bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Shell biomechanics suggests an aquatic palaeoecology at the dawn of turtle evolution
Authors: Ferreira Gabriel S. , Hermanson Guilherme , Kyriakouli Christina , Dróżdż Dawid , Szczygielski Tomasz
Published: September 2024

The turtle shell is a remarkable structure that has intrigued not only evolutionary biologists but also engineering and material scientists because of its multi-scale complexity and various functions. Although protection is its most apparent role, the carapace and plastron are also related to many physiological functions and their shape influences hydrodynamics and self-righting ability. As such, analysing the functional morphology of the shell could help understanding the ecology of Triassic stem-turtles, which will contribute to the century-long debate on the evolutionary origins of turtles. Here, we used 3D imaging techniques to digitize the shells of two of the earliest stem-turtle taxa, Proganochelys and Proterochersis, and submitted their models to biomechanical and shape analyses. We analysed the strength performance under five predation scenarios and tested the function of two morphological traits found in stem-turtles, the epiplastral processes and an attached pelvic girdle. The latter, also present in the crown-lineage of side-necked turtles, has been suggested to increase load-bearing capacity of the shell or to improve swimming in pleurodires. Our results do not confirm the shell-strengthening hypothesis and, together with the results of our shape analyses, suggest that at least one of the first stem-turtles (Proterochersis) was an aquatic animal.
Faster ciguatoxin extraction methods for toxicity screening
Authors: Loeffler Christopher R. , Spielmeyer Astrid
Published: September 2024

Ciguatera poisoning (CP) is a severe global public health problem caused by the consumption of seafood products contaminated with ciguatoxins (CTXs). The growing demand for seafood products requires high-throughput testing for CTX-susceptible seafood, however complex extraction and slow cleanup methods inhibit this goal. Herein, several methods for extracting CTXs from fish tissue were established and compared; these methods are sensitive, specific, and valid while achieving higher sample extraction throughput than currently established protocols. The trial fish material was generated from multiple species, with different physical conditions (wet and freeze-dried tissue), and naturally contaminated with various CTXs (i.e., CTX-1B, CTX-3C, and C-CTX-1), thus ensuring these methods are robust and broadly applicable. The extraction methods used were based on mechanical maceration with acetone or methanol or enzymatic digestion followed by acetone and ethyl acetate extraction. Crude extracts were investigated for CTX-like toxicity using an in vitro mouse neuroblastoma (N2a) cell-based assay (CBA). Among the three methods, there was no significant difference in toxin estimates (p = 0.219, two-way ANOVA), indicating their interchangeability. For speed (> 16 samples/day), accuracy (100%), and CTX analog retention confirmation by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC‒MS/MS), the preferred extraction methods were both methanol and enzyme-based. All extraction methods post hoc confirmation of CTX analogs successfully met international seafood market-based CTX contaminant guidance. These methods can drastically increase global CTX screening capabilities and subsequently relieve sample processing bottlenecks, inhibiting environmental and human health-based CTX analysis.
Mechanistic insights into lethal hyper progressive disease induced by PD-L1 inhibitor in metastatic urothelial carcinoma
Authors: Nishimura Kazuki , Takahara Kiyoshi , Komura Kazumasa , Ishida Mitsuaki , Hirosuna Kensuke , Maenosono Ryoichi , Ajiro Masahiko , Sakamoto Moritoshi , Iwatsuki Kengo , Nakajima Yuki , Tsujino Takuya , Taniguchi Kohei , Tanaka Tomohito , Inamoto Teruo , Hirose Yoshinobu , Ono Fumihito , Kondo Yoichi , Yoshimi Akihide , Azuma Haruhito
Published: September 2024

Hyper progressive disease (HPD) is a paradoxical phenomenon characterized by accelerated tumor growth following treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors. However, the pathogenic causality and its predictor remain unknown. We herein report a fatal case of HPD in a 50-year-old man with metastatic bladder cancer. He had achieved a complete response (CR) through chemoradiation therapy followed by twelve cycles of chemotherapy, maintaining CR for 24 months. Three weeks after initiating maintenance use of a PD-L1 inhibitor, avelumab, a massive amount of metastases developed, leading to the patient’s demise. Omics analysis, utilizing metastatic tissues obtained from an immediate autopsy, implied the contribution of M2 macrophages, TGF-β signaling, and interleukin-8 to HPD pathogenesis.
Democratic discrepancies in urban sustainable development
Authors: Kaufmann David , Wicki Michael , Wittwer Stefan , Stephan Jake
Published: September 2024

Cities are critical for achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Their urban sustainable development (USD) plans and policies cover a wide range of issues, such as biodiversity protection, transportation or poverty reduction. Yet, such policy-making may lack democratic legitimacy if these policies are out of step with the demands and concerns of residents. Considering this, the present study compares residents’ preferences about USD policy issues with the priorities set out in existing USD policy plans. We scrutinized the preferences of 5,800 residents across eight European cities through the application of survey experiments and simultaneously examined 166 existing USD policy plans from these cities and compared them with the survey results. Our findings indicate an on average high acceptance of USD (72.61%) but with substantial democratic discrepancies: while USD policy plans predominantly prioritize issues, such as biodiversity, education and transportation, residents expressed preferences for issues linked to their essential and everyday needs, such as cost of living, public health and poverty. These democratic discrepancies between residents’ priorities and the content of USD policy plans highlight the necessity of securing basic human needs as integral aspects of USD to foster a more profound and democratically supported urban socio-ecological sustainability transformation.
Polymorphism of pyrene on compression to 35 GPa in a diamond anvil cell
Authors: Zhou Wenju , Yin Yuqing , Laniel Dominique , Aslandukov Andrey , Bykova Elena , Pakhomova Anna , Hanfland Michael , Poreba Tomasz , Mezouar Mohamed , Dubrovinsky Leonid , Dubrovinskaia Natalia
Published: September 2024

