cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Debating the Swahili: Archaeology Since 1990 and into the Future

The Swahili are arguably the most studied society in ancient Sub-Saharan Africa. The Swahili are of African in origin but balance their character between continental Africa and influences from the Indian Ocean, including Islam. City-states and towns along the eastern coast of Africa attest that the Swahili built coral monuments and commercial networks with broad connectivity. Colonial archaeologists claimed foreign origins and cast the Swahili as transplants, false representations evident by 1990 through the contributions of African and other archaeologists and interdisciplinary scholarship. Other aspects of the Swahili continue to be debated, and gaps and shortcomings present impediments to resolution. In this article, we characterize the Swahili and note early trends in the region’s archaeology relevant to contextualize Swahili archaeology post-1990. The article then discusses aspects of Swahili archaeology from 1990 to 2015 and current practices. We note trends, substantive achievements, and lapses in substance and practice during 30 years. Finally, we make observations and suggestions to advance archaeology the region’s archaeology. Archaeology in the Global South can learn from the case of the Swahili and the affirmations, critiques, and suggestions offered here, which we intend to promote future archaeological practice in East Africa.
COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy among Americans with disabilities aged 18-65: An exploratory analysis.

Abstract Background It is important for people with disabilities to be vaccinated against COVID-19 because, as a group, they are at increased risk of severe outcomes. While there are multiple vaccines available to prevent COVID-19, a considerable proportion of Americans report some hesitancy to becoming vaccinated, including people with disabilities. Objective We conducted a study to explore what factors may contribute to COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy among Americans with disabilities. Methods We used Amazon's Mechanical Turk to survey 439 people with disabilities (ages 18+) about their concerns of the COVID-19 disease, vaccines, and hesitancy toward vaccination to learn more about factors that influence vaccination hesitancy. Concerns about vaccines were analyzed as a composite variable representing different dimensions such as: side effects, too new, developed too quickly, influenced by politics, and effectiveness. Results Results from a logistic regression indicate that concern about vaccines was the most significant predictor of hesitancy, even after considering demographic, economic, and geographic factors. Concerns about getting COVID-19, getting tested for COVID-19, trust in experts, education, and being a Democrat were negatively associated with hesitancy. Conclusions These findings indicate that some groups of individuals may be more vaccination hesitant because they are more concerned about vaccine safety than COVID-19 infection. Public health messaging that focuses on the risks of vaccines relative to the risks of COVID-19 might be one strategy to reduce hesitancy and increase vaccination uptake. Messaging should also be tailored to specific disabilities (i.e. physical, mental, sensory), written in plain language, and disseminated in accessible formats.
Complete Response Following Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy with Concurrent Immunotherapy for Vaginal Melanoma

Abstract Given the rarity of vaginal melanoma (VM), sparse retrospective data guide current clinical management. Standard treatment for localized disease involves wide local excision with negative margins, but due to multifocality of disease, local invasion, and anatomic constraints, it is often difficult to achieve negative margins without more extensive surgery including potentially pelvic exenteration. Additionally, despite aggressive loco-regional multi-modality therapy with surgery and with or without adjuvant radiation therapy (RT), outcomes remain poor for VM with high rates of distant recurrence. Radiation therapy has also evolved for melanoma, suggesting higher dose per fraction may overcome relative radioresistance and promote immunogenicity. More recently immunotherapy (IO) has shown promise in treating mucosal melanoma. As a result, treatment selection for these patients can be challenging given the needs to balance the morbidity of local therapies with propensity for distant metastatic disease and overall poor outcomes. Herein, we present two cases of vaginal melanoma treated at comprehensive cancer centers managed with a multi-modality approach of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) with concurrent IO with or without surgical debulking. Local treatment was safe and effective option for these patients with vaginal melanoma and can be considered in addition to enrollment on clinical trials during multi-disciplinary discussions of care.
OpenAthens odyssey: challenges of implementing federated authentication for a multi-institutional user population

Background: The Texas Medical Center (TMC) is home to one of the world’s largest cohorts of faculty, students, researchers, and clinicians who rely on seamless and immediate access to digital biomedical and health resources. This group is served by the TMC Library, with a collection that includes over 380,000 ebooks and 59,000 ejournals. In 2018, the TMC Library implemented OpenAthens, a federated authentication system to replace a locally hosted instance of EZproxy. Case Presentation: The TMC Library is unique in its multi-institutional user population, which presents distinct challenges in adopting a single sign-on authentication system. Our project involved OpenAthens technical support, information technology teams from six academic institutions, and over thirty publishers. Implementation included the creation of an OpenAthens parent account, an active user directory, a resource catalog, and installation of our OpenAthens credentials at each publisher site. Because the TMC Library serves multiple institutions, OpenAthens built a custom login page and a portal to support both single sign-on and a generic username and password option. This case report discusses the reasons why OpenAthens was chosen, the preparation methods for implementation, the various challenges encountered and resolved, and recommendations for other health sciences libraries considering this system. Conclusions: The OpenAthens system provides important benefits: granular usage reports, single sign-on access, and data to negotiate reduced pricing for online resources. With prior knowledge and preparation, health sciences libraries can successfully implement OpenAthens with customizations tailored to their specific resources and user population.
Multi‐station probing of thunderstorm‐generated D‐layer fluctuations by using time‐domain lightning waveforms

