352 research outputs found
UDECON: deconvolution optimization software for restoring high-resolution records from pass-through paleomagnetic measurements
The rapid accumulation of continuous paleomagnetic and rock magnetic records acquired from pass-through measurements on superconducting rock magnetometers (SRM) has greatly contributed to our understanding of the paleomagnetic field and paleo-environment. Pass-through measurements are inevitably smoothed and altered by the convolution effect of SRM sensor response, and deconvolution is needed to restore high-resolution paleomagnetic and environmental signals. Although various deconvolution algorithms have been developed, the lack of easy-to-use software has hindered the practical application of deconvolution. Here, we present standalone graphical software UDECON as a convenient tool to perform optimized deconvolution for pass-through paleomagnetic measurements using the algorithm recently developed by Oda and Xuan (Geochem Geophys Geosyst 15:3907â3924, 2014). With the preparation of a format file, UDECON can directly read pass-through paleomagnetic measurement files collected at different laboratories. After the SRM sensor response is determined and loaded to the software, optimized deconvolution can be conducted using two different approaches (i.e., "Grid search" and "Simplex method") with adjustable initial values or ranges for smoothness, corrections of sample length, and shifts in measurement position. UDECON provides a suite of tools to view conveniently and check various types of original measurement and deconvolution data. Multiple steps of measurement and/or deconvolution data can be compared simultaneously to check the consistency and to guide further deconvolution optimization. Deconvolved data together with the loaded original measurement and SRM sensor response data can be saved and reloaded for further treatment in UDECON. Users can also export the optimized deconvolution data to a text file for analysis in other software
Toward robust deconvolution of pass-through paleomagnetic measurements: new tool to estimate magnetometer sensor response and laser interferometry of sample positioning accuracy
Pass-through superconducting rock magnetometers (SRM) offer rapid and high-precision remanence measurements for continuous samples that are essential for modern paleomagnetism studies. However, continuous SRM measurements are inevitably smoothed and distorted due to the convolution effect of SRM sensor response. Deconvolution is necessary to restore accurate magnetization from pass-through SRM data, and robust deconvolution requires reliable estimate of SRM sensor response as well as understanding of uncertainties associated with the SRM measurement system. In this paper, we use the SRM at Kochi Core Center (KCC), Japan, as an example to introduce new tool and procedure for accurate and efficient estimate of SRM sensor response. To quantify uncertainties associated with the SRM measurement due to track positioning errors and test their effects on deconvolution, we employed laser interferometry for precise monitoring of track positions both with and without placing a u-channel sample on the SRM tray. The acquired KCC SRM sensor response shows significant cross-term of Z-axis magnetization on the X-axis pick-up coil and full widths of ~46â54 mm at half-maximum response for the three pick-up coils, which are significantly narrower than those (~73â80 mm) for the liquid He-free SRM at Oregon State University. Laser interferometry measurements on the KCC SRM tracking system indicate positioning uncertainties of ~0.1â0.2 and ~0.5 mm for tracking with and without u-channel sample on the tray, respectively. Positioning errors appear to have reproducible components of up to ~0.5 mm possibly due to patterns or damages on tray surface or rope used for the tracking system. Deconvolution of 50,000 simulated measurement data with realistic error introduced based on the position uncertainties indicates that although the SRM tracking system has recognizable positioning uncertainties, they do not significantly debilitate the use of deconvolution to accurately restore high-resolution signal. The simulated âexcursionâ event associated with a significant magnetization intensity drop was clearly recovered in the deconvolved measurements with a maximum error of ~3° in inclination
Cooperation
