bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
International humanitarian law, jus post bellum and transformative justice
Authors: Lambourne Wendy
Published: January 2025

International law began as a discipline concerned with the goal of peace, seen as the ideal state of relations between States, focusing on the potential for peaceful settlement of disputes, arms control and disarmament, and the prevention of war. International humanitarian law (IHL) emerged as the first significant development in international law addressing issues of peace and security. The subsequent development of international criminal law (ICL) following World War II has enabled the criminal prosecution of war crimes (serious violations of IHL) as well as crimes against the peace, crimes against humanity and genocide. This article argues that IHL, as it was developed to regulate the conduct of war (jus in bello) as a means of preventing unnecessary suffering, should be considered as separate yet integrally linked to the pursuit of international criminal justice as part of transitional justice in the context of jus post bellum, defined as “the set of norms applicable at the end of armed conflict … with a view to establishing a sustainable peace”. The article analyzes existing scholarship and emerging ideas about the relatively old yet underdeveloped concept of jus post bellum, and what this concept means in practice since the rapid increase in international interventions in peacebuilding and transitional justice in non-international armed conflicts. Applying the author's theory of transformative justice along with jus post bellum principles to the case study example of Cambodia, the paper discusses the complexities, uncertainties and apparent contradictions of establishing a “just peace” that builds on, yet goes beyond, the intersecting norms and practices of IHL and ICL. The article concludes by proposing the need for a radical reconceptualization of jus post bellum in order to support a more sustainable, transformative and emancipatory peacebuilding agenda.
Updates on neonatal cell and novel therapeutics: Proceedings of the Second Neonatal Cell Therapies Symposium (2024)
Authors: Paton Madison C. B. , Benders Manon , Blatch-Williams Remy , Dallimore Elizabeth , Edwards Adam , Elwood Ngaire , Facer Kylie , Finch-Edmondson Megan , Garrity Natasha , Gordon Adrienne , Hunt Rod W. , Jenkin Graham , McDonald Courtney A. , Moore Justin , Nold Marcel F. , Novak Iona , Popat Himanshu , Salomon Carlos , Sato Yoshiaki , Tolcos Mary , Wixey Julie A. , Yawno Tamara , Zhou Lindsay , Malhotra Atul
Published: January 2025

Cell therapies as treatments for neonatal conditions have attracted significant research and parent interest over the last two decades. Mesenchymal stromal cells, umbilical cord blood cells and neural stem cells translate from lab, to preclinical and into clinical trials, with contributions being made from all over the world. Effective and timely translation involves frequent reflection and consultation from research-adjacent fields (i.e. cell therapies for cerebral palsy, adult neurology, companies, and regulatory bodies) as well as meaningful involvement of people with lived experience. Progress to date suggests that aligning outcome and data reporting in later phase clinical trials will support our sector, as well as involving industry partners for streamlined solutions in cell manufacturing, commercialisation and regulatory processes. Importantly, our field can also benefit from resource sharing and research collaboration in novel drug therapies, small molecules and extracellular vesicles as we attempt to bridge preclinical and clinical research. In this review, we present highlights and learnings from the second Neonatal Cell Therapies Symposium (2024), held in Sydney, Australia.

Impact

Multiple cell therapy candidates have advanced through preclinical and clinical trials in neonatology, showing promising feasibility, safety and efficacy.

Effective and timely translation is enabled by collaboration across research-adjacent fields, commercial partnerships, harmonising research outcomes and meaningful involvement of people with lived experience.

Progress on the potential utility of cell therapies for neonatal conditions and further translational considerations are discussed in this paper.
Airborne observations reveal the fate of the methane from the Nord Stream pipelines
Authors: Reum Friedemann , Marshall Julia , Bittig Henry C. , Bretschneider Lutz , Broström Göran , Dissanayake Anusha L. , Glauch Theo , Gottschaldt Klaus-Dirk , Gros Jonas , Huntrieser Heidi , Lampert Astrid , Lichtenstern Michael , Miller Scot M. , Mohrmann Martin , Pätzold Falk , Pühl Magdalena , Rehder Gregor , Roiger Anke
Published: January 2025

The Nord Stream pipeline leaks on 26 September 2022 released 465 ± 20 kt of methane into the atmosphere, which is the largest recorded transient anthropogenic methane emission event. While most of the gas escaped directly to the atmosphere, a fraction dissolved in the water. So far, studies on the fate of this dissolved methane rely on pipeline volumetric estimates or spatially sparse concentration measurements and ocean models. Here, we use atmospheric measurements with broad spatial coverage obtained from an airborne platform to estimate outgassing of 19-48 t h−1 on 5 October 2022. Our results broadly agree with ocean models but reveal uncertainties such as inaccuracies in their spatial emission distribution. Thus, we provide a data-driven constraint on the fate of the methane from the Nord Stream pipelines in the Baltic Sea. These results demonstrate the benefit of a fast-response airborne mission to track a dynamic methane emission event.
Guaranteed efficient energy estimation of quantum many-body Hamiltonians using ShadowGrouping
Authors: Gresch Alexander , Kliesch Martin
Published: January 2025

