bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SAT072 Choline Deprivation Aggravates Hyperglycemia And Fatty Liver In Non-obese Streptozocin-induced Diabetic Rats
Authors: Liapi Charis , Kyriakaki Argyro , Al Humadi Hussam , Al-Saigh1 Rafal , Al Humadi Ahmed , Lazaris Andreas
Published: October 2023

Disclosure: C. Liapi: None. A. Kyriakaki: None. H. Al Humadi: None. R. Al-Saigh1: None. A. Al Humadi: None. A. Lazaris: None.

Background: Choline deprivation (CD) is an established model of steatohepatitis. There is a strong association between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and diabetes mellitus that has a significant impact on the global health system. The combined state of CD and diabetes can resemble common cases in clinical practice including parenteral nutrition, pregnancy, chronic liver disease malnutrition and/ or alcoholism in diabetic individuals. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of choline deprivation on glycemic control, insulin signaling pathway and lipid metabolism in non-obese streptozocin-induced diabetic rats. Methods: Thirty-two male adult Wistar rats were divided into four groups; control, diabetes (DM), choline-deprived diet (CDD), and combined group (DM+CDD); DM was induced by intraperitoneal streptozotocin administration. Body weight, fasting blood glucose and plasma insulin levels, lipid profile, liver biochemistry, liver histopathology and gene expression of insulin receptor (IR), insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1), glucose transporters 2 & 4 (GLUT-2 & -4) in hepatic tissue, were assessed. Results: The combination group (CDD+DM) showed a significant increase in blood glucose associated with a significant decrease in plasma insulin level and evidence of dyslipidemia with a significant increase in liver enzymes, histopathology showed extensive micro- and macrovesicular steatosis and a significant decrease in weight gain versus the control, CDD and DM group. A significant increase was observed in gene expression of IR, IRS-1, GLUT-2, and GLUT-4 in all the experimental groups versus the control. Conclusion: The combination of choline deficiency and diabetes has drawn some new scenarios on insulin and some hepatic metabolic pathways: (i) plasma insulin resistance with progressive hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia.(ii) attenuation of hepatic insulin resistance or sensitization of insulin signaling pathways in the liver, due to the hepatotoxic effects of choline deficiency that could ultimately simulate features of the metabolic syndrome, and (iii) experimentally simulation of metabolic conditions seem to act synergistically, leading to poor glycemic control along with aggravation of hepatic steatosis.

Presentation: Saturday, June 17, 2023
SAT073 β Cell FFA2 Deficiency Suppresses Multiple Low Dose Streptozotocin (MLDS) Induced Diabetes
Authors: Xu Kai , Priyadarshini Medha , Kumar Prabhakaran , Electricwala Husena M , Prabhakar Bellur S , Layden Brian T
Published: October 2023

Disclosure: K. Xu: None. M. Priyadarshini: None. P. Kumar: None. H.M. Electricwala: None. B.S. Prabhakar: None. B.T. Layden: None.

Gut microbiome is recently recognized environmental factor in pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes (T1D). Reduced short chain fatty acid (SCFA) producing gut bacteria and also SCFA levels correlate with T1D risk (TEDDY study). We have previously shown that FFA2 is one of the main SCFA receptors, which is expressed on the β cell and mediates gut microbiome-β cell crosstalk. Based on these data, we hypothesized that β cell FFA2 may play a role in T1D β cell pathology. To examine this, we followed our novel tamoxifen induced β cell FFA2 knockout mice (FFA2 fl/fl; MIP CreERT+, FFA2 BKO) and wildtype littermates (FFA2 fl/fl) after multiple low dose streptozotocin (MLDS) induced T1D. Comparing to wildtype littermates, FFA2 BKO were significantly protected from MLDS insult and exhibited normal glycemic control owing to higher β cell mass. To understand the mechanism of this protective effect, we mined islet transcriptome data from our FFA2 global knockout mice and identified markedly upregulated type 1 interferon pathway in FFA2 global knockout. Accordingly, wildtype islets treated with high dose IFNα (mimicking T1D like conditions) showed significant upregulation of IFNαtargets while FFA2 BKO islets were unresponsive. Using pharmacological inhibition in isolated islets, we identified FFA2 mediated inhibition of NF-κB activation as a critical event in FFA2 mediated regulation of IFNαsignaling. In vivo studies with IFNAR1 antibody showed partial rescue of wildtype mice in the early stages of MLDS induced T1D. Thus, we propose a key role of β cell FFA2 in preserving β cell mass from IFNα signaling mediated damage in T1D. Further studies are needed to test this model.

Presentation: Saturday, June 17, 2023
SAT082 Utility Of A MODY Probability Calculator As A Systemwide Surveillance Tool
Authors: Awad Dana , Hashmi Sulman , Kunwar Sandeep , Desouza Cyrus V
Published: October 2023

Disclosure: D. Awad: None. S. Kunwar: None. C.V. Desouza: None.

