cometadata/datacite-rtg-text-other-reclassification-records huggingface dataset:
Absorption-Ablation-Excitation Mechanisms of Laser-Cluster Interactions in a Nanoaerosol System
Creators: name: Ren, Yihua
name: Li, Shuiqing
name: Zhang, Yiyang
name: Tse, Stephen D.
name: Long, Marshall B.
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2014
Subjects: subject: Atomic and Molecular Clusters (physics.atm-clus)
subject: Optics (physics.optics)
subject: FOS: Physical sciences

description: The absorption-ablation-excitation mechanism in laser-cluster interactions is investigated by measuring Rayleigh scattering of aerosol clusters along with atomic emission from phase-selective laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (PS-LIBS). As the excitation laser intensity is increased beyond 0.16GW/cm2, the scattering cross-section of TiO_2 clusters begins to decrease, concurrent with the onset of atomic emission of Ti, indicating a scattering-to-ablation transition and the formation of nanoplasmas. To better clarify the process, time-resolved measurements of scattering signals are examined for different excitation laser intensities. For increasing laser intensities, the cross-sections of clusters decrease during a single pulse, evincing the shorter ablation delay time and larger ratios of ablation clusters. Assessment of the electron energy distribution during the ablation process is conducted by non-dimensionalizing the Fokker-Planck equation, with analogous Strouhal Sl_E, Peclet Pe_E, and Damkohler Da_E numbers defined to characterize the laser-induced aerothermochemical environment. For conditions of Sl_E>>1, Pe_E>>1, and Da_E<<1, the electrons are excited to the conduction band by two-photon absorption, then relax to bottom of the conduction band by collisional electron energy loss to the lattice, and finally serve as the energy transfer media between laser field and lattice. The relation between delay time and excitation intensity is well predicted by this simplified model with quasi-steady assumption.
description: 16pages,4 figures
Elevated anxiety-like behavior following ethanol exposure in mutant mice lacking neuropeptide Y (NPY)
Creators: name: Knapp, Darin J.
name: Thiele, Todd E.
name: Breese, George R.
name: Fee, Jon R.
name: Sparta, Dennis R.
Publisher: name: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University Libraries
Year: 2007

description: Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is a neuromodulator with anxiolytic properties. Recent evidence suggests that NPY modulates neurobiological responses to ethanol. Because withdrawal from ethanol is associated with elevated anxiety-like behavior, and because central NPY modulates anxiety, we assessed anxiety-like behavior in mutant mice lacking normal production of NPY (NPY−/−) and in normal wild-type mice (NPY+/+) 6-hours after removal of a liquid diet containing 4.5% ethanol.
The GALEX/S4G UV-IR color-color diagram: Catching spiral galaxies away from the Blue Sequence
Creators: name: Bouquin, Alexandre Y. K.
name: de Paz, Armando Gil
name: Boissier, Samuel
name: Muñoz-Mateos, Juan-Carlos
name: Sheth, Kartik
name: Zaritsky, Dennis
name: Laine, Jarkko
name: Gallego, Jesús
name: Peletier, Reynier F.
name: Röck, Benjamin R.
name: Knapen, Johan H.
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2015
Subjects: subject: Astrophysics of Galaxies (astro-ph.GA)
subject: FOS: Physical sciences

description: We obtained GALEX FUV, NUV, and Spitzer/IRAC 3.6$μ$m photometry for > 2000 galaxies, available for 90% of the S4G sample. We find a very tight "GALEX Blue Sequence (GBS)" in the (FUV-NUV) versus (NUV-[3.6]) color-color diagram which is populated by irregular and spiral galaxies, and is mainly driven by changes in the formation timescale ($τ$) and a degeneracy between $τ$ and dust reddening. The tightness of the GBS provides an unprecedented way of identifying star-forming galaxies and objects that are just evolving to (or from) what we call the "GALEX Green Valley (GGV)". At the red end of the GBS, at (NUV-[3.6]) > 5, we find a wider "GALEX Red Sequence (GRS)" mostly populated by E/S0 galaxies that has a perpendicular slope to that of the GBS and of the optical red sequence. We find no such dichotomy in terms of stellar mass (measured by $\rm{M}_{[3.6]}$), since both massive ($M_{\star} > 10^{11} M_{\odot}$) blue and red sequence galaxies are identified. The type that is proportionally more often found in the GGV are the S0-Sa's and most of these are located in high-density environments. We discuss evolutionary models of galaxies that show a rapid transition from the blue to the red sequence on timescale of $10^{8}$years.
description: 7 pages, 4 figures, 1 table. Accepted for publication in ApJL
Cyclic variations in O-C diagrams of field RR Lyrae stars as a result of LiTE
Creators: name: Liska, Jiri
name: Skarka, Marek
name: Zejda, Miloslav
name: Mikulasek, Zdenek
name: de Villiers, Stefanus N.
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2015
Subjects: subject: Solar and Stellar Astrophysics (astro-ph.SR)
subject: FOS: Physical sciences

