cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reversible Inactivation of HIF-1 Prolyl Hydroxylases Allows Cell Metabolism to Control Basal HIF-1

Continuous hydroxylation of the HIF-1 transcription factor α subunit by oxygen and 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases promotes decay of this protein and thus prevents the transcriptional activation of many genes involved in energy metabolism, angiogenesis, cell survival, and matrix modification. Hypoxia blocks HIF-1α hydroxylation and thus activates HIF-1α-mediated gene expression. Several nonhypoxic stimuli can also activate HIF-1, although the mechanisms involved are not well known. Here we show that the glucose metabolites pyruvate and oxaloacetate inactivate HIF-1α decay in a manner selectively reversible by ascorbate, cysteine, histidine, and ferrous iron but not by 2-oxoglutarate or oxygen. Pyruvate and oxaloacetate bind to the 2-oxoglutarate site of HIF-1α prolyl hydroxylases, but their effects on HIF-1 are not mimicked by other Krebs cycle intermediates, including succinate and fumarate. We show that inactivation of HIF-1 hydroxylation by glucose-derived 2-oxoacids underlies the prominent basal HIF-1 activity commonly seen in many highly glycolytic cancer cells. Since HIF-1 itself promotes glycolytic metabolism, enhancement of HIF-1 by glucose metabolites may constitute a novel feed-forward signaling mechanism involved in malignant progression.
Law, Politics, and Occupational Consciousness: Industrial Guard Unions in the United States, 1933–1945

From 1865 to 1937 industrial guards (or company police) enforced work rules and engaged in anti-union activities. The National Industrial Recovery Act (1933) and the National Labor Relations Act (1935) introduced workplace democratization. The new political climate and federal laws aided unionization and simultaneously encouraged guards to develop a sense of occupational consciousness. Guard unionization during World War II completed the transformation by conferring employee status and identity. This article discusses four phases of industrial guard development and transformation from the negative image of management surrogate held in 1933 to the positive defender of self, company, and national interests in 1945.
Modeling lysine and citric acid production in terms of initial limiting nutrient concentrations

Abstract As an alternative to the traditional Monod equation, bioprocess models may be written in terms of initial nutrient concentrations for those cases where the limiting nutrient concentration cannot be easily measured. This paper presents batch bioprocess results for growth and production of lysine by Brevibacterium lactofermentum and growth and production of citric acid by Saccharomycopsis lipolytica . A linear cell growth model was developed based only on initial cell and nutrients (ammonia/soytone) concentrations. Luedeking-Piret equations were used as mathematical models for substrate utilization and product formation. The parameters specific for each bioprocess were then determined and used in computer simulations. The models were found to predict growth and substrate utilization fairly well for both bioprocesses. The model used for citric acid production predicted the onset of acid formation with good accuracy, as well as the separation of growth and product formation. The model for lysine production accurately predicted simultaneous growth and product formation for the bioprocess conducted with B. lactofermentum .
Aggregation of spottail shiners in the heated discharge of a nuclear power station

Abstract Shoreline fish populations from five areas in Keowee Reservoir, South Carolina, were sampled with a bag seine from June to September, 1973–1978, to determine the effects of electrical power production on fish distribution and abundance. Significantly (α = 0.05) more spottail shiners (Notropis hudsonius) were in the heated discharge of Oconee Nuclear Station than in the other four areas; they were first collected there in 1975, and by 1977 were the most abundant species in this area. Spottail shiners also increased annually in other areas, but abundance decreased as distance from the heated discharge increased. Increases in water temperature and abundance of macrophytes paralleled increases in the abundance of spottail shiners and appear to be the most important factors regulating the distribution and abundance of this species in Keowee Reservoir.
Recent fieldguides to neotropical stingless bees

Book review of: Oliveira, F.F., de, B.T.T. Richers, J.R. da Silva, R.C. Farias, & T.A. de Lima Matos. 2013. Guia Ilustrado das Abelhas “Sem-Ferrao” das Reservas Amana e Mamiraua, Amazonas, Brasil (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Meliponini) . IDSM [Instituto de Desenvolvimento Sustentavel Mamiraua]; Tefe, Brazil; 267 pp. ISBN 978-85-88758-27-8 [paperback]. Giraldo, C., A. Rodriguez, F.J. Chamorro, D. Obregon, P. Montoya, N. Ramirez, V. Solarte, & G. Nates-Parra. 2011. Guia Ilustrada de Polen y Plantas Nativas Visitadas por Abejas: Cundinamarca, Boyaca, Santander, Sucre, Atlantico y Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia . Unibiblos, Universidad Nacional de Colombia; Bogota, Colombia; 230 pp. ISBN 978-95-87199-83-3 [spiral bound].
Size Scale Effect on Generated Electric Potential of Nano Composite Electrical Generators

