bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Checks and Balances, Private Information, and the Credibility of Monetary Commitments
Authors: Keefer Philip , Stasavage David
Published: November 2002

In this article, we argue that the effectiveness of central bank independence and exchange-rate pegs in solving credibility problems is contingent on two factors: political institutions and information asymmetries. However, the impact of these two factors differs. We argue that the presence of one institution—multiple political veto players—should be crucial for the effectiveness of central bank independence, but should have no impact on the efficacy of exchange-rate pegs. In contrast, exchange-rate pegs should have a greater anti-inflationary impact when it is difficult for the public to distinguish between inflation generated by policy choice and inflation resulting from exogenous shocks to the economy. Such information asymmetries between the public and the government, however, do not increase the efficacy of central bank independence. Empirical tests using newly developed data on political institutions provide strong support for our hypotheses.
Veto Players and the Choice of Monetary Institutions
Authors: Hallerberg Mark
Published: November 2002

I argue that two types of veto players matter in the choice of monetary institutions: party veto players and subnational governments, which are strong in federal systems but weak in unitary systems. A crucial issue is whether voters can readily identify the manipulation of the economy with party players. A second issue concerns the national party veto player's ability to control either fiscal or monetary policy. In one-party unitary governments identification and control are clear; parties where such governments are common prefer flexible exchange rates and dependent central banks. In multiparty coalition governments in unitary systems, identification is traditionally difficult, and the ability to target benefits to specific constituencies under fiscal policy makes fiscal policy autonomy more attractive for coalition governments. Such governments prefer central banks that are politically independent but that finance government debt. Under federalism, parties that constitute the central government have less control over fiscal policy and they prefer flexible exchange rates. Subnational governments do not support a dependent central bank that gives more power to the central government.
Political Parties and Monetary Commitments
Authors: Bernhard William , Leblang David
Published: November 2002

Increased levels of economic openness in the industrial democracies have heightened the potential for intra-party and intra-coalition policy conflicts, hurting the ability of parties to win and retain office. We argue that politicians can use monetary commitments to help manage these conflicts and improve cabinet durability. To determine the political value of these commitments, we test the effect of fixed exchange rates and central bank independence on cabinet durability using a set of 193 cabinets in sixteen parliamentary democracies across the period 1972–98. The results indicate that monetary commitments are associated with higher cabinet durability, particularly for coalition governments. We then use the results of our statistical models to generate expected cabinet durability under alternative institutional configurations. By comparing these expected values, we show that actual monetary reforms in the industrial democracies have helped (or at least not hurt) the ability of political parties to remain in office.
Competing Commitments: Technocracy and Democracy in the Design of Monetary Institutions
Authors: Freeman John R.
Published: November 2002

In this article, I refine and expand the agenda for research on monetary institutions. First, I evaluate the analyses and research designs presented in this special issue ofInternational Organization. Out of this evaluation, several ideas about how to produce a “third generation” of research on this topic emerge. Specific ideas include how to: create a better synthesis with certain branches of economics, such as information economics; broaden the welfare criteria on which institutional choices are made; deepen the analyses of coalitional and other political processes on which the choice of institutions are based; and strengthen the tests that are offered in support of these choices.

In the second part of this article, I explore questions of how popular sovereignty over economic policy and institutional choice are achieved. I show that the institutional regimes proposed in the special issue are, in a sense, democratic as long as the public's “perceived consensus” about economic policies and macroeconomic outcomes is real. However, if, as new work suggests, there is genuine dissensus about policy and macroeconomic objectives, it is no longer clear that the regimes proposed in the special issue are democratic. In the conclusion, I briefly discuss a possible crisis of imagination in institutional design.
Psychoanalysis as Innovative Technology
Authors: Shore Miles F.
Published: November 2002

Although the early psychoanalysts tended to be protective of information about their personal lives, new work shows how their characters and relationships influenced the evolution of their profession. Yet, this personal element, significant and often overlooked as it is, offers only one approach to explicating this history. Psychoanalysis can also be understood as a technological innovation—in this case, a novel means of gathering data that completely disrupted traditional methods of analyzing human subjective experience. This view of psychoanalysis is a particularly effective way to show how events shaped practitioners' behavior, even as their behavior shaped events. Thus does it offer a complementary explanation for why the adherents of psychoanalysis so often assumed the contradictory roles of avant-garde revolutionaries and protectors of the true faith.
Forced Laborers in Nazi Germany: Categories, Numbers, and Survivors
Authors: Spoerer Mark , Fleischhacker Jochen
Published: November 2002

When Germany and Austria discussed the matter of compensating former forced laborers in the German economy during World War II, it became clear that no definitive estimate of how many were still alive was available. Combining Nazi statistics with postwar demographic data for twenty countries reveals that the number of foreigners deployed in the German economy totaled around 13.5 million, of whom approximately 11 million survived the war. Fifty-five years later, about 2.7 million were still alive. This calculation of forced laborers within Germany may well become more precise as scholars compile more and better data, perhaps eventually to be supplemented with statistics about forced laborers outside Germany's borders as well. Nonetheless, the evidence at hand reveals that Nazi Germany's forced-labor program was the largest and most brutal that Europe had seen since at least the Middle Ages.
The Quest for America: Reflections on Distinctiveness, Pluralism, and Public Life
Authors: Murrin John M. , Silverman David S.
Published: November 2002

