cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Contribution of acetaminophen-cysteine to acetaminophen nephrotoxicity in CD-1 mice: I. Enhancement of acetaminophen nephrotoxicity by acetaminophen-cysteine.

Acetaminophen (APAP) nephrotoxicity has been observed both in humans and research animals. Recent studies suggest a contributory role for glutathione (GSH)-derived conjugates of APAP in the development of nephrotoxicity. Inhibitors of either γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GT) or the probenecid-sensitive organic anion transporter ameliorate APAP-induced nephrotoxicity but not hepatotoxicity in mice and inhibition of γ-GT similarly protected rats from APAP nephrotoxicity. Protection against APAP nephrotoxicity by disruption of these GSH conjugate transport and metabolism pathways suggests that GSH conjugates are involved. APAP-induced renal injury may involve the acetaminophen-glutathione (APAP-GSH) conjugate or a metabolite derived from APAP-GSH. Acetaminophen-cysteine (APAP-CYS) is a likely candidate for involvement in APAP nephrotoxicity because it is both a product of the γ-GT pathway and a probable substrate for the organic anion transporter. The present experiments demonstrated that APAP-CYS treatment alone depleted renal but not hepatic glutathione (GSH) in a dose-responsive manner. This depletion of renal GSH may predispose the kidney to APAP nephrotoxicity by diminishing GSH-mediated detoxification mechanisms. Indeed, pretreatment of male CD-1 mice with APAP-CYS before challenge with a threshold toxic dose of APAP resulted in significant enhancement of APAP-induced nephrotoxicity. This was evidenced by histopathology and plasma blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels at 24 h after APAP challenge. APAP alone was minimally nephrotoxic and APAP-CYS alone produced no detectable injury. By contrast, APAP-CYS pretreatment did not alter the liver injury induced by APAP challenge. These data are consistent with there being a selective, contributory role for APAP-GSH-derived metabolites in APAP-induced renal injury that may involve renal-selective GSH depletion.
Economic Fragmentation in Russia: The Influence of International Trade and Initial Conditions

Post-Soviet Russia has experienced a considerable degree of regional economic fractionalization. While previous evidence has assigned a causal role to openness to international trade in accounting for this phenomenon, we show here that evidence of this nature is less clear-cut upon conditioning on a set of regional-level pre-transition initial conditions, and focusing on international-trade activity measured at the regional rather than the national level. The variables used to quantify initial conditions include measures of standards of living, ethno-linguistic fractionalization, and most importantly, transportation infrastructure.
Staging Composite Culture Nautanki and Parsi Theatre in Recent Revivals

Both the rural-based Nautanki and its urban counterpart, the Parsi theatre, remain part of the cultural scenario of modern India and continue to contribute to the ongoing negotiation of India's composite culture. Part of the appreciation of these older stylized theatre genres comes from awareness of their hybrid character. As emblems of composite culture, these theatrical traditions remind viewers of a popular secular outlook that is still within reach. This article discusses two performances observed during 2004 in New Delhi, of Amar Singh Rathor and Yahudi ki Larki, both canonical popular texts. It is argued that the revival of these plays owes much to their ability to serve as allegories within the current polarized cultural and political climate. The discussion suggests the continuing potential of the impulse to counter neo-nationalist ideology by means of popular media such as Nautanki and Parsi theatre.
A DOUBLE DISSOCIATION BETWEEN LINGUISTIC AND PERCEPTUAL REPRESENTATIONS OF SPATIAL RELATIONSHIPS

This paper explores from a neuropsychological perspective the relation between the meanings of English locative prepositions (e.g., in, on, above, below) and the kinds of representations that are used for many visuospatial processes such as recognising, drawing, and constructing spatially complex objects. One possibility that has been proposed by some psycholinguists is that the meanings of prepositions are the same as the representations used in these other processes. An alternative possibility, which has been proposed by a different group of researchers, is that the relation is more distant such that the meanings of prepositions constitute language-specific semantic structures that are distinct from the representations that underlie many visuospatial abilities. Here we report a detailed assessment of the linguistic as well as perceptual and cognitive representations of spatial relationships in two brain-damaged subjects. Four tests were administered that involve both the production and comprehension of ...
A review of health care reform in the United States and in Alaska

Objectives. To review the status of health care reform in the U.S. in general and in Alaska in particular. Study design. This paper reviews the literature concerning health care reform in the U.S. and in Alaska. Methods. N/A. Results. N/A. Conclusions. The United States spends more per capita on health care than any other OECD country, yet its health outcomes such as life expectancy and infant mortality lag behind other countries. Health care reform has been a major activity of the federal government and of some states for the past several years. The 3 goals of optimizing cost, access and quality, at both the national level and at the Alaska state level, are discussed. Some of the major policy changes at the national level, including payment system reform, enhanced insurance regulation and increased attention to prevention, are discussed. The unique health care reform challenges in circumpolar Alaska are highlighted and the status of current state level reform initiatives is reviewed. (Int J Circumpolar Health 2010; 69(5):424-436) Keywords: health care reform, Alaska Native health care, Medicare, Medicaid
Correlation functions from probability densities

