cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prevention and treatment of child and adolescent depression: challenges and opportunities

Objective To examine the current theoretical rationale and empirical evidence for preventing and treating major depressive disorder in childhood and adolescence. Methods Selective review of recent controlled investigations on the efficacy and safety of preventive and treatment interventions. Results Even more than in adults, pediatric clinical trials in depression are dominated by symptomatic improvement with non-specific clinical contact (on average, 50% 'placebo response'). The additional benefit of specific psychotherapeutic or pharmacological treatment is on average modest. Antidepressant medication is effective in speeding up improvement, but more than a third of patients do not reach full remission even after prolonged treatment. The advantage of routinely combining medication with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is unclear. Depressed suicidal adolescents can benefit from CBT and medications. CBT can protect high-risk youths from developing a depressive episode. Conclusions Effective interventions to prevent and treat depression in youth exist, but their therapeutic benefit appears to be, on average, small, possibly due to the clinical heterogeneity subsumed under the current diagnostic construct of depressive disorder. More specifically, targeted interventions tailored to individual clinical and biological characteristics may result in greater effectiveness and overall efficiency.
“It isn't no slang that can be said about this stuff”: Language, identity, and appropriating science discourse

This investigation explores how underrepresented urban students made sense of their first experience with high school science. The study sought to identify how students' assimilation into the science classroom reflected their interpretation of science itself in relation to their academic identities. The primary objectives were to examine students' responses to the epistemic, behavioral, and discursive norms of the science classroom. At the completion of the academic year, 29 students were interviewed regarding their experiences in a ninth and tenth-grade life science course. The results indicate that students experienced relative ease in appropriating the epistemic and cultural behaviors of science, whereas they expressed a great deal of difficulty in appropriating the discursive practices of science. The implications of these findings reflect the broader need to place greater emphasis on the relationship between students' identity and their scientific literacy development. 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 43: 96- 126, 2006 Learning to participate in the cultural practices of science classrooms is not an effortless adjustment for all students. Although the acculturation of the values, epistemic beliefs, and genres of discourse consistent with those of science can provide learners with educational and social opportunities, there are also potential cultural costs. In many cases, the cost of this cultural appropriation can create intrapersonal conflict for minority students who must balance the tension between their academic and personal identity (Brown, 2004; Eisenhart, Finkel, & Marion, 1996; Gilbert & Yerrick, 2001; Lee & Fradd, 1998). Although research of ethnic and racial minority students in science classrooms has considered issues of student cognition and language (Aikenhead & Jegede, 1999; Brickhouse, 1994; Lee & Fradd, 1998), few have studied how engaging in scientific discourse represents a cultural conflict for students. This study explores how engaging in the cultural practices of science, including the discursive practices of science classrooms, can initiate cultural conflict for marginalized students.
Radiation Dosimetry of Intraoperative Cone-Beam Compared with Conventional CT for Radiofrequency Ablation of Osteoid Osteoma

Background: Radiofrequency (RF) ablation is the standard of care for the surgical treatment of non-spinal osteoid osteoma and has greatly reduced morbidity associated with surgical excision. Precise placement of the RF ablation probe is necessary to avoid incomplete ablation. Limiting radiation exposure is especially advantageous in the pediatric population in whom osteoid osteoma frequently occurs. The aim of this study was to compare the radiation dosimetry and clinical outcomes among patients treated with RF ablation using three different localization techniques. Methods: Case-control methods were used to analyze sixty-six cases. Patients were categorized into three treatment groups: (1) intraoperative three-dimensional cone-beam CT (computed tomography) imaging (O-Arm) with surgical navigation (StealthStation S7), (2) intraoperative three-dimensional imaging (O-Arm) only, and (3) radiology suite-based diagnostic CT imaging. Radiation dosimetry and clinical outcome were analyzed with use of the dose-length product and local-relapse-free survival, respectively. Results: Mean age was nineteen years for the twenty-three patients in group 1, twenty years for the seven patients in group 2, and nineteen years for the thirty-six patients in group 3. Mean follow-up was fifty-three months. The mean radiation dose for groups 1, 2, and 3 was 446.62, 379.78, and 1058.83 mGy-cm, respectively. Significant (p < 0.05) differences in the radiation dose existed between groups 1 and 3 and between groups 2 and 3, whereas no difference was found between groups 1 and 2. Local-remission-free survival at three years for groups 1, 2, and 3 was 84.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 64.5% to 100%), 100% (95% CI, 100% to 100%), and 90.7% (95% CI, 80.7% to 100%), respectively. Fifty-eight (92%) of the sixty-three followed patients were asymptomatic at the latest follow-up visit. Conclusions: RF ablation using intraoperative cone-beam CT imaging, with or without surgical navigation, was associated with a significantly lower radiation dose compared with ablation using a radiology suite-based CT technique. Ablation using each of the three imaging techniques was equally effective in treating osteoid osteomas with a similar risk of relapse. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Introduction to the Special Issue on Group Care for Infants, Toddlers, and Twos

Infant/toddler care is currently the fastest growing and most sought-after form of child care in the United States (National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies, 2008). In 2010...
Sign-based Construction Grammar

