cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Changing BMI Categories and Healthcare Expenditures Among Elderly Medicare Beneficiaries

To examine the association between changes in BMI categories and health-care expenditures among elderly Medicare beneficiaries using longitudinal data of the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS) 2000–2005. Changes in BMI were (i) Stayed Normal: individuals with a normal BMI at baseline and follow-up; (ii) Stayed Overweight individuals with overweight BMI at baseline and follow-up; (iii) Stayed Obese individuals with obese BMI at baseline and follow-up; (iv) Normal-Overweight: individuals with normal BMI at baseline and overweight BMI at follow-up; (v) Overweight-Obese: individuals with overweight BMI at baseline and obese BMI at follow-up; (vi) Overweight-Normal: individuals with overweight BMI at baseline and normal BMI at follow-up; (vii) Obese-Overweight: individuals with obese BMI at baseline and overweight BMI at follow-up. Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) models on logged Year 3 expenditures were used to analyze changes in expenditures between BMI categories. Overall, 35% Stayed Normal, 34% Stayed Overweight, 18% Stayed Obese, 4% gained weight from Normal-Overweight BMI, 3% gained weight from Overweight-Obese BMI, 5% lost weight from Overweight-Normal BMI, and 3% lost weight from Obese-Overweight BMI. Adjusted models revealed those who Stayed Obese had increased total and multiple expenditure types that were significantly higher than Stayed Normal including total (11%), outpatient (25%), prescription (9%), and medical provider (4%). Compared to Stayed Normal, total expenditures were both 26% higher for Obese-Overweight and Overweight-Obese. The current findings highlight the importance of maintaining a normal BMI in the elderly.
Comparison of seismic moment release rates along different types of plate boundaries

SUMMARY This is a global survey of seismic moment release rates (scalar moment/length/time) along five categories of plate boundaries; for shallow earthquakes we evaluate divergent, transcurrent and convergent boundaries; for deep earthquakes we consider separately boundaries where the deepest seismicity is intermediate (<300 km) or deep-focus (500‐600 km). The objective is to evaluate the typical range of rates observed and present the results in a form where it is straightforward to compare factors that affect rates in the different environments. For earthquakes occurring 1977‐2005, the data are scalar moments from the global centroid moment tensor catalogue; for earthquakes 1900‐1976, we use a standard formula to obtain moment
Direct Conversion of Benzylic and Allylic Alcohols to Diethyl Phosphonates

Tetrahydrofuran Triethyl phosphite Benzyl alcohol Diethyl benzylphosphonate 2 Keywords: Benzylic alcohols; Allylic alcohols; Diethyl phosphonates; Allylic phosphonates
Dahl Salt-Sensitive Rats Are Protected Against Vascular Defects Related to Diet-Induced Obesity

Obesity increases plasma renin activity and angiotensin II levels, leading to vascular damage, elevated blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, and renal damage. Because genetic deletion of crucial parts of the renin-angiotensin system protect against obesity-related cardiovascular defects, we hypothesized that Dahl salt-sensitive (SS) rats, a model of chronically low plasma renin activity and angiotensin II levels, would be protected against vascular defects during diet-induced obesity compared with SS.13(BN) consomic rats showing normal renin-angiotensin system regulation. We evaluated vascular function in middle cerebral arteries of SS or SS.13(BN) rats fed high-fat (45% kcal from fat) versus normal-fat diet for 15 to 20 weeks from weaning. Endothelium-dependent relaxation in response to acetylcholine (10(-8) to 10(-4) mol/L) was restored in middle cerebral arteries of high-fat SS rats versus normal-fat diet controls, whereas vasodilation to acetylcholine was dramatically reduced in high-fat SS 13(BN) rats versus normal-fat diet controls. These findings support the hypothesis that physiological levels of angiotensin II play an important role in maintaining normal vascular relaxation in cerebral arteries and suggest that the cerebral vasculature of the SS rat model is genetically protected against endothelial dysfunction in diet-induced obesity.
Accurate Prediction of Noncovalent Interaction Energies with the Effective Fragment Potential Method: Comparison of Energy Components to Symmetry-Adapted Perturbation Theory for the S22 Test Set

Noncovalent interactions play an important role in the stabilization of biological molecules. The effective fragment potential (EFP) is a computationally inexpensive ab initio-based method for modeling intermolecular interactions in noncovalently bound systems. The accuracy of EFP is benchmarked against the S22 and S66 data sets for noncovalent interactions [Jurecka, P.; Sponer, J.; Cerný, J.; Hobza, P. Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys.2006, 8, 1985; Řezac, J.; Riley, K. E.; Hobza, P. J. Chem. Theory Comput.2011, 7, 2427]. The mean unsigned error (MUE) of EFP interaction energies with respect to coupled-cluster singles, doubles, and perturbative triples in the complete basis set limit [CCSD(T)/CBS] is 0.9 and 0.6 kcal/mol for S22 and S66, respectively, which is similar to the MUE of MP2 and SCS-MP2 for the same data sets, but with a greatly reduced computational expense. Moreover, EFP outperforms classical force fields and popular DFT functionals such as B3LYP and PBE, while newer dispersion-corrected functionals p...
The role of forcing in the local stability of stationary long waves. Part 1. Linear dynamics

