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Botanical Art is the art of depicting the form colour and details of plant species, frequently in watercolor paintings because of its translucent qualities enhancing and complimenting the beauty of the plant.
Emphasis is put on the depictions being scientifically accurate and often composed in consultation with a scientific author.
Botanic Art can be described as a liaison between the disciplines of art and science as its creation requires an understanding of plant morphology and access to specimens and references. Specifically, the aim is to capture the essence of the plant; its form, texture and growth habits, in a two-dimensional medium such as painting and drawing. The typical range of subjects for the botanical artist include native and exotic flowers and plants, fruits and vegetables.
Botanica 2017, Australia’s premier annual botanical art exhibition promoting and protecting Australia’s rich diversity of plant life, features works by some of its leading botanical and natural science artists.
In this bicentenary year of the Garden, Botanica explores the theme of Farm Cove, the original farm of the first settlement that was established on the current site of the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney.
Botanica explores the complex and remarkable relationship the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney has with its plants. The annual showcase, now in its 17th year, features work by some of the best Australian and international established and emerging botanic and natural history artists and is considered one of the foremost exhibitions of its kind.
2017's Botanica theme draws its inspiration from the multiple ways we need, love and should appreciate plants - medicines, oxygen, poisons, fragrances, in celebrations and more.
Curator Judy Dunstan says the 2017 exhibition comprised more than 200 original paintings representing the work of artists from across Australia and beyond: “Works were selected on the basis that they are scientifically correct in both form and colour, and artistically pleasing and balanced to the eye,” said Ms Dunstan.
“It is the perfect opportunity to acquire works by talented emerging artists as well as those by artists with well-established national and international reputations,” added Ms Dunstan.
Botanica is a beautiful exhibition and encourages the sale of all its artworks. Proceeds go to the artists and to help Foundation and Friends of the Botanic Gardens continue to support horticulture, conservation, scientific research and education programs within the Botanic Gardens.
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Photos by KAVV
Opening times and more details can be found under:
https://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/whatson/Botanica-in-Sickness-and-in-Health
Locust HouseAdam GnadeThree One G / Pioneer Press This one is short, immersive, dense, turbulent and poignant. A novella-length rumination on a time, a place, and a culture. Less ... read more
Men without Women Haruki Murakami Penguin Books Australia Men Without Women is a 2014 collection of short stories by Japanese author Haruki Murakami, which was recently translated in English in ... read more
Die Gestalten Verlag is a publisher and creative agency mostly known for their 600 books on art, architecture, design, photography and typography. The company has 30 staff members through offices in ... read more
British Artists – Francis Bacon by Andrew Brighton Tate Publishing The British Artist Series books are affordable and accessible introductions by leading authorities to some of the greatest figures ... read more
High Adventure in the Great Outdorrs – Topo Designs One does not have to be a hardcore outdoorsman to have an appreciation for reliable quality outdoor gear that despite ... read more
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Click anywhere outside this dialog to close it, or press escape. | https://www.scenepointblank.com/blog/botanica-royal-botanic-gardens/ |
In recent times, the real estate market has gained so much attention as a result of the increased activities of investing, buying and selling going on within the industry. This increase has cut across the industry globally.
The size of the professionally managed real estate market also continued to grow in 2021, rising to USD 11.4 trillion from USD 10.5 trillion in 2020. The Americans contributed 40.2% of the overall market size estimate.
So far, the prices of houses, which are a component of the real estate market, have remained strong in 2022. However, there have been recent predictions that the real estate market will experience a 0% profit in 2023. These predictions could be attributed to some factors, which we are about to look into in this article.
What is the Real Estate Market?
Real estate is defined as the land and any permanent structures, like a home, or improvements attached to the land, whether natural or man-made.
According to the Cambridge dictionary, Real Estate Market is defined as the buying and selling of land and properties.
Read Also: Tokenizing Real Estate
Top 10 Factors Affecting the Real Estate Market
- The Economy
- Employment
- Government Involvement
- Location
- Supply and Demand
- Demographics
- Technology/ Innovations
- Taxation
- Interest Rates
- Societal Values
1. The Economy
The real estate market is largely a mirror of the economic situation. It is, however, a part of the economy that will always be in high demand because it provides one of man’s most basic needs: a place to live. To understand the economy’s impact on the real estate market, it is important to study the Economic cycle which consists of four stages;
- Recovery: At this stage, prices can be relatively low which makes it a perfect time to acquire as many properties as possible
- Expansion: In this stage of the economic cycle, it’s still possible to find a good value on an investment property during the expansion phase as demands also increase
- Peak: This stage of the economic cycle witnesses the highest output and a decline could most likely begin.
- Recession: After a business cycle has hit its peak, there is nowhere else for things to go but down. Sales and employment gradually begin to drop.
2. Employment:
An increase in job opportunities and expansion in commercial activities would always cause a high demand in the real estate market.
3. Government Involvement
In some circumstances, the government can intervene and affect the real estate market. A government might offer subsidies or credits to buyers to help wake up a stagnant market.
Governments can influence the real estate market in other ways, as well. For example, changes in tax law can make buying property more or less appealing. Fluctuations in interest rates can also help to attract or repel buyers.
4. Location
This is also an important factor affecting the real estate market. For instance, commercial and recreational activities could cause an increase in demand for real estate within a particular location. Good access roads and other social amenities within a certain location affect the price of the market
5. Supply and Demand
The general law of demand and supply by Alfred Marshal states that; an increase in supply causes a decrease in demand and vice versa. But when there’s less demand for property and fewer buyers out looking for real estate, the situation flips. The market becomes a buyer’s market.
6. Demographics
The expectations of the recent generations in houses have improved. This has also been a contributing factor in the real estate market.
The class of people living within an area is a contributing factor. For example, in an area with a university, there would be a lot of demand for houses that are small, stylish, and modern.
7. Technology/ Innovations
With the recent growth in technology, online shopping has also become a norm for the real estate market. Most people have adopted a more convenient way of buying properties.
Sellers can now target their buyers easily and buyers are also able to filter a list of properties to potentially get what they want from any part of the world.
8. Taxation
Although a lower tax bill isn’t the sole reason why people purchase property for residential use or as an investment, the potential for a lower tax bill is an added benefit. If tax laws change and eliminate many of the incentives for buying property, there might be a reduction in sales or less demand for real estate as an investment.
9. Interest Rates
Interest rate is very important determining factor of the real estate market. The more an investor needs to pay for financing, the less net income they are likely to see from renting out the property or using it for other commercial reasons. Higher interest rates can translate to higher risks for investors, which can push the prices and values of investment properties down. Also, the higher the interest rate on a mortgage, the less appealing it becomes. Therefore, a lower interest rate favours the real estate market.
10. Societal Values
Changes in society can also have an impact on the real estate market. For instance, a society that allows for no more than 2 children per family and does not encourage children to live with their parents beyond a certain age, would only mean that the demand for houses that would contain a large family would be less.
Environmental Factors Affecting Real Estate Industry
The value of real estate is undeniably tied to the quality of the environment. There are environmental factors that need to be considered for a real estate market to bloom and some of these factors include,
a. Quality of Water:
Water is very essential for living so the need for quality cannot be negated. For instance, the water areas of Lagos state (Island) are notably known to be bad water. Therefore, for the real estate market to continue to thrive in this location, the cost of good water treatment is factored into the entire cost of property.
b. Road Accessibility:
Areas with really bad road systems have less demand than areas with good road systems. The value of a property depends on the comfort the property is expected to bring and a bad road is uncomfortable for living.
c. Soil/ Topography:
Determining these factors can be high level but the effects are largely visible. The way land is situated would have adverse effects on the properties in that location. For instance, properties near water bodies are prone to flooding.
d. Climate:
Locations with extreme weather conditions most likely have fewer commercial and human activities going. Those areas are less conducive for living, therefore the real estate market cannot thrive as it does in more conducive locations.
e. Wildlife:
For a more practical understanding, lands in forests are in less demand because they are habitats for different wildlife that cannot cohabit with humans.
Legal Factors Affecting Real Estate Industry
- Delay in issuing land use right certificate (LURC) for foreigners
Decree 99/2015 says that foreigners can’t own homes in security and defense zones set up by the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Public Security. On the basis of this list, the provincial People’s Committee will require local Departments of Construction to issue a list of commercial housing complexes where foreign organizations are prohibited from owning homes (Foreign Ownership Prohibited Projects List). No such list has been released to date. Because of this, the provincial Department of Natural Resources and Environment has put off dealing with LURCs. This major issue has led to buyer confusion. Even though it seems like a good thing that the government has made it possible for foreigners to own property in Vietnam, the lack of important rules has made foreigners skeptical about getting into Vietnam’s real estate market.
- Uncertainties in the required approvals for residential developments
It is unclear under what conditions a transfer of land is covered by State allocation and lease. According to Article 32 of the Law on Investment (LOI), the in-principle investment decision (IDD) is applicable to projects for which the State grants or leases land without auction, tender, or transfer. In contrast, the Land Law mandates that investment projects can only acquire land through allocation or lease. It is unclear under what conditions a project can acquire land via transfer. Normal company operations continue to be hindered by the lack of specific norms.
References
- www.tranzon.com – Factors That Influence the Future of Real Estate.
- www.graana.com – Effect of Environmental Factors on Real Estate Value
We also Recommend: | https://uncleblockchain.com/real-estate-market/ |
Vector is presenting the VN4610 network interface – its first special solution for IEEE-802.11p and CAN-(FD) based applications. As an interface to the CANoe.Car2x test tool, the interface advances 802.11p-based ECUs to production readiness quickly.
Category: File Date: 2019-01-03 Language: English Type: PDF Size: 800 KB
Fact Sheet VX0312
Short overview of facts about VX0312 – Network interface for Ethernet / BroadR-Reach and CAN
Category: File Date: 2018-12-11 Language: English Type: PDF Size: 1 MB
AUTOSAR-Conformant Vehicle Diagnostics over DoIP
The communications protocol DoIP (Diagnostics over Internet Protocol) enables flexible and powerful diagnostics of systems over Ethernet, WLAN and mobile data connections: both offboard in the workshop as well as onboard and via remote access during the drive. It is essential to use the right tools to find optimal paths in a modern vehicle’s complex Electrical/Electronic (E/E) network.
Category: File Date: 2018-12-07 Duration: 18:38
Metadata: Multi-Gigabit is the Only Way – How E/E Architectures Will Benefit, 2018-12-07, 18:38
Multi-Gigabit is the Only Way – How E/E Architectures Will Benefit
Vector Congress 2018 Presentation by Dr.-Ing. Helge Zinner, Continental.
Category: File Date: 2018-11-14 Language: English Type: PDF Size: 903 KB
The Vector Embedded Ethernet Stack and Its Use Cases in Motor Vehicles
Webinar
Category: File Date: 2018-11-28 Type: PDF Size: 1 MB
Ethernet@Automotive webinar series
Moving Forward: Tool Supported Development for Automotive Ethernet in Time Sensitive Networks
Category: File Date: 2013-04-05 Language: English Type: PDF Size: 264 KB
Challenge of Ethernet Use in the Automobile - Flexible Interfaces and Software Tools Simplify ECU Development
Already this year, Ethernet will be used as a system network in the first production vehicles. Therefore, the next step is to integrate Ethernet with established technologies in the automotive industry: CAN, FlexRay, LIN and MOST. Functional development tools exist for them, which make it easy for developers to analyze heterogeneous networks. On the Ethernet side, however, only standard tools from office communications exist, but they do not support the special physical layers and IP protocols of the automotive world. Therefore, development and test tools are urgently needed that can be used to analyze and test existing bus systems together with Ethernet networks. But what would be the...
Category: File Date: 2013-11-18 Language: English Type: PDF Size: 340 KB
AUTOSAR learns Ethernet
Ethernet is a new and yet old and familiar network technology that is making its way into vehicles. At first, it is just being used for diagnostic applications and intelligent charging of electric vehicles, but onboard Ethernet networks are now being implemented as well. This article describes the properties and advantages of Ethernet and discusses the special aspects of integrating the technology in AUTOSAR. Finally, useful extensions are presented for an AUTOSAR Ethernet Stack which can be used to implement new applications.
Category: File Date: 2013-08-22 Language: English Type: PDF Size: 2 MB
Validating automotive IP network elements - New perspectives on remaining bus simulation for networks with SOME/IP
Ethernet based on BroadR-Reach is already a reality in vehicles with camera applications, and it will reach other application areas as well. Specialized development tools even permit time-synchronous display of the communication of heterogeneous networks. To enable bandwidth efficiency, automotive IP networks – in contrast to static CAN communication – are set up in a dynamic and service-oriented way. Therefore, the development tools must also support service-oriented protocols such as SOME/IP.
Category: File Date: 2011-07-19 Language: English Type: PDF Size: 297 KB
Convenient charging of electric vehicles - Smart charging with MICROSAR IP enables flexible charging processes and easy payment
Compared to conventionally powered vehicles, electric vehicles (EVs) have significantly shorter driving ranges due to the low energy density of their batteries. For EVs to experience a successful market launch, it is important to have a charging infrastructure in place that is widely accessible and easy to use. It is equally as important to have a standardized charging process. This article describes Smart Charging and its standardization in the ISO 15118 standard. With Smart Charging, in addition to a power connection, the vehicle also establishes a communication channel with the charging station. Today,Vector is already providing a first implementation based on its MICROSAR IP... | https://www.vector.com/int/en/search/?tx_solr%5Bfilter%5D%5B0%5D=contentType%3Atx_solr_file&tx_solr%5Bfilter%5D%5B1%5D=categoryTopic%3A42 |
Physical therapists (PT) work on the large muscles of the body. They may work in a school or hospital setting. If your child is working with a PT in both locations, consider sharing information between the two. Your permission is required for this, so make sure to fill out the appropriate release forms.
PTs assess, work to restore, maintain, and enhance physical functions. They also work to prevent the onset, symptoms, and progression of physical functional limitations and impairments. They can assist children who are deaf or hard of hearing (D/HH) with balance difficulties, enhancing muscle strength, and executing gross motor movements. Children who are D/HH often experience issues with balance related to vestibular (related to inner ear and balance) functions. PTs will develop strategies and interventions and may work with students inside or outside of the classroom. They will collaborate with families and the school team.
Want to learn more about physical therapists?
See What Is the Difference Between Occupational and Physical Therapy for Children? | https://deafandblindoutreach.org/meded-connections-dhh/meded-dhh-physical-therapist |
The Strategy Statement 2013-2015 of An Garda Síochána sets out the strategic goals, objectives and principal initiatives directing the organisation including its approach to crime. The An Garda Síochána Annual Report 2013 outlines more detailed performance indicators relevant to the goals established above and the relative success in meeting them. The Child and Family Agency’s (TUSLA) first Corporate Plan outlines the agency’s overarching vision of an Ireland in which ‘all children are safe and achieving their full potential’. Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures: The national policy framework for children & young people 2014-2020, contains further actions that seek to keep children and young people safe and protected from harm.
The Cork City Joint Policing Committee (JPC) is charged with overseeing policing in the City. Its structures include Local Policing Fora, Policing district management committees and the Joint Policing Committee itself. The JPC membership is made up of City Councillors, An Garda Síochána, City Council Executive and the Cork City Public Participation Network. A six year strategic plan has been agreed by the JPC and will direct its work until 2021.
In 1973, the same year Ireland joined the then European Economic Community (EEC), the European Commission unveiled its first Environmental Action Programme (EAP) with the stated aims of preventing environmental damage, conserving an ecological equilibrium, and ensuring the rational use of natural resources. Forty years and six EAPs later, the environmental policy landscape of the EU has changed dramatically. Climate Change, an issue virtually unheard of 40 years ago, is now the driving force behind European environmental policy.
The Green City concept is one that minimises environmental impacts and maximises opportunities to improve and support the natural environment in urban areas through measures such as energy efficiencies, waste reduction, low carbon transport and water cycle management. Guidelines such as The Green City Guidelines (2008) seek to ensure that these aims are realised.
The European Commission’s Country Report Ireland 2015, indicated that significant national challenges need to be addressed, noting that “Ireland is not on track to reach its greenhouse gas emission reduction targets, and that policies to address climate-related commitments are insufficient”. In response, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has developed a programme to support the delivery of Sustainable Energy Communities (SECs) as a community led approach to “...developing a sustainable-energy system”. National exemplars of SECs have demonstrated how local communities can develop actions to significantly reduce their energy consumption, in some cases leading to the establishment of related social enterprises and community business initiatives.
This is the environmental policy agenda with which Cork City Council and other stakeholders in the city must now engage. The city’s environment, amenities, heritage sites, parks, gardens, landscapes and streetscapes all make a significant contribution to the well-being of all our residents, visitors and businesses. They not only provide us with a sense of identity and cultural well-being, they are also a key contributor to our economy and play an important role in supporting and cultivating a vibrant community and voluntary sector.
Cork City Energy Agency, a section of the Cork City Council, aims to develop, ratify and implement coherent energy policy for Cork City Council. The agency has spearheaded many energy initiatives and contributed to the development of energy policy at local, national an EU level. The Lifetime Lab Information Centre located in the city centre, provide information on different environmental topics including Energy, Waste and Water. The Cork Food Policy Council is another example of a locally driven initiative that has formed to work towards the achievement of a fairer, healthier, more secure and sustainable food system within the city and throughout the region.
Safe & Green City – Stats and Facts
The number of recorded offences in Cork City has reduced year on year since 2011
In 2014 Cork City had the eighth highest no. of offences recorded (per 10,000 pop) of the 28 Garda Divisions in the State. The number of offences recorded in 2014 (12,506) has reduced year on year since 2011 (15,422). Theft and related offences (31%) and public order offences (21%) were the highest recorded crimes in the city in 2014. The city had higher levels of public order offences, damage to property, and attempts/threats to murder/assault/harass than the State averages in 2014.
An analysis of recorded crimes in the 15 Garda stations that operated wholly or partly within Cork City in 2014 shows that the 15 to 64 age cohort are the most likely to be victims of “crimes against the person” and “property crimes”. Women generally fall victim to rape, sexual assault and domestic violence in greater proportions than men, with higher rates in Cork City than the State average. The majority of the population of the city in the intermediate age range (18-64) experienced crime in a public place. The youngest and oldest cohorts living in the city are least likely to be victims of crimes, with the 0 to 14 age cohort most likely to be victimised in homes. A study on the fear of violent crime in public spaces in Cork City found that 72% of women surveyed feared sexually motivated crimes.
Rising global demand for food is placing more pressure on national and regional agricultural production with climate change already reducing agricultural yields. As oil prices remain high, increasing areas of land are now used to grow bio fuels rather than food. Key operators in the city are also embracing the need for long term sustainability, with Cork University Hospital (CUH) being the first hospital in the world to be awarded the prestigious ‘Green Flag’ for its efforts in reducing its carbon footprint. | https://consult.corkcity.ie/en/consultation/cork-city-local-economic-community-plan-2016-2021-stage-3/chapter/safe-green-city |
GE Healthcare Ultrasound Point of Care, leading designer and manufacturer of an ultrasound equipment for bedside diagnostics, is looking for Lead System Engineer.
The Lead System Engineer has design responsibility to deliver customer workflow, feature functionality, product quality, reliability, serviceability, manufacturability, regulatory, compliance, and cost.
Activities include system conception, system analysis, requirements development, traceability and flow down, architecture / system design, FMEA, system integration, system optimization, developing/executing System Verification and Validation test procedures, and providing support to manufacturing and field issues.
Job Description
Responsibilities:
Duties include (but are not limited to):
Providing domain expertise to serve as the main integrator between the all involved disciplines and functions to deliver the best quality product.
Working across functions and team boundaries to define, design, and implement the next generation of products, features and functionalities.
Working with Product and Program teams to refine requirements which can be further developed by the engineering teams.
Developing methods to quantify subsystem interactions and their effects on image quality
Delivering and incorporating feedback results into new hardware, software and service specifications.
Decision making in cross-disciplinary and architectural aspects.
Assist Program Manager in execution of projects within time and schedule.
Qualifications:
BSc in Electrical/ Biomedical Engineering.
MSc in engineering – advantage.
Experience in medical systems – advantage.
4 years of relevant work experience in projects involving design and development of complex systems, preferably as a designer.
General:
Independent by nature, Self-learner, Excellent communication skills
Proven ability to develop timely and effective solutions for challenging design problems.
Proficient in use of software tools for analysis and simulation (MATLAB, etc.) – advantage.
Demonstrated ability to pursue tasks to completion. | https://ge.jobs/haifa-isr/lead-system-engineer/FFC8D79578654893A33D596589775CD2/job/?vs=28 |
Did you know #1: One of the more famous English teachers the world has ever known is J.K Rowling, best known for the Harry Potter fantasy books. She taught English in Portugal by day whilst writing ‘Harry Potter’ at night. Other famous English teachers include Dan Brown (of ‘The Da Vinci Code’ books), James Joyce (‘Ulysses’), Sting (from the band ‘The Police’) and Oliver Stone (who did the movies ‘Platoon’ and ‘JFK’). Picture courtesy of Daniel Ogren – Flickr: 100405_EasterEggRoll_683, Copyright Commons BY 2.0.
“English teachers are more important than they realise. They teach the most important skills within the most important subject. They remind us of the power of language and the delights of literature. They have an impact beyond their knowledge, influencing generations of young people and great English teachers nourish our heroism. They allow us to feel that we can read better, write better, think better, learn better. The world is like the biggest challenge, but because of our English teachers, we as learners suddenly feel up to it.
We owe our English teachers a great deal – not least, our gratitude.” So for all tutors, teachers, trainers, instructors such as Tueetor’s Featured Trainer from Indonesia Nanang Eko Pratiyo whom we interviewed in this Q&A. For all those who teach English in a non-native English-speaking country, we salute you!
Connect with Nanang, English Tutor on Tueetor by clicking here.
Hi! I’m Nanang Eko Prastiyo. You can call me Nanang. I’m currently studying chemical engineering as an undergraduate at Universitas Pembangunan Nasional “Veteran” Jawa Timur. I love travelling, playing music, and watching movies. I’m an easy-going and flexible person.
What inspires you to be a tutor specializing in English?
I have enjoyed learning English since I was in junior high school. Hence, speaking English is a major part of my daily life. I would always try to speak English in my daily life with my friends and family, even if it’s just parts of the entire day. This way, I would like to share what I can with those people who may have the intention to learn English, but do not have the resources to.
(Top & bottom:) Did you know #2? William Shakespeare gifted us with modern English words we use almost every day. From ‘manager’ (“Where is our usual manager of mirth? What revels are in hand?” – Kind Theseus in a ‘Midsummer’s Night’s Dream. Act V, Scene 1; to ‘fashionable’ (“For time is like a fashionable host that slightly shakes his parting guest by the hand, and with his arms outstretch’d, as he would fly, grasps in the comer: welcome ever smiles, and farewell goes out sighing.- Ulysses from ‘Troilus and Cressida’, Act III, Scene III.; the bard has gifted us with an amazing repertoire of everyday vocabulary. Of course, as per mentalfloss.com states it, just because the first written instances of these words appeared in Shakespeare’s scripts doesn’t preclude the possibility that they existed in the oral tradition prior to his recording them. But as Shakespeare might have said, it was high-time (‘The Comedy of Errors’) for such household words (‘Henry V’). Pictures courtesy of Pinterest.
If you’re not already doing so, would you like to do this as a full-time freelance career?
Yes, I would like to, with my pleasure!
Because English is a global language. You will need to know English in this modern era to thrive. When you learn English, it means that you open your window to the world. It makes you become more open-minded because your knowledge will be so much wider.
Did you know #3: Beowulf is often referred to as the first important work of literature in English, even though it was written in Old English, an ancient form of language that slowly evolved in the English that we all know today. Above, a photograph of the first page of ‘Beowulf’, known to be produced sometime between 975 and 1025 AD. Picture courtesy of Wikipedia, the British Library.
What are your biggest strengths being an English tutor? What sets you apart from other English tutors? And how do you organise your lessons for beginners, as opposed to those who are more advanced?
My biggest strength would be patience. I would not be expecting my students to master English within a day or even within one month. Especially for students who have no prior knowledge of English and are non-native speakers of English, I’d have to start by teaching them the very basics, such as the use of tenses and grammar, thus it would not be easy.
The thing that sets me apart from other English tutors is that I have my own method to teaching English. I usually like to make my lessons fun.
Also, I get regular feedback from my students like my very own FGD (focus group discussion) to allow my students more ownership of their lessons. And I take this feedback seriously, allowing me to further tweak and improve my lesson plans.
For beginners, I will also teach them grammar, because it is the very basic component before you start to learn more advanced elements. For the advanced students, I’d like to have regular FGDs so that the students will be more active and engaged, and this is also when they can speak up their minds. – in English!
Did you know #4: The very first dictionary of the English language was published 4 April 1755 and was written by Samuel Johnson. (Picture courtesy of the Eighteenth Century Collections Online, Public Domain, Wikipedia). As Wikipedia puts it, there was widespread dissatisfaction with the dictionaries of the period, a group of London booksellers contracted Johnson who took 7 active years between the decade of 1746 to 1755, to complete it single-handedly. Until the completion of the Oxford English Dictionary 173 years later, Johnson’s was viewed as the pre-eminent English dictionary.
What is the most rewarding part of tutoring in English?
For me, the most rewarding part of tutoring in English is the ‘before and after’ scenarios. It’s when my students, who do not know any English aka from totally zero, to when they can finally understand English aka master levels; that alone is reward enough.
Finally, what do you think of Tueetor?
I think that Tueetor is a good platform to learn English. Because we are in an era where all people are digitally connected (to the internet). It is a simple way to learn English when people have no time to go to the formal class, they can choose Tueetor because it is more flexible. And also, online classes are a fast-growing phenomenon. And I hope to be a part of that!
For more information on how to be a tutor or trainer with Tueetor, visit https://tueetor.com/ or call us at +65 6206 6660 or whatsapp us on 98833 867. Or, if you are looking to improve in English in another market, other than Indonesia, feel free to PM us for assistance. Written and edited by Cecilia Leong. | https://tueetor.com/blog/featured-trainer-indonesia/ |
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Triangular X is a highly experienced team of talented experts driven by passion, pushing the boundaries of a digital world in search for new challenges in designing, developing, animation, virtual reality and new media.
We have a reputation for successfully engaging and delivering mobile applications, augmented and virtual reality, multimedia, presentations and games from conceptualise to production within the given time frame due to our teams great work ethics combined with our world class systems and programs.
We are leaders in the market with 20 years of experience, we pride ourselves on exceptional service and outstanding value. Presenting your company with cutting edge, out of this world Multimedia, Web, Mobile, Animation and VR products. | https://www.triangularx.com/page/5/ |
Perceived parenting styles, personality traits and sleep patterns in adolescents.
The present study examined the role of parenting styles with respect to adolescents' sleep patterns and symptoms of depression and anxiety. A total of 246 adolescents (age: 17.58+/-1.62) took part in the study. They completed several questionnaires with regard to parenting styles and to symptoms of anxiety and depression; additionally, they filled in a questionnaire assessing sleep-related personality traits and completed a sleep log for 7 consecutive days. Results showed a high overlap between parenting styles of both parents, though with a different relation to adolescents' sleep. Adverse parenting styles were highly correlated with low sleep quality, negative mood, increased daytime sleepiness, and with increased symptoms of anxiety and depression. Adolescents with low positive and high negative parenting styles displayed the most unfavorable sleep-related personality traits. Results suggest that parenting styles are related to young people's sleep pattern even at the beginning of late adolescence.
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The downstream part of river basins, where the main rivers flow into the ocean, are characterized by complex hydrosystems: lower floodplains and deltas. Considered the most productive ecosystems on the planet, natural floodplains and deltas support many human activities (recession agriculture, livestock keeping, fisheries, forestry…) that are essentially linked to the flooding rhythm of the river and are conducted according to complex and season-based resource use calendars.
All over the planet, but especially in Africa, floodplains and deltas are undergoing a rapid evolution. The conference will explore the contemporary evolution of African floodplains and deltas exposed to a range of hydro-climatic and socio-political drivers.
Current drivers of change include (but are not limited to) rising sea level and climate change, modification of the flooding pattern due to dam-building and increased water abstraction upstream, land-use changes in the catchment (deforestation and land degradation), transformation to large-scale irrigation or aquaculture systems. Their level of integration into the global economy and their demography also exert a major influence. How do these drivers affect the delivery of ecosystem services at multiple scales? Who are the winners and who are the losers of the transformations?
Policies on deltas and floodplains also differ: some coastal wetlands are simply converted into large-scale agricultural fields. Elsewhere, biodiversity values or the recognition of a strong cultural identity contribute to the maintenance of their specific wetland character under various protected area governance and management models (e.g. government controlled, conservation NGO dominated, Indigenous and Community Conserved areas etc.). How do these new management systems acknowledge complexity and maintain the characteristics while coping with all the drivers of change?
During the 4-day conference, researchers will seek to analyze and compare the current evolution of several African deltas (in Eastern, Western, Northern and Southern Africa) and will explore possible scenarios for the future. The conference’s scientific committee will favor field-based and comparative approaches and multidisciplinary research.
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Programme:
Day 1: Session 1 - Recent evolution of flooding patterns
This session will focus on recent changes in flooding patterns and sediment supply due to climate change, increased abstraction, land use changes, dam-building, etc. or combinations of these.
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Day 2: Session 2 - Sharing natural resources in a multi-user context
This session will focus on biodiversity values, natural resource governance and management practices and strategies of floodplain and delta users, including stakeholder solidarities and conflicts. Interactions between biodiversity, ecosystem services and human well-being will be explored.
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Day 3: Session 3 - The future of African floodplains and deltas
This session will focus on the potential of different governance models and management practices (from conservation to production) that can promote environmental, social and economic sustainability.
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Day 4: Field excursion to Rufiji delta and floodplain Planning:
First call for abstracts: 25th October 2013
Deadline for receiving abstracts: 31st December 2013
Selection of abstracts and notification to authors: 5th February 2014
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Organizing committee:
Dr. Stéphanie Duvail (IRD, Kenya), Prof. Amos Majule (IRA, Tanzania), Dr. Dorothy Wanja Nyingi (NMK-KENWEB, Kenya), Dr. Catherine Masao (IRA, Tanzania)
Call for abstracts:
submit an abstract at | http://kenweb.or.ke/index.php/african-deltas-conference-2014.html |
The course epigraph is quite powerful because it seems to be asking us, humanity, to think about issues that haunt our society. Since the beginning of our nation’s history, the injustices that have been weaponized against minority groups is unsettling. However, the courage of so many people to fight oppression is grounded in the fact that they did notice the ugly society around them. It’s more than just being aware of issues, anyone can see with their eyes. The challenge for us is to help others notice.
Most Americans have a decent knowledge of social injustices that African-Americans have faced since the first perilous journey of the transatlantic slave trade. Even today, unnerving videos of police brutality glares at us through iPhone screens. Prior to this class, I had a knowledge of African American history that was good…or so I thought. After reading Harriet Washington’s Medical Apartheid, I realized that I had only just begun to notice the much darker truth about Black suffering in American history. Like the construction workers at the Medical College of Georgia, who discovered nearly ten thousand bones of former patients, I have just begun to discover the chilling bones of our inherently racist medical world. Like it or not, it is our job to notice the history of African-American medical treatment and (hopefully) encourage others to notice.
Standards for what is considered racist have changed considerably over the years. Many doctors of the past believed that skin color was an indication of inferiority. They didn’t think twice about the humiliation of public display and invasion of privacy that allowed for medical dissection. Famed psychiatrist, Dr. Benjamin Rush, is known for his belief in “Negritude.” This held that black skin was a form of leprosy. Unlike the other doctors in Medical Apartheid, Washington asserts that his intentions were not racist. In fact, he was an active player in the abolition movement. His goal was to “cure” supposed diseases that made one’s skin color dark. By providing Black people with a treatment that lightens their complexion, then racism would no longer be an issue. Although Rush’s patients may not have consented to treatment and his approach still seems problematic, there was a legitimate effort to look at racism through a much different lens than others in his society.
This idea of separate black physiology was believed by scientists or doctors during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Granted, their views on race are much different than ours, but it was a step in the right direction. Another key player in helping society to notice racism was abolitionist Frederick Douglass. He spoke on the issue of scientists using unattractive Black people to compare against attractive White individuals. Beauty is a highly subjective term but Douglass was most likely using conventional beauty as a standard measurement. He drives this point home by claiming, “The importance of this criticism may not be apparent to all-to the black man it is very apparent.” (94) This quote shows that digging into social issues is an arduous task, but one that affects the lives of so many. Minority groups face oppression every day, so these issues are just a fact of life to them. When something becomes so commonplace, however, the necessary change is often neglected.
Realizing that we have a conscious effort to be (or not to be) accepting of racial differences is something that all Americans must come to terms with. Simply knowing isn’t enough. The insight gained from various stories of African-American allows us to spread it into the majority. A “silent majority” is not nearly as disturbing as a blind majority. Anyone can speak what’s on their minds, but not all can observe the long-lasting effects. As the struggle for equality raged on through the years, the few that helped others to notice should be recognized. The single-story of an oppressive master takes up too much room on the stage while the valiant efforts of the few are shoved backstage. Maybe one of us can take the center stage someday and help others to notice what we notice. | https://morrison.sunygeneseoenglish.org/2019/09/page/3/ |
The current novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has highlighted health disparities in the United States. Compared with white patients and/or those with a higher income, patients who are black, American Indian, or live in low-income households are more susceptible to COVID-19, according to research published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
“These inequities in risk are compounded by structural disparities in access to medical insurance, wealth, and income volatility,” reported the investigators. “Identifying those at a heightened risk of severe illness is essential for modeling disease, advancing health equity, and limiting morbidity and mortality.” Specifically, for COVID-19, it will be necessary to design return-to-work criteria and allocate economic assistance.
To identify patients at heightened risk, the researchers used data from the 2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System which captured survey results from >400,000 adults. Participants were included that had at least 1 of the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention criteria for risk of severe illness from COVID-19 by age group, race/ethnicity, and household income (<$25,000).
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A total of 387,304 participants were identified for the overall and race/ethnicity analyses and 336,861 for the income analysis. The researchers found that approximately 97 million Americans (43% of adults) were at higher risk of illness from COVID-19. Among those aged <65 years, 28% were at higher risk, including 18% of those aged 18 to 24 years.
These health disparities in risk were found across age groups, noted the researchers. Of those <65 years of age, 33% of black and 42% of American Indian adults were at higher risk compared with 27% of white adults. A total of 11% of black and 18% of American Indian people had multiple risk factors compared with 8% of white people. Among those aged ≥65 years, 69% of American Indian and 61% of black people had additional risk factors beyond age compared with 54% of white people.
When looking at income, the researchers found that at least 25 million low-income Americans were at higher risk for COVID-19; among those aged <65 years, 40% of low-income people were at higher risk compared with 24% of those with higher income. Income disparities was associated with multiple risk factors among those aged <65 years (16% low-income vs 6% higher-income) and >65 years (63% low-income vs 52% higher-income.
“It is vital that these race/ethnicity and income disparities in risk be consider in physical distancing policies and other protective measures, particularly for those who work in essential industries,” concluded the authors.
Reference
Raifman M, Raifman J. Disparities in the population at risk of severe illness from COVID-19 by race/ethnicity and income. Am J Prev Med. In press. | https://www.clinicaladvisor.com/home/topics/infectious-diseases-information-center/disparities-identified-in-risk-of-covid-19-among-race-household-income/ |
Most of our work is carried out at fixed rates.
We charge for call out (each visit) and then an hourly rate depending on the number of people needed.
£50.00 Call out charge:
This covers the first hour of a team member being on site.
Per additional person(s) + £10.00
Hourly rate thereafter:
For 1 person – £30.00 p/hr
Per additional person(s) + £20.00 pp/hr
For more specific jobs such as full design and install of projects we are able to give estimates on request.
We are happy to travel but where necessary (further distances and house moves) a travel charge of £0.45 per a mile may be applicable. | https://sasaquatics.com/prices/ |
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The mission of the Department of Recreation is to provide high quality, diverse, and accessible programs, services, and facilities that enhance the quality of life for all ages, cultures, and abilities.
The total approved FY23 Operating Budget for the Department of Recreation is $55,197,807, an increase of $6,483,980 or 13.31 percent from the FY22 Approved Budget of $48,713,827. Personnel Costs comprise 58.82 percent of the budget for 182 full-time position(s) and one part-time position(s), and a total of 574.39 FTEs. Total FTEs may include seasonal or temporary positions and may also reflect workforce charged to or from other departments or funds. Operating Expenses account for the remaining 41.18 percent of the FY23 budget.
The Debt Service for the Recreation Fund is appropriated in the Debt Service Fund and is, therefore, not displayed in this section. To pay for the Debt Service, a transfer of funds from the Recreation fund to the Debt Service Fund of $10,653,890 is required to cover General Obligation Bond costs.
In addition, this department's Capital Improvements Program (CIP) requires Current Revenue funding.
While this program area supports all eight of the County Result Areas, the following are emphasized:
Performance measures for this department are included below (where applicable), with multi-program measures displayed at the front of this section and program-specific measures shown with the relevant program. The FY22 estimates reflect funding based on the FY22 approved budget. The FY23 and FY24 figures are performance targets based on the FY23 approved budget and funding for comparable service levels in FY24.
Summer School Wrap Around Program (Funded by the Early Care and Education Non-Departmental Account.): A program that creates a pathway between summer school and summer camp, establishing a full day of classroom and experiential opportunities.
The Aquatics programs provide recreational, fitness, instructional, competitive, therapeutic, and rehabilitative water activities that serve all residents. The broad ranges of programming include lessons, instructional wellness classes, and competitive programming such as dive and swim teams. Facilities also host a wide variety of local, regional, and national events and...
Countywide Programs offers essential and universally accessible recreation and leisure services to all residents across the region--an indicator of a healthy, affordable, and welcoming community. Program staff generates partnerships with local small businesses and non-profit organizations to activate key public and private spaces and to offer culturally responsive programs,...
The Department of Recreation has 23 recreation centers throughout the County. These facilities provide affordable programs featuring leisure activities, social interaction, family participation, and community civic involvement, as well as promote community cohesion and identity for all ages. Centers are designed to support sports, fitness, dance, community/social activities,...
The Senior Programs Team offers a wide range of supports, opportunities, programs, services, and facilities, which are designed to enhance the quality of life and help community members 55 and over remain active, engaged, and independent in their communities. Lifestyle and leisure program offerings such as fitness & wellness,...
The Youth Development team uses recreation to ensure young people are healthy, connected, and productive during out-of-school time. Program staff work to change the landscape of communities by tackling pressing and diverse issues, reducing barriers to participation, and improving equitable access to high quality out-of-school time opportunities which improve...
The Administration Program provides oversight, leadership, management, and supervision to accomplish the Department's mission. The Administration Program includes the Department's senior management, the Director's Office and staff, as well as business and information technology services, communications and outreach, facility planning, asset replacement, and fixed-cost management.The Business Services and Information Technology...
Contact Traci Anderson of the Department of Recreation at 240.777.6801 or Shantee Jackson of the Office of Management and Budget at 240.777.2751 for more information regarding this department's operating budget. | https://apps.montgomerycountymd.gov/basisoperating/Common/Department.aspx?ID=72D |
Khulani Trading Enterprises is South Africa’s leading engineering and construction services company. It has delivered infrastructure throughout South Africa for more than 15 years and is today recognised as a national construction group. Khulani Trading Enterprises is a group of world-class companies and brands aligned to the same purpose and vision, and guided by the same set of values.
The company offers civil, mechanical, electrical, mining and process, general building, procurement, construction, commissioning, operations and maintenance services. Khulani Trading Enterprises does so in the government departments, selected private developers, selected South African power and industrial markets and selected South African infrastructure sectors.
Khulani Trading Enterprises operates in Southern Africa. The company is based in Middelburg South Africa,
Our Purpose
Our Vision
Group Values
The Khulani Trading Enterprises values guide behavior, conduct and ensure alignment of all Khulani Trading Enterprises employees
We demonstrate commitment through:
- Our belief in what we do
- Hard work and dedication to the tasks undertaken; and
- Ensuring we deliver on what we have promised.
We demonstrate care for:
- Our people by prioritising the safety and well-being of our people above all else and ensuring that they have the necessary tools and training to carry out their work safely and effectively;
- Our customers/stakeholders through striving for delivery excellence on time and in budget; and
- Our communities and the environment by minimising the potentially negative impacts of our activities and positively contributing to broader society.
We demonstrate respect by:
- Appreciating the environment in which we operate;
- Acknowledging others’ differences; and
- Treating each other with trust and dignity.
We demonstrate accountability by:
- Taking responsibility for our actions;
- Being transparent in keeping record of our activities and the disclosure thereof; and
- Being ultimately answerable for our actions.
We demonstrate integrity by:
- Being consistent in our actions and in adhering to our core values; and
- conducting our business undertakings honestly, openly, directly and ethically.
Business Strategy
SHORT -TERM RECOVERY TO LONG-TERM GROWTH
Two years ago, the new leadership team at Khulani Trading Enterprises implemented a one-year strategy for Recovery & Growth through COSI institute in Chicago, with the aim of arresting the under-performance of the preceding years, stabilising the organisation and building a foundation for the future.
That’s what we mean when we say: “We shall make it”. | http://www.khulane.co.za/about-us-page-2/ |
BACKGROUND
Field
1.
Background
2.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
One or more embodiments described herein relate to mobile communications systems and methods.
Orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) systems use various schemes to assign radio resources to carry signals in a mobile communications system. These schemes are often used with one of a variety of error control algorithms in an attempt to achieve reliable performance.
In an environment where the states of radio channels do not change significantly over a predetermined time period, OFDMA systems have provided channels with poor quality. This is especially true in systems that use Hybrid Automatic Repeat reQuest (HARQ) technology for error correction. In these systems, a scheme may be employed to adjust and transmit radio resource parameters to a base station in order to achieve diversity gain. However, this scheme serves to increase scheduler complexity and decrease effective throughput.
The embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements wherein:
Fig. 1 is a diagram showing one embodiment of an OFDMA system;
Fig. 2 is an exploded block diagram of a mobile terminal such as shown in Fig. 1;
Figs. 3A-3C are diagrams illustrating one embodiment of sub-band carrier assignment method;
Figs. 4A-4C are diagrams illustrating one embodiment of an interleaved carrier assignment method; and
Figs. 5A-5C are diagrams illustrating one embodiment of a flexible carrier assignment method.
Various types of error control algorithms have been used in communication systems. One type known as the ARQ (Automatic Repeat reQuest) type is used in a Data link protocol layer. Another type known as FEC (Forward Error Correction) is used in a physical layer. Another type known as HARQ (Hybrid Automatic Repeat reQuest) is a technology that controls error by combining the retransmission type and the forward error control type to improve the throughput of the system. HARQ is used in HSPDA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) transmission, which is a 3.5 generation mobile communication technology. HARQ retransmits packets having errors, combines the originally transmitted information with the retransmitted information, and decodes the combined information. Such construction is used to decrease the number of retransmissions.
Three radio resource assignment schemes have principally been employed by OFDMA systems: sub-band carrier assignment scheme, interleaved carrier assignment scheme and flexible carrier assignment. In OFDMA systems, the radio resource assignment process is performed both in a base station and a mobile terminal. The mobile terminal receives from a radio resource assignment module (a scheduler) a radio resource assignment parameter and thereby performs radio resource assignment. This is the same when the HARQ technology is applied.
In an environment where the states of radio channels do not significantly change in a predetermined time period, the sub-band carrier assignment scheme, interleaved carrier assignment scheme and flexible carrier assignment scheme may provide channels with poor quality to a specific user for a prolonged time period. When a user is assigned with channels of poor quality in a system employing the HARQ technology, due to the continued poor quality of the assigned radio channels, any improvement in performance cannot be expected even with continued retransmissions unless the scheduler changes the radio resource assignment parameter assigned to the user.
When there are almost no changes in the channels, a diversity gain method can be employed to reduce the number of retransmissions. Some systems used the method of adjusting and transmitting radio resource parameters at a base station to obtain diversity gain. Such systems exhibit the problems of increased scheduler complexity and decreased effective throughput due to allocation of radio resources for parameter transmission and system efficiency dues to additional power consumption.
In accordance with one or more embodiments described herein, a method for controlling assignment of radio resources in an OFDMA system implementing HARQ technology may enhance the diversity gain of channels without reducing the efficiency of the system.
In order to obtain the diversity gain preferably without reducing the efficiency of the system, a frame number broadcast per frame can be used in allocating the radio resource. In accordance with one embodiment, a frame may be understood to be a unit for transmitting data between a base station and a mobile terminal. Such a frame is used to transmit data from a base station to a mobile terminal (downlink) and from a mobile terminal to a base station (uplink). The frame may include a frame number, which may define the transmission time thereof. The frame number may be called as a slot number, a packet number, etc., depending on the transmission characteristics of the system. The diversity gain can be obtained by changing the physical carriers assigned to each sub-channel in accordance with the change in the frame number, even if the logical sub-channels remain the same.
Fig. 1 shows one embodiment of an OFDMA system 100 which includes a base station 110 and a plurality of terminals 120a-120c. The terminals perform radio communications with the base station a frame as a data transmission unit. The system may be one of a multi-carrier radio communication system, in which each terminal 120a-120c uses a plurality of carriers of different frequencies to transmit by one data unit (e.g., one frame).
Base station 110 provides a plurality of carriers, for example, N carriers having a carrier number of 0 to N-1, to perform radio communications with the plurality of terminals within a cell perimeter circumscribing the base station and terminals 120a-120c. Each terminal may perform radio communications with the base station using, for example, one sub-channel. At this time, each channel may be assigned a certain number of sub-carriers among the N carriers. Each terminal 120a-120c may also transmit and receive a series of frames with the base station using carriers assigned to their own sub-channel.
According to one embodiment, each frame may include, together with data such as voice etc., a frame number representing the time the frame was transmitted. The frame number may be determined by the base station. For example, base station 110 may increase the frame number by, for example, one and broadcast the frame to terminals 120a-120c under control of the base station. The frame numbers for each terminal 120a-120c handled by the base station may be identical. In other embodiments, one or more of the frame numbers may be different.
The method for allocating carriers to a sub-channel of each of terminals 120a-120c may be further explained as follows. The radio resource assignment module (e.g., a scheduler) of base station 110 may determine for each terminal 120a-120c a prescribed radio resource assignment variable or parameter. The variable or parameter may then be transmitted to each terminal. Also, base station 110 may broadcast to the plurality of terminals 120a-120c a frame number per frame to transmit or receive data such as voice, etc. Each terminal 120a-120c then generates carrier numbers assigned to their own sub-channel based on the radio resource parameter and the frame number and a prescribed sequence generating function in each terminal 120a-120c.
Each terminal then performs radio communications with the base station using carriers that correspond to the generated carrier numbers. In selecting carriers assigned to their own sub-channel, each terminal 120a-120c uses the radio resource parameters so that the carriers assigned to each terminal 120a-120c do not overlap. Since the frame number changes per frame, the carriers used by each terminal 120a-120c changes per frame.
Fig. 2 is an exploded view of one of the terminals shown in Fig. 1. Referring to Fig. 2, terminal 120a may include an a RF part 210 for performing radio frequency wireless communication with base station 110 using a plurality of carriers, a storage part 220 for storing a prescribed sequence generation function and a radio resource assignment parameter, and a control part 230 for controlling RF part 210 and storage part 220.
RF part 210 receives from base station 110 a radio resource assignment parameter and a frame number. Storage part 220 receives from the RF part and stores therein the received radio resource assignment parameter. Control part 230 selects carriers that are to be assigned to first terminal 120a among the plurality of carriers provided by the base station using the stored sequence generating function and the stored radio resource parameter and the receive frame number. The prescribed sequence generating function may be a sequence generating function in accordance with one of a sub-band carrier assignment method, an interleaved carrier assignment method, or a flexible carrier assignment method. A more detailed explanation of the carrier assignment steps is provided in relation to Figs. 3-5.
In explaining each of the carrier assignment methods, it is assumed that there are K users (i.e., K terminals) in OFDMA system 100. Assuming that each user uses one sub-channel, there must therefore be at least K sub-channels for all the users in OFDMA system.
Figs. 3A-3C illustrate one embodiment of the sub-band carrier assignment scheme, which divides the available carriers into K equal parts by the number of required sub-channels K and then assigns to each sub-channel each part of contiguous carriers. For example, when there are 50 available carriers (i.e. when N=50) and 10 sub-channels needed (i.e. K=10), 5 (=50/10) contiguous carriers (0-4, 5-9, 10-14 etc.) are assigned to each of the sub-channels (sub-channel 1, sub-channel 2, sub-channel 3 etc.). Fig. 3A illustrates such assignment scheme under conditions where the frame number at this time is assumed to be 't.'
In some OFDMA systems, even when there is a change in the frame number, the carrier numbers (pertaining to a physical layer) assigned to each of the sub-channels (pertaining to a logical layer) does not change and remains the same. Thus, when a certain physical channel is consistently under a poor environment, the user using the corresponding sub-channel experiences difficulty in performing error control, even when the retransmission is performed under the HARQ scheme. This is because the communication channel environment is consistently in a poor state.
However, according to the aforementioned embodiment, the carriers assigned to each of the sub-channels may be changed as the frame number changes. Figs. 3B and 3C illustrate a sub-band carrier assignment scheme in accordance with this embodiment, when the frame number is t+1 and t+2, respectively. Various schemes can exist in reflecting the frame number in assigning the carriers. In the illustrated example, as the frame number increases by one, the carrier numbers are increased by n (n=N/K).
For example, when N=50 and K=10, the number of carriers assigned to each sub-channel (n) is obtained by dividing 50 by 10, which equals 5. If sub-channels 1, 2, 3, etc., are each assigned carrier number 0-4, 5-9, 10-14, etc, respectively, when the frame number is t, then the carrier numbers assigned to the sub channels 1, 2, 3, etc., are each increased by 5 to become 5-9, 10-14, 15-19, etc., at frame number t+1. The sub channel 10, which was assigned the last of the carrier numbers, 45-49, at frame number t, is assigned by returning to the start of the carrier numbers, 0-4, at frame number t+1.
Likewise, when the frame number becomes t+2, the carrier numbers assigned to sub-channels 1, 2, 3, etc., are again increased by 5 such that the carrier numbers of 10-14, 15-19, 20-24, etc., are respectively assigned and sub-channel 9 is assigned to the start of the carrier numbers, 0-4. As such, the carrier numbers assigned to each sub-channel are varied and shifted as the frame number increases.
The aforementioned example explains the case where the carrier numbers are increased by n as the frame number increases. In other embodiments, the carrier numbers can vary by 2n, 3n, etc, or by various other schemes. Through these schemes, a desired diversity gain can be obtained by varying the physical carrier assigned as the frame number increases.
Fig. 4 illustrates one embodiment of an interleaved carrier, which as mentioned above, assigns available carrier numbers such as i, K+i, 2K +i, etc., to each sub-channel. For example, when there are 50 available carriers (i.e. N=50) and 10 sub-channels are required (i.e. K=10), a group of 5 carriers (e.g., (0, 10, 20, 30, 40), (1, 11, 21, 31, 41), (2, 12, 22, 32, 42) etc.) is assigned per sub-channel (e.g., sub-channel 1, sub-channel 2, sub-channel 3 etc., respectively). Fig. 4A illustrates such scheme under conditions where the frame number at this time is assumed to be 't.'
Similar to the aforementioned example, carriers assigned to each sub-channel may be varied as the frame number changes. Figs. 4B and 4C each illustrate the interleaved carrier assignment scheme when the frame number is t+1 and t+2, respectively. Various schemes can exist in reflecting the frame number in assigning the carriers. In the illustrated example, the assigned carrier numbers are incremented by one as the frame number increases by 1.
For example, when N=50 and K=10, the number of carriers to be assigned to each sub-channel (n) is obtained by dividing 50 by 10 (=5). If carrier numbers (0, 10, 20, 30, 40), (1, 11, 21, 31, 41), (2, 12, 22, 32, 42) etc. are each assigned to sub-channels 1, 2, 3, etc., at the frame number t, then the carrier numbers assigned to sub-channels 1, 2, 3, etc., are each incremented by 1 to become (1, 11, 21, 31, 41), (2, 12, 22, 32, 42), (3, 13, 23, 33, 43) etc. Sub-channel 10, which was assigned the carrier numbers including the last carrier number, (9, 19, 23, 39, 49) at frame number t+1, is assigned the carrier numbers that start at (0, 10, 20, 30, 40) at frame number t+1.
Likewise, when the frame number becomes t+2, the carrier number assigned to sub-channel is again increased by 1 to assign (2, 12, 22, 32, 42), (3, 13, 23, 33, 43), (4, 14, 24, 34, 44) etc. Sub-channel 9 is assigned to the carriers that start at the carrier numbers, (0, 10, 20, 30, 40). As such, as the frame number is incremented, the carrier numbers assigned to each sub-channel is shifted to be varied.
The aforementioned example corresponds to an instance where the assigned carrier numbers are incremented by 1 as the frame number increases. In other embodiments, the carrier number may increase by 2, 3, etc., and by various other values. Through these embodiments, as desired diversity gain may be obtained by varying the assigned physical carriers as the frame number increases.
Fig. 5 shows one embodiment of a flexible carrier assignment scheme which assigns carriers available for each user in accordance with a prescribed rule. The assignment rule may be determined, for example, by an arbitrary equation set by an operator. Fig. 5A illustrates a scheme that assigns carriers in accordance with such prescribed equation under conditions where the frame number at this time is assumed to be 't.'
Similar to the aforementioned examples, in this instance the carriers assigned to each sub-channel may be varied as the frame number changes. Figs. 5B and 5C illustrate the flexible carrier assignment scheme, when the frame number is t+1 and t+2, respectively. Various schemes can exist in reflecting the frame number in assigning the carriers. For example, a certain value obtained by adding, subtracting, multiplying and/or dividing the frame number as one variable can be used in the sequence of the radio resource assignment scheme. Through these embodiments, a desired diversity gain can be obtained as long as the assigned physical carriers are changed as the frame number is incremented.