Did the first truly modern society take shape in British North America between 1680 and 1770? Did ethnic and religious diversity and economic complexity combine with participatory politics to create a distinctively American society? Such questions fail to notice that these components worked at cross-purposes as often as they reinforced one another. Outlining the building blocks of ethnic or national identity without linking them to how Americans perceived themselves and their relations with one another may not be the best way to approach the emergence of a distinctive American society and culture.
“By Their Laws Shall Ye Know Them”: Law and Identity in Colonial British America
Authors: Greene Jack P.
Published: November 2002

English law was integral to the foundation of the new polities created in the several colonies of British America. The influence, however, was not simply formal. The English legal inheritance was a principal component in the very identities of the settlers. As such, it was an important factor in everything that they did, from clearing the wilderness to declaring independence.
Varieties of Apocalyptic Experience in Reformation Europe
Authors: Barnes Robin B.
Published: November 2002

Recent studies have created an ever-fuller picture of Western apocalypticism in its various forms. Scholars have become more aware of the need to understand how apocalyptic conceptions have shaped and expressed group identities. In Reformation and early modern studies, one current challenge is to analyze end-time outlooks in relation to the formation of confessional cultures, and with regard to the broader social process of “confessionalization.” Differences in the character and intensity of apocalyptic expectancy among the major confessional cultures raise questions about their so-called “functional equivalence” so far as promoting social change was concerned.
Association of lipid peroxidation with hepatocellular injury in preterm infants
Authors: Weinberger Barry , Watorek Kazimierz , Strauss Richard , Witz Gisela , Hiatt Mark , Hegyi Thomas
Published: November 2002

Introduction

We wished to determine whether cholestasis induced by total parenteral nutrition (TPN) in preterm newborn infants is associated with increased oxidative stress secondary to increased reactive oxygen intermediates. We hypothesized that elevated urinary thiobarbituric-acid-reacting substances (TBARS), a marker of oxidative stress, would be associated with hepatocellular injury as measured by serum alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) levels.

Materials and methods

Preterm infants (<35 weeks' gestation) admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit were enrolled (with their parents' informed consent) in either the 'cholestasis' group (if their direct bilirubin was >2 mg/dl [34.2 μmol/l] and duration of TPN was ≥ 10 days [n = 27]) or in the control group. Urine samples for measurement of TBARS (proportionate to lipid peroxidation) and blood specimens for analysis of serum bilirubin, ALT, AST, and alkaline phosphatase were obtained within 24 hours of enrollment.

Results

The cholestasis and control groups were comparable with respect to gestational age, birth weight, Apgar score, maximum FiO2, and duration of supplemental oxygen administration. Median serum direct bilirubin concentrations in the cholestasis and control groups were, respectively, 3.3 mg/dl (56.4 μmol/l) and 1.7 mg/dl (29.1 μmol/l) (P < 0.001). Serum ALT and AST levels were also elevated in the cholestasis group, but alkaline phosphatase levels did not differ significantly between the groups. Urinary levels of TBARS in all the infants were correlated with ALT and AST but did not differ significantly between cholestatic and control infants.

Discussion

Our findings suggest that oxidant stress is associated with hepatocellular injury in preterm infants. This effect is not correlated with the degree of cholestasis.
Bovine colostrum in oral treatment of enterogenic endotoxaemia in rats
Authors: Döhler J Rüdiger , Nebermann Lars
Published: November 2002

Introduction

Under conditions of shock, bacteria and endotoxins in the intestines can traverse the mucosal barrier by translocation and enter the blood and lymphatic system. Immunoglobulins and lactoferrin have been reported to neutralize endotoxins and bacteria. We studied the essential therapeutic factors of colostrum products in an animal experiment.

Method

We simulated endotoxaemia by per-oral administration of a suspension of Escherichia coli and antibiotics into the duodenum of anaesthetized rats after giving intraperitoneal carrageenan. At the same time, pure bovine colostrum or lactoferrin-enriched bovine colostrum was given. Therapeutic effects were studied by examining plasma endotoxin activity and bacterial contamination of mesenterial lymph nodes and peritoneal lavages. Albumin was used in a control group.

Results

The most effective bovine colostrum was able to reduce the maximum plasma endotoxin value by 67% as compared with the albumin group. The combination of this colostrum with lactoferrin brought about a reduction by 80%. The reduction in bacterial contamination of lymph nodes and peritoneal lavages was also evident.

Conclusion

Both gammaglobulin and lactoferrin may help to eliminate endotoxins when bovine colostrum is administered into the gut in conditions of septic shock.
Brachial plexopathy after prone positioning
Authors: Goettler Claudia E , Pryor John P , Reilly Patrick M
Published: November 2002

Two cases of brachial plexus injury after prone position in the intensive care unit are described. Mechanisms of brachial plexus injury are described, as are methods for prevention of this unusual complication.
Stress ulcer prophylaxis in trauma patients
Authors: Barletta Jeffrey F , Erstad Brian L , Fortune John B
Published: November 2002

Introduction

A number of issues concerning stress ulcer prophylaxis remain unresolved despite numerous randomized, controlled trials and several meta-analyses. The role of stress ulcer prophylaxis, particularly in trauma patients, is further complicated by the lack of trials utilizing clinically important bleeding as an endpoint. Given the lack of consensus regarding stress ulcer prophylaxis in trauma patients, prescribing practices at Level I trauma centers in the United States were assessed.

Materials and methods

A survey was developed that contained questions related to institutional prescribing and evaluation of stress ulcer prophylaxis. The survey was intended to delineate these practices at the 188 Level I trauma centers (at the time of the present survey) in the United States.