Abstract Correlation functions are calculated from histograms of probability densities. This method allows to analyse correlations of higher moments from the data. At least for exploratory studies it is by far more practical than direct calculation of the correlations of higher moments during the simulation.
Chlordiazepoxide improves the performance of septal lesioned but not hippocampal lesioned animals in a Morris maze

The effects of hippocampal and lateral septum lesions were compared in rats tested in a water maze spatial memory task, and the effect of chlordiazepoxide (CDP) was examined. There was a significant interaction for lesion and CDP in the septal lesioned subjects, with the lesioned animals performing worse than control animals, and CDP improving the performance of lesioned animals. CDP had no effect on impaired performance in hippocampal lesioned animals.
Heavy Daily Precipitation Frequency over the Contiguous United States: Sources of Climatic Variability and Seasonal Predictability

By matching large-scale patterns in climate fields with patterns in observed station precipitation, this work explores seasonal predictability of precipitation in the contiguous United States for all seasons. Although it is shown that total seasonal precipitation and frequencies of less-than-extreme daily precipitation events can be predicted with much higher skill, the focus of this study is on frequencies of daily precipitation above the seasonal 90th percentile (P90), a variable whose skillful prediction is more challenging. Frequency of heavy daily precipitation is shown to respond to ENSO as well as to non-ENSO interannual and interdecadal variability in the North Pacific. Specification skill achieved by a statistical model based on contemporaneous SST forcing with and without an explicit dynamical atmosphere is compared and contrasted. Statistical models relating the SST forcing patterns directly to observed station precipitation are shown to perform consistently better in all seasons than hybrid (dynamical‐statistical) models where the SST forcing is first translated to atmospheric circulation via three separate general circulation models and the dynamically computed circulation anomalies are statistically related to observed precipitation. Skill is summarized for all seasons, but in detail for January‐February‐March, when it is shown that predictable patterns are spatially robust regardless of the approach used. Predictably, much of the skill is due to ENSO. While the U.S. average skill is modest, regional skill levels can be quite high. It is also found that non-ENSO-related skill is significant, especially for the extreme Southwest and that this is due mostly to non-ENSO interannual and decadal variability in the North Pacific SST forcing. Although useful specification skill is achieved by both approaches, hybrid predictability is not pursued further in this effort. Rather, prognostic analysis is carried out with the purely statistical approach to analyze P90 predictability based on antecedent SST forcing. Skill at various lead times is investigated and it is shown that significant regional skill can be achieved at lead times of several months even in the absence of strong ENSO forcing.
Improving Traffic Flows at No Cost

The standard model of traffic flow used in the analysis of urban traffic is the Wardrop equilibrium. The existence of traffic flows that reduce costs for some travelers without increasing the costs for any other travelers when compared to the equilibrium defines a Generalized Braess Paradox. We provide a practical methodology for detecting such flows and report the existence of such a flow in the Sioux Falls study network when links with equilibrium flows in the free-flow range are regarded as constant cost.
A tRNA-guided research journey from synthetic chemistry to synthetic biology.

I was first introduced to RNA in 1962. As a newly minted PhD in synthetic organic chemistry I had just joined in Madison, Wisconsin a team of four postdocs charged with the challenging task of chemically synthesizing 64 ribotrinucleotides by the most modern methods (manual synthesis, of course, requiring gallons of dry pyridine every day). My advisor, Har Gobind Khorana, a man of boundless energy, vision and courage, was convinced that these RNA triplets would be essential for the elucidation of the genetic code. It was an exciting time in molecular biology as the first details of the mechanism of protein synthesis and the genetic code emerged. Then, after three years of intense work with great team spirit the code was cracked! At the end of my time in Wisconsin I had become a molecular biologist, spellbound by the genetic code and by tRNA. I would never lose interest in this molecule, and it guided my research for the next five decades.
Mechanical properties of apatite formed by acid-base reactions at 37.4/spl deg/C

The mechanical properties of monolithic hydroxyapatite were related to porosity, microstructure and composition. The ultimate strength has a logarithmic relationship with the porosity between 4 and 70 vol% pores. The modulus of elasticity is approximately 6-7 GPa for hydroxyapatite and 4-5 GPa for 3.66 wt% carbonate hydroxyapatite.
Agrarian Ideals and Practices: Comments on Paul B. Thompson’s The Agrarian Vision

