64 results on '"Frazier P"'
Search Results
2. mRNA-Based Vaccines Are Highly Immunogenic and Confer Protection in the Gnotobiotic Pig Model of Human Rotavirus Diarrhea
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Casey Hensley, Sandro Roier, Peng Zhou, Sofia Schnur, Charlotte Nyblade, Viviana Parreno, Annie Frazier, Maggie Frazier, Kelsey Kiley, Samantha O’Brien, Yu Liang, Bryan T. Mayer, Ruizhe Wu, Celia Mahoney, Monica M. McNeal, Benjamin Petsch, Susanne Rauch, and Lijuan Yuan
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rotavirus ,mRNA vaccine ,gnotobiotic pigs ,P2-VP8* ,diarrhea ,Medicine - Abstract
Human rotavirus (HRV) is still a leading cause of severe dehydrating gastroenteritis globally, particularly in infants and children. Previously, we demonstrated the immunogenicity of mRNA-based HRV vaccine candidates expressing the viral spike protein VP8* in rodent models. In the present study, we assessed the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of two mRNA-based HRV trivalent vaccine candidates, encoding VP8* of the genotypes P[8], P[6], or P[4], in the gnotobiotic (Gn) pig model of Wa (G1P[8]) HRV infection and diarrhea. Vaccines either encoded VP8* alone fused to the universal T-cell epitope P2 (P2-VP8*) or expressed P2-VP8* as a fusion protein with lumazine synthase (LS-P2-VP8*) to allow the formation and secretion of protein particles that present VP8* on their surface. Gn pigs were randomly assigned into groups and immunized three times with either P2-VP8* (30 µg) or LS-P2-VP8* (30 µg or 12 µg). A trivalent alum-adjuvanted P2-VP8* protein vaccine or an LNP-formulated irrelevant mRNA vaccine served as the positive and negative control, respectively. Upon challenge with virulent Wa HRV, a significantly shortened duration and decreased severity of diarrhea and significant protection from virus shedding was induced by both mRNA vaccine candidates compared to the negative control. Both LS-P2-VP8* doses induced significantly higher VP8*-specific IgG antibody titers in the serum after immunizations than the negative as well as the protein control. The P[8] VP8*-specific IgG antibody-secreting cells in the ileum, spleen, and blood seven days post-challenge, as well as VP8*-specific IFN-γ-producing T-cell numbers increased in all three mRNA-vaccinated pig groups compared to the negative control. Overall, there was a clear tendency towards improved responses in LS-P2-VP8* compared to the P2-VP8*mRNA vaccine. The demonstrated strong humoral immune responses, priming for effector T cells, and the significant reduction of viral shedding and duration of diarrhea in Gn pigs provide a promising proof of concept and may provide guidance for the further development of mRNA-based rotavirus vaccines.
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- 2024
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3. Artificial Urinary Sphincter Complications: A Narrative Review
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Ryan L. Frazier, Marilyn E. Jones, and Matthias D. Hofer
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artificial urinary sphincter ,complications ,prosthesis ,Medicine - Abstract
Stress urinary incontinence is a financially burdensome and socially isolating problem and can be experienced by men as a result of radical prostatectomy, radiation therapy, or other urologic surgery. Artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) placement for stress urinary incontinence is considered the ‘gold standard’ for male stress urinary incontinence. While initially only placed by specialized prosthetic surgeons, changes in urologic training have made implantation of the device by general urologists more widespread. Additionally, even though a minority of urologists place the majority of implants, many urologists may find themselves caring for patients with these devices even if they have never placed them themselves. For this reason, it is paramount that the urologic surgeon implanting the device and those caring for patients with prostheses are familiar with the various perioperative and postoperative complications of AUS implantation. This review discusses the most commonly reported complications of AUS implantation as well as those that are rarely described. Knowledge of these potential complications is necessary in order to care for patients with urologic implants.
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- 2024
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4. Adipose Tissue in Breast Cancer Microphysiological Models to Capture Human Diversity in Preclinical Models
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Katie M. Hamel, Trivia P. Frazier, Christopher Williams, Tamika Duplessis, Brian G. Rowan, Jeffrey M. Gimble, and Cecilia G. Sanchez
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breast cancer ,microphysiological system ,3D culture ,diversity ,adipose tissue ,adipose-derived stromal/stem cells ,Biology (General) ,QH301-705.5 ,Chemistry ,QD1-999 - Abstract
Female breast cancer accounts for 15.2% of all new cancer cases in the United States, with a continuing increase in incidence despite efforts to discover new targeted therapies. With an approximate failure rate of 85% for therapies in the early phases of clinical trials, there is a need for more translatable, new preclinical in vitro models that include cellular heterogeneity, extracellular matrix, and human-derived biomaterials. Specifically, adipose tissue and its resident cell populations have been identified as necessary attributes for current preclinical models. Adipose-derived stromal/stem cells (ASCs) and mature adipocytes are a normal part of the breast tissue composition and not only contribute to normal breast physiology but also play a significant role in breast cancer pathophysiology. Given the recognized pro-tumorigenic role of adipocytes in tumor progression, there remains a need to enhance the complexity of current models and account for the contribution of the components that exist within the adipose stromal environment to breast tumorigenesis. This review article captures the current landscape of preclinical breast cancer models with a focus on breast cancer microphysiological system (MPS) models and their counterpart patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models to capture patient diversity as they relate to adipose tissue.
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- 2024
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5. Interactions of Galloylated Polyphenols with a Simple Gram-Negative Bacterial Membrane Lipid Model
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Ryan T. Coones, Maarit Karonen, Rebecca J. Green, and Richard Frazier
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polyphenol ,tannin ,phospholipid ,vesicle ,differential scanning calorimetry ,Chemical technology ,TP1-1185 ,Chemical engineering ,TP155-156 - Abstract
Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to explore the interactions of isolated polyphenolic compounds, including (-)-epigallocatechin gallate ((-)-EGCg), tellimagrandins I and II (Tel-I and Tel-II), and 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-d-glucose (PGG), with a model Gram-negative bacterial membrane with a view to investigating their antimicrobial properties. The model membranes comprised 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DPPE) and 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-(1’-rac-glycerol) (DPPG), fabricated to mimic the domain formation observed in natural membranes, as well as ideally mixed lipid vesicles for the interaction with (-)-EGCg. Polyphenols induced changes in lipid mixing/de-mixing depending on the method of vesicle preparation, as was clearly evidenced by alterations in the lipid transition temperatures. There was a distinct affinity of the polyphenols for the DPPG lipid component, which was attributed to the electrostatic interactions between the polyphenolic galloyl moieties and the lipid headgroups. These interactions were found to operate through either the stabilization of the lipid headgroups by the polyphenols or the insertion of the polyphenols into the membrane itself. Structural attributes of the polyphenols, including the number of galloyl groups, the hydrophobicity quantified by partition coefficients (logP), and structural flexibility, exhibited a correlation with the temperature transitions observed in the DSC measurements. This study furthers our understanding of the intricate interplay between the structural features of polyphenolic compounds and their interactions with model bacterial membrane vesicles towards the exploitation of polyphenols as antimicrobials.
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- 2024
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6. Human Rotavirus Replicates in Salivary Glands and Primes Immune Responses in Facial and Intestinal Lymphoid Tissues of Gnotobiotic Pigs
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Charlotte Nyblade, Peng Zhou, Maggie Frazier, Annie Frazier, Casey Hensley, Ariana Fantasia-Davis, Shabihah Shahrudin, Miranda Hoffer, Chantal Ama Agbemabiese, Lauren LaRue, Mario Barro, John T. Patton, Viviana Parreño, and Lijuan Yuan
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rotavirus ,gnotobiotic pigs ,salivary glands ,Microbiology ,QR1-502 - Abstract
Human rotavirus (HRV) is a leading cause of viral gastroenteritis in children across the globe. The virus has long been established as a pathogen of the gastrointestinal tract, targeting small intestine epithelial cells and leading to diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Recently, this classical infection pathway was challenged by the findings that murine strains of rotavirus can infect the salivary glands of pups and dams and transmit via saliva from pups to dams during suckling. Here, we aimed to determine if HRV was also capable of infecting salivary glands and spreading in saliva using a gnotobiotic (Gn) pig model of HRV infection and disease. Gn pigs were orally inoculated with various strains of HRV, and virus shedding was monitored for several days post-inoculation. HRV was shed nasally and in feces in all inoculated pigs. Infectious HRV was detected in the saliva of four piglets. Structural and non-structural HRV proteins, as well as the HRV genome, were detected in the intestinal and facial tissues of inoculated pigs. The pigs developed high IgM antibody responses in serum and small intestinal contents at 10 days post-inoculation. Additionally, inoculated pigs had HRV-specific IgM antibody-secreting cells present in the ileum, tonsils, and facial lymphoid tissues. Taken together, these findings indicate that HRV can replicate in salivary tissues and prime immune responses in both intestinal and facial lymphoid tissues of Gn pigs.
