cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Moisture and ion sorption in cellulose acetate

Measurements described in this paper show that the effective water permeation coefficients of silver paste electrodes on polymers such as cellulose acetate are of about the same magnitude as those of the polymer itself and, therefore, that such electrodes will have negligible effect on moisture penetration when conditioning periods of several hours or longer are used. X-ray emission spectrography with Kα radiation from chlorine and potassium was employed to determine the salt content of 0.267-mm. cellulose acetate films (about 100 acetyl groups per polymer molecule = 40% acetyl), which were soaked for 48 hr. in aqueous solutions ranging up to 1M in concentration of the alkali chlorides or potassium halides. Typically, the salt contents are about 100 ppm or 3 μmole/g. of cellulose acetate. The actual salt contents are discussed in relation to ionic hydration, and Stokes' radii via the differential hydration energy concept of Samoilov and the phenomenological developments of Nightingale. The evidence suggests that ionic motion in moisture-swollen cellulose acetate is quite similar to that in aqueous solution.
Biomimetic Composites: Protein Localization in Silica Nanospheres Derived via Biomimetic Mineralization (Adv. Funct. Mater. 18/2010)

Lysozyme-templated precipitation of silica synthesized by sol-gel chemistry produces a composite material with antimicrobial properties. This study investigates the structural properties of the composite material that allow for retention of the antimicrobial activity of lysozyme. Scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) electron microscopy reveal that the composite has a hierarchical structure composed of quasi-spherical structures (∼450 nm diameter), which are in turn composed of closely packed spherical structures of ∼8–10 nm in diameter. Using small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) with contrast variation, the scattering signatures of the lysozyme and silica within the composite were separated. It was determined that the lysozyme molecules are spatially correlated in the material and form clusters with colloidal silica particles. The size of the clusters determined by SANS agrees well with the structural architecture observed by TEM. BET analysis revealed that the surface area of the composite is relatively low (4.73 m2/g). However, after removal of the protein by heating to 200 °C, the surface area is increased by ∼20%. In addition to demonstrating a well organized sol-gel synthesis which generates a functional material with antimicrobial applications, the analysis and modeling approaches described herein can be used for characterizing a wide range of mesoporous and ultrastructural materials.
Effect of Epinephrine, Norepinephrine and Serotonin Upon Systemic Small and Large Vessel Resistance

Locally injected epinephrine and norepinephrine elevate dog foreleg total vascular resistance primarily through small vessel constriction. Serotonin does not significantly change total resistance, constricts large arteries and veins and dilates small vessels.
Prevalence and Prognostic Importance of Changes in Renal Function After Mechanical Circulatory Support

Background—The long-term durability and prognostic significance of improvement in renal function after mechanical circulatory support (MCS) has yet to be characterized in a large multicenter population. The primary goals of this analysis were to describe serial post-MCS changes in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and determine their association with all-cause mortality. Methods and Results—Adult patients enrolled in the Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support (INTERMACS) with serial creatinine levels available (n=3363) were studied. Early post-MCS, eGFR improved substantially (median improvement, 48.9%; P<0.001) with 22.3% of the population improving their eGFR by ≥100% within the first few weeks. However, in the majority of patients, this improvement was transient, and by 1 year, eGFR was only 6.7% above the pre-MCS value (P<0.001). This pattern of early improvement followed by deterioration in eGFR was observed with both pulsatile and continuous-flow devices. Intere...
Molar Growth Yields and Enterotoxin B Production of Staphylococcus aureus S-6 with Amino Acids as Energy Sources

Staphylococcus aureus S-6 was able to utilize glutamate, proline, histidine, aspartate, alanine, threonine, serine, or glycine as a major energy source, when these were added singly at a concentration of 2.5 g/liter to a base medium containing salts, vitamins, and 30 mg of each of 18 amino acids per liter. Molar growth yields (Y) for each of the eight amino acids were determined in aerobic batch cultures. Except with aspartate and serine, all molar growth yields decreased with increasing concentration of the energy source, whether or not it was present in excess. The average molar growth yields for both aspartate and serine were Y = 35 g/mol. The highest Y values obtained with the other amino acids were 79, 78, 56, 46, 58, and 21 g/mol for glutamate, proline, histidine, alanine, threonine, and glycine, respectively. Histidine was not utilized as an energy source at concentrations of less than 2 mM. Enterotoxin yields (mg of toxin per g [dry wt] of cells) higher than in the basal medium were obtained when proline, histidine, alanine, serine, and glycine were the major energy sources. When proline and alanine were the major energy sources, enterotoxin yields were not affected by the concentration, whereas toxin yields were reduced at high concentrations of the other six amino acids. The highest cell yields and Y values were obtained with glutamate, but its utilization as an energy source markedly reduced enterotoxin yields.
Androgen excretion in human bile.

