1,353 research outputs found
Procedural Generation and Rendering of Ink Bamboo Painting
This thesis describes an algorithm that generates various ink bamboo paintings. First, a completely procedural model is used to generate the geometric shape of bamboos. The model uses a grammar-like approach that recursively generates new parts of the bamboo in a randomized manner. The random parameters are bounded by rules that simulate the natural form of bamboo.
The structure of the bamboo is represented line segments with directions. Various ink stroke sprites of stalk, branch, or leaf shapes are mapped to line segments, using reverse mapping and bilinear sampling to eliminate aliasing effects. The sprites are mapped in different degrees of transparency to simulate the effect of various shades of ink produced by changes in forces when using an ink brush. Finally, a seal is applied to sign the work and enhance the visual effect.
The algorithm is implemented in Python 3 and can be run on any computer with the imageio library installed. The output of the program is saved in a PNG image file, which can be used for various types of illustrations. This model is able to produce unique images during every run, and would significantly reduce human labor in painting stylistically similar artworks of ink bamboo paintings
Pitako -- Recommending Game Design Elements in Cicero
Recommender Systems are widely and successfully applied in e-commerce. Could
they be used for design? In this paper, we introduce Pitako1, a tool that
applies the Recommender System concept to assist humans in creative tasks. More
specifically, Pitako provides suggestions by taking games designed by humans as
inputs, and recommends mechanics and dynamics as outputs. Pitako is implemented
as a new system within the mixed-initiative AI-based Game Design Assistant,
Cicero. This paper discusses the motivation behind the implementation of Pitako
as well as its technical details and presents usage examples. We believe that
Pitako can influence the use of recommender systems to help humans in their
daily tasks.Comment: Paper accepted in the IEEE Conference on Games 2019 (COG 2019
Sugary Drink FACTS 2014: Some Progress but Much Room for Improvement in Marketing to Youth
This report updates a 2011 report on the same topic. Using the same methods as the last report, researchers examined changes in the nutritional content of sugar-sweetened drinks including sodas, fruit drinks, flavored waters, sports drinks, iced teas, as well as zero-calorie energy drinks and shots. They also analyzed marketing tactics for 23 companies that advertised these products, including amount spent to advertise in all media; child and teen exposure to advertising and brand appearances on TV and visits to beverage company websites, including differences for black and Hispanic youth; advertising on websites popular with children and teens; and marketing in newer media like mobile apps and social media. Researchers also examined changes in advertising of diet beverages, 100% juice, and water
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Model simulations of chemical effects of sprites in relation with observed HO2 enhancements over sprite-producing thunderstorms
Recently, measurements by the Superconducting Submillimeter-Wave Limb Emission Sounder (SMILES) satellite instrument have been presented which indicate an increase in mesospheric HO2 above sprite-producing thunderstorms. The aim of this paper is to compare these observations to model simulations of chemical sprite effects. A plasma chemistry model in combination with a vertical transport module was used to simulate the impact of a streamer discharge in the altitude range 70–80 km, corresponding to one of the observed sprite events. Additionally, a horizontal transport and dispersion model was used to simulate advection and expansion of the sprite air masses. The model simulations predict a production of hydrogen radicals mainly due to reactions of proton hydrates formed after the electrical discharge. The net effect is a conversion of water molecules into H+OH. This leads to increasing HO2 concentrations a few hours after the electric breakdown. Due to the modelled long-lasting increase in HO2 after a sprite discharge, an accumulation of HO2 produced by several sprites appears possible. However, the number of sprites needed to explain the observed HO2 enhancements is unrealistically large. At least for the lower measurement tangent heights, the production mechanism of HO2 predicted by the model might contribute to the observed enhancements
RNA promotes the formation of spatial compartments in the nucleus
The nucleus is a highly organized arrangement of RNA, DNA, and protein molecules that are compartmentalized within three-dimensional (3D) structures involved in shared functional and regulatory processes. Although RNA has long been proposed to play a global role in organizing nuclear structure, exploring the role of RNA in shaping nuclear structure has remained a challenge because no existing methods can simultaneously measure RNA-RNA, RNA-DNA, and DNA-DNA contacts within 3D structures. To address this, we developed RNA & DNA SPRITE (RD-SPRITE) to comprehensively map the location of all RNAs relative to DNA and other RNAs. Using this approach, we identify many RNAs that are localized near their transcriptional loci (RNA-DNA) together with other diffusible ncRNAs (RNA-RNA) within higher-order DNA structures (DNA-DNA). These RNA-chromatin compartments span three major classes of nuclear functions: RNA processing (including ribosome biogenesis, mRNA splicing, snRNA biogenesis, and histone mRNA processing), heterochromatin assembly, and gene regulation. More generally, we identify hundreds of ncRNAs that form stable nuclear compartments in spatial proximity to their transcriptional loci. We find that dozens of nuclear compartments require RNA to guide protein regulators into these 3D structures, and focusing on several ncRNAs, we show that these ncRNAs specifically regulate heterochromatin assembly and the expression of genes contained within these compartments. Together, our results demonstrate a unique mechanism by which RNA acts to shape nuclear structure by forming high concentration territories immediately upon transcription, binding to diffusible regulators, and guiding them into spatial compartments to regulate a wide range of essential nuclear functions
