The field of Procedural Generation is being increasingly used in modern content generation for its ability to significantly decrease the cost and time involved. One such area of Procedural Generation is Shape Grammars, a type of formal grammar that operates on geometric shapes instead of symbols. Conventional shape grammar implementations use mesh representations of shapes, but this has two significant drawbacks. Firstly, mesh representations make Boolean geometry operations on shapes difficult to accomplish. Boolean geometry operations allow us to combine shapes using Boolean operators (and, or, not), producing complex, composite shapes. A second drawback is that sub-, or trans-shape detailing is challenging to achieve. To address these two problems with conventional mesh-based shape grammars, we present a novel extension to shape grammars, in which a voxel representation of the generated shapes is used. We outline a five stage algorithm for using these extensions and discuss a number of optional enhancements and optimizations. The final output of the algorithm is a detailed mesh model, suitable for use in real-time or offline graphics applications. We also test our extension’s performance and range of output with three categories of testing: performance testing, output range testing, and variation testing. The results of the testing with our proof-of-concept implementation show that our unoptimized algorithm is slower than conventional shape grammar implementations, with a running time that is O(N^3) for an N^3 voxel grid. However, there is scope for further optimization to our algorithm, which would significantly reduce running times and memory consumption. We outline and discuss several such avenues for performance enhancement. Additionally, testing reveals that our algorithm is able to successfully produce a broad range of detailed outputs, exhibiting many features that would be very difficult to accomplish using mesh-based shape grammar implementations. This range of 3D models includes fractals, skyscraper buildings, space ships, castles, and more. Further, stochastic rules can be used to produce a variety of models that share a basic archetype, but differ noticeably in their details.

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids like alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) may be beneficial for cardiovascular health. A cholesterol supplemented diet will increase ALA bioavailability. Conversely, drugs which inhibit intestinal cholesterol metabolism may also inhibit fatty acid absorption. Our study will determine if a cholesterol absorption inhibitor, ezetimibe, decreases circulating levels of ALA in humans. Patients were randomly assigned to one of four groups for a 6 weeks: 1) placebo; 2) ezetimibe therapy (10mg); 3) flaxseed oil (containing 1.0g ALA); or 4) ezetimibe and flaxseed oil supplementation. Flaxseed oil supplementation resulted in a significant increase in circulating ALA levels in patients who were not given ezetimibe. Ezetimibe significantly inhibited the ALA raising effects of flax oil. No significant differences in circulating lipids or cytokines between the treatments were observed. Thus, ezetimibe therapy inhibits the absorption of omega-3 fatty acids. Patients receiving ezetimibe therapy will not receive cardiovascular benefits from omega-3 fatty acids.

This dissertation focuses on the ethnic inequalities in education in the English context. It is structured in three main thematic sections, each of which aims at answering different though highly connected research questions. Firstly, I analyse the ethnic differentials in academic progress during the last two years of compulsory education from a dynamic perspective. This way, I am able to identify the changes in relevant behaviours and attitudes linked to academic performance that take place during those years. Secondly, I pay attention to the differentials between ethnic minorities and the White British majority in the evolution of their expectations of applying to university. In particular, I analyse how students adapt their initial expectations reported at age 13/14 to the grades obtained at the end of compulsory schooling at age 15/16. Finally, the research goal of the last part of the dissertation is to examine the educational trajectories of ethnicminority students in England, taking White-British natives as the reference group for comparison. In this regard, I focus on two key transition points: when students start post-compulsory secondary education and when they enter university. / Esta tesis doctoral se centra en las desigualdades educativas entre grupos étnicos en el contexto inglés. En este sentido, está estructurada en tres grandes bloques temáticos, cada uno de los cuales intenta responder diferentes, aunque relacionadas, preguntas de investigación. En primer lugar, se analizan los diferenciales de progreso académico entre las minorías étnicas y la mayoría nativa blanca durante los dos últimos años de la educación obligatoria. Adoptando una perspectiva dinámica, se tratan de identificar los cambios en los comportamientos y actitudes relacionadas con el rendimiento académico que se tienen lugar durante estos años. En segundo lugar, se presta atención a las diferencias entre las minorías étnicas y la mayoría blanca en la evolución de sus expectativas de ir a la universidad. En este sentido, se analiza cómo las minorías étnicas tienden a mantener estables sus ambiciones educativas independientemente de su rendimiento ix académico. Finalmente, el objetivo de la investigación de la última parte de la tesis es analizar las trayectorias y transiciones educativas de las minorías étnicas, tomando a los nativos blancos como grupo de referencia.

Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3 (GSK-3) is a highly conserved serine/threonine kinase comprised of two mammalian homologues, GSK-3α and β, encoded by independent genes. This thesis reports the characterization of GSK-3-null primary mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) generated by gene targeting to gain insight into the physiological functions of this protein kinase. Combined inactivation of both alleles of GSK-3α and GSK-β led to elevated sensitivity to TNFα-induced apoptosis, altered organization of focal adhesion complexes, defects in cell spreading on fibronectin, decreased cell growth associated with altered cell cycle progression through the G2/M phase and increased spontaneous apoptosis. Future work will focus on unraveling the molecular mechanisms responsible for these effects and identifying the common and distinct cellular roles for GSK-3α and β, and specific variants of these isoforms.

The Arizona Child Acoustic Database consists of longitudinal audio recordings from a group of children over a critical period of growth and development (ages 2-7 years). The goal of this database is to 1) document acoustic changes in speech production that may be related to physical growth 2) inform development of a model of speech production for child talkers. This work was funded by NSF BSC-1145011 awarded to Kate Bunton, Ph.D. and Brad Story, Ph.D, Principal Investigators. This database contains longitudinal audio recordings of 55 American English speaking children between the ages of 2-7 at 3-month intervals. Since children began the study at different ages, some children have fewer recording sessions than others. The database can also be used to provide cross-sectional data for children of a specific age. Please refer to the subject data table for information on specific sessions available here http://arizona.openrepository.com/arizona/handle/10150/316065. All children were recorded using the same protocol; therefore, task numbers are consistent across children and sessions. A calibration tone is included as Record 1 for all sessions. The speech protocol focused on production of English monopthong and diphthong vowels in isolation, sVd, hVd, and monosyllabic real words. In addition, the protocol includes several nonsense vowel-to-vowel transitions. Speakers were prompted either verbally by investigators or by graphical prompts. Details of the protocol with reference to task numbers can be found in the protocol spreadsheet available here http://arizona.openrepository.com/arizona/handle/10150/316065. Details on data recording: All samples were recorded digitally using an AKG SE 300B microphone with a mouth to mic distance of approximately 10 inches. Signals were recorded digitally using a Marantz PMD671, 16 bit PCM (uncompressed) at 44.1KHz. Recordings are made available in .wav format. Individual zip files contain all recordings from a single session.

The Arizona Child Acoustic Database consists of longitudinal audio recordings from a group of children over a critical period of growth and development (ages 2-7 years). The goal of this database is to 1) document acoustic changes in speech production that may be related to physical growth 2) inform development of a model of speech production for child talkers. This work was funded by NSF BSC-1145011 awarded to Kate Bunton, Ph.D. and Brad Story, Ph.D, Principal Investigators. This database contains longitudinal audio recordings of 55 American English speaking children between the ages of 2-7 at 3-month intervals. Since children began the study at different ages, some children have fewer recording sessions than others. The database can also be used to provide cross-sectional data for children of a specific age. Please refer to the subject data table for information on specific sessions available here http://arizona.openrepository.com/arizona/handle/10150/316065. All children were recorded using the same protocol; therefore, task numbers are consistent across children and sessions. A calibration tone is included as Record 1 for all sessions. The speech protocol focused on production of English monopthong and diphthong vowels in isolation, sVd, hVd, and monosyllabic real words. In addition, the protocol includes several nonsense vowel-to-vowel transitions. Speakers were prompted either verbally by investigators or by graphical prompts. Details of the protocol with reference to task numbers can be found in the protocol spreadsheet available here http://arizona.openrepository.com/arizona/handle/10150/316065. Details on data recording: All samples were recorded digitally using an AKG SE 300B microphone with a mouth to mic distance of approximately 10 inches. Signals were recorded digitally using a Marantz PMD671, 16 bit PCM (uncompressed) at 44.1KHz. Recordings are made available in .wav format. Individual zip files contain all recordings from a single session.