PASCHKIS and coworkers (1944) reported the excretion of androgens in the bile of dogs after the intravenous administration of testosterone, androsterone, and methyltestosterone. We have studied the biliary excretion of androgens after testosterone administration in three humans. Longwell and McKee (1942) and Cantarow et al. (1942, 1942a, 1943, 1943a, 1943b) have found relatively large amounts of estrogen in the bile of bile-fistula dogs injected subcutaneously with various amounts of estrone and estradiol. The latest report from this group (Pearlman, 1945) indicates a lower recovery of estrogen from the dog’s bile than was first reported, but the amount in the bile was still quite significant, 10.4 per cent of the estrogenic activity and 39.3 per cent of the estrogenic material being recovered. Stimmel (1951) has reported recovery of 3 per cent and 7.7 per cent of administered estroil in human bile, and failure to recover any administered estrone or estradiol. We have studied biliary estrogens in one of t...
Integrated efficacy to effectiveness trials.

Experts in clinical research, therapeutic development, and comparative effectiveness are continually frustrated in their attempts to fit the square peg of therapeutic development into the round hole of clinical trials. Trials can be optimized to provide signals in highly controlled experiments or to estimate an intervention's effect in poorly controlled real-world settings, but not both simultaneously. Selker and colleagues propose a continuum that creates a smooth transition from controlled experiments to real-world, real-time studies within a single mechanism. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2014); 95 2, 131–133. doi:10.1038/clpt.2013.232
Predicting the Outcome of Construction Litigation Using Boosted Decision Trees

Construction litigation has become commonplace in numerous construction projects, particularly in large contracts. Miscommunication, inadequate plans and specifications, rigid contracts, changes in site conditions, nonpayment, catch up profits, limitations on manpower, tools, and equipment, improper supervision, notice requirements, constructive changes not recognized as such by owner, delays, and acceleration measures provoke claims and often result in disputes. A boosted decision tree system was used to predict the outcome of construction litigation. The study was conducted by using the same 114 Illinois court cases that were used in earlier prediction studies conducted with artificial neural networks in 1998 and case-based reasoning in 1999, augmented by an additional 18 cases that were filed in 1990–2000. All cases were extracted from the Westlaw on-line service. The best prediction result obtained with boosted decision trees was 90%. The boosted decision tree model appears to be a promising tool to h...
Dialogical Social Theory: Coda to Donald Levine’s Career

While Donald Levine was a well-known ethnographer and Ethiopianist, he was justly famous as one of the most brilliant social theorists of the twentieth century. Aside from being one of the most prominent scholars to analyze the work of Georg Simmel, Levine wrote five very important books on social theory, and served as editor of the University of Chicago Press’s Heritage of Sociology series for over two decades. Up to his death in April 2015, just a couple of months shy of his 84th birthday, Levine worked hard to complete his last book, Dialogical Social Theory, which will soon be published.
High Rate Quantization

In this chapter we find bounds and approximations to the performance of memoryless vector quantizers or block source codes under the assumption that the rate of the code is high (and hence the distortion is low). These approximations are also referred to as asymptotic quantization approximations (asymptotic in the sense of large rate) and fine quantization. This approach contrasts with the usual Shannon theory in that we do not explicitly define an information theoretic optimization and then relate it to the performance of deterministic codes via a coding theorem. Instead we assume a certain asymptotic structure to a deterministic code and use basic calculus approximations to find the resulting distortion, rate, and entropy. The results so obtained do relate to the Shannon rate distortion functions and we close with some such comparisons. The theory will be presented in a less rigorous style than the Shannon theory because being precise would require an unpleasant amount of detailed integration theory.
A fundamental limitation on growth rates in the traveling heater method

Abstract A comprehensive mathematical model of the traveling heater method is applied to understand interactions of flow, segregation, and stability for the crystal growth by the traveling heater method. We demonstrate that the formation of a secondary, counter-rotating vortex near the growth interface limits the transport of segregated solvent, leading to large concentration gradients and supercooling of the liquid near the interface. The secondary vortex arises from the same mechanism responsible for the formation of lee waves in atmospheric flows, and its spatial form scales with the Brunt–Vaisala frequency. Significantly, this supercooled layer of liquid arises from the lateral transport of solute, which is predominantly affected by the secondary flow vortex, rather than the axial diffusion of solute, as assumed in the classical derivation of constitutional supercooling by Mullins and Sekerka. Thus, supercooling in a model cadmium zinc telluride system occurs at growth rates of order 1 mm/day, nearly an order of magnitude smaller than expected from classical arguments. Paradoxically, the traditional strategy to alleviate constitutional supercooling during crystal growth, namely increasing the temperature gradient at the interface, is expected to strengthen the lee-wave vortex and accentuate the onset of instability. Other approaches will be needed to overcome growth limits in the traveling heater method.
Inflation Dynamics and Inflation Uncertainty in a Model with Heterogeneous Forecasts

