cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A laser-diode-based system for measuring sap flow by the heat-pulse method

Transpiration, the movement of water through plants from the soil to the atmosphere, is an important process in plant physiology, the hydrologic cycle, and the global energy balance. Transpiration at the scale of individual plants can be measured with weighing lysimetry, but this technique is limited to small plants and is generally impractical for trees and many field crops. Heat-pulse velocity methods offer an alternative, and several plant sap flow gauges have been marketed. Because these gauges use electrical resistance heaters to heat the stem, they present several problems: they are invasive, typically bulky, provide poor temperature control (killing the cambium), and have lengthy response times, so they cannot measure short-term transients. In this report, we describe a system for measuring sap flow in real-time and without the need to puncture the stem. Instead of a resistance heater, it uses a laser beam as a heat source, and instead of contact thermometers, it uses non-contact infrared thermometers. Used with a precision-mounting unit that insures constant alignment, it determines whole-plant transpiration. The laser has the added advantage of delivering a precisely controlled amount of heat for a discrete time period. The end product is a more accurate, less invasive way to gauge water flow through herbaceous plant stems. © 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Corrosion Inhibition of Aluminum and Aluminum Alloys by Soluble Chromates, Chromate Coatings, and Chromate-Free Coatings

Abstract This review covers the aqueous chemistry of chromium and the origins of chromium toxicity. Evidence from older and more recent studies is presented showing that inhibition of Al corrosion is derived from both inhibition of oxygen reduction and inhibition of metal dissolution reactions mainly due to a delay in the onset of pitting. Inhibition of corrosion by chromates appears to be closely linked to their ability to irreversibly adsorb on to metal and oxide surfaces. With respect to chromate conversion coatings (CCCs), the evolution of modern coating formulations is presented with a focus on key advances that led to process simplification and improved coating performance. The current understanding of CCC formation, protection, and aging is presented. In the last section of the paper, processing and properties of selected chromate-free conversion coating chemistries is discussed. This discussion focuses on coatings that offer particularly attractive attributes such as self-healing and excellent adh...
A collective case study of nursing students with learning disabilities.

Abstract This collective case study described the meaning of being a nursing student with a learning disability and examined how baccalaureate nursing students with learning disabilities experienced various aspects of the nursing program. It also examined how their disabilities and previous educational and personal experiences influenced the meaning that they gave to their educational experiences. Seven nursing students were interviewed, completed a demographic data form, and submitted various artifacts (test scores, evaluation reports, and curriculum-based material) for document analysis. The researcher used Stake's model for collective case study research and analysis (1). Data analysis revealed five themes: 1) struggle, 2) learning how to learn with LD, 3) issues concerning time, 4) social support, and 5) personal stories. Theme clusters and individual variations were identified for each theme. Document analysis revealed that participants had average to above average intellectual functioning with an ab...
Diagnostic performance of skeletal maturity for the assessment of midpalatal suture maturation

Introduction The aim of this study was to analyze the diagnostic performance of the cervical vertebral maturation (CVM) method in estimating accurately the stages of maturation of the midpalatal suture. Methods Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images from 142 subjects (84 female, 58 male; mean age, 14.8 ± 9.7 years) were analyzed by 2 calibrated examiners to define, by visual analysis, the maturational stages of the cervical vertebrae and the midpalatal suture. These CBCT images were required by orthodontists and surgeons for diagnosis and treatment purposes. Positive likelihood ratios (LHRs) were calculated to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the CVM stages in identifying the maturational stages of the midpalatal suture. Results Positive LHRs greater than 10 were found for several cervical vertebral stages (CSs), including CS1 and CS2 for the identification of midpalatal suture stages A and B, CS3 for the diagnosis of midpalatal suture stage C, and CS5 for the assessment of midpalatal suture stages D and E. These positive LHRs indicated large and often conclusive increases in the likelihood that the CVM stages were associated with specific stages of midpalatal suture maturation. At CS4, there were a moderate positive LHR for stage C and low positive LHRs for stages D and E. Conclusions Most CVM stages can be used for the diagnosis of the stages of maturation of the midpalatal suture, so that CBCT imaging may not be necessary in these patients. In the postpubertal period, however, an assessment of the midpalatal suture maturation using CBCT images may be indicated in deciding between conventional rapid maxillary expansion and surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion. On the other hand, if the CVM stage cannot be assessed, chronologic age may be a viable alternative to predict some midpalatal suture stages (particularly the early stages).
Development and application of freshwater sediment-toxicity benchmarks for currently used pesticides.

