cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Retrieval techniques for airborne imaging of methane concentrations using high spatial and moderate spectral resolution: application to AVIRIS

Abstract. Two quantitative retrieval techniques were evaluated to estimate methane (CH4) enhancement in concentrated plumes using high spatial and moderate spectral resolution data from the Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS). An iterative maximum a posteriori differential optical absorption spectroscopy (IMAP-DOAS) algorithm performed well for an ocean scene containing natural CH4 emissions from the Coal Oil Point (COP) seep field near Santa Barbara, California. IMAP-DOAS retrieval precision errors are expected to equal between 0.31 to 0.61 ppm CH4 over the lowest atmospheric layer (height up to 1.04 km), corresponding to about a 30 to 60 ppm error for a 10 m thick plume. However, IMAP-DOAS results for a terrestrial scene were adversely influenced by the underlying land cover. A hybrid approach using singular value decomposition (SVD) was particularly effective for terrestrial surfaces because it could better account for spectral variability in surface reflectance. Using this approach, a CH4 plume was observed extending 0.1 km downwind of two hydrocarbon storage tanks at the Inglewood Oil Field in Los Angeles, California (USA) with a maximum near surface enhancement of 8.45 ppm above background. At COP, the distinct plume had a maximum enhancement of 2.85 ppm CH4 above background, and extended more than 1 km downwind of known seep locations. A sensitivity analysis also indicates CH4 sensitivity should be more than doubled for the next generation AVIRIS sensor (AVIRISng) due to improved spectral resolution and sampling. AVIRIS-like sensors offer the potential to better constrain emissions on local and regional scales, including sources of increasing concern like industrial point source emissions and fugitive CH4 from the oil and gas industry.
Cholestenoic Acid Is a Naturally Occurring Ligand for Liver X Receptor α1

Excessive cholesterol is eliminated from extrahepatic cells by reverse cholesterol transport, a process by which neutral sterols are transferred to extracellular acceptor lipoproteins for further transport to the liver. Another process independent of lipoproteins involves excretion of 3β-hydroxy-5-cholesten-25(R)-26-carboxylic (cholestenoic) acid, a metabolite of 27-hydroxycholesterol. Physiological concentrations of cholestenoic acid activated the nuclear receptor liver X receptor α (LXRα; NR1H3), but not other oxysterol receptors. As a ligand, cholestenoic acid modulated interaction of LXRα with the nuclear receptor coactivator Grip-1. Cholestenoic acid, therefore, may function as a signaling molecule for regulation of lipid metabolism via LXRα.
SURVIVAL OF SCAUP DUCKLINGS IN THE BOREAL FOREST OF ALASKA

Abstract We studied duckling survival of lesser (Aythya affinis) and greater (A. marila) scaup at Minto Flats, Alaska during 2002–2003. We captured and marked 42 female scaup during the study, and we subsequently monitored survival of 32 scaup broods with 284 ducklings. Daily Survival Rate (DSR) of ducklings varied between years and was positively related to female body condition and duckling age. Estimated duckling survival to 30 days for both species of scaup was 0.24 (95% CI: 0.16 to 0.36) in 2002 and 0.03 (95% CI: 0.00 to 0.19) in 2003. Because we obtained little support for relationships between environmental covariates and duckling survival, we speculated that most of the variation between years could have been related to high rates of predation by gulls (Larus spp.) during 2003. Estimated recruitment of female scaup to 30 days (clutch size * nest survival * duckling survival * 0.5) was 0.30 (SE = 0.19) in 2002 and 0.01 (SE = 0.01) in 2003. Given the low recruitment we observed at Minto Flats and th...
Periodontal host modulation with antiproteinase, anti-inflammatory, and bone-sparing agents. A systematic review.

Background:The use of modulating agents, including inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) with antiproteinases, blocking production of proinflammatory cytokines and prostaglandins with antiinflammatory drugs, and inhibiting activation of osteoclasts with bone-sparing agents, has been postulated to be of therapeutic value as an adjunctive therapy to the management of chronic periodontitis. Rationale:The objective of this systematic review of the literature was to assess the adjunctive efficacy of antiproteinase, anti-inflammatory, and bone-sparing host-modulating agents in the treatment of gingivitis, aggressive periodontitis, and chronic periodontitis. Focused Questions 1. In patients with periodontal diseases, what is the effect of host-modulation agents, alone or combined with conventional therapy, compared to conventional therapy alone as assessed by clinical, radiographic, adverse, and patient-centered outcomes? 2. In patients with dental implants, what is the effect of host-modulation agents ...
Generation Planning Under Uncertainty with Variable Resources

