cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interleukin-10 modulates proinflammatory cytokines in the human monocytic cell line THP-1 stimulated with Borrelia burgdorferi lipoproteins.

We determined previously that lipoproteins of Borrelia burgdorferi stimulate inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-10 [IL-10]) in monocytes. IL-10 could have an effect on innate and acquired immune responses to B. burgdorferi and influence the magnitude of the infectious inoculum and disease outcome. To understand the mechanism(s) of IL-10 action during early infection, when innate immunity expressed chiefly by skin macrophages is key, we investigated the effect of exogenous and endogenous IL-10 on the production of the macrophage-derived cytokines IL-6, IL-1β, IL-12, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). We used the THP-1 human monocytic cell line and recombinant lipidated OspA (L-OspA) as the model target cell and stimulant, respectively. To determine the kinetics of cytokine production by THP-1 cells, we stimulated them with L-OspA and also with heat-killed B. burgdorferi cells (HBb) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Exogenous IL-10 dampened production of inflammatory cytokines, as elicited by lipoproteins. The inhibition of endogenous IL-10 function by anti-IL-10 antibody reduced the production of IL-12 and IL-6 but not that of IL-1β and TNF-α. An inspection of the kinetics of cytokine production clarified this finding. TNF-α was produced prior to, and IL-β was produced at the same time as, IL-10, whereas IL-6 and IL-12 were produced later. HBb, LPS, and L-OspA yielded similar kinetics of cytokine production. This result reinforces the notion that lipoproteins are the functional molecules in HBb and perhaps in vivo. It indicates also that signaling pathways utilized by LPS and lipoproteins may be extensively shared. The results are consistent with a major role played by IL-10 in controlling the initial phase of infection with this spirochete.
Optical Engineering Education at Carnegie-Mellon University

Although Carnegie-Mellon University (CMU) is a mediumsized, highly engineering-oriented school, it has achieved international stature in selected areas of optics education and research. This paper reviews the graduate education programs in optics at CMU, together with the available course offerings and the research and emerging multidisciplinary optics-oriented activities.
The performance of the least mean squares algorithm combined with spatial smoothing

Many practical signal environments involve correlation between desired and undesired signals, causing narrowband adaptive array beamformers to exhibit signal cancellation. Spatial smoothing is a technique that can perform beamforming in such environments. This method can be incorporated into an adaptive algorithm, such as least mean squares (LMS), possibly altering the well-known performance characteristics of the algorithm. We discuss methods for combining spatial smoothing with the LMS algorithm in an array with a generalized side-lobe canceler (GSC) structure. The first of these methods is an electronic version of mechanically dithering the array. We show that this well-known method obeys a set of nonhomogeneous dynamical equations, resulting in a limit cycle that increases the misadjustment of the algorithm. The previously reported parallel spatial processing algorithm is also shown to have this increased misadjustment. We then introduce two methods that do not suffer from this misadjustment increase. We compare the methods' computational complexity and performance, in terms of stability and steady-state behavior, including weight misadjustment, GSC output power, and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). In conclusion, we find that the limit cycle of the first method can be avoided without any increase in complexity by using one of the new methods.
Enhancement of Catalytic Activities of Octahedral Molecular Sieve Manganese Oxide for Total and Preferential CO Oxidation through Vanadium Ion Framework Substitution

High-valent vanadium ions were substituted into the synthetic cryptomelane manganese oxide (K-OMS-2) framework through a simple and low-cost reflux method and investigated for total and preferential catalytic oxidation of carbon monoxide. Substitutional doping of V5+ resulted in materials with modified composition, morphology, thermal stability; and textural, redox, and catalytic properties. The catalytic activity increased with V concentration until an optimum amount (≈10 % V incorporated) was reached, beyond that a structural “crash point” was observed, resulting in a material with low crystallinity, nanosphere morphology, and reduced catalytic activity. An increase in O2 concentration in the feed gas resulted in an increase in conversion over 10% V K-OMS-2. This most active catalyst was deactivated by moisture only at low temperatures and showed better tolerance than undoped K-OMS-2. This catalyst also preferentially oxidized CO to CO2 from 25 °C to 120 °C in large amounts of H2 under dry conditions, without significantly affecting CO conversion. The doped catalyst also showed stable activity and selectivity in long-run experiments. The mobility and lability of surface oxygen, formation of hydroxyl groups, and enhanced surface redox properties promoted by V doping were strongly correlated with the enhancement of catalytic activities of K-OMS-2 nanomaterials.
Temperature Effects on the Design of Enzyme Reactors

