1,196 research outputs found
Dopamine restores reward prediction errors in old age
No full textSenescence affects the ability to utilize information about the likelihood of rewards for optimal decision-making. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging in humans, we found that healthy older adults had an abnormal signature of expected value, resulting in an incomplete reward prediction error (RPE) signal in the nucleus accumbens, a brain region that receives rich input projections from substantia nigra/ventral tegmental area (SN/VTA) dopaminergic neurons. Structural connectivity between SN/VTA and striatum, measured by diffusion tensor imaging, was tightly coupled to inter-individual differences in the expression of this expected reward value signal. The dopamine precursor levodopa (L-DOPA) increased the task-based learning rate and task performance in some older adults to the level of young adults. This drug effect was linked to restoration of a canonical neural RPE. Our results identify a neurochemical signature underlying abnormal reward processing in older adults and indicate that this can be modulated by L-DOPA
Dynamical mean-field theory of realistic spin glasses beyond independent-mode approximation. II. Effect of reaction field
No full textThe author extends the previous calculation on a dynamical mean-field theory of realistic spin glasses (Chowdhury and Mookerjee) so as to incorporate the effect of the reaction field. The 'ordering temperature' of a mode is shown to depend not only on the corresponding eigenvalue of the random matrix J but also on the structure of the whole spectrum
People mover project (control system part)
No full textThis thesis report is submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, 2011.Cataloged from PDF version of thesis report.Includes bibliographical references (page 69).People-Mover is an electrical self-motivated medium. The term is generally used only to describe systems serving relatively small areas such as airports, downtown districts or theme parks, but is sometimes applied to considerably more complex automated systems. Normally, the train runs autonomously form terminals to terminals. Its speed and movement can be controlled wirelessly.
Practically, people movers typically consist of driverless trains with up to about four cars each capable of carrying 20 to 100 passengers who are mostly standing. They have been successfully used for surface transportation in airports for over thirty years. A new category of automated people mover called personal rapid transit (PRT) is being implemented at London's Heathrow InternationalAirport.
In this project we designed and implemented this independent rail system which is planned for people transportation from system specifications down to fully working system as well as hardware and software. Main goal of this project is to convert the theoretical knowledge into practical system. On that aspect this project is perfect, because here all features of Electrical Engineering (control system, circuit designing and implementation, wireless communication, micro electronics etc.) as well as some mechanical engineering features are being used.Shayla Azad BhuyanChoudhury Tanzia SiddquiSazia Afrin ChowdhuryMD Kazi ZaffrullahB. Electrical and Electronic Engineerin
Measuring employee satisfaction in Standard Insurance Limited
No full textThis internship report is submitted in a partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Business Administration, 2015.Cataloged from PDF version of Internship report.Includes bibliographical references (page 40).It is very interesting to observe how organizations are involved to shape themselves for a new arena. We are entering into a new dynamic millennium of 21st century. Especially we know insurance companies are directly in action to up-grade the economic position of countries every time. I conducted and experienced the project from that point of view. No doubt human resource plays a grater to the development of business as well as the economy. In this regard I took “Measuring Employee Satisfaction in Standard Insurance Limited” as my topic, I analyzed this topic for having an inside look of the organization operational system of Standard Insurance Limited. Financial institutions serve a wide variety of customers individually and conduct business with a variety of financial needs.
It is an exploratory research which gives an overall idea about the company, in addition this research will find out what the different types of HR activities, and employee satisfaction level about those HR policy.