In The Agrarian Vision, Thompson argues that a better appreciation of agrarian ideals could lead to a more virtuous, more sustainable way of life. While I agree with Thompson in many respects, there are some aspects of the book that I question and others that I would like to hear Thompson explicate in greater detail. In this paper, I question Thompson’s claim that agrarian farmers and farming communities serve as ideal models of virtuous habits and good character. I challenge Thompson’s use of virtue theory, particularly the notion that farming virtues can be acquired without participating in farming practices. In the end, I make the point that Thompson seems to vacillate between being realistic and being idealistic, which may seriously complicate our notions of responsibility and obligation in practice.
Helium Pressure rise of Superconducting Super Collider Dipole Magnets Following a Quench

Heat transfer to the helium fluid within the magnet windings during and following a quench results in high-pressure gas propagating along the windings. A quasi-steady state approachl can be used for cryostable magnets with a relatively short vent line. For long adiabatic dipole magnets, the maximum pressure rise depends strongly on the magnet length. To determine the helium pressure distribution in the magnet, it is necessary to simultaneously solve the time dependent continuity, momentum, and energy equations for helium in the flow channels, the heat conduction equation in the windings, and the magnet current decay equation. General Dynamics has developed the code QMAG to do this. An early version of the code was applied to a full-length Superconducting Super Collider (SSC) dipole magnet for the extreme case of having helium flow only around the bore tube. Some of the results of that study are reported in this paper. We also report on the code modifications made to model a large cooling tube connected to the bore tube through the regularly spaced gaps in the collar and yoke laminations surrounding the windings. Furthermore, results of a study of a long dipole magnet model are reported in this paper to show the effect of the cooling tube internal flow on the bore tube pressure. The quench pressure results for SSC dipole magnets using the modified code will be published later.
CP violation in hierarchical Yukawa models

Because 4-dimensional CP is a good symmetry of many higher-dimensional theories, this suggests the possible existence of an universal CP-violating phase originating from the process of compactification. Such a phase, if it existed, would not be easy to uncover since the phases in Yukawa matrices are not simply related to the observed Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa phase {delta}. Hierarchical Yukawa models, of the type arising in F-theory GUT models provide an interesting exception. Recently, Heckman and Vafa studied a particular F-theory GUT model with hierarchical Yukawa matrices with complex phases of O(1) and showed, by examining the Jarlskog invariant, that this model leads to sin{delta}{approx}O(1). A more detailed examination of the model, although confirming their results, is seen to be also compatible with having a phase {delta}{sub o}={pi}/3 imprinted on the Hermitian Yukawa matrices, leading to sin{delta}{approx_equal}sin{delta}{sub o}.
Constructing Hidden Units using Examples and Queries

While the network loading problem for 2-layer threshold nets is NP-hard when learning from examples alone (as with backpropagation), (Baum, 91) has now proved that a learner can employ queries to evade the hidden unit credit assignment problem and PAC-load nets with up to four hidden units in polynomial time. Empirical tests show that the method can also learn far more complicated functions such as randomly generated networks with 200 hidden units. The algorithm easily approximates Wieland's 2-spirals function using a single layer of 50 hidden units, and requires only 30 minutes of CPU time to learn 200-bit parity to 99.7% accuracy.
Peak power estimation using genetic spot optimization for large VLSI circuits

Estimating peak power involves optimization of the circuit's switching function. We propose genetic spot expansion and optimization in this paper to estimate tight peak power bounds for large sequential circuits. The optimization spot shifts and expands dynamically based on the maximum power potential (MPP) of the nodes under optimization. Four genetic spot optimization heuristics are studied for sequential circuits. Experimental results showed an average of 70.7% tighter peak power bounds for large sequential benchmark circuits was achieved in short execution times.
Mechanistic and processing studies in combustion synthesis of niobium aluminides

Combustion synthesis of NbAl3 and Nb2Al was studied using the volume combustion mode. The effects of heating rate and green density were examined for NbAl3 synthesis. The effect of green density was also investigated for Nb2Al. Greater reaction completion was achieved at higher heating rates and green densities. In both NbAl3 and Nb2Al samples, the reaction was initiated above the melting point of Al. Quenching (Nb+3Al) samples pressed at relatively high and low densities below the ignition temperature, and results of a particle-foil experiment, identified the spreading characteristic of molten Al over Nb, providing mechanistic details about niobium aluminide product formation.
Poster: Classifying primary outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis: Knowledge discovery from clinical trial metadata

Early prediction of treatment outcomes in RA clinical trials is critical for both patient safety and trial success. We hypothesize that an approach employing metadata of clinical trials could provide accurate classification of primary outcomes before trial implementation. We retrieved RA clinical trials metadata from ClinicalTrials.gov. Four quantitative outcome measures that are frequently used in RA trials, i.e., ACR20, DAS28, and AE/SAE, were the classification targets in the model. Classification rules were applied to make the prediction and were evaluated. The results confirmed our hypothesis. We concluded that the metadata in clinical trials could be used to make early prediction of the study outcomes with acceptable accuracy.
Immigration Attitudes and Support for the Welfare State in the American Mass Public

