cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Preference for sugars and nonnutritive sweeteners in young beagles

Abstract Two-bowl choice tests were used to examine preference of puppies aged two to four months for compounds tasting sweet to humans. Puppies found many, but not all of the compounds highly palatable, and were sensitive to both type and amount of sugar or nonnutritive sweetener contained in a semi-moist dog food recipe. Lactose, fructose, and sucrose were well accepted, whereas maltose elicited indifference or rejection. Sodium cyclamate, but not sodium saccharin, was preferred at some concentrations to 15 percent sucrose sweetened semi-moist food used as the standard. Solutions of lactose, fructose, glucose and galactose were preferred to plain tap water.
Tertiary nurse practitioner reimbursement: An in-depth look at neonatal nurse practitioner billing

Abstract This report reviews the history of nurse practitioner reimbursement legislation specifically as it pertains to neonatal nurse practitioners (NNPs) in the tertiary care setting (inpatient/acute care). Barriers to reimbursement are reviewed, along with ways in which NNPs can continue to demonstrate their worth to the public and to health insurance providers. Specific steps are discussed on how hospital and health care providers are reimbursed for services rendered; obtaining a billing provider number is the initial step of establishing a billing service. Each state varies on how provider numbers are obtained and who is eligible to receive these numbers. Care must be taken to ensure that duplicate billing by different providers is avoided. The state's Medicaid Provider Manual is often helpful in determining which services are covered and which guidelines accompany each billable code. As tertiary care and/or follow-up providers, it is our responsibility to educate ourselves about the nurse practitioner reimbursement laws currently in effect and educate our legislators about our critical role in providing care to the sick inpatient population. Copyright © 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company
Effect of the Net Energy Concentration of Total Ration on Milk Production and Composition

Abstract Eighteen Holstein cows were assigned, after a 17-day preliminary period, to three rations, using a double 3 × 3 Latin-square design. The pounds of alfalfa-orchard grass hay and corn silage offered each cow during the experimental periods were, respectively: Ration A—6, 24; Eation B—10, 40; Ration C—14, 56. Concentrate was added to each ration so that total feed energy offered supplied maintenance needs plus 0.39 therm estimated net energy per pound 4% FCM. Each experimental period was 4 wk, the last 3 wk being used to evaluate ration effects. Average daily intakes of hay, silage, and concentrate, respectively, for the rations were: A—5.6, 23.3, 26.6 lb; B—8.5, 36.4, 20.5 lb; C—10.9, 45.9, 14.6 lb. Average 4% FCM was 46.7, 46.2, and 43.8 lb daily for Rations A, B, and C, respectively. Milk production on Rations A and B was significantly higher (P
Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 gene expression is restricted to involuting corpora lutea in rat ovaries

There is evidence that insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) is a part of the intrinsic IGF system in rat CL. Here, we examined when during luteogenesis the IGFBP-3 gene is expressed. IGFBP-3 messenger RNA (mRNA) was characterized by Northern analysis and in situ hybridization techniques. Animals were selected at proestrus (P 1000 h and P 2000 h), estrus (E 0200 h and E 1000 h), diestrus I (DI 1100 h), and diestrus II (DII 1100 h), and in pregnancy (day 12, before luteolysis and day 21, during luteolysis). A single 2.6 kilobase IGFBP-3 transcript was identified at each stage of the estrous cycle; however, the amounts of message varied markedly, being most abundant at P 1000 h, least abundant at P 2000 h, E 0200 h, E 1000 h, and DI, and then more abundant at DII. Corroborating our earlier report, IGFBP-3 mRNA was limited solely to corpora lutea (CL). Newly-formed CL-I at E 0200 h and E 1000 h revealed no IGFBP-3 hybridization. This is the period of early luteinization when cells undergo hy...
Diel changes in forager size, activity, and load selectivity in a tropical leaf‐cutting ant, Atta cephalotes

. 1. The leaf-cutting ant Atta cephalotes (L.) in a Costa Rican tropical moist forest showed diel changes in foraging activity. In most colonies studied, foraging was primarily nocturnal, although in a few colonies it was primarily diurnal. 2. In all colonies studied, mean forager mass was larger at night than during the day. 3. At night, most foragers carried freshly cut leaf fragments, whereas during the day a large proportion carried dried fragments and other vegetable matter collected from along their trail. 4. Along one trail, where foraging was primarily nocturnal, the match between ant mass and load mass was compared for laden ants at night and during the day. Laden ants at night were larger, carried relatively heavier loads, and showed a higher degree of matching between their mass and load mass than those foraging during the day. 5. A comparison of load masses of ants coming down a local tree and of ants picking up marked fragments from along their trail suggested that the diel difference in load mass and in the match between ant mass and load mass were related to the greater proportion of ants carrying freshly cut leaf fragments at night. Fresh fragments weighed more due to higher water content, and the match between ant mass and load mass was greater for ants cutting fresh fragments than for ants picking up abandoned fragments from along their trail. 6. Possible explanations for the diel changes in forager size and activity are discussed.
Differential spinal projections from the forelimb areas of the rostral and caudal subregions of primary motor cortex in the cat

