cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Executive functioning, emotion regulation, eating self-regulation, and weight status in low-income preschool children: How do they relate? ☆

The purpose of the present study was to examine relationships between child eating self-regulation, child non-eating self-regulation, and child BMIz in a low-income sample of Hispanic families with preschoolers. The eating in the absence of hunger task as well as parent-report of child satiety responsiveness and food responsiveness were used to assess child eating self-regulation. Two laboratory tasks assessing executive functioning, a parent questionnaire assessing child effortful control (a temperament dimension related to executive functioning), and the delay of gratification and gift delay tasks assessing child emotion regulation were used to assess child non-eating self-regulation. Bivariate correlations were run among all variables in the study. Hierarchical linear regression analyses assessed: (1) child eating self-regulation associations with the demographic, executive functioning, effortful control, and emotion regulation measures; and (2) child BMI z-score associations with executive functioning, effortful control, emotion regulation measures, and eating self-regulation measures. Within child eating self-regulation, only the two parent-report measures were related. Low to moderate positive correlations were found between measures of executive functioning, effortful control, and emotion regulation. Only three relationships were found between child eating self-regulation and other forms of child self-regulation: eating in the absence of hunger was positively associated with delay of gratification, and poor regulation on the gift delay task was associated positively with maternal reports of food responsiveness and negatively with parent-reports of satiety responsiveness. Regression analyses showed that child eating self-regulation was associated with child BMIz but other forms of child self-regulation were not. Implications for understanding the role of self-regulation in the development of child obesity are discussed.
Multilevel decomposition based nondeterministic design optimization for structural systems

The paper presents a methodology for nondeterministic design optimization of hierarchically coupled structural systems. Deterministic multilevel decomposition-based design formulations for such systems have been modified to incorporate the presence of uncertainty in both the problem parameters, and in design variables at various levels of a multilevel hierarchical system. These formulations not only allow for robust design solution strategies, but also provide a mechanism for tracking the propagation of uncertainty in such hierarchical systems. For uncertain design variables distributed across several subsystems, an iterative problem formulation is proposed. A widely used numerical example based on the design of a portal frame is used to illustrate the problem complexities in this class of design problems, and to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed solution techniques.
Implementation of a declarative state-transition system

A declarative programming style is claimed to have significant advantages from a software engineering point of view. However, these benefits cannot generally be realized when writing programs that are concerned with changing state, such as environments and programming tools. Declarative state-transition (DST) systems have been proposed as a solution to this problem. In DST systems, computation and update are separated. Programs are interpreted as defining functions or relations over states, and update follows successful computation of new states. Support for persistent state and atomic, serializable transactions facilitates the implementation of programming environments and tools. This paper describes an implementation scheme for DST systems. The scheme is illustrated by a presentation of the implementation of PPS, a DST system for parallel logic programming.
Putative CSF protein biomarker candidates for amnestic mild cognitive impairment

The identification of individuals at risk for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is essential for the timely administration of treatment approaches aimed at slowing the onset or progression of the disease. As amnestic forms of mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) may represent preclinical AD, the search for specific diagnostic biomarkers that characterize those with aMCI is a key research objective. Using surface enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SELDITOF-MS), we screened the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of Religious Orders Study participants with a clinical diagnosis of no cognitive impairment (NCI), aMCI, or mild/moderate AD for potential biomarkers. CSF was fractionated on immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) protein arrays preloaded with either gallium (IMAC-Ga), which binds phosphoproteins, or copper (IMAC-Cu) to isolate copper-binding proteins. SELDI TOF-MS analysis of the IMAC-Ga arrays revealed a phosphopeptide of 2490 Da that was selectively increased ∼2-fold in aMCI and AD CSF compared to NCI. SELDI TOF-MS analysis of the IMAC-Cu arrays identified 2 proteins of 11.7 and 13.3 kDa that were both selectively increased ∼1.5–1.6-fold in aMCI and AD CSF. Increasing levels of each protein were associated with poorer performance on the Mini Mental State Exam and higher Braak stage. Hence, increased CSF levels of these proteins may be potential biomarkers for preclinical AD and aid in the development of a CSF biomarker panel with high predictive value for identifying people who would most benefit from early therapeutic interventions to modify disease progression.
Discontinuous Galerkin Methods for Compressible DNS

A discontinuous Galerkin (DG) method is formulated, implemented, and tested for simulation of compressible turbulent flows. The method is applied to a range of test problems including steady and unsteady flow over a circular cylinder, inviscid flow over an inclined ellipse, and fully developed turbulent flow in a planar channel. In all cases, local hp-refinement is utilized to obtain high quality solutions with fewer degrees of freedom than traditional numerical methods. The formulation and validation cases presented here lay the foundation for future applications of DG for simulation of compressible turbulent flows in complex geometries.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Double cyclization of aminophosphonoacetate derived β- hydroxyacids to bicyclic β-lactams

