cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nucleotide Modification Alters MicroRNA-Dependent Silencing of MicroRNA Switches.

mRNA therapeutics hold great promise for the treatment of human diseases. While incorporating naturally occurring modified nucleotides during synthesis has greatly increased their potency and safety, challenges in selective expression have hindered clinical applications. MicroRNA (miRNA)-regulated in vitro-transcribed mRNAs, called miRNA switches, have been used to control the expression of exogenous mRNA in a cell-selective manner. However, the effect of nucleotide modifications on miRNA-dependent silencing has not been examined. Here we show that the incorporation of pseudouridine, N1-methylpseudourdine, or pseudouridine and 5-methylcytidine, which increases translation, tends to decrease the regulation of miRNA switches. Moreover, pseudouridine and 5-methylcytidine modification enables one miRNA target site at the 3′ UTR to be as effective as four target sites. We also demonstrate that the effects of pseudouridine, pseudouridine and 5-methylcytidine, and N1-methylpseudourdine modification are miRNA switch specific and do not correlate with the proportion of modified nucleotides in the miRNA target site. Furthermore, modified miRNA switches containing seed-complementary target sites are poorly regulated by miRNA. We also show that placing the miRNA target site in the 5′ UTR of the miRNA switch abolishes the effect of nucleotide modification on miRNA-dependent silencing. This work provides insights into the influence of nucleotide modifications on miRNA-dependent silencing and informs the design of optimal miRNA switches.
Entertainment, Social Media Use and Young Women's Tanning Behaviours.

Objective:While research suggests media use is positively associated with skin-damaging behaviours, especially among US college-aged women, less is known about the role of specific media types in p...
Elevated Blood Lead Levels Among Resettled Refugee Children in Ohio, 2009-2016.

Objectives. To assess the prevalence of and the demographic factors for elevated blood lead level (EBLL; ≥ 5 µg/dL) at resettlement among newly admitted refugee children.Methods. This cross-section...
A longitudinal qualitative evaluation of patient perspectives of adverse events after pelvic reconstructive surgery

Patient perception of adverse events (AEs) after pelvic floor disorder surgery is incompletely understood and may differ from providers’ views of AEs. Our objective is to describe patient perceptions of AEs related to pelvic floor disorder surgery and how perceptions change over time. Mixed-method study of longitudinal patient interviews and surveys. Women planning pelvic floor disorder surgery completed three one-on-one interviews: preoperatively (< 12 weeks before surgery), 6–8 weeks postoperatively, and 6 months postoperatively. Interviews explored the patient experience of surgery and their perception of AEs over time. Participants ranked self-identified AEs by severity. De-identified transcripts of audio recordings were coded and analyzed using an iterative, thematic, team-based process using NVivo software (QSR International). Twenty women each completed three separate interviews for a total of 60 interviews. Their mean age was 55.3 (± 12.7) years, and 50% were Non-Hispanic white. Women’s perceptions of AEs changed as more time passed from surgery. Women identified potential problems related to surgery such as anesthesia complications, pain, injury, catheter issues, and an unsuccessful surgery as the most concerning AEs preoperatively. Postoperatively (6–8 weeks), women expressed concern about functional outcomes (e.g., performing daily activities, symptom reduction). Late postoperatively (6 months), the majority identified unsuccessful surgery, incontinence, and sexual dysfunction as severe AEs. These findings are consistent with prior work that suggests women perceive functional outcomes as fundamental to their recovery. These findings contribute to a more nuanced understanding of patient-centered perspectives on AEs. Patients view poor functional outcomes as severe AEs.
Scaling lidar-derived rainforest canopy metrics across a Mesoamerican landscape

A critical consideration when remotely sensing forest structure is how data resolution impacts signal interpretation. Grain size and spacing between signals affect the discrimination and convolutio...
High rates of psychosocial stress among Hispanic breast cancer survivors

9113 Background: Due to early detection and improved treatments, women with breast cancer are living longer. We conducted a survey of attitudes about physical health, psychosocial issues, and healt...
The fractal geometry of bronchial trees differs by strain in mice.

Similar to larger mammals such as humans, the geometries of the bronchial tree in mice are fractal structures that have repeating patterns from the trachea to the terminal branches. The airway geom...
Preoperative prealbumin does not impact outcomes after left ventricular assist device implantation.

