cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Peggy Etter and Polymorphism: Highlights of an Enduring Scientific Legacy

Margaret C. “Peggy” Etter in her brief but inspiring career made lasting contributions to the field of organic solid-state chemistry. Although her studies on hydrogen bonding may be those for which she is most clearly remembered, her studies on polymorphism, which can be traced to some of her earliest published work, are also a significant part of her scientific record. In this Perspectives article her polymorphism studies are summarized, and current work on these same polymorphic systems is described. The current and active interest in the polymorphs Peggy studied during her lifetime demonstrates that Peggy’s scientific legacy endures. Less easily traced but still discernible in this scientific record is evidence of the kind of scientist and person Peggy Etter was: energetic, vibrant, and unforgettable.
Folding Noneuclidean Strips of Paper

We have considered the process of inscribing triangles between parallel lines in the Euclidean plane using an iterative process. It is a familiar result that the limiting triangle is equilateral. In this Note, we demonstrate that the same result holds when the geometry is hyperbolic and the lines are asymptotically parallel. We further extend the process to the sphere, where it is found that the limiting triangle is isosceles.
Experimental Investigation of Interface Properties in SiC Fiberreinforced Reaction-Bonded Silicon Nitride Matrix Composites

Interfacial properties of 1-D SiC/RBSN composites were measured by the matrix crack spacing method and by the fiber push-out method, and the results were compared. The composites consisted of 8 to 33 vol% of aligned SCS-6 SiC fibers (142 {micro}m diameter) in a relatively porous (20 to 40 vol%) Si{sub 3}N{sub 4} matrix. The effects of fiber volume fraction and test temperature on the interfacial properties have been investigated. The advantages and limitations of both methods in evaluating the interface properties of fiber-reinforced ceramic matrix composites and the factors influencing the interfacial measurements are discussed.
Effect of Anoxemia on Myocardium of Isolated Heart of the Dog

Summary1. The myocardium from a heart-lung preparation respiring air or a mixture of 5% CO2 and air presents a nearly normal electrolyte pattern. 2. Heart failure from oxygen deficiency in such a preparation results in an increase in sodium, chloride, and water, and a decrease in potassium of the myocardium. 3. These changes are interpreted as indicating an extracellular edema without significant change in the fibers themselves. 4. Sufficient potassium or amytal to produce incipient heart failure produced only small changes in the cardiac electrolytes.
The use of oral hypoglycemic agents.

The sulfonylureas are primarily indicated for nonketotic patients with adult-onset diabetes that cannot be controlled by diet alone. When properly prescribed for appropriate Patients, they are no more likely than diet or insulin to cause cardiac complications.
Implementing a Culture of Health

All corporations intentionally and unintentionally impacted public health through their positive and negative contributions to consumer health, employee health, community health, and environmental health. The sum of these four impacts constituted a corporation’s population health footprint (see Exhibit 6.1). Few corporations had yet calculated the sum of their combined impact on public health in this integrated way. However, by 2016, a handful of organizations were pursuing a Culture of Health—a culture in which health effects were consistently discussed and considered in everyday corporate decision-making. At these corporations, managers and employees strove to achieve as positive a population health footprint as possible. (See Exhibit 6.2 for sample population health footprint initiatives within three companies.)
Objections to Rawls’s Political Conception of Persons

Rawls intends his political conception of persons to pick out the features of persons that are important from the point of view of political theorizing. For Rawls, the features that are important are those that characterize persons as having the rights and capacities required to participate in political life. This chapter explains two kinds of criticisms of Rawls’s political conception of the person. First, critics claim that Rawls has failed to identify the features of persons that are politically-relevant. Second, independently of whether Rawls has correctly identified the features that are politically-relevant, critics argue that Rawls’s characterization of the features is problematic. I call these objections that are grounded in an alternative conception of political identity “normative objections.” According to the conception of political identity grounding these objections, one of the most important facts about persons from a political point of view is that they are socially constituted. Critics argue that this fact makes it the case that the government should be arranged in such a way as to foster a political climate that promotes the proper development of its citizens, and that the government should do so, inter alia, by adopting policies that take the fact persons’ identities are partially constituted by their social circumstances to be both fundamental and valuable. The chapter explains and clarifies these objections, and explains why these critics think their conception of political identity is preferable to Rawls’s.
Transformations of landscape and peat‐forming ecosystems in response to late Holocene climate change in the western Antarctic Peninsula

