cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characterization of Horse Use in Therapeutic Horseback Riding Programs in the United States: A Pilot Survey.

Abstract With increasing public scrutiny on animal welfare, it behooves those involved in the equine industry to revisit best management practices to ensure these support healthy horses. There is little published research on how horses are used in the equine industry, particularly in therapeutic horseback riding (THR) programs. Although there is a large amount of information on the benefits of THR programs to the participants, there is little published information available about the horses. Therefore, the objective of this survey was to gather data regarding horse use and care in Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.)–affiliated THR programs in the United States to help establish a foundation for a standard of care. A 20-question survey sent to 659 PATH Intl.–affiliated THR programs returned a 40% response rate. Demographics demonstrated that the median number of horses in each program was 10; geldings outnumbered mares; most horses were between 16 and 20 years of age; and Quarter Horse or stock-type breeds predominated. Median session length was 8 weeks and median lesson length was 45 minutes. Horses were typically ridden by clients 4 days/week and 2 hours/day. Most horses were donated to the programs, participated for approximately 7 years, and left because of aging. Limb lameness and back soreness were the top health issues noted, with only a small percentage of colic and ulcers reported. More horses received nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for a lameness issue, chiropractic adjustment, and massage than any other supplemental care or complementary therapy. Based on data gathered in this survey, THR horses were not worked excessively. Horses were ridden less than PATH Intl.’s maximum recommendation of 6 hours/day and 6 days/week and less than those used in university programs. Horses in THR programs also appeared to have fewer reported health issues as compared with data in other national reports.
Dietary Factors and Gastric Intestinal Metaplasia Risk Among US Veterans

Studies on diet and gastric intestinal metaplasia (GIM) risk are lacking in US populations. To determine the associations of dietary factors and risk of GIM among a US population with typical American diet. We analyzed data from a cross-sectional study of veterans attending primary care and endoscopy clinics at the Houston VA Medical Center. Patients completed a 110-item Block Food Frequency Questionnaire then underwent upper endoscopy with gastric mapping biopsies. We compared cases defined by GIM on ≥ 1 non-cardia gastric biopsy to controls without GIM. Associations of dietary factors and GIM were estimated using logistic regression models as odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Among 423 GIM cases and 1796 controls, cases were older (62.1 vs. 59.9 years) and more likely to be male (97.2% vs. 90.8%) and non-White (58.6% vs. 39.0%). GIM cases had lower fat intake (percent kcal from fat tertile 1: 43.6% vs. 33.4%) and higher carbohydrate intake (percent kcal from carbohydrate T3: 41.8% vs. 33.3%) than controls. Adjusting for age, gender, race, smoking, and Helicobacter pylori, percent kcal from carbohydrates (T3 vs. T1: OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.08–1.67), fruit intake (T3 vs. T1: OR 1.28, 95% CI 1.02–1.61), and fiber intake (T3 vs. T1: OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.04–1.80) were associated with GIM. In subgroup analyses, these associations were primarily seen in non-White patients. Few dietary factors, including high carbohydrate intake, are associated with increased risk of GIM in US populations, independent of H. pylori or smoking.
Systematic review of plasma/packed red blood cell ratio on survival in ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Abstract Background The ideal perioperative fluid resuscitation for patients with ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (rAAAs) is unknown. It has been shown in trauma studies that a higher ratio of plasma and platelets to packed red blood cells confers a mortality benefit. Controversy remains whether this is true also in the rAAA population. The objective of the present study was to investigate the benefit of a greater ratio of plasma/packed red blood cells in patients with rAAAs. Methods A health sciences librarian searched four electronic databases, including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and ClinicalTrials.gov , using concepts for the terms “fluid resuscitation,” “survival,” and “ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm.” Two reviewers independently screened the studies that were identified through the search strategy and read in full any study that was potentially relevant. Studies were included if they had compared the mortality of patients with rAAAs who had received a greater ratio of plasma to other component therapy with that of patients who had received a lower ratio. The risk of bias was assessed using the ROBINS-I (risk of bias in nonrandomized studies of interventions) validated tool, and evidence quality was rated using the GRADE (grades of recommendation assessment, development, and evaluation) profile. No data synthesis or meta-analysis was planned or performed, given the anticipated paucity of research on this topic and the high degree of heterogeneity of available studies. Results Our search identified seven observational studies for inclusion in the present review. Of these seven studies, three found an associated decrease in mortality with a greater ratio of plasma to packed red blood cells. The remaining four found no significant differences. The overall risk of bias was serious, and the evidence quality was very low. Conclusions Overall, the findings from the available studies would suggest that for patients who have undergone open surgery for a rAAA, mortality tends to be decreased when the amount of plasma transfused perioperatively is similar to the amount of packed red blood cells. However, the included studies reported very low-quality evidence based solely on highly heterogeneous observational studies, and further research is warranted.
36 ‘The truthfulness factor’: a dimensional analysis of moral care and maternal substance use

