LOCAL/STATE
The Michigan Dairy - Thursday, March 11, 1999 - 3A
4ESEARCH " 9
Computer model
study elucidates
oompetition
For complex adaptive systems, in
hich both animals foraging for food
investors can benefit from making
choices different from their competitors,
there is an optimum amount of informa-
ion that can lead to a maximum use of
resources, a new University study found.
Physics Prof. Robert Savit, who led
th e study recently published in
'"Physical Review Letters,' illustrated
complex adaptive systems with the
example of deciding whether to go to a
Irish folk music bar that is less enjoy-
le when it gets too crowded.
"You win if you go to the bar and it
isn't too crowded, or if you don't go when
it is crowded," said Savit, the director of
,,hk University's Program for the Study of
Complex Systems. "But everyone has
,their own way of making predictions."
'Savit, along with co-authors Radu
.anuca and Rick Riolo, used a com-
puter model to find that more people
benefit when the amount of informa-
n available to everybody is balanced
irith the number of paticipants.
-iWses of the study's findings could
niicude reduction of traffic jams, con-
trol of Internet traffic and new stock
market regulations aimed at benefitting
the most investors.
A graduate certificate program and
research lab work is available to stu-
dcnts interested in complex systems.
Profs. find aid for
*own syndrome
Kinesiology Profs. Dale Ulrich and
. Bverly Ulrich will present the results of
thcir study on treadmill training for
Jnfants with Down syndrome at a confer-
nce in Charleston, S.C., on March 19.
Jhe researchers discovered that infants
,rho used a treadmill with the help of a
parent five days a week for eight minutes
day walked on their own 101 days ear-
than children in a control group.
Children with Down syndrome typi-
cally have low muscle tone and increased
jolot laxity and generally begin walking
at about age 2. Children without Down
syndrome generally take their first steps
at about 10 to 14 months of age.
'The researchers will present the
study at the 1999 Gatlinburg
Cohference on Research and Theory in
Mental Retardation and Developmental
*sabilities in Charleston.
Study: Elderly OK
with fewer friends
..A new University study refutes com-
mon assumptions that older people have
decaying social networks due to depres-
,kion: or death and disease of friends.
i,, octoral candidate Jennifer Lansford
n4fellow investigators at the Institute
rSocial Research found that while
odr men and women tend to have fewer
ftjends than younger people, they are sat-
isfied with their social lives.
The researchers asked more than
5,400 men and women ages 20 to 90
years old about their satisfaction with
the size of their social networks.
-Researchers said the study's findings
show that the common recommenda-
ittn given to older people to increase
so'ci'al contacts may be misguided -
*d'the elderly may be already satisfied
with their friends.
'Iwovie scenes have
fisting effects
:A University study found that one in
every four college-age participants sur-
veyed remained disturbed by a horror
movie or frightening TV show they had
ewed during childhood or adolescence.
"The study, led by University commu-
nication studies Prof. Kristin Harrison
'Md:University of Wisconsin researcher
Z'iine Cantor, surveyed more than 150
'6Iege students at the University and
the' University of Wisconsin.
The fright effects participants experi-
enced often were considered major prob-
lers - including inability to sleep for
months after the scary scene and constant
avoidance of the situations portrayed in
scary TV programs and movies.
About 36 percent of the study's par-
ticipants, to be published in the journal
"Media Psychology," reported effects
-lasting for more than a year.
- Compiled by Daily Staff Reporter
Asma Rafeeq.
AIDS patient,
author discusses life
By Risa Berrin
Daily Staff Reporter
Scott Fried, a person living with AIDS, informed
an Angell Hall auditorium filled with more than 100
people last night that if they were expecting to learn
about AIDS, this was not the right lecture.
Fried, 35, spoke to a room filled with mostly
teenagers about the value of life and the sanctity of
the soul.
"If you want to learn about life, this is the place
to be," Fried said.
Fried has lectured in more than 50 cities in the
United States and several countries around the
world, speaking to more than 100,000 people about
AIDS and the importance of valuing every day life.
Fried emphasized that although he is living with
AIDS, he does not believe he is more eager to be
alive than any other individual.
"It takes a lot of courage to stay alive. It some-
times takes more courage to stay alive than to die;'
Fried said.
Fried noted that he does not like to be referred to
as a "victim" of AIDS. He prefers to focus on his
life in the present.
