cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analogies of Ocean/Atmosphere Rotating Fluid Dynamics with Gyroscopes: Teaching Opportunities

The dynamics of the rotating shallow-water (RSW) system include geostrophic f low and inertial oscillation. These classes of motion are ubiquitous in the ocean and atmosphere. They are often surprising to people at first because intuition about rotating f luids is uncommon, especially the counterintuitive effects of the Coriolis force. The gyroscope, or toy top, is a simple device whose dynamics are also surprising. It seems to defy gravity by not falling over, as long as it spins fast enough. The links and similarities between rotating rigid bodies, like gyroscopes, and rotating fluids are rarely considered or emphasized. In fact, the dynamics of the RSW system and the gyroscope are related in specific ways and they exhibit analogous motions. As such, gyroscopes provide important pedagogical opportunities for instruction, comparison, contrast, and demonstration. Gyroscopic precession is analogous to geostrophic flow and nutation is analogous to inertial oscillation. The geostrophic adjustment process in ...
Squamous Cell Carcinoma Presenting as Subcutaneous Nodules

Four patients with squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) presenting as subcutaneous nodules of the head were referred for Mohs micrographic surgery. In each case initial histologic sections showed no connection between the tumor and epidermis, raising the possibility that each was a metastasis from an occult SCC. Careful searches for occult SCCs were unrevealing. Subsequent step sections through the entire tumors revealed narrow connections to the overlying epidermis in three of the four cases.
The adolescent experience of pregnancy and abortion: a developmental analysis.

Discernible trends in the largely inconclusive survey-oriented literature on adolescent pregnancy and abortion suggest that demographic idiosyncracies or neurotic predispositions are the significant correlates of illegitimacy. An in-depth study of a homogeneous population of 13 unwed pregnant adolescents suggests a strong developmental determinant. The experience of pregnancy and abortion is heavily determined by the stage-specific conflicts of early, middle, and late adolescence. From an analysis of interview and projective materials, three clinically and statistically significant patterns of the experience and motivation for pregnancy emerge, one for each of the three adolescent substages. It is suggested that similar developmental paradigms could be applied to a wide range of adolescent issues.
Photosynthetic temperature response of the Antarctic vascular plants Colobanthus quitensis and Deschampsia antarctica

The photosynthetic temperature response of the Antarctic vascular plants Colobanthus quitensis and Deschampsia antarctica was examined by measuring whole-canopy CO 2 gas exchange and chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence of plants growing near Palmer Station along the Antarctic Peninsula. Both species had negligible midday net photosynthetic rates (P n ) on warm, usually sunny, days (canopy air temperature [T c ] > 20°C), but had relatively high P n on cool days (T c <10°C). Laboratory measurements of light and temperature responses of P n showed that high temperature, not visible irradiance, was responsible for depressions in P n on warm sunny days. The optimal leaf temperatures (T 1 ) for P n in C. quitensis and D. antarctica were 14 and 10°C, respectively. Both species had substantial positive P n at 0°C T 1 , which were 28 (C. quitensis) and 32% (D. antarctica) of their maximal P n , and we estimate that their low-temperature compensation points occurred at -2°C T 1 (C. quitensis) and -3°C (D. antarctica). Because of the strong warming trend along the peninsula over recent decades and predictions that this will continue, we were particularly interested in the mechanisms responsible for their negligible rates of P n on warm days and their unusually low high-temperature compensation points (i.e., 26°C in C. quitensis and 22°C in D. antarctica). Low P n at supraoptimal temperature (25°C) appeared to be largely due to high rates of temperature-enhanced respiration. However, there was also evidence for direct impairment of the photosynthetic apparatus at supraoptimal temperature, based on Chl fluorescence and P n /intercellular CO 2 concentration (c i ) response curve analyses. The breakpoint or critical temperature (T cr ) of minimal fluorescence (F o ) was 42°C in both species, which was well above the temperatures where reductions in P n were evident, indicating that thylakoid membranes were structurally intact at supraoptimal temperatures for P n . The optimal T 1 for photochemical quenching (q p ) and the quantum yield of photosystem II (PSII) electron transfer (Φ PSII ) were 9 and 7°C in C. quitensis and D. antarctica, respectively. Supraoptimal temperatures resulted in lower q p and greater non-photochemical quenching (q NP ), but had little effect on F o , maximal fluorescence (F m ) or the ratio of variable to maximal fluorescence (F v /F m ) in both species. In addition, carboxylation efficiencies or initial slopes of their P n /c i response were lower at supraoptimal temperatures, suggesting reduced activity of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco). Although continued warming along the peninsula will increase the frequency of supraoptimal temperatures, T c at our field site averaged 4.3°C and was below the temperature optima for P n in these species for the majority of diurnal periods (86%) during the growing season, suggesting that continued warming will usually improve their rates of P n .
Imparting Desired Attributes by Optimization in Structural Design