We used subfossil mosses and peats to document changes in regional climate, cryosphere, and terrestrial ecosystems in the western Antarctic Peninsula at ~65°S latitude. We find that most peat forming ecosystems have initiated since 2800 cal B.P., in response to warmer summers and increasing summer insolation. The period at 900–600 cal B.P. was coldest as indicated by ice advance, abundance of kill ages from ice-entombed mosses exposed recently from retreating glacial ice, and apparent gap in peatbank initiation. Furthermore, the discovery of a novel Antarctic hairgrass (Deschampsia antarctica) peatland at 2300–1200 cal B.P. from the mainland Antarctic Peninsula suggests a much warmer climate than the present. A warming and wetting climate in the 1980s caused very high carbon accumulation in a Polytrichum strictum moss peatbank. Our results document dramatic transformations of landscape and ecosystems in response to past warmer climate, providing a telltale sign for what may come in the future.
Abstract 4807: Discovery of novel alternative splicing events in human papillomavirus-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma

Proceedings: AACR 106th Annual Meeting 2015; April 18-22, 2015; Philadelphia, PA Although the overall incidence of head and neck squamous cell cancers have decreased in the past 30 years, the incidence oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) related to human papillomavirus (HPV) has actually been rising. Clinically, HPV-related tumors show improved response to treatment and longer overall survival. Recent genomic sequencing data also suggests that HPV-related tumors represent a biologically distinct entity, harboring significantly fewer mutations than non-HPV-related head and neck tumors. The paucity of genetic alterations in HPV-related OPSCC has limited our understanding of its underlying biology and our ability to identify targetable pathways for therapy. Thus, we sought to use RNA sequencing to study post-transcriptional changes in HPV-related OPSCC, primarily alternative splicing events (ASEs). ASEs have been shown to play an important role in carcinogenesis in other cancer types leading to protein expression changes in the absences of genetic alterations at the DNA level. RNA sequencing data was obtained using an Illumina platform in a cohort of 47 HPV-related OPSCC primary tumors and 25 normal mucosa tissue samples from uvulopalatopharyngoplasty surgical specimens. We developed a novel algorithm for the identification of ASEs which utilized outlier analysis to identify differential expression of these splicing events in tumors compared to normal tissues. Our analysis identified 3522 putative alternative splicing events occurring in tumor samples. These ASEs were ranked based on presence of outlier over-expression and under-expression in tumors. The top 200 candidates for over-expression and under-expression were selected for further validation. Differential expression of these candidate ASEs was confirmed using integrated genome viewer (IGV). Additional validation was performed using RT-PCR in the original tumor and normal tissue cohort. These were further validated in publically available TCGA RNA sequencing data. An independent cohort of normal and tissue samples was collected, and differential ASE expression was confirmed using RT-PCR. These methods identified several ASEs that offer insight into the molecular biology of HPV-related OPSCC. This pipeline represents a robust and validated algorithm for identification and prioritizing biologically significant ASEs using RNA sequencing data that may be adapted for analysis in other tumor types. Citation Format: Theresa Guo, Daria Gaykalova, Michael Considine, Justin A. Bishop, William H. Westra, Zubair Khan, Elana Fertig, Joseph A. Califano. Discovery of novel alternative splicing events in human papillomavirus-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 4807. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-4807
Response by Packer to Letter Regarding Article, “Development and Evolution of a Hierarchical Clinical Composite End Point for the Evaluation of Drugs and Devices for Acute and Chronic Heart Failure: A 20-Year Perspective”

The hierarchical clinical composite end point (HCCE) was developed to address 2 important goals in the analysis of clinical trial data: (1) to minimize the bias inherent in the censoring of important adverse events when the primary end point was focused entirely on a patient benefit, and (2) to expand the range of responses when the primary end point was focused entirely on the risk of an adverse event. Over the past 20 years, the hierarchical clinical composite has succeeded with respect to both goals, and yet, as I described in my article, …
Interventions for Preventing Falls Among Older Adults Living in the Community.

Structured exercise programs and home safety interventions reduce both the rate and the risk of falling among community-dwelling adults 65 years and older, whereas multifactorial assessment and intervention programs reduce the rate of falls but not the risk of falling. Vitamin D supplementation does not reduce the rate of falls or risk of falling in all patients. Education about fall prevention does not significantly reduce the rate or risk of falling.
A high value care curriculum for interns: a description of curricular design, implementation and housestaff feedback

Purpose Most residency programmes do not have a formal high value care curriculum. Our goal was to design and implement a multidisciplinary high value care curriculum specifically targeted at interns. Design Our curriculum was designed with multidisciplinary input from attendings, fellows and residents at Stanford. Curricular topics were inspired by the American Board of Internal Medicine’s Choosing Wisely campaign, Alliance for Academic Internal Medicine, American College of Physicians and Society of Hospital Medicine. Our topics were as follows: introduction to value-based care; telemetry utilisation; lab ordering; optimal approach to thrombophilia work-ups and fresh frozen plasma use; optimal approach to palliative care referrals; antibiotic stewardship; and optimal approach to imaging for low back pain. Our curriculum was implemented at the Stanford Internal Medicine residency programme over the course of two academic years (2014 and 2015), during which 100 interns participated in our high value care curriculum. After each high value care session, interns were offered the opportunity to complete surveys regarding feedback on the curriculum, self-reported improvements in knowledge, skills and attitudinal module objectives, and quiz-based knowledge assessments. Results The overall survey response rate was 67.1%. Overall, the material was rated as highly useful on a 5-point Likert scale (mean 4.4, SD 0.6). On average, interns reported a significant improvement in their self-rated knowledge, skills and attitudes after the six seminars (mean improvement 1.6 points, SD 0.4 (95% CI 1.5 to 1.7), p Conclusions We successfully implemented a novel high value care curriculum that specifically targets intern physicians.
Factors associated with an increased risk of perioperative cardiac arrest in emergent and elective craniotomy and spine surgery.