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- 2023
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7. Baseline Hemodynamics Including Aortic and Pulmonary Blood Flow in a Chronic Bovine Model
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Angel Moctezuma-Ramirez, Abdelmotagaly Elgalad, Kelly Handy, Gil Costas, and O. H. Frazier
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animal model ,aortic blood flow ,cardiac assist devices ,heart failure therapy ,hemodynamics ,pulmonary blood flow ,Surgery ,RD1-811 - Abstract
The use of large animal models in the preclinical setting has expanded and become increasingly valuable for evaluating the safety and efficacy of new therapies and devices. Here, we report normal hemodynamic values, including aortic and pulmonary blood flow, in a bovine model at rest and during exercise after a control procedure. We performed a left lateral thoracotomy and implanted fluid-filled pressure lines (aortic pressure, right atrial pressure, left atrial pressure, pulmonary artery pressure) and left (systemic) and right (pulmonary) flow probe lines. Throughout the postoperative period, the calf’s physiologic pressures, vital signs, aortic and pulmonary blood flow, and pulmonary and systemic vascular resistance were recorded hourly at rest and during treadmill exercise evaluations. When pressures and flow rates at baseline and during treadmill trials were compared, we observed a physiologic response to exercise similar to that seen in humans, with a sympathetic discharge that increased systolic blood pressure. However, the rise in mean arterial pressure was much lower due to an overall decrease in vascular resistance, which increased blood flow. This study provides investigators, device engineers, and manufacturers with normal bovine cardiovascular physiology data that can be used for technical consideration during device development for preclinical trials.
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- 2022
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8. Combined Live Oral Priming and Intramuscular Boosting Regimen with Rotarix® and a Nanoparticle-Based Trivalent Rotavirus Vaccine Evaluated in Gnotobiotic Pig Models of G4P[6] and G1P[8] Human Rotavirus Infection
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Casey Hensley, Charlotte Nyblade, Peng Zhou, Viviana Parreño, Ashwin Ramesh, Annie Frazier, Maggie Frazier, Sarah Garrison, Ariana Fantasia-Davis, Ruiqing Cai, Peng-Wei Huang, Ming Xia, Ming Tan, and Lijuan Yuan
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rotavirus nanoparticle ,gnotobiotic pig ,priming immunization ,Medicine - Abstract
Human rotavirus (HRV) is the causative agent of severe dehydrating diarrhea in children under the age of five, resulting in up to 215,000 deaths each year. These deaths almost exclusively occur in low- and middle-income countries where vaccine efficacy is the lowest due to chronic malnutrition, gut dysbiosis, and concurrent enteric viral infection. Parenteral vaccines for HRV are particularly attractive as they avoid many of the concerns associated with currently used live oral vaccines. In this study, a two-dose intramuscular (IM) regimen of the trivalent, nanoparticle-based, nonreplicating HRV vaccine (trivalent S60-VP8*), utilizing the shell (S) domain of the capsid of norovirus as an HRV VP8* antigen display platform, was evaluated for immunogenicity and protective efficacy against P[6] and P[8] HRV using gnotobiotic pig models. A prime–boost strategy using one dose of the oral Rotarix® vaccine, followed by one dose of the IM trivalent nanoparticle vaccine was also evaluated. Both regimens were highly immunogenic in inducing serum virus neutralizing, IgG, and IgA antibodies. The two vaccine regimens failed to confer significant protection against diarrhea; however, the prime–boost regimen significantly shortened the duration of virus shedding in pigs challenged orally with the virulent Wa (G1P[8]) HRV and significantly shortened the mean duration of virus shedding, mean peak titer, and area under the curve of virus shedding after challenge with Arg (G4P[6]) HRV. Prime–boost-vaccinated pigs challenged with P[8] HRV had significantly higher P[8]-specific IgG antibody-secreting cells (ASCs) in the spleen post-challenge. Prime–boost-vaccinated pigs challenged with P[6] HRV had significantly higher numbers of P[6]- and P[8]-specific IgG ASCs in the ileum, as well as significantly higher numbers of P[8]-specific IgA ASCs in the spleen post-challenge. These results suggest the promise of and warrant further investigation into the oral priming and parenteral boosting strategy for future HRV vaccines.
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- 2023
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9. Using Mixed Reality to Support Inclusive Teaching Strategies in General and Special Education Preparation Programs
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Maria B. Peterson-Ahmad, Randa Keeley, and Andrea Frazier
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educator preparation ,general education ,high-leverage practices ,mixed-reality ,Mursion ,self-efficacy ,Social Sciences - Abstract
Preparing teacher candidates to provide learning strategies that support the differentiated needs of students should be at the forefront of all educator preparation programs (EPPs). Teacher candidates must become fluid in providing strategies that promote students’ individualized academic and social–emotional growth as well as strategies that support effective collaboration to enhance student productivity across the school environment. This pilot study explored the use of mixed reality (e.g., Mursion) as a tool to support pre-service general and special education teacher preparation and improvement of self-efficacy related to student engagement and instructional strategies. This study collected data on teacher candidates’ pre-/post-self-efficacy and participant self-reflections from an EPP in the United States. The results of this study yielded ideas as to how EPPs can better support teacher candidate preparation using a mixed-reality platform, as data revealed participant increase in self-efficacy and gains in the use of student engagement and instructional strategies that supported the use of evidence-based and high-leverage practices.
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- 2023
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10. A Two-Step Transcriptome Analysis of the Human Heart Reveals Broad and Disease-Responsive Expression of Ectopic Olfactory Receptors
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Sadia Ashraf, O. Howard Frazier, Sylvia Carranza, David D. McPherson, Heinrich Taegtmeyer, and Romain Harmancey
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heart failure ,G-protein-coupled receptor ,olfactory receptor ,gene expression ,Biology (General) ,QH301-705.5 ,Chemistry ,QD1-999 - Abstract
G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are critical regulators of cardiac physiology and a key therapeutic target for the treatment of heart disease. Ectopic olfactory receptors (ORs) are GPCRs expressed in extra-nasal tissues which have recently emerged as new mediators in the metabolic control of cardiac function. The goals of this study were to profile OR gene expression in the human heart, to identify ORs dysregulated by heart failure caused by ischemic cardiomyopathy, and to provide evidence suggestive of a role for those altered ORs in the pathogenesis of heart failure. Left ventricular tissue from heart failure patients (n = 18) and non-failing heart samples (n = 4) were subjected to a two-step transcriptome analysis consisting of the quantification of 372 distinct OR transcripts on real-time PCR arrays and simultaneous determination of global cardiac gene expression by RNA sequencing. This strategy led to the identification of >160 ORs expressed in the human heart, including 38 receptors differentially regulated with heart failure. Co-expression analyses predicted the involvement of dysregulated ORs in the alteration of mitochondrial function, extracellular matrix remodeling, and inflammation. We provide this dataset as a resource for investigating roles of ORs in the human heart, with the hope that it will assist in the identification of new therapeutic targets for the treatment of heart failure.
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- 2023
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11. A New Gnotobiotic Pig Model of P[6] Human Rotavirus Infection and Disease for Preclinical Evaluation of Rotavirus Vaccines
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Charlotte Nyblade, Casey Hensley, Viviana Parreño, Peng Zhou, Maggie Frazier, Annie Frazier, Ashwin Ramesh, Shaohua Lei, Juan Ignacio Degiuseppe, Ming Tan, and Lijuan Yuan
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human rotavirus ,P[6] genotype ,gnotobiotic pig model ,diarrhea ,vaccine evaluation ,Microbiology ,QR1-502 - Abstract
Human rotavirus (HRV) is a leading cause of gastroenteritis in children under 5 years of age. Licensed vaccines containing G1P[8] and G1-4P[8] strains are less efficacious against newly emerging P[6] strains, indicating an urgent need for better cross protective vaccines. Here, we report our development of a new gnotobiotic (Gn) pig model of P[6] HRV infection and disease as a tool for evaluating potential vaccine candidates. The Arg HRV (G4P[6]) strain was derived from a diarrheic human infant stool sample and determined to be free of other viruses by metagenomic sequencing. Neonatal Gn pigs were orally inoculated with the stool suspension containing 5.6 × 105 fluorescent focus units (FFU) of the virus. Small and large intestinal contents were collected at post inoculation day 2 or 3. The virus was passaged 6 times in neonatal Gn pigs to generate a large inoculum pool. Next, 33–34 day old Gn pigs were orally inoculated with 10−2, 103, 104, and 105 FFU of Arg HRV to determine the optimal challenge dose. All pigs developed clinical signs of infection, regardless of the inoculum dose. The optimal challenge dose was determined to be 105 FFU. This new Gn pig model is ready to be used to assess the protective efficacy of candidate monovalent and multivalent vaccines against P[6] HRV.
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- 2022
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12. Hot Rolling of ZK60 Magnesium Alloy with Isotropic Tensile Properties from Tubing Made by Shear Assisted Processing and Extrusion (ShAPE)
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William E. Frazier, Nicole Overman, Benjamin Schuessler, Sridhar Niverty, Timothy Roosendaal, Scott Whalen, and Vineet V. Joshi
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ShAPE ,rolling ,ZK60 ,solid phase processing ,mechanical anisotropy ,texture evolution ,Technology ,Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General) ,TA1-2040 ,Biology (General) ,QH301-705.5 ,Physics ,QC1-999 ,Chemistry ,QD1-999 - Abstract
In the present work, we utilized Shear Assisted Processing and Extrusion (ShAPE), a solid-phase processing technique, to extrude hollow tubes of ZK60 Mg alloy. Hot rolling was performed on these as-extruded tubes (after slitting them longitudinally) to thickness reductions of 37%, 68%, and 93% to investigate their viability as rolling feedstock material. EBSD analysis showed the formation of twinned grains in the ShAPE processed material and a gradual re-orientation of the basal texture parallel to the extrusion direction with each rolling step. Moreover, an equiaxed grain size of 5.15 ± 3.39 μm was obtained in the ShAPE extruded material, and the microstructure was retained even after 93% rolling reduction. The rolled sheets also showed excellent tensile strengths and no mechanical anisotropy, a critical characteristic for formability. The unique microstructures developed and their excellent mechanical properties, combined with the ease of scalability of the process, make ShAPE a promising alternative to existing methods for producing rolling feedstock material.
