cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Microwave Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation: Dose-Response Curves in the Cardioplegia-Arrested and Beating Heart

Background Microwave ablation has been used to replace the traditional incisions used in the surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation. However, dose–response curves have not been established in surgically relevant models. The purpose of this study was to develop dose–response curves for the Flex 10 (Guidant, Inc) microwave device in both the acute cardioplegia-arrested heart and on the beating heart. Methods Twelve domestic pigs (40 to 45 kg) were subjected to microwave ablation in either the arrested (n = 6) or beating heart (n = 6). The cardioplegia-arrested heart was maintained at 10° to 15°C while six atrial endocardial and seven right ventricular epicardial lesions were created in each animal. On the beating heart, six right atrial and seven ventricular epicardial lesions were created. Ablations were performed for 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, and 150 seconds (65 W, 2.45 GHz). The tissue was stained with 2,3,5-triphenyl-tetrazolium chloride, and sectioned at 5-mm intervals. Lesion depth and width were determined from digital micrographs. Results Mean atrial wall thickness was 2.8 mm (range, 1 to 8 mm). In the arrested heart, 94% of atrial lesions were transmural at 45 seconds and 100% were transmural at 90 seconds. In the beating heart, only 20% of atrial lesions were transmural despite prolonged ablation times (90 seconds). Ventricular lesion width and depth increased with duration of application, and were similar on the arrested and beating hearts. Conclusions Microwave ablation produces linear dose–response curves. Transmural lesions can be reliably produced on the arrested heart, but not consistently on the beating heart.
Acid Production and Curd Toughness in Milks of Different αs1-Casein Types

Abstract Skimmilks differing in α s1 -casein type were inoculated with starter and renneted. Time to reach pH 5.0 and 4.8 was recorded and toughness of the curd was measured at both pH's. Nine Holstein cows of the following phenotypes were used: 1 A, 3 AB, 3 B, and 2 BC. Numbers were limited by the rarity of the A and C types. Milk from cows of the same type was pooled. The study was repeated eight times over a period of four weeks. Analyses of covariance were done with SNF per cent as the independent variable. The A milk was significantly slower than B and BC in reaching pH 4.8 (P α s1 -casein A was involved, while C was associated with toughness. Adjusted means, in grams of force to cut the curd, were: pH 5.0, A 1, AB 19, B 23, BC 119; pH 4.8, A 5, AB 55, B 81, BC 128. The grams of separator slime per 454g of milk separated also were recorded. Adjusted means were BC .08, B .13, AB .21, A .47. All differences between types were highly significant. Results on a few animals indicate that type of α s1 -casein may be of practical importance in some dairy manufacturing operations.
Preventing Death from HIV-Associated Cryptococcal Meningitis: The Way Forward

Cryptococcal meningitis (CM), a fungal disease caused by Cryptococcus species, is one of the most common opportunistic infections among persons with HIV/AIDS. The highest burden of disease is in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia, where limited access to antiretroviral treatment and appropriate antifungal therapy contributes to high mortality rates. Increasing focus has been placed on earlier detection and prevention of disease. Primary prophylaxis and screening may provide a survival benefit and can be cost-effective in settings where CM prevalence is high. The development of a new point-of-care cryptococcal antigen assay has the potential to transform both disease prevention and diagnosis.
Glycosylation regulates Notch signalling

Intracellular post-translational modifications such as phosphorylation and ubiquitylation have been well studied for their roles in regulating diverse signalling pathways, but we are only just beginning to understand how differential glycosylation is used to regulate intercellular signalling. Recent studies make clear that extracellular post-translational modifications, in the form of glycosylation, are essential for the Notch signalling pathway, and that differences in the extent of glycosylation are a significant mechanism by which this pathway is regulated.
3D trumps 2D when studying endothelial cells.

An elegant study by Sacharidou and colleagues in this issue of Blood provides fascinating insights into a signaling complex that is critical for endothelial cells to form lumen and tube structures in a 3-dimensional (3D) culture system, but not for their migration in 2D cultures.[1][1] Endothelial
Depression and Spinal Cord Injury: A Review of Diagnostic Methods for Depression, 1985 to 2000.

Studies of depression in individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI) over a 15-year period were examined to determine if researchers used consistent diagnostic measures. The Beck Depression Invento...
Condensation of Substituted Phenols with Hexakis(methoxymethyl)melamine: Synthesis, Characterization, and Properties of Substituted 2,4,6-Tris[3,4-dihydro-1,3-(2H)-benzoxazin-3-yl]-s-triazine Derivatives

Condensation of hexakis(methoxymethyl)melamine (HMMM) with 2,4-disubstituted and 4-substituted phenols in refluxing p-xylene catalyzed by dinonylnaphthalenedisulfonic acid (DNNDSA) gives substituted 2,4,6-tris[3,4-dihydro-1,3-(2H)-benzoxazin-3-yl]-s-triazine derivatives (1−4). These tris(benzoxazine) derivatives are characterized by infrared, 1H and 13C NMR, mass spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies suggest thermal cross-linking reactions of benzoxazines made from 4-substituted phenols but not for the one made from a 2,4-disubstituted phenol.
VillageApps: a platform to educate underprivileged communities in their mother tongue

