Community Food Systems in the Lewiston-Auburn Landscape: Accessing and Increasing Institutional Purchasing

This project was conducted in collaboration with the Good Food Council of Lewiston-Auburn (GFCLA) and the Bates College Harward Center. The GFCLA was formed “to create and support improvements to the food system of the Lewiston-Auburn community” (goodfood4la.org). The focus of this project was to assess the institutional purchasing landscape in Lewiston-Auburn particularly because GFCLA believes that a critical strategy for increasing access to healthy local foods is building the capacity for institutional purchasing, or the purchase of large volumes of product by institutions, into the Lewiston-Auburn area (Sanger and Zens, 2004). Even though Lewiston-Auburn is known as the second biggest metropolitan area in Maine and has a relatively large consumer base due to the various large institutions in the area (hospitals, colleges, and nursing homes), a gap remains between the consumers and producers (Walter, 9/14/14). The goal of this research was to investigate the current role of local foods in institutional purchasing, and to pinpoint future opportunities for institutional purchasing of local foods within the urban landscape of Lewiston-Auburn. Our project is deeply connected with the issue of food insecurity within the Lewiston-Auburn community. Food security is defined as access by all people at all times to enough food for an active, healthy life (Poppendieck 1999, 95). It is important to keep in mind that food security is not limited to hunger, but rather carries with it economic and social implications. Urban areas are often associated with having access to resources that rural areas generally cannot access. This has led policy makers in urban communities to not place food issues at the top of their agenda, and instead consider housing and financial issues as a larger priority. In Maine, food insecurity rates are quite high and alarming; for example, in 2009, 15% of households in the state were food-insecure (USDA ERS, 2011), making it the most food insecure state in New England (Love 2014, 2). Particular to Lewiston, “the communities are strong, but the food system that feeds them clearly needs repairing. Access to good food is a significant challenge for many Lewiston residents, which has a measurable, daily impact on health, leading to such diet-related problems as obesity and diabetes” (Good Food Council of Lewiston-Auburn 2013, 3). For example, supermarkets in Lewiston are generally 40% less expensive than community markets, yet these supermarkets are not located in the lower-income areas. Instead, the cheaper food option in these areas are fast-food restaurants (Walter, 2011, 160). In hopes of moving towards food security in the Lewiston-Auburn community, our group concentrated on institutional purchasing of local foods. Our main focus was conducting the initial research of institutional purchasing and conducting interviews with relevant actors such as key informants and food service directors. The primary results from our project definitively outlined for us common barriers public schools, hospitals, and higher education institutions in the Lewiston-Auburn community face in purchasing locally. These barriers range from money to simple interest in local foods, and despite any success stories, tend to completely block institutions from purchasing locally. However, by collecting information and highlighting trends from different institutions, we have created a positive platform for change that the Good Food Council will be able to utilize in the future to provide education and needed assistance towards incorporating local food in their respective institutions

The silicon trypanosome

African trypanosomes have emerged as promising unicellular model organisms for the next generation of systems biology. They offer unique advantages, due to their relative simplicity, the availability of all standard genomics techniques and a long history of quantitative research. Reproducible cultivation methods exist for morphologically and physiologically distinct life-cycle stages. The genome has been sequenced, and microarrays, RNA-interference and high-accuracy metabolomics are available. Furthermore, the availability of extensive kinetic data on all glycolytic enzymes has led to the early development of a complete, experiment-based dynamic model of an important biochemical pathway. Here we describe the achievements of trypanosome systems biology so far and outline the necessary steps towards the ambitious aim of creating a , a comprehensive, experiment-based, multi-scale mathematical model of trypanosome physiology. We expect that, in the long run, the quantitative modelling enabled by the Silicon Trypanosome will play a key role in selecting the most suitable targets for developing new anti-parasite drugs

PLoS Biology—We're Open

With this first issue of PLoS Biology, the editors present the aims and scope of the journa

