bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of candidate paleotsunami deposit from sediment layers drilled in Seubadeh located in South Aceh of Indonesia
Authors: Vethra Prasetyo A , Mirda Sukman M , Vahreza A , Mitaphonna R , Fauzi  , Rajibussalim  , Ismail N , Lahna K , Ramli M , Idris N
Published: October 2023

This study is conducted to identify prehistoric tsunami deposit (paleotsunami) in Seubadeh village, located in South Aceh Regency, Aceh province, Indonesia. Regional morphologic and seismic characteristics suggest that Seubadeh village is an area that stores tsunami deposits, both new tsunami deposits and prehistoric tsunami deposits. Therefore, in this study, the search for paleotsunami deposits was carried out in Seubadeh village. The tsunami deposit samples were taken at several points in Seubadeh village using a hand drill with a depth of more than 2 m. Sediment classification of the collected samples using Troels-Smith method shows a candidate layer of paleotsunami tsunami deposit was found between two clay deposits. The layer is dominated by plant roots and shell material. In addition, the sediment samples were sieved using a mesh to evaluate the grain size distribution of clay, silt and sand. The results of the grain size distribution and color evaluation of the respective layer are presented. The results of the analysis of the particle size distribution in the sample and the color of the sample indicate that there are 2 layers that show characteristics as a paleotsunami deposit, namely at a depth of about 170-200 cm and 280-292 cm. The paleotsunami deposit found will be further characterized by an emission spectroscopic technique.
Effect of Particle Size and Mass of Longan Peel (Euphoria Longan L.) as Adsorbent on The Adsorption of Rhodamine B and Methylene Blue Dyes Using the Column Method
Authors: Kurniawati Desy , Ramadhani E D , Ali R K , Khair M , Nizar U K , Nasra E , Sari T K
Published: October 2023

Dyes are a mixture of organic compounds that are synthesized in complex forms and are often used in the process of coloring products in various types of industries, so that this complex structure will be difficult to decompose naturally. Therefore, this dye will accumulate in the liquid waste. The accumulation of these dyes will cause harm to living things and the surrounding environment. Therefore, an effective method is needed to overcome this problem, a method that can be used to reduce the dye content in a simple and environmentally friendly way such as the adsorption method. In this study, the adsorption method using a column was used to absorb dyes from the cationic group, namely methylene blue and rhodamine B with adsorben derived from longan peel waste. In this study, the results obtained were the identification of longan peel containing several functional groups, namely O-H, C-H, C=O, -C-NO2, C=C, C-O-C, and C-N derived from alcohol, carboxylic acid, ester, ether, aromatic nitro compounds, and amines. By using a adsorbent particle size of 106 µm, it can absorb methylene blue and rhodamine B at 30.31 mg/g and 28.28 mg/g, respectively. The absorption of methylene blue with 0.1 gram of adsorbent resulted in an absorption capacity of 59.97 mg/g while 0.2 gram of adsorbent could absorb rhodamine B of 32.40 mg/g.
Implementation of Somatic, Audio, Visual, and Intelligent (SAVI) Learning Model to Improve Student Learning Outcomes on Dynamic Fluid Material
Authors: Serevina Vina , Heriyoso Angestu , Liandari Eka
Published: October 2023

This research was conducted to improve learning outcomes and the quality of the learning process to teach students grade XI physics through the implementation of somatic, audio, visual, and intelligent (SAVI) learning model and the use of PowerPoint presentations, as a medium for students at class XI SCIENCE 3 Public Senior High School 107 Jakarta. Data collection is done in two ways, namely tests and observations, and for media assessment, quality is assessed through the assessment rubric. From observation of the activity of students and teachers, activity increased from 72.50% to 85.50%. Students’ learning outcomes can improve from 75.5 in cycle I to 79.5 in cycle II with the minimum completeness criteria is 77.0. So, it already passed the minimum completeness criteria. It can be concluded the implementation of somatic, audio, visual, and intelligent (SAVI) learning model can improve student learning outcomes and the quality of the learning process on dynamic fluid material.
Needs Analysis of Comic as Science Teaching Material for Junior High School Students
Authors: Syaflita Dina , Alvi Ria Rizkia , Adila Fekie , Jaya Adi Putra M.
Published: October 2023

Low students’ interest in reading has an impact on their low knowledge. Teaching materials need to be presented in an interesting way to attract students’ interest in reading. The aim of this study is to identify problems and needs of students and science teachers related to teaching materials in the form of comics. The type of this research is a survey. The questionnaire was filled out by 141 junior high school students and 8 science teachers from 4 different schools. The analysis technique used was descriptive analysis. The results of this study show that most students like reading comics and are interested in using them as one of the teaching materials for science subjects. The frequency of students reading the usual teaching materials is not very high. This is also supported by the statement of science teachers who say that students’ interest in reading the usual textbooks is moderate to low. Therefore, teaching materials need to be presented in a more attractive form for children. Children find it easier to understand the material with accompanying illustrations. Regarding science literacy competence, the existing teaching materials have not supported this competence well.
Preliminary research on the development of PS-BK learning model in basic electronics courses
Authors: Hufri  , Ellizar  , Lufri  , Triani F
Published: October 2023

