cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Foundational aspects of a multi-scale modeling framework for composite materials

The objective of this paper is to provide an integrated computational materials science and engineering or ICMSE perspective on various aspects governing multi-scale analysis of composite materials. These include microstructural characterization, micromechanical analysis of microstructural regions, and bridging length scales through hierarchical modeling. The paper discusses methods of identifying representative volume elements or RVEs in the material microstructure using both morphology- and micromechanics-based methods. For microstructures with nonuniform distributions, a statistically equivalent RVE or SERVE is identified for developing homogenized properties under undamaged and damaging conditions. A particularly novel development is the introduction of SERVE boundary conditions based on the statistical distribution of heterogeneities in the domain exterior to the SERVE. A micromechanical model of the SERVE incorporating explicit damage mechanisms like interfacial debonding, and fiber and matrix damage is developed for crack propagation. Finally, a microstructural homogenization-based continuum damage mechanics (HCDM) model is developed that accounts for the microstructural distributions as well as the evolution of damage. The HCDM model-based simulations are able to provide both macroscopic and microscopic information on evolving damage and failure.
Risk Perception and Preference for Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease

Abstract Objectives To understand how older adults perceive their risk of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and how this may shape their medical care decisions, we examined whether presence of established risk factors of AD is associated with individuals' perceived risk of AD, and with preference for preventing AD. Methods Participants: Data came from the US Health and Retirement Study participants who were asked questions on AD risk perception (N = 778). Measurements: Perceived risk of AD was measured by respondents' estimate of their percent chance (0–100) developing AD in the next 10 years. Preference for AD prevention was measured with questions eliciting willingness to pay for a drug to prevent AD. Analysis: Multivariate linear regressions were used to estimate correlates of perceived risk and preference for prevention. Results Better cognitive functioning and physical activity are associated with decreased perceived risk. Neither age nor cardiovascular disease is associated with perceived risk. African Americans have lower perceived risk than non-Latino whites; the difference is wider among people age 65 and above. Only 4% to 7% of the variation in perceived risk was explained by the model. Preference for prevention is stronger with increased perceived risk, but not with the presence of risk factors. Persons with better cognitive functioning, physical functioning, or wealth status have a stronger preference for prevention. Conclusion Some known risk factors appear to inform, but only modestly, individuals' perceived risk of AD. Furthermore, decisions about AD prevention may not be determined by objective needs alone, suggesting a potential discrepancy between need and demand for AD preventive care.
Band erosion: laparoscopic removal of lap-band

Laparoscopic gastric banding is in the category of purely restrictive gastric procedures. It offers the advantage of being minimally invasive, adjustable, and reversible. The incidence of band erosion with penetration into stomach is well documented in literature. We present a case of band erosion and simultaneous laparoscopic removal of lap-band through the same incisions used for its placement. The stomach was repaired with laparoscopic suture placement and an omental patch was placed on top of the repair along with fibrin glue and a JP drain. An upper gastrointestinal study demonstrated no extravasation of contrast and the patient was discharged postoperative day 1.
At your service!Does country of origin research apply to services?

The objective of this paper is to examine the country of origin (COO) research as it applies to services. This stream of research has seemed to focus on products since the 1960s, but has been applied to services in only a very few areas. This dearth of research is surprising as trade in international services has increased greatly in recent years and continues to grow. This study thoroughly examines the related journal articles and attempts to answer the question: “Does COO research apply to services?” Our investigation found three classes of literature focusing on services, and details the studies in each. The study concludes with recommendations for future research.
Studying Contact Stress Fields Caused by Surface Tractions With a Discrete Convolution and Fast Fourier Transform Algorithm

The knowledge of contact stresses is critical to the design of a tribological element. It is necessary to keep improving contact models and develop efficient numerical methods for contact studies, particularly for the analysis involving coated bodies with rough surfaces. The fast Fourier Transform technique is likely to play an important role in contact analyses. It has been shown that the accuracy in an algorithm with the fast Fourier Transform is closely related to the convolution theorem employed. The algorithm of the discrete convolution and fast Fourier Transform, named the DC-FFT algorithm includes two routes of problem solving: DC-FFT/Influence coefficients/Green's, function for the cases with known Green's functions and DC-FFT/Influence coefficient/conversion, if frequency response functions are known. This paper explores the method for the accurate conversion for influence coefficients from frequency response functions, further improves the DC- FFT algorithm, and applies this algorithm to analyze the contact stresses in an elastic body under pressure and shear tractions for high efficiency and accuracy. A set of general formulas of the frequency response function for the elastic field is derived and verified. Application examples are presented and discussed.
From "Need to Know" to "Need to Share": Tangled Problems, Information Boundaries, and the Building of Public Sector Knowledge Networks