Two-photon scanning microscopy of in vivo sensory responses of cortical neurons genetically encoded with a fluorescent voltage sensor in rat

A fluorescent voltage sensor protein “Flare” was created from a Kv1.4 potassium channel with YFP situated to report voltage-induced conformational changes in vivo. The RNA virus Sindbis introduced Flare into neurons in the binocular region of visual cortex in rat. Injection sites were selected based on intrinsic optical imaging. Expression of Flare occurred in the cell bodies and dendritic processes. Neurons imaged in vivo using two-photon scanning microscopy typically revealed the soma best, discernable against the background labeling of the neuropil. Somatic fluorescence changes were correlated with flashed visual stimuli; however, averaging was essential to observe these changes. This study demonstrates that the genetic modification of single neurons to express a fluorescent voltage sensor can be used to assess neuronal activity in vivo

The Ursinus Weekly, March 2, 1972

Judiciary Board holds model trial • Ursinus Protheatre presents Peter Weiss\u27s Marat / Sade • U.C. readies plans for Model UN session • President Pettit meets with parents committee • 1972 Lorelei: A huge success • Bloodmobile comes to UC • UC reactivates Chi Alpha • Editorial: Positive asset • Focus: Rich Clark • Lantern needs maturing; criticized as child\u27s play • Laurels to Lorelei • Christian Fellowship talks about Jesus • Special award presented • Administration answers • Boydies fly and Aquabears float while Snellbelles divehttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/weekly/1118/thumbnail.jp

Skin Lesion Analyser: An Efficient Seven-Way Multi-Class Skin Cancer Classification Using MobileNet

Skin cancer, a major form of cancer, is a critical public health problem with 123,000 newly diagnosed melanoma cases and between 2 and 3 million non-melanoma cases worldwide each year. The leading cause of skin cancer is high exposure of skin cells to UV radiation, which can damage the DNA inside skin cells leading to uncontrolled growth of skin cells. Skin cancer is primarily diagnosed visually employing clinical screening, a biopsy, dermoscopic analysis, and histopathological examination. It has been demonstrated that the dermoscopic analysis in the hands of inexperienced dermatologists may cause a reduction in diagnostic accuracy. Early detection and screening of skin cancer have the potential to reduce mortality and morbidity. Previous studies have shown Deep Learning ability to perform better than human experts in several visual recognition tasks. In this paper, we propose an efficient seven-way automated multi-class skin cancer classification system having performance comparable with expert dermatologists. We used a pretrained MobileNet model to train over HAM10000 dataset using transfer learning. The model classifies skin lesion image with a categorical accuracy of 83.1 percent, top2 accuracy of 91.36 percent and top3 accuracy of 95.34 percent. The weighted average of precision, recall, and f1-score were found to be 0.89, 0.83, and 0.83 respectively. The model has been deployed as a web application for public use at (https://saketchaturvedi.github.io). This fast, expansible method holds the potential for substantial clinical impact, including broadening the scope of primary care practice and augmenting clinical decision-making for dermatology specialists.Comment: This is a pre-copyedited version of a contribution published in Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, Hassanien A., Bhatnagar R., Darwish A. (eds) published by Chaturvedi S.S., Gupta K., Prasad P.S. The definitive authentication version is available online via https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-3383-9_1

Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease Have Heterogeneous Treatment Preferences That Are Largely Determined by the Avoidance of Abdominal Pain and Side Effects [P-POWER IBD Study].

