cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nrf2 is not required for epithelial prohibitin-dependent attenuation of experimental colitis

Inflammatory bowel disease is associated with increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and decreased antioxidant response in the intestinal mucosa. Expression of the mitochondrial protein prohibitin (PHB) is also decreased during intestinal inflammation. Our previous study showed that genetic restoration of colonic epithelial PHB expression [villin-PHB transgenic (PHB Tg) mice] attenuated dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis/oxidative stress and sustained expression of colonic nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), a cytoprotective transcription factor. This study investigated the role of Nrf2 in mediating PHB-induced protection against colitis and expression of the antioxidant response element (ARE)-regulated antioxidant genes heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase-1 (NQO-1). PHB-transfected Caco-2-BBE human intestinal epithelial cells maintained increased ARE activation and decreased intracellular ROS levels compared with control vector-transfected cells during Nrf2 knockdown by small interfering RNA. Treatment with the ERK inhibitor PD-98059 decreased PHB-induced ARE activation, suggesting that ERK constitutes a significant portion of PHB-mediated ARE activation in Caco-2-BBE cells. PHB Tg, Nrf2−/−, and PHB Tg/Nrf2−/− mice were treated with DSS or 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS), and inflammation and expression of HO-1 and NQO-1 were assessed. PHB Tg/Nrf2−/− mice mimicked PHB Tg mice, with attenuated DSS- or TNBS-induced colitis and induction of colonic HO-1 and NQO-1 expression, despite deletion of Nrf2. PHB Tg/Nrf2−/− mice exhibited increased activation of ERK during colitis. Our results suggest that maintaining expression of intestinal epithelial cell PHB, which is decreased during colitis, reduces the severity of inflammation and increases colonic levels of the antioxidants HO-1 and NQO-1 via a mechanism independent of Nrf2.
AUTOMATED DATA PRODUCTION FOR A NOVEL AIRBORNE MULTIANGLE SPECTROPOLARIMETRIC IMAGER (AIRMSPI)

A novel polarimetric imaging technique making use of rapid retardance modulation has been developed by JPL as a part of NASA's Instrument Incubator Program. It has been built into the Airborne Multiangle SpectroPolarimetric Imager (AirMSPI) under NASA's Airborne Instrument Technology Transition Program, and is aimed primarily at remote sensing of the amounts and microphysical properties of aerosols and clouds. AirMSPI includes an 8-band (355, 380, 445, 470, 555, 660, 865, 935 nm) pushbroom camera that measures polarization in a subset of the bands (470, 660, and 865 nm). The camera is mounted on a gimbal and acquires imagery in a configurable set of along-track viewing angles ranging between +67 deg and -67 deg relative to nadir. As a result, near simultaneous multi-angle, multi-spectral, and polarimetric measurements of the targeted areas at a spatial resolution ranging from 7 m to 20 m (depending on the viewing angle) can be derived. An automated data production system is being built to support high data acquisition rate in concert with co-registration and orthorectified mapping requirements. To date, a number of successful engineering checkout flights were conducted in October 2010, August-September 2011, and January 2012. Data products resulting from these flights will be presented.
Gas phase reduction of chlorinated VOCs by zero valent iron.

The removal of trichloroethylene (TCE) by reduction with elemental iron was examined in batch reactors representing three phase gaseous systems (Fe0 (solid), water vapor + TCE vapor + air mixture (gaseous), and condensed water on Fe0 surface (aqueous)) and two phase aqueous systems (Fe0 (solid), water (aqueous)) as the reaction medium. Two separate removal mechanisms were found for TCE removal in the gas phase reactors: [1] adsorption onto the Fe0 surface under low relative humidity (RH), and [2] reaction with Fe0 to form other organic compounds, such as ethylene, isomers of dichloroethylene, and vinyl chloride under 100% RH conditions in the gas phase. The adsorption of TCE vapor onto the Fe0 surface was fast initially and highest at low temperatures. The reduction reaction of TCE in the gas phase was first order with respect to the TCE concentration remaining in the gas phase under conditions of 100% RH at 15, 22, and 35°C, and the observed reaction rate constant (k obs) exhibited a maximum at elevated ...
Electrical Conduction Anomaly of Semiconducting Glasses in the System As—Te—I

The transformation from one resistance state to another by glasses in the system As-Te-I is discussed and a model is postulated. The anomalous behavior of the electrical properties of glasses in this system is shown to result from thermal breakdown of the dielectric during which reversible glass-to-crystal phase transformation occurs. Results of compositional studies and the measurement of the electrical characteristics of resistivity, Seebeck coefficients, and current-voltage curves are given. Resistivities of 103 to > 107 ohm-cm and Seebeck coefficients of +800 to ±4300μv per OC were measured for glasses in this system.
A descriptive model of physical database design problems and solutions

