cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of Processing on Phenolic Antioxidants of Fruits, Vegetables, and Grains—A Review

Understanding the influence of processing operations such as drying/dehydration, canning, extrusion, high hydrostatic pressure, pulsed electric field, and ohmic heating on the phytochemicals of fruits, vegetables, and grains is important in retaining the health benefiting properties of these antioxidative compounds in processed food products. Most of the previous investigations in the literature on the antioxidants of fruits, vegetables, and grains have shown that food-processing operations reduced the antioxidants of the processed foods, which is also the usual consumer perception. However, in the last decade some articles in the literature reported that the evaluation of nutritional quality of processed fruits and vegetables not only depend on the quantity of vitamin C but should include analyses of other antioxidant phytochemicals and antioxidant activity. Thermal processing increased the total antioxidant activity of tomato and sweet corn. Most importantly, analysis also depends on the condition, type, and mechanism of antioxidant assays used. This review aims to provide concise information on the influence of various thermal and nonthermal food-processing operations on the stability and kinetics of health beneficial phenolic antioxidants of fruits, vegetables, and grains.
Consistent Binary Classification with Generalized Performance Metrics

Performance metrics for binary classification are designed to capture tradeoffs between four fundamental population quantities: true positives, false positives, true negatives and false negatives. Despite significant interest from theoretical and applied communities, little is known about either optimal classifiers or consistent algorithms for optimizing binary classification performance metrics beyond a few special cases. We consider a fairly large family of performance metrics given by ratios of linear combinations of the four fundamental population quantities. This family includes many well known binary classification metrics such as classification accuracy, AM measure, F-measure and the Jaccard similarity coefficient as special cases. Our analysis identifies the optimal classifiers as the sign of the thresholded conditional probability of the positive class, with a performance metric-dependent threshold. The optimal threshold can be constructed using simple plug-in estimators when the performance metric is a linear combination of the population quantities, but alternative techniques are required for the general case. We propose two algorithms for estimating the optimal classifiers, and prove their statistical consistency. Both algorithms are straightforward modifications of standard approaches to address the key challenge of optimal threshold selection, thus are simple to implement in practice. The first algorithm combines a plug-in estimate of the conditional probability of the positive class with optimal threshold selection. The second algorithm leverages recent work on calibrated asymmetric surrogate losses to construct candidate classifiers. We present empirical comparisons between these algorithms on benchmark datasets.
A monopole-probe-based quasi-optical amplifier array

A quasi-optical amplifier array designed for Ku-band operation is presented. Orthogonal monopole-probe antennas are used to couple the power into, and out from, an array of microstrip-based amplifiers. The array has a gain of 5.4 dB at 16.4 GHz using packaged high electron mobility transistors (HEMT's). This gain is 3.5 dB below the maximum stable gain for this device at this frequency.
Optimizing Antimicrobial Susceptibility Test Reporting

ABSTRACT A meeting of clinical microbiologists, representing a diverse group of practice settings, together with representatives from industry partners, discussed the pitfalls of current practices for testing and reporting antimicrobial susceptibility test results. The participants in this session identified several needs. Regarding what antibiotics to test, the discussants noted that the CLSI M100 documents must be readily accessible to all those who need them and presented in a way that is easily understood. Engineering controls (e.g., software programs) are needed that incorporate intrinsic resistance and susceptibility information and contain pathways that would allow the reporting of antibiotics for only those body locations where the antibiotic reaches therapeutic concentrations. These programs should be linked with the patient electronic medical record (EMR) and flag the physician or clinical pharmacist using an active alert messenger when testing reveals that the antibiotic(s) that the patient is receiving may not be optimal or de-escalation of the antibiotic treatment regimen is indicated. Guidelines for the practice of cascade reporting are needed and should be developed to assist laboratories in the identification and reporting of therapeutic and cost-effective antimicrobials. Personalized antibiotic reporting (PAR) software programs are needed that would deduce the optimal antibiotic for each individual patient based on a number of clinical and laboratory features. These would include the following: (i) organism identification; (ii) MIC; (iii) patient-specific factors such as weight, immune status, allergies, creatinine clearance, and albumin level; (iv) site of infection; (v) desired method of dosing (bolus versus continuous infusion); (vi) patient convenience (oral versus intravenous); (vii) drug interactions; and (viii) cost.
Granite emplacement during tectonic exhumation: The Adirondack example

Sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe U-Pb zircon ages for late to posttectonic leucogranites fix the timing of extensional collapse of a portion of the Mesoproterozoic Grenville orogen of eastern North America. Plutons of Lyon Mountain Granite (LMG) were emplaced within the Carthage Colton shear zone synchronously with formation of extensional mylonite at 1045‐1037 Ma. Leucogranite melts were generated in the hot granulite facies core of the Adirondack Highlands‐Central Granulite terrane that served as the lower plate for down-to-the-northwest extension. The LMG suite is associated with hightemperature hydrothermal magnetite deposits in the Adirondack Highlands, and widespread Cl 1 CO2 hydrothermal alteration of upper-plate rocks is localized along the Carthage Colton shear zone where LMG granites are present. The relationships between melt generation, granite intrusion, high strain rates, extensional collapse, and hightemperature hydrothermal activity provide a framework for understanding midcrustal processes in modern and ancient orogenic belts.
Development of a Collaborative Partnership to Improve Communication and Access to Obstetric and Pediatric Patient Care Information for High-Risk Referrals