We used anterograde transport of WGA-HRP to examine the topography of corticospinal projections from the forelimb areas within the rostral and caudal motor cortex subregions in the cat. We compared the pattern of these projections with those from the somatic sensory cortex. The principal finding of this study was that the laminar distribution of projections to the contralateral gray matter from the two motor cortex subregions was different. The rostral motor cortex projected preferentially to laminae VI–VIII, whereas caudal motor cortex projected primarily to laminae IV–VI. Confirming earlier findings, somatic sensory cortex projected predominantly to laminae I–VI inclusive. We found that only rostral motor cortex projected to territories in the rostral cervical cord containing propriospinal neurons of cervical spinal segments C3-4 and, in the cervical enlargement, to portions presumed to contain Ia inhibitory interneurons. We generated contour maps of labeling probability on averaged segmental distributions of anterograde labeling for all analyzed sections using the same algorithm. For rostral motor cortex, heaviest label in the dorsal part of lamina VII in the contralateral cord was consistently located in separate medial and lateral zones. In contrast, no consistent differences in the mediolateral location of label was noted for caudal motor cortex. To summarize, laminae I–III received input only from the somatic sensory cortex, while laminae IV–V received input from both somatic sensory and caudal motor cortex. Lamina VI received input from all cortical fields examined. Laminae VII–IX received input selectively from the rostral motor cortex. For motor cortex, our findings suggest that projections from the two subregions comprise separate descending pathways that could play distinct functional roles in movement control and sensorimotor integration.
Nothing to Hide, Nowhere to Run, or Nothing to Lose: Candidate Position-Taking in Congressional Elections

If candidates do not state clear issue positions, then voters cannot anticipate how the candidates will govern if elected nor hold candidates accountable for breaking campaign pledges. Yet, previous research argues electoral incentives lead candidates to avoid discussing the key issues of the day. Even though silence on issues is the modal campaign strategy, this paper argues that candidates systematically make clear issue statements on occasion. We identify three variables that predict whether a candidate will address an issue and the clarity of the candidate’s stance on that issue: (i) the public salience of an issue; (ii) ideological congruence between candidate and district; and (iii) candidate quality. This argument is tested using data on candidate position-taking regarding the Iraq War and gay marriage collected from the campaign websites of U.S. House candidates in 2006 and 2008.
Elastography of Thyroid Masses

Elastography is undeniably a major technological advance in thyroid imaging in recent years. The anatomic characteristics of the thyroid (superficial organ) and the frequency of nodules in the thyroid make it an ideal organ for this technique. Static elastography is currently available in many machines. SWE is becoming the reference technique for thyroid; however, prospective studies (ongoing) will need to be performed before its routine use in the clinic. Elastography should not be considered as an alternative to conventional US, but like an additional parameter that optimizes the US imaging.43
Inclination Change in Low-Earth Orbit via the Geomagnetic Lorentz Force

An electrostatically charged spacecraft is subject to Lorentz force perturbations as it orbits a central body with a magnetic field. On an artificially charged spacecraft, these perturbations may be harnessed for orbital maneuvering and are particularly potent for plane-change maneuvers. The Gaussian form of the variational equations is used to develop a control law for inclination change and to predict the capability of such maneuvers. An analytical expression provides the relative evolution of the semimajor axis and the inclination when the Lorentz force is used to change the inclination of a nearly circular orbit. Despite causing significant changes in the semimajor axis, the Lorentz force may enable substantial propellant savings for inclination change maneuvers. A constellation reconfiguration example is presented in which a specific charge magnitude of 0.01 C/kg leads to a 95 % savings over an impulsive maneuver for the redeployment of a low-Earth-orbit constellation from 34 to 55 deg inclination.
Cost-Effectiveness Analysis Evaluating Fidaxomicin versus Oral Vancomycin for the Treatment of Clostridium difficile Infection in the United States

Abstract Objectives Fidaxomicin is a novel treatment for Clostridium difficile infections (CDIs). This new treatment, however, is associated with a higher acquisition cost compared with alternatives. The objective of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of fidaxomicin or oral vancomycin for the treatment of CDIs. Methods We performed a cost-utility analysis comparing fidaxomicin with oral vancomycin for the treatment of CDIs in the United States by creating a decision analytic model from the third-party payer perspective. Results The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio with fidaxomicin compared with oral vancomycin was $67,576/quality-adjusted life-year. A probabilistic Monte Carlo sensitivity analysis showed that fidaxomicin had an 80.2% chance of being cost-effective at a willingness-to-pay threshold of $100,000/quality-adjusted life-year. Fidaxomicin remained cost-effective under all fluctuations of both fidaxomicin and oral vancomycin costs. The decision analytic model was sensitive to variations in clinical cure and recurrence rates. Secondary analyses revealed that fidaxomicin was cost-effective in patients receiving concominant antimicrobials, in patients with mild to moderate CDIs, and when compared with oral metronidazole in patients with mild to moderate disease. Fidaxomicin was dominated by oral vancomycin if CDI was caused by the NAP1/Bl/027 Clostridium difficile strain and was dominant in institutions that did not compound oral vancomycin. Conclusion Results of our model showed that fidaxomicin may be a more cost-effective option for the treatment of CDIs when compared with oral vancomycin under most scenarios tested.
Monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity as a determinant in human neurophysiology

