cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Persistence of balloon-induced arterial injury with hyperlipidemia despite gemfibrozil.

Restenosis after balloon dilitation of atherosclerotic arteries reflects migration and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells and infiltration of monocyte/macrophages. Hypercholesterolemia may contribute to this phenomenon. Accordingly, we used the lipid-lowering agent gemfibrozil to determine whether potentially detrimental effects of hypercholesterolemia on vascular remodeling after mechanical injury could be attenuated. New Zealand white rabbits fed either a chow diet (control), a 0.25% cholesterol-enriched diet, or a 0.25% cholesterol-enriched diet supplemented with gemfibrozil (0.05%, 0.1%, or 0.2%) for one week were subjected to balloon-induced carotid injury and maintained on the same diet for an additional 4 weeks. Histology of the vascular wall was then characterized. Plasma triglycerides before and 4 weeks after injury did not change in any of the treatment groups (p=0.24). Plasma cholesterol increased in all animals receiving the high cholesterol diet, and the increases remained unaffected by supplementation with gemfibrozil. In control rabbits, intimal thickening area [intima (mm2)/(intima+media (mm2))] 4 weeks after injury was 27.0±7.7% (n=16). Values were the same in hypercholesterolemic rabbits (29.7±11.8%, n=12; p=ns). However, in 16% the lumen was completely occluded by thrombus and intimal thickening could not be quantified. In hypercholesterolemic rabbits given gemfibrozil, intimal thickening was increased by 33% compared with controls (35.9±11.6%, n=39, p _??_0.05) and by 21% compared with hypercholesterolemic animals not given gemfibrozil (p=ns). None had thrombotic luminal occlusion.Macrophages detected immunohistochemically were only modest in number in vessels from control animals. In vessels from hypercholesterolemic animals and from animals whose diets were supplemented with gemfibrozil, macrophages were increased in number in both intima and media. Thus, gemfibrozil did not appear to attenuate processes implicated in restenosis. Its attenuation of thrombotic occlusion may be related to effects we have noted it exerts on fibrinolytic systems independent of lipid metabolism.
A Model for Escherichia coli DNA Polymerase III Holoenzyme Assembly at Primer/Template Ends DNA TRIGGERS A CHANGE IN BINDING SPECIFICITY OF THE γ COMPLEX CLAMP LOADER

Abstract The γ complex of the Escherichia coli DNA polymerase III holoenzyme assembles the β sliding clamp onto DNA in an ATP hydrolysis-driven reaction. Interactions between γ complex and primer/template DNA are investigated using fluorescence depolarization to measure binding of γ complex to different DNA substrates under steady-state and presteady-state conditions. Surprisingly, γ complex has a much higher affinity for single-stranded DNA (K d in the nmrange) than for a primed template (K d in the μm range) under steady-state conditions. However, when examined on a millisecond time scale, we find that γ complex initially binds very rapidly and with high affinity to primer/template DNA but is converted subsequently to a much lower affinity DNA binding state. Presteady-state data reveals an effective dissociation constant of 1.5 nm for the initial binding of γ complex to DNA and a dissociation constant of 5.7 μm for the low affinity DNA binding state. Experiments using nonhydrolyzable ATPγS show that ATP binding converts γ complex from a low affinity “inactive” to high affinity “active” DNA binding state while ATP hydrolysis has the reverse effect, thus allowing cycling between active and inactive DNA binding forms at steady-state. We propose that a DNA-triggered switch between active and inactive states of γ complex provides a two-tiered mechanism enabling γ complex to recognize primed template sites and load β, while preventing γ complex from competing with DNA polymerase III core for binding a newly loaded β·DNA complex.
Variation in Family Structure Among Urban Adolescents and Its Effects on Drug Use

Family structure is one factor that can help explain drug use among adolescents. In 2005 a study was conducted with 255 ninth-grade students from an urban, predominantly Latino Los Angeles area high school. Students were 83% Latino, 58% female, and from mostly low SES households. Half of all students reported having ever used alcohol, 30% had ever smoked a cigarette, and 18% had ever used marijuana. Family structure was measured using a single open-ended question and logistic regression was employed to determine the effects of various family structures on the use of alcohol, cigarettes, and marijuana. The presence of older siblings in the home was associated with alcohol and marijuana use, and living with a cousin was associated with marijuana use. Results suggest that influential others, including siblings and cousins, should be included in measures of family structure. Study limitations are noted.
CHANGES OF SUGARS AND ACIDS OF OSMOVAC-DRIED APPLE SLICES

Freshly sliced apple tissue was subjected to osmotic dehydration and vacuum drying. The tissue was fist immersed in a 70% sucrose syrup at 50°C for 4 hr which resulted in a 30% increase in total solids due to water loss and sugar uptake. Subsequent vacuum drying produced a product with little browning although no browning inhibitor was used. Analyses of sugars by GLC showed that sucrose and D-glucose levels increased while D-fructose level remained constant during the process. Total organic acid level decreased slightly, contributing to a threefold increase in the sugar-to-acid ratio of the final product compared to the initial apples.
SPIN: Iterative signal recovery on incoherent manifolds

