cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rapid Detection of Ash and Inorganics in Bioenergy Feedstocks Using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy Coupled with Partial Least-Squares Regression

The rapid determination of ash and inorganic elements in biomass is critical for feedstock screening for thermochemical conversion processes. In this study, 225 lignocellulosic biomass samples composed of switchgrass and hybrid poplar (wood and bark fractions and wood/bark blends) were used to construct feedstock agnostic predictive models using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy coupled with partial least-squares regression for ash content and the concentration of inorganic elements. The models for ash, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, and silicon performed well with validation correlation coefficient (rval) values of 0.94–0.98 and residual predictive deviation (RPD) values of 2.75–5.18. The phosphorus model was not as robust, with a RPD of 2.50 and a rval of 0.91; however, the model may be suitable for screening purposes. This work shows that FTIR combined with a multivariate regression technique is a viable tool for the rapid determination of ash and inorganics in multiple feedstocks.
Wealth inequality and activism: Perceiving injustice galvanizes social change but perceptions depend on political ideologies

What motivates people to engage in activism against wealth inequality? The simple answer is, perceiving injustice. However, the current work demonstrates that these perceptions depend on political ideologies. More specifically, for political liberals who frequently question the fairness of the economic system, messages simply describing the extent of the inequality (distributive injustice) are enough to motivate activism (Study 1). For political conservatives, who are inclined to believe that inequality results from fair procedures, messages must also detail how the system of economic forces is unjust (procedural injustice; Studies 2 and 3). Together, these studies suggest perceiving injustice can galvanize social change, but for conservatives, this means more than simply outlining the extent of the inequality.
StickySchedule: an interactive multi-user application for conference scheduling on large-scale shared displays

Scheduling conferences is a common task in both research and industry, which requires relatively small groups to collaborate and negotiate in order to solve an often-large logistical problem with many nuances. For large conferences, the process can take days and it is traditionally a manual procedure performed using physical tools such as whiteboards and sticky notes. We present the design and implementation of StickySchedule, a multi-user application for use on interactive large-scale shared displays to better enable groups to organize large conference-scheduling data. To evaluate our tool, we present observations from novice users, and authentic use cases with expert feedback from organizers who are heavily involved in large conference scheduling. The main contributions of our work are documenting the collaborative and competitive aspects of conference scheduling, creating a tool that incorporates successful features and addresses identified issues with prior works, and verifying the usefulness of our tool by observing and discussing a variety of use cases, in both collocated and remote-distributed settings.
A combined theoretical-experimental study of interactions between vanadium ions and Nafion membrane in all-vanadium redox flow batteries

Abstract Vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs) are a promising solution for large-scale energy storage, but a number of problems still impede the deployment of long-lifetime VRFBs. One important aspect of efficient operation of VRFBs is understanding interactions between vanadium species and the membrane. Herein, we investigate the interactions between all four vanadium cations and Nafion membrane by a combination of infrared (IR) spectroscopy and density-functional-theory (DFT)-based static and molecular dynamics simulations. It is observed that vanadium species primarily lead to changes in the IR spectrum of Nafion in the SO 3 − spectral region which is attributed to the interaction between vanadium species and the SO 3 − exchange sites. DFT calculations of vanadium − Nafion complexes in the gas phase show that it is thermodynamically favorable for all vanadium cations to bind to SO 3 − via a contact pair mechanism. Car-Parrinello molecular dynamics-based metadynamics simulations of cation-Nafion systems in aqueous solution suggest that V 2 + and V 3 + species coordinate spontaneously to SO 3 − , which is not the case for VO 2 + and VO 2 + . The interaction behavior of the uncycled membrane determined in this study is used to explain the experimentally observed changes in the vibrational spectra, and is discussed in light of previous results on device-cycled membranes.
Role of low-concentration acetic acid in promoting cellulose dissolution

In this study, we report on a new strategy using low-concentration acetic acid (LCAA) to promote cellulose dissolution. High-molecular-weight (HMW) cotton cellulose (DP > 5000) was simply soaked in a dilute acetic acid aqueous solution (1 vol%) prior to dissolution. Using N,N-dimethylacetamide/lithium chloride as the solvent system, the dissolution of LCAA-activated cellulose was significantly improved. Material characterization results indicated that no cellulose acetylation occurred during the dissolution process and the acetic acid could be easily removed during cellulose regeneration. It was also noticed that using LCAA to activate cellulose significantly reduced the viscosity of cellulose solution and promoted the dissolution of HMW cellulose. The crystallinity of LCAA-activated cellulose was not impacted, and the molecular weight of LCAA-activated cellulose was not significantly decreased as compared to cellulose without LCAA activation. The LCAA in cellulose played a pivotal role, by enhancing the solvation of the lithium cation. As a result, the initial free chloride concentration was able to increase and interact with inter and intra molecular hydrogen bonds of cellulose. Understanding the role of LCAA in the dissolution of cellulose is of particular interest in developing a new concept to design new solvents and effective strategies for cellulose dissolution.
Simultaneous Structural and Functional Imaging of the Transplant Kidney Using Digital Subtraction Angiography