Standard Insurance is running its business successfully in Bangladesh since 1999 till now. It is possible only because of its better service. After doing a research, I have found that HR policy Standard Insurance need to modified for the development of employee. The employee satisfaction level is not satisfactory at all level.Mahadi Azad LituM. Business Administration
Biomechanical signals and the C-type natriuretic peptide counteract catabolic activities induced by IL-1? in chondrocyte/agarose constructs
No full textIntroduction: The present study examined the effect of C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) on the anabolic and catabolic activities in chondrocyte/agarose constructs subjected to dynamic compression. Methods: Constructs were cultured under free-swelling conditions or subjected to dynamic compression with low (0.1 to 100 pM) or high concentrations (1 to 1,000 nM) of CNP, interleukin-1? (IL-1?), and/or KT-5823 (inhibits cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase II (PKGII)). Anabolic and catabolic activities were assessed as follows: nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) release, and [3H]-thymidine and 35SO4 incorporation were quantified by using biochemical assays. Gene expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), aggrecan, and collagen type II were assessed with real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR). Two-way ANOVA and the post hoc Bonferroni-corrected t tests were used to examine data. Results: CNP reduced NO and PGE2 release and partially restored [3H]-thymidine and 35SO4 incorporation in constructs cultured with IL-1?. The response was dependent on the concentration of CNP, such that 100 pM increased [3H]-thymidine incorporation (P < 0.001). This is in contrast to 35SO4 incorporation, which was enhanced with 100 or 1000 nM CNP in the presence and absence of IL-1? (P < 0.001). Stimulation by both dynamic compression and CNP and/or the PKGII inhibitor further reduced NO and PGE2 release and restored [3H]-thymidine and 35SO4 incorporation. In the presence and absence of IL-1?, the magnitude of stimulation for [3H]-thymidine and 35SO4 incorporation by dynamic compression was dependent on the concentration of CNP and the response was inhibited with the PKGII inhibitor. In addition, stimulation by CNP and/or dynamic compression reduced IL-1?-induced iNOS and COX-2 expression and restored aggrecan and collagen type II expression. The catabolic response was not further influenced with the PKGII inhibitor in IL-1?-treated constructs. Conclusions: Treatment with CNP and dynamic compression increased anabolic activities and blocked catabolic effects induced by IL-1?. The anabolic response was PKGII mediated and raises important questions about the molecular mechanisms of CNP with mechanical signals in cartilage. Therapeutic agents like CNP could be administered in conjunction with controlled exercise therapy to slow the OA disease progression and to repair damaged cartilage. The findings from this research provide the potential for developing novel agents to slow the pathophysiologic mechanisms and to treat OA in the young and old. <br/
Author Co-Citation Analysis (ACA): a powerful tool for representing implicit knowledge of scholar knowledge workers
No full textIn the last decade, knowledge has emerged as one of the most important and valuable organizational assets. Gradually this importance caused to emergence of new discipline entitled ―knowledge management‖. However one of the major challenges of knowledge management is conversion implicit or tacit knowledge to explicit knowledge. Thus Making knowledge visible so that it can be better accessed, discussed, valued or generally managed is a long-standing objective in knowledge management. Accordingly in this paper author co- citation analysis (ACA) will be proposed as an efficient technique of knowledge visualization in academia (Scholar knowledge workers)
Next Generation Business Handbook: New Strategies from Tomorrow’s Thought Leaders
No full textDonald Gibson is a contributing author, Returning Human to HR Management.”, pp. 887-902.
Book description: Next Generation Business Handbook offers strategies for the next generation of business success from the best business schools around the world. Presents fresh ideas from the young, up-and-coming business thinkers and experts from the world\u27s best business schools. Coverage of topics like career imprinting and operating in a virtual workspace that are receiving increased attention in organizations. Organized around Chowdhury\u27s next generation business model. - Publisher description.https://digitalcommons.fairfield.edu/business-books/1018/thumbnail.jp
Monetary policy shock and impact asymmetry in bank lending channel: evidence from the UK housing sector
No full textBanks play a defining role in translating monetary policy shocks to pull or push‐effects in the housing market. The literature is ambiguous on the exact role of bank lending channel (BLC) in translating such effects into either moderation or acceleration of dynamics in the housing market. This paper argues that monetary policy shocks, of the same magnitude, can have asymmetric implications for a housing market via a state dependent BLC, particularly during expansion and recessionary phases of the business cycle. We test this hypothesis for the UK housing sector using a long quarterly data (1973Q1‐2015Q4) and employing Markov Switching Vector Auto Regression (MSVAR) models. Our results show that the magnitude of the bank lending channel is contingent upon the state of the economy, with a one standard deviation expansionary monetary policy shock producing a significant effect only in normal economic times. Further study on whether large cuts in policy rates could stimulate mortgage lending and whether there is impact asymmetry to dissimilar expansionary monetary policy shocks during financial crisis, we show that a sharp cut in policy rate indeed stimulates the BLC greater compared to smaller expansionary money policy shocks during recessions
A critique of vanishing voice in noncooperative spaces: the perspective of an aspirant black female intellectual activist
No full textWe adopt and extend the concept of ‘noncooperative space’ to analyze how (aspirant) black women intellectual activists attempt to sustain their efforts within settings that publicly endorse racial equality, while, in practice, the contexts remain deeply racist. Noncooperative spaces reflect institutional, organizational, and social environments portrayed by powerful white agents as conducive to anti-racism work and promoting racial equality but, indeed, constrain individuals who challenge racism. Our work, which is grounded in intersectionality, draws on an autoethnographic account of racially motivated domestic violence suffered by our lead author. Our analysis suggests that (aspirant) black women intellectual activists must develop courage to sustain their ‘voice’ within noncooperative spaces. However, the three interlinked dimensions of noncooperative spaces—namely, deceiving design, hegemonic actors’ indifference to racism, and (some assimilated gatekeepers’) false equivalence—may gradually erode a black female scholar’s courage. This forces her ‘voice’ to vanish temporarily, or even permanently. Courage is thus fragile and depletable. Yet, courage can be regenerated, resulting in regaining voice. Consequently, we propose courageous collective action by white allies and black and brown individuals who voluntarily and officially cooperate within and across various spaces to achieve racial equality
Effects of Hartmann number on combined convection in a channel with cavity using Cu-water nanofluid
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