Optimal control of auxiliary heating of passive-solar-heated buildings

Previous papers have demonstrated that low-cost off-peak electricity can be used to provide auxiliary heating for a passive-solar-heated residence. This paper describes the development of optimal control strategies for the operation of this auxiliary heating system. The temperature in the residence throughout the day as determined by computer simulation is presented for several optimal and conventional control strategies. The optimal control strategies improved the temperature control in the building compared to the conventional strategies. All strategies were shown to depend heavily on weather prediction. Computer simulations showed that errors in weather prediction had a small effect on heating cost and a large effect on being able to maintain the desired indoor temperature.     

Superposition of the notched strength of composite laminates

An improved macroscopic model for predicting the strength of a composite laminate containing a circular notch is developed. Two constants are introduced which uniquely determine the notch sensitivity of a given material. A superposition method for the notched strength of composite laminates is developed which allows data for arbitrary materials and laminate configurations to be superimposed upon a single master curve. The influence of material orthotropy upon notched strength is discussed. A relative notch sensitivity parameter is introduced which allows quantification of the notch sensitivity of a given composite material system, stacking sequence, or laminate configuration.     

Perceptual issues in the use of head-mounted visual displays

OBJECTIVE: We provide a review and analysis of much of the published literature on visual perception issues that impact the design and use of head-mounted displays (HMDs). BACKGROUND: Unlike the previous literature on HMDs, this review draws heavily from the basic vision literature in order to help provide insight for future design solutions for HMDs. METHOD: Included in this review are articles and books found cited in other works as well as articles and books obtained from an Internet search. RESULTS: Issues discussed include the effect of brightness and contrast on depth of field, dark focus, dark vergence, and perceptual constancy; the effect of accommodation-vergence synergy on perceptual constancy, eyestrain, and discomfort; the relationship of field of view to the functioning of different visual pathways and the types of visual-motor tasks mediated by them; the relationship of binocular input to visual suppression; and the importance of head movements, head tracking, and display update lag. CONCLUSION: This paper offers a set of recommendations for the design and use of HMDs. APPLICATION: Consideration of the basic vision literature will provide insight for future design solutions for HMDs.     

A Novel Human Neutralizing mAb Recognizes Delta,Gamma and Omicron Variants of SARS-CoV-2 and Can Be Used in Combination with Sotrovimab

The dramatic experience with SARS-CoV-2 has alerted the scientific community to be ready to face new epidemics/pandemics caused by new variants. Among the therapies against the pandemic SARS-CoV-2 virus, monoclonal Antibodies (mAbs) targeting the Spike glycoprotein have represented good drugs to interfere in the Spike/ Angiotensin Converting Enzyme-2 (ACE-2) interaction, preventing virus cell entry and subsequent infection, especially in patients with a defective immune system. We obtained, by an innovative phage display selection strategy, specific binders recognizing different epitopes of Spike. The novel human antibodies specifically bind to Spike-Receptor Binding Domain (RBD) in a nanomolar range and interfere in the interaction of Spike with the ACE-2 receptor. We report here that one of these mAbs, named D3, shows neutralizing activity for virus infection in cell cultures by different SARS-CoV-2 variants and retains the ability to recognize the Omicron-derived recombinant RBD differently from the antibodies Casirivimab or Imdevimab. Since anti-Spike mAbs, used individually, might be unable to block the virus cell entry especially in the case of resistant variants, we investigated the possibility to combine D3 with the antibody in clinical use Sotrovimab, and we found that they recognize distinct epitopes and show additive inhibitory effects on the interaction of Omicron-RBD with ACE-2 receptor. Thus, we propose to exploit these mAbs in combinatorial treatments to enhance their potential for both diagnostic and therapeutic applications in the current and future pandemic waves of coronavirus.     