Introduction: Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) is often misdiagnosed as type 1 or type 2 diabetes and is estimated to occur between 1-3% of all cases of diabetes. This leads to unnecessary treatments. There are no systemwide surveillance tools to identify these patients.Methods: This is a single center, cross sectional probable prevalence study of MODY in University of Nebraska medical center (UNMC). The medical records for all outpatients seen at UNMC within the past 5 years with the diagnosis of type 2 DM were reviewed. We included those with a diagnosis of type 2 DM who were <35 years old at the time of diagnosis, had A1C of < 7.6% and had a body mass index (BMI) < 30. We identified a total of 129 patients. 61 were excluded as they did not meet criteria. On the 68 remaining patients, the risk of MODY was calculated using the MODY probability calculator, which was developed by Exeter university. The calculator has the following variables: Age at diagnosis, current age, A1C, BMI, current diabetes treatment, time to insulin treatment, family history of diabetes, ethnicity, other associated features like renal cysts, deafness, lipodystrophy or other syndromic features. Results: Of the 68 included patients, 48% were females and 52% were males. Mean A1C was 6.3%, mean age at diagnosis was 28, mean BMI was 27. Thirty-four had at least one parent with diabetes. 54 were on diabetes treatment (17 on insulin and 37 on oral hypoglycemic agents). On the MODY calculator, 10 patients had a probability score of 75.5%, 3 had a score of 62.4%, 2 had a score of 58%, 3 had a score of 49%, and 3 had a score of 45.5%. The rest had a low probability score. The primary care physicians were informed of these results. The next step is to see how many of the primary care physicians utilize this information to screen patients. Conclusion: The MODY probability calculator is a good systemwide surveillance tool to identify patients with possible MODY and thereby inform providers taking care of those patients, which may result in management changes.

Presentation: Saturday, June 17, 2023
SAT084 Maternally Inherited Diabetes With Deafness: A Rare And Challenging Diagnosis Of Diabetes
Authors: Cuan Katherine , Bass Ilana R
Published: October 2023

Disclosure: K. Cuan: None. I.R. Bass: None.

Introduction: Maternally inherited diabetes with deafness (MIDD) is a rare mitochondrial disease with variable phenotypic expression characterized by a defect in insulin secretion and sensorineural hearing loss. Other potential features of MIDD include proximal myopathy, macular retinal dystrophy, and renal focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. Mitochondrial diseases are difficult to recognize given their heterogeneous presentation, however accurate diagnosis of MIDD is important as there are implications for management. DESCRIPTION: A 38-year-old adopted woman with previously diagnosed type 1 diabetes (T1DM), congenital deafness, and chronic kidney disease presented to our endocrinology clinic with concerns for difficulty controlling her blood glucose levels. She was diagnosed with T1DM at age 21 based on age and normal body habitus and was started on insulin. Due to insurance issues, she discontinued insulin use for several years and her diabetes was poorly controlled during that time, however, she never experienced diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Upon resuming insulin, she experienced multiple unpredictable episodes of hypoglycemia and subsequently self-discontinued insulin and presented 8 months later for further care. Past history was notable for muscle weakness with walking upstairs and vision loss in her left eye, which led to a diagnosis of retinopathy in her early twenties. Her family history was unavailable as she was adopted. Her physical exam was significant for a normal body mass index of 24. Labs showed a hemoglobin A1C of 10.8% and detectable c-peptide, 2.7 ng/mL (1.1-4.4 ng/mL) with a glucose of 192mg/dL. Glutamic acid decarboxylase, zinc transporter 8, IA-2 and islet-cell antibodies were all negative. Her creatinine was 1.23 ng/dL with a severely increased microalbumin to creatinine ratio (638, 0-29 mg/g). In view of her congenital deafness, non-diabetic retinopathy, absence of DKA while off insulin, negative antibody testing, and chronic kidney disease, mitochondrial diabetes was considered. She was referred to a geneticist for mitochondrial genome sequencing, of which the results are pending. Dietary modification and oral agents were recommended for her diabetes management, rather than insulin therapy. DISCUSSION: MIDD can be challenging to diagnose and patients may be incorrectly labeled as having type 1 diabetes. The presence of maternal transmission can aid in the diagnosis of MIDD, however, our patient was adopted and this information is unavailable. Additionally, retinal and renal features of MIDD can be misconstrued as microvascular complications of diabetes. In patients with deafness and poorly controlled diabetes with negative antibody testing, MIDD should be considered as an alternative diagnosis. MIDD can be managed with dietary modification, oral agents, and insulin if appropriate.

Presentation: Saturday, June 17, 2023
SAT097 Investigation Of The Minimum Duration Needed To Estimate The Percentile Values For Target Duration In Ambulatory Glucose Profile
Authors: Takeishi Soichi , Inoue Tatsuo
Published: October 2023

Disclosure: S. Takeishi: None. T. Inoue: None.

Ambulatory glucose profile (AGP) is effective in grasping glycemic variability and determining therapeutic strategy. In AGP for intermittently scanned continuous glucose monitoring (isCGM), it is common for patients to intervene at the time when the interquartile range of glucose levels deviates from the target range. It is important to consider the cases having glucose levels with missing values measured using isCGM. There are limited investigations regarding the “minimum duration needed to estimate percentile values of glucose levels for target duration” (MDpercentile). This is a cross-sectional study. In Analysis 1, we analyzed the glucose levels without missing values measured using CGM (FreeStyle Libre Pro) over 24 h for 13 days (from 00:00 on Day 2 to 00:00 on Day 15; CGM attachment: Day 1) for 100 outpatients with type 2 diabetes, who did not change their diabetic treatment through the CGM-wearing duration. In Analysis 2, we analyzed the glucose levels with missing values measured using isCGM (FreeStyle Libre) over 24 h for 60 days (from 00:00 on Day 31 to 00:00 on Day 91; isCGM attachment: Day 1) for 50 outpatients with type 2 diabetes, who did not change their diabetic treatment through the isCGM-wearing duration. In Analysis 1, MDpercentile for the 2-h mean glucose level for 13 days (MDpercentile2h13days) was provided by correlation coefficient analysis using R2=0.9 as the threshold. In Analysis 2, MDpercentile for the 24-h mean glucose level for 60 days (MDpercentile24h60days) was provided by correlation coefficient analysis using R2=0.9 as the threshold. The Pearson’s product-moment correlation coefficient was used for the statistical analysis. In Analysis 1, the average of 12 MDpercentile2h13days in 24 h for 5 percentile values, 25 percentile values, 50 percentile values, 75 percentile values, and 95 percentile values was 7.4, 7.3, 6.9, 6.9, and 5.9 days, respectively. In Analysis 2, the MDpercentile 24h 60 days for 5 percentile values, 25 percentile values, 50 percentile values, 75 percentile values, and 95 percentile values was 26, 17, 15, 13, and 45 days, respectively. In Analysis 1, the lower percentile values needed more days to predict the percentile values. However, in Analysis 2, the 95 percentile value needed the most days to predict the percentile value. Lower percentile values may need more days to predict the percentile values in the calculation using glucose levels without missing values. Quite high percentile values may need many days to predict the percentile value in the calculation using glucose levels with missing values.

