cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
State-level climate, anti-discrimination law, and sexual minority health status: An ecological study

How social and legal climate influence LGB health is an under-studied topic. In response, this study examines whether the lesbian/gay/bisexual (LGB) climate index and presence of anti-discrimination law show population health significance for U.S. sexual minorities. The LGB climate index uses survey data collected between 2012 and 2013 to gauge states' support of lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals, whereas anti-discrimination law captures any state-level law that makes it illegal to discriminate because of sexual orientation in employment, housing, and public accommodations. We merge these two contextual measures with 2011-2015 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) aggregated, individual-level survey data, from which we generate three measures of state-level rates: excellent self-rated health, routine health care utilization, and health insurance among self-identified lesbian/gay and bisexual adults. We find that the LGB climate index associates positively with rates of excellent self-rated health, routine health care utilization, and health insurance-but only for states with anti-discrimination laws, and only among lesbian/gay adults. Analyses confirm salubrious synergism between a sexually-minority-friendly climate and anti-discrimination law-together these two contextual measures interact to protect lesbian/gay population health.
Improving detection of intraoperative medical errors (iMEs) and intraoperative adverse events (iAEs) and their contribution to postoperative outcomes.

Abstract Our knowledge of the types of intraoperative patient safety events, their harm to patients, and relationship to postoperative complications is sparse. This study examined intraoperative medical errors (iMEs) and intraoperative adverse events (iAEs) voluntarily reported by providers using two programs at our hospital: surgical debriefing and incident reporting. Among the 3020 surgical procedures assessed, 142 iMEs and 103 iAEs were reported, yielding an overall rate of 8%. Of these events, 135 (55%) were obtained from incident reporting and 110 (45%) from surgical debriefing. The overall association between intraoperative events (iMEs and iAEs) and 30-day postoperative morbidity was significant (adjusted odds ratio = 1.08 with 95% confidence interval (CI) of (1.03, 1.13). This association was stronger when we included only the iAEs (1.47, 95% CI (1.35, 1.58)). Our findings suggest that hospitals should consider using both programs to obtain a more complete picture of intraoperative patient safety and to reduce postoperative morbidity.
Abnormal saline and the history of intravenous fluids.

Two new clinical trials together involving nearly 30,000 patients support previous observational evidence that the most common solution used for intravenous fluid therapy in the world is associated with kidney damage. Both trials found that 0.9% saline was inferior to solutions with more physiological chloride concentrations and resulted in greater rates of major adverse kidney events.
Hot Weather Impacts on New York City Restaurant Food Safety Violations and Operations

ABSTRACT Previous studies have shown that higher ambient air temperature is associated with increased incidence of gastrointestinal illnesses, possibly as a result of leaving potentially hazardous food in the temperature danger zone for too long. However, little is known about the effect of hot weather on restaurant practices to maintain safe food temperatures. We examined hot weather impacts on restaurant food safety violations and operations in New York City using quantitative and qualitative methods. We used data from 64,661 inspections conducted among 29,614 restaurants during May to September, 2011 to 2015. We used Poisson time-series regression to estimate the cumulative relative risk (CRR) of temperature-related food safety violations across a range of daily maximum temperature (13 to 40°C [56 to 104°F]) over a lag of 0 to 3 days. We present CRRs for an increase in daily maximum temperature from the median (28°C [82°F]) to the 95th percentile (34°C [93°F]) values. Maximum temperature increased the ...
Application of a New Mapping Algorithm to Reevaluate Evidence of Interdomain Lateral Gene Transfer in the Genome of Thermotoga maritima

Publication of the genome sequence of Thermotoga maritima highlighted its extensive sharing of genes with archaea. Subsequent analyses have shown that the amount of gene exchange is less than first estimated and the addition of new genome sequences to databases is likely to make future enumerations of archaeal gene exchanges more difficult. We present a preliminary use of a new algorithm that maps the relationships between genes to reveal communities of organisms that have shared genes through either vertical or horizontal acquisitions. This method is evaluated by examinations of the evolutionary histories of oligosaccharide ABC transporter genes and genes encoding a putative membrane bound oxidoreductase (mbx). Although further refinements are necessary, this method promises to provide a better picture of evolutionary relationships than conventional phylogenetic trees.
Optimizing Success in a Donor Insemination Program

Therapeutic insemination with donor sperm (TDI) is an established and highly effective technique in the treatment of uncorrectable semen deficiencies, inherited genetic disorders, and with single or homosexual women who desire pregnancy. The first documented TDI case was performed as early as 1884 (1), but it is speculated that donor semen has been used worldwide for centuries (2). In the United States and abroad, both fresh and cryopreserved unquarantined donor sperm was used up until the late 1980s. Donor screening focused primarily on the selection of candidates who were monogamous and free from any inheritable genetic or infectious diseases. Although long-recognized that infectious disease agents could be transmitted through exposure of semen, samples were not quarantined to confirm that the donor remained seronegative before samples were released for clinical use. The medical practice of using unquarantined semen samples changed forever in 1985 when Stewart and co-authors reported that four of eight recipients who underwent TDI from an asymptomatic carrier of HIV developed antibodies to the virus (3).
High Strain Gradient Measurements in Notched Laminated Composite Panels by Digital Image Correlation