Poster Presentation Purpose for the Program In a multihospital, high‐risk obstetric (OB) service with 3600 births annually, coordinating high‐risk consultations and having those consults available for review by more than 150 OB and pediatric providers in a semicomputerized system has presented many challenges. This program was developed to surmount the challenges of identifying high‐risk mothers and newborns, making patient care information available to OB and pediatric providers in a timely manner, and spanning the gaps created by two different health care organizations caring for obstetric and neonatal patients. Proposed Change An interdisciplinary task force of obstetric, pediatric, nursing, and administrative support staff met to discuss the issues related to identifying referred high‐risk newborns, communicating the plan of care and expected delivery dates, and making all consultations regarding mother and fetus available to all providers caring for those patients. These maternal and fetal referrals are generated by the OB and pediatric providers based on criteria that require care at a tertiary obstetric and/or Level‐III neonatal unit. A comprehensive plan was developed to address the gathering of patient care information, such as prenatal records, maternal/fetal medicine ultrasounds, pediatric subspecialty consults, and patient plans of care into one central, computerized document depository. This required obtaining necessary administrative approvals at both health care organizations, having the required computer application uploaded in appropriate areas, and providing continued support for access and informational issues. Implementation, Outcomes, and Evaluation The plan was implemented in December 2013 with education being provided to the OB and pediatric providers, nursing staff, and administrative staff. Multiple venues for education and assistance were offered. The administrative approvals, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) compliance issues and computer application work in the two health care organizations proved time consuming but were finally completed. Because those hurdles were surmounted, the OB and pediatric providers have increased their utilization of the process and made several suggestions to further improve communication and access to patient care information. Implications for Nursing Practice Perinatal regionalization and access to tertiary levels of perinatal and neonatal care have improved outcomes and the survival rates of our mothers and newborns. The communication and collaboration fostered between these two separate health care organizations has played a key role in improving the quality of care for our obstetric and neonatal patients. This partnership between OB and neonatal staff has improved communication, improved relationships, and encouraged a new outlook on our shared patients.
THE ROLE OF GENDER IN SALT-INDUCED HYPERTENSION

To evaluate gender differences in salt-induced hypertension, female and male Dahl salt-sensitive rats were fed high (8.0% NaCl, HS) and low (0.3% NaCl, LS) salt diets. During a 3-week treatment period, blood pressure was significantly elevated in both female and male HS groups compared to their respective LS groups. The blood pressure and 4 week mortality rate of the female HS group, however, were significantly lower than those of the male HS group. Renal and aortic blood flows were reduced in male rats on HS diet compared to the LS group, while, in females, renal blood flow was elevated and aortic flow was maintained while on HS diet. Plasma prostaglandin E2 and prostacyclin levels were higher in females than males and unaffected by diet. In contrast, plasma nitric oxide levels were reduced by HS, regardless of gender. In isolated aortic rings, HS diet caused a smaller elevation in the stimulated norepinephrine release ratio in female rats than in males. Thus, salt-induced hypertension is associated with...
An integrated stereo-based approach to automatic vehicle guidance

Proposes a new approach for vision-based longitudinal and lateral vehicle control. The novel feature of this approach is the use of binocular vision. We integrate two modules consisting of a new, domain-specific, efficient binocular stereo algorithm, and a lane marker detection algorithm, and show that the integration results in a improved performance for each of the modules. Longitudinal control is supported by detecting and measuring the distances to leading vehicles using binocular stereo. The knowledge of the camera geometry with respect to the locally planar road is used to map the images of the road plane in the two camera views into alignment. This allows us to separate image features into those lying in the road plane, e.g. lane markers, and those due to other objects which are dynamically integrated into an obstacle map. Therefore, in contrast with the previous work, we can cope with the difficulties arising from occlusion of lane markers by other vehicles. The detection and measurement of the lane markers provides us with the positional parameters and the road curvature which are needed for lateral vehicle control. Moreover, this information is also used to update the camera geometry with respect to the road, therefore allowing us to cope with the problem of vibrations and road inclination to obtain consistent results from binocular stereo. >
Outcome Data Needed: Interpreting Variation in the Medical Evaluation of Child Physical Abuse.