Subcarrier
n
s
p
s
n
k
mod N
subchannels
Frame
N
mod IDcell
+
=
*
+
,
N
subchannels
n
k
mod N
subchannels
Subcarrier(n,s) is the subcarrier index of subcarrier n in subchannels s
subchannels
s is the index number of a subchannel, from the set [0 ... N -1]
subcarriers
nk=(k+13*s) mod N
subcarriers
k is the subcarrier-in-subchannel index from the set [0 ... N-1]
subchannels
N is the number of subchannels
s[]
P is the series obtained by rotating {PermutationBase} cyclically to the left s times. (Ex. PermutationBase= {3, 18, 2, 8, 16, 10, 11, 15, 26, 22, 6, 9, 27, 20, 25, 1, 29, 7, 21, 5, 28, 31, 23, 17, 4, 24, 0, 13, 12, 19, 14, 30})
N
Frame is the current frame number.
IDcell is an integer which identifies the particular BS segment and is specified by MAC layer
X mod k is the remainder of the quotient X/k (which is at most k-1)
One example of a prescribed equation reflecting the frame number in accordance with the foregoing embodiments are shown below. where:
Using the above equation, the radio resource assignment control method is implemented to add the frame number as a variable as previously described, such that a desired diversity gain can be easily obtained using different physical carriers, without a scheduler changing the logical sub-channels used in retransmission by separate assignments.
When chase-combining HARQ is used as an error control technique in a communication system, the receiver, upon occurrence of a retransmission due to a NACK message, combines all the information from the data received up to that time. At this time, in order to maximize the efficiency of the combining operation, the diversity gain of channels is needed. Also, when incremental redundancy HARQ is used, any expectation in performance due to retransmissions requires the diversity gain of channels. According to the embodiments described herein, in both the aforementioned HARQ techniques, the diversity gain of channels can be obtained by using a different resource assignment area upon occurrence of a retransmission. Thus, performance enhancement can be achieved upon retransmission.
th
th
In an OFDMA-HARQ system using the chase combining technique, when an error occurs in a transmitted frame of time t, there is a high possibility that the t radio channel is in poor condition. Thus, a desired diversity gain can be expected by using a radio resource assignment method in accordance with the present embodiments when retransmitting at the t+1 frame, thereby reducing the probability of error by combining the information.
th
th
Also, in an OFDMA-HARQ system using incremental redundancy techniques, when an error occurs in a transmitted frame of time t, there is a high possibility that the t radio channel is in poor condition. Thus, a desired diversity gain can be achieved by using a radio resource assignment method in accordance with the present embodiments when retransmitting at the t+1 frame, thereby securing reliability of additional redundancy information and reducing the possibility of error when decoding by combining with the information transmitted before.
The radio resource assignment schemes in accordance with the present embodiments can be modified in various ways in their implementations. They can, for example, be applied in a same manner when using not only a HARQ technique, but also when using a general resource assignment technique. Also, they may not be affected by the particular types of the HARQ technique (e.g. chase combining and incremental redundancy, etc.) used and may use a variable other than the frame number that is commonly broadcast to all terminals by a base station. A technique in which a radio resource assignment method is automatically changed over time may especially be used.
In the aforementioned embodiments, a system using OFDMA technique was described as an example, but any communication system employing a multi-carrier technology can be used. Also, the present embodiments can be applied to both TDD (Time Division Duplex) and FDD (Frequency Division Duplex) systems.
Moreover, the radio resource assignment method in accordance with the present embodiments may not decrease the throughput of the system, since the scheduler does not have to transmit additional information to the base station and the terminals. Also, the present embodiments may be implemented by simply modifying existing radio resource assignment techniques and may overcome a poor radio channel environment by simple application. Further, in accordance with the present embodiments, performance improvement due to a desired diversity gain can be achieved, especially in a terminal assigned with channels that vary slowly in their radio environment with time.
A method in accordance with one embodiment comprises obtaining a radio communication variable broadcast from a base station to a terminal and dynamically assigning multiple carriers to a plurality of sub-channels based on the obtained radio communication variable. The broadcast radio communication variable may include time information or a frame number. Also, the radio communication system using multiple carriers may be an OFDMA system. The radio communication system may further use a HARQ technique, and the dynamically assigning step may be only performed when a retransmission is performed due to occurrence of a transmission failure.
A terminal device of a multiple carrier radio communication system in accordance with one embodiment comprises a RF part configured to obtain a radio communication variable from a base station and a control part configured to select, among a plurality of carriers, carriers that is to be assigned to a sub-channel of the terminal device based on the obtained radio communication variable. The base station provides the plurality of carriers and the radio communication variable broadcast from the base station to the terminal device.
Any reference in this specification to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," "example embodiment," etc., means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of such phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the purview of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other ones of the embodiments.
Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art. | |
The Origin of the Word Tasawouf
The following article is taken from the journal Sufism: An Inquiry.
A majority of scholars believe that the word “Tasawouf” derives from the word “suf”, which means wool. This assumption is based on a story told regarding the reason for wearing woolen garments by the pious people of the first century of Islam. It has been narrated that the Prophet and faithful Moslems wore garments of wool to denote their detachment from the world and simplicity in living. Within a century after the emergence of Islam, Arabs, who were mainly desert peoples, had conquered great empires such as Persia and Egypt. These conquering Arabs surrounded themselves with a luxury hitherto unknown to them in their spartan desert lives. The more pious individuals of the Moslem community feared that the message of Islam was in danger of being completely lost through the decadent example of these Arab conquerors who professed to spread the Prophet’s words. Looking back to the severe simplicity of Islam’s beginnings, and remembering those early pious Moslems of Medina, they decided to clothe themselves in rough wool as a gesture of protest against the profligacies of their leaders. Guarding themselves against the temptations of luxury, they set themselves apart from the lower material life. These pious ones performed fasting, mortification, and denied themselves the pleasures of material life to the greatest extent possible. Wearing wool thus became a part of the discipline connected to Sufism. But even though Sufis wore suf, wool, from the very beginning of Islam, the word “Sufism”, according to Arab grammar, is not a derivative of the word suf, and not whoever wears suf is a Sufi. Or as Sheikh Saadi, a great Persian poet and sage said:
The goal of the people of the inner path is not their outer garments
Serve the King yet remain a Sufi
Other scholars believe that the word “Sufi” derives from the word “sufateh”, the name of a thin plant. Sufis were usually thin because of extreme mortification and fasting. Thus they were likened to sufateh as symbol for their emaciation. But, as in the preceding theory, this assumption is not linguistically or grammatically correct.
Another group of scholars claim that the word “Sufism” is a derivative from the Greek word “Soph”, meaning wisdom or knowledge. But this assumption does not seem right either. Aside from the different spellings, Sufis, and especially the Sufis of the first few centuries, denied that philosophy could be a fitting tool for understanding reality, since through its reliance on verbal descriptions and limited reasoning philosophy would actually obscure rather than reveal the truth or reality.
For example, Rumi says:
Those who only reason have wooden legs
And wooden legs give an unsteady gait.
Or Sanai, another great Sufi (12th century) says:
Do not call philosophy religion
And do not call the ignorant wise.
Even though Sufis were learned individuals, still we cannot equate “Sufism” with “philosophy” and “Sufi” with “philosopher”, for their foundations of knowledge and practices were very different. And as well, linguistics reveals that this attempted derivation is mistaken. Unfortunately, this mistake has perpetuated itself throughout much of the research regarding the origin of the word “Sufism”, recurring over and over again. The reason lies in the unfamiliarity of the researchers not only with the beliefs and mentality of the Sufis, but also with the nuances of the Arabic language.
There is also yet another idea regarding the word Sufism. It seems that before the time of the Prophet Mohammed there was a group of very pious people who worked as the servants of the Kaaba. These people were called “Sufe”. Their practices included mortification and the avoidance of any physical pleasures. Some assume that the word “Sufism” is a derivative from the word “Sufe”, but this assumption does not bear close examination, as the rules of Arabic grammar as well as the different styles of the practice make its fallacy evident. Some Sufis have practiced mortification, but this discipline has not been a general rule in Sufism, while others disapprove of any kind of mortification. Etymologically, “Sufi” is not a derivative of the word Sufe; historically Sufis were a group of Moslem intellectuals forming a School of an inner path based on the instructions of the Prophet Mohammed and the teachings of the Koran. Necessarily, this school had to be established after the advent of Islam and not before.
Even though many efforts have been made to discover the origin of the word, they do not give us a clear understanding about the word Tasawouf. It would seem that understanding the origin of Sufism, either the school or the word it denotes, is as mysterious as the whole practice of the Sufis. There are also other explanations about Sufism which are all literary descriptions based on the practices of the Sufis. I will mention some as follows: Sufism is piety and the purifying of the heart; it is avoiding bad temper and base qualities; it is remembering God; it is an essence without form; it is annihilation in the Almighty; it is secret; it is inner purity; it is closeness to reality; it is eternal life. The Sufi is a person of principles; or he is absent from himself and present with God. Each one of these descriptions refers to a discipline and practice performed by Sufis; none embraces all the essence of Sufism.
Our examination of the various attempts to account for the origin of the word Sufism shows the limitations of traditional scholarly inquiry when it attempts to approach the Divine. This reflects the greater difficulty of academic research in attempting to explain a way of understanding that transcends the limits of human knowledge. It would seem that despite the efforts of many scholars, we come to the understanding that actually no one knows the origin of the word Tasawouf — and , it might be added, the full reality of Sufism as well. Just as Sufism cannot be explained in terms of earlier Gnostic schools, so it appears that Sufism is not a word derived from a preexisting root word; the school of Sufism is not an explanation of a practice. And its believers are those who have mastered profound and mysterious principles introduced by Islam, principles never classified before.
The attempt of this brief work is to outline some of the doctrines that are essential to Sufism and most especially those principles which, when practiced and perfected, can make an individual cognizant in the realm of inner traveling. Sufism is best understood when we learn about it through the explanation of one of the most influential figures among Sufis. He reveals the mystery of the word Sufism (Tasawouf) as well as introducing those principles which make a seeker a Sufi. This teacher, Imam Ali, was the cousin and the son- in-law of the Prophet Mohammed.
Historians have recorded that he was the only child born in the House of God, Kaaba. In the same house, he died with equal grace and dignity. Amir-al-Moumenin Ali was the first man who believed in Islam. He was the heir of the heritage of the prophecy whose guidance throughout the fifteen centuries of the life of Sufism has been the greatest inspiration for many. It has been narrated from the Prophet who said, “I am the City of Knowledge and Ali is the Gate.” To Moslems, he is the King of the believers; to the Sufis he is call Valli, the Guide. He is the Light of the way, without which the realization of reality would be an impossible task.
Sufism is best described by the words of this mysterious teacher. It is narrated from Amir-al-Moumenin Ali (as well as Imam Sadegh, his grandson) who said that Tasawouf is an acronym of four letters. (Tasawouf is a four letter word: TSVF and pronounced Tasawouf in its original language.) Each letter holds a secret representing one stage or quality of a Sufi. Together the word TSVF makes the twelve Principles; one who perfects these principles is a Sufi.
T, the first letter stands for three practices of Tark (abandonment); Tubeh (repentance); and Tugha (virtue)
S, the second letter of the word stands for another three qualities to be perfected by a salek: Sabr (patience); Sedgh (truthfulness and honesty); and Safa (purity).
V, the third letter stands for: Vud (love); Verd (Zekr and remembrance); and Vafa’a (faithfulness).
F, the final letter, represents another three qualifications: Fard (solitude); Faghr (poverty); and Fana (annihilation).
During a life of learning, practicing, and teaching Sufism under the guidance and instruction of one of the greatest Sufi Masters of all time, Moulana Shah Maghsoud, my physical and spiritual father, I came to the realization that the door toward knowledge may open to afford a glimpse or two of reality to a seeker, but without mastering these twelve principles, such understanding will not remain clear for long. After passing through many chelleh, I discovered that each stage of these disciplines opens up a new door to the eternal graceful knowledge, and so reveals a new secret. It is only through perfecting these stages that the seeker can break the boundary of the limited self and remain not a solitary drop from the ocean of life, but become one with the ocean itself and experience the meaning of the magnificent Message of the la illaha illa Allah: that there is no limited self, everything is the Existence, the Eternal, God, Allah. It is then that Existence after complete annihilation of the Sufi remains as it truly is, without cover, without secret.
When the curtain of illusion fell there was only One,
no one but God.
Many times I have been asked what exactly each practice means and what are the appropriate manners, disciplines, and qualities that a salek must have in order to attain mastery and so become a part of this spiritual path. Therefore, in each chapter I have explained the meaning of each practice and related disciplines and manners. Many times I have referred to the wisdom of the ancient Sufis, since without the guidance of the teachers no path can be successfully traversed. Each principle directs the individual towards the path of recognition of the essence within, the essence hidden behind the veils of change and the curtains of uncertainty. The aim of any intelligent human being should be found in the foundation of the truth of stable tranquillity and undisturbed survival, the goal of the final quest. To achieve such a goal one must free oneself from the imprisonment of the boundary of change and find a way to return to one’s essential being and find the source of the infinite knowledge within.
It is only that pure essence of the self that is made manifest in the book of Being, where each word reveals a secret and every letter is engraved upon the face of Being, illuminating the image of the perfect human. As movements do not represent life, likewise change is not the being of existence, and whosoever stands on his feet is not necessarily the “Perfect Human”, the Perfect Human who stands upon the heights of Sufism.
I have attempted to explain each Principle as completely as the limitation of words and space permits; the rest depends upon you who have to search within yourself.
You are the subject
of the Divine Book, | https://ias.org/sufism/origin-of-word-tasawouf/ |
Medication Errors Cut with Pharmacist Intervention--May 2009
Author: Eileen Koutnik-Fotopoulos, Staff Writer
A new study underscores the crucial role pharmacists play in reducing medication errors and adverse drug reactions (ADRs).
Medication errors are one of the most common medical errors, affecting more than 1 million patients every year and costing the health care system billions of dollars annually, researchers noted in the April 27, 2009, issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.
The study looked at the effect of having pharmacists involved in medication decisions in reducing medication errors and adverse drug effects among 800 outpatients with high blood pressure. The group also included patients with heart failure or other heart conditions. The researchers used a computer program to identify ADRs among patients. The patient-pharmacist intervention group received instructions on using their medications. Furthermore, the pharmacists monitored the patients' drugs and communicated with both the patient and the patient's physician to help improve adherence to medication regimens.
The findings showed that the patient-pharmacist intervention group had less medication errors and ADRs, compared with the control group. Specifically, the risk was 34% lower for any event for the pharmacist group, including a 35% lower risk of an ADR and a 37% risk of medication error.
"This study shows the importance of having a pharmacist actively involved in asking how the patient is doing, what type of side effects is the patient having, and is the patient taking the medication," said Matthew Grissinger, RPh, a medication safety analyst for the Institute for Safe Medication Practices. "That is as important as the initial consultation."
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Ace had a reputation as being a "pub rock" band, which was true to an extent, in that they had that average blokes from the pub image (compared to the peacock finery of the glam rock artists all around them). Musically, however, they were a bit difficult to pin down. They certainly weren't pub-style heads-down full-on bluesy r'n'b. They were also often pigeonholed as "blue-eyed soul", largely because of their superb, soulful only chart hit in "How Long", and singer Paul Carrack's "white soul" voice. The rest of the album isn't really like that track, though, ploughing more of a rocky, piano-driven Americana-influenced slightly bluesy rock style that was actually somewhat unique and certainly didn't fit into the country rock genre that was so popular among other "serious" bands at the time. Anyway, this was their debut album and probably the best of the three they put out.
TRACK LISTING
1. Sniffin' About
2. Rock 'n' Roll Runaway
3. How Long
4. The Real Feeling
5. 24 Hours
6. Why
7. Time Ain't Long
8. Know How It Feels
9. Satellite
10. So Sorry Baby
"Sniffin' About" is a lively, rocking opener with a bit of a hint of The Eagles here and there and The Doobie Brothers too. For me, there is some Steely Dan floating around as well, airs of "My Old School" in places. It certainly builds the feeling that this is far more of a rock album than a soul one. "Rock 'n' Roll Runaway" has some driving piano and country style slide guitar contributing to an upbeat number. It comes to a somewhat abrupt end, rather as if it were a studio alternative take, which is a shame. "How Long" is a classic seventies single, with superb atmosphere, hooks and bass line. "The Real Feeling" is a mid-pace boogie-ish rocking number, which again suffers from a sudden ending, before its time.
"24 Hours" is a deep, bassy, almost funky workout, featuring some excellent organ and saxophone, and "Why" attempts to re-create "How Long" to an extent, although it is far more rocking, with a killer guitar solo. It is an excellent track. Perfect laid-back soulful rock. It is all very "adult", particularly in comparison to the contemporary output from artists like David Bowie, Mott The Hoople, Roxy Music who were far more ebullient and chart-orientated in their approach than this brand of thoughtful rock. "Time Ain't Long" is a grinding, bluesy rock groove with a bit of an Allman Brothers feel for me, just here and there. A sort of Southern states feel.
"Know How It Feels" is a mournful, somewhat under-cooked, unremarkable slow ballad. The vocal is a little muffled and undercooked. "Satellite", however, is a jaunty, piano-powered number that sounds like something Bruce Hornsby may put on "Harbor Lights" with its rolling piano riff. There is nice swirling saxophone on here too. "So Sorry Baby" ends the album on a solid muscular note with an organ-driven rocking, riffy track. Overall, this a highly credible, listenable album that would have appealed more in America in 1974 than in the UK. It is worth a listen, but it is nothing ground-breaking. | https://psb.psbmusicreviewsblogspot.com/2019/01/ace-five-side-1974.html |
Q:
Prevent f string from converting float into scientific notation
I was struck by this default behavior of f-strings in python 3.7.2:
>> number = 0.0000001
>> string = f"Number: {number}"
>> print(string)
Number: 1e-07
What I expected was: Number: 0.0000001
This is very annoying especially for creation of filenames.
How can I disable this automatic conversion into the scientific notation? And why is it enabled in the first place?
Basically the opposite of this question.
Edit: I would like to avoid setting a fixed length for the float via {number:.8f} since my numbers have different lengths and I don't want to have any trailing zeros. I want to use the f-strings to make filenames automatically, like this:
filename = f"number_{number:.10f}_other_number_{other_number:.10f}.json"
I am looking for a simple modifier that can disable the automatic scientific notation while keeping the original precision of the float.
A:
https://docs.python.org/3.4/library/string.html#format-specification-mini-language
>>> number = 0.0000001
>>> f"Number: {number}"
'Number: 1e-07'
>>> f"Number: {number:f}"
'Number: 0.000000'
>>> f"Number: {number:.10f}"
'Number: 0.0000001000'
By default :f has a precision of 6. You can change it to e.g. 10 with :.10f
A:
numpy.format_float_positional works very nicely here:
import numpy as np
number = 0.0000001
string = f"Number: {np.format_float_positional(number)}"
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The 2020 Census is fast approaching. As an educator or education supporter, you are always striving to do your part to create a brighter future for children. There are many ways you do that, and in 2020 there is one big way you can help: Support efforts to make sure EVERY child is counted in the 2020 Census, because you know that every child is a part of our community.
This nationwide count happens every 10 years. When the children are not counted, important decisions are affected, such as how much money to spend on services and programs that help children, including:
- Special education.
- Teacher training.
- Technology.
- School lunch assistance.
- Head Start.
- After-school programs.
Responses from the census provide the basis for distributing more than $675 billion in federal funds annually to communities across the country to support these vital programs and more.
How You Can Help
As school leaders, you are trusted by your students, staff, community members, and families, and you have a direct line of communication with them. You can get the word out about the importance of their participation in the 2020 Census and the benefits of an accurate count.
A great way to do this would be to share free resources from Statistics in Schools (SIS) to teach students about the value and everyday use of statistics. SIS is a U.S. Census Bureau program that uses census statistics to create classroom materials for grades pre-K through 12. Teachers and subject matter experts nationwide helped develop each SIS activity to make sure it is valuable and engaging. The SIS program includes more than 200 activities and resources that enhance learning in a variety of subjects.
What’s New for 2020?
SIS has crafted new materials specifically for the 2020 Census to educate students and adults in their home about the importance of counting everyone in the 2020 Census, especially children. New SIS materials include:
- 67 new activities for grades pre-K through 12 that have students use data in interactive ways to build skills in subjects like history, math, geography, and English.
- Large, colorful maps with fun census-based facts about the country and its territories, including state-by-state comparisons.
- A storybook with activities and a music video for children in preschool and early grades.
- Engaging videos created specifically for elementary, middle, and high school grade bands.
- Resources for English language learners and adult English as a second language students.
These new materials will be available at the beginning of the school year at census.gov/schools.
Incorporate these resources in 2019 during Constitution Week (September 16-20) and again in 2020 for Statistics in Schools Week (March 2-6). Use Census Bureau tools, information, and messaging in creative ways—such as in newsletter articles, on co-branded products, and in social media content—to increase public participation in the 2020 Census. Share what you can to provide information to students, educators, community members, and families about the importance and benefits of participating in the 2020 Census.
Shape your school’s future. Start here at census.gov/schools. | https://msachieves.mdek12.org/census-2020-shape-your-future-start-here/ |
8 February 2019
The latest round of the Music Works – Good Music Neighbours program, which provides support to live music venues to undertake noise management projects, is now accepting applications.
The 'Good Music Neighbours' program offers matched funding of up to $25,000 to help live music venues manage sound in their venue and keep up to date with local noise regulations. Projects including acoustic insulation, heavy drapes, double-glazing windows or hiring an acoustic consultant to undertake a review are just a few examples of eligible proposals.
So far, the Good Music Neighbours program has supported more than 80 venues including inner-city live music icons The Corner, The Espy and The Tote Hotel, regional music hotspots as well as readying venues to host live music for the first time.
Applications for this round are now open and will close 5pm, 7 March.
The Good Neighbours program is part of the Music Works initiative. | https://creative.vic.gov.au/news/2019/good-music-neighbours-grant-is-music-to-venues-ears |
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to an optical modulation device.
This application is a U.S. National Stage Application under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Patent Application No. PCT/JP2019/009141, filed on Mar. 7, 2019, which claims the right of priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-060874 filed in Japan on Mar. 27, 2018, the disclosures of all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.
BACKGROUND ART
In the related art, an optical modulation device using a Mach-Zehnder optical waveguide has been widely used in the field of optical communication or optical measurement.
As such an optical modulation device, a configuration is known in which incident light is split into two and the respective split lights are modulated, and then superimposed on each other and emitted. In the optical modulation device disclosed in Patent Literature No. 1, a configuration is made such that light enters from one end side of a substrate to an optical waveguide formed in a longitudinal direction of the substrate and the modulated light is emitted from the other end side of the substrate.
CITATION LIST
Patent Literature
Patent Literature No. 1: Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2014-149398
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
In the optical modulation device disclosed in Patent Literature No. 1, optical fibers are connected to one side and an other side in the longitudinal direction of the substrate. Therefore, in the surroundings of the optical modulation device, a configuration which is connected to the optical modulation device also needs to be disposed in the longitudinal direction of the substrate, and thus the degree of freedom of disposition is reduced.
Further, in recent years, for the purpose of high integration of functions or space saving, a device configuration tends to be downsized as in an optical module in which a fiber connector such as CFP2 standardized by IEEE can be directly attached and detached. Therefore, there has been a demand for a small-sized optical modulation device that can be housed in an outer packaging according to the standard.
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances and has an object to provide a downsized novel optical modulation device.
Solution to Problem
Advantageous Effects of Invention
In order to solve the above problems, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical modulation device including: a substrate which extends in one direction; an optical waveguide which is provided on the substrate in a longitudinal direction of the substrate; a half-wave plate; and a combining element which faces an end portion of the substrate and combines two types of linearly polarized light, which have vibration planes orthogonal to each other, to generate composite light, in which the optical waveguide modulates linearly polarized light, which propagate through an inside of the optical waveguide, to obtain first polarized light and second polarized light which are linearly polarized light, the half-wave plate is provided at a position to which the second polarized light enters, the combining element includes a transparent base body, a first optical film which is provided on a first surface of the transparent base body, and a second optical film which is provided on a second surface which faces the first surface of the transparent base body, the first optical film transmits one of the first polarized light and the second polarized light, which is emitted through the half-wave plate, and reflects the other light, the second optical film reflects the one light, and the composite light is reflected in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction.
The first aspect of the present invention preferably includes the following features. Two or more of the following features may be combined with each other as long as there is no problem.
In the above aspect of the present invention, a configuration may be adopted in which the half-wave plate is provided on an optical path of the second polarized light, which is emitted from the end portion of the substrate, and is located between the end portion and the combining element, and with respect to an optical path of the first polarized light and the optical path of the second polarized light which are emitted from the end portion, the combining element reflects the composite light toward an optical path side of the second polarized light.
In the above aspect of the present invention, a configuration may be adopted in which the first optical film transmits a part of the one light and reflects a remaining part of the one light, and a light-receiving element is provided at a position to which the one light which is reflected by the first optical film enters.
In the above aspect of the present invention, a configuration may be adopted in which the first optical film reflects a part of the other light and transmits a remaining part of the other light, the second optical film reflects the one light and transmits the other light, and a light-receiving element is provided at a position to which the other light which is transmitted through the second optical film enters.
In the above aspect of the present invention, a configuration may be adopted in which the second optical film is a reflection mirror that reflects the one light and the other light.
In the above aspect of the present invention, a configuration may be adopted in which the first optical film reflects a part of the other light and transmits a remaining part of the other light, and a light-receiving element is provided at a position to which the other light which is reflected by the second optical film enters.
40
In the above aspect of the present invention, a configuration may be adopted in which the optical modulation device further includes an angle adjustment part which is provided between the end portion of the substrate and the combining element to adjust incident angles of the first polarized light and the second polarized light with respect to the combining element B.
According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a downsized novel optical modulation device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
100
1
is a schematic explanatory diagram of an optical device having an optical modulation device .
FIG. 2
1
is a schematic partially enlarged view of the optical modulation device .
FIG. 3
200
is a schematic explanatory diagram showing an optical device according to a modification example of the present embodiment.
FIG. 4
2
is a schematic explanatory diagram of an optical modulation device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5
3
is a schematic explanatory diagram of an optical modulation device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
First Embodiment
Second Embodiment
Third Embodiment
Hereinafter, preferred examples of an optical modulation device according to the present invention will be described. The following description is description specifically made for better understanding of the gist of the invention, and does not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified. The number, a position, a size, a length, a numerical value, or the like can be changed, omitted, or added within a scope which does not depart from the present invention.
FIGS. 1 to 3
Hereinafter, an optical modulation device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to .
In all the following drawings, in order to make the drawings easy to see, all or a part of the dimensions, ratios, and the like of the respective constituent elements are appropriately varied.
FIG. 1
FIG. 2
100
1
1
is a schematic explanatory diagram of an optical device having an optical modulation device . is a partially enlarged view of the optical modulation device .
FIG. 2
A double-headed arrow and a double circle shown in indicate vibration directions of linearly polarized light, and the double-headed arrow and the double circle indicate that the vibration directions of the linearly polarized light are orthogonal to each other.
(Optical Modulation Device)
1
10
20
30
40
51
52
The optical modulation device includes a substrate , an optical waveguide , a half-wave plate , a combining element A, a first collimating lens , and a second collimating lens .
10
10
10
The substrate is a plate-shaped member having a rectangular shape when viewed in a plan view and using a material having an electro-optic effect as a forming material. The material for forming the substrate can be optionally selected. However, a crystalline material such as lithium niobate (LiNbO3: LN), lithium tantalate (LiTaO3), or lanthanum zirconate titanate (PLZT) can be preferably used as the material for forming the substrate .
10
In a case where the crystalline material is used as the material for forming the substrate , an optical waveguide can be formed by using a known technique such as thermal diffusion of metal such as Ti, rib formation by etching, or proton exchange with respect to a plate material using the crystalline material as a forming material.
10
Further, as the material for forming the substrate , an organic electro-optical polymer material in which a nonlinear optical organic compound is dispersed in a polymer material can also be used.
10
In a case where the organic electro-optical polymer material is used as the material for forming the substrate , first, silicon, quartz, or the like is prepared as a base material. Thereafter, a high refractive index layer and a low refractive index layer are laminated on the base material by using two or more types of polymer materials having different refractive indexes.
Further, an optical waveguide is patterned by performing forming by etching or imprinting on the high refractive index layer or the low refractive index layer.
10
At this time, the substrate can be formed by using an organic electro-optical polymer material for at least a part of the high refractive index layer and the low refractive index layer.
20
10
10
The optical waveguide is formed on the substrate in the longitudinal direction of the substrate .
FIG. 1
20
100
As shown in , the optical waveguide included in the optical device of this embodiment is a Mach-Zehnder optical waveguide.
20
21
22
10
The optical waveguide has a nested structure in which two optical waveguides and extending in the longitudinal direction of the substrate are provided in both arms.
21
22
Each of the optical waveguides and is a Mach-Zehnder optical waveguide.
21
23
24
10
The optical waveguide has two parallel first waveguide and second waveguide extending in the longitudinal direction of the substrate .
22
25
26
10
The optical waveguide has two parallel third waveguide and fourth waveguide extending in the longitudinal direction of the substrate .
20
The configuration of the optical waveguide shown in this embodiment is an example, and in the optical modulation device according to the present invention, optical waveguides having various configurations can be adopted.
20
20
20
21
22
21
22
a
The polarized wave (linearly polarized light) entered from one end portion of the optical waveguide to the inside of the optical waveguide is branched to and propagates through the optical waveguide and the optical waveguide , respectively. The linearly polarized lights propagating through the optical waveguides and have the same vibration direction.
1
21
22
10
20
20
20
The optical modulation device can preferably have a signal electrode and a ground electrode (not shown) at positions which do not overlap the optical waveguides configuring the optical waveguides and in the visual field (plan view) from a normal direction to the substrate . The signal electrode and the ground electrode cause the optical waveguide to generate an electro-optic effect due to an electric field applied between the signal electrode and the ground electrode, and change the refractive index of the optical waveguide . In this way, it is possible to perform the modulation of the linearly polarized light propagating through the optical waveguide .
The types of the signal electrode and the ground electrode are not particularly limited.
10
10
For example, in an electro-optical element using a crystal substrate such as LiNbO3 as the substrate , a coplanar line is often adopted. Further, in an electro-optical element using a substrate made of an organic electro-optical polymer material as the substrate , a micro-strip line is often adopted.
21
1
1
21
21
51
a
The linearly polarized light propagating through the optical waveguide becomes first polarized light L due to the modulation by the signal electrode and the ground electrode. The first polarized light L is emitted from an end portion of the optical waveguide and converted into parallel light by the first collimating lens .
22
2
2
22
22
52
a
The linearly polarized light propagating through the optical waveguide becomes second polarized light L due to the modulation by the signal electrode and the ground electrode. The second polarized light L is emitted from an end portion of the optical waveguide and converted into parallel light by the second collimating lens .
1
51
2
52
The first polarized light L which is emitted through the first collimating lens and the second polarized light L which is emitted through the second collimating lens are set so as to become, for example, parallel light.
30
The half-wave plate is a plate-shaped member using a birefringent material as a forming material.
30
2
30
2
30
2
2
30
The half-wave plate is provided at a position to which the second polarized light L enters. The optical axis of the half-wave plate intersects the vibration plane of the entered second polarized light L at 45°. Further, the half-wave plate causes a phase difference of 180° to be generated between two polarization components orthogonal to each other in the second polarized light L. In this way, the second polarized light L which enters to the half-wave plate is emitted with the vibration plane rotated by 90°.
1
2
30
That is, the vibration directions of the first polarized light L and the second polarized light L emitted through the half-wave plate are orthogonal to each other.
40
41
411
41
41
412
41
a
b.
The combining element A has a transparent base body , a first optical film formed on a first surface of the transparent base body , and a second optical film formed on a second surface
41
41
The transparent base body is a plate-shaped member using a material having optical transparency as a forming material. As the material for forming the transparent base body , an inorganic material such as glass or quartz, or a resin material such as polymethylmethacrylate or polycarbonate can be used.
411
411
1
2
The first optical film is a dielectric multilayer film that transmits one of the linearly polarized lights orthogonal to each other and reflects the other. The first optical film of this embodiment transmits the first polarized light L and reflects the second polarized light L.
1
41
41
41
a
In this way, the first polarized light L is refracted at the first surface of the transparent base body and entered to the inside of the transparent base body .
2
10
2
10
Further, the second polarized light L is reflected in the direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the substrate . In the drawing, the reflection direction of the second polarized light L is a direction of 90° with respect to the longitudinal direction of the substrate .
412
1
411
412
1
The second optical film reflects at least the first polarized light L transmitted through the first optical film . The second optical film may be a dielectric multilayer film having a property of reflecting the first polarized light L or a total reflection mirror.
1
41
412
411
411
1
1
41
40
a
In this way, the first polarized light L propagating through the inside of the transparent base body is reflected by the second optical film and travels toward the first optical film . Since the first optical film has a property of transmitting the first polarized light L, the first polarized light L is refracted at the first surface and emitted to the outside of the combining element A.
40
1
40
2
30
40
40
40
10
10
40
1
2
40
a
At this time, the configuration of the combining element A is set such that a position P where the first polarized light L is emitted through the combining element A and a position P where the second polarized light L which is emitted through the half-wave plate enters to the combining element A are the same position. Specifically, in the combining element A, at least one of the inclination angle of the combining element A with respect to an end surface of the substrate and the thickness of the combining element A is set such that the position P where the first polarized light L is emitted and the position P where the second polarized light L enters to the combining element A are the same position.
1
2
1
2
In this way, the first polarized light L is emitted in the same direction as the second polarized light L, and composite light L in which the first polarized light L and the second polarized light L are combined is obtained.
40
1
2
10
That is, the combining element A has a function of combining the composite light L from the first polarized light L and the second polarized light L and changing the emission direction of the composite light L to the direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the substrate .
1
41
1
2
1
2
2
22
22
30
a
Since the first polarized light L transmits through the inside of the transparent base body , an optical path length difference is generated between the first polarized light L and the second polarized light L. Therefore, an optical compensation plate for compensating for the optical path length difference between the first polarized light L and the second polarized light L may be provided on the optical path of the second polarized light L from the end portion of the optical waveguide to the position P. The optical compensation plate may be integrated with the half-wave plate .
1
The optical modulation device of this embodiment is configured as described above.
1
40
10
1
1
2
The optical modulation device of this embodiment has the combining element A that realizes the forming of the composite light L and the emission of the composite light L in the direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the substrate , with a single member, as described above. Therefore, in the optical modulation device , the number of members is reduced as compared with an optical modulation device in which the combining of the first polarized light L and the second polarized light L and the reflection of the composite light L are performed by separate members, and therefore, the downsizing of the device can be attained.
40
41
40
Further, the combining element A has a configuration in which the optical films are formed on both surfaces of the plate-shaped transparent base body , and the number of parts is small. Further, the combining element A does not require polishing to a special shape or bonding of a plurality of members when being formed.
40
40
1
Therefore, the yield in manufacturing the combining element A is high. Further, by using the combining element A which is a single member, the number of parts of the optical modulation device is reduced, and it is easy to downsize the entire device configuration.
1
Therefore, according to the optical modulation device having the configuration as described above, it is possible to provide a downsized novel optical modulation device.
(Optical Device)
100
1
101
120
121
The optical device preferably includes the optical modulation device described above, a package case , a transmission part , and a light condensing part .
101
1
101
101
a
The package case is a box-shaped member having a bottom plate and having a rectangular shape when viewed in a plan view. The optical modulation device described above is housed in a storage space of the package case .
110
101
101
501
110
501
20
20
501
1
x
a
A mounting part is provided on a side surface in the longitudinal direction of the package case . An optical fiber is inserted into the mounting part and sealed with solder. The optical fiber is connected to the end portion of the optical waveguide . Further, the optical fiber is connected to an external device of the optical modulation device .
120
101
101
120
120
y
The transmission part is provided on a side surface in a lateral direction of the package case . The transmission part is a transmission window provided using an optical transparent forming material. As the material for forming the transmission part , an inorganic material such as glass or quartz, or a resin material such as polymethylmethacrylate or polycarbonate can be given as an example.
121
101
101
120
121
40
120
502
121
y
The light condensing part is provided on the outside of the side surface of the package case so as to be in optical contact with the transmission part . The light condensing part condenses the composite light L which is emitted through the combining element A and transmits through the transmission part . The condensed composite light L enters to an optical fiber connected to the light condensing part and is transmitted to an external device.
100
1
101
100
In the optical device of this embodiment, since the optical modulation device described above is used, it becomes possible to use, as the package case , a small-sized package case that satisfies the IEEE CFP2 standard, for example. In this way, the small-sized optical device can be realized.
1
100
200
FIG. 3
FIG. 1
The optical device to which the optical modulation device is applied is not limited to the optical device described above. is an explanatory diagram showing an optical device according to a modification example of this embodiment and is a diagram corresponding to .
200
1
101
120
121
150
The optical device preferably includes the optical modulation device described above, the package case , the transmission part , the light condensing part , and a planar optical waveguide (PLC) .
110
120
101
101
501
110
150
501
20
20
150
y
a
The mounting part and the transmission part are provided on the side surface in the lateral direction of the package case . The optical fiber which is inserted into the mounting part is connected to the PLC . In this way, the optical fiber is connected to the end portion of the optical waveguide through the PLC .
150
150
150
150
20
20
a
a
a
The PLC has an optical waveguide curved when viewed in a plan view and formed inside, and emits an optical signal entered to an end surface of the PLC from a different position on the end surface . The emitted optical signal enters to the end portion of the optical waveguide .
200
1
110
120
101
101
501
502
200
101
y
y
In the optical device , by using the optical modulation device described above, both the mounting part and the transmission part are provided on the side surface in the lateral direction of the package case . Therefore, the optical fibers and are connected to the optical device from the side surface . In this way, it is possible to realize a small-sized optical device.
FIG. 4
FIG. 2
2
is an explanatory diagram of an optical modulation device according to a second embodiment of the present invention and is a diagram corresponding to . In the following embodiments, constituent elements common to the embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description of the constituent elements is omitted.
2
10
20
30
40
51
52
61
62
70
61
62
The optical modulation device preferably includes the substrate , the optical waveguide , the half-wave plate , a combining element B, the first collimating lens , the second collimating lens , a first light-receiving element , a second light-receiving element , and an angle adjustment part . The first light-receiving element and the second light-receiving element correspond to a “light-receiving element” in the present invention.
40
41
411
41
41
413
41
a
b.
The combining element B has the transparent base body , the first optical film formed on the first surface of the transparent base body , and a second optical film formed on the second surface
411
411
1
2
413
The first optical film is a dielectric multilayer film that transmits one of the linearly polarized lights orthogonal to each other and reflects the other. The first optical film of this embodiment transmits the first polarized light L and reflects the second polarized light L. The second optical film is a total reflection mirror.
411
411
1
2
1
51
2
52
The dielectric multilayer film that is the first optical film has an angle dependency in which reflectance and transmittance with respect to incident light change in a case where the incident angle of the incident light is changed. That is, the first optical film transmits the first polarized light L and reflects the second polarized light L in a case where it is disposed at an ideal angle with respect to the ray axis of the parallel light of the first polarized light L which is emitted through the first collimating lens and the optical axis of the parallel light of the second polarized light L which is emitted through the second collimating lens .
2
70
1
2
30
52
1
2
In contrast, in the optical modulation device of the second embodiment, the angle adjustment part that tilts the optical axis of the first polarized light L and the optical axis of the second polarized light L is provided on the optical path between the half-wave plate and the second collimating lens so as to straddle the optical path of the first polarized light L and the optical path of the second polarized light L.
70
1
2
70
As the angle adjustment part , a wave plate with an optical axis inclined or a transparent plate member having a trapezoidal shape when viewed in a plan view can be exemplified. The angle at which the optical axes of the first polarized light L and the second polarized light L are tilted by the angle adjustment part may be appropriately set according to a design. The angle is about 5°, for example.
1
2
70
1
2
70
1
2
40
411
1
2
1
2
40
70
70
In this case, the optical axes of the first polarized light L and the second polarized light L which enters to the angle adjustment part are inclined when the first polarized light L and the second polarized light L are emitted from the angle adjustment part . In this way, the incident angles of the first polarized light L and the second polarized light L with respect to the combining element B become angles deviated from the ideal angles for causing the first optical film to transmit the first polarized light L and reflect the second polarized light L. The incident angles of the first polarized light L and the second polarized light L with respect to the combining element B can be easily controlled by adjusting the configuration of the angle adjustment part and the posture of the angle adjustment part .
1
11
41
41
41
12
10
41
41
a
a
In this way, the first polarized light L is branched into light L, which is refracted at the first surface of the transparent base body and enters to the inside of the transparent base body , and light L, which is reflected in the direction intersects the longitudinal direction of the substrate by the first surface of the transparent base body .
1
11
12
41
1
1
41
11
1
41
12
1
a
a
The polarization states of the first polarized light L, the light L, and the light L are the same. Further, on the first surface , most of the first polarized light L (for example, 95% of the amount of light of the first polarized light L) enters to the inside of the transparent base body to become the light L, and a slight amount of light (for example, 5% of the amount of light of the first polarized light L) is reflected by the first surface to becomes the light L. The first polarized light L is branched at such a ratio, whereby the loss of the amount of light due to the branching is reduced.
2
21
10
22
41
41
41
a
Further, the second polarized light L is branched into light L, which is reflected in the direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the substrate , and light L, which is refracted at the first surface of the transparent base body and enters to the inside of the transparent base body .
2
21
22
41
2
1
41
21
2
41
22
2
a
a
The polarization states of the second polarized light L, the light L, and the light L are the same. Further, on the first surface , most of the second polarized light L (for example, 95% of the amount of light of the first polarized light L) is reflected by the transparent base body to become the light L, and a slight amount of light (for example, 5% of the amount of light of the second polarized light L) enters to the inside of the first surface to becomes the light L. The second polarized light L is branched at such a ratio, whereby the loss of the amount of light due to the branching is reduced.
2
11
40
21
40
11
21
11
21
At this time, the optical modulation device is configured such that the position P where the light L is emitted through the combining element B and the position P where the light L enters to the combining element B are substantially the same position. In this way, the light L is emitted in the same direction as the light L, and the composite light L in which the light L and the light L are combined is obtained.
22
41
41
413
411
411
22
2
22
41
40
b
a
Further, the light L propagating through the inside of the transparent base body is reflected by the second surface (the second optical film ) and travels toward the first optical film . Since the first optical film has a property of transmitting the light L (the second polarized light L), the light L is refracted at the first surface and emitted to the outside of the combining element B.
61
11
41
62
22
41
40
a
a
The first light-receiving element is provided at a position to which the light L reflected by the first surface enters. The second light-receiving element is provided at a position to which the light L which is refracted at the first surface and emitted to the outside of the combining element B enters.
61
62
61
62
Each of the first light-receiving element and the second light-receiving element can monitor the amount of light of the incident light and generate a monitor signal having a current value proportional to the amount of light. The first light-receiving element and the second light-receiving element are, for example, diodes using a semiconductor such as germanium or gallium as a forming material.
10
10
The substrate can include a bias electrode (not shown) to which a bias signal having a bias voltage that is a specific operating point is applied in order to realize a correct operation. The bias signal is supplied from the outside of the package case to the substrate separately from a data signal.
61
62
2
The monitor signals generated by the first light-receiving element and the second light-receiving element are used for feedback control that controls the voltage value of the bias signal such that an error from a reference voltage determined in advance is reduced. In this way, in the optical modulation device , it is possible to realize highly accurate bias control.
2
Also with the optical modulation device having the configuration as described above, it is possible to provide a downsized novel optical modulation device.
2
70
1
2
40
1
2
40
40
In the optical modulation device of this embodiment, the angle adjustment part is provided to adjust the incident angles of the first polarized light L and the second polarized light L with respect to the combining element B. However, there is no limitation to this. The incident angles of the first polarized light L and the second polarized light L with respect to the combining element B may be adjusted by adjusting the posture of the combining element B.
FIG. 5
FIGS. 2 and 4
3
is an explanatory diagram of an optical modulation device according to a third embodiment of the present invention and is a diagram corresponding to .
3
10
20
30
40
51
52
61
62
The optical modulation device preferably includes the substrate , the optical waveguide , the half-wave plate , a combining element C, the first collimating lens , the second collimating lens , the first light-receiving element , and the second light-receiving element .
40
41
411
41
41
414
41
a
b.
The combining element C has the transparent base body , the first optical film formed on the first surface of the transparent base body , and a second optical film formed on the second surface
411
411
1
2
413
1
2
The first optical film is a dielectric multilayer film that transmits one of the linearly polarized lights orthogonal to each other and reflects the other. The first optical film of this embodiment transmits the first polarized light L and reflects the second polarized light L. The second optical film is a dielectric multilayer film having a property of reflecting the first polarized light L and transmitting the second polarized light L.
3
2
1
11
41
41
41
12
10
41
41
a
a
In the optical modulation device of this embodiment, similar to the optical modulation device described above, the first polarized light L is branched into the light L which is refracted at the first surface of the transparent base body and enters to the inside of the transparent base body and the light L which is reflected in the direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the substrate by the first surface of the transparent base body .
2
21
10
22
41
41
41
22
41
a
b.
Further, the second polarized light L is branched into light L which is reflected in the direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the substrate and light L which is refracted at the first surface of the transparent base body and enters to the inside of the transparent base body . The light L transmits through the second surface
3
11
40
21
40
11
21
11
21
At this time, the optical modulation device is configured such that the position P where the light L is emitted through the combining element C and the position P where the light L enters to the combining element C are substantially the same position. In this way, the light L is emitted in the same direction as the light L, and the composite light L in which the light L and the light L are combined is obtained.
61
11
41
62
22
41
a
b
The first light-receiving element is provided at a position to which the light L reflected by the first surface enters. The second light-receiving element is provided at a position to which the light L transmitted through the second surface enters.
61
62
2
The first light-receiving element and the second light-receiving element preferably generate monitor signals which are used for the feedback control of the bias signal, as in the optical modulation device described above.
3
Also with the optical modulation device having the configuration as described above, it is possible to provide a downsized novel optical modulation device.
3
62
41
40
41
40
b
b
Further, in the optical modulation device having the configuration as described above, the second light-receiving element can be disposed on the second surface side of the combining element C. In this way, it is possible to effectively use the space on the second surface side of the combining element C.
The preferred embodiment examples of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to these examples. The shapes, combinations, or the like of the respective constituent members shown in the examples described above are merely examples, and various modifications can be made based on design requirements or the like within a scope which does not depart from the gist of the present invention.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
A downsized novel optical modulation device is provided.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
1
2
3
, , : optical modulation device
10
: substrate
11
12
21
22
L, L, L, L: light
20
: optical waveguide
20
21
22
a
a
a
, , : end portion
21
22
, : optical waveguide
23
: first waveguide
24
: second waveguide
25
: third waveguide
26
: fourth waveguide
30
: half-wave plate
40
40
40
A, B, C: combining element
41
: transparent base body
41
a
: first surface
41
b
: second surface
51
: first collimating lens
52
: second collimating lens
61
: first light-receiving element (light-receiving element)
62
: second light-receiving element (light-receiving element)
70
: angle adjustment part
100
: optical device
101
: package case
101
a
: storage space of package case
101
x
: side surface in longitudinal direction of package case
101
y
: side surface in lateral direction of package case
110
: mounting part
120
: transmission part
121
: light condensing part
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411
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412
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L: composite light
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P: position | |
Scientific Notation can be used to express numbers as a product of a factor and a power of 10.
How could we express the above number in scientific notation?
First, move the decimal point until it includes the first significant digit. Next, count how many places the decimal point was moved.
Here, we moved the decimal point 10 places to the right. Expressed in scientific notation, we have 1.8 * 10^(-10). The exponent is negative because the decimal was moved to the right. If it were moved to the left, the exponent would have been positive.
Let's try to go in the other direction. How would you write the below expression in standard notation? | http://statisticslectures.com/topics/scientificnotation/ |
Teams from Poland have once again dominated the European Rover Challenge (ERC) – a competition to design, construct and operate a rover that most successfully complete a number of Mars-exploration themed tasks. This year’s edition was won by the Raptors Team from Łódź University of Technology (Poland). The second place was also awarded to Polish team - the Impuls Team from Kielce University of Technology.
ERC is a European variation of the prestigious University Rover Challenge (URC) in the US. Organized by the Polish branch of Mars Society and managed by the European Space Foundation, ERC is the Europe’s biggest robotics competition for college and university students. ERC 2016 was the third edition of the contest and took place in a small town of Jasionka, near Rzeszów, Poland on Sept. 10-13.
Raptors Team won the competition, earning 637 out of 910 points – 54 more than Impuls Team and 99 more than the 3rd placed McGill Robotics Team from the McGill University in Montreal, Canada. These teams have most successfully competed in various ERC 2016 tasks like obtaining samples of soil, delivering objects from one location to another, rover navigation and maintenance activities.
“The best team won. We are happy to see that Poland once again proved that it is undefeated in robotics. In fact, the project documentation sent by competitors has met the requirements for important scientific ventures,” said Łukasz Wilczyński, European Space Foundation President.
The first edition of ERC that took place in 2014, was also dominated by Polish teams as the Scorpio Team from Wrocław University of Technology won the competition and Impuls Team was second.
This year’s ERC attracted more than 400 young constructors from all over the world. 23 teams from 7 countries competed in the contest. About 20,000 spectators have visited the event.
ERC 2016 was accompanied by the European Robotics Congress and an exhibition zone. The congress included a variety of presentations and demonstrations about the main principles and objectives of Poland’s space strategy and was held to highlight the importance of the four-day ERC event. The exhibition zone hosted a series of scientific and technological demonstrations where participants, among others, were able to learn the basics of robotics or use a flight simulator.
The Poland’s space strategy announced at the congress includes the increase of annual contribution to the European Space Agency (ESA) by 10 million Polish złoty ($2.6 million) and the development of the nation’s indigenous satellite.
“Space industry is one of the most innovative and technologically advanced sectors, with increasing importance for European and world economy. Therefore, we believe that developing this sector is extremely substantial,” said Jadwiga Emilewicz, Deputy Minister of Development. | https://www.astrowatch.net/2016/09/polish-teams-once-again-dominate.html |
Inquiry teaching based on constructivist learning theory has been an emphasis in pre-service education for over a decade. In general, a developmental teaching perspective supports inquiry-based instruction where teachers view learners as constructors of knowledge and teaching as providing questions, problems, and challenges that form a bridge from the learners' prior knowledge to a new, more sophisticated form of reasoning. Since teaching perspectives influence student learning, teacher effectiveness, and teacher attrition, challenging pre-service teachers to overcome experience-based convictions of a transmission perspective is necessary in teacher education. In this study, we examined the teaching perspectives of secondary, pre-service methods students at the midpoint of an inquiry-focused program. Our findings suggest that, despite being introduced to a variety of teaching perspectives, overcoming preconceptions of "good teaching" and considering a perspective counter to one's disciplinary major presents a dilemma for pre-service teachers.
Volume
13
Issue
1
First Page
57
Last Page
77
Rights
© Virginia Mathematics and Science Coalition, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0) (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
DOI
https://doi.org/10.25891/5Y2Y-MT16
Recommended Citation
Pecore, J. L. and Shelton, A.
(2013)
"Challenging Pre-Service Students' Teaching Perspectives in an Inquiry-Focused Program,"
Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations: Vol. 13
:
No.
1
, Article 8. | https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/jmsce_vamsc/vol13/iss1/8/ |
Mood disorders or affective disorders comprise a category of mental health disorders that affect how someone thinks and feels. While occasional tantrums are normal, mood disorders in children cause them to experience extreme mood swings that last for long periods. These mood swings often do not resolve on their own.
It is essential to follow the appropriate treatment for this condition. If left untreated, it could affect the child’s performance at school and increase their risk for other mental health issues.
Read this article to know about the types, causes, symptoms, complications, and treatment for mood disorders in children.
Signs And Symptoms Of Mood Disorders In Children
The signs and symptoms of mood disorders may vary in each child based on their age and other individual factors. Children with mood disorders have an elevated mood or low mood that is more intense than usual for their age. These changes in moods may be frequent and often last a long period. The common signs and symptoms of mood disorders in children may include
- Sadness and
- Irritation and anger.
- Lack of motivation or interest in previously enjoyed activities.
- Changes in sleep and eating patterns.
- Difficult behavior, causing trouble when with family and friends.
- Reduced school performance.
- Low self-esteem.
- Recurrent and severe temper outbursts and tantrums.
- High-risk and rebellious behaviors.
- Peer-relationship difficulties.
- Expressions of suicidal thoughts.
- Frequent physical complaints such as fatigue, stomach ache, and headache.
Children with the signs and symptoms of mood disorders require evaluation by a qualified mental health professional, and immediate medical attention is recommended for children who express suicidal ideas and thoughts.
Types Of Mood Disorders In Children
Mood disorders in children can be of the following types.
- Dysthymia or persistent depressive disorder is a chronic form of depression. In this condition, children may have a depressed or irritable, low-grade mood lasting for at least one to two years.
- Major depression, also called major depressive disorder (MDD), is a mood disorder that interferes with everyday life. Feeling of hopelessness, sadness and lack of interest in activities for more than two weeks may suggest major depression.
- Mood disorders linked to other health conditions can trigger depression in children. Cancers, chronic illnesses, injuries, infections, etc., can cause mood disorders in some cases.
- Bipolar disorder I is characterized by at least one episode of elevated mood (mania) and one episode of low mood (depression). Children can have noticeable and extreme mood changes during bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder II is defined as at least one episode of hypomania and one episode of depression.
- Substance-induced mood disorders can cause depression symptoms in some children. Certain forms of treatment, medications effects, and exposure to toxins can cause these mood changes in children. Drug abuse and alcoholism can also be a cause in some cases.
- Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD) is only seen in children aged 7-18 years. This is a condition characterized by severe irritability and anger. Extreme tantrums and temper outbursts are symptoms of DMDD. Children with DMDD may damage something or hurt others or themselves in this
Some adolescent girls can develop premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) that causes depressive symptoms, tension, and grouchiness before a menstrual period.