Digital Image Correlation (DIC) was used to measure the in-plane strains induced in laminated graphite-epoxy panels containing a central circular hole and loaded in tension. Panels with three different stacking sequences and two hole diameters (0.25 and 0.375 in.) were tested. Measured strains were compared with predictions based on the Savin solution. Reasonable agreement between predicted and measured whole-field strain patterns was achieved. However, it was found that filtering of the DIC strain data, which is performed routinely to reduce noise, can mask the high strain gradients that actually exist near the edge of the hole. It will be shown that stacking sequence of the composite laminate as well as the hole size in addition to the correlation variables such as subset, step, and filter size have direct effect on strain values measured by DIC. In this study, strain measurements from the predictions were used to tune the correlation variables.
Is esophagectomy indicated after induction therapy in patients with clinical N3 esophageal cancer

e16073Background: The benefit of inclusion of esophagectomy after induction therapy in patients with node-positive non-metastatic esophageal cancer is well established. It is unclear if that benefi...
Are Private Universities Exempt from Student Concerns About Textbook Costs?: A Survey of Students at American University

A survey conducted in the fall of 2015 at American University in Washington, DC shows that rising textbook prices similarly affect students at an expensive private university as those at community colleges and state schools. Research on high textbook costs that has demonstrated corollary unwanted behavior changes in students, including not purchasing the book, resorting to illegal online downloads, and poor study habits, were confirmed at American University as well. Solutions that have been proposed to this problem of prohibitive textbook prices, including Open Educational Resources (OER), could have an equally profound impact at American University, and potentially similar private universities, as has been demonstrated at less selective and more affordable counterparts.
Anti-icing performance and durability of suspension plasma sprayed TiO2 coatings

Abstract Superhydrophobic coatings are a potential solution for mitigating the in-flight icing problem for aircraft. However, to develop a superhydrophobic coating which can be practically used for aircraft and that possesses sufficient durability is an ongoing challenge. In this work, superhydrophobic coatings are developed using suspension plasma spraying (SPS) as a flexible, versatile and scalable coating technique. The anti-icing and deicing performances of these SPS coatings are studied in icing wind tunnel experiments. Furthermore, the durability of these SPS coatings is tested in dry particle and cloud-sized water droplet erosion and icing/deicing cyclic tests. The capability of SPS superhydrophobic coatings to reduce ice accretion is comparable to that of commercial superhydrophobic coatings but perform better in deicing tests using heating. Additionally, compared to commercial superhydrophobic coatings, the SPS coatings demonstrate significantly better performance in dry particle and icing/deicing cyclic tests while showing comparable durability in cloud-sized water droplet erosion tests. It is also shown that in case of high intensity water erosion, when the superhydrophobicity of SPS coatings deteriorates, it can be restored using a simple and quick retreatment process due to the robustness of the hierarchical micro-textured TiO2 base coatings.
Guest-Dependent Single-Crystal-to-Single-Crystal Phase Transitions in a Two-Dimensional Uranyl-Based Metal–Organic Framework

Two-dimensional metal–organic frameworks (2D-MOFs) have shown promise in gas storage and separation applications due to their structural isomerism in response to external stimuli such as temperature, mechanical pressure, and/or guest molecules. Here, we report the guest-dependent phase transitions of a uranyl-based 2D-MOF, NU-1302, observed as single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformations. Different stacking configurations of the same structure were observed in DMF and ethanol, and after supercritical CO2 activation. The structural isomerism upon exposure to different solvents and when solvent-free demonstrated the ability of this system to respond to guests by shifting neighboring 2D sheets, resulting in the expansion or contraction of one-dimensional channels.
Zero Power, Tunable Resonant Microphone with Nanowatt Classifier for Wake-Up Sensing

This paper shows a high sensitivity (12.6 V/Pa), tunable, and zero-power microphone for use in a near zero power detection system. The microphone uses energy from incoming sound signal to generate enough voltage for detection without any amplifying electronics. It takes advantage of mechanical resonance to achieve high sensitivity and pre-filter a desired frequency band. A spiral structure results in a low resonance frequency (25.2 Hz) for detecting most man-made machines such as generators, cars, and trucks. The microphone output is processed by a near-zero classifier subthreshold CMOS chip. The over-all system power consumption is under 6 nW. We show examples of electric generator detection at 10-meters, and truck detection at 0.5-meter in a rural environment, illustrative of zero-power wakeup sensors for long-lifetime IoT devices. The sensing also demonstrates the ability to distinguish different targets owing to different signal spectrums.
Abstract 169: A Retrospective Cardiovascular Disease Registry to Inform Community Prevention

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) registries are essential to planning, implementation, and evaluation of clinical and public health practice. Registries primarily enroll patients seeking me...
Constrained Wind Turbine Power Control

Typical wind turbine controllers are designed to regulate generator power to some fixed, rated value. We demonstrate a power regulator that uses wind speed measurements to control the power rating, increasing to capture more power and decreasing to mitigate peak blade loads and generator speeds that occur in extreme turbulent gusts. The regulator uses existing, industry-standard control loops to provide the direct inputs to the wind turbine and is designed based on the constraints that drive blade design and the limits on turbine operation. While decreasing blade loads and maintaining generator operation within a prescribed limit, we are able to capture 2.45% more power by changing the rated generator speed using a relatively simple control design and leaving open the possibility for further enhancements.
Development of an Innovative Nonanimal Training Model for Infant Pleural Effusion Drainage via Pigtail Catheter Placement.