Sharon S. Dawes is a senior fellow at the Center for Technology in Government, professor emerita of public administration and policy, and affi liate faculty member in informatics at the University at Albany, State University of New York. As founding director from 1993 to 2007, she led the Center for Technology in Government to international prominence in applied digital government research. A fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration, she was elected the fi rst president of the Digital Government Society of North America in 2006. She serves on advisory committees for the U.S. National Science Foundation, the National Archives and Records Administration, and the United Nations University. Her main re- search interests are government information strategy and management, international research collaboration, and cross-boundary information sharing and integration.
Shape‐based virtual screening with volumetric aligned molecular shapes

Shape-based virtual screening is an established and effective method for identifying small molecules that are similar in shape and function to a reference ligand. We describe a new method of shape-based virtual screening, volumetric aligned molecular shapes (VAMS). VAMS uses efficient data structures to encode and search molecular shapes. We demonstrate that VAMS is an effective method for shape-based virtual screening and that it can be successfully used as a prefilter to accelerate more computationally demanding search algorithms. Unique to VAMS is a novel minimum/maximum shape constraint query for precisely specifying the desired molecular shape. Shape constraint searches in VAMS are particularly efficient and millions of shapes can be searched in a fraction of a second. We compare the performance of VAMS with two other shape-based virtual screening algorithms a benchmark of 102 protein targets consisting of more than 32 million molecular shapes and find that VAMS provides a competitive trade-off between run-time performance and virtual screening performance.
Therapeutic Approaches to Varicella-Zoster Virus Infections

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infections, the cause of chickenpox and shingles, are usually benign but are associated with morbidity and mortality, especially in immunocompromised hosts. Significant advances have been achieved in the treatment of VZV infections. In immunocompromised patients, both vidarabine and acyclovir have proved useful for the therapy of chickenpox and herpes zoster. Acyclovir, administered intravenously, is the treatment of choice for these infections. Both chickenpox and herpes zoster in the normal host are amenable to therapy with orally administered acyclovir. For older individuals with herpes zoster, acceleration of cutaneous healing can be accomplished at dosages of 800 mg five times a day for 10 days. Acyclovir therapy of chickenpox is recommended for adolescents and young adults with infection. In the future, improved therapies for VZV infections may include such newer antiviral drugs as bromovinyl arabinosyl uracil and acyclovir prodrugs.
Combination 830-nm and 633-nm light-emitting diode phototherapy shows promise in the treatment of recalcitrant psoriasis: preliminary findings.

Abstract Background and Objectives: Psoriasis is one of the major problems facing dermatologists worldwide. Planar arrays of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) have recently attracted attention in the treatment of difficult dermatological entities, 830 nm in near infrared (near-IR) and 633 nm in visible red. This study was designed to assess the efficacy of combination 830-nm and 633-nm LED phototherapy in the treatment of recalcitrant psoriasis. Subjects and Methods: Nine informed and consenting patients with psoriasis were enrolled in this preliminary study, (3 men, 6 women, mean age 34.3, skin types I to IV). All had chronic psoriasis, which in most cases had proved resistant to conventional treatments. They were treated sequentially with LED arrays delivering continuous-wave 830 nm (near-IR) and 633 nm (red) in two 20-min sessions over 4 or 5 weeks, with 48 h between sessions (830 nm, 60 J/cm2; 633 nm, 126 J/cm2). Results: All patients completed their LED regimens (4 requiring 1 regimen, 5 requiring a secon...
Prognosis after local recurrence after conservative surgery and radiation for early-stage breast cancer.

Purpose To determine the long-term prognosis of patients who develop a local recurrence (LR) after conservative surgery (CS) and radiation therapy (RT) for early-stage invasive breast cancer. Methods and materials Between 1970 and 1987, 2102 patients with clinical Stage I-II breast cancer were treated with CS+RT. LR was defined as any recurrence within the ipsilateral breast with or without simultaneous regional nodal or distant metastasis. Patients were at risk for a LR until the first of distant metastases, second nonbreast malignancy, or death (DF/S/D). The final study population comprised 341 patients with LR. The median time to LR was 72 months. The median follow-up time after LR was 85 months. A proportional hazards model of time from LR to DF/S/D was done to investigate the influence of factors at initial diagnosis and at LR on subsequent outcome. Results The actuarial freedom from DF/S/D 5 years after LR was 65% and the survival was 81%. Variables significantly associated with time to DF/S/D were: LR histology (invasive vs. ductal carcinoma in situ, hazard ratio [HR] = 4.1, p p p = 0.02); time to LR (≤2 years vs. >5 years, HR=2.6, p 5 years, HR=1.8, p = 0.006); and age at initial diagnosis (≥60 vs. p = 0.01). Conclusions Many patients with LR after CS+RT have prolonged distant disease-free survival, particularly those able to be treated with mastectomy. Patients with a noninvasive LR, longer interval to LR, or age
The FGFR/MEK/ERK/brachyury pathway is critical for chordoma cell growth and survival

