cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Weighing in Before the Fight Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and Non–High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Versus Apolipoprotein B as the Best Predictor for Coronary Heart Disease and the Best Measure of Therapy

In this issue of Circulation , Pischon and colleagues1 present provocative data pitting the power of non–high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) versus apolipoprotein (apo) B to predict coronary heart disease (CHD) development in healthy men. They conclude not only that apoB is a superior predictor of CHD risk but, in addition, that “the practical application of our findings would be the substitution of apoB for LDL-C and non-HDL-C for screening and treatment of CHD risk.” Article p 3375 The article presents a healthy spar—a bob and weave—between apoB and the cholesterol concentrations in apoB-containing lipoproteins. The contenders could be fraternal twins because they are strikingly similar. They may be conjoined, making any competition between parts more akin to self-mutilation. This coveted prize must be earned by more than a simple sparring competition. Guidelines for lipid management are not valuable unless the measurement of the indicator variable can be made reliably and reproducibly. The present standards for total cholesterol (TC) and HDL-C are a bias ≤3% and ≤5% (accuracy) with a coefficient of variation (CV) ≤3% and ≤4% (precision) with a total error of ≤8.9% and ≤13%, respectively.2 Before the mid-1980s, CVs for apoB averaged 30%. The development of standardized methods and suitable reference standards has led to marked improvements in reliability with an average bias of 2.1% (range −5.0 to 3.8%) and an average CV of 2.6% (range 0.9 to 5.1%).3 These appear to be comparable to that expected for non-HDL-C derived from TC and HDL-C measurements. ### Round 1 Score: 10:10 Both are reliable measurements. Interindividual day-to-day variation in apoB is similar to that found for TC (5% to 7%); calculated LDL-C is higher at 9% and non-HDL-C is probably in a similar range.4 Variation from race and gender finds higher mean non-HDL-C in men than in women (160 versus 154 …
The wedge subjected to tractions: a paradox re-examined

The classical two-dimensional solution for the stress distribution in an elastic wedge loaded by a uniform pressure on one side of the wedge becomes infinite when the wedge angle 2α satisfies the equation tan 235-1. This paradox was resolved recently by Dempsey who obtained a solution which is bounded at 235-2. However, for α not equal but very close to 235-3, the classical solution can still be very large as α approaches 235-4. In this paper we re-examine the paradox. We obtain a solution which remains bounded as α approaches 235-5 and reproduces Dempsey's solution in the limit 235-6. At 235-7 the stress distribution contains a (ln r) term for general loadings. The (ln r) term disappears under a special loading and the stresses are bounded for all r. Moreover, the solution is not unique. In other words, for the wedge angle 235-8 under a special loading, infinitely many solutions exist for which the stresses are bounded for all r. We also obtain solutions which are bounded and approach Dempsey's solutions when 2α=π and 2π. Again, under a special loading infinitely many solutions exist for which the stresses are bounded for all r. Care has been exercised in this paper to present the solutions in a form in which the terms r-λ and ln r are replaced by R-gl and ln R where R=r/r0is the dimensionless radial distance and r0 is an arbitrary constant having the dimension of length.
Commentary: Beyond Authenticity: Exploring Intimacy in the Touristic Encounter in Thailand

ABSTRACT This paper explores various interpretations of authenticity as they are described by the actors involved in hill-tribe trekking tourism in northern Thailand. By considering the ways that tourists interpret authenticity through their own experiences, it may be possible to gain a deeper understanding about the curious motivations for participation in the lives of Others. This research has shown that how tourists interpret an ‘authentic’ experience is highly correlated with their ability to procure an intimate encounter with the toured Karen people. Ultimately, the intimate experience supersedes the desire for object authenticity, which may be perceived as superficial or secondary to the more humanist desire for reciprocal interaction.
Thermodynamics of converting lead sulfide

Available thermodynamic data on the Pb-S-O system are reviewed and collated to establish a quantitative equilibrium model for processes of converting and direct smelting of PbS concentrates to Pb. The thermodynamic properties of Pb-S liquid solutions are well represented by an empirical model which treats these solutions as “regular” mixtures of liquid Pb and liquid PbS. The calculations and equilibrium diagrams for the Pb-S-O system show that close control of oxygen activity and temperature will be required for a successful lead converting process, and that in fact a multistage countercurrent process should be advantageous.
Biphasic Potassium Contractures in Frog Muscle Fibers

Potassium-induced contractures were studied in single fibers from the semitendinosus muscle of Rana pipiens. Contractures elicited by solutions containing 60–117 mM potassium and 120 mM chloride were biphasic, consisting of a rapid initial contraction with a duration at 23°C of less than 1 sec followed by a slow response with a duration of many seconds. At 13°C, the initial response was greatly prolonged so that the two responses virtually fused into a single smooth contracture. Membrane potential in high potassium, high chloride solutions underwent a transient peak depolarization, probably as a result of time-dependent changes in membrane conductance during depolarization. It is proposed that this complex time course of depolarization gives rise to the biphasic contracture response.
Metabolic Responses of Estuarine Microbial Communities to Discharge of Surface Runoff and Groundwater from Contrasting Landscapes

