Separating true range measurements from multi-path and scattering interference in commercial range cameras

Time-of-flight range cameras acquire a three-dimensional image of a scene simultaneously for all pixels from a single viewing location. Attempts to use range cameras for metrology applications have been hampered by the multi-path problem, which causes range distortions when stray light interferes with the range measurement in a given pixel. Correcting multi-path distortions by post-processing the three-dimensional measurement data has been investigated, but enjoys limited success because the interference is highly scene dependent. An alternative approach based on separating the strongest and weaker sources of light returned to each pixel, prior to range decoding, is more successful, but has only been demonstrated on custom built range cameras, and has not been suitable for general metrology applications. In this paper we demonstrate an algorithm applied to both the Mesa Imaging SR-4000 and Canesta Inc. XZ-422 Demonstrator unmodified off-the-shelf range cameras. Additional raw images are acquired and processed using an optimization approach, rather than relying on the processing provided by the manufacturer, to determine the individual component returns in each pixel. Substantial improvements in accuracy are observed, especially in the darker regions of the scene

University-wide Entrepreneurship Education: Alternative Models and Current Trends

The paper examines the trend towards university-wide programs in entrepreneurship education. We present a conceptual framework for dividing university-wide programs into two categories: magnet programs, which draw students into entrepreneurship courses offered in the business school, and radiant programs, which feature entrepreneurship courses outside the business school, focused on the specific context of the nonbusiness students. Examining 38 ranked entrepreneurship programs, we found that about 79 percent now have university-wide programs, most of which follow a magnet model. In interviews with stakeholders at sample institutions, we found that magnet and radiant programs differ in terms of program definition, motivation for the university-wide focus, and costs and benefits. Our major findings are: (1) the trend toward university-wide entrepreneurship education is strong and gaining momentum; (2) our conceptual framework clarifies the different pathways for creating a university-wide approach; (3) while the radiant model is extremely appealing to students, parents, and alumni, the magnet model is easier to administer and represents the path of least resistance; and (4) while the magnet model is simpler to implement, it may lead to conflicts in the longer term because the benefits may not be shared equally across the university

University-wide Entrepreneurship Education: Alternative Models and Current Trends

WP 2002-02 March 2002The paper examines the trend towards university-wide programs in entrepreneurship education. We present a conceptual framework for dividing university-wide programs into two categories: “magnet programs,” which draw students into entrepreneurship courses offered in the business school, and “radiant programs,” which feature entrepreneurship courses outside the business school, focused on the specific context of the non-business students. Examining 38 ranked entrepreneurship programs, we found that about 75% now have university-wide programs, most of which follow a magnet model. In interviews with stakeholders at sample institutions (some ranked, others not), we found that magnet and radiant programs differ in terms of program definition, motivation for the university-wide focus, and costs and benefits. Our major findings are 1) The trend toward University-wide entrepreneurship education is strong and gaining momentum 2) Our conceptual framework clarifies the different pathways for creating a university-wide approach, 3) While the radiant model is extremely appealing to students, parents, and alumni, the magnet model is easier to administer and represents the pathway of least resistance, and 4) While the magnet model is simpler to implement, it may lead to conflicts in the longer term because the benefits (in terms of flow of students and donors) may not be shared equally across the university

Influence of soil drought stress on photosynthesis, carbohydrates and the nitrogen and phophorus absorb in different section of leaves and stem of Fugi/M.9EML, a young apple seedling

Drought is the most significant limiting factor for plant cultivation. Greenhouse-grown 1-year-old potted M.9EMLA apple trees (Malus domestica Borkh.) (after growing for 6 weeks) were subjected to drought stress by withholding water for an additional six-week period. The photosynthesis, carbohydrates and the nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) absorb in the upper, middle and lower leaves of the seedlings were determined. The results revealed that drought stress obviously decreased the photosynthesis and carbohydrates contents in the leaves at all sections of shoot compared with the control. Sorbitol and glucose concentrations increased over time and was kept at a higher level during the drought stress period whereas sucrose concentration declined. N content in the leaves kept a flat trend and was higher than that of the control while P concentration decreased compared with the control. These results demonstrated that drought stress prevented N and P absorbtion and decreased RWC of apple leaves, which caused the decline of photosynthesis and transpiration. Thus, the direct phenotype was the slowed growth which was specifically expressed in decreased plant height, number of leaves, average leaf area and stem diameter.Keywords: Malus domestica Borkh, sorbitol, water deficit, transpirationAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 9(33), pp. 5320-5325, 16 August, 201

