Kinect-based RGB detection for 'smart' costume interaction.

This paper is an overview of a Kinect-based RGB detection software developed as part of an ongoing 'Smart' (Smart Textiles and Wearable Technology in Pervasive Computing Environments) Costume project. The project involved a multi-disciplinary team in the domains of textile design, engineering and computer science. In this work we aimed to establish initial studies on how the Microsoft Kinect performs in tracking a "smart" lighting conditions. We explain the computer application capable of detecting, tracking and measuring colour changes (Red, Blue and Green) created using the Microsoft Kinect API

Kinect-based RGB detection for 'smart' costume interaction.

This paper is an overview of a Kinect-based RGB detection software developed as part of an ongoing 'Smart' (Smart Textiles and Wearable Technology in Pervasive Computing Environments) Costume project. The project involved a multi-disciplinary team in the domains of textile design, engineering and computer science. In this work we aimed to establish initial studies on how the Microsoft Kinect performs in tracking a "smart" lighting conditions. We explain the computer application capable of detecting, tracking and measuring colour changes (Red, Blue and Green) created using the Microsoft Kinect API

From Passive Degassing to Violent Strombolian Eruption: the Case of the 2008 Eruption of Llaima Volcano, Chile

On 1 January 2008 Llaima volcano, a basaltic andesite stratocone in southern Chile, entered a phase of violent Strombolian eruption. Llaima, like many passively degassing systems, has experienced prolonged (decades-long) periods of persistent summit degassing from its open vent. The rapid transition from long-lived passive degassing to violent explosive eruption occurred with limited precursory monitoring signals. This study is motivated by the desire to understand what occurs in these systems when that switch takes place. To this end, we study the products of the 2008 violent Strombolian eruption of Llaima volcano. We present new textural analyses of scoria and geochemical data for five whole-rock samples, troctolite glomerocrysts with and without Cr-spinel, and 182 olivine-hosted melt inclusions from tephra samples. Two populations of scoria (\u27brown\u27 and \u27black\u27) are distinguished by their variable crystallinity and vesicularity, but are geochemically indistinguishable. Black scoria contains abundant microlites with tabular to acicular morphologies and convolute vesicles up to 1·75mm in effective diameter. The brown scoria tends to have fewer, acicular microlites, abundant matrix glass, and round vesicles with a narrower size distribution, constrained to \u3c 0·4mm in diameter. Overall, the textures of the black and brown scoria provide evidence for a textural maturation process in which shallow system magma becomes more crystal rich and probably rheologically stiffer as a result of prolonged passive degassing. The Cr-spinel-bearing and Crspinel- free troctolite glomerocrysts have plagioclase and olivine compositions of An65-92 and Fo81, respectively. The Cr# in the Cr-spinel ranges from 26 to 37, consistent with magma originating from the deeper plumbing system. Whole-rock compositions for the tephra average 51wt % SiO2, 18wt % Al2O3, and ~6wt % MgO. The major element compositions of olivine-hosted melt inclusions range from 49 to 56 wt % SiO2 and 3·72 to 7·76 wt % MgO; there is no distinct compositional difference between olivine-hosted melt inclusions sourced from the different scoria. Melt inclusion volatile contents range from below detection to 2·95 wt % H2O and 1973ppm CO2 (though not in the same melt inclusion). H2O and CO2 concentrations are consistent with open-system degassing and, when compared with differentiation indices (e.g. K2O), indicate coupled degassing and crystallization throughout the system. The majority of melt inclusions define a single liquid line of descent indicative of plagioclase and olivine fractionation. Entrapment pressures range from 8 to 342MPa and fall into two groups: 8-100MPa (300 m to ~4 km depth) and \u3e 100MPa (4-14 km depth), revealing that this eruption tapped a deep plumbing system. We propose here that passive degassing at Llaima is maintained by periodic, small-batch magma injections. Consequently, owing to extensive degassing the upper plumbing system magma crystallized and increased in viscosity. Before the 2008 eruption, some volatiles sourced from the repeatedly injected magmas exsolved from the inferred crystal mush and ascending from deeply sourced degassing magmas, and gradually accumulated within the crystal mush and beneath the stiffened conduit magma. Our results support a model in which eruption triggering occurred when magma injection remobilized the mush and, importantly, unlocked the accumulated gases, which ascended rapidly and generated the observed violent Strombolian explosive activity. Our proposed model contrasts with those models for explosive mafic volcanism that require rapid magma ascent under closed-system degassing conditions. Importantly, our proposed mechanism provides a means for systems with dominantly open-system degassing behavior to switch from passive degassing to explosive eruptions

Comparisons of Aerosol Generation Across Different Musical Instruments and Loudness

Highlights•Aerosol number and mass concentrations measured during musical instrument playing.•A 1 dBA increase in sound pressure level yields ∼10% increase in number concentration.•Loudness of playing explains some but not all differences across instruments.•Musical instrument playing size distributions are consistent with those of breathing.•Simple songs sufficient to characterise aerosol emission during actual performance.AbstractRespiratory aerosols can serve as vectors for disease transmission, and aerosol emission is highly activity-dependent. COVID-19 severely impacted the performing arts due to concerns about disease spread by respiratory aerosols and droplets generated during singing and playing musical instruments. Aerosol generation from woodwind and brass performance is less understood compared to singing due to uncertainty about how the diverse range of musical instruments may impact respiratory aerosol concentrations and size distributions. Here, aerosol number and mass concentrations along with size distributions were measured for breathing, speaking, and playing four different woodwind and brass instruments by 23 professional instrumentalists. We find that a 1 dBA increase in sound pressure level corresponds to a ∼10% increase in aerosol number concentration. The aerosol size distribution is consistent with that of breathing. Differences in aerosol emission across musical instruments can be partly explained by the loudness of performance. Measuring aerosol generation from single notes or simple songs may be sufficient to characterise the aerosol emission range during actual performance, provided a range of loudnesses are accessed. These results provide insight into the factors contributing to aerosol emission during musical performance and facilitate risk assessments associated with infectious respiratory disease transmission in the performing arts

