Interconnected Environment Research Articles

Abstract 3844: A novel microfluidic platform to mimic tumor angiogenesis.

Abstract Introduction: Tumor growth and development depend on the ability of tumor cells to recruit normal host cells within its microenvironment, such as endothelial cells and fibroblasts. Thus, understanding the relationships between host and tumor cells is essential to developing new and complementary approaches to the overall management of the disease. Previous work has relied on xenograft tumors in mouse models, or relatively simplistic in vitro cultures. These approaches have provided valuable insights, but they possess inherent limitations. To address these limitations we present a novel microfluidic device that recreates specific features of the complex tumor microenvironment. The platform includes two discrete, but interconnected cellular environments that can mimic microvessel recruitment of 3D metabolically active tumor mass. Methods: The microfluidic device was fabricated by standard polydimethlsiloxane (PDMS) micro-molding. The design consists of two rows of diamond-shaped tissue compartments (∼ 1 mm3) juxtaposed in parallel and connected via micropores specifically designed to control the flow of hydrogels during loading. The first compartment is used to simulate a vasculogenesis-like process, and it consists of fibroblasts (NHLFs) and endothelial colony forming cell-derived endothelial cells (ECFC-ECs) seeded in a fibrin matrix. The second compartment is used to simulate tumor tissue, and it is composed of fibrin matrix alone, or with the addition of human colorectal adenocarcinoma tumor cells (SW620 cells) with or without NHLFs. Supplying each tissue channel are intersecting, fluid-filled microchannels that provide a dynamic supply of culture media on either side of the tissue compartments. The pressure within these compartments can be manipulated to control the direction and magnitude of interstitial fluid flow. This flexibility can manipulate cell behavior within one compartment over the other, as needed. Results: Cells in the device remained viable through 3 weeks of culture. Within the first week, vessel formation was observed in the first chamber, and angiogenesis was observed in the direction opposite to the direction of interstitial flow, that is toward, and then directly entering the second chamber as early as day 4. Addition of SW620s in the second chamber enhanced angiogenesis as evidenced by an increase in the number of ECFC-ECs sprouts (1.83 vs 2.33) and sprout length (142+36.6 μm vs 196+40.9 μm). Discussion: We have developed a novel microfluidic system of the tumor microenvironment that allows for real-time visualization of the interaction between sprouting microvessels, the stroma, and tumor cells in 3D. The device provides flexibility and reproducibility in a controlled environment, and can allow for high-throughput screening, which may be useful for the discovery of anti-cancer drugs. Citation Format: Luis F. Alonzo, Monica L. Moya, Zachary T. Campagna, Stephanie Sprowl, Marian L. Waterman, Chris C. Hughes, Steven C. George. A novel microfluidic platform to mimic tumor angiogenesis. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3844. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-3844

Efficient load balancing on biswapped networks

This paper focuses on devising an efficient algorithm for load balancing on the promising biswapped interconnection networks which were recently proposed as a better architecture over the well-known OTIS networks. The proposed algorithm is called GPM which reduces the number of load balancing steps of the existed algorithms obviously. GPM algorithm first schedules load flows on inter-groups links to achieve the balanced status among groups. Then a general load balancing strategy is executed in each of all groups to balance processor loads. The analytical model proves that GPM algorithm is efficient and results of computer simulation experiment indicate that GPM can implement load balancing in biswapped network interconnected environments efficiently, in terms of various parameters.

Cloud Interconnected Affect Reward based Automation Ambient Comfort Controller

The paper presents the human Affect Reward Based Automation Ambient Comfort Controller (ACARBC) as the interconnected cloud computing intelligent services that provide intelligent calculus for any instrumented interconnected environment sense and control system. The ACARBC has been modelled and, as the experimental results show, that an environmental state characteristics that create an optimum ambient comfort can be obtained by ACAR index. The ACAR index is dependent on human physiological parameters: the temperature, the ECG- electrocardiogram and the EDA-electro-dermal activity. The fuzzy logic is used to approximate the ACAR index function by defining two fuzzy inference systems: the Arousal-Valence System, and the Ambient Comfort Affect Reward (ACAR) System. The Radial Basis Neural Network is used as the main component of the ACARBC to performing of two roles - the policy structure, known as the Actor, used to select actions, and the estimated value function, known as the Critic that criticizes the actions made by the Actor. The Critic in this paper was used as a value function approximation of the continuous learning tasks of the ACARBC. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.eee.18.10.3060

Research on Distributed Resource Management System for Product Design

Resource plays an important role for product design. In order to manage distributed and ocean resource for product design in an open and dynamic interconnection environment, resource integration framework is proposed. Resource depicted through matrix is presented in resource space. The matrix description, combination, integration, semantic reasoning and semantic search on resource are studied. According to resource space model, a fuzzy decision-based method is proposed to decide which resource is the most optimal. Finally, an example on product design of eddy current retarder is given to testify the validity of distributed resource management for product design.

