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Abstract Background In an ageing population, low impact fragility fractures are becoming increasingly common. However, fracture risk can be reduced where low bone density can be identified at an early stage. In this study we aim to demonstrate that IBEX Bone Health (IBEX BH) can provide a clinically useful prediction from wrist radiographs of aBMD and T-score at the ultra-distal (UD) and distal-third (DT) regions of the radius. Methods A 261-participant single-centre, non-randomised, prospective, study was carried out to compare a) IBEX BH, a quantitative digital radiography software device, to b) Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA). A total of 257 participants with wrist digital radiograph (DR), forearm DXA pairs were included in the analysis after exclusions. Results The adjusted R2 value for IBEX BH outputs to the radial areal bone mineral density (aBMD) produced by a GE Lunar DXA system for the UD region is 0.87 (99% Confidence Interval (CI) [0.84, 0.89]). The adjusted R2 value for IBEX BH outputs to aBMD for the DT region is 0.88 (99% CI [0.85, 0.90]). The Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve (AUC) for the forearm T-score ≤ − 2.5 risk prediction model at the UD region is 0.95 (99% CI [0.93, 0.98]). The AUC for the forearm T-score ≤ − 2.5 risk prediction model at the DT region is 0.98 (99% CI [0.97, 0.99]). Conclusion From a DR of the wrist, IBEX BH provides a clinically useful i) estimate of aBMD at the two regions of interest on the radius and ii) risk prediction model of forearm T-score ≤ − 2.5 at the UD and DT regions.

Summary: Background: Yellow fever (YF), a mosquito-borne acute viral haemorrhagic illness, is endemic to many tropical and subtropical areas of Africa and Central and South America. Vaccination remains the most effective prevention strategy; however, as repeated outbreaks have exhausted vaccine stockpiles, there is a need for improved YF vaccines to meet global demand. A live-attenuated YF vaccine candidate (referred to as vYF) cloned from a YF-17D vaccine (YF-VAX®) sub-strain, adapted for growth in Vero cells cultured in serum-free media, is in clinical development. We report the innate and adaptive immune responses and the transcriptome profile of selected genes induced by vYF. Methods: Healthy adults aged 18–60 years were randomised at a 1:1:1:1 ratio to receive one dose of vYF at 4, 5 or 6 Log CCID50 or YF-VAX (reference vaccine), administered subcutaneously in the upper arm (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04142086). Blood/serum samples were obtained at scheduled time points through 180 days (D180) post-vaccination. The surrogate endpoints assessed were: serum cytokine/chemokine concentrations, measured by bead-based Multiplex assay; peripheral blood vYF-specific IgG and IgM memory B cell frequencies, measured by FluoroSpot assay; and expression of genes involved in the immune response to YF-17D vaccination by RT-qPCR. Findings: There was no increase in any of the cytokine/chemokine concentrations assessed through D14 following vaccination with vYF or YF-VAX, except for a slight increase in IP-10 (CXCL10) levels. The gene expression profiles and kinetics following vaccination with vYF and YF-VAX were similar, inclusive of innate (antiviral responses [type-1 interferon, IFN signal transduction; interferon-stimulated genes], activated dendritic cells, viral sensing pattern recognition receptors) and adaptive (cell division in stimulated CD4+ T cells, B cell and antibody) immune signatures, which peaked at D7 and D14, respectively. Increases in vYF-specific IgG and IgM memory B cell frequencies at D28 and D180 were similar across the study groups. Interpretation: vYF-induced strong innate and adaptive immune responses comparable to those induced by YF-VAX, with similar transcriptomic and kinetic profiles observed. Funding: Sanofi.

