352 research outputs found
Calculating Probabilistic Distance to Solution in a Complex Problem Solving Domain
ABSTRACT In complex problem solving domains, correct solutions are often comprised of a combination of individual components. Students usually go through several attempts, each attempt reflecting an individual solution state that can be observed during practice. Classic metrics to measure student performance over time rely on counting the number of submissions or focusing on time taken to complete the problem correctly. These metrics are not robust to the correction of errors that may increase problem solving time, and do not reflect topical misunderstandings on the part of the student. In this paper we propose a metric to measure the probabilistic distance between an observed student solution and a correct solution. Students working in an online programming environment completed four practice problems. Their submissions were then evaluated against a model of the algorithmic components necessary for a correct solution. A Markov Model was used to generate a problem state graph. Our proposed Probabilistic Distance to Solution (PDS) metric was applied to the graph to determine the distance, in program states, from an observed program model to the model of a correct solution. Results indicate that the PDS is useful in determining if an edit or student path is (a) typical of students who have mastered content, and (b) productive in progressing toward a solution. We offer implementation details of PDS and implications for future work based upon current observations
Effective conductivity in association with model structure and spatial inhomogeneity of polymer/carbon black composites
The relationship between effective conductivity and cell structure of
polyethylene/carbon composites as well as between effective conductivity and
spatial distribution of carbon black are discussed. Following Yoshida's model
both structures can, in a way, be said to be intermediate between the well
known Maxwell-Garnett (MG) and Bruggeman (BR) limiting structures. Using TEM
photographs on composites with various carbon blacks we have observed that the
larger is Garncarek's inhomogeneity measure H of two-dimensional (2D)
representative distribution of the carbon black, the smaller is the effective
conductivity of the composite.Comment: 7 pages, 9 figure
WW Domains of the Yes-Kinase-Associated-Protein (YAP) Transcriptional Regulator Behave as Independent Units with Different Binding Preferences for PPxY Motif-Containing Ligands
YAP is a WW domain-containing effector of the Hippo tumor suppressor pathway, and the object of heightened interest as a potent oncogene and stemness factor. YAP has two major isoforms that differ in the number of WW domains they harbor. Elucidating the degree of co-operation between these WW domains is important for a full understanding of the molecular function of YAP. We present here a detailed biophysical study of the structural stability and binding properties of the two YAP WW domains aimed at investigating the relationship between both domains in terms of structural stability and partner recognition. We have carried out a calorimetric study of the structural stability of the two YAP WW domains, both isolated and in a tandem configuration, and their interaction with a set of functionally relevant ligands derived from PTCH1 and LATS kinases. We find that the two YAP WW domains behave as independent units with different binding preferences, suggesting that the presence of the second WW domain might contribute to modulate target recognition between the two YAP isoforms. Analysis of structural models and phage-display studies indicate that electrostatic interactions play a critical role in binding specificity. Together, these results are relevant to understand of YAP function and open the door to the design of highly specific ligands of interest to delineate the functional role of each WW domain in YAP signaling.This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science [grant BIO2009-13261-CO2], the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitivity [grant BIO2012-39922-CO2] including FEDER (European Funds for Regional Development) funds and the Governement of Andalusia [grant CVI-5915]. Marius Sudol was supported by PA Breast Cancer Coalition Grants (#60707 and #920093) plus the Geisinger Clinic
The HADES Tracking System
The tracking system of the dielectron spectrometer HADES at GSI Darmstadt is
formed out of 24 low-mass, trapezoidal multi-layer drift chambers providing in
total about 30 square meter of active area. Low multiple scattering in the in
total four planes of drift chambers before and after the magnetic field is
ensured by using helium-based gas mixtures and aluminum cathode and field
wires. First in-beam performance results are contrasted with expectations from
simulations. Emphasis is placed on the energy loss information, exploring its
relevance regarding track recognition.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures, presented at the 10th Vienna Conference on
Instrumentation, Vienna, February 2004, to be published in NIM A (special
issue
Two-Dimensional Spectroscopy of Photospheric Shear Flows in a Small delta Spot
In recent high-resolution observations of complex active regions,
long-lasting and well-defined regions of strong flows were identified in major
flares and associated with bright kernels of visible, near-infrared, and X-ray
radiation. These flows, which occurred in the proximity of the magnetic neutral
line, significantly contributed to the generation of magnetic shear. Signatures
of these shear flows are strongly curved penumbral filaments, which are almost
tangential to sunspot umbrae rather than exhibiting the typical radial
filamentary structure. Solar active region NOAA 10756 was a moderately complex,
beta-delta sunspot group, which provided an opportunity to extend previous
studies of such shear flows to quieter settings. We conclude that shear flows
are a common phenomenon in complex active regions and delta spots. However,
they are not necessarily a prerequisite condition for flaring. Indeed, in the
present observations, the photospheric shear flows along the magnetic neutral
line are not related to any change of the local magnetic shear. We present
high-resolution observations of NOAA 10756 obtained with the 65-cm vacuum
reflector at Big Bear Solar Observatory (BBSO). Time series of
speckle-reconstructed white-light images and two-dimensional spectroscopic data
were combined to study the temporal evolution of the three-dimensional vector
flow field in the beta-delta sunspot group. An hour-long data set of consistent
high quality was obtained, which had a cadence of better than 30 seconds and
sub-arcsecond spatial resolution.Comment: 23 pages, 6 gray-scale figures, 4 color figures, 2 tables, submitted
to Solar Physic
Bispectrum speckle interferometry observations and radiative transfer modelling of the red supergiant NML Cyg: Multiple dust-shell structures evidencing previous superwind phases
(abridged) NML Cyg is a highly evolved OH/IR supergiant and supposed to be
among the most luminous supergiants in the galaxy. We present the first
diffraction limited 2.13micron observations of NML Cyg with 73mas resolution.