Abstract Objective Cardiac arrest following neurosurgery is a devastating complication associated with significant postoperative morbidity and mortality. There are no published studies that have used a large and robust multicenter database to specifically examine demographic and surgical risk factors associated with cardiac arrests following craniotomy and spine surgeries, respectively. Patients and methods We retrospectively analyzed data from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database for the period between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2013, focusing on cardiac arrest associated with craniotomy and spine surgery from the intraoperative period to 30 days after surgery. A total of 73,584 neurosurgical patients were analyzed (59,609 spine surgeries and 13,975 craniotomies). Results There was an increased risk of cardiac arrest for both craniotomy and spine surgeries in patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Physical Status class 4 or 5, Black and Asian patients compared to White patients and patients totally dependent versus independent based on the ACS-NSQIP risk calculator. The risk of cardiac arrest for craniotomy was 66.5 per 10,000 anesthetics and for spine surgery was 21.3 per 10,000 anesthetics. Cardiac arrest associated with emergent non-traumatic craniotomy was 36.5% and with emergent non-traumatic spine surgery was only 17.3%. We found that 18% of cardiac arrests for craniotomy and 25% of cardiac arrests for spine surgery occurred from the intraoperative period through postoperative day (POD) 0. Both craniotomy and spine surgery patients who had a cardiac arrest were more likely to have acute kidney injury (AKI), failure to wean from the ventilator, postoperative dialysis, myocardial infarction (MI), venous thromboembolism (VTE) and sepsis in the postoperative period. The overall mortality rate for both craniotomy and spine surgeries who had a cardiac arrest from the intraoperative period to 30 days postoperative was 61.8% versus 1.2% in the no cardiac arrest control group. Conclusions Identification of patient and surgery specific characteristics from ACS-NSQIP data associated with cardiac arrest following craniotomy and spine surgery may lead to initiatives to reduce morbidity and mortality in the neurosurgical patient population.
Bifocal Modeling: Promoting Authentic Scientific Inquiry Through Exploring and Comparing Real and Ideal Systems Linked in Real-Time

The improvement of STEM education through new pedagogies and technologies has been the chief concern of policy-makers and educators for the past decades. Common threads among the proposed solutions have been to promote inquiry, discovery, and authentic scientific practices in the classroom. In this chapter, we present a novel inquiry-based framework which combines computer simulations and real-world sensing in real-time: bifocal modeling. Even though educational researchers have come to realize the potential of simulations, computer models, and probeware separately, little research and design have been done on the combination of these new technologies. When creating a bifocal model, students build a computer simulation and the analogous sensing apparatus, and link them in real-time, being able to validate, compare, and refine their conceptual models using data. In this chapter, I will focus on the technical and pedagogical aspects of this framework, describe several example models, and discuss four pilot studies, which suggest that the synergy between physical and simulated systems catalyzes further inquiry toward a deeper understanding of the scientific phenomena.
Conclusion and Future Direction

This book has presented the analysis and design of BMI systems. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work dedicated to studying bidirectional closed-loop BMI systems. The main motivation of this work is the fact that many significantly meaningful neuroscience experiments, especially in freely behaving animals, cannot be conducted without custom designed bidirectional closed-loop BMIs. With the close collaboration between neuroscientists and engineers, this work was able to identify and address several important and practical issues in BMI systems’ design. The developed system has been successfully used in several animal experiments, resulting in significant new observations.
Onset of Multiple Chronic Conditions and Depressive Symptoms: A Life Events Perspective

