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Background: The decision making process undertaken during wildfire responses is complex and prone to uncertainty. In the US, decisions federal land managers make are influenced by numerous and often competing factors. Aims: To assess and validate the presence of decision factors relevant to the wildfire decision making context that were previously known and to identify those that have emerged since the US federal wildfire policy was updated in 2009. Methods: Interviews were conducted across the US while wildfires were actively burning to elucidate time-of-fire decision factors. Data were coded and thematically analysed. Key results: Most previously known decision factors as well as numerous emergent factors were identified. Conclusions: To contextualise decision factors within the decision making process, we offer a Wildfire Decision Framework that has value for policy makers seeking to improve decision making, managers improving their process and wildfire social science researchers. Implications: Managers may gain a better understanding of their decision environment and use our framework as a tool to validate their deliberations. Researchers may use these data to help explain the various pressures and influences modern land and wildfire managers experience. Policy makers and agencies may take institutional steps to align the actions of their staff with desired wildfire outcomes. This research expands on previous work exploring the decision making of US Forest Service wildfire managers, using social science methods to elucidate the factors that help drive their decisions to suppress or manage wildfires. We found a complex network of factors that show increasing ambiguity in the wildfire decision environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anglo-Indian Literature is written by Englishmen who are interested in Indian themes and subjects. Indo-Anglian literature and Indian English literature are closely related. Indo-Anglian literature frequently addresses social and domestic themes. It's an English-language genre created by Indian writers. There is a distinction between Indo-Anglian and Anglo-Indian literature. A few contemporary genius authors, like Mulk Raj Anand, R. K. Narayan, Kamala Das, Raja Rao, and Nirad Chaudhuri, are accountable for giving Indo-Anglian literature its specific label, standing, and renown even if it is separate from Anglo-Indian literature. It has been acknowledged that Kamala Das was a pivotal person and voice of her contemporary era. She distinguished and emphasized the Indian identity, setting an example for others to follow rather than copying the techniques of the English modernists. Her poetry is impassioned, energizing, and breaks from the past. Acclaimed for being the most candid and controversial writer, she rose to prominence as the "Voice of Women's Sexuality." Before converting to Islam, she wrote in English under the pen name Kamala Das and published in Malayalam under the pseudonym Madhavikutty. Her bad sexual relationship with her husband, Madhava Das, has been openly discussed, and it is mostly to blame for her notoriety in Kerala. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strategies to control ongoing biological invasions are often developed by modelling the invasive species' population and aiming to reduce its abundance. However, if the ultimate objective is to protect and restore native species, focussing solely on the invader may not be optimal because it does not account for (i) species interactions that can cause the invader's impacts to depend nonlinearly on its abundance, (ii) collateral damages to native species incurred due to nonspecific removal methods or (iii) native‐invader trait differences.To identify an invader suppression strategy that maximizes average native population size, we applied optimal control theory to a two‐species model of a native species threatened by an invasive competitor. We examined trade‐offs between iterative physical removals that selectively target invaders and intensifiable chemical control that is nonselective but has higher efficacy.We found that while iterative removals were capable of supporting large native populations when applied continuously, cost could be prohibitively high. In contrast, when favourable native‐invader trait differences enabled native species to re‐establish more quickly than invaders, intensifiable methods could achieve substantial restoration benefits at lower cost by focussing removal effort into periodic, high‐efficacy events.In a metapopulation, removals that rotated among spatial patches were optimal when the native species had higher dispersal, whereas synchronous removals were preferred when native recovery was initiated locally and the invader could disperse.For a case study in Hawaiian streams, we compared how effective two alternative methods of removing invasive live‐bearing fishes (poeciliids) might be at restoring the endemic freshwater goby Sicyopterus stimpsoni. We found that rotenone (a piscicidal chemical) offered superior benefits when the control budget was small and efficacy was high, but that electrofishing (use of electricity to manually collect target fish) was better with larger budgets and in many lower‐efficacy scenarios.Synthesis and applications. Our findings demonstrate that, by accounting for species interactions and collateral damage, invasive species control strategies can be optimized in light of species traits. Choices about the timing, locations and types of removal events present opportunities to increase the efficiency with which invasive species suppression benefits native species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Researchers have long debated whether salient distractors have the power to automatically capture attention. Recent research has suggested a potential resolution, called the signal suppression hypothesis, whereby salient distractors produce a bottom-up salience signal, but can be suppressed to prevent visual distraction. This account, however, has been criticized on the grounds that previous studies may have used distractors that were only weakly salient. This claim has been difficult to empirically test because there are currently no well-established measures of salience. The current study addresses this by introducing a psychophysical technique to measure salience. First, we generated displays that aimed to manipulate the salience of two color singletons via color contrast. We then verified that this manipulation was successful using a psychophysical technique to determine the minimum exposure duration required to detect each color singleton. The key finding was that high-contrast singletons were detected at briefer exposure thresholds than low-contrast singletons, suggesting that high-contrast singletons were more salient. Next, we evaluated the participants' ability to ignore these singletons in a task in which they were task irrelevant. The results showed that, if anything, high-salience singletons were more strongly suppressed than low-salience singletons. These results generally support the signal suppression hypothesis and refute claims that highly salient singletons cannot be ignored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background. The small portion of fires that escape initial attack (IA) have the greatest impacts on communities and incur most suppression costs. Early identification of fires with potential for escaping IA can prompt fire managers to order additional suppression resources, issue timely public warnings and plan longer-term containment strategies when they have the greatest potential for reducing a fire's impact. Aims. To develop IA models from a state-wide incident dataset containing novel variables that can be used to estimate the probability of IA when a new fire has been reported. Methods. A large dataset was compiled from bushfire incident records, geographical data and weather observations across the state of Victoria (n = 35 154) and was used to develop logistic regression models predicting the probability of initial attack success in grassland-, forest- and shrubland-dominated vegetation types. Key results. Models including input variables describing weather conditions, travel delay, slope and distance from roads were able to reasonably discriminate fires contained to 5 ha. Conclusions and implications. The models can be used to estimate IA success - using information available when the location of a new fire can be estimated - and they can be used to prompt planning for larger fires. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the intermediary role of rumination in the relationship between childhood traumas in young adults and cognitive defusion, psychological acceptance, and suppression which is one of the emotion regulation strategies. In the quantitative stage of the study formed according to the explanatory sequential design, the intermediary role of rumination by using a structural equation model while in the qualitative stage, the intermediary role of rumination was analyzed through interviews using the interpretive phenomenology design. Personal Information Form, Childhood Trauma Scale, Short Form Ruminative Response Scale, Acceptance and Action Form II, Drexel Defusion Scale, and Emotion Regulation Scale were used in the research. At the end of the research, it was determined that childhood traumas have a negative effect on cognitive defusion and acceptance, while they have a positive effect on suppression. It was seen that rumination has a partial intermediary role in the relationship of childhood traumas with cognitive defusion, acceptance, and suppression. As a result of the qualitative analysis, twelve themes such as "Constantly thinking about the past, not being able to move away from childhood traumas, not being able to forgive their parents, inability to get rid of negative thoughts, living in the past, moving away from a value-driven life, false expression of emotion, suppression of emotions, emotions reflected in behavior, coping with negative emotions and desired emotion regulation" emerged concerning participants' experiences of cognitive defusion, acceptance, and suppression. Although one of the purposes of using AAQ-II in the study was to support discussions about the scale via qualitative results, this was a limitation for the study. Therefore, although a high rate was obtained, it is not possible to infer that childhood traumas and rumination can explain acceptance behaviors. For this, much more quantitative and qualitative studies are needed. Other qualitative research findings are thought to support quantitative research findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Currently, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have undergone tremendous development, and in a short time have gone a long way to improvement. Due to the relatively low price and ease of use, drones are widely used in many areas of both civil and special applications. For example, they are widely used to prevent potential threats to public safety and personal integrity. It is necessary to deploy a drone protection system in a sensitive area in order to determine the coordinates of a flying UAV by various detection methods. Materials and methods. The paper provides an overview of drone surveillance technologies, a comparative analysis of detection methods for use in the UAV counteraction system. The analysis of existing systems of protection against them, as well as an analysis of existing systems and methods of multifactorial counteraction to small-sized UAVs is given. The architecture of the UAV counteraction system based on passive detection methods and multifactorial suppression is given. Results and conclusions. A drone protection system is proposed that combines several technologies for passive surveillance, coordinate calculation and radio frequency interference delivery, as well as a selection of sensor characteristics and functions necessary to create a combined UAV counteraction system. A description of the operation of individual elements of the small-sized UAV counteraction system is given.