A multiscale approach is pursued for modeling the size-scale effect on generated electric potential by nanocomposite electrical generators of ZnO nanowires. A core-surface model is used for capturing the effect of size-scale on elastic modulus of ZnO NWs. In this model, a surface with different elastic modulus as of the core of NW was considered. Using linear elasticity and axisymmetric configuration of this problem, closed form governing equations are derived in cylindrical coordinate system. Parametric studied are performed for sample cases to demonstrate application of the developed model. It is shown that ZnO nanowires with larger aspect ratio and smaller diameters have higher performance and can produce higher electric potential.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
A differential low pH effect on tumour cells grown in vivo and in vitro when treated with hyperthermia

The effectiveness of low extracellular pH in sensitizing cells to heat was studied using SCK mammary carcinoma cells of A/J mice. Solid tumours of 400–600 mg or cells grown in vitro for less than 13 weeks were dispersed to single cells and the in vivo-or in vitro-derived cells were suspended in a medium of pH 7.2 or 5.5–6.6 and then heated at 41–44°C in vitro using a water bath. The dispersion procedure did not alter the heat sensitivity of these cells, but acidic medium of pH below 6.6 caused an increase in heat sensitivity. This effect of low pH decreased with increasing temperature of heating for both cell types. However, the effect was much smaller on in vivo-derived cells than that on in vitro-derived cells for any heating temperature tested. This reduction of the pH effect was also observed for cells derived from larger tumours as well as tumours at an early stage of growth in which the internal milieu was not acidic. This indicates that cellular adaptation to low intratumour pH was not the cause of...
Energy-dependent Mn2+ and Ca2+ uptake by the Embryonic chick chorioallantoic membrane

The chick chorioallantoic membrane is an epithelial tissue which actively transports large amounts of Ca2+ during embryonic development. In this paper Mn2+ uptake by the tissue was studied and compared to Ca2+ uptake in parallel experiments. The purpose of these experiments was to determine if Mn2+ could be used to gain more information about the Ca2+ transport system. It was found that Mn2+ uptake was reduced significantly under conditions that reduced Ca2+ uptake and that Mn2+, like Ca2+, was taken up preferentially by the ectodermal side of the tissue. Mn2+ uptake showed saturation kinetics with a Km of 0.33 MM. Mn2+ uptake was also competitively inhibited by Ca2+, and Ca2+ uptake inhibited by Mn2+. Electron microprobe studies showed that Mn2+ was localized in the ectoderm of the tissue in the same way as Ca2+. It was concluded from these studies that significant amounts of Mn2+ were accumulated by the active Ca2+ transport mechanism and that Mn2+ could be useful paramagnetic probe of divalent cation transport in this tissue.
Moving on From Bland: The Evolution of the Law and Minimally Conscious Patients

The decision in Bland centred on the withdrawal of artificial nutrition and hydration from a patient in a persistent vegetative state (PVS). Since then, a new medical condition has emerged, known as a minimally conscious state (MCS). In W v M, the Court of Protection was asked to authorise the withdrawal of artificial nutrition and hydration from a patient in a MCS. Baker J refused to grant the declaration. More recently, however, the courts were also asked to rule on the lawfulness of withholding treatment in a similar, albeit factually different, case. In the Court of Appeal decision in Aintree University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust v David James and Others, Sir Alan Ward, with the agreement of Arden LJ and Laws LJ, granted a declaration that it would be lawful to withhold treatment. The Supreme Court then upheld this ruling, Lady Hale stating that the Court of Appeal reached the right result but for the wrong reasons. This article seeks to critically appraise the evolution of the law in regard to withdrawing treatment from MCS patients. The piece begins by explaining the differences between the two conditions of PVS and MCS and defines the law from the starting point of Bland. From here, the discussion progresses to focus on the challenges that the law has had to face in trying to keep pace with the advancing nature of medical understanding of conditions of the brain and explains how it has responded to these. The narrative then critiques the legal mechanism of best interests as it has been employed in the case law concerning MCS patients to date by analysing the various judicial perspectives on the concept. After addressing both the narrow and wide viewpoints, a conclusion is ventured as to how the balancing of best interests should be approached in respect of future MCS cases.
Morphometric studies on tenuissimus muscle spindles in the cat.

Muscle spindles were studied histochemically in serial transverse sections of 42 cat tenussimus muscle specimens. Staining for myofibrillar adenosine triphosphatase was employed to identify nuclear bag1, nuclear bag2, and nuclear chain intrafusal muscle fibers. The nuclear chain fibers were further subdivided into three categories according to their polar length and the intensity of their staining for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide tetrazolium reductase. A total of 430 spindle poles were surveyed. The mean spindle content of bag1, bag2, and chain fibers was established. The mean polar length of intrafusal fibers as well as that of the intracapsular and extracapsular spindle regions was determined. A cholinesterase (ChE) staining technique was used to demonstrate the termination sites of motor axons along intrafusal fibers. Two types of circumscribed ChE deposits, the “rim” and the “plate,” occurred on the fibers. The nuclear chain fibers usually carried both the ChE rims and plates, while most nuclear bag fibers displayed only the plates. The ChE plates were assessed in term of their appearance, staining intensity, length, and location along the fibers. The mean number of ChE plates found along the fibers was established for each of the various intrafusal fiber types. These histochemical observations are discussed with regard to the current concepts of cat spindle morphology and motor innervation. The results suggest a degree of predictability in the spindle fiber content and in the distribution of motor nerve terminals along intrafusal muscle fibers, at least in the tenuissimus muscle.
Spinal intradural extraosseous Ewing's sarcoma.

