cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
High Health Care Utilization Preceding Diagnosis of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in Youth

OBJECTIVE Childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is associated with high risk for organ damage, which may be mitigated by early diagnosis and treatment. We characterized health care utilization for youth in the year preceding SLE diagnosis compared to controls. METHODS Using Clinformatics DataMart (OptumInsight) de-identified administrative data from 2000 to 2013, we identified 682 youth ages 10-24 years with new-onset SLE (≥3 International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes for SLE 710.0, each >30 days apart), and 1,364 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. We compared the incidence of ambulatory, emergency, and inpatient visits 12 months before SLE diagnosis and frequency of primary diagnoses. We examined subject characteristics associated with utilization preceding SLE diagnosis. RESULTS Youth with SLE had significantly more visits in the year preceding diagnosis than controls across ambulatory (incidence rate ratio [IRR] 2.48, P < 0.001), emergency (IRR 3.42, P < 0.001), and inpatient settings (IRR 3.02, P < 0.001). The most frequent acute-care diagnoses and median days to SLE diagnosis were: venous thromboembolism (313, interquartile range [IQR] 18-356), thrombocytopenia (278, IQR 39-354), chest pain (73, IQR 29.5-168), fever (52, IQR 17-166), and acute kidney failure (14, IQR 5-168). Having a psychiatric diagnosis prior to SLE diagnosis was strongly associated with increased utilization across all settings. CONCLUSION Youth with SLE have high health care utilization throughout the year preceding SLE diagnosis. Examining variable diagnostic trajectories of youth requiring acute care preceding SLE diagnosis, and increased attention to psychiatric morbidity, may help improve care for youth with new-onset SLE.
Multiple sclerosis and HIV: a case of multiple sclerosis-immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome associated with antiretroviral therapy initiation.

Studies have suggested that the incidence of multiple sclerosis (MS) in HIV-infected (HIV+) patients is lower than that of the general population. Here, we present a case of MS in an HIV+ patient w...
Medication overuse in oncology: current trends and future implications for patients and society.

Summary The high cost of cancer care worldwide is largely attributable to rising drugs prices. Despite their high costs and potential toxic effects, anticancer treatments could be subject to overuse, which is defined as the provision of medical services that are more likely to harm than to benefit a patient. We found 30 studies documenting medication overuse in cancer, which included 16 examples of supportive medication overuse and 17 examples of antineoplastic medication overuse in oncology. Few specific agents have been assessed, and no studies investigated overuse of the most toxic or expensive medications currently used in cancer treatment. Although financial, psychological, or physical harms of medication overuse in cancer could be substantial, there is little published evidence addressing these harms, so their magnitude is unclear. Further research is needed to better quantify medication overuse, understand its implications, and help protect patients and the health-care system from overuse.
UNSCEAR: Analysing Population Survey Data for Collaborative Development of Evidence-Based Radiation Protection Policies

The United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) was established in 1955 to systematically collect, evaluate, publish and share data on the global levels and effects of ionizing radiation from natural and artificial sources. Regular surveys have been conducted on the frequencies of medical radiological procedures, levels of exposure, equipment used and staffing levels to determine evolving trends.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS

The biological effect of about 100 kHz radio frequency is heating; at lower frequencies the primary effect is electric shock or neurostimulation. Many low-level cellular and animal effects are not understood and difficult to repeat. Epidemiological results of most significance correlate power frequency magnetic field exposure with childhood leukemia. Standards to limit exposure require fairly complex but well understood dosimetric calculations of the coupling between unperturbed exposure fields and the human body. The possibility that brain tumors are correlated with handheld wireless phone use is the subject of current research.
Use of nitroglycerin ointment to treat primary and secondary Raynaud’s phenomenon: a systematic literature review

Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) is a microvascular condition in which reversible ischemic attacks occur in the extremities. Due to the unpredictable nature of these attacks, pharmacologic agents that can be administered on as-needed basis are currently being sought after. Topical nitrates are well suited for as-needed use, and several different formulations have been studied for the treatment of RP, including ointments, gels, patches, and tapes. However, these different dosage forms are not all equal in terms of safety and efficacy, and not every one is commercially available for use in clinical practice. Nitroglycerin ointment is commercially available, and it has less systemic side effects than other topical formulations. Since its role in the treatment of RP has not yet been completely established, we performed a systematic search of Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials to evaluate its safety and efficacy. A total of 1125 studies were identified, and 7 were included in our review. Although the included studies used different measures of efficacy, the majority reported positive responses to nitroglycerin ointment. The benefit of nitroglycerin ointment in the treatment of RP may be further realized through more robust investigation.
Clinical value of measuring T-cell activation and proliferation using multiplexed quantitative fluorescence in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