Recent evidence suggests that the expression of brachyury is necessary for chordoma growth. However, the mechanism associated with brachyury-regulated cell growth is poorly understood. Fibroblast growth factor (FGF), a regulator of brachyury expression in normal tissue, may also play an important role in chordoma pathophysiology. Using a panel of chordoma cell lines, we explored the role of FGF signaling and brachyury in cell growth and survival. Western blots showed that all chordoma cell lines expressed fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2), FGFR3, mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), whereas no cell lines expressed FGFR1 and FGFR4. Results of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay indicated that chordoma cells produced FGF2. Neutralization of FGF2 inhibited MEK/ERK phosphorylation, decreased brachyury expression and induced apoptosis while reducing cell growth. Activation of the FGFR/MEK/ERK/brachyury pathway by FGF2-initiated phosphorylation of FGFR substrate 2 (FRS2)-α (Tyr196) prevented apoptosis while promoting cell growth and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Immunofluorescence staining showed that FGF2 promoted the translocation of phosphorylated ERK to the nucleus and increased brachyury expression. The selective inhibition of FGFR, MEK and ERK phosphorylation by PD173074, PD0325901 and PD184352, respectively, decreased brachyury expression, induced apoptosis, and inhibited cell growth and EMT. Moreover, knockdown of brachyury by small hairpin RNA reduced FGF2 secretion, inhibited FGFR/MEK/ERK phosphorylation and blocked the effects of FGF2 on cell growth, apoptosis and EMT. Those findings highlight that FGFR/MEK/ERK/brachyury pathway coordinately regulates chordoma cell growth and survival and may represent a novel chemotherapeutic target for chordoma.
Targeting Anti-Oxidant and Anti-Proliferative Pathways in Pulmonary Hypertension Secondary to Heart Failure. Is One Better Than the Other?

Purpose Pulmonary hypertension (PH), which develops secondary to left-heart failure (LHF), is a progressive disorder with limited therapeutic options. PN induced smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation and pulmonary vascular remodeling by inactivating PTEN, Our findings indicated that PN/PTEN is a potential target in LHF-PH. The goal of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of curcumin derivatives HO-3867, a dual-function antioxidant/ anti-proliferative and H-4073 an anti-proliferative agent in LHF-PH. Methods and Materials In vitro studies established HO-3867 was a potent PN scavenger and inhibited PN-stimulated human pulmonary artery SMC proliferation. PH was induced by permanent ligation of LAD in rats for 4 weeks. Echo, hemo-dynamics, histopathology, and protein analysis were performed. HO-3867 and H-4073 were administered at a dose of 100 ppm in diet for 4 weeks post-ligation. Results HO-3867 did not affect cardiac function. However, H-4073 significantly improved the ejection fraction. Both agents significantly decreased the right ventricular systolic pressure. [ figure 1 ] H&E staining of lungs in both groups showed a marked decrease in medial thickening and luminal narrowing. HO-3867 attenuated PN generation in the lung by 85%, restored PTEN activity from 53±6% to 84±3% of control (p Conclusions Targeting SMC proliferative pathways in the pulmonary vasculature delays progression of LHF-PH. Augmentation of cardiac function has an additive effect.
Effects of Varied Cardioplegic Perfusion Pressure on Myocardial Preservation with Critical Coronary Stenosis

Inadequate delivery of cardioplegic solution distal to coronary artery stenosis may result in increased injury during ischemic arrest. This study was performed to determine the effects of cardioplegic perfusion pressure on cardioplegia delivery and myocardial preservation in hearts with critical coronary artery stenosis. Twenty dogs underwent 90 minutes of cold potassium cardioplegic arrest with partial occlusion of the circumflex coronary artery. Group 1 received cardioplegia at 50 mm Hg pressure, Group 2 at 90 mm Hg pressure, and Group 3 at 130 mm Hg pressure. It was found that cooling rates were 5.4 degrees, 9.1 degrees, and 18.2 degrees C per minute in the nonischemic area (p = 0.004) and 2.0 degrees, 4.5 degrees, and 7.9 degrees C in the ischemic area (p = 0.008) in Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Total of cardioplegic solution flows were 86, 188, and 262 ml per minute per 100 gm in Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively (p = 0.001). However, flow did not differ significantly between groups in the ischemic area. Rate of rise of left ventricular (LV) pressure decreased significantly in Groups 1 and 2 but not in Group 3 (p = 0.002). Other measured variables did not differ significantly between groups, although LV function curves showed less deterioration in the high-pressure groups. It is concluded that higher cardioplegic perfusion pressure resulted in more rapid cooling in normal and ischemic areas and slightly better preservation of ventricular function as measured by some indexes. However, preservation was generally good for each of the pressures for up to 90 minutes of ischemia when the septum was consistently cooled to 10 degrees C.
Effect of Degeneration of the Intervertebral Disk on the Process of Diffusion

