Rapid Raman spectroscopic determination of 1-feruloyl-sn-glycerol and 1,3-diferuloyl-sn-glycerol.

Ferulic acid and its derivatives are important natural products found throughout the plant kingdom and are of special interest due to their health benefits. 1-Feruloyl-sn-glycerol (FG) and 1,3-diferuloyl-sn-glycerol (FG) are two common bioproducts of ferulic acid that co-occur in nature and during the biocatalytic production of feruloylated lipids. In this paper, we report a comprehensive characterization of FG and FG using Raman and UV spectroscopies and theoretical density functional theory calculations at the B3LYP/6-311+G** level.

Total Usual Micronutrient Intakes Compared to the Dietary Reference Intakes among U.S. Adults by Food Security Status.

This study examined total usual micronutrient intakes from foods, beverages, and dietary supplements (DS) compared to the Dietary Reference Intakes among U.S. adults (≥19 years) by sex and food security status using NHANES 2011-2014 data ( = 9954).

Preventive/office visit patient knowledge and their insurance information gathering perceptions.

Objectives: To better understand patients' levels of health literacy regarding what constitutes no-cost preventive visits versus possibly costly office visits and their ease of obtaining information about coverage and costs from providers and health insurance companies.

Study Design: A cross-sectional online survey of 866 participants aged 18 to 82 years from 49 states.

Methods: Participants' knowledge of preventive versus office visits was assessed through a series of true/false questions.

Amylose Inclusion Complexes as Emulsifiers for Garlic and Asafoetida Essential Oils for Mosquito Control.

Although the insecticidal properties of some plant essential oils are well-documented, their use in integrated pest and vector management is complicated by their high volatility, low thermal stability, high sensitivity to oxidation, and low solubility in water. We investigated the use of bio-based -1-hexadecylammonium chloride and sodium palmitate amylose inclusion complexes as emulsifiers for two essential oils, garlic and asafoetida, known to be highly toxic to mosquito larvae. Four emulsions of each essential oil based on amylose hexadecylammonium chloride and amylose sodium palmitate inclusion complexes were evaluated for their toxicity against L.

The Effects of a Technology-Based Self-monitoring Intervention on On-Task, Disruptive, and Task-Completion Behaviors for Adolescents with Autism.

Individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) often present with difficulty in sustaining engagement, attention, and have disruptive behavior in classroom settings. Without appropriate intervention, these challenging behaviors often persist and negatively impact educational outcomes. Self-monitoring is a well-supported evidence-based practice for addressing challenging behaviors and improving pro-social behaviors for individuals with ASD.

Modeling Solid State Stability for Speciation: A Ten-Year Long Study.

Speciation studies are based on fundamental models that relate the properties of biomimetic coordination compounds to the stability of the complexes. In addition to the classic approach based on solution studies, solid state properties have been recently proposed as supporting tools to understand the bioavailability of the involved metal. A ten-year long systematic study of several different complexes of imidazole substituted ligands with transition metal ions led our group to the definition of a model based on experimental evidences.

Synergistic enhancement of beta-lactam antibiotics by modified tunicamycin analogs TunR1 and TunR2.

The β-lactams are the most widely used group of antibiotics in human health and agriculture, but this is under threat due to the persistent rise of pathogenic resistance. Several compounds, including tunicamycin (TUN), can enhance the antibacterial activity of the β-lactams to the extent of overcoming resistance, but the mammalian toxicity of TUN has precluded its use in this role. Selective hydrogenation of TUN produces modified compounds (TunR1 and TunR2), which retain the enhancement of β-lactams while having much lower mammalian toxicity.

A renewable tung oil-derived nitrile rubber and its potential use in epoxy-toughening modifiers.

In this study, a modifier (CTMA) prepared by emulsion copolymerization of tung oil fatty acid, methyl esters of tung oil fatty acid and acrylonitrile was used to toughen epoxy resins. The structural characterization of the copolymer was carried out by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, H NMR spectroscopy and high-temperature gel permeation chromatography. Mechanical testing, thermal characterization and scanning electron microscopy were conducted to investigate the properties of epoxy resin modified by the copolymer and further reveal its toughening mechanism.

