Social Network Analysis in Russian Literary Studies

Network analysis as a method has applications in a wide range of fields from physics to epidemiology and from sociology to political science, and in the meantime has also reached the literary studies. Networks can be leveraged to examine intertextual relations or even artistic influences, but the main application so far has been the analysis of social formations and character interactions within fictional worlds. To make this possible, texts have to be formalized into a set of nodes and edges, where nodes represent characters and edges describe the relations between these characters in a very simple fashion: Do they or don’t they interact? Based on a selection of Russian plays and Tolstoy’s novel War and Peace, we will describe approaches to the social network analysis of literary texts.

What Room for Two-Dimensional Gel-Based Proteomics in a Shotgun Proteomics World?

Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis was instrumental in the birth of proteomics in the late 1980s. However, it is now often considered as an outdated technique for proteomics—a thing of the past. Although this opinion may be true for some biological questions, e.g., when analysis depth is of critical importance, for many others, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis-based proteomics still has a lot to offer. This is because of its robustness, its ability to separate proteoforms, and its easy interface with many powerful biochemistry techniques (including western blotting). This paper reviews where and why two-dimensional gel electrophoresis-based proteomics can still be profitably used. It emerges that, rather than being a thing of the past, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis-based proteomics is still highly valuable for many studies. Thus, its use cannot be dismissed on simple fashion arguments and, as usual, in science, the tree is to be judged by the fruit.

Patterns simulation in the 3D virtual stitching and try-on system

PurposeThe paper presents a method for the patterns simulation in the 3D virtual stitching and try-on system.Design/methodology/approachFirst, the patterns are designed using the garment CAD software and stored in the DXF format. Second, the regular grid method is employed to mesh the patterns to be quadrangular, and the patterns triangular meshing can be obtained by connecting the diagonal of the quadrangular. Then a mass-spring model is established, and the forces analysis and the explicit Euler integration method are employed to accomplish the patterns simulation. The paper demonstrates the robustness of our simulation through two sets of experiments, including a lady’s dress patterns meshing experiments and the experiments of the virtual stitching of the lady’s dress.FindingsThe patterns meshing algorithm can meet the requirements of the internal meshing and the boundary meshing, and it is very important to select an appropriate meshing density. The implementation of the virtual stitching of the lady’s dress proves the effectiveness and usability of the simulation methods.Research limitations/implicationsThe lady’s dress used in the experiments is a relatively simple fashion style, with only the front and back pattern. It is very worthy of further research on the effectiveness of the complex structure of clothing.Practical implicationsThe paper includes practical implications of the methods of the patterns meshing and the virtual stitching of the simple fashion styles.Originality/valueThe simulation system is developed using VC++ 2015 with the help of the OpenGL functions library, which is proved as a simple, lower computation and robustness for the patterns simulation of the simple garments.

Prediction of Fundamental Modal Field for Graded Index Fiber in the Presence of Kerr Nonlinearity

The power series formulation for modal field of single-mode graded index fibers by Chebyshev technique has worked excellently in predicting accurately different propagation characteristics in simple fashion. Here we develop a simple iterative method involving Chebyshev formalism to predict the modal field of single-mode graded index fiber in the presence of Kerr-type nonlinearity. Taking step and parabolic index fibers as typical examples, we show that our results match excellently with the available exact results obtained vigorously. Thus, the reported technique can be considered as an accurate alternative to the existing cumbersome techniques. Accordingly, this formalism will be beneficial to the technologies for evaluation of modal noise in single-mode Kerr-type nonlinear graded index fibers.

