cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Predictive Model Development for Life Prediction of PBGA Packages With SnAgCu Solder Joints

A fatigue model to predict the number of cycles for crack initiation and crack growth rate in Sn4.0Ag0.5Cu solder joints used in plastic ball grid array packages when subjected to accelerated thermal cycling has been developed. In addition to the conventionally used damage metrics such as accumulated strain and accumulated work, the normal strain in the solder joints has also been taken into consideration for fatigue model development. Unlike traditional fatigue models, which equate the life of the package to the life of the critical solder joint, the fatigue life of the package has been estimated by factoring in the reliability and hence the fatigue life of all the solder joints in the package. Good agreement was observed between the estimated package fatigue life from the fatigue model and the fatigue life as determined from experiments.
Accomplishments in Field Period Assembly for NCSX This is how we did it

The National Compact Stellarator Experiment (NCSX) was a collaborative effort between ORNL and PPPL. PPPL provided the assembly techniques with guidance from ORNL to meet design criteria. The individual vacuum vessel segments, modular coils, trim coils, and toroidal field coils components were delivered to the Field Period Assembly (FPA) crew who then would complete the component assemblies and then assemble the final three field period assemblies, each consisting of two sets of three modular coils assembled over a 120° vacuum vessel segment with the trim coils and toroidal field coils providing the outer layer. The requirements for positioning the modular coils were found to be most demanding. The assembly tolerances required for accurate positioning of the field coil windings in order to generate sufficiently accurate magnetic fields strained state of the art techniques in metrology and alignment and required constant monitoring of assembly steps with laser trackers, measurement arms, and photogrammetry. The FPA activities were being performed concurrently while engineering challenges were being resolved. For example, it was determined that high friction electrically isolated shims were needed between the modular coil interface joints and low distortion welding was required in the nose region of those joints. This took months of analysis and development yet the assembly was not significantly impacted because other assembly tasks could be performed in parallel with ongoing assembly tasks as well as tasks such as advance tooling setup preparation for the eventual welding tasks. The crew technicians developed unique, accurate time saving techniques and tooling which provided significant cost and schedule savings. Project management displayed extraordinary foresight and every opportunity to gain advanced knowledge and develop techniques was taken advantage of. Despite many risk concerns, the cost and schedule performance index was maintained nearly 1.0 during the assembly phase until project cancellation. In this paper, the assembly logic, the engineering challenges, solutions to those challenges and some of the unique and clever assembly techniques, will be presented.
DEF Sensitive Esterases in Homogenates of Larval and Adult Helicoverpa zea, Spodoptera frugiperda, and Agrotis ipsilon (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Homogenates of Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagle), and Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) third instars and adults contained S,S,S-tri-n-butyl phosphorotrithioate (DEF)-sensitive enzymes that hydrolyzed trans-cypermethrin and two known esterase substrates, alpha-naphthyl acetate and beta-naphthyl acetate. Except for H. zea with alpha-naphthyl acetate, larval preparations were more active than those of adults, and no marked sex differences were apparent. The hydrolysis of trans-cypermethrin in noctuid preparations were inhibited by DEF, with pI50 values ranging from 4.5 to 6.7. DEF was a potent inhibitor of the degradation of general carboxylesterase substrates alpha-naphthyl acetate and beta-naphthyl acetate in some cases. Electrophoretic studies confirmed the presence in noctuid gut homogenates of one or more DEF-sensitive esterases that hydrolyzed alpha-naphthyl acetate and beta-naphthyl acetate and that were completely inhibited by dichtorvos.
Design of 3-dimensional Textured Organic Solar Cells

Organic materials are attractive for photovoltaics primarily because of the prospect of high throughput solution-processible manufacturing using roll-to-roll or spray deposition. In the formation of polymer based photovoltaic devices, the aspect that limits the power conversion efficiency is the bottleneck between short diffusion lengths of the excited states (excitons) in polymers, in the range of 10-20 nm. Optical absorption length, which is in the range of 50-200 nm and much larger than the exciton diffusion length, poses the limit on charge generation and collection. It is important to achieve complete optical absorption in active layers much thinner than optical absorption length to minimize losses due to recombination of charge carriers. Previously, light trapping techniques have been coupled with organic solar cell but without significant success. In this paper, three-dimensional sub micron grating structure is analyzed using finite element method (FEM) simulations for finding the optical absorption in different layers of solar cell to optimize the photonic concentrator effect of the grating structure. The energy dissipation of electromagnetic field in the active layer is studied as a function of active layer thickness, grating pitch and height. The superiority of grating structure in terms of light trapping feature as compared to planar geometry is clearly demonstrated by simulation results.
Bending-Induced Mode Coupling in Chalcogenide Negative Curvature Fibers

We study the bending-induced mode coupling between the core and tube modes in chalcogenide negative curvature fibers. The fibers with a larger tube wall thickness can sustain a smaller bend radius.
Effects of the optical system on the output from wave front coding masks

We show that the output from wave front coding systems depends critically upon the optical imaging system. Our analysis is based on results using nondiffracting accelerated Airy beams and we show computational results.
Delayed Presentation of Metacarpophalangeal Joint Dislocation of the Thumb in Children Requiring Open Reduction: Two Cases Reported and Review ofLiterature.

