cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Enhancement of multispectral thermal infrared images: Decorrelation contrast stretching☆

Decorrelation contrast stretching is an effective method for displaying information from multispectral thermal infrared (TIR) images. The technique involves transformation of the data to principle components ('decorrelation'), independent contrast 'stretching' of data from the new 'decorrelated' image bands, and retransformation of the stretched data back to the approximate original axes, based on the inverse of the principle component rotation. The enhancement is robust in that colors of the same scene components are similar in enhanced images of similar scenes, or the same scene imaged at different times. Decorrelation contrast stretching is reviewed in the context of other enhancements applied to TIR images.
Designer Microarrays From Soup To Nuts

The recognition that multigene mechanisms control the pathways determining the aging process renders gene screening a necessary skill for biogerontologists. In the past few years, this task has become much more accessible, with the advent of DNA chip technology. Most commercially available microarrays are designed with prefixed templates of genes of general interest, allowing investigators little freedom of choice in attempting to focus gene screening on a particular thematic pathway of interest. This report describes our "designer microarray" approach as a next generation of DNA chips, allowing individual investigators to engage in gene screening with a user friendly, do-it-yourself approach, from designing the probe templates to data mining. The end result is the ability to use microarrays as a platform for versatile gene discovery.
NITRIC OXIDE ACTS DIRECTLY IN THE PRESYNAPTIC NEURON TO PRODUCE LONG-TERM POTENTIATION IN CULTURED HIPPOCAMPAL NEURONS

Nitric oxide (NO) has been proposed to act as a retrograde messenger during long-term potentiation (LTP) in the CA1 region of hippocampus, but the inaccessibility of the presynaptic terminal has prevented a definitive test of this hypothesis. Because both sides of the synapse are accessible in cultured hippocampal neurons, we have used this preparation to investigate the role of NO. We examined LTP following intra- or extracellular application of an NO scavenger, an inhibitor of NO synthase, and a membrane-impermeant NO donor that releases NO only upon photolysis with UV light. Our results indicate that NO is produced in the postsynaptic neuron, travels through the extracellular space, and acts directly in the presynaptic neuron to produce long-term potentiation, supporting the hypothesis that NO acts as a retrograde messenger during LTP.
Incidence of Extrinsic Compression of the Internal Jugular Vein in Unselected Patients Undergoing CT Angiography

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Little is known about how commonly the internal jugular vein is compressed by extrinsic structures in the upper neck. The purpose of this paper was to identify the frequency and cause of external compression of the superior segment of the internal jugular vein. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of CT angiograms of the neck was performed in 108 consecutive patients. Axial source images were evaluated for moderate (>50%) or severe (>80%) stenosis of the internal jugular vein on the basis of external compression. The cause of extrinsic compression was also recorded. In cases with stenosis, the presence of ipsilateral isoattenuated collateral veins was recorded and considered representative of collateral flow. RESULTS: Moderate stenosis was seen in 33.3% of right and 25.9% of left internal jugular veins. Severe stenosis was seen in 24.1% of right and 18.5% of left internal jugular veins. The most common causes of extrinsic compression included the styloid process and the posterior belly of the digastric muscle. In patients with severe internal jugular vein stenosis, 53.8% of right sides and 55% of left sides had associated condylar collaterals. CONCLUSIONS: Extrinsic compression of the superior segment of the internal jugular vein is a common finding in unselected patients, often caused by the styloid process or the posterior belly of the digastric muscle. Presence of severe stenosis is not universally associated with collateral formation.
Enhancing Isoprene Production by Genetic Modification of the 1-Deoxy-d-Xylulose-5-Phosphate Pathway in Bacillus subtilis

To enhance the production of isoprene, a volatile 5-carbon hydrocarbon, in the Gram-positive spore-forming rod-shaped bacterium Bacillus subtilis, 1-deoxy-d-xylulose-5-phosphate synthase (Dxs) and 1-deoxy-d-xylulose-5-phosphate reductoisomerase (Dxr) were overexpressed in B. subtilis DSM 10. For the strain that overexpresses Dxs, the yield of isoprene was increased 40% over that by the wild-type strain. In the Dxr overexpression strain, the level of isoprene production was unchanged. Overexpression of Dxr together with Dxs showed an isoprene production level similar to that of the Dxs overproduction strain. The effects of external factors, such as stress factors including heat (48°C), salt (0.3 M NaCl), ethanol (1%), and oxidative (0.005% H(2)O(2)) stress, on isoprene production were further examined. Heat, salt, and H(2)O(2) induced isoprene production; ethanol inhibited isoprene production. In addition, induction and repression effects are independent of SigB, which is the general stress-responsive alternative sigma factor of Gram-positive bacteria.
Hepatotoxic Interaction of Sulindac with Lipopolysaccharide: Role of the Hemostatic System

