cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Paleoenvironmental implications of taxonomic variation among δ15N values of chloropigments

Abstract Natural variations in the ratios of nitrogen isotopes in biomass reflect variations in nutrient sources utilized for growth. In order to use δ 15 N values of chloropigments of photosynthetic organisms to determine the corresponding δ 15 N values of biomass – and by extension, surface waters – the isotopic offset between chlorophyll and biomass must be constrained. Here we examine this offset in various geologically-relevant taxa, grown using nutrient sources that may approximate ocean conditions at different times in Earth’s history. Phytoplankton in this study include cyanobacteria (diazotrophic and non-diazotrophic), eukaryotic algae (red and green), and anoxygenic photosynthetic bacteria (Proteobacteria), as well as environmental samples from sulfidic lake water. Cultures were grown using N 2 , NO 3 − , and NH 4 + as nitrogen sources, and were examined under different light regimes and growth conditions. We find surprisingly high variability in the isotopic difference (δ 15 N biomass − δ 15 N chloropigment ) for prokaryotes, with average values for species ranging from −12.2‰ to +11.7‰. We define this difference as e por , a term that encompasses diagenetic porphyrins and chlorins, as well as chlorophyll. Negative values of e por reflect chloropigments that are 15 N-enriched relative to biomass. Notably, this enrichment appears to occur only in cyanobacteria. The average value of e por for freshwater cyanobacterial species is −9.8 ± 1.8‰, while for marine cyanobacteria it is −0.9 ± 1.3‰. These isotopic effects group environmentally but not phylogenetically, e.g., e por values for freshwater Chroococcales resemble those of freshwater Nostocales but differ from those of marine Chroococcales. Our measured values of e por for eukaryotic algae (range = 4.7–8.7‰) are similar to previous reports for pure cultures. For all taxa studied, values of e por do not depend on the type of nitrogen substrate used for growth. The observed environmental control of e por suggests that values of e por could be useful for determining the fractional burial of eukaryotic vs. cyanobacterial organic matter in the sedimentary record.
Three-dimensional computer simulation of shape and groove formation of a developing cone under energetic Xe atom particle bombardment

Abstract This study is a three-dimensional computer simulation of shape-and-groove development of a cone under energetic particle bombardment. Data from silver semi-dynamic studies were used as input data points for a computer simulation program. The mathematical structure used to represent the shape and groove of a cone was the Beta-spline bicubic surface patch. A comparison between experimental cone development and simulation profiles showed slight differences.
Lead mobility within the xylem of red spruce seedlings: implications for the development of pollution histories.

Development of Pb pollution histories using tree ring analyses has been troubled by possible mobility of Pb within stem xylem. In a 2yr study, we exposed red spruce (Pic.ea rubens Sarg.) seedlings to Pb during one growing season, with Pb excluded in either the pre­ vious or following growing season. Lead levels within xylem rings and bark were subsequently determined using atomic absorption analyses. Lead concentrations in tissues from exposed seedlings were significantly higher than controls, and significant Pb concentrations were found in xylem formed during periods of Pb exclusion. Routes of Pb movement are uncertain, but were mos t likely acropetal from temporary storage sites in the roots.
Geographical distribution and ecological conservatism of disjunct genera of vascular plants in eastern Asia and eastern North America

Summary 1 We evaluated geographical and climate distributions of 57 vascular plant genera that have disjunct distributions primarily restricted to south-eastern Asia (EAS) and south-eastern North America (ENA). Because clades of each genus in the two regions are considered sister taxa, differences in ecological relationships between the regions reflect independent evolutionary responses to environmental factors and allow a test of ecological conservatism or parallelism. 2 The disjunct genera were found to be distributed in 270 grid cells, 163 in EAS and 107 in ENA, each with 3.75° extent in latitude and longitude. Individual disjunct genera occupied larger areas and latitudinal ranges in eastern Asia than in eastern North America, which parallels the larger area and latitudinal range of suitable climate in eastern Asia. 3 For all EAS-ENA disjunct genera taken together, the midpoint latitude, northernmost latitude, latitude range and area occupied were all significantly correlated between the two regions. For woody genera, only the correlation for midpoint latitude was significant, whereas for herbaceous genera, all except midpoint latitude were significant. 4 A twinspan analysis partitioned the grid cells into four distinctive groups based on presence or absence of the disjunct genera. Grid cells representing these groups in EAS and ENA remained clustered when plotted on axes defined by floristic ordination (non-metric multidimensional scaling) or climate variables (discriminant analysis), showing that the disjunct genera have similar floristic relationships to each other within regions and respond, to a large degree, in parallel to climate variables. 5 The lack of correlation in distribution variables among woody genera between the continents in part reflects the greater propensity of eastern Asian woody disjunct genera to extend southwards into subtropical and tropical latitudes. 6 Although the disjunct genera exhibit significant conservatism in geographical and climate distribution, reflecting their common evolutionary ancestry, differences between regions in geography, physiography and climate have also acted to diversify environmental relationships between continents.
Eukaryotic stromatolite builders in acid mine drainage: Implications for Precambrian iron formations and oxygenation of the atmosphere?