INTRODUCTION Dislocation of the metacarpophalangeal joint (MCPJ) of the thumb is rare in children and delayed presentation of this injury is even more uncommon in the literature. We report two cases, both children, who presented to fracture clinic with a dislocated thumb over one week after initial injury. In each case closed reduction was attempted but failed, and open reduction was necessary. CASE REPORT Case Presentation 1: A 4 year-old right-hand dominant girl sustained a hyper-extension injury to her right thumb while on holiday abroad. She was told she has "sprained" her thumb. On review in fracture clinic 10 days later, the MCPJ of her thumb remained swollen and bruised. Radiographs showed a dorsally dislocated MCPJ of the right thumb. Case Presentation 2: A four-year old right-hand dominant boy presented to fracture clinic after being referred from A&E with a left 'thumb injury' - his thumb had accidentally been jammed in a door 1 week previously. Radiographs were reviewed and repeated, confirming a MCPJ dislocation. CONCLUSION Dislocation of the MCPJ of the thumb is extremely uncommon in children and therefore the diagnosis can be easily missed. Two unusual cases of dislocated MCPJ of the thumb in children that presented late because both radiological and clinical features had been missed are described. Closed reduction should always be attempted first but it should be recognised that conversion to an open reduction may be needed, particularly if there is a delay in presentation. There are various surgical options for open reduction including volar and dorsal approaches and arthroscopic procedures. The optimal method is controversial. We have explained a successful open reduction using a dorsal approach. In both cases the volar plate was found to be interposed within the joint blocking reduction. At follow up the patients had regained a full range of movement, normal power and grip strength.
Abdominal Compartment Syndrome and Necrotizing Pancreatitis Following Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is a common procedure in the treatment of renal calculi. There have been major complications reported with ESWL such as acute pancreatitis, bower perforation, venous thrombosis, and biliary obstruction. There are few reports in the literature of necrotizing pancreatitis secondary to ESWL. We have a case report of a 29-year-old female that developed an abdominal compartment syndrome with an acute necrotizing pancreatitis hours after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy.
MO-AB-BRA-09: Development and Evaluation of a Biomechanical Modeling-Assisted CBCT Reconstruction Technique (Bio-Recon)

Purpose: To develop a Bio-recon technique by incorporating the biomechanical properties of anatomical structures into the deformation-based CBCT reconstruction process. Methods: Bio-recon reconstructs the CBCT by deforming a prior high-quality CT/CBCT using a deformation-vector-field (DVF). The DVF is solved through two alternating steps: 2D–3D deformation and finite-element-analysis based biomechanical modeling. 2D–3D deformation optimizes the DVF through an ‘intensity-driven’ approach, which updates the DVF to minimize intensity mismatches between the acquired projections and the simulated projections from the deformed CBCT. In contrast, biomechanical modeling optimizes the DVF through a ‘biomechanical-feature-driven’ approach, which updates the DVF based on the biophysical properties of anatomical structures. In general, Biorecon extracts the 2D–3D deformation-optimized DVF at high-contrast structure boundaries, and uses it as the boundary condition to drive biomechanical modeling to optimize the overall DVF, especially at low-contrast regions. The optimized DVF is fed back into the 2D–3D deformation for further optimization, which forms an iterative loop. The efficacy of Bio-recon was evaluated on 11 lung patient cases, each with a prior CT and a new CT. Cone-beam projections were generated from the new CTs to reconstruct CBCTs, which were compared with the original new CTs for evaluation. 872 anatomical landmarks were also manually identified by a clinician on both the prior and new CTs to track the lung motion, which was used to evaluate the DVF accuracy. Results: Using 10 projections for reconstruction, the average (± s.d.) relative errors of reconstructed CBCTs by the clinical FDK technique, the 2D–3D deformation-only technique and Bio-recon were 46.5±5.9%, 12.0±2.3% and 10.4±1.3%, respectively. The average residual errors of DVF-tracked landmark motion by the 2D–3D deformation-only technique and Bio-recon were 5.6±4.3mm and 3.1±2.4mm, respectively. Conclusion: Bio-recon improved accuracy for both the reconstructed CBCT and the DVF. The accurate DVF can benefit multiple clinical practices, such as image-guided adaptive radiotherapy. We acknowledge funding support from the American Cancer Society (RSG-13-326-01-CCE), from the US National Institutes of Health (R01 EB020366), and from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (RP130109).
Time Perspective and Social Structure