Commonly available optimization methods typically produce a single optimal design as a Constrained minimum of a particular objective function. However, in engineering design practice it is quite often important to explore as much of the design space as possible with respect to many attributes to find out what behaviors are possible and not possible within the initially adopted design concept. The paper shows that the very simple method of the sum of objectives is useful for such exploration. By geometrical argument it is demonstrated that if every weighting coefficient is allowed to change its magnitude and its sign then the method returns a set of designs that are all feasible, diverse in their attributes, and include the Pareto and non-Pareto solutions, at least for convex cases. Numerical examples in the paper include a case of an aircraft wing structural box with thousands of degrees of freedom and constraints, and over 100 design variables, whose attributes are structural mass, volume, displacement, and frequency. The method is inherently suitable for parallel, coarse-grained implementation that enables exploration of the design space in the elapsed time of a single structural optimization.
Erythropoiesis associated with viral hepatitis in end stage renal disease.

Abstract We describe an end stage renal disease (ESRD) patient on maintenance hemodialysis who developed a spontaneous increase in erythropoiesis associated with an episode of viral hepatitis. Resolution of the hepatitis was accompanied by a reduction in erythropoiesis with the hemoglobin and hematocrit falling back toward the patient’s low baseline levels. Plasma erythropoietin (Ep) titers were measured during the period of active erythropoiesis and were found to below to low normal. The unusual phenomenon of increased erythropoiesis in ESRD following liver injury has been previously described and is thought to be mediated through increased hepatitic Ep production. The low Ep titers measured in our patient, however, suggest that the liver may be capable of stimulating erythropoiesis by another mechanism.
Do differences in sexual behaviors account for the racial/ethnic differences in adolescents' self-reported history of a sexually transmitted disease?

Background and objectives African-American adolescents have the highest rates of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) of any racial/ethnic group of adolescents. The objective of this study was to determine the degree to which racial/ethnic differences in sexual behaviors account for African-American adolescents' higher rates of STDs. Study design A secondary analysis of data collected as part of the Youth Risk Behavior Survey supplement to the 1992 National Health Interview Survey was conducted. The sample included 5,189 nationally representative civilian noninstitutionalized sexually experienced United States adolescents 14 to 21 years of age. Results The age- and sex-adjusted odds ratio (OR) for a reported history of an STD for African-American adolescents was 3.86 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.57, 9.50). The STD risk for African-American youth increased with the adjustment for other sociodemographic factors (OR = 4.13; CI = 1.71, 9.99) and decreased with the adjustment for sexual behaviors (OR = 3.67; CI = 1.55,8.66). Conclusions Differences in sexual behaviors do not fully account for African-American adolescents' increased risk for STDs. Interventions designed to reduce sexual risk taking among African-American adolescents may not ameliorate racial/ethnic differences in rates of STDs.
Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain with gadopentetate dimeglumine-DTPA: comparison of T1-weighted spin-echo and 3D gradient-echo sequences

Short TR, short TE, high resolution, 3D gradient-recalled echo (GRE) imaging was evaluated for lesion detection in the brain. High resolution 3D GRE data acquisition was used to reduce partial volume effects and flow artifacts, to better visualize smaller structures, to minimize signal losses caused by field inhomogeneities, and to allow better image reformatting. Spin-echo (SE) and 3D GRE approaches were compared for lesion detection after the administration of an MR contrast agent, gadopentetate dimeglumine. Preliminary clinical studies demonstrated that the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in each slice of the GRE scan was worse than that of the SE scan because of the much thicker slices acquired with the SE technique. However, by averaging two adjacent 3D slices, the SNR of the two methods was essentially equivalent. In the averaged GRE slices, large lesions were seen just as well as in the SE images. More importantly, small lesions were better visualized in the thin 3D GRE images than in the thick SE images for the lesions studied in this work and the protocols used. These observations were confirmed by theoretical simulations.
Accidents and sociotechnical systems: principles for design

Abstract Recent industrial accident studies have noted that various organizational variables, e.g. department boundaries, management—worker communication, training programs, can have a high impact on accident occurrence. They have also noted a lack of methodology for organizational design that reflects the needs of safety. Sociotechnical systems theory is outlined as a possibly useful structure and methodology. The redesign of an underground mine is presented as a case study where safety was an important issue. Principles derived from numerous Sociotechnical designs are analyzed as to their potential applicability to safety problems.
Public and private space curvature in Robertson-Walker universes

The question is asked: what space curvature would a fundamental observer in an ideal Robertson-Walker universe obtain by direct local spatial measurements, i.e., without reference to the motion pattern of the other galaxies? The answer is that he obtains the curvatureK of his “private” space generated by all the geodesics orthogonal to his world line at the moment in question, and that ∼K is related to the usual curvatureK=k/R2 of the “public” space of galaxies byK=K+H2/c2, whereH is Hubble's parameter.
Characteristic material signatures by acoustic microscopy

Image contrast in the scanning acoustic microscope is affected by axial translation of the object along the lens axis. The explanation lies in the recognition that the acoustic reflection coefficient varies with axial translation in a manner that is unique and characteristic of the material involved. Examples of material signatures are given and used to explain the observed image contrast. The instrument's ability to obtain crystallographic information is suggested.
The peripartum management of a patient with glutaric aciduria type 1

