cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ca2+ influx activated by low pH in Chlamydomonas.

Cytosolic acidification stimulates an influx of Ca2+ which results in shedding of the two flagella of Chlamydomonas. Ca2+ influxes are also involved in the photoresponses of this alga, but it is not understood how the acidification-activated Ca2+ influx is distinguished from the Ca2+ influxes which mediate phototaxis and the photophobic response. The present study focuses on the deflagellation-inducing Ca2+ influx pathway. Influx occurs through an ion channel or transporter with low abundance or low permeability to Ca2+ (approximately 500 fmol/s/10(6) cells in 50 microM Ca2+). Ca2+ influx was potently blocked by Cd3+ (EC50 approximately 5 microM), but was insensitive to Cd2+ (Quarmby, L.M., and H.C. Hartzell. 1994. J. Cell Biol. 124:807) and organic blockers of Ca2+ channels including SKF-96365 (up to 100 microM) and flufenamic acid (up to 1 mM). Experiments with a flagella-less mutant (bald-2), isolated flagella, and a blocker of flagellar assembly (colchicine) indicated that the acidification-stimulated Ca2+ influx pathway is not localized to the flagellar membrane. The acid-stimulated influx pathway was transiently inactivated after cells shed their flagella. Inactivation did not occur in the deflagellation mutant, fa-1, although acidification-stimulated Ca2+ influx was normal. This suggests that inactivation of this pathway in wild-type cells is probably not a direct consequence of acidification nor of Ca2+ influx, but may be related to deflagellation. Recovery of deflagellation-inducing Ca2+ influx occurred within 30 min after a 30 s exposure to acid and did not require flagellar assembly. The regulation, drug sensitivity, and subcellular localization identify acidification-stimulated Ca2+ influx as a specific Ca2+ entry pathway distinct from established Ca2+ channels.
Improving Detection of Transposition of the Great Arteries in Routine Obstetric Sonographic Screening

Transposition of the great arteries (TGA) is a congenital malformation in which the pulmonary artery arises from the left ventricle and the aorta arises from the right ventricle. At birth, when the ductus arteriosus and foramen ovale close, severe hypoxemia results, and intervention is necessary. Prenatal diagnosis of TGA is associated with a significant decrease in mortality and morbidity. Currently, detection of TGA is low. This literature review explores techniques for detecting TGA, the importance of prenatal diagnosis, scanning techniques, new technologies, and possible maternal risk factors.
Nonreporting of cannabis use: Predictors and relationship to treatment outcome in methadone maintained patients.

Abstract Underreporting of drug use is common and influenced by multiple factors. Cannabis (THC) use nonreporting and its relationship to heroin and cocaine use were investigated in 690 patients enrolled in 25- to 29-week clinical trials of contingency management plus methadone maintenance. Urine specimens and self-reports of drug use were collected 3 times/week. Potential predictors of THC use nonreporting were analyzed by multiple logistic regression; relationships between THC use nonreporting and % cocaine- and opiate-positive urines were analyzed by multiple regression. Compared to non-THC users (n = 317), patients with THC-positive urines (n = 373) were more likely to be male and have more years of THC use, but were not different on other characteristics. Nonreporting to user ratios were: THC 191/373 (51.2%); opiates 17/686 (2.5%); cocaine 21/681 (3.1%). Predictors of THC use nonreporting were low rate of THC-positive urines during treatment, fewer days of THC use in the last 30 before treatment, African-American race, and absence of antisocial personality disorder. Nonreporting of THC use was associated with significantly greater opiate and cocaine use. Contingency management decreased cocaine use in THC nonreporters to the level of reporters. Nonreporting of THC use is a significant predictor of greater cocaine and heroin use. This association can be eliminated with contingency management therapy.
The Perceptions of People with Disabilities as to the Effectiveness of the Americans with Disabilities Act

This study examines the perceptions of people with disabilities as to the effectiveness of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in regard to accessibility issues covered by Titles II, III, and IV. In analyzing the influence of the independent variables (disability type, age of onset of disability, disability organization membership, and employment status) on perceptions of the ADA's effectiveness, most of the results were not statistically significant. However, differences among the three titles did emerge from the analysis. Title II (public sector) was rated somewhat higher than Title III (private sector) in improved accessibility of covered entities since the passage of the ADA. However, in neither case did a majority of respondents rate accessibility issues covered by these titles as better. In contrast, a majority of respondents rated Title IV (telecommunications) as better. Reasons for the perceived differences among the titles are discussed.
Two Errors in Enteric Epidemiology: The Stories of Austin Flint and Max von Pettenkofer

The misconceptions of two physicians, Austin Flint and Max von Pettenkofer, in interpreting epidemiologic data on the water transmission of enteric disease are reviewed. Austin Flint failed to recognize the transmission of typhoid fever from well water in an epidemic he investigated in North Boston, New York, in 1843. He later discovered and freely admitted his error. Max von Pettenkofer, who had studied cholera in the 1854 outbreak and in many subsequent outbreaks, failed to confirm John Snow's observations in England on the water transmission of cholera. Pettenkofer eventually swallowed live cholera bacilli and did not develop cholera. He remained convinced to the end of his life that cholera is not directly transmitted by drinking water.
Detection of acute myocarditis using nuclear magnetic resonance imaging