We herein describe our preliminary experience with digital subtraction angiography in the noninvasive evaluation of renal transplant structure and function. A single digital subtraction angiography study was obtained in 38 patients with transplant kidneys and various levels of renal function. The main renal artery was demonstrated well in all studies. Stored digital information was used to generate appearance and clearance rates of contrast medium to produce a functional renal image. There was good correlation between the functional image pattern on digital subtraction angiography and the known degree of renal functional impairment. No adverse effects resulted from the small dose of intravenous contrast material used for angiography. This initial study suggests that digital subtraction angiography is a rapid, safe and noninvasive method for visualization of the transplant kidney, and can afford clinically relevant structural and functional information.
Computational Aesthetic Evaluation: Past and Future

Human creativity typically includes a self-critical aspect that guides innovation towards a productive end. This chapter offers a brief history of, and outlook for, computational aesthetic evaluation by digital systems as a contribution towards potential machine creativity. First, computational aesthetic evaluation is defined and the difficult nature of the problem is outlined. Next, a brief history of computational aesthetic evaluation is offered, including the use of formulaic and geometric theories; design principles; evolutionary systems including extensions such as coevolution, niche construction, agent swarm behaviour and curiosity; artificial neural networks and connectionist models; and complexity models. Following this historical review, a number of possible contributions towards future computational aesthetic evaluation methods are noted. Included are insights from evolutionary psychology; models of human aesthetics from psychologists such as Arnheim, Berlyne, and Martindale; a quick look at empirical studies of human aesthetics; the nascent field of neuroaesthetics; new connectionist computing models such as hierarchical temporal memory; and computer architectures for evolvable hardware. Finally, it is suggested that the effective complexity paradigm is more useful than information or algorithmic complexity when thinking about aesthetics.
Implicit Assumptions and Progress Variables in a Learning Progression About Structure and Motion of Matter

This chapter presents one iteration in the refinement, or validation, of a learning progression of the structure of matter. The initial, hypothetical particulate nature of matter learning progression described likely pathways in the development of learners’ implicit assumptions, which are presuppositions about the nature of entities that guide and constrain people’s reasoning involving those entities. Refinement of the learning progression involved developing an assessment to measure which implicit assumptions are held about the structure and motion of matter by students aged 13 to graduation from university. The development of this previously published assessment based on the phenomenon of diffusion is briefly summarized in the service of showing that the instrument’s use with a large sample of students permits the clarification of progress variables. Progress variables allow for measuring the occurrence of more sophisticated implicit assumptions to be determined by ascertaining students’ thinking patterns. Examples of students’ responses to survey questions are provided to illustrate how the implicit assumptions constraining students’ thinking are evident in different thinking patterns along two of the progress variables. The iteration – from hypothetical learning progression to development of an assessment to measure students’ implicit assumptions to interpretation of student data – served as a validation cycle that refined the learning progression. It also lent insight into how the curriculum in use in the schools from which the participants were drawn shaped the students’ development of particular implicit assumptions.
Assimilate Partitioning within Leaves of Small Grain Cereals

Progress occurred during the last decade with regard to understanding carbohydrate metabolism and assimilate partitioning in the Graminaceous plants, wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and rice (Oryza sativa L.). The concept that metabolic pathways are regulated at specific enzyme steps was confmned by research perfonned during this period. The central importance of fructose 2,6-bisphosphate and inorganic pyrophosphate in controlling carbon fluxes in plant cells was assessed and the key role of sucrose-phosphate synthase in regulating sucrose metabolism was clearly demonstrated. It is now feasible to discuss some of the biochemical factors involved in source/sink interactions. High resolution chromatographic procedures and analytical improvements made it possible to separate and detect carbohydrates with tremendous sensitivity. Several enzymes in the leaf starch and fructan pathways have been isolated and characterized and these research areas can be expected to grow rapidly in the future. Assimilate partitioning benefited from the explosive growth in molecular biology primarily in the fields of plant development and environmental stress.
Comparison of Conventional Plating Methods and Petrifilm for the Recovery of Microorganisms in a Ground Beef Processing Facility

The objective of this study was to compare recovery of microorganisms for various beef samples and beef contact surfaces using conventional pour plating techniques and Petrifilm methods. Comparisons for aerobic plate count (APC), coliform count (CC), and Escherichia coli count (ECC) were done for 104 fresh or frozen retail cuts and 56 food surface or food contact surfaces. Samples were taken at a midwestern retail ground beef processing plant during a 12-month project. APC comparisons were made for pour plating using Trypticase soy agar versus Aerobic Plate Count Petrifilm. CC and ECC were compared for pour plating using violet red bile + MUG agar versus E. coli Petrifilm. Overall, paired t tests revealed a significantly higher recovery for APC from fresh and frozen beef samples using the pour plating technique (P ≤ 0.05). No significant differences (P > 0.05) were observed for CC from fresh and frozen meat samples. Recovery of E. coli from many beef samples was better using Petrifilm. Significantly highe...
Near Real-time Autonomous Quality Control for Streaming Environmental Sensor Data

