cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Raloxifene inhibits bone turnover and prevents further cancellous bone loss in adult ovariectomized rats with established osteopenia

Estrogen (E) treatment has proven to be effective in preventing bone loss after menopause with, however, some undesirable side effects. Many of these side effects are related to the hormone's actions on reproductive tissues. Raloxifene is an organ-selective estrogen agonist that prevents acute cancellous osteopenia in ovariectomized (OVX'd) growing rats. The effects of raloxifene on adult rats with established bone loss are not known. We now compare the dose response effects of 4 months of treatment with raloxifene and estrogen in 8-month-old rats that had been OVX'd 2 months before treatment. OVX resulted in increased body weight, uterine atrophy and severe cancellous bone loss. Estrogen resulted in a dose-dependent increase in uterine weight in OVX'd rats whereas raloxifene did not promote uterine growth. Both treatments reduced body weight and serum cholesterol. Raloxifene and estrogen were each effective in stabilizing cancellous bone by preventing additional cancellous bone loss, but neither treatmen...
The Petroleum Resources of Russia

Indications of oil and gas occur in European Russia in the northern and central parts of the great Russian Platform, whose gently folded and faulted structure should encourage drilling. Commercial production, however, has been confined almost entirely to the downfolded or downfaulted basins of the south, the Black Sea Basin and the Caspian Basin, as well as the Kura and Kutais basins of Transcaucasia. Of the vast territory of Asiatic Russia, the most promising part for future oil supply seems be the downfolded or downfaulted basins of Russian Central Asia, filled with folded marine Jurassic, Cretaceous, and Tertiary strata; and the highly folded Tertiary beds of the east coast of northern Sakhalin. Some possibilities of oil or gas may exist in the broad plain between the Ural Mountains and Yenisei River, but these remain to be demonstrated. Oil has already been produced commercially in the Emba Basin north of the Caspian Sea, in the Transcaspian Basin east of Caspian Sea, in the Ferghana Basin of eastern Turkestan, and recently in northern Sakhalin.
Synthesis and Functionalization of Nitrogen-doped Carbon Nanotube Cups with Gold Nanoparticles as Cork Stoppers

Nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes consist of many cup-shaped graphitic compartments termed as nitrogen-doped carbon nanotube cups (NCNCs). These as-synthesized graphitic nanocups from chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method were stacked in a head-to-tail fashion held only through noncovalent interactions. Individual NCNCs can be isolated out of their stacking structure through a series of chemical and physical separation processes. First, as-synthesized NCNCs were oxidized in a mixture of strong acids to introduce oxygen-containing defects on the graphitic walls. The oxidized NCNCs were then processed using high-intensity probe-tip sonication which effectively separated the stacked NCNCs into individual graphitic nanocups. Owing to their abundant oxygen and nitrogen surface functionalities, the resulted individual NCNCs are highly hydrophilic and can be effectively functionalized with gold nanoparticles (GNPs), which preferentially fit in the opening of the cups as cork stoppers. These graphitic nanocups corked with GNPs may find promising applications as nanoscale containers and drug carriers.
Adaptive evolution and functional redesign of core metabolic proteins in snakes.

Background Adaptive evolutionary episodes in core metabolic proteins are uncommon, and are even more rarely linked to major macroevolutionary shifts. Methodology/Principal Findings We conducted extensive molecular evolutionary analyses on snake mitochondrial proteins and discovered multiple lines of evidence suggesting that the proteins at the core of aerobic metabolism in snakes have undergone remarkably large episodic bursts of adaptive change. We show that snake mitochondrial proteins experienced unprecedented levels of positive selection, coevolution, convergence, and reversion at functionally critical residues. We examined Cytochrome C oxidase subunit I (COI) in detail, and show that it experienced extensive modification of normally conserved residues involved in proton transport and delivery of electrons and oxygen. Thus, adaptive changes likely altered the flow of protons and other aspects of function in CO, thereby influencing fundamental characteristics of aerobic metabolism. We refer to these processes as “evolutionary redesign” because of the magnitude of the episodic bursts and the degree to which they affected core functional residues. Conclusions/Significance The evolutionary redesign of snake COI coincided with adaptive bursts in other mitochondrial proteins and substantial changes in mitochondrial genome structure. It also generally coincided with or preceded major shifts in ecological niche and the evolution of extensive physiological adaptations related to lung reduction, large prey consumption, and venom evolution. The parallel timing of these major evolutionary events suggests that evolutionary redesign of metabolic and mitochondrial function may be related to, or underlie, the extreme changes in physiological and metabolic efficiency, flexibility, and innovation observed in snake evolution.
A Brand New Day or Back to the Future? The Dynamics of India-Pakistan Relations

Five years ago India and Pakistan began a composite dialogue as part of the peace process with the goal of normalizing relations. 1 While the dialogue has achieved some notable milestones, other, m...
Pseudouridylate Synthetase of Escherichia coli: a Catabolite-Repressible Enzyme