RNA promotes the formation of spatial compartments in the nucleus
The nucleus is a highly organized arrangement of RNA, DNA, and protein molecules that are compartmentalized within three-dimensional (3D) structures involved in shared functional and regulatory processes. Although RNA has long been proposed to play a global role in organizing nuclear structure, exploring the role of RNA in shaping nuclear structure has remained a challenge because no existing methods can simultaneously measure RNA-RNA, RNA-DNA, and DNA-DNA contacts within 3D structures. To address this, we developed RNA & DNA SPRITE (RD-SPRITE) to comprehensively map the location of all RNAs relative to DNA and other RNAs. Using this approach, we identify many RNAs that are localized near their transcriptional loci (RNA-DNA) together with other diffusible ncRNAs (RNA-RNA) within higher-order DNA structures (DNA-DNA). These RNA-chromatin compartments span three major classes of nuclear functions: RNA processing (including ribosome biogenesis, mRNA splicing, snRNA biogenesis, and histone mRNA processing), heterochromatin assembly, and gene regulation. More generally, we identify hundreds of ncRNAs that form stable nuclear compartments in spatial proximity to their transcriptional loci. We find that dozens of nuclear compartments require RNA to guide protein regulators into these 3D structures, and focusing on several ncRNAs, we show that these ncRNAs specifically regulate heterochromatin assembly and the expression of genes contained within these compartments. Together, our results demonstrate a unique mechanism by which RNA acts to shape nuclear structure by forming high concentration territories immediately upon transcription, binding to diffusible regulators, and guiding them into spatial compartments to regulate a wide range of essential nuclear functions
Large-Scale Kinetic Analyses of Protein-Protein Interactions: Advancing the Understanding of Post Translational Modifications in Biological Regulation
abstract: Signal transduction networks comprising protein-protein interactions (PPIs) mediate homeostatic, diseased, and therapeutic cellular responses. Mapping these networks has primarily focused on identifying interactors, but less is known about the interaction affinity, rates of interaction or their regulation. To better understand the extent of the annotated human interactome, I first examined > 2500 protein interactions within the B cell receptor (BCR) signaling pathway using a current, cutting-edge bioluminescence-based platform called “NanoBRET” that is capable of analyzing transient and stable interactions in high throughput. Eighty-three percent (83%) of the detected interactions have not been previously reported, indicating that much of the BCR pathway is still unexplored. Unfortunately, NanoBRET, as with all other high throughput methods, cannot determine binding kinetics or affinities. To address this shortcoming, I developed a hybrid platform that characterizes > 400 PPIs quantitatively and simultaneously in 12,000 PPIs in the BCR signaling pathway, revealing unique kinetic mechanisms that are employed by proteins, phosphorylation and activation states to regulate PPIs. In one example, activation of the GTPase RAC1 with nonhydrolyzable GTP-γS minimally affected its binding affinities with phosphorylated proteins but increased, on average, its on- and off-rates by 4 orders of magnitude for one-third of its interactions. In contrast, this phenomenon occurred with virtually all unphosphorylated proteins. The majority of the interactions (85%) were novel, sharing 40% of the same interactions as NanoBRET as well as detecting 55% more interactions than NanoBRET. In addition, I further validated four novel interactions identified by NAPPA-SPRi using SDS-PAGE migration and Western blot analyses. In one case, we have the first evidence of a direct enzyme-substrate interaction between two well-known proto-oncogenes that are abnormally regulated in > 30% of cancers, PI3K and MYC. Herein, PI3K is demonstrated to phosphorylate MYC at serine 62, a phosphosite that increases the stability of MYC. This study provides valuable insight into how PPIs, phosphorylation, and GTPase activation regulate the BCR signal transduction pathway. In addition, these methods could be applied toward understanding other signaling pathways, pathogen-host interactions, and the effect of protein mutations on protein interactions.Dissertation/ThesisDoctoral Dissertation Biological Design 201
Higher-Order Inter-chromosomal Hubs Shape 3D Genome Organization in the Nucleus
Eukaryotic genomes are packaged into a 3-dimensional structure in the nucleus. Current methods for studying genome-wide structure are based on proximity ligation. However, this approach can fail to detect known structures, such as interactions with nuclear bodies, because these DNA regions can be too far apart to directly ligate. Accordingly, our overall understanding of genome organization remains incomplete. Here, we develop split-pool recognition of interactions by tag extension (SPRITE), a method that enables genome-wide detection of higher-order interactions within the nucleus. Using SPRITE, we recapitulate known structures identified by proximity ligation and identify additional interactions occurring across larger distances, including two hubs of inter-chromosomal interactions that are arranged around the nucleolus and nuclear speckles. We show that a substantial fraction of the genome exhibits preferential organization relative to these nuclear bodies. Our results generate a global model whereby nuclear bodies act as inter-chromosomal hubs that shape the overall packaging of DNA in the nucleus
The impact of brand activism on brand equity among Generation Z consumers
With increasing global competition due to the diffusion of information and communication
technologies, enhancing value for the customer is critical to build and maintain a unique and
competitive position as a brand. One communication trend that has been frequently discussed
recently and is seen as adding value in various ways is brand activism. Brands that take a stand
on political issues not only drive social change, but can also build a closer bond with their
customers through brand identification. One target group that is expected to value social
engagement and place even more emphasis on value identification in their interactions with
brands is Generation Z (Gen Z).
