cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Gymnastics-related injuries to children treated in emergency departments in the United States, 1990-2005.

OBJECTIVE. The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiology of gymnastics-related injuries among children in the United States. METHODS. A retrospective analysis was conducted of data for children 6 through 17 years of age from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System of the US Consumer Product Safety Commission for 1990 through 2005. Sample weights provided by the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System were used to calculate national estimates of gymnastics-related injuries. Injury rates were calculated for the most frequently occurring types of injury using gymnastics participation data. RESULTS. An estimated 425900 children 6 through 17 years of age were treated in US hospital emergency departments for gymnastics-related injuries during the 16-year period of 1990–2005. The number of injuries averaged 26600 annually. The number of injuries sustained per 1000 gymnastics participants per year for the pediatric population was 4.8. The number of injuries sustained per 1000 participants per year was greater for the ages 12 to 17 years (7.4) than for the ages 6 to 11 years (3.6). The place where an injury occurred include school (40.0%), a place of recreation or sports (39.7%), home (14.5%), or on other public property (5.8%). The body parts injured were upper extremity (42.3%), lower extremity (33.8%), head/neck (12.9%), trunk (10.4%), and other (0.6%). Injury diagnoses were strain/sprain (44.5%), fracture/dislocation (30.4%), abrasion/contusion (15.6%), laceration/avulsion (3.7%), concussion/closed head injury (1.7%), and other (4.2%). The majority (97.1%) of patients with gymnastics-related injuries were treated and released from the emergency department. CONCLUSIONS. Gymnastics has one of the highest injury rates of all girls9 sports. Establishment of a national database for gymnastics-related injuries, including exposure data for direct calculation of injury rates, would permit better identification and monitoring of risk factors for gymnastics-related injuries and aid in the development, implementation, and evaluation of injury prevention strategies based on epidemiologic evidence.
Dietary Calcein Marking of Brook Trout, Atlantic Salmon, Yellow Perch, and Coho Salmon Scales

Abstract Brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis, Atlantic salmon Salmo salar, coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch, and yellow perch Perca flavescens fed calcein for 5 d showed characteristic calcein scale marks 7–10 d postmarking. In fish fed 0.75 or 1.25 g of calcein per kilogram of feed, the percentage of fish that exhibited a calcein mark was 100% in brook trout, 93–98% in Atlantic salmon, 60% in yellow perch, and 0% in coho salmon. However, when coho salmon were fed 5.25 g calcein/kg feed, 100% marking was observed 7–10 d postmarking. Brook trout were successfully marked twice with distinct bands when fed calcein 5 months apart. Brook trout scale pixel luminosity increased as dietary calcein increased in experiment 2. For the second calcein mark, scale pixel luminosity from brook trout fed 1.25 g calcein/kg feed was numerically higher (P < 0.08) than scales from fish fed 0.75 g calcein/kg feed. Mean pixel luminosity of calcein-marked Atlantic salmon scales was 57.7 for fish fed 0.75 g calcein/kg feed and 55.2...
Automation of enzyme reactions: Ribonuclease

Automated techniques for studies of enzyme reaction have been developed recently. Stein et al. (1) reported the use of automated meethodology to study the effects of cofactors and inhibitions on the reaction between ATP and brain microsomal adenosine triphosphatase. Methods for obtaining continous enzyme data under gradient conditions were described by Tappel and Beck (2) in the determination of kinetic parameters of β-glucironidase. The AutoAnalyzer can be used for the study of time-dependent reactions, such as heat inactivation of enzymes and chemical inactivation (3). Mundry (4) described an automated method of chromatographic columns. This paper describes the application of a linear gradient device and techniques to the detailed studies of effects of enzyme and substrate concentrations, pH, and temperature on ribonuclease activity . A sequential-sample method for determination of the enzyme activity at a sampling rate of 20 samples per hour is also described. These methods are based on the quantitative determination of absorbance at 260 mμ of the dialyzable hydrolysis products of ribonucleic acid.
The influence of location, source, and emission type in estimates of the human health benefits of reducing a ton of air pollution

The benefit per ton ($/ton) of reducing PM2.5 varies by the location of the emission reduction, the type of source emitting the precursor, and the specific precursor controlled. This paper examines how each of these factors influences the magnitude of the $/ton estimate. We employ a reduced-form air quality model to predict changes in ambient PM2.5 resulting from an array of emission control scenarios affecting 12 different combinations of sources emitting carbonaceous particles, NOx, SOx, NH3, and volatile organic compounds. We perform this modeling for each of nine urban areas and one nationwide area. Upon modeling the air quality change, we then divide the total monetized health benefits by the PM2.5 precursor emission reductions to generate $/ton metrics. The resulting $/ton estimates exhibit the greatest variability across certain precursors and sources such as area source SOx, point source SOx, and mobile source NH3. Certain $/ton estimates, including mobile source NOx, exhibit significant variability across urban areas. Reductions in carbonaceous particles generate the largest $/ton across all locations.
Orbital rhabdomyosarcoma: a paradigm for irradiation.

