Photoswitchable catalysis by a nanozyme mediated by a lightsensitive cofactor

The activity of a gold nanoparticle-based catalyst can be reversibly up- and down-regulated by light. Light is used to switch a small molecule between cis- and trans-isomers, which inhibits the catalytic activity of the nanoparticles to different extent. The system is functional in aqueous buffer, which paves the way for integrating the system in biological networks

Is aging a disease? The theoretical definition of aging in the light of the philosophy of medicine

In this talk, I attempt to shed light on the philosophical debate about the theoretical definition of aging from the discussion of the notion of disease in the philosophy of medicine. As a result, I introduce a concrete approach -- the pragmatist approach to aging -- to account for the theoretical relationship between the notions of disease and aging, as they are addressed in the philosophy of aging. To that end, the structure of this work is as follows: first, in section 2, I analyze the discussion between the two major positions in this debate, and introduce the influential accounts of authors such as Hayflick, Schramme, Caplan, Murphy, and Callahan & Topinkova. I will show that in this discussion it is being assumed by some authors that the definition of disease is univocal and corresponds to what some of these authors understand as a "non-natural state". The motivation of this is straightforward: in order to decide if aging should be defined as a disease we need to clarify first what a disease is and what implies to characterize something as such. In section 3, I will show that the disagreement between those who argue that aging is a disease and those who claim that it is not is ultimately based on an assumption of different notions of disease. In addition, I will also turn to the debate on disease in the philosophy of medicine to analyze the proposals of Callahan & Topinkova and Murphy. These authors advocate avoiding the question of whether or not aging is a disease for pragmatic reasons. The important thing would not be to define aging as a disease but to medically treat it as such. I propose to reformulate this proposal of pragmatic motivation to frame it in an approach to the concept of disease, which I call "pragmatist", that has advocated philosophers of medicine such as Cooper or Hofmann. I think that this pragmatist approach addresses the issue of medical categorization of aging in a more scientific and philosophical fruitful way.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

A Model for Induction Motors with Non-Uniform Air-Gap

Equations to calculate inductances of induction motors, considering non-uniform air-gap, are proposed. The analyzed air-gap variations are static and dynamic eccentricity and stator slots. The equations for inductance calculation, obtained from the modified winding functions and the energy stored in the air-gap, allow considering the effect of rotor bar skewing. Experimental results that validate the proposed method are presented.Fil: Bossio, Guillermo Rubén. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto. Facultad de Ingeniería. Grupo de Electrónica Aplicada; ArgentinaFil: de Angelo, Cristian Hernan. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto. Facultad de Ingeniería. Grupo de Electrónica Aplicada; ArgentinaFil: Solsona, Jorge Alberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Eléctrica "Alfredo Desages". Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Ingeniería Eléctrica y de Computadoras. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Eléctrica "Alfredo Desages"; ArgentinaFil: Garcia, Guillermo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto. Facultad de Ingeniería. Grupo de Electrónica Aplicada; ArgentinaFil: Valla, Maria Ines. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Electrónica, Control y Procesamiento de Señales. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Electrónica, Control y Procesamiento de Señales; Argentin

En defensa de un diálogo entre las neurociencias y las éticas normativas: ¿Mejoramiento moral mediante oxitocina en aerosol?

In this paper we argue that there should be a relationship of dialogue (excluding subordination and independence) between neurosciences and normative ethics. Our main argument is based on the fact that knowledge from neuroscience (and, in particular, studies on the causal role of oxytocin in human behavior) can explain and give content to some motivational and psychological limits that would modify moral demands on individuals. We show that in the face of a hypothetical case proposing moral enhancement through the application of aerosolized oxytocin, neuroethical arguments alone are insufficient to determine its moral permissibility or impermissibility. Furthermore, we argue that it is also not possible to establish the superiority of normative arguments, since neuroscience insights are more effective in modifying behaviors constrained by our own physical and neurological constitution. We conclude that both serve to make decisions, both individually and collectively, to try to better accommodate our attitudes and behaviors to what we consider morally right to do.En este trabajo sostenemos que debería existir un diálogo (que excluye la subordinación y la independencia) entre las neurociencias y las éticas normativas. Nuestro argumento toma como base que los conocimientos provenientes de la neurociencia (y, en particular, los estudios sobre el rol causal de la oxitocina en el comportamiento humano) pueden explicar y dar contenido a algunos límites motivacionales y psicológicos que modificarían las exigencias morales de los individuos. Mostramos que ante un caso hipotético que propone la mejora moral mediante la aplicación de oxitocina en aerosol, los argumentos neuroéticos, por sí solos, son insuficientes para determinar su permisibilidad o impermisibilidad moral. Además, defendemos que tampoco es posible establecer la superioridad de los argumentos de ética normativa, ya que los conocimientos de la neurociencia son más efectivos para modificar las conductas limitadas por nuestra propia constitución física y neurológica. Concluimos que tanto unos como otros sirven para tomar decisiones, tanto individuales, como colectivas, para tratar de acomodar mejor nuestras actitudes y comportamientos a lo que consideramos moralmente correcto hacer