Structural studies of pyrene have been limited to below 2 GPa. Here, we report on investigations of pyrene up to ~35 GPa using in situ single-crystal synchrotron X-ray diffraction in diamond anvil cells and ab initio calculations. They reveal the phase transitions from pyrene-I to pyrene-II (0.7 GPa), and to the previously unreported pyrene-IV (2.7 GPa), and pyrene-V (7.3 GPa). The structure and bonding analysis shows that gradual compression results in continuous compaction of molecular packing, eventually leading to curvature of molecules, which has never been observed before. Large organic molecules exhibit unexpectedly high conformational flexibility preserving pyrene-V up to 35 GPa. Ab initio calculations suggest that the phases we found are thermodynamically metastable compared to pyrene-III previously reported at 0.3 and 0.5 GPa. Our study contributes to the fundamental understanding of the polymorphism of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and calls for further theoretical exploration of their structure–property relationships.
Ocean acidification does not prolong recovery of coral holobionts from natural thermal stress in two consecutive years
Authors: Dobson Kerri L. , Jury Christopher P. , Toonen Robert J. , McLachlan Rowan H. , Williams Jeremy C. , Grottoli Andréa G.
Published: September 2024

Under predicted future ocean conditions, corals will experience frequent and intense thermal stress events while simultaneously being exposed to chronic ocean acidification. Yet, some corals will likely be more resistant and/or resilient to these predicted conditions than others and may be critical to reef persistence in the future. Following natural thermal stress in two consecutive years (2014 and 2015), we evaluated the effects of feeding and simulated ocean acidification on the physiological recovery of Montipora capitata and Porites compressa sourced from Kāneʻohe Bay and Waimānalo Bay, Hawaiʻi. Following the 2014 thermal stress event, simulated ocean acidification did not slow recovery of the holobiont and feeding enhanced recovery. However, feeding did not decrease susceptibility to the 2015 thermal stress event, and simulated ocean acidification did not increase susceptibility. Recovery strategies employed between species and between sites clearly differed, highlighting that coral reef restoration and management should consider species-level and site-specific vulnerabilities. Overall, our findings call attention to the immediate threat which ocean warming presents, the lack of additional stress to the holobiont from ocean acidification, the importance of heterotrophy in coral resilience, and the potential significance of additional local biotic stressors (i.e., predator outbreaks) for coral resiliency under annual thermal stress.
The ocean carbon sink enhances countries’ inclusive wealth and reduces the cost of national climate policies
Authors: Rickels Wilfried , Meier Felix , Peterson Sonja , Rühland Sina , Thube Sneha , Karstensen Johannes , Posern Conny , Wolff Claudia , Vafeidis Athanasios T. , Grasse Patricia , Quaas Martin
Published: September 2024

Improving our understanding of future ocean carbon uptake requires a nuanced understanding of the value of the annual ocean sink. Here, we combine an abatement cost-based approach and a climate damage-based approach to assess the value of the annual ocean sink. The former shows that the aggregate cost of national climate policies could increase by up to USD 80 billion if the ocean carbon sink weakens by 10 percent. As a complementary perspective, the damage-based approach shows that the annual ocean carbon sink contributes between USD 300 billion and USD 2,332 billion to countries’ inclusive wealth. Despite the conceptual appeal of the damage-based approach for its potential insights into regional wealth redistribution, uncertainties in national social cost of carbon estimates make it less reliable than the abatement cost-based approach, which in turn provides more reliable estimates for a fiscal cost assessment of improved monitoring services of the ocean carbon sink.
Rapid formation of Nε-(carboxymethyl)lysine (CML) from ribose depends on glyoxal production by oxidation
Authors: Sugawa Hikari , Ikeda Tsuyoshi , Tominaga Yuki , Katsuta Nana , Nagai Ryoji
Published: September 2024

Ribose undergoes auto-oxidation and oxidative cleavage between C-2 and C-3 to generate GO and enhance CML accumulation.
Exploring non-covalent interactions in excited states: beyond aromatic excimer models
Authors: Jones Ariel C. , Goerigk Lars
Published: September 2024

A TD-DFT benchmark study on exciplexes reveals how dispersion-corrected double-hybrids, including the (ω)B2(GP-)PLYP-D3(BJ) functionals, are the most robust approaches. However, the study also shows that there is potential for future improvements.
Preeminent designing of complementary ternary TRANSFER and COMPLEMENT alongside excitation modulated molecular logic systems
Authors: Karar Monaj , Fernandes Rikitha S. , Saha Snehasish , Dey Nilanjan
Published: September 2024

