The GRACE mission is designed to monitor mass flux on the Earth's surface at one month and high spatial resolution through the estimation of monthly gravity fields. Although this approach has been ...largely successful, information at submonthly time scales can be lost or even aliased through the estimation of static monthly parameters. Through an analysis of the GRACE data residuals, we show that the fundamental temporal and spatial resolution of the GRACE data is 10 days and 400 km. We present an approach similar in concept to altimetric methods that recovers submonthly mass flux at a high spatial resolution. Using 4° × 4° blocks at 10‐day intervals, we estimate the mass of surplus or deficit water over a 52° × 60° grid centered on the Amazon basin for July 2003. We demonstrate that the recovered signals are coherent and correlate well with the expected hydrological signal.
Background. In 2000, an outbreak of listeriosis among Hispanic persons was identified in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The objectives of the present study were to identify the source of, strains ...associated with, and risk factors for Listeria monocytogenes infection for patients affected by the outbreak. Methods. Microbiological, case-control, and environmental investigations were conducted. Participants in the case-control study were case patients who became infected with L. monocytogenes between 1 October 2000 and 31 January 2001 and control subjects who were matched with case patients on the basis of ethnicity, sex, age, and pregnancy status. All participants were residents of Winston-Salem. Results. We identified 13 patients, all of whom were Hispanic, including 12 females who were 18–38 years of age. Eleven case patients were pregnant; infection with L. monocytogenes resulted in 5 stillbirths, 3 premature deliveries, and 3 infected newborns. Case patients were more likely than control subjects to have eaten the following foods: fresh, unlabeled, Mexican-style cheese sold by door-to-door vendors (matched odds ratio MOR, 17.5; 95% confidence interval CI, 2.0–152.5); queso fresco, a Mexican-style soft cheese (MOR, 7.3; 95% CI, 1.4–37.5); and hot dogs (MOR, 4.6; 95% CI, 1.1–19.4). L. monocytogenes isolates recovered from 10 female case patients, from cheese bought from a door-to-door vendor, from unlabeled cheese from 2 Hispanic markets, and from raw milk from a local dairy had indistinguishable patterns on pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Conclusions. This outbreak of listeriosis was caused by noncommercial, fresh, Mexican-style cheese made from contaminated raw milk traced to 1 local dairy. We recommend educating Hispanic women about food safety while they are pregnant, enforcing laws that regulate the sale of raw milk and dairy products made by unlicensed manufacturers, making listeriosis a reportable disease in all states, routinely interviewing case patients, and routinely subtyping clinical L. monocytogenes isolates.
The design, synthesis, and evaluation of novel non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) with better activity and lower side effects are big challenges today. In this work, two ...5-acetamido-2-hydroxy benzoic acid derivatives were proposed, increasing the alkyl position (methyl) in an acetamide moiety, and synthesized, and their structural elucidation was performed using 1H NMR and 13C NMR. The changes in methyl in larger groups such as phenyl and benzyl aim to increase their selectivity over cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2). These 5-acetamido-2-hydroxy benzoic acid derivatives were prepared using classic methods of acylation reactions with anhydride or acyl chloride. Pharmacokinetics and toxicological properties were predicted using computational tools, and their binding affinity (kcal/mol) with COX-2 receptors (Mus musculus and Homo sapiens) was analyzed using docking studies (PDB ID 4PH9, 5KIR, 1PXX and 5F1A). An in-silico study showed that 5-acetamido-2-hydroxy benzoic acid derivates have a better bioavailability and binding affinity with the COX-2 receptor, and in-vivo anti-nociceptive activity was investigated by means of a writhing test induced by acetic acid and a hot plate. PS3, at doses of 20 and 50 mg/kg, reduced painful activity by 74% and 75%, respectively, when compared to the control group (20 mg/kg). Regarding the anti-nociceptive activity, the benzyl showed reductions in painful activity when compared to acetaminophen and 5-acetamido-2-hydroxy benzoic acid. However, the proposed derivatives are potentially more active than 5-acetamido-2-hydroxy benzoic acid and they support the design of novel and safer derivative candidates. Consequently, more studies need to be conducted to evaluate the different pharmacological actions, the toxicity of possible metabolites that can be generated, and their potential use in inflammation and pain therapy.
