Outer Sites Research Articles

Numerical evaluation of gamma radiation monitoring

Abstract Airborne Gamma Ray Spectrometry (AGRS) with its important applications such as gathering radiation information of ground surface, geochemistry measuring of the abundance of Potassium, Thorium and Uranium in outer earth layer, environmental and nuclear site surveillance has a key role in the field of nuclear science and human life. The Broyden–Fletcher–Goldfarb–Shanno (BFGS), with its advanced numerical unconstrained nonlinear optimization in collaboration with Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) provides a noteworthy opportunity for modern AGRS. In this study a new AGRS system empowered by ANN-BFGS has been proposed and evaluated on available empirical AGRS data. To that effect different architectures of adaptive ANN-BFGS were implemented for a sort of published experimental AGRS outputs. The selected approach among of various training methods, with its low iteration cost and non-diagonal scaling allocation is a new powerful algorithm for AGRS data due to its inherent stochastic properties. Experiments were performed by different architectures and trainings, the selected scheme achieved the smallest number of epochs, the minimum Mean Square Error (MSE) and the maximum performance in compare with different types of optimization strategies and algorithms. The proposed method is capable to be implemented on a cost effective and minimum electronic equipment to present its real-time process, which will let it to be used on board a light Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). The advanced adaptation properties and models of neural network, the training of stochastic process and its implementation on DSP outstands an affordable, reliable and low cost AGRS design. The main outcome of the study shows this method increases the quality of curvature information of AGRS data while cost of the algorithm is reduced in each iteration so the proposed ANN-BFGS is a trustworthy appropriate model for Gamma-ray data reconstruction and analysis based on advanced novel artificial intelligence systems.

Modelling the transport of shipborne per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the coastal environment

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are presently essential ingredients in aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) used for fire-fighting, but are also pervasive environmental contaminants. The use and subsequent release and transport of AFFF in the ocean environment from marine vessels has not been studied to date. A numerical model (Delft3D) was rigorously calibrated and validated for the hydrodynamics, and used to predict the transport of PFAS released instantaneously into a large harbour (Halifax Harbour, Nova Scotia) that is representative of coastal environments in eastern Canada and other parts of the world. The numerical model results indicate that PFAS released in the presence of strong winds and waves during a storm will travel up to 31 km in 2 days, approximately 40% farther than PFAS release during a time period dominated by tidal currents with light winds and small waves (<1 m). After a 10 day simulation, PFAS levels from release sites in the Inner Harbour were higher (40–60 μg/L) compared to PFAS levels from the Outer Harbour release site which had decreased to low levels (<1 μg/L) during a non-storm period. Along shorelines within the Harbour, PFAS concentrations remained elevated after 12 h (40–500 μg/L) and 48 h (2–300 μg/L). These concentrations are within the range of PFAS guidance values for recreational water use. The methods described here are relevant to studies of PFAS dispersion and transport in other coastal areas, and could be used to determine best practices for applications of AFFF in the coastal environment.

Tumor-conditional anti-CTLA4 uncouples antitumor efficacy from immunotherapy-related toxicity.

While immune checkpoint blockade leads to potent antitumor efficacy, it also leads to immune-related adverse events in cancer patients. These toxicities stem from systemic immune activation resulting in inflammation of multiple organs, including the gastrointestinal tract, lung, and endocrine organs. We developed a dual variable domain immunoglobulin of anti-CTLA4 antibody (anti-CTLA4 DVD, where CTLA4 is defined as cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen-4) possessing an outer tumor-specific antigen-binding site engineered to shield the inner anti-CTLA4-binding domain. Upon reaching the tumor, the outer domain was cleaved by membrane type-serine protease 1 (MT-SP1) present in the tumor microenvironment, leading to enhanced localization of CTLA4 blockade. Anti-CTLA4 DVD markedly reduced multiorgan immune toxicity by preserving tissue-resident Tregs in Rag 1-/- mice that received naive donor CD4+ T cells from WT C57BL/6j mice. Moreover, anti-CTLA4 DVD induced potent antitumor effects by decreasing tumor-infiltrating Tregs and increasing the infiltration of antigen-specific CD8+ T lymphocytes in TRAMP-C2-bearing C57BL/6j mice. Treg depletion was mediated through the antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) mechanism, as anti-CTLA4 without the FcγR-binding portion (anti-CTLA4 DANA) spared Tregs, preventing treatment-induced toxicities. In summary, our results demonstrate an approach to anti-CTLA4 blockade that depletes tumor-infiltrating, but not tissue-resident, Tregs, preserving antitumor effects while minimizing toxicity. Thus, our tumor-conditional anti-CTLA4 DVD provides an avenue for uncoupling antitumor efficacy from immunotherapy-induced toxicities.