Results

One hundred and nineteen surveys were returned, yielding a response rate of 63%. Eighty-six percent stated that medications for stress ulcer prophylaxis are used in a vast majority of trauma patients admitted to the intensive care unit. Sixty-five percent stated that there is one preferred medication. For these institutions, histamine-2-blockers were the most popular at 71%. Thirty-nine percent stated that greater than 50% of patients remain on stress ulcer prophylaxis following discharge from the intensive care unit.

Conclusion

The lack of consensus with regards to appropriate stress ulcer prophylaxis is apparent in this survey of Level I trauma centers. For those institutions with a preferred agent, histamine-2-blockers were most common.
Ethnic differences in prisoners
Authors: Coid Jeremy , Petruckevitch Ann , Bebbington Paul , Brugha Traolach , Bhugra Dinesh , Jenkins Rachel , Farrell Mike , Lewis Glyn , Singleton Nicola
Published: November 2002

Background

The high rates of psychiatric morbidity in prisoners vary between ethnic groups.

Aims

To compare early environmental risks, stressful daily living experiences and reported use of psychiatric services in prisoners from different ethnic groups.

Method

Cross-sectional survey of 3142 prisoners in all penal establishments in England and Wales in 1997.

Results

Fewer Black and South Asian male prisoners reported childhood traumas and conduct disorder, and fewer Black prisoners experienced stressful prison experiences, than White prisoners. Fewer Black women had received previous psychiatric treatment, and fewer Black men had their psychiatric problems identified in prison. Black prisoners were less likely to have received psychiatric treatment than Whites.

Conclusions

The lower prevalence of psychiatric morbidity observed in Black prisoners corresponds with reduced exposure to risk factors. Higher rates of imprisonment might be explained by higher rates of conduct disorder, adolescent-onset criminality and disadvantage within the criminal justice system.
Post-partum depression in a cohort of women from a rural area of Tamil Nadu, India
Authors: Chandran Mani , Tharyan Prathap , Muliyil Jayaprakash , Abraham Sulochana
Published: November 2002

Background

Community-based epidemiological data on post-partum depression from developing countries are scarce.

Aims

To determine the incidence of and risk factors for developing post-partum depression in a cohort of women living in rural south India.

Method

We assessed 359 women in the last trimester of pregnancy and 6–12 weeks after delivery for depression and for putative risk factors.

Results

The incidence of post-partum depression was 11% (95% CI 7.1–14.9). Low income, birth of a daughter when a son was desired, relationship difficulties with mother-in-law and parents, adverse life events during pregnancy and lack of physical help were risk factors for the onset of post-partum depression.

Conclusions

Depression occurred as frequently during late pregnancy and after delivery as in developed countries, but there were cultural differences in risk factors. These findings have implications for policies regarding maternal and child-care programmes.
Topological analysis of peripherin/rds and abnormal glycosylation of the pathogenic Pro216→Leu mutation
Authors: WRIGLEY Jonathan D.J. , NEVETT Claire L. , FINDLAY John B.C.
Published: November 2002

Peripherin/rds is an integral membrane glycoprotein found in the rim regions of vertebrate photoreceptor cell discs. The protein is believed to be involved in both formation and maintenance of the characteristic flattened morphology of the outer segment discs and its essential nature is demonstrated by the wide range of retinal degenerative disorders in which the protein has an involvement. Little structural data has been determined for peripherin/rds, but a topological model of the protein has been proposed. In this paper, we present the first direct evidence for the topology of the protein through the use of scanning glycosylation mutagenesis. Both the topological data and the observation that only the Asn229 site is efficiently glycosylated in this in vitro transcription/translation system support the common hypotheses. Additionally, expression of the Pro216→Leu mutant demonstrates an abnormal glycosylation pattern, which may explain the mechanism by which this mutation precipitates a retinal degenerative phenotype.
The first biantennary bacterial secondary cell wall polymer and its influence on S-layer glycoprotein assembly
Authors: STEINDL Christian , SCHÄFFER Christina , WUGEDITSCH Thomas , GRANINGER Michael , MATECKO Irena , MÜLLER Norbert , MESSNER Paul
Published: November 2002

The cell surface of Aneurinibacillus thermoaerophilus DSM 10155 is covered with a square surface (S)-layer glycoprotein lattice. This S-layer glycoprotein, which was extracted with aqueous buffers after a freeze—thaw cycle of the bacterial cells, is the only completely water-soluble S-layer glycoprotein to be reported to date. The purified S-layer glycoprotein preparation had an overall carbohydrate content of 19%. Detailed chemical investigations indicated that the S-layer O-glycans of previously established structure accounted for 13% of total glycosylation. The remainder could be attributed to a peptidoglycan-associated secondary cell wall polymer. Structure analysis was performed using purified secondary cell wall polymer—peptidoglycan complexes. NMR spectroscopy revealed the first biantennary secondary cell wall polymer from the domain Bacteria, with the structure α-d-GlcpNAc-(1→3)-β-d-ManpNAc-(1→4)-β-d-GalpNAc-(1→3)-α-d-GlcpNAc-(1→3)-β-d-ManpNAc-(1→4)-β-d-GalpNAc-(1→3)-α-d-GlcpNAc-(1→4)-[α-d-GlcpNAc-(1→3)-β-d-ManpNAc-(1→4)-β-d-GalpNAc-(1→3)-α-d-GlcpNAc-(1→3)-β-d-ManpNAc-(1→4)-β-d-GalpNAc-(1→3)-α-d-GlcpNAc-(1→3)]-β-d-ManpNAc-(1→3)-α-d-GlcpNAc-(1→3)-β-d-ManpNAc-(1→3)-α-d-GlcpNAc-(1→3)-α-d-GlcpNAc-(1→O)-PO2--O-PO2--(O→6)-MurNAc- (where MurNAc is N-acetylmuramic acid). The neutral polysaccharide is linked via a pyrophosphate bond to the C-6 atom of every fourth N-acetylmuramic acid residue, in average, of the A1γ-type peptidoglycan. In vivo, the biantennary polymer anchored the S-layer glycoprotein very effectively to the cell wall, probably due to the doubling of motifs for a proposed lectin-like binding between the polymer and the N-terminus of the S-layer protein. When the cellular support was removed during S-layer glycoprotein isolation, the co-purified polymer mediated the solubility of the S-layer glycoprotein in vitro. Initial crystallization experiments performed with the soluble S-layer glycoprotein revealed that the assembly property could be restored upon dissociation of the polymer by the addition of poly(ethylene glycols). The formed two-dimensional crystalline S-layer self-assembly products exhibited the same lattice symmetry as observed on intact bacterial cells.
Transglutaminases: Nature’s biological glues
Authors: GRIFFIN Martin , CASADIO Rita , BERGAMINI Carlo M.
Published: November 2002

