bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The "other" earwig: Hemimerus sp. and its cephalic adaptions towards commensalism
Authors: Neubert David , Wipfler Benjamin
Published: April 2015

All earwigs (Dermaptera) are very similar in their habitus. They are characterized by their flat and elongate bodies with typical pincers at the abdominal apex. The only distinct exceptions are the commensal Hemimeridae. They live in the fur of giant murid rats, where they feed on skin scales, secretions and fungi. This family differs morphologically so strongly from other earwigs, that they were even considered a separate order. However, recent molecular and morphological studies suggest that the highly specialized Hemimeridae are deeply nested in Dermaptera. To study adaptive features related to the commensal lifestyle, we compared the head of Hemimerus sp. with cephalic structures of Forficula auricularia and Diplatys sp. Hemimerus shows several distinct modifications apparently linked with life in and on fur: the head capsule, which is oval in dorsal view in the remaining earwigs, is triangular and strongly compressed. The antennae are held close to the sides of the head. The compound eyes, which are obviously of minor importance in dense fur, are completely reduced, along with the optic lobes. As an adaptation to the specific diet, which requires no grinding, the mandibles are positioned further apart and lack a mola. Additionally, the maxillary and labial palps are smaller than in free-living earwigs. Potential apomorphies of the dermapteran head include the 3-partite stipes, the prominent scapo-pedicellar joint and the paired distal sclerites on the praementum.
Perfil antropométrico y hábitos de actividad física de estudiantes Mapuches de una escuela rural de Temuco, Chile
Authors: Valdés-Badilla Pablo Antonio , Vergara-Coronado Nataly Yicel , Suazo-Poblete Daniela , Godoy-Cumillaf Andrés , Herrera-Valenzuela Tomás , Durán-Agüero Samuel
Published: April 2015

Introducción: El estado nutricional de los niños puede ser un elemento predictor de salud en la edad adulta, la población Mapuche presenta una prevalencia mayor de obesidad que la población no-Mapuche en Chile. El objetivo del presente estudio es determinar el perfil antropométrico y los hábitos de actividad física de estudiantes Mapuches de una escuela rural particular subvencionada de la ciudad de Temuco.Material y Métodos: El diseño es no experimental, descriptivo, transversal, con un enfoque cuantitativo. La muestra incluyó a todos los estudiantes Mapuches del establecimiento educacional (n=23), en ambos sexos. Se les realizó una evaluación antropométrica con ISAK y se estimó el tiempo total de actividad física a través del Cuestionario Internacional de Actividad Física, versión corta en español (IPAQ-A). Para correlacionar las variables se utilizó una correlación parcial.Resultados: Los escolares alcanzan un promedio de 35,4% de masa adiposa, 34,1% de masa muscular, 11,4% de masa residual, 12% de masa ósea, 7% de masa cutánea y un somatotipo de 4,9–5,1–1,8 que los clasifica como mesoendomorfos balanceados. En cuanto al tiempo total de actividad física, los escolares alcanzan 2225,9 minutos/semana, su gasto energético es de 9592,1 (METs/minuto/semana) y su permanencia sentados equivale a 228,6 minutos a la semana, finalmente se encontró correlación negativa entre IMC y tiempo total de actividad física.Conclusiones: Los escolares presentan un perfil antropométrico mayormente normal, pero con una elevada prevalencia de obesidad. Su nivel de actividad física es alto, situándolos como sujetos activos de acuerdo a tablas normativas.
Reproducción y excedente económico. Aproximación teórica al estudio de los sistemas económicos
Authors: Claudio Fernández Macor
Published: April 2015

En el trabajo adoptamos el enfoque de la reproducción y excedente econó- mico, creyendo que es una forma satisfactoria de abordar de manera científica y sistemática los rasgos estructurales y dinámicos de todo sistema económico. Teniendo en cuenta que todo sistema social está compuesto y conformado por diferentes subsistemas, a partir de nuestro enfoque, y sin pretender ser deterministas, también podremos inferir una serie características que exceden el sistema económico pero están notablemente influidos y en continua interacción con este.
Conservative Management of Chylothorax after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
Authors: Altun Gokalp , Pulathan Zerrin , Kutanis Dilek , Hemsinli Dogus , Erturk Engin , Civelek Ali
Published: April 2015

Chylothorax is a rare sequela to cardiac surgery, associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. There are various medical and surgical options for its management. We describe 2 cases of chylothorax that developed after coronary artery bypass grafting and were managed successfully with medical therapy alone.