[1] This study uses multi-station time-domain very-low and low-frequency (VLF/LF) lightning waveforms detected from a range of several hundred kilometers to probe fluctuations in D-layer ionospheric height and peak reflection ratio in three regions near a large thunderstorm on the night of 17 June 2005. These measurements show propagation of the fluctuations away from the thunderstorm in addition to a background eastward-propagating fluctuation over the entire region. Measured speeds of propagation range from ∼45 m/s to ∼85 m/s, consistent with horizontal propagation speeds of atmospheric gravity waves. The fluctuation propagation is seen in both the ionospheric height measurement and the peak reflection ratio measurement with similar periods and speeds. Ionospheric height perturbations in the measured regions can be as large as 6 km from average, and perturbations in peak reflection ratio can be as large at 100%.
A Review of “Homophobic Bullying: Research and Theoretical Perspectives”

The topic of bullying has, thankfully, been getting more and more attention recently. When I was asked to review Ian Rivers’ Homophobic Bullying: Research and Theoretical Perspectives, I expected a...
A clinical study of the increased response of the full-term gravid uterus to pituitrin after alkalinization

Abstract Believing that there is a definite need for a more dependable technique of the medical induction of labor, and failing to achieve this end by utilizing the heretofore accepted routines, we have rather deviously hit upon a method, indirectly reached as a result of a previous study correlating the incidence of births with weather changes. It is difficult to draw definite conclusions from a small series of 94 cases, but I believe that there lies here, at least, the nucleus of a theory suggesting the following: 1. o 2. 1. The gravid human uterus, in vivo, responds more favorably to pituitrin after alkalinization. 3. 2. Forty grams of sodium bicarbonate or 60 Gm. of “citrocarbonate,” by mouth, in doses divided over a period of twenty-four hours, is an efficient alkalinizing agent. 4. 3. Side effects of the medication are practically nil.
Chapter 13.2 Parallels and Distinctions between Clay Minerals and Zeolites

Publisher Summary Clay minerals and zeolites are among the most hydrated minerals on the Earth's surface and are found in a myriad of environments, including soils, seafloor deposits, hydrothermal alteration products, altered volcanic deposits, and sediments. Although they often occur together and have many similar attributes, many of the properties of clay minerals and zeolites are distinctive because of the important differences in their crystal structures. The data presented in the chapter illustrate the important interplay between crystal structure and hydration/dehydration behavior for both smectites and zeolites. Although smectites and zeolites have many similar properties, their very distinct crystal structures often give rise to very different properties. Because of their layer structure, smectite structural transitions are quantised and hysteretic, and they generally approximate first-order transitions. This stepwise behavior is mirrored in the hydration/dehydration behavior. Quantitative analysis of H 2 O-vapour adsorption isotherms shows that the first few layers of H 2 O molecules entering the interlayer region are held very strongly. However, the complex interactions between H 2 O molecules and exchangeable cations in the zeolite extra-framework sites can give rise to hysteretic stepwise transitions when the cations and H 2 O molecules migrate during hydration or dehydration. In case of smectites, analysis of adsorption data shows that H 2 O molecules in zeolite extra-framework sites is held very strongly, up to three times the enthalpies for liquid water.
Metabolism of the Pyridine Nucleotides Involved in Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Biosynthesis by Clostridium butylicum

In order to elucidate the mechanism of the accumulation of considerable amounts of free nicotinic acid (NA) in the culture medium of Clostridium butylicum, this organism was investigated with regard to its ability to metabolize nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and its immediate biosynthetic precursors, nicotinic acid mononucleotide (NAMN) and nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide (deamido-NAD). Cell-free extracts of C. butylicum were found to degrade NAMN and deamido-NAD to NA. NAMN, in the presence of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), was converted to deamido-NAD, but only at high concentrations of ATP (20 mM) was significant synthetic activity observed in competition with NAMN degradation. Degradation of both NAMN and deamido-NAD was activated by ATP at concentrations of 5 and 10 mm. Anaerobiosis markedly enhanced the degradation of the nucleotides. The data indicate that the synthesis of NAMN and deamido-NAD prevails over their degradation only in the presence of high concentrations of ATP. NAD was degraded to nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) by a pyrophosphatase. Phosphate markedly inhibited both the deamido-NAD and NAD pyrophosphatases. Under anaerobic conditions there was practically no further degradation of NMN to NA, whereas barely measurable amounts of NA were formed under aerobic conditions. All of these observations suggest that, under the given conditions of anaerobiosis and physiological phosphate concentrations, there is very little degradation of NAD to NMN and practically no degradation to NA by C. butylicum. Thus, NAD represents an insignificant source of the NA accumulated in the culture medium. The intermediates in the biosynthetic pathway (NAMN and deamido-NAD) have been shown to be the major source of the NA which is accumulated by C. butylicum.
Stranded Capital in Fisheries: The Pacific Coast Groundfish/Whiting Case