Several lines of evidence indicate that monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity can regulate levels of biogenic amines and neuronal activity in the nervous system. The two types of MAO activity, A and B, appear to have different domains of activity in the body. Brain tissue has both types of activity, although adrenergic neurons are thought to contain exclusively MAO-A. MAO activity can also be measured in peripheral tissues: MAO-A in cultured skin fibroblasts and placenta, and MAO-B in platelets and lymphocytes. These two types of activity are mediated by different enzyme molecules and are regulated independently by endogenous and exogenous factors including genetic determinants, hormones, and aging. In humans, inhibition of MAO-A activity leads to mood elevation in depressed patients; in contrast, low MAO-B activity in platelets has been associated with an increased susceptibility to psychopathology. In order to assess further the role of MAO activity in human mood and behavior, it will be important to measure both forms of the enzyme independently and to establish correlations between levels of activity and discrete phenotypic traits.
Applications of Optimally Sensitive Control to Systems Involving Time-Varying Uncertainties

The implementation of control systems capable of identifying and adapting to time-varying unknown parameters has become increasingly important in air-traffic control and other applications. In the recent literature the control problem, in which both the initial state vector as well as a vector of constant plant parameters are unknown, has been treated utilizing sensitivity techniques referred to as optimally sensitive control. The concepts of optimally sensitive control as developed by Kokotovic, Perkins, Cruz, and others are extended to the problem in which the state dynamics contain a vector of stochastic inputs which can be represented as Martingale processes. The resulting optimally sensitive system is shown to be an effective and realistic adaptive controller for systems containing unknown time-varying parameters. A numerical example is presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the resulting control system at identifying and adapting to the levels of the unknown time-varying inputs.
Small mammal virology

Most viral infections in small mammals are transient and rarely produce clinical signs. When clinical signs do appear, they are often of a multifactorial etiology such as respiratory infection with Sendai virus and the bacteria M. pulmonis in rodents. Diagnosis is generally made based on clinical signs, while therapy involves treatment for concurrent bacterial infections and supportive care. Small mammals may carry zoonotic viruses such as LCMV, but natural infections are uncommon. Viral diseases are rare (or largely unknown) for hedgehogs, chinchillas, and prairie dogs, while no known naturally occurring, clinically relevant viral diseases exist for gerbils and sugar gliders. This article is intended to aid the clinician in identifying viral infections in small mammals and to help determine the significance each virus has during clinical disease.
Comparison of carotid endarterectomy and stenting in real world practice using a regional quality improvement registry.

Objective Carotid artery stenting (CAS) vs endarterectomy (CEA) remains controversial and has been the topic of recent randomized controlled trials. The purpose of this study was to compare the practice and outcomes of CAS and CEA in a real world setting. Methods This is a retrospective analysis of 7649 CEA and 430 CAS performed at 17 centers from 2003 to 2010 within the Vascular Study Group of New England (VSGNE). The primary outcome measures were (1) any in-hospital stroke or death and (2) any stroke, death, or myocardial infarction (MI). Patients undergoing CEA in conjunction with cardiac surgery were excluded. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify predictors of stroke or death in patients undergoing CAS. Results CEA was performed in 17 centers by 111 surgeons, while CAS was performed in 6 centers by 30 surgeons and 8 interventionalists. Patient characteristics varied by procedure. Patients undergoing CAS had a higher prevalence of coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, diabetes, and prior ipsilateral CEA. Embolic protection was used in 97% of CAS. Shunts were used in 48% and patches in 86% of CEA. The overall in-hospital stroke or death rate was higher among patients undergoing CAS (2.3% vs 1.1%; P = .03). Overall stroke, death, or MI (2.8% CAS vs 2.1% CEA; P = .32) were not different. Asymptomatic patients had similar rates of stroke or death (CAS 0.73% vs CEA 0.89%; P = .78) and stroke, death, or MI (CAS 1.1% vs CEA 1.8%; P = .40). Symptomatic patients undergoing CAS had higher rates of stroke or death (5.1% vs 1.6%; P = .001), and stroke, death, or MI (5.8% vs 2.7%; P = .02). By multivariate analysis, major stroke (odds ratio, 4.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.9-10.8), minor stroke (2.7; CI, 1.5-4.8), prior ipsilateral CEA (3.2, CI, 1.7-6.1), age >80 (2.1; CI, 1.3-3.4), hypertension (2.6; CI, 1.0-6.3), and a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (1.6; CI, 1.0-2.4) were predictors of stroke or death in patients undergoing carotid revascularization. Conclusions In our regional vascular surgical practices, the overall outcomes of CAS and CEA are similar for asymptomatic patients. However, symptomatic patients treated with CAS are at a higher risk for stroke or death.
Financial Burden in Families of Children With Special Health Care Needs: Variability Among States