Background While the association between depressive symptoms and chronic illness has been the subject of many studies, little is known about whether depressive symptoms differ as a function of the illnesses people have as they transition to living with multiple chronic conditions. Methods Self-reports of five diagnosed chronic conditions (arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and pulmonary disease) and depressive symptoms were provided by 3,396 people participating in three waves of the ORANJ BOWLSM research panel. Longitudinal multilevel modeling was used to examine the effects that transitioning to having a diagnosis of multiple chronic conditions has on depressive symptoms. Results Between 2006 and 2014, controlling for age, gender, income, race, and a lifetime diagnosis of depression, people who transitioned to having a diagnosis of multiple chronic conditions had significantly higher levels of depressive symptoms than people who did not make this transition. The diagnosis of arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, and pulmonary disease, but not hypertension had independent effects, increasing depressive symptoms. Conclusions Having a diagnosis of multiple chronic conditions leads to increases in depressive symptoms, but not all illnesses have the same effect. Findings highlight the need for clinicians to be aware of mental health risks in patients diagnosed with multiple chronic conditions, particularly those with a diagnosis of arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, and pulmonary disease. Clinical care providers should take account of these findings, encouraging psychosocial supports for older adults who develop multiple chronic conditions to minimize the negative psychological impact of illness diagnosis.
RaPtomics: Integrating radiomic and pathomic features for predicting recurrence in early stage lung cancer

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the leading cause of cancer related deaths worldwide. The treatment of choice for early stage NSCLC is surgical resection followed by adjuvant chemotherapy for high risk patients. Currently, the decision to offer chemotherapy is primarily dependent on several clinical and visual radiographic factors as there is a lack of a biomarker which can accurately stratify and predict disease risk in these patients. Computer extracted image features from CT scans (radiomic) and (pathomic) from HE p<0.005) as compared to radiomic (AUC 0.74; p<0.01) and pathomic (AUC 0.67; p<0.05) features alone.
EGFR mutant lung cancer.

Thoracic oncologists traditionally have made treatment decisions based upon tumor histology, distinguishing non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) from small cell lung cancer (SCLC). However, recent data has revealed that at least one histological subtype of NSCLC, lung adenocarcinoma comprises multiple molecularly distinct diseases. Lung adenocarcinoma subsets now can be defined by specific ‘driver’ mutations in genes encoding components of the EGFR signaling pathway. Importantly, these mutations have implications regarding targeted therapy. Here, we focus on EGFR mutant NSCLC—a prime example of a clinically relevant molecular subset of lung cancer, with defined mechanisms of drug sensitivity, primary drug resistance, and acquired resistance to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Efforts are now being made to overcome mechanisms of acquired resistance. These findings illustrate how knowledge about the genetic drivers of tumors can lead to rational targeted therapy for individual patients.
Diagnostic Accuracy Using Diffusion Tensor Imaging in the Diagnosis of ALS: A Meta-analysis

Rationale and Objectives A number of studies have reported decreases in fractional anistropy (FA) in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). The purpose of this study was to perform a meta-analysis in order to estimate the diagnostic test accuracy measures of DTI for the diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Materials and Methods We searched MEDLINE (1966–April 2011), EMBASE (1999–April 2011), CINAHL (1999–April 2011), and Cochrane (2005–April 2011) databases to identify studies that measured FA in ALS subjects. Human, single-center studies using a DTI region of interest (ROI) or tractography techniques were used to compare FA values along the brain corticospinal tracts between ALS subjects and healthy controls. There were no language restrictions. Independent extraction of articles by 2 authors using predefined data fields including study quality indicators. We identified 30 case-control studies that used region of interest or tractography DTI techniques. We applied binormal receiver operative characteristic (ROC) curve analysis to assign specificity and sensitivity for each study. We applied the bivariate mixed-effects regression model using the Markov Chain Monte Carlo Simulation to calculate summary estimates for the sensitivity and specificity. We used the metan module in Stata, version 11.0, to calculate the area under the ROC curve, diagnostic odds ratio and the test effectiveness summary estimates. Results The pooled sensitivity was 0.65 (95% CI 0.61–0.69); the pooled specificity, 0.67 (95% CI 0.63–0.72); the pooled diagnostic odds ratio, 1.88 (95% CI 1.46–2.30); the pooled test effectiveness, 1.04 (95% CI 0.81–1.27); and the pooled area under the ROC curve, 0.76 (95% CI 0.71–0.81). Subanalyses comparing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) field strength (1.5T vs. 3.0T) and brain location (corticospinal tract average vs. internal capsule) revealed no significant differences in the test accuracy measures. Reference standard used for the diagnosis of ALS was the El Escorial criteria. There was at least moderate heterogeneity between the studies. True study quality is uncertain. Conclusion The discriminatory capability of DTI to make a diagnosis of ALS is only modest. There were no significant differences in the diagnostic test accuracy summary estimates with respect to MRI field strength or brain location.
The S-Z Effect at High Redshift