In this article, we explore the relationship between Americans’ attitudes toward immigrants and immigration and their attitudes toward welfare. Using data from the Cumulative American National Election Study from 1992 to 2012, we find ample evidence of the influence of immigration attitudes on both individuals’ attitudes toward welfare recipients and their attitudes toward increased welfare spending. These immigration effects persist even in the face of statistical controls for attitudes toward African Americans and attitudes toward the poor; indeed, in our models, the magnitude of the effects of immigration attitudes surpasses the magnitude of effects of attitudes toward blacks. Further, our findings of immigration effects withstand a range of robustness tests. Our results point to the possible “immigrationalization” of Americans’ welfare attitudes and provide strong evidence that how Americans think about immigration and immigrants is a major factor in how they think about welfare.
A Study of Alterations in DNA Epigenetic Modifications (5mC and 5hmC) and Gene Expression Influenced by Simulated Microgravity in Human Lymphoblastoid Cells

Cells alter their gene expression in response to exposure to various environmental changes. Epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation are believed to regulate the alterations in gene expression patterns. In vitro and in vivo studies have documented changes in cellular proliferation, cytoskeletal remodeling, signal transduction, bone mineralization and immune deficiency under the influence of microgravity conditions experienced in space. However microgravity induced changes in the epigenome have not been well characterized. In this study we have used Next-generation Sequencing (NGS) to profile ground-based "simulated" microgravity induced changes on DNA methylation (5-methylcytosine or 5mC), hydroxymethylation (5-hydroxymethylcytosine or 5hmC), and simultaneous gene expression in cultured human lymphoblastoid cells. Our results indicate that simulated microgravity induced alterations in the methylome (~60% of the differentially methylated regions or DMRs are hypomethylated and ~92% of the differentially hydroxymethylated regions or DHMRs are hyperhydroxymethylated). Simulated microgravity also induced differential expression in 370 transcripts that were associated with crucial biological processes such as oxidative stress response, carbohydrate metabolism and regulation of transcription. While we were not able to obtain any global trend correlating the changes of methylation/ hydroxylation with gene expression, we have been able to profile the simulated microgravity induced changes of 5mC over some of the differentially expressed genes that includes five genes undergoing differential methylation over their promoters and twenty five genes undergoing differential methylation over their gene-bodies. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first NGS-based study to profile epigenomic patterns induced by short time exposure of simulated microgravity and we believe that our findings can be a valuable resource for future explorations.
Chemostratigraphy indicates a relatively complete Late Permian to Early Triassic sequence in the western United States

Although the latest Permian mass extinction and associated δ 13 C excursion are well documented from the Tethys Ocean, carbonate rocks preserving these events in the eastern Panthalassic Ocean (western Pangea) are unknown. We present δ 13 C carb from the Gerster and Thaynes (Permian and Triassic) Formations in the western United States and document a negative excursion with no evidence for major breaks in continuity. To further constrain the age of the δ 13 C carb excursion in the absence of index fossils, we analyzed the same samples for 87 Sr/ 86 Sr. When examining our new carbon and Sr data in the context of biostratigraphy and sequence stratigraphy, we conclude that parts of the western United States may preserve carbonate successions that span the latest Permian extinction.
Investigation of Crystallization Behavior of MWNTs/HDPE Composite

MWNTs/HDPE composites were prepared by solution blending and ultrasonic dispersion.FESEM micrograph showed the dispersion of MWNTs in HDPE matrix.The crystalline structure and the crystallization behavior of the MWNTs/HDPE composite were analyzed by XRD and DSC.Isothermal crystallization kinetics of the composite was described by Avrami equation.The results demonstrated that MWNTs could well distribute in HDPE and serve as effective nucleating agents;MWNTs with the less content(1 wt%)and the larger diameter(60~100 nm)had more remarkable effect on nucleation;They did not change the HDPE crystal form;With the increase of MWNTs content and temperature,HDPE in the composite grew into crystals in a pattern of spherulite through heterogeneous nucleation.
"BENIGN" GIANT-CELL TUMOR OF BONE WITH A SOLITARY PULMONARY METASTASIS. A CASE REPORT.