Suppose that we observe noisy linear measurements of an unknown signal that can be modeled as the sum of two component signals, each of which arises from a nonlinear sub-manifold of a high-dimensional ambient space. We introduce Successive Projection onto INcoherent manifolds (SPIN), a first-order projected gradient method to recover the signal components. Despite the nonconvex nature of the recovery problem and the possibility of underdetermined measurements, SPIN provably recovers the signal components, provided that the signal manifolds are incoherent and that the measurement operator satisfies a certain restricted isometry property. SPIN significantly extends the scope of current signal recovery models and algorithms for low-dimensional linear inverse problems, and matches (or exceeds) the current state of the art in terms of performance.
Thin-film freeze-drying for lyophilization of vaccines.

one another during the thin-film freeze drying process and inhibit their aggregation upon reconstitution. It was unexpected that the thin-film freezing could be used to freeze-dry vaccines containing relatively high concentrationsof aluminum salts and with only 2%trehalose as a cryoprotectant. Previously, spray freeze-drying was used to lyophilize vaccines containing aluminum salts, but the cooling rates during spray freezing might have been up to 100-fold higher [3]. Furthermore, higher levels of excipient(s) and relatively lower levels of aluminum salts were used. The Cui–Williams group speculates that the spread film formed by the relatively smaller area of the air–liquid interface of the falling droplets may have contributed to the improved stability of the vaccines. The proposed hypothesis is reasonable, but more studies must be carried out to confirm it. In addition, the immunogenicity of v accines made by thin-film freeze-drying after being subjected to freezing or storage at ambient temperatures must be evaluated to ensure that the vaccine powder maintains its efficacy. The importance of the study of the Cui–Williams team is that it provides a possibility of developing vaccine formulations that can eliminate the cold chain. In fact, such new vaccineformulationsare essentialin distributingvaccines,especially in underdeveloped countries where vaccines are greatly needed. The drug delivery field needs more research like the work by the Cui–Williams team to make real differences in our daily life.
Musical “Tune-Ups” for Couples Brief Treatment Interventions

Some couples seek counseling to address warning signs. They may not be facing a relationship crisis but may be more concerned about where they are headed. Hence, a marriage makeover may not necessa...
Neuroleptics and their metabolites binding to alpha1 and D2 receptors

Neuroleptics are known to be potent and relatively selective dopamine Dz-receptor antagonists. This antagonism has been suggested as the primary mechanism for both the antipsychotic therapeutic effectiveness (Becker 1983; Creese 1983) and the extrapyramidal side effects of neuroleptics (Richelson and Nelson 1984). Clinically effective antipsychotic agents are being researched that are not Dz-receptor antagonists and that do not appear to modulate dopaminergi~ transmission to any significant level (Ferris et al. 1986). Neuroleptics are also likely to react with other neurotransmitter receptors, e.g., alpha adrenergic and muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, at therapeutic concentrations (Richelson and Nelson 1984). Not only the activities of parent drugs, but also the activities of their principal biological metabolites, must be considered. Drug metabolism may generate both biochemically active and inactive metabolites of the neuroleptics (Dahl 1982; Garattini 1985). Some neuroleptic drug metabolites show effects similar to those of the parent drug on uptake and receptor mechanisms for monoamines (Potter et al. 1981). Biologically active drug metabolites can contribute not only to the appearance of adverse effects, but also to the therapeutic
Plan-based representations of pascal and fortran code

The first step in program modification is comprehension. Several researchers argue that programmers utilize plan-based representations when composing or comprehending code. In this study we tested the psychological validity of this proposal and examined the nature of plan-based program representations. Experienced programmers were asked to segment code and sort programs. The segmenting data showed that programmers agree on the major components of a program and that these components are defined by goals in a plan representation. Pascal and FORTRAN programs that employ the same plan structure were segmented into similar components. Program sorting data also showed clustering into plan groups. However task related dimensions are also important parts of program representations.
The ecological impact of the Great Salinity Anomaly in the northern North‐west Atlantic

In a number of recent papers Cushing has advocated that the Great Salinity Anomaly (GSA), which entered the northern North Atlantic in the early 1970s, adversely affected the recruitment of a number of deep-water fish stocks of this ocean. Cushing envisages that a temperature anomaly accompanying the GSA slowed and/or delayed growth in the spring phytoplankton bloom which sequentially affected zooplankton growth and fish recruitment. We test a number of hypotheses relating to Cushing's picture, focusing on the waters of the West Greenland, Labrador and Newfoundland Shelves. We find that, south of Greenland waters, there were no significant temperature anomalies corresponding to the GSA. In addition we show that stability of the shelf waters increased during the GSA, casting doubt on the contention that the phytoplankton bloom was delayed by retardation of the spring stabilization of the water column due to the influence of cold water. Our analysis indicates that the food chain coupling of environment to recruitment (climate to phytoplankton to zooplankton to fish) is not strong in the study region.
Recovery of sealed H35 hepatoma cells in monolayer culture following lysolecithin permeabilization