Conservative treatment such as we describe aims to reduce chyle flow, to drain the pleural cavity in an effective manner, and to prevent chronic sequelae. Optimal conservative treatment, consisting of nothing by mouth and the administration of a pleurodetic agent, should be started immediately upon diagnosis. In most cases, it reduces the need for reoperation and long-term hospitalization. Prospective randomized controlled trials are nonetheless needed to confirm these assumptions.
Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for ST-Segment-Elevation Myocardial Infarction in a Patient Taking Dabigatran for Chronic Anticoagulation
Authors: Ahmed Imdad , Voyce Stephen J.
Published: April 2015

Interventional cardiologists have few data on which to base clinical decisions regarding optimal care for ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction patients who are taking therapeutic chronic oral anticoagulation. We present what we believe to be the first reported case of emergency coronary angiography and primary percutaneous coronary intervention in an ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction patient who was on a dabigatran regimen for atrial fibrillation. The patient tolerated the procedures well and had no observable bleeding sequelae. In addition to the patient's case, we discuss the current evidence regarding the periprocedural management of oral anticoagulation in patients who need coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention.
Free Internal Mammary Artery Graft Reimplantation on the Same Vessel in Repeat Coronary Revascularization
Authors: Vivirito Mario , Conocchia Massimo , Patanè Rosario , Micalizzi Ezio
Published: April 2015

We describe the case of a 62-year-old man who needed a 3-vessel coronary artery bypass reoperation and mitral valve replacement. The patient's existing free left internal mammary artery graft was not functioning because of a critical stenosis in the native vessel just after the distal anastomosis. The free graft itself was in perfect condition, and we decided to reuse it. Because the course of the graft was so tortuous, we concluded that skeletonization would yield the extra length needed for reimplantation. After reimplanting the graft, we performed venous grafting and mitral valve replacement. The patient was well and had no signs of ischemia at 29 months postoperatively.

There have been few reports on recycling internal mammary artery grafts in repeat coronary artery bypass grafting. To our knowledge, ours is the first report of the reimplantation of a free internal mammary artery graft on the same vessel. We describe the procedure and our decision-making process.
Complete Atrioventricular Septal Defect and Pulmonary Stenosis Diagnosed in a 49-Year-Old Woman after 10 Uneventful Births
Authors: Altin Firat H. , Yildiz Okan , Karacalilar Mehmet , Tosun Oyku , Kocyigit Ozgen Ilgaz , Erek Ersin
Published: April 2015

Atrioventricular septal defects constitute 4% of all congenital cardiac malformations. Patients with complete atrioventricular septal defect rarely survive for decades without surgical treatment. Pulmonary stenosis can provide a delicate balance between the pulmonary and systemic circulations and thereby increase longevity. We present the case of a 49-year-old woman whose complete atrioventricular septal defect and associated pulmonary stenosis were diagnosed only after she had given birth to 10 live children through uneventful spontaneous delivery. We discuss her successful surgical treatment in terms of the available medical literature.
Left Atrial Wall Dissection: A Rare Sequela of Native-Valve Endocarditis
Authors: Saad Marwan , Isbitan Ahmad , Roushdy Alaa , Shamoon Fayez
Published: April 2015

Left atrial wall dissection is a rare condition; most cases are iatrogenic after mitral valve surgery. A few have been reported as sequelae of blunt chest trauma, acute myocardial infarction, and invasive cardiac procedures. On occasion, infective endocarditis causes left atrial wall dissection.

We report a highly unusual case in which a 41-year-old man presented with native mitral valve infective endocarditis that had caused left atrial free-wall dissection. Although our patient died within an hour of presentation, we obtained what we consider to be a definitive diagnosis of a rare sequela, documented by transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography.
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation Despite Challenging Vascular Access
Authors: Nascimbene Angelo , Azpurua Federico , Livesay James J. , Fish R. David , Krajcer Zvonimir
Published: April 2015

We describe transcatheter aortic valve implantation in a patient who had severe peripheral artery disease. The patient's vascular condition required additional preliminary peripheral intervention to enable adequate vascular access.

A 78-year-old man with severe aortic stenosis, substantial comorbidities, and severe heart failure symptoms was referred for aortic valve replacement. The patient's 20-mm aortic annulus necessitated the use of a 23-mm Edwards Sapien valve inserted through a 22F sheath, which itself needed a vessel diameter of at least 7 mm for percutaneous delivery. The left common femoral artery was selected for valve delivery. The left iliac artery and infrarenal aorta underwent extensive intervention to achieve an intraluminal diameter larger than 7 mm. After aortic valvuloplasty, valve deployment was successful, and the transaortic gradient decreased from 40 mmHg to less than 5 mmHg. The patient was discharged from the hospital 4 days postoperatively. We conclude that transcatheter aortic valve implantation can be successfully performed in patients with obstructed vascular access, including stenosis of the infrarenal aorta and the subclavian and coronary arteries.
Anthracycline Treatment and Ventricular Remodeling in Left Ventricular Assist Device Patients
Authors: Segura Ana Maria , Radovancevic Rajko , Demirozu Zumrat T. , Frazier O.H. , Buja L. Maximilian
Published: April 2015

Nonischemic cardiomyopathy can complicate antineoplastic therapy and lead to irreversible heart failure. We evaluated structural changes at the time of left ventricular assist device implantation in heart failure patients who had been exposed to anthracycline, and we correlated those changes with clinical presentation.