Illiteracy is one of the biggest development challenges, especially in the developing regions. There are 785M adult illiterates in the world; one in every five people has little or no basic reading skills. Illiteracy poses the following challenges: It limits the ability to understand essential information, it increases unemployment, poverty and it has a negative impact on health. In this study, we present VillageApps -- a framework to educate underprivileged communities in their mother tongue. The paper details the platform, its functionality, and its initial evaluation on a group of 30 school-aged children. Our framework consists of a web and a mobile application; the web application provides an interface to upload content and record its page by page audio translation; the mobile application provides an interface to view each page and simultaneously listen to its audio translation.
Flavopapain: Synthesis and properties of semi-synthetic enzymes

Abstract The alkylation of the sulfhydryl group of Cys-25 in the active site of papain by 8α-bromo-2′,3′,4′,5′-tetra- O -acetylriboflavin, 2 , and 7α-bromoacetyl-10-methyl isoalloxazine, 5 , produces two new semi-synthetic oxidoreductases 3 and 6 , respectively, which are capable of oxidizing N -benzyl-1,4-dihydronicotinamide, 7 . While the reactivity of flavopapain 3 , as measured by k cat K m , is comparable to that of a corresponding model flavin, 1 , the k cat K m value of 5900 M−1sec−1 at 25.0° measured in the case of flavopapain 6 is considerably larger than the second order rate constant of 121 M−1sec−1 for the related reaction of the model flavin 7-acetyl-10-methylisoalloxazine, 4 .
EGFs and ERBBs--brief history and prospects.

The Epidermal Growth Factor family of peptide hormones and their four ERBB receptors are important in development of epithelia, the nervous system, and the cardiovascular system, and they continue to maintain these systems in adults. These growth factors and receptors are important drivers in human cancers, and they are the targets for several effective anti-cancer therapies in clinical use. The biology and pathogenesis of this system, and its importance for fundamental research in cancer biology is reviewed.
Nerve Growth Factor Modulates TRPV1 Expression and Function and Mediates Pain in Chronic Pancreatitis

Background & Aims The pathogenesis of pain in chronic pancreatitis (CP) is poorly understood and treatment remains difficult. We hypothesized that nerve growth factor (NGF) plays a key role in this process via its effects on the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1, TRPV1. Methods CP was induced by intraductal injection of trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid in rats. After 3 weeks, anti-NGF antibody or control serum was administered daily for 1 week. Pancreatic hyperalgesia was assessed by nocifensive behavioral response to electrical stimulation of the pancreas as well as by referred somatic pain assessed by von Frey filament testing. TRPV1 currents in pancreatic sensory neurons were examined by patch-clamp. The expression and function of TRPV1 in pancreas-specific nociceptors was examined by immunostaining and quantification of messenger RNA levels. Results Blockade of NGF significantly attenuated pancreatic hyperalgesia and referred somatic pain compared with controls. It also decreased TRPV1 current density and open probability and reduced the proportion of pancreatic sensory neurons that expressed TRPV1 as well as levels of TRPV1 in these neurons. Conclusions These findings emphasize a key role for NGF in pancreatic pain and highlight the role it plays in the modulation of TRPV1 expression and activity in CP.
Isolated reconstruction of the medial patellofemoral ligament with autologous quadriceps tendon.

Since the role of the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) as the primary soft-tissue restraint against lateral patellar translation has been recognized, several different reconstruction procedures for the treatment of patellar instability have been proposed over recent years. Many of these techniques require bony procedures and hardware fixation at the patellar and femoral side, leading to complications as described previously in the literature. The purpose of the present study is to describe the technique of isolated MPFL reconstruction using the quadriceps tendon and report the results at a mean follow-up of 38 months. The hypothesis is that this technique, not requiring drilling of bone tunnels on the patellar and femoral side, may be a "simple and safe" mean to manage patellar instability, giving good clinical results with low complication rate in selected patients with normal osseous anatomy. Sixteen consecutive patients (9 male, 7 female; mean age 22 years) with chronic patellar instability underwent medial patellofemoral reconstruction with the superficial layer of the quadriceps tendon. All the patients were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively by physical examination and subjectively with Kujala and Lysholm scores. The average follow-up was 38 months (range 28–48 months). No recurrent episodes of dislocation or subluxation and no complications occurred. The mean Kujala score increased from 35.8 preoperatively to 88.8 postoperatively and the Lysholm score improved from 43.3 preoperatively to 89.3 postoperatively. Isolated MPFL reconstruction using an autologous quadriceps tendon and not requiring bone tunnels, may be a safe, simple and effective procedure for the treatment of patellar instability without complications such as patellar fracture as reported by clinical studies using hamstring grafts. For the same reason it may also be indicated in skeletally immature patients. Level IV.
Differential induction of pathogenesis-related proteins in tomato by Alternaria solani and the association of a basic chitinase isozyme with resistance.

