67 research outputs found
Inferring broken detailed balance in the absence of observable currents
Identifying dissipation is essential for understanding the physical
mechanisms underlying nonequilibrium processes. {In living systems, for
example, the dissipation is directly related to the hydrolysis of fuel
molecules such as adenosine triphosphate (ATP)}. Nevertheless, detecting broken
time-reversal symmetry, which is the hallmark of dissipative processes, remains
a challenge in the absence of observable directed motion, flows, or fluxes.
Furthermore, quantifying the entropy production in a complex system requires
detailed information about its dynamics and internal degrees of freedom. Here
we introduce a novel approach to detect time irreversibility and estimate the
entropy production from time-series measurements, even in the absence of
observable currents. We apply our technique to two different physical systems,
namely, a partially hidden network and a molecular motor. Our method does not
require complete information about the system dynamics and thus provides a new
tool for studying nonequilibrium phenomena.Comment: 14 pages, 6 figure
Inclusion at Scale: Deploying a Community-Driven Moderation Intervention on Twitch
Harassment, especially of marginalized individuals, on networked gaming and social media platforms has been identified as a significant issue, yet few HCI practitioners have attempted to create interventions tackling toxicity online. Aligning ourselves with the growing cohort of design activists, we present a case study of the GLHF pledge, an interactive public awareness campaign promoting positivity in video game live streaming. We discuss the design and deployment of a community-driven moderation intervention for GLHF, intended to empower the inclusive communities emerging on Twitch. After offering a preliminary report on the effects we have observed based on the more than 370,000 gamers who have participated to date, the paper concludes with a reflection on the challenges and opportunities of using design activism to positively intervene in large-scale media platforms
Evaluation of an open access software for calculating glucose variability parameters of a continuous glucose monitoring system applied at pediatric intensive care unit.
BACKGROUND: Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) has become an increasingly investigated tool, especially with regards to monitoring of diabetic and critical care patients. The continuous glucose data allows the calculation of several glucose variability parameters, however, without specific application the interpretation of the results is time-consuming, utilizing extreme efforts. Our aim was to create an open access software [Glycemic Variability Analyzer Program (GVAP)], readily available to calculate the most common parameters of the glucose variability and to test its usability. METHODS: The GVAP was developed in MATLAB(R) 2010b environment. The calculated parameters were the following: average area above/below the target range (Avg. AUC-H/L); Percentage Spent Above/Below the Target Range (PATR/PBTR); Continuous Overall Net Glycemic Action (CONGA); Mean of Daily Differences (MODD); Mean Amplitude of Glycemic Excursions (MAGE). For verification purposes we selected 14 CGM curves of pediatric critical care patients. Medtronic(R) Guardian(R) Real-Time with Enlite(R) sensor was used. The reference values were obtained from Medtronic(R)'s own software for Avg. AUC-H/L and PATR/PBTR, from GlyCulator for MODD and CONGA, and using manual calculation for MAGE. RESULTS: The Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients were above 0.99 for all parameters. The initial execution took 30 minutes, for further analysis with the Windows(R) Standalone Application approximately 1 minute was needed. CONCLUSIONS: The GVAP is a reliable open access program for analyzing different glycemic variability parameters, hence it could be a useful tool for the study of glycemic control among critically ill patients
The Natural History of Ocular Tics in Children
Children with ocular tics are often evaluated in pediatric neurology and ophthalmology clinics. However, there is a paucity of literature regarding the natural history of ocular tics
Cloudy with a chance of mesopredator release: Turbidity alleviates top‐down control on intermediate predators through sensory disruption
Mesopredator release following top predator loss may reduce biodiversity and harm foundation species. We investigated the potential for moderate environmental changes to trigger mesopredator release by disrupting the foraging ability of top predators without affecting their abundance by performing an in situ experiment designed to isolate the magnitude of mesopredator effects on oyster reefs (Crassostrea virginica). In estuaries, fishes occupy upper trophic levels. Most are visual foragers and become less effective predators in high turbidity. Communities were 10% more diverse, fish predation was 20% higher, and oyster recruitment four times higher in low turbidity. Crab mesopredators were 10% larger and 260% more abundant in high turbidity. Caging treatments to exclude mesopredators significantly affected communities in high but not low turbidity. Oysters had 150% stronger shells in turbid areas, a known response to crabs that was indicative of higher crab abundance. These findings indicated that increased turbidity attenuated fish foraging ability without disrupting the foraging ability of mesopredators (e.g., crabs) that forage by chemoreception. Larger and more numerous crab mesopredators significantly affected oyster reef community structure as well as the survival and growth of oysters in turbid environments. In environments where apex predators and mesopredators utilize different sensory mechanisms, sensory-mediated mesopredator release may occur when conditions affect the foraging ability of higher order predators but not their prey
Environmental stress gradients regulate the relative importance of predator density‐ and trait‐mediated indirect effects in oyster reef communities
Low molecular proteins in the urine of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus Part 1. Measurement of urinary free light chains
The concentration of urinary free light chains was measured in 61 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) by single radial immunodiffusion. The concentration was significantly increased in these patients, and was associated with hypocomplementemia and a high level of antibody to DNA. It also correlated with the clinical disease activity of SLE. It is postulated that increased free light chain in the urine of SLE patients is derived mostly from increased synthesis of light chain rather than from increased breakdown of intact immunoglobulins or decrease of catabolism during renal insufficiency. The measurement of urinary free light chains may offer information for evaluating disease activity in SLE patients
Influence of Isoelectric pH on the Growth Linear and Nonlinear Optical and Dielectric Properties of l
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