cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Differential glutamate AMPA-receptor plasticity in subpopulations of VTA neurons in the presence or absence of residual cocaine: Implications for the development of addiction

Cocaine-induced plasticity of mesocorticolimbic dopamine (DA) neurons, originating in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), persists in the absence of cocaine and may contribute to both drug-craving and relapse. Glutamate AMPA receptors (AMPARs) in these neurons are implicated in this plasticity. However, there is no ultrastructural evidence that the absence of cocaine following repeated administrations affects the critical surface/synaptic availability of AMPAR GluR1 subunits in either DA or non-DA, putative GABAergic neurons within the VTA. To assess this, we used electron microscopic immunolabeling in the VTA of adult male mice sacrificed at 30 min or 72 h after receiving the final of six (15 mg/kg) cocaine injections, a dosing paradigm that resulted in development of locomotor sensitization. At each time point, both cocaine- and saline-injected mice showed AMPAR GluR1 immunogold labeling in somatodendritic profiles, many of which contained immunoperoxidase labeling for the DA-synthesizing enzyme, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). At 30 min after the last injection, when cocaine was systemically present, only the non-TH labeled dendrites showed a significant increase in the synaptic/plasmalemmal density of GluR1 immunogold particles. At 72 h, when systemic cocaine was depleted, synaptic GluR1 labeling was greatly enhanced in TH-containing dendrites throughout the VTA and in non-TH dendrites of the limbic-associated paranigral VTA. Our results demonstrate that systemic cocaine produces GluR1 trafficking specifically in non-DA neurons of the VTA, which may subsequently contribute to the abstinent-induced enhancement of AMPA receptor synaptic transmission in mesocorticolimbic DA neurons leading to heightened drug seeking behavior.
Surveillance of drug use among American Indian adolescents: patterns over 25 years

Abstract Purpose To examine the trends in drug use among American Indian adolescents attending schools on, or near, Indian reservations in the United States, to provide comparisons with non-Indian youth, and to discuss implications for prevention. Methods Reliable and valid school administered drug use surveys have been given every year for 25 years (1975–2000) to representative samples of Indian youth living on reservations, yielding a continuous record of trends in drug use. Comparisons are made with non-Indian youth with data from the Monitoring the Future project. Data were analyzed to obtain measures of lifetime prevalence ("ever tried a drug"), use in the last 30 days, and proportions at high risk and at moderate risk from their drug use. Comparisons utilized difference in proportion tests. Results From 1975 to 2000, reservation Indian youth show elevated levels of drug use for most illicit drugs compared with non-Indian youth. Despite higher levels of use, the trends showing increases and decreases in use over time mirror those shown by non-Indian youth. Indian youth who use drugs can be divided into moderate and high levels of use. The number of youth in the moderate category varies over time whereas the number in the high category remains relatively constant. Conclusions There is a clear need for intensive efforts to reduce the levels of drug use among Indian youth. Although interventions must be tailored to the social and cultural milieu of Indian reservations, the rates of use vary over time in the same pattern as seen for non-Indian youth. Further, interventions must address the differing characteristics of high and moderate risk users of drugs.
Agonist Dynamics and Conformational Selection during Microsecond Simulations of the A2A Adenosine Receptor

The G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are a ubiquitous family of signaling proteins of exceptional pharmacological importance. The recent publication of structures of several GPCRs cocrystallized with ligands of differing activity offers a unique opportunity to gain insight into their function. To that end, we performed microsecond-timescale simulations of the A2A adenosine receptor bound to either of two agonists, adenosine or UK432097. Our data suggest that adenosine is highly dynamic when bound to A2A, in stark contrast to the case with UK432097. Remarkably, adenosine finds an alternate binding pose in which the ligand is inverted relative to the crystal structure, forming relatively stable interactions with helices I and II. Our observations suggest new experimental tests to validate our predictions and deepen our understanding of GPCR signaling. Overall, our data suggest an intriguing hypothesis: that the 100- to 1000-fold greater efficacy of UK432097 relative to adenosine arises because UK432097 stabilizes a much tighter neighborhood of active conformations, which manifests as a greater likelihood of G-protein activation per unit time.
An Alternative Synthesis of Cyclotrigallazane, [H2GaNH2]3, a Precursor to Nanocrystalline, Phase-Inhomogeneous Gallium Nitride, GaN

The reaction system LiGaH4/NH4X (X = Cl, Br) in Et2O was studied as an alternative route to cyclotrigallazane, [H2GaNH2]3, an advantageous precursor to nanocrystalline GaN. A high yield of the cycl...
Plio-Pleistocene relative sea-level changes in East Anglia: evidence from the Westleton Member and related deposits