The S-Z effect is a unique probe for distant clusters of galaxies as its amplitude is not diminished with distance, unlike observations at other wavelengths. Thus small scale (10 arcsec — 10 arcmin) CBR experiments are sensitive to galaxy clusters via their S-Z signal up to their epoch of formation (0.3 < z form < 5). For the purposes of constraining theories of large-scale structure and the physical parameters these models are sensitive to (Ω, h, n), it is necessary to understand the characteristics of galaxy clusters out to large redshifts.
The Effect of a Pet Therapy and Comparison Intervention on Anxiety in Hospitalized Children.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a brief pet therapy visit and a comparison intervention on anxiety in hospitalized children. This quasi-experimental study compared state anxiety before and after structured research interventions in a convenience sample of children between the ages six and 17 (N = 93) in two groups. Participants were assigned to the pet therapy group or control group, based upon timing of data collection. Participants in each group received either a visit from the research assistant, therapy dog and handler, or from the research assistant for completion of a puzzle. The child's anxiety was measured using the State-Trait Anxiety Scale for Children (STAIC) S-Anxiety Scale before and after the visit and parents completed a brief background questionnaire. Intervention and comparison groups had no significant differences in key demographic factors or baseline anxiety level. While state anxiety decreased significantly in both groups, children in the pet therapy group experienced a significantly greater decrease in anxiety (p = .004). In addition, parents reported high levels of satisfaction with the pet therapy program. Study findings provide support for a brief pet therapy visit with a trained dog and handler as a tool decrease to anxiety in hospitalized children while promoting parent satisfaction. When resources for providing pet therapy visits are limited, clinicians may consider prioritizing children who are most affected by anxiety.
Correlation between orthopaedic and radiographic examination findings and arthroscopic ligament fibre damage in dogs with cruciate ligament rupture.

OBJECTIVE The objective is to study the correlations between physical examination and stifle radiography findings and severity of arthroscopic cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) fibre damage in dogs with cruciate rupture (CR). DESIGN Design Prospective clinical study. METHODS Twenty-nine client-owned dogs with CR underwent physical examination, stifle radiography and arthroscopy, and the findings were recorded. Initial examination was repeated after sedation and after general anaesthesia. The Spearman rank correlations of examination variables with diagnostic imaging were examined. RESULTS Overall, cranial tibial translation assessed by the tibial compression test in extension showed correlation with arthroscopic CrCL fibre damage (P < 0.05). Correlations between severity of cranial drawer laxity and arthroscopic CrCL fibre damage were not significant. Under general anaesthesia, stifle laxity tests were positively correlated with lameness severity grade (SR ≥ 0.41, P < 0.05). Meniscal damage was correlated with pain on the internal rotation of the tibia (SR = 0.42, P < 0.05) and severity of radiographic osteophytosis (SR = 0.53, P = 0.01). CONCLUSION Detection and estimation of severity of cranial tibial translation enable the diagnosis of CR and also the inference of the severity of CrCL fibre rupture, particularly with the tibial compression test in extension. Severity of joint laxity is best assessed under general anaesthesia. Such knowledge should reduce the risk of misdiagnosis and may enhance early diagnosis and treatment of dogs with CR over time.
Research on adjustment and utilization strategy of transformer in distribution network based on safety efficiency cost

The development of China power grid is accelerating, and the assets of the power grid are large with fast growing, the equipments are new, and the service life is short, resulting in the poor utilization of power grid assets. This paper presents an adjustment and utilization strategy based on Safety Efficiency Cost (SEC) for main transformer in distribution network to adjust and replace the transformer with light load. First, the distribution network planning model is built on the basis of the safety efficiency cost index, then the planning model is used to evaluate the selection scheme to get the optimal replacement time. Focusing on the basis of this, the main variable adjustment and utilization strategy is put forward. The feasibility and validity of the model method are verified by relevant examples.
Quantum effects in complex systems: summarizing remarks

Quantum mechanical phenomena such as coherence, spin dynamics, and tunneling have been observed in biological, electrochemical, polymeric, and many other condensed phase processes. This paper summarizes the diverse contributions to the Faraday Discussion on quantum effects in complex systems. Various processes exhibiting quantum mechanical behavior were examined using advanced spectroscopic and theoretical methods. An emerging theme was the critical importance of feedback between experiment and theory, particularly in the form of experimental testing of theoretical predictions.
Utilizing a computing lab to improve retention and recruiting of computer science and computer information science students

A computer lab specific for Computer Science/Computer Information Science (CS/CIS) majors has many benefits in recruiting and retaining students for these disciplines and provides additional educational benefits both in the class and for extra curricular activities for both students and faculty. The lab may be used for recruiting new students by providing an impressive facility for prospective students and by utilizing it for workshops offered to high school students in computer related subjects that are not typically offered on local high school campuses. For college students, the lab would promote student interaction and enhance learning by providing an environment conducive for research and experimentation in computer science. Placing this lab under the supervision of the CS/CIS department provides benefits for faculty, including faster response to new software installation and problems, and opportunities for faculty to take advantage of the lab for special course requirements such as loading a special operating system in the Operating Systems course. Hiring student workers for system administration also aids in teaching students the responsibility of interacting with customers (faculty in this case) and the need for responsiveness to customer requests.
Identification of Novel Regulators of Plant Transpiration by Large-Scale Thermal Imaging Screening in Helianthus Annuus

