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Objective: Findings concerning the effects of hormone therapy (HT) on cognition and dementia are mixed, with some trials suggesting increased harm at older ages. Personality, like cognition, changes with dementia, but no clinical trials to date have examined the effects of HT on personality traits. This study aimed to determine the effects of HT on personality traits in older men and women. Method: Secondary data analysis was performed from randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over studies of menopausal HT in women and testosterone therapy (TT) in men. Participants were community-dwelling cognitively normal adults (mean age = 75.2 years), including 29 men and 22 women. Three months of hormone intervention (for women, 0.625 mg/day conjugated equine estrogen with or without 2.5 mg/day medroxyprogesterone acetate; for men, 200 mg intramuscular testosterone enanthate every 2 weeks) were crossed over with 3 months of identical placebo with a 3-month washout between intervention phases. The main outcome measure was neuroticism and conscientiousness personality domains and facets assessed with the Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI-R) after the active and placebo intervention phases. Results: In linear mixed-effect models, HT in women decreased conscientiousness (p < 0.01) and the conscientiousness facet of achievement striving (p < 0.01), and increased vulnerability, a facet of neuroticism (p < 0.05). Testosterone in men decreased conscientiousness (p < 0.05) and the conscientiousness facet of dutifulness (p < 0.05), and increased vulnerability (p < 0.05). Conclusion: In a preliminary study of healthy older adults, HT and TT formulations produced adverse changes in vulnerability and conscientiousness facets that parallel personality changes in dementia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Near Earth Objects (NEO), commonly known as asteroids, are always moving in outer space. These objects could carry very important knowledge or harmful substances. Knowing the whereabouts of an asteroid makes observation easier since asteroids are moving and, in a limited time, an asteroid will pass the observable distance from the Earth. This study has compared the minimum distance prediction of near-earth objects and the Earth using artificial neural networks, machine learning, and multiple linear regression techniques. The models used in the study are the Multiple Linear Regression Model, Feed Forward Neural Network, and Support Vector Regression Model. The study has used a secondary dataset provided by the "Center for Near Earth Object Studies" (CNEOS) project of NASA. Using every method, two models were trained for each. Every model 1 contained all the variables and every model 2 contained three dependent variables. For model 2, dependent variables were reduced by the assumptions used in linear regression. Even though the linear assumptions were not used on the neural networks or machine learning algorithms, every model 2 showed a significant accuracy increase after variable reduction. Model performances were assessed by multiple prediction error values and R-squared values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Planetary Defense Conference 2023 addressed an asteroid threat scenario as difficult to confront. This article examines potential actions of relevant stakeholders, including States, the International Asteroid Warning Network, the Space Mission Planning Advisory Group, Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, and the United Nations Security Council. To that effect, different sources are taken into consideration in this analyisis, such as the legal international framework, the practice of States in multilateral fora and the opinion of scholars. The conclusions shed light on the challenges that the international community will have to face and proposes a preventive approach to mitigate the impact of such a potential catastrophe. • The impact of a huge asteroid would have catastrophic consequences on Earth. • Deflection would be difficult or impossible with a 12.5-year lead time. • Several issues would play out within the international scientific community. • Legal, social and economic aspects that governments will address are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Planetary defense (PD) is a well-established program that refers to activities and actions to predict and mitigate a potential impact by an asteroid or comet on the Earth. States are discussing possible deflection scenarios based on their scientific knowledge and technology capacities at the UN-endorsed Space Mission Planning Advisory Group (SMPAG) and at the General Assembly. Even though PD is being formally recognized as an inherently global challenge requiring international cooperation at the level of UN COPUOS, the current state of the global PD governance depends on particular space-faring states and their willingness to fund and execute planetary defense missions. Political representatives consider PD mostly as scientific efforts, respectively efforts conducted mostly by the community of scientists. However, this would change the day an asteroid on a collision course is detected and without solid PD governance in place, behavior of decision-makers could be contingent leading to the possibly unpredictable supranational policy above national security agendas but with inherent implications to the national security of sovereign states. This situation has historical reasons. This paper, firstly, studies the evolution of PD governance from the 80s up to today, to identify the reasons for the current state-oriented (or inter-governmental in the