geoTangle : Interactive Design of Geodesic Tangle Patterns on Surfaces

Tangles are complex patterns, which are often used to decorate the surface of real-world artisanal objects. They consist of arrangements of simple shapes organized into nested hierarchies, obtained by recursively splitting regions to add progressively finer details. In this article, we show that 3D digital shapes can be decorated with tangles by working interactively in the intrinsic metric of the surface. Our tangles are generated by the recursive application of only four operators, which are derived from tracing the isolines or the integral curves of geodesics fields generated from selected seeds on the surface. Based on this formulation, we present an interactive application that lets designers model complex recursive patterns directly on the object surface without relying on parametrization. We reach interactive speed on meshes of a few million triangles by relying on an efficient approximate graph-based geodesic solver.

STRUCTURAL DECOMPOSITION OF PASHTO PATH PS

Background and Purpose: Past studies categorized Pashto prepositions as pre-position, post-position and ambi-position on the basis of their syntactical position in a unit of grammar. This paper aims to analyze the Pashto path prepositions and to find out its syntactic differences from other major languages, particularly English. Methodology: A data corpus consisted of 245 clauses and sentences collected from Pashto grammar books was analysed using a nanosyntax approach, following Pantcheva and Svenonius’ decomposition of Path Ps and Place Ps where the terminal nodes of Pashto path Ps in the data were identified. Findings: The findings revealed that Pashto Path Ps exhibited Pantcheva’s eight functional semantic heads, but its complexity due to ambiposition and precedence of place Ps over path Ps in complex phrases required adjustments in Pantcheva and Svenonius’ syntactical models to harness the complex patterns of Pashto prepositional system. Moreover, the headedness of PPs in Pashto is flexible, as it can be both head initial and head final. Contributions: This paper not only contributes to the existing literature on Pashto Path Ps but also reflects that the existing syntactic models may further be enriched by their application to cross linguistic data. This paper suggests further studies into Pashto prepositions from other syntactic and semantic perspectives such as nanosyntax algebraic models and iconicity which will not only contribute to the understanding of Pashto grammar and syntax but also to learning Pashto as a second language and translating it. Keywords: Preposition, post position, ambiposition, Path Ps, Place Ps. Cite as: Sardaraz, K., & Kainat. (2022). Structural decomposition of Pashto path Ps. Journal of Nusantara Studies, 7(1), 168-195. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol7iss1pp168-195

Metabolomics Defines Complex Patterns of Dyslipidaemia in Juvenile-SLE Patients Associated with Inflammation and Potential Cardiovascular Disease Risk

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of mortality in patients with juvenile-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE) associated with atherosclerosis. The interplay between dyslipidaemia and inflammation—mechanisms that drive atherosclerosis—were investigated retrospectively in adolescent JSLE patients using lipoprotein-based serum metabolomics in patients with active and inactive disease, compared to healthy controls (HCs). Data was analysed using machine learning, logistic regression, and linear regression. Dyslipidaemia in JSLE patients was characterised by lower levels of small atheroprotective high-density lipoprotein subsets compared to HCs. These changes were exacerbated by active disease and additionally associated with significantly higher atherogenic very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) compared to patients with low disease activity. Atherogenic lipoprotein subset expression correlated positively with clinical and serological markers of JSLE disease activity/inflammation and was associated with disturbed liver function, and elevated expression of T-cell and B-cell lipid rafts (cell signalling platforms mediating immune cell activation). Finally, exposing VLDL/LDL from patients with active disease to HC lymphocytes induced a significant increase in lymphocyte lipid raft activation compared to VLDL/LDL from inactive patients. Thus, metabolomic analysis identified complex patterns of atherogenic dyslipidaemia in JSLE patients associated with inflammation. This could inform lipid-targeted therapies in JSLE to improve cardiovascular outcomes.

Partial synchronization patterns in brain networks

Partial synchronization patterns play an important role in the functioning of neuronal networks, both in pathological and in healthy states. They include chimera states, which consist of spatially coexisting domains of coherent (synchronized) and incoherent (desynchronized) dynamics, and other complex patterns. In this perspective article we show that partial synchronization scenarios are governed by a delicate interplay of local dynamics and network topology. Our focus is in particular on applications of brain dynamics like unihemispheric sleep and epileptic seizure.

ANALYSIS OF THE CORRELATION BETWEEN EYES AND BRAIN ACTIVITIES IN RESPONSE TO MOVING VISUAL STIMULI

This paper analyzed the coupling among the reactions of eyes and brain in response to visual stimuli. Since eye movements and electroencephalography (EEG) signals as the features of eye and brain activities have complex patterns, we utilized fractal theory and sample entropy to decode the correlation between them. In the experiment, subjects looked at a dot that moved on different random paths (dynamic visual stimuli) on the screen of a computer in front of them while we recorded their EEG signals and eye movements simultaneously. The results indicated that the changes in the complexity of eye movements and EEG signals are coupled ([Formula: see text] in case of fractal dimension and [Formula: see text] in case of sample entropy), which reflects the coupling between the brain and eye activities. This analysis could be extended to evaluate the correlation between the activities of other organs versus the brain.

Self-Patterned Stretchable Electrode Based on Silver Nanowire Bundle Mesh Developed by Liquid Bridge Evaporation

A new strategy is required to realize a low-cost stretchable electrode while realizing high stretchability, conductivity, and manufacturability. In this study, we fabricated a self-patterned stretchable electrode using a simple and scalable process. The stretchable electrode is composed of a bridged square-shaped (BSS) AgNW bundle mesh developed by liquid bridge evaporation and a stretchable polymer matrix patterned with a microcavity array. Owing to the BSS structure and microcavity array, which effectively concentrate the applied strain on the deformable square region of the BSS structure under tensile stretching, the stretchable electrode exhibits high stretchability with a low ΔR/R0 of 10.3 at a strain of 40%. Furthermore, by exploiting the self-patterning ability—attributable to the difference in the ability to form liquid bridges according to the distance between microstructures—we successfully demonstrated a stretchable AgNW bundle mesh with complex patterns without using additional patterning processes. In particular, stretchable electrodes were fabricated by spray coating and bar coating, which are widely used in industry for low-cost mass production. We believe that this study significantly contributes to the commercialization of stretchable electronics while achieving high performance and complex patterns, such as stretchable displays and electronic skin.

Active droploids

Active matter comprises self-driven units, such as bacteria and synthetic microswimmers, that can spontaneously form complex patterns and assemble into functional microdevices. These processes are possible thanks to the out-of-equilibrium nature of active-matter systems, fueled by a one-way free-energy flow from the environment into the system. Here, we take the next step in the evolution of active matter by realizing a two-way coupling between active particles and their environment, where active particles act back on the environment giving rise to the formation of superstructures. In experiments and simulations we observe that, under light-illumination, colloidal particles and their near-critical environment create mutually-coupled co-evolving structures. These structures unify in the form of active superstructures featuring a droplet shape and a colloidal engine inducing self-propulsion. We call them active droploids—a portmanteau of droplet and colloids. Our results provide a pathway to create active superstructures through environmental feedback.