Ocean Savior From Above: Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) Operations During Near-Shore Ocean Rescues

The United States possesses 12,383 miles of ocean shoreline across all territorial boarders, which includes the U.S. mainland, Alaska, Hawaii, and non-state possessions. The vast shorelines offer great opportunities for both recreational and commercial exploration. However, the shoreline environment also presents a challenging and ever-present public safety hazard: drowning in open water. To combat the drowning threat, the United States Coast Guard and local governments along the nation’s shorelines have developed protection measures to prevent drowning. These protection measures include beach lifeguards, rescue boats, and manned rescue aircraft. Yet 50-75% of the approximately 4,000 annual drowning deaths in the United States happen in oceans and other open waters (Branche & Stewart, 2001). This paper discusses the implementation of a new tool to protect visitors of the United States’ near-shore ocean waters: small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS). The contained study focuses on how sUAS can be used for near-shore ocean rescue, the legality of the proposed solution, and how the population of Volusia County, Florida views the government using the technology for public safety use, and more specifically ocean rescue. The study postulates that the sUAS can be used for a quicker aviation asset response than manned aircraft during rescues and fly in non-favorable conditions. The proposed solution also appears to be legal, and possess public favor

CpG island methylation of TMS1/ASC and CASP8 genes in cervical cancer

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Gene silencing associated with aberrant methylation of promoter region CpG islands is an acquired epigenetic alteration that serves as an alternative to genetic defects in the inactivation of tumor suppressor and other genes in human cancers.</p> <p>Aims</p> <p>This study describes the methylation status of <it>TMS1</it>/<it>ASC </it>and <it>CASP8 </it>genes in cervical cancer. We also examined the prevalence of <it>TMS1</it>/<it>ASC </it>and <it>CASP8 </it>genes methylation in cervical cancer tissue and none - neo plastic samples in an effort to correlate with smoking habit and clinicopathological features.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>Target DNA was modified by sodium bisulfite, converting all unmethylated, but not methylated, cytosines to uracil, and subsequently amplified by Methylation Specific (MS) PCR with primers specific for methylated versus unmethylated DNA. The PCR product was detected by gel electrophoresis and combined with the clinical records of patients.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The methylation pattern of the <it>TMS1</it>/<it>ASC </it>and <it>CASP8 </it>genes in specimens of cervical cancer and adjacent normal tissues were detected [5/80 (6.2%), 3/80 (3.75%)-2/80 (2.5%), 1/80 (1.2%) respectively]. No statistical differences were seen in the extent of differentiation, invasion, pathological type and smoking habit between the methylated and unmethylated tissues (<it>P </it>> 0.05).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The present study conclude that the frequency of <it>TMS1</it>/<it>ASC </it>and <it>CASP8 </it>genes methylation in cervical cancer are rare (< 6%), and have no any critical role in development of cervical cancer.</p

Impact of Silicon Foliar Application on the Growth and Physiological Traits of Carthamus tinctorius L. Exposed to Salt Stress

Althought safflower is a tolerant crop against many environmental stresses, but its yield and performance reduce under stress. The aim of this experiment was to investigate the effect of silicon (Si) application on the possibility of increasing salinity resistance and related mechanisms in safflower. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of Si spraying (0, 1.5 and 2.5 mM) on safflower plants grown under salt stress condition (non-saline and 10 dS m−1). Salinity reduced seedling emergence percent and rate, growth parameters and disrupted ion uptake but increased emergence time and specifc leaf weight. Spraying of Si increased plant height, fresh and dry weight, leaf area, relative water content (RWC), potassium, calcium and silicon content, while sodium absorption was decreased. As a result, the K+/Na+ and Ca2+/Na+ ratios were increased. Elevated ion contents and ratios indicate an enhanced selectivity of ion uptake following silicon application and may increase ion discrimination against Na+. Treatment with 2.5 mM Si showed the most positive effect on the measured growth traits. Decrement in leaf area ratio under salinity indicates a more severe effect of salinity on leaf area compared to biomass production. On the other hand, silicon reduced the specific leaf weight under stress and non-stress conditions, which revalues the positive effects of silicon on leaf area expansion. Improvement of RWC may a reason for the icrease in leaf area and biomass production. Data shows that spraying with Si especialy with 2.5 mM can reduce salinity stress damage to safflower and increase biomass production

