cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The assessment of mangrove biomass and carbon in West Africa: a spatially explicit analytical framework

Mangrove forests are highly productive and have large carbon sinks while also providing numerous goods and ecosystem services. However, effective management and conservation of the mangrove forests are often dependent on spatially explicit assessments of the resource. Given the remote and highly dispersed nature of mangroves, estimation of biomass and carbon in mangroves through routine field-based inventories represents a challenging task which is impractical for large-scale planning and assessment. Alternative approaches based on geospatial technologies are needed to support this estimation in large areas. However, spatial data processing and analysis approaches used in this estimation of mangrove biomass and carbon have not been adequately investigated. In this study, we present a spatially explicit analytical framework that integrate remotely sensed data and spatial analyses approaches to support the estimation of mangrove biomass and carbon stock and their spatial patterns in West Africa. Forest canopy height derived from SRTM and ICESat/GLAS data was used to estimate mangrove biomass and carbon in nine West African countries. We developed a geospatial software toolkit that implemented the proposed framework. The spatial analysis framework and software toolkit provide solid support for the estimation and relative comparisons of mangrove-related metrics. While the mean canopy height of mangroves in our study area is 10.2 m, the total biomass and carbon were estimated as 272.56 and 136.28 Tg. Nigeria has the highest total mangrove biomass and carbon in the nine countries, but Cameroon is the country with the largest mean biomass and carbon density. The resulting spatially explicit distributions of mangrove biomass and carbon hold great potential in guiding the strategic planning of large-scale field-based assessment of mangrove forests. This study demonstrates the utility of online geospatial data and spatial analysis as a feasible solution for estimating the distribution of mangrove biomass and carbon at larger or smaller scales.
Continuum Diffuse-Interface Model for Modeling Microstructural Stability

The majority of advanced materials in practical applications are multiphase and/or polycrystalline, and their physical properties depend not only on the atomic structure and properties of each constituent phase, but also crucially on the nanoscale or microscale microstructure. A microstructure is characterized by (1) the number of phases and their volume fractions, and (2) the size, shape, distribution and orientation of each phase. Generally, a microstructure is thermodynamically unstable, or at most, metastable, and at a given temperature, it will evolve as a function of time towards equilibrium. The driving force for the temporal evolution of a microstructure usually consists of one or more of the following: (1) reduction in the bulk chemical free energy; (2) decrease of the total interfacial energy between different phases or between different orientation domains or grains of the same phase; (3) homogeneous and heterogeneous relaxation of the elastic strain energy generated by the lattice mismatch between different phases or different orientation domains; and (4) external fields such as applied stress, electrical, temperature and magnetic fields. The phase changes and resulted microstructural development driven by the decrease of the bulk chemical free energy is usually referred to as phase transformations whereas the microstructural evolution due to reduction in the total excess free energies associated with interfaces is called coarsening (or grain growth in polycrystalline materials). In coherent systems, however, elastic strain energy may play an important, and very often, a controlling role in the microstructural evolution during both phase transformations and coarsening.
Phase II trial of neoadjuvant exemestane [EXE] and celecoxib [CELE] in breast cancer: Results of biomarkers

11056 Background: Aromatase [CYP19] activity and expression is increased by prostaglandin E2, thus providing a rational for combining the COX-2 inhibitor, CELE, with an aromatase inhibitor. To eval...
A Cyclic Mimic of HIV Tat Differentiates Similar TAR RNAs on the Basis of Distinct Dynamic Behaviors.

Efforts toward the development of RNA-based drug leads have been challenging because of the complexity and dynamic nature of RNA structures as therapeutic targets. The transactivation response (TAR) RNA and cognate Tat protein of HIV have long been recognized as promising antiviral targets, and recent works have identified potentially potent inhibitors of the viral RNA–protein interaction. A new class of such inhibitors, conformationally constrained cyclic peptide mimetics of Tat, has been demonstrated to inhibit the HIV life cycle. We have previously probed the complexity and dynamics of TAR RNAs in their free states, as well as conformational shifting by various peptide and small molecule ligands. In this work, we have used an ultrafast dynamics approach to probe the interactions between TAR RNAs and one of the representatives of cyclic peptide inhibitors, L22. Our studies demonstrated that cyclic L22 specifically recognizes TAR RNAs with a unique single binding site compared to two binding sites for li...
Expression of the catalytic domain of myosin light chain kinase increases paracellular permeability