Abstract In this paper, we present a novel and accessible approach to time-series data validation: the Near-Real Time Autonomous Quality Control (NRAQC) system. The design, implementation, and impacts of this software are explored in detail within this paper. This software system, created in close conference with environmental scientists, leverages microservice design patterns employed for high volume web applications to develop a contemporary solution to the problem of data quality control with streaming sensor data. Through a comparative analysis between NRAQC and the GCE Toolbox, we argue that the web based deployment of QC software enhances accessibility to crucial tools required to make a robust and useful data product from raw measurements. Additionally, a key innovation of the NRAQC platform is its positive impact on modern data management practices and quality data dissemination.
Mortality in patients with Parkinson disease psychosis receiving pimavanserin and quetiapine.

Parkinson disease (PD) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder. Cognitive dysfunction and psychosis are leading contributors to nursing home placement.1 Psychosis onset is associated with cognitive decline, levodopa supplementation, and visual dysfunction.2 Treatment of PD psychosis (PDP) centers on levodopa dose adjustment, use of second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs), and cholinesterase inhibitors. SGAs function via serotonergic modulation and dopamine receptors blockade. Quetiapine, a structural analogue to clozapine, is often used to treat PDP, although evidence of its efficacy is mixed in randomized controlled trials.3 Furthermore, there is a concern for increased morbidity and mortality with use of quetiapine and other SGAs in patients with dementia or those with PD, prompting a black box warning by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).4
Communication and bioethics at the end of life: real cases, real dilemmas.

A focus on ethics is central to the field of communication studies and particularly important in the field of health communication which draws interest from scholars as well as medical practitioner...
Application of voltammetry for quantitative analysis of chromium in molten 2LiF-BeF2 (FLiBe) salt

Abstract The electrochemical behavior of Cr2+ in molten 2LiF-BeF2 (FLiBe) salt at temperatures between 500 °C and 700 °C was studied using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and linear sweep voltammetry (LSV). LSV has been used to establish a stable reference electrode with the Be/Be2+ couple. The ability to distinguish between common corrosion products, such as Cr2+ and Fe2+, with CV has been demonstrated using the Be/Be2+ reference reaction. Methods for high-precision, in-situ quantitative measurement of Cr2+ concentration are developed. Models for predicting the concentration of Cr2+ and its diffusion coefficient are approximated by relating faradaic cathodic peak current density to Cr2+ concentration at 600 °C and 650 °C. The study provides the basis for the development of a sensor for on-line quantification of corrosion products that improves understanding of materials performance in the molten FLiBe salt.
Single-turn Air-core Integrated Planar Inductor for GaN HEMT-based Zero-Voltage Switching Synchronous Buck Converter

Gallium nitride (GaN) high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) has a lateral device structure with a wafer-level packaging, which is advantageous in minimizing parasitic parameters and the overall device size. The wafer-level packaging also provides better thermal performance than the conventional packaging due to low junction-to-case and junction-to-bottom thermal resistances. When a printed circuit board layout is optimally designed, copper traces and pours in the vicinity of the switching devices can serve as effective heat dissipation channels. In this paper, a synchronous buck converter with a single-turn air-core integrated planar inductor is proposed to achieve both quasisquare wave zero-voltage switching (QSW ZVS) and high thermal performance of the GaN HEMTs in high-frequency operation. The integrated planar inductor which is directly connected to the GaN HEMTs serves as a heat dissipation channel to maintain the device temperature low enough without any additional heat sink. Three different inductor designs with two different copper thicknesses have been investigated and compared to verify the effective thermal performance of the proposed converters.
Meddling with myosin’s mechanobiology in cancer

Nearly all cancers are diseases of uncontrolled cell growth coupled with dramatic changes in shape and motility. In fact, pathologists have used alterations in cellular and nuclear morphology to identify cancerous tissue for over a hundred years. These fundamental cellular processes—which in cancer also include invasion, dissemination, and secondary site formation—are driven and controlled by the cell’s cytoskeletal network. Embedded in and acting on the actin cytoskeleton, is the force-generating motor protein myosin II, which exists as 3 paralogs (NMIIA, IIB, and IIC) in mammalian, nonmuscle cells. Because of the fundamental nature of these processes, a long-held belief in the cancer field is that components of the cytoskeletal network do not make good targets for anticancer therapy development, despite their altered expression and function in many types of cancer (e.g., refs. 1 and 2). However, Picariello et al. (3) demonstrate that targeting nonmuscle myosin II can be a very effective strategy but must be done in conjunction with targeting additional growth pathways. Targeting myosin II proteins has always seemed problematic for 2 main reasons. First, the classic textbook view of myosin II has the protein conducting only one major role in the cell: to generate and drive contractility by pulling on antiparallel actin filaments. This simplified … [↵][1]1To whom correspondence may be addressed. Email: dnr{at}jhmi.edu or asurcel1{at}jhmi.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Ventenata dubia’s native range and consideration of plant pathogens for biological control