Background Delivering quality maternal-child healthcare is compromised when clinicians moralize pregnant or lactating persons’ actions. Clinicians are professionally charged with ensuring quality care delivery. However, they commonly moralize substance use and other similarly stigmatized actions during pregnancy and lactation. As a result, pregnant or lactating persons and their infants experience suboptimal health outcomes. Improving health outcomes in this population necessitates understanding how clinicians come to moralize substance use during pregnancy and lactation. Dimensional analysis in the mode of emergent fit, an interactionist qualitative mode of inquiry. Objective This study aimed to uncover the circumstances under which clinicians moralize substance use in maternal-child symbiosis. Methods Dimensional analysis in the mode of emergent fit was used as an interactionist method of inquiry. Fifteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with maternal-child health clinicians and data were analyzed according to the method’s analytic processes. Results The findings of this emergent fit dimensional analysis form a situation specific theory, which reveals that clinicians moralize substance use in maternal-child symbiosis when perceived fractured trust in the caring relationship. These circumstances exist within the process of the Moral Energy Reflex, which is driven by the condition of ‘The Truthfulness Factor’ and results in the consequence of Reflection on Redirection. The condition, process, and consequence of the phenomenon are conceptually bounded within the context of Unacceptability Uncertainty. All of the dimensions of moralizing substance use during maternal-child symbiosis are understood through the perspective of Am I a ‘Good Enough’ Clinician? Conclusion Understanding moralization as a process actively formed by the person moralizing and their perceptions of trust, provides important new insight into the clinical phenomenon of moral judgment. These findings suggest directions for future inquiry and offer implications for education, practice, and policy.
Statistical methods of screening cut point determination in immunogenicity studies

Background: Currently, screening cut point (CP) calculated from an assay validation with replicates are applied to an immunogenicity study with nonreplicates, for which the antidrug antibodies rate...
Redeployment of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) are uniquely skilled anesthesia providers with substantial experience managing critically ill patients During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID) pandemic, CRNAs at a large academic medical center in the Mid-Atlantic United States experienced a shift in their daily responsibilities As the hospital transitioned to the management of patients who tested positive for the virus that causes COVID, the severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2), CRNAs were redeployed into the roles of respiratory therapists and intensive care unit registered nurses Although facing the stress of the global pandemic, this facility's CRNAs proved to be flexible, capable, and necessary members of the care team for patients with COVID-19
Using UDL to Plan a Book Study Lesson for Students With Intellectual Disabilities in Inclusive Classrooms

Students with intellectual disabilities are among the least likely students to spend a significant amount of time in general education classrooms. When they are included, they may spend their time ...
Conversion of α-Cells to β-Cells in the Postpartum Mouse Pancreas Involves Lgr5 Progeny.

In contrast to the skin and the gut, where somatic stem cells and their niche are well characterized, a definitive pancreatic multipotent cell population in the adult pancreas has yet to be revealed. Of particular interest is whether such cells may be endogenous in patients with diabetes, and if so, can they be used for therapeutic purposes? In the current study, we used two separate reporter lines to target Cre-recombinase expression to the Lgr5- or glucagon-expressing cells in the pancreas. We provide evidence for the existence of a population of cells within and in the proximity of the ducts that transiently express the stem-cell marker Lgr5 during late gestational stages. Careful timing of tamoxifen treatment in Lgr5EGFP-IRES-CreERT2;R26Tomato mice allowed us to show that these Lgr5-expressing progenitor cells can differentiate into α-cells during pregnancy. Furthermore, we report on a spontaneous lineage conversion of α- to β-cells specifically after parturition. The contribution of Lgr5 progeny to the β-cell compartment through an α-cell intermediate phase early after pregnancy appears to be part of a novel mechanism that would counterbalance against excessive β-cell mass reduction during β-cell involution.
Fiscal Policy Report Card on America's Governors 2020

Going into 2020, the United States was in its 11th year of economic expansion and state governments were enjoying robust revenue and spending growth. Then COVID-19 hit and triggered a deep recession. State governments have seen their projected revenues decline and have started trimming spending to keep their 2021 budgets balanced. Some states had accumulated large rainy day funds and were prepared for the downturn, but other states have been overspending, accumulating debt, and saving little for the rainy day that has now arrived.
School-Implemented Interventions for Preschool to High School Students with Autism: An Update on Recent Research

The purpose of this review is to provide an update on the recent research (2016–2021) that evaluates the effectiveness of school-implemented interventions for students with autism (3–21 years old) from preschool to high school. Overall, the recent literature demonstrated that there are EBPs that help students with autism acquire a variety of skills across domains (academic, social communication). Though many educators and peers were able to achieve high-fidelity implementation, there remains variable fidelity of intervention use in some studies. Though there is some evidence that educators and peers can successfully implement interventions, there are additional focal areas that are missing from the literature that are needed in schools (e.g., mental health, vocational). Future research should leverage implementation science approaches to support the use of proven efficacious interventions in schools.
Anderson acceleration based on the H−s Sobolev norm for contractive and noncontractive fixed-point operators

