cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Numerical Solution of Polynomial Systems by Homotopy Continuation Methods

Publisher Summary This chapter presents the numerical solution of polynomial systems by homotopy continuation methods. Solving polynomial systems is an area where numerical computations arise almost naturally. Given the complexity of the problem, e standard machine arithmetic to obtain efficient programs is used.
Urinary tract infection during pregnancy, angiogenic factor profiles, and risk of preeclampsia

Background Despite decades of research, and much progress in discernment of biomarkers in the maternal circulation, the pathogenesis of preeclampsia (PE) remains elusive. The pathophysiology of PE is believed to involve aberrant placentation and an associated increase in systemic inflammation. In this conceptualization, PE becomes more likely when the level of systemic inflammatory burden inherent in pregnancy itself exceeds the maternal capacity to compensate for this additional stress. If this is the case, then it is possible to hypothesize that conditions, such as infectious disease, that increase systemic inflammatory burden should also increase the risk of PE. As urinary tract infection (UTI) represents a common source of inflammation during pregnancy, we tested whether presence of UTI during pregnancy increased the odds of developing PE. Prior work has documented this association. However many of these studies were limited by small cohort sizes and insufficient control for covariates. Objective The present study is a secondary analysis of a robust contemporary obstetrical cohort recruited to examine the ability of longitudinally sampled maternal angiogenic concentrations to predict PE. We hypothesize that the occurrence of UTI during a pregnancy is associated with the later occurrence of PE in that pregnancy. As PE is believed to be associated with aberrations in systemic angiogenic levels (placental growth factor and soluble isoform of VEGF receptor), we further hypothesize that there will be significant interactions between maternal angiogenic protein levels and the occurrence of UTI. Study Design Women aged ≥18 years (n = 2607) were recruited and followed up prospectively from the initiation of prenatal care through delivery at 3 regional academic centers. PE was defined by American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists criteria and was independently validated by a panel of physicians. UTI was defined by the presence of clinical symptoms necessitating treatment in addition to supportive laboratory evidence. Multivariate logistic regression models were used and controlled for maternal age, race, parity, body mass index, hypertension, diabetes, in vitro fertilization, and smoking status. Results There were 129 women with diagnosed UTIs and 235 with PE. Patients with UTI in pregnancy had higher rates of PE (31.1% vs 7.8%, P P = .08). The unadjusted odds ratio for PE in the setting of UTI was 5.29 (95% confidence interval, 3.54–7.89). After controlling for confounders, UTI was associated with an odds ratio for PE of 3.2 (95% confidence interval, 2.0–5.1). Conclusion Presence of UTI in pregnancy, particularly in the third trimester, is strongly associated with PE. This association supports the hypothesis that the risk of PE is enhanced by an increased maternal inflammatory burden. Prophylaxis against UTI represents a potentially low-cost global intervention to slow or halt the development of PE.
Ideal brightness temperature algorithm for estimating soil-profile water status: I. Algorithm development

One of the present efforts in the field of microwave remote sensing is to estimate soil water status throughout the soil profile using radiometers. This study describes a simple, ideal algorithm relating microwave brightness temperature (TB) and soil water status in the upper (10 cm) and lower (greater than 10 cm) soil depths. The algorithm description considers a simple, homogeneous, and sandy soil system with negligible amounts of capillary-stored water, organic matter content, and surface roughness. The microwave TB was estimated from the dielectric constant, k, as a function of the amount of water remaining in the soil during drainage. The effect of downward fluxing, free water on the value of TB was greater and occurred over a shorter period than that of the slower draining water near field capacity. The predictability of the algorithm decreased as the moisture content decreased to that of approximately field capacity.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The Membrane Topology of Human Transient Receptor Potential 3 as Inferred from Glycosylation-scanning Mutagenesis and Epitope Immunocytochemistry

Transient receptor potential (Trp) proteins form ion channels implicated in the calcium entry observed after stimulation of the phospholipase C pathway. Kyte-Doolittle analysis of the amino acid sequence of Trp proteins identifies seven hydrophobic regions (H1-H7) with potential of forming transmembrane segments. A limited sequence similarity to voltage-gated calcium channel alpha1 subunits lead to the prediction of six transmembrane (TM) segments flanked by intracellular N and C termini and a putative pore region between TM5 and TM6. However, experimental evidence supporting this model is missing. Using human Trp 3 to test Trp topology, we now confirm the intracellular nature of the termini by immunocytochemistry. We also demonstrate presence of a unique glycosylation site in position 418, which defines one extracellular loop between H2 and H3. After removal of this site and insertion of ten separate glycosylation sites, we defined two additional extracellular loops between H4 and H5, and H6 and H7. This demonstrated the existence of six transmembrane segments formed of H2-H7. Thus, the first hydrophobic region of Trp rather than being a transmembrane segment is intracellular and available for protein-protein interactions. A site placed in the center of the putative pore region was glycosylated, suggesting that this region may have been luminal and was reinserted into the membrane at a late stage of channel assembly.
Semi-transparent a-SiC:H solar cells for self-powered photovoltaic-electrochromic devices