The management of cesarean delivery for a parturient with placenta previa at 36 weeks' gestation and glutaric aciduria type 1 is presented. The management goal was to prevent encephalopathic crisis by ensuring adequate caloric intake with dextrose infusion and to provide carnitine supplementation and adequate anesthesia.
Assessing The Job Creation Potential of Energy Conservation Investments

Abstract This paper presents a model for assessing the job creation potential of energy conservation investments resulting from construction related installation activities. It also addresses indirect job creation in manufacturing resulting from the purchase of energy conservation related equipment and materials. The model is based on construction estimating techniques and is designed to be flexible for the purpose of addressing job creation due to a wide variety of energy conservation investments. It uses a reverse estimating technique that begins with the scale of the energy conservation investment and then backs out the contractor's profit and overhead and then the cost of equipment/materials. Next, the model allocates the labor portion of the investment based on loaded labor rates and typical crew make-up. The input variables, including worker skill level, allocation of worker time per skill level, regional effects on job creation, rate of pay, and worker benefits, can be modified for the purpose of f...
Associations of unprotected anal intercourse with Grindr-met partners among Grindr-using young men who have sex with men in Los Angeles

Grindr, a geosocial smartphone application, is a networking medium for men who have sex with men. Although three quarters of young men who have sex with men (YMSM) Grindr users report having sex with a Grindr-met partner, the correlates of risky sexual behavior with Grindr-met partners are unknown. A randomly selected sample of 18- to 24-year-old, Grindr-using YMSM completed an anonymous online questionnaire assessing patterns of Grindr use and sexual behavior with their last Grindr-met partners. Of the 146 YMSM who reported having sex with Grindr-met partners, 20% had unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) at last sex with their Grindr-met partner. In the multivariable model, YMSM who used Grindr for at least one year showed naked chest/abs in their profile photo, and reported more past month Grindr-met partners were more likely to report UAI. These findings suggest that familiarity with the app was associated with YMSM's UAI with Grindr-met partners. Moreover, sexualized profile photos (i.e., naked chest/abs) may be associated with sexual risk-taking behaviors. HIV prevention interventions delivered or linked through such apps should target individuals who are longer/frequent users and who present sexualized profiles.
THE REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY OF ASCLEPIAS TUBEROSA: I. FLOWER NUMBER, ARRANGEMENT, AND FRUIT‐SET

SUMMARY An analysis of the inflorescence of the herbaceous perennial milkweed Asclepias tuberosa was carried out by sampling populations in North Carolina and Virginia in 1975 and 1976. Reproductive characters are strongly associated within a given level of comparison (e.g. stems per plant with flowers per plant) but show relative independence between levels (e.g. stems per plant with umbels per branch). Plant size is negatively correlated with fruit production on a proportional basis (fruit-set) but positively related to the absolute numbers of fruits produced. The invocation of a ‘pollen donor strategy’ to explain the occurrence of large inflorescence displays in Asclepias is unnecessary, as these large plants have a larger female contribution to the next generation, irrespective of their male contribution. Self-pollination is proposed as a process determining the upper limit of inflorescence size in Asclepias. Experimental pollinations suggest that early competition among ovaries within umbels is very important in determining levels of fruit-set. Competition among ovaries in different umbels, time of pollination, and location of umbels also exert an effect. Inflorescence architecture likely represents a series of evolutionary compromises between maximization of pollinator attractiveness on the one hand and maximization of fruit maturation on the other.
A New Methylene Blue Technic for Permanent Preparations

1. Tissues stained intra vitam with methylene blue are fixed in a 10% ammonium molybdate solution in physiological saline (or sea water if the tissue is from a marine animal). Fixation time is kept to a minimum. Washing also is reduced to a minimum.2. Excess fluids are removed from tissues by blotting with a paper or cloth towel before they are put into the succeeding solution. Tissues are taken from the wash water, blotted and placed in a mixture of equal parts of absolute ethyl alcohol and n-butyl alcohol for 30 minutes. They are then blotted and transferred to n-butyl alcohol for 30 minutes. After blotting they are placed in a mixture of one part methyl salicylate and four parts xylene until cleared. Tissues may be mounted whole or prepared for sectioning by embedding in paraffin in the usual way.3. Tissues fixed, washed, dehydrated and cleared as described retain nearly all of the stain; the time required is greatly reduced; there is no need to chill the dehydrating solutions; cell distortion is much ...
Coping Strategies for Victims of Crime: Effects of the Use of Emotion-Focused, Problem-Focused, and Avoidance-Oriented Coping

Assessment of coping strategies of crime victims is an integral function of the ensuing well-being for those victims. This study examines the relationship between coping strategies and levels of distress, social support, and subjective well-being among victims of crime. Interviews were conducted with 175 crime victims. Findings indicate a complex relationship between and among variables. A positive relationship was found between emotion-focused coping and well-being. Additionally, an inverse relationship between avoidance-oriented coping and well-being, social support, and levels of distress was found.
Differences in Ethnic Identity in Native American Adolescents as a Function of School Context