description: This paper presents an extensive overview of known and proposed RR Lyrae stars in binaries. The aim is to revise and extend the list with new Galactic field systems. We utilized maxima timings for eleven RRab type stars with suspicious behaviour from the GEOS database, and determined maxima timings from data of sky surveys and our own observations. This significantly extended the number of suitable maxima timings. We modelled the proposed Light Time Effect (LiTE) in O-C diagrams to determine orbital parameters for these systems. In contrast to recent studies, our analysis focused on decades-long periods instead of periods in the order of years. Secondary components were found to be predominantly low-mass objects. However, for RZ Cet and AT Ser the mass of the suspected companion of more than one solar mass suggests that it is a massive white dwarf, a neutron star or even a black hole. We found that the semi-major axes of the proposed orbits are between 1 and 20 au. Because the studied stars belong to the closest RR Lyraes, maximal angular distances between components during orbit should at least be between 1 and 13 mas and this improves the chance to detect both stars using current telescopes. However, our interpretation of the O-C diagrams as a consequence of the LiTE should be considered as preliminary without reliable spectroscopic measurements. On the other hand our models give a prediction of the period and radial velocity evolution which should be sufficient for plausible proof of binarity.
description: accepted for publication in MNRAS, 18 pages, 18 figures
Collaborative Designers: The Value of Nurturing Truly Collective Voices
Creators: name: Richardson, Lindy
Publisher: name: FUTURESCAN
Year: 2019
Subjects: subject: 120306 Textile and Fashion Design
subject: FOS: Arts (arts, history of arts, performing arts, music)

description: Research paper presented at Futurescan 2: Collective Voices, Sheffield Hallam University, 10th-11th January 2013.

Futurescan 2: Collective Voices
Edited by Helena Britt, Sally Wade and Kerry WaltonDecember 2013ISBN: 978 1 907382 64 2
Genomewide linkage survey of nicotine dependence phenotypes
Creators: name: Prescott, Carol A.
name: Patterson, Diana G.
name: Neale, Michael C.
name: Walsh, Dermot
name: Sullivan, Patrick F.
name: Kendler, Kenneth S.
name: Vittum, Jen
name: Webb, B. Todd
name: Kuo, Po-Hsiu
name: Riley, Brien
name: Furberg, Helena
Publisher: name: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University Libraries
Year: 2008

description: A comprehensive understanding of the etiology and neurobiology of nicotine dependence is not available. We sought to identify genomic regions that might contain etiologically-relevant loci using genomewide univariate and bivariate linkage analyses.
Kawamuracarus uniscutatus Cook 1967
Creators: name: Pešić, Vladimir
name: Chatterjee, Tapas
name: Bordoloi, Sabitry
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2010
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Arachnida
Trombidiformes
Limnesiidae
Kawamuracarus
Kawamuracarus uniscutatus

description: Kawamuracarus uniscutatus Cook, 1967
Records from the study area: Maharashtra, Karnataka—Cook (1967); Prasad (1974); Pešić & Ranga Reddy (2009).
Habitat: Hyporheic interstitial.
Distribution: India.
description: Published as part of Pešić, Vladimir, Chatterjee, Tapas & Bordoloi, Sabitry, 2010, A checklist of the water mites (Acari: Hydrachnidia) of India, with new records and description of one new species, pp. 1-54 in Zootaxa 2617 (1) on page 23, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.2617.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/197964
title: Hidden musical lives : the roles and significance of music in everyday life at a supported living scheme
Creators: name: Ali Hassan, Nedim
Publisher: name: University of Liverpool Repository
Year: 2023

description: This thesis argues that existing academic approaches to studying music in everyday life underplay various contextual factors and neglect momentary musical activities that are enacted amidst the demands of domestic life. The connection of music to everyday life is often taken for granted. For example, the musical activities that often accompany domestic routines, such as singing, dancing or humming to songs heard on the radio or television may be quickly forgotten. Yet, as this thesis will demonstrate, these relatively mundane activities an become highly significant on a number of levels.
title: The mechanism of defence: identity, structure and perceptions of gender and sexuality in the military
Creators: name: Bates, Chad
Publisher: name: University of Liverpool Repository
Year: 2012

description: The ‘Mechanism of Defence’ project is an interdisciplinary study that examines the effect of sexuality on the perceived cohesion, morale and unit effectiveness of University Officer Training Corps (UOTC) battalions. The study privileges sociological theory and social policy using Emile Durkheim’s Division of Labour as its primary theoretical frame. The study evidences the influence of social structure as a central and abiding force in the establishment of community values and the integration of sexual minorities. It seeks to inform integrative measures in countries like the United States by examining and illustrating as a model the United Kingdom’s approach (post EU-ordered integration). The study has secured the full participation of the twelve largest (of 19 total) Territorial Army UOTC battalions in England and Wales. Five hundred and fifty-nine (559) British Army UOTC cadets were surveyed as to cohesion, morale, unit effectiveness and familiarity with minorities (including gays and lesbians) in their units in a comprehensive total sample of these battalions. 26 Cadets, commanding officers, adjutants and PSIs (Permanent Staff instructors, i.e. service veterans, some active service personnel) agreed to full length interviews (two to three hours each) regarding levels of cohesion, morale and unit effectiveness and the challenges they face as leaders in the post-integrative modern military system. The study devotes significant attention to the development, manifestation and impact of group, individual and community identity and the dynamics of organizational behaviour. This includes the extent of (individual and group) defence mechanisms triggered by gender and homophobia within the military environment. It also charts the development of anti-gay discrimination throughout history (from Ancient Greece and Feudal Japan to present day) with a brief but informative look at the effects of religion and politics.
Limnesia (Limnesia) lucifera subsp. uniseta Cook 1967
Creators: name: Pešić, Vladimir
name: Chatterjee, Tapas
name: Bordoloi, Sabitry
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2010
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Arachnida
Trombidiformes
Limnesiidae
Limnesia
Limnesia lucifera
Limnesia (limnesia) lucifera uniseta cook, 1967