Self-powered ‘smart’ windows for active control of building heating and cooling represent a potential new market for amorphous-silicon based photovoltaics. Retrofit applications to existing windows are facilitated by the tandem photovoltaic-electrochromic (PV-EC) device, in which a wide-gap amorphous silicon-based alloy (a-SiC:H) photovoltaic cell is deposited together with an EC optical transmittance modulator in a monolithic coating on a single substrate. In this paper, studies of transparent wide-gap a-SiC:H thin-films and p-i-n cells designed for use in the PV-EC device are described. Using optimized a-SiC:H i-layer material, Jsc of 3.9 mA/cm2 and Voc of 0.92 V is achieved, adequate to color our low-voltage Li-based EC devices in less than one minute, and good progress toward the required transparency is shown.
Pressure tuning of the thermal conductivity of the layered muscovite crystal

The physics of heat conduction in layered, anisotropic crystals is probed by measurements of the cross-plane elastic constant ${C}_{33}$ and thermal conductivity $\ensuremath{\Lambda}$ of muscovite mica as a function of hydrostatic pressure. Picosecond interferometry and time-domain thermoreflectance provide high-precision measurements of ${C}_{33}$ and $\ensuremath{\Lambda}$, respectively, of micron-sized samples within a diamond-anvil cell; $\ensuremath{\Lambda}$ changes from the anomalously low value of $0.46\text{ }\text{W}\text{ }{\text{m}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}\text{ }{\text{K}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ at ambient pressure to a value more typical of oxides crystals with large unit cells, $6.6\text{ }\text{W}\text{ }{\text{m}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}\text{ }{\text{K}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$, at $P=24\text{ }\text{GPa}$. Most of the pressure dependence of $\ensuremath{\Lambda}$ can be accounted for by the pressure dependence of the cross-plane sound velocities.
Soft-thresholding Orthogonal Matching Pursuit for efficient signal reconstruction

In this paper, we propose a Soft-thresholding Orthogonal Matching Pursuit (ST-OMP) technique for efficient signal reconstruction in compressive sensing applications. The proposed ST-OMP recovers less significant signal elements using a low-complexity procedure without sacrificing much reconstruction quality. We apply the proposed ST-OMP in systems powered by non-deterministic renewable energy sources. The threshold of employing the efficient reconstruction is made dynamically adjustable according to the performance requirements and energy levels. Simulation results demonstrate that the ST-OMP can achieve good recovery performance while significantly reducing the energy consumption as compared to the original OMP implementation.
Synthetic α-Conotoxin Mutants as Probes for Studying Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors and in the Development of Novel Drug Leads

α-Conotoxins are peptide neurotoxins isolated from venomous marine cone snails that are potent and selective antagonists for different subtypes of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). As such, they are valuable probes for dissecting the role that nAChRs play in nervous system function. In recent years, extensive insight into the binding mechanisms of α-conotoxins with nAChRs at the molecular level has aided in the design of synthetic analogs with improved pharmacological properties. This review examines the structure-activity relationship studies involving α-conotoxins as research tools for studying nAChRs in the central and peripheral nervous systems and their use towards the development of novel therapeutics.
Mapping Paradise: A History of Heaven on Earth

Throughout history, humans have searched for paradise. When early Christians adopted the "Hebrew Bible", and with it the story of "Genesis", the "Garden of Eden" became an idyllic habitat for all mankind. Medieval Christians believed paradise was a place on earth, different from the world, yet part of it, situated in real geography and indicated on maps. From the Renaissance through to the Enlightenment, the mapping of paradise validated the authority of Holy Scripture and supported Christian faith. But, from the early nineteenth century onwards, the question of the exact location of paradise was left not to theologians, but to the layman. And, at the beginning of the twenty-first century, there is still no end to the stream of theories on the exact position of the mythical Garden of Eden. In his scholarly and immensely engaging history of the cartography of paradise, Alessandro Scafi journeys from the beginning of Christianity to the present day. Instead of dismissing the medieval belief in an earthly paradise as a picturesque legend, and the cartography of paradise as merely a medieval superstition, Scafi explores the intellectual conditions that made the mapping of paradise possible. The challenge for mapmakers, he argues, was to make visible a place that was geographically inaccessible and yet real, remote in time and yet still the scene of an essential episode in the history of salvation. As the absorbing story unfolds, each episode is richly illustrated by contemporary maps, many illuminated by the author's unique cartographic drawings.
Specifying the Nature of Social Skill Deficits Associated With Depression