Background Chest tube placement is an important skill for providers and bedside nurses caring for critically ill infants, allowing for the evacuation of pleural fluid and pneumothoraces. No realistic simulation models are commercially available for trainees to practice and learn this skill on infants. Purpose Our objective was to develop an inexpensive and reproducible model for percutaneous pleural pigtail placement for pleural fluid removal via the Seldinger technique. Methods The model was developed using hardware material and a discarded infant resuscitation manikin. The rib cage was constructed using electrical cable wires. Discarded and expired 250-mL bags of intravenous fluids were placed inside the chest cavity to simulate pleural fluid. Shelf liner was wrapped around the chest and abdomen of the infant model to simulate the skin layer. Pediatric critical care faculty performed the procedure on the final model and scored it for realism and utility for teaching. Without including the discarded manikin and fluid bags, the cost of the materials for the model was less than $20. Results Eight pediatric critical care faculty tested the pleural pigtail placement model. All faculty agreed the model provides a realistic simulated reproduction of placing a pleural pigtail, felt the model was simple to use, and indicated they would use it as a teaching tool in the future. Implications for practice An effective model for pleural pigtail placement can be inexpensively constructed using discarded bags of intravenous fluid and easy-to-find hardware materials. Implications for research Future studies are needed to assess whether this model helps providers and nurses develop and maintain the clinical skills for successful percutaneous pleural pigtail catheter placement.Video Abstract available at https://journals.lww.com/advancesinneonatalcare/Pages/videogallery.aspx?videoId=35&autoPlay=true.
Brittle or Ductile? Abrasive Wear of Polyacrylamide Hydrogels Reveals Load-Dependent Wear Mechanisms

Cartilage and hydrogels are composed of an elastic network that retains a large volume of water allowing them to efficiently maintain smooth sliding interfaces while under high compressive loads. For hydrogels to be viable candidates to replace osteoarthritic cartilage, a study of their robust long-term use and surface failure mechanism is necessary. In this work, a sandpaper covered probe attached to a microtribometer with a reciprocating stage was used to wear 7.5 wt% polyacrylamide hydrogels under a range of speeds (1 mm/s, 2 mm/s, and 3 mm/s) and normal loads (1 mN, 5 mN, 10 mN, and 20 mN). The subsequent wear scars were imaged using a 3D laser scanning confocal microscope. For all sliding speeds of the 1 mN and 5 mN loading conditions, microcutting, which is characteristic of brittle materials, contributed more to the measured wear volume. For the 10 mN and 20 mN loading conditions, microplowing, which is characteristic of ductile materials, contributed more to the measured wear volume. We found that the mechanical wear of hydrogels is a competition between ductile fracture and brittle fracture, and the dominant mechanism is dependent upon load, but not speed for the range of speeds tested. The different wear behavior between the lower loads (1 mN and 5 mN) and higher loads (10 mN and 20 mN) suggests that there is a critical load between 5 and 10 mN that marks the shift from more brittle fracture to more ductile fracture. This work is the beginning of developing more accurate predictions of the wear behavior of hydrogels and cartilage based on the nature of the materials.
Grandparents' wealth and the body mass index trajectories of grandchildren.

Background The aims of this study are to (i) examine associations between grandparents' wealth and grandchild's initial body mass index (BMI) in early childhood and its subsequent growth patterns, and to (ii) assess whether the associations are similar for white and black children. Methods Data are from the U.S. Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID) and its supplemental studies of Child Development Supplement (CDS) and Transition to Adulthood (TA) (N = 2,128). Three-level growth curve models are used to analyze the association between exposure to grandparental wealth in early childhood and grandchildren's BMI growth trajectories, accounting for parental sociodemographic characteristics and maternal BMI levels. Results Children with less grandparental wealth in early childhood have higher initial BMI than children with more grandparental wealth. Further, increases in grandparental wealth in childhood are associated with a slower BMI growth rate. The wealth-body mass index associations are more evident among white children than black children. Conclusions The study reveals a multigenerational social gradient to body mass index. Elevating the wealth levels of the grandparent generation could potentially reduce their grandchildren's obesity risk. The protective role of grandparental wealth seems to be more evident among white families than black families.
Immediate Stroke Fellow Presence in the ER: Getting to the Needle Faster (P04.052)