The clinical features, echocardiographic characteristics, and electrocardiographic findings in two patients with acute myocarditis are presented. The first patient had rheumatic myocarditis and the other had probable viral myocarditis. Both patients had regional wall motion abnormalities on the echocardiogram, and the nuclear magnetic resonance image for each patient showed myocardial edema in the area of the wall motion abnormality. These changes disappeared with resolution of the acute disease process. These preliminary data indicate that nuclear magnetic resonance imaging may show myocardial edema in acute myocarditis.
Hierarchical poroelasticity: movement of interstitial fluid between porosity levels in bones

The governing equations for the theory of poroelastic materials with hierarchical pore space architecture and compressible constituents undergoing small deformations are developed. These equations are applied to the problem of determining the exchange of pore fluid between the vascular porosity (PV) and the lacunar-canalicular porosity (PLC) in bone tissue due to cyclic mechanical loading and blood pressure oscillations. The result is basic to the understanding of interstitial flow in bone tissue that, in turn, is basic to understanding of nutrient transport from the vasculature to the bone cells buried in the bone tissue and to the process of mechanotransduction by these cells. A formula for the volume of fluid that moves between the PLC and PV in a cyclic loading is obtained as a function of the cyclic mechanical loading and blood pressure oscillations. Formulas for the oscillating fluid pore pressure in both the PLC and the PV are obtained as functions of the two driving forces, the cyclic mechanical straining and the blood pressure, both with specified amplitude and frequency. The results of this study also suggest a PV permeability greater than 10(-9) m(2) and perhaps a little lower than 10(-8) m(2). Previous estimates of this permeability have been as small as 10(-14) m(2).
Moving threshold detection for timing recovery

(2) where KO is a positive value and is a fiinction of rk+, and rk-,. The second term of the right hand side of (2) is the noise contributed by the timing phase error. Suppose that the phase in the timing loop varies slowly. Siirce we already have rk-], the second noise term in the parenthesis of (2) can be compensated by using the phase estimate 8-1. The resulting observation sample is given by zk =rk+CYp(?k-l;6)T k--1: (3) where CY is a small positive due, 6 is a non-negative value, and p(.; .) is defined by ~(z; 6) = 1 for z > 6, 0 for -6 i z < 6, and -1 for z 5 -6. zk is the input to a fixed threshold detector, which effectively changes the threshold according to the phase estimate +b-l and an observation sample ~k-]. To compensate for the first noise term in the parenthesis of (Z), one additional symbol delay would be required because ~li+~ must be used. While it is possible to devise a method to compensate for the first noise term, we shall focus on combating the second noise term here. The value CY controls the amount of the threshold shift. The 6 can be set to a small positive value to prevent unnecessary threshold change from happening for a small r FT. 0 (negligible noise due to the timing phase error). More reliable function v(?~-~; 6) can be obtained by averaging some past estimates:
Digital Control with Computer Interruptions

The paper analyzes centralized digital control systems in which feedback loops are closed through a digital computer which generates the control law. Intermittent computer interruptions result in the deterioration of control quality and may even render the system unstable. A criterion that guarantees asymptotic stability under any admissible interruption pattern is presented in the paper.
A DEMOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS OF THE LEAVES OF OPEN AND SHADE GROWN PINUS STROBUS L. AND TSUGA CANADENSIS (L.) CARR

SUMMARY A demographic analysis of the rates of leaf formation and leaf death was initiated in open and shade grown Pinus strobus and Tsuga canadensis. The greater mean life expectancy of the shade grown leaves was attributed to (1) the evergreen habit and the obvious advantages of utilizing an extended growing season in the understory of a deciduous forest and (2) higher rates of photo-oxidation in the sun. Tsuga canadensis failed to respond to more open habitats by altering its rate of leaf formation. Pinus strobus was considerably more flexible with regard to the formation of new leaves. Open grown trees were characterized by the production of large numbers of lateral branches and a relatively dense crown.
A Mixed Multinomial Logit Model Analysis of Weekend Recreational Episode Type Choice

This paper presents a model for the type of recreational activity episodes that individuals pursue during the weekend. The choice set characterizing the type of recreational episode includes in-home, out-of-home, and pure recreational episodes (pure recreation refers to recreation trips pursued for the sole purpose of the recreational value obtained from the trip, such as walking, bicycling, and joy driving). The paper estimates a mixed multinomial logit formulation using the 2000 San Francisco Bay Area Travel Survey. The effects of household and individual sociodemographics, land-use and density variables, and episode participation attributes are examined. Inter-individual and intra-individual variation in unobserved determinants of episode type choice are also analyzed. Finally, the implications of the results for land-use and transportation planning are identified.
Study of Highly Constitutively Active Mutants Suggests How cAMP Activates cAMP Receptor Protein