Abstract The carbon framework for carbapenems was constructed by an asymmetric aldol condensation and subsequent direct coupling of the resulting β-hydroxy acid equivalent with an aminophosphonoacetate. Cyclization to the monocyclic β-lactam 20 was followed by oxidative elaboration to the penultimate aldehyde 22 which was converted to carbapenem 23 by an intramolecular version of a Horner-Emmons cyclization.
Alternating chemotherapy and irradiation in the treatment of advanced Hodgkin's disease

From July 1974 through April 1977, 25 patients with stage IIIB or IIIsB Hodgkin's disease were entered into a prospective trial to assess the efficacy of a new combined modality treatment program. Patients received either MOP(P) (nitrogen mustard, vincristine, procarbazine and prednisone) or PAVe (procarbazine, 1-phenylalanine mustard and vinblastine). The radiation fields were total lymphoid (mantle and inverted Y) and the usual dose was 4000-4400 rad. Patients initially were treated in a split course fashion with six drug cycles sandwiched around total lymphoid irradiation. In order to minimize the length of time that patients were without systemic therapy and to maximize the doses of chemotherapy that could be administered, an alternating approach was subsequently adopted. With this technique, the total lymphoid fields were divided into three regions and treatment to each was alternated with 2 cycles of chemotherapy until the entire program was complete. The duration of therapy ranged from nine to eighteen months. Patients in the split course group received an average of 65% of their calculated total drug doses and those in the alternating group received an average of 76.5%. The primary complication was hematologic, with mean lowest recorded white cell count of 2,200/mm3 and platelet count of 101,000/mm.3 Twenty-two of 25 patients achieved an initial complete remission and twenty remain free of disease with a median follow-up interval of 28 months. Actuarial survival for the entire group including a patient who died prior to the institution of therapy, is 84%, while for those who achieved a complete remission it is 100%. Figures for freedom-from-relapse in the same groups are 79% and 90%, respectively. These results are compared to our previous experience using total lymphoid irradiation alone and total lymphoid irradiation followed by adjuvant MOP(P) chemotherapy. The alternating technique for combining chemotherapy and irradiation is feasible and provides a model for combined modality therapy in patients with other malignancies. Cancer 43:472–481, 1979.
Changing climate alters inputs and pathways of mercury deposition to forested ecosystems

Although land cover and meteorological conditions are known to impact mercury (Hg) deposition processes, few studies have addressed how changes in forest cover and shifting climatic conditions will impact the Hg cycle. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of forest type (hardwood vs. conifer) and meteorological variation on atmospheric Hg deposition in two forest stands in Huntington Wildlife Forest in upstate New York, USA. Mercury deposition associated with litterfall was similar between the hardwood and conifer stands, but total Hg deposition was greater in the coniferous stand due to larger throughfall Hg. Soil evasion losses of Hg were significantly higher in the hardwood plot. Although Hg deposition was greater and evasion losses were lower in the conifer plot, soil Hg pools were smaller than in the hardwood plot. Annual variability in meteorological conditions was substantial between 2009 and 2010, and changes in Hg deposition over this period appear to be related to variation in temperature and precipitation quantity. The results from this study suggest that projected increases in temperature and precipitation in the northeastern United States could alter Hg deposition and availability by decreasing litterfall Hg inputs and increasing throughfall Hg inputs.
Internal and External Morphology of Tubular and Spheroidal Halloysite Particles

Tubular halloysite from Wagon Wheel Gap, Colorado and spheroidal halloysite from Redwood County, Minnesota were examined by transmission electron microscopy. Clay samples were prepared by the following techniques: drop-mounted suspension on carbon support films; thin sections of clay in Araldite epoxy resin; and carbon-platinum-palladium single-stage replicas. Both types of dehydrated halloysite have interlayer separations between packets of layers. Halloysite tubes are composed of packets as thin as five layers which sometimes reveal a rolled interior configuration in cross-sectional view. Thicker tubes are composed of many layers per packet. Some large tubes appear in cross section as folded packets of layers. The interior morphology of spheroidal halloysite particles is more irregular and the layer structure is more discontinuous than in most tubes. The spheroidal halloysite of this study is characterized by external tangential plates with hexagonal shape suggestive of kaolinite.
Elucidation of the Na+, K+-ATPase digitalis binding site.