A procedure for the quantitative recovery of permeabilized H35 hepatoma cells using lysolecithin is reported. More than 80% of the cells of confluent cultures can be made permeable, which can then seal in defined medium over the next 24 h with essentially complete recovery. Dividing cultures are more susceptible to lysolecithin than confluent cultures. By reducing the concentration of lysolecithin and time of exposure, permeabilized cell preparations can be generated from dividing cultures that will seal when incubated in defined medium supplemented with serum and folinic acid.
Critique of subjective responses of Chinese to aircraft noise

Abstract A recent paper has reported a difference in response to aircraft noise between the community living around Hong Kong International Airport and that living around Heathrow Airport in the UK. The difference has been ascribed to a different sensitivity of Chinese in Hong Kong to aircraft noise. This paper questions whether any such difference exists and suggests that the result is more likely a function of the techniques of survey and analysis adopted in the Hong Kong study. This is based on a statistical comparison of the regression lines and on an examination of the problems associated with transferring an annoyance scale developed in one environment to another.
Do bidders compensate for shipping fees in online auctions

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to determine whether online bidders adjust their offers downward to compensate for shipping fees; whether shipping fees affect the number of bids in an auction, and thus indirectly influence winning bid prices; and whether experienced bidders more fully compensate for shipping fees, as compared to less experienced bidders.Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected from eBay, covering 530 auctions of 19‐inch LCD monitors and 242 auctions of 1921 Morgan Dollar coins. Several regression models were employed to test the hypotheses.Findings – Shipping fees had a large, negative effect on winning bids in monitor auctions, but had no effect in coin auctions. Auctions with larger shipping fees resulted in fewer bids, which in turn lessened winning bid prices. Experienced bidders adjusted more fully than inexperienced bidders in monitor auctions, in which the fees are more substantial.Research limitations/implications – Data should be collected on additional product ca...
Number and placement of control system components considering possible failures

One of the first questions facing the designer of the control system for a large space structure is how many components actuators and sensors - to specify and where to place them on the structure. This paper presents a methodology which is intended to assist the designer in making these choices. A measure of controllability is defined which is a quantitative indication of how well the system can be controlled with a given set of actuators. Similarly, a measure of observability is defined which is a quantitative indication of how well the system can be observed with a given set of sensors. Then the effect of component unreliability is introduced by computing the average expected degree of controllability (observability) over the operating lifetime of the system accounting for the likelihood of various combinations of component failures. The problem of component location is resolved by optimizing this performance measure over the admissible set of locations. The variation of this optimized performance measure with number of actuators (sensors) is helpful in deciding how many components to use.
Predictive usefulness of cycle day 10 follicle-stimulating hormone level in a clomiphene citrate challenge test for in vitro fertilization outcome in women younger than 40 years of age.

Abstract Objective To determine the usefulness of the day 10 FSH level of a clomiphene citrate challenge test in predicting IVF outcome in women younger than 40 years of age. Design Retrospective chart review. Setting Academic fertility center. Patient(s) Three hundred fifty-three women younger than 40 years of age undergoing 483 IVF cycles. Main outcome measure(s) Delivery rates. Result(s) An inverse relationship was observed between the likelihood of successful pregnancy and both cycle day 3 and cycle day 10 FSH levels. In women with a normal day 3 FSH level, elevated day 10 FSH levels predicted similarly poor IVF outcomes as for women with an abnormal day 3 FSH level. There was no specific threshold FSH level beyond which pregnancies failed to occur. Successful pregnancies were achieved with aggressive stimulation even in women with FSH levels greater than 20 mIU/mL. Conclusion(s) The clomiphene citrate challenge test (CCCT) correlates with IVF outcomes in women younger than 40 years of age. Stimulated day 10 FSH levels are strongly predictive of decreased IVF success even when day 3 FSH levels are normal. Results of the CCCT are useful for patient counseling before the IVF cycle and for choosing the optimal gonadotropin regimen.
Mergers and market power in the US steel industry

Studies of the relationship between market structure and market power continue to account for a large segment of the literature. The traditional structure–conduct–performance approach of analysing this issue has been criticized because of its lack of attention to industry-specific characteristic. Adopting an approach which focuses on a single industry, we use data on the US steel industry to analyse the effects of several mergers on the steel market power. Although our results show that market power in the steel industry has been falling in recent years, it does appear that two recent mergers did boost market power.
Service providers' modes of interacting with frail elders and their families: Understanding the context for caregiving decisions