Moving away from fossil fuels towards renewable sources requires system operators to determine the capacity of distribution systems to safely accommodate green and distributed generation (DG). However, the DG capacity of a distribution system is often underestimated due to either overly conservative electrical demand and DG output uncertainty modelling or neglecting the recourse capability of the available components. To improve the accuracy of DG capacity assessment, this paper proposes a distributionally adjustable robust chance-constrained approach that utilises uncertainty information to reduce the conservativeness of conventional robust approaches. The proposed approach also enables fast-acting devices such as inverters to adjust to the real-time realisation of uncertainty using the adjustable robust counterpart methodology. To achieve a tractable formulation, we first define uncertain chance constraints through distributionally robust conditional value-at-risk (CVaR), which is then reformulated into convex quadratic constraints. We subsequently solve the resulting large-scale, yet convex, model in a distributed fashion using the alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM). Through numerical simulations, we demonstrate that the proposed approach outperforms the adjustable robust and conventional distributionally robust approaches by up to 15% and 40%, respectively, in terms of total installed DG capacity.

Introduction: Human teeth are composed mainly of dentin, formed by the odontoblasts. Dentin matrix protein 1 (DMP1) is one of odontoblast differentiation's most important growth factors. Human DMP1 has yet to be completely identified or studied. This study aimed to clone and characterize human DMP1. Materials and methods: The DMP1 gene sequence was prepared and cloned by transfection of human 293 cells. Results: The recombinant DMP1 was purified and characterized. Conclusion: The results suggested its future use in dental tissue regeneration and tissue engineering.

Background Embolic stroke of unknown source (ESUS) accounts for 1 in 6 ischemic strokes. Current guidelines do not recommend routine cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging in ESUS, and beyond the identification of cardioembolic sources, there are no data assessing new clinical findings from CMR in ESUS. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of new cardiac and noncardiac findings and to determine their impact on clinical care in patients with ESUS. Methods and Results In this prospective, multicenter, observational study, CMR imaging was performed within 3 months of ESUS. All scans were reported according to standard clinical practice. A new clinical finding was defined as one not previously identified through prior clinical evaluation. A clinically significant finding was defined as one resulting in further investigation, follow‐up, or treatment. A change in patient care was defined as initiation of medical, interventional, surgical, or palliative care. From 102 patients recruited, 96 underwent CMR imaging. One or more new clinical findings were observed in 59 patients (61%). New findings were clinically significant in 48 (81%) of these patients. Of 40 patients with a new clinically significant cardiac finding, 21 (53%) experienced a change in care (medical therapy, n=15; interventional/surgical procedure, n=6). In 12 patients with a new clinically significant extracardiac finding, 6 (50%) experienced a change in care (medical therapy, n=4; palliative care, n=2). Conclusions CMR imaging identifies new clinically significant cardiac and noncardiac findings in half of patients with recent ESUS. Advanced cardiovascular screening should be considered in patients with ESUS. Registration URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT04555538.

Christopher Nolan Oppenheimer theatrical release was 21 July 2023. It has received stellar reviews. As of October 2023 the movie has not yet been released in Japan, but the Japanese critics have been quick to point out that the movie does not deal with the death and destruction in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The over 200,000 dead and the survivors are largely absent from the movie. Finally, while the movie is not a celebration of the man dubbed the “father of the atomic” it nevertheless paints him as sympathetic character. This treatment is objectionable. Nolan’s movie is not about the decision to drop two nuclear weapons on Japan. It is not a documentary. Yet Oppenheimer the scientist can never be separated from atomic weapons and the slaughter of civilians. That he was tortured by the result of his work is true, but he was aware at what he was doing. An underlying theme of this essay is the dangers of hubris. This essay attempts to demonstrate how both the memory of Hiroshima and Oppenheimer are linked as both being contested icons. Nolan made this movie in a hyperpolarized America. The didactic functions would have to resonate with his audience. Oppenheimer, a brilliant erudite leftwing Jewish intellectual from New York, was humiliated and hounded out of public life in an era hysterical anti-communist rightwing politics. The specter of rightwing populism hangs over the movie and is thread throughout this essay.