Abstract Accumulation of pathogenesis-related proteins is thought to play a role in pathogen-induced plant defense responses. Although early accumulation of hydrolytic enzymes such as chitinase and β-1,3-glucanase has been associated previously with genetically-inherited and induced systemic resistance, their role in resistance in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) to the phytopathogenic fungus Alternaria solani is not yet understood. Here we describe the accumulation patterns of specific isozymes of pathogenesis-related proteins in the resistant tomato genotypes 71B2, NC EBR-1, NC EBR-2 and the susceptible cultivar Piedmont. Western blot analysis demonstrated that four isozymes of chitinase (26, 27, 30, and 32kDa) were induced in all genotypes upon challenge with A. solani, but only resistant lines had significantly higher constitutive levels of the 30kDa isozyme as well as total chitinase activity. In addition, the 30kDa chitinase isozyme was found to accumulate to significantly higher levels in resistant lines during pathogenesis than the susceptible genotype. Two isozymes of β-1,3-glucanase (33 and 35kDa) were detected in all genotypes, but a slightly higher constitutive level was detectable in all resistant lines when compared to the susceptible. Similar accumulation patterns of these isozymes were observed in all genotypes during the course of pathogenesis. Purified preparations of acidic and basic tomato chitinase and β-1,3-glucanase isozymes were tested for their antifungal activity against A. solani in vitro. Results presented in this study indicate that only basic isozymes of chitinase and β-1,3-glucanase were inhibitory to A. solani whereas, no inhibitory activity was observed with the acidic isozymes. The results of this study suggest that a higher constitutive level of chitinase and β-1,3-glucanase and the induction pattern of a 30kDa chitinase isozyme in early blight resistant breeding lines is related to genetically-inherited resistance of tomato to A. solani.
New angles for monitoring areas

We define the voltage angle across an area of a power system to measure the area stress. The voltage angle across the area is a weighted combination of the voltage angles at all the buses along the border of an area. The area angle can be divided into two parts; one part is internal stress caused by power injections inside the area and the other part is external stress caused by power ows from other areas. The area angle can be monitored using voltage synchrophasor measurements at the border buses. If the currents or powers owing into the area at the border buses are also measured, then the internal stress angle can also be monitored. The internal stress angle changes when lines inside the area outage or when there is redispatch of power within the area. The internal stress angle does not change when lines outage outside the area or power is redispatched outside the area. This makes the internal stress angle useful for detecting and monitoring changes inside the area. If it is known which line inside the area is outaged, the angle across the line after the outage can be computed from the change in the internal stress angle. The analysis uses a DC load ow model of the power system and exploits the recently discovered cutset angle.
Effects of physical maltreatment on the development of peer relations

The effect of early physical maltreatment on the development of peer relationships was examined in a representative sample of 585 boys and girls. Subjects were assessed for physical maltreatment in the first 5 years of life and then followed for 5 consecutive years. The assessment was based on a clinical interview with parents. Twelve percent of the sample was identified as having experienced physical maltreatment. Peers, teachers, and mothers independently evaluated the maltreated group of children as being more disliked, less popular, and more socially withdrawn than the nonmaltreated group in every year of evaluation, with the magnitude of difference growing over time. These effects held even when family socioeconomic status was controlled. The findings were interpreted as being consistent with the hypothesis that early maltreatment disrupts attachment relationships with adult caregivers, and these disruptions then impair a child's ability to form effective peer relationships.
Trying to Influence Psychologists to Think Otherwise Isn't Easy

Joseph Rychlak provides a commentary and response to the articles from the special issue of the Journal of Constructivist Psychology honoring his work. He describes some of his line of reasoning in developing Logical Learning Theory and emphasizes the importance placed on empirical investigations of his theoretical constructs. In retrospect, he sees the part of his work that has had the most impact on psychology as being his critical theoretical writings, rather than his empirical research. Nonetheless, for psychology to advance, the confusion between theory and method must be addressed. Teleological constructs must be offered and tested via rigorous empirical methods.
Quantum Phase Transitions and New Scales in QCD-like Theories

It is commonly believed that in confining vector-like gauge theories the center and chiral symmetry realizations are parametrically entangled, and if phase transitions occur, they must take place around the strong scale {Lambda}{sup -1} of the gauge theory. We demonstrate that (non-thermal) vector-like theories formulated on R{sup 3} x S{sup 1} where S{sup 1} is a spatial circle exhibit new dynamical scales and new phenomena. There are chiral phase transitions taking place at {Lambda}{sup -1}/N{sub c} in the absence of any change in center symmetry. {Lambda}{sup -1}/N{sub c}, invisible in (planar) perturbation theory, is also the scale where abelian versus non-abelian confinement regimes meet. Large N{sub c} volume independence (a working Eguchi-Kawai reduction) provides new insights and independently confirms the existence of these scales. We show that certain phases and scales are outside the reach of holographic (supergravity) modeling of QCD.
Transcriptional Corepression In Vitro: a Mot1p-Associated Form of TATA-Binding Protein Is Required for Repression by Leu3p

