Hypoxia within subcutaneously implanted macroencapsulation devices limits the viability and functionality of densely loaded islets.

Introduction: Subcutaneous macroencapsulation devices circumvent disadvantages of intraportal islet therapy. However, a curative dose of islets within reasonably sized devices requires dense cell packing. We measured internal PO2 of implanted devices, mathematically modeled oxygen availability within devices and tested the predictions with implanted devices containing densely packed human islets.

Validating self-reported Toxic Release Inventory data using Benford's Law: investigating toxic chemical release hazards in floodplains.

Introduction: Acute and long-term health impacts from flooding related toxic chemical releases are a significant local health concern and can disproportionately impact communities with vulnerable populations; reliable release data are needed to quantify this hazard.

Methods: In this paper, we analyze US Federal Emergency Management Agency designated floodplain data and US Environmental Protection Agency Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) data to determine if geographically manipulated databases adhere to Benford's Law.

Results: We investigated multiple variants and discovered pollution releases adhere to Benford's Law and tests which thereby validates the self-reported toxic release dataset.

Using Artificial Intelligence to Identify Sources and Pathways of Lead Exposure in Children.

Context: Sources and pathways of lead exposure in young children have not been analyzed using new artificial intelligence methods.

Objective: To collect environmental, behavioral, and other data on sources and pathways in 17 rural homes to predict at-risk households and to compare urban and rural indicators of exposure.

Design: Cross-sectional pilot study.

Encapsulated Cells for the Treatment of Diabetes: Danger of Acute Hypoglycemia Following Injury?

Transplants comprised of encapsulated islets have shown promise in treating insulin-dependent diabetes. A question raised in the scientific and clinical communities is whether the insulin released from an implanted encapsulation device damaged in an accident could cause a serious hypoglycemic event. In this commentary, we consider the different types of damage that a device can sustain, including the encapsulation membrane and the islets within, and the amount of insulin released in each case.

Chemical facility risks to natural flooding hazards in the United States.

Toxic release inventory (TRI) facilities contain chemicals, most must be kept in process equipment, otherwise leaks are possible. An analysis of the National Flood Hazard Layer and TRI facilities within ArcGIS. The national analysis included TRI facilities intersecting the 100-year floodplain based on the National Flood Hazard Layer.