In this chapter we discuss generation expansion planning in systems with variable resources. The variability and uncertainty in renewable resources like wind and solar power pose new challenges from a long-term planning perspective. There is clearly a need to introduce cleaner sources of electricity generation for environmental reasons. However, at the same time, system reliability must be maintained while trying to minimize the total cost of meeting the electricity demand. We use a stochastic dynamic optimization model to analyze optimal expansion decisions considering uncertainty in wind power generation as well as future load. In a case study, we focus on the Sao Miguel Island and investigate how the uncertainty and variability in wind power and load impact optimal expansion decisions in the long run. We show that wind power is a cost-efficient expansion alternative on Sao Miguel, but that some dispatchable generation is also needed to compensate for the variability and uncertainty in wind power. We also analyze how demand response contributes to change the optimal portfolio of supply resources.
Molecular Mechanism of V(D)J Recombination from Synaptic RAG1-RAG2 Complex Structures

Diverse repertoires of antigen-receptor genes that result from combinatorial splicing of coding segments by V(D)J recombination are hallmarks of vertebrate immunity. The (RAG1-RAG2)2 recombinase (RAG) recognizes recombination signal sequences (RSSs) containing a heptamer, a spacer of 12 or 23 base pairs, and a nonamer (12-RSS or 23-RSS) and introduces precise breaks at RSS-coding segment junctions. RAG forms synaptic complexes only with one 12-RSS and one 23-RSS, a dogma known as the 12/23 rule that governs the recombination fidelity. We report cryo-electron microscopy structures of synaptic RAG complexes at up to 3.4 A resolution, which reveal a closed conformation with base flipping and base-specific recognition of RSSs. Distortion at RSS-coding segment junctions and base flipping in coding segments uncover the two-metal-ion catalytic mechanism. Induced asymmetry involving tilting of the nonamer-binding domain dimer of RAG1 upon binding of HMGB1-bent 12-RSS or 23-RSS underlies the molecular mechanism for the 12/23 rule.
Abstract 103: Mobile Telestroke During Ambulance Transport is Feasible in a Rural EMS setting - pilot data from the Improving Treatment with Rapid Evaluation of Acute stroke via mobile Telemedicine (iTREAT) study

Introduction: The American Heart Association-American Stroke Association (AHA-ASA) Target:Stroke iniative calls for innovative approaches to prehospital stroke care. We hypothesize that mobile telestroke from a hospital-based neurologist to an ambulance-based provider, using tablet devices and commercially available broadband, will facilitate earlier stroke diagnosis and more accurate prenotification to reduce stroke onset-to-treatment times. Methods: We assessed the technical feasibility of mobile teleconferencing along the six common rural emergency medical service (EMS) routes into the University of Virginia Medical Center, allowing a minimum travel time of 15 minutes and continuous connectivity of 5 minutes. Our mobile telestroke platform included Apple iPad with retina display, high-speed 4G LTE modem, Cisco Jabber secure video conferencing application, and magnetic-mount external antennae. Continuous mobile connectivity was facilitated through the commercial Verizon Wireless network. Continuous tran...
Characteristics of Future Agricultural Animals

Writing a short chapter on a topic such as “Characteristics of Future Agricultural Animals” by necessity entails considerable arbitrariness. One is confronted immediately with the need to define or at least delimit the words agriculture, animals, and future. Furthermore, one must decide whether to limit considerations to a particular country or group of coun tries. One also must make tacit assumptions about economic growth, international cooperation, lack of major destructive wars, sociological phenomena such as animal rights movements, and the nature of our own species including curiosity, selfishness, intelligence, etc. Worse yet, this is not an appropriate task for one whose training and subsequent employment have been in mammalian reproductive physiology. Probably my best credential is having grown up on a farm.
Disease detection by ultrasensitive quantification of microdosed synthetic urinary biomarkers.

The delivery of exogenous agents can enable noninvasive disease monitoring, but existing low-dose approaches require complex infrastructure. In this paper, we describe a microdose-scale injectable formulation of nanoparticles that interrogate the activity of thrombin, a key regulator of clotting, and produce urinary reporters of disease state. We establish a customized single molecule detection assay that enables urinary discrimination of thromboembolic disease in mice using doses of the nanoparticulate diagnostic agents that fall under regulatory guidelines for “microdosing.”
Beef cattle performance and forage characteristics of continuous, 6-paddock, and 11-paddock grazing systems.

Heifer performance, diet composition, and forage composition were compared during rotational and continuous grazing of mixed pasture (alfalfa, tall fescue, orchardgrass). One hundred eighteen yearling heifers were used to compare the three grazing systems during 2 yr. Treatments included continuous (CONT), 6-paddock rotational (6-PADD), and 11-paddock rotational grazing (11-PADD). Rotational paddocks were grazed for 6 d (6-PADD) and 3 d (11-PADD). All rotational paddocks were rested for 30 d. Put-and-take heifers were used to maintain forage availability and measure stocking rate. Forage availability was determined using a rising-plate meter. One ruminally fistulated heifer grazed each pasture during the 1st yr to obtain composition estimates from reticulorumen evacuation samples. Standing forage was sampled before and after grazing to obtain forage availability and nutrient composition during the 1st yr. Daily gain did not differ (P > .5) among treatments. Rotationally grazed pastures had higher (P .4) among treatments. Diet quality and forage digestibility were similar among treatments. Rotational grazing increased beef production per hectare by increasing stocking rate without decreasing daily gain or diet quality compared with a continuous grazing system.
Glycosaminoglycans contribute to extracellular matrix fiber recruitment and arterial wall mechanics

