Bridging Atomistic/Continuum Scales in Solids with Moving Dislocations

We propose a multiscale method for simulating solids with moving dislocations. Away from atomistic subdomains where the atomistic dynamics are fully resolved, a dislocation is represented by a localized jump profile, superposed on a defect-free field. We assign a thin relay zone around an atomistic subdomain to detect the dislocation profile and its propagation speed at a selected relay time. The detection technique utilizes a lattice time history integral treatment. After the relay, an atomistic computation is performed only for the defect-free field. The method allows one to effectively absorb the fine scale fluctuations and the dynamic dislocations at the interface between the atomistic and continuum domains. In the surrounding region, a coarse grid computation is adequate

Optimal design of nonuniform FIR transmultiplexer using semi-infinite programming

This paper considers an optimum nonuniform FIR transmultiplexer design problem subject to specifications in the frequency domain. Our objective is to minimize the sum of the ripple energy for all the individual filters, subject to the specifications on amplitude and aliasing distortions, and to the passband and stopband specifications for the individual filters. This optimum nonuniform transmultiplexer design problem can be formulated as a quadratic semi-infinite programming problem. The dual parametrization algorithm is extended to this nonuniform transmultiplexer design problem. If the lengths of the filters are sufficiently long and the set of decimation integers is compatible, then a solution exists. Since the problem is formulated as a convex problem, if a solution exists, then the solution obtained is unique and the local solution is a global minimum

IL-33 ameliorates Alzheimer’s disease-like pathology and cognitive decline

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a devastating condition with no known effective treatment. AD is characterized by memory loss as well as impaired locomotor ability, reasoning, and judgment. Emerging evidence suggests that the innate immune response plays a major role in the pathogenesis of AD. In AD, the accumulation of β-amyloid (Aβ) in the brain perturbs physiological functions of the brain, including synaptic and neuronal dysfunction, microglial activation, and neuronal loss. Serum levels of soluble ST2 (sST2), a decoy receptor for interleukin (IL)-33, increase in patients with mild cognitive impairment, suggesting that impaired IL-33/ST2 signaling may contribute to the pathogenesis of AD. Therefore, we investigated the potential therapeutic role of IL-33 in AD, using transgenic mouse models. Here we report that IL-33 administration reverses synaptic plasticity impairment and memory deficits in APP/PS1 mice. IL-33 administration reduces soluble Aβ levels and amyloid plaque deposition by promoting the recruitment and Aβ phagocytic activity of microglia; this is mediated by ST2/p38 signaling activation. Furthermore, IL-33 injection modulates the innate immune response by polarizing microglia/macrophages toward an antiinflammatory phenotype and reducing the expression of proinflammatory genes, including IL-1β, IL-6, and NLRP3, in the cortices of APP/PS1 mice. Collectively, our results demonstrate a potential therapeutic role for IL-33 in AD

Review on efficiency and anomalies in stock markets

The efficient-market hypothesis (EMH) is one of the most important economic and financial hypotheses that have been tested over the past century. Due to many abnormal phenomena and conflicting evidence, otherwise known as anomalies against EMH, some academics have questioned whether EMH is valid, and pointed out that the financial literature has substantial evidence of anomalies, so that many theories have been developed to explain some anomalies. To address the issue, this paper reviews the theory and literature on market efficiency and market anomalies. We give a brief review on market efficiency and clearly define the concept of market efficiency and the EMH. We discuss some efforts that challenge the EMH. We review different market anomalies and different theories of Behavioral Finance that could be used to explain such market anomalies. This review is useful to academics for developing cutting-edge treatments of financial theory that EMH, anomalies, and Behavioral Finance underlie. The review is also beneficial to investors for making choices of investment products and strategies that suit their risk preferences and behavioral traits predicted

Physiological responses of cultured bovine granulosa cells to elevated temperatures under low and high oxygen in the presence of different concentrations of melatonin

Our understanding of the effects of temperature on granulosa cell (GC) physiology is primarily limited to in vitro studies conducted under atmospheric (approx 20% O2) conditions. In the current series of factorial experiments we identify important effects of O2 level (i.e. 5% vs 20% O2) on GC viability and steroidogenesis, and go onto report effects of standard (37.5°C) vs high (40.0°C) temperatures under more physiologically representative (i.e. 5%) O2 levels in the presence of different levels of melatonin (0, 20, 200 and 2000 pg/mL); a potent free-radical scavenger and abundant molecule within the ovarian follicle. Cells aspirated from antral (4 to 6 mm) follicles were cultured in fibronectin-coated wells using serum-free M199 for up to 144 h. At 37.5 C viable cell number was enhanced and luteinization reduced under 5 vs 20% O2. Oxygen level interacted (P<0.001) with time in culture to affect aromatase activity and cell estradiol (E2) production (pg/mL/105 cells). These decreased between 48 and 96 h for both O2 levels but increased again by 144 h for cells cultured under 5% but not 20% O2. Progesterone (P4) concentration (ng/mL/105 cells) was greater (P<0.001) under 20 vs 5% O2 at 96 and 144 h. Cell number increased (P<0.01) with time in culture under 5% O2 irrespective of temperature. However, higher doses of melatonin increased viable cell number at 40.0°C but reduced viable cell number at 37.5°C (P=0.004). Melatonin also reduced (P<0.001) ROS generation at both O2 levels across all concentrations. E2 increased with time in culture at both temperatures under 5% O2, however P4 declined between 96 to 144 h at 40.0 but not 37.5°C. Furthermore, melatonin interacted (P<0.001) with temperature in a dose dependent manner to increase P4 at 37.5°C but to reduce P4 at 40.0°C. Transcript expression for HSD3B1 paralleled temporal changes in P4 production, and those for HBA were greater at 5% than 20% O2, suggesting that hemoglobin synthesis is responsive to changes in O2 level. In conclusion, 5% O2 enhances GC proliferation and reduces luteinization. Elevated temperatures under 5% O2 reduce GC proliferation and P4 production. Melatonin reduces ROS generation irrespective of O2 level and temperature, but interacts with temperature in a dose dependent manner to influence GC proliferation and luteinization

Artificial Intelligence to Enhance Mission Science Output for In-situ Observations: Dealing with the Sparse Data Challenge

In the Earth's magnetosphere, there are fewer than a dozen dedicated probes beyond low-Earth orbit making in-situ observations at any given time. As a result, we poorly understand its global structure and evolution, the mechanisms of its main activity processes, magnetic storms, and substorms. New Artificial Intelligence (AI) methods, including machine learning, data mining, and data assimilation, as well as new AI-enabled missions will need to be developed to meet this Sparse Data challenge.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure; Heliophysics 2050 White Pape

Approximate affine linear relationship between L1 norm objective functional values and L2 norm constraint bounds

For an optimization problem with an norm objective function subject to an norm inequality constraint, this paper shows that there is an approximately linear relationship between the norm objective functional values and the norm specifications. This relationship is verified through the use of random and real world industrial data. The obtained results can be employed for 1) estimating the norm output objective functional value without solving the optimization problem numerically; 2) providing an insight for defining the norm specification in which a simple method is proposed in this paper; and 3) testing whether the obtained solutions are the globally optimal solutions or not. These advantages are demonstrated via the use of random data

Conformist Opinion Shift as an Accommodation-Motivated Cognitive Experience in Strong and Weak Situations

Singapore Management Universit