cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Relative Risk of Prolonged Operative Times From Inconsistent Surgical Teams

Xiao et al. studied associations between heterogeneous teams of a surgeon, an operating room nurse, and a surgical technologist and several outcomes, including ‘‘prolonged operative time (in the longest quartile)’’ [1]. ‘‘Inconsistent teams were associated with’’ greater odds of ‘‘prolonged operative time [1.52, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.20–1.91].’’ From the authors’ Fig. 3, when ‘‘both the circulating nurse and surgical technologist ... were among the three most frequent working with the surgeon,’’ the ‘‘operative time (was) in the longest quartile’’ for 21 % of cases. In contrast, when both rarely worked with the surgeon, 29 % of cases were in the longest quartile. From the Discussion, ‘‘there was a 52 % increase in occurrences of prolonged operative time.’’ However, the relative risk would be approximately 1.38 = 29 %/21 %. The 1.52 is the odds ratio, not the relative risk. Is this interpretation correct? The relative risk is needed for evaluating managerial importance and designing future studies. The odds ratio is a biased estimator for relative risk when incidences are not small (e.g., [10.0 %) [2]. What is the estimate for the adjusted relative risk and its confidence interval [3, 4]? From the Introduction, it is stated that there is ‘‘higher likelihood of prolonged operative time.’’ Knowing the likelihood ratio would indeed be helpful for evaluating the quantitative contribution of teams to the problem of prolonged operative times. To perform the arithmetic, Fig. 3 provides the incidences for consistent versus ad hoc teams. From Fig. 1, 39 % of teams were consistent. The percentage of teams that were ad hoc, as needed to calculate the likelihood ratio, seems unclear. What was the likelihood ratio?
Land Degradation, Faith-Based Organizations, and Sustainability in Senegal

Over the past one hundred years, Senegal has experienced repeated droughts and shifting economic and agricultural policies that have contributed to long-term land degradation in a once-productive agricultural region. Faith-based organizations have become prominent in community-level projects that are working to rebuild Senegal's rural agriculture and work toward environmental sustainability. Through ethnographic interviews with religious leaders and project managers, this article highlights Muslim, Catholic, and Protestant organizations that are involved in environmental and economic development efforts across central Senegal. Local faith-based organizations are effective in this work because they are integral parts of communities, they share communities' faith-based motivations for development work, and they have long-term strategies for sustainability that involve individuals, communities, and their natural environment.
Local expression of B7-H1 promotes organ-specific autoimmunity and transplant rejection

A number of studies have suggested B7-H1, a B7 family member, inhibits T cell responses. Therefore, its expression on nonlymphoid tissues has been proposed to prevent T cell–mediated tissue destruction. To test this hypothesis, we generated transgenic mice that expressed B7-H1 on pancreatic islet β cells. Surprisingly, we observed accelerated rejection of transplanted allogeneic B7-H1–expressing islet β cells. Furthermore, transgenic B7-H1 expression broke immune tolerance, as some of the mice spontaneously developed T cell–dependent autoimmune diabetes. In addition, B7-H1 expression increased CD8+ T cell proliferation and promoted autoimmunity induction in a T cell adoptive transfer model of diabetes. Consistent with these findings, B7-H1.Ig fusion protein augmented naive T cell priming both in vitro and in vivo. Our results demonstrate that B7-H1 can provide positive costimulation for naive T cells to promote allograft rejection and autoimmune disease pathogenesis.
Attributing Inpatient Medicare Costs to Diabetes Among the Texas Elderly

OBJECTIVE —This study compares alternative methods for attributing hospital utilization and costs to diabetes. Findings from five “numerator” methods, found in the literature and based on presence of certain diagnoses or combinations of diagnoses in the billing records, were compared to benchmark findings derived from attributable risk calculations. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS —Estimates of non-HMO, short-term, nonspecialized hospital stays, hospital days, and costs attributable to diabetes in Texas were derived from the 1995 Medicare inpatient database (MEDPAR) for persons aged at least 65 years at the end of 1994. Attributable risk calculations applied age-, sex-, and ethnicity-specific estimates of diabetes prevalence, based on the combined 1987–1994 National Health Interview Surveys, to 1995 Medicare non-HMO, Part A (hospital insurance) enrollment among the Texas elderly. Alternative prevalence estimates were based on the 1994–1996 Texas Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. RESULTS —The five numerator methods yielded cost estimates that were 10, 10, 75, 144, and 172% of the benchmark estimate. CONCLUSIONS —This study documents great variation in diabetes cost estimates that might result from alternative methods for selecting diagnoses or combinations of diagnoses as criteria for attributing costs to diabetes. Whereas no method that ignores population prevalence yielded an accurate cost estimate, I suggest that further empirical study may be helpful in selecting those combinations of diagnoses that might, on average, reasonably estimate diabetes costs in situations where population denominators are unavailable or prevalence is unknown.
Free fraction change with differing volume ratios in equilibrium dialysis: cases of non‐linear drug‐protein binding