The local linear stability of forced, stationary long waves produced by topography or potential vorticity (PV) sources is examined using a quasi-geostrophic barotropic model. A multiple scale analysis yields coupled equations for the background stationary wave and low-frequency (LF) disturbance field. Forcing structures for which the LF dynamics are Hamiltonian are shown to yield conservation laws that provide necessary conditions for instability and a constraint on the LF structures that can develop. Explicit knowledge of the forcings that produce the stationary waves is shown to be crucial to predicting a unique LF field. Various topographies or external PV sources can be chosen to produce stationary waves that differ by asymptotically small amounts, yet the LF instabilities that develop can have fundamentally different structures and growth rates. If the stationary wave field is forced solely by topography, LF oscillatory modes always emerge. In contrast, if the stationary wave field is forced solely by PV, two LF structures are possible: oscillatory modes or non-oscillatory envelope modes. The development of the envelope modes within the context of a linear LF theory is novel. An analysis of the complex WKB branch points, which yields an analytical expression for the leading-order eigenfrequency, shows that the streamwise distribution of absolute instability and convective growth is central to understanding and predicting the types of LF structures that develop on the forced stationary wave. The location of the absolute instability region with respect to the stationary wave determines whether oscillatory modes or envelope modes develop. In the absence of absolute instability, eastward propagating wavetrains generated in the far field can amplify via local convective growth in the stationary wave region. If the stationary wave region is streamwise symmetric (asymmetric), the local convective growth results in a local change in wave energy that is transient (permanent).
How often does the myristoylated N-terminal latch of c-Abl come off?

The myristoylated N-terminal latching to the C-terminal lobe of c-Abl was recently demonstrated to be an important regulatory element for the kinase, playing a role similar to that of the tyrosine-phosphorylated C-terminal tail of c-Src. A potential mechanism for activating c-Abl is the dissociation of the myristoylated N-terminal latch. How often does this latch spontaneously come off? A recent theoretical model along with the experimental results of Superti-Furga, Kuriyan, and co-workers suggests that the equilibrium fraction of c-Abl in which the myristoylated N-terminal is unlatched is ∼0.5%.
From frugivore to folivore: Altitudinal variations in the diet and feeding ecology of the Bioko Island drill (Mandrillus leucophaeus poensis)

Variation in the quality and availability of food resources can greatly influence the ecology, behavior, and conservation of wild primates. We studied the influence of altitudinal differences in resource availability on diet in wild drill monkeys (Mandrillus leucophaeus poensis) on Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea. We compared fecal samples (n = 234) collected across three consecutive dry seasons for drills living in lowland (0-300 m asl) forest with nearby (18 km distance) drills living in montane forest (500-1000 m asl) in the Gran Caldera Southern Highlands Scientific Reserve. Lowland forest drills had a frugivorous diet very similar to that reported from studies on nearby mainland drills (M. l. leucophaeus) and mandrills (M. sphinx), with fruits comprising 90% of their dried fecal samples. However drills living in montane forest had a more folivorous diet, with herbaceous pith, leaves and fungi comprising 74% of their dried fecal samples and fruit becoming a minor component (24%). Furthermore, a dietary preference index indicated that the differences in the proportion of fruit and fibrous vegetation in the diets of lowland compared to montane drills was not simply a result of relative availability. Montane drills were actively consuming a higher mass of the available fruits and fibrous vegetation, a condition reflected in the greater mass of their fresh feces. Our results demonstrate the unexpected flexibility and complexity of dietary choices of this endangered species in two adjacent habitat types, a comparison of considerable importance for many other limited-range species faced with habitat loss and climate change.
Alternative Mating Tactics in Sunfishes (Centrarchidae): A Mechanism for Hybridization?

Abstract Lepomis hybridization occurs frequently in natural systems. Previous investigations of sunfish hybridization have focused on courtship behavior of interspecific pairs. We observed spawning in Lepomis nesting colonies where interspecific nest intrusions occurred. Nesting male Lepomis microlophus (redear sunfish) attempted to fertilize eggs in the adjacent nests of spawning Lepomis megalotis (longear sunfish). Male sunfish commonly employ this reproductive tactic in the nests of conspecifics. When colonies contain more than one species, hybridization may occur through interspecific nest intrusion by males on adjacent nests.
Characterization of urease from Campylobacter pylori.

