Race and Policing: An Agenda for Action

This paper is organized into two parts -- Strategic Voice and Tactical Agency. Strategic Voice argues that problems of race in policing cannot be resolved by the police alone. Other people must help by understanding and ameliorating the social conditions that cause race to be associated with crime and hence become a dilemma for American policing. Rather than accepting these conditions as givens, police leaders with their powerful collective voice should actively call attention to what needs to be changed. Tactical Agency outlines what the police can do on their own initiative to deal with the operational dilemmas of race -- in the communities they serve and in their own organizations

Can enlightenment be traced to specific neural correlates, cognition, or behavior? No, and (a qualified) Yes

The field of contemplative science is rapidly growing and integrating into the basic neurosciences, psychology, clinical sciences, and society-at-large. Yet the majority of current research in the contemplative sciences has been divorced from the soteriological context from which these meditative practices originate and has focused instead on clinical applications with goals of stress reduction and psychotherapeutic health. In the existing research on health outcomes of mindfulness-based clinical interventions, for example, there have been almost no attempts to scientifically investigate the goal of enlightenment. This is a serious oversight, given that such profound transformation across ethical, perceptual, emotional, and cognitive domains are taken to be the natural outcome and principle aim of mindfulness practice in the traditional Buddhist contexts from which these practices are derived. If short-term interventions as short as a few sessions are now beginning to produce neuroplastic changes, it may be that even in secular contexts, practitioners are already developing states and traits that are associated with progress toward enlightenment. In order to carefully assess the potential effects of meditative interventions it is of singular importance to ask whether enlightenment can be traced to specific neural correlates, cognition, or behavior

Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST) in Long Standing Crohn’s disease on Anti-TNF Therapy

