Nonnegative moment coordinates on finite element geometries

In this paper, we introduce new generalized barycentric coordinates (coined as {\em moment coordinates}) on nonconvex quadrilaterals and convex hexahedra with planar faces. This work draws on recent advances in constructing interpolants to describe the motion of the Filippov sliding vector field in nonsmooth dynamical systems, in which nonnegative solutions of signed matrices based on (partial) distances are studied. For a finite element with $n$ vertices (nodes) in $\mathbb{R}^2$, the constant and linear reproducing conditions are supplemented with additional linear moment equations to set up a linear system of equations of full rank $n$, whose solution results in the nonnegative shape functions. On a simple (convex or nonconvex) quadrilateral, moment coordinates using signed distances are identical to mean value coordinates. For signed weights that are based on the product of distances to edges that are incident to a vertex and their edge lengths, we recover Wachspress coordinates on a convex quadrilateral. Moment coordinates are also constructed on a convex hexahedra with planar faces. We present proofs in support of the construction and plots of the shape functions that affirm its properties

Are patients with Parkinson's disease impaired in the recognition of emotion's authenticity?

In recognising emotions expressed by others, one can make use of both embodied cognition and mechanisms that do not necessarily require activation of the limbic system, such as evoking from memory the meaning of morphological features of the observed face. Instead, we believe that the recognition of the authenticity of an emotional expression is primarily based on embodied cognition, for which the mirror system would play a significant role. To verify this hypothesis, we submitted 20 parkinsonian patients and 20 healthy control subjects to the Emotional Authenticity Recognition test, a novel test using dynamic stimuli to evaluate the ability to recognise emotions and their authenticity. Analysis of variance of the test scores shows that Parkinsonian patients perform worse than controls when they had to recognise the authenticity of emotions, although they are able to identify them. Our results confirm a deficit in the recognition of the authenticity of emotions in patients with Parkinson's disease attributable to the disruption of extrapiramidal limbic circuit between ventral striatum and orbitomesial-prefrontal cortex

Nonnegative moment coordinates on finite element geometries

In this paper, we introduce new generalized barycentric coordinates (coined as moment coordinates) on convex and nonconvex quadrilaterals and convex hexahedra with planar faces. This work draws on recent advances in constructing interpolants to describe the motion of the Filippov sliding vector field in nonsmooth dynamical systems, in which nonnegative solutions of signed matrices based on (partial) distances are studied. For a finite element with $n$ vertices (nodes) in $\mathbb{R}^2$, the constant and linear reproducing conditions are supplemented with additional linear moment equations to set up a linear system of equations of full rank $n$, whose solution results in the nonnegative shape functions. On a simple (convex or nonconvex) quadrilateral, moment coordinates using signed distances are identical to mean value coordinates. For signed weights that are based on the product of distances to edges that are incident to a vertex and their edge lengths, we recover Wachspress coordinates on a convex quadrilateral. Moment coordinates are also constructed on a convex hexahedra with planar faces. We present proofs in support of the construction and plots of the shape functions that affirm its properties

A multi-scale hybrid approach to the modelling and design of a novel micro-channel cooling structure for the W7X divertor

The second operating phase of the W7X stellarator, with an expanded set of plasma-facing components, includes the test of divertor tiles with a continuous heat load reaching 10 MW/ m2. The divertor tiles are cooled by subcooled water. Here a novel cooling concept, based on a network of parallel arrays of micro-channels (MC) with sub-millimetre dimensions, is investigated on a 0.1 m x 0.1 m tile, realizable by Additive Manufacturing. Detailed CFD simulations of the mock-up are performed to check the cooling uniformity using a multi-scale approach, aiming at limiting the dimension of the computational grid without a major loss of accuracy. First, the detailed hydraulic and thermal characterization on a sub-domain with of a small group of MC is performed. Then, the block of MC is substituted with an equivalent porous strip (PS), calibrating the hydraulic and thermal characteristics of the porous medium. The model is verified on an array of MCs or PSs connected to the same manifolds, showing the capability to reproduce the pressure drop and temperature increase with maximum errors of 1.05% and similar to 20% in nominal conditions, respectively. The numerical model of the entire tile equipped with PSs is then reliably adopted to evaluate the thermal-hydraulic performance of the cooling device

The Telephone Language Screener (TLS): standardization of a novel telephone-based screening test for language impairment