In Construction Grammar, rules of syntactic combination (descriptions of local trees, e.g., a verb phrase and its daughters) have meanings. These meanings are represented by syntactic, semantic and usage features that attach to the mother or daughter nodes in these trees (Sag 2007, 2008). A construction defines the distinctive properties of a mode of combination that is part of the grammar of a language. More specifically, a construction is a description of construct, a combination of a mother node and one or more daughter nodes. The nodes of the trees in such descriptions are not category labels, as in traditional phrase-structure grammar, but feature structures, known as signs. Signs include not only phrases but also words and lexemes. I describe Sign-Based Construction Grammar (SBCG), a formal implementation of Construction Grammar based on representational locality. According to the locality constraint, all of the details needed to construct a construct from a construction are to be found in the mother sign, which has not daughters but a daughters feature. In SBCG, grammar is viewed, not as a set of abstract constraints, but as a type hierarchy of constructions of varying levels of specificity. I review four sets of linguistic facts that provide evidence for this conception of grammar. First, constructions license arguments and syntactic sisterhood relations (Section 3). Second, there is a continuum of idiomaticity (Section 4). Third, core constructions and peripheral constructions are interleaved during production (Section 5). Fourth, constructions exhibit formal and semantic commonalities that cannot be described in procedural terms (Section 6). A concluding section addresses the question of whether construction-based grammar provides a universal framework for syntax.
Red raspberries can improve motor function in aged rats

BACKGROUND: Many foods rich in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds have been shown to increase health and reduce markers of aging. A number of berry fruits high in polyphenols are known to ameliorate age-related declines in cellular, cognitive and behavioral function in rats. OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the effectiveness of a red raspberry-supplemented diet on age-sensitive measures of learning, memory and motor performance in aged (19 mo) F344 rats. METHODS: Red raspberry extract was prepared from fresh whole fruit and incorporated in standard rodent chow to create a 2% diet. Following ten weeks on a control or 2% raspberry diet, cognitive and motor performance was assessed using the Morris Water Maze (MWM) and a battery of five psychomotor tasks. RESULTS: The supplemented diet significantly improved performance on three of the five motor tasks, but did not affect MWM performance. Specifically, old rats fed the 2% raspberry diet had significantly better performance on the rod and plank walks, which measure psychomotor coordination and balance, and on the inclined screen, which measures muscle tone, strength, stamina and balance. CONCLUSIONS: Given that falls are the number one health hazard for otherwise healthy older adults, these results may have important implications for increasing healthy aging.
Evaluation of the value for prenatal ultrasound applied in diagnosis and identification of congenital pulmonary sequestration

Objective To evaluate the value for prenatal ultrasound applied in diagnosis and identification of congenital pulmonary sequestration.Methods 15 cases of pregnant women suspected fetal PS were examined in the late systemic fetal malformation screening,focus scanning for the fetus with bilateral lung observed lesions of the two dimensional ultrasound images feature,and the blood flow of the blood supply and internal lesions CDFI probe.Also note that a merger of other fetal structural abnormalities,follow up clinical and imaging or pathological examination.Results 13 cases patients with PS were confirmed by the postpartum fetal pathology or imaging studies,the coincidence rate was approximately 86.7%(13/15),There were 2 cases patients who belonged to missed diagnosis as pulmonary cystadenoma.The PS is characterized by a typical two dimensional ultrasound image of chest or abdominal fetal echogenic mass or slightly stronger echo,triangular or leaf,the internal echo uniform,border clearance.The key to the differential diagnosis of PS and pulmonary cystadenoma is the pulmonary blood supply artery of PS from the systemic circulation artery or its branches.Conclusion Prenatal ultrasound is a more accurate and reliable method in diagnosis and identification of PS,has important clinical value.
A Multi-scale Wavelet Modulus Maxima Fusion Approach for Wideband Spectrum Sensing

To cope with the low speed,high equipment complexity of the traditional wideband spectrum sensing methods,this paper proposes a novel wideband spectrum sensing method based on multi-scale wavelet modulus maxima fusion,which can accurately estimate the number,carrier frequency,bandwidth,signal to noise ratio and other parameters of signal within the frequency range.Simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed technique.This technique is of useful for cognitive radio(CR) spectrum sensing and monitoring.
Results of coronary revascularization in patients with recent myocardial infarction