Causes And Risk Factors For Mood Disorders In Children
The exact causes of mood disorders in children are not known. However, chemical imbalances in the brain are believed to be one of the causes for mood disorders such as depression. This imbalance can be triggered by unwanted life changes or stressful life events in some people. This can be responsible for various moods, such as positive and negative moods.
Affective (mood) disorders seen in families are considered to be multifactorial. Various environmental and genetic factors are involved in the development of this disorder.
The following factors may increase children’s risk for developing mood disorders.
- Divorce or separation of parents
- Death of a loved one
- Failure to achieve desired academic grades and cope with pressure
- Breakup with girlfriend or boyfriend
- Severe financial struggles in the family
These stressful life events can cause extreme sadness, depression, and mood disorders, which are harder to manage in some children.
Complications Of Mood Disorders
The possible complications of mood disorders in children and teens may include
- Anxiety disorder
- Suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts
- Issues with peer and family relationships
- Poor school performance
- Substance abuse
- Disruptive behaviors such as being angry or aggressive towards others
Diagnosis Of Mood Disorders In Children
Pediatricians may conduct a physical examination to exclude any physical health problems or illnesses, such as thyroid problems, that may be causing the symptoms in children. They may also ask about their health history and family history to identify the problem.
Referrals to pediatric psychologists or pediatric psychiatrists are made for detailed evaluation and diagnosis of mood disorders. They may ask details of the symptoms and other questions to children, parents, caregivers, and teachers. Diagnosis is made if your child’s symptoms meet the recommended criteria for mood disorders appropriate for their age.
How To Prevent Mood Disorders In Children
There are no known ways to prevent mood disorders in children. However, early treatment is recommended to reduce the severity and complications. In addition, not involving children in parental conflicts and less pressure in performing academically may help some children avoid stressors.
Parents can do the following things to help their children manage mood disorders.
- Create a safe space and time for your child to talk about their day and struggles without judgment.
- Model how to manage stress to your child rather than telling them what to do.
- Maintain daily routine at home as much as possible.
- Take part in family therapy.
- Do the regular follow-ups as per schedule.
- Talk to a healthcare provider and understand your child’s condition and improvements.
- Inform friends and family about their condition to avoid bullying.
- Seek school resources for your teen to meet educational needs as per the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Civil Rights Act.
- Take suicidal tendencies in your teen seriously. Consider them as an emergency and call emergency support.
- Reach out for support from various groups and organizations.
Talking to your child about their problems and supporting them to overcome them can be beneficial. Understanding a child’s abilities and interests in academics and other activities is essential since forcing them to achieve certain goals can be stressful.
Treatment For Mood Disorders In Children
The treatment options for mood disorders may vary depending on the child’s age, symptoms, severity, and health status. The following treatment options are often recommended for mood disorders in children.
- Talk therapy or psychotherapy involves sessions with experts to help the child cope with their feelings, emotions, and stressors in their environment.
- Medications are often prescribed for severe symptoms and are usually combined with talk therapy. Antidepressants and mood-stabilizing medications are prescribed for children with mood disorders.
- Family therapy may help the family members understand and support the child with a mood disorder.
Doctors may recommend getting an individualized education plan (IEP) from the school administrators to ensure emotional and academic support for the child. In addition, you may do follow-up visits and therapy sessions as recommended.
Mood disorders in children are manageable with appropriate medications and psychotherapies. Seek psychiatric help as soon as you notice mood changes in your child. You may also support and encourage your child to overcome their problems. Furthermore, a good parent-child relationship could help reduce the risk of many emotional issues in children.
References:
- Mood Disorders in Children and Adolescents.
https://www.chop.edu/conditions-diseases/mood-disorders-children-and-adolescents
- Mood Disorders.
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/mood-disorders
- Beyond Growing Pains; Children and Mood Disorders.
https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/June-2018/Beyond-Growing-Pains-Children-and-Mood-Disorders
- Overview of Mood Disorders.
https://childrenswi.org/medical-care/mental-and-behavioral-health/conditions/mood-disorders
- Mood Disorders.
https://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/health/m/mood
- Mood Disorders in Teens.
https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=90&ContentID=P01634
- Mood Disorders in Teens. | https://www.momjunction.com/articles/mood-disorder-in-children-symptoms-prevention_00767107/ |
Abstract:
An individual's economic ill fare can be assessed both objectively, looking at one's income with reference to a poverty line, or subjectively on the basis of the individual's perceived experience of financial difficulties. Although these are distinct perspectives, income poverty and perceptions of financial difficulties are likely to be interrelated: low income (especially if it persists) is likely to negatively affect perceptions of financial difficulties and, as recently suggested by the behavioral economics literature, (past) subjective sentiment may in return influence individual's income generating ability and poverty status. The aim of this paper is to determine the extent of these dynamic cross-effects between both processes. Using Luxembourg survey data, our main result highlights the existence of a feedback effect from past perceived financial difficulties on current income poverty suggesting that subjective perceptions can have objective effects on an individual's behaviour and outcomes.
Keywords: aspirations; behavioural economics; dynamic joint models; feedback effects; income poverty; perceived financial difficulties; state dependence (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D31 D60 I32 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 24 pages
Date: 2016-06
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1) Track citations by RSS feed
Downloads: (external link)https://www.liser.lu/publi_viewer.cfm?tmp=3969 (application/pdf)
Related works:Journal Article: Are income poverty and perceptions of financial difficulties dynamically interrelated? (2017) This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.
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The Arctic is directly impacted by climate change. The increase in air temperature drives the thawing of permafrost and an increase in coastal erosion and river discharge. This leads to a greater input of sediment and organic matter into coastal waters, which substantially impacts the ecosystems, the subsistence economy of the local population, and the climate because of the transformation of organic matter into greenhouse gases. Yet, the patterns of sediment dispersal in the nearshore zone are not well known, because ships do not often reach shallow waters and satellite remote sensing is traditionally focused on less dynamic environments. The goal of this study is to use the extensive Landsat archive to investigate sediment dispersal patterns specifically on an exemplary Arctic nearshore environment, where field measurements are often scarce. Multiple Landsat scenes were combined to calculate means of sediment dispersal and sea surface temperature under changing seasonal wind conditions in the nearshore zone of Herschel IslandThe Arctic is directly impacted by climate change. The increase in air temperature drives the thawing of permafrost and an increase in coastal erosion and river discharge. This leads to a greater input of sediment and organic matter into coastal waters, which substantially impacts the ecosystems, the subsistence economy of the local population, and the climate because of the transformation of organic matter into greenhouse gases. Yet, the patterns of sediment dispersal in the nearshore zone are not well known, because ships do not often reach shallow waters and satellite remote sensing is traditionally focused on less dynamic environments. The goal of this study is to use the extensive Landsat archive to investigate sediment dispersal patterns specifically on an exemplary Arctic nearshore environment, where field measurements are often scarce. Multiple Landsat scenes were combined to calculate means of sediment dispersal and sea surface temperature under changing seasonal wind conditions in the nearshore zone of Herschel Island Qikiqtaruk in the western Canadian Arctic since 1982. We use observations in the Landsat red and thermal wavebands, as well as a recently published water turbidity algorithm to relate archive wind data to turbidity and sea surface temperature. We map the spatial patterns of turbidity and water temperature at high spatial resolution in order to resolve transport pathways of water and sediment at the water surface. Our results show that these pathways are clearly related to the prevailing wind conditions, being ESE and NW. During easterly wind conditions, both turbidity and water temperature are significantly higher in the nearshore area. The extent of the Mackenzie River plume and coastal erosion are the main explanatory variables for sediment dispersal and sea surface temperature distributions in the study area. During northwesterly wind conditions, the influence of the Mackenzie River plume is negligible. Our results highlight the potential of high spatial resolution Landsat imagery to detect small-scale hydrodynamic processes, but also show the need to specifically tune optical models for Arctic nearshore environments.… | |
Farnham Runners took good advantage of the Fleet Half Marathon being in the Hampshire Road Race League for the first time, with 50 members taking part, a record for any race. Organisers Fleet & Crookham AC were praised for the flawless organisation under the direction of race director, Penny Abbott, no easy task as the race takes over 3,000 entrants. Over 300 volunteers gave freely of their time to undertake a number of roles and the organising team made a big effort to reduce the environmental footprint, for example by using paper instead of plastic cups.
As the season enters the second half the Farnham teams are keen to uphold or improve on their present positions, so the proximity of the race was a boon. Before the race the ladies lay 5th in the top A division while the men topped division two. There were 9 ladies’ team and 12 men’s places up for grabs but it was an event for all standards of runner who could tackle the challenging 13.1 mile distance and 21 club members, including both experienced runners and relative newcomers, gained new personal best times, some by an astounding 8 -15 minutes!
Matt Saker took 1 minute 38 seconds off his previous best to lead in the men in 1 hour 22 minutes 02 seconds over the undulating course, 158th of 2,700 finishers. Next came Stuart Haig in 1:25:23, while Andy McCall took a 7 minute chunk off his previous best for 1:26:26. Jason East took the final A team scoring place with 1:27:34. This quartet gave the Farnham men top slot of the second division on the day and increased their lead on aggregate to 9 points above second placed Portsmouth Joggers.
Just seconds behind Jason was Harvey Wickham in 1:27:43, leading a B team with Neil Ambrose in 1:28:37 (PB), Charlie Hill-Venning in 1:31:36 and captain John Phillips in 1:32:27 (PB). This team was 8th in B division one on the day, keeping them 10th after 7 of the 12 events in the series.
The C team which came 4th in B division two, keeping them 6th on aggregate, comprised Mike Taylor (1:33:26), Paul Mackie (1:34:51, PB), Steve Bailey (1:35:14, PB) and John Hill-Venning (1:36:18).
All three ladies teams gained excellent results. The A team came 3rd in the top division on the day, keeping them 5th on aggregate but giving them a healthier gap above the 6th club. The B team in B division one were 2nd, pushing them up 3 places to lie a much safer 11th of 15 clubs, while the Cs came 2nd in division two pushing them up 2 places to 10th of 18 clubs.
Louise Granell was on form for an 8 minute PB of 1:33:36, followed by Kayleigh Copeland with a 3 minute PB of 1:36:37. Final A scorer was Linda Tyler in 1:38:32, another PB, for 6th in the F55 category.
Susie Chan led the B trio in 1:38:36, with Billy McCulloch in a PB 1:38:41 and Jane Georghiou, 1st F65, in 1:47:06.
A close packed group of Lindsay Bamford (1:47:48), newcomer Sasha Cowley, who was delighted with a 10 minute PB (1:48:32) and Anne Snelson (1:49:52) were the C team.
Other times: Justin Clarke 1:36:11 (debut), Damian Probett 1:37:37 (4 minute PB), Ali Hardaway 1:38:30, Tim Cummins 1:39:15, Chris Cramp 1:40:31, Craig Tate-Grimes 1:43:06 (PB) Stephen Tarrant 1:43:53, Michael Hitchings 1:47:12, Chris Jackson 1:47:19, David Boakes 1:49:34, Kate Townsend 1:51:36, Rebecca Martin 1:55:03, Keith Toms 1:55:02, Kay Copeland 1:57:54, Michael Stephens 1:57:28, Steve Payne 1:58:41, Helen Bracey 1:59:33 (PB by 15 minutes!), Vicky Goodluck 1:59:34 (PB), Philip Masters 2:01:27, Adam Harrison 2:04:00, Ellie Addison 2:06:21 (debut), Colin Addison 2:06:21, Charlotte Whatley 2:07:55, Clair Bailey 2:09:30, Jane Probett 2:11:06 (debut), Susan MacKenzie 2:18:30 (PB by 4 mins), Jackie Wilkinson 2:18:42 (PB by 8 minutes) Carolyn Wickham 2:27:16 (PB by 4 minutes), Nicola O’Connor 2:32:51.
“The Grizzly”
The previous week, six members ventured to Seaton in Devon for the notorious Grizzly race.
Runners’ notes warn “The Grizzly has more than 3,000′ ascent in its 20 miles. There are two sections of beach, totalling well over a mile; two energy-sapping bogs, where runners are often up to their waists in water and mud; and the infamous “Stairway to Heaven”, a steep path up the side of a cliff (beware if you suffer from vertigo). Some of the descents are steep and often very slippery, so please take care. It will take roughly your road marathon time, perhaps longer if conditions are grim.”
Blustery conditions added to the challenge this year. Yet the Farnham Runners gained some creditable times; John Phillips 3:15:51, Steve Bailey 3:15:53, James Musgrave 4:03:23, Kate Townsend, Linda Tyler and Lindsay Bamford all 4:22:17. | https://www.farnham-runners.org.uk/press-releases/2019/hrrl-fleet-half-marathon-and-the-grizzly/ |
Sunday at Auto Club Speedway, Fontana, Calif.
1. (24) Kevin Harvick, Chevrolet, 200 laps, 112.7 rating, 47 points, $331,961.
2. (16) Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet, 200, 110.4, 43, $240,786.
3. (8) Kyle Busch, Toyota, 200, 143.4, 43, $214,816.
4. (11) Matt Kenseth, Ford, 200, 104, 40, $172,111.
5. (9) Ryan Newman, Chevrolet, 200, 107.9, 40, $159,950.
6. (18) Carl Edwards, Ford, 200, 94.2, 38, $149,591.
7. (17) Clint Bowyer, Chevrolet, 200, 109.6, 38, $144,108.
8. (19) Brian Vickers, Toyota, 200, 111.8, 36, $128,464.
9. (22) Kasey Kahne, Toyota, 200, 79.4, 35, $124,408.
10. (1) Juan Pablo Montoya, Chevrolet, 200, 96.3, 35, $144,583.
11. (32) Greg Biffle, Ford, 200, 85.5, 33, $108,675.
12. (30) Dale Earnhardt Jr., Chevrolet, 200, 82, 32, $101,325.
13. (5) Tony Stewart, Chevrolet, 200, 117.3, 32, $134,083.
14. (20) A J Allmendinger, Ford, 200, 72.3, 30, $127,911.
15. (7) Jeff Burton, Chevrolet, 200, 90.8, 29, $99,550.
16. (15) Paul Menard, Chevrolet, 200, 80.7, 28, $89,475.
17. (23) Kurt Busch, Dodge, 200, 66.1, 27, $134,900.
18. (29) Jeff Gordon, Chevrolet, 200, 77.1, 26, $125,111.
19. (14) David Reutimann, Toyota, 200, 73.3, 25, $115,283.
20. (10) Mark Martin, Chevrolet, 200, 80.6, 24, $95,175.
21. (26) Martin Truex Jr., Toyota, 200, 85, 24, $93,975.
22. (6) David Ragan, Ford, 200, 70.4, 22, $94,300.
23. (12) Jamie McMurray, Chevrolet, 200, 66.2, 21, $120,739.
24. (28) Landon Cassill, Chevrolet, 200, 57, 0, $100,458.
25. (3) Joey Logano, Toyota, 200, 64.5, 19, $91,750.
26. (21) Brad Keselowski, Dodge, 199, 55.4, 18, $104,658.
27. (4) Regan Smith, Chevrolet, 199, 55.4, 17, $108,145.
28. (13) Marcos Ambrose, Ford, 198, 55.7, 16, $111,091.
29. (25) Casey Mears, Toyota, 198, 46.6, 15, $81,900.
30. (27) Trevor Bayne, Ford, 198, 50.1, 0, $88,650.
31. (37) David Gilliland, Ford, 198, 41.5, 13, $90,108.
32. (38) Andy Lally, Chevrolet, 198, 36.5, 12, $86,750.
33. (39) Ken Schrader, Ford, 197, 32.7, 11, $87,522.
34. (35) Robby Gordon, Dodge, 197, 42.2, 10, $76,825.
35. (36) Travis Kvapil, Ford, 196, 33.1, 0, $76,600.
36. (42) Tony Raines, Ford, 190, 28, 8, $76,450.
37. (31) Dave Blaney, Chevrolet, engine, 188, 35.9, 7, $76,225.
38. (34) Bobby Labonte, Toyota, accident, 182, 47.5, 6, $102,320.
39. (2) Denny Hamlin, Toyota, engine, 105, 78.7, 6, $123,880.
40. (41) Todd Bodine, Toyota, transmission, 50, 27.3, 0, $75,675.
41. (43) J.J. Yeley, Chevrolet, electrical, 47, 40.6, 4, $75,505.
42. (40) Joe Nemechek, Toyota, transmission, 39, 29.1, 0, $75,415.
43. (33) Michael McDowell, Toyota, electrical, 32, 32.4, 1, $75,769.
Average Speed of Race Winner: 150.849 mph.
Time of Race: 2 hours, 39 minutes, 6 seconds.
Margin of Victory: 0.144 seconds.
Lap Leaders: J.Montoya 1-6; D.Hamlin 7-21; Ky.Busch 22-31; J.Montoya 32; C.Bowyer 33; J.Johnson 34; J.Yeley 35-36; Ky.Busch 37-66; M.Truex Jr. 67; T.Stewart 68-69; Ky.Busch 70-76; T.Stewart 77-79; R.Newman 80-87; T.Stewart 88-91; Ky.Busch 92-137; T.Stewart 138-139; Ky.Busch 140-197; J.Johnson 198-199; K.Harvick 200.
Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Led, Laps Led): Ky.Busch, 5 times for 151 laps; D.Hamlin, 1 time for 15 laps; T.Stewart, 4 times for 11 laps; R.Newman, 1 time for 8 laps; J.Montoya, 2 times for 7 laps; J.Johnson, 2 times for 3 laps; J.Yeley, 1 time for 2 laps; K.Harvick, 1 time for 1 lap; C.Bowyer, 1 time for 1 lap; M.Truex Jr., 1 time for 1 lap.
Top 12 in Points: 1. C.Edwards, 187; 2. R.Newman, 178; 3. Ku.Busch, 177; 4. Ky.Busch, 176; 5. J.Johnson, 173; 6. T.Stewart, 170; 7. P.Menard, 164; 8. J.Montoya, 161; 9. K.Harvick, 157; 10. M.Kenseth, 157; 11. K.Kahne, 157; 12. D.Earnhardt Jr., 156. | https://www.goupstate.com/sports/20110327/nascar-sprint-cup-auto-club-400-results |
Wavesfactory W-Harpsichord WAV
A harpsichord is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It produces sound by plucking a string when a key is pressed. It was widely used in Renaissance and Baroque music. During the late 18th century it gradually disappeared from the musical scene with the rise of the fortepiano. But in the 20th century it made a resurgence, used in historically informed performance of older music, in new (contemporary) compositions, and in popular culture.
The harpsichord doesn’t respond to any dynamics, so there’s 1 velocity layer. But, in order to have the more realism as posible, we sampled all (no pitch shifting) notes 3 times (3 round robin), even though is always the same volume there are always nuances that make the difference. Even the release samples have been sampled with 3 round robin.
There are 2 knobs in the GUI that control the type of the release: Dry and Resonance. With the “dry” you can only listen the key sound, and with the “resonance” one you can listen the key sound + natural resonance of the other strings.
| |
This Postgraduate Certificate Professional Development (Enabling Business Resilience) was developed in response to the impact of Covid-19 on the workforce and is an opportunity for those negatively impacted to upskill or reskill to help them seek employment or re-evaluate their current business practice in light of a changing business environment. The programme's overall aim is to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage and lead in private, voluntary, and public domains. The programme will focus on the practical application of ideas, knowledge, and methods within the context of the new business environment with a focus on upskilling to help rebuild business and careers. The intended learners are both the employed who are, or who aspire to be, in decision making positions in their organisation, or the unemployed who lost their jobs as the result of the pandemic and wish to develop new and complementary skills to help them seek new employment.
1. Foundations of Management
Developing a framework of knowledge to understand and critically analyse strategic goals of management, appropriate organisational structures and management's role in delivering strategic goals to enable future organisational growth.
2. Strategic Digital Transformation
Learning concepts that underpin business intelligence and data analytics as part of a digital transformation strategy. Creating a data management strategy with an evidence-based performance management dashboard to aid data manipulation and decision-making.
3. Strategy and Innovation
Understanding effective analysis and decisions an organisation undertakes in order to create and sustain competitive advantage. Exploring these decision areas and scenario planning, whilst taking into account current and future challenges and perspectives.
Applicants must have gained:
(a) (i) an Honours or non-Honours degree from a University of the Republic of Ireland or the United Kingdom, or from a recognised national awarding body, or from an institution of another country which is recognised as being of an equivalent standard; or
(ii) an equivalent standard in a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma or an approved alternative qualification; and
(b) provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English (GCSE grade C or equivalent).
In exceptional circumstances, as an alternative to (a) (i) or (a) (ii) and/or (b), where an individual has substantial and significant experiential learning, a portfolio of written evidence demonstrating the meeting of graduate qualities (including subject-specific outcomes, as determined by the Course Committee) may be considered as an alternative entrance route. Evidence used to demonstrate graduate qualities may not be used for exemption against modules within the programme.
Participants may be required to submit a letter / statement signed by a Commissioner for Oaths confirming their recent employment history.
The course combines 3 modules (Foundations in Management, Strategy & Innovation and Strategic Digital Transformation) to build a course which addresses the identified skills deficit in the local economy of leadership/management and digital skills. It also aims to equip participants to address strategic and innovation challenges impacting organisations that need to transform and adjust to the emerging business climate. Whilst Covid-19 has been a major challenge in the last 2 years and has forced many businesses to adapt and re-evaluate, the Solas 2021 National Skills Bulletin highlighted that the need to upskill and reskill the existing workforce will be essential to ensure Ireland meets the challenges faced by Brexit, automation and those brought about by our need to address climate change. In this context, businesses are facing multiple pressures and their ability to successfully adapt is crucial.
Sectors from tourism to technology to hospitality are facing a challenging environment, as we have identified through the industry engagement process undertaken in preparation of this course.
The programme will be delivered on a blended basis using online workshops (12 hrs per module), as well as online self-directed learning. Approximately 200 hours of learning is required for each module. Assessment methods include practical coursework, reflective pieces, business model canvas and a strategy pitch. Students are tasked with developing strategies for their business to successfully manoeuvre around challenges, composing new disruptive business ideas, utilizing digital technology and developing data visualization platform/dashboards. These are all applicable learnings to their current role or will be valuable learnings when applying for new roles.
Evening
Online
Online
Alison McKeonAddress
Irish Times Building
24-28 Tara Street
Dublin 2
01 472 7101Email
Based on applications received through the HEA Springboard database Irish TImes Training: | https://springboardcourses.ie/details/10425 |
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a method of producing a leather-like sheet material with a deluxe feeling. More particularly, it relates to a method of producing a leather-like sheet material capable of presenting such bending crimp as can give an impression of superior quality, excellent in flatness and having a high-quality feeling. The method involves, in a specific order, application of polymer layers to a substrate consisting of a fibrous base material and a porous coating layer, specific surface heat treatment, and optional embossing.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Two methods are known for providing the surface of a leather-like sheet material with an rugged pattern. One of the methods employs a supporting sheet such as a mold releasing paper or a polyethylene sheet, which has a required surface pattern, while the other comprises embossing the surface of the substrate by means of an embossing plate or an embossing roll following the preparation of the substrate. The former method is generally applied to low grade synthetic leathers, that is, leather-like sheet materials obtained by merely coating a substrate web or fabric with vinyl chloride polymer paste followed by drying. Although the reproducibility of the pattern of the support such as a mold releasing paper is good, incompleteness of the surface pattern of the supporting sheet itself renders the appearance, including the pattern and gloss of the leather-like sheet surface, evidently artificial and thus gives an impression that the resulting leather-like sheet material is a low-grade one. On the other hand, the latter method is generally used for synthetic leathers resembling natural leathers in structure in that a porous, elastic polymer layer is formed on the surface of a fibrous substrate material. By this method, the depth of the surface pattern can be varied at will by suitably adjusting the embossing conditions, and therefore a surface pattern closely resembling the grain of a natural leather can be obtained by selecting appropriate embossing conditions, said surface pattern appearing far less artificial than that produced by the former method.
The latter method, however, is not very suitable for the production of leather-like sheet materials which have such distinct and shallow grains as are present on the surface of a high-quality leather of natural origin, because, if the embossing conditions are not sufficient, the unevenness originating from that of the substrate surface, such as the unevenness due to fibers in the fibrous base material, due to the resin used as a binder for fibers, or due to pores in the porous coating layer, appears on the product surface even after the embossing. Under strong embossing conditions attained by adjusting temperature, pressure, duration and other parameters, a leather-like sheet material with vivid, shallow grains may be produced. In this case, however, another disadvantage is that the bending crimp of the sheet material, that is the crimp formed on the surface of the bent area when the sheet material is bent, appears too artificial, suggesting poor quality.
The specification of Japanese Utility Model Publication No. Sho-48-14671 discloses that, if an embossing apparatus the pressure part of which is maintained at a temperature around the softening point of the thermoplastic polymer to be used and the peeling part of which is cooled to a temperature at which the said thermoplastic polymer has a good dimension stability is used for embossing a sheet material having a surface layer consisting of a thermoplastic polymer such as polyurethane, poly(vinyl chloride) or polyamide, the sheet material can be peeled off from the embossing surface without strain on the sheet material; hence the sheet surface cannot be damaged, and consequently beautiful embossed patterns are produced. In addition, Japanese Patent Application Published under No. Sho-49-108204 discloses that a leather-like sheet material excellent in respect to bending crimp, surface luster and other properties and having a beautiful, embossed pattern is produced by applying a solution or suspension of a macromolecular substance to the surface of a porous sheet material, bringing the surface into close contact with a heated, mirror-smooth drum surface, then cooling the drum, peeling off the sheet material from the drum surface, and further embossing the sheet surface. These methods indeed improve the bending crimp and the embossing effect to a considerable extent, as described in the specifications. The bending crimp, however, is still far from that found with high-quality leathers of natural origin. Moreover, it is a great disadvantage that even and uniform embossing of the leather-like sheet surface is hard to achieve, for instance.
As a result, under the present conditions, there is a great difference in appearance between synthetic leathers provided with shallow grains by embossing, especially the ones with a mirror-smooth surface or with a pattern less than 50 microns deep, and natural leather, and the former are regarded as cheaper articles.
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Economic evaluation of linaclotide for the treatment of adult patients with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation in the United States
OBJECTIVES: To use techniques of decision-analytic modeling to evaluate the effectiveness and costs of linaclotide vs lubiprostone in the treatment of adult patients with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C).
METHODS: Using model inputs derived from published literature, linaclotide Phase III trial data and a physician survey, a decision-tree model was constructed. Response to therapy was defined as (1) a ≥ 14-point increase from baseline in IBS-Quality-of-Life (IBS-QoL) questionnaire overall score at week 12 or (2) one of the top two responses (moderately/significantly relieved) on a 7-point IBS symptom relief question in ≥ 2 of 3 months. Patients who do not respond to therapy are assumed to fail therapy and accrue costs associated with a treatment failure. Model time horizon is aligned with clinical trial duration of 12 weeks. Model outputs include number of responders, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), and total costs (including direct and indirect). Both one-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were conducted.
RESULTS: Treatment for IBS-C with linaclotide produced more responders than lubiprostone for both response definitions (19.3% vs 13.0% and 61.8% vs 57.2% for IBS-QoL and symptom relief, respectively), lower per-patient costs ($803 vs $911 and $977 vs $1056), and higher QALYs (0.1921 vs 0.1917 and 0.1909 vs 0.1894) over the 12-week time horizon. Results were similar for most one-way sensitivity analyses. In probabilistic sensitivity analyses, the majority of simulations resulted in linaclotide having higher treatment response rates and lower per-patient costs.
LIMITATIONS: There are no available head-to-head trials that compare linaclotide with lubiprostone; therefore, placebo-adjusted estimates of relative efficacy were derived for model inputs. The time horizon for this model is relatively short, as it was limited to the duration of available clinical trial data.
CONCLUSIONS: Linaclotide was found to be a less costly option vs lubiprostone for the treatment of adult patients with IBS-C. | https://read.qxmd.com/read/25333331/economic-evaluation-of-linaclotide-for-the-treatment-of-adult-patients-with-irritable-bowel-syndrome-with-constipation-in-the-united-states |
Keeping employees engaged in most circumstances is a challenge, but in the current economy it has become even more difficult. Engaged employees feel a positive connection to and care about the future of the company they work for. When times are good, many employers go to great lengths, and sometimes to great expense, to reward and recognize their employees to keep them motivated and satisfied. But when occupancy rates decline and margins shrink, employers often discontinue employee rewards, reduce employee benefits and eliminate incentives. This can lead to increased employee turnover and disengaged employees, and in turn, can negatively impact customer service levels and put even more pressure on profitability.
The challenge of building and keeping a highly motivated workforce doesn't go away in a recession. While employers may think that workers would be less inclined to quit their jobs when jobs are scarce, they may find that the recession has actually triggered employees' desire to look elsewhere. That's because employees become disengaged and disheartened by cost-cutting measures implemented by their employers. Layoffs, furloughs, postponed merit increases and other actions can put employees into a tailspin. A June 2010 survey by CareerBuilder of more than 200 hospitality workers found that 34 percent of respondents said the recession has caused them to want to change jobs.
Workers cite several reasons for wanting to change jobs, including:
- The climate in my work environment has changed – 20 percent
- I'm overworked – 14 percent
- I'm under a great deal of stress – 11 percent
- My pay was cut – 9 percent
- I'm feeling resentment over seeing co-workers laid off – 5 percent
It's a normal response for employees who feel insecure and fear they may be laid off to want to look elsewhere for a job or a company that, on the surface, may seem more stable and secure. What's discouraging is that many of those who may be looking to change jobs could be your best employees. Rather than feeling a sense of gratitude for having kept their jobs, they may instead feel the need to find a new line of work before they find themselves in the unemployment line. In fact, when these same hospitality workers were asked about the likelihood that they would change jobs in the next 12 months, 35 percent said they were likely, which represented the highest response across all industries surveyed.
So what can you do to combat this need to leave and re-engage employees? First, you need to understand what they are feeling and what they hope to gain with a job change. Then, you can begin to develop a plan of action that will help quell those reactions and restore employees' commitment to your company and its success. Of those surveyed who were looking for or planning to look for a new job, 68 percent said they desired higher compensation.(1) Overcoming that challenge, especially when revenue and profits are down, may seem unlikely. Keep in mind, however, that money isn't the only motivational tool at your disposal. Many studies have found that non-monetary compensation can also be a positive motivator. Depending upon your property, you could offer employees free or discounted use of hotel facilities like access to gym and exercise equipment during non-peak days or hours; use of certain spa services (steam room, Jacuzzi, aromatherapy sessions); free or discounted coffee, beverages and snacks or special priced meals; or use of vacant meeting rooms for their book club, church or volunteer organizations. While these privileges won't put cash in their pockets, they could help employees save money or provide other upsides.
The Hotel Business Review articles are free to read on a weekly basis, but you must purchase a subscription to access
our library archives. We have more than 5000 best practice articles on hotel management and operations, so our
knowledge bank is an excellent investment! Subscribe today and access the articles in our archives. | https://www.hotelexecutive.com/business_review/2332/hotel-worker-recognition-how-to-keep-your-employees-engaged |
The promise of Learning Analytics is a broad concept, I would like to use network and word correlation analysis to demonstrate micro-level analytics involves the finer-grained process data for individual learners, and answer a simple question, “what kinds of learning are we really able to track with LA?” In this context, Micro-level analytics is used as a technology of epistemology, and entails collaborative efforts among educators and learners.
Generally speaking, a well-designed course encourages both individual accomplishment and group knowledge construction. The core element of rich learning data, which we can harness, is around conversations and interactions. In the following, we will demonstrate an example of micro-level learning analytics. We employed community detection method to identify the nodes which were more closely connected within than to outside, and used natural language processing approach to examine the quality of learning conversations.
Networks often have different clusters or communities of nodes that are more densely connected to each other than to the rest of the network. The algorithm for detecting community is to identify subsets of network that are more connected within than to the rest of the network. Let’s harness the learner interaction data in a course to identify peripheral community if there is any. Each node represents a student of the class, and the edges indicate interactions, the quantity of each students responding to one another.
For the sake of this demonstration, we applied two different methods for community detection. Despite the fact that a few nodes were grouped to different clusters by comparing the two results, the peripheral subset (S1 and S11) pops out consistently in both diagrams. The diagram evolves as the dynamic of learner interaction shifts. With this information, faculty can easily tell whether there are ‘isolated’ groups or peripheral nodes. If there is any, they can further explore the possible factors contribute to such pattern, and make data-informed intervention if needed.
An even better way to understand the content of each cluster is to combine text analysis. To get a better understanding of the numerous relationships exist, we can use a network graph to depict words correlations. Let’s take a look of networks of words where the correlation is fairly high (> .70). The first graph was derived from the entire class, shows a few clusters with words appearing together more frequently than others. For instance, one cluster shows that education, human, resources, and a few other terms are more likely to appear together than not. This type of graph provides a great starting point to find content relationships within text. The second and third network graphs represent word relationships derived from the conversations contributed by S1 and S11 respectively.
Now back to the topic, the Promise of Learning Analytics, we must not ignore the human factor in algorithms. In order for educators to provide proper interventions, and for the learners to follow guidance and achieve desirable actions/behaviors, both educators and learners must be part of the process. They need to be trained and equipped with keen information as to what types of learning data was harnessed, and how the results were derived.
References: | https://sites.dartmouth.edu/learninganalytics/ |
A child brings a huge change in the life of a family. Having a child is not a small decision to make, and it is for this reason, the couples these days take their time to brace themselves for the upcoming responsibility. In the present times, people’s concepts and ideas have changed drastically when it comes to having a child and raising him well using healthy parenting. Both parents must be equally prepared for having a child. The decision must not be impulsive, and you must take care of the fact that the new member who is about to join your family does not have to bear the consequences of an impulsive or wrong decision.
Parents grow with the growth of their child
A child is indeed the greatest blessing in the life of a couple. A child brings happiness in the family and also turns you into a parent. You might feel that it is important for the child to receive a suitable atmosphere for growth, but the truth is that parents also grow along with the child. As the child grows, the parents also start learning new things about parenting.
Every couple has to go through a phase where they have to learn to parent from their own experiences and mistakes. It does not matter how much information and parenting ideas you gather from the internet or how many books you read; nothing can beat the teachings of experiences. Parenting is beautiful that you get to face every day of your life once you have a baby. Some days are bad, some days are better, but you will always find yourself at peace at the close of the day when you see your baby sleeping in peace.
The changes for a mother after her pregnancy
Being a mother is the greatest joy of a woman’s life. It transforms a woman into a mother and completes her. The journey starts when you get the news from your gynecologist and continues for the rest of your life. A mother plays an extremely important role in the life of her child. For this reason, you must prepare yourself for the changes that you will have to embrace when you choose to be a mother.
Being a mother is not an easy task at all. Your body has to endure tough challenges. There are physical changes, emotional changes, and psychological ones, but you have to stay strong for your child. The secret to this is to be patient and accepting yourself. Moms have a major role in the life of everyone. No matter how old the child gets, he will always be a baby before his mother. As a mother, you will have to offer emotional support to your child, helping him build his character and personality.
Thus, as the famous saying emphasizes the importance of leisure in a child’s life, you must accept the hobbies that your child has and not judge them based on society’s parameters. This shall make you a wonderful parent and pave the way for a bright future of your child. | http://alleycatthemes.com/lay-the-foundation-of-your-childs-bright-future-with-happy-and-healthy-parenting/ |
inspired by the hill day event during the annual american mental health counselors association conference in washington dc. we spoke with senators and staff at the capitol about the mental health access improvement act of 2019 (s. 286).
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february 2019
new offering!
they say to practice self-compassion is to treat yourself like you would treat a good friend.
are you interested in learning about mindfulness and self-compassion? please join me and my colleague, mary fish, for a 4-week introduction to mindful self-sompassion.
wednesday evenings in March from 6:30 to 8:00 PM in the beautiful shenandoah studio in the north end of boise.
only a curiosity about meditation and self-compassion is required.
research has found that people who practice self-compassion are more resilient, less reactive, and have a healthier self-concept.
this course is adapted from the work of drs. kristin neff and christopher germer and will include guided meditation, reflection, and discussion. all materials will be provided.
for more information, please see the course flyer.
looking forward to being with you.
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september 2018
for many people, young adulthood is a time of possibility and a time to begin letting go of old beliefs that get in the way of living a meaningful, messy, and joyful life.
this is an article i wrote to inspire discussion around what young adults want and need in counseling.
read the article HERE
take care.
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june 2018
self-compassion practices can be helpful when incorporated into therapy. this is an article i wrote to generate discussion around the use of self-compassion practice and when it may (or may not) have benefit.
read the article HERE.
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may 2018
i am excited to announce a workshop that i am offering at the JUMP building in downtown boise, idaho. it is called the loving-kindness meditation for emotional health workshop. through guided meditation, we will explore ways of relating to our inner experience with empathy and kindness.
much gratitude to the JUMP building and staff and to the body of research produced by drs. kristin neff and chris germer.
self-compassion has been a vital part of my personal practice for the past five years and I am so grateful to be able to share this "medicine" with others.
see you there.
the loving-kindness meditation for emotional health workshop
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november 2017
thoughts from teotihuacan, mexico...
i volunteered to lead a group that would create a center altar during dia de los muertos celebrations.
before beginning, we sat in a circle with our breath. i asked the group how to honor the flowers that were collaborating with us to make this altar.
an abundance of ideas emerged.
we included the whole plant as much as possible for a raw, natural look.
this vibrant altar remained for several days and sparked conversation about humankind's return to balance with the natural world.
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july 2017
once a year, the jung center showcases the artwork of its students, members, instructors, volunteers, and staff. the artists work in a variety of media to explore their own inner journeys and find meaning in everyday life. i created three pieces for this show.
this is my first exhibition. beginner's mind.
visions: a celebration of the creativity of the jung center community
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april 2017
thoughts about a community art project...
it's called growing compassion.
my hope is that it continues to inspire compassion as it hangs on the wall at the center for creative resources in houston, tx.
i collected messages and art on small squares of paper from the 2017 compassion fest and NAMI houston walk.
people visiting the booths were asked if they would like to make some art and write a compassionate message to themselves, others, and/or the community.
the messages were tied so that they move freely and both sides of the cards are visible.
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april 2017
they say to practice self-compassion is to treat yourself like you would treat a beloved friend.
join us friday, april 28th from 7 to 8:30 pm at yogaleena studio to learn how to cultivate positive emotions toward yourself.
research has found that people who practice self-compassion are more resilient, less reactive, and have a healthier self-concept.
registration in advance is recommended on the yogaleena website.
see you there.
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september 2016
on sundays, september 11th, 18th, 25th, and october 2nd from 9 to 10:30 am, join us for a gentle flow led by yogaleena studio owner (and amazing person), carolina vennie, followed by complementary starbucks coffee and group discussion led by jillian winters (that's me ya'll).
the purpose of the group is to relax, have fun, and have real conversations with real women about topics important to us.
the class is $20 and you can sign up for each class individually here: www.yogaleenastudio.com.
this women's group is growing so pre-registration is highly recommended.
see you bright and early.
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april 2016
thoughts on a community art project...
it's called catching compassion.
it began april 10, 2016 with a booth at houston's compassion week opening celebration.
it evolved through the collection of compassionate messages and community artwork on 100% recycled, 30% post-consumer waste business card-sized paper.
participants were invited to "make one or take one" of the cards to inspire and offer compassion.
the cards were woven and tied into a dream catcher to symbolize our web of interconnectedness.
this living project sought to engage people of all ages and backgrounds by continuing to catch and offer compassionate art and wishes. it is part community art installation and part reservoir of compassionate messages.
my hope for this project is that it will cultivate one of the most positive and enjoyable states of the human experience. i know it did for me.
special thanks to katherine smith, laura tyagi, john "salty" thomason, and jyl scott-reagan for their input on the project.
may all beings feel compassion. | http://www.jillianwinters.com/thoughts.html |
New Lease Accounting Rules: 8 Steps to Help the Transition
The new rules for lease accounting approved by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) are scheduled to take effect for financial periods starting after Dec. 15, 2018 for public companies and after Dec. 15, 2019 for private companies, with a modified application for any other financial period presented. While organizations may be aware of the pending changes, many are not up to speed in their progress in transitioning to the new accounting standard, known as Accounting Standards Codification Topic 842 (ASC 842).
The new FASB standard will modify the accounting for all leases which are in effect during the transition period. This means that although the standard applies to financial periods starting after December 15, 2018, it will require a restatement for the financial reporting of prior periods also.
Who will be impacted
Lease accounting changes affect both lessee and lessor organizations. Many lessors also act in the capacity of a lessee and thus may have the need to have lessee-oriented lease accounting functionality in place. While lessee accounting will change much more so than lessor accounting, the analytical process that both lessees and lessors should go through may be similar. Additionally, many lessors that are subsidiaries of other companies, such as banks and manufacturers, may be called upon by their parent organizations to assist in analyzing their own leases where they are acting as a lessee. Lastly, agreements other than leases will also be examined since they may very well be construed to either contain a lease or to be a lease under ASC 842.
Various surveys conducted after the new standard was approved showed that a majority of companies were only in the early stages of preparation to implement it. Another showed that less than 10 percent of companies have systems in place to comply with the new rules. Given that the new lease accounting rules may impact different parts of an organization, people will need to be engaged and policies, processes and procedures ramped up to meet the challenges.
Accordingly, the Equipment Leasing and Finance Assn. has compiled some high level steps that both lessees and lessors may consider following in the transition to the new lease accounting standard.
1. Start NOW. Initial steps should include budgeting time and resources to perform the work. This includes determining which resources will be sourced internally and which shall be outsourced. The time estimated to make the transition is up to a year domestically and up to 24 months for a global program.
2. Designate the project team. This team will oversee the transition process, establish timelines and be responsible for timely, effective project completion. The team should be comprised of representatives that lease equipment, administer leases or use information regarding leases. The team is likely to come from the finance/treasury, lease administration, IT, accounting and business units. Designate one owner for the equipment leasing program who is responsible for establishing uniform processes, policies and controls of leased equipment, and to act as executive sponsor. The team should also include individuals who understand or can identify the full scope of agreements that an entity may be involved with, not just those agreements described as leases.
3. Know the new rules. The project team as well as the wider organization should understand the new standard, including implementation deadlines, challenges and risks, and how functions within the organization must adapt to address them. Training and informational sessions should be arranged as necessary.
4. Build a detailed implementation plan. The team should develop and have in place an initial and an updated plan of the steps to be undertaken for the transition. These should identify deliverables and processes, including back scheduling from implementation deadlines to establish timelines.
5. Inventory all equipment leases, real estate leases and other agreements in a centralized, electronic repository. In addition to operating and capital/finance leases, there are other forms of existing agreements and contracts that may be construed to be leases that should also be identified. These can include multiple-element arrangements that combine services, software, hardware and/or financing, and contracts such as power purchase agreements and supply contracts. All should be fully documented and compiled into similar categories for more efficient management and analysis. This will help decide whether the organization should elect either of the two available practical expedients that must be applied consistently to all leases. This determination will apply not only to reporting existing leases and other agreements during the transition phase, but also determine future accounting policy decisions.
6. Prepare a high level “if, then” type of analysis. In the transition phase, it is key to determine the effects of whether or not to implement either or both of the two specific practical expedients. If elected, a practical expedient must be applied to all leases and agreements. The first practical expedient can be called the “prior conclusions” practical expedient under which previous conclusions are respected while the new accounting is applied to those conclusions. So, if elected, an operating lease remains classified as an operating lease under ASC 842 but is nonetheless subject to being capitalized by the lessee. Further, a service contract such as certain energy agreements, remain classified as such and are not subject to ASC 842. The other practical expedient is the “hindsight application” practical expedient, which allows one to use hindsight of activity which occurred during the transaction period in the application of ASC 842. While simply electing both practical expedients may seem like a natural and relatively easy step to take, both lessors and lessees should examine their portfolios of leases and other agreements and determine the effect electing the practical expedients would have on the entity’s financial reporting. The if/then analysis can be conducted on a sample size of the various agreement categories identified in step 5.
7. Determine IT capabilities and requirements. Assess the organization’s existing IT structure and whether it can handle issues such as data extraction, information and document storage and the reporting requirements of the new standard. Lessees may be challenged in their ability to account for the capitalized lease liability as a loan for all of their existing leases and agreements. Leveraging IT tools and support will enable the organization to better manage the transition, as well as equip your organization for post-transition lease accounting.
8. Identify gaps in performance and capabilities. Assess existing lease accounting policies, procedures, and controls and perform a gap analysis to determine which require changes. Determine which options to follow to reach the desired future state of tracking and financial reporting for agreements subject to ASC 842.
For more information on the new lease accounting standard, please visit www.equipmentfinanceadvantage.org/newLAR.cfm.
About the author
Ralph Petta is the President and CEO of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Assn. (ELFA), the trade association that represents companies in the $1 trillion equipment finance sector, which includes financial services companies and manufacturers engaged in financing capital goods. ELFA has been equipping business for success for more than 50 years. For more information on equipment financing, please visit ww.EquipmentFinanceAdvantage.org and follow ELFA on Twitter @elfaonline.
©Equipment Leasing and Finance Assn. 2016. Reprinted with permission.
Disclaimer: The information in this document is a summary only and does not constitute financial advice. Readers should obtain their own independent accounting advice that takes into account all relevant aspects of a particular lessor’s or lessee’s business and products. | https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/13261-new-lease-accounting-rules-could-impact-farm-equipment-dealers |
NEW YORK, New York, 7 September 2012 – We would like to invite you to participate in the second Compendium of Transitional Learning Spaces (TLS) in emergency situations for the year 2012. Last year’s publication was a great collaborative success and is accessible here and is also available on the UNICEF website
Please reach out to your contacts and networks and pass on this call for entries and attachments with the following information:
We would like to invite colleagues and partners to submit case studies of:
- temporary/ transitional learning spaces
- early learning spaces, ECD
- child-friendly spaces,
that could be included into this year’s open source compendium.
Like last year, the compendium will collect and document the implemented case studies from the field with their specific emergency context. It will give technical and material information and highlight suggestion of possible improvements and lessons learned. The aim is to offer practical insights and guidance on implementing TLSs in emergency situations to field colleagues and partners.
We hope that with the contribution of your projects and experience the compendium will become a rich reference source which all of us can use to improve future responses.
For the compendium we are seeking transitional learning spaces, early learning spaces and child-friendly spaces projects which:
- have already been implemented
- implemented by a humanitarian organisation or community based organizations
- have the potential for replication
- have some available documentation, (such as photos, technical drawings, person to interview / reports etc.)
If you would like to discuss potential case studies, please feel free to email us or fill out the questionnaire below and send us available project documentation you may have by 28 September 2012.
Flyer – Call for Case Studies- TSL
Please forward this information and questionnaire to your colleague in education, emergency, other organisations and contacts who may be interested to contribute.
Thank you very much for your time and effort and please contact us if you have any questions. | http://learningforpeace.unicef.org/resources/call-for-entries-2012-tls/ |
Ancient cities vanished into muddy morass
Two ancient cities that once stood at the mouth of the Nile vanished into a morass of liquid mud when the river burst its banks, according to an analysis of the sediments in Egypt’s Abu Qir bay.
The research suggests that the cities sank into the bay when turbulent floodwaters transformed the soft, unstable ground beneath them into a soup of sediment.
The disappearance of these cities has been blamed on earthquakes, subsidence and rising sea levels. But Jean-Daniel Stanley, a coastal geoarchaeologist at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC, blames the Nile.
“A powerful flood would bring a lot of water carrying a lot of sediment – enough to cause failure of the ground at the river mouth,” says Stanley.
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Prime location
The ruins of the two long lost Greek cities of Eastern Canopus and Herakleion were uncovered in 1999 and 2000 by marine archaeologist Franck Goddio of the European Institute for Underwater Archaeology in Paris.
Hi-tech surveys of the seafloor revealed the substantial remains of Eastern Canopus 1.6 kilometres offshore and buried under five metres of mud. The city of Herakleion lies beneath seven metres of mud 5.4 kilometres from the shore.
Today the nearest branch of the Nile lies more than 20 kilometres to the east of Abu Qir bay. But the surveys show that both cities once stood at the mouth of a now-extinct branch of the Nile – where they could control incoming vessels and tax goods being shipped upriver. “You’d think the Greeks would have thought twice about building on low, soft sediment. But it was clearly profitable,” says Stanley.
Excavations at the two sites indicate that both cities were damaged by earthquakes before they disappeared. But this doesn’t explain why the land subsided so catastrophically beneath them, says Stanley.
Liquefied earth
Slumping caused by a quake would be widespread in the bay. Instead, it is restricted to the margins of the lost river. Cores taken at the site of Eastern Canopus show clear signs of liquefaction – a process that disrupts the normal layers of sediment. “As the ground turned to liquid some buildings would sink in, others would be pushed up,” says Stanley. Collapse would be rapid.
Stanley has pinpointed the flood that did for Eastern Canopus. The discovery of two Arabic coins dating from the 730s suggests the city had not sunk by then. Written records of the highs and lows of the Nile note significant flooding in 741-742 AD, with the river rising a metre higher than the normal flood level. This was almost certainly the flood that buried Canopus, says Stanley.
Analysis of cores taken around Herakleion this spring should soon reveal whether it suffered the same fate. The youngest artefacts from the site date from the first century AD, suggesting that the city disappeared soon after. | https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn1047-ancient-cities-vanished-into-muddy-morass/ |
by Sam, Management 3.0 Team
Hands up if by the time you’re reading this, 50 percent of your New Year’s resolutions have fallen by the wayside. What about 80 percent?
A recent article in the New York Times says that by January 8 – one week in – 25 percent of resolutions have lost their lacklustre and by the time the year ends, fewer than ten percent have been fully kept.
The article says that the problem with our resolutions is very much the problem with life itself: We tend to value immediate pleasures than look towards the future.
It says that what keeping our resolutions is really about is self-control and tapping into our ability to use “social emotions” such as gratitude and compassion, which support the positive aspects of social life.
The article got me thinking as I, along with millions of other people, went around the table on New Year’s Eve talking about our resolutions.
Why do we wait until the first of January to decide to make changes?
It’s similar to people who don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day or other commercial holidays where you’re told to express your love: Why wait for one particular day to give someone a gift or tell them you care? Why not do it every day or every week?
The problem with waiting for one day to change EVERYTHING is that it’s not realistic. It puts a lot of pressure on yourself to make big shifts. This year I heard resolutions which included changing jobs and industries, starting a family, buying a house —and a lot of that would often be from the same person.
I’m all for going big, but it’s a tall order to accomplish and can be daunting to the point of inaction.
So this year, we challenge you to forego new year’s resolutions and try these tips instead:
A Better Resolution #1: Weekly check-ins
A while back, I wrote a blog about the importance of the high-level meeting. Use these weekly meetings to check in with yourself and ask questions, which will prompt you to see if you’re on track.
For example, coaching guru, author and speaker, Marshall Goldsmith has someone call him every morning to ask a series of questions. These include:
Did I do my best to:
- set clear goals?
- make progress for achieving my goals?
- find meaning?
- be happy?
- build positive relationships?
- be fully engaged?
You can design your own questions, but weekly checkins ensure that you ‘stay on top of yourself’ throughout the year so that, when the next year rolls around, you can continue your progress rather than feeling like you need to completely start afresh with a mound of new challenges you hadn’t visited in months.
A Better Resolution #2: Break it down — but REALLY break it down!
Don’t just break larger endeavours down into bite-sized chunks, but schedule the ‘chunks’ in your agenda.
For example, if you want to buy a house. Instead of writing down ‘look for properties’, break it down even more to:
- Write a list of websites, companies and people who can help get the property search going
- Next step could be to contact or reach out to two of those people daily or every other day etc…
This might sound tedious, but we often tend to think we’re breaking something into smaller pieces when in fact we’re not. A good litmus test to see if you’ve chopped it down enough to prompt action, is to see how you feel when it’s written on paper.
When you read, ‘Look for properties’, how do you feel? Overwhelmed? Tired? Excited? If you’re not feeling motivated by what you see, it means it’s not working for you.
A Better Resolution #3: Connect with your feelings:
This isn’t as cheesy as it sounds. Many of us spend our lives on auto-pilot or are too busy to stop and see what’s going on inside of us. My coach would always say to me:
If you don’t know what you’re feeling however, it’s hard to navigate that bus in the best possible direction. This year, take five minutes out of your day to ask yourself what you’re feeling. Learn to name the emotion because, the more we’re able to identify what’s going on inside of us, the better we’ll be able to steer ourselves and take control of our lives, all year-round, not just come the first of January.
How do you feel about New Year’s resolutions and how do you plan to tackle them this year? Share our thoughts in the comments below
Check out other great articles about making changes and positive life shifts: | https://management30.com/blog/keeping-new-years-resolutions/ |
Albert Camus the Algerian : Colonialism, Terrorism, Justice / David Carroll.
- Publication:
- New York, NY : Columbia University Press,
- Format/Description:
- Book
1 online resource
- Contained In:
- De Gruyter University Press Library.
- Status/Location:
-
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- Language:
- In English.
- System Details:
- Mode of access: Internet via World Wide Web.
text file PDF
- Summary:
- In these original readings of Albert Camus' novels, short stories, and political essays, David Carroll concentrates on Camus' conflicted relationship with his Algerian background and finds important critical insights into questions of justice, the effects of colonial oppression, and the deadly cycle of terrorism and counterterrorism that characterized the Algerian War and continues to surface in the devastation of postcolonial wars today. During France's "dirty war" in Algeria, Camus called for an end to the violence perpetrated against civilians by both France and the Algerian National Liberation Front (FLN) and supported the creation of a postcolonial, multicultural, and democratic Algeria. His position was rejected by most of his contemporaries on the Left and has, ironically, earned him the title of colonialist sympathizer as well as the scorn of important postcolonial critics. Carroll rescues Camus' work from such criticism by emphasizing the Algerian dimensions of his literary and philosophical texts and by highlighting in his novels and short stories his understanding of both the injustice of colonialism and the tragic nature of Algeria's struggle for independence. By refusing to accept that the sacrifice of innocent human lives can ever be justified, even in the pursuit of noble political goals, and by rejecting simple, ideological binaries (West vs. East, Christian vs. Muslim, "us" vs. "them," good vs. evil), Camus' work offers an alternative to the stark choices that characterized his troubled times and continue to define our own. "What they didn't like, was the Algerian, in him," Camus wrote of his fictional double in The First Man. Not only should "the Algerian" in Camus be "liked," Carroll argues, but the Algerian dimensions of his literary and political texts constitute a crucial part of their continuing interest. Carroll's reading also shows why Camus' critical perspective has much to contribute to contemporary debates stemming from the global "war on terror."