The social roots of time-reckoning — i.e., the group-sustained ways of thinking of time — have engaged the interest of some sociologists since the pioneering work of Durkheim and his school (Durkheim, 1947; Durkheim and Mauss, 1910–12; Hubert and Mauss 1909; Halbwachs, 1935). Durkheim, for example, stated that a ‘calendar expresses the rhythm of collective activities, while at the same time its function is to assure their regularity’ (1947, pp. 10–11). Among primitive people, the names of days, months, seasons and even of years are frequently fixed by the rhythm of economic and social activities. In our own, more complex societies, where the astronomical calendar provides an ‘objective’ measurement of time, we find it necessary to introduce such concepts as ‘a semester’, ‘a weekend’ — terms indicating the social rather than the strictly chronological meaning of time. And if, at a social gathering, we tell stories about some time past, we locate the events in a social context, such as ‘during the New Deal’, ‘after the First World War’, etc., for the related events gain meaning through their location in social rather than in merely calendrical time. Merton and Sorokin state: ‘Systems of time-reckoning reflect the social activities of the group. Their springs of initiation are collective; their continued observance is demanded by social necessity.
Multifunctional highly aligned graphite nanoplatelet-polyether imide composite in film form

Abstract The objective of this research is to investigate the effect of adding graphite nanoplatelet (GNP) particles into polyether imide film. Extruded films were produced with various amounts of GNP and different degrees of post-extrusion stretching. A uniform high degree of alignment of the GNP particles along both machine direction (stretching) and transverse direction was obtained under high stretching ratios. Tensile properties including tensile modulus, strength and elongation were investigated. O2 permeability was reduced with the increase of GNP loading and stretching ratio of the film. The Bharadwaj model was applied to predict the permeability. Information of degree of alignment was obtained through analyzing SEM images in image-processing software and used with the Bharadwaj model, resulting in good agreement with experimental data. Annealing of the stretched films under 340 °C showed a significant improvement of both electrical and thermal conductivity in the film direction.
Losmapimod does not reduce cardiovascular events in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

The recently published results of LATITUDE-TIMI 60 ( Effect of Losmapimod on Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients Hospitalized With Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Randomized Clinical Trial ) investigated the effect of losmapimod, a p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor, on major cardiovascular events in patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI) (1). The p38 MAPK is activated in the setting of myocardial ischemia, hypertension, and heart failure, resulting in amplification of cytokines [cyclooxygenase 2, interleukins 1 and 6 (IL1, IL6), metalloproteinases, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)] (2). Future vascular events correlate with elevated levels of IL-6 and TNF-α, which lead to downstream production of C-reactive protein (CRP) in the liver (3,4).
Altering bio-oil composition by catalytic treatment of pinewood pyrolysis vapors over zeolites using an auger - packed bed integrated reactor system

Pine wood pyrolysis vapors were catalytically treated using zeolite catalysts. An auger fed reactor was used for the pine wood pyrolysis while a packed bed reactor mounted on the top of the auger reactor housed the catalyst for the treatment of pine wood pyrolytic vapors. The pyrolytic vapors produced at 450 oC were passed through zeolite catalysts maintained at 425 oC at a weight hourly space velocity (WHSV) of 12 h-1. Five zeolites, including ZSM-5, mordenite, ferrierite, zeolite-Y, and zeolite-beta (all in H form), were used to study the effect of catalyst properties such as acidity, pore size, and pore structure on catalytic cracking of pine wood pyrolysis vapors. Product bio-oils were analyzed for their chemical composition (GC-MS), water content, density, viscosity, acid value, pH, and elemental compositions. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was performed to analyze the extent of coking on zeolite catalysts. Application of catalysis to biomass pyrolysis increased gas product yields at the expense of bio-oil yields. While all the zeolites deoxygenated the pyrolysis vapors, ZSM-5 was found to be most effective. The ZSM-5 catalyzed bio-oil, rich in phenolics and aromatic hydrocarbons, was less viscous, had relatively lower acid number and high pH, and possessed oxygen content nearly half that of un-catalyzed bio-oil. Bronsted acidity, pore size, and shape-selective catalysis of ZSM-5 catalyst proved to be the determining factors for its activity. TGA results implied that the pore size of catalysts highly influenced coking reactions. Regeneration of the used catalysts was successfully completed at 700 oC.
Marketing the President: Political Marketing

This chapter discusses the presidential campaign of 2016 and with the unorthodox campaign of Donald Trump, the candidate of the Republican Party for the presidency. Trump used the social media, and Twitter in particular, and other “free media” to gain the attention of Republican voters. It considers some of the deficiencies of the campaigns of other Republicans seeking the nomination, with a focus on Jeb Bush’s campaign. It deals with the importance of personality in politics and then explores the notion that many of Trump’s supporters can be described as “working class authoritarians.” It quotes from a book that argues that it is ironic that in America the elites, not the masses, that are most committed to democratic values. Next, it offers statistics about illiteracy and the low level of education of many Americans and the problem this creates for democracy in America. It concludes with a discussion of the problem Trump faces with a general election, in which he must also appeal to Democrats and Independents to win the presidency.
Outcome Findings of an Undergraduate Certificate Program in Cultural Competency