Elastic and collagen fibers are well known to be the major load-bearing extracellular matrix (ECM) components of the arterial wall. Studies of the structural components and mechanics of arterial ECM generally focus on elastin and collagen fibers, and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are often neglected. Although GAGs represent only a small component of the vessel wall ECM, they are considerably important because of their diverse functionality and their role in pathological processes. The goal of this study was to study the mechanical and structural contributions of GAGs to the arterial wall. Biaxial tensile testing was paired with multiphoton microscopic imaging of elastic and collagen fibers in order to establish the structure-function relationships of porcine thoracic aorta before and after enzymatic GAG removal. Removal of GAGs results in an earlier transition point of the nonlinear stress-strain curves [Formula: see text]. However, stiffness was not significantly different after GAG removal treatment, indicating earlier but not absolute stiffening. Multiphoton microscopy showed that when GAGs are removed, the adventitial collagen fibers are straighter, and both elastin and collagen fibers are recruited at lower levels of strain, in agreement with the mechanical change. The amount of stress relaxation also decreased in GAG-depleted arteries [Formula: see text]. These findings suggest that the interaction between GAGs and other ECM constituents plays an important role in the mechanics of the arterial wall, and GAGs should be considered in addition to elastic and collagen fibers when studying arterial function.
Posterolateral Instability in Sportsmen

Posterolateral rotatory instability (PLRI) is a pathologic condition affecting those with disrupted lateral collateral ligament (LCL) complexes. It consists of subluxation of the radiohumeral joint leading to pain, snapping, and giving way of the elbow joint. Everyone from the general population to advanced athletes can suffer from this injury. A history of an elbow dislocation is a common incidence that leads to PLRI. Athletic populations at risk for this injury include any of the contact sports and those at risk during falls; examples include wrestlers, gymnasts, skaters, and basketball and football players. The first described physical exam maneuver was the lateral pivot shift test that could be used to detect this problem. Diagnosis is best confirmed with magnetic resonance imaging arthrography of the afflicted joint to confirm disruption of the LCLs. Nonoperative treatment can be used in a select patient population; however, if the ligaments fail to heal, then surgical intervention may be indicated to manage this injury. Multiple methods have been described including open surgery with plication or grafting and arthroscopic repair, plication, and grafting. Reports on the results of surgery indicate a high success rate in return to play after surgical intervention and appropriate rehabilitation.
Exploring the Value of Personality in Predicting Rating Behaviors: A Study of Category Preferences on MovieLens

Prior work relevant to incorporating personality into recommender systems falls into two categories: social science studies and algorithmic ones. Social science studies of preference have found only small relationships between personality and category preferences, whereas, algorithmic approaches found a little improvement when incorporating personality into recommendations. As a result, despite good reasons to believe personality assessments should be useful in recommenders, we are left with no substantial demonstrated impact. In this work, we start with user data from a live recommender system, but study category-by-category variations in preference (both rating levels and distribution) across different personality types. By doing this, we hope to isolate specific areas where personality is most likely to provide value in recommender systems, while also modeling an analytic process that can be used in other domains. After controlling for the family-wise error rate, we find that High Agreeableness users rate at least 0.5 stars higher on a 5-star scale compared to low Agreeableness users. We also find differences in consumption in four different personality types between people who manifested high and low levels of that personality.
Virologic Differences Do Not Fully Explain the Diversification of Swine Influenza Viruses in the United States

