Lehigh University

About: Lehigh University is a education organization based out in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Catalysis & Fracture mechanics. The organization has 12684 authors who have published 26550 publications receiving 770061 citations.

The eyes have it

Abstract: This paper evaluates the impact of eye localization on face recognition accuracy. To investigate its importance, we present an eye perturbation sensitivity analysis, as well as empirical evidence that reinforces the notion that eye localization plays a key role in the accuracy of face recognition systems. In particular, correct measurement of eye separation is shown to be more important than correct eye location, highlighting the critical role of eye separation in the scaling and normalization of face images. Results suggest that significant gains in recognition accuracy may be achieved by focussing more effort on the eye localization stage of the face recognition process.

TOGp, the Human Homolog of XMAP215/Dis1, Is Required for Centrosome Integrity, Spindle Pole Organization, and Bipolar Spindle Assembly

Abstract: The XMAP215/Dis1 MAP family is thought to regulate microtubule plus-end assembly in part by antagonizing the catastrophe-promoting function of kin I kinesins, yet XMAP215/Dis1 proteins localize to centrosomes. We probed the mitotic function of TOGp (human homolog of XMAP215/Dis1) using siRNA. Cells lacking TOGp assembled multipolar spindles, confirming results of Gergely et al. (2003. Genes Dev. 17, 336-341). Eg5 motor activity was necessary to maintain the multipolar morphology. Depletion of TOGp decreased microtubule length and density in the spindle by approximately 20%. Depletion of MCAK, a kin I kinesin, increased MT lengths and density by approximately 20%, but did not disrupt spindle morphology. Mitotic cells lacking both TOGp and MCAK formed bipolar and monopolar spindles, indicating that TOGp and MCAK contribute to spindle bipolarity, without major effects on MT stability. TOGp localized to centrosomes in the absence of MTs and depletion of TOGp resulted in centrosome fragmentation. TOGp depletion also disrupted MT minus-end focus at the spindle poles, detected by localizations of NuMA and the p150 component of dynactin. The major functions of TOGp during mitosis are to focus MT minus ends at spindle poles, maintain centrosome integrity, and contribute to spindle bipolarity.

Compaction-induced inclination shallowing of the post-depositional remanent magnetization in a synthetic sediment

Abstract: Summary. A synthetic sediment comprised of kaolinite, distilled water and either equidimensional or acicular magnetite was given a post-depositional remanent magnetization (PDRM) by being stirred in a magnetic field. This sediment was compacted under pressures which varied continuously from 0 to 0.14 MPa in a water-tank consolidometer and to higher pressure steps (~2.53 MPa) in a standard soil consolidometer. Compaction took place in the same magnetic field in which the sample was given its PDRM. The compaction caused shallowing of the sample's magnetic inclination. This shallowing was found to be a function of the sample's initial magnetic inclination and the degree of sample compaction; tan (I,) = (1 - aAv) tan (lo), where IR is the remanent inclination after compaction, AV is the volume change, I. is the initial magnetic inclination, and a is an empirically derived constant. The data show a maximum inclination shallowing of 12" for an initial inclination of 54", in good agreement with the maximum inclination shallowing predicted by the above equation. We propose an electrostatic mechanism to be the cause of the inclination shallowing. In this model positively charged magnetite grains adhere to the surface of negatively charged clay grains with their long dimension parallel to the clay grain's surface. As the clay grains become reorientated due to compaction the easy axes of magnetization are rotated away from the axis of compression. Alternating field demagnetization data reveal that our samples have shallower characteristic magnetizations than their post-compaction NRMs, implying that the smaller, higher coercivity grains are most affected by the compaction process. These data support our model since a surface charge mechanism for inclination shallowing would predict that the smallest magnetic grains would be preferentially affected.

Teacher use of descriptive analysis data to implement interventions to decrease students' problem behaviors.

Abstract: We conducted two field studies using a behavioral consultation approach to reduce children's problem behaviors in public school settings. The first study consisted of a descriptive analysis in which the students and their teachers were observed during naturally occurring classroom activities. The results of the descriptive analysis provided hypotheses regarding the operant function of the students' problem behaviors. The hypotheses were tested in the second experiment directly through a modified experimental analysis and indirectly through an evaluation of the treatment effects. The interventions were designed to disrupt the inappropriate response-reinforcer relation by discontinuing contingent reinforcement (i.e., extinction), providing the reinforcer contingent on appropriate play behaviors, and teaching the students verbal skills functionally equivalent to the inappropriate response. The classroom teachers were trained to implement the interventions and conduct the experimental analyses during classroom activities in which the problem behaviors occurred most frequently. The interventions were effective in decreasing the students' problem behaviors while concurrently increasing their appropriate verbal skills.

Developmental Impacts of Child Abuse and Neglect Related to Adult Mental Health, Substance Use, and Physical Health

Abstract: This study examined the association between officially recorded child abuse and neglect and adult mental health, substance use, and physical health outcomes. Data are from a longitudinal study of more than 30 years in which individuals were interviewed most recently in their mid -30s. Analyses consisted of group comparisons using chi-square tests for categorical variables and independent samples t-tests for continuous measures. Logistic and linear regressions controlled for gender and childhood SES, adult age, marital status, and education. Adults maltreated in childhood reported more symptoms of adult depression, anxiety, and more impairment due to mental and physical health problems. A higher percentage of those with maltreatment histories reported lifetime alcohol problems and appear at greater risk for substance abuse. Most findings of these bivariate analyses remained significant after accounting for gender and childhood socioeconomic status. Somewhat fewer significant results were observed after controlling for adult age, marital status, and education.