The cAMP receptor protein (CRP) of Escherichia coli undergoes a conformational change in response to cAMP binding that allows it to bind specific DNA sequences. Using an in vivo screening method following the simultaneous randomization of the codons at positions 127 and 128 (two C-helix residues of the protein interacting with cAMP), we have isolated a series of novel constitutively active CRP variants. Sequence analysis showed that this group of variants commonly possesses leucine or methionine at position 127 with a β-branched amino acid at position 128. One specific variant, T127L/S128I CRP, showed extremely high cAMP-independent DNA binding affinity comparable with that of cAMP-bound wild-type CRP. Further biochemical analysis of this variant and others revealed that Leu127 and Ile128 have different roles in stabilizing the active conformation of CRP in the absence of cAMP. Leu127 contributes to an improved leucine zipper at the dimer interface, leading to an altered intersubunit interaction in the C-helix region. In contrast, Ile128 stabilizes the proper position of the β4/β5 loop by functionally communicating with Leu61. By analogy, the results suggest two direct local effects of cAMP binding in the course of activating wild-type CRP: (i) C-helix repositioning through direct interaction with Thr127 and Ser128 and (ii) the concomitant reorientation of the β4/β5 loop. Finally, we also report that elevated expression of T127L/S128I CRP markedly perturbed E. coli growth even in the absence of cAMP, which suggests why comparably active variants have not been described previously.
Can Students Themselves Narrow the Socioeconomic-Status-Based Achievement Gap through Their Own Persistence and Learning Time?.

Despite decades of educational reforms, the achievement gap based on socioeconomic status (SES) persists in the United States. Not only does the SES-based achievement gap persist, it has also been widening. This study focused on the role of students, hypothesizing that students might reduce the SES-based achievement gap by increasing their learning time and persistence. I used both ANOVA and two-level hierarchical linear models (HLM) to analyze the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) United States data. The findings suggested that students viewing themselves to be persistent were likely to perform better than those viewing themselves to be less persistent. Also increased time learning in school was associated with increased achievement. However, high-SES students generally spent more time learning in school and viewed themselves to be more persistent. Thus learning time and persistence were not likely to address the SES constraint on achievement for a majority of low-SES students unless schools provided them extra classes and learning opportunities.
Effects of Guided Imagery in Patients with Chronic Bronchitis and Emphysema

Together, chronic bronchitis and emphysema (CBE) ranks as one of the top five leading health problems in the United States. Few nursing interventions have been tested that improve symptom management functional status, and quality of life. This study tested the effects of guided imagery and maximal inspiratory muscle training (MITT) in a group of 10 males and 9 females, 56-75 years old, with moderate CBE. The research tested whether the independent variables, guided imagery and MITT have significant independent and/or interaction effects on the dependent variables functional status, fatigue, dyspnea, depression, mastery, quality of life, perceived health status, and inspiratory muscle strength. Results showed that the psycholoic intervention of guided imagery significantly improved subjects' perceived quality of life. The physiologic intervention of MITT could not be tolerated by subjects, which precluded testing the effects on the dependent variables. Application of study findings to clinical practice and...
Factors Affecting the Incidence of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia Isolation in Cystic Fibrosis

Study objectives: To identify factors predisposing cystic fibrosis (CF) patients to Stenotrophomonas maltophilia infection and to determine whether coinfection with S maltophilia affects the clinical response to therapy with tobramycin solution for inhalation (TSI), 300 mg bid. Design: Retrospective review of data collected from two identical, 6-month, randomized, placebo-controlled trials. Setting: Sixty-nine CF centers in the United States. Interventions: Active drug administration of 300 mg TSI. Patients: Five hundred twenty CF patients with chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa endobronchial infections. Measurements and results: A logistic regression analysis identified factors contributing to increased S maltophilia isolation frequency. In this multivariate analysis, the only significant predictors of S maltophilia isolation during the last month of the trial were the concomitant use of oral quinolones (primarily ciprofloxacin; p 0.0015) and S maltophilia isolation prior to treatment (p 25% of observations. Conclusions: TSI therapy did not result in a greater risk for isolation of S maltophilia than standard care alone. In contrast, oral quinolone antibiotic use during the trial was associated with a 2.7-fold increased risk of having a culture positive for S maltophilia (p 0.0015). The use of TSI to suppress P aeruginosa resulted in improved lung function, regardless of S maltophilia culture frequency. However, improvement was not as great among patients who were persistently coinfected with S maltophilia. (CHEST 2002; 121:1754 –1760)
Oral Language and Reading in Bilingual Children

This article examines the question: Do lexical, syntactic, fluency, and discourse measures of oral language collected under narrative conditions predict reading achievement both within and across languages for bilingual children? More than 1,500 Spanish–English bilingual children attending kindergarten–third grade participated. Oral narratives were collected in each language along with measures of Passage Comprehension and Word Reading Efficiency. Results indicate that measures of oral language in Spanish predict reading scores in Spanish and that measures of oral language skill in English predict reading scores in English. Cross-language comparisons revealed that English oral language measures predicted Spanish reading scores and Spanish oral language measures predicted English reading scores beyond the variance accounted for by grade. Results indicate that Spanish and English oral language skills contribute to reading within and across languages.
Patterns of X‐radiation‐induced schwann cell development in spinal cords of immature rats