Idiosyncratic adverse drug reactions (IADRs) have no obvious relation to dose, are unrelated to the pharmacologic effect of the drug and are currently unpredictable. Typically, IADRs occur in a small fraction of the patients who are treated with a specific drug. The liver is a frequent target of IADRs. Some IADRs result in permanent disability or death. They are also a major issue for drug development because they are not currently predicted by animal toxicity studies and become apparent only after the drug is extensively used in humans. Sulindac (SLD) is a prodrug in the therapeutic class of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and is used to treat osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It is metabolized in the liver to its active form, SLD sulfide, and performs its pharmacological function by inhibiting cyclooxygenases 1 and 2. SLD is associated with idiosyncratic liver injury, which presents as cholestatic, hepatocellular and mixed patterns (Aithal and Day, 2007). Among the NSAIDs, SLD is associated with the greatest risk for liver injury in human patients (Garcia Rodriguez et al., 1994). The mechanisms behind drug-induced idiosyncratic liver injury are unclear. One hypothesis is that inflammatory stress increases sensitivity to drug-induced liver injury (Ganey et al., 2004). Exposure to inflammagens is variable and episodic, and this might explain why IADRs are variable in time of onset and occur in some patients at doses that are safe in most people. Previous studies suggested that mild inflammation induced by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) could potentiate hepatotoxicity in rodents from IADR-associated drugs such as chlorpromazine (Buchweitz et al., 2002), ranitidine (Luyendyk et al., 2003), and trovafloxacin (Shaw et al., 2007). In one of these LPS/drug interaction models, the hemostatic system proved to be important in the liver pathogenesis (Luyendyk et al., 2005). This system comprises coagulation and fibrinolytic components. In coagulation, thrombin plays a critical role by cleaving fibrinogen to fibrin that can form occlusive clots in sinusoids. Meanwhile, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) can inhibit fibrin clearance by the fibrinolytic system by inhibiting the generation of plasmin from plasminogen. To evaluate the utility of LPS/drug interaction models to study mechanism(s) of idiosyncratic liver injury, a broad range of drugs needs to be tested. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that modest inflammation induced by LPS interacts with SLD to cause liver injury in rats. When the results demonstrated a hepatotoxic interaction, the role of the hemostatic system was explored.
A statistical method for verifying mesh convergence in Monte Carlo simulations with application to fragmentation.

A novel method is presented for assessing the convergence of a sequence of statistical distributions generated by direct Monte Carlo sampling. The primary application is to assess the mesh or grid convergence, and possibly divergence, of stochastic outputs from non-linear continuum systems. Example systems include those from fluid or solid mechanics, particularly those with instabilities and sensitive dependence on initial conditions or system parameters. The convergence assessment is based on demonstrating empirically that a sequence of cumulative distribution functions converges in the Linfty norm. The effect of finite sample sizes is quantified using confidence levels from the Kolmogorov–Smirnov statistic. The statistical method is independent of the underlying distributions. The statistical method is demonstrated using two examples: (1) the logistic map in the chaotic regime, and (2) a fragmenting ductile ring modeled with an explicit-dynamics finite element code. In the fragmenting ring example the convergence of the distribution describing neck spacing is investigated. The initial yield strength is treated as a random field. Two different random fields are considered, one with spatial correlation and the other without. Both cases converged, albeit to different distributions. The case with spatial correlation exhibited a significantly higher convergence rate compared with the one without spatialmore » correlation.« less
SALIVARY ANTIMICROBIAL PROTEIN RESPONSE TO PROLONGED RUNNING

Prolonged exercise may compromise immunity through a reduction of salivary antimicrobial proteins (AMPs). Salivary IgA (IgA) has been extensively studied, but little is known about the effect of acute, prolonged exercise on AMPs including lysozyme (Lys) and lactoferrin (Lac). Objective: To determine the effect of a 50-km trail race on salivary cortisol (Cort), IgA, Lys, and Lac. Methods: 14 subjects: (6 females, 8 males) completed a 50km ultramarathon. Saliva was collected pre, immediately after (post) and 1.5 hrs post race (+1.5). Results: Lac concentration was higher at +1.5 hrs post race compared to post exercise (p 0.05). IgA concentration, secretion rate, and IgA/Osm were lower +1.5 hrs post compared to pre race (p<0.05). Cort concentration was higher at post compared to +1.5 (p<0.05), but was unaltered from pre race levels. Subjects finished in 7.81±1.2 hrs. Saliva flow rate did not differ between time points. Saliva Osm increased at post (p<0.05) compared to pre race. Conclusions: The intensity could have been too low to alter Lys and Lac secretion rates and thus, may not be as sensitive as IgA to changes in response to prolonged running. Results expand our understanding of the mucosal immune system and may have implications for predicting illness after prolonged running.
Adverse Drug Reaction Deaths Reported in United States Vital Statistics, 1999–2006

Background:Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are an important source of morbidity and mortality during medical care.Objective:To examine the trends in mortality related to ADRs reported through the US vital statistics system since January 1999.Methods:Demographic characteristics of people reported as dying as a result of ADRs from 1999 to 2006 were evaluated. The National Mortality Statistics database was queried for International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, codes Y40-Y59, which are specific for deaths due to adverse effects of drugs in therapeutic use. The data were subgrouped based on demographic factors to identify important trends. Crude rates were calculated based on incidents per 100,000 population. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for subgroups were calculated by logistical regression.Results:During the 8-year study period 2,313,902.748 person years were evaluated and 2341 ADR-related deaths were identified. Annual rates ranged from 0.08/100,000 to 0.12/100,000, and rates increa...
A family of optimization-based traffic control laws for overlay networks