A case of giant-cell tumor of the distal end of the radius with benign microscopic appearance is presented in which a solitary pulmonary metastasis occurred three years after initial treatment. The metastasis retained the original loss-grade microscopic characteristics and responded well to surgical resection. This case is additional evidence that microscopically benign-appearing giant-cell tumors of bone may occasionally metastasize.
Zwitterionic polymer-protein conjugates reduce polymer-specific antibody response

Summary Proteins are promising therapeutics with several design challenges, such as their inherent immunogenicity due to their exogenous source or short circulation time. The common solution to such issues is the chemical conjugation of the amphiphilic polymer poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), a process known as PEGylation. However, several studies demonstrated a decrease in protein bioactivity or an increase in the presence of specific antibodies post PEGylation, highlighting the importance of an alternative strategy. Here we compare the performance of a superhydrophilic zwitterionic polymer in protecting an immunogenic protein to PEG in (i) the maintenance of enzyme activity and stability post modification, (ii) mitigation of the antibody response elicited by the polymer and any subsequent effect on pharmacokinetics, and (iii) minimization of host response toward the underlying protein. In contrast to PEG, zwitterionic conjugation decreases host antibody response without sacrificing bioactivity or generating polymer-specific antibodies.
Redox regulation of transient receptor potential channels in the endothelium

ROS and RNS are important mediators of signaling pathways in the endothelium. Specific members of the TRP superfamily of cation channels act as important Ca2+ influx pathways in endothelial cells and are involved in endothelium-dependent vasodilation, regulation of barrier permeability, and angiogenesis. ROS and RNS can modulate the activity of certain TRP channels mainly by modifying specific cysteine residues or by stimulating the production of second messengers. In this review, we highlight the recent literature describing redox regulation of TRP channel activity in endothelial cells as well as the physiological importance of these pathways and implication for cardiovascular diseases.
Examining the Potential Unintended Effects of a Healthful Living Curriculum Upon Children’s Weight-Related Beliefs, Body Satisfaction, and Body Build Stereotypes

This exploratory work was guided by the question of whether health education messages about food and exercise might inadvertently influence children’s beliefs about weight controllability, body satisfaction, weight self-assessments, desire to alter weight, and body build stereotypes. Participants were 80 children (38 boys, 42 girls) aged 7 to 13 years enrolled in a week-long “FunLIFE” summer camp offered at a large university. FunLIFE was created in response to the childhood obesity crisis and focuses upon Learning to Improve Fitness and Eating (thus, the acronym “LIFE”). Pre- and posttest questionnaires were administered at four camp sessions. Findings indicated that participation in FunLIFE camp did not influence children’s weight controllability beliefs, level of body satisfaction, their self-assessments of their weight, or their desire to alter or maintain their weight. Exposure to the FunLIFE curriculum did, however, positively impact children’s stereotypes about both overweight and thin children. Findings and implications are discussed.
Glial contributions to neurodegeneration in tauopathies.

Tauopathies are a broad set of neurodegenerative dementias characterized by aggregation of the tau protein into filamentous inclusions that can be found in neurons and glial cells. Activated microglia, astrocytes and elevated levels of proinflammatory molecules are also pathological hallmarks that are found in brain regions affected by tau pathology. There has been abundant research in recent years to understand the role of gliosis and neuroinflammation in neurodegenerative diseases, particularly in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) which is the most common form of dementia. AD is a tauopathy characterized by both extracellular amyloid-β plaques in addition to intracellular neurofibrillary tangles and neuropil threads containing aggregated tau protein. Accumulating evidence suggests that neuroinflammation offers a possible mechanistic link between these pathologies. Additionally, there appears to be a role for neuroinflammation in aggravating tau pathology and neurodegeneration in tauopathies featuring tau deposits as the predominant pathological signature. In this review, we survey the literature regarding inflammatory mechanisms that may impact neurodegeneration in AD and related tauopathies. We consider a physical role for microglia in the spread of tau pathology as well as the non-cell autonomous effects of secreted proinflammatory cytokines, specifically interleukin 1 beta, interleukin 6, tumor necrosis factor alpha and complement proteins. These molecules appear to have direct effects on tau pathophysiology and overall neuronal health. They also indirectly impact neuronal homeostasis by altering glial function. We conclude by proposing a complex role for gliosis and neuroinflammation in accelerating the progression of AD and other tauopathies.
Deciphering Nature’s Intricate Way of N,S-Dimethylating l-Cysteine: Sequential Action of Two Bifunctional Adenylation Domains

Dimethylation of amino acids consists of an interesting and puzzling series of events that could be achieved, during nonribosomal peptide biosynthesis, either by a single adenylation (A) domain interrupted by a methyltransferase (M) domain or by the sequential action of two of such independent enzymes. Herein, to establish the method by which Nature N,S-dimethylates l-Cys, we studied its formation during thiochondrilline A biosynthesis by evaluating TioS(A3aM3SA3bT3) and TioN(AaMNAb). This study not only led to identification of the exact pathway followed in Nature by these two enzymes for N,S-dimethylation of l-Cys, but also revealed that a single interrupted A domain can N,N-dimethylate amino acids, a novel phenomenon in the nonribosomal peptide field. These findings offer important and useful insights for the development and engineering of novel interrupted A domain enzymes to serve, in the future, as tools for combinatorial biosynthesis.
When Empathy is Not Enough: The possibilities for solidarity in The San Francisco Homeless Project