Conservation zones in a cultural heritages area of Penanggungan Volcano, based on volcanic-hydrogeological assessment, Mojokerto Regency, East Java, Indonesia

In the vicinity of Penanggungan volcano, Mojokerto regency, east Java, Indonesia, there is an area of cultural heritages, where numerous sites of ancient temples being distributed widely from the flank to near the summit. Fortunately the volcano has been not active anymore since the Holocene epoch. The surrounding area represents variety of volcanicstratigraphy, consisting of Watukosekvolcanic cone, Arjuna - Welirangvolcanic cones represented by Bulak dome, Penanggunganvolcanic cone represented by Bekel dome, Gajahmungkur dome, Genting dome, Bendo dome and Kemuncup dome. Hydrogeologically, the study area performs an aquifer system comprises intergrain, fracture, and intergrain with fracture combination water bearing formations. Some springs occur in the fracture aquifer and the intergrains with fractures aquifer. In general the quality of groundwater is good. Catchment area occupies the summit toward the flank of Penanggungan volcano, whereas runoff area lies on the lowlands.The distribution of ancient cultural sites in the study area can be divided into 5 (five) groups, including cultural sites group at Penanggungan Volcano, cultural sites group at Bekel Volcano, cultural sites group at Genting Volcano, cultural sites group at Kemuncup Volcano, and outer cultural sites group. Finally, based on its volcanic stratigraphy and hydrogeological conditions, the study area can be delineated to be three conservation zones namely zone of protected areas, zone of supporting areas, and zone of unprotected areas. The zone of protected areas is 5,577.78 hectares wide, containing units of protected forest area, critical land area, river border area, springs area, reserve area, cultural site and temple area, area with slope of above 45°, and geological heritage area.

Antigenicity of β-lactoglobulin reduced by combining with oleic acid during dynamic high-pressure microfluidization: Multi-spectroscopy and molecule dynamics simulation analysis

Some food components can modulate the antigenicity of β-lactoglobulin (β-LG). This study investigated the role of oleic acid (OA) in reducing the antigenicity of β-LG. The results indicate the antigenicity of β-LG gradually decreased from 15 (sample with no OA) to 9.86, 7.51, and 6.01 µg/mL when interacting with OA during dynamic high-pressure microfluidization treatment at 0.1, 80, and 160 MPa. Although binding sites (n) of β-LG combined with OA at 0.1, 80, and 160 MPa decreased from 0.79 to 0.5 and 0.66, β-LG had a higher binding affinity (Ka) to OA than that of untreated β-LG. The values of Ka for β-LG/OA at 0.1, 80, and 160 MPa were 5.51 × 106, 17.43 × 106, and 49.75 × 106M-1, respectively. The molecule dynamic simulation showed that the OA molecules located at both β-barrel (site 1) interacted with Lys60, Glu62, and Lys69 and outer surface site 2 consisting of Tyr20, Tyr42, Ser21, Glu157, and His161. Additionally, when binding with OA during the dynamic high-pressure microfluidization treatment, the conformation of β-LG changed, reflected by the decrease of fluorescence intensity and total sulfhydryl group content, the increase of surface sulfhydryl group content, and secondary structure changes of β-LG. These results deduce that some epitopes may be masked by OA or modified by the conformational changes, resulting in the decline of antigenicity of β-LG molecules.

Hierarchical mesoporous carbon nanosheets for efficient organic pollutants removal

Abstract Hierarchical mesoporous carbon nanosheets were synthesized by using gallic acid and zinc organic-inorganic (Zn-GA) hybrids as templates. After carbonization and removal of ZnO nanoparticles by diluted HCl, carbon nanosheets with a thickness of 11–16 nm were formed and arranged like a completely-opened-erected book. The carbon nanosheets possessed mesopores (centered at 6.5 and 23.4 nm) and macropores and had high surface areas (786 m2 g−1) and large pore volumes (1.57 cm3 g−1). The thin thickness and high amount of mesopores of the carbon nanosheets ensured short diffusion path and largely available inner and outer adsorptive sites of the carbon nanosheet. The hierarchical structure of the carbon nanosheets avoided the thin nanosheets from aggregation during adsorption of organic pollutants in water solution. The obtained hierarchical mesoporous carbon (HMC) nanosheets were used as adsorbents to remove 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP) from water. As a result, the HMC nanosheets showed fast adsorption rate and significantly higher adsorption capacity (833 mg g−1) to TCP than other mesoporous carbon materials.

