bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Flexible magnesium-ion-conducting solid poly-blend electrolyte films for magnesium-ion batteries
Authors: Nayak Pradeep , Ismayil  , Sudhakar Y. N. , Murari M. S. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractSolid biodegradable polymer electrolyte systems are considered the optimal choice for energy storage devices because they are both cost-effective and energy-efficient. A solid blend polymer electrolyte (SBPE) membrane capable of transporting magnesium ions was prepared using a mixture of 70 wt% methylcellulose, 30 wt% chitosan, and varying wt% magnesium perchlorate salt. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed an increase in the amorphous nature caused by the inclusion of Mg(ClO4)2 salt in the polymer blend matrix. A Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy study of samples containing varying salt concentrations revealed secondary interactions between polymer segments and salt, which provides the basis for energy density. Moreover, through impedance analysis, it was determined that the bulk resistance decreased with increasing salt concentration. The SBPE containing 30 wt% magnesium perchlorate exhibited the highest ionic conductivity, with a value of 2.49 × 10–6 S cm−1. A comprehensive evaluation of the ion transport parameters, including mobility, carrier density, and diffusion, was conducted for the prepared electrolyte samples. Notably, an ionic transference number (tion) of approximately 0.83 was observed for the SBPE sample with 30 wt% magnesium salt, indicating ions’ prevalence as the system’s primary charge carriers. Electrochemical analyses demonstrated that the SBPE with the highest ion conductivity possessed an electrochemical stability window (ESW) of 1.92 V. Additionally, the thermal characteristics of the samples were evaluated using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) to assess the thermal stability of the electrolyte. Finally, the highest conducting polymer electrolyte was employed to construct a primary magnesium battery, and its discharge profile with different cathode materials was studied. Based on these findings, the current study suggests an environmentally friendly, biodegradable, and economically viable electrolyte option suitable for separator cum electrolytes in magnesium-ion batteries.
Unlocking the Potential of Retro-Inverso (RI) Peptides as Future Drug Candidates
Authors: Al Musaimi Othman 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Background
With the rising demand for peptide-based drugs, enhancing their stability against proteolytic degradation has become a critical challenge. Strategies to improve peptide stability include cyclization, substitution of L-amino acids with D-amino acids, incorporation of β-amino acids, and various formulation techniques. An innovative approach involves modifying the peptide backbone by reversing the amide bond direction and inverting the stereochemistry of amino acids in the same segment. This approach results in the formation of retro-inverso peptides, which offer increased stability, permeability, and cellular uptake.

Purpose
The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive analysis of retro-inverso peptides, focusing on their concept, synthesis, and applications as potential therapeutic agents, drug delivery systems, and in aesthetic applications.

Methods
The review explores the theoretical underpinnings of retro-inverso peptide design and its application to both linear and cyclic peptides. The synthesis strategies of retro-inverso peptides are discussed in detail, along with their formulation and practical utility in various biomedical fields.

Results
Retro-inverso peptides show promise in enhancing peptide stability and improving biological properties such as permeability and cellular uptake. Their unique structure offers advantages in drug development and potential as therapeutic agents or drug carriers.

Conclusion
Retro-inverso peptides represent a valuable strategy for overcoming the limitations of conventional peptides, especially regarding stability and bioavailability. This review highlights their potential in therapeutic development and other applications, reinforcing the importance of continued research and innovation in peptide chemistry.
l-Lactate dehydrogenase from Cyanidioschyzon merolae shows high catalytic efficiency for pyruvate reduction and is inhibited by ATP
Authors: Yamamoto Mai , Osanai Takashi , Ito Shoki 
Published: September 2024