Campylobacter pylori, a suspected agent of gastritis and peptic ulceration, rapidly hydrolyzes urea. Because urease serves as the basis of detection of the organism in gastric biopsies and may represent an important virulence factor, biochemical characteristics of the enzyme were determined. C. pylori was isolated from antral biopsies from 10 patients with complaints of abdominal pain or history of peptic ulcer disease. All isolates were urease positive, with an average rate of hydrolysis by cell lysates being 36 +/- 28 mumol of NH3 per min per mg of protein, more than twice that of Proteus mirabilis and 10 times that of other urinary tract isolates. The enzyme had an apparent molecular weight of 625,000 +/- 15,000 by column chromatography, an isoelectric point of 5.9, a Km of 0.8 +/- 0.1 mM urea, an optimal temperature of 45 degrees C, and an optimal pH of 8.2. Ten isolates tested produced ureases with identical electrophoretic mobilities on nondenaturing 5% polyacrylamide activity gels. Acetohydroxamic acid (100 micrograms/ml), hydroxyurea (85 micrograms/ml), flurofamide (0.05 micrograms/ml), and EDTA (8 mM) inhibited enzyme activity by 50%. Cell lysates retained 50% of initial urease activity after 6 days and 40% activity after 18 days when stored at 4 degrees C in 20 mM sodium phosphate, pH 6.8. At -70 degrees C for 18 days, 1 mM EDTA or 15% glycerol preserved 40 or 34%, respectively, of initial activity. The urease of C. pylori appears to be biochemically unique from the enzymes of other common urease-producing species. Images
Antioxidant enzymes in the honey bee, Apis mellifera

Catalase (CAT), glutathione S-transferase (GST) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activi- ties were determined in postmitochondrial fractions of tissue homogenates (spermathecae, muscle and ventriculi), in hemolymph plasma, and in semen of honey bees. The highest CAT activity was found in semen (4.8 mU/μg fresh weight), and the enzyme was confined to the spermatozoa. CAT and GST activities of ventriculi exceeded those of other tissues and hemolymph, CAT being highest in mated queen ventriculi (2.7 mU/μg) and GST highest in worker ventriculi (10 mU/mg). Spermathecae of mated queens had higher CAT and GST activities (0.84 mU/μg, and 2.4 mU/mg, re- spectively) than virgin spermathecae (0.15 mU/μg, and 1.6 mU/mg). SOD activities (15-59 mU/μg) varied less than activities of CAT or GST between tissues. Seminal plasma contained two thirds of the total SOD activity of semen and one third was in the spermatozoa. The substantial activities of all three enzymes in spermathecae of mated queens suggest their involvement in the long-term protec- tion of the spermatozoa from oxidative stress. Apis mellifera / catalase / glutathione S-transferase / superoxide dismutase
A survey of the relevance of computer science and software engineering education

We describe a study of 168 software professionals to determine how relevant their education has been to their careers. Starting with a list of 57 topics, we asked the participants to indicate how much they learned in university, how much they know now, how useful the material has been and whether they would like to learn more. We conclude from the results that certain software engineering topics should be given more emphasis, while the emphasis on certain mathematics topics should be changed.
Politics and Criminal Law: Revision of the New York State Penal Law on Prostitution

propriate accommodations as to costs and risks. The involuntary termination of the career, however, often leads to even further estrangement, for as Lemert has suggested, ". .. (when) the exconvict advances economically to the point where better positions become open to him, he may be rejected because of inability to obtain a bond or because his past criminal record comes to light. If the man's aspirational roles are low, he may adjust successfully as, say, a laborer or casual worker; otherwise, he nearly always shows the marks of his difficult struggle."26 The careerist thus eventually returns to his former milieu after the career is ended, whether he leaves it voluntarily or is forced to relinquish it by being caught and confined. In the latter instance, however, the stigmatic burden of the identified criminal makes it extremely difficult for him ever to lift himself above his circle:
The Sensitivity of Pressurized Thermal Shock Analysis Results to Alternative Models for Weld Flaw Distributions

The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (USNRC) initiated a comprehensive project in 1999 to determine if improved technologies can provide a technical basis to reduce the conservatism in the current regulations for pressurized thermal shock (PTS) while continuing to provide reasonable assurance of adequate protection to public health and safety. A relaxation of PTS regulations could have profound implications for plant license renewal considerations. During the PTS re-evaluation study, an improved risk-informed computational methodology was developed that provides a more realistic characterization of PTS risk. This updated methodology was recently applied to three commercial PWRs. The results of this study provide encouragement that a technical basis can be established to support a relaxation of current PTS regulations. One significant model improvement applied in the PTS re-evaluation study was the development of flaw databases derived from the non-destructive and destructive examinations of material from cancelled reactor pressure vessels (RPV). Empirically-based statistical distributions derived from these databases and expert illicitation were used to postulate the number, size, and location of flaws in welded and base metal (plate and forging) regions of an RPV during probabilistic fracture mechanics (PFM) analyses of RPVs subjected to transient loading conditions such as PTS. However, limitations in the available flaw data have required assumptions to be made to complete the risk-based flaw models. Sensitivity analyses were performed to evaluate the impact of four flaw-related assumptions. Analyses addressed: 1) truncations of distributions to exclude flaws of extreme depth dimensions, 2) vessel-to-vessel differences in flaw data, 3) large flaws observed in weld repair regions, and 4) the basis for estimating the number of surface breaking flaws. None of the four alternate weld flaw models significantly impacted calculated vessel failure frequencies or invalidated the tentative conclusions derived from the USNRC PTS re-evaluation study.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
A simple, inexpensive, and field‐relevant microcosm tidal simulator for use in marsh macrophyte studies