Estimation of the energy of quantum many-body systems is a paradigmatic task in various research fields. In particular, efficient energy estimation may be crucial in achieving a quantum advantage for a practically relevant problem. For instance, the measurement effort poses a critical bottleneck for variational quantum algorithms. We aim to find the optimal strategy with single-qubit measurements that yields the highest provable accuracy given a total measurement budget. As a central tool, we establish tail bounds for empirical estimators of the energy. They are helpful for identifying measurement settings that improve the energy estimate the most. This task constitutes an NP-hard problem. However, we are able to circumvent this bottleneck and use the tail bounds to develop a practical, efficient estimation strategy, which we call ShadowGrouping. As the name indicates, it combines shadow estimation methods with grouping strategies for Pauli strings. In numerical experiments, we demonstrate that ShadowGrouping improves upon state-of-the-art methods in estimating the electronic ground-state energies of various small molecules, both in provable and practical accuracy benchmarks. Hence, this work provides a promising way, e.g., to tackle the measurement bottleneck associated with quantum many-body Hamiltonians.
Dynamically reconfigurable acoustofluidic metasurface for subwavelength particle manipulation and assembly
Authors: Surappa Sushruta , Pavagada Suraj , Soto Fernando , Akin Demir , Wei Charles , Degertekin F. Levent , Demirci Utkan
Published: January 2025

Particle manipulation plays a pivotal role in scientific and technological domains such as materials science, physics, and the life sciences. Here, we present a dynamically reconfigurable acoustofluidic metasurface that enables precise trapping and positioning of microscale particles in fluidic environments. By harnessing acoustic-structure interaction in a passive membrane resonator array, we generate localized standing acoustic waves that can be reconfigured in real-time. The resulting radiation force allows for subwavelength manipulation and patterning of particles on the metasurface at individual and collective scales, with actuation frequencies below 2 MHz. We further demonstrate the capabilities of the reconfigurable metasurface in trapping and enriching beads and biological cells flowing in microfluidic channels, showcasing its potential in high-throughput bioanalytical applications. Our versatile and biocompatible particle manipulation platform is suitable for applications ranging from the assembly of colloidal particles to enrichment of rare cells.
Visualizing stepwise evolution of carbon hybridization from sp3 to sp2 and to sp
Authors: Xiong Wei , Zhang Guang , Bao De-Liang , Lu Jianchen , Gao Lei , Li Yusen , Zhang Hui , Ruan Zilin , Hao Zhenliang , Gao Hong-Jun , Chen Long , Cai Jinming
Published: January 2025

Regulating carbon hybridization states lies at the heart of engineering carbon materials with tailored properties but orchestrating the sequential transition across three states has remained elusive. Here, we visiualize stepwise evolution in carbon hybridizations from sp³ to sp² and to sp states via dehydrogenation and elimination reactions of methylcyano-functionalized molecules on surfaces. Utilizing scanning probing microscopy, we distinguish three distinct carbon-carbon bond types within polymers induced by annealing at elevated temperatures. Density-functional-theory calculations unveil the pivotal role of the electron-withdrawing cyano group in activating neighboring methylene to form C(sp

3
)–C(sp

3
) bonds, and in facilitating subsequent stepwise HCN eliminations to realize the transformation across three carbon-carbon bond types. We also demonstrate the applicability of this strategy on one-dimensional molecular wires and two-dimensional covalent organic framework on different substrates. Our work expands the scope of carbon hybridization evolution and serves as an advance in flexibly engineering carbon-material by employing cyanomethyl-substituted molecules.
Robust genome editing activity and the applications of enhanced miniature CRISPR-Cas12f1
Authors: Park Soo-Ji , Ju Sungjin , Jung Won Jun , Jeong Tae Yeong , Yoon Da Eun , Lee Jang Hyeon , Yang Jiyun , Lee Hojin , Choi Jungmin , Kim Hyeon Soo , Kim Kyoungmi
Published: January 2025

With recent advancements in gene editing technology using the CRISPR/Cas system, there is a demand for more effective gene editors. A key factor facilitating efficient gene editing is effective CRISPR delivery into cells, which is known to be associated with the size of the CRISPR system. Accordingly, compact CRISPR-Cas systems derived from various strains are discovered, among which Un1Cas12f1 is 2.6 times smaller than SpCas9, providing advantages for gene therapy research. Despite extensive engineering efforts to improve Un1Cas12f1, the editing efficiency of Un1Cas12f1 is still shown to be low depending on the target site. To overcome this limitation, we develop enhanced Cas12f1 (eCas12f1), which exhibits gene editing activity similar to SpCas9 and AsCpf1, even in gene targets where previously improved Un1Cas12f1 variants showed low gene editing efficiency. Furthermore, we demonstrate that eCas12f1 efficiently induces apoptosis in cancer cells and is compatible with base editing and regulation of gene expression, verifying its high utility and applicability in gene therapy research.
The role of fluid friction in streamer formation and biofilm growth
Authors: Wittig Cornelius , Wagner Michael , Vallon Romain , Crouzier Thomas , van der Wijngaart Wouter , Horn Harald , Bagheri Shervin
Published: January 2025