Designing a multi-slate reading environment to support active reading activities

Despite predictions of the paperless office, most knowledge workers and students still rely heavily on paper in most of their document practices. Research has shown that paper's dominance can be attributed to the fact that it supports a broad range of these users' diverse reading requirements. Our analysis of the literature suggests that a new class of reading device consisting of an interconnected environment of thin and lightweight electronic slates could potentially unify the distinct advantages of e-books, PCs, and tabletop computers to offer an electronic reading solution providing functionality comparable to, or even exceeding, that of paper. This article presents the design and construction of such a system. In it, we explain how data can be mapped to slates, detail interactions for linking the slates, and describe tools that leverage the connectivity between slates. A preliminary study of the system indicates that such a system has the potential of being an electronic alternative to paper.

A Fast Authentication Scheme for WiMAX–WLAN Vertical Handover

In view that authentication has made a significant determinant in handover delay, this paper presents a fast authentication mechanism for mobile stations roaming within a WiMAX---WLAN interconnected environment. Incorporating a key reuse design that prevents repeated transactions at a remote server, our mechanism distributes security contexts ahead of handover to a local trusted key holder which manages several sites. A target site, upon receiving a mobile station, retrieves the contexts locally for authentication purpose and thus completes handover efficiently. While employing a target prediction algorithm as an option, our mechanism distributes the contexts to target candidates as dictated, which further improves handover performance if target prediction hits and maintains its advantage even in a miss. In addition, the handover optimization design specified in WiMAX is extended to support WiFi-to-WiMAX handovers. We reason that the proposed mechanism does not compromise the system in any sense as well. Analytical and simulation results show that, despite key pre-distribution misses, our mechanism leads to marked improvement over counterpart schemes in terms of handover delay and packet loss, meeting delay-sensitive application requirements.

Pre-treatment and oxidation behavior of sol–gel Co coating on 430 steel in 750 °C air with thermal cycling

Research and development efforts continue to improve oxidation resistance and electrical conductivity of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) interconnects. This research evaluates the performance of a ferritic stainless steel (AISI 430 — a candidate SOFC interconnect material) with and without a Co coating (via sol–gel dip coating technique) with various pre-treatments, during cyclic oxidation exposures up to 750°C in laboratory air. A pre-treatment exposure of Co coated samples to a 750°C reducing atmosphere (prior to oxidation exposures) led to the formation of an effective Co-based spinel oxide coating that lowers oxidation rates by more than 40 times, and substantially lowers area specific resistance (ASR) in comparison to uncoated specimens. The development of effective sol–gel Co coatings with reducing pre-treatments, and their evolution within simulated SOFC interconnect environments is presented and discussed.

Scholarly Communication and Public Policies: The Experience of the Association of Research Libraries

ABSTRACT As members of the Association of Research Libraries support the research and scholarship being conducted at their institution, they rely on their association to shape and influence public policies on their behalf. While some of the policy issues have remained the same over the years, the changes in technology that are resulting in new forms of scholarship and the increasingly complex and interconnected environment create new opportunities and challenges for policy development. This article describes some of the important policy issues for scholarly communication and highlights current activities.

Measuring network competence in buyer-supplier relationships

Managing multiple buyer-seller relationships in business-to-business networks demands an understanding of a firm’s competence to manage in an interconnected environment. This paper reports on an attempt to measure network competence by using the NetCompTest scale in business-to-business markets in South Africa. Based on a pilot study refinement, the paper proposes an adjusted measurement scale and details the results of a second round of measurement conducted amongst 495 business-to-business managers in South Africa. The results established partial support for the use of the NetCompTest scale in a South African context, and analysis of variance indicated that some differences in the measurement based on firm and individual characteristics can be observed in the data. The paper assists in theory-building and provides managerial insights for managing buyer-supplier relationships in networks.

Broadening the Socio-Technical Horizons of Health Informatics

Broadening the Socio-Technical Horizons of Health Informatics

Analysing Trust Transitivity and the Effects of Unknown Dependence

Trust can be used to improve online automated recommendation within a given domain. Trust transitivity is used to make it successful. But trust transitivity has different interpretations. Trust and trust transitivity; both are the human mental phenomenon and for this reason, there is no such thing as objective transitivity. Trust transitivity and trust fusion both are important elements in computational trust. This paper analyses the parameter dependence problem in trust transitivity and proposes some definitions considering the effects of base rate. In addition, it also proposes belief functions based on subjective logic to analyse trust transitivity of three specified cases with sensitive and insensitive based rate. Then it presents a quantitative analysis of the effects of unknown dependence problem in an interconnected network environment; such Internet.