According to the social skill deficit theory of depression, people who lack social skills are unable to obtain positive social reinforcement and thus become depressed. However, past research is replete with mixed findings on the social skill-depression relationship. The present research was designed to overcome two prominent shortcomings in this research: poor operationalizations of social skill and constraining experimental procedures. In Study 1, 67 depressed and 74 nondepressed subjects engaged in an unstructured interaction with knowledge that they were being videotaped. In Study 2, 40 depressed and 61 nondepressed subjects were surreptitiously videotaped as they waited with another student for a study to begin. Analyses of subjects' social skill in these interactions indicated that depression is associated with a partial social skill deficit, most notable in terms of excessive social anxiety, low motivation to communicate with others, low social expressivity, and diminished behavioral involvement in Study 2. Partners of depressed subjects also showed low behavioral involvement in Study 2. However, on some aspects of social skill, depressed subjects appeared no different from their nondepressed peers. Depressed subjects' social skill was most deficient when they were given no instruction to interact and had no knowledge that they were being recorded.
Minimal surfaces and multifunctionality

Triply periodic minimal surfaces are objects of great interest to physical scientists, biologists and mathematicians. It has recently been shown that triply periodic two-phase bicontinuous composites with interfaces that are the Schwartz primitive (P) and diamond (D) minimal surfaces are not only geometrically extremal but extremal for simultaneous transport of heat and electricity. More importantly, here we further establish the multifunctionality of such two-phase systems by showing that they are also extremal when a competition is set up between the effective bulk modulus and the electrical (or thermal) conductivity of the composite. The implications of our findings for materials science and biology, which provides the ultimate multifunctional materials, are discussed.
Re-entry dynamics of a trimmed body with constant spin

An analytical definition of the oscillatory motion of a body spinning at a high and constant rate and having a trim angle of attack which can vary with altitude is obtained using the method of stationary phase. The results indicate that for trim angles of constant sign the first maximum angle of attack is directly proportional to the trim magnitude, spin rate, and moment of inertia and inversely proportional to velocity and flight path angle. The effect of both initial body misalignment and tumble rate are included and the results show that the bounds on the maximums of angle of attack are obtained from the sum of the individual absolute values of the trim and the no-trim contributions. The condition of misalignment with no tumble rate is investigated in detail and simplified relations are developed which define the trimmed body dynamics. The analytical results are compared with numerical solutions, and in general good agreement is found over most of the trajectory using the simplified relations.
A national survey of childhood physical abuse among females in Swaziland

Objective This study describes the scope and characteristics of childhood physical abuse in a nationally representative sample of 13–24 year-old females in Swaziland. The current study also examined health consequences and risk factors of childhood physical abuse.
Spatial and temporal patterns of forest disturbance and regrowth within the area of the Northwest Forest Plan

Abstract Understanding fine-grain patterns of forest disturbance and regrowth at the landscape scale is critical for effective management, particularly in forests in western Washington, Oregon, and California, U.S., where the policy known as the Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP) was imposed in 1994 over > 8 million ha of forest in an effort to balance environmental and economic tensions. We developed approaches to create disturbance and regrowth maps for forests within the area of the NWFP from the results of LandTrendr, a temporal segmentation algorithm described previously only at the pixel scale. Maps were developed from 674 Landsat Thematic Mapper and Enhanced Thematic Mapper + images distributed across 22 separate scene areas, and were assessed for validity at 2360 points using TimeSync, a time-series validation and interpretation tool. Unlike maps derived using other techniques, maps derived from the segmentation approach were unique in providing simultaneous detection of abrupt disturbance, chronic disturbance, and ongoing vegetative growth with consistency across large areas and across time. Maps were then used to address six core monitoring questions focusing on the distribution of disturbance across time, ownership categories, and ecoregions. Forest was disturbed at rates that varied by ownership category and state, ranging from 9% to > 39% of forest area over the period 1985 to 2008, with highest cumulative disturbed area on private and native lands in Washington and Oregon and lowest disturbed area on federal protected lands in Washington. Effects of court injunctions and subsequent implementation of the NWFP lowered forest disturbance rates, particularly in Oregon, and also caused decreases in the relative magnitude of disturbance on those lands relative to private lands. State-managed forests showed forest disturbance rates that varied considerably among the three states, with the highest rates in Washington state and lowest in California. Affected by large, stochastic fire events, protected lands in both Oregon and California showed disturbance rates similar to those found on actively managed federal lands. Protected lands also experienced high rates of chronic disturbance, often associated with insect-related mortality. As expected, moisture-limited ecoregions recovered vegetation more slowly than those where moisture was not limiting. Vegetative regrowth rates showed substantial variation among ownership categories, suggesting that differential forest policies may affect vegetative recovery rate. Taken together, these results emphasize that forest management policies do have manifestations at the landscape scale, but that detection of these manifestations is best achieved with mapping approaches that can detect both abrupt and longer-duration processes within the Landsat archive.
Forelimb and hindlimb stepping by the anesthetized rat elicited by electrical stimulation of the pons and medulla.