Schwann cells, Schwann cell myelin, and connective tissue components develop in the spinal cord of the immature rat following exposure to x-rays. For the purposes of this paper, these intraspinal peripheral nervous tissue constituents are referred to as IPNT. A series of investigations are in progress to elucidate factors related to the development of IPNT, and the present study is a light microscopic evaluation of the relationship between the amount of radiation administered (1,000-3,000R) to the lumbosacral spinal cord in 3-day-old rats and the incidence and distribution of IPNT at intervals up to 60 days postirradiation (P-I). The results showed that IPNT was present in only 33% of the rats exposed to 1,000R, whereas its presence was observed in 86% or more of those in the 2,000-, 2,500-, and 3,000R groups. The distribution of IPNT was quite limited in the 1,000R group, where it was restricted to the spinal cord-dorsal root junction and was found in only a few sections within the irradiated area. The distribution was more widespread with increasing amounts of radiation, and IPNT occupied substantial portions of the dorsal funiculi and extended into the dorsal gray matter in the 3,000R group. In all aR mals developing IPNT in the groups receiving 2,000R or more, the IPNT was present in essentially all sections from the irradiated area. Further studies will compare in detail spinal cords exposed to 1,000R in which IPNT is an infrequent, limited occurrence with those exposed to higher doses where IPNT occurs in a more widespread fashion in essentially all animals.
The Association among Feeding Mode, Growth, and Developmental Outcomes in Infants with Complex Congenital Heart Disease at 6 and 12 Months of Age

Objective To assess the association between early anthropometric measurements, device-assisted feeding, and early neurodevelopment in infants with complex congenital heart diseases (CHDs). Study design Bayley Scales of Infant Development II were used to assess cognitive and motor skills in 72 infants with CHD at 6 and 12 months of age. Linear regression models were used to assess the association between mode of feeding and anthropometric measurements with neurodevelopment at 6 and 12 months of age. Results Of the 72 infants enrolled in the study, 34 (47%) had single-ventricle physiology. The mean Mental Developmental Index (MDI) and Psychomotor Developmental Index (PDI) scores at 6 months of age were 92 ± 10 and 81 ± 14, respectively. At 12 months of age, the mean MDI and PDI scores were 94 ± 12 and 80 ± 16, respectively. Lower length-for-age z score ( P P P P = .04) were associated independently with lower MDI at 12 months. Device-assisted feeding at 3 months ( P = .04) and lower length-for-age z score ( P P = .04) and lower length-for-age z score ( P = .04) were associated independently with PDI at 12 months. Conclusion Neonates with complex CHD who required device-assisted feeding and those with lower weight and length and head circumference z scores at 3 months were at risk for neurodevelopmental delay at 6 and 12 months of age.
A Geometric Preprocessor for Immersed Boundary Method Calculations

Computer implementation of an immersed boundary (IB) module inside a flow solver can be accomplished non-intrusively. However a versatile preprocessor is needed at the first place to extract the geometric information pertinent to the immersion of an arbitrarily complex geometry inside a Cartesian mesh. Geometric errors can negatively impact the correct implementation of the IB method as part of the solution algorithm. Additionally, the distance field from the geometry is needed to implement various turbulence models or flow initialization. Geometric processing stage for complex geometry have received less attention despite the popularity of the IB method. Our experience has shown that some of the procedures described in the literature have difficulties processing highly complex geometry or can be inflexible to implement reconstruction schemes for turbulent flows. To address these issues, we present a geometric preprocessor with a distance field solver. We constructed our procedure from computational geometry algorithms such as point-in-triangle and point-in-edge. The distance field solver uses the initial distance field at the immersed boundaries and propagates it to the rest of the domain by solving the Eikonal equation with the fast sweeping method. We demonstrate the versatility of our preprocessor for challenging test geometries from the computer graphics field, complex terrain and urban environments.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Structure and Dynamics of Crystalline C60

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the ideas underlying the description of molecular rotations in solids and the cooperative phenomena associated with phase transformations involving molecular rotations. The nature of the phase transition of C 60 and its description via a Landau treatment reveals a complex behavior due to the effects of rotational localization. The chapter also discusses the intermolecular potential in crystalline C 60 deduced through the combination of scattering methods and statistical mechanics. Molecular rotator functions and their thermodynamic averages provide the necessary parameters for describing the orientational dynamics and equations of state of C 60 . It is interesting that the C 60 molecule, while seemingly coupled rather weakly to its neighbors, experiences at room temperature a potential barrier height to free rotation. This activation barrier forbade a linearized treatment of the orientational distribution function.
Molecular Dynamics Study of Atomic Displacements and X-Ray Diffuse Scattering

Molecular Dynamics calculations of atomic displacements in pure copper and copper-gold alloys were performed to study atomic size effect. The alloys was chosen due to a large size mismatch and the existence of embedded-atom potentials. The potentials are corrected to match the lattice constants. The nearest neighbor bond length crossover is calculated in all systems. The theoretical diffuse scattering intensity agrees well with the experimentally observed values for pure copper.
A MODEL OF COMPLEMENT ACTIVATION BY ANTIGEN-ANTIBODY COMPLEXES