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- 2023
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13. How to Improve the Reproducibility, Replicability, and Extensibility of Remote Sensing Research
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Peter Kedron and Amy E. Frazier
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reproducibility ,replicability ,repeatability ,benchmark data ,provenance ,Science - Abstract
The field of remote sensing has undergone a remarkable shift where vast amounts of imagery are now readily available to researchers. New technologies, such as uncrewed aircraft systems, make it possible for anyone with a moderate budget to gather their own remotely sensed data, and methodological innovations have added flexibility for processing and analyzing data. These changes create both the opportunity and need to reproduce, replicate, and compare remote sensing methods and results across spatial contexts, measurement systems, and computational infrastructures. Reproducing and replicating research is key to understanding the credibility of studies and extending recent advances into new discoveries. However, reproducibility and replicability (R&R) remain issues in remote sensing because many studies cannot be independently recreated and validated. Enhancing the R&R of remote sensing research will require significant time and effort by the research community. However, making remote sensing research reproducible and replicable does not need to be a burden. In this paper, we discuss R&R in the context of remote sensing and link the recent changes in the field to key barriers hindering R&R while discussing how researchers can overcome those barriers. We argue for the development of two research streams in the field: (1) the coordinated execution of organized sequences of forward-looking replications, and (2) the introduction of benchmark datasets that can be used to test the replicability of results and methods.
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- 2022
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14. Observable Symptoms of Anxiety in Individuals with Fragile X Syndrome: Parent and Caregiver Perspectives
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Reymundo Lozano, Talia Thompson, Jayne Dixon-Weber, Craig A. Erickson, Elizabeth Berry-Kravis, Sara Williams, Elizabeth Smith, Jean A. Frazier, Hilary Rosselot, Cristan Farmer, and David Hessl
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FMR1 gene ,intellectual disability ,autism ,assessment ,Genetics ,QH426-470 - Abstract
Caregiver reports, clinical observations, and diagnostic assessments indicate that most individuals with fragile X syndrome experience high levels of chronic anxiety. However, anxiety is a challenging endpoint for outcome measurement in FXS because most individuals cannot reliably report internal emotional or body states. A comprehensive survey of the presence, frequency, and duration of anxiety-related symptoms and questions to elicit open-ended responses was completed by caregivers of 456 individuals with FXS, ages 2–81 years (87 female, 369 male) and 24 female and 2 male FXS self-advocates ages 15–66 years. Caregivers reported classic behavioral indicators of anxiety, such as avoidance, irritability, motor agitation, and physiological symptoms, as well as behavioral features in FXS such as repetitive behavior, aggression, and self-injury. Self-advocate accounts largely paralleled caregiver data. Factor analyses yielded four factors: (1) increased irritability, aggression, and self-injury; (2) increased physical movement, nervous activity, and restlessness; (3) physical and physiological features of anxiety; and (4) internalizing and gastrointestinal symptoms. Caregivers are capable of observing and reporting behaviors that are valid indicators of anxious states that are usually reported in self-report standardized assessments. These results support the development of an anxiety measure for FXS that minimizes problems with rater inference.
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- 2022
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15. Falling Short: The Contribution of Central Insulin Receptors to Gait Dysregulation in Brain Aging
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Sami L. Case, Hilaree N. Frazier, Katie L. Anderson, Ruei-Lung Lin, and Olivier Thibault
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insulin resistance ,gerontology ,ambulatory function ,signaling ,Biology (General) ,QH301-705.5 - Abstract
Insulin resistance, which manifests as a reduction of insulin receptor signaling, is known to correlate with pathological changes in peripheral tissues as well as in the brain. Central insulin resistance has been associated with impaired cognitive performance, decreased neuronal health, and reduced brain metabolism; however, the mechanisms underlying central insulin resistance and its impact on brain regions outside of those associated with cognition remain unclear. Falls are a leading cause of both fatal and non-fatal injuries in the older population. Despite this, there is a paucity of work focused on age-dependent alterations in brain regions associated with ambulatory control or potential therapeutic approaches to target these processes. Here, we discuss age-dependent alterations in central modalities that may contribute to gait dysregulation, summarize current data supporting the role of insulin signaling in the brain, and highlight key findings that suggest insulin receptor sensitivity may be preserved in the aged brain. Finally, we present novel results showing that administration of insulin to the somatosensory cortex of aged animals can alter neuronal communication, cerebral blood flow, and the motivation to ambulate, emphasizing the need for further investigations of intranasal insulin as a clinical management strategy in the older population.
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- 2022
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16. Syncope Recurrence and Downstream Diagnostic Testing after Insertable Cardiac Monitor Placement for Syncope
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Camille G. Frazier-Mills, Lawrence C. Johnson, Ying Xia, Sarah C. Rosemas, Noreli C. Franco, and Sean D. Pokorney
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insertable cardiac monitor ,implantable loop recorder ,recurrent syncope ,diagnostic tests ,real-world claims data ,Medicine (General) ,R5-920 - Abstract
Despite advances in syncope evaluation strategies and risk stratification, the high cost of syncope is largely driven by extensive and often repetitive testing. This analysis of a large deidentified US claims database compared the use of diagnostic tests, therapeutic procedures, and the recurrence rate of acute syncope events before and after placement of an insertable cardiac monitor (ICM) in syncope patients. The patients had a minimum of 1 year of continuous enrollment before and 2 years after ICM placement. Among 2140 patients identified, a statistically significant reduction in the use of 14 out of 18 tests was observed during follow-up compared with pre-ICM testing. During the 2-year follow-up, 28.3% of patients underwent cardiac therapeutic interventions after a median of 127 days. Significantly fewer patients experienced acute syncope events during the 1st and 2nd years of ICM follow-up compared with the 1-year pre-ICM period, and the frequency of events per patient also decreased. In conclusion, reductions in diagnostic testing and acute syncope events were observed after ICM placement in a large real-world cohort of unexplained syncope patients. Further studies are needed to prospectively assess the impact of ICM vs. short-term monitoring on patient outcomes and healthcare utilization.
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- 2022
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17. Development of Saturated Fat Replacers: Conventional and Nano-Emulsions Stabilised by Lecithin and Hydroxylpropyl Methylcellulose
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Jansuda Kampa, Richard Frazier, and Julia Rodriguez-Garcia
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hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) ,lecithin ,butter ,rheology ,viscoelasticity ,temperature ramp test ,Chemical technology ,TP1-1185 - Abstract
The combination of two emulsifiers, lecithin and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), into emulsions is an interesting strategy to design fat replacers in food matrices. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of HPMC type and concentration on the formation, stability, and microstructure of conventional emulsions and nanoemulsions. Two different types of HPMC with low and high content of methyl and hydroxypropyl groups (HPMC-L and HPMC-H) were evaluated. The results showed that the molecular structure and concentration of HPMC play a major role in the viscoelastic behaviour, the gelation temperature, and the strength of gel formed. The firmness and work of shear of HPMC solutions increased significantly (p < 0.05) with increasing concentration. HPMC-L illustrated a more stable gel structure than the HPMC-H solution. Nanoemulsions showed lower moduli values, firmness, and work of shear than conventional emulsions due to the influence of high-pressure homogenization. A combination of lecithin and HPMC improved the physical and lipid oxidative stability of the emulsions, presenting a lower creaming index and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). In conclusion, HPMC-L at 2% w/w could be a suitable type and concentration combined with lecithin to formulate a saturated fat replacer that could mimic butter technological performance during food manufacturing operations.
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- 2022
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18. Rapid SARS-CoV-2 Virus Enrichment and RNA Extraction for Efficient Diagnostic Screening of Pooled Nasopharyngeal or Saliva Samples for Dilutions Up to 1:100
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Jamila S. Marshall, Rachelle Turiello, Larissa L. Cunha, Ella V. Frazier, Jeff Hickey, Jeff Chapman, Melinda D. Poulter, Heather L. Fehling, and James P. Landers
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SARS-CoV-2 ,COVID-19 ,sample pooling ,Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) ,enzymatic extraction ,nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs ,Medicine (General) ,R5-920 - Abstract
As COVID-19 transmission control measures are gradually being lifted, a sensitive and rapid diagnostic method for large-scale screening could prove essential for monitoring population infection rates. However, many rapid workflows for SARS-CoV-2 detection and diagnosis are not amenable to the analysis of large-volume samples. Previously, our group demonstrated a technique for SARS-CoV-2 nanoparticle-facilitated enrichment and enzymatic lysis from clinical samples in under 10 min. Here, this sample preparation strategy was applied to pooled samples originating from nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs eluted in viral transport medium (VTM) and saliva samples diluted up to 1:100. This preparation method was coupled with conventional RT-PCR on gold-standard instrumentation for proof-of-concept. Additionally, real-time PCR analysis was conducted using an in-house, ultra-rapid real-time microfluidic instrument paired with an experimentally optimized rapid protocol. Following pooling and extraction from clinical samples, average cycle threshold (CT) values from resultant eluates generally increased as the pooling dilution factor increased; further, results from a double-blind study demonstrated 100% concordance with clinical values. In addition, preliminary data obtained from amplification of eluates prepared by this technique and analyzed using our portable, ultra-rapid real-time microfluidic PCR amplification instrument showed progress toward a streamlined method for rapid SARS-CoV-2 analysis from pooled samples.