Vaccenic and Elaidic Acid Modify Plasma and Splenocyte Membrane Phospholipids and Mitogen-Stimulated Cytokine Production in Obese Insulin Resistant JCR: LA-cp Rats

This study assessed the long-term effects of dietary vaccenic acid (VA) and elaidic acid (EA) on plasma and splenocyte phospholipid (PL) composition and related changes in inflammation and splenocyte phenotypes and cytokine responses in obese/insulin resistant JCR:LA-cp rats. Relative to lean control (Ctl), obese Ctl rats had higher serum haptoglobin and impaired T-cell-stimulated cytokine responses. VA and EA diets improved T-cell-stimulated cytokine production; but, only VA normalized serum haptoglobin. However, EA- and VA-fed rats had enhanced LPS-stimulated cytokine responses. The changes elicited by VA were likely due changes in essential fatty acid composition in PL; whereas EA-induced changes may due to direct incorporation into membrane PL

Neuroinflammatory processes in cognitive disorders:Is there a role for flavonoids and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in counteracting their detrimental effects?

Neuroinflammatory processes are known to contribute to the cascade of events culminating in the neuronal damage that underpins neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. With the ageing population and increased cases of neurodegenerative diseases, there is a crucial need for the development of new strategies capable to prevent, delay the onset or treat brain dysfunction and associated cognitive decline. Growing evidence sheds light on the use of dietary polyphenols and n-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids to improve cognitive performances and reduce the neuroinflammatory and oxidative stress responses occurring with age and neurodegenerative pathologies. This review will summarise the most recent information related to the impact and mechanisms underlying the neuroinflammatory processes in neurodegenerative disorders. We will also detail the current evidence indicating that flavonoids and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are strong candidate in preventing neuroinflammation and modulating age-related memory decline, and will describe the potential mechanisms of action underlying their neuroprotective effects. As such, these dietary bioactives represent important precursor molecules in the quest to develop of a new generation of drugs capable of counteracting neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative diseases

Modest effects of dietary supplements during the COVID-19 pandemic: insights from 445 850 users of the COVID-19 Symptom Study app

Objectives Dietary supplements may ameliorate SARS-CoV-2 infection, although scientific evidence to support such a role is lacking. We investigated whether users of the COVID-19 Symptom Study app who regularly took dietary supplements were less likely to test positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection.Design App-based community survey.Setting 445 850 subscribers of an app that was launched to enable self-reported information related to SARS-CoV-2 infection for use in the general population in the UK (n=372 720), the USA (n=45 757) and Sweden (n=27 373).Main exposure Self-reported regular dietary supplement usage (constant use during previous 3 months) in the first waves of the pandemic up to 31 July 2020.Main outcome measures SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed by viral RNA reverse transcriptase PCR test or serology test before 31 July 2020.Results In 372 720 UK participants (175 652 supplement users and 197 068 non-users), those taking probiotics, omega-3 fatty acids, multivitamins or vitamin D had a lower risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection by 14% (95% CI (8% to 19%)), 12% (95% CI (8% to 16%)), 13% (95% CI (10% to 16%)) and 9% (95% CI (6% to 12%)), respectively, after adjusting for potential confounders. No effect was observed for those taking vitamin C, zinc or garlic supplements. On stratification by sex, age and body mass index (BMI), the protective associations in individuals taking probiotics, omega-3 fatty acids, multivitamins and vitamin D were observed in females across all ages and BMI groups, but were not seen in men. The same overall pattern of association was observed in both the US and Swedish cohorts.Conclusion In women, we observed a modest but significant association between use of probiotics, omega-3 fatty acid, multivitamin or vitamin D supplements and lower risk of testing positive for SARS-CoV-2. We found no clear benefits for men nor any effect of vitamin C, garlic or zinc. Randomised controlled trials are required to confirm these observational findings before any therapeutic recommendations can be made

Iconografia tropical: motivos locais na arte colonial brasileira

Este artigo estuda a representação visual da natureza tropical na arte sacra do período colonial brasileiro, entre os séculos XVI e XVIII, época em que as artes visuais do país se desenvolveram no contexto do barroco introduzido pelos missionários católicos. Foi na decoração das igrejas que apareceram algumas das primeiras representações artísticas de elementos da natureza local, notadamente as frutas tropicais, produzindo novas combinações junto à tradicional ornamentação fitomórfica europeia, constituída de folhas de acantos e vinhas. Após um levantamento das ocorrências dessas manifestações da temática local na decoração dos templos presentes nas regiões nordeste e sudeste do país, este trabalho aborda, nos textos dos viajantes e missionários produzidos no período, as interpretações cristãs da natureza tropical que permitiram o aproveitamento desses motivos como parte da estratégia de pregação e conversão católica por meio da alegorização moral e religiosa da natureza do Novo Mundo.This paper studies the visual representation of local nature in the sacred art developed during the colonial period of Brazilian history. In this period, between the XVIth and the XVIIIth centuries, the visual arts in the country evolved in the context of the Baroque introduced by Catholic missionaries. It was in the decoration of the churches in which the first representations of aspects of local nature, mostly the tropical fruits, appeared in Brazilian visual arts, producing new combinations together with the traditional European phytomorphic ornamentation of acanthus leaves and grapes. This research draws upon texts written by travellers and missionaries during the period to demonstrate how the Europeans interpreted and represented tropical nature and used these representations as part of the Catholic preaching strategy by means of moral and religious allegorization of the New World nature