11610Background: Elevated tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) is associated with better prognosis in diverse tumor types, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Expression of PD-L1 and pre...
Long Range-Doppler Demonstration of a 95 GHz FMCW Radar

We present the first demonstration of a thermal-noise-limited 95 GHz frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) Doppler radar with high (1 Watt) transmit power and long-range Doppler detection capabilities. The 95 GHz radar is part of the GAISR (Gas And Ice Spectrometer/Radar) instrument to probe the dynamics and distribution of cometary jets and plumes in icy bodies in the solar system. Radar measurements were carried out using a variety of targets at different range and velocities, such as freeway cars, clouds, rain and hillsides, to test the range and Doppler capabilities. The compact design (a single 15 cm diameter primary antenna), and high quality data presented in this paper makes this 95 GHz FMCW radar uniquely suitable for future space missions for Planetary and Earth Science applications.
109 Dermal lymphatic characterization and photosensitivity in the MRL/lpr lupus model

Background Proper function of lymphatic vessels is needed to limit the magnitude and duration of tissue inflammation, and in direct regulation of immune cell activity. Inflammatory states such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis are associated with lymphatic dysfunction, but lymphatics in lupus models have not been well characterized. SLE patients are photosensitive, developing inflammatory skin lesions upon exposure to even ambient ultraviolet radiation (UVR). We hypothesized that lymphatic dysfunction may contribute to photosensitivity in lupus. Methods MRL/MpJ-Faslpr/lpr (lpr) mice and age-/sex-matched MRL controls were evaluated at baseline, 1 day, 1 week and 1 month after exposure to 2000–2500 J/m2 of UVB radiation. Lymphatic function was assessed with an intradermal injection of 1 µL of 2% evans blue (EB) to the ear, followed by measurement of EB concentration in the draining lymph node (dLN) 1 min later. Flow cytometry of ears and dLN allowed quantification of resident cell populations. Kruskal-Wallis test, followed by Dunns test for multiple comparisons were used to compare the groups; data is presented as mean ±SE, with a two-tailed p-value of Results At baseline, the effective flow of EB, calculated as EB concentration in the dLN, per ear lymphatic endothelial cell (LEC) number, is comparable between the 2 groups. Following UVR, in both lpr and control mice, there is an increase in the effective flow of EB to the dLN, that starts as early as 1 day, and continues to increase at 1 week, in similar levels between the 2 groups. At 1 month post-UVR, however, the flow continues to improve in the MRL control mice, but there is no similar improvement in the lpr mice. In fact, while at baseline, 1 day and 1 week the mean relative lymphatic flow in the lpr mice ranges from 1.6-, 2.5- and 0.9- fold of controls, respectively, at 1 month the effective flow in the lpr mice is only 5% that of controls (p=0.007). Conclusions Dermal lymphatic network of lupus models have never been characterized, despite evidence for a major role of lymphatics in the regulation of chronic inflammation and autoimmunity. Here we provide indications to impaired long-term response of lymphatic drainage in the lpr lupus strain, which can lead to reduced lymphatic regulation of the immune response, contributing to the unchecked skin inflammation known to occur in SLE. Funding Source(s): NIH T32AR071302-01 (NS) NIH R01AI079178 (TTL) Lupus Research Alliance (TTL)
Novel fishway entrance modifications for Pacific lamprey

AbstractPassage facilities at dams must accommodate a broad array of aquatic species to achieve full river connectivity. In an attempt to improve adult Pacific lamprey (Entosphenus tridentatus) pas...
Leading the second wave into the third wave: U.S. women journalists and discursive continuity of feminism

The #MeToo movement resurfaced tensions between second- and third-wave feminists, who are often framed in media narratives using a paradigm approach that defines them as separate, competing social ...
Bone marrow transcriptome and epigenome profiles of equine common variable immunodeficiency patients unveil block of B lymphocyte differentiation

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is a late-onset humoral deficiency characterized by B lymphocyte dysfunction or loss, decreased immunoglobulin production, and recurrent bacterial infections. CVID is the most frequent human primary immunodeficiency but still presents challenges in the understanding of its etiology and treatment. CVID in equine patients manifests with a natural impairment of B lymphocyte differentiation, and is a unique model to identify genetic and epigenetic mechanisms of disease. Bone marrow transcriptome analyses revealed decreased expression of genes indicative of the pro-B cell differentiation stage, importantly PAX5 (p≤0.023). We hypothesized that aberrant epigenetic regulation caused PAX5 gene silencing, resulting in the late-onset and non-familial manifestation of CVID. A significant increase in PAX5 enhancer region methylation was identified in equine CVID patients by genome-wide reduced-representation bisulfite sequencing and bisulfite PCR sequencing (p=0.000). Thus, we demonstrate that integrating transcriptomics and epigenetics in CVID enlightens potential mechanisms of dysfunctional B lymphopoiesis or function.
How Does Practice-Based Teacher Preparation Influence Novices’ First-Year Instruction?:

Background/ContextTeacher preparation suffers from a lack of evidence that guides the design of learning experiences to produce well-prepared beginners. An increasing number of teacher educators ar...
Hydrogen Stable Supported Ionic Liquid Membranes with Silver Carriers: Propylene and Propane Permeability and Solubility

Pure gas permeabilities of propylene and propane through ionic liquids supported on porous alumina membranes were determined as a function of silver salt concentration from 0 to 1 M and feed pressu...
Peer-Assisted Lifestyle (PAL) intervention: a protocol of a cluster-randomised controlled trial of a health-coaching intervention delivered by veteran peers to improve obesity treatment in primary care.