As database applications have become more sophisticated, the development of support tools for database design has become more critical. Before support tools can be developed, however, the nature of database design problems and their solutions must be well defined. We apply data modelling principles to these tasks. The result is a multi level model of databases. The logical level describes database design problems and the physical level describes their solutions. This model is the basis for a computer aided database design methodology developed by the authors.
Vascular Effects of Photodynamic and Pulsed Dye Laser Therapy Protocols

Background and Objective—Pulsed dye laser (PDL) treatment of cutaneous vascular lesions is associated with variable and unpredictable efficacy. Thus, alternative treatment modalities are needed. Previous in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated enhanced selective vascular destruction with benzoporphyrin derivative (BPD) monoacid ring A photodynamic therapy (PDT) followed immediately by PDL irradiation (PDT+PDL). Here, we evaluate PDT alone, PDL alone, and PDT+PDL protocols using an optimized in vivo rodent dorsal window chamber model. Study Design/Materials and Methods—A dorsal window chamber was surgically installed on male Golden Syrian hamsters. BPD solution was administered intravenously via a jugular venous catheter. Evaluated interventions included: (1) Control (no BPD, no light); (2) Control (BPD, no light); (3) PDT alone (λ=576 nm; 25, 50, 75, or 96 J/cm 2 radiant exposure; 15 minutes post-BPD injection); (4) PDL alone at 7 J/cm 2 (585 nm, 1.5 milliseconds pulse duration, 7 mm spot); and (5) PDT (25 or 75 J/cm 2 )+PDL (7 J/cm 2 ). Laser speckle imaging was used to monitor blood flow dynamics before, immediately after, and 1, 3, and 5 days post-intervention. Results—Perfusion reduction on day 1 post-intervention was achieved with PDT >50 J/cm 2 , PDL alone, and PDT+PDL. However, by day 5 post-intervention, recovery of flow was observed with PDT alone at 50 J/cm 2 (-15.1%) and PDL alone (+215%). PDT (75 J/cm 2 )+PDL resulted in the greatest prolonged reduction in vascular perfusion (-99.8%). Conclusions—Our in vivo data suggest that the PDT+PDL therapeutic protocol can result in enhanced and persistent vascular shutdown compared to PDT or PDL alone. The PDT+PDL approach has potential for considerable super-ficial vascular destruction and should be considered as a treatment modality for cutaneous vascular lesions. Monitoring of blood flow changes for as long as possible is crucial for accurate assessment of light-based vascular interventions.
Topology, Accuracy, and Quality of Isosurface Meshes Using Dynamic Particles

This paper describes a method for constructing isosurface triangulations of sampled, volumetric, three-dimensional scalar fields. The resulting meshes consist of triangles that are of consistently high quality, making them well suited for accurate interpolation of scalar and vector-valued quantities, as required for numerous applications in visualization and numerical simulation. The proposed method does not rely on a local construction or adjustment of triangles as is done, for instance, in advancing wavefront or adaptive refinement methods. Instead, a system of dynamic particles optimally samples an implicit function such that the particles' relative positions can produce a topologically correct Delaunay triangulation. Thus, the proposed method relies on a global placement of triangle vertices. The main contributions of the paper are the integration of dynamic particles systems with surface sampling theory and PDE-based methods for controlling the local variability of particle densities, as well as detailing a practical method that accommodates Delaunay sampling requirements to generate sparse sets of points for the production of high-quality tessellations.
A Clinically Relevant Rabbit Embolic Stroke Model for Acute Ischemic Stroke Therapy Development: Mechanisms and Targets

Alteplase (tissue plasminogen activator, tPA) is currently the only ­FDA-approved treatment that can be given to acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients, if patients present within 3 h of an ischemic stroke. Recent clinical trial evidence now suggests that the therapeutic treatment window for tPA can be expanded 4.5 h, but this is not formally approved by the FDA. Even though there remains a significant risk of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) associated with alteplase administration, there is an increased chance of favorable outcome with tPA treatment.
Complicated spontaneous intracranial hypotension treated with intrathecal saline infusion.

Spontaneous intracranial hypotension typically results from a spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak.1 ,2 Symptoms include orthostatic headache and meningism without a recent dural puncture,2 and may be associated with distant and trivial trauma.3 The diagnosis may be made clinically by the typical headache and supported by pachymeningeal enhancement on MR scan or a low CSF pressure at lumbar puncture.2 If severe and continued, the low pressure can have serious complications, including brain sagging with subdural hygromas,4 cerebral venous sinus thrombosis,5 subdural haematoma2 and subarachnoid haemorrhage.6 Indicators of a serious complication include cranial nerve palsy and worsening mental status, progressing to coma.4 Herniation can result from a pressure differential, with spinal intrathecal pressure lower than intracranial pressure. Left untreated, this can result in significant morbidity or death. Treatment may be conservative, involving strict bed rest, use of the Trendelenburg position, intravenous/oral hydration and caffeine. If these measures fail, an epidural blood patch, starting ‘blindly’ in the lumbar region, may help.7 People with persistent symptoms need imaging with a radionuclide scan or CT/MR myelography to help localise the CSF leak, followed by a targeted epidural blood patch or surgical repair.3 ,7 Intrathecal saline infusion has succeeded in treating otherwise refractory spontaneous intracranial hypotension.8–12 We report a case of spontaneous intracranial hypotension complicated by bilateral subdural hygromas and subdural haematomas, with uncal herniation, coma and bilateral posterior cerebral artery infarctions. We treated her with an intrathecal saline infusion under pressure monitoring, with rapid resolution of coma. A 57-year-old woman presented to another hospital with orthostatic headache, neck pain, nausea and vomiting. The previous day, she had coughed vigorously during a viral illness. She re-presented 1 week later with persistent symptoms; examination was normal, but a CT scan of the head …
NNSS Soils Monitoring: Plutonium Valley (CAU366) FY2012