Groundwater discharge is increasingly recognized as a significant source of nutrient input to coastal waters, relative to surface water inputs. There remains limited information, however, on the extent to which nutrients and organic matter from each of these two flowpaths influence the functional responses of coastal microbial communities. As such, this study determined dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and nutrient concentrations of surface water runoff and groundwater from both an urbanized and a relatively pristine forested drainage basin near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and quantified the changes in production rates and biomass of phytoplankton and bacterioplankton in response to these inputs during two microcosm incubation experiments (August and October, 2011). Rainwater in the urbanized basin that would otherwise enter the groundwater appeared to be largely rerouted into the surface flowpath by impervious surfaces, bypassing ecosystem buffers and filtration mechanisms. Surface runoff from the developed basin was most enriched in nutrients and DOC and yielded the highest production rates of the various source waters upon addition to coastal waters. The metabolic responses of phytoplankton and bacterioplankton were generally well predicted as a function of initial chemical composition of the various source waters, though more so with bacterial production. Primary and bacterial productivities often correlated at reciprocal time points (24-h measurement of one with the 72-h measurement of the other). These results suggest human modification of coastal watersheds enhances the magnitude of dissolved constituents delivered to coastal waters as well as alters their distributions between surface and groundwater flowpaths, with significant implications for microbial community structure and function in coastal receiving waters.
Factors influencing the tensile strength, hardness, and ductility of hydrogen-cycled palladium

A systematic study of the tensile strength, hardness, and ductility of palladium has been performed on foil specimens that have undergone hydrogen absorption and desorption under a variety of conditions. The experimental parameters under control in the various hydrogen treatments were: (i) the amount of hydrogen absorbed, (ii) the isotope of hydrogen (protium versus deuterium) absorbed, (iii) the number of hydrogen absorption/desorption cycles, and (iv) the hydrogen absorption/desorption temperature. In all instances hydrogen absorption/desorption cycling significantly alters the tensile strength, hardness, and ductility of well-annealed palladium. The results show that, in general, the strength and hardness of palladium increases as a result of hydrogen cycling while the ductility decreases. The extent of the respective increases and decreases has been found to differ depending on the parameter being varied. The most sensitive parameter was found to be the amount of hydrogen absorbed during cycling.
Mason valley groundwater model: linking surface water and groundwater in the Walker River basin, Nevada.

Carroll, Rosemary W.H., Greg Pohll, David McGraw, Chris Garner, Anna Knust, Doug Boyle, Tim Minor, Scott Bassett, and Karl Pohlmann, 2010. Mason Valley Groundwater Model: Linking Surface Water and Groundwater in the Walker River Basin, Nevada. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 46(3):554-573. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752-1688.2010.00434.x Abstract: An integrated surface water and groundwater model of Mason Valley, Nevada is constructed to replicate the movement of water throughout the different components of the demand side of water resources in the Walker River system. The Mason Valley groundwater surface water model (MVGSM) couples the river/drain network with agricultural demand areas and the groundwater system using MODFLOW, MODFLOW’s streamflow routing package, as well as a surface water linking algorithm developed for the project. The MVGSM is capable of simulating complex feedback mechanisms between the groundwater and surface water system that is not dependent on linearity among the related variables. The spatial scale captures important hydrologic components while the monthly stress periods allow for seasonal evaluation. A simulation spanning an 11-year record shows the methodology is robust under diverse climatic conditions. The basin-wide modeling approach predicts a river system generally gaining during the summer irrigation period but losing during winter months and extended periods of drought. River losses to the groundwater system approach 25% of the river’s annual budget. Reducing diversions to hydrologic response units will increase river flows exiting the model domain, but also has the potential to increase losses from the river to groundwater storage.
Juveniles in court

Nineteenth-century American reformers were concerned about the influence of immaturity and development in juvenile offenses. They responded to their delinquent youths through the creation of juvenile courts. This early American juvenile justice system sought to treat children as different from adults and to rehabilitate wayward youths through the state's assumption of a parental role. Although these rehabilitative goals were never fully realized, the field of American child psychiatry was spawned from these efforts on behalf of delinquent youths. Early child psychiatrists began by caring for juvenile offenders. The function of a child psychiatrist with juvenile delinquents expanded beyond strictly rehabilitation, however, as juvenile courts evolved to resemble criminal adult courts-due to landmark Supreme Court decisions and also juvenile legislation between 1966 and 1975. In response to dramatically increased juvenile violence and delinquency rates in the 1980s, juvenile justice became more retributional, and society was forced to confront issues such as capital punishment for juveniles, their transfer to adult courts, and their competency to stand trial. In the modern juvenile court, child psychiatrists are often asked to participate in the consideration of such issues because of their expertise in development. In that context we review the role of psychiatrists in assisting juvenile courts.
Stable, High-Level Expression of Reporter Proteins from Improved Alphavirus Expression Vectors To Track Replication and Dissemination during Encephalitic and Arthritogenic Disease