Abstract This study determined the lower brainstem sites at which electrical stimulation elicits stepping movements of the forelimbs and hindlimbs. Rats (N=45), anesthetized with nembutal, were fixed in a stereotaxic apparatus so that their limbs contacted a moving treadmill belt. Electrical stimulation (100 μA, 10-sec trains, 0.5-msec cathodal pulses, 50-Hz pulse frequency) was applied every 200 μm through 173 movable electrodes. Well coordinated quadrupedal stepping was elicited by stimulation at dorsal posterior mesencephalic sites including the inferior collicular commissure, the central gray, the nucleus cuneiformis and lateral aspects of the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus. Caudal and ventral to this general region, sites supporting quadrupedal stepping appeared mainly in or near the spinal trigeminal nucleus. Stepping with only the forelimb and hindlimb contralateral to the stimulation site was associated with the corticospinal tract, the lateral pontis oralis, the lateral pontis caudalis and the ventral reticular nucleus of the medulla. Bilateral forelimb stepping was associated with the trigeminal system and the gigantocellular reticular nucleus. At the level of the rostral medulla, systems involved in bilateral forelimb stepping and contralateral hindlimb stepping appear to be located medially. Systems concerned with bilateral hindlimb stepping appear to be located laterally.
Perceptions of interethnic group racism predict increased vascular reactivity to a laboratory challenge in college women.

African-Americans have disproportionately higher rates of hypertension than any other U.S. ethnic group. Researchers have postulated that the psychosocial-stress association with racism may help explain these higher rates in African-Americans, as well as blood pressure variability among African-Americans. Using a quasi-experimental design, this study examined the relationship between perceived interethnic group racism (racism) and blood pressure responses in 39 African-American females. Measurements of blood pressure were obtained before, during, and after a laboratory challenge where participants spoke about their personal views and feelings concerning animal rights. Perceptions of racism, as well as psychological and coping responses to racism, were assessed via the Perceived Racism Scale. The results revealed that on average, participants perceived racism 75.25 times/year. Racist statements were perceived most often, and speaking up was the most frequently reported coping response. The overwhelming majority of participants (76.47%) used active and passive coping responses to deal with racism. Among the psychological responses to racism, the magnitude of emotional responding was greatest for anger. Multivariate regression analyses indicated that perceived racism was significantly and positively related to diastolic blood pressure changes during the speech (p = .01), early recovery (p < .003), and late recovery (p = .01) periods. Potential confounders did not mitigate these effects. The findings highlight the importance of delineating the role of more real-world behavioral challenges in future research exploring blood pressure variability and hypertension risk in African-Americans.
Effectiveness of Using Learner-Centered Principles on Student Retention in Distance Education Courses in Rural Schools

This article examines the effectiveness of training facilitators in secondary schools to follow APA learner‐centered principles to support learners in distance education. The study was a cluster‐randomized control trial with 36 match pairs of schools and 246 students in the rural USA. The schools were selected at random and assigned at random to treatment condition. Instructors were blind to the treatment condition as were the local facilitators and schools. Data on length of time spent in the course and whether students completed the semester were analyzed. The results indicated that students in the intervention condition completed the first semester at a statistically higher rate than control students where facilitators did not have this training. The number of weeks students remained in the course was likewise statistically different with students in the intervention condition staying in the course more weeks holding instructor constant.
Effect of buffering agents on absorption of acetysalicylic acid

A buffer system composed of aluminum dihydroxyaminoacetate and magnesium carbonate is described. This buffer system, when administered with acetylsalicylic acid, reduces gastrointestinal distress in man and gastric damage in Shay rats. It also increases at least twofold the rate of absorption of salicylates from the gastrointestinal tract.
Stochastic interfacial disturbances created by thermal noise and the importance of the interfacial viscosities

Abstract At the interface between two fluids at rest, small disturbances that are stochastic in space and time are created by thermal noise. These perturbations are represented as Fourier series in spatial position, the amplitudes of the various Fourier components being random functions of time. Thermal noise is taken to be a mutual force representable as the gradient of a potential. By analogy with the treatment of Brownian motion, this potential is modeled as a white noise. The spectral density of the amplitude of any given Fourier component is shown to be a strong function of the interfacial tension and of the viscosities of the adjacent phases. Under certain conditions, the spectral density is also a strong function of the Gibbs surface elasticity, of the interfacial viscosities, and of gravity. The results will be useful in refining a demonstrated technique for measuring ultralow interfacial tensions and interfacial tensions at elevated temperatures and pressures.
A cyclic GMP-stimulated cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase gene is highly expressed in the limbic system of the rat brain

Cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP serve as second messengers in a variety of neural cells, modulating their metabolic and electrical activity. The cyclic GMP-stimulated cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase, an enzyme whose hydrolytic activity is allosterically regulated by cyclic GMP in peripheral tissues, could play an important role in the regulation of cyclic nucleotide levels in the brain. To study the presence and distribution of cyclic GMP-stimulated phosphodiesterase in the rat brain, we cloned a portion of rat liver cyclic GMP-stimulated phosphodiesterase complementary DNA by polymerase chain reaction, using degenerate phosphodiesterase-specific oligonucleotide primers. Northern blot analysis of rat tissues reveals abundant expression of cyclic GMP-stimulated phosphodiesterase messenger RNA in the brain. Northern blot analysis of brain subregions shows especially strong expression in hippocampus and cortex, modest expression in the remainder of the forebrain and in the midbrain, and little expression in cerebellum and hindbrain. In situ hybridization studies with cyclic GMP-stimulated phosphodiesterase riboprobes confirm these northern blot results, and delineate cell groups with high levels of expression. Medial habenular nucleus is intensely labeled, as is hippocampus in the vicinity of pyramidal and granule cell bodies in areas CA1, CA2, CA3, and dentate gyrus. Other elements of the limbic system also contain cyclic GMP-stimulated phosphodiesterase messenger RNA, including olfactory and entorhinal cortices, subiculum, and amygdala. Additional cortical regions show more diffuse expression of cyclic GMP-stimulated phosphodiesterase messenger RNA, as do the basal ganglia. Cerebellum, thalamus, and hypothalamus do not show appreciable specific labeling. These studies demonstrate the presence of cyclic GMP-stimulated phosphodiesterase messenger RNA in specific regions of the rat brain, and suggest that the cyclic GMP-stimulated phosphodiesterase might modulate neuronal activity by regulating intracellular cyclic AMP levels in response to changes in intracellular cyclic GMP levels.
Waterborne Debris in Marine Pollution Incidents

ABSTRACT Floating debris has greatly hindered the cleanup of spilled fluids in several pollution instances. This debris has hampered the use of pollution-response equipment and has presented a major materials-handling and disposal problem. The types of waterborne debris found in coastal, harbor, and estuarine areas are described in the paper. Locations where debris has or could complicate spill cleanups are described. General natural effects on debris concentration are also given. Current debris-handling practices are described along with the general handling requirements necessary for spill-cleanup contingency planning. Effects of debris on pollution-response equipment are considered.
The effect of phosphorus chemistry on recombination losses in a supersonic nozzle

In previous articles, phosphine combustion products were shown to catalyze H + OH recombination in equilibrium relaxation experiments. In this work, calculations of heat release and specific impulse are reported for combustion products expanding at supersonic velocities in a nozzle. The calculations use a reaction set with 11 phosphorus-containing reactions. The addition of several percent by mass phosphine to hydrogen fuel substantially increases the heat release per unit fuel mass calculated for the nozzle. A gain in specific impulse is calculated for fuel-rich combustion of hydrogen fuel with phosphine added.
Improved production of the insecticidal CryIVD protein in Bacillus thuringiensis using cryIA(c) promoters to express the gene for an associated 20-kDa protein

Previous studies have shown that a 20-kDa protein enhances production of the insecticidal CytA and CryIVA proteins of Bacillus thuringiensis in Escherichia coli as well as CytA production and crystal formation in B. thuringiensis. To determine whether the 20-kDa protein could enhance CryIVD production, an expression vector was constructed with the 20-kDa open-reading frame under control of cryIA(c) promoters and the cryIVD gene under control of its own promoter. Acrystalliferous cells of B. thuringiensis transformed with this plasmid, designated pWF53, produced large bitrapezoidal CryIVD crystals that averaged 1.3 × 0.92 × 0.31 μm, approximately fivefold larger in volume than wild-type CryIVD crystals, and 1.7 fold the volume of crystals produced using the cryIV D operon, which contains the cryIV D gene and the gene for the 20-kDa protein. These results demonstrate that the 20-kDa protein significantly improves net synthesis of CryIVD and promotes CryIVD crystal formation. Improved production of proteins as diverse as CryIVD and CytA by the 20-kDa protein indicates this protein may be useful in facilitating the production of other proteins.
Efficacy of unsynergised deltamethrin and deltamethrin + chlorpyrifos-methyl combinations as protectants of stored wheat and stored corn (maize)

Soft red winter wbeat and "Pioneer 3324" corn (maize) were treated witb either 0.5, 0.75, 1.0 ppm deltamethrin, 0.5 ppm deltamethrin + 6.0 ppm chiorpyrifo!+metbyI, 1.0 ppm deItamethrIn + 6.0 ppm chhpyrifos-methyl, or 6.0 ppm cbIorpyrifos-methyl, and subsequentIy stored for 10 months. Bioasays were conducted every 2 moaths during this storage period. R&o*ha dominica (F.) and SiZophilus oryx (L.) did not survive on the combIn8tio11 treatments appIIed to wheat. Survival of R. ahhica in the three deitametbh treatments was variable throughout the storage period but no F, adults were detected. S. oryzoc survIvaI on wheat treated witb 0.5 ppm dehnethrin ranged from 0 to 84.5%. Maximum survivaI In the 0.75 and 1.0 ppm dehmetbrin treatments was 26.2 and 3.5%, respecthely. Sitophifns zeamais (Motsch.) or Tribolium castamwm (Herb&) did oat survive in the combiition treatments applied to corn. Maximum S. zeumuis sod R. castaneum survival in the. three dehnehin treatments was 23.5 and 18.7%, respectively, but there were w sigoilicaot trends during storage aud F, productioo was minimal. Key wordr-Grain, storage, protectants, pyrethroids, beetles.
Cathode effects in the dielectric breakdown study of liquids