"I am more concerned with what I can do with
myself now. I encourage young people to do the
same, to enjoy such things as the conversation with
a stranger in line at the movies, not to be so worried
about deciding what they want to be when they
grow up' Fried said.
Fried said he does not believe it is his business to
tell teenagers not to engage in sexual activity.
"I'm not the sexual policeman. I just want to help
people recognize what is sacred and holy about
them;" Fried said. "Sex is not just in the genitals, it's
in the head, it's in the heart."
Fried emphasized that teenagers should have sex
for the right reasons and truly value intimacy.
"Teenagers need to realize that intimacy is learn-
ing about yourself in the presence of someone else"
Fried said.
Fried spoke candidly about his relationships with
both males and females - and the eve.ntual realiza-
tion of his homosexuality.
"During high school I didn't even know if I was
straight or gay at the time. All I wanted was a good
SAT score;' he said.
Fried said he was never concerned with contract-
ing AIDS.
"I was just an ordinary young guy in a fraternity
who was very horny. At that time I thought AIDS
was the disease of risk groups," Fried said.
In his book "If I Grow Up," Fried wrote that he
hopes he makes an impact in the lives of his stu-
dents.
"It is my hope, thereby, that my brief presence in
their lives will help them to recognize, cherish and
value their own. For this is indeed what they have
DHANI iONES/Dayty
Scott Fried, author of "If I Grow Up," lectures yesterday In an Angell Hall auditorium about his life.
taught me," Fried writes.
LSA junior Renee Safra, who helped to coordi-
nated the event, first heard Fried speak when she
was a sophomore in high school.
"I walked out of the room feeling inspired, in awe
and in tears," Safra said.
Safra said she was pleased with the number of
people in attendance.
"I wish, however, that Scott could touch everyone
on this campus" she said.
LSA junior Brian Pappas said Fried's message
can apply to anyone.
"He stays on an equal level with the audience.
He's very personable. You can tell that he really lives
what he tehes" Pappas said.
Fried's presentation was inspiring, LSA junior
Caitlin Klein said. She added that she found Fried'
message touching.
"The hardest part about what Scott talks about is
actually putting things into action. It's easy to hear
this stuff, but to really live every moment to its
fullest is more of a challenge," Klein said.
I
Prof. discusses, work in
quantum sculpting
By Coinne McAfe
For the Daily
On the heels of an appointment to the
Otto Laporte Collegiate Professorship
of Physics, Prof. Philip Bucksbaum
gave a lecture explaining his area of
expertise.
Bucksbaum presented a lecture titled
"Quantum Sculpting" yesterday
evening in the nearly filled Rackham
Amphitheatre. The chair was given' to
Bucksbaum because of his high level of
accomplishment in the field throughout
his career.
Bucksbaum discussed the physics of
quantum sculpting of atoms and mole-
cules. He began his speech by express-
ing that he was honored to hold a posi-
tion affiliated with the great physicist,
Otto Laporte, and summarized many of
Laporte's achievements. He also
described that quantum physics had
become an unquestionable and
undoubted field.
Bucksbaum said for him quantum
physics is the "playground of the atom-
ic world." He proceeded by giving a
brief presentation of what wave packet
sculpting is and how the shapes of
"Without these great students, the
work would not be possible.
- Philip Bucksbaumr-
physics professor
atoms and molecules can be reshaped
by using pulses of light.
Throughout the presentation,
Bucksbaum used pictures and anima-
tions of atomic quantum sculptures
which were recently produced at the
University. Pictures of wave packets,
which he called "beautiful," occurred
frequently in his lecture.
Bucksbaum explained some of the
many useful applications this experi-
ment has - including is computing -
which is relatively new and could be
very useful when development is fur-
thered.
Marc Hertlein, one of Bucksbaum's
graduate students, said "this particular
experiment is laying foundation work
for new fields. These experiments deal
with new ideas and useful applica-
tions.a
The lecture was detailed and specif-
ic, attracting many students and other
physics professors. Some attended the
lecture because they didn't know a lot
about quantum physics, but wanted to
learn. The specialization of the lecture
did not detract from the enjoyment of
any of the less knowledgeable atten-
dants.
"1 came to the lecture because quan-
tum physics peaks my curiosity and I
wanted' to find out more," said LSA
senior Ben Bowes, a physics concentra-
tor. "I'm coming away from the lecture
with ideas for things I can work on in
the future.,"
Bucksbaum concluded his lecture by
complementing the caliber of students
who study physics at the University.