Introduction Among US veterans, more than 78% have a body mass index (BMI) in the overweight (≥25 kg/m2) or obese range (≥30 kg/m2). Clinical guidelines recommend multicomponent lifestyle programmes to promote modest, clinically significant body mass (BM) loss. Primary care providers (PCPs) often lack time to counsel and refer patients to intensive programmes (≥6 sessions over 3 months). Using peer coaches to deliver obesity counselling in primary care may increase patient motivation, promote behavioural change and address the specific needs of veterans. We describe the rationale and design of a cluster-randomised controlled trial to test the efficacy of the Peer-Assisted Lifestyle (PAL) intervention compared with enhanced usual care (EUC) to improve BM loss, clinical and behavioural outcomes (aim 1); identify BM-loss predictors (aim 2); and increase PCP counselling (aim 3). Methods and analysis We are recruiting 461 veterans aged 18-69 years with obesity or overweight with an obesity-associated condition under the care of a PCP at the Brooklyn campus of the Veterans Affairs NY Harbor Healthcare System. To deliver counselling, PAL uses in-person and telephone-based peer support, a tablet-delivered goal-setting tool and PCP training. Patients in the EUC arm receive non-tailored healthy living handouts. In-person data collection occurs at baseline, month 6 and month 12 for patients in both arms. Repeated measures modelling based on mixed models will compare mean BM loss (primary outcome) between study arms. Ethics and dissemination The protocol has been approved by the Institutional Review Board and the Research and Development Committee at the VA NY Harbor Health Systems (#01607). We will disseminate the results via peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations and meetings with stakeholders. Trial registration number NCT03163264; Pre-results.
Turkmenistan The Burden of Current Agricultural Policies

The paper analyzes the opportunity costs of current agricultural policies in Turkmenistan. It argues that the opportunity costs of continuing with these policies is very high for the budget, the average farmer, and the economy as a whole. The paper calls for the development of nontraditional agricultural crops, which are more profitable than wheat and cotton in the international commodity markets, and a comprehensive and sustained strategy for the agricultural sector.
Validity of Mathematical Modelling Assessments for Interdisciplinary Learning

Teaching mathematical modelling produces interdisciplinary learning outcomes that can be measured with formative assessments. Building, defining, and clarifying the interdisciplinary competencies involved in the modelling performance assessment tasks require the input of content experts from multiple disciplines. These interdisciplinary perspectives create the foundation for a valid modelling assessment before administering and interpreting its results. The validation process involves scoring, interpretation and uses, and consequences of interdisciplinary mathematical modelling assessment results. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated construct validity for a mathematical modelling assessment with two higher order factors indicating conceptual and procedural dimensions of interdisciplinary learning enacted by mathematical modelling.
Magnetic turnstiles in nonresonant stellarator divertor

A very important result on the magnetic turnstiles in the nonresonant stellarator divertor [A. Punjabi and A. H. Boozer, Phys. Plasmas 27, 012503 (2020)] is obtained. The exiting and entering magnetic flux tubes of a distinct type of magnetic turnstile in the nonresonant stellarator divertor do not leave and enter the outermost confining surface at the same location but on the opposite sides of the outermost confining surface. This result is contrary to the conventional understanding of the turnstiles in Hamiltonian mechanics [R. S. Mackay, J. D. Meiss, and I. C. Percival, Physica D 13, 55 (1984); J. D. Meiss, Chaos 25, 097602 (2015)]. There are two distinct types of true magnetic turnstiles with probability exponents 9/5 and 9/4, and there is also one type of pseudo magnetic turnstile. The questions of the nature of continuous toroidal stripes and the secondary family having a negative probability exponent from our simulation of nonresonant stellarator divertor [A. Punjabi and A. H. Boozer, Phys. Plasmas 27, 012503 (2020)] are also resolved. The toroidal stripes are a distinct type of true turnstile; and the secondary family with negative exponent is actually a pseudo turnstile; they are the positions of the maximum radial excursion of circulating field lines outside the hump on outermost confining surface. Lines from layer outside the hump form the pseudo turnstile when they are given sufficiently large radial velocity. The method can be useful in the design and optimization of divertors in toroidal fusion plasmas.
CollectiveTeach: A System To Generate And Sequence Web-Annotated Lesson Plans

