bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Staring at the Sun with the Keck Planet Finder: An Autonomous Solar Calibrator for High Signal-to-noise Sun-as-a-star Spectra
Authors: Rubenzahl Ryan A. , Halverson Samuel , Walawender Josh , Hill Grant M. , Howard Andrew W. , Brown Matthew , Ida Evan , Tehero Jerez , Fulton Benjamin J. , Gibson Steven R. , Kassis Marc , Smith Brett , Wold Truman , Payne Joel
Published: December 2023

Extreme precision radial velocity (EPRV) measurements contend with internal noise (instrumental systematics) and external noise (intrinsic stellar variability) on the road to 10 cm s−1 “exo-Earth” sensitivity. Both of these noise sources are well-probed using “Sun-as-a-star” RVs and cross-instrument comparisons. We built the Solar Calibrator (SoCal), an autonomous system that feeds stable, disk-integrated sunlight to the recently commissioned Keck Planet Finder (KPF) at the W. M. Keck Observatory. With SoCal, KPF acquires signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) ∼ 1200, R = 98,000 optical (445–870 nm) spectra of the Sun in 5 s exposures at unprecedented cadence for an EPRV facility using KPF’s fast readout mode (<16 s between exposures). Daily autonomous operation is achieved by defining an operations loop using state machine logic. Data affected by clouds are automatically flagged using a reliable quality control metric derived from simultaneous irradiance measurements. Comparing solar data across the growing global network of EPRV spectrographs with solar feeds will allow EPRV teams to disentangle internal and external noise sources and benchmark spectrograph performance. To facilitate this, all SoCal data products are immediately available to the public on the Keck Observatory Archive. We compared SoCal RVs to contemporaneous RVs from NEID, the only other immediately public EPRV solar data set. We find agreement at the 30–40 cm s−1 level on timescales of several hours, which is comparable to the combined photon-limited precision. Data from SoCal were also used to assess a detector problem and wavelength calibration inaccuracies associated with KPF during early operations. Long-term SoCal operations will collect upwards of 1000 solar spectra per six-hour day using KPF’s fast readout mode, enabling stellar activity studies at high S/N on our nearest solar-type star.
A comprehensive study for improving the working parameters for the design of a PSA-based oxygen concentrator
Authors: Shrivastava Siddhant , Verma Abhishek , Ramkumar Janakarajan , Aryal Rupendra
Published: December 2023

Oxygen concentrators (OC) are medical devices that supply oxygen by separating nitrogen from the atmospheric air. The functionality of PSA-based OC majorly depends on internal pressure dynamics, cycle timing accuracy, orifice dimensioning for flow and pressure regulation, selection of zeolite, air moisture content, and others. This study aimed to develop an improved OC with sustainable performance by optimizing these key parameters. Initially, lithium and sodium-based zeolite adsorbents were experimentally compared, and it was determined that lithium-based 13X zeolite with particle size 0.4–0.8 mm is more effective for OC. An optimization study was performed for the orifice diameter for the required flow rate, purity, and pressure. The 1 mm hole diameter orifice was concluded to deliver the most optimal functionality. The results were validated via analytical and numerical study, which can further be interpolated for higher flow rate OC. After investigation, it was concluded that filters having zeolite with 10%–15% alumina would effectively remove moisture from the air for sustainable OC. An intensive experimental study was conducted to evaluate the cycle timing under optimum operating circumstances, and it was determined that the overall cycle timing is 12–14 s, with flushing accounting for 5%–8% and recharging accounting for 8%–10% of production time. The research developed 10 LPM OC with 95% purity, a recovery rate of 38.46%, and a BSF of 57.2 kgs/TPDO2. Later, the OC was certified by an ISO-13485 prototyping facility and tested in various hospitals, followed by commercialization. The system’s performance was found to be superior to that of other commercialized products.
Aesthetic Improvement of Body Proportion Through Trunk Liposculpture: A Waistline-based Strategy
Authors: Lv Qianwen , Gu Yunpeng , Sun Xuejian , Yang Mingzi , Li Jiyang , Xin Minqiang , Han Xuefeng , Ma Guie
Published: December 2023

Background

Abdominal contouring through liposuction has been practiced for decades. However, few studies have focused on describing the definition and enhancement of the waistline in torso contouring procedures.

Objectives

In the present study, the authors proposed a waistline-based strategy for abdominal liposculpture to achieve a better aesthetic outcome and emphasize high overall patient satisfaction.

Methods

The data of patients who underwent the waistline-based liposculpture procedure from 2020 to 2023 were retrospectively reviewed. Aesthetic improvement of the central trunk contour was evaluated and analyzed by comparing preoperative and postoperative photogrammetric measurements. Satisfaction with the outcome was assessed with a patient satisfaction questionnaire.

Results

A total of 70 patients were enrolled in this study. During 6 months of postoperative evaluation, the shape of the central trunk contour improved significantly (both waist concavity and hip convexity increased quantitatively, P < .05), while the position of the waist did not differ significantly postoperatively (P > .05). All patients were satisfied with their postoperative outcomes, including their overall aesthetic appearance, waistline position, and waist-to-hip ratio. There were no intraoperative complications or rare postoperative complications.

Conclusions

Waistline-based liposculpture is a simple and effective procedure to improve the aesthetic outcomes of trunk contouring and has highly satisfactory results after long-term follow-up.