Abstract Sediment-toxicity benchmarks are needed to interpret the biological significance of currently used pesticides detected in whole sediments. Two types of freshwater sediment benchmarks for pesticides were developed using spiked-sediment bioassay (SSB) data from the literature. These benchmarks can be used to interpret sediment-toxicity data or to assess the potential toxicity of pesticides in whole sediment. The Likely Effect Benchmark (LEB) defines a pesticide concentration in whole sediment above which there is a high probability of adverse effects on benthic invertebrates, and the Threshold Effect Benchmark (TEB) defines a concentration below which adverse effects are unlikely. For compounds without available SSBs, benchmarks were estimated using equilibrium partitioning (EqP). When a sediment sample contains a pesticide mixture, benchmark quotients can be summed for all detected pesticides to produce an indicator of potential toxicity for that mixture. Benchmarks were developed for 48 pesticide compounds using SSB data and 81 compounds using the EqP approach. In an example application, data for pesticides measured in sediment from 197 streams across the United States were evaluated using these benchmarks, and compared to measured toxicity from whole-sediment toxicity tests conducted with the amphipod Hyalella azteca (28-d exposures) and the midge Chironomus dilutus (10-d exposures). Amphipod survival, weight, and biomass were significantly and inversely related to summed benchmark quotients, whereas midge survival, weight, and biomass showed no relationship to benchmarks. Samples with LEB exceedances were rare (n = 3), but all were toxic to amphipods (i.e., significantly different from control). Significant toxicity to amphipods was observed for 72% of samples exceeding one or more TEBs, compared to 18% of samples below all TEBs. Factors affecting toxicity below TEBs may include the presence of contaminants other than pesticides, physical/chemical characteristics of sediment, and uncertainty in TEB values. Additional evaluations of benchmarks in relation to sediment chemistry and toxicity are ongoing.
Model of IIHS side impact torso response measures using transfer function equations

Vehicle to vehicle crash compatibility is becoming an increasingly more important consideration during vehicle safety development due to the increasing numbers of SUVs and pickups in the vehicle fleet. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), their side impact crash test represents what happens when a passenger vehicle is struck by a pickup truck or SUV. The IIHS side impact test measures 37 different response criteria using an instrumented 5 th percentile female SID-lls ATD (anthropomorphic test device) in driver and left rear passenger seats. These measures are grouped into head and neck, torso, and pelvis and left leg regions. This paper will describe the development of transfer function equation models to assess the performance of design countermeasures by comparing the response measures of the torso region of the body. This transfer function model will be a useful tool in determining the significance of certain design parameters and making performance comparisons of design proposals. This tool will also allow safety engineers to experiment with various designs in the early stages of the development of the side impact countermeasures.
The rheumatic state--a reparative process. Half-century observations on a rheumatic family.

Summary This half century observation of a rheumatic family shows that comprehensive, continuing medical care may prove effective in treating rheumatic heart disease.When the rheumatic process is reversed, repair occurs.The mechanism which activates insusceptibility within the rheumatic subject is unknown.
Soybean Lecithin: Food, Industrial Uses, and Other Applications

Publisher Summary Lecithin has long been an important component of a myriad of both food and non-food products and is one of the most versatile and valuable byproducts of the oilseed industry. In foods, lecithin provides about a dozen functions, including as an emulsifier, as a wetting agent, for viscosity reduction, as release agents, and for crystallization control. Lecithin also provides functions in numerous industrial applications as well. By 1940, the U.S. lecithin industry was well established. The lecithin industry is a mature one, but several factors have affected it. Although historically soybean has been the major source of lecithin worldwide, others are being sought because of increased demands for non-Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) lecithin, including canola and sunflower. Although lecithin from GMO soybeans has been shown to be equivalent to non-GMO lines, the European market prefers non-GMO lecithin. Over the past few decades, lecithin has become more important as a neutraceutical and food supplement ingredient. Moreover, the discovery of liposomes has provided a new and more efficient means for drug delivery. This chapter reviews the lecithin industry, manufacture and properties of commercial products, their quality control and modification, and food and nonfood uses.
A CONIOTHYRIUM SP. CAUSING LEAF BLIGHT OF JOJOBA

SUMMARY A pycnidial fungus, identified as a Coniothyrium sp., was isolated from leaves and stems of jojoba and other plans native to the Sonoran Desert and growing in a variety of habitats in southern Arizona below 1,370 m. The dark, immersed pycnidia are often formed in concentric rings both on leaves and in culture. The ellipsoidal, amber conidia are aseptate, thick-walled, and produced in cirrhi in the host. The fungus causes lesions on the leaves of both seedlings and mature plants. Field observations and laboratory and greenhouse tests indicate that wounding facilitates infection. Jojoba, Simmondsia chinensis (Link) Schneid., is a droughtresistant, evergreen desert shrub native to California and Arizona in the United States and states of Baja California and Sonora in Mexico (8). The plant is of economic importance in that the fruit contains a high quality, liquid wax (6) which has many attributes of sperm
EVALUATION OF A PERIPHERALLY-LOCATED INSTRUMENT LANDING DISPLAY WITH HIGH-ORDER CONTROL OF A NON-LINEAR APPROACH AND LANDING