PURPOSE: To test the hypothesis that diffusion of contrast medium into the intervertebral disk is affected by the integrity of the nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus. METHODS: In canine intervertebral disks, defects were made in the annulus fibrosus and nuclear material was removed from the disk with a nucleotome. MR imaging was performed with intravenous contrast medium at 15, 30, 60, and 90 days after the procedure. The diffusion of contrast medium in the intervertebral disk was studied by visual inspection and by measuring changes in signal intensity. The intervertebral disk were classified at each MR study as normal or abnormal on the basis of the signal intensity on T2-weighted images. RESULTS: In untreated disks after intravenous injection of contrast medium, a band of increased signal intensity was observed near the endplates that became wider with time and approached the center of the disk. In six of the 12 treated disks, the band of increased signal intensity was visibly diminished or less discrete compared with that in the control disks. Weeks later, these treated disks showed diminished signal intensity on T2-weighted images and bulging of the annulus fibrosus. CONCLUSIONS: Intervertebral disks with defects in the annulus fibrosus and reduced cartilage content were characterized by abnormal diffusion of contrast medium into the disk, and changes characteristic of early disk degeneration were detected subsequently.
Catnip, Nepeta cataria, a Morphological Comparison of Mutant and Wild Type Specimens to Gain an Ethnobotanical Perspective

Nepeta cataria L, the catnip plant, is important in the pet industry for cats and as an herbal medicinal treatment for the fevers, diarrhea, insomnia, and lacking menstruation of humans. A natural mutation of N. cataria produced a novel morphology that warranted investigation to determine how the mutation affected the microscopic features, including catnip’s ethnobotanical storehouse of glandular hairs. The morphology, anatomy, and physiology of this mutant are compared to that of the wild type of catnip to document the major differences. The secondary plant metabolites which facilitate catnip’s ethnobotanical uses are stored in microscopic glandular hairs (trichomes). The trichomes on the mutant and wild type catnip leaves were not shown to differ (scanning and transmission electron microscopy). The feliobotany (use by cats) of N. cataria is discussed in relation to catnip trichomes.
Improved Cardiac Output with Right Ventricular Septal Pacing in a Patient with Right Bundle Branch Block and Left Ventricular Dysfunction

Alternate site pacing improved the left ventricular outflow tract velocity time integral compared to native rhythm in a patient with ischemic cardiomyopathy and severe left ventricular dysfunction with underlying right bundle branch block.
Development of glutamatergic synaptic activity in cultured spinal neurons.

The development of glutamatergic synapses involves a sequence of events that are still not well understood. We have studied the time course of the development of glutamatergic synapses in cultured ...
A Behavioral Approach to the Group Treatment of Parents

Group work, like casework, has been de fined as a method of treatment whose pur pose is the improved social functioning of clients.1 Although the social work literature abounds in descriptive typologies and case studies aimed at facilitating the practi tioner's diagnostic skills, few articles have pointed to a specific set of procedures of intervention available to the social worker for the amelioration of the client's prob lems. In the absence of a theoretical foun
Improvements of determination of trace lead by hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectroscopy

Objective:To optimize the conditions for determination of trace lead by hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectroscopy.Methods:Potassium ferricyanide should be treated with acid-washed activated carbon and its efficiency on interference of coexisting ions was tested.The sample was determined at different concentrations of hydrochloric acid and potassium ferricyanide.Results:The fluorescence signal of blank solution was decreased evidently by treating potassium ferricyanide with acid-washed activated carbon.The interference of coexisting ions could be suppressed in some degrees in the presence of potassium ferricyanide.Under the optimum conditions,linear relationship was kept in the rage of 0 to 50 μg/L and the detection limit of this method was 0.14 μg/L.The relative standard deviation(RSD) of the procedure was 1.5%(10.0 μg/L Pb,n=20).The present procedure was applied for determination of lead in rice and water,and the recoveries from samples varied from 93.0% to 104.8%.Conclusion:After optimizing conditions,this method can be applied to the determination of trace lead in hygienic samples.
A Possible Mechanism for the Detrimental Effect of Varicocele on Testicular Function in Man

Seminiferous epithelium histology, Leydig cell density, and in vitro testosterone synthesis were quantitated in bilateral testicular biopsies from men with varying degrees of unilateral or bilateral varicoceles. Results were correlated with plasma levels of gonadotropins (follicle-stimulating hormone [FSH], luteinizing hormone [LH]) and testosterone (T), as well as with semen quality. In patients with bilateral varicoceles, spermatogenesis, Leydig cell density, plasma T levels, and in vitro T synthesis were significantly lower than in patients with unilateral varicoceles. Varicoceles appeared to affect maximally the latest stages of spermatogenesis. A negative correlation between FSH and LH levels and spermatogenesis was observed; however, a dissociation between the two gonadotropins occurred when spermatogenesis declined. Plasma T levels were within the normal range in all patients. The T:LH ratio was significanly correlated with spermatogenesis and sperm motility. Leydig cell density was abnormally low in oligospermie patients, and it was significantly correlated with in vitro T synthesis, spermatogenesis, sperm motility, and semen volume. Sperm count and motility were significantly correlated in this group of patients, suggesting a common pathophysiology for the effect of varicocele on spermatogenesis and sperm motility: This common pathophysiology appears to be disturbed Leydig cell function resulting in decreased testicular androgen production, in turn causing inadequate spermatogenesis and epididymal function.
Interdependence and Impacts: Towards the Integration of Externality, Public Goods and Grants Theories

