10 research outputs found
Meshing Deforming Spacetime for Visualization and Analysis
We introduce a novel paradigm that simplifies the visualization and analysis
of data that have a spatially/temporally varying frame of reference. The
primary application driver is tokamak fusion plasma, where science variables
(e.g., density and temperature) are interpolated in a complex magnetic
field-line-following coordinate system. We also see a similar challenge in
rotational fluid mechanics, cosmology, and Lagrangian ocean analysis; such
physics implies a deforming spacetime and induces high complexity in volume
rendering, isosurfacing, and feature tracking, among various visualization
tasks. Without loss of generality, this paper proposes an algorithm to build a
simplicial complex -- a tetrahedral mesh, for the deforming 3D spacetime
derived from two 2D triangular meshes representing consecutive timesteps.
Without introducing new nodes, the resulting mesh fills the gap between 2D
meshes with tetrahedral cells while satisfying given constraints on how nodes
connect between the two input meshes. In the algorithm we first divide the
spacetime into smaller partitions to reduce complexity based on the input
geometries and constraints. We then independently search for a feasible
tessellation of each partition taking nonconvexity into consideration. We
demonstrate multiple use cases for a simplified visualization analysis scheme
with a synthetic case and fusion plasma applications
Developing and Evaluating Composites Based on Plantation Eucalyptus Rotary-cut Veneer and High-density Polyethylene Film as Novel Building Materials
To achieve value-added utilizations of plantation timbers, eucalyptus veneer/high-density polyethylene film composites were prepared, with process-factors (PF) (hot-pressing temperature, HT; hot-pressing duration, HD; hot-pressing pressure, HP; HDPE-film content, HC) and composite-properties (CP) (water-resistant bonding-strength, BS; modulus of rupture, MOR; modulus of elasticity, MOE) investigated. According to thermal analyses, 140 to 180 °C was appropriate for HT. Based on statistical analyses, HD was easier to affect CP, while MOE was easier to be affected by PF. Quantitative relationships between PF and CP were determined by the neural-network (ANN) modeling. In ANN simulation surveys, CP displayed Gaussian distributions (R2 > 0.9) when PF changed in current ranges, with positive correlations between BS and MOR (R2 â 0.5). Combining ANN and the genetic-algorithm, optimal processes (HT, 160 °C; HD, 50 s/mm; HP, 1.3 MPa; HC, 6 layers) were found, and optimal results (BS, 1.30 MPa; MOR, 86.94 MPa; MOE, 8.33 GPa) were comparable to various reported poplar-plywoods. Microscopic images demonstrated that composite interfaces were formed by the mechanical interlocking. The optimal BS attained Chinese standards for water-resistant plywoods, so proposed composites can serve as water-resistant and formaldehyde-free building materials for furniture and interior design
Shame, guilt, and posttraumatic stress symptoms: A three-level meta-analysis
Existing empirical findings are inconsistent on the correlations of shame and guilt with posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). This study aimed to quantitatively summarize the strength of the associations of shame and guilt with PTSS and explore potential moderators. Based on a three-level meta-analytic method, shame was positively correlated with PTSS, no matter whether the effects of guilt were controlled; guilt also had a positive correlation with PTSS, regardless of whether the effects of shame were partialling out. Moderator analyses showed that type of shame measure (generalized vs. contextual vs. trauma-specific shame) moderated the relation between shame and PTSS, and type of guilt measure (generalized vs. contextual vs. trauma-specific guilt) moderated the relation between guilt and PTSS. In addition, culture had a marginally significant moderating effect on the relation between guilt and PTSS, with a stronger association of guilt with PTSS in Western culture than in Eastern culture. These results supported the links of shame and guilt to PTSS and implied that we should focus on the conceptual underpinnings of the manifest psychometric issue and maintain cultural sensitivity in future research. The implications for posttraumatic stress disorder treatment were also discussed
Sequential multiple mediation of cognitive fusion and experiential avoidance in the relationship between rumination and social anxiety among Chinese adolescents
Background and Objectives: The potential mechanism by which rumination influences social anxiety through cognitive fusion and experiential avoidance proposed by the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy model has not been well-documented. This study, therefore, aimed to examine the sequential multiple mediation of the two processes. Design: A cross-sectional survey was conducted. Method: A total of 233 Chinese adolescents (42.06% girls) completed a set of printed self-report questionnaires measuring rumination, cognitive fusion, experiential avoidance, and social anxiety. The SPSS macro PROCESS (model 6) was used to test a sequential mediating model. A 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated with 5000 bootstrapping re-samples. Results: Bootstrap analyses indicated that there were indirect effects of rumination on social anxiety mediated by cognitive fusion together with experiential avoidance (B = 0.098, BootSE = 0.032, CI = 0.045 to 0.170), or solely by experiential avoidance (B = 0.048, BootSE = 0.020, CI = 0.014 to 0.093). The mediation of cognitive fusion alone was not significant (B = 0.065, BootSE = 0.038, CI = â0.006 to 0.144). Conclusions: The results indicated the sequential mediating role of cognitive fusion and experiential avoidance, and the relative prominence of the latter in the association between rumination and social anxiety
Oncolytic vaccinia virus delivering tethered IL-12 enhances antitumor effects with improved safety
Immune checkpoint blockade is arguably the most effective current cancer therapy approach; however, its efficacy is limited to patients with âhotâ tumors, warranting an effective approach to transform âcoldâ tumors. Oncolytic viruses (especially properly armed ones) have positive effects on almost every aspect of the cancerâimmunity cycle and can change the cancerâimmune set point of a tumor. Here, we tested whether oncolytic vaccinia virus delivering tethered interleukin 12 (IL-12) could turn a âcoldâ tumor into a âhotâ tumor while avoiding IL-12âs systemic toxicity. Our data demonstrated that tethered IL-12 could be maintained in the tumor without treatment-induced toxic side effects. Moreover, the treatment facilitated tumor infiltration of more activated CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and less Tregs, granulocytic myeloid-derivedsuppressor cells, and exhausted CD8+ T cells, with increased interferon Îł and decreased transforming growth factor ÎČ, cyclooxygenase-2, and vascular endothelial growth factor expression, leading to transformed, immunogenic tumors and improved survival. Combined with programmed cell death 1 blockade, vaccinia virus expressing tethered IL-12 cured all mice with late-stage colon cancer, suggesting immediate translatability to the clinic