Examined were differences in ethnic identity in 101 Native American male andfemale 9th and 12th graders. Native American adolescents attending a high school with a predominantly Native American student body demonstrated significantly greater ethnic identity exploration and commitment than Native American adolescents from high schools with a predominantly White student body. The 12th grade Native American adolescentsfrom a high school with a predominantly Native American student body had greater ethnic identity commitment than 9th grade Native American adolescents from the same school. Also, 12th grade Native American adolescents from a high school with a predominantly Native American student body had greater ethnic identity commitment than 9th and 12th grade Native American adolescents from a high school with a predominantly White student body. Exploration and commitnent appear to be important aspects of ethnic identity to Native American adolescents. Results highlight the importance of school and communi...
Myocardial Infarction in Mice Alters Sarcomeric Function Via Post-Translational Protein Modification

Myocardial physiology in the aftermath of myocardial infarction (MI) before remodeling is an under-explored area of investigation. Here, we describe the effects of MI on the cardiac sarcomere with focus on the possible contributions of reactive oxygen species. We surgically induced MI in 6–7-month-old female CD1 mice by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Data were collected 3–4 days after MI or sham (SH) surgery. MI hearts demonstrated ventricular dilatation and systolic dysfunction upon echo cardiographic analysis. Sub-maximum Ca-activated tension in detergent-extracted fiber bundles from papillary muscles increased significantly in the preparations from MI hearts. Ca2+ sensitivity increased after MI, whereas cooperativity of activation decreased. To assess myosin enzymatic integrity we measured splitting of Ca-ATP in myofibrillar preparations, which demonstrated a decline in Ca-ATPase activity of myofilament myosin. Biochemical analysis demonstrated post-translational modification of sarcomeric proteins. Phosphorylation of cardiac troponin I and myosin light chain 2 was reduced after MI in papillary samples, as measured using a phospho-specific stain. Tropomyosin was oxidized after MI, forming disulfide products detectable by diagonal non-reducing–reducing SDS-PAGE. Our analysis of myocardial protein oxidation post-MI also demonstrated increased S-glutathionylation. We functionally linked protein oxidation with sarcomere function by treating skinned fibers with the sulfhydryl reducing agent dithiothreitol, which reduced Ca2+ sensitivity in MI, but not SH, samples. Our data indicate important structural and functional alterations to the cardiac sarcomere after MI, and the contribution of protein oxidation to this process.
Unoccupied states in C60 thin films probed by two-photon photoemission

Unoccupied electronic states in C60 thin films on Cu(111) have been measured by laser two-photon photoemission (2PPE) spectroscopy. These measurements allow the quantitative determination of energetic positions for the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO), LUMO + 1, LUMO + 2, image potential states, as well as the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO). The transiently populated LUMO and LUMO + 1 levels are stabilized by the on-molecule charge correlation energy during the 2PPE process. Compared to previous measurements using one-photon photoemission and inverse photoemission, the HOMO−LUMO gap determined by 2PPE is stabilized by half of the Hubbard U. Both intramolecular excitation and a minor metal-to-molecule electron-transfer excitation channel are observed.
Time-dependent Changes in Smooth Muscle Cell Stiffness and Focal Adhesion Area in Response to Cyclic Equibiaxial Stretch

Observations from diverse studies on cell biomechanics and mechanobiology reveal that altered mechanical stimuli can induce significant changes in cytoskeletal organization, focal adhesion complexes, and overall mechanical properties. To investigate effects of short-term equibiaxial stretching on the transverse stiffness of and remodeling of focal adhesions in vascular smooth muscle cells, we developed a cell-stretching device that can be combined with both atomic force and confocal microscopy. Results demonstrate that cyclic 10%, but not 5%, equibiaxial stretching at 0.25 Hz significantly and rapidly alters both cell stiffness and focal adhesion associated paxillin and vinculin. Moreover, measured changes in stiffness and focal adhesion area from baseline values tend to correlate well over the durations of stretching studied. It is suggested that remodeling of focal adhesions plays a critical role in regulating cell stiffness by recruiting and anchoring actin filaments, and that cells rapidly remodel in an attempt to maintain a homeostatic biomechanical state when perturbed above a threshold value.
Distributed and interactive cube exploration

Interactive ad-hoc analytics over large datasets has become an increasingly popular use case. We detail the challenges encountered when building a distributed system that allows the interactive exploration of a data cube. We introduce DICE, a distributed system that uses a novel session-oriented model for data cube exploration, designed to provide the user with interactive sub-second latencies for specified accuracy levels. A novel framework is provided that combines three concepts: faceted exploration of data cubes, speculative execution of queries and query execution over subsets of data. We discuss design considerations, implementation details and optimizations of our system. Experiments demonstrate that DICE provides a sub-second interactive cube exploration experience at the billion-tuple scale that is at least 33% faster than current approaches.
Association between African American race/ethnicity and low bone mineral density in women with systemic lupus erythematosus