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- 2022
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19. Decellularized Human Umbilical Tissue-Derived Hydrogels Promote Proliferation and Chondrogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells
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Faiza Ramzan, Sobia Ekram, Trivia Frazier, Asmat Salim, Omair Anwar Mohiuddin, and Irfan Khan
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hydrogel ,scaffold ,cartilage ,human umbilical cord tissue ,chondrogenic differentiation ,Technology ,Biology (General) ,QH301-705.5 - Abstract
Tissue engineering is a promising approach for the repair and regeneration of cartilaginous tissue. Appropriate three-dimensional scaffolding materials that mimic cartilage are ideal for the repair of chondral defects. The emerging decellularized tissue-based scaffolds have the potential to provide essential biochemical signals and structural integrity, which mimics the natural tissue environment and directs cellular fate. Umbilical cord-derived hydrogels function as 3D scaffolding material, which support adherence, proliferation, migration, and differentiation of cells due to their similar biochemical composition to cartilage. Therefore, the present study aimed to establish a protocol for the formulation of a hydrogel from decellularized human umbilical cord (DUC) tissue, and assess its application in the proliferation and differentiation of UC-MSCs along chondrogenic lineage. The results showed that the umbilical cord was efficiently decellularized. Subsequently, DUC hydrogel was prepared, and in vitro chondral differentiation of MSCs seeded on the scaffold was determined. The developed protocol efficiently removed the cellular and nuclear content while retaining the extracellular matrix (ECM). DUC tissue, pre-gel, and hydrogels were evaluated by FTIR spectroscopy, which confirmed the gelation from pre-gel to hydrogel. SEM analysis revealed the fibril morphology and porosity of the DUC hydrogel. Calcein AM and Alamar blue assays confirmed the MSC survival, attachment, and proliferation in the DUC hydrogels. Following seeding of UC-MSCs in the hydrogels, they were cultured in stromal or chondrogenic media for 28 days, and the expression of chondrogenic marker genes including TGF-β1, BMP2, SOX-9, SIX-1, GDF-5, and AGGRECAN was significantly increased (* p ≤ 0.05, ** p ≤ 0.01, *** p ≤ 0.001). Moreover, the hydrogel concentration was found to significantly affect the expression of chondrogenic marker genes. The overall results indicate that the DUC-hydrogel is compatible with MSCs and supports their chondrogenic differentiation in vitro.
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- 2022
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20. NPFF Decreases Activity of Human Arcuate NPY Neurons: A Study in Embryonic-Stem-Cell-Derived Model
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Lola Torz, Kristoffer Niss, Sofia Lundh, Jens C. Rekling, Carlos Damian Quintana, Signe Emilie Dannulat Frazier, Aaron J. Mercer, Anda Cornea, Charlotte Vinther Bertelsen, Marina Kjærgaard Gerstenberg, Ann Maria Kruse Hansen, Mette Guldbrandt, Jens Lykkesfeldt, Linu Mary John, J. Carlos Villaescusa, and Natalia Petersen
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neuropeptide FF receptor 2 ,neuropeptide FF ,screening platform ,human-arcuate-like neurons ,appetite control ,obesity ,Biology (General) ,QH301-705.5 ,Chemistry ,QD1-999 - Abstract
Restoring the control of food intake is the key to obesity management and prevention. The arcuate nucleus (ARC) of the hypothalamus is extensively being studied as a potential anti-obesity target. Animal studies showed that neuropeptide FF (NPFF) reduces food intake by its action in neuropeptide Y (NPY) neurons of the hypothalamic ARC, but the detailed mode of action observed in human neurons is missing, due to the lack of a human-neuron-based model for pharmacology testing. Here, we validated and utilized a human-neural-stem-cell-based (hNSC) model of ARC to test the effects of NPFF on cellular pathways and neuronal activity. We found that in the human neurons, decreased cAMP levels by NPFF resulted in a reduced rate of cytoplasmic calcium oscillations, indicating an inhibition of ARC NPY neurons. This suggests the therapeutic potential of NPFFR2 in obesity. In addition, we demonstrate the use of human-stem-cell-derived neurons in pharmacological applications and the potential of this model to address functional aspects of human hypothalamic neurons.
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- 2022
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21. Physical and Chemical Characterisation of Conventional and Nano/Emulsions: Influence of Vegetable Oils from Different Origins
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Jansuda Kampa, Richard Frazier, and Julia Rodriguez-Garcia
- Subjects
refined vegetable oil ,virgin vegetable oil ,fatty acids ,antioxidants ,creaming index ,lipid oxidation ,Chemical technology ,TP1-1185 - Abstract
The processes of oil production play an important role in defining the final physical and chemical properties of vegetable oils, which have an influence on the formation and characteristics of emulsions. The objective of this work was to investigate the correlations between oils’ physical and chemical properties with the stability of conventional emulsions (d > 200 nm) and nanoemulsions (d < 200 nm). Five vegetable oils obtained from different production processes and with high proportion of unsaturated fatty acids were studied. Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), cold-pressed rapeseed oil (CPRO), refined olive oil (OO), refined rapeseed oil (RO) and refined sunflower oil (SO) were used in this study. The results showed that the physicochemical stability of emulsion was affected by fatty acid composition, the presence of antioxidants, free fatty acids and droplet size. There was a significant positive correlation (p < 0.05) between the fraction of unsaturated fatty acids and emulsion oxidative stability, where SO, OO and EVOO showed a significantly higher lipid oxidative stability compared to RO and CPRO emulsions. Nanoemulsions with a smaller droplet size showed better physical stability than conventional emulsions. However, there was not a significant correlation between the oxidative stability of emulsions, droplet size and antioxidant capacity of oils.
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- 2022
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22. The Origins and the Current Applications of Microfluidics-Based Magnetic Cell Separation Technologies
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Ozgun Civelekoglu, A. Bruno Frazier, and A. Fatih Sarioglu
- Subjects
microfluidics ,magnetophoresis ,cell separation ,Chemistry ,QD1-999 - Abstract
The magnetic separation of cells based on certain traits has a wide range of applications in microbiology, immunology, oncology, and hematology. Compared to bulk separation, performing magnetophoresis at micro scale presents advantages such as precise control of the environment, larger magnetic gradients in miniaturized dimensions, operational simplicity, system portability, high-throughput analysis, and lower costs. Since the first integration of magnetophoresis and microfluidics, many different approaches have been proposed to magnetically separate cells from suspensions at the micro scale. This review paper aims to provide an overview of the origins of microfluidic devices for magnetic cell separation and the recent technologies and applications grouped by the targeted cell types. For each application, exemplary experimental methods and results are discussed.
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- 2022
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23. A Population of CD4+CD8+ Double-Positive T Cells Associated with Risk of Plasma Leakage in Dengue Viral Infection
- Author
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Esther Dawen Yu, Hao Wang, Ricardo da Silva Antunes, Yuan Tian, Rashmi Tippalagama, Shakila U. Alahakoon, Gayani Premawansa, Ananda Wijewickrama, Sunil Premawansa, Aruna Dharshan De Silva, April Frazier, Alba Grifoni, Alessandro Sette, and Daniela Weiskopf
- Subjects
CD4+ ,CD8+ ,double positive ,T cells ,infectious diseases ,dengue ,Microbiology ,QR1-502 - Abstract
According to the WHO 2009 classification, dengue with warning signs is at the risk of developing severe form of dengue disease. One of the most important warning signs is plasma leakage, which can be a serious complication associated with higher morbidity and mortality. We report that the frequency of CD4+CD8+ double-positive (DP) T cells is significantly increased in patients at risk of developing plasma leakage. Transcriptomic analysis demonstrated that CD4+CD8+ DP cells were distinct from CD4+ Single Positive (SP) T cells but co-clustered with CD8+ SP cells, indicating a largely similar transcriptional profile. Twenty significant differentially expressed (DE) genes were identified between CD4+CD8+ DP and CD8+ SP cells. These genes encode OX40 and CCR4 proteins as well as other molecules associated with cell signaling on the cell surface (NT5E, MXRA8, and PTPRK). While comparing the profile of gene expression in CD4+CD8+ DP cells from patients with and without warning signs of plasma leakage, similar expression profile was observed, implying a role of CD4+CD8+ DP cells in plasma leakage through a quantitative increase rather than functional alteration. This study provided novel insight into the host immune response during the acute febrile phase of DENV infection and the role of CD4+CD8+ DP T cells in the pathogenesis of plasma leakage.
- Published
- 2022
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24. The Role of Vitamin E in Slowing Down Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Narrative Review
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Ram Lakhan, Manoj Sharma, Kavita Batra, and Frazier B. Beatty
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dementia ,mild cognitive impairment ,vitamin E ,amnesia ,Medicine - Abstract
With the aging population, dementia emerges as a public health concern. In 2012, the Health and Retirement Study found that 8.8% of adults over 65 years suffered from dementia. The etiopathogenesis and treatment of dementia are not well understood. Antioxidant properties of Vitamin E and its major elements tocopherols and tocotrienols have been reported to be effective in slowing down the progression of dementia from its initial stage of Mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Therefore, the current review aims to explore the role of vitamin E on MCI. A literature search using the key words “Vitamin E, tocopherols, tocotrienols, and mild cognitive impairment” was conducted in MEDLINE (PubMed), CINAHL, and Google Scholar. The inclusion criteria were: (1) articles published in the past ten years; (2) published in English language; (3) published in peer-reviewed journals; and (4) descriptive and epidemiological or evaluation studies. Articles published prior to 2010, focused on other forms of dementia than MCI, grey literature and non-peer-reviewed articles were excluded. A total of 22 studies were included in the narrative synthesis. The results were equivocal. Eleven studies showed some level of the neuroprotective effect of Vitamin E, tocopherols and tocotrienols on the progression of MCI. The mixed results of this review suggest further exploration of the possible protective effects of Vitamin E on the development of dementia. Future studies can be conducted to decipher antioxidant properties of vitamin E and its association with slowing down the cognitive decline.
