bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dual dynamically tunable terahertz graphene-based plasmonic induced transparency and slow light effects
Authors: Yang Xiaojie , Xu Hui , Xu Haiye , Li Ming , He Longhui , Nie Guozheng , Chen Zhiquan
Published: December 2023

A novel single-layer graphene-based structure is designed in this article. This structure consists of two graphene strips and two graphene blocks. The components of this structure generate two bright modes and one dark mode in the terahertz region, and these three modes undergo destructive interference, leading to the phenomenon of double plasmonic induced transparency. The graphene of this structure has continuity, and the Fermi level can be adjusted by adjusting the bias voltage applied to the structure. Compared with those discontinuous structures, it is easier to achieve tuning function. The structure uses the finite-difference time-domain for data simulation, uses the coupled mode theory for theoretic calculation, and compares the transmission spectra obtained by the two methods. Through observation, it can be found that the frequency positions of the peaks and dips of the simulated transmission spectrum increase with the increase of the Fermi level, showing a perfect linear relationship, which indicates that this structure has great prospects in the modulator. In addition, the structure has achieved good results in the slow light effect, and after measurement, the peak values of group index and group delay can reach up to 380 and 0.241 ps, respectively. By utilizing these advantages, this structure can provide more possibilities for the development and research of slow light fields.
Glasses with biocompatible Au/Ag NPs of governed composition
Authors: Babich Ekaterina , Scherbak Sergey , Kirilenko Demid , Kondratev Valeriy , Stupin Daniil , Lipovskii Andrey
Published: December 2023

Silver-gold alloy nanoparticles were grown using heat treatment of soda-lime glass slides with depercolated gold film subjected to silver-to-sodium ion exchange. Varying the regime of the heat treatment allows one to control the proportion of silver in the nanoparticles and adjust the spectral position of their local surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) in the spectral range between the resonances of gold and silver nanoparticles. The position of LSPR in gold nanoparticles can be shifted by 15% via their dilution by silver in 50 wt % concentration. This shift is accompanied by only a 3% decrease in HeLa cell viability on the slides with alloy nanoparticles on the surface and by a slight decrease in the cell functionality/adhesion (FA) that show the biocompatibility of these nanoparticles. On the contrary, a notable decrease in the viability and ∼100% drop of FA were registered for the slides with purely silver nanoparticles.
Pre-orientation sintering: an alternative process to prepare high-performance anisotropic Nd–Fe–B HDDR magnets
Authors: Wang Zexuan , Zhao Lizhong , Pan Anjian , Zhou Bang , Liu Xiaolian , Huang Dong , Shi Zhen , Yu Mengling , Fu Song , Yang Pingda , Xu Yichen , Wu Yuye , Zhang Xuefeng , Liu Zhongwu
Published: December 2023

Hydrogen–disproportionation–desorption–recombination (HDDR) Nd–Fe–B magnetic powders are promising to prepare bulk anisotropic magnets, but high magnetic performance has not been achieved due to the absence of an Nd-rich phase in the powder and the low degree of orientation of the bulk magnets. In this study, an alternative process of pre-orientation sintering via magnetic alignment followed by spark plasma sintering was proposed to prepare the precursor of hot-deformation (HD) magnets, and a high maximum energy product of 294 kJ m−3 was achieved in the HD magnet with a relatively low height reduction of 35%, then an improved coercivity of 1107 kA m−1 could be obtained followed by a grain boundary diffusion of Pr40Tb30Al20Cu10. Microstructure analysis indicates that pre-orientation of HDDR powders facilitates grain rotation and alignment during the HD process, thereby reducing the minimum deformation ratio. It helps to obtain the deformed grains with lower shape anisotropy and smaller grain size, enabling a good compatibility of magnetic and mechanical behaviors. In-situ Lorentzian transmission electron microscopy results show that the magnetic domains have been strongly fixed by the thick intergranular RE-rich phase and the fully Tb-diffused grains, which contributes to the improved coercivity after grain boundary diffusion. This study provides a guiding significance for the preparation of the anisotropic Nd–Fe–B HDDR magnets with optimized performance.
Physical vapor deposition-free scalable high-efficiency electrical contacts to MoS2
Authors: Shanmugam Anusha , Thekke Purayil Muhammad Arshad , Dhurjati Sai Abhishikth , Thalakulam Madhu
Published: December 2023

Fermi-level pinning caused by the kinetic damage during metallization has been recognized as one of the major reasons for the non-ideal behavior of electrical contacts, forbidding reaching the Schottky–Mott limit. In this manuscript, we present a scalable technique wherein Indium, a low-work-function metal, is diffused to contact a few-layered MoS2 flake. The technique exploits a smooth outflow of Indium over gold electrodes to make edge contacts to pre-transferred MoS2 flakes. We compare the performance of three pairs of contacts made onto the same MoS2 flake, the bottom-gold, top-gold, and Indium contacts, and find that the Indium contacts are superior to other contacts. The Indium contacts maintain linear I–V characteristics down to cryogenic temperatures with an extracted Schottky barrier height of ∼2.1 meV. First-principle calculations show the induced in-gap states close to the Fermi level, and the damage-free contact interface could be the reason for the nearly Ohmic behavior of the Indium/MoS2 interface.
Surface modification of ZnO nanowires using single walled carbon nanotubes for efficient UV–visible broadband photodetection
Authors: Aier K Moatemsu , Dhar Jay Chandra
Published: December 2023