Signals from transcriptional activators to the general mRNA transcription apparatus are communicated by factors associated with RNA polymerase II or the TATA-binding protein (TBP). Currently, little is known about how gene-specific transcription repressors communicate with RNA polymerase II. We have analyzed the requirements for repression by the saccharomyces cerevisiae Leu3 protein (Leu3p) in a reconstituted transcription system. We have identified a complex form of TBP which is required for communication of the repressing signal. This TFIID-like complex contains a known TBP-associated protein, Mot1p, which has been implicated in the repression of a subset of yeast genes by genetic analysis. Leu3p-dependent repression can be reconstituted with purified Mot1p and recombinant TBP. In addition, a mutation in the Mot1 gene leads to partial derepression of the Leu3p-dependent LEU2 promoter. These in vivo and in vitro observations define a role for Mot1p as a transcriptional corepressor.
Detailed-Routing Algorithms for Dense Pin Clusters in Integrated Circuits

As design complexities and circuit densities are increasing, the detailed-routing (DR) problem is becoming a more and more challenging problem. Due to the high complexity of DR algorithms, it is very important to start the routing process with clean solutions rather than starting with suboptimal routes and trying to fix them in an iterative process. In this paper, we propose an escape-routing algorithm that can optimize routing of a set of nets around their terminals. For this, we first propose a polynomial-time algorithm that guarantees to find the optimal escape-routing solution for a set of nets when the track structures are uniform. Then, we use this algorithm as a baseline and study the general problem with arbitrary track structures. For this, we propose a novel multicommodity-flow (MCF) model that has a one-to-one correspondence with the escape-routing problem. This MCF model is novel in the sense that the interdependence and contention between different flow commodities is minimal. Using this model, we propose a Lagrangian-relaxation-based algorithm to solve the escape problem. Our experiments demonstrate that this algorithm improves the overall routability significantly by reducing the number of nets that require rip-up and reroute.
Associations between subspecialty fellowship interest and knowledge of internal medicine: A hypothesis-generating study of internal medicine residents

Little is known about whether and how medical knowledge relates to interest in subspecialty fellowship training. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between residents' interest in subspecialty fellowship training and their knowledge of internal medicine (IM). A questionnaire was emailed to 48 categorical postgraduate-year (PGY) two and three residents at a New York university-affiliated IM residency program in 2007 using the Survey Monkey online survey instrument. Overall and content area-specific percentile scores from the IM in-training examination (IM-ITE) for the same year was used to determine objective knowledge. Forty-five of 48 residents (response rate was 93.8%) completed the survey. Twenty-two (49%) were PG2 residents and 23(51%) were PGY3 residents. Sixty percent of respondents were male. Six (13%) residents were graduates of U.S. medical schools. Eight (18%) reported formal clinical training prior to starting internal medicine residency in the U.S. Of this latter group, 6 (75%) had training in IM and 6 (75) % reported a training length of 3 years or less. Thirty-seven of 45 (82%) residents had a subspecialty fellowship interest. Residents with a fellowship interest had a greater mean overall objective knowledge percentile score (56.44 vs. 31.67; p = 0.04) as well as greater mean percentile scores in all content areas of IM. The adjusted mean difference was statistically significant (p < 0.02) across three content areas. More than half of surveyed residents indicated interest in pursuing a subspecialty fellowship. Fellowship interest appears positively associated with general medical knowledge in this study population. Further work is needed to explore motivation and study patterns among internal medicine residents.
Double Outlet Right Ventricle: Aetiologies and Associations

Background: Double outlet right ventricle (DORV), a clinically significant congenital heart defect, occurs in 1-3% percent of individuals with congenital heart defects. In contrast to other major congenital heart defects, there are no systematic or comprehensive data regarding associations, aetiologies, and pathogenesis of DORV. We analyzed reported cases in the medical literature to address these issues. Methods: We queried the PubMed database using key words i?½double outlet right ventriclei?½ and i?½DORVi?½ for case reports, epidemiologic analyses and animal studies with this cardiac anomaly. The anatomic subtype of DORV was classified according to criteria of Van Praagh. Results: Chromosomal abnormalities were present in 61 of the 149 cases of DORV. Trisomies 13 and 18, and del 22q11 were the most commonly associated cytogenetic lesions; different anatomic subtypes of DORV were noted in trisomies 13 and 18 vs. del 22q11. DORV was reported in many uncommon or rare non-chromosomal syndromes. Mutations and non-synonymous sequence variants in the CFC1 and CSX genes were the most commonly reported monogenic loci associated with DORV in humans; numerous genes are reported in murine models of DORV. Animal studies implicate maternal diabetes and prenatal exposure to ethanol, retinoids, theophylline, and valproate in DORV teratogenesis. Conclusions: The large number of genes associated with DORV in both humans and animal models and the different anatomic subtypes seen in specific aetiologies indicate the likelihood of several distinct pathogenetic mechanisms for DORV, including impairment of neural crest derivative migration and impairment of normal cardiac situs and looping.
Transverse mode control in high gain, millimeter bore, waveguide lasers