Engineered alphavirus vectors expressing reporters of infection have been used for a number of years due to their relatively low costs for analysis of virus replication and the capacity to utilize imaging systems for longitudinal measurements of growth within single animals. In general, these vectors have been derived from Old World alphaviruses using a second viral subgenomic promoter to express the transgenes, placed either immediately after the nonstructural proteins or at the 3' end of the viral coding sequences. However, the relevance of these vectors to natural infections is questionable, as they have not been rigorously tested for virulence in vivo in comparison with parental viruses or for the retention of the reporter during replication. Here, we report construction of new expression vectors for two Old World arthritogenic alphaviruses (Sindbis and Chikungunya viruses) and two New World encephalitic alphaviruses (eastern and Venezuelan equine encephalitis viruses) based upon either fusion of the reporter protein in frame within nonstructural protein 3 (nsP3) or insertion of the reporter as a cleavable element between the capsid and PE2 structural proteins. We have compared these with a traditional 3' double subgenomic promoter virus expressing either a large, firefly luciferase (fLuc; 1,650 nucleotides), or small, NanoLuc (nLuc; 513 nucleotides), luminescent reporter protein. Results indicate that the nLuc is substantially more stable than fLuc during repeated rounds of infection regardless of the transgene location. However, the capsid-PE2 insertion and nsP3 fusion viruses exhibit the most authentic mimicking of parental virus infection regardless of expressed protein. IMPORTANCE As more antiviral therapeutics and vaccines are developed, rapid and accurate in vivo modeling of their efficacy will be required. However, current alphavirus vectors expressing reporters of infection have not been extensively tested for accurate mimicking of the infection characteristics of unmodified parental viruses. Additionally, use of in vivo imaging systems detecting light emitted from luciferase reporters can significantly decrease costs associated with efficacy studies by minimizing numbers of animals. Herein we report development and testing of new expression vectors for Sindbis, Chikungunya, and eastern and Venezuelan equine encephalitis viruses and demonstrate that a small (∼500-nucleotide) reporter gene (NanoLuc; Promega) is very stable and causes a disease severity similar to that caused by unmodified parental viruses. In contrast, expression of larger reporters is very rapidly lost with virus replication and can be significantly attenuating. The utility of NanoLuc for in vivo imaging is also demonstrated.
Novel Products from Underutilized Fish Using Combined Processing Technology

Mincing or surimi-processing, followed by fermentation, extrusion and intermediate moisture food (IMF) processing were combined to investigate new ways to create fish protein based snack foods. A dough of fermented fish (minced or surimi), wheat flour, corn starch, and water was extruded and subsequently dried resulting in an IMF product at pH 5.2, water activity 0.90 and moisture about 30%. The products had a chewy texture, were shelf-stable and could be processed into flavored, high-protein snack foods.
Mourning dove reporting probabilities for web‐address versus toll‐free bands

Federal migratory bird bands have been inscribed with a postal address and toll-free telephone number (toll-free bands) since 1995 for their reporting, but in 2007 the postal mail address was replaced with an internet address (web-address bands). The reporting rate of web-address bands is unknown, and knowledge of band reporting probabilities is an integral part of bird band-recovery studies designed to obtain unbiased estimates of harvest rates and recovery rates if use of band types differs across space and time. We estimated web-address band reporting probabilities for mourning doves (Zenaida macroura) in the United States by comparing the relative recovery rate (ratio) of web-address to toll-free bands and applying this as an adjustment factor to the known reporting probabilities of toll-free bands. Cooperators banded 132,386 doves representing 57,982 (44%) web-address and 74,404 (56%) toll-free bands in July and August during 2008–2010 across 34 states, 12 regions, and 3 management units. Of the birds banded, 4,642 (3.5%) were direct recoveries, as a result of being shot, and all but 3 were reported via telephone or internet. Nationally, internet reporting accounted for 16.3% of toll-free bands and 42.9% of web-address bands recovered. Web-address bands had a greater recovery rate than toll-free bands (ratio = 1.081, SE = 0.027). We found some evidence of spatial variation in ratio estimates at management unit and regional scales, but the variation was primarily at the regional level where it was not great (range = 1.015–1.213) and statistical support for this variation was not particularly strong (SE = 0.129). Nationally, the web-address band reporting probability was 0.535 (SE = 0.021), an absolute increase of 0.040 compared to the reporting probability of toll-free bands. The additional reporting probability of web-address bands relative to toll-free bands must be accounted for in band-recovery studies used to obtain estimates of harvest rates and recovery rates if use of band types differs across space and time for mourning doves and possibly other species. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.
Management of effort thrombosis with low-dose streptokinase