Abstract Anderson acceleration (AA) is a technique for accelerating the convergence of fixed-point iterations. In this paper, we apply AA to a sequence of functions and modify the norm in its internal optimization problem to the H − s norm, for some positive integer s , to bias it towards low-frequency spectral content in the residual. We analyze the convergence of AA by quantifying its improvement over Picard iteration. We find that AA based on the H − 2 norm is well-suited to solve fixed-point operators derived from second-order elliptic differential operators, including the Helmholtz equation.
A New Design Optimization Method for Dynamic Inductive Power Transfer Systems utilizing a Neural Network

Ordinary optimization methods for inductive power transfer (IPT) coils rely heavily on FEM simulations due to the large air gap between the primary and secondary coils. This problem is further compounded for dynamic inductive power transfer (DIPT) systems since DIPT requires more calculation points than IPT to know the average output power across the primary coil. This paper proposes a new design optimization method for DIPT systems utilizing a combination of FEM simulations and a neural network. A neural network trained by FEM results can generate a significantly larger number of design points than conventional methods in the same simulation time. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method, designs using the proposed and conventional methods are compared. The results achieve 20% smaller core volume and 26% higher average output power for the proposed method over conventional one with the same simulation time and design criteria. Furthermore, to verify the accuracy of the proposed method, the final design generated by the proposed method is compared with FEM results.
Impact of High Resolution SST Data on Regional Weather Forecasts

Past studies have shown that the use of coarse resolution SST products such as from the real-time global (RTG) SST analysis[1] or other coarse resolution once-a-day products do not properly portray the diurnal variability of fluxes of heat and moisture from the ocean that drive the formation of low level clouds and precipitation over the ocean. For example, the use of high resolution MODIS SST composite [2] to initialize the Advanced Research Weather Research and Forecast (WRF) (ARW) [3] has been shown to improve the prediction of sensible weather parameters in coastal regions [4][5}. In an extend study, [6] compared the MODIS SST composite product to the RTG SST analysis and evaluated forecast differences for a 6 month period from March through August 2007 over the Florida coastal regions. In a comparison to buoy data, they found that that the MODIS SST composites reduced the bias and standard deviation over that of the RTG data. These improvements led to significant changes in the initial and forecasted heat fluxes and the resulting surface temperature fields, wind patterns, and cloud distributions. They also showed that the MODIS composite SST product, produced for the Terra and Aqua satellite overpass times, captured a component of the diurnal cycle in SSTs not represented in the RTG or other one-a-day SST analyses. Failure to properly incorporate these effects in the WRF initialization cycle led to temperature biases in the resulting short term forecasts. The forecast impact was limited in some situations however, due to composite product inaccuracies brought about by data latency during periods of long-term cloud cover. This paper focuses on the forecast impact of an enhanced MODIS/AMSR-E composite SST product designed to reduce inaccuracies due data latency in the MODIS only composite product.
Working People in Alberta: A History

Coinciding with the hundredth anniversary of the Alberta Federation of Labor (AFL), Working People in Alberta seeks to tell the often overlooked history of Alberta’s men and women from the time bef...
Inhibition of thymidine phosphorylase (TP), thombospondin 4 (TSP-4) and angiogenesis by flexible heteroarotinoid (Flex-Het), SHetA2

Proc Amer Assoc Cancer Res, Volume 47, 2006 240 Background: Flexible Heteroarotinoids (Flex-Hets) are a novel class of compounds that induce differentiation and apoptosis in cancer cells with little effect on normal cells. SHetA2 was chosen as the lead Flex-Het, because it induced the highest levels of apoptosis in multiple cancer types. Microarray analysis identified, and RT-PCR analysis validated that expression of thymidine phosphorylase (TP) and thrombospondin 4 (TSP-4) are down-regulated by SHetA2 in ovarian cancer cell lines. Because TP and TSP-4 are involved in blood vessel formation, the ability of SHetA2 to inhibit endothelial tube formation was tested in vitro and was found to occur in a dose-dependent manner. The objectives of this study were to validate the down-regulation of TP and TSP-4 at the protein level and evaluate the anti-angiogenesis activity of SHetA2 in vivo . Methods: Ovarian cancer cell lines (A2780 and OVCAR-3) were treated with 1 or 10 μM SHetA2 for various times ranging from 30 minutes to 24 hours. Proteins were isolated and evaluated by Western blot for TP and TSP-4 expression levels. The B16 melanoma line was injected subcutaneously into syngeneic C57BL mice, which were divided into 4 treatment groups: SHetA2 gavage (12 mice) SHetA2 intratumoral (12 mice), solvent control gavage (6 mice) and solvent control intratumoral (6 mice). Mice were euthanized when tumor reached 10% body weight and tumors were fixed, embedded and sectioned. Mitoses were counted in 10 high powered fields in H&E stained sections and tumor vessels were visualized in CD34 stained sections. Results: SHetA2 inhibited TP and TSP-4 protein expression as early as 30 minutes and throughout the 24 hour evaluation period. One mouse survived in each of the SHetA2 treated groups, while none survived in the control groups. The average mitotic indices in the intratumoral and gavage control groups were 13.3 ± 1.0 and 12.1 ± 1.1, and in the SHetA2 intratumoral and gavage groups were 5.3 ± 1.6 and 3.0 ± 0.8, respectively. Control tumors had arterioles extending from a large peripheral vessel with tumor cells surrounded the arterioles. These arterioles largely disappeared in the SHetA2 treated tumors and the cancer cells were arranged into poorly formed nests that were supplied by small tenuous blood vessels. Massive necrosis was present. Discussion: These studies demonstrate that SHetA2 inhibits TP and TSP-4 protein expression in vitro , and tumor cell proliferation and angiogenesis in vivo . The inhibition of angiogenesis appears to have contributed to the inhibition of proliferation and massive necrosis in the SHetA2 treated tumors. Studies are planned to validate the functional roles of TP and TSP-4 in SHetA2 inhibition of angiogenesis. Supported by NCI grant CA106713.
Philosophical Chaucer: Love, Sex, and Agency in the Canterbury Tales