Extraosseous Ewing's sarcoma (EES) involving the central nervous system is rare, but can be diagnosed and distinguished from other primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNET) by identification of the chromosomal translocation (11;22)(q24;q12). We report EES arising from the spinal intradural extramedullary space, based on imaging, histopathological, and molecular data in two men, ages 50 and 60 years old and a review of the literature using PubMed (1970–2009). Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) identified the fusion product FL1-EWS. Multimodal therapy, including radiation and alternating chemotherapy including vincristine, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin and ifosfamide and etoposide led to local tumor control and an initial, favorable therapeutic response. No systemic involvement was seen from the time of diagnosis to the time of last follow-up (26 months) or death (4 years). This report confirms that EES is not confined to the earliest decades of life, and like its rare occurrence as an extra-axial meningeal based mass intracranially, can occasionally present as an intradural mass in the spinal canal without evidence of systemic tumor. Gross total resection followed by multimodal therapy may provide for extended progression free and overall survival.
The inheritance of autosomal and sex-linked cuticular pigmentation patterns in the marine isopod, Paracerceis sculpta Holmes, 1904 (Isopoda: Sphaeromatidae)

Cuticular pigmentation is highly variable in Paracerceis sculpta Holmes, 1904, a Gulf of California isopod. Individuals expressing L2r (= Laterals-2 red) have red pigmentation on the lateral margins of their 6-7th body segments. Individuals expressing 3rs (= Three red stripes) have three red pigmentation zones running the length of their bodies. Individuals expressing Cd (= Cephalon dark) have black head capsules. In 12 years of field collections, L2r and 3rs represented less than 0.3% of all individuals (N=5491) with the frequency of each sex proportional to population frequencies. Of all individuals scored as Cd (N=178), 98% were females. We crossed marked and unmarked parents in all possible combinations. Progeny ratios for L2r and 3rs met Mendelian expectations within families as did adult expression of 3rs despite observed biases in family sex ratio. In three generations, Cd females crossed to unmarked males produced families with 1:1 sex ratios, 100% Cd daughters and no Cd sons. Sons from these families never produced Cd daughters. Our results suggest that L2r and 3rs are controlled by dominant, autosomal alleles. The sex-limited expression of Cd corroborates previous results suggesting female heterogamety in P. sculpta and in other flabelliferan isopods. The appearance of rare phenotypes controlled by dominant alleles is paradoxical given the hypothesis that allelic dominance evolves in response to positive selection. However, this combination might persist if apostatic selection imposed by visual predators occurs in this species’ structured populations, thereby favoring dominance modifiers that suppress fitness losses by heterozygotes. This species with its large number of cuticular markers could provide tests of this hypothesis.
Mapping of Large Area Cadmium Zinc Telluride (CZT) Wafers: Apparatus and Methods

Cadmium Zinc Telluride (CZT) shows great promise as a semiconductor radiation detector material. CZT possesses advantageous material properties over other radiation detector materials in use today, such as a high intrinsic resistivity and a high cross-section for x and γ-rays. However, presently available CZT is not without limitations. The hole transport properties severely limit the performance of these detectors, and the yield of material possessing adequate electron transport properties is currently much lower than desired. The result of these material deficiencies is a lack of inexpensive CZT crystals of large volume for several radiation detector applications. One approach to help alleviate this problem is to measure the spatial distribution (or map) the electrical properties of large area CZT wafers prior to device fabrication. This mapping can accomplish two goals: identify regions of the wafers suitable for detector fabrication and correlate the distribution of crystalline defects with the detector performance. The results of this characterization can then be used by the crystal manufacturers to optimize their growth processes. In this work, we discuss the design and performance of apparatus for measuring the electrical characteristics of entire CZT wafers (up to 10 cm x 10 cm). The data acquisition and manipulation will be discussed and some typical data will be presented.
Clostridium difficile nosocomial infections--still lethal and persistent.

difficile was identified as a cause of this disease in the setting of prior antibiotic use. Subsequent observations were published rapidly, describing the organism's growth characteristics, clinical epidemiology, pathophysiology,' diagnosis, and treatments.2 Theoretically, the final chapter of its story, the control of this disease, should have been written by the early 1980s. Why then should two articles regarding its continuing clinical significance be published in the 1990s?
What's new in ophthalmic surgery.

p r s e f a m t o s one well-qualified and experienced ophthalmic sureon once opined: “Ophthalmic surgery is a symphony f minutia.” Over the past year, although most major eatures of the orchestration have not changed, there ave been several significant refinements in the compoition of the symphony’s movements as a whole. In this ontext, I have construed “new” in many instances as epresenting “acceptability” by ophthalmic surgeons afer appropriate development, refinement, and suitable valuation of the procedures, techniques, and instruentation described.
Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stent placement for recurrent carotid artery stenosis.