Abstract The purpose of this study was to explore the professional context within which frail elderly individuals and their families operate as they make decisions regarding caregiving. The findings serve to improve our understanding of the nature of the interface between the informal structures of families and the formal structures of the service-provider network. Designed as an exploratory qualitative study, the research process involved one-on-one interviews with providers from 9 areas of service related to elder caregiving. Specifically, analysis of the data revealed 4 provider styles or modes of interacting with elders and their families: Listener, Educator, Encourager, and Advocate. The most frequent mode was Educator, with 7 of the 9 providers referencing it more often than any other mode. The least frequent mode was Listener, with 5 of the service providers referencing it the least often. Implications of these findings for service providers lie in better understanding of how preferences for one style or another may affect their communication with clients. For families, the implications lie in understanding ways to more effectively interact with the formal network of providers in order to have their needs adequately addressed. Further, educators or counselors may be able to use these results in helping families improve their access to resources and services, and in helping providers better serve the needs of clients.
Reliable Ceramic Window Design for Electronic Devices

The effective operations of a high voltage vacuum electronic device, such as a traveling wave tube, depends on its ability to maintain high vacuum environments. However, during temperature tests, some tubes fail because of vacuum leaks through cracks in the ceramic window. It is believed that these leaks result from RF heating at the center conductor, which caused the ceramic to crack. To obtain a general understanding of the stress field in the window structure, a closed from analytical approach is imperative. However, due to the complex nature of the problem, only the first order engineering approximation is used in this preliminary study. The theory of linear elastic fracture mechanics and the existing solutions from elastic circular plates are useful for understanding the cause of ceramic window cracks. Some simple design references have also been developed for the design of reliable ceramic windows for traveling wave tubes.
Vertical probe-induced asymmetric dust oscillation in complex plasma

A complex plasma vertical oscillation experiment which modifies the bulk is presented. Spherical, micron-sized particles within a Coulomb crystal levitated in the sheath above the powered lower electrode in a GEC reference cell are perturbed using a probe attached to a Zyvex S100 Nanomanipulator. By oscillating the probe potential sinusoidally, particle motion is found to be asymmetric, exhibiting superharmonic response in one case. Using a simple electric field model for the plasma sheath, including a nonzero electric field at the sheath edge, dust particle charges are found by employing a balance of relevant forces and emission analysis. Adjusting the parameters of the electric field model allowed the change predicted in the levitation height to be compared with experiment. A discrete oscillator Green's function is applied using the derived force, which accurately predicts the particle's motion and allows the determination of the electric field at the sheath edge.
A reinforcement program for psychiatric attendants

Abstract A contingency management program for patients on a regular hospital ward was carried out exclusively by 13 psychiatric attendants. A reinforcement program was instituted for the attendants, giving each of them 150 trading stamps for every research task completed. The results indicated that the reinforcement procedure increased attendant's work on the patient's contingency management program. Other important effects were an increased number of therapeutic contacts between attendants and patients and the development of new therapeutic roles for attendants.
Perceptual weighting of stop consonant cues by normal and impaired listeners in reverberation versus noise.

Purpose To determine if listeners with normal hearing and listeners with sensorineural hearing loss give different perceptual weightings to cues for stop consonant place of articulation in noise ve...
Hospice use among nursing home patients.

Objectives Among hospice patients who lived in nursing homes, we sought to: (1) report trends in hospice use over time, (2) describe factors associated with very long hospice stays (>6 months), and (3) describe hospice utilization patterns.
Evanescent excitation of plasmonic nanodisks using hybrid guided wave silicon nitride structures

We propose a hybrid scheme in which light is coupled into gold nanodisks from a silicon nitride waveguide or travelling wave resonator. Large field enhancements in the vicinity of the nanodisk resonator can be achieved.
Maximal success probabilities of linear-optical quantum gates

Numerical optimization is used to design linear-optical devices that implement a desired quantum gate with perfect fidelity, while maximizing the success rate. For the two-qubit controlled-sign [or controlled NOT (CNOT)] gate, we provide numerical evidence that the maximum success rate is $S=2/27$ using two unentangled ancilla resources; interestingly, additional ancilla resources do not increase the success rate. For the three-qubit Toffoli gate, we show that perfect fidelity is obtained with only three unentangled ancilla photons\char22{}less than in any existing scheme\char22{}with a maximum $S=0.003\text{ }40$. This compares well to $S={(2/27)}^{2}/2\ensuremath{\approx}0.002\text{ }74$, obtainable by combining two CNOT gates and a passive quantum filter [T. C. Ralph, K. J. Resch, and A. Gilchrist, Phys. Rev. A 75, 022313 (2007)]. The general optimization approach can easily be applied to other areas of interest, such as quantum error correction, cryptography, and metrology [M. M. Wilde and D. B. Uskov, Phys. Rev. A 79, 022305 (2009); G. A. Durkin and J. P. Dowling, Phys. Rev. Lett. 99, 070801 (2007)].
Does prolonged protein restriction preceding dialysis lead to protein malnutrition at the onset of dialysis