When equilibrium dialysis is used to measure drug-protein binding, an increase in the volume ratio (buffer solution/protein solution) causes a decrease in the total drug concentration at equilibrium. When binding is non-linear, this decrease in total drug concentration also causes a decrease in the free fraction. By use of the same volume ratio (3:1) binding curves were obtained for the binding of prednisolone to plasma proteins, and for the binding of salicylic acid and tolmetin to human serum albumin (HSA). When the volume ratio was changed, the observed free fractions were appreciably different from those expected by taking into account only the changes in the total equilibrium drug concentration. There is evidence that this phenomenon is the result of competition for binding sites between the drug and an impurity in the HSA. The effects are not the result of the presence of free fatty acids.
Violence, Schools, and Dropping Out Racial and Ethnic Disparities in the Educational Consequence of Student Victimization

Without a doubt, exposure to violence and victimization can be profoundly detrimental to the overall well-being and development of all youth. Moreover, violence and victimization that occurs within a school context is particularly alarming because a successful educational process is essential toward establishing socioeconomic success later in life. The educational consequence of exposure to violence and victimization at school is uncertain for racial and ethnic minority students. This study utilizes data from the Education Longitudinal Study of 2002 and incorporates multilevel modeling techniques to examine the impact of violence and victimization at school on dropping out. The results indicate Black/African Americans and Latino American students who are victimized at school are at higher risk of dropping out. The implications of the evident racial and ethnic disparities in the relationship between victimization and dropping out within the U.S. school system are discussed.
46.1: UV‐Stable High‐Birefringence Low‐Viscosity Isothiocyaniane Liquid Crystals and Application to 50‐μsec Response Switching Device

UV stable, high birefringence and low viscosity nematic liquid crystal mixtures were developed and their properties evaluated. Our new mixtures exhibit similar birefringence but ∼3.5X lower visco-elastic coefficient than Merck E44. In the mean time, our new mixtures show better UV stability than those cyano-biphenyls based commercial mixtures. To make a performance of new material more visible a high birefringence and relatively low viscosity liquid crystal mixture was developed for this experiment in conjunction with the voltage overdrive and undershoot technique. We demonstrated a liquid crystal light switch with response time ∼50 μs at room temperature and λ= 633 nm Potential application for sub-millisecond laser beam steering is emphasized.
A Novel DNA Damage-Inducible Transcript, gadd7, Inhibits Cell Growth, but Lacks a Protein Product

gadd7 cDNA was isolated from Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells on the basis of increased levels of RNA following treatment with UV radiation. The transcript for gadd7, as well as for four other gadd genes, was found to increase rapidly and coordinately following several different types of DNA damage and more slowly following other stresses that elicit growth arrest. Agents that induce gadd7 RNA include alkylating agents, such as methyl methanesulfonate (MMS), N-methyl-N4-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) and mechlorethamine HCl (HN2), oxidizing agents, such as hydrogen peroxide, and growth arrest signals, such as medium depletion (starvation). Since growth arrest is a cellular consequence of many types of DNA damage in normal cells, it was thought that gadd7 may play a role in the cellular response to DNA damage. Indeed, overexpression of gadd7 led to a decrease in cell growth. Interestingly, gadd7 cDNA does not contain an appreciable open reading frame and does not appear to encode a protein product, but instead may function at the RNA level.
Phytoestrogens and anthropogenic estrogenic compounds

The human diet contains a diverse spectrum of endogenous chemicals that exhibit either direct or indirect hormonal activity. These include natural compounds that bind the estrogen, androgen, aryl hydrocarbon, retinoic acid, and retinoic X receptors. In addition, several studies have identified a large number of chemical contaminants that exhibit estrogenic activity (xenoestrogens), and humans are also exposed to these compounds in the diet. Some of these chemicals include diverse phenolics such as bisphenol A, phthalates, polychlorinated biphenyls, and diverse organochlorine pesticides. Most of the endogenous dietary estrogens (including flavonoids and other phytoestrogens) and xenoestrogens are weak estrogen receptor agonists, and based on mass intake, human exposure to phytoestrogens is much higher than to xenoestrogens. The relative importance of dietary exposure to estrogenic compounds is unknown, and their effects will depend on a number of factors, including metabolism and pharmacokinetics, compound potency, serum concentrations, relative binding to serum proteins, levels of exposure during critical periods, and interactions or cross-talk with other endocrine response pathways.
Twitter users’ reaction to a chain pharmacy’s decision to end tobacco sales

Background: Reducing the number of tobacco outlets may help reduce smoking uptake and use; public support for such action is essential. We explored how Twitter users responded to the announcement by US pharmacy chain CVS that it was voluntarily ending tobacco sales. Methods: We used Twitter’s application programming interface to retrieve tweets and retweets posted over an 8-day period in February 2014 that contained two trending CVS-related hashtags (#cvs and #cvsquits). We manually coded 6,257 tweets as positive, negative, or neutral. Results: The majority of tweets were positive (56.0 %) or neutral (39.4 %). Conclusions: There was little disapproval of CVS’s decision to end tobacco sales among Twitter users, possibly due to the voluntary nature of the decision. The level of support suggests that CVS’s image and bottom line will not suffer as a result. Further voluntary actions to end tobacco sales – which may lay the groundwork for legislation – should be incentivized and supported.
Assessing the Quality of Audio Containing Temporally Varying Distortions