Object. Treatment consisting of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) and stent placement has recently been proposed as an alternative to surgical reexploration in patients with recurrent carotid artery stenosis following endarterectomy. The authors retrospectively reviewed their experience after performing 25 procedures in 21 patients to assess the safety and efficacy of PTA with or without stent placement for carotid artery restenosis. Methods. The mean interval between endarterectomy and the endovascular procedures was 57 months (range 8–220 months). Seven arteries in five patients were treated by PTA alone (including bilateral procedures in one patient and repeated angioplasty in the same vessel in another). Early suboptimum results and recurrent stenosis in some of these initial cases prompted the authors to combine PTA with stent placement in the treatment of 18 arteries over the past 3 years. No major periprocedural deficits (neurological or cardiac complications) or death occurred. There was...
Examining the impact of genetic testing for type 2 diabetes on health behaviors: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

We describe the study design, procedures, and development of the risk counseling protocol used in a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the impact of genetic testing for diabetes mellitus (DM) on psychological, health behavior, and clinical outcomes. Eligible patients are aged 21 to 65 years with body mass index (BMI) ≥27 kg/m2 and no prior diagnosis of DM. At baseline, conventional DM risk factors are assessed, and blood is drawn for possible genetic testing. Participants are randomized to receive conventional risk counseling for DM with eye disease counseling or with genetic test results. The counseling protocol was pilot tested to identify an acceptable graphical format for conveying risk estimates and match the length of the eye disease to genetic counseling. Risk estimates are presented with a vertical bar graph denoting risk level with colors and descriptors. After receiving either genetic counseling regarding risk for DM or control counseling on eye disease, brief lifestyle counseling for prevention of DM is provided to all participants. A standardized risk counseling protocol is being used in a randomized trial of 600 participants. Results of this trial will inform policy about whether risk counseling should include genetic counseling. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT01060540
PKCδ localization at the membrane increases matrix traction force dependent on PLCγ1/EGFR signaling.

Introduction During wound healing, fibroblasts initially migrate into the wound bed and later contract the matrix. Relevant mediators of transcellular contractility revealed by systems analyses are protein kinase c delta/myosin light chain-2 (PKCδ/MLC-2). PKCδ is activated by growth factor-driven PLCγ1 hydrolysis of phosphoinositide bisphosphate (PIP2) hydrolysis when it becomes tranlocated to the membrane. This leads to MLC-2 phosphorylation that regulates myosin for contractility. Furthermore, PKCδ n-terminus mediates PKCδ localization to the membrane in relative proximity to PLCγ1 activity. However, the role this localization and the relationship to its activation and signaling of force is not well understood. Therefore, we investigated whether the membrane localization of PKCδ mediates the transcellular contractility of fibroblasts. Methods To determine PKCδ activation in targeted membrane locations in mouse fibroblast cells (NR6-WT), two PKCδ constructs were generated; PKCδ-CaaX with farnesylation moiety targeting PKCδ to the membrane and PKCδ-SaaX a non-targeting control. Results Increased mean cell force was observed before and during EGF stimulation in fibroblasts expressing membrane-targeted PKCδ (PKCδ-CaaX) when analyzed with 2D cell traction force and 3D compaction of collagen matrix. This effect was reduced in cells deficient in EGFR/PLCy1 signaling. In cells expressing non-membrane targeted PKCδ (PKCδ-SaaX), the cell force exerted outside the ECM (extracellular matrix) was less, but cell motility/speed/persistence was increased after EGF stimulation. Change in cell motility and increased force exertion was also preceded by change in cell morphology. Organization of actin stress fibers was also decreased as a result of increasing membrane targeting of PKCδ. Conclusion From these results membrane tethering of PKCδ leads to increased force exertion on ECM. Furthermore, our data show PLCγ1 regulation of PKCδ, at least in part, drives transcellular contractility in fibroblasts.
Using genetic algorithms for reliability calculations of complex power systems

The paper presents a method for reliability analysis of composite power systems. The proposed method uses the genetic algorithm (GA) as a state sampling tool. A binary encoded GA is used to represent composite power system network states. The GA uses its fitness function to trace failure states in an intelligent manner. Two approaches for calculating annual and annualized adequacy indices are explained. Sampled states data are saved in a state array. At the end of the sampling process, state array data are used for sensitivity analysis, such as the contribution of different system components to system failure. Case studies on a sample test system are given to explain the effect of a component failure on composite system reliability.
In house finches, Haemorhous mexicanus, risk takers invest more in innate immune function