- Contents:
- Frontmatter
Contents
Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction
1. The Place Of The Other
2. Colonial Borders
3. Exile
4. Justice Or Death?
5. Terror
6. Anguish
7. Last Words
Conclusion
Notes
Index
- Notes:
- Description based on online resource; title from PDF title page (publisher's Web site, viewed 08. Jul 2019)
- Contributor:
- De Gruyter.
- ISBN:
- 9780231511766
- OCLC:
- 1013935168
- Publisher Number:
- 10.7312/carr14086 doi
- Access Restriction:
- Restricted for use by site license. | https://franklin.library.upenn.edu/catalog/FRANKLIN_9977720795303681 |
The Associate of Science degree in Early Childhood Education has been designed to provide a thorough understanding of the young child. The program creates a broad perspective on child and family development patterns. Students develop skills to guide children in their early education. This degree prepares students for a smooth transition to the B.S. in Early Childhood Education or the B.S. in Applied Studies in Human Services and Early Childhood Development..
Attain proficiency in basic concepts, theories, writing and methods in early childhood education.
Prepare for a seamless transition to the Bachelor of Science in Applied Studies in Human Services and Early Childhood Development.
Funded by the Child Development Bureau, the Early Childhood Tuition Assistance Grant will cover the full tuition for individuals taking their first Early Childhood Education College course or partial tuition for Early Childhood courses for all others who are eligible. To be eligible, students must be currently employed in a New Hampshire Licensed child care center or a family based child care program for a minimum of 25 hours per week providing direct care to children and directors need to be employed a minimum of 30 hours per week.
GSC will also assist you with your application and fees for your NH Early Childhood Credential application! The Early Childhood Career Mentor at Granite State College is a staff member dedicated to students taking part in the Tuition Assistance Program. For more information or assistance in applying for your Credential, please contact Karyn Yeatman at [email protected] or 603-303-3863. | http://finaid.granite.edu/academics/teachers/degreeprograms/associate-ece.php |
Introduction
============
Nursing workload data has not been used consistently for its original purpose: predicting staffing requirements and making staffing decisions. Too often, little time was paid to monitoring a workload measurement system to ensure that it accurately reflected the practice environment. Several studies have shown that workload measurement systems may not indicate true workload.
In 2006, the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care (MOHLTC) completed a study on the collection of nursing workload data. The study evaluated the quality and value of the data, and the cost-benefit of collecting the data. Results of the study led to the MOHLTC\'s recommending that the collection of nursing workload data be mandatory only for case-costing hospitals. The reason was that, at the time, there was no alternative in place to predict the cost of nursing.
The present nursing demonstration study, commissioned by the Nursing Secretariat of Ontario, Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, will explore the factors that affect nursing resources. It will also investigate the feasibility of a model to predict the use of nursing resources.
Methods
=======
A time-and-motion study was conducted on three medical/surgical units in both an academic hospital and a large community hospital. Each staff nurse (RN, RPN, CA) on each unit was shadowed by a nursing student using a tablet computer, with custom-designed software, to capture the time spent by the nurses on 12 activities. Analyses were performed to investigate the amount of variation explained by the total nursing time spent on the nursing costs.
Using the hospital\'s administrative datasets, the costs of the resources consumed by patients, including nursing, supplies and medicine, were linked to the patients\' nursing times recorded in the study. Regression analyses were done with the total nursing time as the independent variable, and the various patient costs as the dependent variables. Cost data included all resources consumed by the patient during his or her stay including nursing (estimated from workload data), supplies, diagnostics, therapies and overhead costs.
Administrative patient-level cost data was used from the case-costing dataset for 2006/07 for patients in the medical, surgical and combined medical/surgical units in the two hospitals. Regression models were then explored to explain the variation in nursing costs. Various dependent cost variables were identified in the case-costing dataset. These included the following:
• Pharmacy costs
• Therapy costs
• Diagnostic imaging costs
• Clinical laboratory costs
• Electrodiagnostic laboratory costs (e.g., EEG, EMG)
• Interventions (e.g., dialysis, endoscopy, DI intervention, cardiac catheterization lab)
• Intensive care unit costs
• Operating room costs
• Emergency department costs
• Clinic costs.
Age and acute-care length-of-stay were also included.
Results
=======
Patient care accounted for the highest percentage (approximately 26%) of nursing time, while average non-clinical time accounted for 20% of nursing time. The average amount of time spent on nursing activities varied by day of stay and by unit. 78.9% of the observed variance in direct nursing costs was explained by total nursing time spent (p \< 0.0001), as recorded in the time-and-motion study.
Using direct nursing cost data for medical, surgical and combined inpatient units for 2006/07, in the two hospitals, the costs of other services explained over 70% of the nursing cost variation. The variables selected were significant (p \< 0.001) and included length of stay, therapy costs, laboratory costs, diagnostic costs, ICU/CCU costs and pharmacy costs. Other variables, such as the costs of intervention, the emergency department, clinics and the operating room were significant. However, they increased the r-squared value very little.
Conclusion
==========
This study confirmed that the nursing workload data from three wards in two hospitals correlated highly with time-and-motion study data. The simple model which was developed, using several factors, explained over 70% of nursing resource utilization. To enhance the model, future research will include the investigation of additional patient-level variables, as well as outcome variables (e.g., operating room times, discharge disposition, admission source, HOBIC scores, etc.).
| |
TECHNICAL FIELD
BACKGROUND
SUMMARY
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS
The technical field relates to an optical film and a display assembly applying the same.
The current generation is frequently proclaimed as the 3C era: the Computer, the Communication and the Consumer electronics era. In our daily life, we encounter many kinds of information products such as mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), global positioning satellite (GPS) systems and digital cameras. Most information equipment uses a flat panel display as the main communication medium. For example, liquid crystal displays, plasma displays and organic light emitting diode (OLED) panels are available for selection. The OLED panel not only has higher brightness level, lower power consumption, higher contrast, rapid response and lower driving voltage, but also has the capability to be miniaturized according to the current trend of communication equipment. Therefore, a large number of OLED panel products are developed in recent years.
In the case of OLED panel, a metallic electrode is used to enhance light extraction efficiency. However, in an environment with high ambient brightness, ambient light may enter the OLED panel and is reflected by the metallic electrode with high reflectivity, which reduces visual contrast of the display panel and affects the image quality.
According to an embodiment, an optical film comprises a transparent substrate, a material layer, a plurality of truncated tapered units, and a light absorbing layer. The transparent substrate has a carrying surface. The material layer is disposed on the carrying surface of the transparent substrate. The plurality of truncated tapered units is disposed in the material layer, and each of the truncated tapered units has a first end surface nearby the carrying surface and a second end surface away from the carrying face, wherein a ratio of the area of the first end surface and the area of the second end surface may be larger than or equal to 0.2 and less than or equal to 0.6. A reflection surface is formed between each of the truncated tapered units and the material layer to reflect a light which enters the truncated tapered unit through the second end surface, and the light reflected by the reflection surface is adapted to emerge from the truncated tapered unit through the first end surface. In addition, the light absorbing layer is disposed on the carrying surface and located between the transparent substrate and the material layer, wherein the light absorbing layer has a plurality of openings, and a vertical projection of the openings on the carrying surface overlaps a vertical projection of the first end surfaces of the plurality of truncated tapered units on the carrying surface.
According to another embodiment, a display assembly comprises a display unit having a display side, and an optical film disposed on the display side of the display unit. The optical film comprises a transparent substrate, a material layer, a plurality of truncated tapered units, and a light absorbing layer. The transparent substrate has a carrying surface facing the display unit. The material layer is disposed on the carrying surface of the transparent substrate. The plurality of truncated tapered units is disposed in the material layer, and each of the truncated tapered units has a first end surface nearby the carrying surface and a second end surface away from the carrying face, wherein a ratio of the area of the first end surface and the area of the second end surface is larger than or equal to 0.2 and is less than or equal to 0.6. A reflection surface is formed between each of the truncated tapered units and the material layer to reflect a light which is emitted from the display unit and enters the truncated tapered unit through the second end surface, and the light reflected by the reflection surface is adapted to emerge from the truncated tapered unit through the first end surface. The light absorbing layer is disposed on the carrying surface and located between the transparent substrate and the material layer, wherein the light absorbing layer has a plurality of openings, and a vertical projection of the openings on the carrying surface overlaps a vertical projection of the first end surfaces of the plurality of truncated tapered units on the carrying surface.
Reference will now be made in detail to the present embodiments of the disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.
FIG. 1
10
100
101
200
101
100
100
101
illustrates a display assembly applying an optical film according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The display assembly comprises a display unit having a display side , and an optical film disposed on the display side of the display unit . Herein, the display unit may be a liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display, an OLED display, an electrowetting display (EWD), an electro-phoretic display (EPD), an electrochromic display (ECD) or any other applicable display device, which displays image or other visual information from the display side .
200
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100
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The optical film includes a transparent substrate having a carrying surface facing the display unit , and the material of the transparent substrate may be at least one of polyimide (PI), polycarbonate (PC), polyethersulfone (PES), polyacrylate (PA), polynorbornene (PNB), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyetherimide (PEI), and glass etc.
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A material layer is disposed on the carrying surface of the transparent substrate . The material layer can be made of polymer, resin, phtosensitive resin, positive photoresist, negative photoresist, etc. Furthermore, a plurality of truncated tapered units is disposed in the material layer , and each of the truncated tapered units has a first end surface nearby the carrying surface and a second end surface away from the carrying face . A total internal reflection surface S is foamed between each of the truncated tapered units and the material layer to reflect a light L which is emitted from the display unit and enters the truncated tapered unit through the second end surface . The light L reflected by the total internal reflection surface S is adapted to emerge from the truncated tapered unit through the first end surface . In the present embodiment, the shape of each of the truncated tapered units may be a cylinder, an elliptic cylinder, a square column, a rectangular column, a rhombus column or irregular columns.
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A light absorbing layer is disposed on the carrying surface and located between the transparent substrate and the material layer . Herein, the light absorbing layer may be a black matrix, and has a plurality of openings , wherein a vertical projection of the openings on the carrying surface overlaps a vertical projection of the first end surfaces of the plurality of truncated tapered units on the carrying surface . In other words, the light absorbing layer exposes the first end surfaces of the truncated tapered units for the light L to emerge from the truncated tapered unit through the first end surface .
242
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FIG. 1
Although an area of the opening of the light absorbing layer is equal to an area of the first end surface of the truncated tapered unit in , the disclosure of the application is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the area of the opening of the light absorbing layer may be larger than or smaller than an area of the first end surface of the truncated tapered unit.
FIG. 2
FIG. 1
FIG. 1
FIG. 2
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1
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further shows a partial enlarged view of the display assembly of . Referring to and , the light L emitted from the display unit can be transmitted through the optical film by the truncated tapered units to maintain high light extraction efficiency of the display unit . In addition, a proportion of ambient light V irradiated to the optical film is absorbed by the light absorbing layer , while other proportion of ambient light V incident into the truncated tapered units through their first end surfaces may return by the same path as shown by the dashed line. Therefore, in one of embodiments, being emitted to the optical film , only a little proportion of ambient light will be transmitted to the eyes of a user. High visual contrast can be obtained even if the display assembly is placed in an environment with high ambient brightness.
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FIG. 2
FIG. 3
FIG. 4
FIG. 3
FIG. 4
FIG. 3
FIG. 4
In the present embodiment, the geometry of the truncated tapered units is further defined to achieve favourable light extraction efficiency. Taking a cylindrical truncated tapered unit as a sample, the first end surface and the second end surface are circular and are respectively provided with a diameter R and a diameter R, as shown in . The height of each of the truncated tapered unit is H. further shows a table illustrating the relationship between the light transmittance and the geometry of the truncated tapered unit. further shows a table illustrating the relationship between the light reflectance and the geometry of the truncated tapered unit. In the simulation of and , the height H of the truncated tapered unit is about 20 μm. The X-coordinate refers to the diameter R, and the Y-coordinate refers to a value r defined as a ratio between an area of the first end surface and an area of the second end surface . In practical use, high transmittance is desirable to improve light extraction efficiency, while lower reflectance helps to reduce reflection of ambient light. According to and , it can be seen that the transmittance may go higher than 40% when r is greater than 0.2, and the reflectance get lower than 18% when r is less than 0.6. Therefore, r may be considered to range from 0.2 to 0.6, and may be further limited from 0.25 to 0.5, or even from 0.35 to 0.45, to meet various practical requirements.
200
100
FIG. 5
FIG. 6
FIG. 5
FIG. 6
The distance between the optical film and the display unit is D. shows a table illustrating light extraction efficiency versus the distance D. shows a table illustrating total reflection and effective reflection versus the distance D. Herein, “total reflection” means sum of reflection of lights in various angles, and “effective reflection” means reflection of lights entering an eye of a user. As shown in and , when D is greater than 250 μm, the light extraction efficiency goes down, while the total reflection and the effective reflection are kept almost unchanged. Thus, D may be considered to be less than or equal to 250 μm. For example, D may be less than or equal to 100 μm, or less than or equal to 50 μm.
FIG. 1
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Referring to again, in this embodiment, the truncated tapered units can be made of photoresist material, such as polymer, resin, photosensitive resin, positive photoresist, negative photoresist, etc., which has a refractive index ranged from 1.3 to 1.9. The material layer as mentioned above has a refractive index ranged from 1.0 to 1.8. The refractive index of each of the truncated tapered units is higher than the refractive index of the material layer , and thereby, the total internal reflection surface S can be formed on the interface between each of the truncated tapered units and the material layer .
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Furthermore, in the case of the display unit comprising a plurality of pixels P, an area of each pixel P is considered to be greater than the area R of the second end surface of each of the truncated tapered units , such that the accurate alignment process in assembling the display unit and the optical film can be omitted. However, in other embodiments of the disclosure, the area of the second end surface may further be equal to the area of each pixel P, to achieve higher light utilization efficiency.
FIG. 7A
FIG. 18
The structure of the optical film or the display assembly with the total internal reflection surface S is not limited to that mentioned in the above embodiment. Display assemblies or optical films of other embodiments are described below with reference of to . In the following descriptions, differences of the embodiments are mainly described, and the parts with the same technical contents are not repeated.
FIG. 7A
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illustrates a display assembly according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the optical film further comprises a lining layer interlaid between each of the truncated tapered units and the material layer . The lining layer can be made of single or multiple dielectric material layers comprising such as silicon oxide (SiOx), silicon nitride (SiNx), indium tin oxide (ITO), zinc oxide (ZnO), etc., which has a refractive index ranged from 1.7 to 2.5. The material layer can be made of photoresist, which has a refractive index ranged from 1.3 to 1.7. The refractive index of the lining layer is higher than the refractive index of the material layer , and thereby, the total internal reflection surface S can be formed on the interface between the lining layer and the material layer . Due to the existence of the lining layer , material selection of the truncated tapered units is more flexible and can be the material having refractive index higher, lower or even equal to that of the material layer .
FIG. 7B
FIG. 7A
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illustrates a display assembly according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the optical film is similar to the optical film of , except that the material of the lining layer interlaid between each of the truncated tapered units and the material layer is metal, such as aluminium (Al), chrome (Cr), molybdenum (Mo), silver (Ag), or alloy of the aforementioned metal. The lining layer is capable of reflecting light and thereby a reflection surface S is formed on the interface between the lining layer and each of the truncated tapered units .
752
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FIG. 7C
In the previous embodiment, the lining layer is located at the side wall of each of the truncated tapered units . However, in further other embodiments, the location of the lining layer may be varied according to practical requirement. illustrates a display assembly according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.
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FIG. 7B
In this embodiment, the optical film is similar to the optical film of , except that the lining layer is not only interlaid between each of the truncated tapered units and the material layer , but also covering the bottom surface of the material layer . Thereby, part of the light emitted from the display unit toward the material layer can be reflected by the lining layer on the bottom surface of the material layer , and thus more light can enter the truncated tapered units , so as to improve the light extraction efficiency.
FIG. 8
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illustrates a display assembly according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the lining layer not only interlaid between each of the truncated tapered units and the material layer , but also covers the first end surface of each of the truncated tapered units and the second surface of the material layer . The lining layer can be made of single or multiple dielectric material layers comprising such as silicon oxide (SiOx), silicon nitride (SiNx), indium tin oxide (ITO), zinc oxide (ZnO), etc, which has a refractive index ranged from 1.7 to 2.5. The truncated tapered units may be formed by applicable resin materials having a refractive index lower than 1.7 (e.g., from 1.3 to 1.7). And the lining layer may be formed after forming the truncated tapered units . The total internal reflection surface S can be formed on the interface between the lining layer and the material layer .
FIG. 9
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illustrates a display assembly according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the material for forming the material layer does not fill the gaps between the truncated tapered units when fabricating the optical film . In detail, the material layer includes and air gaps between the truncated tapered units and body portion . It is know that the refraction index of air is about 1, and the material of the truncated tapered units (such as photoresist) generally has a higher refraction index, such that the total internal reflection surface S can be formed on the interface between the truncated tapered units and the air gaps .
FIG. 10
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illustrates a display assembly according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, a reflective layer is formed between the light absorbing layer and the material layer . During the fabrication of the optical film , the reflective layer and the light absorbing layer can be patterned with the same mask by conducting only one exposure process to both of the reflective layer and the light absorbing layer . Alternatively, the reflective layer and the light absorbing layer can be patterned with the same mask by conducting different exposure processes to the reflective layer and the light absorbing layer individually. Thus, the reflective layer and the light absorbing layer are substantially in the same pattern. The material of the reflective layer comprises metal, such as aluminium (Al), chromium (Cr), molybdenum (Mo), silver (Ag), or alloys including the above materials. Some of the light L can be reflected by the reflective layer and then transmitted through and emerging from the truncated tapered units , as shown by the dashed line.
FIG. 11
FIG. 1
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illustrates an optical film according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the optical film can be fabricated over a carrier , wherein the transparent substrate is disposed on the carrier through a de-bonding layer , and then the light absorbing layer , the material layer and the truncated tapered units are fowled on the transparent substrate . The carrier may be a glass substrate or a silicon wafer. And, the carrier and the de-bonding layer may be removed after bonding the optical film to the display unit (as shown in ).
FIG. 12
FIG. 13
FIG. 12
FIG. 13
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In other embodiments, the optical film may be provided with a barrier layer for preventing gas or moisture from entering the optical film or the display assembly. and illustrate different optical films according to other embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in , a barrier layer is formed over the carrying surface of the transparent substrate , and the light absorbing layer is disposed on the barrier layer . And, as shown in , a barrier layer is formed over the carrying surface of the transparent substrate and the light absorbing layer . The barrier layer or may comprise an organic layer, an inorganic layer, or an at least two-layered stacked structure formed by interlacing the organic layer and the inorganic layer.
FIG. 14
FIG. 14
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The second end surface of each of the truncated tapered units and the second surface of the material layer may be coplanar as shown in the aforementioned embodiments. Otherwise, the second end surface of each of the truncated tapered units and the second surface of the material layer may further be non-coplanar in other embodiments. illustrates an optical film according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to , the second end surface of each of the truncated tapered units is covered by the material layer . Thereby, the second surface of the material layer can provide a planar surface for the consequent bonding process.
FIG. 15
FIG. 15
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However, the truncated tapered units may protrude from the material after their fabrication process. illustrates an optical film according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to , a planarization layer is fanned to cover the second end surface of each of the truncated tapered units and a second surface of the material layer , so as to provide a planar surface for the consequent bonding process.
FIG. 16
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illustrates an optical film according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, a planarization layer is formed to cover the carrying surface of the transparent substrate and the light absorbing layer before forming the material layer and the truncated tapered units . By forming the planarization layer , a planar surface is provided for the following fabrication process of the material layer and the truncated tapered units , and the formed first end surface of each of the truncated tapered units is coplanar with a first surface of the material layer .
FIG. 17
FIG. 17
FIG. 1
200
100
1750
100
110
102
106
102
104
102
106
102
220
106
220
104
1750
1750
1750
illustrates a display assembly according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in , the optical film is bonded to the display unit through an adhesion layer . The display unit of the present embodiment is for example an OLED display, which comprises a substrate , a first electrode , a second electrode in opposite to the first electrode , and a light modulation layer interlaid between the first electrode and the second electrode for emitting the light L (as shown in ). The first electrode is disposed nearby the material layer , and the second electrode is away from the material layer . Herein, the light modulation layer may be a stacked structure of OLED which comprises an electron injection layer, an electron transport layer, an emission layer, a hole transport layer, and a hole injection layer. The material of the adhesion layer may be acrylic resin or epoxy resin, and can be a pressure sensing adhesion or a filler adhesion. The thickness of the adhesive layer may be less than or equal to 250 μm. For example, the adhesive layer may be less than or equal to 100 μm, or less than or equal to 50 μm.
FIG. 18
FIG. 18
FIG. 18
FIG. 17
10
1850
100
200
100
200
illustrates a display assembly according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in , the display assembly of is similar with that of , except that: a barrier layer is formed between the display unit and the optical film , to preventing gas or moisture from entering the display unit or the optical film .
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the structure of the present disclosure without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure. In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the present disclosure cover modifications and variations of this disclosure provided they fall within the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.
FIG. 1
illustrates a display assembly applying an optical film according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 2
10
further shows a partial enlarged view of the display assembly of FIG.
FIG. 3
shows a table illustrating the relationship between the light transmittance and the geometry of the truncated tapered unit.
FIG. 4
shows a table illustrating the relationship between the light reflectance and the geometry of the truncated tapered unit.
FIG. 5
shows a table illustrating light extraction efficiency versus the distance D.
FIG. 6
shows a table illustrating total reflection and effective reflection versus the distance D.
FIG. 7A
illustrates a display assembly according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 7B
illustrates a display assembly according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 7C
illustrates a display assembly according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 8
illustrates a display assembly according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 9
illustrates a display assembly according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 10
illustrates a display assembly according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 11
illustrates an optical film according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 12
FIG. 13
and illustrate different optical films according to other embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG. 14
illustrates an optical film according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 15
illustrates an optical film according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 16
illustrates an optical film according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 17
illustrates a display assembly according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 18
illustrates a display assembly according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. | |
Recipe by:
Christie Connelly
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The secret to any successful stir fry is to have all the ingredients chopped and ready to go. The cooking time is so short, for this recipe it's only 8 minutes, that you do not have time for chopping while cooking - unless you are a real whizz with a knife!
Prep:
15 minutes
Cook:
8 minutes
Serves:
Collected By:
51
Rated:
Main Ingredient:
Difficulty:
Easy
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Search the Community
Showing results for tags 'Stats'.
Found 53 results
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Heroes Leveling Growths in Future Games
Rezzy posted a topic in Fire Emblem HeroesI've found that I actually kinda like the way Heroes leveling works. RNG can be nice, but with fixed stats at max level, I don't feel bad if I get a really good level and have to reset for whatever reason. I also don't feel tempted to savescum if I get a bad level. In future Games, they could give us the option for "Fixed' growths or RNG as usual. And in this case, it would be real fixed growths, instead of PoR, where it depending on what weapon your unit had, what enemies they fought, and what they had for breakfast. Anyone else think this might be a nice thing to add for future FE titles as an option?
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Family Bonds Character Discussions
Stopwatch posted a topic in Fire Emblem HeroesSo the first day of a new summoning focus has arrived. Up to this point my luck has been fair- 5 star Minerva and Lucina and numerous 4 stars. Today I was lucky enough to pull 5 star Ephraim, and so far I'm very pleased with his stats and abilities. Presently, at level 24, he has: HP: 34 ATK: 41 SPD: 16 DEF: 25 RES: 15 His speed and resistance are nothing special, but at this mid-level he seems to have 'above average' (comparable to some of my units nearing level 40) attack and HP. 25 Defense isn't to shabby either. Siegmund has an impressive 16 mt and confers +3 attack to adjacent allies at the start of your phase. I'd probably rank it just above the Pheraean's Durandal and Binding Blade. New Moon/Moonbow works well for him, but they work well for basically anyone. He has Seal Defense AND Threaten Defense up to the third rank, rounding out his skill set as a front line fighter that can put some hurt on red foes and make things very dangerous for anyone who survives combat with him. Anyway, I'm curious to hear about the other new units (Seliph, Julia, and Eirika). I sprung for another summon to see if I could get another, but unfortunately I got Gacha'd. (Also, first post. Hi, I'm Stopwatch.)
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Children's Guide Help?
runawayaqua posted a topic in Fire Emblem FatesCan someone give me the optimal pairings for good children in FEF: Birthright + the best skills to be equipped for each character ? ( My avatar is female and I don't have Kaze) Thankyou.
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Children + Skills Help Required
runawayaqua posted a topic in Fire Emblem FatesHeya I'm looking for help on FEF: Birthright on how to create strong children but since skills matter also I'd appreciate some help on what skills to equip to pass onto the children also, or what I should reclass each character to to get the skills needed. (should mentioned my avatar is female and I don't have a Kaze but I'm going to create another save file to get him) Seals I have: Master Seals, Heart Seals, Partner Seals, Friendship Seals, Eternal Seals, Witch's Mark, Hero's Brand, Exalt's Brand. Avatar (F) - Lvl20- Hoshido Noble Str 36 Spd 31 Mag16 Lck 29 Skill 24 Def 22 Res 16 Skills: Nobility, Dragon Fang, Dragon Ward, Hoshidan Unity. Saizo- Lvl 18- Master Ninja Str 30 Spd 32 Mag15 Lck 22 Skill 40 Def 21 Res 18 Skills: Locktouch, Poison Strike, Lethality, Shrukenfaire. Hana- Lvl 15- Swordmaster Str 31 Spd 36 Mag 3 Lck 19 Skill 26 Def 11 Res 25 Skills: Dueslists Bow, Vantage, Astra, Swordfaire. Subaki- Lvl 18- Kinshi Knight Str 21 Spd 23 Mag 7 Lck 20 Skill 36 Def 26 Res 18 Skills: Darting Blow, Camaraderie, Air Superiority, Amaterasu. Silas- Lvl 14- Paladin Str 31 Spd 27 Mag 4 Lck25 Skill 29 Def 24 Res 15 Skills: Elbow Room, Shelter, Defender. Hayato- Lvl 17- Basara Str 18 Spd 29 Mag 27 Lck 37 Skill 23 Def 21 Res 13 Skills: Magic +2, Future Sight, Rend Heaven, Quixotic. Scarlett- Lvl 16- Wyvern Lord Str 32 Spd 30 Mag 10 Lck 24 Skill 28 Def 30 Res 7 Skills: Strength +2, Lunge, Rally Defence, Swordbreaker. Kagero- Lvl 16- Master Ninja Str 31 Spd 30 Mag 0 Lck 19 Skill 17 Def 18 Res 33 Skills: Posion Strike, Locktouch, Lethality, Shrurikenfaire. Hinata- Lvl 14- Master of Arms Str 28 Spd 28 Mag 0 Lck 25 Skill 20 Def 23 Res 8 Skills: Vantage, Duelists Bow, Seal Strength. Orochi- Lvl 15- Basara Str 9 Spd 17 Mag 35 Lck 22 Skill 33 Def 17 Res 24 Skills: Magic +2, Future Sight, Rend Heaven, Quixotic. Oboro- Lvl 14- Spear Master Str 30 Spd 26 Mag 6 Lck 22 Skill 23 Def 24 Res 20 Skills: Seal Defence, Swap, Seal Speed. Azama- Lvl 2- Great Master Str 25 Spd20 Mag 13 Lck 19 Skill 17 Def 20 Res 18 Skills: Mirac;e, Rally Luck. Setsuna- Lvl 9- Sniper Str 18 Spd 35 Mag 0 Lck 14 Skill 27 Def 10 Res 13 Skills: Skill +2, Quick Draw, Certain Bow Azura: Lvl 30- Falcon Knight Str 28 Spd 38 Mag 18 Lck 39 Skill 35 Def 19 Res 31 Skills: Luck +4, Voice of Peace, Foreign Princess, Darting Blow, Camaraderie, Inspiring Song. Felicia- Lvl 40- Maid Str 8 Spd 30 Mag 24 Lck 34 Skill 27 Def 15 Res 29 Skills: Resistance +2, Demoiselle, Live to Serve, Tomebreaker. Sakura- Lvl 20- Priestess Str 20 Spd 31 Mag 35 Lck 33 Skill 23 Def 22 Res 30 Skills: Miracle, Rally Luck, Renewal, Countermagic. Hinoka- Lvl 20- Falcon Knight Str 27 Spd 35 Mag 15 Lck 31 Skill 31 Def 23 Res 39 Skills: Darting Blow, Camaraderie, Rally Speed, Warding Blow. Rinkah- Lvl 20- Blacksmith Str 28 Spd 30 Mag 13 Lck 21 Skill 32 Def 34 Res 9 Skills: Seal Resistance, Shove, Salvage Bow, Lancebreaker. Kaden- Lvl 20- Nine-Tails Str 30 Spd 40 Mag 3 Lck 29 Skill 28 Def 17 Res 32 Skills: Beastbane, Evenhanded, Even Better, Grisly Wound. Ryoma- Lvk 20- Swordmaster Str 34 Spd 37 Mag 2 Lck 30 Skill 29 Def 19 Res 16 Skills: Vantage, Duelists Bow, Astra, Swordfaire. Takumi- Lvl 20- Sniper Str 26 Spd 28 Mag 0 Lck 31 Skill 43 Def 21 Res 10 Skills: Skill +2, Quick Draw, Certain Blow, Bowfaire. Jakob- Lvl 40- Butler Str 26 Spd 30 Mag 22 Lck 29 Skill 32 Def 22 Res 24 Skills: Resistance +2, Gentilhomme, Live to Serve, Tomebreaker. Mozu- Lvl 20- Merchant Str 32 Spd 29 Mag 5 Lck 28 Skill 33 Def 30 Res 29 Skills: Aptitude, Underdog, Profiteer, Spendthrift. Reina- Lvl 20- Kinshi Knight Str 29, Spd 30, Mag 6 Lck 20 Skill 19 Def 16 Res 21 Skills: Darting Blow, Camaraderie, Air Superiority, Amaterasu. Shura- Lvl 10- Adventurer Str 20 Spd 27 Mag 11 Lck 15 Skill 23 Def 14 Res 26 Skills: Movement +1, Lucky Seven, Locktouch. Izana- Lvl 5- Onmyoji Str 8 Spd 18 Mag 23 Lck 17 Skill 25 Def 14 Res 24 Skills: Rally Magic, Rally Luck, Miracle. Yukimura- Lvl 10- Mechanist Str 25 Spd 23 Mag 3 Lck 18 Skill 29 Def 21 Res 22 Skills: Golembane, Potent Potion, Quick Salve. Ren (Prisoner) - Lvl 1- Mechanist Str 12 Spd 17 Mag 0 Lck 7 Skill 19 Def 8 Res 10 Skills: Locktouch, Poison Strike. I know this is alot of work but I'd really appreciate the help because I'd like to create the best children possible with skills also :) Thankyou very much for your time. <3
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Negative stat bonuses displayI'm trying to give weapons various stat bonuses, including negative ones, the only problem is that instead of displaying say a -1, the game displays a +9, but the bonus is a -1. This clearly seems to be a problem with the graphics display in the game. So does anyone know how I can change this so the game displays negative stat bonuses?
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Average Everything
SullyMcGully posted a topic in Fire EmblemHey, I'm building some fangame stuff mainly just for fun and I would like to get some answers on what exactly an ordinary FE7-style stat layout looks like. So basically I want to know: Average base stats at level 1 Average growths Average promotion gains Average stats at level 20/20 Average stat caps And lastly, how much give-or-take I have on these to avoid making a character who is OP or just plain sucks. I know I can figure this out on my own and I have mostly, but I wanted to double-check here. I'm creating some new classes, and I don't want them to not fit in. Thanks for the help!
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Heya, I notice that I don't really have a favourite class in the series. It changes depending on what game I'm playing, as certain games seem to favour certain classes and give them cooler niches and stuff. That being said, what is your favourite class from each of the games you've played? You can give reasons, although I suppose it isn't required. (Design, gameplay, animations, etc.) I've only played overseas releases so far so I can't speak for FE1-6. FE7: I'd say I really like the Nomad line because it was my first introduction to horseback bow users, and I think Rath is pretty great statistically. FE8: Something about the Cavalier line really stands out to me, you get a fair few and Seth as your Paladin makes a pretty boss impact in this game. FE9: Fighter line. Boyd oh Boyd. Need I say more. Also his design really stood out to me. FE10: Soldier line. Moreso than FE9 due to the differences that Aran and Neph present statistically, but they're both pretty useful. FE11/12: The myrmidon line looks absolutely badass here. Their animations are pretty cool imo, and the design looks regal and deadly. FE13: I really like the Wyvern Rider line here. Cherche/Gerome are both pretty cool in their base class, and I like the promotion options. Yes even Griffons. FE14: This is a hard choice between Ninja line and Archer line. On one hand I love the design and aesthetic of Ninjas, and the gameplay choices they bring with hidden weapons. On the other, Archers are f***king great in this game! So yeah, would love to hear everyone's thoughts and such ESD
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Actual Character "Boons"
twistedxgrace posted a topic in Fire Emblem FatesThe character statues that you can build in My Castle are certainly interesting, indeed. I find them very useful for making my army as powerful as possible. That being said, however, I'm sure you're aware that not all of the characters' statues actually correspond to their #1 best stat, unlike the avatar's. That's why I decided to put together a project/study of sorts, on what their actual "boons" are/should be. I looked at every non-avatar/capturable unit's growth rates and stats to make my decisions (for the children, I looked at their pre-inheritance growth rates because that made the most sense to me. In truth, their stats can greatly vary and their stats with the highest growth rates may or may not be that of their represented statues). I hope you find it interesting. Here is my project Here you can find the game's character/statue combos for comparison Overall, I suppose I've concluded that with very few units having an "actual boon" of magic, defense, or resistance, that it makes sense why the developers shuffled the units around. That being said, however, some of the choices they did make were still questionable in my opinion (Keaton speed? Subaki speed? Rinkah strength? Azura magic? Come on!).
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second sealing for stats?
severus posted a topic in Fire Emblem: Awakeningso i second sealed nowi earlier into a manakete again after she got to level 30 since none of her stats capped but im wondering, is this a good thing to do or is there something better? do i keep them at one class till all their stats cap, then once they do just go to another class and get all those stats capped too(not just with nowi, i mean with anyone)? i always use to just stop after level 20 then maybe second seal them, and if theyre a manakete i would just keep them at 30, but obviously that doesnt get you as far as you could go with stats. so what should i do?
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Editing enemy unit stats?
escotanner posted a topic in QuestionsDo you have to edit enemy stats or do they go up on their own as you increase their level?
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Is Sakura meant to have more strength than Ryoma?
Irony posted a topic in Fire Emblem FatesI'm playing Birthright, and I decided to put Ryoma's Raijinto into the Convey, as I was curious as to what his actual strength stat was. Without the Raijinto, Ryoma has 24 strength. He is a level 14 Swordmaster. Sakura, a level 11 Priestess, has 25 strength. That is the joint second highest strength total in the entire army. I did not use a single energy drop on her. I promoted her when she hit level 20 in her unpromoted class. And no, I haven't reclassed Sakura either. She has just been a Priestess and her unpromoted class. Is this normal? Edit: Pictures, to show that I am not making this up:
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Plot Loss of Units
bethany81707 posted a topic in General Fire EmblemI'm currently writing an FE story, with an interesting twist on a large quantity of units. Basically, the villain has summoned Magvel and Elibe to join Tellius, and as a result, units from Magvel and Elibe join the party to help defeat the villain. Shortly before the final battle, however, the villain destroys all of his summons, including the playable roster. Of course, in an actual game, this would be a massive slap in the face (the first unit like this joins in Chapter 5, and the loss happens in Chapter 24), so I've developed a compromise that fits all right into the plot: The units add a flat bonus to characters that don't disappear, plus whatever stats they've gained since recruitment. Would this be considered a fair compromise, in terms of gameplay? Most characters give bonuses to characters of the same or similar class (Lyn gives her bonus to the Lord, Hector gives his to Ike, and so on in such a fashion), and I believe that the army you'd get out of this would be serviceable, even if you had used nothing but these units as soon as possible (and even then, you'd get a lot of experience out of the early levels), and there are a handful of good units near the end... I'm just fishing for thought, really. Would this kind of final chapter be all right in gameplay form?
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Bond Units
A creative name posted a topic in Fire Emblem FatesSo I've heard about Bond Units, and I'm working on getting some. They're pretty much randomly customized Avatars with Personal Skills depending on what versions the two players they're created from have. They inherit Nohr Prince(ss) and the secondaries of their parents. What I want to know is: -How do their max stat modifiers work? Do they inherit them like child units do, or do they have randomized assets/flaws depending on the parents? -Can they use Dragon Vein? -How many accessories do you need to share with another player to get one?
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Maximum stats modifier Calculator
GraekTarmikos posted a topic in Fire Emblem FatesHello everyone! Are you planning on optimizing your team on revelations? Are you tired of having to manually calculate the maximum stats modifier for the children characters? So fear no more! Because i've dedicated a few hours to bring everyone: The Fire Emblem Fates: Maximum Stats Modifier Calculator! So, basically i decided that i wanted to make the best out of my pairings in revelations. That meant i had to look into the pairing bonuses, the skills i would pass down and... *sigh* Their child modifiers. What that meant was that i was having to calculate the sum of the parents modifiers and add "1" to each stat. It may sound simple, but i had to do this so many times that i thought "hey, maybe excel can help me with this!" and then i remembered i don't know excel. But what i DO know is Construct 2. So hey, why not give it a shot? And well, this is the first time i'm posting on this forum, so i apologize in advance for anything that i might have done wrong related to it. (For instance, the image that for some reason is too small). Also, i'm no programmer, i just happened to know basics of construct 2. So if anyone finds any mistakes in the program let me know. Oh, and i must warn you that Corrin/Kamui ISN'T included in the calculator. That would mean having to deal with boons/banes and i would have to add any character who can only have children with Corrin (Yukumura, Izana, Gunter, Flora, Shura, Fuga, Reina, Scarlet and of course: All the children characters) So that's it, i hope you enjoy this tool. Graek Tarmikos Download: https://www.4shared.com/rar/Z_0NTN4Fba/FEcalculator.html
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So, I made a stat systemHello! For as much as I like simple text-only roleplay, I really, really enjoy games that use a battle system of some sort. It adds a level of competition to the game and removes power play replacing it with min-maxing. Anyway, I made this system and I'm searching for someone to try it with. First of all, let's explain it! Mechanics: We can talk about stats and character sheets later, let's look at the important stuff first. The problem with roleplays by forum is the impossibility to roll dices (unless you create some intricate scripts or something), but I think I got this. Hitting and evading: By defauls, each attack with more than 0% chance to hit, hits. The chance of hitting is calculated with skill, weapon accuracy and all that stuff, more on that later. In order to avoid an attack, a player must spend a number of "evade points" equal to his opponent's hit chance, provided that this is lower than 100%. What are these evade points? Each character has a gauge for basically every thing that, in the games, involved randomness. The evade gauge starts at 30 + unit SPD*2 points and goes up by the same amount each turn, for a max of 150 (so that you can't have someone making almost-impossible evades one after another). Critical hits: Each character has a critical gauge and an anticritical gauge. The critical gauge starts at 20 + unit SKL*2 points and goes up by the same amount each turn, for a max of 150. The anticritical gauge starts at 10 + unit LCK points and goes up by the same amount each turn, for a max of 150. In order to make a critical hit, a player must spend 75 critical points. In order to negate a critical, a player must spend a number of anticritical points equal to twice his opponent's crit chance. A critical hit can still be normally avoided, but the hitrate is boosted by 20% (if the hitrate goes over 100% this way, it's still possible to avoid). Fighting skills: Each character has a skill gauge for every fighting skill he has. Every skill has a main stat and a secondary stat. Every skill gauge starts at 0 and goes up by main stat + secondary stat/2 (rounded up) each turn. In order to activate a skill, a player must spend 75 skill points. An offensive skill can still be normally avoided, but the hitrate is boosted by 20% (if the hitrate goes over 100% this way, it's still possible to avoid). Base sheet: Now that we covered the essential parts, let's see the stat-related part. Class and Skills: First of all, the player chooses a class for his unit. These are the classes currently aviable: [spoiler=Classes]Unpromoted: Sword Cavalier: C Swords, Canto. Promotes to Paladin, Great Knight, Dark Knight Lance Cavalier: C Lances, Canto. Promotes to Paladin, Great Knight, Mage Knight Lance Knight: C Lances, Armor. Promotes to General, Great Knight, Wyvern Master Axe Knight: C Axes, Armor. Promotes to General, Great Knight, Wyvern Lord Archer: B Bows, Marksman. Promotes to Sniper, Bow Knight, Assassin Myrmidon: B Swords, Way of the Warrior. Promotes to Swordmaster, Weapon Master, Hero Soldier: B Lances. Promotes to Spearmaster, Weapon Master, Paladin Mercenary: B Swords, Tough Body. Promotes to Hero, Bow Knight, General Cleric: C Staves, Enchanted Robe. Promotes to Bishop, Valkyrie, War Cleric Priest: C Staves, Enchanted Robe. Promotes to Bishop, Sage, War Priest Monk: C Light, Enchanted Robe. Promotes to Bishop, Sage, War Monk Bandit: B Axes, Unrestrainable. Promotes to Berserker, Warrior, Weapon Master Fighter: C Axes, Tough Body. Promotes to Warrior, Hero, War Monk Thief: Knives, Steal. Promotes to Rogue, Assassin, Trickster Mage: B Anima, Scholar. Promotes to Sage, Mage Knight, Mage Fighter Dark Mage: C Dark. Promotes to Druid, Dark Knight, Dark Flier Troubadour: C Staves. Promotes to Valkyrie, Mage Knight, Seraph Knight Pegasus Rider: C Lances, Fly. Promotes to Falcon Knight, Seraph Knight, Dark Flier Wyvern Rider: C Axes, Fly. Promotes to Wyvern Lord, Wyvern Master, Sky King/Queen Dancer: Knives, Dance, Civilian. Promotes to Blade Dancer, Entertainer, Trickster Bard: D Light, Rally, Civilian. Promotes to Entertainer, Charlatan, Sage Promoted: Paladin: B Swords, B Lances, +2. Canto, Sacrifice, Aegis. Low MAG. Great Knight: A Swords, A Lances, A Axes. Armor, Canto. High STR, Low MAG, DEF, RES. General: A Swords, A Lances, A Axes. Armor, Tough Body, Pavise. High STR, SKL, Low MAG, SPD, RES. Dark Knight: A Swords, A Dark, +1. Canto, Essence Stealer. Mage Knight: A Lances, A Anima, +1. Canto, Ignis. Bow Knight: A Bows, A Swords. Canto, Never Off-guard. High SKL, Low MAG, RES. Sniper: S Bows. Marksman, Crit+10. High SKL, SPD, Low MAG, RES. Wyvern Master: A Lances, A Axes, +1. Fly, Armor. High STR, Low MAG, RES. Wyvern Lord: A Axes, A Swords, +1. Fly, Armor, Luna. High STR, Low MAG, DEF, RES. Sky King/Queen: A Axes, A Bows, +1. Fly, Armor. High SPD Low MAG, DEF. Valkyrie: A Light, A Staves. Canto, Enchanted Robe, Miracle. Low STR. Seraph Knight: S Lances, A Staves. Fly, Enchanted Robe. High SKL, SPD, Low DEF. Falcon Knight: A Swords, A Lances. Fly, Enchanted Robe, Sacrifice. High SKL, SPD, Low MAG. Dark Flier: A Lances, A Dark +1 Fly, Enchanted Robe. High SKL, SPD. Sorcerer: S Dark, A Staves. Essence Stealer, Dark Arts. High MAG, RES, Low SPD. Assassin: A Bows, Knives. Shadow, Crit+10. High SKL, SPD, Low STR, MAG, RES. Swordmaster: S Swords. Way of the Warrior, Crit+15. High SKL, SPD, Low DEF. Hero: A Swords, A Axes, +1. Tough Body, Sol. High SKL, Low MAG, RES. Weapon Master: A Swords, A Lances, A Axes. Way of the Warrior, Focus. Low MAG. Spearmaster: S Lances. Way of the Warrior, Crit+15. High SKL, Low MAG, RES. Bishop: S Light, A Staves. Enchanted Robe, Exorcist. High RES, SKL, Low STR, DEF. War Cleric/Priest: A Axes, A Staves. Enchanted Robe, Renewal. War Monk: B Axes, B Light, +1. Enchanted Robe, Renewal. Berserker: S Axes. Unrestrainable, Crit+10, Wrath. High STR, Low RES. Warrior: A Axes, A Bows +1. Tough Body, Colossus. High STR, DEF, Low SPD, RES Rogue: A Swords, Knives. Steal, Shadow. High SPD, Low STR, MAG, RES. Trickster: A Staves, Knives. Steal, Miracle. High SPD, Low STR. Sage: A Anima, B Light, B Staves, +2. Scholar, Enchanted Robe. High MAG, Low STR. Mage Fighter: A Anima, Knives. Flare. High SPD. Blade Dancer: B Swords, Knives. Dance, Way of the Warrior. High SPD, Low STR, DEF. Entertainer: C Light, C Staves, Knives. Dance, Rally, Civilian. High SPD. Low DEF, RES. Charlatan: B Light. Rally, Steal. High SKL, Low MAG, RES. Unpromoted classes have fixed weapon ranks, some promoted classes have a base weapon rank, plus 1 or 2 ranks. High and Low stats refer to promoted caps: Low stats cap at 22, High stats cap at 28, other stats cap at 25. Promoted caps are affected by skills, while unpromoted caps are always 20, regardless of unit's skills. HP and LCK are exceptions, always capping at 60 and 30, respectively, regardles of unit's class. At this point, the player chooses one skill as the unit's personal skill. These are the skills currently aviable. [spoiler=Skills]Special skills (can't be selected as personal): Way of the Warrior: +1 SKL, +1 SPD, can use exotic weapons Marksman: +2 SKL, can use longbows and ballistas Tough Body: +5 HP, +2 CON Steal: +2 SPD, can steal items if faster than the enemy, can open locks Unrestrainable: +3 HP, +1 SPD, can cross mountains and water Armor: -2 SPD, +5 DEF, lower movement (weakness) Enchanted Robe: +2 RES (weakness) Canto: can change location and attack in the same turn, in any order, higher movement. (weakness) Fly: +1 SPD, gain Canto, ignore weaknesses caused by other skills (weakness) Shadow: +2 SPD, -1 DEF, -1 RES, can't be attacked until next turn Scholar: +2 MAG, -1 DEF Crit+15: enhances critical rate by 15% Crit+10: enhances critical rate by 10% Knives: can use knives Dark Arts: can't use healing staves, can use staves on enemies Essence Stealer: when defeating an enemy, heals equal to enemy's level/2 (rounded down) Dance: refresh up to 2 allies in your area. You can change area before refreshing. Rally: lowers damage received and boosts damage dealt for allies in your area by 2 until next turn Civilian: -2 Damage dealt Exorcist: effective damage against enemies with a Dark rank. Fighting skills: Luna - halves enemy DEF, ignores enemy RES. Main: STR, Secondary: SKL Flare - halves enemy RES, ignores enemy DEF. Main: MAG, Secondary: SKL Adept - attack twice, both attacks can miss or be critical. Main: SPD, Secondary: SKL Astra - attack 5 times for halved damage (rounded up), each attack can miss or be critical. Main: SKL, Secondary: SPD Sol - heals fol half the damage done (rounded up). Main: SKL, Secondary: HP/2 (rounded up) Ether - attack twice, the first attack heals for half the damage done (rounded down) and the second halves enemy DEF/RES. Both attacks can miss, but they can't be critical. Main: SKL, Secondary: LCK Ignis - adds half your MAG to your physical attack and half your STR to your magical attack. Main: SKL, Secondary: lower between STR and MAG Vengeance - adds half your damage to your attack. Main: HP/2 (rounded up), Secondary: SKL Aegis - halves magical damage received (rounded up). Main: RES, Secondary: LEVEL/2 (rounded down) Pavise - halves physical damage received (rounded up). Main: DEF, Secondary: LEVEL/2 (rounded down) Miracle - if the attack would kill you and you have more than 1 HP, it brings you to 1 HP. Main: LCK, Secondary: LEVEL/2 (rounded down) Other skills: Focus: unit gauges go up to 175, gain 5 more skill points for every skill gauge each turn Colossus: when your CON is higher than the enemy's, +1 damage, +15% hit rate Never off-guard: When attacked, switch to the first weapon in the inventory you can counterattack with Sacrifice: heal ally by sacrificing your HP by half the amount (rounded up), or heals poison for 5 HP Renewal: heals for HP/5 each turn Wrath: enhances critical rate by 10% when low on HP Awareness: negates the effect of enemy's active combat skills (the enemy can still use them for the 20% bonus hit) Parity: negates the effect of both yours and your enemy's active combat skills (they can still be used for the 20% bonus hit) and terrain bonus Elite: gains double exp, all growths over 10% are decreased by 5% Blossom: gains 2/3 exp (rounded down), all growths are increased by 10% Shadow gift: can use dark magic. Dark rank is equal to the higher rank between Anima and Light Vantage: always attacks first when low on HP Gamble: lowers hit rate by 20%, enhance critical rate by 10% Charisma: enhance hit and avoid rate for allies in your area by 10% Proximity Shot: can attack enemies at 1 range with a Bow (except longbows), but the attack can't be critical and fighting skills can't be activated. Stats: The player distributes 30* points in the various stats (HP, STR, MAG, SKL, SPD, LCK, DEF, RES, CON). You can't put more than 10 points in a stat. Note that classes have no bases of their own, but some classes have class skills that affect stats. After this, the unit has 1 bonus point for every 3 points spent in HP, LCK or CON. These points are to be distributed in those same stats. Then, 15 more points are added to HP and 5 more points are added to CON. *This assumes unit starts at level 1 unpromoted. Growths: The player distributer 300* points in the unit's growths, in multiples of 5. HP growth gets doubled and, if both STR and MAG growth are 25% or more, they get 5% bonus growths. *This assumes unit starts at level 1 unpromoted. Equipment: Each unit starts with an equippable weapon/staff and either a vulnerary or an usable E rank weapon. This is the list of current items and weapons: [spoiler=Items and weapons]Items: Delphi Shield: Negates enemy's effective bonus towards flying units. Iron Rune: Negates enemy critical attacks. 1x Universal key: Opens a door or chest. 5x Vulnerary: Restores 10 HP. 3x Potion: Restores 20 HP. 2x Elixir: Restores all HP. 3x Pure Water: Raises Resistance by 7. Effect decreases by 1 each turn. 1x Angelic Robe: Permanently increases HP by 7. 1x Energy Ring: Permanently increases STR by 2. 1x Spirit Dust: Permanently increases MAG by 2. 1x Secret Book: Permanently increases SKL by 2 1x Speedwing: Permanently increases SPD by 2. 1x Goddess Icon: Permanently increases LCK by 2. 1x Dracoshield: Permanently increases DEF by 2. 1x Talisman: Permanently increases RES by 2. 1x Body Ring: Permanently increases CON by 2. Swords: Name - Rank - Range - Weight - Might - Accuracy - Crit. Bonus - Uses - Worth - Special Iron sword D 1 5 5 90 0 46 460 Slim sword D 1 2 3 100 10 30 480 Poison sword D 1 6 4 75 0 40 480 Applies 5 turns of poison Steel sword D 1 10 8 75 0 30 600 Iron blade D 1 12 9 70 0 35 980 Armorslayer C 1 11 8 80 0 18 1260 Effective against classes with the "Armor" skill Longsword C 1 11 6 85 0 18 1260 Effective against classes with the "Canto" skill Wo dao C 1 5 8 75 40 20 1320 Only usable by classes with the "Way of the Warrior" skill Steel blade C 1 14 11 65 0 25 1250 Killing edge C 1 7 9 75 30 20 1300 Wing clipper sword C 1 5 7 75 0 20 1400 Effective against classes with the "Fly" skill Light brand C 1~2 9 9 70 5 30 1500 Casts Light magic "Divine"ù Lancereaver C 1 9 9 75 5 15 1800 Reverses the weapon triangleù Brave sword B 1 12 9 75 0 30 3000 Allows 2 consecutive hitsù Wind sword B 1~2 ]9 9 ]70 5 30 3000 Casts Anima magic "Wind" Silver sword A 1 8 13 80 0 20 1500 Silver blade A 1 13 14 60 0 15 1800 Rune sword A 1~2 9 9 70 5 30 4500 Casts Dark magic "Nosferatu" Regal Blade S 1 9 20 85 5 25 7500 I'm going to edit later, adding other weapons and talking about reclassing and status ailments. Anyway, what do you think? I'm honestly not sure about the critical hit system, maybe it should be exactly like normal hits instead?