We compared the precision of simulated-fixed wing aircraft landing approaches with two different head-up display (HUD) formats: a) the MIL-STD-1787B Instrument Landing System and b) a virtual peripherallylocated optical flow ILS HUD. Within each display condition we compared a three second quickened display to a real time non-quickened display. Non-pilot participants used simplified controls to guide a landing simulation under night conditions with extremely poor visibility using Instrument Flight Rules (IFR). Participants followed a non-linear flight and approach path under the two display and quickening conditions. While quickening was found to have no significant effect, the peripheral optical flow ILS afforded greater overall precision in flight path control. The findings suggest an increased ability to extract rate-of-change information from the peripheral optical flow ILS affording improved spatial orientation.
Adequacy of antimicrobial therapy in urinary tract infections (UTI).

Urinary tract infections are one of the most common reasons for antimicrobial prescriptions, however urine cultures are often unavailable and the choice of antibiotics is therefore empiric. The ideal antimicrobial agent must have specific pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics and an adequate spectrum of activity in order to obtain the potential eradication of the pathogen from the site of infection, minimizing the risk of recurrences and ensuring the best safety profile. There are several factors to be considered in the therapy choice: the type of infection, the increasing presence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing bacteria showing resistance to most antibiotics and the problem of the bacterial internalization, that is a frequent cause of treatment failure and early recurrences. Prulifloxacin is a recent oral fluoroquinolone antibiotic approved in several European countries for the treatment of lower urinary tract infections and shows some interesting advantages in comparison with other antibiotics.
Direct e-beam writing of colors on (AgI)x(AgPO3)1−x glass

Direct writing of color patterns is investigated in (AgI)x(AgPO3)1−x ionically conductive glasses through the use of an electron beam. A range of glasses from x = 0–0.5 are explored to represent varying levels of ionic conductivity and the gamut of colors possible depending on substrate composition. For AgIAgPO3, writing capabilities are found to include a linear, tunable optical density of patterns in transmission, as well as diffraction limited color resolution in reflection. Writing at multiple currents, beam energies, and raster techniques are performed to explore the sensitivity to variations of process parameters. With advanced multiple beam voltage patterning techniques, the authors demonstrate the capability to both generate new colors as well as erase patterns previously created with this process.
Synthesis of colloidal MnSb nanoparticles: consequences of size and surface characteristics on magnetic properties

A solution phase methodology was developed for the formation of discrete colloidal MnSb nanoparticles using dimanganesedecacarbonyl and triphenylantimony as the main reaction components. Stoichiometric reactions result in significant Sb impurities, but these can be eliminated by the use of excess Mn reagent, limiting the reaction time, and using a lower temperature (280 °C) relative to that commonly employed for MnP or MnAs synthesis (330–360 °C). The resultant MnSb nanoparticles are, when evidenced by both powder X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy, ca. 14 nm in diameter and exhibit low polydispersity (13 ± 1.7 nm). High Angle Annular Dark Field-Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy and energy dispersive line scan data revealed that the as-synthesized MnSb nanoparticles are core–shell in nature, having a MnSb core and an amorphous manganese oxide shell. Evidence is presented supporting a pathway for decomposition of MnSb nanoparticles driven by formation of MnO2 and Sb due to reaction with adventitious O2. The MnSb nanoparticles are superparamagnetic at room temperature, and exhibit suppressed moments attributed to surface oxidation arising from the high surface area and intrinsic oxophilicity of Mn.
Questions for the Office Manager

The number of office encounters determines the amount of computer storage necessary to keep records available for a given time period. Let’s say a certain computer system takes on the average 500 bytes (characters) of storage for each average patient visit. To have a year’s worth of patient records on disc storage, the size must be equivalent to 500 times the number of annual visits; for 2 years one would multiply by 1000. The average number of bytes per patient encounter should be available from the vendor of the computer system. In general a thousand bytes (1K) is a volume that could be used for planning purposes such that if a practice included 5000 patient office visits per year, storage capacity for those patient records (not including programs (Fig. 1.1) and other files) would have to be at least 5000K or 5 megabytes.
Session 3.1: Protein A, Hydroxyapatite, and Mixed-Mode Chromatography.

