Data In, Data Out

Catalog for the exhibition Data In, Data Out held at the Seton Hall University Walsh Gallery, October 31 - December 16, 2011. Curated by Jeanne Brasile. Includes an essay by Jeanne Brasile. Includes color illustrations

Green Hybrid Composites From Cellulose Nanocrystal

Cellulose is the most abundant renewable polymer in nature. The hierarchical organization of natural plant fibers allows the extraction of nanoscale highly crystalline core fraction of cellulosic microfibrils known as cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs). There have been an increasing number of research and development efforts in both industrial and scientific communities to study the properties and characteristics of CNC especially in polymer composite materials with the aim of improving various structural and mechanical properties, as well as, developing novel functional materials using the CNCs as building blocks. This chapter provides a review on various aspects of these novel materials that include preparation, extraction method, and surface modification techniques of CNC, as well as, polymer/CNC interfacial considerations, processing methods, and properties such as mechanical, thermal, rheological, and gas barrier performance

Mitochondrial respiratory states and rates: Building blocks of mitochondrial physiology (Part 1)

Supporting co-authors: Bakker BM, Bernardi P, Boetker HE, Borsheim E, Borutaitė V, Bouitbir J, Calbet JA, Calzia E, Chaurasia B, Clementi E, Coker RH, Collin A, Das AM, De Palma C, Dubouchaud H, Durham WJ, Dyrstad SE, Engin AB, Fornaro M, Gan Z, Garlid KD, Garten A, Gourlay CW, Granata C, Haas CB, Haavik J, Haendeler J, Hand SC, Hepple RT, Hickey AJ, Hoel F, Jang DH, Kainulainen H, Khamoui AV, Klingenspor M, Koopman WJH, Kowaltowski AJ, Krajcova A, Lane N, Lenaz G, Malik A, Markova M, Mazat JP, Menze MA, Methner A, Neuzil J, Oliveira MT, Pallotta ML, Parajuli N, Pettersen IKN, Porter C, Pulinilkunnil T, Ropelle ER, Salin K, Sandi C, Sazanov LA, Silber AM, Skolik R, Smenes BT, Soares FAA, Sokolova I, Sonkar VK, Swerdlow RH, Szabo I, Trifunovic A, Thyfault JP, Valentine JM, Vieyra A, Votion DM, Williams C, Zischka HAs the knowledge base and importance of mitochondrial physiology to human health expand, the necessity for harmonizing nomenclature concerning mitochondrial respiratory states and rates has become increasingly apparent. Clarity of concept and consistency of nomenclature are key trademarks of a research field. These trademarks facilitate effective transdisciplinary communication, education, and ultimately further discovery. Peter Mitchell’s chemiosmotic theory establishes the link between vectorial and scalar energy transformation and coupling in oxidative phosphorylation. The unifying concept of the protonmotive force provides the framework for developing a consistent theory and nomenclature for mitochondrial physiology and bioenergetics. Herein, we follow IUPAC guidelines on general terms of physical chemistry, extended by considerations on open systems and irreversible thermodynamics. We align the nomenclature and symbols of classical bioenergetics with a concept-driven constructive terminology to express the meaning of each quantity clearly and consistently. In this position statement, in the frame of COST Action MitoEAGLE, we endeavour to provide a balanced view on mitochondrial respiratory control and a critical discussion on reporting data of mitochondrial respiration in terms of metabolic flows and fluxes. Uniform standards for evaluation of respiratory states and rates will ultimately support the development of databases of mitochondrial respiratory function in species, tissues, and cells.We thank M. Beno for management assistance. Supported by COST Action CA15203 MitoEAGLE and K-Regio project MitoFit (E.G.).N

Pancreatic surgery outcomes: multicentre prospective snapshot study in 67 countries

Background: Pancreatic surgery remains associated with high morbidity rates. Although postoperative mortality appears to have improved with specialization, the outcomes reported in the literature reflect the activity of highly specialized centres. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes following pancreatic surgery worldwide.Methods: This was an international, prospective, multicentre, cross-sectional snapshot study of consecutive patients undergoing pancreatic operations worldwide in a 3-month interval in 2021. The primary outcome was postoperative mortality within 90 days of surgery. Multivariable logistic regression was used to explore relationships with Human Development Index (HDI) and other parameters.Results: A total of 4223 patients from 67 countries were analysed. A complication of any severity was detected in 68.7 percent of patients (2901 of 4223). Major complication rates (Clavien-Dindo grade at least IIIa) were 24, 18, and 27 percent, and mortality rates were 10, 5, and 5 per cent in low-to-middle-, high-, and very high-HDI countries respectively. The 90-day postoperative mortality rate was 5.4 per cent (229 of 4223) overall, but was significantly higher in the low-to-middle-HDI group (adjusted OR 2.88, 95 per cent c.i. 1.80 to 4.48). The overall failure-to-rescue rate was 21 percent; however, it was 41 per cent in low-to-middle-compared with 19 per cent in very high-HDI countries.Conclusion: Excess mortality in low-to-middle-HDI countries could be attributable to failure to rescue of patients from severe complications. The authors call for a collaborative response from international and regional associations of pancreatic surgeons to address management related to death from postoperative complications to tackle the global disparities in the outcomes of pancreatic surgery (NCT04652271; ISRCTN95140761)