Sonically-enhanced widgets: comments on Brewster and Clarke, ICAD 1997

This paper presents a review of the research surrounding the paper “The Design and Evaluation of a Sonically Enhanced Tool Palette” by Brewster and Clarke from ICAD 1997. A historical perspective is given followed by a discussion of how this work has fed into current developments in the area

Extremes on the discounted aggregate claims in a time dependent risk model

This paper presents an extension of the classical compound Poisson risk model for which the inter-claim time and the forthcoming claim amount are no longer independent random variables (rv's). Asymptotic tail probabilities for the discounted aggregate claims are presented when the force of interest is constant and the claim amounts are heavy tail distributed rv's. Furthermore, we derive asymptotic finite time ruin probabilities, as well as asymptotic approximations for some common risk measures associated with the discounted aggregate claims. A simulation study is performed in order to validate the results obtained in the free interest risk model

Cosmological Backreaction from Perturbations

We reformulate the averaged Einstein equations in a form suitable for use with Newtonian gauge linear perturbation theory and track the size of the modifications to standard Robertson-Walker evolution on the largest scales as a function of redshift for both Einstein de-Sitter and Lambda CDM cosmologies. In both cases the effective energy density arising from linear perturbations is of the order of 10^-5 the matter density, as would be expected, with an effective equation of state w ~ -1/19. Employing a modified Halofit code to extend our results to quasilinear scales, we find that, while larger, the deviations from Robertson-Walker behaviour remain of the order of 10^-5.Comment: 15 pages, 8 figures; replaced by version accepted by JCA

HIF2α-dependent Dock4/Rac1-signaling regulates formation of adherens junctions and cell polarity in normoxia

Abstract Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIF) 1 and 2 regulate similar but distinct sets of target genes. Although HIFs are best known for their roles in mediating the hypoxia response accumulating evidence suggests that under certain conditions HIFs, particularly HIF2, may function also under normoxic conditions. Here we report that HIF2α functions under normoxic conditions in kidney epithelial cells to regulate formation of adherens junctions. HIF2α expression was required to induce Dock4/Rac1/Pak1-signaling mediating stability and compaction of E-cadherin at nascent adherens junctions. Impaired adherens junction formation in HIF2α- or Dock4-deficient cells led to aberrant cyst morphogenesis in 3D kidney epithelial cell cultures. Taken together, we show that HIF2α functions in normoxia to regulate epithelial morphogenesis.Abstract Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIF) 1 and 2 regulate similar but distinct sets of target genes. Although HIFs are best known for their roles in mediating the hypoxia response accumulating evidence suggests that under certain conditions HIFs, particularly HIF2, may function also under normoxic conditions. Here we report that HIF2α functions under normoxic conditions in kidney epithelial cells to regulate formation of adherens junctions. HIF2α expression was required to induce Dock4/Rac1/Pak1-signaling mediating stability and compaction of E-cadherin at nascent adherens junctions. Impaired adherens junction formation in HIF2α- or Dock4-deficient cells led to aberrant cyst morphogenesis in 3D kidney epithelial cell cultures. Taken together, we show that HIF2α functions in normoxia to regulate epithelial morphogenesis

Inventory of long and short term future needs of food chain users for future functions of internet

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The EPL drama – paving the way for more illegal streaming? Digital piracy of live sports broadcasts in Singapore

Along with the rise of digital media technologies, digitisation disrupted and reconfigured the established practices of previously discrete media markets. The erosion of conventional media divisions has resulted in wide-ranging ramifications for sports broadcasts as it shifts from the historically dominant platform of broadcast television to the digital environment of the Internet in the new mediascape. This paper considers how these emergent practices from the advent of media technology have represented significant challenges to the mediascape of sports broadcasts in Singapore. Given the popularity of mediated Western sports in Singapore, it comes as no surprise that the challenge of sports broadcasts piracy is acute in the country. Singapore has an exceedingly high degree of online infringement compared to other countries in the region. Data discloses that Singapore’s per capita infringement ranks first in Asia and fifth highest globally. This paper seeks to review the phenomenon in Singapore, examining the drivers that created the unique market dynamics which shaped the piracy of sports broadcasts in the country. The paper goes on to discuss provisions in Singapore in terms of copyright law and enforcement that are in place for the deterrence of sports broadcasts piracy. It considers the adequacy of these current approaches and concludes with an observation of how Singapore will seek to adjust to the continual digital advancement in its battle against digital sports piracy. The outcome of this assessment helps provide an additional account for its comparison with existing discourse on the challenges of digitisation on sports broadcasts development in advanced capitalist Asian countries. Publisher statement: This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Leisure Studies on 27 April 2015, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02614367.2015.103531

