Extremal metrics for the Q′{Q}^\prime-curvature in three dimensions

We construct contact forms with constant $Q^\prime$-curvature on compact three-dimensional CR manifolds which admit a pseudo-Einstein contact form and satisfy some natural positivity conditions. These contact forms are obtained by minimizing the CR analogue of the $II$-functional from conformal geometry. Two crucial steps are to show that the $P^\prime$-operator can be regarded as an elliptic pseudodifferential operator and to compute the leading order terms of the asymptotic expansion of the Green's function for $\sqrt{P^\prime}$.Comment: Final version; Corrects minor typos; This is an announcement of the main results of arXiv:1511.05013; 5 page

Long-Run Purchasing Power Parity with Asymmetric Adjustment: Evidence from Mainland China and Taiwan

This study applies threshold cointegration test advanced by Enders and Siklos (2001) to investigate the properties of asymmetric adjustment in long-run purchasing power parity (PPP) for both Mainland China and Taiwan during the January 1986 to October 2009 period. Although there is evidence of long-run PPP for both Mainland China and Taiwan, the adjustment mechanism is asymmetric. These results have important policy implications for both Mainland China and Taiwan under study.threshold cointegration test; Purchasing Power Parity; asymmetric adjustment; Mainland China; Taiwan

Pilots’ visual scan pattern and situation awareness in flight operations

Introduction: Situation awareness (SA) is considered an essential prerequisite for safe flying. If the impact of visual scanning patterns on a pilot’s situation awareness could be identified in flight operations, then eye-tracking tools could be integrated with flight simulators to improve training efficiency. Method: Participating in this research were 18 qualified, mission-ready fighter pilots. The equipment included high-fidelity and fixed-base type flight simulators and mobile head-mounted eye-tracking devices to record a subject’s eye movements and SA while performing air-to-surface tasks. Results: There were significant differences in pilots’ percentage of fixation in three operating phases: preparation (M = 46.09, SD = 14.79), aiming (M = 24.24, SD = 11.03), and release and break-away (M = 33.98, SD = 14.46). Also, there were significant differences in pilots’ pupil sizes, which were largest in the aiming phase (M = 27,621, SD = 6390.8), followed by release and break-away (M = 27,173, SD = 5830.46), then preparation (M = 25,710, SD = 6078.79), which was the smallest. Furthermore, pilots with better SA performance showed lower perceived workload (M = 30.60, SD = 17.86), and pilots with poor SA performance showed higher perceived workload (M = 60.77, SD = 12.72). Pilots’ percentage of fixation and average fixation duration among five different areas of interest showed significant differences as well. Discussion: Eye-tracking devices can aid in capturing pilots’ visual scan patterns and SA performance, unlike traditional flight simulators. Therefore, integrating eye-tracking devices into the simulator may be a useful method for promoting SA training in flight operations, and can provide in-depth understanding of the mechanism of visual scan patterns and information processing to improve training effectiveness in aviation

Block of Tetrodotoxin-resistant Na+ Channel Pore by Multivalent Cations: Gating Modification and Na+ Flow Dependence

Tetrodotoxin-resistant (TTX-R) Na+ channels are much less susceptible to external TTX but more susceptible to external Cd2+ block than tetrodotoxin-sensitive (TTX-S) Na+ channels. Both TTX and Cd2+ seem to block the channel near the “DEKA” ring, which is probably part of a multi-ion single-file region adjacent to the external pore mouth and is involved in the selectivity filter of the channel. In this study we demonstrate that other multivalent transitional metal ions such as La3+, Zn2+, Ni2+, Co2+, and Mn2+ also block the TTX-R channels in dorsal root ganglion neurons. Just like Cd2+, the blocking effect has little intrinsic voltage dependence, but is profoundly influenced by Na+ flow. The apparent dissociation constants of the blocking ions are always significantly smaller in inward Na+ currents than those in outward Na+ current, signaling exit of the blocker along with the Na+ flow and a high internal energy barrier for “permeation” of these multivalent blocking ions through the pore. Most interestingly, the activation and especially the inactivation kinetics are slowed by the blocking ions. Moreover, the gating changes induced by the same concentration of a blocking ion are evidently different in different directions of Na+ current flow, but can always be correlated with the extent of pore block. Further quantitative analyses indicate that the apparent slowing of channel activation is chiefly ascribable to Na+ flow–dependent unblocking of the bound La3+ from the open Na+ channel, whereas channel inactivation cannot happen with any discernible speed in the La3+-blocked channel. Thus, the selectivity filter of Na+ channel is probably contiguous to a single-file multi-ion region at the external pore mouth, a region itself being nonselective in terms of significant binding of different multivalent cations. This region is “open” to the external solution even if the channel is “closed” (“deactivated”), but undergoes imperative conformational changes during the gating (especially the inactivation) process of the channel