Abstract Current rationalization options for West Coast groundfish trawl fisheries include significant allocations of harvester quota to processors, justified as compensation for “stranded capital.” This article discusses the origin of the concept of stranded capital, its use in other policy settings, preconditions, measurement, and remedies for addressing it. Our main finding is that rationalization of fisheries is unlikely to generate significant processing stranded capital. Most capital involved in fisheries processing is malleable and not likely to be devalued as a result of rationalization. If policy makers nevertheless judge it desirable to consider compensation, a legitimate process would tie compensation to anticipated or demonstrated capital losses. Current policies proposed on the U.S. West Coast to transfer harvester quota are arbitrary and unsupported by empirical estimates of the magnitude of the problem. They are likely to generate important spillover effects that could negate some of the in...
Effect of point bar development on the local force balance governing flow in a simple, meandering gravel bed river

The patterns of depth, velocity, and shear stress that direct a river's morphologic evolution are governed by a balance of forces. Analyzing these forces, associated with pressure gradients, boundary friction, channel curvature, and along- and across-stream changes in fluid momentum driven by bed topography, can yield insight regarding the establishment and maintenance of stable channel forms. This study examined how components of the local force balance changed as a meandering channel evolved from a simple, flat-bedded initial condition to a more complex bar-pool morphology. A numerical flow model, constrained by measurements of velocity and water surface elevation, characterized the flow field for four time periods bracketing two floods. For each time increment, runs were performed for discharges up to bankfull, and individual force balance components were computed from model output. Formation and growth of point bars enhanced topographic steering effects, which were of similar magnitude to the pressure gradient and centrifugal forces. Convective accelerations induced by the bar reduced the cross-stream pressure gradient, intensified flow toward the outer bank, and routed sediment around the upstream end of the bar. Adjustments in the flow field thus served to balance streamwise transport along the inner bank onto the bar and cross-stream transport into the pool. Even in the early stages of bar development, topographically driven spatial gradients in velocity played a significant role in the force balance at flows up to bankfull, altering the orientation of the shear stress and sediment transport to drive bar growth. Copyright 2011 by the American Geophysical Union.
A brief perspective on the early history of American infectious disease epidemiology.

The early history of epidemiology is closely linked to the history of infectious diseases and can be divided into three distinct periods. The earliest period, which can be traced to the writings of Hippocrates in the third and fourth centuries B.C., was that of clinical description of diseases with little investigation into their specific characteristics and etiologies. The second period, spanning the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, may be distinguished by the rejection of early Hippocratic and Galenic doctrines and the more systematic description of morbid conditions. The third period, which was marked by the discovery of specific microbial causes of disease, spurred an extraordinary growth of knowledge and scientific exploration. This period will be the main focus of the paper, as it had the greatest influence on the development of American infectious disease epidemiology.
Illumina-Based De Novo Transcriptome Analysis and Identifications of Genes Involved in the Monolignol Biosynthesis Pathway in Acacia koa

Acacia koa is a leguminous timber tree endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. For breeding projects involved in improving wood quality of A. koa, understanding of genes influencing wood quality is crucial. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify A. koa genes in the monolignol biosynthesis pathway, which is involved in wood formation and development. In this study, whole transcritpome sequencing of A. koa seedlings was performed through Illumina-based sequencing and over 88 million high-quality paired-end raw reads were generated. Trinity de novo assembly of those reads yielded 85,533 unigenes with an average length of 641 bp. Based on sequence similarity search with known proteins, we annotated 47,038 of the unigenes. Using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database, 149 unigenes were assigned to ortholog groups of enzymes involved in the monolignol biosynthesis pathway. In addition, we identified complete coding sequences of genes for all the ten identified enzymes of the pathway. Future studies on expression levels of these genes in A. koa with different wood qualities will provide a tool for selection of desirable types. Comprehensive sequence resources of A. koa generated through this study will contribute to genomic studies and improvement programs for this tree.
The Origin of Teratomas

The cells of origin of teratomas arising in the gonads or extragonadal sites have been a matter of controversy from early days of scientific medicine until now. However, only recently has this discussion been supported with solid scientific evidence.
Cation and Anion Release from Broiler Litter and Cake Activated Carbons and the Role of Released Anions in Copper Ion Uptake

