Lhx6 regulates the migration of cortical interneurons from the ventral telencephalon but does not specify their GABA phenotype

The LIM homeodomain family of transcription factors is involved in many processes in the developing CNS, ranging from cell fate specification to connectivity. A member of this family of transcription factors, lhx6, is expressed in the medial ganglionic eminence(MGE) of the ventral telencephalon, where the vast majority of cortical interneurons are generated. Its expression in the GABA-containing MGE cells that migrate to the cortex suggests that this gene uniquely or in combination with other transcription factors may play a role in the neurochemical identity and migration of these neurons. We performed loss of function studies for lhx6 in mouse embryonic day 13.5 brain slices and dissociated MGE neuronal cultures using Lhx6-targeted small interfering RNA produced by a U6 promoter-driven vector. We found that silencing lhx6 impeded the tangential migration of interneurons into the cortex, although it did not obstruct their dispersion within the ganglionic eminence. Blocking lhx6 expression in dissociated MGE cultured neurons did not interfere with the production of GABA or its synthesizing enzyme. These results indicate that lhx6, unlike the closely related member lhx7, does not regulate neurotransmitter choice in interneurons but plays an important role in their migration from the ventral telencephalon to the neocortex

Algorithms for fitting cylindrical objects to sparse range point clouds for rapid workspace modeling

Current methods for construction site modeling employ large, expensive laser range scanners that produce dense range point clouds of a scene from different perspectives. While useful for many purposes, this approach is not feasible for real-time applications, which would enable automated obstacle avoidance and semiautomated equipment control, and could improve both safety and productivity significantly. This paper presents human-assisted rapid environmental modeling algorithms for construction, and focuses on cylindrical object fitting algorithms. The presented algorithms address construction site material of cylindrical shape. Experiments were conducted to determine: (1) the effect of the ratio of length to diameter of the cylinder to the accuracy of the results, (2) the effect of the angle of view to the accuracy of the results, (3) the minimum number of scanned points required to give adequate modeling accuracy for cylinders of various length to diameter ratios. The results indicate that the proposed algorithms can model geometric primitives used in a construction site rapidly and with sufficient accuracy for automated obstacle avoidance and equipment control functions

Real-Time, Three-Dimensional Object Detection and Modeling in Construction

This paper describes a research effort directed to produce methods to model three-dimensional scenes of construction field objects in real-time that adds valuable data to construction information management systems, as well as equipment navigation systems. For efficiency reasons, typical construction objects are modeled by bounding surfaces using a high-frame rate range sensor, called Flash LADAR. The sensor provides a dense cloud of range points which are segmented and grouped into objects. Algorithms are being developed to accurately detect these objects and model characteristics such as volume, speed, and direction. Initial experiments show the feasibility of this method. The advantages and limitations, and potential solutions to limitations are summarized in this paper

Primitives Merging for Rapid 3D Modeling

Developing three dimensional models of infrastructure and construction in progress can be useful for designing modifications, for tracking work completed, and for facilitating advanced equipment control and safety functions. An emerging 3D modeling method involves scanning scenes with laser ranging devices. The resulting dense or sparse point clouds are converted to primitive geometric objects. Merging those objects is useful for visualization and advanced manipulation. Factors that influence this merging process are identified here. Heuristics are proposed for automated merging, and initial results presented

Griffiths (Paul), Lost Londons. Change, Crime and Control in the Capital City (1550-1660)

Lost Londons marks a milestone in writing about early modern London. Utilizing comprehensive research in a variety of sources, it seeks to recapture the experience of living in London (from 1550 to 1660) in all its messy and sordid reality-or at least in the minds of those who had a reason to think of the city as a whole. This book will be unfairly treated if it is described as just the latest contribution to the historiographical debate about the stability of early modern London. Nonetheless..

Tensegrity structures for the Hellenic Maritime Museum

p. 2233-2242Tensegrity structures composed of masts and cables bear similarities and carry metaphoric associations to nautical equipment and structures. Such metaphors have suggested the use of the tensegrity concept in the design of the lightweight structures for the Hellenic Maritime Museum. Two different types of lightweight structures have been studied. At an early design stage scaled models of existing tensegrity configurations were considered, and subsequently several new tensegrity configurations have been developed and studied. Morphological variations of tensegrity structures that occur from the assembly of new units have also been studied. A canopy structure composed of prismatic tensegrity units of irregular geometry with an attached membrane and a large space enclosing tensegrity structure have been developed. The paper presents and discusses the configuration of the two tensegrity structures for the maritime museum and the challenges encountered in their geometric & structural design.Liapi, KA. (2010). Tensegrity structures for the Hellenic Maritime Museum. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/727