description: Limnesia (Limnesia) lucifera uniseta Cook, 1967
Records from the study area: Maharashtra—Cook (1967); Prasad (1974).
Habitat: Seepage areas.
Distribution: India.
description: Published as part of Pešić, Vladimir, Chatterjee, Tapas & Bordoloi, Sabitry, 2010, A checklist of the water mites (Acari: Hydrachnidia) of India, with new records and description of one new species, pp. 1-54 in Zootaxa 2617 (1) on page 24, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.2617.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/197964
title: Experimental techniques for the isolation of pancreatic stellate cells
Creators: name: Jalali, Mehdi
Publisher: name: University of Liverpool Repository
Year: 2012

description: Background: Two decades ago the pancreatic stellate cell (PSC) was identified as the cell type predominantly responsible for the ‘desmoplastic reaction’ associated with pancreatic cancer. PSCs have since been found to exhibit a great deal of interaction with cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. This feature, combined with their contribution to the stromal reaction, makes PSCs fundamental to pancreatic cancer progression. Understanding the mechanisms which mediate the transformation of stellate cells from their non proliferative quiescent state, to their tumour promoting activated state is vital, since inactivation of stellate cells in pancreatic tumours should reduce the mass of fibrotic tissue in and around the tumour, and enable better delivery of chemotherapeutic agents. Methods: Attempts were made to isolate PSCs from pathological human pancreatic tissue using an ‘explant’ method. Cells which grew from the tissue were propagated and characterised according to morphology and the fluorescent expression of stellate cell markers: alpha SMA, GFAP, desmin, vimentin. Results: Primary cells were isolated from 10 patients who possessed a variety of pancreatic diseases. Characterisation revealed three distinct cell types, one of which most closely resembled the PSC due to its morphology and expression of cell markers. However, several difficulties encountered during characterisation, particularly the lack of suitable cell controls, meant that it was not possible to identify these primary cells as PSCs. Alpha SMA and GFAP were expressed in the primary cells, and antibody binding was specific according to isotype control stains. Unfortunately, the immortalised PSCs that were utilised as a positive cell control failed to exhibit alpha SMA. Furthermore, numerous epithelial cancer cell lines unexpectedly expressed GFAP, desmin, and vimentin. Around eighty flasks of primary cells were cryopreserved for use in future experiments. Two of the primary cell samples, along with the immortalised PSC line were taken forward for preliminary investigations of microRNA-29 expression. However, this yielded inconclusive data. Discussion: A subsequent literature search revealed several studies which also demonstrated the mesenchymal characteristics of epithelial cancer cells. This suggests that specific binding may well have taken place in our experiments. As a result of the work described in this thesis, there are now stocks of tumour derived- and inflammatory derived primary pancreatic cells, which following complete characterisation, will be ready to be utilised as an adjunct to the epithelial cancer cell lines frequently used for pancreatic cancer research in this laboratory.
Associations of glutamate decarboxylase genes with initial sensitivity and age-at-onset of alcohol dependence in the Irish Affected Sib Pair Study of Alcohol Dependence
Creators: name: Patterson, Diana G.
name: Goldman, David
name: Hodgkinson, Colin A.
name: Kalsi, Gursharan
name: Prescott, Carol A.
name: Sullivan, Patrick F.
name: Walsh, Dermot
name: Kuo, Po-Hsiu
name: Chen, Xiangning
name: Alexander, Jeffry
name: Riley, Brien P.
name: Kendler, Kenneth S.
name: van den Oord, Edwin J.
Publisher: name: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University Libraries
Year: 2009

description: The relation of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) to alcohol dependence (AD) has been widely studied. Several previous studies suggest that GABA may be involved in alcohol withdrawal, tolerance, and the symptoms that form an AD diagnosis. The genes coding for glutamate decarboxylase (GAD), the rate-limiting enzyme in GABA synthesis, are of potential interest for their association to ethanol consumption and AD. There are two isoforms of GAD, GAD1 and GAD2, which were reported to be associated with AD in males of Han Taiwanese (GAD1) and Russian (GAD2) ancestry. The present study examined the association of the two GAD isoforms with AD and relevant alcohol-related traits in the Irish Affected Sib Pair Study of Alcohol Dependence [Prescott, C.A., Sullivan, P.F., Myers, J.M., Patterson, D.G., Devitt, M., Halberstadt, L.J., Walsh, D., Kendler, K.S., 2005. The Irish Affected Sib Pair Study of Alcohol Dependence: study methodology and validation of diagnosis by interview and family history. Alcohol.-Clin. Exp. Res. 29 (3) 417–429].
6.7GHz Methanol Maser Associated Outflows: An evolutionary sequence
Creators: name: de Villiers, H. M.
name: Chrysostomou, A.
name: Thompson, M. A.
name: Urquhart, J. S.
name: Breen, S. L.
name: Burton, M. G.
name: Ellingsen, S. P.
name: Fuller, G. A.
name: Pestalozzi, M.
name: Voronkov, M. A.
name: Ward-Thompson, D.
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2015
Subjects: subject: Solar and Stellar Astrophysics (astro-ph.SR)
subject: FOS: Physical sciences

