cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Materials Analysis and Modeling of Underfill Materials.

The thermal-mechanical properties of three potential underfill candidate materials for PBGA applications are characterized and reported. Two of the materials are a formulations developed at Sandia for underfill applications while the third is a commercial product that utilizes a snap-cure chemistry to drastically reduce cure time. Viscoelastic models were calibrated and fit using the property data collected for one of the Sandia formulated materials. Along with the thermal-mechanical analyses performed, a series of simple bi-material strip tests were conducted to comparatively analyze the relative effects of cure and thermal shrinkage amongst the materials under consideration. Finally, current knowledge gaps as well as questions arising from the present study are identified and a path forward presented.
Developing and Implementing a Citywide Asthma Action Plan: A Community Collaborative Partnership.

Objectives Asthma affects 1 in 10 children in the United States, with higher prevalence among children living in poverty. Organizations in San Antonio, Texas, partnered to design and implement a uniform, citywide asthma action plan to improve asthma management capacity in schools. Methods The asthma action plan template was modified from that of the Global Initiative for Asthma. School personnel were trained in symptom recognition, actions to take, and use of equipment before the asthma action plan implementation. The annual Asthma Action Plan Summit was organized as a forum for school nurses, healthcare providers, and members of the community to exchange ideas and strategies on implementation, as well as to revise the plan. Results The asthma action plan was implemented in all 16 local school districts. Feedback received from school nurses suggests that the citywide asthma action plan resulted in improved asthma management and student health at schools. Conclusions The evidence in this study suggests that community organizations can successfully collaborate to implement a citywide health initiative similar to the asthma action plan.
Anxiety sensitivity in relation to quit day dropout among adult daily smokers recruited to participate in a self-guided cessation attempt

Anxiety sensitivity (AS; fear of anxiety and internal sensations) has been implicated in a variety of aspects of smoking, including difficulties achieving and maintaining abstinence during tobacco cessation. However, research has yet to evaluate whether AS impacts premature termination of initiating a quit attempt. Therefore, the aim of the present investigation was to explore the extent to which AS was associated with tobacco cessation dropout, as indexed by attendance on the scheduled quit day visit. Participants included 84 adult daily cigarette smokers (61.7% male; Mage=34.6years, SD=13.9), who were recruited to participate in a self-guided quit attempt (an attempt to quit smoking without professional or pharmacological aid). Results indicated that after controlling for the effects of participant sex, race, current (past month) psychological disorder, cigarettes smoked per day, number of years as a regular smoker, and pre-quit levels of motivation to quit, AS significantly predicted increased odds of study dropout prior to attending the scheduled quit day. These findings suggest that AS may be a mechanism involved with challenges in the initiation of quitting.
Combustion-Driven Oscillation Mitigation in Large Industrial Combustors

Thermoacoustic instability has been reported in various combustion systems including industrial combustors (heaters, boilers, etc.), propulsion systems (rockets, afterburners) and gas turbine combustors. Thermoacoustic instability can be addressed by adding acoustic damping to the combustion environment. In larger industrial applications, tonal acoustic damping solutions such as quarter wave tubes and/or Helmholtz resonators or even active acoustic damping solutions can be used to quiet this instability.This paper discusses the numerical investigation of mitigating the 30 Hz thermoacoustic instability in a fire-tube 600 horsepower steam boiler. By conducting finite element analysis of the acoustics of the combustion chamber and all the fire-tubes, the 30 Hz mode sympathizing with the heat release dynamics of the chamber is identified. Subsequently, a number of tuned acoustic absorption solutions are experimented with, numerically (on the finite element model of the boiler’s acoustics), and the most suitable (in terms of effectiveness and ease of implementation) candidate solution is identified. Currently, work is underway to implement this solution on the boiler.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Sexual freedom and anarchist individualism in French symbolism’s ivory tower:

How could an apparently apolitical poem (about a virgin princess and a knight errant) correspond with a poet’s anarchic beliefs? In the 1890s, symbolists like Pierre Quillard claimed that their isolation and production of ‘ivory tower’ poetry constituted a critique of the constraints placed on individuals by society. My paper argues that, in light of national anxieties over depopulation and homosexuality, the symbolists’ various defences of non-procreative sexualities provide one means of understanding why they would claim that their isolationist aestheticism effectively undermined ‘la societe’. Following the analysis of pertinent texts from two prominent symbolists (Quillard and Henri de Regnier), my study concludes with a consideration of an apparently unstudied episode in which an anarchist periodical, L’Endehors, was prosecuted for defending homosexuality.
Secretion of Ferritin by Rat Hepatoma Cells and Its Regulation by Inflammatory Cytokines and Iron