case of ESA) PD governance. Then, secondly, I propose a multilateral PD security regime as an answer to the current state of PD governance. As the threat of being hit by an asteroid is a low probability, high impact natural phenomenon involving the whole Earth, it requires a multigenerational, financially sustainable, and scientifically beneficial planetary-wide program that covers all without exception and does not cause national security concerns of any sovereign state. As asteroids do not discriminate, the planet Earth should consider establishing a multilateral planetary defense security regime to provide security assurances to all, develop trust in the related technology development that all can oversee, and provide an environment to which all entities contribute with their scientific and industrial capacities. • Study of the last 30 years of planetary defense governance development. • Should serve as a guide for policy discussions given the detailed historical insight. • Identifies policy bottlenecks for future policy discussions. • Proposes core multilateral principles for planetary defense governance. • That is a multigenerational, financially sustainable, and scientifically beneficial policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Many mental problems lead to the occurrence of physical diseases, causing worse consequences of diseases. Despite many studies in the field of personality types and types of mental disorders, this relationship and the mediating role of coping styles in cardiovascular patients are still not well known. Therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate the mediating role of coping styles in the relationship between personality types and mental disorders in cardiovascular patients. Method The present study is a cross-sectional study that was conducted on 114 cardiovascular patients at the heart center in Bushehr, Iran. The sampling method is simple random sampling. Demographic information form, MCMI-III questionnaire, NEO-FFI questionnaire, and Lazarus and Folkman coping styles questionnaire were used to collect data. Data were analyzed using SPSS 22 and Amos 24 software. Descriptive statistics methods (mean, variance and percentage), Pearson correlation, and structural equation model (SEM) were applied to analyze the data. Results The findings showed that the two variables of personality types and problem-oriented explain 15.2% of the variable of mental disorders, of which 10.7% is related to the variable of personality types and 4.5% is related to the intermediate variable of problem-oriented. Among the personality types, the neurotic personality type has the biggest role (0.632) and has a direct and significant effect on mental disorders. Also, the personality types of extroversion (-0.460), agreeableness (-0.312), and responsibility (-0.986) exert inverse and significant effects on mental disorders. Conclusion The results of the present study showed the frequency of personality disorders and other mental disorders among heart patients. Problem-oriented coping style plays a mediating role between personality types and mental disorders.

Trichothecenes are the most common Fusarium toxins detected in grains and related products. Type A trichothecenes are among the mycotoxins of greatest concern to food and feed safety due to their high toxicity. Recently, two different trichothecene genotypes within Fusarium species were reported. The available information showed that Tri1 and Tri16 genes are the key determinants of the trichothecene profiles of T-2 and DAS genotypes. In this review, polymorphisms in the Tri1 and Tri16 genes in the two genotypes were investigated. Meanwhile, the functions of genes involved in DAS and NEO biosynthesis are discussed. The possible biosynthetic pathways of DAS and NEO are proposed in this review, which will facilitate the understanding of the synthesis process of trichothecenes in Fusarium strains and may also inspire researchers to design and conduct further research. Together, the review provides insight into trichothecene profile differentiation and Tri gene evolutionary processes responsible for the structural diversification of trichothecene produced by Fusarium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grasshoppers in the genus Ronderosia (divergence time < 5 Mya) provide a special opportunity to examine the impact of chromosome rearrangements (CRs) in evolution and speciation, because they exhibit extensively rearranged karyotypes involving autosome-autosome and autosome-X chromosomes, the latter leading to the formation of a neo-sex chromosome system (neo-SCS). Despite the potential role of CRs in speciation, the general patterns of karyotype changes resulting from CRs in Ronderosia are still unclear. Here we investigated karyotype evolution in eight Ronderosia species using cytogenetic and phylogenetic models of ancestral character reconstruction. The overall findings suggest a central role for CRs in generating variability in chromosome number and neo-SCS across Ronderosia grasshoppers. It also suggests that incipient species with little morphological change, such as those observed in Ronderosia species, could accumulate marked differences in their karyotypes contributing to post-zygotic reproductive isolation. Besides the evolution of chromosome number in the phylogeny of the genus, chromosome change due to centric fusion is coupled with the divergence pattern observed in the group. While a cladogenetic event could represent a case where karyotypic differences result in speciation, further in-depth genomic studies are needed to better understand how these dramatic restructurings of karyotypes may have occurred. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Many mental problems lead to the occurrence of physical diseases, causing worse consequences of diseases. Despite many studies in the field of personality types and types of mental disorders, this relationship and the mediating role of coping styles in cardiovascular patients are still not well known. Therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate the mediating role of coping styles in the relationship between personality types and mental disorders in cardiovascular patients. Method: The present study is a cross-sectional study that was conducted on 114 cardiovascular patients at the heart center in Bushehr, Iran. The sampling method is simple random sampling. Demographic information form, MCMI-III questionnaire, NEO-FFI questionnaire, and Lazarus and Folkman coping styles questionnaire were used to collect data. Data were analyzed using SPSS 22 and Amos 24 software. Descriptive statistics methods (mean, variance and percentage), Pearson correlation, and structural equation model (SEM) were applied to analyze the data. Results: The findings showed that the two variables of personality types and problem-oriented explain 15.2% of the variable of mental disorders, of which 10.7% is related to the variable of personality types and 4.5% is related to the intermediate variable of problem-oriented. Among the personality types, the neurotic personality type has the biggest role (0.632) and has a direct and significant effect on mental disorders. Also, the personality types of extroversion (-0.460), agreeableness (-0.312), and responsibility (-0.986) exert inverse and significant effects on mental disorders. Conclusion: The results of the present study showed the frequency of personality disorders and other mental disorders among heart patients. Problem-oriented coping style plays a mediating role between personality types and mental disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blockchain technology has piqued the interest of businesses of all types, while consistently improving and adapting to business requirements. Several blockchain platforms have emerged, making it challenging to select a suitable one for a specific type of business. This paper presents a classification of over one hundred blockchain platforms. We develop smart contracts for detecting healthcare insurance frauds using the top two blockchain platforms selected based on our proposed decision-making map approach which selects the top suitable platforms for healthcare insurance frauds detection application. Our classification shows that the largest percentage of platforms can be used for all types of application domains, the second biggest percentage for financial services, and a small number is to develop applications in specific domains. Our decision-making map and performance evaluations reveal that Hyperledger Fabric surpassed Neo in all metrics for detecting healthcare insurance frauds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Infections with Toxoplasma gondii (Toxo), a protozoan that can infect the brain, have been reported to alter behavior in rodents and humans; several investigators have related Toxo infection to personality traits such as novelty seeking in humans. We investigated human personality traits in relation to Toxo in Egypt, where such infection is common. Results In a community-based sample of Egyptian adults (N = 255), Toxo infection were indexed by levels of IgG antibodies. Viruses like hepatitis C virus (HCV) have also been associated with cognitive dysfunction and mood disorders; therefore, HCV antibody titers were also assayed for comparison. The antibody levels were analyzed in relation to the Arabic version of the NEO personality inventory (NEO-FFI-3), accounting for demographic variables. No significant correlations were noted with Toxo or HCV antibody levels, after co-varying for demographic and socio-economic factors and following corrections for multiple comparisons. Conclusions Infection with Toxo or HCV infection was not associated with variations in personality traits in a sample of Egyptian adults. The possible reasons for the discordance with prior reported associations are discussed.

Personality traits are the relatively enduring patterns of thoughts, feelings and behaviors that reflect the tendency to respond in certain ways under certain circumstances. Twin and family studies have showed that personality traits are moderately heritable, and can predict various lifetime outcomes, including psychopathology. The Research Domain Criteria characterizes psychiatric diseases as extremes of normal tendencies, including specific personality traits. This implies that heritable variation in personality traits, such as neuroticism, would share a common genetic basis with psychiatric diseases, such as major depressive disorder. Despite considerable efforts over the past several decades, the genetic variants that influence personality are only beginning to be identified. We review these recent and increasingly rapid developments, which focus on the assessment of personality via several commonly used personality questionnaires in healthy human subjects. Study designs covered include twin, linkage, candidate gene association studies, genome-wide association studies and polygenic analyses. Findings from genetic studies of personality have furthered our understanding about the genetic etiology of personality, which, like neuropsychiatric diseases themselves, is highly polygenic. Polygenic analyses have showed genetic correlations between personality and psychopathology, confirming that genetic studies of personality can help to elucidate the etiology of several neuropsychiatric diseases.