Influenza A(H1N1) viruses entered the U.S. swine population following the 1918 pandemic and remained genetically stable for roughly 80 years. In 1998, there was an outbreak of influenza-like illness among swine that was caused by A(H3N2) viruses containing the triple reassortant internal gene (TRIG) cassette. Following the TRIG cassette emergence, numerous reassortant viruses were isolated in nature, suggesting that the TRIG virus had an enhanced ability to reassort compared to the classical swine virus. The present study was designed to quantify the relative reassortment capacities of classical and TRIG swine viruses. Reverse genetic viruses were generated from the classical H1N1 virus A/swine/MN/37866/1999 (MN/99), the TRIG virus A/swine/NC/18161/2002 (NC/02), and a seasonal human H3N2 virus, A/TX/6/1996 (TX/96), to measure in vitro reassortment and growth potentials. After coinfection with NC/02 or MN/99 plus TX/96, H1/H3 double-positive cells were identified. Delayed TX/96 infection was fully excluded by both swine viruses. We then analyzed reassortant H3 viruses. Seventy-seven of 81 (95.1%) TX/96-NC/02 reassortants contained at least one polymerase gene segment from NC/02, whereas only 34 of 61 (55.7%) MN/99-TX/96 reassortants contained at least one polymerase gene segment from MN/99. Additionally, 38 of 81 (46.9%) NC/02-TX/96 reassortants contained all NC/02 polymerase gene segments, while none of the MN/99-TX/96 reassortants contained all MN/99 polymerase genes. There were 21 H3 reassortants between MN/99 and TX/96, compared to only 17 H3 reassortants between NC/02 and TX/96. Overall, the results indicate that there are no distinct differences in the ability of the TRIG to reassort with a human virus compared to the classical swine virus. IMPORTANCE There appear to be no differences in the abilities of classical swine and TRIG swine viruses to exclude a second virus, suggesting that under the right circumstances both viruses have similar opportunities to reassort. The increased percentage of TRIG polymerase gene segments in reassortant H3 viruses indicates that these viruses may be more compatible with gene segments from other viruses; however, this needs to be investigated further. Nevertheless, the classical swine virus also showed the ability to reassort, suggesting that factors other than reassortment capacity alone are responsible for the different epidemiologies of TRIG and classical swine viruses. The post-TRIG diversity was likely driven by increased intensive farming practices rather than virologic properties. Our results indicate that host ecology can be a significant factor in viral evolution.
Comparisons of Historical Process Estimates with Tank Waste Assays

There are few problems within the U.S. DOE complex as difficult as is the disposition of DOE’s fifty-year legacy of defense wastes. This problem faces all of DOE’s facilities to some extent, but none have such a large and complicated waste history as the Hanford Site. The Hanford Site represents DOE’s most complex waste site because it not only involves the majority of waste and that waste is the most complicated, but also because the Hanford Site involves a multitude of interlocking and overlapping issues.
Biomimetic Sniffing Improves the Detection Performance of a 3D Printed Nose of a Dog and a Commercial Trace Vapor Detector

Unlike current chemical trace detection technology, dogs actively sniff to acquire an odor sample. Flow visualization experiments with an anatomically-similar 3D printed dog’s nose revealed the external aerodynamics during canine sniffing, where ventral-laterally expired air jets entrain odorant-laden air toward the nose, thereby extending the “aerodynamic reach” for inspiration of otherwise inaccessible odors. Chemical sampling and detection experiments quantified two modes of operation with the artificial nose-active sniffing and continuous inspiration-and demonstrated an increase in odorant detection by a factor of up to 18 for active sniffing. A 16-fold improvement in detection was demonstrated with a commercially-available explosives detector by applying this bio-inspired design principle and making the device “sniff” like a dog. These lessons learned from the dog may benefit the next-generation of vapor samplers for explosives, narcotics, pathogens, or even cancer, and could inform future bio-inspired designs for optimized sampling of odor plumes.
Forces between a rigid probe particle and a liquid interface: III. Extraction of the planar half-space interaction energy E(D)

Abstract The deformation of a liquid drop (radius R0) under the probe particle (radius a) greatly complicates the interpretation by atomic force microscopy. For rigid interfaces, F(ΔX) can be directly related to the interaction energy E(D) per unit area between planar half-spaces of probe material and drop material across a thickness D of the liquid medium by the Derjaguin approximation, F( Δ X 0 +D 0 )= 2π (1/a+1/R 0 ) E(D 0 ), where D0 is the intersurface separation distance on the line of the centers of the bodies and ΔX0 is a constant set by the somewhat arbitrary choice of origin for the separation distance ΔX between the stage on which the drop rests and the lowest point on the probe particle. The problem of absolute intersurface separation distance is common to all surface force measurement techniques. For rigid interfaces, ΔX0 may be established by bringing the surfaces into close (essentially hard) contact and making measurements in the constant compliance regime. For deformable interfaces, this is not possible and a general method of extracting the absolute separation distance has yet to be devised. In this paper we discuss a general algorithm for extracting E(D+ΔX0) from F(ΔX) data. We apply the method to constructed data to investigate the effect of data noise and to a set of real data for a sessile tetradecane droplet in water with an anionic surfactant and a bare silica probe.
Using Graph-based Visualizations to Explore Key Performance Indicator Relationships for Manufacturing Production Systems ☆

Abstract Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are crucial for measuring and improving the performance of a manufacturing process. An especially critical aspect of developing balanced process performance improvement strategies across all critical objectives is the need to discover the inherent relationships between all KPIs assigned to a targeted manufacturing process. This paper explores graph-based visual representations of the analytic relationships between KPIs and their underlying metrics to uncover and describe KPI relationships. Lessons learned are summarized as a list of requirements for the development of an interactive prototype that will allow users to dynamically explore KPI-related interdependencies through graph-based visualizations.
Design parameters and torque profile modification of a spring-assisted hand-opening exoskeleton module