Presentation: Saturday, June 17, 2023
SAT112 Ad Libitum Ketogenic Diet Reverts WD-pathological Effects In Liver, But Not In Skeletal Muscle In Mice
Authors: Antonioli Alessandro , Provera Alessia , Reano Simone , Gadipudi Laila Lavanya , Tini Sabrina , Zaggia Ivan , Raiteri Tommaso , Scircoli Andrea , Colasanto Antonio , Raineri Davide , Filigheddu Nicoletta , Sutti Salvatore , Prodam Flavia
Published: October 2023

Disclosure: A. Antonioli: None. A. Provera: None. S. Reano: None. L. Gadipudi: None. S. Tini: None. I. Zaggia: None. T. Raiteri: None. A. Scircoli: None. A. Colasanto: None. D. Raineri: None. N. Filigheddu: None. S. Sutti: None. F. Prodam: None.

Western diet (WD), rich in sugars and saturated fats, is a critical factor contributing to obesity and its comorbidities. Since its effects on insulin resistance and inflammation, WD has been associated with many diseases, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), metabolic fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and steatohepatitis (NASH), and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in both animal and humans. Ketogenic diets (KDs) are nutritional regimens characterized by very low carbohydrate intake, high-fat amounts, and adequate protein content, with or without caloric restriction. Energy is provided by ketone bodies from lipid oxidation and protein metabolism. Since growing evidence suggests that KDs are able to reduce inflammation, oxidative stress, and improving mitochondrial function, we hypothesized that it could be a promising strategy to treat obesity related diseases, including MAFLD and sarcobesity. To demonstrate these effects, after 16 weeks of WD diet, we switched mice to standard diet (SD), ad libitum cholesterol-free KD, or maintained in WD for further 2 and 4 weeks. We demonstrated that both KD and SD are able to revert detrimental effects induced by WD in mouse liver, improving the pathological features and lowering the hepatic inflammatory responses associated with NASH. KD resulted in ketosis and mimicked fasting conditions promoting body weight loss and glycaemic control. However, KD did not have positive effects on skeletal muscle strength, mass, and histologic morphology after WD-induced muscle atrophy. Despite the positive effect on WD-induced liver damage and increased body weight, ad libitum KD does not seem to have protective effects against WD-associated loss of muscle mass and functionality. However, we cannot rule out that muscle might need a longer recovery period than the liver.

Presentation: Saturday, June 17, 2023
SAT115 Diabetes In Pregnancy: Evaluating Access And Usage Of Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGM) In A Medicaid Population
Authors: Chilukuri Pranaya , Llanora Josie , Schadler Aric , Playforth Karen , Naseman Kristina
Published: October 2023

Disclosure: P. Chilukuri: None. J. Llanora: None. A. Schadler: None. K. Playforth: None. K. Naseman: None.

Objective: Diabetes complicates up to 17% of pregnancies in the United States annually. Self-monitoring of blood glucose for diabetics requires supplies, knowledge, and support. Continuous glucose monitor (CGM) use for self-monitoring improves clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction. Despite identified benefits, patient access to CGM is variable. Identifying barriers to CGM access is important to promote health equity. Our objective was to describe CGM prevalence in a pregnant population with diabetes. Study Design: This was a single-center, retrospective observational cohort study using electronic health record review of pregnant patients with diagnoses of Type 1 Diabetes (T1DM), Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM), or gestational diabetes (GDM). Patients ages 18 to 50 years with state Medicaid insurance, for whom CGM is a covered benefit, were considered if seen in any of our institution’s obstetrics clinics within a one-year period. Type of diabetes, race/ethnicity, primary language, home county, medication use, and CGM orders were abstracted. Pearson’s Chi-square, Fisher’s exact, and independent samples t-tests were used for analysis. Results: Of 297 total patients, 7.7% (n=23) had T1DM, 22.2% (n=66) had T2DM, 68.4% (n=203) had GDM, and 1.7% (n=5) had another type. Overall, 19% (n=55) had reported CGM use. There was no difference in CGM use for non-white vs. white race (p=0.081) and urban vs. rural home county (p=0.138). Significantly less non-English speaking patients (p=0.001), Hispanic patients (p=0.026), Metformin users (p=0.03), and those not taking medications (p< 0.001) used CGM. Significantly more T1DM (p< 0.001), T2DM (p=0.007), and insulin-using patients (p<0.001) were in the CGM group. Conclusion: In patients with insurance coverage of CGM, awareness of actual usage is key. Social factors of ethnicity and primary language and clinical factors of diabetes type and medication use may affect CGM use. Obstetricians should advocate for equal CGM access for high-risk patients to improve patient outcomes and satisfaction.

