Integrated or collaborative care intervention models have revealed gains in provider care processes and outcomes in adult, child, and adolescent populations with mental health disorders. However optimistic, conclusions are not definitive due to methodologic limitations and a dearth of studies.

This randomized trial provides further evidence for the efficacy of an on-site intervention (Doctor Office Collaborative Care) coordinated by care managers for children's behavior problems. The findings provide support for integrated behavioral health care using novel provider and caregiver outcomes. (Read the full article)

Most therapeutic products used in children have not been studied in that population. There is a need for special incentives and market protection (pediatric exclusivity) to compensate drug sponsors for studying these products in children.

Of 189 products studied under pediatric exclusivity, 173 (92%) received new labeling information. Pediatric efficacy was not established for 78 (42%), including 81% of oncology drugs. Probability of demonstrating efficacy was related to therapeutic area and year exclusivity was granted. (Read the full article)

Off-label prescribing in children has been widely described. There has been growing awareness and action from regulatory bodies since 2006 to promote drug assessment in children and rational prescribing.

In comparison with a similar study done in 2000, there was no significant change in off-label prescribing in children. In contrast with the previous findings, off-label prescribing did not increase risk for adverse drug reactions. (Read the full article)

Asthma is heterogeneous and 40% to 70% of patients fail to achieve control with current treatment strategies. To delineate relevant subphenotypes of asthma, identify key factors, and test novel interventions, comprehensive repositories linking clinical, environmental, and biologic data are required.

This is the first statewide repository for inpatient pediatric asthma. The data collected will better define asthma phenotypes, identify care practices associated with the best health outcomes, and inform personalized care plans to reduce reutilization and readmission for pediatric asthma. (Read the full article)

Menu labels depicting physical activity calorie equivalents may lead to ordering of fast food meals totaling fewer calories for adults. The effects of physical activity calorie equivalent labeling on parents’ fast food decisions for their children have not been examined.

Parents shown menus with any type of caloric content label may order fast food meals totaling fewer calories for their children. Menu labels showing physical activity equivalents may be more likely to influence parents to encourage their children to exercise. (Read the full article)

Using large nationwide registers, we were unable to detect any association between augmentation of labor and ADHD in offspring. Our findings do not support a causal role of perinatal exposure to oxytocin during delivery on the development of ADHD. (Read the full article)

Off-label prescription of inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) to neonates <34 weeks’ gestation has increased during the past decade. In early 2011, the National Institutes of Health determined that the available evidence did not support iNO use in this population.

Use of iNO among neonates <34 weeks’ gestation has increased since 2011, entirely from greater use in extremely preterm neonates. Off-label prescription of this drug now accounts for nearly half of all iNO use in American NICUs. (Read the full article)

Collaborative care is known to be an effective system to manage child behavioral health conditions in the primary care setting.

Among urban children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, using lay care managers to address barriers to engagement with care and challenging child behaviors has the potential to improve the effectiveness of conventional collaborative care. (Read the full article)

Early parenting programs benefit children’s development in low- and middle-income countries. However, the extent to which these interventions have a positive impact on parenting skills and their emotional availability is less studied.

An early child development intervention using play and communication activities to promote caregivers’ responsiveness can improve mother–child interactions, caregiving environment, caregiving practices pertaining to development and feeding, and, in combination with a nutrition intervention, support maternal emotional well-being. (Read the full article)

Authorities unable or unwilling to face up to a reality that might reveal their own shortcomings and ineptitude, usually resort to pinpointing a scapegoat. This year, Covid-19 fits that bill, says Terry Bell.

Resistance to amoxicillin-clavulanate, a widely used beta-lactam/beta-lactamase inhibitor combination antibiotic, is rising globally, yet susceptibility testing remains challenging. To test whether whole-genome sequencing (WGS) could provide a more reliable assessment of susceptibility than traditional methods, we predicted resistance from WGS for 976 E. coli bloodstream infection isolates from Oxfordshire, UK, comparing against phenotypes from the BD Phoenix (calibrated against EUCAST guidelines). 339/976 (35%) isolates were amoxicillin-clavulanate resistant. Predictions based solely on beta-lactamase presence/absence performed poorly (sensitivity 23% (78/339)) but improved when genetic features associated with penicillinase hyper-production (e.g. promoter mutations, copy number estimates) were considered (sensitivity 82% (277/339); p<0.0001). Most discrepancies occurred in isolates with peri-breakpoint MICs. We investigated two potential causes; the phenotypic reference and the binary resistant/susceptible classification. We performed reference standard, replicated phenotyping in a random stratified subsample of 261/976 (27%) isolates using agar dilution, following both EUCAST and CLSI guidelines, which use different clavulanate concentrations. As well as disagreeing with each other, neither agar dilution phenotype aligned perfectly with genetic features. A random-effects model investigating associations between genetic features and MICs showed that some genetic features had small, variable and additive effects, resulting in variable resistance classification. Using model fixed-effects to predict MICs for the non-agar dilution isolates, predicted MICs were in essential agreement (±1 doubling dilution) with observed (BD Phoenix) MICs for 691/715 (97%) isolates. This suggests amoxicillin-clavulanate resistance in E. coli is quantitative, rather than qualitative, explaining the poorly reproducible binary (resistant/susceptible) phenotypes and suboptimal concordance between different phenotypic methods and with WGS-based predictions.

