Acceptance of the Clark P. Read Mentor Award: The Teague Self Lessons

The transcript of John J. Janovy Jr.'s speech upon acceptance of the American Society of Parasitologists' Clark P. Read Mentor Award, 2003.

ENHANCEMENT OF THE FAA’s ON-LINE WILDLIFE AIRCRAFT STRIKE DATABASE WITH AN INTERACTIVE GRAPHICS CAPABILITY

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Prescott, AZ, USA) was awarded a grant from the William J. Hughes FAA Technical Center in October 1999 to develop and maintain a web site dealing with a wide variety of airport safety wildlife concerns. Initially, the web site enabled users to access related topics such as wildlife management (at/near airports), bird identification information, FAA wildlife management guidelines, education, pictures, current news, upcoming meetings and training, available jobs and discussion/forum sections. In April 2001, the web site was augmented with an on-line wildlife strike report (FAA Form 5200-7). Upon submittal on-line, “quick look” email notifications are sent to concerned government personnel. The distribution of these emails varies as to whether there was damage, human injuries/fatalities, and whether feather remains were collected and will be sent to the Smithsonian Institution for identification. In July 2002, a real-time on-line query system was incorporated to allow federal and local government agencies, airport and operator personnel, and USDA and airport wildlife biologists to access this database (which as of June 2005 contains 68,288 researched strike reports added to at a rate of approximately 500 strike reports/month) to formulate strategies to reduce the hazards wildlife present to aviation. To date (June 2005), over 15,000 on-line real-time queries were processed. In June 2004, ERAU was authorized to develop a graphical interface to this on-line query system. Current capabilities include mapping strikes (by species) on the US map, each of the contiguous 48 state maps (with AK and HI being added), and airport diagrams of the major metropolitan airports as well as the next 46 airports with the most reported strikes The latter capability depicts strikes by runway in plan as well as in elevation view. Currently under development is the ability to view time-sequenced strikes on the US map. This extensive graphical interface will give analysts the ability to view strike patterns with a wide variety of variables including species, seasons, migration patterns, etc. on US and state maps and airport diagrams.

Ser mentor em medicina: uma visão arquetípica das motivações e transformações na jornada

A tutoria, na modalidade mentoring, tem sido adotada nas escolas médicas como estratégia para oferecer suporte pessoal e estimular o desenvolvimento profissional do futuro médico. O tutor, com papel de mentor, elemento crucial desta relação arquetípica, é pouco estudado em seu desenvolvimento pessoal. Este estudo buscou compreender as motivações de um grupo de tutores e identificar as possíveis transformações ocorridas ao longo do tempo. A investigação consistiu em um estudo qualitativo em que foram entrevistados 14 tutores de um Programa de Tutoria de uma Faculdade de Medicina. Há, entre os tutores, um desejo de restabelecer a antiga, significativa e próxima relação do mestre com o seu discípulo. Simbolicamente, buscam estar em contato com o seu "aluno interno ferido", e dele cuidar. Nessa jornada, podem - mas não necessariamente isso acontece a todos - transformar e ser transformados pelo outro.

Redazione di presentazioni e dispense. Un esempio: I quaternioni nella computer-graphics

L'obiettivo della tesi è individuare gli strumenti più indicati per scrivere un documento a carattere tecnico-scientifico e creare la relativa presentazione multimediale. La scelta degli strumenti è il risultato di un’analisi delle problematiche specifiche. Tuttavia è impossibile fare delle considerazione relativamente a questi strumenti senza averli mai usati in pratica. E' stato quindi scelto un argomento tecnico scientifico come esempio: I quaternioni nella Computher Grafica. L'argomento è stato esposto in una breve dispensa scritta con LaTeX. Nella dispensa sono state inserite diverse immagini generate con Inkscape. La presentazione multimediale è stata realizzata con PowerPoint. Dopo una breve descrizione di ogni programma segue l’esposizione di come essi rispondano alle particolari esigenze di stesura di una presentazione scientifica.