We retrospectively studied left ventricular core samples taken at implantation of the HeartMate II left ventricular assist device in 12 heart failure patients (mean age, 46 ± 16 yr) who had histories of anthracycline exposure. We evaluated those samples for hypertrophy, myocytolysis, and fibrosis. Histopathologic findings showed moderate-to-severe myocyte hypertrophy, moderate myocytolysis, and perivascular and interstitial fibrosis with areas of replacement fibrosis. Ultrastructural studies revealed marked decreases in myofibrils, diffuse mitochondrial swelling, and disorganization of the sarcoplasmic reticulum. The interval between anthracycline therapy and heart failure was a mean of 6.8 ± 5.7 years; duration of heart failure symptoms, 38 ± 47 months; and duration of device support, 414 ± 266 days. Four patients are continuing on device support, 3 have undergone transplantation, 3 have undergone device explantation, and 2 have died. The time of heart failure onset and the duration of symptoms did not correlate with the severity and extent of the histopathologic changes.

The histopathologic findings and the clinical course varied in heart failure patients with anthracycline exposure. No correlation was observed between anthracycline therapy and the development or duration of heart failure symptoms, severity of histopathologic changes, or outcomes.
Die Basis der Erzählung. Das historische Detail in der persischen Historiographie des 16. Jahrhunderts
Authors: Trausch Tilmann
Published: April 2015

Since the very beginnings of modern Middle Eastern Studies, chronicles have formed one of its most intensively used genres of sources. This is especially true for the Iranian World, which has left particularly few textual remains. Whereas the respective approaches to pre-modern Persian chronicles changed substantially within the last one and a half centuries of research, the approach to one aspect of these texts has remained comparably stable: the historical detail, the most bitsy information these texts contain, forming the very basis of the normative narrative of the chroniclers’ patron’s rule. While the end of the age of scientism is debated more than ever, the handling of the historical detail has stayed remarkably untouched – it is still presumed true all too often. Subject of this article are the chronicles written at the courts of Herat and Qazvin within the first decades of the 16th century under early Safavid rule. The study deals with the question of how stable these historical details really are, since the texts actually differ considerably in detail with respect to their stylising descriptions of one and the same historical event. In my view, these details are not stable, but, quite the contrary, surrounded by an aura of coincidence, which has to be taken into account when writing the political history of early modern Iran.
Noise or News? Learning about the Content of Test-Based School Achievement Measures
Authors: Javdani Mohsen
Published: April 2015

Test-based measures of school performance are increasingly used to inform both education policy and families’ school choice decisions. There are, however, concerns about the reliability of these measures. This paper assesses the extent to which cross-sectional differences in schools’ average achievement on standardized tests reflect transitory factors, using data from a 1999–2006 panel of public and private schools in British Columbia, Canada. Sampling variation and one-time mean reverting shocks are shown to be significant sources of cross-sectional variation in schools’ mean test scores. The results therefore suggest that public dissemination of information about schools’ average achievement on standardized tests could potentially mislead or confuse parents. These results should also encourage caution in the design of policies that attach monetary or nonmonetary rewards or sanctions to schools on the basis of test-based achievement and suggest a need for more sophisticated measures of school performance.
Critical values of Rankin–Selberg L-functions for GL
n
× GL
n-1 and the symmetric cube L-functions for
GL2
Authors: Raghuram A.
Published: April 2015

In a previous article we had proved an algebraicity result for the central critical value for L-functions for GL
n
× GL
n-1 over ℚ assuming the validity of a nonvanishing hypothesis involving archimedean integrals.
The purpose of this article is to generalize that result for all critical values for L-functions for GL
n
× GL
n-1 over any number field F while using certain period relations proved by Freydoon Shahidi and the author, and some additional inputs as will be explained below. Thanks to some recent work of Binyong Sun, the nonvanishing hypothesis has now been proved. The results of this article are unconditional. Applying this to GL3 × GL2, new unconditional algebraicity results for the special values of symmetric cube L-functions for GL2 over F have been proved. Previously, algebraicity results for the critical values of symmetric cube L-functions for GL2 have been known only in special cases by the works of Garrett–Harris, Kim–Shahidi, Grobner–Raghuram, and Januszewski.
The Haitian language: defying odds and opening possibilities
Authors: Cerat Marie Lily
Published: April 2015

By examining the question of language in Haiti, this article aims at broadening the debate and dialogue among language policymakers and language rights advocates, scholars, researchers and educators about the effects of “linguistic imperialism” (Phillipson 1992) on the development of Haitian Creole and its impact on Haitian children's educational experience. Drawing from theoretical approaches in history (James 1989 [1963]; Fouron 2010; Dubois 2012), linguistics (Calvet 1974; DeGraff 2001; Dejan 2006), language planning and language policy research (Blommaert 2006; Spolksy 2004), and education (Madhere 2010; Plaisir 2010; Shor 1992) has helped shape the scope of this analysis, while also garnering various critical insights from the field of oral literature. In sum, this work reflects an interdisciplinary effort that highlights the impact of linguistic and cultural agents and historical events as it also sheds light on the lived experiences of Haitians within the larger Haitian democratic project begun in 1791 (James 1989; Dupuy 1997; Dubois 2004).
Task Decomposition and Grouping for Customer Collaboration in Product Development
Authors: Zhang Xuefeng , Yang Yu , Bao Beifang
Published: April 2015

