tag:beta.briefideas.org,2005:/trending?page=25Journal of Brief Ideas: Ideas from the last week2015-02-13T18:06:17Ztag:beta.briefideas.org,2005:Idea/322015-02-13T18:06:17Z2015-06-16T17:31:26ZThe Physics of transport processeshttp://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15106The physics of transport processes has been and is currently a very important sector in the description and
understanding of the “infinitely small and big”. Nanophysics is demonstrating in recent years the richness of
phenomena occurring at the nano-scale. A new formulation of the Drude-Lorentz model offers analytical expressions of the most important transport parameters, i.e. the velocities correlation function, the mean square deviation of position and the diffusion coefficient of a system. The model contains a gauge factor, which allows its use from sub-pico-level to macro-level. With this model it is possible to deeply investigate this range and to study interesting applications, from everyday life to cosmology. Moreover very interesting is also the deep study of the involved mathematics, i.e. contour integration in the complex plane, for finding the poles of studied expressions of conductivity. The procedure is mathematically very elegant, because it is analytical calculation.Di Sia, Paolotag:beta.briefideas.org,2005:Idea/312015-02-13T10:03:06Z2015-02-20T04:34:56ZDoes transpiration in hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata mediate asenic translocation from the roots to fronds via xylem?http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15095Since the first arsenic (As) hyperaccumulator _Pteris vittata_ was discovered by Ma et al.(2001), we have clarified somewhat in As detoxification in this fern. It is believed that _P. vittata_, as a “model fern” for As study, may take up arsenate (AsV) and arsenite (AsIII) via phosphate transporters (PHTs) and aquaglyceroporins (AQGPs) respectively similar to _Oryza sativa_ and _Arabidopsis thaliana_. Although Indriolo et al.(2010) reported that AsIII transporter PVACR3 mediates AsIII sequestration in the vacuoles of _P. vittata_ fronds, result from Chen et al.(2013) showed different alternative that AsIII is likely to be pumped into apoplasts. One interesting question is that how _P. vittata_ translocates AsIII from the roots to fronds, resulting in up to 2.3% As in _P. vittata_ fronds.
Based on the fact that As promotes _P. vittata_ growth even though hundreds of ppm As is amended, without adverse effects, and pinnae accumulates a high content of As, I think whether As translocation in _P. vittata_ is mediated by transpiration via xylem. When _P. vittata_ was exposed to As, it grew better than that of the condition without As amendation, and it tolerated to drought condition. We thus should answer the potential roles of transpiration in arsenic translocation in _P. vittata_.Han, Yong-Hetag:beta.briefideas.org,2005:Idea/292015-02-13T05:55:17Z2023-02-07T02:12:28ZRegional seismic landslide volume calculation model and its applicationhttp://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15091It is indicated that more than 197,000 landslides triggered by the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake (Ms 8.0) in China base on our latest result ([Xu et al., 2014](http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10346-013-0404-6)). There is important scientific significance and practical value to build a new regional seismic landslide volume calculation model and calculate regional landslides deposit volume distribution related with the earthquake. First of all, a detailed inventory of landslides triggered by the earthquake and the landslide property database, containing three dimensional geometric factors and controlling parameters of all landslides, were established using remote sensing and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) technologies combined with selected field measurements. The second, hundreds of landslide, selected as samples for subsequent landslide volume model training, were obtained according to the topographic differences before and after landslide occurrence. And then, landslide volume calculation mathematical model was constructed based on the relationship between landslide volume and three-dimensional geometric factors and controlling parameters, and constants of the model were calculated using the above landslide volume samples and statistical method. The method can be applied in similar study of other regional seismic landslide events. Finally, the model was used in all landslides triggered by the earthquake for landslides volume calculation, and landslide accumulation volume contours were constructed eventually. Xu, Chongtag:beta.briefideas.org,2005:Idea/11822024-02-09T19:37:08Z2024-02-26T06:00:39ZOn the number of person and number categories in Mordvinichttps://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10703050In the finite-state description of Erzya and Moksha, four different types of person and number are attested. Personal and emphatic pronouns are tagged (Sg1, Sg2, Sg3, Pl1, Pl2, Pl3). Possessor indexing is indicated with ‹Px›: PxSg1, PxSg2,... Subject/Agent indexing on the predicate is tagged ‹Sc›: ScSg1, ScSg2,..., and object indexing is tagged with ‹Oc› on finite verbs: OcSg1, OcSg2,...