Operation of enzyme reactors may be improved by use of the proper temperature operating policy. For the endothermic reversible isomerization of D-glucose to D-fructose, via glucose isomerase, optimal policy suggests operation at as high a temperature as possible to enhance both equilibrium conversion and rate of reaction. Conversely, when the temperature exceeds a certain level, enzyme denaturation and consequently a diminished rate of reaction occurs. These factors suggest that optimal operation of enzyme reactors could be of major importance to improve the process economics. The optimal temperature policy for the above reaction system in a batch or plug flow reactor can be formulated using the calculus of variations. The results indicate that under similar conditions 10% less deactivation occurs by the proposed temperature control method than by use of the optimum isothermal temperature.
The Defining Ingredient: Transformative Mediation Ideology in Parenting Coordination Practice

The ethics, appropriateness and efficacy of med/arb as a hybrid dispute resolution process remains a hotly debated topic among dispute resolution scholars and commentators. However, the import of incorporating a specific mediation ideology in any hybrid dispute resolution process such as med/arb has been conspicuously absent from this important discussion. This chapter posits that the selection of mediation ideology in a hybrid dispute resolution process is a defining choice that shapes the quality of the entire dispute resolution process. Moreover, the selection or failure to make a selection about mediation ideology has philosophical, practice and political implications. As an illustration, the author discusses the ethical, design and practice issues that emerge when selecting a transformative mediation ideology as part of a parenting coordination practice, a med/arb dispute resolution for high conflict families. The author concludes by extrapolating considerations for designers and users of hybrid dispute resolution processes.
Robust Classification of Small-Molecule Mechanism of Action Using a Minimalist High-Content Microscopy Screen and Multidimensional Phenotypic Trajectory Analysis.

Phenotypic screening through high-content automated microscopy is a powerful tool for evaluating the mechanism of action of candidate therapeutics. Despite more than a decade of development, however, high content assays have yielded mixed results, identifying robust phenotypes in only a small subset of compound classes. This has led to a combinatorial explosion of assay techniques, analyzing cellular phenotypes across dozens of assays with hundreds of measurements. Here, using a minimalist three-stain assay and only 23 basic cellular measurements, we developed an analytical approach that leverages informative dimensions extracted by linear discriminant analysis to evaluate similarity between the phenotypic trajectories of different compounds in response to a range of doses. This method enabled us to visualize biologically-interpretable phenotypic tracks populated by compounds of similar mechanism of action, cluster compounds according to phenotypic similarity, and classify novel compounds by comparing them to phenotypically active exemplars. Hierarchical clustering applied to 154 compounds from over a dozen different mechanistic classes demonstrated tight agreement with published compound mechanism classification. Using 11 phenotypically active mechanism classes, classification was performed on all 154 compounds: 78% were correctly identified as belonging to one of the 11 exemplar classes or to a different unspecified class, with accuracy increasing to 89% when less phenotypically active compounds were excluded. Importantly, several apparent clustering and classification failures, including rigosertib and 5-fluoro-2’-deoxycytidine, instead revealed more complex mechanisms or off-target effects verified by more recent publications. These results show that a simple, easily replicated, minimalist high-content assay can reveal subtle variations in the cellular phenotype induced by compounds and can correctly predict mechanism of action, as long as the appropriate analytical tools are used.
Predicting Change in Physical Activity: a Longitudinal Investigation Among Weight-Concerned College Women

Engaging in regular physical activity (PA) is critical for health, and adopting a consistent PA routine early in life is associated with greater PA over the lifespan. College women with weight concerns are at risk for weight gain, which may be prevented with regular PA. However, little is known about changes in PA engagement in this at-risk group. Using an outcome expectancy framework, this study used a prospective longitudinal design to examine changes in PA during the first 2 years of college. We tested for concurrent and prospective within-person relations between body satisfaction/perceived eating behavior and PA to determine when weight-concerned college women may increase or decrease PA. Women who reported weight concerns at the start of college (n = 294) completed five assessments over 2 years, including measured weight, body/eating experiences, and 4 days of pedometer steps (per assessment). Multilevel models addressed the resulting nested data structure (days within assessments within participants). Over 2 years, within-person change accounted for 65 % of PA variability (ICC = 0.35). PA was greatest at (and subsequent to) times when body satisfaction was lower, and when disinhibited eating and hedonic hunger were higher, than an individual’s average (ps < 0.05). These changes were associated with 1–3 % of the recommended daily step totals. Weight-conscious college women show greater PA after negative eating and weight experiences. As these experiences change over time, health promotion efforts should help college women identify alternative, positive motivators for PA, which could facilitate consistent PA engagement.
Old issues in new editions

Three influential books owed their original inspiration to the wartime use of the atomic bomb, and their reissue to a renewal of the concerns that prompted their writing.
Investigation of correlation characteristics for random array collaborative beamforming using noise signals