A 51-year-old female presented with axillary-subclavian vein effort throm bosis. The treatment modality was low-dose constant-infusion streptokinase, followed by heparin and coumadin. Near-total resolution of the pathology and symptoms resulted. There were no adverse events secondary to streptokinase.
The kinetics of the gas phase reaction of O(3P) with N2O5

Abstract The kinetics of the gas phase reaction between O( 3 P) atoms and N 2 O 5 have been examined in a discharge-flow mass spectrometer at 4.5 torr (N 2 ) total pressure. At O( 3 P) concentrations (5–10) × 10 14 molecules/cm 3 , the decay of N 2 O 5 was very small and only slightly greater than the data scatter. From these data, upper limits to the rate constant of this reaction was obtained at 223 and 300 K: k 223 and k 300 ⩽ 3 × 10 −16 cm 3 /molecule s.
Effect of receptor-ligand affinity on the strength of endothelial cell adhesion.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of receptor-ligand affinity on the strength of endothelial cell adhesion. Linear and cyclic forms of the fibronectin (Fn) cell-binding domain peptide Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) were covalently immobilized to glass, and Fn was adsorbed onto glass slides. Bovine aortic endothelial cells attached to the surfaces for 15min. The critical wall shear stress at which 50% of the cells detached increased nonlinearly with ligand density and was greater with immobilized cyclic RGD than with immobilized linear RGD or adsorbed Fn. To directly compare results for the different ligand densities, the receptor-ligand dissociation constant and force per bond were estimated from data for the critical shear stress and contact area. Total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy was used to measure the contact area as a function of separation distance. Contact area increased with increasing ligand density. Contact areas were similar for the immobilized peptides but were greater on surfaces with adsorbed Fn. The dissociation constant was determined by nonlinear regression of the net force on the cells to models that assumed that bonds were either uniformly stressed or that only bonds on the periphery of the contact region were stressed (peeling model). Both models provided equally good fits for cells attached to immobilized peptides whereas the peeling model produced a better fit of data for cells attached to adsorbed Fn. Cyclic RGD and linear RGD both bind to the integrin alpha v beta 3, but immobilized cyclic RGD exhibited a greater affinity than did linear RGD. Receptor affinities of Fn adsorbed to glycophase glass and Fn adsorbed to glass were similar. The number of bonds was calculated assuming binding equilibrium. The peeling model produced good linear fits between bond force and number of bonds. Results of this study indicate that 1) bovine aortic endothelial cells are more adherent on immobilized cyclic RGD peptide than linear RGD or adsorbed Fn, 2) increased adhesion is due to a greater affinity between cyclic RGD and its receptor, and 3) the affinity of RGD peptides and adsorbed Fn for their receptors is increased after immobilization.
Microfabricated infuse-withdraw micropump component for an integrated inner-ear drug-delivery platform

One of the major challenges in treatment of auditory disorders is that many therapeutic compounds are toxic when delivered systemically. Local intracochlear delivery methods are becoming critical in emerging treatments and in drug discovery. Direct infusion via cochleostomy, in particular, is attractive from a pharmacokinetics standpoint, as there is potential for the kinetics of delivery to be well-controlled. Direct infusion is compatible with a large number of drug types, including large, complex molecules such as proteins and unstable molecules such as siRNA. In addition, hair-cell regeneration therapy will likely require long-term delivery of a timed series of agents. This presents unknown risks associated with increasing the volume of fluid within the cochlea and mechanical damage caused during delivery. There are three key requirements for an intracochlear drug delivery system: (1) a high degree of miniaturization (2) a method for pumping precise and small volumes of fluid into the cochlea in a highly controlled manner, and (3) a method for removing excess fluid from the limited cochlear fluid space. To that end, our group is developing a head-mounted microfluidics-based system for long-term intracochlear drug delivery. We utilize guinea pig animal models for development and demonstration of the device. Central to the system is an infuse-withdraw micropump component that, unlike previous micropump-based systems, has fully integrated drug and fluid storage compartments. Here we characterize the infuse-withdraw capabilities of our micropump, and show experimental results that demonstrate direct drug infusion via cochleostomy in animal models. We utilized DNQX, a glutamate receptor antagonist that suppresses CAPs, as a test drug. We monitored the frequency-dependent changes in auditory nerve CAPs during drug infusion, and observed CAP suppression consistent with the expected drug transport path based on the geometry and tonotopic organization of the cochlea.
Deactivation of a diesel oxidation catalyst due to exhaust species from rich premixed compression ignition combustion in a light-duty diesel engine