Plasma treatment of animal manure is a new technology, enriching the manure with plant-available nitrogen. Therefore, the product is termed nitrogen-enriched organic fertilizer (NEO). The producer (N2 Applied) claims that NEO can be a sustainable alternative to conventional fertilizers used in agriculture. However, the effect of this product on soil-dwelling organisms is unknown. This study investigates and compares the effects of NEO on changes in soil fauna feeding activity, the abundance of springtails, and the abundance and weight of earthworms to mineral fertilizer, organic fertilizer (cattle slurry), and no fertilizer in pot and field experiments with sandy clay loam soil. Early effect evaluation (week 7) indicated influences on soil fauna feeding activity; among treatments, higher amounts of fertilizers went along with lower feeding activity, regardless of fertilizer type. However, the initial fertilizer application stimulation was transient and stabilized with time after fertilization towards mid-term (week 14) and late effect evaluations (week 21). Accordingly, differences between feeding activities were less than five percent at late effect evaluation. Similarly, none of the fertilizers used imposed adverse effects on the abundance of springtails and the abundance and weight of earthworms; these parameters were almost identical among all fertilizing treatments. After two years of application in field trials and in a pot experiment, NEO and the other used fertilizers seem not to harm the selected soil-dwelling organisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The disposal of used waste vegetable oil is a significant concern from the pollution point of view. Several studies have already been made to produce biodiesel/blending with diesel in CI engines. However, the cost benefit analysis makes this process non-viable. Also, several works of literature are available in the admitting of non-edible oil blends in CI engines. This paper analyses the admitting the gasified waste vegetable oil (WVO) with non-edible oil (NEO) in CI engine. The mixture of WVO and NEO has been auto-gasified before admitting them in CI engine. Auto gasification is converting the solid combustible waste into the gaseous product with bio-oxygen and catalytic ash. This way, the temperature of the gasification process is reduced and makes direct admission is feasible. From the various trails, it has been found that the optimised performance ratio for the WVO and NEO mixture is 50:50. The cost-benefit analysis of bio diesel production and usage in CI engine has been analysed and reported in this paper. The EIA of WVO disposal has also been carefully analysed and reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blockchain is a new methodology to handle multiple business issues, financial issues, health issues, and so on. A few years ago the trust-less computerized cash Bitcoin is now a trustworthy technique because of the block chain. Blockchain has consequently spread past its fundamental explanation as a creating number of associations and accomplices. Blockchain is considered the development to be a promising strategy for tending to existing business difficulties and upset mature endeavors. This study contemplates the reputation of square chain development to those of related signs of progress, for instance, computerized monetary standards and Bitcoin. The objective of this exploration is to decide the current situation with blockchain innovation in writing, as well as the significant examination and application regions where the square chain can be beneficial. As demonstrated by this survey, the blockchain's assurance, security, and decentralization give immense benefits to a wide extent of fields and focuses. This article likewise uncovers that blockchain research has recently started, with a couple of humble investigations in ventures like the Internet of Things, energy, banking, medical services, and government, all of which stand to benefit lopsidedly from its execution. One computerized record is a blockchain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Infections with Toxoplasma gondii (Toxo), a protozoan that can infect the brain, have been reported to alter behavior in rodents and humans; several investigators have related Toxo infection to personality traits such as novelty seeking in humans. We investigated human personality traits in relation to Toxo in Egypt, where such infection is common. Results: In a community-based sample of Egyptian adults (N = 255), Toxo infection were indexed by levels of IgG antibodies. Viruses like hepatitis C virus (HCV) have also been associated with cognitive dysfunction and mood disorders; therefore, HCV antibody titers were also assayed for comparison. The antibody levels were analyzed in relation to the Arabic version of the NEO personality inventory (NEO-FFI-3), accounting for demographic variables. No significant correlations were noted with Toxo or HCV antibody levels, after co-varying for demographic and socio-economic factors and following corrections for multiple comparisons. Conclusions: Infection with Toxo or HCV infection was not associated with variations in personality traits in a sample of Egyptian adults. The possible reasons for the discordance with prior reported associations are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flavonoid natural products are emerging as a promising approach for treating Ulcerative Colitis (UC) due to their natural origin and minimal toxicity. This study investigates the effects of Neohesperidin (NEO), a natural flavonoid, on Dextran Sodium Sulfate (DSS)-induced UC in mice, focusing on the underlying molecular mechanisms. Early intervention with NEO (25 and 50 mg/kg) mitigated colon shortening, restored damaged barrier proteins, and significantly reduced the inflammatory cytokine levels. Moreover, NEO inhibited the MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway and enhanced the levels of intestinal barrier proteins (Claudin-3 and ZO-1). Additionally, NEO increased beneficial intestinal probiotics ( S24-7 and Lactobacillaceae ) while reducing harmful bacteria ( Erysipelotrichi , Enterobacteriaceae ). Fecal microbial transplantation (FMT) results demonstrated that NEO (50 mg/kg) markedly improved UC symptoms. In conclusion, early NEO intervention may alleviate DSS-induced UC by inhibiting inflammatory responses, preserving intestinal barrier integrity and modulating gut microbiota.