It is a challenge to provide service quality features in overlay networks, including quality of service (QoS), traffic engineering (TE), and failure recovery (FR). This is largely due to lack of information about the underlying resource availability and topology. In this paper, we develop a family of optimization-based distributed traffic control laws to meet this challenge. This family of control laws enables QoS, TE, and FR features simultaneously in an overlay environment where the underlying resources and topology are hidden and change from time to time. The approach taken relies on the sliding modes technique to solve the resulting time-varying optimization problem. Running at the edge of an overlay network, a set of control laws selected from this family enables class-of-service-based multi-path load balancing and/or rate adaptation to respond to network congestion and link failures. The only nonlocal information needed as input to the control laws is whether an overlay link is congested/broken or not, which, however, can be inferred by the overlay nodes themselves. This makes the family of control laws highly scalable and particularly viable to serve as the theoretical underpinning for the development of distributed traffic control protocols in overlay networks.
Making Multiple Uses of the Obscura 1C Digital Camera: Reflecting on the Design, Production, Packaging and Distribution of a Counterfunctional Device

This paper describes and explains details of the design, production and packaging of a counterfunctional device: The Obscura 1C Digital Camera. We further describe a small-scale distribution of Obscura 1C packages into everyday contexts. The paper then reflects on the various types of conceptual, imaginary and firsthand uses made of the Obscura 1C. These include its uses for everyday audiences as a unique camera and as a conceptually usable device. But we also prioritize uses particular to the HCI and design audience. These include using the Obscura 1C to articulate the concepts of inhibitive interfaces, counterfunctionality, and enabling limitations. The Obscura 1C is further used to articulate how abstract ideas can be translated into material forms, to rethink the role of packaging in user studies, and to draw attention to how discursive design objects are packaged and presented.
Pyrosequencing Assessment of Soil Microbial Communities in Organic and Conventional Potato Farms

Organic farming is frequently touted as being beneficial to soil health by increasing microbial community diversity; however, contradictory results exist in the literature. In this study, we compared several organic and conventional potato farms in Colorado for differences in soil nutrients and microbial communities using 454 pyrosequencing of the 18S ribosomal RNA gene. Organic farms showed a slightly higher diversity and evenness within the microbial community compared with conventional farms. No difference in the number of observed or estimated total operational taxonomic units (OTUs) was observed between management strategies. However, the relative abundance of 16 OTUs (3% genetic distance) differed between the organic and conventional farms, with seven increasing and nine decreasing in organic farms. A variety of known potato fungal pathogens (e.g., Alternaria spp., Ulocladium spp., and Pythium ultimum) were detected in the soil, including three different OTUs (3% genetic distance) with a high homology to the early blight pathogen Alternaria solani. Relative abundance for Alternaria spp. was higher in conventional farms (relative abundance 30.15 versus 7.8%), whereas the relative abundance for P. ultimum was higher in organic farms (relative abundance 0.25 versus 0.05%). Quantitative polymerase chain reaction, using primers specific for A. solani, Phoma foveata, and Pythium ultimum, yielded similar results to the pyrosequencing, validating the use of pyrosequencing data for the quantification of OTU relative abundances.
High-Resolution Infrared Imaging of the Compact Nuclear Source in NGC 4258

We present high-resolution imaging of the nucleus of NGC 4258 from 1 to 18 μm. Our observations reveal that the previously discovered compact source of emission is unresolved even at the near-infrared resolution of ~0.”2 FWHM, which corresponds to about 7 pc at the distance of the galaxy. This is consistent with the source of emission being the region in the neighborhood of the purported 3.5 × 10^7 M☉ black hole. After correcting for about 18 mag of visual extinction, the infrared data are consistent with an F_ν ∝ ν^(-1.4±0.1) spectrum from 1.1 to 18 μm, implying a nonthermal origin. Based on this spectrum, the total extinction-corrected infrared luminosity (1-20 μm) of the central source is 2 × 10^8 L☉. We argue that the infrared spectrum and luminosity of the central source obviates the need for a substantial contribution from a standard, thin accretion disk at these wavelengths and calculate the accretion rate through an advection-dominated accretion flow to be M ~ 10^(-3) M☉ yr^(-1). The agreement between these observations and the theoretical spectral energy distribution for advection-dominated flows provides evidence for the existence of an advection-dominated flow in this low-luminosity active galactic nucleus.
The regeneration of electroreceptors in Kryptopterus.