Abstract Background Over the past 10 years, incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) has increased to record numbers in the United States, with the most significant increases observed among adolescents and young adults. The US military, where the majority of active duty personnel are 18–30 years old, has seen similar increases. However, the US military does not yet have a standardized, service-wide program for STI education and prevention. Methods The KISS intervention (Knocking out Infections through Safer-sex and Screening) was adapted from an evidence-based intervention endorsed by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and consisted of a one-time, small group session. Content included STI/HIV knowledge and prevention, condom use skills, and interpersonal communication techniques. The intervention was pilot tested for feasibility and acceptability among a population of service members and medical beneficiaries at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state. Results A total of 79 participants aged 18–30 years were consented to participate in the pilot study and met entry criteria, 66/79 (82.5%) attended the intervention session, and 46/66 (69.7%) returned at 3 months for the final follow-up assessment. The intervention sessions included 31 male (47.0%) and 35 female (53.0%) participants. Almost all participants felt comfortable discussing sexual issues in the group sessions, reported that they intended to practice safer sex after the intervention, and would also recommend the intervention to friends. Knowledge about STI/HIV prevention significantly increased after the intervention, and intervention effects were maintained at 3 months. About one-fifth of participants tested positive for N. gonorrhea or C. trachomatis infection at enrollment, while none had recurrent STIs at the final visit. Use of both male and female condoms increased after the intervention. Conclusions The KISS intervention was feasible to implement in the military setting and was acceptable to the active duty service members and other medical beneficiaries who participated in the pilot project. Further studies are needed to determine if the KISS intervention, or others, effectively decrease STI incidence in active duty personnel and would be appropriate for more widespread implementation. Trial Registration Retrospectively registered as the pilot phase of clinicaltrials.gov NCT04547413 , “Prospective Cohort Trial to Assess Acceptability and Efficacy of an Adapted STI/HIV Intervention Behavioral Intervention Program in a Population of US Army Personnel and Their Medical Beneficiaries—Execution Phase.”

Whipworms are large parasites causing chronic disease in humans and other mammals. Here, the authors show how larvae create tunnels inside the gut lining and reveal the early host response to infection via Isg15 in mice and murine caecaloids.

Inclusive post-secondary education (IPSE) programs for students with intellectual disability are growing rapidly, yet demand still outweighs the availability of programs. To increase the success and sustainability of IPSE, universities must understand stakeholders’ perceptions of inclusion. The Perspectives of Diversity and Inclusion Survey was administered to students at two universities -- a pilot IPSE campus and an existing IPSE campus. Students held largely favorable perceptions of IPSE. Differences in perceptions were evidenced in students’ practices of inclusion, willingness to be peer mentors and receptiveness for inclusion training. Considerations for enhanced training on IPSE campuses and recommendations for future research are provided.