Decomposing product development project into various tasks and grouping them are important activities in product development. Many scholars devoted their efforts to solving this problem and proposed some useful methods. However, the research work of task decomposition and grouping for customer collaboration in product development is still lacking. Therefore, this study first decomposes product development tasks and analyzes its executability. Then, by using an integrated numerical design structure matrix and adaptive genetic algorithm (AGA) approach, tasks are divided into different groups, tasks in the same group have high correlation degree, and tasks in the different groups have low correlation degree. To illustrate the process of task decomposition and grouping methods proposed in this paper, a mobile phone structural development case is applied. Moreover, standard generic algorithm (SGA) and particle swarm optimization (PSO) are used to compare with AGA to verify the effectiveness of AGA.
Erosion characteristics of Teflon under different operating conditions
Authors: Debnath Uttam Kumar , Chowdhury Mohammad Asaduzzaman , Nuruzzaman Dewan Muhammad , Rahman Md. Mostafizur , Roy Biplov Kumar , Kowser Md. Arefin , Islam Md. Monirul
Published: April 2015

The present study investigated the solid particle erosion characteristics of Teflon under different impingement angles (15–90°), impact velocities (30–50 m/s), erodent sizes (300–600 μm) and stand-off distances (15–25 mm) at ambient temperature. The Teflon showed ductile erosion behavior exhibited a peak erosion rate at a 30° impact angle. The design of experiments approach utilizing Taguchi’s orthogonal arrays was applied to test the specimens on a compressed air jet type erosion test rig. Erosion efficiency (η) values were 0.29–16.7%, which indicates micro-plugging, plastic deformation and micro-cutting action as dominating erosion mechanisms. The experimental results are closer to the theoretical model. An optimal parameter combination was determined, which leads to minimization of erosion rate. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed on the measured data and signal-to-noise (S/N) ratios. A mathematical correlation, consistent with the experimental observations, is proposed as a predictive equation for estimation of erosion rate of tested material. The morphology of erodent surfaces was examined by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Possible erosion mechanisms are discussed.
The morphology-pragmatics interface in Modern Greek compounding
Authors: Charitonidis Chariton
Published: April 2015

This study deals with the morphology-pragmatics interface in Modern Greek compounding. The object of investigation are 64 compounds explicitly marked for stance. It is shown that the linking of denotational (semantic and/or categorial) and socioexpressive (pragmatic) heads defines the different classes of compounds in a highly restrictive manner. The threefold negative socio-expressive structure of the verbal derivatives in -(i)áz(o) shows up in the compounds as well. It is concluded that, in both verbal derivation and compounding, the morphology-pragmatics interface recruits specific denotational structures for its expression.
Hyperspectral image unmixing involving spatial information by extending the alternating least-squares algorithm
Authors: Bauer Sebastian , Stefan Johannes , Puente León Fernando
Published: April 2015

Hyperspectral images, in contrast to common RGB images, offer the
possibility to not only determine the pure materials present in
a scene, but also material abundances in mixtures. The calculation of
the material fractions with the so-called linear mixing model is not
unique, an infinite number of solutions exists. Therefore, additional
constraints should be incorporated. Some algorithms involve spatial
constraints explicitly, e. g., they assume that the abundances mostly
do not change considerably from one pixel to another. Recently, we
presented such algorithms. The calculation time with spatial
constraints included, however, is rather long, so it was checked if
there is a faster way to include the spatial information. In this
paper, we extend the well-known alternating least-squares algorithm to
implicitly include the previously used spatial information in
a slightly different way, namely by adding an extra image denoising
step to the calculation. The extended algorithm is called ALSmooth. We
compare the computing time and the results of the ALSmooth and the
previously presented algorithms. For this purpose, laboratory data of
mixtures with known ground truth had been acquired. Both the
previously investigated algorithms and the ALSmooth algorithm are
quite sensitive towards parameter value changes; the ALSmooth
algorithm is even more sensitive. For certain applications with
defined environment and endmembers, however, it can be a faster
alternative.
A design automation approach for task-specific intelligent multi-sensory systems – Lab-on-spoon in food applications
Authors: Thongpull Kittikhun , Groben Dennis , König Andreas
Published: April 2015

In this work, we present a general design automation concept for the
rapid and effort-reduced design of intelligent integrated
multi-sensory self-x systems, as needed for sportive or health
oriented devices, Ambient Assisted Living systems, general Internet of
Things (IoT), or even for Industry 4.0, and demonstrate it for the
case of mobile liquid food analysis by our lab-on-spoon system. In
particular, we apply dimensionality reduction and hierarchical
classification to the rapid creation of powerful yet lean system
solutions. For selected food classification tasks significant
reductions down to 0.58% of the original data size and
increase of classification accuracy up to 100% have been
achieved. The measurement time could be reduced down to 0.4%.
Messtechnische Expositionswertbestimmung zur elektromagnetischen Sicherheit im Automobil
Authors: Wehrmann Christof , Rickers Maximilian , Schilling Meinhard
Published: April 2015