Multichannel optical sensor for oil film pressure measurement in engine main bearing

An optical sensor has been developed for experimental determination of oil film pressure in journal bearings. The non-intrusive fibre optic sensor is integrated in the sliding surface of the bearing to measure the actual oil film pressure under load without disturbing the actual tribological contact conditions. The sensors with a multichannel system also allowed the use of several optical sensors simultaneously. Four optical sensors were integrated in a hydrodynamic journal bearing of a large scale diesel engine and the engine tests were carried out with different loads to study the sensor operation in demanding operating conditions. The oil film pressure was successfully measured and the results showed differences in bearing pressure depending on the position of the sensor and on the operating cycle of the cylinders. The optical sensor was capable to measure the oil film pressure in journal bearing with a good sensitivity and repeatability during the tests. &nbsp

Impact of gastro-oesophageal reflux on microRNA expression, location and function

We have shown that miRNA expression is altered in the oesophageal squamous mucosa from individuals with gastro-oesophageal reflux and ulcerative oesophagitis. These changes in miR-143, miR-145 and miR-205 expression appear to be most pronounced in the basal layer of the oesophageal epithelium. In the context of gastro-oesophageal reflux these expression changes might influence proliferation and apoptosis and thereby regulate epithelial restoration. It is reasonable to hypothesise that they could represent early molecular events preceding the development of Barrett’s oesophagus, although proving this will require further studies as described above. Future detailed analyses of the role of these miRNAs in progression from gastro-oesophageal reflux to Barrett’s oesophagus, and then to oesophageal adenocarcinoma will be valuable, and may help in efforts to control and treat these diseases.This study was funded by a Competing Project Grant from the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia. Cameron Smith was supported by a PROBE-NET PhD scholarship funded by a Strategic research Partnerships Grant from the Cancer Council of New South Wales

The unruptured intracranial aneurysm treatment score A multidisciplinary consensus

Objective: We endeavored to develop an unruptured intracranial aneurysm (UIA) treatment score (UIATS) model that includes and quantifies key factors involved in clinical decision-making in the management of UIAs and to assess agreement for this model among specialists in UIA management and research. Methods: An international multidisciplinary (neurosurgery, neuroradiology, neurology, clinical epidemiology) group of 69 specialists was convened to develop and validate the UIATS model using a Delphi consensus. For internal (39 panel members involved in identification of relevant features) and external validation (30 independent external reviewers), 30 selected UIA cases were used to analyze agreement with UIATS management recommendations based on a 5-point Likert scale (5 indicating strong agreement). Interrater agreement (IRA) was assessed with standardized coefficients of dispersion (v(r)*) (v(r)* 5 0 indicating excellent agreement and v(r)* = 1 indicating poor agreement). Results: The UIATS accounts for 29 key factors in UIA management. Agreement with UIATS (mean Likert scores) was 4.2 (95% confidence interval [CI] 4.1-4.3) per reviewer for both reviewer cohorts; agreement per case was 4.3 (95% CI 4.1-4.4) for panel members and 4.5 (95% CI 4.3-4.6) for external reviewers (p = 0.017). Mean Likert scores were 4.2 (95% CI 4.1-4.3) for interventional reviewers (n = 56) and 4.1 (95% CI 3.9-4.4) for noninterventional reviewers (n = 12) (p = 0.290). Overall IRA (v(r)*) for both cohorts was 0.026 (95% CI 0.019-0.033). Conclusions: This novel UIA decision guidance study captures an excellent consensus among highly informed individuals on UIA management, irrespective of their underlying specialty. Clinicians can use the UIATS as a comprehensive mechanism for indicating how a large group of specialists might manage an individual patient with a UIA.Peer reviewe

Polycystic ovary syndrome and leukocyte telomere length: cross-sectional and longitudinal changes

Peer reviewe