Abstract Background Lower socioeconomic status (SES) groups, particularly lower SES males, are at greater risk of alcohol-related harm than higher SES groups, despite drinking at the same level or less. However, they are rarely recruited for research through typical recruitment strategies. Consequently, limited evidence exists on patterns of alcohol use and effectiveness of public health messages for these groups. Using workplaces to recruit male drinkers from lower SES backgrounds may provide a feasible and accessible approach to research participation and enable improved understanding of alcohol use, drinking motives and acceptance of alcohol-related public health messages in this underrepresented and high-risk group. We investigated workplace-based strategies to recruit male drinkers from lower SES backgrounds. We also investigated their experiences and motivations for alcohol use, and acceptance of alcohol-related public health messages. Methods A feasibility element investigated the effectiveness of workplace-based strategies to recruit male drinkers from lower SES backgrounds in the south west of England. A pilot element investigated this population’s experiences and motivations for alcohol use, and acceptance of alcohol-related public health messages, through a mixed-methods survey. Results Feasibility results indicated that workplace-based recruitment strategies, including recruiting participants in person at their workplace and providing a financial incentive, effectively led to the recruitment of 84 male drinkers (70% recruitment rate), predominately from lower SES backgrounds, to a survey. Pilot results indicated that more than half of participants were at increasing risk of alcohol-related harm, and approximately one fifth engaged in weekly heavy episodic drinking. Participation in campaigns aimed at reducing alcohol use, and knowledge of government alcohol consumption guidelines, were low. Participants reported negative beliefs about alcohol including health effects, dependency and excess use, and financial and occupational effects. Positive beliefs about alcohol included relaxation, socialising, and enjoyment. Conclusions Workplace-based recruitment, using in-person recruitment and a financial incentive, may be a feasible strategy to recruit male drinkers from lower SES backgrounds. Pilot results may direct larger scale research aiming to understand alcohol use in this population and inform targeted public health messages. Workplace-based recruitment may represent a promising avenue for future research aiming to tackle inequalities in participation in alcohol research.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nano-scaled vesicles released from all cell types into extracellular fluids and specifically contain signature molecules of the original cells and tissues, including the placenta. Placenta-derived EVs can be detected in maternal circulation at as early as six weeks of gestation, and their release can be triggered by the oxygen level and glucose concentration. Placental-associated complications such as preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, and gestational diabetes have alterations in placenta-derived EVs in maternal plasma, and this can be used as a liquid biopsy for the diagnosis, prediction, and monitoring of such pregnancy complications. Alpha-thalassemia major (“homozygous alpha-thalassemia-1”) or hemoglobin Bart’s disease is the most severe form of thalassemia disease, and this condition is lethal for the fetus. Women with Bart’s hydrops fetalis demonstrate signs of placental hypoxia and placentomegaly, thereby placenta-derived EVs provide an opportunity for a non-invasive liquid biopsy of this lethal condition. In this article, we introduced clinical features and current diagnostic markers of Bart’s hydrops fetalis, extensively summarize the characteristics and biology of placenta-derived EVs, and discuss the challenges and opportunities of placenta-derived EVs as part of diagnostic tests for placental complications focusing on Bart’s hydrop fetalis.

An 11-month-old boy was admitted to the intensive care unit with pneumonia and severe respiratory distress syndrome, associated with septic shock and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Ten days after admission, a 10-cm abdominal mass was detected in the right lower quadrant. Ultrasound showed a markedly thickened and edematous bowel wall interpreted as severe acute enterocolitis. The patient died two days later. At autopsy, there was generalized bowel distension with an intraluminal hematoma extending from the jejunum to the ascending colon. Non-traumatic, spontaneous intraluminal hematoma is a rare cause of an abdominal mass. Patients with DIC are at risk for this event and the smaller bowel lumen in children makes them especially at risk for obstruction. Prompt recognition of this condition is crucial for a successful patient outcome.

Salt water exposure conditions relevant to carbon-fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP) prestressed concrete structures in marine environments are investigated. The diffusion into relatively small diameter CFRP tendons can be a lengthy process so the prediction of the long-term moisture uptake using short-term experiments on thin films of epoxy would be advantageous. However, the fibre inclusions within a composite introduce complexities, and factors are typically required for correlation with pure epoxy specimens. Diffusion parameters based on moisture uptake result from CFRP tendons exposed to salt water solution at 20°C and 60°C are compared with those obtained using equivalent thin film specimens. The higher temperature is selected to accelerate the moisture uptake. It is found that the measured ratios of tendon and epoxy diffusivity were temperature dependent, and the combination of the higher temperature and salt solution leads to an increased propensity for moisture uptake in the tendon. Existing analytical models to predict the CFRP tendon diffusivity from that of a thin film of epoxy did not appear to capture the observed trends. However, predictions using a unit cell with a fibre interface zone suggest that this may be due to an increased diffusivity in the interphase region.

