Some unusual natural areas in Illinois

Bibliography: p. 42-43

The IDEAL (Integrated Design and Engineering Analysis Languages) modeling methodology: Capabilities and Applications

The IDEAL (Integrated Design and Engineering Analysis Languages) modeling methodology has been formulated and applied over a five-year period. It has proven to be a unique, integrated approach utilizing a top-down, structured technique to define and document the system of interest; a knowledge engineering technique to collect and organize system descriptive information; a rapid prototyping technique to perform preliminary system performance analysis; and a sophisticated simulation technique to perform in-depth system performance analysis

IDEAL: A methology for developing information systems

As a result of improved capabilities obtained through current computer technologies, application programs and expert systems, Enterprises are being designed or upgraded to be highly integrated and automated information systems. To design or modify Enterprises, it is necessary to first define what functions are to be performed within the Enterprise, identify which functions are potential candidates for automation, and what automated or expert systems are available, or must be developed, to accomplish the selected function. Second, it is necessary to define and analyze the informational requirements for each function along with the informational relationships among the functions so that a database structure can be established to support the Enterprise. To perform this type of system design, an integrated set of analysis tools is required to support the information analysis process. The IDEAL (Integrated Design and Engineering Analysis Languages) methodology provides this integrated set of tools and is discussed

Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marsh.

https://thekeep.eiu.edu/herbarium_specimens_byname/21102/thumbnail.jp

Forestiera acuminata (Michx.) Poir.

https://thekeep.eiu.edu/herbarium_specimens_byname/21059/thumbnail.jp

Phase modulation induced by cooperative effects in electromagnetically induced transparency

We analyze the influence of dipole-dipole interactions in an electromagnetically induced transparency setup at high density. We show both analytically and numerically that the polarization contribution to the local field strongly modulates the phase of a weak pulse. We give an intuitive explanation for this local field induced phase modulation and show that it distinctively differs from the nonlinear self-phase modulation a strong pulse experiences in a Kerr medium

Sub-Poissonian statistics of Rydberg-interacting dark-state polaritons

Interfacing light and matter at the quantum level is at the heart of modern atomic and optical physics and enables new quantum technologies involving the manipulation of single photons and atoms. A prototypical atom-light interface is electromagnetically induced transparency, in which quantum interference gives rise to hybrid states of photons and atoms called dark-state polaritons. We have observed individual dark-state polaritons as they propagate through an ultracold atomic gas involving Rydberg states. Strong long-range interactions between Rydberg atoms give rise to an effective interaction blockade for dark-state polaritons, which results in large optical nonlinearities and modified polariton number statistics. The observed statistical fluctuations drop well below the quantum noise limit indicating that photon correlations modified by the strong interactions have a significant back-action on the Rydberg atom statistics.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figure

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance characterization of peri-infarct zone remodeling following myocardial infarction

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Clinical studies implementing late gadolinium-enhanced (LGE) cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) studies suggest that the peri-infarct zone (PIZ) contains a mixture of viable and non-viable myocytes, and is associated with greater susceptibility to ventricular tachycardia induction and adverse cardiac outcomes. However, CMR data assessing the temporal formation and functional remodeling characteristics of this complex region are limited. We intended to characterize early temporal changes in scar morphology and regional function in the PIZ.</p> <p>Methods and results</p> <p>CMR studies were performed at six time points up to 90 days after induction of myocardial infarction (MI) in eight minipigs with reperfused, anterior-septal infarcts. Custom signal density threshold algorithms, based on the remote myocardium, were applied to define the infarct core and PIZ region for each time point. After the initial post-MI edema subsided, the PIZ decreased by 54% from day 10 to day 90 (<it>p </it>= 0.04). The size of infarct scar expanded by 14% and thinned by 56% from day 3 to 12 weeks (<it>p </it>= 0.004 and <it>p </it>< 0.001, respectively). LVEDV increased from 34.7. ± 2.2 ml to 47.8 ± 3.0 ml (day3 and week12, respectively; p < 0.001). At 30 days post-MI, regional circumferential strain was increased between the infarct scar and the PIZ (-2.1 ± 0.6 and -6.8 ± 0.9, respectively;* <it>p </it>< 0.05).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The PIZ is dynamic and decreases in mass following reperfused MI. Tensile forces in the PIZ undergo changes following MI. Remodeling characteristics of the PIZ may provide mechanistic insights into the development of life-threatening arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death post-MI.</p

Full counting statistics of laser excited Rydberg aggregates in a one-dimensional geometry

We experimentally study the full counting statistics of few-body Rydberg aggregates excited from a quasi-one-dimensional Rydberg gas. We measure asymmetric excitation spectra and increased second and third order statistical moments of the Rydberg number distribution, from which we determine the average aggregate size. Direct comparisons with numerical simulations reveal the presence of liquid-like spatial correlations, and indicate sequential growth of the aggregates around an initial grain. These findings demonstrate the importance of dissipative effects in strongly correlated Rydberg gases and introduce a way to study spatio-temporal correlations in strongly-interacting many-body quantum systems without imaging.Comment: 6 pages plus supplemen

The Informedia Digital Video Library System at the Open University

This paper gives an overview of the evaluation of the Informedia Digital Video Library system at the Open University. An introduction to the technology that Informedia uses is provided and the functionality of the system as applied at the Open University is described. We report on our user study, which involved participants from the University's library, academic and production units. Practical hands-on sessions, followed by group discussions were used to carry out the evaluation. Data was collected by way of preevaluation questionnaires, post-evaluation questionnaires and by audiotapes of the group discussions. Good points and problem areas of the system, as identified by the evaluation, are presented. The user feedback on the system was very positive and appeared to indicate a definite potential for the system at the OU