OBJECTIVE: We believed stationing a Stroke Neurologist in close proximity to the ED, an approach uncommon in the United States, would improve the tPA treatment process. BACKGROUND: In 2011, our center exhibited unexpected increases in DTN times. Starting 4/2012, a Stroke Fellow occupied an area near the ED during weekdays (M-F 0700hrs to 1700hrs). We thought immediate Stroke Fellow presence (ISP) near the ED would facilitate faster tPA treatment times. DESIGN/METHODS: From our stroke registry, we reviewed patients treated with IV tPA from 12/2011 to 7/2012, comparing those who presented during ISP hours with those prior to ISP implementation (pre-ISP). We compared ISP patients with those presenting during comparable daytime hours (CDH) pre-ISP. Primary outcomes were proportion of patients with DTN RESULTS: 125 patients were treated with IV tPA in the study period. Of these, 94 presented within 2 hours of symptom onset, with 14 (14.9%) of those in the ISP group. A higher proportion of patients in the ISP group received IV tPA within 60 minutes compared to pre-ISP although not statistically significant (57.1% vs 47.5%; p=0.5055). Compared to those arriving in CDH pre-ISP, there was a similar non-significant difference in proportion treated within 60 min favoring the ISP group (57.1% versus 50%; p=0.675). Secondary outcomes show a significant reduction in median Door-to-CT (19 min vs 25 min; p=0.02) with non-significant reduction in DTN times in the ISP group. CONCLUSIONS: Stroke Fellow presence in close proximity to the ED showed non-significant propensity toward faster treatment. We were limited by small sample sizes, installation of a new CT scanner before ISP and implementation of new pager scheme. Nevertheless, this suggests that immediate presence of a Stroke Neurologist may expedite advocacy, acute diagnosis and treatment of acute ischemic stroke patients. Supported by: NIH SPOTRIAS P50 NS 044227, NIH T32 NS0077412-12. Disclosure: Dr. Nguyen has nothing to disclose. Dr. Mir has nothing to disclose. Dr. Sangha has nothing to disclose. Dr. Hicks has nothing to disclose. Dr. Bursaw has nothing to disclose. Dr. Alderazi has nothing to disclose. Dr. Pandurengan has nothing to disclose. Dr. Peng has nothing to disclose. Dr. Gonzales has nothing to disclose. Dr. Wu has nothing to disclose. Dr. Savitz has received personal compensation for activities with Celgene, Aldagen, KM Pharmaceutical, GSK 2 as a consultant. Dr. Savitz has received research support from J&J, Athersys, Celgene, Genentech (Wake up stroke study), and Aldagen. Dr. Grotta has received personal compensation for activities with Lundbeck.
The use of a metacognition and contemplation intervention in improving student abilities to recognize order entry errors

Abstract Background and purpose To describe a pilot study testing a metacognition and contemplative pedagogy intervention designed to improve student abilities to identify errors on orders entered into a computerized provider order entry (CPOE) system. Educational activity and setting: Student teams worked up five patient cases and entered new orders into a CPOE system. All orders entered by teams were analyzed for errors and faculty members identified fifteen orders representing the top errors and selected these for the pre-exercise, in-class contemplation activity, and post-exercise. Course instructors instructed students to identify all errors on these orders. Students completed a pre/post-survey rating their ability to enter new orders. Two weeks later, students worked up a new patient case and entered orders into the CPOE. These orders were graded and scores were compared to the 2017 cohort to determine any differences in error rates. Findings Study participants included 205 students The average score of correctly identified errors increased from 22% on the pre-exercise to 62.8% on the post-exercise. On the survey of their skills, students rated their ability to “accurately enter medication orders into the [electronic health record] EHR” more highly after the intervention. The 2017 cohort made 73 errors on 170 orders compared to 45 errors on 165 orders by the 2018 cohort. Summary Based on improvements in student ability to identify order entry errors and overall positive student feedback, this strategy may be adopted by other educators looking to improve student identification of errors on orders entered into a CPOE system.
The Influence of Gamification and Information Technology Identity on Postadoption Behaviors of Health and Fitness App Users: Empirical Study in the United States

Background: The use of health and fitness apps has been on the rise to monitor personal fitness and health parameters. However, recent research discovered that many users discontinue using these apps after only a few months. Gamification has been suggested as a technique to increase users’ interactions with apps. Nevertheless, it is still not clear how gamification mechanisms encourage continued use and inspire user self-management. Objective: The main objective of this study was to articulate how gamification mechanisms in studies of designing and using health and fitness apps can contribute to the realization of information technology (IT) identity and positive behavioral outcomes. The broader goal was to shed light on how gamification mechanisms will translate into positive use behaviors in the context of mobile health apps. Methods: Data were collected from 364 users of health and fitness apps through an online survey to empirically examine the proposed model. Results: Based on identity theories, this study suggests the fully mediating role of IT identity to describe how gamification elements can lead to continued intention to use health and fitness apps, and increase users’ tendency for information sharing through the apps. The findings indicate that perceived gamification can increase users’ IT identity. In turn, a higher IT identity would encourage users to continue using the apps and share more personal health information with others through the apps. Conclusions: The results of this study can have practical implications for app designers to use gamification elements to increase users’ dependency, relatedness, and emotional energy associated with health apps. Moreover, the findings can have theoretical contributions for researchers to help better articulate the process in which gamification can be translated into positive use behaviors.
Point Spread Function Model of 3-Interaction Events for Super-MeV Compton Imaging Using Pixelated CdZnTe

