Procedures are Only Skin Deep: The Effects of Surface Content and Surface Appearance on the Transfer of Prior Knowledge in Complex Device Operation

In this research, we investigated the factors that mediate the use of prior knowledge in learning new procedures. Participants learned to operate two different versions of four tasks on a hypothetical device interface. At a conceptual level, all devices were operated in the same way. However, in some conditions, the appearance of the two versions was manipulated by changing the graphical appearance of the interface. A second manipulation concerned the physical layout: The position of the device controls, graphics, and gauges was either the same or different from one version to the next. Providing the same appearance and providing the same physical layout both increased the amount of transfer. These effects were additive, suggesting that the factors contribute independently to learning. Our interpretation is that appearance affects the use of semantic constraint, while layout affects the use of structural analogy

Integrated dataset on acute phase protein response in chicken challenged with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide endotoxin

Data herein describe the quantitative changes in the plasma proteome in chickens challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a bacterial endotoxin known to stimulate the host innate immune system obtained by shotgun quantitative proteomic tandem mass tags approach using high-resolution Orbitrap technology. Statistical and bioinformatic analyses were performed to specify the effect of bacterial endotoxin. Plasma from chicken (N=6) challenged with Escherichia coli (LPS) (2 mg/kg body weight) was collected pre (0 h) and at 12, 24, 48, and 72 h post injection along with plasma from a control group (N=6) challenged with sterile saline. Protein identification and relative quantification were performed using Proteome Discoverer, and data were analysed using R. Gene Ontology terms were analysed by the Cytoscape application ClueGO based on Gallus gallus GO Biological Process database, and refined by REVIGO. Absolute quantification of several acute phase proteins, e.g. alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AGP), serum amyloid A (SAA) and ovotrensferrin (OVT) was performed by immunoassays to validate the LC-MS results. The data contained within this article are directly related to our research article”Quantitative proteomics using tandem mass tags in relation to the acute phase protein response in chicken challenged with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide endotoxin” [1]. The raw mass spectrometric data generated in this study were deposited to the ProteomeXchange Consortium via the PRIDE partner repository with the dataset identifier PXD009399 (http://proteomecentral.proteomexchange.org/cgi/GetDataset?ID=PXD009399)

Effects of mode degeneracy in the LIGO Livingston Observatory recycling cavity

We analyze the electromagnetic fields in a Pound-Drever-Hall locked, marginally unstable, Fabry-Perot cavity as a function of small changes in the cavity length during resonance. More specifically, we compare the results of a detailed numerical model with the behavior of the recycling cavity of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) detector that is located in Livingston, Louisiana. In the interferometer's normal mode of operation, the recycling cavity is stabilized by inducing a thermal lens in the cavity mirrors with an external CO2 laser. During the study described here, this thermal compensation system was not operating, causing the cavity to be marginally optically unstable and cavity modes to become degenerate. In contrast to stable optical cavities, the modal content of the resonating beam in the uncompensated recycling cavity is significantly altered by very small cavity length changes. This modifies the error signals used to control the cavity length in such a way that the zero crossing point is no longer the point of maximum power in the cavity nor is it the point where the input beam mode in the cavity is maximized.Comment: Eight pages in two-column format. Six color figures. To be published JOSA

Testing the neurodevelopmental, trauma and developmental risk factor models of psychosis using a naturalistic experiment

Background: The neurodevelopmental and trauma theories are two widely cited models of psychosis. A third – the developmental risk factor model (DRFM) – recognises the combined role of neurodevelopmental risks and trauma. Our objective was to test these theories using preterm populations as a natural experiment, given the high prevalence of neurodevelopmental deficits and exposure to trauma. Methods: Two population-based preterm birth cohorts, the Bavarian Longitudinal Study (BLS; N = 399) and EPICure Study (N = 184), were included with term-born controls. Peer victimisation in childhood was assessed by parent and child report and psychotic experiences (PE) were assessed in early adulthood. Different models of psychosis were tested using regression and mediation analyses. Results: There was support for the trauma and DRFM in the BLS. Peer victimisation increased the risk of PE for preterm and term-born participants equally [odds ratio = 4.87, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.96–12.08]. There was an indirect effect where preterm children were more likely to be victimised, which subsequently increased risk of PE [β = 1.12 (s.e. = 0.61), 95% CI 0.11–2.48]. The results were replicated in EPICure. Conclusions: Exposure to trauma which is experienced more often by neurodevelopmental risk children rather than neurodevelopmental risk per se increases the risk of PE. The findings are consistent with the trauma model and DRFM. Interventions focused on reducing trauma may reduce the development of PE

A nonlinear disturbance observer for robotic manipulators

A new nonlinear disturbance observer (NDO) for robotic manipulators is derived in this paper. The global exponential stability of the proposed disturbance observer (DO) is guaranteed by selecting design parameters, which depend on the maximum velocity and physical parameters of robotic manipulators. This new observer overcomes the disadvantages of existing DO’s, which are designed or analyzed by linear system techniques. It can be applied in robotic manipulators for various purposes such as friction compensation, independent joint control, sensorless torque control, and fault diagnosis. The performance of the proposed observer is demonstrated by the friction estimation and compensation for a two-link robotic manipulator. Both simulation and experimental results show the NDO works well

Evaluation of Off-grid Community Managed Renewable Energy Projects in Malawi : Dedicated Study

The Evaluation of Off Grid Community Managed Renewable Energy Projects was undertaken as part of the Institutional Support Programme of the Malawi Renewable Energy Acceleration Programme (MREAP). This evaluation developed a set of 12 case studies covering the 3 regions of Malawi and included a range of renewable energy technologies (RETs) that are being used at the community and household level. These case studies were complemented by key informant interviews and a ‘round table’ with members of the Government of Malawi in March 2012. The analysis and lessons from this evaluation were designed to help inform the implementation of the MREAP itself, the ongoing development of grassroots level RET activities as well as the documentation of robust evidence and experiences that would help inform the possible development of a Renewable Energy Strategy for Malawi