Reconstruction of eye movements during blinks

In eye movement research in reading, the amount of data plays a crucial role for the validation of results. A methodological problem for the analysis of the eye movement in reading are blinks, when readers close their eyes. Blinking rate increases with increasing reading time, resulting in high data losses, especially for older adults or reading impaired subjects. We present a method, based on the symbolic sequence dynamics of the eye movements, that reconstructs the horizontal position of the eyes while the reader blinks. The method makes use of an observed fact that the movements of the eyes before closing or after opening contain information about the eyes movements during blinks. Test results indicate that our reconstruction method is superior to methods that use simpler interpolation approaches. In addition, analyses of the reconstructed data show no significant deviation from the usual behavior observed in readers

Uniform generation in trace monoids

We consider the problem of random uniform generation of traces (the elements of a free partially commutative monoid) in light of the uniform measure on the boundary at infinity of the associated monoid. We obtain a product decomposition of the uniform measure at infinity if the trace monoid has several irreducible components-a case where other notions such as Parry measures, are not defined. Random generation algorithms are then examined.Comment: Full version of the paper in MFCS 2015 with the same titl

Effective-Range Expansion of the Neutron-Deuteron Scattering Studied by a Quark-Model Nonlocal Gaussian Potential

The S-wave effective range parameters of the neutron-deuteron (nd) scattering are derived in the Faddeev formalism, using a nonlocal Gaussian potential based on the quark-model baryon-baryon interaction fss2. The spin-doublet low-energy eigenphase shift is sufficiently attractive to reproduce predictions by the AV18 plus Urbana three-nucleon force, yielding the observed value of the doublet scattering length and the correct differential cross sections below the deuteron breakup threshold. This conclusion is consistent with the previous result for the triton binding energy, which is nearly reproduced by fss2 without reinforcing it with the three-nucleon force.Comment: 21 pages, 6 figures and 6 tables, submitted to Prog. Theor. Phy

A Simple Targeting Procedure for Lunar Trans-Earth Injection

A simple targeting algorithm for trans-Earth injection is developed. The techniques presented in this paper build on techniques developed for the Apollo program and other lunar and interplanetary missions. Presently, more sophisticated algorithms exist for solving this problem, but the simplicity of this particular algorithm makes it well-suited for on-board use during contingency and abort operations. In order to support a return from any lunar orbit with available fuel on the spacecraft the algorithm chooses between one-, two-, or three-burn return scenarios. The one- and two-burn cases are based on existing theory. For the three-burn case however, the existing theory is modified in order to provide a simple solution. Rather than attempting to create fuel-optimal trajectories, the algorithm presented in this paper focuses on computing a trajectory from low lunar orbit to direct atmospheric Earth entry that does not violate a fuel constraint. The algorithm attempts to use a minimal number of impulses to execute trans-earth injection. The algorithm can also be used to quickly generate good initial guesses for other more sophisticated targeting algorithms that can be used to find minimal fuel trajectories or optimize other parameters. This algorithm has three principle phases. First, an estimate of the hyperbolic excess velocity at the Lunar sphere of influence is generated. Second, a maneuver is computed that will transfer the craft from a lunar circular orbit to the hyperbolic escape asymptote. Finally, the effects of perturbations are eliminated by using linear state transition matrix targeting

Pathways of cellular internalisation of liposomes delivered siRNA and effects on siRNA engagement with target mRNA and silencing in cancer cells

Design of an efficient delivery system is a generally recognised bottleneck in translation of siRNA technology into clinic. Despite research efforts, cellular processes that determine efficiency of siRNA silencing achieved by different delivery formulations remain unclear. Here, we investigated the mechanism(s) of cellular internalisation of a model siRNA-loaded liposome system in a correlation to the engagement of delivered siRNA with its target and consequent silencing by adopting siRNA molecular beacon technology. Probing of cellular internalisation pathways by a panel of pharmacological inhibitors indicated that clathrin-mediated (dynamin-dependent) endocytosis, macropinocytosis (dynamine independent), and cell membrane cholesterol dependent process(es) (clathrin and caveolea-independent) all play a role in the siRNA-liposomes internalization. The inhibition of either of these entry routes was, in general, mirrored by a reduction in the level of siRNA engagement with its target mRNA, as well as in a reduction of the target gene silencing. A dramatic increase in siRNA engagement with its target RNA was observed on disruption of endosomal membrane (by chloroquine), accompanied with an increased silencing. The work thus illustrates that employing molecular beacon siRNA technology one can start to assess the target RNA engagement – a stage between initial cellular internalization and final gene silencing of siRNA delivery systems