We investigated the role of alpha in the suppression of attention capture by salient but to-be-suppressed (negative and nonpredictive) color cues, expecting a potential boosting effect of alpha-rhythmic entrainment on feature-specific cue suppression. We did so by presenting a rhythmically flickering visual bar of 10 Hz before the cue - either on the cue’s side or opposite the cue -while an arrhythmically flickering visual bar was presented on the respective other side. We hypothesized that rhythmic entrainment at cue location could enhance the suppression of the cue. Testing 27 participants ranging from 18 to 39 years of age, we found both behavioral and electrophysiological evidence of suppression: Search times for a target at a negatively cued location were delayed relative to a target away from the cued location (inverse validity effects). In addition, an event-related potential indicative for suppression (the Distractor Positivity, Pd) was observed following rhythmic but not arrhythmic stimulation, indicating that suppression was boosted by the stimulation. This was also echoed in higher spectral power and intertrial phase coherence of EEG at rhythmically versus arrhythmically stimulated electrode sites, albeit only at the second harmonic (20 Hz), but not at the stimulation frequency. In addition, inverse validity effects were not modulated by rhythmic entrainment congruent with the cue side. Hence, we propose that rhythmic visual stimulation in the alpha range could support suppression, though behavioral evidence remains elusive, in contrast to electrophysiological findings.

Aut dedere (extradition) is an erga omnes obligation towards the international community aimed at closing the gate of safe haven so that the international criminal will face the consequence of his heinous act directed at the international community from the requesting state. The term aut dedere has not been used in conventions or treaties until the eighteenth century. This paper examines the necessity of integrating the doctrine of 'aut dedere' (extradition) into International Aviation Conventions to combat civil aviation offenses and seeks to explore its treatment under Islamic law, and the potential for punishment for refusal to extradite offenders. Through doctrinal legal research, the paper reveals that while aut dedere is obligatory under conventional law, it lacks enforceability without associated punishments. Conversely, extradition under Islamic law is deemed mandatory due to its universal nature. The paper underscores the relevance of Islamic jurisprudence in modern international legal frameworks and recommends amendments to International Civil Aviation Organization conventions to enforce extradition provisions and recognize civil aviation crimes as international offences, consistent with Islamic legal principles.

IntroductionRecent research has uncovered a wide prevalence variation of suicidal ideation in university students ranging from 9.7% to 58.3%. India has witnessed a 4.5% increase in suicide rates in the year 2021. The interplay between cognitive reappraisal of a stressful situation, suppression of emotional expression, and coping strategies for suicidal ideation of Indian University students is yet to be explored. We aim to determine whether suicidal ideation would differ across different types of family units, and to predict the extent to which perceived social support and avoidant coping could mediate the relation between emotion regulation processes and suicidal ideation.MethodsTwo hundred randomly selected University students (Mean age = 19.9, SD = 1.43) participated. Kruskal-Wallis, Pearson's product-moment correlation, and GLM mediation model were computed.Results and discussionLifetime suicidal ideation significantly differed between those who stay alone and those who live in a nuclear family (p < 0.01), and also those who stay in a joint family (p < 0.05). Cognitive reappraisal predicted a reduction in suicidal ideation mediated by perceived social support (B = −0.06, p < 0.05) and avoidant coping (B = −0.07, p < 0.05). Whereas, expressive suppression predicted induced levels of suicidal ideation through perceived social support (B = 0.05, p < 0.05), and avoidant coping (B = 0.06, p < 0.05) as mediators.ConclusionThough our sample size restricts the generalization, our findings implied the importance of regular psychological consultation regarding the efficacy of the said coping processes in dealing with suicidal ideation.

This study investigates the role of emotion regulation strategies on achievement emotions among tertiary-level English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students. It also explores the strategies employed by students to regulate these emotions. Employing a mixed-method sequential explanatory design, data was collected from forty-nine language learners attending prep-classes at the Department of Foreign Languages in a state university in Türkiye. The participants were categorized based on their utilization of cognitive reappraisal (CR), expressive suppression (ES), or a combination of both emotion regulation strategies (ERSs). They completed the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire and the Academic Emotions Questionnaire-Foreign Language Classroom to assess differences in achievement emotions among groups. Subsequently, the participants provided narratives regarding their perceptions and regulation of emotions. Thematic analysis using MAXQDA (Version 2020) was conducted. Results revealed significant variations in emotions among groups, with the ES group reporting lower levels of positive emotions and higher levels of negative emotions compared to others. The study underscores the importance of evaluating emotion regulation strategies to foster sustainable and enjoyable language learning environments.

