OBJECTIVES/GOALS: The purpose of this study is to identify and quantitatively describe environmental barriers to community engagement and activity participation for adults with stroke and low income. Repeated electronic surveys collected in real time will reduce recall bias and improve characterization of barriers. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: 20-30 community-dwelling adults with stroke and low income will be recruited for this pilot study. Inclusion criteria: > 1 month post stroke and evidence that they have the vision, literacy, and cognitive capacities to answer survey questions on a smart device. Exclusion criteria: severe aphasia, severe mental illness or substance abuse within 3 months, and ataxia. Participants will complete standardized assessments of daily activities, engagement in and perceptions about community activities, social support, and perceived environmental barriers. Participants then complete four surveys per day for 14 days using an app on an iPod Touch, reporting activities attempted and barriers encountered. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: This is the first study of this kind and is a work in progress. We anticipate that the environmental barriers reported will include physical (e.g. built structures, climate, and natural terrain), social (e.g. support or lack thereof; stigma), political (e.g. access to transportation; healthcare services), and technological barriers (e.g. difficulties with personal equipment and/or technologies such as elevators, ticket kiosks, etc.). DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: An increased understanding of the barriers facing community-dwelling adults with stroke and low income will facilitate the development of culturally-appropriate and more accessible self-management programs to help this population re-engage in their communities and return to pre-stroke activities.

The role of starburst winds versus active galactic nuclei (AGN) jets/winds in the formation of the kiloparsec scale radio emission seen in Seyferts is not yet well understood. In order to be able to disentangle the role of various components, we have observed a sample of Seyfert galaxies exhibiting kpc-scale radio emission suggesting outflows, along with a comparison sample of starburst galaxies, with the EVLA B-array in polarimetric mode at 1.4 GHz and 5 GHz. The Seyfert galaxy NGC 2639, shows highly polarized secondary radio lobes, not observed before, which are aligned perpendicular to the known pair of radio lobes. The additional pair of lobes represent an older epoch of emission. A multi-epoch multi-frequency study of the starburst-Seyfert composite galaxy NGC 3079, reveals that the jet together with the starburst superwind and the galactic magnetic fields might be responsible for the well-known 8-shaped radio lobes observed in this galaxy. We find that many of the Seyfert galaxies in our sample show bubble-shaped lobes, which are absent in the starburst galaxies that do not host an AGN.

Does media choice cause polarization, or merely reflect it? We investigate a critical aspect of this puzzle: How partisan media contribute to attitude polarization among different groups of media consumers. We implement a new experimental design, called the Preference-Incorporating Choice and Assignment (PICA) design, that incorporates both free choice and forced exposure. We estimate jointly the degree of polarization caused by selective exposure and the persuasive effect of partisan media. Our design also enables us to conduct sensitivity analyses accounting for discrepancies between stated preferences and actual choice, a potential source of bias ignored in previous studies using similar designs. We find that partisan media can polarize both its regular consumers and inadvertent audiences who would otherwise not consume it, but ideologically opposing media potentially also can ameliorate the existing polarization between consumers. Taken together, these results deepen our understanding of when and how media polarize individuals.

The objective was to compare the performance of the updated Charlson comorbidity index (uCCI) and classical CCI (cCCI) in predicting 30-day mortality in patients with Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia (SAB). All cases of SAB in patients aged ⩾14 years identified at the Microbiology Unit were included prospectively and followed. Comorbidity was evaluated using the cCCI and uCCI. Relevant variables associated with SAB-related mortality, along with cCCI or uCCI scores, were entered into multivariate logistic regression models. Global model fit, model calibration and predictive validity of each model were evaluated and compared. In total, 257 episodes of SAB in 239 patients were included (mean age 74 years; 65% were male). The mean cCCI and uCCI scores were 3.6 (standard deviation, 2.4) and 2.9 (2.3), respectively; 161 (63%) cases had cCCI score ⩾3 and 89 (35%) cases had uCCI score ⩾4. Sixty-five (25%) patients died within 30 days. The cCCI score was not related to mortality in any model, but uCCI score ⩾4 was an independent factor of 30-day mortality (odds ratio, 1.98; 95% confidence interval, 1.05–3.74). The uCCI is a more up-to-date, refined and parsimonious prognostic mortality score than the cCCI; it may thus serve better than the latter in the identification of patients with SAB with worse prognoses.

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is a significant cause of gastrointestinal infection and the haemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS). STEC outbreaks are commonly associated with food but animal contact is increasingly being implicated in its transmission. We report an outbreak of STEC affecting young infants at a nursery in a rural community (three HUS cases, one definite case, one probable case, three possible cases and five carriers, based on the combination of clinical, epidemiological and laboratory data) identified using culture-based and molecular techniques. The investigation identified repeated animal contact (animal farming and petting) as a likely source of STEC introduction followed by horizontal transmission. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) was used for real-time investigation of the incident and revealed a unique strain of STEC O26:H11 carrying stx2a and intimin. Following a public health intervention, no additional cases have occurred. This is the first STEC outbreak reported from Israel. WGS proved as a useful tool for rapid laboratory characterization and typing of the outbreak strain and informed the public health response at an early stage of this unusual outbreak.

