Sensitivity Function Trade-offs for Networks with a String Topology

We present two sensitivity function trade-offs that apply to a class of networks with a string topology. In particular we show that a lower bound on the H-infinity norm and a Bode sensitivity relation hold for an entire family of sensitivity functions associated with growing the network. The trade-offs we identify are a direct consequence of growing the network, and can be used to explain why poorly regulated low frequency behaviours emerge in long vehicle platoons even when using dynamic feedback

Local SiC photoluminescence evidence of non-mutualistic hot spot formation and sub-THz coherent emission from a rectangular Bi2_2Sr2_2CaCu2_2O8+δ_{8+\delta} mesa

From the photoluminescence of SiC microcrystals uniformly covering a rectangular mesa of the high transition temperature $T_c$ superconductor Bi$_2$Sr$_2$CaCu$_2$O$_{8+\delta}$, the local surface temperature $T({\bm r})$ was directly measured during simultaneous sub-THz emission from the $N\sim10^3$ intrinsic Josephson junctions (IJJs) in the mesa. At high bias currents $I$ and low bath temperatures $T_{\rm bath}\lesssim~35$ K, the center of a large elliptical hot spot with $T({\bm r})> T_c$ jumps dramatically with little current-voltage characteristic changes. The hot spot doesn't alter the ubiquitous primary and secondary emission conditions: the ac Josephson relation and the electromagnetic cavity resonance excitation, respectively. Since the intense sub-THz emission was observed for high $T_{\rm bath}\gtrsim~50$ K in the low $I$ bias regime where hot spots are absent, hot spots can not provide the primary mechanisms for increasing the output power, the tunability, or for promoting the synchronization of the $N$ IJJs for the sub-THz emission, but can at best coexist non-mutualistically with the emission. No $T({\bm r})$ standing waves were observed

A Virtual Kitchen for Cognitive Rehabilitation of Alzheimer Patients

This article presents an innovative interactive tool that has been designed and developed in the context of the preventive treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. This tool allows simulating different cooking tasks that the patient has to perform with the computer mouse. The virtual environment is visualized on a simple computer screen. Gradual assistance is provided to the patient so that he/she trains and learns to perform the tasks requested. In order for the training to be relevant and effective, no errors are allowed by the system

Internship Experiences Contribute to Confident Career Decision Making for Doctoral Students in the Life Sciences.

The Graduate Student Internships for Career Exploration (GSICE) program at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), offers structured training and hands-on experience through internships for a broad range of PhD-level careers. The GSICE program model was successfully replicated at the University of California, Davis (UC Davis). Here, we present outcome data for a total of 217 PhD students participating in the UCSF and UC Davis programs from 2010 to 2015 and 2014 to 2015, respectively. The internship programs at the two sites demonstrated comparable participation, internship completion rates, and overall outcomes. Using survey, focus group, and individual interview data, we find that the programs provide students with career development skills, while increasing students' confidence in career exploration and decision making. Internships, in particular, were perceived by students to increase their ability to discern a career area of choice and to increase confidence in pursuing that career. We present data showing that program participation does not change median time to degree and may help some trainees avoid "default postdocs." Our findings suggest important strategies for institutions developing internship programs for PhD students, namely: including a structured training component, allowing postgraduation internships, and providing a central organization point for internship programs

Nuclear receptor CAR represses TNFα-induced cell death by interacting with the anti-apoptotic GADD45B

Background: Phenobarbital (PB) is the most well-known among numerous non-genotoxic carcinogens that cause the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). PB activates nuclear xenobiotic receptor Constitutive Active/Androstane Receptor (CAR; NR1I3) and this activation is shown to determine PB promotion of HCC in mice. The molecular mechanism of CAR-mediated tumor promotion, however, remains elusive at the present time. Here we have identified Growth Arrest and DNA Damage-inducible 45β (GADD45B) as a novel CAR target, through which CAR represses cell death. Methodology/Principal Findings: PB activation of nuclear xenobiotic receptor CAR is found to induce the Gadd45b gene in mouse liver throughout the development of HCC as well as in liver tumors. Given the known function of GADD45B as a factor that represses Mitogen-activated protein Kinase Kinase 7-c-Jun N-terminal Kinase (MKK7-JNK) pathway-mediated apoptosis, we have now demonstrated that CAR interacts with GADD45B to repress Tumor Necrosis Factor α (TNFα)-induced JNK1 phosphorylation as well as cell death. Primary hepatocytes, prepared from Car+/+, Car-/-, Gadd45b+/+ and Gadd45b-/- mice, were treated with TNFα and Actinomycin D to induce phosphorylation of JNK1 and cell death. Cotreatment with the CAR activating ligand TCPOBOP (1,4 bis[2-(3,5-dichloropyridyloxy)]benzene) has resulted in repression of both phosphorylation and cell death in the primary hepatocytes from Car+/+ but not Car2/2mice. Repression by TCPOBOP was not observed in those prepared from Gadd45b-/- mice. In vitro protein-protein interaction and phosphorylation assays have revealed that CAR interacts with MKK7 and represses the MKK7-mediated phosphorylation of JNK1. Conclusions/Significance: CAR can form a protein complex with GADD45B, through which CAR represses MKK7-mediated phosphorylation of JNK1. In addition to activating the Gadd45b gene, CAR may repress death of mouse primary hepatocytes by forming a GADD45B complex and repressing MKK7-mediated phosphorylation of JNK1. The present finding that CAR can repress cell death via its interaction with GADD45B provides an insight for further investigations into the CAR-regulated molecular mechanism by which PB promotes development of HCC

A new motion-based tool for occupation and monitoring of residents in nursing homes

Population ageing bring new challenges in healthcare and has raised issues concerning innovative solutions to optimize the management of elderly. As recommended, new interactive tools must be accessible to users, acceptable, easy to use, motivating and useful for both residents and staff. Virtual Reality is a good candidate to fulfill these specifications. Based on our expertise in Human Computer Interaction and Neuropsychology of ageing, we are developing a platform to offer interactive activities adapted to very-old and dependent people living in nursing homes. It is based on the use of a low-cost markerless RGB-D sensor (AstraTM, Orbbec) to track user body motion. Implemented activities were designed to involve various cognitive abilities, such as sorting game, search game, ball game. In addition, a module records several biomechanical data and generates reports for caregivers. This paper aims to discuss the special needs of research context and to present the designed interaction platform