To assess public perceptions about COVID-19 and identify populations whose behaviors put them at risk of infection, researchers at Penn State have released an online survey for the general public.

Community and university leaders collaborate to help students and parents residing in the McKeesport Area School District.

As part of Penn State's 2020 spring commencement activities, Matthew Solovey will represent the College of the Liberal Arts as its World Campus student marshal.

Happy Valley LaunchBox powered by PNC Bank is accepting applications through May 15 for its Idea TestLab that will now be hosted virtually in June. Open to the community, the four-week Idea TestLab program is designed to help teams evaluate the viability of their business ideas by coaching them through a proven method of customer discovery and problem analysis.

After a successful pilot, a professional development program is looking to expand its lesson-study approach to rural teachers.

Jeffrey D. Horbar
Jan 1, 2001; 107:14-22
ARTICLES

Penn State Health has opened two regional clinics to care for patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 who have health care needs that are serious enough to warrant a face-to-face appointment.

Despite J.D. Salinger's distaste for technology, his published work is coming to e-readers later this week. His son, Matt Salinger, is responsible for the push to get his father's work in front of young readers.

Andre Harrell's death was first announced by D-Nice during his "Club Quarantine" sets on Instagram Friday night.

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to impact communities throughout Pennsylvania, Penn State staff members are fighting food insecurity by donating to food banks and organizations across the state.

Governor Jack Markell and Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) Director Anas Ben Addi announced today the launch of the Downtown Development Districts (DDD) Grant Program.

Statewide Emergency Repair Program launches from Delaware State Housing Authority MILFORD – Qualified homeowners in need of assistance to keep their homes livable can apply for assistance from the new Statewide Emergency Repair Program announced today by Governor John Carney and the Delaware State Housing Authority. “No one should live in a home with broken […]

DOVER — Nonprofit organizations wanting to develop permanent supportive housing for the homeless or persons with disabilities can now apply for $1 million in federal funding through the Delaware State Housing Authority, DSHA Director Anas Ben Addi announced today. The projects, which may include new construction or rehabilitation, should serve people who are homeless; who […]

How Massachusetts students are demonstrating their global collaborative projects.

Google Assistant Scheduled Actions lets you schedule actions in advance—so you can tell your coffee maker to start at 6 a.m. or your air conditioner to stop at 10 p.m.

Researcher Robin Anderson shares what happened when one online community of teachers tried to unlearn their deficit mindsets together.

Applications are being accepted from community organizations for $1.3 million in funds to support crime reduction, neighborhood revitalization, and economic development programs statewide, with special emphasis on programs in and around downtown areas and neighborhoods, Attorney General Matt Denn and Delaware Division of Small Business, Development and Tourism Director Cerron Cade announced Tuesday. Applications are […]

Refundable tax credit to encourage job creation, innovation WILMINGTON, Del. – Qualified investors and high-tech small businesses can now make use of Delaware’s newest program aimed at encouraging job creation and innovation. The Delaware Division of Small Business began Thursday accepting certification applications for the Angel Investor Tax Credit (AITC) at www.business.delaware.gov/incentives. “We are excited […]

Will partnerships such as these be the norm in the digital entertainment market in India?

The Delaware Division of Libraries and Delaware Department of Labor (DOL) rolled out the partnership in February 2019 to be able to reach out to more residents who may be in need of services but can’t travel to Department of Labor locations. With the many computers available at libraries, a staff member can offer residents […]

WILMINGTON, DE – The Delaware Department of Labor will be celebrating the Fifth Annual National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) with three open house events, one in each county throughout the state from 6 – 7 pm to showcase the value of apprenticeship in the community. Secretary Cerron Cade from The Delaware Department of Labor will be […]

DOVER (January 3, 2020): As part of a systems-wide upgrade to State of Delaware banking processes, the Office of State Treasurer Colleen C. Davis and the Department of Labor have announced improvements to unemployment benefit payment distribution. By the end of this month, the state will move unemployment debit cards to the U.S. Bank ReliaCard®, […]

Tickets are now available for the 43rd annual Agricultural Industry Dinner on Jan. 23 at Dover Downs Hotel & Casino. An early-bird discount is available for registrations received by Dec. 31.