The performance of different random array geometries is analyzed and compared. Three phased array geometries are considered: linear arrays with non-uniform randomized spacing between elements, circular arrays with non-uniform element radii, and ad hoc sensor networks with elements located randomly within a circular area. For each of these array geometries, computer simulations modeled the transmission, reflection from an arbitrary target, and reception of signals. The effectiveness of each array’s beamforming techniques was measured by taking the peak cross-correlation between the received signal and a time-delayed replica of the original transmitted signal. For each array type, the correlation performance was obtained for transmission and reception of both chirp waveforms and ultra-wideband noise signals. It was found that the non-uniform linear array generally produced the highest correlation between transmitted and reflected signals. The non-uniform circular and ad hoc arrays demonstrated the most consistent performance with respect to noise signal bandwidth. The effect of scan angle was found to have a significant impact on the correlation performance of the linear arrays, where the correlation performance declines as the scan angle moves away from broadside to the array.
Development of a Metals Toxicity Protocol for Biosolids

Sixty percent of all wastewater treatment biosolids are recycled, compared to 30% in 1990. Environmental biosolids management systems are now commonly implemented for municipalities. The promotion of beneficial use of biosolids has transformed our historic view of processed wastewater treatment residuals. Instead of wastes requiring disposal, we now view biosolids as valuable manufactured products. Land application of biosolids has proven to be beneficial because organic matter and nutrients can be used effectively for enhancement of agricultural crop production. There is concern, however, about the potential for degradation of soil quality. Although thorough investigations of potential risk from biosolids have generally indicated that land application does not threaten human or ecosystem health, questions continue to arise concerning the safety of biosolids recycling. This project was initiated to evaluate the toxicity resulting from the amendment of soils with biosolids from municipal wastewater treatment. Toxicity was evaluated using standard tests including earthworm mortality, growth, and reproduction; seedling germination and root elongation; microbial respiration; and nematode mortality/reproduction. In addition, chemical lability tests for metals were employed including water soluble, exchangeable, and metals extractable by the physiologically based extraction test (PBET). This title belongs to WERF Research Report Series ISBN: 9781843396895 (eBook)
[A serum-epidemiological study on Anaplasma phagocytophila in the Wuyishan forest area in Fujian].

人粒细胞无形体引起的人粒细胞无形体病(humangranulocytic anaplasmosis)是发现于20世纪90年代的一种新发传染病.按最新的分类标准[1],无形体属立克次体目,无形体科,变形菌纲,α亚群,人粒细胞无形体与以前命名的马埃立克体和嗜吞噬埃立克体同属无形体科(Anaplasmataceae)无形体属(Anaplasma)中的一个种,即嗜粒细胞无形体(Anaplasma phagocytophila),其主要寄生在人粒细胞的胞质空泡内。
Standard Surgical Skin Markers Should Be Avoided for Intraoperative Vein Graft Marking during Cardiac and Peripheral Bypass Operations.

One cause of early graft failure following coronary and peripheral vein grafting is kinking or mechanical twisting of the conduit. The blind tunneling necessitated in peripheral bypasses can lead to this consequence (1). In coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), grafts to the posterior branches of the right or circumflex coronary arteries are placed to the back of the heart and are generally the longest aortocoronary grafts. These grafts are particularly prone to twisting and kinking. Additionally, single vein grafts to two or more coronary branches (“sequential vein grafts”) present special challenges with respect to maintenance of proper alignment (2, 3). The coronary vein graft failure rate at 1 year in the PRoject of Ex vivo Vein graft ENgineering via Transfection IV (PREVENT IV) cohort was 25%, suggesting that early graft failure is a significant problem (4, 5). The incidence of vein graft failure due to twisting or kinking is not well studied, though some reports estimate that obstructing lesions, including but not limited to twisting or kinking, account for 15–25% of early (<1 year) graft failures (6–8). Preparation and preservation techniques have advanced the field of solid organ allotransplantation, but vein graft failure rates suggest room for improvement in the handling of saphenous vein (SV) harvested for autotransplantation. Interventions for ex vivo graft treatment, including appropriate choice of preservation solution and minimization of manual pressure distension via chemical vasodilators such as papaverine, have been proposed (9–12). Additionally, the “no-touch” technique has emerged as a method of minimizing detrimental handling of graft during harvest with adventitial preservation (4, 13–15). Marking of the SV graft using a surgical skin marker in an “off-label” fashion represents another such preparation technique and is the most commonly employed method of preventing graft torsion (16). This marking allows for the maintenance of continuous alignment along the length of the vein in the same longitudinal plane. These lines provide a visible guide for surgeons to use during conduit routing and tunneling to avoid mechanical obstructions related to vein alignment (17). While operating rooms have adapted less traumatic methods of vein harvest, preservation, and distension, surgical skin marker use remains ubiquitous as the primary method to maintain graft orientation. The use of surgical skin markers during graft preparation is toxic to the tissue and impairs physiologic function (16). We argue that the data support avoidance of standard surgical skin markers for marking on vascular tissue; We further contend that brilliant blue FCF (for coloring food) may represent a viable alternative dye for intraoperative graft marking.
Teachers’ Understandings, Perspectives, and Experiences of Dyslexia