This article describes an optically adjustable, dual complementary ternary molecular TRANSFER & COMPLEMENT logic gate, besides an extremely rare design of excitation-modulated logic systems on a uni-molecular platform, triggered by chemical stimuli.
Photocatalytic activity of a 2D copper porphyrin metal–organic framework for visible light overall water splitting
Authors: Uscategui-Linares Andrés , Szalad Horatiu , Albero Josep , García Hermenegildo
Published: September 2024

A 2D Cu tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl)porphyrin metal–organic framework has been prepared and used as a photocatalyst for overall water splitting, measuring under visible light irradiation (λ > 450 nm) at one sun power.
Tailoring surface morphology on anatase TiO2 supported Au nanoclusters: implications for O2 activation
Authors: Puthiyaparambath Muhammed Fasil , Samuel Julian Ezra , Chatanathodi Raghu
Published: September 2024

Strong interaction between the support surface and metal cluster activates the adsorbed oxygen molecule at the metal cluster–support interface.
Harnessing exosomes for advanced osteoarthritis therapy
Authors: Selvadoss Andrew , Baby Helna M. , Zhang Hengli , Bajpayee Ambika G.
Published: September 2024

Exosomes show promise as next-generation therapy for osteoarthritis (OA) due to their ability to modulate inflammation and cartilage synthesis. Recent advances in the engineering of exosomes have enhanced their targeted therapeutic potential for OA.
Radical promoted cationic RAFT polymerization by photo electron transfer reaction
Authors: He Shiliang , Yang Xinrui , Zhao Yabing , Liu Yang , Zhao Bowen , Pan Xiangqiang , Li Jiajia , Zhu Jian , Li Na
Published: September 2024

A radical promoted cationic reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization of various vinyl ethers via photo electron transfer reaction was developed and applied in photocuring.
(WO + ICG)@PLGA@lipid/plasmid DNA nanocomplexes as core–shell vectors for synergistic genetic/photothermal therapy
Authors: Bai Yang , Feng Guoqing , Yang Qingbin , Hua Tingting , Li Bowen , Guo Hao-Lin , Liu Yuan , Yuan Qing , Qian Niansong , Zheng Bin
Published: September 2024

(WO + ICG)@PLGA@PL could not only achieve a synergistic therapy effect of gene delivery and photothermal effect but also effectively inhibit tumor growth.
PEDOT-based counter electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells: rigid, flexible and indoor light applications
Authors: Chen Cheng , Asiam Francis Kwaku , Kaliamurthy Ashok Kumar , Rahman Md. Mahbubur , Sadiq Muhammad , Lee Jae-Joon
Published: September 2024

This review presents the importance and applications of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) as a catalyst in dye-sensitized solar cell. Emphasis is on composite materials with better performances for rigid, flexible, and indoor uses.
Highly effective DPA-SCP sonosensitizers for biofilm removal in infected root canals via sonodynamic therapy
Authors: Zhang Ziheng , Wang Yuhan , Qu Jiafei , Ding Dan , Wang Minghui , Yue Xin , Xin Jingrui , Shen Jing
Published: September 2024

This article explores AIE sonosensitizers' efficiency in eradicating biofilms, demonstrating its potential as an alternative therapy for persistent endodontic infections.
A polar multilayered two-dimensional hybrid perovskite for self-driven X-ray photodetection with a low detection limit
Authors: Zhang Jingtian , Guo Wuqian , Xu Haojie , Fan Qingshun , Wei Linjie , Zhao Xianmei , Sun Zhihua , Luo Junhua
Published: September 2024

We have designed a polar multilayered hybrid perovskite by alloying large cations into the distorted cage, in which a crystal-based photodetector enables dramatic self-powered X-ray detection performance.
Identification of lead inhibitors for 3CLpro of SARS-CoV-2 target using machine learning based virtual screening, ADMET analysis, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Chhetri Sandeep Poudel , Bhandari Vishal Singh , Maharjan Rajesh , Lamichhane Tika Ram
Published: September 2024

Identification of novel drug candidate with appropriate pharmacokinetic properties and drug-likeness for SARS-CoV-2.
In situ confined encapsulation of ultrafine Fe2O3 nanoclusters in N/S co-doped graphene-based membranes for continuous chemical conversion
Authors: Ke Yude , Fan Zixuan , Mao Jingwen
Published: September 2024

Fe/NS-rGO catalytic membrane with multiple coordination structures for Angstrom-level confined space catalysis.
Benzimidazole–dioxoisoindoline conjugates as dual VEGFR-2 and FGFR-1 inhibitors: design, synthesis, biological investigation, molecular docking studies and ADME predictions
Authors: Abdel-Mohsen Heba T. , Nageeb Amira M.
Published: September 2024

A series of new benzimidazole–dioxo(benzo)isoindoline conjugates were designed and synthesized as dual VEGFR-2 and FGFR-1 inhibitors. Compound 8m demonstrated potent % inhibition of 80.69% and 76.83% on VEGFR-2 and FGFR-1 at 10 μM, respectively.
Chemical and redox non-innocence in low-valent molybdenum β diketonate complexes: novel pathways for CO2 and CS2 activation
Authors: Masero Fabio , Mougel Victor
Published: September 2024