This research is motivated by the importance of increasing the competence of human resources in facing global competition in the current 4.0 revolution era. Therefore, learning models that can prepare students to master critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, collaboration, and creative and innovative thinking skills must be developed. This preliminary study aims to identify the elements necessary for the development of the PS-BK (Integrated Problem Solving and Creative Thinking) learning model in basic electronics courses. The Plomp development design’s preliminary research stage is this one. The needs and context analysis, literature review, and conceptual theory development make up this preliminary research. Data collection techniques are using questionnaires and observation sheets. The data analysis technique used is the percentage technique. The learning outcomes obtained by dividing the value with the highest percentage, on the B- and C+ grades, indicate that the majority of lecturers use conventional models so that learning activities have not maximally involved students in building knowledge and developing their thinking skills, over the preceding three years (2019, 2020, and 2021).. Based on needs and context analysis as well as analysis of student characteristics in basic electronics learning, it is known that PS-BK learning models need to be developed in improving students’ abilities and developing creative thinking ability.
Synchrotron light source X-ray detection with Low-Gain Avalanche Diodes
Authors: Mazza S.M. , Saito G. , Zhao Y. , Kirkes T. , Yoho N. , Yerdea D. , Nagel N. , Ott J. , Nizam M. , Leite M. , Moralles M. , Sadrozinski H.F.-W. , Seiden A. , Schumm B. , McKinney-Martinez F. , Giacomini G. , Chen W.
Published: October 2023

Low Gain Avalanche Diodes (LGADs) represent the
state-of-the-art in timing measurements and will instrument the
future Timing Detectors of ATLAS and CMS for the High-Luminosity
LHC. While initially conceived as a sensor for charged particles,
the intrinsic gain of LGADs makes it possible to detect low-energy
X-rays with good energy resolution and excellent time resolution
(tens of picoseconds). Using the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation
Lightsource (SSRL) at SLAC, several LGADs designs were characterized
with energies from 5 to 70 keV. The SSRL provides 10 ps pulsed
X-ray bunches separated by 2 ns intervals with an energy dispersion
(ΔE/E) of 10-4. LGADs from Hamamatsu Photonics (HPK)
and Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) with different thicknesses
ranging from 20 μm to 50 μm and different gain layer
designs were read out using fast amplification boards and digitized
with a high bandwidth and high sampling rate oscilloscope. PIN
devices from HPK and AC-LGADs from BNL were characterized as well. A
systematic and detailed characterization of the devices' energy
linearity, resolution, and time resolution as a function of X-ray
energy was performed for different biasing voltages at room
temperature and are reported in this work. The charge collection and
multiplication mechanism were simulated using Geant4 and TCAD
Sentaurus, providing an important handle for interpreting the data.
Understanding the soil water dynamics during excess and deficit rainfall conditions over the core monsoon zone of India
Authors: Goswami Mangesh M , Mujumdar Milind , Singh Bhupendra Bahadur , Ingale Madhusudan , Ganeshi Naresh , Ranalkar Manish , Franz Trenton E , Srivastav Prashant , Niyogi Dev , Krishnan R , Patil S N
Published: October 2023

Observations of soil moisture (SM) during excess and deficit monsoon seasons between 2000 to 2021 present a unique opportunity to understand the soil water dynamics (SWD) over core monsoon zone (CMZ) of India. This study aims to analyse SWD by investigating the SM variability, SM memory (SMM), and the coupling between surface and subsurface SM levels. Particularly intriguing are instances of concurrent monsoonal extremes, which give rise to complex SWD patterns. Usually, it is noted that a depleted convective activity and persistence of higher temperatures during the pre-monsoon season leads to lower SM, while monsoon rains and post-monsoon showers support the prevalence of higher SM conditions. The long persistent dry spells during deficit monsoon years enhances the Bowen ratio (BR) due to the high sensible heat fluxes. On the other hand, the availability of large latent heat flux during excess monsoon and post-monsoon seasons tend to decrease the BR. This enhancement or reduction in BR is due to evapotranspiration (ET), which influences the SWD by modulating the surface—subsurface SM coupling. The surface and subsurface SM coupling analysis for CMZ exhibits significant distinction in the evolution of wet and dry extremes. SM variations and persistence time scale is used as an indicator of SMM, and analysed for both surface and subsurface SM observation levels. Evidently, subsurface SM exhibits remarkably prolonged memory timescales, approximately twice that of surface SM. Furthermore, we dissect SWD linked to wet and dry extremes by analysing annual soil water balance at a local site in Pune, India. Our findings reveal that ET and deep drainage on annual scale are modulated largely by number of break events during the monsoon season. In essence, our study underscores the significance of surface–subsurface SM observations in unravelling the intricate tapestry of SWD.
Local symmetry groups for arbitrary wavevectors
Authors: Maggio Emanuele , Smolyanyuk Andriy , Tomczak Jan M
Published: October 2023

We present an algorithm for the determination of the local symmetry group for arbitrary k-points in 3D Brillouin zones. First, we test our implementation against tabulated results available for standard high-symmetry points (given by universal fractional coordinates). Then, to showcase the general applicability of our methodology, we produce the irreducible representations for the ‘non-universal high-symmetry’ points, first reported by Setyawan and Curtarolo (2010 Comput. Mater. Sci.
49 299). The present method can be regarded as a first step for the determination of elementary band decompositions and symmetry-enforced constraints in crystalline topological materials.
Categoricity for transfinite extensions of modules
Authors: Trlifaj Jan
Published: October 2023