Biological activity of Euglena mutabilis , an acidophilic, photosynthetic protozoan, contributes to the formation of Fe-rich stromatolites in acid mine drainage systems. E. mutabilis is the dominant microbe in bright green benthic mats (biofilm), coating drainage channels at abandoned coal mine sites in Indiana. It builds biolaminates through phototactic and aerotactic behavior, similar to prokaryotes, by moving through precipitates that periodically cover the mats. E. mutabilis also contributes to formation of Fe-rich stromatolites by (1) intracellularly storing Fe compounds released after death, contributing to the solid material of stromatolites and acting as nucleation sites for precipitation of authigenic Fe minerals, and (2) generating O2 via photosynthesis that further facilitates precipitation of reduced Fe, any excess O2 not consumed by Fe precipitation being released to the atmosphere. Recognition of E. mutabilis –dominated biofilm in acidic systems raises a provocative hypothesis relating processes involved in formation of Fe-rich stromatolites by E. mutabilis to those responsible for development of Precambrian stromatolitic Fe formations and oxygenation of the early atmosphere.
Robust Task Allocation for Dynamic Distributed Real-Time Systems Subject to Multiple Environmental Parameters

Some distributed real-time systems interact with external environments that change dynamically, and it is necessary to take the external variables into account when performing task allocation. We developed an approximation algorithm for task allocation, and it finds allocations that are maximally robust against dynamic changes in multiple external variables. Such an algorithm will help to reduce expensive reallocations triggered by changes in unpredictable environments. The algorithm has a polynomial running time, and its robustness optimality is given by an approximation ratio, which equals 2.41 asymptotically, when workloads are large and workload independent utilization of tasks is insignificant
Normal Coordinate Analysis of Benitoite (Batisi3O9) and its Constituent Ring

The normal modes of vibration and their frequencies are calculated for benitoite, a mineral whose crystal structure (space group ) consists of three-membered silicate rings (Si3O9) linked by Ba+2 and Ti+4 ions. The calculation unambiguously assigns the normal modes to the lines in the Raman and infrared spectra and determines the atomic interactions. On the assumption that mode mixings and splittings due to inter-ring interactions are small, the normal frequencies of the isolated ring of C3h symmetry are determined. The identification of normal modes characteristic of three-membered silicate rings may prove to be a valuable guide in the interpretation of the infrared and Raman spectra of amorphous silicates, potentially leading to new information on the ring statistics of these materials.
Providing link-16 on disadvantaged platforms using the multi-role advanced tranceiver

Link-16 is a secure, anti-jam communications protocol that has been fielded extensively throughout the US and NATO Armed services for aircraft, ground elements and maritime vessels. This paper highlights the Link-16 demonstration results of the Multi-role Advanced Transceiver (MAX) terminal during the Navy's Trident Warrior 2007 exercise. The MAX terminal is a small form-factor, software-defined radio capable of implementing UHF line-of-sight, UHF satellite communications, or Link-16 interchangeably over a single channel. The results of the Trident Warrior 2007 demonstration show that the MAX terminal offers an unprecedented level of visual situational awareness for enhanced tracking and targeting via Link-16 for disadvantaged platforms.
Evaluation of HCD- and CID-type fragmentation within their respective detection platforms for murine phosphoproteomics

Protein phosphorylation modulates a myriad of biological functions, and its regulation is vital for proper cellular activity. Mass spectrometry is the enabling tool for phosphopeptide analysis, where recent instrumentation advances in both speed and sensitivity in linear ion trap and orbitrap technologies may yield more comprehensive phosphoproteomic analyses in less time. Protein phosphorylation analysis by MS relies on structural information derived through controlled peptide fragmentation. Compared with traditional, ion-trap-based collision-induced dissociation (CID), a more recent type of fragmentation termed HCD (higher energy collisional dissociation) provides beam type CID tandem MS with detection of fragment ions at high resolution in the orbitrap mass analyzer. Here we compared HCD to traditional CID for large-scale phosphorylation analyses of murine brain under three separate experimental conditions. These included a same-precursor analysis where CID and HCD scans were performed back-to-back, separate analyses of a phosphotyrosine peptide immunoprecipitation experiment, and separate whole phosphoproteome analyses. HCD generally provided higher search engine scores with more peptides identified, thus out-performing CID for back-to-back experiments for most metrics tested. However, for phosphotyrosine IPs and in a full phosphoproteome study of mouse brain, the greater acquisition speed of CID-only analyses provided larger data sets. We reconciled our results with those in direct contradiction from Nagaraj N, D'Souza RCJ et al. (J. Proteome Res. 9:6786, 2010). We conclude, for large-scale phosphoproteomics, CID fragmentation with rapid detection in the ion trap still produced substantially richer data sets, but the back-to-back experiments demonstrated the promise of HCD and orbitrap detection for the future.
Growth rates of phytoplankton under fluctuating light

