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Introduction: We analyzed data regarding smoking cessation medication use after stroke/TIA in the United States. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis using data from the Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke registry, which includes data for adult patients receiving acute care for stroke and TIA across the United States. Our outcome of interest was provision of cessation medication (nicotine replacement therapy [NRT], bupropion, varenicline) among patients who were active smokers at the time of stroke/TIA. We used unadjusted and multivariable regression models to explore factors associated with provision of cessation medications. We specifically evaluated whether event type (TIA and hemorrhagic stroke versus ischemic stroke) and burden of smoking-related cardiovascular conditions (≥1 versus 0) were associated with cessation medication provision. Results: Of 1,589,760 patients with stroke/TIA, 187,501 were smokers with available smoking treatment data. The mean age was 59.9 years (SD, 11.6); 42% were women. Most patients (97.7%) received some form of cessation intervention. As for specific treatments, 29.8% were provided cessation medication (NRT: 16.2%; varenicline or bupropion: 13.0%; multiple/other: 2.3%). The remaining 68.5% received counseling alone. In multivariable models, patients with hemorrhagic stroke (OR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.76-0.86) and TIA (OR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.64-0.73) had lower odds of receiving cessation medications than ischemic stroke patients. Cardiovascular disease burden was not associated with cessation medication provision (OR, 0.98; 95 CI, 0.94-1.02). However, multivariable models revealed demographic differences. Black (OR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.74-0.82) and Asian (OR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.58-0.87) patients had lower odds of receiving cessation medication, compared to White patients. Hispanic ethnicity was also associated with lower odds of cessation medication provision (OR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.56-0.73). Conclusions: Approximately 30% of smokers were provided a smoking cessation medication during hospitalization. Compared to ischemic stroke, TIA and hemorrhagic stroke were associated with lower rates of smoking cessation medication provision, and racial and ethnic disparities were identified.

Intergenerational programs increase interaction among groups allowing both generations to share their beliefs, talents, knowledge, and wisdom. The Senior Programming Intergenerational College Experience (SPICE) Project was designed to deliver an 11-week long intergenerational program with college-aged and older adult participants and was provided virtually during the pandemic. The purpose of this study was to describe the participation characteristics and attitudes towards aging and technology of older adults who completed the SPICE program. Older adult recruitment occurred through paper fliers posted at senior centers/housing, libraries, faith-based organizations in Genesee County, Michigan and through a large state-wide electronic study recruitment portal. Older adult participants were English speaking; aged 55+ years; able to participate in live Zoom sessions once/week; and were committed to complete >75% of the SPICE program. Online surveys were completed before/after SPICE to evaluate attitudes towards aging and technophilia. Results from 15 older adults who completed >75% of SPICE sessions indicated that they were able to cope with life as they got older (60%), viewed aging as a positive experience (85.7%), were not afraid to use new technology (68.6%) and believed technology was useful/fun (88.6%). Older adults were divided on willingness to try new technology and their ability to keep up with technological progress. These data indicate that for higher education institutions focused on designing age-inclusive online opportunities, older adults who possess a positive attitude toward aging and technology may be more likely to complete intergenerational programs.

Epoxy coatings are currently the most popular corrosion protection mechanism for steel reinforcement in structural concrete in North America. However, these coatings are easily damaged on worksites, negating their intended purpose. This study investigated self-healing coatings for steel reinforcement to introduce an autonomous healing mechanism for damaged coatings. Coatings were applied to steel coupons and rebar, intentionally damaged, and introduced to a corrosive environment via salt-water aeration tanks and accelerated corrosion testing. Performance of the experimental coatings was evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively. Adhesion strength and effects of coating thickness were also studied. Results from pre-corroded coated steel coupons submerged in salt-water aeration tanks exhibited improved corrosion resistance performance with self-healing coatings, although self-healing and conventional coatings performed similarly under other conditions. Steel reinforcement with a self-healing coating embedded in concrete and subjected to accelerated corrosion testing lasted longer than the conventionally coated counterparts. Self-healing coatings had comparable adhesion to the substrate as do conventional coatings. With numerous avenues for future research towards the adoption of self-healing coatings for steel reinforcement, this paper shows preliminary results demonstrating the potential benefits of their use.