Introduction Patients suffering from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at increased risk for developing cancer. Adenocarcinomas are the most commonly observed tumors of the gastrointestinal tract whereas data on gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) in IBD patients is limited. GIST is a neoplasm that originates from the interstitial cells of Cajal in the smooth muscle layers of the gastrointestinal tract. [1] The association between GIST and Crohn’s disease (CD) is debated, as the tumor inconsistently present in areas of inflammatory activity. We report an interesting case of CD maintained on Infliximab, who presented with a flare that revealed GIST in the stomach. To our knowledge, this is the first reported occurrence of GIST in stomach in a patient with CD maintained on anti-TNF therapy. Case Report A 40-year-old Caucasian man with a history of small bowel Crohn’s disease on infliximab therapy presented with a two-day history of abdominal pain, hematochezia, and diffuse joint pain. Upon admission, the patient was hemodynamically stable and afebrile, with a blood pressure of 140/70 mmHg, heart rate of 90 beats per minute, and respiratory rate of 14 per minute. Physical exam was remarkable for abdominal distension and diffuse abdominal tenderness. Complete blood count, comprehensive metabolic panel, and C-reactive protein were within normal range. The patient reported no history of alcohol abuse, smoking, recent abdominal procedures, or trauma. The patient had computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen done that revealed a 2.5-centimeter exophytic mass in the stomach with possible liver metastases (Fig. 1). Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) guided biopsies of the exophytic mass confirmed gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) on fine needle aspiration and flow cytometry results (Fig. 2,3). The patient underwent surgical resection without complication and is back to his usual state of health. Discussion GIST is the most common mesenchymal neoplasm in the gastrointestinal tract [1,2]. The annual incidence of GIST has been reported as 11-19.6 per million [3,4], however a more recent analysis in 2015 estimates the annual incidence to be 6.8 per million with a 53% predominance in males and 73% predominance in Caucasians [5]. Individuals are typically diagnosed with GIST in their seventh decade of life [5]. Immunologically, it is reported that 70-80% of GIST have a mutation in the KIT gene, leading to a continuously active KIT receptor, independent of its activating ligand [1]. KIT activation leads to overexpression of the protein CD117. In KIT-negative GIST, a small number are observed to have a mutation in platelet-derived growth factor receptor-a (PDGFRA). Dysregulated activation of either of these genes results in uncontrolled cell growth and survival. It is estimated that 10-15% of GIST do not have mutations in either KIT or PDGRFA, and while they are considered wild-type, they are shown to express high levels of KIT [1]. More recently, Novelli et al. found that the presence of proteins CD117 and DOG1 had the highest sensitivity and specificity for GIST [6]. The majority of GIST develop in the stomach (60%), with the jejunum and ileum representing the next most common site of involvement (30%) [7]. Several prognostic factors have been researched, most notably tumor location and mitotic index. Emory et al. found that GIST originating from the esophagus had the highest survival rate, followed by those that arose from the stomach, small bowel, colon/rectum, and omentum/mesentery in decreasing order [8]. Additionally, mitotic index, defined as the number of mitotic figures per high-power field (HPF), is reported an independent prognostic factor, with greater than 10 mitotic figures per 50 HPF showing the largest difference in survival in gastric GIST [8]. Small bowel GIST exhibited minimally different survival curves with respect to mitotic index. Age was also found to be an independent prognostic factor of survival in GIST [8]. Later research by Miettinen demonstrated that larger gastric GIST with a diameter of 10cm and 5 mitotic figures per 50 HPF carried a lower metastatic risk in comparison to gastric GIST with diameter of \u3e 5cm but with \u3e 5 mitotic figures per 50 HPF [9]. This may suggest that in gastric GIST, mitotic index carries the most prognostic value. Miettinen found that in intestinal GIST, a diameter of \u3e 5cm and \u3e 5 mitotic figures per HPF each independently carried a moderate or high risk of metastasis, respectively. Intestinal GIST carried a 39% tumor-related mortality rate, compared to 17% for gastric GIST [10,11]. Currently, surgery is the primary treatment modality for nonmetastatic GIST that is technically amenable to resection. Imatinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), may be used as neoadjuvant therapy or as initial therapy for nonresectable disease [12]. Imatinib directly binds to the KIT protein and prevents further signaling [1]. This medication first demonstrated favorable treatment effects in 2002, with over 50% of the 147 patients showing at least a partial response to therapy [13]. Some patients develop resistance to Imatinib, prompting the development of alternative TKI therapy. Currently, Sunitinib is FDA approved for Imatinib-resistant GIST [14], with a host of other TKI’s and alternative therapies under investigation [1]. In 2012, Körner examined glucagon-like peptide-2 receptor (GLP-2) expression in a variety of neoplasm and found that 68% of the GISTs expressed this receptor in the intestinal myenteric plexus [15]. Additionally, this receptor was expressed in high density in patients with Crohn’s disease. Interestingly, this expression was absent in active or inactive ulcerative colitis as well as Hirschsprung’s disease [15]. Table 1: GIST with concurrent IBD. Author (ref) Age, Sex IBD Symptoms Location of GIST Imaging or operative findings Pfeffela, 1999 [16] 51, M CD Weight loss, Abdominal pain, Fever, Fatigue Ileum Large tumorous lesions in the right lower abdomen (terminal ileum) measuring 8 × 5 × 6 cm Grieco, 2002 [17] 57, F UC Melena, progressive anemia Ileum Solid mass in the left pelvic cavity with a diameter of 7 cm Mijandrusić Sincić, 2005 [18] 81, M CD Ileus Meckel’s diverticulum Dilated loops of intestine with large packets of gas and anti-peristalsis Kaiser, 2006 [19] 64, M UC Severe bleeding, abdominal distension Omentum 8 cm mass attached to greater omentum Ruffolo, 2010 [20] 59, M UC Rectal bleeding Rectum 0.5 cm GIST