A UV–visible broadband photodetector (PD) based on single walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT)/Zinc oxide nanowire (ZnO NW) hybrid is being reported. This work focuses on designing a stable, fast, efficient and reliable hybrid broadband PD by surface modification of ZnO NWs using SWCNT. The study shows that spectral response of the hybrid heterostructure (HS) spans beyond the UV spectrum and into the visible region which is due to the integration of SWCNTs. Photoluminescence (PL) study reveals surface plasmon (SP) mediated resonance phenomenon resulting in an increase in PL intensity. High nanotube charge carrier mobility and conductivity allows the hybrid HS to attain high values of spectral responsivity (R
λ = 187.77 A W−1), external quantum efficiency (EQE = 5.82 × 104%), specific detectivity (D* = 7.04 × 1011 Jones) and small noise equivalent power (NEP = 4.77 × 10−12 W) values for the SWCNT/ZnO NW hybrid HS. The device also gives quick rise (t
rise = 0.43 s) and fall (t
fall = 0.60 s) time values.
High-performance pyramid-SiNWs biosensor for NH3 gas detection
Authors: Lan Kuibo , Liu Shuaiyan , Wang Zhi , Long Lixia , Qin Guoxuan
Published: December 2023

NH3 is widely existed in the environment and is closely associated with various health issues. Additionally, detecting the small amounts of NH3 exhaled by patients with liver and kidney diseases offers potential opportunities for painless early disease diagnosis. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a convenient, rapid, and highly sensitive real-time NH3 monitoring method. This work presents a high-performance NH3 sensor based on olfactory receptor-derived peptides (ORPs) on a pyramid silicon nanowires (SiNWs) structure substrate. First, we successfully fabricated the pyramid-SiNWs structure on a silicon substrate using a chemical etching method. Subsequently, by dehydrative condensation reaction between the amino groups on APTES and the carboxyl groups of ORPs, ORPs were successfully immobilized onto the pyramid-SiNWs structure. This methodology allows the ORPs sensor on the pyramid-SiNWs substrate to detect NH3 as low as 1 ppb, which was the reported lowest limit of detection, with a higher response rate compared to ORPs sensors on flat SiNWs substrates. The sensors also exhibit good sensitivity and stability for NH3 gas detection. The results show the feasibility and potential applications of ORPs-pyramid-SiNWs structure sensors, in the fields of food safety, disease monitoring, and environmental protection, etc.
The ground state, localization, and chiral edge dynamics of a three-legged bosonic magnetic ladder
Authors: Zhang Ai-Xia , Qin Ya-Hui , Wang Jie , Zhang Wei , Xue Ju-Kui
Published: December 2023

Three-legged bosonic/fermionic magnetic ladder, reproducing the main features of magnetic lattice systems, is an ideal model to study the edge-bulk coupling and chiral edge dynamics, which are a hallmark of quantum Hall physics. Here, the ground state transition, localization, and chiral edge (bulk) states of an interacting three-legged bosonic magnetic ladder are studied analytically and numerically. When the system is in a quasi-steady state, using variational analysis, the threshold for the transition from zero momentum state to plane wave state is obtained. The energy spectrum, the ground state diagram, the chiral current of the system are presented, and the chiral current reversal at the state transition point is observed. Furthermore, the localization and its stability in the system are discussed, and rich localized phenomena (diffusion, breather, soliton, and self-trapping) are predicted. Stable soliton/breather prefers to form an edge state, while the self-trapping is favorite to form a bulk state, i.e. localized edge and bulk states are obtained. Particularly, for the unstable soliton in the ground state or metastable state, different kinds of chiral edge/bulk state and edge-bulk coupling are observed. The stability of the localized states, the edge-bulk coupling characteristics, and the chirality of the system depend on the energy band structure of the system. Additionally, a controllable transition between localized edge state and bulk state is realized by quenching the soliton state. We proposed a theoretical evidence to design and manipulate edge-bulk coupling and different kinds of localized/chiral edge (bulk) states in three-legged bosonic magnetic ladder.
Community resilience index in the overflow flood area around Lake Tempe, Wajo District, South Sulawesi
Authors: Albaniah N , Ramadhani A , Luru M N
Published: December 2023