Nucleation studies on graphics processing units

Ein System in einem metastabilen Zustand muss eine bestimmte Barriere in derrnfreien Energie überwinden um einen Tropfen der stabilen Phase zu formen.rnHerkömmliche Untersuchungen nehmen hierbei kugelförmige Tropfen an. Inrnanisotropen Systemen (wie z.B. Kristallen) ist diese Annahme aber nicht ange-rnbracht. Bei tiefen Temperaturen wirkt sich die Anisotropie des Systems starkrnauf die freie Energie ihrer Oberfläche aus. Diese Wirkung wird oberhalb derrnAufrauungstemperatur T R schwächer. Das Ising-Modell ist ein einfaches Mo-rndell, welches eine solche Anisotropie aufweist. Wir führen großangelegte Sim-rnulationen durch, um die Effekte, die mit einer endlichen Simulationsbox ein-rnhergehen, sowie statistische Ungenauigkeiten möglichst klein zu halten. DasrnAusmaß der Simulationen die benötigt werden um sinnvolle Ergebnisse zu pro-rnduzieren, erfordert die Entwicklung eines skalierbaren Simulationsprogrammsrnfür das Ising-Modell, welcher auf verschiedenen parallelen Architekturen (z.B.rnGrafikkarten) verwendet werden kann. Plattformunabhängigkeit wird durch ab-rnstrakte Schnittstellen erreicht, welche plattformspezifische Implementierungs-rndetails verstecken. Wir benutzen eine Systemgeometrie die es erlaubt eine Ober-rnfläche mit einem variablen Winkel zur Kristallebene zu untersuchen. Die Ober-rnfläche ist in Kontakt mit einer harten Wand, wobei der Kontaktwinkel Θ durchrnein Oberflächenfeld eingestellt werden kann. Wir leiten eine Differenzialglei-rnchung ab, welche das Verhalten der freien Energie der Oberfläche in einemrnanisotropen System beschreibt. Kombiniert mit thermodynamischer Integrationrnkann die Gleichung benutzt werden, um die anisotrope Oberflächenspannungrnüber einen großen Winkelbereich zu integrieren. Vergleiche mit früheren Mes-rnsungen in anderen Geometrien und anderen Methoden zeigen hohe Überein-rnstimung und Genauigkeit, welche vor allem durch die im Vergleich zu früherenrnMessungen wesentlich größeren Simulationsdomänen erreicht wird. Die Temper-rnaturabhängigkeit der Oberflächensteifheit κ wird oberhalb von T R durch diernKrümmung der freien Energie der Oberfläche für kleine Winkel gemessen. DiesernMessung lässt sich mit Simulationsergebnissen in der Literatur vergleichen undrnhat bessere Übereinstimmung mit theoretischen Voraussagen über das Skalen-rnverhalten von κ. Darüber hinaus entwickeln wir ein Tieftemperatur-Modell fürrndas Verhalten um Θ = 90 Grad weit unterhalb von T R. Der Winkel bleibt bis zu einemrnkritischen Feld H C quasi null; oberhalb des kritischen Feldes steigt der Winkelrnrapide an. H C wird mit der freien Energie einer Stufe in Verbindung gebracht,rnwas es ermöglicht, das kritische Verhalten dieser Größe zu analysieren. Die harternWand muss in die Analyse einbezogen werden. Durch den Vergleich freier En-rnergien bei geschickt gewählten Systemgrößen ist es möglich, den Beitrag derrnKontaktlinie zur freien Energie in Abhängigkeit von Θ zu messen. Diese Anal-rnyse wird bei verschiedenen Temperaturen durchgeführt. Im letzten Kapitel wirdrneine 2D Fluiddynamik Simulation für Grafikkarten parallelisiert, welche u. a.rnbenutzt werden kann um die Dynamik der Atmosphäre zu simulieren. Wir im-rnplementieren einen parallelen Evolution Galerkin Operator und erreichen

