Gender and Culture Differences in Emotion.

In this article, the authors report a secondary analysis on a cross-cultural dataset on gender differences in 6 emotions, collected in 37 countries all over the world. The aim was to test the universality of the gender-specific pattern found in studies with Western respondents, namely that men report more powerful emotions (e.g., anger), whereas women report more powerless emotions (e.g., sadness, fear). The authors expected the strength of these gender differences to depend on women's status and roles in their respective countries, as operationalized by the Gender Empowerment Measure (GEM; United Nations Development Programme Human Development Report 2002). Overall, the gender-specific pattern of women reporting to experience and express more powerless emotions and men more powerful emotions was replicated, and only some interactions with the GEM were found. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A Riccati approach for constrained linear quadratic optimal control

An active-set method is proposed for solving linear quadratic optimal control problems subject to general linear inequality path constraints including mixed state-control and state-only constraints. A Riccati-based approach is developed for efficiently solving the equality constrained optimal control subproblems generated during the procedure. The solution of each subproblem requires computations that scale linearly with the horizon length. The algorithm is illustrated with numerical examples.     

Visualization rhetoric: framing effects in narrative visualization

Narrative visualizations combine conventions of communicative and exploratory information visualization to convey an intended story. We demonstrate visualization rhetoric as an analytical framework for understanding how design techniques that prioritize particular interpretations in visualizations that "tell a story" can significantly affect end-user interpretation. We draw a parallel between narrative visualization interpretation and evidence from framing studies in political messaging, decision-making, and literary studies. Devices for understanding the rhetorical nature of narrative information visualizations are presented, informed by the rigorous application of concepts from critical theory, semiotics, journalism, and political theory. We draw attention to how design tactics represent additions or omissions of information at various levels-the data, visual representation, textual annotations, and interactivity-and how visualizations denote and connote phenomena with reference to unstated viewing conventions and codes. Classes of rhetorical techniques identified via a systematic analysis of recent narrative visualizations are presented, and characterized according to their rhetorical contribution to the visualization. We describe how designers and researchers can benefit from the potentially positive aspects of visualization rhetoric in designing engaging, layered narrative visualizations and how our framework can shed light on how a visualization design prioritizes specific interpretations. We identify areas where future inquiry into visualization rhetoric can improve understanding of visualization interpretation.     

A discrete Petri net model for cephalostatin-induced apoptosis in leukemic cells

Understanding the mechanisms involved in apoptosis has been an area of extensive study due to its critical role in the development and homeostasis of multi-cellular organisms. Our special interest lies in understanding the apoptosis of tumor cells which is mediated by novel potential drugs. Cephalostatin 1 is a marine compound that can induce apoptosis in leukemic cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner even at nano-molar concentrations using a recently discovered pathway that excludes the receptor-mediated pathway and which includes both the mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum pathways (Dirsch et al., Cancer Res 63:8869–8876, 2003; López-Antón et al., J Biol Chem 28:33078–33086, 2006). In this paper, the methods and tools of Petri net theory are used to construct, analyze, and validate a discrete Petri net model for cephalostatin 1-induced apoptosis. Based on experimental results and literature search, we constructed a discrete Petri net consisting of 43 places and 59 transitions. Standard Petri net analysis techniques such as structural and invariant analyses and a recently developed modularity analysis technique using maximal abstract dependent transition sets (ADT sets) were employed. Results of these analyses revealed model consistency with known biological behavior. The sub-modules represented by the ADT sets were compared with the functional modules of apoptosis identified by Alberghina and Colangelo (BMC Neurosci 7(Suppl 1):S2, 2006).     

Behavior of capillary valves in centrifugal microfluidic devices prepared by three-dimensional printing

This paper details the behavior of capillary valves in centrifugal microfluidic devices prepared by three-dimensional (3D), or solid-object, printing. Microfluidic structures containing valve channels with different widths, heights, and radial distances from the center of rotation were studied and compared with extant capillary valve theories. Due to the printing process, the produced valve channels possessed a ridged or “scalloped” pattern. Hence, actual channel widths at the widest and narrowest points of the ridged pattern were determined, and used in comparisons between theoretical and empirical values. In addition, variations in contact angle resulting from the ridged pattern were measured and employed in theoretical calculations. For 1-mm high valve channels, the critical angular frequency (rpm) required to overcome capillary valve pressure was found to be independent of width. However, as the height of the valve channel was reduced, the critical rpm was found to become progressively more width-dependent increasing more rapidly for narrower channels. Both of these observations point to a role for feature sharpness, as well as the geometry of the valve channel opening, in valve behavior. Otherwise, valves followed a predictable trend of increasing critical rpm with decreased valve height and decreased radial distance from the rotation center. Using these results as a guide, then, it is possible to prepare centrifugal microfluidic devices by 3D printing with operability comparable to devices prepared by other microfabrication techniques.     