In terms of survival, resilience serves as an example of choice when confronted with situations where opportunities to choose are lacking. Thus, in such conditions, it becomes necessary to adapt to the incompatible circumstances being encountered. The traditional settlement community of Bugis Wajo holds “ulayat rights”, enabling them to thrive for generations in the vicinity of Tempe Lake. One of them, the traditional communities in Wette Hamlet in Lautang Village must grapple with annual flooding of 2–3 meters during the rainy season due to river water overflow from Tempe Lake. This flooding phenomenon stands as a testament to the unique ability of local traditional communities to adjust to normal conditions during dry seasons and adapt to the rainy seasons, allowing them to endure in their daily communal pursuits. This research employed quantitative descriptive methods and utilized eight variables, which were subsequently assigned scores to quantify resilience. Based on the results and the ensuing discussion of the analysis, it is evident that secure housing holds immense value in bolstering community resilience. There are high values in community resilience concerning community capacity, social capital, connectedness, and access to clean water. Meanwhile, there is a moderate level of community resilience when considering aspects such as disaster preparedness, livelihoods, and health. In conclusion, the analysis identifies a high degree of community resilience within the traditional community of Wettee Hamlet in Lautang Village.
Dynamics of land cover change, regional development, and its local dependence driving factors in Bojonegoro Regency
Authors: Savitri A , Pravitasari A E , Rosandi V B
Published: December 2023

Bojonegoro is a regency in East Java province with a population of 1,322,474 (BPS, 2022) and high population density. Population growth is strong, and demand for land is increasing. Increased human activity leads to land conversion, which could impact regional development. The objectives of this study are to: 1) Analyze the dynamics of land cover change, 2) Compare the SDI (Sub-district Development Index) scores of 2008 and 2020 in Bojonegoro Regency, and 3) Analyze the factors affecting the level of Regional development in Bojonegoro Regency. The methods used are overlay (GIS analysis), scale plot analysis, and geographically weighted regression (GWR) analysis. The most significant land cover change occurred in forest cover, with the area decreasing from 99,815 hectares (2000) to 84,845 hectares (2020), while the built-up area increased from 12,665 hectares (2000) to 22,901 hectares ( 2020). Bojonegoro sub-district has the highest SDI of 44,043 (2008) and 44,917 (2020) because it has the largest population and become a capital district and central business district (CBD). Based on the results of the GWR analysis, the highest local R2 is located in the eastern part of the Regency. In contrast, the lowest local R2 is located in the western administrative district of Bojonegoro Regency. The results show that the driving forces influencing regional development in Bojonegoro Regency vary spatially.
Microplastic contamination in the sediment of the Johor Strait Estuary, Malaysia
Authors: Zin M M , Azman S , Anaziah S H , Khalid N , Jumali S , Yusof N A Umaiban
Published: December 2023

The issue of microplastics has garnered significant attention in light of their potential environmental hazards and possible health effects on higher trophic organisms and humans. However, the available information is restricted and knowledge about the interaction between microplastics in aquatic sediments and the microplastic-related impacts of aquaculture activities, and this area has not yet been adequately researched. This research looks at the occurrence and properties of microplastics in the bed sediment from Perna veridis aquaculture activity areas, in the Strait of Johor, Malaysia. Bed sediments were collected in replicates from five sampling sites using a box corer (Wildco). The extracted organic matter was digested with 30% hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) before being separated using NaCl and ZnCl solutions. The inspection of plastic debris was conducted via a Stereomicroscope (HSZ-600) at magnifications ranging from 40x to 45x and considered according to morphology, size, and colour. Microplastic polymers were validated using Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transferred Infra-Red (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy. The sediment samples exhibited a varying range of microplastic abundance, with values ranging from 29 to 60 particles/kg.d.w. Microplastics within the size range of 101-500μm (63%) predominated in all samples collected, with fragments (79%) and fibres (18%) being the main morphologies of MPs found. The dominant particles found in the sediment were polypropylene (PP) and polyamide. The findings suggest that aquaculture practises may have an impact on the presence of microplastics (MPs) in bottom sediment, as these locations are well-known aquaculture areas for Perna veridis.
Identification of waste composition in Shopping Centre X in Central Jakarta City
Authors: Sandina N S Z , Purwaningrum P , Minarti A
Published: December 2023

Waste is an unavoidable by-product of most human activities. Central Jakarta City is one of the administrative cities in the centre of the Special Capital Region of Jakarta, where Shopping Centre X is situated, a place relied on by the local community to serve their needs and to facilitate community activities. Shopping Center X has ±4,478 active shops which occupy all of its 9 floors, built on an area of 47,760 m2 and the waste generated varies. The purpose of this study was to identify sources of waste, before analysing the waste generation and composition in Shopping Centre X. The waste composition is an illustration of each component contained in the waste produced, and it can be used as a basis for determining a proper waste management in Shopping Centre X. Sampling was carried out using the SNI 19-3694-1994 method, where the waste measurement was made using a sampling box for eight consecutive days. The results of field research showed that, the waste composition in Shopping Centre X consists of 77.42% nonorganic and 22.58% organic waste components. The average rate of waste generation in Shopping Centre X is 3.58 kg/shop/day. The primary data collection was done directly, through field surveys and sampling. Waste samples taken were based on store category grouping on all the 9 (nine) floors, representing the number of samples in Shopping Centre X.
A life cycle assessment of biological treatment scenario of municipal solid waste in developing country (case study: Makassar, Indonesia)
Authors: Muis R , Rachman I , Matsumoto T
Published: December 2023