Premise of the study: A microcosm unit with tidal simulation was developed to address the challenge of maintaining ecologically relevant tidal regimes while performing controlled greenhouse experiments on smooth cordgrass, Spartina alterniflora. Methods and Results: We designed a simple, inexpensive, easily replicated microcosm unit with tidal simulation and tested whether S. alterniflora growth in microcosms with tidal simulation was similar to that of tidally influenced plants in the field on Sapelo Island, Georgia. After three months of exposure to either natural or simulated tidal treatment, plants in microcosms receiving tidal simulation had similar stem density, height, and above- and belowground biomass to plants in field plots. Conclusions: The tidal simulator developed may provide an inexpensive, effective method for conducting studies on S. alterniflora and other tidally influenced plants in controlled settings to be used not only to complement field studies, but also in locations without coasta...
Effect of annealing and HNO3-treatment on the electrical properties of transparent conducting carbon nanotube films

Thin films of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) were prepared by vacuum filtration. The electrical behavior of the as-prepared, annealed and HNO"3-treated SWCNT thin films was investigated. The results demonstrated that the post-treatments play an important role in modifying the electrical properties of the SWCNT thin films. The changes in the electrical properties upon annealing and HNO"3-treatment were attributed to the chemical-charge-transfer. A room-temperature ethanol alcohol sensor based on the SWCNT film has been demonstrated.
The laparoscopic management of small-bowel obstruction.

Abstract Background Small-bowel obstruction (SBO) is a common cause of hospital admission. Our objectives were to determine outcomes of laparoscopic adhesiolysis and outline clinical parameters for its utilization. Methods We reviewed medical records of patients with SBO undergoing initial laparoscopic treatment by the authors between July 1997 and March 2006. Data obtained included demographics, clinical and radiologic presentation, intraoperative outcomes, and postoperative course. Results Forty-two patients were included for analysis. The mean age was 54.3 years, whereas the mean body mass index was 29.5 (range 20.2–46.1). Laparoscopy diagnosed the site of obstruction in all patients. Thirty-five patients (83.3%) were successfully treated laparoscopically without conversion to laparotomy. The median procedural time was lower in patients completed laparoscopically (96.3 vs 207.3 minutes, P = .006). The median postoperative stay was 6.5 days (range 1–19) in patients who were completed laparoscopically. Conclusions Laparoscopy is safe and feasible in the management of acute SBO in selected patients. It is an excellent diagnostic tool and therapeutic in most cases.
NUMERICAL ADVECTION EXPERIMENTS1

Abstract First, second, and fourth order finite difference approximations to the color equation in both advection and conservation form are considered in one and two space dimensions. All schemes considered are based on forward time differences and most involve centered space differences. All are shown to be numerically stable for |uΔt/Δx| ≤ 1. Test calculations indicate that for the same order of accuracy, the conservation form produces more accurate solutions than the advection form. For either conservation or advection form, fourth order schemes are shown to be more accurate than second or first order schemes in terms of both amplitude and phase errors.
Critical infrastructure network analysis enabled by simulation metamodeling

This paper presents an application of simulation metamodeling to improve the analysis capabilities within a decision support tool for Critical Infrastructure network evaluation. Simulation metamodeling enables timeliness of analysis, which was not achievable by the original large-scale network simulation due to long set-up times and slow run times. We show through a case study that the behavior of a large-scale simulation for Critical Infrastructure analysis can be effectively captured by Neural Network metamodels and Stochastic Kriging metamodels. Within the case study, metamodeling is integrated into the second step of a two-step analysis process for vulnerability assessment of the network. This consists first of an algorithmic exploration of a power grid network to locate the most susceptible links leading to cascading failures. These links represent the riskiest links in the network and were used by the metamodels to visualize how their failure probabilities affect global network performance measures.
Graphics hardware

Graphics hardware is far faster, smaller, cheaper, and more capable than 20 years ago, and it will obviously continue on that path. Memory and processor advances have let us move texture mapping and surface occlusion from software to hardware. We'll no doubt move more sophisticated modeling, lighting and imaging operations into future hardware. Chip I/O rates will continue to advance more slowly than transistor count and, as a result, graphics processors and memory will become ever more highly integrated. Putting memory and processor on the same chip will encourage massive parallelism, because on-chip bandwidth is staggering compared to that between chips. Integrating CPU and graphics is more a business issue than a technical one; game consoles represent one area where tight integration is mandatory. A more interesting question for looking 20 years into the future might be: what will be new? What fundamentally new capabilities can we predict as a result of hardware advances? What fundamentally new capabilities would we like to have but can't predict how, or if, we can achieve them? Advances in image generation hardware haven't fundamentally changed what an individual can actually do in an application; in contrast, some graphics hardware advances have created fundamental changes. We already have a start on some promising graphics hardware technologies that may enable fundamental changes in what we do in graphics over the next 20 years.
The Environmental Fall of the Roman Empire

