Matrix permanent inequalities for approximating joint assignment matrices in tracking systems

This paper examines some of the combinatorial issues associated with the batch data association problem arising in tracking and correlation applications. A procedure is developed that addresses a large class of data association problems involving the calculation of permanents of submatrices of the original association matrix. This procedure yields what is termed the Joint Assignment Matrix (JAM), which can be used to optimally rank associations for hypothesis selection. Because the computational cost of the permanent scales exponentially with the size of the matrix, improved algorithms are developed both for calculating the exact JAM and for generating approximations to it. Empirical results suggest that at least one of the approximations is suitable for real-time hypothesis generation in large scale tracking and correlation applications. Novel theoretical results include an improved upper bound on the calculation of the JAM and new upper bound inequalities for the permanent of general nonnegative matrices. One of these inequalities is an improvement over the best previously known inequality.     

Maddy and Mathematics: Naturalism or Not

Penelope Maddy advances a purportedly naturalistic account ofmathematical methodology which might be taken to answer thequestion `What justifies axioms of set theory?' I argue thather account fails both to adequately answer this question andto be naturalistic. Further, the way in which it fails to answerthe question deprives it of an analog to one of the chief attractionsof naturalism. Naturalism is attractive to naturalists andnonnaturalists alike because it explains the reliability ofscientific practice. Maddy's account, on the other hand, appearsto be unable to similarly explain the reliability of mathematicalpractice without violating one of its central tenets.

1 Introduction

2 Mathematical Naturalism

3 Desiderata and the attractionof naturalism

4 Assessment: Naturalism and names

4.1 Taking‘naturalism’seriously

4.2 Second philosophy (orwhat's in a name)

5 A way out?

6 Or out of the way?

     

Global recession and higher education in eastern Asia: China,Mongolia and Vietnam

This paper presents a perspective on the capacity of colleges and universities during past and present economic shocks. The main argument is that the environment of the global recession—an Asia far more economically integrated than during past economic shocks, with more unified aspirations to be globally competitive and socially responsible—no longer delay reforms in higher education. In fact, the global recession has become an opportune time for higher education in Asia, specifically developing countries in eastern (East and Southeast) Asia, to continue reforming governance and administration, access and equity, internal and external efficiency, and regional collaboration. Economic shocks have accelerated reforms in higher education, especially those for promoting innovation in their economies, though more is needed in improving governance and access for underserved populations. This paper examines the cases of China, Mongolia, and Vietnam as examples of how the global recession and regional integration are growing forces in shaping their higher education reform and development. The paper also identifies a series of measures for increasing the resilience of higher education systems in serving poor and vulnerable populations during economic recessions. Responses to the global economic recession by nations in eastern Asia are likely to improve the global shift in economy and human capital.     

Pheromone synthesis in a biomicroreactor coated with anti-adsorption polyelectrolyte multilayer

To prepare a biosynthetic module in an infochemical communication project, we designed a silicon/glass microreactor with anti-adsorption polyelectrolyte multilayer coating and immobilized alcohol acetyl transferase (atf), one of the key biosynthetic enzymes of the pheromone of Spodoptera littoralis, on agarose beads inside. The system reproduces the last step of the biosynthesis in which the precursor diene alcohol (Z,E)-9,11-tetradecadienol is transformed into the major component (Z,E)-9,11-tetradecadienyl acetate. The scope of this study was to analyze and implement a multilayer, anti-adsorption coating based on layer-by-layer deposition of polyethylenimine/dextransulfate sodium salt (PEI/DSS). The multilayers were composed of two PEI with molecular weights 750 and 1.2 kDa at pH 9.2 or 6.0. Growth, morphology, and stability of the layers were analyzed by ellipsometry and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The anti-adsorption functionality of the multilayer inside the microreactor was validated. The activity of His(6)-(atf) was measured by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometer (GC-MS).     

Membrane-integrated microfluidic device for high-resolution live cell imaging

The design and fabrication of a membrane-integrated microfluidic cell culture device (five layers,≤500 μm total thickness) developed for high resolution microscopy is reported here. The multi-layer device was constructed to enable membrane separated cell culture for tissue mimetic in vitro model applications and pharmacodynamic evaluation studies. The microdevice was developed via a unique combination of low profile fluidic interconnect design, substrate transfer methodology, and wet silane bonding. To demonstrate the unique high resolution imaging capability of this device, we used oil immersion microscopy to image stained nuclei and mitochondria in primary hepatocytes adhered to the incorporated membrane     

Effects of continuing professional development on urban elementary students' knowledge

This study supports the important role teacher training programs can play in increasing physical education knowledge. In this project, teachers were able to increase students' understanding of critical physical activity/fitness knowledge through physical education instruction, without changing the physical education contact time. This link to student needs as well as the school's overall mission is a promising one for students and schools alike.     

Novice teacher vertical professional development? Exploring teachers’ and coaches’ beliefs throughout a two-year induction program

Learning Environments Research - The pedagogical beliefs of novice teachers and their coaches throughout a two-year induction program and how those beliefs impact their induction experiences were...     

Understanding Bereavement in a Christian University: A Qualitative Exploration

This phenomenological study, based on ecological systems theory, examined the college student bereavement experience in a Christian university. Undergraduate students (N = 127) from a small Christian university provided answers to open‐ended questions about their experiences regarding college following a death loss. Results indicate that students are generally successful in adapting to bereavement and prefer an environment open to discussing death and asking difficult religious questions. Implications for counselors are provided.     

Exploring teacher and school resilience as a new perspective to solve persistent problems in the educational sector

In this paper, we will explore the relevance, meaning and perspectives of teacher, team and school resilience. The central research questions are: does the concept of teacher, team and school resilience offer new and promising perspectives on persistent problems in the educational sector? And secondly; how can resilience at individual, team and school level potentially be strengthened? After an insight into the context of the educational system in the Netherlands, we describe the current challenges in the educational system and sector both internationally and for the Netherlands based on a dialogue with stakeholders, scientific literature and data from the Netherlands Working Conditions Survey 2010. We propose that the educational field would benefit from a proactive approach that includes interrelated levels of actors (i.e. individual, team and school). We elaborate on this argument by making use of four resilience-related theories developed in a variety of areas: Resilience Engineering (focusing on four abilities for resilience), organizational mindfulness (focusing on signalling early warnings threatening resilience), the human resource management perspective on resilience (focusing on constraint vs. commitment of employees) and resilience as a social system (focusing on resilience as an interpersonal asset). Each of these theories points out that multilevel approaches for developing resilience are useful. Thereafter, four abilities (anticipation, monitoring, responding and learning) that seem vital for the process of developing resilience are described and discussed at individual, team and school level making use of practical examples based on stakeholders’ experiences. We discuss that the resilience perspective is promising and deserves (co-created) experimentation in the educational sector. Due to the theoretical nature of this paper, the findings could be useful to set agendas, but they need carefully evaluated pilot projects for future confirmation.