For each deconstructible class of modules

D

\mathcal D

, we prove that the categoricity of

D

\mathcal D

in a big cardinal is equivalent to its categoricity in a tail of cardinals. We also prove Shelah’s Categoricity Conjecture for

(

D

,
⪯
)

(\mathcal D, \preceq )

, where

(

D

,
⪯
)

(\mathcal D, \preceq )

is any abstract elementary class of roots of Ext.
The Fell topology and the modular Gromov-Hausdorff propinquity
Authors: Aguilar Konrad , Yu Jiahui
Published: October 2023

We show that any (norm-closed two-sided) ideal of a unital C*-algebra that comes equipped with certain natural quantum metric structure is a metrized quantum vector bundle, when canonically viewed as a module over

A
A

. Next, given a unital AF-algebra

A
A

equipped with a faithful tracial state, we equip each ideal of

A
A

with a metrized quantum vector bundle structure using previous work of the first author and Latrémolière. Moreover, we show that convergence of ideals in the Fell topology implies convergence of the associated metrized quantum vector bundles in the modular Gromov-Hausdorff propinquity of Latrémolière. In a similar vein but requiring a different approach, given a compact metric space

(
X
,
d
)

(X,d)

, we equip each ideal of

C
(
X
)

C(X)

with a metrized quantum vector bundle structure, and show that convergence in the Fell topology implies convergence in the modular Gromov-Hausdorff propinquity.
On the distribution of partial quotients of reduced fractions with fixed denominator
Authors: Aistleitner Christoph , Borda Bence , Hauke Manuel
Published: October 2023

In this paper, we study distributional properties of the sequence of partial quotients in the continued fraction expansion of fractions

a

/

N

a/N

, where

N
N

is fixed and

a
a

runs through the set of mod

N
N

residue classes which are coprime with

N
N

. Our methods cover statistics such as the sum of partial quotients, the maximal partial quotient, the empirical distribution of partial quotients, Dedekind sums, and much more. We prove a sharp concentration inequality for the sum of partial quotients, and sharp tail estimates for the maximal partial quotient and for Dedekind sums, all matching the tail behavior in the limit laws which are known under an extra averaging over the set of possible denominators

N
N

. We show that the distribution of partial quotients of reduced fractions with fixed denominator gives a very good fit to the Gauß–Kuzmin distribution. As corollaries we establish the existence of reduced fractions with a small sum of partial quotients resp. a small maximal partial quotient.
Targeting APEX2 to the mRNA encoding fatty acid synthase β in yeast identifies interacting proteins that control its abundance in the cell cycle
Authors: Blank Heidi M. , Griffith Wendell P. , Polymenis Michael
Published: October 2023

Profiling the repertoire of proteins associated with a given mRNA during the cell cycle is unstudied. Furthermore, it is easier to ask and answer what mRNAs a specific protein might bind to than the other way around. Here, we implemented an RNA-centric proximity labeling technology at different points in the cell cycle in highly synchronous yeast cultures. To understand how the abundance of FAS1, encoding fatty acid synthase, peaks late in the cell cycle, we identified proteins that interact with the FAS1 transcript in a cell cycle–dependent manner. We used dCas13d-APEX2 fusions to target FAS1 and label nearby proteins, which were then identified by mass spectrometry. The glycolytic enzyme Tdh3p, a known RNA-binding protein, interacted with the FAS1 mRNA, and it was necessary for the periodic abundance of Fas1p in the cell cycle. These results point to unexpected connections between major metabolic pathways. They also underscore the role of mRNA–protein interactions for gene expression during cell division.
The arbitrary deprivation of dual nationality in investment arbitration
Authors: Mezgravis Andrés A
Published: October 2023

Recently, some investment tribunals have held that the doctrine of ‘effective and dominant nationality’ is a ‘relevant rule of international law’ according to which dual nationals can only invoke the protection of the respective bilateral investment treaty to the extent that they invoke their effective and dominant nationality to sue the State of their non-dominant nationality. However, the idea that multiple nationalities are an evil that must be avoided in the interest of States has ceased to be valid. In 1960, less than a third of states accepted dual nationality. By 2018, three-quarters of states allowed their nationals to possess another nationality. We are currently witnessing a paradigm shift that some arbitrators are still reluctant to acknowledge. When an investment tribunal claims to apply the ‘effective and dominant nationality principle’ what it is actually doing is refusing to recognize one of the claimant’s nationalities. The non-recognition of a nationality that does not correspond to an express legal norm and does not respond to a legitimate purpose is arbitrary and, therefore, should be prohibited as it violates a fundamental human right.
InCliniGene enables high-throughput and comprehensive in vivo clonal tracking toward clinical genomics data integration
Authors: Merelli Ivan , Beretta Stefano , Cesana Daniela , Gennari Alessandro , Benedicenti Fabrizio , Spinozzi Giulio , Cesini Daniele , Montini Eugenio , D’Agostino Daniele , Calabria Andrea
Published: October 2023