Municipal Solid Waste Management (MSWM) is a significant challenge in developing countries, including Indonesia, where landfilling is the predominant waste treatment method. This study examines the case of Makassar City, where landfilling is still in use while composting is utilized to a limited extent. The research aims to evaluate and compare the environmental impact with three alternative scenarios involving biological treatment and life cycle assessment (LCA) processing. The scenarios were examined: Business as Usual Scenario (BaU), Landfill and Composting, Landfill and Anaerobic Digestion, Landfill, Composting, and Anaerobic Digestion. The study considers waste transportation, landfilling, anaerobic digestion, and composting within its system boundary, using annual waste processing as the functional unit. Environmental impacts assessed include global warming, acidification, and eutrophication. The findings indicate that the BaU scenario has the highest environmental impact, particularly regarding global warming, with 8,436,685.61 kg CO2eq/year emissions. On the other hand, alternative scenario 3, which incorporates landfill management, composting, and anaerobic digestion, shows a relatively lower Global Warming Potential (GWP) emission. However, further measures are needed to effectively reduce emissions, such as implementing a cover for the compost pile and arranging the mixing.
Environmental Carrying Capacity Assessment for Coastal Tourism Hub in Sekotong, West Lombok
Authors: Farhan Lalu A. , Buchori Imam , Sari Suzanna R.
Published: December 2023

Coastal tourism is a tourism market segment that is increasing in popularity. The said increase happened due to coastal destinations’ ability to give visitors a tranquil and isolated atmosphere. This trend often triggered excessive coastal developments that could strain and cause irreparable damage to the local coastal ecosystem. Previous findings stated that a local environmental carrying capacity assessment needs to be formulated before a physical development can be exercised. Sekotong is a district in West Lombok that has the potential to be developed as a coastal tourism hub. It is located by the Lombok Strait that has good surfing waves and a beautiful seascape. This region is projected to experience a drastic visitor increase in the coming years. These potentials and increasing visitor number projections could attract physical development interests in the future. This study aims to assess local environmental carrying capacity, especially regarding coastal tourism activities. A quantitative approach utilizing statistical data and remote sensing tools is done to assess the physical and real carrying capacity models. The assessment shows that the study area can endure tourism development that is aimed to satisfy 3.087,57 individuals. This number represents the local ecosystem’s limit to endure future development plans and is expected to be referenced in future physical development plans in Sekotong. This study is also hoped to contribute to local coastal environment sustainability.
Innovative and Inclusive Spatial Development Model of World Cultural Heritage Site: A Case of Subak Jatiluwih-Bali
Authors: Vipriyanti Nyoman U. , Rustiarini Ni W. , Komalasari Yeyen , Citra Made E. A. , Ridha Rasyid , Puspawati Dewa A.
Published: December 2023

The development of world cultural heritage areas into tourist attractions often faces land conversion problems, social and environmental pressures. The phenomenon of migration, exclusivity and loss of local characteristics cannot be avoided. Therefore, studies are needed that are able to find better solutions for developing world cultural heritage areas in order to achieve sustainability. This research aims to examine Subak’s participation in preserving the world cultural heritage area in Bali and develop appropriate strategies for the sustainability of this site. Data was analyzed using the SWOT method. The research results show that farmer participation in preserving world heritage sites is at a high level. There are several weaknesses in developing cultural heritage areas in Jatiluwih, namely the lack of variety of tourist attractions and climate change which threatens rice planting patterns in rice fields. Even though farmers feel the impact of climate change, they have not yet made changes to planting patterns as an effort to adapt to climate change so that it will have an impact on the quality of crops in the future. Innovative and inclusive spatial models must be based on climate change, IoT developments and the image of the subak world cultural heritage site.
Relationship Between Economic Security and Waste Processing Levels Among EU Countries
Authors: Khadzhynova O.
Published: December 2023

The article explores the relationship between economic security and the dynamics of waste processing among various groups in EU countries. The analysis of waste processing dynamics among EU countries was conducted both from the perspective of the type of processing (Energy recovery, Recycling) and from the perspective of the type of waste generation (recyclable wastes, mixed ordinary wastes, animal and mixed food waste, chemical and medical wastes). In addition, significant attention was paid to determining the relationship between the level of economic development and waste processing nationally among different EU countries. Using regression models, the magnitude of the average marginal impact of the level of economic growth on waste processing volumes among EU countries was determined.
Resource-process approach to the aquaculture industry development
Authors: Iermakova O , Mushka D , Filipishyna L , Sokil Y , Petruk A
Published: December 2023

Aquaculture is one of the most promising industries in the world. The relevance of the research topic is due to the fact that in order to effectively use the potential of this industry, the organizational and economic mechanisms for ensuring business processes in fish farming developed by world practice were studied. Business processes are considered in general for aquaculture. During the research, a resource-process matrix was developed for the aquaculture sector. The result of the study is the identified mechanisms for ensuring business processes in aquaculture, which can help improve the situation of this industry in Ukraine. As a conclusion, the relevance of applying an integrated approach based on business processes along the value chain in combination with resource provision is determined. Also, the research proposes organizational and economic mechanisms for the development of each link of the matrix "resources-processes" of the chain of value creation in the aquaculture sector.
Regionalized estimates of enteric methane emissions from cattle raised in Italian territory
Authors: Notarnicola B , Spizzirri U G , Renzulli P A , Astuto F , Di Capua R , De Molfetta M , Fosco D
Published: December 2023