A technique is presented for assuring TEM 00 transverse mode operation in visible wavelength lasers with bore diameters of 0.1- 1.0 mm. This then is a solution to the problem of obtaining TEM 00 mode output from pulse pumped dye lasers which have high and non-uniform gain. The desired mode control is achieved by confining the lasing medium in a waveguide and placing each resonator mirror so that its focal plane, rather than its center of curvature, lies at the nearest waveguide opening. Thus, the far-field pattern of the field distribution emerging from the waveguide opening is focused by the mirror back into the waveguide. For the proper choice of mirror curvature, the width of the central lobe of the far-field pattern is such that over 99 percent of the energy couples into the two lowest order modes of the waveguide. The waveguide transmits this bell-shaped field distribution to the opposite end where the process of propagating to the mirror and being reimaged is repeated. The end result is that a pulsed, laser pumped, waveguide dye laser has been made to produce a mode of the same quality as a TEM 00 mode, CW, HeNe laser. This technique has also improved the output mode distribution of flashlamp pumped dye lasers. Analysis of the resonator shows that a TEM 00 mode having a curved wavefront at the waveguide opening couples primarily to both the EH 11 and EH 12 waveguide modes. The amplitudes of the EH 11 and EH 12 modes, however, have a complex phase difference which results in a refocusing of the field distribution when both propagate in a hollow waveguide. The refocusing is shown to be a periodic function of the length of the waveguide. In addition, it is shown that as a result of gain or propagation loss differences for the two waveguide modes, the phase radius of curvature of the TEM 00 mode of a waveguide resonator does not in general match the mirror curvatures. This model of TEM 00 mode coupling to the EH 11 plus EH 12 modes results in a clearer physical insight into the interaction between the waveguide and free space portions of the resonator.
Interferometric Study of Unsteady Passing Shock Flow in a Turbine Cascade

To further advance the state of the art in axial turbomachinery, a better understanding of unsteady phenomena within transonic turbines (including potential flow interaction, wake passing and shockwave passing) is required. Recently, the transonic turbine cascade facility at Virginia Tech was modified to allow the study of unsteady passing shock flow. The steady interferometric system in place was updated to allow for a time resolved, quantitative study of the density field produced by a single shock passing event. The results of this study are presented here. A computer algorithm was also developed to allow for the automated detection of interferometric fringes.
Physico-Chemical Aspects of Mass and Heat Transfer in Heterogeneous Catalysis

Heterogeneous catalysis involves, by definition, at least two phases and thus transport of mass and heat between phases become steps which in concert with chemical events, dictate global catalytic behaviour. Indeed transport of heat and mass within the phase of reaction (the catalyst) is of potential importance — in fact of greater significance than is transport between phases. Gradients of concentration and temperature within the usually porous catalyst phase are termed intraphase while those which surround the catalyst are aptly termed interphase. Intra and interphase gradients are local or short range in extent. They exist at localized points within the catalytic reactor which itself may be marked by long-range gradients of concentrations (C) and temperature (T). Thus the conventional fixed bed catalytic reactor hosting an exothermic solid catalyzed reaction will exhibit long range gradients in C and T, i.e. between bed inlet and exit and, at any axial position, between bed center line and wall. At any axial and radial local position, local, short range gradients in C and T can be anticipated.
Payroll Tax Cuts v. Bush Tax Cuts: Real Relief for the Plumber and Other Average Joes

Recent history has shown not only that the Bush Tax Cuts have produced soaring federal budget deficits but also that they have failed to enhance economic output and employment; more of the same simply enhances downside potential. Although many blindly insist that the Bush Tax Cuts be made permanent, experts contend that payroll tax cuts to employees are likely to prove far more effective at stimulating the economy. Furthermore, extension of payroll tax relief to specific employers would magnify the positive impact on the economy. Beyond those realities, payroll tax cuts offer relief to a very broad base of wage-earners. At the same time that the wealthiest Americans enjoyed considerable tax relief, workers suffered regular increases in the FICA Wage Base. Currently, taxpayers face a payroll tax rate hike in 2012 as well as an increase in the FICA Wage Base to $110,100. Although many lower-wage workers enjoyed a degree of Bush Tax Cut relief, a substantial percentage of those apparent savings were clawed back, in some instances, by notable increases on the payroll tax side; the wealthiest taxpayers managed to keep the lion’s share of their Bush Tax Cut savings. Vertical taxpayer equity dictates that payroll tax relief take clear precedence over any effort to extend ineffective and inefficient tax relief in the progressive rate structure.
The Effect of a Dedicated Psychiatric Team to Pediatric Emergency Mental Health Care.