Energy Storage Sharing Strategy in Distribution Networks Using Bi-level Optimization Approach

In this paper, we address the energy storage management problem in distribution networks from the perspective of an independent energy storage manager (IESM) who aims to realize optimal energy storage sharing with multi-objective optimization, i.e., optimizing the system peak loads and the electricity purchase costs of the distribution company (DisCo) and its customers. To achieve the goal of the IESM, an energy storage sharing strategy is therefore proposed, which allows DisCo and customers to control the assigned energy storage. The strategy is updated day by day according to the system information change. The problem is formulated as a bi-level mathematical model where the upper level model (ULM) seeks for optimal division of energy storage among Disco and customers, and the lower level models (LLMs) represent the minimizations of the electricity purchase costs of DisCo and customers. Further, in order to enhance the computation efficiency, we transform the bi-level model into a single-level mathematical program with equilibrium constraints (MPEC) model and linearize it. Finally, we validate the effectiveness of the strategy and complement our analysis through case studies

Pilots’ visual scan pattern and attention distribution during the pursuit of a dynamic target

Introduction: The current research is investigating pilots’ visual scan patterns in order to assess attention distribution during air-to-air manoeuvers. Method: A total of thirty qualified mission-ready fighter pilots participated in this research. Eye movement data were collected by a portable head-mounted eye-tracking device, combined with a jet fighter simulator. To complete the task, pilots have to search for, pursue, and lock-on a moving target whilst performing air-to-air tasks. Results: There were significant differences in pilots’ saccade duration (msec) in three operating phases including searching (M=241, SD=332), pursuing (M=311, SD=392), and lock-on (M=191, SD=226). Also, there were significant differences in pilots’ pupil sizes (pixel2) of which lock-on phase was the largest (M=27237, SD=6457), followed by pursuing (M=26232, SD=6070), then searching (M=25858, SD=6137). Furthermore, there were significant differences between expert and novice pilots on the percentage of fixation on the HUD, time spent looking outside the cockpit, and the performance of situational awareness (SA). Discussion: Experienced pilots have better SA performance and paid more attention to the HUD but focused less outside the cockpit when compared with novice pilots. Furthermore, pilots with better SA performance exhibited a smaller pupil size during the operational phase of lock-on whilst pursuing a dynamic target. Understanding pilots’ visual scan patterns and attention distribution are beneficial to the design of interface displays in the cockpit and in developing human factors training syllabi to improve safety of flight operations

Separation Enhancement of Mechanical Filters by Adding Negative Air Ions

The purpose of this work is to combine negative air ions (NAIs) and mechanical filters for removal of indoor suspended particulates. Various factors, including aerosol size (0.05-0.45 μm), face velocity (10 and 20 cm/s), species of aerosol (potassium chloride and dioctyl phthalate), relative humidity (30% and 70%), and concentrations of NAIs (2 ´ 104, 1 ´ 105, and 2 ´ 105 NAIs/cm3) were considered to evaluate their effects on the aerosol collection characteristics of filters. Results show that the aerosol penetration through the mechanical filter is higher than that through the mechanical filters cooperated with NAIs. This finding implies that the aerosol removal efficiency of mechanical filters can be improved by NAIs. Furthermore, the aerosol penetration through the mechanical filters increased with the aerosol size when NAIs were added. That is due to that the aerosol is easier to be charged when its size gets larger. The results also indicate the aerosol penetration decreased with the NAIs concentration increased. Reversely, aerosol penetration through the mechanical filters increased with the face velocity under the influence of NAIs. The aerosol penetration through the filter with NAIs was no affected with relative humidity. Finally, The penetration through the filter with NAIs against solid aerosol was lower than that against liquid aerosol