The recent COVID-19 pandemic is a treatment challenge in the acute infection stage but the recognition of chronic COVID-19 symptoms termed post-acute sequelae SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) may affect up to 30% of all infected individuals. The underlying mechanism and source of this distinct immunologic condition three months or more after initial infection remains elusive. Here, we investigated the presence of SARS-CoV-2 S1 protein in 46 individuals. We analyzed T-cell, B-cell, and monocytic subsets in both severe COVID-19 patients and in patients with post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC). The levels of both intermediate (CD14+, CD16+) and non-classical monocyte (CD14Lo, CD16+) were significantly elevated in PASC patients up to 15 months post-acute infection compared to healthy controls (P=0.002 and P=0.01, respectively). A statistically significant number of non-classical monocytes contained SARS-CoV-2 S1 protein in both severe (P=0.004) and PASC patients (P=0.02) out to 15 months post-infection. Non-classical monocytes were sorted from PASC patients using flow cytometric sorting and the SARS-CoV-2 S1 protein was confirmed by mass spectrometry. Cells from 4 out of 11 severe COVID-19 patients and 1 out of 26 PASC patients contained ddPCR+ peripheral blood mononuclear cells, however, only fragmented SARS-CoV-2 RNA was found in PASC patients. No full length sequences were identified, and no sequences that could account for the observed S1 protein were identified in any patient. That non-classical monocytes may be a source of inflammation in PASC warrants further study.

Serological assessment of SARS-CoV-2 specific responses are an essential tool for determining the prevalence of past SARS-CoV-2 infections in the population especially when testing occurs after symptoms have developed and limited contact tracing is in place. The goal of our study was to test a new 10-plex electro-chemiluminescence-based assay to measure IgM and IgG responses to the spike proteins from multiple human coronaviruses including SARS-CoV-2, assess the epitope specificity of the SARS-CoV-2 antibody response against full-length spike protein, receptor-binding domain and N-terminal domain of the spike protein, and the nucleocapsid protein. We carried out the assay on samples collected from three sample groups: subjects diagnosed with COVID-19 from the U.S. Army hospital at Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, South Korea; healthcare administrators from the same hospital but with no reported diagnosis of COVID-19; and pre-pandemic samples. We found that the new CoV-specific multiplex assay was highly sensitive allowing plasma samples to be diluted 1:30,000 with a robust signal. The reactivity of IgG responses to SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein and IgM responses to SARS-CoV-2 spike protein could distinguish COVID-19 samples from non-COVID-19 and pre-pandemic samples. The data from the three sample groups also revealed a unique pattern of cross-reactivity between SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV-1, MERS-CoV, and seasonal coronaviruses HKU1 and OC43. Our findings show that the CoV-2 IgM response is highly specific while the CoV-2 IgG response is more cross-reactive across a range of human CoVs and also showed that IgM and IgG responses show distinct patterns of epitope specificity. In summary, this multiplex assay was able to distinguish samples by COVID-19 status and characterize distinct trends in terms of cross-reactivity and fine-specificity in antibody responses, underscoring its potential value in diagnostic or serosurveillance efforts.

HPV-related Multiphenotypic sinonasal carcinoma (previously known as HPV-related carcinoma with adenoid cystic carcinoma-like features) is very rare tumor of which only 55 cases are reported. All cases to date are related to high-risk types of HPV including 16, 31, 33, 35 and 56. We report of a case of a nasal mass in a 50-year-old female. Biopsy demonstrated typical features of an HPV-related multiphenotypic sinonasal carcinoma, with both basaloid and ductal type cells. Tumor cells were arranged in lobulated sheets, with focal cribriform and microcystic growth patterns. The majority of tumor cells expressed myoepithelial markers (S-100 protein, smooth muscle actin and p63) and the ductal cells were immunopositive for CD117. Polymerase chain reaction and sequencing identified HPV type 26. HPV 26 becomes the first intermediate risk type that may be associated with HPV-related multiphenotypic sinonasal carcinoma. Keywords: HPV, Type 26, Sinonasal carcinoma, Multiphenotypic

The title of this paper is a play on words re-working the word democracy into demos-crazy. This re-working however is not a joke as the election of authoritarian illiberal candidates in the United States, the Philippines, Hungary, Turkey and Brazil (to name but a few) has called into question the future shape of politics. Electoral politics is under siege by new parties as well as spontaneous movements. There are fundamental questions which need to be addressed. What are the reasons for the rise of right-wing populism? Is populism undemocratic? What has been the role of social media and ICTs in helping to create a new political spectrum? Politically and socially what does it mean if we have entered a post-truth age? The demos has not become crazy but democracy is certainly in retreat. This paper argues that liberalism needs to construct an honest counter-narrative in contrast to the fear-mongering and false nostalgia of the right. The rhetoric of the right is opportunistic, but it would be a fatal mistake to dismiss its appeals. After all, it has won elections. The demos is not crazy, but has been ignored and in many cases left behind. Positive populism is grounded in human dignity and fairness. This is the essence of democracy.