From at least the middle decades of the eighteenth century to the present a fundamental insight, even theorem, of economics has been the general interconnectedness of all economic variables. The conduct of most economic analysis has tended, however, to focus on the choices made by essentially autonomous individuals from within their respective opportunity sets (the sets of alternatives open to each of them). Lurking in the background has been the recognition of the general interconnectedness of all variables and, by inference, the general interdependence of economic actors and their opportunity sets. (Interdependence has been recognized as making economic analysis exceedingly intractable. Partial equilibrium solutions often have been allowed to serve as proxies for less-determinate general equilibrium solutions.) Until relatively late in the twentieth century, economists did not have a body of theory (except insofar as the general theory of the market per se may be so described) which dealt explicitly and systematically with interdependence, and even then it has been considered and treated as the incidental exception to the general analysis of voluntary exchange self-contained among autonomous actors in the market.
Pulmonary Kirsten Rat Sarcoma Virus Mutation Positive Mucinous Adenocarcinoma Arising in a Congenital Pulmonary Airway Malformation, Mixed Type 1 and 2.

Congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM) is a developmental abnormality of the lung, which results from an abnormality of branching during fetal development of the lung. We report the case of an 18 year-old woman who developed Kirsten rat sarcoma virus (KRAS) mutation positive mucinous adenocarcinoma of the lung (AC) in association with mixed CPAM type 1 and 2. This case is unique as KRAS mutation positive AC is present in a setting of both CPAM 1 and 2 in the same lesion.
Some New Thoughts on Conditionals

The paper describes a new way of thinking about conditionals, in terms of information transfer between worlds. This way of looking at things provides an answer to some of the standard problems concerning conditionals, and undercuts the claim that indicative and subjunctive conditionals are distinct.
Protein Kinase Recognition and Sorting by the HSP90 Kinome-Specific Cochaperone CDC37

The Hsp90 chaperone machinery is a ubiquitous mediator of protein homeostasis and activity. Despite its essential roles, little is known about the molecular mechanism that controls substrate entry into its chaperone cycle. Here we show that the functional role of the kinome-specific cochaperone, Cdc37, reaches beyond that of an adapter protein and find that it actively participates in the selective recruitment of only client kinases. The cochaperone recognizes kinase specificity determinants in both clients and non-clients and thus it acts as a general kinase scanning-factor. Kinase sorting within the client to non-client continuum relies on the ability of Cdc37 to challenge the conformational stability of client kinases by locally unfolding them. This metastable conformational state has high affinity for Cdc37 and forms stable complexes through an extended, multi-domain cochaperone interface. On the other hand, the interaction with non-clients is not accompanied by conformational changes of the substrate and results in substrate dissociation. Collectively, Cdc37 performs a quality control of protein kinases, where induced conformational instability acts as a “flag” for Hsp90 dependence and thus stable cochaperone association.
Serotonin releasing agents: Neurochemical, therapeutic and adverse effects

This review summarizes the neurochemical, therapeutic and adverse effects of serotonin (5-HT) releasing agents. The 5-HT releaser (plus minus)-fenfluramine is composed of two stereoisomers, (+)-fenfluramine and (minus sign)-fenfluramine, which are N-de-ethylated to yield the metabolites, (+)-norfenfluramine and (minus sign)-norfenfluramine. Fenfluramines and norfenfluramines are 5-HT transporter substrates and potent 5-HT releasers. Other 5-HT releasing agents include m-chlorophenylpiperazine (mCPP), a major metabolite of the antidepressant drug trazodone. Findings from in vitro and in vivo studies support the hypothesis that fenfluramines and mCPP release neuronal 5-HT via a non-exocytotic carrier-mediated exchange mechanism involving 5-HT transporters. (+)-Norfenfluramine is a potent 5-HT(2B) and 5-HT(2C) receptor agonist. The former activity may increase the risk of developing valvular heart disease (VHD), whereas the latter activity is implicated in the anorectic effect of systemic fenfluramine. Anorectic agents that increase the risk of developing primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) share the common property of being 5-HT transporter substrates. However, these drugs vary considerably in their propensity to increase the risk of PPH. In this regard, neither trazodone nor mCPP is associated with PPH. Similarly, although some 5-HT substrates can deplete brain 5-HT (fenfluramine), others do not (mCPP). In addition to the established indication of obesity, 5-HT releasers may be helpful in treating psychiatric problems such as drug and alcohol dependence, depression and premenstrual syndrome. Viewed collectively, it seems possible to develop new medications that selectively release 5-HT without the adverse effects of PPH, VHD or neurotoxicity. Such agents may have utility in treating a variety of psychiatric disorders.
A Case Study on the Trade-Offs between Security, Scalability, and Efficiency in Smart Home Sensor Networks