Recent research in macroeconomics has sought to develop a tractable form of heterogeneity in attempting to model sluggishness of response of the economy consistent with data. Sims (2003) argued that limited information processing was a promising avenue for understanding pervasive stickiness. Under his rational inattention, consumers or firms respond more slowly to the true underlying state of the economy because they are learning what the true state is. The information flow necessary to completely understand the true state of the economy is too overwhelming. In our paper, we have an endogenous ecology of expectations. Formally, we consider a model economy with a generic number of expectations formation types, represented by I. We develop a mapping from which conceptualizes the dynamics of the ecology of expectations. This mapping has a fixed point that describes a long run stationary equilibrium after an appropriate change of units. We show that a stationary equilibrium exists. We study the response differences in the dynamics of the inflation rate to changes in the mean and variance of the money supply process in economies indexed by the fraction of agents that have fully structural rational expectations. We develop small noise expansions to obtain analytical results of our economy in response to stochastic money supply processes. Lastly, we apply robust control methods, deriving conditions in which robustness leads to a temporary strong increase in the demand for money. Inflationary pressures are accordingly dampened. These results have implications for cases, like the Great Recession, in which the effects of greater model uncertainty may have played a role in keeping inflation rates low even in the face of expanding money supply.
A New Species of Mexican Anthonomus Related to the BoU Weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Anthonomus hunteri n. sp. is described from specimens collected in the Mexican states of Campeche, Quintana Roo, Tabasco, and Yucatan. The species is apparently most closely related to the boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis Boheman, from which it is distinguished by several external characters. The known hosts of A. hunteri include the malvaceous plants Hampea nutricia Fryxell and Hampea trilobata Standley.
Mathematics Reform and Learning Differences

Reform in mathematics as advocated by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) has been met with much criticism by special educators. Specifically, researchers are arguing that NCTM r...
Experimental Time Resolved Flow Features of Separation Over an Elliptic Leading Edge

This study investigates the flow over a flat airfoil of low aspect ratio using experimental, time-resolved particle image velocimetry methods. The flow conditions are characterized by low Reynolds flow at two relatively high angles of attack, 15° and 20°. A high pass Gaussian filter was employed to help identify structures within the flow field. Also, a velocity gradient tensor method, λ2, was used to visualize vortical structures within the flow. The Proper Orthogonal Decomposition was applied to analyze primary features within the flow. A few, high energy modes are found which recreate the process of vortex shedding for both angles of attack.
Single center experience of aortic bypass graft for aortic arch obstruction in children.

The purpose of this study is to access the outcomes of aortic bypass graft placement in children. This is a retrospective review of all children having aortic bypass graft placement for aortic arch obstruction for the first time between 1982 and 2013 at a single institution. The actuarial survival and the freedom from aortic arch reoperation were calculated and compared between the groups. Seventy consecutive children underwent aortic bypass graft placements. The median age and body weight at the operation were 14 days and 3.6 kg. There were 7 early deaths, 6 late deaths, and 7 heart transplants during the median follow-up of 10.8 years (0.0–31.5 years). The actuarial transplant free survival was 64.7 % at 20 years and the freedom from aortic arch reoperation was 50.5 % at 10 years. Between the children younger than 1 year old and older than 1 year old, there were significant differences in actuarial transplant free survival (56.4 vs. 100 % at 15 years, p = 0.0042) and in the freedom from aortic arch reoperation (18.7 vs. 100 % at 10 years, p < 0.001). The children who received aortic bypass graft larger than 16 mm in size had no aortic arch reoperation at 15 years. The aortic bypass graft placement for aortic arch obstruction can be done with low mortality and morbidity for children who can receive bypass graft larger than 16 mm in size. However, it should be avoided for the neonates and infants except selected situations.
A New Evaluation Method for Wind Power Curtailment Based on Analysis of System Regulation Capability

With the increase of wind power curtailment more and more,how to effectively evaluate the wind power curtailment in future power grid becomes an important problem,which both macroscopic decision-making departments and wind power generation enterprises pay special attention to.A new evaluation method for wind power curtailment is proposed,and its principle is as following: for a certain level year,firstly based on typical daily load curve of each month the load curves of all days in the month are simulated,and then by means of analyzing peak load regulation ability of power sources the power grid’s space of accommodating wind power is attained;secondly the historical p.u.curve of wind power multiplied by the planned installed capacity of wind power generators is taken as the possible wind power output curve;thirdly through the comparison of power grid’s space to accommodate wind power with the possible wind power output curve the time-sequence curve of curtailed wind power of each day can be obtained.Using this curve various kind of data,such as annual wind power curtailment ratio,annual utilization hours,duration curve of annual curtailed wind power,monthly distribution of annual wind power curtailment and peak-valley distribution of annual wind power curtailment can be achieved by statistics thus the situation of wind power curtailment in the level year can be fully reflected.Using the proposed method,the situation of wind power curtailment within Northeast power grid in 2015 is evaluated.
The role of body mass index class in cholecystectomy after acute cholecystitis: An American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program analysis