Policy gaps in integration and reskilling strategies of migrant women

Αν και η εκμάθηση της γλώσσας και η αναβάθ-μιση των δεξιοτήτων αποτελούν αναπόσπαστοστοιχείο των πολιτικών ένταξης της ΕΕ για υπη-κόους τρίτων χωρών, οι υφιστάμενες πολιτικέςκαι υποδομές στην Ελλάδα αποδεικνύονταιανεπαρκείς και αποσπασματικές ιδιαιτέρως σεότι αφορά τις μετανάστριες. Στο άρθρο δίνεταιέμφαση στην επίδραση που έχουν οι πολιτικέςένταξης και ειδικότερα η εκμάθηση της γλώσ-σας, η συμμετοχή στην εκπαίδευση και στα προ-γράμματα επαγγελματικής κατάρτισης, τόσο στηθέση των μεταναστριών στην αγορά εργασίας,όσο και στα σχέδια ζωής τους. Πώς αντιμετω-πίζουν οι μετανάστριες την απουσία ευκαιριώναπόκτησης νέων δεξιοτήτων και τι εναλλακτι-κές στρατηγικές αναπτύσσουν προκειμένου ναανοίξουν νέες διαδρομές και να υπερβούν τηνπεριθωριοποίησή τους; Ο αυτοσχεδιασμός στηνεκμάθηση της γλώσσας, η αναβάθμιση του επαγ-γελματικού προφίλ, η επαγγελματική προοπτικήμέσα από την εθελοντική κοινωνική δράση καιη αυταπασχόληση, αποτελούν παραδειγματικέςπεριπτώσεις εμπρόθετης δράσης και των στρα-τηγικών που επινοούν οι μετανάστριες στο πλαί-σιο της ελληνικής πραγματικότητας.Although language learning and reskillingare indispensable componentsof EU integration policies for thirdcountry nationals, existing policies andinfrastructure in Greece are insuffi cientand incoherent particularly with regardto migrant women. The main focus of thepaper is how integration policies - especiallylanguage learning, formal education andvocational training opportunities affectmigrant women’s positioning into the labourmarket and their life plans. How do migrantwomen cope with the absence of reskillingopportunities and what alternative strategiesdo they develop to open new paths andovercome marginalization? Improvising inlanguage learning, upgrading professionalprofi les, building a career through voluntarywork and self employment constituteexemplary cases of agency and strategiesdevised by migrant women in the context ofGreek migration policies and society

Policy gaps in integration and reskilling strategies of migrant women

Αν και η εκμάθηση της γλώσσας και η αναβάθ-μιση των δεξιοτήτων αποτελούν αναπόσπαστοστοιχείο των πολιτικών ένταξης της ΕΕ για υπη-κόους τρίτων χωρών, οι υφιστάμενες πολιτικέςκαι υποδομές στην Ελλάδα αποδεικνύονταιανεπαρκείς και αποσπασματικές ιδιαιτέρως σεότι αφορά τις μετανάστριες. Στο άρθρο δίνεταιέμφαση στην επίδραση που έχουν οι πολιτικέςένταξης και ειδικότερα η εκμάθηση της γλώσ-σας, η συμμετοχή στην εκπαίδευση και στα προ-γράμματα επαγγελματικής κατάρτισης, τόσο στηθέση των μεταναστριών στην αγορά εργασίας,όσο και στα σχέδια ζωής τους. Πώς αντιμετω-πίζουν οι μετανάστριες την απουσία ευκαιριώναπόκτησης νέων δεξιοτήτων και τι εναλλακτι-κές στρατηγικές αναπτύσσουν προκειμένου ναανοίξουν νέες διαδρομές και να υπερβούν τηνπεριθωριοποίησή τους; Ο αυτοσχεδιασμός στηνεκμάθηση της γλώσσας, η αναβάθμιση του επαγ-γελματικού προφίλ, η επαγγελματική προοπτικήμέσα από την εθελοντική κοινωνική δράση καιη αυταπασχόληση, αποτελούν παραδειγματικέςπεριπτώσεις εμπρόθετης δράσης και των στρα-τηγικών που επινοούν οι μετανάστριες στο πλαί-σιο της ελληνικής πραγματικότητας.Although language learning and reskillingare indispensable componentsof EU integration policies for thirdcountry nationals, existing policies andinfrastructure in Greece are insuffi cientand incoherent particularly with regardto migrant women. The main focus of thepaper is how integration policies - especiallylanguage learning, formal education andvocational training opportunities affectmigrant women’s positioning into the labourmarket and their life plans. How do migrantwomen cope with the absence of reskillingopportunities and what alternative strategiesdo they develop to open new paths andovercome marginalization? Improvising inlanguage learning, upgrading professionalprofi les, building a career through voluntarywork and self employment constituteexemplary cases of agency and strategiesdevised by migrant women in the context ofGreek migration policies and society