Journalism that humanizes marginalized communities can advance social justice by appealing to collective solidarity. News reporting, however, often encourages audience empathy instead of solidarity...
Comparative Study of a New Coil Design With Traditional Shielded Figure-of-Eight Coil for Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive neuro-stimulation based on the principle of electromagnetic induction that uses brief, strong magnetic pulses of electric current delivered to a coil placed on the subject’s head to induce an electric field in the brain. This electric field could stimulate and modulate neural activity. Induced E-field inside brain generated by repetitive TMS (rTMS) can produce changes in neural activity that extends beyond the period of stimulation. Therefore, rTMS can be used as a probe for exploring higher brain functions and as potential treatment technique for psychiatric and neurological disorders. However, based on the chosen shape of the excitation coil, there exists a tradeoff between the excitation focality in the brain and the depth to which the field penetrates. In this paper, a new design of TMS coil is proposed to enhance the performance of the traditional figure-of-eight (FOE) coil. 3-D finite-element method has been used to simulate and compare the electric field induced inside the model of a human brain under the influence of both coil designs. An experimental verification was then followed to validate the advantages of the proposed coil design over the classic FOE coil.
Burnout among direct-care workers in nursing homes: Influences of organisational, workplace, interpersonal and personal characteristics.

Aims and objectives The many negative effects of burnout have prompted researchers to better understand the factors contributing to it. The purpose of this paper is to add to this body of knowledge through the study of burnout among direct-care workers in nursing homes. Background Perhaps the factor most often associated with employee burnout is the level of staffing-insufficient staffing results in work overload and eventually employee burnout. A closer look at research findings suggests that there are many other factors also contributing to burnout. These range from those at the organisational level, such as availability of training and resources to individual characteristics such as self-esteem and length of employment. Methods A self-administered survey instrument was completed by 410 direct-care workers working within 11 nursing homes in the north Texas region. Regression analyses were performed, adjusting for clustering by nursing home. Beta coefficients and structure coefficients are reported. Burnout was measured through three dimensions: emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and personal accomplishment. Results Organisational, work design, interpersonal and individual characteristics were found to be associated with one or more dimensions of burnout. Conclusions The analyses largely support previous research. Organisational variables of significance included the availability of resources to do the work, available training and fair pay. Work design variables of significance included adequate staffing. The individual characteristic, self-esteem, appeared to have the strongest impact on burnout. Commitment to the organisation also had a large impact. Relevance to clinical practice While the data do not allow for the testing of causal relationships, the data do suggest that providing adequate staffing, perceived fair pay, sufficient work resources (e.g., towels, gowns), management support and adequate training may result in less direct-care worker burnout on the job.
CARDIAC MEMORY PRESENTING AS ST ELEVATION

Cardiac memory is a phenomenon in which the T wave of the intrinsic rhythm tracks the QRS vector of the preceding abnormal impulse like right ventricular (RV) pacing. It usually manifests as T wave inversions. A 59 year-old man with cardiomyopathy with ejection fraction (EF) of 20% and dual chamber
The Book of Swindles: Selections from a Late Ming Collection

Here, for the first time, we have fine translations of tales from a collection that until recently had been largely overlooked by scholars. Nor was it part of popular reading over much of the last ...
Total Ionization Cross Sections of Molecules by Electron Impact

The theoretical basis for the binary-encounter-Bethe (BEB) model is outlined, and the model is compared to available experiments and other theories for samples of stable molecules, radicals, and positive ions. Possible directions for improving the BEB model are also presented.
Cultural and Societal Perspectives of Nonviolence

This chapter focuses on nonviolence at the cultural or societal levels. Specifically, this chapter is organized around the concept of “cultures of peace.” Numerous cultures have been identified and studied that have historically embraced nonviolence. I will initially discuss these peaceful cultures along with the features that have helped these societies to primarily utilize nonviolent behavior over violent alternatives. Next, the UN resolutions on cultures of peace and the eight key values (respect all life, reject violence, share with others, listen to understand, preserve the planet, rediscover solidarity, work for women’s equality, participate in democracy) are presented and analyzed. Representative psychological and sociological research to support the development of components of cultures of peace is reviewed as well. The role of gender issues in the understanding of nonviolence at the societal level will be intertwined throughout the discussion of cultural issues of peace. A concise bibliography of readings for each component within the framework of a culture of peace is included.
RP4 plasmid transfer among species of pseudomonas in a biofilm reactor