La tesis arranca con un primer estudio general acerca de la empresa familiar, sus particularidades como sociedad mercantil y su encaje con los tipos sociales existentes. Considerando que uno de los elementos que la distinguen es su vocación de continuidad y, también, que los problemas a la hora de afrontar el relevo generacional son la principal causa de mortalidad de este tipo de empresas, se analiza el papel que el protocolo familiar puede jugar para resolverlos. Dentro del análisis del protocolo, se repasan sus antecedentes históricos, las experiencias en otros ordenamientos y, sobre todo, los problemas de eficacia que lo aquejan en España. Se trata de los problemas propios de todo pacto parasocial, agravados con un elemento adicional: no todos sus contenidos pueden ser vinculantes, porque choca con cuestiones de derecho necesario. Por ello, se plantea cómo mejorar esa eficacia a través de determinadas figuras jurídicas (cláusulas penales, prestaciones accesorias), algunas posibilidades relativamente recientes (acceso al Registro Mercantil) y, sobre todo, la plena convicción de sus firmantes, fruto sobre todo del consenso entre todos ellos. / The thesis starts with a first study about the family business as a corporation, with its peculiarities and its engagement with existing legal forms. Considering that one of its most important elements is its vocation of continuity, and considering also that the problems with the generational change are the leading cause of death of such companies, we analyse how the Family Constitution can solve that problems. Within the Family Constitution analysis, we review its historical background, the experience in other jurisdictions and, above all, its efficacy problems in Spain. These are the problems of all shareholders' agreements, but with an additional element: not all its content can be binding, because it conflicts with mandatory norms. Therefore, we propose to improve the effectiveness through specific legal solutions (penalty clauses, additional provisions), some relatively recent options (access to the Registry of Commerce) and, above all, the full conviction of its signatories, consequence of their consensus.

No description available.

The Arizona Child Acoustic Database consists of longitudinal audio recordings from a group of children over a critical period of growth and development (ages 2-7 years). The goal of this database is to 1) document acoustic changes in speech production that may be related to physical growth 2) inform development of a model of speech production for child talkers. This work was funded by NSF BSC-1145011 awarded to Kate Bunton, Ph.D. and Brad Story, Ph.D, Principal Investigators. This database contains longitudinal audio recordings of 55 American English speaking children between the ages of 2-7 at 3-month intervals. Since children began the study at different ages, some children have fewer recording sessions than others. The database can also be used to provide cross-sectional data for children of a specific age. Please refer to the subject data table for information on specific sessions available here http://arizona.openrepository.com/arizona/handle/10150/316065. All children were recorded using the same protocol; therefore, task numbers are consistent across children and sessions. A calibration tone is included as Record 1 for all sessions. The speech protocol focused on production of English monopthong and diphthong vowels in isolation, sVd, hVd, and monosyllabic real words. In addition, the protocol includes several nonsense vowel-to-vowel transitions. Speakers were prompted either verbally by investigators or by graphical prompts. Details of the protocol with reference to task numbers can be found in the protocol spreadsheet available here http://arizona.openrepository.com/arizona/handle/10150/316065. Details on data recording: All samples were recorded digitally using an AKG SE 300B microphone with a mouth to mic distance of approximately 10 inches. Signals were recorded digitally using a Marantz PMD671, 16 bit PCM (uncompressed) at 44.1KHz. Recordings are made available in .wav format. Individual zip files contain all recordings from a single session.

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids like alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) may be beneficial for cardiovascular health. A cholesterol supplemented diet will increase ALA bioavailability. Conversely, drugs which inhibit intestinal cholesterol metabolism may also inhibit fatty acid absorption. Our study will determine if a cholesterol absorption inhibitor, ezetimibe, decreases circulating levels of ALA in humans. Patients were randomly assigned to one of four groups for a 6 weeks: 1) placebo; 2) ezetimibe therapy (10mg); 3) flaxseed oil (containing 1.0g ALA); or 4) ezetimibe and flaxseed oil supplementation. Flaxseed oil supplementation resulted in a significant increase in circulating ALA levels in patients who were not given ezetimibe. Ezetimibe significantly inhibited the ALA raising effects of flax oil. No significant differences in circulating lipids or cytokines between the treatments were observed. Thus, ezetimibe therapy inhibits the absorption of omega-3 fatty acids. Patients receiving ezetimibe therapy will not receive cardiovascular benefits from omega-3 fatty acids.