Plant adaptation to biotic and abiotic stresses is governed by a variety of factors, among which the regulation of stomatal aperture in response to water deficit or pathogens plays a crucial role. Identifying small molecules that regulate stomatal movement can therefore contribute to understanding the physiological basis by which plants adapt to their environment. Large-scale screening approaches that have been used to identify regulators of stomatal movement have potential limitations: some rely heavily on the abscisic acid (ABA) hormone signaling pathway, therefore excluding ABA-independent mechanisms, while others rely on the observation of indirect, long-term physiological effects such as plant growth and development. The screening method presented here allows the large-scale treatment of plants with a library of chemicals coupled with a direct quantification of their transpiration by thermal imaging. Since evaporation of water through transpiration results in leaf surface cooling, thermal imaging provides a non-invasive approach to investigate changes in stomatal conductance over time. In this protocol, Helianthus annuus seedlings are grown hydroponically and then treated by root feeding, in which the primary root is cut and dipped into the chemical being tested. Thermal imaging followed by statistical analysis of cotyledonary temperature changes over time allows for the identification of bioactive molecules modulating stomatal aperture. Our proof-of-concept experiments demonstrate that a chemical can be carried from the cut root to the cotyledon of the sunflower seedling within 10 minutes. In addition, when plants are treated with ABA as a positive control, an increase in leaf surface temperature can be detected within minutes. Our method thus allows the efficient and rapid identification of novel molecules regulating stomatal aperture.
Mixing, Diffusion and Chemical Reaction of Liquids in a Vortex Field

The process of mixing two liquids to the molecular level is extremely complex, even under conditions of laminar motion, and takes on additional complexity when the liquids react chemically. As a consequence the relatively simple example treated here has the advantage of providing a tranparent, but incisive, description of the processes that are essential in more complex situations. We consider a two-dimensional motion in which, initially, two different liquids are situated respectively in the upper and lower half-planes. At the start of motion a vortex is imposed at the origin. The interface between the two liquids, across which molecular diffusion is taking place, is distorted and stretched in a manner resembling a conventional stirring process in liquids.
Heterogeneous Multiuser QoE Enhancement Over DASH in SDN Networks

Among metrics that highly affect video quality and quality of experience (QoE), we can cite the stalling and the visual quality caused by mobile network overhead. Moreover, Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP (DASH) is widely used for video streaming to adapt the video in the current network conditions and improve the bandwidth utilization. In fact, a good rate adaptation algorithm is a novel technology can easily ameliorate the user perception and the quality of video. Although, several researches innocently estimate bandwidth from a one-sided client perspective, without taking into account other devices in the network. This behavior can trains in inequity and could potentially lower QoE for all clients. In this paper, we propose a novel approach based on Software Defined Network and DASH in order to reduce the stalling events during the video that aims to fairly enhance the QoE of multiple competing clients in a shared network environment. To do this, we first propose architecture to improve the user perception for a single user and in a second point; we generalize the proposed method for all users demanding a video service. The performance evaluation is conducted by using network simulator and the obtained results show that our approach can give significant gain in terms of user satisfaction.
Portal vein thrombosis as an initial presentation of Crohn’s disease

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are chronic and progressive conditions that can increase the risk of thromboembolism, including that of portal vein thrombosis (PVT). Overall, PVT is a serious complication with a significant associated mortality. PVTs are exclusively described in cases with confirmed IBD diagnosis. This report highlights a case of PVT as an initial manifestation of Crohn’s disease.
Developing physicochemical property-based ecotoxicity characterization factors for silver nanoparticles under mesocosm conditions for use in life cycle assessment

Global production and consumption of silver nanoparticles (nAgs) are forecasted to increase due to their applications in modern technologies. This situation raises concerns related to their environmental and human health consequences, as nAgs potentially will be released to the environment during and/or at the end of the product life cycles. Environmental impacts due to the raw materials and manufacturing of nAgs are examined throughout the literature using cradle-to-gate life cycle assessments. However, calculating nano-specific emissions resulting from nAg release is occasionally overlooked, or modeled as ionic silver, due to the lack of widely accepted characterization factors (CFs) to define the associated impact. The current study seeks to calculate CFs for nAgs by combining the principles of colloidal science with the USEtox model to be integrated to cradle-to-grave life cycle assessments. In order to control the variables while modeling the fate and behavior of nAgs, data from published mesocosm conditions are used. Effect and fate factors for CFs are calculated considering certain physicochemical properties of nAgs in the mesocosm and the composition of aquatic media. Additionally, two different scenarios are computed where the hetero-aggregation is modeled as either a removal or a transformation process, which significantly changes the final results. Considering different scenarios, a CF range is proposed as 2.19 × 103–2.34 × 105 PAF m3 day kg−1 (PAF: potentially affected fraction) for polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-coated nAgs. Moreover, as a result of sensitivity analysis, it is found that the characteristics of the suspended particulate matter largely affect the fate of nAgs under both scenarios. Results suggest that using ionic silver to model nAg release will potentially overestimate the environmental impacts.
Elionor, a Personal Life