Background Obesity is a risk factor for cholelithiasis leading to acute cholecystitis which is treated with cholecystectomy. The purpose of this study was to analyze the associations between body mass index class and the intended operative approach (laparoscopic versus open) for and outcomes of cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program data from 2008–2013. The effects of body mass index class on intended procedure type (laparoscopic versus open), conversion from laparoscopic to open operation, and outcomes after cholecystectomy were examined using multivariable logistic regression. Results Data on 20,979 patients who underwent cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis showed that 18,228 (87%) had a laparoscopic operation; 639 (4%) of these patients required conversion to an open approach; and 2,751 (13%) underwent intended open cholecystectomy. There was an independent association between super obesity (body mass index 50+) and an intended open operation (odds ratio 1.53, 95% confidence interval 1.14–2.05, P = .01). An intended open procedure (odds ratio 3.10, 95% confidence interval 2.40–4.02, P P Conclusion This study supports the possibility that an intended open approach to acute cholecystitis, not body mass index class, is associated with worse outcomes after cholecystectomy. An initial attempt at laparoscopy may benefit patients, even those at the highest end of the body mass index spectrum.
Near threshold fatigue curve based on the dislocation free zone model of fracture

Abstract Dislocation pileup along an inclined direction from a crack tip has been observed in metals during tensile deformation in an electron microscope. Dislocations are emitted from the crack tip, move through a dislocation free zone, and pile up in the plastic zone. The problem of inclined pileup of screw dislocations at a crack tip with a dislocation free zone has been solved by applying the Wiener–Hopf method. The result can be used to calculate the crack tip blunting and the local stress intensity K for the applied stress intensity K 3 . According to the fatigue theory of Laird or Neumann, the crack propagation per cycle has the order of magnitude of the blunting. The blunting versus K 3 is then plotted. It has the shape of the near threshold fatigue curve. To plot this curve, the local stress intensity K has been assumed to be the critical value K g for the dislocation emission at the crack tip.
Framework for Disciplinary Writing in Science Grades 6-12: A National Survey.

This study investigated the current state of writing instruction in science classes (Grades 6–12). A random sample of certified science teachers from the United States (N = 287) was electronically surveyed. Participants reported on their purposes for teaching writing, the writing assignments most often given to students, use of evidence-based writing practices, and the instructional adaptations made for struggling writers in science class. Typical practice was examined against a theoretical framework for disciplinary writing in science that articulates research-based and evidence-based practices to improve writing and learning outcomes for all students, including struggling writers. Descriptive results, exploratory factor analysis, and examination of differences between groups (middle school and high school teachers) revealed concerns about the quantity and quality of writing practices in secondary science classrooms, especially at the high school level. Although the majority of participants report to include writing purposely to accompany the inquiry process, most of the writing tasks teachers report to include in science require minimal composition. Participants report to include evidence-based practices for teaching writing and adapting instruction to support struggling writers at a frequency range of once per year to once per quarter. Results inform recommendations for teacher education, professional development, and instructional reform for disciplinary writing in science that supports all learners. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2017 APA, all rights reserved)
Rolling-refresher simulation improves performance and retention of paediatric intensive care unit nurse code cart management

Introduction Paediatric Intensive Care Unit Nurses (PICU RNs) manage the code cart during paediatric emergencies at the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock. These are low -frequency, high-stakes events. Methods An uncontrolled intervention study with 6-month follow-up. A collaboration of physician and nursing experts developed a rolling-refresher training programme consisting of five simulated scenarios, including 22 code cart skills, to establish nursing code cart competency. The cohort of PICU RNs underwent a competency assessment in training 1. To achieve competence, the participating RN received immediate feedback and instruction and repeated each task until mastery during training 1. The competencies were repeated 6 months later, designated training 2. Results Thirty-two RNs participated in training 1. Sixteen RNs (50%) completed the second training. Our rolling-refresher training programme resulted in a 43% reduction in the odds of first attempt failures between training 1 and training 2 (p=0.01). Multivariate linear regression evaluating the difference in first attempt failure between training 1 and training 2 revealed that the following covariates were not significantly associated with this improvement: interval Paediatric Advanced Life Support training, interval use of the code cart or defibrillator (either real or simulated) and time between training sessions. Univariate analysis between the two trainings revealed a statistically significant reduction in first attempt failures for: preparing an epinephrine infusion (72% vs 41%, p=0.04) and providing bag-mask ventilation (28% vs 0%, p=0.02). Conclusions Our rolling-refresher training programme demonstrated significant improvement in performance for low-frequency, high-risk skills required to manage a paediatric code cart with retention after initial training.
Facebook news and (de)polarization: reinforcing spirals in the 2016 US election

ABSTRACTThe rise of social media, and specifically Facebook, as a dominant force in the flow of news in the United States has led to concern that people incur greater isolation from diverse perspectives through filter bubbles (from algorithmic filtering) and echo chambers (from an information environment populated by social recommendations coming from overwhelmingly like-minded others). This evolution in news diffusion comes at a time when Americans report increased affective partisan polarization. In particular, evidence shows increasingly negative attitudes about out-party members. Based on selective exposure and reinforcing spirals model perspectives, we examined the reciprocal relationship between Facebook news use and polarization using national 3-wave panel data collected during the 2016 US Presidential Election. Over the course of the campaign, we found media use and attitudes remained relatively stable. Our results also showed that Facebook news use was related to a modest over-time spiral of depo...
Stress granules and ALS: A case of causation or correlation?

