The Amelioration of Grazing through Physiological Integration by a Clonal Dune Plant.

Rhizomatous growth and associated physiological integration can allow a clonal dune species to potentially compensate for the selective removal of leaves associated with herbivory. is a rhizomatous clonal plant species that is abundant in the coastal dune environments of the southeastern United States that are inhabited by large feral horse populations. has been shown to integrate resources among ramets within extensive clones as an adaptation to resource heterogeneity in sandy soils.

Nanoparticulate air pollution disrupts proteostasis in Caenorhabditis elegans.

The proteostasis network comprises the biochemical pathways that together maintain and regulate proper protein synthesis, transport, folding, and degradation. Many progressive neurodegenerative diseases, such as Huntington's disease (HD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD), are characterized by an age-dependent failure of the proteostasis network to sustain the health of the proteome, resulting in protein misfolding, aggregation, and, often, neurotoxicity. Although important advances have been made in recent years to identify genetic risk factors for neurodegenerative diseases, we still know relatively little about environmental risk factors such as air pollution.

Sagittal suture strain in capuchin monkeys (Sapajus and Cebus) during feeding.

Objectives: Morphological variation in cranial sutures is used to infer aspects of primate feeding behavior, including diet, but strain regimes across sutures are not well documented. Our aim is to test hypotheses about sagittal suture morphology, strain regime, feeding behavior, and muscle activity relationships in robust Sapajus and gracile Cebus capuchin primates.

Materials And Methods: Morphometrics of sinuosity in three regions of the sagittal suture were compared among museum specimens of Sapajus and Cebus, as well as in robust and gracile lab specimens.

Sexual Experiences and Attachment Styles in Online and Offline Dating Contexts.

Nearly 50% of adults under age 29 report using some form of online dating to find sexual partners or romantic relationships. Limited evidence suggests online and offline dating behaviors and experiences can vary. We aimed to expand understanding these differences by examining how attachment styles are associated with online and offline search for partners and emotional responses to sexual experiences.

The Psychological Science Accelerator's COVID-19 rapid-response dataset.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Psychological Science Accelerator coordinated three large-scale psychological studies to examine the effects of loss-gain framing, cognitive reappraisals, and autonomy framing manipulations on behavioral intentions and affective measures. The data collected (April to October 2020) included specific measures for each experimental study, a general questionnaire examining health prevention behaviors and COVID-19 experience, geographical and cultural context characterization, and demographic information for each participant. Each participant started the study with the same general questions and then was randomized to complete either one longer experiment or two shorter experiments.

Utilization of Cooked Cassava and Taro as Alternative Feed in Enhancing Pig Production in Ecuadorian Backyard System.

Pork production in Ecuador is of significant economic and nutritional importance. Many of these operations are family- or backyard-based and utilize alternative feed ingredients to reduce production costs. The current study aimed to determine the chemical composition of cooked cassava and taro, and to evaluate their inclusion in the feed of backyard pigs during the growth and fattening phases.

Linear manipulator: Motion control of an -link robotic arm mounted on a mobile slider.

Linear manipulators are versatile linear robotics systems that can be reprogrammed to accommodate product changes quickly and are flexible to meet unique requirements. Such robotic systems tend to have higher accuracy, making them the perfect automation solution for those mundane, repetitious tasks. With the demand for linear systems in real-life applications expanding consistently, this paper addresses motion planning and control (MPC) of a new modified unanchored linear manipulator consisting of an -link robotic arm mounted on a mobile slider along a rail.

Developing a Climate Change Risk Perception Model in the Philippines and Fiji: Posttraumatic Growth Plays Central Role.

Background: This two-study paper developed a climate change risk perception model that considers the role of posttraumatic growth (i.e., a reappraisal of life priorities and deeper appreciation of life), resource loss, posttraumatic stress, coping, and social support.

Digital cough monitoring - A potential predictive acoustic biomarker of clinical outcomes in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

Purpose: Recent developments in the field of artificial intelligence and acoustics have made it possible to objectively monitor cough in clinical and ambulatory settings. We hypothesized that time patterns of objectively measured cough in COVID-19 patients could predict clinical prognosis and help rapidly identify patients at high risk of intubation or death.

Methods: One hundred and twenty-three patients hospitalized with COVID-19 were enrolled at University of Florida Health Shands and the Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal.

Interventions in Small Island Developing States to improve diet, with a focus on the consumption of local, nutritious foods: a systematic review.

Introduction: Food security in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) is an international policy priority. SIDS have high rates of nutrition-related non-communicable diseases, including obesity and type 2 diabetes, micronutrient deficiencies and, in many, persistent childhood stunting. This is associated with an increasing reliance on imported processed food of poor nutritional quality.

Isolation, antibacterial screening, and identification of bioactive cave dwelling bacteria in Fiji.

Bacteria are well known producers of bioactive secondary metabolites, including some of the most effective antibiotics in use today. While the caves of Oceania are still largely under-explored, they form oligotrophic and extreme environments that are a promising source for identifying novel species of bacteria with biologically active compounds. By using selective media that mimicked a cave environment, and pretreatments that suppressed the growth of fast-growing bacteria, we have cultured genetically diverse bacteria from a limestone cave in Fiji.