Low-temperature premixed-charge compression ignition (PCI) can significantly reduce both nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter emissions in compression ignition engines through a range of engine operating conditions. Exhaust hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide can be removed with a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC). Although PCI normally utilizes a globally fuel-lean mixture, it is independent of equivalence ratio provided that local combustion temperatures are sufficiently low. A more fuel-rich PCI mode of operation could be useful in exhaust after-treatment strategies such as providing carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons for regeneration of a lean nitrogen oxides trap (LNT). In a previous study, it was found that a rich PCI strategy deactivates a platinum-based DOC within seconds and may allow excessive harmful emissions to be passed into the environment. This study attempts to quantify the effects of different species representative of those found in rich PCI exhaust on a platinum-based DOC in a background of exhaust from an engine operating in a lean PCI regime. Excess carbon monoxide, propane, propylene, and methane were injected in varying concentrations while catalyst outlet temperature, carbon monoxide, and hydrocarbon conversion were measured for a period of 200 s. Of the injected species, it is shown that propylene has the greatest deactivation effect on the catalyst followed by carbon monoxide, both in terms of time and concentration. Propane is found not to deactivate the catalyst even in very globally fuel-rich conditions whereas methane acts as an inert gas over the catalyst in the temperature range of interest. It is concluded that high concentrations of carbon monoxide do not act alone in the poisoning process for the rich PCI condition. The presence of some partial oxidation products such as unsaturated hydrocarbons can also have an adverse effect on DOC performance.
Depth first algorithms and inferencing for AFD mining

The task of searching a powerset lattice is part of many problem domains. In Approximate Functional Dependencies (AFDs) mining the algorithm used for searching lattices has been bottom-up breadth first search (BU-BFS). This paper introduces as part of the MoLS framework a method for managing and using inferred information about the status of rules in the lattice. BU-BFS however has limited ability to use inferred information. This paper instead explores the ability of depth first search (DFS) algorithms to use inferred information. The focus on algorithms is motivated by the idea that improved performance from an algorithm is more likely to persist as users make customizations or use different approximation measures. Algorithms are experimentally evaluated and performance is judged based on the portion of the search space for which the approximation measure has been calculated. This presents a machine independent evaluation where differences in performance can be directly attributed to the algorithm.
Coordination problem and grand coalition: the puzzle of the government formation game in the Czech Republic, 1998

Abstract After the 1998 general elections to the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic, the largest party, the Social Democrats, formed a minority government. The formation of this government was puzzling for at least four reasons. First, according to the so-called Opposition Pact, the minority government was supported from the outside by the conservative Civic Democratic Party, the principal opponent of the Social Democrats in the party system. Second, the grand legislative coalition was not followed by the sharing of executive portfolios between the two largest parties. Third, the two parties entered into this agreement only weeks after they had explicitly stated their unwillingness to govern together. Fourth, neither theories of coalition formation nor those of minority government formation provide an accurate prediction for this outcome. This article provides a solution for these puzzles based on a game theoretic analysis.
Determining the random time step in a constant spatial step particle tracking algorithm

In some cases, the accuracy and efficiency of a particle tracking model may be greatly enhanced by determining the time for a particle to travel a specified distance rather than the distance traveled during some time interval. For instance, it may be desirable to know when a particle reaches a boundary or interface or a location where the system properties change. In this work, we derive an analytical expression in the form of a probability function describing the distribution of random times necessary for a particle to diffusively travel a specified distance. Upon substitution of the specified distance and a random number for the probability, the expression may be solved for the necessary time. Comparison of the results from this equation with an empirical expression determined by James and Chrysikopoulos (Chem. Eng. Sci. 56(23)(2001)6535) shows excellent agreement. Recommendations for implementing the analytical solution into particle tracking algorithms with or without a deterministic velocity component are included. This general equation is amenable to use in modeling both fractured and porous media systems.
Copper binding components of blood plasma and organs, and their responses to influx of large doses of 65 Cu, in the mouse

To establish for the first time how mice might differ from rats and humans in terms of copper transport, excretion, and copper binding proteins, plasma and organ cytosols from adult female C57CL6 mice were fractionated and analyzed by directly coupled size exclusion HPLC-ICP-MS, before and after i.p. injection of large doses of (65)Cu. Plasma from untreated mice had different proportions of Cu associated with transcuprein/macroglobulin, ceruloplasmin and albumin than in humans and rats, and two previously undetected copper peaks (Mr 700 k and 15 k) were observed. Cytosols had Cu peaks seen previously in rat liver (Mr > 1,000 k, 45 k and 11 k) plus one of 110 kDa. (65)Cu (141 microg) administered over 14 h, initially loaded plasma albumin and mainly entered liver and kidney (especially 28 kDa and 11 kDa components). Components of other organs were less (but still significantly) enriched. (63)Cu/(65)Cu ratios returned almost to normal by 14 days, indicating a robust system for excreting excess copper. We conclude that there are significant differences but also strong similarities in copper metabolism between mice, rats and humans; that the liver is able to buffer enormous changes in copper status; and that a large number of mammalian copper proteins remain to be identified.
Path Analysis: An Introduction and Analysis of a Decade of Research.