Designer proteins that competitively inhibit Gαq by targeting its effector site

During signal transduction, the G protein, Gαq, binds and activates phospholipase C-β isozymes. Several diseases have been shown to manifest upon constitutively activating mutation of Gαq, such as uveal melanoma. Therefore, methods are needed to directly inhibit Gαq. Previously, we demonstrated that a peptide derived from a helix-turn-helix (HTH) region of PLC-β3 (residues 852-878) binds Gαq with low micromolar affinity and inhibits Gαq by competing with full-length PLC-β isozymes for binding. Since the HTH peptide is unstructured in the absence of Gαq, we hypothesized that embedding the HTH in a folded protein might stabilize the binding-competent conformation and further improve the potency of inhibition. Using the molecular modeling software Rosetta, we searched the Protein Data Bank for proteins with similar HTH structures near their surface. The candidate proteins were computationally docked against Gαq, and their surfaces were redesigned to stabilize this interaction. We then used yeast surface display to affinity mature the designs. The most potent design bound Gαq/i with high affinity in vitro (KD = 18 nM) and inhibited activation of PLC-β isozymes in HEK293 cells. We anticipate that our genetically encoded inhibitor will help interrogate the role of Gαq in healthy and disease model systems. Our work demonstrates that grafting interaction motifs into folded proteins is a powerful approach for generating inhibitors of protein-protein interactions

Labeling, rehearsal, and short-term memory in retarded children

A short-term memory task was used to explore the effects of verbal labeling and rehearsal on serial-position recall in mildly retarded 9- to 11-year-old children. A stimulus array consisting of seven cards depicting familiar animals was presented for seven trials. In Expt I, recall when subjects labeled the pictures as they were shown was compared to recall when no labeling occurred. Total recall was not affected, but for the older CA group primacy recall was hindered and recency recall was facilitated by labeling. In Expt II, three variations of rehearsal of the names to be recalled were compared. When prompting accompanied rehearsal, recall improved at both recency and primacy positions. When prompting occurred for the primacy positions only, recall was higher for these positions but not for other positions. These results support the view that verbal skills affect recall in mildly retarded children similarly to normal children.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/22264/1/0000701.pd

Adding web-based support to exercise referral schemes improves symptoms of depression in people with elevated depressive symptoms:A secondary analysis of the e-coachER randomised controlled trial

Background: Exercise referral schemes (ERS) reduce depression but the additional effect on mental health from web-based behavioural support is unknown. The e-coachER trial reported no effect of augmenting usual ERS with theory-driven web-based behavioural support on moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) at 12 months for patients with chronic physical and mental health conditions. The present study reports the effects of the e-coachER intervention on depression, anxiety and MVPA only among participants with elevated depressive symptoms and investigates whether these were mediated by changes in MVPA and hypothesised cognitive and behavioural processes. Methods: Of the original 450 adults recruited into the e-coachER trial, 205 had at least mild depression, based on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and were included in the present analysis. Data collected included the HADS, accelerometer measured and self-reported MVPA and survey process measures on physical activity action planning, self-monitoring and goal reviewing, and perceived importance, confidence, competence, autonomy and support. Linear mixed models were used to compare groups for change in depression and anxiety at 4 and 12 months using intention-to-treat complete case analysis, controlling for baseline. We also examined whether changes in physical activity and process variables at 4 months mediated changes in depression and anxiety at 12 months. Results: Of the 205 participants, 138 (67%) provided follow-up data at four months and 126 (61%) at 12 months. For those that provided follow-up data, those randomised to e-coachER reported improved levels of depression (−1.36, 95% CI: −2.55 to −0.18) but not anxiety, or MVPA, compared with controls at four months. No differences were observed at 12 months for depression, anxiety or MVPA. Intervention effects on accelerometer-measured or self-reported MVPA did not mediate improvements in depression or anxiety. However, intervention effects on confidence, competence and self-monitoring at four months significantly mediated the reduction in depression scores at four months. Intervention effects on competence and self-monitoring at four months also significantly mediated improvements in anxiety scores at four months. Interpretation: Adding web-based support to usual ERS leads to reductions in depression but not anxiety at four months. Changes in depression and anxiety were influenced by changing people's motivational regulations toward physical activity. The benefit of adding web-based support to usual ERS on mental health appears to be from increasing a sense of confidence, competence and self-monitoring rather than from increasing physical activity in people with elevated depression. ERS should focus more on strengthening motivational regulations than just doing more exercise. Trial registration: ISRCTN15644451.</p