OBJECTIVE. The main objective of this study was to examine variability among states for 3 indicators of the family financial burden related to caring for children with special health care needs. METHODS. Data were from a 2001 national survey of households with children ( RESULTS. Overall, 82.5% of families reported expenditures of more than $0. Among these families, the mean unadjusted absolute burden was $752 and the relative burden was $19.6 per $1000. Adjusted state means ranged from $562 to $972 for absolute burden and from $14.5 to $32.3 per $1000 for relative burden. Families living in states with higher median family incomes had lower financial burdens across all 3 measures. CONCLUSIONS. Families that are similar with respect to household demographic characteristics and the nature of their children9s special health care needs have different out-of-pocket health expenditures depending on the state in which they live. Documenting and understanding this variability moves the field closer to the goal of establishing evidence-based, state policy recommendations aimed at reducing the financial burden of these vulnerable families.
Effects of sample handling, processing, storage, and hemolysis on measurements of key energy metabolites in ovine blood

Abstract Four experiments were conducted using mature Suffolk ewes to evaluate the effects of blood sample handling, processing and storage on measurements of the energy metabolites, β-hydroxybutyrate, total cholesterol, glucose, l -lactate, nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA), and triacylglycerol. In experiment 1 the effects of anticoagulants on metabolite measurements and packed-cell volume (PCV) were evaluated. Blood samples (n=12) were collected into one of four evacuated blood-collecting tubes: no anticoagulant (SER; yields serum), and plasma-yielding sodium heparin (HEP), sodium fluoride and potassium oxalate (NAF), and tripotassium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (K3EDTA). Anticoagulant affected (P l -lactate highest in SER, and glucose highest in HEP; NEFA and β-hydroxybutyrate measurements were not affected (P>0.10) by anticoagulant. In addition, among the plasma-yielding tubes, PCV was highest in HEP and lowest in NAF (P l -lactate increased (P l -lactate, NEFA, total cholesterol and β-hydroxybutyrate were higher in SER (P l -lactate, and NEFA increased, whereas β-hydroxybutyrate decreased with days in storage (P
Student Health Policies of U.S. Medical Schools.

BACKGROUND: Medical students are at risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens, yet few data are available about U.S. medical schools' policies to protect students. METHOD: A cross-sectional survey of the student affairs deans at the 126 U.S. medical schools was conducted in May 1994. A confidential questionnaire inquired about policies regarding vaccination for hepatitis B virus (HBV), blood and body-fluid exposures, universal precautions training, and health and disability insurance for students. RESULTS: A total of 108 (86%) of the schools participated in the survey. Most (99, 92%) required either HBV vaccination, evidence of immunity, or a signed waiver refusing vaccination. Nearly all (94, 87%) required health insurance, and almost all (101, 94%) offered a plan (at a mean cost of $690 annually), but fewer schools (69, 64%) offered disability insurance. The schools frequently held students responsible for the costs of HBV vaccination (73, 68%), postexposure serologic testing (22, 20%), and treatment of training-related medical problems (43, 40%). CONCLUSION: Most medical schools comply with current recommendations for preventing training-related exposures to bloodborne pathogens, illness, and injury, but students face a substantial financial responsibility for these services at a time when many have large debts. Many schools do not have disability insurance readily available for students. Medical schools should review their student health policies to protect students adequately.
ON A SYSTEM OF SEMILINEAR ELLIPTIC EQUATIONS ARISING IN PHYSICAL OCEANOGRAPHY

In this paper we study a mathematical model which arises in thermocline theory in physical oceanography. The thermocline theory is to explain the phenomenon of the strong, vertical density gradient in a relatively shallow layer of water where the transition occurs from the ocean’s surface temperature to the colder, more uniform waters of the abyss. The governing equations used here are carefully suggested by physical oceanographers. We establish the existence of solutions by a modification of Banach fixed point theorem subject to the boundary conditions which reflect physical situations.
Relationship of selenium concentrations in blood of calves to blood selenium of the dam and supplemental selenium.

Selenium status of dam, injected Se, and dietary Ca on calf blood Se concentrations were determined in two trials. Blood was collected from heifer calf and dam pairs at parturition. Half of the calves were injected intramuscularly with .0825 mg Se/kg body weight at birth while the other half received no Se injections. The concentration of Se in the blood of the dam had a significant effect on blood Se of calves at wk 0, 1, and 3, whereas injected Se did not significantly affect blood Se concentrations in the calf until wk 10. In a separate trial, whole blood and plasma Se were significantly correlated at birth in calves, but plasma Se was only about one-third the concentration of whole blood. The concentration of dietary Ca in the calf starter did not significantly affect blood Se, but a quadratic relationship was suggested. Plasma Zn in calves was elevated at birth and then declined with age whereas plasma inorganic P increased with age. Early postnatal concentrations of Se in blood of calves are largely a function of the dam; thus, in areas of low Se intakes, Se supplements for the dam are important.
Going global: building a foundation for global health promotion research to practice.