The authors review the use and interpretations of path analyses in articles published in The Journal of Educational Research from 1992 to 2002 and discuss related issues. This article provides (a) a brief introduction to path analysis, (b) suggested guidelines and recommendations for reporting results, (c) a sample of a model path analysis, (d) evaluation of the JER path analysis articles, and (e) concluding remarks.
Electrodeposition of copper on Ru(0001) in sulfuric acid solution : Growth kinetics and nucleation behavior

Abstract The electrodeposition of Cu on Ru(0 0 0 1) from 0.1 M CuSO 4 /0.5 M H 2 SO 4 solution has been studied by cyclic voltammetry, current–time transient measurements, and by in situ electrochemical atomic force microscopy (EC-AFM). Cyclic voltammetry measurements show that the as-prepared Ru(0 0 0 1) electrode exhibits a UPD peak, while EC-AFM data indicate a broadly terraced surface with step heights of atomic dimensions. Kinetic data show that the electrodeposition/nucleation process is not well described by 3D or 2D nucleation models. The EC-AFM data show that at potentials near the OPD/UPD threshold, Cu crystallites exhibit pronounced growth anisotropy, with lateral dimensions greatly exceeding vertical dimensions. AFM data also show that deposition at more cathodic potentials result in smaller crystallites.
Joulean heating in a hard superconducting tube

Abstract Dissipation in homogeneous material in a changing magnetic field is computed as a function of radius and applied field. The field dependence of greatest dissipation supports our contention of the relationship of flux creep and flux jumps to Joulean heating.
Comparative effectiveness research and healthcare reform: Topics of the day

The International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research recently sponsored the 16th Annual International Meeting. Participants included industry, clinical practice, government, academia and health research professionals. The purpose of the conference is to share information on increasing the efficiency, effectiveness and fairness with which available healthcare resources are used to improve health.
The Influences of Message and Source Factors on Advice Outcomes

Guided by an integration of existing theories on advice and persuasion, the current study presented and assessed the influence of multiple message and source factors on responses to advice in supportive interactions. A total of 262 participants completed survey instruments designed to assess message and source factors and advice outcomes with regard to a recent instance of having received advice for a personal difficulty. Results showed that the sets of source factors (expertise, liking, trust, and similarity) and message factors (politeness, response efficacy, feasibility, absence of limitations, and confirmation) each had independent influences on advice outcomes (evaluation of advice quality, facilitation of coping, and intention to implement the advice), but the effect of source factors was partially mediated by message factors. In addition, the message factors had a stronger impact on advice outcomes as problem seriousness increased. The results also showed a different pattern of prediction for implementation intention than for the other advice outcomes.
Preference for Novelty-Familiarity and Activity-Passivity in a Free Choice Situation.

Summary Twenty children, 22 to 49 months old, were given a free choice of becoming involved in one of four activity settings characterized as being familiar or novel and active or passive. The amount of time spent by each of the children in each of the four activity settings during six one-hour sessions was recorded. The children showed a significantly greater preference for activities that were novel over familiar ones. When the children were involved in familiar activities they showed a preference to remain passive. When involved in novel activity settings they were more likely to be overtly active.
Second Language Writing Research and Written Corrective Feedback in SLA: Intersections and Practical Applications.

For more than a decade now, a great deal of research has been done on the topic of written corrective feedback (CF) in SLA and second language (L2) writing. Nonetheless, what those research efforts really have shown as well as the possible implications for practice remain in dispute. Although L2 writing and SLA researchers often examine similar phenomena in similar ways, they do not necessarily ask the same questions. SLA-focused researchers investigate whether written CF facilitates the acquisition of particular linguistic features. In contrast, L2 writing researchers generally emphasize the question of whether written CF helps student writers improve the overall effectiveness of their texts. Understanding these differences in starting points is important because it provides a possible explanation for the conflicting methodologies and conclusions of various reviews on this topic (e.g., Ferris, 2003, 2004; Truscott, 1996, 2007). This article briefly traces the history of these two parallel lines of research on written CF and notes both contrasts and convergences. It then moves to a focused discussion of the possible implications and applications of this body of work for the L2 language and writing classroom and for future research efforts.
Multi-Sensory Urban Search-and-Rescue Robotics: Improving the Operator’s Omni-Directional Perception