This paper presents a fully online course model for teaching speaking and listening skills for students learning Arabic as a foreign language at the International Peace College South Africa on the NEO learning management platform. It also investigates the students' attitudes towards the course. The course was developed by the researcher during the first semester of 2020. This period coincided with South Africa's first wave of COVID-19, and the country's first strict lockdown. The syllabus consists of three components: listening, speaking and conversational Arabic. It includes various technologyenhanced activities and resources which were developed by using LMS features, Web 2.0 tools, and e-learning specifications such as Learning Tools Interoperability (LTI) and Shareable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM). The integration of technology in the course is based on an approach that combines Bloom's taxonomy and Technology Integration Matrix (TIM). Apart from the description of the course, this study used a thirty-item questionnaire to investigate the attitudes of thirtyone learners who participated in the course. They answered questions about the course's resources, activities as well as its impact on their language skills. Results from the questionnaire revealed that the respondents' attitudes towards the online course were positive and statistically significant at p < .05. The design and the approach adopted in this study can apply to any context of language teaching. It provides a myriad of technology-enhanced activities that can be effectively used to teach listening and speaking skills virtually. Foreign language teachers can adopt this approach in its entirety, or with idiosyncratic modifications to design their language courses, irrespective of the virtual learning ecology (VLE) they use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper models a hypothetical Apophis asteroid impact on an chosen deep ocean point on the globe. To assess the potential vulnerabilities of an exposed coast population, the impact effects were assessed as a function of the distance to the asteroid's impact point as well as altitude for the tsunami case. All the tools and models used are valid and can be implemented for any other point on the Earth's surface. The impact modelling includes the analysis of cratering formation, generated earthquake, overpressure, ejected material, generated thermal radiation and tsunami, as well as the global geophysical effects of the impact. The vulnerability models entail best, expected, and worst case scenarios, which allows a reasonable range of results. As the impact occurs in the ocean, and if its a great distance away from populated areas, the population is safeguarded from most of the impact effects. The tsunami is undoubtedly the most far-reaching and threatening impact effect from an asteroid impact on the ocean. • Apophis asteroid impact modelling, energy modelling. • Impact effects assessment. • Vulnerability analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents a study of plasma transport at low aspect ratio on the National Spherical Torus Experiment tokamak, where the turbulent and neoclassical energy fluxes calculated by the quasilinear Trapped Gyro Landau Fluid (TGLF) model and the multi species drift-kinetic Neoclassical solver (NEO) are validated against experimental data. The turbulent energy transport of two plasma discharges, one in the L-mode confinement regime and another in the H-mode regime, is dominated by electrostatic drift-wave instabilities, while the ion heat transport has a significant neoclassical contribution. The data analysis workflow is described in detail to understand how the variations of mapping and fitting of experimental data affect the power balance solution and subsequent flux-matching plasma profile predictions with the TGYRO solver. On average, the predicted plasma profiles are consistent with experimental data. However, the solutions are sensitive to various input parameters, including boundary conditions, and the electron-ion coupling. Linear gyrokinetic stability analysis demonstrates close agreement of the real frequencies of unstable modes between TGLF and CGYRO gyrokinetic simulations, but higher growth rates are predicted by TGLF, especially for the H-mode case. Estimates of the low- k modes’ contributions to the total flux are consistent with linear stability analysis and the E × B suppression of turbulence in TGLF simulations with the SAT1 saturation model, while the SAT2 saturation model over-predicts the low- k modes’ contribution in the H-mode case. Moreover, the results with SAT1 model are consistent with power balance analysis, which indicates only neoclassical ion energy fluxes inside ρ

Nuclear energy, used in weapons as well as for electricity generation, has the potential to destroy life on Earth. But it also has the potential to save life as we know it. Currently, nuclear explosives are the only technology with the capability to deflect, on relatively short notice, a large asteroid fragment or comet headed for a collision with Earth. However, a number of international treaties prohibit the use of nuclear explosives in space. The peaceful and critically effective use of nuclear energy to prevent a civilization-threatening collision is at odds with its potential for inducing a catastrophic thermonuclear war on Earth. The author uses the Fermi paradox—if there are extraterrestrial civilizations in our galaxy, why haven’t they communicated with us?—to examine the dichotomy of whether nuclear explosives are a barrier or a path to long-term human survival. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

En este artículo abordaremos el poemario Noches de adrenalina (1981) de Carmen Ollé desde la óptica del análisis estético, y específicamente trataremos el Acto de Mirar en “Mi mente se hipnotiza...” e “Imagino lo que no existe para mí...”, que son los poemas donde nos parece se plantea más notoriamente la cuestión de la Imagen y el voyeurismo como parte de una nueva experiencia estética des-humanizada. Evidentemente, recurriremos a una serie de marcas distribuidas por el poemario y algunos de los análisis realizados por críticos y ensayistas sobre la obra de Ollé, esta vez desde la visión estética de Lipovetsky, Groys y Benjamin.