Since 1991, the American Academy of Pediatrics has maintained that the skeletal survey is mandatory in the evaluation of physical abuse for children younger than 2 years of age.1 Since 1995, the American College of Radiology has strongly recommended the skeletal survey in the evaluation of abuse.2 Clinical research affirms the utility of skeletal surveys in identification of occult fractures in 10% to 30% of young children evaluated for physical abuse, a yield higher than many evaluations undertaken in the assessment of febrile infants or closed head injury in children.3,4 UpToDate summarizes decades of clinical research and practice guidelines with the statement, “Concern for physical abuse in children younger than 24 months of age is an absolute indication for obtaining a skeletal survey.”5 In this edition of Pediatrics , however, researchers from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia report that US physicians fail to obtain skeletal surveys, or any other radiologic evaluation for occult fracture, in almost half of children younger than 2 years of age diagnosed with physical abuse.6 In a thoughtfully constructed analysis, Woods et al6 use administrative data … Address correspondence to Kristine A. Campbell, MD, MSc, Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah, 295 Chipeta Way, PO Box 581289, Salt Lake City, UT 84158. E-mail: kristine.campbell{at}hsc.utah.edu
Second Life™: a novel simulation platform for the training of surgical residents.

A virtual world is a three-dimensional, computer-generated, simulated environment. Human users create “avatars,” or virtual projections of themselves, in order to explore this virtual environment and interact with the objects and structures inside it. Second Life™ is one such virtual world accessible freely via the internet, which has been used to construct a virtual hospital complete with reception areas, changing rooms, offices, and hospital wards. Early pioneering studies have demonstrated the advantages of using virtual worlds in the education of surgical residents in a number of ways, from introductions to the clinical environment, initial patient assessment, and managing adverse outcomes, to gaining informed consent, hospital-wide training, and medical device development.
Simplification of tetrahedral meshes

We present a method for the construction of multiple levels of tetrahedral meshes approximating a trivariate function at different levels of detail. Starting with an initial, high-resolution triangulation of a three-dimensional region, we construct coarser representation levels by collapsing tetrahedra. Each triangulation defines a linear spline function, where the function values associated with the vertices are the spline coefficients. Based on predicted errors, we collapse tetrahedron in the grid that do not cause the maximum error to exceed a use-specified threshold. Bounds are stored for individual tetrahedra and are updated as the mesh is simplified. We continue the simplification process until a certain error is reached. The result is a hierarchical data description suited for the efficient visualization of large data sets at varying levels of detail.
Khmer American: Identity and Moral Education in a Diasporic Community

Khmer American: Identity and Moral Education in. Diasporic Community. Nancy J. Smith-Hefner. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1999. xx. 237 pp., illustrations, notes, references, index.
PET imaging with [11C]PBR28 and [18F]FDG distinguishes macrophage from neutrophil lung inflammation

Introduction: Noninvasive methods for quantifying macrophage and neutrophil activation and recruitment in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) would be highly useful in assessing the efficacy of anti-inflammatory therapies. Objective: To test whether positron emission tomography (PET) imaging with [11C]PBR28 and [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose ([18F]FDG) could distinguish macrophage-dominant from neutrophilic inflammation in a mouse model of COPD. Methods: C57BL/6J mice inoculated with PBS or Sendai virus were imaged by microPET (Inveon or Focus 220, Siemens/CTI) with both [11C]PBR28 and [18F]FDG at Days 3 and 84 post-inoculation (p.i.). Regions of interest placed over the lungs determined the % injected dose per cc (%ID/cc) at 60 min. Lung sections were stained for TSPO ([11C]PBR28 ligand), Ly6G (neutrophil marker) and CD68 (macrophage marker). Results: Only [18F]FDG uptake increased significantly during acute illness at p.i. Day 3. Both [11C]PBR28 and [18F]FDG uptake increased significantly during chronic disease at p.i. Day 84. The [11C]PBR28:[18F]FDG ratio, calculated for each mouse, was no different between infected (1.9 ± 0.3) and uninfected mice (2.0 ± 0.4) at p.i. Day 3. This ratio increased significantly at p.i. Day 84 (3.1 ± 0.9) in infected mice compared to controls (1.7 ± 0.5). Lung sections showed macrophages with intense TSPO staining at p.i. Day 84. Conclusion: PET imaging with [11C]PBR28 and [18F]FDG quantitatively distinguishes macrophage-dominant from neutrophilic inflammation in a mouse model of COPD. This approach may be useful for monitoring the pulmonary macrophage burden in humans with COPD, thereby guiding emerging targeted anti-inflammatory therapies.
Assessing written evidence of critical thinking using an analytic rubric.

