Laser-driven quasi-static B-fields for magnetized high-energy-density experiments

We present measurements of magnetic fields generated in laser-driven coil targets irradiated by laser pulses of nanosecond duration, 1.053 μm wavelength, 500 J energy, and ∼ 10 15 W / cm 2 intensity, at the LULI2000 facility. Using two perpendicular probing axes, proton deflectometry is used to characterize the coil current and static charge at different times. Results reveal various deflection features that can be unambiguously linked to a looping quasi-steady current of well-understood polarity or to a static charging of the coil surface. Measured currents are broadly consistent with predictions from a laser-driven diode-current source and lumped circuit model, supporting the quasi-steady assessment of the discharges. Peak magnetic fields of ∼ 50 T at the center of 500-μm-diameter coils, obtained at the moderate laser intensity, open up the use of such laser-driven coil targets at facilities worldwide to study numerous phenomena in magnetized high-energy-density plasmas, and its potential applications

A Customer profiling system using image processing for stock management in apparel stores

Customer profiling is a marketing strategy that helps in identifying and knowing the customers’ needs and demands. Customer profiling is based on building common definitions that groups of people will fit into. Through customer profiling, business concepts can be projected, and be assessed if it will meet the market’s demands. Also, identifying the target market through its demographics, and buying and spending habits, business owners will be able to project and implement their marketing and advertising efforts more effectively. This paper aims to develop a customer profiling system using image processing to suggest a stock management strategy for an apparel store. LabVIEW was used as the platform for the implementation of the customer profiling system. The Vision Builder for Automated Inspection (VBAI), an image processing toolbox of LabVIEW, was used to implement the image processing. The system that was developed operates offline. For this study, the experimental and reliability tests were done in a controlled environment. Two parameters were put into consideration – the gender identification and the shirt size classification. One hundred test subjects participated in this study, having forty females and sixty males. Considering the said parameters independently, the gender identification, and the shirt size classification have demonstrated a system reliability of 94% and 95% respectively. The results showed that the system worked at a system reliability of 94% for both gender identification and shirt size classification

The adaptor protein CIKS/Act1 is essential for IL-25-mediated allergic airway inflammation.

IL-17 is the signature cytokine of recently discovered Th type 17 (Th17) cells, which are prominent in defense against extracellular bacteria and fungi as well as in autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in animal models. IL-25 is a member of the IL-17 family of cytokines, but has been associated with Th2 responses instead and may negatively cross-regulate Th17/IL-17 responses. IL-25 can initiate an allergic asthma-like inflammation in the airways, which includes recruitment of eosinophils, mucus hypersecretion, Th2 cytokine production, and airways hyperreactivity. We demonstrate that these effects of IL-25 are entirely dependent on the adaptor protein CIKS (also known as Act1). Surprisingly, this adaptor is necessary to transmit IL-17 signals as well, despite the very distinct biologic responses that these two cytokines elicit. We identify CD11c(+) macrophage-like lung cells as physiologic relevant targets of IL-25 in vivo