O título deste artigo faz um trocadilho com as palavras democracia e “demo-loucura”. No entanto, tal trocadilho não é uma brincadeira, como as eleições dos candidatos iliberais e autoritários nos Estados Unidos, Filipinas, Hungria, Turquia e Brasil (para nomear apenas alguns), que têm colocado em questão o futuro modelo da política. As políticas eleitorais estão sob o cerco de novos partidos bem como de movimentos espontâneos. Há questões fundamentais que precisam ser pontuadas. Quais são as razões para o aumento do populismo de direita? O populismo é anti-democrático? Qual tem sido o papel das mídias sociais e dos ICTs para criar um novo espectro político? Política e socialmente, o que significa termos entrado e uma era da pós-verdade? A demos não se tornou alucinante, mas a democracia

This article reports on a research project that investigated the framing of asylum seekers in the Australian news publicationsThe Australian and The Guardian Australia Edition, during their coverage of a riot that occurred in an asylum seeker processing centre on Manus Island, Papua New Guinea, in February 2014. Analysis found themes of asylum seekers represented as threats to national identity, State sovereignty, and as victims. The research discusses the potential impacts framing may have on the way asylum seekers are perceived by readers of these publications. Its findings showed that the process of framing in news reports can both privilege and exclude aspects of an event being reported.

Studies of the furious and paralytic forms of canine rabies at the early stage of disease have shown a more rapid viral colonization of the cerebral hemispheres in the furious form, as measured by viral antigen within neuronal cell bodies and viral RNA levels. Measurement of cellular processes separate from neuronal cell body provides a visual record of the spread of rabies virus which occurs across synapses. In this study, the amount of rabies viral antigen within cell processes was quantitatively assessed by image analysis in a cohort of naturally rabies infected non-vaccinated dogs (5 furious and 5 paralytic) that were sacrificed shortly after developing illness. Measurements were taken at different levels of the spinal cord, brain stem, and cerebrum. Results were compared to the amount of rabies viral antigen in neuronal cell bodies. Generally, the amount of rabies viral antigen in cell processes decreased in a rostral direction, following the pattern for the amount of rabies viral antigen in neuronal cell bodies and the percentage of involved cell bodies. However, there was a delay in cell process involvement following cell body involvement, consistent with replication occurring in the cell body region and subsequent transport out to cell processes. Greater amounts of antigen were seen in cell processes in dogs with the furious compared to paralytic form, at all anatomic levels examined. This difference was even evident when comparing (1) neurons with similar amounts of antigen, (2) similar percentages of involved neurons, and (3) anatomic levels that showed 100% positive neurons. These findings suggest that intracellular transport of the virus may be slower in the paralytic form, resulting in slower viral propagation. Possible mechanisms might involve host-specific differences in intracellular virus transport. The latter could be cytokine-mediated, since previous studies have documented greater inflammation in the paralytic form.