Level of Evidence: 5
D2H2: diabetes data and hypothesis hub
Authors: Marino Giacomo B , Ahmed Nasheath , Xie Zhuorui , Jagodnik Kathleen M , Han Jason , Clarke Daniel J B , Lachmann Alexander , Keller Mark P , Attie Alan D , Ma’ayan Avi
Published: December 2023

Motivation

There is a rapid growth in the production of omics datasets collected by the diabetes research community. However, such published data are underutilized for knowledge discovery. To make bioinformatics tools and published omics datasets from the diabetes field more accessible to biomedical researchers, we developed the Diabetes Data and Hypothesis Hub (D2H2).

Results

D2H2 contains hundreds of high-quality curated transcriptomics datasets relevant to diabetes, accessible via a user-friendly web-based portal. The collected and processed datasets are curated from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). Each curated study has a dedicated page that provides data visualization, differential gene expression analysis, and single-gene queries. To enable the investigation of these curated datasets and to provide easy access to bioinformatics tools that serve gene and gene set-related knowledge, we developed the D2H2 chatbot. Utilizing GPT, we prompt users to enter free text about their data analysis needs. Parsing the user prompt, together with specifying information about all D2H2 available tools and workflows, we answer user queries by invoking the most relevant tools via the tools’ API. D2H2 also has a hypotheses generation module where gene sets are randomly selected from the bulk RNA-seq precomputed signatures. We then find highly overlapping gene sets extracted from publications listed in PubMed Central with abstract dissimilarity. With the help of GPT, we speculate about a possible explanation of the high overlap between the gene sets. Overall, D2H2 is a platform that provides a suite of bioinformatics tools and curated transcriptomics datasets for hypothesis generation.

Availability and implementation

D2H2 is available at: https://d2h2.maayanlab.cloud/ and the source code is available from GitHub at https://github.com/MaayanLab/D2H2-site under the CC BY-NC 4.0 license.
Is recovery just the beginning? Persistent symptoms and health and performance deterioration in post-COVID-19, non-hospitalized university students—a cross-sectional study
Authors: Latifi Ashkan , Flegr Jaroslav
Published: December 2023

Many individuals experience persistent symptoms such as deteriorated physical and mental health, increased fatigue, and reduced cognitive performance months after recovering from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). There is limited data on the long-term trajectory and prevalence of these symptoms, especially in milder cases. Our study aimed to assess the persistent effects of COVID-19 on physical and mental health, fatigue, and cognitive performance in a cohort of 214 students, averaging 21.8 years of age. Of these, 148 had contracted COVID-19 but were not hospitalized, with the time since infection ranging from 1 to 39 months. We utilized a comprehensive panel of cognitive tests to measure intelligence, memory, and psychomotor skills, and a detailed anamnestic questionnaire to evaluate physical and mental health. While contracting COVID-19 did not significantly impact overall health and performance, it was associated with increased reports of fatigue. However, the reported severity of the disease had a pronounced negative influence on physical health, mental well-being, fatigue, and reaction time. Trends of improvement in physical and mental health, as well as error rate, were observed within the first 2 years post-infection. However, fatigue and reaction time showed a trend of deterioration. Beyond the 2-year mark, physical health and error rate continued to improve, while mental health began to deteriorate. Fatigue and reaction time continued to decline. Overall, our findings suggest that some effects of contracting COVID-19 can persist or even deteriorate over time, even in younger individuals who had mild cases that did not require hospitalization.
Integrating direct electrical brain stimulation with the human connectome
Authors: Coletta Ludovico , Avesani Paolo , Zigiotto Luca , Venturini Martina , Annicchiarico Luciano , Vavassori Laura , Ng Sam , Duffau Hugues , Sarubbo Silvio
Published: December 2023

Neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions are a major public health concern for which new therapies are urgently needed. The development of effective therapies relies on the precise mapping of the neural substrates causally involved in behaviour generation. Direct electrical stimulation (DES) performed during cognitive and neurological monitoring in awake surgery is currently considered the gold standard for the causal mapping of brain functions. However, DES is limited by the focal nature of the stimulation sites, hampering a real holistic exploration of human brain functions at the network level.

We used 4137 DES points derived from 612 glioma patients in combination with human connectome data—resting-state functional MRI, n = 1000 and diffusion weighted imaging, n = 284—to provide a multimodal description of the causal macroscale functional networks subtending 12 distinct behavioural domains. To probe the validity of our procedure, we (i) compared the network topographies of healthy and clinical populations; (ii) tested the predictive capacity of DES-derived networks; (iii) quantified the coupling between structural and functional connectivity; and (iv) built a multivariate model able to quantify single subject deviations from a normative population. Lastly, we probed the translational potential of DES-derived functional networks by testing their specificity and sensitivity in identifying critical neuromodulation targets and neural substrates associated with postoperative language deficits.

The combination of DES and human connectome data resulted in an average 29.4-fold increase in whole brain coverage compared to DES alone. DES-derived functional networks are predictive of future stimulation points (97.8% accuracy) and strongly supported by the anatomical connectivity of subcortical stimulations. We did not observe any significant topographical differences between the patients and the healthy population at both group and single subject level. Showcasing concrete clinical applications, we found that DES-derived functional networks overlap with effective neuromodulation targets across several functional domains, show a high degree of specificity when tested with the intracranial stimulation points of a different stimulation technique and can be used effectively to characterize postoperative behavioural deficits.