This paper presents the design of a case study that examines the trade-offs between security, scalability and efficiency for sensor networks in IoT environments. Among the trade-offs we will investigate throughput and real-time response for sensor data collected by wireless sensors and transmitted into a scalable Cloud environment for storage and processing. The case study will be performed on a Smart Home prototype system developed at the University of West Florida that functions as a testbed system of a comparable IoT environment. The Smart Home prototype system provides sensor network and sensor data collection and processing services designed to infer activities in a home but it lacks security and scalability of its services. We anticipate that results of the case study will provide generalizable insight into the design of secure and scalable IoT applications.
Engineering High-Potential Photo-oxidants with Panchromatic Absorption

Challenging photochemistry demands high-potential visible-light-absorbing photo-oxidants. We report (i) a highly electron-deficient Ru(II) complex (eDef-Rutpy) bearing an E1/20/+ potential more than 300 mV more positive than that of any established Ru(II) bis(terpyridyl) derivative, and (ii) an ethyne-bridged eDef-Rutpy−(porphinato)Zn(II) (eDef-RuPZn) supermolecule that affords both panchromatic UV–vis spectral domain absorptivity and a high E1/20/+ potential, comparable to that of Ce(NH4)2(NO3)6 [E1/2(Ce3+/4+) = 1.61 V vs NHE], a strong and versatile ground-state oxidant commonly used in organic functional group transformations. eDef-RuPZn exhibits ∼8-fold greater absorptive oscillator strength over the 380–700 nm range relative to conventional Ru(II) polypyridyl complexes, and impressive excited-state reduction potentials (1E–/* = 1.59 V; 3E–/* = 1.26 V). eDef-RuPZn manifests electronically excited singlet and triplet charge-transfer state lifetimes more than 2 orders of magnitude longer than those typi...
An assessment of vulnerability of hardware neural networks to dynamic voltage and temperature variations

As a problem solving method, neural networks have shown broad applicability from medical applications, speech recognition, and natural language processing. This success has even led to implementation of neural network algorithms into hardware. In this paper, we explore two questions: (a) to what extent microelectronic variations affects the quality of results by neural networks; and (b) if the answer to first question represents an opportunity to optimize the implementation of neural network algorithms. Regarding first question, variations are now increasingly common in aggressive process nodes and typically manifest as an increased frequency of timing errors. Combating variations - due to process and/or operating conditions - usually results in increased guardbands in circuit and architectural design, thus reducing the gains from process technology advances. Given the inherent resilience of neural networks due to adaptation of their learning parameters, one would expect the quality of results produced by neural networks to be relatively insensitive to the rising timing error rates caused by increased variations. On the contrary, using two frequently used neural networks (MLP and CNN), our results show that variations can significantly affect the inference accuracy. This paper outlines our assessment methodology and use of a cross-layer evaluation approach that extracts hardware-level errors from twenty different operating conditions and then inject such errors back to the software layer in an attempt to answer the second question posed above.
Parallalizable deep self-organizing maps for image classification

Self-organizing Maps (SOMs) are neural network architectures which are used to learn from unlabeled data. Despite being proven to be useful in many areas, SOMs have limited capability of performing high level feature abstraction due to its shallow structure. As a solution, deep self-organizing maps (DSOM), have been proposed. DSOMs enable multiple levels of abstraction in unsupervised learning with a hierarchical deep structure. However, training of DSOMs is computationally expensive, limiting its usability. This paper presents a DSOM architecture that is easily parallelizable and hence more computationally efficient (PD-SOM). The presented architecture has three main advantages: 1) Unsupervised learning based image classification, 2) High-level feature abstraction and 3) Less computationally expensive training while maintaining high accuracy levels. The PD-SOM architecture was implemented on the benchmark MNIST hand written character dataset. To test the robustness and the generalization capability of the presented PD-SOM architecture, testing was done with: 1) small training sets and 2) varying degrees of noise. It was shown that the presented architecture consistently outperformed the previously proposed DSOM while showing ∼18% decrease in training time for the MNIST dataset.
Analytical validation of a novel multiplex test for detection of advanced adenoma and colorectal cancer in symptomatic patients