In addition to removing process/product impurities such as host cellular protein (HCP), DNA, and aggregates, chromatography unit operations can also contribute to overall viral clearance capacity. Mechanisms of virus clearance by chromatography unit operations vary significantly depending upon the
High throughput, colorimetric screening of microbial ester biosynthesis reveals high ethyl acetate production from Kluyveromyces marxianus on C5, C6, and C12 carbon sources

Advances in genome and metabolic pathway engineering have enabled large combinatorial libraries of mutant microbial hosts for chemical biosynthesis. Despite these advances, strain development is often limited by the lack of high throughput functional assays for effective library screening. Recent synthetic biology efforts have engineered microbes that synthesize acetyl and acyl esters and many yeasts naturally produce esters to significant titers. Short and medium chain volatile esters have value as fragrance and flavor compounds, while long chain acyl esters are potential replacements for diesel fuel. Here, we developed a biotechnology method for the rapid screening of microbial ester biosynthesis. Using a colorimetric reaction scheme, esters extracted from fermentation broth were quantitatively converted to a ferric hydroxamate complex with strong absorbance at 520 nm. The assay was validated for ethyl acetate, ethyl butyrate, isoamyl acetate, ethyl hexanoate, and ethyl octanoate, and achieved a z-factor of 0.77. Screening of ethyl acetate production from a combinatorial library of four Kluyveromyces marxianus strains on seven carbon sources revealed ethyl acetate biosynthesis from C5, C6, and C12 sugars. This newly adapted method rapidly identified novel properties of K. marxianus metabolism and promises to advance high throughput microbial strain engineering for ester biosynthesis.
Hyperprolactinemia: An Unfamiliar Acquired Cause of Pulmonary Embolism

Despite our knowledge of congenital and acquired hypercoagulable states, many unprovoked venous thromboemboli remain idiopathic. High prolactin levels may add diagnostic differential to these unexplained thrombi. We report a case of prolactinemia as a potential cause of a pulmonary embolus (PE) and review the literature to elucidate the connection between high prolactin levels and thrombosis. A 68-year-old female presented with dyspnea and frontal headaches. Exam showed tachycardia, tachypnea, and hypoxemia with an oxygen saturation of 91% on room air. Labs were positive for an elevated troponin. Imaging with a computed tomography (CT) angiogram of the chest and an echocardiogram confirmed a diagnosis of sub-massive PE. A CT of the head showed a mass lesion in the pituitary fossa. A hypercoagulable workup was negative and pituitary hormone levels were within normal limits aside from a high prolactin of 270.9 ng/mL. In our patient, high prolactin secondary to a prolactinoma remained the main culprit in her venous thromboembolism given a thorough negative history and workup for other etiologies. Literature investigating prolactin’s effect on adenosine diphosphate-mediated platelet aggregation along with clinical scenarios in which elevated prolactin is the only sound explanation for a venous thrombosis may make it a risk factor which should be checked following a patient history indicative of a prolactin derangement. J Med Cases. 2016;7(11):491-492 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.14740/jmc2651w
A thermodynamic model for homogeneous charge compression ignition combustion with recompression valve events and direct injection: Part I — Adiabatic core ignition model:

This two-part article presents a model for boosted and moderately stratified homogeneous charge compression ignition combustion for use in thermodynamic engine cycle simulations. The model consists of two components: one an ignition model for the prediction of auto-ignition onset and the other an empirical combustion rate model. This article focuses on the development and validation of the homogeneous charge compression ignition model for use under a broad range of operating conditions. Using computational fluid dynamics simulations of the negative valve overlap valve events typical of homogeneous charge compression ignition operation, it is shown that there is no noticeable reaction progress from low-temperature heat release, and that ignition is within the high-temperature regime (T > 1000 K), starting within the highest temperature cells of the computational fluid dynamics domain. Additional parametric sweeps from the computational fluid dynamics simulations, including sweeps of speed, load, intake man...
Dynamic modeling, simulation and optimization of a subcritical steam power plant. Part I: Plant model and regulatory control

Abstract System-level dynamic models of power plants are valuable tools for the assessment and prediction of plant performance, decisions on the design configuration, and the tuning of operating procedures and control strategies. In this work, the development of an integrated power plant model is presented. This model is validated against steady-state data from a subcritical power plant with reheat and regenerative cycles. The coal-fired power plant model studied has nominal power generation of 605 MW and efficiency of 38.3%. Traditional, regulatory control architectures are incorporated into and tuned with the dynamic power plant model. Dynamic simulation shows that the plant model is stable for sudden changes in coal load, and the controllers are able to maintain the controlled variables at their set points. In this two-part publication, we present the complete workflow of data collection, model development and validation, control tuning, dynamic optimization formulation and solution, and supervisory control architecture for a coal-fired subcritical power plant. Part I focuses on elements of model development and analysis, illustrating the advantages of acausal, object-oriented modeling in power plant simulation. Part II illustrates the use of this model for efficiency optimization under transient part-load operation.
An Analysis of Degenerate Sharing and False Coherence

False sharing reduces system performance in distributed shared memory systems. A major impediment to solving the problem of false sharing has been that no satisfactory definition for this problem exists. In this paper we provide definitions for several types of degenerate sharing, including false sharing. We also provide an algorithm that computes the cost of unnecessary coherence (false coherence) in a shared memory system using a single memory trace. Finally, we provide a counterintuitive example demonstrating that the elimination of degenerate sharing can reduce performance.
Abstract 19537: Association of Spontaneous Preterm Delivery and Postpartum Vascular Function: Is Spontaneous Preterm Delivery Associated With Clustering of Future Maternal Cardiovascular Risk MarkErs? Results From the SPACE Study

