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Obesity is associated with adipose tissue hypertrophy, systemic inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and intestinal dysbiosis. Rodent models of high-fat diet (HFD)-feeding or genetic deletion of multifunctional proteins involved in immunity and metabolism are often used to probe the etiology of obesity; however, these models make it difficult to divorce the effects of obesity, diet composition, or immunity on endocrine regulation of blood glucose. We, therefore, investigated the importance of adipose inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and gut dysbiosis for obesity-induced insulin resistance using a spontaneously obese mouse model. We examined metabolic changes in skeletal muscle, adipose tissue, liver, the intestinal microbiome, and whole-body glucose control in spontaneously hyperphagic C57Bl/6J mice compared to lean littermates. A separate subset of lean and obese mice was subject to 8 weeks of obesogenic HFD feeding, or to pair feeding of a standard rodent diet. Hyperphagia, obesity, adipose inflammation, and insulin resistance were present in obese mice despite consuming a standard rodent diet, and these effects were blunted with caloric restriction. However, hyperphagic obese mice had normal mitochondrial respiratory function in all tissues tested and no discernable intestinal dysbiosis relative to lean littermates. In contrast, feeding mice an obesogenic HFD altered the composition of the gut microbiome, impaired skeletal muscle mitochondrial bioenergetics, and promoted poor glucose control. These data show that adipose inflammation and redox stress occurred in all models of obesity, but gut dysbiosis and mitochondrial respiratory dysfunction are not always required for obesity-induced insulin resistance. Rather, changes in the intestinal microbiome and mitochondrial bioenergetics may reflect physiological consequences of HFD feeding.

The purpose of Phase II of REREPS (repair and restoration of paved surfaces) is to evaluate previously developed techniques and materials and to conduct necessary studies to determine the most beneficial backfill material. The study is to include new materials and innovative methodology to the greatest practicable extent. Compaction requirements are to be analyzed by comparison with existing requirements as modified by REREPS results to date. Specific compaction requirements include a quantification of compaction requirements versus depth below the load as well as subgrade compaction versus pavement strength and stiffness. Another specific requirement is to study the applicability of the sand grid support concept. In addition, other new methods and materials will be reviewed, developed, and/or introduced, as appropriate. This study constitutes partial completion of these objectives. An investigation research effort has been made to review the status of REREPS development to data.

Engineer tests were conducted on a full-scale model beach in a wave tank of the WES Hydraulics Division. The beach was constructed of sand approximating that found on beaches in the SE Asian theater of operations (TO). Beach slopes ranged from 10 to 20 percent. Waves induced upon the beach simulated those found in TO cove and bay areas. The tests were conducted by installing various types of expedient surfacing materials such as M6 pierced steel plank landing mat and XM19 aluminum landing mat with and without anchors and with and without T16 membrane over a prepared sand beach and subjecting these installations to wave action and vehicular traffic.

VRCAMS is a first-generation, comprehensive, digital computer model for predicting the performance of vehicles and roads whose outputs can be combined for analysis. It is divided into five basic modules: mobility-ride dynamics, traffic volume/capacity, structural analysis, vehicle movement, and maintenance analysis. All five modules draw from a common data base consisting of two files, vehicle data and road data. The model has been documented in a technical report.

The purpose of the report is to describe polypropylene-asphalt surfacing, show its capabilities, and set forth application techniques. The report includes information as to personnel and equipment requirements for installing polypropylene-asphalt surfacing, exact methodology of application, and procedures for airfield, road, and other subgrade preparation. Procedures for repair of damaged polypropylene-asphalt surfaced areas are set forth along with storage and handling pointers for the surfacing materials.