The conversion of broiler waste to activated carbon results in a significant ash fraction that contains several species thought to be responsible for the adsorption capabilities of these carbons. The objectives of this study were to determine (1) the effects of acid washing, a typical regeneration method on the ability of these carbons to adsorb metal cations, (2) the extent to which select cations and anions are released from poultry waste carbons under conditions of varying acid strength, and (3) which of the elements in the ash fraction may contribute to ion binding. Litter and cake activated carbons were placed in solutions of hydrochloric acid at concentrations ranging from 0.05 to 2.0 M for 30 min to 4 h. The resulting solutions were analyzed for the release of the seven select cations and anions. The carbons were then evaluated for their ability to adsorb copper to determine the impact of acid washing on copper adsorption. Calcium, phosphorus and magnesium were released in the greatest concentrations (1.7–2.1, 1.6–2.5, and 0.7–0.8 mmol/g respectively). Of these seven species, phosphorus and sulfur were of particular interest due to their potential for binding copper ions. The copper adsorption was significantly impacted by the acid washing process with a reduction in adsorption for the litter carbon from 41.96 to 0.32 mg/g and the cake carbon from 85.31 to 23.03 mg/g with an increase in acid concentration from 0.05 to 2.0 M HCl.
Predator induced colour polymorphism in Danaus plexippus L. (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) in Hawaii.

Predator induced colour polymorphism in Danaus plexippus L. (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) in Hawaii
Body Composition at 6 months of Life: Comparison Of Air Displacement Plethysmography and Dual‐Energy X‐Ray Absorptiometry

Body composition assessment during infancy is important because it is a critical period for obesity risk development, thus valid tools are needed to accurately, precisely, and quickly determine both fat and fat-free mass. The purpose of this study was to compare body composition estimates using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and air displacement plethysmography (ADP) at 6 months old. We assessed the agreement between whole body composition using DXA and ADP in 84 full-term average-for-gestational-age boys and girls using DXA (Lunar iDXA v11-30.062; Infant whole body analysis enCore 2007 software, GE, Fairfield, CT) and ADP (Infant Body Composition System v3.1.0, COSMED USA, Concord, CA). Although the correlations between DXA and ADP for %fat (r = 0.925), absolute fat mass (r = 0.969), and absolute fat-free mass (r = 0.945) were all significant, body composition estimates by DXA were greater for both %fat (31.1 ± 3.6% vs. 26.7 ± 4.7%; P < 0.001) and absolute fat mass (2,284 ± 449 vs. 1,921 ± 492 g; P < 0.001), and lower for fat-free mass (5,022 ± 532 vs. 5,188 ± 508 g; P < 0.001) vs. ADP. Inter-method differences in %fat decreased with increasing adiposity and differences in fat-free mass decreased with increasing infant age. Estimates of body composition determined by DXA and ADP at 6 months of age were highly correlated, but did differ significantly. Additional work is required to identify the technical basis for these rather large inter-method differences in infant body composition.
Role of multiphoton excitation and two-electron effects in high harmonic generation of H2: A TDDFT calculation

Abstract Using two different TDDFT methods, we study the role of electronically excited states and two-electron dynamics in high harmonic generation (HHG) of H2. The two methods produce slightly different electronic structures as reflected in the calculated ionization potentials. They nevertheless give similar HHG spectra. The difference between the two methods increases with the laser intensity, while their predictions remain qualitatively consistent. Our results suggest that two-electron dynamics can extend the HHG cutoff. Specifics of such extension depends on the internuclear distance and the laser intensity. We propose an ion excitation plus tunneling ionization mechanism to explain these extensions. The involvement of excited states is further revealed when we analyze each harmonic as a function of the internuclear distance. We see resonant peaks that are due to multiphoton excitation. These peaks exist above the ionization threshold as well.
On the formula of Mathews and Salam

Abstract A direct proof of the Mathews-Salam formula in the Euclidean region is given for a Dirac field interacting with a classical time-dependent field and with a scalar Boson field. Cutoffs are not removed. The result is cast in the setting of a probability gage space.
Acquisition of /s/ among kindergarten children who misarticulate /s/ as measured by the deep test of articulation

The purpose of this study was to describe the process of /s/ acquisition among young children who substituted an interdental fricative for /s/. The Deep Test of Articulation for /s/ was administered once a month during seven consecutive months to 11 kindergarten children who misarticulated /s/. Results indicate that acquisition of /s/ was not influenced by its function as a syllable-releasing or syllable-arresting consonant. One factor associated with /s/ acquisition was the presence of adjacent palatal-fricative/affricate sounds. Although there was considerable variability among subjects in rate of /s/ acquisition, when a score of 38% correct /s/ productions or better during two consecutive testing periods on The Deep Test of Articulation was obtained, four out of five subjects continued to produce high rates of correct /s/ responses. Implications of these data are discussed.
Does scene physiology predict helicopter transport trauma admission