Vol. 1 Cooperation : Creative Writing -- Vol. 2 Portraying The Other in Salaryman Novels and How Their Identities are Constructed : ExegesisThe Self and the Other binary can be explained as such: that which is not the same as the group (Self) is the Other. However, what happens if this Self travels outside the boundary of the group and becomes a minority (Other) in another group? For example, when West meets East. After cross-cultural interaction and communication, is he a Self, an âOtherâ, or is another Self formed? Scholars suggest that the boundaries between the Self and the âOtherâ are complex, layered and blurred (Derrida Grammatology 73; Napier 42; Hijiya-Kirschnereit 23) and conflicts may also arise, resulting in an identity-crisis. Cultural theorists further suggest that the Self/Other binary is also nullified by cross-cultural interaction (Kumar 84; Hall 277; Dagnino 11). In the context of Japanese Workplace Literature (salaryman novels), how then are the Self and the Other constructed by Western and Japanese authors? In particular, how is the identity of the marginalised âOtherâ portrayed in salaryman novels? After analysing and comparing two salaryman novels written in Japanese by Japanese writers: Princess Toyotomi (Makime Manabu) and Fushouji (Ikeido Jun); and two salaryman novels written in English by Western writers Fear and Trembling (Amelie Nothomb) and The Blue-eyed Salaryman (Niall Murtagh), it seems that Western writers are appear more conflicted about the ambivalent and ambiguous Self/Other in the Japanese context than the Japanese writers are. This thesis thus attempts to fill the research gaps in the analysis of Japanese workplace literature by Western and Japanese writers in terms of how the Self and Other of âOthersâ are constructed. It also proposes that the construction, conflict and hence confusion of Self and Other are not only due to the differences between Western-centric and Japanese-centric theories of Self/Other, but also due to the Japanese concept of âhonne-tatemaeâ, the indoctrinated salaryman identity (a Japanese Self that can be learnt, crafted and performed) and the way the salaryman genre tends to portray the marginalised âOtherâ in novels. Furthermore, Westernersâ negotiation between Western and Japanese culture adds further confusion to their formation of identity. Also part of this thesis is Cooperation, an experimental slice-of-life salaryman novel. The exegesis, thus, attempts to situate the Creative Work within Western and Japanese literary contexts of the Self and the Other. As the issue of Asian non-Japanese workers (âOthersâ) in Japan has increased in significance in recent years, Cooperation also attempts to extrapolate the analysed portrayals of the Self and Other to the representation of these âOthersâ.Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Humanities, 202
Relative paleointensity (RPI) and age control in Quaternary sediment drifts off the Antarctic Peninsula
Lack of foraminiferal carbonate in marine sediments deposited at high latitudes results in traditional oxygen isotope stratigraphy not playing a central role in Quaternary age control for a large portion of the globe. This limitation has affected the interpretation of Quaternary sediment drifts off the Antarctic Peninsula in a region critical for documenting past instability of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) and Antarctic Peninsula Ice Sheet (APIS). Here we use piston cores recovered from these sediment drifts in 2015 during cruise JR298 of the RRS James Clark Ross to test the usefulness for age control of relative paleointensity (RPI) data augmented by scant δ 18 O data. Thermomagnetic and magnetic hysteresis data, as well as isothermal remanent magnetization (IRM) acquisition curves, indicate the presence of prevalent magnetite and subordinate oxidized magnetite (âmaghemiteâ) in the cored sediments. The magnetite is likely detrital. Maghemite is an authigenic mineral, associated with surface oxidation of magnetite grains, which occurs preferentially in the oxic zone of the uppermost sediments, and buried oxic zones deposited during prior interglacial climate stages. Low concentrations of labile organic matter apparently led to arrested pore-water sulfate reduction explaining oxic zone burial and downcore survival of the reactive maghemite coatings. At some sites, maghemitization has a debilitating effect on RPI proxies whereas at other sites maghemite is less evident and RPI proxies can be adequately matched to the RPI reference template. Published RPI data at ODP Site 1101, located on Drift 4, can be adequately correlated to contemporary RPI templates, probably as a result of disappearance (dissolution) of maghemite at sediment depths >âź10 m
Metapopulation Graph Neural Networks: Deep Metapopulation Epidemic Modeling with Human Mobility
Epidemic prediction is a fundamental task for epidemic control and
prevention. Many mechanistic models and deep learning models are built for this
task. However, most mechanistic models have difficulty estimating the
time/region-varying epidemiological parameters, while most deep learning models
lack the guidance of epidemiological domain knowledge and interpretability of
prediction results. In this study, we propose a novel hybrid model called
MepoGNN for multi-step multi-region epidemic forecasting by incorporating Graph
Neural Networks (GNNs) and graph learning mechanisms into Metapopulation SIR
model. Our model can not only predict the number of confirmed cases but also
explicitly learn the epidemiological parameters and the underlying epidemic