Dyslexia policy and practice have been rapidly outpacing research. Due to legislation and media attention, schools are under pressure to attend to dyslexia, but research provides few clear answers about characteristics, identification, or instruction. Most dyslexia research takes place outside literacy education, and teachers’ perspectives are heard only when their knowledge is questioned. Our research addresses these gaps with a qualitative study examining perspectives, understandings, and experiences of 32 Texas public school educators regarding dyslexia. Two major themes were evident: First, teachers felt responsible for meeting the needs of all their students, including those identified as dyslexic. Second, participants named barriers that interfered with attempts to support students, including limited information and confusing policies and procedures. This research provides new information about teacher’s understandings, experiences, and perspectives concerning dyslexia that goes beyond surveys. This...
Utilization of Ophthalmology-Specific Emergency Department Services.

OBJECTIVE To describe utilization trends of an ophthalmology-specific emergency department (ED). METHODS Prospective cohort study of new patients presenting in the ophthalmology ED for at least a 30-day period in the spring of each year for five consecutive years (2010-14) at a university referral center. A data form, including information about the ED visit and patient demographics, was included in each patient chart. Data were analyzed with Pearson chi-square test and multiple logistic regression. RESULTS A total of 5323 chart data forms were completed. An average of 42.2 new patients per day presented to the ophthalmology ED. Most common diagnoses were viral conjunctivitis (8.7%), dry eye syndrome (6.6%), and corneal abrasion (6.6%). Non-emergent visits accounted for 35.8% of surveys completed. Factors associated with non-emergent visits included female gender, age 65 years or older, weekday visits, and patient symptom duration greater than one week (p < 0.0001 for each factor). When compared to all other insurance categories combined, patients who were members of the regional public assistance program were the most likely to present with a non-emergency (48.5% versus 34.9%, p < 0.001), while Workers' Compensation patients were least likely to present with a non-emergency (16% versus 36.5%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Over one-third of new patient visits were non-emergent. Factors predictive of non-emergent patient visits were female gender, age 65 years or older, duration of symptoms greater than one week, weekday visits, and the form of insurance coverage.
The AIROPA software package: milestones for testing general relativity in the strong gravity regime with AO

General relativity can be tested in the strong gravity regime by monitoring stars orbiting the supermassive black hole at the Galactic Center with adaptive optics. However, the limiting source of uncertainty is the spatial PSF variability due to atmospheric anisoplanatism and instrumental aberrations. The Galactic Center Group at UCLA has completed a project developing algorithms to predict PSF variability for Keck AO images. We have created a new software package (AIROPA), based on modified versions of StarFinder and Arroyo, that takes atmospheric turbulence profiles, instrumental aberration maps, and images as inputs and delivers improved photometry and astrometry on crowded fields. This software package will be made publicly available soon.
Chemical stability of diclofenac sodium injection

The stability of diclofenac sodium injection was studied by means of a stability-indicating high-performance liquid chromatography assay method that was developed in our laboratory. There was a direct relationship between the peak heights and the concentrations. The percent relative standard deviation based on five injections was 0.9. The products of decomposition and the excipients present in the dosage form did not interfere with the developed assay method. The injection was stable for at least 23 days when stored in clear glass vials at room temperature. Contrary to the recommendation in the literature, the injection may not be stored at the refrigerated temperature. The physcial appearacne and the pH value of the injection did not change during the study period.
Live imaging looks deeper

Iodixanol provides an easy and affordable solution to a problem that has limited resolution and brightness when imaging living samples.
Enhancing Scientific Foundations to Ensure Reproducibility: A New Paradigm

Progress in science is dependent on a strong foundation of reliable results. The publish or perish paradigm in research, coupled with an increase in retracted articles from the peer-reviewed literature, is beginning to erode the trust of both the scientific community and the public. The NIH is combating errors by requiring investigators to follow new guidelines addressing scientific premise, experimental design, biological variables, and authentication of reagents. Herein, we discuss how implementation of NIH guidelines will help investigators proactively address pitfalls of experimental design and methods. Careful consideration of the variables contributing to reproducibility helps ensure robust results. The NIH, investigators, and journals must collaborate to ensure that quality science is funded, explored, and published.
Ultrasound-guided Pudendal Block Is a Viable Alternative to Caudal Block for Hypospadias Surgery: A Single-Surgeon Pilot Study.

