Human computer interaction for international development: past present and future

Recent years have seen a burgeoning interest in research into the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in the context of developing regions, particularly into how such ICTs might be appropriately designed to meet the unique user and infrastructural requirements that we encounter in these cross-cultural environments. This emerging field, known to some as HCI4D, is the product of a diverse set of origins. As such, it can often be difficult to navigate prior work, and/or to piece together a broad picture of what the field looks like as a whole. In this paper, we aim to contextualize HCI4D—to give it some historical background, to review its existing literature spanning a number of research traditions, to discuss some of its key issues arising from the work done so far, and to suggest some major research objectives for the future

System architecture of MMIC-based large aperture arrays for space application

The persistent trend to use millimeter-wave frequencies for satellite communications presents the challenge to design large-aperture phased arrays for space applications. These arrays, which comprise 100 to 10,000 elements, are now possible due to the advent of lightwave technology and the availability of monolithic microwave integrated circuits. In this paper, system aspects of optically controlled array design are studied. In particular, two architectures for a 40 GHz array are outlined, and the main system-related issues are examined: power budget, synchronization in frequency and phase, and stochastic effects

Near-infrared light increases ATP, extends lifespan and improves mobility in aged Drosophila melanogaster.

Ageing is an irreversible cellular decline partly driven by failing mitochondrial integrity. Mitochondria accumulate DNA mutations and reduce ATP production necessary for cellular metabolism. This is associated with inflammation. Near-infrared exposure increases retinal ATP in old mice via cytochrome c oxidase absorption and reduces inflammation. Here, we expose fruitflies daily to 670 nm radiation, revealing elevated ATP and reduced inflammation with age. Critically, there was a significant increase in average lifespan: 100-175% more flies survived into old age following 670 nm exposure and these had significantly improved mobility. This may be a simple route to extending lifespan and improving function in old age

INTEGRATING BIOMASS TO PRODUCE HEAT AND POWER AT ETHANOL PLANTS

Published in: Applied Engineering in Agriculture, Vol. 25(2): 227‐244Biomass, Renewable, Sustainable, Model, Gasification, Combustion, Emissions, Ethanol production, Combined heat and power, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

ECONOMICS OF BIOMASS GASIFICATION/COMBUSTION AT FUEL ETHANOL PLANTS

Published in Applied Engineering in Agriculture, Vol. 25(3): 391‐400Ethanol, Biomass, Economics, CHP, Emissions, Process heat, Electricity production, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

Canine liver transplantation under nva cyclosporine versus cyclosporine

The immunosuppressive qualities and other features of a new cyclosporine (CsA) analogue, Nva 2-cyclosporine (Nva 2-CsA) were examined using canine orthotopic liver allografts. The mean survival time was 11.8±9.6 (SD) days in dogs without treatment, 60.8±34.4 days with Nva 2-CsA and 65.1±33.0 days with CsA. Functional abnormalities indicating toxic side effects were not noted either with Nva 2-CsA or with CsA. Using the same oral dose, the rate of blood level rise and the amount of the rise were greater with Nva2-CsA. Histopathologically, Nva2-CsA the treatment was associated with the same degree of hydropic vocuolation in the pars recta of the proximal tubules as CsA treatment. Thus, in the dog, Nva2-CsA had identical immunosuppressive properties as CsA, with no functionally detectable toxicity affecting the liver and kidney. © 1986 by The Williams & Wilkins Co

Influence of lipopolysaccharide on proinflammatory gene expression in human corneal, conjunctival and meibomian gland epithelial cells

PURPOSE: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a bacterial endotoxin, is known to stimulate leuokotriene B4 (LTB4) secretion by human corneal (HCECs), conjunctival (HConjECs) and meibomian gland (HMGECs) epithelial cells. We hypothesize that this LTB4 effect represents an overall induction of proinflammatory gene expression in these cells. Our objective was to test this hypothesis. METHODS: Immortalized HCECs, HConjECs and HMGECs were cultured in the presence or absence of LPS (15 μg/ml) and ligand binding protein (LBP; 150 ng/ml). Cells were then processed for RNA isolation and the analysis of gene expression by using Illumina BeadChips, background subtraction, cubic spline normalization and GeneSifter software. RESULTS: Our findings show that LPS induces a striking increase in proinflammatory gene expression in HCECs and HConjECs. These cellular reactions are associated with a significant up-regulation of genes associated with inflammatory and immune responses (e.g. IL-1β, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor), including those related to chemokine and Toll-like receptor signaling pathways, cytokine-cytokine receptor interactions, and chemotaxis. In contrast, with the exception of Toll-like signaling and associated innate immunity pathways, almost no proinflammatory ontologies were upregulated by LPS in HMGECs. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support our hypothesis that LPS stimulates proinflammatory gene expression in HCECs and HConjECs. However, our findings also show that LPS does not elicit such proinflammatory responses in HMGECs

Ethnocentrism as a Short‐Term Force in the 2008 American Presidential Election

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/91187/1/AJPS_564_sm_suppmat.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/91187/2/j.1540-5907.2011.00564.x.pd

Energy Dissipation of Type a Piano Key Weirs

A Piano Key weir (PK weir) is a nonlinear, labyrinth-type weir well suited for rehabilitation projects due to a relatively small footprint and the ability to pass large discharges for lesser upstream-head values when compared with other weir types. A critical component of a hydraulic structure is the energy-dissipative properties. Currently, information and guidance is limited, with previous energy dissipation studies of PK weirs primarily of specific projects. Therefore, to document and quantify energy dissipation, four laboratory-scale Type A PK weir models with different width ratios (Wi/Wo) were studied, with 255 tests comprising this new dataset, along with detailed observations of the flow field. Results were compared to existing published data regarding energy dissipation downstream of trapezoidal and rectangular labyrinth weirs. To support design efforts, two equations, both functions of head-water ratio (H/P) and Wi/Wo, are proposed to predict the relative residual energy downstream of PK weirs. The energy dissipation of PK weirs is largest at low flows and decreases in a logarithmic-like manner as flow increases. PK weirs with increased hydraulic efficiency, caused by an increase in Wi/Wo, resulted in slightly smaller energy dissipation values within the range 0.2 ≤ H/P ≤ 0.8. The energy dissipation of PK weirs was found to be relatively constant, independent of Wi/Wo, and in the ranges 0.07 ≤ H/P ≤ 0.2 and 0.8 ≤ H/P ≤ 0.95