Objective To determine the association between race/ethnicity and bone mineral density (BMD) in women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods Women with SLE (n = 298), including 77 African Americans and 221 whites, completed this cross-sectional study conducted from 1996 to 2002. Hip and lumbar spine BMD were measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Study participants completed a self-administered questionnaire and a physician completed the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index (SDI). BMD results were expressed as Z scores. Analyses were performed to identify factors, including race/ethnicity, associated with low BMD defined as a Z score −1.0 or less at the hip or lumbar spine. Results African Americans compared with whites were younger at study visit (mean ± SD 39.7 ± 8.4 years versus 42.9 ± 11.6 years) and had higher SDI (mean ± SD 1.8 ± 2.0 versus 1.0 ± 1.6), but similar proportions of women were postmenopausal (31.2% versus 38.0%). African Americans had significantly lower mean BMD Z scores at the hip (−0.49 versus −0.07; group difference −0.41; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] −0.70, −0.13) and at the lumbar spine (−1.03 versus 0.10; group difference −1.13; 95% CI −1.48, −0.78) compared with whites. African American race/ethnicity was strongly associated with low BMD at the lumbar spine (adjusted odds ratio 4.42; 95% CI 2.19, 8.91) but not at the hip, adjusting for factors associated with low BMD. Conclusion African American women compared with white women with SLE had lower BMD at the hip and lumbar spine. African American race/ethnicity was associated with low BMD at the lumbar spine controlling for relevant clinical covariates.
Dermatitis Herpetiformis: Cutaneous Deposition of Polyclonal IgA1

• Dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) is a pruritic papulovesicular skin disorder of unknown cause, characterized by granular IgA deposits in the dermis along the dermoepidermal junction. It is associated with gluten-sensitive enteropathy and increased IgA production by gut lymphoid tissue. We report four cases of immunologically documented DH studied by immunofluorescence technique. Monoclonal antibodies against the IgA subclasses IgA1 and IgA2 were used. IgA1 without IgA2 was found in the cutaneous deposits in each case. The IgA1 had both κ and X light chains in approximately equal quantities. Because normal gut-associated lymphoid tissue produces 70% IgA1 and 30% IgA2, while circulating IgA is primarily IgA1, it could be concluded that the IgA in the skin of DH patients is not produced in the gut. However, the subclass restriction of the IgA produced by pathologic gut-associated lymphoid tissue is unknown. Alternatively, both IgA1 and IgA2 may be produced by the gut, but only IgA1 is involved in the production of cutaneous lesions. ( Arch Dermatol 1986;122:418-421)
Increased SPARC accumulation during corneal repair

Abstract Keratocytes can become fibroblasts and myofibroblasts during corneal injury and wound healing. We used the in vitro bovine keratocyte repair model system, which involves culturing collagenase-isolated keratocytes in serum-free media and then adding serum or serum plus TGF-β to the culture media to induce the fibroblast and myofibroblast phenotypes, respectively, to evaluate the synthesis of secreted products by the cells. Serum and serum plus TGF-β rapidly induced the fibroblast morphology and alpha smooth muscle actin, a marker of myofibroblasts. Keratocytes cultured in serum and serum plus TGF-β also increased the synthesis of several high molecular weight products (∼100 kD and larger) and the accumulation of a 43 kD protein shown to be osteonectin/SPARC by both sequencing tryptic peptides from the protein and by reaction with antisera to osteonectin/SPARC. Immunohistochemical staining of mouse corneas with antisera to SPARC seven days post-wounding also demonstrated an increased accumulation of SPARC in the regions undergoing repair. These results indicate SPARC accumulation is a marker for stromal repair.
Steroids in kidney transplant patients

Any evaluation of steroids in kidney transplantation is hampered by individual variability in metabolism, the lack of clinically available steroid blood levels, and overall little attention to steroid exposure. Many feel that steroids were an essential part of chronic immunosuppression in past decades but may no longer be necessary in low-risk populations when our newer and more potent drugs are used. Potential differences in long-term outcome will be unapparent in short-term antibody induction studies in low-risk patients, particularly with low on steroid doses, as may have happened in the recent, well-done Astellas trial. In many studies, the evidence for the superiority of mycophenolate (MMF) and tacrolimus (TAC) was not as strong as the evidence for the benefit of steroids in the Canadian cyclosporine study. As the practice of steroid withdrawal has increased, we have not seen the improvement in long-term graft survival that many expected with our newer agents. Steroids have immunosuppressive effects even in doses that are low by historic standards, and side effects may not justify their abandonment.
The FELS method of assessing the skeletal maturity of the hand‐wrist