Biofilms constitute one of the most common forms of living matter, playing an increasingly important role in technology, health, and ecology. While it is well established that biofilm growth and morphology are highly dependent on the external flow environment, the precise role of fluid friction has remained elusive. We grew Bacillus subtilis biofilms on flat surfaces of a channel in a laminar flow at wall shear stresses spanning one order of magnitude (τ

w
 = 0.068 Pa to τ

w
 = 0.67 Pa). By monitoring the three-dimensional distribution of biofilm over seven days, we found that the biofilms consist of smaller microcolonies, shaped like leaning pillars, many of which feature a streamer in the form of a thin filament that originates near the tip of the pillar. While the shape, size, and distribution of these microcolonies depend on the imposed shear stress, the same structural features appear consistently for all shear stress values. The formation of streamers occurs after the development of a base structure, suggesting that the latter induces a secondary flow that triggers streamer formation. Moreover, we observed that the biofilm volume grows approximately linearly over seven days for all shear stress values, with a growth rate inversely proportional to the wall shear stress. We develop a scaling model, providing insight into the mechanisms by which friction limits biofilm growth.
The Octocoral Trait Database: a global database of trait information for octocoral species
Authors: Gómez-Gras D. , Linares C. , Viladrich N. , Zentner Y. , Grinyó J. , Gori A. , McFadden C. S. , Fabricius K. E. , Madin J. S.
Published: January 2025

Trait-based approaches are revolutionizing our understanding of high-diversity ecosystems by providing insights into the principles underlying key ecological processes, such as community assembly, species distribution, resilience, and the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. In 2016, the Coral Trait Database advanced coral reef science by centralizing trait information for stony corals (i.e., Subphylum Anthozoa, Class Hexacorallia, Order Scleractinia). However, the absence of trait data for soft corals, gorgonians, and sea pens (i.e., Class Octocorallia) limits our understanding of ecosystems where these organisms are significant members and play pivotal roles. To address this gap, we introduce the Octocoral Trait Database, a global, open-source database of curated trait data for octocorals. This database houses species- and individual-level data, complemented by contextual information that provides a relevant framework for analyses. The inaugural dataset, OctocoralTraits v2.2, contains over 97,500 global trait observations across 98 traits and over 3,500 species. The database aims to evolve into a steadily growing, community-led resource that advances future marine science, with a particular emphasis on coral reef research.
Two-photon NAD(P)H-FLIM reveals unperturbed energy metabolism of Ascaris suum larvae, in contrast to host macrophages upon artemisinin derivatives exposure
Authors: Musimbi Zaneta D. , Kundik Arkadi , Krücken Jürgen , Hauser Anja E. , Rausch Sebastian , Seeberger Peter H. , Niesner Raluca , Leben Ruth , Hartmann Susanne
Published: January 2025

Soil-transmitted helminths (STH) are widespread, with Ascaris lumbricoides infecting millions globally. Malaria and STH co-infections are common in co-endemic regions. Artemisinin derivatives (ARTs)—artesunate, artemether, and dihydroartemisinin—are standard malaria treatments and are also known to influence the energy metabolism of parasites, tumors, and immune cells. Herein, we explore the potential of ARTs to influence ascariasis either by directly targeting larvae or indirectly by modifying macrophage responses. Ascaris suum third-stage larvae and porcine IL-4 polarized (M2-like) macrophages were exposed to ARTs in vitro, and their metabolism was evaluated using two-photon NAD(P)H-FLIM. Both larvae and M2-like macrophages exhibited a steady-state bioenergetic profile of high oxidative phosphorylation and low anaerobic glycolysis. In A. suum larvae, two metabolically distinct regions were identified, with particularly high DUOX activity in the pharynx compared to the midgut; however, ARTs did not alter these profiles. In contrast, exposure of M2-like macrophages to ARTs induced a metabolic shift towards high anaerobic glycolysis and reduced metabolic activity, suggesting a possible indirect effect of ARTs on the helminth infection. Overall, two-photon NAD(P)H-FLIM proved to be a powerful tool for studying specific metabolic pathways in Ascaris larvae and host macrophages, offering valuable insights into the metabolic mechanisms of drug action on both parasite and host.
Microstructure and magnetism of austenitic steels in relation to chemical composition, severe plastic deformation, and solution annealing
Authors: Hrabovská Kamila , Životský Ondřej , Váňová Petra , Jirásková Yvonna , Gembalová Lucie , Hilšer Ondřej
Published: January 2025

Three types of commercial austenitic stainless steels, 1.4307 (AISI 304 L), 1.4404 (AISI 316 L) 1.4845 (AISI 310 S) with different chemical compositions, are subjected to severe plastic deformation at room temperature by a unique Dual Rolling Equal Channel Extrusion (DRECE) method. Its impact is evaluated from the viewpoint of microstructure analyses, X-ray diffraction, and macroscopic magnetic properties completed by microscopic Mössbauer characteristics. The study also includes the solution annealing at 950 °C for 0.5 h to follow the recovering austenitic structure and paramagnetic state of steels with the aim to offer more information with respect to new technical applications. The results show the importance of the steel’s chemical composition and microstructure, mainly grain size, on the stability of the austenitic structure closely associated with the paramagnetic behaviour.
High leafy and root vegetables and high rice dietary patterns were associated with primary and secondary bile acid levels in the feces
Authors: Saito Yosuke , Sagae Toyoaki
Published: January 2025