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the recognition of the presence of antigen-antibody complexes (Ag∼Ab) and the resulting activation of the first components of the system. The components of the complement system and the inactivators and inhibitors that control the system are serum proteins. The classical pathway can be broken down into three functional units: (1) the recognition unit, (2) the amplification unit, and (3) the membrane attack unit. The membrane attack unit is the same for both the classical and alternative pathways of complement. Thus, the model of this unit also applies to the alternative pathway. There are a number of different mechanisms that control the amount of complement components produced and utilized in the lytic and pharmacologic activities of the complement system. These include the quantity of the components in serum, inhibitors and inactivators of the various components, normal decay of components, and rapid decay of components if they are not utilized rapidly in the subsequent complement sequence. The objective of the model is to attempt to understand this complex system in light of those mechanisms responsible for its control.
Experimental Canine Cholera I. Development of the Model

to any extent, and each of these has serious disadvantages. 1. The guinea pig model, first developed by Koch [1], and later studied intensively by Burrows and co-workers [2], has been used to study antagonism within the bacterial flora of the intestine [3], as well as intraluminal growth of vibrio [4]. The main disadvantages of this model are that considerable pretreatment of the host is required. Also, the animal does not develop diarrhea, although large amounts of fluid accumulate in the intestines during infection. 2. The infant rabbit model, first developed by Metchnikoff [5], has been extensively studied by Sanarelli [6], Dutta and Habbu [7], and Finkelstein et al. [8]. Because of its susceptibility to small inocula, this model has been useful for the study of the virulence and the toxic properties of strains of vibrio. Since rabbits normally become resistant to vibrios and their products after about day 14 of life, the usefulness of this model is limited.
Effects of Annealing on the Mechanical and Electrical Properties of DC Sputtered Tantalum Pentoxide (Ta2O5) Thin Films

Tantalum oxide (Ta2O5) films were deposited onto p-type silicon substrates using reactive DC magnetron sputtering, and then annealed for one hour in a dry air ambient at temperatures of 730°C, 780°C, and 830°C. Annealing was shown to reduce stress from the as-deposited sample, and resulted in a compressive stress state for samples annealed at 730°C and a tensile stress state for the other samples. Hardness values were approximately 8 GPa, with the exception of the sample annealed at 780°C that demonstrated a hardness of 13 GPa. Leakage current generally decreased with annealing, especially at the lower temperatures. Electrical breakdown was observed for as-deposited and the 830°C annealed films. Resistivities of the films ranged from 6.5 × 109 to 6.1 × 1012 ω-cm, with the film annealed at 830°C being the most conductive. Annealing also led to an increase in dielectric constant. Dielectric constants varied from 9.3 for the as-deposited to greater than 30 for the 780°C and 830°C annealed sample. Annealing resulted in crystalline films that were close to stoichiometric.
General considerations on adaptive designs for clinical trail and drug evaluation

Adaptive design is a trial design that allows modifications to some aspects of the trial after its initiation without undermining the validity and integrity of the trial. Adaptive design makes it possible to discover and rectify inappropriate assumptions in trial designs, reduce development costs and the time to market. It has been very attractive to the pharmaceutical industries. In this paper, it is not focused on adaptive designs for clinical trials with multiple endpoints studied using computer simulations, but is to clarify our evolution, which is taken into consideration in a trial adaptive design at present, if need modifications.
Magnetic resonance imaging of Müllerian duct anomalies in children

Mullerian duct anomalies encompass a wide variety of disorders resulting from abnormalities in the embryological development of the Mullerian ducts. In the prepubertal pediatric population, Mullerian duct anomalies are often incidental findings on studies obtained for other reasons. The onset of menses can prompt more clinical symptoms. Proper characterization of Mullerian duct anomalies is important because these anomalies can affect the development of gynecological disorders as well as fertility. Mullerian duct anomalies also carry a high association with other congenital anomalies, particularly renal abnormalities. MRI is widely considered the best modality for assessing Mullerian duct anomalies; it provides multiplanar capability, clear anatomical detail and tissue characterization without ionizing radiation. MRI allows for careful description of Mullerian duct anomalies, often leading to classification into the most widely accepted classification system for Mullerian duct anomalies. This system, developed by the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, includes seven subtypes: uterine agenesis/hypoplasia, unicornuate, didelphys, bicornuate, septate, arcuate, and diethylstilbestrol (DES) drug-related uterus. In cases of complex anomalies that defy classification, MRI allows detailed depiction of all components of the anatomical abnormality, allowing for proper management and surgical planning.
Agreement between Medicare pharmacy claims, self-report, and medication inventory for assessing lipid-lowering medication use