Hydrogel encapsulation as a handling and vitrification tool for zebrafish ovarian tissue.

Zebrafish is an important animal model, thousands lines have been developed, thus having a great need for their preservation. However, the cryopreservation of fish oocytes is still limited and needs improvement. The sodium alginate hydrogel, in addition to providing support for the cells, has been shown to be a potential cryoprotectant.

"That Was the Happiest Time of My Life": Understanding Childhood Eco-Connections in Appalachian Communities.

The goal of this study was to explore facets of childhood eco-connections, using retrospective qualitative data from adults. One hundred and forty-five adults from predominantly rural and small-town communities in southern Appalachia (71.7% female), average age 36.

Classification with 2-D convolutional neural networks for breast cancer diagnosis.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. Classification of cancer/non-cancer patients with clinical records requires high sensitivity and specificity for an acceptable diagnosis test. The state-of-the-art classification model-convolutional neural network (CNN), however, cannot be used with such kind of tabular clinical data that are represented in 1-D format.

Auditory Brainstem response electrophysiological thresholds with narrow band chirps stimuli in hearing infants.

Objectives: to describe reference values for the electrophysiological thresholds obtained in the frequency-specific Auditory Brainstem Response (fsABR) with the NB CE-Chirp® LS and NB iChirp stimuli in hearing infants and to compare the variables: Minimum Levels of Response (MLR), latency, amplitude and examination time.

Methods: the sample consisted of 74 full-term infants, with a mean age of 23.11 days, 29 females and 45 males.

Third molar maturity index (I) assessment according to different geographical zones: a large multi-ethnic study sample.

Identification of living undocumented individuals highlights the need for accurate, precise, and reproducible age estimation methods, especially in those cases involving minors. However, when their country of origin is unknown, or it can be only roughly estimated, it is extremely difficult to apply assessment policies, procedures, and practices that are accurate and child-sensitive. The main aim of this research is to optimize the correct classification of adults and minors by establishing new cut-off values for four different continents (Africa, America, Asia, and Europe).

Postcolonial control of Fiji soccer and the return of subjugated knowledges: From the 1970s to the 2010s.

The primary aim of this article is to use Foucault's idea of subjugated knowledges to search out areas and viewpoints within Fiji soccer which are suppressed by the governing authorities. To fulfill this aim, we explore and assess, ethnographic research, the racial and ethnic aspects of Fiji soccer, from the 1970s to the 2010s, and how cultural hegemony facilitates continued Fiji Indian control and dominance within the sport. Next, and although we note the positive dimension of Fiji Football Association's 2014 Veterans' Dinner, we suggest that some ex-Ba players were apparently discriminated against by, puzzlingly, not being invited.

Simultaneous Dispersive Liquid-Liquid Microextraction and Determination of Different Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Surface Water.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a class of persistent organic pollutants of water, and their determination at trace levels in the aquatic ecosystems is essential. In this work, an ultrasound-assisted dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) procedure was suggested utilizing a binary dispersive agent for recovery of different molecular weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from waters. The detection was carried out by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) as well as high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence and diode-array detection (HPLC-FD/PDA).

Influence of dentofacial characteristics on the appearance of self-reported bullying: A review.

Bullying is a social problem that affects children and adolescents in particular. It deteriorates the selfesteem of its victims, decreases their quality of life and generates future psychological problems. The aim of this review was to determine the influence of dentofacial characteristics on the appearance of selfreported bullying through a literature review.

is a good model for human mandibular fixation research.

Biomechanical and clinical studies have yet to converge on the optimal fixation technique for angle fractures, one of the most common and controversial fractures in terms of fixation approach. Prior pre-clinical studies have used a variety of animal models and shown abnormal strain environments exacerbated by less rigid (single-plate) Champy fixation and chewing on the side opposite the fracture (contralateral chewing). However, morphological differences between species warrant further investigation to ensure that these findings are translational.

Coconut fruit pulp by-product in the diet of sheep.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the inclusion of coconut fruit pulp by-product (CPB) on the intake, apparent digestibility, nitrogen balance, and ruminal parameters of sheep. Five intact, male, non-descript lambs with a mean initial body weight of 25.5 ± 1.

Use of Biochar Prepared from the Açaí Seed as Adsorbent for the Uptake of Catechol from Synthetic Effluents.

This work proposes a facile methodology for producing porous biochar material (ABC) from açaí kernel residue, produced by chemical impregnation with ZnCl2 (1:1) and pyrolysis at 650.0 °C. The characterization was achieved using several techniques, and the biochar material was employed as an adsorbent to remove catechol.

Overall Survival Prediction of Docetaxel-based Second-line Treatment for Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Objectives: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for 75-85% of all lung cancer diagnoses. This meta-analysis sought to estimate the overall survival (OS) of NSCLC based on randomized control trials which had compared docetaxel with kinase inhibitors, antineoplastic agents, and monoclonal antibodies as second-line chemotherapy for advanced NSCLC.

Methods: We selected 18 randomized control trials which used docetaxel as the standard treatment arm, while kinase inhibitors, antineoplastic agents, and monoclonal antibodies constituted the experimental arm.