There is a growing demand for functional rehabilitation orthotics that can effectively assist in patient recovery from motor impairments after stroke. The hand in particular is a complex system that has proven difficult to mimic with current exoskeleton technologies. This paper presents data-driven design parameters to increase the functionality and improve the assistance profile of the ArmAssist-2.0 hand module. Improvements from the previous model include adjustable linkages to fulfill the largest population of users, new joint locations to more accurately represent biomechanics of the hand, and a more impairment-appropriate torque profile to assist in hand opening, adjustable through interchangeable springs. In most passive hand orthoses, assistance forces tend to decrease as the hand and thumb extend, opposite the needs of a typical patient hand. This project utilizes a variable spring moment arm about the revolute axes to match common patient impairment more accurately. The revised assistance profile for the hand maintains a nearly linear relationship. Results conclude that the final assembled device fits comfortably in the hand with noticeable improvements in joint locations, adjustability, and the force profile for the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint. An issue arises with the extension of the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint due to the nature of rapidly changing moment arms and multiple springs in series. The issue and possible solutions are discussed.
Identification of N-{cis-3-[Methyl(7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yl)amino]cyclobutyl}propane-1-sulfonamide (PF-04965842): A Selective JAK1 Clinical Candidate for the Treatment of Autoimmune Diseases.

Janus kinases (JAKs) are intracellular tyrosine kinases that mediate the signaling of numerous cytokines and growth factors involved in the regulation of immunity, inflammation, and hematopoiesis. As JAK1 pairs with JAK2, JAK3, and TYK2, a JAK1-selective inhibitor would be expected to inhibit many cytokines involved in inflammation and immune function while avoiding inhibition of the JAK2 homodimer regulating erythropoietin and thrombopoietin signaling. Our efforts began with tofacitinib, an oral JAK inhibitor approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Through modification of the 3-aminopiperidine linker in tofacitinib, we discovered highly selective JAK1 inhibitors with nanomolar potency in a human whole blood assay. Improvements in JAK1 potency and selectivity were achieved via structural modifications suggested by X-ray crystallographic analysis. After demonstrating efficacy in a rat adjuvant-induced arthritis (rAIA) model, PF-04965842 (25) was nominated as a clinical candidate for the treatme...
Vascular differentiation from pluripotent stem cells in 3-D auxetic scaffolds.

Auxetic scaffolds, that is, scaffolds that can display negative Poisson's ratio, have unique physical properties and can expand transversally when axially strained or contract under compression. Auxetic materials have been used for bioprostheses and artery stents due to the enhanced compressive strength and shear stiffness. In vascular tissue engineering, auxetic scaffolds allow the widening of blood vessels when blood flows through (creating compressive stress) to prevent the blockage. However, the influence of auxetic materials on the cellular fate decision in local environment is unclear. In this study, auxetic polyurethane foams were used to support vascular differentiation from pluripotent stem cells. The expression of alkaline phosphatase, Oct-4, and Nanog was lower after 4 days of differentiation for the cells grown in auxetic scaffolds. Higher expression of vascular markers CD31 and VE-cadherin was observed for the cells from auxetic scaffolds compared with those from the scaffolds before auxetic conversion. Little influence on the expression of cardiac marker α-actinin was observed. The vascular cells secreted extracellular matrix proteins vitronectin and laminin and expressed membrane-bound matrix metalloproteinase 9. The examination of Yes-associated protein expression indicated more cytoplasmic retention in the cells from auxetic scaffolds compared with those from regular scaffolds, suggesting that the auxetic scaffolds may affect cellular contraction. This study demonstrates a novel 3-D culture based on auxetic scaffolds for vascular differentiation and provides a platform to study the influence of biophysical microenvironments on differentiation of pluripotent stem cells. The outcome of this study has implications for regenerative medicine and drug discovery.
Early rehabilitation for volumetric muscle loss injury augments endogenous regenerative aspects of muscle strength and oxidative capacity

Volumetric muscle loss (VML) injuries occur due to orthopaedic trauma or the surgical removal of skeletal muscle and result in debilitating long-term functional deficits. Current treatment strategies do not promote significant restoration of function; additionally appropriate evidenced-based practice physical therapy paradigms have yet to be established. The objective of this study was to develop and evaluate early rehabilitation paradigms of passive range of motion and electrical stimulation in isolation or combination to understand the genetic and functional response in the tissue remaining after a multi-muscle VML injury. Adult male mice underwent an ~ 20% multi-muscle VML injury to the posterior compartment (gastrocnemius, soleus, and plantaris muscle) unilaterally and were randomized to rehabilitation paradigm twice per week beginning 2 days post-injury or no treatment. The most salient findings of this work are: 1) that the remaining muscle tissue after VML injury was adaptable in terms of improved muscle strength and mitigation of stiffness; but 2) not adaptable to improvements in metabolic capacity. Furthermore, biochemical (i.e., collagen content) and gene (i.e., gene arrays) assays suggest that functional adaptations may reflect changes in the biomechanical properties of the remaining tissue due to the cellular deposition of non-contractile tissue in the void left by the VML injury and/or differentiation of gene expression with early rehabilitation. Collectively this work provides evidence of genetic and functional plasticity in the remaining skeletal muscle with early rehabilitation approaches, which may facilitate future evidenced-based practice of early rehabilitation at the clinical level.
Experience and Quasi-Experience