Global health promotion is now becoming an integral part of foreign policy of many countries. Health Promotion Practice has always kept pace with changes in the field of health education and promot...
Racism and Heterosexism as Correlates of Psychological Distress in African American Sexual Minority Women

ABSTRACT This study examined the relations between experiences of racism and heterosexism, both external and internalized, and African American sexual minority women's psychological distress. Results indicated that racist events, heterosexist events, and internalized heterosexism each correlated positively with psychological distress; however, when examined together, only racist events and internalized heterosexism accounted for unique variance. Furthermore, internalized racism, the interaction of racist events and heterosexist events, and the interaction of internalized racism and internalized heterosexism did not predict psychological distress. The findings supported a “complex additive” multicultural-feminist oppression perspective.
Toward the prediction of mood change

This analogue study tested the hypothesis that depressed mood may be predicted from the effects of a response-defined variable, frequency of self-reinforcement, and the rate of environmentally controlled reinforcement. Eighty under-graduates identified as exhibiting either a high or low frequency of self-reinforcement performed a 20-item anagrams task during which their responses were reinforced by the experimenter on 20% of the items, 80% of the iterms, 20% of the first 10 items and 80% of the second 10 items, or 80% of the first 10 items and 20% of the second 10 items. Subjects exhibiting a low frequency of self-reinforcement reported a greater increase in depressed mood following a decrease in environmental reinforcement than individuals exhibiting a high frequency of self-reinforcement.
Outcome of dogs with high-grade soft tissue sarcomas treated with and without adjuvant doxorubicin chemotherapy: 39 cases (1996-2004).

Objective To examine the effect of adjuvant doxorubicin chemotherapy on outcome in dogs with high-grade (grade 3) soft tissue sarcomas (HGSTSs). Design Retrospective case series. Animals 39 dogs. Procedures Medical records of dogs with HGSTSs were reviewed. Dogs treated with surgery alone or receiving single-agent doxorubicin chemotherapy postoperatively were included in the study. Owners and referring veterinarians were contacted for follow-up information. Slides from histologic sections were reviewed to confirm the diagnosis of HGSTSs. Cases in which follow-up examination was not performed and radiation therapy or chemotherapy other than doxorubicin was administered were excluded. Results 39 dogs met inclusion criteria. Twenty-one dogs received adjuvant doxorubicin. Tumor-, patient-, and treatment-related variables were not significantly associated with measured outcomes including local, metastatic, and overall disease-free intervals as well as survival time. Overall median disease-free interval was 724 days with a median survival time of 856 days for all dogs. Conclusions and clinical relevance Adjuvant doxorubicin-based chemotherapy did not benefit this population of dogs with HGSTSs. Outcome for visceral HGSTSs was similar to that of nonvisceral HGSTSs in these cases.
Stomatal and Nonstomatal Components to Inhibition of Photosynthesis in Leaves of Capsicum annuum during Progressive Exposure to NaCl Salinity

Young bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) plants grown in nutrient solution were gradually acclimated to 50, 100, or 150 moles per cubic meter NaCl, and photosynthetic rates of individual attached leaves were measured on several occasions during the salinization period at external CO(2) concentrations ranging from approximately 70 to 1900 micromoles per mole air. Net CO(2) assimilation (A) was plotted against computed leaf internal CO(2) concentration (C(i)), and the initial slope of this A-C(i) curve was used as a measure of photosynthetic ability. During the 10 to 14 days after salinization began, leaves from plants exposed to 50 moles per cubic meter NaCl showed little change in photosynthetic ability, whereas those treated to 100 or 150 moles per cubic meter NaCl had up to 85% inhibition, with increase in CO(2) compensation point. Leaves appeared healthy, and leaf chlorophyll content showed only a 14% reduction at the highest salinity levels. Partial stomatal closure occurred with salinization, but reductions in photosynthesis were primarily nonstomatal in origin. Photosynthetic ability was inversely related to the concentration of either Na(+) or Cl(-) in the leaf laminas sampled at the end of the experimental period. However, the concentration of Cl(-) expressed on a tissue water basis was greater, exceeding 300 moles per cubic meter, and Cl(-) was more closely associated (R(2) = 0.926) with the inhibition of photosynthetic ability. Leaf turgor was not reduced by salinization and leaf osmotic potential decreased to a slightly greater extent than the osmotic potential decreases of the nutrient solutions. Concentration of accumulated Na(+) and Cl(-) (on a tissue water basis) accounted quantitatively for maintenance of leaf osmotic balance, assuming that these ions were sequestered in the vacuoles.
An efficient, high-order probabilistic collocation method on sparse grids for three-dimensional flow and solute transport in randomly heterogeneous porous media