Thirty-five patients underwent revascularization within 30 days of myocardial infarction. Group I (10 patients) underwent revascularization within 24 hours of infarction; Group II (nine patients), 2 to 7 days following infarction; and Group III (16 patients), 8 to 30 days after infarction. Indications for operation were persistent or recurrent pain following infarction, refractory ventricular arrhythmias, or persistent or recurrent pain associated with objective signs of reduced cardiac output. (A patient was not considered a surgical candidate if pain-free following infarction or if mechanical circulatory assistance was required in the treatment of cardiogenic shock.) There was an almost equal incidence of transmural and subendocardial myocardial infarction among the patients. Although severity of coronary vascular disease was the same for each of the three groups, left ventricular dysfunction was significantly more prevalent in Group I and Group III. There were no operative or late deaths during a short follow-up period (mean 9.8 months). Low morbidity and mortality in this very unstable group of patients was attributed to precise prebypass monitoring of rate-pressure product, Lead V5 precordial electrocardiographic (ECG) changes, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, and cardiac output. Pharmacologic intervention in the critical prebypass period included frequent use of intravenous propranolol and trinitroglycerin. Complications in the postoperative period (necessitating inotropic agents or intra-aortic balloon pumping) correlated with the degree of left ventricular dysfunction at the time of catheterization, rather than the infarction-revascularization interval. Satisfactory over-all graft patency (84 percent), patency of grafts into the infarcted area (82 percent), improvement in left ventricular function, and relief of angina pectoris were noted at the time of re-evaluation.
Text Messaging, Teen Outreach Program, and Sexual Health Behavior: A Cluster Randomized Trial.

Objectives. To consider whether Youth All Engaged! (a text message intervention) intensified the effects of the adolescent pregnancy prevention Teen Outreach Program (control) for youths.Methods. In this trial performed in Denver, Colorado, from 2011 to 2014, we randomized 8 Boys & Girls Clubs each of 4 years into 32 clubs per year combinations to ensure each club would serve as a treatment site for 2 years and a control site for 2 years. Control intervention consisted of the Teen Outreach Program only. We enrolled 852 youths (aged 14–18 years), and 632 were retained at follow-up, with analytic samples ranging from 50 to 624 across outcomes. We examined program costs, and whether the intervention increased condom and contraceptive use, access to care, and pregnancy prevention.Results. Control program costs were $1184 per participant, and intervention costs were an additional $126 per participant (+10.6%). There were no statistically significant differences in primary outcomes for the full sample. Hispanic...
Enantioselective Formation of All-Carbon Quaternary Centers via C-H Functionalization of Methanol: Iridium-Catalyzed Diene Hydrohydroxymethylation.

The first catalytic enantioselective C–C couplings of methanol (>30 × 106 tons/year) are reported. Insertion of 2-substituted dienes into the methanol C–H bond occurs in a regioselective manner to form all-carbon quaternary centers with excellent levels of enantioselectivity using an iridium–PhanePhos catalyst. Mechanistic studies corroborate a Curtin–Hammett scenario in which methanol dehydrogenation triggers rapid, reversible diene hydrometalation en route to regioisomeric allyliridium–formaldehyde pairs, yet single constitutional isomers are formed.
Applications of Cone Beam Computed Tomography in Orthodontics: A Review

Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) is being extensively used in orthodontics for diagnostic and treatment planning, especially in complex clinical conditions. The objective of this study was to review the English language literature for current applications and trends of CBCT in orthodontic diagnosis and treatment. Several electronic databases were searched with the primary words: "orthodontics and radiography" and "cone beam computed tomography" or "CBCT." Abstracts that appeared to fulfill our inclusion criteria were selected, and the complete articles were obtained. Twenty-eight abstracts initially met our search criteria, and 12 were selected for the review. Ten articles were later added to the list after hand searching the references. It was concluded that there is a need for prospective randomized clinical trials to evaluate the risk/benefit ratio of CBCT, such as higher cost, greater risk for radiation dose (compared to digital panoramic and cephalograms) versus superior diagnosis and treatment outcomes.
“Did I Hear You Correctly? The Organism Identified Was Corynebacterium diphtheriae?”

Abstract Diphtheria is a bacterial infection caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae and is primarily transmitted from person to person through close physical and respiratory contact; disease can involve almost any mucous membrane and is classified depending on the anatomic site of infection. Diphtheria is an acute, toxin-mediated disease whose occurrence is characterized by periodicity and epidemic waves, with a high incidence and mortality. Once one of the leading causes of childhood death, global diphtheria incidence declined approximately 70% through implementation of widespread vaccination programs. However, a major epidemic of diphtheria occurred during the 1990s in the Russian Federation and the newly independent states of the former Soviet Union. Although the epidemic is under control, toxigenic C. diphtheriae strains are still reported in Europe and globally, including North and South America, the Indian subcontinent, Africa, Southeast Asia, and the eastern Mediterranean. Rapid clinical and public health responses are required to control diphtheria outbreaks, with the clinical microbiology laboratory playing an essential role in providing prompt and rapid identification. In light of experience with a recent case of nontoxigenic C. diphtheriae respiratory infection, aspects of this organism and the diseases it causes are reviewed.
Management Control for Stimulating Different Types of Creativity: The Role of Budgets

ABSTRACT: The Cools et al. (2017; hereafter, CSV) study examines the role of budget for two different types of creativity: expected creativity (for open problems) and responsive creativity (for clo...
Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry vs Psychosomatic Medicine: What’s in a name?