An Examination of Not-For-Profit Stakeholder Networks for Relationship Management: A Small-Scale Analysis on Social Media

Using a small-scale descriptive network analysis approach, this study highlights the importance of stakeholder networks for identifying valuable stakeholders and the management of existing stakeholders in the context of mental health not-for-profit services. We extract network data from the social media brand pages of three health service organizations from the U.S., U.K., and Australia, to visually map networks of 579 social media brand pages (represented by nodes), connected by 5,600 edges. This network data is analyzed using a collection of popular graph analysis techniques to assess the differences in the way each of the service organizations manage stakeholder networks. We also compare node meta-information against basic topology measures to emphasize the importance of effectively managing relationships with stakeholders who have large external audiences. Implications and future research directions are also discussed

Annual Survival of Snail Kites in Florida: Radio Telemetry versus Capture-Resighting Data

We estimated annual survival of Snail Kites (Rostrhamus sociabilis) in Florida using the Kaplan-Meier estimator with data from 271 radio-tagged birds over a three-year period and capture-recapture (resighting) models with data from 1,319 banded birds over a six-year period. We tested the hypothesis that survival differed among three age classes using both data sources. We tested additional hypotheses about spatial and temporal variation using a combination of data from radio telemetry and single- and multistrata capture-recapture models. Results from these data sets were similar in their indications of the sources of variation in survival, but they differed in some parameter estimates. Both data sources indicated that survival was higher for adults than for juveniles, but they did not support delineation of a subadult age class. Our data also indicated that survival differed among years and regions for juveniles but not for adults. Estimates of juvenile survival using radio telemetry data were higher than estimates using capture-recapture models for two of three years (1992 and 1993). Ancillary evidence based on censored birds indicated that some mortality of radio-tagged juveniles went undetected during those years, resulting in biased estimates. Thus, we have greater confidence in our estimates of juvenile survival using capture-recapture models. Precision of estimates reflected the number of parameters estimated and was surprisingly similar between radio telemetry and single-stratum capture-recapture models, given the substantial differences in sample sizes. Not having to estimate resighting probability likely offsets, to some degree, the smaller sample sizes from our radio telemetry data. Precision of capture-recapture models was lower using multistrata models where region-specific parameters were estimated than using single-stratum models, where spatial variation in parameters was not taken into account

The Collaborative Design Virtual Environment (CDVE)

In any construction project, designers are responsible to propose and develop designs based on the owner’s requirement. Designs are primarily produced and presented in the form of 2D CAD drawings that can later be used by the builder to erect the facility. Nowadays, as technologies improve, the complexity of building designs also increases. Designs are produced by various designers residing either within the same firm, outsourced, or through collaboration of many design firms. Due to this nature of production of designs, effective communication and collaboration among individuals involved are important. Current design collaboration tools are mostly in non real time fashion and the designs are not in 3D. This video presents an application currently under development to support real-time design collaboration in a virtual environment (VE). This application is called the ‘Collaborative Design Virtual Environment’ or ‘CDVE’. The CDVE support many collaborative real time 3D interactions such as moving, rotating, scaling, hiding, duplicate 3D object that exist in the VE

TEACHING WITH PRIMARY SOURCES: REPORT FROM TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY FOR ITHAKA S+R

Primary sources have long enabled an inquiry-based approach to instruction, one which offers students the opportunity to expand critical thinking abilities and lasting research skills through a personal experience with historical materials. In recent years, this mode of teaching has greatly been expanded through the aid of digital technologies and an increased commitment to fostering information literacy among undergraduate students in particular. The present report reflects research conducted by a team of three librarians at Texas A&M University as part of the Ithaka S+R “Teaching With Primary Sources” research project