It has recently been suggested that prolonged protein restriction preceding dialysis may induce protein malnutrition and thus confer a poor prognosis during dialysis. We examined the records of all patients who were prescribed a very low protein diet (0.3 g/kg ideal body weight) plus supplemental essential amino acids and/or ketoacids for 6 to 72 months (median 26 months) preceding renal replacement, numbering 43. Hypoalbuminemia immediately preceding dialysis was present in only two patients. Final serum albumin averaged 4.1 +/- 0.4 (SD) g/dl. Final transferrin was subnormal in eight patients, but had been subnormal in six of these, without attendant hypoalbuminemia, for one to four years. Mean final transferrin was 241 +/- 56 mg/dl. Final serum cholesterol was below 150 mg/dl in six subjects, all of whom had normal levels of albumin (mean 4.0 +/- 0.2 g/dl) and a normal mean value for transferrin (211 +/- 22 mg/dl). In five patients who exhibited subnormal albumin and transferrin and high cholesterol concentrations at the beginning of dietary therapy, albumin and transferrin levels rose to normal or nearly normal, and hypercholesterolemia receded during the ensuing four months. Thus this predialysis dietary regimen, rather than causing protein malnutrition, prevents it; when protein malnutrition is present, this regimen corrects it.
Limb Movements during Locomotion: Tests of a Model of an Intersegmental Coordinating Circuit

During normal forward swimming, the swimmerets on neighboring segments of the crayfish abdomen make periodic power-stroke movements that have a characteristic intersegmental difference in phase. Three types of intersegmental interneurons that originate in each abdominal ganglion are necessary and sufficient to maintain this phase relationship. A cellular model of the intersegmental coordinating circuit that also produces the same intersegmental phase has been proposed. In this model, coordinating axons synapse with local interneurons in their target ganglion and form a concatenated circuit that links neighboring segmental ganglia. This model assumed that coordinating axons projected to their nearest-neighboring ganglion but not farther. We tested this assumption in two sets of experiments. If the assumption is correct, then blocking synaptic transmission in an intermediate ganglion should uncouple swimmeret activity on opposite sides of the block. We bathed individual ganglia in a low Ca2+–high Mg2+ saline that effectively silenced both motor output from the ganglion and the coordinating interneurons that originated in it. With this block in place, other ganglia on opposite sides of the block could nonetheless maintain their normal phase difference. Simultaneous recordings of spikes in coordinating axons on opposite sides of the blocked ganglion showed that these axons projected beyond the neighboring ganglion. Selective bilateral ablation of the tracts in which these axons ran showed that they were necessary and usually sufficient to maintain coordination across a blocked ganglion. We discuss revisions of the cellular model of the coordinating circuit that would incorporate these new results.
How programming environment shapes perception, learning and goals: logo vs. scratch

This study compares the attitudinal and learning outcomes of sixth grade students programming in either Logo or Scratch. Given proposed affordances of the visual programming language, Scratch, I hypothesized that those students learning Scratch would demonstrate greater competence in interpreting loops and conditional statements and would have more positive attitudes towards programming. However, differences in performance between the two groups appeared only in the greater ability of the students that learned Scratch to interpret conditional statements. Contrary to our hypothesis, we found that students that learned Logo had on average higher confidence in their ability to program and students were no more likely to plan to continue to program after the course or view the learning of topics as difficult if they learned Logo or Scratch.
Aspirin increases nitric oxide formation in chronic stable coronary disease

Introduction:There are no published randomized data on secondary prevention in humans about whether aspirin affects nitric oxide (NO) formation. In patients with chronic stable coronary disease, we tested whether aspirin at clinically relevant doses increases NO formation.Materials and Methods:In a randomized, double-blind trial, 37 patients from 2 cardiology office practices were assigned to daily doses of 81, 162.5, 325, 650, or 1300 aspirin for 12 weeks. Primary prespecified outcome measures were changes in heme oxygenase (HO-1), a downstream target of NO formation, and asymmetrical dimethyl arginine (ADMA), a competitive inhibitor of NO synthase.Results:There were no significant differences for HO-1 or ADMA between any of the clinically relevant doses of aspirin tested, so all were combined. For HO-1, there was a significant increase (10.29 ± 2.44, P < .001) from baseline (15.37 ± 1.85) to week 12 (25.66 ± 1.57). The mean ratio (MR) of week 12 to baseline for HO-1 was significantly higher than 1.0 (1....
Commentary: pre-operative use of anti-TNF-α agents and the risk of post-operative complications in patients with ulcerative colitis.