Feeding strategy analysis of blue swimming crab (Portunus pelagicus, Linnaeus, 1758) using Castello's graphical model in Khuzestan coastal water

Feeding strategy of blue swimming crab (Portunus pelagicus) was investigated monthly in Khuzestan province water from April-2016 to march-2017. Samples were catch by trawl net. The content of P. pelagicus stomachs, percentage of occurrence frequency and Frequency percentage of feeding items was checked. In crab stomachs different feeding items group such as crustacean, mollusks, sponges, phytoplanktons, corals, fish, sand particles and etc. Was observed. The highest frequency of occurrence belonging to sponges, crustaceans and mollusks, respectively. Furthermore, Frequency percentage of sponges (38.65%) was higher than other preys. Costello's graphical model analysis Results analysis of P. pelagicus stomach content by Costello's model showed that this crab is a predator with specific feeding nich and feeding specific prey include sponges, crustacean and mollusks during a year. Though, it's feeding pattern show few seasonally fluctuations. In this model, phytoplanktons, fish, polycheats, corals, nematode, protista, ctenophore, nematodes, cestod, sea insects and sand identified as accidental or rare prey. Probably, ingest by crab while feeding from specific prey

Cerebral amyloid‐β load is associated with neurodegeneration and gliosis: Mediation by p‐tau and interactions with risk factors early in the Alzheimer's continuum

Introduction: The association between cerebral amyloid‐β accumulation and downstream CSF biomarkers is not fully understood, particularly in asymptomatic stages. / Methods: In 318 cognitively unimpaired participants, we assessed the association between amyloid‐β PET (Centiloid), and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers of several pathophysiological pathways. Interactions by Alzheimer's disease risk factors (age, sex and APOE‐ε4), and the mediation effect of tau and neurodegeneration were also investigated. / Results: Centiloids were positively associated with CSF biomarkers of tau pathology (p‐tau), neurodegeneration (t‐tau, NfL), synaptic dysfunction (neurogranin) and neuroinflammation (YKL‐40, GFAP, sTREM2), presenting interactions with age (p‐tau, t‐tau, neurogranin) and sex (sTREM2, NfL). Most of these associations were mediated by p‐tau, except for NfL. The interaction between sex and amyloid‐β on sTREM2 and NfL was also tau‐independent. / Discussion: Early amyloid‐β accumulation has a tau‐independent effect on neurodegeneration and a tau‐dependent effect on neuroinflammation. Besides, sex has a modifier effect on these associations independent of tau

Differential effects of sleep on brain structure and metabolism at the preclinical stages of AD

INTRODUCTION: Poor sleep quality is associated with cognitive outcomes in Alzheimer's disease (AD). We analyzed the associations between self-reported sleep quality and brain structure and function in cognitively unimpaired (CU) individuals. METHODS: CU adults (N = 339) underwent structural magnetic resonance imaging, lumbar puncture, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire. A subset (N = 295) performed [18F] fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography scans. Voxel-wise associations with gray matter volumes (GMv) and cerebral glucose metabolism (CMRGlu) were performed including interactions with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) AD biomarkers status. RESULTS: Poorer sleep quality was associated with lower GMv and CMRGlu in the orbitofrontal and cingulate cortices independently of AD pathology. Self-reported sleep quality interacted with altered core AD CSF biomarkers in brain areas known to be affected in preclinical AD stages. DISCUSSION: Poor sleep quality may impact brain structure and function independently from AD pathology. Alternatively, AD-related neurodegeneration in areas involved in sleep–wake regulation may induce or worsen sleep disturbances. Highlights Poor sleep impacts brain structure and function independent of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology. Poor sleep exacerbates brain changes observed in preclinical AD. Sleep is an appealing therapeutic strategy for preventing AD