Ventenata [Ventenata dubia (Leers) Coss.] is a nonindigenous, invasive grass in the inland Pacific Northwest (PNW) of the United States. It appears to be present in the PNW without any evidence of disease expression. Surveys of V. dubia in the PNW (Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington) were entirely negative for fungi, including types of pathogens that might be expected in grasses (e.g., rust, powdery mildew, choke). In Europe, where V. dubia is native, fungi were documented (i.e., Septoria ventenatae Sandu, Tilletia fusca Ellis & Everh., and Tilletia elisabethae T. Denchev & Denchev) on V. dubia. In its native range there likely are natural enemies that may limit V. dubia abundance, and these may include fungal pathogens. Pathogens of V. dubia from its native range may hold potential for use as classical biological control agents in North America, and if deemed safe, could be introduced. To ascertain V. dubia's native range, we compiled data from herbarium specimens, consulted with herbarium curators in the region, and searched relevant literature. We found that V. dubia primarily is reported in southern Europe and western Asia. Ventenata dubia has been reported only occasionally from North Africa in Algeria and Morocco. The common name “North Africa grass” likely originated from references to V. dubia in the 19th-century botanical explorations in Algeria of the French botanist, Ernest Cosson, who published the current scientific name based on a preexisting name in 1854. Another finding of interest is that the latitudinal range of collections from Europe and North Africa of V. dubia spans Tunisia to Finland. The plant may thus be adapted to a range of environments, indicating it could become more widely distributed in North America. Efforts to search its native range for pathogens should also consider the range of environmental conditions found within its native and introduced ranges.
Theme-based Book Review: The Global South and Complexity

The term Global South “refers broadly to the regions of Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Oceania … regions outside Europe and North America, mostly (though not all) low-income and often politically...
A piezoelectric bone fixation plate for in vivo application and monitoring of mechanical loading during fracture healing

Fracture non-union, the failure of a bone fracture to bridge, occurs in roughly 5%–10% of treated fractures and requires lengthy and expensive follow-up interventions. A significant body of research has investigated the efficacy of low-magnitude, high-frequency (LMHF) vibration as a treatment for femoral non-unions through the use of whole-body vibration. This work presents a novel piezoelectric fixation plate for investigating the efficacy of LMHF treatment by applying loads directly to the fracture site, thus reducing undesired systemic effects such as hormonal up-regulation induced by whole-body vibration. The fixation plate can apply mechanical loading in the LMHF regime and monitor the mechanical environment at the fracture site during ambulation to quantify progressive changes in callus stiffness over time as an indication of healing. Mechanical testing demonstrated the ability of the plate to provide displacements of up to 10 µm, as well as to estimate the changing stiffness of the fracture environment.
Antiretroviral therapy in community pharmacies - Implementation and outcomes of a differentiated drug delivery model in Nigeria.

Abstract Introduction The World Health Organization recommended differentiated models of care portends opportunities to decongest hospitals providing antiretroviral therapy (ART) and improve retention, especially in developing countries. A community pharmacy-based ART refill model was implemented where stable clients were devolved to community pharmacies for routine refills at a service fee, to promote private sector participation and sustainability of ART services. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility, acceptability and outcomes of this model in Nigeria. Methods A population-based retrospective analysis of the community pharmacy ART refill program of the United States Agency for International Development-funded ‘Strengthening Integrated Delivery of HIV/AIDS Services’ project in Lagos, Rivers, Cross River and Akwa Ibom States from October 2016 to February 2018 was conducted. Standard descriptive statistical methods were used for baseline demographic and clinical characteristics of study participants. Outcomes were assessed using the Chi-square test and a multivariate logistic regressions model. Statistical significance was defined at α-level of 0.05. Analyses were performed using SPSS for Windows version 23 (IBM Corp, Armonk, USA). Results A total of 10015 participants representing 14.4% of ART clients in 50 hospitals opted for this model and were devolved to 244 community pharmacies. All clients consented and paid a service fee of N1000 (about $3) per refill visit. Median follow-up duration was 6 months. Prescription refill rate was 95% (95% CI 94.2–95.3). Retention rate was 98% while viral suppression was 99.12%. Refill rates were significantly affected by ART duration, regimen, age and location (P Conclusions This community pharmacy ART refill model of differentiated care is feasible and acceptable by clients and providers and demonstrated excellent clinical outcomes of retention and viral suppression. The ability and willingness of some clients to contribute financially to their HIV care was also demonstrated.
Large Non-planar Conjugated Molecule with Strong Intermolecular Interactions Achieved with Homoleptic Zn(II) Complex of Di(5-quinolylethynyl)-tetraphenylazadipyrromethene

