Innovation, Intention and Inequities: Addressing the Potential Social Impacts of Innovation Districts in Post-Industrial Waterfront Zones Upon Working Class and Minority Neighborhoods

This paper analyzes how the development of innovation districts in industrial waterfront zones affects the social vulnerabilities of working class, minority and immigrant neighborhoods towards gentrification. Research uses Sunset Park, Brooklyn as a neighborhood case study and incorporates a mixed-methodology design through archival research and qualitative interviews. This study first defines the pre-existing risks and relationship between industrial use zoning and neighborhood social vulnerabilities through archival research of neighborhood history and recent urban developments. Qualitative data is generated through interviews of neighborhood residents, community activist organizations and non-profits of Sunset Park, Brooklyn, tenants of Industry City, advocates of Innovation Districts, and urban planners to understand the potential, social impacts of innovation districts and their adaptive re-use schemes upon working class neighborhoods

Resilience in Formerly Incarcerated Black Women: Racial Centrality and Social Support as Protective Factors

The United States incarcerates a larger percentage of its population than any other country in the world. Women are entering prison at higher rates than men in recent years, especially Black women, who are underrepresented in the criminal justice literature. Very little is known about formerly incarcerated Black women, who experience unique sociocultural challenges such as disproportionate rates of mental health issues, gendered racism, intimate partner violence, and recidivism to prison. This study examined how social support and racial centrality played a role in challenges faced by a sample of 54 formerly incarcerated Black women living in a large metropolitan city in the mid-Atlantic. Two multiple hierarchical regressions were used to explore whether social support and racial centrality moderated the relationship between gendered racism and depression. There was no evidence to indicate that racial centrality predicted depression or acted as a moderator between gendered racism and depression. However, social support was found to moderate the relationship between the variables. Implications for practice and future directions are discussed

Cognitive Mechanisms of Trauma from Police Encounters among Black Individuals

Black Americans historically have had a contentious relationship with police due to the violence they have endured at the hands of law enforcement (Nadal et al., 2017). Previous research has demonstrated the vast psychological consequences of intrusive police encounters (DeVylder et al., 2017). However, trauma is a largely understudied psychological outcome of police encounters for Black citizens (Bryant-Davis et al., 2017). Research on discrimination attributions for events has implicated cognitive attributions as an important predictor of the relationship between potentially racist incidents and mental health outcomes (Major & Dover, 2016). Additionally, cognitive appraisal has been identified as a very important mechanism of trauma (Sherrer, 2011). The current study seeks to fill the gaps in the literature by examining the relationships between intrusiveness of police encounters, cognitive appraisal, discrimination attributions, and trauma symptoms. Additionally, attitudes towards police are examined as a moderator on the relationship between intrusiveness of police encounters and discrimination attributions. Limitations, implications, and future directions are discussed

Changes in waist circumference independent of weight: Implications for population level monitoring of obesity

Population monitoring of obesity is most commonly conducted using body mass index (BMI). We test the hypothesis that because of increases in waist circumference (WC) independent of increases in weight, BMI alone detects an increasingly smaller proportion of the population with obesity. Methods: Australian adults with measured height, weight, and WC were selected from three nationally representative cross-sectional surveys (1989, 1999–2000, 2011–12; n = 8313, 5903 & 3904). Participants were defined as having obesity using classifications for an obese BMI (≥ 30 kg·m− 2) and substantially-increased-risk WC (≥ 88 cm [women], ≥ 102 cm [men]). Age-standardised prevalence of obesity according to BMI and/or WC, and the proportion of these detected by BMI and by WC were compared across surveys. Findings: Between 1989 and 2011–12, weight and WC increased by 5.4 kg and 10.7 cm (women), and by 7.0 kg and 7.3 cm (men). For women and men, 63% and 38% of increases in WC were independent of increases in weight. Over this period, the prevalence of obesity according to BMI and/or WC increased by 25.3 percentage-points for women (18.9% to 44.3%) and 21.1 percentage-points for men (17.1% to 38.2%). The proportion of these detected by BMI decreased for women by 20 percentage-points (77% to 57%) with no change for men. The proportion of these detected by WC increased for women and men by 10 percentage-points (87% to 97%) and 6 percentage-points (85% to 91%) respectively. Conclusion: BMI alone is detecting a decreasing proportion of those considered obese by BMI and/or WC. Renewed discussion regarding how we monitor obesity at the population level is required

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor -β/δ, -γ Agonists and resveratrol modulate hypoxia induced changes in nuclear receptor activators of muscle oxidative metabolism

PPAR-α, PPAR-β, and PPAR-γ, and RXR in conjunction with PGC-1α and SIRT1, activate oxidative metabolism genes determining insulin sensitivity. In utero, hypoxia is commonly observed in Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR), and reduced insulin sensitivity is often observed in these infants as adults. We sought to investigate how changes in oxygen tension might directly impact muscle PPAR regulation of oxidative genes. Following eight days in culture at 1 oxygen, C2C12 muscle myoblasts displayed a reduction of PGC-1α, PPAR-α, and RXR-α mRNA, as well as CPT-1b and UCP-2 mRNA. SIRT1 and PGC-1α protein was reduced, and PPAR-γ protein increased. The addition of a PPAR-β agonist (L165,041) for the final 24 hours of 1 treatment resulted in increased levels of UCP-2 mRNA and protein whereas Rosiglitazone induced SIRT1, PGC-1α, RXR-α, PPAR-γ, CPT-1b, and UCP-2 mRNA and SIRT1 protein. Under hypoxia, Resveratrol induced SIRT1, RXR-, PPAR- mRNA, and PPAR- and UCP-2 protein. These findings demonstrate that hypoxia alters the components of the PPAR pathway involved in muscle fatty acid oxidative gene transcription and translation. These results have implications for understanding selective hypoxia adaptation and how it might impact long-term muscle oxidative metabolism and insulin sensitivity. Copyright © 2010 Timothy R. H. Regnault et al

Establishing a State-of-the-Art Diagnostic and Medical Imaging Center in Afghanistan: Achievements, Challenges, and Future Perspectives

Despite being an indispensable component of modern medicine and clinical practice, the radiology field is still underdeveloped and underappreciated in Afghanistan. The lack of adequate diagnostic and medical imaging centers (DMIC) poses an obstacle to timely diagnosis, as well as efficacious disease treatment and monitoring. This article details the experience of establishing a state-of-the-art DMIC in Herat, a province in western Afghanistan. Experiences from the conceptualization to the actualization phases of the establishment are presented. Challenges encountered throughout the process and ways to overcome them are illustrated. Future perspectives in providing evidence-based high-value imaging care in Afghanistan are discussed. Conclusion: Establishing, maintaining and developing a diagnostic and medical imaging center in a low-income country is feasible, albeit challenging. Collaboration with multiple stakeholders is required to ensure sustainable radiology services and to expand the role of radiology in disease management

Insecticidal Activity of \u3ci\u3eBacillus thuringiensis\u3c/i\u3e Cry1Bh1 against \u3ci\u3eOstrinia nubilalis\u3c/i\u3e (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) and Other Lepidopteran Pests

Bacillus thuringiensis is an important source of insect resistance traits in commercial crops. In an effort to prolong B. thuringiensis trait durability, insect resistance management programs often include combinations of insecticidal proteins that are not cross resistant or have demonstrable differences in their site of action as a means to mitigate the development of resistant insect populations. In this report, we describe the activity spectrum of a novel B. thuringiensis Cry protein, Cry1Bh1, against several lepidopteran pests, including laboratory-selected B. thuringiensis-resistant strains of Ostrinia nubilalis and Heliothis virescens and progeny of field-evolved B. thuringiensis-resistant strains of Plutella xylostella and Spodoptera frugiperda. Cry1Bh1 is active against susceptible and B. thuringiensis-resistant colonies of O. nubilalis, P. xylostella, and H. virescens in laboratory diet-based assays, implying a lack of cross-resistance in these insects. However, Cry1Bh1 is not active against susceptible or Cry1F-resistant S. frugiperda. Further, Cry1Bh1 does not compete with Cry1Fa or Cry1Ab for O. nubilalis midgut brush border membrane binding sites. Cry1Bh1-expressing corn, while not completely resistant to insect damage, provided significantly better leaf protection against Cry1Fa-resistant O. nubilalis than did Cry1Fa-expressing hybrid corn. The lack of cross-resistance with Cry1Ab and Cry1Fa along with independent membrane binding sites in O. nubilalis makes Cry1Bh1 a candidate to further optimize for in-plant resistance to this pest