Conjugation, the most prevalent mechanism of horizontal gene transfer, has been extensively studied for its role in the dissemination of antibiotic resistance and catabolic genes among bacteria. Very little research on conjugation has been conducted in natural biofilm systems, although over 99% of bacteria in nature are attached to surfaces. Previous studies suggest that rates of conjugation on surfaces elevated compared to rates in liquid media. The goal of this research was to observe conjugation between bacteria growing in a biofilm reactor. Conjugation of the broad host range plasmid RP4 between two species of Pseudomonas occurred in the biofilm reactor at high frequencies. The most important environmental para-meter was the shear stress at the biofilm-liquid interface. Conjugation was only observed below a shear of 0.0851 N/m 2 , corresponding to a laminar flow regime. Increasing temperature from 15°C to 28°C increased conjugation frequencies 10,000-fold. Conjugation frequency was unchanged in experiments conducted with 3.5, 7, and 35 mg/l acetate, though total cell concentration in the biofilm increased as expected. These data suggest ways to manipulate environmental parameters to affect plasmid transfer rates among biofilm bacteria.
Calculating the 'Big Kill'

For two decades, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has regularly estimated the deaths, years of life lost, medical expenditures, and productivity losses from cigarette smoking. But how accurate is the underlying CDC estimate of smoking-related deaths? The specifics of the agency's calculations are shrouded in secrecy, yet its estimates are rarely disputed. This article, which is based on my research with Philip Cole, attempts to demystify the secretive CDC process. We provide alternative estimates and propose a dramatic change in how the CDC evaluates the impact of smoking on American society.
Disentangling bubbles in equity REITs

Abstract This paper examines the occurrence of price bubbles in equity real estate investment trusts (REITs) classified by property types. We employ the Generalized Supremum Augmented Dickey–Fuller (GSADF) methodology to a sample spanning January 1980 to December 2017. The analysis considers the overall equity REIT index and seven major property sectors including Diversified, Healthcare, Industrial/Office, Lodging/Resorts, Residential, Retail, and Self-Storage. Our results reveal significant bubble periods in the overall equity REIT index and all property sectors except for Lodging/Resorts. Interestingly, we observe unique patterns in the price bubbles for all remaining six property sectors. Our results confirm that each property sector represents a distinct line of business.
Implications of shortening outdoor adventure education courses: identifying prioritized outcomes and effective processes.

Across the nation, many outdoor adventure education programs are becoming shorter in duration. The purpose of this study was to determine if instructors alter targeted course outcomes and course processes because of shorter amounts of student field time. Data collection involved interviews with staff from the Colorado Outward Bound School. Results of this study identify the course outcomes and processes instructors reported to be most affected by course length, as well as the processes instructors identified as most important to best achieve desired course outcomes. This study concludes with a discussion for integration of results into current course design models and offers a revised model for maximizing short course program design.Subscribe to JOREL
Barriers to Outpatient Pediatric Chronic Pain Clinic Participation Among Referred Patients

Initial clinic evaluation among referred patients and factors limiting treatment initiation are not well characterized. We conducted a retrospective review of referrals to our outpatient pain clinic to identify intake visits and factors associated with treatment initiation among adolescents with chronic pain. We identified adolescents aged 13 to 18 years at the time of referral to clinic (2010-2016). Factors associated with completion of visits were evaluated using logistic regression. Patients who completed visits more frequently had private insurance than public or no insurance (P = .053). The most common reasons for caregiver decision not to attend the pain clinic included use of another pain clinic, that services were not wanted or no longer needed, and that their child was undergoing further testing. The current study demonstrated that patients with head pain were more likely to complete an intake visit, while there was a trend showing that lack of private insurance decreased this likelihood.
The specter of the “art-less city”: Locating artists in Philadelphia’s creative economy

Artists and creativity are on the urban agenda. Scholars and policymakers have embraced the role of artists as key drivers of economic growth and urban vitality. Yet, accounts of artists’ agency of...
Social appearance anxiety moderates the relationship between thin-ideal internalization and eating disorder symptoms cross-sectionally and prospectively in adolescent girls.

The sociocultural theory of eating disorders (EDs) posits that thin-ideal internalization may interact with social risk factors to influence ED development. Social appearance anxiety (SAA) is a potential social risk factor for EDs that may influence the relationship between thin-ideal internalization and EDs. The current study (N = 525 adolescent females) examined whether SAA moderated the relationship between thin-ideal internalization and ED symptoms cross-sectionally and prospectively across one month. The interaction between thin-ideal internalization and SAA on ED symptoms was significant in both models, such that when SAA was higher, there was a significantly stronger relationship between thin-ideal internalization and ED symptoms. We also found that SAA uniquely, prospectively predicted ED symptoms. These results suggest that adolescents with high SAA and high thin-ideal internalization are more likely to exhibit higher ED symptoms. SAA both prospectively predicts ED symptoms and may amplify the relationship between thin-ideal internalization and EDs. This research highlights SAA as a social risk factor for ED development in adolescents. Interventions focused on SAA may optimize ED prevention in this population. Level IV, evidence obtained from multiple time series with or without the intervention.
Evaluating risk allocation and project impacts of sustainability-oriented water public–private partnerships in Southern California: A comparative case analysis