1. McNulty CAM, Lasseter G, Shaw I, et al. Is Helicobacter pyloriantibiotic resistance surveillance needed and how can it bedelivered? Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2012; 35: 1221–30.2. Selgrad M, Bornschein J, Malfertheiner P. Guidelines fortreatment of Helicobacter pylori in the East and West. Expert RevAnti Infect Ther 2011; 9: 581–8.3. Hirschl AM, Makristathis A. Methods to detect Helicobacterpylori: from culture to molecular biology. Helicobacter 2007;12(Suppl. 2): 6–11.4. Selgrad M, Kandulski A, Malfertheiner P. Helicobacter pylori:diagnosis and treatment. Curr Opin Gastroenterol 2009; 25: 549–56.5. Logan RP. The chemotherapeutic effects of H
The Rigorous Solution of an Electrostatic Field by Means of the Card-Programmed Calculator [includes discussion]

ASSOCIATE MEMBERAIEE A LTHOUGH itisgenerally truethat insulation forhigh-voltage apparatus cannotbedesigned entirely onthe basis ofanalytical studies, itisalso true thatexperimental methodsalonearea slowandcostly wayofprogressing inthe artofinsulation design. A balance betweentesting andtheoretical results gives satisfactory progress andatthesametime avoids thedanger ofgetting toofarremovedfromreality. Powertransformer design isan excellent example where theoretical andexperimental results can becombined toproduce design information.Byacombination ofelectric field analysis andtesting, trends andcurves canbeestablished which satisfactorily predicttheinsulation strength ofvarious electrode configurations. Theanalytical approach isespecially well suited toareas ofhighelectrical stress wheretheinitiation ofbreakdowns isconfined toasingle region ofthefield suchascoil edges, clamps, andother sharp-edged electrodes. Herefield analysis servestwouseful purposes: (1)Itcan determine the magnitude oftheelectrical stresses inthe critical areas, andatwhatvoltage level there islikely tobecorona; and(2)it gives information astothebestelectrode arrangement sothatmaximumbenefit canbederived fromtheshielding influence ofadjacent electrodes. Theuseful results offield analyses are equations fromwhichgradients canbe easily calculated andthis usually requires anapproximate methodoffield solution forthedifficult fields. Theimportant features oftheapproximate equations arethattheybeeasily obtainable, and thattheygive good accuracy inthehighly
Pressure Buildup and Brine Migration During CO2 Storage in Multilayered Aquifers

Carbon dioxide injection into deep saline formations may induce large-scale pressure increases and migration of native fluid. Local high-conductivity features, such as improperly abandoned wells or conductive faults, could act as conduits for focused leakage of brine into shallow groundwater resources. Pressurized brine can also be pushed into overlying/underlying formations because of diffuse leakage through low-permeability aquitards, which occur over large areas and may allow for effective pressure bleed-off in the storage reservoirs. This study presents the application of a recently developed analytical solution for pressure buildup and leakage rates in a multilayered aquifer-aquitard system with focused and diffuse brine leakage. The accuracy of this single-phase analytical solution for estimating far-field flow processes is verified by comparison with a numerical simulation study that considers the details of two-phase flow. We then present several example applications for a hypothetical CO2 injection scenario (without consideration of two-phase flow) to demonstrate that the new solution is an efficient tool for analyzing regional pressure buildup in a multilayered system, as well as for gaining insights into the leakage processes of flow through aquitards, leaky wells, and/or leaky faults. This solution may be particularly useful when a large number of calculations needs to be performed, that is, for uncertainty quantification, for parameter estimation, or for the optimization of pressure-management schemes.
Abnormalities of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in Dahl rats

Plasma glucose, insulin, and triglyceride concentration, blood pressure, and insulin action on isolated adipocytes were determined in weight-matched Sprague-Dawley, Dahl salt-resistant, and Dahl salt-sensitive rats. Blood pressure and plasma glucose concentrations were not significantly different in the three groups. However, Dahl salt-sensitive rats had significantly higher plasma insulin (39 +/- 2 microunits/ml) and triglyceride (213 +/- 11 mg/dl) concentrations than did Sprague-Dawley rats (27 +/- 2 microunits/ml and 101 +/- 6 mg/dl, respectively). Values for insulin (34 +/- 4 microunits/ml) and triglyceride (159 +/- 11 mg/dl) were intermediate in Dahl salt-resistant rats. In contrast, maximal insulin-stimulated glucose transport was significantly lower in adipocytes isolated from Dahl salt-sensitive as compared with Sprague-Dawley rats (400 +/- 16 versus 523 +/- 14 fl/cell/sec), with Dahl salt-resistant rats again having intermediate values. However, the ability of insulin to maximally inhibit catecholamine-stimulated lipolysis was similar in all three groups, averaging approximately 20% of the activity present in the absence of insulin. All of these differences were seen when the rats were eating conventional chow and did not change in Dahl rats after 2 weeks of an 8% NaCl diet. On the other hand, the predicted rise in blood pressure took place in Dahl salt-sensitive rats, increasing from 147 +/- 4 to 181 +/- 6 mm Hg.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Do grades reflect the development of excellence in music students? The prognostic validity of entrance exams at universities of music