Abstract Despite controversy over their use and the potential for toxic side effects, cardiac glycosides have remained an important clinical component for the treatment for congestive heart failure (CHF) and supraventricular arrhythmias since the effects of Digitalis purpurea were first described in 1785. While there is a wealth of information available with regard to the effects of these drugs on their pharmacological receptor, the Na + , K + -ATPase, the exact molecular mechanism of digitalis binding and inhibition of the enzyme has remained elusive. In particular, the absence of structural knowledge about Na + , K + -ATPase has thwarted the development of improved therapeutic agents with larger therapeutic indices via rational drug design approaches. Here, we propose a binding mode for digoxin and several analogues to the Na + , K + -ATPase. A 3D-structural model of the extracellular loop regions of the catalytic α1-subunit of the digitalis-sensitive sheep Na + , K + -ATPase was constructed from the crystal structure of an E 1 Ca 2+ conformation of the SERCA1a and a consensus orientation for digitalis binding was inferred from the in silico docking of a series of steroid-based cardiotonic compounds. Analyses of species-specific enzyme affinities for ouabain were also used to validate the model and, for the first time, propose a detailed model of the digitalis binding site.
PROBLEMS OF INTENSE MAGNETIC FIELD IN GRAVITATIONAL COLLAPSE.

Electron Dirac and Schwinger magnetic moments behavior in magnetic fields during gravitational collapse, discussing electron pair creation effects
The effect of cold exposure on liver mitochondrial and peroxisomal distribution in the rat, hamster and bat

Abstract o 1. Liver mitochondrial number and size and peroxisomal number were compared in: control and cold-acclimated rats; control and hibernating hamsters; control, torpid and aroused bats. 2. In the rodents, cold exposure led to increased mitochondrial number, peroxisomal number, and total amount of liver mitochondrial material (calculated as mitochondrial number times size). 3. In the bat, cold exposure yielded more, but smaller mitochondria with no increased total mitochondrial material. Additionally, peroxisomal numbers decreased. 4. The increased rodent mitochondrial material may reflect an enhanced thermogenic potential resulting from increased metabolic machinery, while the peroxisomal increase supports their proposed calorigenic function. However, peroxisomal thermogenesis remains to be quantitatively evaluated.
Can Single-Kidney Glomerular Filtration Rate Be Determined with Contrast-enhanced CT?

Daghini et al used a pig model to estimate single-kidney GFR with dynamic contrast-enhanced CT scanning. Three techniques were evaluated, two of which (the modified Patlak method and the gamma variate model) yielded GFR estimates that correlated significantly with determinations made by using standard inulin clearance techniques. The findings hold promise that noninvasive in vivo assessment of single-kidney renal function may be achieved in patients.
Ultrathin film assembly of sulfobetaine-stabilized palladium nanoparticles investigated by photoemission spectroscopy

Thin films of sulfobetaine-stabilized palladium nanoparticles on a gold surface were prepared by evaporation of their colloidal water solution and investigated by ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy. The photoemission from the thin films was found to be dominated entirely by the surfactant molecules. No photoemission from the gold substrate was observed; these facts strongly suggest the formation of uniform (hole-free) thin films of the surfactant-stabilized nanoparticles. Additional investigation of structural degradation using neon-ion sputtering also supports the film condition.
Monovalent cation conductance in liposomes induced by ionophore A23187.

In the absence of divalent cations, ionophore A23187 supports low rates of monovalent cations loss (Na+>K+) from unilamellar liposomes containing the sulfate salts. Monovalent cation efflux is optimal when a pH gradient (interior alkaline) is applied. The maximum observed rate of 0.56 ngion K+·min−1·nmole−1 A23187 is insufficient to account for the rates of K+ efflux induced by the ionophore in mitochondria (150 ngion K+·min−1·nmole−1 A23187). These studies therefore support the concept that A23187 induces loss of K+ from mitochondria by removal of regulating divalent cations from an endogenous K+/H+ exchanger.
Ocean Science Video Challenge Aims to Improve Science Communication

Given today's enormous management and protection challenges related to the world's oceans, a new competition calls on ocean scientists to effectively communicate their research in videos that last up to 3 minutes. The Ocean 180 Video Challenge, named for the number of seconds in 3 minutes, aims to improve ocean science communication while providing high school and middle school teachers and students with new and interesting educational materials about current science topics.
OxyContin® as currency: OxyContin® use and increased social capital among rural Appalachian drug users

Studies have shown that position within networks of social relations can have direct implications on the health behaviors of individuals. The present study examines connections between drug use and individual social capital within social networks of drug users (n = 503) from rural Appalachian Kentucky, U.S.A. Respondent driven sampling was used to recruit individuals age 18 and older who had used one of the following drugs to get high: cocaine, crack, heroin, methamphetamine, or prescription opioids. Substance use was measured via self-report and social network analysis of participants' drug use network was used to compute effective size, a measure of social capital. Drug network ties were based on sociometric data on recent (past 6 month) drug co-usage. Multivariate multi-level ordinal regression was used to model the independent effect of socio-demographic and drug use characteristics on social capital. Adjusting for gender, income, and education, daily OxyContin(®) use was found to be significantly associated with greater social capital, and daily marijuana use was associated with less social capital. These results suggest that in regions with marked economic disparities such as rural Appalachia, OxyContin(®) may serve as a form of currency that is associated with increased social capital among drug users. Interventions focusing on increasing alternate pathways to acquiring social capital may be one way in which to alleviate the burden of drug use in this high-risk population.
Evidence that translocation of protein kinase C is a key event during ischemic preconditioning of rabbit myocardium.