Global environmental history is currently being enriched by troves of new data, and new models of environmental variability and human impact. Earth scientists are rapidly expanding historians’ knowledge of the paleoclimate through the recovery and analysis of climate proxies such as ice cores, tree rings, stalagmites, and marine and lake sediments. Further, archaeologists and anthropologists are using novel techniques and methods to study the history of health and disease, as revealed through examination of bones and paleomolecular evidence. These possibilities open the way for historians to participate in a conversation about the long history of environmental change and human response. This essay considers how one of the most classic of all historical questions–the fall of the Roman Empire–can receive an answer enriched by new knowledge about the role of environmental change.
An Optical Waveguide Formed by Aluminum Nitride thin film on Sapphire

We have investigated an optical waveguide formed by aluminum nitride (AlN) thin film on sapphire. A good quality AlN thin film on sapphire substrate was prepared by metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) in this laboratory. A rutile prism coupler was employed to display the waveguide modes (N-lines) with wavelengths of 632.8, 532.1, 514.5 and 488.0 nm. The refractive index and thickness of the waveguide material is obtained by prism-coupler measurement. The dispersion curve of the AlN film is given and the dispersion equation is derived. The attenuation in the waveguide is evaluated by scattering loss measurements using a fiber probe. The attenuation coefficient alpha (α) is 1.5- 2.1 cm −1 depending on the sample and the different modes of waveguide. The accuracy of the measurement is discussed.
Comparison of Transversus Abdominis Plane Infiltration with Liposomal Bupivacaine versus Continuous Epidural Analgesia versus Intravenous Opioid Analgesia

Epidural analgesia is considered the standard of care but cannot be provided to all patients Liposomal bupivacaine has been approved for field blocks such as transversus abdominis plane (TAP) blocks but has not been clinically compared against other modalities. In this retrospective propensity matched cohort study we thus tested the primary hypothesis that TAP infiltration are noninferior (not worse) to continuous epidural analgesia and superior (better) to intravenous opioid analgesia in patients recovering from major lower abdominal surgery. 318 patients were propensity matched on 18 potential factors among three groups (106 per group): 1) TAP infiltration with bupivacaine liposome; 2) continuous Epidural analgesia with plain bupivacaine; and; 3) intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV PCA). We claimed TAP noninferior (not worse) over Epidural if TAP was noninferior (not worse) on total morphine-equivalent opioid and time-weighted average pain score (10-point scale) within first 72 hours after surgery with noninferiority deltas of 1 (10-point scale) for pain and an increase less of 20% in the mean morphine equivalent opioid consumption. We claimed TAP or Epidural groups superior (better) over IV PCA if TAP or Epidural was superior on opioid consumption and at least noninferior on pain outcome. Multivariable linear regressions within the propensity-matched cohorts were used to model total morphine-equivalent opioid dose and time-weighted average pain score within first 72 hours after surgery; joint hypothesis framework was used for formal testing. TAP infiltration were noninferior to Epidural on both primary outcomes (p<0.001). TAP infiltration were noninferior to IV PCA on pain scores (p = 0.001) but we did not find superiority on opioid consumption (p = 0.37). We did not find noninferiority of Epidural over IV PCA on pain scores (P = 0.13) and nor did we find superiority on opioid consumption (P = 0.98). TAP infiltration with liposomal bupivacaine and continuous epidural analgesia were similar in terms of pain and opioid consumption, and not worse in pain compared with IV PCA. TAP infiltrations might be a reasonable alternative to epidural analgesia in abdominal surgical patients. A large randomized trial comparing these techniques is justified.
Recognizing victims of physical and sexual abuse.

Interpersonal and family violence has been recognized as a public health problem since the midseventies and eighties. Despite concerted efforts by society to protect children, women, and the elderly, the physical and sexual abuse and neglect of these vulnerable populations continue. Nurses are in pivotal roles to recognize when their patients are victims of abuse. In addition, nurses have significant responsibilities in intervening in cases of abuse and neglect. Competency in interpersonal and family violence includes skills in physical asssessment, relationship building, and interviewing skills. Nurses should also have knowledge of protective laws and other legal requirements which may be needed for protection. Since interpersonal violence involves risk factors in the victim, nurses need self-awareness skills to prevent bias and judgement from clouding the identification of abuse and/or neglect.
Genetic and environmental factors affecting ethanol metabolism in man.

The relative contribution of genetic and environmental factors to maintaining twofold differences in rates of ethanol elimination from plasma was examined in 14 sets of nonmedicated, nonhospitalized healthy twins. After a single oral dose of 1 ml. per kilogram of 95 per cent ethanol, intrapair differences in rates of elimination were less in identical than in fraternal twins. Thew results indicate that individual differences in rates of ethanol elimination among the 28 twins were genetically controlled and that environmental factors played a negligible role. In 6 prisoners in solitary confinement, rates of ethanol metabolism increased in 3 but declined in the remaining 3 after 21 days of ethanol administration. Rates of antipyrine elimination from plasma were accelerated by ethanol administration in each of the 6 volunteers. Considerable individual variation occurred in the degree to which ethanol shortened plasma antipyrine half-lifes; reduction ranged from 4 to 37 per cent of the initial antipyrine half-life. These results suggest that ethanol administration for 21 days at this dosage fails to alter consistently the rate of its own metabolism but increases antipyrine metabolism in all subjects to varying extents.
Biobased polymer films from avocado oil extraction residue: Production and characterization