Summary 1 The effect of light fluctuations on the growth rates of four species of freshwater phytoplankton was investigated. Experimental light regimes included constant irradiance and fluctuations of a step function form, with equal proportion of high (maximum of 240 µmol photons m-2 s-1) and low light (minimum of 5 µmol photons m-2 s-1) (or dark) in a period. Fluctuations of 1, 8 and 24-h periods were imposed over several average irradiances (25, 50, 100 and 120 µmol photons m-2 s-1). 2 Growth rate responses to fluctuations were species-specific and depended on both the average irradiance and the period of fluctuations. Fluctuations at low average irradiances slightly increased growth rate of the diatom Nitzschia sp. and depressed growth of the cyanobacterium Phormidium luridum and the green alga Sphaerocystis schroeteri compared to a constant irradiance. 3 Fluctuations at higher average irradiance did not have a significant effect on the growth rates of Nitzschia sp. and Sphaerocystis schroeteri (fluctuations around saturating irradiances) and slightly increased the growth rates of the cyanobacteria Anabaena flos-aquae and Phormidium luridum (when irradiance fluctuated between limiting and inhibiting levels). 4 In general, the effect of fluctuations tended to be greater when irradiance fluctuated between limiting and saturating or inhibiting levels of a species growth-irradiance curve compared to fluctuations within a single region of the curve. 5 The growth rates of species under fluctuating light could not always be predicted from their growth-irradiance curves obtained under constant irradiance. When fluctuations occur between limiting and saturating or inhibiting irradiances for the alga and when the period of fluctuations is long (greater than 8 h), steady-state growth-irradiance curves may be insufficient to predict growth rates adequately. Consequently, additional data on physiological acclimation, such as changes in photosynthetic parameters, may be required for predictions under non-constant light supply in comparison to constant conditions.
Toward a Technology of “Nonaversive” Behavioral Support:

Nonaversive behavior management is an approach to supporting people with undesirable behaviors that integrates technology and values. Although this approach has attracted numerous proponents, more ...
Behavior of EPS geofoam in stress-controlled cyclic uniaxial tests

Abstract During recent years, increasing consideration has been given to the compressible inclusion function of EPS geofoam, which makes this cellular geosynthetic an ideal material for reducing the static and seismic lateral earth pressures against rigid non-yielding retaining structures. Although the behavior of EPS geofoam under monotonic loading conditions has been extensively studied using laboratory triaxial compression tests, little research has been done until present on the cyclic stress–strain behavior of this material that is essential for optimizing and improving the seismic buffer function of EPS geofoam in geotechnical earthquake engineering applications. In this context, the present paper summarizes the results of a laboratory study based on stress-controlled cyclic uniaxial tests on EPS samples with various initial (static) deviator stresses. The experimental results indicate a somewhat different dynamic response of geofoam compared to the currently published relationships obtained from strain-controlled cyclic tests. Data from stress-controlled cyclic uniaxial tests show a logarithmic decrease in the damping ratio of EPS geofoam with increasing axial strain amplitude. Furthermore, for cyclic axial strain amplitudes greater than about 0.87–1.0%, the material exhibited a visco-elasto-plastic behavior associated with the occurrence of permanent plastic strains at the end of the cyclic tests.
Adapted group-based dialectical behaviour therapy for binge eating in a practicing clinic: clinical outcomes and attrition.

Research evidence has been accumulating for the efficacy of dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) for binge eating. However, support for its effectiveness and transportability beyond efficacy trials is lacking. The current study evaluated the feasibility of group-based DBT for binge eating within the context of an operating community clinic. Women ages 24–49 (M = 39.60, SD = 9.53) with either subthreshold and full-threshold binge eating disorder or bulimia nervosa formed the group and comprised the sample (n = 5 treatment completers). Positive outcomes included significant improvement in both binge eating and secondary outcomes with the Eating Disorder Inventory subscales of Bulimia, Ineffectiveness, Perfectionism and Interpersonal Distrust. Attrition was elevated compared with previous efficacy trials, suggesting the need for increased attention to how to improve retention within routine practice settings. Given our limited sample size, these findings are viewed as promising but preliminary. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
Entropy and the hyperplane conjecture in convex geometry

The hyperplane conjecture is a major unsolved problem in high-dimensional convex geometry that has attracted much attention in the geometric and functional analysis literature. It asserts that there exists a universal constant c such that for any convex set K of unit volume in any dimension, there exists a hyperplane H passing through its centroid such that the volume of the section K ∩ H is bounded below by c. A new formulation of this conjecture is given in purely information-theoretic terms. Specifically, the hyperplane conjecture is shown to be equivalent to the assertion that all log-concave probability measures are at most a bounded distance away from Gaussianity, where distance is measured by relative entropy per coordinate. It is also shown that the entropy per coordinate in a log-concave random vector of any dimension with given density at the mode has a range of just 1. Applications, such as a novel reverse entropy power inequality, are mentioned.
An eQTL mapping approach reveals that rare variants in the SEMA5A regulatory network impact autism risk

