Paper Session IV-B - Offshore Space Launch Developments

Studies have been performed to investigate the feasibility of launching space vehicles from an offshore platform site [1] & [23. Constraints on the use of existing facilities at Kennedy Space Center/Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (KSC/CCAFS) and Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB) will make it increasingly difficult to meet future planned launch requirements for larger vehicles and more frequent launch schedules. A universal mobile platform which can launch a variety of space vehicles from a deepwater location, provides an efficient method of reaching all these objectives, uhile mitigating problems with site acquisition. Costs for floating or fixed platforms used in the offshore oil industry are probably less than one half the cost of providing new, fixed, onshore launch facilities. This paper presents the results of recent studies for offshore launch development. Several viable platform concepts are proposed and workable operational scenarios illustrated. Technical problems associated with vehicle transportation, propellant handling, storm survival, thrust plume effects and weather downtime are addressed. Also, concerns of site security, safety, logistics support and communications are discussed. Solutions to many of these problems already exist in the present state of the offshore oil industry

A pattern recognition methodology for analyzing residential customers load data and targeting demand response applications

© 2019 Elsevier B.V. The availability of smart meter data allows defining innovative applications such as demand response (DR) programs for households. However, the dimensionality of data imposes challenges for the data mining of load patterns. In addition, the inherent variability of residential consumption patterns is a major problem for deciding on the characteristic consumption patterns and implementing proper DR settlements. In this regard, this paper utilizes a data size reduction and clustering methodology to analyze residential consumption behavior. Firstly, the distinctive time periods of household activity during the day are identified. Then, using these time periods, a modified symbolic aggregate approximation (SAX) technique is utilized to transform the load patterns into symbolic representations. In the next step, by applying a clustering method, the major consumption patterns are extracted and analyzed. Finally, the customers are ranked based on their stability over time. The proposed approach is applied on a large dataset of residential customers’ smart meter data and can achieve three main goals: 1) it reduces the dimensionality of data by utilizing the data size reduction, 2) it alleviates the problems associated with the clustering of residential customers, 3) its results are in accordance with the needs of systems operators or demand response aggregators and can be used for demand response targeting. The paper also provides a thorough analysis of different aspects of residential electricity consumption and various approaches to the clustering of households which can inform industry and research activity to optimize smart meter operational use

Protection of hippocampal CA1 neurons against ischemia/Reperfusion injury by exercise preconditioning via modulation of Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and prevention of Caspase-3 Activation

Introduction: Ischemia leads to loss of neurons by apoptosis in specific brain regions, especially in the hippocampus. The purpose of this study was investigating the effects of exercise preconditioning on expression of Bax, Bcl-2, and caspase-3 proteins in hippocampal CA1 neurons after induction of cerebral ischemia. Methods: Male rats weighing 260-300 g were randomly allocated into three groups (sham, exercise, and ischemia). The rats in exercise group were trained to run on atreadmill 5 days a week for 4 weeks. Ischemia was induced by the occlusion of both common carotid arteries (CCAs) for 20 min. Levels of expression of Bax, Bcl-2, and caspase-3 proteins in CA1 area of hippocampus were determined by immunohistochemical staining . Results: The number of active caspase-3-positive neurons in CA1 area were significantly increased in ischemia group, compared to sham-operated group (P<0.001), and exercise preconditioning significantly reduced the ischemia/reperfusion-induced caspase-3 activation, compared to the ischemia group (P<0.05). Also, results indicated a significant increase in Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in ischemia group, compared to sham-operated group (P<0.001). Discussion: This study indicated that exercise has a neuroprotective effects against cerebral ischemia when used as preconditioning stimuli

Prediction of Response to Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy by MRI-Based Machine Learning Texture Analysis in Rectal Cancer Patients