The speckle interferograms were obtained with the SAO 6m telescope, image
reconstruction is based on the bispectrum speckle interferometry method.
Radiative transfer calculations have been carried out to model the spectral
energy distribution, our 2.13micron visibility function, and mid-infrared
visibility functions. The observed dust shell properties do not appear to be in
accordance with single-shell models but seem to require multiple components.
Considering previous periods of enhanced mass-loss, various density
enhancements in the dust shell were taken into account. An extensive grid of
models was calculated for different locations and strenghts of such superwind
regions in the dust shell. To match the observations from the optical to the
sub-mm domain requires at least two superwind regions embedded in the shell.
The best model includes a dust shell with a temperature of 1000K at its inner
radius of 6.2Rstar, a close embedded superwind shell extending from 15.5Rstar
to 21.7Rstar with amplitude 10 (factor of density enhancement), and a far-out
density enhancement at 186Rstar with amplitude 5. The angular diameter of the
inner dust-shell rim amounts to 105mas. Within the various parts of the dust
shell, 1/r^2 density distributions could be maintained differing only in their
amplitude A. The present-day mass-loss rate was determined to be 1.2 10^-4
Msol/yr. The inner embedded superwind shell corresponds to a phase of enhanced
mass-loss which began ~59yr ago and lasted for ~18yr, and the outer superwind
region to a high mass-loss period which terminated 529yr ago.Comment: 12 pages including 13 PostScript figures, also available from
http://www.mpifr-bonn.mpg.de/div/ir-interferometry/publications.html;
accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysic
Amorphous alumina in the extended atmosphere of Alpha Orionis
In this paper we study the extended atmosphere of the late-type supergiant
Alpha Orionis. Infrared spectroscopy of red supergiants reveals strong
molecular bands, some of which do not originate in the photosphere but in a
cooler layer of molecular material above it. Lately, these layers have been
spatially resolved by near and mid-IR interferometry. In this paper, we try to
reconcile the IR interferometric and ISO-SWS spectroscopic results on Alpha
Orionis with a thorough modelling of the photosphere, molecular layer(s) and
dust shell. From the ISO and near-IR interferometric observations, we find that
Alpha Orionis has only a very low density water layer close above the
photosphere. However, mid-IR interferometric observations and a narrow-slit
N-band spectrum suggest much larger extra-photospheric opacity close to the
photosphere at those wavelengths, even when taking into account the detached
dust shell. We argue that this cannot be due to the water layer, and that
another source of mid-IR opacity must be present. We show that this opacity
source is probably neither molecular nor chromospheric. Rather, we present
amorphous alumina (Al2O3) as the best candidate and discuss this hypothesis in
the framework of dust-condensation scenarios.Comment: 15 pages, 18 figures, accepted for publication in A&
The Evolution of Sunspot Magnetic Fields Associated with a Solar Flare
Solar flares occur due to the sudden release of energy stored in
active-region magnetic fields. To date, the pre-cursors to flaring are still
not fully understood, although there is evidence that flaring is related to
changes in the topology or complexity of an active region's magnetic field.
Here, the evolution of the magnetic field in active region NOAA 10953 was
examined using Hinode/SOT-SP data, over a period of 12 hours leading up to and
after a GOES B1.0 flare. A number of magnetic-field properties and low-order
aspects of magnetic-field topology were extracted from two flux regions that
exhibited increased Ca II H emission during the flare. Pre-flare increases in
vertical field strength, vertical current density, and inclination angle of ~
8degrees towards the vertical were observed in flux elements surrounding the
primary sunspot. The vertical field strength and current density subsequently
decreased in the post-flare state, with the inclination becoming more
horizontal by ~7degrees. This behaviour of the field vector may provide a
physical basis for future flare forecasting efforts.Comment: Accepted for Publication in Solar Physics. 16 pages, 4 figure
WW domain interactions regulate the Hippo tumor suppressor pathway
The Hippo kinase pathway is emerging as a conserved signaling pathway that is essential for organ growth and tumorigenesis in Drosophila and mammalians. Although the signaling of the core kinases is relatively well understood, less is known about the upstream inputs, downstream outputs and regulation of the whole cascade. Enrichment of the Hippo pathway components with WW domains and their cognate proline-rich interacting motifs provides a versatile platform for further understanding the mechanisms that regulate organ growth and tumorigenesis. Here, we review recently discovered mechanisms of WW domain-mediated interactions that contribute to the regulation of the Hippo signaling pathway in tumorigenesis. We further discuss new insights and future directions on the emerging role of such regulation
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