Abstract We used three interventions to test critically the theory that ischemic preconditioning is the result of translocation of cytosolic protein kinase C (PKC) into the membranes where it can be activated. If that theory were true then kinase activity should not be necessary during the preconditioning ischemia and thus blocking kinase activity at this time should not block protection. Secondly, since most translocation processes in the cell are accomplished by cytoskeletal microtubules, disrupting them with colchicine should also block protection from preconditioning. Finally, translocating PKC by transient exposure to PMA, should still require adenosine receptor activation to reactivate the PKC pathway during the subsequent ischemia. Blocking kinase activity with staurosporine during a 30 min insult completely blocks protection in preconditioned hearts but when staurosporine treatment was confined to the preconditioning episode protection was not blocked in five of the eight hearts studied. Microtubule disruption with colchicine did block the protective effect of preconditioning (38.3±1.9% infarction v 40.6±4.1% in non-preconditioned). Colchicine had no effect on infarct size in the non-preconditioned group. Five min PMA treatment plus 10 min washout significantly limited infarct size in isolated rabbit hearts subjected to 30 min regional ischemia (5.9±1.1% v 31±3.5% infarction in control). PMA's protection was blocked by adding the adenosine receptor blocker. SPT, during the sustained ischemia (38.1 ± 6.1% infarction). All three of these experiments strongly support the translocation theory of ischemic preconditioning.
Oxygen nonstoichiometry in copper-oxide based superconductors and related systems: Structure of nonsuperconducting Bi2Sr3−xYxCu2O8+y (x≈0.6–1.0)

Abstract Structural refinements of the new compounds Bi 2 Sr 3− x Y x Cu 2 O 8+ y in the range of x that gives insulating rather than superconducting behaviour ( x ≈0.6 and 1.0) have been obtained from single crystal X-ray and neutron powder diffraction data. Results indicate oxygen nonstoichiometry and suggest condensation into pairs or chains of the BiO atoms along the a axis in the BiO double layers. Chain-like formation can be found between the copper-oxygen sheets of all the orthorhombic superconductors including La 2 CuO 4 . XANES studies show that the oxidation state of copper (Cu 2+ is not affected by yttrium substitution for strontium. The mechanism of charge compensation appears to involve the insertion of oxygen, over the ideal O 8 composition, in (rather than between) the BiO sheets. These materials are orthorhombic and the lattice parameters for the subcell of the x ≈0.6 material are a =5.467(3), b =5.4407(6), c =30.434(5) A, space group Amaa, Z =4. The x ≈1.0 phase has a =5.467(2) b =5.426(1), and c =30.183(8) A. The structure is essentially the same as that of superconducting Bi 2 Sr 3− x Ca x Cu 2 O 8+ y . Electron diffraction patterns for the yttrium-containing phases show an incommensurate superlattice along the a axis as seen in the calcium analog. This is due to atomic displacements that are modulated along a with amplitudes in the c direction.
Hydrops in Fetal Sheep from Rapid Induction of Anemia

We operated on 14 singleton fetal sheep at 126 +/- 3 d gestation and produced nonimmune anemia in 12 of them to study the mechanisms responsible for hydrops. Two fetuses served as controls. Partial exchange transfusions were performed daily to lower the hematocrit while we measured arterial blood gas tensions; Hb concentration; oxygen saturation; arterial oxygen content; aortic, central venous, and umbilical venous pressures; heart rate; plasma protein concentration; and colloid osmotic pressure. Hydrops developed in six of the fetuses and did not develop in six others, although both groups were anemic to the same degree, had similar total amounts of blood withdrawn based on kilograms of dry weight, and had similar dry weights. The fetuses who had hydrops became anemic more rapidly than the nonhydropic fetus (5.2 +/- 1.9 versus 8.3 +/- 2.7 d; p < 0.05) and had more blood exchanged each day (197 +/- 56 versus 113 +/- 28 mL/kg dry body wt/d; p = 0.008). Umbilical venous pressures increased in both hydropic and nonhydropic fetuses, but the central venous pressure became elevated only in the hydropic fetuses. Changes in heart rate, arterial pH and blood gas tensions, arterial oxygen content, plasma protein concentration, colloid osmotic pressure, and aortic pressure were similar in both groups. At autopsy the hydropic fetuses had 78 +/- 47 mL of ascites and 20 +/- 26 mL of pleural fluid. The water content of the hydropic fetuses and of the hydropic fetuses' placentas was greater than that of the nonhydropic fetuses. We conclude that a more rapid development of anemia is associated with hydrops in fetal sheep.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Flux Measurements, Flux Estimation Techniques, and Fine-Scale Turbulence Measurements in the Unstable Surface Layer Over Land.

