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. - I a y (' i2 1d5 1 Ia - Y frrv s Tko w e 00 ktAi MoIT Ynow S&s vat 4 oo kcool," I I II ___________________________________ I[IL 5 L/kLENU I~a :,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 Center' oHunger Coalition Dinner for the RC Center, Homeless," Sponsored by Hillel aCmu and Volunteers in Action, First i&Campu "My friends tell me they don't mind paying top dollar for their designer eyewear. After all, they say, you can't put too high a price on cool. Oh, yeah? They don't even know what cool is. I do. It's SEE.The coolest optical store I've ever seen. So many different frames, I didn't know where to begin. But the coolest Peace Corp General Infoi Meeting, InternationalI Room 9, 7-9 p.m. i, 8 p.m. ES Information Centers, 763- i I