R HABDOMYOSARCOMA was first reported in 1854 by Weber, and the modern histopathologic description was provided in 1946 by Stout (1). Orbital rhabdomyosarcoma had been reported sporadically in the ophthalmology literature; the world literature and the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology experience with 55 patients were summarized by Porterfield and Zimmerman (2). Jones et al (3) reported the largest (to my knowledge) single institution experience, with 62 patients, from the Harkness Institute of Ophthalmology (Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, New York, NY) in 1965. In that era, surgery was the mainstay of treatment. Radiation therapy was used sparingly because of fear of radiation damage to the eye and its effects in children. There was no effective chemotherapy. The European approach favored a limited resection, but exenteration was preferred in the United States because of the gross and histopathologic pattern, indicating an unencapsulated mass diffusely infiltrating surrounding tissues. Indeed, the radiation therapy approach suggested that “orbital rhabdomyosarcoma was highly sensitive but rarely curable because of prompt recurrence” (4). In many ways, this was a self-fulfilling prophecy in that
Designing the optimal process mean vector for mixed multiple quality characteristics

For the manufacturing community, determining the optimal process mean can often lead to a significant reduction in waste and increased opportunity for monetary gain. Given the process specification limits and associated rework or rejection costs, the traditional method for identifying the optimal process mean involves assuming values for each of the process distribution parameters prior to implementing an optimization scheme. In contrast, this article proposes integrating response surface methods into the framework of the problem, thus removing the need to make assumptions on the parameters. Furthermore, whereas researchers have studied models to investigate this research problem for a single quality characteristic and multiple nominal-the-best type characteristics, this article specifically examines the mixed multiple quality characteristic problem. A non-linear programming routine with economic considerations is established to facilitate the identification of the optimal process mean vector. An analysis...
First heart sound in ebstein's anomaly: Observations on the cause of wide splitting by echophonocardiographic studies before and after operative repair

Preoperative echophonocardiographic study of a 31 year old woman with Ebstein's anomaly and an atrial septal defect showed wide splitting of the first heart sound with an interval of 0.08 second between mitral valve and tricuspid valve closure. After plication of the anterior tricuspid leaflet and anuloplasty, the mitral and tricuspid valves closed at the same time and there was a single first heart sound. These findings suggest that delayed tricuspid valve closure in Ebstein's anomaly is due to the abnormally large size and increased excursion of the anterior tricuspid leaflet rather than associated right bundle branch block or sluggish right ventricular contraction.
Racism and sexism at work

Both racism and sexism have had the effect of handicapping selected groups in terms of salary and access to jobs, promotions, and power. However, the categories of race and gender, and the experience of racism and sexism, differ in many ways. This article reviews the differences resulting from definitions of race and gender, as well as those differences stemming from historical, legal, and demographic factors. In particular, we focused on the interactive effects of racism and sexism in the experience of women of color. We examine the assumption that affirmative action operates equivalently for all racial and gender groups, and suggest some directions for further research.
Crystal structures and infrared spectra of two Fe-bearing hydrous magnesium silicates synthesized at high temperature and pressure

The synthesis and characterization of Fe-bearing phase E and phase E' demonstrate that the phase E-type structures can be rather compliant and complex, and that as we further explore the temperature-pressure-composition space, other types of structures that are similar to or related to the structure of phase E may be discovered.
Serum uric acid levels in patients with bronchial asthma

Abstract Mean scrum uric acid levels in 60 asthmatic patients have been compared with those of normals. Both the male and the female asthmatic subjects mean values were 1.0 mg. per cent higher than those of normal controls. This elevation has a high statistical probability (> 0.99) of being valid. The elevation could not be correlated with the type of corticosteroid regimen the patients were on. Most, if not all, of the patients used isoproterenol nebulizers as needed, and the majority were on regular daily ephedrine. It is suggested that these drugs may have been responsible for the hyperuricemia found, since epinephrine and norepinephrine have been reported to be hyperuricemic.
ESCAPING POVERTY THROUGH WORK: THE PROBLEM OF LOW EARNINGS CAPACITY IN THE UNITED STATES, 1973–88

This paper documents the changes in earnings capacity poverty that occurred between 1973 and 1088. Families are “Earnings Capacity Poor” if they are unable to generate enough income to lift them out of poverty, even if all working-age adults in the family work full-time, year-round. Data from the March 1974 and March 1989 Current Population Surveys indicate that earnings capacity poverty increased more rapidly than official poverty. Much of this increase can be attributed to the rise in earnings capacity poverty among whites, intact families, and family heads with more than a high school diploma. Most alarming, the percentage of children in earnings capacity poor families is considerably higher than it is among persons over eighteen; in 1988, nearly 15 percent of children under six lived in families that could not have escaped poverty even if the adults in their family were working and earning at their full capacity levels.
Discussion of the Danish Data on Large Fire Insurance Losses