Cancer is still one of the leading causes of death, with an estimated 19.3 million new cases every year. Our paper presents the tumor-suppressing effect of Taenia crassiceps and Mesocestoides corti on B16F10 melanoma, the intraperitoneal application of which followed the experimental infection with these tapeworms, resulting in varying degrees of effectiveness in two strains of mice. In the case of M. corti-infected ICR mice, a strong tumor growth suppression occurred, which was accompanied by a significant reduction in the formation of distant metastases in the liver and lung. Tapeworm-infected C57BL/6J mice also showed a suppression of tumor growth and, in addition, the overall survival of infected C57BL/6J mice was significantly improved. Experiments with potential cross-reaction of melanoma and tapeworm antigens with respective specific antibodies, restimulation of spleen T cells, or the direct effect of tapeworm excretory-secretory products on melanoma cells in vitro could not explain the phenomenon. However, infections with T. crassiceps and M. corti increased the number of leukocytes possibly involved in anti-tumor immunity in the peritoneal cavity of both ICR and C57BL/6J mice. This study unveils the complex interplay between tapeworm infections, immune responses, and melanoma progression, emphasizing the need for further exploration of the mechanisms driving observed tumor-suppressive effects.

Reappraisal (reconstruing emotional experiences to alter their impact) and suppression (inhibiting emotionally expressive behavior) are emotion-regulation strategies with important implications for depression. While reappraisal generally predicts lower depressive symptoms, suppression generally predicts higher depressive symptoms. Because cultural factors can influence the processes involved in these links and because adolescence-especially for ethnic minority youth-brings particular emotional challenges, it's critical to investigate these links among Mexican-origin adolescents. However, research examining emotion regulation among Mexican-origin individuals is scarce and generally limited to cross-sectional designs. Thus, we examined prospective associations between reappraisal and suppression (assessed at age 17) and 2 facets of depressive symptoms (anhedonia and general distress) over 3 years (assessed at ages 16, 18, and 19) among 228 Mexican-origin adolescents. Latent growth curve models indicated that reappraisal was associated with lower anhedonia at baseline (age 16) and lower anhedonia over time, whereas suppression predicted greater anhedonia at baseline but not change over time. Consistent with the Mexican cultural value of simpatía, which emphasizes expressing positive emotions and inhibiting negative emotions, suppression of positive emotions was associated with greater anhedonia over time whereas suppression of negative emotions was associated with lower anhedonia over time. However, neither associated with anhedonia at baseline. Reappraisal and suppression were not associated with distress symptoms, and no effects were moderated by familism, household income, gender, or child nativity. The anhedonia results suggest that the benefits of reappraisal extend to Mexican-origin adolescents, but the effects of suppression may depend upon emotional valence in this group. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Changing global fire regimes including extended fire seasons due to climate change may increase the co-occurrence of high-impact fires that overwhelm national fire suppression capacities. These shifts increase the demand for international resource sharing to supplement national fire suppression efforts. In this paper, we explore the development and evaluate the effectiveness of international resource sharing arrangements of three regions: (1) The United States, Canada, and Australia (“Big Three”); (2) Europe; and (3) Southeast Asia by conducting a literature review of gray and peer- reviewed literature in combination with key informant interviews. For the “Big Three” and Europe, international resource sharing is perceived as necessary, effective, and continuously improving. Converging fire management processes and training and developing more effective administrative procedures facilitate these relationships. In Southeast Asia, political tensions and limited firefighting capacities have hampered effective cooperation. Formalized agreements of country-to-country support for fire management are nascent and evolving, and there is evidence that demand for expanding and improving these partnerships is increasing.

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are extensively utilized in electric vehicles (EVs), energy storage systems, and related fields due to their superior performance and high energy density. However, battery-related incidents, particularly fires, are increasingly common. This paper aims to first summarize the flame behavior of LIBs and then thoroughly examine the factors influencing this behavior. Based on these factors, methods for suppressing LIB flames are identified. The factors affecting flame behavior are categorized into two groups: internal and external. The paper then reviews the flame behavior within battery modules, particularly in confined spaces, from both experimental and simulation perspectives. Furthermore, methods for suppressing battery flames are classified into active and passive techniques, allowing for a more comprehensive analysis of their effectiveness. The paper concludes with a summary and outlook, offering new insights for future research and contributing to the development of safer and more efficient battery systems.

Understanding the transport mechanism is crucial for developing inhibitors that block allergen absorption and transport and prevent allergic reactions. However, the process of how beta-conglycinin, the primary allergen in soybeans, crosses the intestinal mucosal barrier remains unclear. The present study indicated that the transport of beta-conglycinin hydrolysates by IPEC-J2 monolayers occurred in a time- and quantity-dependent manner. The beta-conglycinin hydrolysates were absorbed into the cytoplasm of IPEC-J2 monolayers, while none were detected in the intercellular spaces. Furthermore, inhibitors such as methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (MβCD) and chlorpromazine (CPZ) significantly suppressed the absorption and transport of beta-conglycinin hydrolysates. Of particular interest, sodium cromoglycate (SCG) exhibited a quantity-dependent nonlinear suppression model on the absorption and transport of beta-conglycinin hydrolysates. In conclusion, beta-conglycinin crossed the IPEC-J2 monolayers through a transcellular pathway, involving both clathrin-mediated and caveolae-dependent endocytosis mechanisms. SCG suppressed the absorption and transport of beta-conglycinin hydrolysates by the IPEC-J2 monolayers by a quantity-dependent nonlinear model via clathrin-mediated and caveolae-dependent endocytosis. These findings provide promising targets for both the prevention and treatment of soybean allergies.

Luck et al. (2021) reviewed evidence that observers can learn to suppress attentional capture by salient distractors. Several commentaries were written in response to this review paper, many of which raised important and interesting issues. Here, we respond to these commentaries. Although there has been substantial progress in the attentional capture debate, there are still remaining issues that need to be addressed before the debate is completely resolved. Specifically, we summarize the need for an independent measure of bottom-up salience and better metrics of how attentional control unfolds over time. Ultimately, the field may need a more refined theoretical model of visual attention that distinguishes between attentional priority, attentional orienting, and attentional engagement.