Colorectal cancer has the second highest mortality among cancer sites worldwide, with increasing morbidity, high recurrence rates, and even poorer postoperative quality of life. Therefore, preventive strategies for colorectal cancer should be established. This study aimed to cross-sectionally explore dietary patterns affecting the intestinal metabolism of bile acids (BAs), a risk factor for colorectal cancer, in young Japanese women. We collected fecal samples for intestinal microbiota and BA analysis. We used the Bristol scale to determine 1-week defecation status. Moreover, the brief-type self-administered diet history questionnaire was used for habitual dietary intake status. Reduced-rank regression analysis revealed dietary patterns related to fecal BA levels. The relationship between dietary patterns and fecal BA levels was adjusted for defecation status and intestinal microbiota variables using analysis of covariance. Reduced-rank regression analysis generated two dietary pattern scores related to fecal BA levels. First, the score was associated with a greater intake of leafy and root vegetables, and higher values were associated with greater fecal cholic and chenodeoxycholic acid levels and lower deoxycholic and lithocholic acid levels. Second, the score was associated with greater rice intake and lower Western sweets, pork, beef, and egg intake, and higher values were associated with lower deoxycholic and lithocholic acid levels. These relationships remained after adjusting for intestinal microbiota and defecation status variables.
Incorporation of recombinant proteins into extracellular vesicles by Lactococcus cremoris
Authors: Plavec Tina Vida , Žagar Soderžnik Kristina , Della Pelle Giulia , Zupančič Špela , Vidmar Robert , Berlec Aleš
Published: January 2025

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanosized lipid bilayer particles released by various cellular organisms that carry an array of bioactive molecules. EVs have diagnostic potential, as they play a role in intercellular interspecies communication, and could be applied in drug delivery. In contrast to mammalian cell-derived EVs, the study of EVs from bacteria, particularly Gram-positive bacteria, received less research attention. This study aimed to investigate the production of EVs by lactic acid bacterium Lactococcus cremoris NZ9000 and to examine the impact of recombinant protein expression on their formation and protein content. Four different recombinant proteins were expressed in L. cremoris NZ9000, in different forms of expression and combinations, and the produced EVs were isolated using the standard ultracentrifugation method. The presence of vesicular structures (50–200 nm) in the samples was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy and by flow cytometry using membrane-specific stain. Mass spectrometry analyses confirmed the presence of recombinant proteins in the EVs fraction, with amounts ranging from 13.17 to 100%, highlighting their significant incorporation into the vesicles, together with intrinsic L. cremoris NZ9000 proteins that were either more abundant in the cytoplasm (ribosomal proteins, metabolic enzymes) or present in the membrane. The presence of the most abundant lactococcal proteins in EVs fraction suggests that protein cargo-loading of EVs in L. cremoris NZ9000 is not regulated. However, our data suggests that L. cremoris NZ9000 genetically engineered to express recombinant proteins can produce EVs containing these proteins in scalable manner. As L. cremoris NZ9000 is considered safe bacterium, EVs from L. cremoris NZ9000 could have several advantages over EVs from other bacteria, implying possible biotechnological applications, e.g. in therapeutic protein delivery.
The microcephaly-associated transcriptional regulator AUTS2 cooperates with Polycomb complex PRC2 to produce upper-layer neurons in mice
Authors: Shimaoka Kazumi , Hori Kei , Miyashita Satoshi , Inoue Yukiko U , Tabe Nao K N , Sakamoto Asami , Hasegawa Ikuko , Nishitani Kayo , Yamashiro Kunihiko , Egusa Saki F , Tatsumoto Shoji , Go Yasuhiro , Abe Manabu , Sakimura Kenji , Inoue Takayoshi , Imamura Takuya , Hoshino Mikio
Published: January 2025

AUTS2 syndrome is characterized by intellectual disability and microcephaly, and is often associated with autism spectrum disorder, but the underlying mechanisms, particularly concerning microcephaly, remain incompletely understood. Here, we analyze mice mutated for the transcriptional regulator AUTS2, which recapitulate microcephaly. Their brains exhibit reduced division of intermediate progenitor cells (IPCs), leading to fewer neurons and decreased thickness in the upper-layer cortex. Increased expression of the AUTS2 transcriptional target Robo1 in the mutant animals suppresses IPC division, and transcriptomic and chromatin profiling shows that AUTS2 primarily represses transcription of genes like Robo1 in IPCs. Regions around the transcriptional start sites of AUTS2 target genes are enriched for the repressive histone modification H3K27me3, which is reduced in Auts2 mutants. Furthermore, we find that AUTS2 interacts with Polycomb complex PRC2, with which it cooperates to promote IPC division. These findings shed light on the microcephaly phenotype observed in the AUTS2 syndrome.
Application of advanced quantum dots in perovskite solar cells: synthesis, characterization, mechanism, and performance enhancement
Authors: Que Meidan , Xu Yuan , Wu Qizhao , Chen Jin , Gao Lili , Liu Shengzhong (Frank)
Published: January 2025

This review focuses on the synthesis of quantum dots, film deposition techniques, and their application across various functional layers in perovskite solar cells, elucidating the mechanisms by which quantum dots enhance photovoltaic performance.
Controlled ligation and elongation of uniformly truncated amyloid nanofibrils
Authors: Roh Seokbeom , Cheong Da Yeon , Lee Sangwoo , Son Jongsang , Park Insu , Lee Gyudo
Published: January 2025