Transglutaminases (Tgases) are a widely distributed group of enzymes that catalyse the post-translational modification of proteins by the formation of isopeptide bonds. This occurs either through protein cross-linking via ∊-(γ-glutamyl)lysine bonds or through incorporation of primary amines at selected peptide-bound glutamine residues. The cross-linked products, often of high molecular mass, are highly resistant to mechanical challenge and proteolytic degradation, and their accumulation is found in a number of tissues and processes where such properties are important, including skin, hair, blood clotting and wound healing. However, deregulation of enzyme activity generally associated with major disruptions in cellular homoeostatic mechanisms has resulted in these enzymes contributing to a number of human diseases, including chronic neurodegeneration, neoplastic diseases, autoimmune diseases, diseases involving progressive tissue fibrosis and diseases related to the epidermis of the skin. In the present review we detail the structural and regulatory features important in mammalian Tgases, with particular focus on the ubiquitous type 2 tissue enzyme. Physiological roles and substrates are discussed with a view to increasing and understanding the pathogenesis of the diseases associated with transglutaminases. Moreover the ability of these enzymes to modify proteins and act as biological glues has not gone unnoticed by the commercial sector. As a consequence, we have included some of the present and future biotechnological applications of this increasingly important group of enzymes.
Faradaic Impedance Study of Mn(II) Reduction Mechanism in NaClO4 and NaCl Solutions on Mercury Electrode
Authors: Marczewska Barbara , Persona Andrzej , Przegaliński Marek
Published: November 2002

The electrochemical reaction of the Mn(II)/Mn(Hg) system on mercury electrode was studied in 1 M NaClO4 and 1 M NaCl as supporting electrolytes of different complexing and adsorptive properties. The impedance measurements confirmed the two-stage electroreduction of the Mn(II) in investigated solutions. Both the apparent and the true rate constants of the second electron transfer in both supporting electrolytes are lower by one order of magnitude than the rate constant of the first electron transfer. Similar values of corrected rate constants in both electrolytes suggest the similarity in mechanism of the Mn(II) electroreduction.
Micro-Thermal Field-Flow Fractionation
Authors: Janča Josef
Published: November 2002

The effect of miniaturization of the separation channel on the performance of thermal field-flow fractionation (TFFF) is substantiated theoretically. The experiments carried out under carefully chosen experimental conditions proved the high performance of the separation of polymers within an extended range of molar masses from relatively low up to ultrahigh-molar-mass (UHMM) samples. The new micro-TFFF allows to achieve high resolution when applying constant field force operation, it makes easy the programming of the temperature drop which is an advantageous operational mode from the point of view of the time of analysis, and it extends considerably the range of perfectly controlled temperature of the cold wall due to a substantial decrease in the heat energy flux compared with standard size channels.
Coordination Cadmium Compounds with 1,10-Phenanthroline
Authors: Weiguang Zhang , Xuhong Jiang , Yun Zhong , Mingyu Tan , Suelein Wang
Published: November 2002

[Cd(R-XA)2]n (XA = xanthate; R = Et, Bu) transformed upon reaction with 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) to [Cd(R-XA)2(phen)]. The product with R = Et crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pbcn, while that with R = Bu belongs to the monoclinic system, space group C2/c. In two complexes, adjacent phenanthroline ligands form a layered array due to mutual π-π interactions.
Cycloaddition Reactions of (η6-Tropone)tricarbonylmetal(0) Complexes of Group 6 Metals with Alkynes
Authors: Morkan Izzet Amour , Morkan Ayşe Uztetik
Published: November 2002