The possibility that serum ferritin is a secreted protein and an acute phase reactant regulated by inflammatory hormones and iron was examined in a hepatic cell line that secretes plasma proteins. Differentiated rat hepatoma cells released albumin and ferritin into the medium, as determined by rocket immunoelectrophoresis and isolation of ferritin by standard procedures plus immunoaffinity chromatography, following labeling with radioactive amino acid. Administration of interleukin-1-beta (IL-1) or tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) doubled the amounts of ferritin released into the medium over 24 and 48 hours. Together, the cytokines had more than an additive effect. Albumin secretion was diminished by IL-1, but not TNF. Iron, administered as an iron dextran complex or as a 1:1 chelate with nitrilotriacetate (Fe-NTA), also enhanced ferritin release, but had no effect on albumin. Intracellular ferritin concentrations did not change significantly with cytokine treatment, but increased in response to iron. With or without treatments, release of ferritin and albumin from cells into the medium was inhibited by brefeldin A, an inhibitor of Golgi function. The effect of each of the cytokines and of iron on ferritin and albumin was also blocked by dichlorofuranosylbenzimidazole (DRB), an inhibitor of transcription. The stimulatory effect of Fe-NTA on ferritin secretion was diminished by TNF, and this was partially counteracted by IL-1, indicating additional regulatory complexity. These results show for the first time that hepatic cells secrete ferritin, that this ferritin secretion is regulated by iron and inflammatory cytokines, and that the mechanisms of regulation differ from those for intracellular ferritin. The results would explain why serum ferritin increases in inflammation or when iron flux is enhanced.
PCR-Flow Through RDB is A Rapid and Effective Assay for HBV YMDD Motif Mixed Infection

Objective To develop a better method for the identification of HBV YMDD motif mixed infection, and provide individualized treatment and clinical medication guideline. Methods Twenty-eight archival known sera from chronic HBV carrier, of which 10 were HBV YMDD motif, 5 were HBV YIDD motif, 5 were HBV YVDD motif, 2 were mixed infection with HBV YMDD and YIDD motif, 2 were mixed infection with HBV YMDD and YVDD motif, 2 were mixed infection with HBV YIDD and YVDD motif and 2 were mixed infection with HBV YMDD, YIDD and YVDD motif, were detected by PCR based DNA direct sequencing and PCR-flow through reverse dot blot (RDB)hybridization assay. Results Both PCR-flow through RDB hybridization assay and PCR based DNA direct sequencing were 100% accurate for HBV mono-infection; PCR-flow through RDB hybridization assay is 100% accurate but the PCR based DNA direct sequencing is insufficient to detect all the genotypes of the mixed infection. Conclusion PCR-flow through RDB hybridization is a better detection method for HBV YMDD motif mixed infection than PCR based DNA direct sequencing. It is a better method for genotyping HBV and provides guideline for individualized treatment and clinical medication.
Serological Survey on Toxoplasmosis in Huadu District of Guangzhou City in 2004

Objective To examine the occurrence of toxoplasmosis in livestock workers, milker, veterinary, peoples with a close contact with domestic animals in Huadu District of Guangzhou, and to offer strategies for the control of this disease. Method Enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay was used to measure anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG in these peoples. Result Among the total 779 individuals, 71 subjects (9.11%) had serum antibody against Toxoplasma gondii. The proportion of sero-positive male and female individuals was 7.84% (33/421) and 10.61% (38/358), respectively. Milkers (24.00%) and meat processing workers (13.73%) had a higher sero-positive rate than the individuals with a close contact with domestic animals(10.00%) or with pets (9.94%). Conclusion Toxoplasmosis is zoonotic disease. The disease is mainly transmitted through the contacting with the infected animals or through the consumption of contaminated foods. An effective integrated control measure, such as personal hygiene and safety consciousness, may decrease the incidence of infection by Toxoplasma gondii.
Determination of Impurities in Fe Ni Matrix High Temperature Alloy by Hollow Cathode Discharge Atomic Emission Spectrometry

Trace impurity elements As,Te,Sb,Pb,Sn,Bi,Ag,Tl in the Fe Ni matrix high temperature alloy are determined by HCD 1 hollow cathode discharge source with a set of K3 nickel matrix alloy standards used as calibration curve The results show that the method is fast and convenient,and possesses relative low detection limits and good accuracy and precision
Abstract 47: Nucleophosmin/B23 (NPM/B23) and estrogen receptor alpha (ER alpha) in endometrial cancer

Purpose: Unopposed estrogen exposure is an important factor in the tumorigenesis of endometrial cancer. We aim to investigate the regulatory role of NPM/B23 in estrogen signaling in endometrial cancer. Methods: To elucidate the underlying mechanism, we performed RT-qPCR, western blotting, promoter assay, immunoprecipitation, proliferation assay, protein stability assay, and ubiquitination assay in endometrial cancer cell lines. Results: NPM/B23 was required for estrogen-induced endometrial proliferation, and the increase in NPM/B23 was estrogen receptor alpha (ER alpha)-dependent. Furthermore, estrogen increased NPM/B23 protein levels by repressing its ubiquitination and subsequently stabilizing the protein. The overexpression of alternate reading frame (ARF) suppressed the estrogen-induced increase in the NPM/B23 protein levels, indicating that ARF inhibited the observed estrogen-mediated NPM/B23 stabilization. Suppression of the NPM/B23-ARF interfered with the interaction and the subsequent increase in NPM/B23 protein levels. Conclusions: Characterization of NPM/B23 in estrogen-mediated cell proliferation may extend our understanding of the tumorigenesis of endometrial cancers. Targeting B23 with hormonal therapy can be further explored for the treatment of endometrial cancer. Citation Format: Chiao Yun Lin, Angel Chao, Tzu-Hao Wang, Chyong-Huey Lai. Nucleophosmin/B23 (NPM/B23) and estrogen receptor alpha (ER alpha) in endometrial cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Precision Medicine Series: Integrating Clinical Genomics and Cancer Therapy; Jun 13-16, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2016;22(1_Suppl):Abstract nr 47.
On the Possible Replacement of the Efficient-Market Hypothesis: Social Efficiency as a ‘Thick’ Approach to Financial Policy