Background: In November of 2017, The Academy of the Psychosomatic Medicine voted to change its name to the Academy of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry. It followed a similar change in which the American Board of Medical Specialties voted to change the name of the field to Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry. Objective: The authors, all instrumental in bringing about this change, discuss the history and rationale for this name change.
Development and Parametric Study of B/BaCrO4/FG Pyrotechnic Delay Composition

ABSTRACTStudies were undertaken to develop and experimentally investigate the effect of Boron content, Fish Glue (binder) and ambient temperature on the charge consumption and burning rate of Boron/Barium chromate/Fish Glue (B/BaCrO4/FG) pyrotechnic delay composition in short delay devices together with measurement of exothermicity of delay composition at different fuel/oxidizer ratios. The Boron content was varied from 5% to 45%, while Fish Glue content varied from 0% to 3.0%. The measured burning rate and charge consumption increased with increasing in Boron content until maximum values of burning rate and charge consumption were recorded at 18% boron. Similarly, both burning rate and charge consumption decreased with an increase in binder content and minimum values of these parameters were recorded at 3.0% Fish Glue. The calorific value of this delay mixture also increased with an increase in Boron content until maximum calorific value recorded at about 15% Boron. The composition failed to ignite by th...
Antimicrobial effect of herb extracts against Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella Typhimurium associated with beef

The effects of plant extracts against pathogenic bacteria in vitro are well known, yet few studies have addressed the effects of these compounds against pathogens associated with muscle foods. A series of experiments was conducted to determine the effectiveness of a commercially available, generally recognized as safe, herb extract dispersed in sodium citrate (Protecta One) or sodium chloride (Protecta Two) against Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella typhimurium, and Listeria monocytogenes associated with beef. In the first experiment, E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella typhimurium, and L. monocytogenes inoculated onto beef and subjected to surface spray treatments with 2.5% solutions of Protecta One or Protecta Two were not affected by immediate application (day 0) of the herbal extracts. However, after 7 days of storage at 4 degrees C, E. coli O157:H7 was reduced by >1.3 log10 CFU/cm2 by Protecta Two; L. monocytogenes was reduced by 1.8 and 1.9 log10 CFU/cm2 by Protecta One and Protecta Two, respectively; Salmonella typhimurium was not reduced >0.3 log10 CFU/cm2 by either extract by day 7. In the second experiment, 2.5% Protecta Two (wt/vol or wt/wt) added to inoculated lean and adipose beef trim, processed, and packaged as ground beef chubs (80% lean, 20% adipose), did not reduce pathogen populations >0.5 log10 CFU/g up to 14 days at 4 degrees C. In the third experiment, surface spray treatments of beef with 2.5% lactic acid or 2.5% solutions of Protecta One or Protecta Two, vacuum packaged, and stored up to 35 days at 4 degrees C did reduce E. coli O157:H7, L. monocytogenes, and Salmonella Typhimurium slightly. These studies suggest that the use of herb extracts may afford some reductions of pathogens on beef surfaces; however, the antimicrobial activity may be diminished in ground beef by adipose components.
Mobilizing public alternative schools for post-neoliberal futures: Legacies of critical hope in Philadelphia and Toronto:

Starting in the late 1960s, alternative schools were established in many public school districts across North America. These programs tended to embrace humanizing ideals and sought to center self-e...
Expression of uncertainty in oncology articles with marginally significant results.

e18907Background: Basic and clinical science suffer from a reproducibility crisis, causing many to ask whether current standards for statistical significance (P < .05) are too generous. Anecdotally...
An Individual Housing-Based Socioeconomic Status Measure Predicts Advance Care Planning and Nursing Home Utilization.

Background:Socioeconomic status (SES) is an important determinant of disparities in health care and may play a role in end-of-life care and decision-making. The SES is difficult to retrospectively ...
Diabetes Management and Future Trends

1. Michelle Renee Campbell, MLS (ASCP) 1. Medical Laboratory Sciences Program, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL 2. Masih Shokrani, Ph.D. MT (ASCP)[⇑][1] 1. Medical Laboratory Sciences Program, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL 1. Address for Correspondence: Masih Shokrani, Ph.D. MT (ASCP ), Associate Professor, Medical Laboratory Sciences Program, College of Health and Human Sciences, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, 60115-2828, 815-753-6323, mshokrani{at}niu.edu 1. Compare treatment options for type 1 versus type 2 diabetes mellitus 2. List and describe the advantages and disadvantages of the various classes of drugs used to treat diabetes mellitus 3. Identify future trends in diabetes mellitus research and treatment. INTRODUCTION Proper management of diabetes mellitus is crucial for the health and well-being of patients. Various options exist for the treatment of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes allowing tailored treatment toward each patient. Multiple classes of drugs developed to treat diabetes mellitus can be examined including sulfonylureas, biguanides, and alpha-glucosidase inhibitors. On the horizon for treatment and management of diabetes mellitus, new developments utilize concepts such as stem cell therapy, dietary management, metabolomics and education. Diabetes Management Treatment for type 1 diabetes mellitus may include multiple components. Blood sugar levels must be monitored throughout the day using a glucometer. Self-monitoring by the patient has become increasingly practical with the advent of small, portable glucometers and similar supplies.1 Treatment with insulin is required for those with type 1 diabetes mellitus to provide consistent blood glucose management and prevent diabetic ketoacidosis. Diabetic ketoacidosis, the buildup of harmful ketones in the body due to the utilization of fat for energy, is a serious threat for diabetic patients.2 Multiple brands of insulin exist, each producing products that vary in intensity and length of action. Rapid-acting, long-acting and intermediate forms of insulin are available and may be administered via insulin pump, injection or an insulin pen.3 Rapid-acting insulin treatments include insulin aspart, glulisine and lispro. Regular insulin is considered short-acting and insulin neutral protamine Hagedorn (NPH) is intermediate-acting. Insulin determir and glargine are both long-acting varieties of insulin.4 One or a combination of these insulin options are tailored for the patient based on… ABBREVIATIONS: NPH - Neutral protamine Hagedorn, ACE - Angiotensin-converting enzyme, ARBs - Angiotensin II receptor blockers, SGLT-2 - Sodium glucose cotransporter-2, DPP-4 - Dipeptidyl peptidase 4, GLP-1 - Glucagon-like peptide-1, CDC - Center for Disease Control and Prevention, DPCP - Diabetes Prevention and Control Program 1. Compare treatment options for type 1 versus type 2 diabetes mellitus 2. List and describe the advantages and disadvantages of the various classes of drugs used to treat diabetes mellitus 3. Identify future trends in diabetes mellitus research and treatment. [1]: #corresp-1
The defiant still worker: Ramiro Gomez and the expressionism of abstract labor