description: We present a continuing study of a sample 44 molecular outflows, observed in 13CO lines, closely associated with 6.7GHz methanol masers, hence called Methanol Maser Associated Outflows (MMAOs). We compare MMAO properties with those of outflows from other surveys in the literature. In general, MMAOs follow similar trends, but show a deficit in number at low masses and momenta, with a corresponding higher fraction at the high end of the distributions. A similar trend is seen for the dynamical timescales of MMAOs. We argue that the lack of relatively low mass and young flows in MMAOs is due to the inherent selection-bias in the sample, i.e. its direct association with 6.7GHz methanol masers. This implies that methanol masers must switch on after the onset of outflows (hence accretion), and not before a sufficient abundance of methanol is liberated from icy dust mantles. Consequently the average dynamical age of MMAOs is older than for the general population of molecular outflows. We propose an adjusted evolutionary sequence of outflow and maser occurrence in the hot core phase, where methanol masers turn on after the onset of the outflow phase.
description: 11 pages, 10 figures, accepted for publication in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
The CB1 antagonist rimonabant (SR141716) blocks cue-induced reinstatement of cocaine seeking and other context and extinction phenomena predictive of relapse
Creators: name: Dykstra, Linda A.
name: Rosenberg, Marisa
name: Ward, Sara Jane
name: Walker, Ellen A.
Publisher: name: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University Libraries
Year: 2009

description: Cannabinoid CB1 antagonists decrease self-administration of palatable food and several abused drugs in animals and modulate extinction of conditioned fear responses. Less is known, however, about whether and how CB1 antagonists might modulate the extinction of appetitive behavior. Therefore, this study examined the effects of the CB1 receptor antagonist rimonabant (SR141716) during extinction of responding maintained either by cocaine or by palatable foods (corn oil or Ensure), as well as responding elicited by stimulus cues that had been paired with the presentation of cocaine (i.e., cue-induced reinstatement) or a prime (presentation of cocaine or food). The effect of rimonabant on high rate responding in water-deprived mice trained to self-administer water was also examined. In mice self-administering cocaine, rimonabant attenuated cue-induced reinstatement of cocaine self-administration, the initial burst of responding during cocaine extinction and responding during spontaneous recovery. In mice self-administering corn oil, rimonabant decreased responding during extinction and also attenuated responding that had been reinstated by a priming presentation of corn oil. Moreover, mice treated with rimonabant required fewer daily sessions to reach criterion for extinction of cocaine-maintained responding than vehicle treated mice. Also, rimonabant had no effect on rate of operant responding in mice trained to respond for water under an FR5 schedule of reinforcement. Taken together, these data suggest that in addition to attenuating the primary reinforcing effects of both palatable foods and drugs of abuse, CB1 receptor antagonism can attenuate context and cue reactivity during extinction learning and potentially enhance extinction learning in this way.
The significance of a new umbellate ornamentation in Isoetes (Isoetaceae: Lycopodiopsida) megaspores
Creators: name: Singh, Sarvesh Kumar
name: Shukla, Pradeep Kumar
name: Dubey, Nawal Kishore
name: Shukla, Santosh Kumar
Publisher: name: Taylor & Francis
Year: 2020
Subjects: subject: Evolutionary Biology
subject: FOS: Biological sciences
subject: Environmental Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: Ecology
subject: Sociology
subject: FOS: Sociology
subject: Biological Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: Developmental Biology
subject: Inorganic Chemistry
subject: FOS: Chemical sciences
subject: Infectious Diseases
subject: FOS: Health sciences
subject: Plant Biology

description: A new umbellate ornamentation pattern is described in Isoetes megaspores based on scanning electron microscopy and thorough comparisons with sculptural patterns documented in lycophytes and ferns. The umbellate ornamentation is quite distinct from other vertically projected megaspore sculptural patterns (baculate, clavate, gemmulate, pustulate, tuberculate, saccate and verrucate). In addition, megaspore ornamentations described previously for I. dixitei as tuberculate or pustulate have now been corrected as umbellate. This species also possesses a rudimentary velum and internal pigmentation in sporangial wall which has not been reported in other Indian species of the genus. Further, this taxa has a range restricted to the Western Ghats and is confined to a higher elevational range than Indian species characterised by vertically projected megaspore surface ornamentation patterns.
Intervention and Synthesis: New Partnerships Between Textiles and Photography in the Visual Arts
Creators: name: Little, Marlene
Publisher: name: FUTURESCAN
Year: 2019
Subjects: subject: 120306 Textile and Fashion Design
subject: FOS: Arts (arts, history of arts, performing arts, music)

description: Research paper presented at Futurescan 2: Collective Voices, Sheffield Hallam University, 10th-11th January 2013.