The growth on pseudouridine of two pyrimidine auxotrophs of Escherichia coli (Bu− and W63-86) was markedly enhanced when glycerol replaced glucose as a carbon source or when adenosine 3′:5′-cyclic monophosphoric acid was added to medium containing glucose. These results indicated that an enzyme catalyzing a reaction in the pathway of pseudouridine conversion to uracil was sensitive to catabolite repression. The following pathway is proposed for pseudouridine utilization: [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] Pseudouridylate synthetase was sensitive to catabolite repression in strains Bu− and W63-86. In contrast, strains B5RU and W5RU, mutants of Bu− and W63-86 which were selected for their ability to grow rapidly on pseudouridine in the presence of glucose, had high levels of pseudouridylate synthetase in the presence of glucose. In the case of B5RU but not W5RU, synthetase activity was greater in cells grown on glycerol or on glucose plus adenosine 3′:5-cyclic monophosphoric acid than on glucose.
Social status determines sexual phenotype in the bi‐directional sex changing bluebanded goby Lythrypnus dalli

The behavioural mechanisms and patterns of protandrous sex change in bluebanded gobies Lythrypnus dalli were investigated and compared to the well-described behaviour patterns of protogynous sex change. To do this, unisex groups of males and females were established; behavioural and anatomical changes were recorded over a 42 day period as social status and sexual phenotype were determined. In all cases, social status, rather than the expression of a particular behaviour, accurately predicted final sexual phenotype. Rates of submissive behaviour, but not aggressive behaviour, were predictive of each discrete status class. Multiple individuals changed sex simultaneously if their sexual phenotype and social status were discordant, a novel finding suggesting that once a social hierarchy is established, individuals determined their sexual phenotype, regardless of initial sex, based on a simple operational principle: if subordinate express female, if dominant or not subordinate express male. This work demonstrates that similar mechanisms underlie sex change in both directions in L. dalli and potentially other sex changing species.
The friction stir welding of small-diameter pipe: an experimental and numerical proof of concept for automation and manufacturing

Friction stir welding (FSW) is a powerful joining process which is limited by its range of application and processing rate. Here the range of application is extended to small-diameter butted pipe sections and high processing rates are applied for increased productivity in manufacturing. Full penetration friction stir welds are performed on butted sections of alumin- ium alloy 6061-T6 pipe. These pipe sections are relatively small in diameter (4.2 inches) and relatively thin walled (0.2 inches). The small radius of curvature distinguishes this weld config- uration geometrically from a butted plate configuration and presents unique challenges. This work confronts these challenges using experimental and numerical methods. An FSW process method producing acceptable pipe joints is demonstrated.
THE CALCULATION OF THE LIMITING DISTRIBUTION OF THE LEAST-SQUARES ESTIMATOR IN A NEAR-INTEGRATED MODEL

We tabulate the limiting cumulative distribution and probability density functions of the least-squares estimator in a first-order autoregressive regression when the true model is near-integrated in the sense of Phillips. The results are obtained using an exact numerical method which integrates the appropriate limiting moment generating function. The adequacy of the approximation is examined for various first-order autoregressive processes with a root close to unity.
Integrating simulation in a BSN leadership and management course

Simulation is becoming an increasingly popular learning strategy for many nursing courses in undergraduate nursing programs to help students learn critical thinking skills in patient care. Yet, many programs do not utilize simulation in Nursing Leadership and Management courses. This article reviews the literature that supports the use of simulation in BSN Leadership and Management courses and proposes an education plan for integration of simulation into the course. Learning theories and relevant pedagogy are discussed and four leadership simulation scenarios that aid faculty in leading the learners to learning are presented as a guide for implementation.
A method for robot navigation toward a moving goal with unknown maneuvers

This paper deals with a method for robot navigation towards a moving goal. The goal maneuvers are not a priori known to the robot. Our method is based on the use of the kinematics equations of the robot and the goal combined with geometrical rules. First a kinematics model for the tracking problem is derived and two strategies are suggested for robot navigation, namely the velocity pursuit guidance law and the deviated pursuit guidance law. It turns out that in both cases, the robot's angular velocity is equal to the line of sight angle rate. Important properties of the navigation strategies are discussed and proven. In the presence of obstacles, two navigation modes are used: the tracking mode, which has a global aspect and the obstacle avoidance mode, which has a local aspect. In the obstacle avoidance mode, a polar diagram combining information about obstacles and directions corresponding to the pursuit is constructed. An extensive simulation study is carried out, where the efficiency of both strategies is illustrated for different scenarios.
Model for thermoelastic actuation of an axisymmetric isotropic circular plate via an internal harmonic heat source

Abstract This paper presents a reduced analytical modeling method for the initial optimal design of thermoelastic micromachined actuators. The key aspects of the model are a Green’s function formulation of the axisymmetric heat conduction equation that incorporates an internal heat source and the solution of the thermoelastically forced bending wave equation. Model results of a representative thermoelastic structure include transient temperature and sinusoidal steady state transverse displacement. Comparison with finite element analysis shows excellent agreement with favorable computational costs. Model constraints at low frequencies are identified and discussed. The computational efficiency of the analytical model makes it a more viable modeling method for design optimization.
Regulation of smooth muscle calcium sensitivity: KCl as a calcium-sensitizing stimulus.