Sedimentological analyses of sections in the Lower Pleistocene Westleton Member (formerly ‘Westleton Beds’) of East Anglia have revealed that the unit comprises of four distinct facies, each of which can be ascribed to a particular setting within the beach to lower shoreface zone. Where more than one facies is exposed, contemporaneous changes in relative sea-level on the western margin of the North Sea Basin may be inferred. Sedimentologically varied, but lithologically consistent, sequences were produced by a marine transgression, following the deposition of the Easton Bavents Member. Locally, regressive sequences have been developed as a result of shoreline progradation under conditions of plentiful sediment supply, followed at some sites by evidence of further transgression. Mechanisms driving relative sea-level change during this time period are discussed.
Analysis of Attitudes of Turkish Citizens towards the Effect of European Union Membership on the Economic, Political, and Cultural Environment

Abstract Previous studies on Turkey’s possible accession to the European Union have mostly focused on the level of support for membership as expressed by Turkish citizens. The purpose of this paper is to shed some light on the specific expectations and perceptions of the Turks about the EU membership process, focusing on economic development, democratic progress, economic and political stability, and cultural influence. In both the focus group studies and the final survey, the authors targeted people who have some knowledge about the EU accession process and EU membership, namely, academics and business people.
Photo-Magnetic Imaging: Optical Imaging at MRI resolution

In this paper, we present a novel imaging technique, namely Photo-Magnetic Imaging (PMI), which overcomes the limitation of pure optical imaging and provides optical contrast at MRI spatial resolution.
Swept Source Optical Coherence Tomography with Nonuniform Frequency Domain Sampling

Swept Source Optical Coherence Tomography requires complex hardware and/or numerical interpolation to obtain an image using the discrete Fourier transform (DFT). We describe a simpler and more accurate inversion method based on the nonuniform DFT.
Relations between Brook Trout Standing Stocks and Habitat Features in Beaver Ponds in Southeastern Wyoming

Abstract Relations between abundance of brook trout Salvelinusfontinalis and habitat features of ponds made by beavers Castor canadensis were determined in 1986 and 1987 from observations of 25 southeastern Wyoming ponds. Standing stocks of fish longer than 100 mm in total length ranged from 5 to 313 kg/hectare, and densities ranged from 27 to 9,812 fish/hectare among 0.02-0.51-hectare ponds at elevations from 2,341 to 2,969 m above mean sea level. Of 25 habitat features, 6 were correlated with brook trout standing stock or density: surface area, mean water depth, water volume, discharge into pond, elevation, and morphoedaphic index (total dissolved solids [mg/L]/mean depth [cm]). The presence of young-of-year brook trout in beaver ponds was also related to both standing stock and density of brook trout longer than 100 mm in total length. Two multiple-regression models based on a rating of natural recruitment potential and pond surface area accounted for significant variation in brook trout standing stock...
Planetary protection and the search for life beneath the surface of Mars.

The search for traces of extinct and extant life on Mars will be extended to beneath the surface of the planet. Current data from Mars missions suggesting the presence of liquid water early in Mars' history and mathematical modeling of the fate of water on Mars imply that liquid water may exist deep beneath the surface of Mars. This leads to the hypothesis that life may exist deep beneath the Martian surface. One possible scenario to look for life on Mars involves a series of unmanned missions culminating with a manned mission drilling deep into the Martian subsurface (approximately 3Km), collecting samples, and conducting preliminary analyses to select samples for return to earth. This mission must address both forward and back contamination issues, and falls under planetary protection category V. Planetary protection issues to be addressed include provisions stating that the inevitable deposition of earth microbes by humans should be minimized and localized, and that earth microbes and organic material must not contaminate the Martian subsurface. This requires that the drilling equipment be sterilized prior to use. Further, the collection, containment and retrieval of the sample must be conducted such that the crew is protected and that any materials returning to earth are contained (i.e., physically and biologically isolated) and the chain of connection with Mars is broken. c2002 COSPAR. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry of Tetracycline, Oxytetracycline, Chlorotetracycline, Minocycline, and Methacycline

The effects of mobile-phase additives and analyte concentration on electrospray ionization mass spectra of a series of tetracyclines were investigated in both positive and negative ion modes. Only [M + H]+ and [M − H]- ions were observed. The greatest sensitivity as [M + H]+ ions was obtained with 1% acetic acid and the greatest sensitivity as [M − H]- ions was obtained using 50 mM ammonium hydroxide. Sensitivities in the positive ion mode were greater than those in the negative ion mode. The sensitivity as [M + H]+ showed no systematic variation with pH; however, the sensitivity as [M − H]- did increase with increasing pH. A larger linear range was observed for [M − H]- than for [M + H]+ ions. Both [M + Na]+ and [M + H]+ ions were observed with 0.5 mM sodium acetate and sodium iodide, but no adduct ions were observed with ammonium acetate. Some M2H+ ions were observed at higher concentrations. Cluster ions, Na(NaOAc)n+ or Na(NaI)n+, but no sample ions were observed using 5 mM salts. The data suggest that...
Influence of the virulence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis on protection induced by bacille Calmette-Guérin in guinea pigs.