High-throughput clonal tracking in patients under hematopoietic stem cell gene therapy with integrating vector is instrumental in assessing bio-safety and efficacy. Monitoring the fate of millions of transplanted clones and their progeny across differentiation and proliferation over time leverages the identification of the vector integration sites, used as surrogates of clonal identity. Although γ-tracking retroviral insertion sites (γ-TRIS) is the state-of-the-art algorithm for clonal identification, the computational drawbacks in the tracking algorithm, based on a combinatorial all-versus-all strategy, limit its use in clinical studies with several thousands of samples per patient. We developed the first clonal tracking graph database, InCliniGene (https://github.com/calabrialab/InCliniGene), that imports the output files of γ-TRIS and generates the graph of clones (nodes) connected by arches if two nodes share common genomic features as defined by the γ-TRIS rules. Embedding both clonal data and their connections in the graph, InCliniGene can track all clones longitudinally over samples through data queries that fully explore the graph. This approach resulted in being highly accurate and scalable. We validated InCliniGene using an in vitro dataset, specifically designed to mimic clinical cases, and tested the accuracy and precision. InCliniGene allows extensive use of γ-TRIS in large gene therapy clinical applications and naturally realizes the full data integration of molecular and genomics data, clinical and treatment measurements and genomic annotations. Further extensions of InCliniGene with data federation and with application programming interface will support data mining toward precision, personalized and predictive medicine in gene therapy.

Database URL:  https://github.com/calabrialab/InCliniGene
Exploring microbial diversity in Greenland Ice Sheet supraglacial habitats through culturing-dependent and -independent approaches
Authors: Jaarsma Ate H , Sipes Katie , Zervas Athanasios , Jiménez Francisco Campuzano , Ellegaard-Jensen Lea , Thøgersen Mariane S , Stougaard Peter , Benning Liane G , Tranter Martyn , Anesio Alexandre M
Published: October 2023

The microbiome of Greenland Ice Sheet supraglacial habitats is still underinvestigated, and as a result there is a lack of representative genomes from these environments. In this study, we investigated the supraglacial microbiome through a combination of culturing-dependent and -independent approaches. We explored ice, cryoconite, biofilm, and snow biodiversity to answer: (1) how microbial diversity differs between supraglacial habitats, (2) if obtained bacterial genomes reflect dominant community members, and (3) how culturing versus high throughput sequencing changes our observations of microbial diversity in supraglacial habitats. Genomes acquired through metagenomic sequencing (133 high-quality MAGs) and whole genome sequencing (73 bacterial isolates) were compared to the metagenome assemblies to investigate abundance within the total environmental DNA. Isolates obtained in this study were not dominant taxa in the habitat they were sampled from, in contrast to the obtained MAGs. We demonstrate here the advantages of using metagenome SSU rRNA genes to reflect whole-community diversity. Additionally, we demonstrate a proof-of-concept of the application of in situ culturing in a supraglacial setting.
Mannose oligosaccharide recognition of CGL1, a mannose-specific lectin containing DM9 motifs from Crassostrea gigas, revealed by X-ray crystallographic analysis
Authors: Hatakeyama Tomomitsu , Masuda Kazuki , Kudo Mizuki , Tanaka Koshi , Takeuchi Ayaka , Unno Hideaki
Published: October 2023

CGL1 is a mannose-specific lectin isolated from the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas, and it belongs to the DM9 domain protein family. Each subunit of the CGL1 dimer consists of a tandem repeat of DM9 motifs, which were originally found in the Drosophila melanogaster genome. The CGL1 protomer contains two carbohydrate-binding sites: a high-affinity site A and a low-affinity site B. An assay using dendrimers containing oligomannose from yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) revealed that CGL1 exhibited significantly higher affinity for mannotetraose (Man4) compared to mannobiose (Man2) and mannotriose (Man3). To investigate its oligomannose-recognition mechanism, X-ray crystallographic analyses of CGL1/oligomannose complexes were performed. In the CGL1/Man2 and CGL1/Man3 complexes, Manα1–2Man and Manα1–2Manα1–2Man, respectively, were primarily bound to site A, interacting with the non-reducing mannose residue. On the other hand, in the CGL1/Man4 crystal, Man4 (Manα1–2Manα1–2Manα1–6Man) was bound at both site A and site B at the non-reducing and reducing ends, thus linking adjacent CGL1 molecules with crystallographic symmetry. These findings suggest that CGL1 can recognize both the non-reducing and reducing mannose residues of mannose oligosaccharides at its two distinct carbohydrate-binding sites. This enables efficient complex formation, making CGL1 a pattern-recognition molecule capable of recognizing diverse structures of mannose-containing carbohydrate chains.
Factors influencing timing of puberty in Mexican gray wolves (Canis lupus baileyi)
Authors: Asa Cheryl S , Bauman Karen L
Published: October 2023