Abstract In this study, a probabilistic collocation method (PCM) on sparse grids is used to solve stochastic equations describing flow and transport in three-dimensional, saturated, randomly heterogeneous porous media. The Karhunen–Loeve decomposition is used to represent log hydraulic conductivity Y = ln K s . The hydraulic head h and average pore-velocity v are obtained by solving the continuity equation coupled with Darcy’s law with random hydraulic conductivity field. The concentration is computed by solving a stochastic advection–dispersion equation with stochastic average pore-velocity v computed from Darcy’s law. The PCM approach is an extension of the generalized polynomial chaos (gPC) that couples gPC with probabilistic collocation. By using sparse grid points in sample space rather than standard grids based on full tensor products, the PCM approach becomes much more efficient when applied to random processes with a large number of random dimensions. Monte Carlo (MC) simulations have also been conducted to verify accuracy of the PCM approach and to demonstrate that the PCM approach is computationally more efficient than MC simulations. The numerical examples demonstrate that the PCM approach on sparse grids can efficiently simulate solute transport in randomly heterogeneous porous media with large variances.
β-Blockers Before Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Do Not Attenuate Postprocedural Creatine Kinase Isoenzyme Rise

Background β-blocker (BB) use reduces infarct size in spontaneously occurring nonreperfused infarcts but probably does not change infarct size in patients treated with reperfusion therapy. A recent observational study suggested that BB use concurrent with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) decreased the risk of creatine kinase (CK)-MB elevation. The cogency of such a conclusion is dependent on the ability to risk-adjust for the multiple differences in patients treated with and without BBs. Methods and Results Using propensity score and multivariate regression analyses, 6200 consecutive patients were analyzed to assess the relationship between BB use before PCI and per protocol-measured CK and CK-MB rise. There were several highly significant (P<0.001) differences between patients with and without BB treatment (eg, age, prior infarction, unstable angina). Maximum CK and CK-MB levels were higher in patients taking BBs (CK median, 95 U [interquartile range: 61, 175]; CK-MB, 3 U [2, 5]) than in patients...
How to grow a synapse.

Activity-dependent alterations in the strength of an individual glutamatergic synapse are often accompanied by changes in the size and shape of the postsynaptic terminal. Two studies in this issue of Neuron, Meyer et al. (2014) and Bosch et al. (2014), shed new light on the mechanisms and signaling pathways underlying structural long-term potentiation.
Equilibrium point trajectory for goal-directed fast movements using a novel second-order mass-spring-damping model

The second-order mass-spring-damping (KBI) model has traditionally been used to represent the dynamic properties of the musculoskeletal system. However, it has been proposed this model does not adequately represent all the properties within this system, which is at least third-order. In this paper, we propose a viewpoint the dynamics of passive movement and active movement can be represented by two separate second-order KBI models. To explore this idea, we use the original KBI model (named P-KBI model in this paper) set forth by Gomi and colleagues to fit the dynamic responses of small perturbations (passive movements), and introduce a novel KBI model (A-KBI model) to reconstruct equilibrium point (EP) trajectories from actual movement trajectories (active movements). These models are subsequently implemented to simulate single-joint and double-joint fast movement. The results show “simple” EP trajectories obtained from a second-order mass-spring-damping model (A-KBI) are feasible for fast goal-directed single-joint movement as well as double-joint movement, with “simple” EP trajectories varying as a function of the accuracy requirements.
Superplastic deformation of the Pb-Sn eutectic

Dynamic observations of grain-boundary sliding during superplastic flow of the Pb-Sn eutectic are reported. These observations confirm the postulate that the dominant deformation mode during superplastic flow is grain-boundary sliding with localized deformation necessary to maintain grain coherency. Extensive grain-boundary sliding is also observed when the strain-rate and/or grain size is outside the superplastic flow regime. Stress relaxation tests were also carried out on the Pb-Sn eutectic. These tests provide data on the activation energy (45±5 kJ mol−1), grain-size dependence (d−3), and stress dependence of superplastic flow in this alloy. A threshold stress of 1.3×106N m−2 for the onset of superplastic deformation is also observed.
Ionic conductivity in low carnegieite compositions based on NaAlSiO4

Abstract Carnegieite compositions of the type Na 1+x Al 1+x Si 1−x O 4 with x = 0 to ∼0.7 were prepared. Na ion conductivities, measured with Na and Au electrodes at ∼10 3 Hz, range from 4×10 −5 (Ω- cm ) −1 for NaAlSiO 4 to 5×10 −3 (Ω- cm ) −1 at 300 C for Na 1.7 Al 1.7 Si 0.3 O 4 . Substitutions of Li, K, Ca, or Sr for Na lowered σ whereas substitution of Ti for Si raised σ. Na aluminum silicates with the nepheline structure had lower σ than carnegieite compositions.
Dietary restriction enhances neurotrophin expression and neurogenesis in the hippocampus of adult mice

The adult brain contains small populations of neural precursor cells (NPC) that can give rise to new neurons and glia, and may play important roles in learning and memory, and recovery from injury. Growth factors can influence the proliferation, differentiation and survival of NPC, and may mediate responses of NPC to injury and environmental stimuli such as enriched environments and physical activity. We now report that neurotrophin expression and neurogenesis can be modified by a change in diet. When adult mice are maintained on a dietary restriction (DR) feeding regimen, numbers of newly generated cells in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus are increased, apparently as the result of increased cell survival. The new cells exhibit phenotypes of neurons and astrocytes. Levels of expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) are increased by DR, while levels of expression of high-affinity receptors for these neurotrophins (trkB and trkC) are unchanged. In addition, DR increases the ratio of full-length trkB to truncated trkB in the hippocampus. The ability of a change in diet to stimulate neurotrophin expression and enhance neurogenesis has important implications for dietary modification of neuroplasticity and responses of the brain to injury and disease.
An expansion of the ev system.