The protective efficacy of two bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccines was examined in guinea pigs infected by the respiratory route with strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis differing in virulence. Virulence was defined as the degree of tissue damage (weight) of primary lesions excised from lungs of unvaccinated guinea pigs killed 28-42 days after infection. Groups of animals vaccinated with BCG-Copenhagen (strain no. 1331), a vaccine of high potency, or those vaccinated with BCG-Prague (strain no. 725), an experimental vaccine of low potency, and groups given placebo were challenged six weeks later with one of three challenge strains differing in virulence. Protection was assessed from the difference in the number of tubercle bacilli recovered from excised primary lung lesions or from primary lesion-free lung lobes of vaccinated vs. unvaccinated animals. The virulence of the challenge strain influenced the efficacy of BCG vaccination; however, the results of other studies with a laboratory strain were in general replicated.
Management paradigms along a histologic spectrum of pineal cell tumors.

he pineal region is notable for giving rise to a remarkably heterogeneous group of lesions that includes germ cell T tumors, glial tumors, pineal parenchymal tumors, primary melanoma, and metastasis (4, 12, 17). Within this context, pineal parenchymal tumors constitute a continuous histologic and prognostic spectrum derived from varying degrees of differentiation. The role of surgery for pineal parenchymal lesions includes management of hydrocephalus, diagnosis, and cytoreduction. Factors such as age, extent of resection, and histology help clinicians guide adjuvant therapies such as chemotherapy, radiation, and radiosurgery.
The relationship among marijuana use, prior incarceration, and inmates' self-reported HIV/AIDS risk behaviors

Inmates report use of a wide range of drugs including heroin, methadone, and cocaine at some point in their lives without a doctor's prescription. The most commonly used drugs include marijuana and cocaine; tobacco and alcohol are also widely used [Am. J. Public Health 90 (2000) 1939; Am. J. Drug Alcohol Abuse 26 (2000) 229]. The present study explores the relationship between marijuana use and prior incarceration on 208 inmates' self-reported HIV/AIDS risk behaviors. Analysis involved descriptive and chi-square tests of association. Findings indicate that inmates with higher self-reported levels of education were significantly less likely than others to be repeat offenders. Data also support the argument that income prior to the most recent arrest and frequency of marijuana use was related to the outcome of being a repeat offender.
Exploring visitor acceptability for hardening trails to sustain visitation and minimise impacts.

Protected natural area managers are challenged to provide high quality recreation opportunities and ensure the protection of resources from impacts associated with visitation. Development of visitor use facilities and application of site hardening practices are commonly applied tools for achieving these competing management objectives. This study applies stated choice analysis to examine visitor opinions on acceptability when they are asked to make tradeoffs among competing social, resource and management attributes in backcountry and frontcountry settings of Acadia National Park. This study demonstrates that asking visitors about recreation setting attributes uni-dimensionally, a common approach, can yield less informative responses. Analyses that considered direct tradeoffs revealed more divergent opinions on acceptability for setting attributes than a unidimensional approach. Findings revealed that visitors to an accessible and popular attraction feature supported trail development options to protect r...
Matching and searching analysis for parallel hardware implementation on FPGAs

Matching and searching computations play an important role in the indexing of data. These computations are typically encoded in very tight loops with a single index variable and a simple search/ matching predicate. Their inherent sequential nature, either because of data dependences but more often because of very strong control dependences, makes it impossible to apply existing data dependence and parallelization analysis to exploit significant levels parallelism on traditional architectures. This paper describes a class of searching and matching computations and describes a mapping strategy to map these computations to hardware. We have developed a compiler analysis in SUIF using array data dependence analysis and implicit loop unrolling analysis to expose more parallelism for the parallel evaluation of these computations. Our compiler generates parallel hardware specifications in VHDL. The resulting parallel hardware yields significant performance improvements when these kernel operators are repeated over shifted portions of the input data on FPGA-based computing architectures.
Primary malignant melanoma in the oesophagus of a foal

Summary A 2-month-old filly was evaluated for severe colic. Ultrasound, abdominocentesis and physical examination findings prompted an abdominal exploratory surgery. Perforation of the stomach was discovered during the surgery. The filly was humanely subjected to euthanasia under anaesthesia and post mortem examination was performed. In addition to gastric and duodenal ulceration, a thickened, black area of the proximal oesophagus was discovered. Histopathology of the lesion revealed primary malignant melanoma. Although rare, primary melanoma can occur in noncutaneous locations.
The Spectral Classification of Southern Carbon Stars

Well-widened objective prism spectra of carbon stars south of —25° declination have been examined to determine their suitability for classification. These spectra, taken by Henize in the early 1950’s from South Africa as part of the Michigan-Mt. Wilson Hα survey of the southern sky, have a reciprocal dispersion at Na I 5890A of 300 A mm−1 and are in good focus in the range between 5100 and 6600A.
Studies of diffused phosphorus emitters: saturation current, surface recombination velocity, and quantum efficiency