Objectives: The present study examined differences in neurocognitive outcomes among non-Hispanic Black and White stroke survivors using the NIH Toolbox-Cognition Battery (NIHTB-CB), and investigated the roles of healthcare variables in explaining racial differences in neurocognitive outcomes post-stroke. Methods: One-hundred seventy adults (91 Black; 79 White), who participated in a multisite study were included (age: M=56.4; SD=12.6; education: M=13.7; SD=2.5; 50% male; years post-stroke: 1–18; stroke type: 72% ischemic, 28% hemorrhagic). Neurocognitive function was assessed with the NIHTB-CB, using demographically corrected norms. Participants completed measures of socio-demographic characteristics, health literacy, and healthcare use and access. Stroke severity was assessed with the Modified Rankin Scale. Results: An independent samples t test indicated Blacks showed more neurocognitive impairment (NIHTB-CB Fluid Composite T-score: M=37.63; SD=11.67) than Whites (Fluid T-score: M=42.59, SD=11.54; p=.006). This difference remained significant after adjusting for reading level (NIHTB-CB Oral Reading), and when stratified by stroke severity. Blacks also scored lower on health literacy, reported differences in insurance type, and reported decreased confidence in the doctors treating them. Multivariable models adjusting for reading level and injury severity showed that health literacy and insurance type were statistically significant predictors of the Fluid cognitive composite (p<.001 and p=.02, respectively) and significantly mediated racial differences on neurocognitive impairment. Conclusions: We replicated prior work showing that Blacks are at increased risk for poorer neurocognitive outcomes post-stroke than Whites. Health literacy and insurance type might be important modifiable factors influencing these differences. (JINS, 2017, 23, 640–652)

An obesity paradox has been proposed in many conditions including HIV. Studies conducted to investigate obesity and its effect on HIV disease progression have been inconclusive and are lacking for African settings. This study investigated the relationship between overweight/obesity (BMI≥25 kg/m2) and HIV disease progression in HIV+ asymptomatic adults not on antiretroviral treatment (ART) in Botswana over 18 months. A cohort study in asymptomatic, ART-naïve, HIV+ adults included 217 participants, 139 with BMI of 18·0–24·9 kg/m2 and seventy-eight participants with BMI≥25 kg/m2. The primary outcome was time to event (≥25 % decrease in cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4) cell count) during 18 months of follow-up; secondary outcomes were time to event of CD4 cell count<250 cells/µl and AIDS-defining conditions. Proportional survival hazard models were used to compare hazard ratios (HR) on time to events of HIV disease progression over 18 months. Higher baseline BMI was associated with significantly lower risk of an AIDS-defining condition during the follow-up (HR 0·218; 95 % CI 0·068, 0·701; P=0·011). Higher fat mass at baseline was also significantly associated with decreased risk of AIDS-defining conditions during the follow-up (HR 0·855; 95 % CI 0·741, 0·987; P=0·033) and the combined outcome of having CD4 cell count≤250/µl and AIDS-defining conditions, whichever occurred earlier (HR 0·918; 95 % CI 0·847, 0·994; P=0·036). All models were adjusted for covariates. Higher BMI and fat mass among the HIV-infected, ART-naïve participants were associated with slower disease progression. Mechanistic research is needed to evaluate the association between BMI, fat mass and HIV disease progression.

We have obtained long slit spectra of 3C 67 and 3C 277.1 with the HST/STIS spectrograph. We present our preliminary results on the diagnostic emission line ratios along the radio source axes in 3C 67 and 3C 277.1.

We have obtained HST/STIS long slit spectroscopy of the aligned emission line nebulae in three compact steep spectrum (CSS) radio sources — 3C 67, 3C 277.1, and 3C 303.1. We find systematic offsets (˜300–500 kms) of the emission line velocities on one or both sides of the radio sources. We also see evidence for broad lines (FWHM ˜500 kms) and complex emission line profiles. In 3C 303.1 the data are consistent with multiple components and possibly split lines. The amplitude of the velocity variations is not so large as to exclude gravitationally-induced motions. However, the complex kinematics, the lack of a signature of Keplerian rotation, and the association of the velocity variations with the radio lobes are consistent with the observed ˜300–500 kms velocities being driven by the expansion of the radio source. Acceleration of the clouds by the bow shock is plausible given the estimated densities in the clouds and the velocities observed in the much smaller compact symmetric objects and with expansion velocities estimated from spectral ageing. This conclusion is unchanged if we consider the scenario in which the cloud acceleration is dominated by the post bow shock flow.

