Beyond despair: Leveraging ecosystem restoration for psychosocial resilience.

Ecosystem restoration has historically been viewed as an ecological endeavor, but restoration possesses significant, yet largely untapped, potential as a catalyst for personal and social transformation. We highlight the opportunity for restoration to enhance community resilience by increasing agency and collective action and countering the pervasive perception that we are powerless witnesses to environmental decline. In this perspective, we take a "bright spots" approach and highlight successful examples of ecosystem restoration that have helped to nurture a sense of place, foster optimism, and cultivate stronger and more diverse social networks.

Validation of finite-element-simulated orthodontic forces produced by thermoplastic aligners: Effect of aligner geometry and creep.

Purpose: Finite element (FE) models for determining the orthodontic forces delivered by clear aligners often lack validation. The aim of this study was to develop and validate accurate FE models for clear aligners, considering the small but important geometrical variations from the thermoforming process and the creep behavior of the aligner material.

Methods And Materials: The tooth misalignment considered was a 2.

Validation of finite element models for orthodontic aligners.

Purpose: Clear thermoplastic aligners have become popular in orthodontics, but the biomechanics of these devices is not well understood. Neither is the tooth movement induced by such devices. The aim of this study was to develop and validate finite element (FE) models for clear thermoplastic teeth aligners for orthodontic force prediction.

Global and Local Aging in Differently Stabilized Polypropylenes Exposed to Hot Chlorinated Water with and without Superimposed Mechanical-Environmental Loads.

The influence of chlorinated water on the global and local aging behavior of polypropylene (PP) was investigated for three differently stabilized PP grades consisting of the same PP base polymer. While one of the PP grades contained only a processing stabilizer (PP-S0), the other two were modified with a primary phenolic antioxidant (PP-S1) and a combination of a primary phenolic antioxidant and a hindered amine stabilizer (PP-S3). To study global aging effects, micro-sized specimens were pre-exposed to chlorinated water (5 mg/L free chlorine) at 60 °C for up to 750 h.

Chlorinated Water Induced Aging of Pipe Grade Polypropylene Random Copolymers.

Polypropylene random copolymers (PP-R) are common materials for pressurized hot water pipes. In many pipe systems, potable water is disinfected by chlorine to prevent waterborne diseases. This paper deals with hot chlorinated water induced aging of two PP-R grades with varying morphology.

The influence of moisture enhancement on landfill gas generation in a full-scale landfill.

The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of different moisture enhancement strategies on landfill gas generation in a full-scale solid waste landfill. Moisture enhancement strategies included leachate recirculation and liquid waste addition that were implemented to promote in situ waste decomposition. Waste mass disposed at the landfill and measured gas flow rates in the gas collection system were partitioned among four phases of the landfill that were operated with different moisture enhancement strategies.

Can pulpal floor debonding be detected from occlusal surface displacement in composite restorations?

Objectives: Polymerization shrinkage of resin composite restorations can cause debonding at the tooth-restoration interface. Theory based on the mechanics of materials predicts that debonding at the pulpal floor would half the shrinkage displacement at the occlusal surface. The aim of this study is to test this theory and to examine the possibility of detecting subsurface resin composite restoration debonding by measuring the superficial shrinkage displacements.

Molecular detection of bacteria in plant tissues, using universal 16S ribosomal DNA degenerated primers.

Highly specific, sensitive and rapid tests are required for the detection and identification of covert bacterial contaminations in plant tissue cultures. Current methods available for this purpose are tedious, time consuming, highly error prone, expensive, require advanced technical expertise and are sometimes ineffective. We report here the development of a sensitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based method for the rapid detection and identification of bacteria occurring in plant tissue cultures.

Design and application of locally delivered agonists of the adenosine A(2A) receptor.

The broad spectrum anti-inflammatory actions of adenosine A(2A) receptor agonists are well described. The wide distribution of this receptor, however, suggests that the therapeutic potential of these agents is likely to reside in topical treatments to avoid systemic side effects associated with oral administration. Adenosine A(2A) receptor agonists have been assessed as topical agents: GW328267X (GSK; allergic rhinitis and asthma), UK-432097 (Pfizer; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD]) and Sonedenoson (MRE0094, King Pharmaceuticals; wound healing).

SAR of a series of inhaled A(2A) agonists and comparison of inhaled pharmacokinetics in a preclinical model with clinical pharmacokinetic data.

COPD is a major cause of mortality in the western world. A(2A) agonists are postulated to reduce the lung inflammation that causes COPD. The cardiovascular effects of A(2A) agonists dictate that a compound needs to be delivered by inhalation to be therapeutically useful.

In vitro and in vivo SAR of pyrido[3,4-d]pyramid-4-ylamine based mGluR1 antagonists.

The SAR of a series of novel pyrido[3,4-d]pyramid-4-ylamine mGluR1 antagonists is described. The multiple of the unbound K(i) in cerebrospinal fluid necessary to give morphine like analgesic effects in an electromyograph pinch model in rodents is determined and the effect of structure on CNS penetration examined.

Treating lung inflammation with agonists of the adenosine A2A receptor: promises, problems and potential solutions.