(η6-Cyclohepta-2,4,6-trien-1-one)tricarbonylmetal(0) complexes of chromium (2a), molybdenum (2b), and tungsten (2c) are formed when tris(acetonitrile)tricarbonylchromium(0), -molybdenum(0), and -tungsten(0), respectively, are treated photochemically with tropone (cyclohepta-2,4,6-trien-1-one) 1. UV photolysis of 2a-2c and RC≡CR' (R = R' = Ph, Me3Si, Et; R = Ph, R' = Me3Si) in toluene gives the [6+2] cycloadducts, (η4,η2-8,9-diphenylbicyclo[4.2.1]nona-3,5,8-trien-1-one)tricarbonylmetal(0) 3a-3c, (η4,η2-8,9-bis(trimethylsilyl)bicyclo[4.2.1]nona-3,5,8-trien-1-one)tricarbonylmetal(0) 4a-4c, (η4,η2-8,9-diethylbicyclo[4.2.1]nona-3,5,8-trien-1-one)tricarbonylmetal(0) 5a-5c, and (η4,η2-8-phenyl-9-(trimethylsilyl)bicyclo[4.2.1]nona-3,5,8-trien-1-one)tricarbonylmetal(0) 6a-6c. Compounds 2a-2c, 3a-3c, 4a-4c, 5a-5c, and 6a-6c were purified by chromatography, recrystallized and isolated as analytically pure crystalline solids in moderate yields and characterized by mass, IR, and NMR spectroscopy. Pure organic heterobicyclotriene ligands 7a, 8a, 9a, and 10a were isolated from 3a, 4a, 5a, and 6a, respectively, by treatment with cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate (R = R' = Me3Si; R = Ph, R' = Me3Si) or by heating in toluene (R = R' = Ph, Et). It was not possible to isolate the bicyclic complexes resulting from the reactions of 2a-2c with terminal alkynes like phenylacetylene.
Intramolecular Mannich Reaction of 2-Oxotryptamine and Homologues with Oxo Reagents Yielding Spiro Compounds. Part II
Authors: Dörnyei Gábor , Incze Mária , Kajtár-Peredy Mária , Szántay Csaba
Published: November 2002

2-Oxotryptamine and its homo derivative undergo intramolecular Mannich-type cyclization with acetone and other ketones to give spiro[indole-3,3'-pyrrolidin]-2-ones and spiro[indole-3,3'-piperidin]-2-ones. A similar reaction with the bis-homologue of 2-oxotryptamine to yield spiro[azepane-3,3'-indol]-2'-ones was unsuccessful.
Synthesis of Linear Steroid Oligoesters Based on Etienic Acid
Authors: Reschel Miroslav , Buděšínský Miloš , Černý Ivan , Pouzar Vladimír , Drašar Pavel
Published: November 2002

Linear oligoesters based on etienic acid (3β-hydroxyandrost-5-ene-17β-carboxylic acid) containing 2-4 steroid units were prepared employing mixed anhydride esterification. NMR spectra of the oligomeric steroids have been fully assigned.
Speed-Controlled Molecular Shuttles
Authors: Bělohradský Martin , Elizarov Arkadij M. , Stoddart J. Fraser
Published: November 2002

Five potential molecular shuttles based on degenerate [2]rotaxanes - wherein the ring component is a bis-1,4-phenylene[34]crown-10 and the dumbbell components are terminated by tetraarylmethane (slippage) stoppers and contain two identical bipyridinium recognition sites and a central 1,3-phenylene unit carrying a CH2OR (R = Me, Et, Ph, i-Pr, and t-Bu) substituent on its C-5 position - have been prepared by acylating the parent hydroxymethyl derivative with the appropriate reagents. Dynamic 1H NMR spectroscopy, carried out on these five potential molecular shuttles in CD3CN solutions, has revealed average Gibbs energy barriers to shuttling of 11.5, 12.0, 14.6, and 14.8 kcal mol-1 for the [2]rotaxanes where R = Me, Et, i-Pr, and Ph, respectively. For the [2]rotaxane where R = t-Bu, the Gibbs energy barrier to shuttling must exceed 17.2 kcal mol-1.
Outcome of clinical risk management in the Gloucester
rehabilitation service
Authors: Macpherson Rob , Cornelius Faith , Kilpatrick Daphne , Blazey Kate
Published: November 2002

Aims and Method

To assess the impact of a clinical risk assessment and management policy
introduced in a tertiary rehabilitation service, in response to UK
government statute. The study assessed the effect of a formal risk
management approach for high-risk cases over a year, in terms of changes
in risk-associated behaviour and perceived levels of risk, and in
achievement of clinical risk management goals.

Results

Initially 35 of 107 patients were rated as high risk, mostly of neglect
or of harm to others, and were subjected to formal risk management. At
follow-up only 16 patients were still rated as high risk, most reduction
occurring in risk of neglect. Half of the 112 risk management goals
established were fully achieved, 58 partially and 18 not achieved. Total
Social Behaviour Schedule ratings were significantly lower at
follow-up.

Clinical Implications

Risk management appeared to be successful in terms of reducing overall
levels of risk, the achievement of risk management goals and the
reduction of risk-associated behaviours. The lack of a control group and
blindness limits the validity of these findings. However, organised risk
management procedures may help to support and promote good general
clinical management.
Lelliottia
Authors: Brady Carrie L.
Published: January 2024

Lel.li.ot'ti.a. N.L. fem. n.
Lelliottia
, named after R.A. Lelliott for his contributions to the understanding of bacterial plant diseases.

Pseudomonadota / Gammaproteobacteria / Enterobacterales / Enterobacteriaceae / Lelliottia

The genus
Lelliottia
includes species regularly isolated from water, soil, spoiled fruit and vegetables, elm trees suffering from “wetwood” disease, and also from clinical samples. Cells are Gram‐stain‐negative, facultatively anaerobic, motile rods. Species are mesophilic, favoring growth temperatures of 30–35°C. Carbon sources such as glucose, cellobiose, fructose, galactose, maltose, mannose,
N
‐acetylglucosamine, and
N
‐acetylgalactosamine are readily assimilated. Species form a monophyletic clade when phylogenetic analysis is based on multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) or whole‐genome sequences. The major fatty acids are C
16:0
, C
17:0
cyclo, C
18:1
ω7
c
, and summed features 2 (iso‐C
16:1
and/or C
14:0
3‐OH) and 3 (C
16:1
ω7
c
and/or iso‐C
15:0
2‐OH).