Background This study aimed at developing and standardizing the Telephone Language Screener (TLS), a novel, disease-nonspecific, telephone-based screening test for language disorders.Methods The TLS was developed in strict pursuance to the current psycholinguistic standards. It comprises nine tasks assessing phonological, lexical-semantic and morpho-syntactic components, as well as an extra Backward Digit Span task. The TLS was administered to 480 healthy participants (HPs), along with the Telephone-based Semantic Verbal Fluency (t-SVF) test and a Telephone-based Composite Language Index (TBCLI), as well as to 37 cerebrovascular/neurodegenerative patients-who also underwent the language subscale of the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (TICS-L). An HP subsample was also administered an in-person language battery. Construct validity, factorial structure, internal consistency, test-retest and inter-rater reliability were tested. Norms were derived via Equivalent Scores. The capability of the TLS to discriminate patients from HPs and to identify, among the patient cohort, those with a defective TICS-L, was also examined.Results The TLS was underpinned by a mono-component structure and converged with the t-SVF (p < .001), the TBCLI (p < .001) and the in-person language battery (p = .002). It was internally consistent (McDonald's omega = 0.67) and reliable between raters (ICC = 0.99) and at retest (ICC = 0.83). Age and education, but not sex, were predictors of TLS scores. The TLS optimally discriminated patients from HPs (AUC = 0.80) and successfully identified patients with an impaired TICS-L (AUC = 0.92). In patients, the TLS converged with TICS-L scores (p = 0.016).Discussion The TLS is a valid, reliable, normed and clinically feasible telephone-based screener for language impairment

Behavioral Alterations of Spatial Cognition and Role of the Apolipoprotein E-ε4 in Patients with MCI Due to Alzheimer’s Disease: Results from the BDSC-MCI Project

Background: Beyond memory deterioration, spatial disorientation may occur along the continuum of normal aging-dementia of Alzheimer's type. The present study aims at detecting behavioral disorders of spatial cognition in prodromal Alzheimer's disease (AD) and verifying the association between Apolipoprotein E-epsilon 4 (ApoE-epsilon 4) genotype and gait patterns during a real-world naturalistic task. Methods: A sample of 58 elderly participants, of which 20 patients with mild cognitive impairment with CFS biomarker evidence of AD, 23 individuals with subjective cognitive decline (SCD), and 15 healthy controls (HCs), was tested by a modified version of the Detour Navigation Test (DNT-mv). Generalized linear models were run to explore the association between group belonging and wrong turns (WTs)/moments of hesitation (MsH) as behavioral disorientation scores of the DNT-mv as well as the effect of ApoE-epsilon 4 genotype on time and walking speed registered by a smartphone app providing GPS tracking of body movement around urban environments. Results: Patients with MCI due to AD reported more WTs than individuals with SCD and HCs. Further, the ApoE-epsilon 4 genotype determined a lower capacity in spatial information processing, influencing gait during naturalistic spatial navigation tasks. Conclusions: Behavior alterations of spatial cognition can be detected ecologically in prodromal AD. The use of technological solutions supporting gait analysis may help in corroborating the experimental observation

Conceptual design of a modular EC system for EU-Demo

The DEMO reactor studies within EUROfusion aim to develop a fusion power plant concept. The large Tokamak device needs an auxiliary heating power which, at the present stage, is provided by the Electron Cyclotron (EC) Heating system with up to 130 MW foreseen to reach different regions of plasma for heating, suppression of instabilities and possibly supporting ramp-up and ramp-down phases. The present conceptual design of the system is based on 2-MW coaxial-cavity gyrotron sources in development at IHM-KIT, a transmission line using both circular corrugated waveguides and a quasi-optical evacuated multi-beam transmission line, and mirror antennas located in the Equatorial port. In order to have a modular system, the sources are grouped in “clusters”, which power is combined in the quasi-optical transmission line, up to the Tokamak Building, where they are split and routed as single waveguides. In the launcher, they are combined together again on the launching mirrors, to save space for the apertures in the Breeding Blanket. The present EC system has a certain flexibility to adapt to changing design guidelines, as the foreseen transition to a lower DEMO aspect ratio. The system and the development status of each subsystem will be presented

Analysing How People Orient to and Spread Rumours in Social Media by Looking at Conversational Threads

As breaking news unfolds people increasingly rely on social media to stay abreast of the latest updates. The use of social media in such situations comes with the caveat that new information being released piecemeal may encourage rumours, many of which remain unverified long after their point of release. Little is known, however, about the dynamics of the life cycle of a social media rumour. In this paper we present a methodology that has enabled us to collect, identify and annotate a dataset of 330 rumour threads (4,842 tweets) associated with 9 newsworthy events. We analyse this dataset to understand how users spread, support, or deny rumours that are later proven true or false, by distinguishing two levels of status in a rumour life cycle i.e., before and after its veracity status is resolved. The identification of rumours associated with each event, as well as the tweet that resolved each rumour as true or false, was performed by journalist members of the research team who tracked the events in real time. Our study shows that rumours that are ultimately proven true tend to be resolved faster than those that turn out to be false. Whilst one can readily see users denying rumours once they have been debunked, users appear to be less capable of distinguishing true from false rumours when their veracity remains in question. In fact, we show that the prevalent tendency for users is to support every unverified rumour. We also analyse the role of different types of users, finding that highly reputable users such as news organisations endeavour to post well-grounded statements, which appear to be certain and accompanied by evidence. Nevertheless, these often prove to be unverified pieces of information that give rise to false rumours. Our study reinforces the need for developing robust machine learning techniques that can provide assistance in real time for assessing the veracity of rumours. The findings of our study provide useful insights for achieving this aim