Despite an abundance of educational resources on the Web, there exists a gap between teachers and the efficient utilization of these resources. A fundamental component of teaching is the preparation of a lesson plan—an organized sequence of educational content—and for the most part, the task of generating lesson plans today is manual and laborious. To address this gap, we present CollectiveTeach, a platform that enables educators to generate lesson plans. CollectiveTeach has two main facets: (i) an information retrieval engine that gathers relevant documents pertaining to a topic, and (ii) a framework to sequence the retrieved documents into coherent lesson plans. We present a novel architecture that leverages information retrieval algorithms, data mining techniques, and user feedback to generate automated lesson plans. We built and deployed CollectiveTeach for 3 popular undergraduate Computer Science subjects: Algorithms, Operating Systems, and Machine Learning, on a corpus of ∼ 100,000 web pages. Further, we evaluated the platform in 3 phases: (1) computing the precision of the documents retrieved, (2) a user study with 10 participants who assessed lesson plans returned by CollectiveTeach based on appropriateness, quality, and coverage and (3) benchmarking our sequencing approach against the Beam-Search approach. Our results show that CollectiveTeach achieves high precision in retrieving content relevant to a user’s query, users are satisfied with the appropriateness, coverage, and reliability of the generated lesson plans and that our sequencing approach is effective. These results indicate that CollectiveTeach is a promising platform that could enrich the lesson plan generation process and encourage collaboration amongst the community of educators and learners.
Racialized Victim Gender Differences in Capital Decision Making in Pennsylvania

The death penalty has historically been used to communicate moral outrage and fear about the murders of some kinds of victims more than others. A large body of research has inquired into the effect...
The Lateral Femoral Condyle Index Is Not a Risk Factor for Primary Noncontact Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury.

Background The lateral femoral condyle index (LFCI)-a recently developed measure of the sphericity of the lateral femoral condyle-was reported to be a risk factor for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. However, issues have been raised regarding how the index was measured and regarding the patient group and the knee in which it was measured. Purpose To investigate the association between the LFCI and the risk of sustaining a primary, noncontact ACL injury, and to examine whether this association was moderated by the posterior-inferior-directed slope of the lateral tibial plateau. Study design Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods A secondary analysis was conducted of deidentified magnetic resonance images of the uninjured knees of 86 athletes with ACL injury and the corresponding knees of 86 control athletes, matched for sports team, sex, and age. From those images, we measured the LFCI and the posterior-inferior-directed slope of the middle region articular cartilage surface of the tibial plateau's lateral compartment. Conditional logistic regressions were performed to determine whether the LFCI was significantly associated with ACL injury risk and whether the lateral tibial compartment middle cartilage slope moderated this association. Data were analyzed for female and male participants separately as well as for both groups combined. Results The LFCI was not found to be significantly associated with experiencing a primary, noncontact ACL injury for all analyses. The lateral tibial slope measure was not found to moderate the association between the LFCI and ACL injury. A conditional logistic regression analysis using the LFCI data of the injured knees, instead of the uninjured knees, of the participants with ACL injury revealed that the LFCI was significantly associated with ACL injury. Conclusion In this population of athletically active female and male participants, the LFCI was not found to be a risk factor for noncontact ACL injury, regardless of the geometric features of the lateral tibial slope.
Creating an Atmosphere for STEM Literacy in the Rural South Through Student-Collected Weather Data

ABSTRACT This paper is an examination of a teacher professional development program in northeast Louisiana, that provided 30 teachers and their students with the technology, skills, and content knowledge to collect data and explore weather trends. Data were collected from both continuous monitoring weather stations and simple school-based weather stations to better understand core disciplinary ideas connecting Life and Earth sciences. Using a curricular model that combines experiential and place-based educational approaches to create a rich and relevant atmosphere for STEM learning, the goal of the program was to empower teachers and their students to engage in ongoing data collection analysis that could contribute to greater understanding and ownership of the environment at the local and regional level. The program team used a mixed-methodological approach that examined implementation at the site level and student impact. Analysis of teacher and student surveys, teacher interviews and classroom observati...
Energy demand and efficiency in Estonia: Structure, potential and policies

Abstract Estonia as a case study allows understanding energy efficiency improvements and how they can occur in a former Soviet economy. The structure of energy consumption by end-use sector is analyzed and a picture of energy-efficiency potentials and policies emerges from this analysis, from international comparisons and from extensive in-country experience. The potential for improvements is enormous, and key priorities are district heating systems, buildings and low-cost measures in industry. Economic reform and structural economic changes will drive improvements in industry and transport, while public policies and intervention are needed in heat supply and the residential sector. Key barriers to efficiency improvements include lack of ownership, lack of capital, low electricity prices, inexperience with cost minimization and financial analysis, and lack of meters and controls, especially in the residential sector.
Intimate Terrorism and Technology: There's an App for That