Adding a critical thinking activity to a large-enrollment, introductory nutrition class resulted in a grading challenge. Instructors overwhelmed by the task and lacking a framework for grading were inconsistent in evaluating hundreds of submitted assignments. A clear depiction of expectations, as well as a standardized method for evaluating performance, were needed. A literature search of tools for systematically scoring written work was conducted, resulting in the design, testing, and implementation of an analytic scoring rubric. Response to the rubric was positive and supportive of the critical thinking component as a valuable addition to the course.
Lin28 and let-7 in cell metabolism and cancer

Malignant cells exhibit major metabolic alterations. The regulatory gene networks that regulate metabolism and the impact of these alterations on overall cellular fitness deserve further exploration. The let-7 microRNAs and their antagonists, the Lin28 RNA-binding proteins, are well-known for controlling the timing of embryonic development. This pathway has recently been shown to regulate glucose metabolism in adult mice and to reprogram metabolism during tissue injury and repair. In addition, many lines of evidence have established that Lin28 is an oncogene that drives tumorigenesis in part by suppressing let-7. The metabolic underpinnings of this oncogenic program are just beginning to be uncovered. Here, we will review the current understanding of how Lin28 exerts regenerative and oncogenic effects through metabolic mechanisms.
Is Timing Everything? Temporal Considerations in Emotion Regulation

It is often said that timing is everything. The process model of emotion regulation has taken this aphorism to heart, suggesting that down-regulating emotions before they are "up and running" is always easier than down-regulating emotions once they have gathered force (i.e., generic timing hypothesis). But does timing (i.e., emotion intensity) matter equally for all forms of regulation? In this article, the authors offer an alternative process-specific timing hypothesis, in which emotion-generative and emotion-regulatory processes compete at either earlier or later stages of information processing. Regulation strategies that target early processing stages require minimal effort. Therefore, their efficacy should be relatively unaffected by emotion intensity. By contrast, regulation strategies that target later processing stages require effort that is proportional to the intensity of the emotional response. Therefore, their efficacy should be determined by the relative strength of regulatory versus emotional processes. Implications of this revised conception are considered.
Adenosine A3 receptors: novel ligands and paradoxical effects

The physiological role of the adenosine A3 receptor is being investigated using newly synthesized, selective ligands. Recently, in addition to agonists, selective antagonists have been developed that belong to three distinct, non-purine chemical classes: flavonoids, 1,4-dihydropyridine derivatives (e.g. MRS1191, which is 1300-fold selective for human adenosine A3 vs A1/A2A receptors, with a Ki value of 31 nM) and the triazoloquinazolines (e.g. MRS1220, which has a Ki value of 0.65 nM). The A3 receptor has proven enigmatic in terms of antagonist ligand specificity, coupling to second messengers, and biological effects in the CNS, inflammatory system and cardiovascular system. A3 receptors are also potentially involved in apoptosis. It appears that intense, acute activation of A3 receptors acts as a lethal input to cells, while low concentrations of A3 receptor agonists protect against apoptosis. Here, Kenneth Jacobson describes how A3 receptor agonists might be useful in treating inflammatory conditions, possibly through their inhibition of tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) release, which has been shown in macrophages. A3 receptor antagonists might be useful in treating asthma or acute brain ischaemia. Recently, the versatility of A3 receptor agonists, administered either before or during ischaemia, in eliciting potent cardioprotection has been shown.
The Presence of Two Antigenically Distinct Light Chains (κ and γ?) in Alligator Immunoglobulins

SummaryAlligators have been shown to possess two antigenically distinct L-chain types which are probably under the control of independently segregating genes perhaps comparable to κ and γ in man. The relevance of these findings with respect to the evolution of L-chain types was briefly discussed.The authors thank Drs. P. A. Small and G. A. Leslie for their helpful advice during numerous discussions of this work. Technical assistance was rendered by Mr. Edsel McLean. The authors also thank the Florida Game and Fresh-water Commission for providing the alligators. A special thanks is also given to Ross Allen and Andrew Koukoulis for their assistance and maintenance of the animals.
Effect of Heat Treatment of Alfalfa on Availability of Carotene to Chicks

Abstract INTRODUCTION MITCHELL and Hauge (1946), Griffith and Thompson (1949), and Silker et al. (1944), among other workers, have shown that enzyme activity is responsible for up to 30% of the carotene losses during field-curing of alfalfa hay. Thompson (1952) has shown that treatment of freshly-cut alfalfa at 110–120°C. for a few seconds, followed by sun-curing to the usual moisture state of field-cured hay, resulted in a product with a significantly higher carotene content than was found in hay cured in the usual manner. This apparently resulted from heat inactivation of the carotene oxidase system, since the effect is similar to that obtained by commercial dehydration of alfalfa as reported by Russell (1929) and by many other investigators since that time. Studies by Hansen et al. (1953), Vavich et al. (1953), and others have shown the presence of as yet unidentified growth factors in alfalfa fed to poultry. Scott, Fisher …
Intraclass correlation for two-by-two tables under three sampling designs.