DNA G + C content (mol%)
: 52.8–56.0 (genome analysis).

Type species
:
Lelliottia nimipressuralis
Brady et al. 2013, VL154 (basonym: “
Erwinia nimipressuralis
” Carter 1945).
Identification algorithm for power quality disturbance of inspection robot in converter station during operation
Authors: Zhou Xu , Zhang Rui , Li Lin , Wang Bin , Cao Xianwu
Published: January 2024

As power quality disturbances become increasingly complex, it is imperative that the speed and accuracy of the inspection robot at the converter station be improved. For this purpose, this study designs a power quality disturbance feature extraction method based on the fast‐adaptive S‐transform. This method preserves the main feature information and eliminates redundant calculations on the basis of adaptive transform. On this basis, a power quality disturbance identification model built on a multi label lightweight gradient elevator is constructed. In the experimental results, compared to the generalized S‐transform, adaptive S‐transform, and S‐transform, the total extraction time of the proposed method was reduced by 96.09%, 91.56%, and 91.22%, respectively. The average accuracy of extracting features for a single disturbance was 99.56%, while for complex disturbance, it was 98.24%, both of which outperformed the comparison algorithms. It is verified that the proposed method can improve the extraction accuracy of power quality disturbance signal. In the recognition of a single disturbance signal, the constructed model exhibited a high accuracy of over 99%. In recognizing composite disturbance signals, the model demonstrated high accuracy and strong stability. Its effectiveness has been confirmed through experiments. The paper aims to enhance the speed and accuracy of power quality disturbance recognition algorithms. This will assist inspection robots working in converter stations, and ensure stable and safe operation of the power grid.
Modeling of a Bioengineered Immunomodulating Microenvironment for Cell Therapy
Authors: Capuani Simone , Campa‐Carranza Jocelyn Nikita , Hernandez Nathanael , Chua Corrine Ying Xuan , Grattoni Alessandro
Published: January 2024

Cell delivery and encapsulation platforms are under development for the treatment of Type 1 Diabetes among other diseases. For effective cell engraftment, these platforms require establishing an immune‐protected microenvironment as well as adequate vascularization and oxygen supply to meet the metabolic demands of the therapeutic cells. Current platforms rely on 1) immune isolating barriers and indirect vascularization or 2) direct vascularization with local or systemic delivery of immune modulatory molecules. Supported by experimental data, here a broadly applicable predictive computational model capable of recapitulating both encapsulation strategies is developed. The model is employed to comparatively study the oxygen concentration at different levels of vascularization, transplanted cell density, and spatial distribution, as well as with codelivered adjuvant cells. The model is then validated to be predictive of experimental results of oxygen pressure and local and systemic drug biodistribution in a direct vascularization device with local immunosuppressant delivery. The model highlights that dense vascularization can minimize cell hypoxia while allowing for high cell loading density. In contrast, lower levels of vascularization allow for better drug localization reducing systemic dissemination. Overall, it is shown that this model can serve as a valuable tool for the development and optimization of platform technologies for cell encapsulation.
Discovery of Broad‐Spectrum Repurposed Drug Combinations Against Carbapenem‐ResistantEnterobacteriaceae(CRE) Through Artificial Intelligence (AI)‐Driven Platform
Authors: Li Ming , You Kui , Wang Peter , Hooi Lissa , Chen Yahua , Siah Anqi , Tan Shi‐Bei , Teo Jeanette , Ng Oon‐Tek , Marimuthu Kalisvar , Venkatachalam Indumathi , Blasiak Agata , Chow Edward Kai‐Hua , Ho Dean , Gan Yunn‐Hwen
Published: January 2024

Antimicrobial resistance challenges the sustainability of healthcare systems and results in substantial economic losses worldwide. This issue is further aggravated by paucity of new drugs and treatment options. In this study, an artificial intelligence (AI)‐derived platform termed IDentif.AI is utilized to accelerate the development of effective therapeutic options for carbapenem‐resistantEnterobacteriaceae(CRE). Twelve Food and Drug Administration‐approved drugs are selected and the in vitro inhibitory efficacy of 155 combinations consisting of various drugs is determined at different concentrations against bothKlebsiella pneumoniaeandEscherichia coli. Correlating these experimental data via an AI‐derived relationship, IDentif.AI rapidly determines a ranked list of drug combinations in the search space of over half a million possible combinations. Meropenem is found to strongly synergize with low doses of the anticancer drug bleomycin, showing broad‐spectrum, bactericidal activity against nine isolates across three CRE species in rich and minimal media with no synergistic cytotoxicity on mammalian cells. Synergy is also detected between bleomycin and other key carbapenems in clinical use (imipenem, ertapenem). Bleomycin/carbapenem appears to be a promising combination therapy for treating various CRE infections. IDentif.AI shows profound capability of identifying pan‐active drug combinations against a family of bacteria through surveying strains from different species in parallel.
Atomically Dispersed Iron Active Sites on Covalent Organic Frameworks for Artificial Photosynthesis of Hydrogen Peroxide
Authors: Li Zhuwei , Shi Xiaoran , Cheng Huijie , Song Yurou , Jiao Yuye , Shi Shaobo , Gao Junfeng , Hou Jungang
Published: January 2024