Oxidation of Ferritic Steels Subjected to Simulated SOFC Interconnect Environments

Ferritic stainless steel (FSS) 441 with CoMnO coatings were subjected to solid oxide fuel cell interconnect exposures (800{degree sign}C air and dual atmospheres (air/H2)). Oxidation behavior was observed using complimentary analytical techniques. Significant differences in oxidation behavior were observed in samples exposed to dual atmosphere conditions compared with air-only exposures, indicating rapid transport of hydrogen through FSS 441 and its influence on air side corrosion. Observations and interpretations are presented and discussed in context of developing inexpensive and durable SOFC interconnects.

A New Generation of Corporate Codes of Ethics

Globalization theories posit organizational convergence, suggesting that Codes of Ethics will become commonplace and include greater consideration of global issues. This study explores the degree to which the Codes of Ethics of 157 corporations on the Global 500 and/or Fortune 500 lists include the “third generation” of corporate social responsibility. Unlike first generation ethics, which focus on the legal context of corporate behavior, and second generation ethics, which locate responsibility to groups directly associated with the corporation, third generation ethics transcend both the profit motive and the immediate corporate environment. Third generation ethics are grounded in responsibilities to the larger interconnected environment. The results of the study suggest convergence, insofar as Codes of Ethics are becoming standard communication features of corporations across region and industrial sector but still manifest a primary concern with profits and those behaviors which are mandated by law. Only corporations headquartered in the European Union demonstrate a significant degree of global consciousness and reflexivity. However, there is some evidence that third generation ethics and thinking are becoming part of the corporate landscape. More then three quarters of the corporations made at least some reference to third generation ethics.

Special Issue: Web 2.0, Semantics, Knowledge and Grid

With the massive participations of worldwide developers and users as well as enabling collaboration and social networks, Web 2.0 is significantly influencing the development of the Web, Semantic Web and Grid by aiming at a powerful and harmonious interconnection environment. The study of the future Web concerns the exploration of the laws among large-scale and expanding resources such as the formation of community and effective knowledge sharing, the semantics facilitating various interactions (between human, between machines and between human and machine) the scalable infrastructure and applications. This special issue is to reflect the up-to-date progresses of research on the future Web. It contains eight papers selected mainly from the third International Conference on Semantics, Knowledge and Grid 1, which emphasizes on promoting cross-area research. Web mining and community discovery play an important role in supporting intelligent Web applications. Zhang and Xu 2 introduce a set of Web mining methods based on various available information on the Web, including Web document contents, hyperlink analysis, user access logs and semantic analysis. Several key Web clustering algorithms are studied, including a latent linkage information algorithm for finding relevant pages and a Web page clustering algorithm based on the defined concept of Web page correlation. Pierce et al. 3 introduce the application of Web 2.0 in the following scenarios: client-side JavaScript libraries for building and composing Grid services, integrating server-side portlets with ‘rich client’ AJAX tools and Web services for analyzing a global positioning system's data, building and analyzing folksonomies of scientific user communities through social bookmarking, and applying microformats and GeoRSS to problems in scientific metadata description and delivery. The future Web and Grid need to combine different models and techniques to provide users with more accessible services and resources. Dillon et al. 4 discuss three important computing paradigms including service-oriented computing, Grid computing and Web 2.0. An abstracted distributed computing model is introduced and a Grid architecture GRIDspace is discussed. Semantic Web plays an important role in making the description of Web resources more machine-understandable, which can be used as the basic data model and query model to support heterogeneous resource management on Semantic Grid. Babik and Hluchy present an architecture to support efficient resource description, query processing and logic reasoning based on a subset of Semantic Web language 5. The system combines a tableau algorithm with a resolution-based reasoning method to support scalable queries on large-scale instances with complex schema for resource management on Semantic Grid. Ontology technologies are promising and enabling tools for building an intelligent Web. Ungrangsi et al. propose an ontology retrieval framework for the information sharing on the next-generation Web 6. A similarity ranking method is proposed to evaluate the semantic query on ontology modeled by XML declarative description language. Logic reasoning is an important tool to utilize knowledge information. Li et al. propose a case-based reasoning method with adaptive learning rules 7. Resource Space model and Semantic Link Network model are used for efficient resource management and reuse. By dynamically updating the reasoning rules, the reasoning results are improved. Semantics-rich queries are also important for databases that are to manage heterogeneous data objects. Li et al. 8 presents a semantic model for multimedia database systems. A semantic schema description framework called MediaView is provided for users to describe the data model of a multimedia database with more formal semantics. The MediaView model allows users to design a dynamic and evolving object-oriented schema for multimedia data objects, upon which a multimedia recipe database is developed. The future Web faces many problems from architectural solution to scalable and extensible data model. Sun et al. propose a system architectural framework with a semantic object model for massive information and knowledge sharing on the future Web 9. It incorporates peer-to-peer (P2P) computing techniques into the system platform where an object-oriented semantic model is provided for users to describe resources in a more flexible and extensible way. The basic system architecture and related semantic object model are suggested as the scalable semantic model for the future Web. We trust this special issue will make a significant contribution to the development of the future interconnection environment as described in 10. Finally, we would like to take this opportunity to thank the chief editor, publisher, authors and reviewers whose strong support made this special issue possible.