Background Helicopter transport (HT) is necessary in the management of civilian trauma; however, its significant expense underscores the need to minimize overuse and inefficiency. Our objective was to determine whether on-scene physiologic criteria predict appropriate triage in HT trauma patients. Methods We performed a retrospective review of patients flown from the injury scene to the emergency department of a level 1 trauma center by a university HT service from January 2006 to December 2010. Demographics, mechanism of injury, scene revised trauma score (RTS), travel distance, trauma alert level, payer status, emergency department and hospital disposition, and injury severity scores were queried from the electronic medical record and Trauma Registry of the American College of Surgeons with similar data on patients admitted because of trauma by ground transport for comparison. Proper triage criteria were defined through by the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma. Results We identified 2522 HT patients. Of these, 1491 (59%) were properly triaged and 1031 (41%) were overtriaged. Univariate analysis revealed that the mean scene RTS was significantly higher for over- versus proper triage (7.68 ± 0.67 and 6.97 ± 1.57 respectively, P < 0.001). Neither the scene RTS nor travel distance predicted the triage criteria in a regression model (odds ratio 0.37, 95% confidence interval 0.16–0.85, and odds ratio 0.67, 95% confidence interval 0.60–0.74, respectively). Compared with ground transport, admitted HT patients had significantly more blunt trauma, lower scene RTSs, higher injury severity scores, more intensive care unit and ventilator days, a longer length of stay, and a greater travel distance and were more likely to be intubated (P < 0.001). Conclusions The physiological criteria did not predict the triage status in HT trauma patients. Although >40% of HT patients were overtriaged, they were more severely injured and required greater institutional resources than did the ground transport patients. Overtriage by a helicopter transport program might be appropriate.
A novel epsilon-near-zero total internal reflection antenna to form radar sum and difference patterns

A novel geometry is proposed to achieve sum and difference patterns using a monopole antenna as the feed. This geometry consists of a dielectric flare with an embedded uniaxial wire medium acting as an ENZ material. Beams are formed via total internal reflection, but by placing two metallic plates on two side walls of the flare, sum and difference patterns can be interchanged. Physics of the structure are discussed and its radiation pattern, gain and input impedance are calculated by full wave simulation. The antenna is chosen to operate at x band and can be easily fabricated.
Treatment of a retroperitoneal lymphocele after lumbar fusion surgery with intralesional povidone iodine: technical case report.

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: This case report illustrates an uncommon complication from the retroperitoneal exposure of the lumbar spine. The diagnosis and management of a retroperitoneal lymphocele is presented. The lymphocele was treated with intralesional povidone iodine (Betadine; Purdue-Frederick, Norwalk, CT), which eradicated the lesion and provided symptomatic relief to the patient. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A young woman developed an iatrogenic, rapidly progressive spondylolisthesis after having undergone three previous lumbar surgeries for radiculopathy at the L5-S1 level. INTERVENTION: A back-front-back approach was used for operative reduction and fusion of the spondylolisthesis. The patient's postoperative course was complicated by a retroperitoneal lymphocele. She presented with symptoms of urinary urgency and incontinence. The lymphocele was successfully treated with repeated drainage and sclerosis with povidone iodine. The patient ultimately developed a solid fusion, and her pain resolved. CONCLUSION: A retroperitoneal lymphocele is an uncommon complication caused by the surgical exposure of the lumbar spine when a ventral approach is used. In this case, it was diagnosed and treated without further surgical intervention.
IGFBP2 promotes glioma tumor stem cell expansion and survival

IGFBP2 is overexpressed in the most common brain tumor, glioblastoma (GBM), and its expression is inversely correlated to GBM patient survival. Previous reports have demonstrated a role for IGFBP2 in glioma cell invasion and astrocytoma development. However, the function of IGFBP2 in the restricted, self-renewing, and tumorigenic GBM cell population comprised of tumor-initiating stem cells has yet to be determined. Herein we demonstrate that IGFBP2 is overexpressed within the stem cell compartment of GBMs and is integral for the clonal expansion and proliferative properties of glioma stem cells (GSCs). In addition, IGFBP2 inhibition reduced Akt-dependent GSC genotoxic and drug resistance. These results suggest that IGFBP2 is a selective malignant factor that may contribute significantly to GBM pathogenesis by enriching for GSCs and mediating their survival. Given the current dearth of selective molecular targets against GSCs, we anticipate our results to be of high therapeutic relevance in combating the rapid and lethal course of GBM.
Improved Synthesis of 7,5‐Fused Bicyclic Lactams for Use as Peptidomimetics

An improved synthesis of (3S, 7R, 10S)‐methyl‐2‐oxo‐3‐N‐phthaloylamino‐1‐azabicyclo[5.3.0]decane‐10‐carboxylate from L‐glutamic acid and L‐allylglycine is presented.
Properties of DNA of bacteriophage N1, a DNA with reversible circularity☆

Abstract The DNA of N1 bacteriophage ( Naylor and Burgi, 1956 ), like that of its host, Micococcus lysodeikticus , has high guanine plus cytosine content ( Scaletti and Naylor, 1959 ). We report here the results of some further physicochemical studies of the properties of this bacteriophage DNA. The most important results are that the DNA, as prepared by lysis of the phage, is linear but cyclizes when suitably annealed, and that the circular molecules revert to a linear form on heating and quenching. Thus, the molecules contain cohesive ends just as does the DNA of bacteriophage λ. The buoyant density indicates a base composition of 64(±1)% GC. The molecular weigth, as estimated from the sedimentation velocity and by electron-microscope length measurements, is 33(±1.5) × 106. There appear to be no inherent single-strand breaks in the DNA. A method is described for positive staining with uranyl ion of DNA samples prepared for electron microscopy by the basic protein film technique ( Kleinschmidt and Zahn, 1959 ). This modification makes shadowing unnecessary.
Tools and strategies for processing diffusion-ordered 2D NMR spectroscopy (DOSY) of a broad, featureless resonance: an application to methylaluminoxane (MAO).