The integration of DES with the human connectome fundamentally advances the quality of the functional mapping provided by DES or functional imaging alone. DES-derived functional networks can reliably predict future stimulation points, have a strong correspondence with the underlying white matter and can be used for patient specific functional mapping. Possible applications range from psychiatry and neurology to neuropsychology, neurosurgery and neurorehabilitation.
Verifying the Equivalence of Hawthorn Leaves Standard Decoction and Formula Granules by LC–MS and Oxidative Stress Test
Authors: Wang Ling-Di , Gao Jing-Yun , Duan Li-Ying , Pan Hai-Feng
Published: December 2023

Objective

To verify the equivalence of hawthorn leaves standard decoction and formula granules.

Methods

In this experiment, liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer (LC–MS) was used to examine the chemical composition of hawthorn leaves standard decoction and formula granules, separately. In addition, oxidative stress test was used to explore the antioxidant capacity of them.

Results

71 chemical components were identified by LC–MS. Among them, 64 and 56 compounds were identified in the standard decoction and formula granules, respectively. There were a total of 49 common components, with no significant difference in content. Oxidative stress test showed that hawthorn leaves standard decoction and formula granules had no obvious toxicity to human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Compared with the model group, the same dose of hawthorn leaves formula granule and standard decoction could inhibit the secretion of lactate dehydrogenase and malondialdehyde (P < 0.05), and increase the content of superoxide dismutase (P < 0.01), with no statistically significant difference.

Conclusions

There is no significant difference in the main active ingredients between the standard decoction and the formula granules, and the antioxidant activity in vitro is equivalent, providing an important theoretical basis for the further development of hawthorn leaves formula granules.
Ethnicity and IgA nephropathy: worldwide differences in epidemiology, timing of diagnosis, clinical manifestations, management and prognosis
Authors: Lee Mingfeng , Suzuki Hitoshi , Nihei Yoshihito , Matsuzaki Keiichi , Suzuki Yusuke
Published: December 2023

Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN), the most common primary glomerulonephritis, is one of the major causes of end-stage renal disease. Significant variances in epidemiology, clinical manifestation, timing of diagnosis, management and renal prognosis of IgAN have been reported worldwide. The incidence of IgAN is the most frequent in Asia, followed by Europe, and lower in Africa. Moreover, Asian patients show more frequent acute lesions in renal histology and present poorer renal outcomes compared with Caucasians. The comorbidities also show the difference between Asians and Caucasians. Although the frequency of gross hematuria with upper respiratory tract infection is not different, comorbidities with gastrointestinal diseases are reported to be higher in Europe. Recently, genetic studies for variant ethnic patients revealed widely ranging genetic risks in each ethnicity. A genetic risk score is most elevated in Asians, intermediate in Europeans and lowest in Africans, consistent with the disease prevalence of IgAN globally. Ethnic variance might be highly affected by the difference in genetic background. However, it is also essential to mention that the different timing of diagnosis due to variant urinary screening systems and the indication for renal biopsy in different countries may also contribute to these variances. The management of IgAN also varies internationally. Currently, several novel therapies based on the pathogenesis of IgAN are being assessed and are expected to become available soon. Further understanding the ethnic variance of IgAN might help establish individualized care for this disease. Here, we review the issues of ethnic heterogeneities of IgAN.
The contribution of a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) and other TNF superfamily members in pathogenesis and progression of IgA nephropathy
Authors: Yeo See Cheng , Barratt Jonathan
Published: December 2023

Advances in our understanding of the pathogenesis of immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) have led to the identification of novel therapeutic targets and potential disease-specific treatments. Specifically, a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of IgAN, mediating B-cell dysregulation and overproduction of pathogenic galactose-deficient IgA1 (Gd-IgA1). Animal and clinical studies support the involvement of APRIL in the pathogenesis and progression of IgAN. An elevated level of APRIL is found in IgAN when compared with controls, which correlates with the level of Gd-IgA1 and associates with more severe disease presentation and worse outcomes. Conversely, anti-APRIL therapy reduces pathogenic Gd-IgA1 and IgA immune complex formation and ameliorates the severity of kidney inflammation and injury. Genome-wide association studies in IgAN have identified TNFSF13 and TNFRSF13B, a cytokine ligand-receptor gene pair encoding APRIL and its receptor, respectively, as risk susceptibility loci in IgAN, further supporting the causal role of the APRIL signalling pathway in IgAN. Several novel experimental agents targeting APRIL, including atacicept, telitacicept, zigakibart and sibeprenlimab, are currently under investigation as potential therapies in IgAN. Preliminary results suggest that these agents are well-tolerated, and reduce levels of Gd-IgA1, with corresponding improvement in proteinuria. Further studies are ongoing to confirm the safety and efficacy of anti-APRIL approaches as an effective therapeutic strategy in IgAN.
The influence of tourist visitation on the heterophyl to lymphocyte ratios and trophic values of Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) at Martillo Island, Argentina
Authors: Harris Sabrina , Scioscia Gabriela , Raya Rey Andrea
Published: December 2023