Contractile events resulting from phosphorylation of the 20-kDa myosin light chain (MLC20) have been implicated in the regulation of epithelial tight junction permeability. To address this question, Madin-Darby canine kidney cells were transfected with a murine leukemia retroviral vector containing DNA encoding either the catalytic domain of myosin light chain kinase (tMK) or the beta-galactosidase gene (beta-gal). Autoradiograms of sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis of myosin immunoprecipitated from 32Pi-labeled transfected cells demonstrated that MLC20 phosphorylation was increased 3.1 +/- 0.9-fold in cells expressing tMK compared with cells expressing beta-gal. Phosphopeptide mapping confirmed that myosin light chain kinase was responsible for the increased MLC20 phosphorylation. Transepithelial electrical resistance, a measurement of barrier function, of tMK cell monolayers was consistently < 10% (123 +/- 20 omega.cm2) of that of monolayers comprised of wild-type cells (1,456 +/- 178 omega.cm2) or cells expressing beta-gal (1,452 +/- 174 omega.cm2). Dual 22Na+ and [3H]mannitol flux studies indicated that the decrease in resistance in tMK cells was attributable to increased paracellular flow. These data support the idea that MLC20 phosphorylation by myosin light chain kinase is involved in regulating epithelial tight junction permeability.
Viscoelasticity of Rubber

Abstract A theory has been obtained for the viscoelastic behavior of rubber in the frequency range above that at which creep is important and below that at which it behaves like a hard solid. The rubber chains are treated as springs in a viscous medium, and a general expression is obtained for the contribution to modulus of a single section of chain as a function of its length and terminations. A statistical estimate is made of the number of chain segments having given length and terminations. A modulus function is found for the group of chains with each kind of termination, and these are added in the proper amounts to give the form of the modulus vs. frequency curve for any amount of cross-linking. Measurements of shear modulus were made on one apparatus at frequencies between 0.0125 and 750 cps. Agreement is good if a pure viscosity is added to the theory. However, at low frequencies the imaginary part of modulus does not decrease as much as predicted.
Are we at risk for heart disease because of normal iron status

A recent prospective three-year follow-up study of 1931 men in Finland demonstrated a significant 2.2-fold greater risk of acute myocardial infarct in 42- to 60-year-old men who had serum ferritin concentrations above 200 micrograms/dL. However, the mean plasma ferritin concentration in this population was high and the prevalence of hemochromatosis was unknown; these issues mitigate the suggestion that high-normal iron stores leads to heart disease.
SunShade: software-defined solar systems

Since the electric grid was not designed to support large-scale solar generation, current policies place hard caps on the number of solar systems that connect to the grid. Unfortunately, users are starting to hit these caps, which is restricting solar's natural growth. Software-defined solar (SDS) systems address the problem by dynamically regulating the power they inject into the grid, similar to TCP, to maximize the grid's available solar capacity, maintain grid stability, and fairly share the grid's solar capacity among users. By dynamically regulating solar "flows," SDS systems remove the need for policies that artificially cap solar systems, enabling any SDS system to freely connect to the grid. Our prototype SDS system, called SunShade, includes two new mechanisms that enable programmatic solar flow control: one that enforces an absolute limit on solar output, and one that enforces a relative limit on solar output as a fraction of the current maximum power point. We have implemented both mechanisms, and conducted a preliminary evaluation with an emulated solar panel using real weather traces with different insolation and temperature levels.
The State as the Regulator of FDI

An important factor shaping the regulatory framework and influencing the effectiveness of legal regulation of FDI is the nature of the institutions which have the power to deal with the area in question.1 An analysis of recent legal studies on foreign investment in the former USSR indicates that commentators perceive the ongoing process of transition to be a constant variable, in that they assume that the overall pattern of the present socioeconomic transformations — the transition — is a forward-oriented progressive process, one which presumably departs from the totalitarian past to a system which resembles western democracies. Furthermore, they tend to view the state in this process as a monolithic entity which is becoming, in a Weberian sense, ‘rational’.2 Thus, in the analysis of legal phenomena, this analytical unit — the state itself, which predetermines the overall direction of transition — is treated as an exogenous phenomenon. This chapter will employ an approach according to which this phenomenon will be treated as being endogenous. More specifically, we will suggest that the state — through processes of internal restructuring — can cause the regression of the transitional process and, accordingly, may impede the achievement of the optimal equlibrium of FDI regulation.
Chapter 7 – Omega 3 Fatty Acids Counterbalance Actions of Omega-6 Fatty Acids

Two types of essential vitamin-like nutrients, omega-3 (n–3) and omega-6 (n–6) fatty acids, provide useful biomarkers of health status, and they form potent bioactive eicosanoids that control transitions between healthy physiology and pathophysiology. The formation and action of some n–6 prostaglandins and leukotrienes are more intense than those with corresponding n–3 derivatives. Biomedical evidence interprets how eating sea foods, fish, and fish oil can lower the risk for progressive chronic disorders (e.g., arthritis, asthma, atherosclerosis, COPD, diabetes, heart attacks, and hypertension). Diminishing those disorders delays the condition some call ageing. This article describes tools for making explicit informed food choices that help each person alter their own physiology with voluntary food choices. It gives insight into how a balance of foods from the land and the sea gives better balanced human health.
TCT-200 ECMO for hemodynamic support in patients with profound cardiogenic shock: experience and outcomes from a large single center

We sought to evaluate the outcomes of ECMO in a variety of clinical settings among patients presenting in cardiogenic shock and/or respiratory failure and underwent emergent venous-arterial (VA) ECMO and/or venous-venous (VV) ECMO placement. We retrospectively analyzed data from 163 consecutive
On the Cloud Seeding Potential of the Black Hills