Introduction: Traditional atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk factors are established, however less is known about a woman’s cardiovascular response to pregnancy, which appears to predict future maternal ASCVD. Spontaneous preterm delivery (sPTD) is associated with a three-fold increased risk of future maternal ASCVD. We investigated the association between sPTD and markers of maternal ASCVD risk. Hypothesis: We hypothesize that compared to women with term delivery, women with sPTD will demonstrate greater vascular dysfunction postpartum. Methods: In a case controlled, matched study, we enrolled 20 women with sPTD (gestation ≤34 weeks) and 20 control women (gestation ≥39 weeks) matched for age (±5 years), parity, ethnicity and route of delivery. We collected vascular function measured by augmentation index (AIx75) and central pulse pressure (CPP), a measure of smooth muscle tone; and pulse wave velocity (PWV), a measure of arterial stiffness, within 24-72 hours postpartum. Mixed effects linear regression models were used to analyze the data. Results: The mean age at enrollment for sPTD and controls was 33 ± 6 years and 32 ± 6 years respectively. Women with sPTD had significantly lower AIx75 (24.10 ± 16.10% vs 39.90 ± 15.2%, p=0.001), and CPP (29.1±5 mmHg vs. 34.6 ±6 mmHg, p=0.004), respectively, compared to controls. Furthermore, women with sPTD and chorioamnionitis (n=8) had significantly lower AIx75 than matched controls (13.5 ±13.7% vs 39.9 ± 15.2% vs, p=0.001) respectively, while women with sPTD without chorioamnionitis had a trend toward lower AIx75 than matched controls (26.6± 15.9% vs. 39.9 ± 15.2%, p=0.065). There was no difference between sPTD and controls in PWV (5.12 ± 1.62 m/s vs 5.58 ± 1.51m/s, p=0.1219), respectively. Conclusions: Women with sPTD have significantly lower smooth muscle tone measured by AIx75 and CPP, but not lower arterial stiffness, measured by PWV compared to matched controls. These results suggest physiological differences between the two groups possibly due to compounding of vasodilatory effects in smooth muscle tone from localized chorioamnionitis and early gestational age. Further research is required to delineate mechanistic differences in sPTD and its association to future maternal ASCVD risk.
Quantitative Feedback Theory Revisited

This paper reexamines Horowitz's original formulation of the Quantitative Feedback Theory (QFT) problem in the light of recent developments in robust control. A simple proof of optimality of the loop transmission function in the sense of Horowitz is developed. A difficulty with Horowitz's formulation at high frequencies is corrected.
Global Aesthetics—What Can We Do?

I argue that the default interpretation of “aesthetics” should be global aesthetics, and that aestheticians should take as standard preparation for work in the field some basic knowledge of aesthetics in various cultural traditions. I consider some of the obstacles that interfere with a move in this direction and some of the steps that might encourage a more inclusive self-conception of the field.
Erythropoiesis in carotid body resected cats.

It has been reported that removal of carotid bodies in cats results in a brief, profuse reticulocytosis followed by depression to below-normal levels of reticulocytes and a progressively severe anemia. Injection of cat carotid body extract was reported to increase erythrocyte 59 Fe incorporation in polycythemic rats. Other studies could find no hematological abnormality in humans after bilateral carotid body resection. We reexamined the effect of carotid body resection in the cat with serial bone marrow aspirations, hematocrit determination, and reticulocyte determination. T 1/2 for plasma 59 Fe removal, erythrocyte 59 Fe incorporation, and 51 Cr lifespan determinations were performed on five operated and three control cats. No significant differences were found. We conclude that the carotid body has no direct effect on erythropoiesis and that the anemia reported in a prior study was secondary to sepsis resulting from an indwelling femoral vein catheter.
Cybernetic Optimization by Simulated Annealing: An Implementation of Parallel Processing Using Probabilistic Feedback Control

The convergence of the simulated annealing (SA) algorithm is accelerated by a probabilistic feedback control (PFC) scheme. This scheme uses two or more parallel processors to solve the same or related combinatorial optimization problems and are coupled by a Probabilistic Measure of Quality (PMQ). The PMQ is used to generate an error signal for use in feedback control. Control over the search process is achieved by using the error signal to modulate the temperature parameter. Other aspects of control theory, such as the system gain and its effects on system performance, are described. Theoretical and experimental results which demonstrate the merits of a PFC system are also presented.
Demand-Pull and Innovation in the U.S. Solar Market