Wildlife tourism is increasing worldwide and monitoring the impact of tourism on wild populations is of the utmost importance for species conservation. The Magellanic penguin Spheniscus magellanicus colony at Martillo Island, Argentina, was studied in the 2016–2020 breeding seasons. In all seasons, adults and chicks belonged to: (i) an area close to or within the tourist trail or (ii) an area far from the tourist trail and out of sight of the tourists. Blood samples were taken for carbon and nitrogen stable isotope composition, in order to estimate trophic niches, and for smears that were made in situ and were then stained in the laboratory where leucocyte counts and differentiation were made under optical microscope. Heterophil to lymphocyte ratios were used as proxies of stress. Repeated sampling showed individual stress levels reduced while wintering. In 2017, stress levels and trophic values were lower than 2018 for the same individuals. Trophic levels did not differ between tourism and no tourism areas within each season, and differed between 2017 and the remaining seasons, indicating a possible diet shift that year. Stress levels were higher for the tourism area than the no tourism area for adults and chicks in all years except for 2020, when stress levels in the tourism area were lower and similar to the no tourism area that year and previous years. Vessel transit within the Beagle Channel and tourist visitation to the penguin colony was greatly reduced in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. A combination of internal characteristics and external factors may be affecting the stress physiology of individuals. Therefore, future research should include sampling of multiple aspects of penguin physiology, behaviour and environmental context in order to evaluate each effect on Magellanic penguin stress and, ultimately, inform the conservation of this iconic species in time.
‘Trapped re-entry’ as source of acute focal atrial arrhythmias
Authors: De Coster Tim , Teplenin Alexander S , Feola Iolanda , Bart Cindy I , Ramkisoensing Arti A , den Ouden Bram L , Ypey Dirk L , Trines Serge A , Panfilov Alexander V , Zeppenfeld Katja , de Vries Antoine A F , Pijnappels Daniël A
Published: December 2023

Aims

Diseased atria are characterized by functional and structural heterogeneities, adding to abnormal impulse generation and propagation. These heterogeneities are thought to lie at the origin of fractionated electrograms recorded during sinus rhythm (SR) in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients and are assumed to be involved in the onset and perpetuation (e.g. by re-entry) of this disorder. The underlying mechanisms, however, remain incompletely understood. Here, we tested whether regions of dense fibrosis could create an electrically isolated conduction pathway (EICP) in which re-entry could be established via ectopy and local block to become ‘trapped’. We also investigated whether this could generate local fractionated electrograms and whether the re-entrant wave could ‘escape’ and cause a global tachyarrhythmia due to dynamic changes at a connecting isthmus.

Methods and results

To precisely control and explore the geometrical properties of EICPs, we used light-gated depolarizing ion channels and patterned illumination for creating specific non-conducting regions in silico and in vitro. Insight from these studies was used for complementary investigations in virtual human atria with localized fibrosis. We demonstrated that a re-entrant tachyarrhythmia can exist locally within an EICP with SR prevailing in the surrounding tissue and identified conditions under which re-entry could escape from the EICP, thereby converting a local latent arrhythmic source into an active driver with global impact on the heart. In a realistic three-dimensional model of human atria, unipolar epicardial pseudo-electrograms showed fractionation at the site of ‘trapped re-entry’ in coexistence with regular SR electrograms elsewhere in the atria. Upon escape of the re-entrant wave, acute arrhythmia onset was observed.

Conclusions

Trapped re-entry as a latent source of arrhythmogenesis can explain the sudden onset of focal arrhythmias, which are able to transgress into AF. Our study might help to improve the effectiveness of ablation of aberrant cardiac electrical signals in clinical practice.
Impella device in fulminant myocarditis: Japanese Registry for Percutaneous Ventricular Assist Device (J-PVAD) registry analysis on outcomes and adverse events
Authors: Nasu Takahito , Ninomiya Ryo , Koeda Yorihiko , Morino Yoshihiro
Published: December 2023

Aims

Given that fulminant myocarditis, characterized by unstable haemodynamics, is a significant clinical challenge and that traditional pharmacological treatments have limitations, evaluating alternatives such as the Impella device is a crucial focus of this study. Further, this study presents pioneering large-scale registry data on its use in managing fulminant myocarditis.

Methods and results

Data from the Japanese Registry for Percutaneous Ventricular Assist Devices (J-PVAD) were analysed to assess Impella’s role in managing fulminant myocarditis from February 2020 to December 2021. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality for those treated with Impella. Of the 269 patients treated with Impella, 107 used Impella standalone, and 162 used ECPELLA (Impella combined with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation). The average age was 54 years, with 42.8% females. Overall, 74.3% survived at 30 days. Specifically, the success rate was 68.5% for the ECPELLA group and 83.2% for the Impella standalone group. Cox regression highlighted that lower estimated glomerular filtration rate and pre-Impella systolic blood pressure increased adverse event risk, while Swan–Ganz catheterization use reduced it. Adverse events were noted in 48.7% of patients, such as bleeding (32.0%) and deteriorating renal function (8.6%).