Optical and structural properties of polyvinyl alcohol loaded with different concentrations of lignosulfonate

Polyvinyl alcohol/lignosulfonate (PVA/LS) composite films have been prepared using casting technique. The effect of lignosulfonate concentrations (0.001, 0.005, 0.01, 0.05, 0.1 and 0.5 wt %) on the optical and structural properties of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) has been investigated using UV–vis spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction. The results indicate that, the addition of LS led to a more compact structure of PVA, which resulted in an increase in its refractive index and amorphous phase. This was associated with a reduction in the optical energy gap that could be attributed to the increase in disorder structural of the composites. Moreover, the transmittance of PVA/LS composite film decreased with the increase of LS doping concentrations onto the PVA matrix. The results reflect the proper dispersion of LS in the PVA matrix that causes a strong intermolecular interaction between LS and PVA suggesting strong hydrogen bond formation between the hydroxyl group in PVA chains and the outer site groups of LS. Further, the transmission of the samples in the wavelength range of 370–780 nm, as well as any color changes, was studied. The color intensity ΔE, which is the color difference between the pure PVA sample and those with different LS concentration, increases with increasing the LS content and was accompanied by an increase in the yellow and red color components. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 25:85–90, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers

Hydrocarbon and sewage contamination near fringing reefs along the west coast of Havana, Cuba: A multiple sedimentary molecular marker approach

Organic contamination is a major environmental concern in coastal regions, and it can be evaluated by the determination of aliphatic hydrocarbons (AHs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), faecal sterols and linear alkylbenzenes (LABs). The concentrations of these organic markers were obtained from nine surface sediment samples to evaluate a possible contamination near a fringing reef on the west coast of Havana, Cuba. The AH levels ranged from 1.24 to 135.6 μg g−1, the PAH levels were up to 2133 ng g−1, the faecal sterol levels ranged from 0.03 to 1.54 μg g−1, and the total LAB levels were up to 22.7 ng g−1. The highest concentrations were obtained at sites close to Havana Bay and at the sources of untreated sewage input. A decreasing concentration gradient was observed from Havana Bay to the outer sites. Although only two sites presented high levels of contamination, untreated sewage discharged close to the fringing reef may affect its environment.

Diversity patterns of benthic bacterial communities along the salinity continuum of the Humber estuary (UK)

Intertidal mudflats are fluctuating environments that support highly diverse microbial communities. The highly variable physico-chemical conditions complicate the understanding of the environmental controls on diversity patterns in estuarine systems. We investigated the bacterial diversity in the surface and subsurface sediments along the salinity gradient of the Humber estuary (UK) using amplicon sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene and correlated its variations with environmental variables. The sediment depths sampled were selected based on the local resuspension patterns. In general, bacterial communities showed similar composition at the different sites and depths, with Proteobacteria being the most abundant phylum. The richness of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) was uniform along the salinity gradient. However, Hill numbers, as bacterial diversity measures, showed that the common and dominant OTUs exhibited a decreasing trend from the inner towards the outer estuary sites. Additionally, surface and subsurface bacterial communities were separated by non-metric multi-dimensional scaling (NMDS) analysis only in the mid- and outer estuary samples, where redox transitions with depth were more abrupt. Salinity, porewater ammonium concentration and acid-extractable Fe(II) in solids were the subset of environmental factors that best correlated with community dissimilarities. Analysis of regional diversity indicated that the dataset may include 2 potentially distinct communities: (1) a near-surface community that is the product of regular mixing and transport and is subjected to a wide range of salinity conditions, and (2) a bacterial community indigenous to the more reducing subsurface sediments of the mudflats of the mid- and outer estuary.