located 20 cm from anal adenocarcinoma Theodoropoulos, 2009 [21] 45, M CD Abdominal pain, vomiting, constipation, bloating Jejunum and Ileum 6 mm GIST within jejunoileal intussusception Bocker U, 2008 [22] 26, F CD Abdominal cramping, gastrointestinal bleeding Duodenum Ulcerated lesion noted 140 cm past proximal duodenum on enteroscopy Gianluca, 2016 [7] 38, M CD Asymptomatic Small bowel A mass found along the small bowel Gianluca, 2016 [7] 53, M UC Abrupt postoperative bleeding Stomach No evidences of masses at surgery. Gastric bleeding at endoscopy Present paper 40, M CD Abdominal pain, hematochezia Stomach 2.5 cm exophytic mass in the stomach with possible liver metastases CONCLUSION Our case of Crohn’s disease diagnosed with gastric GIST sheds light on a rare link between two separate disease entities native to the gastrointestinal system. While there exists a well-known association between inflammatory bowel disease and colon cancer, other malignancies are described much less frequently in the literature. The development of gastric GIST with underlying Crohn’s disease is a rare occurrence, but is one that should be kept in mind when evaluating patients with inflammatory bowel disease found to have new masses on imaging. References: 1. Corless CL, Barnett CM, Heinrich MC. Gastrointestinal stromal tumours: Origin and molecular oncology. Nat Rev Cancer. 2011;11(12):865-878. doi:10.1038/nrc3143 2. Katzka DA, Loftus E V., Camilleri M. Evolving molecular targets in the treatment of nonmalignant gastrointestinal diseases. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2012;92(3):306-320. doi:10.1038/clpt.2012.77 3. Nilsson B, Bümming P, Meis-Kindblom JM, et al. Gastrointestinal stromal tumors: The incidence, prevalence, clinical course, and prognostication in the preimatinib mesylate era - A population-based study in western Sweden. Cancer. 2005;103(4):821-829. doi:10.1002/cncr.20862 4. Goettsch WG, Bos SD, Breekveldt-Postma N, Casparie M, Herings RMC, Hogendoorn PCW. Incidence of gastrointestinal stromal tumours is underestimated: Results of a nation-wide study. Eur J Cancer. 2005;41(18):2868-2872. doi:10.1016/j.ejca.2005.09.009 5. Ma GL, Murphy JD, Martinez ME, Sicklick JK. Epidemiology of gastrointestinal stromal tumors in the era of histology codes: Results of a population-based study. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2015;24(1):298-302. doi:10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-14-1002 6. Novelli M, Rossi S, Rodriguez-Justo M, et al. DOG1 and CD117 are the antibodies of choice in the diagnosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumours. Histopathology. 2010;57(2):259-270. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2559.2010.03624.x 7. Pellino G, Marcellinaro R, Candilio G, et al. The experience of a referral centre and literature overview of GIST and carcinoid tumours in inflammatory bowel diseases. Int J Surg. 2016;28:S133-S141. doi:10.1016/j.ijsu.2015.12.051 8. Emory TS, Sobin LH, Lukes L, Lee DH, O’Leary TJ. Prognosis of gastrointestinal smooth-muscle (stromal) tumors: Dependence on anatomic site. Am J Surg Pathol. 1999;23(1):82-87. doi:10.1097/00000478-199901000-00009 9. Miettinen M, Lasota J. Gastrointestinal stromal tumors: Pathology and prognosis at different sites. Semin Diagn Pathol. 2006. doi:10.1053/j.semdp.2006.09.001 10. Miettinen M, Sobin LH, Lasota J. Gastrointestinal stromal tumors of the stomach: A clinicopathologic, immunohistochemical, and molecular genetic study of 1765 cases with long-term follow-up. Am J Surg Pathol. 2005;29(1):52-68. doi:10.1097/01.pas.0000146010.92933.de 11. Miettinen M, Makhlouf H, Sobin LH, Lasota J. Gastrointestinal stromal tumors of the jejunum and ileum: A clinicopathologic, immunohistochemical, and molecular genetic study of 906 cases before imatinib with long-term follow-up. Am J Surg Pathol. 2006;30(4):477-489. doi:10.1097/00000478-200604000-00008 12. Demetri GD, Benjamin R, Blanke CD, et al. NCCN Task Force Report: Optimal Management of Patients with Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST)--Expansion and Update of NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines. Vol 2 Suppl 1.; 2004. 13. Eorge D Emetri GD, Argaret Von Ehren MM, Harles B Lanke CD, et al. The New Eng Land Jour Nal of Medicine EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF IMATINIB MESYLATE IN ADVANCED GASTROINTESTINAL STROMAL TUMORS A BSTRACT Background Constitutive Activation of KIT Receptor. Vol 347.; 2002. www.nejm.org. Accessed January 29, 2020. 14. Demetri GD, van Oosterom AT, Garrett CR, et al. Efficacy and safety of sunitinib in patients with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumour after failure of imatinib: a randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 2006;368(9544):1329-1338. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(06)69446-4 15. Körner M, Rehmann R, Reubi JC. GLP-2 receptors in human disease: High expression in gastrointestinal stromal tumors and Crohn’s disease. Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2012;364(1-2):46-53. doi:10.1016/j.mce.2012.08.008 16. Pfeffel F, Stiglbauer W, Depisch D, Oberhuber G, Raderer M, Scheithauer W. Coincidence of Crohn’s disease and a high-risk gastrointestinal stromal tumor of the terminal ileum. Digestion. 1999. doi:10.1159/000007684 17. Grieco A, Cavallaro A, Potenza AE, et al. Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) and ulcerative colitis. J Exp Clin Cancer Res. 2002. 18. Mijandrusic Sincic BM, Kovać D, Jašić M, Grbas H, Uravić M, Depolo A. Crohn’s disease and a gastrointestinal stromal tumor in an 81-year-old man - A rare coincidence. Zentralbl Chir. 2005. doi:10.1055/s-2005-918206 19. Kaiser AM, Kang JC, Tolazzi AR, Sherrod AE, Beart RW. Primary solitary extragastrointestinal stromal tumor of the greater omentum coexisting with ulcerative colitis. Dig Dis Sci. 2006;51(10):1850-1852. doi:10.1007/s10620-006-9217-y 20. Ruffolo C, Massani M, Rossi S, Caratozzolo E, Antoniutti M, Bassi N. Adenocarcinoma and GIST in ulcerative colitis. Int J Colorectal Dis. 2010;25(8):1027-1028. doi:10.1007/s00384-010-0905-x 21. Theodoropoulos GE, Linardoutsos D, Tsamis D, et al. Gastrointestinal stromal tumor causing small bowel intussusception in a patient with Crohn’s disease. World J Gastroenterol. 2009;15(41):5224-5227. doi:10.3748/wjg.15.5224 22. Böcker U, Löhr JM, Marx A. Twenty-six-year-old female with assumed Crohn’s disease and a gastrointestinal stromal tumor: Response. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2009;15(4):489-490. doi:10.1002/ibd.2065