Expansion of additive value system to include filter factors and transmittance for high brightness electronic flash photography
THE RAT'S ADJUSTMENT TO REPEATED EXPOSURE TO 72-HOUR FOOD DEPRIVATION

The rat's adjustment to repeated cycles of food deprivation is generally characterized by increases in food intake over successive periods of restricted feeding. These increases in intake eventually lead to the cessation of further cumulative weight losses, and a gradual recovery of the body weight lost during previous deprivations typic~lly occurs. In an effort to provide additional quantification of the motivation resulting from repeated cycles of food deprivacion, many investigators (e.g., Reid & Finger, 1955, F~nger, Reid, & Weasner, 1957) have recorded measures of general activity durrng cyclic deprivacion, only to find, however, that the activity response is spuriously increased by the reinforcing effects of the ingestion which takes place during the regularly schedi~led feeding periods characteristic of these maintenance schedules. In addition to the reinforcing effects that periodic ingestion may have on wheel running during cyclic deprivation, it has been shown that a previous history of reinforcement of the wheel-running response under mild food deprivacion greatly increases the amount of wheel running which occurs under more severe deprivation (Finger, Reid, & Weasner, 1960). These smdies raise the question as to how much of the response to deprivation with increased activity is attributable to the establishment of reinforcement contingencies between activity and ingestion. Recently, Wright (1965) has reported findings which suggested that opportunity for reinforcement of the wheel-running response by ingestion may have a greater enhancing effect on wheel running than does level of deprivation. This study further re
Traumatic life events in individuals with hoarding symptoms, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, and comorbid obsessive-compulsive and hoarding symptoms

Abstract Individuals with OCD or hoarding symptoms frequently report experiencing traumas and traumatic events may be a risk factor for anxiety and mood disorders; however, little research has compared rates of specific traumas in those with OCD symptoms alone, hoarding symptoms alone, or comorbid OCD and hoarding symptoms. Participants were individuals with elevated OCD symptoms, hoarding symptoms, or both, who completed online questionnaires about types of traumatic events and the temporal association of traumas and symptom onset. Results indicated that hoarding severity was positively associated with the number of traumatic events that occurred prior to symptom onset, supporting the notion of cumulative trauma in hoarding. Those with hoarding alone also had higher rates of physical assault and transportation accidents prior to symptom onset than those with OCD symptoms alone. Finally, those with hoarding and OCD symptoms reported higher rates of sexual assault prior to symptom onset than those with OCD alone. There were no differences between groups on traumatic events after symptom onset. This suggests that there may be an important association between hoarding and certain traumatic events prior to symptom onset.
OCCURRENCE OF ORNITHOSIS IN THE WOOD PIGEON.

THE free-living wild birds of Britain have not been examined extensively for members of the psittacosis lymphogranuloma venereum group. Apart from domestic pigeons living free in the cities, only herring gulls on Skomer Island have been incriminated definitely but there is also some serological evidence for infection in lesser black-backed gulls on the same Island1.
Facilitating online discussions effectively

Abstract This article presents a synthesis of the theoretical and research literature on facilitating asynchronous online discussions effectively. Online courses need to be designed so that they provide motivation for students to engage in productive discussions and clearly describe what is expected, perhaps in the form of a discussion rubric. Additionally, instructors need to provide discussion forums for socio-emotional discussions that have the goal of nurturing a strong sense of community within the course as well as group discussion forums for content-and task-oriented discussions that center on authentic topics. In order to facilitate discussions effectively, instructors should generate a social presence in the virtual classroom, avoid becoming the center of all discussions by emphasizing student–student interactions, and attend to issues of social equity arising from use of different communication patterns by culturally diverse students [e.g., Garrison, D. R., Anderson, T., and Archer, W. (2001). Critical thinking, cognitive presence, and computer conferencing in distance education. The American Journal of Distance Education, 15(1), 7–23; Rovai, A. P. (2003). Strategies for grading online discussions: Effects on discussions and classroom community in Internet-based university courses. Journal of Computing in Higher Education, 15(1), 89–107].
Narrative synthesis of equine-assisted psychotherapy literature: Current knowledge and future research directions

Equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP) is an innovative emerging approach to mental health treatment. This narrative synthesis explores the current state of knowledge and areas for future research in EAP. Specifically reviewed are qualitative and quantitative empirical studies, including both articles published in peer-reviewed journals and research presented in theses and dissertations. We selected 24 studies for final inclusion in this study, dating between 2005 and 2013, and including the first EAP empirical research completed in 2005. Four of these studies are peer-reviewed journal articles, while 20 are master's theses or doctoral dissertations. The reviewed qualitative research provides initial evidence for the value of EAP for enhancing adolescents' communication and relationship skills. The reviewed experimental and quasi-experimental research provides initial evidence for the value of EAP for enhancing children's and adolescents' emotional, social and behavioural functioning. Yet, conclusions about the effectiveness of EAP must still be considered preliminary due to various methodological limitations in the reviewed research. The narrative review describes these methodological limitations and concludes with recommendations for future research.
Making the Human Development Index (HDI) gender-sensitive.

The Human Development Index (HDI) has become a widely used measure for understanding patterns of socio-economic development. This article argues that it could be greatly improved by incorporating sex-disaggregated data, to reveal the different socio-economic contributions and situations of men and women within each country. This article is hosted by our co-publisher Taylor & Francis. For the full table of contents for this and previous issues of this journal, please visit the Gender and Development website.
The application of the copper oxide-alumina catalyst for air pollution control

The catalytic combustion of 1-hexene present in diluent nitrogen in the concentrations of 1170 p.p.m. and 3000 p.p.m. by excess oxygen, has been studied in the presence of the CuO-Al2O3 (1:1) catalyst in the temperature range 242° to 424°C. and gas space velocity in the range 4000–16,000 hr.−1. The experimental data on the kinetics of the reaction were found to fit an empirical half-order law with respect to the 1-hexene concentration. The presence of water vapor in the reactants was found to have no effect on the efficiency of the catalyst at temperatures higher than 400°C. The above results were similar to those obtained for the catalytic oxidation of n-hexane studied earlier. The possible use of the above copper oxide-alumina catalyst for the simultaneous removal of hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide present in the auto exhaust gases has been tested, making use of a 1955 six-cylinder Chevrolet engine run on leaded gasoline fuel. The hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide concentrations encountered in these studies varied in the range 170–16,000 p.p.m. and 1–7% respectively. It was found that the minimum initial temperature of the catalyst bed required for the complete removal of both hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide, simultaneously, was 226°C. under no load condition, 342°C. under an engine load of 2.5 h.p., 400°C. under an engine load of 5.1 h.p. or higher, and 236°C. under deceleration conditions. The catalyst showed no deterioration in performance even after 100 hours of continuous service in conjunction with the above auto exhaust gases.
Biomass and growth potential of Eucalyptus regnans up to 100m tall

Abstract Predicting tree biomass and growth increments via allometric equations is routine in forestry, but this approach is problematic in old-growth forests unless equations are derived from trees spanning the full size range. Using intensive measurements of 27 standing Eucalyptus regnans trees 61.1–99.8 m tall and 80–430 years old in Tasmania, Victoria, and New Zealand, we develop allometric equations to predict aboveground attributes, including biomass and annual growth increments, of trees >60 m tall using ground-based measurements. Power functions of diameter underestimate biomass growth increments unless measurements are made above buttressing on the lower trunk. Growth anomalies apparent in several trees suggest that wounded E. regnans expend considerable energy to outgrow decay fungi and prevent structural collapse. Despite declining growth efficiency – defined as biomass growth per unit mass of photosynthetic tissues – with increasing tree size and age, biomass growth increments of E. regnans increase as trees enlarge with age until extrinsic forces cause mortality. The largest living E. regnans has an aboveground biomass of 215 Mg and a growth increment of 0.784 Mg year−1, not accounting for mass loss due to decay. An even larger E. regnans tree – killed by fire in 2003 – had an aboveground biomass of ∼270 Mg, an estimated growth increment of ∼1 Mg year−1, and was ∼480 years old at the end of its life. Prior to a stand-replacing fire in 2009, Australia’s tallest forest had a maximum aboveground biomass of 1504 Mg ha−1 and a maximum aboveground carbon mass of 706 Mg ha−1.
A shared inhibitory circuit for both exogenous and endogenous control of stimulus selection

The mechanisms by which the brain suppresses distracting stimuli to control the locus of attention are unknown. We found that focal, reversible inactivation of a single inhibitory circuit in the barn owl midbrain tegmentum, the nucleus isthmi pars magnocellularis (Imc), abolished both stimulus-driven (exogenous) and internally driven (endogenous) competitive interactions in the optic tectum (superior colliculus in mammals), which are vital to the selection of a target among distractors in behaving animals. Imc neurons transformed spatially precise multisensory and endogenous input into powerful inhibitory output that suppressed competing representations across the entire tectal space map. We identified a small, but highly potent, circuit that is employed by both exogenous and endogenous signals to exert competitive suppression in the midbrain selection network. Our findings reveal, to the best of our knowledge, for the first time, a neural mechanism for the construction of a priority map that is critical for the selection of the most important stimulus for gaze and attention.