The threat of asteroid impacts on the Earth can be mitigated through deflection missions. The deflection capability has previously been omitted in asteroid impact risk analysis work that quantifies impact damage on the Earth. Here we investigate the effect of pre-designed deflection missions on the risk profile of the fictitious impact scenario 2019 PDC. The impact risk analysis is based on a statistical approach. We sample orbital and physical property distributions that provide a complete representation of possible impact scenarios. Three pre-designed kinetic impactor deflection missions are considered in separate simulations. The deflection mission imposes a deflection Δ V on the asteroid and the impulse enhancement factor β is calculated as part of the analysis. The post-deflection impact risk is compared to the undeflected risk situation. Variations in physical and orbital properties make the outcome of deflection missions uncertain. It can therefore be inadequate to label deflection mission outcomes in binary terms of success and failure. Instead, defining a satisfactory risk reduction goal and scaling the deflection mission capability to deliver this risk reduction is more accurate. In addition, the results highlight dilemmas that decision-makers would face in an asteroid threat scenario. By implementing a deflection mission, the potential impact point of the asteroid is moved, threatening new populations and potentially increasing damage in case of an impact. • Effect of deflection missions on on-ground risk profile for asteroid impact threat. • Full uncertainties for orbital & physical properties of the asteroid and deflection. • Deflection mission can harm previously safe populations if uncertainties are ignored. • Considering uncertainties is essential to design successful deflection missions. • Method helps size deflection mission to reduce impact risk to satisfactory levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Relative to broad Big Five domains, personality facets provide incremental value in predicting life outcomes. Valid between-group comparisons of means and correlates of facet scores are contingent upon measurement invariance of personality measures. Research on culture and Big Five personality has been largely limited to cross-national comparisons of domains, without assessing measurement invariance across ethnoracial groups within the same country. Using the NEO Inventories, we tested facet-level measurement invariance between Euro (N = 418, 63.2% women, Mage = 18.43) and Asian Americans (N = 429, 56.6% women, Mage = 18.00). Multigroup exploratory factor analysis within a confirmatory factor analysis framework showed partial strong invariance. Assertiveness and activity did not load onto extraversion as strongly for Asian Americans. Self-consciousness showed a stronger cross-loading onto extraversion among Asian Americans than Euro Americans. Achievement striving, competence, warmth, tender-mindedness, and excitement seeking showed noninvariant intercepts across groups. Collectivistic values emphasizing interpersonal harmony and modesty should be considered when examining narrow and broad traits among Asian Americans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigated associations between personality and conformity. Early work on this subject employed impactful, experimentally realistic procedures to induce conformity, yet lacked valid personality assessment. Conversely, contemporary work used valid personality assessment but measured conformity in low-impact settings. The present study combined the strengths of these research eras by measuring conformity in an Asch-like paradigm and testing associations with two well-validated meta-traits (Stability and Plasticity). Participants evaluated the humorousness of unfunny cartoons, either while alone (n = 103) or while surrounded by confederates who gave high scripted humorousness ratings (n = 102). Meta-traits were measured with the NEO Five Factor Inventory-3. The influence of confederates greatly increased participants’ humorousness ratings, especially among individuals higher in the meta-trait Stability.

This study compared how normative personality dimensions of the Five-Factor Model (FFM) and neurobehavioral traits of the triarchic model relate to psychopathic tendencies and clinical outcomes in an incarcerated sample of 277 Italian male offenders. Associations between triarchic model traits, measured using the TriPM and the FFM dimensions, measured using the NEO-FFI, were consistent with prior studies. Scores on the TriPM, particularly the Disinhibition scale, were associated with substance abuse and self-harm behavior over and above the presence of psychopathy, and beyond the personality dimensions indexed by the NEO-FFI. By contrast, the Neuroticism and Extraversion scales showed incremental validity, over and above psychopathy and TriPM scores, in predicting depressive tendencies. Lastly, both NEO-FFI and TriPM scales contributed to prediction of staff ratings of behavior in prison and prognosis for release, above and beyond psychopathy. These findings highlight potential advantages of the FFM and triarchic trait models for predicting clinical outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women worldwide. Up to 50% of non-palpable breast cancers are detected solely through microcalcification clusters in mammograms. This article presents a novel and completely automated algorithm for the detection of microcalcification clusters in a mammogram. A multiscale 2D non-linear energy operator is proposed for enhancing the contrast between the microcalcifications and the background. Several texture, shape, intensity, and histogram of oriented gradients (HOG)–based features are used to distinguish microcalcifications from other brighter mammogram regions. A new majority class data reduction technique based on data distribution