Futurescan 2: Collective Voices
Edited by Helena Britt, Sally Wade and Kerry WaltonDecember 2013ISBN: 978 1 907382 64 2
title: Physical activity monitoring in COPD patients
Creators: name: Albert, Paul
Publisher: name: University of Liverpool Repository
Year: 2013

description: The importance of physical activity in health and disease is recognised, and its relevance in COPD is of increasing interest since it is related to patient outcomes. This thesis primarily sets out to examine physical activity levels in COPD patients in three clinical situations: The early stages of recovery and the subsequent 4 months after hospitalisation for exacerbation (a prospective cohort study of 60 patients), after a course of pulmonary rehabilitation and 6 months later (a prospective cohort study of 37 patients) and at a stage of disease where long term oxygen therapy is being considered (a retrospective cohort study of 35 patients). We have measured physical activity levels using two types of accelerometer: the DynaPort and the Actiwatch. We have also made measures of lung physiology, exercise capacity, peripheral muscle strength and health status. COPD patients have very low levels of physical activity when stable, worse still while in hospital recovering from an exacerbation. Across the 3 patient groups, levels of physical activity do not consistently correlate with other measures, suggesting that what patients actually do does not correlate with what they can do or say they can do. Exacerbating patients who receive early discharge have higher levels of physical activity than those who remain in hospital, and baseline physical activity predicts re exacerbation and readmission at 4 months but not 12 months. Improvements in levels of physical activity are lost 6 months after completing pulmonary rehabilitation despite preservation of peripheral muscle strength and exercise capacity, suggesting that methods to sustain the benefits of PR should focus on changing patient behaviour rather than simply improving physiology. COPD patients who use LTOT show comparable levels of physical activity to a similar patient group with better FEV11 % predicted who do not use LTOT, suggesting that the potential physical constraints of being connected to oxygen tubing for much of the day do not cause patients to be more sedentary. Measuring levels of physical activity in COPD patients with accelerometers offers additional information about patients that may help to determine prognosis and appropriate management. However, further work is needed to determine clinically relevant measures and clinically significant changes.
Determinants of alcohol consumption in HIV-uninfected injection drug users
Creators: name: Cole, Stephen R.
name: Sander, Petra M.
name: Mehta, Shruti H.
name: Ostrow, David G.
name: Kirk, Gregory D.
Publisher: name: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University Libraries
Year: 2010

description: We assess the association between time fixed and time varying participant characteristics and subsequent alcohol consumption in 1,968 injection drug users (median age 37 years, 28% female, 90% African-American) followed semi-annually from 1988 to 2008. Median alcohol consumption was seven drinks per week at study entry (first and third quartile: 1, 26) with 36% reporting binge drinking. Alcohol consumption and binge drinking decreased over follow-up. Older individuals and women reported consuming fewer drinks per week. Higher typical alcohol consumption was reported by those participants who reported in the prior six months: non-injection cocaine use, injection drug use, having one or more sex partners, or among men, a same sex partner. Associations were generally similar for drinks per week and binge drinking. This study demonstrates that in a large urban cohort of persons with a history of injection drug use, risky drug use and sexual risk behavior are associated with subsequent alcohol consumption.
A kernel-based approach to Hammerstein system identification
Creators: name: Risuleo, Riccardo Sven
name: Bottegal, Giulio
name: Hjalmarsson, Håkan
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2014
Subjects: subject: Systems and Control (eess.SY)
subject: FOS: Electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering

description: In this paper, we propose a novel algorithm for the identification of Hammerstein systems. Adopting a Bayesian approach, we model the impulse response of the unknown linear dynamic system as a realization of a zero-mean Gaussian process. The covariance matrix (or kernel) of this process is given by the recently introduced stable-spline kernel, which encodes information on the stability and regularity of the impulse response. The static non-linearity of the model is identified using an Empirical Bayes approach, i.e. by maximizing the output marginal likelihood, which is obtained by integrating out the unknown impulse response. The related optimization problem is solved adopting a novel iterative scheme based on the Expectation-Maximization (EM) method, where each iteration consists in a simple sequence of update rules. Numerical experiments show that the proposed method compares favorably with a standard algorithm for Hammerstein system identification.
description: 15 pages, accepted for publication at IFAC SysId 2015
EEG spectral phenotypes: Heritability and association with marijuana and alcohol dependence in an American Indian community study
Creators: name: Ehlers, Cindy L.
name: Wilhelmsen, Kirk C.
name: Gizer, Ian R.
name: Gilder, David A.
name: Phillips, Evelyn
Publisher: name: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University Libraries
Year: 2010

description: Native Americans have some of the highest rates of marijuana and alcohol use and abuse, yet neurobiological measures associated with dependence on these substances in this population remain unknown. The present investigation evaluated the heritability of spectral characteristics of the electroencephalogram (EEG) and their correlation with marijuana and alcohol dependence in an American Indian community. Participants (n=626) were evaluated for marijuana (MJ) and alcohol (ALC) dependence, as well as other psychiatric disorders. EEGs were collected from six cortical sites and spectral power determined in five frequency bands (delta 1.0–4.0 Hz, theta 4.0–7.5 Hz, alpha 7.5–12.0 Hz, low beta 12.0–20.0 Hz and high beta/gamma 20–50 Hz). The estimated heritability (h2) of the EEG phenotypes was calculated using SOLAR, and ranged from 0.16 to 0.67. Stepwise linear regression was used to detect correlations between MJ and ALC dependence and the spectral characteristics of the EEG using a model that took into account: age, gender, Native American Heritage (NAH) and a lifetime diagnosis of antisocial personality and/or conduct disorder (ASPD/CD). Increases in spectral power in the delta frequency range, were significantly correlated with gender (p<0.001) and marijuana dependence (p<0.003). Gender, age, NAH and ASPD/CD were all significantly (p<0.001) correlated with theta, alpha and beta band power, whereas alcohol dependence (p<0.01), gender (p<0.001), and ASPD/CD (p<0.001) were all correlated with high beta/gamma band power. These data suggest that the traits of EEG delta and high beta /gamma activity are correlated with MJ dependence and alcohol dependence, respectively, in this community sample of Native Americans.
The Oneiric Reality of Electronic Scents
Creators: name: Tillotson, Jenny
name: Lahiri, Kim
Publisher: name: FUTURESCAN
Year: 2019
Subjects: subject: 120306 Textile and Fashion Design
subject: FOS: Arts (arts, history of arts, performing arts, music)

description: Research paper presented at Futurescan 2: Collective Voices, Sheffield Hallam University, 10th-11th January 2013.