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A Unit's Rating (Gameplay Discussion)
Jayvee94 posted a topic in Fire Emblem FatesHi, guys I'm back! I'm sorry I wasn't able to post polls which Riku actually started. But I'm not gonna be able to do that in a while, things are getting busy in college. Anyway to our new topic: If you've been reading the main site, you know that a unit's rating is calculated in game with this formula [spoiler=Formula] Rating = Str + Mag + Skl + Spd + Lck + Def + Res . However, as you all know, not all stats are created equal. Even units with the same in-game rating may have a lopsided outcome due to that one stat. Now, let's expand the formula [spoiler= formula] Rating = 0*Max HP + 1*Str + 1*Mag + 1*Skl + 1*Spd + 1*Lck + 1*Def + 1*Res . As you may see, the coefficients (the numbers that multiply the stat) are 0, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 respectively. And now, what if we change the coefficients and call it the "TRUE" rating. For example, I will make the coefficients like this: .5, 1.2, 1.0, 0.8, 1.2, 0.8, 1.0, 1.0. It would translate to [spoiler= formula] "True" Rating = 0.5*Max HP + 1.2*Str + 1.0*Mag + 0.8*Skl + 1.2*Spd + 0.8*Lck + 1*Def + 1*Res Let's compare: Let's use Ryoma and Xander as our examples With the in game rating, Ryoma = 113 Xander = 114 Xander won by a small margin there With the Example "TRUE" rating Ryoma = 132.2 Xander = 133 Well, Xander still won by a smaller margin. How about you guys, WHAT WOULD THE COEFFICIENTS YOU WOULD USE TO MAKE YOUR "TRUE" RATING FORMULA PS. Your formula is True from a certain point of view.
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Broken stats upon Lyn mode characters' return
Sacred Blaze posted a topic in QuestionsI've been having this issue for a while in my hack, but I've had no luck seeing where it's coming from, unfortunately. So, basically, upon a certain few characters joining the party, their stats will sometimes be raised to a number well above what it should be. [spoiler=Example] These two images are from different playthroughs. As of now, this issue only occurs on four of my characters, the ones in the slots for the non-tutorial versions of Lyn, Wil, Sain and Kent. On the point that they rejoin in the Eliwood mode, their stats may look like this. Apart from the broken ones, their stats, levels and experience have been perfectly translated over from their stats at the end of the Lyn mode. If I'm remembering correctly, when Lyn mode characters who've survived return in the Eliwood mode, they shouldn't actually get any extra stats anyway. It seems to be fairly random what stats of characters are affected by this. For example, (See picture above) I've seen Kane's strength be raised, or Andrei's skill and speed be raised. The most common stat that has been affected by this to my knowledge is resistance, but it's not always the case. I have also had playthroughs in which this issue will not occur on any of the characters, but it seems to be most common in affecting at least one of the four characters. At one point I thought that it might be something in Nightmare that was affecting this. [spoiler=Nightmare Screens] The stats in the image above are for the characters in Lyn and Wil's slots. There's nothing particularly strange about the values here that should be doing this, I think. It should also be noted that none of the four characters are autolevelled, so they have no reason to be gaining extra stats. One thing I've noticed as well is that if I were to load straight in Eliwood mode, these nightmare base stat bonuses will worked out for the four units just fine and they will never encounter any issues. I also thought that this might be some kind of Hex issue. [spoiler=Hex Screen] So the above screen shows the hex from a part of the Nightmare Character Editor. The highlighted values are those corresponding to Andrei/Wil's (from Level to Constitution bonus) listed numbers in the said editor. The hex image is taken directly from the ROM file after seeing this glitch, so nothing has been altered yet. His base resistance is the 02 byte. But there's nothing here that seems out of place to me. Some other things to note: These characters do all rejoin together on the same chapter as each other, like they do in the original FE7, although i'm not using the same chapter to do this. As a result I have tried seeing if changing the chapter in which they rejoin would solve the issue, but it didn't. This issue can be fixed mid-game, either through editing the nightmare stats of the characters again, or by using codes to change your characters stats, but obviously this isn't ideal and the first solution may actually cause another stat bug later into the game. The bug is raising their stats by 31, which is the limit on stats or something, right? I don't really know what I can do about that though. So, can anyone think of something that might point me in the right direction to seeing where the issue really lies here, or did I just screw my ROM up a long, long time ago and should have realised it back then? Thanks in advance for any answers. And please tell me if if I need to provide anymore information or make something more clear.
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Has anyone gone through making FeM!Morgan a Manakete? And if so what skills have you given her? And which Manakete mother passes on the best stats?
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Stat Modifiers for Children
CarsonX posted a topic in Fire Emblem FatesI tried to look for this on the main FE: Fates page, but it doesn't show the formula for calculating the maximum stat modifiers for the children characters. Is the formula the same from Awakening: Mother's modifier + Father's modifier + 1?
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Hey Guys. I'm pretty new to the concept of 'breeding' children for optimal stats and skills and wanted to give it a go during my FEF: Invisible Kingdom run through. I have already calculated the max stats and growth rates for each child as the result of each pairing available to the father or mother in Azura's case. This is where things begin to get a little confusing for me. How do you determine which mother is the best for what child? Is it more preferable to balance the child units stats or polarise them towards having higher stats in some areas (i.e. a +6 in DEF or a +7 in STR, etc)? Then, going on from the stats, how do you determine which of their available class sets would complement them the best? I understand how skill inheritance, class inheritance and seals work and have not gotten around to considering the best options in depth for the child units yet. If anybody would like to use Shinonome as an example to explain how to determine who the best mother is l have provided all of the stats from each pairing below. (The stats next to Shinonome's name are Ryoma's stats). Ignore the colours, they are for my own reference. Any help or direction would be greatly appreciated.
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How would you go about Reclassing for max stats?
SerenaCiel posted a topic in Fire Emblem FatesCan anyone who's played the game and is experienced with the game mechanics help me with this question? Let's say I want to optimize my units in-game as much as possible. When would I begin to reclass, disregarding skills (because that just makes everything more complicated and I'd rather have this questions answered first). For example, let's say I want Sakura to end up as a War Priestess, but I want to make sure she maxes her stats as much as possible before reaching 20/20. Should I switch her class to Pegasus Warrior early on to help cap her speed/strength? What would be a general rule for reclassing in order to max stats? Or is there none, and am I just being overly simple? If you'd like to say something about reclassing for skills too, please do! Any information is appreciated :)
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Avatar stat modifiers
fabulousib posted a topic in Fire Emblem: AwakeningHello, recently I've been looking at stat modifiers and just been wondering what you guys think are some of the best Assets/Flaws for your Avatar/mu. I came up with at least one asset and flaw for each stat, and these are what I've made up so far. (The modifiers go in order by each stat listed in FE:A) i.e. HP, STR, MAG, SKILL, SPD, LCK, DEF, RES... and will be listed as the solo number. Those are a few (9) that I made to try to balance the stats for each type of asset as best as I could. I just made these for future MU's that I want to make, but I don't want them to have two big of gaps in their stats. Tell me what you think of these! And if you have any other combinations please do share~! Also, here is what each Asset and Flaw does to your modifiers :) All Assets that are 4, 2, and 2 will have flaws of themselves of 3, 1 and 1.
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Damage calculation for manaketes?
stickyfingers posted a topic in General Fire EmblemOkay, so this is something that has been bothering me for a really long time, but when I finally went to go do some reasearch on it I couldn't find anything. Different classes/weapons deal damage depending on the on one of the specific units stats: tomes=magic, swords/lances/axes=strength, bows=skill. But how exactly does it work for dragonstones/manaketes? Specifically in FE13 but really any answers are appreciated.
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Generic Promoted Enemy Growth Rates/Stats
DrPikachu posted a topic in GameBoy Advance EraI've been playing through the GBA games, and something occurred to me that makes me curious: How do those promoted non-boss enemies get the stats they do? [spoiler=Examples] The base stats listed for the promoted classes don't really match for the levels shown (too much HP, for one), and as the second image shows, promotion gains aren't a factor either. So perhaps they gain a different amount of levels compared to their non-promoted counterparts. If that is indeed the case, does anyone know how many levels that is, exactly? Do they "promote" at Lv. 10 or the next-closest opportunity and grow from there? This isn't really crucial or anything. I'm just wondering if anyone on here knows of the inner workings on this.
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I have Fire Emblem 6 on the GBA. It's (of course) all in Japanese and though I've done okay enough considering I don't know a word of what they're saying, I've encountered a small problem. I just found out that I missed the divine weapon Armads and that I've sentenced myself to the so-called bad ending of the game. I really want to play it in full, including the last few chapters, but I don't want to start from scratch. Playing in Japanese was hard enough the first time around. I know I can look up translations, and try to restart the game but I was hoping there might be a better solution. Is there a way I can use an emulator to recreate my scenario from the GBA (but with Armads)? Is there a way to start from Chapter 14 and recreate my characters as I used them in the game? Or can I at the very least change the characters' levels to avoid grinding and arena abuse like I did in my current play-through? I know there are hacking programs that can edit stats, but they seem to only affect base stats and growth rates, which I don't want to alter. I also don't want to make my characters start at higher levels, because then they'll be too overpowered by the end. If I could change their levels/stats mid-game that would work, but it doesn't seem to be an option. Of course the ideal is a way to import or replicate the data directly but that doesn't seem possible. Any ideas? Thanks! | https://forums.serenesforest.net/index.php?/search/&tags=Stats&updated_after=any&sortby=relevancy&page=2 |
# Patria Jefferies
Patria Jefferies is the co-founder of Dôme Coffees Australia, and was an executive director of Celebrate WA, a non-profit organisation that organises Western Australia Day celebrations. Jefferies is credited with being an influential figure in Perth's coffee culture, making it part of daily life.
## Early life
Jefferies was born in San Francisco, the daughter of Greek-Irish Americans. She moved to Perth, Western Australia in 1986, where she worked for the Matilda Bay Brewing Company. In 1989 Jefferies met Phil May. They became business partners, along with Phil Sexton from the Matilda Bay Brewing Company, starting Dôme Coffees Australia in 1990 and opening the first Dôme cafe in Cottesloe in 1991.
## Dôme
The initial Dôme cafe quickly became successful, despite the controversial amount, $1.80, charged for a cup of coffee.
Dôme expanded into an international company that imported, roasted, and exported coffee beans, as well as becoming a franchise chain of cafes in Australia, South East Asia, Indonesia and the Middle East.
Jefferies was a finalist in the 1997 Ethnic Business Awards. At the time, she said the vision for Dôme was "to be internationally recognised as the best coffee roaster in the world", and was inspired her father's slogan "make a difference".
By the end of the decade Dôme was a multi-million dollar business, and by the end of 2003 had approximately 100 stores across nine countries. In December 2003 Jefferies and May sold it to private equity funded executives – Sexton had been bought out several years prior.
## Later years
Jefferies later became a consultant. She also became involved with charitable and artistic organisations.
Jefferies was the executive director of Celebrate WA from c. 2012/13 to early 2015.
Jefferies was recognised as one of the most influential Western Australian businesspeople in The West Australian's 2013 list of the 100 most influential. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patria_Jefferies |
Teaching complex economic theories can be made relevant through everyday life experiences and current economic, social, and environmental crises can be used as vehicles for student learning. The purpose of this paper is to help students understand that the economy should be seen as a social system that evolves over time driven by conflictive and contradictory forces and enable them to develop the critical thinking skills needed to make better choices for a more equitable and sustainable future.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper reviews the historical role played by neoliberalism on education in general and on the teaching of economics in particular. A historical/critical/action-learning approach discusses five pedagogical teaching methods that have been implemented in undergraduate economics courses and demonstrates how teaching social economics can be made possible by bringing the real world into the classroom and taking the classroom into the real world.
Findings
There is an urgent need to rethink the teaching of economics and the economics curriculum from one that stresses self-interest, profit maximization and cost minimization, to one that stresses cooperation, collaboration, fairness, and ethical values rather than economic value, as ways of satisfying society’s needs and addressing systemic issues of inequality, power and greed. Bringing teachers and students together in collaborative learning environments, thereby learning from the mistakes of the past and minimizing the impacts of the present so that future generations can also participate, is the much-needed change in how social economics can be taught post-financial crisis.
Originality/value
This paper is a response to the special issue on the theme teaching social economics during the global financial crisis. The authors have provided insights into their teaching pedgagogy in the context of this topic.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors of this paper have not made their research data set openly available. Any enquiries regarding the data set can be directed to the corresponding author.
Citation
Farias, C. and Balardini, F. (2019), "Teaching social economics: Bringing the real world into the classroom and taking the classroom into the real world", International Journal of Social Economics, Vol. 46 No. 8, pp. 960-976. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSE-05-2018-0253
Publisher: | https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJSE-05-2018-0253/full/html |
Trust provides over $850,000 for 24 projects to grow, recover and redistribute food
New community-led projects in the Columbia Basin will support access to affordable, quality, local food for residents, with an emphasis on assisting those in need. Community kitchens, lawns-to-food initiatives and seed-saving libraries are just a few of the projects included in Columbia Basin Trust’s Local Food Access and Recovery Grants.
“We continue to see increasing interest in enhancing community growing spaces, recovering and redistributing food and using improved technology in food production,” said Hannah Holden, Delivery of Benefits Senior Manager with Columbia Basin Trust. “These projects will help more Basin residents—especially those in need—access locally grown, nutritious foods from communal growing and processing spaces, and benefit from knowledge sharing opportunities.”
Food access and recovery grants are part of the Trust’s work in local food production and access, a strategic priority as directed by Basin residents. Over $850,000 will support 24 projects across the region that focus on expanding opportunities for residents to create healthy meals, enhance social and cultural community connections through food and reduce food waste.
Growing a Greener Future
New Garden Beds and a Kitchen Renovation
Building a Tool Library at Johnsons Landing
Ecogarden Expands, Offers More Functionality
To learn more about how the Trust is supporting local food initiatives in the Basin, visit ourtrust.org/food. Read our strategic plan here. | https://ourtrust.org/strengthening-access-to-local-food/ |
Cities and regions call the EU institutions for flexibility when making long-term public investments in strategic public sectors. On 8 march 2017 the Urban Intergroup and the Long-term Investment and Reindustrialisation Intergroup hosted a joint workshop led by Polis and co-organised by CEMR and EUROCITIES at the European Parliament in Brussels entitled "Long-term investments: barriers and opportunities for regional and local authorities".
The purpose of the event was to address the challenges that municipalities, cities, regions and the private sectors face when making long-term investments. The Stability and Growth Pact (SGP), the Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance (TSCG) and the European Accounting Standards (ESA 2010) have a strong impact on the regional and local public investments in several sectors such as transport, social housing and waste management.
Municipalities, cities and regions together called for more flexibility in budget and financial accounting rules in order to boost local investments delivering long-term benefits. Bearing in mind the upcoming second iteration of the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), the future negotiations for the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) post 2020 as well as the revision of the European Monetary Union within the next two years, long-term investment will be key to continue supporting growth, employment and efficiency across Europe.
Some key solutions have been suggested during the debate. In that perspective, the local and regional authorities EU organisation are committed to the following actions:
Local and Regional perspectives
"The European Commission consistently calls for investment to spur economic growth and create jobs. National and local governments are urged to set up large infrastructure projects together with the private sector. That is all very well, but it is in complete contradiction to the strictness with which budgetary rules are applied", said Pascal Smet, Minister of Mobility and Public Works of Brussels Capital Region (Polis member) during his speech on how to unlock transport infrastructure investments for the future. "The Brussels Capital Government will invest 5.2 billion euros in new metro and tram lines and 750 million euros to renovate its tunnels but accounting rules prevent us from spreading out these investments in line with the works carried out. In addition, rules on Public Private Partnerships have become so strict that it proves difficult to activate private capital. The city cannot wait for European accountants to see the light if we want to carry on our investment and projects".
Flo Clucas, Councillor,Cheltenham (LGA, UK) - CEMR spokesperson on local finances said that "Good, quality investment is the key to real and sustained growth, jobs and services. For towns, cities and regions to be able to grow their economies, their business and employment base, they need to invest. Currently, fiscal rules both by national governments and the EU prevent local governments from investing, as when they borrow, their investments count as national government debt. If we want our economies to grow, that has to change and become more flexible."
Tanja Wehsely, Chair of the Committee on Financial, Economic and International Affairs of the Vienna City Council - Chair of EUROCITIES economic and development forum, also clearly explained the situation on investment issues locally: "Vienna and many other fast growing cities face a need for long term public investments, and a good mix of instruments is vital. We are convinced that EU funds and EIB loans must fit our systematic integrated policy approach, and not the other way round. We want to underline that sustainable long-term public investments are not only good for our citizens, but also for the economy in general. Therefore, we must examine together how the statistical treatment of public expenses in the Stability and Growth Pact can be adapted better to our needs for investment in the future of our citizens." | https://www.polisnetwork.morris-chapman.com/publicnews/1351/45/How-can-cities-and-regions-turn-barriers-in-long-term-investments-into-future-opportunities |
Human dimensions of wildlife population management in Australasia - history, approaches and directions.
- Environmental Science
- 2009
It is now widely accepted that it is important to understand the ‘human dimensions’ of wildlife management issues in order to achieve management goals. This growing field of study was born in the…
Modelling horse management in the Australian Alps
- Environmental ScienceEcological Management & Restoration
- 2019
Management of the feral Horse (Equus caballus) in the Australian Alps bioregion is a difficult and emotive issue, with interested parties working from vastly differing perspectives. Compounding this,…
Free-ranging horse management in Australia, New Zealand and the United States: socio-ecological dimensions of a protracted environmental conflict
- Political Science
- 2020
Management of free-ranging horses (Equus ferus caballus) is a complex socio-ecological issue in Australia (AU), New Zealand (NZ), and the United States (US). In these countries, horses are the…
Assessing the Role of Free-Roaming Horses in a Social–Ecological System
- Environmental ScienceEnvironmental Management
- 2015
This exploratory study initiated the first socio-ecological study of horse sub-populations, their grazing habitat, and past management approaches affecting current conditions in the ?Elegesi Qayuse Wild Horse Preserve in Xeni Gwet’in (Tsilhqot'in) First Nations’ territory.
Management Strategies of Free-Roaming Horses in Alberta Compared with Other Jurisdictions
- GeographyRangeland Ecology and Management
- 2019
Causes and consequences of lags in basic and applied research into feral wildlife ecology: the case for feral horses
- Environmental Science
- 2021
Feral-horse impacts on corroboree frog habitat in the Australian Alps
- Environmental ScienceWildlife Research
- 2019
Context Introduced herbivores can have a substantial impact on native plants and animals, particularly in ecosystems that do not share a recent evolutionary history with similar herbivore species.…
Population dynamics of feral horses (Equus caballus) in an exotic coniferous plantation in Australia
- Environmental ScienceWildlife Research
- 2016
The most effective strategy for controlling population growth in the TTSF would involve the continuing removal of substantial numbers of adult females or manipulation of survival and/or fecundity, and population dynamics were comparable to other feral horse populations similarly challenged by environmental nutritional limitations.
References
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The Population Ecology of Wild Horses in the Australian Alps
- Environmental Science
- 2002
This thesis examines the population ecology of wild horses in the Australian Alps and compared three different aerial survey techniques based on relative accuracy and precision and found that line transect analysis gave the highest, most precise estimate.
Charismatic megafauna or exotic pest? Interactions between popular perceptions of feral horses (Equus caballus) and their management and research
- Environmental Science
- 2000
Author(s): Beever, Erik A.; Brussard, Peter F. | Abstract: To date, management and research on feral horses have been strongly influenced by concerns and priorities of the general public. Due to…
Examining ecological consequences of feral horse grazing using exclosures.
- Environmental Science
- 2000
This study, the first in the Great Basin to investigate quantitatively ecosystem consequences of feral horse use with exclosures, represents a preliminary step in identifying factors that determine the magnitude of horse grazing impacts.
The impact of feral horses on grassland bird communities in Argentina
- Environmental Science
- 2004
Small areas of grassland in a good state of conservation could serve as sources that would maintain communities of birds in the more transformed sections of the Pampas grasslands. | https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Ecological-and-human-dimensions-of-management-of-in-Nimmo-Miller/8a57bf826fec75c507e4f767a325b255734ceba7 |
Record number :
985078
Title of article :
A manipulative field experiment to evaluate an integrative methodology for assessing sediment pollution in estuarine ecosystems Original Research Article
Author/Authors :
Carlos Sanz-L?zaro، نويسنده , , Arnaldo Marin، نويسنده ,
Issue Information :
دوهفته نامه با شماره پیاپی سال 2009
Pages :
8
From page :
3510
To page :
3517
Abstract :
The assessment of sediment contamination is of crucial importance for the management of estuarine ecosystems. Environmental risk assessment of oil pollution must be specific to these ecosystems because of their unique toxicant bioavailability dynamics, which is not comparable with that of other ecosystems where the environmental parameters are less variable. The goal of this work was to test in two European estuarine areas (Ria de Aveiro, Portugal; La Manga, Spain) whether the common methodology used to evaluate sediment pollution in marine sediment (amphipod toxicity tests and community structure analysis) is suited to these physico-chemically unique systems. Manipulative field experiments were conducted at three oil concentration levels, to compare resulting changes in community structure with laboratory and in situ amphipod toxicity tests carried out with native amphipod species Corophium multisetosum (Atlantic area) and Microdeutopus gryllotalpa (Mediterranean area). The impact of the toxicant was reflected in the community structure and toxicity tests, both of which were correlated with oil concentration. These results point to this methodology being a reliable tool for assessing and monitoring pollution in estuarine areas.
Keywords :
Community-level assessment , Epidemiological approach , Estuary , Intertidal , Oil , Corophium multisetosum , Weight of evidence , Microdeutopus gryllotalpa
Journal title :
Science of the Total Environment
Serial Year :
2009
Link To Document : | https://search.ricest.ac.ir/inventory/10/985078.htm |
Hispanic dissatisfaction with the direction of the U.S. has grown markedly in the past year. This pessimism extends across different ages, educational levels and immigrant generations, with Democrats and women reporting some of the highest levels of dissatisfaction in 2018, according to the new Pew Research Center survey of Hispanic adults. Overall, Hispanics are now as dissatisfied as the general public with the nation’s direction, a sharp reversal from previous years. In addition, Hispanics say the economy and immigration are the most important problems facing the nation today, with Donald Trump and racism also cited as pressing issues.
Six-in-ten Hispanics (62%) say they are dissatisfied with the way things are going in the country today, up from 50% in 2017. Hispanic dissatisfaction is the highest since 2008 during the Great Recession, when 70% were dissatisfied with the direction of the country.
Hispanics have long been more optimistic than the U.S. public on this measure. This changed in 2018. As Hispanics have become more dissatisfied with the direction of the U.S., the general public has become less dissatisfied. In 2018, 61% of the U.S. public was dissatisfied with the country’s direction, down from 68% in 2017. This drop in dissatisfaction coincides with the rising share who say national economic conditions are excellent or good.
Hispanic women are significantly more dissatisfied than Hispanic men, 72% to 51%, with the way things are going in the country today. Women have registered a dramatic increase in a single year, with the share dissatisfied jumping up from 54% in 2017 – an increase of 18 percentage points. The share dissatisfied among Hispanic men, by contrast, increased by a more modest 5 percentage points over the same period.
As is the case with the general public, Hispanic views on issues vary by political party affiliation. Hispanic Democrats are now more dissatisfied with the nation’s direction than Hispanic Republicans, a reversal from just two years ago.
In 2018, seven-in-ten Hispanics who identify with or lean toward the Democratic Party (71%) say they are dissatisfied with the way things are going in the country today, up from 60% in 2017 and 43% in 2016. Levels of dissatisfaction for this group have reached their highest level since the Great Recession and its aftermath.
By contrast, less than half of Hispanics who identify with or lean toward the Republican Party (40%) say they are dissatisfied with the way things are going with the country today, down from 60% in 2017.
When asked an open-ended question about issues, Hispanics say those related to immigration and the economy are the most important problems facing the country today.
One-in-five Hispanics (20%) say issues related to immigration are the most important problem facing the nation, with family separation and deportation among the issues cited. Another 20% of Hispanics say issues related to the economy are the most important problem, with the country’s wealth gap and unemployment among the issues mentioned. Lower shares say President Trump (8%) and race relations or racism (7%) are the nation’s most pressing problems.
On immigration issues, more Hispanic immigrants (26%) than U.S.-born Hispanics (14%) cite it as the most important problem facing the country. Among Hispanic immigrants, 31% of non-citizens (a group that counts those with a green card as well as those without one) say the same, compared with 18% of naturalized U.S. citizens. Notably, similar shares of Hispanic Democrats (19%) and Hispanic Republicans (22%) say immigration is the most important problem facing the country.
Hispanics broadly agree that the economy is one of the most important problems facing the country today. About a fifth of Hispanics say this across different groups, including gender, political party, immigrant generation and citizenship status among immigrants.
When Hispanic registered voters are asked about the nation’s most pressing problem, they cite the same four issues as Hispanics overall: the economy (19%), immigration (16%), racism and discrimination (10%) and Donald Trump (10%). Similar shares of Hispanic registered voters across different groups, including gender, political party, citizenship status among immigrants, cite immigration as the nation’s most important problem. | https://www.pewhispanic.org/2018/10/25/hispanics-have-become-more-dissatisfied-with-direction-of-u-s/ |
arrive, the children run to admire the beautiful Christmas tree and examine the shiny packages.
Clara’s Godfather, Herr Drosselmeyer, arrives and delights the guests with mechanical dolls he has
invented.Drosselmeyer presents Clara with a special gift, a nutcracker doll. Clara is fascinated with
her nutcracker and shows it to all her friends. She asks Drosselmeyer if he can work his magic and
make the nutcracker come to life like the other dolls. Fritz is also fascinated by the nutcracker and
tries to take it from her. During the struggle, the nutcracker breaks. Drosselmeyer repairs the broken
nutcracker. The parents bid good night to their hosts and take their tired children home.
Under Drosselmeyer’s spell, Clara sleepwalks down the stairs and begins to dream. She notices
ominous shadows on the walls and soon the living room is filled with darting mice. Clara tries to
distract the mice. All of a sudden Fritz’s toy soldiers come to life and, led by the Nutcracker, they battle
the mice and their evil Mouse King. During the battle the soldiers and the Nutcracker are wounded by
the mice. Clara throws a shoe killing the Mouse King. The defeated mice slink away taking their fallen
leader with them.
Clara grieves for her beloved Nutcracker. Suddenly she is surprised as the Nutcracker begins to move
and reveals himself to be a handsome prince. Clara and her Nutcracker Prince venture into the snowy
night, lead by the Snow Queen, to begin their magnificent adventure.
Drosselmeyer takes Clara and the Nutcracker Prince to the magical Kingdom of Sweets where they
are greeted by the Sugarplum Fairy and members of her court. One by one the members of the
court present Clara and the Nutcracker Prince a sweet treat that represents their nation. Clara is
invited to join the Dewdrop Fairy as she dances a waltz with the flowers. Then mysteriously, a strange
atmosphere falls over the kingdom. The festivities begin to fade and everything in the court begins to
disappear. Clara tries to hold on to her dream, but her dream world fades and she is left alone with
only her Nutcracker Doll to remind her of this magical night. | http://www.balletarts.org/Performances-Nutcracker.html |
1. Make friends with the dispatcher. This is a simple, straightforward tip. When someone else has control of your load, make sure that person likes and trusts you.
2. Timeliness. This will earn you points with the company and put money in your pocket.
3. Consider making your own meals. There’s room and accessibility for a crock pot or other small appliance, so take advantage of it and avoid living on fast food and convenience store meals.
4. Always accept an offered load. Dependability in both time and willingness to work cannot be overstressed.
5. Always drive safe. It’s better to get there late, than not at all.
6. Enjoy the sites. It won’t all be a panorama of shimmering desert backlit by the setting sun, but when it is, it’s amazing.
During a long haul, staying awake is integral. The road can lull you without you noticing. If you start to feel your eyes pulling or crossing, consider these options for waking yourself: stock up on coffee or energy drinks, pinch your face, or crank the radio and sing. | https://apexcdl.com/enjoying-life-on-the-road-truck-drivers-guide/ |
Introduction {#s1}
============
Recent experience from the 2009-H1N1 pandemic highlights how health system capacities, even in developed countries, can be stretched by relatively mild pandemic scenarios [@pone.0031800-Ercole1]--[@pone.0031800-Takeuchi1]. Indeed, the vast majority of previous health system analyses in relation to pandemic influenza have focused on developed countries [@pone.0031800-Ercole1], [@pone.0031800-Takeuchi1]--[@pone.0031800-Zhang1], while the capacity of health systems in low and middle income countries remains largely unstudied. Paradoxically, understanding outbreak response capacity in low and middle-income countries is arguably of greater importance than that in developed countries, not only because health systems are weaker [@pone.0031800-Oshitani1], but also because many of these countries are in regions where the risk of emerging infectious diseases is highest [@pone.0031800-Jones1]. Moreover, these countries may suffer disproportionately because of associations between morbidity, pandemic influenza and poverty [@pone.0031800-Murray1].
Proposed strategies for pandemic preparedness in many countries frequently focus on development and acquisition of pandemic vaccines and stockpiling and distribution of antiviral drugs [@pone.0031800-Osterholm1]--[@pone.0031800-Ferguson1]. In the Southeast Asia region, while surveillance and outbreak response capacities have been strengthened in hope of early detection and control of outbreaks, there has been much less investment into preparing health systems for pandemic mitigation [@pone.0031800-Hanvoravongchai1]. Modeling studies have been used to inform optimum intervention strategies for responding to pandemic influenza, but often neglect to take into account feasibility of health systems to implement such a response and the potential impact of resource shortages on the pandemic burden.
Investigation of health system capacity in East and Southeast Asia is of particular interest, not only given the fertile conditions for the emergence and spread of new diseases [@pone.0031800-Jones1], [@pone.0031800-Coker1], but also the wide socio-economic inequalities within the region, and focus of investment by the international community into pandemic influenza preparedness [@pone.0031800-United1]. Resource gaps for a pandemic response are likely to be wide and vary greatly between and within countries in Asia [@pone.0031800-Putthasri1]. But exactly how wide are these gaps, what are the consequences of the gaps in terms of the pandemic disease burden, and to what extent could these consequences be mitigated by improving resource allocation and mobilization?
To address these questions, we conducted a health systems analysis across six Asian countries and territories with widely varying socioeconomic conditions: Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. In this analysis, mathematical modeling and health system resource data collected across the six territories were used to estimate and compare, within and across countries, the resource gaps, and potential consequences of those gaps in terms of expected mortalities, for a hypothetical pandemic influenza scenario.
Methods {#s2}
=======
This study was conducted as part of the *AsiaFluCap* project ([www.asiaflucap.org](http://www.asiaflucap.org)), the overall aim of which is to conduct health systems analyses to support capacity development for responding to pandemic influenza across six countries and territories in Asia, specifically: Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.
Health system resource data {#s2a}
---------------------------
For this comparative analysis we focus on four key health system resources: antiviral drugs (specifically oseltamivir), hospital beds, mechanical ventilators and healthcare workers (doctors and nurses), chosen due to their critical importance for responding to pandemic influenza. These resources, along with over 50 other resource items relating to health system infrastructure, equipment, materials, and human resources, were selected through a systematic literature review and a Delphi consensus process by a panel of 24 experts, as described in [@pone.0031800-Limwattananon1]. Quantities of these resource items were enumerated during March to September 2009 through questionnaires administered to hospitals and health offices in all districts of each of the six study countries (except Indonesia, where data were collected only from districts in Jakarta and Bali due to the vast geographic scale of the country). Additional questionnaires were sent to ministries of health to capture central stockpiles.
We received 100% response rates from hospitals and district health offices in Cambodia. Overall response rates from district health offices were more than 95% in Viet Nam and Indonesia (Jakarta and Bali), 86% in Lao PDR, 72% in Taiwan, and 59% in Thailand. The response rates for hospital questionnaires were slightly lower at 93% for Indonesia and Vietnam, 70% for Lao PDR, and approximately 46% for Thailand and Taiwan. Data from the questionnaires were double-entered into an Excel database. Missing values, due to non-responses or incomplete questionnaires, were extrapolated using linear prediction models, specific to each country and resource item, based on a number of district characteristics such as total number of hospital beds or public hospital beds, population size, and geographic location (region/province). For oseltamivir and ventilators, two-step models were used to first estimate the likelihood of having any oseltamivir or ventilators, and then to predict the number of these items. Extrapolation of missing data was carried out in STATA version 11.
Epidemic modeling and links to health systems resources {#s2b}
-------------------------------------------------------
In order to estimate health system resource needs and gaps for a pandemic influenza scenario, we used a mathematical model previously developed as part of the AsiaFluCap project to simulate the transmission dynamics of a pandemic influenza outbreak [@pone.0031800-Krumkamp1]. Full details and equations of the model can be found in [@pone.0031800-Krumkamp1], and are summarized in [Text S1](#pone.0031800.s005){ref-type="supplementary-material"}. Briefly, the model is based on a deterministic SEIR (Susceptible-Exposed-Infectious-Recovered/removed) model described by differential equations tracking number of people in each compartment over time. Given that the primary aim of this analysis was to provide relative estimates of resource gaps within and across countries, rather than to accurately simulate the spread of pandemic influenza throughout each country, the model structure was kept relatively simple, with homogeneous mixing patterns and no age-structure assumed within the modeled population. However, novel complexity is incorporated through making parameters describing the clinical course of infected individuals conditional upon the availability of certain key health system resources (antivirals, beds, and ventilators). Thus we could obtain relative indications of the consequences of resource shortages on the pandemic disease burden, specifically in terms of "avoidable deaths", which we define as deaths that would not have occurred in the presence of sufficient resources.
The infectious compartment of the model was subdivided into three groups based on clinical severity: asymptomatic, mild and severe infections. All asymptomatically and mildly infected patients were assumed to recover, while severe cases were at risk of death and were assumed to need antiviral treatment and hospitalized care, although whether they received either of these depended upon the availability of oseltamivir and hospital beds, respectively. Treatment with antivirals and hospitalization were assumed to reduce the infectious period and the probability of death for severe cases. Furthermore, a proportion of severe cases are assumed to require mechanical ventilation, which they will receive as long as ventilators are available, otherwise these cases would die.
The model parameters describing transmissibility and clinical severity were chosen based on data from the 2009-H1N1 pandemic, with a basic reproduction number of 1.32 [@pone.0031800-Tuite1]--[@pone.0031800-Yang1]. Under the parameter values chosen (see [Table S1](#pone.0031800.s006){ref-type="supplementary-material"} and [@pone.0031800-Krumkamp1]), in a population with sufficient resources (i.e. when there are no shortages of oseltamivir, hospital beds, or ventilators), the scenario predicts an overall attack rate of 35.6%, a clinical attack rate of 24.9%, a peak prevalence (of symptomatic cases) of 0.94%, and a case fatality rate of 0.018%. In the absence of any resources, the case fatality rate is substantially higher at 0.029%, while attack rates and peak prevalence remain very similar.
Estimating resource needs, gaps, and associated mortality {#s2c}
---------------------------------------------------------
In our baseline scenario, resource gaps were estimated assuming that 12% of "general" hospital resources (beds, ventilators and human resources) are available for care of pandemic influenza cases, with the remaining 88% required for maintaining essential healthcare services, as in a previous pilot study for Thailand [@pone.0031800-Putthasri1], and based on previous reports [@pone.0031800-Schull1]--[@pone.0031800-Kanter1]. We also assumed that, in the event of a pandemic all available oseltamivir doses would be dedicated to severe influenza cases. These assumptions regarding resource spare capacity and oseltamivir usage were relaxed in a multivariate uncertainty analysis (described below). The resource data were aggregated at provincial level for all countries except Taiwan, where they were aggregated at county level, and Indonesia, where the data were kept at district level. (Counties in Taiwan and districts in Indonesia are of comparable population size to the provinces of the other four countries.) We then ran the model separately for each province (Lao PDR, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam), county (Taiwan) and district (Indonesia), with the appropriate resources for each of these administrative areas, assuming a closed population and that resources could not be shared between these areas in a timely manner. For the purposes of narrative flow, we henceforth use the term "province" for counties in Taiwan. All simulations started with one mild case entering a completely susceptible population.
In addition to running the model with the available resources, based on the survey data, we also ran the model with unlimited resources, in order to calculate resource needs, and thus also the resource gaps (or indeed surpluses) by comparing with the resource availability data. The needed number of hospital beds, ventilators and humans resources were estimated from the peak number of cases requiring hospitalization and ventilation, while the needed number of oseltamivir doses was calculated from total number of severe cases occurring over the duration of the outbreak (full details on assumptions of resource depletion rates are detailed in [@pone.0031800-Krumkamp1], and summarized in [Text S1](#pone.0031800.s005){ref-type="supplementary-material"}). By comparing the number of deaths predicted by simulations with sufficient resources with those from simulations using actual resource data, we also estimated the number of deaths due to resource gaps, which we term as "avoidable deaths".
A multivariate uncertainty analysis was conducted to approximate uncertainty surrounding avoidable deaths in light of uncertainty in resource spare capacity and effectiveness, which may vary between settings. Specifically, the proportion of "general" healthcare resources within each province/district that would be available to care for pandemic influenza patients was allowed to vary between 5--20%, and parameters describing the effectiveness of each resource for reducing the risk of death in cases requiring those resources were allowed to vary independently between a wide range of 20--80%. We also explored the impact of relaxing the assumption that oseltamivir administration is restricted to severe influenza cases, by allowing between 0--5% of mild cases to be treated. One hundred combinations of values were chosen randomly from these ranges using Latin hypercube sampling, and simulations were run using each combination. The medians, interquartile ranges (IQR) and 95^th^ percentile ranges of model outcomes were then calculated across the simulations.
Since the aim of this study was to compare resource capacities across geographic areas and resource types, rather than to evaluate how transmission dynamics may vary across geographic areas, epidemiological parameters of the model were kept fixed in the multivariate uncertainty analysis to ensure comparability of resource capacity outcomes. However, due to the unpredictability of pandemic scenarios, we also explored model outcomes for a range of values for R~0~ and for the severe clinical attack rate in a separate univariate sensitivity analysis.
The model was coded and run in *R* version 2.10.1, using the "simecol" package [@pone.0031800-Petzoldt1] with the Runge-Kutta 4^th^ order algorithm for numerical integration of the differential equations. ArcGIS version 10 was used to map the calculated resource gaps and avoidable mortalities at provincial level.
Results {#s3}
=======
Resource gaps {#s3a}
-------------
[Figure 1](#pone-0031800-g001){ref-type="fig"} presents the geographical distribution of estimated resource gaps across provinces (or districts in the case of Indonesia) in each study country for the modeled pandemic influenza scenario, under our baseline assumptions and point estimates for parameter values. The corresponding statistical distributions of resource capacities across areas within each country can be found in [Figure S1](#pone.0031800.s001){ref-type="supplementary-material"}. A summary of overall resource gaps for each country is presented in [Table 1](#pone-0031800-t001){ref-type="table"}. There was substantial variation in resource gaps both between and within countries, and across resources types ([Figures 1](#pone-0031800-g001){ref-type="fig"} and [S1](#pone.0031800.s001){ref-type="supplementary-material"}). Overall, the biggest gaps were generally seen in Cambodia and Lao PDR, particularly when standardized by population size, with almost all provinces in these countries displaying gaps in all resources, with the exception of nurses which were estimated to be sufficient in approximately half of the provinces in these countries. In contrast, relatively few provinces in Taiwan were estimated to have gaps, at least in general health system resources (beds, ventilators, and human resources), with quantities of these resources often considerably above those predicted to be needed for this scenario. Nevertheless, almost half of provinces in Taiwan were predicted to have insufficient oseltamivir supplies to treat all severe cases (although it should be noted that the results in [Figures 1](#pone-0031800-g001){ref-type="fig"} and [S1](#pone.0031800.s001){ref-type="supplementary-material"} do not account for central stockpiles which might be mobilized in the event of a pandemic, as discussed later).
{#pone-0031800-g001}
10.1371/journal.pone.0031800.t001
###### Summary of estimated resource gaps for a modeled pandemic influenza scenario.
{#pone-0031800-t001-1}
Cambodia Indonesia[\*](#nt102){ref-type="table-fn"} Lao PDR Thailand Taiwan[\*](#nt102){ref-type="table-fn"} Vietnam
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------- -------------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- ----------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
No. of provinces 24 15 17 76 25 63
Oseltamivir:
No. (%) of provinces with a gap 24 (100) 1 (6.7) 13 (76.5) 40 (52.6) 11 (44.0) 5 (7.9)
Overall gap/surplus (excluding central stockpile)[†](#nt103){ref-type="table-fn"} −9508.4 11449 −193.1 43746.5 13189.8 63964.5
Central stockpile[†](#nt103){ref-type="table-fn"} 31114 n/a[‡](#nt104){ref-type="table-fn"} 1445.6 513411 487000 n/a[‡](#nt104){ref-type="table-fn"}
Overall gap/surplus (including central stockpile)[†](#nt103){ref-type="table-fn"} 21605.6 11449.0[‡](#nt104){ref-type="table-fn"} 1252.5 557157.5 500190[‡](#nt104){ref-type="table-fn"} 63964.5
Hospital beds:
No. (%) of provinces with a gap 21 (87.5) 10 (66.7) 16 (94.1) 24 (31.6) 1 (4.0) 32 (50.8)
Overall gap/surplus −661.6 507.8 −365.3 3941 11031.2 1235.2
Ventilators:
No. (%) of provinces with a gap 24 (100) 15 (100) 17 (100) 64 (84.2) 1 (4) 63 (100)
Overall gap/surplus −440.4 −350.6 −190.1 −688.1 987.6 −2465.9
Doctors:
No. (%) of provinces with a gap 21 (87.5) 5 (33.3) 15 (88.2) 67 (88.2) 3 (12) 2 (3.2)
Overall gap/surplus −19.3 1504.4 −78.3 −1024.5 3682.5 2113.6
Nurses:
No. (%) of provinces with a gap 12 (50) 5 (33.3) 10 (58.8) 8 (10.5) 2 (8) 1 (1.6)
Overall gap/surplus 139.9 1021.7 −44.7 3348.7 12277.4 6012.5
(Estimates are for comparative purposes only, and highly sensitive to model parameters and assumptions. They should not be interpreted as precise quantitative indications of resource gaps that may occur in a pandemic influenza scenario.)
\*Data for Indonesia are from across districts (not provinces) in Jakarta and Bali only, and data for Taiwan are across counties.
Values for oseltamivir represent the number of treatment courses.
Data on central stockpiles of oseltamivir were not available for Indonesia and Vietnam.
Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam generally displayed a more mixed picture. Results were comparable between Vietnam and Indonesia, with relatively few provinces of Vietnam (7·9%) and only one district of Jakarta (and none in Bali), estimated to have insufficient oseltamivir to treat all severe cases, with supplies of this antiviral drug comparably high across most other areas in these countries. Healthcare workers were also predicted to be mostly sufficient in Vietnam, with only 3·1% and 1·6% of provinces predicted to have a shortage of doctors and nurses, respectively, for this scenario. However, gaps in hospital beds were observed in over half of provinces in Vietnam and districts of Jakarta and Bali, and all of these provinces displayed a shortage of mechanical ventilators. Indeed, of all the resources, the largest gaps were observed in ventilators across all countries except Taiwan ([Table 1](#pone-0031800-t001){ref-type="table"}).
Thailand had the second highest number of ventilators (absolute and per capita) after Taiwan, but a shortage of this resource was nevertheless predicted in over 80% of Thai provinces. A very heterogeneous pattern was observed in Thailand, with around 50% of provinces showing a shortage of hospital beds and oseltamivir, while many other provinces showed a clear "surplus" of the latter. Meanwhile, a shortage of medical doctors was predicted in over 80% of Thai provinces, with gaps in doctors comparable to those Lao PDR and Cambodia ([Table 1](#pone-0031800-t001){ref-type="table"}). The number of nurses in Thai provinces was estimated to be somewhat more sufficient, however. A fairly distinct geographical pattern of resource gaps was evident in Thailand, particularly for oseltamivir and ventilators, with north-eastern (and some southern) provinces showing shortages more comparable with those in neighboring Lao PDR and Cambodia than with other Thai provinces ([Figure 1](#pone-0031800-g001){ref-type="fig"}).
It should be noted that estimates of gaps in beds, ventilators and human resources were highly dependent on the spare capacity of resources assumed to be available to care for pandemic influenza patients. For example, if spare capacity was assumed to be 5%, rather than 12%, then even in Taiwan most areas would suffer gaps in these resources for the modeled scenario. Furthermore, use of oseltamivir on even a fairly small proportion (5%) of mild cases, resulted in much faster depletion of this resource, such that all countries are predicted to experience a shortage of oseltamivir for treating all severe cases.
Consequences of resource gaps on pandemic-associated mortality {#s3b}
--------------------------------------------------------------
The geographic distribution of avoidable deaths, estimated by calculating the number of deaths that would be prevented by filling all resource gaps in each province, and standardized by population size, is presented in [Figure 2](#pone-0031800-g002){ref-type="fig"}. (A corresponding map showing absolute numbers of estimated avoidable death is given in [Figure S2](#pone.0031800.s002){ref-type="supplementary-material"}.) [Figure 3](#pone-0031800-g003){ref-type="fig"} shows estimated avoidable death rates attributable to gaps in each resource type (antivirals, beds and ventilators) aggregated across all provinces in each country, and accounting for uncertainty in resource effectiveness and spare capacity. Avoidable deaths for a given resource gap were estimated by calculating the number of deaths that would be prevented by filling that resource gap only.
{#pone-0031800-g002}
{#pone-0031800-g003}
[Figures 2](#pone-0031800-g002){ref-type="fig"} and [3](#pone-0031800-g003){ref-type="fig"} highlight how resource gaps could have a substantial impact on mortality rates during an influenza pandemic. A combination of the large population size and shortage of ventilators results in the estimation that, out of the five countries for which nationwide data were collected, Vietnam would have the highest total number of avoidable deaths. However, the results for Jakarta and Bali suggest that Indonesia would have the highest avoidable death toll if the data is extrapolated across the entire population of this country. When standardized by population size, the highest rates of avoidable deaths were estimated in Cambodia and Lao PDR, accounting for over half of all pandemic-associated mortalities in these countries. The median avoidable death rates for these countries were over 15 times higher than that for Taiwan, where a relatively low proportion (median: 7.6%, IQR: 5.5--10.7%) of total deaths was estimated to be due to resource gaps. Almost all avoidable deaths in Taiwan were predicted to be due to local shortages of oseltamivir. In all other countries shortages of ventilators were estimated to be the biggest cause of avoidable deaths ([Figure 3](#pone-0031800-g003){ref-type="fig"}). In Indonesia, Lao PDR, and Vietnam, this result was largely robust to uncertainty surrounding resource effectiveness and spare capacity. For Cambodia and Thailand, however, the uncertainty analysis suggested that gaps in oseltamivir might also be a main cause of avoidable deaths ([Figure 3](#pone-0031800-g003){ref-type="fig"}). When adding an additional layer of uncertainty to the model assumptions, by allowing for up to 5% of mild cases to be treated with oseltamivir, the increased shortages of the latter further increased uncertainty surrounding the relative importance of gaps in oseltamivir ([Figure S3](#pone.0031800.s003){ref-type="supplementary-material"}). Given such uncertainties and the sensitivity of results to model assumptions, the proportion of mortalities that can be attributed to gaps in specific resources should be interpreted with some caution.
A clear negative correlation was observed between estimated avoidable mortality rates and GDP per capita at country level ([Figure 4A](#pone-0031800-g004){ref-type="fig"}). Total funds per capita committed by donors towards avian and human influenza for each country, up to December 2009 [@pone.0031800-United2] were positively correlated with avoidable mortality rates ([Figure 4B](#pone-0031800-g004){ref-type="fig"}).
{#pone-0031800-g004}
Resource distribution and mobilization {#s3c}
--------------------------------------
Within many countries it was evident that, while at least some provinces displayed resources gaps, other provinces were estimated to have more than sufficient resources for responding to the modeled scenario, with an overall "surplus" of some resources in several countries ([Table 1](#pone-0031800-t001){ref-type="table"}). Furthermore, central stockpiles of oseltamivir were present in all countries from which data on this could be obtained. Thus we also investigated the proportion of avoidable deaths that might be averted in each country if the total available resources were equitably distributed across provinces according to provincial population size ([Figure 5](#pone-0031800-g005){ref-type="fig"}). When accounting for central stockpiles of oseltamivir, the overall supply of this drug was estimated to be sufficient to treat all severe cases in all countries ([Table 1](#pone-0031800-t001){ref-type="table"}). Thus it was estimated that, in each country (except for Vietnam, and Jakarta and Bali, where provincial supplies of oseltamivir are already relatively high), effective mobilization of oseltamivir across administrative areas could potentially avert a significant proportion of the avoidable deaths estimated under current resource distributions (up to 100% of avoidable mortalities in Taiwan; [Figure 5](#pone-0031800-g005){ref-type="fig"}).
{#pone-0031800-g005}
The (less feasible) scenario of redistributing available beds and ventilators according to provincial need within each country was generally estimated to have less of an impact on the number of avoidable deaths, compared to mobilization of oseltamivir ([Figure 5](#pone-0031800-g005){ref-type="fig"}). In the case of ventilators, this highlights how the large numbers of deaths attributed to gaps in this resource ([Figure 3](#pone-0031800-g003){ref-type="fig"}) are mostly due to overall nationwide shortages of ventilators, rather than an inequitable distribution of ventilators within most countries. In Thailand, however, if all ventilators were distributed in proportion to provincial population sizes, the model predicts around 30% (IQR: 21--41%) fewer avoidable deaths than the number predicted under the observed ventilator distribution.
Sensitivity of results to pandemic severity {#s3d}
-------------------------------------------
Estimates of resource gaps, and thus also avoidable mortalities, were very sensitive to the severity of the modeled pandemic scenario in relation to transmissibility and proportion of cases requiring hospitalization ([Figure S4](#pone.0031800.s004){ref-type="supplementary-material"}). A sensitivity analysis showed that under more severe (yet still plausible) pandemic scenarios, even Taiwan could experience substantial deaths due to shortages of hospital resources ([Figure S4A and S4C](#pone.0031800.s004){ref-type="supplementary-material"}). Furthermore, as the severity of the scenario increased, so too did the proportion of avoidable deaths that were attributable to gaps in hospital bed capacity (shown for Cambodia in [Figure S4B and S4D](#pone.0031800.s004){ref-type="supplementary-material"}). It is important to note, however, that for the ranges of values explored for the basic reproduction number and the proportion of cases that become severely ill, consistent patterns were observed when comparing relative magnitudes of avoidable mortality rates across countries (and also across provinces within countries).
Discussion {#s4}
==========
Our results indicate that health system resource gaps for responding to a mild to moderate pandemic influenza scenario are wide and vary greatly, both within and between countries in Southeast Asia, and that these gaps could have a profound impact on pandemic-associated mortalities. Our estimates of resource gaps and avoidable mortality rates at country level show a clear association with national GDP. This result is consistent with a previous analysis of data from the 1918 influenza pandemic, which found that per capita income explained a large proportion of the variation in mortality across countries during the pandemic period [@pone.0031800-Murray1]. Moreover, extrapolation of these mortality rates to the 2004 world population suggested that around 96% of deaths from pandemic influenza would occur in developing countries [@pone.0031800-Murray1]. Our results suggest that, due to inequitable distribution of resources, the variation in pandemic burden is likely to be profound within, as well as between, countries.
Countries which have experienced the highest burden of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1), namely Vietnam and Indonesia, appear to be most prepared in terms of the availability and geographical distribution of oseltamivir. In the other study countries, we estimated that central stockpiles of oseltamivir would be sufficient to cover any provincial gaps for treating all severe cases from the modeled scenario, and thus mobilization of this resource could potentially avert a large number of avoidable mortalities in these countries. Indeed, in all countries except Vietnam, we estimated that optimum mobilization of resources across administrative boundaries could save more than 10% of avoidable deaths. While timely mobilization of resources may be possible in Taiwan, with its small geographical size and relatively developed infrastructure, the feasibility of this scenario is questionable in the poorer, and larger, countries of the Mekong region, where it might be prudent to disburse central stockpiles of antiviral drugs to provincial and district health facilities prior to an outbreak.
Gaps in mechanical ventilators were predicted to be a major cause of avoidable deaths, with almost all provinces across all countries estimated to have severe shortages of this of this resource, with the exception of Taiwan and some Thai provinces. This pattern likely reflects the relatively high cost and human resource skills associated with acquisition and operation of ventilators, and highlights the importance of developing robust triage criteria as part of pandemic preparedness plans to ensure that this resource is allocated to the patients who are most likely benefit [@pone.0031800-Hick1]--[@pone.0031800-Talmor1]. A previous analysis similarly suggested that a dire shortage of mechanical ventilators would be a major limiting factor in responding to a pandemic influenza outbreak in the United States [@pone.0031800-Niska1]. We found particularly wide variation in the availability of ventilators, and indeed other hospital resources, in Thailand, where our results suggest that inequitable distribution of health system resources [@pone.0031800-Valdmanis1], rather than simply an overall nationwide shortage, could lead to a high number of avoidable deaths from pandemic influenza.
Of course, hospital equipment such as beds and ventilators are useless unless sufficient and qualified human resources are available to treat influenza patients, and our results suggest that gaps in healthcare workers would also be an important limiting factor for responding to pandemic influenza in many countries, particularly for Cambodia, Lao PDR and Thailand.
It is encouraging that total donor funds committed to avian and human influenza broadly correspond to avoidable mortality rates estimated at country level. A recent paper on Financial and Technical Assistance from the 2010 International Ministerial Conference on Animal and Pandemic Influenza (IMCAPI) reports that over 50% of total donor funding committed towards avian and human influenza worldwide between 2005 and 2009 was allocated towards "human health and pandemic preparedness" (with other funds committed towards sectors such as animal health; monitoring, information, and internal coordination; and information, education and communication) [@pone.0031800-United2]. However, the extent to which these funds have been, or will be, allocated towards mitigating the resource gaps identified in our study is unknown to us and beyond the scope of this analysis.