Zinc(II) complexes of tetraphenylazadipyrromethenes are potential non-planar n-type conjugated materials. To tune the properties, we installed 5-quinolylethynyl groups at the pyrrolic positions. Co...
Condensins are essential for Pseudomonas aeruginosa corneal virulence through their control of phenotypic programs

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a significant opportunistic pathogen responsible for a variety of human infections. Its high pathogenicity resides in a diverse array of virulence factors and an ability to adapt to hostile environments. We report that these factors are tied to the activity of condensins, SMC and MksBEF, which primarily function in structural chromosome maintenance. This study revealed that both proteins are required for P. aeruginosa virulence during corneal infection. The reduction in virulence was traced to broad changes in gene expression. Transcriptional signatures of smc and mksB mutants were largely dissimilar and non-additive, with the double mutant displaying a distinct gene expression profile. Affected regulons included those responsible for lifestyle control, primary metabolism, surface adhesion and biofilm growth, iron and sulfur assimilation, and denitrification. Additionally, numerous virulence factors were affected, including type 3 and type 6 secretion systems, hemagglutinin, pyocin and macroglobulin production, and a host of virulence regulators. in vitro properties of condensin mutants mirrored their transcriptional profiles. MksB-deficient cells were impaired in pyocyanin, c-di-GMP production, and sessile growth whereas smc mutants mildly upregulated c-di-GMP, secreted fewer proteases and were growth deficient under nutrient-limiting conditions. Moreover, condensin mutants displayed an abnormal regulation upon transition to stationary phase. These data reveal that condensins are integrated into the control of multiple genetic programs related to epigenetic and virulent behavior, establishing condensins as an essential factor in P. aeruginosa ocular infections.
Clothing Consumption: Analyzing the Apparel Industry’s Current and Future Impact on Greenhouse Gas Emissions

The central aim of the Paris Agreement is to keep global temperatures below 2oC from pre-industrial levels. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) this will require a reduction in total greenhouse gas emissions of 41-72% from 2010 levels by 2050. This research presents a comprehensive, dynamic model that allows for quantifying and evaluating the apparel industry's Green House Gas (GHG) emissions against 2030 and 2050 climate mitigation targets under different scenarios of production, consumption, and post-consumption. The model is built using population, economic, demographic, consumer, transportation, and industry-specific data from dozens of publicly available resources. Users of the model will be able to ascertain answers to a variety of questions associated with the apparel industry's impact on GHG emissions at a global level and in both developed and developing countries.
NSCs are permissive to oncolytic Myxoma virus and provide a delivery method for targeted ovarian cancer therapy

Despite the development of many anticancer agents over the past 20 years, ovarian cancer remains the most lethal gynecologic malignancy. Due to a lack of effective screening, the majority of patients with ovarian cancer are diagnosed at an advanced stage, and only ~20% of patients are cured. Thus, in addition to improved screening methods, there is an urgent need for novel anticancer agents that are effective against late-stage, metastatic disease. Oncolytic virotherapy is a promising approach; unfortunately, systemic delivery of viruses to tumors remains a major challenge. In this regard, neural stem/progenitor cells (NSCs) with well-established tumor-homing properties may serve as an effective delivery platform for oncolytic viruses. In this study, we tested the efficacy of myxoma virus (MYXV), a rabbit-specific poxvirus that has demonstrated efficacy against a variety of tumors, using human and mouse ovarian cancer cell lines. We showed that MYXV effectively lysed ovarian cancer cells in vitro, reducing their viability. We also demonstrated that MYXV can infect human NSCs, specifically the clonal HB1.F3.CD21 NSC line. Taken together, these results suggest that NSC-mediated delivery of MYXV may be a promising strategy for achieving more selectively targeted anti-tumor efficacy.
Open wide: Anesthetic management of a child with Hecht-Beals syndrome.

Hecht–Beals syndrome (HBS) is a rare disorder characterized by trismus and deformity of the extremities. The etiology of trismus is unknown; theories suggest invasion of enlarged coronoid processes into the zygomatic bone. Of primary concern is the limited mouth opening and possible difficult airway. Since the syndrome was first described in 1969, there have been several articles in the pediatrics and dental literature but only 6 case reports describing the anesthetic management of these patients. Successful airway approaches have utilized various techniques including blind nasal intubation, fiberoptic intubation, and tracheal tube introducer guidance. In this case report, we discuss a multidisciplinary approach to the anesthetic management of a child with HBS undergoing MRI and outpatient surgery.
Equality of Participation Online versus Face to Face: An Analysis of the Community Forum Deliberative Methods Demonstration