The reintroduced population of Mexican gray wolves (Canis lupus baileyi) continues to rely on a carefully managed captive breeding program. Although success of that program depends on detailed knowledge of reproductive processes, age of puberty has not been determined. This study assessed male puberty status (presence of sperm in ejaculates), maintained in nine US facilities, during their first breeding season. Variables possibly associated with puberty were also evaluated. There was a significant effect of body weight, testis size, facility latitude, and date of collection, whereas a statistical trend was found for age and inbreeding coefficient. Social factors, including being housed with sire, had no effect. Over half the males in their first breeding season were producing sperm, although in some cases sperm quality was poor, suggesting possible infertility. Although there was no minimum body weight associated with presence of sperm, likelihood increased with increasing body weight, highlighting a possible critical role for nutrition. The trend for sperm production in males collected later in the breeding season and at lower latitudes suggests that later collections, especially at higher latitudes, might reveal a higher percentage of pubertal males. These results have potential implications for breeding program management and introduce the possibility that more wild gray wolves than previously thought might produce sperm during their first year, even if they do not sire young.
CBX7 reprograms metabolic flux to protect against meningioma progression by modulating the USP44/c-MYC/LDHA axis
Authors: Cheng Haixia , Hua Lingyang , Tang Hailiang , Bao Zhongyuan , Xu Xiupeng , Zhu Hongguang , Wang Shuyang , Jiapaer Zeyidan , Bhatia Roma , Dunn Ian F , Deng Jiaojiao , Wang Daijun , Sun Shuchen , Luan Shihai , Ji Jing , Xie Qing , Yang Xinyu , Lei Ji , Li Guoping , Wang Xianli , Gong Ye
Published: October 2023

Meningioma is one of the most common primary neoplasms in the central nervous system, but no specific molecularly targeted therapy has been approved for the clinical treatment of aggressive meningiomas. There is hence an urgent demand to decrypt the biological and molecular landscape of malignant meningioma. Here, through the in-silica prescreening and 10-year follow-up studies of 445 meningioma patients, we uncovered that CBX7 expression progressively decreases with malignancy grade and neoplasia stage in meningioma, and a high CBX7 expression level predicts a favorable prognosis in meningioma patients. CBX7 restoration significantly induces cell cycle arrest and inhibits meningioma cell proliferation. iTRAQ-based proteomics analysis indicated that CBX7 restoration triggers the metabolic shift from glycolysis to oxidative phosphorylation. The mechanistic study demonstrated that CBX7 promotes the proteasome-dependent degradation of c-MYC protein by transcriptionally inhibiting the expression of a c-MYC deubiquitinase, USP44, consequently attenuates c-MYC-mediated transactivation of LDHA transcripts, and further inhibits glycolysis and subsequent cell proliferation. More importantly, the functional role of CBX7 was further confirmed in subcutaneous and orthotopic meningioma xenograft mouse models and meningioma patients. Altogether, our results shed light on the critical role of CBX7 in meningioma malignancy progression and identify the CBX7/USP44/c-MYC/LDHA axis as a promising therapeutic target against meningioma progression.
The Fire Adapted Communities Pathways Tool: Facilitating Social Learning and a Science of Practice
Authors: Paveglio Travis B , Schmidt Annie , Medley-Daniel Michelle
Published: October 2023

Wildfire science, policy, and practice lack systematic means for “tailoring” fire adaptation practices to socially diverse human populations and in ways that aggregate existing lessons. This article outlines the development and initial operationalization of the Fire Adapted Communities Pathways Tool, an inductive set of processes that help facilitate dialogue about needs and priorities for wildfire adaptation strategies across ownership boundaries or partners. We outline the stages and considerations organized by the tool, including how its components build from decades of social science and practitioner experience facilitating fire adaptation choices among communities spanning the United States. We then outline examples for how the pathways tool provides opportunities to reflect and respond to the needs of diverse human populations implementing fire adaptation in distinct places. Finally, we discuss how the tool can help advance a “science of practice” for wildfire adaptation by promoting social learning or gathering monitoring information at multiple scales.

Study Implications: The pathways tool provides a series of empirically informed processes, choices, and engagement tactics designed to foster shared agreement about the best practices for wildfire adaptation across site-specific local conditions. We outline how the tool can advance adaptation processes for a variety of users, including (1) a community oriented planning process that will help reinforce or catalyze collective action about fire management, (2) a systematic approach for monitoring differential progress toward development of fire-adapted communities, and (3) a potential feedback mechanism that informs programmatic foci or allocation of future resources across potential actions designed for diverse social conditions.
First constraints on the strength of the extragalactic magnetic field from γ-ray observations of GRB 221009A
Authors: Dzhatdoev Timur A , Podlesnyi Egor I , Rubtsov Grigory I
Published: October 2023

The extragalactic magnetic field (EGMF) could be probed with γ-ray observations of distant sources. Primary very high-energy γ-rays from these sources absorb on extragalactic background light photons, and secondary electrons/positrons from the pair production acts create cascade γ-rays. These cascade γ-rays could be detected with space γ-ray telescopes such as Fermi-LAT. The γ-ray burst GRB 221009A was an exceptionally bright transient well suited for intergalactic γ-ray propagation studies. Using publicly available Fermi-LAT data, we obtain upper limits on the spectrum of delayed emission from GRB 221009A during the time windows of 10, 30, and 90 d after the burst, and compare these with model spectra calculated for various EGMF strengths B, obtaining constraints on B. We show that the values of B between 10−20 and 10−18 G are excluded.
Maturational trend of daytime sleep propensity in adolescents
Authors: Campbell Ian G , Figueroa Jessica G , Bottom Vincent B , Cruz-Basilio Alejandro , Zhang Zoey Y , Grimm Kevin J
Published: October 2023

Study Objectives

The teenage increase in sleepiness is not simply a response to decreasing nighttime sleep duration. Daytime sleepiness increases across adolescence even when prior sleep duration is held constant. Here we determine the maturational trend in daytime sleep propensity assessed with the multiple sleep latency test (MSLT) and assess the trend’s relation to pubertal maturation and changes in the sleep electroencephalogram. We also evaluate whether the relation of daytime sleep propensity to prior sleep duration changes between ages 10 and 23 years.