For successful admission to universities of music, prospective students have to pass entrance exams which assess the quality of their music-making and, in some instances, their abilities in music theory and aural training. However, only very little is known about the validity of such grades and the skill development of expectant professional musicians. For the first time, the present study analyzes the long-term development of grades of students in a bachelor degree program (N = 63) over a period of 3 years. As the grades were neither interval-scaled nor normally distributed, a logistic regression analysis was calculated to quantify the predictability of final grades in the main instrument and music theory based on the respective entrance exam grades. The prognostic validity was low for grades in both the main instrument and music theory/aural training (Nagelkerke R2 = .08 and .01). This result can be mainly attributed to two explanations: First, university grades are often inflated and subject to ceiling effects. Second, the curricula in music theory contain such variety that it is impossible to define what all students across the board learn. In order to better define expertise skill development in students, we suggest initiating regular competency-based assessments for professional musicians at a pre-collegiate and collegiate level.
Inverter synchronization control with Internal Model Principle

With the recent soaring of renewable energy, future power grid will likely evolve in a Distributed Power Generation System. These changes lead to a critical concern that is how to effectively maintain the synchronization between distributed generators / inverters and power grid. In this paper, Internal Model Principle is utilized to construct controller for the regulation of both voltage and phase angle in DC-AC inversion. Through controller innovation, conventional Phase Lock Loop is not needed anymore, and true synchronization can be realized. Furthermore, to enhance stability, Linear Quadratic Regulator is introduced to achieve optimization. Then digital redesign is conducted to obtain the corresponding discrete-time controller in z-domain, which can effectively prolong the calculation period to lessen computational burden in real-time. Simulation results confirmed the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Evaluation of lime requirement tests for Northern Idaho soils

Abstract Agricultural soils in northern Idaho have become acidified in the last 20 years due to heavy use of ammonium‐based N fertilizers. There is, however, a lack of information on the performance of lime requirement tests on these soils. This study was undertaken to evaluate several of the more commonly used lime requirement tests on some northern Idaho soils. Latahco silt loam soil (fine‐silty, mixed, frigid Argiaquic Xeric Argialboll) was selected to represent these closely related soils in this study. Latahco soil was incubated under controlled environmental conditions with 0, 1,2, and 4 Mg ha‐1 Ca(OH)2 for five weeks. The results were compared to “quick” lime requirement tests using linear regression equations. All lime requirement tests were highly correlated with incubation‐indicated lime requirement (r 0.89 at target pH 6.0). However, only Woodruff and Improved Woodruff buffer methods provided acceptable estimates of the actual lime requirement over the pH range evaluated (5.0 to 5.8). The SMP b...
Learning policies for single machine job dispatching

Reinforcement learning (RL) has received some attention in recent years from agent-based researchers because it deals with the problem of how an autonomous agent can learn to select proper actions for achieving its goals through interacting with its environment. Each time after an agent performs an action, the environment's response, as indicated by its new state, is used by the agent to reward or penalize its action. The agent's goal is to maximize the total amount of reward it receives over the long run. Although there have been several successful examples demonstrating the usefulness of RL, its application to manufacturing systems has not been fully explored. In this study, a single machine agent employs the Q-learning algorithm to develop a decision-making policy on selecting the appropriate dispatching rule from among three given dispatching rules. The system objective is to minimize mean tardiness. This paper presents a factorial experiment design for studying the settings used to apply Q-learning to the single machine dispatching rule selection problem. The factors considered in this study include two related to the agent's policy table design and three for developing its reward function. This study not only investigates the main effects of this Q-learning application but also provides recommendations for factor settings and useful guidelines for future applications of Q-learning to agent-based production scheduling.
Intense Plasma Emission From Atmospheric-Pressure Plasma Jet Array by Jet-to-Jet Coupling

The authors describe an intense plasma plume from atmospheric-pressure plasma jet array devices. Here, outer plasma plumes, produced by this device, were sucked into the centered plasma plume at the ends of the tubes and merged with the centered plume. The intense plasma jet is possible through jet-to-jet coupling in eight-quartz-tube arrays. To describe this coupling, optical properties of the intense plasma jet are compared with those of a single tubing plasma jet. The optical intensity from the intense plasma jet by jet-to-jet coupling was approximately three times larger than that of a conventional single plasma jet under identical driving and gas conditions.
INTERVENTION FIDELITY IN FAMILY-BASED PREVENTION COUNSELING FOR ADOLESCENT PROBLEM BEHAVIORS

This study examined fidelity in multidimensional family prevention (MDFP), a family-based prevention counseling model for adolescents at high risk for substance abuse and related behavior problems, in comparison to two empirically based treatments for adolescent drug abuse: multidimensional family therapy (MDFT) and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Randomly selected videotapes of 109 MDFP sessions, 57 MDFT sessions, and 31 CBT sessions were observationally rated along two key dimensions of implementation: intervention parameters and intervention techniques. Overall, MDFP was similar to MDFT and different from CBT in a manner congruent with its theoretical principles of interactional, systemic intervention. However, deficiencies in parental monitoring and developmental knowledge interventions point the way for continued model development. The utility of fidelity process research for conveying intervention technology along the prevention-treatment continuum of mental health services is discussed. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comm Psychol 33: 191–211, 2005.
Evaluating costs and benefits of distributed learning