It is widely known that demand-pull policies in the United States, especially the federal investment tax credits (ITC) and the California Solar Initiative (CSI), have led to a rapid escalation in the installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. But there has been little systematic study into the impacts of the ITC and CSI on technological innovation. To understand the extent and nature of innovations spurred by major solar demand-pull policies, we examine patent activity in four categories of the distributed solar PV balance of system (BOS) — inverters, mounting systems, monitoring, and site assessment. Using patent counts from a unique dataset, we find that patent activity for each of these four BOS categories has increased substantially since 2005-06: ~200-400% increase in 2006-08 and ~100-200% increase in 2009-10 over prior periods (2002-05 and 2006-08, respectively). Through examining correlations of measured patent activity with cost trends of BOS and with the timing of major demand-pull policies, we conclude that demand-pull policies have largely engendered the new wave of innovations in PV BOS. We also find that new entrants account for a significant portion (34% - 74%) of patent activity in all four BOS categories. New business model innovations that tap into the large markets created through ITC and CSI have driven demand for new technological innovations in areas that had largely been untouched by incumbents, thereby allowing new entrants the opportunity to compete in and shape the market landscape.
POWERALERT: Integrity Checking Using Power Measurement and a Game-Theoretic Strategy

We propose POWERALERT, an efficient external integrity checker for untrusted hosts. Current attestation systems suffer from shortcomings, including requiring a complete checksum of the code segment, from being static, use of timing information sourced from the untrusted machine, or using imprecise timing information such as network round-trip time. We address those shortcomings by (1) using power measurements from the host to ensure that the checking code is executed and (2) checking a subset of the kernel space over an extended period. We compare the power measurement against a learned power model of the execution of the machine and validate that the execution was not tampered. Finally, POWERALERT randomizes the integrity checking program to prevent the attacker from adapting. We model the interaction between POWERALERT and an attacker as a time-continuous game. The Nash equilibrium strategy of the game shows that POWERALERT has two optimal strategy choices: (1) aggressive checking that forces the attacker into hiding, or (2) slow checking that minimizes cost. We implement a prototype of POWERALERT using Raspberry Pi and evaluate the performance of the integrity checking program generation.
Introduction: ADR: An Appropriate Alternative?

This is the Willamette Law Review's second symposium issue on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). A nascent movement just fifteen years ago, ADR is now imbedded in the curriculum of most law schools and is stock-in-trade for accomplished legal practitioners. Willamette's Center for Dispute Resolution, founded over a decade ago, has been imitated (but rarely duplicated) in dozens of academic centers around the country and abroad. Courts, legislatures, and administrative bodies increasingly have incorporated alternatives to traditional litigation into dispute resolution procedures. Numerous training opportunities for neutrals exist. Not-for-profit and for-profit dispute resolution emporia provide an array of services. No longer a cottage industry, ADR has arrived-big time.
Responsible stewardship for communicating microbiome research to the press and public

The human microbiome has captured the attention of both researchers and the lay press. Given its emerging role in health and disease, it is imperative that studies are communicated well so that in turn the public does not misinterpret the findings.
Mothers' and fathers' cognitive and affective responses to epigenetics concepts

Advances in our understanding of epigenetics present new opportunities to improve children's health through the counseling of parents about epigenetics concepts. However, it is important to first evaluate how parents respond to this type of information and determine the consequences of educating parents about epigenetics. We have taken an initial step toward this goal by assessing parental responses to an epigenetics learning module. Parents (n = 190, 126 mothers) responded to pre- and post-module survey questions. Prior to the module, parents reported that mothers' lifestyles prior to conception were more important for children's health than fathers' lifestyles prior to conception (t = 4.49, df = 316.5, P < 0.0001). However, after the module, there was no difference between ratings of the importance of mothers' and fathers' preconception lifestyles (t = 1.18, df = 319.8, P = NS). Furthermore, after viewing the module, parents increased their ratings of the importance of both mothers' (t = -5.65, df = 294.8, P < 0.0001) and father's (t = -9.01, df = 287.2, P < 0.0001) preconception lifestyles for child health. After viewing the module, most parents reported feelings of guilt and negativity regarding epigenetics (78 and 55%, respectively). When compared with lean parents, parents with overweight more often reported feelings of guilt (χ 2 =10.27, P = 0.001). This work represents an important first step in evaluating parental responses to epigenetics concepts.
Creating value stream mapping to identify areas of improvements and improve USC mailing process

Undergrad housing of USC receive personal emails, official emails, perishable packages, etc., on a regular basis and it is hence a very important task of the housing department to deliver the mails to the right person without any damage. Mails and packages that are received are numbered and are fed into the system by scanning the tracking number and by assigning the receiver’s name to the tracking number. The process seems to be a fairly simple and effective process that makes sure that no package is lost and no package stays in the mailroom for a long time. But when the process of receiving and sorting is analyzed, we can see that there is a lot of scope for improvement & inventory management. By creating a value stream mapping to identify the areas of improvement, there were many non-value adding steps and a lot of waiting time that lead to an increased cycle time. This paper discusses the improvements that can be implemented in the process steps to make it better and hence increase the efficiency of the service delivered by analyzing the inputs, outputs, inventory and value proposition involved.
Continuous flow synthesis of phase transition-resistant titania microparticles with tunable morphologies