Background Medicare claims have been used to study lipid-lowering medication (LLM) use among US adults. Methods We analyzed the agreement between Medicare claims for LLM and LLM use indicated by self-report during a telephone interview and, separately, by a medication inventory performed during an in-home study visit upon enrollment into the REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study. We included REGARDS participants ≥65 years enrolled in 2006–2007 with Medicare pharmacy benefits (Part D) from 120 days before their telephone interview through their medication inventory (n = 899). Results Overall, 39.2% and 39.5% of participants had a Medicare claim for an LLM within 120 days prior to their interview and medication inventory, respectively. Also, 42.7% of participants self-reported using LLMs, and 41.8% had an LLM in their medication inventory. The Kappa statistic (95% confidence interval [CI]) for agreement of Medicare claims with self-report and medication inventory was 0.68 (0.63–0.73) and 0.72 (0.68–0.77), respectively. No Medicare claims for LLMs were present for 22.1% (95%CI: 18.1–26.6%) of participants who self-reported taking LLMs and 18.9% (15.1–23.3%) with LLMs in their medication inventory. Agreement between Medicare claims and self-report was lower among Black male individuals (Kappa = 0.34 [95%CI: 0.14–0.54]) compared with Black female individuals (0.70 [0.61–0.79]), White male individuals (0.65 [0.56–0.75]), and White female individuals (0.79 [0.72–0.86]). Agreement between Medicare claims and the medication inventory was also low among Black male individuals (Kappa = 0.48 [95%CI: 0.29–0.66]). Conclusions Although substantial agreement exists, many Medicare beneficiaries who self-report LLM use or have LLMs in a medication inventory have no claims for these medications. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A λ ∘ /60 spherical spiral metamaterial for negative permeability and negative permittivity

A novel spherical spiral metamaterial unit cell is presented. The structure is shown to provide negative permeability over a 31.7% bandwidth at one orientation with respect to the incident electric field, negative permittivity over a 40.4% bandwidth at a second orientation, and double-negative behavior over a 15.5% bandwidth at a third orientation. At all performance frequencies, the structure is smaller than λ ∘ /60.
Nonseparation Electrochemical Enzyme Immunoassay Using Microporous Gold Electrodes

In recent years, the coupling of immunological reactions to electrochemical and optical detectors has led to a flurry of research in the area of immunosensor technology. 1 - 15 While there have been extensive efforts to devise so-called “direct” immunosensors, where antibodies are immobilized on the surface of a transducer and the immunological binding reaction is monitored via a change in, e.g., innate fluorescence, surface refractive index, or electrical capacitance, the most successful immunosensors from a practical analytical point of view are those that involve the use of labeled reagents (e.g., enzymes, fluorophores). Indeed, such methods are rather similar to their more classical immunoassay counterparts, except that the antibodies are immobilized on the surface of the transducer (e.g., electrode, optical fiber), rather than on the walls of microtiter plates, magnetic particles, or some other solid-phase material. Hence, in many of the immunosensor methods reported to date, where labeled reagents are utilized, extensive washing steps to remove unbound labeled species are required 6 - 13, 14. Hrein, we review recent efforts to devise a novel electrochemical enzyme immunoassay arrangement capable of detecting both large and small molecules at low concentrations without the need for any discrete separation or washing steps.
Effects of Tidal Stream Energy Extraction on Water Exchange and Transport Timescales

Over the last decade, many studies have been conducted to estimate the upper limit of the theoretical resource of tidal stream energy and its associated influence on volume flux. However, studies aimed at evaluating the effects of tidal energy extraction on water exchange and transport timescale have been limited. This chapter provides a detailed review of different methods—from analytical methods to advanced three-dimensional numerical models—for quantifying the far-field environmental impacts of tidal stream energy extraction. Case studies from an idealized tidal channel–bay system and a realistic site in the Tacoma Narrows of Puget Sound, Washington State, USA, are given to illustrate the modeling approach for assessing the impacts of tidal stream energy extraction on flushing time using a three-dimensional numerical model. Model results indicated that the change in flushing time is approximately linearly proportional to the volume flux reduction when the relative change in volume flux is small. However, the rate of change in flushing time is several times greater than that of volume flux reduction. The present study demonstrates that flushing time can be used as a unique parameter for quantifying the environmental impacts of tidal stream energy extraction on water exchange in coastal waters.
Improved atmospheric characterization for hyperspectral exploitation

Airborne hyperspectral imaging (HSI)has shown utility in material detection and identification. Recent interest in longwave infrared (LWIR) HSI systems operating in the 7-14 micron range has developed due to strong spectral features of minerals, chemicals, and gaseous effluents. LWIR HSI has the advantage over other spectral bands by operating in day or night scenarios because emitted/reflected thermal radiation rather than reflected sunlight is measured. This research seeks to determine the most effective methods to perform model-based atmospheric compensation (AC) of LWIR HSI data using two existing atmospheric radiative transfer (RT) models, MODTRAN and LEEDR. MODTRAN is the more established RT model, but it lacks LEEDRs robust capability to generate realistic atmospheric profiles from probabilistic climatology or observations and forecasts from numerical weather prediction (NWP) models. The advantage of LEEDR’s ability to generate atmospheres is tested by using LEEDR atmospheres, a MODTRAN standard model, and radiosonde data to perform AC on an airborne hyperspectral datacube with nadir looking geometry. This work investigates the potential benefit of LEEDR’s weather/climatology tools for improving and/or expediting the AC process for LWIR HSI.
Systems for the safe use of pesticides