- Published
- 2021
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25. Ethics in Classical Hindu Philosophy: Provinces of Consequence, Agency, and Value in the Bhagavad Gītā and Other Epic and Śāstric Texts
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Jessica Frazier
- Subjects
ethics ,Indian philosophy ,context ethics ,consequentialism ,emergence ,Hinduism ,Religions. Mythology. Rationalism ,BL1-2790 - Abstract
The idea of a univocal property of ‘goodness’ is not clearly found in classical Sanskrit sources; instead, a common ethical strategy was to clarify the ontological nature of the self or world in such a way that ethical implications naturally flow from the adjustment in our thinking. This article gives a synoptic reading of sources that treat features of ethics—dispositions, agents, causal systems of effect, and even values themselves—as emergent phenomena grounded in complex, shifting, porous configurations. One conclusion of this was that what ‘goodness’ entails varies according to the scope and context of our concern. Firstly, we examine how the Bhagavad Gītā fashions a utilitarianism that assumes no universal intrinsically valuable goal or Good, but aims only to sustain the world as a prerequisite for choice. Recognising that this pushes problems of identifying the Good onto the individual; secondly, we look at accounts of malleable personhood in the Caraka Saṃhitā and Book 12 of the Mahābhārata. Finally, the aesthetic theory of the Nāṭya Śāstra hints at a context-constituted conception of value itself, reminding us that evaluative emotions are themselves complex, curate-able, and can expand beyond egoism to encompass interpersonal concerns. Together these sources show aspects of an ethical worldview for which each case is a nexus in a larger ethical fabric. Each tries to pry us away from our most personal concerns, so we can reach beyond the ego to do what is of value for a wider province of which we are a part.
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- 2021
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26. Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Gasification and Landfilling for Disposal of Municipal Solid Wastes
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Angelika Sita Ouedraogo, Robert Scott Frazier, and Ajay Kumar
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life cycle assessment ,gasification ,landfill ,impact assessment ,MSW ,GREET ,Technology - Abstract
Disposal of municipal solid wastes (MSW) remains a challenge to minimize its impacts on the environment and human health. Landfilling, currently the most common method used for MSW disposal, occupies land space and leads to soil and air emissions. Gasification, an alternative MSW disposal method, can convert waste to energy, but can also lead to soil and air emissions and is a more extensive operation. In this study, life cycle assessments (LCA) of the two disposal methods (landfilling without energy recovery and gasification) were compared to understand impacts on environment and health. The LCA was conducted following the ISO 14040 standards with one ton of MSW as the functional unit. The life cycle inventory was obtained from published journals, technical reports, LandGEM, HELP and GREET database. The impact assessment was done using TRACI 2.1 and categorized into eight groups. The LCA revealed that landfilling is a higher contributor in global warming, acidification, smog formation, eutrophication, ecotoxicity and human health cancer and non-cancer categories. The negative environmental impacts of MSW landfilling can be primarily attributed to the fate of leachate loss and landfill gas, while those of the MSW gasification can be attributed to the disposal of its solid residues.
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- 2021
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27. Anaerobic Fungal Mevalonate Pathway Genomic Biases Lead to Heterologous Toxicity Underpredicted by Codon Adaptation Indices
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Ethan T. Hillman, Elizabeth M. Frazier, Evan K. Shank, Adrian N. Ortiz-Velez, Jacob A. Englaender, and Kevin V. Solomon
- Subjects
anaerobic fungi ,mevalonate pathway ,isoprenoid biosynthesis ,heterologous expression ,codon usage ,codon optimization ,Biology (General) ,QH301-705.5 - Abstract
Anaerobic fungi are emerging biotechnology platforms with genomes rich in biosynthetic potential. Yet, the heterologous expression of their biosynthetic pathways has had limited success in model hosts like E. coli. We find one reason for this is that the genome composition of anaerobic fungi like P. indianae are extremely AT-biased with a particular preference for rare and semi-rare AT-rich tRNAs in E coli, which are not explicitly predicted by standard codon adaptation indices (CAI). Native P. indianae genes with these extreme biases create drastic growth defects in E. coli (up to 69% reduction in growth), which is not seen in genes from other organisms with similar CAIs. However, codon optimization rescues growth, allowing for gene evaluation. In this manner, we demonstrate that anaerobic fungal homologs such as PI.atoB are more active than S. cerevisiae homologs in a hybrid pathway, increasing the production of mevalonate up to 2.5 g/L (more than two-fold) and reducing waste carbon to acetate by ~90% under the conditions tested. This work demonstrates the bioproduction potential of anaerobic fungal enzyme homologs and how the analysis of codon utilization enables the study of otherwise difficult to express genes that have applications in biocatalysis and natural product discovery.
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- 2021
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28. A Technical Review of Planet Smallsat Data: Practical Considerations for Processing and Using PlanetScope Imagery
- Author
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Amy E. Frazier and Benjamin L. Hemingway
- Subjects
cubesat ,smallsat ,planet ,constellation ,calibration ,radiometric normalization ,Science - Abstract
With the ability to capture daily imagery of Earth at very high spatial resolutions, commercial smallsats are emerging as a key resource for the remote sensing community. Planet (Planet Labs, Inc., San Francisco, CA, USA) operates the largest constellation of Earth imaging smallsats, which have been capturing multispectral imagery for consumer use since 2016. Use of these images is growing in the remote sensing community, but the variation in radiometric and geometric quality compared to traditional platforms (i.e., Landsat, MODIS, etc.) means the images are not always ‘analysis ready’ upon download. Neglecting these variations can impact derived products and analyses. Users also must contend with constantly evolving technology, which improves products but can create discrepancies across sensor generations. This communication provides a technical review of Planet’s PlanetScope smallsat data streams and extant literature to provide practical considerations to the remote sensing community for utilizing these images in remote sensing research. Radiometric and geometric issues for researchers to consider are highlighted alongside a review of processing completed by Planet and innovations being developed by the user community to foster the adoption and use of these images for scientific applications.
- Published
- 2021
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29. Modelling Mitochondrial Disease in Human Pluripotent Stem Cells: What Have We Learned?
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Cameron L. McKnight, Yau Chung Low, David A. Elliott, David R. Thorburn, and Ann E. Frazier
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stem cell ,hPSC ,iPSC ,hESC ,CRISPR-Cas9 ,mtDNA ,Biology (General) ,QH301-705.5 ,Chemistry ,QD1-999 - Abstract
Mitochondrial diseases disrupt cellular energy production and are among the most complex group of inherited genetic disorders. Affecting approximately 1 in 5000 live births, they are both clinically and genetically heterogeneous, and can be highly tissue specific, but most often affect cell types with high energy demands in the brain, heart, and kidneys. There are currently no clinically validated treatment options available, despite several agents showing therapeutic promise. However, modelling these disorders is challenging as many non-human models of mitochondrial disease do not completely recapitulate human phenotypes for known disease genes. Additionally, access to disease-relevant cell or tissue types from patients is often limited. To overcome these difficulties, many groups have turned to human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) to model mitochondrial disease for both nuclear-DNA (nDNA) and mitochondrial-DNA (mtDNA) contexts. Leveraging the capacity of hPSCs to differentiate into clinically relevant cell types, these models permit both detailed investigation of cellular pathomechanisms and validation of promising treatment options. Here we catalogue hPSC models of mitochondrial disease that have been generated to date, summarise approaches and key outcomes of phenotypic profiling using these models, and discuss key criteria to guide future investigations using hPSC models of mitochondrial disease.
- Published
- 2021
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30. Human Adipose-Derived Stromal/Stem Cell Culture and Analysis Methods for Adipose Tissue Modeling In Vitro: A Systematic Review
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Peyton Gibler, Jeffrey Gimble, Katie Hamel, Emma Rogers, Michael Henderson, Xiying Wu, Spencer Olesky, and Trivia Frazier
- Subjects
adipose-derived stromal/stem cells ,culture methods ,3-dimensional ,microphysiological system ,Cytology ,QH573-671 - Abstract
Human adipose-derived stromal/stem cells (hASC) are widely used for in vitro modeling of physiologically relevant human adipose tissue. These models are useful for the development of tissue constructs for soft tissue regeneration and 3-dimensional (3D) microphysiological systems (MPS) for drug discovery. In this systematic review, we report on the current state of hASC culture and assessment methods for adipose tissue engineering using 3D MPS. Our search efforts resulted in the identification of 184 independent records, of which 27 were determined to be most relevant to the goals of the present review. Our results demonstrate a lack of consensus on methods for hASC culture and assessment for the production of physiologically relevant in vitro models of human adipose tissue. Few studies have assessed the impact of different 3D culture conditions on hASC adipogenesis. Additionally, there has been a limited use of assays for characterizing the functionality of adipose tissue in vitro. Results from this study suggest the need for more standardized culture methods and further analysis on in vitro tissue functionality. These will be necessary to validate the utility of 3D MPS as an in vitro model to reduce, refine, and replace in vivo experiments in the drug discovery regulatory process.