So long as the efficient-market hypothesis remains the unchallenged arbiter of financial market outcomes, efforts to rethink the financial system — at either a policy or conceptual level — will be thwarted. The efficient-market hypothesis, which translates the idea of Walrasian general equilibrium into financial markets, has a profound hold on economists’ thinking; it represents an intellectual sink that leads to ideas about financial policy reform which protect established interests and disregard any reform’s broader economic consequences. This reference point is problematic because it refers to a world that does not exist except in the realms of pure theory. It is imperative to find an alternative frame of reference for evaluating financial-regulatory policy, one which takes into account whether financial market institutions are meeting the needs of society. This is done here by introducing ‘social efficiency’ as an alternative to the ‘economic efficiency’ derived from the Walrasian system. This social efficiency criterion focuses on whether financial policy changes are likely to reduce or widen inequality, and to reduce or increase a society’s ability to guarantee the attainment of basic capabilities for all.
The Pressure Flow Study

The urodynamic test that assesses the voiding phase of bladder function is the pressure-flow study. Under normal conditions, a coordinated detrusor contraction and non-obstructive outlet results in a predictable low pressure, high flow pattern. A high pressure-low flow state is seen in patients with an obstructive bladder outlet. Low pressures-low flow states are seen in conditions of poor or absent detrusor contractility. The primary utility of the pressure-flow study is using the results to differentiate patients with an obstructive vs. non-obstructive flow pattern. Nomograms have been developed which are used to classify patients based on pressure-flow patterns.
Understanding it Outsourcing and its Potential Effects on it Workers and Their Environment

Gartner has estimated that one of every twenty U.S. technology jobs will be moved offshore by the year 2005 (16). To date, outsourcing has led to the increased application of collaborative technologies as well as a rise in virtual team development. This growth leads to changes and challenges related to the nature of IT work. In an effort to begin understanding these challenges, this paper examines information technology outsourcing from the perspective of its potential effects on IT workers and their environment. As a foundation to this examination, the different definitions of IT outsourcing are presented along with the motivations behind organizational decisions to outsource. An organizing framework is presented that considers the effects of outsourcing on the individual and environment with attention given to the type of outsourcing arrangement and the location of the outsourcing vendor. Implications for practice along with recommendations for future research are discussed.
Use of weighted pencils to improve handwriting legibility

Several therapeutic strategies and approaches are used to facilitate handwriting skills in children with illegible writing. One strategy is weighted pencils; however, there is little empirical evid...
The fitness of apps: a theory-based examination of mobile fitness app usage over 5 months.

Background: There are thousands of fitness-related smartphone applications (“apps”) available for free and purchase, but there is uncertainty if these apps help individuals achieve and maintain personal fitness. Technology usage attrition is also a concern among research studies on health technologies. Methods: Usage of three fitness apps was examined over 5 months to assess adherence and effectiveness. Initially, 64 participants downloaded three free apps available on Android and iOS and 47 remained in the study until posttest. With a one group pre-posttest design and checkpoints at months 1, 3, and 5, exercise and exercise with fitness apps were examined in the framework of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) using a validated survey. Apps were selected based on their function from the Functional Triad. Perceived fitness was also measured. T -tests, sign tests, Fisher’s exact tests, and linear and logistic regression were used to compare pre to posttests and users to non-users of the apps. Results: Forty-seven participants completed both pre and posttests. Individual item scores indicated no significant change pre to posttest except for decreases observed in usefulness of using apps for exercise (attitude) (−0.78, P Conclusions: App usage and effectiveness appears to have a connection to usefulness (attitude) and to perceived difficulties of exercising using apps (perceived behavioral control). Exercise and exercise using apps are not influenced by peer influence (subjective norm). Intention to exercise using these particular apps decreased (behavioral intention). Those who utilized the apps were more likely to have a positive attitude about the apps. Usefulness and perceived difficulties in particular should be considered with future app development. App usefulness and ease of use may be facilitated by using health behavior theories to guide development.
Frontline Science: Aspirin-triggered resolvin D1 controls herpes simplex virus-induced corneal immunopathology