In view of the increasing interest in the use of residues from the food industry as source for packing applications, the by-product of the mechanical extraction of avocado oil is an attractive product as it consists basically a hydrated and defatted pulp, rich in proteins, fibers. and oil. This work aims to produce biobased polymer films from avocado oil extraction residue. Seven film-forming solutions were elaborated from puree and the additives tested were glycerol, cassava starch, and microcrystalline cellulose. The films obtained from the pure residue presented brittle behavior. All films presented low values of water vapor permeability (0.064 to 0.446 g mm m−2·kPa−1 h−1) and medium water soluble fraction (43.79 to 56.92%). The films with cassava starch and glycerol presented the best results, with mechanical (tensile: 2.70 MPa; elongation: 13.7%) and thermal properties in the range typically found in the literature for biobased films. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43957.
Recovery of Proteins from Dried Polyacrylamide Gels after Fluorography

Several methods are available for recovering proteins electrophoretically from polyacrylamide gels directly after electrophoresis or after staining for protein (see, for example, Chapter 19 ). Fluorography (see Chapter 17 ) is used to detect small amounts of proteins or specifically modified forms of proteins by labeling these with specific precursors such as (3)H-lysine or (3)H-acetate.
Generation of intense 100 fs solitons tunable from 2 to 43 μm in fluoride fiber

There is great interest in sources of coherent radiation in the mid-wave infrared (3–5 μm), and instruments based on fiber can offer major practical advantages. This range, and much broader, can be covered easily by supercontinuum generation in soft glass fibers, but with low power spectral density. For applications that require intense ultrashort pulses, fiber sources are quite limited. In this Letter, we report a fiber-based system that generates 100 fs pulses with 5 nJ energy, continuously wavelength-tunable over 2–4.3 μm through the soliton self-frequency shift (SSFS) in fluoride fibers. The pulse energies are 2 orders of magnitude higher than those previously achieved by SSFS, around 3 μm, and the range of wavelengths is extended by 1000 nm. Peak power ranges from 20 to 75 kW are achieved across the tuning range. Numerical simulations are in good agreement with the experimental results, and indicate the potential for few-cycle soliton generation out to 5.6 μm. Fiber-integrated sources of femtosecond pulses tunable across this region should be valuable for mid-infrared applications.
Will the 'Pokémon' be Heroes in the Battle Against Physical Inactivity?

Page 13 Physical inactivity increases the risks of dying prematurely, dying of heart disease, and developing diabetes, colon cancer and high blood pressure.1 However, there exists a large portion of the population who remain physically inactive and others who are active but do not engage in a sufficient amount of physical activity to maintain health.2 Multiple factors underlie this dilemma, including personal, social and environmental issues, all of which have made the promotion of physical activity a challenging endeavor. Interestingly, in the past few months (as of early July, 2016) anecdotal evidence suggests more people have been going outside and engaging in physical activity. This is not related to any “national fitness initiatives” or the like, but simply as part of playing a game called ‘Pokemon Go’. This new mobile gamming application uses an augmented reality and GPS location systems to create a map of the local environment. Individuals can use their phones to track and catch Pokemon (virtual creatures). The most intriguing aspect from a public health perspective is that people must actually engage in physical activity (e.g. walking, biking) to be successful playing the game. Amit Khera, MD, Director of Preventive Cardiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas notes, “Unlike many apps or video games which are largely sedentary endeavors, this one promotes physical activity in the outdoors. Importantly, the physical activity is a by-product rather than an explicit component, such as one sees with other “Fit” video games that can turn off some young adults. So, kids and adults are getting outdoors, engaging in social interaction, and are participating (unintentionally) in physical activity it is a win-win all around”! With reported downloads of the game exceeding 100 million since July 2016, why is this particular game, with inherent design features to promote physical activity, so popular? Maybe even more importantly, can this popularity (as well as the associated increased physical activity participation) be sustained over a long enough period to impact public health?
Model-independent analysis of B→πK decays and bounds on the weak phase γ

A general parametrization of the amplitudes for the rare two-body de- cays B ! K is introduced, which makes maximal use of theoretical constraints arising fromflavour symmetries of the strong interactions and the structure of the low-energy eective weak Hamiltonian. With the help of this parametrization, a model-independent analysis of the branching ratios and direct CP asymmetries in the various B! Kdecay modes is performed, and the impact of hadronic uncer- tainties on bounds on the weak phase =arg( V ub ) is investigated.
Abstract 175: The Role of Axl in Accumulation of Immune Cells in Kidney and the Onset of Hypertension