Abstract Background Pediatric emergency department (PED) visits among children and adolescents with acute mental health needs have increased over the past decade with long wait times in the PED awaiting disposition. Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a new pediatric mental health liaison program with the hypothesis that this model reduces length of stay (LOS) and hospitalization rates among pediatric mental health patients. Methods This was a pre- and postintervention retrospective study of the year prior to (June 2012–June 2013) and the year after (October 2013–October 2014) implementation of a new PED psychiatric team. All patients aged 1–18 years with a mental health International Classification of Diseases-9 th Revision code were included. Patients who did not receive a Psychiatry consult in the PED were excluded. Results There were 83 encounters in the year prior to and 129 encounters in the year after the implementation of the liaison program. There was an increase in the suicidality of mental health patients during this time. There was a significant decrease in mean PED LOS of 27% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0–46%; p = 0.05) from pre- to postintervention period. The decrease in the proportion of patients admitted/transferred to an inpatient psychiatric facility in the postintervention year was statistically significant (odds ratio 0.35; 95% CI 0.17–0.71; p Conclusions The use of a dedicated child psychiatrist and mental health social worker to the PED results in significantly decreased LOS and need for admission without any change in return visit rate. Larger, multicenter studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Experiential Learning for Teacher Professional Development at Historic Sites

Historic sites provide a variety of professional development (PD) programs for classroom teachers. Little is known, however, about the pedagogical approaches used by historic site professionals in educating their teacher audiences. Using data from PD websites and questionnaires completed by historic site professionals, two studies examine the types of pedagogical approaches institutions state they use for teacher PD, the alignment of historic site PD with characteristics of experiential learning, and issues relevant to researching experiential learning approaches used in these programs. Results indicate that institutions’ pedagogical approaches for PD programs largely align with experiential learning characteristics but that research is needed to determine the pedagogical benefits of experiential learning for historic site PD and related learner outcomes.
Coenzyme Q. IV. Coenzyme activity of 6-isoprenoid and other derivatives of 2, 3-dimethoxy-5-methylbenzoquinone.

Summary2,3 - Dimethoxybenzoquinone and 2,3 - dimethoxy - 5-methylbenzoquinone showed no coenzymatic activity in a succin-oxidase system. 2,3-Dimethoxy-5,6-dimethyl-benzoquinone and coenzyme Q1 showed low activity. Coenzyme Q2, Q3 and hexahydro-coenzyme Q4 showed activity comparable to that of coenzyme Q10.
Diverging roles for Lrp4 and Wnt signaling in neuromuscular synapse development during evolution

Motor axons approach muscles that are prepatterned in the prospective synaptic region. In mice, prepatterning of acetylcholine receptors requires Lrp4, a LDLR family member, and MuSK, a receptor tyrosine kinase. Lrp4 can bind and stimulate MuSK, strongly suggesting that association between Lrp4 and MuSK, independent of additional ligands, initiates prepatterning in mice. In zebrafish, Wnts, which bind the Frizzled (Fz)-like domain in MuSK, are required for prepatterning, suggesting that Wnts may contribute to prepatterning and neuromuscular development in mammals. We show that prepatterning in mice requires Lrp4 but not the MuSK Fz-like domain. In contrast, prepatterning in zebrafish requires the MuSK Fz-like domain but not Lrp4. Despite these differences, neuromuscular synapse formation in zebrafish and mice share similar mechanisms, requiring Lrp4, MuSK, and neuronal Agrin but not the MuSK Fz-like domain or Wnt production from muscle. Our findings demonstrate that evolutionary divergent mechanisms establish muscle prepatterning in zebrafish and mice.
Genetic characterization of HA gene of influenza virus isolated in Dalian city during 2005-2009

Objective To study genetic mutations of the hemagglutinin gene and molecular epidemiology of influenza in Dalian city during 2005-2009.Methods 28 H1N1,9 H3N2 and 24 influenza B(Yamagata lineage) strains were isolated from MDCK cells.The HA cDNA fragments of them were amplified by RT-PCR,and gene sequences were analyzed on homology and heredity evolution.Results There was a high rate of mutations in H1N1 virus strains isolated from Dalian during 2005-2009.Compared with vaccine strains recommended by WHO,an H1N1 subtype A/liaoningxigang/136/2009(H1) isolated in 2009 had 4 sites mutations on epitope B,which belonged to new variants.H3N2 isolated in 2005 and 2007 showed little degree of variation compared with vaccine strains.Compared with vaccine B / Shanghai / 361/02,Influenza B(Yamagata lineage) isolated during 2007-2008 had 7 amino acids changed sites,two of which were located in the epitope and one new glycosylation on site 196.Conclusion Vaccine strains recommended by WHO and the epidemic strains are not totally consistent.Variable degrees of antigenic drift are caused by annual changes of nucleotide sequences.
The Problem with Bonus Depreciation

Bonus depreciation encourages businesses to reallocate funds from labor to capital and thereby depresses the demand for labor. In periods of high unemployment, Congress should avoid enacting such provisions. More generally, when considering proposed tax incentives, Congress should insist on identifying the subsidized activity’s economic substitutes – those sectors or activities as to which the proposed provisions are likely to operate as a penalty.
Do Transfusions of Packed Red Blood Cells Decrease Renal Function in Adult Sickle Cell Patients