Acknowledgements Introduction: Chaucer and the problem of normativity 1. Naturalism and its discontents in the Miller's Tale 2. Normative longing in the Knight's Tale 3. Agency and dialectic in the Consolation of Philosophy 4. Sadomasochism and utopia in the Roman de la Rose 5. Suffering love in the Wife of Bath's Prologue and Tale 6. Love's promise: the Clerk's Tale and the scandal of the unconditional Notes Bibliography Index.
Abstract P1-09-11: Objective markers of fatigue in women undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer

Background. In breast cancer patients, fatigue is a leading detriment to quality of life. Objective markers of fatigue are needed to advance research into its treatment and prevention. To that end, we evaluated physical and neurocognitive tests as potential markers of fatigue before and after chemotherapy. Methods. Women about to begin adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer were studied prospectively. Before and after chemotherapy, subjects were assessed on self-reported fatigue (Brief Fatigue Inventory, BFI), depression (CES-D), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, body mass index (BMI), and 18 objective measurements: grip strength in dominant and nondominant hands, 6-minute walk, daily total energy expenditure (TEE) per accelerometer averaged over 1 week, and examiner-administered neurocognitive tests: grooved peg board in dominant and nondominant hands; digit symbol coding and symbol search (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, 4th edition); 2 trail-making, 4 color-word interference, and 4 verbal fluency tests (Delis-Kaplan Executive Functioning System, D-KEFS). Due to correlation between markers, each was evaluated individually as a continuous variable in generalized linear models of BFI. Models used generalized estimating equations with independent correlation matrix. Covariates (age, tumor stage, BMI) and potential interaction between marker and time of assessment (pre- or post-chemotherapy) were considered. Results. Of subjects enrolled (n=28), 3 withdrew before wearing the device; these were similar to evaluable subjects except for lower scores on digit symbol (p Conclusions. Unlike neurocognitive tests, certain physical measures (grip strength in either hand, TEE, sleep quality) can serve as marker of the fatigue that follows cancer treatment. Grip strength has the advantage of being both objective and efficient to measure. No marker currently studied is suitable for comparing fatigue pre- versus post-chemotherapy, however. Citation Format: Carolyn Behrendt, Sarah Waliany, Paul Frankel, Sunita Patel, Joanne Mortimer. Objective markers of fatigue in women undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Seventh Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2014 Dec 9-13; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(9 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-09-11.
The awesome power of dikaryons for studying flagella and basal bodies in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.

Cilia/flagella and basal bodies/centrioles play key roles in human health and homeostasis. Among the organisms used to study these microtubule-based organelles, the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii has several advantages. One is the existence of a temporary phase of the life cycle, termed the dikaryon. These cells are formed during mating when the cells fuse and the behavior of flagella from two genetically distinguishable parents can be observed. During this stage, the cytoplasms mix allowing for a defect in the flagella of one parent to be rescued by proteins from the other parent. This offers the unique advantage of adding back wild-type gene product or labeled protein at endogenous levels that can used to monitor various flagellar and basal body phenotypes. Mutants that show rescue and ones that fail to show rescue are both informative about the nature of the flagella and basal body defects. When rescue occurs, it can be used to determine the mutant gene product and to follow the temporal and spatial patterns of flagellar assembly. This review describes many examples of insights into basal body and flagellar proteins' function and assembly that have been discovered using dikaryons and discusses the potential for further analyses. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
2008 Emily Cooley Memorial Lecture: lessons learned from pediatric transfusion medicine clinical trials . . . a little child shall lead them.