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by cytoplasmic protein aggregates within motor neurons. These aggregates are linked to ALS pathogenesis. Recent evidence has suggested that stress granules may aid the formation of ALS protein aggregates. Here, we summarize current understanding of stress granules, focusing on assembly and clearance. We also assess the evidence linking alterations in stress granule formation and dynamics to ALS protein aggregates and disease pathology.
Palladium-Catalyzed meta-C–H Functionalization of Masked Aromatic Aldehydes

Palladium-catalyzed meta-C–H functionalization enabled by transient mediators has the potential to extend the utility of directed ortho-C–H functionalization to remote positions. However, there have been no reports of palladium-catalyzed meta-C–H functionalization of aromatic aldehyde derivatives, which are highly versatile intermediates in organic synthesis. Herein, we report the development of a directing group that, in the presence of a norbornene-derived mediator and an appropriate pyridone ligand, allows palladium-catalyzed meta-C–H functionalization of masked aromatic aldehydes. Mechanistic insight regarding the impact of the directing group length on this catalysis is also discussed.
Monitoring Respiratory Rate

Respiratory rate is a routine vital sign recorded on all patients, in addition to pulse rate, blood pressure, and temperature. Alveolar ventilation, a product of respiratory rate and tidal volume, is very tightly controlled by receptors in the respiratory center that is found in the medulla. These receptors respond to changes in pH, PaO2, and PaCO2 by increasing ventilation in response to hypoxia, acidosis, and hypercarbia. Respiratory rate is an important measurement that can indicate severe derangements in the body and can also be predictive of adverse events. Yet of all the vital signs, it is the one that is most frequently neglected or recorded erroneously. Pulse oximetry measurements are not a replacement for respiratory rate as this only measures oxygenation, which may be maintained at high levels if supplemental oxygen is being delivered despite severe hypoventilation. The importance of a high respiratory rate (>24 breaths/min) as a sign of potentially severe impending adverse events should be taught to the staff and also that a slow respiratory rate (<8 breaths/min) may be indicative of severe opioid-induced respiratory depression. Technologies that record respiratory rate continually are now available and offer a noninvasive patient safety resource.
Radiation Induced Reactions at “Small” Surfaces and on Small Particles

This work describes the formation of hydrated electrons in the supercages of hydrated zeolites X and Y and the chemistry of organic adsorbates on silica surfaces by fast electron beam irradiation of these heterogeneous systems. Electron trapping by water clusters compartmentalized in zeolite supercages was observed to overwhelm the trapping by Na+ clusters in the hydrated forms of zeolites NaX and NaY, while only Na+ cluster trapped electrons were observed in both hydrated and dehydrated zeolites NaA and NaZK-4. The formation of the hydrated electron was examined with respect to the size of the water clusters confined in the supercages of the zeolites, and six “free” water molecules were found to be critical for the hydrated electron formation. Studies on the subsequent reactions of the hydrated electron demonstrate the restricted nature of its reactivity in the zeolite cage structure. Hydrogen atoms and hydrogen gas are produced with significant yields on hydroxylated silica surfaces upon high energy irradiation. Trapping of free charge carriers leads to the observation of surface trapped electrons in 150°C pretreated silicas and trapped holes in 600°C dried silicas. Formation of the 1-hydro-pyrenyl radical (PyH•), the pyrene cation radical and the pyrene anion radical was observed simultaneously with the reduction of hydrogen gas yield on 150°C dried silica sufaces loaded with pyrene. The hydrogen atoms produced on silica surfaces are shown to be the precursor of the molecular hydrogen and the pyrene free radical PyH•. G value measurements suggest that the production of hydrogen atoms is the major radiolytic process occurring on 150°C dried silica surfaces.
Use of distraction arthroplasty in unstable fracture dislocations of the elbow

Patients with persistent instability after experiencing posterior dislocation of the ulnohumeral joint associated with large unstable fractures of the coronoid process of the ulna can be challenging to manage. To date, no reports have documented an effective treatment program for this injury. Joint stiffness or persistent instability results in most cases. Seven patients are discussed who were treated with a joint distraction device. Six (86%) of the 7 patients had successful outcomes at a minimum followup of 2 years. The mean arc of flexion before surgery was 33 degrees; after surgery, the arc increased to 88 degrees. The joint distraction device provides immobilization of periarticular fractures and simultaneously allows for joint movement, which results in a stable and mobile joint. Without this device, a 20% satisfactory result for this injury was reported; this percentage improved to 86% by rendering the joint stable with adequate motion.
The effect of landing type on kinematics and kinetics during single-leg landings.