The regeneration of ampullary electroreceptors was studied in the living catfish, Kryptopterus, by differential interference contrast optics. Electroreceptors in this transparent catfish are found, among other places, along the proximal portion of each anal fin ray, while the distal portion does not contain electroreceptors. Upon interruption of the sensory innervation, the electroreceptors disappear but regenerate when the skin is reinnervated. In this study, we tested the role of the skin and nerve in receptor regeneration with the following two experiments. First, a plug of fin containing electroreceptors was removed to determine whether electroreceptors could form in regenerated skin after the complete removal of all of the receptors within an interradial zone of the anal fin. Second, a portion of anal fin that contained electroreceptors was excised and a graft of electro receptor-free (EF) fin was sutured in its place to determine whether epidermis that does not normally contain these receptors can be induced to form them. These grafts were compared to control grafts taken from proximal electroreceptor-containing (EC) fin. By 2 weeks following surgery, receptors were found in regenerated fin tissue and within the EC grafts. Electroreceptors also formed within most of the EF grafts. As electroreceptor regeneration does not require the presence of degenerated organs, and as electroreceptors can form in fin that normally does hot contain receptors, we suggest that the formation of electroreceptors does not require old target sites and that epidermal cells can be induced to form receptors upon contact by regenerating axons. We discuss as well the factors that influence the pattern of receptor reappearance.
Quantum effects upon drain current in a biased MOSFET

In the past, classical device simulators have been modified to incorporate quantum effects using a quantum mechanical (QM) threshold-shift correction. In this way, it is hoped to retain accuracy without greatly complicating the simulation by incorporation of a coupled Schrodinger equation solver. In this work, the accuracy of this approach is checked for some specific examples. The drain current of heavily doped MOSFETs is found using a one-dimensional (1-D) Schrodinger-Poisson solver combined with a gradual channel model. Numerical results are compared to classical calculations augmented by the commonly proposed channel-current invariant QM threshold correction. Comparison of the two /spl radic/I/sub d(sat)/ versus V/sub GS/ curves shows the same threshold shifts, but different slopes. The slope discrepancies are independent of substrate doping, and are largest for thin oxides. These differences are shown to be due to QM effects upon the surface potential gradient, a variation neglected in previous studies. To simplify device simulations, two simple quantum-effect corrections are proposed that show a great improvement in accuracy when compared to the earlier QM correction based on a channel-current invariant V/sub G/-shift.
An inconvenient truth: recognizing individual differences in arteriogenesis.

See related article, pages 1286–1294 In his essay entitled The Uniqueness of the Individual , published in 1957, the Nobel Laureate Peter Medawar described how the tremendous genetic diversity of individuals within a species enables the species as a whole to survive.1 At same time, his essay highlights that individual genetic diversity also poses a major challenge for the medical profession when trying to treat individuals. Although Medawar focused on genetic immunologic diversity in the context of immunologic tolerance to enable therapeutic transplantation of tissues and organs, the basic concept of diversity being a major benefit as well as a challenge is applicable to all aspects of human existence, from artistic creativity to social structures. In medicine, the recognition of the importance of individual diversity is common-place and has been incorporated into the day-to-day practice in the field of transplantation medicine and immunology. More recently, it is gaining recognition and acceptance in other fields of medicine as well and has given rise to the concepts of pharmacogenomics and individualized medicine, in which medical therapies would be tailored to the specific gene expression and drug-response profile of the individual patient.2 Genetic profiling of patients is rarely performed in the practice of cardiovascular medicine, but data are emerging that, for example, patients may differ in their responses to drugs such as aspirin, although there is significant controversy in this area.3 Even in emerging cardiovascular therapeutic approaches, such as those directed at enhancing blood vessel growth, there is a lack of standard patient profiling and individualizing therapies. One major reason is that many underlying mechanisms of blood vessel growth and interindividual differences in blood vessel growth are still …
Effect of estrone treatment from day 30 to 45 of pregnancy on endometrial protein secretion and uterine capacity.

Secretion of proteins by the en- dometrium of pigs during pregnancy is reported to be influenced by progesterone and estrogen. The effect of estrone treatment from d 30 to 45 of pregnancy on endometrial protein secretion and uterine capacity was tested in unilaterally hysterectomized-ovariec- tomized (UHO) gilts. Ten intact and 16 UHO crossbred gilts were mated and assigned to the following treatments: 1) intact controls, n = 10; 2) UHO, n = 8; and 3) UHO + estrone (E; two 150-mg implants, 60-d release, implanted on d 30 of gestation), n = 8. Gilts were killed on d 45 of pregnancy. A sample of allantoic fluid was collected from each conceptus. Blood and endometrial tissue samples were collected to evaluate estrone concentra- tions, and placental and endometrial tissues were incubated to evaluate protein secretion. Estrone treat- ment increased (P < .01) plasma and endometrial
Characterization of fish oil in water emulsion produced by layer by layer deposition of soy β-conglycinin and high methoxyl pectin