Alexander McNeil's (1996) study of the Danish data on large fire insurance losses provides an excellent example of the use of extreme value theory in an important application context. We point out how several alternate statistical techniques and plotting devices can buttress McNeil's conclusions and provide flexible tools for other studies.
On the asymptotic behavior of the number of trials necessary to complete a set with random selection

Abstract The problem of collecting m copies of a set of n objects by random selection is studied. Previous efforts on this problem have assumed that the probability of selecting a particular object of the set at any trial is 1 n . In this paper it is assumed that the probability of selecting the ith object at any trial is given by p i = ∝ (i − 1) n i n f(u)du . The mean and the variance of the number of trials necessary to complete the collection are computed along with their asymptotic behavior as n → ∞.
Publishing Qualitative Research in Counseling Journals

This article focuses on the essential elements to be included when developing a qualitative study and preparing the findings for publication. Using the sections typically found in a qualitative article, the author describes content relevant to each section, with additional suggestions for publishing qualitative research.
Representation and Politics: Contesting Histories of the Iroquois

In 1987 the New York State Education Department (SED) began a project aimed at improving the representation of Indians in the social studies curriculum. Through its Office of Curriculum Development, SED funded the publication of a curriculum resource guide written by a group of Iroquois to be used by social studies teachers as an optional supplement to the regular syllabus. The State Education Department sent the first draft of that guide to scholars, educators, and Indians for review. Among the reviews that were returned were several from nonIndian scholars prominent in Iroquoian studies that were sharply critical of the content of the guide; these reviews echoed criticisms by other scholars of the Indian version of colonial history recently advanced by some traditionalist Iroquois. Some of the reviewers also criticized SED itself for endorsing a syllabus supplement that is, in their opinion, biased and historically inaccurate. Some Indians involved in the resource guide project reacted to these critical reviews with anger and resentment, and a few declared that Iroquois research would now be closed to those scholars.
994 ASPIRIN AND FOOD-ADDITIVE SENSITIVITY IN CHILDREN WITH CHRONIC RECURRENT URTICARIA/ANGIOEDEMA

Hypersensitivity to aspirin, tartrazine and other food-additives have long been known to be of etiological significance in children with chronic recurrent urticaria and angioedema, but oral challenges have not been used to detect the incidence of adverse responses to these agents. Ten children with chronic recurrent urticaria aged 6-18 years were evaluated in open-graded challenges with aspirin and food-additives. Criteria for admission to the study included ability to perform spirometry, lack of any identifiable etiologic factors, and a history of urticaria episodes of longer than eight weeks duration. Pre-study evaluation included CBC, complement levels IgE, urinalysis, ANA and appropriate skin tests. Patients were off antihistamines and on salicylate-free diets at the time of the challenge. Responses were evaluated with clinical observation and sequential spirometric analysis. Hypersensitivity was seen in 4/9 patients tested to aspirin, 3/8 to tartrazine, 0/6 to benzoates and 0/4 to metabisulfites. Typical positive responses were noted 3-4 hours post-challenge suggesting a non-IgE mediated response. Changes in spirometric parameters preceded onset of clinical symptoms and were found to be more sensitive indicators of hypersensitivity even in non-asthmatic subjects. In patients with positive challenges, pre-and post-challenge complement levels were unchanged. Aspirin and tartrazine avoidance was successful in 3/4 ASA-sensitive patients and 2/3 tartrazine sensitive patients.
Photon-Controlled Growth of Multilayered Structures

Pulsed ArF excimer laser (193 nm) photolysis has been used to deposit entirely amorphous and mixed amorphous/polycrystalline superlattice structures containing Si, Ge and Si3N4. High resolution in situ optical reflectivity measurements were used to monitor and/or control deposition. Transmission electron microscope cross-section views demonstrate that amorphous superlattice structures having highly reproducible layer thicknesses (from about 50 to several hundred A), and sharp interlayer boundaries, can be deposited at low substrate temperatures under laser photolytic control.
Sequence dependence of the circular dichroism of synthetic double‐stranded RNAs

We have synthesized and studied the CD spectra of five new double-stranded RNA polymers: poly[r(A-G)·r(C-U)], poly[r(A-U-C)·r(G-A-U)], poly[r(A-C-U)·r(A-G-U)], poly[r(A-A-C)·r(G-U-U)], and poly[r(A-C-C)·r(G-G-U)]. Together with previously published spectra of seven other RNA sequences, the spectra of these new sequences provide a library sufficient to approximate the spectra of all other RNA sequences by first-neighbor formulas and, in addition, give four spectra with which we may test the validity of first-neighbor approximations. (1) We find that the spectra of RNA sequence isomers are very different, but that the spectra essentially do obey first-neighbor relationships. (2) We have derived tentative first-neighbor assignments of negative bands at about 295 and 210 nm in the CD spectra. (3) A test of spectral independence shows that among the 12 polymer spectra there are at least seven significant independent spectral shapes, one less than the eight needed to give the most accurate spectral analysis of an unknown RNA sequence for its first-neighbor frequencies. (4) Spectra are calculated for RNAs of random base composition, approximating natural RNAs having complex sequences. (5) A T-matrix of spectral components assigned to the first-neighbor base pairs is derived from 10 of the spectra. This matrix allows an estimation of the CD spectrum of any other known RNA sequence or an analysis of the spectrum of an unknown sequence for its distribution of first-neighbor base-pair frequencies. (6) Test analyses of two of the synthetic polymers and of two natural RNAs set a probable limit on the accuracy of first-neighbor frequency determinations using this T-matrix. (7) Finally, we summarize in an appendix the melting temperatures for all the RNA and corresponding DNA sequences; it appears that the Tm values of both DNAs and RNAs approximately obey first-neighbor relationships.
Evaluation of myocardial properties from image/pressure data; chronic conditions