Abstract An AFCRL-UCSD joint experiment in Minnesota in 1973 has provided a comparison of direct and indirect measurements of the surface-layer fluxes of momentum, heat and moisture under unstable conditions. The direct momentum and heat flux measurements of the two groups agreed well, and also agreed well with values inferred by the direct dissipation technique. The moisture flux estimates from the inertial-dissipation technique also agreed well with the directly measured values. Several of the important terms in the budgets of turbulent kinetic energy and turbulent scalar variances were evaluated directly. The imbalance (or pressure transport) term in the energy budget was estimated, and the ratio of the imbalance term to the dissipation term determined from the present experiment agrees well with the Kansas results. The dissipation rate of temperature variance exceeded its production rate, in contrast with the Kansas results, implying an imbalanced temperature variance budget. Several possible contribu...
Characterization and real-time measurement of geometrical appearance of the weld pool

Abstract The weld pool contains important information about the welding process (Zhang et al., Welding J. 72, 463s–469s, 1993). In this study, a polar coordinate model is proposed to characterize the weld pool geometrically. The identification of its parameters involves complicated non-linear optimization which cannot be done in real time using conventional algorithms. A neural network is therefore proposed to identify the parameters in real time. By using pulsed laser illumination, clear images of the weld pool are captured. The developed image processing algorithm extracts the boundary of the weld pool in real time. Thus, a real-time system is developed to sense and process the image and identify the polar coordinate model. It is shown that the weld penetration can be accurately determined using the model parameters. Thus, a real-time weld penetration monitoring system is also achieved.
ENERGY AND NITROGEN UTILIZATION OF HIGH VERSUS LOW PRODUCING DAIRY COWS

Six high and 6 low producing cows were fed corn silage, alfalfa hay, corn, and soybean meal diets to evaluate the cow's ability to metabolize energy and N. High producers consumed more feed and gave more milk than low producers. Energy digestibility (.70), conversion of digestible to metabolizable energy (.90), and absorption of N (.70) were not different between groups. For low producers, heat production (249 kcal/kg BW.75) and loss of metabolizable energy as heat (.62) were greater than for high producers (238 kcal/kg BW.75 and .53), suggesting a less efficient intermediary metabolism of the former. Body composition was unaffected by treatment. Body fat mobilized during periods 1, 2, and 3 was replaced during period 4. Change in body energy (fat) and change in energy balance (calorimetric) data were in the same direction, but absolute values did not agree; change in energy as body fat lagged behind change in energy balance determined by calorimetry. Body protein was used in early lactation and was replaced immediately in spite of negative energy balance; this suggests that protein (amino acids) may play a significant role in meeting short-term energy needs during the first few weeks of lactation.
Sexual Violence Prevention through Bystander Education: An Experimental Evaluation.

The current study used an experimental design to evaluate a sexual violence prevention program based on a community of responsibility model that teaches women and men how to intervene safely and effectively in cases of sexual violence before, during, and after incidents with strangers, acquaintances, or friends. It approaches both women and men as potential bystanders or witnesses to behaviors related to sexual violence. Three hundred and eighty-nine undergraduates participated and were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups or a control group. Results from the research reveal that up to 2 months after participating in either a one- or three-session version of the program, participants in the treatment conditions showed improvements across measures of attitudes, knowledge, and behavior while the control group did not. Most program effects persisted at 4- and 12-month follow-ups. The program appeared to benefit both women and men. Implications and future directions for research are discussed. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comm Psychol 35: 463–481, 2007.
Assessing the Market Value of Real Estate Property with a Geographically Weighted Stochastic Frontier Model

∗∗∗ In this study we consider the problem of sellers, buyers and real estate appraisers in determining the price for a house, taking into account the characteristics of the house and its location as well as the goals of these three different parties. The appraiser’s job is to determine the fair market value of the house, while the buyer and seller want to find, respectively, the lowest and highest feasible price for it. We combine recent developments in geography and econometrics to develop an approach that determines local estimates of property values from the perspectives of the buyer, seller and appraiser, taking into account the characteristics of the house as well as its location. We illustrate our approach analyzing closing prices in one residential real estate market. In this study we propose to take the perspectives of the seller and the buyer in uncovering the lowest price that the seller should accept or the highest price the buyer should pay for the real estate property, while simultaneously factoring in the critical aspects of market imperfections and location. Because real estate transaction prices are often settled in a less-than-perfect negotiation process, and, consequently, the estimates of property values based on past prices should leave room for negotiation, we develop a geographically weighted stochastic frontier model that takes the seller’s perspective of determining the potential buyer’s reservation value (i.e., the highest possible price she should expect for the house) as well as the buyer’s perspective of determining the seller’s reservation value (i.e., the lowest feasible price to bid on a house). We then apply and illustrate our model using data from one real estate market. It is difficult to overstate the central role that the hedonic price regression framework has had in valuing residential and commercial real estate properties. This framework (Griliches 1961, Rosen 1974, Epple 1987) assumes that the prices sold for each property represent the market clearing prices, and therefore the results of the regression should provide an unbiased estimate for the fair market value of each house. However, there is an increasing body
The Push and Pull of Temptation The Bidirectional Influence of Temptation on Self-Control

