Multidimensional signals and analytic flexibility: Estimating degrees of freedom in human speech analyses

Recent empirical studies have highlighted the large degree of analytic flexibility in data analysis which can lead to substantially different conclusions based on the same data set. Thus, researchers have expressed their concerns that these researcher degrees of freedom might facilitate bias and can lead to claims that do not stand the test of time. Even greater flexibility is to be expected in fields in which the primary data lend themselves to a variety of possible operationalizations. The multidimensional, temporally extended nature of speech constitutes an ideal testing ground for assessing the variability in analytic approaches, which derives not only from aspects of statistical modeling, but also from decisions regarding the quantification of the measured behavior. In the present study, we gave the same speech production data set to 46 teams of researchers and asked them to answer the same research question, resulting insubstantial variability in reported effect sizes and their interpretation. Using Bayesian meta-analytic tools, we further find little to no evidence that the observed variability can be explained by analysts’ prior beliefs, expertise or the perceived quality of their analyses. In light of this idiosyncratic variability, we recommend that researchers more transparently share details of their analysis, strengthen the link between theoretical construct and quantitative system and calibrate their (un)certainty in their conclusions

Conceptual Design and Analysis of Membrane Structures

In this work one approach for formfinding and analysing tension membrane structures is described. Focus has been on the conceptual stage. For this the computer software SMART Form has been further developed, enabling the possibility to do real-time formfinding and analysis of fabric structures. The software is based on a method where the orthotropic membrane is modeled with a triangular mesh, where the mass is lumped on the nodes. As a computational tool dynamic relaxation is used to find the static equilibrium configuration for the structure. The advantage with this is that there is no need for formulation and manipulation of matrices common in the finite element method

Architectural Knitted Windbreaks for Improved Wind Comfort in the City: A Wind Tunnel Study of Custom-Designed Porous Textile Screens

There is a need to shield from the wind to improve pedestrian comfort in urban environments. Perforated windbreaks, such as fences, vegetation or textile nets, have proven to be an efficient solution, whereas knitted textiles have not yet been explored. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the capacity of knitted textile windbreaks to reduce wind velocities, to inform further research and promote wider architectural applications. Five custom-knitted textile prototypes, representing fragments of textile windbreaks, were tested in a wind tunnel and compared against a perforated and a nonperforated solid board. Forces on the models, as well as upstream and downstream velocities, were measured. The results indicate that the optimal optical porosity of knitted windbreaks should be around 10%, which differs from the porosity for perforated windbreaks recommended by prior studies. Moreover, it was observed that a textile windbreak knitted using the drop-stitch technique efficiently reduces the wind, while not generating a large drag force. Furthermore, the drag coefficient for the knitted windbreak is reduced with increased windspeed. With this, the presented study demonstrates that knitted structures exposed to wind influence have the functional potential of becoming efficient windbreaks, thus improving wind comfort and aesthetic user experience in the urban space

Textile Informed Structures - How to Braid a Roof, Translating the logic of textile structure into the scale of architecture

There is a great variety of textiles materials, both in terms of the behaviour of the fibres they comprise and the assembly methods used to construct them. Hence, the definition of textile is expanded nowadays from including only conventional fabrics to encompassing surfaces with structures that follows the logic of textiles.[1] One can then refer to textile as a repetition of bindings, or joints, forming a non-hierarchical surface. Analogies between classical textile assembly methods of interlacing threads (triaxial weave and bobbin lace) and architectural structural systems are explored in this research. Similar to the work of Snelson the internal structural logic is identified by the joints used, and these typologies are mapped onto structures.[2] The resulting modules aim to be used for the assembly of structures in the scale of architecture. Like the assembly logic of the textiles, these structures have the potential to grow in all directions depending on spatial requirements while still retaining some kinetic properties. Subsequently, the result proposes two concepts: firstly a tensegrity weave structural system- combining triaxial woven textiles and tensegrity; secondly a reciprocal lace system where a basic pattern of bobbin lace is mapped onto reciprocal structures. The final concepts propose intriguing load bearing systems that illustrate the possibility to design and construct temporary structures able to seamlessly span irregular spaces

The use of virtual work for the formfinding of fabric, shell and gridshell structures

The use of the virtual work theorem enables one to derive the equations\ua0of static equilibrium of fabric, shell and gridshell structures from\ua0the compatibility equations linking the rate of deformation of a surface\ua0to variations in its velocity. If the structure is treated as a continuum\ua0there is no need to consider its micro-structure provided that the grid\ua0is fine compared to the overall geometry. Thus we can include fabrics,\ua0ribbed shells, corrugated shells and gridshells with a fine grid, such as\ua0the Mannheim Multihalle. The equilibrium equations are almost identical\ua0to those obtained by assuming that a shell is thin and of uniform thickness,\ua0but are more general in their application. Our formulation introduces\ua0the concept of geodesic bending moments which are relevant to\ua0gridshell structures with continuous laths.The virtual work theorem is more general than the energy theorems,\ua0which it in- cludes as a special case. Hence it can be applied to surfaces\ua0which admit some form of potential, including minimal surfaces\ua0and hanging fabrics. We can then use the calculus of variations for the\ua0minimization of a surface integral to define the form of a structure.Many existing formfinding techniques can be rewritten in this way, but\ua0we concen- trate on surfaces which minimize the surface integral of the\ua0mean curvature subject to a constraint on the enclosed volume, producing\ua0a surface of constant Gaussian curvature. This naturally leads to\ua0the more general study of conjugate stress and curvature directions, and\ua0hence to quadrilateral mesh gridshells with flat cladding panels and no\ua0bending moments in the structural members under own weight

MiR-873-5p acts as an epigenetic regulator in early stages of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis.