Four of the past five years have seen below normal precipitation and the decrease of water resources in one of the main reservoirs in the Black Hills. At the same time, recent publications of research results have indicated favorable effects of cloud seeding in winter/spring orographic cloud situations. Although the degree to which these results would apply to the Black Hills is not known, discussion of the potential of cloud seeding to the Black Hills is appropriate, because instrumentation, computer, and modeling developments make the prospects of a definitive research and operational cloud seeding project a definite possibility. This paper summarizes some of the background material needed to plan for cloud seeding in the Black Hills to enhance the water resources of the area.
Burst Noise and Walkout in Degraded Silicon Devices

Two effects, burst noise and walkout, that often accompany soft breakdown in silicon devices are discussed in this paper. It is shown that these effects are present in some devices as soon as they are manufactured and that these effects can be induced in other devices by high temperature storage or by the prolonged passage of large forward currents. The two effects are described and models of the mechanisms are presented. The models assume that both effects originate at the silicon-oxide to silicon interface and result from a stress-induced n+ accumulation layer at the surface of the n silicon.
Vesicovaginal Fistula Repair

Vesicovaginal fistula is a rare but feared complication of hysterectomy and other major pelvic surgery in the developed world; it is a devastating complication of obstructed labor in the developing world. This chapter presents a representative case and reviews the preoperative evaluation and surgical technique required to assure successful repair. Vesicovaginal fistula presents an ideal challenge to the surgeon versed in native tissue repairs as traditional, time-honored procedures remain the gold standard.
Preserving the Facial Nerve During Orbitozygomatic Craniotomy: Surgical Anatomy Assessment and Stepwise Illustration.

Objective Surgical safety and efficiency during an orbitozygomatic (OZ) osteotomy rely on thorough knowledge of the surgical anatomy of the facial nerve. Although the anatomy of the facial nerve and its relation to the pterional craniotomy are described, a thorough assessment of facial nerve preservation techniques during the OZ approach and its variations is lacking. We assessed the surgical anatomy of the facial nerve related to the OZ approach and provided a thorough stepwise description on how to preserve it. Methods The OZ approach was performed bilaterally in 15 cadaveric heads. The interfascial and subfascial techniques were performed to study their nuances in preserving the facial nerve. We compared the 2 techniques and provided a thorough description on how to preserve the facial nerve during each step of the OZ approach. Results At the zygomatic arch, the facial nerve was found between the galea and the superficial temporal fascia. A cut in the fascia at the posterior end of the zygomatic arch did not cross any facial nerve branches. The subfascial technique was simpler, more efficient, and provided more structural protection of the facial nerve branches than the interfascial technique. Conclusions The frontal division of the facial nerve is related directly to dissection over the zygomatic bone and may be injured during fascial dissection or osteotomies. Both interfascial and subfascial techniques are feasible to use during the OZ craniotomy and provide ample exposure of the OZ unit. Regarding the preservation of the facial nerve branches, we favor the subfascial method.
Using Chief Complaint in Addition to Diagnosis Codes to Identify Falls in the Emergency Department.

Objectives To compare incidence of falls in an emergency department (ED) cohort using a traditional International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) code–based scheme and an expanded definition that included chief complaint information and to examine the clinical characteristics of visits “missed” in the ICD-9-based scheme. Design Retrospective electronic record review. Setting Academic medical center ED. Participants Individuals aged 65 and older seen in the ED between January 1, 2013, and September 30, 2015. Measurements Two fall definitions were applied (individually and together) to the cohort: an ICD-9-based definition and a chief complaint definition. Admission rates and 30-day mortality (per encounter) were measured for each definition. Results Twenty-three thousand eight hundred eighty older adult visits occurred during the study period. Using the most-inclusive definition (ICD-9 code or chief complaint indicating a fall), 4,363 visits (18%) were fall related. Of these visits, 3,506 (80%) met the ICD-9 definition for a fall-related visit, and 2,664 (61%) met the chief complaint definition. Of visits meeting the chief complaint definition, 857 (19.6%) were missed when applying the ICD-9 definition alone. Encounters missed using the ICD-9 definition were less likely to lead to an admission (42.9%, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 39.7–46.3%) than those identified (54.4%, 95% CI = 52.7–56.0%). Conclusion Identifying individuals in the ED who have fallen based on diagnosis codes underestimates the true burden of falls. Individuals missed according to the code-based definition were less likely to have been admitted than those who were captured. These findings call attention to the value of using chief complaint information to identify individuals who have fallen in the ED—for research, clinical care, or policy reasons.
Evaluation of Beauveria bassiana for Control of Oebalus pugnax (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in Rice

Isolates of Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin were tested for biological control of rice stink bug, Oebalus pugnax (F.), in the laboratory, in small-plot field experiments compared with conven...
Narcissism and mate value: Is beauty in the eye of the narcissistic beholder?