An operational radiometric correction technique for shadow reduction in multispectral uav imagery

This study focuses on the recovery of information from shadowed pixels in RGB or multispectral imagery sensed from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The proposed technique is based on the concept that a property characterizing a given surface is its spectral reflectance, i.e., the ratio between the flux reflected by the surface and the radiant flux received by the surface, and this ratio is usually similar under direct-plus-diffuse irradiance and under diffuse irradiance when a Lambertian behavior can be assumed. Scene-dependent elements, such as trees, shrubs, man-made constructions, or terrain relief, can block part of the direct irradiance (usually sunbeams), in which part of the surface only receives diffuse irradiance. As a consequence, shadowed surfaces comprising pixels of the image created by the UAV remote sensor appear. Regardless of whether the imagery is analyzed by means of photointerpretation or digital classification methods, when the objective is to create land cover maps, it is hard to treat these areas in a coherent way in terms of the areas receiving direct and diffuse irradiance. The hypothesis of the present work is that the relationship between irradiance conditions in shadowed areas and non-shadowed areas can be determined by following classical empirical line techniques for fulfilling the objective of a coherent treatment in both kinds of areas. The novelty of the presented method relies on the simultaneous recovery of information in non-shadowed and shadowed areas by the in situ spectral reflectance measurements of characterized Lambertian targets followed by smoothing of the penumbra area. Once in the lab, firstly, we accurately detected the shadowed pixels by combining two well-known techniques for the detection of the shadowed areas: (1) using a physical approach based on the sun's position and the digital surface model of the area covered by the imagery; and (2) the image-based approach using the histogram properties of the intensity image. In this paper, we present the benefits of the combined usage of both techniques. Secondly, we applied a fit between non-shadowed and shadowed areas by using a twin set of spectrally characterized target sets. One set was placed under direct and diffuse irradiance (non-shadowed targets), whereas the second set (with the same spectral characteristics) was placed under diffuse irradiance (shadowed targets). Assuming that the reflectance of the homologous targets of each set was the same, we approximated the diffuse incoming irradiance through an empirical line correction. The model was applied to all detected shadowed areas in the whole scene. Finally, a smoothing filter was applied to the penumbra transitions. The presented empirical method allowed the operational and coherent recovery of information from shadowed areas, which is very common in high-resolution UAV imagery

Grace Fishel Junior Recital

https://dc.ewu.edu/music_performances/1694/thumbnail.jp

U.S./Mexico Bilateral Security Cooperation and Outlook for American Multinational Corporations

This research project seeks to analyze current bilateral security initiatives between the United States of America and Mexico in terms of tackling the issue of transnational organized crime. This project will assess the impact that past security policies have had on U.S./Mexico relations and how they affected levels of crime in Mexico. In addition, current policies will be evaluated based on their effectiveness in addressing drug trafficking and crime. This research project will also anticipate the actions of the newly elected Mexican president, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, and then provide an assessment as to how his policies will affect security cooperation between Mexico and the United States. Besides that, this project will consider how the issue of transnational organized crime in relations to the Mexican Drug War might affect American multinational corporations operating in Mexico. Structured analytic techniques will be employed in this research project to carefully analyze the contemporary U.S./Mexico security environment and develop key assumptions about the future of U.S./Mexico relations with respect to transnational organized criminal syndicates. This research project will present its audience with appropriate statistical data and information that indicates certain patterns, measures the success of specific bilateral security policies, and outlines regions where there are high degrees of criminal activity and violent crimes. Ultimately, this research project will deliver an estimate detailing which bilateral security policies will change or remain the same under the Obrador Administration, how crime levels in Mexico could be affected over time, and the outlook for American multinational corporations operating in Mexico as a result of Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador’s policies