Introduction Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) followed by surgical resection is the standard treatment for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). Radiomics can be used as noninvasive biomarker for prediction of response to therapy. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the association of MRI texture features of LARC with nCRT response and the effect of Laplacian of Gaussian (LoG) filter and feature selection algorithm in prediction process improvement. Methods All patients underwent MRI with a 3T clinical scanner, 1 week before nCRT. For each patient, intensity, shape, and texture-based features were derived from MRI images with LoG filter using the IBEX software and without preprocessing. We identified responder from a non-responder group using 9 machine learning classifiers. Then, the effect of preprocessing LoG filters with 0.5, 1 and 1.5 value on these classification algorithms' performance was investigated. Eventually, classification algorithm's results were compared in different feature selection methods. Result Sixty-seven patients with LARC were included in the study. Patients' nCRT responses included 11 patients with Grade 0, 19 with Grade 1, 26 with Grade 2, and 11 with Grade 3 according to AJCC/CAP pathologic grading. In MR Images which were not preprocessed, the best performance was for Ada boost classifier (AUC = 74.8) with T2W MR Images. In T1W MR Images, the best performance was for aba boost classifier (AUC = 78.1) with a sigma = 1 preprocessing LoG filter. In T2W MR Images, the best performance was for naive Bayesian network classifier (AUC = 85.1) with a sigma = 0.5 preprocessing LoG filter. Also, performance of machine learning models with CfsSubsetEval (CF SUB E) feature selection algorithm was better than others. Conclusion Machine learning can be used as a response predictor model in LARC patients, but its performance should be improved. A preprocessing LoG filter can improve the machine learning methods performance and at the end, the effect of feature selection algorithm on model's performance is clear. Keywords:MRI; Rectal cancer; Radiomics; Machine learnin

Use of Social Media Functionality for Improving Information Sharing, Problem-Solving, and Co-Production in a B2B Context

Copyright © 2022 The Author(s). This study examines (i) the role of social media functionalities in building trust (ii) and trust’s role in achieving co-production of the value proposition. This research confirms the positive impact of social media functionality on developing trust. A cross-sectional survey is conducted based on the questionnaire method in this study. The sample was drawn from Tehranand Arak companies located in Science and Technology Parks and industrial zones. Structural equation modeling was performed to test the relationship among the research variables. Drawing upon a sample of 358 participants working in industrial firms and using partial least squares structural equation modeling, the functionality of social media as particular tools to build trust is elaborated. Also, our research results prove the critical impact of trust on the co-production of value proposition dimensions, i.e., knowledge and information sharing, problem-solving, and co-production. Furthermore, it is shown that technological uncertainty has a positive moderating effect on the relationship between trust and co-production. Conversely, competition intensity has a negative moderating influence on the relationship between trust and problem-solving. The results of this study is particularly useful for B2B firms and shows that by investing in social media activities, they can extend their communications with their client and stakeholders to develop trust effectively. Such investment reaps the benefit of co-production of the value proposition. Based on the results, this paper suggests managerial implications for policymakers, sales managers, IT managers, and social media directors who wish to build a strong relationship with their clients and motivate them to take part in their production process and help them improve both quality and services

Modelling of the multi-transition periodic flaring in G9.62+0.20E

We present detailed modeling of periodic flaring events in the 6.7 GHz and 12.2 GHz methanol lines as well as the OH 1665 MHz and 1667 MHz transitions observed in the G9.62+0.20E star-forming region. Our analysis is performed within the framework of the one-dimensional Maxwell-Bloch equations, which intrinsically cover the complementary quasi-steady state maser and transient superradiance regimes. We find that the variations in flaring time-scales measured for the different species/transitions, and sometimes even for a single spectral line, are manifestations of and are best modeled with Dicke's superradiance, which naturally accounts for a modulation in the duration of flares through corresponding changes in the inversion pump. In particular, it can explain the peculiar behaviour observed for some features, such as the previously published result for the OH 1667 MHz transition at $v_\mathrm{lsr}=+1.7$ km s$^{-1}$ as well as the methanol 6.7 GHz line at $v_\mathrm{lsr}=-1.8$ km s$^{-1}$, through a partial quenching of the population inversion during flaring events.Comment: 13 pages, 13 figures, accepted MNRA

AS1411 Aptamer-Anionic Linear Globular Dendrimer G2-Iohexol Selective Nano-Theranostics