Early detection of colorectal cancer (CRC) is key to reducing associated mortality. Despite the importance of early detection, approximately 40% of individuals in the United States between the ages of 50-75 have never been screened for CRC. The low compliance with colonoscopy and fecal-based screening may be addressed with a non-invasive alternative such as a blood-based test. We describe here the analytical validation of a multiplexed blood-based assay that measures the plasma concentrations of 15 proteins to assess advanced adenoma (AA) and CRC risk in symptomatic patients. The test was developed on an electrochemiluminescent immunoassay platform employing four multi-marker panels, to be implemented in the clinic as a laboratory developed test (LDT). Under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) and College of American Pathologists (CAP) regulations, a United States-based clinical laboratory utilizing an LDT must establish performance characteristics relating to analytical validity prior to releasing patient test results. This report describes a series of studies demonstrating the precision, accuracy, analytical sensitivity, and analytical specificity for each of the 15 assays, as required by CLIA/CAP. In addition, the report describes studies characterizing each of the assays' dynamic range, parallelism, tolerance to common interfering substances, spike recovery, and stability to sample freeze-thaw cycles. Upon completion of the analytical characterization, a clinical accuracy study was performed to evaluate concordance of AA and CRC classifier model calls using the analytical method intended for use in the clinic. Of 434 symptomatic patient samples tested, the percent agreement with original CRC and AA calls was 87% and 92% respectively. All studies followed CLSI guidelines and met the regulatory requirements for implementation of a new LDT. The results provide the analytical evidence to support the implementation of the novel multi-marker test as a clinical test for evaluating CRC and AA risk in symptomatic individuals.
Multi-view near-Infrared image mosaicking for face detection in smart cities

Security surveillance are low-cost, ubiquitous systems, which are employed in smart cities around the world for threat monitoring and assessment. Manual observation, monitoring and tracking their population, detection, and reporting abnormal events in crowded places can be very challenging. Smart cities favor the use of sophisticated security systems, which can exceed human errors. Moreover, multi-view near-infrared surveillance systems pose challenges such as poor image quality, color discontinuity, occlusion, and image blur. Also, the performance of a recognition system depends on the specifications of the camera. All these distortions cause interference in feature extraction process in face or object classification systems. In this article, an intelligent multi-view image mosaicking algorithm, which combines near-infrared images captured from dozens of cameras/sensors is introduced. The presented system a) preserves facial features, b) avoids vertical banding (exposure variation), and c) solves color discontinuity aiding for face detection systems. The performance of this technique is tested against its ground truth, both subjectively and quantitatively. The quantitative analysis is performed using measures such as SSIM, MS-SSIM, AME, LogAMEE, and TDMEC.
Symptoms of the Chiari II Malformation

The symptoms of a Chiari II malformation (CIIM) arise from variable degrees of brain stem compromise and are most commonly manifest as elements of bulbar failure but may involve the long tracts and sensorium as well. Whether this compromise in function arises as a result of inherent brain stem malformation or as a result of physical compression from a malformed posterior fossa remains an active area of debate. Symptoms associated with the CIIM (Table 25.1) are age specific in their presentation and can be subtle or profound. Stridor is the hallmark symptom of symptomatic CIIM in the newborn and represents an urgent neurosurgical need. Impaired airway protection; generalized lethargy, listlessness, and hypotonia; and a variety of gastrointestinal symptoms may also be seen in infants with a symptomatic CIIM. The manifestations of CIIM in the older child and adult are less common, more insidious in onset, and less acutely threatening to survival than in the infant. Progressive dysfunction of the hands (with associated sensory symptoms), sleep abnormalities, and ataxia may be seen in the older child or adult. Symptoms are age related and localize to the dysfunctional bulbar structures of the posterior fossa.
Inflammation, Reproduction, and the Goldilocks Principle

Modulation of reproductive function in response to ecological stressors allows an individual to conceive and carry a fetus under optimal conditions relative to that individual’s environment. Stress can affect inflammation and inflammatory processes that are integral to reproductive function. Ovulation and implantation, in particular, are driven by local expression of cytokines in the granulosa cells and endometrial tissue, and some evidence suggests that local expression may be impacted by ecological factors impacting systemic inflammation. Further, ovarian hormones are often mediators of inflammatory processes that control endometrial functioning, and tissue remodeling that occurs in both the proliferative and secretory phases of the endometrial cycle is also inflammatory in nature.As a result, the study of ovarian and endometrial functioning creates the opportunity to test questions regarding a trade-off that characterizes human pregnancy: close maternal-fetal contact to improve resource transmission, yet higher vulnerabilities to pathologies related to energetics and inflammation such as gestational diabetes and choriodecidual inflammatory syndrome. Several ecological factors have been shown to impact reproductive functioning: psychosocial stress, energetics, and immunological stress. While those with the strongest correlative effect are energetic, both psychosocial and immunological stresses are relevant to this discussion because the stress response – particularly when chronically activated – induces inflammation. Previous and new research both on psychosocial stressors and inflammatory processes have found tenuous relationships with reproductive hormones and menstrual cycle length. Further, inflammation has a significant impact on fetal loss Thus, the goal of this chapter is to demonstrate what evidence supports a relationship between inflammation and reproductive functioning, how ecological factors that induce inflammation produces variation in rates of ovulation, implantation, and fetal loss, and how such relationships might be better tested in future work.
Turnaround times in the laboratory: a review of the literature.

