Unique intermetallic compounds prepared by shock wave synthesis

Technique compresses fine ground metallic powder mixture beyond crystal fusion point. Absence of vapor pressure voids and elimination of incongruous effects permit application of technique to large scale fabrication of intermetallic compounds with specific characteristics, e.g., semiconduction, superconduction, or magnetic properties

A Method for Determining Optimum Re-entry Trajectories

Determining optimum atmospheric reentry trajectories using Pontryagin maximum principl

Instagram photos reveal predictive markers of depression

Using Instagram data from 166 individuals, we applied machine learning tools to successfully identify markers of depression. Statistical features were computationally extracted from 43,950 participant Instagram photos, using color analysis, metadata components, and algorithmic face detection. Resulting models outperformed general practitioners’ average unassisted diagnostic success rate for depression. These results held even when the analysis was restricted to posts made before depressed individuals were first diagnosed. Human ratings of photo attributes (happy, sad, etc.) were weaker predictors of depression, and were uncorrelated with computationally-generated features. These results suggest new avenues for early screening and detection of mental illness

Erratum to: Instagram photos reveal predictive markers of depression (EPJ Data Science, (2017), 6, 1, (15), 10.1140/epjds/s13688-017-0110-z)

Upon publication of the original article [1], it was noticed that Figure 2 contained an error. The horizontal bars for the likes row were incorrectly shown as blue. The horizontal bars for the ‘likes’ row should be orange. This has now been acknowledged and corrected in this erratum. The correct Figure 2 is shown below. In the section Method, subsection Improving data quality, the sentence ‘We also excluded participants with CES-D scores of 22 or higher. should read as We also excluded participants with CES-D scores of 21 or lower. This has now been acknowledged and corrected in this erratum. (Figure presented.)

Carbon and Nitrogen as Regulators of Algal Growth in Treated Sewage

Continuous flow algal cultures were grown under three different growth conditions using secondary sewage treatment plant effluent as the growth medium. The only variable within each run was the hydraulic residence time. The concentrations of growth regulating nutrients were varied between the runs so comparisons of the algal mass, composition, nutrient uptake, and genera could be made. The importance of CO2 availability for algal growth was also studied. A kinetic theory which based algal growth on cellular nutrient concentration was verified. The second phase of the study was a batch culture study in which the same growth medium was used as in Phase 1. The objective of Phase 2 was to investigate significant similarities and differences between continuous and batch culture growth under otherwise similar growth conditions. Carbon dioxide enriched conditions produced as much as ten times the algal mass as CO2 deficient conditions. Algal blooms dominated by blue-green algae were found to be the result of a successional change from green to blue-green algae under CO2 enriched, nitrogen limited conditions. In the batch culture study algae exhibited a luxuriant nitrogen uptake

Performance and Potential of Intergeneric Wheatgrass Hybrids in the Central Great Plains

Three studies were conducted to evaluate intergeneric wheatgrass hybrids for their potential as range and pasture grasses in the Central Great Plains. Quackgrass [Elytriga-repens (L.) Nevski] X bluebunch wheatgrass [Psueodoroegneria spicata (Pursh) A. LoveJ F5 hybrid lines (RS lines) developed by D.R. Dewey were grown in a space transplanted nursery at Lincoln, NE, to estimate genetic variability for forage yield and quality as measured by in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) and protein in the RS population. There was significant variability among the RS lines for all traits (broad-sense heritability H \u3e 0.5) except for first harvest IVDMD (H = 0.26). The highest yielding RS lines yielded only about half as much forage as \u27Slate\u27 intermediate wheatgrass [Thinopyron intermedium (Host) Barkworth and D.R. Dewey subsp. intermedium], which was included as a check. Slate intermediate wheatgrass, \u27Ruff crested wheatgrass [Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertner], \u27Nordan\u27 crested wheatgrass [A. desertorum (Fisch.) SchultesJ, RS-1 and RS-2 (quackgrass X bluebunch wheatgrass germplasm), and a quackgrass X A. desertorum hybrid designated as RD were then evaluated in sward nurseries in two environments (Mead and Alliance, NE) that differ widely in climate. Intermediate wheatgrass was clearly superior in forage yield and quality as measured by IVDMD in the eastern part (Mead) of the Central Great Plains. In the western part of this area (Alliance) intermediate and the crested wheatgrasses were equal or superior to the RS hybrids in forage yield and intermediate wheatgrass had higher IVDMD. The RD hybrid had lower yields than the other strains at both locations. Yields of the intergeneric wheatgrass hybrids could be improved by breeding to make them more competitive with intermediate and crested wheatgrasses. The same breeding effort could be used to improve these pure species for which substantial genetic variability for both yield and IVDMD has been previously documented and would probably result in greater overall progress. Forages from grasses grown at Mead in swards were analyzed using the detergent system of analyses and there was considerable variation among the grasses in fiber composition and digestibility of the fiber components even though the grasses were very similar in physiological maturity when harvested. The results suggest that there are genetic differences among these wheatgrasses in forage fiber composition and the digestibility of the fiber components

Targeting malaria parasites inside mosquitoes:Ecoevolutionary consequences

Proof-of-concept studies demonstrate that antimalarial drugs designed for human treatment can also be applied to mosquitoes to interrupt malaria transmission. Deploying a new control tool is ideally undertaken within a stewardship programme that maximises a drug’s lifespan by minimising the risk of resistance evolution and slowing its spread once emerged. We ask: what are the epidemiological and evolutionary consequences of targeting parasites within mosquitoes? Our synthesis argues that targeting parasites inside mosquitoes (i) can be modelled by readily expanding existing epidemiological frameworks; (ii) provides a functionally novel control method that has potential to be more robust to resistance evolution than targeting parasites in humans; and (iii) could extend the lifespan and clinical benefit of antimalarials used exclusively to treat humans

A Comparative Study Of The Child Support Grant And Bolsa Família Cash Transfer Programs In South Africa And Brazil

This thesis examines the Bolsa Família and Child Support Grant cash transfer programs in Brazil and South Africa along two aspects: children’s educational attainment and health outputs. Drawing on available statistical information and impact studies by other scholars, metrics for the aspects above are analyzed to determine where and why adjustments to either program design or state capacity are needed to accomplish each program’s respective goals. The primary conclusion for Brazil’s Bolsa Família program is that—despite widespread and replicable successes within each aspect—numerous adjustments to program design are needed to standardize opportunities for success, particularly for participants in rural, isolated geographic regions. For South Africa’s Child Support Grant program, a major overhaul of state capacity is long overdue. Supply-side issues in program administration fundamentally disrupt the program and inhibit its goal of producing a healthy, educated workforce with long-term economic development potential. Overall, Brazil’s program provides a reliable, fixable, and feasible model for South Africa and other countries with similar demographics and development levels to draw on in adjusting the program design of their cash transfer programs. However, without adequate state capacity for carrying out such changes, South Africa’s program will continue to fall far short of the expectations set by Brazil’s