Background & Aims: Most knowledge about gastrointestinal (GI)-tract dendritic cells (DC) relies on murine studies where CD103+ DC specialize in generating immune tolerance with the functionality of CD11b+/â subsets being unclear. Information about human GI-DC is scarce, especially regarding regional specifications. Here, we characterized human DC properties throughout the human colon. Methods: Paired proximal (right/ascending) and distal (left/descending) human colonic biopsies from 95 healthy subjects were taken; DC were assessed by flow cytometry and microbiota composition assessed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Results: Colonic DC identified were myeloid (mDC, CD11c+CD123â) and further divided based on CD103 and SIRPα (human analog of murine CD11b) expression. CD103-SIRPα+ DC were the major population and with CD103+SIRPα+ DC were CD1c+ILT3+CCR2+ (although CCR2 was not expressed on all CD103+SIRPα+ DC). CD103+SIRPα- DC constituted a minor subset that were CD141+ILT3âCCR2â. Proximal colon samples had higher total DC counts and fewer CD103+SIRPα+ cells. Proximal colon DC were more mature than distal DC with higher stimulatory capacity for CD4+CD45RA+ T-cells. However, DC and DC-invoked T-cell expression of mucosal homing markers (β7, CCR9) was lower for proximal DC. CCR2 was expressed on circulating CD1c+, but not CD141+ mDC, and mediated DC recruitment by colonic culture supernatants in transwell assays. Proximal colon DC produced higher levels of cytokines. Mucosal microbiota profiling showed a lower microbiota load in the proximal colon, but with no differences in microbiota composition between compartments. Conclusions: Proximal colonic DC subsets differ from those in distal colon and are more mature. Targeted immunotherapy using DC in T-cell mediated GI tract inflammation may therefore need to reflect this immune compartmentalization. Keywords: CCR2, Dendritic Cells, Distal Colon, Human Gastrointestinal Tract, Proximal Colon, Microbiota

Bioethanol production in the midwestern U.S. has largely focused on maize (Zea mays L.) grain for starch-based ethanol production. There has been growing interest in lignocellulosic biomass as a feedstock for biofuels. Because maize adapted to the tropics does not initiate senescence as early as temperate-adapted maize, using a tropical germplasm could improve biomass yield. This study compares the suitability of temperate and tropical maize with differing relative maturities as feedstocks for bioethanol production. Field trials were established in central Iowa during the 2014 and 2015 growing seasons. Six hybrids of different relative maturities were grown at two levels of N fertilization and two row spacings to evaluate total biomass production and feedstock quality under midwestern U.S. conditions. Total biomass, height at the final leaf collar, stem diameter at one meter above ground, and lignocellulose concentration were measured at harvest. Tropical maize was taller and had greater non-grain and total biomass production (15% more than temperate maize), while temperate maize had greater grain yield and grain starch, as well as earlier maturation. Narrower row spacing had greater biomass and grain yield. Nitrogen fertilization rate affected grain and feedstock composition. Tropical maize had lower cellulose, lignin, and ash concentrations and higher nitrogen at harvest than that of temperate maize. Conversely, temperate maize had greater ash, cellulose, and lignin concentrations. Tropical maize planted at high densities has high potential as a feedstock for bioethanol production in the U.S. Midwest.

Seventeenth-century moralists denounced fashion and its perceived related vices of immodesty and vanity. As male fashion became more elaborate, linked with the increasingly centralized courts of Louis XIII and Louis XIV, men as well as women were targeted, particularly in view of their apparent appropriation of items traditionally associated with female attire. The most famous treatise against men’s wig-wearing was published in 1690 by abbé Jean-Baptiste Thiers, a work that can also be read as a carefully crafted critique of the most famous patron of this accessory, Louis XIV himself, and of his absolutist apparatus of government.

One factor – one among many – that lends a work of art dynamism and interest is tension. Both the making and the reading of poems can be thought of as dynamic processes. Processes that begin with the gradual discovery of their own obstacles and, in finding satisfactory ways to overcome them, achieve completion by integrating resolved conflicts into an expanded field of understanding.

This article discusses the enduring popularity and academic acclaim of Jane Austen's novels. It highlights the reasons why her works are highly regarded, including interesting characters, witty prose, and engaging plots. Austen's novels are seen as ahead of their time, remaining accessible and fresh while other 19th-century novels became outdated. The article also explores Austen's innovative use of techniques such as free indirect style, which allows readers to see the moral blind spots of her characters. Austen's emphasis on the inner lives of young women was groundbreaking and influenced later novelists. Overall, Austen's novels are celebrated for their wit, insight into human nature, and ability to capture the thoughts and emotions of their characters. [Extracted from the article]