Several sampling designs for assessing agreement between two binary classifications on each of n subjects lead to data arrayed in a four-fold table. Following Kraemer's (1979, Psychometrika 44, 461-472) approach, population models are described for binary data analogous to quantitative data models for a one-way random design, a two-way mixed design, and a two-way random design. For each of these models, parameters representing intraclass correlation are defined, and two estimators are proposed, one from constructing ANOVA-type tables for binary data, and one by the method of maximum likelihood. The maximum likelihood estimator of intraclass correlation for the two-way mixed design is the same as the phi coefficient (Chedzoy, 1985, in Encyclopedia of Statistical Sciences, Vol. 6, New York: Wiley). For moderately large samples, the ANOVA estimator for the two-way random design approximates Cohen's (1960, Psychological Measurement 20, 37-46) kappa statistic. Comparisons among the estimators indicate very little difference in values for tables with marginal symmetry. Differences among the estimators increase with increasing marginal asymmetry, and with average prevalence approaching .50.
Specificities of esterases of the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella.

The esterases of the gut of Galleria mellonella (L.) have been separated from proteolytic activity by gel filtration and the most active species purified 10-fold in good yield. Disc electrophoresis indicated the presence in the gel filtrates of 10 esterases. The distinctive character of the most active esterases was indicated by specificity differences related to the chain length of the acid part of the 3-carboxyphenyl ester substrates and by discontinuities of the kinetic plots.
Use of visible and near-infrared spectroscopy to predict pork longissimus lean color stability

This study evaluated the use of visible and near-infrared (VISNIR) spectroscopy to predict lean color stability in pork loin chops. Spectra were collected immediately after and approximately 1 h after rib removal on 1,208 loins. Loins were aged for 14 d before a 2.54-cm chop was placed in simulated retail display. Spectra were collected on aged loins immediately after removal from the vacuum package and on chops 10 min after cutting. Instrumental color measurements [L*, a*, b*, hue angle, chroma, and E (overall color change)] were determined on d 0, 1, 7, 11, and 14 of display. Principal components analysis of display d 0 and 14 values of these traits identified a factor (first principal component; PC1) explaining 67% of the variance that was related to color change. Partial least squares regression was used to develop 3 models to predict PC1 values by using VISNIR spectra collected in the plant, on aged loins, and on chops. Loins with predicted PC1 values less than 0 were classified as having a stable color, whereas values greater than 0 were classified as having a labile lean color. Loins classified as stable by the in-plant model had smaller (P < 0.05) L* values than those classified as labile. Hue angle and ΔE values were less (P < 0.05) and a* and chroma values were greater (P < 0.05) after d 7 of display in loins predicted to have a stable color than in loins predicted to have a labile lean color. Similarly, chops from loins classified as stable using the aged loin model had smaller (P < 0.05) L* values than those from loins classified as labile. Furthermore, loins predicted to be stable had smaller (P < 0.05) hue angle and ΔE values and greater (P < 0.05) a* and chroma values after d 7 of display than did loins predicted to be labile. Results for the chop model were similar to those from the 2 loin models. Chops predicted to have a stable lean color had smaller (P < 0.05) L* values than did those predicted to have a labile lean color. Chops classified as stable had smaller (P < 0.05) hue angle and ΔE values and greater (P < 0.05) a* and chroma values after d 7 of display compared with chops classified as labile. All 3 models effectively segregated chops based on color stability, particularly with regard to redness. Regardless of the model being used, d 14 display values for a*, hue angle, and ΔE in loins classified as stable were similar to the d 7 values of loins classified as labile. Thus, these results suggest that VISNIR spectroscopy would be an effective technology for sorting pork loins with regard to lean color stability.
Heterothallism, Heterokaryosis, and Inheritance of Brown Perithecia in Ceratostomella Radicicola

Ceratostomella radicicola, the perfect stage of Chalaropsis, was described by Bliss (1) as a new species. The imperfect stage is char? acterized by the production of two types of conidia: the hyaline endoconidia produced in endoconidiophores, and the dark, thick-walled macroconidia (macrospores) described by some mycologists as chlamy? dospores. The number of macroconidia differs from one medium to another, and the thallus color ranges from gray to black with increasing numbers of macroconidia. On potato-dextrose-yeast medium macro? conidia are produced abundantly; hence the culture is black.
Enhancing the Psychological Health Education of University Students and Building A Harmonious Campus

Building a harmonious campus is closely connected with the focus on dealing well with the psychological problems of college students.The key of building a harmonious campus lies in enhancing the work on the psychological health education.Certain problems bothering students,teachers and colleges become obstacles to the psychological health education development.Therefore,the tasks of enhancing the psychological health education and building a harmonious campus can be perfectly carried out by following means,intensifying the publicity of psychological health education,doing the psychological surveys,inspecting and identifying psychological problems one by one among students and cultivating a more professional working staff in psychology education.
2-(4-Hy-droxy-phen-yl)-3-(trimethyl-sil-yl)propanaminium chloride.

