Encouraging the perceptual underdog: positive affective priming of nonpreferred local–global processes

Two experiments examined affective priming of global and local perception. Participants attempted to detect a target that might be present as either a global or a local shape. Verbal primes were used in 1 experiment, and pictorial primes were used in the other. In both experiments, positive primes led to improved performance on the nonpreferred dimension. For participants exhibiting global precedence, detection of local targets was significantly improved, whereas for participants exhibiting local precedence, detection of global targets was significantly improved. The results provide support for an interpretation of the effects of positive affective priming in terms of increased perceptual flexibility

Novel Characterization and Live Imaging of Schlemm's Canal Expressing Prox-1

Schlemm's canal is an important structure of the conventional aqueous humor outflow pathway and is critically involved in regulating the intraocular pressure. In this study, we report a novel finding that prospero homeobox protein 1 (Prox-1), the master control gene for lymphatic development, is expressed in Schlemm's canal. Moreover, we provide a novel in vivo method of visualizing Schlemm's canal using a transgenic mouse model of Prox-1-green fluorescent protein (GFP). The anatomical location of Prox-1+ Schlemm's canal was further confirmed by in vivo gonioscopic examination and ex vivo immunohistochemical analysis. Additionally, we show that the Schlemm's canal is distinguishable from typical lymphatic vessels by lack of lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaluronan receptor (LYVE-1) expression and absence of apparent sprouting reaction when inflammatory lymphangiogenesis occurred in the cornea. Taken together, our findings offer new insights into Schlemm's canal and provide a new experimental model for live imaging of this critical structure to help further our understanding of the aqueous humor outflow. This may lead to new avenues toward the development of novel therapeutic intervention for relevant diseases, most notably glaucoma

Generalized van der Waerden Game on an Infinite Board

Consider the following Maker-Breaker game. Fix a finite subset $S\subset\mathbb{N}$ of the naturals. The players Maker and Breaker take turns choosing previously unclaimed natural numbers. Maker wins by eventually building a copy $aS+b$ of $S$, where $a\in\mathbb{N}\setminus\{0\}$ and $b\in\mathbb{Z}$. This is a generalization of a game analyzed by Beck. We show that Maker can win in $|S|$ moves if $|S|\leq 3$. When $|S|=4$, we show that Maker can always win in $5$ or less moves, and describe all $S$ such that Maker can win in $4$ moves. If $|S|\geq 5$, Maker has no winning strategy in $|S|$ moves.Comment: 10 pages, 6 figure

Bridge helix and trigger loop perturbations generate superactive RNA polymerases

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Cellular RNA polymerases are highly conserved enzymes that undergo complex conformational changes to coordinate the processing of nucleic acid substrates through the active site. Two domains in particular, the bridge helix and the trigger loop, play a key role in this mechanism by adopting different conformations at various stages of the nucleotide addition cycle. The functional relevance of these structural changes has been difficult to assess from the relatively small number of static crystal structures currently available.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Using a novel robotic approach we characterized the functional properties of 367 site-directed mutants of the <it>Methanocaldococcus jannaschii </it>RNA polymerase A' subunit, revealing a wide spectrum of <it>in vitro </it>phenotypes. We show that a surprisingly large number of single amino acid substitutions in the bridge helix, including a kink-inducing proline substitution, increase the specific activity of RNA polymerase. Other 'superactivating' substitutions are located in the adjacent base helices of the trigger loop.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The results support the hypothesis that the nucleotide addition cycle involves a kinked bridge helix conformation. The active center of RNA polymerase seems to be constrained by a network of functional interactions between the bridge helix and trigger loop that controls fundamental parameters of RNA synthesis.</p

Topic Diversity in Social Media Campaigning: A Study of the 2022 Australian Federal Election

This study explores the diversity of topics in political campaign communication on social media during the 2022 Australian federal election. While political campaigns on social media are often associated with both persuasive and mobilising appeals, this research focuses on understanding the differences in persuasive content by comparing organic (non-targeted) and paid (targeted) political communication. Analysing the Australian context, which follows a Westminster system, with compulsory voting, we utilise data from the federal election 2022 to investigate how political actors employ persuasive communication strategies. Through topic modelling, we examine whether distinct themes vary in content and prevalence between organic and paid social media content disseminated by political parties and candidates. Our analysis revealed that the differences in topic diversity between paid and organic content do not seem to be substantial, despite popular concerns about higher personalisation due to advertising targeting which could lead to information fragmentation of the electorate. Both types of content predominantly focus on core political topics, aligning with party ideologies and include overall campaign information (e.g., on election procedures). However, government critique emerges as a distinct topic in both organic and paid content signalling the usage of negative campaigning to weaken opposing parties. In conclusion, this study suggests that the strategic manipulation of the electorate through social media during the Australian federal election in 2022 was limited. Nonetheless, the prevalence of negative appeals towards the government and opposing parties raises questions about the potential impact on citizens' trust in democracy and institutions

Developing Perception: An Analysis of the Potential for Cooperation between China and the West over African Development