BACKGROUND: Many clinical practices in transfusion medicine are controversial and/or lack definitive guidelines established by sound clinical trials. Although recommendations based on results of clinical trials performed using infants and children may not always be applied directly to adults—and vice versa—lessons learned from pediatric trials can be useful when critically assessing the design/results/conclusions of adult trials. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Four randomized clinical trials (RCTs) studying pediatric patients were critically reviewed. They addressed two red blood cell (RBC) transfusion issues: 1) transfusion guidelines by which RBC transfusions are “triggered” by liberal (LIB; high pretransfusion patient hematocrit [Hct] levels) versus being “triggered” by restricted (RES; low pretransfusion Hct levels) and 2) transfusion of fresh RBCs (≤7 days' storage) versus RBCs (up to 42 days' storage). RESULTS: Findings established by primary outcomes generally were firm (e.g., fewer RBC transfusions were given to infants/children managed by RES guidelines; transfusing small volumes of RBCs stored up to 42 days to preterm infants diminished allogeneic donor exposures and were equally efficacious and safe as fresh RBCs stored ≤7 days). Findings based on secondary outcomes, subset, and post hoc analyses were inconsistent (e.g., clinical outcomes were equivalent after LIB or RES transfusions in only two of three RCTs; in the third, more neurologic problems were found in neonates given RES transfusions). CONCLUSIONS: Clinical practices should be based on data pertaining to the primary outcomes of RCTs, because trials are designed and statistically powered to address these issues. Clinical practices suggested by analysis of secondary outcomes, subsets of patients, and post hoc analyses should be applied cautiously until studied further—ideally, as primary outcomes in subsequent RCTs.
Spatial Models of Power and Voting Outcomes

This article is a brief, subjective guided tour into an area of active, recent work in political science—patial models of voting. We will be concerned with two main questions. The first is how we can measure the power of voters in an asymmetric voting situation. The second is how we can predict or judge the outcome of a voting situation.
Recognition of digital images of the human face at ultra low resolution via illumination spaces

Recent work has established that digital images of a human face, collected under various illumination conditions, contain discriminatory information that can be used in classification. In this paper we demonstrate that sufficient discriminatory information persists at ultralow resolution to enable a computer to recognize specific human faces in settings beyond human capabilities. For instance, we utilized the Haar wavelet to modify a collection of images to emulate pictures from a 25- pixel camera. From these modified images, a low-resolution illumination space was constructed for each individual in the CMU-PIE database. Each illumination space was then interpreted as a point on a Grassmann manifold. Classification that exploited the geometry on this manifold yielded error-free classification rates for this data set. This suggests the general utility of a low-resolution illumination camera for set-based image recognition problems.
Wikstromol, antitumor lignan from Wikstroemia foetida var. oahuensis gray and Wikstroemia uva-ursi gray (thymelaeaceae)

The ethanol extracts of Wikstroemia foetida var. oahuensis and Wikstroemia uva-ursi showed antitumor activity against the P-388 lymphocytic leukemia (3PS) test system. One PS-active constituent of both plants was the lignan wikstromol. Several inactive compounds were identified as daphnoretin, pinoresinol, and syringaresinol.
Story Planning with Vignettes: Toward Overcoming the Content Production Bottleneck

Storytelling is prominent part of the daily lives of humans. Entertainers, educators, and trainers often concern themselves with the production of novel stories for entertainment, education, and training. However, it is possible for the consumption of story content by end-users to outpace the rate of production of story content. One solution is to instill greater creativity in computer systems in the form of story generation. We present an incremental advancement to planning-based story generation that increases the space of narratives that can be automatically searched in an attempt to make planning-based story generation more creative. The VB-POCL story planning algorithm implements a form of case-based planning that can incorporate vignettes --- plot fragments that are a priori known to be "good" --- into a narrative planning process. We show that VB-POCL can generate narratives with favorable structural properties that cannot be generated reliably with previous attempts at planning-based narrative generation.
GLUCAGON AND PLASMA ARACHIDONIC ACID.

Abstract Previous work has shown the presence of a factor in the external pancreatic secretion of dogs distinct from the enzymes that affect plasma arachidonic acid. Removal of the exocrine factor by pancreatectomy or pancreatic duct ligation resulted in depression of arachidonic acid in all plasma lipid fractions which could not be corrected by purified pancreatic enzymes. Daily administration of 5 mg. of zinc glucagon to dogs deprived of the exocrine factor restored arachidonic acid of all plasma lipid fractions to normal. The greatest effect was in the triglyceride fraction with two- to fivefold elevations above preoperative values. Glucagon also caused temporary depression of the absolute concentration of the total esterified fatty acids in 1 to 3 days with subsequent return to normal in the presence of continued administration. Two mg. of a long-acting preparation of epinephrine produced mild elevation of arachidonic acid in all plasma lipid fractions, but had no effect on the absolute level of total esterified fatty acids. Oral administration of 300 Gm. of glucose had no effect. Neither glucagon nor epinephrine had any effect on the plasma arachidonic acid of normal dogs. It is thought that this study provides support for the concept of an endocrine control of lipid metabolism by the pancreatic alpha cells.
On the detectabillity limit of coherent optical signals in thermal radiation

The problem of detecting a completely known coherent optical signal in a thermal background radiation is considered. The problem is a quantum mechanical analog of detection of a known signal in Gaussian noise. The quantum detection counterpart is formulated in terms of a pair of density operators and a solution is shown to exist. A perturbation solution is obtained by making use of a reproducing kernel Hilbert space of entire functions. The solution is particularly applicable to optical frequencies, where the effect of thermal radiation is small, and it is shown to converge to known results at zero thermal radiation. Curves are generated showing the detectability limit at optical frequencies. Also considered is the problem of finding an operator that maximizes a signal-to-noise ratio, defined for quantum detection in analogy with the classical theory. For a coherent signal with random phase, the operator that maximizes the signal-to-noise ratio is identicial to the one obtained by applying the Neyman Pearson criterion, thereby establishing a complete analogy with the classical detection theory. For a signal with known phase, however, the analogy breaks down in the limit of zero thermal radiation. In that case, it is shown that an operator that maximizes the “classical” signal-to-noise ratio does not exist.
Daniel W. Hommer.

