The effect of anti-diabetic thiazolidinediones (TZDs) on contributing to heart failure and cardiac ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injury is controversial. In this study we investigated the effect of select TZDs on myocardial and mitochondrial function in Brown Norway rat isolated hearts. In a first set of experiments, the TZD rosiglitazone was given acutely before global myocardial IR, and pre- and post-IR function and infarct size were assessed. In a second set of experiments, different concentrations of rosiglitazone and pioglitazone were administered in the presence or absence of the specific PPARγ antagonist GW9662, and their effects on the mitochondrial redox state were measured by online NADH and FAD autofluorescence. The administration of rosiglitazone did not significantly affect myocardial function except for transiently increasing coronary flow, but it increased IR injury compared to the control hearts. Both TZDs resulted in dose-dependent, reversible increases in mitochondrial oxidation which was not attenuated by GW9662. Taken together, these data suggest that TZDs cause excessive mitochondrial uncoupling by a PPARγ-independent mechanism. Acute rosiglitazone administration before IR was associated with enhanced cardiac injury. If translated clinically, susceptible patients on PPARγ agonists may experience enhanced myocardial IR injury by mitochondrial dysfunction. Full article

This article describes problems that occur when creating three-dimensional (3D) building models. The first problem is geometric accuracy; the next is the quality of visualization of the resulting model. The main cause of this situation is that current Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software does not have sufficient means to precision mapping the measured data of a given object in field. Therefore the process of 3D model creation is mainly a relatively high proportion of manual work when connecting individual points, approximating curves and surfaces, or laying textures on surfaces. In some cases, it is necessary to generalize the model in the CAD system, which degrades the accuracy and quality of field data. The article analyzes these problems and then recommends several variants for their solution. There are described two basic methods: using topological codes in the list of coordinates points and creating new special CAD features while using Python scripts. These problems are demonstrated on examples of 3D models in practice. These are mainly historical buildings in different locations and different designs (brick or wooden structures). These are four sacral buildings in the Czech Republic (CR): the church of saints Johns of Brno-Bystrc, the Church of St. Paraskiva in Blansko, further the Strejc’s Church in Židlochovice, and Church of St. Peter in Alcantara in Karviná city. All of the buildings were geodetically surveyed by terrestrial method while using total station. The 3D model was created in both cases in the program AUTOCAD v. 18 and MicroStation. Full article

The main events in chaperone-assisted protein folding are the binding and ligand-induced release of substrate proteins. Here, we studied the location of denatured proteins previously bound to the GroEL chaperonin resulting from the action of the GroES co-chaperonin in the presence of Mg-ATP. Fluorescein-labeled denatured proteins (α-lactalbumin, lysozyme, serum albumin, and pepsin in the presence of thiol reagents at neutral pH, as well as an early refolding intermediate of malate dehydrogenase) were used to reveal the effect of GroES on their interaction with GroEL. Native electrophoresis has demonstrated that these proteins tend to be released from the GroEL-GroES complex. With the use of biotin- and fluorescein-labeled denatured proteins and streptavidin fused with luciferase aequorin (the so-called streptavidin trap), the presence of denatured proteins in bulk solution after GroES and Mg-ATP addition has been confirmed. The time of GroES-induced dissociation of a denatured protein from the GroEL surface was estimated using the stopped-flow technique and found to be much shorter than the proposed time of the GroEL ATPase cycle. Full article

In rail transport, measuring the actual condition of a circular curve of a railway track is a key element of track position monitoring not only during operation but also during final works. Predicting changes in its position in the horizontal plane is one of the most important related scientific issues. This paper presents the results of measurements performed with an innovative measuring device called the Magnetic-Measuring Square (MMS). The aim of the research was to demonstrate the acceptability of using the MMS. Horizontal versines of a rail track curve were measured as three neighboring points on a curve (using the method of lacing/stringlining, also called the three-point or the Hallade method), and the perpendicularity of rail joints and shortenings were measured. The MMS device presented in this article was used to measure versines and differences in rails lengths (rail shortenings in the curve) in the operating mode involving a laser distance meter with a laser beam (laser power P < 1 mW, laser wavelength λ = 635 nm) with a target cross, a camera, and a surveying measuring disk. The measurement results confirmed that it is possible to employ the MMS to monitor the geometry of railway track fragments such as track transition curves and railway track curves in rail transport. Full article