In 2010 a Midwestern School of Social Work developed a certificate program named “Critical Cultural Competence” to supplement existing coursework in support of culturally competent practice among g...
Telomere Length Shortening in Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to analyze telomere lengths in Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (LCH). LCH is a clonally derived, proliferative disorder of phenotypically immature CD1a+ Langerhans cells (LCs). The etiology of LCH is unknown and data supporting an immune dysregulatory disorder as well as a clonal neoplasm have been reported. Telomere shortening has been associated with cancers and premalignant lesions as well as being important in promoting chromosomal instability. We therefore conducted a study to quantitatively determine the telomere lengths in LCH. Tissue arrays of reactive lymph nodes, local, multisystem, and systemic LCH containing 9, 7, 12, and 10 specimens respectively were used. These tissue arrays included 2 specimens that had unaffected skin represented, providing an opportunity to examine non-pathologic LCs. The tissue arrays were first hybridized with a N-terminal covalently linked Cy3-labeled, telomere specific peptide nucleic acid (PNA) probe to stain telomeres. The slides were then processed for indirect immunofluorescence to identify LCs using an anti-CD1a primary antibody followed by an anti-mouse IgG fraction Alexa Fluor 488. Finally, slides were counterstained with 4′-6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI). Digital fluorescent telomere signals were visualized using a Nikon Eclipse E400 epifluorescence microscope and telomere lengths were analyzed with ImageJ software. A total of 1039 measurements were made from 38 individuals. A significant shortening of telomeres was demonstrated in LCH LCs of local, multisystem and systemic LCH in comparison to telomere lengths of reactive lymph node LCs and normal skin, which were not significantly different. To investigate whether telomere length shortening of LCH LCs is selective, we analyzed the telomere length in lymphocytes in LCH specimens and in the reactive lymph node specimens. There was no significant evidence of telomere shortening of lymphocytes in LCH compared to lymphocytes in reactive lymph nodes (p=0.1862). These data show significant telomere shortening in the LCs in all stages of disease involvement with more variability among local cases. These observations suggest that in most cases LCH may share important mechanisms of telomere shortening and survival with clonal pre-neoplastic disorders and cancer.
Dabigatran Compared With Rivaroxaban vs Warfarin.

To the Editor: Graham, et.al. report rivaroxaban use had increased risks of major bleeding with non-significant reduction in thromboembolic stroke and increased mortality compared to dabigatran in elderly Medicare beneficiaries newly treated with dabigatran or rivaroxaban for nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) during November, 2011- June 30, 2014. (1) However, dabigatran event rates were lower than reported by Graham, et.al. in a larger group of elderly Medicare beneficiaries newly treated with dabigatran or warfarin for NVAF with longer follow-up during a partially overlapping period (October, 2010 until December 2012). (2) Incidence rates/1000 person-years for dabigatran when compared to rivaroxaban vs warfarin were 26.6 vs. 42.7 for major hemorrhage, 23.3 vs. 34.2 for G.I. hemorrhage, 12.9 vs 15.7 for acute M.I., and 22.2 vs 32.6 for mortality. (1) (2) The marked differences in dabigatran event rates could have possible explanations but raise concerns. Another concern is the information presented for renal dosing adjustment. (1). The authors state adjustments are based on creatinine clearance (CrCL) in units of mL/min/1.73 m2 while FDA- approved recommendations specify Cockcroft and Gault estimated CrCL in ml/min. (see labels.fda.gov) Laboratories report estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in ml/min/1.73 M from equations (3) that produce higher values than measured or Cockcroft and Gault- estimated CrCL at older ages and may fail to identify 20-50% of patients for whom reduced DOAC doses are recommended. (4-5). Janice B. Schwartz, MD, FACC, FAHA, AGSF
A NEW COLOR PATTERN VARIANT AND ITS INHERITANCE IN SOME MEMBERS OF THE SUPERSPECIES HYPEROLIUS VIRIDIFLAVUS (DUMÉRIL & BIBRON) (AMPHIBIA ANURA): PUBBLICAZIONI DEL CENTRO DI STUDIO PER LA FAUNISTICA ED ECOLOGIA TROPICALI DEL C.N.R.: CCXIX

SUMMARY A third color pattern variant, striped, is reported for H. v. ferniquei Mocquard, H. v. pantherinus (Steindachner) and H. v. ommatostictus Laurent (Amphibia Anura). These frogs can have the hourglass or striped pattern as juveniles. Adult females have a color pattern characteristic of the subspecies while adult males may be striped, hourglass or have the female color pattern. The striped pattern was rare in populations of H. v. ferniquei but was quite common in even small collections of H. v. pantherinus and H. v. ommatostictus. The striped gene appears to be allelic to hourglass and dominant to it. Heterozygotes for striped crossed with an hourglass mate segregate striped and hourglass in a 1:1 ratio in the progeny. The segregation continues in appropriate F2 crosses. These new data add to the complexity of an already complex polymorphic group and will ultimately contribute to a better understanding of the polymorphisms and their genetic bases.
Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Experience Influences ΔFosB and Downstream Gene Expression in Prefrontal Cortex.