This study presents an extrusion method for producing uniformly truncated amyloid nanofibrils using carbonate filter membranes and examines inter-fibril interactions after incubation, along with an end-to-end ligation and elongation process.
A synthetic methodology toward π-extended porphyrin-rylenediimide conjugates
Authors: Oleszak Christoph , Ritterhoff Christian L. , Schulze Erik J. , Hirsch Andreas , Meyer Bernd , Jux Norbert
Published: January 2025

A straightforward synthetic route for the preparation of functionalized β-meso-fused porphyrins, which are then connected to rylendiimides is demonstrated. The donor–acceptor-type conjugates show features of panchromaticity and small energy gaps.
Expression of concern: An efficient and green procedure for synthesis of rhodanine derivatives by aldol-thia-Michael protocol using aqueous diethylamine medium
Authors: Barakat Assem , Al-Majid Abdullah M. , AL-Najjar Hany J. , Mabkhot Yahia N. , Ghabbour Hazem A. , Fun Hoong-Kun
Published: January 2025

Expression of concern for ‘An efficient and green procedure for synthesis of rhodanine derivatives by aldol-thia-Michael protocol using aqueous diethylamine medium’ by Assem Barakat et al., RSC Adv., 2014, 4, 4909–4916, https://doi.org/10.1039/C3RA46551A.
Postextubation Dysphagia Among Patients With COVID-19: Results of Instrumental Swallow Studies and Clinical Swallow Evaluations
Authors: Bricker Renee , Aldridge Chad , Turner Elizabeth
Published: January 2025

Purpose:

Research has shown that prolonged endotracheal intubation can increase risk of aspiration following extubation. This study examined the relationship between swallowing and intubation among patients with COVID-19. We investigated the association between the duration of intubation and time until an oral diet was safely initiated and the correlation between the length of intubation and reduced sensation with aspiration as seen on flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES)/videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS).

Method:

This study is a retrospective analysis of all intubated patients admitted with the primary diagnosis of COVID-19 between April 2020 and March 2021 who received an inpatient speech-language pathology consultation. We utilized univariate linear regressions to investigate the dose–response relationship between duration of intubation and time until cleared for oral diet post-extubation. Dysphagia outcomes were analyzed, including results from 39 instrumental evaluations (VFSS and FEES).

Results:

During this 1-year period, 94 extubated patients were examined by a speech-language pathologist (SLP). We observed a near-exponential increase in the days until cleared for oral diet from 3% versus 69% when intubated for 10–16 days versus 17–34 days, respectively. Second, 39 patients received a VFSS/FEES evaluation. Of those who aspirated on an instrumental swallow study, there was a 78% rate of silent aspiration.

Conclusions:

Prolonged intubation has a near exponential dose–response on the time until a patient becomes cleared for an oral diet after extubation. Prolonged intubation also increases the rate of aspiration observed on VFSS/FEES evaluations. Thus, SLP evaluation of oropharyngeal swallow physiology is important to minimize complications and improve patient outcomes.

Supplemental Material:

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.28165631
Disease-Specific Speech Movement Characteristics of the Tongue and Jaw
Authors: Raines Claudia , Mefferd Antje
Published: January 2025

Purpose:

To advance our understanding of disease-specific articulatory impairment patterns in speakers with dysarthria, this study investigated the articulatory performance of the tongue and jaw in speakers with differing neurological diseases (Parkinson's disease [PD], amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, and Huntington's disease).

Method:

Fifty-seven speakers with dysarthria and 30 controls produced the sentence “Buy Kaia a kite” five times. A three-dimensional electromagnetic articulography was used to record the articulatory movements of the posterior tongue and jaw. Sentence-length kinematic measures (e.g., duration, tongue range of motion [ROM], jaw ROM, tongue speed, jaw speed) were extracted.

Results:

Results revealed significant group effects for the duration, jaw ROM, and tongue speed but not for tongue ROM. Post hoc pairwise comparisons revealed more significant between-groups differences for duration and jaw ROM than for tongue speed. Statistically significant findings between clinical groups were predominantly driven by the difference between speakers with PD and speakers of other clinical groups.

Conclusions:

Reduced jaw ROM and trends toward reduced tongue ROM confirm hypokinesia as a distinguishing motor feature of speakers with PD. However, deviancies in speed or movement duration did not emerge as a distinguishing motor feature for any of the four studied clinical groups. Nevertheless, movement duration, but not movement speed, may be useful to index dysarthria severity.
Study of texture properties rejuvenation for aged rice kernel
Authors: Maichoon Pisut , Choomjaihan Prasan
Published: January 2025

Aged rice (stored > 3 months) undergoes significant texture changes, especially hardness and stickiness. Hardness increases, while stickiness decreases with aging. Rice grains were subjected to heat treatment using three different methods: hot air oven (HA), infrared (IR) and microwave (MW). The HA and IR applied heat at a temperature of 100°C, while the MW applied heat at a power of 800 watts. The heat treatment was applied for 3, 4, and 5 minutes. As a result, the hardness of aged rice treated with HA and IR was effectively reduced to 17.79±2.38 N and 17.73±1.26 N, respectively. In contrast, the MW exhibited a lesser reduction in hardness, reaching to 22.82±2.32 N. Regarding stickiness, no statistically significant differences were observed (p < 0.05). Furthermore, hardness exhibited a decreasing with increasing heating time. Additional parameters, Whiteness, transparency and Volume expansion, were also evaluated. Whiteness values were observed to exhibit an increase for all treatments, in contrast to transparency values, which demonstrated a decrease. Volume expansion values, on the other hand, displayed a stable trend, with the exception of MW treated samples, where a statistically significant increase (p < 0.05) was observed.
Heating value prediction model of Acacia mangium Willd using near infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Pambudi Suluh , Saechua Wanphut
Published: January 2025