In the title crystal structure, C12H22NOSi+·Cl−, anions and cations are linked via O—H⋯Cl, N—H⋯Cl and N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds to form a two-dimensional network parallel to (101). Within the hydrogen-bonded network, R42(22) ring motifs are stacked along [010].
Temporal Changes in the Correlates of U.S. Adolescent Electronic Cigarette Use and Utilization in Tobacco Cessation, 2011 to 2013:

Objective. To examine temporal changes in the correlates of experimental and current e-cigarette use and associations with tobacco quit attempts. Method. Repeated cross-sectional analyses of data from the 2011 (n = 17,741), 2012 (n = 23,194), and 2013 (n = 16,858) National Youth Tobacco Surveys—a nationally representative sample of U.S. middle and high school students. Respondents were asked about lifetime and past-month e-cigarette use, conventional cigarette use, and number of quit attempts made in the prior year among current smokers. Results. Multinomial logistic regression models indicate higher odds of experimental or current e-cigarette use versus abstinence in the 2012 and 2013 survey years (vs. 2011). Respondents in the 2013 survey were more likely to use e-cigarettes in 2012, and they were significantly more likely to be current versus experimental users. Temporal increases in past-month e-cigarette use were uneven across demographic subgroups. Among current smokers of conventional cigarettes, f...
A laser-induced europium(III) ion luminescence study of the interaction of this ion with phospholipid bilayer vesicles above and below the gel to liqui

Abstract Laser-induced europium(III) luminescence spectroscopy was used to investigate the formation and integrity of phospholipid bilayer vesicles produced by ultrasonication and detergent dialysis. Eu(III) ion interactions with these model biological membrane systems were explored. 7 F 0 → 5 D 0 spectral and excited-state lifetime data reveal two distinct, temperature-dependent binding sites, one involving a weak, 'superficial' interaction with the phosphate moiety of the phosphatidylcholine head group, the other involving a more tightly bound ion in a relatively dehydrated region of the head group. This latter 'sequestered' species appeared only at temperatures equal to or below that of the gel → liquid-crystalline phase transition. Systems containing various amounts of cholesterol showed a decrease in the formation of the sequestered species, indicative of a decrease in ion permeability. The results of this study demonstrate that the Eu(III) luminescence technique is useful for detecting major phase alterations in phospholipid bilayer vesicles.
Peptide Hormones for Defense, Growth, Development and Reproduction

Peptide hormones are extracellular signaling molecules that are commonly found in animals and plants (38). A broad spectrum of physiological processes are regulated by peptide signals including metabolism, cell division, growth, pain, well being, reproduction and immunity, as examples. The first peptide hormone, insulin, was isolated in 1921 (1), which led to the isolation of hundreds of peptide signals from animals and, more recently, to their isolation from plants (34). The majority of our fundamental knowledge about peptide signals has been from studies in animals, where peptide hormones are synthesized through the secretory pathway and are derived from larger precursor proteins by proteolytic processing enzymes. Two general classes of peptide hormones are found in animals, endocrine hormones (10) and membrane-anchored cytokines and growth factors (21).
The Youth Throwing Score: Validating Injury Assessment in Young Baseball Players:

Background:Epidemic levels of shoulder and elbow injuries have been reported recently in youth and adolescent baseball players. Despite the concerning frequency of these injuries, no instrument has been validated to assess upper extremity injury in this patient population.Purpose/Hypothesis:The purpose of this study was to validate an upper extremity assessment tool specifically designed for young baseball players. We hypothesized that this tool will be both reliable and valid.Study Design:Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2.Methods:The Youth Throwing Score (YTS) was constructed by an interdisciplinary team of providers and coaches as a tool to assess upper extremity injury in youth and adolescent baseball players (age range, 10-18 years). The psychometric properties of the test were then determined.Results:A total of 223 players completed the final survey. The players’ mean age was 14.3 ± 2.7 years. Pilot analysis showed that none of the 14 questions received a mean athlete importance rating l...
Dogs that Bark: Why are Bank Loan Announcements Newsworthy?

Virtually all publicly traded firms borrow from banks. However, despite their widespread use, numerous studies document a positive significant share price reaction associated to the reporting of bank loan agreements in the financial press. In order to address this phenomenon, the frequency and determinants of bank loan reporting are examined. Results indicate that only 22% of loans to public firms from 1996 to 2004 are reported in the press, a subset that is not random. Riskier more opaque firms are more likely to have their loans reported, and restructured loans following covenant violations, as well as larger loans -- relative to firm size -- are also more likely to be reported in the press. In addition, the EBITDA to assets of firms whose loans get reported appears significantly better for three years following the agreements. Thus, reported loans appear to be noteworthy and informative about the potential of the borrower during the study period.
Restriction Factors and Chikungunya Virus

The increasing prevalence of chikungunya virus (CHIKV) in the United States and around the world, and the lack of antiviral treatments or vaccines highlight the potential threat of a global CHIKV pandemic. CHIKV is a mosquito-borne alphavirus that is currently causing outbreaks in many parts of the world, including the Americas, India, Africa, and parts of Europe. Host response against CHIKV infection is complex and remains unresolved. Here we discuss the role of the host restriction factor—bone marrow stromal antigen 2 (BST-2) also known as tetherin—as an intrinsic factor involved in CHIKV infection. Recent research reports suggest that the release of nascent CHIKV particles and replication of CHIKV in cultured cells and in animal models is impaired by the expression of BST-2. In this chapter, we discuss available published data on how BST-2 restricts CHIKV and how CHIKV in turn neutralizes BST-2.
How the Central Intelligence Agency recruited Arab Detroit: Government communication, interpellation and citizenship