Given the relevance of brand activism as a current communication trend and Gen Z seemingly
different in their consumer behaviour, this thesis aims to contribute to the ever-growing stream
of research investigating influences on brand equity. Based on a literature review of different
brand equity models, the consumer profile of Gen Z and relevant concepts related to brand
activism, an empirical experimental pretest-posttest study design was conducted with brand
activism campaigns from two well-known brands and focus on Gen Z consumer (N=194), to
explore the influence of brand activism on four brand equity dimensions among Gen Z
consumers.
The study concludes that while a significant generational difference in favouring brand
activism was found between Gen Z consumers and other generations (N=277), exposure to an
activism campaign does not reliably increase brand equity, but depends on several factors.
First, the impact of exposure to brand activism appears to vary between the different
dimensions of brand equity. Second, the study sample suggests that an activism campaign does
not seem to be as effective in improving brand equity for brands with already high levels of
brand equity prior to stimuli exposure. Third, authenticity seems to play a key role in how
brand activism is perceived and how it affects brand equity.Com a crescente concorrência global devido à proliferação das tecnologias de informação e
comunicação, aumentar a criação de valor para o cliente tornou-se crucial para que a marca
construa e mantenha uma posição única e competitiva. Uma tendência de comunicação que
tem sido frequentemente discutida recentemente e que é vista como um valor acrescentado de
várias formas é o ativismo da marca. As marcas que tomam posição sobre questões políticas
não só impulsionam a mudança social, como também podem construir uma ligação mais
próxima com os seus clientes através da identificação da marca. Um grupo-alvo que se espera
que valorize o envolvimento social e coloque ainda mais ênfase na identificação de valor nas
suas interações com as marcas é a Geração Z (Gen Z).
Dada a relevância do ativismo das marcas como tendência de comunicação atual e da Geração
Z aparentemente diferente no seu comportamento de consumidor, esta tese visa contribuir para
o crescente fluxo de investigação que analisa as influências sobre o brand equity. Com base
numa revisão bibliográfica de diferentes modelos de brand equity, do perfil do consumidor
Gen Z e de conceitos relevantes relacionados com o ativismo da marca, foi realizado um estudo
empírico experimental de conceção pré-teste-pós-teste, com campanhas de ativismo da marca
de duas marcas bem conhecidas e com enfoque no consumidor Gen Z (N=194), para explorar
entre os consumidores Gen Z a influência do ativismo da marca em quatro dimensões de brand
equity.
O estudo conclui que embora tenha sido encontrada uma diferença geracional significativa no
favorecimento do ativismo da marca entre os consumidores Gen Z e outras gerações (N=277),
a exposição a uma campanha de ativismo não aumenta de forma fiável o brand equity, mas
antes depende de vários fatores. Primeiro, o impacto da exposição ao ativismo da marca parece
variar entre as diferentes dimensões do brand equity. Em segundo lugar, a amostra do estudo
sugere que uma campanha de ativismo não parece ser tão eficaz para marcas com níveis já
elevados de brand equity antes da exposição ao estímulo. Terceiro, a autenticidade parece
desempenhar um papel fundamental na forma como o ativismo da marca é percecionado e em
como afecta o brand equity
Review of recent results on streamer discharges and discussion of their relevance for sprites and lightning
It is by now well understood that large sprite discharges at the low air
densities of the mesosphere are physically similar to small streamer discharges
in air at standard temperature and pressure. This similarity is based on
Townsend scaling with air density. First the theoretical basis of Townsend
scaling and a list of six possible corrections to scaling are discussed; then
the experimental evidence for the similarity between streamers and sprites is
reviewed. We then discuss how far present sprite and streamer theory has been
developed, and we show how streamer experiments can be interpreted as sprite
simulations. We review those results of recent streamer research that are
relevant for sprites and other forms of atmospheric electricity and discuss
their implications for sprite understanding. These include the large range of
streamer diameters and velocities and the overall 3D morphology with branching,
interaction and reconnection, the dependence on voltage and polarity, the
electron energies in the streamer head and the consecutive chemical efficiency
and hard radiation. New theoretical and experimental results concern
measurements of streamer spectra in air, the density dependence of streamer
heating (hot leaders are unlikely at 80 km altitude and cold streamers are
unlikely in liquids), and a discussion of the influence of magnetic fields on
thermal electrons or on energetic electrons in streamers or sprites.Comment: 38 pages, 4 figures, article accepted for publication in J. Geophys.
Res. - Space Physic
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