Artificial photosynthesis has been regarded as a promising solution toward solar energy conversion, generating storable and transportable chemical fuels such as hydrogen (H2) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). However, the design of robust catalytic sites not only affects the activity, but also identify the atomic‐level correlation between active sites and natural photosynthesis performance. Herein, a synthesis method of single‐atomic Iron (Fe) active sites anchored on novel covalent organic framework (COF) for the production of H2O2 under visible light irradiation. When benzyl alcohol is the most sacrificial agent, the state‐of‐the‐art Fe‐based COF exhibits an excellent H2O2 generation rate of 4130 µmol g−1 h−1, over 5.3 times higher than that of pristine COF, achieving an apparent quantum yield of 6.4% at 420 nm. The enhanced photocatalytic performance is ascribed to the synergistic effect of atomically dispersed Fe sites and COF hosts, reducing the reaction energy barrier for the formation of *OOH intermediates and optimizing the adsorption of O2 and thus promoting two‐electron oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). This work establishes an atomic‐level engineering approach to build atomically dispersed Fe active sites on COF photocatalysts and provides in‐depth insight upon the ORR mechanism for promising artificial photosynthesis of H2O2.
Epoxidized esters of succinic acid, oleic acid and propylene glycol as an effective bioplasticizer for PVC: A study of processing conditions on the physico‐chemical properties
Authors: Ledniowska Kerstin , Janik Weronika , Nosal‐Kovalenko Hanna , Sabura Ewa , Basiak Ewelina , Jaszkiewicz Anna , Rybak Aleksandra
Published: January 2024

The present study evaluated the use of epoxidized esters of succinic acid, oleic acid, and propylene glycol as a bioplasticizer for poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) and compared the results with the commercial phthalate plasticizer di(2‐ethylhexyl)phthalate. The chemical properties, structure, and biodegradation of the obtained bioplasticizer were analyzed. In order to analyze the influence of different PVC processing conditions on the properties of the obtained samples, the gelation process was carried out at 170, 180, 190, and 200°C at a time of 1.5–10.0 min. Mechanical properties, thermal characteristics, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis, plasticizer migration, and color change were determined for the resulting plasticized PVC samples. The performed studies allowed to confirm the obtaining of a biodegradable bioplasticizer (after 28 days, the decomposition rate in respirometry test was 72.7%). The optimal conditions for PVC processing were determined. For them the properties of the obtained material were superior. Processing PVC at 170°C for 7.5 min proved to be the most optimal conditions for the bioplasticizer synthesized in this study. Under these conditions, tensile strength of about 23 MPa and elongation at break of 200% were obtained, while plasticizer migration was very low (4.4% after 7 days and 6.8% after 28 days).
Production of the prolyl endoprotease (PEP) from Aspergillus sp. FSDE 16 by solid‐state fermentation (SSF) and use for producing a gluten‐free beer
Authors: Almeida Thaís Cartaxo de , Santos Sharline Florentino de Melo , Santos Everaldo Silvino dos
Published: January 2024

Beer is a beverage that contains gluten and cannot be consumed by people with celiac disease. In this context, the enzyme prolyl endoprotease (PEP) can be used to reduce the gluten content in beer. The present study aimed to produce the PEP from Aspergillus sp. FSDE 16 using solid‐state fermentation with 5 conditions and comparing with a similar commercial enzyme produced from Aspergillus niger in the production of a gluten‐free beer. The results of the performed cultures showed that during the culture, the most increased protease activity (54.46 U/mL) occurred on the 4th day. In contrast, for PEP, the highest activity (0.0356 U/mL) was obtained on the 3rd day of culture in condition. Regarding beer production, cell growth, pH, and total soluble solids showed similar behavior over the 7 days for beers produced without enzyme addition or with the addition of commercial enzyme and with the addition of the enzyme extract produced. The addition of the enzyme and the enzyme extract did not promote changes, and all the beers produced showed similar and satisfactory results, with acid pH between 4 and 5, total soluble solids ranging from 4.80 to 5.05, alcohol content ranging from 2.83% to 3.08%, and all beers having a dark character with deep amber and light copper color. Gluten removal was effectively using the commercial enzyme and the enzyme produced according to condition (v) reaching gluten concentrations equal to 17 ± 5.31 and 21.19 ± 11.28 ppm, respectively. In this way, the production of the enzyme by SSF and its application in the removal of gluten in beer was efficient.
Converting a Commercial Separator into a Thin‐film Multi‐Layer Hybrid Solid Electrolyte for Li Metal Batteries
Authors: Herbers Lukas , Fettkether William , Stuckenberg Silvan , Berghus Debbie , Martin Steve W. , Winter Martin , Bieker Peter
Published: January 2024

To address the manifold challenges solid electrolytes (SE) do face in NMC‖Lithium metal batteries, we demonstrate that these can be overcome by converting a commercial Celgard 2500 separator into a jack of all trades hybrid solid electrolyte (HSE). This approach follows a multi‐layer electrolyte strategy, to better cope with the very different chemistries of the cathode, the bulk electrolyte material, and the Li metal anode. A cathode‐facing electrolyte layer based on lithium aluminum titanium phosphate (LATP) provides a high voltage stability of ≥4.5 V. High mechanical strength of the overall thin film electrolyte (≤50 μm) is achieved with a middle layer based on Celgard 2500. The layer on the anode side, based on polyethylene oxide (PEO), allows stable cycling of the lithium metal. High Coulombic efficiencies in NMC622‖Li metal cells (99.9 %) and LFP‖Li metal cells (99.9 %) enable long term cycling with high‐capacity retention of 46 % and 52 % after 1,000 cycles, respectively.
Effect of tunable acidic properties on the selectivity of biofuel candidate 2,5‐bis (propoxymethyl)furan (BPMF) using Sn‐Hβ and Sn‐dAlHβ catalysts
Authors: Rana Srujal P. , Rana Paresh H.
Published: January 2024