Methodological Imaging of Academic Works© as a Method of Visualizing Academic Activities (Based on Articles Published in “Folia Turistica” in 2014-2018)

Purpose. The basic aim of our research was to establish the applicability of an innovative method of academic visualization, which the author has tentatively called Methodological Imaging of Academic Works© (in Polish – Obrazowanie Metodologiczne Prac Naukowych – OMPN©), as an instrument to enhance the information content of traditional abstract systems used in academic periodicals, with graphic abstracts presenting the methodological profile of articles. The method was verified by identifying the study methods and procedures in academic articles in Folia Turistica and by defining and comparing the methodological profiles of various issues and annuals of the magazine published in 2014-2018. The identification and comparison of the authors’ research methods is an additional, though no less important aim of the work, especially given the anniversary issues. Method. The OMPN© method is based on information acquired from authors (through surveys) on the methodology they use in their work. This information has been used to create profiles of various academic articles, to define an overall profile of the journal, as well as profiles of the thematic and varia issues. The surveys used a twenty-part set of methodological traits, arranged in ten pairs of opposites: quantity research – quality research, analysis – synthesis, induction – deduction, etc., and the authors gauged (on a scale of 0-5) how far a trait applied to their publication, attempting to identify more with one side of each pair. The research covered all the articles published in the relevant period (N=186), gaining information on 60% of the articles. Results. Graphic methodological abstracts using OMPN© could become an interesting tool to enhance the traditional abstract, informing readers of the basic methodological attributes of various articles and entire issues, and even of the methodological profiles of entire academic magazines, in a simple fashion. In analyzing the profile of Folia Turistica the research shows that, in the relevant period, its academic articles contained a wide variety of methodologies. The majority was empirical, multidisciplinary, and quality research (as opposed to theoretical, monodisciplinary, and quantity research, respectively), which far more often concerned culture in its broadest definition (i.e. economy, society) than nature. Respondents somewhat more frequently saw their work as positivist than interpretive; the knowledge it produced, they believed, was more idiographic than nomothetic. Research and conclusions limitations. This research method is based on the authors’ opinions from a special survey. This makes it highly subjective. Taking this into consideration, and trying to objectify the study as far as possible, each of the authors, along with the survey and a letter outlining the aim of the research, received a specially-produced ten-page “methodological glossary,” with a brief outline of scholarly approaches and methodological traits that form the basis for OMPN©. We should stress that the authors were entirely free in describing the methodological traits of their works. Practical implications. The research demonstrates that OMPN© can be used in a variety of magazines, regardless of the field of study, as a graphical supplement to descriptive abstracts. Originality. This article presents the author’s innovative concept. Type of article. This article presents a new way of analyzing and depicting the methodological aspects of academic studies, based on empirical research.

METHODOLOGICAL IMAGING OF ACADEMIC WORKS© AS A METHOD OF VISUALIZING ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES (BASED ON ARTICLES PUBLISHED IN FOLIA TURISTICA IN 2014-2018)

Purpose. The basic aim of our research was to establish the applicability of an innovative method of academic visualization, which the author has tentatively called Methodological Imaging of Academic Works© (in Polish – Obrazowanie Metodologiczne Prac Naukowych - OMPN©), as an instrument to enhance the information content of traditional abstract systems used in academic periodicals, with graphic abstracts presenting the methodological profile of articles. The method was verified by identifying the study methods and procedures in academic articles in Folia Turistica and by defining and comparing the methodological profiles of various issues and annuals of the magazine published in 2014-2018. The identification and comparison of the authors’ research methods is an additional, though no less important aim of the work, especially given the anniversary issues. Method. The OMPN© method is based on information acquired from authors (through surveys) on the methodology they use in their work. This information has been used to create profiles of various academic articles, to define an overall profile of the journal, as well as profiles of the thematic and varia issues. The surveys used a twenty-part set of methodological traits, arranged in ten pairs of opposites: quantity research – quality research, analysis – synthesis, induction – deduction, etc., and the authors gauged (on a scale of 0-5) how far a trait applied to their publication, attempting to identify more with one side of each pair. The research covered all the articles published in the relevant period (N=186), gaining information on 60% of the articles. Results. Graphic methodological abstracts using OMPN© could become an interesting tool to enhance the traditional abstract, informing readers of the basic methodological attributes of various articles and entire issues, and even of the methodological profiles of entire academic magazines, in a simple fashion. In analyzing the profile of Folia Turistica the research shows that, in the relevant period, its academic articles contained a wide variety of methodologies. The majority was empirical, multidisciplinary, and quality research (as opposed to theoretical, monodisciplinary, and quantity research, respectively), which far more often concerned culture in its broadest definition (i.e. economy, society) than nature. Respondents somewhat more frequently saw their work as positivist than interpretive; the knowledge it produced, they believed, was more idiographic than nomothetic. Research and conclusions limitations. This research method is based on the authors’ opinions from a special survey. This makes it highly subjective. Taking this into consideration, and trying to objectify the study as far as possible, each of the authors, along with the survey and a letter outlining the aim of the research, received a specially-produced ten-page “methodological glossary,” with a brief outline of scholarly approaches and methodological traits that form the basis for OMPN©. We should stress that the authors were entirely free in describing the methodological traits of their works. Practical implications. The research demonstrates that OMPN© can be used in a variety of magazines, regardless of the field of study, as a graphical supplement to descriptive abstracts. Originality. This article presents the author’s innovative concept. Type of article. This article presents a new way of analyzing and depicting the methodological aspects of academic studies, based on empirical research.