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Nevada Site Office (NSO), Environmental Restoration Soils Activity has authorized the Desert Research Institute (DRI) to conduct field assessments of potential sediment transport of contaminated soil from Corrective Action Unit (CAU) 366, Area 11 Plutonium Valley Dispersion Sites Contamination Area (CA) during precipitation runoff events. Field measurements at the T-4 Atmospheric Test Site (CAU 370) suggest that radionuclide-contaminated soils may have migrated along a shallow ephemeral drainage that traverses the site (NNSA/NSO, 2009). (It is not entirely clear how contaminated soils got into their present location at the T-4 Site, but flow to the channel has been redirected and the contamination does not appear to be migrating at present.) Aerial surveys in selected portions of the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) also suggest that radionuclide-contaminated soils may be migrating along ephemeral channels in Areas 3, 8, 11, 18, and 25 (Colton, 1999). In Area 11, several low-level airborne surveys of the Plutonium Valley Dispersion Sites (CAU 366) show plumes of Americium 241 (Am-241) extending along ephemeral channels (Figure 1, marker numbers 5 and 6) below Corrective Action Site (CAS) 11-23-03 (marker number 3) and CAS 11 23-04 (marker number 4) (Colton, 1999). Plutonium Valley in Area 11 of the NNSS was selected for the study because of the aerial survey evidence suggesting downstream transport of radionuclide-contaminated soil. The aerial survey (Figure 1) shows a well defined finger of elevated radioactivity (marker number 5) extending to the southwest from the southernmost detonation site (marker number 4). This finger of contamination overlies a drainage channel mapped on the topographic base map used for presentation of the survey data suggesting surface runoff as a likely cause of the contaminated area. Additionally, instrumenting sites strongly suspected of conveying soil from areas of surface contamination offers the most efficient means to confirm that surface runoff may transport radioactive contamination as a result of ambient precipitation/runoff events. Closure plans being developed for the CAUs on the NNSS may include post-closure monitoring for possible release of radioactive contaminants. Determining the potential for transport of radionuclide-contaminated soils under ambient meteorological conditions will facilitate an appropriate closure design and post-closure monitoring program.
Improved design of an ultra-wideband planar slot antenna

Planar antenna designs have many advantages such as low-profile, light-weight, and ease of fabrication and integration. Here, a planar slot antenna implemented on a thin substrate with coplanar waveguide feed is considered. This paper summarizes a numerical investigation using both frequency and time-domain solvers. The results serve to guide the future analysis of broadband antennas for ground penetrating radars.
Bronze casters and gold workers during Denmark’s bronze age

Over the last twenty years, there has been a discernible increase in the number of scholars who have focused their research on metal production, working and use in antiquity, a field of study which has come to be known as archaeometallurgy. Materials scientists and conservators have worked primarily in the laboratory while archaeologists have conducted fieldwork geared to the study of metal technology in a cultural context with laboratory analysis as one portion of the interpretive program.
The bundle below: Understanding unconventional oil and gas development through analysis of lease agreements

Abstract Unconventional oil and gas development (UOGD) has recently become the subject of much research. However, neglected during this effort are the leases signed between landowner and industry that act as the foundation for development and may influence the distribution and intensity of associated impacts. These leases amount to an inscribed collection of rules and practices that define a wide variety of conditions related to development. The temporal and geographic distribution of lease terms may directly influence a number of phenomena of interest to scholars studying UOGD. In order to advance research on the subject, we (1) describe and outline research topics that could be addressed by applying social science methods to the analysis of leases and specific lease provisions, (2) discuss challenges and strategies for data collection and (3) review policy implications of lease related research.
Optical Properties of the Pb Center at the Si/SiO2 Interface

We present theoretical results for the optical prooerties of the Pb center at the Si/SiO2 interface. Using wave functions obtained from semiempirical (MINDO/3) cluster calculations, we have calculated electric dipole matrix elements connecting the singly occupied (neutral) defect state to the unoccupied conduction-band-like states, as well as those connecting the occupied valence-band-like states to the singly occupied defect state and to the unoccupied defect state. We predict the absorption cross section for excitation from the valence band to the unoccupied state to be of order 10−19 cm2 and that for excitation from the valence band to the occupied state and from the occupied state to the conduction band to be an order of magnitude larger. We also predict that the absorption will in some cases be strongly dependent on the direction of the polarization. Effects of symmetry lowering in the oxide and of distortions in the silicon are discussed.
PO-0189 Five Year Study On Epidemiology, Clinical Characteristics And Risk Factors Of Invasive Non-typhoidal Salmonellosis In Singapore