Als Folge der steigenden Anzahl an Fahrzeugen im
europäischen Raum mit Hybrid- und Elektroantrieb wird der Thematik der
elektromagnetischen Sicherheit zukünftig eine immer bedeutendere Rolle
zukommen. Im Rahmen des EU-Forschungsprojekts ,,EM-Safety“ wurde ein
Messsystem entwickelt, welches Fahrzeuge nach ICNIRP geltenden
Richtlinien überprüft, um somit die Gesundheit der Insassen zu
schützen. Die Aufgaben des Projekts, erste Messungen sowie die dabei
aufgetretenen Signale innerhalb und außerhalb des Fahrzeugs werden
hier in kurzer Form erläutert.
Dynamische Netzwerksimulation eines überlastfesten Drucksensors mit verteilten Parametern
Authors: Tang Linbo , Kober Timo , Werthschützky Roland
Published: April 2015

Ein ölgefüllter Drucksensor stellt ein
mechanisch-akustisches System dar. Die Beschreibung des dynamischen
Übertragungsverhaltens von mechanischen und akustischen Systemen
erfolgt im Zeitbereich mit Hilfe von partiellen
Differentialgleichungen. Im Frequenzbereich ist das vereinfacht durch
Anwendung der Modellbildung der Netzwerktheorie möglich. Mithilfe der
verteilten Netzwerktheorie können die dynamischen Eigenschaften eines
solchen Drucksensors analysiert werden. Die Modellbildung wird anhand
eines Beispiels eines neuartigen überlastfesten Differenzdrucksensors
beschrieben.
Text und soziale Wirklichkeit
Authors: Lemke Matthias , Stulpe Alexander
Published: April 2015

Text mining methods applied in social sciences research are based on the premise that the analysis of texts leads to valid conclusions about social reality. The paper examines the theoretical and empirical aspects of this premise: first, it shows by recourse to the tradition of hermeneutics and the sociology of knowledge, how the relationship between text and social reality can be determined. Subsequently, it illustrates the heuristic performance of various text mining methods, using the bigram ‚social market economy‘ (ger. ‚Soziale Marktwirtschaft‘) as an example. The conclusion leads to the important analytical finding that only the constant procedural entanglement of Close and Distant Reading, referred to, in accordance with Moretti’s terminology, as Blended Reading, will allow the researcher to produce viable knowledge.
Improvement in Visual Search with Practice: Mapping Learning-Related Changes in Neurocognitive Stages of Processing
Authors: Clark Kait , Appelbaum L. Gregory , van den Berg Berry , Mitroff Stephen R. , Woldorff Marty G.
Published: April 2015

Practice can improve performance on visual search tasks; the neural mechanisms underlying such improvements, however, are not clear. Response time typically shortens with practice, but which components of the stimulus–response processing chain facilitate this behavioral change? Improved search performance could result from enhancements in various cognitive processing stages, including (1) sensory processing, (2) attentional allocation, (3) target discrimination, (4) motor-response preparation, and/or (5) response execution. We measured event-related potentials (ERPs) as human participants completed a five-day visual-search protocol in which they reported the orientation of a color popout target within an array of ellipses. We assessed changes in behavioral performance and in ERP components associated with various stages of processing. After practice, response time decreased in all participants (while accuracy remained consistent), and electrophysiological measures revealed modulation of several ERP components. First, amplitudes of the early sensory-evoked N1 component at 150 ms increased bilaterally, indicating enhanced visual sensory processing of the array. Second, the negative-polarity posterior–contralateral component (N2pc, 170–250 ms) was earlier and larger, demonstrating enhanced attentional orienting. Third, the amplitude of the sustained posterior contralateral negativity component (SPCN, 300–400 ms) decreased, indicating facilitated target discrimination. Finally, faster motor-response preparation and execution were observed after practice, as indicated by latency changes in both the stimulus-locked and response-locked lateralized readiness potentials (LRPs). These electrophysiological results delineate the functional plasticity in key mechanisms underlying visual search with high temporal resolution and illustrate how practice influences various cognitive and neural processing stages leading to enhanced behavioral performance.
Neuronal-Derived Nitric Oxide and Somatodendritically Released Vasopressin Regulate Neurovascular Coupling in the Rat Hypothalamic Supraoptic Nucleus
Authors: Du Wenting , Stern Javier E. , Filosa Jessica A.
Published: April 2015