Background This single-center, the retrospective study evaluates the impact of preoperative serum prealbumin levels on outcomes after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. Methods Adults undergoing LVAD implantation, with a recorded preoperative prealbumin level, between 2004 to 2018 were included. Primary outcomes included rates of 1-year survival and secondary outcomes included rates of postimplant adverse events. Threshold regression and restricted cubic splines were utilized to identify a cut-point to dichotomize prealbumin level. Prealbumin was also evaluated as a continuous variable. Multivariable logistic regression was used for risk-adjustment. Results A total of 333 patients were included. Patients were dichotomized according to an optimal prealbumin threshold of 15 mg/dL: 47.4% (n = 158) had levels below and 52.6% (n = 175) had levels above this threshold, respectively. The rates of postimplant adverse events, including bleeding, infection, stroke, renal failure, and right heart failure, were similar between the groups (all P > .05). Furthermore, the rates of cardiac transplantation and device explantation were also similar (all P > .05). Unadjusted survival was comparable between the groups at 30-days, 90-days, and 1-year following LVAD implantation (all P > .05). In addition, lower prealbumin did not impact risk-adjusted 1-year mortality when modeled either as a categorical (OR, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.48-2.12; P = .82) or continuous variable (OR, 1.99; 95% CI, 0.73-2.34; P = .96). Conclusions This study demonstrates that lower prealbumin levels were not predictive of increased post-LVAD morbidity or mortality. Although an established marker of nutritional and inflammatory status, the role of prealbumin in patient selection or prognostication appears limited in LVAD patients.
Family Structure and Child Well-Being in a Non-western Context: The Role of Parent–Child Relations and Parental Conflict in South Korea

Research suggests that children who live with two biological married parents are less likely to exhibit behavioral problems than children who do not. While research on childhood outcomes often focuses on the nature of the family structure itself, recent studies have pointed to relationship quality between parents, and between parents and children, as important mechanisms through which family structure affects children. However, the independent influence of these two mechanisms—relationship quality between parents and between parents and children—on childhood outcomes has never, to our knowledge, been tested outside of a high-income western environment. Using the Korean Youth Panel Study (KYPS), we use cross-sectional and longitudinal GEE models to examine the influence of family structure, parent–child relationship quality, and parental conflict on internalizing and externalizing behavior problems among 2844 adolescents in South Korea, a high-income, non-western context with relatively little family structure instability. We found that family structure, parental conflict, and parent–child relationship quality were all significantly related to child well-being. Children living in family structures other than with their two married biological parents were more likely to report internalizing and externalizing behavioral problems. Further, parental conflict was negatively related to child well-being, while parent–child relationship quality was positively related to child well-being. These findings show that interpersonal relationships are important to children across family structures and should be included in studies examining how families impact child well-being. Our study also reinforces the importance of looking at family structures and processes in non-western contexts.
Neurologic manifestations of hyperparathyroidism

The neurologic findings in 120 patients with possible diagnosis of hyperparathyroidism are reported and the world literature on this matter is reviewed. The neurologic signs and symptoms were divided in 3 categories: central, peripheral and miscellaneous. Headache, cramps weakness and depression where the most frequent complaints but with a so wide list of symptoms we expect mainly to salient the importance of calcium and phosphorus blood levels on neurologic patients as well as the value of neurologic evaluation on hyperparathyroid patients.
Effects of Message Presentation Type on GM Food Risk Perception, Similarity Judgment, and Attitude.

Media play an important role in communicating scientific and health-related information, in turn, influencing audience risk perception. This study examined how genetically modified (GM) food news’ ...
The impact of local corruption on business tax registration and compliance: Evidence from Vietnam

Abstract This paper studies how corruption affects two fundamental dimensions of a firm’s tax compliance: the likelihood of tax registration (possession of a tax ID) and the tax compliance ratio (the ratio between the firm’s tax payment and revenue). We explore a census covering all Vietnamese household businesses and leverage the differential exposure to corruption, depending upon which province similarly situated businesses are located within. Comparing household businesses in contiguous commune pairs that straddle provincial borders, we discover two seemingly contradictory results. We find that a household business that operates in a more corrupt province is more likely to possess a tax ID, even though it does not necessarily pay more in taxes. In fact, among firms that possess tax IDs, an increase in corruption is associated with a decrease in the tax compliance ratio. We suggest a plausible explanation for this pattern is that corrupt bureaucrats encourage tax-ID possession, because the registration form provides them with better business information to extract bribes. This mechanism implies that an increase in corruption should be associated with a smaller increase in tax-ID possession among more “visible” businesses. We test and find supporting empirical evidence for this prediction.
New Modulation Technique for Three-level Interleaved Voltage Source Inverters for Switching Loss Reduction

This paper presents a new modulation strategy for three-level interleaved voltage source inverters for switching loss reduction. By using two in-phase level shifted triangular carrier signals, the simultaneous switching of the two interleaved inverter cells is avoided. Only one of the interleaved inverter cells is undergoing switching for half of the fundamental period; the other inverter cell is clamped to either the positive dc bus or the neutral point of the inverter. Therefore, the switching loss of the inverter is reduced by 50 percent compared to the conventional phase-shifted carrier modulation technique for interleaved inverters. The conduction loss of the inverter is slightly increased (by about 5 percent), but the overall loss is significantly reduced. The validity of the proposed modulation method is verified using a 1kW experimental prototype.
Distal Radius Fractures in Diabetic Patients: An Analysis of Surgical Timing and Other Factors That Affect Complication Rate.