To date, genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and copy number variant (CNV) association studies of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) have led to promising signals but not to easily interpretable or translatable results. Our own genome-wide association study (GWAS) showed significant association to an intergenic SNP near Semaphorin 5A (SEMA5A) and provided evidence for reduced expression of the same gene. In a novel GWAS follow-up approach, we map an expression regulatory pathway for a GWAS candidate gene, SEMA5A, in silico by using population expression and genotype data sets. We find that the SEMA5A regulatory network significantly overlaps rare autism-specific CNVs. The SEMA5A regulatory network includes previous autism candidate genes and regions, including MACROD2, A2BP1, MCPH1, MAST4, CDH8, CADM1, FOXP1, AUTS2, MBD5, 7q21, 20p, USH2A, KIRREL3, DBF4B and RELN, among others. Our results provide: (i) a novel data-derived network implicated in autism, (ii) evidence that the same pathway seeded by an initial SNP association shows association with rare genetic variation in ASDs, (iii) a potential mechanism of action and interpretation for the previous autism candidate genes and genetic variants that fall in this network, and (iv) a novel approach that can be applied to other candidate genes for complex genetic disorders. We take a step towards better understanding of the significance of SEMA5A pathways in autism that can guide interpretation of many other genetic results in ASDs.
Signal separation using fractional sampling in multiuser communications

Described is a decorrelating filter that separates signals in a multiuser environment by relying on the relative delays to be sufficiently distinct. The input signal is fractionally sampled to allow for the differentiation of the user delays. Both zero-forcing and minimum mean-square-error versions of this filter are derived and probability of error expressions are given. The algorithm successfully separates unknown digital signals by using the known received pulse shapes and the symbol rate. A delay-division multiple-access (DDMA) scheme based on this signal decorrelator is proposed that will allow signals to be transmitted without spreading the signal spectrum. It is shown that in a noisy environment the signal-to-noise ratio penalty for DDMA can be severe yet the bandwidth advantage is very pronounced compared to spread-spectrum systems and is similar to other bandwidth efficient schemes. The performance of a code-division multiple-access (CDMA) system using this signal decorrelator is also given. The decorrelator can be used as a blind multiuser detector or as a preprocessor to enhance the performance of a CDMA system.
Thermal haloes around plume tails

SUMMARY The inward flow of ambient mantle material can cause thermal haloes around plume tail conduits to be narrow. The plume is hard to detect tomographically within depth ranges where such flow occurs. This may occur in the transition zone beneath Iceland. The influx rate per length of conduit needs to be of the order of 25 × 10 −6 m 2 s −1 to have noticeable effects. Such flow rates would quench weak plumes but not greatly perturb strong ones. A pressure deficit of the plume conduit of several MPa would drive this flow if the mantle viscosity did not exceed 10 22 Pa s.
Exposure to infant scent lowers serum testosterone in father common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus)

Common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) males are bi-parental non-human primates that show extensive paternal behaviour. Fathers are in direct sensory contact with their infants during the natal period. We found that fathers exposed to isolated scents of their infant displayed a significant drop in serum testosterone levels within 20min after exposure, whereas parentally naive males did not. These data suggest that infant's scent may have a causal role in regulating paternal testosterone in their fathers. This is the first study to demonstrate that olfactory cues have an acute effect on paternal care.
Improvement After Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy Is Independent of Infarct Location in Chronic Stroke Patients

Background and Purpose— Disruption of the corticospinal tract at various locations in the brain has been shown to predict worse spontaneous motor recovery after stroke. However, the anatomic specificity of previous findings was limited by the categorical classification of infarct locations. Here we used computational methods to more precisely determine the specific anatomic locations associated with impaired motor ability. More important, however, our study also used these techniques to evaluate whether infarct location could influence motor outcomes after Constraint-Induced Movement therapy (CI therapy), a specific and controlled form of physical therapy. Methods— Quantitative voxel-based analyses were used to determine whether infarct location could predict either initial motor ability or clinical improvement after CI therapy in chronic stroke patients. Results— Although corona radiata infarcts were associated with worse in-laboratory motor ability at pretreatment, infarct location did not predict impro...
Some Recent MIT Research on Dynamic Stall