Landing research attempts to simulate sport activities; however, movements performed pre- or post-landing may alter landing mechanics and injury risk. Therefore, this study compared lower extremity...
Dietetics Program Directors in the United States Support Teaching Vegetarian and Vegan Nutrition and Half Connect Vegetarian and Vegan Diets to Environmental Impact

Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) are clinicians trained in the application of food, nutrition, and dietetics. Vegetarians and vegans have a lower risk of many nutrition-related chronic diseases that are epidemic while vegetarian and vegan diets are associated with reduced environmental impact. Despite this strong diet-disease and diet-environment connection, it is not known if dietetics students are taught the principles of vegetarian and vegan nutrition. The overarching goal of our study was to investigate curricular practices in accredited dietetics training programs in the United States (U.S.) including (1) the prevalence and perceived importance of vegetarian and vegan nutrition instruction and (2) if program directors connect vegetarian and vegan diets to climate change mitigation and resource conservation. Primary data were collected by way of a cross-sectional, Internet-based survey. All Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) program directors in the U.S. (N = 574) were sent a 37-question survey and invited to participate in the study. Outcome measures included the prevalence of vegetarian and vegan nutrition instruction, quantifying if relationships exist among variables, and the frequency of connecting vegetarian and vegan diets to environmental impact. Descriptive and inferential statistics were utilized. Respondents (n = 205) indicated that over 51% of programs teach vegetarian nutrition while 49% teach vegan nutrition. There were significant differences between program type and the prevalence of vegetarian (p = 0.00005) and vegan (p = 0.00005) nutrition instruction. Over 90% of program directors believe that vegetarian and vegan nutrition should be taught. Over 50% of programs identify the connection between vegetarian and vegan diets in climate change mitigation and resource conservation. Most ACEND program directors believe vegetarian and vegan nutrition should be taught and half connect diet to environmental concern. Nevertheless, there is a discrepancy between beliefs and practice behaviors. These results suggest the need for increased collaboration and the use of novel techniques that better incorporate vegan and vegetarian nutrition throughout dietetics education.
Long Leukocyte Telomere Length Is Associated with Increased Risks of Soft Tissue Sarcoma: A Mendelian Randomization Study.

Background: Leukocyte telomere length (LTL) has been associated with the risks of several cancers in observational studies. Mendelian randomization (MR) studies, using genetic variants as instrumental variables, have also shown associations of genetically predicted LTL with cancer risks. In this study, we performed the first MR analysis on soft tissue sarcoma (STS) to investigate the causal relationship between LTL and the risk of STS. Methods: Genotypes from eleven LTL-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 821 STS cases and 851 cancer-free controls were aggregated into a weighted genetic risk score (GRS) to predict LTL. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the association of STS risk with individual SNPs and aggregated GRS. Results: Four SNPs displayed evidence for an individual association between long LTL-conferring allele and increased STS risk: rs7675998 (odds ratio (OR) = 1.21, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.02–1.43), rs9420907 (OR = 1.31, 95% CI = 1.08–1.59), rs8105767 (OR = 1.18, 95% CI = 1.02–1.37), and rs412658 (OR = 1.18, 95% CI = 1.02–1.36). Moreover, longer genetically predicted LTL, calculated as GRS, was strongly associated with an increased risk of STS (OR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.18–1.75, p < 0.001), and there was a significant dose-response association (p for trend <0.001 in tertile and quartile analyses). The association of longer LTL with higher STS risk was more evident in women than in men. In stratified analyses by major STS subtypes, longer LTL was significantly associated with higher risks of leiomyosarcoma and gastrointestinal stromal tumors. Conclusions: Longer LTL is associated with increased risks of STS.
Salvage Arthrodesis for Failed Total Ankle Replacement

Salvage arthrodesis for failed total ankle replacement can be a successful procedure. The decision to perform salvage arthrodesis is based on many factors, but the following are the most important indications: severe loss of bonestock (tibia, talus, or both), inadequate soft tissue coverage, or the inability to eradicate an infection. With few revision implants on the market, salvage arthrodesis is currently the most common treatment for failed replacement and justification for revision ankle replacement is limited when any of these factors are present.
“Travelers or tinkers, conquerers or crounes”: Tudor Empire in the Last Decade, 1588–1603