This chapter provides a coherently conceivable account of the realization of our experience, which meshes with the coherently conceivable and apparently plausible account of our capacity for thought beyond experience developed in Chapter Thirteen. It also concerns the realization of what I call “the primary imagination”. Section 1 concerns experience, Section 2 the primary imagination.
Mid-Cretaceous angiosperm radiation and an asterid origin of bilaterality: diverse and extinct "Ericales" from New Jersey.

Premise of the study Numerous fossils from the Upper Cretaceous have been confidently placed within modern crown groups. Many 95-75 Myr-old taxa, however, including the taxon described herein, do not fit well with known extant crown or stem groups. Understanding such fossils and their possible affinities would certainly enhance our understanding of the circumstances involved in a major eudicot radiation. Methods Bulk samples from the Old Crossman Clay Pit were prepared using standard methodology, which includes several washing and sieving steps, and a treatment with hydrofluoric acid. The fossil taxon was coded into a matrix built from the combination of two previously published morphological matrices and was analyzed using the parsimony criterion with the computer program TNT. Key results The fossils have a unique combination of characters relative to living and fossil Ericales taxa, and therefore, a new genus, Teuschestanthes, is erected. Mosaic evolution and rapid parallel changes in such groups blur taxonomic distinctions, and these issues are exacerbated by limited numbers of characters available in fossils. Teuschestanthes flowers are slightly bilaterally symmetrical and somewhat variable with regard to petal disposition, suggesting an early stage in transition to bilaterality from radial symmetry early in eudicot history under pollinator selective pressure. Conclusions While Teuschestanthes shares characters with modern Ericales and Sapindales, there are significant non-overlapping differences between Teuschestanthes and modern Sapindales (notably, among others, ovule number). Based on available evidence, however, the position of Teuschestanthes is likely as an early offshoot of the stem clade of core Ericales (Ericales sensu stricto). Its relatively unstable floral plan may presage subsequent bilaterality associated with growing selective pressure by advanced pollinators.
How to be a Good Coauthor: Advice for Ph.D. Students and Junior Faculty

ABSTRACT Success in publishing accounting research often requires success in multiple coauthoring relationships. Given the importance and prevalence of coauthoring, our paper provides comprehensive...
Antipredator response diminishes during periods of resource deficit for a large herbivore

The starvation-predation hypothesis predicts that, during resource shortages, prey forego antipredator behavior and forage as much as possible to avoid starvation, even when risk of predation is high. We tested this hypothesis using GPS locations collected simultaneously from moose (Alces alces) and wolves (Canis lupus) in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem of North America. We assessed shifts in the speed, displacement, and habitat selection of moose 24 h following encounter with wolves (0-1,500 m distance). We examined whether the strength of antipredator behaviors would weaken as winter progressed and the nutritional condition of moose declined. Moose responded to wolf encounters by increasing their rate of movement in early winter, but only within 500 m distance. Importantly, these responses attenuated as winter progressed. Moose did not avoid their preferred foraging habitat (riparian areas) following encounters with wolves at any distance, and instead they more strongly selected riparian areas, especially in early winter. Our findings support theoretical predictions that resource deficits should dampen prey antipredator behavior, and suggest that nutritional condition of prey may buffer against run-away risk effects in food webs involving large mammalian predators and prey.
Mutation Rate and Excess African Heterozygosity

Global studies of within-group genetic variation have revealed a tendency for some traits, but not all, to show higher heterozygosity in sub-Saharan African populations. Although excess African diversity has been interpreted as reflecting a greater "age" of sub-Saharan African populations, more recent research has shown that this excess is more likely a consequence of a larger African long-term effective population size. The observation that certain traits, particularly classic genetic markers and RFLPs, do not show this pattern has been interpreted as ascertainment bias. Here, I examine another possible factor: that excess African heterozygosity is in part a function of mutation rate. Simple equilibrium and nonequilibrium models of absolute excess heterozygosity are examined. The results indicate that there is little excess African heterozygosity for traits with low mutation rates and greater excess heterozygosity for traits with moderate to high aggregate mutation rates. Observed data are consistent with these models. Also, depending on population size and time depth, traits with high levels of mutation might show less excess heterozygosity than those with moderate to high mutation rates. Another measure of diversity, mean sequence divergence, shows an increase in excess diversity for traits with high mutation rates.
From algorithmic disengagement to algorithmic activism: Charting social media users’ responses to news filtering algorithms