Abstractl-Lactate is a commodity chemical used in various fields. Microorganisms have produced l-lactate via lactic fermentation using saccharides derived from crops as carbon sources. Recently, l-lactate production using microalgae, whose carbon source is carbon dioxide, has been spotlighted because the prices of the crops have increased. A red alga Cyanidioschyzon merolae produce l-lactate via lactic fermentation under dark anaerobic conditions. The l-lactate titer of C. merolae is higher than those of other microalgae but lower than those of heterotrophic bacteria. Therefore, an increase in the l-lactate titer is required in C. merolae. l-Lactate dehydrogenase (l-LDH) catalyzes the reduction of pyruvate to l-lactate during lactic fermentation. C. merolae possesses five isozymes of l-LDH. The results of previous transcriptome analysis suggested that l-LDHs are the key enzymes in the lactic fermentation of C. merolae. However, their biochemical characteristics, such as catalytic efficiency and tolerance for metabolites, have not been revealed. We compared the amino acid sequences of C. merolael-LDHs (CmLDHs) and characterized one of the isozymes, CmLDH1. BLAST analysis revealed that the sequence similarities of CmLDH1 and the other isozymes were above 99%. The catalytic efficiency of CmLDH1 under its optimum conditions was higher than those of l-LDHs of other organisms. ATP decreased the affinity and turnover number of CmLDH1 for NADH. These findings contribute to understanding the characteristics of l-LDHs of microalgae and the regulatory mechanisms of lactic fermentation in C. merolae.
Optimizing photosynthetic light-harvesting under stars: simple and general antenna models
Authors: Chitnavis Samir , Gray Callum , Rousouli Ifigeneia , Gillen Edward , Mullineaux Conrad W. , Haworth Thomas J. , Duffy Christopher D. P. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractIn the next 10–20 years, several observatories will aim to detect the signatures of oxygenic photosynthesis on exoplanets, though targets must be carefully selected. Most known potentially habitable exo-planets orbit cool M-dwarf stars, which have limited emission in the photosynthetically active region of the spectrum (PAR, $$400< \lambda < 700$$

400
<
λ
<
700

nm) used by Earth’s oxygenic photoautotrophs. Still, recent experiments have shown that model cyanobacteria, algae, and non-vascular plants grow comfortably under simulated M-dwarf light, though vascular plants struggle. Here, we hypothesize that this is partly due to the different ways they harvest light, reflecting some general rule that determines how photosynthetic antenna structures may evolve under different stars. We construct a simple thermodynamic model of an oxygenic antenna-reaction centre supercomplex and determine the optimum structure, size and absorption spectrum under light from several star types. For the hotter G (e.g. the Sun) and K-stars, a small modular antenna is optimal and qualitatively resembles the PSII-LHCII supercomplex of higher plants. For the cooler M-dwarfs, a very large antenna with a steep ’energy funnel’ is required, resembling the cyanobacterial phycobilisome. For the coolest M-dwarfs an upper limit is reached, where increasing antenna size further is subject to steep diminishing returns in photosynthetic output. We conclude that G- and K-stars could support a range of niches for oxygenic photo-autotrophs, including high-light adapted canopy vegetation that may generate detectable bio-signatures. M-dwarfs may only be able to support low light-adapted organisms that have to invest considerable resources in maintaining a large antenna. This may negatively impact global coverage and therefore detectability.
Assessing the Psychometric Properties of Quality Experience in Undergraduate Research Using Item Response Theory
Authors: Hu Tien-Ling , Valdivia Dubravka Svetina 
Published: September 2024

AbstractUndergraduate research, recognized as one of the High-Impact Practices (HIPs), has demonstrated a positive association with diverse student learning outcomes. Understanding the pivotal quality factors essential for its efficacy is important for enhancing student success. This study evaluates the psychometric properties of survey items employed to gauge the quality of undergraduate research, including alignment with Kuh and O’Donnell’s (2013) eight HIP characteristics, alongside assessments of reliability, validity, and generalizability across demographic groups. The study assesses the validity and reliability of these measures at both the scale and item levels using data from the National Survey of Student Engagement’s (NSSE) HIP Quality Topical Module. The methodological approaches employed include Exploratory Factor Analysis, Parallel Analysis, Item Response Theory, and Differential Item Functioning (DIF). Our findings uncover a misalignment between NSSE’s HIP Quality module items and HIP characteristics, leading to the identification of seven subscales instead of eight. Nevertheless, four subscales—Reflective and Integrative Learning, Real-World Applications, Interactions with Others, and High-Performance Expectations—emerge as valid indicators of undergraduate research experiences. While specific items yield valuable insights at the item level, refinement is recommended for others. Despite the identification of two items exhibiting DIF, their negligible effect sizes suggest that major revisions are unwarranted solely on DIF grounds. This study offers recommendations for item refinement, including the incorporation of new items, wording updates, and tailored utilization of assessment tools within educational institutions. These recommendations are intended to empower educators and researchers to effectively capture the quality dimensions of students’ undergraduate research experiences, thereby fostering their academic success.
Urban scavenging: vertebrates display greater sensitivity to land-cover and garden vegetation cover than invertebrates
Authors: Walker Jack R. , Evans Karl L. , Jeffreys Rachel M. , Pahlevani Mani , Parr Catherine L. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractScavenging removes carrion or littered food waste from the environment, promoting nutrient cycling, and reducing waste management costs. These ecosystem services are important in urban environments, where high human population densities result in increased littered food waste. It is unclear how the magnitude of scavenging across urban-rural gradients is influenced by agent, land-cover type, and patch size. We investigated scavenging provision by vertebrates and invertebrates across a gradient of urbanisation, based on impervious surface cover, in woodlands and gardens in Liverpool, UK. The percentage dry weight loss of bait after 48 h, deployed within vertebrate exclusion cages or exposed to vertebrates and invertebrates, was used to quantify scavenging provision. General linear mixed effects models were used to assess the relative contributions of vertebrates and invertebrates across an urban-rural gradient, variation in scavenging between woodlands and gardens, and the effects of semi-natural vegetation cover on scavenging in gardens. We consider patch size as a preliminary assessment of how fragmentation influences scavenging. Vertebrates contributed substantially more to scavenging than invertebrates across the urbanisation gradient. Vertebrate scavenging was greater in woodlands than gardens, while invertebrate scavenging remained consistent. Scavenging increased with patch size in gardens, but not woodlands. Vertebrate scavenging increased with patch size and garden semi-natural vegetation cover. Urban woodlands and gardens make important contributions to scavenging-mediated ecosystem services. There is a need to increase the cover of semi-natural vegetation in gardens to increase their contributions, and protect and expand woodlands, especially in areas with a high demand for scavenging-mediated ecosystem services.
Size Effect on the Ductile Fracture of the Aluminium Alloy 2024-T351
Authors: Šebek F. , Salvet P. , Boháč P. , Adámek R. , Věchet S. , Návrat T. , Zapletal J. , Ganjiani M. 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Background
Reliably calibrated criteria are needed for an accurate prediction of fracture of various components. However, there is not always a sufficient amount of material available. Therefore, miniature testing provides an alternative that is researched together with the following calibration of the ductile fracture criteria and investigating the size effect.