Conclusion

Impella’s use in fulminant myocarditis demonstrates encouraging short-term outcomes, albeit with significant adverse events. These findings align with previous mechanical circulatory support studies, emphasizing caution regarding haemorrhagic issues. Further studies are essential to enhance patient selection and treatment approaches.
Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in adults with cardiac engagement: a case report and literature review
Authors: Massoud Linda , Westling Katarina , Fischer Marie , Najjar Emil
Published: December 2023

Background

Following infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, a post-infectious multisystem inflammatory syndrome in adults (MIS-A) has been identified. It affects multiple organ systems and can lead to multi-organic failure.

Case summary

This case report describes a patient with MIS-A with significant cardiac involvement including peri-myocarditis, pulmonary hypertension, right-sided heart failure, tricuspid regurgitation, and cardiogenic shock. After being diagnosed and treated correctly for MIS-A, the patient recovered completely, without any cardiac sequelae.

Discussion

The hyperinflammation in MIS-A can have cardiac engagement. Although more research is required to further clarify the underlying mechanisms, prompt diagnosis and anti-inflammatory treatment are crucial for better outcomes and cardiac recovery.
Modelling perspective on the climate footprint in south east Australian marine waters and its fisheries
Authors: Fulton Elizabeth A , Mazloumi Nastaran , Puckeridge Aaron , Hanamseth Roshan
Published: December 2023

South eastern Australia is a global warming hotspot, and is also home to ~70% of Australia’s population and one of Australia’s largest fisheries—the South East Scalefish and Shark Fishery. This fishery spans shelf to deep waters, subtropical to temperate waters, employs many gears, and interacts with over 100 species. Despite following best practice fisheries management principles, including taking an ecosystem perspective to overall fisheries interactions, management interventions have failed to arrest or recover the decline of some focal species. Using an Atlantis ecosystem model developed for the fishery over the past 20 years, this paper presents simulations that suggest climate change may be a major contributor to the trajectories seen for a number of species—such as jackass morwong (Nemadactylus macropterus), blue warehou (Seriolella brama), and gemfish (Rexea solandri). This kind of climate influence poses many challenges for fisheries management into the future, raising questions about what to do when climate change undermines or overrides fisheries management actions and objectives.
Super-resolution of positive near-colliding point sources
Authors: Liu Ping , Ammari Habib
Published: December 2023

In this paper, we analyze the capacity of super-resolution (SR) of one-dimensional positive sources. In particular, we consider a similar setting as in Batenkov et al. (2020, Inf. Inference, 10, 515–572) and restrict the results to the specific case of super-resolving positive sources. To be more specific, we consider resolving $d$ positive point sources with $p \leqslant d$ nodes closely spaced and forming a cluster, while the rest of the nodes are well separated. Our results show that when the noise level $\epsilon \lesssim \mathrm{SRF}^{-2 p+1}$, where $\mathrm{SRF}=(\varOmega \varDelta )^{-1}$ with $\varOmega $ being the cutoff frequency and $\varDelta $ the minimal separation between the nodes, the minimax error rate for reconstructing the cluster nodes is of order $\frac{1}{\varOmega } \mathrm{SRF}^{2 p-2} \epsilon $, while for recovering the corresponding amplitudes $\{a_j \}$, the rate is of order $\mathrm{SRF}^{2 p-1} \epsilon $. For the non-cluster nodes, the corresponding minimax rates for the recovery of nodes and amplitudes are of order $\frac{\epsilon }{\varOmega }$ and $\epsilon $, respectively. Compared with results for complex sources in Batenkov et al. (2020, Inf. Inference, 10, 515–572), our findings reveal that the positivity of point sources actually does not mitigate the ill-posedness of the SR problem. Although surprising, this fact does not contradict positivity’s significant role in the convex algorithms. In fact, our findings are consistent with existing convex algorithms’ stability results for resolving separation-free positive sources, validating their superior SR capabilities. Moreover, our numerical experiments demonstrate that the Matrix Pencil method perfectly meets the minimax rates for resolving positive sources.
Paul Graupe, Arthur Goldschmidt and the dispute over an Adriaen van Ostade painting in wartime France
Authors: Reed Victoria S
Published: December 2023

In 2023 the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, the collectors Susan and Matthew Weatherbie, and the heirs of the Jewish art dealers Paul Graupe and Arthur Goldschmidt reached a financial settlement over Adriaen van Ostade’s Customers Conversing in a Tavern. The museum had been alerted to a potential claim on the painting in 2017 while conducting research on promised gifts from the Weatherbies’ collection. At that time, the van Ostade was registered as a Nazi-era loss by the heirs of Graupe. Research revealed that it was handled by Graupe and his associate Goldschmidt when they were trying to flee Nazi-occupied Europe. This article provides insight into the working relationship of Graupe and Goldschmidt, and offers clues to the fate of other works of art placed in their custody which heirs of Holocaust victims may be seeking. It also offers a roadmap for museums navigating similar provenance research, donor relations and collection management questions.
Exploring wearable technology use and importance of health monitoring in the hazardous occupations of first responders and professional drivers
Authors: Tucker Sarah , Jonnalagadda Soundarya , Beseler Cheryl , Yoder Aaron , Fruhling Ann
Published: December 2023

Objectives: Hazardous materials (HAZMAT) pose risks to the health and safety of professionals involved with transportation and emergency responses. Two distinct occupational groups that encounter HAZMAT events are first responders and professional drivers. Wearable technology is a tool that can assist with monitoring the health of professionals involved in HAZMAT events. The aim of this study was to compare and evaluate the perceptions of first responders and professional drivers on wearable technology and attitudes toward health monitoring.