困难会激发我们的创造力——Flickr创始人之一卡泰丽娜·费克访谈

2002年夏天,卡泰丽娜·费克(Caterina Fake)、斯图尔特·巴特菲尔德(StewartButterfield)和杰森·克拉森(Jason Classon)创办了网络软件公司Ludicorp。Ludicorp公司的第一款产品是永不结束的游戏(Game Neverending),这是一种大型的多人在线角色扮演游戏。在2004年,他们为原来的游戏增加了一个新功能,就是即时交换照片功能的多人聊天室,正是这项新的功能,使得这款游戏迅速火爆起来,新加功能的受欢迎程度甚至超过了游戏本身。此时,整个开发团队意识到了其间的价值,于是他们决定抓住永不结束的游戏这个机会,在其基础上开发一款新的照片交换社区网站,网站的名字就叫做Flickr。果然,Flickr迅速崛起,成为最著名的Web2.0公司之一。尽管它在2005年3月被雅虎公司所收购,但卡泰丽娜·费克的创业激情永远不会停止。     

Nanotubes-/nanowires-based,microfluidic-integrated transistors for detecting biomolecules

Nanotubes and nanowires have sparked considerable interest in biosensing applications due to their exceptional charge transport properties and size compatibility with biomolecules. Among the various biosensing methodologies incorporating these nanostructured materials in their sensing platforms, liquid-gated field-effect transistors (LGFETs)-based device configurations outperform the conventional electrochemical measurements by their ability in providing label free, direct electronic read-out, and real-time detection. Together with integration of a microfluidic channel into the device architecture, nanotube- or nanowires-based LGFET biosensor have demonstrated promising potential toward the realization of truly field-deployable self-contained lab-on-chip devices, which aim to complement the existing lab-based methodologies. This review addresses the recent advances in microfluidic-integrated carbon nanotubes and inorganic nanowires-based LGFET biosensors inclusive of nanomaterials growth, device fabrication, sensing mechanisms, and interaction of biomolecules with nanotubes and nanowires. Design considerations, factors affecting sensing performance and sensitivity, amplification and multiplexing strategies are also detailed to provide a comprehensive understanding of present biosensors and future sensor systems development.     

Time series clustering in linear time complexity

Data Mining and Knowledge Discovery - With the increasing power of data storage and advances in data generation and collection technologies, large volumes of time series data become available and...     

Control strategies for ventilation networks in small‐scale mines using an experimental benchmark

In view of the frequent ventilation network changes during production in underground mining, decreasing sensors and actuators without altering production control and safety is one of the chief engineering challenges. This work is focused on modeling identification and control strategies for underground ventilation networks in small‐scale mines using an experimental benchmark. Guidelines to obtain a discrete state space model are provided, considering the conservation laws in the network to define the structure of the linear model. The main purpose of the paper is to analyze the use of classic controllers in the mine ventilation system when there are limitations on the number of sensors and actuators available to design a feedback control system. A comparison of three classic control strategies is presented considering the a constraint on the available number of sensors. Experimental and simulation results are presented.     

Enhanced thermal stability of high yttria concentration YSZ aerogels

Aerogels are a promising class of materials for lightweight, high-performance insulation. However, their high specific surface area contributes to rapid densification of the structure at elevated temperatures. Upon densification, the favorable properties of low thermal conductivity and low density are lost. Investigation of doped metal oxide systems presents a route to stabilization of porous structures at high temperatures and a platform to study parameters conducive to thermal stability. Our work focuses on yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) aerogels prepared via a sol-gel method and supercritically dried. Yttria concentrations were studied from 0 to 50 mol% YO_1.5 to stabilize porosity to temperatures of 1200°C and develop an understanding of properties contributing to improved stability. Increased yttria content improved the thermal stability of the pore structure by reducing densification and suppressing crystallite growth, resulting in retention of the mesoporous structure to 1200°C. The improvement in thermal stability is related to associated reductions in specific surface energy and cation diffusivity at higher yttria concentrations. This work demonstrates that tuning thermodynamic and kinetic factors is a viable route to improved thermal stability in highly porous structures for use as insulation in extreme environments.