The classical model of neurovascular coupling (NVC) implies that activity-dependent axonal glutamate release at synapses evokes the production and release of vasoactive signals from both neurons and astrocytes, which dilate arterioles, increasing in turn cerebral blood flow (CBF) to areas with increased metabolic needs. However, whether this model is applicable to brain areas that also use less conventional neurotransmitters, such as neuropeptides, is currently unknown. To this end, we studied NVC in the rat hypothalamic magnocellular neurosecretory system (MNS) of the supraoptic nucleus (SON), in which dendritic release of neuropeptides, including vasopressin (VP), constitutes a key signaling modality influencing neuronal and network activity. Using a multidisciplinary approach, we investigated vasopressin-mediated vascular responses in SON arterioles of hypothalamic brain slices of Wistar or VP-eGFP Wistar rats. Bath-applied VP significantly constricted SON arterioles (Δ−41 ± 7%) via activation of the V1a receptor subtype. Vasoconstrictions were also observed in response to single VP neuronal stimulation (Δ−18 ± 2%), an effect prevented by V1a receptor blockade (V2255), supporting local dendritic VP release as the key signal mediating activity-dependent vasoconstrictions. Conversely, osmotically driven magnocellular neurosecretory neuronal population activity leads to a predominant nitric oxide-mediated vasodilation (Δ19 ± 2%). Activity-dependent vasodilations were followed by a VP-mediated vasoconstriction, which acted to limit the magnitude of the vasodilation and served to reset vascular tone following activity-dependent vasodilation. Together, our results unveiled a unique and complex form of NVC in the MNS, supporting a competitive balance between nitric oxide and activity-dependent dendritic released VP, in the generation of proper NVC responses.
GluA2 Trafficking Is Involved in Apoptosis of Retinal Ganglion Cells Induced by Activation of EphB/EphrinB Reverse Signaling in a Rat Chronic Ocular Hypertension Model
Authors: Dong Ling-Dan , Gao Feng , Wang Xiao-Han , Miao Yanying , Wang Shu-Yue , Wu Yi , Li Fang , Wu Jihong , Cheng Xiang-Lin , Sun Xing-Huai , Yang Xiong-Li , Wang Zhongfeng
Published: April 2015

EphB1, expressed in Müller cells, and ephrinB2, expressed in both Müller cells and retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), constitute an EphB/ephrinB reverse signaling in RGCs. Whether and how this reverse signaling is involved in RGC apoptosis in a rat chronic ocular hypertension (COH) model was investigated. In the COH model, both EphB1 and ephrinB2 were significantly increased and the reverse signaling was activated, which was accompanied by increased protein levels of phosphorylated (p) src, GluA2, and p-GluA2. Intravitreal injection of EphB2-Fc, an activator of ephrinB2, induced an increase in TUNEL-positive signals in normal retinae. A coimmunoprecipitation assay demonstrated direct interactions among ephrinB2, p-src, and GluA2. Moreover, in COH rats the expression of GluA2 proteins on the surface of retinal cells was decreased. Such GluA2 endocytosis could be prevented by preoperational intravitreal injection of 4-amino-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(t-butyl)-1H-pyrazolo [3,4-d] pyrimidine (PP2), an inhibitor of src family tyrosine kinases, and possibly involved the protein interacting with C kinase 1 and phosphorylation of GluA2. In normal rats, intravitreal injection of EphB2-Fc caused changes in these protein levels similar to those observed in COH rats, which all could be avoided by preinjection of PP2. Patch-clamp experiments further showed that the current–voltage relationship of AMPA receptor-mediated EPSCs of RGCs exhibited stronger inward rectification in EphB2-Fc-injected rats. Furthermore, preinjection of PP2 orN-[3-[[4-[(3-aminopropyl)amino]butyl]amino]propyl]-1-naphthaleneacetamide trihydrochloride) (Naspm), a Ca2+-permeable GluA2-lacking AMPA receptor inhibitor, remarkably inhibited RGC apoptosis in either EphB2-Fc-injected or COH rats. Together, elevated GluA2 trafficking induced by activated EphB2/ephrinB2 reverse signaling likely contributes to RGC apoptosis in COH rats.
Pediatric Hospitalist Perceptions Regarding Trainees’ Effects on Cost and Quality of Care
Authors: Johnson David P. , Browning Whitney L. , Gay James C. , Williams Derek J.
Published: April 2015

Objective:

To determine pediatric hospitalists’ perceptions about residents’ effects on cost and quality of care and their own ability to provide and teach cost-effective, high-quality care.

Methods:

A 15-item survey assessing hospitalist perceptions of resident impact on costs/quality and their role in teaching cost-effectiveness was developed and sent to 180 hospitalists from 113 institutions in the United States.

Results:

Of 180 hospitalists surveyed, 127 completed surveys (71%). Overall, 76 (60%) and 91 (72%) hospitalists believed that residents increase quality and cost of care, respectively. Respondents who worked with residents all the time were more likely to state that residents increase quality (50 of 70 [71%]) compared with those who worked with residents sometimes (18 of 42 [43%]) or never (8 of 15 [53%]; P = .01). Similarly, academic hospitalists were more likely than community hospitalists to believe that residents increase quality (67 of 103 [65%] vs 9 of 24 [38%]; P = .03). Although only 28 (22%) respondents reported receiving formal cost-effectiveness training, 116 (91%) believed that they provided cost-effective care, and 103 (81%) believed that they were qualified to teach this topic. Most respondents (n = 115 [91%]) believed that residents should participate in a cost-effectiveness curriculum.

Conclusions:

Most respondents felt trainees increase both the costs and quality of care for hospitalized children. The perception of increased quality was associated with increased resident interaction, whereas cost perceptions were similar across groups. Pediatric hospitalists report a lack of formal cost-effectivesness training, but nearly all respondents supported the incorporation of such training into graduate medical education programs.
Voluntary Implementation of Critical Congenital Heart Disease Screening in Washington Hospitals
Authors: McDermott Traci L. , Vernon Margaret M. , Schultz Amy H.
Published: April 2015

Objectives:

To determine the extent of voluntary implementation of pulse oximetry screening for critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) in Washington. At the time of the study, there was no state legislative or regulatory mandate for CCHD screening in Washington.