The FELS method of assessing the skeletal maturity of the hand-wrist differs from the Greulich-Pyle and Tanner-Whitehouse methods in the observations made, the provision of a range of shapes to which maturity indicator grades can be assigned and in the statistical methods used to construct the scale of skeletal maturity. The FELS method for the hand-wrist was developed using 13,823 serial radiographs of the left hand-wrist of boys and girls in the Fels Longitudinal Study. One hundred-thirty possible indicators were originally identified. Eighty-five graded and 13 metric indicators were selected on the basis of an indicator's ability to discriminate between children at the same chronological age, its universal appearance, reliability, validity, and completeness. The subset of FEELS maturity indicators assessed at a chronological age are analyzed with a microcomputer program that provides the skeletal age and the standard error of the estimate for that skeletal age. Comparison among hand-wrist skeletal age assessments for children in the Fels Longitudinal Study by the FELS, Greulich-Pyle, and Tanner-Whitehouse methods indicate that the FELS method is the more appropriate method for the present population of United States children.
The Customer Contact Model for Organization Design

The literature on organization design has been dominated by descriptive models in its dealing with structure and operations. This paper takes an alternative view advocating the use of a normative model to be used in the design of service organizations. This model sees the extent of customer contact with the service organization as a major variable affecting system performance and advocates reconfiguring the structure of the service organization to reflect this impact. The discussion describes a taxonomy used to classify firms along the contact dimension and develops 13 propositions which convey critical distinctions between high and low contact services. Application of the model for managerial decision making involves the use of decoupling and the paper identifies factors which favor/disfavor decoupling in light of existing and desired service delivery objectives.
Viral pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma in the United States.

Chronic hepatitis B virus infection is closely associated with the development of hepatocellular carcinoma, which is a major cause of cancer death worldwide. Recent studies have implicated hepatitis C virus infection as a major pathogenic agent of HBsAg-negative hepatocellular carcinoma. The significance of hepatitis C virus and hepatitis B virus infections in the occurrence of HBsAg-negative hepatocellular carcinoma has not been well established in the United States. We studied 91 HBsAg-negative American patients with hepatocellular carcinoma for evidence of hepatitis C virus or hepatitis B virus infection. These patients had no other predisposing factors to hepatocellular carcinoma. A sensitive polymerase chain reaction was employed to detect hepatitis C virus RNA and hepatitis B virus DNA in serum and liver. Three sets of hepatitis C virus and hepatitis B virus primers were used to optimize the detection of viral genomes. Hepatitis C virus antibodies were measured with second-generation immunoassays. Twenty-six (29%) of these patients carried low levels of hepatitis B virus DNA in either serum, liver/tumor tissue or both. On the basis of the results from serological and polymerase chain reaction analyses of serum and liver, we found that 53 of 91 patients (58%) exhibited evidence of hepatitis C virus infection. When data were combined, 14 patients (15%) had evidence of hepatitis B virus/hepatitis C virus coinfection, whereas 12 (13%) were infected with hepatitis B virus alone and 39 (43%) had hepatitis C virus only. Twenty-six (29%) had no markers of hepatitis B virus or hepatitis C virus infection. All patients with identifiable viral markers had coexisting chronic liver disease. Our study suggests that hepatitis C virus and occult hepatitis B virus infections account for most (71%) hepatocellular carcinoma cases of unknown pathogenesis in the United States. However, in some patients with hepatocellular carcinoma no defined pathogenesis is associated with development of disease. (HEPATOLOGY 1993;18:1326–1333.)
On the Distribution of Stock Price Differences

Price changes over a fixed number of transactions may have a Gaussian distribution. Price changes over a fixed time period may follow a stable Paretian distribution, whose variance is infinite. Since the number of transactions in any time period is random, the above statements are not necessarily in disagreement. A possible explanation is proposed by Taylob, and then shown by Mandelbrot to be intimately related to an earlier discussion of the specialists' function of ensuring the continuity of the market.
Mechanics of graben evolution in Canyonlands National Park, Utah

Results of numerical models and field observations of regularly spaced grabens in Canyonlands National Park, Utah, demonstrate that salt flow beneath a brittle overburden accommodated recent and ongoing westward gravity spreading. Erosion of the Colorado River canyon differentially loaded the underlying viscous salt. In our models, the overlying brittle strata flexed downward toward the canyon, initiating faults near the surface that propagated downward toward the salt contact. Modeled grabens developed sequentially away from the canyon (eastward) as salt was expelled from beneath undeformed strata. After their eastern boundary faults broke through, horst blocks tilted in the opposite direction of initial flexure, resulting in increased symmetry of older grabens closer to the canyon. Continued extension formed a reactive diapir beneath each graben. Field observations show that multiple faults bound grabens, indicating reactive diapirs beneath them. Topographic profiles and surveyed points along a stratigraphic layer show that horst blocks subsided as salt migrated toward the river canyon and into the diapirs. Field data from less evolved horsts imply that individual horst blocks responded to differential loading by progressive flexure and tilt, similar to the models. Horst-block flexures also vary along strike, and localized folds and faults formed where fault displacement changes abruptly.
Discovering Terroir in the World of Chocolate