The ant-loving beetle genus Panabachia Park 1942 is a poorly studied beetle lineage from the new world tropics. We recently collected Panabachia from several previously unrecorded locations in the páramo biome of the high Ecuadorian Andes, with males exhibiting great morphological variation in the distribution of the foveae and depressions in the pronotum, as well as aspects of the male genitalia. Here, we employ phylogenetic and species delimitation methods with mitochondrial (COI) and nuclear protein-coding (wingless) gene sequences to examine the concordance of morphological characters and geography with hypothesized species boundaries. Three methods of species delimitation (bPTP, GMYC and Stacey) were used to estimate the number of species, and divergence times between putative species using molecular clock calibration. Phylogenetic analysis revealed two parallel radiations, and species delimitation analyses suggest there are between 17 and 22 putative species. Based on clade support and concordance across species delimitation methods we hypothesize 17 distinct clusters, with allopatric speciation consistent with most geographic patterns. Additionally, a widespread species appears to be present in northern páramo sites, and some sister species sympatry may indicate other diversification processes have operated on certain lineages of Panabachia. Divergence time estimates suggest that Panabachia originated in the Miocene, but most species analyzed diverged during the Pliocene and Pleistocene (5.3–0.11 Mya), contemporaneous with the evolution of páramo plant species. Full article

This paper investigates the interrelations between social metabolism and socio-ecological sustainability in the Faroe Islands in a long-term perspective. It traces the trajectory and changes in socio-metabolic configurations from the time of settlement until today and shows how social metabolism has increased to very high per capita levels during the past century. The analysis departs from the recognition that a decrease in social metabolism, i.e., a net reduction in throughput of natural resources in human economies, is necessary in order to curb the impending ecological crisis. It is argued that parallel to the growth oriented formal Faroese economy, economic food-provisioning practices rooted in the traditional, and ecologically sustainable, land management system continue to be practiced by Faroese people. These practices can be conceptualized as practices of so-called “quiet sustainability” and their contribution is estimated in bio-physical metrics of weight. The analysis shows that practices of “quiet sustainability” contribute significant quantities of certain food items to the local population thereby enhancing food security and food sovereignty. Moreover, these practices are an integral element in the biocultural diversity, which has constituted the Faroe Islands for close to two millennia. Therefore, they should be considered real alternatives to import-based consumption and taken into account in sustainability discourse and policy to a higher degree than is currently the case. Full article

This article addresses mixed convective 3D nanoliquid flow by a rotating disk with activation energy and magnetic field. Flow was created by a rotating disk. Velocity, concentration and temperature slips at the surface of a rotating disk were considered. Impacts of Brownian diffusion and thermophoretic were additionally accounted for. The non-linear frameworks are simplified by suitable variables. The shooting method is utilized to develop the numerical solution of resulting problem. Plots were prepared just to explore that how concentration and temperature are impacted by different pertinent flow parameters. Sherwood and Nusselt numbers were additionally plotted and explored. Furthermore, the concentration and temperature were enhanced for larger values of Hartman number. However, the heat transfer rate (Nusselt number) diminishes when the thermophoresis parameter enlarges. Full article

Cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) activation has been reported to reduce transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1 (TRPV1)-induced inflammatory responses and is anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory in corneal injury. We examined whether allosteric ligands, can modulate CB1 signaling to reduce pain and inflammation in corneal hyperalgesia. Corneal hyperalgesia was generated by chemical cauterization of cornea in wildtype and CB2 knockout (CB2^−/−) mice. The novel racemic CB1 allosteric ligand GAT211 and its enantiomers GAT228 and GAT229 were examined alone or in combination with the orthosteric CB1 agonist Δ⁸-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ⁸-THC). Pain responses were assessed following capsaicin (1 µM) stimulation of injured corneas at 6 h post-cauterization. Corneal neutrophil infiltration was also analyzed. GAT228, but not GAT229 or GAT211, reduced pain scores in response to capsaicin stimulation. Combination treatments of 0.5% GAT229 or 1% GAT211 with subthreshold Δ⁸-THC (0.4%) significantly reduced pain scores following capsaicin stimulation. The anti-nociceptive effects of both GAT229 and GAT228 were blocked with CB1 antagonist AM251, but remained unaffected in CB2^−/− mice. Two percent GAT228, or the combination of 0.2% Δ⁸-THC with 0.5% GAT229 also significantly reduced corneal inflammation. CB1 allosteric ligands could offer a novel approach for treating corneal pain and inflammation. Full article