As experience in the use of pesticides has been gained, new technology has been developed to ensure the safety of those involved in the handling and mixing operations, and those at risk from drifti...
A new rate adjustment algorithm for traffic admissions in smart grid communications

Smart Grid uses the TCP/IP protocol stack for wide area communications. To ensure low latency end to end communications, the FREEDM project chooses UDP datagram as the preferred technique. However, when many devices are using the same network resources, congestion can happen on intermediate routers. Unlike TCP, which uses ECN as an approach for congestion control, UDP does not have a similar implementation in RFC. Therefore, in the FREEDM project, a user defined ECN protocol is developed. The protocol is implemented in a simulated OPNET router module, and the communications performance with and without the improvement is compared to justify the function. The paper introduces the concept in the communications implementation in the FREEDM project as well as the origin for ECN (Explicit Congestion Notification). An algorithm to adjust the terminal data rate based on the ECN notification mechanism is provided, and its simulation is implemented.
Which wars spread? Commitment problems and military intervention:

This article argues that wars caused by commitment problems are more likely to experience outside military intervention than are wars with other causes. Wars caused by commitment problems are more ...
Computed tomography (CT) assessment of the membranous septal anatomy prior to transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with the balloon-expandable SAPIEN 3 valve.

Abstract Objectives The lower limit of the membranous septum (MS) is considered an anatomic landmark for the emergence of the Bundle of His into the left ventricle . Computed tomography (CT) assessment of MS anatomy may provide useful information about the risk of conduction abnormalities following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Methods and results The study included 102 consecutive patients undergoing TAVR with the Edwards Sapien 3 (S3) valve. Using pre-TAVR CT and post-procedure angiography we evaluated for the presence of calcium in the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT), calcium depth (CD), implantation depth (ID) and MS length. The MS length minus the prosthesis ID was calculated (Delta MSID). Outcomes included new left bundle branch block (LBBB) or permanent pacemaker (PPM) within 30 days. Seventeen patients (17%) received a PPM and 28 (27%) developed new LBBB following TAVR. Mean (± SD) MS length and delta MSID were 7.5 mm (2) and 0.9 mm (4.5), respectively. Twenty-one patients (20%) had calcium in the device landing zone and the mean (SD) CD was 6.8 mm (± 4). Calcium in the device landing zone (37% versus 16%, p = 0.02) and implantation depth (6 mm (4–8) versus 4 mm (4–5), p = 0.02) predicted new conduction abnormalities after TAVR. Conclusions The presence of calcium in the device landing zone is associated with increased risk of conduction abnormalities after TAVR with S3. In such cases, a more aortic deployment of the prosthesis may be warranted.
Strange Fixation: Bootleg Sound Recordings Enjoy the Benefits of Improving Technology

The bootleg records, those are outrageous. I mean, they have stuff you do in a phone booth. Like, nobody's around. If you're just sitting and strumming in a motel, you don't think anybody's there, you know . . . it's like the phone is tapped . . . and then it appears on a bootleg record. With a cover that's got a picture of you that was taken from underneath your bed and it's got a strip-tease type title and it cost $30. Amazing. Then you wonder why most artists feel so paranoid.
Bacteria: Plesiomonas shigelloides

The genus Plesiomonas in the family Vibrionaceae, consists of one species, P. shigelloides which is a Gram-negative polarly flagellated rod native to aquatic animals and environments. Its metabolism is similar to that of the genus Vibrio , being facultatively anaerobic, cytochrome oxidase positive, fermenting sugars to acid without gas production, and sensitive to the vibriostatic agent O/129. Mild to severe self-limiting diarrhea is the most frequent symptom derived primarily from uncooked shellfish although extraintestinal infections of high mortality are known to occur, particularly among children and immunocompromised individuals. The minimum temperature range for growth is 8–10 °C and maximum is 42–45 °C. Most isolates grow from a pH of 4.0 to 9.0. The utilization of inositol with acid production is a unique characteristic of the organism that is used for its selective and differential isolation. The organism produces a cholera-like enterotoxin, thermostable and thermolabile enterotoxin. A large plasmid (>120 mDa) has also been found to facilitate invasion. Plesiomonas shigelloides has been ranked third as a cause of travelers diarrhea in Asia. Coinfection of BALB/c neonatal mice by P. shigelloides and Cryptosporidium parvum has been found to result in bacteremia and death of infected mice which did not occur when mice were monoinfected with P. shigelloides . Methodology has been developed for the direct polymerase chain reaction detection of as few as 60 CFU of P. shigelloides per gram of shellfish tissue.
Continuum VLBI Polarimetry of 3C454.3 at 43 GHZ