Methods: A survey was administered to first responders (n = 112) and professional drivers (n = 218). Statistical approaches included bivariate analysis, latent class analysis, logistic regression analysis, and path analysis for the variables of interest.

Results: There were significant differences between the groups in perceptions of the benefits of monitoring certain health indicators. Professional drivers were more likely to have a history of wearable technology use compared with first responders (odds ratio [OR] = 10.1; 95% CI, 4.42-22.9), reported greater exposure to HAZMAT (OR = 4.32; 95% CI, 2.24-8.32), and were more willing to have their health data monitored by someone other than themselves (OR = 9.27; 95% CI, 3.67-23.4). A multinomial regression model revealed that occupation was not a significant predictor of class preference for acceptance of monitoring specific health indicators.

Conclusions: Occupation appeared to be important but further analysis uncovered that characteristics of individuals within the occupations were more salient to the use of wearable technology. HAZMAT exposure, someone else monitoring health data, and experience with wearable technology use were found to be important factors for perceptions about benefits of health monitoring with wearable technology.
Risk of metabolic syndrome among law enforcement officers due to physical activity and posture behaviors
Authors: Johnson Marquell , Braun Saori , Hecimovich Michelle , Schultz Katrina , Bauer Chantal , Bohn Anna , Janot Jeff
Published: December 2023

Background: There are limited data on objectively measured activity and postural behaviors of law enforcement officers (LEOs) in relation to risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS).

Objectives: To examine the associations between objectively measured activity and postural behaviors and MetS risk among LEOs.

Methods: Thirty-one LEOs, mean (SD) age 33 (10) years, participated in the study. LEOs had their metabolic risk factors measured using blood samples after fasting for at least 10 hours prior to testing. Participants wore activity-monitoring devices for 7 consecutive days during on-duty and off-duty shifts. Eighteen participants adhered to wearing the devices. Descriptive statistics were used to determine means for all MetS risk factors; time in intensity-specific physical activity behaviors; and time in various postural shifts. Correlation analyses were employed to examine relationships between activity behaviors, postures, and MetS risk factors.

Results: Over half (51.6%; n = 16) of the participants had 2 or more positive MetS risk factors. Mean (SD) on-duty sedentary behavior was 273 (59) minutes compared with off-duty sedentary behavior of 401 (146) minutes. Mean on-duty moderate-intensity activity was 236 (40) minutes compared with off-duty moderate-intensity activity of 305 (80) minutes. Average on-duty sitting time was 435 (69) minutes compared with off-duty sitting time of 528 (142) minutes. Average on-duty standing time was 116 (43) minutes compared with off-duty standing time of 171 (51) minutes. There were negative correlations between on-duty sedentary activity and Systolic Blood Pressure (r = −0.48) and Diastolic Blood Pressure (r = −0.48), respectively.

Conclusions: Law enforcement officers have unfavorable activity and postural behaviors during a typical day regardless of working status and may be at risk for developing MetS.
Downstream influence of turbulent flow past vortex generators
Authors: Huang Yi-Xuan , Chung Ping-Han , Chung Kung-Ming , Huang Chih-Yung
Published: December 2023

Vortex generators (VGs) are typically positioned upstream of a boundary layer separation region. Their effectiveness depends on incoming flow conditions (Mach number, Reynolds number, and boundary layer characteristics), geometrical configuration (vane or ramp, height, width, and angle of incidence), and spacing. Device-induced vortices and following decay allow VGs to be used as a passive control device. This study uses pressure-sensitive paint to determine the global surface pressure pattern for a flat plate flow in the presence of VGs (counter-rotating vanes, co-rotating vanes and ramps). The freestream Mach number is 0.64 and 0.83. The ratio between the height of the VGs and the incoming boundary layer thickness is 0.2, 0.5, and 1.0. The standard deviation in the spanwise pressure in the streamwise direction is used to determine the downstream influence of turbulent flow past VGs. Increasing the height of VGs causes device-induced vortices to propagate farther downstream.
Incidence of anaphylaxis to YF-VAX® yellow fever vaccination: a retrospective evaluation of vaccine adverse event reports 1999–2018
Authors: McClenathan Bruce M , Taylor Jillian N , Housel Laurie A , Ryan Margaret
Published: December 2023

Background

The incidence of anaphylaxis after receipt of yellow fever (YF) vaccine is highly variable based upon previously published reports. Anaphylaxis after receiving the YF vaccine has been reported to range from 0 up to 22 per 1 000 000 doses. Our clinical experience suggested increased incidence, which prompted our investigation. We sought to evaluate the current incidence rate of anaphylaxis after receipt of the 17D-204 strain YF-VAX® brand reported in the US.

Methods

We performed a retrospective review of the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) reports of anaphylaxis after receiving the YF-VAX vaccine occurring between 1 October 1999 and 30 September 2018. We utilized the Brighton Collaboration Case Definition and inclusion determination was made by a board-certified allergist. We also obtained the total number of YF-VAX doses distributed across the US during this same time-period and then calculated an updated incidence rate of YF-VAX vaccine-associated anaphylaxis.