ABSTRACTIn 2009, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) employed a multipronged communications campaign to encourage Arab Americans in Detroit, MI, to apply for employment. Adapting Althusser’s notion of interpellation, this article examines how this government agency’s communications exacerbated the conditional, incomplete status of Arab American citizenship in post-9/11 America. At this precarious time, facially inclusive gestures can be understood as exclusive practices. This beckons more scholarly attention to how government communication implicates citizenship.
Architectures and Devices for ULSI

Since the introduction of integrated circuits in the late 1950’s, the number of individual transistors that can be placed upon a single circuit has approximately doubled every three years. Today, even university design laboratories for teaching of students can access chip foundries which produce 1.2 μm (and smaller) design rule circuits. Compared with this, many commercial companies are experimenting with the production of chips with critical dimensions of 0.1 μm, and university laboratories have produced individual devices with gate lengths much smaller than this [1,2]. The creation of devices whose spatially important scales may be only a few tens of nanometers opens the door to the study of many new and important physical effects, some of which have been described earlier [3]. Indeed, it can rightfully be said that it will be impossible to understand fully the operation of these devices without a full understanding of these newly appearing physical effects.
Philosophy as Cultural Politics: Kant vs. Dewey: the current situation of moral philosophy

In recent decades, Anglophone philosophy professors have had a harder and harder time explaining to their fellow-academics, and to society at large, what they do to earn their keep. The more specialized and professionalized the study of philosophy becomes, the less respect it is paid by the rest of the academy or by the public. By now it runs some risk of being ignored altogether, regarded in the same way that classical philology is, as a quaint, albeit rather charming, survival. This problem is less acute, however, in the case of moral philosophy, which is the most visible and generally intelligible of the various philosophical specialties. But even moral philosophers are hard pressed to explain what they think they are doing. They need to claim an ability to see more deeply into matters of right and wrong than most people. But it is not clear what it is about their training that permits them to do so. People who have written their Ph. D. dissertations in this area of philosophy can hardly claim to have had more experience with difficult moral choices than most. But what exactly can they claim? A familiar sort of answer to this line of questioning was given by Peter Singer thirty-odd years ago in a much-discussed article in the New York Times Magazine . The article was called “Philosophers Are Back on the Job.” Singer thought of himself as bringing glad tidings.
Among nurses, how does education level impact professional values? A systematic review.

Background Professional nursing values have been acknowledged globally as the foundation of daily nursing care practice. Understanding how nurses identify, comprehend and apply their professional nursing values is an important step towards improving nursing practice and patient care quality. Research has demonstrated that nurses' professional values are cultivated during prelicensure academic education. Aim The aim of this systematic review was to determine how level of education affects professional nursing values of clinical practising nurses. Methods A systematic search of quantitative research published through December 2015 was performed in the following five electronic databases: CINAHL, Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, Web of Science and Religion and Philosophy Collection. The search was not limited to country of origin. The studies were assessed for methodological quality using established criteria. Results Of 1501 articles identified through the literature search, only seven studies met the inclusion criteria with the majority being of good to high quality. Most of the studies found registered nurses pursuing a bachelor of science in nursing or higher had a greater awareness and application of professional values than nurses with lower levels of academic or non-academic education. Nurses with higher education also embraced professional values as fundamental for quality nursing care practice. Implications for nursing and health policy Health and academic institutions should support nurses through quality continuing and higher education that reinforces professional values, thus improving the quality of patient care. Conclusions The level of nurses' education appears to play an important role in developing both an awareness and an integration of professional values into practice. More research is needed to discover methods that may be used to promote nurses' professional values among nurses already practising clinically.
Age of Drinking Initiation as a Risk Factor for Alcohol Use Disorder Symptoms is Moderated by ALDH2*2 and Ethnicity.

Background An early age of drinking initiation (ADI) has been associated with increased risk for alcohol use disorders (AUDs), but the consistency of this risk across diverse samples has not been well studied. The purpose of this study was to examine whether the pathway from ADI to AUD symptoms by early adulthood is moderated by ethnicity and possessing an alcohol-metabolizing gene ALDH2*2 variant allele. Methods We used multigroup structural equation modeling, including 5 groups split by ethnicity and ALDH2*2, to examine the consistency of the path from ADI to AUD symptoms in 604 Chinese-, Korean-, and White-American college students. We further examined the effects of ALDH2*2, ethnicity, and their interaction in Asians to better understand their unique contributions to the moderation. Results The association between ADI and AUD symptoms was moderated, with ADI negatively associated with AUD symptoms among Koreans without ALDH2*2 and Whites, but not among Koreans with ALDH2*2 or Chinese regardless of ALDH2*2. Both ALDH2*2 and ethnicity within Asians contributed unique variability in the effect. Conclusions Ethnicity and ALDH2*2 altered the relationship of ADI as a risk factor for AUD symptoms. Being Chinese and possessing an ALDH2*2 allele within Koreans both buffered against the risk for AUD symptoms associated with earlier ADI, indicating that this relationship can be attenuated by protective factors.
Introducing Triangular Diplomacy