Stromal keratitis (SK) is a chronic immunopathological lesion of the eye, caused by HSV-1 infection, and a common cause of vision impairment in humans. The inflammatory lesions in the cornea are primarily caused by neutrophils with the active participation of CD4+ T cells. Therefore, the targeting of these immune cell types and their products represents a potentially valuable form of therapy to reduce the severity of disease. Resolvin D1 (RvD1) and its epimer aspirin-triggered RvD1 (AT-RvD1) are lipid mediators derived from docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and were shown to promote resolution in several inflammatory disease models. In this report, we examined whether AT-RvD1 administration, begun before infection or at a later stage after ocular infection of mice with HSV-1, could control the severity of SK lesions. Treatment with AT-RvD1 significantly diminished the extent of corneal neovascularization and the severity of SK lesions. AT-RvD1-treated mice had fewer numbers of inflammatory cells that included neutrophils as well as Th1 and Th17 cells in the infected cornea. The mechanisms by which AT-RvD1 acts appear to be multiple. These include inhibitory effects on proinflammatory mediators, such as IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12, CXCL1, MCP-1, MIP-2, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A, matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), and proinflammatory miRNA, such as miR-155, miR-132, and miR-223, which are involved in SK pathogenesis and corneal neovascularization. In addition, AT-RvD1 attenuated STAT1, which plays an important role in Th1 cell differentiation and IFN-γ expression. These findings demonstrate that AT-RvD1 treatment could represent a useful strategy for the management of virus-induced immunopathological lesions.
Creating Smart Gateway

Due to the rapid advent of Internet of Things (IoT), there exists an ever-growing demand for ubiquitous connectivity to integrate multiple data communication protocols, such as Zigbee, Z-Wave, wireless LAN, cable network, etc. The IoT will include not just for modern IoT-enabled devices but also systems that are already in place to-day and operate outside of the cloud-based IoT solutions. For example, RS-485 [1] based Modbus or BACnet are still popular protocols in building automation industry, and those automation devices do not offer full Ethernet or Wi-Fi interfaces.
Leading From Below: Low-Power Actors as Organizational Change Agents

This article focuses on the low-power actor as a facilitator of organizational change. While most research on organizational change documents the role of elites as leaders, findings presented here ...
Assessing spacing impact on coherent features in a wind turbine array boundary layer

Abstract. As wind farms become larger, the spacing between turbines becomes a significant design consideration that can impose serious economic constraints. To investigate the turbulent flow structures in a 4 × 3 Cartesian wind turbine array boundary layer (WTABL), a wind tunnel experiment was carried out parameterizing the streamwise and spanwise wind turbine spacing. Four cases are chosen spacing turbines by 6 or 3D in the streamwise direction, and 3 or 1.5D in the spanwise direction, where D = 12 cm is the rotor diameter. Data are obtained experimentally using stereo particle image velocimetry. Mean streamwise velocity showed maximum values upstream of the turbine with the spacing of 6 and 3D in the streamwise and spanwise direction, respectively. Fixing the spanwise turbine spacing to 3D, variations in the streamwise spacing influence the turbulent flow structure and the power available to following wind turbines. Quantitative comparisons are made through spatial averaging, shifting measurement data and interpolating to account for the full range between devices to obtain data independent of array spacing. The largest averaged Reynolds stress is seen in cases with spacing of 3D × 3D. Snapshot proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) was employed to identify the flow structures based on the turbulence kinetic energy content. The maximum turbulence kinetic energy content in the first POD mode is seen for turbine spacing of 6D × 1.5D. The flow upstream of each wind turbine converges faster than the flow downstream according to accumulation of turbulence kinetic energy by POD modes, regardless of spacing. The streamwise-averaged profile of the Reynolds stress is reconstructed using a specific number of modes for each case; the case of 6D × 1.5D spacing shows the fastest reconstruction to compare the rate of reconstruction of statistical profiles. Intermediate modes are also used to reconstruct the averaged profile and show that the intermediate scales are responsible for features seen in the original profile. The variation in streamwise and spanwise spacing leads to changes in the background structure of the turbulence, where the color map based on barycentric map and Reynolds stress anisotropy tensor provides an alternate perspective on the nature of the perturbations within the wind turbine array. The impact of the streamwise and spanwise spacings on power produced is quantified, where the maximum production corresponds with the case of greatest turbine spacing.
E-cigarettes Warning Labels and Modified Risk Statements: Tests of Messages to Reduce Recreational Use.

Objectives We tested how variations of the warning message on e-cigarette packages influenced risk and ambiguity perceptions, and whether including a modified risk statement on the package influenced how the warning label was perceived. Method A 4 (warning text) × 2 (modified risk statement), plus control, experiment (N = 451) was conducted. Results Smoking status, sex, and the language used in the warning statements interacted to influence risk perceptions. For example, non-smoking women perceived e-cigarettes with the FDA text at 30% of the package as riskier than the FDA text at 12-point type. Additionally, including a modified risk statement on the package increased ambiguity among non-smokers, as did an abstract warning label. Conclusions When evaluating the effectiveness of warning label text, it is important to consider smoking status and sex. Additionally, including modified risk statements on the package with the warning label could potentially increase ambiguity among non-smokers.
First Report of Powdery Mildew Caused by Golovinomyces spadiceus on Helianthus annuus