Neutronic assessment of BDBA scenario at the end of Isfahan MNSR core life

Abstract The present study aims to assess the excess induced reactivity in a Miniature Neutron Source Reactor (MNSR) for a Beyond Design Basis Accident (BDBA) scenario. The BDBA scenario as defined in the Safety Analysis Report (SAR) of the reactor involves sticking of the control rod and filling of the inner and outer irradiation sites with water. At the end of the MNSR core life, 10.95 cm of Beryllium is added to the top of the core as a reflector which affects some neutronic parameters such as effective delayed neutrons fraction (β eff ), the reactivity worth of inner and outer irradiation sites that are filled with water and the reactivity worth of the control rod. Given those influences and changes, new neutronic calculations are required to be able to demonstrate the reactor safety. Therefore, a validated MCNPX model is used to calculate all neutronic parameters at the end of the reactor core life. The calculations show that the induced reactivity in the BDBA scenario increases at the end of core life to 7.90 ± 0.01 mk which is significantly higher than the induced reactivity of 6.80 mk given in the SAR of MNSR for the same scenario but at the beginning of the core's life. Also this value is 3.90 mk higher than the maximum allowable operational limit (i.e. 4.00 mk).

Benthic foraminifera from the Carnarvon Ramp reveal variability in Leeuwin Current activity (Western Australia) since the Pliocene

Abstract Benthic foraminiferal assemblages from a ~300 m deep core from an outer carbonate-ramp site off Western Australia (International Ocean Discovery Program Core U1460A) were examined to reconstruct the paleoceanographic evolution of the Carnarvon Ramp and the warm surficial Leeuwin Current (LC) for the last 3.54 Ma. Of the identified 179 benthic foraminiferal species, occurrences of the 15 most abundant taxa were assessed using Q-mode Cluster Analysis and Non-Metric Dimensional Scaling. Diversity, equitability, planktonic/benthic index, microhabitat preference, and sedimentary parameters such as lithology and sponge spicule content were analyzed to gather information about past intermediate- and surface-water circulation. Relative abundances of infaunal and epifaunal species were applied to indicate changes in organic-matter supply and oxygenation at the sea floor. Influence of upwelling was recognized by a high infaunal species ratio, with dominance by Uvigerina peregrina, Lagena annellatrachia and Trifarina bradyi. Epifaunal species such as Hanzawaia nipponica and Hyalinea florenceae gradually became more abundant around 1.14 Ma, indicating increased ventilation and establishment of the paleo-LC. A more substantial change was initiated by 0.91 Ma as marked by key species Spirorutilus carinatus and Rotorbinella sp., together with increased faunal diversity, benthic foraminiferal accumulation rates, and evidence for suspension feeding sponges. With the LC flow suppressing upwelling, and better ventilated waters entering the shelf, the environment favored epifaunal agglutinates, rotalids, and miliolids, while buliminids decreased. Under high-flow conditions of the LC, sponge spicules and skeletal carbonate production reached an optimum at ~0.6 Ma before returning to modern conditions. Supported by these observations, we propose the following paleoceanographic evolution of the Carnarvon Ramp: During the late Pliocene to mid Pleistocene (3.54–0.91 Ma) conditions of deep-water upwelling from the Western Australian Current and Indian Ocean Gyre indicate the absence of the capping LC on the outer carbonate ramp. A transitional phase started in the mid Pleistocene (1.14–0.61 Ma). The paleo-LC triggered gradual oxygenation at the sediment-water interface, which coincided with an increase in carbonate sedimentation rates, and waning sea-surface productivity. During a third phase, mid Pleistocene to present (0.91–0 Ma), the LC's intensity and flow rates peaked at ~0.6 Ma. Benthic foraminiferal accumulation rates reached a high, then decreased to present-day rates. For short periods, sea-surface productivity was moderately enhanced, likely due to fluctuating LC persistence or landward shift during glacial maxima.

Molecular recognition of flunarizine dihydrochloride and \u03b2-cyclodextrin inclusion complex by NMR and computational approaches