This essay looks at a selection of paintings by Los Angeles-based visual artist Ramiro Gomez. Departing from the traditions of ethnic studies and Marxist criticism that focus on workers’ resistance...
Simulation education in non-simulation courses

In many curricula and degree programs, simulation courses are not required, but these tools and techniques could be beneficial to students preparing for a variety of careers. The current paper describes two examples of simulation education embedded into broader course topics from a development perspective. The examples, from courses generally described in this paper as Cloud Computing and Big Data, offer a recommended approach for exposing students to practical uses of simulation. In the first example, we use simulation techniques to develop a web service emulation response database within a cloud computing environment for software testing. In the second example, simulation techniques provide an approach to generate data sets for learning data analytics techniques.
Fourier imaging microscopy of light-emitting hybrid perovskite nanostructures

Hybrid perovskites has recently emerged as a promising material for flatland optoelectronic and nanophotonic applications. In this report, we present our initial findings about probing the microscopic emission process using back focal plane spectroscopy. Our results highlight how the growth, induced defects and morphological heterogeneity modify the photoluminescence emission in hybrid perovskite nanostructured thin films. Furthermore, we explain our findings within the framework of back focal plane imaging principles.
A Flexible Framework for Nonparametric Graphical Modeling that Accommodates Machine Learning

Graphical modeling has been broadly useful for exploring the dependence structure among features in a dataset. However, the strength of graphical modeling hinges on our ability to encode and estimate conditional dependencies. In particular, commonly used measures such as partial correlation are only meaningful under strongly parametric (in this case, multivariate Gaussian) assumptions. These assumptions are unverifiable, and there is often little reason to believe they hold in practice. In this paper, we instead consider 3 nonparametric measures of conditional dependence. These measures are meaningful without structural assumptions on the multivariate distribution of the data. In addition, we show that for 2 of these measures there are simple, strong plug-in estimators that require only the estimation of a conditional mean. These plug-in estimators (1) are asymptotically linear and non-parametrically efficient, (2) allow incorporation of flexible machine learning techniques for conditional mean estimation, and (3) enable the construction of valid Wald-type confidence intervals. In addition, by leveraging the influence function of these estimators, one can obtain intervals with simultaneous coverage guarantees for all pairs of features.
Abstract 193: Real-time Quantitative Changes in Cerebral Blood Flow From Intra-arterial Vasodilator Treatment in Cerebral Vasospasm

Introduction: Intra-arterial (IA) vasodilators are key components in the treatment of cerebral vasospasm (CV) resulting from subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Angiogra...
Relation of Peripheral Venous Pressure to Central Venous Pressure in Patients With Heart Failure, Heart Transplant, and Left Ventricular Assist Device.

Peripheral venous pressure (PVP) monitoring is a noninvasive method to assess volume status. We investigated the correlation between PVP and central venous pressure (CVP) in heart failure (HF), heart transplant (HTx), and left ventricular assist device (LVAD) patients undergoing right heart catheterization (RHC). A prospective, cross-sectional study examining PVP in 100 patients from October 2018 to January 2020 was conducted. The analysis included patients undergoing RHC admitted for HF, post-HTx monitoring, or LVAD hemodynamic testing. Sixty percent of patients had HF, 30% were HTx patients, and 10% were LVAD patients. The mean PVP was 9.4 ± 5.3 mm Hg, and the mean CVP was 9.2 ± 5.8 mm Hg. The PVP and CVP were found to be highly correlated (r = 0.93, p
An Adapted Life Skills Empowerment Program for Homeless Youth: Preliminary Findings

Homeless youth are a difficult to reach subgroup of homeless individuals who require a unique level of intervention given their specific vulnerabilities as young people. They experience higher leve...
Virtual Multidisciplinary Care For Heart Failure Patients With Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Devices During The Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic

Abstract Background Heart failure (HF) patients with CRT devices are a vulnerable patient population during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic. It is important to develop innovative virtual care models to deliver multidisciplinary care while minimizing the risk of SARS-CoV2 exposure. Objective We aim to provide a description of how HF patients with CRT devices were assessed and managed in our virtual multidisciplinary clinic during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Clinical outcomes between this group of patients seen in virtual clinic and a historical cohort followed by in-person multi-disciplinary clinic prior to the pandemic were compared. Method This is a retrospective cohort study of HF patients with CRT implants who were seen in the virtual multidisciplinary clinic from March 18th, 2020 to May 27th, 2020 (Virtual Visit Group, N = 43). A historical cohort of HF patients with CRT devices seen in the ReACT clinic in person during the same calendar time period in 2019 was used as a control group (In-Person Visit Group, N = 39). Both groups were followed until July 1st of the same calendar year (2020 or 2019) for clinical events. The primary outcome measure was a combined outcome of all-cause mortality and HF- or device-related hospitalizations during follow-up. The secondary outcome measures included patient satisfaction, COVID-19 infection, and other cardiovascular events. Results In the Virtual-Visit Group, 21 patients (48.8%) had their initial ReACT clinic visit (first visit after CRT implant) as a virtual visit; 22 patients (51.2%) had prior in-person ReACT clinic visits before the first virtual visit. During the virtual visits, 12 patients had either potential cardiac symptoms or significant device interrogation findings that required clinical intervention. In post-virtual clinic patient satisfaction survey, all 22 patients surveyed (100%) reported being very satisfied or satisfied with the overall experience of the virtual clinic, and every patient (100%) said they would like to use telemedicine again. During a median follow-up period of 82 days (interquartile range [IQR] 61–96 days), one patient died from pneumonia of unclear etiology at an outside hospital, without documentation of COVID-19 positivity. No patient was hospitalized for HF- or arrhythmia-related complications. No patient was diagnosed with COVID-19. Compared with the In-Person Visit Group, there was no significant increase in mortality or major cardiovascular events in the Virtual-Visit Group (2.3% versus 5.1%, P = 0.60). Conclusions and Relevance Virtual multidisciplinary care was feasible for HF patients with cardiac resynchronization therapy devices and achieved good patient satisfaction. Virtual care was not associated with short-term increase in adverse events for HF patients with CRT device during the COVID-19 Pandemic. This virtual care model could help promote the adoption of digital health methodology for high-risk patients with multiple cardiac comorbidities.
Chemical Pathways of Peptide Degradation. IV. Pathways, Kinetics, and Mechanism of Degradation of an Aspartyl Residue in a Model Hexapeptide

In this study the hexapeptide Val-Tyr-Pro-Asp-Gly-Ala (Asp-hexapeptide) was used as a model to investigate the kinetics of aspartate degradation in aqueous solution. The apparent rate of degradation of the Asp-hexapeptide was determined as a function of pH, buffer concentration, and temperature. At very acidic pH levels (0.3, 1.1, 1.5, 2.0, and 3.0), the apparent rate of degradation followed pseudo-first-order kinetics. In this pH region, the Asp-hexapeptide predominantly underwent specific acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of the Asp-Gly amide bond (Asp-X hydrolysis) to form a tetrapeptide (Val-Tyr-Pro-Asp) and a dipeptide (Gly-Ala). In addition, parallel formation of a cyclic imide intermediate could be observed, although no isoAsp-hexapeptide was detected. At pH 4.0 and 5.0, the Asp-hexapeptide simultaneously isomerized via the cyclic imide to form the iso-Asp-hexapeptide and underwent Asp-X hydrolysis to produce the cleavage products. The pH-rate profiles (pH 0.3–5.0) for the Asp-X hydrolysis and the formation of cyclic imide revealed that the degree of ionization of the carboxylic acid side chain of Asp residue significantly altered the rate of reaction, with the ionized form being more reactive than the unionized form. Little or no buffer catalysis was observed for either pathway. Solvent isotope experiments were used to probe the mechanism of the Asp-X hydrolysis reaction. At pH values above 6.0, the apparent rate of degradation of the Asp-hexapeptide followed pseudo-first-order reversible kinetics, with the isoAsp-hexapeptide being the only observed product (isomerization). Above pH 8.0, the isomerization kinetics were found to be independent of pH and buffer concentration. The kinetics of degradation of Asp-hexapeptide (Val-Tyr-Pro-Asp-Gly-Ala) and Asn-hexapeptide (Val-Tyr-Pro-Asn-Gly-Ala) were compared to determine the relative instability of the Asp and Asn residues and to understand the mechanism of formation of cyclic imide at near neutral to basic pH.
Methanol-stabilized intermediates in the thermal unfolding of ribonuclease A. Characterization by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance.