Linguistic landscape research focuses on relationships between written languages in public spaces and the sociodemographic structure of a city. While a great deal of work has been done on the evaluation of linguistic landscapes in different cities, most of the studies are based on ad-hoc interpretation of data collected from fieldwork. The purpose of this paper is to develop a new methodological framework that combines computer vision and machine learning techniques for assessing the diversity of languages from street-level images. As demonstrated with an analysis of a small Chinese community in Seoul, South Korea, the proposed approach can reveal the spatiotemporal pattern of linguistic variations effectively and provide insights into the demographic composition as well as social changes in the neighborhood. Although the method presented in this work is at a conceptual stage, it has the potential to open new opportunities to conduct linguistic landscape research at a large scale and in a reproducible manner. It is also capable of yielding a more objective description of a linguistic landscape than arbitrary classification and interpretation of on-site observations. The proposed approach can be a new direction for the study of linguistic landscapes that builds upon urban analytics methodology, and it will help both geographers and sociolinguists explore and understand our society. Full article

Abiotic stresses, such as drought and salt, are major environmental stresses, affecting plant growth and crop productivity. Plant bZIP transcription factors (bZIPs) confer stress resistances in harsh environments and play important roles in each phase of plant growth processes. In this research, 15 soybean bZIP family members were identified from drought-induced de novo transcriptomic sequences of soybean, which were unevenly distributed across 12 soybean chromosomes. Promoter analysis showed that these 15 genes were rich in ABRE, MYB and MYC cis-acting elements which were reported to be involved in abiotic stress responses. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis indicated that 15 GmbZIP genes could be induced by drought and salt stress. GmbZIP2 was significantly upregulated under stress conditions and thus was selected for further study. Subcellular localization analysis revealed that the GmbZIP2 protein was located in the cell nucleus. qRT-PCR results show that GmbZIP2 can be induced by multiple stresses. The overexpression of GmbZIP2 in Arabidopsis and soybean hairy roots could improve plant resistance to drought and salt stresses. The result of differential expression gene analysis shows that the overexpression of GmbZIP2 in soybean hairy roots could enhance the expression of the stress responsive genes GmMYB48, GmWD40, GmDHN15, GmGST1 and GmLEA. These results indicate that soybean bZIPs played pivotal roles in plant resistance to abiotic stresses. Full article

An emerging strategy to combat homelessness is the development of “tiny homes”. However, the advent of tiny homes as a new form of housing intervention raises a number of questions about their intentions, efficacy, and policy feasibility. This paper seeks to understand the strategies used by stakeholders to plan, design, and implement a tiny home community to meet the needs of those experiencing homelessness, and to understand where these plans were effective and where challenges arose in meeting the intended project goals. Utilizing the recent development of Tallahassee’s “The Dwellings” project as a case study, we examine how the community was planned, resident experiences, and constraints to implementing a tiny home development. We use qualitative methods that include interviews with stakeholders who were integral to the planning and development process. Our findings highlight how funding constraints and NIMBYism (Not in My Backyard-ism) stymied stakeholder efforts to achieve equity and affordability at The Dwellings, resulting in the inability to achieve project aims of developing housing that serves the homeless population. We conclude by offering some observations and lessons learned for future research on tiny homes as a solution to ameliorate homelessness. Full article