The electron emission characteristics of the surface of the cathode used in the study of the electric breakdown of insulators are believed to have a fundamental bearing on electric strengths observed. It has been suggested that the formation of a negative space charge is the mechanism through which this influence is exerted1.
Influence of drought stress on Mexican rice borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) oviposition preference in sugarcane ☆

Abstract Two sugarcane, Saccharum hybrids, varieties were grown in the greenhouse under well watered or drought conditions to examine the influences of stress on Mexican rice borer, Eoreuma loftini (Dyar), oviposition preference and selected nutritional components without impinging factors common to field conditions that alter responses. Our research revealed that, under controlled conditions, drought induced a wider range and greater uniformity of free amino acid (FAA) accumulations than have been previously reported. Drought stress resulted in increased dry leaf tissue and elevated concentrations of 7 of 9 detectable free essential (for insect health) amino acids in stalks, the chief food of Mexican rice borer larvae. Stressed sugarcane was preferred for oviposition, likely related to greater numbers of dry leaves and heightened host plant nutritional quality. Dry leaf tissue, which is not consumed, may be a cue for improving chances of larvae encountering nutrient-enhanced living tissue, and for concealing eggs in folds. Excised dry leaf tissue from the treatments was indistinguishable for oviposition preference; therefore, biochemical status of living tissue may provide oviposition cues. Varieties exhibited no major genotypic differences in FAA accumulations or oviposition preference.
Children with spinal abnormalities have an increased health burden from upper tract urolithiasis.

Objective To examine the epidemiology and health care burden of upper tract urolithiasis in children with spinal abnormalities using a large, national database. Children with spinal dysraphism are predisposed to urolithiasis for many reasons, including immobility, bacteriuria, and urinary stasis. No large epidemiologic studies exist regarding stones in this specific group. Isolated spinal curvature may lead to hypercalciuria from immobility; however, urolithiasis rates are unknown. Methods We extracted data from the Pediatric Health Information Systems database over an 8-year period. Hospitals reporting inpatient visits, emergency room visits, and ambulatory surgery visits were included. Using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes and Current Procedural Terminology codes, we identified children with upper tract urolithiasis, spinal dysraphism, and spinal curvature. Data regarding demographics, prevalence, surgical procedures, costs related to stone procedures were extracted. Results A total of 11,987 patients had urolithiasis. Prevalence of stones in patients with normal spines was 0.24% compared with 1.40% and 4.03% among children with spinal curvature and spinal dysraphism, respectively (P Conclusion Children with spinal curvature and spinal dysraphism have a much greater rate of upper tract urolithiasis, resulting in more procedures and related costs. Urolithiasis represents a significant, chronic health burden for children with spinal abnormalities. Screening and preventive care may reduce the impact of urolithiasis in these patients.
In vitro investigation of a novel cancer therapeutic method using embolizing properties of magnetorheological fluids

This work demonstrates the principle of a novel cancer therapeutic method using magnetorheological fluids to inhibit the blood supply to a tumor in order to starve it. The sealing effect to the fluid flow is easily achieved at low particle concentrations with strong pressure resistance and reasonable sealing times in a simulated blood network using plastic tubes.
When should we say we have observed Bose condensation of excitons

I consider what evidence would give an uncontestable claim to observation of Bose condensation of excitons, and discuss recent observations of rings of luminescence in coupled quantum wells in relation to this.
Chemical synthesis of a core 2 branched pentasaccharide containing a carboxylate group

Design and synthesis of a carboxylate-containing pentasaccahride 1 with the Galbeta(1-4) (Fucalpha1-3)GlcNAcbeta(1-6)[3-[1-carboxymethyl]-Galbeta+ ++(1-3)]GalNAcalpha-OMe sequence, which is obtained through regioselective coupling of the 6-OH of a novel acceptor 9 with Lewis(x) donor 10 catalyzed by NIS-TfOH are described.
Layer iteration calculation of angle-resolved ultraviolet photoemission: c(2 × 2) oxygen overlayer on Ni(001)

Abstract We have calculated the angle-resolved photoemission profile from s and p levels of oxygen c (2 × 2) ordered overlayer on Ni(001). Depending on the electron energy and exit angle, final state multiple scattering can produce large distortions, giving rise to complex angular profiles. However, at energies and exit angles where the solid is a poor elastic reflector, the direct term from the initial wavefunction provides the dominant contribution. We suggest that angular photoemission data in such a region can be most effectively used to study the directions of the chemisorption bond, bond angles as well as the binding site.
Prescription opioid abuse and related behavior among prisoners