Introduction Non-typhoidal salmonellosis (NTS) can cause invasive disease in special groups of children. Increasing antimicrobial resistance and limited epidemiological data pose major limitations to therapy. This study aims to analyse the disease characteristics in Singapore children. Methods Retrospective cross- sectional study of children aged 0–16 years with invasive NTS over a 5-year period (January 2006–December 2011). Invasive NTS disease was defined as NTS species identified from normally sterile extra-intestinal sites ie. Blood and cerebrospinal fluid cultures. Results There were 51 cases of which 22(43%) were female and 29(57%) were male. The median age at presentation was 15 months. 45(88.2%) patients were under 4 years and the youngest was 13 days old. Fever and/or diarrhoea were most common presenting complaints. All had temperature > 38°C and 40 (78.4%) had diarrhoea with 19(47.5%) having bloody stools. Mean initial total white cell count and C-reactive protein were 12.8 × 10^9/L and 64.2 mg/L respectively with Group D and B Salmonella species as the major isolates in 21(41.2%) and 17(33.3%). Group C accounted for 7(13.7%) while Group G / other non-typable ones contributed 6 (11.8%). Meningitis was confirmed in 3(5.9%). One child (1.9%) died of drug-related fulminant liver failure and there were no readmissions. Antibiotic resistance was noted in 16 (31.3%). Conclusion There should be a high index of suspicion for NTS bacteremia in younger age group (≤4 years old) who present with fever and bloody diarrhoea. Initial inflammatory markers are not indicators of severity. Antimicrobial resistance in NTS in Singapore is low but needs vigilance.
The Marquis of Pombal and the American Revolution

During the imperial crisis of the 1770's the Pennsylvania conservative, Joseph Galloway, offered a plan to close the everwidening breach that was dividing England and her colonies. Galloway's Plan of Union, a revision of the Albany Plan proposed by Franklin twenty years before, called for the establishment of a subordinate colonial parliament “for regulating the administration of the general affairs of America.” Though rejected by the Continental Congress, the plan continued to draw support from some statesmen on both sides of the Atlantic. Among them, curiously enough, was the Marquis of Pombal, Portugal's prime minister, a man who by no stretch of the imagination could be regarded as a friend of popular government.
The interaction of ability and motivation: Average working memory is required for Need for Cognition to positively benefit intelligence and the effect increases with ability

Abstract This study examined the role of working memory in the relationship between Need for Cognition (NFC) and intelligence. We previously reported that NFC is associated with intelligence but not working memory. This was unexpected as working memory has a strong relationship with fluid intelligence. 167 participants completed the NFC short scale, WAIS-III, and experimental working memory and fluid intelligence tasks. Moderation analyses revealed significant interaction effects between NFC, intelligence, and working memory. Working memory appeared to serve as a moderator between NFC and intelligence such that the positive effect of NFC on intelligence was only present for individuals with at least average working memory ability. There was evidence that the positive association between NFC and intelligence was increased with higher working memory.
Agribusiness and Informality in Border Regions in Europe and North America: Avenues of Integration or Roads to Exploitation?

ABSTRACTAgribusiness is a globalized industry typified by capital-intensive, large-scale production for domestic and foreign markets. The employment of both migrant and immigrant laborers, and the informality that surrounds use of these laborers, are important components to such production. This paper examines the adaptation to and negotiation of farm laborers in informal markets in conjunction with the socioeconomic development of rural communities in border regions. I present ethnographic research from two important border production zones: the Coachella Valley of Southern California in the United States, and the Campo de Dalias in Almeria Province, Andalucia, Spain. Through comparison of these cases, I explore two interrelated aspects of informality in the agribusiness industry: obtaining work and finding a place to live. Establishing and maintaining social networks are key to overcoming social consequences that arise out of agribusiness practices, but their resolution differ in the Coachella Valley an...
Urinary calcium survey for 3～6 years old preschool children

Objective:Study the urinary calcium situation of preschool children in Anyi County;then propose reasonable interferential and control methods in time.Methods: Sampling 698 children randomly in two urban and four rural kindergartens,gathering their urina sanguinis or urina samples after fasting water 1 hour to test urinary calcium content.Results: Found 337 calcium deficiency children,calcium deficiency rate is 48.28%.Boy′s calcium deficiency rate is 47.18% while girl's is 49.68%,which shows insignificant difference between genders(P0.05).Calcium deficiency rate of urban children is 42.36% while rate of rural children is 56.41%,which shows great urban-rural difference(P0.01).Conclusion: The situation of calcium deficiency of preschool children is severe.Both society and family should pay attention to the dietary pattern of children,add more food which has rich content of calcium to improve calcium nutritional status.
The impact of negative family-work spillover on diurnal cortisol.