This study is subject to several limitations, many of which relate to assumptions that were necessary for the modeled scenario. For example, in our baseline scenario we assumed that 12% of hospital capacity, across all provinces and countries, would be available to care for the surge of patients with influenza infections. In reality, surge capacity is likely to vary substantially between and within countries (and over time), but few data on this are available. Robust analytical frameworks are urgently needed to define and measure health system surge capacity in order to inform analyses of resource gaps for emergency response scenarios. The effectiveness of resources such as antiviral drugs, ventilators, and general hospital care for improving the survival rates among severe influenza cases is also surrounded by considerable uncertainty and may vary between settings. Our results show that, even if epidemiological parameters describing transmission and pathogenicity are kept constant, uncertainties in spare capacity and resource effectiveness lead to considerable uncertainties in estimates of avoidable mortalities rates. Nevertheless, the distributions of model outputs from our multivariate uncertainty analysis still showed some significant differences when compared across countries and across resource types ([Figures 3](#pone-0031800-g003){ref-type="fig"} and [5](#pone-0031800-g005){ref-type="fig"}). Furthermore, it seems likely that spare capacity and resource effectiveness would be higher in more resource-rich settings, which would only strengthen the findings of this study in terms of the geographic distribution of resource gaps and avoidable mortalities.
Estimates of resource gaps and avoidable mortality rates were also very sensitive to parameters describing pandemic severity, although similar patterns were observed across geographic areas for the range of values explored. However, the same cannot be said for the relative importance of gaps in different resource types. Thus, although our results generally suggest that shortages of ventilators could be a major cause of avoidable deaths in low- and middle-income countries in Southeast Asia, investment in this resource should not necessarily be prioritized over other healthcare resources. A natural extension of this study would be to investigate the cost-effectiveness of investing different types of health systems resources for mitigating the burden of an influenza pandemic. However, more data on the effectiveness of different resources for managing severe influenza cases is needed before such assessments can be made.
Other limitations relate to the simplicity of the model structure. We assumed homogenous mixing and a constant basic reproduction number across all populations. In reality, heterogeneities in factors such as age-structure, geographic structure, population density, human behavior, and the underlying health of the population are all likely to play a role in transmission dynamics and burden of influenza. A previous modeling analysis, for example, has shown that higher levels of population heterogeneities, such as in age and spatial structuring of contacts, result in lower overall attack rates and peak prevalence for a given basic reproduction number [@pone.0031800-Lunelli1]. However, there is a lack of data on such heterogeneities and how they might affect patterns of pandemic progression for our study region. Ongoing studies, such as contact pattern surveys in Asia similar to those undertaken in Europe [@pone.0031800-Mossong1], are attempting to rectify this. Another limitation is that the resource data were collected between May and September 2009, which includes the first wave of the H1N1-2009 pandemic; thus some resource data (particularly for antiviral stockpiles) may be influenced by the time point within this period at which the data were recorded.
Given the above caveats, it is important to emphasize that we do not advocate these results to be accurate quantitative reflections of resources shortages or deaths that are likely to occur in any given pandemic scenario. Rather, they highlight the scale of health system inequalities within and across countries in Asia, and the considerable impact such inequalities could have on the pandemic disease burden. By indicating the relative disparities in resource availability within and across countries, and the potential consequences of resource shortages, these results could help guide investment decisions in scaling up resources to mitigate the burden of future pandemics. As many of these resources have a generic healthcare function beyond pandemic influenza, they may also be useful to guide health system strengthening.
Supporting Information {#s5}
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**Variation in estimated resource capacities across provinces within each territory for the modeled pandemic scenario.**
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**Geographical distribution of estimated avoidable deaths due to resource gaps for a modeled pandemic influenza scenario.**
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**Estimated avoidable mortality rates by resource gap when oseltamivir usage is not restricted to severe influenza cases.**
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**Sensitivity of model outputs to changes in pandemic severity.**
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**Mathematical model structure and assumptions.**
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**Model parameters and values.**
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The AsiaFluCap project is coordinated by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine with collaborators from the Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (HAW), Netherlands National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), International Health Policy Programme -Thailand (IHPP), Taiwan Centers for Disease Control, University of Indonesia Faculty of Public Health, Vietnam Ministry of Science and Technology, Vietnam Military Medical University, Lao PDR National Emerging Infectious Diseases Coordination Office, Lao PDR University of Health Sciences, Mahidol University Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Cambodia Department of Communicable Disease Control, and Cambodia National Institute of Public Health.
We are grateful to the many collaborators within this project consortium for their contribution towards resource characterization, data collection, and discussions at consortium meetings. These include: Ly Khunbunn Narann and Chau Darapheak (Cambodia); Sandi Iljanto, Noviyanti Liana Dewi, Kamaluddin Latief, Amir Suudi, Lilis Muchlisoh (Indonesia); Nyphonh Chanthakoummane, Sing Menorath and Rattanaxay Phetsouvanh (Lao PDR); Yu-Chen Hsu, Yi-Ta Yang, Steve Kuo (Taiwan); Pornthip Chompook, Jongkol Lertiendumrong and Viroj Tangcharoensathien (Thailand); Le Minh Sat and La Thanh Nhan (Vietnam). Excellent administrative support from Nicola Lord and Wasamon Sabaiwan is greatly appreciated.
The study protocol was reviewed and approved by ethical review committees in study countries and by the ethics committee of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
**Competing Interests:**The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
**Funding:**This work was conducted as part of "AsiaFluCap: Heath system analysis to support capacity development in response to the threat of pandemic influenza in Asia", a project funded within the European Commission Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013), grant agreement number: Health-F3-2008-201823; and the Rockefeller Foundation Grant 2008 DSN 2001. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.
[^1]: Conceived and designed the experiments: RC. Analyzed the data: JWR PH IC. Wrote the paper: JWR. Coordinated data collection across countries: PH RC. Led data collection within countries: WA PNC BP WP CS-S ST. Led model development: RK. Contributed to model development: JWR MS AT. Coded the model: JWR. Conducted literature reviews for model parameter values: MS AT. Commented on drafts of the manuscript: RC PH RK WA MS AT RR.
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It may be debatable that COVID-19 has settled in humanity in absolutely random terms, but what is not at this stage of its development, is that despite all its reaches in public health and its effects at the economics level, it has ended up becoming an eminently political issue.
Without going further, the behavior of the population to maintain and adapt to the recommendations of the health authority is key in the «solution» of contagion. Faced with this, it is also a fact, which are those countries where political institutionality has a higher density and shows strict control and /or high civic awareness, where the situation has been handled more effectively. In this, even scientists have played a leading role.
In our country, for their part, beyond how misaligned society is with political institutions, the measures that authority has been taking have little popular adherence, except in some upper or upper middle-class sectors, where contagion is supposed to have originated.
The social outburst of October 2019 only generates additional difficulty, because it is clear that the demands raised there have not been resolved and even more so, which was approved and legislated as a kind of organic exit from the conflict, it was quickly questioned and government parliamentarians have campaigned intensively to take the floor from the plebiscite that should lead to a new constitution and thus a new social pact that will guarantee a significant change in the rules of the game and thus avoid the abuses of the factual powers that have transformed politics into a kind of loot that self-generates in a fungal way.
Today it is clear that the decisions made by the executive pursue more than just solving the pandemic. Where there is the greatest evidence is in the economic field where the solutions arise as an accountant leaving room to maintain control of the population and thus gain the time necessary for electoral purposes, since we are precisely before relevant definitions such as the next elections of mayors, governors, the constitutional plebiscite and then the presidential ones.
The polls show precisely that it is the mayors of government who are the best assessed in terms of the management of the pandemic and this is undoubtedly supported by the television media that have shown a lack of equanimity that borders on censorship. In the face of this obvious situation, with astonishment, the average citizen wonders about the absence of the opposition, that if he had a modicum of humility and commitment to his humanist en struggles he should have deposed his «legitimate differences» and generated a strong bloc in support of people and their needs. In the face of this, organizations have emerged from professionals such as the Forum for Fair and Sustainable Development, which seeks to propose economic and financial alternatives beyond the neoliberal dogmatism of the government.
Minister Briones has even been described as missing the truth by saying that existing resources do not allow for a greater disbursement than offered. It is then difficult to imagine how to keep people more dispossessed in their homes since they have to go out to supplement their income. That being the case, the pandemic has no way to be controlled.
Carl Smith, the great German philosopher argues that the political is given in the duality friend and enemy, a formula that is evident despite all the President’s calls for national unity, to combat the scourges that lasaze our country. In fact, he has been following Machiavelli’s lessons in waiting for the long-awaited popularity to rise and his rule can end.
The bets that the government is making like any speculator play to the limit, but in this case the implications are human lives. Realpolitik ends up prevailing and solutions may not arise from the traditional political class that has shown blindness and stubbornness and a widespread lack of empathy to solve pressing social problems, accumulated over several years as in a pressure cooker.
The risk that politics in its highest conception will not take over the global crisis and our country creates a mantle of extraordinary uncertainty, detrimental to the foundations of the human community. As Paul Samuelson says, a neoliberal system is not feasible in a democratic society.
The content poured into this opinion column is the sole responsibility of its author, and does not necessarily reflect the editorial line or position of El Mostrador. | https://ananoticias.com/2020/05/23/translated-from-spanish-a-political-virus-the-counter/ |
Frank Lloyd Wright, one of the most famous figures in modern architecture, continues to inspire, delight, and challenge architecture enthusiasts. These stories explore Wright's influence on the field and the role that historic preservation plays in his legacy.
QUIZ: How Well Do You Know Architecture?
Frank Lloyd Wright QUIZ: Which Frank Lloyd Wright Building Are You?
Frank Lloyd Wright QUIZ: How Well Do You Know Frank Lloyd Wright?
Celebrate American Women Where Does Frank Lloyd Wright’s Genius Come From? | https://savingplaces.org/story-categories/frank-lloyd-wright-stories |
This guide was developed in the framework of the LIFE ENV/GR/951 project, entitled “Sustainable strategies for the improvement of seriously degraded agricultural areas: the example of Pistachia vera L.” (AgroStrat) and aims to provide useful information and instructions to pistachio producers and farmers from the Mediterranean region regarding composting in field of the solid wastes generating after dehulling of pistachio nuts, as well as to present the composting method developed during the project.
One of the main objectives of the AgroStrat project was to recycle the solid waste produced from pistachio nuts processing. Therefore, a composting technique was developed using pistachio wastes, manure, straw and the natural zeolite, clinoptilolite. Clinoptilolite was added to the compostable mixture in order to adsorb the excess salts concentration and at the same time to contribute to the overall quality of the final product. This was the first time that a natural zeolite was used as feedstock component to this composting process, aiming to facilitate the production of an improved compost, which apart of the known properties will also act as “slow-release” fertilizer, due to the well-known properties of clinoptilolite to adsorb and keep essential nutrients in its framework and release them upon plant demand.
The potential harmful organic substances of pistachio wastes, and mainly polyphenols, were degraded during the composting process, allowing the safe use of the obtained compost in agricultural fields.
Therefore, composting could be an interesting alternative in recycling this type of agricultural waste produced in Mediterranean areas, resulting in an organic fertilizer suitable to be applied at pistachio orchards and not only, saving
fertilization costs and improving the poor and erosion-endangered Mediterranean soils. | https://agrostrat.gr/en/node/601 |
An example from the Seattle Animal Sheltera#39;s Furry 5K event is depicted in Table 19.2. ... Some categories of events offer sponsorship opportunities, and individuals and local businesses may be willing to lend their support by paying for particular items of ... These sponsorships might take the form of cash donations, but they can also be in-kind donations such as discounts on goods and services. On theanbsp;...
|Title||:||Fundraising Principles and Practice|
|Author||:||Adrian Sargeant, Jen Shang|
|Publisher||:||John Wiley & Sons - 2010-03-04|
You must register with us as either a Registered User before you can Download this Book. You'll be greeted by a simple sign-up page.
Once you have finished the sign-up process, you will be redirected to your download Book page.How it works: | http://www.free-themes.org/download-pdf-fundraising-principles-and-practice-book-by-john-wiley-sons.pdf |
Paris, France (AP) Urban scientists and Paris foodies are getting excited about a bizarre discovery atop a hotel near the Eiffel Tower: the first-ever wild truffle growing in the French capital.
It’s just one 25-gram (0.9-ounce) winter truffle. But truffles normally sprout only in limited areas of southern Europe, and are so rare that the most prized versions can sell for thousands of euros per kilogram.
The National Museum of National History, which confirmed the discovery Friday, called it a “beautiful example’’ of environmental benefits of rooftop gardens sprouting across Paris and other cities.
Urban ecology researcher Frederic Madre described on France-Info television finding the mushroom beneath a hornbeam tree at the Mercure Paris Centre hotel.
This truffle was donated to science, but the hotel is already hoping to be able to offer homegrown truffles to diners someday. | https://www.focusnewspaper.com/truffle-found-growing-hotel-tree-pot-rare-occurrence/ |
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has pronounced a complete ban on the sale and use of firecrackers in Delhi-NCR starting midnight of November 9. The order comes amidst the record spike in pollution levels across the capital region. The air quality, notably, has remained in the ‘severe’ category in Delhi and NCR for five days in a row now.
The lastest order, as per an NDTV report, will be applicable to more than 2 dozen districts across four states that are a part of the National Capital Region (NCR).
Also Read: Govt. Makes FASTags Compulsory For All Four-Wheelers From This Date, Here’s How You Can Get A FASTag
Also, as per ANI, the NGT further added that in cities and towns where the air quality is ‘moderate,’ only green firecrackers will be sold and the usage of the crackers will be limited to a restricted time limit of two hours during festivals such as Diwali, Chhath, New Year/Christmas Eve as may be specified by the state.
Also Read: 11 Scenic Places In India Where You Can Celebrate A Pollution-Free Diwali
To note, earlier, the Delhi government has already banned all types of firecrackers from November 7 to 30. However, Monday NGT’s order expands the ban to regions in Delhi’s vicinity.
Meanwhile, AQI in NCR has dipped to severe at 475 on the air quality tracker. Similar quality indexes were seen in Faridabad (462) and Gurugram (472).
Also Read: Google Pay Has A New Logo & We Don’t Feel Good About It
In addition to Delhi, many other states including Karnataka, Odisha, Rajasthan have banned or restricted the use and selling of firecrackers. You can check the full list of states that have banned firecrackers here. | https://www.viralbake.com/green-court-bans-sale-use-of-fire-crackers-in-delhi-ncr-from-midnight-till-nov-30/ |
Using radio-telemetry we investigated natal dispersal, adult home ranges and site fidelity of mountain hares Lepus timidus in northern Sweden. We captured 48 leverets from 20 litters while these were still suckling and radio-tracked them for up to 37 months. Leverets showed limited dispersal; < ⅓moved far enough to leave the home range of an average adult female. We radio-collared and tracked 73 adult hares to determine annual and seasonal home ranges along with site fidelity. Males had significantly larger annual and winter-spring home ranges than did females. Both sexes, and especially males, had significantly larger home ranges during winter-spring than during summer-autumn. Adults showed strong site fidelity. None of the adults dispersed from an established home range even though some long-distance excursions were recorded, especially for the males during the breeding season in spring. Limited natal dispersal and a high degree of adult site fidelity suggest that dispersal of mountain hares, as juveniles or as adults, occurs at a low rate in the boreal forest during prevailing conditions, i.e. during low densities and in a continuous population. We conclude that the mountain hare seems to be a philopatric species compared with other small game species in the same ecosystem.
The importance of spatial dynamics in management and conservation of wildlife has received increased attention in recent years (e.g. Sutherland et al. 2000, Clobert et al. 2001). Movements have the potential of buffering local variations in population numbers, and buffer zones could be used as simple means to reduce risks of potential over-harvest as suggested by Willebrand & Hörnell (2001) for willow grouse Lagopus lagopus. At the population level, dispersal is arguably the most important movement an animal makes, because it moves individuals from one area to another. Seasonal movements can create large temporal changes in abundance, even in species that would not normally be considered migratory, but do not move animals between populations (Begon et al. 1996, Clobert et al. 2001). Natal dispersal was defined by Greenwood (1980) as dispersal from the birth site to that of first reproduction or potential reproduction, and is often the only long-distance movement an animal will make (Dice & Howard 1951, Sutherland et al. 2000, Engen et al. 2002). Information on both natal dispersal rate and distance moved is needed to understand the effect of dispersal on population dynamics (Pulliam et al. 1992, Schumaker 1996), but such detailed information is known only for a limited number of species (Sutherland et al. 2000). Despite its importance only one previous study has been published on natal dispersal of any hare species, viz. the snowshoe hare Lepus americanus, tracking leverets from suckling until they had established adult home ranges (Gillis & Krebs 1999). Breeding dispersal, i.e. the subsequent movements of adults after their first reproduction (Greenwood & Harvey 1982), usually occurs at lower frequency than natal dispersal, but can be important for the lifetime reproductive success of individuals (Clutton-Brock 1988, Newton 1989). Although not within the scope of this paper, dispersal also has important consequences for population genetics (Aars & Ims 2000).
Home-range size can be used to determine the spatial scale to which dispersal distances should be weighted. Annual home-range sizes (MCP) are well known for the mountain hare Lepus timidus in Scotland, e.g., Hewson & Hinge (1990) found home ranges to be 113 ha and 89 ha for males and females, respectively. In Scandinavia, however, only a few limited studies have investigated home-range size, and none of them followed the hares for a whole year (Seiskari 1957, Olsson 1997).
The mountain hare is one of Sweden's most popular game species due to its extensive range; 40,000–200,000 have been bagged annually during the last 25 years. Several studies using bag data have pooled the mountain hare with capercaillie Tetrao urogallus and black grouse T. tetrix in a coherent group of small game showing similar patterns of population dynamics (Hörnfeldt 1978, Small et al. 1993). In Sweden, the synchronous fluctuation of the small game community in the boreal forest is attributed to the alternative prey hypothesis, where predators act as a link to the microtine 3–4 year cycle (Marcström et al. 1988, 1989, Lindström et al. 1994). It should be noted, however, that the periodicity and degree of synchrony may vary in different parts of Scandinavia and the former Soviet Union (Labutin 1960, Lindén 1988). Still, it is doubtful if bag data can be used to resolve any detailed pattern of mountain hare population dynamics at a local scale.
In this study we measured natal dispersal, and annual/seasonal home ranges of adult mountain hares in the boreal forest of northern Sweden. We also investigated the site fidelity of adult individuals. The aim of our study was to develop an understanding of the dispersal of the mountain hare in the boreal forest. That is, the way animals displace themselves over the landscape, both as juveniles and as breeding adults.
Material and methods
Study area
The 100-km2 large study area was situated in the boreal region of northern Sweden (64°20′N, 20°10′E). The area is dominated by intensively managed coniferous forest (Ball et al. 2000). The climate is continental with cold winters (−11°C in January) and moderately warm summers (15°C in July). The altitude ranges within 90–186 m. a.s.l. Annual precipitation ranges within 600–800 mm, and the ground is usually covered with snow from November to April. The mountain hare forms a continuous population all over the boreal forest of Sweden. However, population densities are substantially lower than for snowshoe hares in the boreal forest of North America (Keith 1981, Lindlöf & Lemnell 1981).
Capture and instrumentation
Adult hares were trapped in spring (February–April) using spring-loaded bow nets (Marcström et al. 1989). The traps were baited with hay, aspen twigs and salt blocks, and were checked in the early morning and late evening. All hares captured in spring were classified as adults, because it is difficult to distinguish between adults and leverets after the age of 6–7 months (Bray et al. 2002). Individuals born the previous summer were at least seven months old at the beginning of each trapping season, because in the study area the last litter is normally born in early July. The adult hares were tagged with radio-collars equipped with mortality sensors (Biotrack, UK and AWM, US).
Leverets were caught on sight during summer (May–July) with hand-nets or long-nets. Leverets were equipped with small (3 g or 10 g) transmitters (Holohil, Canada), mounted around the neck with elastic collars. None of the leverets carried transmitters weighing > 3% of their body weight. Tagging did not affect the leverets' weight development compared with captive leverets, for which the daily weight increase was found to be close to 30 g (Pehrson & Lindlöf 1984). The median daily weight gain for 22 recaptured individuals in our study was 30.0 g (interquartile range = 28–33).
During 1997–2001, we captured 73 adult mountain hares (29% females and 71% males) and 48 leverets (58% females and 42% males). Leverets were caught from 20 separate litters; 13 from the first and seven from the second litter period. Number of individuals caught from each litter ranged from one to five. On average, 2.17 (SD = 1.34) leverets were caught from litters of the first litter period and 3.00 (SD = 1.15) from the second period. Four leverets were classified as being ≤ 10 days old at time of capture, 39 as being 11–30 days old and five as being 31–56 days old.
All handling of animals in the study followed the principles and guidelines set out by the Swedish National Board for Laboratory Animals.
Dispersal of leverets
Leverets were followed from capture (as young as four days of age) to a maximum of 37 months of age for one individual, and six individuals were followed past the start of their first breeding season. Positions of radio-collared study animals were collected daily for the first month after birth using triangulation and a hand held Global Positioning System (GPS). Thereafter positions were obtained on average (± SE) every 4.1 ± 0.31 days (N = 33 individuals) for individuals up to 100 days of age, and further every 8.0 ± 0.95 (N = 12) and 20.2 ± 10.2 (N = 9) days for individuals 100–180 and > 180 days of age, respectively.
Suckling site locations, i.e. a distinct confined plot where each litter was fed by their mother, were determined by intense monitoring of females feeding their young. Distance to the suckling site was calculated for all positions of each radio-collared leveret. Mean distance for every 10-day period was calculated for each leveret from birth until death, or up to 180 days of age for the individuals that survived that long (N = 8). The average of individual mean 10-day values was calculated for each sex and litter period. Birth dates were estimated from growth curves of captive leverets (Pehrson & Lindlöf 1984).
Individuals were defined to show natal exploratory movements the day they were found at a substantial distance (50–150 m) from their suckling site. This was readily apparent, because the leverets showed very local movement patterns during their first weeks of life. We defined an exploratory phase as the period of comparatively long movements, including regular returns to their suckling site. Later the movements gradually decreased and the leverets rarely returned to their suckling site, and we defined this as the time when the juvenile home range was established (Fig. 1). This home range usually overlapped the presumed home range of their mother. Leverets with a home range that apparently did not overlap the home range of its mother were defined as true natal dispersers.
Home-range analysis and fidelity of adult hares
We calculated home-range sizes of adults to obtain a threshold limit outside which hares were considered to have dispersed (natal or breeding dispersal). Locations were estimated by triangulation as outlined by Kenward (1987) using a hand-held 3-element Yagi antenna. Two different methods of home-range estimation were used: the fixed kernel method (95% and 50%) for both annual and seasonal estimates (Worton 1989), and the 100% Minimum Convex Polygon (MCP; Mohr 1947) for annual home-range estimates only. The fixed kernel estimate was used because it has been proven to be one of the most reliable estimators of animals' true range use (Seaman & Powell 1996). A smoothing factor of 0.71 was chosen for all kernel estimates, based on Kenward's (2001) suggestion that a global smoothing parameter should be used to compare home ranges. The choice of factor was done by first allowing Ranges 6 (Anatrack Ltd., UK) to allocate individual specific smoothing parameters based on least-square cross validation. We then ran a second analysis and manually specified a global smoothing function calculated as the median smoothing parameter from the first analysis. The MCP method has been criticised, because it incorporates large unused areas and does not make use of other than the outermost fixes. We still chose to include it, because it is considered the only valid method for comparing the results with those of other studies (Harris et al. 1990).
Data from adults that survived > 1 year, with a sufficient number of positions evenly distributed over a whole year, were used for annual home-range analysis. Seasonal home ranges were estimated separately for adults during four biologically important time periods that could influence their ranging behaviour, i.e. spring (March–May, breeding and moulting), summer (June–August, suckling period), autumn (September–November, moulting), and winter (December–February, snow cover and fully moulted). Within these periods, individuals were followed intensively for 10–15 days, sampling 1–2 discontinuous night positions and one day position per 24 hours. All positions used for kernel estimates were separated by at least three hours (seasonal) or four days (annual) in time to enable the individuals to move through their entire home range between consecutive sampling occasions, thus minimising the risk of spatial autocorrelation. Schoener's ratio was calculated for all individuals in both the seasonal and annual kernel data for detection of discriminating autocorrelation (Schoener 1981, Swihart & Slade 1985). All available fixes were used for the annual MCP estimates, including seasonal fixes, because this method is not biased by autocorrelated data (Cresswell & Smith 1992).
Maximum distance ever moved from the arithmetic mean of all positions of each adult followed for at least six months was used as a measure of site fidelity. These distances were compared with twice the average maximum distance between the centre and the edge of annual MCP home ranges.
Data analyses
Ranges 6 (Anatrack Ltd., UK) was used for home-range estimation, ArcView GIS 3.2a (ESRI, USA) and Animal Movement (Hooge & Eichenlaub 2000) were used for analyses of site fidelity and natal dispersal, and SAS v. 8.02 (SAS, USA) was used for statistical analysis.
Annual home ranges were pooled over years, because we could not detect any between-year differences in home-range size. We were unable to check for an asymptote in number of fixes in home-range calculations, as reviewed by Harris et al. (1990), because it is difficult to establish an asymptote for a non-territorial generalist herbivore like the mountain hare. To determine which minimum number of fixes to use, we performed a regression analysis to find a cut-off point where there was no positive correlation between home-range size and number of fixes. Mean values along with range are used to present natal movements and adult home ranges, as it was considered most informative. Non-parametric tests were used due to small sample sizes (number of individuals) or extreme outliers. A non-parametric equivalent to the two-way GLM, the Scheirer-Ray-Hare test (Scheirer et al. 1976), was used to test the significance of differences between seasons and sexes in the 95% seasonal home-range data, because the data did not fulfill the criteria for a parametric test. When pooled seasons contained the same individual, the mean value of the individual's home ranges was used to avoid pseudo-replication.
Results
Exploratory movements and dispersal of leverets
The suckling sites were always confined to a small area; the females fed their young at the same spot every night. On no account were these sites observed to be larger than 4 m2. Leverets started their exploratory phase when 17–83 days of age (median = 43, N = 24), and there was no difference between litters from different litter periods or between sexes (Wilcoxon two-sample test; litter: Z = 0.62, N = 24, P = 0.54; and sex: Z = 0.46, N = 24, P = 0.64). Movement distances away from their suckling site increased gradually with age (Fig. 2). Most leverets occasionally returned to their suckling site up to the age of 100 days. By 100 days of age all of the individuals surviving up to 180 days or more (N = 8) had settled in what would become their juvenile home range.
Mean distance moved was 762 m (range: 43-1,507 m; N = 11) at the age of 100 days and did not differ between sexes or litter periods (Wilcoxon two-sample test; sex: Z = 0.64, N = 11, P = 0.53; and litter: Z = 1.4, N = 11, P = 0.16). Mean distance continued to increase somewhat between 100 and 180 days, which was explained by formation and expansion of juvenile home ranges (see Fig. 2).
Mean distance moved at the age 180 days was 1,016 m (range: 10-2,252 m; N = 8). Only seven leverets survived beyond 180 days. Four of these, all females, kept their juvenile home ranges inside their forthcoming adult ranging area for as long as they were followed (range: 332-1,165 days), with a mean distance moved from their suckling site of 1,677 m (range: 1,490–1,939 m) over 100–1,165 days. None of these four were ever recorded > 2,832 m from their suckling site, or > 1,393 m from their mean centre of all fixes from the age of 100 days and onwards. One male was shot 1,815 m from his birth place at the age of 913 days, after his radio-transmitter had failed at the age of 180 days.
Of the seven leverets, two, one male and one female, moved again at a later stage, at the ages of 188 and 186 days, respectively. By that time, they left the juvenile home ranges they had used the previous three months, after leaving their suckling sites, and moved 4.5 and 5.5 km from their suckling sites (see Fig. 2). The male was killed one month after his second long movement started. The female was temporarily lost at the onset of her second movement; once found again in an established home range, she remained there until the transmitter battery died 351 days after her birth. Six of the leverets were thus followed into or past their first breeding season, after which the breeding dispersal of adults was studied.
Annual home-range sizes and fidelity of adults
All individuals with at least 19 positions evenly distributed over one whole year (17 males, 11 females) were used for annual home-range analysis. Size of home ranges appeared to be saturated at about 20 fixes, and increasing the number of fixes (range: 19–111 for MCP and 19–45 for kernel) did not significantly increase home-range areas (range: 40–631 ha for MCP and 26–806 ha for kernel; r = 0.20 and r = 0.08, respectively). The mean Schoener's ratio was 1.41 ± 0.39 (SD) for the annual kernel data (N = 28), which we considered acceptable in accordance with Kenward (2001).
Mean MCP sizes (mean and range) were 280 ha (86–631) for males and 116 ha (40–315) for females. Male and female home ranges differed significantly both for the MCP (Wilcoxon two-sample test: Z = 3.01, N = 28, P = 0.003) and the 95% fixed kernel estimate (Wilcoxon two-sample test: Z = 3.76, N = 28, P = 0.002; Table 1). The kernel home-range sizes decreased steeply as the outermost positions were eliminated, however, the difference for 50% fixed kernel home-range size between sexes was still highly significant (Wilcoxon two-sample test: Z = 3.67, N = 28, P = 0.0002; see Table 1).
Table 1.
Annual and seasonal fixed kernel home range sizes (95% and 50% cores; in ha) of adult mountain hares, expressed as mean with N and range given in parentheses. See text for differences between groups.
We followed 46 adult hares (33 males and 13 females) to investigate site fidelity. Of these, 16 were followed for more than six months, 20 for more than one year, nine for more than two years and one for more than three years. None of the 46 individuals ever remained for a longer period outside their established home range even though some temporary long-distance movements were found. The most extreme was one male once found 4,775 m from his home range centre in spring. Annual MCP home ranges corresponded to average maximum distances between the arithmetic centre and the edge of 1,680 m for males and 1,000 m for females. Using twice these distances as measures of extreme outliers, i.e. exploratory movements, we found that only three (9%) of the males and one (8 %) of the females were ever recorded outside these boundaries.
Seasonal home-range sizes
We sampled 49 seasonal home ranges during five years and found no correlation between number of fixes (range: 22–33) and home-range sizes (range: 7–290 ha; r = 0.02). Schoeners ratio was (mean ± SD) 1.21 ± 0.44.
The Scheirer-Ray-Hare test (F = 23.5, df = 7, P < 0.002) showed that both sex (P = 0.013) and season (P < 0.001) had a significant affect on home-range size, although there was no significant interaction between the two factors (P = 0.928). A Duncan multiple range test (P = 0.05) grouped the seasons in two groups: winter-spring and summer-autumn. A sex difference in home-range size was found in the winter-spring season (Wilcoxon two-sample test: Z = 2.05, N = 21, P = 0.043), but not in the summer-autumn season (Wilcoxon two-sample test: Z = 1.46, N = 17, P = 0.145; see Table 1).
Discussion
Suckling sites were important reference points for the litters, because the females always used one particular site throughout the suckling period of a litter. The females never moved or deserted their young even when disturbed, e.g. by capture efforts during suckling. Approximately 20 minutes after being disturbed the litter gathered again and the mother returned to continue feeding. One female was observed using the same site for two consecutive litters. No third litter period was observed during the study, which conforms to expectations at this latitude (Myrberget 1983). The suckling sites were typically characterised by lush vegetation, probably of good nutritional value.
It is difficult to suggest any factor that determined the onset of the exploratory phase, and there was a large variation in the age when leverets started to leave their suckling site to explore the surroundings. Even though they had started exploring, it was not uncommon that they returned 2–3 days later to suckle. It was always the young that chose not to return to the suckling site, as the females continued showing up on their sites 2–3 days after the last leveret stopped returning. The distribution of distances shows that most leverets moved < 2 km. Only two leverets truly dispersed, and both in a second distinct movement at similar ages (186 and 188 days of age) even though they came from different litter periods. This second movement is comparable to observations on grouse species (Schroeder 1986, Willebrand 1988, Smith 1997). It seems to be the onset of spring that triggers this second movement in grouse, whereas the hares in our study moved in the winter period (November and January) long before spring and the first breeding period in late February - early March. Although the sample size is small, it is obvious that both males and females can disperse well away from their mothers' home ranges, however, most of them chose not to do so. In addition, adult males can show long-distance excursions in spring and all leverets, including the dispersers, were within the range of such breeding excursion movements.
Males did not move further during their exploratory phase than females, which is inconsistent with the general mammalian pattern (Greenwood 1980, Sutherland et al. 2000). The rate and distances of natal dispersal observed in our study are comparable with those of other herbivores of similar sizes, usually showing a left skewness with a few outliers that move longer distances (Sutherland et al. 2000). Onset of dispersal and dispersal distances for snowshoe hares reported by Gillis & Krebs (1999) are similar to our findings. The extreme distances of up to 200 km reported for the mountain hare by Sutherland et al. (2000) refer to Angerbjörn & Flux (1995), who reported results from released hares that had been bred in captivity.
We were unable to differentiate between juveniles and adults caught in late winter and early spring, but in other studies the proportion of juveniles in winter ranged within 47–84% (Angerbjörn & Flux 1995). Because we never observed any dispersal in our group of hares, we suggest that breeding dispersal is almost non-existent, even though some long-distance excursions were recorded. These excursions were mostly made by males in late winter and spring, presumably to locate females for mating. Of the males and females followed over one year, 80 and 23%, respectively, made their longest movement from their arithmetic mean centre during late winter or spring. The rest of the individuals had their longest movement spread evenly over other parts of the year. All of the individuals that were found far away from their normal range were checked within a few days and had always returned by then. We conclude that most leverets did not show true natal dispersal according to our definition; neither did we observe any breeding dispersal. Even the leverets that were classified as true natal dispersers were within the range of their parents when compared to the distance of occasional exploratory movements recorded for adults.
It can be expected that most hares could find increased quality and quantity of food and cover by relocating to new areas, but we never observed such shifts. Adult dispersal has not been observed in woodland grouse, the other dominating small herbivore of this boreal system (Willebrand 1988, Smith 1997) either. We suspect that the gain in food and/or cover does not compensate for the loss of knowledge about secure sites and escape routes in an established home range. Thus previous knowledge of an area can be an important habitat quality.
Adult home-range sizes in our study are comparable to those of other studies in Scandinavia (Seiskari 1957, Olsson 1997), but larger than those reported from Scotland (Hewson & Hinge 1990, Hulbert et al. 1996, Rao et al. 2003) and Ireland (Wolfe & Hayden 1996). Adult males had significantly larger annual home ranges than did females, which was due to larger winter-spring home ranges. Both sexes had larger winter-spring than summer-autumn home ranges, as expected from increased activity during the breeding season. We found no difference in summer-autumn home ranges between males and females. Consecutive seasonal home ranges of individual animals showed a limited overlap, suggesting that the hares adjusted their habitat use according to seasonal conditions. Common core areas were often used between seasons, however, and it is possible that they contained some important patches of food or cover that was incorporated in the individuals' home range throughout their life; this is being investigated in an ongoing study.
The apparently limited rate of natal dispersal and lack of breeding dispersal in the mountain hare suggest that population dynamics should show strong local characteristics, even more local characteristics than the grouse in the same small-game community, where especially females move longer and at a higher rate (Willebrand 1988, Smith 1997, Warren & Baines 2002). Thus, we anticipate that small-game management actions in the boreal forest, such as reducing red fox Vulpes vulpes in an area (Marcström et al. 1989), would induce a stronger local increase in mountain hare density than in capercaillie and black grouse. The short movements, low rate of true natal dispersal, and strong site fidelity observed in our study may not apply to populations in less homogenous habitats, e.g. the fragmented agricultural/forest landscape in mid-Sweden. It is also possible that the rate of natal dispersal would increase with higher densities as has been suggested by Boutin et al. (1985) for snowshoe hares. However, the readily observed malnutrition of snowshoe hares during density peaks has never been observed for the mountain hare in the boreal forest.
Acknowledgments
We thank Roland Lundgren, Bertil Andersson and Yngve Andersson for their excellent assistance in the field. Scott Newey, Tuulikki Rooke and two anonymous reviewers provided helpful comments on the manuscript. The Swedish Hunters' Association and the Faculty of Forestry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences provided funding for the study. | https://complete.bioone.org/journals/wildlife-biology/volume-11/issue-4/0909-6396(2005)11%5B309:NDAHRA%5D2.0.CO;2/Natal-dispersal-adult-home-ranges-and-site-fidelity-of-mountain/10.2981/0909-6396(2005)11%5B309:NDAHRA%5D2.0.CO;2.full |
Second Consultation on the National Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy in Somalia: Launching of the National Platform for DRR
13 December 2021 – UNDRR ROAS and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management in Somalia, in collaboration with the Sadar Development and Resilience Institute, launched the National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in Somalia during the Second Consultation Workshop on the National DRR Strategy.
The workshop came as part of a series of consultation sessions on developing a national disaster risk reduction strategy that is coherent with climate change and sustainable development policies in Somalia, as well as relevant regional and international policy frameworks.
“The commitment of different ministries and stakeholders towards the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction in Somalia is essential, along with mainstreaming disaster risk reduction across development sectors and at all levels to achieve long-term resilience and eventually risk-informed sustainable development,” said Sujit Mohanty, Chief of the UNDRR Regional Office for Arab States.
The workshop saw the launching of the National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (NPDRR) that will lead and facilitate a multi-sectoral and multi-disciplinary mechanism for disaster risk reduction and resilience-building with the involvement of all stakeholders at the national level in Somalia.
"The National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in Somalia is all-inclusive and not specific to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management. Everyone has a role to play to activate the Platform and achieve its objectives,” said Khadija Mohamed Diriye, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management in Somalia.
The NPDRR in Somalia brings together various stakeholders that are responsible for facilitating disaster risk reduction efforts in the country in alignment with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and in coherence with other global frameworks. The NPDRR will operate at two levels: a high-level ministerial steering committee led by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management as the principal institution at the federal level and chair and the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (MOAI) as co-chair, and technical working groups/committees to ensure technical coordination among ministries and stakeholders as well as a coherence for the implementation of the technical agendas to support the DRR mandate in the country.
The workshop included presentations and discussions on the current National Disaster Risk Reduction Priorities in Somalia. It addressed the vision, mission, strategic objectives, and areas of intervention of the National DRR Strategy and defined the role of the different stakeholders in developing and implementing the DRR strategy.
Somalia is a hazard-prone and vulnerable country and disaster risk reduction is a cross-cutting complex development issue that requires engagement from all sections of society and institutions, hence this institutional arrangement is required to pull all the knowledge, information, and institutional capacities together in order to facilitate the unified approach for a risk-informed development.
A national disaster risk reduction strategy is essential for implementing and monitoring a country’s risk reduction priorities by setting implementation milestones, establishing key roles and responsibilities of government and non-government actors, and identifying technical and financial resources. Accordingly, UNDRR Capacity Building Programme in Somalia aims to revise the existing National Disaster Management Policy and support the development of an updated National DRR Strategy in line with the Sendai Framework for DRR, the Arab Strategy for DRR 2030, the Africa Programme of Action, and post-2015 global frameworks. | |
Survey: Your Favorite Coffee Region
One of my most delightful discoveries when I first started drinking real coffee as opposed to the stuff in a can was how easy it is to tell which region of the world a coffee comes from. Since I'm a smoker, I can't always pick out the subtler flavors, but the big notes literally sing out. It doesn't take much more than a taste or two to learn to distinguish a South American coffee from an African one or a Sumatran from a Caribbean bean. Do you have a preference for one region over another?
For me, it's Ethiopian, Yirg all the way. I love the earthiness of it, the subtle caramel silkiness and the rich mouthfeel that makes it feel like I've taken a bite of coffee rather than a sip. I also like my coffee with cream, and Yirgacheffe complements the cream rather than getting drowned out by it. But I'm not a one-trick pony. I find something to like in coffee from almost every region. Some of has to do with time of day -- I like the citrus *snap* of a good South American coffee in the morning, and the chocolate-and-fruit combination you'll find in a medium-roasted Caribbean coffee during the day. In the evening, though, I really love the earthy smokiness (and low acidity) of African and South Pacific coffees.
On the flip side, is there a coffee region that you just don't care for? I'm not a big fan of most Brazilian coffees, for example, which tend to be acidic to the point of astringency, and many of my friends routinely pass on the Yirgacheffe because it tastes "dirty" to them. Of course, that earthy soil quality is one of the things I like best about it. How about you? What do you look for in your coffee and does it vary with the season, time of day or other factor? | https://www.blackoutcoffee.com/blogs/the-reading-room/survey-your-favorite-coffee-region |
A panoply of subtle aromas and delicate flavors wrapped in a silky, slightly crisp texture give this medium-bodied wine a great sense of elegance. Fresh ginger, biscuits, toasted almonds and mild cherry nuances fill the palate. Enjoy this traditional-method sparkler through 2025. | https://lifford.com/products/roederer-estate-brut-lermitage |
The invention discloses a method for determining total volatile organic compounds in recycled plastics, which comprises the following steps: 1) selecting diethyl adipate as a marker, measuring the appearance time of diethyl adipate by headspace-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and defining the appearance time as retention time; (2) selecting toluene as a standard substance, and making a total volatile organic compound working curve in terms of toluene by adopting a headspace-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method; (3) weighing a certain amount of the regenerated plastic sample, putting the regenerated plastic sample into a headspace bottle, and analyzing by adopting a headspace-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method; and 4) adding all peak areas of the sample test spectrum obtained in the step 3) before the retention time to obtain a total ion flow peak area, substituting the total ion flow peak area into a total volatile organic compound working curve calculated by toluene, and calculating to obtain the total volatile organic compound content in the test sample, and the method has the advantages of no need of pretreatment, accurate result, high sensitivity and good repeatability. | |
Two thirds (62%) of UK pet owners are concerned that in the event of ‘no deal’, the supply of pet medicines in the UK could be interrupted and that some medications will be less easily available, new research by the National Office of Animal Health (NOAH) reveals.
NOAH’s research of more than 1,000 UK owners[i] shows high levels of concern for UK animal health particularly around the potential impact of a ‘no deal’ Brexit. This potential medicines shortage has led to 22% voicing their concern around a significant decline in the health of UK pets; 19% fearing that UK pets could develop serious health issues; and 10% even fearing that pets in the UK may die.
Nearly two thirds (61%) are unaware that Brexit could disrupt the supply of animal medicines in the UK. In addition, irrespective of whether a deal is done or not, over a third have voiced concerns about the availability of animal medicines (38%) and the availability of pet and veterinary professionals (37%) post-Brexit. Nearly half (46%) of those surveyed are calling on the Government to take immediate action to protect the supply of animal medicines by negotiating a suitable deal with the EU, whilst 17% believe that Brexit should be abandoned in order to solve this issue.
The research also shows that more than half of UK pet owners are concerned about the potential for pet food (54%) and pet medicines (56%) to cost more after Brexit, as well as a concern that it will have a negative impact on access to pet and vet professionals (52%) when their animals need veterinary care.
This research builds on NOAH’s Brexit Barometers, which track the very latest in sentiment across the animal health industry as we move ever-closer to the March 2019 deadline for exit from the European Union.
NOAH Chief Executive Dawn Howard comments: | https://www.noah.co.uk/two-thirds-uk-pet-owners-now-concerned-no-deal-brexit-will-mean-pets-may-not-get-vital-medicines-need/ |
Dante Boccuzzi has a tasty trifecta of restaurants right in Tremont. Last month, the chef opened his latest eatery, Next Door, beside his namesake, Dante, and sushi bar, Ginko. At the helm of the city's newest brunch and lunch spot is Jay Plourde, who worked with Boccuzzi at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in San Francisco. We talk to the 48-year-old chef de cuisine about the menu and his traditional cooking style.
Q » So you and Boccuzzi have stayed in contact since you worked together?
A » I've always been in touch with him. He's always been my go-to chef with any questions — especially with food. But I also consider him a personal friend.
Q » He is known for bringing new techniques to Cleveland. Are you similar in that regard?
A » He likes the cutting-edge thing, staying ahead of the game and having people look at him and following him. Me, I'm older school. [For instance,] I don't sous vide [slow-cooking vacuum-sealed bags of food in water at low temperatures] as much. Some things are definitely better, but some things you do the old-school way, like short ribs. You braise short ribs the old way, and you get the fond [flavorful bits of food stuck to the bottom of the pan during cooking] in the pan with the wine. You can do it sous vide, and it's tender. But where's the love and the sauce and all that? Some of this stuff doesn't work, and [the young guys], they don't get it. ... But I'm also learning from them.
Q » What are you most excited about on this menu?
A » I'm mostly excited about those two [wood-fired] ovens. We're going to do stone [pizza] pies in one, but there's two of them. Down the road we're going to do cedar-plank roasting, like cedar-plank salmon. Being out in the dining room like that when you're cooking on those cedar planks, it just fills the room with that smoky cedar smell. All the oak and the wood as well as those cedar planks, it just creates a really nice smell. And you can smell it outside — the whole neighborhood will be smelling it. | https://clevelandmagazine.com/food-drink/articles/jay-plourde-q-and-a |
About Fedora Project Demographic Survey
This section documents the Fedora Project Demographic Survey research. This was work completed between 2016 to 2018 to launch a demographic survey to understand the Fedora Community. Because of legal concerns around recent data legislation passed in this time period (G.D.P.R.), the survey was planned but never published.
A majority of this work was completed at the Fedora Diversity FAD in January 2017.
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This page represents six to eight months of work from the Fedora Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Team in late 2015 and early 2016. While the D.E.I. Team is no longer actively working on this survey due to data collection and storage concerns (i.e. G.D.P.R.), it is retained here for historical purposes. The team hopes our research and work may be useful for other Open Source communities and Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion programmes.
Objectives
The Fedora Project Demographic Survey established these key objectives for launching such a survey:
1. Understand baseline demographics about the Fedora Community.
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Why this objective was important: Enables Fedora Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Team to identify different areas of need for contributing to Fedora, and prioritize to act on areas of most-immediate need.
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Examples of target criteria:
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Age
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Gender
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Race and cultural background
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Geographic area or region
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Disability
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Parents and families
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Non-English languages
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2. Support underrepresented groups by supplementing on-boarding resources to other Fedora teams.
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Why this objective was important:
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Collaborate and support on-going work in other Fedora Teams by advising mentorship and teaching programs in Fedora Community
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Disseminate best practices through mentorship and community on-boarding
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Examples of possible partnering teams:
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Mentoring and internship programs (GSoC and Outreachy)
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Miscellaneous comments
When the survey was first drafted in late 2016 and early 2017, several comments, ideas, and resources influenced the design of the survey and an outreach campaign for it. Some of the pending and unresolved notes are below for archival purposes.
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How were you introduced to Fedora?
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By another Fedora contributor
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At a Fedora event (e.g. FAD / workshop / meetup / release party)
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Conference
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Hackerspace
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Red Hat
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Web / online
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What makes contributing to Fedora difficult for you?
We also wanted to identify how the data will be used. We aimed to make a communication plan for how the data would be used. Ideally, information about data use and intentions is available and embedded in the survey. | https://docs.fedoraproject.org/fa/diversity-inclusion/survey/ |
The utility model discloses a sealed buckle structure of two -way independently elasticity oppression, its characterized in that, buckle under its last buckle that includes mutual block reaches, it is equipped with outer convex part to go up the buckle, the middle part of outer convex part is equipped with trapezoidal bellying left, the buckle is equipped with interior concave part down, interior concave part is equipped with interior concave part first order bellying, interior concave part second level concave part and interior concave part third level bellying, concave part second level concave part is trapezoidal groove structure in the buckle down, concave part third level bellying was trapezoidal protruding structure in concave part first order bellying reached in the buckle down, it is the elastomer to the left bank to go up the buckle, the buckle is the elastomer to right bank down, be in on the vertical straight line behind the buckle block from top to bottom. | |
When you have experienced a traumatic event, even though the crisis is over you may still be experiencing, or may experience later, some strong emotional or physical reactions. It is very common, and in fact quite normal, for people to experience reactions to a particularly horrible and terrifying experience.
Sometimes these reactions appear immediately after the traumatic event. Sometimes they appear a few hours or a few days later. Sometimes even weeks or months may pass before the reactions appear.
The signs and symptoms of a stress reaction may last a few days, a few weeks or a few months and occasionally longer. This may be dependent on the severity of the traumatic event and the support a person has from others. A traumatic event can be so painful that people can need the assistance of a professional counsellor. This does not imply craziness or weakness; it simply means that a particularly traumatic event can be just too powerful for the person to manage alone.
Below are some of the very common signs and symptoms of a stress reaction to trauma.
Often talking to your friends or family about the trauma you have experienced is not enough. You may find that the reaction to the trauma you have experienced continues to seriously disrupt your life. You may need to seek help if:
Partners, family and friends can help by:
This publication is provided for education and information purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical care. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not imply endorsement and is not intended to replace advice from your healthcare professional. Readers should note that over time currency and completeness of the information may change. All users should seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional for a diagnosis and answers to their medical questions. | https://healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/S_T/Traumatic-stress |
When we say anti-social activities, this means activities that tend to address only personal needs. This is the opposite of big social gatherings that banks on social interaction in order to be functional. At first, the term anti-social may come off as something negative but this just happens because it is associated with the choice of being alone. People who are tagged as anti-social are also put in a negative light but this is unfair because socializing is truly not for everyone. There are people who really have a hard time in joining social events because their anxiety hinders them.
Social anxiety is a mental condition that deprives individuals from taking part in socializing or social interaction. People with this kind of anxiety have difficulty in functioning properly in social gatherings which is why they avoid these kinds of events. For these individuals, the activities that they do alone can be considered as anti-social activities because they choose to be alone rather to share their experience with anyone else.
Usually, social anxiety is misunderstood and some people perceive it as simply a choice that people make. The truth is, social anxiety is very real and it deeply affects the dispositions of individuals in how they position themselves in the society. People with this kind of anxiety have difficulty in adjusting with their social environment. This also gives them difficulty in both school and work. This is why there is a need to cultivate understanding towards social anxiety as something that needs to be recognized. People should not be alienated because they have difficulty in interacting with others. This would only lead to the worsening of their self-esteem and self-image. People with social anxiety tend to look down upon themselves because not everyone easily understands their situation.
Anti-social activities are usually seen as loner-type activities. While this is true, it should be clear that there is nothing wrong with being a loner. People who choose to be alone are very much welcome to have such choice if they think that this benefits them. Anti-social people or people with social anxiety tend to always stay home, usually in their rooms. There are cases that social interaction strains them too much that it affects their physical health. This proves that anxiety can take its toll even on the physical well-being of an individual.
While there is nothing wrong with being alone, what people need to understand about anti-social activities is that there should be a distinction on when it is positive and when it turns negative. We should be considerate of our friends who have difficulty in social events. In light of this, we should make it a point to assist them so they would feel comfortable even in the midst of social interaction. Aside from this, it is also important to never force people to interact when they feel uncomfortable. This might heighten their anxiety.
For many, anti-social activities are all about choosing to be alone but we must remember that it is not always a choice for everyone. There are people who are truly incapable of functioning in social activities and we should recognize this as something serious and not as a simple thing. For people who gravitate towards anti-social activities, they are welcome to do so but it is up to others to ensure that these benefits do them good and not harm. When it becomes harmful, that is when anti-social activities should be given an intervention. At the end of the day, people suffering from social anxiety should never be misunderstood. | https://blog.essaybasics.com/anti-social-activities-essay-sample/ |
- Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA): Due to federal court orders, USCIS has resumed accepting requests to renew a grant of deferred action under DACA. USCIS is not accepting requests from individuals who have never before been granted deferred action under DACA. Until further notice, and unless otherwise provided in this guidance, the DACA policy will be operated on the terms in place before it was rescinded on Sept. 5, 2017.
- If you are a DACA student, an undocumented student, or a student with temporary protected status, and you’re looking for support, please contact Vanessa Gomez Brake. She is the Associate Dean of Religious Life at USC and the point of contact for coordinating efforts and opportunities across campus that support immigrant and international students. Your conversations with her will be confidential. She can connect you with resources regarding financial aid, academic and housing issues, confidential counseling, and legal support. Vanessa Gomez Brake, [email protected], 213-740-1366.
Advocacy Opportunities
- Healthcare for Undocumented Californians: #Health4All: The California Endowment’s #Health4All campaign highlights the important contributions of undocumented Californians to our state’s communities and economy, while raising awareness of their lack of access to affordable health care coverage.
- Here to Stay: Immigrants are heroes who have defied the odds and have made incredible sacrifices to survive and thrive. The spirit behind #HereToStay is one of pride, power, community, resilience, resistance and a dash of a feisty & fun attitude. The #HereToStay Network is a group of people ready to fight for immigrants at risk of deportation.
- United We Dream (UWD): UWD empowers people to develop their leadership, their organizing skills, and to develop our own campaigns to fight for justice and dignity for immigrants and all people. This is achieved through immigrant youth-led campaigns at the local, state, and federal level.
Guides, FAQs, and Resources
- College Guide for Undocumented Students: This resource guide has information regarding the federal Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program, the college application process, how to finance a college education, how to talk about being undocumented, available scholarship opportunities, and tips for how to navigate the college experience, as well as a number of additional resources. Consider reviewing this guide for additional help, resources, and access to support.
- DACA and Your Workplace Rights: This FAQ, answered by the National Immigration Law Center, is intended to answer questions such as what are the rights of workers (1) when they apply for DACA, (2) after they have received DACA and have a work permit, and (3) when they are applying to renew their DACA. It also provides information that may be helpful when you apply for and after you have been granted DACA.
- Immigrants Rising: Immigrants Rising provides resources, knowledge and financial support for immigrant entrepreneurs, regardless of legal status, at any stage of their journey.They empower undocumented young people to achieve educational and career goals through personal, institutional and policy transformation.
- Immigrants’ Rights Under a Trump Presidency: FAQs for Students, Educators & Social Service Providers: This document serves as an FAQ that answers many commonly asked questions regarding the rights of undocumented and DACA immigrants, prepared by MALDEF, the nation’s leading Latino legal civil rights organization.
- Life After College: A Guide for Undocumented Students: While initially it may seem as though undocumented students have limited options upon graduating from college, this guide is intended to shed light on the possibilities that do exist. The guide includes personal narratives, student testimonials and advice from experts.
- My Undocumented Life: The mission of the My Undocumented Life blog is to provide up-to-date information and resources to undocumented immigrants. They post scholarship opportunities that are open to undocumented students, strategies for navigating the educational system, information on how to apply for DACA, news on immigration policies, and much more.
