbearing intentions, fertility awareness knowledge and contraceptive use among female university students in Cameroon
Authors: Akoku Derick Akompab , Achombwom Vukugah Thomas , Abena Tihnje Mbah , Bigweh Nzubepie Idris 
Published: October 2022

Objectives
The primary objective of this study was to examine the association between fertility awareness knowledge, and contraceptive use among sexually active female university students (FUS) in Cameroon.

Methods
This study was designed as a secondary data analysis of a cross-sectional survey that was conducted between July and August 2018. We extracted and analyzed relevant data (i.e., socio-demographic characteristics, sexual behavior, fertility-related characteristics, and contraceptive use) using a modified Poisson regression with a robust variance estimator. Prevalence Ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals were estimated, and statistical significance was set at P≤0.05.

Results
The median age of the sexually active FUS was 23 years (IQR = 21–25) and 99.3% indicated that they wanted to have children. Only 49.3% knew their fertile period and 62.5% of the sexually active FUS were current contraceptive users. We found a statistically significant association between fertility awareness knowledge and period abstinence (PR = 1.57;95%CI: 1.02–2.44, p = 0.049). In multivariate adjusted models, there was a statistically significant association between fertility awareness knowledge and male condom use (APR = 1.29; 95% CI:1.02–1.64, p-value = 0.032) and the withdrawal method (APR = 1.40;95% CI:1.02–1.93, p = 0.038). We found a statistically significant effect modification of “preferred timing to have children” on the association between fertility awareness knowledge and withdrawal method use. There was no association between fertility awareness knowledge and the use of oral contraceptive pills.

Conclusion
Most of the female students intend to have children in the future, but their fertility awareness knowledge was suboptimal. There was a statistically significant relationship between fertility awareness knowledge, and the use of male condoms and the withdrawal method. The study underscores the need for FUS to be targeted with interventions to help them gain knowledge of their menstrual cycle to better plan or avoid unwanted pregnancy.
Prevalence and factors associated with dietary supplement use among Bangladeshi public university students: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Tareq Md. Abu , Emi Umme Habiba , Banna Md. Hasan Al , Rezyona Humayra , Seidu Abdul-Aziz , Abid Mohammad Tazrian , Tetteh Justice Kanor , Sultana Mst. Sadia , Kundu Satyajit , Hasanuzzaman Md. , Mondal Shuvajit , Mandal Moumita , Khan Md. Shafiqul Islam 
Published: October 2022

Introduction
The usage of dietary supplement (DS) such as vitamins, minerals, and fish oil has expanded, but there is limited data on their use by sub-populations such as university students. The study was aimed to investigate the prevalence of DS use among Bangladeshi university students and its associated factors.

Methods
A cross-sectional survey of 390 students was conducted from two public universities from Barishal Division in Bangladesh using a structured questionnaire with 72 questions divided into five sections: sociodemographic, knowledge, opinions, and attitudes, types of DS, reasons and sources for using DS, and adverse reactions after taking DS. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were utilized to estimate the results.

Results
Among all the students, 15.6% students were using DS where only 7.7% of them used DS according to physicians’ recommendation. Additionally, students used DS for general health and well-being, weight gaining and as a source of energy for physical and sporting activities, etc. The use of DS was significantly associated with female sex (AOR = 5.44, 95% CI: 2.18–13.52), ≥25 years age (AOR = 0.08, 95% CI: 0.01–0.67), underweight (AOR = 5.86, 95% CI: 1.95–17.62), having major illness (AOR = 6.99, 95% CI: 1.98–24.70) and good knowledge of DS (AOR = 2.64, 95% CI: 1.23–5.64).

Conclusion
This study provides new findings on DS use and its correlates in Bangladeshi students which may be used by the policymakers to improve DS usage among students. Adaptation of an appropriate program is recommended to educate students on proper and safer ways of using DS.
Folklore Tourism in Jepara
Authors: Harsono Siswo 
Published: October 2022

AbstractJepara folklore is potential to develop to be folklore tourism. This research aims at investigating Jepara folklore, particularly the legend of Teluk Awur, the legend of Bandengan, Pesta Lomban (Lomban Festival) and Perang Obor (Torch War). The theories used in this research are folklore and tourism. This research uses library and field work methods. The legends and ritual ceremonies can be developed into a package of folklore tourism in Jepara. Both legends relate to ecotourism; and Both of the traditional ceremonies relate thanksgiving (selametan) and rejecting danger (tolak bala) done by the local communities. Jepara folklore is the base of folklore tourism in Jepara.Keywords: Jepara Folklore; Legend; Ritual tradition; Folklore tourism.
Does Javanese have Inflectional Phrase?
Authors: Subiyanto Agus 
Published: October 2022

Abstract In generative grammar, especially in the X-bar theory, all syntactic constructions are claimed to be endocentric. This principle enforces a sentence or a clause to be treated as an inflectional phrase, with the inflectional category as the head. This principle has been attested for many languages and it has become a general rule. However, some languages like Javanese may behave differently from languages having the inflection system like English. This paper aims to discuss whether Javanese has Inflectional phrase or not. The data used in this study was taken from a Javanese magazine Panjebar Semangat, collected using an observation technique. The result of the analysis shows that Javanese lexicons expressing tense, aspect, and modals belong to inflections and they have the maximal projection as Inflectional Phrase. Keywords: inflectional phrase, Javanese, X-bar theory