Filtered backprojection presents a computationally cheap alternative to simple backprojection and maximum likelihood techniques to provide a high resolution image. It benefits from low memory requirements and the fact that it is a linear process which can easily be implemented in real time. The main component to filter design is the event response, or point spread function model. This work investigates the interaction mechanism in super-MeV Compton imaging to derive an analytical point spread function model. The model is specific for 3-interaction events and takes into account missequencing effects. It is then used in a spherical harmonic Wiener filter to reconstruct the images. When applying the filter with the analytical model, the image resolution improves from 33.6° average FWHM to 14.5° in a two source system. The analytical model's performance is poorer when compared to the 9.5° average FWHM of the Monte Carlo simulated model.
Electroporation safety factor of 300 nanosecond and 10 millisecond defibrillation in Langendorff-perfused rabbit hearts

Aims Recently, a new defibrillation modality using nanosecond pulses was shown to be effective at much lower energies than conventional 10 millisecond monophasic shocks in ex vivo experiments. Here we compare the safety factors of 300 nanosecond and 10 millisecond shocks to assess the safety of nanosecond defibrillation. Methods and results The safety factor, i.e. the ratio of median effective doses (ED50) for electroporative damage and defibrillation, was assessed for nanosecond and conventional (millisecond) defibrillation shocks in Langendorff-perfused New Zealand white rabbit hearts. In order to allow for multiple shock applications in a single heart, a pair of needle electrodes was used to apply shocks of varying voltage. Propidium iodide (PI) staining at the surface of the heart showed that nanosecond shocks had a slightly lower safety factor (6.50) than millisecond shocks (8.69), p = 0.02; while PI staining cross-sections in the electrode plane showed no significant difference (5.38 for 300 ns shocks and 6.29 for 10 ms shocks, p = 0.22). Conclusions In Langendorff-perfused rabbit hearts, nanosecond defibrillation has a similar safety factor as millisecond defibrillation, between 5 and 9, suggesting that nanosecond defibrillation can be performed safely.
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) Therapy in Parkinson Disease: A Meta-Analysis.

Abstract Objective Several studies have reported repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) therapy as an effective treatment for the control of motor symptoms in Parkinson disease. The objective of the study is to quantify the overall efficacy of this treatment. Types Systematic review and meta-analysis. Literature survey We reviewed the literature on clinical rTMS trials in Parkinson disease since the technique was introduced in 1980. We used the following databases: MEDLINE, Web of Science, Cochrane, and CINAHL. Methodology Patients and setting: Patients with Parkinson disease who were participating in prospective clinical trials that included an active arm and a control arm and change in motor scores on Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale as the primary outcome. We pooled data from 21 studies that met these criteria. We then analyzed separately the effects of low- and high-frequency rTMS on clinical motor improvements. Synthesis The overall pooled mean difference between treatment and control groups in the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale motor score was significant (4.0 points, 95% confidence interval, 1.5, 6.7; P = .005). rTMS therapy was effective when low-frequency stimulation (≤1 Hz) was used with a pooled mean difference of 3.3 points (95% confidence interval 1.6, 5.0; P = .005). There was a trend for significance when high-frequency stimulation (≥5 Hz) studies were evaluated with a pooled mean difference of 3.9 points (95% confidence interval, −0.7, 8.5; P = .08). rTMS therapy demonstrated benefits at short-term follow-up (immediately after a treatment protocol) with a pooled mean difference of 3.4 points (95% confidence interval, 0.3, 6.6; P = .03) as well as at long-term follow-up (average follow-up 6 weeks) with mean difference of 4.1 points (95% confidence interval, −0.15, 8.4; P = .05). There were insufficient data to statistically analyze the effects of rTMS when we specifically examined bradykinesia, gait, and levodopa-induced dyskinesia using quantitative methods. Conclusion rTMS therapy in patients with Parkinson disease results in mild-to-moderate motor improvements and has the potential to be used as an adjunct therapy for the treatment of Parkinson disease. Future large, sample studies should be designed to isolate the specific clinical features of Parkinson disease that respond well to rTMS therapy.
LACK OF EFFECT OF PATENT DUCTUS ARTERIOSUS (PDA) LIGATION ON INTRAVENTRICULAR HEMORRHAGE (IVA) IN THE VERY LOW BIRTHWEIGHT INFANT

Uncertainty exists whether the acute perioperative blood pressure changes associated with surgical closure of a PDA may cause or worsen IVH. Twenty infants undergoing PDA ligation had pre- and postoperative intracranial ultrasound studies performed within 24h of each other. The studies were read and graded (Papile classification) by one author (G.M.) who was unaware of the infant's operative status. At surgery, the ductus was occluded rapidly (within seconds) with either silk ligature or hemoclip. Each operation took <20 minutes.
Abstract MP79: Physical Activity Patterns by Data-driven Model-based Clustering Improve Association with Cardiovascular Risk Factors in a Multiethnic Cohort: The Northern Manhattan Study