The surface recombination velocity s for silicon surfaces passivated with thermal oxide was experimentally determined as a function of surface phosphorus concentration for a variety of oxidation, anneal, and surface conditions. This was accomplished by measuring the emitter saturation current density J/sub 0/ of transparent diffusions for which the J/sub 0/ is strongly dependent on s. At the lowest doping levels, the value of s was confirmed by measurements of s on substrates with uniform phosphorus doping. The impact of these measurements on solar cell design is discussed. >
RANDOM WALK THEORY APPLIED TO DAPHNIA MOTION

The zooplankton Daphnia or "water flea" — one of the most common crustacean to be found in freshwater — is subject to recent studies. It is known to perform vortex motions under certain light conditions as well as more complex navigational tasks. Experimental data show that Daphnia move with a preferred turning angle, what is of main interest in this paper. The above-mentioned experimental fact is taken in order to derive a diffusion law for these types of motion. Deviations from the free diffusive behavior are investigated, based on random walk theory.
Estrogen Receptor-α is a Key Mediator and Therapeutic Target for Bladder Complications of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Purpose: Estrogens are important in prostate growth and have a role in benign prostatic hyperplasia. However, to our knowledge no current therapy directly targets estrogen action. Estrogens act primarily via estrogen receptors α and β. In a mouse model we evaluated the relative contribution of these receptors to bladder complications of benign prostatic hyperplasia. We also evaluated the prevention of these bladder complications using the selective estrogen receptor modulators raloxifene and tamoxifen (estrogen receptor-α selective antagonists), and R,R-THC (estrogen receptor-β selective antagonist).Materials and Methods: Adult male C57bl/6 mice received implants of 25 mg testosterone and 2.5 mg 17β-estradiol slow release pellets. Untreated controls underwent sham surgery. We evaluated the contributions of the estrogen receptor subtypes in ERαKO and ERβKO mice compared to their respective wild-type litter mates. Wild-type mice treated with testosterone plus 17β-estradiol were compared to mice treated with...
Singletons as a Basis for Composite Conformal Quantum Electrodynamics

After presenting the kinematical basis for interpreting massless particles as composed of two Dirac singletons in de Sitter space, we review the gauge structure (triple extension of representations) of the Rac and photon fields, and their relationship to one another. Then we show how it is possible to quantize the Rac field in a way consistent with both the usual quantization of the photon field and conformal invariance, and apply it to QED.
Quantum theory of the nonlinear interferometer

A full quantum theory of the Mach–Zehnder interferometer with nonlinear Kerr media in both arms is presented. The nonlinear operator equations can be integrated, and the result can be normal-ordered. This permits evaluation of the factorial moments of the photon number to all orders of the nonlinearity. Various excitations and phase biases are studied. The degree of squeezing by the interferometer is determined.
Modeling of Cutting Temperature in Near Dry Machining

Near dry machining refers to the condition of applying cutting fluid at relatively low flow rates, on the order of 2-100 ml/h, as opposed to the conventional way of using either a large quantity, typically of about 10 1/min, as in wet machining; or no fluid at all, as in dry machining. One important expectation of applying fluids is to control the cutting temperature, which is an important parameter for tool life and part dimensional accuracy in machining processes. In this context, the understanding of cutting temperature variation corresponding to the near dry cooling and lubrication is of interest. This paper models the temperature distributions in the cutting zone under through-the-tool near dry cooling condition. The heat source method is implemented to estimate the cutting temperatures on the tool-chip interface and the tool-workpiece interface. For the temperature rise in the chip, the effects of the primary heat source and the secondary heat source were modeled as moving heat sources. For the temperature rise in the tool, the effects of the secondary heat source, the heat loss due to cooling, and the rubbing heat source due to the tool flank wear, were modeled as stationary heat sources. For the temperature rise in the workpiece, the primary heat source, the heat loss due to cooling, and the rubbing heat source due to the tool flank wear were modeled as moving heat sources. The model describes the dual effects of air-oil mixture in near dry machining in terms of the reduction of cutting temperature through the cooling effect, as well as the reduction of heat generation through the lubricating effect. To pursue model calibration and validation, embedded thermocouple temperature measurement in cutting medium carbon steels with uncorted carbide insets were carried out. The model predictions and experimental measurements show reasonable agreement and results suggest that the combination of the cooling and the lubricating effects in near dry machining reduces the cutting temperatures on the tool-chip interface by about 8% with respect to dry machining. Moreover, the cutting speed remains a dominant factor in cutting temperature compared with the feed and the depth of cut in near dry machining processes.
Teriparatide Therapy as an Adjuvant for Tissue Engineering and Integration of Biomaterials