Dr Daniel Hommer, 64 years, chief of NIAAA's section on brain electrophysiology and imaging, died on 2 January. He had served as head of the section since 1992, his second tenure working at NIH. Dan Hommer was born in Easton, Pennsylvania, and received his B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania and his M.D. from Albert Einstein College of Medicine. After completing his residency in psychiatry at Yale University, he joined the section of neuropsychopharmacology at NIMH in 1982. From 1982 to 1987, he was co-director of electrophysiology unit of the Clinical Neuroscience Branch. A dedicated and respected scientist and physician with many contributions to the field of alcohol research and imaging, Dan was an outstanding mentor and was world-renowned for his discoveries on structural and functional differences in brains of alcoholic and non-alcoholic individuals. He had more than 150 publications. Many of his students and mentees are now well-known and major contributors to the field of imaging and addictions. He served the community in diverse ways, notably by chairing and serving on the NIAAA and CNS Institutional Review Boards and serving on the NIAAA promotion and tenure committee and scientific review committee. He was a member of several scientific organizations, including the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, American Association for the Advancement of Science, Organization for Human Brain Mapping and Research Society for Alcoholism. Above all, Dan was known as a kind and tolerant individual who was much beloved by his family, friends and colleagues and he will be sorely missed.
Near-Infrared Spectroscopic Characterization of Human Advanced Atherosclerotic Plaques

Abstract Objectives Living human carotid atherosclerotic plaques were examined in vitro by near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy to determine the spectral features of plaque vulnerability. Background Plaque disruption, a major cause of heart attacks and strokes, cannot generally be predicted, but is thought to depend mainly on plaque composition. Near-infrared spectroscopy has been used to detect components in tissues noninvasively. Methods Using an NIR spectrometer fitted with a fiberoptic probe, living human carotid atherosclerotic plaques (from 25 patients) were examined ex vivo for plaque vulnerability. The plaques were cut into smaller sections according to their gross pathologic features, and NIR measurements were done at 20°C, usually within 10 min. Results According to the American Heart Association’s recommended classification scheme, the lesions were classified into three groups: the first group comprised of vulnerable type V/VI lesions; the second group, stable type I/II lesions; and the third (intermediate) group, mainly type III/IV lesions. Cluster analysis of the specimens’ NIR spectra identified three major composition groups in each of the three NIR spectral regions: 2,200 to 2,330 nm, 1,620 to 1,820 nm and 1,130 to 1,260 nm. Calculation of the lipid/protein ratios in each group at two NIR regions (2,200 to 2,330 nm) revealed ratios of 1.49 ± 1.20, 2.12 ± 1.00 and 3.37 ± 0.88 for type I/II, type III/IV and advanced type V/VI lesions, respectively (p Conclusions The good ex vivo discrimination of histologically vulnerable and stable plaques in this study suggests that NIR spectroscopy has the potential to identify vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques in vivo.
Unaltered maximum reflex vasodilatory capacity of the perfused hindquarters of spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Hindquarter reflex vasodilation (RVD ΔmmHg decrease in perfusion pressure) in response to arterial pressure elevations by intravenous norepinephrine (NE) was examined in young (21/2–3 months) and mature (8–10 months) spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and age-matched Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) normotensive rats to ascertain whether maximum reflex vasodilatory capacity is altered in the developmental and/cr established stages of spontaneous hypertension. The maximal RVD was not significantly different in young or mature SHR (young 26.2 ± 1.9 and mature 36.2 ± 3.2) compared to age-matched WKY controls (young 23.9 ± 1.8 and mature 29.6 ± 2.3) (P > 0.05 between SHR vs. WKY at both ages). However, the rise in mean systemic arterial pressure by NE which produced maximal RVD was greater in mature SHR (116.0 ± 7.4 mmHg) than in WKY controls (78.3 ± 6.2 mmHg) (P < 0.01), whereas no such differences were found between young SHR (85.1 ± 6.5 mmHg) and its WKY controls (87.5 ± 2.3 mmHg). There was no difference in the dose...
Role of chlorhexidine gluconate in ventilator-associated pneumonia prevention strategies in ICU patients: where are we headed?