Presentation: Saturday, June 17, 2023
SAT128 Low Concentration Of Butyrate Reverts PA-induced Atrophic Condition On C2C12 Myotubes
Authors: Tini Sabrina , Antonioli Alessandro , Reano Simone , Raiteri Tommaso , Scircoli Andrea , Antoniotti Valentina , Zaggia Ivan , Filigheddu Nicoletta , Prodam Flavia
Published: October 2023

Disclosure: S. Tini: None. A. Antonioli: None. S. Reano: None. T. Raiteri: None. A. Scircoli: None. V. Antoniotti: None. I. Zaggia: None. N. Filigheddu: None. F. Prodam: None.

Sarcobesity is a well-defined medical condition characterized by the coexistence between skeletal muscle atrophy and increased fat mass representing, nowadays, a relevant public health issue among the world population. Sarcobesity is often associated with the development of metabolic syndrome (MetS), insulin-resistance (IR), dyslipidaemia, and other pathologies such as cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and type 2 diabetes (T2DM). The global increment of this condition has been favoured by changes in lifestyle and dietary habits as largely demonstrated. Particularly, Western Diet (WD), rich in saturated fats and sugars and poor in fibers, vitamins, and minerals seems to be the main cause of sarcobesity in association with low levels of physical activity. In recent years, Ketogenic Diet (KD) has been proposed as a fighting obesity therapy and as a new possible therapeutic strategy to counteract the WD detrimental effects on different tissues, i.e skeletal muscle that plays a key role in whole-body metabolism, glucose homeostasis and lipid use. KD regimen consists in a very low carbohydrates intake, high fat and adequate protein contents that cause the so-called “nutritional ketosis” with the production of Ketone bodies (KBs). KBs, such as beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), acetoacetate and acetone are the final products of the partial beta-oxidation of free fatty acid. They are short chain fatty acid produced in liver with different role on metabolism and they are used as a source of energy instead of glucose by different tissues including skeletal muscle. Preliminary experiments in our laboratory demonstrated that palmitate (PA), which is a saturated fat highly present in WD regimen, induces myotubes atrophy in dose dependent manner (100, 250, 500uM). The aim of the present study is to investigate not only if KBs have a direct effect on C2C12 skeletal muscle cells, but also if they are able to contrast the PA-induced atrophy in myotubes. We demonstrated with a co-treatment that sodium butyrate (s-BU), which is the main KB produced during ketogenesis, is able to prevent PA negative effects in skeletal muscle cells when it is used at low concentration. In contrast, high doses of BU reduced C2C12 diameters suggesting that KBs could have opposite effects depending on their concentration. Currently, other short chain fatty acids and KBs, i.e pyruvate and acetoacetate are under investigation in our laboratory. Collectively, these data suggest that KD could represent a promising intervention to contrast WD damages on skeletal muscle in overweight/obese individuals.

Presentation: Saturday, June 17, 2023
‘Chip’-ing away at morphogenesis – application of organ-on-chip technologies to study tissue morphogenesis
Authors: White Matthew J. , Singh Tania , Wang Eric , Smith Quinton , Kutys Matthew L.
Published: October 2023

Emergent cell behaviors that drive tissue morphogenesis are the integrated product of instructions from gene regulatory networks, mechanics and signals from the local tissue microenvironment. How these discrete inputs intersect to coordinate diverse morphogenic events is a critical area of interest. Organ-on-chip technology has revolutionized the ability to construct and manipulate miniaturized human tissues with organotypic three-dimensional architectures in vitro. Applications of organ-on-chip platforms have increasingly transitioned from proof-of-concept tissue engineering to discovery biology, furthering our understanding of molecular and mechanical mechanisms that operate across biological scales to orchestrate tissue morphogenesis. Here, we provide the biological framework to harness organ-on-chip systems to study tissue morphogenesis, and we highlight recent examples where organ-on-chips and associated microphysiological systems have enabled new mechanistic insight in diverse morphogenic settings. We further highlight the use of organ-on-chip platforms as emerging test beds for cell and developmental biology.
Nuclear envelope assembly relies on CHMP-7 in the absence of BAF–LEM-mediated hole closure
Authors: Barger Sarah R. , Penfield Lauren , Bahmanyar Shirin
Published: October 2023

Barrier-to-autointegration factor (BAF) protein is a DNA-binding protein that crosslinks chromatin to allow mitotic nuclear envelope (NE) assembly. The LAP2-emerin-MAN1 (LEM)-domain protein LEMD2 and ESCRT-II/III hybrid protein CHMP7 close NE holes surrounding spindle microtubules (MTs). BAF binds LEM-domain family proteins to repair NE ruptures in interphase, but whether BAF–LEM binding participates in NE hole closure around spindle MTs is not known. Here, we took advantage of the stereotypical event of NE formation in fertilized Caenorhabditis elegans oocytes to show that BAF–LEM binding and LEM-2–CHMP-7 have distinct roles in NE closure around spindle MTs. LEM-2 and EMR-1 (homologs of LEMD2 and emerin) function redundantly with BAF-1 (the C. elegans BAF protein) in NE closure. Compromising BAF–LEM binding revealed an additional role for EMR-1 in the maintenance of the NE permeability barrier. In the absence of BAF–LEM binding, LEM-2–CHMP-7 was required for NE assembly and embryo survival. The winged helix domain of LEM-2 recruits CHMP-7 to the NE in C. elegans and a LEM-2-independent nucleoplasmic pool of CHMP-7 also contributes to NE stability. Thus, NE hole closure surrounding spindle MTs requires redundant mechanisms that safeguard against failure in NE assembly to support embryogenesis.
A highly efficient human cell-free translation system
Authors: Aleksashin Nikolay A. , Chang Stacey Tsai-Lan , Cate Jamie H.D.
Published: October 2023

Cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) systems enable easy in vitro expression of proteins with many scientific, industrial, and therapeutic applications. Here we present an optimized, highly efficient human cell-free translation system that bypasses many limitations of currently used in vitro systems. This CFPS system is based on extracts from human HEK293T cells engineered to endogenously express GADD34 and K3L proteins, which suppress phosphorylation of translation initiation factor eIF2α. Overexpression of GADD34 and K3L proteins in human cells before cell lysate preparation significantly simplifies lysate preparation. We find that expression of the GADD34 and K3L accessory proteins before cell lysis maintains low levels of phosphorylation of eIF2α in the extracts. During in vitro translation reactions, eIF2α phosphorylation increases moderately in a GCN2-dependent fashion that can be inhibited by GCN2 kinase inhibitors. This new CFPS system should be useful for exploring human translation mechanisms in more physiological conditions outside the cell.
Testing the operation and response with cosmics of the Micromegas detector for the NSW upgrade of the ATLAS experiment and study of the Higgs boson production in the WW*->lνlν decay channel through VBF mechanism
Authors: Κιτσάκη Χαρά
Published: October 2023

Η παρούσα διδακτορική διατριβή χωρίζεται σε δύο κύρια μέρη έχοντας ως επίκεντρο το πείραμα ATLAS του Μεγάλου Επιταχυντή Αδρονίων του CERN. Το πρώτο μέρος αποτελεί αντικείμενο της πιο σημαντικής αναβάθμισης για την περίοδο λήψης δεδομένων κατά το Run-3, του New Small Wheel, και συγκεκριμένα της μίας εκ των δύο τεχνολογιών ανιχνευτών που το απαρτίζουν, τους resistive-strip Micromegas. Παρουσιάζεται η γεωμετρία του ανιχνευτή καθώς και η αναπαράστασή της στο λογισμικό ως βασικό συστατικό της διαδικασίας της ανακατασκευής τόσο των προσομοιωμένων όσο και των πραγματικών δεδομένων. Στη συνέχεια, περιγράφονται τα εργαλεία που αναπτύχθηκαν, και χρησιμοποιούνται ήδη, για τον ποιοτικό έλεγχο των δεδομένων που καταγράφονται από τους ανιχνευτές, σε μη-πραγματικό χρόνο. Με την τοποθέτηση των ανιχνευτών στον ATLAS πραγματοποιήθηκαν σειρές δοκιμών με Micromegas ανιχνευτές του New Small Wheel χρησιμοποιώντας μιόνια σε συνδυασμό με ραδιενεργή πηγή με τα τελικώς σχεδιασμένα ηλεκτρονικά προσαρτημένα σε αυτούς. Το πρώτο μέρος λοιπόν ολοκληρώνεται με τη παρουσίαση των κυριότερων αποτελεσμάτων της ανάλυσης των δεδομένων που συλλέχθηκαν με σκοπό το χαρακτηρισμό, όσον αφορά την απόδοση και τη χωρική διακριτική ικανότητα, ενός από τους ανιχνευτές Micromegas.Το δεύτερο μέρος αφορά τη μέτρηση ενεργών διατομών της παραγωγής του μποζονίου Higgs μέσω του μηχανισμού vector-boson-fusion στο κανάλι διάσπασης H → W W ∗ μελετώντας πλήρως λεπτονικές τελικές καταστάσεις. Η ανάλυση χρησιμοποιεί τα δεδομένα του Run-2 απο συγκρούσεις πρωτονίων ενέργειας κέντρου μάζας στα 13 TeV που καταγράφηκαν απο τον ATLAS και αντιστοιχούν σε ολοκληρωμένη φωτεινότητα 139 fb−1. Ιδιαίτερη σημασία δίνεται στην εκτίμηση του υποβάθρου που προέρχεται απο πίδακες (jets) οι οποίοι λανθασμένα αναγνωρίζονται ως λεπτόνια και προϊόντα των πρωταρχικών συγκρούσεων. Παρουσιάζονται όλες οι μελέτες που πραγματοποιήθηκαν με στόχο την εισαγωγή συστηματικών αβεβαιοτήτων στη μέθοδο εκτίμησης που βασίζεται στα πραγματικά δεδομένα. Αυτές περιλαμβάνουν την πιθανή διερεύνηση της εξάρτησης της μεθόδου απο διεργασίες που συμβαίνουν την ίδια στιγμή με αυτής της σύγκρουσης, γνωστές ως pileup, αλλά και απο ιδιότητες που χαρακτηρίζουν τον τρόπο παραγωγής του Higgs που μελετάται, όπως η παρουσία jets. Τέλος, πραγματοποιήθηκε ο έλεγχος της μεθόδου χρησιμοποιώντας μόνο προσομοιωμένα δεδομένα για να αποδειχθεί η αμεροληψία της εκτίμησης που βασίζεται στα πραγματικά δεδομένα.
Mitral Valve Repair with a Biodegradable Annuloplasty Ring for Mitral Regurgitation
Authors: Zorman Yilmaz , IŞIK Bekir , YILMAZER Mustafa Serdar , AKSOY Tamer
Published: October 2023

