Studying Subjective Well-Being during a Quarantine

To investigate the impact of writing a gratitude letter on particular mood states, we asked students in two university classes (a research class and a positive psychology class) to complete a 15-item mood assessment survey (MAS) twice a day (once in the morning and once at night). The research students who signed up for one or two pass/fail field-study credits in a research class also completed the MAS twice a day, but they did not write the weekly gratitude letter that was expected from the students in the positive psychology class. Each mood state was averaged per each day for the participants in each group and compared between the Gratitude Group and the Control Group. No group difference occurred for some mood states like “incompetent,” but for the “unmotivated” mood state, a significant difference was found. To investigate the potential effect of weekday, we compared the average mood rating between groups for each day of the week. For the mood state of “unmotivated”, a remarkable dip occurred on Wednesday for the Gratitude group, but not for the Control group. These results indicated that writing a gratitude letter increased the benefactor’s motivation, especially on the day when it was accomplished.

A Hybrid Synthetic Aperture and Time-Reversal MUSIC Algorithm for Subwavelength Radar Imaging

A promising chipless RFID approach uses millimeter-wave synthetic aperture radar (SAR) to image metal ink-printed ID tags from a meter or more away. Due to printing cost, it is desirable to minimize the size and spacing of metal patches within a tag, preferably into the subwavelength regime. Although circular SAR (CSAR) has a sharply peaked point response in 2D, its side lobes of closely-spaced targets interfere strongly with each other to distort the image. An alternative 2D subwavelength imaging approach with minimal side lobes is Time-Reversal MUSIC (TR-MUSIC). Traditional TR-MUSIC, however, requires a large number of transmitters and receivers. We propose a hybrid synthetic aperture TR-MUSIC algorithm (SATR-MUSIC) that combines the benefits of both approaches. Using relatively few transceivers, SATR-MUSIC is able to resolve objects separated by approximately in 2D with minimal background artifacts. It does so by averaging TR-MUSIC’s imaging kernel incoherently over the synthetic aperture.

SAR Mocomp by machine Learning

All unmanned aerial vehicles that use synthetic aperture radar (SAR) systems are equipped with inertial navigation systems (INS) to reduce motion error. Additional motion compensation (MOCOMP) from the data itself is still necessary to achieve required accuracy of a SAR. An affordable method for small drones has yet to be created. We propose machine learning with deep convolutional neural network (CNN) to extract motion error such as sway (right and left) and surge (forward). Results show that the CNN is capable of recognizing gradual drone motion deviations. It has the potential to pick up sudden motion error as well, overcoming major deficiencies of traditional MOCOMP methods, and the need for INS.

Utilizing Split Fluorescent Proteins to Visualize Binary Cell Fate Decisions

Binary cell fate decisions serve at a cornerstone of cellular decision-making processes during embryonic development. Understanding and studying these decisions require an intimate knowledge of the spatial and temporal expression dynamics of critical genes. Split fluorescent proteins (sFP) can serve as a novel tool to study these binary cell fate decisions, with unique applications such as the potential to amplify weak genetic signals. Ultimately, sFPs can be utilized to revolutionize the study of protein-protein interactions during embryonic development and beyond.

R&D of gas filled detectors for high energy physics experiments

Bose Institute is Asia’s first modern research centre devoted to interdisciplinary research and bears a century old tradition of research excellence. In the experimental high-energy physics (EHEP) detector laboratory of Bose Institute, Kolkata, we are working on the R&D of Gas Electron Multiplier (GEM), straw tube detector for future heavy ion physics experiments and also developing low resistive bakelite Resistive Plate Chamber (RPC), keeping in mind high particle rate handling capacity. The main goal of our research program is the stability study and ageing study of gaseous detectors mentioned above. In this review article, the details of the R&D program of GEM detector, straw tube and RPC detectors carried out during the last five years is reported.

Ethology, Neurophysiology, Neuropharmacology, Sex Differences, and Effects of Stress on the Defensive Burying Paradigm: A Review

The defensive burying paradigm can inform how stressor controllability affects stress adaptation, which has clinical implications with regards to adaptive coping responses following presentation with a stressful situation. Active coping (notably defensive burying) is associated with a controllable stressor, promoting stress adaptation, thus decreases stress hormone levels. In opposition, chronic stress and uncontrollable stressors lead to an increase in passive coping behaviours, with elevated stress hormone levels. Several brain regions have been implicated in active and passive coping, as well as neurotransmitter systems, which can be evaluated via pharmacological manipulation. No sex differences were found in defensive burying, although there were effects of sex hormones within sex.

Strategies for coupling photon-upconverting nanoparticles with photoactive protein therapeutics

Nanomedicine is a rapidly advancing field as capabilities in nanoscale materials, devices, and sensing grow. Biocompatible nanoparticles have made their way into the pharmaceutical and biomedical market in imaging, diagnosis, targeted drug delivery, and even repair. Similarly, protein therapeutics show promise for their unique combination of high biospecificity and diverse function. This brief perspective explores the merging of these two fields via light-controlled methods mediated by photon-upconverting nanoparticles. The framework of three photoactive protein therapeutic systems will be explored for their integration with upconverting nanoparticles.

Virginia Tech Science Festival on Mozilla Hubs

This paper discusses the development of a virtual environment for pre-college students to have more interactive, and educational out of classroom experiences. This can be achieved by initial development of a virtual environment, testing with local educators, revising, and implementing changes.

Community-Wide Prevention of COVID-19: A Systematic Analysis of Hot vs. Cold Spots

Universities in five different states are collaborating on an original large-scale COVID-prevention effort by asking many of their students to complete an innovative survey that strategically asks them to identify areas on and around campus that are “hot spots” for spreading the coronavirus. These universities—Virginia Tech, Appalachian State, Western Michigan, University of Kansas, and University of Florida—are also observing mask wearing, social distancing, and other COVID prevention measures in their communities to analyze the risk management and wellness precautions taken by students, faculty, and the surrounding communities. Mapping hot-spot areas provides invaluable information for prevention and intervention creation.

Pandemic Preparedness

With inconsistent COVID-19 prevention guidelines being issued across different local governments, an examination of how individual businesses are implementing infection-control interventions on their own is needed. This study assessed the relative compliance of businesses with infection-control guidelines implemented to decrease the spread of COVID-19. Researchers employed an environmental/behavioral checklist to systematically record how the guidelines were followed in community areas where people congregate and risk receiving or spreading COVID-19. Early numbers show that most establishments post signs with guidelines at entrances, require masks for entry, deny entry for symptomatic individuals, and have installed protective barriers between customers and employees. There are also high rates of compliance with mask-wearing guidelines among employees. Future directions include collaboration with other universities for more robust, large-scale data collection and analyses.