BACKGROUND While not studied for distal radius fractures, the effect of surgical timing on complication rate has been extensively analyzed in the treatment of pilon fractures. The primary aim of this study was to identify any effect surgical timing has on postoperative complication rates after surgical fixation of distal radius fractures in diabetic patients. METHODS All patients who underwent surgical fixation of distal radius fractures at a single suburban academic hospital between 2012 and 2019 were reviewed. For each patient, demographics, comorbidities, injury details, fixation method, and postoperative complications were noted. The effect surgical delay, among other factors, had on complication rate in diabetic and nondiabetic patients was explored. RESULTS Overall, 124 diabetic and 371 nondiabetic distal radius fractures were included. While diabetics had a statistically higher rate of total complications (21.0 vs. 13.5%, P = .045) but similar major complications requiring surgery (P = .12), there was no difference in surgical delay between groups among patients who had total (P = .31) or major (P = .69) complications. Surgical timing was not a risk factor for total (P = .50) or major complications (P = .32) in diabetic fracture bivariate or multivariate analysis. Only younger age and higher energy injuries were significant risk factors for total complications in bivariate (P = .02, P = .03) and multivariate (P = .04, P < .05) analysis. CONCLUSION Complication rates after surgically stabilized distal radius fractures in diabetic patients are higher than in nondiabetic patients. However, this rate is not affected by surgical timing. Instead, surgeons should consider factors such as diabetic control in an effort to maximize outcomes and decrease complications. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Prognostic Level III.
Training Young Adult Peers in a Mobile Motivational Interviewing‐Based Mentoring Approach to Upstream HIV Prevention

Mentoring relationships are characterized by a sustained, high quality, and skill-building relationship between a protege and mentor (Handbook of Youth Mentoring, Los Angeles, SAGE, 2014). Within prevention science, youth mentoring programs emphasize creating a specific context that benefits a young person. Program-sponsored relationships between youth and adults allow for creating a mentor-mentee partnership, but do not require the establishment of a strong bond in order to deliver prevention-focused activities and experiences (Handbook of Youth Mentoring, Los Angeles, SAGE, 2014). Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a counseling style used widely to promote health behavior change and in prevention interventions. As part of an upstream approach to HIV prevention, we combined mentoring and MI by training peer mentors to use MI skills in their interactions as part of a large RCT of a mobile life skills intervention for adolescent men who have sex with men (AMSM). Our training model developed for training peer mentors in MI skills resulted in peers reaching and exceeding established MI fidelity thresholds (e.g., mean percentage of complex reflections = 80%, mean reflection to question ratio = 2.2:1). We offer reflections on lessons learned and future directions for those researchers and practitioners who may benefit from adapting this blended approach for mentoring AMSM.
Lexical Iconicity is differentially favored under transmission in a new sign language: The effect of type of iconicity.

Abstract Observations that iconicity diminishes over time in sign languages (Frishberg 1975) pose a puzzle: Why should something so evidently useful and functional decrease? Using an archival dataset of signs elicited over 15 years from 4 first-cohort and 4 third-cohort signers of an emerging sign language (Nicaraguan Sign Language), we investigated changes in pantomimic (body-to-body) and perceptual (body-to-object) iconicity. We make three key observations: (1) there is greater variability in the signs produced by the first cohort compared to the third; (2) while both types of iconicity are evident, pantomimic iconicity is more prevalent than perceptual iconicity for both groups; and (3) across cohorts, pantomimic elements are dropped to a greater proportion than perceptual elements. The higher rate of pantomimic iconicity in the first-cohort lexicon reflects the usefulness of body-as-body mapping in language creation. Yet, its greater vulnerability to change over transmission suggests that it is less favored by children’s language acquisition processes.
Developing a Modeling Framework to Simulate Compound Flooding: When Storm Surge Interacts With Riverine Flow