•Optimized surface conditions for the immobilization of an expressive amount of active acetylcholinesterase.•The carbaryl pesticide detection follows a Langmuir isotherm with high affinity adsorption ...constant.•Simple and straightforward methodology to immobilize a high density of active acetylcholinesterase.•Acetylcholinesterase with the active site close to the interface enabling a fast direct electron transfer.•Enzymatic electrochemical biosensor with low LOD and high sensitivity toward the determination of carbaryl pesticide.
Efficient and portable sensors are required to monitor and evaluate pesticide contaminants in the environment, food supply and biological fluids. In this work, a study of indigo carmine and dodecyl sulphate doped polypyrrole - gold nanoparticle nanocomposite films revealed changes during the polymerization that optimized the surface conditions for the immobilization of acetylcholinesterase enzyme (from electric eel), leading to improved catalytic performance. The results suggest a similar behavior to AChE from electric ray, as previously reported in a theoretical study, where the active site is orientated closer to the electrode when the enzyme is immobilized on a positively charged surface, promoting faster direct electron transfer. In addition, this interaction allows the immobilization of an expressive amount of active enzymes. The lack of hindrance led to a high binding interaction of the analyte (carbaryl) towards the adsorption sites of the enzyme (Langmuir isotherm constant of 7.39 × 108). This electrochemical enzymatic biosensor presented linear responses ranging from 0.05 to 0.25 ng mL−1 for carbaryl (a wide spectrum insecticide), with a detection limit of 0.033 ng cm2 mL−1, quantification limit of 0.11 ng cm2 mL-1 and sensitivity of -59.5 × 103A cm-2 mL g−1. The biosensor showed good intra-electrode repeatability and inter-electrode reproducibility with the relative standard deviation of 1.8 % and 3.7 % towards thiocholine oxidation and carbaryl pesticide detection, respectively. The biosensor stability improved when stored at lower temperature (-15 °C).
Measurements of surface currents have been made in a variety of rivers and estuaries to evaluate the accuracy and robustness of techniques based on airborne infrared (IR) imaging of the advection of ...small-scale temperature variations. The imaging system is a modification of our Airborne Remote Optical Spotlight System to include a midwave IR camera. This system collects image sequences that are subsequently registered and mapped to the mean water level, providing space-time data proportional to water surface temperature along the watercourse. The temperature modulations are analyzed with two algorithms to assess the data and retrieve the currents. The full 3-D frequency-wavenumber spectrum is used to evaluate the signal and competing noise sources. A version of the maximum cross-correlation (MCC) algorithm, often used for measuring fluid motions, is applied to retrieve currents for most of the data analyzed here. The retrieved currents agree with the acoustic Doppler current profiler measurements with no mean bias and within 10 cm/s in 60% or more of ~ 1500 independent comparisons on multiple rivers. An error metric based on an MCC reciprocal filtering technique provides a numerical measure of confidence in each retrieval. Most bad points are flagged, as the retrieved current vector fields exhibit few obvious large errors. The density of retrieval postings is nominally one every 8-16 pixels or 8-16 m.
In recent years, the increase in the generation of waste (e.g., bones and skin) from the processing of fish-based food related to the increase in fish consumption and the accumulation of synthetic ...polymers in the environment are causing major environmental concerns. Hydroxyapatite (HA) extracted from the bones and collagen from the skin of fish processing residues can be combined with synthetic polymers to maximize the use of waste material derived from fish while simultaneously reducing the use of synthetic polymers. Hence, in this study, collagen and HA were extracted from the carcasses of Lophiosilurus alexandri, and the obtained materials were reused to prepare low-density polyethylene (LDPE) blends and composites. The integrity of the triple helix structure of collagen was confirmed by FTIR and DSC showing that there was no collagen denaturation during its extraction and sample processing. The results indicated that the material produced by the incorporation of collagen into LDPE compatibilized with polyethylene-graft-maleic anhydride exhibits good mechanical and surface properties for use as a support material for ornamental articles, among other applications.