Introduction: Gas6/Axl pathway contributes to elevation of blood pressure. Immune cells are implicated in initiation and maintenance of hypertension. In this study we aimed to investigate the role of Axl in immune cells on kidney injury and initiation of hypertension. Methods and Results: Deoxycorticosterone-acetate (DOCA; 75mg, 60days release) and salt hypertension was induced for 1wk or 6wks in four groups of Axl chimeras (n=4-5) that were generated by bone marrow (BM) transplant. Multi parameter flow cytometry was used to quantify five major immune cell subsets in digested kidneys from Axl chimeras. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) increased by 30mmHg in Axl+/+ →Axl+/+, Axl-/- →Axl-/- and Axl+/+ →Axl-/- mice after 1wk of DOCA-salt. However, chimeras that lack Axl in the BM cells (Axl-/- →Axl+/+) showed reduction in early increase in SBP (16+2mmHg). We observed a significant decrease in urine protein levels in Axl-/- →Axl+/+ (0.3+0.1μg/μl) compared to other Axl chimeras (∼0.7μg/μl) after 1wk of DOCA-salt. Kidney glomeruli areas were reduced in Axl-/- →Axl+/+ (4,143+229μm 2 ) compared to other Axl chimeras (∼6,000μm 2 ) after 6wks of DOCA-salt. Kidneys from Axl-/- →Axl-/- showed an increase in total leukocytes (8 vs. 4%), B cells (29 vs. 12%) and decrease in monocytes/macrophages (16 vs. 22%) and dendritic cells (5 vs. 10%) compared to Axl+/+ →Axl+/+. Moreover, Axl-/- →Axl+/+ showed further increase in leukocytes (17%), B (39%) and dendritic (13%) cells in kidneys compared to other Axl chimeras. In addition a small percentage of wild type T cells was increased in the kidneys from Axl-/- →Axl+/+ chimeras. Conclusions: These findings suggest that Axl expression in BM-derived cells is critical for kidney injury in DOCA-salt hypertension. Axl-dependent pathways regulate immune cell populations in the kidneys during initiation of hypertension. This study was supported by HL105623 grant (VAK)
Measles immunization coverage determined by serology and immunization record from children in two Chicago communities.

SYNOPSIS Objectives. We compared the prevalence of measles immunization determined by serology with the prevalence of measles immunization determined by immunization records, and identified factors predictive of measles immunization among a sample of children from two Chicago communities. Methods. We collected demographic information and blood specimens from a sample of children aged 12-71 months in two Chicago communities at risk for low measles immunization coverage levels. We collected immunization informa tion from provider records, parent-held records, and the statewide immuniza tion registry. We compared evidence of immunization determined by serology with evidence of immunization from these three sources of immunization records.
Reconstruction of Lateral Tip: Two Methods of Repair

Presented are two individuals with similar cutaneous defects involving the lateral nasal tip. Each defect was repaired by a different approach. Each approach was selected based on a number of factors.
Esophageal pH and Impedance Monitoring

pH monitoring and multichannel intraluminal impedance (pH-MII) are two catheter-based methods for measuring reflux. pH monitoring has been the gold standard test for measuring acid reflux and forms the basis for many therapeutic trials. Its primary limitations are that (1) it only can measure acid reflux yet misses non-acid reflux, (2) it cannot differentiate swallowed contents from reflux contents, and (3) it cannot accurately measure refluxate height. pH-MII can overcome all of these limitations yet data is lacking on how pH-MII changes clinical outcome beyond a standard pH probe. Additionally, there are no normal pH-MII values in children other than preterm infants and the interpretation of the studies is still time consuming both of which currently limit the clinical utility of the test. pH-MII has, however, replaced pH monitoring in diagnostic and therapeutic reflux trials and undoubtedly the limitations of the technology will be overcome with additional future studies. This chapter discusses in detail the benefits and limitations of these technologies, as well as some other new methods of reflux monitoring.
Pancreatic and Snake Venom Phospholipases A2

Chapters 6–8 covered the mammalian phospholipases that are cellular for the most part. This chapter and the following chapters also include some mammalian phospholipases A2; however, these are extracellular and originate from the pancreas of different species. Since the pancreatic phospholipases are of a general class of phospholipases A2 that are closely related to the enzymes from venoms, they are covered together. There is reason to believe that some cellular phospholipases A2 might have properties in common with the extracellular digestive phospholipases A2. As pointed out in Chapter 7, however, insufficient information is available at this time to speculate further on this point.
Does Latinx Representation Matter for Latinx Student Retention in STEM

Using student-level data, this study explores the relationship between Latinx student representation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and student retention. Results reveal...
Quantification of the complexity and unpredictability of a turbulent cylinder wake using excess entropy

Abstract The complexity of a turbulent wake flow is studied using the excess entropy method. Turbulent complexity originates from the deterministic but unpredictable nature of the governing equation, and the excess entropy method is useful in providing a systematic way to quantify the random and coherent patterns in a flow field using information-per-letter and degree-of-complexity, respectively. In this study, the excess entropy calculated using the transverse velocity component decreases considerably along the stream-wise direction, which is consistent with the fact that large-scale structures dissociate and disappear in the far wake. The flow gradually becomes more random and unpredictable. On the other hand, the excess entropy obtained from the streamwise velocity sequence reveals that the pattern of small-scale structures remains largely unchanged during the flow evolution, even though their intensity becomes weaker. Quantifying the coherence and randomness of turbulence provides a more complete description of a complex flow field. The parameter selection in the complexity evaluation is also discussed in the paper.
Structure and expression of the cDNA encoding human neutrophil collagenase.

