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Dietary fructose, especially in the context of a high-fat western diet, has been linked to type 2 diabetes. Although the effect of fructose on liver metabolism has been extensively studied, a significant portion of the fructose is first metabolized in the small intestine. Here, we report that dietary fat enhances intestinal fructose metabolism, which releases glycerate into the blood. Chronic high systemic glycerate levels induce glucose intolerance by slowly damaging pancreatic islet cells and reducing islet sizes. Our findings provide a link between dietary fructose and diabetes that is modulated by dietary fat.

Guns and gun violence have become a widely discussed and hotly debated concern across the United States. With gun violence on the rise and mass shootings provoking powerful emotional outrage, the question often rests with what can or should be done to rectify these societal issues. This paper examines the attitudes of guns expressed through two qualitative interviews of gun owners in the United States. The paper observes many of the same outrage amongst these gun owners of Americans with seemingly little to show in the way of public policy progress for protecting citizens. Still, differences persist in what should be or can be done. The paper recommends more expansive study on this critical group of citizens involved in future United States gun safety and policy debate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the relationship between income levels and pro-environmental behavior using a utility customer survey. Amid urgent environmental challenges like pollution and climate change, it investigates how household income influences such behavior. Respondents were divided into high-income (90% or above) and lower income (below 90%) groups. While results were inconclusive, indicating no significant inclination toward pro-environmental behavior in higher-income groups, commonalities in perceived behaviors were observed. Notable differences included larger household sizes, greater satisfaction with natural gas utilities, and longer residency among higher-income respondents. However, factors like age, political preferences, and utility satisfaction showed no significant disparity. Although the high-income group was slightly more inclined toward energy-saving measures, both groups prioritized energy conservation similarly. Income-related discrepancies in self-awareness regarding home efficiency compared to neighbors were negligible. This study augments existing research but suggests the necessity for further research across different jurisdictions and timeframes to measure income's impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inglehart developed a theory examining the changes of values in post-industrial societies from materialist towards post-materialist views. Inglehart contended that the rise of post-materialism helps explain the rise of environmentalism since the 1960s. Through a 2022 survey targeting individual utility customers, we employed Inglehart's post-materialist index examining the impact of environmental behavior and other attributes. This study considers demographic profiling for material and post-materialist views in light of recent social movements and inflationary pressures. We observed that materialists, predominately Asians and Whites, tend to be older, are homeowners, are either married or widowed, and have lived in their homes the longest. Post-materialists were also found to be young, partnered, politically liberal, and least likely to be Asian. While investigated, environmental behavior was not explained by any of the demographic characteristics. We suggest research assessing any value shifts pertaining to attitudes and behaviors towards environmental behavior. Future research should obtain a more representative minority-group sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article delves into student course feedback using publicly available data from the University of North Texas. It examines factors influencing elevated student course evaluation ratings in the Information Technology and Decision Sciences department. The study reveals a positive relationship between higher response rates and better evaluation scores. The challenge index, individual course engagement, and difficulty are linked to higher scores. Course level impacts scores, with higher-level courses receiving higher ratings. This prompts further investigation into why full professors may not outperform associates in student ratings, advocating for broader research into characteristics influencing course evaluation performance. The study contributes valuable insights into academia and fostering discussions on business faculty assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2023, with increasingly broad adoption of conventional utility energy efficiency programs such as rebates or customer incentives on water heaters, furnaces, and home insulation levels, new and next‐generation energy efficiency programs will likely involve increasingly connected devices and technological interventions. This article identifies four technological trends driving utility residential energy efficiency programs for the future. These trends include: (1) home energy reports (or comparative usage efficiency reports); (2) connected reinforced programs including utility pledge programs and demand response programs; (3) smart thermostats; and (4) smart lighting. This article indicates that ultimately, greater convergence around technology is likely to persist given utility investment in Automated Meter Integration (AMI) systems and broader customer‐driven technological adoption. Ultimately, this article advocates for continued broad‐based adoption of these programs to save energy and mitigate the impacts of climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Director takes us through his clinic as if we were a woman patient who comes in for assistance. A medical history chart is filled out by a woman intake person and the patient is referred to the Triage person, the bridge between the patient, the medical section, and the laboratory. Further material deals with very basic questions that any free clinic should ask itself before it opens: What are the health problems in this community? Who are its community leaders and how can we contact them? What are the health laws? And what are the pharmaceutical regulations in the city and the state? There is discussion of malpractice insurance and tax status. The importance of counselor sensitization is brought out, as well as the importance of training. A very thorough and detailed presentation of the organization and the materials required in the examining room, the pharmacy, and the laboratory is given, as well as the procedures for the sterilization of nondisposable instruments, and how to obtain medical and dental supplies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]