Helianthus annuus is a perennial plant native to the USA. Commonly known as a sunflower, H. annuus is grown ornamentally as well as for its oil and seeds. It can grow up to 8 feet in height. In August 2017, Helianthus annus ‘Lemon Queen’ leaves showing signs of powdery mildew were collected from the Pierce County master garden located at WSU Puyallup Research and Extension Center (47.2258oN, 122.4347oW). Signs of the powdery mildew included dense patches of white to greyish mycelia on the leaf surfaces. The fungus formed superficial branched hyphae with septa. The foot cells were straight and were followed by one to three short cells bearing conidia. The conidiophores contained short chains of up to 5 conidia. The hyphal appressoria were nipple shaped. The conidia were hyaline and ellipsoidal. Eudoidium type of conidial germination with a short germ tube developed. The conidia (N=55) ranged from 29 to 39 μm long (average=36 μm) by 16 to 24 μm wide (average=18.61 μm). Chasmothecia showed myceloid appendage...
Levels of the erythropoietin-responsive hormone erythroferrone in mice and humans with chronic kidney disease.

Erythroferrone (ERFE) is a hormone produced by human and murine erythroid precursors that acts directly on the liver to decrease hepcidin production.[1][1] Hepcidin regulates circulating iron concentrations by binding to the cellular iron exporter ferroportin, causing its internalization and
Reflexive Physical Therapies

By using various forms of physical energy to stimulate skin nervous receptors and in this way control the flow of information in the nervous system, reflexive physical medicine reprograms the body’s self-defense mechanisms and systems according to actual needs. Because reflexive therapies work directly on the peripheral nervous system, the best therapeutic effects are observed at these lines of the body’s self-defense, which are related to this part of the nervous system; these self-defense markers include pain, muscle spasms, and local blood supply. The efficacy of various reflexive therapies depends mainly on the choice of skin areas selected for therapeutic stimulation and also on the amplitude and intensity of the stimulus; in general, the higher the better, as long it is safe and does not induce unpleasant sensations. A stimulus in high-energy form, for example, laser knife, electrocoagulation, radiofrequency rhizotomy, intensive shortwave/microwave diathermy, or extreme heat/cold, will destroy or damage the tissue (stimulating nociceptive receptors), whereas in the therapeutic, low-energy form it will only stimulate non-nociceptive nervous receptors. Therefore, the stimulus parameters must be well balanced to ensure safety, prevent unwanted side-effects, and yet preserve the maximal therapeutic efficacy. To date, reflexive therapies were grossly underutilized, mainly due to the lack of clear understanding of their mode of action. However, being clinically effective even for many so-called incurable diseases and disorders, yet natural and also cost-effective, they carry great potential for better healthcare at much lower cost.Various methods of reflexive physical medicine are discussed; more attention is paid to those that are the most clinically effective rather than those of anecdotal importance only.
ONLINE SEARCH : IDENTIFYING NEW INVESTMENT HABITATS

Researchers often refer to investment habitats/categories to explain the patterns of comovement in asset returns that cannot be fully clarified by fundamentals. Many factors determine these habitats including investor preferences to size, industry, price-levels and risk-levels. This paper investigates a unique method to explore investment habitat based on the search behavior of investors on the Internet without actually using proprietary trading data. Using Yahoo! Finance data on investors’ frequently coviewing stocks of Russell 3000 stocks between September 15, 2011 and February 24, 2012, we evaluate the return co-movement within investment search habitats/clusters. We find that stocks within a search cluster show strong co-movement with other stocks in the same cluster that is not fully explained by other traditional habitat characteristics. The behavior persists even when a stock moves from one cluster to another. The study provides direct empirical evidence that investors prefer to search among stocks that have similar co-movement.
Solving Large Integer Programs Arising from Air Traffic Flow Problems

Recent integer programming techniques are used to solve problems arising in the control of national air traffic. Two large problems based on real data and developed by the MITRE Corporation for the Federal Aviation Administration are solved to provable optimality. The work was motivated by the inability to solve these problems using commercial integer programming codes. The results demonstrate that, through effective use of recent integer programming techniques, air traffic control problems can be solved that could not be solved without these techniques.
Synthetic Routes to Liquid Crystalline Polymers

This chapter is concerned with the synthesis of main chain, liquid crystal polymers, but only with the reactions used to prepare polyesters and polyamides. At the time of this review, polyesters have been of interest only as thermotropic polymers and polyamides for lyotropic behaviour, but this situation will, likely, soon change. There are undoubtedly aromatic polyesters which show liquid crystallinity in solution, and a thermotropic polyurethane has recently been reported.1
Management of Type 1 Diabetes