This study reported the prediction model of heating value for the Acacia mangium Willd which is the promoted as energy plant for the farmer to grow in the farm. Its heating value is approximately of 19 kJ/kg which provides high potential using for an alternative energy as biomass. The near infrared spectroscopy technique (NIR) is used to create model to predict the heating value of this biomass in order to reduce the investigated time. The results of model on the validation set were the coefficient of determination (R2) of 71%, RMSEP of 246 J/g, RPD 1.87 and bias of 33.7 J/g. These results showed the potential and possibility to apply the NIR prediction technique. The robust model was suggested to carried out for more accuracy and may be applied in the online system analysis.
Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA): A Promising Solution with Challenges in Tropical Zones
Authors: Choomjaihan Prasan , Onmankhong Jiraporn , Khwamphairn Bussaya , Sribua-iam Nattakan , Ninbua Metaporn , Subsomboon Ratchanon
Published: January 2025

In tropical greenhouses, single-stage direct evaporative cooling systems (DECS) are commonly employed. However, a key limitation of DECS is the inability to achieve desired temperature reductions. This study investigated and compared a two-stage pre-cooling system utilizing a heat exchanger in combining with DECS, against the traditional single-stage approach. The findings revealed a significant improvement in the two-stage system, achieving a 1.2°C lower in dry bulb temperature. Additionally, the magnitude of air condition change was 1.26 greater compared to the single-stage system. Furthermore, the two-stage system exhibited greater data consistency, indicating a more precise cooling effect.
Possible environments for application of high nitrogen nickel free stainless steel: A Review
Authors: Kumar Sharvan , Mahobia Girija S
Published: January 2025

HNNFSS (high nitrogen nickel free austenitic stainless steels) are gaining attention due to superior combination of mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. 200 series of austenitic stainless steel are now being explored for different applications due to their affordability. This paper describes the various applications of high nitrogen nickel free austenitic stainless described in the literature and summarizes studies carried out under various environments. The available literature on different stainless steels with similar properties shows that HNNFSS has potential areas for application and research.
La dynamique émotionnelle d’un entraîneur lors d’une saison à l’étranger : une analyse de son cours de vie en handball de haut niveau
Authors: Visioli Jérôme , Petiot Oriane , Guérin Jérôme
Published: January 2025

Les dimensions émotionnelles de l’activité des entraîneurs de très haut niveau restent peu investiguées, en particulier sur une temporalité longue. L’objectif de cette recherche était d’analyser le cours de vie d’un entraîneur de handball français au plus haut niveau, en focalisant notamment sur la dynamique de ses émotions lors d’une saison. En nous basant sur le programme de recherche du « cours d’action » (Theureau, 2015), nous avons adopté l’approche de Hauw et Lemeur (2013) pour analyser le « cours de vie relatif à une pratique » en contexte sportif. Des entretiens consistant à confronter l’entraîneur à une frise représentant les deux périodes de sa saison ont été conduits, puis analysés de manière à reconstruire sa dynamique émotionnelle. Huit périodes ont ainsi été identifiées. Lors de la première partie de saison, la dynamique émotionnelle évolue des émotions négatives à des émotions positives, et se situe globalement dans les valeurs positives. Lors de la deuxième partie de saison, les émotions se situent prioritairement dans des valeurs négatives. Cette dynamique émotionnelle prend sens dans la mise en relation avec l’expérience de l’entraîneur tout au long de la saison. Les résultats sont discutés au regard de quatre apports majeurs : (1) Une dynamique émotionnelle en « dent de scie » à l’échelle de la saison ; (2) Une dynamique émotionnelle qui se comprend en accédant à l’expérience ; (3) Une dynamique émotionnelle qui infléchit les actions de l’entraîneur ; (4) Une dynamique émotionnelle qui participe de la transformation des connaissances.
Darboux–Bäcklund transformations, generalized Bianchi’s permutability theorem and exact solutions of a novel coupled modified Korteweg–de Vries system
Authors: Asadi Esmaeel , Ranjbar Niari Zari , Noori Saeideh
Published: January 2025

In our research, we explore a coupled mKdV system within the Yijima–Oikawa long-wave–short-wave hierarchy, involving both real and complex dynamical variables. By establishing an explicit Lax pair, Darboux–Bäcklund transformation, we proved the generalized Bianchi’s permutability theorem for the coupled system utilizing Riccati representation of the Lax pair. We then uncover new solutions in unique closed forms, showcasing the intricate relationship between the real and complex variables. These solutions encompass diverse forms such as one-soliton, stationary and moving breathers, and two-soliton solutions, each demonstrating distinct properties. Notably, the dynamics reveal intriguing behavior where the complex potential oscillates precisely on the unit circle, contingent on the initial seed solution, thus, a novel dynamical Pythagorean triple associated is detected.
A novel technique for the synthesis of Au3N and its characterization using X-ray diffraction and Raman scattering techniques
Authors: Giri S. , Mallick P. , Mallick B.
Published: January 2025