BackgroundFlunarizine dihydrochloride (FLN) is used in the prophylactic treatment of migraine, vertigo, occlusive peripheral vascular disease and epilepsy. Cyclodextrins (CDs) are chiral, truncated cone shaped macrocycles known for their inner hydrophobic and outer hydrophilic site. They form complexes with hydrophobic drug molecules and enhance the solubility and bioavailability of such compounds by enhancing drug permeability through mucosal tissues. NMR spectroscopy and computational docking have been recognized as an important tool for the interaction study of CDs-drug inclusion complexes in solution state.ResultsThe structural assignments of FLN and β-CD protons were determined by 1H NMR and 2D 1H-1H COSY NMR spectroscopy. 1H NMR spectroscopic studies of FLN, β-CD and their mixtures confirmed the formation of β-CD-FLN inclusion complex in solution. 1H NMR titration data for β-CD-FLN inclusion complex showed 1:1 stoichiometry, an association constant of Ka = 157 M−1 and change in Gibbs free energy of ∆G = − 12.65 kJ mol−1. The binding constant of the β-CD inclusion complex with two nearly similar structures, FLN and cetirizine dihydrochloride, were compared. Two-dimensional 1H-1H ROESY spectral data and molecular docking studies showed the modes of penetration of the aromatic rings from the wider rim side into the β-CD cavity. The possible geometrical structures of the β-CD-FLN inclusion complex have been proposed in which aromatic rings protrude close to the narrower rim of the β-CD truncated cone.ConclusionNMR spectroscopic studies of FLN, β-CD and FLN:β-CD mixtures confirmed the formation of 1:1 inclusion complex in solution at room temperature. Two-dimensional 1H-1H ROESY together with molecular docking study confirmed that the F-substituted aromatic ring of FLN penetrates into β-CD truncated cone and the tail of aromatic rings were proximal to narrower rim of β-CD. The splitting of aromatic signals of FLN in the presence of β-CD suggests chiral differentiation of the guest FLN by β-CD.

Probing the temperature-dependent changes of the interfacial hydration and viscosity of Tween20 : cholesterol (1 : 1) niosome membrane using fisetin as a fluorescent molecular probe.

A detailed photophysical study of fisetin in a Tween20 : cholesterol (1 : 1) niosome membrane has been carried out. Fisetin is found to partition well into the Tween20 : cholesterol (1 : 1) niosome membrane at low temperature (Kp = 2.7 × 104 M-1 at 10 °C). Cetylpyridinium chloride quenching study confirms the location of fisetin molecules in the interfacial domain of Tween20 : cholesterol (1 : 1) niosome membrane. The emission from the prototropic forms of fisetin (neutral form, excited state anion, ground state anion and phototautomer form) is found to sensitively reflect the local heterogeneities in Tween20 : cholesterol (1 : 1) niosome membrane. The shift in anionic emission maximum with variation in temperature shows the sensitivity of fisetin towards water accessibility at the interfacial domain of Tween20 : cholesterol (1 : 1) niosome membrane. Zeta potential value confirms that there is no role of surface charge in the multiple prototropism of fisetin in Tween20 : cholesterol (1 : 1) niosome membrane. The microviscosity changes with temperature, as reflected in fluorescence anisotropy values of fisetin phototautomeric species FT*, give information about the temperature-induced changes in the motional resistance offered by the interfacial domain of the niosomal membrane to small molecules. A temperature-dependent fluorescence lifetime study confirms the distribution of FT* in the two different sites of niosomal interfacial domain, i.e. water-deficient inner site and water-accessible outer site. This heterogeneity in distribution of FT* is further confirmed through time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy decay resulting in two different rotational time constants (faster component of ∼1.04 ns originates from water-accessible outer site and slower component of ∼16.50 ns originates from water-deficient inner site). The interfacial location of fisetin in Tween20 : cholesterol (1 : 1) niosome membrane has an important implication with regards to antioxidant activity as confirmed from a DPPH radical scavenging study.

Receptivity to malaria in the China\u2013Myanmar border in Yingjiang County, Yunnan Province, China