Within the framework of the Extended Partnership "Economic-Financial Sustainability of Systems and Territories" (GRINS Project Spoke 1, WP3), this work proposes a regional estimate of the amount of enteric methane produced by cattle raised in the Italian territory. These data will be used to create national and regional datasets that will be an integral part of the AMELIA platform and will be freely available for use by both public and private managers for environmental impact assessments in the livestock sector. To this purpose, the IPCC (level 2) provides statistical models capable of evaluating this parameter, considering population, daily weight gain, animal weight, type of breeding, and dietary intake for each considered breed. In particular, in the calculation of enteric emissions, 37 pure breeds with different attitudes (milk, meat, and dual-purpose) have been considered, whose population is significant (>1%) at the national and/or regional level. For each individual breed, six classes have been considered, considering age and gender of the cattle. In addition, 22 crossbred breeds have been added, 21 specifics to each region and one at the national level. Regional emissions have been estimated by considering the average population of each breed in the period 2019-2022, normalizing the contributions of the individual species in a delimited territory and/or geographic area. In this way, six contributions have been calculated for each Italian region, representing a statistical assessment of the emissions that will subsequently be confirmed in the field through direct measurements using innovative instrumental technologies. Overall, this analysis offers a comprehensive view of how regional factors, and the composition of cattle breeds can impact greenhouse gas emissions. These findings provide valuable guidance for advancing sustainability initiatives within the agricultural sector.
Corneal retardation time as an ocular hypertension disease indicator
Authors: del Barco Oscar , Ávila Francisco J , Marcellán Concepción , Remón Laura
Published: December 2023

Objective. A detailed analysis of the corneal retardation time τ as a highly related parameter to the intraocular pressure (IOP), and its plausible role as an indicator of ocular hypertension disease. Approach. A simple theoretical expression for τ is derived within the corneal viscoelastic model of Kelvin-Voigt with 3 elements. This retardation time can be easily calculated from the well-known signal and pressure amplitudes of non-contact tonometers like the Ocular Response Analyzer (ORA). Then, a population-based study was performed where 100 subjects aged from 18 to 30 were analyzed (within this group, about 10% had an elevated IOP with more than 21 mmHg). Main results. A clear relationship between the corneal retardation time and the corneal-compensated intraocular pressure (IOPcc) was found, underlying the risk for ocular hypertensive (OHT) subjects with lower τ values to develop hypertension illnesses (due to the inability of poorly viscoelastic corneas to absorb IOP fluctuations, resulting in probable optic nerve damage). Significance. Our results might provide an useful tool to systematically discern which OHT patients (and even those with normal IOP values) are more likely to suffer glaucoma progression and, consequently, ensure an early diagnosis.
A note on the Wang’s conjecture for a nonlinear Neumann problem on unit ball
Authors: Ou Qianzhong
Published: December 2023

We present a very simple proof of some uniqueness results for positive harmonic functions on the unit ball satisfying a nonlinear Neumann boundary condition, which confirms partially the Wang’s conjecture in case

n
−
2

2

>
λ

\frac {n-2}{2}>\lambda

.
Evaluating long-term water storage trends in small catchments and aquifers from a joint inversion of 20 years of GRACE/GRACE-FO mission data
Authors: Kvas A , Boergens E , Dobslaw H , Eicker A , Mayer-Guerr T , Güntner A
Published: December 2023

More than 20 yr of measurement data of the gravity missions GRACE (Gravity Recovery And Climate Experiment) and GRACE-FO (GRACE-Follow-On) allow detailed investigations of long-term trends in continental terrestrial water storage (TWS). However, the spatial resolution of conventional GRACE/GRACE-FO data products is limited to a few hundred kilometres which restrains from investigating hydrological trends at smaller spatial scales. In this study GRACE and GRACE-FO data have been used to calculate TWS trends with maximized spatial resolution. Conventionally, GRACE/GRACE-FO is presented as a series of either unconstrained gravity fields post-processed with spatial low pass filters or constrained inversions commonly known as Mascon products. This paper demonstrates that both approaches to suppress spatially correlated noise are mathematically equivalent. Moreover, we demonstrate that readily inverting all available sensor data from GRACE/GRACE-FO for a single TWS trend map, together with annual variations and a mean gravity field, provides additional spatial detail not accessible from the standard products. The variable trade-off between spatial and temporal resolution as a unique feature of satellite gravimetry allows for gravity products that are tailored towards specific geophysical applications. We show additional signal content in terms of long-term water storage trends for four dedicated examples (Lake Victoria, Northwest India, Bugachany Reservoir and High Plains Aquifer) for which external information from other remote sensing instruments corroborates the enhanced spatial resolution of the new mean-field trend product.
The Billirud Mill Blastomycosis Outbreak: Comparison to Historical Controls
Authors: Van Howe Robert S
Published: December 2023