Objective To conduct a review of the literature for current information pertaining to turnaround times in the clinical laboratory. To evaluate the methods previously used for improving turnaround times and provide a reference for laboratories. Design The literature was reviewed for information related to turnaround times in the laboratory. Information was limited to literature published from 1989 to present in order to cover the more technological innovations. Results Several methods have been used in recent years for the improvement of turnaround times in the clinical laboratory. Among these are pneumatic tubing systems, satellite laboratories, point-of-care testing, and computer technology. Conclusions There is still the need for faster turnaround times. Technological advances are enabling laboratories to better meet these needs leading to improved user satisfaction.
Book Review of the Max Planck Encyclopedia of Public International Law (Rüdiger Wolfrum, Ed., Oxford University Press, 2012)

In 2004, the Max Planck Institute launched yet another generation of its widely-used encyclopedia on public international law, this time entitled the Max Planck Encyclopedia of Public International Law (MPEPIL), under the direction of Rudiger Wolfrum. As befits a new century, the MPEPIL was first unveiled in an online version in 2008, followed in 2012 by a print version in ten volumes plus an index volume. Even a cursory comparison with the previous version reveals that this compendium is a whole new ball game. In terms of content, only 12 of the prior edition’s articles were taken verbatim into the new version, while some 350 articles were dropped, the rest were rewritten, and more than 700 new articles were added, including in areas of considerable growth, such as international criminal law, international dispute settlement, trade law and environmental law. All told, this edition contains more than 1,600 articles, beginning with the AAPL v. Sri Lanka case and ending with "Zones of Peace." Each article contains cross-references to related articles and concludes with a bibliography of the most significant primary materials and secondary sources on the topic. All told, there is little question that the MPEPIL lives up to its claim as the definitive reference work for international law, especially for a new generation of international law scholars who are more comfortable clicking rather than thumbing their way to answers.
Biologic Risks in “Nonorganic” Failure to Thrive: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Implications

Failure to thrive is not a diagnosis but a symptom, the final common pathway of many possible physiologic insults. Traditionally, children with major organ system dysfunction sufficient to account for their growth failure are labelled “organic” FTT. When no such major organ system can be identified, children with growth failure are diagnosed as “nonorganic” FTT. However, the diagnosis of “nonorganic” FTT identifies children burdened by multiple biologic risks. These risks fall into three categories: 1) perinatal; 2) toxic-immunologic; and 3) neurodevelopmental. This chapter outlines the diagnostic and therapeutic implications of each of these three categories of biologic risk for the clinical care of the child with “nonorganic” FTT.
Durability of brain metastasis response and overall survival in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with pembrolizumab.

2009Background: Pembrolizumab can have significant and durable activity in patients (pts) with advanced NSCLC, however the activity in the central nervous system (CNS) and the long-term benefit in ...
Diálogos con los muertos. Ideología y cementerio

Los arqueologos estan acostumbrados a asumir una relacion directa entre la inversion funeraria y el estatus social (Binford, 1971; Saxe, 1970; Tainter, 1978; O’Shea, 1984; Bartel, 1982). Muchos han supuesto que los ricos siempre han adquirido para si las formas de exhibicion mortuoria mas suntuosas. Para estos investigadores, el ritual mortuorio, la forma de enterramiento, el ajuar funerario y los monumentos reflejan directamente la dimension social, que a su vez es el resultado de las relaciones materiales que determinaron el nivel evolutivo de la cultura. Recientemente, un numero cada vez mayor de investigadores han rechazado la conceptualizacion del ritual funerario como algo determinado y en ningun caso determinante, y en su lugar han ubicado al ritual mortuorio en el ambito de la ideologia (Hodder, 1982; Pearson, 1982; Shanks & Tilley, 1982; Miller & Tilley, 1984; Kristiansen, 1984). Ellos consideran al analisis de los restos mortuorios como un caso particular dentro del estudio mas general sobre como la ideologia legitima el orden social. Ellos destacan el poder y las anomalias entre los poderosos y los que carecen de poder en las sociedades como una dinamica interna para el cambio cultural. Como ideologia, el ritual funerario no se refiere necesariamente a las relaciones reales de poder en una sociedad, sino a una expresion idealizada de estas relaciones. El ritual actua ideologicamente para mantener el orden social al distorsionar la verdadera naturaleza de las relaciones sociales. El ritual funerario es, por lo tanto, una parte activa de la negociacion y la lucha entre los poderosos y los que carecen de poder en la sociedad. Mi proposito inicial al estudiar las lapidas de los ultimos 180 anos en el condado de Broome, Nueva York, fue determinar si proporcionaban un reflejo directo de la estratificacion social en la comunidad. Luego de un breve examen, fue evidente que en algunos periodos temporales si lo hacian y en otros no. El supuesto de que reflejan directamente el orden social dentro de una unica etapa evolutiva claramente no se confirma. Mas importante aun, la respuesta a mi pregunta inicial planteo temas mucho mas fascinantes que la investigacion original.