Introduction: Transfusions in Sickle Cell Patients are becoming more frequently used for both well established indications (stroke, severe anemia) and other important symptoms possibly related to anemia or the effects of sickle cell disease(severe fatigue, pulmonary hypertension, leg ulcers, recurrent priapism, recurrent bony infarctions, chronic pains, and end organ protection.) The increasing uses of transfusions have not been evaluated for their quantitative effects on renal function, We undertook to exam this relationship retrospectively in our transfused patients. Patients and Methods: Medical records from 236 adult sickle cell patients followed at Children’s Hospital Research Center Oakland Adult Sickle Cell Center from December 30th, 1984 to July 10th, 2006 were retrieved to evaluate the total amount of transfusions, serum creatinine, and serum ferritin. The observations were divided into 10 equal time segments closely corresponding to years. Laboratory values were averaged for each time period. The total amount of transfusions for each time periods was also recorded. Data was analyzed by t-tests and linear regression as appropriate using STATA9 (StataCorp, College Station, Texas.) The coefficients were reported per 100 cc transfused blood. Results: Serum creatinine continues to rise in both transfused and non-transfused adult patients. Overall, those patients NOT TRANSFUSED had a creatinine of 0.9 mg/dl compared to TRANSFUSED patients who had a creatinine of 1.0 mg/dl (p=0.01.) Non-transfused patients had a non-significant increase per year of 0.004 mg/dl. Transfused patients had a 0.09 mg/dl rise per year (0.06 to 0.12, p Discussion: Transfusions are used in sickle cell patients for many unevaluated indications, including end organ protection. The overall rise in creatinine in our transfused, but not in non-transfused, patients is surprising. Although this association cannot be considered causal in this retrospective study and could have other explanations not captured by our data,, further investigation seems warranted to see if transfusions themselves may be harmful over years to renal function in sickle cell patients. Conclusion: Transfusions may be responsible over years for declining renal function in adult sickle cell patients. This finding needs to be investigated in prospective studies.
Prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis in the United States adult population in healthcare claims databases, 2004–2014

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis in the United States (US) adult insured population from 2004 to 2014. This was an observational, retrospective, cross-sectional study based on US administrative health insurance claims databases (Truven Health MarketScan® Research database and IMS PharMetrics Plus database). Trends in RA prevalence focusing on the 10-year period covering January 1, 2004–December 31, 2014 were analyzed using a validated algorithm for the identification of RA. Prevalence rates in the databases were determined and age- and gender-adjusted rates were projected to the US population in 2014. Analysis of data from the two databases indicated that the RA prevalence rate in commercially insured adult US population ranged from 0.41 to 0.54% from 2004 to 2014. The prevalence varied substantially by gender and age in each year and increased gradually across the years for most subgroups. In 2014, out of 31,316,902 adult patients with continuous enrollment in the Truven Health MarketScan® Research database, 157,634 (0.50%) patients met our criteria for RA. Similarly, out of 35,083,356 adult patients in the IMS PharMetrics Plus database, 139,300 (0.50%) patients met our criteria for RA. In 2014, the overall age-adjusted prevalence of RA ranged from 0.53 to 0.55% (0.29–0.31% for males and 0.73–0.78% for females). The prevalence of RA in the US appeared to increase during the period from 2004 to 2014, affecting a conservative estimate of 1.28–1.36 million adults in 2014.
Research and statistics: reliability and validity in pediatric practice.

1. Nikeea Copeland-Linder, PhD, MPH* 1. Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md Welcome to a new series in Pediatrics in Review ! The Pediatrics Review and Education Program (PREP The Curriculum®) includes Pediatrics in Review (PIR) and PREP Self-Assessment and is based on the American Board of Pediatrics’ (ABP) 3,700 content specifications. These content specifications are the focus of the Board's Program for Maintenance of Certification. PREP The Curriculum® commits to covering all of the 3,700 content specifications over a 5-year period, helping the pediatrician prepare for the cognitive examination based on these knowledge statements. In late 2008, the ABP added 26 new content specifications on research and statistics. To cover these, we introduce a new series. Clinician researchers from the Johns Hopkins University Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine will be writing brief case-based or practice-oriented articles to address these topics. We hope that these articles will be useful for readers in evaluating the scientific literature and adopting evidence-based practice. We welcome your feedback on this new endeavor!— Tina L. Cheng, MD, MPH, Associate Editor
Performance of high school male athletes on the Functional Movement Screen

Abstract Objectives (1) Describe the performance of the Functional Movement Screen™ (FMS™) by reporting the proportion of adolescents with a score of ≤14 and the frequency of asymmetries in a cross-sectional sample; (2) explore associations between FMS™ to age and body mass, and explore the construct validity of the FMS™ against common postural stability measures; (3) examine the inter-rater and test-retest reliability of the FMS™ in adolescents. Design Cross-sectional. Setting Field-setting. Participants 94 male high-school athletes. Main outcome measure The FMS™, Y-Balance Test (YBT) and Balance Error Scoring System (BESS). Results The median FMS™ composite score was 16 (9–21), 33% of participants scored below the suggested injury risk cutoff composite score of ≤14, and 62.8% had at least one asymmetry. No relationship was observed between the FMS™ to common static/dynamic balance tests. The inter-rater reliability of the FMS™ composite score suggested good reliability (ICC = 0.88, CI 95%:0.77, 0.94) and test-retest reliability for FMS™ composite scores was good with ICC = 0.83 (CI 95%:0.56, 0.95). Conclusions FMS™ results should be interpreted cautiously with attention to the asymmetries identified during the screen, regardless of composite score. The lack of relationship between the FMS™ and other balance measures supports the notion that multiple screening tests should be used in order to provide a comprehensive picture of the adolescent athlete.
Tailoring a ConOps for NASA LSP Integrated Operations