Compound flooding is a physical phenomenon that has become more destructive in recent years. Moreover, compound flooding is a broad term that envelops many different physical processes that can range from preconditioned, to multivariate, to temporally compounding, or spatially compounding. This research aims to analyze a specific case of compound flooding related to tropical cyclones where the compounding effect is on coastal flooding due to a combination of storm surge and river discharge. In recent years, such compound flood events have increased in frequency and magnitude, due to a number of factors such as sea-level rise from warming oceans. Therefore, the ability to model such events is of increasing urgency. At present, there is no holistic, integrated modeling system capable of simulating or forecasting compound flooding on a large regional or global scale, leading to the need to couple various existing models. More specifically, two more challenges in such a modeling effort are determining the primary model and accounting for the effect of adjacent watersheds that discharge to the same receiving water body in amplifying the impact of compound flooding from riverine discharge with storm surge when the scale of the model includes an entire coastal line. In this study, we investigated the possibility of using the Advanced Circulation (ADCIRC) model as the primary model to simulate the compounding effects of fluvial flooding and storm surge via loose one-way coupling with gage data through internal time-dependent flux boundary conditions. The performance of the ADCIRC model was compared with the Hydrologic Engineering Center- River Analysis System (HEC-RAS) model both at the watershed and global scales. Furthermore, the importance of including riverine discharges and the interactions among adjacent watersheds were quantified. Results showed that the ADCIRC model could reliably be used to model compound flooding on both a watershed scale and a regional scale. Moreover, accounting for the interaction of river discharge from multiple watersheds is critical in accurately predicting flood patterns when high amounts of riverine flow occur in conjunction with storm surge. Particularly, with storms such as Hurricane Harvey (2017), where river flows were near record levels, inundation patterns and water surface elevations were highly dependent on the incorporation of the discharge input from multiple watersheds. Such an effect caused extra and longer inundations in some areas during Hurricane Harvey. Comparisons with real gauge data show that adding internal flow boundary conditions into ADCIRC to account for river discharge from multiple watersheds significantly improves accuracy in predictions of water surface elevations during coastal flooding events.
Endoscopic submucosal dissection and potential cancer dissemination.

The recent report from the highly regarded interventional endoscopy group in Hamburg suggests that endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) can lead to dissemination of oesophageal adenocarcinoma (Ehlken H et al , Gut 2021, PMID: 33441377). This study reported the rapid recurrence of two cases of submucosal Barrett’s oesophagus (BO)-related adenocarcinoma treated with near-circumferential and circumferential ESD. The cancers had extensive recurrence at the base of the resection penetrating into the muscularis propria and even more alarming lymph node metastasis. The authors sequenced the tumours to demonstrate that the recurrences were similar to the primary tumour. They then performed additional studies to demonstrate that the endoscope might be the cause of seeding. The authors found that there was opportunity for seeding to occur through contaminated endoscopic biopsy channels by demonstrating malignant cytology could be found in the biopsy channels of 5/5 patients biopsied with advanced cancers by forceps. It should be noted that trying to culture biopsy samples from BO biopsies is quite difficult, and tumour implantation is not a trivial biological event to achieve. Downstream tumour implantation (ie, in the stomach or duodenum) from an ESD for oesophageal cancer has not been reported to our knowledge. Furthermore, steroids that had been used after ESD procedures to prevent strictures were identified as one mechanism to potentially aid recurrence as the addition of steroids to oesophageal adenocarcinoma line cultures induced proliferation. Despite this evidence, the clinical literature does not support dissemination of cancer …
Fire performance of masonry under various testing methods

Abstract Masonry, as a construction material, is known to perform well under elevated temperatures, which makes it an attractive choice for structural applications. This superior performance is a reflection of its inert thermal characteristics, good stability, and slow degradation of mechanical properties. Still, and similar to other construction materials, masonry undergoes a series of temperature-dependent physio-chemical and phase changes once exposed to high temperatures. Such changes are determined through temperature-dependent material models often obtained by means of physical tests on representative masonry specimens. A deep dive into the open literature shows that not only we lack standardized procedures for testing masonry under fire conditions, but existing researcher-derived methods vary significantly. As a result, available temperature-dependent material models also vary given their sensitivity to testing parameters (i.e., set-ups, heating history etc.). It is primarily due to the aforenoted observations that we continue to lack a holistic understanding of the fire behavior of masonry which also extends to limiting advancements in performance-based design of masonry structures. In order to bridge this knowledge gap, this paper reviews commonly adopted fire testing methods on masonry and the wide scatter of corresponding temperature-dependent material models to provide researchers and practitioners with much-needed knowledge that is currently missing in this domain. Findings from this review can then be used to develop modern and up-to-date temperature-dependent material models to facilitate the design of new masonry constructions or analysis of existing ones (including historical buildings).
Social Emotional Learning in Schools: The Importance of Educator Competence:

As professionals charged with fostering student learning and well-being, educators—school leaders, teachers, school counselors, preservice teachers—should demonstrate social emotional competence. I...
Analysis and Evaluation of Air-core Two-coil Wireless Power Transfer System Configurations

This paper presents the analysis and evaluation results of different air-core two-coil wireless power transfer (WPT) configurations to achieve maximum power transfer efficiency for the frequency range below 1 MHz. Simplified two-port network circuit model based on experimentally measured parameters is used to evaluate the different two-coil configurations for short range power transmission. The configuration design of the wireless coils impacts the energy transfer efficiency of the WPT system. Three different WPT coils configurations for air-core WPT systems are compared based on the scattering parameters. Different two-coil configurations are obtained from several combinations of flat spiral coils and helical coils. The results show that the flat spiral coil pair configuration achieves a power transfer efficiency of ~68% without ferrite when the coil pairs are well aligned. However, its efficiency decreases rapidly when the misalignment increased. On the other hand, the presented configuration of one helical coil inside another larger helical coil achieves higher power transmission efficiency of ~72% without ferrite. It is also easier to be aligned and maintain alignment compared with the flat spiral coil pair.
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: When Suffering Is Multiplied.

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is an illness defined predominantly by symptoms. Routine laboratory test results often are normal, raising the question of whether there are any underlying objective abnormalities. In the past 20 years, however, new research technologies have uncovered a series of biological abnormalities in people with ME/CFS. Unfortunately, many physicians remain unaware of this, and some tell patients that “there is nothing wrong” with them. This skepticism delegitimizes, and thereby multiplies, the patients’ suffering.
A Course in Abstract Analysis

This book covers topics appropriate for a first-year graduate course preparing students for the doctorate degree. The first half of the book presents the core of measure theory, including an introduction to the Fourier transform. This material can easily be covered in a semester. The second half of the book treats basic functional analysis and can also be covered in a semester. After the basics, it discusses linear transformations, duality, the elements of Banach algebras, and C*-algebras. It concludes with a characterization of the unitary equivalence classes of normal operators on a Hilbert space. The book is self-contained and only relies on a background in functions of a single variable and the elements of metric spaces. Following the author's belief that the best way to learn is to start with the particular and proceed to the more general, it contains numerous examples and exercises.
The Problem of Psychology

Sigmund Koch was one of the premier scholars of psychology. He devoted his formidable intellect to analyzing the discipline’s conceptual foundations and through intensive study he came to the conclusion that there simply was no elephant. In Koch’s estimation, psychology was not and could not be a single coherent discipline. Because his professional biography reveals an enormous amount about the deep and profound conceptual problems that underlie psychology, it is worth taking some time to recount here. In the late 1930s and early 1940s, Koch was a rising star in psychological science, having authored, among other things, two major articles on the concept of motivation in the prestigious journal Psychological Review in 1941. Clark Hull’s behaviorism was at its apex, and it seemed to Koch and many others at the time that the mathematization of animal behavior was truly at hand. Psychology was finally on the cusp of becoming a true, precise, objective science.
The effect of ingested estrone (progynon DH) and parenterally administered synthetic progestin (proluton) upon the human castrate uterus

Abstract Of 6 castrated human females a luteal phase of endometrium was produced in three by the administration of 144,000 ABU of progynon DH orally and 55 to 60 rabbit units of proluton, and in a fourth with an additional 30 units of proluton. In one case, following the method of Kaufmann, a luteal endometrium could not be obtained. In another instance bleeding began with the administration of progestin which nullified a possible progestin effect. In all cases bleeding occurred during administration or after cessation of medication. The hot flushes and other symptoms characteristic of the menopausal syndrome were completely relieved during the period of treatment, but recurred in all cases some time after cessation of medication.
SOMATOSENSORY EVOKED CORTICAL POTENTIALS (SEP) IN A MODEL OF FETAL HYPOXIA

SEP's were studied in four chronically instrumented fetal sheep (FS) (GA 110-131 days) during normoxia and partial occlusion of maternal internal iliac arteries (IIA). Two animals had ovarian arteries (OA) ligated. SEP electrodes: recording-subdural at C-4 (international 10-20 system); reference-nasal bone; ground-right forelimb. Stimulating electrodes: left radial nerve. SEP configuration was consistent, latencies and amplitudes were variable. In two animals without OA ligation, fetal hypoxia could not be induced by occluding the maternal IIA's. In two animals with OA ligation, prolonged partial occlusion of IIA's resulted in the following ABG's: In FS I no change in SEP occurred. In fetus II SEP was extinguished. SEP A is during normoxia (FS II). Latencies (mean ± SD, n=17) are N1=7.1 ± 0.68, N2=15.5 ± 1.32, P1=30.5 ± 3.00, N3=65.8 ± 12.03, P2=129.8 ± 18.20. SEP B was seen in the hypoxic period. 1) SEP can be reproducibly recorded in FS. 2) GA, degree of hypoxia, type and time course of acidosis may affect SEP during hypoxia.
Design of control and protection schemes for MCT converters

The paper presents the complete control circuit of a phase-controlled rectifier using the MOS Controlled Thyristor (MCT) as the power switch. The circuit generates gate pulses for turning the MCT on and off, for a set of firing and extinction angles. It is possible to operate the converter at lagging, leading, or unity power factor. The control circuit includes a scheme for protecting the MCT against overcurrent. Experimental waveforms of the control signals as well as the load voltage and load current are shown. Frequency spectra of the load voltage and load current are also presented.
Optimal Reliability Design–Algorithms and Comparisons

New developments in optimization techniques are emphasized in this paper. Specially, the methods of ant colony optimization and hybrid optimization deserve more attention in the literature. We suggest that those interested in the field read this paper in conjunction with Optimal Reliability Design-Modeling. Keywords: multiobjective optimization; metaheuristic algorithm; exact method; genetic algorithm; ant colony optimization
Histological Development of the Green Bean Pod as Related to Culinary Texture.

SUMMARY— The basic pattern of tisue origins is well established in the bean pod when the unopened flower bud is less than 3.0 mm long. An outer epidermis (protoderm) with many hair-like outgrowths forms the outermost tissue of the young pod. A subjacent layer one cell deep forms a hypodermis. Inwardly, a zone 8 to 10 cells deep of enlarging and vacuolating cells forms the young outer parenchyma of the growing pod. Within the innermost half of this zone, the meristematic stage of vascular tissues (procambium) is differentiated. An inner epidermis (protoderm) and an ill-defined hypo-dermis line the pod cavity. The young inner epidermis is continuous with the outer epidermis of the young seed (ovule). Cell divisions in the inner epidermis and its hypo-dermal layer initiate an inner parenchyma and fiber sheath, respectively, approximately at the end of flowering. The inner parenchyma becomes extensive in early post-floral stages. At the same time, the initials of the fiber sheath become sharply differentiated by cell elongation at a 45° angle to pod length, and assume the characteristics of young fiber cells (sclereids). Cell divisions cease first in the outer parenchyma, and most post-floral growth of this tissue is by cell enlargement. Cell divisions persist through early post-floral growth in the inner parenchyma, young fiber sheath, procambial tissues and outer epidermis. These differences in origin and rates of early development of pod tissues foreshadow marked differentiation and structural specializations that are significant to textural qualities at culinary maturities.
PIGMENTATION AND HAIR GROWTH IN BLACK RATS, AS MODIFIED BY THE CHRONIC ADMINISTRATION OF THIOUREA, PHENYL THIOUREA AND ALPHA-NAPHTHYL THIOUREA1

OBSEKVATIONS have often been made of the fact that hair growth is intermittent, so that at any particular time some hairs are growing actively while other neighboring ones are not lengthening at all. In measuring the growth of marked human hairs Trotter (1924) found that the underlying cause of this apparent irregularity is a rhythmic alternation between activity and quiescence in individual hair follicles. In man the distribution of active and inactive follicles would seem to be random, so that of two adjacent hairs one can be growing while the other has reached its maximum length and protrudes from a temporarily inactive follicle. In many laboratory animals, however, there is a certain regional coordination in activity, with the result that at any given time hair is being produced from most if not all follicles in some areas while no growth occurs from those elsewhere. This fact was known, for instance, to Forster (1929) who used cats rather than mice, rats or rabbits to study hair growth stimulants, be...
Models of etching in plasmas and beams

Plasma-assisted etching processes, although by now commonplace in the IC fabrication facility, continue to be characterized by lack of thorough understanding of processes and the effects of process parameters on performance. Reactive ion beam etching techniques, on the other hand, have been shown to be well controlled, reproducible and understandable in a fundamental manner. Since ion beam techniques are not likely to supplant plasma-assisted processes in the fabrication facility, we are interested in using fundamental information obtained from beam experiments to quantitatively predict and characterize the performance of plasma-assisted processes. In this paper we are interested in modeling plasma-assisted etch processes which rely on ion bombardment to produce anisotropic etching, such as etching Si in Cl 2 discharges. We apply the detailed chemical sputtering model for this system that we have developed from beam experiments, together with reactive species generation and basic ion and neutral transport processes in discharges. This model yields generalized expressions for etch rates and selectivity as a function of process parameters such as gas pressure, flow rate and electrode bias voltage. Qualitative results of the model are compared to experiments, where possible. Types of measurements needed and further applications of this model will be discussed.
Evaluation of HHEVC (4, 4′, 4″-tris-di-B-hydroxyethyl aminotriphenylacetonitrile) dye as a chemical actinometer in model buffers for UV treatment of apple juice and cider

Abstract The 4,4′, 4″-tris-di-B-hydroxyethylaminotriphenylacetonitrile (HHEVC) dye was evaluated for dose measurement and verification during UV treatment of apple juice and cider. A static UV system was used to measure the quantum yield of the HHEVC dye and to study effects of the chemical and physical properties such as pH, soluble solids, absorbance and turbidity on UV dose delivery in juices. The malate buffer and caramel based model was designed to mimic properties of apple juice and cider. The sensitivity of HHEVC dye to UV light was greater than that of the other standard chemical actinometers such as ferrioxalate and potassium iodide, in the dose range studied (up to 10 mJ/cm 2 ). It was observed that the absorbance of the model apple solution and levels of the suspended particles (turbidity) affected UV dose. Reduction of UV dose was observed in malate buffer and caramel solutions when absorbance increased due to suspended solids. Chemical properties of apple juice such as °Brix and pH did not affect UV dose. A UV dose-response curve, constructed in a static UV lamp, was used for evaluating the dose delivered in the continuous UV reactor “CiderSure 1500”. The obtained results can be recommended for periodically verification of delivered UV dose in the flow- through reactors.
Cloning of cDNAs coding for the Gαil and Gαi2 G-proteins from chick brain

Abstract We have cloned and characterized several cDNAs coding for G-protein inhibitory α subunits (Gai) from a chick brain cDNA library. Based on homology to Ga subunits from other eukaryotes, these clones were designated chick Gαil and Gαi2 . On the deduced amino-acid level, Gαi1 and Gαi2 were found to be 98 and 95% identical to rat Goal and Gαi2 , respectively. Using RNase protection analysis, the Gαi1 and Gαi2 mRNAs were found to be expressed in chick atria, ventricle, lung, liver, brain and kidney.
Multiplexed gene expression analysis using the invader RNA assay with MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry detection.

A mass spectrometric approach for measuring gene expression levels has been developed. This technique utilizes a signal amplification system and analysis by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry. Signal amplification from the targeted RNA employs a recently developed invasive cleavage assay that does not require prior PCR amplification. The assay uses a set of target-specific probes (oligonucleotides), which hybridize to the RNA being measured to create an overlap structure with a single-stranded flap. This flap is enzymatically cleaved and accumulates linearly in a target-specific manner. The products of the reaction, short DNA oligomers, are well suited for quantitative detection by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Multiplexing is achieved by designing the assays so that reaction products for different mRNA targets have discrete masses that can be resolved in a single mass spectrum. Simultaneous analysis of human cytokine in vitro transcripts IL-1β, TNF-α, ...
Solving the Infeasible Trust-region Problem Using Approximations.

The experience in the mathematical community has shown that more eectiv e algorithms can be obtained by the specic inclusion of the constraints (SQP type of algorithms) rather than by using a penalty function as in the augmented Lagrangian formulation. The presence of explicit constraints in the local problem bounded by the trust region, however, may have no feasible solution. In order to remedy this problem the mathematical community has developed dieren t versions of a composite steps approach. This approach consists of a normal step to reduce the amount of constraint violation and a tangential step to minimize the objective function maintaining the level of constraint violation attained at the normal step. Two of the authors have developed a dieren t approach for a sequential approximate optimization frame- work using homotopy ideas to relax the constraints. This algorithm called interior-point trust-region se- quential approximate optimization (IPTRSAO) presents some similarities to the two normal-tangential steps algorithms. In this paper, a description of the similarities is presented and an expansion of the two steps algorithm is presented for the case of approximations.
Returning to the Source: An Archeology and Critical Analysis of the Intellectual Foundations of Contemporary Black Psychology

The psychological theories that developed into contemporary Black psychology have roots that are deeply embedded in Africana diasporic intellectual traditions. These intellectual traditions provide the foundation for what constitutes the core of psychological inquiry that critically investigates and interrogates the psychological experiences of people of African descent. In order to fully understand the nature of the research that has characterized contemporary Black psychology, it is important to examine the historical, social, and political context in which it emerged. A major purpose of the study is to delineate where the Africana diasporic antecedents of Black psychology and contemporary Black psychologists converge and diverge on the themes of cultural worldviews that manifest as a distinct Black psychology and to examine how particular scholars in the Africana intellectual tradition have examined the theme of cultural consciousness. Cultural specific approaches to understanding reality are major issues that are pertinent to contemporary Black psychology. The theorists whose social philosophies are being considered as forming the intellectual foundations for the theories found in contemporary Black Psychology are Cheikh Anta Diop, Edward Wilmot Blyden and W.E.B. Du Bois. The theories of these thinkers, who were not psychologists proper, will be compared and contrasted with major theories in contemporary Black psychology.
Aquatic Habitats of Canaan Valley, West Virginia: Diversity and Environmental Threats

We conducted surveys of aquatic habitats during the spring and summer of 1995 in Canaan Valley, WV, to describe the diversity of aquatic habitats in the valley and identify issues that may threaten the viability of aquatic species. We assessed physical habitat and water chemistry of 126 ponds and 82 stream sites, and related habitat characteristics to landscape variables such as geology and terrain. Based on our analyses, we found two issues likely to affect the viability of aquatic populations in the valley. The first issue was acid rain and the extent to which it potentially limits the distribution of aquatic and semi-aquatic species, particularly in headwater portions of the watershed. We estimate that nearly 46%, or 56 kilometers of stream, had pH levels that would not support survival and reproduction of Salvelinuw fontinalis (brook trout), one of the most acid-tolerant fishes in the eastern US. The second issue was the influence of Castor canadensis (beaver) activity. In the Canaan Valley State Park portion of the valley, beaver have transformed 4.7 kilometers of stream (approximately 17% of the total) to pond habitat through their dam building. This has resulted in an increase in pond habitat, a decrease in stream habitat, and a fragmented stream network (i.e., beaver ponds dispersed among stream reaches). In addition, beaver have eliminated an undetermined amount of forested riparian area through their foraging activities. Depending on the perspective, beaver- mediated changes can be viewed as positive or negative. Increases in pond habitat may increase habitat heterogeneity with consequent increases in biological diversity. In contrast, flooding associated with beaver activity may eliminate lowland wetlands and associated species, create barriers to fish dispersal, and possibly contribute to low dissolved oxygen levels in the Blackwater River. We recommend that future management strategies for the wildlife refuge be viewed in the context of these two issues, and that the responses of multiple assemblages be incorporated in the design of refuge management plans.
Sleep debt and outside employment patterns in helicopter air medical staff working 24-hour shifts

