2,002 research outputs found
The Impact of Social Curiosity on Information Spreading on Networks
Most information spreading models consider that all individuals are identical
psychologically. They ignore, for instance, the curiosity level of people,
which may indicate that they can be influenced to seek for information given
their interest. For example, the game Pok\'emon GO spread rapidly because of
the aroused curiosity among users. This paper proposes an information
propagation model considering the curiosity level of each individual, which is
a dynamical parameter that evolves over time. We evaluate the efficiency of our
model in contrast to traditional information propagation models, like SIR or
IC, and perform analysis on different types of artificial and real-world
networks, like Google+, Facebook, and the United States roads map. We present a
mean-field approach that reproduces with a good accuracy the evolution of
macroscopic quantities, such as the density of stiflers, for the system's
behavior with the curiosity. We also obtain an analytical solution of the
mean-field equations that allows to predicts a transition from a phase where
the information remains confined to a small number of users to a phase where it
spreads over a large fraction of the population. The results indicate that the
curiosity increases the information spreading in all networks as compared with
the spreading without curiosity, and that this increase is larger in spatial
networks than in social networks. When the curiosity is taken into account, the
maximum number of informed individuals is reached close to the transition
point. Since curious people are more open to a new product, concepts, and
ideas, this is an important factor to be considered in propagation modeling.
Our results contribute to the understanding of the interplay between diffusion
process and dynamical heterogeneous transmission in social networks.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figure
Auralization of a Supersonic Business Jet Using Advanced Takeoff Procedures
Recent NASA studies of a supersonic business jet airplane indicated that advanced takeoff procedures could be used to reduce noise at the lateral sideline location to a level at which Chapter 4 noise certification requirements could be met. The studies were conducted with the NASA Aircraft Noise Prediction Program, using an analytical model of the airframe and its engines. The advanced procedure consists of a higher-speed climbout and a programmed thrust lapse in which the engine thrust is automatically and gradually reduced immediately after the runway obstacle is cleared. In this paper, the authors utilize the results of the most recent study as the basis of an auralization of the predicted noise. Modifications to the NASA Auralization Framework necessary for that process are described. The auralizations are used to demonstrate differences between standard and advanced takeoff pro ond those that may be observed through comparison of integrated noise metrics
Supersonic Technology Concept Aeroplanes for Environmental Studies
The International Civil Aviation Organization is considering new environmental standards for future supersonic civil aircraft. NASA is supporting this effort by analyzing several notional, near-term supersonic transports. NASAs performance, noise, and exhaust emission predictions for these transports are being used to inform a larger study that will determine the global environmental and economic impact of adding supersonic aircraft to the fleet beginning this decade. A supersonic business jet with a maximum takeoff gross weight of 55 tonnes is the focus of this paper. A smaller business jet weighing 45 tonnes is also discussed. Both airplanes use supersonic engines derived from a common contemporary commercial subsonic turbofan core. Aircraft performance, airport-vicinity noise, and exhaust emissions are predicted using NASA tools. Also investigated are some of the anticipated behaviors and requirements of these aircraft in the commercial airspace. The sensitivity of noise to system uncertainties is presented and alternative engine studies are discussed
SDSSJ143244.91+301435.3 at VLBI: a compact radio galaxy in a narrow-line Seyfert 1
We present VLBI observations, carried out with the European Very Long
Baseline Interferometry Network (EVN), of SDSSJ143244.91+301435.3, a radio-loud
narrow-line Seyfert 1 (RLNLS1) characterized by a steep radio spectrum. The
source, compact at Very Large Array (VLA) resolution, is resolved on the
milliarcsec scale, showing a central region plus two extended structures. The
relatively high brightness temperature of all components (5x10^6-1.3x10^8 K)
supports the hypothesis that the radio emission is non-thermal and likely