This study demonstrates β-diketonate ligands' non-innocence in Mo-complexes, stabilizing Mo(ii) and Mo(i) complexes, enabling differentiated reactivities toward CO2 and CS2.
A robust inorganic binder against corrosion and peel-off stress in electrocatalysis
Authors: Valinton Joey Andrew A. , Lin Meng-Yu , Tsai Cheng-Han , Tsai Cheng-Te , Chiu Ming-Jia , Chiu Cheng-chau , Chen Chun-Hu
Published: September 2024

The acidic redox-assisted deposition (ARD) of cobalt manganese oxyhydroxides (CMOH) as a solid-state inorganic binder has been demonstrated. CMOH is stable and highly adhesive under high oxidative currents during OER tests.
Thiol-selective native grafting from polymerization for the generation of protein–polymer conjugates
Authors: Feldhof Melina I. , Sperzel Sandro , Bonda Lorand , Boye Susanne , Braunschweig Adam B. , Gerling-Driessen Ulla I. M. , Hartmann Laura
Published: September 2024

TIRP enables direct grafting-from polymerization of proteins and enzymes under physiological conditions, maintaining their structure and function. By using cysteine thiols as initiators, polymers are site-selectively grafted from unmodified proteins.
Modulation of the binding sites for an adaptable DNA interactive probe: efficient chromo-fluorogenic recognition of Al3+ and live cell bioimaging
Authors: Maji Atanu , Mitra Debarpan , Biswas Amitav , Ghosh Moumita , Naskar Rahul , Gharami Nabendu Murmu Saswati , Mondal Tapan K.
Published: September 2024

Herein, a simple chromone-based biocompatible reversible fluorescent “turn-on” probe, HMCP, is successfully utilized to detect Al3+ over a group of other coexisting metal ions.
Increased hydrophilicity of lignin-derivable vs. bisphenol-based polysulfones for potential water filtration applications
Authors: Mahajan Jignesh S. , Shokrollahzadeh Behbahani Hoda , Green Matthew D. , Korley LaShanda T. J. , Epps Thomas H.
Published: September 2024

This work highlights the potential of lignin-derivable compounds for the development of bio-derivable polysulfones with improved hydrophilicity due to the functionality (methoxy groups) of lignin-aromatics.
Conjugated polycarboxylate ligand-coordinated NiFe LDH for enhanced oxygen evolution
Authors: Liu Zi-Ye , Wang Qian-Yu , Xu Teng , Hu Ji-Ming
Published: September 2024

Nickel–iron layered double hydroxide (NiFe LDH) shows great performance in the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) due to the interaction between Ni and Fe.
Electrospun nanofiber-based humidity sensors: materials, devices, and emerging applications
Authors: Zu Yongzhi , Duan Zaihua , Yuan Zhen , Jiang Yadong , Tai Huiling
Published: September 2024

In this review, electrospun nanofiber-based humidity sensors are comprehensively summarized according to material types, device types/working mechanisms and emerging applications.
Bioorthogonal chemistry-based prodrug strategies for enhanced biosafety in tumor treatments: current progress and challenges
Authors: Yao Yongchao , Chen Ying , Zhou Chang , Zhang Quanzhi , He Xun , Dong Kai , Yang Chengli , Chu Bingyang , Qian Zhiyong
Published: September 2024

Prodrugs, activated at the tumor site, offer targeted treatment but may still cause unintended cytotoxicity. This review explores the combination of bioorthogonal reactions with prodrug strategies to improve safety and efficacy.
High performance ternary organic solar cells assisted by red fluorescent materials through improved emission lifetime and complementary short wavelength light absorption
Authors: Lei Yingze , Liu Zhiyong , Zhang Han
Published: September 2024

A ternary OSC was fabricated with DCJTB as the third component material, and the PCE increased from 15.52% to 16.59% due to the effective energy transfer between DCJTB and PM6.
Matrix-dependent high-contrast photochromism in Eu-doped M3MgSi2O8 (M = Ca, Sr, Ba)
Authors: Krieke Guna , Antuzevics Andris , Kalinko Aleksandr , Kuzmin Alexei , Murauskas Tomas , Kareiva Aivaras , Zarkov Aleksej
Published: September 2024

Eu-doped M3MgSi2O8 compounds (M = Ca, Sr, Ba) exhibit reversible photochromism with distinct color changes due to charge transfer in electron centers. These materials show potential for rewritable media and anti-counterfeiting applications.
An electrically-pumped WGM microlaser realized in an n-AlGaN/n-ZnO:Ga microwire/Pt/MgO/p-GaN double-heterojunction device
Authors: Xu Kai , Wan Peng , Liu Maosheng , Shi Daning , Kan Caixia , Jiang Mingming
Published: September 2024

An electrically-pumped low-threshold WGM microlaser diode based on a well-fabricated n-AlGaN/n-ZnO:Ga MW/Pt/MgO/p-GaN double heterojunction was realized.
Near fully depleted Pt/Sb2Se3/ZnO hybrid junctions for high-performance polarized detection and encrypted communication
Authors: Sun Zhipeng , Zhang Fazhen , Chen Mengdan , He Tao , Wei Yun , Kan Caixia , Jiang Mingming , Wan Peng
Published: September 2024

Based on near fully depleted hybrid junctions, a Pt/Sb2Se3/ZnO polarized photodetector shows an overall photodetecting performance, which can be further applied in near-infrared polarization encrypted communication.
Pathways to precision medicine: deciphering the secrets of physiological and pathological atrial enlargement
Authors: Zhao Shuai , Wehrens Xander H.T.
Published: September 2024