We report a novel technique for the synthesis of Au3N via a solid-state diffusion-reaction mechanism. X-ray diffraction indexing confirmed that the structure of Au3N is anti-ReO3 with a lattice constant aAuN̄ of 4.065 ± 0.004 Å. The low value of lattice constant as compared to that of pristine gold, aAū of 4.080 ± 0.004 Å, is because of the LN2 quenching-induced structural squeezing. The structural squeezing caused compressive strain, leading to a compressed and rigid structure of Au3N. This is also supported by the shifting of characteristics, where the Raman peak shifted to the higher frequency side with an increased value of the full width at half maxima. The Raman shift of Au3N was found to be 1127.5 ± 0.3 cm−1, which is in good agreement with the theoretically calculated value obtained using density-functional theory. The prospects and future directions for the development of this novel gold nitride material are discussed.
Self-absorption effects of internal luminescence in one-dimensional nanowires with and without localized states
Authors: Fan Xinye , Xu Shijie
Published: January 2025

Recent rigorous demonstration of self-absorption (SA) effects of internal luminescence in solids [H. G. Ye et al. Sci. Bull. 62, 1525 (2017)] has opened a breach in the solid wall behind which the SA processes and effects occur but cannot be directly probed inside the solid. Herein, we attempt to present a further theoretical consideration of the SA effects of internal luminescence occurring inside a nanowire with Urbach band-tail states. The consideration begins with an ideal luminescence spectrum with δ-line shape and then goes to the cases of luminescence spectra with Lorentzian, Gaussian, and localized-state ensemble (LSE) line shapes, respectively. A quantitative consideration of the SA effects in the spectral features of external luminescence spectra along with the nanowire axis is established for the variables of temperature, transmission distance, and photon energy. Generally, it is found that the self-absorption of internal luminescence can have a significant impact on the spectral features of external luminescence, depending on the three above-mentioned variables. In particular, the influence of SA on the three key spectral parameters, including intensity, peak position, and full width at half maximum (FWHM) of external LSE luminescence, is unveiled, providing a quantitative explanation for a few experimental phenomena reported in the literature. In addition, some interesting phenomena, i.e., nearly no peak shift with increasing the transmission distance, etc., have been predicted. These results more deeply establish the theoretical foundation of self-absorption, which is of positive significance for the regulation and enhancement of optoelectronic devices.
Doping with FeSe greatly enhances mobility in topological insulator Bi2Se3 single crystals
Authors: Bannikov M. I. , Selivanov Yu. G. , Martovitskii V. P. , Prudkoglyad V. A. , Kuntsevich A. Yu.
Published: January 2025

In this paper, we demonstrate a novel strategy to introduce Fe into a Bi2Se3 system through growth of crystals with nominal composition (FeSe)xBi2Se3. For x<0.04, Fe is shown to act mostly as a non-magnetic impurity; it uniformly enters the lattice and monotonically increases the c-lattice parameter, electronic doping level, and Shubnikov–de Haas mobility. The most striking observation is the record high Hall mobility of 8600 cm2/V s at 4.2 K for the smallest FeSe content (x=0.002) that further decreases with x. Elevated mobility is accompanied by a high residual resistance ratio and a rather moderate shift of Shubnikov–de Haas oscillations to a smaller field. These findings indicate that Fe admixture cures the point defects in Bi2Se3 and, thus, opens an effective way to suppress the defect subsystem in Bi2Se3-based topological insulator materials.
Non-adiabatic quantum electrodynamic effects on electron–nucleus–photon systems: Single photonic mode vs infinite photonic modes
Authors: Shen Chih-En , Tsai Hung-Sheng , Hsu Liang-Yan
Published: January 2025

The quantum-electrodynamic non-adiabatic emission (QED-NAE) is a type of radiatively assisted vibronic de-excitation due to electromagnetic vacuum fluctuations on non-adiabatic processes. Building on our previous work [Tsai et al., J. Phys. Chem. Lett. 14, 5924 (2023)], we extend the theory of the QED-NAE rate from a single cavity photonic mode to infinite photonic modes and calculate the QED-NAE rates of 9-cyanoanthracene at the first-principles level. To avoid the confusion, the quantum electrodynamic internal conversion process is renamed as “QED-NAE” in our present work. According to our theory, we identify three key factors influencing the QED-NAE processes: light–matter coupling strength (mode volume), mass-weighted orientation factor, and photonic density of states. The mode volume is the primary factor causing rate differences between the two scenarios. In a single cavity with a small mode volume, strong light–matter coupling strength boosts QED-NAE rates. In contrast, in free space with infinite photonic modes, weak coupling strength significantly reduces these rates. From a single cavity photonic mode to infinite photonic modes, the mass-weighted orientation factor only causes an 8π/3-fold increase in the QED-NAE rate. In free space, the photonic density of state exhibits a flat and quadratic distribution, which slightly reduces the QED-NAE rate. Our study shows that cavities can significantly enhance non-adiabatic QED effects while providing a robust analysis demonstrating that QED vibronic effects can be safely ignored in free space.
Highly selective aptasensor for optical detection of whole cell gastrointestinal pathogen Shigella dysenteriae at label-free liquid crystal–aqueous interface
Authors: Das Sayani , Chakraborty Ranadhir , Kula Przemysław , McLaughlin James , Roy Susanta Sinha
Published: January 2025