In this paper, we consider the problem of characterizing the quality of audio that is impaired by time-varying distortions. Specifically, the quality of such audio must be characterized by a time-dependent function. We first study issues associated with the human subjective testing which must be addressed in order to create such a function, and we conclude that the best approach for achieving both high temporal resolution and high accuracy is most likely a combination of two testing methodologies. Using the collected subjective data, we then design an objective metric that attempts to replicate the subjective responses. The proposed metric uses as its core a subset of the model output variables that are part of the ITU perceptual evaluation of audio quality (PEAQ) recommendation as well as the structural similarity measure and the segmental signal to noise ratio. Depending on the dataset used in its design, we find that the estimated quality has an average correlation coefficient relative to the ground truth curves of between 0.887 and 0.933. Furthermore, we also find that it is possible to reduce the complexity of this metric considerably while only degrading its performance by between 0.3% and 1.6%. In addition, the reduced complexity metric appears to be more robust than the original one.
Does Graph Design Matter To CPAs And Financial Statement Readers

We asked CPAs and financial statement readers if they believe distorted graphs influence judgments and if they think there is a need for standards governing their presentation and attestation in annual reports. We consider these important questions because decades of studies document that distorted graphs commonly appear in annual reports even though there is considerable evidence that such graphs influence readers’ judgments. Our results show that professionals are aware of the potential influence of graphical distortion, believe that standards are needed to assist in preparing graphs of financial information to be included in annual reports, and agree that auditors should be required to provide assurance about the accuracy of such graphs.
Recognizing emotions from student speech in tutoring dialogues

We investigate the automatic classification of student emotional states in a corpus of human-human spoken tutoring dialogues. We first annotated student turns in this corpus for negative, neutral and positive emotions. We then automatically extracted acoustic and prosodic features from the student speech, and compared the results of a variety of machine learning algorithms that use 8 different feature sets to predict the annotated emotions. Our best results have an accuracy of 80.53 % and show 26.28 % relative improvement over a baseline. These results suggest that the intelligent tutoring spoken dialogue system we are developing can be enhanced to automatically predict and adapt to student emotional states.
A novel dynamic delivery system enabling high efficiency transfection of cells (779.4)

Transfection is a technique to study expression and knockdown of gene expression. Over the past decade, many researchers have utilized liposomal systems to deliver nucleic acids; however, this meth...
Decoding of alternant codes (Corresp.)

It is shown that the only modification of the Berlekamp algorithm required to decode the class of alternant codes consists of a linear transformation of the syndromes prior to the application of the algorithm. Since alternant codes include all Bose-Chaudhuri-Hocquenghem (BCH) and Goppa codes, the Chien-Choy generalized BCH codes, and the generalized Srivastava codes, all of these can be decoded with no increase in complexity over BCH decoding.
Investigation of the Young’s Modulus of Fibers in an Electrospun PCL Scaffold Using AFM and its Correlation to cell Attachment

Seeding a layer of cells at specific depths within scaffolds is an important optimization parameter for bi-layer skin models. Experimental investigation has been performed to investigate the effect of fiber diameter and its mechanical property on the depth of cell seeding of for electrospun fiber scaffold. Polycaprolactone (PCL) is used to generate scaffolds that are submicron (400nm) to micron (1100nm) using electro-spinning. 3T3 fibroblasts were seeded on the electro-spun fiber scaffold mat of 50-70 microns thickness in this study. In order to investigate the effect of fiber diameter on cell migration, first, the electrospun fiber scaffold was studied for variation of mechanical properties as a function of fiber diameters. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to investigate the Young’s modulus (E) values as a function of fiber diameter. It was identified that as the fiber diameter increases, the Young’s modulus values decreases considerably from 1.9GPa to 600MPa. The variation in E is correlated with cell seeding depth as a function of vacuum pressure. A higher E value led to a lower depth of cell seeding (closer to the surface) indicating that nano-fibrous scaffolds offer larger resistance to cell movement compared to microfibrous scaffolds
Quantifying energy transfer in semiconductor nanocrystals using coherent phonon manipulation and ultrafast spectroscopy (Presentation Recording)