produced by a relativistic jet and/or small radio lobes. The observed radio
morphology, the lack of a significant core and the presence of a low frequency
(230 MHz) spectral turnover are reminiscent of the Compact Steep Spectrum
sources (CSS). However, the linear size of the source (~0.5kpc) measured from
the EVN map is lower than the value predicted using the turnover/size relation
valid for CSS sources (~6kpc). This discrepancy can be explained by an
additional component not detected in our observations, accounting for about a
quarter of the total source flux density, combined to projection effects. The
low core-dominance of the source (CD<0.29) confirms that
SDSSJ143244.91+301435.3 is not a blazar, i.e. the relativistic jet is not
pointing towards the observer. This supports the idea that
SDSSJ143244.91+301435.3 may belong to the "parent population" of flat-spectrum
RLNLS1 and favours the hypothesis of a direct link between RLNLS1 and compact,
possibly young, radio galaxies.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA
Performing edge detection by difference of Gaussians using q-Gaussian kernels
In image processing, edge detection is a valuable tool to perform the
extraction of features from an image. This detection reduces the amount of
information to be processed, since the redundant information (considered less
relevant) can be unconsidered. The technique of edge detection consists of
determining the points of a digital image whose intensity changes sharply. This
changes are due to the discontinuities of the orientation on a surface for
example. A well known method of edge detection is the Difference of Gaussians
(DoG). The method consists of subtracting two Gaussians, where a kernel has a
standard deviation smaller than the previous one. The convolution between the
subtraction of kernels and the input image results in the edge detection of
this image. This paper introduces a method of extracting edges using DoG with
kernels based on the q-Gaussian probability distribution, derived from the
q-statistic proposed by Constantino Tsallis. To demonstrate the method's
potential, we compare the introduced method with the traditional DoG using
Gaussians kernels. The results showed that the proposed method can extract
edges with more accurate details.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figures, IC-MSQUARE 201
Detecting Extrasolar Planets with Integral Field Spectroscopy
Observations of extrasolar planets using Integral Field Spectroscopy (IFS),
if coupled with an extreme Adaptive Optics system and analyzed with a
Simultaneous Differential Imaging technique (SDI), are a powerful tool to
detect and characterize extrasolar planets directly; they enhance the signal of
the planet and, at the same time, reduces the impact of stellar light and
consequently important noise sources like speckles. In order to verify the
efficiency of such a technique, we developed a simulation code able to test the
capabilities of this IFS-SDI technique for different kinds of planets and
telescopes, modelling the atmospheric and instrumental noise sources. The first
results obtained by the simulations show that many significant extrasolar
planet detections are indeed possible using the present 8m-class telescopes
within a few hours of exposure time. The procedure adopted to simulate IFS
observations is presented here in detail, explaining in particular how we
obtain estimates of the speckle noise, Adaptive Optics corrections, specific
instrumental features, and how we test the efficiency of the SDI technique to
increase the signal-to-noise ratio of the planet detection. The most important
results achieved by simulations of various objects, from 1 M_J to brown dwarfs
of 30 M_J, for observations with an 8 meter telescope, are then presented and
discussed.Comment: 60 pages, 37 figures, accepted in PASP, 4 Tables adde
Trophic Status of the Bandar Kayangan Lembah Sari Reservoir, Rumbai Pesisir Sub-district, Pekanbaru Based on Nitrate and Phosphate Concentration
As a basis to determine the trophic status of the waters. A research aims tounderstand the trophic status of the waters of the Bandar Kayangan Lembah Sarireservoir was conducted in Mach-April 2016.There were 4 stations, namely St 1 (in theinlet from Ambang River), St 2 (in the inlet from Merbau River), St3 (in the middle ofthe lake) and St 4 (in the dam). Samplings were conducted 3 times, once/ week. Watersamples were taken from the water surface.Results shown that nitrate concentration was ranged from 0.075 – 0.096 mg/L,phosphate from 0.208 – 0.293 mg/L, temperature 31-32°C, transparency 56.8 – 60.2 cm,depth 219.3 – 378.7 cm, velocity0.25 – 0.40 cm/s, pH was4, dissolved oxygen (DO)5.38 – 8.31mg/L. Based on nitrate concentration, the trophic status of the BandarKayangan Lembah Sari reservoir was categorized as oligotrophic, whereas based onphosphate concentration, it can be categorized as eutrophic
