Challenges for Chemoinformatics Education in Drug Discovery

Surveys the curriculum developed at Indiana University for teaching cheminformatics in the IU School of Informatic

In-Ground Optical Fibre Bragg Grating Pressure Switch for Security Applications

In this study, a fibre Bragg grating (FBG) was embedded beneath three common flooring materials acting as a pressure switch for in-ground intrusion detection. This is achieved using an intensiometric detection system, where a laser diode and FBG were optically mismatched so that there was a static dc offset from the transmitted and reflected optical power signals. As pressure was applied, in the form of a footstep, a strain induced wavelength shift occurred that could then be detected by converting the wavelength shift into an intensity change. The change in intensity caused a significant change in the DC offset which behaved as on optical switch. This switch could easily be configured to trigger an alarm if required. The intention is to use the FBG sensor as an in-ground intrusion detection pressure switch to detect an intruder walking within range of the sensor. This type of intrusion detection system can be applied to both external (in soil, etc) and internal (within the foundations or flooring of the home) security systems. The results show that a person\u27s footstep can clearly be detected through solid wood flooring, laminate flooring, and ceramic floor tiles

Fiber bragg grating sensors for mainstream industrial processes

This paper reviews fiber Bragg grating sensing technology with respect to its use in mainstream industrial process applications. A review of the various types of sensors that have been developed for industries such as power generation, water treatment and services, mining, and the oil and gas sector has been performed. A market overview is reported as well as a discussion of some of the factors limiting their penetration into these markets. Furthermore, the author’s make recommendations for future work that would potentially provide significant opportunity for the advancement of fiber Bragg grating sensor networks in these mainstream industries

Distributed sensing, communications, and power in optical Fibre Smart Sensor networks for structural health monitoring

With distributed optical fibre sensors, a single source, a single detector, and a single fibre can be used for up to 1000 fibre Bragg grating sensors. However, this multiplexing architecture is not robust. Damage to any of these individual components can render the entire sensing system useless. To achieve a robust structural health monitoring system, this type of multiplexing cannot be utilised. To overcome the lack of robustness associated with multiplexing optical fibre sensors together, intelligence along with sensors needs to be distributed around a structure. Distributed Optical Fibre Smarts Sensing (DOFSS) represents a sensing architecture for the structural health monitoring of robust aerospace vehicles. The distribution of intelligence around the structure means that communications and power for the network are a significant consideration. Since optical fibre will be utilised for the sensing, then these “wired” links, can easily be utilised for power. The optical fibre links could also be utilised for the distribution of power around the sensor network. In this work, we investigate the distribution of sensing, communications, and power for DOFSS

Optical fiber sensors in physical intrusion detection systems: A review

Fiber optic sensors have become a mainstream sensing technology within a large array of applications due to their inherent benefits. They are now used significantly in structural health monitoring, and are an essential solution for monitoring harsh environments. Since their first development over 30 years ago, they have also found promise in security applications. This paper reviews all of the optical fiber-based techniques used in physical intrusion detection systems. It details the different approaches used for sensing, interrogation, and networking, by research groups, attempting to secure both commercial and residential premises from physical security breaches. The advantages and the disadvantages of the systems are discussed, and each of the different perimeter protection methods is outlined, namely, in-ground, perimeter fence, and window and door protection. This paper reviews the progress in optical fiber-based intrusion detection techniques from the past through to the current state-of-the-art systems and identifies areas, which may provide opportunities for improvement, as well as proposing future directions in this field

Photovoltaic micro-cell design for distrubuted power in sensor networks

We present a new study of power over optical fiber, for use in optical fiber smart sensor networks, using silicon-based photovoltaic micro-cells. A number of parameters in the design of the micro-cell for implementation in a power converter chip have been investigated. Matching the beam profile to the active region, as well as maximizing the contact area improves the device efficiency. The effect of doping profile and junction type on the device performance, suggests silicon is a cost effective and suitable material for this application

Educational Disparities in Mortality Among Adults With Diabetes in the U.S.

OBJECTIVE — To measure relative and absolute educational disparities in mortality among U.S. adults with diabetes and to compare their magnitude with disparities observed within the nondiabetic population. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS — A total of 85,867 individuals (5,007 with diabetes), aged 35–84 years, who participated in the National Health Interview Survey fro

Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Guides the Management of Crohn's Patients with Secondary Loss of Response to Adalimumab

Background: Managing loss of response (LOR) in Crohn's disase (CD) patients remains challenging. Compelling evidence supports therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) to guide management in patients on infliximab, but data for other biologics are less robust. We aimed to asses if empiric dose escalation led to improved clinical outcome in addition to TDM-guided optimization in CD patients with LOR to adalimumab (ADA). Methods: Retrospective chart review of patients followed between 2014 and 2016 at McGill IBD Center with index TDM for LOR to ADA was performed. Primary outcomes were composite remission at 3, 6, and 12 months in those with empiric adjustments versus TDM-guided optimization. Results: There were 104 patients (54.8% men) who were included in the study. Of this group, 81 patients (77.9%) had serum level (SL) >= 5 mu g/ml at index TDM with a median value of 12 mu g/ml (IQR 6.1-16.5). There were 10 patients (9.6%) who had undetectable SL with high anti-ADA antibodies and 48 (46.2%) received empiric escalation. TDM led to change in treatment in 58 patients (55.8%). Among them, 28 (48.3%) had discontinued ADA, 12 (21.7%) had addition of immunomodulator or steroid, and 18 (31%) had ADA dose escalation. Empiric dose escalation before TDM-based optimization was not associated with improved outcomes at 3, 6, and 12 months, irrespective of SL levels. Clear SL cutoff associated with composite remission was not identified. Conclusions: Our data do not support empiric dose adjustment beyond that based on the result of the TDM in patients with LOR to ADA. TDM limits unnecessary dose escalation and provides appropriate treatment strategy without compromising clinical outcomes

The state of the Martian climate

60°N was +2.0°C, relative to the 1981–2010 average value (Fig. 5.1). This marks a new high for the record. The average annual surface air temperature (SAT) anomaly for 2016 for land stations north of starting in 1900, and is a significant increase over the previous highest value of +1.2°C, which was observed in 2007, 2011, and 2015. Average global annual temperatures also showed record values in 2015 and 2016. Currently, the Arctic is warming at more than twice the rate of lower latitudes