Stray light in the Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS)

Changes made to the telescope and critical objects considered in modeling these changes into the APART program are described. The optical system was analyzed for scattered light, diffracted then scattered radiation, and thermally emitted radiation. The damaged area of the primary to mirror was also examined. Results are presented in tables and graphs

Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS) analysis of the transmittance of off-axis energy due to scattering and diffraction

Stray light transmittance is analyzed. Mathematical models are evaluated. The results of scatter and diffraction are considered separately, and the combined transmittance values evaluated

Prevalence of Acute Coronary Syndrome in Patients Suspected for Pulmonary Embolism or Acute Aortic Syndrome: Rationale for the Triple Rule-out Concept.

BACKGROUND: The aims of the study were to evaluate the prevalence of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) among patients presenting with atypical chest pain who are evaluated for acute aortic syndrome (AAS) or pulmonary embolism (PE) with computed tomoangiography (CTA) and discuss the rationale for the use of triple rule-out (TRO) protocol for triaging these patients. METHODS: This study is a retrospective analysis of patients presenting with atypical chest pain and evaluated with thoracic (CTA), for suspicion of AAS/PE. Two physicians reviewed patient files for demographic characteristics, initial CT and final clinical diagnosis. Patients were classified according to CTA finding into AAS, PE and other diagnoses and according to final clinical diagnosis into AAS, PE, ACS and other diagnoses. RESULTS: Four hundred and sixty-seven patients were evaluated: 396 (84.8%) patients for clinical suspicion of PE and 71 (15.2%) patients for suspicion of AAS. The prevalence of ACS and AAS was low among the PE patients: 5.5% and 0.5% respectively (P = 0.0001), while the prevalence of ACS and PE was 18.3% and 5.6% among AAS patients (P = 0.14 and P = 0.34 respectively). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of ACS and AAS among patients suspected clinically of having PE is limited while the prevalence of ACS and PE among patients suspected clinically of having AAS is significant. Accordingly patients suspected for PE could be evaluated with dedicated PE CTA while those suspected for AAS should still be triaged using TRO protocol

Endovascular treatment of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations in hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia.

PRINCIPLES: To assess the efficiency and complication rates of vaso-occlusion of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) in Rendu-Osler-Weber disease (hereditary haemorrhagic telangectasia; HHT). METHODS: Seventy-two patients were investigated in our institution for HHT between March 2000 and November 2011. Sixteen presented PAVMs (22.2%), and 11 (68.8%) were treated with vaso-occlusion for a total of 18 procedures. Procedures included coils, plugs and combined approaches. Immediate success and recurrence rate, complication were recorded, as well as persistent and new PAVMs during clinical and computed tomography (CT) follow-up. RESULTS: Eighteen procedures were performed and a total of 37 PAVMs were treated, 19 with coils, 16 with plugs and 2 with combined treatment. Mean CT follow-up time was 41 months (1‒164). No major complication was observed. One distal translocation was treated during the same intervention. Two PAVMs persisted after treatment (5.7%), both treated by means of plug embolisation. One new PAVM was observed during follow-up CT. PAVMs with an afferent artery of less than 3mm or asymptomatic PAVMs were not treated. CONCLUSION: Recent studies have demonstrated that vaso-occlusion has become the gold standard treatment for PAVM. This study is in accordance with previous results and shows a minimal complication rate and little recurrence, whether by coils, plugs, or combined treatments

Association between computed tomography obstruction index and mortality in elderly patients with acute pulmonary embolism: A prospective validation study.

Computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) has not only become the method of choice for diagnosing acute pulmonary embolism (PE), it also allows for risk stratification of patients with PE. To date, no study has specifically examined the predictive value of CTPA findings to assess short-term prognosis in elderly patients with acute PE who are particularly vulnerable to adverse outcomes. We studied 291 patients aged ≥65 years with acute symptomatic PE in a prospective multicenter cohort. Outcomes were 90-day overall and PE-related mortality, recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE), and length of hospital stay (LOS). We examined associations of the computed tomography obstruction index (CTOI) and the right ventricular (RV) to left ventricular (LV) diameter ratio with mortality and VTE recurrence using survival analysis, adjusting for provoked VTE, Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index (PESI), and anticoagulation as a time-varying covariate. Overall, 15 patients died within 90 days. There was no association between the CTOI and 90-day overall mortality (adjusted hazard ratio per 10% CTOI increase 0.92; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.70-1.21; P = 0.54), but between the CTOI and PE-related 90-day mortality (adjusted sub-hazard ratio per 10% CTOI increase 1.36; 95% CI 1.03-1.81; P = 0.03). The RV/LV diameter ratio was neither associated with overall nor PE-related 90-day mortality. The CTOI and the RV/LV diameter ratio were significantly associated with VTE recurrence and LOS. In elderly patients with acute PE, the CTOI was associated with PE-related 90-day mortality but not with overall 90-day mortality. The RV/LV diameter ratio did not predict mortality. Both measures predicted VTE recurrence and LOS. The evaluated CTPA findings do not appear to offer any advantage over the PESI in terms of mortality prediction