More than $336,000 in federal grant funding is now available for projects to help produce, market or access Delaware-grown fruit, vegetables and certain other crops.

DOVER — Tickets are now available for the 44th annual Agricultural Industry Dinner on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2015, at Dover Downs Hotel & Casino. An early-bird discount is available for registrations received by December 31. Sponsored by the Delaware Council of Farm Organizations, the event began in 1971 as a way to celebrate Delaware farmers […]

Organizations wanting to launch or expand an urban agriculture or community garden project to benefit their neighborhood can apply for new micro-grants from the Delaware Department of Agriculture.

More than $300,000 in federal grant funding is now available for projects to help produce, market or access Delaware-grown fruit, vegetables and certain other crops. The Delaware Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program through June 3.

Thirty Delaware farmers have fresh-cut and live Christmas trees available for First State families this holiday season, with local firs, spruces and pines in abundance - all easy to find at de.gov/christmastrees.

The Delaware Forest Service is now accepting applications for up to $40,000 in urban forestry grants for tree planting or tree management projects on public lands or community open space. Requests can range from $500 to $5,000 and must be matched on a 50-50 basis with non-federal funds or in-kind services (volunteer or staff time, equipment rental, etc.). The program is open to all municipalities, homeowner associations, and non-profit groups within the State of Delaware. In the past 10 years, the program has awarded more than $1 million to fund a wide range of tree projects throughout the First State.

Nearly $300,000 in federal grant funding is now available for projects to help increase the competitiveness of Delaware-grown specialty crops. The Delaware Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program through May 15, 2017.

“I am proud to announce the largest round of Delaware farmland permanently preserved through the Delaware Agricultural Lands Preservation Program in the last several years. This is a result of federal funding from the Natural Resources Conservation Service and funding from both New Castle County and Kent County,” said Delaware Secretary of Agriculture Michael Scuse. More than 124,000 acres of Delaware farmland are now permanently preserved for future generations, with 3,039 acres of easements selected into the state’s preservation program.

More than 127,000 acres of Delaware farmland are now permanently preserved for future generations, with the purchase of the development rights of 41 farms totaling 3,534 acres. This is the 22nd consecutive year of easement selections by the Delaware Agricultural Lands Preservation Foundation.

The Delaware Forest Service's Urban and Community Forestry Program is offering grants up to $5,000 for tree planting projects on public land or to help communities complete a professional tree inventory. The competitive grants – open to all municipalities, homeowner associations, and certified 501(c)(3) non-profits in the State of Delaware – require a 50-50 match in either cash (non-federal funds) or in-kind services, which includes volunteer or staff time, equipment rental, or supplies. Applications will be judged on a competitive basis by a grant committee of the Delaware Community Forestry Council. Eligible projects must be performed on public lands within the community. Priority will be given to first time applicants, Tree Friendly Communities, and applicants that have passed an Urban Tree Canopy Goal Resolution (only applies to Municipalities). Complete details at https://delawaretrees.com.

Delaware's Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program is once gain offering up to $5,000 in matching funds for tree planting or tree management projects on public land or community open space. The competitive grants – open to all municipalities, homeowner associations, and certified 501(c)(3) non-profits in the State of Delaware (including churches and schools) – require a 50-50 match in either cash (non-federal funds) or in-kind services, which includes volunteer or staff time, equipment rental, or supplies. Requests can range from a minimum of $500 to a maximum of $5,000 in only one of two project categories: tree planting or tree management (i.e., professional tree inventory, hazardous tree removal, or pruning).  Application deadline is March 6, 2020.

Agency: NCC Closing Date: 5/22/2020

Agency: HSS Closing Date: 6/12/2020

SAS' Leonid Batkhan shows you how to automate creation of SAS variable labels so tables and reports are easier to read.

Automating SAS variable labels creation was published on SAS Users.

Newark, Del. (January 30, 2019) – While the federal government has reopened, the country’s longest government shutdown continues to impact Delawareans, including the 136,000 individuals who utilize the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to purchase food. Because February SNAP benefits were issued early, this could result in some households having as much as a two-month gap […]