Abstract Narcissism is characterized by highly positive self-views. The purpose of the present study was to examine the connection between narcissism and self-perceived mate value. More specifically, we were interested in the possibility that the associations that narcissistic admiration and narcissistic rivalry had with self-perceived mate value may be mediated by the perceived mate value of one's current romantic partner. That is, we believed that narcissistic individuals may perceive their romantic partner in a manner that serves their own self-views. The results showed that perceived partner mate value mediated the positive association that narcissistic admiration had with self-perceived mate value as well as the negative association that narcissistic rivalry had with self-perceived mate value. Discussion focuses on the implications of these results for understanding how narcissistic individuals view their romantic partners and themselves.
Nitrogen limitation, toxin synthesis potential, and toxicity of cyanobacterial populations in Lake Okeechobee and the St. Lucie River Estuary, Florida, during the 2016 state of emergency event

Lake Okeechobee, FL, USA, has been subjected to intensifying cyanobacterial blooms that can spread to the adjacent St. Lucie River and Estuary via natural and anthropogenically-induced flooding events. In July 2016, a large, toxic cyanobacterial bloom occurred in Lake Okeechobee and throughout the St. Lucie River and Estuary, leading Florida to declare a state of emergency. This study reports on measurements and nutrient amendment experiments performed in this freshwater-estuarine ecosystem (salinity 0-25 PSU) during and after the bloom. In July, all sites along the bloom exhibited dissolved inorganic nitrogen-to-phosphorus ratios 95%) phytoplankton inventories from the lake to the central part of the estuary. Chlorophyll a and microcystin concentrations peaked (100 and 34 μg L-1, respectively) within Lake Okeechobee and decreased eastwards. Metagenomic analyses indicated that genes associated with the production of microcystin (mcyE) and the algal neurotoxin saxitoxin (sxtA) originated from Microcystis and multiple diazotrophic genera, respectively. There were highly significant correlations between levels of total nitrogen, microcystin, and microcystin synthesis gene abundance across all surveyed sites (p < 0.001), suggesting high levels of nitrogen supported the production of microcystin during this event. Consistent with this, experiments performed with low salinity water from the St. Lucie River during the event indicated that algal biomass was nitrogen-limited. In the fall, densities of Microcystis and concentrations of microcystin were significantly lower, green algae co-dominated with cyanobacteria, and multiple algal groups displayed nitrogen-limitation. These results indicate that monitoring and regulatory strategies in Lake Okeechobee and the St. Lucie River and Estuary should consider managing loads of nitrogen to control future algal and microcystin-producing cyanobacterial blooms.
Priming Effects on Tip-of-the-Tongue States in Farsi-English Bilinguals

The tip-of-the-tongue (TOT) phenomenon, the inability to immediately retrieve a word one desires, was studied in bilingual Farsi-English-speaking adults. One question was whether insufficient activation or increased inhibition underlie TOT states in bilinguals. Another was whether bilinguals have common or separate lexicons for their two languages. Participants heard a definition in either Farsi or English, followed by either a Farsi or English prime word related in meaning or sound, or not at all related, to the target word. Participants supplied the target word that best fit the definition. Similar-sound primes increased TOTs for English definitions and targets, with a trend for more correct responses as well, suggesting that the similar-sound prime word facilitates rather than inhibits retrieval, supporting the transmission deficit hypothesis. Primes had the same effect for same and different language conditions, suggesting that both Farsi and English map onto a single lexicon, supporting the single-store model of bilingual memory.
Baiting the Hook: Exploring the Interaction of Personality and Persuasion Tactics in Email Phishing Attacks

Phishing is a social engineering tactic where a malicious actor impersonates a trustworthy third party with the intention of tricking the user into divulging sensitive information. Previous social engineering research has shown an interaction between personality and the persuasion principle used to generate non-electronic messages. This study investigates whether this interaction is present in the realm of email phishing. To investigate this, we used a personality inventory and an email identification task (phishing or legitimate). Our data confirms previous findings that high extroversion is predictive of increased susceptibility to phishing attacks. However, extraversion was also found to be associated with increased susceptibility to phishing emails that utilize specific persuasion principles such as liking. Findings are discussed in terms of potential approaches to anti-phishing interventions within organizations.
Infants use onset asynchrony cues in auditory scene analysis.

This experiment investigated the effect of onset asynchrony on the segregation of concurrent vowels in infants and adults. Two vowels, randomly chosen from seven American-English vowels, were superimposed. Each vowel pair contained one vowel by a male and one by a female talker. A train of such vowel pairs was presented to listeners, who were trained to respond to the male target vowel /i:/ or /u:/. The ability to identify the target vowel was compared among three conditions: synchronous onset, 100-, and 200-ms onset asynchrony. Experiment 1 measured performance, in d′, in 7-month-old infants and adults. Infants and adults performed better with asynchronous than synchronous vowel onset, regardless of asynchrony duration. Experiment 2 compared the proportion of 3-month-old infants achieving an 80% correct criterion with and without onset asynchrony. Significantly more infants reached criterion with asynchronous than with synchronous vowel onset. Asynchrony duration did not influence performance. These experiments show that infants, as young as 3 months old, benefit from onset asynchrony.
Towards a Living Archive: Making Multi Layered Research Data and Knowledge Generation Transparent