Preheating in Dirac-Born-Infeld inflation

We study how the universe reheats following an era of chaotic Dirac-Born-Infeld inflation, and compare the rate of particle production with that in models based on canonical kinetic terms. Particle production occurs through non-perturbative resonances whose structure is modified by the nonlinearities of the Dirac-Born-Infeld action. We investigate these modifications and show that the reheating process may be efficient. We estimate the initial temperature of the subsequent hot, radiation-dominated phase.Comment: 23 page

EVALUATING THE EFFECT MATURITY ON THE INTAKE AND DIGESTIBILITY OF SWITCHGRASS HAY CONSUMED BY BEEF STEERS

There has been increased interest in utilizing switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) as biomass. There are several challenges to developing this industry, and these have led to the potential use of switchgrass as hay for feeding beef cattle in Kentucky. The effect of increasing maturity on crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and nutritive values of switchgrass hay has been well documented, but few in vivo intake and digestibility trials have been conducted to assess this effect on animal performance when feeding beef cattle. Two in vivo intake and digestibility trials were conducted in 2011 in which Angus x Hereford beef steers (200-265 kg) were fed Alamo and Cave-in-Rock switchgrass harvested as late vegetative, boot, and early flowering hay. The objectives of these trials was to evaluate the effect of increasing maturity on apparent dry matter intake (DMI), digestible dry matter intake (DDMI), and dry matter digestibility (DMD); and to discuss potential challenges that producers might face if incorporating switchgrass hay into their forage program for feeding beef cattle. Observed decreases in nutritive value, DMI, DDMI, and DMD indicate that producers should harvest Alamo and Cave-in-Rock switchgrass before it reaches the boot stage of maturity

Productivity of Florida Springs: first semi-annual report to Biology Division, Office of Naval Research, progress from June 1, 1952 to January 31, 1953