One potential way to increase photovoltaic efficiency is to take advantage of hot-carriers. Nanocrystal based solar cells aim to take advantage of hot-carrier capture to boost device performance. The crucial parameter for gauging a given nanocrystal material for this application is the electron-phonon coupling. The electron-phonon coupling will dictate the thermalization time of hot-carriers. In this study we demonstrate a method of quantifying the electron-phonon coupling in semiconductor nanocrystals. By employing ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy with temporal pulse shaping, we manipulate coherent phonons in CdTe_{1-x}Se_{x} nanocrystals to quantify the efficiency of the electron-phonon coupling. The Raman active longitudinal optical phonon (LO) modes were excited and probed as a function of time. Using a temporal pulse shaper, we were able to control pump pulse pairs to coherently excite and cancel coherent phonons in the CdTe_{1-x}Se_{x} nanocrystals, and estimate the relative amount of optical energy that is coupled to the coherent CdSe LO mode which is the dominant thermalization pathway for the hot-electrons in this system.
What Use Is It Anyway? Considering Modes of Application and Contributions of Qualitative Inquiry

Qualitative research is criticized for lacking application to practice. In this chapter, I discuss the major patterns of research programs: the single project, the lateral programs, and the incremental. I suggest that single projects are the least likely to produce useful findings: authors are frequently too uncertain to recommend implementation, and results are more frequently submitted from a series of studies conducted within a research program, often by a single principal investigator. Here, I recommend five criteria that may be considered in the application of qualitative studies. Finally, I discuss strategies for moving qualitative research into practice, including using a clinical facilitator to assist with the clinical adoption of the new practices.
Development of an Eddy-Current Actuator Test Bed

There is no simple, inexpensive yet extensible test bed for simulating microgravity. This is a large technological gap in the development of space systems at the level of universities, small companies and individuals. Experimental validation of eddy-current interactions in a prototype contactless actuator provided the motivation for design of a new 1-D low-friction test bed. This paper describes the design and development of a low-cost, 1-degree-of-freedom experimental test bed with closed loop actuation overseen by Simulink. The system can support many different experiments that require microgravity and closed-loop control.
Theft, Dissimulation and Trespass: Some Observations on Security

(1994). Theft, Dissimulation and Trespass. Library & Archival Security: Vol. 12, No. 1, pp. 17-22.
Judicial Independence Without Power: Norms in Search of Law

International substantive norms proscribe many threats to human life and dignity. Although each is “illegal” under a variety of international customs and covenants, there is absolutely no international enforcement worthy of the name. In the absence of enforcement power, to speak of judicial independence in transnational norms is almost meaningless – not entirely, because courts are able to articulate and explicate norms. But the very concept of a judiciary implies a Role of Law that is enforceable by legitimate power, not just aspirational compliance.The Mt. Scopus Standards have one paragraph on the subject. American Bar Association standards are utterly silent on the need for enforcement of judicial decrees. Even the World Justice Project, which devotes substantial energy to the Rule of Law, merely insists on “regulatory enforcement” and that the “criminal justice system be effective” with no mention of enforcement for the judiciary. This paper first explores briefly the defects in enforcement of internationally recognized norms in three major categories affecting the human condition. Then it will turn to the concept of law and argue for creation of mechanisms for bringing cases to judicial tribunals along with the power to enforce tribunal rulings.
A review of Shifting Geo-Economic Power of the Gulf: Oil, Finance and Institutions by Matteo Legrenzi and Bessma Momani (eds)

MATTEO LEGRENZI and BESSMA MOMANI (eds), Shifting Geo-Economic Power of the Gulf: Oil, Finance and Institutions (Farnham and Burlington: Ashgate Publishing, 2011), 248 pages; £49.50 hardback, £55.0...
Pynchon on Household: Reworking the Traditional Spy Novel

A possible influence on the creation of the Victorian explorer Hugh Godolphin, "F.R.G.S.," who appears in V., may be found in a character with the same unusual surname in Geoffrey Household's spy-thriller, Fellow Passenger. Of minimal literary merit, and far less exciting than other Household classics of the thriller genre, Fellow Passenger is a boring book by a notoriously uneven writer. Yet besides the character named Godolphin, it contains the seeds of a number of complex themes which subsequently flourish in the far richer imagination of Thomas Pynchon, who read Household as a teenager. I want to explore the relationships between V. and Household's book in order to demonstrate how Pynchon transforms the materials from a lowly potboiler into a serious work of art, and I want to focus finally on the metamorphosis of the Godolphin we see as a fatuous romantic escapist in Fellow Passenger, to the prophet of the twentieth century's Impulse toward destruction and doom we find in V. But first it will be necessary to give a brief summary of Household's novel, since it is likely to be far less familiar to readers than V.
Red Hawk Rocketry Boosted Dart

As part of the Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium competition, Red Hawk Rocketry built a rocket for the Collegiate Rocket Launch Competitionâ€™s non-engineering contest. The launch went well, albeit a little unstable, veering in the direction of the wind. This was unexpected since within our RockSim files, our rocket was considerably over stable, so it should have turned into the wind. Its apogee was around 1000 feet due to the fact that our rocket was rather massive compared to other teams. However, because of its low apogee, we were able to easily locate and retrieve the rocket upon landing, as intended. Finally, all three aspects of the challenge were completed successfully; the dart separated, we were able to access mid-flight rotation data from our gyroscope, and we obtained on board, down looking video during the flight. Â
Molecular Events at Tissue–Biomaterial Interface