This paper describes a label-free liquid crystal (LC)-based biosensor for a rapid and straightforward detection of whole cell Shigella dysenteriae at aqueous interfaces using a bacteria-specific aptamer. The stimuli-receptive properties of LCs induce a change in the orientational ordering of molecules at the LC–aqueous interface. This interfacial phenomenon has been utilized to record target binding interactions of the biosensor. The homeotropic LC alignment at the glass–LC and the aqueous–LC interfaces was obtained using the aligning agent dimethyloctadecyl [3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl] ammonium chloride and the self-assembling property of the cationic surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, respectively. The introduction of the negatively charged Shigella aptamer causes the homeotropic molecules to morph to a planar/tilted ordering. Upon adding a small quantity of Shigella cells in liquid media, the aptamer–bacterium interaction causes a redistribution of the surfactant at the LC–aqueous interface, restoring the homeotropic alignment. This results in a bright-to-dark optical change observed under a polarizing optical microscope, thus implying the presence of the microbes. This reported aptasensor demonstrates high specificity, with the limit of detection being 30 CFU/ml within a linear range of 1–105 CFU/ml. To test the utility of this system, the sensor was also tested with close taxonomic relatives S. dysenteriae as well as real samples from the food chain. This proposed LC-based sensor offers several advantages over conventional detection techniques for a quick and convenient way for the detection of whole cell targets.
Self-consistent electron density with shell structure using neural network-based Pauli potential
Authors: Gangwar Aparna , Bulusu Satya S. , Das Amit Kumar , Banerjee Arup
Published: January 2025

The orbital-free density functional theory (OF-DFT) based method is a convenient tool to carry out electronic structure calculations scaling almost linearly with the number of electrons. However, the main impediment in the application of this method is the unavailability of the accurate form for the non-interacting kinetic energy functional in terms of electron density. The Pauli kinetic energy functional is the unknown part of the kinetic energy functional, and the corresponding Pauli potential appears in the governing Euler equation. In the present study, we present a feed-forward neural network (NN) approach to represent the Pauli potential of a group of atomic systems possessing spherically symmetric ground-state densities. This NN-based representation of Pauli potential combined with the Hohenberg–Kohn variational principle yields self-consistent radial densities that accurately exhibit the correct atomic shell structure. For this approach, the electron density in the form of a grid serves as the input to the NN model. In addition, we calculated the non-interacting kinetic energy by summing the Pauli kinetic energy, derived from the NN-based Pauli potential, and the von Weizsäcker kinetic energy. Our results demonstrate high accuracy for smaller atoms, while larger atoms exhibit greater deviations when compared with smaller atoms. The method presented in this paper provides an efficient way to calculate the Pauli potential and the Pauli kinetic energy without the need for functional derivatives. Our study represents a significant step forward in the application of machine learning techniques to OF-DFT, showcasing the potential of NNs in improving the accuracy and efficiency of quantum mechanical calculations in atomic systems.
Higher-order effects and validity of the point-dipole approximation for conjugated extended molecular emitters near plasmonic nanostructures
Authors: Hantro Mhamad , Maes Bjorn , Rosolen Gilles , Van Dyck Colin
Published: January 2025

Rapid advancements in nanotechnology have allowed for the characterization of single molecules by placing them in the vicinity of nanoplasmonic structures that are known to confine light to sub-molecular scales. In this study, we introduce a theoretical framework that captures higher-order effects, and we explore the limits of the standard description of a molecular emitter as a point-dipole. We particularly focus on the role played by the emitter chain length and electron conjugation. Strong deviations are observed from the point-dipole approximation, demonstrating that higher-order effects are essential to fully capture the emission rate of extended molecules in the vicinity of nanoparticles. This deviation strongly depends on the orientation of the conjugated chain relative to the nanoplasmonic structure. Finally, we propose a simple rationalization that qualitatively assesses the difference from the point-dipole approximation.
Scalable recurrence graph network for stratifying RhoB texture dynamics in rectal cancer biopsies
Authors: Pham Tuan D.
Published: January 2025

The scalable recurrence graph network (SRGNet) is introduced in this paper to improve the accuracy of predicting five-year survival outcomes in rectal cancer patients by analyzing RhoB texture dynamics in biopsies. RhoB, a key biomarker assessed via immunohistochemistry, is crucial in predicting responses to radiotherapy (RT), but variability in staining techniques and tumor heterogeneity often complicate these assessments. SRGNet integrates spatial statistics, nonlinear dynamics, graph theory, and graph convolutional networks to address these challenges. In testing, SRGNet outperformed 10 pre-trained convolutional neural networks, achieving 88% accuracy in biopsies from RT patients, with 67% accuracy for predicting survival under five years and 100% accuracy for survival over five years, along with 100% precision, an F1 score of 0.80, and an AUC of 0.73. For non-RT patients, SRGNet attained 91% accuracy, 100% precision for survival over five years, an F1 score of 0.86, and an AUC of 0.82. These results demonstrate SRGNet’s potential to enhance the precision and reliability of survival predictions in rectal cancer patients, overcoming challenges of RhoB expression variability and tumor heterogeneity.