Catalhoyuk was first discovered as one of the earliest urban settlements in the late 1950s and excavated by James Mellaart between 1961 and 1965. The 9000-year-old town in central Turkey rapidly be...
Compton scattering of polarized γ rays by 16 O for E γ =25 40 MeV

Measurements of the polarization asymmetries $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Sigma}}({\ensuremath{\theta}}_{\mathrm{c.m.}})$ and $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Sigma}}({E}_{\ensuremath{\gamma}})$ of Compton scattering by $^{16}\mathrm{O}$ have been performed in the energy range of 25--40 MeV over a range of scattering angles between 90 and 150\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}. An analysis of the present data combined with previous results indicates that significant, narrow concentrations of $E2$ strength are not present below an excitation energy of 40 MeV. The existence, however, of a broad isovector giant quadrupole resonance exhausting a large percentage of the isovector energy weighted sum rule is not ruled out by the combined data. Additionally, the present data are insensitive to modifications to the free values of the nucleon polarizabilities, but cannot rule them out.
Psychosocial Stress and Cardiovascular Disease

This manuscript reviews the epidemiological data linking psychosocial stress to cardiovascular disease (CVD), describes recent advances in understanding the biological pathway between them, discusses potential therapies against stress-related CVD, and identifies future research directions. Metabolic activity of the amygdala (a neural center that is critically involved in the response to stress) can be measured on 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG-PET/CT) yielding a neurobiological signal that independently predicts subsequent CVD events. Furthermore, a serial pathway from ↑amygdalar activity → ↑hematopoietic tissue activity → ↑arterial inflammation → ↑CVD events has been elucidated, providing new insights into the mechanism linking stress to CVD. Psychosocial stress and stress conditions are independently associated with CVD in a manner that depends on the degree and duration of stress as well as the individual response to a stressor. Nevertheless, the fundamental biology remains incompletely defined, and stress is often confounded by adverse health behaviors. Thus, most clinical guidelines do not yet recognize psychosocial stress as an independent CVD risk factor or advocate for its treatment in CVD prevention. Clarification of this neurobiological pathway provides a better understanding of the underlying pathophysiology and suggests opportunities to develop novel preventive strategies and therapies.
Reforming Social Security: The Challenge of Income Inequality

Objective: This article examines the role Social Security plays in alleviating poverty among retirees in the context of threats to its solvency. Method: Examining long-term employment trends, declining access to defined benefit pensions and saving behavior can determine if in the more future Social Security beneficiaries are likely to be poor. Results: Labor market trends driven by technical change, global competition and increasing demand for services indicate that more future retirees will have lower life-time earnings that yield lower social security benefits and reduced saving for retirement. Coupled with a significant decline in defined benefit plans, older Americans are more likely to face more financial hardship after they can no longer work. Conclusion: Poverty among retirees will rise unless social security benefits for low-income retiree are increased. Cutting benefits for high-income retirees can erode political support for Social Security, suggesting that general revenue is the best source of funding to combat poverty among older Americans. Taxing wealth is a possible source of revenue.
Live-cell Migration Assays to Study Motility of Neural and Glial (Oligodendrocyte) Progenitor Cells

Cell motility has been extensively studied in in vitro models using fibroblasts and keratocytes, but the cell type-specific mechanisms underlying migration of lineage- or disease-specific cells, such as neural and glial progenitor cells, remain an active field for investigation. The migrating neural and glial progenitor cells contribute to the development, tissue repair and tumor invasion in the central nervous system (CNS). Cell migration is a highly dynamic process which relies on membranous protrusions to assemble, extend, disassemble and retract. In the CNS, the motility of neural and glial progenitor cells is affected by various cell-autonomous and non-cell-autonomous mechanisms such as signaling molecules, actin and microtubule interactions, and environmental cues. Here, we described a live-cell migration assay for use in the assessment of neural and glial progenitor cell migration. We first will demonstrate the procedures for isolating and culturing neural and glial progenitor cells. Next, we will demonstrate the acquisition of time-lapse images using phase contrast microscopy, the methods for quantification and the analyses of various motility parameters including speed, velocity, straightness and leading-edge dynamics. This method allows researchers to dissect the mechanisms of cell motility in response to different environmental cues, such as chemoattractive and repulsive signals, matrix adhesiveness and stiffness. This assay also allows researchers to study migration of pharmacologically and genetically manipulated cells.
Role of DNA Methylation in the Development and Differentiation of Intestinal Epithelial Cells and Smooth Muscle Cells