In addition to noise and vibration, cavitation also lowers the efficiency, performance, and working lives of two-dimensional valves. To study the effect of cavitation on the flow characteristics of two-dimensional valves, standard turbulence model and an energy equation model were selected, and the local entropy production rate was defined using the custom field function. The entropy production theory was introduced to numerically simulate the cavitation flow in a two-dimensional valve, and based on this, the structure of the pilot stage of the valve was optimized. The results showed that there was a distinct correlation between the entropy production and the flow characteristics of the valve. When the mass flow rate changed, the entropy production also changed. The turbulent dissipation entropy production always accounted for more than 50% of the total entropy production in the flow field. In the valve sleeve chute area downstream of the valve throttling port, turbulence dissipation entropy production was concentrated; and the energy loss was large. According to the optimization of the structure of this area, the total entropy production of the side-V-slot valve sleeve structure was 7.46% lower than that of the unslotted valve sleeve structure for different valve openings, while the total entropy production of the rear-V-slot valve sleeve structure was 14.31% higher. The energy loss caused by cavitation could be better reduced using a V-shaped groove on the side of the valve sleeve.

Yukari Shiraishi, Akemi Wakayama, Fumiko Matsumoto, Fumi Tanabe, Shunji Kusaka Department of Ophthalmology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka-sayama City, Osaka, JapanCorrespondence: Yukari Shiraishi, Department of Ophthalmology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, 377-2, Ohnohigashi, Osaka-sayama City, Osaka, 589-8511, Japan, Tel +81-72-366-0221 Ext 2216, Fax +81-72-368-2559, Email yukari.seki@med.kindai.ac.jpPurpose: To investigate the association between stereoacuity and suppression during occlusion therapy for patients with anisometropic amblyopia.Design: Retrospective study.Patients and Methods: This study included 19 patients with hyperopic anisometropic amblyopia who underwent occlusion therapy. The mean age of the patients was 5.5 ± 1.4 years. The participants were evaluated for improvement in stereoacuity and suppression before beginning occlusion therapy, when the highest amblyopic visual acuity (VA) was achieved, during tapering, at the end of occlusion therapy, and at the final visit. Stereoacuity was evaluated using the TNO test or JACO stereo test. The presence of suppression was evaluated using circle No. 1 of the Stereo Fly Test or JACO results as the optotype.Results: Of the 19 patients, 13 (68.4%) had suppression before occlusion, eight (42.1%) when the highest VA was achieved, five (26.3%) during tapering, and none at the final visit. Of the 13 patients with suppression before occlusion, 10 (76.9%) showed further improvement in stereoacuity when suppression disappeared, and nine had foveal stereopsis of 60 arcseconds. A significant association was confirmed between foveal stereopsis and suppression when the highest VA was achieved and during the tapering period (P< 0.05, Fisher’s exact test).Conclusion: Suppression was observed even when the VA in amblyopic eyes reached the highest score. By gradually decreasing the duration of occlusion, suppression was eliminated, leading to the acquisition of foveal stereopsis.Keywords: amblyopic visual acuity, foveal stereopsis, occlusion therapy, suppression

The mRNA-LNP vaccine has received much attention during the COVID-19 pandemic since it served as the basis of the most widely used SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in Western countries. Based on early clinical trial data, these vaccines were deemed safe and effective for all demographics. However, the latest data raise serious concerns about the safety and effectiveness of these vaccines. Here, we review some of the safety and efficacy concerns identified to date. We also discuss the potential mechanism of observed adverse events related to the use of these vaccines and whether they can be mitigated by alterations of this vaccine mechanism approach.

Malaria remains a significant global health concern causing numerous fatalities and the emergence of antimalarial drug resistance highlights the urgent need for novel therapeutic options with innovative mechanisms of action and targets. This study aimed to design potential inhibitors of Plasmodium falciparum 6-pyruvoyltetrahydropterin synthase (PfPTPS), synthesize them, and experimentally validate their efficacy as antimalarial agents. A structure-based approach was employed to design a series of novel derivatives, including amidinyl, amidoximyl and hydroxamic acid analogs (1c, 1d, 2b, and 3b), with a focus on their ability to bind to the Zn2+ present in the active site of PfPTPS. The syntheses of these compounds were accomplished through various multi-step synthetic pathways and their structural identities were confirmed using 1H and 13C NMR spectra, mass spectra, and elemental analysis. The compounds were screened for their antiplasmodial activity against the NF54 strain of P. falciparum and in vitro cytotoxicity testing was performed using L-6 cells. The in vivo acute toxicity of the compounds was evaluated in mice. Docking studies of the compounds with the 3D structure of PfPTPS revealed their strong binding affinities, with compound 3b exhibiting notable metal–acceptor interaction with the Zn2+ in the protein binding pocket thereby positioning it as a lead compound for PfPTPS inhibition. The in vitro antiplasmodial studies revealed moderate efficacies against the Pf NF54 strain, particularly compounds 1d and 3b which displayed IC50

Dysfunctional activity of the rostral anterior cingulate cortex (rACC) – an extensively connected hub region of the default mode network – has been broadly linked to cognitive and affective impairments in depression. However, the nature of aberrant task-related rACC suppression in depression is incompletely understood. In this study, we sought to characterize functional connectivity of rACC activity suppression (‘deactivation’) – an essential feature of rACC function – during external task engagement in depression. Specifically, we aimed to explore neural patterns of functional decoupling and coupling with the rACC during its task-driven suppression. We enrolled 81 15- to 25-year-old young people with moderate-to-severe major depressive disorder (MDD) before they commenced a 12-week clinical trial that assessed the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy plus either fluoxetine or placebo. Ninety-four matched healthy controls were also recruited. Participants completed a functional magnetic resonance imaging face matching task known to elicit rACC suppression. To identify brain regions associated with the rACC during its task-driven suppression, we employed a seed-based functional connectivity analysis. We found MDD participants, compared to controls, showed significantly reduced ‘decoupling’ of the rACC with extended task-specific regions during task performance. Specifically, less decoupling was observed in the occipital and fusiform gyrus, dorsal ACC, medial prefrontal cortex, cuneus, amygdala, thalamus, and hippocampus. Notably, impaired decoupling was apparent in participants who did not remit to treatment, but not treatment remitters. Further, we found MDD participants showed significant increased coupling with the anterior insula cortex during task engagement. Our findings indicate that aberrant task-related rACC suppression is associated with disruptions in adaptive neural communication and dynamic switching between internal and external cognitive modes that may underpin maladaptive cognitions and biased emotional processing in depression.