Objective Both dimensions of the work-family interface, work-to-family and family-to-work spillover, have important implications for health and well-being. Despite the importance of these associations, very little is known about the physiological mechanisms through which the interplay between family and work experiences are translated into long-lasting consequences for health. Method This study investigated both positive and negative aspects of each spillover dimension on diurnal cortisol secretion patterns in a large panel study of working adults between the ages of 33 and 80. Results Greater negative family-to-work (NFW) spillover predicted lower wake-up cortisol values and a flatter (less "healthy") diurnal cortisol slope. This effect was evident even after controlling for the effects of the other spillover dimensions. Conclusions These findings indicate that not all aspects of the work-family interface might impact stress physiology to the same extent and suggest that diurnal cortisol may be an important pathway through which negative aspects of the work-family interface leave their mark on health. (PsycINFO Database Record
Crumpled reduced graphene oxide–amine–titanium dioxide nanocomposites for simultaneous carbon dioxide adsorption and photoreduction

Crumpled reduced graphene oxide–amine–titanium dioxide nanocomposites (CGOATI) were synthesized by an one-step aerosol technique to enable simultaneous carbon dioxide (CO2) adsorption and photoreduction. Graphene oxide (GO), chemically modified by ethylenediamine (EDA), was crumpled using an aerosol process, encapsulating TiO2 nanoparticles to form core–shell nanostructures. The three-dimensional (3D) structure largely prevented the crumpled graphene nanosheets from restacking by minimizing π–π interactions, thus enhancing the stability of the catalyst by retaining its higher surface area. A combination of a 20% mass percentage of TiO2/GO, a 15 : 1 mass ratio of EDA/GO in precursor solution, and a 200 °C synthesis temperature led to the highest CO yield (65 μmol g−1 h−1, with an apparent quantum efficiency of 0.0094%), which was two-fold higher than that of crumpled reduced GO–TiO2 (CGOTI) and four-fold higher than that of TiO2 alone. The enhancement of CO2 photoreduction was attributed to higher CO2 adsorption on the amine-functionalized reduced-GO (r-GO) surface and the strong electron trapping capability of r-GO. The insertion of EDA on r-GO nanosheets, the adsorption of CO2 by amine groups, and the photoreduction of the adsorbed CO2 were confirmed by FTIR and XPS spectra analysis. The r-GO nanosheets themselves were simultaneously photoreduced during CO2 photoreduction. Raman spectroscopy and conductivity measurements showed that photoreduced r-GO had a higher electronic conductivity than thermally reduced r-GO, and led to more effective CO2 photoreduction. This study offers new insights into the design and fabrication of graphene-based photocatalysts for CO2 photoreduction.
The Edible South: The Power of Food and the Making of an American Region

Marcie Cohen Ferris endeavors to re-write the history of the American South, from European settlement until today, through the lens of food. Rather than the well-worn approach of breaking down the ...
Escherichia coli Brain Abscess Method in Rat

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on Escherichia coli brain abscess model in rat. The E. coli was isolated from a human blood culture, which were preserved in aliquots of a 10% (vol./vol.) glycerol in normal saline (NS) solution and maintained at -70° C. The day prior to surgery, 10 ml of an inoculated trypticase soy (T. soy) broth culture was grown statically for 21 hours at 37° C and then centrifuged at 50,000 g for 20 minutes. The broth is discarded and the bacterial pellet is resuspended in 2 ml of sterile NS and recentrifuged for 20 minutes at 50,000 g. The bacteria used in this model are K1 surface antigen negative as tested by the latex slide agglutination test using Neisseria meningitidis group B antisera, or by the K1 antibody identification technique with E. coli serotype 07:K1 serving as the positive control for K1 identification. The female Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 250–275 g are anesthetized with i.p. ketamine and xylazine. Pentobarbital anesthesia E. coli-inoculated animals are perfused with 10% buffered, neutralized formaldehyde for histopathologic characterization. Then the brains are fixed in the formalin solution for at least 1 week and subsequently embedded in paraffin. For quantitative culture analysis, a group of E.-coli- inoculated animals are killed with i.p. pentobarbital (70 mg/kg) and the brains are sectioned sagittally along the midline, homogenized in sterile NS, serially diluted, and cultured on T. soy culture plates.
Mitochondrial Fission in Human Diseases

Mitochondria are an essential component of multicellular life – from primitive organisms, to highly complex entities like mammals. The importance of mitochondria is underlined by their plethora of well-characterized essential functions such as energy production through oxidative phosphorylation (OX-PHOS), calcium and reactive oxygen species (ROS) signaling, and regulation of apoptosis. In addition, novel roles and attributes of mitochondria are coming into focus through the recent years of mitochondrial research. In particular, over the past decade the study of mitochondrial shape and dynamics has achieved special significance, as they are found to impact mitochondrial function. Recent advances indicate that mitochondrial function and dynamics are inter-connected, and maintain the balance between health and disease at a cellular and an organismal level. For example, excessive mitochondrial division (fission) is associated with functional defects, and is implicated in multiple human diseases from neurodegenerative diseases to cancer. In this chapter we examine the recent literature on the mitochondrial dynamics–function relationship, and explore how it impacts on the development and progression of human diseases. We will also highlight the implications of therapeutic manipulation of mitochondrial dynamics in treating various human pathologies.
Using the XFEL to Drive Gain in K-Shell and L-Shell Systems Using Photoionization and Photoexcitation of Inner Shell Transitions