DNA modification is a naturally occurring DNA modification in prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms and is involved in several biological processes. Although genome-wide methylation has been studied in many insects, the understanding of global and genomic DNA methylation during insect early embryonic development, is lacking especially for insect diapause. In this study, we analyzed the relationship between DNA methylomes and transcriptomes in diapause-destined eggs compared to diapause-terminated eggs in the silkworm, Bombyx mori (B. mori). The results revealed that methylation was sparse in this species, as previously reported. Moreover, methylation levels in diapause-terminated eggs (HCl-treated) were 0.05% higher than in non-treated eggs, mainly due to the contribution of CG methylation sites. Methylation tends to occur in the coding sequences and promoter regions, especially at transcription initiation sites and short interspersed elements. Additionally, 364 methylome- and transcriptome-associated genes were identified, which showed significant differences in methylation and expression levels in diapause-destined eggs when compared with diapause-terminated eggs, and 74% of methylome and transcriptome associated genes showed both hypermethylation and elevated expression. Most importantly, Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses showed that methylation may be positively associated with Bombyx mori embryonic development, by regulating cell differentiation, metabolism, apoptosis pathways and phosphorylation. Through analyzing the G2/M phase-specific E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase (G2E3), we speculate that methylation may affect embryo diapause by regulating the cell cycle in Bombyx mori. These findings will help unravel potential linkages between DNA methylation and gene expression during early insect embryonic development and insect diapause. Full article

Antioxidants can be encapsulated to enhance their solubility or bioavailability or to protect them from external factors. Electrospinning has proven to be an excellent option for applications in nanotechnology, as electrospun nanofibers can provide the necessary environment for antioxidant encapsulation. Forty-nine papers related to antioxidants loaded onto electrospun nanofibers were categorized and reviewed to identify applications and new trends. Medical and food fields were commonly proposed for the newly obtained composites. Among the polymers used as a matrix for the electrospinning process, synthetic poly (lactic acid) and polycaprolactone were the most widely used. In addition, natural compounds and extracts were identified as antioxidants that help to inhibit free radical and oxidative damage in tissues and foods. The most recurrent active compounds used were tannic acid (polyphenol), quercetin (flavonoid), curcumin (polyphenol), and vitamin B₆ (pyridoxine). The incorporation of active compounds in nanofibers often improves their bioavailability, giving them increased stability, changing the mechanical properties of polymers, enhancing nanofiber biocompatibility, and offering novel properties for the required field. Although most of the polymers used were synthetic, natural polymers such as silk fibroin, chitosan, cellulose, pullulan, polyhydroxybutyrate, and zein have proven to be proper matrices for this purpose. Full article

Although immunization against varicella using vaccines has been proven to be significant and effective in the past decades, varicella remains a major public health concern for many developing countries. Varicella vaccination has not been introduced into routine immunization programs in China, and varicella outbreaks have continued to occur. Taking the city of Chongqing, which has a high prevalence of varicella, as an example, this study explored the spatiotemporal epidemiology of varicella. Based on the reported data of varicella cases from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2018 in Chongqing, hot spots and space-time clusters of varicella were identified using spatial autocorrelation analysis and scan statistics. Within this period, a total of 112,273 varicella cases were reported in Chongqing (average annual incidence: 73.44 per 100,000), including one death. The incidence of varicella showed an increasing trend with significant seasonal peaks, which occurred during April to July and October to January of the following year. The total ratio of male to female patients affected was 1.10:1. Children under the age of 15 and students accounted for the majority of the patient population. The hotspots detected through local spatial autocorrelation analysis, and the most likely clusters identified by scan analysis, were primarily in the main urban districts of Chongqing. The secondary clusters were mostly detected in northeast and southwest Chongqing. There were obvious spatial dependence and spatiotemporal clustering characteristics of varicella in Chongqing from 2014 to 2018. High-risk districts, populations, and peak periods were found in this study, which could be helpful in implementing varicella prevention and control programs, and in adjusting vaccination strategies for the varicella vaccine based on actual conditions. Full article

Fiber and textile-based chemical sensors are emerging tools which target minimally invasive monitoring. Fiber-shaped electrodes are a versatile design for wearable applications since the fiber architecture allows for straightforward integration into textiles facilitating the principle of “wear-and-forget”. Skin and wound care would benefit from real-time pH monitoring, which can indicate wound health and the physiological condition of the skin. A further application of wearable chemical sensors is therapeutic drug monitoring. Full article