Critically sized large bone defects commonly result from trauma, radical tumor resections or infections. Currently, massive allografting remain as the clinical standard to treat these critical defects. Unfortunately, allograft healing is limited by the lack of osteogenesis and bio-integration of the graft to the host bone. Based on its widely studied anabolic effects on the bone, we have proposed that teriparatide [recombinant parathyroid hormone (PTH1–34)] could be an effective adjuvant for massive allograft healing. In support of this theory, here we review studies that have demonstrated that intermittent PTH1–34 treatment enhances and accelerates the skeletal repair process via a number of mechanisms including: effects on mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), angiogenesis, chondrogenesis, bone formation and remodeling. We also review the current literature on the effects of PTH1–34 therapy on bone healing, and discuss this drug’s long term potential as an adjuvant for endogenous tissue engineering.
Formaldehyde as a basis for residential ventilation rates

Traditionally, houses in the U.S. have been ventilated by passive infiltration in combination with active window opening. However in recent years, the construction quality of residential building envelopes has been improved to reduce infiltration, and the use of windows for ventilation also may have decreased due to a number of factors. Thus, there has been increased interest in engineered ventilation systems for residences. The amount of ventilation provided by an engineered system should be set to protect occupants from unhealthy or objectionable exposures to indoor pollutants, while minimizing energy costs for conditioning incoming air. Determining the correct ventilation rate is a complex task, as there are numerous pollutants of potential concern, each having poorly characterized emission rates, and poorly defined acceptable levels of exposure. One ubiquitous pollutant in residences is formaldehyde. The sources of formaldehyde in new houses are reasonably understood, and there is a large body of literature on human health effects. This report examines the use of formaldehyde as a means of determining ventilation rates and uses existing data on emission rates of formaldehyde in new houses to derive recommended levels. Based on current, widely accepted concentration guidelines for formaldehyde, the minimum and guideline ventilation rates for most new houses are 0.28 and 0.5 air changes per hour, respectively.
Management of ileal pouch prolapse with endoscopic hot snare

Pouch prolapse is a complication following the creation of restorative proctocolectomy. There is a paucity of information in the literature pertaining to its management. An ileal J pouch patient with dyschezia presented to our Pouch Center. Under sedation, pouchoscopy was performed with a gastroscope. We detected an anterior distal pouch mucosal prolapse, 1.5 cm in diameter, blocking the anal canal. The prolapsed mucosa was excised with hot snare under a retroflex view. There was no bleeding or perforation. The entire procedure took 25 minutes. The patient tolerated the procedure well and was discharged home 30 minutes after post-procedural observation. The patient reported the resolution of the dyschezia symptom. The histopathological examination of excised specimen showed small bowel mucosa and sub-mucosa with changes compatible with mucosal prolapse. Endoscopic hot snare appears to be feasible in the management of pouch mucosal prolapse.
An essential iteron-binding protein required for plasmid R1162 replication induces localized melting within the origin at a specific site in AT-rich DNA.

The R1162-encoded protein RepIB is essential for replication of the plasmid and binds specifically to iterons within the replicative origin. The protein causes the localized melting of DNA (determined by sensitivity to P1 nuclease) at a site within the AT-rich region of the origin, about 60 bp from the iteron binding sites and separated from them by a GC-rich tract. Point mutations have been isolated in the AT-rich DNA. These mutations interfere with origin activity and also prevent the protein-induced sensitivity to P1. A second-site suppressor of one of these mutations maps in the repIb gene and restores both origin function and sensitivity to P1. The results suggest a specific interaction between RepIB and origin DNA at a position distant from its primary binding site. Images
Heterogeneous turnover of adenohypophysial prolactin.

Adenohypophyses (AP) of female rats were exposed to 3H-leucine either in vivo or in vitro, then incubated in vitro. The prolactin (PI) in the tissues and incubation medium was separated and quantified by disc electrophoresis (DE) and densitometry. The PI bands were cut from the gel columns and counted by liquid scintillation procedures. In all experiments the specific activity of prolactin (cpm/μg) in the medium became significantly greater than that in the tissue, and was as high as 2.7 times that of the tissue in some cases. This indicated that prolactin was secreted in vitro from more than one pool, with the newly synthesized (labeled) hormone being rapidly released. One rapid turnover pool was indicated by an increase of as much as 100% in medium PI specific activity between 40 and 70 minutes of incubation of AP labeled in vivo one hour before incubation. This early increase did not occur with AP labeled in vivo 4 hours. Another less rapid turnover pool was suggested by a greater discrepancy between m...
Alkaline phosphatase inhibition by vanadyl-β-diketone complexes: electron density effects

A series of systematically modified vanadyl-β-diketone complexes, VO(β-diketone)2, bearing substituent groups with different electron inductive properties were synthesized and evaluated as inhibitors against calf-intestine alkaline phosphatase (APase). A combination of biochemical and quantum mechanical techniques were employed to identify structure-activity relationships relevant for rational design of phosphatase inhibitors. Kinetic parameters and activation free energy, enthalpy, and entropy for calf-intestine APase-catalyzed dephosphorylation of para-nitrophenylphosphate were also determined along with the inhibition constants (Ki) for the VO(β-diketone)2 complexes. Increased positive charge on the vanadyl group increases the inhibition potency of the complex while the absence of an available coordination site on the complex decreases its inhibition potency. These findings correlate well with the results of ab initio electron density calculations for the complexes.
The Impact of Land-Use Change on Ecosystem Services, Biodiversity and Returns to Landowners: A Case Study in the State of Minnesota

Land-use change has a significant impact on the world's ecosystems. Changes in the extent and composition of forests, grasslands, wetlands and other ecosystems have large impacts on the provision of ecosystem services, biodiversity conservation and returns to landowners. While the change in private returns to landowners due to land-use change can often be measured, changes in the supply and value of ecosystem services and the provision of biodiversity conservation have been harder to quantify. In this paper we use a spatially explicit integrated modeling tool (InVEST) to quantify the changes in ecosystem services, habitat for biodiversity, and returns to landowners from land-use change in Minnesota from 1992 to 2001. We evaluate the impact of actual land-use change and a suite of alternative land-use change scenarios. We find a lack of concordance in the ranking of baseline and alternative land-use scenarios in terms of generation of private returns to landowners and net social benefits (private returns plus ecosystem service value). Returns to landowners are highest in a scenario with large-scale agricultural expansion. This scenario, however, gen- erated the lowest net social benefits across all scenarios considered because of large losses in stored carbon and negative impacts on water quality. Further, this scenario resulted in the largest decline in habitat quality for general terrestrial biodiversity and forest songbirds. Our results illustrate the importance of taking ecosystem services into account in land-use and
Safety Net Care and Midlevel Dental Practitioners: A Case Study of the Portion of Care That Might Be Performed Under Various Setting and Scope-of-Practice Assumptions.

Objectives. We sought to determine the proportion of dental care provided at safety net–type clinics that might be performed by midlevel practitioners.Methods. Data were obtained on 157 328 procedures performed in 2012 at the clinics associated with a Midwestern dental school. Based on procedure codes, we determined the overall proportion, as well as the proportion of visits and patients’ care, that could have been performed by 3 types of practitioners.Results. Overall, 48% to 66% of all procedures could have been performed by a midlevel dental practitioner. Nearly half of all visits, and roughly a third of all patients, could have been entirely cared for by a practitioner trained in prophylaxis and with evaluation capabilities. Such practitioners could handle roughly 80% of the visits at the community-based clinic and more than half of the visits at the hospital-based clinic.Conclusions. A midlevel practitioner with training in prophylaxis has the potential to alleviate much of the burden on the dental s...
Inefficient Cross-Presentation Limits the CD8+ T Cell Response to a Subdominant Tumor Antigen Epitope

CD8(+) T lymphocytes (T(CD8)) responding to subdominant epitopes provide alternate targets for the immunotherapy of cancer, particularly when self-tolerance limits the response to immunodominant epitopes. However, the mechanisms that promote T(CD8) subdominance to tumor Ags remain obscure. We investigated the basis for the lack of priming against a subdominant tumor epitope following immunization of C57BL/6 (B6) mice with SV40 large tumor Ag (T Ag)-transformed cells. Immunization of B6 mice with wild-type T Ag-transformed cells primes T(CD8) specific for three immunodominant T Ag epitopes (epitopes I, II/III, and IV) but fails to induce T(CD8) specific for the subdominant T Ag epitope V. Using adoptively transferred T(CD8) from epitope V-specific TCR transgenic mice and immunization with T Ag-transformed cells, we demonstrate that the subdominant epitope V is weakly cross-presented relative to immunodominant epitopes derived from the same protein Ag. Priming of naive epitope V-specific TCR transgenic T(CD8) in B6 mice required cross-presentation by host APC. However, robust expansion of these T(CD8) required additional direct presentation of the subdominant epitope by T Ag-transformed cells and was only significant following immunization with T Ag-expressing cells lacking the immunodominant epitopes. These results indicate that limited cross-presentation coupled with competition by immunodominant epitope-specific T(CD8) contributes to the subdominant nature of a tumor-specific epitope. This finding has implications for vaccination strategies targeting T(CD8) responses to cancer.
Generation of infectious virus particles from inducible transgenic genomes

Arboviruses like dengue virus, yellow fever virus, and West Nile virus are enveloped particles spread by mosquitoes, infecting millions of humans per year, with neither effective vaccines, nor specific antiviral therapies [1,2]. Previous studies of infection and virus replication utilize either purified virus particles or deficient genomes that do not complete the viral life cycle [1,2]. Here we describe transgenic Drosophila strains expressing trans-complementing genomes (referred to as 'replicons') from the arbovirus Sindbis [2]. We use this binary system to produce, for the first time in any metazoan, infectious virus particles through self-assembly from transgenes. Such cell-type specific particle 'launching' could serve as an attractive alternative for the development of virus-based tools and the study of virus biology in specific tissues.
Circumplex Model of Marital and Family Systems

The Circumplex Model focuses on the three central dimensions of marital and family systems: cohesion, flexibility and communication. The major hypothesis of the Circumplex Model is that balanced couple and family systems tend to be more functional compared to unbalanced systems. In over 250 studies using the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Scales (FACES), a linear self-report measure, strong support has been found for this hypothesis. In several studies using the Clinical Rating Scale (CRS), a curvilinear observational measure, the hypothesis was also supported. These two assessment tools, the FACES and the CRS, are designed for research, clinical assessment and treatment planning with couples and families.
Diallylsulfide and Allylmethylsulfide Are Uniquely Effective among Organosulfur Compounds in Inhibiting CYP2E1 Protein in Animal Models

Garlic is a popular culinary herb that is also used throughout the world as a traditional medicine for the prevention and treatment of disease. Epidemiologic studies have suggested that long-term consumption of garlic reduces risk for certain cancers, most notably stomach and colon cancer. This article summarizes the key findings behind one important mechanism explaining the anticarcinogenic effects of garlic-derived agents in animal models: the inhibition of cytochrome p4502E1 (CYP2E1), with some commentary on other aspects of carcinogen metabolism modified by these unique phytochemicals.
Synergistic Functions of SII and p300 in Productive Activator-Dependent Transcription of Chromatin Templates

We have reconstituted a highly purified RNA polymerase II transcription system containing chromatin templates assembled with purified histones and assembly factors, the histone acetyltransferase p300, and components of the general transcription machinery that, by themselves, suffice for activated transcription (initiation and elongation) on DNA templates. We show that this system mediates activator-dependent initiation, but not productive elongation, on chromatin templates. We further report the purification of a chromatin transcription-enabling activity (CTEA) that, in a manner dependent upon p300 and acetyl-CoA, strongly potentiates transcription elongation through several contiguous nucleosomes as must occur in vivo. The transcription elongation factor SII is a major component of CTEA and strongly synergizes with p300 (histone acetylation) at a step subsequent to preinitiation complex formation. The purification of CTEA also identified HMGB2 as a coactivator that, while inactive on its own, enhances SII and p300 functions.
Plant-made oral vaccines against human infectious diseases—Are we there yet?

Although the plant-made vaccine field started three decades ago with the promise of developing low-cost vaccines to prevent infectious disease outbreaks and epidemics around the globe, this goal has not yet been achieved. Plants offer several major advantages in vaccine generation, including low-cost production by eliminating expensive fermentation and purification systems, sterile delivery and cold storage/transportation. Most importantly, oral vaccination using plant-made antigens confers both mucosal (IgA) and systemic (IgG) immunity. Studies in the past 5 years have made significant progress in expressing vaccine antigens in edible leaves (especially lettuce), processing leaves or seeds through lyophilization and achieving antigen stability and efficacy after prolonged storage at ambient temperatures. Bioencapsulation of antigens in plant cells protects them from the digestive system; the fusion of antigens to transmucosal carriers enhances efficiency of their delivery to the immune system and facilitates successful development of plant vaccines as oral boosters. However, the lack of oral priming approaches diminishes these advantages because purified antigens, cold storage/transportation and limited shelf life are still major challenges for priming with adjuvants and for antigen delivery by injection. Yet another challenge is the risk of inducing tolerance without priming the host immune system. Therefore, mechanistic aspects of these two opposing processes (antibody production or suppression) are discussed in this review. In addition, we summarize recent progress made in oral delivery of vaccine antigens expressed in plant cells via the chloroplast or nuclear genomes and potential challenges in achieving immunity against infectious diseases using cold-chain-free vaccine delivery approaches.
COMBINED ANAEROBIC/AEROBIC BIOSTIMULATION FOR REMEDIATION OF RAIL YARDS CONTAMINATED BY DIESEL ENGINE REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE

Perchloroethylene (PCE) and trichloroethylene (TCE) have been commonly used in the repair and maintenance of diesel engine locomotives. Improper handling, storage, and disposal lead to contamination of rail yard soils and groundwater with chlorinated ethylenes. Benzene, toluene, ethyl-benzene, and xylene (BTEX) are also common contaminants at rail yards because of the leakage of diesel fuel storage tanks and spills of diesel fuel. Co-contamination of groundwater with BTEX and chlorinated ethylenes allows for the application of anaerobic/aerobic bioremediation to achieve mineralization of both types of compounds. Bench scale laboratory experiments were run to select and enrich for an undefined, mixed, microbial consortium able to mediate PCE dechlorination to dichloroethylene (DCE), mineralization of the DCE, and mineralization of aromatic compounds. A periodically operated suspended culture reactor created alternating anaerobic/aerobic environments. When glucose was added to the reactor as the sole electr...
The Quest for Excellence in Forensic Psychiatry

Excellence in forensic psychiatry requires adopting an appropriate professional role; developing an uncommon depth of knowledge and experience; full disclosure of credentials, biases, and weaknesses to potential clients; wise choices about which assignments to accept; and scrupulous fairness in the presentation of findings and opinions. An elusive goal in the best of circumstances, the quest for excellence can appear even more quixotic as resources diminish. As forensic psychiatry faces cost controls from insurance companies, increased competition from psychiatrists who have lost clinical opportunities, and the prospect of tort reform, the pressure to employ more efficient methods and to do more superficial work increases, threatening the quality of forensic work. The many influences, distractions, temptations, and hazards in the path toward excellence can be largely overcome by men and women of integrity, but there are inflexible barriers in the path of those who take assignments for which they are unsuited, for which the data will not be made accessible, or for which too little time is available to prepare properly. Often the most consequential decision one makes in a case is the-decision to accept the case.
Dental Hygienist-Led Chronic Disease Management System to Control Early Childhood Caries

Abstract Management of the complex chronic disease of early childhood caries requires a system of coordinated health care interventions which can be led by a dental hygienist and where patient self-care efforts are paramount. Background and purpose Even after receiving costly surgical treatment under general anesthesia in the operating room, many children develop new and recurrent caries after only 6-12 months, a sequela that can be prevented. This article describes the chronic disease management (CDM) of dental caries, a science-based approach that can prevent and control caries. Methods In this article, we (1) introduce the concept of CDM of dental caries, (2) provide evidence that CDM improves oral health outcomes, and (3) propose a dental hygienist–led team-based oral health care approach to CDM. Although we will be describing the CDM approach for early childhood caries, CDM of caries is applicable in children, adolescents, and adults. Conclusions Early childhood caries disease control requires meaningful engagement of patients and parents by the oral health care team to assist them with making behavioral changes in the unique context of their families and communities. The traditional dentist/hygienist/assistant model needs to evolve to a collaborative partnership between care providers and patients/families. This partnership will be focused on systematic risk assessment and behaviorally based management of the disease itself, with sensitivity toward the familial environment. Early pilot study results demonstrate reductions in the rates of new caries, dental pain, and referral to the operating room compared with baseline rates. Dental hygienists are the appropriate team members to lead this approach because of their expertise in behavior change and prevention.
Role of Light in Altering the Circadian Oscillations of the Honey Bee

Colonies of honey bees. Apis mellifera L., (Hymenoptera: Apidae), and individual bees have distinct circadian rhythms when external stimuli are removed. The circadian activity was eliminated from observation colonies by exposing the bees to light during a period of low activity. The circadian oscillation of the activity of individual honey bees can be compressed or expanded from that expected in a free-running situation by entrainment with light.
A nondestructive trap for Dendroctonus frontalis Zimmerman (Coleoptera: Scolytidae)

The bucket trap is a lightweight device for capturing southern pine beetles in flight and retaining them either alive or dead for later examination. It is not messy like the sticky trap and not cumbersome like conventional live traps. Placing the bucket against a vertical silhouette increases the number of beetles caught. Few nontarget insects are captured except for the cleridThanasimus dubius. When the trap was baited with Frontalure, about 99% of the beetles trapped were male. When infested pine bolts were used as bait, roughly equal numbers of males and females were captured.
Cancer Risk from the Application of Newspaper to Farmland

A New Jersey farmer requested clearance to apply a mulch of used, shredded newspaper to his land. A risk assessment to investigate the potential human health risk from consuming vegetables grown on this land was performed. Newspaper consists primarily of carbon black dye, mineral oil, and paper. Carbon black contains approximately 0.1% polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) impurities. The EPA has found that certain paper products contain 10–100 ppt dioxin. Newsprint has not yet been evaluated. Since the production of newsprint is unlikely to create many dioxins, the lower range figure of 10 ppt was used. The cancer risk from vegetarian vegetable consumption, based on the levels of these two contaminants, was evaluated for both a 200 and 5 ton/acre application rate. The potential risk from contaminated vegetable exposure ranged from 1 × 10−3 to 2.5 × 10−5 for PAH and from 7.2 × 10−6 to 1.8 × 10−7 for dioxin.
Examining the Role of Health Literacy in Optimizing the Care of Pregnant Women with Diabetes

Diabetes during pregnancy is a substantial and growing public health problem disproportionately affecting women in racial/ethnic minority communities. Health literacy and numeracy are skills needed to function in the health care environment. By definition, health literacy is the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions. Health literacy is increasingly recognized as an important mediator of health disparities in the United States, yet it has been rarely studied during pregnancy. Thus, this article aims to describe the problem of inadequate health literacy, outline the relationships between inadequate health literacy and poor health outcomes, and discuss diabetes-specific associations with health literacy. Although literacy has been insufficiently studied during pregnancy, a limited body of work suggests inadequate health literacy may be associated with lesser knowledge and self-care behaviors among pregnant women with diabetes. Health literacy-focused clinical "pearls" for the care of pregnant women with diabetes include: to use multiple educational modalities, to employ teach-back methods, to validate understanding, to provide specific and concrete counseling, and to offer focused, limited messaging. Lastly, future research directions regarding diabetes, health literacy, and pregnancy are addressed.