Consistent, stable behavioural differences in how individuals respond to novel situations can lead to variation in exposure to pathogens. To minimize the costs associated with pathogen infection, animals have evolved behavioural and immunological strategies to avoid infection. However, because both behavioural and immunological defences are costly, host individuals should benefit from balancing investment in these defence strategies. It has been suggested that one such behavioural defence strategy is hesitancy to engage with novel objects and environments. In particular, exploratory individuals appear more likely to be exposed to novel pathogens than less exploratory individuals. Here, we tested the hypothesis that immune function is inversely related to behaviours with the potential to decrease exposure to pathogens (i.e. forgoing exploratory behaviours). We found an inverse association between aspects of innate immune function and exploratory behaviours. These observations suggest that individuals that engage in low-risk behaviours when experiencing a novel situation may invest less in some aspects of innate immune function than individuals that engage in high-risk behaviours. This individual variation in pathogen defence strategy is expected to affect the dynamics of pathogen spread through populations, and ultimately the course of epidemics.
Top-down image segmentation using the Mumford-Shah functional and level set image representation

A top-down image segmentation method is proposed in this paper, utilizing level set image representation and the piecewise-constant Mumford-Shah functional. The method achieves top-down hierarchical segmentation by taking advantage of the tree structure provided by level set image representation. The piecewise-constant Mumford-Shah functional is utilized in the proposed method to determine if each node in the tree segments the image. Experimental results show that this method is able to segment complicated real images.
Average acquisition time for SSMA channels

The acquisition time performance of a two-user spread-spectrum multiple-access system is examined. The acquisition is accomplished using conventional (single-user) correlating/energy-detecting acquisition methods. The intent of the analysis is to determine how much performance penalty is incurred because of the presence of the multiple-user interference. The analysis indicates that for good spreading codes the performance degradation is not severe when the user's amplitudes are all similar. However, in the presence of significant near/far power differences, the acquisition time increases dramatically. This suggests the need for acquisition methods which explicitly account for the presence of multiple users. >
Angle controlled current regulated rectifiers for AC/AC converters

Rectifier control schemes for use in AC-DC-AC voltage-sourced resonant link converters with controlled rectifiers are discussed. Resonant link converters require the use of discrete pulse modulation. Control of the AC-to-DC converter by means of averaging methods or duty-cycle control is not inherent with this type of modulation. However, it is shown that the voltage-sourced rectifier cannot be operated solely on the basis of instantaneous quantities. A bang-bang control scheme is developed which independently controls the angle and the magnitude of the AC line current vector. The magnitude of the current is controlled using a linear combination of the link voltage error and the current magnitude error. The current reference is derived by the use of load torque estimation. In addition, the current vector that satisfies the sliding-mode criteria and results in the lowest voltage ripple is chosen to further minimize the size of the link capacitor. >
MB-10GSK-3 PROMOTES PROLIFERATION DURING POSTNATAL CEREBELLAR DEVELOPMENT AND MAY BE TARGETED IN MEDULLOBLASTOMA THERAPY

In light of prior studies showing that GSK-3 is required to prevent overgrowth of cerebral neural progenitors, we examined whether deletion of GSK-3 in the cerebellum would produce hyperplasia and support medulloblastoma tumorigenesis. GSK-3 regulates diverse intracellular processes, including signaling through Wnt and N-myc, which have both been implicated in tumorigenesis. We deleted both isoforms of GSK-3 conditionally in the cerebellum by crossing GSKα -/-:GSKβ f/f mice with the Math1-cre transgenic line. We found that GSK-3 deletion induced marked hypoproliferation in the cerebellum, contrary to the hyperproliferation seen when GSK in deleted in cortical progenitors. Transcription analysis by microarray revealed that hypoplasia was preceded by a strong activation of WNT signaling. Deleting GSK-3 in medulloblastoma-prone SmoM2 mice markedly reduced tumor growth. Ongoing studies will determine if WNT signaling is activated in GSK-deleted tumors and may mediate the reduced growth. Our data show that the predominant effect of GSK-3 during cerebellar development and medulloblastoma formation is to promote growth, and that disruption of GSK-3 function may exert a significant restriction on tumor growth.
Micro- and nanoscale thermal phenomena in thin-film magnetic recording heads

As the magnetic data storage industry continues to pursue aggressive miniaturization of sensors and write elements in thin-film recording heads, it faces serious thermal management challenges. The present work develops theoretical models of heat conduction and power dissipation in current-in-plane and current-perpendicular-to-plane sensors to highlight key physics and help examine the influence of various parameters. Fundamental physics of heat conduction in thin films and across interfaces is discussed to facilitate systematic exploration of novel high thermal conductivity materials and methods to minimize the thermal interface resistance. Experimental techniques for thermal characterization of recording heads and constituent thin films are also presented.
Inverse effects of purified hypothalamic TRF on the acute secretion of TSH and ACTH.