Molecular theranostics is of the utmost interest for diagnosis as well as treatment of different malignancies. In the present study, anionic linear globular dendrimer G2 is employed as a suitable carrier for delivery and AS1411 aptamer is exploited as the targeting agent to carry Iohexol specifically to the human breast cancer cells (MCF-7). Dendrimer G2 was prepared and conjugation of dendrimer and aptamer was carried out thereafter. Based on the data yielded by AFM, morphology of smooth and spherical non-targeted dendrimer changed to the rough aspherical shape when it conjugated. Then, conjugation was confirmed using DLS, ELS and SLS methods. Toxicity on nucleolin positive MCF-7 cells and nucleolin negative HEK-293 cells was assessed by XTT and apoptosis/necrosis assays. In vitro uptake was determined using DAPI-FITC staining and ICP-MS methods. In vivo studies including in vivo CT imaging, pathology and blood tests were done to confirm the imaging ability, bio-safety and targeted nature of the Nano-Theranostics in vivo. In a nutshell, the prepared construction showed promising effects upon decreasing the toxicity of Iohexol on normal cells and accumulation of it in the cancer tumors as well as reducing the number of cancer cells. © 2017 The Author(s)

Chiral Four-Wave-Mixing signals with circularly-polarized X-ray pulses

Chiral four-wave-mixing signals are calculated using the irreducible tensor formalism. Different polarization and crossing angle configurations allow to single out the magnetic dipole and the electric quadrupole interactions. Other configurations can reveal that the chiral interaction occurs at a given step within the nonlinear interaction pathways contributing to the signal. Applications are made to the study of valence excitations of S-ibuprofen by chiral Stimulated X-ray Raman signals at the Carbon K-edge and by chiral visible 2D Electronic Spectroscopy.teraction pathways contributing to the signal.Comment: 33 pages, 10 figure

Liposomal cytarabine as cancer therapy: From chemistry to medicine

Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide. The main modality to fight against cancer is surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, and more recently targeted therapy, gene therapy and immunotherapy, which play important roles in treating cancer patients. In the last decades, chemotherapy has been well developed. Nonetheless, administration of the drug is not always successful, as limited drug dosage can reach the tumor cells.. In this context, the possibility to use an encapsulated anti-cancer drug may potentially solve the problem. Liposomal cytarabine is a formulation with pronounced effectiveness in lymphomatous meningitis and reduced cardiotoxicity if compared to liposomal anthracyclines. Thus, the future liposomal cytarabine use could be extended to other diseases given its reduction in cytotoxic side effects compared to the free formulation. This review summarizes the chemistry and biology of liposomal cytarabine, with exploration of its clinical implications.N. Martins would like to thank the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT-Portugal) for the strategic project ref. UID/BIM/04293/2013 and "NORTE2020 - Programa Operacional Regional do Norte" (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000012). M. Martorell would like to thank the support offered by CONICYT PIA/APOYO CCTE AFB170007

Is correction for metallic artefacts mandatory in cardiac SPECT/CT imaging in the presence of pacemaker and implantable cardioverter defibrillator leads?

Introduction: Metallic artifacts due to pacemaker/ implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) leads in CT images can produce artifactual uptake in cardiac SPECT/CT images. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of the metallic artifacts due to pacemaker and ICD leads on myocardial SPECT/CT imaging. Methods: The study included 9 patients who underwent myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI). A cardiac phantom with an inserted solid defect was used. The SPECT images were corrected for attenuation using both artifactual CT and CT corrected using metal artifact reduction (MAR). VOI-based analysis was performed in artifactual regions. Results: In phantom studies, mean-of-relative-difference in white-region, between artifact-free attenuation-map without/with MAR were changed from 9.2 and 2.1 to 3.7 and 1.2 for ICD and pacemaker lead, respectively. However, these values for typical patient were 9.7±7.0 and 3.8±2.4 for ICD and pacemaker leads respectively, in white-region. MAR effectively reduces the artifacts in white-regions while this reduction is not significant in black-regions. Conclusion: Following application of MAR, visual and quantification analyses revealed that while quality of CT images were significantly improved, the improvements in the SPECT/CT images were not as pronounced or significant. Therefore cardiac SPECT images corrected for attenuation using CT in the presence of metallic-leads can be interpreted without correction for metal artefacts. © 2018 Tehran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved