Biological system development for GraviSat: A new platform for studying photosynthesis and microalgae in space

Microalgae have great potential to be used as part of a regenerative life support system and to facilitate in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) on long-duration human space missions. Little is currently known, however, about microalgal responses to the space environment over long (months) or even short (hours to days) time scales. We describe here the development of biological support subsystems for a prototype “3U” (i.e., three conjoined 10-cm cubes) nanosatellite, called GraviSat, designed to experimentally elucidate the effects of space microgravity and the radiation environment on microalgae and other microorganisms. The GraviSat project comprises the co-development of biological handling-and-support technologies with implementation of integrated measurement hardware for photosynthetic efficiency and physiological activity in support of long-duration (3–12 months) space missions. It supports sample replication in a fully autonomous system that will grow and analyze microalgal cultures in 120μL wells around the circumference of a microfluidic polymer disc; the cultures will be launched while in stasis, then grown in orbit. The disc spins at different rotational velocities to generate a range of artificial gravity levels in space, from microgravity to multiples of Earth gravity. Development of the biological support technologies for GraviSat comprised the screening of more than twenty microalgal strains for various physical, metabolic and biochemical attributes that support prolonged growth in a microfluidic disc, as well as the capacity for reversible metabolic stasis. Hardware development included that necessary to facilitate accurate and precise measurements of physical parameters by optical methods (pulse amplitude modulated fluorometry) and electrochemical sensors (ion-sensitive microelectrodes). Nearly all microalgal strains were biocompatible with nanosatellite materials; however, microalgal growth was rapidly inhibited (~1 week) within sealed microwells that did not include dissolved bicarbonate due to CO2 starvation. Additionally, oxygen production by some microalgae resulted in bubble formation within the wells, which interfered with sensor measurements. Our research achieved prolonged growth periods (\u3e10months) without excess oxygen production using two microalgal strains, Chlorella vulgaris UTEX 29 and Dunaliella bardawil 30.861, by lowering light intensities (2–10μmol photons m−2s−1) and temperature (4–12˚C). Although the experiments described here were performed to develop the GraviSat platform, the results of this study should be useful for the incorporation of microalgae in other satellite payloads with low-volume microfluidic systems

Toward real-time and efficient cardiovascular monitoring for COVID-19 patients by 5G-enabled wearable medical devices: a deep learning approach

Patients with deaths from COVID-19 often have co-morbid cardiovascular disease. Real-time cardiovascular disease monitoring based on wearable medical devices may effectively reduce COVID-19 mortality rates. However, due to technical limitations, there are three main issues. First, the traditional wireless communication technology for wearable medical devices is difficult to satisfy the real-time requirements fully. Second, current monitoring platforms lack efficient streaming data processing mechanisms to cope with the large amount of cardiovascular data generated in real time. Third, the diagnosis of the monitoring platform is usually manual, which is challenging to ensure that enough doctors online to provide a timely, efficient, and accurate diagnosis. To address these issues, this paper proposes a 5G-enabled real-time cardiovascular monitoring system for COVID-19 patients using deep learning. Firstly, we employ 5G to send and receive data from wearable medical devices. Secondly, Flink streaming data processing framework is applied to access electrocardiogram data. Finally, we use convolutional neural networks and long short-term memory networks model to obtain automatically predict the COVID-19 patient’s cardiovascular health. Theoretical analysis and experimental results show that our proposal can well solve the above issues and improve the prediction accuracy of cardiovascular disease to 99.29%

Comportamento alimentar do peixe recifal Sargentinho (Abudefduf saxatilis) em Santa Catarina

TCC(graduação) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina. Centro de Ciências Biológicas. Biologia.Estudos da ecologia alimentar de peixes recifais são essenciais para compreender o fluxo energético nestes ecossistemas. Diversos estudos abordam o comportamento alimentar das espécies, porém, são poucos os estudos que avaliam esse comportamento ao longo do dia. Visto isso, este estudo busca observar e quantificar o comportamento alimentar do peixe recifal Sargentinho (Abudefduf saxatilis) no litoral de Santa Catarina, Brasil. Foram realizados mergulhos livres e autônomos, nos quais empregou-se busca ativa por indivíduos de A. saxatilis. Utilizando o método de animal focal, um indivíduo era seguido de cada vez por um minuto ou até sua primeira mordida, quando era anotado em qual substrato o mesmo estava mordendo, seu comprimento total e o horário. Para verificar se [1] há diferenças no substrato de forrageio ao longo do dia; e se [2] há diferença no substrato de forrageio entre classes de tamanho, foram utilizados teste-G. Sete substratos foram utilizados pela espécie para forrageio, sendo a coluna d’água o predominante (79,7% dos indivíduos observados), seguido pelos substratos bentônicos: matriz algal epilítica (16,6%), Sargassum sp. (3,3%), alga calcária (0,22%), Palythoa sp. (0,12%) e desova de A. saxatilis (0,06%). As análises sugerem A. saxatilis prefere forragear na coluna d’água durante toda a manhã e no final da tarde, com maior intensidade antes do meio dia, enquanto no começo da tarde preferem o componente bentônico. Estas diferenças podem ser explicadas pelo comportamento oportunista da espécie, que o permite explorar diferentes substratos para forrageio. Também foi demonstrado que as classes de tamanho utilizam diferentes substratos de forrageio, indicando diferenças nas demandas energéticas ao longo de sua ontogenia. Por fim este trabalho revela a grande importância do comportamento alimentar na compreensão geral da ecologia alimentar para a espécie.Reef fish feeding ecology is essential for understating the energy flow of these ecosystems. Many studies approach feeding behaviour, although those approaching the variation of feeding behaviours during the day are scarce. This study aims to observe the feeding behaviour of the reef fish Sargeant major (Abudefduf saxatilis) on the coast of Santa Catarina state, Brazil. For this, free and SCUBA dives were conducted, in which active search for A. saxatilis was performed. Using the focal animal method, an individual was followed each time for one minute or until it’s first bite, when the bitten substrate, total length and time was recorded. To verify if [1] there are differences among the foraging substratum during the day; and if [2] there are differences among foraging substratum between different size classes, a G-test was used. Seven substrata were utilized, being the water column predominant (79,7% of observed individuals), followed by the benthic substrata: epilitic algal matrix (16,6%), Sargassum sp. (3,3%), calcareous algae (0,22%), Palythoa sp. (0,12%) and A. saxatilis eggs (0,06%). The analysis suggests that A. saxatilis prefer to forage on the water column during the morning and end of the evening, with a higher intensity of bites before midday, while at the beginning of the evening benthic substrata are preferred. These differences can be explained by the opportunistic behaviour of the species, that allows the exploration of different substrata. It was also demonstrated that individual size classes use different foraging substrata, indicating different energetic demands according to the species different ontogeny. Lastly, this study verified the important role of feeding behaviour in the general understanding of the species feeding ecology

Predictors of Change in Functional Outcome at six months and twelve months after Severe Injury: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Background There is increasing focus on long-term survival, function and quality-of-life for trauma patients. There are few studies tracking longitudinal changes in functional outcome over time. The goal of our study was to compare the Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended (GOSE) at 6 months and 12 months in blunt trauma survivors with an Injury Severity Score (ISS) of more than 15. Methods Using the Singapore National Trauma Registry 2011–2013, patients with 6-month GOSE and 12-month GOSE scores were analysed. Patients were grouped into three categories—those with the same score at 6 months and 12 months, an improvement in score, and a worse score at 12 months. Ordinal regression was used to identify risk factors for improved score. Patients with missing scores at either 6 months or 12 months were excluded. Results We identified 478 patients: 174 had an improvement in score, 233 stayed the same, and 71 had worse scores at 12 months compared to 6 months. On univariate ordinal regression, the following variables were associated with same or better function at 12-months compared to 6-months: male gender, being employed pre-injury, thoracic Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) of 3 or more, anatomical polytrauma (AIS of 3 or more in 2 or more body regions), and road traffic injury mechanism. Older age, low fall, increasing Charlson comorbidity scores, new injury severity score, and head and neck AIS of 3 or more were associated with worse function at 12 months compared to 6 months. ISS and revised trauma score were not significant predictors on univariate or multivariable analysis. On multivariable ordinal regression, motor vehicle mechanism (OR 2.78, 1.51–5.12, p = 0.001) was associated with improved function, while male gender (OR 1.36, 95% CI 1.02–1.82, p = 0.039) predicted improved function at 12 months. Conclusions Females experience worse functional outcomes at 12 months, potentially due to majority of female injuries being low falls in the elderly. In contrast, motor vehicle injury patients had better functional outcomes at 12 months. Additional interventional strategies for high-risk groups should be explored

ROS release by PPARβ/δ-null fibroblasts reduces tumor load through epithelial antioxidant response.

Tumor stroma has an active role in the initiation, growth, and propagation of many tumor types by secreting growth factors and modulating redox status of the microenvironment. Although PPARβ/δ in fibroblasts was shown to modulate oxidative stress in the wound microenvironment, there has been no evidence of a similar effect in the tumor stroma. Here, we present evidence of oxidative stress modulation by intestinal stromal PPARβ/δ, using a FSPCre-Pparb/d <sup>-/-</sup> mouse model and validated it with immortalized cell lines. The FSPCre-Pparb/d <sup>-/-</sup> mice developed fewer intestinal polyps and survived longer when compared with Pparb/d <sup>fl/fl</sup> mice. The pre-treatment of FSPCre-Pparb/d <sup>-/-</sup> and Pparb/d <sup>fl/fl</sup> with antioxidant N-acetyl-cysteine prior DSS-induced tumorigenesis resulted in lower tumor load. Gene expression analyses implicated an altered oxidative stress processes. Indeed, the FSPCre-Pparb/d <sup>-/-</sup> intestinal tumors have reduced oxidative stress than Pparb/d <sup>fl/fl</sup> tumors. Similarly, the colorectal cancer cells and human colon epithelial cells also experienced lower oxidative stress when co-cultured with fibroblasts depleted of PPARβ/δ expression. Therefore, our results establish a role for fibroblast PPARβ/δ in epithelial-mesenchymal communication for ROS homeostasis

Berry phase, hyperorbits, and the Hofstadter spectrum: semiclassical dynamics in magnetic Bloch bands

We have derived a new set of semiclassical equations for electrons in magnetic Bloch bands. The velocity and energy of magnetic Bloch electrons are found to be modified by the Berry phase and magnetization. This semiclassical approach is used to study general electron transport in a DC or AC electric field. We also find a close connection between the cyclotron orbits in magnetic Bloch bands and the energy subbands in the Hofstadter spectrum. Based on this formalism, the pattern of band splitting, the distribution of Hall conduct- ivities, and the positions of energy subbands in the Hofstadter spectrum can be understood in a simple and unified picture.Comment: 26 pages, Revtex, 6 figures included, submitted to Phys.Rev.

Sequencing of the Hepatitis C Virus: A Systematic Review

Since the identification of hepatitis C virus (HCV), viral sequencing has been important in understanding HCV classification, epidemiology, evolution, transmission clustering, treatment response and natural history. The length and diversity of the HCV genome has resulted in analysis of certain regions of the virus, however there has been little standardisation of protocols. This systematic review was undertaken to map the location and frequency of sequencing on the HCV genome in peer reviewed publications, with the aim to produce a database of sequencing primers and amplicons to inform future research. Medline and Scopus databases were searched for English language publications based on keyword/MeSH terms related to sequence analysis (9 terms) or HCV (3 terms), plus "primer" as a general search term. Exclusion criteria included non-HCV research, review articles, duplicate records, and incomplete description of HCV sequencing methods. The PCR primer locations of accepted publications were noted, and purpose of sequencing was determined. A total of 450 studies were accepted from the 2099 identified, with 629 HCV sequencing amplicons identified and mapped on the HCV genome. The most commonly sequenced region was the HVR-1 region, often utilised for studies of natural history, clustering/transmission, evolution and treatment response. Studies related to genotyping/classification or epidemiology of HCV genotype generally targeted the 5'UTR, Core and NS5B regions, while treatment response/resistance was assessed mainly in the NS3-NS5B region with emphasis on the Interferon sensitivity determining region (ISDR) region of NS5A. While the sequencing of HCV is generally constricted to certain regions of the HCV genome there is little consistency in the positioning of sequencing primers, with the exception of a few highly referenced manuscripts. This study demonstrates the heterogeneity of HCV sequencing, providing a comprehensive database of previously published primer sets to be utilised in future sequencing studies

Factors Associated with Hepatitis B Medication Adherence and Persistence among Underserved Chinese and Vietnamese Americans

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection disproportionately affects Asian Amer- icans in the United States, while this population faces low adherence to HBV treatment. Using the information–motivation–behavioral skills model (IMB), the study aims to examine medication adherence and persistence among Chinese and Vietnamese people with HBV. Methodology: Study participants were recruited between March 2019 and March 2020 and were enrolled through multiple recruitment approaches in the Greater Philadelphia Area and New York City. The study is an assess- ment of the baseline data on medication adherence, HBV-related knowledge, motivation of HBV med- ication treatment, self-efficacy about HBV medication treatment, and socioeconomic status. Results: Among 165 participants, 77.6% were Chinese and 22.4% were Vietnamese Americans. HBV-related knowledge/information, motivation, and self-efficacy were all positively associated with having medium/high medication adherence. Multilevel mixed-effects generalized linear regression revealed that living more than 10 years in the U.S. (OR = 4.24; p = 0.028) and greater information–knowledge about HBV (OR = 1.46; p = 0.004) were statistically associated with higher odds of medium/high medication adherence. Moreover, greater HBV-related knowledge/information ( OR = 1.49; p = 0.023) and greater motivation towards HBV treatment adherence (OR = 1.10; p = 0.036) were both associated with a higher likelihood of medication persistence. Conclusion: Our findings provided significant im- plications in designing behavioral interventions focused on self-efficacy, information, and motivation to promote better medication adherence among Asian Americans living with HBV