Cardiac functional, morphological, and histological analysis, coupled with liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry, of two transgenic mouse models with cardiomyocyte-specific overexpression of insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) or a dominant-negative PI3K mutant (DCM-dnPI3K) revealed distinctive functional and molecular profiles during physiological (driven by IGF1R overexpression) and pathological (driven by dn-PI3K overexpression) atrial remodeling. The current study confirmed previously reported findings, including ventricular dilatation and enhanced systolic function with no evidence of arrhythmia in IGF1R model, as well as ventricular hypertrophy and decreased systolic function with intermittent atrial fibrillation in DCM-dnPI3K model. Novel findings obtained from the left atrial (LA) characterization of female mice revealed that physiological atrial enlargement resulted from increased atrial myocyte size and was associated with preserved atrial function, as determined by maintained LA ejection fraction (EF). The proteomic profile of IGF1R transgenic (Tg) mice was enriched for metabolic remodeling and showed a protein expression pattern similar to that of healthy human atria; on the other hand, pathological atrial enlargement resulted from increased atrial fibrosis with normal myocyte size and was associated with impaired atrial function due to a reduced LA EF. The proteomic profile of DCM-dnPI3K mice was enriched to both metabolic and structural remodeling and showed a protein expression pattern similar to that of human AF atria
Quantification of persulfidation on specific proteins: are we nearly there yet?
Authors: Liu Hongling , Negoita Florentina , Brook Matthew , Sakamoto Kei , Morton Nicholas M.
Published: September 2024

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) played a pivotal role in the early evolution of life on Earth before the predominance of atmospheric oxygen. The legacy of a persistent role for H2S in life’s processes recently emerged through its discovery in modern biochemistry as an endogenous cellular signalling modulator involved in numerous biological processes. One major mechanism through which H2S signals is protein cysteine persulfidation, an oxidative post-translational modification. In recent years, chemoproteomic technologies have been developed to allow the global scanning of protein persulfidation targets in mammalian cells and tissues, providing a powerful tool to elucidate the broader impact of altered H2S in organismal physiological health and human disease states. While hundreds of proteins were confirmed to be persulfidated by global persulfidome methodologies, the targeting of specific proteins of interest and the investigation of further mechanistic studies are still underdeveloped due to a lack of stringent specificity of the methods and the inherent instability of persulfides. This review provides an overview of the processes of endogenous H2S production, oxidation, and signalling and highlights the application and limitations of current persulfidation labelling approaches for investigation of this important evolutionarily conserved biological switch for protein function.
English Vowel Perception in Spanish–English Bilingual Preschoolers: Multiple-Talker Input Is Only Beneficial for Children With High Language Exposure Levels
Authors: Montanari Simona , Steffman Jeremy , Mayr Robert
Published: September 2024

Purposes:

This study examines English vowel perception in Spanish–English bilingual preschoolers, comparing bilinguals' perception patterns to those of monolinguals and examining how child internal (age) and external variables (input quantity and input diversity) predict perceptual performance.

Method:

Sixty children between 3;6 and 5;6 (years;months) of age participated in the study, 28 of whom were Spanish–English bilinguals and 32 English monolinguals. Perception was assessed through a forced-choice minimal-pair identification task in which children heard synthesized audio stimuli (i.e., “sheep” and “ship”) that varied systematically along the /i–ɪ/ continuum and were asked to match them with one of two pictures. The data were analyzed with Bayesian mixed-effects logistic regression analyses, modeling responses as a function of continuum step, language background (monolingual or bilingual), age, English exposure (i.e., input quantity), and number of English input providers (i.e., input diversity).

Results:

The results indicate that, despite displaying nonnative English stop voicing perception in a previous study, the same bilingual children showed English /i–ɪ/ perception patterns that did not differ from those of monolinguals. While age did not predict vowel perception, input quantity and diversity jointly interacted to moderate how well children perceived the /i–ɪ/ contrast. Specifically, diverse input promoted perceptual performance in children who received high levels of English exposure—and who presumably had more advanced English language skills, whereas it limited perceptual performance in children with more limited English exposure and skills.

Conclusions:

This study shows that bilingual children can show monolingual-like perception patterns for some sounds while displaying nontarget perception for others. This is the first study to demonstrate that language exposure mediates the role of input diversity on speech sound development, suggesting that varied input can be more or less beneficial for speech sound development based on the learner's language learning stage.
Distributed beamforming design for UAV‐based integrated communication and jamming systems
Authors: Liu Jiteng , Ding Guoru , Xu Yitao , Wang Haichao , Gu Jiangchun
Published: September 2024