Abstract This study investigated the responses of social media users encountering algorithms. Surveying 3441 Americans, four types of users were identified through latent class analysis: 1) the disengaged who don’t exhibit much conscious responses; 2) the negative curators who mainly unfollow and block connections to consume less news; 3) the positive curators who mainly follow and add connections to consume more news; 4) the activists who attempt to challenge the algorithms. It is also found that the users’ level of Internet skills and political efficacy influenced their engagement with algorithms such that those with higher Internet skills and political efficacy were more likely to be classified as activists. The findings of this study resonate with the existing digital divide research that suggest human psychology and capacity determine meaningful technology use. Overall, this study’s focus on users shifts the understanding of algorithms from a technical force to a social and personal one.
Place-Based Food and Farming Systems: Reconnecting People with Purpose and Place

First paragraphs: We are living through a time of fundamental change in human society, as is becoming increasingly clear. Climate change, fossil energy depletion, loss of biodiversity, and growing social and economic equity all threaten the future of human civilization. Only the most adamant deniers fail to accept the necessity for change. The primary point of contention seems to be whether the cur­rent global challenges can be met by transitioning to a new phase of economic development or instead will require a fundamental transformation to a new era of human development. Defenders of economic growth as the primary indicator of progress tend to place their faith in future technological developments that will be motivated by economic incentives. As the chal­lenges of climate change and fossil energy deple­tion grow more critical and are better understood, economic incentives for the development of tech­nologies to mitigate the negative impacts on society will increase. Market economies respond to scar­city. As clean air and clean energy become scarcer, they become more economically valuable. Greater economic incentives will provide motivation for new technologies to mitigate climate change and develop substitutes for fossil energy. Whenever public policies are deemed necessary, “market-based” solutions are favored over government regulations and restraints. . . . See the press release for this article.
Actuator selection and sizing for valves

An actuator is a machine or component installed on the top of an industrial valve for automatically moving and controlling the valve. The performance of a valve is largely dependent on its actuator. Three factors are important for engineers to consider when selecting an actuator: frequency of operation, ease of access, and critical functions. Valve actuators should perform several functions including moving the valve closure member to an appropriate position, holding the valve closure member in the desired position, providing enough force or torque for seating the closure member and meeting the required shut down leakage class, providing fully open or fully close or failure mode as is, or providing a certain amount of closure member rotation with the right speed. In general, actuator can be hydraulic, pneumatic or electrical. This paper discusses the mechanism plus advantages and disadvantages of these three types of actuators. Affected parameters for actuator selection include the availability of a power source, torque and size of the valve, failure mode, speed of operation, frequency and ease of operation, control accessories, hazardous area, and cost. This paper presents a case study of breakaway torque (break to open) calculation and actuator sizing for a full-bore ball valve in pressure Class 300 equal to 50 barg nominal pressure and 22Cr duplex body material. The valve is fail close with an emergency shut down function, and a pneumatic actuator was selected for the valve. Fail close means that the valve will close in case of losing the power used as a source of actuator operation. Other four torque values were provided from the valve supplier. The calculated breakaway valve force and torque were used as a basis for actuator air cylinder sizing assuming air pressure of 7 barg and system efficiency of 90%. Force and torque for closing the valve were used to calculate the spring movement as well as spring piston length through Hook’s law.
Influence of physical properties of peat-based potting mixes substituted with parboiled rice hulls on plant growth under two irrigation regimes

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of physical properties of peat-based substrate mixtures partially substituted with parboiled rice hulls (PRH) on plant growth and performance. Thirteen substrate mixtures were formulated by substituting 0, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, or 70% peat with either parboiled ground rice hulls (GRH) or whole rice hulls (WRH) (by volume) in commercial potting mix (CPM) containing 70% peat, 20% perlite, and 10% vermiculite. All substrate mixtures consisted of mainly medium-sized (2.0–0.25 mm) particles. However, regardless of the mixing ratio, GRH significantly increased the medium-sized particles especially with diameters of 2.0–0.71 mm, while WRH increased both the medium- and coarse-sized (> 2.0 mm) particles. A higher mixing ratio of PRH increased air space and decreased container capacity but to a greater extent by WRH compared to GRH. Similarly, bulk density was increased with a higher mixing ratio of both types of PRH, but to a greater degree by GRH. Total porosity of GRH-containing substrates was similar to that of CPM within the range of 30–70%. The substrate mixtures containing PRH did not have the same physical properties as the CPM at any mixing ratio, but the values of some GRH-containing mixtures were within or close to the suggested ranges for greenhouse substrates. Considering the maximum substitution of PRH for peat, the substitution with 40% GRH (GRH-40) was selected for a plant growth study in comparison to CPM. Petunia (Petunia × hybrida) ‘Easy Wave Neon Rose’ and zinnia (Zinnia elegans) ‘Benary’s Giant Golden Yellow’ were grown in pots containing CPM and GRH-40 at two irrigation levels: high (25–30%, by volume) and low (20–25%). Overall, shoot DW of both plant species was reduced in GRH-40, but root DW was maintained similar to those in CPM. The low irrigation level more significantly reduced shoot DW of petunia grown in CPM than in GRH-40, relative to their counterparts with the high irrigation level (20 and 7%, respectively); however, root growth of plant species grown in GRH-40 was either maintained or tended to be maintained even at the low irrigation level compared to their high irrigation counterparts. The water use efficiency of plants grown in GRH-40 was not significantly different from those in CPM regardless of irrigation level. These results indicate that GRH-40 provides desirable physical properties and water release characteristics, allowing more available water for plants under low irrigation levels than CPM. We concluded that substituting peat with 40% GRH in a commercial potting mix is a sustainable approach to produce petunia and zinnia.
L’espace diégétique comme espace d’exil dans L’ingratitude de Ying Chen