Titania microspheres have attracted substantial attention for a variety of applications, including ion scavenging, catalysis, and energy generation, though most synthetic techniques are limited to a few basic morphologies and narrow size ranges. Here, an intensified microfluidic strategy for continuous synthesis of anatase titania microspheres is presented. In-flow photo crosslinking, incorporated with a flow reactor and polar aprotic solvent, enables access to precursor compositions up to an order of magnitude higher than those previously reported, with size tunability approaching two orders of magnitude. Morphological and surface area effects associated with precursor composition are explored, resulting in hollow, yolk–shell, macroporous, and dense titania microspheres containing no detectable rutile phase and possessing surface areas exceeding 350 m2 g−1 post calcination. Furthermore, effects of calcination temperature and time on the surface area, crystallinity and phase composition, and morphology of the synthesized titania microspheres are studied in detail. The synthesized microspheres are shown to remain completely in the anatase phase, even at temperatures up to 900 °C, far beyond the expected phase transition temperature. Thus, the breadth of attainable morphologies, specific surface areas, and phase compositions present a variety of intriguing substrate candidates for such applications as heterogeneous (photo) catalysis, adsorption and ion capture, electrochemistry, and photovoltaics.
Thermodynamic cycle analysis of superadiabatic matrix-stabilized combustion for gas turbine engines

Abstract In aircraft propulsion as well as stationary power generation, gas turbine engines remain a key energy conversion technology due to their high thermal efficiencies and low emissions. However, as emission requirements become increasingly stringent, engine manufacturers have sought to design combustion systems that operate near the fuel-lean limit of flammability. In this study, superadiabatic matrix-stabilized combustion, also known as porous media combustion, is evaluated as an advanced combustion concept for extending the lean flammability limit to achieve improved efficiency and emissions. To this end, a Brayton cycle analysis is developed and key parameters of the porous matrix are identified for maximizing the extension of the lean flammability limit. It is shown that stabilization of combustion below the nominal lean flammability limit allows for the design of engines with significantly higher pressure ratios and lower dilution ratios without increasing turbine inlet temperatures, thus improving cycle thermal efficiency. Combustor flammability limits were shown to be extendable by up to 32% when employing matrix-stabilized combustion, resulting in thermal efficiency gains of up to 11% compared to a nominal design.
Municipalities, Social Innovations, and the Co-development of Localized Food Rights

This chapter takes stock of two contemporary trends in food systems’ work that have not received sufficient attention within the discussion on municipal policy-making for sustainable development: (1) recent developments within the human right to food at the international level, and (2) the exponential growth in comprehensive local food strategies. While SDG2 identified that ending hunger and malnutrition requires the progressive realization of the right to food, through participation and empowerment of local communities, recent literature has also criticized the overemphasis on State-led regulatory interventions for having led to a uniformity of solutions that the use of classical tools by the State presupposes. It is now increasingly recognized that there is a need to a shift away from State-led solutions for citizens, to a focus on the ability for citizen groups to collectively design and implement their own solutions at the local level. Based on examples from both the European Union and the United States, this chapter provides two main contributions. First, it provides a review of the latest legal developments in the human right to food at the international level and combines this with a description of the problematic of the definition and identification local rights-based food policies. Second, the chapter develops the concept of local rights-based food policy in the context of the E.U. and the U.S. through two case studies based on semi-directed interviews with citizen groups working in these regions, and presents the opportunities and challenges of the concept and its implications on both sides of the Atlantic. The chapter concludes by presenting ways forward for the inclusion of human rights within municipal food policy, a necessary feature of the holistic approach required for sustainable development.
Novel integrin binding peptides in cancer therapy

1126 We had previously reported on the discovery of novel alpha-3 integrin binding peptides through screening “one- bead one-compound” combinatorial cyclic peptide libraries with live ovarian adenocarcinoma cell lines [1]. We have shown that these ligands can be used as effective probes to image ovarian tumor xenografts both optically [2] and with positron emission tomography. Based on the results obtained from the primary and secondary library screens, we have designed and synthesized four tertiary libraries that can be used to further optimize our lead compounds. These libraries include (a) main chain modification with three diversity points, (b) side chain modification with three diversity points, (c) main chain and N-terminal modifications, and (d) N-terminal extensions with two diversity points. By using this sequential iterative screening approach with a number of different combinatorial libraries, we can rapidly probe the conformational spaces surrounding the initial lead compound. We have also identified other novel peptides from random peptide library screening which have a common motif that bind to ovarian adenocarcinomas as well as transition cell tumors. Preliminary data shows that one of these identified peptides preferentially binds to beta-1 integrin. These peptides could potentially be used as carrier to delivery radionuclides or cytotoxic drugs to the target tumor. 1. Aina, O.H., et al., Identification of novel targeting peptides for human ovarian cancer cells using “one-bead one-compound” combinatorial libraries. Mol Cancer Ther, 2005. 4(5): p. 806-13. 2. Aina, O.H., et al., Near- Infrared optical imaging of ovarian cancer xenografts with novel alpha-3 integrin binding peptide “OA02”. Molecular Imaging, 2005.
Harm, "No Platforming" and the Mission of the University: A reply to McGregor