Three sets of categories co-occur in portmanteau subject-object indexing, nominative-case pronoun and subject indexing, and possessor index and subject index.
Both languages have copula subject indexing on nominals, adverbs and non-finite verbal forms. In Moksha, even personal pronouns can take subject indexing: «Ton-at?» ‹Sg2-ScSg2› `Is that you?` <sg1 and sg2 have arranged to meet. Sg1 hears sound>.
Subject indexing variation occurs in non-introductory equative clauses. The minimal pair (a) «mon doktor-ś-an» ‹Sg1 doctor-Nominative.Def.Sg-ScSg1› `I'm the doctor` <you wanted to meet the doctor>, and (b) «mon doktor-ś» ‹Sg1 doctor-Nominative.Def.Sg› `I am the doctor` <telling you about myself> illustrate a morphological distinction between ScSg1 and ScSg3 marking according to discourse topic, with Sg1 subject in (a) but predicate in (b), hence zero or (ScSg3) marking.
Subject and possessor indexing also occur: «Jalga-z-an» ‹friend-PxSg3-ScSg1› `I am his/her friend`.
Finally, universal quantifiers with possessor index-like indexing are considered pronouns: «kolmone-st-eĺ-t́» ‹3.Coll-Pl3-Pst-ScPl3› `they were three`.Rueter, Jacktag:beta.briefideas.org,2005:Idea/11812024-02-07T01:08:33Z2024-02-07T06:00:33ZGeorge Spratt's Obstetric Tables on Medical Pedagogy and Professionalizationhttps://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10627745The Obstetric Tables created by George Spratt (ca. 1784-1840), also known as "Spratt's Flaps," reintroduced the use of layered paper as a tool in obstetrics after it had fallen out of service since the publication of Vesalius' book in the 16th century. Medical institutions in the UK resisted legitimizing midwifery, reflecting gender norms in professional roles. This raises questions about the motivation behind publishing such an extensive book on the topic.
His focus on obstetrics sheds light on the gender norms on midwifery and the use of graphic prints for men to gain medical authority.
Spratt's use of graphic prints in his Obstetric Tables, aimed at teaching medical students, likely projected to establish his authority and expertise in obstetrics, impacted the development of medical rhetoric. Arguably, the early nineteenth century was the most beneficial time to generate credibility as a medical source, especially women's health, as it faced stigma from others.
This narrative reveals how pedagogy was an avenue to use control for sociocultural leverage. Spratt's efforts were not the sole reason for integrating midwifery into the medical profession. However, obstetrics' history and gendered politics demonstrate a complex interplay where Spratt's actions had a causal, rather than merely coincidental, effect.
Ho, Celinetag:beta.briefideas.org,2005:Idea/11802024-02-07T00:29:08Z2024-02-07T06:00:33ZProtective function of allergies against cancer proliferation within coastal communities.https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10627743Allergies have surged in coastal communities, prompting inquiry into adult-onset allergies like IgE
hypersensitivity to common foods rich in tropomyosins. Communities in Nagoya, Japan experience some of the highest shellfish allergy prevalence, yet also consume some of the highest rates (Woo and Bahna 2011). This phenomenon challenges the notion of childhood microbial exposure to the maintenance of shellfish allergies – why adults develop these allergies despite ongoing exposure to shellfish proteins like tropomyosin. Reimagining IgE
hypersensitivity as a byproduct from secondary processes rather than direct selective pressure, should be
considered. Allergy expression and cancer suppression contains a positive regulatory overlap in mechanisms, cross-reactivity; but to the exact degree could be further looked at by correlating incremental IgE levels with cancer biomarkers (CAPs and CEA). IgE's protective function against cancer may also explain if IgE hypersensitivity has been shaped by selection, through indirect protective or adaptive roles, specifically in environments where fish is regularly consumed.