BackgroundThe re-establishment of malaria has become an important public health issue in and out of China, and receptivity to this disease is key to its re-emergence. Yingjiang is one of the few counties with locally acquired malaria cases in the China–Myanmar border in China. This study aimed to understand receptivity to malaria in Yingjiang County, China, from June to October 2016.MethodsLight-traps were employed to capture the mosquitoes in 17 villages in eight towns which were categorized into four elevation levels: level 1, 0–599 m; level 2, 600–1199 m; level 3, 1200–1799 m; and level 4, > 1800 m. Species richness, diversity, dominance and evenness were used to picture the community structure. Similarity in species composition was compared between different elevation levels. Data of seasonal abundance of mosquitoes, human biting rate, density of light-trap-captured adult mosquitoes and larvae, parous rate, and height distribution (density) of Anopheles minimus and Anopheles sinensis were collected in two towns (Na Bang and Ping Yuan) each month from June to October, 2016.ResultsOver the study period, 10,053 Anopheles mosquitoes were collected from the eight towns, and 15 Anopheles species were identified, the most-common of which were An. sinensis (75.4%), Anopheles kunmingensis (15.6%), and An. minimus (3.5%). Anopheles minimus was the major malaria vector in low-elevation areas (< 600 m, i.e., Na Bang town), and An. sinensis in medium-elevation areas (600–1200 m, i.e., Ping Yuan town). In Na Bang, the peak human-biting rate of An. minimus at the inner and outer sites of the village occurred in June and August 2016, with 5/bait/night and 15/bait/night, respectively. In Ping Yuan, the peak human-biting rate of An. sinensis was in August, with 9/bait/night at the inner site and 21/bait/night at the outer site. The two towns exhibited seasonal abundance with high density of the two adult vectors: The peak density of An. minimus was in June and that of An. sinensis was in August. Meanwhile, the peak larval density of An. minimus was in July, but that of An. sinensis decreased during the investigation season; the slightly acidic water suited the growth of these vectors. The parous rates of An. sinensis and An. minimus were 90.46 and 93.33%, respectively.ConclusionsThe Anopheles community was spread across different elevation levels. Its structure was complex and stable during the entire epidemic season in low-elevation areas at the border. The high human-biting rates, adult and larval densities, and parous rates of the two Anopheles vectors reveal an exceedingly high receptivity to malaria in the China–Myanmar border in Yingjiang County.

Analysis of crystallite size changes in a hematite and magnetite formed on steel used in the power idustry

The paper presents results of studies on the crystallite sizes of oxide layer formed during a long-term operation on 10CrMo9-10 steel at an elevated temperature (T = 545° C, t = 200,000 h). This value was determined by a method based on analysis of the diffraction line profile, according to a Scherrer formula. The oxide layer was studied on a surface and a cross-section at the outer and inner site on the pipe outlet, at the fire and counter-fire wall of the tube. X-ray studies were carried out on the surface of a tube, then the layer’s surface was polished and the diffraction measurements repeated to reveal differences in the originated oxides layer.

A change in phytoplankton community index with water quality improvement in Tolo Harbour, Hong Kong

Water quality in Tolo Harbour and Channel (Tolo) has been improved since 1998 after the diversion of sewage effluent. However, it remains poorly understood how nutrient loading reduction has impacted the phytoplankton community. To evaluate this, we applied a Phytoplankton Community Index PI(mp) to the 23-year data (1991–2013) at inner (TM4) and outer (TM8) sites in Tolo, with the former being more eutrophic than the latter. The results show that 1) the phytoplankton community changed with time after sewage diversion; 2) “diatoms and dinoflagellates” were better indicators of nutrient impact than “autotrophic/mixotrophic and heterotrophic dinoflagellates”; 3) the rate of recovery differed between the two stations, but both reached a similar state at a similar time; 4) seasonality of the phytoplankton community showed greater disturbance in spring than in other seasons. Our findings indicate that the nutrient reduction in the Tolo resulted in a positive change in the phytoplankton community.

Shifts in coastal fish communities: Is eutrophication always beneficial for sticklebacks?

Following declines of predatory fish, mesopredators such as sticklebacks have been linked to shifts in coastal trophic networks through both top-down (preying on mesograzers and facilitating algal blooms) and bottom-up (benefitting from eutrophicated conditions) processes. Here, we tested whether the association between eutrophication effects (filamentous algae and turbidity) and sticklebacks held true in the Finnish Archipelago Sea where predatory fish populations have remained stable. If so, sticklebacks should be more abundant in the middle archipelago, where eutrophic conditions have led to increased turbidity, higher filamentous algal loads, and decreased cover of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), than in the outer archipelago, where environmental conditions are better. We measured the spatial and seasonal variation of sticklebacks (three-spined Gasterosteus aculeatus and nine-spined Pungitius pungitius) in middle and outer archipelago sites, as well as environmental variables potentially affecting their abundance.Adults and juveniles of both species were more abundant in the outer than middle archipelago. The outer archipelago was characterized by greater Secchi depth throughout the summer and higher SAV cover in late summer. Secchi depth was positively correlated with stickleback abundance of both species, while SAV cover was also positively correlated in late summer. Filamentous algal cover was high in both the middle and outer archipelago, but not consistently associated with stickleback abundance throughout the summer. While sticklebacks have been thought to both contribute to, and benefit from, eutrophication, our results instead suggest that the resulting environmental changes may have adverse effects on sticklebacks, especially if predators are present. This may lead them to shift their breeding grounds and spatial distribution to less eutrophicated areas where lower turbidity and the resulting increased availability of SAV provide refuge from predators for juveniles, and higher quality breeding and feeding grounds for adults.