When the pituitary is induced to secrete TSH by TRF it concomitantly secretes less ACTH in response to stress; conversely, when the secretion of ACTH is inhibited as by pretreatment with dexamethasone and Nembutal, the pituitary secretes higher quantities of TSH in response to TRF. (Endocrinology 77: 797, 1965)
Restoration of Glutamatergic Transmission by Dopamine D4 Receptors in Stressed Animals

The prefrontal cortex (PFC), a key brain region for cognitive and emotional processes, is highly regulated by dopaminergic inputs. The dopamine D4 receptor, which is enriched in PFC, has been implicated in mental disorders, such as attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder and schizophrenia. Recently we have found homeostatic regulation of AMPA receptor-mediated synaptic transmission in PFC pyramidal neurons by the D4 receptor, providing a potential mechanism for D4 in stabilizing cortical excitability. Because stress is tightly linked to adaptive and maladaptive changes associated with mental health and disorders, we examined the synaptic actions of D4 in stressed rats. We found that neural excitability was elevated by acute stress and dampened by repeated stress. D4 activation produced a potent reduction of excitatory transmission in acutely stressed animals and a marked increase of excitatory transmission in repeatedly stressed animals. These effects of D4 targeted GluA2-lacking AMPA receptors and relied on the bi-directional regulation of calcium/calmodulin kinase II activity. The restoration of PFC glutamatergic transmission in stress conditions may enable D4 receptors to serve as a synaptic stabilizer in normal and pathological conditions. Background: The dopamine D4 receptors in prefrontal cortex (PFC) play a key role in mental health and disorders. Results: D4 activation caused a bi-directional, homeostatic regulation of glutamatergic responses in rats exposed to acute or chronic stress. Conclusion: The altered synaptic excitation in stress conditions is restored by D4 signaling in PFC. Significance: It provides a potential mechanism for the role of D4 in stress-related neuropsychiatric disorders.
Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology of Colloid Carcinoma of the Pancreas

Introduction: Colloid carcinoma (CC) is a rare invasive carcinoma of the pancreas believed to arise from intestinal type intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN). The cytologic features of CC are not well described because previous cytology descriptions of invasive carcinomas arising from IPMN do not consistently subtype the invasive carcinoma. Furthermore, current diagnostic criteria may not have been used to diagnose the histologic correlates for prior descriptions of CC. We describe fine needle aspiration (FNA) findings for CC using histologically confirmed cases meeting current diagnostic criteria. Materials and Methods: We searched our archive for ultrasound-guided FNAs of the pancreas with histologic correlation showing CC defined by containing >80% extracellular mucin and reviewed corresponding cytology and histology. The following morphologic parameters were evaluated: cellularity, quantity and quality of mucin, cytoarchitecture, cell size, shape, and nuclear features. Results: Six FNA cases from resected CCs were identified. In 4/6 patients an associated IPMN of predominantly intestinal type was identified with the CC component comprising <10-100% of the lesions. Two cases were entirely CC, but one was not entirely submitted for histology and IPMN could not be excluded. By cyto-histo correlation we determined that 4/6 of FNAs contained CC while 2 cases showed discrepant features suggesting sampling error. The 4 FNAs containing CC uniformly showed: low cellularity (tumor cells comprised <20% of smeared material), abundant thick/glassy mucin, degenerating inflammatory cells in mucin, mild nuclear membrane abnormalities, and disordered honeycomb sheets of mucinous cells. All 4 CC FNAs were originally diagnosed as “suspicious for mucinous neoplasm.” Conclusion: The cytologic features of CC are similar to IPMN and may be subject to under-diagnosis due to the well-differentiated cytologic appearance, low cellularity, and thick obscuring mucin.
Comparison of the Job Satisfaction and Productivity of Telecommuters versus in-House Employees: A Research Note on Work in Progress:

Job satisfaction and productivity were compared for 34 in-house employees and 34 telecommuters performing data-entry and coding. Job satisfaction was measured on the Minnesota Job Satisfaction Ques...
Merging Science/Technology Libraries: A Valuable Planning Option

The closing of an academic science/technology library is generally thought of as an extreme to be avoided. While sustaining separate departmental libraries may be preferred there is good reason for academic library planners to consider the closing of one or more libraries in order to merge them with another or other libraries. Given changes in library technology and the publishing industry, a merger offers the potential of improved patron services while helping the library prepare for a greater emphasis on digital information. This paper explores issues concerning the future of academic science/technology libraries and why the merging of academic departmental libraries should be used as an option in planning.
Adapting Farm Management Research to New Opportunities

The opportunities referred to in this paper are not strictly new. They center on the needs for farm management research which have developed since 1929. There will be general agreement that during this period the "demand curve" for the farm management product has shifted significantly to the right. As a result we have calls for new types of farm management analysis, and for changes in emphasis on old lines of work; but most important of all, new channels have been developed for application of the results of our research work-in other words, there is a new "market outlet" for the product.
Compelling Interest, Forbidden Aim: The Antinomy of Grutter and Gratz

This article explores the tension between the Grutter Court's capacious account of the value of racial diversity, on the one hand, and the Gratz Court's insistence on the constraining mechanism of individualized consideration, on the other. The article examines whether the promotion of diversity as a compelling interest can be reconciled with the requirement of individualized consideration under any coherent principle of equal treatment. The article concludes that the only way this can be done is to interpret the cases as rejecting the proposition that 'racial' diversity represents a compelling governmental interest and as implicitly adopting, instead, the idea that race is at most an information-bearing proxy for diversity conceived in terms of some race-blind modality.
Quantum Trajectory Theory for Research and Teaching with Undergraduates