The treatment of type 1 diabetes has a relatively short history; the disease was uniformly fatal before the discovery of insulin in 1922. It is interesting to note that by the late 1920s, it was observed that insulin tended to make “fat people fatter”; however, it was not until the mid-1930s that some basic differences were noted between the two major types of diabetes. Although insulin therapy has prevented certain death in patients with type 1 diabetes, it brought on a new era of problems not formally appreciated. This “era of complications” was notable for the grim realization that about half the patients developed proliferative diabetic retinopathy and between 30 and 40% developed diabetic nephropathy. One of the most important scientific debates of the twentieth century was the relationship between diabetic complications and glycemic control. By the 1980s, new tools, such as home self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG), assessment of integrated glycemic control by glycated hemoglobin HbA1c (A1c), continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII), and human insulins, made it possible to attempt near-normal glycemic control. The announcement of the results of the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) in 1993 ended the debate by demonstrating a strong relationship between blood glucose control and the microvascular and neuropathic complications of type 1 diabetes. Since then, the goals have been to further improve our tools for managing type 1 diabetes and to develop new strategies for treating diabetes-related complications once they develop.
Calculation of strain energy release rates for bonded joints with a prescribed crack

Abstract: This chapter provides two general approaches to calculate the strain energy release rate of adhesively bonded composite joints with a prescribed crack. The general structural response of adhesively bonded composite joints is first described and the need for strain energy release rate determination is explained. Two general categories of methodologies for calculating strain energy release rate of an adhesive-bonded composite are given: (1) finite element methods and (2) analytical modeling. A single-lap bonded composite joint with a prescribed crack is given as an example of analytical modeling.
Piecewise affine parameterized value-function based bilevel non-cooperative games

Generalizing certain network interdiction games communicated to us by Andrew Liu and his collaborators, this paper studies a bilevel, non-cooperative game wherein the objective function of each player’s optimization problem contains a value function of a second-level linear program parameterized by the first-level variables in a non-convex manner. In the applied network interdiction games, this parameterization is through a piecewise linear function that upper bounds the second-level decision variable. In order to give a unified treatment to the overall two-level game where the second-level problems may be minimization or maximization, we formulate it as a one-level game of a particular kind. Namely, each player’s objective function is the sum of a first-level objective function ± a value function of a second-level maximization problem whose objective function involves a difference-of-convex (dc), specifically piecewise affine, parameterization by the first-level variables. This non-convex parameterization is a major difference from the family of games with min-max objectives discussed in Facchinei et al. (Comput Optim Appl 59(1):85–112, 2014) wherein the convexity of the overall games is preserved. In contrast, the piecewise affine (dc) parameterization of the second-level objective functions to be maximized renders the players’ combined first-level objective functions non-convex and non-differentiable. We investigate the existence of a first-order stationary solution of such a game, which we call a quasi-Nash equilibrium, and study the computation of such a solution in the linear-quadratic case by Lemke’s method using a linear complementarity formulation.
Rapid proliferation and impacts of cyanobacterial mats on Galapagos rocky reefs during the 2014–2017 El Niño Southern Oscillation

Abstract Cyanobacteria use limiting resources efficiently to take advantage of nutrient pulses, adapt to variable surroundings, and spread; this proliferation is often an indicator of ecosystem stress. We documented the sudden appearance of benthic cyanobacterial mats on a subtidal rocky reef (Roca Cousins, Galapagos Islands) during El Nino in January 2016. At this time, cyanobacteria covered 32.0% of horizontal rock surfaces and 2.6% of rock walls at 6–8 m depth. Monitored photo quadrats and observations indicated that these mats were previously absent from rock walls and horizontal-sloping substrata at this site for 16 years prior to their initial appearance. The cyanobacteria was also observed at 4 other sites in the central Galapagos Islands during 2016–2018. Laboratory experiments testing the effects of temperature (28–31 °C) on cyanobacterial growth and survival indicated that survival was higher at 28 than 31 °C, suggesting that 31 °C may be an upper thermal limit. Over two years in the field, cyanobacterial mats peaked during the warm El Nino (January 2016) and declined during two cold La Nina periods (June 2016, September 2017), ultimately declining to 6.0% cover in January 2018. Regression analysis of the temperature and cyanobacterial percent cover data indicated that temperature explained 56.9% of the variation in cyanobacteria cover in the field over the 2-year period. The cyanobacterial mats may be a consortium of several species as the closest genetic matches confirmed by Sanger sequencing (90–91.5%) were Oscillatoria spongeliae, Merismopedia glauca , and Synechococcus elongatus . Comparison of areas under the cyanobacterial mats to the adjacent uncovered rock substrata suggested that the cyanobacteria had a negative influence on underlying crustose coralline algae (CCA), as the cover of bleached CCA was 1.75 fold higher under the mats while the cover of “healthy” pink-pigmented CCA was 3 fold higher on the uncovered substrata. Short-term field experiments and feeding surveys performed to evaluate predation and to calculate electivity indices indicated that the cyanobacterial mats were avoided by dominant consumers ( Eucidaris galapagensis, Pentaceraster cumingi, Nidorellia armata , and Prionurus laticlavius ). Taken together, these results imply that the novel appearance of cyanobacterial mats in the Galapagos rocky subtidal zone was facilitated by unusually warm temperatures during the 2014–2017 El Nino (28–29 °C) and that the cyanobacteria were regulated by temperature, but not by consumers. Future outbreaks of mat-forming cyanobacteria during El Nino periods may negatively impact the abundance of CCA and have direct and indirect negative effects on other components of marine benthic communities that rely on CCA as either a settlement substratum or food source.
Outcomes of Elective Induction of Labor versus Expectant Management among Obese Women at ≥39 Weeks