Technology enhances the ability of the domestic violence prepetrator. It also holds the promise of assisting domestic violence survivors in their quest for safety. This is true in practical, daily ways and is becoming increasingly true in the legal treatment of these cases. Perpetrators can use technology to stalk and find their victims; survivors can use it to access necessary information to get away from their batterers. Laws are being amended to take into account cyber-enhanced domestic violence techniques. Domestic or intimate terrorists are among the class of criminals targeted for use of GPS monitoring. This article discusses the way that technology is used in circumstances of intimate terrorism. It will examine how technology is used as a batterer's tool in exerting coercive control over a victim. It will also look at the changes in the laws as the legal system strives to keep pace with the rapid advancement of technology. In particular, the recent use of GPS monitoring of intimate terrorists will be analyzed. This analysis will identify some of the problems associated with the on-going legal changes.
Cervical (pap) smear : new directions

This article reports the historic background leading to the introduction of cervical smears as a tool in the detection of precancerous changes in the uterine cervix. The false-negative error rate in the primary screening process is discussed and illustrated by data recently compiled from this laboratory. Rescreening of approximately 25% of cervical smears yielded an error screening rate of approximately 5% of precancerous lesions and cancer of the uterine cervix. The total false-negative screening error rate was much higher but was unknown and should be determined by additional studies. The reasons for the false-negative screening errors are discussed. Some of the proposed remedies, particularly screening of the entire population for human papillomavirus infection, are judged to be unacceptable because of the high prevalence of this virus in well women and because the biologic events linking the presence of viral DNA with the development of precancerous lesions are unknown. Screening assistance with the help of a newly developed interactive machine, combining image analysis with a neural net was promising as a tool in quality control.
Morphogenetically Specific Mutability in DROSOPHILA ANANASSAE.

A stock exhibiting hypermutability with respect to visible mutants (Om) affecting optic morphology was subjected to genetic analysis. The production of Om mutants, independently recovered with a frequency of two per 104, is restricted to females and depends primarily on homozygosity of their X chromosomes; in heterozygotes, Om mutability is stimulated by the presence of either one of two extrachromosomally replicating elements previously identified in other stocks having cryptic mutability systems. The semidominant and nonpleiotropic Om mutants are not associated with gross rearrangements and they map to at least 15 loci. Most of the loci defined by mapping are represented by two or more Om mutants which, despite considerable interlocus mimicry, sometimes display locus-specific phenotypes. Om mutants are moderately unstable, and they are subject to dominant suppressors that arise spontaneously at either of two X-linked loci. An interpretation of these observations invokes an X-linked transposable element (tom) that specifically inserts into control sequences shared by a set of structural genes involved in eye morphogenesis.
High-Resolution G-Banded Karyotype and Idiogram of the Goat: A Sheep–Goat G-Banded Comparison

An elongated G-banded karyotype and idiogram of the domestic goat (Capra hircus) is presented. Sheep (Ovis aries)-goat comparison suggests the terminal light band (Xq 2 9) present in the goat is absent in the sheep.
On the Application of Yellowing Inhibitors to Paper-Coating : Viscosity, Microstructure and Numerical Simulation

This is an investigation of the effect of paper-yellowing inhibitors on the viscosity-temperature dependence; scatter particle size, and the associated changes in the surface microstructure. The temperature has no effect on the qualitative viscosity behavior of the coating formulation including inhibitors. Particles size of pigment increases with the combination of UV absorber and radical scavenger. Transmission Electron Microscopy shows the microstructure of increasing agglomerations with added inhibitors to coating mixture. Numerical 3D simulation of the flow in the coating nip of metering size press taking inertia forces into consideration depicts vortex formations on the surface of the coater's rolls.
A major biopolymeric component to dissolved organic carbon in surface sea water

Organic carbon dissolved in sea water is an important component of the global carbon cycle1. Concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in the ocean's surface mixed layer are at least twice those in the deep sea2,3, because of the production of soluble carbon compounds by marine algae in the euphotic zone4,5. But very little is known about the chemical composition of DOC, and the connection between photosynthetic production and DOC accumulation is not well understood6,7. Here we report the chemical characterization of macromolecular DOC at several sites in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Neutral sugars, acetate and lipids show similar distributions, suggesting that these constituents are linked together in a common macromolecular structure. Chemical linkage patterns between the oligosaccharide portions of dissolved organic matter subjected to ultrafiltration are highly specific, with little variation between ocean basins. We show that laboratory culture experiments on the decomposition of algal exudate produce macromolecular organic matter with similar compositions and linkage characteristics. We propose that a significant fraction of DOC in sea surface water consists of structurally related and biosynthetically derived acyl oligosaccharides that persist after more labile organic matter has been degraded.
Surfactant layering on mixed monolayer-protected gold clusters

Positively-charged monolayer protected gold clusters (MMPCs) were mixed with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). At lower SDS concentration, the initially water-soluble particles became organic-soluble while remaining discrete. Upon further addition of SDS, the particles aggregate and become water-soluble. NaCN decomposition, TEM, and DLS characterization reveal the morphology and properties of these encapsulated assemblies.
Outflow tract premature ventricular depolarizations after atrial fibrillation ablation may reflect autonomic influences

Autonomic modulation following catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation may promote the development of catecholamine-sensitive arrhythmias, such as outflow tract (OT) ventricular premature depolarizations (VPDs). The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence and prognostic significance of OT VPDs occurring in patients after atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. We prospectively examined 53 consecutive patients undergoing wide-area circumferential antral pulmonary vein (PV) isolation; no patients had evidence of OT VPDs on 24 h of preprocedural telemetry monitoring. Cases (OT+) had postprocedure telemetry monitoring with >30 continuous beats or >3/min OT VPDs. Clinical follow-up included transtelephonic monitoring at 6 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year. The incidence of OT VPDs in this population was 11 % (6/53). There was no difference in AF recurrence at 1 year between those with or without OT VPDs (17 vs 28 %, p = 0.6). There was a strong association with higher immediate postprocedure heart rate (HR) in OT+ compared to OT− patients (86 vs 76, p = 0.03); this difference persisted at 1 year (79 vs 60, p < 0.01). OT VPDs resolved in 5/6 of the OT+ patients over the 1-year follow-up. In a multivariable linear regression model, OT VPDs were associated with higher HR (odds ratio (OR) 1.14 [1.10–1.18], p < 0.001) despite adjustment for medication dose. A minority of patients undergoing antral PV isolation develops OT VPDs associated with a sustained increase in mean heart rate; this effect may result from the modulation of adjacent autonomic ganglia.
Enhancing the Oral Narratives of Children with Learning Disabilities

Oral narration is a ubiquitous activity that is essential for academic success and social competency. Research into the oral narratives of children with learning disabilities (LD) indicates that these children verbally report significantly less information about past events than children without LD. The present study evaluated the effectiveness of narrative elaboration training (NET), an instructional program aimed at aiding in the organization and retrieval of information about a past event. A post-test-only control group design was utilized to evaluate treatment effects on learning-disabled children's completeness and accuracy of statements regarding the details about a past event. Thirty-nine 7- to 12-year-old children with LD participated in small groups in a staged event (history lesson). Two weeks later, they were randomly assigned to participate in one of two treatment conditions before being interviewed about the history lesson: NET, the experimental condition; or motivating instructions, the cont...
The Ins and Outs of Intracellular Chloride in Olfactory Receptor Neurons

Stimulation of olfactory receptor neurons with odors culminates in opening of a ciliary Ca 2+ -activated Cl − channel. Because intracellular Cl − ([Cl − ] i ) is above electrochemical equilibrium in these cells, the result is cell depolarization that triggers action potentials that carry information to the olfactory bulb. In this issue of Neuron , Reisert and coworkers use combined pharmacological and mouse genetic approaches to show that the transporter responsible for maintaining Cl − above electrochemical equilibrium is NKCC1, a Na + 2Cl − K + cotransporter found in other tissues, including neurons.
Botanists Saving the World, One Plant at a Time

Krupnick, Gary A., and W. John Kress, editors. 2005. Plant conservation: a natural history approach. The University of Chicago Press, Chicago, Illinois. xviii + 346 p. $75.00 (cloth), ISBN 0-226-45512-2 (alk. paper); $30.00 (paper), ISBN 0-226-45513-0 (alk. paper).
A Novel Alignment-Free Method for Comparing Transcription Factor Binding Site Motifs

Background Transcription factor binding site (TFBS) motifs can be accurately represented by position frequency matrices (PFM) or other equivalent forms. We often need to compare TFBS motifs using their PFMs in order to search for similar motifs in a motif database, or cluster motifs according to their binding preference. The majority of current methods for motif comparison involve a similarity metric for column-to-column comparison and a method to find the optimal position alignment between the two compared motifs. In some applications, alignment-free methods might be preferred; however, few such methods with high accuracy have been described. Methodology/Principal Findings Here we describe a novel alignment-free method for quantifying the similarity of motifs using their PFMs by converting PFMs into k-mer vectors. The motifs could then be compared by measuring the similarity among their corresponding k-mer vectors. Conclusions/Significance We demonstrate that our method in general achieves similar performance or outperforms the existing methods for clustering motifs according to their binding preference and identifying similar motifs of transcription factors of the same family.
Myeloid blastic transformation of myeloproliferative neoplasms—A review of 112 cases