is proposed to counter data imbalance problem. The algorithm is able to achieve 100% sensitivity with 2.59, 1.78, and 0.68 average false positives per image on Digital Database for Screening Mammography (scanned film), INbreast (direct radiography) database, and PGIMER-IITKGP mammogram (direct radiography) database, respectively. Thus, it might be used as a second reader as well as a screening tool to reduce the burden on radiologists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Near‐to‐eye optical systems today place an unnecessary burden on display makers by challenging them to solve problems caused by poor optical design choices. Starting from human vision fundamentals, this paper will cover key display performance characteristics and requirements when coupled with proper optic design. This will demonstrate why display makers need to advocate for a more balanced, systemic, relationship with optical designers to define legitimate display criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In 2013, the well-known Chelyabinsk meteor entered the Earth's atmosphere over Chelyabinsk, Russia. It is estimated that the meteor exploded at altitude near 30 km, which damaged thousands of buildings and injured a thousand of residents. The estimated size of the meteor is approximately 20 m. Because the meteor approached to Earth from Sun direction, no ground-based observatories could not detect until the impact. Considering such situations, the paper proposes a concept to detect Chelyabinsk-class small Near-Earth Objects. The concept addresses a "last-minute" warning system of NEO impact, in the same manner of "Tsunami" warning. To achieve the mission objective, two locations are assumed for the space telescope installation point i.e., Sun-Earth Lagrange point 1, SEL1 and Artificial Equilibrium Point, AEP. SEL1 is one of the natural equilibrium points, on the other hand, AEP is artificially equilibrated point by Sun and Earth gravity, centrifugal force and low-thrust acceleration. The magnitude of the acceleration to keep AEP is sufficiently small near 1 au radius orbit around the Sun i.e., the order of μm/s2 which can be achieved by solar sail. Through some cases of numerical simulations considering the size of NEOs and detector capability, this paper will show the feasibility of the proposed concept. Highlights • This is a concept study of a hazardous NEO detection and impact warning system. • It is assumed to use space-based telescopes to detect virtual impactors before the impact. • Sun-Earth L1 point and Artificial Equilibrium Point are used for space-telescope. • SEL1 case shows the deficiency to detect NEOs in-coming from Sun-direction. • On the other hand, AEP case shows almost 100% detectability of NEOs.5th IAA Planetary Defense Conference – PDC 2017. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) recently established an office to manage the Agency's planetary defense-related projects and coordinate activities across multiple U.S. agencies as well as with international efforts to plan appropriate responses to the potential asteroid impact hazard. The creation of the Planetary Defense Coordination Office (PDCO) is a logical and formal step forward with NASA's NEO Observations program which began nearly two decades ago. Since the program's inception in 1998, NASA-funded efforts have discovered more than 98% of the more than 16,000 NEOs currently known. As important as it is to mitigate a potential impact event, the essential first step is to find these near-Earth objects as early as possible. To that end, NASA's PDCO leads national and international efforts to: • detect any potential for significant impact of the Earth by natural objects; • appraise the range of potential effects by any possible object; and • develop strategies to mitigate impact effects on human welfare. Since commencing the program in 1998, NASA has provided funding to upgrade and operate existing 1-m class telescopes to conduct the search for NEOs. Today, NASA funds three primary ground-based survey capabilities: the Lincoln Near-Earth Asteroid Research (LINEAR) project, the Catalina Sky Survey (CSS), and the Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Reporting System (Pan-STARRS). Recent enhancements to NASA's Near-Earth Object (NEO) Observations Program have led to ∼83% increase in the discovery rate of near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) over the past three years. These survey efforts are increasingly detecting close encounter events (i.e., <0.001 AU; recent examples include 2012 DA 14 , 2017 EA, and 2017 GM) and have enabled the prediction of some small object impact events (e.g., 2008 TC 3 and 2014 AA). Such encounters provide opportunities for NASA's Infrared Telescope Facility (IRTF) to make spectral measurements; or observation by planetary radars at Arecibo and Goldstone to refine the orbit of the object with great precision and even "image" the small primitive body. Of critical importance is the Minor Planet Center (MPC), where automated systems process observations made by the search teams to determine orbits and what are NEOs. The Center for NEO Studies at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) determines more precise orbits for the objects. Both JPL and the MPC utilize processes and procedures for NEO orbit determination and prediction that are sanctioned and monitored by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) and produce data catalogues on small bodies in the Solar System that are utilized world-wide by the astronomical community. The Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) was reactivated for the purpose detecting NEOs and will continue to operate well into 2018. It is in Sun-synchronous, near-polar inclination (97.5°) orbit around the Earth. The NEOWISE project uses WISE in 'warm mode' (at 3.4 and 4.6 μm), and in conjunction with ground-based follow-up, this