INTRODUCTION: Twenty-four hour availability creates physiological and psychological challenges for air medical teams. The 24-hour shift (24H) is a common staffing pattern in the air medical community. We report sleep dept and pre-duty activity patterns for 24H medical staff members at helicopter air medical transport programs. METHODS: An anonymous survey collecting self-reported sleep quantities for off-duty, immediate pre-duty, and on-duty periods, along with self-reported outside employment patterns, was distributed to medical team members at cluster sample of 10 rotor wing air medical programs selected by stratified random sample to ensure geographic and operational diversity. Both matched-sample comparisons of sleep quantities in different phases of the duty-cycle and independent-sample comparisons between staff with and without outside employment had 80% power to detect a difference in means of 60 minutes at a 0.05 two-sided significance level using the appropriate t-test. Descriptive statistics are also reported; means are reported with the standard deviation. RESULTS: A total of 138 surveys were returned (69.0%) and the 133 (66.5%) that were fully completed were utilized for analysis. 24H crewmembers average nearly the same amount of sleep in 24 hour periods on both duty and non-duty days (6.9 +/- 1.3 v. 6.4 +/- 1.8 hours, p = NS, range 3 - 10 for duty days and 4 - 10 for non-duty days). On duty, they average 1.1 +/- 1.3 hours of sleep in the first half of their shifts (range 0 to 5) and 5.3 +/- 1.4 hours in the overnight portion (range 2 - 9). The lowest amount of on-duty sleep reported in the past 30 days ranged from 0 to 6 hours, averaging 1.9 +/- 1.7 hours. The minimum pre-duty sleep reported by 24H crewmembers prior to any shift in the past month averaged 4.6 +/- 1.6 hours (range 0-8), with 3.8% having reported in the past month with no sleep before their 24-hour shift. Outside employment (OE) in addition to the flight position was common for 24H crewmembers (81.1% of respondents). Pre-duty sleep did not differ significantly between 24H crewmembers with and without OE, but 16.3% of surveyed 24H crewmembers with OE had reported for flight duty within eight hours of leaving OE within the past 30 days. CONCLUSION: In the programs surveyed, 24H crewmembers completed an average duty cycle with little sleep debt and were unlikely to be sleepless prior to reporting for a shift. OE is common for 24H medical staff and some personnel report for flight duty within eight hours of leaving an OE position. As the industry considers the impact of fatigue on operational safety, shift length, on-duty rest, and outside employment will be important considerations. Language: en
Multiple scattering and energy transfer of seismic waves - separation of scattering effect from intrinsic attenuation - I. Theoretical modelling

Summary. In order to separate the scattering effect from the intrinsic attenuation, we need a multiple scattering model for seismic wave propagation in random heterogeneous media. In this paper, we apply radiative transfer theory to seismic wave propagation and formulate in the frequency domain the energy density distribution in space for a point source. We consider the cases of isotropic scattering and strong forward scattering. Some numerical examples are shown. It is seen that the energy density-distance curves have quite different shapes depending on the values of medium seismic albedo Bo = qs/(qs t q,), where vs is the scattering coefficient and va is the absorption coefficient of the medium. For a high albedo (B> 0.5) medium, the energy-distance curve is of arch shape and the position of the peak is a function of the extinction coefficient of the medium ve = qs + qa. Therefore it is possible to separate the scattering effect and the absorption based on the measured energy density distribution curves.
Submental sEMG and Hyoid Movement During Mendelsohn Maneuver, Effortful Swallow, and Expiratory Muscle Strength Training

Purpose This study investigated the concurrent biomechanical and electromyographic properties of 2 swallow-specific tasks (effortful swallow and Mendelsohn maneuver) and 1 swallow-nonspecific (expiratory muscle strength training [EMST]) swallow therapy task in order to examine the differential effects of each on hyoid motion and associated submental activation in healthy adults, with the overall goal of characterizing task-specific and overload properties of each task. Method Twenty-five healthy male and female adults (M = 25 years of age) participated in this prospective, experimental study with 1 participant group. Each participant completed all study tasks (including normal swallow, Mendelsohn maneuver swallow, effortful swallow, and EMST task) in random order during concurrent videofluoroscopy and surface electromyography recording. Results Results revealed significant differences in the trajectory of hyoid motion as measured by overall displacement and angle of elevation of the hyoid bone. As well, t...