Abstract For the last 30 years, California has struggled to manage its water effectively due to demographic pressure, declining financial and technical support at the state and federal level, climatic stress, and outdated water management systems. Public-private partnerships (PPPs) may be uniquely positioned address these challenges through the private partner’s ability to mobilize resources, provide technical expertise, and share project risks. Yet, studies suggest that the private partner’s goal of maximizing revenue can reduce the quality of service provision and can marginalize low income populations. This paper clarifies the role of the private sector in bolstering sustainability and resilience by examining 1) the distribution of risks between public and private partners and 2) the economic, political, environmental, and social impacts of these partnership arrangements. This exploratory qualitative study utilizes interviews, observations, shadowing, and document analysis to compare 10 public–private partnerships in Southern California. This study evaluates PPP projects across the three dimensions of sustainability, paying careful attention to distributional impacts and feedbacks between environmental and human systems. The findings suggest that when carefully managed, PPPs can result in environmentally beneficial projects that diversify local water resources and improve efficiency of water utility operations. However, sustainability-oriented PPPs face a tension between profitability and public welfare due to the divergent goals of public and private partners. A complex permitting process and evolving regulations exacerbate this tradeoff through cost overruns and project delays. Risks to the public partner and ratepayers can be reduced through mutual agreement of project goals and benefits, robust contract structure, and the inclusion of end-users and affected stakeholders in project design and implementation.
Comparative Analysis of Phase-Comparison Monopulse and MUSIC Algorithm Methods for Direction of Arrival (DOA) of Multiple-Subject Respiration Measured with Doppler Radar

While Doppler radar measurement of respiration has shown promise for various healthcare applications, simultaneous sensing of respiration for multiple subjects in the radar field of view remains a significant challenge as reflections from the subjects are received as an interference pattern. Prior research has demonstrated the basic feasibility of using phase comparison with a 24-GHz Monopulse radar for isolation of one subject when another subject was in view, by estimating each subject’s angular location with 88% accuracy. The integration of the high-resolution Multiple Signal Classification (MUSIC) algorithm with a phase-comparison technique is proposed to achieve robust accuracy for practical multi-subject respiration monitoring. Experimental results for this work demonstrate that the MUSIC pseudo-spectrum can separate two subjects 1.5 meters apart from each other at a distance of 3 meters from the sensor, using the same antenna array elements, spacing, and experimental scenarios previously reported for phase comparison Monopulse alone. Experimental results demonstrate that the MUSIC algorithm outperforms the phase-comparison technique with an azimuth angular position estimation accuracy over 95%. Higher accuracy indicates the system has improved robustness concerning noise and interference.
The Influence of Power on Leisure: Implications for Inclusive Leisure Services.

Many people experience domination as they encounter oppression and marginalization because of power differentials limiting their leisure. We rely on Foucault for guidance to examine connections between power and opportunities for people to be included in leisure and recognize that, like Foucault, we experience privilege. Considering such privilege, we explore power and people connections, scrutinize ways power influences leisure, and examine methods to promote or resist power to increase leisure. Drawing on the analysis of power and leisure, we examine how discourse influences leisure and identify ways to facilitate inclusive leisure. We consider these aspects via Allen’s (1998) modalities of power-over, power-to, and power-with. Analyzing these modalities, we address barriers to leisure associated with power, strategies people use to engage in resistance through leisure, and ways inclusive leisure might occur. We conclude that each person can make positive contributions and offer inclusive leisure.
Distinct immune signatures in chronic lymphocytic leukemia and Richter syndrome

Richter syndrome (RS) refers to transformation of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) to an aggressive lymphoma, most commonly diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. RS is known to be associated with a number of genetic alterations such as TP53 and NOTCH1 mutations. However, it is unclear what immune microenvironment changes are associated with RS. In this study, we analyzed expression of immune checkpoint molecules and infiltration of immune cells in nodal samples, and peripheral blood T-cell diversity in 33 CLL and 37 RS patients. Compared to CLL, RS nodal tissue had higher PD-L1 expression in histiocytes and dendritic cells (median 16.6% vs. 2.8%, P < 0.01) and PD1 expression in neoplastic B cells (median 26.0% vs. 6.2%, P < 0.01), and higher infiltration of FOXP3-positive T cells (median 1.7% vs. 0.4%, P < 0.01) and CD163-positive macrophages (median 23.4% vs. 9.1%, P < 0.01). In addition, peripheral blood T-cell receptor clonality was significantly lower in RS vs. CLL patients (median [25th–75th], 0.107 [0.070–0.209] vs. 0.233 [0.111–0.406], P = 0.046), suggesting that T cells in RS patients were significantly more diverse than in CLL patients. Collectively these data suggest that CLL and RS have distinct immune signatures. Better understanding of the immune microenvironment is essential to improve immunotherapy efficacy in CLL and RS.