Objective Maternal obesity is associated with many adverse obstetric outcomes including cesarean delivery. It is unclear whether induction of labor can reduce these risks. Previous studies report conflicting results on the outcomes of elective induction of labor among obese women. This study aimed to compare maternal and neonatal outcomes between obese women undergoing elective induction of labor and those undergoing expectant management at ≥39 weeks. Study Design This was a retrospective cohort study from the Consortium on Safe Labor of obese women (defined by prepregnancy body mass index≥ 30kg/m2) with singleton gestations at ≥39 weeks without medical comorbidities from 2002 through 2008. Women scheduled for medically indicated induction of labor were excluded. The primary outcome of cesarean delivery was compared between obese women undergoing elective induction of labor and expectant management during 39th, 40th, and 41st weeks using univariable and multivariable analyses, stratifying by parity. Results In all, 7,298 nulliparous and 9,789 parous women were eligible for analysis. After controlling for potential confounders, elective induction of labor during 39th week in nulliparous and parous women was associated with lower odds of cesarean delivery (39.1 vs. 41.6%, adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 0.47, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.30–0.74 for nulliparous and 5.5 vs. 10.1%, adjusted OR: 0.34, 95% CI: 0.20–0.61 for parous women) compared with expectant management. Elective induction of labor during 40th and 41st weeks was not associated with lower odds of cesarean delivery. In addition, macrosomia was reduced in nulliparous women undergoing elective induction of labor during the 40th week (12.1 vs. 18.5%, adjusted OR: 0.56, 95% CI: 0.35–0.87) and in parous women undergoing elective induction of labor during 39th (11.6 vs. 17.6%, adjusted OR: 0.50, 95% CI: 0.38–0.66) and 40th weeks (16.4 vs. 22.2%, adjusted OR: 0.53, 95% CI: 0.36–0.78). Conclusion Elective induction of labor at 39 weeks, when compared with expectant management, was associated with lower cesarean deliveries in obese nulliparous and parous women.
Hepatic Perfusion: Surgical and Catheter

Many solid organ malignancies including colorectal cancer (CRC), neuroendocrine tumors, and ocular melanoma frequently spread to the liver. Liver metastases in patients with these diseases are associated with a poor prognosis. Effective treatment of isolated tumors has remained difficult despite advances in targeted agents and chemotherapy. Isolated hepatic perfusion (IHP) and percutaneous hepatic perfusion (PHP) are examples of liver-directed therapies which were developed to target hepatic metastases in such patients who are refractory to other treatments. The efficacy of these therapies is thought to be attributed to targeting the unique blood supply to hepatic metastases, the hepatic artery. This chapter will describe the techniques of both IHP and PHP and summarize the clinical data evaluating their effectiveness for patients with isolated liver metastases and the above malignancies.
Stereotactic body radiation therapy with androgen deprivation therapy for unfavorable-risk prostate cancer.

332Background: Current ASTRO consensus guidelines do not support routine use of SBRT in higher risk PC. However, the NCCN permits selective use of SBRT with ADT for unfavorable intermediate (UIR) a...
International Commission for Protection Against Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens. ICPEMC Working Paper 1/2. A multi-factor ranking scheme for comparing the carcinogenic activity of chemicals.

Abstract A scheme for ranking the quantitative activity of chemical carcinogens is described. This activity scheme uses as its base, dose potency measured as TD50, the chronic dose rate that actuarially halves the adjusted percentage of tumor-free animals at the end of the study (Gold et al., Environ. Health Perspect., 67, 161–200, 1986). The TD50 is converted into an inverse log scale, a decile scale, and then adjusted by weighting factors that describe other parameters of carcinogenic activity. These factors include positive or negative weightings for: the induction of tumors at tissues or organs associated with high historical control tumor incidences; the induction of tumors at multiple sites; the induction of tumors in both sexes of the species; and the induction of tumors in more than one species. These factors were chosen as they represented qualitative descriptions of the general specificity or non-specificity of chemicals with regard to the activity in rodents and have some bearing on the potential activity of chemicals in humans. In order to construct a measure to express the inactivity of chemicals towards the induction of cancer, a measure analogous to the TD50 has been developed: the highest average daily dose or HADD. The HADD is the highest average daily dose in mg chemical/kg body weight administered in a chronic cancer study and that did not induce a statistical increase in tumors. HADD values were similarly converted to log decile units and adjusted by weighting factors according to lack of activity in both sexes of a species, and the lack of activity in more than one species. In order to explore the use of this multi-factor activity scheme for both carcinogens and non-carcinogens, a group of 142 chemicals was selected that had been tested according to an oral dosing protocol in two sexes of two species of rodents and whose data was peer-reviewed and available for this analysis. This data came from the National Toxicology Program/National Cancer Institute Bioassay Technical Reports. Three activity ranking schemes were developed: the Carcinogen Activity-F344 Rat, an activity scheme based on cancer data obtained with the F344 rat; the Carcinogen Activity-B6C3F1 Mouse, an activity scheme based on cancer data obtained with the B6C3F1 mouse, and the Carcinogen Activity-Combined, an activity scheme based on selecting data from both the F344 rat and the B6C3F1 mouse. This selection was based on the most sensitive rodent responding to the carcinogenic activity of active chemicals and the least sensitive rodent responding to the toxic effects of inactive chemicals. This paper discusses the construction and development of these ranking schemes and analyzes the results in terms of distributions of values within each ranking scheme, and the relative contributions of TD50 (or HADD) and the weighting factors in the activity schemes.
Effects of Indigenous Diet Iron Content and Location on Hemoglobin Levels of Ghanaians.