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the mitral valve repair procedure using biodegradable ring implantation to treat severe mitral valve regurgitation.
Method: Between May 2007 and 2009, 23 patients without mitral stenosis underwent mitral valve repair using a biodegradable annuloplasty ring. 3 of the 23 patients are excluded from the study due to discontinuation of follow-up. Preoperative, postoperative 7th day, 3rd month, 6th month, and 1st-year echocardiographic data of 20 patients were collected retrospectively and statistically analyzed with Chi-square and Student T-tests.
Results: At follow-up, transthoracic echocardiography revealed no or trivial regurgitation. Although there was an increase in the mean gradient during the early postoperative period (7th days and 3rd months), there was no statistically significant difference in the mean gradient between the preoperative and late postoperative period (6th month and 1st year). Mean gradients were 3.48±0.64, 2.72±0.31, 2.62±0.25, and 2.58±0.21 mmHg, respectively at 7th days, 3rd months, 6th months, and 1st year. Increased preload due to mitral regurgitation resulted in larger left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) and left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV) preoperatively of 194.42±21.39 ml (range, 245.00 to 165.00 ml) and 94.23±36.59 ml (range, 203.35 to 52.80 ml) respectively. The decrease in mean LVEDV and LVESV at 1 year was statistically significant, 130.40±11.04 ml (range, 145.00 to 115.00 ml; p<0.001) and 64.21±13.20 ml (range, 80.08 to 40.25 ml; p<0.001), respectively. Additionally, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) reaches the preoperative value (%51.15±14.04) in the 6th month (%51.58±7.32), although there is a decline in the early postoperative period (%47.11±11.22 on 7th day and 46.35±8.03 in 3rd month). One late death occurred. Mitral valve re-operation was necessary for one rheumatic patient.
Conclusion: Annuloplasty using a biodegradable mitral ring has shown desired long-term outcomes with particular advantages compared to traditional annuloplasty rings.
Democracia y gobiernos de facto. El problema del otro en la caricatura de Juan Cárdenas
Authors: Gomez Granados John Alexander
Published: October 2023

Democracia y gobiernos de facto presenta la progresiva vinculación del pintor Juan Cárde nas Arroyo al fértil movimiento artístico de la década de 1960, liderado por Marta Traba, a través de su caricatura en Lámpara, Nova y Flash: Fogonazo Informativo. Pero, sobre todo, revela al comentarista político, aquel que participó en la singular defensa de la de mocracia durante el mandato de Carlos Lleras Restrepo (1966-1970); aquel que dejó un testimonio gráfico de dos rasgos paradójicos de dicho gobierno. Por un lado, una opinión pública restringida, causante de la eventual peregrinación de Cárdenas por La República, El Tiempo, El Espacio y Flash, y el posterior aislamiento de cualquier publicación. Por otro, las semejanzas con su antítesis: las dictaduras. Un presidente civil,contrario a lo expresado por los defensores del Frente Nacional, no era garantía indiscutible de algunas libertades individuales. Tal es la reflexión a la que invita el texto: a cuestionar e indagar el uso de la palabra democracia en todo tiempo y lugar, sobre todo en un país definido, con cierta superioridad moral, como una de las “democracias más antiguas”.
Tiered Assortment: Optimization and Online Learning
Authors: Cao Junyu , Sun Wei
Published: October 2023

Due to the sheer number of available choices, online retailers frequently use tiered assortment to present products. In this case, groups of products are arranged across multiple pages or stages, and a customer clicks on “next” or “load more” to access them sequentially. Despite the prevalence of such assortments in practice, this topic has not received much attention in the existing literature. In this work, we focus on a sequential choice model that captures customers’ behavior when product recommendations are presented in tiers. We analyze multiple variants of tiered assortment optimization (TAO) problems by imposing “no-duplication” and capacity constraints. For the offline setting involving known customers’ preferences, we characterize the properties of the optimal tiered assortment and propose algorithms that improve the computational efficiency over the existing benchmarks. To the best of our knowledge, we are the first to study the online setting of the TAO problem. A unique characteristic of our online setting, absent from the one-tier MNL bandit, is partial feedback. Products in the lower priority tiers are not shown when a customer has purchased a product or has chosen to exit at an earlier tier. Such partial feedback, along with product interdependence across tiers, increases the learning complexity. For both the noncontextual and contextual problems, we propose online algorithms and quantify their respective regrets. Moreover, we are able to construct tighter uncertainty sets for model parameters in the contextual case and thus improve the performance. We demonstrate the efficacy of our proposed algorithms through numerical experiments.

This paper was accepted by J. George Shanthikumar, data science.

Supplemental Material: The data files and e-companion are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2023.4940 .
Provably Good Region Partitioning for On-Time Last-Mile Delivery
Authors: Carlsson John Gunnar , Liu Sheng , Salari Nooshin , Yu Han
Published: October 2023

Managing on-time delivery systems is challenging because of the underlying uncertainties and combinatorial nature of the routing decision. In practice, the efficiency of such systems also hinges on the driver’s familiarity with the local neighborhood. In “Provably Good Region Partitioning for On-Time Last-Mile Delivery,” Carlsson et al. study a region partitioning policy to minimize the expected delivery time of customer orders in a stochastic and dynamic setting. This policy assigns every driver to a subregion, ensuring that drivers are only dispatched to their territories. The authors characterize the structure of the optimal partitioning policy and show its expected on-time performance converges to that of the flexible dispatching policy in heavy traffic. The optimal characterization features two insightful conditions that are critical to the on-time performance of last-mile delivery systems. Furthermore, the paper develops partitioning algorithms with performance guarantees, leveraging ham sandwich cuts and three-partitions from discrete geometry.
Meeting the hydration needs of people with dementia or dysphagia
Authors: Palmer Sarah
Published: October 2023