Objective To evaluate pudendal nerve block as an alternative to caudal block for hypospadias surgery. Methods Data were obtained by chart review. Children who underwent hypospadias repair between 2012 and 2016 by a single surgeon at an academic institution were included. Patients received ultrasound-guided pudendal block (n = 21) or caudal block (n = 19) as a regional adjunct to general anesthesia. Primary outcomes included analgesic requirement and postoperative length of stay in the recovery unit. Results The pudendal block cohort was slightly older (27.6 vs 18.5 months, P = .017) and had more severe hypospadias than the caudal block cohort (53% vs 35% proximal hypospadias, respectively). We detected no statistically significant difference in intraoperative opioid, postoperative opioid, or nonopioid analgesic requirement (17.9 vs 12.9 mcg fentanyl, P = .267; 0.3 vs 0.3 doses, P = .92; 0.2 vs 0.1 doses, P = .46, respectively). Postoperative length of stay was significantly shorter in the pudendal block cohort (96 vs 128 minutes, P = .016). Discussion We are the first to report the use of ultrasound-guided pudendal block for hypospadias repair. This appears to be a safe and effective alternative to caudal block with no perioperative delays. Pudendal block has several advantages over caudal block. It avoids the risks of urinary retention and lower extremity weakness and can be administered to older patients and children with spinal anomalies. Conclusion Compared with caudal block, ultrasound-guided pudendal nerve block is safe, provides equivalent pain control for hypospadias repair, and results in a shorter time to discharge.
Some examples of hochschild and cyclic homology

1) the use of sophisticated (colhomology theories like etale cohomology and intersection cohomology, in the work of Deligne, Kazhdan, Lusztig, Springer, and many others. On the other hand, algebraic groups actions provide most interesting examples and much motivation to experts in intersection cohomology. 2) the geometric importance of non-commutative algebras. It has proven important to consider the Springer resolution, which is the cotangent bundle of the flag variety, as the "shadow" of a non-commutative object, the algebra of differential operators on the flag variety. In this article, we somehow combine both themes, by looking at the cyclic homology of some interesting non-commutative algebras. We mostly consider two sorts of algebras. One is the convolution algebra
A multiple imputation approach for semiparametric cure model with interval censored data

The proportional hazards mixture cure model is a popular analysis method for survival data where a subgroup of patients are cured. When the data are interval censored, the estimation of this model is challenging due to its complex data structure. A multiple imputation algorithm is proposed to obtain parameter and variance estimates for both the cure probability and the survival distribution of the uncured patients. The proposed approach can be easily implemented in commonly used statistical softwares, such as R and SAS, and its performance is comparable to fully parametric methods via comprehensive simulation studies. For illustration, the approach is applied to the 2000-2010 Greater Georgia breast cancer data set from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program.
Collision of vehicles with bridge piers

Publisher Summary This chapter presents the results of an investigation into the impact behavior of bridge piers. Results of the numerical simulations along with the limitations of the study and ongoing research work are also discussed. It discusses the work undertaken to investigate the effects of vehicle collision with bridge piers. Both the pier and impacting vehicle are represented, using finite element models, and the analyzes are conducted. A finite element model of an 11.25 kN truck is crashed into two different bridge pier models at various approach speeds ranging from 60 km/h to 140 km/h. The peak dynamic forces and corresponding equivalent static forces are calculated and compared to the provisions for vehicle collision loads. The results indicate that the provisions could be deficient. The current codes specify that bridge piers should be designed for a collision force — represented by an 1800 kN static force. The analyzes were conducted with a vehicle model that has been validated for speeds up to 54 km/h.
The Rationale of Closed Functional Treatment of Fractures

Fracture bracing, rather than merely being a technique, constitutes a positive attitude toward fracture healing which challenges many of the basic concepts taught in several current textbooks that emphasize the superiority of internal osteosynthesis over nonsurgical management of fractures of long bones. Fracture bracing is predicated on the belief that bone contact, end to end or otherwise, is not required for bony union; and that rigid immobilization of fracture fragments and immobilization of joints above and below a fracture, as well as prolonged rest, are detrimental to fracture healing. Closed functional bracing of fractures calls for functional activity in order to obtain greater osteogenesis.
The Search for Solar Gravity-Mode Oscillations in the Solar Wind Using it Ulysses Plasma Data

A recent report that energetic particles measured in the solar wind may be influenced by solar gravity-mode ( $$\user1{g}$$ -mode) oscillations motivated the search for $$\user1{g}$$ -mode signatures in the Ulysses solar wind plasma data. Ulysses solar wind plasma data from 1 March 1992 through the 12 April 1996 were examined in this study for signs of possible solar oscillations. The multi-taper method for spectral analysis was used to look for significant spectral peaks in the entire four-year data set, as well as in the smaller, more heliographically homogenous data set over the solar poles. Several frequencies satisfying certain significance requirements were found in the $$\user1{g}$$ -mode frequency range in both data sets that also agree with the previously published findings. However, these identifications are shown to be false detections, and hence the frequencies found cannot be identified as solar $$\user1{g}$$ modes.
Biomedical Applications of Synthetic Polymers