KCl has long been used as a convenient stimulus to bypass G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) and activate smooth muscle by a highly reproducible and relatively “simple” mechanism involving activati...
Bandwidth, delay and energy aware optimization of global interconnects for many-core architectures

As the integrated circuit industry is moving towards many-core architectures to combat the power wall, it faces an important challenge of providing inter-core interconnects that are low power and low latency, and offer large aggregate bandwidths. This paper presents an optimal design of network-on-chip interconnects in many-core architectures. A comprehensive optimization methodology is proposed that bridges circuit and technology aspects of inter-core interconnects. The optimal global interconnect is shown to be minimum pitch and minimum dimension limited for a 1000 core chip implemented in the technology year 2015. For the same chip, it is shown that the energy per bit in global wires can be reduced by a significant margin of 16% on optimizing its width, spacing and repeater insertions. These results are drastically different from previous optimizations where the optimal width was many times larger than minimum dimension. The results presented in this paper have important implications for interconnect process development for future technology nodes and also for benchmarking emerging interconnect technologies.
The Dark Bridal Canopy

Physician narratives in family medicine have the potential to convey the vibrant spirit of our field and provide meaningful insights into disease, illness, suffering, and the nature of healing. They may also complement empirical research, education, and practice through their integrative, expressive nature. This true story depicts a challenge faced by the author while serving as a family physician in a desolate, desert region in Israel’s southern Aravah Valley (south of the Dead Sea), where he was privileged to practice for a decade. The episode, a fatal car crash in which a newlywed Druse woman (a member of a secretive sect) was killed, involved much more than just the terse details listed in the emergency log. An example of a family medicine physician-and-self drama, this piece takes the reader beyond the basic medical facts into the experience and sensations of the event. It also provides a stark contrast to the usual medical description and emphasizes the importance of stories as reflective opportunities for improving health care, sustaining ourselves as practitioners, and maintaining the vitality of our field.
Quadratic filter and feature detection

The quadratic filter for low-level vision applications is explored. The quadratic filter is the simplest nonlinear time-invariant filter and corresponds to the second term in the Volterra expansion. Concepts behind the quadratic filter are elaborated, and it is shown that it can be derived from fundamental properties of regions and the principle of model competition. Two properties of the filter are presented. It has better spatial localization than a linear filter, and it is insensitive to blurred boundaries. >
Validated Aerospace Soft Impact Modeling Platform

The research has been dedicated to developing a virtual crashworthiness platform for large advanced aircraft structures when subjected to water ditching incidents. A numerical design tool, incorporating fluid-structure interaction analysis module, was created to assess damage tolerance in future aerospace design concepts to help with the prognosis of structural failure. To accomplish this, an experimental water impact set up was used to calibrate and validate the developed detailed virtual model. Specific data acquisition techniques implemented allowed for the capture of strain distribution and impact energy dissipation, used to validate the simulation platform.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Femtosecond laser photodisruption of human trabecular meshwork: An in vitro study

The goal of this in vitro study was to test the feasibility of using femtosecond (fsec) laser pulses to fistulize the human trabecular meshwork (TM), and to determine the minimum exposure time and energy dosage needed to create an ablation channel. Corneo-scleral rims were obtained from tissue used for penetrating keratoplasty. Four millimeter tissue strips hydrated in Optisol-GS were used to create partial thickness fistulas in the human TM by focusing a Ti:Sapphire laser beam (45 fsec, 1 kHz, 800 nm) with various pulse energies (7.2 and 14.4 microJ) and exposure times (0.25, 0.5, 1, and 2 sec) on the inner surface of the TM. Two-photon images of the lesions were obtained with a multiphoton microscope, using an ultrafast Ti:Sapphire light source. In addition, sections of fixed tissue were examined by light microscopy. Diameters and lengths of the lesions were determined from the hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stained sections, and the collagen structure surrounding the lesion was evaluated from the two-photon images. All selected time points (except for 0.25 sec) and energies achieved the desired photodisruption of the TM. Incisions created with 0.5 sec/14.4 microJ irradiation appeared to be the most suitable because they were able to achieve consistent full thickness trabecular ablation. Incisions created at 1 sec /14.4 microJ/pulse and 2 sec/14.4 microJ/pulse were deeper than those at shorter time points with the same pulse energy. Longer exposure times and higher pulse energies were usually more variable and associated with deeper and larger incisions and slight collateral damage. Our results indicate that, with appropriate exposure time and pulse energy, fsec photodisruption can be employed to create lesions in the human TM without damaging the surrounding tissues. This study demonstrates that fsec laser treatments may have future potential for the surgical treatment of glaucoma.
Performance of error control coding techniques for wireless ATM