Simulazione di fluidi in Computer Graphics

Questa tesi si focalizza sullo studio dei modelli fisico-matematici attualmente in uso per la simulazione di fluidi al calcolatore con l’obiettivo di fornire nozioni di base e avanzate sull’utilizzo di tali metodi. La trattazione ha lo scopo di facilitare la comprensione dei principi su cui si fonda la simulazione di fluidi e rappresenta una base per la creazione di un proprio simulatore. E’ possibile studiare le caratteristiche di un fluido in movimento mediante due approcci diversi, l’approccio lagrangiano e l’approccio euleriano. Mentre l’approccio lagrangiano ha lo scopo di conoscere il valore, nel tempo, di una qualsiasi proprietà di ciascuna particella che compone il fluido, l’approccio euleriano, fissato uno o più punti del volume di spazio occupato da quest’ultimo, vuole studiare quello che accade, nel tempo, in quei punti. In particolare, questa tesi approfondisce lo studio delle equazioni di Navier-Stokes, approcciandosi al problema in maniera euleriana. La soluzione numerica del sistema di equazioni differenziali alle derivate parziali derivante dalle equazioni sopracitate, approssima la velocità del fluido, a partire dalla quale è possibile risalire a tutte le grandezze che lo caratterizzano. Attenzione viene riservata anche ad un modello facente parte dell’approccio semi-lagrangiano, il Lattice Boltzmann, considerato una via di mezzo tra i metodi puramente euleriani e quelli lagrangiani, che si basa sulla soluzione dell’equazione di Boltzmann mediante modelli di collisione di particelle. Infine, analogamente al metodo di Lattice Boltzmann, viene trattato il metodo Smoothed Particles Hydrodynamics, tipicamente lagrangiano, secondo il quale solo le proprietà delle particelle comprese dentro il raggio di una funzione kernel, centrata nella particella di interesse, influenzano il valore della particella stessa. Un resoconto pratico della teoria trattata viene dato mediante delle simulazioni realizzate tramite il software Blender 2.76b.

Hierarchical Markov Random Fields Applied to Model Soft Tissue Deformations on Graphics Hardware

Many methodologies dealing with prediction or simulation of soft tissue deformations on medical image data require preprocessing of the data in order to produce a different shape representation that complies with standard methodologies, such as mass–spring networks, finite element method s (FEM). On the other hand, methodologies working directly on the image space normally do not take into account mechanical behavior of tissues and tend to lack physics foundations driving soft tissue deformations. This chapter presents a method to simulate soft tissue deformations based on coupled concepts from image analysis and mechanics theory. The proposed methodology is based on a robust stochastic approach that takes into account material properties retrieved directly from the image, concepts from continuum mechanics and FEM. The optimization framework is solved within a hierarchical Markov random field (HMRF) which is implemented on the graphics processor unit (GPU See Graphics processing unit ).

Rendering Falling Leaves on Graphics Hardware

There is a growing interest in simulating natural phenomena in computer graphics applications. Animating natural scenes in real time is one of the most challenging problems due to the inherent complexity of their structure, formed by millions of geometric entities, and the interactions that happen within. An example of natural scenario that is needed for games or simulation programs are forests. Forests are difficult to render because the huge amount of geometric entities and the large amount of detail to be represented. Moreover, the interactions between the objects (grass, leaves) and external forces such as wind are complex to model. In this paper we concentrate in the rendering of falling leaves at low cost. We present a technique that exploits graphics hardware in order to render thousands of leaves with different falling paths in real time and low memory requirements.