OME recent research on airfoil dynamic stall by members of the MIT Aeroelastic and Structures Research Laboratory is summarized below. This work tentatively defines the boundary-layer flow processes during dynamic stall. The initial work investigated the forward movement of the laminar separation point of an unsteady laminar boundary layer during rapid changes of angle of attack.1 The separation mechanism considered is shown in Fig. 1. The boundary layer is laminar initially, separates when it encounters the adverse pressure gradient in the vicinity of the airfoil leading edge, becomes turbulent, and reattaches, forming a separation bubble. The analysis included the calculation of the potential flow and the computation of the laminar boundary layer. In the unsteady calculations, a Joukowsky airfoil having the same leading-edge radius as the NACA 0012 airfoil was considered. A plot of the movement of the laminar separation point forward over the airfoil upper surface as angle of attack is increased at various rates is shown in Fig. 2. It is seen that the laminar separation point reached the airfoil leading edge at an angle of attack of about 9° for all rates considered. This result is due to the large adverse pressure gradient near the leading edge at large angles of attack; the boundary layer for either the steady or unsteady case cannot overcome this large gradient and thus separates. Theoretical variation of the airfoil pitching axis location from the airfoil leading edge to the three-quarter chord point had negligible influence on the position of the laminar separation point for the typical rates and pitching axis locations considered, since the effect of pitching-axis location on the potential flow was small. One purpose of these calculations was the prediction of the unusual dynamic stalling behavior of the wing tested by Garelick.2 The wing tested had an NACA 0012 airfoil section, 5-in. chord and 42-in. span between side-walls, with
Standardizing nasal cannula oxygen administration in the neonatal intensive care unit.

OBJECTIVE.A multicycle, quality improvement method was used to standardize nasal cannula O2 administration and weaning in the NICU. METHODS.A 2-armed nasal cannula standardized order form (nasal cannula for stable O2 arm and nasal cannula for stable flow arm) was developed after review of the literature, surveying of the practice of NICU physicians and nurse practitioners, and development of consensus among these providers. Outcomes were measured by tracking the distribution of protocol arm chosen, days on O2, weeks on nasal cannula, and disposition of infants who were supported by nasal cannula. Data were collected in an SPSS statistical data set. RESULTS.Of the 90 infants evaluated, 12 were supported on the stable O2 arm and 53 on the stable flow arm for their entire nasal cannula course. Twenty-five infants switched between arms of support. Patients who were on the stable flow arm of the standard order set for their entire nasal cannula course experienced fewer O2 days but more days on nasal cannula. A subpopulation of infants were supported on nasal cannula flow 0.5 to 1.0 L, with fraction of inspired O2 of 21%. When data from the first 10 weeks of observation were compared with that of the second 10 weeks, the rate of discharge on O2 had decreased from 13 (30%) of 44 to 3 (7%) of 39. CONCLUSIONS.The multiple steps of literature review, practice surveys, and consensus-building resulted in enthusiastic reception of the nasal cannula standardized order form. The 2-armed nasal cannula protocol forced caregivers to consider which method of support was most beneficial for each infant who was on nasal cannula and allowed a subpopulation of NICU patients to be supported with a lower fraction of inspired O2 than previously used in the NICU.
The Employment Due Process Protocol at Ten: Twenty Unresolved Issues, and a Focus on Conflicts of Interest

The 1995 Employment Due Process Protocol, which suggested minimum procedural safeguards for employment arbitration agreements, was drafted in the early years of employment arbitration, before the drafters could anticipate many of the issues now facing the courts. This article discusses twenty issues either that the Protocol did not address or that probably should be reconsidered in light of subsequent developments. These twenty issues are grouped into six categories:  contract-formation issues, such as notice, consent, unilateral modification, non-reciprocal agreements, and consideration;  barrier-to-access issues, such as filing fees, costs, altered statutes of limitation, forum selection clauses, and class-action prohibitions;  process issues, arbitrator-selection procedures and restrictions on discovery;  remedies issues, such as damage limitations and attorney-fee provisions;  FAA issues, such as the role of the EEOC and the scope of the FAA's transportation workers exception; and  conflict-of-interest issues. The Protocol currently requires only that potential arbitrators disclose potential conflicts; by arbitrating, the parties consent to the conflict. Recent social science literature, however, suggests that this disclose and consent approach does not sufficiently protect unsophisticated parties such as pro se employees, and that it may even exacerbate the conflict. Thus, a disqualification rule may be a more appropriate response to conflicts of interest.
Modeling Dislocation Dissociation and Cutting of γ′ Precipitates in Ni-Based Superalloys by the Phase Field Method

We incorporate γ-surface data of both γ and γ′ phases from ab initio calculations into the phase field model to study dislocation dissociation and interaction with γ′ particles in Ni-based superalloys. Through three examples we demonstrate the unique capabilities of the model in characterizing the core structure of a dissociated superdislocation in γ′ phase, the creation and annihilation of planar defects such as CSF and APB caused by dislocation cutting through the γ′ phase and the interplay between the cutting and looping mechanisms.
Advanced laser processing of glass

Laser processing of glass has made significant progresses in recent years due to an increasing demand from consumer electronics industry. A diverse of capabilities ranging from glass separation to surface modification have been developed. These techniques have demonstrated a variety of applications from flexible displays to ultrathin devices. The presentation will review several advanced laser processing techniques, including glass cutting and surface modification. It will also discuss attributes of each process and how to characterize them.
Smoking cessation and long-term weight gain in the Framingham Heart Study: an application of the parametric g-formula for a continuous outcome.