2,5‐Bis(propoxymethyl)furan (BPMF) is a potential biofuel candidate but it is difficult to synthesize it selectively. The Lewis acid sites and Brønsted acid sites of the catalyst play a key role BPMF's selectivity. In the present work, the effect of tunable acidic properties such as the Lewis and Brønsted acidity of Sn‐Hβ and Sn‐dAlβ (Sn in dealuminated Hβ) catalysts on the selectivity of BPMF was studied by carrying out one‐pot reductive etherification of 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (5‐HMF) using 2‐propanol as a hydrogen donor. The catalysts that were prepared underwent analysis using techniques such as temperature‐programmed desorption of ammonia (NH3‐TPD), powder X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, pyridine‐IR spectroscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area measurement, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Under the optimized reaction conditions, which included a temperature of 150 °C, a catalyst loading of 0.25 g, a reaction time of 4 h, and a concentration of 1 g of 5‐HMF, impressive results were obtained: 93.57% conversion of 5‐HMF and 98.54% selectivity towards BPMF. It was observed that the catalysts remained active for up to five cycles and slight/moderate change was observed in the conversion of 5‐HMF, while the selectivity of BPMF remained intact.
Erythrocyte PIG‐A mutant frequencies in cancer patients receiving cisplatin
Authors: Dobrovolsky Vasily N. , Atiq Omar T. , Heflich Robert H. , Maisha Mackean , McKinzie Page B. , Pearce Mason G. , Robison Timothy W.
Published: January 2024

Background

Cisplatin is a primary chemotherapy choice for various solid tumors. DNA damage caused by cisplatin results in apoptosis of tumor cells. Cisplatin‐induced DNA damage, however, may also result in mutations in normal cells and the initiation of secondary malignancies. In the current study, we have used the erythrocyte PIG‐A assay to evaluate mutagenesis in non‐tumor hematopoietic tissue of cancer patients receiving cisplatin chemotherapy.

Methods

Twenty‐one head and neck cancer patients undergoing treatment with cisplatin were monitored for the presence of PIG‐A mutant total erythrocytes and the young erythrocytes, reticulocytes (RETs), in peripheral blood for up to five and a half months from the initiation of the anti‐neoplastic chemotherapy.

Results

PIG‐A mutant frequency (MF) in RETs increased at least two‐fold in 15 patients at some point of the monitoring, while the frequency of total mutant RBCs increased at least two‐fold in 6 patients. A general trend for an increase in the frequency of mutant RETs and total mutant RBCs was observed in 19 and 18 patients, respectively. Only in one patient did both RET and total RBC PIG‐A MFs did not increase at any time‐point over the monitoring period.

Conclusion

Cisplatin chemotherapy induces moderate increases in the frequency of  PIG‐A mutant erythrocytes in head and neck cancer patients. Mutagenicity measured with the flow cytometric PIG‐A assay may serve as a tool for predicting adverse outcomes of genotoxic antineoplastic therapy.
Synthesis of DNA‐Boron Cluster Composites and Assembly into Functional Nanoparticles with Dual, Anti‐EGFR, and Anti‐c‐MYC Oncogene Silencing Activity
Authors: Bednarska‐Szczepaniak Katarzyna , Ebenryter‐Olbińska Katarzyna , Gajek Gabriela , Śmiałkowski Krzysztof , Suwara Justyna , Fiedorowicz Lidia , Leśnikowski Zbigniew
Published: January 2024

A versatile method for the automated synthesis of composites containing DNA‐oligonucleotides and boron cluster scaffolds and their assembly into functional nanoparticles is described. The obtained, torus‐like nanoparticles carry antisense oligonucleotides that target two different oncogenes simultaneously. The nanoparticles exhibited notable silencing efficiency in vitro in a pancreatic carcinoma cell line PANC‐1 toward EGFR and c‐Myc genes at the mRNA level, and a significant efficiency at the protein level. The proposed approach may be an attractive alternative to methods currently used, including one therapeutic nucleic acid, one genetic target, or the use of cocktails of therapeutic nucleic acids.
From salt to ionic substance: a language‐responsive teaching sequence for discovering salts in the Dead Sea
Authors: Gieske Robert , Streller Sabine , Bolte Claus
Published: January 2024

Viele Schüler:innen stehen im Chemieunterricht vor großen Herausforderungen, wenn von ihnen verlangt wird, fachliches und konzeptionelles Wissen aufzubauen sowie gleichzeitig bildungs‐ und fachsprachliche Kompetenzen zu erwerben. In aller Regel bestimmen die sprachlichen Fähigkeiten in der Bildungs‐ und Unterrichtssprache Deutsch bereits, inwieweit Lernende überhaupt in der Lage sind, am Unterrichtsdiskurs teilzunehmen: Fehlen entsprechende bildungs‐ und fachsprachliche Kenntnisse, so führt das zumeist dazu, dass die fachliche Lernentwicklung hinter den Möglichkeiten der Lernenden zurückbleibt. Der Ansatz Disaggregate Instruction im Chemieunterricht (DICE) nimmt für sich in Anspruch, Schüler:innen mit sprachlichen Förderbedarfen nachweislich darin zu unterstützen, ein solides Verständnis chemiebezogener Fachkonzepte aufzubauen und fachsprachliche Kompetenzen auszubilden. In diesem Artikel stellen wir die Konzeption eines Lehr‐Lern‐Arrangements unter Anwendung von sprachsensiblen DICE‐ und Scaffolding Prinzipien sowie ausgewählte Unterrichtsmaterialien vor.