P-tau235: a novel biomarker for staging preclinical Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterised by a long preclinical phase. Although phosphorylated tau (p-tau) species such as p-tau217 and p-tau231 provide accurate detection of early pathological changes, other biomarkers capable of staging disease progression during preclinical AD are still needed. Combining exploratory and targeted mass spectrometry methods in neuropathologically confirmed brain tissue, we observed that p-tau235 is a prominent feature of AD pathology. In addition, p-tau235 seemed to be preceded by p-tau231, in what appeared to be a sequential phosphorylation event. To exploit its biomarker potential in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), we developed and validated a new p-tau235 Simoa assay. Using three clinical cohorts, we demonstrated that (i) CSF p-235 increases early in AD continuum, and (ii) changes in CSF p-tau235 and p-tau231 levels during preclinical AD are consistent with the sequential phosphorylation evidence in AD brain. In conclusion, CSF p-tau235 appears to be not only a highly specific biomarker of AD but also a promising staging biomarker for the preclinical phase. Thus, it could prove useful tracking disease progression and help enriching clinical trial recruitment

Visual assessment of [¹⁸F]flutemetamol PET images can detect early amyloid pathology and grade its extent

PURPOSE: To investigate the sensitivity of visual read (VR) to detect early amyloid pathology and the overall utility of regional VR. METHODS: [¹⁸F]flutemetamol PET images of 497 subjects (ALFA+ N = 352; ADC N = 145) were included. Scans were visually assessed according to product guidelines, recording the number of positive regions (0-5) and a final negative/positive classification. Scans were quantified using the standard and regional Centiloid (CL) method. The agreement between VR-based classification and published CL-based cut-offs for early (CL = 12) and established (CL = 30) pathology was determined. An optimal CL cut-off maximizing Youden's index was derived. Global and regional CL quantification was compared to VR. Finally, 28 post-mortem cases from the [¹⁸F]flutemetamol phase III trial were included to assess the percentage agreement between VR and neuropathological classification of neuritic plaque density. RESULTS: VR showed excellent agreement against CL = 12 (κ = .89, 95.2%) and CL = 30 (κ = .88, 95.4%) cut-offs. ROC analysis resulted in an optimal CL = 17 cut-off against VR (sensitivity = 97.9%, specificity = 97.8%). Each additional positive VR region corresponded to a clear increase in global CL. Regional VR was also associated with regional CL quantification. Compared to mCERAD_{SOT}-based classification (i.e., any region mCERAD_{SOT} > 1.5), VR was in agreement in 89.3% of cases, with 13 true negatives, 12 true positives, and 3 false positives (FP). Regional sparse-to-moderate neuritic and substantial diffuse Aβ plaque was observed in all FP cases. Regional VR was also associated with regional plaque density. CONCLUSION: VR is an appropriate method for assessing early amyloid pathology and that grading the extent of visual amyloid positivity could present clinical value

Biology of southern meager (Argyrosomus hololepidotus) in Khouzestan province coastal waters

In order to study feeding and reproductive biology of Southern meager (A.hololepidotus) in North West of Persian Gulf. 143 (74 males and 69 females) species were collected between October of 2008 to October of 2009 in coast of Khouzestan. Maximum and minimum length of fish were 143 cm and 81 cm respectively Maximum mean length (128.4±7.5) and Minimum mean length (104.86±12.47) were detected in October and May respectively. Maximum weight (27.5Kg) and Minimum weight (5.7Kg) and also mean weight to males (15222±1371) and Min mean weight of females (16942/02±2095) were detected. Absolute fecundity (4111847.66) and relative fecundity (268.33) were analyzed. GSI Analysis showed that these species (A.hololepidotus) spawn during June to September with highest spawning rate in September. Results showed that Southern meager is a batch spawner species relationship between length and weight of male Y=0.042L^2.70 (n=74,R2 =0.86) and female species Y=0.061L^2.61(n=69, R2=0.85) and also total species Y=0.059L^2.62 (n=143, R2=0.86) were measured. Due to not finding Immature species during sampling LM50 wasn’t analyzed. Analysis HSI and K index showed highest value in April and May and lowest value in August and September respectively. Prey occurrence index showed that fish is main food item and Crustacean specially Shrimp and Mollusca are secondary food item of this species. Analysis of vacuity index showed that females of Southern meager are more gluttonous than males and this species feed during spawning season. In general we can classify Southern meager as a moderate feeding rate species