The author investigates the applicability of the word ““terroir”” to chocolate. As a Master of Wine, wine journalist, and wine educator, the author has tried to understand how ““terroir,”” the environmental and human factors associated with growing vines and making wine, impacts the flavor of wine. Comparing and contrasting viticulture and winemaking to cacao farming and chocolate manufacture, the author analyzes to what degree terroir could be a concept that informs chocolate appreciation. He notes that the great distances between cacao farms and factories encourage the perception of cacao and chocolate as commodities. He observes that the varietal and origin nomenclature of cacao can be at worst misleading and generally lacks clarity and precision. He shows how the many steps that transform cacao into chocolate threaten the expression of terroir in the final product. Yet he acknowledges that there could be a basis for use of the word in the world of cacao and chocolate.
Designing Science Learning with Game-Based Approaches

Given the growing popularity of digital games as a form of entertainment, educators are interested in exploring using digital games as a tool to facilitate learning. In this study, we examine game-based learning by describing a learning environment that combines game elements, play, and authenticity in the real world for the purpose of engaging students’ learning of science and enhancing student motivation. We discuss the design of the environment and present research conducted. Our findings demonstrate that the design of an engaging, interactive environment using a game-based approach can help students have fun while learning.
A 3-D mathematical model to identify organ-specific risks in rats during thermal stress.

Early prediction of the adverse outcomes associated with heat stress is critical for effective management and mitigation of injury, which may sometimes lead to extreme undesirable clinical conditio...
Psychographic Profiling of Fruit and Vegetable Consumption: The Role of Health Orientation:

Based on the empirical evidence that documents the link between fruit and vegetable consumption and a plethora of health outcomes, multiple campaign initiatives have been launched in the past decad...
A Theory of Nonphysical Suffering and Trust in Hospice Patients

Suffering is a complex, dynamic experience that overarches life experiences and includes physical, social, spiritual, and emotional domains. The purpose of this grounded theory study was to uncover participants' experiences of nonphysical suffering and what was helpful during this time. Eighteen patients who were chronically ill participated in this grounded theory study. Trust was uncovered as a central issue within nonphysical suffering, whereas meaning was the vehicle that enabled the individual to move within the suffering. Participants acknowledged suffering through the identification of various meanings of a situation within their constructed reality and belief system. During individuals' suffering, time was altered and the experience occurred within an expanded present. The individual created an emotional space apart from the meaning of loss within suffering. Trust included the categories of dynamic experience, losing trust, and dealing to regain trust. Participants identified nurse trustworthiness...
Microbial Communities in High and Low Recharge Environments: Implications for Microbial Transport in the Vadose Zone

Microbial communities along vertical transects in the unsaturated zone were evaluated at five sites in the Pasco Basin, in southeastern Washington State. Sites with contrasting recharge rates were chosen to maximize or minimize the potential for microbial transport. Pore water ages along the vertical transects were established using natural chloride tracers, and ranged from modern to either ∼15,000 yBP (years before present) or ∼30,000 yBP at the two low-recharge sites. Unsaturated flow processes were short-circuited by preferential flow at two of the three high-recharge sites, resulting in rapid movement of water through the vertical transects. Microbial numbers and biomass, based on plate counts, and phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) concentrations decreased with depth at all sites. The majority (55–90%) of the culturable chemoheterotrophs recovered from most samples were streptomycete bacteria. 16S rRNA gene sequence and MIDI analyses indicated that 75% of the remaining isolates were Gram-positive bacteria (most likely species of Arthrobacter and Bacillus) 25% were Gram-negative bacteria (probably members of several genera in the alpha- and gamma-Proteobacteria). Comparison of microbial communities at low-recharge sites vs. high-recharge sites, where preferential flow occurs, revealed several differences that might be attributed to vertical transport of microbial cells at the high-recharge sites. Plate counts and PLFA analyses indicated that the proportion of streptomycetes, which were abundant at the surface but present in the subsurface as spores, decreased, or remained constant, with depth at the low-recharge sites, but increased with depth at the high-recharge sites. PLFA analyses also indicated that Gram-negative bacteria displayed increased nutrient stress with depth at the high-recharge sites characterized by preferential flow, but not at the low recharge site. This may be a result of advective transport of microbes to depths where it was difficult for them to compete effectively with the established community. Moreover, PLFA community structure profiles fluctuated considerably with depth at the low-recharge sites, but not at the high-recharge sites. This might be expected if transport were distributing the microbial community along the vertical profile at the high-recharge sites. In contrast to the high-recharge sites at which preferential flow occurs, filtration likely prevented vertical transport of microorganisms at the high-recharge site that was characterized by unsaturated flow.
Elastomeric Bearings for Steel Trapezoidal Box Girder Bridges