propagation graph from heterogeneous data in an end-to-end manner. The
multi-source epidemic-related data and mobility data of Japan are collected and
processed to form the dataset for experiments. The experimental results
demonstrate our model outperforms the existing mechanistic models and deep
learning models by a large margin. Furthermore, the analysis on the learned
parameters illustrate the high reliability and interpretability of our model
and helps better understanding of epidemic spread. In addition, a mobility
generation method is presented to address the issue of unavailable mobility
data, and the experimental results demonstrate effectiveness of the generated
mobility data as an input to our model.Comment: This is the extended version of an ECMLPKDD2022 pape
Coronin-1C is a novel biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma invasive progression identified by proteomics analysis and clinical validation
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>To better search for potential markers for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) invasion and metastasis, proteomic approach was applied to identify potential metastasis biomarkers associated with HCC.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Membrane proteins were extracted from MHCC97L and HCCLM9 cells, with a similar genetic background and remarkably different metastasis potential, and compared by SDS-PAGE and identified by ESI-MS/MS. The results were further validated by western blot analysis, immunohistochemistry (IHC) of tumor tissues from HCCLM9- and MHCC97L-nude mice, and clinical specimens.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Membrane proteins were extracted from MHCC97L and HCCLM9 cell and compared by SDS-PAGE analyses. A total of 14 differentially expressed proteins were identified by ESI-MS/MS. Coronin-1C, a promising candidate, was found to be overexpressed in HCCLM9 cells as compared with MHCC97L cells, and validated by western blot and IHC from both nude mice tumor tissues and clinical specimens. Coronin-1C level showed an abrupt upsurge when pulmonary metastasis occurred. Increasing coronin-1C expression was found in liver cancer tissues of HCCLM9-nude mice with spontaneous pulmonary metastasis. IHC study on human HCC specimens revealed that more patients in the higher coronin-1C group had overt larger tumor and more advanced stage.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Coronin-1C could be a candidate biomarker to predict HCC invasive behavior.</p
A new Holocene record of geomagnetic secular variation from Windermere, UK
Paleomagnetic
secular
variation
(PSV)
records
serve
as
valuable
independent
stratigraphic
correlation
and
dating
tools
for
marine
and
terrestrial
sediment
sequences,
and
enhance
knowledge
of
geomagnetic
field
dynamics.
We
present
a
new
radiocarbon-dated
record
(WINPSV-12K)
of
Holocene
geomagnetic
secular
variation
from
Windermere,
updating
the
existing
1981
UK
master
PSV
curve.
Our
analyses
used
continuous
U-channel
samples
taken
from
the
center
of
four
sediment
cores
retrieved
from
Windermere
in
2012.
The
natural
remanent
magnetization
(NRM)
of
each
U-channel
was
measured
before
and
after
stepwise
alternating
field
(AF)
demagnetization
on
a
superconducting
rock
magnetometer
at
intervals
of
0.5-cm
or
1-cm.
The
NRM
data
reveal
a
stable
and
well-defined
primary
magnetization.
Component
declinations
and
inclinations
estimated
using
Principal
Component
Analysis
(PCA)
of
NRM
data
from
the
four
Windermere
cores
correlate
well
on
their
independent
radiocarbon
age
models.
The
four
records
were
stacked
using
a
sliding
window
bootstrap
method,
resulting
in
a
composite
Holocene
PSV
record
(WINPSV-12K).
On
millennial
timescales
WINPSV-12K
correlates
well
with
other
records
from
Western
Europe
and
the
northern
North
Atlantic
to
a
resolution
of
âź
1
kyr,
given
age
uncertainties
and
spatial
variability
between
records.
WINPSV-12K
also
compares
well
to
the
CALS10k.2
and
pfm9k.1a
model
predictions
for
Windermere.
Key
regionally-significant
PSV
inclination
features
of
WINPSV-12K
which
correlate
with
other
North
Atlantic
records
include
peaks
at
5â6,
8.5,
and
10 cal ka BP,
and
a
trough
at
7calkaBP.
Key
PSV
declination
features
include
the
eastward
swing
from
5.5â2.3 cal ka BP
followed
by
a
major
westward
excursion
at
2.3 cal ka BP,
peaks
at
1.1
and
7calkaBP,
and
troughs
at
5.4
and
8.2 cal ka BP,
with
the
caveat
that
an
estimated
magnetic
lock-in
delay
of
at
least
100â200 yr
is
present.
PSV
variations
on
1â3 kyr
timescales
are
interpreted
to
represent
strengthening
and
weakening
of
the
North
American
versus
the
Siberian
and
EuropeanâMediterranean
high-latitude
flux
lobes,
based
on
the
close
similarities
between
the
North
Atlantic
regional
records
and
the
antiphase
existing
in
the
East
Asian
Stack
record
and
the
North
East
Pacific
inclination
stack.
WINPSV-12K
provides
a
regionally-important
new
PSV
reference
curve
whose
prominent
features
may
serve
as
stratigraphic
markers
for
North
Atlantic
paleo-records
- âŚ