Abstract Introduction: Repeated administration of abused drugs, including Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), induces the stable transcription factor ΔFosB in dopaminergic terminal field regions of the mesolimbic system. These studies investigated the effect of prior repeated THC treatment on THC-induced ΔFosB expression and regulation of downstream targets in the forebrain. Methods: Mice received THC (10 mg/kg) or vehicle twice daily for 13 days, and then half of each group received a single injection of THC or vehicle 45 min before brain collection. ΔFosB messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein were measured by polymerase chain reaction and immunoblotting, respectively. Potential downstream targets of ΔFosB induction were measured by immunoblot. Results: THC injection in mice with a history of repeated THC treatment enhanced ΔFosB expression as compared with vehicle in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), nucleus accumbens (NAc), and amygdala. This change occurred concomitantly with an increase in ΔFosB mRNA in the PFC and...
Put a (Limbal) Ring on It: Women Perceive Men's Limbal Rings as a Health Cue in Short-Term Mating Domains.

Limbal rings are dark annuli encircling the iris that fluctuate in visibility based on health and age. Research also indicates their presence augments facial attractiveness. Given individuals’ prioritization of health cues in short-term mates, those with limbal rings may be implicated as ideal short-term mates. Three studies tested whether limbal rings serve as veridical health cues, specifically the extent to which this cue enhances a person’s value as a short-term mating partner. In Study 1, targets with limbal rings were rated as healthier, an effect that was stronger for female participants and male targets. In Study 2, temporally activated short-term mating motives led women to report a heightened preference for targets with limbal rings. In Study 3, women rated targets with limbal rings as more desirable short-term mates. Results provide evidence for limbal rings as veridical cues to health, particularly in relevant mating domains.
Fixing a Dysfunctional Market: The Case of HECM Reverse Mortgages

The HECM reverse mortgage program offers senior home owners a range of well-designed draw options backed by federal insurance. However, although seniors’ need for income supplementation is large and growing, the program has barely dented the need. Major deterrents have been fear, ignorance, and distrust arising out of a dysfunctional market structure. This article lays out a three-step program for HUD to convert the existing “gotcha market” into a shopper’s market. Step 1 is to provide basic education on fund availability to the large group of senior home owners who could profit from an HECM reverse mortgage but don’t know it. Step 2 is to allow seniors who want to explore the potential uses of an HECM to find the exact amounts they can draw, including trade-offs between the different ways of drawing funds, without contacting a lender. The functionality for implementing steps 1 and 2 has been developed by my firm, Mortgage Professor LLC, and will be provided to HUD (and supported) free of charge. Step 3 is for HUD to certify multilender HECM origination entities, termed “HECM CLOs,” where seniors can access the offerings of multiple competing lenders.
Children and Religion in the Archaeological Record of Ancient Israel

The current scholarly milieu has placed great interest in the topics of children and family household religion of ancient Israel; however, scholarship exploring the intersection of the two has not yet been undertaken. This article draws attention to children as vital participants in that domestic cult. Using theories of socialization and enculturation, the article explores how ancient Israelite children interact with the religion that surrounded them daily. This child-centered approach examines textual, archaeological, and ethnographical data and concludes that the process of enculturating ancient Israelite children with household religion produced children who were both passive and active participants in the domestic cult. In doing so, the article informs our knowledge of family household religion, while at the same time expanding our understanding of a child’s role within the Israelite household.
Should I Stay or Should I Go? Open Enrollment Decisions and Student Achievement Trajectories

Objective Analyze achievement trajectories of students who transfer out of their district of residence via Colorado's interdistrict open enrollment policy. Methods Drawing on a data set containing annual individual‐level records from the universe of students attending Colorado public schools between 2005–2006 and 2009–2010, we estimate the achievement trajectories of open enrollment participants via ordinary least squares (OLS) models containing student fixed effects. Results and Conclusion Our analyses indicate that the achievement of open enrollment participants gradually declines in the years leading up to their transfer. After open enrolling, students whose participation is stable through the duration they are observed in our data exhibit small achievement gains, but those who reenroll in their district of residence exhibit additional small declines. On average, those who use open enrollment as a long‐term education option tend to enroll in districts that are more advantaged on traditional measures of educational quality than their district of residence.
In vitro release modulation from crosslinked pellets for site-specific drug delivery to the gastrointestinal tract. II. Physicochemical characterization of calcium-alginate, calcium-pectinate and calcium-alginate-pectinate pellets

Pellets of calcium-alginate, calcium-pectinate and calcium-alginate-pectinate were produced via crosslinking in an aqueous medium for site-specific drug delivery in the gastrointestinal tract. A comparative study of their physicochemical characteristics by means of texture analysis, modulated temperature differential scanning calorimetry (MTDSC), scanning electron microscopy and swelling dynamics under different pH conditions was undertaken. It was found that the incorporation of low methoxylated pectin (i.e., degree of methoxylation approximately 35%) together with alginate appears to influence the degree of crosslinking and subsequently the physical, mechanical and resilience behavior. In general, texture analysis of various pellets indicated that both strength and resilience profiles were in the order of calcium-alginate>/=calcium-alginate-pectinate>calcium-pectinate. Calcium-alginate pellets were found to be viscoelastic, while calcium-pectinate was highly brittle. Through the application of MTDSC, depolymerization transitions, reversing and non-reversing heat flow were determined and interpreted for each formulation. Scanning electron microscopy and micro-thermal analysis revealed distinct morphological differences in each case. The influence of and nature of crosslinking, and textural properties of such pellets on drug release rate modulation is discussed.
The Buck Stops Here: Fundamental Rights Infringements Can No Longer Be Ignored When Transferring Asylum Seekers Under Dublin II