Background: Physical activity is a complex modifiable risk factor (RF) for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Current methods to measure physical activity are limited by the use of summary scores such as total metabolic equivalents score (METS). Hypothesis: Physical activity patterns derived by a data-driven clustering method are associated with CVD RFs independently of METS. Methods: The Northern Manhattan Study is a prospective cohort of older, urban-dwelling, multiethnic, stroke-free individuals. Questionnaires were used to capture multi-dimensions of leisure-time physical activity, which was summarized with METS (total activity minutes х intensity in MET). Participants were grouped into previously defined METS categories (less than 1, greater than 14, and 1-14), and also into clusters by multivariate finite mixture modeling based on activity frequency, duration, energy expenditure, and number of activity types. Bayesian information criterion was used to decide number of clusters. Associations between model-based clusters and 4 RFs (diabetes, hypertension, obesity, high waist circumference) were assessed in the entire cohort and in each METS category; associations between METS and RFs were assessed in each cluster. Chi-squared test was used. Results: Physical activity data were available in 3293, with mean age 69 years, 63% women, and 52% Hispanic. Six clusters were identified and labeled I-VI (Table 1). Model-based clusters were associated with all four RFs (all p≤0.01), with clusters V and VI having lower RFs prevalence than the others: the association with obesity prevailed among those with 1≤METS≤14 (p 14 (p=0.03). METS categories were associated with all four RFs in the entire cohort (all p≤0.04); METS and RFs became no longer significantly associated within clusters. Conclusions: A data-driven clustering method for depicting physical activity data is a principled, generalizable approach to form subgroups associated with CVD RFs independently of METS. ![][1] [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif
Development of a 3-D scanning 1.5 /spl mu/m portable aerosol lidar

The design, testing and field measurements with a portable, eye-safe, 85 mJ, 15 Hz, 1.5 /spl mu/m 3-D scanning aerosol lidar system is presented.
A SYNTHESIS AND COMPARISON OF THE GEOCHEMISTRY OF VOLVANIC ROCKS OF THE SIERRA MADRE OCCIDENTAL AND MEXICAN VOLCANIC BELT

The Cenozoic-Recent volcanic rocks of mainland Mexico are largely confined to three provinces: the Sierra Madre Occidental (SMO), the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt (MVB), and the Eastern Alkalic province. The first two provinces are dominated by cale-alkalic rock series, but minor amounts of contemporaneous alkaline rocks are also present. The third province is comprised largely of alkaline volcanics. Comparison of the two calc-alkalic provinces reveals that each has distinct characteristics. The mid-Tertiary SMO volcanics are comprised largely of rhyolitic ignimbrites whereas the MVB is characterized by prominent neovolcanic centers that are primarily andesitic in composition. Cale-alkalic andesites from the western MVB (e.g., Ceboruco) have chemical characteristics that are distinct from andesites of the central MVB (e.g., Colima, Paricutin, Orizaba, Jorullo, Popocatepetl, Toluca). The andesites of Ceboruco have higher Na 2 O + K 2 O, K 2 O, Na 2 O, TiO 2 , P 2 O 5 , Ba, La, and (Ce/Yb) N and lower CaO, MgO, Cr, and Ba/La than andesites of the central MVB. Calc-alkalic andesites from the northern SMO (Batopilas area) and from the central MVB have similar total alkalies, K 2 O, Na 2 O, CaO, Sr, Zr and (Ce/Yb)N. The SMO andesites also have lower MgO and K/Rb and higher FeO*, TiO 2 , Rb, Th, La, and Y than calc-alkalic rocks of the central MVB. Initial Sr isotopic ratios of compositionallyintermediate MVB volcanics are restricted to the range 0.7035 - 0.7047 whereas the intermediate-felsic volcanics of the SMO have Sr[ ranging between 0.7033 and 0.7614. Such ratios indicate significant interaction of parental magmas with old radiogenic crust for the SMO volcanics, but relatively minor, if any, interaction with magmas parental to the MVB volcanics. Limited Nd isotopic data for MVB calc-alkalic volcanics (Colima, Los Humeros, Paricutin and La Primavera) generally have e Nd greater than Bulk Earth (up to +5 to +6). Volcanics of the northern SMO (Batopilas area) and southeastern Chihuahua have e Nd within ± 2.5units of Bulk Earth. Evolution of the rock suites at individual eruptive centers appears to have been controlled largely by crystal fractionation. Other processes operative at the same time may include magma mixing and crustal assimilation (the latter especially in the SMO). The nature of the source regions for parental magmas of volcanics in both the MVP and SMO-SEC areas has yet to be addressed in a comprehensive manner.
Treatment Efficacy of Virtual Reality Distraction in the Reduction of Pain and Anxiety During Cystoscopy

ABSTRACT Objective: Assessment of virtual reality (VR) distraction for alleviating pain and anxiety during flexible cystoscopy. Cystoscopy is a common ambulatory procedure performed in Urology and can be associated with moderate pain and anxiety. Sophisticated distraction techniques are not used with cystoscopy and VR has not been studied for this procedure. We designed a prospective, randomized, controlled trial assessing the efficacy of VR for alleviating pain and anxiety during flexible cystoscopy. Methods: Adult men referred for cystoscopy were randomized into a control or VR group. Subjects were given preprocedure and postprocedure questionnaires addressing anxiety, pain, and time spent thinking about pain. Vitals signs and galvanic skin monitors were used as objective measures. The control group underwent routine cystoscopy and the VR group underwent cystoscopy with VR. Physicians answered a postprocedure questionnaire assessing the difficulty of the exam. All questionnaires used a visual analog sco...
Plant-based foods and prevention of cardiovascular disease: an overview