Methods

Participants (n = 159) entered the study between ages 9.8 and 22.8 years and were studied annually for up to 3 years. Annually, participants kept each of three sleep schedules in their homes: 7, 8.5, and 10 hours in bed for 4 consecutive nights with polysomnography on nights 2 and 4. MSLT-measured daytime sleep propensity was assessed in the laboratory on the day following the fourth night.

Results

A two-part linear spline model described the maturation of daytime sleep propensity. MSLT sleep likelihood increased steeply until age 14.3 years, after which it did not change significantly. The maturational trend was strongly associated with the adolescent decline in slow-wave (delta, 1–4 Hz) EEG power during NREM sleep and with pubertal maturation assessed with Tanner stage measurement of breast/genital development. The effect of prior sleep duration on sleep likelihood decreased with age.

Conclusions

Adolescent brain changes related to pubertal maturation and those reflected in the delta decline contribute to the adolescent increase in daytime sleep propensity.
Comparison of different scores as predictors of mechanical ventilation and intensive care unit admission in acute theophylline poisoning
Authors: Sagah Ghada Attia , Elmansy Alshaimma Mahmoud
Published: October 2023

Background

Theophylline is commonly used to control respiratory diseases, especially in developing countries. Theophylline has a narrowed therapeutic index, and its toxicity is associated with morbidity and mortality. Physicians should be aware of the early prediction of the need for intensive care unit admission (ICU) and mechanical ventilation (MV).

Aim

This study aimed to assess the power of the Rapid Emergency Medicine Score (REMS), Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS) and Simple Clinical Score (SCS) in predicting the need for ICU admission and/or MV in acute theophylline-poisoned patients.

Patients and methods

This cross-sectional study included 58 patients with acute theophylline poisoning who were admitted to our Poison Control Center from the 1st of July 2022 to the 31st of January 2023. The REMS, MEWS and SCS were calculated for all patients on arrival at the hospital. The area under the curve (AUC) and receiver operating characteristics were tested to compare scores.

Results

The median values of all studied scores were significantly high among patients who needed MV and/or ICU admission. The AUC of SCS was >0.9, with a sensitivity of 92.9% and specificity of 90.9% for the prediction of ICU admission. Meanwhile, MEWS was an excellent predictor of the need for MV (AUC = 0.996, 95% CI = 0.983–1.000).

Conclusions

We recommend using SCS as an early predictor for ICU admission in acute theophylline-poisoned patients. However, MEWS could effectively predict MV requirements in acute theophylline-poisoned patients.
Exploring Factors That Contribute to the Success of Rehabilitation With Hearing Aids
Authors: Lansbergen Simon E. , Versfeld Niek , Dreschler Wouter A.
Published: October 2023

Objectives:

Hearing aids are an essential and important part of hearing rehabilitation. The combination of technical data on hearing aids and individual rehabilitation needs can give insight into the factors that contribute to the success of rehabilitation. This study sets out to investigate if different subgroups of (comparable) hearing aids lead to differences in the success of rehabilitation, and whether these differences vary between different domains of auditory functioning.

Design:

This study explored the advantages of including patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in the process of purchasing new hearing aids in a large sample of successful hearing aid users. Subject data were obtained from 64 (commercial) hearing aid dispensers and 10 (noncommercial) audiological centers in the Netherlands. The PROM was a 32-item questionnaire and was used to determine the success of rehabilitation using hearing aids by measuring auditory disability over time. The items were mapped on six domains of auditory functioning: detection, discrimination, localization, speech in quiet, speech in noise, and noise tolerance, encompassing a variety of daily-life listening situations. Hearing aids were grouped by means of cluster analysis, resulting in nine subgroups. In total, 1149 subjects were included in this study. A general linear model was used to model the final PROM results. Model results were analyzed via a multifactor Analysis of Variance. Post hoc analyses provided detailed information on model variables.

Results:

Results showed a strong statistically significant effect of hearing aids on self-perceived auditory functioning in general. Clinically relevant differences were found for auditory domains including detection, speech in quiet, speech in noise, and localization. There was only a small, but significant, effect of the different subgroups of hearing aids on the final PROM results, where no differences were found between the auditory domains. Minor differences were found between results obtained in commercial and noncommercial settings, or between novice and experienced users. Severity of Hearing loss, age, gender, and hearing aid style (i.e., behind-the-ear versus receiver-in-canal type) did not have a clinically relevant effect on the final PROM results.