In order to provide a ubiquitous telecommunications network which merges the concepts of wireless mobile communications with the use of ATM as a transport mechanism, this paper focuses on the problem of reducing the effects of the high bit error rate on the data transmission. We present a simulator which can be used to study the effects of various coding techniques on the overall system bit error rate. Among these coding techniques are convolutional coding, interleaving, fragmentation, and puncturing. We show that convolutional coding, along with interleaving or fragmentation, improves transmission reliability over the bursty error channel.
An all-diode-pumped master oscillator power amplifier for water vapor DIAL systems

Summary form only given. Here we report an initial system design for a scaleable all-diode-pumped master oscillator power amplifier (MOPA) water vapor differential absorption lidar (DIAL) system operating in the 940-nm water vapor band. The master oscillator consists of a novel three element distributed Bragg reflector laser devices at 1.006 /spl mu/m fabricated in the same semiconductor material system.
Data-driven data transmission mechanism for wireless sensor networks in harsh communication environment

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) often are deployed in harsh environment where reliable communication may not be feasible. This work proposes data-driven data transmission mechanism to improve packet delivery frequency especially in harsh communication environments. In particular, this work evaluates the effect of adjusting data transmission frequency based on data priority, to provide sufficient data quality while minimizing the energy consumption incurred by packet transmission. Increasing transmission frequency of critical messages improves the delivery of high resolution messages even if underlying network does not provide reliable transport while reducing the transmission frequency of non-critical messages contributes to energy conservation. Analytical and simulation evaluation confirm the effectiveness of the proposed dynamic data transmission frequency mechanism.
Innovative ground-penetrating radar methods for archaeological mapping

The three-dimensionalcomplexityofground-penetratingradar (GPR) data can be one ofits strengths, as multiple factors are included in''cubes''of radar wave reflections. These parameters are time that can be converted to depth, wide bands of wave frequency that are capable of differing feature resolu- tion and wave amplitudes that are a function of material differences at buried interfaces. When GPR data are filtered and corrected to enhance aspects of these factors, many otherwise invisible buried featuresbecomevisibleintheresultingmapsandimages.Thiscanallow forburiedarchaeologicalfea- ture resolution even in the most cluttered and noisy urban environments, as demonstrated by GPR maps from Santa Fe,New Mexico.Copyright � 2006 JohnWiley & Sons,Ltd.
Simultaneous estimation of parameters in exponential families

The paper considers estimation of the natural parameter vector or the mean vector from independent distributions each belonging to the one-parameter discrete or absolutely continuous exponential family. The usual estimators (maximum likelihood, minimum variance unbiased or best invariant) are improved simultaneously under various weighted squared error losses.
Metacomprehension A Brief History and How to Improve Its Accuracy

People's judgments about how well they have learned and comprehended text materials can be important for effectively regulating learning, but only if those judgments are accurate. Over two decades of research examining judgments of text learning—or metacomprehension—has consistently demonstrated that people's judgment accuracy is quite poor. We review recent research that has shown some success in improving judgment accuracy and then argue that the most common method used to investigate metacomprehension accuracy may inadvertently constrain it. We describe a new method that sidesteps some problems of the older method and present evidence showing how people can achieve high levels of metacomprehension accuracy.
Hepatitis A virus, TIM-1 and allergy

In 1989, Strachan first proposed the hygiene hypothesis to explain the rapid increase in the prevalence of allergy and asthma. While the significant rise in the prevalence of asthma and allergy remains unexplained, epidemiological data suggest that infection with the Hepatitis A virus (HAV) might protect against asthma and allergy, and genetic studies identifying the HAV receptor, TIM-1, as an important atopy susceptibility gene, support this idea. In this chapter, we review the genetics and immunobiology of TIM-1 and TIM gene family members, and the possibility that HAV and TIM-1 may regulate the development of asthma and allergy.
An adaptive dead-zone inverse controller for systems with sandwiched dead-zones

This paper addresses adaptive control of sandwich non-linear systems having an unknown sandwiched dead-zone between the linear dynamic blocks, as illustrated by a hydraulic valve system. An adaptive hybrid control scheme for control of such sandwiched dead-zone systems is developed. The proposed control scheme employs an inner-loop discrete-time feedback design and an outer-loop continuous-time feedback design, combined with an adaptive dead-zone inverse to cancel the dead-zone effect for improving output tracking. Stability and tracking performance of the closed-loop control system are analysed. Simulation results are used to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed adaptive dead-zone inverse controller.
Neuroligin1: a cell adhesion molecule that recruits PSD-95 and NMDA receptors by distinct mechanisms during synaptogenesis.

