Radioptimization - Goal based rendering

Journal ArticleThis paper presents a method for designing the illumination in an environment using optimization techniques applied to a radiosity based image synthesis system. An optimization of lighting parameters is performed based on user specified constraints and objectives for the illumination of t h e environment. The system solves for t h e "best" possible settings for: light source emissivities, element reflectivities, and spot light directionality parameters so that the design goals, such as to minimize energy or to give the the room an impression of privacy, are met. The system absorbs much of the burden for searching the design space allowing the user to focus on the goals of the illumination design rather than the intricate details of a complete lighting specification. A software implementation is described and some results of using the system are reported. The system employs an object space perceptual model based on work by Tumblin and Rushmeier to account for psychophysical effects such as subjective brightness and the visual adaptation level of a viewer. This provides a higher fidelity when comparing the illumination in a computer simulated environment against what would be viewed in the "real" world. Optimization criteria are based on subjective impressions of illumination with qualities such as "pleasantness", and "privateness". The qualities were selected based on Flynn's work in illuminating engineering. These criteria were applied to the radiosity context through an experiment conducted with subjects viewing rendered images, and the respondents evaluated with a Multi-Dimensional Scaling analysis

Nanobeam photonic crystal cavity quantum dot laser

The lasing behavior of one dimensional GaAs nanobeam cavities with embedded InAs quantum dots is studied at room temperature. Lasing is observed throughout the quantum dot PL spectrum, and the wavelength dependence of the threshold is calculated. We study the cavity lasers under both 780 nm and 980 nm pump, finding thresholds as low as 0.3 uW and 19 uW for the two pump wavelengths, respectively. Finally, the nanobeam cavity laser wavelengths are tuned by up to 7 nm by employing a fiber taper in near proximity to the cavities. The fiber taper is used both to efficiently pump the cavity and collect the cavity emission.Comment: 8 pages; 6 figure

Intradialytic versus home based exercise training in hemodialysis patients: a randomised controlled trial

Background: Exercise training in hemodialysis patients improves fitness, physical function, quality of life and markers of cardiovascular disease such as arterial stiffness. The majority of trials investigating this area have used supervised exercise training during dialysis (intradialytic), which may not be feasible for some renal units. The aim of this trial is to compare the effects of supervised intradialytic with unsupervised home-based exercise training on physical function and arterial stiffness

The 2019 review of IPBES and future priorities: Reaching beyond assessment to enhance policy impact

The Intergovernmental Science–Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) is an independent scientific body focused on assessing the state of the world's ecosystem services and biodiversity. IPBES members agreed in 2017 that a review of the Platform's first work programme should be undertaken by an independent panel examining all aspects of IPBES' work – including implementation of the four functions of IPBES; policies, operating principles and procedures; governance structure and arrangements; communication, stakeholder engagement and partnerships; and funding mechanisms. The review found that for IPBES to have its anticipated transformative impact: All four functions of IPBES (i.e. assessment, knowledge generation, policy support, capacity building), with better communication, must be significantly strengthened, integrated and delivered together; The policy aspects of IPBES work need to be strengthened and greater emphasis needs to be placed on the co-design and co-production of assessments; A more strategic and collaborative approach to stakeholders is needed; and IPBES must develop a more sustainable financial base. Given those changes, IPBES, as an embryonic boundary organization, can become the key influencing organization in the global landscape of biodiversity and ecosystem services organizations, helping thus to catalyze transformative change in the relationship between people and the rest of nature

Water-Use Data in the United States: Challenges and Future Directions

In the United States, greater attention has been given to developing water supplies and quantifying available waters than determining who uses water, how much they withdraw and consume, and how and where water use occurs. As water supplies are stressed due to an increasingly variable climate, changing land-use, and growing water needs, greater consideration of the demand side of the water balance equation is essential. Data about the spatial and temporal aspects of water use for different purposes are now critical to long-term water supply planning and resource management. We detail the current state of water-use data, the major stakeholders involved in their collection and applications, and the challenges in obtaining high-quality nationally consistent data applicable to a range of scales and purposes. Opportunities to improve access, use, and sharing of water-use data are outlined. We cast a vision for a world-class national water-use data product that is accessible, timely, and spatially detailed. Our vision will leverage the strengths of existing local, state, and federal agencies to facilitate rapid and informed decision-making, modeling, and science for water resources. To inform future decision-making regarding water supplies and uses, we must coordinate efforts to substantially improve our capacity to collect, model, and disseminate water-use data

Computational reprogramming of homing endonuclease specificity at multiple adjacent base pairs