peer reviewedBACKGROUND AND AIMS: Patient-centric management of inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] is important, with consensus considering patient-reported outcomes alongside clinical and endoscopic assessment by healthcare providers. However, evidence about patients' treatment priorities is still limited. This study aimed to elicit benefit-risk trade-offs that patients with IBD are willing to make, to help inform discussions about patient-centric treatment targets. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional online survey of adults with self-confirmed Crohn's disease [CD] or ulcerative colitis [UC] receiving IBD treatment. The impact of efficacy, administration, and safety on treatment preferences was elicited using a discrete choice experiment. Relative attribute importance [RAI] and maximum acceptable risk of mild-to-moderate side effects [SEs] were estimated from a mixed logit model. RESULTS: 400 patients [CD: 54%; UC: 46%; female: 38.0%; age range: 18-78] were recruited. Efficacy, administration, and safety affected treatment preferences to varying degrees, with abdominal pain being most important [RAI 33%] followed by risks of mild-to-moderate SEs [RAI 27%], and serious infections [RAI 16%]. To reduce abdominal pain from severe to moderate/mild, patients accepted an additional 18.8% or 30.6% risk of mild-to-moderate SEs, respectively. While average preferences between patients with CD and UC were similar, patients with CD placed greater importance on abdominal pain [p < 0.05], and patients with UC on bowel urgency [p < 0.05]. However, preferences varied notably. CONCLUSIONS: While avoiding abdominal pain, SEs, and serious infections had on average the highest treatment priority, preferences varied between patients. Treatment strategies should consider the trade-offs individuals are willing to make

Recommendations From the International Consortium on Professional Nursing Practice in Long-Term Care Homes

AbstractIn response to the International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics' global agenda for clinical research and quality of care in long-term care homes (LTCHs), the International Consortium on Professional Nursing Practice in Long Term Care Homes (the Consortium) was formed to develop nursing leadership capacity and address the concerns regarding the current state of professional nursing practice in LTCHs. At its invitational, 2-day inaugural meeting, the Consortium brought together international nurse experts to explore the potential of registered nurses (RNs) who work as supervisors or charge nurses within the LTCHs and the value of their contribution in nursing homes, consider what RN competencies might be needed, discuss effective educational (curriculum and practice) experiences, health care policy, and human resources planning requirements, and to identify what sustainable nurse leadership strategies and models might enhance the effectiveness of RNs in improving resident, family, and staff outcomes. The Consortium made recommendations about the following priority issues for action: (1) define the competencies of RNs required to care for older adults in LTCHs; (2) create an LTCH environment in which the RN role is differentiated from other team members and RNs can practice to their full scope; and (3) prepare RN leaders to operate effectively in person-centered care LTCH environments. In addition to clear recommendations for practice, the Consortium identified several areas in which further research is needed. The Consortium advocated for a research agenda that emphasizes an international coordination of research efforts to explore similar issues, the pursuit of examining the impact of nursing and organizational models, and the showcasing of excellence in nursing practice in care homes, so that others might learn from what works. Several studies already under way are also described

Palmitic Acid Hydroxystearic Acids Activate GPR40, Which Is Involved in Their Beneficial Effects on Glucose Homeostasis.

Palmitic acid hydroxystearic acids (PAHSAs) are endogenous lipids with anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory effects. PAHSA levels are reduced in serum and adipose tissue of insulin-resistant people and high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. Here, we investigated whether chronic PAHSA treatment enhances insulin sensitivity and which receptors mediate PAHSA effects. Chronic PAHSA administration in chow- and HFD-fed mice raises serum and tissue PAHSA levels ∼1.4- to 3-fold. This improves insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance without altering body weight. PAHSA administration in chow-fed, but not HFD-fed, mice augments insulin and glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) secretion. PAHSAs are selective agonists for GPR40, increasing Ca+2 flux, but not intracellular cyclic AMP. Blocking GPR40 reverses improvements in glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in PAHSA-treated chow- and HFD-fed mice and directly inhibits PAHSA augmentation of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in human islets. In contrast, GLP-1 receptor blockade in PAHSA-treated chow-fed mice reduces PAHSA effects on glucose tolerance, but not on insulin sensitivity. Thus, PAHSAs activate GPR40, which is involved in their beneficial metabolic effects.Supported by NIH grants R01 DK43051, P30 DK57521 (B.B.K.), and R01 DK106210 (B.B.K. and A. Saghatelian); a grant from the JPB Foundation (B.B.K.); and T32DK07516 (B.B.K. and J.L.)