An integral part of the Systems Engineering process is the creation of a Concept of Operations (ConOps) for a given system, with the ConOps initially established early in the system design process and evolved as the system definition and design matures. As Integration Engineers in NASA's Launch Services Program (LSP) at Kennedy Space Center (KSC), our job is to manage the interface requirements for all the robotic space missions that come to our Program for a Launch Service. LSP procures and manages a launch service from one of our many commercial Launch Vehicle Contractors (LVCs) and these commercial companies are then responsible for developing the Interface Control Document (ICD), the verification of the requirements in that document, and all the services pertaining to integrating the spacecraft and launching it into orbit. However, one of the systems engineering tools that have not been employed within LSP to date is a Concept of Operations. The goal of this paper is to research the format and content that goes into these various aerospace industry ConOps and tailor the format and content into template form, so the template may be used as an engineering tool for spacecraft integration with future LSP procured launch services. This tailoring effort was performed as the authors final Masters Project in the Spring of 2016 for the Stevens Institute of Technology and modified for publication with INCOSE (Owens, 2016).
Financial hardship after traumatic brain injury: a brief scale for family caregivers.

Objective: Financial hardship is frequently posited as a significant factor influencing family health and adjustment after brain injury, though traditional methods of measurement have shown limited...
Real Name Verification Law on the Internet: A Poison or Cure for Privacy?

As the internet media has become more widely used over time, public opinions formed by internet discussions affect political and social issues more critically. While the internet space guarantees equal status for every participant and equal opportunity in terms of freedom of speech based on anonymity, baseless rumors, personal defamation, and privacy invasion against particular individuals and groups are more likely to happen rather than in the face-to-face offline communications. In order to prevent this undesirable effect, the South Korean government implemented Real Name Verification Law in July 2007 by which discussion participants should pass verification process in order to express their opinions in most websites. This study examines the effects of Real Name Verification Law in several aspects. By applying content analysis to abundant data of postings in a leading discussion forum that is subject to the law, the results suggest that Real Name Verification Law has a dampening effect on overall participation in the short-term, but the law did not affect the participation in the long term. Also, identification of postings had significant effects on reducing uninhibited behaviors, suggesting that Real Name Verification Law encouraged users’ behavioral changes in the positive direction to some extent. The impact is greater for Heavy User group than for Light and Middle User groups. Also, discussion participants with their real names showed more discreet behaviors regardless of the enforcement of the law. By analyzing the effect of this policy at the forefront of internet trends of South Korea, this paper can shed light on some useful implications and information to policy makers of other countries that may consider certain type of internet regulations in terms of privacy and anonymity.
Hormonal regulation of Sertoli cell function.

The differentiation which occurs in the process of spermatogenesis, i.e., the series of events whereby a primitive germ cell gives rise to a spermatozoon, appears to be controlled in part by hormones and in part by a programmed series of events (Steinberger and Steinberger, 1972; Clermont and Harvey, 1967; Chemes et al., 1979; Chowdhury and Tcholakian, 1979). Key steps in spermatocyte division and spermiation are influenced by FSH, qualitatively in the immature rat and quantitatively in the adult. The completion of meiosis is critically dependent in vivo upon testosterone (or LH). FSH and testosterone (T) are required for both the initiation of spermatogenesis in immature rats and its reinitiation after prolonged regression such as occurs in adults after hypophysectomy. In contrast, qualitative maintenance of spermatogenesis in the adult can be achieved with testosterone alone. Other conditions, such as Vitamin A or insulin deficiency, which also cause arrest of spermatogenesis, may be the result of direct influences on cells in the seminiferous epithelium or indirect influences via changes in T or FSH (Murray et al., 1981; Unni et al., 1983).
Onset of the Menopause Transition: The Earliest Signs and Symptoms

Although more than 80% of women experience some degree of psychological or physical symptoms around menopause, both women and clinicians have misconceptions about how hormonal changes relate to menopausal symptoms and psychological conditions. Recently, several large-scale, longitudinal studies have been conducted to better characterize symptoms and changes that occur around menopause. This article offers current evidence for symptoms that occur in the early menopause transition, including vasomotor symptoms, mood changes, sleep problems, and changes in sexual functioning.
Revisit the drivers and barriers to e-governance in the mobile age: A case study on the adoption of city management mobile apps for smart urban governance

This article presents an explorative case study to understand the drivers and barriers that influence the adoption of smartphone-based city management apps as e-governance tools in U.S. cities. Usi...
Self-Efficacy or Overconfidence? Comparing Preservice Teacher Self-Perceptions of Their Content Knowledge and Teaching Abilities to the Perceptions of Their Supervisors

This study investigated how closely related the perceptions of student teachers were to those of the clinical educators and university supervisors who evaluated them in subject-specific content kno...