Biomaterial implantation invariably induces tissue damage leading to focal hemorrhage and edema formation. Leakage of proteins alters the composition of the interstitial fluid, which becomes enriched with plasma proteins. Within seconds of implantation, proteins interact with biomaterial surfaces and over time create a proteinaceous coating. The interactions of proteins with biomaterials are complex and are governed by numerous parameters including the composition of the interstitial fluid, the properties of the associated proteins, and the biomaterial. It is appreciated that proteins undergo variable conformational changes as a result of these interactions and these can render them more adhesive for cells. Recruited and resident cells are also exposed to signals generated by tissue damage that render them reactive to proteins with altered conformation. Therefore, molecular interactions between adsorbed proteins and cell receptors influence cell functions such as adhesion and activation. Activation of intracellular molecular pathways leads to the production of signals that are critical for the progression of the foreign body response (FBR). It is appreciated that macrophages are the key inflammatory cell type in the FBR and recent studies have shown unique activation of these cells in the context of biomaterial interactions. In this chapter, we will review our current understanding of the molecular events that determine protein adsorption, cell adhesion and activation, matrix deposition and remodeling, angiogenesis, and eventual encapsulation of biomaterials.
Hydroxamic acids as matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), an increasing family of zinc- and calcium-dependent endopeptidases, are involved in both the tissue remodeling and the degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM). These enzymes have been a pharmaceutical target for over 25 years in order to develop many families of therapeutically important synthetic matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors (MMPIs) for the treatment of several serious pathologies. Although clinical trials on most of the MMPIs gave disappointing results, at least one MMPI (Periostat™) has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of periodontal disease. Current research efforts on the development of selective inhibitors toward certain MMPs gave a vast number of small molecules as potent MMPIs, of which, some of the effective candidates are in their various stages of (pre)clinical trials for the treatment of various diseases such as arthritis and different cancers. The selectivity of MMPIs toward specific MMPs depends mainly on their structural templates or scaffolds and the variations in their substituents. Thus, the combination of traditional, mechanism-based, and structural-based approaches may help for the future development of specific MMPIs. In recent years, research focuses on the design and development of MMPIs possess a hydroxamic acid moiety, a strong Zn(II)-binding group, which leads to their high-affinity binding to the enzymic sites of the MMPs. We herein discuss the hydroxamic acid-based MMPIs with respect to their mechanism of interaction, structure–activity relationship (SAR), quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR), recent development, and clinical trials.
E-band characterization of 3D-printed dielectrics for fully-printed millimeter-wave wireless system packaging

This work explores the integration of 3D and inkjet printing manufacturing processes with millimeter-wave (mm-wave) wireless packaging technology. Stereolithography-based (SLA) 3D printing methods are discussed for two classes of materials: polymeric and ceramic-loaded dielectrics. 3D-printed materials are characterized for performance within the E-band wireless regime (55–95 GHz), extracting relative permittivity and loss tangent. Thermal cycling tests are performed in order to evaluate the thermal stress characteristics of the printed dielectrics structures. Die encapsulation with SLA printing technology is presented as an alternative to the standard molding and stamping technology. Inkjet printing is used to demonstrate the fabrication of metallic structures directly onto 3D-printed packages, highlighting potential applications of on-package antenna arrays, lenses, and metamaterial surfaces. Finally, inkjet-printed mm-wave transmission lines are realized on 3D-printed ramp structures, demonstrating efficient 3D interconnects with ramp slopes up to 65° for through-mold-via (TMV) solutions.
Large-scale atomistic simulations of low-energy helium implantation into tungsten single crystals

Abstract Large-scale molecular dynamics simulations of post-implantation helium behavior in plasma-facing tungsten single crystals reveal orientation-dependent depth profiles, surface evolution patterns, and other crystallographic and diffusion-related characteristics of helium behavior in tungsten during the first microsecond. The flux of implanted helium atoms studied, Γ ≈ 4 × 1025 m−2 s−1, is about one order of magnitude larger than that expected in ITER, the experimental fusion reactor currently being constructed in France. With simulation times on the order of 1 μs, these results serve to discover the mechanisms involved in surface evolution as well as to serve as benchmarks for coarse-grained simulations such as kinetic Monte Carlo and continuum-scale drift–reaction–diffusion cluster dynamics simulations. The findings of our large-scale simulations are significant due to diminished finite-size effects and the longer times reached (corresponding to higher fluences). Specifically, our findings are drastically different from findings published previously in the literature for (001) surfaces under a helium flux of Γ ∼ 1028 m−2 s−1, which is typical of smaller size and shorter time atomistic simulations. In particular, this study highlights the atomic-scale materials processes relevant to helium entrapment and transport in metals, which have implications not only for nuclear fusion–relevant processes, but also helium-induced embrittlement in irradiated materials such as hospital equipment and fission reactor materials.
Generating New Prions by Targeted Mutation or Segment Duplication