Multiple studies have demonstrated strong links between diet and anemia, but few have explored the impact of food groups on hemoglobin (Hb). We analyzed the correlation between Ghanaian diet and Hb levels to explore reduction of anemia prevalence through dietary interventions. Demographics, food frequency questionnaires (FFQ), and blood samples were obtained from 140 volunteers (ages 18–65) in five locations across Ghana. Hb was measured; estimated iron consumption was calculated. FFQ items were grouped by food type, and a regression analysis was performed to determine the most important dietary predictors of Hb. Moreover, 47% of total participants were anemic; 64% of females and 28% of males. Hb levels were highest in Mole (13.9 g/dL, SD = ±1.9), independent of sex distribution. The regression model revealed a 62.7% adjusted correlation between food groups and Hb levels. Animal foods (β = 0.016, t = 5.08, p < 0.01) and plant protein (β = 0.013, t = 2.86, p < 0.01) were the most influential groups to Hb levels. It is of vital importance to emphasize the benefits of consuming animal foods and plant proteins within the Ghanaian population. The ease of access to plant proteins makes it likely that this food group will be most influential and have the greatest impact in reduction of anemia in the Ghanaian population.
A Smart IoT Security System for Smart-Home Using Motion Detection and Facial Recognition

The Internet of Things (IoT) combines the idea of technology providing value to our daily lives. One major category in which technology benefits us is the concept of security and privacy. Smartphones can act as a security alert system as the smartphone is the most widely-used smart device. Recently, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-integrated smart IoT devices has significantly increased as well. In this paper, we developed a smart IoT security system for the smart-home. In which, a Raspberry Pi acts as a security system with a No Infrared (NoIR) Pi Camera Module to record videos and capture images. Also, a Passive Infrared (PIR) Motion Sensor is used to detect motion. We propose to use motion sensor data and the images gathered from the NoIR Pi Camera Module to predict a security threat using a face recognition classification technique along with our developed algorithm. The system has the capability to notify the user in case of any emergency. The proposed system can detect any security threat with an accuracy of 95.5% and a precision of 91%.
Estimation of Location and Extent of Labral Tear Based on Preoperative Range of Motion in Patients Undergoing Arthroscopic Stabilization for Anterior Shoulder Instability.

Purpose To determine whether range of motion (ROM) varies with the location and extent of labral tear seen in patients undergoing arthroscopic anterior shoulder stabilization. Methods Consecutive patients undergoing arthroscopic anterior shoulder stabilization who were enrolled in the Multicenter Orthopaedic Outcomes Network Shoulder Instability database underwent a preoperative physical examination and intraoperative examination under anesthesia in which ROM was recorded. Intraoperatively, the location and extent of the labral tear was recorded using conventional clock-face coordinates. Patients were grouped by combinations of quadrants involved in the labral tear (G1-G7): G1 = anterior only, G2 = anterior + inferior, G3 = anterior + inferior + posterior, G4 = all quadrants, G5 = superior + anterior, G6 = superior + anterior + inferior, and G7 = posterior + superior + anterior. Statistical analyses were performed with the Kruskal-Wallis rank-sum test. When P < .05, a post-hoc Dunn's test was performed. For categorical variables, the χ2 test was performed. We performed a series of bivariate negative binomial regression models testing pairwise combinations of ROM parameters predicting the count of labral tear locations (possible: 0-5) within each quadrant. Results A total of 467 patients were included, with 13 (2.8%) in G1, 221 (47.3%) in G2, 40 (8.6%) in G3, 51 (10.9%) in G4, 18 (3.9%) in G5, 121 (25.9%) in G6, and 3 (0.6%) in G7. Multiple statistically significant differences were noted in ROM, specifically active internal rotation at side (IRS) (P = .005), active abduction (P = .02), passive IRS (P = .02), and passive external rotation in abduction (P = .0007). Regression modeling revealed a positive correlation between passive abduction and predicted count of labral tear locations in the superior quadrant and between passive IRS and predicted count of labral tear location in the inferior quadrant. Conclusions In patients undergoing arthroscopic shoulder stabilization for anterior instability, ROM varies with location and extent of labral tear. However, the clinical relevance of such small ROM differences remains undetermined. Level of evidence II, prospective comparative study.