The integrated communication and jamming system is proposed by exploiting the diversity gain and flexible deployment of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)‐based distributed multiple input multiple output technology, which is expected to gain higher spectral efficiency and system scalability. This paper designs transmit beamforming of multiple UAVs so that they can simultaneously impose jamming signal to jamming targets and communication signal to communication users at the same frequency. The aim is to maximize the total jamming effect of all jamming targets while achieving a certain communication rate of communication users by optimizing the transmit beamforming matrices. Two cases are considered in which the UAV swarm works in clock synchronization and clock asynchronization. Specifically, the problem is formulated into a non‐convex optimization in the synchronous case. A near optimal solution is derived by decoupling the beamforming matrix into multi‐user interference suppression matrix and single‐user beamforming matrix. In the asynchronous case, the transmitter–receiver matching relation needs to consider and multiple optimization variables are highly coupled, penalty factors and intermediate variables to convert the optimization problem to convex programming are introduced. The simulation results show that the proposed beamforming design algorithm coordinates the communication and jamming signal rationally and outperforms the conventional beamforming design algorithms.
Recognition of vehicle license plates in highway scenes with deep fusion network and connectionist temporal classification
Authors: Hua Liru , Ma Xinyi , Zhao Chihang , Zhang Bailing , Su Zijun , Wu Yuhang
Published: September 2024

License plate recognition is crucial in Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) for vehicle management, traffic monitoring, and security inspection. In highway scenarios, this task faces challenges such as diversity, blurriness, occlusion, and illumination variation of license plates. This article explores Recurrent Neural Networks based on Connectionist Temporal Classification (RNN‐CTC) for license plate recognition in challenging highway conditions. Four neural network models: ResNet50, ResNeXt, InceptionV3, and SENet, all combined with RNN‐CTC are comparatively evaluated. Furthermore, a novel architecture named ResNet50 Deep Fusion Network using Connectionist Temporal Classification (ResNet50‐DFN‐CTC) is proposed. Comparative and ablation experiments are conducted using the Highway License Plate Dataset of Southeast University (HLPD‐SU). Results demonstrate the superior performance of ResNet50‐DFN‐CTC in challenging highway conditions, achieving 93.158% accuracy with a processing time of 7.91 ms, outperforming other tested models. This research contributes to advancing license plate recognition technology for real‐world highway applications under adverse conditions.
A public grid of radiative transfer simulations for Lyα and metal lines in idealised galactic outflows
Authors: Garel T. , Michel-Dansac L. , Verhamme A. , Mauerhofer V. , Katz H. , Blaizot J. , Leclercq F. , Salvignol G.
Published: September 2024

The vast majority of star-forming galaxies are surrounded by large reservoirs of gas ejected from the interstellar medium. Ultraviolet absorption and emission lines represent powerful diagnostics to constrain the cool phase of these outflows, through resonant transitions of hydrogen and metal ions. The interpretation of these observations is often remarkably difficult as it requires detailed modelling of the propagation of the continuum and emission lines in the gas. To this aim, we present a large public grid of ≈20 000 simulated spectra that includes H I Lyα and five metal transitions associated with Mg II, C II, Si II, and Fe II which is accessible online. The spectra have been computed with the RASCAS Monte Carlo radiative transfer code for 5760 idealised spherically symmetric configurations surrounding a central point source emission, and characterised by their column density, Doppler parameter, dust opacity, wind velocity, as well as various density and velocity gradients. Designed to predict and interpret Lyα and metal line profiles, our grid exhibits a wide diversity of resonant absorption and emission features, as well as fluorescent lines. We illustrate how it can help better constrain the wind properties by performing a joint modelling of observed Lyα, C II, and Si II spectra. Using CLOUDY simulations and virial scaling relations, we also show that Lyα is expected to be a faithful tracer of the gas at T ≈ 104 − 105 K, even if the medium is highly ionised. While C II is found to probe the same range of temperatures as Lyα, other metal lines merely trace cooler phases (T ≈ 104 K). As their gas opacity strongly depends on gas temperature, incident radiation field, metallicity and dust depletion, we caution that optically thin metal lines do not necessarily originate from low H I column densities and may not accurately probe Lyman continuum leakage.
Development and Performance Analysis of a Seam Welding Machine for Thin Plate Applications
Authors: Nurisna Zuhri , Anggoro Sotya
Published: September 2024

Resistance Seam Welding (RSEW) is a welding process that uses rotating wheel-shaped electrodes to produce a continuous weld along the seam of the workpiece. RSEW is used for welding metal sheets and utilizes electrical resistance as its heat source. The welding technique applicable to RSEW is the lap joint configuration. In this study, steel plates with thickness variations of 0.15mm, 0.2mm, and 0.3mm were welded using a current of 20 amperes and a welding speed of 3.125 mm/s. The thickness of the welded plates can affect the welding outcome. For the welding process, a current of 20 amperes was used on specimens with lap joint configurations. The specimens were subjected to tensile testing using a tensile testing machine with a capacity of 30 tons. The test specimens included three types of steel plates with varying thicknesses of 0.15 mm, 0.2 mm, and 0.3 mm. The results of the tensile tests indicated that, with the same welding parameters, the tensile strength decreased as the material thickness increased.
Innovative Wearable Technology for Visually Impaired
Authors: Azizan Nurhafiza , Mat Jalaluddin Baseemah , Shaffie Emilia Annisha , Abdul Rahman Diyya Hidayah , Manan Mohd Rizal , Ahmad Nur Irwany , Zaidi Abdullah Ahmad
Published: September 2024