Weight gain after smoking cessation can lessen the health benefits of, and reduce the incentives for, quitting smoking. Randomized clinical trials of smoking cessation have estimated this weight gain only over short periods of follow-up. We provide an estimate of long-term post-cessation weight gain in the Framingham Heart Study, a prospective observational study. We identified 2001 smokers free of diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease in 1952. Using the parametric g-formula we estimated mean weight in 1972 if all smokers had quit at baseline versus if all had continued smoking. Our estimates were adjusted for demographic, socio-economic, and clinical factors at baseline and during follow-up. The estimated mean weight (95 % CI) at 20 years if all smokers had quit smoking was 75.2 kg (73.5, 76.6), compared with 70.2 kg (68.7, 71.8) if they had smoked 20 cigarettes/day and 73.4 kg (71.9, 74.6) if they had smoked 5 cigarettes/day (i.e., an estimated mean weight gain of 5.1 kg (3.1, 6.6) and 1.8 kg (0.8, 2.8), respectively). Smokers who were overweight or obese at baseline had a greater post-cessation weight gain on average. Our estimates suggest that smoking cessation can result in increases in body weight over 20 years. While the benefits of smoking cessation outweigh the risks due to post-cessation weight gain, our results highlight the need for long-term weight management interventions in combination with smoking cessation.
Presentation of the 2016 Roebling Medal of the Mineralogical Society of America to Robert M. Hazen

Madame President, MSA members, and guests. It is an honor to present Robert Miller Hazen, the recipient of the 2016 Roebling Medal. If there is anything to the concept of “emergent phenomena,” it is Bob Hazen and the evolution of his remarkable career—a career that has not only influenced the mineral sciences in diverse ways but has broadened the scope, relevance, and impact of mineralogy in many fields and communities beyond. Bob’s earliest mineralogical publications included his highly cited first paper based on his MIT masters thesis on trioctahedral micas performed under the direction of David Wones. In his Ph.D. thesis research carried out with Charles Burnham, he applied high-pressure X-ray techniques to olivine, work that led to his highly cited paper in American Mineralogist . As a postdoc in Cambridge working with Charlie Prewitt, he developed empirical relationships for the thermal expansion and compressibility of structural elements in oxides and silicates that were foundational to the emerging field of mineral physics. Bob subsequently joined the Geophysical Laboratory, initially measuring optical properties of lunar minerals with Peter Bell and Ho-Kwang Mao but soon …
Building Fractals with a Robot Swarm

Fractals are common in nature, and can be used as well for both art and engineering. We classify those fractals that can be represented by line segments into several types: tree-based fractals, curve-based fractals, and space filling fractals. We develop a set of methods to generate fractals with a swarm of robots by using robots as vertices, and line segments between selected robots as edges. We then generalize our algorithms so that new fractals can be built with only a few parameters, and we expand our methods to generate some shape-based fractals.
Endothelial Cell Inflammation and Antioxidant Capacity are Associated With 6-Minute Walk Performance in Patients With Symptomatic Peripheral Artery Disease

We determined whether 6-minute walk total distance and pain-free distance were associated with circulating biomarkers of antioxidant capacity and inflammation and with cultured endothelial cell inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in 251 patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease (PAD). In multivariate analyses, pain-free distance during the 6-minute walk test was negatively associated with dyslipidemia ( P < .001), chronic kidney disease ( P = .004), and transient transfection, nuclear factor κ-Light-Chain-Enhancer of activated B (NF-κB) cultured endothelial cells ( P = .007) and was positively associated with height ( P = .008). Furthermore, total distance walked during the 6-minute walk test was negatively associated with cultured endothelial cell NF-κB ( P < .001), coronary artery disease ( P = .009), and body mass index ( P = .022) and was positively associated with ankle-brachial index ( P < .001), male sex ( P < .001), and hydroxyl radical antioxidant capacity ( P < .001). The 6-minute walk performance in symptomatic patients with PAD was associated with vascular biomarkers, as walking distances were negatively associated with cultured endothelial cell inflammation and positively associated with circulating antioxidant capacity. The clinical implication is that behavioral interventions designed to alleviate endothelial cell inflammation and increase circulating antioxidant capacity, such as exercise and antioxidant intake, may improve ambulation of patients with PAD during submaximal exercise that is typically performed during daily activities.
The role of computed tomography scans in diaphyseal femur fractures following gunshot injuries: A survey of orthopaedic traumatologists.