DOSY has been extremely successful in many studies of molecular weight distributions, especially when the components are separable along the chemical shift axis. However, an unresolved NMR resonance yields the familiar problem of overlapping exponential decays. In a study of methylaluminoxane (MAO), a set of data processing and simulation tools were developed: read Bruker data files (Matlab); preliminary non-linear least-squares fit with f-test (Matlab); movie generation of the fits (Matlab); conversion of diffusion coefficients to molecular masses through molecular volumes (Gaussian-98); and simulation of DOSY data sets for various molecular mass distributions (Mathematica). These tools are presented here and briefly compared with other DOSY analysis methods.
Feeding of Hessian fly (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) larvae on resistant and susceptible wheat.

The duration of feeding and relative amounts consumed by Hessian fly, Mayetiola destructor (Say), larvae on resistant and susceptible seedling wheat plants labeled with [35S]L-methionine was investigated. Plants were labeled over 48-h periods from initial infestation to 8 d after infestation, and the uptake of 35S by larvae determined. With the H3 and H5 genes for resistance, the uptake of 35S by larvae was significantly less than on susceptible controls, and suggested that the larvae were unable to initiate or maintain sustained feeding on the resistant plants. With the H6 gene for resistance, uptake of 35S by larvae during the first 48 h was not significantly different from that on susceptible controls, but then declined between 48 and 96 h. These data indicate that with the H6 gene, larvae fed actively for the first 48 h after infesting the plants, then ceased their feeding between 48 and 96 h. All larvae on resistant plants were alive 48 h after infesting plants and approximately 60% were alive 96 h after infesting resistant plants. All larvae on resistant plants were dead by 144 h after infestation. Results are discussed in the context of possible mechanisms of action for the resistance genes investigated.
Rapid screening of phenotypic resistance to nevirapine by direct analysis of HIV type 1 reverse transcriptase activity in plasma.

Drug susceptibility testing for the clinical management of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected persons is often curtailed because such testing is expensive and time consuming. We describe a non-culture-based phenotypic assay for the rapid analysis of HIV-1 resistance to nevirapine. The assay measures the susceptibility of plasma reverse transcriptase (RT) activity to inhibition by nevirapine by using the PCR-based Amp-RT assay. Assay validation was made using two reference wild-type (WT) and six other nevirapine-resistant (>100-fold) HIV-1 isolates. Amp-RT IC50 values were found to correlate with those obtained by a conventional replication-based assay. The results also indicated that 50 mu M nevirapine can be used in a single screening test to detect nevirapine resistance. Analysis of virus mixtures showed a detection threshold of 10% of nevirapine-resistant HIV-1 in a background of WT virus. To evaluate the assay on clinical samples, 30 plasma specimens collected longitudinally from 4 p...
Preparing for the 21st century: Diversity in nursing education, research, and practice

This article presents issues surrounding nursing research, education, and practice as they relate to the changing demographics in American society. The authors suggest that cultural diversity should be a key element in all components of nursing. They present challenges to nurse researchers, educators, and practitioners regarding the essential need to be sensitive about cultural diversity. They further suggest that the 21st century will emerge with demographic shifts that include larger groups of ethnic individuals and families. These ethnic groups will be both care providers and recipients of care. Recommendations are suggested to prepare for diversity in America health care systems.
Development and validation of the PROcedural Sedation Assessment Survey (PROSAS) for assessment of procedural sedation quality.