In Malaysia, the prevalence of blindness for all ages is 0.2%, and low vision is 2.44% (based on the National Eye Survey, 1996). Vision impairment severely impacts the quality of their lives and can contribute to social isolation and difficulty walking. Therefore, the invention of Innovative Wearable Technology for Visually Impaired People is important for helping them navigate with speed and confidence by detecting nearby obstacles using ultrasonic waves and notifying them with the speaker, MP3 player, and vibration. The preceding technology encountered several technical challenges that hindered its optimal functionality. The primary issue revolved around the use of the Arduino Uno, which proved to be prohibitively expensive and impractical for integration into a wearable device due to its cumbersome size and restricted mobility. This rendered the previous solution less feasible for assisting visually impaired individuals who require a compact and efficient navigation aid. Another significant limitation pertained to the simultaneous employment of a buzzer and a motor as outputs, leading to potential confusion for users. The concurrent activation of these outputs might have caused difficulties in interpretation and user discomfort, undermining the device’s overall effectiveness in aiding visually impaired individuals during their navigation endeavors. Considering these challenges, the development of Innovative Wearable Technology for Visually Impaired People seeks to overcome these drawbacks by introducing a more cost-effective and user-friendly solution. Therefore, this paper proposes Innovative Wearable Technology for Visually Impaired People, which aims to address the shortcomings of existing aids and provide enhanced assistance to the visually impaired community.
Building Women Migrant Workers’ Entrepreneurial Intention through Introducing Entrepreneurial Knowledge and Digital Marketing Literation
Authors: Fatmawati Indah , Dyah Handayani Siti , Surwanti Arni , Widowati PA Retno , Huda Ismail Noor
Published: September 2024

Promoting financial independence among migrant workers through digital-based entrepreneurship opportunities is a pressing concern for governments. Globalization exposes migrants to vulnerabilities, including economic, social, and legal hurdles. Empowering them with business opportunities via digital platforms offers a route to financial autonomy and improved living standards after completing their contract. This paper explores the advantages of fostering entrepreneurship opportunities among migrant workers in the digital era. The authors conducted applied research in Singapore, in collaboration with the Embassy of Indonesia and Nanyang Technology University, involving 130 women migrant workers. The program runs for 5 hours and is divided into 7 sessions encompassing various activities, such as educating on smart social media usage, enhancing financial literacy, and presenting entrepreneurial opportunities for cage-free hen farming with digital marketing strategies. While 81 participants responded to the post-program questionnaire, SPSS analysis supports our hypothesis except for the effects of entrepreneurial knowledge on entrepreneurial intentions. These results implied that digital marketing literacy and perceived behavioural control are essential in building entrepreneurial intention. We recommend educating digital marketing literacy and enabling women migrant workers with the entrepreneurial capability to build entrepreneurial intention.
RETRACTED: The Role of Customer Relationship Management to Strengthen Customer Satisfaction Using Product Innovation and Customer Value as Intervening Variable
Authors: Dananjoyo Radyan , Udin Udin , Wibowo Annisa Ayuningtyas
Published: September 2024

The authors report an unintentional error in publishing an incorrect version of their article in ICTCED 2024 when another final version was already published online. The authors sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this careless conduct might have caused to the journal.

Request approved by the proceedings Editors and the Publisher on October 28, 2024.
Causal Relationships of Circulating Inflammatory Proteins and Portal Vein Thrombosis: A Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Zhang Bihui , Yao Ziping , Li Pengyu , Niu Guochen , Yan Ziguang , She Kang , Cheng Gong , Yang Min
Published: September 2024

Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is commonly encountered in patients with cirrhosis, challenging our understanding of its development, particularly the ambiguous contribution of inflammation. This study utilized Mendelian randomization (MR) to explore the causal impact of circulating inflammatory markers on PVT.

Employing a two-sample MR framework, we merged genome-wide association study (GWAS) meta-analysis findings of 91 inflammation-associated proteins with independent PVT data from the FinnGen consortium's R10 release. A replication analysis was performed using a distinct GWAS dataset from the UK Biobank. Inverse variance weighting, MR-Egger regression, weighted median estimator, and Mendelian Randomization Pleiotropy RESidual Sum and Outlier were used for analysis, supplemented by multivariable MR (MVMR) to adjust for cirrhosis effects.

Findings indicate a significant inverse association between the genetically inferred concentration of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E-binding protein 1 (4E-BP1) and PVT risk, evidenced by an odds ratio (OR) of 0.37 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.21–0.67; p = 9.2 × 10−4; adjusted for multiple testing p = 0.084). This association was corroborated in the replication phase (OR = 0.39, 95% CI: 0.17–0.93; p = 0.03) and through MVMR analysis (OR = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.15–0.79; p = 0.012). Sensitivity analyses disclosed no evidence of heterogeneity or pleiotropy.

Our investigation emphasizes the 4E-BP1 as a protective factor against PVT, underscoring its potential relevance in understanding PVT pathogenesis and its implications for diagnosis and therapy.
Novel Nomogram for Prediction of Lymph Node Metastases from Buccal Mucosa Squamous Carcinoma Using Histological Parameters
Authors: Khunteta Nitin , Viswanath Mohinder , Mishra Akash , Samane Deepak Subhash , Vanparia Swapnil , Madhavan Abhilash , Yadav Dinesh , Sharma Sanjay , Mohan Anand , Gupta Rahul , Parikh Purvish M. , Sharma Raj Govind
Published: September 2024

Objective The aim of the study was to construct a nomogram that is easily reproducible, accurate, and cost-effective in predicting cervical lymph nodal metastasis in buccal mucosa cancer.