Adenosine A(2A) receptor agonists may be important regulators of inflammation. Such conclusions have come from studies demonstrating that, (i) adenosine A(2A) agonists exhibit anti-inflammatory properties in vitro and in vivo, (ii) selective A(2A) antagonists enhance inflammation in vivo and, (iii) knock outs of this receptor aggravate inflammation in a wide variety of in vivo models. Inflammation is a hallmark of asthma and COPD and adenosine has long been suggested to be involved in disease pathology.

Inhaled adenosine A(2A) receptor agonists for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

COPD is a major cause of mortality in the western world. A(2A) agonists are postulated to reduce the lung inflammation that causes COPD. The cardiovascular effects of A(2A) agonists dictate that a compound needs to be delivered by inhalation to be therapeutically useful.

The discovery of adamantyl-derived, inhaled, long acting beta(2)-adrenoreceptor agonists.

The design and profile of a series of adamantyl-containing long acting beta(2)-adrenoreceptor agonists are described. An optimal pharmacokinetic profile of low oral bioavailability was combined with a strong pharmacology profile when assessed using a guinea pig trachea tissue model. A focus was then placed on developing a robust synthetic route to ensure rapid delivery of material for clinical trials.

The discovery of indole-derived long acting beta2-adrenoceptor agonists for the treatment of asthma and COPD.

The design and profile of a series of indole containing long acting beta(2)-adrenoceptor agonists is described. Evaluation of these analogues using an in vitro guinea pig trachea tissue model demonstrates that analogues within this series have salmeterol-like duration of action with potential for long duration of action in humans.

The discovery of long acting beta2-adrenoreceptor agonists.

The design and profile of a series of saligenin containing long acting beta(2)-adrenoreceptor agonists is described. Evaluation of these analogues using a guinea-pig tissue model demonstrates that analogues within this series have significantly longer durations of action than salmeterol and have the potential for a once daily profile in human.

Use of high-resolution MRI for investigation of fluid flow and global permeability in a material with interconnected porosity.

We present a multi-scale experimental approach designed to improve the investigation of both localized and global fluid flow in biomaterials with randomly interconnected porosity. Coralline hydroxyapatite (ProOsteon 500 from Interpore-Cross), having a relatively well-defined porosity, was used as an in vitro model of typical bone architecture. Axial fluid velocity profiles within the pores of a cylindrical hydroxyapatite sample were characterized using high-resolution MRI in conjunction with the measurement of global flow and associated permeability based on the Darcy-type relationship.

Structure-activity relationships of novel non-competitive mGluR1 antagonists: a potential treatment for chronic pain.

A series of novel mGluR1 antagonists have been prepared. Incorporation of fragments derived from weak lead matter into a library led to enhanced potency in a new chemical series. A chemistry driven second library iteration, covering a greatly enhanced area of chemical space, maintained good potency and introduced metabolic stability.

Evidence that direct DNA uptake through cut shoots leads to genetic transformation of Solanum aviculare Forst.

The reporter genes GUS, NPTII and BAR, either separately or in combination, have been exploited to determine if DNA which can directly enter plants, circulate within the plant and enter nuclei, can also integrate into the genome in a manner which will permit gene expression. Feeding of either seed-derived or adventitious cut shoots of Solanum aviculare with the GUS gene followed by rooting of the shoots and growing on, resulted in all tissues of the plant showing GUS activity as detected cytochemically. Southern blot analysis of plants derived from the adventitious shoots confirmed the presence of the reporter gene in roots.

Effects of jasmonic acid and its methylester on in vitro microtuberisation of three food yam (Dioscorea) species.

The effects of jasmonic acid (JA) applied in the medium and its methylester (MeJA) applied either in the medium or as a vapour, on shoot growth and microtuber formation were evaluated in three important food yam species (Dioscorea alata, D. cayenensis, and D. rotundata).

A parametric study of acetabular cup design variables using finite element analysis and statistical design of experiments.

To isolate the primary variables influencing acetabular cup and interface stresses, we performed an evaluation of cup loading and cup support variables, using a Statistical Design of Experiments (SDOE) approach. We developed three-dimensional finite element (FEM) models of the pelvis and adjacent bone. Cup support variables included fixation mechanism (cemented or noncemented), amount of bone support, and presence of metal backing.

Epinephrine prolongs duration of subcutaneous infiltration of local anesthesia in a dose-related manner. Correlation with magnitude of vasoconstriction.

Background And Objectives: Epinephrine is frequently combined with local anesthesia to prolong analgesia. Determination of the minimal concentration and the dose of epinephrine that produces prolongation of analgesia is important in the face of epinephrine's potential for systemic and local toxicity. The authors undertook this study to determine a dose-response curve of epinephrine on duration of analgesia of both 1% lidocaine and 0.

Isolation and characterisation of cDNA clones representing the genes encoding the major tuber storage protein (dioscorin) of yam (Dioscorea cayenensis Lam.).

cDNA clones encoding dioscorins, the major tuber storage proteins (M(r) 32,000) of yam (Dioscorea cayenesis) have been isolated. Two classes of clone (A and B, based on hybrid release translation product sizes and nucleotide sequence differences) which are 84.1% similar in their protein coding regions, were identified.

Cybridization in Nicotiana tabacum L. using double inactivation of parental protoplasts and post-fusion selection based on nuclear-encoded and chloroplast-encoded marker genes.

An effective selection system preceded by double inactivation of parental protoplasts was used to transfer Nicotiana suaveolens Leh. cytoplasmic male sterility into a commercial tobacco (N. tabacum L.