In this article, Sarah Palmer looks at the issue of dehydration, as well as the novel ways to overcome challenges in maintaining hydration in people with dementia or dysphagia.
The Resilience of University Youth While Undergoing Digital Learning During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Yusrisham Nur Amirrah , Kamaruddin Siti Hajar , Mauzud Siti Munirah , Ismail Roslina
Published: October 2023

The outbreak of COVID-19 has affected the educational sector globally. One of the impacts of this outbreak is observed in the implementation of digital learning, which involves problems such as poor internet connection and a lack of information technology facilities. However, university youth could be seen as resilient if they could keep up with good academic performance despite going through various challenges of digital learning. Thus, this research would like to explore the resilience of university youth while undergoing the challenges of digital learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. This research adopted a qualitative approach, and data were collected through semi-structured interviews. Purposive sampling was used, where five respondents among the University Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) youth with a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.50 and above were selected in this research. The research found that the challenges faced by the majority of the respondents during digital learning were the non-conducive learning environment and the poor internet connection. In addition, findings also found two protective factors that helped the respondents be resilient, identified as the internal factor (i.e., self-concept and cultural sensitivity) and the external factor (i.e., parents' support and positive peer relationships). The research findings showed that the university youth also need support and help from various parties alongside their own efforts in academics in order to face any kinds of risky situations and grow as resilient youth.
Genetic variants of INHA/PstI and VIPR1/HhaI and their relationship with reproductive traits in Ac chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus Brisson)
Authors:   Vietswan Poultry Breeding Joint Stock Company, Binh Duong 75000, Vietnam, Phuong Le Thanh , Tu Tran Trung ,   Institute of Food and Biotechnology, Can Tho University, 3/2 street, Ninh Kieu District, Can Tho 900000, Vietnam, Ngu Nguyen Trong ,   College of Agriculture, Can Tho University, Can Tho 900000, Vietnam
Published: October 2023

The Ac chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus Brisson) is commonly raised alongside other domestic chicken breeds in the Mekong Delta region. This study was conducted to analyze the impact of INHA/PstI and VIPR1/HhaI polymorphisms on the reproductive characteristics of this breed. A total of 380 Ac hens from 16-40 weeks of age were used, each placed in a separate cage for data collection . DNA isolation was performed using feather samples, and genotypes were detected by applying the PCR-RFLP technique . Two polymorphisms were identified , namely C829T (INHA /PstI) in exon 1 of the INHA gene an d C429 13T (VIP R1/HhaI) in intron 6 of th e V IPR1 ge ne .At both site s, two po lymo rphism s d id not follow the Hardy -Weinberg e quilibr ium . The IN HA /PstI and VIP R 1/Hh a I po lymo rphism s demo nstrated a statist ically significant association with the tota l number of eggs pro duce d and the la ying r ate (p<0.0 5). S pec ifically , he ns with TT genotype (INHA/PstI ) had the highest egg p rodu ction (7 2.4 eggs /he n/24 laying week s ). In contras t , thos e with t he CC genotype produced approximately 9 fewer eg gs (63.2 eggs /h en ), resu lting in layi ng rates of 4 5.2% and 40 .3%, re specti vel y .Additionally , the INHA/PstI polymorphisms sho wed a notab le and significan t associ at ion with the average age of the first egg (p<0.05). In conclusion , to enhance egg prod uction in Ac ch ickens th roug h selective breeding, it is rec ommended to prioritize the use of birdswith the TT genotype at the INH A/Pst I locu s.
Assessing Environmental Mitigation Strategies in Controlled Cage-Free Aviary Housing Systems: Effect on Air Quality and Bioaerosols
Authors: St-Germain Magali-Wen , Létourneau Valérie , Larios Araceli Dalila , Godbout Stephane , Fournel Sébastien , Duchaine Caroline
Published: October 2023

Highlights

Three mitigation strategies were tested in experimental chambers fitted as small-scale aviaries.

Particle monitor and high-flow air samplers were used to sample airborne dust (PM) and bioaerosols.

Oil emulsion sprinkling on the litter surface of aviaries was effective in reducing PM emissions in experimental chambers.

Abstract. Alternative housing systems for laying hens are gradually replacing battery cages. Though these systems provide more space per animal and enrichments, higher concentrations of ammonia and airborne dust have been reported in those environments. In this project, three environmental control strategies and a control condition were tested in twelve experimental chambers fitted as small-scale aviaries. The experiment was conducted during three periods spanning 18 weeks, during which PM and bioaerosols were sampled in each chamber in three separate sampling campaigns. Emissions of PM, culturable bacteria and molds, total bacteria, Penicillium, and Aspergillus molds and selected fecal indicators (Campylobacter coli, Campylobacter jejuni, Clostridium perfringens, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus spp., Salmonella spp.) were assessed in each experimental chamber. Strategies that included oil emulsion sprinkling on litter surface were effective at reducing PM emissions, while no significant effect (p > 0.05) was observed on ammonia emissions, and the effect on bioaerosol was variable under the evaluated conditions. Keywords: Airborne dust, Aviaries, Bioaerosol, Laying hen alternative housing, Mitigation.
Streambank Erosion Phenomena and Understanding: Current Research and Future Directions
Authors: Bolinaga Celso Castro , Mittelstet Aaron , Mankin Kyle
Published: October 2023

Highlights

High rates of streambank erosion are detrimental to the stability and function of streams.

This collection brings together six studies that represent key advances in streambank erosion research.

