Hard-Hearted Scrolls: A Noninvasive Method for Reading the Herculaneum Papyri

The Herculaneum scrolls were buried and carbonized by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79 and represent the only classical library discovered in situ. Charred by the heat of the eruption, the scrolls are extremely fragile. Since their discovery two centuries ago, some scrolls have been physically opened, leading to some textual recovery but also widespread damage. Many other scrolls remain in rolled form, with unknown contents. More recently, various noninvasive methods have been attempted to reveal the hidden contents of these scrolls using advanced imaging. Unfortunately, their complex internal structure and lack of clear ink contrast has prevented these efforts from successfully revealing their contents. This work presents a machine learning-based method to reveal the hidden contents of the Herculaneum scrolls, trained using a novel geometric framework linking 3D X-ray CT images with 2D surface imagery of scroll fragments. The method is verified against known ground truth using scroll fragments with exposed text. Some results are also presented of hidden characters revealed using this method, the first to be revealed noninvasively from this collection. Extensions to the method, generalizing the machine learning component to other multimodal transformations, are presented. These are capable not only of revealing the hidden ink, but also of generating rendered images of scroll interiors as if they were photographed in color prior to their damage two thousand years ago. The application of these methods to other domains is discussed, and an additional chapter discusses the Vesuvius Challenge, a $1,000,000+ open research contest based on the dataset built as a part of this work

The Relationship of Plantar Sensation with Standing Balance and Gait Post-Stroke

Gait and balance dysfunction after stroke limit independence and quality of life. Numerous contributing factors have been investigated but the role of sensation deficits has received little attention. This thesis investigated the relationship between plantar cutaneous sensation and 1) standing balance, 2) gait, and 3) use of vision to compensate for sensory loss with a secondary analysis of data from individuals with subacute stroke. Associations between standing balance, gait and sensation were investigated with Spearman correlations. Individuals classified as impaired or intact sensation were compared on gait and standing balance measures. This thesis found plantar sensation is related to standing balance but not spatiotemporal gait parameters. Individuals with impaired sensation were not more likely to employ vision as a compensatory strategy. These results suggest plantar sensation should be addressed during post-stroke rehabilitation of standing balance. Future work should investigate changes in cutaneous sensation with recovery of balance and gait post-stroke

Faculty Recital: Stephen Parsons, Trombone Lorene Parsons, Piano

Kemp Recital Hall Thursday Evening February 2, 1995 8:00p.m

Trombone Choir

Center for the Performing Arts Thursday Evening March 4, 2004 8:00p.m

Faculty Recital:Stephen Parsons, Trombone Patricia Foltz, Piano

Kemp Recital Hall Tuesday Evening February 23, 1999 8:00p.m

Faculty Recital Series:Stephen Parsons, Trombone

Center for the Performing Arts Tuesday Evening January 20, 2004 8:00p.m

The Illinois State University Trombone Choir

Kemp Recital Hall Saturday Afternoon February 6, 1999 4:00p.m

The Illinois State University Trombone Choir

Kemp Recital Hall Saturday Afternoon February 22, 1997 4:45 p.m