Background The cell adhesion molecule pair neuroligin1 (Nlg1) and β-neurexin (β-NRX) is a powerful inducer of postsynaptic differentiation of glutamatergic synapses in vitro. Because Nlg1 induces accumulation of two essential components of the postsynaptic density (PSD) – PSD-95 and NMDA receptors (NMDARs) – and can physically bind PSD-95 and NMDARs at mature synapses, it has been proposed that Nlg1 recruits NMDARs to synapses through its interaction with PSD-95. However, PSD-95 and NMDARs are recruited to nascent synapses independently and it is not known if Nlg1 accumulates at synapses before these PSD proteins. Here, we investigate how a single type of cell adhesion molecule can recruit multiple types of synaptic proteins to new synapses with distinct mechanisms and time courses.
Effect of moisture and orientation on the fracture of nylon 6,6 fibers

The effect of relative humidity on the fracture of single nylon 6,6 fibers is determined using fracture mechanics. The fracture energy release rate, GIc, of these fibers is shown to be 8× that for injection-molded nylon 6,6 at 0% RH. GIc varies from 31.3 kJ/m2 at 0% RH to 15.6 kJ/m2 at 100% RH. The dependence of GIc on RH is in agreement with previous studies indicating two types of water in nylon: a tightly bound and a loosely bound type. In addition, GIc is shown to be 10× greater for transverse fiber breaks than for axial splitting of the fiber due to the high degree of orientation in these fibers. These studies are the first of their kind for organic fibers. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Quantification of cholesterol tracers by gas chromatography-negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry

Because of its high sensitivity, gas chromatography negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry (GC-NCI-MS) is a potentially valuable analytical tool for the study of cholesterol metabolism. Of several derivatives prepared for potential use in tracer studies pentafluorobenzoyl cholesterol was selected because it formed rapidly at ambient temperature and was stable for long periods, could be detected at a level of 1 fmol, and yielded a mass spectrum in which the molecular ion was the principal component. Hexadeuterated cholesterol tracer ([26,26,26,27,27,27-2H6]cholesterol) could be detected in dilutions up to 2700 in unlabeled cholesterol by selected ion monitoring with a coefficient of variation averaging 3.2%. In seven normal subjects tracer cholesterol was infused intravenously and plasma cholesterol enrichment was determined after 4 h. The measured rapidly miscible cholesterol pool was 391.0 +/- 38.6 mg cholesterol/kg. Negative ion mass spectrometry of pentafluorobenzyol cholesterol will facilitate analysis of both small amounts of natural cholesterol and labeled cholesterol in applications where sensitivity is critical.
Synthesis, photochromic properties, and light-controlled metal complexation of a naphthopyran derivative.

A light-controlled reversible binding switch based on photochromic 3H-naphtho[2,1-b]pyran is under development for studying cellular oscillatory calcium signals. The binding affinities of the closed and open forms of substituted naphthopyran 1 for Ca2+, Mg2+, and Sr2+ in buffer were determined. The photochemically ring-opened form of the receptor exhibited increased affinity compared to the thermally stable closed form of the receptor. The binding affinity difference for Ca2+ was ∼77-fold at pH 7.6.
MONOOXYGENASE CATALYZED ACTIVATION OF THIONO-SULFUR CONTAINING COMPOUNDS TO REACTIVE INTERMEDIATES

Publisher Summary This chapter presents an investigation of monooxygenase catalyzed activation of thiono-sulfur containing compounds to reactive intermediates. In this investigation, two compounds of divergent structure were studied to examine the mechanism by which thiono-sulfur containing compounds cause liver necrosis and inhibit the activity of the cytochrome P-450 containing mixed-function oxidase enzyme systems. These are carbon disulfide and parathion. The compound diethylphenyl phosphorothionate causes centrilobular hepatic necrosis and reduces the level of hepatic cytochrome P-450 when administered in vivo. This study suggested that a number of thiono-sulfur containing compounds bring about an inhibition of cytochrome P-450 containing monooxy genases when administered in vivo or incubated with hepatic microsomes in vitro in the presence of NADPH. Some of these compounds also cause hepatic necrosis. The loss of cytochrome P-450 detectable as its carbon monoxide complex and the accompanying loss in mixed-function oxidase activity is, with at least some of these compounds, most probably the result of the binding of a sulfur atom released in a reaction catalyzed by these cytochrome P-450 containing enzyme systems.
Rheumatoid arthritis: Autoantibodies, citrullinated histones and initiation of synovitis.

In the development of rheumatoid arthritis, which factors govern the transition from systemic autoimmunity to synovitis? A study combining findings from human disease and animal models suggests that autoantibodies to neutrophil-derived citrullinated histone 2B are important for this transition; however, a 'second hit' involving intra-articular inflammation and citrullination could also be crucial to this process.
Peanut Composition, Flavor and Nutrition

Abstract Peanuts are a globally important oilseed valued as a source of high-quality cooking oil. Peanuts are also appreciated worldwide as an affordable, flavorful, and nutritionally dense snack food, while also serving as a primary ingredient for peanut butter, confections, and nutritional bars, among other finished products. While amenable to a variety of processes, peanuts are commonly roasted and the unique, pleasant flavor of roasted peanuts is a primary driver in consumption. As a whole food and ingredient, peanuts are nutritionally dense, for example, providing the highest protein content of all commonly consumed snack nuts, serving as a rich source of heart-healthy, monounsaturated oil, and also providing a variety of healthy micronutrients and bioactive compounds that are becoming increasingly better understood with modern detection technologies and nutritional investigations. Research over the past century has provided a foundation for understanding the underlying chemical composition of peanut, and advances over recent years with modern instrumentation continue to improve insights into this chemistry and the various chemical and physical reactions and mechanisms responsible for peanut quality. Accordingly, this chapter focuses on advances in collecting chemical/physical data on peanuts and analyzing this information in the context of peanut quality, with an emphasis on delivering optimal flavor and nutrition. Beyond proximates, peanuts are also a rich source of various micronutrients, both water soluble and oil soluble, and these will be reviewed.
The Effects of a Statewide Evaluation Initiative in Gifted Education on Practitioner Knowledge, Concerns, and Program Documentation:

When well-considered and grounded in current knowledge, program evaluations of services to gifted learners can be a powerful tool for increasing practitioners’ knowledge and self-efficacy, and for ...
Cross-bridge dephosphorylation and relaxation of vascular smooth muscle

We tested the hypothesis that relaxation in vascular smooth muscle is the result of inactivation of myosin light chain kinase and cross-bridge dephosphorylation. Fast neurally mediated contractions of swine carotid medial strips were induced by electrical field stimulation. Termination of the stimulus resulted in relaxation with a half time of 2 min. Nifedipine (0.1 microM) increased the relaxation rate without significant effects on the contractile response. Cross-bridge dephosphorylation was much faster than stress decay with basal levels reached within 1 min when 73% of the developed stress remained. The time-course data of dephosphorylation and stress were analyzed with a model that predicted the dependences of stress and isotonic shortening velocity on cross-bridge phosphorylation during contraction. Rate constants resolved from contraction data also fitted the relaxation data when the model's prediction was corrected for estimated errors in the phosphorylation measurements. Because Ca2+-dependent cross-bridge phosphorylation was the only postulated regulatory mechanism in the model, these results are consistent with the hypothesis that cross-bridge dephosphorylation is necessary and sufficient to explain relaxation in the swine carotid media.
Chronic gastritis; a study of the relation between mucosal changes and symptoms.

Summary The incidence of symptoms in individuals without roentgenologic evidence of disease and with a gastroscopically normal mucosa does not differ significantly from that observed in patients with "atrophic gastritis" (atrophy), "chronic superficial gastritis" (erythema, edema, exudate), and "hypertrophic gastritis" (cobblestone-appearing mucosa). It is entirely possible, however, that in individual cases the gastrointestinal symptoms may be attributable to erosive and inflammatory processes in the mucosa.
Effects of Cyclosporine in Lowering Red Blood Cell Technetium-99m Labeling Efficiency

Cyclosporine, an immunosuppressant drug taken by many transplant patients, has been found to significantly lower red blood cell (RBC) labeling efficiency to an unacceptable level (below 50%.) We have observed an intermittent RBC 99mTc labeling problem in our cardiac transplant patients. After closely examining our in vitro labeling technique and finding no obvious errors, we began to check for a chemical interference from patient medications. We reviewed a detailed list of all medications these transplant patients were taking and felt the immunosuppressant drugs, cyclosporine and Immuran, to be the most suspect. We have currently studied 10 cardiac transplant patients who were undergoing radionuclide ventriculogram (RVG) examinations at our institution. We discovered that peak concentrations of cyclosporine in whole blood of greater than 100 ng/ml significantly decreased RBC labeling efficiency. We found no labeling interference from the other medications, including Immuran.
Racial disparities in incidence of human papillomavirus-associated oropharyngeal cancer in an urban population

Abstract Background Recent studies suggest that rates of human papillomavirus related oropharyngeal cancer (HPVOPC) in the US are higher in Caucasians than minorities. We hypothesized that this disparity would be less marked in a racially and ethnically diverse population from New York City. Methods This is a retrospective chart review of 210 patients with biopsied or surgically treated OPC at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS) between 1999 and 2013. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect the presence of HPV-DNA in paraffin-embedded tumor blocks. Incidence of HPV-positive cancers was compared between Caucasians and minorities (defined as African Americans, Asians, and Hispanics) using Fisher’s exact test. Results We found a higher incidence of HPV-positive OPC in Caucasians than racial minorities within the ISMMS population (p = 0.002). HPV incidence detected by PCR was 139/165 [84.2%] for Caucasians and 28/45 [62.2%] for minorities. Specifically, there was a higher rate in Caucasians compared to African Americans (p = 0.017), but no significant difference between Caucasians and Hispanics (p = 0.087). Conclusion We documented a disparity in incidence of HPVOPC amongst racial groups, consistent with previously reported trends from study populations in less urbanized areas. Thus we conclude that the factors underlying racial/ethnic disparities in HPVOPC incidence are likely to be similar across communities with different levels of urbanization and population diversity.
Spring 2012 Study (The “BC Study”)

In the spring semester of 2012, in collaboration with Kenneth Tobin and a research squad composed of about a dozen Ph.D. and master’s level students, we investigated in-the-moment emotions and mindfulness in a graduate science education class I was teaching. The class was a course for science education teacher candidates and inservice teachers that focused on the history of and issues in science and science education.
Algorithmic modelling of structural connectivity for process plants