Site-specific homing endonucleases are capable of inducing gene conversion via homologous recombination. Reprogramming their cleavage specificities allows the targeting of specific biological sites for gene correction or conversion. We used computational protein design to alter the cleavage specificity of I-MsoI for three contiguous base pair substitutions, resulting in an endonuclease whose activity and specificity for its new site rival that of wild-type I-MsoI for the original site. Concerted design for all simultaneous substitutions was more successful than a modular approach against individual substitutions, highlighting the importance of context-dependent redesign and optimization of protein–DNA interactions. We then used computational design based on the crystal structure of the designed complex, which revealed significant unanticipated shifts in DNA conformation, to create an endonuclease that specifically cleaves a site with four contiguous base pair substitutions. Our results demonstrate that specificity switches for multiple concerted base pair substitutions can be computationally designed, and that iteration between design and structure determination provides a route to large scale reprogramming of specificity

The Vehicle, Spring 1974

Table of Contents PhotoJim Painterpage 1 Six Poems of the LandRay Schmuddepage 5 At Last to Find FreedomJann Briesacherpage 7 The Last IrisMarjorie Thoelepage 9 (Untitled)Melinda E. Recordpage 10 MenJan Schroederpage 10 ImpressionsJudy Bardpage 11 ScaredAnita Surpage 11 Loved and LostJan Schroederpage 12 Dripped-Over WaxAnita Surpage 13 The Crowded RoomWilliam E. Uteschpage 14 A River in IllinoisJames Jonespage 14 Sneeze SeasonDarlene A. Moorepage 14 ChangesMark Chianakaspage 15 PhotoJim Painterpage 16 Wedding VowsJann Briesacherpage 17 PhotoJim Painterpage 18 PhotoJim Painterpage 19 PhotoJim Painterpage 20 PhotoJim Painterpage 21 PhotoJim Painterpage 22 PhotoLarry Smyserpage 23 From Outside ColoradoRay Schmuddepage 24 Dairy QueenGayle Gleichmanpage 26 With Sunstreaks in our HairNancy Broom Brownpage 33 PhotoJim Painterpage 34 Water\u27s EdgeMarjorie Thoelepage 35 My 665th Illusion of SanityGordon Glessnerpage 36 Is it my turn to do the laundry again??? Jann Briesacherpage 38 TV Teachingbobbdoddpage 39 GuidanceWendy Diane Wielandpage 40 PhotoJim Painterpage 41 RaindropsJane Ann Beerspage 42 WaitingJan Schroederpage 42 To JonJudy Bardpage 43 One Autumn Day in 1971E. Christmanpage 43 More Surely Than Picture AlbumsMarjorie Thoelepage 44 WingspanningNancy Broom Brownpage 45 ReligionMelinda E. Recordpage 45 Rosalie StevensonMark Holleypage 46 PhotoJim Painterpage 47 WhiteShirley A. Rardinpage 48 The Beginning of a Perfect DayShirley A. Rardinpage 49 PhotoMichael Chenpage 50 Rosethorn Wall of June 17bobbdoddpage 51 ManJan Schroederpage 51 HaikuJudy Bardpage 51 You know it leaves me emptyJames Osbornepage 52 For JesseJames Osbornepage 52 EndingsMark Chianakaspage 53 ConfusionGary L. Owenspage 53 PhotoMichael Chenpage 54 PoemsJann Briesacherpage 54 Journey of just oneNancy Broom Brownpage 55 Blackbirds in IllinoisJames Jonespage 56 PoemsJann Briesacherpage 56 PhotoMichael Chenpage 57 I am a poemDarlene A. Moorepage 57 A Glimpse of ParadiseJann Briesacherpage 57 PhotoJim Painterpage 58 PoemSheila Marie Foorpage 59 In my windowBarbara S. Meyerpage 59 Section 4., Draft 3bobbdoddpage 60 PhotoJim Painterpage 61 PoemJann Briesacherpage 61 PhotoGary Deanpage 62 I amWilliam E. Uteschpage 62 To a tank-car in IllinoisJames Jonespage 63 PoemJane Ann Beerspage 63 PoemsJann Briesacherpage 63 Editor\u27s Pagepage 64https://thekeep.eiu.edu/vehicle/1031/thumbnail.jp