A large outbreak of blastomycosis among paper mill workers in Escanaba, Michigan began with the first cases reported on February 28, 2023 and expanded to 120 cases. Analysis of baseline regional data and the data collected during this unprecedented outbreak provide insight on the outbreak's unique characteristics. The Michigan Disease Surveillance System provided descriptive and outcome data on blastomycosis cases in the Upper Peninsula from 2007 through 2022 and the 2023 outbreak. Baseline incidence for the region was estimated and outbreak cases were compared to historic controls using quantitative methods such as t-tests, chi-square, and Poisson and logistic regression. The Billirud blastomycosis outbreak has resulted in 28 confirmed and 92 probable cases. Blastomycosis incidence for the Upper Peninsula was 2.13 (95%CI: 1.75, 2.59) per 100,000 person-years with counties bordering Wisconsin having a higher incidence more than other counties (4.56, 95%CI: 3.48, 5.97; RR=3.46, 95%CI: 2.35, 5.11). Outbreak cases were significantly younger, more likely to be male, reported more respiratory symptoms, and had a shorter time from onset of illness to diagnosis. The Billirud paper mill blastomycosis outbreak is the largest reported to date, the first in an industrial facility, and the first to specifically involve Blastomyces gilchristii. Blastomyces species are endemic in regional forests, so other facilities handling forestry products may be at risk.
Banking on Carbon: Corporate Lending and Cap-and-Trade Policy
Authors: Ivanov Ivan T , Kruttli Mathias S , Watugala Sumudu W
Published: December 2023

We estimate the effect of carbon pricing policy on bank credit to greenhouse-gas-emitting firms. Our analyses exploit the geographic restrictions inherent in California’s cap-and-trade bill and a discontinuity in the embedded free permit threshold of the federal Waxman-Markey cap-and-trade bill. Affected high emission firms face shorter loan maturities, lower access to permanent forms of bank financing, higher interest rates, and higher participation of shadow banks in their lending syndicates. These effects are concentrated among private firms, while credit terms of public firms are largely unaffected. Overall, we show that banks respond quickly to realizations of transition risk.
Using eHealth Data to Inform CPD for Medical Practitioners: A Scoping Review with a Consultation Exercise with International Experts
Authors: Pizzuti Carol , Palmieri Cristiana , Shaw Tim
Published: December 2023

Introduction:

eHealth data analytics is widely used in health care research. However, there is limited knowledge on the role of eHealth data analysis to inform continuing professional development (CPD). The aim of this study was to collate available research evidence on the use of eHealth data for the development of CPD programs and plans for medical practitioners.

Methods:

A scoping review was conducted using the six-stage Arksey and O'Malley Framework. A consultation exercise (stage 6) was performed with 15 international experts in the fields of learning and practice analytics to deepen the insights.

Results:

Scoping review.The literature searches identified 9876 articles published from January 2010 to May 2022. After screening and full-text review, a total of nine articles were deemed relevant for inclusion. The results provide varied—and at times partial or diverging—answers to the scoping review research questions.Consultation exercise.Research rigor, field of investigation, and developing the field were the three themes emerged from analysis. Participants validated the scoping review methodology and confirmed its results. Moreover, they provided a meta-analysis of the literature, a description of the current CPD ecosystem, and clear indications of what is and should be next for the field.

Discussion:

This study shows that there is no formal or well-established correlation between eHealth data and CPD planning and programming. Overall findings fill a gap in the literature and provide a basis for further investigation. More foundational work, multidisciplinary collaborations, and stakeholders' engagement are necessary to advance the use of eHealth data analysis for CPD purposes.
High-Grade Spindle Cell Sarcoma of the Scalp With an MGA::NUTM1 Gene Fusion in a Pediatric Patient
Authors: Arellano Zameza Priscila , Karklins Samantha P. , Pena Joseph , Bowers Nathan L. , Samman Abdulhadi , Ahn Christine , Sangueza Omar P.
Published: December 2023

NUT carcinoma (NC) is a rare and aggressive neoplasm associated with a poor prognosis. NC is characterized by a NUTM1-rearrangement on chromosome 15q14, commonly fused with the BRD4 or BRD3 gene. A rare subset of NC defined by fusion of NUTM1 with the MGA gene has been identified, showing mesenchymal differentiation on histology. Few cases of spindle cell sarcomas harboring MGA::
NUTM1 gene fusions have been reported in the literature. We describe a case of spindle cell sarcoma harboring an MGA::
NUTM1 fusion in a 6-year-old male patient. In contrast to typical cases of spindle cell carcinomas or NC, NUTM1 fusion-positive sarcomas are associated with a better prognosis. This report highlights the importance of diagnostic workup of undifferentiated neoplasms, as identification of the MGA::
NUTM1 fusion in spindle cell sarcoma could be used in treatment algorithms and lead to better outcomes, to the benefit of patients.
Thyroid Eye Disease: Epidemiology, Natural History, and Risk Factors
Authors: Bartalena Luigi , Gallo Daniela , Tanda Maria Laura , Kahaly George J.
Published: December 2023

Background:

Thyroid eye disease (TED) is an autoimmune disorder of the orbit and the most frequent extrathyroidal manifestation of Graves’ disease but it may rarely occur in euthyroid/hypothyroid patients with chronic autoimmune thyroiditis.