Futurescan 2: Collective Voices
Edited by Helena Britt, Sally Wade and Kerry WaltonDecember 2013ISBN: 978 1 907382 64 2
Geographic clustering of underage drinking and the influence of community characteristics
Creators: name: Wolfson, Mark
name: Reboussin, Beth A.
name: Preisser, John S.
name: Song, Eun-Young
Publisher: name: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University Libraries
Year: 2010

description: The aim of this paper was to examine the extent to which underage drinking clusters geographically in a sample of communities, and to investigate the manner in which community-level contexts are related to this process. We used data from a randomized community trial of underage drinking to provide the first quantitative estimates of the magnitude of the geographic clustering of underage drinking based upon pairwise odds ratios (PWORs). The Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws Randomized Community Trial provided data from repeated cross-sectional samples of youth aged 14-20 from 68 communities surveyed in 2004, 2006, and 2007 (n=18, 730). Past 30-day drinking, binge drinking, getting drunk, experiencing non-violent consequences as a result of drinking and making a purchase attempt all significantly clustered within-communities with PWORs ranging from 1.05 to 1.21. After adjustment for individual-level characteristics, results remained relatively unchanged. However, there was evidence that the magnitude of the clustering varied as a function of neighborhood disadvantage, neighborhood disorder, and family structure. Clustering of drunkenness and experiencing non-violent consequences as a result of drinking was greatest in the least economically disadvantaged and least disordered communities with the greatest percentage of married couple families. The clustering of making a purchase attempt, however, was greatest in more disordered communities, specifically the largest communities with the highest degree of residential mobility and housing density. These findings that clustering of underage drinking behaviors varies by community context has the potential for identifying the types of communities to target for underage drinking behavior-specific preventive interventions.
Atractides (Atractides) biscutatus Cook 1967
Creators: name: Pešić, Vladimir
name: Chatterjee, Tapas
name: Bordoloi, Sabitry
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2010
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Arachnida
Trombidiformes
Hygrobatidae
Atractides
Atractides biscutatus

description: Atractides (Atractides) biscutatus Cook, 1967
Records from the study area: Maharashtra, Kerala—“ Atractides (Octomegapus) biscutatus ” Cook (1967); Gujarat—Pešić & Ranga Reddy (2009); Prasad (1974); Pešić & Ranga Reddy (2009).
Habitat: Streams; probably hyporheophilous.
Distribution: India, Sri Lanka.
description: Published as part of Pešić, Vladimir, Chatterjee, Tapas & Bordoloi, Sabitry, 2010, A checklist of the water mites (Acari: Hydrachnidia) of India, with new records and description of one new species, pp. 1-54 in Zootaxa 2617 (1) on page 25, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.2617.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/197964
Evidence of high-risk sexual behaviors among injection drug users in the Kenya PLACE study
Creators: name: Mureithi, Patrick
name: Sambisa, William
name: Njeru, Carol
name: Brodish, Paul
name: Singh, Kavita
name: Weir, Sharon
name: Kingola, Nzioki
name: Rinyuri, Agnes
Publisher: name: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University Libraries
Year: 2011

description: Injection drug users (IDUs) in resource poor settings are at high risk for HIV transmission through unsafe needle-sharing and sexual practices. We report on the injecting and sexual behavior of a sample of IDUs from Malindi, Kenya.
title: An affective interface for conveying student feedback
Creators: name: Abeyratna, Savandie
Publisher: name: University of Liverpool Repository
Year: 2012

description: In the present information age, decision-makers and modern society in general are challenged by the need to effectively handle large amounts of interrelated data obtained via electronic means. This thesis attempts to addresses the need for more effective data analysis and interpretation for decision-making. In particular, the study investigates whether virtual facial expressions (FEs) can be effectively applied as a non-verbal means to convey student feedback ‘at-a-glance’ and accurately with regard to affective content. This research has a threefold aim: (i) to handle the complex nature of multi-criteria type feedback data; (ii) map the feedback data into appropriate FEs and (iii) represent the data using a non-verbal affective interface. The approach adapted is such that the two-dimensional Kano model of satisfaction is established to evaluate feedback data in accord with multiple criteria; based on this, an aggregate score is generated that best represents the student feedback. Facial expressions of emotion are mapped to one-dimensional scales and the two-dimensional satisfaction space using psychophysical methods; mappings used to convert multi-criteria based student satisfaction ratings onto a pictorial representation in the form of cartoon facial expressions. A proof-of-concept prototype of an affective interface is developed and evaluated in terms of accuracy of the proposed non-verbal feedback analysis approach. The main findings of this study are that multi-criteria evaluation that takes into account two-dimensional quality can produce measures of satisfaction significantly correlated with manual rating. Student feedback can be conveyed accurately using virtual FEs provided that the multi-criteria analysis has been successful. Use of FEs to convey student feedback is faster than conventional feedback display modes.
title: Corporate governance and institutionalization
Creators: name: Nordberg, Donald
Publisher: name: University of Liverpool Repository
Year: 2012