Objective
The aim is to design miniature testing equipment and specimens for tensile testing, which covers various stress states. This is supplemented by the small punch test, which has the same specimen thickness, taken from the literature to broaden the portfolio for calibration. The second part deals with conducting the finite element analysis, which provided a basis for the calibration of the phenomenological ductile fracture criterion applicable to crack-free bodies to indicate the crack initiation.

Methods
The steel frame to test thin specimens is designed with optical measurement of deformations. The finite element method is used, within Abaqus and user subroutines, to simulate the tests to obtain the variables needed for the calibration. In addition, the calibration of the criterion using machine learning is explored.

Results
The feasibility of the proposed experimental program is tested on the aluminium alloy 2024-T351. Moreover, the numerical simulations, which showed a good match with experiments in terms of force responses, adds to the knowledge of modelling in the scope of continuum damage mechanics.

Conclusions
The presented results provide a material basis for the aluminium alloy studied on a lower scale, while they broaden the testing possibilities and analyses the calibration strategies for the best failure predictability possible.
Investigating the Microarchaeological Record at Underwater Sites: Operating an On-Site Laboratory During the Antikythera Shipwreck Excavation
Authors: Ogloblin Ramirez Isaac , Simosi Angeliki , Baumer Lorenz , Manousos Orestes , Birchler Emery Patrizia , Pönitz Timothy , Sotiriou Alexandros 
Published: September 2024

AbstractUnderwater excavations require an immense amount of logistics and have inherent time limitations. Underwater challenges such as nitrogen toxicity, underwater color change, and dive time limits increase with working depths, affecting the interpretation of archaeological contexts. Thus, underwater excavations involve methods and approaches to extract the maximum information from small areas while providing a comprehensive understanding of the archaeological record. Here, we present the benefits of using an on-site laboratory comprising a microscope, binocular microscope, Fourier transform infrared spectrometer and blue light inspection device. Three case studies are presented, focusing on the identification of stratigraphic boundaries, as well as the preservation and identification of archaeological materials. The results show a complex stratigraphic sequence containing seven layers divided into four mineralogical units: (1) Calcite, (2) Calcite and aragonite, (3) Aragonite, and (4) Dolomite. Additionally, the use of an on-site laboratory is effective in preventing the misidentification of archaeological materials, which could affect the final interpretation of the archaeological site (e.g., glass, lead, bone), and enabling the identification of materials invisible to the naked eye, such as opaline phytoliths. In the case of the Antikythera shipwreck, the on-site laboratory facilitated the examination of stratigraphy and quality of the archaeological context while streamlining excavation practices and documentation. Furthermore, the on-site laboratory allowed for the assessment of material preservation and provide crucial insights to inform post-excavation treatments and analysis of artifacts.
Learning to be overprecise
Authors: Merkle Christoph , Schreiber Philipp 
Published: September 2024