"We are really blessed at Michigan to
get great students,' Bucksbaum said;;
"Without these great students, the work
would not be possible.'
MARGARET MYERS/Daily
Superfan Reza Breakstone stands in the front row of Michigan Stadium at a
football game last fall.
Bluegymnasts
wellcome task force
State to see more tourist dollars
By Jewel Gopwani
Daily Staff Reporter
The Michigan Student
Assembly's Superfan Task Force is
letting its team of "Extreme
Wolverines" loose at Sunday's
Michigan Men's Gymnastics meet
at Cliff Keen Arena against
Michigan State.
SFTF chair Jennifer Zorko said
the group of about 20 students,
including Superfan Reza
Breakstone, dons face paint and car-
ries flags and banners at sporting
events in an effort to boost school
spirit.
"There's a lot of really under-rep-
resented sports that work really
hard," said LSA first-year student
Matt Huang, a member of the
group.
Men's Gymnastics Head Coach
Kurt Golder said Extreme
Wolverines will be a great encour-
agement to his team this Sunday.
"It's the best thing that could hap-
pen to our sport," Golder said.
Zorko said the meet this weekend
should be especially exciting
because it is against Michigan State.
"We have established a pretty
good rivalry," Golder said. "I expect
my guys to hit every single routine."
Golder said the team has attracted
larger crowds this season. He attrib-
utes the increase in fans to the
team's improved performance.
The team is currently ranked
fourth in the nation. Last week at an
invitational held at the University of
California at Santa Barbara, Golder
said, the team beat University of
California at Berkeley, the defend-
ing Men's Gymnastics National
Champions and Penn State
University, who is ranked No. 1 in
the nation.
Kinesiology first-year student
Scott Vetere said the group will add
to the interesting antics at the Men's
Gymnastics meets. Vetere said
when a person receives a score of
9.7 or above, that team member
throws t-shirts out to the crowd.
"Our athletic department is really
second to none in the whole nation,"
said LSA first-year student Nate
Blair, an Extreme Wolverine member.
After learning about the group's
plans to attend Sunday's meet,
Golder said he would like to "see
that throughout all sports."
Zorko said the group did not have
a large turnout at its last event, the
Women's Basketball game on Feb.
19. But she added the team "really
appreciated us coming."
Extreme Wolverines are sched-
uled to make an appearance at the
Michigan Men's Tennis meet on
April 3. Zorko said because of the
lack of turnout at the last event, the
group wants to increase its member-
ship. "This semester is kind of a
warm up, to really get big next
year, Zorko said.
Zorko said students interested in
joining Extreme Wolverines can
meet at the steps of the Michigan
Union at 12 p.m. Sunday.
EAST LANSING (AP) - Tourists can expect to spend
about 4 percent more for hotels, meals and other costs while
traveling in Michigan this year.
But a Michigan State University tourism expert said yester-
day that Michigan is still is a good deal for travelers compared
to other destinations, and more of a convention/conference
bargain than ever.
Donald Holecek, director of the Michigan Travel, Tourism
and Recreation Resource Center at Michigan State University,
said he expects travel spending to rise 7 percent this year and
travel volume to increase 4 percent, about the same increase
as last year.
Low gasoline prices, low interest rates and the surging stock
market have given people more money to travel, he said. He
told those attending yesterday's tourism outlook conference
that they should market themselves as weekend getaways
because more tourists are taking short, spontaneous trips than
ever before.
And he said shopping centers and casinos are drawing peo-
ple year-round to places they seldom went in winter.
"Shopping is becoming a more integrated part of the travel
experience," he said, citing Mackinac Crossings in Mackinaw
City and the new Great Lakes Crossing mall in Auburn Hills.
Both offer entertainment as well as places to shop.
Diane Hill, executive director of the Birch Run Chamber of
Commerce, said she's noticing more families visiting the area
as a golf course, skating rink and miniature golf course sprifng
up around the huge Birch Run discount mall.
"Women have known about us for a long time" but now
they bring along their husbands and children, she said.
Nancy Engelhardt, the chamber's vice president of tourism,
said her sister and other family members that own three hotels
near the mall are thrilled that Birch Run is becoming more
than a day trip.
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:,ROUPS
What's happening in Ann Arbor today
Sexuality," Sponsored by UAC's Room
Speaker Initiative and Hillel,
rmation Michigan Theater, 7:30 p.mrt SERViC
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and Volunteers in Action, First i&Campu
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SEE.The coolest optical store I've ever
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Peace Corp General Infoi
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