description: This thesis concerns corporate governance, a field that has attracted attention from a wide range of academic disciplines and evoking the often competing interests of corporations and investors. Interest in the field grew over the past three decades in response to recurrent corporate and market failures, through which it became a focal point of public policy debate as well. The complexity makes analysis both difficult and deeply rewarding. Scholars approach it from a wide variety of often conflicting theoretical perspectives, which ironically results in a field that can seem under-theorized. Studies of the field take a number of directions, presenting a challenge to all those who study it. This thesis addresses that challenge by adopting three different stances and then bringing them together under a framework based in institutional theory. An introductory chapter outlines the work, while the concluding chapter then articulates the links further and points towards an agenda for further research.
Linkage scan of alcohol dependence in the UCSF Family Alcoholism Study
Creators: name: Lee, James V.
name: Feiler, Heidi S.
name: Gilder, David A.
name: Wilhelmsen, Kirk C.
name: Vieten, Cassandra
name: Gizer, Ian R.
name: Seaton-Smith, Kimberly L.
name: Segall, Samantha K.
name: Ehlers, Cindy L.
Publisher: name: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University Libraries
Year: 2011

description: Ample data suggest alcohol dependence represents a heritable condition, and several research groups have performed linkage analysis to identify genomic regions influencing this disorder. In the present study, a genome-wide linkage scan for alcohol dependence was conducted in a community sample of 565 probands and 1080 first-degree relatives recruited through the UCSF Family Alcoholism Study. The Semi-Structured Assessment for the Genetics of Alcoholism (SSAGA) was used to derive DSM-IV alcohol dependence diagnoses. Although no loci achieved genome-wide significance (i.e., LOD score > 3.0), several linkage peaks of interest (i.e., LOD score > 1.0) were identified. When the strict DSM-IV alcohol dependence diagnosis requiring the temporal clustering of symptoms served as the phenotype, linkage peaks were identified on chromosomes 1p36.31–p36.22, 2q37.3, 8q24.3, and 18p11.21–p11.2. When the temporal clustering of symptoms was not required, linkage peaks were again identified on chromosomes 1p36.31–p36.22 and 8q24.3 as well as novel loci on chromosomes 1p22.3, 2p24.3–p24.1, 9p24.1–p23, and 22q12.3–q13.1. Follow-up analyses were conducted by performing linkage analysis for the 12 alcohol dependence symptoms assessed by the SSAGA across the support intervals for the observed linkage peaks. These analyses demonstrated that different collections of symptoms often assessing distinct aspects of alcohol dependence (e.g., uncontrollable drinking and withdrawal vs. tolerance and drinking despite health problems) contributed to each linkage peak and often yielded LOD scores exceeding that reported for the alcohol dependence diagnosis. Such findings provide insight into how specific genomic regions may influence distinct aspects of alcohol dependence.
Fluctuating Nonlinear Spring Model of Mechanical Deformation of Biological Particles
Creators: name: Kononova, Olga
name: Snijder, Joost
name: Marx, Kenneth A.
name: Wuite, Gijs J. L.
name: Roos, Wouter H.
name: Barsegov, Valeri
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2015
Subjects: subject: Biological Physics (physics.bio-ph)
subject: Soft Condensed Matter (cond-mat.soft)
subject: FOS: Physical sciences

description: We present a new theory for modeling forced indentation spectral lineshapes of biological particles, which considers non-linear Hertzian deformation due to an indenter-particle physical contact and bending deformations of curved beams modeling the particle structure. The bending of beams beyond the critical point triggers the particle dynamic transition to the collapsed state, an extreme event leading to the catastrophic force drop as observed in the force (F)-deformation (X) spectra. The theory interprets fine features of the spectra: the slope of the FX curves and the position of force-peak signal, in terms of mechanical characteristics --- the Young's moduli for Hertzian and bending deformations E_H and E_b, and the probability distribution of the maximum strength with the strength of the strongest beam F_b^* and the beams' failure rate m. The theory is applied to successfully characterize the $FX$ curves for spherical virus particles --- CCMV, TrV, and AdV.
Atractides (Atractides) acetabulensis Pesi
Creators: name: Pešić, Vladimir
name: Chatterjee, Tapas
name: Bordoloi, Sabitry
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2010
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Arachnida
Trombidiformes
Hygrobatidae
Atractides
Atractides acetabulensis

description: Atractides (Atractides) acetabulensis Peši ć & Panesar, 2009
Records from the study area: Himachal Pradesh—Pešić & Panesar (2009).
Habitat: In mosses in a mountain stream.
Distribution: India.
description: Published as part of Pešić, Vladimir, Chatterjee, Tapas & Bordoloi, Sabitry, 2010, A checklist of the water mites (Acari: Hydrachnidia) of India, with new records and description of one new species, pp. 1-54 in Zootaxa 2617 (1) on page 24, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.2617.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/197964
Use of item response theory and latent class analysis to link poly-substance use disorders with addiction severity, HIV risk, and quality of life among opioid-dependent patients in the Clinical Trials Network
Creators: name: Ling, Walter
name: Woody, George E.
name: Pan, Jeng-Jong
name: Yang, Chongming
name: Wu, Li-Tzy
name: Reeve, Bryce B.
name: Blazer, Dan G.
name: Burchett, Bruce
Publisher: name: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University Libraries
Year: 2011