IMI – industry guidelines and ethical considerations for myopia control report

PURPOSE. To discuss guidelines and ethical considerations associated with the development and prescription of treatments intended for myopia control (MC). METHODS. Critical review of published papers and guidance documents was undertaken, with a view to carefully considering the ethical standards associated with the investigation, development, registration, marketing, prescription, and use of MC treatments. RESULTS. The roles and responsibilities of regulatory bodies, manufacturers, academics, eye care practitioners, and patients in the use of MC treatments are explored. Particular attention is given to the ethical considerations for deciding whether to implement a MC strategy and how to implement this within a clinical trial or practice setting. Finally, the responsibilities in marketing, support, and education required to transfer required knowledge and skills to eye care practitioners and academics are discussed. CONCLUSIONS. Undertaking MC treatment in minors creates an ethical challenge for a wide variety of stakeholders. Regulatory bodies, manufacturers, academics, and clinicians all share an ethical responsibility to ensure that the products used for MC are safe and efficacious and that patients understand the benefits and potential risks of such products. This International Myopia Institute report highlights these ethical challenges and provides stakeholders with recommendations and guidelines in the development, financial support, prescribing, and advertising of such treatments.</p

Molecular and Functional Mapping of EED Motifs Required for PRC2-Dependent Histone Methylation

Polycomb Group (PcG) proteins represent a conserved family of developmental regulators that mediate heritable transcriptional silencing by modifying chromatin states. One PcG complex, the PRC2 complex, is composed of several proteins, including the histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27) methyltransferase EZH2 and the WD-repeat protein EED. Histone H3K27 can be mono- (H3K27me1), di- (H3K27me2), or trimethylated (H3K27me3). However, it remains unclear what regulates the number of methyl groups added to H3K27 in a particular nucleosome. In mammalian cells, EED is present as four distinct isoforms, which are believed to be produced by utilizing four distinct, in-frame translation start sites in a common Eed mRNA. A mutation that disables all four EED isoforms produces defects in H3K27 methylation.1 To assess the roles of individual EED isoforms in H3K27 methylation, we first characterized three of the four EED isoform start sites and then demonstrated that individual isoforms are not necessary for H3K27me1, H3K27me2, or H3K27me3. Instead, we show that the core WD-40 motifs and the histone binding region of EED alone are sufficient for the generation of all three marks, demonstrating that EED isoforms do not control the number of methyl groups added to H3K27

Pharmacists' Perspectives on the Use of My Health Record

Background: My Health Record (MHR) is a relatively new nationwide Australian digitalhealth record system accessible by patients and a range of healthcare professionals. Pharmacists willbe key contributors and users of the MHR system, yet little is known about the perceived barriers andbenefits of use. (2) Objective: To explore pharmacists’ perspectives related to potential benefits andbarriers associated with use of MHR. (3) Methods: An online survey was developed and face-validated.The survey was advertised to Australian pharmacists on pharmacy professional bodies’ websites. Thiswas a cross-sectional study using an anonymous questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used todescribe the distribution of the data. Chi-square, Kendall’s tau coefficient (tau-c) and Kruskal–Wallistests were used to examine the relationships where appropriate. (4) Results: A total of 63 pharmacistscompleted the survey. The majority of respondents worked in a metropolitan area (74%), and themost common workplace setting was community pharmacy (65%). Perceived benefits identifiedby responders include that the use of MHR would help with continuity of care (90%), and that itwould improve the safety (71%) and quality (75%) of care they provided. Importantly, more thanhalf of pharmacists surveyed agreed that MHR could reduce medication errors during dispensing(57%) and could improve professional relationships with patients (57%) and general practitioners(59%). Potential barriers identified by pharmacists included patients’ concerns about privacy (81%),pharmacists’ own concern about privacy (46%), lack of training, access to and confidence in using thesystem. Sixty six percent of respondents had concerns about the accuracy of information containedwithin MHR, particularly among hospital and general practice pharmacists (p = 0.016) and almosthalf (44%) had concerns about the security of information in the system, mainly pharmacists workingat general practice and providing medication review services (p= 0.007). Overall satisfaction withMHR varied, with 48% satisfied, 33% neither satisfied nor dissatisfied, and 19% dissatisfied, witha higher satisfaction rate among younger pharmacists (p = 0.032). (5) Conclusions: Pharmacistsconsidered that the MHR offered key potential benefits, notably improving the safety and quality ofcare provided. To optimize the use of MHR, there is a need to improve privacy and data securitymeasures, and to ensure adequate provision of user support and education surrounding the ability tointegrate use of MHR with existing workflows and software