Multimodal Affective Feedback: Combining Thermal, Vibrotactile, Audio and Visual Signals

In this paper we describe a demonstration of our multimodal affective feedback designs, used in research to expand the emotional expressivity of interfaces. The feedback leverages inherent associations and reactions to thermal, vibrotactile, auditory and abstract visual designs to convey a range of affective states without any need for learning feedback encoding. All combinations of the different feedback channels can be utilised, depending on which combination best conveys a given state. All the signals are generated from a mobile phone augmented with thermal and vibrotactile stimulators, which will be available to conference visitors to see, touch, hear and, importantly, feel

Role of histaminegic and calcium channels in the inhibitory effects of hydroalcoholic extract of matricaria recutita L. on isolated rabbit jejunum

Introduction: Considering the long traditional history of anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic effects of Matricria spices on the gastrointestinal system, the present study aimed to investigate the role of calcium channels and Histamine receptors in the inhibitory effects of hydroalcoholic dry extract of German chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) on the isolated rabbit jejunum. Methods: All experiments were done on the isolated jejunum of New Zealand rabbits (1.8-2.5 kg). Dry extract of aerial parts of M. recutita was obtained by the maceration technique. The study was performed on two groups (n=6 in each group). In the first group, the effects of cumulative concentrations of M. recutita (3×10-3-1×10-2 mg/ml) on normal and K+-induced contractions (50 mM) of isolated jejunum were studied. In the second group, the inhibitory role of M. recutita (3 – 13×10-3 mg/ml) was evaluated in the presence and absence of histamine and cetrizine. In the presence and absence of 10 μM certizine, a histamine H1-antagonist, a concentration-dependent inhibitory effect of M. recutita extract in the range of 3-13×10-3 mg/ml was recorded the rabbit jejunum. Results: Results showed that EC50 of M. recutita in the absence and presence of K+ was 6.3×10-3 and 6.5×10- 3mg/ml, respectively. IC50 values for two concentrations of M. recutita (8×10-3 , 1×10-2 ) to abrogated contractive phase of Histamine was 9.55 × 10-6 and 1.57 × 10-6 μM. Cetrizine (10 μM) abolished inhibitory effects of M. recutita (IC50=3.6×10-3), (p< 0.001). Conclusion: Dry extract of matricaria recutita had inhibitory effects on the contractions of isolated rabbit jejunum. Calcium channels and histamine were involved in these antispasmodic effects

Topology optimisation and additive manufacturing of structural nodes of gridshell structures

Gridshells, also called lattice shells or reticulated shells, are lightweight spatial structures. Their organic shape, column-free space, free-form surface and maximised transparency have provided limitless design freedom for architects and structural engineers. The design and manufacturing of structural connections (nodes) have been the bottle neck in the design and construction of gridshells, which is due to their complicated geometries and the three-dimensional loading conditions applying on these nodes. The invention of additive manufacturing (AM) provides the possibility of optimising the nodes by using topology optimisation (TO) algorithms. Instead of rationalising the geometry of the nodes to provide simplified connections for conventional production system, custom-designed connections can be achieved with lower weight and higher accuracy using combination of TO and AM. As a consequence, the optimised nodes help reduce the structure size and foundation requirements which leads to saving in the material cost. Furthermore, other features also make the newly designed nodes promising, such as the aesthetical features, high stiffness, high precision and less labour. In this study, Bi-directional Evolutionary Structural Optimisation (BESO) techniques are used to minimise the weight and the printing time required for each node. Firstly, the effect of general load cases on the optimised topology of structural node is studied by comparing the optimised results for the nodes under different individual load cases and combined load cases. Furthermore, the effect of the size of the design-domain on the final weight and topology of a node designed by BESO is examined by using different initial sizes. In addition, various smoothing methods for the final geometry are explored and compared with each other. The challenges of using AM in manufacturing nodes are also investigated through 3D printing individual optimised nodes and the optimised nodes for a case study of a prototype gridshell structure. Besides, comparisons made between optimised nodes and conventional nodes show the efficiency of the optimised nodes. An innovative experimental setup for quasi-static test of nodes under dominant design loads is also proposed in this study. Two nodes are designed and manufactured using BESO and AM to test by a test rig designed based on the proposed setup. In addition, a 3D finite element analysis is conducted, and the numerical model is validated against the test results

Acute phase response in experimentally infected broilers with avian infectious bronchitis virus serotype 4/91