We have isolated and characterized a 2.4-kb cDNA clone encoding human neutrophil collagenase (HNC), a member of the family of matrix metalloproteinases restricted to secondary granules within neutrophils. Partial amino acid sequence was used to deduce oligonucleotide probes. These probes were used to screen a human granulocyte cDNA library derived from messenger RNA (mRNA) from a patient with chronic granulocytic leukemia. Cell-free translation of RNA produced from the cDNA produced a 52-Kd protein that was recognized by anti-HNC antibody. The cDNA clone was sequenced and shown to encode a 467-residue protein whose sequence matched those regions currently known for HNC. The enzyme exhibits 58% homology to human fibroblast collagenase and has the same domain structure. It consists of a 20-residue signal peptide, and an 80-residue propeptide that is lost on autolytic activation by cleavage of an M-L bond. Other regions identified include the autolytic degradation site, the “cysteine switch” residue that is involved in latency and activation, and a putative zinc binding sequence. HNC has six potential N-linked glycosylation sites. The cDNA hybridized to a 3.4-kb mRNA in RNA from a patient with chronic granulocytic leukemia, but not to RNA from uninduced HL60 cells or HL60 cells that had been induced to undergo granulocytic or monocytic maturation with dimethyl sulfoxide or 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate, respectively. These results parallel those seen with lactoferrin and transcobalamin I, two other secondary granule proteins.
Treatment Strategies for Memory Disorders

Establishment of etiology is an essential prerequisite for the treatment of memory disorders. It is estimated that 20% to 40% of the patients may have treatable disorders resulting from metabolic disturbances, alcohol abuse, intracranial pathology such as hematoma, tumor, and abcess, and psychiatric disorders such as dissociative disorders and depression. The remaining 50–60% of the cases of dementia are likely to suffer from primary degenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease. This group of patients should be differentiated from the rapidly growing population of aged individuals in their 60s and 70s who suffer from progressive deterioration of cognitive and memory functions.
Contribution of common chronic conditions to midlife physical function decline: The Study of Women's Health Across the Nation.

Chronic conditions are associated with worse physical function and commonly develop during midlife. We tested whether the presence of 8 chronic conditions, or the development of these conditions, is associated with declines in physical function among midlife women as they transition into early late life. Participants (N = 2283) were from the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation. Physical function was assessed at 8 visits starting at the study’s fourth clinic visit in 2000/2001 through follow-up visit 15 (2015/2017) using the Short Form-36 Physical Function subscale. Chronic conditions included diabetes, hypertension, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, stroke, heart disease, cancer, and depressive symptoms. Repeated-measures Poisson regression modeled associations between 1) prevalent chronic conditions at analytic baseline (visit 4) and longitudinal physical function, and 2) change in physical function associated with developing a new condition. Models were adjusted with the total number of other chronic conditions at visit 4. In separate fully-adjusted longitudinal models, prevalent heart disease and osteoporosis were associated with 18% (IRR = 0.815, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.755–0.876) and 12% (IRR = 0.876, 95% CI: 0.825–0.927) worse initial physical function, respectively. Prevalent osteoarthritis was associated with approximately 6% (IRR = 0.936, 95% CI: 0.913–0.958) worse initial physical function, and a slight additional worsening over time (IRR = 0.995, 95% CI: 0.994–0.996). A 12% (IRR = 0.878, 95% CI: 0.813–0.950) decrease in physical function concurrent with stroke development was evident, as was accelerated decline in physical function concurrent with heart disease development (IRR = 0.991, 95% CI: 0.988–0.995). Initial prevalent conditions related to the musculoskeletal system were associated with worse initial physical function, with some evidence of accelerated decline in physical function with osteoarthritis. Stroke and heart disease are less common than osteoarthritis in this age group, but the severe effects of these conditions on physical function shows the need for a greater focus on cardiovascular health during midlife. Women who develop chronic conditions during midlife may be at particular risk for poor physical function as they age, warranting disability prevention efforts focused on this population.
Abstract 16223: Cardiac Arrhythmias in Hospitalized Patients With COVID-19

Introduction: Arrhythmias have been reported frequent in COVID-19 patients, but the incidence and nature have not been well characterized. Hypothesis: Atrial and ventricular arrhythmias are common ...
Virtual reality assisted cardiac catheterization

Cardiac catheterization is a delicate strategy often used during various heart procedures. However, the procedure carries a myriad of risks associated with it, including damage to the vessel or heart itself, blood clots, and arrhythmias. Many of these risks increase in probability as the length of the operation increases, creating a demand for a more accurate procedure while reducing the overall time required. To this end, we developed an adaptable virtual reality simulation and visualization method to provide essential information to the physician ahead of time with the goal of reducing potential risks, decreasing operation time, and improving the accuracy of cardiac catheterization procedures. We additionally conducted a phantom study to evaluate the impact of using our virtual reality system prior to a procedure