Traditionally, bridge bearings supporting steel trapezoidal box girders (tub girders) consist of fabricator-designed mechanical devices, such as pot or disc bearings, that may be guided or unguided and are expensive to fabricate and place. Performance of these bearings has been mixed: some are maintenance-free and others require significant maintenance, repair, or replacement. In Texas, bridge bearings supporting concrete and steel superstructure types are typically steel-laminated elastomeric bearings that are tapered or have a constant thickness. Recently, the Texas Department of Transportation has used these structurally engineered elastomeric bearings for tub girders in place of mechanically engineered pot or disc bearings. This paper describes the rationale for the application of elastomeric bearings to tub girders and outlines design recommendations that are based on the use of elastomeric bearings for the tub girder direct connectors of the interchange of US-290 and I-35 built in Austin in the late...
A Two-Component DNA-Prime/Protein-Boost Vaccination Strategy for Eliciting Long-Term, Protective T Cell Immunity against Trypanosoma cruzi

In this study, we evaluated the long-term efficacy of a two-component subunit vaccine against Trypanosoma cruzi infection. C57BL/6 mice were immunized with TcG2/TcG4 vaccine delivered by a DNA-prime/Protein-boost (D/P) approach and challenged with T. cruzi at 120 or 180 days post-vaccination (dpv). We examined whether vaccine-primed T cell immunity was capable of rapid expansion and intercepting the infecting T. cruzi. Our data showed that D/P vaccine elicited CD4+ (30-38%) and CD8+ (22-42%) T cells maintained an effector phenotype up to 180 dpv, and were capable of responding to antigenic stimulus or challenge infection by a rapid expansion (CD8>CD4) with type 1 cytokine (IFNγ+ and TFNα+) production and cytolytic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity. Subsequently, challenge infection at 120 or 180 dpv, resulted in 2-3-fold lower parasite burden in vaccinated mice than was noted in unvaccinated/infected mice. Co-delivery of IL-12- and GMCSF-encoding expression plasmids provided no significant benefits in enhancing the anti-parasite efficacy of the vaccine-induced T cell immunity. Booster immunization (bi) with recombinant TcG2/TcG4 proteins 3-months after primary vaccine enhanced the protective efficacy, evidenced by an enhanced expansion (1.2-2.8-fold increase) of parasite-specific, type 1 CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and a potent CTL response capable of providing significantly improved (3-4.5-fold) control of infecting T. cruzi. Further, CD8+T cells in vaccinated/bi mice were predominantly of central memory phenotype, and capable of responding to challenge infection 4-6-months post bi by a rapid expansion to a poly-functional effector phenotype, and providing a 1.5-2.3-fold reduction in tissue parasite replication. We conclude that the TcG2/TcG4 D/P vaccine provided long-term anti-T. cruzi T cell immunity, and bi would be an effective strategy to maintain or enhance the vaccine-induced protective immunity against T. cruzi infection and Chagas disease.
Behaviorial Finance: Past Battles and Future Engagements

Market efficiency is at the center of the battle of standard finance versus behavioral finance versus investment professionals. But the battle is not joined because the term “market efficiency” has two meanings. One meaning is that investors cannot systematically beat the market. The other is that security prices are rational. Rational prices reflect only utilitarian characteristics, such as risk, not value-expressive characteristics, such as sentiment. Behavioral finance has shown, however, that value-expressive characteristics matter in both investor choices and asset prices. Therefore, the discipline of finance would do well to accept the first meaning of market efficiency and reject the notion that security prices are rational. We could then stop fighting the market efficiency battle and focus on exploring (1) asset-pricing models that reflect both value-expressive and utilitarian characteristics and (2) the benefits, both utilitarian and value expressive, that investment professionals provide to inve...
Hollow fiber solvent extraction: Performances and design

Abstract Dispersion-free solvent extraction from an actual process stream has been studied using microporous hydrophobic polypropylene Celgard® hollow fiber membranes in Liqui-CelTM modules. Simultaneous extraction of two solute species from the same stream has been investigated using different hollow fiber modules with different packing fractions, surface areas and membrane types. Very high solute recoveries have been achieved in modules only 15 cm long. Mass transfer performances of a single module and modules-in-series have been characterized. For tube-side controlled extraction, mass transfer correlations are valid for a variety of modules suggesting easy scale-up. Experimentally obtained height of transfer unit (HTU) values as low as 3 cm suggest new perspectives in contacting equipment. A long term extraction study using a prototype module indicated no performance deterioration over 64 days. Alternate design strategies for extraction from a large scale stream have been analyzed.
Uridine Diphosphate-N-acetyl-d-galactosamine:d-Galactose α-3-N-Acetyl-d-galactosaminyltransferase, a Product of the Gene That Determines Blood Type A in Man

Abstract An N-acetyl-d-galactosaminyltransferase which occurs in human milk from donors of blood type A or AB but not in milk from donors of blood type B or O has been purified 55-fold, and its properties have been studied. The enzyme catalyzes the following reaction which results in the formation of structural determinants of blood type A. [see PDF for equation]
The efficacy of external ultrasound-assisted liposuction: a randomized controlled trial.

Background.Use of high-intensity, high-frequency external ultrasound before liposuction has been reported to enhance the ease of fat extraction, increase the amount of fat extracted, and decrease patient discomfort during liposuction.Objective.The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of a