Graphics Processor Unit Based Parallelization of Optimized Baseline Wander Filtering Algorithms for Long-term Electrocardiography

Long-term electrocardiogram (ECG) often suffers from relevant noise. Baseline wander in particular is pronounced in ECG recordings using dry or esophageal electrodes, which are dedicated for prolonged registration. While analog high-pass filters introduce phase distortions, reliable offline filtering of the baseline wander implies a computational burden that has to be put in relation to the increase in signal-to-baseline ratio (SBR). Here we present a graphics processor unit (GPU) based parallelization method to speed up offline baseline wander filter algorithms, namely the wavelet, finite, and infinite impulse response, moving mean, and moving median filter. Individual filter parameters were optimized with respect to the SBR increase based on ECGs from the Physionet database superimposed to auto-regressive modeled, real baseline wander. A Monte-Carlo simulation showed that for low input SBR the moving median filter outperforms any other method but negatively affects ECG wave detection. In contrast, the infinite impulse response filter is preferred in case of high input SBR. However, the parallelized wavelet filter is processed 500 and 4 times faster than these two algorithms on the GPU, respectively, and offers superior baseline wander suppression in low SBR situations. Using a signal segment of 64 mega samples that is filtered as entire unit, wavelet filtering of a 7-day high-resolution ECG is computed within less than 3 seconds. Taking the high filtering speed into account, the GPU wavelet filter is the most efficient method to remove baseline wander present in long-term ECGs, with which computational burden can be strongly reduced.

Young medical educators' workshop: Finding the right mentor in Medical Education

Background: Finding the right mentor in medical education is challenging, especially if you are relatively new to the field. However, a mentor that is fit for purpose offers great potential. The workshop will explore strategies and pitfalls for successfully finding the best available mentor. Intended Outcomes: At the end of the workshop participants will be able to: (1) identify practical strategies for successfully finding the right mentor in medical education; (2) give feedback on a proposed idea of a platform for matching mentees and mentors within AMEE; (3) establish an electronic network for continued dialogue and support within the online platform of AMEE (MedEdWorld). Structure: After an introduction to mentorship in medical education and characteristics of effective mentors, participants will have the opportunity to develop their own concepts and questions and discuss them with other participants and facilitators. Senior mentors will give advice from their experience. Furthermore, a proposal of an online platform to help young medical educators find a mentor will be presented and discussed. Who Should Attend: Young medical educators interested in finding the right mentor and in exchanging ideas with colleagues in a similar situation. Level: Introductory

An analysis of the effects of a peer mentor program and other factors on HIV patients' retention in care and clinical outcomes at Thomas Street Health Clinic, Houston Texas

Research examining programs designed to retain patients in health care focus on repeated interactions between outreach workers and patients (Bradford et al. 2007; Cheever 2007). The purpose of this study was to determine if patients who are peer-mentored at their intake exam remain in care longer and attend more physicians' visits than those who were not mentored. Using patients' medical records and a previously created mentor database, the study determined how many patients attended their intake visit but subsequently failed to establish regular care. The cohort study examined risk factors for establishing care, determined if patients lacking a peer mentor failed to establish care more than peer mentor assisted patients, and subsequently if peer mentored patients had better health outcomes. The sample consists of 1639 patients who were entered into the Thomas Street Patient Mentor Database between May 2005 and June 2007. The assignment to the mentored group was haphazardly conducted based on mentor availability. The data from the Mentor Database was then analyzed using descriptive statistical software (SPSS version 15; SPSS Inc., Chicago, Illinois, USA). Results indicated that patients who had a mentor at intake were more likely to return for primary care HIV visits at 90 and 180 days. Mentored patients also were more likely to be prescribed ART within 180 days from intake. Other risk factors that impacted remaining in care included gender, previous care status, time from diagnosis to intake visit, and intravenous drug use. Clinical health outcomes did not differ significantly between groups. This supports that mentoring did improve outcomes. Continuing to use peer-mentoring programs for HIV care may help in increasing retention of patients in care and improving patients' health in a cost effective manner. Future research on the effects of peer mentoring on mentors, and effects of concordance of mentor and patient demographics may help to further improve peer-mentoring programs. ^