Since the wall/cavity ratio of a heart chamber is not a biological constant, fractional cavity-surface motion is not a valid performance index and the stresses most commonly used in the myocardial-mechanics literature are not valid expressions of pulling action or contractility. We have developed a system for analyzing and expressing left-ventricular performance and abilities which avoids these problems. It allows one to estimate the following quantities from left-ventricular image data and arterial pressures: (1) “Fractional midwall excursion”, the fractional change in a weighted average of inner- and outer-surface dimensions, which is a valid but preload-dependent expression of performance regardless of wall/cavity ratio. (2) “Fractional midwall excursion rate”, fractional midwall excursion divided by EKG-normalized ejection time, which is a relatively preload-independent expression of performance regardless of wall/cavity ratio. (3) “Pressure safety factor”, systolic pressure-making ability relative to demanded systolic pressure. (4) “Myocardial fiberstress”, the intensity of circumferential pulling force in the wall (pulling force per unit cross-sectional area). (5) “Myocardial growth ability”, the anabolic responsiveness to habitual systolic fiberstresses, expressed as the reciprocal of long-term-average systolic fiberstress. (6) “Contractility”, the stress-developing ability of the myocardium, specifically the amplitude of the developed stress-stretch function at peak activation. On the average, these quantities are related as follows: Growth ability determines average systolic fiberstresses; contractility and growth ability (or systolic stress) largely determine safety factor; safety factor largely determines fractional midwall excursion and its rate. We have developed a microcomputer program which evaluates these quantities from image/pressure data and displays them digitally and graphically.
Investigation of Upper-Air Conditions Occurring with Warm Season Severe Wind Events in Utah

Abstract Analyses of proximity soundings and upper-air fields for 37–51 Utah severe wind cases (WIND), reported in the months of May–September and occurring within 3 h after upper-air observation time, are presented. In addition, a comparison of sample mean values between the WIND cases and a climatological sample (CLIM) is made using a standard t test to determine which variables are significantly different between the two samples. This study seeks to determine if the synoptic-scale-derived fields play a significant role in producing severe wind for a region in which subsynoptic effects, attributed to uneven terrain, are important. The WIND sample environment had the following important differences when compared to CLIM: more convergent wind in the lower troposphere (700-mb moisture and wind convergence), greater moisture at 500 mb (dewpoint, mixing ratio), greater positive vorticity advection (500 mb) and differential vorticity advection (700–500 mb), a larger lapse rate based on various stability indic...
An Iterative, Parametric Spectral Estimation Technique for High-Resolution Pulse-Echo Ultrasound

Measurement of the slope of attenuation as a function of frequency to compute ultrasonic attenuation coefficients for thin slices of tissue with ultrasonic pulse-echo techniques is fraught with difficulties. Maximum amplitude measurements of the echo's temporal record are subject to error from interference effects as well as nonsteady-state measurement problems. Power spectrums computed from selected time segments invariably include the effect of more than one echo wavetrain, and thus the effect of more than one tissue segment.
Coupled CO2-climate response during the Early Eocene Climatic Optimum

Abstract The Early Eocene Climatic Optimum (EECO) has been characterized as a prolonged warm event indicated by increased atmospheric pCO 2 , temperatures, precipitation, and biological turnover. A new paleoenvironmental reconstruction using integrated pedological, geochemical, and isotopic data from the Green River Basin (Green River/Great Divide region) provides a high-resolution record of environmental and climatic change throughout the EECO. Our reconstruction indicates that this region, and likely much of the margin of paleolake Gosiute, was a stable, fluvially-controlled floodplain environment with evidence of large scale continuous soil development and features comparable with modern Alfisols (temperate forest soils). Regional climate data from multiple proxies indicates that the period was warm-temperate and semi-arid to sub-humid, with a peak interval from about 51.5–50.9 Ma that exhibits significantly warmer (~ 7 °C) and wetter (~ 750 mm yr − 1 ) conditions, resulting in major changes to the local weathering regime. Isotopic analyses also indicate a rapid increase to high atmospheric pCO 2 values (~ 1700 ppmV) and a shift in the δ 13 C composition of pedogenic carbonates during this peak interval that appear to define and provide a cause for this significant regional response to global climatic change. The new data, when combined with foraminiferal δ 13 C records, are consistent with CO 2 ventilation from a deep marine reservoir source. This multi-proxy reconstruction suggests that the EECO may have had a superimposed “peak” of climatic and ecological change on land.
Effects of Ionizing Radiation on Hemopoiesis