Choice suppression is achieved through opponent but not independent function of the striatal indirect pathway in mice

The dorsomedial striatum (DMS) plays a key role in action selection, but little is known about how direct and indirect pathway spiny projection neurons (dSPNs and iSPNs) contribute to choice suppression in freely moving animals. Here, we used pathway-specific chemogenetic manipulation during a serial choice foraging task to test opposing predictions for iSPN function generated by two theories: 1) the ‘select/suppress’ heuristic which suggests iSPN activity is required to suppress alternate choices and 2) the network-inspired Opponent Actor Learning model (OpAL) which proposes that the weighted difference of dSPN and iSPN activity determines choice. We found that chemogenetic activation, but not inhibition, of iSPNs disrupted learned suppression of nonrewarded choices, consistent with the predictions of the OpAL model. Our findings suggest that iSPNs’ role in stopping and freezing does not extend in a simple fashion to choice suppression. These data may provide insights critical for the successful design of interventions for addiction or other conditions in which suppression of behavior is desirable.

Investigating Dispersion of Leaf Symbionts: Exploring Specific Symbioses

Symbioses can range from mutualisms to parasitisms; the latter are the foci of this exercise. The way in which parasites are distributed among hosts (their dispersion) can have profound importance for how they and their hosts coevolve, and for many other facets of their biology. Accordingly, many researchers, including ecologists and medical practitioners, study dispersion of parasites in detail. Fungi are commonly observed parasites on leaves of trees. I describe one way to randomly sample leaves to quantify dispersion of such parasites and test whether dispersion is related to a variety of explanatory variables. Significant quantities of data can be generated in relatively short order and pooled for a class; many patterns can emerge that challenge students to find logical interpretations. Relatively sophisticated students could test whether parasites have a random dispersion pattern by comparing the histogram they generate to that of a Poisson distribution. Data can be analyzed in a simple fashion or via advanced mixed models.

Comprehensive Study of Z-Cut Highly Integrated LiNbO3 Optical Modulator with Adjustable Chirp Parameters

In this paper, the domain inversion is used in a simple fashion to improve the performance of a Z-cut highly integrated LiNbO

Nanodisc characterization by analytical ultracentrifugation

Due to their unique properties, tunable size, and ability to provide a near native lipid environment, nanodiscs have found widespread use for the structural and functional studies of reconstituted membrane proteins. They have also been developed, albeit in a few applications, for therapeutic and biomedical use. For these studies and applications, it is essential to characterize the nanodisc preparations in terms of their monodispersity, size, and composition, as these can influence the properties of the membrane protein of interest. Of the many biophysical methods utilized for the study and characterization of nanodiscs, we show that analytical ultracentrifugation is able to report on sample homogeneity, shape, size, composition, and membrane protein stoichiometry or oligomerization state in a direct and simple fashion. The method is truly versatile and does not require nanodisc modification or disassembly.