Public deliberation involves informed discussion by groups of citizens, representing a general public. Such groups are sometimes convened by decision makers or nongovernmental organizations as inputs to public policy. These groups have traditionally met face to face (F2F), requiring considerable time and expense. Online deliberation environments may provide a more cost-effective and/or less inhibiting environment for public participation. But do online deliberation methods (e.g. discussion boards or Internet-enhanced teleconferences) bias participation toward certain individuals or demographic groups? We compare F2F versus online contribution levels of participants in a large-scale, random assignment, U.S. deliberation experiment that allows for within-participants and cross-modal comparisons. For English speaking adults who were required to have Internet access as a condition of participation, we find no negative effects of online modes on equality of participation (EoP) related to gender, age, or educational level. An asynchronous discussion board/forum appears to have improved EoP for gender relative to F2F discussion. The data suggest a dampening effect of online environments on black participants, as well as amplification for white participants. Synchronous online voice communication EoP is on par with F2F across individuals (measured by Gini index). But individual-level EoP is much lower in the online forum, and greater online forum participation predicts greater F2F participation for individuals. Measured rates of participation are compared to self-reported experiences, and other findings are discussed.
Genetic dissection of maize drought tolerance for trait improvement

Maize is one of the most important crops, but its production is threatened by drought stress worldwide. Thus, increased drought tolerance has been a major goal of maize breeding. Conventional breeding strategies have led to significantly increase of maize yields; however, these strategies often fail to meet the need for drought stress tolerance enhancement. Here, we focus on progress related to the genetic dissection of drought tolerance in maize at different developmental stages achieved through linkage mapping and association mapping. Moreover, recent molecular breeding systems, including transgenic, genome-wide marker-assisted selection, and genome editing technologies, have provided a more direct, efficient, and accurate approach for trait improvement. We also provide perspectives on future directions regarding multi-omics studies and maize improvement. Overall, the application of acquired knowledge will facilitate maize breeding to meet the challenges.
Hydrogen Bond and Geometry Effects of Thioamide Backbone Modifications

Thioamide substitution of backbone peptide bonds can probe interactions along the main chain of proteins. Despite theoretical predictions of the enhanced hydrogen bonding propensities of thioamides, previous studies often do not consider the geometric constraints imposed by folded peptide secondary structure. This work addresses drawbacks in previous studies that ignored the geometry dependence and local dielectric properties of thioamide hydrogen bonding and identifies cases where thioamides may be either stronger or weaker hydrogen-bonding partners than amides.
Myth, Ritual, and the Warrior in Roman and Indo-European Antiquity

Preface 1. People flee 2. And Romulus disappears 3. At the shrines of Vulcan 4. Where space varies 5. Warriors in crisis 6. Structures: matrix and continuum 7. Remote spaces 8. Erotic women and the (un)averted gaze 9. Clairvoyant women 10. Watery spaces 11. Return to order 12. Further conclusions and interpretations.
Social behavior and the microbiome

Animals are home to diverse bacterial communities that can affect their hosts’ physiology, metabolism, and susceptibility to disease. Here we highlight recent research that reveals surprising and important connections between an individual's microbiome and its social behavior. We focus on two recent discoveries: (i) that social interactions can affect the taxonomic and genic composition of animal microbiomes, with consequences for microbiome function and potentially host fitness, and (ii) that microbiomes can affect host social behavior by producing chemical signals used in social communication and by directly influencing host nervous systems. Investigating the reciprocal relationships between host behavior and the microbiome thus promises to shed new light on both the evolution of host social behavior and microbial transmission strategies.
On the consistency of the spindown behavior of young and old pulsars

We study the spindown of pulsars due to gravitational wave emission and show that r-modes in neutron stars provide a quantitative explanation for the observed low rotation frequencies of young pulsars if the r-mode saturation amplitude is sufficiently large. In contrast for such large saturation amplitudes old hadronic millisecond pulsars would spin down much faster than observed. We discuss resolutions of this apparent discrepancy that could make this mechanism consistent with the observational data.
Antenna-independent capacity bound of electromagnetic channels

Studies of wireless multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) channel capacity generally treat the channel as a propagation environment coupled with an antenna array. However, it is well known that altering antenna properties can have a dramatic impact on the MIMO performance. This motivates definition of a capacity bound that depends only on the propagation environment and is independent of the antenna. geometry. This paper provides a framework for formulating this capacity, and demonstrates its behavior for several representative scenarios.
Voltage-tolerant monolithic L-band GaAs SPDT switch

A monolithic, L-band, single-pole, double-throw, nonreflective (SPDTNR) GaAs FET switch has been developed. The switch has been shown to be significantly less sensitive to DC ripple than conventional FET switches, and it operates with either positive or negative control voltages. Small-signal insertion loss is less than 1.3 dB over a 1- to 2-GHz bandwidth with less than 1.3:1 VSWR (voltage standing-wave ratio) in all states. Isolation exceeds 35 dB, with a switching current requirement of less than 10 mu A. The chip size is 0.97 mm*1.75 mm*0.15 mm, which permits more than 2100 monolithic switches to be fabricated on a 3-in GaAs wafer. The switch is compatible with TTL (transistor transistor logic) or CMOS logic levels. >
The carbohydrate units of human plasma α1-Acid glycoprotein

