The StoryPlaces Authoring Tool: Pattern Centric Authoring

Building authoring environments for constraint-based inter- active narratives (sculptural hypertexts) is challenging, as dealing di- rectly with functions and variables is alien to many authors and requires them to think at a lower level than story structure. We propose an ap- proach that uses higher level constructs based on common structural patterns, which are then translated behind the scenes into a set of con- straints for a sculptural engine. We present the StoryPlaces authoring tool that applies this idea with the patterns of Locking and Phasing and allows for the creation of constraint-based locative hypertext ction. Our work shows how the poetics of interactive narratives can be used in the software design process to create more accessible authoring tools

H-NS Regulation of IraD and IraM Antiadaptors for Control of RpoS Degradation

International audienceRpoS, the master sigma factor during stationary phase and under a variety of stress conditions, is regulated at multiple levels, including regulated degradation. Degradation is dependent upon ClpXP and the RssB adaptor protein. H-NS, a nucleoid-associated protein, affects the regulated degradation of RpoS; in the absence of H-NS, RpoS is stable. The mechanisms involved in this regulation were not known. We have found that H-NS inhibits the expression of iraD and iraM, the genes coding for two antiadaptor proteins that stabilize RpoS when overexpressed. The regulation by H-NS of iraM is independent from the previously demonstrated regulation by the PhoP/PhoQ two-component system. Moreover, differences in the behavior of several hns alleles are explained by a role for StpA, an H-NS-like protein, in the regulation of RpoS stability. This finding parallels recent observations for a role of StpA in regulation of RpoS stability in Salmonella

Construction of Parseval wavelets from redundant filter systems

We consider wavelets in L^2(R^d) which have generalized multiresolutions. This means that the initial resolution subspace V_0 in L^2(R^d) is not singly generated. As a result, the representation of the integer lattice Z^d restricted to V_0 has a nontrivial multiplicity function. We show how the corresponding analysis and synthesis for these wavelets can be understood in terms of unitary-matrix-valued functions on a torus acting on a certain vector bundle. Specifically, we show how the wavelet functions on R^d can be constructed directly from the generalized wavelet filters.Comment: 34 pages, AMS-LaTeX ("amsproc" document class) v2 changes minor typos in Sections 1 and 4, v3 adds a number of references on GMRA theory and wavelet multiplicity analysis; v4 adds material on pages 2, 3, 5 and 10, and two more reference

Fast non-negative deconvolution for spike train inference from population calcium imaging

Calcium imaging for observing spiking activity from large populations of neurons are quickly gaining popularity. While the raw data are fluorescence movies, the underlying spike trains are of interest. This work presents a fast non-negative deconvolution filter to infer the approximately most likely spike train for each neuron, given the fluorescence observations. This algorithm outperforms optimal linear deconvolution (Wiener filtering) on both simulated and biological data. The performance gains come from restricting the inferred spike trains to be positive (using an interior-point method), unlike the Wiener filter. The algorithm is fast enough that even when imaging over 100 neurons, inference can be performed on the set of all observed traces faster than real-time. Performing optimal spatial filtering on the images further refines the estimates. Importantly, all the parameters required to perform the inference can be estimated using only the fluorescence data, obviating the need to perform joint electrophysiological and imaging calibration experiments.Comment: 22 pages, 10 figure

Isolated displaced non-union of a triquetral body fracture: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Fractures of the body of the triquetral bone are the second most common carpal fractures, and these fractures can be missed on plain X-ray. Although non-union of triquetral body fractures is very rare, such cases are associated with considerable morbidity and reduction in functional activity.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We report the case of a 29-year-old Caucasian British man who sustained an isolated displaced triquetral body fracture that resulted in non-union, who was treated surgically. We describe an original operative management for this debilitating injury. An open reduction and internal fixation using double headed compression screws was performed, without bone grafting, and with early immobilization of the wrist.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>We propose this novel approach and advocate early clinical suspicion of triquetral body fractures in patients with a history of fall on an outstretched hand and ulnar sided wrist pain. We recommend evaluation using computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging scanning.</p

The Balance of Attention: Challenges of Creating Locative Cultural Storytelling Experiences.

There is a long history of research exploring how augmented and mixed reality systems can be used to support visitors to cultural heritage locations, but the technological or application specific focus of much of this research means that our understanding of how these experiences work is more of a collection of insights, rather than a coherent theory about how the elements of the experience come together. There is a danger that without developing this knowledge further, our systems will be technologically complex, but experientially simplistic. In this paper we explore how one form of mixed reality experience, digital locative storytelling, can impact the experience of place, and in turn how place impacts the experience of story. We have analysed 33 interviews, and 25 participant observations from 12 story deployments at 2 different sites. Our findings confirm that locative storytelling experiences not only impart information to readers, but also help them to rediscover familiar places and see hidden relationships - especially through time. But our findings also show how the success of the experience is reliant on the balance of attention between the virtual and real (the story and the place), and that issues with navigation, social interactions, and technology are problematic because they can disrupt this balance. Digital locative experiences therefore need to be designed carefully in order to create a balance of attention (for example, by aligning the elements of the story with the topology and character of place). We call this a state of Loco-Narrative Harmony, in which place and story are working together and reader attention is balanced, creating an effect that is greater than the sum of its parts

Pre-harvesting biomass burning for sugarcane crop: comparing emission factors for realist results.

Abstract: In Brazil, burning of residues as an agricultural practice occurs mainly in sugarcane cultivation, which accounts for about 98% of greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the burning of agricultural waste. Emission factors for this specific agricultural management practice came from the combustion processes, were the emission of non-CO2 gases CH4, CO, NOx and N2O were recorded, and the emission rates for these gases depend on the type of biomass and burning conditions. In the combustion with flame phase, N2O and NOx gases are generated, and CO and CH4 gases are formed under burning conditions with a predominance of flame. Thus, the use of specific emission factors for sugarcane, within the Brazilian context, in National Inventories is more appropriate than the use of default emission factors, in addition to increasing the level of refinement of emission estimates. In this context, this work aims to present a comparative analysis of the emission estimates of the non- CO2, CO and NOX gases, using the default emission factors presented in the IPCC Guidelines (2006) and those proposed by França et al. [4], for São Paulo State as a test area

Automated parametric neutronics analysis of the Helium Cooled Pebble Bed breeder blanket with Be₁₂Ti

The Helium Cooled Pebble Bed (HCPB) breeder blanket is being developed as part of the European Fusion Programme. Part of the programme is to investigate blanket designs relevant for future demonstration fusion power plants. This paper presents neutronics analyses of the HCPB with an alternative neutron multiplier, Be12Ti which is incorporated into the design, replacing the current Be multiplier. A parameter study was performed for a range of geometries to identify the optimal heights of the lithium ceramic and neutron multiplier pebble beds. Automated creation of CAD models followed by conversion to constructive solid geometry (CSG) and unstructured mesh (UM) geometry allows the models to be useful for both neutronics simulations and engineering simulations. In this neutronics study simulations were performed using MCNP 6.1 to find the tritium breeding ratio, energy multiplication and the volumetric heat loads of different blanket designs. Combinations of geometry parameters and material choices that resulted in adequate TBR values were identified and will be further investigated with automated engineering simulations. This paper provides insight, supported by neutronics analysis, on the validity of the design and comments on some of the potential advantages and disadvantages of using Be12Ti in the Helium Cooled Pebble Bed (HCPB) breeder blanket. Blankets with Be12Ti neutron multiplier were found to produce less tritium but higher energy multiplication when compared to blankets with Be neutron multiplier