Abstract The objective of this study was to analyze if the addition of CT changed the management of femoral shaft fractures caused by gunshot wounds when compared to those managed with plain radiography alone. Methods A multiple-choice, single-answer electronic survey was created to compare utility of advanced imaging when treating femur fractures resulting from gunshot injury. A total of ten femoral shaft fracture cause by gunshot injuries were selected for an online survey to be administered to orthopeaedic traumatologists. The survey compared the use the of fixation device and surgical planning before and after the CT scan. Results A total of 99 surveys were initiated, of which 82 were completed. For proximal shaft fractures, 37% of experts reported that a CT scan should be ordered based on the radiograph alone, prior to reviewing the CT. After reviewing the CT, 5% of experts reported that they would have performed a “major” change, and 10% reported that they would have performed a “minor” change. 4% of surveyors would have changed their decision regarding ordering a CT. For distal femoral shaft fractures, 42% of experts selected that a CT scan would have been ordered prior to reviewing the CT. After reviewing the CT, 2% would have performed a “major” change, and 8% would have performed a “minor” change in management. 5% of surveyors would have changed their decision regarding ordering a CT. Conclusion Our study demonstrated that CT scans are relatively unlikely to cause major changes in fracture management of gunshot-induced fractures of femoral shaft.
Sialidase inhibitors attenuate pulmonary fibrosis in a mouse model

Fibrosis involves increasing amounts of scar tissue appearing in a tissue, but what drives this is unclear. In fibrotic lesions in human and mouse lungs, we found extensive desialylation of glycoconjugates, and upregulation of sialidases. The fibrosis-associated cytokine TGF-β1 upregulates sialidases in human airway epithelium cells, lung fibroblasts, and immune system cells. Conversely, addition of sialidases to human peripheral blood mononuclear cells induces accumulation of extracellular TGF-β1, forming what appears to be a sialidase - TGF-β1 - sialidase positive feedback loop. Monocyte-derived cells called fibrocytes also activate fibroblasts, and we found that sialidases potentiate fibrocyte differentiation. A sialylated glycoprotein called serum amyloid P (SAP) inhibits fibrocyte differentiation, and sialidases attenuate SAP function. Injections of the sialidase inhibitors DANA and oseltamivir (Tamiflu) starting either 1 day or 10 days after bleomycin strongly attenuate pulmonary fibrosis in the mouse bleomycin model, and by breaking the feedback loop, cause a downregulation of sialidase and TGF-β1 accumulation. Together, these results suggest that a positive feedback loop involving sialidases potentiates fibrosis, and suggest that sialidase inhibitors could be useful for the treatment of fibrosis.
Expanding Beyond Public and Private Realities: Evoking Anzaldúan Autohistoria-teoría in Two Voices:

In two voices, we evoke an Anzalduan framing of autoethnography, or what Anzaldua named autohistoria-teoria, to investigate our engagement in difficult conversations about current political events at home and at school. More than writing self into existence, autohistoria-teoria represents hybridized creativity and bridge building that uses life stories to generate innovative insights and theories. We see this work as deeply excavatory shadow work: delving into dark, painful parts of our memories, trauma, and identities. In addition, we expand our consciousness beyond the physical realm to draw strength and inspiration while avoiding the trappings of binaried discourses. Such expansive awareness compels us to think of activism in imaginative ways that integrate self-care and collective healing of traumatic wounds. Juxtaposing risky narratives against the political landscape, we invite others to become risk takers and expand possibilities for justice and liberation.
The Norwood Procedure With Valvular Pulmonary Stenosis

A combination of hypoplasia of the left side of the heart, a hypoplastic aortic arch, a large patent ductus arteriosus, and valvular pulmonary stenosis is very rare. The severity of the valvular pulmonary stenosis in this setting is difficult to judge preoperatively. Here, we describe a newborn with borderline hypoplasia of the left side of the heart, a hypoplastic aortic arch, a large patent ductus arteriosus, and valvular pulmonary stenosis who underwent the Norwood procedure successfully. The purpose of this report is to share the perioperative course of the patient and our decision-making process that was not straightforward.
Design, fabrication and experimental analysis of a 3-D soft robotic snake

Snake robots are an emerging approach for navigating complicated and constrained environments. While existing snake robots rely on traditional articulated joints, we have been investigating the use of soft robotic modules which can allow for better compliance with the environment. In this article we present the first soft-material snake robot capable of non-planar locomotion. We performed experiments on the modules that make up the snake robot to determine the ideal material, settling on Ecoflex 0050. Combining 4 modules into the full soft snake, we performed locomotion experiments using both serpentine and sidewinding gaits. We determined that its maximum speed under serpentine locomotion was 131.6 mm/s (0.25 body lengths per second) while under sidewinding it was 65.2 mm/s (0.12 body lengths per second). Finally, we tested these gaits on other surfaces and found that the sidewinding could move more reliably on different surfaces.
Ancillary Testing for the Diagnosis of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Over the last decade, the molecular biology of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) has been, the subject of intense investigation. As a result, our understanding of the pathogenesis of PDA has significantly advanced. This chapter discusses some of these advances and how they and other developments have facilitated ancillary testing of cytologic samples for the diagnosis of PDA.
Joseph French (1928–2018).

Presents an obituary of Joseph French (1928 -2018). At Pennsylvania State University (PSU), French developed one of the earliest doctoral school psychology programs, directed the School Psychology Clinic, and for 7 years was head of the Department of Special Education. He was president of the Association for the Gifted (1969) and the Division of School Psychology of the American Psychological Association (APA; 1976-1977) and held other positions with the Council for Exceptional Children, the American Counseling Association, the APA Division of School Psychology, and the Pennsylvania Psychological Association (PPA). He will be remembered as a professional and family role model who excelled in contributing to the development and history of school psychology, special education, test development, and training. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).
Performance with an Auditory Brainstem Implant and Contralateral Cochlear Implant in Pediatric Patients.

