Chemical prices

This posting is geared toward Chemical Engineering students who will use ICIS Chemical Business to view historical chemical prices. The “student page” is currently still available.

To go to the direct link: historical chemical prices.
August 2006 prices are the last listed.

If you would like to log-in to ICIS chemical business in order to search ICIS articles, please email us at Science Libraries for the User Name and Password.

Like many of my librarian colleagues, I want to be able to “have an answer” for students looking for chemical pricing information. The one company that has provided this is ICIS—the replacement for Chemical Market Reporter.

Randy Reichardt, Research and Services Librarian, from the Science and Technology Library at the University of Alberta has been on the case to keep ICIS aware of this need. Recently, H. Stephen McMinn, Science and Technology Librarian from Iowa State University referred to Randy’s work in his SciTech Library Question post from “Re-Engineering Libraries”.

Academic OneFile

Usually when we recommend databases for engineering related topics, we point to the Engineering Index: Compendex or one of the many others from the Engineering link under our Databases by Subject listing.

However, have you looked at some of our more “Interdisciplinary” or general databases when doing research on your topic?

For a list of all our databases, go to our home page and click on “Articles & Databases.” Try a search in Academic OneFile. The opening page displays these tabs: “What’s New” “Global Warming” “Stem Cell Research” and “Animal Rights”—some hot research topics. Articles under “Global Warming”are from journals such as: Journal of Power Sources, Applied Energy, Bioresource Technology, and Chemical Engineering Journal. Notice that these are technology related titles!

But, here’s an even greater reason to search Academic OneFile--the cool new feature is the audio that is now included in all the articles. Have the article read TO you! Check it out for yourself!

I recently did a search in Academic OneFile by keyword for: H1N1. Results included some recently published information on the topic, including a full-text review article from the Annals of Thoracic Medicine 4.4 (Oct-Dec 2009): “The novel influenza A (H1N1) virus pandemic: An update.”

While I am on the topic of the flu, for a “Situation Update” on H1N1, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—the CDC H1N1 flu site.

One more related source to look at. Have you seen Google Flu Trends? Google makes efforts to predict an increase in the number of seasonal flu cases before the CDC can put out their updates. Go Google!

During this flu season, even an Engineering Librarian can give out this advice: WASH your hands OFTEN!

NCBI's Bookshelf

Looking for more biomedical books than what we have in our collection here at Carnegie Mellon? NCBI—National Center for Biotechnology Information provides the NCBI Bookshelf.

An example online title available via the Bookshelf is the 2nd edition of The Cell: A Molecular Approach by Geoffrey M. Cooper. (The Engineering and Science Library has the 1st edition.)

Check out NCBI's website for more classic biology and medical titles and to search the collection; as well as, to take a look at the other resources they have to offer via their powerful search engine.

Knovel University Challenge

Attention all CIT students!
Take a minute next week (starting on 9/14) to answer 3 questions by participating in the Knovel University Challenge contest.
Win prizes! Help Carnegie Mellon get rewarded for 100 correct entries or more:

About the Contest

Carnegie Mellon subscribes to the Knovel database. Perhaps you will find it of research value to you! Use it as a tool to increase your productivity. Our subscription includes 1,700+ full-text handbooks and technical references.

Go to our home page: search.library.cmu.edu. Click on Articles & Databases. Then, click on Databases A-Z. Then, click on K to get to the Knovel link.

Read about how engineers have solved problems on Knovel’s “Solution Stories” page:
http://why.knovel.com/resources/solution-stories.html

Popcorn and also book discussion

The ACS (American Chemical Society) just came out with this headline:
“Whole grain cereals, popcorn rich in antioxidants, not just fiber; new research concludes.”

Read the news release at EurekAlert!

By the way, Carnegie Mellon subscribes to ACS Publications.
Go to the library's home page, then click on Articles & Databases. Then click on Databases A-Z. Your last click will be on the link: ACS Publications - eJournal Collection. Enjoy browsing journals of research interest.

So, if you want to snack while you are reading, go ahead and grab that bag of popcorn or whole grain Quaker Life cereal and snack on some antioxidants.

Looking for something to read this weekend before classes start?
How about our taking a look at What’s Science Ever Done for Us? What The Simpsons Can Teach Us about Physics, Robots, Life, and the Universe by Paul Halpern.

Too late to get a copy of the book? For a preview, go to Google Books

Then, I’ll see you Thursday August 27 between 4:30pm-5:30pm in the Peace Garden outside of Hunt Library. If it is raining, let’s meet inside Hunt Library near the Maggie Murph Café.

(popcorn bag clipart courtesy: http://www.clipartguide.com)

Peregrines and Library Tours

Welcome incoming students!

Here’s another invitation to participate in Library tours of Hunt Library and/or the Engineering and Science Library on Friday Aug. 21. Tours will begin at 1pm, 2pm, and 3pm.

(Peregrine image courtesy: http://animal.x0.com/)

Anyone interested in a brief overview is welcome to join us.--Meet at Hunt Library in front of the reference desk or come directly to the Engineering and Science Library at the times given. We are eager to show you around.

Did you see me yesterday stopping sidewalk traffic along The Mall?
Yes, that was me, Donna Beck, your enthused Engineering Librarian escorting a group of first-years from Hunt Library to the Engineering & Science Library in Wean Hall. We were walking along past Baker/Porter Hall. As I was speaking to the students about their “Playfair” and hot, humid move-in day experiences, I heard the distinct rasping call of the peregrine falcon.
I stopped everyone and pointed up to the roof top of Porter so that we could all admire it.

Look up! Give your eyes a break from your computer screens! Peregrine falcons, as well as, red-tailed hawks are often seen on and around campus, especially on Flagstaff Hill in Schenley Park, along Frew Street. Find out more about them at the wonderful Pittsburgh blog called “Outside My Window” published by Kate St. John of her view outside WQED office window.

By the way, for those of you new to Pittsburgh, WQED Multimedia includes WQED-TV and the all-classical radio station, WQED-FM.

Wishing you the best of luck as you begin your experiences at Carnegie Mellon!

The Library and the Summer Engineering Experience for Girls

A great program designed to help junior high girls learn about and explore careers in the field of Engineering is offered by our CIT College for 2 weeks each summer in July. This year it was held from July 13 through July 24. Twenty-three girls from local schools were selected to attend. Each applicant demonstrated an interest and aptitude in math and science skills and came with a eager interest in learning about different forms of energy and how engineers create alternative and environmentally-friendly sources of energy that protect the environment.

The goal of the program is to provide opportunities to learn about efficient sources of energy through classroom lecture, laboratory hands-on activities and through conducting research in an energy source of interest. At the end of the program each girl presents her research through a presentation format. The participants have the chance to work with engineers from all different areas in engineering, including chemical, civil and environmental, mechanical, and electrical and computer engineering.

The library faculty joined in the activities by presenting strategies for conducting research and in assisting the girls in packaging their research findings. It was a great adventure for CMU faculty and for the girls. Engineering is fun!