Many asylum seekers entering the European Union (EU) cross more than one Member State border before lodging their asylum claims. In response, the EU adopted Dublin II to designate the point of first entry, rather than the point of application, as the State responsible for examining the claim. Unfortunately, this allocation of examination responsibilities overburdens States on the frontline of entry, such as Greece, and has exacerbated the systemic deficiencies in these states’ asylum systems. The Court of Justice of the European Union’s decision in the Joined Cases C-411/10 & C-493/10 helped clarify that a receiving state cannot transfer asylum seekers to the responsible state if they would be subjected to inhumane treatment there. Although this decision halted Dublin II transfers to states where fundamental rights risked being violated, the EU continues to struggle with an unbalanced distribution of asylum claims. Until the principle of solidarity is put into practice and more claims are shifted to lesser-burdened states, the EU will not meet its goal of creating a fair and effective Common European Asylum Policy.
Screening for Cardiovascular Disease in Symptomatic and Asymptomatic Patients with Diabetes Mellitus

The growing incidence of diabetes mellitus and the continuing epidemic of cardiovascular disease associated with this ailment have induced numerous investigators to seek evidence of pre-clinical disease besides trying to diagnose advanced stages of disease. Although many of the techniques used in the general population to diagnose obstructive coronary artery disease have proven of value, it appears that the overall diagnostic accuracy of these methodologies may be lower in diabetic patients. Furthermore, in the presence of normal results the short-term event rate is considerably higher in a diabetic patient than in the general population. In this chapter, we discuss the current evidence surrounding some of the most popular techniques to diagnose coronary artery disease as well as some emerging techniques for detection of subclinical atherosclerosis.
Studienergebnisse zur MST

Inhalte dieses Kapitels Beispiele fur die positive Bewertung der MST durch angesehene Institutionen Ubersicht der in Therapiestudien und anderen Untersuchungen zur MST erzielten Resultate („Efficacy“-Studien , „Effectiveness“-Studien und Studien zur Ubertragbarkeit) Beschreibung der fortwahrenden Adaptationen des basalen MST-Modells, um den Bedurfnissen von Jugendlichen zu entsprechen, die andere Verhaltensprobleme als dissoziales Verhalten aufweisen
AN INTEGRATED APPROACH FOR SOFTWARE DESIGN CHECKING USING DESIGN RATIONALE

Design Rationale (DR), the reasons behind decisions made while designing, offers a richer view of both the product and the decision-making process by providing the designer’s intent behind the decisions. DR is also valuable for checking to ensure that the intent was adhered to throughout the design, as well as pointing out any unresolved (or undocumented) issues that remain open. While there is little doubt of the value of DR, it is typically not captured during design. SEURAT (Software Engineering Using RATionale) is a system we have developed to explore uses of design rationale. It supports both the display of and inferencing over the rationale to point out any unresolved issues or inconsistencies. SEURAT is tightly integrated with a software development environment so that rationale capture and use can become integrated into the software development process.
Pancytopenia and leukemia in Hodgkin's disease: report of three cases.

Three patients with Hodgkin’s disease who developed severe pancytopenia terminating in acute leukemia (two patients) or preleukemia (one patient) are presented. Prior treatment consisted of radiation therapy alone in two patients, and radiation plus chemotherapy in the third. The only patient in whom chromosomal analysis was performed showed an abnormal chromosome. Therapeutic radiation exposure is thought to contribute to the development of leukemia in such patients. Leukemia is an uncommon complication of Hodgkin’s disease, but is being reported with increasing frequency. The rapid evolution of more aggressive modes of therapy makes it imperative that we seek more information regarding the incidence of this complication in order to achieve maximum therapeutic benefit for patients with Hodgkin’s disease.
The selective permeability of sodium and potassium channels in nerve: orbital control hypothesis.

Abstract In order to account for the selective permeability of ions through the sodium and potassium channels in nerve, an orbital interaction scheme has been proposed. The method is similar to those which have been used with success in explaining the stereospecificity of chemical reactions. The pores are lined with oxygen atoms in certain symmetrical positions: four oxygens in D4h symmetry for the Na channel and six oxygens in D6h symmetry for the K channel. The ions pass through the pores without any water molecules attached to them. The fundamental proposition of the method is that the degree of permeation is determined by the degree of overlap of the orbitals of the oxyten atoms lining the pores and the empty orbitals of the permeating species. Group theory is used to determine which orbitals are allowed to interact. On these bases, a satisfactory account of the observed permeability of the pores to metal ions in particular has been given.
Clay Mineralogical Aspects of the Atterberg Limits