Background More than 20 million invasive procedures are performed annually in the United States. The vast majority are performed with moderate sedation or deep sedation, yet there is limited understanding of the drivers of sedation quality and patient satisfaction. Currently, the major gap in quality assurance for invasive procedures is the lack of procedural sedation quality measures. Objective To develop and validate a robust, patient-centered measure of procedural sedation quality, the PROcedural Sedation Assessment Survey (PROSAS). Design Through a series of interviews with patients, proceduralists, nurses, anesthesiologists, and an interactive patient focus group, major domains influencing procedural sedation quality were used to create a multipart survey. The pilot survey was administered and revised in sequential cohorts of adults receiving moderate sedation for GI endoscopy. After revision, the PROSAS was administered to a validation cohort. Setting GI endoscopy unit. Patients A expert panel of proceduralists, nurses, and anesthesiologists, an initial survey development cohort of 40 patients, and a validation cohort of 858 patients undergoing sedation for outpatient GI endoscopy with additional surveys completed by the gastroenterologist, procedure nurse, and recovery nurse. Main Outcomes and Measurements Survey characteristics of the PROSAS. Results Patients were able to independently complete the PROSAS after procedural sedation before discharge. Of the patients, 91.6% reported minimal discomfort; however, 8.4% of patients reported significant discomfort and 2.4% of patients experienced hemodynamic and/or respiratory instability. There was a high correlation between patient-reported intraprocedure discomfort and both clinician assessments of procedural discomfort and patient recall of procedural pain 24 to 48 hours post procedure ( P Limitations Single-center study, variability of sedation technique between providers, inclusion of patients with chronic pain taking analgesics. Conclusions The PROSAS is a clinically relevant, patient-centered, easily administered instrument that allows for standardized evaluation of procedural sedation quality. The PROSAS may be useful in both research and clinical settings.
Transverse Hall and Magnetoresistance Effects in p -Type Germanium

Modification of the two-band model to include existence of a small number of high-mobility holes permits calculations of the magnitude, temperature dependence, and magnetic-field dependence of Hall and magnetoresistance effects in high-purity $p$-type germanium, which are in excellent quantitative agreement with experimental data. For a specimen containing 4.3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{13}$ acceptors/${\mathrm{cm}}^{3}$, the data indicate at 300\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K the presence of 1.1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{12}$ positive carriers/${\mathrm{cm}}^{3}$ with a mobility of 15 000 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$/volt-sec. At 205\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K these high-mobility holes increase the magnetoresistance at weak fields by a factor of 25 and the Hall coefficient by 1.6. Results indicate that Hall mobilities computed by taking the product $R\ensuremath{\sigma}$ must be interpreted with caution, or unwarranted inferences may be drawn. For the specimens studied, mobilities computed from the Hall data, by using equations based on spherical energy surfaces but taking into account the fast holes and the values of the magnetic fields, agree within experimental error with the values obtained by other methods. Discussion of the fast holes in connection with valence band degeneracy, cyclotron resonance observations, and interband optical transitions is given. The desirability of using data taken at large and at very small magnetic fields in analyzing galvanomagnetic phenomena is emphasized.
Hermeneutics: a Pentecostal Option

Fundamental to the study of hermeneutics, as to any academic disciplines, is the question of epistemology. What are the grounds of knowledge ? How does one determine the limits and validity of knowledge? It is not our purpose to discuss the subject in any detail but simply to note basic assumptions that affect our approach to hermeneutics. Two ways of knowing are so much a part of our Western ways of thinking that they are received as axiomatic viz. sensory experience and reason. Any theology that limits itself only to these two ways of knowing is locked into the perennial dichotomy between faith and reason to which the so-called New Hermeneutic 1 seeks to speak, however, without much success for reasons to be discussed later.
Identifying the challenges of promoting ecological weed management (EWM) in organic agroecosystems through the lens of behavioral decision making

Ecological weed management (EWM) is a scientifically established management approach that uses ecological patterns to reduce weed seedbanks. Such an approach can save organic farmers time and labor costs and reduce the need for repeated cultivation practices that may pose risks to soil and water quality. However, adoption of effective EWM in the organic farm community is perceived to be poor. In addition, communication and collaboration between the scientific community, extension services, and the organic farming community in the US is historically weak. In order to uncover the most persistent obstacles to promoting effective weed management in organic agroecosystems, we use the mental models approach to generate an expert model based on interviews with experts (e.g., weed scientists, weed ecologists, and extension personnel) and theories from the behavioral sciences. The expert model provides two main insights: (1) EWM is a complex strategy that may cause farmers to use heuristics in management decisions and (2) the long-term benefits of EWM, rather than the risks, need to be emphasized in communication with and outreach to organic farmers. The basis for new research topics and outreach material that incorporates these insights from the expert model are discussed. We briefly explain how the expert model is an incomplete picture of on-farm practices, but provides the basis for the second step of our mental models research, the farmer interviews and farmer decision model development.
Bayesian capture-recapture methods for error detection and estimation of population size: Heterogeneity and dependence

SUMMARY This paper considers estimation of the unknown size N of a population based on multiple capture-recapture samples. We extend the Bayesian multiple recapture model to accommodate possible heterogeneity and dependence among the samples and possible heterogeneity within the samples. In the dependent model, we show that posterior inference for N is independent of almost all the nuisance parameters. We develop a flexible Bayesian model for heterogeneity within samples and demonstrate how Gibbs sampling can be used to calculate the Bayesian estimator for N and other quantities of interest. The performance of the proposed estimators is evaluated by simulation under both correct and incorrect model specifications, and we illustrate our methods in two examples about software review and estimation of a cottontail rabbit population.
microRNA biogenesis and function in plants