Radiation affects most remarkably those tissues of the body that are in a steady state of renewal, such as hemopoietic tissues, gastro-intestinal tract, skin and testes. Radiation effects may be subtle and not expressed for many years, or they may be acute coming on promptly and producing severe symptomatology related to the central nervous system, the gastrointestinal tract or the hematopoietic system. All radiation effects have distinct dose-effect relationships which are reasonably well established. The symptomatology will also vary, depending upon whether the entire body is exposed or whether only a portion of the body has been exposed. Dose rate, the type of radiation, the distribution of absorbed dose within the body, fractionation and oxygen tension of tissues are all factors that influence the intensity and the type of radiation effect that may be observed at various time intervals after the exposure.
Ethical Reputation, Not Fees Drive Auditor Selection At Inc. 500 Companies

Acquiring a new client is an arduous task. Accordingly, losing an important client can be devastating to a firm and demoralizing to the accounting team assigned to the client, particularly if the client represents a significant portion of the firm’s revenue stream. This research study reflects the concern of CEOs that poor customer service can result in firing the present accounting firm. Besides completing the work required by the client, the accounting firm needs to build the perception of being a problem-solver and an initiator of ideas that markedly helps a client’s overall financial health and well-being. To do otherwise will result in the client putting its need for professional services “out to bid.”
Hydrological and biogeochemical controls on the timing and magnitude of nitrous oxide flux across an agricultural landscape

Anticipated increases in precipitation intensity due to climate change may affect hydrological controls on soil N 2 O fluxes, resulting in a feedback between climate change and soil greenhouse gas emissions. We evaluated soil hydrologic controls on N 2 O emissions during experimental water table fluctuations in large, intact soil columns amended with 100 kg ha -1 -KNO 3 -N. Soil columns were collected from three landscape positions that vary in hydrological and biogeochemical properties (N = 12 columns). We flooded columns from bottom to surface to simulate water table fluctuations that are typical for this site, and expected to increase given future climate change scenarios. After the soil was saturated to the surface, we allowed the columns to drain freely while monitoring volumetric soil water content, matric potential and N 2 O emissions over 96 h. Across all landscape positions and replicate soil columns, there was a positive linear relationship between total soil N and the log of cumulative N 2 O emissions (r 2 = 0.47; P = 0.013). Within individual soil columns, N 2 O flux was a Gaussian function of water-filled pore space (WFPS) during drainage (mean r 2 = 0.90). However, instantaneous maximum N 2 O flux rates did not occur at a consistent WFPS, ranging from 63% to 98% WFPS across landscape positions and replicate soil columns. In contrast, instantaneous maximum N 2 O flux rates occurred within a narrow range (-1.88 to -4.48 kPa) of soil matric potential that approximated field capacity. The relatively consistent relationship between maximum N 2 O flux rates and matric potential indicates that water filled pore size is an important factor affecting soil N 2 O fluxes. These data demonstrate that matric potential is the strongest predictor of the timing of N 2 O fluxes across soils that differ in texture, structure and bulk density.
Airdata calibration of a high-performance aircraft for measuring atmospheric wind profiles

The research airdata system of an instrumented F-104 aircraft has been calibrated to measure winds aloft in support of the space shuttle wind measurement investigation at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Ames Research Center Dryden Flight Research Facility. For this investigation, wind measurement accuracies comparable to those obtained from Jimsphere balloons were desired. This required an airdata calibration more accurate than needed for most aircraft research programs. The F-104 aircraft was equipped with a research pilot-static noseboom with integral angle-of-attack and flank angle-of-attack vanes and a ring-laser-gyro inertial reference unit. Tower fly-bys and radar acceleration-decelerations were used to calibrate Mach number and total temperature. Angle of attack and angle of sideslip were calibrated with a trajectory reconstruction technique using a multiple-state linear Kalman filter. The F-104 aircraft and instrumentation configuration, flight test maneuvers, data corrections, calibration techniques, and resulting calibrations and data repeatability are presented. Recommendations for future airdata systems on aircraft used to measure winds aloft are also given.
Breaking Bad: Two Decades of Life-Course Data Analysis in Criminology, Developmental Psychology, and Beyond

Studies of human development require longitudinal data analysis methods that describe within- and between-individual variation in developmental and behavioral trajectories. This article reviews life-course data analysis methods for modeling these trajectories, as well as their application in studies of antisocial behavior and of crime in childhood, in adolescence, and throughout life. We set the stage by introducing growth curve (hierarchical linear) models. We focus our review on finite mixture models for life-course data, known as group-based trajectory and growth mixture models. We then discuss how these models are applied within criminology and developmental psychology, recent controversies over their substantive use and interpretation, and important issues of statistical practice and the challenges they raise. Building on the critical literature, we offer several recommendations for the applied users of the models. Finally, we present the most recent method of examining behavioral trajectories in cri...
Identifying Bacterial Menu Choices from the Host Buffet during Infections