- Published
- 2021
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31. Balanced Cellular and Humoral Immune Responses Targeting Multiple Antigens in Adults Receiving a Quadrivalent Inactivated Influenza Vaccine
- Author
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Esther Dawen Yu, Alba Grifoni, Aaron Sutherland, Hannah Voic, Eric Wang, April Frazier, Natalia Jimenez-Truque, Sandra Yoder, Sabrina Welsh, Stacey Wooden, Wayne Koff, Buddy Creech, Alessandro Sette, and Ricardo da Silva Antunes
- Subjects
T cells ,protein immunodominance ,cytokine polarization ,influenza viruses ,vaccine ,Medicine - Abstract
The role of T cell immunity has been acknowledged in recent vaccine development and evaluation. We tested the humoral and cellular immune responses to Flucelvax®, a quadrivalent inactivated seasonal influenza vaccine containing two influenza A (H1N1 Singapore/GP1908/2015 IVR-180 and H3N2 North Carolina/04/2016) and two influenza B (Iowa/06/2017 and Singapore/INFTT-16-0610/2016) virus strains, using peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated by pools of peptides overlapping all the individual influenza viral protein components. Baseline reactivity was detected against all four strains both at the level of CD4 and CD8 responses and targeting different proteins. CD4 T cell reactivity was mostly directed to HA/NA proteins in influenza B strains, and NP/M1/M2/NS1/NEP proteins in the case of the Influenza A strains. CD8 responses to both influenza A and B viruses preferentially targeted the more conserved core viral proteins. Following vaccination, both CD4 and CD8 responses against the various influenza antigens were increased in day 15 to day 91 post vaccination period, and maintained a Th1 polarized profile. Importantly, no vaccine interference was detected, with the increased responses balanced across all four included viral strains for both CD4 and CD8 T cells, and targeting HA and multiple additional viral antigens.
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- 2021
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32. An Integrated Spectral–Structural Workflow for Invasive Vegetation Mapping in an Arid Region Using Drones
- Author
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Arnold Chi Kedia, Brandi Kapos, Songmei Liao, Jacob Draper, Justin Eddinger, Christopher Updike, and Amy E. Frazier
- Subjects
UAV ,vegetation mapping ,machine learning ,random forest ,species classification ,non-native species ,Motor vehicles. Aeronautics. Astronautics ,TL1-4050 - Abstract
Mapping invasive vegetation species in arid regions is a critical task for managing water resources and understanding threats to ecosystem services. Traditional remote sensing platforms, such as Landsat and MODIS, are ill-suited for distinguishing native and non-native vegetation species in arid regions due to their large pixels compared to plant sizes. Unmanned aircraft systems, or UAS, offer the potential to capture the high spatial resolution imagery needed to differentiate species. However, in order to extract the most benefits from these platforms, there is a need to develop more efficient and effective workflows. This paper presents an integrated spectral–structural workflow for classifying invasive vegetation species in the Lower Salt River region of Arizona, which has been the site of fires and flooding, leading to a proliferation of invasive vegetation species. Visible (RGB) and multispectral images were captured and processed following a typical structure from motion workflow, and the derived datasets were used as inputs in two machine learning classifications—one incorporating only spectral information and one utilizing both spectral data and structural layers (e.g., digital terrain model (DTM) and canopy height model (CHM)). Results show that including structural layers in the classification improved overall accuracy from 80% to 93% compared to the spectral-only model. The most important features for classification were the CHM and DTM, with the blue band and two spectral indices (normalized difference water index (NDWI) and normalized difference salinity index (NDSI)) contributing important spectral information to both models.
- Published
- 2021
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33. Spatial Unevenness of Formation, Remediation and Persistence of Post-Agricultural Brownfields
- Author
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Tomáš Krejčí, Josef Navrátil, Stanislav Martinát, Ryan J. Frazier, Petr Klusáček, Kamil Pícha, Jaroslav Škrabal, and Robert Osman
- Subjects
rural ,derelict ,development ,change ,land-use ,spatial analysis ,Agriculture - Abstract
The fall of the Iron Curtain created a vacuum upon which large-scale collectivized agriculture was largely abandoned. Post-agricultural brownfields emerge in multiple manners across national, regional and local levels. While these sites remain rarely explored, we aimed to better understand the spatial consequences of the formation, persistence and reuse of these sites. The regions of South Bohemia and South Moravia in the Czech Republic are used to show the location of post-agricultural brownfields identified in 2004 through 2018. Using Global Moran’s I test we have found that post-agricultural brownfields existing in 2004, long-term brownfields in 2018 and brownfields established between 2004 and 2018 are spatially clustered, but remediated brownfields between 2004 and 2018 are not. Next, the Anselin’s Local Moran’s I test identified where the spatial clusters exist. The clusters identified were examined for differences in their social, economic and environmental development by the means of logistic regression. The results show that the brownfields initially identified in 2004 are concentrated in regions with lower quality agricultural land while simultaneously located in the hinterlands of regional urban centers. In contrast, peripheral regions most often contained long-term brownfields. Brownfield sites identified after 2004 occurred in regions with higher agricultural quality of land and where corn usually grows.
- Published
- 2021
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34. Early Effect of Pine Biochar on Peach-Tree Planting on Microbial Community Composition and Enzymatic Activity
- Author
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Juan Pablo Frene, Mattie Frazier, Shuang Liu, Bernadette Clark, Michael Parker, and Terrence Gardner
- Subjects
soil health ,biochar ,soil enzymes ,soil microbial community ,fatty acid methyl ester ,Technology ,Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General) ,TA1-2040 ,Biology (General) ,QH301-705.5 ,Physics ,QC1-999 ,Chemistry ,QD1-999 - Abstract
Biochar offers several benefits as a soil amendment, including increased soil fertility, carbon sequestration, and water-holding capacity in nutrient-poor soils. In this study, soil samples with and without biochar additives were collected for two consecutive years from an experimental field plot to examine its effect on the microbial community structure and functions in sandy soils under peach-trees (Prunus persica). The four treatments evaluated consisted of two different rates of biochar incorporated into the soil (5%, and 10%, v/v), one “dynamic” surface application of biochar, and a 0% biochar control. Fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) analysis was used to assess the microbial community structure, and enzyme activities involved in C, N, P, and S nutrient cycling were used as a means of assessing soil functionality. Total FAME and bacterial indicators increased by 18% and 12%, respectively, in the 10% incorporated and 5% surface applied treatments. Biochar applications increased β-glucosaminidase and arylsulfatase activities, 5–30% and 12–46%, respectively. β-glucosidase and acid phosphatase activities decreased by approximately 18–35% and 5–22% in the 0–15 cm soils. The overall results suggest that biochar’s addition to the sandy soils stimulated microbial activity, contributing to the increased mean weight diameter (MWD), C sequestration, and consequential soil health. The changes in microbial community structure and functions may be useful predictors of modifications in soil organic matter (SOM) dynamics due to the long-term application of pine biochar in these systems.
- Published
- 2021
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35. Differences in a Cage Escape Behaviour between Two Migrating Warblers of Different Stop-Over Strategy
- Author
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Dariusz Jakubas, Katarzyna Wojczulanis-Jakubas, Alexis Powers, Troy Frazier, Michael Bottomley, and Michał Kraszpulski
- Subjects
cognitive abilities ,reed and Sedge Warblers ,migratory birds ,stop-over ecology ,Veterinary medicine ,SF600-1100 ,Zoology ,QL1-991 - Abstract
Cognitive abilities play an important role for migratory birds that are briefly visiting a variety of unfamiliar stop-over habitats. Here, we compared cognitive abilities-linked behaviour (escape from an experimental cage) between two long-distant migrants differing in stop-over ecology, Sedge Warbler (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus; not territorial, searching for locally superabundant food) and Reed Warbler (A. scirpaceus; territorial, foraging on a common prey) during the autumn migration. After two minutes of acclimatization in the cage, we remotely opened the cage door and recorded the bird’s reaction. We measured latency that individuals needed to escape from a cage. Sedge warblers were 1.61 times more likely to escape from the cage than Reed Warblers. Sedge warblers generally escaped earlier after the door was opened and were 1.79 times more likely to escape at any given time than Reed Warblers. We interpret the prevalence of non-escaped individuals as a general feature of migratory birds. In contrast to resident species, they are more likely to enter an unfamiliar environment, but they are less explorative. We attributed inter-species differences in escape latency to species-specific autumn stop-over refuelling strategies in the context of specialist-generalist foraging. Our study provides ecological insight into the cognitive abilities-linked behaviour of wild animals.
- Published
- 2021
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36. Non-Reciprocal Supratransmission in Mechanical Lattices with Non-Local Feedback Control Interactions
- Author
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Jack E. Pechac and Michael J. Frazier
- Subjects
supratransmission ,non-reciprocity ,active mechanical lattices ,sine-Gordon equation ,Crystallography ,QD901-999 - Abstract
We numerically investigate the supratransmission phenomenon in an active nonlinear system modeled by the 1D/2D discrete sine-Gordon equation with non-local feedback. While, at a given frequency, the typical passive system exhibits a single amplitude threshold marking the onset of the phenomenon, we show that the inclusion of non-local feedback manifests additional thresholds that depend upon the specific boundary from which supratransmission is stimulated, realizing asymmetric (i.e., non-reciprocal) dynamics. The results illustrate a new means of controlling nonlinear wave propagation and energy transport for, e.g., signal amplification and mechanical logic.