Current research directions on streambank erosion, erodibility characterization, and sediment loading are presented.

Future research directions and challenges related to high-frequency data collection and modeling are discussed.

Abstract. Streams are in dynamic equilibrium with their environments, and as that environment is altered by human development and changing climate, streambank erosion is a common, but little understood, result. This article highlights the contributions of the special collection “Streambank Erosion, Sediment Dynamics, and Restoration (SER),” which assembled six studies that represent key advances in streambank erosion research, highlight current research in the field, and identify directions for future research. The studies in this special collection were grouped into three central themes: (1) streambank erosion monitoring, (2) streambank erodibility characterization, and (3) streambank erosion loading. In this article, key findings within each of these central themes are summarized, emphasizing the significant contributions of each study. Likewise, perspectives on future research directions are discussed, outlining important challenges that remain to be addressed. Overall, the studies in this special collection are unified in their overarching goal of improving quantitative and predictive understanding of streambank erosion phenomena. Keywords: Keywords., Erodibility Parameters, Jet Erosion Test, Monitoring, Sediment, Soil Erosion, Stabilization Practices, Streambank, Stream Restoration.
APPLICATION OF ANALYTIC HIERARCHY PROCESS INDECISION MAKING OF PROCESSED BANANA PRODUCTS FOR COMMUNITY ENTERPRISES
Authors: Sooksaksun Natanaree , Chanta Sunarin
Published: October 2023

Bananas are one of the most produced and consumed fruit crops in the world. However, producers, especially farmers and small businesses, are currently facing many challenges in the market, particularly competitiveness. This article aims to analyze factors that influence the decision-making process of processing banana products for community enterprises. The selection of the best-processed banana products according to the different criteria uses the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) as a multi-criteria decision-making support tool. A case study of community enterprises that process banana products in Prachinburi Province, Thailand is presented. The criteria and priorities are considered based on the opinions of the community enterprises. There are five main factors: main raw materials, readiness for production, profitability and marketing channels, storage conditions, and environmental and societal impacts. The alternatives were divided into two cases: unripe and ripe bananas. The results show that the main factor with the highest priority in processing banana products is the readiness for production. For overall results, the banana chip is the best choice to produce if the supply is unripe bananas. If the supply is ripe bananas, the dried banana is the best choice to produce. These results provide a guideline for decision-making in banana product processing, which helps determine the best option for complex problems.
A Wide Range of Possible Expression from Tezuka's Manga to Gekiga , from Azuma Hideo to Doraemon
Authors: Fusanosuke Natsume
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT: In his seminal work Manga wa naze omoshiroi no ka: sono hyōgen to bunpō ( Why Is Manga So Interesting?: Its Expression and Grammar , 1997), Natsume Fusanosuke (1950–) refined his ideas for his "theory of manga expression" ( manga hyōgenron ). In the present translation, which consists of chapters 3 and 4 from that work, the author describes changes that took place in the expression of faces and bodies from the time of Tezuka Osamu ( Astro Boy ) through the gekiga revolution in the 1960s and 1970s up into the 1980s and 1990s. Looking at creative character designs by a diverse range of artists, including Saitō Takao, Azuma Hideo, and Fujiko F. Fujio ( Doraemon ), Natsume argues that changes over time indicate the development of the industry's studio system as well as vacillations in Japanese society and readership up into the 1990s. To do so, Natsume demonstrates his unique method of manga analysis by "copying" and playing with those pictures to further drive home his point.
Big Data Studies: The Humanities in Uncharted Waters
Authors: Cha Javier
Published: October 2023

Abstract: This article discusses the formidable challenges that the advent of big data brings to the digital humanities broadly and proposes some ways the Korean studies community can prepare to navigate these uncharted waters. Standard digital humanities training in data mining, text analysis, mapping, network science, and machine learning will be developed and refined over the coming years, as will research concerning the ephemeral nature of new media, web archives, and the ethics of artificial intelligence. Yet I contend that established responses to the digital transformation of the humanities, while timely and necessary, will prove inadequate for handling petabyte- and exabyte-scale born-digital sources. In the Zettabyte Era, more data is processed in real time than all of the records produced from early times to the 2010s. To make sense of the current information regime, we need critical reflections and comparisons to the classical internet age of the 1990s, the personal computer revolution of the 1980s, and early modern print cultures. This exercise will allow us to situate the humanities in an age of big data as an extension of traditional humanities research and at the same as something foreign.
Prairie Dog Musings on the Overland Trail, But Not on the California Trail
Authors: Ahmad Diana L.
Published: October 2023

Abstract (Lang: English): Travelers on the westward overland trails to Oregon and California were acute and imaginative observers of new environments. Overlander dairies contain descriptions of flora, fauna, geographical, and topographical features meeting the eyes and ears of the migrants as they passed through the various landscapes of prairie lands, the Great Plains, mountains, valleys, and deserts. Early in their travels they heard the sharp warning calls from sentinel prairie dogs signaling the approach of danger to the rodent communities. While the Overlanders did prove dangerous, the travelers more often observed and permitted their imaginations to think of these communities in terms of human communities with defensive warning systems that protected an established and ordered social system. The example of a community, even an animal community, in new and strange landscapes was a comforting omen for the travelers’ own futures as they moved into unknown physical and social environments. Yet, the last leg of their journey across the Great Basin offered little in the way of reassurances about their futures. There were no lively and cheerful prairie dog communities to greet them, only the gray and arid sagebrush landscapes of the Great Basin made crossable only by a small and uninviting muddy stream that hardly rose to the definition of a river (the Humboldt River).