Distributed learning may decrease cost per learner in relation to small campus-based engineering education courses. This paper presents design and evaluation strategies for distributed learning, together with an evaluation of the results for existing programs. It further describes means to evaluate the costs and benefits for both the provider and the customer.
Incorporating Product Development in CS Curriculum

This paper presents our experiences in incorporating an industry product development within a two semester course sequence in object oriented analysis & design and Internet/Web architecture & development. Industry client(s) provided the scope, evaluation, and feedback through the project analysis, design, and development. This approach of ours was to facilitate experiential learning and move away from the classic learning- through-academic-exercise. This is a paradigm shift for the students from targeted academic tasks to taking responsible roles in usable product development. We present our experiences from the conceptual stages of the project through the implementation of user needs carried out during the two semesters. We list the challenges posed for the instructor, the students enrolled in the classes, and the industry participant.
Response to "Shaky Ground for Lysosome-Dependent Membrane Repair"

Norma Andrews responds to a letter by Richard Steinhardt about views presented in her STKE Perspective entitled "Membrane Resealing: Synaptotagmin VII Keeps Running the Show."
How Social Networks Enable Adaptation to System Complexity and Extreme Weather Events

There are growing accounts of innovative, often collaborative institutional approaches to water management that seem to respond better to new challenges in supply and water quality management. While some describe these new institutional designs as a “third way”, as opposed to traditional state-centered or market-based modes, we find that the most salient features of it to characterize even those effective state or market designs. The fundamental ingredient, which is patterned relationships, is one that arises when social networks are built around the formal (state or market) institutions. The necessary plane of description is not on the dimension of structure (state, market, or otherwise) but in the nature and workings of these relational networks. We describe necessary features of these networks. We illustrate these points with a case study: the Environmental Water Account (EWA), a novel market-based program for negotiating water allocations around the San Francisco Bay-Delta (California, U.S.A.). We point out how this institution worked precisely because it was not merely a market-based program but, rather, built in features of an effective social network. In this way, we found a capacity of the EWA to adapt to the dynamic nature of water resources and needs, along with the uncertainties inherent in a complex social-ecological system.
Reliability and Validity of the Functional Assessment Rating Scale

The Functional Assessment Rating Scale was developed as a measure of psychiatric symptomatology and psychosocial impairments. This study was designed to report estimates of reliability and validity with a population of schizophrenic patients. The scale showed very good interrater agreement, test-retest reliability, construct validity, and concurrent validity, so the scale seems a useful measure of psychopathology which may be used to assess and monitor patients displaying severe mental illnesses.
Diffusion quantum Monte Carlo on multiple-potential surfaces

Abstract An approach is developed for applying diffusion Monte Carlo (DMC) techniques to problems that involve two or more coupled potential energy surfaces. This technique combines surface hopping with traditional DMC approaches. It is applied to linear chains of HF when at least one of the HF monomers is excited to a low-lying vibrational state, v =1 or v =2. In the case of (HF) 2 the errors in the energies, calculated using DMC, are smaller than the statistical uncertainty. In this case, the vibrational excitation is localized, but, as the number of HF monomers is increased to 10, the excitation becomes delocalized.
LONG-DISTANCE MOVEMENTS OF JUVENILE MOHAVE GROUND SQUIRRELS, SPERMOPHILUS MOHAVENSIS

We studied movements of 36 juvenile Mohave ground squirrels (Spermophilus mohav- ensis) during their first active season, until immergence into hibernation, a period that lasted from late May to late August. For all radiocollared individuals, the mean greatest distance between any 2 locations was 1,520 m for males (range 110 to 6,230 m) and 505 m for females (range 105 to 3,862 m). Eleven individuals (6 females, 5 males) with known litter affiliations were followed from their initial capture until inactive underground: males moved a mean distance of 2,920 m (range 0 to 6,230 m), and females moved a mean distance of 753 m (range 0 to 3,862 m) between their natal area and hibernation site. Ten individuals (8 males, 2 females) moved distances .1 km. Individuals making long-distance movements were likely to have traversed habitat that would be considered marginal for adult Mohave ground squirrels. Long-distance movement by juveniles might be critical for connecting local populations and recolonizing sites after local, drought- related extirpation.
COLONY CHOICE IN CLIFF SWALLOWS: EFFECTS OF HETEROGENEITY IN FORAGING HABITAT

Abstract One potential determinant of colony size in birds is the local availability of food near a nesting site. Insectivorous Cliff Swallows (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) in southwestern Nebraska nest in colonies ranging from 2 to over 3,000 nests, but they feed on so many kinds of insects that direct sampling of food resources is impractical. Instead, we investigated the degree to which swallow colony size was correlated with the extent of different habitat types, land use diversity, and plant species diversity in the colony's foraging range, and used those parameters as indices of potential variation among sites in food availability. Amount of flowing and standing water in the foraging range was a significant predictor of mean colony size across years at a site, with larger colonies associated with more water. The same result held for most years when analyzed separately. The extent of flowing water in the foraging range also was a significant predictor of the frequency with which a site was occupied acro...