Russia’s annexation of Crimea and the conflict in eastern Ukraine represent the greatest security threat to western Europe since the end of the Cold War and a profound challenge to international norms. This volume is explicitly comparative, considering how the European Union and the United States responded to the same crisis. It also employs a ‘360-degree’ perspective, considering how the US and EU each regard the other in its dealings with Russia, and how Russia and Ukraine perceive them. This chapter sets the stage analytically for the other contributions by making the case for studying the EU’s foreign policy from a comparative perspective and setting out the triangular diplomacy framework. It concludes by introducing the other contributions to the volume.
Middle School Mathematics Teachers’ Perceptions of the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics and Its Impact on the Instructional Environment

This study examines Middle School Mathematics Teachers’ (MSMTs') (N = 1,241) perceptions of the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (CCSSM) and its impact on the instructional environment. A total of eight factors appear in the data. These factors include professional support, teachers’ use of district-adopted and non-district-adopted curricular resources, influence of CCSSM assessment and teacher evaluation on the instructional environment, influence of the CCSSM on classroom instruction, teachers’ planning practices, and perceived rigor of the CCSSM. The data suggest that teachers’ use of digital resources located online was disconnected from their district-adopted resources suggesting a lack of curricular coherence. MSMTs note that the CCSSM had caused them to incorporate more reform-oriented practices such as exploration and productive struggle into their daily instruction. MSMTs also perceive that the CCSSM includes new content that is more rigorous than previous state standards. Sampled MSMTs state that while state assessments will measure CCSSM content, they are less likely to include more complex problems or the standards for mathematical practice. Teachers are more likely to read teacher resources than student textbook activities online and to use digital resources for remediation instead of inquiry activities. Over one-third of MSMTs wanted more CCSSM professional development.
Abstract 17888: A Dynamically Updated Cardiac Transplant Waitlist Mortality Score

Introduction: U.S. heart allocation policies are currently under review. However, investigations into prioritization schemes for patients waiting for transplantation are hampered by the paucity of post-listing event data and complicated by widespread Mechanical Circulatory Support (MCS) usage. Hypothesis: A dynamic score can predict mortality and inform prioritization of patients awaiting heart transplant or considered for listing at time of MCS implant using clinical data, time-varying exposures, and laboratory values during listing. Methods: From 1/2008 to 6/2013, patients listed for transplant (n=314, 76%) or implanted with a MCS device with intention to list (n=101, 24%) were identified. Factors for a predictive, time-varying hazard model were selected from 74 pre-listing variables, 8 events and complications, and routine laboratory results after listing. Results: Seventy-eight deaths and 381 adverse events occurred during listing. A score based on 17 variables was developed, including black race, actual listing (vs. MCS), pulmonary artery pressure, history of coronary artery disease, diabetes, and ventricular tachycardia at listing, MCS implant and complications, dialysis, respiratory events, and neurologic events on the waitlist, and time-varying serum total bilirubin and creatinine. The figure shows a sample of predicted mortality scores varying over time as events and changes in biomarkers occur. Conclusions: We demonstrated a dynamic, updatable mortality risk score that predicts urgency among patients waiting for hearts independent of most demographics, heart failure etiology, symptoms, and cardiac function. This score tracks dynamic changes with time as biomarkers change and adverse events occur. MCS-related complications, neurologic events, and kidney failure significantly affect mortality. Future changes to U.S. heart transplant policies could use this newly developed tool as part of a larger allocation system.
Newborn Care Curriculum: The Late Preterm Infant in the Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Introduction Late preterm births represent the largest category of preterm deliveries. Although these infants are frequently managed in normal newborn nurseries, they have an increased risk of read...
Risk Scores for Post-Mitraclip Prognostication in Contemporary U.S. Practice: Are We Fitting a Square Peg to a Snowflake Shaped Hole?

In this issue of Structural Heart, Velu and colleagues from Amsterdam, The Netherlands, evaluate the predictive ability of a variety of published risk scores in defining the prognosis of their Mitr...
Frontiers in Cardiovascular Outcomes Research

We are always interested in what comes next for our field. But the future is impossible to appreciate without a proper accounting of the past. In this issue of Circ CQO , we introduce a new series entitled Frontiers in Cardiovascular Outcomes Research that is meant to bridge these two ideas. The goal of Frontiers papers will be for experts to help our readers simultaneously understand both the prior work and emerging landscape and challenges within crucial areas of importance in cardiovascular health services and policy research. Although the format of Frontiers papers allows for authors to take …