Background Salvage surgical resection for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients initially treated with definitive chemotherapy and radiotherapy can be performed safely, but the long-term ...benefits are not well characterized. Methods Perioperative complications and long-term survival of all patients with NSCLC who received curative-intent definitive radiotherapy, with or without chemotherapy, followed by lobectomy from 1995 to 2012 were evaluated. Results During the study period, 31 patients met the inclusion criteria. Clinical stage distribution was stage I in 2 (6%), stage II in 5 (16%), stage IIIA in 15 (48%), stage IIIB in 5 (16%), stage IV in 3 (10%), and unknown in 1 (3%). The reasons surgical resection was initially not considered were: patients deemed medically inoperable (5 16%); extent of disease was considered unresectable (21 68%); small cell lung cancer misdiagnosis (1 3%), and unknown (4 13%). Definitive therapy was irradiation alone in 2 (6%), concurrent chemoradiotherapy in 28 (90%), and sequential chemoradiotherapy in 1 (3%). The median radiation dose was 60 Gy. Patients were subsequently referred for resection because of obvious local relapse, medical tolerance of surgical intervention, or posttherapy imaging suggesting residual disease. The median time from radiation to lobectomy was 17.7 weeks. There were no perioperative deaths, and morbidity occurred in 15 patients (48%). None of the 3 patients with residual pathologic nodal disease survived longer than 37 months, but the 5-year survival of pN0 patients was 36%. Patients who underwent lobectomy for obvious relapse (n = 3) also did poorly, with a median overall survival of 9 months. Conclusions Lobectomy after definitive radiotherapy can be done safely and is associated with reasonable long-term survival, particularly when patients do not have residual nodal disease.
The existence of Birkeland magnetic field‐aligned current (FAC) system was proposed more than a century ago, and it has been of immense interest for investigating the nature of solar ...wind‐magnetosphere‐ionosphere coupling ever since. In this paper, we present the first application of deep learning architecture for modeling the Birkeland currents using data from the Active Magnetosphere and Planetary Electrodynamics Response Experiment (AMPERE). The model uses a 1‐hr time history of several different parameters such as interplanetary magnetic field (IMF), solar wind, and geomagnetic and solar indices as inputs to determine the global distribution of Birkeland currents in the Northern Hemisphere. We present a comparison between our model and bin‐averaged statistical patterns under steady IMF conditions and also when the IMF is variable. Our deep learning model shows good agreement with the bin‐averaged patterns, capturing several prominent large‐scale features such as the Regions 1 and 2 FACs, the NBZ current system, and the cusp currents along with their seasonal variations. However, when IMF and solar wind conditions are not stable, our model provides a more accurate view of the time‐dependent evolution of Birkeland currents. The reconfiguration of the FACs following an abrupt change in IMF orientation can be traced in its details. The magnitude of FACs is found to evolve with e‐folding times that vary with season and MLT. When IMF Bz turns southward after a prolonged northward orientation, NBZ currents decay exponentially with an e‐folding time of ∼25 min, whereas Region 1 currents grow with an e‐folding time of 6–20 min depending on the MLT.