Data is presented to show that, for artificial soils containing mixtures, in pairs, of kaolinite, illite, and bentonite clay minerals, or these individual clay minerals, the activity will accurately classify the soils with regard to their liquid limit versus clay content relationships, or with regard to their swelling potentials, regardless of the clay mineral composition of the clay friction. Moreover, analysis of these relationships shows that inorganic clays containing these minerals, individually or in pairs, must lie in a relatively small zone of the plasticity chart. For clay mixtures containing more than approximately 5% bentonite, it is shown that mixtures of illite and bentonite are less active than mixtures of kaolinite and bentonite in the same proportions and, correspondingly, they have lower swelling characteristics. It is shown that this fact can be used to advantage in recognizing situations in which the effects of bentonite on the properties of clay soils will be minimized or, alternatively, to effect a minimization of the influence of bentonite or montmorillonite on the properties of a clay.
Kinetics of D-Glucose to D-Fructose Isomerization

The aldose-ketose interconversion between D-glucose and D-fructose has been studied extensively by several investigators (1,2). For reactor design purposes the simple first order interconversion, or Michaelis-Menten reversible enzyme kinetics can appropriately describe the rate of the reaction. Only recently have attempts been made to uncover the underlying fundamental mechanisms involved (2).
Introduction to Classical Logic

Logic builds symbolic models of our world. It builds them in such a way as to be able to describe formally the ways we reason in and about it. It also poses questions about correctness of such models and develops tools to answer them. Classical Logic was created to describe the reasoning principles of mathematics and hence reflects the “black” and “white” qualities of mathematics; we expect from mathematical theorems to be always either true or false and the reasonings leading to them should guarantee this without any ambiguity. It hence admits only two logical values and is sometimes called a two-valued logic.
Physical Activity Improves Lipid and Weight-Loss Outcomes After Metabolic Bariatric Surgery in Adolescents with Severe Obesity.

Objective This study tested the hypothesis that physical activity improves cardiovascular disease-related lipids beyond that associated with weight loss in adolescents with severe obesity after metabolic/bariatric surgery (MBS). Methods Objective activity monitor data from 108 participants of the Teen Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery (Teen-LABS) study from baseline to 3 years post MBS were used. Primary outcomes included absolute change in LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) and non-HDL cholesterol (non-HDL-C) from baseline. Baseline measurement, visit, surgical procedure, and percent change in iliac waist circumference or BMI from baseline in linear regression models were adjusted for use of generalized estimating equations. PROC TRAJ in SAS generated optimal activity trajectories based on individual step count. Results Despite low step counts and slow cadence, differences by activity trajectory were found. Greater absolute decreases in LDL-C and non-HDL-C (-15 mg/dL [95% CI: -28 to -2], P = 0.026; and -15 mg/dL [95% CI: -28 to -1], P = 0.035), respectively, were associated with more activity. More activity was associated with greater resolution of triglycerides, LDL-C, and non-HDL-C dyslipidemia and with greater weight loss 3 years post MBS. Conclusions More activity in adolescents was associated with improvements in cardiovascular disease-related lipid measures and weight loss after MBS.
Crystal Structure of the YcjX Stress Protein Reveals a Ras-Like GTP-Binding Protein

Stress proteins promote cell survival by monitoring protein homeostasis in cells and organelles. YcjX is a conserved protein of unknown function, which is highly upregulated in response to acute and chronic stress. Notably, heat shock induction of ycjX exceeded even levels observed for major stress-induced chaperones, including GroEL, ClpB, and HtpG, which use ATP as energy source. YcjX features a Walker-type nucleotide-binding domain indicating that YcjX might function as a molecular chaperone. Here, we present the first crystal structure of YcjX from Shewanella oneidensis solved at 1.9-A resolution by SAD phasing. We show that YcjX is a GTP-binding protein that shares at its core the canonical alpha-beta domain of p21ras (Ras). However, unlike Ras, YcjX features several unique insertions, including an entirely α-helical domain not previously observed in Ras-like GTPases. We note that this helical domain is reminiscent of a similar domain in the Gα subunit of heterotrimeric G proteins, supporting a potential role for YcjX as a signal transducer of stress responses. To elucidate the mechanism of GTP hydrolysis, we determined crystal structures of YcjX bound to GDP and GDPCP, respectively, which crystallized in three different nucleotide switch conformations. Supported by targeted mutagenesis experiments, we show that YcjX utilizes a non-canonical switch 2' motif not previously observed in Ras-like GTPases. Together, our structures provide atomic snapshots of YcjX in different functional states, illustrating the structural determinants for stress signaling.
Exploring Neuroscience of Creativity Theories in designing Co-creative Agents

Creativity has become a crucial topic in several disciplines such as computational creativity. Co-creativity is a rapidly growing research field in designing creative systems and artificial intelligence (AI) agents. Co-creative systems can use neuroscience to detect temporal activations to both control aspects of the user interaction and validate creativity theories. This work briefly introduces co-creative and computational creativity, presents the recent works of co-creative agent. It also introduces my future study of investigating divergent and convergent thinking in developing co-creative systems, reports my progress in research and doctoral program
Coded computation over heterogeneous clusters