This article examines how people respond to the emergence of temptation in their environment. Three studies demonstrated that how people respond to temptation depends critically on their visceral state--whether or not they are actively experiencing visceral drives such as hunger, drug craving, or sexual arousal. We found that when people were in a "cold," nonvisceral state, the presence of temptation prompted cognition to support self-control. However, when people were in a "hot," visceral state, temptation prompted the same cognitive processes to support impulsive behavior. Study 1 examined how heterosexual men's level of sexual arousal influences their attention to attractive women. Study 2 examined whether satiated and craving smokers would engage in motivated reasoning in order to dampen (or enhance) the appeal of smoking when confronted with the temptation to smoke. Study 3 tested the boundaries of the interaction between visceral state and temptation.
An interferon-free, all-oral regimen is effective in treatment of genotype 1 chronic HCV infection

Commentary on: Zeuzem S, Soriano V, Asselah T, et al. Faldaprevir and deleobuvir for HCV genotype 1 infection. N Engl J Med 2013;369:630–9.[OpenUrl][1][CrossRef][2][PubMed][3][Web of Science][4] The current standard-of-care therapy for patients with chronic genotype 1 hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a combination of peginterferon, ribavirin and a direct-acting antiviral (DAA) NS3/4A protease inhibitor (telaprevir or boceprevir).1 While this regimen is associated with sustained virological response (SVR) rates of approximately 67–75% among treatment-naive patients, they are substantially lower in ‘difficult-to-treat’ populations including black patients, those with cirrhosis, and treatment-experienced patients. Furthermore, these medications, particularly peginterferon, are associated with substantial side effects that can limit treatment or preclude therapy initiation. The development of additional DAA classes that target the NS5B RNA polymerase and the NS5A protein opens the door to highly effective and potentially better tolerated interferon-free regimens. Zeuzem and colleagues conducted a multicentre, randomised, open-label, phase … [1]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DHepatology%2B%2528Baltimore%252C%2BMd.%2529%26rft.stitle%253DHepatology%26rft.aulast%253DGhany%26rft.auinit1%253DM.%26rft.volume%253D54%26rft.issue%253D4%26rft.spage%253D1433%26rft.epage%253D1444%26rft.atitle%253DAn%2Bupdate%2Bon%2Btreatment%2Bof%2Bgenotype%2B1%2Bchronic%2Bhepatitis%2BC%2Bvirus%2Binfection%253A%2B2011%2Bpractice%2Bguideline%2Bby%2Bthe%2BAmerican%2BAssociation%2Bfor%2Bthe%2BStudy%2Bof%2BLiver%2BDiseases.%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1002%252Fhep.24641%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F21898493%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [2]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=10.1002/hep.24641&link_type=DOI [3]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=21898493&link_type=MED&atom=%2Febmed%2F19%2F2%2F67.atom [4]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=000295577200035&link_type=ISI
No benefit in staging fluorodeoxyglucose‐positron emission tomography in clinically node‐negative head and neck cutaneous melanoma

Background Fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) has a high sensitivity for detecting metastasis from melanoma, but its application in early-stage melanomas is questionable. The purpose of this study was to determine if positron emission tomography (PET) is beneficial in staging of clinically node negative (cN0) head and neck melanoma. Methods After institutional review board approval, patients with head and neck melanoma treated at 2 cancer centers (between 2000 and 2010) were identified using International Classification of Disease (ICD)-9 codes. A retrospective medical chart review of cN0 patients was performed for the treatment course and outcomes. Results A total of 165 patients were treated; of these, 106 were node negative. FDG-PET was included in initial staging of 47 cN0 patients. None had true distant metastasis detected on PET. The imaging also failed to detect nodal metastasis in 2 patients who had disease on lymphatic sampling. Conclusion FDG-PET did not alter the initial staging or treatment in patients with cN0 head and neck melanoma. Therefore, its routine use for staging is not warranted. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 36: 1313–1316, 2014
RABBIT SEPTICEMIA BACILLUS, TYPES D AND G, IN NORMAL RABBITS

Microbe G, rabbit septicemia bacillus, hitherto found only as a mutant in cultures of the rabbit septicemia bacillus, Type D, has been demonstrated to exist on the nasal mucous membranes of normal rabbits. This organism corresponds in lack of virulence, character of growth, acid agglutination optimum, and immune agglutination reaction, to the mutant G form described in previous papers. Microbe D has been found to be present on the nasal mucous membranes of normal rabbits. These animals have survived for months with no evidence of infection other than the presence of the organism. These Type D organisms, despite their failure to cause fatal damage in their own host, are shown to possess the typical high virulence characteristic of this type, when injected intrapleurally into young rabbits. Rabbits which are carriers of Type D or G possess a definite amount of immune agglutinins, as evidenced by test of their serum against Microbe G at pH 7.1. Rabbits free from infection with these organisms invariably have yielded a serum which fails to agglutinate Type G completely in 1:10 or higher dilutions.
Pergolide mesylate. Adverse events occurring in the treatment of cocaine dependence