In this chapter, Kagay tries to approach Elionor’s personality by understanding the appreciation and respect Pere III had for his third wife assessing the extremely rare coronation ceremony he arranged for her in 1352. He then attempts to fully delineate the kind of relationships the queen had with her own children, Joan, Marti, and Elionor, as well as with her younger Sicilian siblings. The author then discusses the type of manager the queen was for the courts she ruled over as well as her affection for rich food, fine clothes, and jewelry. As with so many medieval queens, Elionor spent a good deal of money supporting pious causes. She did the same in helping her husband complete the construction of a new palace in Barcelona. Tying all of these disparate elements together, the author discusses what sort of person the queen was.
Restraint of Human Skin Fibroblast Motility, Migration, and Cell Surface Actin Dynamics, by Pannexin 1 and P2X7 Receptor Signaling

Wound healing is a dynamic process required to maintain skin integrity and which relies on the precise migration of different cell types. A key molecule that regulates this process is ATP. However, the mechanisms involved in extracellular ATP management are poorly understood, particularly in the human dermis. Here, we explore the role, in human fibroblast migration during wound healing, of Pannexin 1 channels and their relationship with purinergic signals and in vivo cell surface filamentous actin dynamics. Using siRNA against Panx isoforms and different Panx1 channel inhibitors, we demonstrate in cultured human dermal fibroblasts that the absence or inhibition of Panx1 channels accelerates cell migration, increases single-cell motility, and promotes actin redistribution. These changes occur through a mechanism that involves the release of ATP to the extracellular space through a Panx1-dependent mechanism and the activation of the purinergic receptor P2X7. Together, these findings point to a pivotal role of Panx1 channels in skin fibroblast migration and suggest that these channels could be a useful pharmacological target to promote damaged skin healing.
Quasi-normal mode theory applied to elliptic-filter metasurface design

We present universal analytical criteria for the quasi-normal modes (resonances) of lossless reciprocal 2-port systems to systematically design symmetric or “antimetric” scattering responses, emphasizing compact high-order standard filters. As an application, we design microwave metasurface bandpass or bandstop elliptic filters with various orders and bandwidths.
Unsupervised feature learning for urban sound classification

Recent studies have demonstrated the potential of unsupervised feature learning for sound classification. In this paper we further explore the application of the spherical k-means algorithm for feature learning from audio signals, here in the domain of urban sound classification. Spherical k-means is a relatively simple technique that has recently been shown to be competitive with other more complex and time consuming approaches. We study how different parts of the processing pipeline influence performance, taking into account the specificities of the urban sonic environment. We evaluate our approach on the largest public dataset of urban sound sources available for research, and compare it to a baseline system based on MFCCs. We show that feature learning can outperform the baseline approach by configuring it to capture the temporal dynamics of urban sources. The results are complemented with error analysis and some proposals for future research.
Product quality for nanomaterials: current U.S. experience and perspective

In recent years, there has been an increased focus on developing novel drug delivery systems and targeted therapies through the use of nanotechnology and nanomaterials. Such focus is translating to an increasing number of investigational new drug (IND) applications, new drug applications (NDAs), and abbreviated new drug applications (ANDAs) for drug products containing nanomaterials to the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Although subject to the same rigorous regulatory standards and regulatory pathways as any drug product, unique properties that arise from the small size, large surface area, and polydispersity of nanomaterials may lead to additional scientific considerations when following current FDA guidelines and practices for drug evaluation. This review article will discuss these scientific considerations based on the experience with FDA-approved drug products containing nanomaterials.
Periostin and TGF-β-induced Protein: Two Peas in a Pod?

Periostin (PN) and TGF-β-induced protein (βig-h3) are paralogs that contain a single emilin and four fasciclin-1 modules and are secreted from cells. PN receives attention because of its up-regulation in cancer and degenerative and allergic diseases. βig-h3 is highly enriched in cornea and best known for harboring mutations in humans associated with corneal dystrophies. Both proteins are expressed widely, and many functions, some over-lapping, have been attributed to PN and βig-h3 based on biochemical, cell culture, and whole animal experiments. We attempt to organize this knowledge so as to facilitate research on these interesting and incompletely understood proteins. We focus particularly on whether PN and βig-h3 are modified by vitamin K-dependent γ-glutamyl carboxylation, a question of considerable importance given the profound effects of γ-carboxylation on structure and function of other proteins. We consider the roles of PN and βig-h3 in formation of extracellular matrix and as ligands for integrin receptors. We attempt to reconcile the contradictory results that have arisen concerning the role of PN, which has emerged as a marker of TH2 immunity, in murine models of allergic asthma. Finally, when possible we compare and contrast the structures and functions of the two proteins.
Factor Graph Modeling of Rigid-body Dynamics for Localization, Mapping, and Parameter Estimation of a Spinning Object in Space