- Published
- 2021
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37. Impact of Water Level on Species Quantity and Composition Grown from the Soil Seed Bank of the Inland Salt Marsh: An Ex-Situ Experiment
- Author
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Eva Čížková, Jana Navrátilová, Stanislav Martinát, Josef Navrátil, and Ryan J. Frazier
- Subjects
land use ,restoration ,soil ,salt marshes ,water level ,vegetation ,Agriculture - Abstract
The near elimination of inland salt marshes in Central Europe occurred throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, and the currently remaining marshes exist in a degraded condition. This work examines the impact of groundwater level on the growth of plants from a seed bank obtained from a degraded salt marsh in proximity to still existing one through an ex-situ experiment. An experimental tank was set up with the sample seed bank experiencing differing levels of water level. There were 1233 specimens of 44 taxa grown from the seed bank, of which 5 species were abundant, and 10 species are considered as halophytes. Only Lotus tenuis from halophytes was more abundant, and only five species of halophytes were represented by more than three individuals. The water level has a significant impact on the number of species (based on linear regression analysis) as well as species distribution among different water level treatments (a non-metric multidimensional analysis (nMDS) followed by linear regression). The results show a strong negative relationship between the average water level and the number of species. The water level did not affect the species composition of halophytes, but differences in individual species abundances were found among the halophytes. The species Bupleurum tenuissimum, Crypsis schoenoides, Melilotus dentatus, and Plantago maritima grew on the drier and non-inundated soils. Tripolium pannonicum, Spergularia maritima, and Lotus tenuis grew on both wet and dry soils. Trifolium fragiferum and Bolboschoenus maritimus were found in places with water stagnant at the soil level. Pulicaria dysenterica grew in inundated soil.
- Published
- 2020
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38. Mediators of Host–Microbe Circadian Rhythms in Immunity and Metabolism
- Author
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Katya Frazier, Mary Frith, Dylan Harris, and Vanessa A. Leone
- Subjects
circadian rhythms ,metabolism ,gut microbiota ,immune function ,microbial metabolites ,Biology (General) ,QH301-705.5 - Abstract
Circadian rhythms are essential for nearly all life forms, mediated by a core molecular gene network that drives downstream molecular processes involved in immune function and metabolic regulation. These biological rhythms serve as the body’s metronome in response to the 24-h light:dark cycle and other timed stimuli. Disrupted circadian rhythms due to drastic lifestyle and environmental shifts appear to contribute to the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases, although the mechanisms remain elusive. Gut microbiota membership and function are also key mediators of metabolism and are highly sensitive to environmental perturbations. Recent evidence suggests rhythmicity of gut microbes is essential for host metabolic health. The key molecular mediators that transmit rhythmic signals between microbes and host metabolic networks remain unclear, but studies suggest the host immune system may serve as a conduit between these two systems, providing homeostatic signals to maintain overall metabolic health. Despite this knowledge, the precise mechanism and communication modalities that drive these rhythms remain unclear, especially in humans. Here, we review the current literature examining circadian dynamics of gut microbes, the immune system, and metabolism in the context of metabolic dysregulation and provide insights into gaps and challenges that remain.
- Published
- 2020
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39. Long-Term, Gridded Standardized Precipitation Index for Hawai‘i
- Author
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Matthew P. Lucas, Clay Trauernicht, Abby G. Frazier, and Tomoaki Miura
- Subjects
Standardized Precipitation Index ,drought ,Hawai‘i ,gridded data ,climate ,rainfall ,Bibliography. Library science. Information resources - Abstract
Spatially explicit, wall-to-wall rainfall data provide foundational climatic information but alone are inadequate for characterizing meteorological, hydrological, agricultural, or ecological drought. The Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) is one of the most widely used indicators of drought and defines localized conditions of both drought and excess rainfall based on period-specific (e.g., 1-month, 6-month, 12-month) accumulated precipitation relative to multi-year averages. A 93-year (1920–2012), high-resolution (250 m) gridded dataset of monthly rainfall available for the State of Hawai‘i was used to derive gridded, monthly SPI values for 1-, 3-, 6-, 9-, 12-, 24-, 36-, 48-, and 60-month intervals. Gridded SPI data were validated against independent, station-based calculations of SPI provided by the National Weather Service. The gridded SPI product was also compared with the U.S. Drought Monitor during the overlapping period. This SPI product provides several advantages over currently available drought indices for Hawai‘i in that it has statewide coverage over a long historical period at high spatial resolution to capture fine-scale climatic gradients and monitor changes in local drought severity.
- Published
- 2020
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40. Landscape and Anthropogenic Factors Associated with Adult Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus in Small Cities in the Southern Great Plains
- Author
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Jordan D. Sanders, Justin L. Talley, Amy E. Frazier, and Bruce H. Noden
- Subjects
mosquito ,Aedes ,urban ,Oklahoma ,Great Plains ,Science - Abstract
As mosquito-borne diseases are a growing human health concern in the United States, the distribution and potential arbovirus risk from container-breeding Aedes mosquitoes is understudied in the southern Great Plains. The aim of the study was to assess landscape and anthropogenic factors associated with encountering adult container-breeding mosquitoes in small cities in southern Oklahoma. Collections were carried out over a 10 week period from June to August 2017 along two geographical transects, each consisting of three cities, equally distant from the Red River/Texas border. Mosquitoes were collected weekly using two trap types along with data for 13 landscape, vegetation, and anthropogenic variables. After five rounds of collection, 6628 female mosquitoes were collected over 2110 trap-nights involving 242 commercial or residential sites in six cities. Of the mosquitoes collected, 80% consisted of container-breeding species: Aedes albopictus (72%), Culex pipiens complex (16%) and Aedes aegypti (8%). Regionally, Aedes aegypti was more likely present in cities closest to the Texas border while Ae. albopictus was spread throughout the region. In general, Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus were significantly more present in sites featuring no or low vegetation and residential sites. Variables associated with Ae. albopictus presence and abundance varied between cities and highlighted the urban nature of the species. The study highlighted the distribution of Ae. aegypti geographically and within the urban context, indicated potential habitat preferences of container-breeding mosquito species in small towns, and demonstrated the usefulness of Gravid Aedes traps (GAT) traps for monitoring Aedes populations in urban habitats in small cities.
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- 2020
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41. Nutrient Prediction for Tef (Eragrostis tef) Plant and Grain with Hyperspectral Data and Partial Least Squares Regression: Replicating Methods and Results across Environments
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K. Colton Flynn, Amy E. Frazier, and Sintayehu Admas
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reproducibility ,replicability ,hyperspectral ,waveband selection ,partial least squares ,Ethiopia ,Science - Abstract
Achieving reproducibility and replication (R&R) of scientific results is tantamount for science to progress, and it is also necessary for ensuring the self-correcting mechanism of the scientific method. Topics of R&R have sailed to the forefront of research agenda in many fields recently but have received less attention in remote sensing in general and specifically for studies utilizing hyperspectral data. Given the extremely local environments in which many hyperspectral studies are conducted (e.g., agricultural field plots), purposeful attention to the repeatability of findings across study locales can help ensure methods are generalizable. This study undertakes an investigation of the nutrient content of tef (Eragrostis tef), an understudied plant that is growing in importance due to both food and forage benefits, but does so within the context of the replicability of methods and findings across two study sites situated in different international and environmental contexts. The aims are to (1) determine whether calcium, magnesium, and protein of both the plant and grain can be predicted using hyperspectral data with partial least squares (PLS) regression with waveband selection, and (2) compare the replicability of models across differing environments. Results suggest the method can produce high nutrient prediction accuracy for both the plant and grain in individual environments, but selection of wavebands for nutrient prediction was not comparable across study areas. The findings suggest that the method must be calibrated in each location, thereby reducing the potential to extrapolate methods to different areas. Our findings highlight the need for greater attention to methods and results replication in remote sensing, specifically hyperspectral analyses, in order for scientific findings to be repeatable beyond the plot level.
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- 2020
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42. Clinical Translational Potential in Skin Wound Regeneration for Adipose-Derived, Blood-Derived, and Cellulose Materials: Cells, Exosomes, and Hydrogels
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Trivia Frazier, Andrea Alarcon, Xiying Wu, Omair A. Mohiuddin, Jessica M. Motherwell, Anders H. Carlsson, Robert J. Christy, Judson V. Edwards, Robert T. Mackin, Nicolette Prevost, Elena Gloster, Qiang Zhang, Guangdi Wang, Daniel J. Hayes, and Jeffrey M. Gimble
- Subjects
adipose-derived stromal/stem cells (ASC) ,blood ,burns ,cellulose ,exosome ,platelets ,Microbiology ,QR1-502 - Abstract
Acute and chronic skin wounds due to burns, pressure injuries, and trauma represent a substantial challenge to healthcare delivery with particular impacts on geriatric, paraplegic, and quadriplegic demographics worldwide. Nevertheless, the current standard of care relies extensively on preventive measures to mitigate pressure injury, surgical debridement, skin flap procedures, and negative pressure wound vacuum measures. This article highlights the potential of adipose-, blood-, and cellulose-derived products (cells, decellularized matrices and scaffolds, and exosome and secretome factors) as a means to address this unmet medical need. The current status of this research area is evaluated and discussed in the context of promising avenues for future discovery.
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- 2020
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43. Learning to Teach: How a Simulated Learning Environment Can Connect Theory to Practice in General and Special Education Educator Preparation Programs
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Melanie Landon-Hays, Maria B. Peterson-Ahmad, and Andrea Dawn Frazier
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simulated learning environment ,instructional coaching ,self-efficacy ,inclusion ,high leverage practices ,general education ,Education - Abstract
Educator preparation programs have moved away from offering interest-based courses that prepare a teacher candidate on a more surface level and have opted to integrate more authentic experiences with technology that are infused into coursework. This research study focused on redesigning key courses in both the general and special education graduate-level educator preparation programs (EPPs) to infuse learning experiences through a simulated learning environment (Mursion) to help bridge teacher candidates’ coursework and field experiences, offering them robust experience with high leverage practices and technology that increases their own competency. Data from this study demonstrated that preservice teacher candidate work within the Mursion simulated learning environment increased use of high leverage practices related to strategic teaching, collaboration, differentiation, and providing feedback. Implications for instructional coaching, microteaching, repeated practice, and closing the research to practice gap are discussed.