Work has begun on studying the factors responsible for productivity in the Florida springs, which are nearly constant temperature, constant chemical, steady state giant laboratories. Progress has been made on five aspects: qualitative description, quantitative description, completion of knowledge of chemical factors, measurement of productivity , development of productivity theory. Measurement of the primary productivity in Silver Springs and Green Cove Springs by two new methods: the raising of organisms in cages, and the measurement of night & day differences in oxygen downstream agree roughly. Production in these springs is greater than previous production figures reported for marine, fresh water, and land areas. Instantaneous measures of production show large variations with season, time of day, cloud cover. Production estimates range from 11,000 lbs per acre per year to 70,000 lbs. glucose per acre per year during daylight hours. Essential stability of the springs environment has been shown with respect to temperature, phosphorus, and plant cover. A correlation of species number with lack of stability has been shown with insects. Quantitative studies have shown very large plant base to pyramids of mass. Correlation of marine invasion with chlorinity has been shown. The essential aspects of pH regulated phosphorus geochemistry in Florida have been outlined. Some theoretical ideas on productivity have been evolved. Mapping of sessile organisms in springs and taxonomic identification of dominants are half completed. Plans for second six months include measurement of herbivore and carnivore production rates and completion of food chain efficiency determinations in Silver Springs as a preparation for subsequent comparisons between springs. (34pp.

Milk Marketing Order Winners and Losers

Determining the impacts on consumers of government policies affecting the demand for food products requires a theoretically consistent micro-level demand model. We estimate a system of demands for weekly city-level dairy product purchases by nonlinear three stage least squares to account for joint determination between quantities and prices. We analyze the distributional effects of federal milk marketing orders, and find results that vary substantially across demographic groups. Families with young children suffer, while wealthier childless couples benefit. We also find that households with lower incomes bear a greater regulatory burden due to marketing orders than those with higher income levels.Milk, marketing orders, dairy industry regulation

Milk Marketing Order Winners and Losers

Do milk marketing orders affect various demographic groups differently? To answer this question, we use supermarket scanner data to estimate an incomplete demand system for dairy products. Based on these estimates, we simulate substitution effects among dairy products and the welfare impacts of price changes resulting from changes in milk marketing orders for various consumer groups. While we find little difference in own- and cross-price substitution elasticities of demand, the welfare effects of price changes vary substantially across demographic groups, with some losing and others winning from this government program. Families with young children suffer from marketing orders, while wealthier childless couples benefit. Additionally, we find that households with lower incomes pay a larger percentage of their income due to marketing orders than those with higher income levels.Consumer/Household Economics,

Molecular manipulation of keratin 8/18 intermediate filaments: modulators of FAS-mediated death signaling in human ovarian granulosa tumor cells

Background: Granulosa cell tumors (GCT) are a rare ovarian neoplasm but prognosis is poor following recurrence. Keratin intermediate filaments expressed in these tumors are a diagnostic marker, yet paradoxically, may also constitute a target for therapeutic intervention. In the current study, we evaluated keratin 8/18 (K8/18) filament expression as a mechanism of resistance to apoptosis in GCT, specifically focusing on regulation of the cell surface death receptor, Fas (FAS). Methods: The GCT cell line, KGN, was transiently transfected with siRNA to KRT8 and KRT18 to reduce K8/18 filament expression. Expression of K8/18, FAS, and apoptotic proteins (PARP, cleaved PARP) were evaluated by fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometric analysis, and immunoblotting, respectively. The incidence of FAS-mediated apoptosis in KGN cells was measured by caspase 3/7 activity. All experiments were performed independently three to six times, using a fresh aliquot of KGN cells for each experiment. Quantitative data were analyzed by one- or two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by a Tukey’s post-test for multiple comparisons; differences among means were considered statistically significant at P \u3c 0.05. Results: Control cultures of KGN cells exhibited abundant K8/18 filament expression (~90 % of cells), and minimal expression of FAS (\u3c25 % of cells). These cells were resistant to FAS-activating antibody (FasAb)-induced apoptosis, as determined by detection of cleaved PARP and measurement of caspase 3/7 activity. Conversely, siRNA-mediated knock-down of K8/18 filament expression enhanced FAS expression (\u3e 70 % of cells) and facilitated FasAb-induced apoptosis, evident by increased caspase 3/7 activity (P \u3c 0.05). Additional experiments revealed that inhibition of protein synthesis, but not MEK1/2 or PI3K signaling, also prompted FasAb-induced apoptosis. Conclusions: The results demonstrated that K8/18 filaments provide resistance to apoptosis in GCT by impairing FAS expression. The abundance of keratin filaments in these cells and their role in apoptotic resistance provides a greater mechanistic understanding of ovarian tumorgenicity, specifically GCT, as well as a clinically-relevant target for potential therapeutic intervention

Milk Marketing Orders: Who Wins and Who Loses?

Livestock Production/Industries, Marketing, Q13, Q18,