Aims: U.S. prescription drug use is common, second only to marijuana use. Kentucky continues with high rates of non-medical prescription use, particularly prescription opioids in Appalachian Kentucky. Prescription opioid abuse is associated with increasing arrests. However, there is little systematic examination of prescriptionopioiduse in criminal justice settings. The aimof this study is to examine prescription opioid use levels among Kentucky prisoners to understand other drug use and related behavior. Methods: The ASSIST and TCU Drug Screeners were administered to 337 prisoners. After consent, subjects entered protocols as part of the NIDA CJDATS 2 cooperative agreement. Analysis examined past 3 month drug use and problem behaviors for 3 levels of prescription opioid use: daily (n=86), some (n=91) and none (n=160). ANCOVA and logistic regressions were performed controlling for group differences in age, gender, race, and rural residence. Results: Daily prescription opioid users were younger (34.2), more female (39.5%), more white (90.7%) and more rural (58.5%). Daily users significantly reported more use of prescription sedatives (71.3% vs. 56% and 15%, p=< .000) than those in the no use or some use categories. There were no differences in other drug use patterns except for those who reported some use of prescription stimulants (p=< .003) and hallucinogens (p=< .035). Daily users weremore likely to inject drugs, rate their druguse asmore serious, rate themselves asmore dependent on drugs, and report that treatment is important. However, there was no difference in previous treatment history. Conclusions: Findings suggest that daily users of prescription opioids in the criminal justice system are at greater risk for additional substanceuseand relatedproblems. Theyarealsomore likely to report the importance of treatment. Implications for treatment planning, community re-entry and treatment will be discussed. Financial support: CJDATS 2 is funded by NIDA in collaboration with SAMSHA and DOJ.
Hemodialysis: Core Curriculum 2014

From the Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN. Received May 1, 2013. Accepted in revised form July 1, 2013. Originally published online November 21, 2013. Address correspondence to Thomas A. Golper, MD, S3303 Medical Center North, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 21st Ave S, Nashville, TN 37232. E-mail: thomas.golper@vanderbilt. edu 2013 by the National Kidney Foundation, Inc. 0272-6386/$36.00 http://dx.doi.org/10.1053/j.ajkd.2013.07.028 PRINCIPLES OF DIALYSIS AND HOW MODALITIES DIFFER
Defining Anatomical Structures from Medical Images.

Abstract Defining anatomical objects in medical images is a critical step in 3D treatment planning. The accuracy and reproducibility of this step affects targeting, optimization based on dose-volume histograms or other volume-based measures, and the development of biological models for tumor control and complication probabilities. Efficiency is another important consideration. The current standard of practice based on edge detection is inadequate in the modern era of conformal therapy, tight margin, and dose escalation. More sophisticated approaches based on computer vision techniques, such as those discussed here, need to be further studied in the laboratory and tested in the clinical setting to verify accuracy and reproducibility, and to develop clinically reliable performance and efficient user interfaces.
Human Nav1.8: enhanced persistent and ramp currents contribute to distinct firing properties of human DRG neurons

Although species-specific differences in ion channel properties are well-documented, little has been known about the properties of the human Nav1.8 channel, an important contributor to pain signali...
What factors affect physicians' decisions to prescribe opioids for chronic noncancer pain patients?

Abstract:Objective:To evaluate the contribution of pain severity, physical pathology, demographic factors, initiators of symptoms, affective distress, behavioral expressions of pain, and functional activity levels in physicians' decisions to prescribe opioid medication for chronic noncancer pain
The gap between food intakes and the Pyramid recommendations: measurement and food system ramifications

Abstract This paper measures the current gap in food consumption between dietary guidelines and estimated food intakes. Information on the adherence of the US diet to the guidelines comes from two sources: the Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals (CSFII) and the USDA's annual Food Supply Data (FSD) Series. We review previous studies and supplement these with our own analysis of the 1994 CSFII and Food Supply data with Food Guide Pyramid serving recommendations. These analyses show that the greatest relative gaps occur in the fruit and dairy groups, and added sugars; smaller gaps exist for the other food groups. We also consider how future demographic changes will influence the size of these gaps. If current dietary patterns are maintained in each category of age, sex, and ethnicity, then we project substantial future increases in the gap at the aggregate food supply level for most food groups. The magnitude of the gap between current intakes and the Pyramid recommendations suggests the need for continued increases in agricultural productivity, higher resource use, and greater levels of international trade if the gap is to be closed.
Reactions of 2-phenylcyclohexanone derivatives. A re-examination

Abstract The product commonly obtained from bromination of 2-phenylcyclohexanone is cis -2-bromo-6-phenylcyclohexanone, formerly considered to be 2-bromo-2-phenylcyclohexanone. The initial bromination product, however, is trans -2-bromo-6-phenylcyclohexanone. The two stereoisomers are readily interconverted in acid, and the cis -isomer is normally obtained due to its lower solubility in several solvents. Dehydrobromination of the cis or trans bromoketones gives a mixture of 2-phenylcyclohex-2-en-1-one and 6-phenylcyclohex-2-en-1-one, which do not interconvert under the reaction conditions. Alkylation and cyanoethylation of 2-phenylcyclohex-2-en-1-one proceed normally at C-2.
Balanced Designs in Longitudinal Population Pharmacokinetic Studies