This paper presents a new approach for solving the simultaneous localization and mapping problem for inspecting an unknown and uncooperative object that is spinning about an arbitrary axis in space. This approach probabilistically models the six degree-of-freedom rigid-body dynamics in a factor graph formulation. Using the incremental smoothing and mapping system, this method estimates a feature-based map of the target object, as well as this object's position, orientation, linear velocity, angular velocity, center of mass, principal axes, and ratios of inertia. This solves an important problem for spacecraft proximity operations. Additionally, it provides a generic framework for incorporating rigid-body dynamics that may be applied to a number of other terrestrial-based applications. To evaluate this approach, the Synchronized Position Hold Engage Reorient Experimental Satellites SPHERES were used as a testbed within the microgravity environment of the International Space Station. The SPHERES satellites, using body-mounted stereo cameras, captured a dataset of a target object that was spinning at ten rotations per minute about its unstable, intermediate axis. This dataset was used to experimentally evaluate the approach described in this paper, and it showed that it was able to estimate a geometric map and the position, orientation, linear and angular velocities, center of mass, and ratios of inertia of the target object.
Professional Values In Engineering

Engineering is widely considered to be a profession; and engineers ordinarily consider themselves professionals. But what do these words mean ? The first section of this paper will offer an account of what we mean by a profession. The second section will examine two key normative questions about any profession: who is its chief client ? and what are its central values ? I will propose that the chief client of the engineer, as a professional, is not the engineer's employer, nor only the party whose problem the engineer is working to resolve, but also the whole larger community. As a consequence, the obligations of the engineering professional include important ecological and global survival concerns.
Acute Effects of Elevation of Coronary Sinus Pressure

The acute physiologic effects of the aorta to coronary sinus anastomosis of Beck have been studied. The evidence presented shows that arterialization of the coronary sinus results in a small retrograde flow from the sinus through capillaries into the occluded artery and that such retrograde flow supplies from 14 to 25 per cent of the normal myocardial oxygen requirement. It is suggested that this is insufficient to maintain normal myocardial contraction, but probably prevents ventricular fibrillation. However, when the sinus is arterialized in the presence of normal or reduced coronary flow electrocardiographic and coronary inflow data show that there is myocardial anoxia. This is probably due to the restriction in capillary outflow and results in an expansion of the coronary vascular bed.
Development of a sustainable tourism hospitality human resources management module: a template for teaching sustainability across the curriculum.

Abstract This article presents a module to be used to teach sustainable tourism practices as part of a course in hospitality/tourism human resources management. It is designed with the intention to infuse sustainable practices into topics that would be covered in a hospitality/tourism human resources management course at an institution of higher learning. The module was developed in conjunction with the leadership of Business Enterprises for Sustainable Travel (BEST), who provided the framework, as well as formative and summative reviews throughout the development process. This module serves as a template for others to be developed for teaching sustainable tourism practices across the curriculum in hospitality/tourism programs at institutions of higher learning.
Bands of D2 and T2 originating from the lowest excited 1Σg states (1sσ)(2sσ)1Σg and (2pσ)21Σg

Abstract Bands of the two extensive band systems (1 sσ )(2 sσ ) 1 Σ g → (1 sσ )(2 pσ ) 1 Σ u and (2 pσ ) 2 1 Σ g → (1 sσ )(2 pσ ) 1 Σ u of D 2 and T 2 are presented. The initial states interact strongly and the result of this interaction is a potential curve with two minima, such as computed by Davidson, with which the observations are compatible. The lower vibrational states can be assigned to the individual minima, the higher ones are clearly above the intervening maximum. The presence of perturbations and the comparison between the isotopes result in a fairly definite assignment of all vibrational quantum numbers, even though the low states belonging to the far minimum have not yet been located empirically.
Human sweat components — Attractancy and repellency to mosquitoes

Es wird gezeigt, dass menschliche Schweissabsonderungen verschiedener Versuchspersonen auf weibliche Moskitos (Aedes aegypti) verschieden attraktiv sind. Mit Diethylather (pH 1) lassen sich im Schweiss sowohl «anlockende» wie auch «abschreckende» Bestandteile extrahieren. Fur den «repellent effect» sind teilweise gleiche Mischungen von Milchsaure und Milchsaureanhydrid verantwortlich. Zwei weitere, noch nicht identifizierte Substanzen zeigten im Zwei-Kammer-Olfaktometer identische «repellent» Wirkungen.
Scientists and Education/Outreach Professionals Invited to Present at Exploration Station

The AGU Education department is getting ready for another Exploration Station in San Francisco as part of the annual Fall Meeting. Registration for presenters is now open; we invite members to consider becoming a part of this event.