During his development of the germ theory of disease, Louis Pasteur compared cholera and anthrax infections and remarked “Quelle difference donc entre le vibrion septique et cette bacteridie, et n’est-il pas remarquable de voir se multiplier dans 1=organization animale des etres aussi dissemblables par leur mode de nutrition!” (1). An abridged English translation of this phrase reads “So what’s the difference between the septic vibrio and this (anthrax) bacillus, and is it not remarkable to see the organization of microscopic beings so dissimilar in their mode of nutrition multiply in the animal!” While Louis Pasteur made many seminal contributions to microbiology, one concept that has been largely overlooked is the role of pathogen nutrition and physiology during infection, specifically with regard to carbon nutrition (2). In this context, Jorth et al. (3) have explored the use of RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and next-generation sequencing to obtain a high-resolution transcriptome of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans during growth in vitro and in a murine abscess infection. They identified a large number of metabolic genes whose expression is differentially upregulated during infection, including those for formate dehydrogenase (fdhF1F2) and fumarate reductase (frdA tofrdD), which are associated with fermentative and anaerobic metabolism, respectively. Mutants lacking these genes retained in vitro growth characteristics but experienced a 10-fold reduction in bacterial numbers in a mouse abscess, thus confirming the RNA-seq results. Previous studies of A. actinomycetemcomitans abscess formation by other investigators concentrated on virulence properties (4), so metabolic genes were not identified. Overall, the experimental strategy described by Jorth et al. (3) provides a nice template for future investigations of bacterial physiology during infectious processes.
Alternative Modeling Framework for Pavement Serviceability Analysis

This paper presents an alternative modeling framework for serviceability analysis that is conceptually based on fuzzy set theory and uses discriminant analysis as the estimation tool. The proposed approach respects the ordinal characteristics of serviceability ratings because it does not assume that the ratings are a ratio scale, which is implicitly required when using regression analyses. The practicality of the proposed approach is tested in a case study, which indicates that the proposed approach provides a consistent classification of the pavement sections, though it underestimates pavement serviceability. Since the serviceability ratings are not needed for the estimation of the model (ratings are only required for validation), assembling a panel of users is not required to create the calibration data set. This feature may produce significant savings in the data collection process.
Tectonic implications of late Paleozoic metamorphism in southeastern New England

A map showing the distribution of Pennsylvanian-Permian metamorphism in southern New England shows that the center of metamorphism is located substantially south and east of Middle Devonian (Acadian) high-grade metamorphism; this suggests that the Permian disturbance in southern New England is not related to delayed post-Acadian uplift. The map is based on existing data within the Pennsylvania basins and on a combination of published microstructures and apparent mineral ages in the surrounding rocks. The distribution of metamorphism is, however, apparently related to major tectonic boundaries that were active during the late Paleozoic and suggests that it may be the result of terrane accretion during the late Paleozoic.
Lubrication of the Textile Spindle Bearing

A great amount of power is consumed in overcoming friction in the high-speed tex tile spindle. Its proper lubrication is therefore a tremendously important engineering problem. An experimental study of this problem is reported in this paper. We attempt primarily to uncover and to analyze some of the factors involved in order to arrive at the characteristics of the oil-lubricated, cast-iron bolster spindle.
Graphene photodetectors with ultra-broadband and high responsivity at room temperature

A pair of stacked graphene layers separated by a tunnel barrier show sensitive photodetection capabilities.
Site-specific mutations of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor at the lipid-protein interface dramatically alter ion channel gating

McNamee, 1991). cDNA cloning reveals that each subunit has four homologous hydrophobic segments (Ml, M2, M3, and M4) that are believed to span the lipid bilayer. There is strong evidence that M2 is the ion channel-lining domain, but the specific functions of the other hydrophobic segments are not well characterized. In this report, the role ofthe M4 segment in ion channel function was investigatedby usingsite-directedmutagenesis of a specific cysteine residue (aCys418) in the M4 regionofTorpedo californica a subunit. The M4 region is believed to be located at the lipid-protein interface based primarily on chemical labeling studies (Giraudat et aI., 1985), and we have examined both the labeling and mutation of cysteine residues in these domains (Pradier et aI., 1989; Li et aI., 1990). We show here that the mutation on the a subunit alters ion channel gating in a dramatically different way than previous mutations.
A New High-Pressure, High-Shear Stress Viscometer and Results for Lubricants

A new high-pressure, high-shear stress viscometer has been developed with a pressure capability of 300 MPa and shear stress of 26 MPa for shear which is essentially isothermal in the context of the...
To drive or be driven: the path of a mouse model of recurrent pregnancy loss

This review is an example of the use of an animal model to try to understand the immune biology of pregnancy. A well-known model of recurrent spontaneous pregnancy loss is put in clinical, historical, and theoretical context, with emphasis on T cell biology.
Immunosuppression during influenza virus infection.