Six years ago, X-ray lasing on an inner shell transition was demonstrated at 849 eV (1.46 nm) in singly ionized neon gas using the XFEL at 960 eV to photoionize the 1s electron in neutral neon followed by lasing on the 2p-1s transition in singly ionized neon. That research was done at the SLAC Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) by a multi-laboratory team led by Nina Rohringer and published in the January 26, 2012, issue of Nature. It took many decades to demonstrate this scheme because it required a very strong X-ray source that could photoionize the 1s (K-shell) electrons in neon on a timescale comparable to the intrinsic auger lifetime in neon, which is typically 2 fs. In this chapter, we have shown how the XFEL could be used to photoionize L-shell electrons to drive gain on n = 3–2 transitions in singly ionized Ar and Cu plasmas. These bright, coherent and monochromatic X-ray lasers may prove to be very useful for doing high-resolution spectroscopy and for studying nonlinear process in the X-ray regime.
Quantification of growth factor signaling and pathway cross talk by live-cell imaging.

Peptide growth factors stimulate cellular responses through activation of their transmembrane receptors. Multiple intracellular signaling cascades are engaged following growth factor–receptor bindi...
Application of Fuzzy Set Theory in the Safe Ship Control Process

Abstract In this paper, collision avoidance with many targets in open sea is treated as a problem of optimal control using the fuzzy set theory. Optimal safe ship trajectory in collision situation is presented as multistage decision-making in a fuzzy environment. The Collision Avoidance Regulations, the manoeuvrability parameters of the ship and the navigator’s subjective assessment in making a decision are taken under consideration in the process model. To prove application of the proposed conception two examples are simulated and presented in a graphical form.
Dopamine prediction error responses update demand

According to the law of demand, the quantity demanded for a reward is dependent upon the price; as the price of the reward increases, the quantity demanded decreases (1). Conversely, when the price decreases, the quantity demanded increases. This relationship can be observed at any local bar during “happy hour,” a limited time during which the price of beer is discounted. As happy hour draws to a close, patrons quickly consume pints of beer and order “one more round.” The discounted price increases the quantity demanded of beer. The relationship between price and the quantity demanded is formalized using demand curves. Fluctuations in price cause movement along a demand curve, whereas changes in factors such as subjective value or income shift demand. These shifts result in new demand curves (Fig. 1). Understanding the neural mechanisms that participate in this economic tradeoff has implications in neuroscience, economics, and policy making. In PNAS, Schelp et al. (2) demonstrate that dopamine teaching signals, phasic activity that codes for the differences between received and predicted values, cause changes in the behavioral manifestations of economic demand. Fig. 1. Prediction error responses influence demand. Demand curves (solid and dashed lines) indicate the relationship between price and quantity demanded. Schelp et al. (2) show that demand can be shifted by modulating dopamine reward prediction error responses. Dopamine activations, positive prediction error responses, decrease price sensitivity and increase demand from baseline (shift from orange to blue curve). Conversely, dopamine suppressions, negative prediction error responses, increase price sensitivity and decrease demand from baseline (shift from orange to gray curve). Consumers determine demand by calculating the values of rewards they desire, and weighing those values against their income and externally controlled prices. How does the nervous system mediate this transformation from desire to demand? It is likely that neural substrates contributing to … [↵][1]1To whom correspondence should be addressed. Email: wrs{at}pitt.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Habitat-specific performance of vertical line gear in the western Gulf of Mexico: A comparison between artificial and natural habitats using a paired video approach

Abstract Gear performance is often assumed to be constant over various conditions encountered during sampling; however, this assumption is rarely verified and has the potential to introduce bias. We used fishery-independent vertical line surveys to evaluate whether gear efficiency and selectivity is similar while assessing reef fish populations at oil and gas platforms, artificial reefs, and natural banks in the western Gulf of Mexico. We conducted 192 vertical line sets with cameras placed on a subset of these deployments to validate any differences in efficiency among habitat types. Red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) accounted for 93% of the catch. No difference in red snapper CPUE among habitats was detected. When evaluating fish size, 8/0 and 11/0 hooks sampled significantly larger red snapper at natural banks than at artificial habitats. While CPUE was similar among all hooks at artificial habitats, CPUE at natural banks was lower for shallower hooks and increased towards the bottom hooks along the backbone. At all habitats, red snapper TL decreased from shallow to deep hook positions. Simultaneous camera deployments revealed other processes affecting efficiency such as bait removal and depredation. Vermilion snapper (Rhomboplites aurorubens) were effective at removing bait while avoiding capture. Perhaps related to this observation, Red snapper CPUE was negatively correlated with the vermilion snapper video index of abundance. Video confirmed gear saturation was prevalent (70% of deployments), occurring more frequently on artificial habitats. Furthermore, the time fished was effectively “shorter” at artificial habitats as the number of available baited hooks declined rapidly. These results point towards higher relative abundance at artificial habitats; however, the prevalence of saturation indicates vertical line CPUE may not always be proportional to true abundance, hindering our ability to detect differences at the scale examined in this study. Vertical line surveys should evaluate the prevalence of saturation as inferences regarding relative abundance may be compromised when this information is unknown.
IBM POWER9 and cognitive computing