The application of synthetic polymers to medical problems has paralleled the development of synthetic polymers themselves. Their light weight, apparent inertness, and ability to be easily fabricated were quickly recognized as attractive features for medical applications. However, serious study of synthetic polymeric materials for biomedical applications did not begin until the early 1950s. During this early period, a basic understanding of toxicology and biodegradability was developed and success in applying these polymeric biomaterials to save lives and improve the quality of life was increased.
Amelioration of spinal cord injury in rats by blocking peroxynitrite/calpain activity.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is one of the leading causes of disability and chronic pain. In SCI-induced pathology, homeostasis of the nitric oxide (NO) metabolome is lost. Major NO metabolites such as S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) and peroxynitrite are reported to play pivotal roles in regulating the activities of key cysteine proteases, calpains. While peroxynitrite (a metabolite of NO and superoxide) up regulates the activities of calpains leading to neurodegeneration, GSNO (a metabolite of NO and glutathione) down regulates the activities of calpains leading to neuroprotection. In this study, effect of GSNO on locomotor function and pain threshold and their relationship with the levels of peroxynitrite and the activity of calpain in the injured spinal cord were investigated using a 2-week rat model of contusion SCI. SCI animals were initially treated with GSNO at 2 h after the injury followed by a once daily dose of GSNO for 14 days. Locomotor function was evaluated by “Basso Beattie and Bresnahan (BBB) locomotor rating scale” and pain by mechanical allodynia. Peroxynitrite level, as expression of 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT), calpain activity, as the degradation products of calpain substrate alpha II spectrin, and nNOS activity, as the expression phospho nNOS, were measured by western blot analysis. Treatment with GSNO improved locomotor function and mitigated pain. The treatment also reduced the levels of peroxynitrite (3-NT) and decreased activity of calpains. Reduced levels of peroxynitrite resulted from the GSNO-mediated inhibition of aberrant activity of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS). The data indicates that higher levels of 3-NT and aberrant activities of nNOS and calpains correlated with SCI pathology and functional deficits. Treatment with GSNO improved locomotor function and mitigated mechanical allodynia acutely post-injury. Because GSNO shows potential to ameliorate experimental SCI, we discuss implications for GSNO therapy in clinical SCI research.
Neural correlates of auditory enhancement

Auditory enhancement is the increase in salience of a target embedded in a simultaneous masker that occurs when a copy of the masker, termed the precursor, is presented first. The effect reflects the general principle of contrast enhancement and may help in the perceptual constancy of speech under varying acoustic conditions. The physiological mechanisms underlying auditory enhancement remain unknown. This study investigated EEG responses under conditions that elicited perceptual enhancement. The target tone was amplitude-modulated at two modulation frequencies to target cortical (~40 Hz) and subcortical (100–200 Hz) responses. Measurements were made in either passive conditions or under active tasks to examine the potential effects of attention on the neural correlates of enhancement. Robust effects of enhancement were observed at the cortical level, replicating our earlier findings. Preliminary data under passive conditions also suggest a trend towards increased neural response to the enhanced target tone at frequencies exceeding 200 Hz, suggesting a subcortical contribution. The results suggest that this paradigm can be used to tap into the neural correlates of auditory enhancement at both cortical and subcortical levels simultaneously and show the potential for tapping into attentional modulation of auditory enhancement. [Work supported by NIH grant R01DC012262.]
The serially mediated relationship between emerging adults’ social media use and mental well-being

Abstract Social media use can negatively influence emerging adults' mental well-being. Therefore, this study explored the relation between social media use and mental well-being through difficulties with emotion regulation and perceived stress among a sample of U.S. college-student emerging adults. Results revealed that social media is indirectly related to mental health problems when emerging adults have difficulty with emotion regulation and perceived stress. The study also found that emerging adults’ social media use is an outcome of difficulties with emotion regulation through the effect of these difficulties on perceived stress and mental well-being. Findings suggest that social media use may be a risk factor for mental health struggles among emerging adults, and that social media use may be an activity to which emerging adults resort when dealing with difficult emotions.
Uncooled IR polarimetric imaging camera and performance metrics (Conference Presentation)

Manmade objects typically exhibit polarized signatures that can be utilized for target detection more effectively than thermal signatures alone. IR polarimetric imaging can also suppress clutter to highlight manmade objects in thermal equilibrium. However, quantifying the contrast improvement of polarimetric signatures over that of thermal signatures of the same scene has proved problematic due to the nature and dynamic range of the data. The Pyxis camera, a microbolometer-based imaging polarimeter that produces live polarimetric video of conventional, polarimetric, and fused image products and is small enough to be mounted on commercial drones, has collected datasets that demonstrate the improvement. In this paper, we describe the Pyxis camera, show representative data, and present the metrics used to characterize the improvement of polarimetric imaging over that of conventional thermal imaging.
Fundamental limits of Marangoni-driven patterning