Blastic transformation of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) is still poorly understood. We describe a cohort of 23 Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) patients and 89 additional cases from the English literature for whom biologic features were described. We initially compared our 23 patients to the 89 cases from the literature. Our population had significantly less patients with prior history of polycythemia vera (PV), shorter time from MPN diagnosis to blastic transformation, <3 prior therapies, more frequent use of hydroxyurea and erythropoietin and less frequent use of alkylating agents. Interestingly, the overall survival of the two cohorts from the time of blastic transformation was similar. We therefore looked at the outcome of the entire cohort (n=112). Patients with prior history of essential thrombocythemia survived longer than patients with prior history of myelofibrosis or PV. Further, patients with <3 prior therapies, those who lacked complex karyotype and those <60 year old at MPN diagnosis had significantly longer survival. Among the PRCI population, 20/23 patients underwent induction treatment with cytarabine and an anthracycline containing regimens; 12 achieved remission and their overall survival was significantly longer than those who did not. Three patients underwent an allogeneic transplantation and their survival was significantly longer than those who did not. Patients with <3 prior therapies, those who lack complex karyotype and those <60 at MPN diagnosis have longer survival following blastic transformation. Finally, allogeneic transplantation represents the only chance for long-term survival in these patients.
Can Group Medical Clinics Improve Lipid Management in Diabetes

Abstract Background Group medical clinics may improve diabetes and hypertension control, but data about dyslipidemia are limited. We examined the impact of group medical clinics on lipids among patients with uncontrolled diabetes and hypertension. Methods Prespecified secondary analysis of 239 veterans randomized to group medical clinics or usual care. Lipids were assessed at study baseline, midpoint, and end. We used linear mixed models to compare lipid levels between arms and generalized estimating equation models to compare low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goal attainment. An additional post hoc analysis examined intensification of cholesterol-lowering medications in both arms. Results At baseline, mean total cholesterol was 169.7 mg/dL (SD 47.8), LDL-C 98.2 mg/dL (SD 41.7), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) 39.3 mg/dL (SD 13.0). Median baseline triglycerides were 131 mg/dL (interquartile range 122). By study end, mean total cholesterol and LDL-C in group medical clinics were 14.2 mg/dL ( P = .01) and 9.2 mg/dL ( P = .02) lower than usual care, respectively; 76% of group medical clinic patients met goals for LDL-C, versus 61% of usual care patients ( P = .02). Triglycerides and HDL-C remained similar between study arms. Treatment intensification occurred in 52% of group medical clinic patients, versus 37% of usual care patients between study baseline and end ( P = .04). The mean statin dose was higher in group medical clinic patients at study midpoint and end. Conclusions Group medical clinics appear to enhance lipid management among patients with diabetes and hypertension. This may be a result of greater intensification of cholesterol-lowering medications in group medical clinics relative to usual care.
Stabilized Imaging of Immune Surveillance in the Mouse Lung

Real-time imaging of cellular and subcellular dynamics in vascularized organs requires image resolution and image registration to be simultaneously optimized without perturbing normal physiology. This problem is particularly pronounced in the lung, in which cells may transit at speeds >1 mm s(-1) and in which normal respiration results in large-scale tissue movements that prevent image registration. Here we report video-rate, two-photon imaging of a physiologically intact preparation of the mouse lung that is stabilizing and nondisruptive. Using our method, we obtained evidence for differential trapping of T cells and neutrophils in mouse pulmonary capillaries, and observed neutrophil mobilization and dynamic vascular leak in response to stretch and inflammatory models of lung injury in mice. The system permits physiological measurement of motility rates of >1 mm s(-1), observation of detailed cellular morphology and could be applied in the future to other organs and tissues while maintaining intact physiology.
Diabetes educators: partners in diabetes care and management.

ABSTRACT Objective To promote the role of the diabetes educator as an important team member in conjunction with the patient and other clinicians in optimizing diabetes management. Methods The goal of the diabetes educator in facilitating changes in patient behavior is reviewed, and current trends and strategies for improvement of outcomes by means of diabetes education are outlined. Results The American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE) is a multidisciplinary group of healthcare professionals dedicated to the professional growth and development of personnel who are responsible for diabetes education. Diabetes management is best addressed by using a team approach in a patient-centered care environment. Diabetes education encompasses more than the dissemination of information; the goal is to facilitate changes in specific behaviors relating to both therapy and lifestyle that support good diabetes management and improved clinical outcomes. Diabetes educators currently frame their intervention on the basis of the AADE 7 Self-Care Behaviors: (1) healthful eating, (2) being active, (3) monitoring, (4) taking medication, (5) problem-solving, (6) healthful coping, and (7) reducing risks. Diabetes education is underutilized; approximately 60% to 70% of patients with diabetes have not received training in diabetes self-management. Diabetes educators are trained to identify and help overcome barriers to optimal diabetes care. Conclusion Individual patients and the overall health-care system will benefit when physicians and other health-care providers collaborate with diabetes educators to ensure that patients receive the information, training, and support needed to facilitate effective diabetes self-management. (Endocr Pract. 2006;12[Suppl 1]:138-141)
Chemical Vapor Deposition of Conformal, Functional, and Responsive Polymer Films

Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) polymerization utilizes the delivery of vapor-phase monomers to form chemically well-defined polymeric films directly on the surface of a substrate. CVD polymers are desirable as conformal surface modification layers exhibiting strong retention of organic functional groups, and, in some cases, are responsive to external stimuli. Traditional wet-chemical chain- and step-growth mechanisms guide the development of new heterogeneous CVD polymerization techniques. Commonality with inorganic CVD methods facilitates the fabrication of hybrid devices. CVD polymers bridge microfabrication technology with chemical, biological, and nanoparticle systems and assembly. Robust interfaces can be achieved through covalent grafting enabling high-resolution (60 nm) patterning, even on flexible substrates. Utilizing only low-energy input to drive selective chemistry, modest vacuum, and room-temperature substrates, CVD polymerization is compatible with thermally sensitive substrates, such as paper, textiles, and plastics. CVD methods are particularly valuable for insoluble and infusible films, including fluoropolymers, electrically conductive polymers, and controllably crosslinked networks and for the potential to reduce environmental, health, and safety impacts associated with solvents. Quantitative models aid the development of large-area and roll-to-roll CVD polymer reactors. Relevant background, fundamental principles, and selected applications are reviewed.
Antithrombotic agents: implications in dentistry.

Thrombosis and the complicating emboli that can result are important causes of illness and death. Thrombosis is of greater overall clinical importance in terms of morbidity and mortality than all of the hemorrhagic disorders combined. Agents such as heparin, low-molecular weight heparin, warfarin, aspirin, ticlopidine, clopidogrel, and tirofiban are used to prevent venous or arterial thrombosis. Patients taking these antithrombotic agents may be at risk for excessive bleeding after invasive dental procedures. The current antithrombotic agents used in medicine are reviewed, and the dental management of patients taking these agents is discussed. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2002;93:544-51)
Influence of stimulus-response translations on response programming: examining the relationship of arm, direction, and extent of movement.

Abstract Two experiments examined whether the programming relationships of direction and extent of movement (experiment 1) and arm, direction, and extent of movement (experiment 2) are affected by a cognitive recoding process called a stimulus-response translation. The programming of these task-defined parameters was studied via the movement precue method. The effect of a spatial translation was studied by manipulating stimulus-response compatibility. The results from both experiments showed that the patterns of reaction time for these parameters could be altered by indirect or noncompatible stimulus-response mappings. It was concluded that, when stimulus-response compatibility was deficient, effects that might be attributed to programming processes were due instead to the translation process. In experiment 2, the findings obtained from a spatially compatible stimulus-response ensemble demonstrated that the movement parameters of arm, direction, and extent could be selectively manipulated via the precue method. Therefore, it was concluded that this method may be a useful tool in understanding how motoric decisions are made prior to movement, but only when the spatial mapping among stimuli and responses is maximally compatible.
An Adult Developmental Study of Contextual Memory

This study tested the hypothesis that there is a relatively greater decrease in memory for contextual features than in memory for target information with increasing age. Young, middle-aged, and elderly adults were presented with a number of slides, each of which contained a word centered on a background composed of either a landscape/cityscape or a border design. One third of the subjects were told to remember the words, one third were told to remember the backgrounds, and one third were told to remember the word-and-background pairs. Recognition memory for both words, backgrounds, and word-and-background pairings was tested in all subjects. The interaction between age, instruction condition, and type of information tested was not significant. Thus, there was no support for the hypothesis that older adults have a greater deficit in contextual memory than in memory for target information when compared to younger adults.
Weak compactness and reflexivity

Several characterizations of weak-compactness are given for subsets of complete locally convex linear topological spaces and of Banach spaces. Some are new and some are generalizations of known facts.
Viral hepatitis A, B, and C in the newborn infant

Viral hepatitis in newborn infants rarely is recognized because most infected infants are asymptomatic. However, the consequences of viral hepatitis in newborns can be severe. In particular, infants infected with hepatitis B virus or hepatitis C virus usually develop chronic infection, which can lead to chronic liver disease, including cirrhosis and liver cancer. In addition, transmission of hepatitis A virus from infected infants has resulted in outbreaks among hospital staff and other persons providing care for these infants. This review focuses on the epidemiology, clinical features, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of hepatitis A, B, and C virus infections in newborn infants.