BackgroundTanzania is one of the countries with a high burden of HIV. It has an estimated 1.4 million people living with HIV in 2021. Adolescents living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy (ART) have worse treatment adherence, viral suppression, and mortality rates compared to adults. This study aim was to determine the trend of non-suppression among adolescents on ART in Tanzania from 2018 to 2021 and latest associated predictors.MethodologyThe study utilized data of adolescents (10–19 years) receiving ART in Tanzania mainland for the period of 2018–2021 from the National Care and Treatment Centers database. The primary outcome of interest was non-suppression of viral load, defined as a VL above 1,000 copies/ml. The study employed multivariable logistic regression models to identify factors associated with non-suppression of VL. STATA 15 statistical software was used to analyze the data.ResultsRecords of 65,942 adolescents present in the CTC database Tanzania were analyzed. Approximately more than half were female 38,544 (58.5%). The proportion of non-suppression was 34.5%, 23.3%, 12.1%, and 9.7% for the years 2018–2021, respectively. After adjusting for other factors, adolescents with a history of poor adherence to ART in the last six months had higher odds of non-suppression (OR = 1.95, 95% CI = 1.64, 2.31). Adolescents on second or third line ART regimens were almost two times more likely to be non-suppressed compared to those on first-line regimens (OR = 2.85, 95% CI = 2.52, 3.23). Girls had lower odds of non-suppression compared to boys (OR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.84, 0.98), and similarly, patients attending hospitals had lower odds compared to those attending dispensaries (OR = 0.79, 95% CI = 0.72, 0.87).ConclusionBeing female, having good history of adherence over the last six months, and attending hospital level was significantly associated with lower levels of non-suppression, while being on second line ART or attending lower health facilities increased the odds of non-suppression. Efforts to enhance the quality and capacity of health services at lower-level facilities (dispensaries and health centers) should be prioritized, as well as promoting gender-sensitive approaches that take into account the unique needs and experiences of adolescent girls and boys are needed to improve VL suppression among this population.

PurposeRecent investigations observed substantial enhancements in binocular balance, visual acuity, and stereovision among older children and adults with amblyopia by patching the amblyopic eye (i.e., inverse patching) for 2 h daily over 2 months. Despite these promising findings, the precise neural mechanisms underlying inverse patching remain elusive. This study endeavors to delve deeper into the neural alterations induced by inverse patching, focusing on steady-state visual evoked potentials (SSVEPs). We specifically investigate the changes in SSVEPs following monocular deprivation of either the fellow eye or the amblyopic eye in older amblyopic children and adults.MethodTen participants (17.60 ± 2.03 years old; mean ± SEM), clinically diagnosed with anisometropic amblyopia, were recruited for this study. Each participant underwent a 120 min patching session on their fellow eye on the first day, followed by a similar session on their amblyopic eye on the second day. Baseline steady-state visual evoked potentials (SSVEPs) measurements were collected each day prior to patching, with post-patching SSVEPs measurements obtained immediately after the patching session. The experimental design incorporated a binocular rivalry paradigm, utilizing SSVEPs measurements.ResultsThe results revealed that inverse patching induced a heightened influence on neural plasticity, manifesting in a reduction of interocular suppression from the fellow eye to the amblyopic eye. In contrast, patching the fellow eye demonstrated negligible effects on the visual cortex. Furthermore, alterations in interocular suppression subsequent to inverse patching exhibited a correlation with the visual acuity of the amblyopic eye.ConclusionInverse patching emerges as a promising therapeutic avenue for adolescents and adults grappling with severe anisometropic amblyopia that proves refractory to conventional interventions. This innovative approach exhibits the potential to induce more robust neural plasticity within the visual cortex, thereby modulating neural interactions more effectively than traditional amblyopia treatments.

This paper critically evaluates the Suppression Threshold Strategy (STS) for controlling Covid-19 (C-19). STS asserts a “fundamental distinction” between suppression and mitigation strategies, reflected in very different outcomes in eventual mortality depending on whether reproductive number R is caused to fall below 1. We show that there is no real distinction based on any value of R which falls in any case from early on in an epidemic wave. We show that actual mortality outcomes lay on a continuum, correlating with suppression levels, but not exhibiting any step changes or threshold effects. We argue that an excessive focus on achieving suppression at all costs, driven by the erroneous notion that suppression is a threshold, led to a lack of information on how to trade off the effects of different specific interventions. This led many countries to continue with inappropriate intervention-packages even after it became clear that their initial goal was not going to be attained. Future pandemic planning must support the design of “Plan B'', which may be quite different from “Plan A''.

Combustible dust may result in a catastrophic dust explosion with much larger accident consequences than gas explosions. In this study, porous materials are explored as a promising solution for mitigating explosions. This study focussed on the investigation of aluminium powder explosion in the influence of ceramic foam, with and without coating with non-precious nickel nanopowders. The microscopic properties and structural characteristics of the ceramic foam were analyzed using X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry, and scanning electron microscopy. The findings revealed that the nickel-coated ceramic foams are non-uniform and almost spherical in shape, with obvious agglomerations of metallic-silica present on the strut structure. Compared to non-coated ceramic, it can be said that nickel-coated ceramic foams demonstrate a significant reduction in maximum overpressure by approximately 10%. This suggests that the interconnected micro-network structure of the nickel-ceramic walls aids in quenching the flame of the aluminium dust explosion and hence, suppressing the overpressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Extraction conditions influence the suppressiveness ability of compost extracts. • Aggressive temperatures promote a higher extraction of phenolic compounds. • Mild temperatures guarantee the preservation of enzymatic activities. • Protocols based on high temperatures reduce the abundance of actinobacteria. • Mesophilic conditions boost extracts' suppressiveness according to incubation time. The search for new sustainable alternatives for plant disease control has gained interest in the last decades. Compost extracts are nowadays considered a remarkable alternative to agrochemicals due to their biopesticidal properties. However, these properties could be affected by the different variables of extraction protocols and by starting compost. This work focused on the physicochemical and biological characterization of compost extracts obtained from a wide range of composted materials and different extraction protocols (CEP). CEP-1 and CEP-4 involved incubation at 20 °C for 48 h and 14 days, respectively; CEP-2 incubation for 24 h at 40 °C; while CEP-3 were incubated for 12 h at 70 °C. Electrical conductivity, pH, total organic carbon (TOC) and phenolic content were determined as well as the actinobacterial count and enzyme profiles related to plant pathogen suppression. Additionally, the influence of the different materials and protocols on the in vitro growth inhibition of Alternaria alternata and Botrytis cinerea was determined. The starting materials and extraction protocols significantly influenced the physicochemical and biological characteristics of extracts. Treatments based on long incubation times at 20 °C, as well as those based on short incubation times at 40 °C, resulted in extracts with increased suppressive properties. However, extracts derived from CEP-3 protocol were characterized by high phenolic and TOC content, low functional biodiversity, and a more discreet antagonistic capacity. Therefore, the development and optimization of suitable extraction protocols could lead to compost extracts with increased phytoprotective capacities, thus becoming an effective and sustainable alternative to chemical inputs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

