SeaWiFS technical report series. Volume 5: Ocean optics protocols for SeaWiFS validation

Protocols are presented for measuring optical properties, and other environmental variables, to validate the radiometric performance of the Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS), and to develop and validate bio-optical algorithms for use with SeaWiFS data. The protocols are intended to establish foundations for a measurement strategy to verify the challenging SeaWiFS accuracy goals of 5 percent in water-leaving radiances and 35 percent in chlorophyll alpha concentration. The protocols first specify the variables which must be measured, and briefly review rationale. Subsequent chapters cover detailed protocols for instrument performance specifications, characterizing and calibration instruments, methods of making measurements in the field, and methods of data analysis. These protocols were developed at a workshop sponsored by the SeaWiFS Project Office (SPO) and held at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California (9-12 April, 1991). This report is the proceedings of that workshop, as interpreted and expanded by the authors and reviewed by workshop participants and other members of the bio-optical research community. The protocols are a first prescription to approach unprecedented measurement accuracies implied by the SeaWiFS goals, and research and development are needed to improve the state-of-the-art in specific areas. The protocols should be periodically revised to reflect technical advances during the SeaWiFS Project cycle

Auditory startle response predicts introversion: an individual analysis

We assessed a possible link between the Introversion/Extraversion spectrum and sensori-motor gating and predicted self-reported introverts would have more sensitive sensori-motor gating pathways than extraverts at the individual subject level. 28 subjects self-identified as introverts or extraverts; individuals that self-identified as both introverted and extraverted were classified as ambiverts . Participants\u27orbicularis oculus muscles were electromyographically measured while abrupt auditory stimuli ranging from 50 to 100 decibels were played over headphones. As predicted, introverts exhibited greater electromyographical frequencies and magnitudes of response to stimuli at almost all levels of stimulus intensity. These results indicate introverts tend to be more sensitive, on a physiological level, to incoming stimuli compared to extraverts; this finding counters explanations of introversion as a purely social construct. Interestingly, a further and unpredicted pattern of three distinct groups was also observed. These groups are not organized along the lines of introversion/extraversion and may be linked to the concept of neuroticism

A biophysical Raman spectroscopic model for noninvasive screening of skin cancer

Raman spectroscopy (RS) is sensitive to the molecular composition of biological tissues. Raman optical fiber- based probes have demonstrated efficacy in noninvasive cancer screening of the skin, breast, stomach, cervical, lung and brain. Currently, statistical algorithms such as principle component analysis (PCA) are the standard approaches for describing the spectral variance of the RS data and providing tissue classification. However, a PCA-based analysis does not allow for an examination of the biophysical basis of disease, such as microstructural organization of proteins and lipids. Understanding those biophysical parameters is essential to interpret the diagnostic result similar to that a pathologist is familiar reading, and develop diagnostic algorithms for fast and accurate cancer screening. Please click Additional Files below to see the full abstract

Spiny Mice (\u3cem\u3eAcomys\u3c/em\u3e) Exhibit Attenuated Hallmarks of Aging and Rapid Cell Turnover after UV Exposure in the Skin Epidermis

The study of long-lived and regenerative animal models has revealed diverse protective responses to stressors such as aging and tissue injury. Spiny mice (Acomys) are a unique mammalian model of skin wound regeneration, but their response to other types of physiological skin damage has not been investigated. In this study, we examine how spiny mouse skin responds to acute UVB damage or chronological aging compared to non-regenerative C57Bl/6 mice (M. musculus). We find that, compared to M. musculus, the skin epidermis in A. cahirinus experiences a similar UVB-induced increase in basal cell proliferation but exhibits increased epidermal turnover. Notably, A. cahirinus uniquely form a suprabasal layer co-expressing Keratin 14 and Keratin 10 after UVB exposure concomitant with reduced epidermal inflammatory signaling and reduced markers of DNA damage. In the context of aging, old M. musculus animals exhibit typical hallmarks including epidermal thinning, increased inflammatory signaling and senescence. However, these age-related changes are absent in old A. cahirinus skin. Overall, we find that A. cahirinus have evolved novel responses to skin damage that reveals new aspects of its regenerative phenotype

Activation of mesangial cell MAPK in responseto homocysteine

Activation of mesangial cell MAPK in response to homocysteine.BackgroundAlteration in mesangial cell function is central to the progression of glomerular disease in numerous models of chronic renal failure (CRF). Animal models of chronic glomerular disease are characterized by mesangial cell proliferation and elaboration of extracellular matrix protein (ECM), resulting in glomerulosclerosis. Elevated plasma levels of homocysteine (Hcy) are seen in both animal models and humans with CRF, and have been proposed to contribute to the high prevalence of vascular disease in this group. Some of the pathogenetic effects of Hcy are thought to be mediated via the induction of endoplasmic reticulum stress. Thus, Hcy effects on mesangial cells could contribute to the progression of CRF. Previous work has shown Hcy- mediated induction of Erk mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Erk induces increases in activator protein-1 (AP-1) transcription factor activity which may augment mesangial cell proliferation and ECM protein production. Consequently, we studied the effect of Hcy on mesangial cell Erk signaling.MethodsMesangial cells were exposed to Hcy after 24 hours of serum starvation and Erk activity assessed. Nuclear translocation of phospho-Erk was visualized by confocal microscopy. AP-1 nuclear protein binding was measured in response to Hcy by mobility shift assay. Hcy-induced mesangial cell calcium flux was measured in Fura-2 loaded cells. Mesangial cell DNA synthesis in response to Hcy was assessed by [3H]-thymidine incorporation and proliferation by Western blotting for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress response genes were determined by Northern and Western analysis.ResultsHcy led to an increase in Erk activity that was maximal at 50 μmol/L and 20 minutes of treatment. Subsequent experiments used this concentration and time point. Erk activity in response to Hcy was insensitive to n-acetylcysteine and catalase, indicating oxidative stress did not play a role. However, Hcy50 μmol/L induced a brief increase in intracellular mesangial cell calcium within 5 minutes, and the calcium ionophores A23187 and ionomycin increased Erk activity while chelation of intracellular calcium with BAPTA-AM abrogated the Erk response to Hcy. Confocal microscopy of activated Erk nuclear translocation mirrored these results as did mesangial cell nuclear protein binding to AP-1 consensus sequences. Hcy- induced increases in thymidine incorporation and PCNA expression at 24 hours were Erk dependent. The expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress response genes was significantly elevated by Hcy in an Erk-dependent manner.ConclusionHcy increases Erk activity in mesangial cells via a calcium-dependent mechanism, resulting in increased AP-1 nuclear protein binding, cell DNA synthesis and proliferation and induction of endoplasmic reticulum stress. These observations suggest potential mechanisms by which Hcy may contribute to progressive glomerular injury

Modeling peer effect modification by network strength: The diffusion of implantable cardioverter defibrillators in the US hospital network

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/154422/1/sim8466.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/154422/2/sim8466_am.pd

First record of Reticulitermes flavipes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) from Terceira Island (Azores, Portugal)

Copyright © 2012 Florida Entomological Society.Reticulitermes flavipes, a Holarctic pestiferous subterranean termite species, particularly to structures and non-indigenous trees, is reported for the first time from Terceira Island, Azores, Portugal. The establishment of R. flavipes on Terceira Island likely represents more than one anthropogenic introduction with a high probability of military involvement