Prions are infectious agents composed entirely of protein. Prion activity results from the conversion of soluble proteins into an insoluble, self-templating amyloid form. Nine different amyloid-based prions have been identified in yeast. All but one contain a glutamine/asparagine (Q/N) rich region that is responsible for prion activity. Similar Q/N-rich regions are over-represented in eukaryotic genomes. In humans, aggregation-causing mutations in Q/N-rich proteins have been linked to various degenerative diseases, including ALS. Our lab previously developed a prediction algorithm, PAPA (Prion Aggregation Prediction Algorithm), to predict the aggregation propensity of Q/N-rich proteins, and to predict the effects of mutations on aggregation propensity. Here, we tested the ability of PAPA to design mutations to turn non-prion proteins into prions. We identified four yeast Q/N-rich protein fragments that lacked any detectable aggregation or prion activity. In each case, a small number of designed mutations were sufficient to cause these domains to aggregate, and in two cases, to create bona fide prion activity. We then tested whether simply generating tandem repeats of short, aggregation-prone segments within these domains would likewise be sufficient to create prion activity. We found that such segment duplications consistently increased prion activity in a length-dependent manner. This suggests that duplication of aggregation-prone segments might represent a simple mechanism for evolving new prion domains, potentially explaining why oligopeptide repeats are frequently found in prion proteins.
Light, Color, Interiority and the Aesthetics of Enchantment

At various moments in the history of art, painters have represented interior places and scenes as metaphors for the interiors of selves: representations of architectural interiors and their inhabitants signify interiority. An interior is often an enclave for privacy, so the tie between represented interiors and conceptions of the self is not necessarily surprising. Yet few scholars have focused comparatively on representations of interiors as expressive of self and consciousness. How do representations of interior spaces metaphorically stand for the interiors of selves? This paper in aesthetics and art history analyzes the dialectic of self and interior space in art.
The fixation of carbon dioxide by rat liver mitochondria and its relation to gluconeogenesis.

SUMMARY The finding reported here, that isolated mitochondria can synthesize malate in good yield from pyruvate and COz, offers an alternative to the transmembrane movement of oxaloacetate. Thus, malate could be formed within the mitochondria by the action of malic dehydrogenase and NADH on oxaloacetate. The malate could pass through the mitochondrial membrane and then be re-oxidized to oxaloacetate by the malic dehydrogen- ase of the cell sap with subsequent conversion of this extramito- chondrial oxaloacetate to P-enolpyruvate. 2. A net synthesis of malate and citrate was demonstrated in mitochondria incubated under these conditions. 3. Essentially all of the radioactive compounds formed were released from the mitochondria during the incubation. 4. It is proposed that in rat liver the initial stages of gluco- neogenesis from pyruvate proceed as follows. In the mito- chondria, pyruvate is carboxylated to oxaloacetate. The oxalo- acetate, which does not react with acetyl coenzyme A to form citrate, is reduced to malate. Malate or fumarate or both cross the mitochondrial membrane into the cytoplasm of the cell. There malate is oxidized to oxaloacetate which is in turn con- verted to phosphoenolpyruvate. Fumarate could function in a similar manner, and it does not appear feasible at the present time to devise experiments to choose between malate and fumarate as the compound which moves across the membrane. Thus, in the experiments reported here, the mitochondria were twice washed, but there might well have been fumarase present outside the mitochondria which would have regenerated malate from fumarate, had only fuma- rate crossed the mitochondrial membrane. AcknowledgmentsWe are indebted to Miss Rosalind Levene of Dr. Cecil Cooper’s laboratory for assessing the respiratory con- trol of our mitochondrial preparation. The helpful criticism of Dr. M. F. Utter during the preparation of this manuscript is greatly appreciated. The technical assistance of Mr. Glenn DeBoer and Mr. Endre Solti is gratefully acknowledged.
Crystallization Kinetics in Low Density Polyethylene Composites

Publisher Summary This chapter examines the crystallization kinetics in low-density polyethylene composites. In the experiment described in the chapter, films of randomly cut nickel flake (Alfa Aesar), with a maximum diameter of 44 pm and an average thickness of 0.37 pm, and supported by low-density polyethylene (LDPE) were produced with varying concentrations of filler. The crystallization rate, fractional crystallinity, electrical conductivity, and thermal conductivity ratios were measured as a function of nickel content. Composites were produced using a Killion KT–100,3 zone extruder with a mixing section. To ensure uniform mixing, each concentration was processed three times: the first two using a pelletizing die and the third using a film die and calendaring system built at the University of Oklahoma. It is shown that the network of nickel particles described by percolation statistics, used to characterize the electrical conductivity, is important in determining crystallization kinetics. A large jump in electrical conductivity over a very short range of concentration occurs when the first continuous pathways of nickel particles form; complete network formation corresponds to the plateau region in electrical conductivity. In crystallization, complete network formation causes a sharp increase in linear crystal growth rate—much larger than the bulk thermal conductivity would predict.
Level, uphill and downhill running economy values are strongly inter-correlated