Joan McGregor argues that “colleges and universities should adopt as part of their core mission the development of skills of civil discourse” rather than engaging in the practice of restricting controversial speakers from making presentations on campuses. I agree with McGregor concerning the need for increased civil discourse. However, this does not mean universities should welcome speakers to publicly present any material they wish without restriction or oversight. In this paper, I make three main arguments: (1) Colleges and universities have a duty to protect members of the campus community from the harm and exclusion resulting from hateful or harmful speech, in the same way that they must protect them from sexual assaults and concussions. (2) In the vast majority of cases, this duty can be fulfilled by holding speakers to standards of discourse that prevail in academic debate, and insisting on a number of procedural requirements. (3) We should be wary of conservative arguments framed in terms of free speech, because they can be deployed to undermine important functions of the university in a democratic society, namely, to teach students how to be discerning citizens, and to protect thinkers willing to be critical of the government and the ruling classes.
The market landscape of online second opinion services for spine surgery.

Background The aim of this study was to identify patient interest in second opinion services online and identify the options patients have in obtaining second opinions from spine surgeons in the United States. Methods We utilized Google Trends (i.e., search data since 2010) to ascertain the level of interest in receiving second opinions for spinal surgery. In addition, we contacted the top 30 hospitals for neurology and neurosurgery in the U.S. News rankings by phone to obtain information regarding when/how and at what cost they provide second opinions for spine surgery. Results The cost of the second surgical opinions averaged $493 (±$343) USD (range $90-$1,300); the time to receive a second opinion averaged 20 (±19) days (range 1 day-5 months). Remote or "online second opinion" programs charged an average of $643 (±$259) USD (range $100-$850), and the time to receive an "online second opinion" averaged 14 (±7) days (range 1-4 weeks). Conclusion Although second opinions have been shown to be beneficial to patients, ambiguous or high costs and long wait times may serve as barriers for certain groups (i.e., uninsured or underinsured) and potentially diminish the quality of care.
Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) versus ORIF and primary subtalar arthrodesis for complex displaced intraarticular calcaneus fractures: An expected value decision analysis.

Objectives To determine the optimal patient-oriented treatment between open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with or without primary subtalar arthrodesis (PSTA) for patients with displaced intraarticular calcaneus fractures (DIACFs, OTA 82-C3 and C4). Design Expected value decision analysis. Setting Academic military treatment facility. Participants One hundred randomly selected volunteers. Intervention Hypothetical clinical scenario involving ORIF versus ORIF with PSTA. Main outcome measurements Decision analysis was used to elucidate the superior treatment option based on expected patient values, composed of: the product of the average outcome probabilities established by previously published studies and the average ascribed patient utility values for each outcome probability. One-way sensitivity analysis was performed to quantify the amount of change required for the inferior treatment to equal or surpass the superior option. Results Expected values for ORIF and ORIF with PSTA were 8.96 and 18.06, respectively, favoring ORIF with PSTA. One-way sensitivity analysis was performed by artificially decreasing the rate of secondary fusion following isolated ORIF thus increasing its overall expected value. Adjusting the rate of secondary fusion to 0%, the expected value of ORIF with PSTA nearly doubled that of ORIF (18.06 vs 9.45). Similarly, when adjusting the moderate and severe complication rates following ORIF with PSTA to 100%, the expected value of ORIF with PSTA still exceeded that of ORIF (15.45 vs 8.96, and 13.52 vs 8.96, respectively). Conclusion Expected value decision analysis favors ORIF with PSTA as the optimal treatment for complex DIACF.
Fortress and Frontier in American Health Care

America's health care policy debate has long been framed as Left versus Right, Democrat versus Republican, federal versus state, and public versus private. This paper offers an alternative demarcation: Fortress versus Frontier. Health care is mostly in the Fortress, meaning that public policy focuses on protecting patients from risks and providers from competitors. Information technology (IT) is mostly on the Frontier, meaning that all Americans?even industry outsiders like Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg?have been free to experiment and innovate with computers, telecommunications, and the Internet despite enormous risks to personal finances, privacy, safety, health, and well-being. The Fortress discourages creative destruction and disruptive innovation, and the Frontier tolerates both. Health care provision and innovation generally require official sanction; meanwhile, costs have risen. IT innovators have not needed permission to create and have thus been able to tap into serendipitous genius; the result has been plummeting costs. This paper suggests some potential policy actions to shift health care from Fortress to Frontier, and toward a goal of producing better health for more people at lower cost on a continuous basis.