unique dataset has set limits on population statistics, orbital parameters, approximate sizes, and initial compositional knowledge of the asteroid population. Further follow-up observations with visible and infrared telescopes (e.g., NASA's Infrared Telescope Facility, Spitzer Space Telescope , other NASA-funded NEO observer teams) refine the astrometric positions of an NEO, photometric observations obtain detailed light curve information [thereby constraining NEO shapes and spin state], and collect albedo and spectral data on basic physical properties and mineralogy. Planetary defense demonstration missions also fall within the purview of the PDCO. The Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission is directed by NASA to the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL). The target is the binary near-Earth asteroid (65803) Didymos, which consists of a primary body ∼800 m across, and a secondary body (or "moonlet") whose 150-m size is more typical of the size of asteroids that could pose a more common hazard to Earth. However, the first step in planetary defense is the overarching goal to complete the NEO survey down to a 100 m-sized objects. The asteroid hunter mission – NEOCam – is a single scientific instrument: 0.5-m aperture infrared telescope that would survey the solar system for NEOs from Sun-Earth L 1 Lagrange point (SEL 1). NEOCam is also in an extended Phase A study under the auspices of NASA's PDCO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the debate surrounding He Shao's account that 'He Yan thinks the sage is without pleasure, anger, sorrow and grief.' The point of controversy surrounds squaring a perspective on the sage as emotionless with a thinker who otherwise largely expounds values and political views found in the Lunyu and the Laozi. Since proper management of emotions is important in both texts, it is difficult to imagine how He Yan could hold such a radical view. Dealing with this difficulty scholars have either simply found He Yan 'unreasonable' and 'contradictory' or otherwise sought to explain away his emotionless sage through complex ontological or political arguments. When He Yan's work is contextualized in terms of philosophical religious views at the time, we find additional problems with how He Yan's work has been interpreted. This paper considers a new way to view He Yan, one that respects his multifarious views. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Impact Monitoring (IM) of Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) is a young field of research, considering that 22 years ago precise algorithms to compute an impact probability with the Earth did not exist. On the other hand, the year 2020 just passed saw the increase of IM operational systems: in addition to the two historical systems, CLOMON2 (University of Pisa/SpaceDyS) and Sentry (JPL/NASA), the European Space Agency (ESA) started its own system AstOD. Moreover, in the last five years three systems for the detection of imminent impactors (small asteroidal objects detected a few days before the possible impact with the Earth) have been developed: SCOUT (at JPL/NASA), NEORANGER (at University of Helsinki) and NEOScan (at University of Pisa/SpaceDyS). The IM science, in addition to being useful for the planetary protection, is a very fascinating field of research because it involves astronomy, physics, mathematics and computer science. In this paper I am going to review the mathematical tools and algorithms of the IM science, highlighting the historical evolution and the challenges to be faced in the future.

Twelve years ago the Catalina Sky Survey discovered Earth's first known natural geocentric object other than the Moon, a few-meter diameter asteroid designated 2006 RH120. Despite significant improvements in ground-based telescope and detector technology in the past decade the asteroid surveys have not discovered another temporarily-captured orbiter (TCO; colloquially known as minimoons) but the all-sky fireball system operated in the Czech Republic as part of the European Fireball Network detected a bright natural meteor that was almost certainly in a geocentric orbit before it struck Earth's atmosphere. Within a few years the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) will either begin to regularly detect TCOs or force a re-analysis of the creation and dynamical evolution of small asteroids in the inner solar system. The first studies of the provenance, properties, and dynamics of Earth's minimoons suggested that there should be a steady state population with about one 1- to 2-m diameter captured objects at any time, with the number of captured meteoroids increasing exponentially for smaller sizes. That model was then improved and extended to include the population of temporarily-captured flybys (TCFs), objects that fail to make an entire revolution around Earth while energetically bound to the Earth-Moon system. Several different techniques for discovering TCOs have been considered but their small diameters, proximity, and rapid motion make them challenging targets for existing ground-based optical, meteor, and radar surveys. However, the LSST's tremendous light gathering power and short exposure times could allow it to detect and discover many minimoons. We expect that if the TCO population is confirmed, and new objects are frequently discovered, they can provide new opportunities for (1) studying the dynamics of the Earth-Moon system, (2) testing models of the production and dynamical evolution of small asteroids from the asteroid belt, (3) rapid and frequent low delta-v missions to multiple minimoons, and (4) evaluating in-situ resource utilization techniques on asteroidal material. Here we review the past decade of minimoon studies in preparation for capitalizing on the scientific and commercial opportunities of TCOs in the first decade of LSST operations.