In this preliminary report from a placebo-controlled, double-blind, dose-response study on the use of pergolide mesylate for cocaine dependence in outpatients, 8 out of 235 subjects noted adverse events requiring breaking of the blind. Events occurred at or within 7 days of receiving the first dose of medication and included side effects (four cardiovascular, one psychiatric); drug-drug interactions (one); and clinical exclusions (two pregnancies). Two anecdotes of illicit abuse are reported. Although efficacy is unestablished, pergolide appears to be safe in the early treatment of cocaine dependence except where there are relative contraindications.
Geodesic Distance-weighted Shape Vector Image Diffusion

This paper presents a novel and efficient surface matching and visualization framework through the geodesic distance-weighted shape vector image diffusion. Based on conformal geometry, our approach can uniquely map a 3D surface to a canonical rectangular domain and encode the shape characteristics (e.g., mean curvatures and conformal factors) of the surface in the 2D domain to construct a geodesic distance-weighted shape vector image, where the distances between sampling pixels are not uniform but the actual geodesic distances on the manifold. Through the novel geodesic distance-weighted shape vector image diffusion presented in this paper, we can create a multiscale diffusion space, in which the cross-scale extrema can be detected as the robust geometric features for the matching and registration of surfaces. Therefore, statistical analysis and visualization of surface properties across subjects become readily available. The experiments on scanned surface models show that our method is very robust for feature extraction and surface matching even under noise and resolution change. We have also applied the framework on the real 3D human neocortical surfaces, and demonstrated the excellent performance of our approach in statistical analysis and integrated visualization of the multimodality volumetric data over the shape vector image.
Empirical study and prediction of contact angle and surface free energy of commonly used plastics with pillar-like structure

An effective approach is proposed to estimate liquids' contact angles on five commonly used plastics, polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, high-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, and polyvinyl chloride, with pillar-like structures. A change in liquid droplets' three-phase contact line due to surface roughness has been proposed in literatures. In this article, contact length ratio, σ, was used as a parameter corresponding to a specific dimension of the pillar-like structure. Wettability of these rough plastics and their surface free energy were investigated by liquids with various polarities—de-ionized water (polar), ethylene glycol (monopolar), and α-bromonaphthalene (apolar). The effects of pillar-like structures on liquids' contact angles and plastics' surface free energy were studied, and the results reveal that both effects are linear in the range of σ = 1.0 to 1.96. Linear regression models are hence proposed to predict liquids' contact angles, and accuracies are confirmed by less than 6% error for most plastic–liquid combinations. Plastics' surface free energy is also predicted by linear regression models, and the results agree with existing experimental data. Plastic–liquid interactions were also studied, and the results further validate predictions of plastics' surface free energy. In addition, plastics' polarity alteration due to effects of pillar-like structure were analyzed and reported in this article. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Well Modeling: an Overview

The conditions prevailing at the wall, or in the neighborhood of a borehole, often influence the selected development scheme of a field, as well as the completion procedures used for each well. The stress concentrations generated by the drilling operation are not only a function of the geometry of the borehole, the magnitude and orientation of the in situ stresses and the reservoir rock behavior, but are also affected by the engineer's intrusion. This keynote address first succinctly reviews the classical potential failure mechanisms of a circular hole drilled in an elastic isotropic formation, pointing out the associated field problems. This introductory discussion includes stability considerations of far-reaching, as well as horizontal, completions. We then consider the extreme case of a borehole drilled in an environment leading to irremediable failure of the surrounding rock, due either to the low strength of the formation or to adverse in situ stress conditions. The extent of the broken zone is computed and the practical applications discussed in detail. The communication expands then further to include effects of anisotropy, pre-existing discontinuities, as well as coupling phenomena, such as poroelasticity and thermoporoelasticity. Finally, a number of potential aspects throughout the life of the reservoir are considered. The coupled simulations provide, indeed, insight into wellbore stability, sand production, casing design and timedependent collapse, hydraulic fracturing and naturally fractured reservoirs. Many of those aspects are covered throughout this keynote address.
Transient ST segment elevation and accompanying intracardiac echocardiographic abnormalities of the inferior left ventricular wall during catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation

Transient ST segment elevation during left-sided catheter ablation procedures has been previously reported; however, accompanying intracardiac echocardiographic (ICE) abnormalities have not yet been described. We present two patients with transient inferior ST segment elevation during atrial fibrillation ablation (Fig 1, panels A and B, black stars), with ICE showing hypokinesis (supplementary video 1) and hyperechoic appearance of the basal inferior left ventricular wall (panels C and D, white arrows). The first event occurred while ablating the anterior ridge between the left superior pulmonary vein and left atrial appendage, using an open-irrigated, radiofrequency ablation catheter. The second patient’s event occurred following pulmonary vein isolation, during isoproterenol infusion to induce nonpulmonary vein triggers. Neither patient had preexisting coronary artery disease nor echocardiographic wall motion abnormalities. ICE abnormalities resolved within 2 min (panels E and F and supplementary video 2), followed shortly by resolution of electrocardiographic abnormalities. Neither patient had lasting sequelae. One underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging several months following ablation, which revealed no ventricular myocardial scar. Air embolism to the right coronary artery is the most likely mechanism.
Large suspended inductors on silicon and their use in a 2- mu m CMOS RF amplifier

Large spiral inductors encased in oxide over silicon are shown to operate beyond the UHF band when the capacitance and loss resistance are greatly reduced by selective removal of the underlying substrate. Using a 100-nH inductor whose self-resonance lies at 3 GHz, a balanced tuned amplifier with a gain of 14 dB centered at 770 MHz has been implemented in a standard digital 2- mu m CMOS IC process. The core amplifier noise figure is 6 dB, and the power dissipation is 7 mW for a 3-V supply. >
The essential role of research in community pediatrics.

Several recommendations in the American Academy of Pediatrics policy statement “The Pediatrician9s Role in Community Pediatrics” underscore the essential role of research as an agent of change to promote the health and well-being of children. This article provides (1) a framework for thinking about research in community pediatrics, (2) special considerations important in conducting community-level research, (3) an example of community-level research that has significantly decreased mortality in children (prevention of sudden infant death syndrome), (4) an example of a current issue illustrating the importance of community pediatrics research (promotion of school readiness), and (5) a discussion of future directions for research. Many of the leading health problems facing the United States as outlined in Healthy People 2010 are problems that affect children or have their roots in childhood and are likely to be addressed by community-level research and interventions. It seems clear that pediatricians should be learning to participate in, advocate for, and conduct more community pediatrics research.
A mutational analysis of spliceosome assembly: evidence for splice site collaboration during spliceosome formation.

We have analyzed the pathway of mammalian spliceosome assembly in vitro using a mobility retardation assay. The binding of splicing complexes to both wild-type and mutant beta-globin pre-RNAs was studied. Three kinetically related, ATP-dependent complexes, alpha, beta, and gamma, were resolved with a wild-type beta-globin substrate. These complexes formed, both temporally and in order of decreasing mobility, alpha----beta----gamma. All three complexes contained U2 snRNA. The RNA intermediates of splicing, i.e., free 5' exon and intron lariat + 3' exon, were found predominantly in the gamma complex. The RNA products of splicing, i.e., ligated exons and fully excised intron lariat, were found in separate, postsplicing complexes which appeared to form via breakdown of gamma. Mutations of the 5' splice site, which caused an accumulation of splicing intermediates, also resulted in accumulation of the gamma complex. Mutations of the 3' splice site, which severely inhibited splicing, reduced the efficiency and altered the pattern of complex formation. Surprisingly, the analysis of double mutants, with sequence alterations at both the 5' and 3' splice sites, revealed that the 5' splice site genotype was important for the efficient formation of a U2 snRNA-containing alpha complex at the 3' splice site. Thus, it appears that a collaborative interaction between the separate 5' and 3' splice sites promotes spliceosome assembly.
Wild Bee Abundance and Pollination Service in Cultivated Pumpkins: Farm Management, Nesting Behavior and Landscape Effects

Recent declines in managed and feral honey bee populations have greatly increased interest in the current and potential role of wild pollinators in agricultural pollination. Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) has great potential to be served by wild pollinators because of a reliable and widespread group of bee species that are commonly associated with their flowers, including bumble bees (Bombus spp.), and, in the Americas, two genera of specialist ground nesting bees (Peponapis and Xenoglossa). We examined the effects of several key farm management practices and landscape variables on bee abundance in pumpkin on 20 farms in Virginia and Maryland during summer 2006. We evaluated bee abundance with respect to tillage, irrigation practices, soil properties, natural habitat (forest and grassland), flowering crop, and disturbed areas. Additionally, we examined nest site preference (within or outside of crop areas) of Peponapis pruinosa (Say) at one farm and in a large screenhouse. We found P. pruinosa nesting preferentially within crop areas and near the vines and leaves of their host plant. Although these bees typically place some of their brood cells within tillage depth, we did not find a tillage effect on their abundance at flowers. We found a negative effect of soil clay content (R2 = 0.24, P = 0.03) and a positive effect of irrigation (F1, 15 = 12.2; P < 0.001) on P. pruinosa abundance. Using published data on pollinator visitation requirements, we found wild bee densities were sufficient to fully pollinate all pumpkin flowers on 13-17 of the 20 farms studied.