Cognitive applications are complex and are composed of multiple components exhibiting diverse workload behavior. Efficient execution of these applications requires systems that can effectively handle this diversity. In this paper, we show that IBM POWER9™ shared memory systems have the compute capacity and memory throughput to efficiently handle the broad spectrum of computing requirements for cognitive workloads. We first review the GraphBLAS interface defined for supporting cognitive applications, particularly whole-graph analytics. We show that this application-programming interface effectively separates the concerns between the analytics application developer and the system developer and simultaneously enables good performance by permitting system developers to make platform-specific optimizations. A linear algebra formulation and execution of betweenness centrality kernel in the High-Performance Computing Scalable Graph Analysis Benchmark, for 256 million vertices and 2 billion edges graphs, delivers a sixfold reduction in execution time over a reference implementation. Following that, we present the results of benchmarking the forward propagation step of deep neural networks (DNNs) written in GraphBLAS and executed on POWER9. We present the rationale and evidence for weight matrices of large DNNs being sparse and show that for sparse weight matrices, GraphBLAS/POWER® has a two orders-of-magnitude performance advantage over dense implementations. Applications requiring analysis of graphs larger than several tens of billion vertices require distributed computing environments such as Apache Spark to provide resilience and parallelism. We show that when linear algebra techniques are implemented in an Apache Spark environment, we are able to leverage the parallelism available in POWER9 Servers.
Immunomodulation by Endogenous Stress Response Proteins

Cells of the immune system are often localized to sites in the body where stressful conditions prevail. There is evidence suggesting that these stressful conditions can contribute to the regulation of immune mechanisms. One of the classes of agents responsible for this regulation is the family of stress response proteins, including both heat shock proteins and metallothionein. These proteins are found in both intracellular and extracellular compartments, and alter the developmental programming and proliferative capacity of immune cells. Toxicants that elicit these proteins may alter immune activities via the actions of the stress response proteins. Manipulations of these proteins may offer novel therapeutic opportunities both for the reduction of undesirable effects of toxicants and for the therapeutic redirection of immune activities.
Optic Nerve Sheath Meningioma

Optic nerve sheath meningiomas (ONSM) are rare, and usually benign, tumors involving meninges surrounding the optic pathway. They have a higher incidence in middle-aged females. Diagnosis is heavily reliant on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). ONSM can be subclassified as primary ONSM (pONSM) and secondary ONSM (sONSM). ONSM, in general, exhibit slowly progressive enlargement, which invariably leads to visual symptoms and/or vision loss. Although surgery may have a role in sONSM, it commonly leads to postoperative blindness with pONSM. Radiotherapy (RT) remains the mainstay of treatment for this condition. Highly conformal RT techniques such as stereotactic fractionated RT (SFRT) have been shown to be effective in retaining functional vision, with low treatment-related morbidity. At fractionated doses of 50–54 Gy, almost all patients achieve local control, and 80% or more of patients report vision improvement or stabilization. In this chapter, we will review the clinical findings and the treatment recommendations for this condition.
Abstract 23: BDNF val 66 met Genotype is Associated With Greater Brain Atrophy After Stroke

Background: Genetic factors may be useful to understand differences in outcomes post-stroke. We studied an imaging measure of brain atrophy in relation to two genotypes that may be associated with ...
Modeling progressive breakouts in deviated wellbores

Abstract Borehole breakout is a progressive failure process that results in major wellbore instability problems. Previous studies of progressive breakouts have been mainly for vertical wells, with fewer studies for deviated wells. Moreover, most existing breakout models cannot update the boundary conditions for the receding wellbore surfaces during progressive breakout propagation. This paper presents a finite-element-based method for simulating dynamic breakouts in deviated wellbores considering hydro-mechanical coupling. By incorporating an adaptive meshing technique, the method allows for timely updates of the boundary conditions on newly created wellbore surfaces due to breakout. Using the proposed method, the effects of well trajectory, in-situ stress anisotropy, fluid seepage, and formation properties on wellbore breakouts in a strike-fault stress regime are investigated. The results are analyzed in terms of the orientation and magnitude of wellbore breakouts. The analysis shows that breakout orientation on the cross-section plane normal to the axis of a deviated well is always aligned with the projection of the minimum horizontal stress direction on this plane. A smaller Young's modulus, a smaller cohesion, or a larger permeability increases the risk of borehole breakout.
Binge-Like Eating Is Not Influenced by the Murine Model of OPRM1 A118G Polymorphism