We review research and teaching experiences with undergraduates using quantum trajectory theory instead of density matrices for open systems. This approach builds on preliminary work in the curriculum on quantum mechanics using wave functions.
A Study of R2 Measure under the Accelerated Failure Time Models

For right-censored data the accelerated failure time (AFT) model is an alternative to the commonly used proportional hazards regression model. It is a linear model for the (log-transformed) outcome of interest, and is particularly useful for censored outcomes that are not time-to-event, such as laboratory measurements. We provide a general and easily computable definition of the R2 measure of explained variation under the AFT model for right-censored data. We study its behavior under different censoring scenarios and under different error distributions; in particular, we also study its robustness when the parametric error distribution is misspecified. Based on Monte Carlo investigation results, we recommend the log-normal distribution as a robust error distribution to be used in practice for the parametric AFT model when the R2 measure is of interest. We apply our methodology to an alcohol consumption during pregnancy data set from Ukraine.
Exchange of gaseous nitrogen compounds between agricultural systems and the atmosphere

Crop and livestock agricultural production systems are important contributors to local, regional and global budgets of NH3, NOx (NO + NO2) and N2O. Emissions of NH3 and NOx (which are biologically and chemically active) into the atmosphere serve to redistribute fixed N to local and regional aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems that may otherwise be disconnected from the sources of the N gases. The emissions of NOx also contribute to local elevated ozone concentrations while N2O emissions contribute to global greenhouse gas accumulation and to stratospheric ozone depletion.
Benefit of Report Card Feedback After Point-of-Care Assessment of Communication Quality Indicators.

Purpose Communication is crucial for patient experience and biomedical outcomes. Training programs improve communication but are too resource-intensive for sustained use across an entire health care organization. This study demonstrates in a heterogeneous set of encounters the efficacy of quantitative feedback on two groups of physician communication behaviors: 1) jargon explanation, and 2) assessment of patient understanding. Methods We used a secure Internet application to audio-record conversations between primary care physicians and 54 patients. Transcripts were quantitatively abstracted using explicit-criteria definitions for assessments of understanding and jargon explanations. These data were conveyed to physicians using a previously tested report card. Finally, physicians were audio-recorded with 48 other patients and compared against their baseline. Results Baseline transcripts included an average of 15.5 unique jargon words. Many words were spoken more than once so the total jargon count averaged 25.1. Jargon explanations were infrequent (median of 2.6/transcript). The jargon explanation ratio (fraction of jargon words spoken after or alongside a jargon explanation for that word) averaged 0.26 out of 1.0. Assessments of understanding were found in 61.1% of transcripts, but most were "OK?" questions (median of 2.22/transcript) or close-ended assessments of understanding (median of 0.59/transcript). After the report card, use of jargon explanations improved to a median of 4.8/transcript (P<0.001), and the jargon explanation ratio improved to 0.37 (P<0.02). Assessments of understanding improved to 81.3% of transcripts (P<0.03), largely due to increased use of close-ended assessments of understanding to 1.08/transcript (P<0.006). Conclusions It is feasible to audio-record at the point of care, abstract transcripts at a central office and improve physician-to-patient communication quality via a report card. A larger, multifaceted program may improve patient experience and biomedical outcomes.
Nearly optimal measurement schemes in a noisy Mach-Zehnder interferometer with coherent and squeezed vacuum

The use of an interferometer to perform an ultra-precise parameter estimation under noisy conditions is a challenging task. Here we discuss nearly optimal measurement schemes for a well known, sensitive input state, squeezed vacuum and coherent light. We find that a single mode intensity measurement, while the simplest and able to beat the shot-noise limit, is outperformed by other measurement schemes in the low-power regime. However, at high powers, intensity measurement is only outperformed by a small factor. Specifically, we confirm, that an optimal measurement choice under lossless conditions is the parity measurement. In addition, we also discuss the performance of several other common measurement schemes when considering photon loss, detector efficiency, phase drift, and thermal photon noise. We conclude that, with noise considerations, homodyne remains near optimal in both the low and high power regimes. Surprisingly, some of the remaining investigated measurement schemes, including the previous optimal parity measurement, do not remain even near optimal when noise is introduced.
Cancer-related risk factors and incidence of major cancers by race, gender and region; analysis of the NIH-AARP diet and health study.