Auditory and otologic profile of Alström syndrome: Comprehensive single center data on 38 patients.

Alström syndrome (AS) is a rare autosomal recessive ciliopathy caused by mutations in the ALMS1 gene. Hallmark characteristics include childhood onset of severe retinal degeneration, sensorineural hearing loss, obesity, insulin-resistant diabetes, and cardiomyopathy. Here we comprehensively characterize the auditory and otologic manifestations in a prospective case series of 38 individuals, aged 1.7-37.9 years, with genetically confirmed AS. Hearing loss was preceded by retinal dystrophy in all cases, and had an average age of detection of 7.45 years (range 1.5-15). Audiometric assessments showed mean pure tone averages (0.5, 1, 2, 4 kHz) of 48.6 and 47.5 dB HL in the right and left ears, respectively. Hearing was within normal limits for only 8/74 ears (11%). For the 66 ears with hearing loss, the degree was mild (12%), moderate (54%), or severe (8%). Type of hearing loss was predominantly sensorineural (77%), while three ears had mixed loss, no ears had conductive loss, and type of hearing loss was indeterminate for the remaining 12 ears. Serial audiograms available for 33 patients showed hearing loss progression of approximately 10-15 dB/decade. Our data show that hearing loss associated with AS begins in childhood and is a predominantly symmetric, sensory hearing loss that may progress to a severe degree. Absent otoacoustic emissions, intact speech discrimination, and disproportionately normal auditory brainstem responses suggest an outer hair cell site of lesion. These findings indicate that individuals with AS would benefit from sound amplification and if necessary, cochlear implantation.

Mobilization of glucose‐6‐phosphate from ferrihydrite by ligand‐promoted dissolution is higher than of orthophosphate

AbstractWe investigated glucose‐6‐phosphate (G6P) release from ferrihydrite by ligand‐promoted dissolution by oxalate, ascorbate, and desferrioxamine‐B in comparison to orthophosphate (OP). Overall, P release was poorly related to Fe dissolution. Initial release of G6P was higher as compared to OP, likely due to its preferential adsorption at outer surface sites caused by pore size effects. Our data suggest that G6P is potentially more bioavailable (i.e., mobilizable) than OP.

Challenges and Pitfalls of Entrainment Mapping of Ventricular Tachycardia: Ten Illustrative Concepts.

The use and interpretation of entrainment mapping, or continuous resetting, of a reentrant tachycardia has been regarded as the gold standard for delineation of the components of a reentrant circuit.1,2 The response during and after overdrive pacing, whereby 2 wavefronts enter the circuit antidromically (with fusion) and orthodromically, is used to confirm reentry as the arrhythmia mechanism and determine the relationship of the pacing site to the circuit. The fulfillment of classical criteria outlined by Waldo and colleagues3,4 were synthesized into an anatomic concept for scar-related ventricular tachycardia (VT) by Stevenson et al5 to portray the structural and architectural basis of circuit conduction meandering between regions of fibrosis. In this construct, a central corridor, or protected isthmus, is bordered between 2 regions of dense scar with a single entrance that is distinct from a single exit, which yields the QRS morphology.6 This reentrant model has been central to our current mechanistic understanding of scar-mediated VT and is critically important for differentiating critical sites from bystander sites and regions that are unlikely to interrupt or eliminate reentry.7 However, the nature of reentrant VT in man is more complex than our idealized working construct for many reasons. In clinical practice, the majority of VT is hemodynamically unstable, which precludes the ability to perform entrainment mapping and activation mapping of the entire circuit.8 Differences in the circuit between patients with untolerated and tolerated VT are not well understood. VT circuits are 3 dimensionally complex with transmural conduction and circuit conduction is unlikely to be planar, as depicted by electroanatomic mapping of the myocardial surface. Exits may be multiple9,10 and patterns other than loop reentry around scar are likely. Channels of preserved myocardium are frequently not “normal” in voltage (>1.5 mV) …