The mammalian intestine contains many different cell types but is comprised of 2 main cell types: epithelial cells and smooth muscle cells. Recent in vivo and in vitro evidence has revealed that various alterations to the DNA methylation apparatus within both of these cell types can result in a variety of cellular phenotypes including modified differentiation status, apoptosis, and uncontrolled growth. Methyl groups added to cytosines in regulatory genomic regions typically act to repress associated gene transcription. Aberrant DNA methylation patterns are often found in cells with abnormal growth/differentiation patterns, including those cells involved in burdensome intestinal pathologies including inflammatory bowel diseases and intestinal pseudo-obstructions. The altered methylation patterns being observed in various cell cultures and DNA methyltransferase knockout models indicate an influential connection between DNA methylation and gastrointestinal cells' development and their response to environmental signaling. As these modified DNA methylation levels are found in a number of pathological gastrointestinal conditions, further investigations into uncovering the causative nature, and controlled regulation, of this epigenetic modification is of great interest.
Fear of Incompetence in Intergenerational Relationships with a Family Member with Dementia

ABSTRACTParticularly in intergenerational relationships, family members feel they lack the knowledge and skills necessary for successful interaction with their loved ones with dementia, which leads...
Impact of urate-lowering drugs on the progression and recovery from chronic kidney disease among gout patients.

This study investigates the association between exposure to urate-lowering drugs (ULDs) and progression and recovery from chronic kidney disease (CKD). We identified 5860 incident gout patients at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital from 2012 to 2015. Propensity score (PS)-weighted Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) for CKD progression and improvement. A separate analysis was conducted to assess the HR for CKD progression and CKD recovery among those with worsening CKD. The incidence of CKD progression among allopurinol, febuxostat and uricosuric agent users were 1.98, 1.88 and 1.64 per 1000 person-days. Compared with allopurinol users, the PS-weighted HR (95% confidence intervals [CIs]) was 1.77 (0.85–1.76) for febuxostat users and 1.37 (0.71–1.37) for uricosuric agent users for CKD progression and 1.43 (1.26–1.62) for febuxostat users and 1.00 (0.88–1.14) for uricosuric agent users for CKD improvement. Compared to allopurinol users, the HRs for CKD progression were 1.14 (0.80–1.66) for febuxostat users and 0.92 (0.67–1.31) for uricosuric agent users. Among 741 patients who had CKD progression, the incidence of CKD recovery was 1.33, 6.21 and 3.53 per 1000 person-days for allopurinol, febuxostat and uricosuric agent users. The HRs (95% CIs) for recovery in febuxostat and uricosuric agent users were 2.17 (1.40–3.47) and 1.80 (1.20–2.83) compared to allopurinol users. CKD progression and recovery are common in gout patients using ULDs. Febuxostat and benzbromarone were associated with a similar risk of CKD progression with allopurinol, which has a poorer recovery compared with other ULDs.
Connecting molecular mechanisms of biofilm formation and functional biomaterials

Biofilms are arguably the root cause of most human infections, imposing a high level of public health concern. Biofilm growth is a lifestyle characterized by co-aggregation of organisms and secretion of an extracellular matrix (ECM) that facilitates attachment to a surface. They are responsible for up to 80% of all healthcare-acquired infections (National Institutes of Health) with the majority being diagnosed as device associated. They are multi-compositional structures that are influenced by surrounding biological, mechanical and chemical variation in their microenvironment. Within the confines of biofilms, microorganisms are capable of promoting increased rates of antimicrobial resistance. When observing biofilm physiology in the presence of a biomaterial, the attachment process and intermolecular activity, contribute to significant genotypic responses. When utilized as part of medical devices, antimicrobial biomaterials seek to prevent biofilm infections, however, the complexity of biofilms make it difficult to extract useful results necessary to improve material properties without consideration of bacterial molecular processes. This interdisciplinary article emphasizes molecular mechanisms as a pertinent consideration in evaluating biofilm growth on biomaterials. It also advocates for standardizing in vitro biofilm models as opposed to animal models. Such models include microfluidic systems, that can be engineered to scale and mimic infection-relevant microenvironments. The connection of advances in antibiofilm surface modifications and high-throughput sequencing make way for new and important biomaterial assessments. We endeavor to establish a gold standard model for in vitro biomaterials testing that incorporates the complexity of healthcare-associated infections in order to guide medical device design and improve disease outcomes.
Arm position on portable neonatal/infant ICU chest radiograph can mimic lamellar effusion.

Abstract Introduction/Background Arm malposition in neonatal ICU radiographs may result in overlap of the arm soft tissues and chest wall giving the appearance of lamellar effusions. We aimed to determine the frequency of arm malposition on portable neonatal/infant intensive care unit (N/IICU) chest radiographs and the proportion of these mimicking lamellar effusions. Material and Methods We evaluated a subgroup of supine portable chest radiographs performed at the N/IICU. Two reviewers, at a tertiary pediatric hospital located in the USA, evaluated each radiograph in consensus and classified arm position for either side independently as (1) acceptable: arm abducted and separated from the chest and (2) compromised: arm down and in contact with chest soft tissue. The compromised cases were evaluated regarding any overlap between soft tissues of the arm and chest of sufficient degree to mimic a lamellar effusion. Results We reviewed 300 radiographs performed at the N/IICU (600 hemithoraces). The mean age was 1.8 ± 1.8 months. Of 600 hemithoraces, 233 (39%) showed arms down and in contact with the chest. In seven (1%) cases, the arm position was compromised and mimicked a lamellar effusion. We identified 32 (5%) true lamellar effusions in the whole sample; in 14 of the 32 cases with lamellar effusion, the radiographs were performed with the arms down. Conclusion Portable chest radiographs performed in the N/IICU without proper arm abduction represent a potential for misinterpretation of chest radiographs. Although the prevalence of mimickers of lamellar effusion is only around 1%, the prevalence of arms down on a portable chest radiograph is considerably high (39%).
Acoustoelectric imaging for beat-to-beat cardiac activation wave mapping in an in vivo swine model