Methods:

A Web-based survey was sent to the nurse manager or nurse educator of the well newborn unit at each of the 64 Washington hospitals with active delivery services in May and June 2013. Telephone follow-up was conducted for incomplete surveys. The survey assessed awareness and implementation of the recommendation, the protocol followed, staffing and equipment issues, pediatric cardiology support services, and the availability of prostaglandin E1 at each birth hospital. A brief follow-up was performed in December 2013 for hospitals not screening at the time of the initial survey.

Results:

As of December 2013, 89% of Washington birth hospitals (accounting for 91.4% of births) had active CCHD screening programs. The recommended protocol is used in 95% of screening hospitals. Screening programs were instituted in 96% of hospitals using existing staff, but 52% of hospitals purchased new durable equipment to institute screening.

Conclusions:

There has been widespread voluntary adoption of pulse oximetry screening for CCHD in Washington birth hospitals. Quality assurance efforts are needed to assess the quality of the screening programs.
The Effectiveness of Family-Centered Transition Processes From Hospital Settings to Home: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Desai Arti D. , Popalisky Jean , Simon Tamara D. , Mangione-Smith Rita M.
Published: April 2015

Background and Objectives:

The quality of care transitions is of growing concern because of a high incidence of postdischarge adverse events, poor communication with patients, and inadequate information transfer between providers. The objective of this study was to conduct a targeted literature review of studies examining the effectiveness of family-centered transition processes from hospital- and emergency department (ED)-to-home for improving patient health outcomes and health care utilization.

Methods:

We conducted an electronic search (2001–2012) of PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane, PsycInfo, Embase, and Web of Science databases. Included were experimental studies of hospital and ED-to-home transition interventions in pediatric and adult populations meeting the following inclusion criteria: studies evaluating hospital or ED-to-home transition interventions, study interventions involving patients/families, studies measuring outcomes ≤30 days after discharge, and US studies. Transition processes, principal outcome measures (patient health outcomes and health care utilization), and assessment time-frames were extracted for each study.

Results:

The search yielded 3458 articles, and 16 clinical trials met final inclusion criteria. Four studies evaluated pediatric ED-to-home transitions and indicated family-tailored discharge education was associated with better patient health outcomes. Remaining trials evaluating adult hospital-to-home transitions indicated a transition needs assessment or provision of an individualized transition record was associated with better patient health outcomes and reductions in health care utilization. The effectiveness of postdischarge telephone follow-up and/or home visits on health care utilization showed mixed results.

Conclusions:

Patient-tailored discharge education is associated with improved patient health outcomes in pediatric ED patients. Effective transition processes identified in the adult literature may inform future quality improvement research regarding pediatric hospital-to-home transitions.
Long-term Plans for Those Selecting Hospital Medicine as an Initial Career Choice
Authors: Freed Gary L. , McGuinness Gail A. , Althouse Linda A. , Moran Lauren M. , Spera Laura
Published: April 2015

Background:

The proportion of the newly graduated pediatric workforce that becomes hospitalists has been increasing slightly over the past decade. However, it is unknown what proportion of those who accept hospitalist positions as their first job intend to remain in the field longer term. This is important to workforce projections regarding the magnitude of those who will function in this role.

Methods:

The American Board of Pediatrics incorporated a structured questionnaire within the online application process to the General Pediatrics certification application. Respondents identified as residents or chief residents who selected “hospitalist position” as their immediate postresidency plan were the focus this study. We compared survey responses by gender and location of the medical school attended.

Results:

Since the initiation of the general pediatrics certification examination application survey, 6335 completed the questionnaire. 79% (n = 5001) were either in residency training or were a chief resident. Of those, 8% (n = 376) reported they planned to work as a pediatric hospitalist immediately after completing residency. Fewer than half (43%; n = 161) reported this to be their long-term career plan. This finding varied by both medical school type and by gender.

Conclusions:

The majority of pediatric residents and chief residents who take hospitalist positions immediately after training do not intend for hospital practice to be the long-term focus of their careers. As the field of hospital medicine continues to develop, understanding career trajectories can help inform current and future efforts regarding the potential for different mechanisms for training and certification.
Educational Perspectives: Effective Visual Display of Poster Presentations
Authors: Izatt Susan , Dadiz Rita
Published: April 2015

The development of an effective poster for presentation is a multistep process that requires careful planning. When executed successfully, the poster can visually draw interest from viewers and stimulate discussion with the presenter. This article provides guidance and illustrates tips on effective poster design based on research findings and recommendations from health care educators, abstract reviewers, and graphic designers.
Perinatal Cytomegalovirus Infections: Epidemiology, Prevention, and Treatment
Authors: Bialas Kristy M. , Swamy Geeta K. , Permar Sallie R.
Published: April 2015

