Positive and Negative Congruency Effects in Masked Priming: A Neuro-computational Model Based on Representation Strength and Attention

Positive priming effects have been found with a short time between the prime and the target, while negative priming effects (i.e., a congruent prime causes longer RTs) have been found with a long time between the prime and the target. In the current study, positive and negative priming effects were found using stimuli that have strong and weak representations, respectively, without changing the time between prime and target. A model was developed that fits our results. The model also fits a wide range of previous results in this area. In contrast to other approaches our model depends on attentional neuro-modulation not motor self-inhibition

The Association Between Sanitation, Hygiene, and Stunting in Children Under Two-Years (an Analysis of Indonesia's Basic Health Research, 2013)

Background: This study aims to identify the relationship between sanitation, hygiene, and stunting in children under two-years in Indonesia. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that examined 9,688 children under the age of two. We obtained data from Indonesia's Basic Health Research paper that was released in 2013 and applied multiple logistic regression analysis. The prevalence of stunting amongst children under two-years in 2013 was 33.3%. Results: Our analysis showed that stunting is closely related to low birth weight, age, gender, exclusive breastfeeding, socioeconomic status, garbage removal, and waste management. Appropriate sanitation and hygiene had a significant impact on stunting amongst children under two-years in Indonesia, with waste management and low birth weight being the most important indicators. Conclusions: Nutrition, socioeconomic status, and a healthy environment are key to ensure children under two-years meet the recommended growth standards

The MECO experiment: A search for lepton flavor violation in muonic atoms

MECO will search for direct evidence of muon and electron flavor violation in the decay of muons in Coulomb bound states via coherent recoil of the nucleus and decay electron. The expected sensitivity to the $\mu^{-} {\rm N} \to e^{-} + {\rm N}$ branching fraction relative to muon capture $\mu^{-} {\rm N}(A,Z) \to \nu_{\mu} + {\rm N}(A,Z-1)$ is $R_{\mu e} < 5\times 10^{-17}$ at 90% confidence level, roughly three to four orders of magnitude lower than current limits. This article provides an overview of the experiment.Comment: To appear in proceedings of NuFact'00 Workshop: Muon storage ring for a neutrino factory, May 22-26, 2000; Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, C

Effect of fibre treatments on interfacial shear strength of hemp fibre reinforced polylactide and unsaturated polyester composites

Surface treatment of hemp fibres was investigated as a means of improving interfacial shear strength (IFSS) of hemp fibre reinforced polylactide (PLA) and unsaturated polyester (UPE) composites. Fibres were treated with sodium hydroxide, acetic anhydride, maleic anhydride and silane. A combined treatment using sodium hydroxide and silane was also carried out. IFSS of PLA/hemp fibre samples increased after treatment, except in the case of maleic anhydride treatment. Increased IFSS could be explained by better bonding of PLA with treated fibres and increased PLA transcrystallinity. The highest IFSS was 11.4 MPa which was obtained for the PLA/alkali treated fibre samples. IFSS of UPE/hemp fibre samples increased for all treated fibres. This is believed to be due to the improvement of chemical bonding between the treated fibres and the UPE as supported by FT-IR results. The highest IFSS (20.3 MPa) was found for the combined sodium hydroxide and silane treatment fibre/UPE samples

Genetic Algorithm Assisted Error Probability Optimisation for Beamforming

A novel Genetic Algorithm (GA) assisted direct error probability optimisation technique is proposed for adaptive beamforming, which reduces the achievable error probability by nearly two orders of magnitude at a signal-to-noise ratio of 10dB in the investigated scenario in comparison to the minimum mean-squared error beamforming benchmarker

Characterization of polybenzimidazole (PBI) film at high temperatures

Polybenzimidazole, a linear thermoplastic polymer with excellent thermal stability and strength retention over a wide range of temperatures, was evaluated for its potential use as the main dielectric in high temperature capacitors. The film was characterized in terms of its dielectric properties in a frequency range of 50 Hz to 100 kilo-Hz. These properties, which include the dielectric constant and dielectric loss, were also obtained in a temperature range from 20 C to 300 C with an electrical stress of 60 Hz, 50 V/mil present. The alternating and direct current breakdown voltages of silicone oil impregnated films as a function of temperature were also determined. The results obtained indicate that while the film remained relatively stable up to 200 C, it exhibited an increase in its dielectric properties as the temperature was raised to 300 C. It was also found that conditioning of the film by heat treatment at 60 C for six hours tended to improve its dielectric and breakdown properties. The results are discussed and conclusions made concerning the suitability of the film as a high temperature capacitor dielectric

Hydro-Responsive Curling of the Resurrection Plant Selaginella lepidophylla

The spirally arranged stems of the spikemoss Selaginella lepidophylla, an ancient resurrection plant, compactly curl into a nest-ball shape upon dehydration. Due to its spiral phyllotaxy, older outer stems on the plant interlace and envelope the younger inner stems forming the plant centre. Stem curling is a morphological mechanism that limits photoinhibitory and thermal damages the plant might experience in arid environments. Here, we investigate the distinct conformational changes of outer and inner stems of S. lepidophylla triggered by dehydration. Outer stems bend into circular rings in a relatively short period of desiccation, whereas inner stems curl slowly into spirals due to hydro-actuated strain gradient along their length. This arrangement eases both the tight packing of the plant during desiccation and its fast opening upon rehydration. The insights gained from this work shed light on the hydro-responsive movements in plants and might contribute to the development of deployable structures with remarkable shape transformations in response to environmental stimuli