Cardiac ventricular arrhythmias - electrical activation abnormalities that can result in sudden cardiac death - are difficult to manage with ablative treatment as many have complex, non-sustained 4D (volume over time) activation patterns that cannot be fully captured by existing electroanatomic mapping systems. In this study, we describe the use of acoustoelectric cardiac imaging (ACI) for high resolution, beat-to-beat mapping of electrical dynamics in an in vivo swine model. Beat-to-beat variability was tracked in the swine; the variation in the peak magnitude, peak myocardial location, peak time, and SNR across 20 beats were measured as 5.27 ± 0.68 µV, 3.32 ± 0.41 mm from the epicardium, -2.73 ± 0.38 ms from the peak EGM, and 25.3 ± 8.1 dB, respectively. Additionally, propagation velocity was tracked across four pigs and was calculated as 0.153 ± 0.108 m/s along the endocardial-epicardial axis and 0.123 ± 0.098 m/s along the apicobasal axis. This study suggests that ACI has the potential to improve ablation treatment of arrhythmias through higher resolution, beat-to-beat pre-ablation mapping and characterization of ventricular arrhythmias.
Processing of progranulin into granulins involves multiple lysosomal proteases and is affected in frontotemporal lobar degeneration.

Author(s): Mohan, Swetha; Sampognaro, Paul J; Argouarch, Andrea R; Maynard, Jason C; Welch, Mackenzie; Patwardhan, Anand; Courtney, Emma C; Zhang, Jiasheng; Mason, Amanda; Li, Kathy H; Huang, Eric J; Seeley, William W; Miller, Bruce L; Burlingame, Alma; Jacobson, Mathew P; Kao, Aimee W | Abstract: BackgroundProgranulin loss-of-function mutations are linked to frontotemporal lobar degeneration with TDP-43 positive inclusions (FTLD-TDP-Pgrn). Progranulin (PGRN) is an intracellular and secreted pro-protein that is proteolytically cleaved into individual granulin peptides, which are increasingly thought to contribute to FTLD-TDP-Pgrn disease pathophysiology. Intracellular PGRN is processed into granulins in the endo-lysosomal compartments. Therefore, to better understand the conversion of intracellular PGRN into granulins, we systematically tested the ability of different classes of endo-lysosomal proteases to process PGRN at a range of pH setpoints.ResultsIn vitro cleavage assays identified multiple enzymes that can process human PGRN into multi- and single-granulin fragments in a pH-dependent manner. We confirmed the role of cathepsin B and cathepsin L in PGRN processing and showed that these and several previously unidentified lysosomal proteases (cathepsins E, G, K, S and V) are able to process PGRN in distinctive, pH-dependent manners. In addition, we have demonstrated a new role for asparagine endopeptidase (AEP) in processing PGRN, with AEP having the unique ability to liberate granulin F from the pro-protein. Brain tissue from individuals with FTLD-TDP-Pgrn showed increased PGRN processing to granulin F and increased AEP activity in degenerating brain regions but not in regions unaffected by disease.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that multiple lysosomal proteases may work in concert to liberate multi-granulin fragments and granulins. It also implicates both AEP and granulin F in the neurobiology of FTLD-TDP-Pgrn. Modulating progranulin cleavage and granulin production may represent therapeutic strategies for FTLD-Pgrn and other progranulin-related diseases.
Supramolecular Control of Singlet Oxygen Generation

Singlet oxygen (1O2) is the excited state electronic isomer and a reactive form of molecular oxygen, which is most efficiently produced through the photosensitized excitation of ambient triplet oxygen. Photochemical singlet oxygen generation (SOG) has received tremendous attention historically, both for its practical application as well as for the fundamental aspects of its reactivity. Applications of singlet oxygen in medicine, wastewater treatment, microbial disinfection, and synthetic chemistry are the direct results of active past research into this reaction. Such advancements were achieved through design factors focused predominantly on the photosensitizer (PS), whose photoactivity is relegated to self-regulated structure and energetics in ground and excited states. However, the relatively new supramolecular approach of dictating molecular structure through non-bonding interactions has allowed photochemists to render otherwise inactive or less effective PSs as efficient 1O2 generators. This concise and first of its kind review aims to compile progress in SOG research achieved through supramolecular photochemistry in an effort to serve as a reference for future research in this direction. The aim of this review is to highlight the value in the supramolecular photochemistry approach to tapping the unexploited technological potential within this historic reaction.
Citrate Mediated Europium-Based Detection of Oxytetracycline in Citrus Tissues.

