Control and integrability on SO (3)

This paper considers control ane left- invariant systems evolving on matrix Lie groups. Such systems have signicant applications in a variety of elds. Any left-invariant optimal control problem (with quadratic cost) can be lifted, via the celebrated Maximum Principle, to a Hamiltonian system on the dual of the Lie algebra of the underlying state space G. The (minus) Lie-Poisson structure on the dual space g is used to describe the (normal) extremal curves. An interesting, and rather typical, single-input con- trol system on the rotation group SO (3) is investi- gated in some detail. The reduced Hamilton equa- tions associated with an extremal curve are derived in a simple and elegant manner. Finally, these equations are explicitly integrated by Jacobi elliptic functions

Ab initio theory and modeling of water

Water is of the utmost importance for life and technology. However, a genuinely predictive ab initio model of water has eluded scientists. We demonstrate that a fully ab initio approach, relying on the strongly constrained and appropriately normed (SCAN) density functional, provides such a description of water. SCAN accurately describes the balance among covalent bonds, hydrogen bonds, and van der Waals interactions that dictates the structure and dynamics of liquid water. Notably, SCAN captures the density difference between water and ice I{\it h} at ambient conditions, as well as many important structural, electronic, and dynamic properties of liquid water. These successful predictions of the versatile SCAN functional open the gates to study complex processes in aqueous phase chemistry and the interactions of water with other materials in an efficient, accurate, and predictive, ab initio manner

Synthesis and in vitro protozoocidal evaluation of novel diazabicyclic tropolone derivatives.

The synthesis and in vitro antiparasitic activity of twenty-seven novel diazabicycles based on tropolone ethers is presented. The compounds can be readily prepared by means of a high-yielding hetero Diels-Alder reaction using simple and readily available starting materials. Several of the new diazabicycles have in vitro activities against Trypanosoma cruzi, Leishmania donovani, Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, and chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum that are comparable or superior to those of currently employed protozoocidal agents

Using Academic Advising To Increase Motivation And Engagement In First-Year College Students

According to ACT Educational Services (2010), more than one-third of college freshmen will not progress to their sophomore year. Several states, including Michigan, have proposed higher education performance funding models, which directly correlate state funds to student retention and graduation rates (Jesse, 2012). As higher education suffers from diminishing resources, there is a heightened focus to increase retention and graduation rates (Tinto, 2007). The transition from high school to college can be a traumatic time for adolescents. This age group has unique motivational needs as they adjust to an unfamiliar academic environment (Perry et al., 2005). The first year of college is a critical time when students make the decision to stay enrolled or withdraw (Tinto, 2007). Research shows that student motivation and engagement are key factors in academic persistence among college freshman, both of which can be impacted through effective academic advising (Mottarella et al., 2004; Hale et al., 2009; Smith, 2002; Museus & Ravello, 2010). The purpose of this design-based research study was to document the design, implementation, and evaluation of a motivational-based academic advising intervention for first-year students in the School of Business at Wayne State University. Using Part V of the Academic Advising Inventory (AAI), student preference of developmental versus prescriptive advising styles was measured. It was found that first-year students prefer developmental advising, but seem to lack confidence in areas of course selection and academic decision making. To address these areas of need, two advising instruments were designed for used with first-year students: the First-Year Advising and Communication Tool (FACT), and the First-Year Advising Syllabus. Twenty-one first-year business students were exposed to the instruments during the fall 2012 semester. The instruments were evaluated and revised through three phases of iterative data collection and analysis. Qualitative data was collected in these phases through open-ended student surveys, student interviews, advisor journals, and a researcher journal. It was found that first-year students in this study feel that academic advising is most impactful to their motivation and engagement in three key areas: selecting courses, establishing a personal advising relationship, and in future planning and goal setting