Mother-to-child transmission of cytomegalovirus (CMV) can lead to severe birth defects and neurologic impairment of infants. Congenital CMV is the most common congenital infection and the leading infectious cause of infant hearing loss and neurologic deficits, complicating up to 2% of all pregnancies globally. Although antiviral treatment of congenitally CMV-infected infants can ameliorate CMV-associated hearing loss and developmental delay, interventions that can effectively prevent congenital CMV infection and the associated neurologic impairments are still being evaluated. Moreover, an effective CMV vaccine to protect mothers against CMV acquisition during pregnancy is urgently needed to reduce the sizeable health and economic burden of this disease. Active and passive maternal and infant immunization strategies to prevent symptomatic perinatal CMV infection are a critical need in pediatric health.
Complex Fetal Care: Implications of Fetal Ventriculomegaly: A Neurosurgical Perspective
Authors: Craig Alexander , Lober Robert M. , Grant Gerald A.
Published: April 2015

Fetal cerebral ventriculomegaly is diagnosed in utero when the atrial width of at least one lateral ventricle is greater than 10 mm. It is often associated with hydrocephalus, a condition of excessive intracranial cerebrospinal fluid, but can also be related to a decrease in the amount of normal brain tissue. Neurodevelopmental outcomes may correlate with severity of ventricle enlargement, with wide variation based on cause and the presence of other associated malformations. Ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging are sufficient to achieve an accurate diagnosis. This article considers the prognosis and management of fetal ventriculomegaly. Special emphasis is placed on discussing the utility of neuroimaging in the diagnosis, prenatal counseling, and treatment planning for this condition.
Screening and Routine Supplementation for Iron Deficiency Anemia: A Systematic Review
Authors: McDonagh Marian S. , Blazina Ian , Dana Tracy , Cantor Amy , Bougatsos Christina
Published: April 2015

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Supplementation and screening for iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) in young children may improve growth and development outcomes. The goal of this study was to review the evidence regarding the benefits and harms of screening and routine supplementation for IDA for the US Preventive Services Task Force.

METHODS:

We searched Medline and Cochrane databases (1996–August 2014), as well as reference lists of relevant systematic reviews. We included trials and controlled observational studies regarding the effectiveness and harms of routine iron supplementation and screening in children ages 6 to 24 months conducted in developed countries. One author extracted data, which were checked for accuracy by a second author. Dual quality assessment was performed.

RESULTS:

No studies of iron supplementation in young children reported on the diagnosis of neurodevelopmental delay. Five of 6 trials sparsely reporting various growth outcomes found no clear benefit of supplementation. After 3 to 12 months, Bayley Scales of Infant Development scores were not significantly different in 2 trials. Ten trials assessing iron supplementation in children reported inconsistent findings for hematologic measures. Evidence regarding the harms of supplementation was limited but did not indicate significant differences. No studies assessed the benefits or harms of screening or the association between improvement in impaired iron status and clinical outcomes. Studies may have been underpowered, and control factors varied and could have confounded results.

CONCLUSIONS:

Although some evidence on supplementation for IDA in young children indicates improvements in hematologic values, evidence on clinical outcomes is lacking. No randomized controlled screening studies are available.
Adolescent Drug Testing Policies in Schools
Authors: Levy Sharon , Schizer Miriam ,   COMMITTEE ON SUBSTANCE ABUSE, Ammerman Seth D. , Gonzalez Pamela K. , Ryan Sheryl A. , Siqueira Lorena M. , Smith Vincent C.
Published: April 2015

This Policy Statement was reaffirmed July 2021.

School-based drug testing is a controversial approach to preventing substance use by students. Although school drug testing has hypothetical benefits, and studies have noted modest reductions in self-reported student drug use, the American Academy of Pediatrics opposes widespread implementation of these programs because of the lack of solid evidence for their effectiveness.
Definition of a Pediatrician
Authors:   COMMITTEE ON PEDIATRIC WORKFORCE, Rimsza Mary Ellen , Hotaling Andrew J. , Keown Mary Elizabeth , Marcin James Paul , Moskowitz William Bernard , Sigrest Ted D. , Simon Harold Kenneth
Published: April 2015

This Policy Statement was reaffirmed December 2019.
STRUCTURES OF TURBULENT VORTICES AND THEIR INFLUFENCE ON FLOW PROPERTIES
Authors: Rimkus Alfonsas
Published: April 2015

In spite of the many investigations that have been conducted on turbulent flows, the generation and development of turbulent vortices has not been investigated sufficiently yet. This prevents to understand well the processes involved in the flow. That is unfavorable for the further investigations. The developing vortex structures are interacting, and this needs to be estimated. Physical summing of velocities, formed by all structures, can be unfavorable for investigations, therefore they must be separated; otherwise bias errors can occur. The difficulty for investigations is that the widely employed Particle Image Velocity (PIV) method, when a detailed picture of velocity field picture is necessary, can provide photos covering only a short interval of flow, which can’t include the largest flow structures, i.e. macro whirlpools. Consequently, action of these structures could not be investigated. Therefore, in this study it is tried to obtain the necessary data about the flow structure by analyzing the instantaneous velocity measurements by 3D means, which lasts for several minutes, therefore the existence and interaction of these structures become visible in measurement data. The investigations conducted in this way have been already discussed in the article, published earlier. Mostly the generation and development of bottom vortices was analyzed. In this article, the analysis of these turbulent velocity measurements is continued and the additional data about the structure of turbulent vortices is obtained.