The thermal unfolding of ribonuclease A has been studied in solutions of 25, 35 and 50% methanol (vv), using 360 MHz proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Several observations indicate that the native structure of the protein in methanol cryosolvents is very similar to that in aqueous solution. A detailed analysis of the unfolding process has been made using the C-2 protons of the imidazole side-chains of the four histidine residues. As denaturation proceeds new resonances appear, whose chemical shifts correspond to neither native nor fully unfolded species. These have been assigned to particular His residues by selective deuteration studies. The thermal denaturation transitions reveal a multiphasic process in each of the solvents, and become less co-operative with increasing concentrations of methanol. The denaturation is fully reversible with no evidence of hysteresis. The new resonances that appear during the unfolding process are attributed to partially folded species, which are stabilized by the presence of the relatively hydrophobic methanol. Based on the temperature dependence of the chemical shifts and the relative areas of the various resonances, a detailed sequence of events has been proposed to describe the unfolding process. Key features include the initial general loosening of the two domains, the subsequent movement of the upper S-peptide region (residues 13 to 25) away from the main body of the protein, followed by partial separation of the sheet structure and full exposure of the N-terminal helix, leading to complete separation of the “winged domains”, and ultimately the loss of the residual sheet and helix structure.
The effects of aging and chronic fluoxetine treatment on circadian rhythms and suprachiasmatic nucleus expression of neuropeptide genes and 5-HT1B receptors

Age-related changes in circadian rhythms, including attenuation of photic phase shifts, are associated with changes in the central pacemaker in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). Aging decreases expression of mRNA for vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), a key neuropeptide for rhythm generation and photic phase shifts, and increases expression of serotonin transporters and 5-HT1B receptors, whose activation inhibits these phase shifts. Here we describe studies in hamsters showing that aging decreases SCN expression of mRNA for gastrin-releasing peptide, which also modulates photic phase resetting. Because serotonin innervation trophically supports SCN VIP mRNA expression, and serotonin transporters decrease extracellular serotonin, we predicted that chronic administration of the serotonin-selective reuptake inhibitor, fluoxetine, would attenuate the age-related changes in SCN VIP mRNA expression and 5-HT1B receptors. In situ hybridization studies showed that fluoxetine treatment does not alter SCN VIP mRNA expression, in either age group, at zeitgeber time (ZT)6 or 13 (ZT12 corresponds to lights off). However, receptor autoradiographic studies showed that fluoxetine prevents the age-related increase in SCN 5-HT1B receptors at ZT6, and decreases SCN 5-HT1B receptors in both ages at ZT13. Therefore, aging effects on SCN VIP mRNA and SCN 5-HT1B receptors are differentially regulated; the age-related increase in serotonin transporter sites mediates the latter but not the former. The studies also showed that aging and chronic fluoxetine treatment decrease total daily wheel running without altering the phase of the circadian wheel running rhythm, in contrast to previous reports of phase resetting by acute fluoxetine treatment.
Multicast virtual topologies in WDM paths and rings with splitting loss

This paper addresses the problem of constructing optimal virtual topologies for multicast communication in optical networks employing wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM). For concreteness, we use the average hop distance as the metric of optimality. WDM networks supporting multicast communication typically employ multicast-capable switches which permit a path entering a switch on an incoming wavelength to be replicated or "split" optically to one or more output links. This splitting incurs a power loss which is frequently neglected in existing heuristics and algorithms. In this paper we show that the problem of finding optimal virtual topologies with splitting loss constraints can be solved in polynomial time in directed paths and rings, although the problem is NP-complete for general topologies.
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia with pseudohermaphrodism and symptoms of Addison's disease; clinical course following bilateral total adrenalectomy, with metabolic studies, pathologic findings and discussion of etiology.

INTRODUCTION THIS case is presented because of the bearing of the metabolic studies upon the pathogenesis of Addisonian symptoms and because of the practical considerations involved in the performance of bilateral total adrenalectomy as well as the difficulties involved in the maintenance of life following this procedure. The syndrome of congenital adrenal hyperplasia causing macrogenitosomia precox in the male and pseudohermaphrodism in the female has been well described both as to the clinical and pathologic manifestations (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7). Few of these cases show lack of salt-retaining ability. Some require saline infusions in early infancy but can be maintained thereafter with no special therapy. Others constantly require a significant amount of additional salt in their diet, and finally, there are those who need additional salt and adrenal cortical hormone, such as the case now reported. CASE REPORT The patient was admitted to the Harriet Lane Home at the age of 13 days because of an abnormal...
Paddle-based rotating-shield brachytherapy

Purpose: The authors present a novel paddle-based rotating-shield brachytherapy (P-RSBT) method, whose radiation-attenuating shields are formed with a multileaf collimator (MLC), consisting of retractable paddles, to achieve intensity modulation in high-dose-rate brachytherapy. Methods: Five cervical cancer patients using an intrauterine tandem applicator were considered to assess the potential benefit of the P-RSBT method. The P-RSBT source used was a 50 kV electronic brachytherapy source (Xoft Axxent™). The paddles can be retracted independently to form multiple emission windows around the source for radiation delivery. The MLC was assumed to be rotatable. P-RSBT treatment plans were generated using the asymmetric dose–volume optimization with smoothness control method [Liu et al., Med. Phys. 41(11), 111709 (11pp.) (2014)] with a delivery time constraint, different paddle sizes, and different rotation strides. The number of treatment fractions (fx) was assumed to be five. As brachytherapy is delivered as a boost for cervical cancer, the dose distribution for each case includes the dose from external beam radiotherapy as well, which is 45 Gy in 25 fx. The high-risk clinical target volume (HR-CTV) doses were escalated until the minimum dose to the hottest 2 cm3 (D 2cm3 ) of either the rectum, sigmoid colon, or bladder reached their tolerance doses of 75, 75, and 90 Gy3, respectively, expressed as equivalent doses in 2 Gy fractions (EQD2 with α/β = 3 Gy). Results: P-RSBT outperformed the two other RSBT delivery techniques, single-shield RSBT (S-RSBT) and dynamic-shield RSBT (D-RSBT), with a properly selected paddle size. If the paddle size was angled at 60°, the average D 90 increases for the delivery plans by P-RSBT on the five cases, compared to S-RSBT, were 2.2, 8.3, 12.6, 11.9, and 9.1 Gy10, respectively, with delivery times of 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 min/fx. The increases in HR-CTV D 90, compared to D-RSBT, were 16.6, 12.9, 7.2, 3.7, and 1.7 Gy10, respectively. P-RSBT HR-CTV D 90-values were insensitive to the paddle size for paddles angled at less than 60°. Increasing the paddle angle from 5° to 60° resulted in only a 0.6 Gy10 decrease in HR-CTV D 90 on average for five cases when the delivery times were set to 15 min/fx. The HR-CTV D 90 decreased to 2.5 and 11.9 Gy10 with paddle angles of 90° and 120°, respectively. Conclusions: P-RSBT produces treatment plans that are dosimetrically and temporally superior to those of S-RSBT and D-RSBT, although P-RSBT systems may be more mechanically challenging to develop than S-RSBT or D-RSBT. A P-RSBT implementation with 4–6 shield paddles would be sufficient to outperform S-RSBT and D-RSBT if delivery times are constrained to less than 15 min/fx.
Sub-Doppler double-resonance spectroscopy of NH(3) using a tunable-diode laser and a CO laser.

Results are given for a Stark-tuned double-resonance experiment, using a CO-laser pump and a diode-laser probe. The CO laser, operating on the 13–12 P(15) line at 1775.2588 cm−1, is locked by Lamb-dip stabilization to one of the Stark components of the aRR(9,9) ν4 line of NH3. The diode laser probes the aQ(9, 9) ν2 line at 921.255 cm−1, revealing a complex spectrum of sub-Doppler features, the narrowest of which are 5.3 ± 0.3 MHz wide. As well as the resonances associated with population depletion of the common lower levels, we see line-narrowing effects that are due to two-quantum Raman-type processes and collision-induced resonances arising from state-changing collisions that preserve the molecular velocities. The zero-field aRR(9, 9) ν4 line is established to be 264.1 ± 5.0 MHz above the CO-laser line.
Long-term effects of poultry litter and conservation tillage on crop yields and soil phosphorus in cotton-cotton-corn rotation.

Abstract Long-term field experiments are needed to fully realize positive and negative impacts of conservation tillage and poultry litter application. A study was initiated on a Decatur silt loam soil at the Tennessee Valley Research and Extension Center, Belle Mina, AL, USA in 1996 to evaluate cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) performance with long-term poultry litter (PL) application under different tillages and to study the build up of phosphorus (P) with application of PL. Treatments include incomplete factorial combinations of three tillage systems [conventional till (CT), mulch till (MT), and no-till (NT)], two cropping systems [cotton-fallow and cotton-winter rye (Secale cereale L.)], and two nitrogen sources and rates [100 kg N ha−1 from ammonium nitrate (AN), and 100 and 200 kg N ha−1 from poultry litter (PL)]. Cotton was rotated with corn (Zea mays L.) every third year. Results from 2003 to 2008 showed that all tillages gave similar cotton lint yields with AN at 100 kg N ha−1. Application of PL at 100 kg N ha−1 in NT plots resulted in 12 and 11% yield reductions compared to that of CT and MT, respectively. However, NT plots with higher quantity of PL (200 kg N ha−1) gave similar yields to CT and MT at 100 kg N ha−1. During corn years, higher residual fertility of PL, in terms of grain yields, was observed in NT plots compared to CT and MT. Long-term PL application (100 kg N ha−1 year−1) helped to maintain original soil pH in CT and MT while AN application decreased soil pH. In NT plots, PL at 100 kg N ha−1 was not sufficient to maintain original soil pH, but 200 kg N ha−1 maintained original pH. Although not-significant, elevated P levels were observed in all tillages compared to original P levels which indicates possibility of P build up in future with further application of PL. Application of PL at double rate (200 kg N ha−1) in NT plots resulted in significant build up of P. Results indicate that NT gives similar yields to CT when received AN, but needs higher rate of PL application to achieve similar yields to CT.
Introduction to the themed articles on ionic polymer–metal composites

Over the past two decades, we have observed an explosive growth in the field of electroactive polymers (EAPs), polymers that respond to external stimuli by changing their shape or size or even when...