Exercise economy is not solely an intrinsic physiological trait because economy in one mode of exercise (e.g., running) does not strongly correlate with economy in another mode (e.g. cycling). Economy also reflects the skill of an individual in a particular mode of exercise. Arguably, level, uphill and downhill running constitute biomechanically different modes of exercise. Thus, we tested the hypothesis that level running economy (LRE), uphill running economy (URE) and downhill running economy (DRE) would not be strongly inter-correlated. We measured the oxygen uptakes of 19 male trained runners during three different treadmill running speed and grade conditions: 238 m/min, 0%; 167 m/min, + 7.5%; 291 m/min, − 5%. Mean oxygen uptakes were 46.8 (SD 3.9), 48.0 (3.4) and 46.9 (3.7) ml/kg/min for level, uphill and downhill running, respectively, indicating that the three conditions were of similar aerobic intensity. We reject our hypothesis based on the strong correlations of r = 0.909, r = 0.901 and r = 0.830, respectively, between LRE vs. URE, LRE vs. DRE and URE vs. DRE. Economical runners on level surfaces are also economical on uphill and downhill grades. Inter-individual differences in running economy reflect differences in both intrinsic physiology and skill. Individuals who have experience with level, uphill and downhill running appear to be equally skilled in all three modes.
Selenium and Type 2 Diabetes: Systematic Review.

Several studies have investigated the potential role of selenium (Se) in the development of type 2 diabetes (T2D) with disparate findings. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to synthesize the evidence of any association between Se and T2D. PubMed, Embase, and Scopus were searched following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis Approach (PRISMA). Sixteen studies from 15 papers met inclusion criteria defined for this review. Of the 13 observational studies included, 8 demonstrated a statistically significant positive association between concentrations of Se and odds for T2D, with odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) ranging from 1.52 (1.01–2.28) to 7.64 (3.34–17.46), and a summary odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval (CI)) of 2.03 (1.51–2.72). In contrast, among randomized clinical trials (RCTs) of Se, a higher risk of T2D was not observed for those who received Se compared to a placebo (OR = 1.18, 95% CI 0.95–1.47). Taken together, the results for the relationship between Se and T2D differ between observational studies and randomized clinical trials (RCTs). It remains unclear whether these differences are the result of uncontrolled confounding in the observational studies, or whether there is a modest effect of Se on the risk for T2D that may vary by duration of exposure. Further investigations on the effects of Se on glucose metabolism are needed.
Conformational Dynamics in Asymmetric Catalysis: Is Catalyst Flexibility a Design Element?

Traditionally, highly selective low molecular weight catalysts have been designed to contain rigidifying structural elements. As a result, many proposed stereochemical models rely on steric repulsion for explaining the observed selectivity. Recently, as is the case for enzymatic systems, it has become apparent that some flexibility can be beneficial for imparting selectivity. Dynamic catalysts can reorganize to maximize attractive non-covalent interactions that stabilize the favored diastereomeric transition state, while minimizing repulsive non-covalent interactions for enhanced selectivity. This short review discusses catalyst conformational dynamics and how these effects have proven beneficial for a variety of catalyst classes, including tropos ligands, cinchona alkaloids, hydrogen-bond donating catalysts, and peptides. 1 Introduction 2 Tropos Ligands 3 Cinchona Alkaloids 4 Hydrogen-Bond Donating Catalysts 5 Peptide Catalysts 6 Conclusion
Food provisioning strategies among Latinx farm workers in southwestern Idaho

Food provisioning refers to the mental, physical and emotional labor involved in providing food for oneself and one’s family. The labor of food provisioning has been found to be made more difficult by a number of factors, including gender, socioeconomic status, age, and geography. However, little research has been done examining the labor of food provisioning among farm workers, a significantly marginalized population in the United States. In order to examine the food provisioning strategies and struggles of farm workers, we have been conducting pilot research with Latinx agricultural workers in southwestern Idaho. Employing a range of qualitative and quantitative methods, we examine the various strategies that farm workers use to provide food for themselves and their families, including accessing food banks, utilizing food stamps, purchasing groceries and accepting food from friends, family and employers. We consider this from a wider lens of “caring labor” (Carney in The unending hunger: Tracing women and food insecurity across borders, University of California Press, Berkeley, 2015). In addition, we explore food provisioning strategies in the context of economic and demographic changes in Idaho. We observe the ways in which changing crop patterns, in particular the growth the hops industry, relates to a transition in the labor force, especially an increase in women farm workers. We have also observed a shift away from employing migrant farm labor and towards the employment of “settled” Latinx residents from surrounding communities. These changes all influence the labor of food provisioning for rural Idaho Latinx families.
Combinatorics of proanthocyanidins in wine