Methodology Patients who underwent radical resection of a primary tumor of the buccal mucosa with neck dissection were enrolled. Clinical characteristics independently associated with lymph nodal metastasis in multivariate analyses were adopted to build the model.

Results Patients who underwent surgery (January 2021–December 2021) were included as the model development cohort (n = 127). Depth of invasion, perineural invasion, lymphovascular invasion, and the worst pattern of invasion were independent predictors of lymph nodal metastasis. The nomogram model based on these four predictors showed good discrimination accuracy in percentage prediction of lymph nodal metastasis.

Conclusion This study proposes a simple predictive model for the risk of nodal metastasis in buccal mucosa squamous cell cancer. The study has strength that, it is based on a large sample, proposed model being simple size, and based on parameters empirically supported as well as established in literature, easy to use in routine clinical practice, and cost-effective.
Bridgeless modified Cuk–SEPIC power factor correction converter for E-bicycle applications
Authors: M. Shunmathi , Fusic S. Julius , Rajesh Shanmugavel , Giri Jayant , T. Sathish , Alarifi Abdullah , Hasnain S. M. Mozammil
Published: September 2024

The focus of this scope is on the single phase Cuk and SEPIC power factor correction converter that is attractive to electric bicycle applications. In order to guarantee improved performance, the proposed modified converter is designed to operate in discontinuous conduction mode, which is hidden by changes in supply and load voltage. For rated load, the investigational study achieves reduced input line total harmonic distortion and unity power factor. Line regulation, high efficiency, and load regulation are achieved by means of a closed loop PI control circuit that has a voltage sensor and current loop. The power supply is simulated using MATLAB/Simulink under various operating conditions, and the designed system is validated using a 250 W hardware prototype. The input current is observed to be perfectly sinusoidal, and the IEC 61000-3-2 class A standard is followed in recording the total harmonic distortion of the mains current.
Particle physicist Carolina Deluca retools when she needs to
Authors: Feder Toni
Published: September 2024

Deluca has leveraged her physics background and artistic skills to pursue careers outside of academia.
Understanding Rhododendron intraspecific compatibility in botanic garden collections for species conservation
Authors: Hu Ling , Gardiner Susan E. , Tate Jennifer A. , MacKay Marion B.
Published: September 2024

Context Controlled pollination is an important technique for maintaining intraspecific diversity in integrated plant conservation practices, particularly in genera such as Rhododendron, where open pollination usually produces hybrids with unknown paternal lineages. Aims This study investigated the capacity for viable seed set from self- and intraspecific cross-pollination for Rhododendron taxa in different categories of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, to guide conservation management of threatened species in botanic garden collections. Methods The following five taxa of subsection Maddenia were studied: R. dalhousiae var. dalhousiae (Least Concern), R. dalhousiae var. rhabdotum (Vulnerable), R. lindleyi (Least Concern), R. nuttallii (Near Threatened), and R. excellens (Vulnerable). Controlled pollination was performed on selected garden accessions, and seed germination was tested at an alternating temperature regime of 15/25°C, 8 h photoperiod, and ~6 μmol m−2 s−1 photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD). Key results Intraspecific compatibilities varied among different taxa and between self- and outcross treatments. X-ray images for Rhododendron seeds showed low capacity to predict seed germination. Neither X-ray scan nor fungicide (Ridomil) treatment showed any adverse impact on seed germination, which has positive implications for seed-banking and subsequent raising of Rhododendron seedlings. Conclusions Controlled intraspecific pollination can be used to maintain diversity of ex situ accessions for selected Rhododendron species. However, the zero or low compatibility demonstrated in some species, such as R. excellens, suggests that these species may require a different approach. Implications Intraspecific pollination should be evaluated for each Rhododendron species before a propagation program is initiated in ex situ conservation.
Spatiotemporal formation of a single liquid-like condensate and amyloid fibrils of α-synuclein by optical trapping at solution surface
Authors: Yuzu Keisuke , Lin Ching-Yang , Yi Po-Wei , Huang Chih-Hao , Masuhara Hiroshi , Chatani Eri
Published: September 2024

Liquid-like protein condensates have recently attracted much attention due to their critical roles in biological phenomena. They typically show high fluidity and reversibility for exhibiting biological functions, while occasionally serving as sites for the formation of amyloid fibrils. To comprehend the properties of protein condensates that underlie biological function and pathogenesis, it is crucial to study them at the single-condensate level; however, this is currently challenging due to a lack of applicable methods. Here, we demonstrate that optical trapping is capable of inducing the formation of a single liquid-like condensate of α-synuclein in a spatiotemporally controlled manner. The irradiation of tightly focused near-infrared laser at an air/solution interface formed a condensate under conditions coexisting with polyethylene glycol. The fluorescent dye-labeled imaging showed that the optically induced condensate has a gradient of protein concentration from the center to the edge, suggesting that it is fabricated through optical pumping-up of the α-synuclein clusters and the expansion along the interface. Furthermore, Raman spectroscopy and thioflavin T fluorescence analysis revealed that continuous laser irradiation induces structural transition of protein molecules inside the condensate to β-sheet rich structure, ultimately leading to the condensate deformation and furthermore, the formation of amyloid fibrils. These observations indicate that optical trapping is a powerful technique for examining the microscopic mechanisms of condensate appearance and growth, and furthermore, subsequent aging leading to amyloid fibril formation.