Abstract α1-Acid glycoprotein derived from pooled normal human plasma was desialyzed, reduced and carboxymethylated and then digested with chymotrypsin. The resulting glycopeptide mixture, separated from the peptides by gel filtration through Sephadex G-25, was subsequently fractionated by chromatography on CM- and DEAE-celluloses and Dowex 50. The five glycopeptides which were obtained were homogeneous with regard to their electrophoretic properties, amino-terminal amino acids and amino acid compositions, were found to be derived from five specific regions of the polypeptide chain. Each glycopeptide was then subjected to exhaustive treatment with pronase and chromatographed on Dowex-50 at a low ionic strength. Each chromatogram yielded a group of five to eight pronase-glycopeptides, and a total of 26 homogeneous carbohydrate-carrying peptides was obtained. The carbohydrate composition of these compounds indicated that (a) fucose was associated with only the minor glycopeptides of each group of compounds, (b) the heteropolysaccharide units that are linked to each of the five glycosylation sites of the protein are different in size (c) as judged by the composition of the heteroglycans approximately 60% of the carbohydrate units have compositions similar to those of other typical plasma glycoproteins while the remainder of the carbohydrate moiety of this α-globulin is characterized by unusually high galactose contents and high galactose-mannose ratios. Of equal importance, this paper describes a procedure for the isolation and purification of the heteroglycans of each of the carbohydrate attachment sites of a glycoprotein which possesses multiglycosylation sites.
Multiunit housing residents’ experiences and attitudes toward smoke-free policies

Introduction: Secondhand smoke (SHS) causes significant disease and death. A person's home represents a prominent source of SHS, and the potential for exposure is elevated among those who live in close proximity to smokers in multiunit housing (MUH). This study assessed the prevalence and predictors of SHS exposure and smoke-free policy support among MUH residents. Methods: Data were obtained from 5,936 MUH residents who participated in the New York State Adult Tobacco Survey between May 2007 and May 2009. Bivariate analyses were used to assess the prevalence of smoke-free home policies, SHS incursions, and support for smoke-free policies. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of these measures while adjusting for gender, age, ethnicity, education, region, children in household, and housing type. Results: A total of 73.1% of respondents reported a personal smoke-free home policy in their home. Among these individuals, 46.2% indicated that SHS has ever entered their home in the past year, while 9.2% reported daily incursions. Overall, a majority of respondents (55.6%) support a policy that bans smoking in all areas of their building, including residential units; support was significantly higher among ethnic minorities and individuals who reside with children. Discussion: Nearly half of New York MUH residents with a smoke-free home policy have experienced a SHS incursion in their home. Since a majority of MUH residents support smoke-free policies and nearly three quarters already prohibit smoking in their home, opportunities exist for initiatives to promote smoke-free building policies.
Dialysate sodium delivery can alter chronic blood pressure management

Low dialysate sodium concentrations can reduce postdialysis thirst and serum sodium activity, but patients typically experience dialysis hypotension, fatigue, disequilibrium, and cramps. "High-sodium" hemodialysis minimizes dialysis disequilibrium but increases the serum sodium activity of most patients. Programmed "variable-sodium" dialysis can minimize dialysis discomfort but may also alter the sodium kinetics from those of "high-sodium" dialysis. We designed a cross-over study with random order assignment to determine whether a "variable-sodium" dialysis program could reduce the blood pressure of dialysis patients without increasing dialysis morbidity. Dialysis with a dialysate sodium of 140 mEq/L was compared with dialysis with a programmed exponential decrease of dialysate sodium from 155 mEq/L to 135 mEq/L. Dialysate sodium was then held constant at 135 mEq/L for the final half hour of dialysis. Eighteen patients completed the 7-month study, each receiving 3.5 months of experimental and 3.5 months of standard therapy. Programmed "variable-sodium" dialysis resulted in a reduction in antihypertensive drug use without alterations in predialysis blood pressure, interdialytic weight gain, ultrafiltration tolerance, or the frequency of symptomatic dialysis cramps or hypotension. Patients did, however, have lower postdialysis standing blood pressures and higher postdialysis target weights during programmed "variable-sodium" dialysis.
Improved Matrix-Filler Adhesion

Abstract Enhanced matrix-filler adhesion is realized after filler treatment with a surface treatment process. The hydrosol/coupling agent treatment was applied to a wide range of inorganic and organic fillers, and adhesion to a variety of matrix resins was improved. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was used to determine the locus of failure in the filled systems. The locus of failure shows the relative degree of adhesion between the filler and the polymer matrix. Significant improvement in adhesion in humid environments is also observed.
Fourier grain-shape analysis: A new tool for sourcing and tracking abyssal silts