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- 2020
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44. The Nickel: A History of African-Descended People in Houston’s Fifth Ward
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Denise Frazier
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fifth ward ,migration ,economics ,culture ,gulf south ,memory ,Social Sciences - Abstract
This paper will chronicle the unique stories that have come to exemplify the larger experience of Fifth Ward as a historically African American district in a rapidly changing city, Houston. Fifth Ward is a district submerged in the Southern memory of a sprawling port city. Its 19th century inception comprised of residents from Eastern Europe, Russia, and other religious groups who were fleeing persecution. Another way to describe Fifth Ward is much closer to the Fifth Ward that I knew as a child—an African American Fifth Ward and, more personally, my grandparents’ neighborhood. The growing prosperity of an early 20th century oil-booming Houston had soon turned the neighborhood into an economic haven, attracting African Americans from rural Louisiana and east Texas. Within the past two decades, Latino communities have populated the area, transforming the previously majority African American ward. Through a qualitative familial research review of historic documents, this paper contains a cultural and economic analysis that will illustrate the unique legacies and challenges of its past and present residents. I will center my personal genealogical roots to connect with larger patterns of change over time for African Americans in this distinct cultural ward.
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- 2020
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45. A Data-Driven Framework for Walkability Measurement with Open Data: A Case Study of Triple Cities, New York
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Chengbin Deng, Xiaoyu Dong, Huihai Wang, Weiying Lin, Hao Wen, John Frazier, Hung Chak Ho, and Louisa Holmes
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walkability ,gis ,data-driven method ,open data ,shrinking small cities ,geospatial big data ,smart cities ,urban mapping ,urban built environment ,urban planning ,Geography (General) ,G1-922 - Abstract
Walking is the most common, environment-friendly, and inexpensive type of physical activity. To perform in-depth walkability analysis, one option is to objectively evaluate different aspects of built environment related to walkability. In this study, we proposed a computational framework for walkability measurement using open data. Three major steps of this framework include the web scrapping of publicly available online data, determining varying weights of variables, and generating a synthetic walkability index. The results suggest three major conclusions. First, the proposed framework provides an explicit mechanism for walkability measurement. Second, the synthetic walkability index from this framework is comparable to Walk Score, and it tends to have a slightly higher sensitivity, especially in highly walkable areas in urban core. Third, this framework was effectively applied in a metropolitan area that contains three small cities that together represent a small, old shrinking region, which extends the topical area in the literature. This framework has the potential to quantify walkability in any city, especially cities with a small population where walkability has rarely been studied, or those having no quantification indicator. For such areas, researchers can calculate the synthetic walkability index based on this framework, to assist urban planners, community leaders, health officials, and policymakers in their practices to improve the walking environment of their communities.
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- 2020
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46. A Psychosocial Intervention’s Impact on Quality of Life in AYAs with Cancer: A Post Hoc Analysis from the Promoting Resilience in Stress Management (PRISM) Randomized Controlled Trial
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Angela Steineck, Miranda C. Bradford, Nancy Lau, Samantha Scott, Joyce P. Yi-Frazier, and Abby R. Rosenberg
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adolescent and young adult ,pediatric oncology ,resilience ,quality of life ,Pediatrics ,RJ1-570 - Abstract
Promoting Resilience in Stress Management (PRISM), a psychosocial intervention for adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with serious illness, enhances resilience resources via four skills-based training sessions. A recent randomized controlled trial showed PRISM improved health-related quality of life (HRQOL) compared to usual care (UC). This post hoc exploratory analysis aimed to better understand the effect of PRISM on HRQOL by describing changes in HRQOL subdomain scores. English-speaking AYAs (12−25 years) with cancer were randomized to PRISM or UC. At enrollment and six months later, HRQOL was assessed using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) Generic Short Form (SF-15) and Cancer Module. Scores at each time point were summarized descriptively and individual HRQOL trajectories were categorized (
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- 2019
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47. A Retrospective Study of the Impact of 21-Gene Recurrence Score Assay on Treatment Choice in Node Positive Micrometastatic Breast Cancer
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Thomas G. Frazier, Kevin R. Fox, J. Stanley Smith, Christine Laronga, Anita McSwain, Devchand Paul, Michael Schultz, Joseph Stilwill, Christine Teal, Tracey Weisberg, Judith F. Vacchino, Amy P. Sing, Dasha Cherepanov, Wendy Hsiao, Eunice Chang, and Michael S. Broder
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clinical utility ,genomics ,recurrence risk ,chemotherapy ,breast cancer ,Medicine ,Pharmacy and materia medica ,RS1-441 - Abstract
To assess clinical utility of the 21-gene assay (Oncotype DX® Recurrence Score®), we determined whether women with HER2(−)/ER+ pN1mi breast cancer with low (
- Published
- 2015
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48. Life Cycle Assessment of Biochar versus Metal Catalysts Used in Syngas Cleaning
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Robert S. Frazier, Enze Jin, and Ajay Kumar
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biochar ,syngas ,catalyst ,gasification ,tar ,life cycle assessment (LCA) ,impacts ,sustainability ,Technology - Abstract
Biomass gasification has the potential to produce renewable fuels, chemicals and power at large utility scale facilities. In these plants catalysts would likely be used to reform and clean the generated biomass syngas. Traditional catalysts are made from transition metals, while catalysts made from biochar are being studied. A life cycle assessment (LCA) study was performed to analyze the sustainability, via impact assessments, of producing a metal catalyst versus a dedicated biochar catalyst. The LCA results indicate that biochar has a 93% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and requires 95.7% less energy than the metal catalyst to produce. The study also estimated that biochar production would also have fewer impacts on human health (e.g., carcinogens and respiratory impacts) than the production of a metal catalyst. The possible disadvantage of biochar production in the ecosystem quality is due mostly to its impacts on agricultural land occupation. Sensitivity analysis was carried out to assess environmental impacts of variability in the two production systems. In the metal catalyst manufacture, the extraction and production of nickel (Ni) had significant negative effects on the environmental impacts. For biochar production, low moisture content (MC, 9%) and high yield type (8 tons/acre) switchgrass appeared more sustainable.
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- 2015
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49. Genetic Risk Scores Associated with Baseline Lipoprotein Subfraction Concentrations Do Not Associate with Their Responses to Fenofibrate
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Alexis C. Frazier-Wood, Mary K. Wojczynski, Ingrid B. Borecki, Paul N. Hopkins, Chao-Qiang Lai, Jose M. Ordovas, Robert J. Straka, Micheal Y. Tsai, Hemant K. Tiwari, and Donna K. Arnett
- Subjects
pharmacogenetics ,candidate gene study ,lipoprotein ,fenofibrate ,NMR ,GOLDN ,genetic risk score ,particle size ,LDL size ,HDL size ,Biology (General) ,QH301-705.5 - Abstract
Lipoprotein subclass concentrations are modifiable markers of cardiovascular disease risk. Fenofibrate is known to show beneficial effects on lipoprotein subclasses, but little is known about the role of genetics in mediating the responses of lipoprotein subclasses to fenofibrate. A recent genomewide association study (GWAS) associated several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with lipoprotein measures, and validated these associations in two independent populations. We used this information to construct genetic risk scores (GRSs) for fasting lipoprotein measures at baseline (pre-fenofibrate), and aimed to examine whether these GRSs also associated with the responses of lipoproteins to fenofibrate. Fourteen lipoprotein subclass measures were assayed in 817 men and women before and after a three week fenofibrate trial. We set significance at a Bonferroni corrected alpha
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- 2014
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50. Improving Clinical Prediction of Bipolar Spectrum Disorders in Youth
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Thomas W. Frazier, Eric A. Youngstrom, Mary A. Fristad, Christine Demeter, Boris Birmaher, Robert A. Kowatch, L. Eugene Arnold, David Axelson, Mary K. Gill, Sarah M. Horwitz, and Robert L. Findling
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bipolar disorder ,children ,risk factors ,clinical decision making ,classification tree analysis ,Medicine - Abstract
This report evaluates whether classification tree algorithms (CTA) may improve the identification of individuals at risk for bipolar spectrum disorders (BPSD). Analyses used the Longitudinal Assessment of Manic Symptoms (LAMS) cohort (629 youth, 148 with BPSD and 481 without BPSD). Parent ratings of mania symptoms, stressful life events, parenting stress, and parental history of mania were included as risk factors. Comparable overall accuracy was observed for CTA (75.4%) relative to logistic regression (77.6%). However, CTA showed increased sensitivity (0.28 vs. 0.18) at the expense of slightly decreased specificity and positive predictive power. The advantage of CTA algorithms for clinical decision making is demonstrated by the combinations of predictors most useful for altering the probability of BPSD. The 24% sample probability of BPSD was substantially decreased in youth with low screening and baseline parent ratings of mania, negative parental history of mania, and low levels of stressful life events (2%). High screening plus high baseline parent-rated mania nearly doubled the BPSD probability (46%). Future work will benefit from examining additional, powerful predictors, such as alternative data sources (e.g., clinician ratings, neurocognitive test data); these may increase the clinical utility of CTA models further.
- Published
- 2014
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
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