This chapter explores the broadly construed “last decade” of Elizabeth I’s reign and of the Tudor period as a whole, from the 1588 defeat of the Spanish Armada by, in the assessment of English contemporaries, a “protestant wind” and the triumphal reckonings of the realm’s strength and abilities that followed to the death of the queen in the early years of the 1600s. It demonstrates how prolonged war against a Catholic, Habsburg enemy empowered subjects, bolstered resolve, spread navigational knowledge, and produced a feeling of urgency to consolidate from within and grow from without, with new plots and participants, merging national and imperial means and ends throughout an expanding Atlantic world.
Catholic Social Thought And New Institutional Economics: A Preliminary Assessment of Their Affinities and Areas of Potential Convergence

The paper explores the potential link between Catholic Social Teaching (CST) and the theoretical developments associated with New Institutional Economics (NIE). The emphasis is put in particular on the contributions of two Nobel Prize winners in economics, Douglass C. North and Elinor Ostrom, and on the work of political scientist Vincent Ostrom. By adjusting the neoclassical presumptions dominating modern economic theory to include culture, ideas, and religious beliefs in the analysis of economic behavior, the economic and social theorizing developed by these scholars advances a framework that has significant affinities with CST’s foundational critique of economic concepts and theories and with its normative position regarding the nature and functioning of social and economic systems.
Neuropsychiatric lupus occurs independently of systemic autoimmunity (BA6P.120)

Neuropsychiatric disease is a common manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Potential mechanisms underlying neuropsychiatric SLE (NPSLE) include thrombosis, complement deposition, brain-reactive autoantibodies, and cytokine mediated inflammation. However, it is not clear whether the neuropsychiatric manifestations of SLE are secondary to systemic disease, or a primary pathogenic process in the brain. In order to distinguish between central nervous system (CNS) and hematopoietic contributions, we generated bone marrow chimeras between lupus-prone MRL/lpr and congenic control MRL/+ mice. We monitored systemic disease progression, performed extensive behavioral testing, and analyzed brain tissue for evidence of inflammation. MRL/lpr (donor) → MRL/lpr (recipient) chimeric mice showed significantly elevated autoantibodies and marked proteinuria while MRL/+→MRL/+ and MRL/+→MRL/lpr did not, indicating abrogation of the MRL/lpr systemic disease phenotype. Surprisingly, MRL/+→MRL/lpr mice displayed a behavioral phenotype consistent with MRL/lpr→MRL/lpr mice, including depression-like behavior and increased spatial memory deficits. In contrast, MRL/+→MRL/+ mice behaved normally. Additionally, there was elevated RANTES expression, cellular infiltration, and neurodegeneration in MRL/lpr→MRL/lpr and MRL/+→MRL/lpr chimeric mice. The data presented herein indicate that the MRL/lpr CNS is sufficient to mediate NPSLE development absent significant hematopoietic contribution.
The Computer Engineering Handbook

There is arguably no field in greater need of a comprehensive handbook than computer engineering. The unparalleled rate of technological advancement, the explosion of computer applications, and the now-in-progress migration to a wireless world have made it difficult for engineers to keep up with all the developments in specialties outside their own
Purification and characterization of a phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase from bovine uteri.

Abstract Phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase has been purified 10,148-fold to a specific activity of 2.7 mumol/mg/min from bovine uteri. This purification was accomplished by detergent extraction of an acetone powder, ammonium sulfate precipitation, and chromatography on MonoQ, S-Sepharose, MonoP, and hydroxylapatite columns. The purified enzyme has a molecular mass of 55 kDa and appears to be monomeric. Kinetic analyses of the enzymatic activity demonstrated apparent Km values of 18 microM and 22 micrograms/ml (approximately 26 microM) for ATP and phosphatidylinositol, respectively, optimal activity in the pH range of 6.0-7.0, and a sigmoidal dependence of enzymatic activity on [Mg2+]. Ca2+ inhibited the enzyme at nonphysiological concentrations with 50% inhibition observed at a free [Ca2+] of approximately 300 microM. The purified enzyme efficiently utilized both ATP and 2'-deoxy-ATP as phosphoryl donors and specifically phosphorylated phosphatidylinositol on the fourth position. No phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate 5-kinase activity was observed in the purified enzyme preparations. To our knowledge, this is the first reported purification of a phosphatidylinositol-specific phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase.
The market experience: Hidden costs of rewards and intrinsic satisfaction

The concept of the intrinsic In this chapter we depart from the market's central, some say defining, characteristic, exchange , and deal with a cluster of concepts of a different order: intrinsic motivation, process benefits, internal rewards, satisfaction with procedures , and the enjoyment of activities that happen also to be means in any standard endsmeans relation. What these have in common is their focus on activities that are not undertaken for the usual categories of observable rewards but rather because they are rewarding in themselves. The particular focus of our attention is the enjoyment of working per se and the effect of payment on this enjoyment. Counterintuitively, it seems that payment for doing something one enjoys does not add to its utility or pleasure, but detracts from it. This undermining of economic utility has been called The Hidden Cost of Rewards , and we shall adopt this term. By definition, activities that are satisfying in themselves do not depend for their full worth upon exchange value (how much the activity is worth in the market), nor from their “use value” in the conventional sense of the usefulness of the activities. Rather they derive their value in use by the actor . The satisfaction derived from intrinsically satisfying activities is yielded by an act of consumption, not production. Acts of consumption are not acts of exchange; rather they are normally the ultimate purpose of exchange and follow from exchange or from prior labor. But consumption of enjoyable work activities is different. Employees sell their labor and talent in the labor market and incidentally acquire the opportunity to consume the pleasure of working.
Multiple Canalicular Transport Mechanisms for Glutathione S-Conjugates TRANSPORT ON BOTH ATP- AND VOLTAGE-DEPENDENT CARRIERS