A new beach topography-based method for shoreline identification
The definition of shoreline is not the same for all contexts, and it is often a subjective matter. Various methods exist that are based on the use of different instruments that can determine and highlight a shoreline. In recent years, numerous studies have employed photogrammetric methods, based on different colours, to map the boundary between water and land. These works use images acquired by satellites, drones, or cameras, and differ mainly in terms of resolution. Such methods can identify a shoreline by means of automatic, semi-automatic, or manual procedures. The aim of this work is to find and promote a new and valid beach topography-based algorithm, able to identify the shoreline. We apply the Structure from Motion (SfM) techniques to reconstruct a high-resolution Digital Elevation Model by means of a drone for image acquisition. The algorithm is based on the variation of the topographic beach profile caused by the transition from water to sand. The SfM technique is not efficient when applied to reflecting surfaces like sea water resulting in a very irregular and unnatural profile over the sea. Taking advantage of this fact, the algorithm searches for the point in the space where a beach profile changes from irregular to regular, causing a transition from water to land. The algorithm is promoted by the release of a QGIS v3.x plugin, which allows the easy application and extraction of other shorelines
Effects of 6 weeks of traditional resistance training or high intensity interval resistance training on body composition, aerobic power and strength in healthy young subjects: A randomized parallel trial
Consistent practice of physical activity has well known positive effects on general health; however, time for exercise remains one major barrier for many. An acute bout of high intensity interval resistance training (HIIRT) increases acute resting energy expenditure (REE) and decreases respiratory ratio (RR), suggesting its potential role on weight loss and increased fatty acid oxidation. The aim of this study was to test the long-term effect of HIIRT on body composition, lipid profile and muscle strength using a randomized parallel trial. Twenty healthy young adults (22.15 ± 1.95 years) were randomized to perform either a HIIRT (N = 11) protocol, consisting of three sets of 6 repetitions at 6 repetition maximum (RM) and then 20 seconds of rest between repetitions until exhaustion repeated for 3 times with 2’30″ rest between sets or a traditional training (TRT, N = 9) protocol of 3 sets of 15 reps with 75 sec of rest between sets. Body composition, resting energy metabolism, aerobic capacity, muscle strength and blood measurements were taken before and after 8 weeks of training. Both protocols enhanced muscle strength, but only HIIRT improved endurance strength performance (+22.07%, p < 0.05) and lean body mass (+2.82%, p < 0.05). REE and RR were unaltered as lipid profile. HIIRT represents a valid training method to improve muscle strength and mass, but its role on body weight control was not confirmed
Aqueous Humor Biomarkers of M\ufcller Cell Activation in Diabetic Eyes.
PURPOSE:
To identify early biomarkers of retinal M\ufcller cell activation in diabetic eyes with or without clinically detectable signs of diabetic retinopathy (DR).
METHODS:
This study was a cross-sectional comparative case series. The aqueous humor (AH) of 34 eyes was collected in 12 healthy controls, 11 diabetic patients without DR, and 11 diabetic patients with nonproliferative DR. Full ophthalmic examination and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography were performed in all eyes. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), aquaporin 1 (AQP1), and aquaporin 4 (AQP4) were quantified in AH samples as biomarkers of M\ufcller cell activity by ELISA. Statistical analysis was performed with ANOVA followed by Tukey-Kramer post hoc test.
RESULTS:
There was no significant difference in the age among the three groups. Mean concentration of GFAP, AQP1, and AQP4 significantly increased in diabetic eyes versus controls (P < 0.05, for each comparison). Glial fibrillary acidic protein and AQP1 showed an approximate 2-fold increase, whereas AQP4 showed an approximate 25-fold increase in diabetics with DR versus controls. In diabetics without DR, AQP4 showed an approximate 6-fold increase versus controls.
CONCLUSIONS:
Glial fibrillary acidic protein, AQP1, and AQP4-biomarkers of M\ufcller cell activity-are significantly increased in human eyes with diabetes, confirming that M\ufcller cells are precociously affected by diabetes mellitus
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