Abstract In this study we employed a layer-by-layer (LbL) deposition technique to produce fish oil in water emulsions encapsulated with a positively charged inner soy β-conglycinin (7S) layer by high shear mixing followed by deposition of a negatively charged outer high methoxyl pectin (HMP) layer using either high shear mixing or homogenization (500 or 3000 psi) and compared them with emulsions produced by 7S-HMP complex. The size, shape, morphology and wall structure of emulsion droplets were characterized by dynamic light scattering and microscopy. Emulsion produced by high shear mixing only were unstable with a droplet size of 7.48 μm. Stable emulsions were produced by high shear mixing followed by homogenization at 500 psi with significantly lower droplet size (3 μm) and uniform two layer shell thickness (80–170 nm) around the drops. The two layer shell thickness of emulsion drops produced by homogenization at 3000 psi was non uniform although it exhibited good long term storage stability. More diffuse distribution of 7S was observed in the adsorbed layer of emulsion droplets that were produced by 7S-HMP complex compared to LbL with a higher layer thickness and a lower ζ potential for the former thereby indicating a difference in morphology of adsorbed layers in the two cases. The results of this investigation seem to indicate that the mechanism of emulsion formation in the second homogenization step is closer to layer by layer deposition than stabilization by 7S-HMP complex and demonstrated a new method of LbL to utilize 7S as an emulsifier.
Insects of Bur Oak Acorns

During 1961–1969, the insects found damaging acorns of bur oak, Quercus macrocarpa Michauxii, in their order of importance were the weevils: Curculio pardalis (Chittenden), C. strictus (Casey), C. sulcatulus (Casey), C. iowensis (Casey), C. proboscideus F., C. confusor (Hamilton), Conotrachelus naso LeConte , and C. posticatus Boheman; and the moth: Melissopus latiferreanus (Walsingham).
Familiarity and Expertise in the Recognition of Vehicles from an Unmanned Ground Vehicle

The purpose of this study was to examine the role of familiarity and expertise in remote perception from unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs). Fifty-two volunteers, of whom 23 were Army ROTC cadets, participated. They were first asked to identify vehicles on a written test, and scores from the test were used to predict the amount of information reported from a video recording, captured from a UGV camera, in a scaled MOUT facility. ROTC cadets are compared with the general subject pool in order to explore differences between civilian and military vehicle recognition. Results from a written vehicle recognition test indicate that all participants were most familiar with civilian vehicles and ROTC cadets were more familiar with military vehicles than the general population. Regression analyses revealed that both ROTC experience and vehicle familiarity were predictive of the amount of information correctly reported from the UGV camera video. We believe that training for expertise and motivation should be considered...
Invasive Micropapillary Carcinoma: A Subtype of Colon Cancer Overexpressing VEGF

Invasive micropapillary carcinoma (IMPC) has been described as a variant of colorectal cancer (CRC) with poorer prognosis. IMPC exhibits micropapillae surrounded by lacunar-like clear spaces. A question about the histology of these lesions is whether the lacunar-like spaces are vascular structures or retraction artifacts. Herein we describe the histopathologic features of a group of 18 CRC-IMPCs, and we investigate their …
Association of β2-microglobulin with the α3 domain of H-2Db heavy chain

MHC class I molecules are heterotrimeric complexes composed of heavy chain, beta2-microglobulin (beta2m) and short peptide. This trimeric complex is generated in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), where a peptide loading complex (PLC) facilitates transport from the cytosol and binding of the peptide to the preassembled ER resident heavy chain/beta2m dimers. Association of mouse MHC class I heavy chain with beta2m is characterized by allelic differences in the number and/or positions of amino acid interactions. It is unclear, however, whether all alleles follow common binding patterns with minimal contributions by allele-specific contacts, or whether essential contacts with beta2m are different for each allele. While searching for the PLC binding site in the alpha3 domain of the mouse MHC class I molecule H-2Db, we unexpectedly discovered a site critical for binding mouse, but not human, beta2m. Interestingly, amino acids in the corresponding region of another MHC class I heavy chain allele do not make contacts with the mouse beta2m. Thus, there are allelic differences in the modes of binding of beta2m to the heavy chain of MHC class I.
Biexcitons in phthalocyanine thin films

Advances in organic molecular beam epitaxy techniques1 have made it possible to investigate the nonlinear optical properties of ordered organic supramolecular assemblies. The epitaxial thin films have optical absorptions that are much narrower than polycrystalline absorptions. Central questions that need to be resolved in this context are the nature of intermolecular interactions and whether or not the nonlinear optical properties are determined by the molecular hyperpolarizabilities alone.
Language Planning and Ideology in Colonial Africa

This chapter considers colonial language ideologies in Africa. It starts with a review of theoretical approaches to colonial language ideologies. Next, it discusses the roots and implementation of these ideologies, and investigates how colonial authorities, particularly the Belgians, British, French, Portuguese, and Spanish, responded to the language question in the African territories they conquered. In conclusion, this chapter considers the legacy of colonial language ideologies in Africa and the next chapter discusses how that legacy continues to impact language policy decision-making in postcolonial Africa.
Mating and piercing micromechanical structures for surface bonding applications