Epidemiology:

TED is a relatively infrequent disorder, particularly in its severe forms. Men tend to have more severe TED at an older age. The prevalence of TED is lower than in the past among patients with recent onset Graves’ hyperthyroidism, and moderate-to-severe forms requiring aggressive treatments are no more than 5% to 6% of all cases.

Natural history:

After an initial inflammatory (active) phase and a plateau phase, TED stabilizes and eventually inactivates (inactive or burnt-out phase) after an estimated period of 18–24 months. Minimal-to-mild TED often remits spontaneously, but complete restitutio ad integrum almost never occurs when TED is more than mild.

Risk factors:

Several risk factors contribute to its development on a yet undefined genetic background. Cigarette smoking is the most important of them, but thyroid dysfunction (both hyper- and hypothyroidism), radioactive iodine therapy (if not accompanied by low-dose steroid prophylaxis), elevated thyrotropin receptor antibodies, and, probably, hypercholesterolemia represent relevant modifiable risk factors. Early diagnosis, control and removal of modifiable risk factors, and early treatment of mild forms of GO (local treatment and selenium) may effectively limit the risk of progression to more severe forms.
Assessing the contribution of plastic-associated obesogenic compounds to cardiometabolic diseases
Authors: Warger Jacob , Lucas Michaela , Lucas Andrew
Published: December 2023

Purpose of review

To present recent evidence that strengthens the concept that exogenous pollutants contribute to adipose dysfunction and increased rates of disease and to highlight the ineffective regulation of this risk as industry switches to related but similarly toxic variants.

Recent findings

Substitutes for common phthalates and the highly regulated bisphenol A (BPA) show similar deleterious effects on adipocytes. The well tolerated limit for BPA exposure has been reduced in Europe to below the level detected in recent population studies. Additionally, the role for BPA-induced inflammation mediated by interleukin 17a has been described in animal and human studies.

Despite experimental and associative evidence that supports plastics and plastic associated chemicals deleteriously influencing adipose homeostatasis and contributing to metabolic diseases, structurally related alternate chemicals are being substituted by manufacturers to circumvent trailing regulatory actions.
Freeing and Stretching the Palatine Vessels From the Greater Palatine Foramen in Palatoplasty
Authors: Hwang Kun , Lee Se Il , Han Seung-Ho
Published: December 2023

The aim of this paper is to present how to free and stretch the palatine vessels from the greater palatine foramen in palatoplasty. After a mucoperiosteal flap is raised, periosteal elevator is passed behind the palatine vessels to detach the periosteum around the vessels. Then, a blunt right-angle instrument is placed behind the palatine vessels, and the vessels are pulled from the foramen in the superior aspect, slightly forward (63 degrees) and medially (19 degrees) according to the direction to the greater palatine canal (GPC). The nasal mucosa is also released from the hard palate and from the lateral pharyngeal wall. After dividing the palatal aponeurosis and elevating the anterior flap, the first suture is inserted through the nasal layer of the mucosa at the level of the posterior border of the hard palate (A suture). The nasal layer is approximated and sutured. After the closure of the buccal layer, the 2 posterior flaps are joined to the small anterior flap. Finally, A suture is tied. In 60 cases of pushback palatoplasty, the palatine vessels were stretched from the greater palatine foramen. In literatures, the length of GPC is 26.97 mm. Anteroposterior diameter of the upper opening of GPC is 3.88 mm. The angle between the vertical plane and the axis of GPC is 19.09 degrees. The angle between the transverse plane and the axis of GPC is 62.63 degrees. Probably, this information is the values obtained in adults. As a matter of fact, similar values were obtained in our study on this subject.
Gene expression patterns of
Salpa thompsoni
reveal remarkable differences in metabolism and reproduction near the Antarctic Polar Front
Authors: Müller Svenja J. , Pakhomov Evgeny A. , Urso Ilenia , Sales Gabriele , De Pittà Cristiano , Michael Katharina , Meyer Bettina
Published: December 2023

Salpa thompsoni
is an important grazer in the Southern Ocean and most abundant in the Antarctic Polar Front (APF) region. During recent decades, their distribution expanded southwards. However, it is unclear whether salps can maintain their populations in the high Antarctic regions throughout the year owing to a poor understanding of their physiological responses to changing environmental conditions. We examined gene expression signatures of salps collected in two geographically close regions south of the APF that differed in water mass composition and productivity. The observed differences in the expression of genes related to reproductive, cellular and metabolic processes reflect variations in water temperature and food supply between the two regions studied here. Our study contributes to a better understanding of the physiological responses of
S. thompsoni
to changing environmental conditions, and how the species may adapt to a changing environment through potential geographical population shifts under future climate change scenarios.
Andrew David Hamilton Wyllie. 24 January 1944—26 May 2022
Authors: Arends Mark J. , Stanley Margaret
Published: December 2023

