Advanced correlation-based character recognition applied to the Archimedes Palimpsest

The Archimedes Palimpsest is a manuscript containing the partial text of seven treatises by Archimedes that were copied onto parchment and bound in the tenth-century AD. This work is aimed at providing tools that allow scholars of ancient Greek mathematics to retrieve as much information as possible from images of the remaining degraded text. Acorrelation pattern recognition (CPR) system has been developed to recognize distorted versions of Greek characters in problematic regions of the palimpsest imagery, which have been obscured by damage from mold and fire, overtext, and natural aging. Feature vectors for each class of characters are constructed using a series of spatial correlation algorithms and corresponding performance metrics. Principal components analysis (PCA) is employed prior to classification to remove features corresponding to filtering schemes that performed poorly for the spatial characteristics of the selected region-of-interest. A probability is then assigned to each class, forming a character probability distribution based on relative distances from the class feature vectors to the ROI feature vector in principal component (PC) space. However, the current CPR system does not produce a single classification decision, as is common in most target detection problems, but instead has been designed to provide intermediate results that allow the user to apply his or her own decisions (or evidence) to arrive at a conclusion. To achieve this result, a probabilistic network has been incorporated into the recognition system. A probabilistic network represents a method for modeling the uncertainty in a system, and for this application, it allows information from the existing iv partial transcription and contextual knowledge from the user to be an integral part of the decision-making process. The CPR system was designed to provide a framework for future research in the area of spatial pattern recognition by accommodating a broad range of applications and the development of new filtering methods. For example, during preliminary testing, the CPR system was used to confirm the publication date of a fifteenth-century Hebrew colophon, and demonstrated success in the detection of registration markers in three-dimensional MRI breast imaging. In addition, a new correlation algorithm that exploits the benefits of linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and the inherent shift invariance of spatial correlation has been derived, implemented, and tested. Results show that this composite filtering method provides a high level of class discrimination while maintaining tolerance to withinclass distortions. With the integration of this algorithm into the existing filter library, this work completes each stage of a cyclic workflow using the developed CPR system, and provides the necessary tools for continued experimentation

Part I: Nitroalkane Transformations: Synthesis of Vicinal Diamines and Arylnitromethanes Part II: Quantification of Electrophile Lumo-Lowering via Colorimetric Probes

Part I of this dissertation focuses on the synthetic chemistry of arylnitromethanes as both products and reactants. Use of these compounds as key building blocks in the synthesis of vicinal diamines was explored via a catalytic aza-Henry strategy. These studies resulted in the identification of simple cinchonidinium acetate as an effective catalyst for the asymmetric synthesis of syn-1,2-diarylethylenediamines with excellent diastereocontrol. Difficulties in synthesizing arylnitromethanes from existing techniques provided impetus for the development of an improved method of greater generality. Ultimately, successful conditions were identified for the palladium-catalyzed cross coupling of nitromethane with readily available aryl halide partners, providing facile access to an array of functionalized arylnitromethanes. A tandem reductive Nef process was incorporated to provide a one-pot transformation directly to aryl aldehyde or oxime, thereby exploiting the use of nitromethane as a formylation equivalent. Application of the nitromethylation conditions to vinyl halides resulted in the discovery of a unique tandem cross-coupling/π-allylation nitroethylation reaction. Part II of this dissertation focuses on the use of colorimetric sensors for the quantitative measurement of catalyst strength via LUMO-lowering of electrophiles. Despite rampant growth in catalyst synthesis and application, understanding of controlling factors of catalyst activity, particularly for those functioning through hydrogen-bonding, remains limited. A simple pyrazinone chromophore was found to exhibit hypsochromic shifts upon binding to an array of known hydrogen-bond catalysts. These wavelength shifts showed high correlation to relative rate enhancement of the catalysts in Diels Alder and Friedel Crafts reactions. Acidity values, often used to estimate hydrogen-bond strength, were illustrated to be poor indicators of catalytic activity, in contrast to that of the wavelength shifts. The results establish the catalyst-sensor wavelength is a useful tool with which to gauge catalyst strength and also reveal catalyst structure-activity relationships. Current efforts for measuring stronger Brønsted and Lewis Acid catalysts with an alternate colorimetric sensor are also described

Joe Scott Shell and Shaun Walvoord in a Senior Composition Recital

This is the program for the senior composition recital of Joe Scott Shell and Shaun Walvoord. The recital was held on February 19, 1990, in Mabee Fine Arts Center Recital Hall

Optimism and Step 1

Presented as a poster at 2020 IUSM Education Day.Optimism is a personality trait that correlates with improved coping skills, physical health, and emotional wellbeing. Various interventions have been shown to increase optimistic thinking. To date, there have been few investigations into the effect of optimism on academic performance. For medical students, the USMLE Step 1 exam is a significant stressor that has a large impact on future career options. Beginning on February 27th 2019, one week after completing their foundational sciences curriculum, 2nd year medical students (n=112) at the Indiana University School of Medicine completed the Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOT-R), which assesses dispositional optimism. The LOT-R includes six questions scored on a 5-point Likert Scale from “I disagree a lot” to “I agree a lot”. Higher scores indicate a higher level of optimism. Students were instructed to complete the LOT-R before sitting for the Step 1 exam between February 23rd and April 6th. The correlation between Optimism scores and Step 1 exam scores were examined. The study received approval from Indiana University’s Institutional Review Board. The Optimism scores ranged from 6 to 30, mean = 22. The mean for adults ages 18-30 is 22.1. Step 1 exam scores ranged from 189 to 268, mean = 236.4. There was a small positive correlation (Pearson 0.257) between Optimism scores and Step 1 exam scores (p=0.006). There were no gender differences in Optimism or Step 1 exam scores. These results indicate that optimism may be a potentially significant factor associated with medical student performance, specifically on the USMLE Step 1 exam. Further research should investigate if a causal relationship exists between the two factors. If such a relationship is found, interventions specifically targeted to increase optimism may prove useful for improving student academic performance and possibly their overall wellbeing

STLR Tabling Events Instructions

This document describes to STLR Student Ambassadors how to setup a table for promoting the Student Transformative Learning Record. An example picture is shown from a STLR table in the Nigh University Center (student center)

STLR leads to transformative experiences

This newsletter features student projects and new technologies, like the Snapshot, developed for the Student Transformative Learning Record

Projects are Part of a Bigger Picture

This newsletter features student projects, student ambassadors and the STLR cording ceremony for the Student Transformative Learning Record