Abstract We predict the maximum aspect ratio and minimum feature pitch for equal line-space Marangoni-driven patterning (MDP) using analytical and numerical techniques and compare the predicted upper/lower bounds to prior experimental results. MDP is a novel technique that harnesses surface tension gradients to apply topography to thin polymer films. MDP operates by first exposing a polymer film to UV light though a photomask, causing a chemical reaction and a change in surface energy in the exposed regions. By heating the film above its glass transition temperature, surface tension gradients give rise to Marangoni forces, which cause the polymer to flow into the higher surface tension regions and form hill-and-valley topography. This topography could be used either as an etch mask for traditional device fabrication or as a functional coating for improved optical performance, improved adhesion, or antifouling purposes. To understand the full scope of applications for MDP, it is necessary to know the maximum aspect ratio (AR) and minimum feature pitch achievable by this technique, as densely packed, high aspect ratio features are often desirable. To determine these previously unknown limits for equal line-space patterning, we present a model for MDP and solve it analytically and numerically. Using limiting values of physical parameters and engineering constraints, we determine an upper bound for feature aspect ratio and a lower bound on feature pitch. These results are then compared to prior experimental results, showing that the AR can be significantly increased and the pitch can be significantly decreased for MDP. We conclude on the barriers and potential strategies for improving MDP.
Optimal Constrained Retreat within the Turret Defense Differential Game

We extend the Turret Defense Differential Game by considering the possibility for the mobile Attacker to retreat to a particular region of the state space in lieu of engaging the Turret. In this case, the Turret cooperates with the Attacker by escorting the Attacker to the retreat surface, thereby minimizing its cost. Along the retreat trajectory, the cost associated with the Value of the Game of Engagement must be greater than the cost associated with retreating. We refer to this scenario as Optimal Constrained Retreat, wherein the aforementioned requirement is imposed as a path constraint. The optimality conditions are developed herein. We specify a boundary value problem with fixed initial state and compute the optimal trajectory numerically via backwards shooting. The corresponding trajectory contains a constrained arc wherein the path constraint associated with the Game of Engagement becomes active.
Machine-learning predictions of the shale wells’ performance

Abstract The ultra-low permeability nature of shale reservoirs leads to an extended linear flow and necessitates horizontal wells with multi-stage engineered fractures to efficiently extract hydrocarbons resources. These artificially-generated and naturally-occurring fractures form complex networks that create complex flow regimes which control oil production. These fractures are neither identical nor equally-spaced, which leads to a production profile with a masked onset of the boundary-dominated flow. The combination of the extended linear flow with the indeterminate onset of the boundary-dominated flow challenges the current deterministic analytic approaches to forecast the estimated ultimate recovery (EUR). Herein, we propose a novel machine-learning approach which overcomes these challenges and provides reliable EUR estimates based on field-wide analyses. We implement a novel unsupervised machine learning (ML) methodology, which allows for automatic identification of the optimal number of features (signals) present in the data based on non-negative matrix/tensor factorization coupled with k-means clustering incorporating regularization and physics constraints. In the presented analyses, the input data to the ML algorithm is the available (public) production history from the field collected at existing unconventional reservoirs. We validate our approach through hindcasting of the production data, where we achieved an excellent agreement. In addition, our approach is able to identify the poorly-performing wells, which could benefit from early refracing. Our approach provides fast and accurate estimations of the well performance without presumptions about the state of the well or the flow regime.
Central Nervous System (CNS) Viral Seeding by Mature Monocytes and Potential Therapies To Reduce CNS Viral Reservoirs in the cART Era.

ABSTRACT The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) enters the central nervous system (CNS) within a few days after primary infection, establishing viral reservoirs that persist even with combined antiretroviral therapy (cART). We show that monocytes from people living with HIV (PLWH) on suppressive cART harboring integrated HIV, viral mRNA, and/or viral proteins preferentially transmigrate across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to CCL2 and are significantly enriched post-transmigration, and even more highly enriched posttransmigration than T cells with similar properties. Using HIV-infected ART-treated mature monocytes cultured in vitro, we recapitulate these findings and demonstrate that HIV+ CD14+ CD16+ ART-treated monocytes also preferentially transmigrate. Cenicriviroc and anti-JAM-A and anti-ALCAM antibodies significantly and preferentially reduce/block transmigration of HIV+ CD14+ CD16+ ART-treated monocytes. These findings highlight the importance of monocytes in CNS HIV reservoirs and suggest targets to eliminate their formation and reseeding. IMPORTANCE We characterized mechanisms of CNS viral reservoir establishment/replenishment using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of PLWH on cART and propose therapeutic targets to reduce/block selective entry of cells harboring HIV (HIV+) into the CNS. Using DNA/RNAscope, we show that CD14+ CD16+ monocytes with integrated HIV, transcriptionally active, and/or with active viral replication from PBMC of PLWH prescribed cART and virally suppressed, selectively transmigrate across a human BBB model. This is the first study to our knowledge demonstrating that monocytes from PLWH with HIV disease for approximately 22 years and with long-term documented suppression can still carry virus into the CNS that has potential to be reactivated and infectious. This selective entry into the CNS—and likely other tissues—indicates a mechanism of reservoir formation/reseeding in the cART era. Using blocking studies, we propose CCR2, JAM-A, and ALCAM as targets on HIV+ CD14+ CD16+ monocytes to reduce and/or prevent CNS reservoir replenishment and to treat HAND and other HIV-associated comorbidities.
Refreshing and removing items in working memory: Different approaches to equivalent processes?