Long-range atmospheric transport of three toxaphene congeners across Europe. Modeling by chained single-box FATEMOD program

Long-range atmospheric transport of three toxaphene congeners across Europe. Modeling by chained single-box FATEMOD program

The behavior of nickel and silver in a simulated solid oxide fuel cell environment

Nickel, silver, and a nickel–silver composite have been tested in a simulated solid oxide fuel cell interconnect environment. The susceptibility of the interconnect to mechanical degradation as a result of environmental attack has been analyzed. The experimental results of this study demonstrate that silver is unstable in the interconnect environment, while nickel remains stable. A finite difference model has been developed to analyze how the simultaneous diffusion of hydrogen and oxygen into the interconnect can result in the nucleation of water vapor bubbles. In addition, a model developed by Raj and Ashby to describe the growth of cavities under creep conditions has been employed to predict the rate at which cavity growth will occur. Finally, a Ni–Ag composite was fabricated and studied as an interconnect in an attempt to avoid the mechanical degradation that occurs in silver, while maintaining a path for electrical conduction that is not degraded by oxidation.

A practical implementation of indoor location-based services using simple WiFi positioning

This work addresses the gap regarding existing indoor location-awareness support solutions and their integration in real-world smart spaces composed of commodity mobile/fixed devices. The work describes experiences and lessons learnt in designing and implementing support for indoor location-based services within the framework of our research about smart space application platforms. The extensive usage of web technologies in our smart space application platform enables easy creation and mash-up of location based services in both ad hoc settings and interconnected environments. As for the indoor location sensing, the solution relies on a novel technique that is suitable for easy large-scale deployments on top of existing IEEE 802.11 wireless network infrastructures. The technique, which is based on received signal strength (RSS), is suitable for RSS measurements and location calculation to take place at the mobile terminal with minimum setup work. In addition, it does not require any proprietary hardware devices to be installed in the target environment. Experimental results, referring to different categories of mobile devices (commercial smartphones, PDAs and laptops), show that the technique performs quite well on commodity mobile devices in terms of power consumption and time required to calculate the indoor location.

Time-domain interconnect characterisation flow for appropriate model segmentation

The authors present a new method to find low-complexity time-domain interconnect models that obey a certain specified accuracy in relation to the true waveform. The method rests on an characterisation flow that considers the whole interconnect environment, including driver and receiver. Furthermore, as output the method defines simple rules for appropriate model segment type, RC or RLC and minimal number of model segments. The authors show the application of the method by deriving segment-selection rules for one case, using a particular interconnect, driver, receiver and discrepancy constraint on model against true waveform. In a comparison with a reduced-order modelling technique, the models obtained from the method show good correlation to Lanczos-process-based Krylov subspaces.

The Protection of Land Rights in Ethiopia

Protection of land rights takes place within a complex interconnected environment of constantly changing domestic institutions and organizations at the federal, state and local levels of society. Usually these institutions and organizations function imperfectly, are the subject of a variety of ongoing reforms, and are poorly understood by those who seek to change them. These statements are as true of rich countries as of poor, but poverty does matter. This paper frames the Ethiopian environment within an Ecology of Land Rights Protection, presents examples of the current mixture of outcomes, and concludes with observations about the work of the Mekelle University Law Faculty in improving human rights protection. Key Words: Land Rights, Federal Laws and Regional Laws, Tigray, Land Registration and Certification, Local Government

Cooperative decision making in a knowledge grid environment

A knowledge grid is an intelligent interconnection environment, built on top of a computational grid, to facilitate the creation of virtual organizations. An important feature of a virtual environment is its support for collaborative decision-making. A major difficulty with current approaches is that they cannot easily handle environments where decision makers are added or removed dynamically. In this article, a new approach to alter the number of decision makers dynamically is suggested. The amount of decision accuracy made by each decision maker, for a given subject, is determined subjectively considering the other decision makers’ opinions. The effect of decisions made by each decision maker varies gradually considering its past decisions. Assuming each decision maker provides a fuzzy answer set in response to each decision problem, an operator for fusing of the decision makers’ decision sets is suggested. The aim of the fusion is improvement of the decision quality. The fusing operator provides a fuzzy answer set that is a function of the accuracy possibility of each decision maker and its fuzzy answer set.