Electric utility acid fuel cell stack technology advancement

The principal effort under this program was directed at the fuel cell stack technology required to accomplish the initial feasibility demonstrations of increased cell stack operating pressures and temperatures, increased cell active area, incorporation of the ribbed substrate cell configuration at the bove conditions, and the introduction of higher performance electrocatalysts. The program results were successful with the primary accomplishments being: (1) fabrication of 10 sq ft ribbed substrate, cell components including higher performing electrocatalysts; (2) assembly of a 10 sq ft, 30-cell short stack; and (3) initial test of this stack at 120 psia and 405 F. These accomplishments demonstrate the feasibility of fabricating and handling large area cells using materials and processes that are oriented to low cost manufacture. An additional accomplishment under the program was the testing of two 3.7 sq ft short stacks at 12 psia/405 F to 5400 and 4500 hours respectively. These tests demonstrate the durability of the components and the cell stack configuration to a nominal 5000 hours at the higher pressure and temperature condition planned for the next electric utility power plant

β[beta]-Catenin and FGFR2 regulate postnatal rosette-based adrenocortical morphogenesis

Rosettes are widely used in epithelial morphogenesis during embryonic development and organogenesis. However, their role in postnatal development and adult tissue maintenance remains largely unknown. Here, we show zona glomerulosa cells in the adult adrenal cortex organize into rosettes through adherens junction-mediated constriction, and that rosette formation underlies the maturation of adrenal glomerular structure postnatally. Using genetic mouse models, we show loss of beta-catenin results in disrupted adherens junctions, reduced rosette number, and dysmorphic glomeruli, whereas beta-catenin stabilization leads to increased adherens junction abundance, more rosettes, and glomerular expansion. Furthermore, we uncover numerous known regulators of epithelial morphogenesis enriched in beta-catenin-stabilized adrenals. Among these genes, we show Fgfr2 is required for adrenal rosette formation by regulating adherens junction abundance and aggregation. Together, our data provide an example of rosette-mediated postnatal tissue morphogenesis and a framework for studying the role of rosettes in adult zona glomerulosa tissue maintenance and function

Early Identification of Developmental Coordination Disorder: Gender Differences in Performance of the Movement Assessment Battery in Preschool-age Children

Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder often highlighted by a severe lack of motor coordination that interferes with activities of daily living. The prevalence of DCD in children ranges from 2 to 20% in the United States. Early identification and early intervention can help mitigate potential long term negative effects. The movement assessment battery for children (MABC-2) is a commonly used tool used to identify DCD. PURPOSE: This study examined gender differences in performance on the MABC-2 between preschool-age children. METHODS: 45 preschool-age children (26 girls and 19 boys, Mage = 4.0) were assessed using the MABC-2. The MABC-2 is comprised of 8 items across three subdomains (aiming and catching, manual dexterity, and balance). An independent samples t-test was conducted to observe the differences in each of the 3 sub domains of the MABC between boys and girls and by age. RESULTS: Overall, 39 of children were not at-risk for DCD, and 4 children were at-risk for DCD. The results show a significant difference in the balance domain with girls demonstrating more proficiency (p =0.03) than the boys. There were no significant differences found in manual dexterity (p = .76), aiming and catching (p =0.60), and overall test score (p = 0.18). There were no significant differences based on age across any of the domains. CONCLUSION: Early assessment of young children may be important as potential gender differences already exist by preschool-age. Separate norms may be necessary for boys and girls in this age band as several studies have consistently identified gender differences in the MABC-2. Further exploration of why these differences may exist at such an early age should be explored

The Association between Parent\u27s Perception and Child\u27s Actual Motor Skills in Preschool-age Children

The preschool years is a critical time for the optimal development of children\u27s fine and gross motor skills for future engagement in physical activity. Parents play a critical role in the development of these skills and early identification of potential developmental delays in their children. Early identification of developmental delay is essential for early intervention and rely on accurate child screenings that are often administered by parents. Few studies have compared the accuracy of parent’s perceptions across two different measurements with children\u27s actual motor skills. PURPOSE: This study compared parents\u27 perceptions of their child’s motor skills on two assessments with their actual performance on the MABC-2. METHODS: 45 preschool-age children across the metro DFW area participated in this study (26 girls and 19 boys, Mage = 4.0).  IRB approval was obtained for all participants. Children were assessed using the MABC-2. The MABC-2 is comprised of 8 items across three subdomains (aiming and catching, manual dexterity, and balance). Parents completed two separate surveys on the perception of their child\u27s motor skills (Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ), and the Little Developmental Coordination Disorder questionnaire (LDCDQ). The ASQ ask parents to compare their child\u27s abilities against other children within the same age group across five different domains (communication, gross motor, fine motor, personal-social, and problem solving). The LDCDQ ask parents to rate their child’s gross and fine motor abilities across fifteen different items. Bivariate correlations were used to analyze the relationship between parent responses and children’s scores on the MABC-2. RESULTS: On the LDCDQ, parents rating on fine motor skills was significantly related to total MABC-2 score; (p = .006, R = 0.402), manual dexterity (p= .038, R = 0.310), and aiming and catching (p-value = .005, R = 0.407). On the ASQ, parent\u27s ratings on fine motor skills were significantly related to total MABC-2 scores (p= .048, R = 0.303). Parent’s ratings on their child’s ASQ personal social skills were significantly related to total MABC-2 scores (p= .011, R = 0.385), and aiming and catching (p = .013, R = 0.377). No other correlations were significant amongst the parent assessments and child’s MABC scores. CONCLUSION: While neither assessment appeared to be more related to children\u27s actual scores than the other, in both assessments fines motors skills were more closely related to children\u27s actual performance