AbstractWe replicate and extend two studies on the dynamics of overconfidence among financial professionals. Using 20 years of data from the ZEW Financial Market Survey with over 40,000 individual forecasts of confidence intervals, we document that participants are overprecise during the entire time period with no evidence of learning on the aggregate. We confirm that professionals update in a Bayesian manner after hits and misses by contracting or expanding their confidence intervals, respectively. However, this updating is insufficient to reach proper calibration. We cannot confirm other predictions of a Bayesian model. An explanation based on self-attribution bias fits the data better.
3D UHR seismic and back-scattering analysis for seabed and ultra-shallow subsurface classification
Authors: Ha Jiho , Shin Jungkyun , Lim Kyoungmin , Um In-Kwon , Yi Boyeon 
Published: September 2024

AbstractRecently, the seabed classification method based on back-scattering data of multi-beam echo-sounder (MBES) is widely used to analyze the distribution of seabed sediment. Although various analysis methods for seabed classification using multi-spectral MBES have been developed, they are limited in securing penetration depth to consider the characteristics of the shallow subsurface structure. In this study, the seabed and ultra-shallow subsurface classification was performed by comparative analysis of box corer sampling, back-scattering, and 2D/3D ultra-high-resolution (UHR) seismic data obtained from Yeongil Bay, South Korea. We proposed a process for seismic ultra-shallow subsurface classification by the segmentation of the primary seabed reflection wavelet and the amplitude analysis. The seabed-reflected amplitude and back-scattering intensity showed similar mapping trends in the relatively homogeneous and thick surface sediment. On the other hand, it was confirmed that back-scattering data and seabed-reflected amplitude show different patterns when the subsurface structure is related to the seabed surface. It is presumed that because seismic data containing relatively low-frequency components have a deeper penetration depth than MBES, they contain more characteristics of the ultra-shallow subsurface than back-scattering data. These were determined that back-scattering has advantages in representing acoustic anomaly distribution by surface sediment type, and seabed-reflected amplitude is advantageous for representing sediment type by ultra-shallow subsurface. In particular, these results were well shown when the surface sediment thinly covered the rocky bottom. Therefore, it is necessary not only to analyze the back-scattering of MBES but also the ultra-shallow subsurface features through seismic data for valid seabed classification.
The idea marketplace: Diversity, social capital, and innovation
Authors: Heusler Andreas H. , Foutz Natasha Z. , Spann Martin , Stich Lucas 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Firms increasingly leverage idea markets, where participants (such as employees) generate, improve, and evaluate ideas on a collaborative digital platform. Different participants contribute differently to the ideation process, some generating high quality ideas while others initiating discussion threads and commenting on the ideas to further enhance the ideas’ quality. Such diverse contributions may be importantly influenced by the participants’ diverse social capital—resource access and status—in their pre-existing network. We theorize this relationship and further test our hypotheses by conducting two idea market studies, one involving only a firm’s employees (Study 1: closed innovation) and the other further incorporating non-employees (Study 2: open innovation). We show that the higher quality ideas are generated by the participants with greater resource access, whereas continued engagement, including contributing larger quantities of ideas, discussion threads, and comments, stems from those with higher status. These findings have important implications for ideator recruitment and idea market design.
Serum Selenium Levels and Lipid Profile: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Observational Studies
Authors: Mazaheri-Tehrani Sadegh , Abhari Amir Parsa , Ostadsharif Negar , Shekarian Arman , Vali Mahshad , Saffari Elahe , Anaraki Kasra Talebi , Haghighatpanah Mohammad Ali , Fakhrolmobasheri Mohammad , Kieliszek Marek 
Published: September 2024

AbstractSelenium is a trace element with pivotal roles in metabolic processes. Studies suggested that selenium deficiency could lead to impaired lipid profiles. However, inconsistent results have been reported regarding the association between serum selenium concentrations and lipid profile (triglycerides, LDL, HDL, VLDL, and total cholesterol). Thus, we aimed to review the correlation between them. A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar until 31 December 2023. The relevant correlation coefficients were used as desired effect sizes to assess the correlation between selenium level and lipid profile. Among 8291 records found in the primary search, 47 and 34 articles were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis, respectively. All included studies were observational investigations and had acceptable quality. Our results failed to reach strong evidence supporting the correlation between serum selenium level and lipid profiles, except for HDL, which showed a weak correlation among both adults (r = 0.1 [0.03:0.17]; I2 = 71%) and pediatrics (r = 0.08 [0.03:0.14]; I2 = 38%). Subgroup analyses based on gender did not reveal a significant or strong correlation with selenium levels (except for total cholesterol in males (r = 0.12 [0.01:0.22]; I2 = 52%)). The results did not change after the sensitivity analysis. Although some previous studies have suggested that selenium deficiency could lead to impaired lipid profile, the findings of this study indicate no strong correlation between serum selenium levels and lipid profile.