In this paper, we propose a new systematic methodology to identify dynamic changes in the connectivity among various equipment items in a process plant. Drawing analogy to neurological systems, the paper develops a framework to obtain dynamic causal model to capture the intrinsic and stimulus-driven connectivity among equipment items. An expectation maximization algorithm following a Bayesian framework is employed to obtain the elements of the connectivity matrices using a maximum likelihood approach. The algorithm is tested on a reactor-separator system. The proposed approach can help to decompose large-scale process plants into strongly-connected and weakly-connected systems. If only strongly-connected equipment items are considered together for control structure selection, this approach can result in a computationally less intensive problem for dynamic controlled variable selection of large-scale process plants.
Laterality of basic motor control mechanisms: Different roles of the right and left brain hemispheres.

Abstract We present a model of motor lateralization, based in control theory and supported by studies of brain lesions in stroke patients. According to this dynamic dominance model, the hemisphere contralateral to the dominant arm is specialized for predictive control processes that account for the energetics and dynamics of movements, but that depend on the predictability and consistency of the environment. The nondominant system is specialized for impedance control processes that can stabilize performance and reduce errors in the face of unexpected environmental conditions. These complimentary processes across the hemispheres are normally recruited during the use of each arm, but the function of each hemisphere confers its control advantages to the contralateral arm. This scheme is consistent with the work of Rogers and colleagues, who have elaborated a model of brain lateralization that spans a large range of the vertebrate evolutionary spectrum. The complimentary contribution of both brain hemispheres to the control of each arm might explain the greater behavioral symmetry of left-handers, as well as athletes of racquet sports and fencing. In fact, this same phenomenon could account for the slightly higher percentages of left-handers in these sports than the general population.
Stationary Exercise Rehabilitation: Introduction and Overview

Most researchers in the area of spinal cord injury accept the idea that there are 300,000 to 500,000 Americans who have been permanently paralyzed by SCI resulting from trauma or disease. Every year, 10,000 to 15,000 new cases are added to this patient load. There are several times this many patients who are paralyzed by stroke, battle wounds, muscular dystrophy, and other conditions. Until recently, this enormous patient group has had little hope of ever regaining a quality of life that can be useful and satisfying.
Relativistic quantum mechanics and the quark-pair creation model

In the context of a ${}^{3}\phantom{\rule{-0.16em}{0ex}}{P}_{0}$ quark-pair creation model for the process $\ensuremath{\rho}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{\pi}$, a method is developed for taking relativity into account in the calculation of hadron decays. Following a brief review of relativistic quantum mechanics, an expression is derived for the general relation between a momentum-space, two-particle, instant form wave function in an arbitrary frame and the wave function associated with the c.m. frame. This relation is used to develop relativistic wave functions for the $\ensuremath{\pi}$ and $\ensuremath{\rho}$ mesons. Second quantized state vectors for $\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{\pi}$ and $\ensuremath{\rho}$ states are constructed with the help of these relativistic wave functions. The $\ensuremath{\rho}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{\pi}$ transition amplitude is obtained by using these state vectors to calculate matrix elements of a second quantized ${}^{3}\phantom{\rule{-0.16em}{0ex}}{P}_{0}$ quark-pair creation operator derived from a scalar Lagrangian density. The amplitude differs from the one obtained using nonrelativistic wave functions in the appearance of Wigner rotations. In spite of the complications arising from these rotations the calculation of the relativistic amplitude is reduced to carrying out a two-dimensional integral. The amplitude is of the same form as one derived from an effective $\ensuremath{\rho}\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{\pi}$ Lagrangian except for the presence of a form factor that depends on the magnitude of the three-momentum of a final-state pion. The shape of the form factor is determined by the relativistic $\ensuremath{\pi}$ and $\ensuremath{\rho}$ wave functions. Using the $\ensuremath{\rho}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{\pi}$ transition amplitude as a vertex interaction in a relativistic model of $\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{\pi}$ scattering, the $p$-wave, $\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{\pi}$ scattering amplitude is calculated and fit to data by adjusting the interaction strength and the $\ensuremath{\rho}$ bare mass. This leads to a mass shift and decay width for the $\ensuremath{\rho}$ meson. Using nonrelativistic wave functions to calculate the form factor leads to a negligible mass shift, whereas using the relativistic wave functions leads to a bare $\ensuremath{\rho}$ mass of 855.7 MeV, corresponding to a physical $\ensuremath{\rho}$ mass of 775.5 MeV. The quark-pair creation operator strength parameter for the relativistic case is roughly a factor of 2 larger than that for the nonrelativistic case.
Determination of Alkyl-Donor Promiscuity of Tyrosine-O-Prenyltransferase SirD from Leptosphaeria maculans

Natural product prenyltransferases are known to display relaxed acceptor substrate specificity. Although recent studies with a small set of unnatural alkyl donors have revealed that prenyltransferases are flexible with regard to their alkyl donors, the scope of their alkyl donor specificity remains poorly understood. Towards this goal, we report the synthesis of 20 unnatural alkyl pyrophosphate donors and an assessment of the reactions of these synthetic unnatural alkyl pyrophosphate analogues catalyzed by tyrosine O-prenyltransferase SirD. This study demonstrates that SirD can utilize 16 out of 21 alkyl pyrophosphate analogues (including the natural donor) in catalyzing mostly O-alkylation of l-tyrosine. This study reveals the broad alkyl donor specificity of SirD and opens the door for the interrogation of the alkyl donor specificity of other prenyltransferases for potential utility as biocatalysts for differential alkylation applications.
Accuracy of C-arm measurements in assessment of paediatric femoral fracture shortening.