L’espace diegetique fait souvent echo a l’espace d’exil dans la litterature contemporaine. Dans le roman L’ingratitude (1995) de Ying Chen, cet agencement s’articule comme une heterotopie a l’inter...
Active Learning Principles with Illustrations from Shakespeare Education

AbstractActive learning challenges students to learn through experience and reflection on what they have done (Frost, Levitt, and Kosslyn 2017). As this pedagogy has developed, the principles have ...
A Mixed-Methods Evaluation of a Novel Food Pantry in a Pediatric Primary Care Center:

Evidence suggests that management of food insecurity in primary care may enhance preventive care delivery. This study assessed the impact of a food pantry in a pediatric primary care center over 22 months. Quantitative outcome assessments (number of children affected, number of referrals, and completion of preventative services) compared the child receiving food from the pantry to age-matched controls. Commonalities from interviews with pantry-using families were identified using thematic analysis. A total of 504 index patients received food from the pantry during an office visit. There were 546 in-clinic and community referrals. There was no significant relationship between accessing the pantry and preventative service completion by 27 months of age. Themes that emerged during interviews included the need for an emergency food source, facilitation of referrals, and increased trust in the clinic. An in-clinic food pantry is a feasible and family-welcomed approach to address food insecurity in pediatric primary care.
Determination of constitutive relation from miniature tensile test with digital image correlation

The determination of constitutive relation from the miniature tensile test is of high interest in multiple areas. Here, a convenient experimental method is proposed to determine the true stress–str...
Low-Resolution Limited Feedback for mmWave NOMA Communications

The spectrum-efficient millimeter-wave (mmWave) communications has recently attracted much attention as a viable solution to spectrum crunch problem. In this work, we propose a novel non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) framework, which makes use of the directional propagation characteristics of mmWave communications so as to improve the spectral efficiency through non-orthogonal signaling. In particular, we consider one-bit quantized angle information as a limited yet effective feedback scheme describing the channel quality of user equipment (UE) in mmWave bands. The UE pairs for NOMA transmission are then established using not only the one-bit distance feedback as a classical approach, but also the one-bit angle feedback. The numerical results verify that the respective transmission scheme, which is referred to as two-bit NOMA, outperforms the sum-rate performance of angle- or distance-only one-bit NOMA schemes. We also investigate impact of the quantization threshold and size of the user region on the overall sum rate performance, which reveal the practical circumstances making the proposed two-bit NOMA a promising strategy.
Stem Cell Therapy for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a challenging disease characterized by progressive loss of motor neurons. This is manifested in deterioration of strength, gait, speech, swallowing, respiratory function, and eventually leads to death. A major hurdle in development of effective therapy is rooted in the multifactorial nature of ALS pathophysiology. Cell-based therapies, in particular stem cells, have emerged as a promising therapeutic option. Stem cells have the capacity to modulate the local environment by multiple simultaneous mechanisms and promote survival of motor neurons. In this chapter, we describe various stem cell types that have been used in ALS and the underlying rationale. We also review early clinical trials using these diverse types of stem cells. Advances in stem cell therapy are moving forward at breakneck pace, and if approached with attention to methodology and regulation, have the potential to significantly improve the care of patients with ALS.
Imaging primer for CT angiography in peripheral vascular trauma

The use of computed tomography angiography (CTA) for the evaluation of peripheral vascular trauma has become increasingly prevalent in the past decade with the development of multidetector CT (MDCT) and multiple studies subsequently demonstrating high sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy when compared with conventional angiography. Additional benefits of MDCT include the ability to rapidly acquire the images, perform multiplanar and 3D reconstructions, and assess the adjacent soft tissues and bones. Rapid intravenous injection of iodinated contrast material is required for optimal arterial enhancement. CTA manifestations of an arterial injury may be direct, and include active contrast extravasation, pseudoaneurysm, arteriovenous fistula (AVF), intimal injury, dissection, or occlusion. There are also indirect signs which have a high association with vascular injury, and should raise suspicion, when present. Pitfalls related to image acquisition or patient factors can be mitigated with appropriate planning and post-processing techniques.