Abstract Marine sands and silts generally consist of mixtures of particles of multiple provenance. A decade-long effort has demonstrated that a collection of quartz grains of common provenance possess a distinctive shape-frequency distribution when each particle shape is measured by the amplitude spectrum of a discrete Fourier series in closed form. Examples of the application of this technique to sediments in the Hatteras abyssal plain and the Iceland insular rise show the ease in which such data can be integrated with more conventional frameworks as well as the unique contribution it can make. In general, the technique can be used to test hypotheses concerning the net direction and constancy of oceanic circulation, the extent of seafloor erosion or resedimentation, and relative importance of competing transport processes. Practicality of the technique has been enhanced by development of a fast microscope-mounted video scanning digitizing system.
Pythy: improving the introductory python programming experience

Pythy is a web-based programming environment for Python that eliminates software-related barriers to entry for novice programmers, such as installing an IDE or the Python runtime. Using only a web browser, within minutes students can begin writing code, watch it run, and access support materials and tutorials. While there are a number of web-based Python teaching tools, Pythy differs in several respects: it manages student assignment work, including deadlines, turn-in, and grading; it supports live, interactive code examples that instructors can write and students can explore; it provides auto-saving of student work in the cloud, with full, transparent version control; and it supports media-computation-style projects that manipulate images and sounds. Pythy provides a complete ecosystem for student learning, with a user interface that follows a more familiar web browsing model, rather than a developer-focused IDE interface. An evaluation compares student perceptions of Pythy in relation to JES, another student-friendly beginner Python environment. Classroom experiences indicate that Pythy does reduce the novice obstacles that it aims to address.
Variability Modeling and Process Optimization for the 32 nm BEOL Using In-Line Scatterometry Data

Process variability is a great concern when it comes to the fabrication of nano-scaled devices precisely. The effect of any imprecision can be directly translated into uncertain behavior of the devices. To address the process related issues, it is now essential to identify physical variability properly for a quality end product. If the effects of the variations are not correctly characterized, there is no other way of guaranteeing that the design will meet the specified budgets. This paper describes the essential variability modeling and analyses for the BEOL critical parameters. We used AQUAIA, to model end-of-the-line electrical resistances and capacitances based on 32 nm technology assumptions. By using scatterometry and reference metrology data, we have compared the correlations among the physical in-line measurements and end of the line electrical measurements which eventually address the potential variability issues between them specifically for the 32 nm technology node. It shows good correlation between scatterometry measurement results and results obtained from the AQUAIA simulation. Fitting parameters are generated with the help of AQUAIA's simulation results and physics model. Finally, we have developed a spreadsheet for the RC graph using those fitting parameters to manipulate and optimize the BEOL specification for 32 nm technology. This spreadsheet can be used as a guideline for the process development and control.
Adsorption of CO2 on CoII3[CoIII(CN)6]2 using DRIFTS.

Abstract Adsorption of CO 2 on dehydrated Prussian blue analogue Co II 3 [Co III (CN) 6 ] 2 was studied using diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS). An infrared peak at 2340 cm −1 assigned to adsorbed CO 2 was identified and used semi-quantitatively to construct an isotherm at 298 K that followed the Langmuir–Freundlich equation in the low-coverage Henry's law limit with CO 2 pressure below about 25 kPa. Temperature-dependence at 6.8 kPa CO 2 was used to determine Δ H ad = −23 ± 3 kJ mol −1 , in this limit as well. Deviation from the Langmuir–Freundlich model was significant at temperatures above 298 K and attributed primarily to a loss of reliability of the DRIFT spectra at higher CO 2 pressures, particularly at higher temperatures, and the accompanying uncertainties in the difference spectra when correcting for the presence of gaseous CO 2 . Based on this work, the application of DRIFTS to study CO 2 adsorption on Prussian blue analogues and other adsorbents is promising, although the range of conditions over which it can be applied appears to be more limited than with other techniques.
A low-cost high-frequency DIMM platform for the Hobby-Eberly Telescope

A tower and access platform were fabricated and erected for the Hobby-Eberly Telescope (HET) Differential Image Motion Monitor (DIMM). The 5 meter high tower exhibits a fundamental frequency of 43 Hz. The cost of the tower system, including access platform and enclosure was $12K US. The enclosure includes a unique application of an off-the-shelf truck accessory that serves as a shutter. The enclosure is ventilated, and incorporates a windshield to reduce vibrations that have proven problematic in the Meade Telescopes used for the DIMM system.
Mental time travel sickness and a Bayesian remedy

Mental time travel is a principled, but a narrow and computationally limiting, implementation of foresight. Future events can be predicted with sufficient specificity without having to have episodic memory of specific past events. Bayesian estimation theory provides a framework by which one can make predictions about specific future events by combining information about various generic patterns in the past experience.