A large number of structurally distinct electrophiles are conjugated to glutathione within hepatocytes, and the resulting glutathione S-conjugates are selectively transported across the canalicular membrane into bile. To test the hypothesis that a single multi-specific, ATP-dependent carrier mediates biliary secretion of glutathione S-conjugates, the present study compared the driving forces and substrate specificity for canalicular transport of S-ethylglutathione (ethyl-SG), a low molecular weight and relatively hydrophilic thioether, and S-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)-glutathione (DNP-SG), a larger and more hydrophobic anion, using isolated rat liver canalicular membrane vesicles. In agreement with previous findings, DNP-SG transport was stimulated by ATP, although there was considerable transport in the absence of ATP. ATP-independent DNP-SG transport was unaffected by a Na+ gradient, was enhanced by a valinomycin-induced K+ diffusion potential, and was saturable, with both high affinity (Km = 8 ± 2 μM) and low affinity (Km = 0.5 ± 0.1 mM) components. High affinity ATP-independent DNP-SG uptake was cis-inhibited by GSH, GSH monoethyl ester, glutathione S-conjugates, other γ-glutamyl compounds, sulfobromophthalein, and 4,4′-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid (DIDS). In contrast, ATP-dependent DNP-SG uptake was unaffected by GSH, GSH ester, S-methyl glutathione, or S-carbamidomethyl glutathione, but was strongly inhibited by sulfobromophthalein, DIDS, and by high molecular weight and relatively hydrophobic glutathione S-conjugates. Transport of the low molecular weight ethyl-SG conjugate was only minimally stimulated by ATP (10-20%). ATP-independent ethyl-SG uptake was electrogenic, saturable (Km = 10 ± 1 μM) and was inhibited by GSH and all glutathione S-conjugates tested. These findings indicate the presence of multiple canalicular transport mechanisms for glutathione S-conjugates and demonstrate that the physicochemical properties of the S moiety are major determinants of transport. Relatively high molecular weight hydrophobic conjugates are substrates for both ATP-dependent and -independent mechanisms, whereas low molecular weight glutathione S-conjugates are transported largely by electrogenic carriers.
Neighborhoods on the Rise: A Typology of Neighborhoods Experiencing Socioeconomic Ascent

Neighborhoods are an important source of inequality, and neighborhood change may lead to changing opportunities for residents. Past research on neighborhood upgrading tends to focus on one process: gentrification. I argue that a broader range of types of neighborhood socioeconomic ascent requires examination. This article documents the different types of neighborhoods ascending from 1970 to the present. Using principal components analysis and cluster analysis, I report the prevalence of socioeconomic ascent, based on increases in neighborhood income, rents, house values, and educational and occupational attainment, among five to seven types of neighborhoods in each decade. I also examine population and housing changes that co-occur with ascent to identify processes of ascent beyond gentrification. Overall, findings suggest mixed implications for neighborhood inequality. While white suburban neighborhoods make up the bulk of neighborhoods that ascend in each decade, minority and immigrant neighborhoods become increasingly likely to ascend over time, though displacement may occur.
CybreMinder: A Context-Aware System for Supporting Reminders

Current tools do not provide adequate support to users for handling reminders. The main reason for this is the lack of use of rich context that specifies when a reminder should be presented to its recipient. We describe Cybre-Minder, a prototype context-aware tool that supports users in sending and receiving reminders that can be associated to richly described situations involving time, place and more sophisticated pieces of context. These situations better define when reminders should be delivered, enhancing our ability to deal with them more effectively. We describe how the tool is used and how it was developed using our previously developed Context Toolkit infrastructure for context-aware computing.
Efficient heterocyclisation by (di)terpene synthases

While cyclic ether forming terpene synthases are known, the basis for such heterocyclisation is unclear. Here it is reported that numerous (di)terpene synthases, particularly including the ancestral ent-kaurene synthase, efficiently produce isomers of manoyl oxide from the stereochemically appropriate substrate. Accordingly, such heterocyclisation is easily accomplished by terpene synthases. Indeed, the use of single residue changes to induce production of the appropriate substrate in the upstream active site leads to efficient bifunctional enzymes producing isomers of manoyl oxide, representing novel enzymatic activity.