The Vehicle, Spring 1974

Table of Contents PhotoJim Painterpage 1 Six Poems of the LandRay Schmuddepage 5 At Last to Find FreedomJann Briesacherpage 7 The Last IrisMarjorie Thoelepage 9 (Untitled)Melinda E. Recordpage 10 MenJan Schroederpage 10 ImpressionsJudy Bardpage 11 ScaredAnita Surpage 11 Loved and LostJan Schroederpage 12 Dripped-Over WaxAnita Surpage 13 The Crowded RoomWilliam E. Uteschpage 14 A River in IllinoisJames Jonespage 14 Sneeze SeasonDarlene A. Moorepage 14 ChangesMark Chianakaspage 15 PhotoJim Painterpage 16 Wedding VowsJann Briesacherpage 17 PhotoJim Painterpage 18 PhotoJim Painterpage 19 PhotoJim Painterpage 20 PhotoJim Painterpage 21 PhotoJim Painterpage 22 PhotoLarry Smyserpage 23 From Outside ColoradoRay Schmuddepage 24 Dairy QueenGayle Gleichmanpage 26 With Sunstreaks in our HairNancy Broom Brownpage 33 PhotoJim Painterpage 34 Water\u27s EdgeMarjorie Thoelepage 35 My 665th Illusion of SanityGordon Glessnerpage 36 Is it my turn to do the laundry again??? Jann Briesacherpage 38 TV Teachingbobbdoddpage 39 GuidanceWendy Diane Wielandpage 40 PhotoJim Painterpage 41 RaindropsJane Ann Beerspage 42 WaitingJan Schroederpage 42 To JonJudy Bardpage 43 One Autumn Day in 1971E. Christmanpage 43 More Surely Than Picture AlbumsMarjorie Thoelepage 44 WingspanningNancy Broom Brownpage 45 ReligionMelinda E. Recordpage 45 Rosalie StevensonMark Holleypage 46 PhotoJim Painterpage 47 WhiteShirley A. Rardinpage 48 The Beginning of a Perfect DayShirley A. Rardinpage 49 PhotoMichael Chenpage 50 Rosethorn Wall of June 17bobbdoddpage 51 ManJan Schroederpage 51 HaikuJudy Bardpage 51 You know it leaves me emptyJames Osbornepage 52 For JesseJames Osbornepage 52 EndingsMark Chianakaspage 53 ConfusionGary L. Owenspage 53 PhotoMichael Chenpage 54 PoemsJann Briesacherpage 54 Journey of just oneNancy Broom Brownpage 55 Blackbirds in IllinoisJames Jonespage 56 PoemsJann Briesacherpage 56 PhotoMichael Chenpage 57 I am a poemDarlene A. Moorepage 57 A Glimpse of ParadiseJann Briesacherpage 57 PhotoJim Painterpage 58 PoemSheila Marie Foorpage 59 In my windowBarbara S. Meyerpage 59 Section 4., Draft 3bobbdoddpage 60 PhotoJim Painterpage 61 PoemJann Briesacherpage 61 PhotoGary Deanpage 62 I amWilliam E. Uteschpage 62 To a tank-car in IllinoisJames Jonespage 63 PoemJane Ann Beerspage 63 PoemsJann Briesacherpage 63 Editor\u27s Pagepage 64https://thekeep.eiu.edu/vehicle/1031/thumbnail.jp

Natural micropolymorphism in human leukocyte antigens provides a basis for genetic control of antigen recognition

Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) gene polymorphism plays a critical role in protective immunity, disease susceptibility, autoimmunity, and drug hypersensitivity, yet the basis of how HLA polymorphism influences T cell receptor (TCR) recognition is unclear. We examined how a natural micropolymorphism in HLA-B44, an important and large HLA allelic family, affected antigen recognition. T cell–mediated immunity to an Epstein-Barr virus determinant (EENLLDFVRF) is enhanced when HLA-B*4405 was the presenting allotype compared with HLA-B*4402 or HLA-B*4403, each of which differ by just one amino acid. The micropolymorphism in these HLA-B44 allotypes altered the mode of binding and dynamics of the bound viral epitope. The structure of the TCR–HLA-B*4405EENLLDFVRF complex revealed that peptide flexibility was a critical parameter in enabling preferential engagement with HLA-B*4405 in comparison to HLA-B*4402/03. Accordingly, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) polymorphism can alter the dynamics of the peptide-MHC landscape, resulting in fine-tuning of T cell responses between closely related allotypes

An orally bioavailable broad-spectrum antiviral inhibits SARS-CoV-2 in human airway epithelial cell cultures and multiple coronaviruses in mice

Coronaviruses (CoVs) traffic frequently between species resulting in novel disease outbreaks, most recently exemplified by the newly emerged SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19. Herein, we show that the ribonucleoside analog β-D-N4-hydroxycytidine (NHC, EIDD-1931) has broad spectrum antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2, MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV, and related zoonotic group 2b or 2c Bat-CoVs, as well as increased potency against a coronavirus bearing resistance mutations to the nucleoside analog inhibitor remdesivir. In mice infected with SARS-CoV or MERS-CoV, both prophylactic and therapeutic administration of EIDD-2801, an orally bioavailable NHC-prodrug (β-D-N4-hydroxycytidine-5′-isopropyl ester), improved pulmonary function, and reduced virus titer and body weight loss. Decreased MERS-CoV yields in vitro and in vivo were associated with increased transition mutation frequency in viral but not host cell RNA, supporting a mechanism of lethal mutagenesis in CoV. The potency of NHC/EIDD-2801 against multiple coronaviruses and oral bioavailability highlight its potential utility as an effective antiviral against SARS-CoV-2 and other future zoonotic coronaviruses