Objective To assess bimodal auditory performance in children with a cochlear implant (CI) and contralateral auditory brainstem implant (ABI). Methods This is a retrospective case review performed at a tertiary referral center. Four patients with cochlear nerve deficiency initially underwent cochlear implantation but were not benefiting from their devices and underwent ABI in the contralateral ear. The main outcome measures included age-appropriate speech perception and production assessments. Results Three subjects performed better on their auditory perception assessments using both of their devices than with either device alone. One subject had only preliminary outcomes, but subjectively performed best with both devices. Conclusions We observed continued improvement in CI performance over time, even if no benefit was evident before the decision for ABI. This could suggest that ABI and CI have a synergistic effect, or it could simply be the adaptive ability of the developing brain to utilize the signals coming from these devices. There is preliminary evidence to support choosing the ear contralateral to the CI for an ABI in a pediatric patient with bilateral cochlear nerve deficiency.
Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Children with Obesity

Abstract With the increasing prevalence of childhood obesity, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become the most common chronic pediatric liver disease in the developed world in recent years. NAFLD is most commonly defined as macrovesicular lipid accumulation in ≥ 5% hepatocytes due to reasons other than alcohol consumption. It can be understood as being on a spectrum, ranging from minimal lipid accrual in the liver, hepatic steatosis, to lipid accumulation causing hepatic inflammation, or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. NAFLD is particularly alarming in the pediatric population because long-term exposure and buildup of lipids in the liver promotes hepatocellular injury and fibrosis, and can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Indeed, epidemiological research in this field has shown strong associations between NAFLD diagnosed in childhood and cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and end-stage liver disease, which may necessitate liver transplantation. Although NAFLD is a newly emerging disease in the pediatric population, many developments in our understanding of its epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment have been made in recent decades. This chapter reviews these advances and highlights areas where more research is needed.
IN-HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT AND OUTCOMES IN PATIENTS WITH MARFAN SYNDROME ADMITTED WITH AORTIC DISSECTION: RESULTS FROM THE NATIONAL INPATIENT SAMPLE (NIS) DATABASE

Acute aortic dissection is the most feared complication in patients with Marfan syndrome (MS). However, there is paucity of real world data on in-hospital management outcomes. We investigated in-hospital management, outcomes and mortality in patients with MS and aortic dissection. We used the
Development of quantitative HPTLC methods for dolutegravir, lamivudine, and tenofovir disproxil fumarate in a combination pharmaceutical product using a model process published earlier for transfer of minilab TLC screening methods to HPTLC-densitometry

High-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPLTC)–densitometry methods are described for the analysis of the anti(retro)virals dolutegravir (D), lamivudine (L), and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (...
Extending ‘Granny Smith’ apple superficial scald control following long-term ultra-low oxygen controlled atmosphere storage

Abstract Superficial scald is an apple postharvest peel browning disorder that contributes to annual losses of susceptible cultivars, principally where crop protectants that control the disorder are restricted. Controlled atmosphere (CA) storage reduces or eliminates superficial scald while apples remain in storage, especially when pO2 is maintained below 1 kPa. However, symptoms often develop during the post-storage cold chain, which can last beyond a month. Diphenylamine (DPA) or 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) treatment can be used to control scald, but application is required within the first weeks of cold air storage following harvest. After this period, treatments are no longer effective due to irreversible physiological changes, hereby referred to as “scald induction”. As a recent report indicates, apple flesh softening can be reduced by 1-MCP treatment following ultra-low oxygen CA (ULO-CA) storage (pO2 ≤ 1.0 kPa). Here, we sought to determine if ULO-CA would also preserve the capacity to control scald with post-CA treatments. To determine this, ‘Granny Smith’ apples were treated with hot water and 1-MCP at harvest or following long-term (>3 months) in-house and commercial ULO-CA for two consecutive years. Different CA storage environments (2.0 kPa and 1.0 kPa O2) and delays in ULO-CA establishment were used in combinations with delayed DPA and 1-MCP treatments to reveal the scald induction timeline and how different storage practices may impact the effectiveness of post-CA scald control measures. Taken together, results indicate that scald induction is effectively delayed during ULO-CA storage and resumes upon return to air storage. 1-MCP and hot water treatments applied after four months of ULO-CA storage were equally effective at controlling scald during subsequent air storage as treatments applied at harvest. However, the efficacy of post-storage treatments relied on the rapid establishment and maintenance of ULO conditions and immediate treatment upon removal from ULO-CA storage. Scald induction resulted from cumulative oxygen exposure occurring prior to, during (pO2) and following CA storage. Conjugated trienol and acylated steryl glycoside levels at the end of ULO-CA storage reflected how much scald induction had occurred and, likewise, the efficacy of post-storage scald mitigation treatments.