- Resources Guide: Supporting Undocumented Youth: Informed by research and promising practices, the U.S. Department of Education has compiled this Resource Guide to assist and enhance State and local efforts to support undocumented youth at the secondary and postsecondary school levels.
- USG Undocumented Student Guide: The USC Undergraduate Student Government created a website with resources and information for undocumented Trojans and prospective students.
Pre-Health Resources
- Pre-Health Dreamers (PHD): PHD investigates and shares information on career pathways for pre-health undocumented students as well as advocates for more progressive institutional and governmental policies for undocumented students.
Pre-Law/Legal Resources
- DREAM Bar Association (DBA): The DBA provides a network for undocumented immigrants who are interested in pursuing a career in law, are pursuing a career in law or are practicing in this field.
- Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) LSAT Fee Waiver: The basic criterion for receiving a waiver is the absolute inability to pay for the LSAT and Credential Assembly Service (CAS). Because the cost of these services is only a fraction of the cost of a legal education, the need criterion is considerably more stringent than for other financial aid processes. Only those with extreme need should apply. DACA applicants and recipients are eligible to apply.
- National Immigration Law Center (NILC): Established in 1979, the National Immigration Law Center is one of the leading organizations in the U.S. exclusively dedicated to defending and advancing the rights of immigrants with low income. | https://careers.usc.edu/students/diversity-resources/dacaundocumented/ |
CategorySpreadsheet.
TopicFree budget planner uk excel spreadsheet.
AuthorKarlotta Étoile
PostedFri, Jan 10th 2020 01:43 AM
Formatjpg/jpeg
Instead, such samples can be downloaded and used recursively by simple modifications according to the need. The formats are nice enough that makes understanding such reports very easy. Tedious activities in supply chain management can easily be handled through such spreadsheets as they keep track of both incoming and outgoing stocks nicely.
Project managers need to be in a position to ascertain the progress of their work. They need a tracking spreadsheet template for this task. A free spreadsheet template shows the various jobs to be undertaken and when they are expected to be completed. Overall, because of its function, this remains an important tool for planning purposes. | https://www.sarahdrydenpeterson.com/free-budget-spreadsheets/free-monthly-budget-template-frugal-fanatic-7/ |
Reframe Your Thoughts: On the premise of cognitive-behavioral therapy, we learn that our thoughts influence our actions and emotions. Now pause and think about the last time you acted out or you were demotivated, what thoughts were going through your mind? Can you notice any link between your thoughts and how you acted or felt? The growth mindset comes with challenging yourself and taking steps that are great but not necessarily comfortable. To be able do these, it is important to reframe your thoughts. You would have to change your thoughts from “I can’t do it” to “It’s possible, I understand it will take time but I will stick with it” As you reframe your thoughts, you start to reprogram your mind and are more motivated to confront whatever challenge it is (take action).
Learn from others: Glean from the wisdom of those that have gone ahead if they are gracious enough to share. Read their audio and written materials. Sign up to their email list, follow them on social media and while engaging their materials look for common themes and identify their thought patterns. Learn from the stories they share. If the stories include a phase of life similar to yours, some of the strategies they share might be useful. Usually, you would be able to draw strength from their stories and be inspired to keep evolving.
Value the process: As you set your eyes on a specific goal on what you want to become or do, understand that the process is as important as the end goal. So, don’t give up on yourself because things aren’t happening based on your initial timeline. Remember the famous quote Rome was not built in a day? Take it one day at a time and appreciate the journey. Tell yourself the changes and setbacks that are happening as you are aiming for this goal, will hand you wisdom for the future.
See Failure as a learning opportunity: I have observed how the fear of failure can be paralyzing and stops a person from achieving what’s on their heart. With the growth mindset, you embrace fear. You remind yourself that it’s all part of the learning curve and the lessons you draw will help you with the bigger vision. You don’t fear failure, you dare in it in the face. Easier said than done lol but that’s again where reframing your thoughts come in. Flip the what if it goes wrong? to what if it goes right? So after making a mistake, and crying, and moping for a while, don’t stay there. Pick the lessons and keep it moving.
Don’t forget you are a spec! Hey you! Yes you! There is only one you in the world and that is something special. Lots of people may be doing what you are doing but you do it in your own way and uniquely so. You are the wow factor. Repeat this to yourself as many times as possible till you start to embody it and see the change you desire. This way, you develop a positive self-image that translates into the effort you put into building yourself and accomplishing your desires.
As I sign out, remember that a lot of these practices require identifying your thinking pattern and changing it to something positive or maintaining it if it is already positive. It’s also called renewing your mind! And then you start to see yourself getting closer to the dream you.
And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
ROMANS 12 VS 2 KJV
Till next time, embrace the growth mindset and enjoy yourself and reframe those thoughts.
Written by Theodora. | https://immerseinnercircle.com/5-ways-to-embrace-the-growth-mindset/ |
Early Earth was ‘bombarded’ by CITY-SIZED asteroids that would’ve killed millions today
EARLY Earth was bombarded by a series of "city-sized" asteroids like the one that wiped out the dinosaurs , according to a new study.
Scientists know that our planet was struck by huge objects not long after its formation, but a new analysis suggest that the number of such impacts may have been ten times higher than previously thought.
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They say that translates into a barrage of collisions, similar in scale to that of the asteroid strike which wiped out the dinosaurs.
On average, such impacts struck our pale blue dot every 15million years between 2.5 and 3.5billion years ago.
Some of the individual impacts may have been even bigger - possibly ranging from city-sized to even small province sized, say scientists.
The research team is also considering what effect the impacts may have had on the Earth's evolving near-surface chemistry.
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A meteor crater in Arizona. This crater is the result of an impact of a 50m meteor, whereas the impacts that struck early Earth may have been hundreds of times biggerCredit: Dr Dale Nations, AZGS
Researcher Dr Simone Marchi explained that Earth's early years were "unimaginably violent" compared to today.
Scientists believe that Earth was struck by a "significant" number of large asteroids - more than six miles in diameter.
The collisions would have had a major impact on the Earth's near-surface chemistry and ability to support life.
Dr Marchi said that the effect of just one such collision was shown comparatively recently by the Chicxulub impact 66million years ago, which led to the extinction of the dinosaurs.
However, he explained that the early Earth was very different to the planet at the time of the Chicxulub impact, and so were the effects of collisions.
Dr Marchi said impact craters from similar collisions can be seen on the Moon and other rocky planets. | |
JVB Financial wanted to have a website with easy navigation that allows users to find useful information about their services. After brainstorming and gathering ideas, we were able to build a prototype that met the needs of the company and their objectives.
Adapting the layout
A recent study has shown that in the next few years, 80% of website visitors will come from a mobile device. Our team created a mobile-friendly version of the website that allows users to easily navigate through the webpages on any screen size.
THE Result
Keeping JVB Financial’s goal in mind, our team created a clean, business-oriented website that is easy to navigate. With an intuitive content architecture for showcasing their services, users will be able to download important documents, check table rates and search the geolocation map of their offices.
With the use of the correct images, we were able to help visitors identify the company’s services and products. | https://www.culturainteractive.com/portfolio/jvb-financial/ |
Summary: Facebook, Snapchat, and Instagram may not be great for personal well-being. The first experimental study examining use of multiple platforms shows a causal link between time spent on these social media and increased depression and loneliness.
The link between the two has been talked about for years, but a causal connection had never been proven. For the first time, University of Pennsylvania research based on experimental data connects Facebook, Snapchat, and Instagram use to decreased well-being. Psychologist Melissa G. Hunt published her findings in the December Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology.
By University of Pennsylvania | 8 November 2018
SCIENCE DAILY — Few prior studies have attempted to show that social-media use harms users’ well-being, and those that have either put participants in unrealistic situations or were limited in scope, asking them to completely forego Facebook and relying on self-report data, for example, or conducting the work in a lab in as little time as an hour.
“We set out to do a much more comprehensive, rigorous study that was also more ecologically valid,” says Hunt, associate director of clinical training in Penn’s Psychology Department.
To that end, the research team, which included recent alumni Rachel Marx and Courtney Lipson and Penn senior Jordyn Young, designed their experiment to include the three platforms most popular with a cohort of undergraduates, and then collected objective usage data automatically tracked by iPhones for active apps, not those running the background. | https://www.winterwatch.net/2018/11/social-media-use-increases-depression-and-loneliness-study-finds/ |
We all know that IQ measures intelligence, but are you aware of EQ? EQ is our emotional intelligence. In the best-selling book, Emotional Intelligence, Daniel Goleman documented the research indicating that IQ intelligence only accounts for about 20 percent of a person’s success in life. So what accounts for the other 80%? Researchers believe a big piece of the puzzle is Emotional Intelligence – the capacity to ACQUIRE and APPLY emotional information.
People with strong emotional intelligence are more effective and successful in their career, make healthier choices, have more influence, make better decisions, make better grades, and they have better professional and personal relationships.
Research shows that once we become adults, there’s little we can do to increase our IQ. The good news is you can grow your EQ regardless of your age. Although we have no control over our chronological age, we do have control over our emotional age. Emotionally we can be stuck at any age. We can be adults with very high IQ, but on the inside, we might have a very low EQ.
Sustaining a loving relationship depends on both partners achieving a level of emotional maturity where you are capable of mutual concern.
Four stages of Emotional Intelligence
Emotional Intelligence is categorized by four stages of development.
Emotional Infants: “I want it when I want it.”
Emotional Children: Doesn’t say what’s wrong…acts out in behavior and keeps you guessing. Emotional Adolescents: “Don’t tell me what to do!”
Emotional Adults: Capacity for mutual concern: able to listen with empathy: confides needs in a caring, positive manner. Desire for relationship to win.
Below is an emotional stages of development assessment. I encourage you to take a few minutes and circle each bullet point that describes you.
Emotional Infant
- You have what I need.
- I will force you to give it to me.
- You owe it to me.
- I simply need, nothing else is required of me.
- You must figure out what my needs are.
- I’m entitled.
- I’m outraged if you don’t meet my demands.
- I never get enough.
- I require all of you.
- I eliminate any interest that competes with you giving to me.
- I won’t tolerate you having any self-interest that is not gratifying to me.
- I cannot live without you.
- I would rather eliminate you than lose you.
- I must stay in charge.
- It’s all or nothing.
Emotional Child
- You have something that I want, and I will find a way to get it from you.
- I will lie, trick, manipulate and whine to get what I want.
- I will see revenge if you do not give me enough.
- I will get even with you for the pain you cause me by not doing what I want.
- I will pretend and pose to entice you to give to me.
- I will hide my truth in order to keep you.
- I will be belittling and controlling of any competition.
- I will blame or sulk to let you know I’m upset.
- I will placate so you will feel sorry for me an appease me.
- I will be distracting to confuse you.
- I will develop physical reactions to the pain of your rejection of disapproval.
- I will regress to childhood decisions about what I can allow myself to experience, show or do.
- I experience strong doubts about my love ability and adequacy.
Emotional Adolescents
- “Don’t tell me what to do.”
- My autonomy is threatened by needing and taking too much from a relationship.
- I misunderstand your requests as attempts to control me.
- I am rebellious when criticized, corrected or directed.
- I view commitment as something to be rebelled against.
- I believe I already know everything or should know everything.
- I constantly measure my personal performance and adequacy against my unrealistic views of adulthood.
- I compare my fortunes, capabilities and performance with others.
- I harbor perfectionistic expectation of others.
- I am always trying to prove something.
- I cannot listen with empathy because I hear your reality as a criticism of me.
- I feel trapped and limited by relationships.
- I need space in order to feel my autonomy and freedom.
- I blind myself to the consequences of risk taking/rule breaking, and I am easily bored by routine; I’m restless, changeable, seek variety and adventures.
Emotional Adults
- I can listen with empathy without demanding, manipulating, or rebelling regarding others’ reality.
- I am self-aware and can receive criticism without becoming defensive.
- I am able to give and take pleasure without fear of painful loss, lack of control or loss of autonomy.
- I can speak congruently in my own behalf or in behalf of the relationship, even at the risk of displeasing you.
- I can sustain emotional intensity in a relationship, and can ask for what I need, want or prefer without controlling, engulfing, manipulating or fleeing from you.
- I can comfortably move between being dependent, independent and interdependent with a partner.
- Personal existence, love-ability, adequacy and the ability to have my needs met in cooperation with others.
- I can self-maintain in times of sickness, work or preoccupation elsewhere of my partner.
- I have the capacity to join in mutual concern and empathy.
If we’re honest with ourselves we will acknowledge that we exhibit some of the characteristics from time to time in all levels, especially when we’re angry. Achieving an adult level of maturity requires a sense of your own worth and seeing the fundamental value of your spouse. Becoming a high EQ emotional adult isn’t easy, and it’s not necessary to be one all the time, but you need to behave like an emotional adult in order to handle conflict constructively. Remember, when we are under STRESS, we REGRESS. Conflict in your marriage is an opportunity for you to learn something about your spouse, and a healthy marriage works better when both partners are functioning as emotional adults most of the time. The healthy emotional adult has the capacity to demonstrate good will, respect, humility and empathy, is open to learning, growing, and has a willingness to change.
Emotional adulthood defined – You become an emotional adult whenever your desire to PROTECT is GREATER than your desire to BE PROTECTED, AND your desire to LOVE is greater than your desire to BE LOVED. | https://www.goodnewsfl.org/whats-your-eq/ |
We all know how delicious blueberries are, especially when chilled with a delicious fruit salad. Sometimes, however, we don’t have time for a leisurely breakfast of fruit and yummy blueberry pancakes. It’s way better to have the pancakes made with quick and easy ingredients cooked in advance. Then, you can enjoy a hot breakfast anytime you wish.
Blueberry pancakes are relatively easy to make. You will just need to combine one cup of flour, some quick cooking oats, a teaspoon of baking powder, ½ teaspoon of salt and a tablespoon of melted butter. Beat these ingredients together, and add two ounces of melted chocolate and two tablespoons of shortening. You will also need to have a bowl or two of buttermilk to dip the pancakes in after they’re cooked.
Let’s break apart the Blueberry Pancake into its component parts. The batter is poured into a hot bowl, and the blueberries are mixed in with the cream. The mixture is heated for a few minutes and then poured over the oat mixture and the finished pancake is ready to be served. Now, all you need to do is enjoy your delicious breakfast!
If you want to have your own pancake, you need to make the batter. Apart from using quick cooking oats, a lot of folks also use ground oats. All you have to do is mix the two together in a separate bowl or in two different mixing bowls. You can use one bowl for regular pancakes and another one for egg breakfasts. Then, you’ll have to sort out the oat ingredients and put them in the frying pan on medium heat.
As soon as the mixture starts to look similar to nuts, you should put on a plate covered with a damp cloth, or an old towel. Then, it would be best if you left it for a while. The pancakes will be ready when you take them out of the pan.
You can also make a pancake and replace the quick cooking oats with muesli and sunflower seeds. Then, you can add some peanut butter or a little honey. This can make a meal in itself, particularly for children’s breakfast.
endeavor to introduce the new foods as quickly as possible. Children love pancakes, so don’t be taken by the looks of the pancake. It’s better if you cook it from scratch. And, then, you’ll have the prerogative to eat pancakes with almost any topping, or along with other delicious foods, like fruit, or bread, cereal, or hash browns, and the list goes on. You can create unique recipes as well. Try it as a breakfast recipe, for example. You could substitute the pancakes with scrambled eggs, or make them with whole wheat bread. There are so many ideas, and it’s fun to experiment.
Instead of pancakes, fruit is a good choice, or why not have breakfast for dinner? Fruit is packed with vitamins and minerals, as we all need for breakfast. This is a no-brainer, right? But then, as a parent you have to make the decision, should it be a Piece of Fruit or Salad? and play with extremes. In this case, there is no doubt that a salad is the better choice!
We are looking for practical tips and strategies to deal with the tons of tricky issues of toddler growth. Yes, there is plenty of research out there on toddler growth, and even more to learn about toddler nutrition. Children are growing and developing, so what could be simpler than cabbage, corn, carrots, and so on.
The educated approach to toddler growth is to make it simple, but nutritious. Fortunately, there are tons of options for nutritious toddler meals these days. This is a great moment to stop and think about what’s really important to your child.
When you look at the nutritional requirements of a toddler, you will find a considerable amount of issues. In toddlers, the growth of bones is often restricted by being fed a full commercial diet; however, this is not entirely the case. German researchers found that easy access to food made German children grow faster and that the faster growth was not related to either tickets or giant feet. In fact, it was found that the availability and consumption of food affected children’s short stature.
This study, partly propelled by an excellent report called “Meal Planning and Its Impact on Growth,” strongly suggested that children’s diets should be changed in a fundamental way to encourage optimal growth. In the US, the recommended diets for children are highly processed and unnatural. In contrast, the cuisine in many developing countries is more simple, whole-colonial, and organic. Boys and girls eat different food than we do in North America, and in many parts of Africa, they eat more cereal and less meat. | https://simplygoodfoodtv.com/how-to-make-blueberry-pancakes-fast-and-easy/ |
As we’ve seen businesses manage their way through the pandemic over the past two years and a new Administration take hold in office, a number of environmental, health, and safety (EHS) trends are rising to the surface. Some of these may sound familiar, as certain challenges and opportunities in EHS remain ongoing. Some are just gaining traction as we move into the new year.
Here are the top EHS trends KTL’s EHS professionals are keeping watch on in 2022—and some advice on what you can do to prepare…
OSHA Enforcement: Happy 50th Birthday OSHA!
The Build Back Better Act (BBBA) introduced the first amendment to the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act in nearly 20 years. This would include increased funding to make significant improvements in workplace safety protection for American workers, as well as significant increases in the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) maximum penalties. While the future of the BBBA is uncertain, it provides a good picture of where OSHA is headed by enacting high enough penalties to significantly impact businesses that violate the law and injure or kill workers. While OSHA doesn’t have the resources to audit or fine everyone, the agency will likely make an example of a few major violators to deter others from non-compliance.
To prepare: Make sure you have the processes, programs, and systems in place—and documented—to ensure you are always protecting employees’ safety and health and meeting OSH Act requirements.
EPA Inspections and Enforcement: Focus on Ammonia Refrigeration
With the new Administration, 2021 brought a significant uptick in Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) multi-media inspections, enforcement actions, and large penalties for violations, particularly related to anhydrous ammonia storage, risk management, and chemical accident prevention planning. Many of these violations have been uncovered as part of a National Compliance Initiative (NCI), which is working to enforce the regulatory aspects of the Clean Air Act’s (CAA) Chemical Accident Prevention Program, including Risk Management Plan (RMP) regulations (40 CFR Part 68), General Duty Clause (GDC) (CAA Section 112(r)), Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) (CAA Section 312), Process Safety Management (PSM) regulations (29 CFR 1910.119).
To prepare: If your facility uses anhydrous ammonia and you have not conducted a hazard analysis, you are at significant risk of incurring enforcement actions of fines. It is important you invest the time and resources required to:
- Understand the hazards posed by chemicals at the facility.
- Assess the impacts of a potential release.
- Design and maintain a safe facility to prevent accidental releases.
- Coordinate with local emergency responders.
- Minimize the consequences of accidental releases that do occur.
PFAS/PFOA Contamination
Because of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances’ (PFAS) persistence in the environment and widespread use in firefighting foams and products that resist grease, water, and oil, PFAS contamination is an extremely complicated issue—and concern is mounting over its impacts and how to regulate these chemicals going forward. On October 18, 2021, EPA Administrator Michael Regan announced EPA’s comprehensive Strategic Roadmap to tackle PFAS contamination through increasing investments in research, leveraging authorities to act now to restrict PFAS chemicals from being released, and accelerating cleanup of PFAS contamination. More and more facilities are going to be directly impacted by mitigation efforts and future regulatory action.
To prepare: Proper usage strategies, a comprehensive environmental management system (EMS), and a forward-thinking Emergency Response Plan will remain vital tools for companies potentially dealing with PFAS to effectively manage the associated risks.
Resource Constraints and Compliance Efficiency Tools
There are a few trends we see time and again, which generally can be tied back to many EHS “departments” (which often consist of just one person) lacking the resources—financial and personnel—to manage the sheer number of EHS requirements they are required to comply with. Frequently, companies may not understand or have the resources to manage everything that needs to be in place to satisfy compliance requirements. This is an area where EHS compliance efficiency and tracking tools are becoming essential to allow companies to do more with fewer resources.
To prepare: A compliance management system (CMS) brings information technology (IT) and management systems together to coordinate, organize, control, analyze, and visualize information in such a way that helps organizations remain in compliance and operate efficiently. A CMS can help provide operational flexibility, generate business improvement, and prepare organizations to address these and other EHS compliance challenges that will continue to surface.
Hazardous Waste Incineration Backlog
The changing hazardous waste market continues to create a fair amount of uncertainty regarding whether hazardous waste management capacity can actually meet demand. Many Large Quantity Generators (LQGs) and Small Quantity Generators (SQGs) are still experiencing a hazardous waste incineration slowdown, and most of the permitted transport, storage, and disposal facilities (TSDFs) are backlogged. EPA predicts that this backlog may not fully resolve until the end of the first quarter of 2022. EPA has offered multiple existing regulatory options for various regulated entities that generate and manage hazardous waste as temporary solutions to address the backlog.
To prepare: If you are in the situation where you are coming up against your time limits, contact your EPA Regional Administrator and ask for guidance on how to manage the situation. Keep very careful and accurate records of all hazardous waste information to demonstrate appropriate management.
Environmental Justice and Citizen Science
On January 27, 2021, President Biden issued Executive Order (EO) 14008 – Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad, amending EO 12898, which directed federal agencies to develop environmental justice (EJ) strategies to help federal agencies address disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects of their programs on minority and low-income populations. EO 14008 further directs Federal agency actions to support making EJ part of its mission by identifying and addressing the effects of all programs, policies, and activities on minority and low-income populations. As part of EPA’s EJ efforts, the Agency is charting a new pathway for the use of citizen science. Citizen science engages the public in identifying research questions, collecting and analyzing data, interpreting results, and developing technologies and applications to resolve environmental problems. Citizen science provides a resource in times of restricted budgets and to address dispersed or hyperlocal environmental issues.
To prepare: Equipment loan programs are available for anyone who would like to participate. KTL is aware of clients receiving money from the state to make equipment updates. In addition there are a number of EJ grants, funding, and other technical assistance available.
Sustainability
As developing nations continue to industrialize and increase their material consumption, resource demands and pressures on our supply chains will only increase. The Biden Administration has committed to a net zero economy by 2050, and the number of net zero commitments from local governments and businesses continues to grow and push further down the supply chain. There are more incentives for businesses to find clean/renewable energy solutions and to manage waste more sustainably. As one example, Sustainable Material Management (SMM) considers the entire of a product and/or process to help create a circular economy.
To prepare: Consider the following sustainability activities as part of your company’s business strategy:
- Conduct a lifecycle analysis (LCA) to identify and quantify the inputs and outputs in a process and use data to assess the potential environmental impacts across the lifecycle.
- Check with your local utility to have an energy audit completed of your facilities.
- Get input from employees on what initiatives are important to them by enacting a sustainability committee or adding sustainability to your EHS agenda.
Set Your Goals for 2022
With these trends toward more regulations, more enforcement, and more focus on sustainability, EHS management needs to play a more integral role in company strategy. Companies must take the time to be informed, be prepared, and be proactive. Establish company-wide EHS priorities and goals and commit the appropriate resources to ensure the required programs and systems are in place for 2022 and beyond.
If you would like help evaluating your current EHS risk level and assessing your priorities for 2022, please contact KTL. | https://goktl.com/ehs-top-trends-to-watch-in-2022/ |
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDS SPONSORED R & D
REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Not Applicable.
Not Applicable.
Not Applicable.
I. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of instrumentation used for Raman spectroscopy. The instrument can be used to analyze solids, liquids, and gasses.
II. Description of Prior Art
The molecular scattering of light: Nobel lecture
Raman spectroscopy was discovered by Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman in the early 1900's. See C. V. Raman, , Calcutta University Press, Calcutta, 1930. In its original form, filtered solar energy was used to generate Raman scattering of molecular samples. The resulting Raman spectra contained vibrational information about the molecular species, thus allowing them to be identified with a spectral “fingerprint”. Since its inception, the technique has undergone radical change. In particular, the widespread use of lasers as excitation sources in the 1970's resulted in a renaissance of this method of chemical analysis. Indeed, many investigators reported the use of Raman not only to qualitatively identify molecular species, but also to conduct quantitative analysis of these species. Since the generated Raman spectral intensity is linearly dependent on the excitation power, lasers quickly became the excitation method of choice. However, the large size of lasers in general at that time, the difficulty in aligning optics, and the overall fragility of the systems relegated Raman spectroscopy as a laboratory method. In addition, due to limitations of the utilized spectrometers and detectors, visible and ultra-violet wavelength lasers were used exclusively. This often gave rise to intense and interfering fluorescence which obscured the weak Raman scattering. Also, the acquisition of a single Raman spectrum was very time consuming since a moving dispersive grating was used to scan the dispersed Raman wavelengths across a single element detector. The acquisition of a single spectrum often required more than 1 hour. The subsequent invention and commercialization of the FT-Raman spectrometer (Fourier Transform Raman Spectrometer) resulted in a second renaissance of Raman spectroscopy in the 1980's. In this instrument, a Nd:YAG laser (flash lamp pumped solid state laser emitting at 1064 nm) was used to excite the sample and the resulting Raman signal was detected using an interferometer with a single element detector. This resulted in a much superior Raman signal in a shorter acquisition time due to the multiplex effect. In addition, the use of a near-IR laser resulted in complete elimination of fluorescence in most samples and a severe reduction of fluorescence in all samples. (Chase, D. Bruce., “Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy”, Journal of the American Chemical Society, Volume 108, 1986, pages 7485-8). These instruments were rapidly adopted by both academia and industry (Cooper, John B.; Wise, Kent L.; Groves, J., “Determination of octane numbers and Reid vapor pressure of commercial petroleum fuels using FT-Raman spectroscopy and partial least-squares regression analysis”, Analytical Chemistry, Volume 67, 1995, pages 4096-100; Cooper; John B, Bledsoe, Jr.; Roy R, Wise; Kent L., Sumner; Michael B, Welch; William T, Wilt; Brian K, U.S. Pat. No. 5,892,228: Process and apparatus for octane numbers and reid vapor pressure by Raman spectroscopy, Apr. 6, 1999; Cooper; John B., Flecher, Jr.; Philip E., Welch; William T. , U.S. Pat. No. 5,684,580: Hydrocarbon analysis and control by Raman spectroscopy, Nov. 4, 1997; Cooper; John B., Wise; Kent L., Welch; William T., Sumner; Michael B., U.S. Pat. No. 5,596,196: Oxygenate analysis and control by Raman spectroscopy, Jan. 21, 1997; Cooper, John B, Wise, Kent L., Bledsoe, Roger R., “Comparison of Near-IR, Raman, and Mid-IR Spectroscopies for the Determination of BTEX in Petroleum Fuels”, Applied Spectroscopy, Volume 51, 1997, pages 1613-16). To date there have been numerous improvements on the original design including improvements in detectors, interferometers, and lasers (Chase, Bruce., “Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy”, Analytical Chemistry, Volume 59, 1987, pages 881A-2A; Asselin, Kelly J, Chase, B., “FT-Raman Spectroscopy at 1.339 Micrometers”, Applied Spectroscopy, Volume 8, 1994, pages 699-704; Burch; Robert V., U.S. Pat. No. 5,247,343: Raman spectrometer having optical subtraction filters, Sep. 21, 1993).
Unfortunately, these instruments have remained costly and also very sensitive to vibrations; thus making them unlikely candidates for industrial applications other than research labs. In the late 1980's, the development of four key technologies led to the third renaissance of Raman spectroscopy in the 1990's. These were the development of silicon based CCD (charge coupled device) array detectors; the development of small low cost near-IR diode lasers; the development of fast image corrected dispersive spectrographs (see for example Battey; David E., Owen; Harry, Tedesco; James M., U.S. Pat. No. 5,442,439: Spectrograph with multiplexing of different wavelength regions onto a single opto-electric detector array, Sep. 24, 1996); and the emergence of high-quality fiber optics. In combination, these components allowed a new generation of Raman spectrometers to emerge based on the older dispersive Raman technique used originally by Raman himself (Lombardi, Daniel R., Mann, Charles K., Vickers, Thomas J., “Determination of Water in Slurries by Fiber-Optic Raman Spectroscopy”, Applied Spectroscopy, Volume 49, 1995, pages 220-25). The use of a CCD silicon array detector allowed the entire spectrum to be acquired simultaneously, hence giving rise to the multiplex advantage which was previously only attainable through the use of the FT-Raman method (Frank, Christopher J.; Redd, Douglas C. B.; Gansler, Ted S.; McCreery, Richard L., “Characterization of Human Breast Biopsy Specimens with Near-IR Raman Spectroscopy”, Analytical Chemistry, Volume 66, Number 3, 1994; Wang, Yan.; McCreery, Richard L. “Evaluation of a diode laser/charge coupled device spectrometer for near-infrared Raman spectroscopy”, Analytical Chemistry, Volume 61, 1989, pages 2647-51; Angel, Stanley M.; Myrick, Michael L., “Near-infrared surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy using a diode laser”, Analytical Chemistry, Volume 61, 1989, pages 1648-52; Tedesco; James M., Owen; Harry, Chang; Byung J., U.S. Pat. No. 5,011,284: Detection system for Raman scattering employing holographic diffraction, Apr. 30, 1991; and Vickers, Thomas J, Rosen, Christopher A, Mann, Charles K, “Compact Raman Spectrometers: Data Handling Methods, Applied Spectroscopy, Volume 50, 1996, pages 1074-80).
The use of fiber optics and remote probes allowed for easy sampling (Schwab, Scott D.; McCreery, Richard L., “Versatile, efficient Raman sampling with fiber optics”, Analytical Chemistry, Volume. 56, 1984, pages 2199-204; Myrick, M. L.; Angel, Stanley M.; Desiderio, R., “Comparison of some fiber optic configurations for measurement of luminescence and Raman scattering”, Applied Optics, Volume 29, 1990, pages 1333-44; Owen; Harry, Tedesco; James M., Slater; Joseph B., U.S. Pat. No. 5,377,004: Remote optical measurement probe, Dec. 27, 1994; Pelletier; Michael J. , U.S. Pat. No. 5,862,273: Fiber optic probe with integral optical filtering, Jan. 19, 1999; Carrabba; Michael M., Rauh; R. David, U.S. Pat. No. 5,112,127: Apparatus for measuring Raman spectra over optical fibers, May 12, 1992; Schrader; Bernhard, U.S. Pat. No. 5,534,997: Raman spectrometer using a remote probe with enhanced efficiency, Jul. 9, 1996).
The use of diode lasers allowed for some reduction of fluorescence (Smith; Brian J. E., U.S. Pat. No. 5,657,120: Laser diode system for Raman spectroscopy, Aug. 12, 1997; Angel, S. Michael.; Myrick, Michael L., “Wavelength selection for fiber optic Raman spectroscopy”, Applied Optics, Volume 29, 1990, pages 1350-2; Vickers, Thomas J., Mann, Charles K., Tseng, Ching-Hui, “Changes in Raman Spectra Due to Near-IR Excitation”, Applied Spectroscopy, Volume 46, 1992, pages 1200-6).
In total, the advantages of these new instruments were 1) extremely high signal to noise ratios which allowed the acquisition of Raman spectra in seconds, 2) low cost, 3) a significant reduction in fluorescence with near-IR excitation near 800 nm and 4) robustness. These instruments have been rapidly adopted for both research as well as industrial control applications (Smith; Lee M, Benner; Robert E., Christensen; Douglas A., Harris; Joel M., Johnson; Carl W., Rallison; Richard D., U.S. Pat. No. 5,751,415: Raman spectroscopy apparatus and method for continuous chemical analysis of fluid streams, May 12, 1998).
Unfortunately, the use of a CCD detector limits the long wavelength range of the instruments to less than 1000 nm, and thus mandates excitation at wavelengths below 900 nm. Therefore, fluorescence is still a significant problem for many samples. In addition, the utilized diode lasers are notoriously unstable with respect to emission wavelength (Cooper; John B, Flecher; Philip E., Welch; William T., U.S. Pat. No. 5,856,869: Distributed bragg reflector diode laser for Raman excitation and method for use, Jan. 5, 1999; Ozaki; Yukihiro , Nishinomiya, Dou; Xiaoming, Yamaguchi; Yoshinori, Uenoyama; Harumi, U.S. Pat. No. 5,754,289: Raman scattered light apparatus, May 19, 1998; Dou; Xiaoming, Yamaguchi; Yoshinori, Uenoyama; Harumi, Wang; Yung X., U.S. Pat. No. 5,617,205: Spectral measuring method and spectral measuring apparatus, Apr. 1, 1997; Dou; Xiaoming, Takama; Toshio, U.S. Pat. No. 5,828,450: Spectral measuring apparatus and automatic analyzer, Oct. 27, 1998).
Fluctuations in temperature, operating current, or back reflected light can result in laser mode “hops” where the laser oscillates between two or more wavelengths (Cooper, John B, Flecher, Philip E., Welch, William T, “Elimination of Mode Hopping and Frequency Hysteresis in Diode Laser Raman Spectroscopy: The Advantages of a Distributed Reflector Diode Laser for Raman Excitation”, Applied Spectroscopy, Volume 49, 1995, pages 1692-98). This results in significantly degraded Raman spectra. There have been a few attempts to overcome this problem using grating stabilized lasers or by reverting back to shorter wavelength lasers which are stable but give rise to increased fluorescence. With the exception of this filing, a dispersive Raman spectrometer utilizing a stable laser excitation source at wavelengths longer than 900 nm has not been developed.
For visible Raman spectroscopy utilizing CCD detectors, diode lasers are theoretically the most desirable of solid-state lasers for a number of reasons. First, they have the best power efficiency. Second, they are extremely compact, generally being integrated into standard transistor type cans. These packages can be easily mounted and integrated into compact and ruggedized systems perfect for field process control applications. Third, per milliwatt, they are the lowest cost lasers available. Finally, since the entire cavity is integrated into one small silicon package, assembly costs are minimal.
Unfortunately, the practicality of diode lasers is challenged by their spectral stability. Diode lasers come in four basic types, Fabry-Perot, distributed feedback (DFB), distributed Bragg reflector (DBR), and external cavity. All are inherently wavelength unstable, some more than others. The inherent instability stems from a gain curve that is large allowing several longitudinal modes to fit within the gain curve. The Fabry-Perot design does not allow for any discrimination between the modes, and consequently, many different lasing modes will be present at a given time. This alone makes Raman spectroscopy difficult; in addition, the modes are constantly changing wavelength and intensity. This is due to the phenomenon of hole-burning. Hole-burning entails the depopulation of a discrete energy level due to intense irradiation at that wavelength. In diode lasers this can occur due to optical feedback of the laser light. In other words, the feedback can cause a diode laser to stop lasing at a given wavelength and start at another. This effect is generally called mode-hopping. The other three models, DFB, DBR, and the external cavity, incorporate wavelength discrimination to better lock onto a single longitudinal mode. However, even these lasers can shift wavelength due to thermal changes in the cavity and optical feedback from external sources to the cavity. Feedback is a persistent problem with diode lasers as their optical characteristics and small size tend to produce a divergent cone of light rather than a well collimated beam. The optics needed to produce collimation will inherently cause reflections and feedback.
The DFB, DBR, and external cavity lasers tend to have an output that at low resolution appears to be a single longitudinal mode. However, close examination over long time periods show that even these lasers when operating under working conditions have several discrete longitudinal modes that they prefer to operate in. Applications where precise wavelength calibration and/or precise intensities are not needed are possible with these lasers. However, in analytical chemistry applications where precision of less than 5 to 10% is needed, these lasers will not perform to specifications.
The intensity of Raman scattering observed from a sample constituent is directly proportional to the concentration of the constituent. This has been used to quantitate samples with Raman spectroscopy. The intensity of Raman scattering can be measured as a peak height, or, more commonly, a peak area is determined by integrating between the two points on either side of the peak. If the system being quantitated is consistent in properties between samples, it is possible to get very precise quantitation. When samples vary in properties (for example, fluorescence background), it becomes necessary to include some sort of internal standard to the sample or sampling system that corrects for sample to sample variation. Such an internal standard can also correct for laser intensity changes. However, it cannot correct for more than one variation as this would exceed the fundamental problem of having more unknowns than equations.
A serious problem with this method is that Raman spectra often have a background offset and all Raman spectra have a background noise level. If the laser intensity changes by a certain amount, then correction of the spectrum by multiplication will effect the noise level and change the background offset. This in turn can affect the integration or peak height measurement and consequently lead to less precise quantitation values. Furthermore, if the internal standard has a different peak shape or width than the analyte, changes due to mode-hopping may effect one more than another.
Modern analytical chemistry has become more sophisticated in its data analysis procedures. Currently, a popular method for quantitation is called Partial Least Squares (PLS). PLS is a complex mathematical algorithm that can find correlations between intensities in a Raman spectrum with changes in concentration. Once the correlating portions of the spectrum are located, PLS creates factors which mimic the spectrum with a unit intensity. An unknown sample can be quantified by determining a multiplier for the factors that reproduces the unknown spectrum. While this may appear complicated compared to using peak intensities, it is simple to automate and removes subjectivity from quantitation measurements.
PLS is an excellent way to quantify complex mixtures of materials if the laser source is stable. It is capable of finding correlations in a spectrum with large numbers of constituents and provides simple methods for outlier detection. PLS does have problems when the source is not stable. In particular, when the source moves in wavelength, PLS has difficulty matching its unit spectra with the unknown spectrum to minimize the residual as the subtraction of predicted spectrum vs actual spectrum produces a large residual due to the wavelength shift. This sensitivity of PLS to laser stability in combination with the inherent instability of diode lasers creates a debilitating problem with applications of Raman spectroscopy using diode laser sources.
Consequently, eliminating fluorescence and source spectral stability are the single most important components in ensuring accurate quantitative measurements. Thus, by going to longer wavelengths and using a laser that is inherently stable, more accurate results in process are ensured.
I. General Statement of the Invention
According to the invention, a diode-pumped solid state (DPSS) laser emitting monochromatic light at 1064 nm is used as an excitation source to irradiate a sample and subsequently generate Raman scattering from the sample being analyzed.
The generated Raman scattered light is collected by optics. The collected Raman scatter is filtered to remove at least some of the Rayleigh scatter which has a wavelength that is the same as that of the excitation source. The Stokes Raman scattered light is directed to a spectrograph wherein the light is dispersed by a grating onto an InGaAs diode array detector which is sensitive to near-infrared radiation in the range 900-1700 nm. Each element of the detector yields an electrical response that is proportional to the Stokes Raman scattering at a particular wavelength. The analog electrical response for each diode array element is converted into a digital response using an analog-to-digital converter. The total of all of the digital responses for each element of the diode array detector constitutes a Stokes Raman spectrum of the sample being irradiated.
II. Utility of the Invention
The invention allows the collection of fluorescent-free and reproducible Raman spectra of samples which exhibit significant fluorescence when using existing commercial dispersive Raman instruments. The invention is extremely stable and rugged when compared to interferometric based instrumentation which use diode-pumped solid state laser excitation at 1064 nm. The invention is inexpensive when compared to interferometric based instrumentation. The invention is compact when compared to interferometric based instrumentation. The invention yields comparable signal to noise when compared to interferometric based instrumentation. The invention eliminates the occurrence of mode “hopping” which is encountered with dispersive Raman instruments utilizing diode semiconductor lasers. In general, the invention has significant advantages over commercial dispersive Raman instruments as well as commercial FT-Raman instruments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is a diagram of an embodiment of the invention comprising a remote fiber optic probe.
FIG. 2
is a diagram of a diode pumped solid state (DPSS) laser operating at 1064 nm.
FIG. 3
FIG. 2
is a Stokes Raman spectrum of a highly fluorescent polymer taken using the apparatus that is diagrammed in using a one second integration time.
FIG. 4
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is a Stokes Raman spectrum acquired using a conventional dispersive Raman spectrometer with diode laser excitation at 852 nm. The Raman spectrum is of the same highly fluorescent polymer described in FIG. . As can be seen, the resulting fluorescence obscures the Raman spectral intensities.
FIG. 5
FIG. 2
is a diagram of an embodiment of the invention which is similar to that shown in , but utilizes a fiber optic mated directly to a slit as the entrance to the spectrograph.
FIG. 6
is a diagram of an embodiment of the invention comprising a sampling arrangement which does not involve the use of fiber optics or a remote probe.
REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
EXAMPLE 1
EXAMPLE 2
EXAMPLE 3
Modifications
Advantages
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—GaAs diode laser with 808 nm output
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—collimating optic
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—anamorphic prism pair
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—focusing optic
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—mirror, 99.8% reflective at 1064 nm and anti-reflective at 808 nm
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—Nd:VOa-cut crystal
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—mirror, 90% reflective at 1064 nm
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—collimating optic
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—diode pumped solid state (DPSS) laser with 1064 nm output
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—focusing optic
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—fiber optic
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—collimating optic
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—dielectric shortpass filter
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—beamsplitter, passes 1064 nm light, reflects wavelengths greater than 1064 nm
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—focusing optic
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—sample
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—dielectric longpass filter
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—focusing optic
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—remote fiber-optic Raman probe
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—fiber optic
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—optic
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—entrance slit to spectrograph
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—collimating optic
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—volume holographic transmissions grating
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—focusing optic
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—InGaAs diode array detector
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—spectrograph
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—computer
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—diode pumped solid state (DPSS) laser with 1064 nm output
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—focusing optic
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—fiber optic
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—collimating optic
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—dielectric shortpass filter
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—beamsplitter, passes 1064 nm light, reflects wavelengths greater than 1064 nm
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—focusing optic
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—sample
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—dielectric longpass filter
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—focusing optic
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—remote fiber-optic Raman probe
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—fiber optic
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—fiber mated to entrance of spectrograph
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—collimating optic
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—volume holographic transmission grating
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—focusing optic
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—InGaAs diode array detector
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—spectrograph
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—computer
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—diode pumped solid state (DPSS) laser with 1064 nm output
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—dielectric shortpass filter
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—beamsplitter, passes 1064 nm light, reflects wavelengths greater than 1064 nm
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—focusing optic
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—sample
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—dielectric longpass filter
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—spectrometer excitation and collection optics
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—focusing optic
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—entrance slit to spectrograph
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—collimating optic
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—volume holographic transmission grating
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—focusing optic
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—InGaAs diode array detector
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—spectrograph
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—computer
FIG. 1
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Referring to , in this preferred embodiment of the invention, there are five main components: a diode pumped solid state (DPSS) Nd:VOlaser , a remote probe , a spectrograph , an InGaAs diode array detector , and a computer . The DPSS laser is connected to the remote probe. The remote probe is connected to the spectrograph. The InGaAs diode array is mounted directly on the spectrograph. The InGaAs diode array is interfaced to the computer.
FIG. 2
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Referring to , the DPSS laser consists of a GaAs diode semiconductor laser emitting near nm, a collimating optic for collimating the laser light emitted by the diode laser, an optical beam shaping means for elongating the narrow dimension of the collimated laser beam (typically, an anamorphic prism pair), a focusing optic for focusing the collimated laser beam, a mirror which reflects 99.8% of light at 1064 nm and is antiflective with respect to the 808 nm light, an a-cut Nd:VOcrystal into which the diode laser light at 808 nm is focused and which emits light at 1064 nm, a second reflective optic which reflects a percentage (typically 85-95%) of the 1064 nm light emitted by crystal , and an output coupler which defines the diameter and collimation length of the resulting output laser light. The ouput laser light from the DPSS laser is locked at 1064 nm via the characteristics of the lasing medium and due to the laser cavity which is defined by the two reflective optical elements, and . Even if the semiconductor diode laser mode “hops”, the output of the DPSS laser will remain fixed at the design wavelength.
FIG. 1
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Referring to , excitation light from a diode-pumped solid state laser emitting at 1064 nm is focused by a focusing optic into a first fiber optic . The fiber transmits the excitation light to a remote probe which is attached to the first fiber optic . At the probe, the 1064 nm excitation light leaves the fiber and is collimated by a second optic . The collimated 1064 nm excitation light is subsequently filtered with a shortpass filter to remove unwanted Raman scattering induced by transmission through the fiber. The filtered excitation light is passed through a beamsplitter which has an angle of ˜45 degrees with respect to the incident collimated 1064 nm excitation light. The beamsplitter is such that it only passes light in a narrow bandpass centered at the excitation wavelength. A third optic is used to focus the excitation light onto a sample and generate Raman scatter. The Raman scatter is collected by the third optic and collimated. The collimated Raman scatter is reflected off of the beamsplitter at an angle which is 90 degrees to the angle of incidence. The reflected and collimated Raman scatter is passed through a longpass filter to remove or significantly reduce the intensity of the 1064 nm excitation light (collected as Rayleigh scattered light at the sample). The Raman scatter is focused using a fourth optic into a second fiber optic connected to the remote probe and transmitted to a spectrograph . Upon exiting the second fiber , the Raman scatter is focused using a fifth optic onto an entrance slit . A sixth optic is used to collimate the Raman scatter after it has passed through the entrance slit . The collimated Raman scatter is subsequently dispersed using a volume holographic transmission grating . The dispersed Raman scatter is focused using a seventh optic onto an indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs) diode array detector (InGaAs array) comprised of 256 or more discrete diode elements (not shown) each of which is connected to an integrating capacitor (not shown) and standard multiplexer readout circuitry (not shown). The signal is produced by the detector using double correlated sampling. This is performed by 1) resetting the capacitor, 2) reading out the capacitor after the diode has been exposed for a very short time interval (typically, <1 millisecond), 3) resetting the capacitor, 4) reading out the capacitor after the diode has been exposed for a much longer time interval (typically, >500 milliseconds), and 5) taking the difference of the two readouts. The use of double correlated sampling helps eliminate thermal background and diode voltage offsets. An example of an InGaAs diode array detector capable of the double correlated sampling is the EG&G J18 InGaAs diode array (Perkin Elmer Optoelectronics Division, Pennsylvania). The resulting analog signal from the detector is converted to a digital signal using an A/D converter (not shown) and displayed on a computer as a Raman spectrum of the sample. In the Raman spectrum, the y-axis corresponds to the intensity of Raman scatter at a particular wavelength, while the x-axis corresponds to wavelength. More typically, the x-axis is converted from wavelength units into Raman shift units. This conversion involves converting each x-axis wavelength into a frequency proportional unit such as cm, and then subtracting this unit from the corresponding frequency proportional unit for the excitation source. An example of the resulting Raman spectrum acquired in one second using this embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. . The Raman spectrum exhibits no fluorescence background, and the signal/noise ratio is sufficient for both qualitative and quantitative analysis. For comparison, a spectrum of the same sample acquired with a conventional dispersive Raman instrument using 852 nm diode laser excitation is shown in FIG. . As can be seen, the fluorescence background overwhelms the Raman signal making both qualitative and quantitative analysis impossible.
FIG. 5
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Referring to , this embodiment of the invention differs from Example 1 in that a fiber optic which interfaces the remote probe to a spectrograph is directly mated to an entrance slit of the spectrograph without using an optic.
FIG. 5
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Referring to , excitation light from a diode-pumped solid state laser emitting at 1064 nm is focused by a focusing optic into a first fiber optic . The fiber transmits the excitation light to a remote probe which is attached to the first fiber optic . At the probe, the 1064 nm excitation light leaves the fiber and is collimated by a second optic . The collimated 1064 nm excitation light is subsequently filtered with a shortpass filter to remove unwanted Raman scattering induced by transmission through the fiber. The filtered excitation light is passed through a beamsplitter which has an angle of ˜45 degrees with respect to the incident collimated 1064 nm excitation light. The beamsplitter is such that it only passes light in a narrow bandpass centered at the excitation wavelength. A third optic is used to focus the excitation light onto a sample and generate Raman scatter. The Raman scatter is collected by the third optic and collimated. The collimated Raman scatter is reflected off of the beamsplitter at an angle which is 90 degrees to the angle of incidence. The reflected and collimated Raman scatter is passed through a longpass filter to remove or significantly reduce the intensity of the 1064 nm excitation light (collected as Rayleigh scattered light at the sample). The Raman scatter is focused using a fourth optic into a second fiber optic connected to the remote probe and transmitted to a spectrograph . The opposing end of the second fiber is mated directly to the entrance slit of the spectrograph . The Raman scatter exiting the fiber optic is collimated using a fifth optic . The collimated Raman scatter is subsequently dispersed using a volume holographic transmission grating . The dispersed Raman scatter is focused using a sixth optic onto an indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs) diode array detector (InGaAs array) comprised of 256 or more discrete diode elements. The resulting analog signal from the detector is converted to a digital signal and displayed on a computer as a Raman spectrum of the sample.
FIG. 6
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Referring to , this embodiment of the invention differs from that of EXAMPLE 1 and EXAMPLE 2 in that in lieu of a remote probe and fiber optics, a set of excitation/collection optics is used.
FIG. 6
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Referring to , collimated excitation light from a diode-pumped solid state laser emitting at 1064 nm is first filtered by dielectric bandpass filter which only allows 1064 nm light to pass. The filtered excitation light is passed through a beamsplitter which has an angle of ˜45 degrees with respect to the incident collimated 1064 nm excitation light. The beamsplitter is such that it only passes light in a narrow bandpass centered at the excitation wavelength. A focusing optic is used to focus the excitation light onto a sample and generate Raman scatter. The Raman scatter is collected by the focusing optic and collimated. The collimated Raman scatter is reflected off of the beamsplitter at an angle which is 90 degrees to the angle of incidence. The reflected and collimated Raman scatter is passed through a longpass filter to remove or significantly reduce the intensity of the 1064 nm excitation light (collected as Rayleigh scattered light at the sample). The Raman scatter is focused using a second focusing optic onto an entrance slit of a spectrograph . A third optic is used to collimate the Raman scatter after it has passed through the entrance slit . The collimated Raman scatter is subsequently dispersed using a volume holographic transmission grating . The dispersed Raman scatter is focused using a fourth optic onto an indium gallium arsenide diode array detector (InGaAs array) comprised of 256 or more discrete diode elements. The resulting analog signal from the detector is converted to a digital signal and displayed on a computer as a Raman spectrum of the sample.
Specific methods or embodiments discussed are intended to be only illustrative of the invention disclosed by this specification. Variation on the methods or embodiments are readily apparent to a person of skill in the art based upon the teachings of this specification and are therefore intended to be included as part of the inventions disclosed herein.
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Examples include an apparatus comprising in combination: a) a DPSS laser excitation means; b) a sample irradiation means; c) a Raman collection means; d) a spectrograph; and e) an InGaAs diode array detector comprising 256 or more elements. Also in the examples is an apparatus in which the excitation source means is a diode pumped solid state laser emitting at wavelengths at least greater than 900 nm but not at 1064 nm. An additional example is an apparatus similar to that described in EXAMPLE 1 comprising a spectrograph whose entrance comprises a single fiber optic; a linear array of fiber optics; a single fiber optic mated directly to a slit; or a linear array of fiber optics mated directly to a slit. Another example is an apparatus similar to that described in EXAMPLE 1 comprising a remote probe whose design and configuration is described in documents referenced in this specification. Another example is an apparatus similar to that described in EXAMPLE 1, EXAMPLE 2, or in EXAMPLE 3 where a holographic notch filter is used in place of longpass filters , , or , respectively. Another example is an apparatus similar to that described in EXAMPLE 1, EXAMPLE 2, or in EXAMPLE 3 where a bandpass filter is used in place of shortpass filters , , or , respectively. Another example is an apparatus similar to that described in EXAMPLE 1, EXAMPLE 2, or EXAMPLE 3 where a reflective grating is used in place of volume holographic transmission gratings , , or , respectively. Another example is an apparatus similar to that described in EXAMPLE 1, EXAMPLE 2, or EXAMPLE 3 where a concave reflective grating is used in place of one or more powered optics and in place of volume holographic transmission gratings , , or , respectively. Another example is an apparatus similar to that described in EXAMPLE 1, EXAMPLE 2, or EXAMPLE 3 where the spectrograph consists of a different geometry than that described. For instance, one skilled in the art will realize that a variety of spectrograph designs may be substituted for the designs described in EXAMPLE 1, EXAMPLE 2, and EXAMPLE 3. For illustrative purposes, suitable spectrograph geometries include, but are not limited to, a Czerny-Turner spectrograph, a Ebert-Fastie spectrograph, an off-axis Ebert-Fastie spectrograph, a Monk-Gillieson spectrograph, a Rowland Circle spectrograph, a Wadsworth spectrograph, a Seya-Namioka spectrograph, and a corrected concave-grating flat-field spectrograph.
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Another example is an apparatus similar to that in EXAMPLE 1, EXAMPLE 2, or EXAMPLE 3 where the diode pumped solid state laser does not involve the use of a beam shaping means . Another example is an apparatus similar to that in EXAMPLE 1, EXAMPLE 2, or EXAMPLE 3 where the diode pumped solid state laser uses a lasing medium other than Nd:VO. One skilled in the art will know that there are several diode pumped solid state laser designs which vary to some extent from the one shown in FIG. and described in EXAMPLE 1. Therefore, another example is an apparatus similar to that in EXAMPLE 1, EXAMPLE 2, or EXAMPLE 3 wherein the diode pumped solid state laser differs from the excitation means described in EXAMPLE 1, but is comprised of at least a diode laser and a laser cavity comprising at least a solid crystal lasing medium and two optical surfaces which are reflective with respect to the DPSS laser output wavelength.
Another example is an apparatus similar to that in EXAMPLE 1, EXAMPLE 2, or EXAMPLE 3 where the analog signal from the detector is converted into a digital signal using the analog-to-digital converter of a standard 16 bit data acquisition card which is plugged into a computer.
Another example is an apparatus similar to that in EXAMPLE 1, EXAMPLE 2, or EXAMPLE 3 where the analog signal from the detector is converted into a digital signal using an analog-to-digital converter which is an integral part of the detector and the resulting digital signal is transmitted to a computer using a standard communications protocol.
Another example is an apparatus similar to that in EXAMPLE 1, EXAMPLE 2, or EXAMPLE 3 where the spectrograph and detector are mounted directly on a card which can be plugged directly into a computer bus slot.