A microRNA (miRNA) is a 21–24 nucleotide RNA product of a non-protein-coding gene. Plants, like animals, have a large number of miRNA-encoding genes in their genomes. The biogenesis of miRNAs in Arabidopsis is similar to that in animals in that miRNAs are processed from primary precursors by at least two steps mediated by RNAse III-like enzymes and that the miRNAs are incorporated into a protein complex named RISC. However, the biogenesis of plant miRNAs consists of an additional step, i.e., the miRNAs are methylated on the ribose of the last nucleotide by the miRNA methyltransferase HEN1. The high degree of sequence complementarity between plant miRNAs and their target mRNAs has facilitated the bioinformatic prediction of miRNA targets, many of which have been subsequently validated. Plant miRNAs have been predicted or confirmed to regulate a variety of processes, such as development, metabolism, and stress responses. A large category of miRNA targets consists of genes encoding transcription factors that play important roles in patterning the plant form.
Liver extract (chalone) antimitotic activity assayed with chick embryos

Abstract Extracts prepared from the 30 % distilled water homogenates of rat liver have been found to contain an anti-mitotic factor(s). In the 15-day-old chick embryo, the antimitotic effect was tissue specific in that only hepatocytes and not control tissues had depressed mitotic indices. The antimitotic effect was observable by 4 h after egg shell air sac injection but abolished by 8 h. These data are consistent with the presence of a G2—M blocking factor. These data also indicate that the 15-day-old chick embryo will be useful as a chalone assay system.
New insights into copper monooxygenases and peptide amidation: structure, mechanism and function.

Many bioactive peptides must be amidated at their carboxy terminus to exhibit full activity. Surprisingly, the amides are not generated by a transamidation reaction. Instead, the hormones are synthesized from glycine-extended intermediates that are transformed into active amidated hormones by oxidative cleavage of the glycine N-Cα bond. In higher organisms, this reaction is catalyzed by a single bifunctional enzyme, peptidylglycine α-amidating monooxygenase (PAM). The PAM gene encodes one polypeptide with two enzymes that catalyze the two sequential reactions required for amidation. Peptidylglycine α-hydroxylating monooxygenase (PHM; EC 1.14.17.3) catalyzes the stereospecific hydroxylation of the glycine α-carbon of all the peptidylglycine substrates. The second enzyme, peptidyl-α-hydroxyglycine α-amidating lyase (PAL; EC 4.3.2.5), generates α-amidated peptide product and glyoxylate. PHM contains two redox-active copper atoms that, after reduction by ascorbate, catalyze the reduction of molecular oxygen for the hydroxylation of glycine-extended substrates. The structure of the catalytic core of rat PHM at atomic resolution provides a framework for understanding the broad substrate specificity of PHM, identifying residues critical for PHM activity, and proposing mechanisms for the chemical and electron-transfer steps in catalysis. Since PHM is homologous in sequence and mechanism to dopamine β-monooxygenase (DBM; EC 1.14.17.1), the enzyme that converts dopamine to norepinephrine during catecholamine biosynthesis, these structural and mechanistic insights are extended to DBM.
Exercise Testing to Predict Outcome in Patients with Angina

Exercise testing, whether it is conventional exercise electrocardiography or exercise imaging with perfusion scintigraphy or echocardiography, has many purposes. Its best-known application is to diagnose coronary artery disease, and in this role it serves as a model for reasoning about diagnostic tests. Among the other uses of exercise testing, including measuring exercise capacity, evaluating the efficacy of therapy, establishing an exercise prescription, and reassuring the patient about the safety of exercise, assessing prognosis is one of the most important, but it has been overshadowed by the emphasis on diagnosis.
Non-visual information does not drive saccade gain adaptation in monkeys.

Recent experiments have characterized the dependence of saccade gain adaptation on the characteristics of the visual error following inaccurate saccades. We currently know little about the potential role of non-visual information in driving saccade adaptation. The brain could use non-visual signals from the saccade burst generator or extraocular muscle (EOM) proprioceptors to determine if the eye had rotated the appropriate distance to aim at a target. Both saccade-related burst signals and EOM proprioceptive information reach the posterior vermis of the cerebellum, a brain area strongly implicated in saccade adaptation. In the experiment described here we determined if non-visual information has a significant affect on saccade adaptation. We made monkey saccades hypometric with intra-saccade target movements and then tested the recovery of saccade gain toward normal under three conditions: (1) when the target was continuously visible, (2) when the target extinguished for 1000 ms beginning during the saccade, and (3) when the monkey remained in the dark. In the first condition both visual and non-visual indications of hypometria were available. In the second, only non-visual information was available. In the third, the monkey made no visually guided saccades and very few spontaneous saccades in the dark so neither visual nor non-visual information could drive adaptation. We found that, though it was hypometric, saccade size during recovery changed the same small amount when monkeys made saccades to extinguishing targets or remained in the dark. Saccade size changed significantly (∼5×) more during recovery when the monkey tracked continuously visible targets. Thus non-visual information has no influence on adaptation and visual post-saccade error is the only known driver of saccade adaptation.