The authors have developed two types of micromechanical structures, using silicon micromachining techniques, which act as mechanical adhesives. Arrays of structures are fabricated on standard silicon wafers, with an areal density of approximately 200000 per cm/sup 2/, resulting in very strong bonds. Individual components are 4-18 mu m wide, and 4-15 mu m high above the substrate. Mating structures, which interlock with themselves, and piercing structures, which interlock with biological tissues, have been fabricated and tested. The mechanical behavior of this micromechanical velcro is in approximate agreement with the calculated strength. >
Effects of repeated pup exposure on behavioral, neural, and adrenocortical responses to pups in male California mice (Peromyscus californicus)

In biparental mammals, the factors facilitating the onset of male parental behavior are not well understood. While hormonal changes in fathers may play a role, prior experience with pups has also been implicated. We evaluated effects of prior exposure to pups on paternal responsiveness in the biparental California mouse (Peromyscus californicus). We analyzed behavioral, neural, and corticosterone responses to pups in adult virgin males that were interacting with a pup for the first time, adult virgin males that had been exposed to pups 3 times for 20min each in the previous week, and new fathers. Control groups of virgins were similarly tested with a novel object (marble). Previous exposure to pups decreased virgins' latency to approach pups and initiate paternal care, and increased time spent in paternal care. Responses to pups did not differ between virgins with repeated exposure to pups and new fathers. In contrast, repeated exposure to a marble had no effects. Neither basal corticosterone levels nor corticosterone levels following acute pup or marble exposure differed among groups. Finally, Fos expression in the medial preoptic area, ventral and dorsal bed nucleus of the stria terminalis was higher following exposure to a pup than to a marble. Fos expression was not, however, affected by previous exposure to these stimuli. These results suggest that previous experience with pups can facilitate the onset of parental behavior in male California mice, similar to findings in female rodents, and that this effect is not associated with a general reduction in neophobia.
Could smart growth lower the operational energy of water supply? A scenario analysis in Tampa, Florida, USA

Abstract Cities are coming under increasing pressure to minimize energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. Consequently, drinking water utilities must improve the efficiency of their management systems while guaranteeing a clean effluent that satisfies drinking water standards. One possible solution is via smart growth, an urban development paradigm with the goal of reducing the environmental impact of urbanization. Therefore, this study aims to determine the effect of smart growth on the operational energy of drinking water distribution. Projected water use in Tampa’s drinking water service area was estimated based on several urban growth projections. Then, each scenario’s associated projected water consumption is integrated in an EPANET simulation of Tampa’s water distribution system for the subsequent estimation of the operational energies of drinking water distribution. Results show that smart growth has no exclusive influence on the operational energy of water supply. However, location of added demand relative to the location of the water treatment plant has more of an influence on the operational energy. Also, smart growth in the City of Tampa Water Service Area is responsible for a decrease in per-capita residential water and energy use of about 6–10% and 0.5–6.2% respectively. In conclusion, smart growth in areas near the water treatment facility may minimize water-related energy use.
Bisphenol A (BPA) aggravates multiple low-dose streptozotocin-induced Type 1 diabetes in C57BL/6 mice

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a T-cell-mediated autoimmune disorder characterized by destruction of insulin-producing pancreatic β-cells. Whereas epidemiological data implicate environmental factors in the increasing incidence of T1D, their identity remains unknown. Though exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) has been associated with several disorders, no epidemiologic evidence has linked BPA exposure and T1D. The goal of this study was to elucidate diabetogenic potentials of BPA and underlying mechanisms in the context of T-cell immunity, in a multiple low-dose streptozotocin (MLDSTZ)-induced autoimmune mouse T1D model. C57BL/6 mice were orally exposed to 1 or 10 mg BPA/L starting at 4 wk of age; diabetes was induced at 9 wk of age with STZ. T-cell composition, function, and insulitis levels were studied at Days 11 and 50 during diabetes development (i.e. post-first STZ injection). Results showed both BPA doses increased diabetes incidence and affected T-cell immunity. However, mechanisms of diabetogenic action appeared divergent based on dose. Low-dose BPA fits a profile of an agent that exhibits pro-diabetogenic effects via T-cell immunomodulation in the early stages of disease development, i.e. decreases in splenic T-cell subpopulations [especially CD4+ T-cells] along with a trend in elevation of splenic T-cell formation of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-6). In contrast, high-dose BPA did not affect T-cell populations and led to decreased levels of IFN-γ and TNF-α. Both treatments did not affect insulitis levels at the disease early stage, but aggravated it later on. By the study end, besides decreasing T-cell proliferative capacity, low-dose BPA did not affect other T-cell-related parameters, including cytokine secretion, comparable to the effects of high-dose BPA. In conclusion, this study confirmed BPA as a potential diabetogenic compound with immunomodulatory mechanisms of action - in the context of T-cell immunity - that seemed to be dose dependent in the early immunopathogenesis of a MLDSTZ-induced model of T1D.
Advances in the delivery of buprenorphine for opioid dependence