Key Points
We developed the first deep learning model to predict the dynamics of AMPERE‐derived field aligned currents
When IMF changes abruptly, the initial response and total reconfiguration time of FACs vary with MLT and season
For an abrupt change in IMF Bz or By, our model predicts an exponential response in FACs
As changes in hard or soft oral tissues normally have a microbiological component, it is important to develop diagnostic techniques that support clinical evaluation, without destroying ...microbiological formation. The optical coherence tomography (OCT) represents an alternative to analyze tissues and microorganisms without the need for processing. This imaging technique could be defined as a fast, real-time, in situ, and non-destructive method. Thus, this study proposed the use of the OCT to visualize biofilm by Candida albicans in reline resins for removable prostheses. Three reline resins (Silagum-Comfort, Coe-Comfort, and Soft-Confort), with distinct characteristics related to water sorption and fungal inhibition were used. A total of 30 samples (10 for each resin group) were subjected to OCT scanning before and 96 h after inoculation with Candida albicans (URM 6547). The biofilm analysis was carried out through a 2D optical Callisto SD-OCT (930 nm) operated in the spectral domain. Then, the images were preprocessed using a Formula: see text Gaussian filter to remove the noise, and then Otsu binarization, allowing segmentation and pixel counting. The layer’s biofilm formed was clearly defined and, indeed, its visualization is modified by water sorption of each material. Silagum-Comfort and Soft-Confort showed some similarities in the scattering of light between the clean and inoculated samples, in which, the latter samples presented higher values of light signal intensity. Coe-Comfort samples were the only ones that showed no differences between the clean or inoculated images. Therefore, the results of this study suggest that OCT is a viable technique to visualize the biofilm in reline materials. Because findings in the literature are still scarcely using the OCT technique to visualize biofilm in reline resins, further studies are encouraged. It should not contain any references or displayed equations.
Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) have been associated with a low quality of life (QoL) and a negative impact on work productivity compared to the general population. Information about disease ...control, patient-reported outcomes (PROs), treatment patterns and use of healthcare resources is relevant to optimizing IBD management.
To describe QoL and work productivity and activity impairment (WPAI), treatment patterns and use of healthcare resources among IBD patients in Brazil.
A multicenter cross-sectional study included adult outpatients who were previously diagnosed with moderate to severe Crohn's disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC). At enrolment, active CD and UC were defined as having a Harvey Bradshaw Index ≥ 8 or a CD Activity Index ≥ 220 or calprotectin > 200 µg/g or previous colonoscopy results suggestive of inadequate control (per investigator criteria) and a 9-point partial Mayo score ≥ 5, respectively. The PRO assessment included the QoL questionnaires SF-36 and EQ-5D-5L, the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ), and the WPAI questionnaire. Information about healthcare resources and treatment during the previous 3 years was collected from medical records. Chi-square, Fisher's exact and Student's
-/Mann-Whitney
tests were used to compare PROs, treatment patterns and the use of healthcare resources by disease activity (α = 0.05).
Of the 407 patients in this study (CD/UC: 64.9%/35.1%, mean age 42.9/45.9 years, 54.2%/56.6% female, 38.3%/37.1% employed), 44.7%/25.2% presented moderate-to-severe CD/UC activity, respectively, at baseline. Expressed in median values for CD/UC, respectively, the SF-36 physical component was 46.6/44.7 and the mental component was 45.2/44.2, the EQ-visual analog scale score was 80.0/70.0, and the IBDQ overall score was 164.0/165.0. Moderate to severe activity, female gender, being unemployed, a lower educational level and lower income were associated with lower QoL (
< 0.05). Median work productivity impairment was 20% and 5% for CD and UC patients, respectively, and activity impairment was 30%, the latter being higher among patients with moderate to severe disease activity compared to patients with mild or no disease activity (75.0%
10.0%,
< 0.001). For CD/UC patients, respectively, 25.4%/2.8% had at least one surgery, 38.3%/19.6% were hospitalized, and 70.7%/77.6% changed IBD treatment at least once during the last 3 years. The most common treatments at baseline were biologics (75.3%) and immunosuppressants (70.9%) for CD patients and 5-ASA compounds (77.5%) for UC patients.
Moderate to severe IBD activity, especially among CD patients, is associated with a substantial impact on QoL, work productivity impairment and an increased number of IBD surgeries and hospitalizations in Brazil.
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