University of Massachusetts Amherst

Vector-valued optimal transport: from dynamic to static formulations

Abstract Motivated by applications in classification of vector valued measures and multispecies PDE, we develop a theory that unifies existing notions of vector valued optimal transport, from dynamic formulations (à la Benamou-Brenier) to static formulations (à la Kantorovich). I...

Motion enhances camouflage: Retinal evidence for flicker fusion camouflage in jumping spiders

Camouflage is often assumed to fail once prey move, yet theory predicts that rapid motion can reduce detectability through flicker fusion camouflage (FFC), where high-contrast patterns blur into perceptual uniformity. We tested this prediction using retinal tracking in the jumpin...

Kombucha Bacterial Cellulose Obtained from Tea Fermentation for Biomedical Applications

Abstract The symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY) driving kombucha tea fermentation produces a cellulose pellicle with remarkable promise for biomedical applications. Unlike well-studied bacterial cellulose (BC), which is produced by single-strain cultures, the underex...

A hydroponic cultivation platform for analyzing nodal root development, cell wall thickening, and hormone responses in grasses

Nodal roots are central to water and nutrient uptake, anchorage, and resistance to lodging in grasses. These functions are especially important under variable and severe weather conditions that impact plant performance and crop stability. However, controlled induction and quantit...

Heat-treating FM with Clamshell Powder Ameliorate Postmenopausal Osteoporosis by Regulating Bone-Fat Metabolism.

Abstract Postmenopausal osteoporosis is characterized by a disruptive bone‑fat imbalance, yet effective therapies remain limited. Here, for the first time, we link the traditional use of fish maw heat‑treated with clam shell powder (CPFM) to the restoration of bone‑fat balance. U...

Interpreting History: Observations on Methodology in Taylor’s The Social Constitution

Abstract This review essay articulates methodological insights gleaned from Whitney Taylor’s The Social Constitution: Embedding Social Rights Through Legal Mobilization (Cambridge University Press, 2023). Through an analysis of how Taylor used interview and comparative methods, t...

Decolonization vs Enhanced Cleaning for Multidrug-Resistant Organism Reduction in Nursing Homes

Importance Universal decolonization and enhanced cleaning are strategies to prevent multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO) transmission. Whether their associations with MDRO burden are overlapping, additive, or synergistic remains unknown. Objective To evaluate independent and combi...

Going with the flow to solve for symmetry-driven PDE dynamics with physics-informed neural networks

We address a computational framework that integrates symmetry reduction into Physics-Informed Neural Networks (PINNs) for analysing symmetry-driven dynamics in nonlinear partial differential equations (PDEs). Using an auxiliary network to learn time-dependent transformations, we...

Spatiotemporal patterns of ambient NO2 and NO pollution in Kigali Rwanda

Abstract Kigali, like many cities in sub-Saharan Africa, faces rapid urban growth alongside the need to manage air pollution and protect public health. Despite its policy efforts, systematic data on nitrogen oxides (NO x : NO 2 and NO), key indicators of combustion-related pollut...

When Should Demographics Enter the Prior? Conditional Exchangeability in Bayesian Estimation of Risk Preferences

Hierarchical Bayesian models for the estimation of individual risk preferences typically assume that subjects are unconditionally exchangeable: prior to seeing any data, every subject is treated as a draw from a common population distribution. We examine the consequences of relax...

MulDet3D: Multiobjective Optimization-Based Unsupervised Object Detection for Multiple Roadside LiDARs

Abstract Roadside systems with multiple light detection and ranging (LiDAR) units offer promising capabilities for comprehensive traffic monitoring in intelligent transportation systems. However, they introduce unique challenges due to varying point cloud densities, different mea...

Dog ownership and healthy brain aging: a pilot study

Background Dog ownership may benefit brain and cognitive health by supporting physical activity and social connectedness, among other mechanisms. Studies that include brain health outcomes ( e.g. , neuroimaging outcomes) are lacking. As the population ages, studies investigating...