Impairments in opioid receptor signaling have been implicated in disordered eating. A functional variant of the OPRM1 gene is a guanine (G) substitution for adenine (A) at the 118 position of exon 1 (A118G). The influence of the A118G variant on binge eating behaviors and the effectiveness of pharmacotherapies used to treat binge eating have not been characterized. Mice were generated with A to G substitution at the 112 position on exon 1 to produce a murine equivalent of the human A118G variant. Homozygous female mice (AA or GG) were exposed to intermittent access to a highly palatable sweet-fat food with or without prior calorie deprivation to promote dietary-induced binge eating. There were no genotype-dependent differences in the dietary-induced binge eating. However, GG mice exposed to intermittent calorie restriction (Restrict) had higher body weights compared with GG mice exposed to intermittent sweet fat-food (Binge) and ad libitum feeding (Naive). Acute oral dosing of lisdexamfetamine (0.15, 0.5, and 1.5 mg/kg) or sibutramine (0.3, 1, and 3 mg/kg) did not produce genotype-dependent differences in binge-like eating. In addition, no genotype-dependent differences in binge-like eating were observed with chronic (14-day) dosing of lisdexamfetamine (1.5 mg/kg/day) or sibutramine (3 mg/kg/day). In the chronic dosing, body weights were higher in the GG Restrict compared with AA Restrict. Our findings suggest that the A112G polymorphism does not influence binge eating behaviors or pharmacotherapies for treating binge eating.
Racial and Ethnic Inequality in Poverty and Affluence, 1959–2015

This paper examines patterns and trends in racial inequality in poverty and affluence over the 1959 to 2015 period. Analyzing data from decennial censuses and the American Community Survey, I find that that disparities have generally narrowed over the period. Nevertheless, considerable disparities remain, with whites least likely to be poor and Asians most likely to be affluent on the one hand, and blacks and American Indians much more likely to be poor and less likely to be affluent on the other-and Hispanics somewhat in between. Sociodemographic characteristics, such as education, family structure, and nativity explain some of the disparities-and an increasing proportion over the 1959 to 2015 period, indicative of the growing importance of disparities in human capital, the immigrant incorporation process, and the interaction between economic conditions and cultural shifts in attitudes towards marriage in explaining racial inequality in poverty and affluence. There also are still significant portions of the gaps that remain unexplained, especially for blacks and American Indians. The presence of this unexplained gap indicates that other factors are still at work in producing these disparities, though their effects have declined over time.
Inflammatory responses to dietary and surgical weight loss in male and female mice.

Weight loss by surgery or lifestyle changes is strongly recommended for obese individuals to improve metabolic health, but the underlying impairments that persist from a history of obesity remain unclear. Recent investigations demonstrate a persistent inflammatory state with weight loss and bariatric surgery, but the mechanism and impact are not fully understood. Additionally, these studies have not been performed in females although women are the majority of individuals undergoing weight loss interventions. The goal of this study was to determine the sex differences in metabolically induced inflammation after dietary weight loss (WL) or bariatric surgery. Following a 60% high-fat diet (HFD) for 12 weeks, C57Bl/6j mice underwent either a dietary switch to normal chow for WL or vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) and were evaluated 8 weeks after intervention. WL effects on myelopoiesis were further evaluated with bone marrow chimeras. Both sexes had a decrease in adiposity and total weight following WL or VSG intervention. With HFD, females had very little inflammation and no further increase with WL, but males had persistent inflammation even after WL despite metabolic improvement. Interestingly, after VSG, myeloid inflammation was increased in the livers of males and to a lesser extent in females. These studies demonstrate that regardless of sex, it is critical to assess an individuals’ history of obesity rather than just rely on current weight status in medical decision-making. There are long-lasting effects on tissue inflammation in both sexes especially with surgical weight loss. Dietary change is overall most effective to improve meta-inflammation in obese males on its own or in combination with surgical weight loss.
Person re-identification with hyperspectral multi-camera systems #x2014; A pilot study

Person re-identification in a multi-camera environment is an important part of modern surveillance systems. Person re-identification from color images has been the focus of much active research, due to the numerous challenges posed with such analysis tasks, such as variations in illumination, pose and viewpoints. In this paper, we suggest that hyperspectral imagery has the potential to provide unique information that is expected to be beneficial for the re-identification task. Specifically, we assert that by accurately characterizing the unique spectral signature for each person's skin, hyperspectral imagery can provide very useful descriptors (e.g. spectral signatures from skin pixels) for re-identification. Towards this end, we acquired proof-of-concept hyperspectral reidentification data under challenging (practical) conditions from 15 people. Our results indicate that hyperspectral data result in a substantially enhanced re-identification performance compared to color (RGB) images, when using spectral signatures over skin as the feature descriptor.