Conclusions:

The use of hearing aids has a large positive effect on self-perceived auditory functioning. There was however no salient effect of the different subgroups of hearing aids on the final PROM results, indicating that technical properties of hearing aids only play a limited role in this respect. This study challenges the belief that premium devices outperform basic ones, highlighting the need for personalized rehabilitation strategies and the importance of evaluating factors contributing to successful rehabilitation for clinical practice.
Postoperative Bleeding Complications Associated With Novel Oral Anticoagulants in Mohs Micrographic Surgery
Authors: Fahmy Lauren M. , Dowd Margaret L. , Loesch Eric , Denson Elizabeth M. , Pisano Catherine E. , Samie Faramarz H.
Published: October 2023

BACKGROUND

Novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are commonly prescribed, recently developed anticoagulants, but limited data exist on NOAC-related bleeding complications in Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS).

OBJECTIVE

To assess the risk of postoperative bleeding in patients taking NOACs compared with patients taking no antithrombotic medications.

METHODS/MATERIALS

A 5-year retrospective chart review of all MMS cases performed by a single surgeon was conducted. Patient and surgery characteristics, anticoagulant use, and bleeding complications were recorded.

RESULTS

Two thousand one hundred eighty-one MMS cases in 1,545 patients were included. There were 696/2,181 cases in which patients were taking at least 1 antithrombotic medication, with 149 on NOAC monotherapy and 15 on NOAC and aspirin combination therapy. Bleeding complications occurred in 22/2,181 cases. Patients on NOAC monotherapy did not have an increased risk of bleeding complications compared with patients on no antithrombotic medications (odds ratio [OR]:1.70, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.36–7.97, p = .50). In contrast, patients on NOAC and aspirin combination therapy exhibited an increased bleeding risk (OR: 20.5, 95% CI: 3.99–105.7, p < .001).

CONCLUSION

Novel oral anticoagulant use alone during MMS was not associated with an increased postoperative bleeding risk, supporting the safety of continuing NOAC therapy during MMS. However, NOAC and aspirin combination therapy was associated with a high postoperative bleeding risk. Nonetheless, these bleeding events did not lead to adverse long-term outcomes.
A case report of a patient with panuveitis following COVID-19 infection
Authors: Khalayli Naram , Shahada Zienab , Kudsi Maysoun
Published: October 2023

Introduction:

Panuveitis is intraocular inflammation of all layers of the uvea and may be isolated or associated with systemic inflammatory diseases affecting one eye or both eyes. Uveitis and conjunctivitis are noted in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection but have been listed as a major adverse event in case reports for COVID-19.

Importance:

To describe the clinical profile of a Syrian patient presenting with panuveitis following COVID-19 infection.

Case presentation:

A 32-year-old Syrian computer programmer, a previously healthy nonsmoker male, presented with pain, photophobia, and red eye with no irritation or discharge in eyes, decreased vision, and seeing floaters for 5 days. His only notable mention on review of systems was a positive severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection 8 weeks prior. Ocular examination revealed panuveitis involvement. No muscle weakness or neurological positive findings were found. There was no relevant medical history or previous personal or family history. Laboratory tests, including QuantiFERON-TB, immune profile, and viral serology, were negative. Serum angiotensin-converting enzyme levels were normal. Interleukin-1 receptor was negative. Human leukocyte antigen B51/B27 typing was negative. Chest radiograph was normal. Thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic computerized tomography were normal. Based on the negative review of systems and the first panuveitis event, the presumptive diagnosis was isolated bilateral SARS-CoV-2-induced panuveitis.

Clinical discussion:

In December 2019, COVID-19 became a global health issue. Studies assumed that ocular manifestations of COVID-19 were rare and ranged between 3 and 30%. Moreover, it rarely happened as an initial manifestation of the disease, and it was reported during the following weeks. To our knowledge, in the literature review, panuveitis was reported after COVID infection only in our case and in Benito-Pascual et al.’s case, which described panuveitis and optic neuritis after COVID-19 infection.

Conclusion:

We must be aware of the possible panuveitis manifestations following COVID-19 infection.
Glucagon-like peptide-1/glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor co-agonists for cardioprotection, type 2 diabetes and obesity: a review of mechanisms and clinical data
Authors: Goldenberg Ronald M. , Teoh Hwee , Verma Subodh
Published: October 2023

Purpose of review

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are approved for the management of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and obesity, and some are recommended for cardiorenal risk reduction in T2D. To enhance the benefits with GLP-RA mono-agonist therapy, GLP-1/glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor co-agonists are in development to capitalize on the synergism of GLP-1 and GIP agonism. We review the mechanisms of action and clinical data for GLP-1/GIP receptor co-agonists in T2D and obesity and their potential role in cardiovascular protection.

Recent findings

Tirzepatide, a first-in-class unimolecular GLP-1/GIP receptor co-agonist, is approved for T2D and is awaiting approval for obesity management. Phase 3 trials in T2D cohorts revealed significant reductions in glycemia and body weight and superiority compared with GLP-1R mono-agonism with semaglutide. Tirzepatide has demonstrated significant body weight reductions in individuals with obesity but not diabetes. It enhances lipid metabolism, reduces blood pressure, and lowers liver fat content. Pooled phase 2/3 data showed cardiovascular safety in T2D while a post hoc analysis suggested tirzepatide slows the decline of kidney function in T2D.