The effects of a live attenuated influenza vaccine and subsequent challenge with virulent influenza virus on the delayed hypersensitivity skin test, and the in vitro response of lymphocytes were evaluated. Volunteers were skin tested before and after administration of vaccine or placebo and challenge with PPD (a purified protein derivative of Mycobacterium tuberculosis), candida, mumps, and trichophytin, and their lymphocytes were tested for [3H]thymidine uptake in response to phytohemagglutin. Of eight volunteers who showed evidence of viral replication after administration of the attenuated vaccine, four had a significant diminution in their skin test response, whereas 8 of 13 volunteers infected with virulent influenza virus showed a diminution. Of the 21 volunteers who were infected with either attenuated or virulent influenza virus, 12 showed suppression of their phytohemagglutin response. None of the volunteers who were given placebo vaccine, or who showed no evidence for viral replication after immunization or challenge, had a suppression of their skin test or phytohemagglutin responses. Although most of the infected volunteers demonstrated suppression of their T-cell function, there was no evidence of a similar suppression of B-cell function.
Race and gender differences in serum lipoproteins of children, adolescents, and young adults--emergence of an adverse lipoprotein pattern in white males: the Bogalusa Heart Study.

Abstract Methods. Serum lipoprotein profiles in 4,231 individuals, ages 5–26 years, were studied cross-sectionally in a biracial community to describe the race- and gender-specific changes from adolescence into young adulthood. Results. White children and adolescents of both genders showed significantly higher covariates—adjusted triglycerides (9–11 mg/dl) and very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (1–2 mg/dl)—and lower total cholesterol (3–14 mg/dl) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (6–10 mg/dl) levels than their black counterparts. These black-white differences persisted among young adults of both genders with the exception of total cholesterol levels (higher triglycerides: 23–32 mg/dl; higher very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol: 5–7 mg/dl; lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol: 9–11 mg/dl); in addition, white young adult males began to show higher levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (14 mg/dl) than black young adult males. A consistent gender-related pattern emerged only among white young adults with males showing higher triglyceride levels (22 mg/dl), very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (5 mg/dl), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (10 mg/dl) and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (10 mg/dl) than females. Lipoprotein changes from adolescence into young adulthood were more pronounced among white males than other race-gender groups, resulting in higher triglyceride, very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, a higher total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio, and a lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in their young adulthood. According to the National Cholesterol Education Program criteria, a relatively higher proportion of young adult white males was classified as borderline-high (22.6%) or high (9.1%) for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Adiposity was the major contributor to the adverse lipoprotein pattern, especially among white males. Sexual maturation and age influenced the lipoprotein levels to a greater extent among white males. Cigarette smoking, alcohol intake, and oral contraceptive use began to emerge as minor but significant factors contributing to the lipoprotein levels in adolescents and young adults. Conclusion. These results underscore the desirability of early targeting for primary prevention.
Prediction and Mechanistic Interpretation of Human Oral Drug Absorption Using MI-QSAR Analysis

Membrane-interaction (MI)-QSAR analysis, which includes descriptors explicitly derived from simulations of solutes (drugs) interacting with phospholipid membrane models, was used to construct QSAR models for human oral intestinal drug absorption. A data set of 188 compounds, which are mainly drugs, was divided into a parent training set of 164 compounds and a test set of 24 compounds. Stable, but not highly fit (R 2 ) 0.68) MI-QSAR models could be built for all 188 compounds. However, the relatively large number (47) of drugs having 100% absorption, as well as all zwitterionic compounds (11), had to be eliminated from the training set in order to construct a linear five-term oral absorption diffusion model for 106 compounds which was both stable (R 2 ) 0.82, Q 2 ) 0.79) and predictive given the test set compounds were predicted with nearly the same average accuracy as the compounds of the training set. Intermolecular membrane-solute descriptors are essential to building good oral absorption models, and these intermolecular descriptors are displaced in model optimizations and intramolecular solute descriptors found in published oral absorption QSAR models. A general form for all of the oral intestinal absorption MI-QSAR models has three classes of descriptors indicative of three thermodynamic processes: (1) solubility and partitioning, (2) membrane- solute interactions, and (3) flexibility of the solute and/or membrane. The intestinal oral absorption MI-QSAR models were compared to MI-QSAR models previously developed for Caco-2 cell permeation and for blood-brain barrier penetration. The MI-QSAR models for all three of these ADME endpoints share several common descriptors, and suggest a common mechanism of transport across all three barriers. A further analysis of these three types of MI-QSAR models has been done to identify descriptor-term differences across these three models, and the corresponding differences in thermodynamic transport behavior of the three barriers.
A Comprehensive Behavioral-cognitive Treatment of Writer's Block