Opioid use disorders (OUDs) have long been a global problem, but the prevalence rates have increased over 20 years to epidemic proportions in the US, with concomitant increases in morbidity and all-cause mortality, but especially opioid overdose. These increases are in part attributable to a several-fold expansion in the prescription of opioid pain medications over the same time period. Opioid detoxification and psychosocial treatments alone have each not yielded sufficient efficacy for OUD, but μ-opioid receptor agonist, partial agonist, and antagonist medications have demonstrated the greatest overall benefit in OUD treatment. Buprenorphine, a μ-opioid receptor partial agonist, has been used successfully on an international basis for several decades in sublingual tablet and film preparations for the treatment of OUD, but the nature of formulation, which is typically self-administered, renders it susceptible to nonadherence, diversion, and accidental exposure. This article reviews the clinical trial data for novel buprenorphine delivery systems in the form of subcutaneous depot injections, transdermal patches, and subdermal implants for the treatment of OUD and discusses both the clinical efficacy of longer-acting formulations through increasing consistent medication exposure and their potential utility in reducing diversion. These new delivery systems also offer new dosing opportunities for buprenorphine and strategies for dosing intervals in the treatment of OUD.
“Road Map” to Improving Enrollment in Cardiac Rehabilitation: Identifying Barriers and Evaluating Alternatives

Comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a multifaceted intervention associated with reductions in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality after acute myocardial infarction, percutaneous coronary intervention, and coronary artery bypass grafting.[1][1], [2][2], [3][3] The association of CR with
Recent advances in plant and animal genomics are taking agriculture to new heights.

A report on the International Plant and Animal Genomes (PAG) conference held in San Diego, USA, 13–17 January 2018.
Enzymes in Sarcoidosis: Angiotensin-Converting-Enzyme (ACE)

Measurement of serum angiotensin-converting-enzyme (SACE) is the most useful test for diagnosing and monitoring disease activity in sarcoidosis. Because elevated levels of SACE are not specific for sarcoidosis, other conditions in which SACE levels are also elevated are examined.
How Can Foods, Additives, and Drugs Affect the Patient With Asthma?

Foods Food-induced asthma is uncommon but especially worth considering in patients with atopic dermatitis and moderate to severe asthma. The key to diagnosing food-induced asthma is not the history but a double-blind, placebocontrolled challenge with spirometry pre- and postchallenge. An important condition in the differential diagnosis of isolated food-induced asthma is systemic food allergy with asthma as one part of the symptom complex. Epinephrine by self-injection is the preferred treatment in this case.
The Rochester Adaptive Behavior Inventory: A Parallel Series of Instruments for Assessing Social Competence during Early and Middle Childhood and Adolescence

Garmezy (1970) and Jones (1973) have stressed the importance of developing age-appropriate measures of social competence throughout the childhood years and of relating these measures to behavioral and psychiatric outcomes of interest. Immediate objectives of such research would be both to provide predictors of poor psychiatric outcomes in order to identify children at “high-risk” for adaptive failure and to guide efforts aimed at early remediation and prevention by pinpointing specific deficit areas.
Perspectives on Health-Care Resource Management Problems

Research devoted to health-care applications has grown increasingly within operations research over the past 30 years, with over 200 presentations at the 2008 INFORMS conference. Resource management is of particular importance within healthcare because of the system’s unique objectives and challenges. We provide a perspective of the current health-care literature, focusing on recent papers in planning and scheduling and reviewing them along four dimensions: (1) who or what is being scheduled, (2) the time horizon of the scheduling or planning, (3) the level of uncertainty inherent in the planning, and (4) the decision criteria. With this perspective on the literature we observe that the problems at the extreme ends of the time dimension deserve more attention: long-term planning/slash staffing and real-time task assignment.
Friction in Machines

In servo controlled machines friction has an impact on the system dynamics in all regimes of operation. Friction, while bemoaned, serves to provide damping at all frequencies, notably those above the bandwidth of control. At the upper limits of performance, friction will affect the design of time optimal control and determine the limits of speed and power. Across the performance spectrum friction contributes to the dynamics. Indeed, in some mechanisms friction may dominate the forces of motion. To accurately design compensation, friction must be modeled.
Respect for the Reader.

In preparation for writing this editorial, I re-read the statements about The Journal that appear on pages ii–iii of each issue. On those pages, we define the mission of The Journal , give practical information about the sections of The Journal , and prescribe almost two pages of specific
Complete Genome Assembly of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis IP2666pIB1

Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, closely related to Yersinia pestis, is a human pathogen and model organism for studying bacterial pathogenesis. To aid in genomic analysis and understanding bacterial virulence, we sequenced and assembled the complete genome of the human pathogen Yersinia pseudotuberculosis IP2666pIB1.
Links between intellectual humility and acquiring knowledge

Five studies (N = 1,189) examined how intellectual humility (IH) relates to acquiring knowledge (learning). IH was associated with more general knowledge, but was unrelated to cognitive ability, an...
Chapter 5: Exploring a Conative Perspective on Mathematical Engagement