A simulation study was performed using a balanced design to determine the sample size required for accurate and precise estimation of a parameter at a given level of intersubject variability in a longitudinal population pharmacokinetic study. A two-compartment model parameterized in terms of clearance (Cl), volumes of the central (V1) and peripheral (V2) compartments, and intercompartmental clearance (Q) with multiple intravenous bolus inputs was assumed. Six samples were obtained from each subject using the informative profile (block) randomized design. Variability (in terms of coefficient of variation, CV) in model parameters was varied between 30% and 100%, and residual variability was fixed at 15%. Sample sizes ranging from 30 to 1,000 subjects were studied, and a hundred replicate data sets were generated and analyzed with NONMEM for each sample size at each CV. A sample size of 30 was required for accurate and precise estimation of structural model parameters when CV or = 75%). Positively biased estimates of residual variability were obtained irrespective of sample size at > or = 60% CV. This indicates that estimates of residual variability obtained in study situations where CV > or = 60% should be interpreted with caution. In such situations model misspecification may not be the issue, because in this simulation study concentration-time profiles were generated and analyzed with the same model. Although these results should be interpreted within the context of the study, they provide a framework for addressing the issue of sample size in longitudinal population pharmacokinetic study with a balanced sampling design. The result of a population pharmacokinetic study can be anticipated by comparing the results of several simulations in which the various input factors have been varied.
Did Social Media Really Matter? College Students' Use of Online Media and Political Decision Making in the 2008 Election

This study examined college students' use of online media for political purposes in the 2008 election. Social media attention, online expression, and traditional Internet attention were assessed in relation to political self-efficacy and situational political involvement. Data from a Web survey of college students showed significant positive relationships between attention to traditional Internet sources and political self-efficacy and situational political involvement. Attention to social media was not significantly related to political self-efficacy or involvement. Online expression was significantly related to situational political involvement but not political self-efficacy. Implications are discussed for political use of online media for young adults.
Molecular recognition studies with a simple dipyrrinone

Abstract We present our investigations of 2-ethyl-3-methyl-(10H)-dipyrrin-1-one, its self-association, and anion binding properties. This receptor is easily accessible in a facile single step synthesis with a straightforward workup. An examination of the concentration dependence of the dipyrrinone NH chemical shifts in CDCl3 and (CDCl2)2 over the temperature range from −20 °C to 100 °C determined the self-association constant to be 3850 M−1. Molecular recognition studies have shown that it has a preference for guests with an OH moiety, such as hydrogen sulfate (HSO4−) and carboxylic acids (RCO2H).
Ectopic Varices: Anatomical Classification, Hemodynamic Classification, and Hemodynamic-Based Management

Ectopic varices are dilated splanchnic (mesoportal) veins/varicosities and/or are dilated portosystemic collaterals that can occur along the entire gastrointestinal tract outside the common pathologic variceal sites. Ectopic varices are complex and highly variable entities that are not fully understood. Ectopic varices represent 2%-5% of a gastrointestinal tract variceal bleeding. However, ectopic varices have a 4-fold increased risk of bleeding when compared with esophageal varices and can have a mortality rate as high as 40%. All treatment strategies and techniques have been utilized in managing these potentially mortal varices and have shown poor outcomes. The debate of whether to manage these varices by decompression with a transjugular portosystemic shunt, or other portosystemic shunts, vs transvenous obliteration is unresolved. The rebleed rates after transjugular portosystemic shunt decompression are 20%-40%. The rebleed rates after transvenous obliteration and the mortality rate at 3-6 months are 30%-40% and 50%-60%, respectively. Hemodynamically from an etiology standpoint, there are 2 types: occlusive (type-b) and nonocclusive (oncotic or type-a). Hemodynamically from a vascular-shunting standpoint, there could be a component of portoportal or portosystemic shunting or both with varying dominance. This is the basis of the new classification system described herein. Management strategies (decompression vs sclerosis) are discussed. The ideal management strategy is a treatment that leads to prompt hemostasis but also addresses the etiology or hemodynamics of the ectopic varices. It is the hope that with better understanding, description, and categorization of ectopic varices comes a more systematic approach to this rare but menacing problem.
A round robin on the reproducibility of standard operating conditions for the acquisition of library MS/MS spectra using triple quadrupoles

Abstract As a preliminary to establishing standardised operating conditions (e.g. collision energy, collision target thickness) for the generation and interchange of library MS/MS spectra using triple quadrupoles, an international round-robin test of the reproducibility of a proposed operating procedure was undertaken by seven laboratories. Two ions were selected for study, n-butylbenzene, C10H14+, and the protonated dimethylphthalate ion C10H11O4+ with both argon and nitrogen as collision gases. These ions give various sets of daughter ions whose relative intensities are (a) not dependent on collision energy and target thickness, (b) dependent on collision energy but not target thickness and (c) dependent on both collision energy and target thickness. The data can therefore be analysed to verify independently the reproducibility of collision energy, target thickness and machine characteristics between different laboratories. Proposals are made to improve the definition of the standardised set of operating conditions.
Positive P representation approach for a two-photon correlated-spontaneous-emission laser

Abstract We use the positive P representation approach to treat the nonlinear problem of a two-photon correlated-spontaneous-emission laser. An approximate positive P function is obtained in steady state. We discuss the influence of the laser intensity on squeezing and find that squeezing in the phase quadrature decreases with increasing laser intensity near the laser threshold.