High-Performance Biobased Unsaturated Polyester Nanocomposites with Very Low Loadings of Graphene.

Graphene-reinforced tung oil (TO)-based unsaturated polyester nanocomposites were prepared via in situ melt polycondensation intergrated with Diels⁻Alder addition. Functionalized graphene sheets derived from graphene oxide (GO) were then extracted from the obtained nanocomposites and carefully characterized. Furthermore, dispersion state of the graphene nanosheets in the cured polymer composites and ultimate properties of the resultant biobased nanocomposites were investigated.

Translocation of a parthenogenesis gene candidate to an alternate carrier chromosome in apomictic Brachiaria humidicola.

Background: The apomictic reproductive mode of Brachiaria (syn. Urochloa) forage species allows breeders to faithfully propagate heterozygous genotypes through seed over multiple generations. In Brachiaria, reproductive mode segregates as single dominant locus, the apospory-specific genomic region (ASGR).

Inhibition of and biofilms by liamocins from .

The aim of this study was to determine if the novel anti-streptococcal inhibitors, liamocins, also inhibit biofilm formation by and . strain ATCC 25175 and ATCC 33478 were tested for biofilm formation in a rapid microtiter plate (MTP) assay and the effects of added liamocins were determined. This assay measures relative biofilm growth on pin lids.

Bacterial endophyte antagonism toward a fungal pathogen in vitro does not predict protection in live plant tissue.

Endophytic microbiota are potentially useful plant symbionts for conferring biotic or abiotic stress tolerance. Common approaches to identify putatively beneficial functions of endophytes rely on lab-based assays. However, if functional roles are context-dependent, lab-based assessments may not accurately represent functional outcomes under variable field conditions.

Discovery and exploitation of a natural ecological trap for a mosquito disease vector.

Ecological traps occur due to a mismatch between a habitat's attractiveness and quality, wherein organisms show preference for low-quality habitats over other available high-quality habitats. Our previous research identified leaf litter from common blackberry () as a natural ecological trap for an important vector for West Nile virus (), attracting mosquitoes to oviposit in habitats deleterious to the survival of their larvae. Here we demonstrate that manipulation of leaf litter in stormwater catch basins, an important source of disease vector mosquitoes in urban environments, can increase oviposition but reduce survival.

Host blood-meal source has a strong impact on gut microbiota of Aedes aegypti.

Gut microbial communities of mosquitoes can influence vector susceptibility to pathogens, yet the factors that govern their composition remain poorly understood. We investigated the impact of host blood-meal source on gut microbiota of Aedes aegypti L. Adult mosquitoes were fed on human, rabbit or chicken blood and their gut microbiota compared to those of sugar-fed and newly emerged adults.

Phenotype responses to abiotic stresses, asexual reproduction and virulence among isolates of the entomopathogenic fungus Cordyceps javanica (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae).

Selecting entomopathogenic fungal isolates with resilience to environmental stresses, optimal mass production characteristics, and with high virulence to target pests favors the development of mycopesticides. A case in point, Cordyceps (= Isaria) javanica has been extensively investigated for non-chemical control of whiteflies worldwide. We phylogenetically characterized 11 native C.

Dietary Supplement Use Differs by Socioeconomic and Health-Related Characteristics among U.S. Adults, NHANES 2011⁻2014.

The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of use and types of dietary supplements (DS) used by U.S. adults (≥19 years) by sociodemographic characteristics: family income-to-poverty ratio (PIR), food security status, and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participation using NHANES 2011⁻2014 data ( = 11,024).

Mosquito microbiota cluster by host sampling location.

Background: Microbial communities that inhabit the mosquito body play an import role in host biology and may have potential for mosquito control. However, the forces that shape these microbial communities are poorly understood.

Methods: To gain a better understanding of how host location influences the composition and diversity of mosquito microbiota, we performed a survey of microbial communities in mosquito samples collected from six USA states using HiSeq sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene.