In large-scale distributed computing clusters, such as Amazon EC2, there are several types of “system noise” that can result in major degradation of performance: system failures, bottlenecks due to limited communication bandwidth, latency due to straggler nodes, etc. On the other hand, these systems enjoy abundance of redundancy — a vast number of computing nodes and large storage capacity. There have been recent results that demonstrate the impact of coding for efficient utilization of computation and storage redundancy to alleviate the effect of stragglers and communication bottlenecks in homogeneous clusters. In this paper, we focus on general heterogeneous distributed computing clusters consisting of a variety of computing machines with different capabilities. We propose a coding framework for speeding up distributed computing in heterogeneous clusters with straggling servers by trading redundancy for reducing the latency of computation. In particular, we propose Heterogeneous Coded Matrix Multiplication (HCMM) algorithm for performing distributed matrix multiplication over heterogeneous clusters that is provably asymptotically optimal. Moreover, if the number of worker nodes in the cluster is n, we show that HCMM is Θ(log n) times faster than any uncoded scheme. We further provide numerical results demonstrating significant speedups of up to 49% and 34% for HCMM in comparison to the “uncoded” and “homogeneous coded” schemes, respectively.
"Omics" and "epi-omics" underlying the β-cell adaptation to insulin resistance.

Abstract Background Pancreatic β-cells adapt to high metabolic demand by expanding their β-cell mass and/or enhancing insulin secretion to maintain glucose homeostasis. Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is typically characterized by β-cell decompensation. Scope of the review The current review focuses on summarizing the “omics” and “epi-omics” approaches that particularly focus on addressing the β-cell adaptation to insulin resistance and T2D. Major conclusions The molecular mechanisms underlying successful versus compromised β-cell adaptation to insulin resistance are not entirely understood. The last decade has seen an exponential increase in the use of “omics” and “epi-omics” approaches to dissect pathophysiology of metabolic diseases. One recent example is the emergence of m6A mRNA methylation as a new layer of regulation of gene expression with the potential to impact diverse physiological processes in metabolic cells.
Pilot Study on the Needs of Prospective Exoskeleton Users with Impaired Mobility

Patients with paraplegia and spinal cord injuries stand to benefit greatly from powered exoskeletons physically, socially, and psychologically. Yet, most powered exoskeletons are limited to usage in rehabilitation clinics or academic facilities. To overcome the challenge of commercialization it is necessary to better understand the needs of potential exoskeleton users. A customer needs survey was conducted among 14 participants with mobility disorders. The data collected was analyzed using a House of Quality. The results emphasized a need to direct research towards designing exoskeletons that can balance without crutches and impose minimal interaction forces upon the user. While doing so, researchers should also pay keen attention to the cost of the exoskeleton.
Role of Projections between Piriform Cortex and Orbitofrontal Cortex in Relapse to Fentanyl Seeking after Palatable Food Choice-Induced Voluntary Abstinence

We recently developed a rat model of relapse to drug seeking after food choice-induced voluntary abstinence. Here, we used this model to study the role of the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and its afferent projections in relapse to fentanyl seeking. We trained male and female rats to self-administer palatable food pellets for 6 d (6 h/d) and intravenous fentanyl (2.5 μg/kg/infusion) for 12 d (6 h/d). We assessed relapse to fentanyl seeking after 13-14 voluntary abstinence days, achieved through a discrete choice procedure between fentanyl infusions and palatable food (20 trials/d). In both sexes, relapse after food choice-induced abstinence was associated with increased expression of the activity marker Fos in the OFC. Pharmacological inactivation of the OFC with muscimol plus baclofen (50 + 50 ng/side) decreased relapse to fentanyl seeking. We then determined projection-specific activation of OFC afferents during the relapse test by using Fos plus the retrograde tracer cholera toxin B (injected into the OFC). Relapse to fentanyl seeking was associated with increased Fos expression in the piriform cortex (Pir) neurons projecting to the OFC, but not in projections from the basolateral amygdala and thalamus. Pharmacological inactivation of the Pir with muscimol plus baclofen decreased relapse to fentanyl seeking after voluntary abstinence. Next, we used an anatomical disconnection procedure to determine whether projections between the Pir and OFC are critical for relapse to fentanyl seeking. Unilateral muscimol plus baclofen injections into the Pir in one hemisphere plus unilateral muscimol plus baclofen injections into the OFC in the contralateral, but not ipsilateral, hemisphere decreased relapse. Our results identify Pir-OFC projections as a new motivation-related pathway critical to relapse to opioid seeking after voluntary abstinence.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT There are few preclinical studies of fentanyl relapse, and these studies have used experimenter-imposed extinction or forced abstinence procedures. In humans, however, abstinence is often voluntary, with drug available in the drug environment but forgone in favor of nondrug alternative reinforcers. We recently developed a rat model of drug relapse after palatable food choice-induced voluntary abstinence. Here, we used classical pharmacology, immunohistochemistry, and retrograde tracing to demonstrate a critical role of the piriform and orbitofrontal cortices in relapse to opioid seeking after voluntary abstinence.