Measurement of acute phase proteins is important for diagnosis of animal diseases. In the present study, effects of avian infectious bronchitis virus infection on acute phase response and acute phase proteins were determined. Thirty one-day-old commercial broiler chicks were reared in experimental facilities and, at the age of 21 days, were challenged intranasally with 0.2 mL of allantoic fluid virus suspension (titre 106.5 EID50 per 0.1 mL). Serum samples were obtained prior to challenge and on days 1, 2, and 5 post-inoculation. Haptoglobin, serum amyloid A and C- reactive protein concentrations were measured. Our results showed that all investigated acute phase proteins increased significantly after infection, with mean maximum concentrations between 24 h and 48 h. No correlation was observed between plasma acute phase proteins in the chickens prior and post inoculation of the virus. Haptoglobin was most sensitive factor to change in the exposed birds

Pre-exposure embrittlement of sensitized alumimium-magnesium alloy, 5083-H116

Environment-sensitive fracture of aluminum-magnesium alloys containing above ~3 wt% magnesium historically has been considered under anodic-dissolution control. Information from more recent studies, however, suggests a hydrogen-related process is also often involved. Further evidence supporting the involvement of a hydrogen-related process of during Intergranular stress corrosion cracking (IGSCC) will be presented using information gleaned from smooth and pre-cracked test specimens, previously sensitized over a range of temperatures in both ‘dry’ and ‘wet’ conditions and then subjected to rising-load testing in a range of environments. A detailed evaluation of the IGSCC using X-ray computed tomography to provide 3-D images and ultra-high-resolution electron microscopy to characterize selected regions within intergranular stress corrosion cracks enables mechanistic insights

Sequence analysis of ORF94 in different white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) isolates of Iran

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is a pathogen that causes high mortality in shrimp culture in the whole world. Sequence analysis of WSSV has shown similarity of WSSV isolates in different countries with exception of a few variable genomic loci. This study investigated the sequence variation of some Iranian WSSV isolates and previously identified isolates. Samples were collected during target surveillance and were feed, broodstock, post-larvae, artemia, crabs, and wild and cultured shrimp of northern Persian Gulf (Boushehr and Khuzestan provinces). The open reading frame (ORF) 94 sequence of different Iranian WSSV isolates were amplified using specific primers from positive samples. The ORFs 94 sequence of positive samples were sequenced and registered in the Gene Bank and then compared to other WSSV isolates. The number of repeat units in ORF94 showed that WSSV isolates were varied in number. There are SNPs (G and T) in position 48 of RUs that varies in different Boushehr and Khuzestan isolates. Also these sequences were compared to Gene Bank WSSV isolates and showed a high similarity (>90%) to Southeast Asian countries. To our knowledge this is the first report of sequence analysis in Iranian WSSV isolates applications

Initiation and final failure via environmentally assisted cracking in high strength aluminium

Environmentally assisted cracking (EAC) is particularly important to understand and control in high strength aluminium used in engineering applications as moist air provides a suitable environment to assist cracking in these materials. Propagation of EAC has been widely investigated but initiation has been difficult to follow due to it’s stochastic nature. We show that time-lapse 3D imaging using X-ray computed tomography offers a way to survey large surface areas whilst maintaining site specific high resolution information giving new insights into this process. In addition the final failure of these materials occurs when the environmentally assisted cracks of intergranular or transgranular type grow to a critical length from the initiation sites. We show through mechanical testing assessment and high resolution fractography that the rapid fracture that follows is also assisted by the environment leading to reduced ductility during the final failure. Examples from AA5083-H131 and AA7085-T7651 are shown which appear to show the same general behaviour. Round dog bone specimens prepared in the Short Transverse direction were subjected to slow strain rate testing (SSRT) at different strain rates and in different environments. Samples were also pre-exposed to different environments to introduce small corrosion sites to act as ‘realistic’ stress raisers in the specimens

Content analysis of secondary school chemistry textbooks based on components of resistance economy: Shannon Entropy Methodod

Background and Objectives:The present study aims to analyze the content of second grade chemistry textbooks based on the emphasis on the goals of resistance economy. Methods: The research method in this study was descriptive content analysis. In this study, after collecting quantitative data, Shannon entropy technique was used for anarysis. The statistical population of this study formed the content of all secondary high school chemistry textbooks. The sampling method in this study was census; Therefore, all second grade chemistry textbooks were analyzed. The registration unit in this study was the subject. In this study, the frequency of components and themes of resistance economy in chemistry curricula were examined. Findings: The findings of the content analysis showed that in secondary high school chemistry books, the most attention was paid to the goals of resistance economy in the field of consumption the field of skills and the field of production attitude. Conclusion: From the present study, it can be concluded that in the second grade chemistry textbooks, very little attention has been paid to the goals of the resistance economy. Also, in secondary school chemistry curricula, little attention has been paid to the goals and components of the resistance economy and the amount of attention to the goals of the resistance economy do not have a normal distribution and only some components of the resistance economy in the second secondary school (three dimensions and three areas) are consi dered