Results

We identified 132 potential cases of possible or probable anaphylaxis. Of these, 111 met inclusion criteria: level 1 (n = 51), level 2 (n = 59) and level 3 (n = 1). The manufacturer reported a total distribution of 7 624 160 doses of YF-VAX from 1 October 1999 to 30 September 2018. The calculated incidence rate of YF-VAX vaccine-associated anaphylaxis is estimated at 14.6 events per 1 000 000 doses.

Conclusions

We conclude the estimated rate of anaphylaxis per VAERS reports is 14.6 events per 1 000 000 doses after YF-VAX vaccination. This is consistent with some previous reports and substantially higher than rates of anaphylaxis after other vaccines.
Safety and effectiveness of peficitinib 100 mg/day in patients achieving clinical remission from a long-term open-label extension study in Japan, Korea, and Taiwan (RAJ2)
Authors: Tanaka Yoshiya , Takeuchi Tsutomu , Morita Yoshiaki , Kaneko Yuichiro , Terada Wataru
Published: December 2023

Objectives

This post hoc analysis of the RAJ2 study assessed long-term safety and effectiveness of peficitinib 100 mg/day for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Methods

Eligible patients previously completed two Phase 3 (RAJ3 and RAJ4) studies of peficitinib in Asia. All patients received peficitinib 100 mg/day at RAJ2 Week (W)0; dose change to 50 mg/day or 150 mg/day was permitted. Safety endpoints included treatment-emergent adverse events and laboratory test results. Effectiveness endpoints included peficitinib exposure pattern, achievement of Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) remission by peficitinib exposure pattern at W0 and W48, and association of demographics/characteristics with CDAI remission at W0 and W48.

Results

Overall, no new safety findings were reported at W48, and renal function was unaffected. Of patients included in effectiveness analyses at W48, 70.9% (451/636) had maintained peficitinib 100 mg/day since W0. Of patients who achieved CDAI remission at W0 and maintained peficitinib 100 mg/day to W48, 50.3% (79/157) maintained CDAI remission to W48. Low disease activity and a lower number of prior disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs were significantly associated with CDAI remission at W48.

Conclusions

Long-term peficitinib treatment at a dose of 100 mg/day was generally well tolerated and, following induction therapy, maintained effectiveness through to W48.
A Retrospective Study: Reduction of Anxiety Through Music Therapy During Hospitalization
Authors: Brown Chelsea S , Patmon Frances , Freilich Joshua , Heiderscheit Annie
Published: December 2023

This retrospective review of 56 charts of adult hospital patients examined verbal anxiety ratings (VAR) of premusic therapy- and post-music therapy sessions to report on the preliminary efficacy of live music interventions on anxiety. Due to the high rate of anxiety associated with hospitalization and its negative somatic and psychological effects, it is important that anxiety is assessed and treated by qualified professionals. Nonpharmacological approaches such as music therapy help to address the root of anxiety by providing a relaxation cue to patients’ parasympathetic nervous system and also address patients’ psychological concerns. This retrospective analysis explores the real-world evidence of music therapy for the treatment of hospital-associated anxiety symptoms through a review of all music therapy sessions with a charted verbal anxiety rating (VAR) ≥3 documented in the electronic health record. Paired samples t-test showed that music therapy sessions resulted in a statistically significant reduction in pre- and post-verbal anxiety rating; t(60) = 9.806, p < .001. This study demonstrates that music therapy is a feasible treatment modality for assessing and ameliorating self-reported anxiety symptoms in hospitalized adults.
The nuclease-associated short prokaryotic Argonaute system nonspecifically degrades DNA upon activation by target recognition
Authors: Lu Xueling , Xiao Jun , Wang Longfei , Zhu Bin , Huang Fengtao
Published: December 2023

Prokaryotic Argonautes (pAgos) play a vital role in host defense by utilizing short nucleic acid guides to recognize and target complementary nucleic acids. Despite being the majority of pAgos, short pAgos have only recently received attention. Short pAgos are often associated with proteins containing an APAZ domain and a nuclease domain including DUF4365, SMEK, or HNH domain. In contrast to long pAgos that specifically cleave the target DNA, our study demonstrates that the short pAgo from Thermocrispum municipal, along with its associated DUF4365-APAZ protein, forms a heterodimeric complex. Upon RNA-guided target DNA recognition, this complex is activated to nonspecifically cleave DNA. Additionally, we found that the TmuRE-Ago complex shows a preference for 5′-OH guide RNA, specifically requires a uridine nucleotide at the 5′ end of the guide RNA, and is sensitive to single-nucleotide mismatches between the guide RNA and target DNA. Based on its catalytic properties, our study has established a novel nucleic acid detection method and demonstrated its feasibility. This study not only expands our understanding of the defense mechanism employed by short pAgo systems but also suggests their potential applications in nucleic acid detection.
A tailed mirtron promotes longevity in Drosophila
Authors: Khanal Sweta , de Cruz Matthew , Strickland Britton , Mansfield Kody , Lai Eric C , Flynt Alex
Published: December 2023

Thousands of atypical microRNAs (miRNAs) have been described in the genomes of animals; however, it is unclear if many of these non-canonical miRNAs can measurably influence phenotypes. Mirtrons are the largest class of non-canonical miRNAs that are produced from hairpins excised by splicing, which after debranching become substrates for Dicer and load into RISC. Most mirtrons require additional processing after splicing to remove ‘tail’ residues interposed between one of the host intron splice sites and base of the hairpin precursor structure. Despite most mirtrons requiring tail removal no function has been elucidated for a tailed species, indeed for all mirtrons identified function has only been assigned to a single species. Here we study miR-1017, a mirtron with a 3′ tail, which is well expressed and conserved in Drosophila species. We found that miR-1017 can extend lifespan when ectopically expressed in the neurons, which seems partly due to this miRNA targeting its host transcript, acetylcholine receptor Dα2. Unexpectedly we found that not only did miR-1017 function in trans but also in cis by affecting splicing of Dα2. This suggests a mechanism for mirtron evolution where initial roles of structural elements in splicing lead to secondary acquisition of trans-regulatory function.
Magnetic activity variability of nearby bright Sun-like stars by 4 yr intensive Hα line monitoring
Authors: Lee Sanghee , Notsu Yuta , Sato Bun’ei
Published: December 2023

We report intensive monitoring of the activity variability in the Hα line for 10 Sun-like stars using the 1.88 m reflector at Okayama Branch Office, Subaru Telescope, during the last four years (2019–2022). Our aim was to investigate features of the stellar magnetic activity behavior. We correlated the Hα line variability of each star with the stellar activity levels derived from the Ca ii H&K line, suggesting its efficiency as a magnetic activity indicator. In analyzing the Hα line variation, we observed that some stars exhibited linear or quadratic trends during the observation period. Among several G- and K-type stars expected to have co-existing activity cycles, we confirmed the 2.9 yr short cycle of ϵ Eri (K2V) from the Hα observations. Additionally, we established upper limits on the Hα variability of β Com (G0V) and κ1 Cet (G5V) concerning their expected shorter cycles. We also detected the possibility of short-term activity cycles in two F-type stars, β Vir (F9V; ∼530 d) and α CMi (F5IV-V; ∼130 d). The cycle in α CMi was observed in only one season of our 4 yr observations, suggesting the temporal absence of the cycle period. However, for stars with planets, we did not observe significant magnetic activity variability likely associated with the planetary orbital period. It is speculated that the impact of Hα variability on radial velocity (RV) measurements may vary with spectral type.
The extracellular vesicle proteomes of Sorghum bicolor and Arabidopsis thaliana are partially conserved
Authors: Chaya Timothy , Banerjee Aparajita , Rutter Brian D , Adekanye Deji , Ross Jean , Hu Guobin , Innes Roger W , Caplan Jeffrey L
Published: December 2023

Plant extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane-bound organelles involved mainly in intercellular communications and defense responses against pathogens. Recent studies have demonstrated the presence of proteins, nucleic acids including small RNAs, and lipids along with other metabolites in plant EVs. Here, we describe the isolation and characterization of EVs from sorghum (Sorghum bicolor). Nanoparticle tracking analysis, dynamic light scattering, and cryo-electron tomography showed the presence of a heterogeneous population of EVs isolated from the apoplastic wash of sorghum leaves. Cryo-electron microscopy revealed that EVs had a median size of 110 nm and distinct populations of vesicles with single or multiple lipid bilayers and low or high amounts of contents. The heterogeneity was further supported by data showing that only a subset of EVs that were stained with a membrane dye, Potomac Gold, were also stained with the membrane-permeant esterase-dependent dye, calcein acetoxymethyl ester. Proteomic analysis identified 437 proteins that were enriched in multiple EV isolations, with the majority of these also found in the EV proteome of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). These data suggest a partial conservation of EV contents and function between the monocot, sorghum, and a distantly related eudicot, Arabidopsis.
Boosting dark matter searches at muon colliders with machine learning: The mono-Higgs channel as a case study
Authors: Belfkir Mohamed , Jueid Adil , Nasri Salah
Published: December 2023

The search for dark matter (DM) candidates at high-energy colliders is one of the most promising avenues to understand the nature of this elusive component of the universe. Several searches at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) have strongly constrained a wide range of simplified models. The combination of the bounds from the LHC with direct-detection experiments exclude the most minimal scalar-singlet DM model. To address this, lepton portal DM models are suitable candidates where DM is predominantly produced at lepton colliders since the DM candidate only interacts with the lepton sector through a mediator that carries a lepton number. In this work, we analyze the production of DM pairs in association with a Higgs boson decaying into two bottom quarks at future muon colliders in the framework of the minimal lepton portal DM model. It is found that the usual cut-based analysis methods fail to probe heavy DM masses for both the resolved (where the decay products of the Higgs boson can be resolved as two well-separated small-R jets) and the merged (where the Higgs boson is clustered as one large-R jet) regimes. We have then built a search strategy based on boosted-decision trees (BDTs). We have optimized the hyperparameters of the BDT model to both have a high signal-to-background ratio and to avoid overtraining effects. We have found very important enhancements of the signal significance with respect to the cut-based analysis by factors of 8–50 depending on the regime (resolved or merged) and the benchmark points. Using this BDT model on a 1D parameter space scan, we found that future muon colliders with $\sqrt{s}=3$ TeV and ${\cal L} = 1~{\rm ab}^{-1}$ can exclude DM masses up to 1 TeV at the 95% confidence level.