A behavioral-cognitive intervention, including the use of a schedule, overt and covert reinforcers, and therapist monitoring of progress, was used to treat a graduate student with writer's block. Daily self-recording was used to assess baseline and intervention phases, and indicated that the intervention yielded an immediate and consistent increase in the number of hours of writing, the use of weekdays for writing, and self-rated effectiveness. Clinical considerations involved in the use of the procedure and generalization of the method to other work projects and clients are discussed.
Role of CHOP in Hepatic Apoptosis in the Murine Model of Intragastric Ethanol Feeding

Background: CHOP is a transcriptional regulator involved in apoptosis caused by endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. We previously reported that CHOP as well as other ER stress response genes is induced in the liver of a murine model of intragastric ethanol feeding. This study was undertaken to determine the role of CHOP in hepatocellular apoptosis and liver injury in this model. Methods: CHOP wild-type (+/+) mice and CHOP null (-/-) mice were fed alcohol for four weeks with glucose as control. Hematoxylin-eosin staining, TUNEL, and caspase 3 staining of liver tissues were performed for assessment of fatty liver, necroinflammation, and apoptosis. Total RNA was extracted for microarray and reverse transcription-PCR analyses, and proteins were used for western blotting. Results: Significant increased liver/body ratio, steatosis, liver triglyceride levels, and plasma homocysteine concentrations were observed in alcohol-fed mice as compared with controls in both genotypes. There was no significant difference between wild-type and CHOP null (-/-) mice in the parameters related to fatty liver. Alcohol-induced increased serum alanine aminotransferase levels and necroinflammatory foci were not significantly reduced in CHOP null (-/-) mice. However, apoptosis was present in alcohol-fed wild-type mice but virtually absent in alcohol-fed CHOP null (-/-) mice. The ER stress response indicated by increased Grp78 mRNA was observed in both types of mice fed alcohol. Of 12,423 transcripts analyzed for ≥ two-fold changes, several related to apoptosis were influenced by CHOP: Gadd45 and cathepsin B were up-regulated in ethanol-fed wild-type mice but not in CHOP null (-/-) mice, whereas Jun D and Bcl-xL were down-regulated in ethanol-fed wild-type mice but not in ethanol-fed CHOP null (-/-) mice. Conclusions: CHOP null (-/-) mice have remarkable absence of hepatocellular apoptosis in response to alcohol feeding but no protection against hyperhomocysteinemia, ER stress, and fatty liver. Thus, CHOP up-regulation occurs downstream of and contributes to one manifestation of ER stress, namely, apoptosis. Microarray studies confirmed by PCR analysis and western blotting indicate that genes affected by CHOP are both proapoptotic and antiapoptotic and CHOP induction by ethanol may tip the balance of cell survival and death toward apoptosis.
The long-term viability of team reasoning

Team reasoning gives a simple, coherent, and rational explanation for human cooperative behavior (Bacharach 1999; Sugden 1993). This paper investigates the robustness of team reasoning as an explanation for cooperative behavior, by assessing its long-run viability. We consider an evolutionary game theoretic model in which the population consists of team reasoners and ‘conventional’ individual reasoners. We find that changes in the ludic environment can affect evolutionary outcomes, and that in many circumstances, team reasoning may thrive, even under conditions that, at first glance, may seem unfavorable. We also pursue several extensions that augment the basic account, and conclude that team reasoning is an evolutionarily viable mechanism with the potential to explain behavior in a range of human interactions.
Fuzzy logic application for modeling man-in-the-loop space shuttle proximity operations

A software pilot model for Space Shuttle proximity operations is developed, utilizing fuzzy logic. The model is designed to emulate a human pilot during the terminal phase of a Space Shuttle approach to the Space Station. The model uses the same sensory information available to a human pilot and is based upon existing piloting rules and techniques determined from analysis of human pilot performance. Such a model is needed to generate numerous rendezvous simulations to various Space Station assembly stages for analysis of current NASA procedures and plume impingement loads on the Space Station. The advantages of a fuzzy logic pilot model are demonstrated by comparing its performance with NASA's man-in-the-loop simulations and with a similar model based upon traditional Boolean logic. The fuzzy model is shown to respond well from a number of initial conditions, with results typical of an average human. In addition, the ability to model different individual piloting techniques and new piloting rules is demonstrated.
Site-associated differences in endogenous lectin expression by mouse colon carcinoma cells

Organ patterns of arterial metastatic involvement are different in patients with histories of upper and lower rectal carcinoma. Analyses of autopsy data (Weiss et al, 1981;1984) suggest that these patterns are partially imposed by the step-wise nature of metastasis. As shown in Figure 1, in upper rectal carcinomas, seeding mainly via the portal venous system results in secondary metastases in the liver; cells from these lesions seed tertiary lung lesions via the inferior vena cava, which in turn generalize via the arterial system to form widespread quaternary arterial metastases. In contrast, primary carcinomas of the lower rectum predominantly first generate secondary lung metastases via the systemic venous system, and these in turn generate tertiary arterial metastases in other organs. Both groups of primary tumors arose in a common site, the rectum; both groups were of the same histologic type (adenocarcinomas), both were of the same stage, and both used similar seeding routes from the lungs to generate the arterial metastases (Weiss, et al 1981, 1984).