The area of Human-Robot Interaction deals with problems not only related to robots interacting with humans, but also with problems related to humans interacting and controlling robots. This article focuses on the latter and evaluates multi-sensory (vision, hearing, touch, smell) feedback interfaces as a means to improve robot-operator cognition and performance. The paper summarizes three-previously reported empirical studies on multi-sensory feedback using simulated robots. It also reports the results of a new study that used a physical robot to validate the results of these previous abovementioned studies, and evaluate the merits and flaws of a multi-sensory interface as its sensorial complexity was gradually increased. The human senses were selected based on their response time to feedback and easiness of adaptability of their feedback mechanisms to different types of robot-sensed data. The results show that, if well-designed, multi-sensory feedback interfaces can indeed improve the robot operator data perception and performance. They shed some light on the benefits and challenges multi-sensory feedback interfaces bring, specifically on teleoperated robotics and urban search-and-rescue. It adds to our current understanding of these kinds of interfaces and provides a few insights to assist the continuation of research in the area.
LiDAR Scan for Blasting Impact Evaluation on a Culvert Structure

This paper summarizes a case study of using three-dimensional (3D) light detection and ranging (LiDAR) scanner technology in bridge postblast geometric assessments. Terrestrial 3D LiDAR scanners can generate dense point clouds of position information that can be used to establish baseline geometric information for structures and to establish critical dimensional footprints for before and after event comparisons. For close range blast effects, the preblast and postblast scans of a bridge are proposed to establish blasting induced effects and damage information. The Colony Road culvert bridge was monitored for a nearby construction blasting, where full-scale 3D scans of the bridge have been conducted before and after blasting. The critical sections and geometries are then compared to ensure the safety of the bridge.
Changes and Variability in High Levels of Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Among Children

OBJECTIVE: A 2008 report from the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended both population and individual approaches (including pharmacologic interventions) for adolescents who had low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels above various cutoff points (130, 160, and 190 mg/dL). However, the tracking and variability of these very high levels have not been investigated. METHODS: A total of 6827 subjects underwent multiple LDL cholesterol determinations in childhood and adulthood in the Bogalusa Heart Study. The total number of determinations was 26748, and the median interval between examinations was 3 years. RESULTS: Correlations between initial and subsequent LDL cholesterol levels ranged from r approximately 0.8 for measurements made within the same year to r approximately 0.5 for periods of > or = 20 years. Most children who had very high LDL cholesterol levels, however, had substantially lower levels at the next examination. LDL cholesterol levels between 160 and 189 mg/dL (n = 201) decreased, on average, by 21 mg/dL at the next examination, whereas levels of > or = 190 mg/dL (n = 44) decreased by 34 mg/dL. In contrast, the mean increase for LDL cholesterol levels of <70 mg/dL was 13 mg/dL. These changes were equal to those expected on the basis of regression to the mean. CONCLUSIONS: There can be large changes in extreme levels of LDL cholesterol because of regression to the mean, and practitioners should be aware that very high levels may decrease substantially in the absence of any intervention.
Shock Tube Test Time Limitation Due to Turbulent-Wall Boundary Layer

Shock tube test time limitation due to the premature arrival of the contact surface is analytically investigated for wholly turbulent-wall boundary layers The results are compared with those for wholly laminar-wall boundary layers It is found that, for a given shock Mach number Ms, the maximum possible test time (in a long shock tube) varies as d 6//4p co1/4 and d2p CD for the turbulent and laminar cases, respectively (d = tube diameter, p oo = initial pressure) For 3 ^ 5, whereas the laminar theory applies, roughly, for dpm ~ 1 (d is in inches; pm is in centimeters of mercury) When dp » 5, turbulent theory for both air and argon indicates test times of about one-half to one-fourth the ideal value for xs/d = 45 to 150, respectively (xs = length of low-pressure section) Higher values of dp » result in more test time When dpm ~ 0 5, laminar theory indicates about one-half ideal test time for xs/d ~ 100 Lower dpm reduces test time Working curves are presented for more accurate estimates of test time in specific cases Boundary-layer closure occurs, in long shock tubes, when Ms < 1 2 and Ms < 3 for laminar and turbulent boundary layers, respectively
Passages through resonance in weakly nonlinear systems

A method of determining asymptotic expansions for weakly coupled nonlinearly perturbed systems of harmonic oscillators with slowly varying frequencies is presented. In an example with two oscillators, each one experiences a separate resonance passage that produces a first-order amplitude change. Simultaneously, second-order adjustments occur to both oscillators. Their determination is achieved by carrying the calculations to third order.
Myelodysplastic syndromes and autoimmune diseases—Case series and review of literature

Our objective was to recognize the association of autoimmune diseases (AD) in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and understand how this association could affect prognosis and management of both diseases. We describe our cohort of 10 patients and 34 patients reported in the English literature in addition to ten cohort studies. Interestingly, four cases showed improvement in AD after 5-azacitidine treatment. The mechanism(s) of the association between AD and MDS are discussed. Treatment could be targeted against AD, MDS or both, though based on recent reports, treating MDS with hypomethylating agents alone could improve the associated AD.
Outcomes of hiking the pacific crest trail