Mathematical engagement is a complex, multidimensional, and dynamic construct. It involves giving attention to one or more objects of engagement – e.g. a mathematical concept, a problem to solve, a situation to be modeled, and/or a person or group in the immediate environment. For a student, engagement often entails social interactions with a teacher, a parent, a tutor, or peers. Sometimes it is characterized as involving interacting cognitive, affective, and behavioral aspects (although these do not constitute distinct types of engagement). This chapter explores briefly another of its dimensions – the conative, which encompasses individuals’ experienced needs, goals, desires, and meaningful purposes, and how these are (or are not) fulfilled. Relationships among mathematical engagement, fundamental human needs, conative feelings, motivating desires, and engagement structures are discussed. Then I outline a possible model describing students’ in-the-moment mathematical engagement during challenging classroom activity such as mathematical modeling. The crucial question for educators becomes how immediate mathematical experiences can meet fundamental, universal needs. This points toward ways of removing barriers to motivation and productive engagement associated specifically with mathematics.
Environmental noise and sleep and mental health outcomes in a nationally representative sample of urban US adolescents.

Background Environmental noise has been linked to negative health outcomes, like poor sleep, poor mental health, and cardiovascular disease, and likely accounts for more than 1 million disability-adjusted life years annually in Western Europe. Adolescence may be a particularly sensitive period for noise exposure due to an increased need for sleep, failure to meet sleep guidelines, and increased risk for first onset of some mental health disorders. However, the potential health effects of living in high-noise environments have not been studied in US adolescents, rarely in European adolescents, and mental health outcomes studied have not corresponded to diagnoses from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). Methods Using a US-based nationally representative survey of urban adolescents (N = 4,508), we estimated associations of day-night average sound levels exceeding the US Environmental Protection Agency's 55 decibel limit with sleep outcomes and lifetime mental health DSM diagnoses. We implemented doubly robust targeted minimum loss-based estimation coupled with propensity score matching to account for numerous potential adolescent, household, and environmental confounders. Results Living in a high- versus low-noise Census block group was associated with later bedtimes on weeknights (0.48 hours, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -0.15, 1.12) and weekend nights (0.65 hours, 95% CI = 0.37, 0.93), but not with total hours slept. Associations between living in a high- versus low-noise Census block group and mental disorders were mixed, with wide CIs, and not robust to sensitivity analyses. Conclusions We find evidence for an association between residence in a high-noise area and later bedtimes among urban adolescents but no consistent evidence of such an association with mental health disorders.
Plasma lipocalin-2 levels in the preclinical stage of Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract Introduction Lipocalin-2 is an acute-phase protein with pleotropic functions that has been implicated in several diseases including Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, it is unknown if circulating lipocalin-2 levels are altered in the preclinical stage of AD, where AD pathology has accumulated but cognition remains relatively intact. Methods In this cross-sectional study, we used an immunoassay to measure plasma lipocalin-2 levels in cognitively normal (Clinical Dementia Rating 0) elderly individuals. 38 of 156 subjects were classified as preclinical AD by cerebrospinal fluid criteria. Results Plasma lipocalin-2 levels were higher in preclinical AD compared with control subjects and associated with cerebrospinal fluid amyloid-beta42 levels but not cerebrospinal fluid tau or phosphorylated-tau181 levels. Exploratory analyses revealed that plasma lipocalin-2 was associated with executive function but not episodic memory. Discussion Collectively, these results raise the possibility that circulating lipocalin-2 is involved early in AD pathogenesis and may represent an early blood biomarker of amyloid-beta pathology.
An interdisciplinary approach to teaching a computer ethics course

In this integrative teaching and learning effort, students from Introduction to Sociology (SO 100) and Technology, Public Policy and Urban Society (UR 230) were brought together to learn from each other and to share ideas. As a social science, sociologists typically stay away from ethical issues. Likewise, computer scientists are not typically exposed to sociological theory. Through this project, faculty and student learning was enhanced by applying diverse perspectives to the understanding of the impact of social media on society. The authors worked together to develop the project and the students from each course had the opportunity to learn together --- through participation in a film viewing event and a follow-up virtual discussion/analysis of the role of social media in society. Students had the opportunity to make connections not only between the two courses, but also how what is being learned in the classroom fits into a broader scope of learning.
RKIP a master of regulatory pathways: Perspectives

Abstract The RAF kinase inhibitory protein (RKIP) is a member of the phosphatidyl ethanolamine-binding protein family that has a central role in several protein kinase signaling cascades. RKIP is expressed in a variety of different mammalian species and its expression is associated with an increasing number of diseases that appear to have inflammation as an underlying tone. This brief perspective evaluates the role of RKIP in cancer; highlighting some it’s relevant molecular targets and its pharmacological targeting. The role of RKIP in other conditions such as heart failure, diabetes, asthma, and Alzheimer’s disease are also briefly highlighted.
Public engagement and education: developing and fostering stewardship for an archaeological future: edited by Erdman, Katherine M., New York, Berghahn Books, 2019, 286 pp., 40 illus., bibliog., index, ISBN 978-1-78920-144-4 $135.00

Public Engagement and Education: Developing and Fostering Stewardship for an Archaeological Future is a welcome addition to the literature concerning public/community archaeology within the United ...