SDN‐DMM for intelligent mobility management in heterogeneous mobile IP networks

Mobility management applied to the traditional architecture of the Internet has become a great challenge because of the exponential growth in the number of devices that can connect to the network. This article proposes a Software‐Defined Networking (SDN)‐based architecture, called SDN‐DMM (SDN‐Distributed Mobility Management), that deals with the distributed mode of mobility management in heterogeneous access networks in a simplified and efficient way, ensuring mainly the continuity of IP sessions. Intent‐based mobility management with an IP mapping schema for mobile node identification offers optimized routing without tunneling techniques, hence, an efficient use of the network infrastructure. The simplified mobility control API reduces both signaling and handover latency costs and provides a better scalability and performance in comparison with traditional and SDN‐based DMM approaches. An analytical evaluation of such costs demonstrated the better performance of SDN‐DMM, and a proof of concept of the proposal was implemented in a real environment.     

Explaining the Formation of Online News Startups in France and the United States: A Field Analysis

This article examines the differential formation of online news startups in Toulouse, France, and Seattle, United States. While Seattle is home to many startups, in Toulouse there have been just 4—and only 1 continues publishing. Drawing on Bourdieu's field theory, we argue that amount and types of capital held by journalists in the 2 cities varied as a result of differences in journalism's position in the field of power. These differences shaped the extent of startup formation in each city and structured journalists' capacities to convert their capital into the resources needed to form startups (e.g., funding, credentials, partnerships). These findings are positioned in relation to literatures on journalism innovation and comparative media.     

Issues in the neuropsychological assessment of children with learning disabilities.

Describes an approach to the neuropsychological assessment of children with learning disabilities. Issues relating to the aims of the assessment, test selection, stylistic variables in assessment, test interpretation, and the rendering and implementation of recommendations are discussed. Some comparisons with other strategies and modes of approach (e.g., level of performance, pathognomonic sign, and differential score approaches) are included. (28 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Retrogradation—Digestibility Relationship of Selected Glutinous and Non-Glutinous Fresh and Stale Cooked Rice

This study examined the retrogradation and digestibility relationship of fresh and stale cooked rice of three rice varieties: glutinous (TDK11) and non-glutinous (Doongara and floating rice). The effect of rice variety, degree of milling and retrogradation (staling) of cooked rice on the estimated glycaemic index was determined. Although high-glycaemic index values were obtained for fresh cooked rice of all varieties, staling rice at 4^oC for 24 h showed positive effect on floating rice only, yielding intermediate-glycaemic index. The effect of staling on retrogradation rates was corroborated by changes in x-ray diffraction peaks. The thermal and textural properties of rice samples showed higher pasting temperature, final viscosity, and hardness, and lower peak viscosity and adhesiveness for fresh cooked non-glutinous varieties, which were also significantly affected by degree of milling, in terms of hardness, after retrogradation.     

Integrating nutrition security with treatment of people living with HIV: lessons from Kenya

BACKGROUND: The increased caloric requirements of HIV-positive individuals, undesirable side effects of treatment that may be worsened by malnutrition (but alleviated by nutritional support), and associated declines in adherence and possible increased drug resistance are all justifications for developing better interventions to strengthen the nutrition security of individuals receiving antiretroviral treatment. OBJECTIVE: To highlight key benefits and challenges relating to interventions aimed at strengthening the nutrition security of people living with HIV who are receiving antiretroviral treatment. METHODS: Qualitative research was undertaken on a short-term nutrition intervention linked to the provision of free antiretroviral treatment for people living with HIV in western Kenya in late 2005 and early 2006. RESULTS: Patients enrolled in the food program while on treatment regimens self-reported greater adherence to their medication, fewer side effects, and a greater ability to satisfy increased appetite. Most clients self-reported weight gain, recovery of physical strength, and the resumption of labor activities while enrolled in dual (food supplementation and treatment) programs. Such improvements were seen to catalyze increased support from family and community. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide further empirical support to calls for a more holistic and comprehensive response to the coexistence of AIDS epidemics with chronic nutrition insecurity. Future work is needed to clarify ways of bridging the gap between short-term nutritional support to individuals and longer-term livelihood security programming for communities affected by AIDS. Such interdisciplinary research will need to be matched by intersectoral action on the part of the agriculture and health sectors in such environments.