Round gobies and dreissenid mussels, exotic species in the North American Great Lakes basin, are euryhaline organisms whose geographic spread and ecological impacts in freshwaters may be limited by low levels of dissolved ions such as calcium (Ca). We measured source populations of these exotics in the St. Lawrence River and found population densities of dreissenids (range of ~1,000–6,400 individuals m−2) and round gobies (6–32 individuals m−2) similar to those in other Great Lake locations from which they have spread inland. However, we found little evidence for their secondary invasion of inland tributary rivers and lakes of northern New York State. Using natural waters collected from inland ecosystems, we ran laboratory bioassays of reproduction, growth, and survival of several life stages of zebra and quagga mussels as well as the round goby. We found little difference in the responses of zebra and quagga mussels, with each species showing moderate reproductive success, growth, and survival at Ca concentrations > 13 mg L−1 and dramatic improvements at >18 mg L−1. Round gobies showed moderate survival in waters with Ca concentrations > 8 mg L−1 and high survival > 18 mg L−1. These bioassays are the first such experiments for quagga mussels and round gobies and show how all three species may be similarly restricted in their ability to invade and permanently colonize significant geographic regions of New York State and perhaps the US.

Grande, M., & Knight, T. M. C. (2013). The Future of Spacecraft Radiation Design: Workshop at Aberystwyth University, UK, 28–30 November 2012. Space Weather, 11(10), 843-844. Accepted for publication. This is a report on the roadmap generated by a workshop organised by M.Grande to review the future of spacecraft radiation design

Single or multiple intraoral administrations of manganese superoxide dismutase-plasmid/liposomes (MnSOD-PL) to C3H/HeNHsd mice receiving single fraction or fractionated ionizing irradiation to the head and neck region have been shown to significantly decrease mucosal ulceration, weight loss and to improve survival.To elucidate the mechanism of irradiation protection by MnSOD-PL and explore possible additive or synergistic protective effects with Amifostine (WR2721), mice received a single fraction of 19, 22.5, 25 or 30 Gy, or 24 fractions of 3 Gy irradiation to the oral cavity and oropharynx. Multiple parameters of irradiation-induced toxicity were quantitated in subgroups of each irradiated group of mice treated with single or multiple administrations of intraoral MnSOD-PL and/or intravenous WR2721.In 19 Gy single fraction irradiated mice, MnSOD-PL treatment the day before irradiation alone or in combination with intravenous WR2721 significantly decreased the irradiation induction of mucosal cell cycling as measured by 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BuDR) uptake in oral cavity mucosal cells at 48 hours and decreased ulceration of the tongue at nine days after irradiation compared to control, irradiated or irradiated, WR2721-treated mice. Mice treated in single fractions of 22.5, 25 or 30 Gy showed MnSOD-PL protection against irradiation-induced oral mucosal apoptosis and xerostomia measured in decreased saliva output. In fractionated irradiated mice, twice weekly hemagglutinin (HA) epitope-tagged MnSOD uptake in oral cavity and tongue mucosal cells was not detectably altered by daily WR2721 intravenous administration. Mice treated with both radioprotective agents (MnSOD-PL and WR2721) demonstrated a significant decrease in irradiation-induced xerostomia (measured as reduced salivary gland output volume), mucosal ulceration and improved survival.Enhanced salivary gland function in WR2721-treated mice in the absence of detectable mucosal protection, coupled with relatively low uptake of HA-MnSOD in the salivary glands of intraorally-treated mice, suggests that a combination of both radioprotective agents may prove optimally effective for the prevention of the acute and late normal tissue toxicities of fractionated radiotherapy for head and neck cancer.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to quantify labral seal in labrum reconstructed joints by measuring the suction force, and compare them to the same joints with intact labrum and torn labrum. Methods: Six cadaveric specimens of hemi-pelvis with proximal femur were obtained for the study from musculoskeletally normal donors (mean age: 54.5 yrs, range 46-61 yrs). Full pelvis specimens were first skeletonized and potted onto a custom mounting jig secured at the iliac wings using bolts and dental cement. The mounting jigs consisted of a metal bracket system which allowed the hemipelvis to rotate anteriorly and posteriorly. A pullout handle with a 6-axis load cell (AMTI, Watertown, MA) on board was fixed in the lateral aspect of the femur, 1-inch below the greater trochanter. Manual pullout was performed along the axis of femoral neck, while suction force induced by the negative pressured measured by the load cell was recorded at a rate of 100 Hz. The width of the intact labrum was measured with a ruler at the 12 o’clock position. Each specimen was tested under three labrum conditions: intact, torn, and reconstructed. The intact specimen was tested first. The labrum was then released directly off of the bony acetabular rim from the 11 o’clock position to the 2 o’clock position using a scalpel. The pull out strength was tested again. Finally, labral reconstruction was performed using five suture anchors evenly spaced within the span of the tear, and secured with a single simple suture per anchor. Pull out test was performed the third time using the same protocols. Prior to each of three pull out tests, light mineral oil (Johnson & Johnson baby oil) was applied to the surfaces of the femoral head and acetabulum to simulate the lubricating effect of synovial fluid. The peak suction forces from the three stages were derived from the load cell measurement based on the handle orientation. Peak suction force from the torn and reconstruction stages were also normalized with respect to the native stage and repeated measure ANOVA was used to test the differences. Results: Large variations in labral morphology were observed among the six specimens. The width of the labrum at 12 o’clock ranged from 3 mm to 15 mm (mean 6.3 mm). Two of the six labrums showed signs of ossification. Correspondingly, the peak suction force measured from the six-axis load cell also exhibited wide inter-specimen ranges. On average, the peak suction force was 45.1±45.5 N in the native stage, 7.4±5.9 N in the torn stage, and 27.2±22.6 N in reconstruction stage. However, after normalization with respect to the intact stage, all specimens demonstrated a consistent trend of significant 74%±26% reduction for the labral torn stage (pConclusion: We produced a cadaver model to quantify labral seal in its intact, torn, and reconstructed stages. Results from this study demonstrated a consistent trend across various labral morphologic conditions, that is labral tear had significant impact on labral seal, and labral reconstruction can restore 77% of sealing function as the intact.