description: This study applied item response theory (IRT) and latent class analysis (LCA) procedures to examine the dimensionality and heterogeneity of comorbid substance use disorders (SUDs) and explored their utility for standard clinical assessments, including the Addiction Severity Index (ASI), HIV Risk Behavior Scale (HRBS), and SF-36 quality-of-life measures.
title: Formal models of reproduction : from computer viruses to artificial life
Creators: name: Paul Webster, Matthew
Publisher: name: University of Liverpool Repository
Year: 2023

description: In this thesis we describe novel approaches to the formal description of systems which reproduce, and show that the resulting models have explanatory power and practical applications, particularly in the domain of computer virology. We start by generating a formal description of computer viruses based on formal methods and notations developed for software engineering. We then prove that our model can be used to detect metamorphic computer viruses, which are designed specifically to avoid well-established signature-based detection methods. Next, we move away from the specific case of reproducing programs, and consider formal models of reproducing things in general. We show that we can develop formal models of the ecology of a reproducer, based on a formalisation of Gibson's theory of affordances.
title: Elementarbar
Creators: name: Pikus, Laurin
Year: 2023

description: Der technologische Fortschritt bereitete dem Menschen einen Wandel in der Informationsübertragung: durch Medien des Digitalen sowie jenen des Sozialen wurde und wird es von Jahr zu Jahr einfacher, Informationen zu übermitteln sowie selbst abzurufen. Somit kehrte sich – resultierend aus den informativen Massenübertragungen einer vernetzten Gesellschaft – die Informationskultur in eine Blase der persönlichen Meinungen. Diese Informationen sind jedoch immer unter Anbetracht der eigenen Erfahrungen und Einschreibungen der rezipierenden Person zu werten: zudem ist – beim Betrachten einer Information – auch immer ein Schnittpunkt an divergierende Faktoren des jeweiligen Dispositivs, zu welchem dieses gehört, sowie durch gemeinsame Schnittpunkte auch an andere, die mit diesem korrelieren, gegeben. Anhand von zwei Beispielen – zum einen der Produktion Black Box des Wiener Volkstheater sowie Die Ärztin des Burgtheaters – untersucht diese Arbeit die Übertragungen sowie die Schnittpunkte von Informationen durch mediale Transfermittel und beleuchtet in Sinne einer kritischen Hinterfragung die individuellen Möglichkeiten, eine Information in einem größeren Ganzen zu betrachten. Somit wird der Weg zum gegenseitigen Verständnis einer individuellen Wahrheit gezeichnet, welche die Meinung der Vielen akzeptiert und reflexiv eine Verbindung durch sämtliche Grenzen bestehender Gattungen zieht.
title: Computational analysis of dynamics within the Nuclear Factor-kappaB signalling system
Creators: name: West, Simon
Publisher: name: University of Liverpool Repository
Year: 2013

description: The Nuclear Factor kappaB (NF-κB) proteins are a very important family of transcription factors. The signalling system of the NF-κB transcription factors drives cellular inflammation and immune responses, playing a central role in cell proliferation and apoptosis. NF-κB regulates the transcription of over 300 target genes including several negative feedback genes, such as the Inhibitory kappaBs (IκBs) and zinc-finger protein A20. Disruption to NF-κB signalling has been implicated in many autoimmune diseases and cancers. The ever growing list of diseases in which NF-κB is deregulated has made this one of the most intensely studied eukaryotic transcription factors. In response to continuous TNFα stimulation the system exhibits nuclear-cytoplasmic oscillations in the localisation of NF-κB with a robust period. Pulsatile stimulation causes nuclear translocations of NF-κB that are entrained to the pulse frequency. The altered frequency of these oscillations results in a different pattern of NF-κB dependent gene expression. This suggests the hypothesis that altering the frequency of NF-κB oscillations could provide a novel means to control the output of the system, allowing the exploitation of this system as a therapeutic target. The complex nonlinear dynamics in the NF-κB system make it an ideal candidate for a systems level analysis. Throughout this thesis a Systems Biology approach has been used to elucidate, both computationally and experimentally, how the period of NF-κB oscillations can be altered. This involved the development of a computational framework to characterise core network topology and parameter sensitivities of a recent deterministic model of the NF-κB system. Within this framework a model reduction algorithm has been described that has general applications to many other biochemical models. Bifurcation theory has been employed to characterise the system’s sensitivities. Computational analyses provided a basis to relate new experimental insights to our existing understanding of the system. Ectopic expression of the negative feedbacks IκBα and A20 showed different effects on the NF-κB oscillatory period. Computational analysis demonstrated that the manipulation of the delay in their transcriptional initiation could markedly change their influence on the oscillations. Single cell imaging also revealed a portion of A20 localised in perinuclear compartments. Two novel perturbations to the NF-κB dynamics are also considered: the effect after treatment with the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) diclofenac, and the effect of altered temperature. Theoretical analyses of these data lead to a number of hypotheses about how such perturbations influence the system. Ultimately, this thesis presents a number of new insights into modulating the period of NF-κB oscillations and computational tools to aid in the analysis of biochemical networks.