Environmental and social-demographic predictors of the southern house mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Background: Understanding the major predictors of disease vectors such as mosquitoes can guide the development of effective and timely strategies for mitigating vector-borne disease outbreaks. This study examined the influence of selected environmental, weather and sociodemographic factors on the spatial and temporal distribution of the southern house mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus Say in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.

Methods: Adult mosquitoes were collected over a 4-year period (2006, 2008, 2009 and 2010) using CDC gravid traps.

Physical and chemical properties of pyrolyzed biosolids for utilization in sand-based turfgrass rootzones.

Biosolids are several forms of treated sewage sludge that are intended for use as soil conditioners for horticultural, agricultural and industrial crops. The objectives of this research were to determine the chemical and physical properties of biosolids pyrolyzed at several different temperatures, and their effect on perennial ryegrass seed germination and growth. Biosolids were thermally treated in an oxygen-free (nitrogen atmosphere) retort oven at 300, 400, 500, 700 and 900 °C.

Commercial hybrids and mutant genotypes reveal complex protective roles for inducible terpenoid defenses in maize.

Plant defense research is facilitated by the use of genome-sequenced inbred lines; however, a foundational knowledge of interactions in commercial hybrids remains relevant to understanding mechanisms present in crops. Using an array of commercial maize hybrids, we quantified the accumulation patterns of defense-related metabolites and phytohormones in tissues challenged with diverse fungal pathogens. Across hybrids, Southern leaf blight (Cochliobolus heterostrophus) strongly elicited specific sesqui- and diterpenoid defenses, namely zealexin A4 (ZA4) and kauralexin diacids, compared with the stalk-rotting agents Fusarium graminearum and Colletotrichum graminicola.

Exploring paraprofessional and classroom factors affecting teacher supervision.

Background: Paraprofessionals serve a primary role in supporting students with disabilities in the classroom, which necessitates teachers' supervision as a means to improve their practice. Yet, little is known regarding what factors affect teacher supervision.

Aims: We sought to identify how paraprofessional competence and classroom type affected the levels of teacher direction.

Fungal and herbivore elicitation of the novel maize sesquiterpenoid, zealexin A4, is attenuated by elevated CO.

Chemical isolation and NMR-based structure elucidation revealed a novel keto-acidic sesquiterpenoid, termed zealexin A4 (ZA4). ZA4 is elicited by pathogens and herbivory, but attenuated by heightened levels of CO . The identification of the labdane-related diterpenoids, termed kauralexins and acidic sesquiterpenoids, termed zealexins, demonstrated the existence of at least ten novel stress-inducible maize metabolites with diverse antimicrobial activity.

Tracking Success: Outputs Versus Outcomes-A Comparison of Accredited and Non-Accredited Public Health Agencies' Community Health Improvement Plan objectives.

With funding for public health initiatives declining, creating measurable objectives that are focused on tracking and changing population outcomes (i.e., knowledge, attitudes, or behaviors), instead of those that are focused on health agencies' own outputs (e.

Development of an LC-MS/MS Determination Method for T-2 Toxin and Its Glucoside and Acetyl Derivatives for Estimating the Contamination of Total T-2 Toxins in Staple Flours.

A determination method previously validated for trichothecenes and zearalenone by means of liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was adapted for the quantification of T-2 toxin (T-2) as well as its glucoside and acetyl derivatives, T-2-3-glucoside (T-2-3G) and 3-acetyl-T-2 (3A-T-2). HT-2 toxin (HT-2) and its acetyl derivative 3-acetyl-HT-2 (3A-HT-2) were also included as the target chemicals. Staple flours (56 samples collected from the Singapore market) were examined for contamination from T-2 and/or HT-2 and their derivatives.

Combined Toxicity of Three Essential Oils Against Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) Larvae.

Essential oils are potential alternatives to synthetic insecticides because they have low mammalian toxicity, degrade rapidly in the environment, and possess complex mixtures of bioactive constituents with multi-modal activity against the target insect populations. Twenty-one essential oils were initially screened for their toxicity against Aedes aegypti (L.) larvae and three out of the seven most toxic essential oils (Manuka, oregano, and clove bud essential oils) were examined for their chemical composition and combined toxicity against Ae.