近年来中国在非洲的活动引起强烈关注。本项研究认为，中国可以为非洲提供诸多帮助。中国已经在改善其海外行动方面采取许多措施，并且正在承担起作为外国投资者应负的责任。然而，基于偏见与误导性指责的西方舆论环境妨碍了有关各方之间的合作，因而影响了非洲国家的发展。 本项目采用国家形象研究法，考察国际学术界2006-2013年间对中国在非活动之认知的变化。研究表明，2006年以来，国际学术期刊对中国在非洲活动的认知持续趋于正面。本论文认为，如果西方国家能够改变反华论调，中国方面能够进一步提高行动的透明度与可持续性，西方学术刊物所表现出的这种趋势将有利于促成中国、非洲、西方三方面的有效合作。这种合作将有利于...The topic of China in Africa has been of critical interest in recent years. This thesis argues that China has much to offer Africa and is taking many steps towards improving its foreign operations and taking on the responsibilities of a foreign investor. However, negative Western discourse based on biased perceptions and misleading accusations has inhibited cooperative practices and consequently...学位：法学硕士院系专业：南洋研究院_国际关系学号：2552012115423

Interrogating cell culture populations for the selection of production cell lines using microfluidic culturing, single cell analysis, and predictive modelling

Cell line development for manufacturing is a lengthy, multi-step, resource intensive, critical path activity. Attempts to perform in silico modelling and prediction of cell culture has been difficult due to complexities around heterogeneous cell culture populations that rapidly shift over generations under changing selective conditions. For example, early populations will often change as response to media and culturing conditions from a static colony culturing in microtiter plates, to small scale suspension culturing, and finally in a controlled bioreactor processes. As a result, it is challenging to make the final cell line selection early, while predicting future bioprocess performance, and ultimately estimate the protein product quality. We address this challenge by drastically increasing the amount of early cell culture population data obtained through use of emerging single cell technologies. Data obtained is combined with modelling approaches to select the best cell lines upfront to reduce timelines and processing steps. To achieve this, we have implemented a platform from Berkeley Lights that effectively digitalizes most aspects of cell culture. Thousands of individual cell lines can be manipulated, cultured and interrogated on a perfusion nanofluidic chip resulting in extensive data on cell behavior on an individual cell level as well as the populations. Through multivariate predictive modeling of this data, we can predict the performance of candidate clonal cell lines in larger scale production runs. Incorporation of additional single cell analysis such as digital droplet RT-PCR and next generation sequencing further predicts product quality, such as heterogeneity of bispecifics and sequence variant detection. Similar approaches can further be used to then study the stability and integrity of a final CHO cell banks. When combined, single cell interrogation of early culture populations allow for the dematerialization of the CLD process, make better predictions of bioprocess performance, and reduce select the final production clone earlier

From large-scale loops to the sites of dense flaring loops: Preferential conditions for long-period pulsations in solar flares

Copyright © 2010 American Astronomical Society / IOP PublishingLong-period quasi-periodic pulsations (QPPs) of solar flares are a class apart from shorter period events. By involving an external resonator, the mechanism they call upon differs from traditional QPP models, but has wider applications. We present a multi-wavelength analysis of spatially resolved QPPs, with periods around 10 minutes, observed in the X-ray spectrum primarily at energies between 3 and 25 keV. Complementary observations obtained in Hα and radio emission in the kHz to GHz frequency range, together with an analysis of the X-ray plasma properties provide a comprehensive picture that is consistent with a dense flaring loop subject to periodic energization and thermalization. The QPPs obtained in Hα and type III radio bursts, with similar periods as the QPPs in soft X-rays, have the longest periods ever reported for those types of data sets. We also report 1-2 GHz radio emission, concurrent with but unrestricted to the QPP time intervals, which is multi-structured at regularly separated narrowband frequencies and modulated with ~18 minute periods. This radio emission can be attributed to the presence of multiple "quiet" large-scale loops in the background corona. Large scale but shorter inner loops below may act as preferential resonators for the QPPs. The observations support interpretations consistent with both inner and outer loops subject to fast kink magnetohydrodynamic waves. Finally, X-ray imaging indicates the presence of double coronal sources in the flaring sites, which could be the particular signatures of the magnetically linked inner loops. We discuss the preferential conditions and the driving mechanisms causing the repeated flaring

Phage Hunting at the University of Mary Washington: Genome Annotation of Hari and JackRabbit

Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies Kurstaki (BTK) is often used as a microbial insecticide for pest control and as a simulant for Bacillus anthracis in biowarfare and bioterrorism studies. Students in 2021 Phage Hunters class at University of Mary Washington isolated nine bacteriophages using the host Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies Kurstaki. Two phages, Hari and Jackrabbit, were sent to SEAPHAGES for sequencing are currently being annotated in the lab during the Spring semester. Hari was found in a soil sample obtained from King George, VA while JackRabbit was isolated from Linton, VA. Both samples were isolated from enriched cultures. Hari has a genome length of 161,978 bp, which auto-annotated with 286 features, and a direct terminal repeat of 2,633 bp. Hari is most similar to DIGNKC, SBP8a and PPIsBest by BLAST. JackRabbit has a genome length of 161,552 bp, which auto-annotated with 288 features, and a direct terminal repeat of 2,821 bp