We read with interest the recent study by Scannapieco and colleagues [1], which concluded that twice-daily oral rinse with 0.12% chlorhexidine failed to reduce the number of potential respiratory pathogens in dental plaque, mortality, the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), the length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay and the duration of mechanical ventilation in trauma ICU patients. Trauma ICU patients are similar to mixed ICU patients with respect to risk factors for developing VAP, unlike patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery. Use of 0.12% chlorhexidine decreases the incidence of VAP in patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery. In mixed ICU patients, chlorhexidine at concentrations less than 0.2% has consistently been shown to have no benefit [2]. A randomized trial using 2% chlorhexidine has, however, demonstrated a reduction in VAP rates in these patients [3]. A previous study showed that 12-hourly application of chlorhexidine has a sustained preventive effect on biofilm formation [4]. The lack of benefit from twice-daily oral cleansing with chlorhexidine in the present study may be due to the lower concentration of chlorhexidine. The authors' recommendation for investigation into mechanical plaque removal with chlorhexidine would conceptually have some added benefit. Mechanical plaque removal with chlorhexidine, however, has not affected outcomes in ICU patients in two studies [5,6]. We therefore suggest that further studies using oral chlorhexidine in ICU patients should be conducted using higher concentrations (2%) to test the most appropriate frequency of use, since oral cleansing is a nursing-driven intervention and clinical trials with chlorhexidine are yet to demonstrate a mortality benefit.
A mechanically decoupled two force component bicycle pedal dynamometer.

A design is presented for a bicycle pedal dynamometer that measures both normal and tangential forces (i.e. driving forces). Mechanical decoupling is used to reduce the cross-sensitivity of the dynamometer to loads doing no work to propel the bicycle. This obviates the need to measure all six loads for accurate data reduction. A compact strain ring is the transducer element, and a monolithic design eliminates mechanical hysteresis between the strain ring and the dynamometer frame. The angular orientation of the dynamometer with respect to the crank arm is determined with a continuous-rotation potentiometer. Design criteria and design implementation are discussed, sample data are presented, and the performance of the dynamometer is evaluated.
Counter-current motion in counter-current chromatography.

Abstract After the CCC2012 meeting, I have received an e-mail regarding the terminology of “Countercurrent Chromatography”. It stated that the term “Countercurrent” is a misnomer, because its stationary phase is motionless in the column and that the method should be renamed as liquid–liquid separations or centrifugal separations. However, it was found that these names are already used for various other techniques as found via Google search. The term “Countercurrent Chromatography” was originally made after two preparative methods of Countercurrent distribution and liquid Chromatography, both having no countercurrent motion in the column. However, it is surprising to find that this F1 hybrid method “Countercurrent Chromatography” can clearly exhibit countercurrent motion within the separation column in both hydrodynamic and hydrostatic equilibrium systems. This justifies that “Countercurrent Chromatography” is a proper term for this chromatographic method.
Lead-free galvanic oxygen sensors — A conceptual approach

Within this paper we present a thermodynamic methodology for the selection of non-toxic metals which could be used as lead-free consumable anodes in electrochemical galvanic oxygen sensors. Starting from thermodynamic nobility theory, metals like copper, bismuth or antimony are proposed to replace lead in future galvanic O 2 sensors. The thermodynamic theory provides voltage windows which increase from copper (0.7 V), to bismuth (0.857 V) and antimony (1.076 V). The experimental voltage windows are smaller than the theoretical ones, but these experimental values increase in the same order from Cu, to Bi and Sb, as predicted by our methodology.
Spectrum of acute hemodynamic effects of nifedipine in severe congestive heart failure.

The acute hemodynamic effects of 20 to 50 mg of orally administered nifedipine were evaluated in 31 patients with severe chronic congestive heart failure (CHF) and the results were analyzed according to the response of the cardiac index (CI). Although the group mean value of CI increased significantly after nifedipine treatment (from 2.1 ± 0.5 to 2.4 ± 0.8 liters/min/m2, p < 0.001), the individual response was variable. Twenty of the patients had 15% or greater increase in CI (group A) and 11 patients had less than a 15% increase or a decrease in CI (group B). Marked differences were also noted in the effects of nifedipine on other hemodynamic variables. Stroke volume increased 29 ± 14% in group A and decreased 11 ± 18% in group B (p < 0.001). Systemic vascular resistance decreased 34 ± 11% in group A (p < 0.001) and increased slightly, 2 ± 28%, in group B. Left ventricular (LV) stroke work index increased 11 ± 19% in group A (p < 0.001) and decreased markedly in Group B (21 ± 20%). Six group B patients had a substantial worsening (20% or more) of one or more hemodynamic measurements, including CI, stroke volume index, LV stroke work index and mean pulmonary artery wedge pressure. A comparison of control hemodynamic values at rest, LV ejection fraction, associated coronary artery disease, nifedipine dose, and concomitant diuretic therapy revealed no significant differences between the 2 groups. This study confirms, in a large group of patients with severe CHF, the variable hemodynamic effects of nifedipine therapy. Although CI improved in many patients, in some patients (35%) did not. Moreover, nifedipine therapy resulted in a significant hemodynamic deterioration in 6 patients. The response to therapy was not dose-related and could not be predicted by baseline hemodynamics, LV function, presence of associated coronary artery disease and concomitant diuretic therapy. Caution and hemodynamic monitoring are recommended if this agent is used in patients with severe chronic CHF.
STUDIES IN THE GENUS PLEOSPORA. VI