Andrew Wyllie graduated from the University of Aberdeen, becoming an academic pathologist in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Cambridge. He was the co-discoverer of apoptotic cell death, having observed single cells dying following carcinogen exposure. Together with Alastair Currie and John Kerr, he realized the profound importance of this novel mode of cell death that showed a distinctive series of morphological changes, which he first described as a new cell death process. Wyllie and Currie introduced the term ‘apoptosis’ for this cell death process in a seminal paper in 1972. Another landmark discovery was of chromatin fragmentation in apoptosis, due to activation of an endogenous endonuclease that caused internucleosomal DNA cleavage (‘chromatin laddering’), which was the first biochemical mechanism of apoptosis described. He further characterized chromatin fragmentation in the 1980s, followed by investigations of cell surface changes to produce ‘eat-me’ signals to trigger rapid phagocytosis of the apoptotic cells and bodies, intracellular calcium ion signalling, caspase activation and other mechanisms of apoptosis. His cancer research helped identify the location of
APC
and generated his demonstration that apoptosis was regulated by oncogenes
MYC
and
RAS
and by tumour suppressor genes, such as
TP53
. He showed how apoptosis occurred in response to DNA damage and was a key process influencing both carcinogenesis and tumour growth. Andrew made a major scientific observation that changed the understanding of how cells die in health and disease, although it took time for the scientific establishment to understand its fundamental importance. Andrew Wyllie is widely known as the ‘Father of Apoptosis’.
A registered report testing the effect of sleep on Deese-Roediger-McDermott false memory: greater lure and veridical recall but fewer intrusions after sleep
Authors: Mak Matthew H. C. , O'Hagan Alice , Horner Aidan J. , Gaskell M. Gareth
Published: December 2023

Human memory is known to be supported by sleep. However, less is known about the effect of sleep on false memory, where people incorrectly remember events that never occurred. In the laboratory, false memories are often induced via the Deese-Roediger-McDermott (DRM) paradigm where participants are presented with wordlists comprising semantically related words such as
nurse
,
hospital
and
sick
(studied words). Subsequently, participants are likely to falsely remember that a related lure word such as
doctor
was presented. Multiple studies have examined whether these false memories are influenced by sleep, with contradictory results. A recent meta-analysis suggests that sleep may increase DRM false memory when short lists are used. We tested this in a registered report (
N
= 488) with a 2 (Interval: Immediate versus 12 h delay) × 2 (Test Time: 9:00 versus 21:00) between-participant DRM experiment, using short DRM lists (
N
= 8 words/list) and free recall as the memory test. We found an unexpected time-of-day effect such that completing free recall in the evening led to more intrusions (neither studied nor lure words). Above and beyond this time-of-day effect, the Sleep participants produced fewer intrusions than their Wake counterparts. When this was statistically controlled for, the Sleep participants falsely produced more critical lures. They also correctly recalled more studied words (regardless of intrusions). Exploratory analysis showed that these findings cannot be attributed to differences in output bias, as indexed by the number of total responses. Our overall results cannot be fully captured by existing sleep-specific theories of false memory, but help to define the role of sleep in two more general theories (Fuzzy-Trace and Activation/Monitoring theories) and suggest that sleep may benefit gist abstraction/spreading activation on one hand and memory suppression/source monitoring on the other.
Optimized preparation of activated carbon with high porosities based on puck shells (
Afrostyrax lepidophyllus
) by response surface methodology and physico-chemical characterization
Authors: Nzetchuen Kouahou Gédéon , Fotsop Cyrille Ghislain , Adoum Amola Liouna , Donlifack Atemkeng Cyrille , Kamdem Tamo Arnaud , Teikam Kenda Georges , TIEGAM TAGNE Rufis Fregue , Kamgaing Theophile
Published: December 2023

From recent research, lignocellulosic materials assert themselves as good precursors for the manufacture of highly carbonaceous and porous materials. Hence, the perspective of this work is the preparation of the low-cost activated carbons (ACs) based on puck shells (
Afrostyrax lepidophyllus
) with a large surface area. To achieve this, chemical activation using phosphoric acid and sodium hydroxide as an activating agent was carried out. The response surface methodology through Box–Behnken design was used to optimize the preparation conditions. Box–Behnken design was used to optimize the preparation conditions. The factors whose influences have been studied are the concentration of activating agent (0.5–1.5 mol l
−1
), the carbonization temperature (300–500°C) and the residence time (30–100 min). The AC obtained by phosphoric acid was named CRP and impregnated with sodium hydroxide CRB. The ideal conditions for the preparation of the ACs obtained from the maximum iodine number (647.29 for CRP and 575.15 mg g
−1
for CRB) were: 1.5 mol l
−1
for the concentration of activating agent at a carbonization temperature of 500°C during 62 min for CRP and 0.85 mol l
−1
for the concentration of activating agent at a carbonization temperature of 500°C during 59 min for CRB. These two materials prepared were characterized by several techniques pH at the point of zero charge (pHpzc), Boehm titration, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, XRD analysis, BET method, Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy, which confirmed the acidic nature of CRP and the basic nature of CRB carbons. The specific surface of the micropores was 509.05 and 27.53 m
2
g
−1
, respectively. It provides a new valorization of agricultural waste for the preparation of effective-cost microporous ACs as an adsorbent that can be applied in water treatment industries.