Ho, Celinetag:beta.briefideas.org,2005:Idea/11752023-12-22T08:42:55Z2023-12-23T06:00:16ZParticle size: the missing link in food regulation and nutritional labeling to combat obesity and metabolic disorders.https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10426533Consumption of highly processed foods is strongly correlated with a multitude of negative health outcomes and has been identified as a driver in obesity epidemics worldwide. The precise mechanisms for this phenomenon are not well understood, but one possibility suggests itself; in other fields it is well understood that particle size is a key parameter governing rate of reaction between solids and fluids and so, particle size, particularly of non-soluble high-glycemic nutrients such as starch, will dictate their rate of absorption and therefore the stability of blood sugar control after consuming them. Animal studies have found negative health effects associated with fine particles in feed and there is no reason not to assume the same to be present in humans. Regulations, however, have hitherto focused on macro-nutrient profiles of foods, but particle size may have independent health implications. Moreover, the presence of fine particles may not be readily apparent to consumers, particularly because many processed foods agglomerate small particles with binding agents, releasing them during digestion. Progress in the battle against metabolic disorders will require better understanding of the role of particle size, and perhaps regulations and labeling requirements.Stacey, Neil Thomastag:beta.briefideas.org,2005:Idea/11732023-11-29T07:42:51Z2023-12-23T06:00:16ZAlternative to Turing’s test on AIhttps://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10426525As Turing wrote in his Can digital computers think?, we could know if a subject not of our own kind is an intelligent source through their output signals. However, the signal he selected is perhaps not as clear cut as he presupposed: “… it will be possible to programme a machine to answer questions in such a way that it will be extremely difficult to guess whether the answers are being given by a man or by the machine.” This future is here with ever-advancing AI tools already able to build convincing answers. Von Neuman suggested a stricter test: “the sudden pounce on an idea.
I suggest intonation—reading aloud—as a test of an intelligent subject. Ask any text-to-speech software to recite Lorca’s Lament for Ignacio Sanchez Mejias or Elliot’s The Waste Land. Intonation is contingent on meaning, which is a manifestation of understanding.
A real test to detect a human signal producing-being could be the congruent emotional reading of a new poem or a paragraph for which meaning, context and understanding is essential. It is not a test of emotional response á la Blade Runner’s Voight-Kampff test, but one that relies on evaluating emotional intonation output for a diagnosis..
Valdecasas, Antonio Gtag:beta.briefideas.org,2005:Idea/11722023-11-27T05:43:04Z2023-12-23T06:00:16ZProposal of Arbitrary THz Pulse Train Generation with Tunable Duration and Periodhttps://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10426523In theory, any waveform can be expanded into a Fourier series. Conversely, the inverse process can be utilized to synthesize arbitrary waveform signals. In Figure 1, an electro-optic frequency comb is initially employed to generate discrete and equidistant frequency lines. Subsequently, the optical frequency comb (OFC, or optical pulse) is filtered through a wavelength-selective switch (WSS), filting continuous-wave (CW) signals for each frequency. Amplitude and phase modulation for each frequency are then individually adjusted by optical modulators. The modulation signals are calculated inversely through the Fourier series of the desired pulse signal in Figure 2. This can be achieved through optimization algorithms or neural networks to obtain optimal solutions. The CW optical signals at different frequencies are coupled into a THz photomixer (such as a UTC-PD) to achieve the conversion from optical pulses to THz pulses. Due to optical heterodyne down-conversion of the UTC-PD, the spectral width and repetition frequency of the OFC can be effectively translated to the duration and period of the THz pulses. An OFC is that an optical carrier modulated by an electro-optic modulator, where changing the frequency of the injected modulating signal adjusts the period of the generated THz pulses, and the spectral width of the OFC selected by the WSS determines the duration.Ming, Chetag:beta.briefideas.org,2005:Idea/11712023-11-17T04:38:27Z2023-11-20T06:00:39ZRelationship Between Violent Media and Individuals Demonstrating Aggressive Behavior https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10157862The research's results vary on violent media's effect with some saying it has the effect of aggression while some say the opposite. However, although there have been multiple studies conducted about violent media's effect on the general population, there are a limited number of studies that focus on people who are already known to enjoy violence. Therefore, this brings the question, do people who are conducting violent behaviors for pleasure are also likely to become more violent when watching violent media? Or would the violent impulse decrease by playing violent video games or watching violent media as an alternative? This experiment can be conducted by using different methods such as computational models, or animal studying and observing the difference in neurotransmitters that are emitted, within the realm of ethical guidelines.
This experiment can show the broader effect of violent media and can help to create better regulation for it. Lee, Jiwon