In a previous paper (6) the development of the vulgaris series of this genus, through the 5-septate stage, and of the herbarum series through the 7-septate stage was followed. In a second paper (7), concerned with those species having setose perithecia, several species with more than seven septa were included. The present paper has to do with a somewhat more complicated group of the herbarum series, in which the perithecia are glabrous or merely tomentose and in which the spores have developed beyond the 7septate condition by the insertion of additional transverse septa. Collections are referred to by number, which in turn refers to the list of collections, with detailed data, at the end of the paper. Table I gives data as to microscopical measurements and the pres? ence of tomentum or setae on the perithecia, for each collection, also by number. It is necessary at this point to follow carefully the consecutive insertion of the septa. In a previous paper (6, Fig. 1) a figure was given and a nomenclature for these septa was proposed. A 3-septate spore gives rise to a 5-septate spore (in the herbarum series) by the formation of secondary septa of the vulgaris type in the two central cells, and from such a spore the 7-septate spore is derived by the formation of secondary transverse and vertical septa in each of the end cells. These secondary septa in the end cells commonly take the form of a "Y." The insertion of additional septa in the 7-septate spore, such as found in P. herbarum or P. Armeriae, first appears as tertiary septa in the ultimate or penultimate cell of the lower end of the spore. If the transverse and vertical septa are normally formed this results in four or five septa below, and three above, the central primary septum, giving an 8or 9-septate spore (Figs. 3, 4). If, on the
Cidea is associated with lipid droplets and insulin sensitivity in humans

Storage of energy as triglyceride in large adipose-specific lipid droplets is a fundamental need in all mammals. Efficient sequestration of fat in adipocytes also prevents fatty acid overload in skeletal muscle and liver, which can impair insulin signaling. Here we report that the Cide domain-containing protein Cidea, previously thought to be a mitochondrial protein, colocalizes around lipid droplets with perilipin, a regulator of lipolysis. Cidea-GFP greatly enhances lipid droplet size when ectopically expressed in preadipocytes or COS cells. These results explain previous findings showing that depletion of Cidea with RNAi markedly elevates lipolysis in human adipocytes. Like perilipin, Cidea and the related lipid droplet protein Cidec/FSP27 are controlled by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ). Treatment of lean or obese mice with the PPARγ agonist rosiglitazone markedly up-regulates Cidea expression in white adipose tissue (WAT), increasing lipid deposition. Strikingly, in both omental and s.c. WAT from BMI-matched obese humans, expression of Cidea, Cidec/FSP27, and perilipin correlates positively with insulin sensitivity (HOMA-IR index). Thus, Cidea and other lipid droplet proteins define a novel, highly regulated pathway of triglyceride deposition in human WAT. The data support a model whereby failure of this pathway results in ectopic lipid accumulation, insulin resistance, and its associated comorbidities in humans.
Cigarette Smoking Enhances Increased Urine Albumin Excretion as a Risk Factor for Glomerular Filtration Rate Decline in Primary Hypertension

ABSTRACT Background Subjects with severe compared with mild primary hypertension are at greater risk for decline in glomerular filtration rate (GFR), but additional risk factors are poorly defined. Methods Seventyfive subjects referred for assistance with blood pressure control ("severe") and 150 not-referred hypertensive subjects ("mild") were prospectively followed for 7 years. The primary outcome was the change in calculated GFR during follow-up as predicted by various clinical parameters, including urine albumin excretion measured as urine albumin (mg)-to-creatinine (g) (alb/cr) ratio. Results Calculated GFR declined faster (more negative slope) in patients with severe hypertension than in those with mild hypertension (-0.188 ± 0.025 versus -0.120 ± 0.008 mL/min/month; P = 0.010), despite similar follow-up systolic blood pressure (133.4 ± 1.2 versus 131.9 ± 0.8 mm Hg). Severe subjects had higher entry alb/cr (241.3 ± 29.1 versus 11.4 ± 0.5) and a greater proportion of cigarette smokers than mild subjects (56 versus 19%). Regression analysis comparing GFR decline to alb/cr showed that GFR changed minimally for alb/cr up to 200 but declined at a progressively faster rate as alb/cr increased above 200. GFR declined faster (more negative slope) in smokers than in nonsmokers (-0.231 ± 0.023 versus -0.102 ± 0.008 mL/ min/month; P 200, but the effect was much more robust for subjects with alb/cr > 200. Conclusions Urine alb/cr > 200 increases the risk for subsequent GFR decline in primary hypertension, and this risk is enhanced by cigarette smoking.
Malignant transformation by the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 subunit p48 (eIF3e)

Several components of translation, e.g. eIF4E and PKR, are implicated in cancer. The e-subunit (p48) of mammalian initiation factor 3 is encoded by the Int6 gene, a common site for integration of the mouse mammary tumor virus genome, leading to the production of a truncated eukaryotic initiation factor-3e (eIF3e). Stable expression of a truncated eIF3e in NIH 3T3 cells causes malignant transformation by four criteria: foci formation; anchorage independent growth; accelerated growth; and lack of contact inhibition. Stable expression of full-length eIF3e does not cause transformation. The truncated eIF3e also inhibits the onset of apoptosis caused by serum starvation.