Condensed tannin are polymers comprised of procyanidin and prodelphinidin units and found in wine, chocolate, apples and many other foods. Current analytical methods to characterize these tannins provide aggregate functional results, such as quantified protein binding, important for its relation to astringency. A more detailed understanding of the constituents has become accessible via mass spectrometry (MS) with high resolution and tandem MS techniques. Analysis of wine tannin by these methods provides thousands of signals, far too many to assess using standard techniques. We propose targeted mass filtering using a table of predicted proanthocyanidin oligomers. Condensed tannin in wine is comprised of 4 constitutionally distinct subunits (catechin, catechin gallate, gallocatechin, and gallocatechin gallate), each of which has 4 stereoisomers. Accounting for all 16 subunits, there are over 5 million possible oligomers from monomer to decamer. Since mass spectroscopy is generally blind to stereoisomeric variations, the number of possible observable MS signals can be reduced to a list of 1000. By applying specialized combinatoric functions, a table for the now manageable compilation of possible proanthocyanidin oligomers has been created containing the compound subunit compositions, molecular formulae, and molecular ion signals for the interpretation of condensed tannin mass spectra. Mathematical formulae for the enumeration of possible compounds in any chemical system composed of polymers with discrete subunits resulted from this endeavor and are presented in general form with specific application to this system. As these condensed tannins react with anthocyanins, forming pigmented tannin, the table created here can also be the foundation of a database for the very complex red wine pigments. The system described here could also be applied to the analysis of proanthocyanidins in chocolate and other foods.
Highlights from occupational safety and health continuing education needs assessment.

Background There is a lack of trained Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) professionals able to meet the current and future demand for such expertize in the United States. Many OSH professionals are required to perform duties, which are outside of their primary area of expertize; thus, expansion of continuing education (CE) may be necessary to properly train individuals for new OSH responsibilities. Methods The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health-funded Education and Research Centers collectively developed and distributed an internet-based survey to gauge the CE needs and interests of the OSH workforce. Results A total of 2064 responses were received. The most common primary professions represented were safety (28%), occupational health nursing (18%), and industrial hygiene (12%). The majority of respondents (61%) reported that they perform work activities outside of those associated with their primary OSH profession. The CE offerings with the highest interest among respondents were related to safety. Other courses with high levels of interest included topics such as legal issues in OSH (88%), compliance (88%), risk management (85%), OSH management (83%), risk communication (83%), and communication in accident prevention (81%). Health and safety leadership (82%), health and safety culture (78%) and total worker health (74%) were also significant interests. Conclusions It is important to be responsive to the evolving needs of the OS&H community. Developing relevant courses will help ensure that OS&H professionals have access to the training they need to perform essential job functions and keep employees healthy and safe.
Probability, Populations, Phylogenetics, and Hominin Speciation.

A number of recent articles have appeared on the hominin Denisova fossil remains. Many of them focus on attempts to produce DNA sequences from the extracted samples. Often these project mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences from the fossils of a number of Neandertals and the Denisovans in an attempt to understand the evolution of Middle Pleistocene human ancestors. These articles introduce a number of problems in the interpretation of speciation in hominins. One concerns the degradation of the ancient DNA and its interpretation as authentic genetic information. Another problem concerns the ideas of “species” versus “population” and the use of these ideas in building evolutionary diagrams to indicate ancestry and extinction. A third issue concerns the theory of haplotypes in the mtDNA. Given the severe constraints on mutations in the mtDNA genome to maintain functionality and the purifying processes to reduce such mutations in the ovaries, putative geographic and historical variations seem contradictory. Local diversity and variations in supposed “macrohaplotypes” are explained as back migrations or back mutations, which dilutes the robust nature of the theory. A central issue involves what human variation means, how much population variation there has been in the past, and whether this variation distinguishes hominid speciation or is simply a process of anagenesis. This brings up the question of how much can be interpreted from the analysis of DNA. Some businesses today claim to be able to use DNA analysis to discover past ethnic identities, and a new niche in restaurants is producing “DNA” menus. Perhaps some caution is in order.
Understanding patient motivations for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis initiation and adherence

Consistent dosing of tenofovir/emtricitabine-based HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) can reduce HIV infection risk by up to 92%. However, clinical trials have shown low PrEP adherence (34-71%), resulting in reduced effectiveness. To improve PrEP's effectiveness, adherence to a daily PrEP regimen is essential. This report explores patients' patterns of PrEP initiation and use and their PrEP-related perceptions to provide greater understanding of patient motivations for beginning and adhering to PrEP. At two urban primary care clinics, individual coaching sessions that included semistructured interviews were offered to 10 PrEP patients. Regarding PrEP initiation, 30% of patients were advised to use PrEP by their nurse practitioners (NPs), while the remaining patients requested PrEP themselves. Before they initiated PrEP, all patients were familiar with it through social contacts or internet-based research. Patients' PrEP-related perceptions were identified, including perceived pros and cons of PrEP use, and degrees of PrEP knowledge, uncertainty, and fear. Primary care NPs should take detailed sexual histories to avoid overlooking PrEP candidates. In addition, primary care NPs should introduce easy-to-access, Internet-based resources to reinforce patient education. Last, PrEP promotional campaigns should be focused at the community level in gay, bisexual, transgender and queer populations.