Evidence from prospective cohort studies indicates that a high consumption of plant-based foods such as fruit and vegetables, nuts, and whole grains is associated with a significantly lower risk of coronary artery disease and stroke. The protective effects of these foods are probably mediated through multiple beneficial nutrients contained in these foods, including mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids, n-3 fatty acids, antioxidant vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, fiber, and plant protein. In dietary practice, healthy plant-based diets do not necessarily have to be low in fat. Instead, these diets should include unsaturated fats as the predominant form of dietary fat (eg, fats from natural liquid vegetable oils and nuts), whole grains as the main form of carbohydrate, an abundance of fruit and vegetables, and adequate n-3 fatty acids. Such diets, which also have many other health benefits, deserve more emphasis in dietary recommendations to prevent chronic diseases.
Neck injury response to direct head impact

Previous in vivo studies have observed flexion of the upper or upper/middle cervical spine and extension at inferior spinal levels due to direct head impacts. These studies hypothesized that hyperflexion may contribute to injury of the upper or middle cervical spine during real-life head impact. Our objectives were to determine the cervical spine injury response to direct head impact, document injuries, and compare our results with previously reported in vivo data. Our model consisted of a human cadaver neck (n=6) mounted to the torso of a rear impact dummy and carrying a surrogate head. Rearward force was applied to the model's forehead using a cable and pulley system and free-falling mass of 3.6kg followed by 16.7kg. High-speed digital cameras tracked head, vertebral, and pelvic motions. Average peak spinal rotations observed during impact were statistically compared (P<0.05) to physiological ranges obtained from intact flexibility tests. Peak head impact force was 249 and 504N for the 3.6 and 16.7kg free-falling masses, respectively. Occipital condyle loads reached 205.3N posterior shear, 331.4N compression, and 7.4Nm extension moment. We observed significant increases in intervertebral extension peaks above physiologic at C6/7 (26.3° vs. 5.7°) and C7/T1 (29.7° vs. 4.6°) and macroscopic ligamentous and osseous injuries at C6 through T1 due to the 504N impacts. Our results indicate that a rearward head shear force causes complex neck loads of posterior shear, compression, and extension moment sufficient to injure the lower cervical spine. Real-life neck injuries due to motor vehicle crashes, sports impacts, or falls are likely due to combined loads transferred to the neck by direct head impact and torso inertial loads.
Depression in schizophrenia: II. MRI and PET findings

Background: Despite consistent descriptions of depressive symptoms in schizophrenia, little is known about their neurobiology. The purpose of this study was to examine the association of depression in schizophrenia with measures of brain anatomy and metabolism. Methods: Seventy-nine patients were grouped according to their ratings on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS): ≥ 18 was the cutoff between the “high” and “low” depression groups. All patients underwent clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evaluation, and a subsample of 37 underwent 2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) measurements of cerebral glucose metabolism. Results: The high depression group had larger bilateral temporal lobe volumes and decreased laterality (left minus right of metabolism in the anterior cingulate). Conclusions: The neurobiology of depression in schizophrenia thus seems to share features with major depression due to other disease states.
Sex and the Pursuit of Happiness: How Other People’s Sex Lives are Related to our Sense of Well-Being

A growing literature suggests that income, marriage, friendship, sex, and a variety of other factors influence self-reported happiness. Why these characteristics matter has been less examined. Scholars have recently demonstrated that part of the effect of income is relative. More income makes people happier, in part, because it sets them above their peers. Until now, the role of relative comparison in the study of happiness has been limited to income. The current work extends this focus to another activity—sex. Using GSS data, I examine how respondents’ frequency of sex, as well as the average sexual frequency of their cohort, influences their happiness. The findings suggest that happiness is positively correlated with their own sexual frequency, but inversely correlated with the sexual frequency of others.
Cardiac Cachexia: A Syndrome With Impaired Survival and Immune and Neuroendocrine Activation

Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a complex syndrome affecting many body systems. Body wasting ( ie , cardiac cachexia) is a serious complication of CHF long known but little investigated. Although no specific diagnostic criteria have been established, we have suggested that cardiac cachexia be defined on the basis of the presence of documented nonintentional and nonedematous weight loss > 7.5% of the premorbid normal weight, occurring over a time period of > 6 months. Using this definition, 16% of an unselected CHF outpatient population was found to be cachectic. The cachectic state is predictive of impaired prognosis independently of age, functional disease classification, left ventricular ejection fraction, and peak oxygen consumption. The mortality in the cachectic cohort is 50% at 18 months. Analyzing body composition in detail, it has been found that patients with cardiac cachexia suffer from a general loss of fat tissue ( ie , energy reserves), lean tissue ( ie , skeletal muscle), and bone tissue ( ie , osteoporosis). Cachectic CHF patients are weaker and fatigue earlier, which is due to both reduced skeletal muscle mass and impaired muscle quality. The pathophysiologic alterations leading to cardiac cachexia remain unclear, but initial cross-sectional studies have suggested that humoral neuroendocrine and immunologic abnormalities are linked, independently of established heart failure severity markers, to the presence of body wasting. Comparing the features of cachectic and noncachectic CHF patients with those of healthy control subjects, it is mainly the cachectic CHF patients who show raised plasma levels of epinephrine, norepinephrine, and cortisol; the highest plasma renin activity and aldosterone plasma concentrations; and the lowest plasma sodium level. Several studies have shown that cardiac cachexia is linked to raised plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor-α. The degree of body wasting is strongly correlated with neurohormonal and immune abnormalities. The available evidence suggests that cardiac cachexia is a multifactorial neuroendocrine and metabolic disorder with a poor prognosis. A complex imbalance of different body systems may cause the development of body wasting.
The effect of antibiotic treatment on the release of endotoxin during nontypable Haemophilus influenzae-induced otitis media in the chinchilla

The gram negative bacteria, nontypable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) was used to induce otitis media in a total of 18 chinchillas. Three days post-inoculation, three cohorts of 6 chinchillas each were treated daily for four days with either ceftriaxone, chloramphenicol, or diluent without antibiotics. Middle ear fluid (MEF) was obtained daily, assayed for endotoxin content by means of the chromogenic limulus amebocyte lysate assay, and concentration of the NTHi/mL MEF determined by standard plate count. The endotoxin concentration per mL MEF from both the antibiotic treated cohorts decreased during the observation period, but increased in the MEF of the untreated control group. The data indicate that, unlike the dramatic increase in endotoxin concentration, after antibiotic treatment in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) during experimental Haemophilus influenzae-induced meningitis, there is no demonstrable sustained release of endotoxin in the middle ear subsequent to antibiotic treatment during experimental otitis media.
Osteocalcin secretion by the human osteosarcoma cell line MG-63

The human osteosarcoma cell line MG-63 has been used to study the production of the bone-specific protein, osteocalcin. In the absence of any stimuli, MG-63 cells secreted very low levels of osteocalcin. The secretion of osteocalcin started after a lag time of 10-12 h upon 1,25-(OH)2D3 treatment. Osteocalcin secretion was measured at doses as low as 0.03 nM (fourfold increase, p less than 0.05), and this activity increased further with higher doses of 1,25-(OH)2D3 to reach a plateau at 50 nM. The secretion increased transiently from very low levels in sparse cell cultures to peak values in subconfluent cultures (+/- 40%), two- to threefold above values obtained for confluent cells. Values for confluent cells average 55.9 +/- 2.0 ng/ml protein per 48 h. A similar behavior is observed for 1,25-(OH)2D3 receptor concentration under similar experimental conditions. Bmax increased transiently from sparse to subconfluent cell cultures (40-60% confluent) and reached values 50% lower in confluent cells. However, the receptor affinity was not affected by cell density. MG-63 cells also possessed an alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme of the bone-liver-kidney type that was stimulated by 1,25-(OH)2D3 treatment (two- to threefold) and inhibited by parathyroid hormone (40 nM, -25%, p less than 0.025). PTH and PGE2 increased cAMP production in a dose-dependent manner, but the cells were irresponsive to salmon calcitonin. Basal and PTH-responsive cyclic AMP production were also modulated by cell density. Dexamethasone pretreatment (100 nM, 48 h) stimulated the PTH-dependent cAMP production but failed to influence the response to PGE2.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Behavior-specific changes in transcriptional modules lead to distinct and predictable neurogenomic states

Using brain transcriptomic profiles from 853 individual honey bees exhibiting 48 distinct behavioral phenotypes in naturalistic contexts, we report that behavior-specific neurogenomic states can be inferred from the coordinated action of transcription factors (TFs) and their predicted target genes. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering of these transcriptomic profiles showed three clusters that correspond to three ecologically important behavioral categories: aggression, maturation, and foraging. To explore the genetic influences potentially regulating these behavior-specific neurogenomic states, we reconstructed a brain transcriptional regulatory network (TRN) model. This brain TRN quantitatively predicts with high accuracy gene expression changes of more than 2,000 genes involved in behavior, even for behavioral phenotypes on which it was not trained, suggesting that there is a core set of TFs that regulates behavior-specific gene expression in the bee brain, and other TFs more specific to particular categories. TFs playing key roles in the TRN include well-known regulators of neural and behavioral plasticity, e.g., Creb, as well as TFs better known in other biological contexts, e.g., NF-κB (immunity). Our results reveal three insights concerning the relationship between genes and behavior. First, distinct behaviors are subserved by distinct neurogenomic states in the brain. Second, the neurogenomic states underlying different behaviors rely upon both shared and distinct transcriptional modules. Third, despite the complexity of the brain, simple linear relationships between TFs and their putative target genes are a surprisingly prominent feature of the networks underlying behavior.