GLP-1/GIP receptor co-agonists are a novel addition to the diabetes and obesity armamentarium. The cardiorenal-metabolic benefits position them as promising multiprong tools for metabolically complex individuals with chronic vascular complications.
Radiation Protection Considerations for Cancer Patients with End-stage Renal Disease Receiving 131I Treatment
Authors: Louis Matthew , Mate-Kole Emmanuel M. , Aziz Landon , Dewji Shaheen A.
Published: October 2023

Differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) is commonly treated first with a partial or complete thyroidectomy, followed by radioiodine (RAI) ablative therapy to eliminate remaining cancer cells. In such treatments, physical decay and urinary excretion are the primary means of 131I. As such, patients with impaired urinary ability clearance, such as patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) whose urinary ability is impaired by dysfunction, can retain abnormally high activities of RAI, posing a concern to both the patient and those with whom the patient interacts. Additionally, ESRD patients are commonly administered dialysis therapy, wherein their blood is externally cycled through a dialyzer (hemodialysis) or filtered by instilling a dialysate fluid into the peritoneum (peritoneal dialysis) to filter uremic toxins from their blood that accumulate due to kidney dysfunction. These factors make determining release and dosing for ESRD patients receiving RAI therapy dependent on a plurality of variables. An evaluation of the current patient release guidelines, as given in US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (US NRC) Regulatory Guide 8.39 Rev. 1 for ESRD patients receiving RAI, has yet to be addressed. In this study, a biokinetic model for 131I in ESRD patients receiving dialysis has been developed, improving on traditional two-compartment models, reflective of kinetics from multi-compartment models with updated transfer coefficients modified to reflect the different physiological functions of compartments. This updated biokinetic model was integrated with Monte Carlo radiation transport calculations using stylized computational hermaphroditic phantoms to calculate dose rate coefficients in exposure scenarios and compared with those of the point source models of NRC Reg Guide 8.39 Rev. 1 (and the proposed verbiage in Rev. 2). Results demonstrated that the baseline models of Rev. 1 and Rev. 2 overestimated the effective dose rate to an exposed individual for the majority of time post-administration, where both models overestimated the total dose to the maximally exposed individual. However, the application of several patient-specific modifying factors to the Rev. 2 model resulted in an overestimation by only a factor of 1.25, and in general, the results produced with the patient-specific modifications provide improved convergence with the dose rate coefficients computed in this study for ESRD patients.
EVI1-mediated Programming of Normal and Malignant Hematopoiesis
Authors: Lux Susanne , Milsom Michael D.
Published: October 2023

Ecotropic viral integration site 1 (EVI1), encoded at the MECOM locus, is an oncogenic zinc finger transcription factor with diverse roles in normal and malignant cells, most extensively studied in the context of hematopoiesis. EVI1 interacts with other transcription factors in a context-dependent manner and regulates transcription and chromatin remodeling, thereby influencing the proliferation, differentiation, and survival of cells. Interestingly, it can act both as a transcriptional activator as well as a transcriptional repressor. EVI1 is expressed, and fulfills important functions, during the development of different tissues, including the nervous system and hematopoiesis, demonstrating a rigid spatial and temporal expression pattern. However, EVI1 is regularly overexpressed in a variety of cancer entities, including epithelial cancers such as ovarian and pancreatic cancer, as well as in hematologic malignancies like myeloid leukemias. Importantly, EVI1 overexpression is generally associated with a very poor clinical outcome and therapy-resistance. Thus, EVI1 is an interesting candidate to study to improve the prognosis and treatment of high-risk patients with “EVI1high” hematopoietic malignancies.
The Effect of Ptosis Surgery on Meibomian Glands and Dry Eye Syndrome
Authors: Hamed Azzam Shirin , Nama Amir , Hartstein Morris , Habib Haneen Jabaly , Mukari Abed
Published: October 2023

Purpose:

To investigate the effect of ptosis surgery on dry eye disease as measured by dry eye parameters and meibomian gland function.

Methods:

This prospective, case series study included patients with involutional ptosis with no prior history of dry eye disease who were scheduled for a levator aponeurosis advancement procedure. Dry eye evaluation included the ocular surface disease index (OSDI) questionnaire as well as objective measurements, which included meibomian gland loss measured by meibography, meibomian gland disease grading, tear breakup time (TBUT), corneal and conjunctival fluorescein staining, tear meniscus height, and Schirmer testing. All dry eye measurements were recorded preoperatively and repeated 21–28 days postoperatively.

Results:

A total of 30 eyes were included with a mean age of 65.6 ± 11.9 years. There was a significant improvement in margin reflex distance1 (MRD1) postoperatively (p < 0.001) and a significant decrease in upper lid margin thickening (p = 0.022). There were no significant differences between the pre- and postoperative measurements in meibomian gland loss, TBUT, corneal and conjunctival fluorescein staining, tear meniscus height, and the Schirmer test. OSDI was increased nonsignificantly postoperatively (16.094 vs. 24.296, respectively, p = 0.107).

Conclusion:

The levator aponeurosis advancement procedure does not affect the eyelid meibomian glands, nor does it cause an increase in dry eye signs and symptoms, according to the measured parameters.