PPak is a new fiber‐based integral field unit (IFU) developed at the Astrophysical Institute of
Potsdam and implemented as a module into the existing Potsdam Multi‐Aperture
Spectrophotometer (PMAS) spectrograph. The purpose of PPak is to provide an extended
field of view with a large light‐collecting power for each spatial element, as well as an
adequate spectral resolution. The PPak system consists of a fiber bundle with 331 object
fibers, 36 sky fibers, and 15 calibration fibers. The object and sky fibers collect the light from�…

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with a strong
genetic background. One of the characteristic features of AD and causative factor for the
disease is an impaired epidermal skin barrier based on a primary defect of epidermal
differentiation. OBJECTIVES: Recently, 2 loss-of-function mutations (R501X and 2282derl4)
in the filaggrin gene (FLG) that cause ichthyosis vulgaris, one of the most common inherited
skin disorders of keratinization, have been reported to be strong predisposing factors for AD�…

OBJECTIVES. Physical activity may be constrained or facilitated by local environments. The
availability of neighborhood facilities for physical activity may be particularly relevant for
youth, who are unable to drive and whose activity is often limited to the immediate distance
they are able to walk or bicycle. Several studies have shown that proximity to recreational
facilities and parks is one of the most important predictors of physical activity. Because the
United States already has an extensive infrastructure of parks, with 70% of adults indicating�…

BACKGROUND: IL-31 is produced by activated T lymphocytes, preferentially by TH2 cells.
Transgenic mice overexpressing IL-31 have a phenotype resembling allergic dermatitis in
human subjects. OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate the potential importance of IL-31 in the
pathogenesis of human T cell–mediated skin diseases. METHODS: We analyzed total RNA
taken from 149 skin biopsy specimens from patients with atopic dermatitis (AD), allergic
contact dermatitis (ACD), or psoriasis in comparison with specimens taken from patients with�…

Supernovae are essential to understanding the chemical evolution of the universe. Type Ia
supernovae also provide the most powerful observational tool currently available for
studying the expansion history of the universe and the nature of dark energy. Our basic
knowledge of supernovae comes from the study of their photometric and spectroscopic
properties. However, the presently available data sets of optical and near‐infrared light
curves of supernovae are rather small and/or heterogeneous, and employ photometric�…

BACKGROUND. Dr Van Cleave's current address is Department of Pediatrics, Center for
Child and Adolescent Health Policy, MassGeneral Hospital for Children, 50 Staniford St,
Room 901, Boston, MA 02114. The association between bullying, being bullied, or being a
bully/victim and having a special health care need has not been well described in a national
sample of children with a broad variety of special needs. OBJECTIVE. We aimed to
determine the prevalence of bullying, being bullied, or being a bully/victim in children with�…

OBJECTIVE. Increasing evidence suggests that 10 μg/dL, the current Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention screening guideline for children's blood lead level, should not be
interpreted as a level at which adverse effects do not occur. Using data from a prospective
study conducted in Mexico City, Mexico, we evaluated the dose-effect relationship between
blood lead levels and neurodevelopment at 12 and 24 months of age. METHODS. The study
population consisted of 294 children whose blood lead levels at both 12 and 24 months of�…

OBJECTIVES. Public funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program has
never been sufficient to serve more than a small minority of income-eligible households.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program funding has not increased with recent
rapidly rising energy costs, harsh winter conditions, or higher child poverty rates. Although a
national performance goal for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program is to
increase the percentage of recipient households having≥ 1 member≤ 5 years of age, the�…

The authors briefly review the deaths, injuries, and diseases attributed to hurricanes that
made landfall in the United States prior to Hurricane Katrina; recent hurricane evacuation
studies and their potential for reducing death, injury, and disease; information available to
date about mortality, injury, and disease attributed to Hurricane Katrina; and psychological
distress attributable to hurricanes. Drowning in salt water caused by storm surges has been
reduced over the past thirty years, while deaths caused by fresh water (inland) flooding and�…

OBJECTIVE. Our objective with this study was to identify the nature and the role of spirituality
from the parents' perspective at the end of life in the PICU and to discern clinical
implications. METHODS. A qualitative study based on parental responses to open-ended
questions on anonymous, self-administered questionnaires was conducted at 3 PICUs in
Boston, Massachusetts. Fifty-six parents whose children had died in PICUs after the
withdrawal of life-sustaining therapies participated. RESULTS. Overall, spiritual/religious�…