Intratracheal injection of MnSOD-PL has been shown to protect the murine lung from irradiation-induced damage. To translate this modality to fractionated radiotherapy in the clinic, an inhalation model for the delivery of MnSOD-PL was developed. To demonstrate that MnSOD-PL can be delivered to the lungs, an ultrasonic nebulizer was used to deliver either 1 mg of alkaline phosphatase-PL (Alk-PL) complex or hemagglutinin epitope-tagged MnSOD (HA-MnSOD) to C57BL/6J mice. Other mice were intratracheally-injected with Alk-PL or HA-MnSOD-PL (500 μg plasmid DNA). All mice were sacrificed 24 hours after MnSOD-PL administration with the lungs assayed for increased MnSOD biochemical activity or DNA expression. An increase was observed in MnSOD biochemical activity from levels of 2.23 ± 0.15 U/mg protein in control mice to 5.0 ± 0.21 U/mg protein in mice that inhaled MnSOD-PL (p= 0.024). Real time PCR (RT-PCR) using primers specific for the human MnSOD gene detected a significant increase in MnSOD mRNA expression in mice that inhaled MnSOD-PL compared to control, C57BL/6J mice. In a second experiment, subgroups of mice inhaled 0, 250, 500, 1000, or 2000 μg of HA-MnSOD plasmid DNA over 5 minutes. MnSOD biochemical activity was significantly increased with maximal activity of 5.0 ± 0.4 U/mg protein at 500 μg plasmid DNA compared to 2.3 ± 0.1 in control, non-treated lungs (p= 0.0241). To demonstrate that inhalation of MnSOD-PL protected against irradiation-induced lung damage, C57BL/6J mice inhaled 1.0 mg of MnSOD-PL over 10 minutes or were intratracheally-injected with 0.5 mg of MnSOD-PL. Twenty-four hours later, control mice as well as MnSOD-PL-treated mice were irradiated to 20 Gy and followed for development of organizing alveolitis. Mice inhaling MnSOD or injected intratracheally with MnSOD-PL had significantly increased survival (p