The purpose of this study was to describe differences in activity participation between younger and older individuals with stroke to inform transition after stroke. This was a cross-sectional study with individuals six-months poststroke (n = 177). All individuals completed an outcomes assessment battery that included the Stroke Impact Scale, the Reintegration to Normal Living Index and the Activity Card Sort. The sample was divided into two groups: (1) Young — those under the age of 65 (n = 89); and (2) Old — those 65 or older (n = 88). Analysis was completed to examine differences between the groups on the primary outcome measures of the study and to look at differences between the groups on individual questions/items on the specific measures. The results of this study demonstrate: (1) significant differences in both the quantity and nature of activity participation prior to and after stroke between younger and older stroke survivors and (2) total scores and measures of central tendency do not necessarily provide therapists with the information they need to guide treatment. Rehabilitation professionals should focus on providing clients with the tools they will need to be successful in transitioning back to home and community environments once rehabilitation has ended.

A number of reconnexion concepts and experiments are briefly reviewed in order to re-examine the present interpretation of these experiments. In particular, we offer explanations as to why some experiments appear to develop Petschek modes, tearing modes, or netural current sheets. The explanations require an understanding of the proper role of magnetic Reynolds numbers, the limits of the frozen-in concept, and the importance of natural importance of natural boundary conditions. We find that netural current sheets usually from in experiments with highly symmetrical (and therefore unnatural) boundary conditions. The classical tearing mode develops from perturbations of a neutral current sheet. In less constrained geometries multiple neutral points may appear but the classical tearing mode theory needs modification to explain these cases rigorously. A Petschek mode develops in even less constrained systems although the theoretical description is highly idealized. We offer explanations as to why some experimenters appear to find neutral current sheets in quadrupole fields and examine the usefulness of concepts derived from neutral current sheet theory.

We present optical spectroscopic and magnetic probe observations of a laboratory discharge device, in which magnetic field line reconnexion occurs at an x−type neutral point. Time-resolved spectral-line profiles of the ionized argon line A II λ4348 are presented. These allow the determination of Doppler shifts and broadenings near the neutral point. Plasma heating occurs at the neutral point and downstream from it. Plasma is ejected from the downstream sides of the neutral point region at the local Alfvén speed at all times. This is equal to about one-tenth the upstream Alfvén speed at the one time it is known. The downstream magnetic Mach number or ‘local reconnexion rate’ is found to be nearly independent of the plasma conductivity and time. The rate of transfer of magnetic flux from the upstream to downstream regions is strongly dependent on conductivity and time.

Experiments show that plasma may be temporarily confined in a potential well created by three symmetrically spaced inverse pinches. X-type neutral points form at each of the three points of first contact of the inverse pinches and these three neutral points act as flux switches impulsively transferring flux into a central confinement region. The confinement is terminated by a transition to anomalous resistivity at the centre of the device resulting in rapid annihilation of the confining flux by resistive dissipation. The subsequent magnetic field pattern is much more like the vacuum field having only one hyperbolic neutral point.

The plasma configuration can probably be made stable for longer periods of time and should also be of interest for studies of interactions between laser light and a plasma in a state of microturbulence.

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2007 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, USA, August 5 – August 9, 2007

Abstract To explain bimodal relapse patterns, we have previously suggested that metastatic breast cancer growth commonly includes periods of temporary dormancy at both the single cell and avascular micrometastasis phases (with 1 year and 2 year half-lives respectively). We further suggested that primary surgery sometimes initiates growth of distant dormant disease accelerating relapse. These iatrogenic events are common in that they occur in over half of all relapses. Surgery induced angiogenesis is mostly confined to premenopausal node positive patients in which case 20% of patients are so affected. We review here how this hypothesis explains a vairety of previously unrelated breast cancer phenomenon including 1) the mammography paradox for women age 40–49 untreated with adjuvant therapy, 2) the particularly high benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy for premenopausal node positive patients, 3) the heterogeneity of breast cancer, 4) the aggressiveness of cancer in young women, 5) the outcome differences with timing of surgery within the menstrual cycle, 6) the common myths regarding cancer spreading “when the air hits it” and treatment “provoking” the tumor, 7) the excess mortality of blacks over whites, and 8) reports from physicians 2000 years ago. In parallel to physicists who have long sought to explain all of physics with a unified field theory, we now suggest temporary dormancy together with surgery induced tumor growth provides a unifying theory for much of breat cancer.

Using HST WFPC2 and NICMOS observations, and our 2D image weighting and modelling technique (Floyd et al. 2004), we have reliably disentangled host from nucleus for nine optically matched radio-loud quasars (RLQ) and nine radio-quiet quasars (RQQ) at z = 1&2, in two bands spanning the 4000Å break. The resulting galaxy colours provide the first unbiased estimates of galaxy mass for a statistical sample of quasars at high redshift, and indicates a difference in the evolution of radio-loud and radio-quiet objects.