The Pacific Crest Trail spans 2,650 miles bridging Mexico to Canada via California, Oregon, and Washington. Conservation and preservation of trail areas are under continual debate and funding strain. This research provides insight on the outcomes and benefits obtained from trail users. Fifty-six interviews, conducted in Northern California during summer 2010, examined outcomes of participants' long-distance hiking experiences. Outcomes included: developing new perspectives , fun and excitement , and enhanced personal growth . These outcomes led participants to experience a desire to transfer outcomes to other areas of their life, increase their sense of fun and enjoyment of life , and develop warm relationships with others . Results may be used to validate funding, justify fund allocation, and maintain trail spaces in a manner reflecting users' desires. Benefits-Based management approaches may utilize this study to improve experiences and perceptions for stakeholders, including current users, potential users, and potential supporters of trail maintenance and conservation.
Clinical utility and validity of the Functional Disability Inventory among a multicenter sample of youth with chronic pain

The Functional Disability Inventory (FDI) is a well-established and commonly used measure of physical functioning and disability in youth with chronic pain. Further validation of the measure has been called for, in particular, examination of the clinical utility and factor structure of the measure. To address this need, we utilized a large multicenter dataset of pediatric patients with chronic pain who had completed the FDI and other measures assessing pain and emotional functioning. Clinical reference points to allow for interpretation of raw scores were developed to enhance clinical utility of the measure, and exploratory factor analysis was performed to examine its factor structure. Participants included 1300 youth ages 8 to 18 years (mean=14.2 years; 76% female) with chronic pain. Examination of the distribution of FDI scores and validation with measures of depressive symptoms and pain intensity yielded 3 distinct categories of disability: No/Minimal Disability, Moderate Disability, and Severe Disability. Factor analysis of FDI scores revealed a 2-factor solution representing vigorous Physical Activities and non-physically strenuous Daily Activities. The 3-level classification system and factor structure were further explored via comparison across the 4 most commonly encountered pain conditions in clinical settings (head, back, abdominal, and widespread pain). Our findings provide important new information regarding the clinical utility and validity of the FDI. This will greatly enhance the interpretability of scores for research and clinical use in a wide range of pediatric pain conditions. In particular, these findings will facilitate use of the FDI as an outcome measure in future clinical trials.
Letter to the Editor---A Supplementary Bibliography on Linear Programming

In the February 1957 issue of Operations Research, F. Virginia Rohde presented an extensive bibliography on linear programming. In my class on “advanced techniques in scientific management,” I also had compiled a list of books and articles on the general subject of mathematical programming. The following bibliography contains over 190 items not included in Rohde's paper. Needless to say, certain significant omissions from the pre-1957 literature have still probably been overlooked.
Workers' Self-government in Yugoslav Industry

Theoretically and etymologically, “communism” means “from each according to his abilities and to each according to his needs.” Marxian literature looks to a future society in which, influenced by the appropriate economic, political, and social institutions, the individual will conform to this precept in his production and consumption activities. As Communist parties have striven for and achieved political power in the twentieth century, their tactical maneuvers at what presumably are way-stations along the road to pure communism have overlaid the term “communism” with a bewildering array of political and economic dogmas and practices.
A dynamic distribution model for combat logistics

New warfighting concepts for the US Marine Corps emphasize small, highly mobile forces supported from the sea, rather than from large, land-based supply points. The goal of logistics planners is to support these forces with as little inventory on land as possible. We develop a multi-period, facility location and material flow model, and show how to configure the land-based distribution system over time to support a given battle plan with minimum inventory. We demonstrate results of the model with data from previous studies in combat logistics.
Effect of Vocal Vibrato and Performer's Sex on Children's Music Preference.

This study measured the effect of low and high levels of vocal vibrato, employed by male and female performers, on the self-reported music listening preferences of upper elementary school children....
Characterization of Cement-Fiber-Treated Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement Aggregates: Preliminary Investigation

The use of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) materials in road construction has been proven to reduce both the amount of construction debris disposed of in urban landfills and the rate of depletion of natural resources. However, source-dependent product variability, federal and local environmental regulation, and deficient strength-stiffness characteristics often limit RAP applications in road bases. These limitations have led to new research efforts aimed at exploring novel, cost-effective, chemical and/or mechanical stabilization methods to treat RAP materials before their reuse in pavement construction. In this work, a series of tests were performed on RAP aggregate materials treated with different dosages of portland type I/II cement and with alkali-resistant glass fibers. Tests include permeability, leachate, unconfined compression, and small-strain shear moduli through resonant column testing. Leachate tests include pH, total and volatile dissolved solids, total and volatile suspended solids, and turbidity. Test results confirm the potential of cement-fiber-treated RAP material as an environmentally and structurally sound alternative to nonbonded materials for base and subbase applications in pavement engineering. A companion paper presents the results from a comprehensive repeated-load triaxial test program to investigate the resilient modulus characteristics of cement-treated RAP.