Abstract Purpose Spica casting of femoral shaft fractures is standard practice for young children. In 1983, Dr. Rang published an illustration demonstrating that radiographs can be misleading when measuring femoral fracture shortening. Today, fluoroscopy is used to determine shortening after closed reduction and spica casting. This paper aims to determine the accuracy of fluoroscopy when measuring 25 mm of shortening in a femur fracture sawbone model. Methods Magnification, elevation and angulation were evaluated using a femur fracture sawbone model with a fixed overlap of 25 mm. Two C-arm machines used in clinical practice were studied: the OEC 9900 Elite GE C-arm and the Fluoroscan InSight mini C-arm. Results The OEC 9900 Elite GE C-arm demonstrated a 1.75 × magnification. The Fluoroscan InSight mini C-arm demonstrated a 2.5 × magnification. An 11% and a 17% magnification with elevation of the femur to 8 cm occurred using the OEC 9900 Elite GE and the Fluoroscan InSight mini C-arm respectively. Changing...
An overview of the NASA tropics earth venture mission

The Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation structure and storm Intensity with a Constellation of Smallsats (TROPICS) mission was recently selected by NASA as part of the Earth Venture Instrument (EVI-3) program. The overarching goal for TROPICS is to provide nearly all-weather observations of 3-D temperature and humidity, as well as cloud ice and precipitation horizontal structure, at high temporal resolution to conduct high-value science investigations of tropical cyclones, including: (1) relationships of rapidly evolving precipitation and upper cloud structures to upper-level warm-core intensity and associated storm intensity changes; (2) the evolution of precipitation structure and storm intensification in relationship to environmental humidity fields; and (3) the impact of rapid-update observations on numerical and statistical intensity forecasts of tropical cyclones. TROPICS will provide rapid-refresh microwave measurements (median refresh rate of 30 minutes for the baseline mission) over the tropics that can be used to observe the thermodynamics of the troposphere and precipitation structure for storm systems at the mesoscale and synoptic scale over the entire storm life-cycle. TROPICS comprises approximately 12 CubeSats in three low-Earth orbital planes. Each CubeSat will host a high performance radiometer to provide temperature profiles using seven channels near the 118.75 GHz oxygen absorption line, water vapor profiles using three channels near the 183 GHz water vapor absorption line, imagery in a single channel near 90 GHz for precipitation measurements (when combined with higher resolution water vapor channels), and a single channel at 206 GHz that is more sensitive to precipitation-sized ice particles. This observing system offers an unprecedented combination of horizontal and temporal resolution to measure environmental and inner-core conditions for tropical cyclones on a nearly global scale and is a major leap forward in the temporal resolution of several key parameters needed for assimilation into advanced data assimilation systems capable of utilizing rapid-update radiance or retrieval data.
Interaction of Metal Complexes with DNA

A basic aim of chemotherapy is clearly to obtain a selective effect between a normal host cell and the invading cell, be it bacterial, protozoal, or cancerous. This selectivity may be achieved by differences in distribution, comparative biochemistry, or comparative cytology [1], the damage induced eventually rendering the attacked cell more susceptible to the host’s defense mechanisms.
Time-Constrained Transaction Management

Transaction processing is an established technique for the concurrent and fault-tolerant access of persistent data. While this technique has been successful in standard databases, factors such as time-critical applications, emerging technologies, and a re-examination of existing systems suggest that the performance, functionality and applicability of transactions may be substantially enhanced if temporal considerations are taken into a account. That is, transactions should not only execute in a "legal" (i.e., logically correct) manner, but they should meet certain constraints with regard to their invocation and completion times. These logical and temporal constraints, typically, are application-dependent, and our research addresses some fundamental issues for the management of transactions in the presence of such constraints. We provide a model that serves as a basis for the management of time-constrained transactions. We identify the problems with respect to concurrency control for such transactions in a centralized computing environment, and we provide partial solutions that are derived from extant research results. Also, to handle crises situations in the target applications, we examine the issues that arise, and we provide a means to study them using a novel predicate-based approach. We identify the key difficulties in the management of distributed time-constrained transactions, and we provide several approaches to alleviate the problems that are inherent in such environments. Finally, we discuss the related issues in architecture, software-development, and timing, that are germane to our area of research. Our thesis provides the basis for new directions in research, and identifies several fundamental problems, in diverse areas such as database technology, distributed systems, transaction processing, real-time systems, fault-tolerant systems, and scheduling.