X chromosome meiotic drive (XCMD) kills Y‐bearing sperm during spermatogenesis, leading to the biased transmission of the selfish X chromosome. Despite this strong transmission, some natural XCMD systems remain at low and stable frequencies, rather than rapidly spreading through populations. The reason may be that male carriers can have reduced fitness, as they lose half of their sperm, only produce daughters, and may carry deleterious alleles associated with XCMD. Thus, females may benefit from avoiding mating with male carriers, yielding a further reduction in fitness. Genetic suppressors of XCMD, which block the killing of Y sperm and restore fair Mendelian inheritance, are also common and could prevent the spread of XCMD. However, whether suppressed males are as fit as a wild‐type male remains an open question, as the effect that genetic suppressors may have on a male's mating success is rarely considered. Here, we investigate the mating ability of XCMD males and suppressed XCMD males in comparison to wild‐type males in the fruit fly Drosophila subobscura, where drive remains at a stable frequency of 20% in wild populations where it occurs. We use both competitive and non‐competitive mating trials to evaluate male mating success in this system. We found no evidence that unsuppressed XCMD males were discriminated against. Remarkably, however, their suppressed XCMD counterparts had a higher male mating success compared to wild‐type controls. Unsuppressed XCMD males suffered 12% lower offspring production in comparison to wild‐type males. This cost appears too weak to counter the transmission advantage of XCMD, and thus the factors preventing the spread of XCMD remain unclear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Infection is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs). Prolonged suppressive therapy should be strongly considered and is often used in patients with recurrent infections when source control cannot be achieved. Dalbavancin is a promising option in patients with LVADs requiring prolonged durations of antibiotic therapy, especially when no oral alternatives are available. Methods This case series included 8 patients receiving dalbavancin for the long-term suppression of gram-positive infections at Emory University Hospital and Emory St Joseph's Hospital. Results The overall incidence of breakthrough infections occurred in 5 of the 8 patients included in the study. One patient experienced an early breakthrough infection within 1 month of dalbavancin initiation. Another experienced a breakthrough infection within 3 and 6 months of dalbavancin initiation, and the final 3 patients experienced a breakthrough infection within 6 and 12 months. The average duration of dalbavancin suppression therapy among all patients was 229 days, and no adverse effects were reported. Conclusions Dalbavancin is a promising option in patients who require long-term suppression for chronic gram-positive LVAD infections, given its unique pharmacokinetic profile and excellent tissue penetration. The use of biweekly dalbavancin infusions in our 8 patients prevented infection for an extended period of time despite some of the patients not being able to consistently receive infusions. Larger studies are needed to determine the efficacy and safety of using dalbavancin for long-term suppression of gram-positive LVAD infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid & White) Chitwood is one of the most important species causing yield and quality reduction in crops worldwide. Because they are of soil origin, the control of this nematode is very difficult and uneconomical. Due to environmental problems caused by intensive pesticides used to control plant diseases and pests, research on alternative control methods has increased. One of the most valuable alternative control methods is biological control. This work was conducted to determine the larvicidal effects of isolates of fungi and bacterial species, whose bio-insecticidal effects are known and widely studied, against second-stage juveniles (J2) of root-knot nematode M. incognita race 2. In the experiments, fungal isolates of Beauveria bassiana (ET 10, ET 101) and Aspergillus flavus (ET 95, ET 102) and bacterial strains of Brevibacillus brevis (FD-1), Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kenyae (FDP-8, FDP-42), Bacillus atrophaeus (FD-17) and Bacillus cereus (FD-63) species were used. Fungal isolates were applied in stock suspension (1X), diluted with sterile distilled water to 5X and 10X doses, and bacterial strains were applied at 1 × 106, 1 × 107, and 1 × 108 cfu mL-1 concentrations. In vitro experiments were set up with 3 replications, sterile distilled water was used in the negative control and a commercial nematicide (Velum Prime ® SC 400, Bayer) was used in the positive control. At the end of the 1st, 3rd, and 7th days, the results of the applications were counted and evaluated according to the percent mortality rates. When the percent mortality rates obtained at the end of the 7th day were compared with the negative control, the most effective results were obtained from the 5X dose of ET 102 in fungal isolates (39.88%) and the 1 × 108 cfu mL-1 concentration of FD-63 in bacterial strains (65.07%). It is thought that the ET 102 fungal isolate and FD-63 bacterial strain used in this study have the potential to be biological control agents against M. incognita race 2 juvenile. It was concluded that these isolates can be included in integrated pest management strategies against root-knot nematodes by making field trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current scientific literature lacks studies on the relationship between problematic internet use (PIU) and procrastination, especially regarding the mediating mechanisms underlying this relationship. The present study examined the association between procrastination and PIU, as well as determining the mediating roles of tolerance for ambiguity, reappraisal, and suppression. The conceptual model was tested using data collected from 434 Iranian college students. The participants completed a number of psychometric scales assessing procrastination, PIU, tolerance for ambiguity, reappraisal, and suppression. Structural equation modeling was used to test the hypothesized model. Results showed that PIU, tolerance for ambiguity, and suppression were positively associated with procrastination, and that there was a negative association between reappraisal and procrastination. Moreover, the mediation analysis indicated that tolerance for ambiguity, reappraisal, and suppression fully mediated the association between PIU and procrastination. However, it is also possible to interpret the results as suggesting that PIU is unimportant as a predictor for procrastination once mediators are controlled for. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strabismic subjects often develop the ability to fixate on a target with either eye. Previous studies have shown that fixation-preference behavior varies systematically depending on spatial location of the target. We hypothesized that, when an eccentric target is presented, oculomotor fixation-preference in strabismus may be accounted for in a competitive decision framework wherein the brain must choose between two possible retinal errors to prepare a conjugate saccade that results in one of the eyes acquiring the eccentric target. We tested this framework by recording from visuo-motor neurons in the superior colliculus (SC) of two strabismic rhesus macaque monkeys as they performed a delayed saccade task under binocular viewing conditions. In one experiment, visual targets were presented at one of two locations corresponding to the neuronal receptive field location with respect to either the viewing or the deviated eye. Robust visual sensory responses were observed when targets were presented at either location indicating the presence of competing sensory signals for eye-choice. In a second experiment, a single visual target was placed at the neuronal receptive field location where the animal switched fixation on some trials and did not on other trials. At such target locations where either eye could acquire the target, both visual and build-up activity was greater in trials when the saccade encoded by the neuron "won." These findings provide evidence for the influence of visual suppression within SC sensory activity and support the possible utilization of a competition framework, one that has been previously described for when a binocularly aligned animal chooses from among multiple targets, to drive fixation-preference behavior in strabismus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of resistant cultivars in a system of rotation and/or crop succession is one of the most efficient strategies for controlling nematodes. Thus, the objective was to evaluate the reaction of sweet pepper plants after the cultivation of corn genotypes and forage grasses to Meloidogyne incognita. Corn and forage seeds were sown in pots, and after germination, 5,000 eggs/juveniles of M. incognita were inoculated, and the plants were grown up to 50 days. Then, the aerial part of the plants was eliminated, leaving only the root system in the soil. Pepper seedlings cv. Ikeda were transplanted as indicators for each pot. At 50 days of cultivation, the following were evaluated: plant height; fresh mass of shoots; length, fresh mass and volume of roots of sweet pepper plants; and variables associated with the number of galls and egg mass of M. incognita. All grass genotypes evaluated positively influenced the vegetative development of bell pepper plants. The corn hybrid Dow 2B710 and the grasses Andropogon gayanus (cv. Planaltina), Brachiaria brizantha (cv. MG-4) and Panicum maximum (cv. Massai) reduced the number of galls. Only the corn hybrid Dow 2B688 had no effect on the reduction of egg mass in the roots, and with the exception of Dow 2B688 and P. maximum (cv. Aruna), the others reduced the number of juveniles in the roots. With the exception of the control, of A. gayanus (cv. Planaltina) and P. maximum (tobiatã, Tanzania and Massai cultivars), the other genotypes are efficient in the control of M. incognita. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gene drives offer a potentially revolutionary method for pest control over large spatial extents. These genetic modifications spread deleterious variants through a population and have been proposed as methods for pest suppression or even eradication. We examined the influence of local dispersal, long‐distance and/or human‐mediated dispersal, and variation in population growth on the success of a gene drive for the control of invasive social wasps (Vespula vulgaris). Our simulations incorporated a spatially realistic environment containing variable habitat quality in New Zealand. Pest eradication was not observed, except in extreme and unrealistic scenarios of constant, widespread, and spatially intense releases of genetically modified individuals every year for decades. Instead, the regional persistence of genetically modified and wild‐type wasps was predicted. Simulations using spatially homogeneous versus realistic landscapes (incorporating uninhabitable areas and dispersal barriers) showed little difference in overall population dynamics. Overall, little impact on wasp abundance was observed in the first 15 years after introduction. After 25 years, populations were suppressed to levels <95% of starting populations. Populations exhibited "chase dynamics" with population cycles in space, with local extinction occurring in some areas while wasps became abundant in others. Increasing the wasps' local dispersal distance increased the spatial and temporal variability of the occupied area and population suppression. Varying levels of human‐associated long‐distance dispersal had little effect on population dynamics. Increasing intrinsic population growth rates interacted with local dispersal to cause higher mean populations and substantially higher levels of variation in population suppression and the total amount of landscape occupied. Gene drives appear unlikely to cause a rapid and widespread extinction of this and probably other pests but could offer long‐term and cost‐effective methods of pest suppression. The predicted level of <95% pest suppression would substantially reduce the predation pressure and competitive interactions of this invasive wasp on native species. However, the predicted long‐term persistence of genetically modified pests will influence the ethics and likelihood of using gene drives for pest control, especially given concerns that modified wasps would eventually be transported back to their home range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Speargrass [Imperata cylindrica (L.) Raeuschel] infestation limits crop growth and yield. The effects of tillage methods, kenaf genotypes, and plant spacing patterns were studied for speargrass suppression at Eruwa (Derived Savanna) and Kishi (Southern Guinea Savanna) in 2015 and 2016. These were randomized in a Split-split plot design with three replicates. Agronomic data collected were analyzed, and the means were separated at P = 0.05. Results showed that tillage enhanced weed control efficiency (10%), improved I. cylindrica suppression, and kenaf performance, relative to plant sown in no-till plots at both locations. The bast-fibre yield was higher in Ifeken DI 400 than in Ifeken 400 at Eruwa, but genotypes had similar bastfibre yield at Kishi. Also, both genotypes had comparable I. cylindrica biomass and weed control efficiency at Kishi, while Ifeken 400 had higher weed control efficiency than Ifeken DI 400 at Eruwa, due to better suppression of I. cylindrica. The agronomic traits measured and weed control efficiency (WCE %) had a substantial inverse relationship with I. cylindrical growth at both locations. Tillage improved bast fibre yield (26 - 32%), core fibre yield (20 - 28%), and seed yield (26 - 59 %) relative to no-tilled plots. Ifeken 400 showed superior weed-suppressive traits and optimum fibre yield to Ifeken DI 400 at both locations. Tilling speargrass-infested land, with kenaf plant spacing of 50 cm × 10 cm and 50 cm × 15 cm with early canopy formation and better weed suppression are considered for an integratedspeargrass management scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fallowed uplands dominated by Chromolaena odorata, Hyptis suaveolens, Tithonia diversifolia, Imperata cylindrica and other grasses were selected and their effects on the emergence of associated weed species, the nutrient status of the soil and subsequent maize yield were examined. A survey was conducted to estimate the floristic composition in each field in 2017 and 2018. Five fallowed fields and one arable field were used during the 2018 and 2019 seasons. The trial was laid on each field in a Randomized Complete Block Design with 3 replicates. Zero tillage was adopted for the fallow land while the arable field was ploughed, harrowed, and ridged. Weed, soil, and grain yield data were collected and subjected to analysis of variance at P=0.05. The results showed that weed composition and emergence pattern differed marginally among the five fallowed fields. Tridax procumbens, Brachiaria lata and Cyperus rotundus were the most associated weed species. Soils under T. diversifolia and C. odorata were rich in organic carbon and total porosity and low in bulk density with an average return biomass to the soil amounting to 23.18 - 27.18g/m². The continuously managed arable field showed maize grain yield of 2.72 t/ha compared with fallowed fields dominated by T. diversifolia (2.64 t/ha) and C. odorata (2.38 t/ha). Tithonia diversifolia and C. odorata contributed positively to reducing weed emergence and improving soil nutrients. Small-holder farmers can re-incorporate the tested weed species into the cropping system to reduce herbicide usage and improve maize grain yield in the Nigerian southern Guinea savannah. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TIM-3 expression is increased on peripheral regulatory T cells (Tregs) of virally suppressed persons with HIV-1 on antiretroviral therapy (PWH-ART). However, the relevance of TIM-3 expression in this setting is unclear. We used flow cytometry to evaluate the suppressive phenotype and signaling pathways in peripheral TIM-3− vs TIM-3+ Tregs in PWH-ART. TIM-3+ Tregs showed increased expression of IL-10 compared with persons without HIV-1. In addition, TIM-3+ Tregs displayed elevated signaling and activation, relative to TIM-3− Tregs from the same PWH-ART. Dramatically, TIM-3 blockade restrained the in vitro suppressive capacity of peripheral Tregs. Therefore, our data demonstrate not only that TIM-3 expression by Tregs is associated with an immunosuppressive response among PWH-ART, but also that TIM-3 contributes directly to the enhanced suppressive activity of Tregs in this setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In addition to noise and vibration, cavitation also lowers the efficiency, performance, and working lives of two-dimensional valves. To study the effect of cavitation on the flow characteristics of two-dimensional valves, standard k - turbulence model and an energy equation model were selected, and the local entropy production rate was defined using the custom field function. The entropy production theory was introduced to numerically simulate the cavitation flow in a two-dimensional valve, and based on this, the structure of the pilot stage of the valve was optimized. The results showed that there was a distinct correlation between the entropy production and the flow characteristics of the valve. When the mass flow rate changed, the entropy production also changed. The turbulent dissipation entropy production always accounted for more than 50% of the total entropy production in the flow field. In the valve sleeve chute area downstream of the valve throttling port, turbulence dissipation entropy production was concentrated; and the energy loss was large. According to the optimization of the structure of this area, the total entropy production of the side-V-slot valve sleeve structure was 7.46% lower than that of the unslotted valve sleeve structure for different valve openings, while the total entropy production of the rear-V-slot valve sleeve structure was 14.31% higher. The energy loss caused by cavitation could be better reduced using a V-shaped groove on the side of the valve sleeve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review discusses the use of neurostimulation therapies for epilepsy treatment, including vagal nerve stimulation, responsive neurostimulation, and deep brain stimulation. Different therapeutic strategies and their underlying mechanisms are explored, with a focus on optimizing parameters for seizure reduction. The review also highlights the paradigm shift toward a more diverse and multimodal approach to deep brain neuromodulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Amblyopia is associated with unbalanced suppression between the two eyes. Existing clinical measures of suppression, such as the Worth 4 Dot test, provide qualitative information about suppression but cannot precisely quantify it. The Synoptophore, a well-established instrument in binocular vision clinics, has historically been used to gauge suppression qualitatively as well but has the capability to quantify suppression. We extended the capability of the Synoptophore through the development of a systematic protocol of illumination manipulation to quantify suppression in amblyopia. Methods: Twenty-six previously treated adult amblyopes underwent our protocol on the Synoptophore to measure the illumination balance needed to obtain fusion responses. Separately, these same amblyopes were tested with Worth 4 Dot as it is classically performed in the United States, utilizing different test distances and room illuminations to qualify the suppression response. Results: Smaller, more central targets revealed larger magnitudes of suppression for both the Synoptophore and Worth 4 Dot tests (Synoptophore: χ25,26 = 25.538, p < 0.001; Worth 4 Dot: χ23,26 = 39.020, p < 0.001). There was a significant correlation between the two tests for depth of suppression measurements (rΤ > 0.345, p < 0.036), with more sensitivity measured by the Synoptophore, as suppression could be graded on a quantitative scale. Strabismic amblyopes demonstrated more suppression than non-strabismic amblyopes (z > 2.410, p < 0.016). Additionally, depth of suppression was correlated with interocular difference in both visual acuity (rΤ = 0.604, p < 0.001) and stereoacuity (rΤ = 0.488, p = 0.001). Conclusions: We extended the utility of the Synoptophore by measuring its illuminance outputs and developing a suppression testing protocol that compared favorably with Worth 4 Dot (clinic standard) while improving upon the latter through more sensitive quantification of suppression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new generation of transport aircraft increasingly adopts T-tail configurations for their excellent aerodynamic, operating, and structural performance. However, flutter of T-tail configurations is a serious dynamic instability problem caused by aerodynamic and structural interactions between the vertical stabilizer and the horizontal stabilizer. The horizontal tailplane (HTP) is mounted on the vertical tailplane (VTP). Bending and twisting of the VTP induce rolling, yawing, and in-plane motion of the HTP, which has a significant effect on T-tail flutter. In this paper, a multiple input/multiple output (MIMO) linear quadratic Gaussian (LQG) controller is designed to suppress flutter for a T-tail. The state-space equations of the aeroservoelastic (ASE) T-tail model, which are composed of the state-space equations of the aeroelastic system and the actuator dynamics, are derived for the design of the control law. The controller is synthesized by posing and solving a weighted optimization problem with the goal of making the rudders collaborate deflection for flutter mode suppression and expand the boundary of the T-tail flutter. A thorough analysis of the performance achieved by the closed-loop system was performed through numerical simulations. The numerical results demonstrate that the proposed LQG controller can effectively suppress the T-tail flutter and expand the flutter boundary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of gestural schematization in enhancing thinking processes has been the subject of a large body of works. In this process, contextually unimportant or irrelevant information related to a concept (or a system of concepts) is deleted or ignored, while relevant spatial information is maintained. This process is a special type of inhibition, which is one of the key components of executive functions. In this short paper, it is suggested that gestural schematization is a special type of symbolic schematization, a much more general process through which irrelevant information related to features of a concept (or a system of concepts) is suppressed, while relevant information (spatial and non-spatial) is maintained. Through symbolic schematization, abstract structural similarity between two concepts or between two systems of concepts can be discovered. In this way, an individual's knowledge about the first situation can be generalized to the second situation. Symbolic schematization is the basis of abstraction, knowledge generalization, and knowledge development. This is particularly the case with abstract mathematical thinking. This proposal offers a picture of cognitive mechanisms through which knowledge of abstract mathematical concepts is created and developed in the mind. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]