Polarization VLBI calibration at high frequencies has traditionally been difficult due to poor sensitivity and high antenna instrumental polarization across inhomogeneous networks. The higher observing frequency and increased spatial resolution diminishes the chances of finding ideal VLBI polarization calibrators. The advent of the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA), which has standardized feeds with low instrumental polarization, has minimized these observational difficulties. Recent work in polarization calibration has suggested that somewhat resolved sources may be used in an iterative polarization calibration scheme (Cotton 1993). A full generalization of this method has been developed by Leppanen, Zensus and Diamond (1995) in calibrating 22 GHz polarization observations with the VLBA.
Abstract 217: Long Non-coding RNA Myocardial Infarction-associated Transcript (MIAT) Protects Cardiac Progenitor Cells From Oxidative Stress-induced Cell Death

Background: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are an emerging class of RNAs with no or limited protein-coding capacity; a few of which have recently been shown to regulate critical biological processe...
Experiences Among African American Community Members With Pharmacy-Based Immunization Services in Detroit, Michigan.

Background: Although vaccination rates improved modestly in the United States during the 2014-2015 season, racial and ethnic disparities in the use of vaccines persist. Pharmacy-based immunization ...
Deletion of a conserved transcript PG_RS02100 expressed during logarithmic growth in Porphyromonas gingivalis results in hyperpigmentation and increased tolerance to oxidative stress.

The oral obligate anaerobe Porphyromonas gingivalis possesses a small conserved transcript PG_RS02100 of unknown function we previously identified using small RNA-seq analysis as expressed during logarithmic growth. In this study, we sought to determine if PG_RS02100 plays a role in P. gingivalis growth or stress response. We show that a PG_RS02100 deletion mutant’s (W83Δ514) ability to grow under anaerobic conditions was no different than wildtype (W83), but it was better able to survive hydrogen peroxide exposure when cultured under heme limiting growth conditions, and was more aerotolerant when plated on enriched whole blood agar and exposed to atmospheric oxygen. Together, these results indicate that PG_RS02100 plays a role in surviving oxidative stress in actively growing P. gingivalis and that P. gingivalis’ response to exogenous hydrogen peroxide stress is linked to heme availability. Relative qRT-PCR expression analysis of oxyR, trx-1, tpx, sodB, ahpC, dinF, cydB, and frd, in W83Δ514 and W83 in response to 1 h exogenous dioxygen or hydrogen peroxide exposure, when cultured with varying heme availability, support our phenotypic evidence that W83Δ514 has a more highly primed defense system against exogenous peroxide, dioxygen, and heme generated ROS. Interestingly, W83Δ514 turned black faster than W83 when cultured on whole blood agar, suggesting it was able to accumulate heme more rapidly. The mechanism of increased heme acquisition observed in W83Δ514 is not yet known. However, it is clear that PG_RS02100 is involved in modulating the P. gingivalis cell surface in a manner related to survival, particularly against oxidative stress.
Mechanisms of breast cancer brain metastasis

3674 Brain metastases are among the most feared complications in breast cancer without effective therapies. Successful prevention and treatment will depend on specific knowledge of mechanisms that allow breast cancer cells to enter and colonize the brain. We established novel models for human breast cancer brain metastasis in immune deficient mice, following the tumor cells by non-invasive bioluminescence imaging. After injecting the tumor cells into the venous circulation or internal carotid artery, the tumor cells colonize the brain and disseminate within the central nervous system as seen in breast cancer patients. Our unique cell models allow us to investigate mechanisms that circulating breast cancer cells use to arrest within the cerebral microcirculation, penetrate the blood brain barrier, and thrive within the brain tissue. Large scale proteomic profiling of in vivo selected brain homing variants of our new cell lines and direct implantation of the tumor cells into the brain tissue revealed that tumor cell entry into the brain, and survival and growth within the brain microenvironment require distinct functional pathways. We found that expression of certain genes can compensate for each other in promoting tumor cell survival, once the cells have reached the brain. Survival and growth supporting genes that can act in concert, or independently, are b3 integrin and Her-2. Regardless of the proliferation driving genes, however, the tumor cells apparently adapt their metabolic properties to the unique energy metabolism of the brain. We found significant alterations in protein expression profiles and associated functions in breast cancer cells from brain lesions, indicating stable changes in the energy metabolism of these cells. Brain metastatic cells show pronounced increases in enzymes involved in oxidative glucose metabolism, tricarboxylic acid cycle and oxidative phosphorylation pathways suggesting that the brain metastatic cells - like neuronal cells - derive energy at high efficiency almost exclusively from glucose oxidation. This contrasts most other tumor cells from primary tumors and extracranial metastases, as these cells follow the less energy efficient Warburg pathway and metabolize glucose to lactate. A very important change that the brain metastatic breast cancer cells also undergo allows them to detoxify reactive oxygen species which result as byproducts from the oxidative pathways and mitochondrial activity. Thus, a subset of breast cancer cells may evolve during malignant progression that is capable of gaining entry to the protected environment of the central nervous system. Once there, surviving tumor cells depend on the expression of key genes and can differentiate along pathways that allow the cells to adapt and thrive within the brain microenvironment. Our study raises the possibility of targeting the functional differentiation in breast cancer brain lesions as a novel therapeutic strategy.