Racial disparities in the incidence of major cancers may be attributed to differences in the prevalence of established, modifiable risk factors such as obesity, smoking, physical activity and diet. Data from a prospective cohort of 566,398 adults aged 50–71 years, 19,677 African-American and 450,623 Whites, was analyzed. Baseline data on cancer-related risk factors such as smoking, alcohol, physical activity and dietary patterns were used to create an individual adherence score. Differences in adherence by race, gender and geographic region were assessed using descriptive statistics, and Cox proportional hazards models were used to determine the association between adherence and cancer incidence. Only 1.5% of study participants were adherent to all five cancer-related risk factor guidelines, with marked race-, gender- and regional differences in adherence overall. Compared with participants who were fully adherent to all five cancer risk factor criteria, those adherent to one or less had a 76% increased risk of any cancer incidence (HR: 1.76, 95% CI: 1.70 – 1.82), 38% increased risk of breast cancer (HR: 1.38, 95% CI: 1.25 – 1.52), and doubled the risk of colorectal cancer (HR: 2.06, 95% CI: 1.84 – 2.29). However, risk of prostate cancer was lower among participants adherent to one or less compared with those who were fully adherent (HR: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.75 – 0.85). The proportion of cancer incident cases attributable to low adherence was higher among African-Americans compared with Whites for all cancers (21% vs. 19%), and highest for colorectal cancer (25%) regardless of race. Racial differences in the proportion of cancer incidence attributable to low adherence suggests unique opportunities for targeted cancer prevention strategies that may help eliminate racial disparities in cancer burden among older US adults.
God Mocks: A History of Religious Satire from the Hebrew Prophets to Stephen Colbert. By TerryLindvall. (New York, NY: New York University Press, 2015. Pp. xi, 347. $35.00.) : Book Review

Religious satire is a hot topic. It often attracts attention when followed by violent responses. The genre, though, has a voluminous history long predating today's geo‐ and identity politics. In Go...
Introduction to the Environment of Oil

The problems of relying on oil as the propellant of the U.S. economy occupy a central position in national energy policy debates. Oil carries with it reliance on unstable sources of supply and the potential for environmental catastrophe. It is a finite resource, and although crude oil was no more expensive (in real terms) in 1991 than it was in 1974, few expect that the recent experience of stable oil prices will persist into the next century. Oil, many would argue, has succeeded all too well as the world’s premier energy source. Industrialized nations have evolved economies that are dependent on large quantities of affordable petroleum products. Byproducts of our petroleum dependence are urban atmospheres that are fouled by noxious automobile emissions and cities that are strangled by traffic congestion.
Tool 3: The Elasticity of a Bonus-Malus System

The main goal of the establishment of a bonus-malus system is to reduce the premium for good drivers and to increase it for bad drivers. It is often assumed that the random variables “number of claims” and “claim amount” are independent. This assumption essentially states that the cost of an accident is for the most part beyond the control of a policyholder. If someone drives too fast and skids off the road, he may end up in a tree, or he may permanently disable a senior executive, father of five young children. The cost of the accident is largely independent of the mistake that caused it. The degree of care exercised by a driver will mostly influence his number of accidents, but in a much lesser way the cost of these accidents. Bad drivers will provoke more claims, but not necessarily more expensive claims.
Some Philosophical Concerns about How the VIA Classifies Character Traits and the VIA-IS Measures Them.

Written from the perspective of a philosopher, this paper raises a number of potential concerns with how the VIA classifies and the VIA-IS measures character traits. With respect to the 24 characte...
Teaching Methods for Coaches -- Coaching Methods for Teachers.

While there are differences between coaches and physical educators, there are best practices in each profession that have universal applications. Using a coaching/teaching scenario to provide background for this article, the authors identify useful strategies employed by both successful coaches and physical educators that can be adopted by each. For best results, professionals from both fields should prioritize student engagement with maximized activity levels. This may be accomplished by providing age-appropriate authentic experiences that simulate game- or activity-like conditions in meaningful ways. Whether in sport practice or physical education class, the aim should be to keep children engaged while minimizing downtime. Finally, the use of video continues to gain momentum in movement professions and can be a valuable tool for assessment, feedback and improved instruction.
#Selfie: Instagram and the United States Congress

This article is based on a content analysis of the 17,811 Instagram posts made by all 534 members of the United States Congress who were seated for the duration of the first 6 months of the 115th s...
Neural mechanisms in asthma.

In the seventeenth century it was commonly held that asthma was a nervous disease. Sir John Floyer believed that an attack of asthma occured when “nerves are filled with windy spirits” (Floyer 1698). Hyde Salter, in his brilliant description of asthma more than 100 years ago, wrote that “in asthma, there is no peculiarity in the stimulus, the air breathed in is the same in the asthmatic and the non-asthmatic…nor, probably, is there any peculiarity in the irritability of bronchial muscle; the peculiarity is confined to the link that connects these two — the nervous system — and consists in its perverse sensibility, in its receiving and transmitting on to the muscle, as a stimulus to contraction, that of which it should take cognizance…it is clear that the vice in asthma consists not in the production of any special irritant but in the irritability of the part irritated” (Salter 1868). Thus, asthma was seen as a disease of excessive irritability of the airways produced by neural mechanisms. Later, immunological theories of asthma gained favour and there was an emphasis on inflammatory mediators and mast cells. More recently there has been a re-awakening of interest in neurogenic mechanisms in asthma, now that it is clear that there is a complex interaction between inflammation and neural control of airways.