Oxytetracycline (OTC) and streptomycin have been used for the control of several plant diseases and were recently permitted for the control of citrus greening disease, Huanglongbing. Consequently, sensitive and reliable methods are highly needed for the detection of OTC in citrus tissues. Herein, we studied the replacement of cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC) by citrate (Cit) as a sensitizing agent for the analysis of OTC in citrus tissues using the recently established europium (Eu) method. In addition, we determined the optimal conditions for the formation of the Eu-OTC-Cit ternary complex in tris buffer. Our results showed that the plant matrix significantly decreased the fluorescence intensity of the Eu-OTC-Cit complex even after the replacement of CTAC. Our investigations showed that phenols such as gallic acid degrade slowly at high pH and their degradation was enhanced in the presence of the (Eu+3) cation. To reduce the plant matrix interference, the sample extract was cleaned using solid-phase extraction (SPE). The OTC recoveries from spiked healthy and Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas)-infected trees were 91.4 ± 7.8% and 82.4 ± 3.9%, respectively. We also used the citrate method to determine the level of OTC in trunk-injected trees. The level of OTC as measured using the Eu-OTC-Cit complex (117.5 ± 20.3 µg g−1 fresh weight “FWT”) was similar to that measured using Eu-OTC-CTAC complex (97.5 ± 14 µg g−1 FWT). In addition, we were able to visualize the OTC in citrus leaf extract, under ultraviolet light (400 nm), after it was cleaned with the SPE. Our study showed that the citrate can be successfully used to replace the harmful CTAC surfactant, which could also react with phenols.
Advice for Food Systems Governance Actors to Decide Whether and How to Engage With the Agri-Food and Beverage Industry to Address Malnutrition Within the Context of Healthy and Sustainable Food Systems; Comment on “Challenges to Establish Effective Public-Private Partnerships to Address Malnutrition in All Its Forms”

The effectiveness of public-private partnerships (PPPs) to address malnutrition will depend on the issue, engagement purpose, policy context and actors' interactions. This commentary offers advice for governments, United Nations (UN) and civil society organizations to decide whether and how to engage with industry actors to improve diets for populations. First, food systems governance actors must acknowledge and reconcile competing visions, harmonize numerous corporate-engagement principles, and support a shared narrative to motivate collective actions toward healthy sustainable diets. Second, food systems governance actors have tools to guide engagement through many alliances, networks, coalitions and multi-stakeholder platforms with different levels of risk and trust. Third, food systems governance actors must prioritize accountability by setting corporate-performance threshold scores to justify private-sector engagement; evaluating engagement processes, outcomes and consequences; using incentives, financial penalties and social media advocacy to accelerate time-bound changes; and revoking UN consultative status for corporate actors who undermine healthy people and planet.
Progressive bilateral nuclear cataracts associated with cerebellar-facial-dental syndrome: case report, literature review, and identification of a new genetic variant

Cerebellar-facial-dental syndrome (CFDS) is a newly described autosomal recessive genetic disorder characterized by mutations in the BRF1 gene. CFDS is clinically associated with dysmorphic facial features and cerebellar hypoplasia. We report visually significant progressive bilateral nuclear cataracts in a child with CFDS and identify a new causative genetic variant.
Safety risk modeling and major accidents analysis of hydrogen and natural gas releases: A comprehensive risk analysis framework

Abstract The potential safety risk of hydrogen production is often the most important element to achieve authority approval and public acceptance. Safe application of hydrogen, especially in a large scale, will require adopting adequate risk control, which requires investment on reliable risk analysis methodology. In the present study, first of all, a reliable and comprehensive safety risk analysis methodology was developed for a hydrogen production plant in an oil refinery, that consists of two qualitative methods: Hazard and Operability (HAZOP) and Preliminary Risk Analysis (PRA), a hybrid method: Event Tree Analysis (ETA) and a quantitative method: Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA) along with a risk and consequence simulator. A HAZOP study along with the PRA technique was used for determining main hazardous sources and carrying out a qualitative risk analysis. The incident outcomes of the identified high risk scenarios were modeled using the PHAST 6.7 simulator and the frequencies of the initial events and incident outcomes were calculated using risk assessment data directory of International Association Oil & Gas Producers (OGP) and ETA, respectively. Finally, the vulnerability areas of the incident outcomes were determined and the societal risk of hydrogen plant was shown using a ‘Frequency vs. Number of fatality’ graph, known as ‘F–N’ curves. The findings show that the maximum vulnerability distance is caused by the vapor cloud explosion (280 m, at 0.01 bar) and the jet fire (275 m, at 4 kW/m2), respectively. The societal risk of the plant fell in the As Low As Reasonable Practical (ALARP) and intolerable regions according to the F–N curve of UK HSE (Health, Safety Executive) The reformer were the highest and the heat exchanger was the lowest contributor to the total risk. Therefore, the ALARP principle should be applied to indicate the appropriate ways to reduce risks and, for the intolerable risks, the system must be modified structurally, functionally, or organizationally.