Abstract Researchers have investigated “refreshing” of items in working memory (WM) as a means of preserving them, while concurrently, other studies have examined “removal” of items from WM that are irrelevant. However, it is unclear whether refreshing and removal in WM truly represent different processes, or if participants, in an effort to avoid the to-be-removed items, simply refresh alternative items. We conducted two experiments to test whether these putative processes can be distinguished from one another. Participants were presented with sets of three words and then cued to either refresh one item or remove two items from WM, followed by a lexical decision probe containing either one of the just-seen words or a non-word. In Experiment 1, all probes were valid and in Experiment 2, probes were occasionally invalid (the probed word was one of the removed/non-refreshed items). In both experiments, participants also received a subsequent surprise long-term memory test. Results from both experiments suggested the expected advantages for refreshed (or non-removed) items in both short-term response time and long-term recognition, but no differences between refresh and remove instructions that would suggest a fundamental difference in processes. Thus, we argue that a functional distinction between refreshing and removal may not be necessary and propose that both of these putative processes could potentially be subsumed under an overarching conceptual perspective based on the flexible reallocation of mental or reflective attention.
Cutaneous Lesion of the Nose as Initial Presentation of Esophageal Adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND/AIM Cutaneous manifestations of disease are exceedingly rare and commonly overlooked in clinical practice. Allergies or contact dermatitis, autoimmune disease or skin cancer are the most common conditions typically associated with skin lesions. Rarely, cutaneous lesions may be the first sign of internal malignancy, or even resemble recurrent disease in those with history of cancer. CASE REPORT Herein, we report a case of an otherwise healthy male who presented to his primary care provider (PCP) with a skin lesion misdiagnosed as a furuncle, which eventually led to diagnosis of metastatic esophageal cancer. The patient was a 64-year-old male, presenting with a fungating lesion on the tip of his nose which was biopsied, confirming adenocarcinoma likely from a gastrointestinal source. Staging imaging showed extensive lung, liver, and boney metastatic disease. He was initially treated with chemotherapy and trastuzumab. CONCLUSION Cutaneous lesions are a rare presenting sign of malignancy, but rapidly growing lesions should be evaluated for possible metastatic disease.
Gemcitabine-loaded microbubble system for ultrasound imaging and therapy

Abstract Ultrasound imaging presents many positive attributes, including safety, real-time imaging, universal accessibility, and cost. However, inherent difficulties in discrimination between soft tissues and tumors prompted development of stabilized microbubble contrast agents. This presents the opportunity to develop agents in which drug is entrapped in the microbubble shell. We describe preparation and characterization of theranostic poly(lactide) (PLA) and pegylated PLA (PEG-PLA) shelled microbubbles that entrap gemcitabine, a commonly used drug for pancreatic cancer (PDAC). Entrapping 6 wt% gemcitabine did not significantly affect drug activity, microbubble morphology, or ultrasound contrast activity compared with unmodified microbubbles. In vitro microbubble concentrations yielding ≥ 500nM entrapped gemcitabine were needed for complete cell death in MIA PaCa-2 PDAC drug sensitivity assays, compared with 62.5 nM free gemcitabine. In vivo administration of gemcitabine-loaded microbubbles to xenograft MIA PaCa-2 PDAC tumors in athymic mice was well tolerated and provided substantial tumoral image enhancement before and after destructive ultrasound pulses. However, no significant differences in tumor growth were observed among treatment groups, in keeping with the in vitro observation that much higher doses of gemcitabine are required to mirror free gemcitabine activity. Statement of significance The preliminary results shown here are encouraging and support further investigation into increased gemcitabine loading. Encapsulation of gemcitabine within polylactic acid (PLA) microbubbles does not damage its activity towards pancreatic cancer (pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, PDAC) cells. Excellent imaging and evidence of penetration into the highly desmoplastic PDAC tumors is demonstrated. Microbubble destruction was confirmed in vivo, showing that elevated mechanical index shatters the microbubbles for enhanced delivery. The potential to slow PDAC growth in vivo is shown, but higher gemcitabine concentrations are required. Current efforts are directed at increasing drug loading by inclusion of drug-carrying nanoparticles for effective in vivo treatment.