Glycine N-methyltransferase (GNMT) is the most abundant methyltransferase in the liver and a master regulator of the transmethylation flux. GNMT downregulation leads to loss of liver function progressing to fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Moreover, GNMT deficiency aggravates cholestasis-induced fibrogenesis. To date, little is known about the mechanisms underlying downregulation of GNMT levels in hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis. On this basis, microRNAs are epigenetic regulatory elements that play important roles in liver pathology. In this work, we aim to study the regulation of GNMT by microRNAs during liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. Luciferase assay on the 3'UTR-Gnmt was used to confirm in silico analysis showing that GNMT is potentially targeted by the microRNA miR-873-5p. Correlation between GNMT and miR-873-5p in human cholestasis and cirrhosis together with miR-873-5p inhibition in vivo in different mouse models of liver cholestasis and fibrosis [bile duct ligation and Mdr2 (Abcb4)-/- mouse] were then assessed. The analysis of liver tissue from cirrhotic and cholestatic patients, as well as from the animal models, showed that miR-873-5p inversely correlated with the expression of GNMT. Importantly, high circulating miR-873-5p was also detected in cholestastic and cirrhotic patients. Preclinical studies with anti-miR-873-5p treatment in bile duct ligation and Mdr2-/- mice recovered GNMT levels in association with ameliorated inflammation and fibrosis mainly by counteracting hepatocyte apoptosis and cholangiocyte proliferation. In conclusion, miR-873-5p emerges as a novel marker for liver fibrosis, cholestasis, and cirrhosis and therapeutic approaches based on anti-miR-873-5p may be effective treatments for liver fibrosis and cholestatic liver disease

MiR-873-5p acts as an epigenetic regulator in early stages of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis

Abstract Glycine N-methyltransferase (GNMT) is the most abundant methyltransferase in the liver and a master regulator of the transmethylation flux. GNMT downregulation leads to loss of liver function progressing to fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Moreover, GNMT deficiency aggravates cholestasis-induced fibrogenesis. To date, little is known about the mechanisms underlying downregulation of GNMT levels in hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis. On this basis, microRNAs are epigenetic regulatory elements that play important roles in liver pathology. In this work, we aim to study the regulation of GNMT by microRNAs during liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. Luciferase assay on the 3ʹUTR-Gnmt was used to confirm in silico analysis showing that GNMT is potentially targeted by the microRNA miR-873-5p. Correlation between GNMT and miR-873-5p in human cholestasis and cirrhosis together with miR-873-5p inhibition in vivo in different mouse models of liver cholestasis and fibrosis [bile duct ligation and Mdr2 (Abcb4) -/- mouse] were then assessed. The analysis of liver tissue from cirrhotic and cholestatic patients, as well as from the animal models, showed that miR-873-5p inversely correlated with the expression of GNMT. Importantly, high circulating miR-873-5p was also detected in cholestastic and cirrhotic patients. Preclinical studies with anti-miR-873-5p treatment in bile duct ligation and Mdr2 -/- mice recovered GNMT levels in association with ameliorated inflammation and fibrosis mainly by counteracting hepatocyte apoptosis and cholangiocyte proliferation. In conclusion, miR-873-5p emerges as a novel marker for liver fibrosis, cholestasis, and cirrhosis and therapeutic approaches based on anti-miR-873-5p may be effective treatments for liver fibrosis and cholestatic liver disease

MiR-873-5p acts as an epigenetic regulator in early stages of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis

Glycine N-methyltransferase (GNMT) is the most abundant methyltransferase in the liver and a master regulator of the transmethylation flux. GNMT downregulation leads to loss of liver function progressing to fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Moreover, GNMT deficiency aggravates cholestasis-induced fibrogenesis. To date, little is known about the mechanisms underlying downregulation of GNMT levels in hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis. On this basis, microRNAs are epigenetic regulatory elements that play important roles in liver pathology. In this work, we aim to study the regulation of GNMT by microRNAs during liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. Luciferase assay on the 3ʹUTR-Gnmt was used to confirm in silico analysis showing that GNMT is potentially targeted by the microRNA miR-873-5p. Correlation between GNMT and miR-873-5p in human cholestasis and cirrhosis together with miR-873-5p inhibition in vivo in different mouse models of liver cholestasis and fibrosis [bile duct ligation and Mdr2 (Abcb4)-/- mouse] were then assessed. The analysis of liver tissue from cirrhotic and cholestatic patients, as well as from the animal models, showed that miR-873-5p inversely correlated with the expression of GNMT. Importantly, high circulating miR-873-5p was also detected in cholestastic and cirrhotic patients. Preclinical studies with anti-miR-873-5p treatment in bile duct ligation and Mdr2-/- mice recovered GNMT levels in association with ameliorated inflammation and fibrosis mainly by counteracting hepatocyte apoptosis and cholangiocyte proliferation. In conclusion, miR-873-5p emerges as a novel marker for liver fibrosis, cholestasis, and cirrhosis and therapeutic approaches based on anti-miR-873-5p may be effective treatments for liver fibrosis and cholestatic liver disease