Reference to documents made in the specification is intended to result in such patents or literature being expressly incorporated herein by reference.
From the description above, a number of advantages of the invention become evident:
(a) The invention ensures wavelength stability of the Raman spectrum. This allows the invention to be used for demanding process control, quality control, and research applications where the use of conventional diode laser based Raman spectrometers is not feasible due to wavelength instabilities.
(b) The invention eliminates fluorescent background signals that interfere with the Raman spectrum. This allows the invention to be used for the analysis of samples such as diesel fuels or high performance thermosets (e.g. polyimides) where the use of conventional dispersive Raman spectrometers is impossible.
(c) The invention is lightweight and rugged with no moving parts allowing for industrial and field use where the use of interferometric based spectrometers is not feasible.
(d) The invention is inexpensive to manufacture when compared to conventional interferometric Raman spectrometers allowing it to be used for applications for which Raman spectroscopy was previously considered cost prohibitive. | |
In a General Notice, published by the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Bomo Edna Molewa, dated 23 August 2013, there is a clear indication that the state intends to allow exploration for the purposes of shale gas production. The process used to obtain shale gas is colloquially referred to as “fracking”. The Minister has also reiterated in a press briefing in Pretoria, that these activities will be strictly controlled by the Department of Water and Environmental Affairs (“DWEA”) to protect the environment and South Africa’s water resources.
This Notice, says Peter Flynn of The Environmental Law Consultancy, means that anyone intending to commence with exploration for shale gas using fracking, will have to have to obtain a water use licence. As the Notice mentions “exploration and production” it is also an indication that the regulatory framework is already been amended to permit shale gas production using fracking.
The general public has been invited to comment on the Notice and have been given up to 22nd October to do so. This can be done by emailing [email protected].
It is now acknowledged, said Flynn, that the whole fracking issue is highly controversial and polarised, with both sides accusing the other of doing a lack of research, or using biased research. He said, with fracking operations now operating worldwide (recent examples being in Australia and in California), there is a formidable amount of data for both sides to research.
“The biggest concerns are the possible pollution of ground water in the immediate area where fracking occurs and the fact that very large quantities of water and chemicals will have to be introduced to the area to make the operation possible. This could also lead to the pollution of the neighboring local water resources. New evidence has also been cited to indicate that air pollution as a result of fracking an environmental health concern.”
In September 2012, South Africa lifted a moratorium on shale gas exploration in the Karoo, where a potential 390-trillion cubic feet of technically obtainable shale gas sits beneath the surface according to the latest US Energy Information Administration (“EIA”) study. If the EIA estimates are accurate, this makes the Karoo the fifth largest shale gas reserve in the world. The gas under the Karoo could provide 400 year’s worth of energy for South Africa. According to the South African government, for every 30 cubic feet of gas produced, the sales value would be one trillion Rand.
Those lobbying on behalf of fracking have pointed out that unemployment in Karoo towns like Craddock and Colesberg has for some years been way above the national average, and that the Karoo is one area that desperately needs some form of new industry. It has also been pointed out that the social and environmental impacts of using fracking to obtain shale gas should be considered in light of the alternative, which at this stage in South Africa, is almost exclusively open pit mining to obtain coal. Employees of shale gas operations are typically higher paid than most of those in the mining industry and the work is generally safer, healthier and more often more pleasant than the work required in mining activities.
The opposition claims that there is no 100% guarantee that water resources will remain uncontaminated. They cite the fact that the guarantees of oil companies worldwide, in view of some of the disasters they have experienced elsewhere, simply cannot be relied on.
Flynn said that there are significant additional environmental and safety risks associated with fracking, which have not been contemplated in terms of the legislation. These additional risks will need to be very strictly regulated using legislation and the legislation will need to be properly enforced by the DWEA.
Apart from the requirement that a water use license be obtained for the purposes of exploration, no other legislation specifically dealing with fracking or shale gas production has been proposed or promulgated.
Ends
About The Environmental Law Consultancy (The ELC)
The ELC was established in September 1991, by Llewellyn Botha (BA (Hons), MA, Dip. Law) in order to assist organisations and individuals with the law and related issues affecting environmental management in South Africa. It was the first such consultancy to be established in South Africa.
Over the years The ELC has branched into dealing with broader legal compliance (such as occupational health and safety) and, in so doing, assisting organisations to comply with the wider range of laws applicable to them.
The ELC team consists of specialists with environmental, occupational health and safety, compliance, legal and science qualifications and experience.
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Author: Vanessa Northing from Adverb Marketing, Communications and Events. Originally distributed by MyPR.co.za. | https://mypr.co.za/clear-signs-now-state-intends-go-ahead-fracking/ |
The earthquake that rocked Japan’s second-largest city Osaka a few days ago is yet another demonstration of its expertise in protecting its citizens from the risk of seismic damage.
The final balance, for now, of 3 fatalities and over 200 injured looks quite contained given the quake magnitude of 6.1 on the Richter scale. In any other part of the world, this event would have caused a much greater tragedy.
This earthquake swarm with an epicentre near Osaka spread to other areas and arrived as far as Tokyo, shining a spotlight on Japan’s capital, which is already a world leader in modern anti-seismic technology and today is the focus point of an even more significant earthquake preparation plan ahead of the 2020 Olympic Games. The Olympics will return to Tokyo for the first time since 1964, but they will find a city and a country that is profoundly different. A city where the battle against earthquakes is fought each and every day, with innovation and with technology. And the need to invest is growing each year -- figures released by the Infrastructure Ministry show that annual spending to maintain, repair and manage water mains, ports, airports and other large infrastructure works across the country will reach $46.1 billion by 2023.
Despite the constant risk of being hit by a devastating earthquake, Tokyo was named the world’s safest city in 2017 by the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Safe Cities Index, followed by Singapore and, in third place, by Osaka.
Protecting people from earthquakes is essential for a city that’s continually on the move, a megalopolis of 13 million inhabitants that extends for over 2,000 square kilometres and is criss-crossed by an extensive transport network (13 subway lines and over 100 ground routes).
Tokyo is capable of meeting this challenge, as demonstrated by the Economist Intelligence Unit’s index that examines 60 cities around the globe based on various criteria, from digital security to physical safety. Safety of infrastructure is given top priority - and in Tokyo’s case, the quality level of infrastructure reaches extremely high standards.
Earthquake risk has been the biggest driver for both central and city governments to invest in ever-more modern and efficient infrastructure.
According to a study by Tokyo University, 87% of the city’s buildings have been constructed according to modern anti-seismic standards. A prime example is the Tokyo Skytree. Inaugurated in 2012, this 2,080-foot-high tower was designed by a team of 100 experts to be totally “earthquake-proof.” The interior construction was inspired by China’s ancient pagodas.
Other skyscrapers were equipped with a special 300-tonne pendulum, capable of cushioning vibrations, which helps the building to sway in the event of earthquake. These so called “dampers” were patented by a Tokyo real estate company and sell for $51 million.
The city invests in new technology and innovative solutions that transform its face, on the surface but also under ground. Deep underneath Tokyo, between football pitches, parks and buildings, runs the Metropolitan Area Outer Underground Discharge Channel, a tunnel over 6 kilometres long. It was designed to deal with the flood from a possible future tsunami or a hurricane, by channeling the waters into the Edo River without trauma. The tunnel took 13 years to dig and cost $3 billion, but its contribution to the city’s safety is priceless.
Japan experiences an average of 2,000 earthquakes each year, some of them with a very high potential for destruction. In 2011, when the country was hit by a 9.0-Richter scale quake, 27 Shinkansen high-speed trains were running. Thanks to the seismographs placed throughout the country that can detect the Earth’s tremors ahead of time, the bullet train conductors were able to activate the emergency brakes a few seconds before the most violent waves of the earthquake arrived. None of the passengers lost their lives or were even injured.
This outcome did not happen by chance. The Japanese government has spent $1 billion to build its world famous seismic alert system that can detect the peak of the quake 80 seconds before it arrives. This advantage – particularly in a city like Tokyo – is essential to give people the time necessary to take urgent steps like step away from windows and shut off gas mains to avoid the risk of explosion.
These are all important works that do not, however, mean that Japan can stop investing in modern infrastructure. The Infrastructure Ministry has calculated that by 2023, the cost to maintain, repair and manage water mains, ports, airports and other large infrastructure assets will reach $46.1 billion, or 40% more than 10 years ago.
This technology at the service of citizens’ safety is the result of a long research and development process that started at the end of World War II and was accompanied by very strict building codes. The first large post-war quake was in Fukui in 1948. Two years later, in 1950, the Building Standards Act was approved, a regulatory plan that forced infrastructure construction companies to respect new standards. The Act was updated after the Tokachi earthquake in 1968, and again in 1981. Ever since then, regulations have marched in lockstep with the development of new anti-seismic technology, with continual improvements and attaining extremely high safety levels. The city administration in Kobe said that only 1% of buildings erected after 1981 were destroyed during the Hanshin earthquake of 1995. And in 2011, during the Great East Japan Earthquake, one of the most violent in Japan’s history, not a single building in the Sendai business district was damaged. Further proof of how innovation in infrastructure construction can result in protecting people’s lives. | https://www.webuildvalue.com/en/reportage/tokyo-the-earthquake-proof-city.html |
No. 4 Alabama looks to stay perfect in the SEC with a victory in Nashville on Tuesday night at Vanderbilt.
The Crimson Tide (15-2) are joined by Texas A&M at the top of the SEC standings as the lone two programs that are undefeated.
Meanwhile, the Commodores are fresh off one of their best wins of the season, knocking off No. 25 Arkansas to enter this game at 2-2 in conference play and 9-8 overall.
Both of these teams can score the basketball, which should give us an entertaining affair at the Memorial Gymnasium.
There may not be another team in the country that’s playing as well as Nate Oats’ squad right now.
Alabama has covered all five SEC victories with an average margin of victory of 22.8 points. The Tide have also scored 86 points per game in the process.
The best performance may have come over the weekend in the 40-point victory over LSU, as the Crimson Tide went over the century mark with 106 points. It was the largest victory over an SEC opponent since Alabama’s 93-54 win over Auburn in the 2005 season.
On the year, Oats’ team is one of just five programs that rank inside the top 25 by Bart Torvik in both offensive and defensive adjusted efficiency, joining Houston, UCLA, Connecticut and Kansas.
The Crimson Tide enter this matchup at +1100 odds to win the NCAA tournament at FanDuel, and I wouldn’t bash anyone for adding that ticket with the way they are playing.
This will be Vanderbilt’s fourth straight game against a ranked opponent, and the Commodores have held their own during this rough stretch.
In the previous three contests, coach Jerry Stackhouse’s squad has covered the spread against Missouri, Tennessee and Arkansas.
However, this will be the biggest test yet.
The strength of this roster is on the offensive end of the floor, where Vanderbilt ranks 44th in the country in AdjO and 55th in offensive rebounds.
Senior big man Liam Robbins leads the team with 13.2 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. He’s also an excellent shot blocker, coming into this matchup ranked in the top five in blocks per game at 2.94.
Alabama vs. Vanderbilt Betting Pick
Jumping out in front of this Alabama team may not end well with the way it’s playing at the moment, but I do believe this number on the road is a bit inflated.
With that said, my best bet is to back Vanderbilt +9.5, which I would play down to +8. I’m hoping the market will drive this number up to get something over double digits, but I still feel like the home team is the right side.
For starters, the Commodores always seem to find themselves in very close games. Of their 17 games on the year, 12 have been decided by nine points or less, including three of four SEC contests.
You also wonder how the Crimson Tide may be impacted by the news off the court surrounding former forward Darius Miles, who was charged with capital murder over the weekend in connection to a shooting near campus.
He was not necessarily a key contributor on the floor, but it will be a distraction before this game.
As long as Alabama continues to win, the numbers in the betting market will continue to favor Oats’ squad more and more, which will eventually lead to value opposing it.
Let’s hope that begins here for the Commodores.
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Pick: Vanderbilt +9.5 (Play to +8)
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TUSCALOOSA – Alabama has pushed aside all comers on its way to a perfect regular season, climbed to the top of the rankings and stuck around for quite awhile.
Now, it’s back to Square One for team No. 1: As an underdog in the Georgia Dome.
No. 2 Florida is a 10-point favorite to topple the top-ranked Crimson Tide Saturday in the Southeastern Conference championship game in Atlanta, where ‘Bama opened the season as an underdog to Clemson.
“I ain’t worried about that at all,” Tide cornerback Javier Arenas said. “It’s been like that the whole season, starting with Clemson and going to Georgia. You’re accustomed to it now.”
Still, is that any way to treat a team that just walloped archrival Auburn 36-0?
Then again, maybe the point spread is a compliment to Alabama (12-0) considering Florida’s last eight opponents have come no closer than Vanderbilt’s 28-point loss.
“As well as they’ve been playing, it doesn’t surprise me,” Tide linebacker Cory Reamer said. “They’ve been putting up 50 points, beating people by four touchdowns. Anybody that gets in their way, they’re just mowing over.
“People have written us off as underdogs before and we’ve proven them wrong. It’s nothing different.”
Much of it could have to do with styles. The Tide has won with defense, special teams and the running game. Ho hum.
Florida has excelled in all those areas, too, but won by 58 points against a Kentucky team that Alabama eked out a 17-14 victory against and has dazzled with coach Urban Meyer’s spread offense.
Maybe a team that routinely puts up huge offensive numbers is just more glamorous than one that is more known for shutting offenses down.
Arenas compares it to the New England Patriots facing the Baltimore Ravens in a big game.
Or as Tide linebacker Cory Reamer said: “Offense always gets the glory.”
The Gators, meanwhile, even seemed a tad bemused by their status as fairly heavy favorites in a game between two teams vying for a spot in the BCS national championship game.
After all, even Florida has stumbled in a 31-30 loss to Mississippi before resuming its march through opponents. The Tide has had a couple of close calls but managed to remain unblemished behind a defense that ranks second nationally against the run and yields the third-fewest points. (Florida is 12th and third in those categories, incidentally).
Ten points?
“I don’t know about that,” Florida receiver David Nelson said. “They’re 12-0 and from what we’ve seen on film, they’re a really good team. They do everything right. They have a great defense from what I’ve seen.
“Wow, I don’t know how you can favor a No. 2 over a No. 1 team.”
Tide players insist it’s nothing new. They’re used to seeing and hearing more about those other past or current national title contenders with high-powered offenses, like the Gators, Oklahoma, Texas and Texas Tech.
Then there’s Alabama, a potent running team that is a modest 28th in scoring offense and a humble 97th in passing. The Tide’s top offensive player is left tackle Andre Smith. Florida counters with Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow and do-it-all Percy Harvin.
“We’re underdogs because they focus so much on the great athleticism that those guys consist of,” Arenas said. “And they do have a lot of athleticism. Whoever is marking us as a 10-point underdog, I think that’s what they’re focusing on. That’s what they do. That’s their opinion. We’re just going to play our best ball and let it all unravel from there.”
Tide coach Nick Saban said he doesn’t need to use the underdog status as motivation for his players. A league title and national championship shot should suffice in that regard.
“I mean it doesn’t matter,” Saban said. “Florida has played well, and they’ve scored a lot of points. They haven’t even had a close game other than the Ole Miss game. They’ve been a dominant team, and they certainly deserve all the accolades that their team gets because they’ve played extremely well all season long.”
Tebow also doesn’t think ‘Bama will let it affect how the team plays in the game.
“I think they’re pretty mature,” he said. “I think they’ve got mature coaches. I don’t think they’ll let that bother them. I don’t think they worry about it, just like I don’t think we’d worry about it if we were in their position. | https://www.clantonadvertiser.com/2008/12/03/bama-finds-itself-a-dome-dog-again/ |
As of late we gave an account of a take of 2,200 new exoplanets from the long term essential mission of the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). In any case, that is only a hint of something larger as far as exoplanet chasing. In the event that estimations from NASA are right the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope could distinguish up to 100,000 new exoplanets when it dispatches in 2025.
There are two different ways Roman will search for potential exoplanets. The first is a more customary strategy, effectively utilized by TESS and Kepler, to look for the faiting darkening of a star that happens when a planet passes before it. This strategy, known as traveling, is the interaction that has discovered the main part of exoplanets up until now.
UT video talking about travels – one of the methods Roman will use to identify new exoplanets.
Roman will have considerably more touchy frameworks than any as of now dispatched traveling exoplanet satellite up until this point. That affectability will permit it to identify universes a lot farther away than TESS and comparative satellites. Exoplanets found by TESS are for the most part found around 150 light years away while Kepler zeroed in on a particular way of sky up to around 2,000 light years away. While it’s ideal to gather information on our galactic area, there are a moderately modest number of stars there. Roman, then again, will be adequately delicate to identify planet up-and-comers up to 26,000 light years away, arriving at practically right to the focal point of the system.
In any case, it will not have the option to arrive at that far utilizing the traveling method alone. It will likewise depend on a considerably more novel method for exoplanet chasing – microlensing. Microlensing itself has been around for quite a while, and brings about some totally staggering cosmic pictures, like the “Liquid Ring” found in the no so distant past. The strategy utilizes a guideline of the hypothesis of relativity to exploit the way that light can twist around huge articles, like a star.
UT Video examining the quest for exoplanets.
At the point when Roman discovers a couple of stars that make a lensing impact, it will actually want to identify slight changes in both the stars in the framework, permitting it to see travels in stars that are a lot farther away than would somehow be conceivable. Also, lensing would add the one of a kind capacity to conceivably identify planets that are traveling on the contrary site of a star doing the lensing. Any planets found through this method would diminish the light from the star being microlensed, however simply because it is impeding that light before it arrives at the gravitational draw of the star closer to Earth the planet is circling.
This microlensing strategy may likewise be useful in discovering another sort of exoplanet. Known as “maverick planets”, these are not gravitationally bound to a star. Researchers have seen them previously, yet normally just when they are recently shaped and producing infrared radiation. Roman can possibly see hundreds a greater amount of these drifters, assisting with fleshing out their arrangement interaction and advancement.
Realistic showing the accessible zones for every one of the three principle exoplanet chasing space telescopes. Roman will ready to arrive at a lot farther than any time in recent memory.
Maverick planets will probably just make up a little level of the all-out number of planets distinguished however. A paper was delivered a couple of years’ prior examining the two strategies and how they may be utilized. That paper calls attention to how Roman (at that point called WFIRST), joined with the (ideally) destined to-be-dispatched James Webb Space Telescope, will bring all new observational abilities on the web and truly venture up the quest for extrasolar planets. With karma, in the following decade or somewhere in the vicinity, the planetary science local area will have a cornucopia of new possible possibility to investigate. | https://discoverplanet.org/roman-space-telescope-could-detect-100000-exoplanets/ |
NSA is proud to join the global effort to promote strong cybersecurity practices during the 18th annual Cybersecurity Awareness Month.
In conjunction with our partners, NSA helps provide cybersecurity expertise required to defend the nation. NSA produces cyber threat intelligence, shares guidance and provides cybersecurity assistance to prevent and eradicate foreign cyber threats to National Security Systems, the Department of Defense, and the Defense Industrial Base (DIB).
This year, we join the National Cybersecurity Alliance, the Department of Homeland Security and 3,000 companies, schools, government Agencies, nonprofits and countries as a Cyber Champion to provide information on safe cybersecurity practices. NSA supports our partners who are detecting, resisting, and disrupting cyber threats across the globe.
Learn more about the cyber challenge and Cybersecurity Awareness Month by watching this video from Rob Joyce, Director of Cybersecurity. Throughout the month, we’ll participate with the campaign themes of: Cyber Hygiene; Fight the Phish (spotting and reporting phishing); Explore. Experience. Share. (Cybersecurity Career Awareness Week); and Cybersecurity First.
Be sure to check out tips and articles on Facebook, Twitter (@NSAgov and @NSAcyber), and even Instagram! | https://www.nsa.gov/Press-Room/News-Highlights/Article/Article/2795558/cybersecurity-is-a-team-sport-be-a-champion-this-cybersecurity-awareness-month/ |
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to an artificial intelligence method and, in particular, to a method and an apparatus for pattern recognition.
BACKGROUND
Pattern recognition is a technology that studies automatic processing and interpretation of patterns using mathematical technique by a computer. We may generally refer to an environment and an object as “patterns”. With the development of computer technologies, it is possible for human to study complex information processing processes. An important form of the information processing process is identification of the environment and the object by a living body. For human, the identification of optical information (which is obtained through visual organs) and acoustic information (which is obtained through auditory organs) is of significant importance. Where, the identification according to the optical information may include fingerprint identification, face recognition, and the like.
Where, face recognition refers to a biometric identification technology that performs identity identification using visual feature information of faces. Compared with other biometric technologies, the face recognition technology has the advantages of rich information, non-contact, simple and rapid acquisition manners, and friendly man-machine and the like. Therefore, the face recognition technology has wide application prospects in fields of authentication, access control systems, public safety and the like.
Recognition according to the optical information is mainly divided into two directions at present, which are two-dimensional image recognition and three-dimensional image recognition. Recognition based on two-dimensional images has higher requirements on two-dimensional images, for example has higher requirements on conditions such as postures, lighting conditions, make-up conditions and expressions and the like of a target object in two-dimensional images, thereby affecting an accuracy of recognition. Compared with the recognition based on two-dimensional images, the recognition based on three-dimensional images faces the problems of heavy calculation burden and a low recognition rate caused by complicated computation processes.
SUMMARY
A method and an apparatus for pattern recognition provided in the present invention can solve the problem that the recognition accuracy is not high due to relatively high requirements on an obtained image of the target object.
A first aspect of the present invention provides a method for pattern recognition, the method includes:
acquiring a two-dimensional image of a target object and acquiring a two-dimensional feature of the target object according to the two-dimensional image of the target object, and acquiring a three-dimensional image of the target object and acquiring a three-dimensional feature of the target object according to the three-dimensional image of the target object;
identifying the target object according to the two-dimensional feature and the three-dimensional feature of the target object.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, in a first possible implementation form of the first aspect, the three-dimensional image of the target object includes a three-dimensional curved surface of the target object, the three-dimensional feature of the target object includes at least one three-dimensional feature curve of the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object;
the at least one three-dimensional feature curve includes a curve where at least one plane intersects with the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object or a curve where a part of the plane intersects with the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object, or a set of points in the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object with a distance to the intersecting curve less than or equal to a first threshold, or,
the at least one three-dimensional feature curve includes a curve where at least one curved surface intersects with the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object or a curve where a part of the curved surface intersects with the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object, or a set of points in the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object with a distance to the intersecting curve less than or equal to a first threshold.
According to the first possible implementation form of the first aspect of the present invention, in a second possible implementation form of the first aspect of the present invention, the three-dimensional feature of the target object is concentrated in a first region, the first region includes a partial region of the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object, and the at least one three-dimensional feature curve is located in the first region.
According to the first possible implementation form or the second possible implementation form of the first aspect of the present invention, in a third possible implementation form of the first aspect of the present invention, the at least one plane is perpendicular to a feature plane of the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object, and the feature plane of the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object includes a plane in which three feature points on the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object are located.
According to a third possible implementation form of the first aspect of the present invention, in a fourth possible implementation form of the first aspect of the present invention, the at least one plane intersects at a first straight line, and the first straight line is perpendicular to the feature plane of the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object.
According to any one of the first possible implementation form to the fourth possible implementation form of the first aspect of the present invention, in a fifth possible implementation form of the first aspect of the present invention, before acquiring the three-dimensional feature of the target object according to the three-dimensional image of the target object, the method further includes:
performing, under a three-dimensional coordinate system whose original point is a feature point on the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object, a pose adjustment to the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object, where the pose adjustment including at least one of the following:
performing a pose adjustment according to a normal vector of the feature plane of the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object; and
selecting two feature points on the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object, and performing a pose adjustment according to the vector where the two feature points are located.
According to the fifth possible implementation form of the first aspect of the present invention, in a sixth possible implementation form of the first aspect of the present invention, the performing a pose adjustment according to a normal vector of the feature plane of the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object includes:
z
z
determining a rotation matrix Rfor rotating the normal vector of the feature plane of the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object to a direction as same as a positive direction of a Z axis in the three-dimensional coordinate system, where an included angle between the normal vector and the positive direction of the Z axis is an acute angle, rotating the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object according to the rotation matrix R;
where the performing pose adjustment according to the vector where the two feature points are located includes:
x
x
determining a rotation matrix Rfor rotating the vector where the two feature points are located to a direction as same as a positive direction of an X axis in the three-dimensional coordinate system, where an included angle between the vector where the two feature points are located and the positive direction of the X axis is an acute angle, rotating the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object according to the rotation matrix R.
According to any one of the first possible implementation form to the sixth possible implementation form of the first aspect of the present invention, in a seventh possible implementation form of the first aspect of the present invention, the method further includes: determining a distance between the at least one three-dimensional feature curve of the target object and at least one three-dimensional feature curve corresponding to at least one three-dimensional image in a set of three-dimensional images for objects, and determining a first weighted sum of the obtained at least one distance, where the first weighted sum represents a three-dimensional image similarity between the three-dimensional image of the target object and at least one three-dimensional image in the set of three-dimensional images for the objects.
According to the seventh possible implementation form of the first aspect of the present invention, in an eighth possible implementation form of the first aspect of the present invention, the acquiring the two-dimensional feature of the target object according to the two-dimensional image of the target object includes: acquiring the two-dimensional feature of the two-dimensional image of the target object and a two-dimensional feature of at least one two-dimensional image in a set of two-dimensional images for objects;
the method further includes:
determining a distance between the two-dimensional feature of the at least one two-dimensional image in the set of two-dimensional images for the objects and the two-dimensional feature of the two-dimensional image of the target object, and determining a second weighted sum of the at least one of the distance, where the second weighted sum represents a two-dimensional similarity between the two-dimensional image of the target object and at least one two-dimensional image in the set of two-dimensional images for the objects.
According to the eighth possible implementation form of the first aspect of the present invention, in a ninth possible implementation form of the first aspect of the present invention, the method further includes:
determining a third weighted sum of the two-dimensional similarity and the three-dimensional image similarity, where the third weighted sum represents a similarity between the target object and at least one object in a set of objects;
identifying the target object in the set of objects according to the similarity.
According to the first aspect of the present invention or any one of the first possible implementation form to the ninth possible implementation form of the first aspect of the present invention, in a tenth possible implementation form of the first aspect of the present invention, the target object includes a target face, and the three-dimensional image of target object includes a three-dimensional face curved surface of the target face;
the three-dimensional feature of the target object includes at least one three-dimensional face feature curve of the target face;
the at least one three-dimensional face feature curve of the target face plane includes a curve where at least one plane intersects with the three-dimensional face curved surface of the target face or a curve where a part of the plane intersects with the three-dimensional face curved surface of the target face, or a set of points in the three-dimensional face curved surface of the target face with a distance to the intersecting curve less than or equal to a first threshold; or, at least one three-dimensional face feature curve of the target face includes a curve where at least one curved surface intersects with the three-dimensional face curved surface of the target face or a curve where a part of the curved surface intersects with the three-dimensional face curved surface of the target face, or a set of points in the three-dimensional face curved surface of the target face with a distance to the intersecting curve less than or equal to a first threshold.
According to the tenth possible implementation form of the first aspect of the present invention, in an eleventh possible implementation form of the first aspect of the present invention, the three-dimensional face feature curve is located in upper half of the face including a tip point of a nose.
According to the tenth possible implementation form of the first aspect of the present invention or the eleventh possible implementation form of the first aspect of the present invention, in a twelfth possible implementation form of the first aspect of the present invention, the at least one plane is perpendicular to a face feature plane of the target face, the face feature plane of the target face includes a plane in which three of the following feature points are located, where the three points include: one point or two points of an inner corner point of a left eye, an outer corner point of the left eye, an inner corner point of a right eye, and an outer corner point of the right eye; at least one of a left corner point of a mouth, and a right corner point of the mouth; and a tip point of a nose.
According to the twelfth possible implementation form of the first aspect of the present invention, in a thirteenth possible implementation form of the first aspect of the present invention, the at least one plane intersects at the first straight line, the first straight line is perpendicular to the face feature plane of the target face, and the first straight line passes the tip point of the nose on the target face.
According to any one of the tenth possible implementation form of the first aspect of the present invention to the thirteenth possible implementation form of the first aspect of the present invention, in a fourteenth possible implementation form of the first aspect of the present invention, before acquiring the three-dimensional feature of the target object according to the three-dimensional image of the target object, the method further includes:
performing, under a three-dimensional coordinate system whose original point is a tip point of a nose on a target face, a pose adjustment to the three-dimensional face curved surface of the target face, where the pose adjustment including at least one of the following:
performing a pose adjustment according to a normal vector of the face feature plane of the target face; and
performing a pose adjustment according to a vector which is determined according to a left corner point of a mouth and a right corner point of the mouth on the three-dimensional face curved surface of the target face.
According to the fourteenth possible implementation form of the first aspect of the present invention, in a fifteenth possible implementation form of the first aspect of the present invention, the performing a pose adjustment according to a normal vector of the face feature plane of the target face includes:
z
z
determining a rotation matrix Rfor rotating the normal vector of the face feature plane of the target face to a direction as same as a positive direction of a Z axis in the three-dimensional coordinate system, where an included angle between the normal vector and the positive direction of the Z axis is an acute angle, rotating the three-dimensional face curved surface of the target face according to the rotation matrix R;
where performing a pose adjustment according to a vector which is determined according to a left corner point of a mouth and a right corner point of the mouth on the target face includes:
x
x
determining a rotation matrix Rfor rotating the vector which is determined according to the left corner point of the mouth and the right corner point of the mouth on the target face to a direction as same as a positive direction of an X axis in the three-dimensional coordinate system, where an included angle between the determined vector and the positive direction of the X axis is an acute angle, rotating the three-dimensional face curved surface of the target face according to the rotation matrix R.
According to any one of the tenth possible implementation form of the first aspect of the present invention to the fifteenth possible implementation form of the first aspect of the present invention, in a sixteenth possible implementation form of the first aspect of the present invention, the method further includes: determining a distance between the at least one three-dimensional face feature curve of the target face and the at least one three-dimensional face feature curve corresponding to at least one face in a set of faces, and determining a first weighted sum of the obtained at least one distance, where the first weighted sum represents a three-dimensional face similarity between the target face and the at least one face in the set of faces.
According to the sixteenth possible implementation form of the first aspect of the present invention, in a seventeenth possible implementation form of the first aspect of the present invention, the acquiring the two-dimensional feature of the target object according to the two-dimensional image of the target object includes: acquiring a two-dimensional feature of the target face and a two-dimensional feature of at least one face in a set of faces using a convolutional neural network model;
the method further includes:
determining a distance between the two-dimensional feature of the at least one face in the set of faces and the two-dimensional feature of the target face, and determining a second weighted sum of at least one of the distance, where the second weighted sum represents a two-dimensional face similarity between the target face and at least one face in the set of faces.
According to the seventeenth possible implementation form of the first aspect of the present invention, in an eighteenth possible implementation form of the first aspect of the present invention, determining a third weighted sum of the two-dimensional face similarity of the target face and the three-dimensional face similarity of the target face, where the third weighted sum represents a similarity between the target face and at least one face in a set of faces; identifying the target face in the set of faces according to the similarity of the at least one face.
According to any one of the first possible implementation form of the first aspect of the present invention to the eighteenth possible implementation form of the first aspect of the present invention, in a nineteenth possible implementation form of the first aspect of the present invention, the included angle between two adjacent planes in the at least one plane is a first angle.
According to the nineteenth possible implementation form of the first aspect of the present invention, in a twentieth possible implementation form of the first aspect of the present invention, the first angle is 10 degrees.
A second aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus for pattern recognition, the apparatus includes an acquiring module and an identifying module,
the acquiring module, configured to acquire a two-dimensional image of a target object and acquire a two-dimensional feature of the target object according to the two-dimensional image of the target object; and acquire a three-dimensional image of the target object and acquire a three-dimensional feature of the target object according to the three-dimensional image of the target object;
the identifying module, configured to identify the target object according to the two-dimensional feature and the three-dimensional feature of the target object obtained by the acquiring module.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the first possible implementation form of the second aspect, the three-dimensional image of the target object includes a three-dimensional curved surface of the target object, the three-dimensional feature of the target object includes at least one three-dimensional feature curve of the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object;
the at least one three-dimensional feature curve includes a curve where at least one plane intersects with the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object or a curve where a part of the plane intersects with the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object, or a set of points in the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object with a distance to the intersecting curve less than or equal to a first threshold, or,
the at least one three-dimensional feature curve includes a curve where at least one curved surface intersects with the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object or a curve where a part of the curved surface intersects with the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object, or a set of points in the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object with a distance to the intersecting curve less than or equal to a first threshold.
According to the first possible implementation form of the second aspect of the present invention, in a second possible implementation form of the second aspect of the present invention, the three-dimensional feature of the target object is concentrated in a first region, the first region includes a partial region of the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object, and the at least one three-dimensional feature curve is located in the first region.
According to the first possible implementation form of the second aspect of the present invention or the second possible implementation form of the second aspect, in a third possible implementation form of the second aspect of the present invention, the at least one plane is perpendicular to a feature plane of the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object, and the feature plane of the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object includes a plane in which three feature points on the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object are located.
According to the third possible implementation form of the second aspect of the present invention, in a fourth possible implementation form of the second aspect of the present invention, the at least one plane intersects at a first straight line, and the first straight line is perpendicular to the feature plane of the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object.
According to any one of the first possible implementation form of the second aspect of the present invention to the fourth possible implementation form of the second aspect of the present invention, in a fifth possible implementation form of the second aspect of the present invention, the apparatus further includes a pose adjusting module,
the pose adjusting module, configured to perform, under a three-dimensional coordinate system whose original point is a feature point on the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object, a pose adjustment before the acquiring module acquires the three-dimensional feature of the target object according to the three-dimensional image of the target object, and the pose adjusting module includes at least one of the following sub-modules: a first pose adjusting sub-module and a second pose adjusting sub-module;
the first pose adjusting sub-module, configured to perform a pose adjustment according to a normal vector of the feature plane of the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object; and
the second pose adjusting sub-module, configured to select two feature points on the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object, and perform a pose adjustment according to the vector where the two feature points are located.
z
z
According to the fifth possible implementation form of the second aspect of the present invention, in a sixth possible implementation form of the second aspect of the present invention, the first pose adjusting sub-module is specifically configured to determine a rotation matrix Rfor rotating the normal vector of the feature plane of the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object to a direction as same as a positive direction of a Z axis in the three-dimensional coordinate system, where an included angle between the normal vector and the positive direction of the Z axis is an acute angle, rotate the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object according to the rotation matrix R;
x
x
the second pose adjusting sub-module is specifically configured to determine a rotation matrix Rfor rotating the vector where the two feature points are located to a direction as same as a positive direction of an X axis in the three-dimensional coordinate system, where an included angle between the vector where the two feature points are located and the positive direction of the X axis is an acute angle, rotate the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object according to the rotation matrix R.
According to any one of the first possible implementation form of the second aspect of the present invention to the sixth possible implementation form of the second aspect of the present invention, in a seventh possible implementation form of the second aspect of the present invention, the identifying module is specifically configured to determine a distance between the at least one three-dimensional feature curve of the target object and at least one three-dimensional feature curve corresponding to at least one three-dimensional image in a set of three-dimensional images for objects, and determine a first weighted sum of the obtained at least one distance, the first weighted sum represents a three-dimensional image similarity between the three-dimensional image of the target object and at least one three-dimensional image in the set of three-dimensional images for the objects.
According to the seventh possible implementation form of the second aspect of the present invention, in an eighth possible implementation form of the second aspect of the present invention, the acquiring module is specifically configured to acquire the two-dimensional feature of the two-dimensional image of the target object and two-dimensional feature of at least one two-dimensional image in a set of two-dimensional images for objects;
the identifying module is specifically configured to determine a distance between the two-dimensional feature of the at least one two-dimensional image in the set of two-dimensional images for the objects and the two-dimensional feature of the two-dimensional image of the target object, and determine a second weighted sum of the at least one of the distance, where the second weighted sum represents a two-dimensional similarity between the two-dimensional image of the target object and at least one two-dimensional image in the set of two-dimensional images for the objects.
According to the eighth possible implementation form of the second aspect of the present invention, in a ninth possible implementation form of the second aspect of the present invention, the identifying module is specifically configured to determine a third weighted sum of the two-dimensional similarity and the three-dimensional image similarity, where the third weighted sum represents a similarity between the target object and at least one object in a set of objects, identify the target object in the set of objects according to the similarity determined by the identifying module.
According to the second aspect of the present invention or any one of the first possible implementation form of the second aspect of the present invention to the ninth possible implementation form of the second aspect of the present invention, in a tenth possible implementation form of the second aspect of the present invention, the target object includes a target face, and the three-dimensional image of target object includes a three-dimensional face curved surface of the target face;
the three-dimensional feature of the target object includes at least one three-dimensional face feature curve of the target face;
the at least one three-dimensional face feature curve of the target face plane includes a curve where at least one plane intersects with the three-dimensional face curved surface of the target face or a curve where a part of the plane intersects with the three-dimensional face curved surface of the target face, or a set of points in the three-dimensional face curved surface of the target face with a distance to the intersecting curve less than or equal to a first threshold; or, at least one three-dimensional face feature curve of the target face includes a curve where at least one curved surface intersects with the three-dimensional face curved surface of the target face or a curve where a part of the curved surface intersects with the three-dimensional face curved surface of the target face, or a set of points in the three-dimensional face curved surface of the target face with a distance to the intersecting curve less than or equal to a first threshold.
According to the seventh possible implementation form of the second aspect, in an eleventh possible implementation form of the second aspect of the present invention, the three-dimensional face feature curve is located in upper half of the face including a tip point of a nose.
According to the tenth possible implementation form of the second aspect of the present invention or the eleventh possible implementation form of the second aspect of the present invention, in a twelfth possible implementation form of the second aspect of the present invention, the at least one plane is perpendicular to a face feature plane of the target face, the face feature plane of the target face includes a plane in which three of the following feature points are located, the three points include: one point or two points of an inner corner point of a left eye, an outer corner point of the left eye, an inner corner point of a right eye, and an outer corner point of the right eye; at least one of a left corner point of a mouth, and a right corner point of the mouth; and a tip point of a nose.
According to the twelfth possible implementation form of the second aspect of the present invention, in a thirteenth possible implementation form of the second aspect of the present invention, the at least one plane intersects at the first straight line, the first straight line is perpendicular to the face feature plane of the target face, and the first straight line passes the tip point of the nose on the target face.
According to any one of the tenth possible implementation form of the second aspect of the present invention to the thirteenth possible implementation form of the second aspect of the present invention, in a fourteenth possible implementation form of the second aspect of the present invention, the apparatus further includes a face pose adjusting module,
the face pose adjusting module, configured to performing, under a three-dimensional coordinate system whose original point is a tip point of a nose on a target face, a pose adjustment to the three-dimensional face curved surface of the target face,
the face pose adjusting module includes a first face pose adjusting module and a second face pose adjusting module;
the first face pose adjusting module, configured to perform pose adjustment according to a normal vector of the face feature plane of the target face;
The second face pose adjusting module, configured to perform pose adjustment according to vector which is determined according to a left corner point of a mouth and a right corner point of the mouth on the three-dimensional face curved surface of the target face.
z
z
According to the fourteenth possible implementation form of the second aspect of the present invention, in a fifteenth possible implementation form of the second aspect of the present invention, the first face pose adjusting module is specifically configured to determine a rotation matrix Rfor rotating the normal vector of the face feature plane of the target face to a direction as same as a positive direction of a Z axis in the three-dimensional coordinate system, where an included angle between the normal vector and the positive direction of the Z axis is an acute angle, rotate the three-dimensional face curved surface of the target face according to the rotation matrix R;
x
x
the second face pose adjusting module is specifically configured to determine a rotation matrix Rfor rotating the vector that is determined according to the left corner point of the mouth and the right corner point of the mouth on the target face to a direction as same as a positive direction of an X axis in the three-dimensional coordinate system, an included angle between the determined vector and the positive direction of the X axis is an acute angle, rotate the three-dimensional face curved surface of the target face according to the rotation matrix R.
According to any one of the tenth possible implementation form of the second aspect of the present invention to the fifteenth possible implementation form of the second aspect of the present invention, in a sixteenth possible implementation form of the second aspect of the present invention, the identifying module is specifically configured to determine a distance between the at least one three-dimensional face feature curve of the target face and the at least one three-dimensional face feature curve corresponding to at least one face in a set of faces, and determine a first weighted sum of the obtained at least one distance, the first weighted sum represents a three-dimensional face similarity between the target face and at least one face in the set of faces.
According to the sixteenth possible implementation form of the second aspect of the present invention, in a seventeenth possible implementation form of the second aspect of the present invention, the acquiring module is specifically configured to acquire a two-dimensional feature of the target face and a two-dimensional feature of at least one face in a set of faces using a convolutional neural network model;
the identifying module is specifically configured to determine a distance between the two-dimensional feature of the at least one face in the set of faces and the two-dimensional feature of the target face, and determine a second weighted sum of the at least one of the distance, where the second weighted sum represents a two-dimensional face similarity between the target face and at least one face in the set of faces.
According to the seventeenth possible implementation form of the second aspect of the present invention, in an eighteenth possible implementation form of the second aspect of the present invention, the identifying module is specifically configured to determine a third weighted sum of the two-dimensional face similarity of the target face and the three-dimensional face similarity of the target face, where the third weighted sum represents a similarity between the target face and at least one face in a set of faces, specifically configured to identify the target face in the set of faces according to the similarity of the at least one face.
According to any one of the first possible implementation form of the second aspect of the present invention to the eighteenth possible implementation form of the second aspect of the present invention, in a nineteenth possible implementation form of the second aspect of the present invention, the included angle between two adjacent planes in the at least one plane is a first angle.
According to the nineteenth possible implementation form of the second aspect of the present invention, in twentieth possible implementation form of the second aspect of the present invention, the first angle is 10 degrees.
A third aspect of the present invention provides a computer readable storage medium, the computer readable storage medium is stored with a computer program, where the computer program performs a step of the method according to the first aspect of the present invention or any one of the first possible implementation form of the first aspect of the present invention to the twentieth possible implementation form of the first aspect of the present invention.
A fourth aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus for pattern recognition, including a memory, second processor and a computer program stored in the memory and executable on the second processor, where the computer program performs a step of the method according to the first aspect of the present invention or any one of the first possible implementation form of the first aspect of the present invention to the twentieth possible implementation form of the first aspect of the present invention when executed by the second processor.
A method and an apparatus for pattern recognition provided in the present invention, can reduce restrictions on acquiring the image of the target object, for example, reduce the restrictions on the image of the target object in terms of postures, lighting, expressions, make-up and occlusion, thereby improving an accuracy of recognizing the target object and improving a recognition rate and reducing recognition time at the same time.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is a flowchart of a method for pattern recognition according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2
is a flowchart of another method for pattern recognition according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3
is a schematic view of a method for acquiring a three-dimensional face feature curve;
FIG. 4
is a projection schematic view of a plurality of acquired three-dimensional face feature curves;
FIG. 5
is a schematic view of pose adjustment to the three-dimensional face curved surface;
FIG. 6
is a structural diagram of an apparatus for pattern recognition according to a third embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7
is a structural diagram of another apparatus for pattern recognition according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 8
is a structural diagram of a further apparatus for pattern recognition according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
Technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be described hereunder detailedly in conjunction with drawings in the embodiments of the present invention.
Terms such as “first”, “second” and the like in the specification and claims of the present invention as well as in the described drawings are intended to distinguish different objects, but not intended to define a particular order.
The term such as “and/or” in the embodiments of the present invention is merely used to describe an association between associated objects, which indicates that there may be three relationships, for example, A and/or B may indicate presence of A only, of both A and B, and of B only.
In the embodiments of the present invention, expressions such as “exemplary” or “for example” are used to indicate illustration of an example or an instance. In the embodiments of the present invention, any embodiment or design scheme described as “exemplary” or “for example” should not be interpreted as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or design schemes. In particular, the use of “exemplary” or “for example” is aimed at presenting related concepts in a specific manner.
It should be noted that, for the sake of conciseness and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, for the sake of clarity, dimensions of some elements may be increased relative to other elements. In addition, reference numerals may be repeated among the drawings where necessary to indicate that corresponding or similar elements target at the same issue.
FIG. 1
FIG. 1
A method for pattern recognition according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described hereunder specifically in conjunction with . As shown in , the method includes:
101
Step , acquiring a two-dimensional image of a target object and acquiring a two-dimensional feature of the target object according to the two-dimensional image of the target object, and acquiring a three-dimensional image of the target object and acquiring a three-dimensional feature of the target object according to the three-dimensional image of the target object.
102
Step , identifying the target object according to the two-dimensional feature and the three-dimensional feature of the target object.
Optionally, the acquiring a two-dimensional feature of the target object according to the two-dimensional image of the target object includes:
The two-dimensional feature of the target object can be acquired through a deep learning method. For example, the two-dimensional feature of a target object can be extracted using a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) model. The convolutional neural network model can be obtained by learning millions of training samples, and adapts well in terms of change in different postures, different lighting conditions and different scales of the target object.
Optionally, the three-dimensional image of the target object can be obtained and stored in a memory by a depth camera apparatus, such as a depth camera. The depth camera can be equipped onto various types of terminals, such as laptops, cell phones, or surveillance camera apparatus. Optionally, the two-dimensional image and the three-dimensional image of the target object may be acquired by the same depth camera apparatus, or the three-dimensional image may be acquired by the depth camera apparatus, and the two-dimensional image may be acquired by a normal camera apparatus (a non-depth camera apparatus). The processor can acquire the two-dimensional image and the three-dimensional image from the memory.
Optionally, the three-dimensional image of the target object includes a three-dimensional curved surface of the target object, the three-dimensional feature of the target object includes at least one three-dimensional feature curve of the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object; the at least one three-dimensional feature curve includes a curve where at least one plane intersects with the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object or a curve where a part of the plane intersects with the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object, or a set of points in the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object with a distance to the intersecting curve less than or equal to a first threshold; or, the at least one three-dimensional feature curve includes a curve where at least one curved surface intersects with the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object or a curve where a part of the curved surface intersects with the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object, or a set of points in the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object with a distance to the intersecting curve less than or equal to a first threshold. Optionally, the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object may include some redundant images, an approximate center point of the three-dimensional image of the target object may be used as a center point to perform ball-cutting, most feature information of the target object may be retained in the cut three-dimensional image. Optionally, if a partial region of the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object includes most of the feature information of the three-dimensional image of the target object, consequently, the aforementioned part of the plane refers to the partial plane intersecting with the partial region. Similarly, the aforementioned part of the curved surface refers to the partial curved surface intersecting with the partial region. Optionally, the at least one curved surface or the part of the curved surface mentioned above may include a cylindrical surface with its center point being as same as a certain feature point or an approximate center point in the three-dimensional image, or a part of the cylindrical surface with the same center point, such as the upper half.
Optionally, the at least one plane mentioned above may be evenly distributed, for example, the included angle between two adjacent planes in the at least one plane is a first angle. Optionally, the first angle is 10 degrees. The first angle can also be other values, such as 18 degrees. The at least one plane may also be unevenly distributed according to the distribution of the feature points of the three-dimensional image of the target object, that is, the angle between the two adjacent planes in the at least one plane may be determined according to the distribution of the feature points of the three-dimensional image of the target object.
Optionally, the three-dimensional feature curve includes a three-dimensional feature band, and the feature band can be regarded as being composed of multiple feature curves. The three-dimensional feature band can be obtained by the following method: after determining a curve where the aforementioned plane or curved surface intersects with the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object, determining a set of points in the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object with a distance to the intersecting curve less than or equal to a first threshold, the set of points is the three-dimensional feature band, the distance mentioned above may be an Euclidean distance or a Hausdorff distance or a Geodesic distance, the threshold mentioned above may be set according to the distribution of the feature points or the shape of features of the target object, for example, may be 0.3.
The three-dimensional feature of the target object is concentrated in a first region, where the first region includes a partial region of the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object, and the at least one three-dimensional feature curve is located in the first region. Optionally, taking a face as an example, it may be approximately assumed that the upper half of the face with the tip point of the nose being a boundary includes most features of the face, correspondingly, the first region is the upper half of the face with the tip point of the nose being the boundary, then the feature curve of the face is a curve segment in the upper half of the face. Taking a tree as an example, it can be approximately assumed that a crown part includes most features of the tree, correspondingly, the first region is the crown part or the crown part plus a small part of the trunk, then the feature curve of the tree is a curve segment in the three-dimensional curved surface of the crown or the crown plus a small part of the trunk.
Optionally, the at least one plane is perpendicular to a feature plane of the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object, and the feature plane of the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object includes a plane in which three feature points on the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object are located. For example, taking a face as an example, the three feature points mentioned above may be: one point or two points of an inner corner point of a left eye, an outer corner point of the left eye, an inner corner point of a right eye, and an outer corner point of the right eye; at least one of a left corner point of a mouth, and a right corner point of the mouth; and a tip point of a nose.
Then, the plane in which the three feature points are located may be the plane in which the inner corner point of the left eye, the left corner point of the mouth, and the right corner point of the mouth are located.
Optionally, the at least one plane intersects at a first straight line, and the first straight line is perpendicular to the feature plane of the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object. Optionally, the at least one plane may not intersect at a straight line according to the distribution conditions of the three-dimensional feature of the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object. If the three-dimensional feature of the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object mentioned above is distributed in the first region mentioned above, the at least one plane may intersect at a straight line segment.
Optionally, before acquiring the three-dimensional feature of the target object according to the three-dimensional image of the target object, the method further includes:
performing, under a three-dimensional coordinate system whose original point is a feature point on the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object, a pose adjustment to the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object, wherein the pose adjustment comprises at least one of the following: performing a pose adjustment according to a normal vector of the feature plane of the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object; and selecting two feature points on the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object, and performing a pose adjustment according to the vector where the two feature points are located.
In the three-dimensional coordinate system mentioned above, the positive axis direction of the Z axis is determined according to the right-hand rule. The right-hand rule also determines the positive rotating direction for any one of the axes in the three-dimensional space. To mark the positive axis directions of the X, Y, and Z axes, place the right hand back against the screen with its thumb pointing to the positive direction of the X axis. Stretch out the index finger and the middle finger, point to the positive direction of the Y axis with the index finger, and the direction indicated by the middle finger is the positive direction of the Z axis.
Optionally, one method for selecting two feature points on the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object may be to select the vector where the two feature points are located to be similar to the direction of the X axis of the three-dimensional coordinate system. For example, if the target object is a face, the two feature points may be a left corner point of the mouth and a right corner point of the mouth. The included angle between the vector where the left corner point and the right corner point and the X axis of the three-dimensional coordinate system is an acute angle.
The approximate center point of the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object can be regarded as one of the feature points, so the original point can also be the approximate center point of the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object. Taking a face as an example, the original point can be a tip point of a nose or a philtrum.
Optionally, where the performing the pose adjustment according to a normal vector of the feature plane of the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object includes:
z
z
determining a rotation matrix Rfor rotating the normal vector of the feature plane of the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object to a direction as same as a positive direction of a Z axis in the three-dimensional coordinate system, where an included angle between the normal vector and the positive direction of the Z axis is an acute angle, rotating the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object according to the rotation matrix R;
where the performing the pose adjustment according to the vector where the two feature points are located includes:
x
x
determining a rotation matrix Rfor rotating the vector where the two feature points are located to a direction as same as a positive direction of an X axis in the three-dimensional coordinate system, where an included angle between the vector where the two feature points are located and the positive direction of the X axis is an acute angle, rotating the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object according to the rotation matrix R.
The included angle between the normal vector of the feature plane of the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object and the positive direction of the Z axis is an acute angle. Similarly, the included angle between the vector where the two feature points are located and the positive direction of the X axis is an acute angle.
Optionally, the rotations are performed according to the Z axis and the X axis in the present invention to perform the pose adjustment. Persons of ordinary skill in the art may know that, the rotations may also be performed according to the X axis and the Y axis to perform the pose adjustment or according to the Z axis and Y axis to perform the pose adjustment, which is not limited in the present invention.
Optionally, the method further includes: determining a distance between the at least one three-dimensional feature curve of the target object and at least one three-dimensional feature curve corresponding to at least one three-dimensional image in a set of three-dimensional images for objects, and determining a first weighted sum of the obtained at least one distance, where the first weighted sum represents a three-dimensional image similarity between the three-dimensional image of the target object and at least one three-dimensional image in the set of three-dimensional images for the objects.
i
3
i=1
i
i
i
3
n
Optionally, the aforementioned corresponding means that: a feature curve A where the plane mentioned above intersects with the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object corresponds to a feature curve B where the same plane intersects with a three-dimensional image in the set of three-dimensional images for the objects. The distance between the three-dimensional curves is the distance between the feature curve A and the feature curve B. The distance can be an Euclidean distance, also can be a Hausdorff distance or a Geodesic distance. Obtaining the distances φcorresponding to different planes using the same way, then calculating the first weighted sum S=Σw·φof the obtained at least one distance, where, n is the number of the planes mentioned above, wis the weight. The Smay represent a three-dimensional image similarity between the three-dimensional image of the target object and at least one three-dimensional image in the set of three-dimensional images for the objects.
Optionally, where the acquiring the two-dimensional feature of the target object according to the two-dimensional image of the target object includes: acquiring the two-dimensional feature of the two-dimensional image of the target object and a two-dimensional feature of at least one two-dimensional image in a set of two-dimensional images for objects; the method further includes: determining a distance between the two-dimensional feature of the at least one two-dimensional image in the set of two-dimensional images for the objects and the two-dimensional feature of the two-dimensional image of the target object, and determining a second weighted sum of at least one of the distance, where the second weighted sum represents a two-dimensional similarity between the two-dimensional image of the target object and at least one two-dimensional image in the set of two-dimensional images for the objects.
2
2
3
Optionally, the two-dimensional feature of the target object and the two-dimensional feature of the at least one two-dimensional image in the set of two-dimensional images for the objects can be acquired through a deep learning method, for example, using a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) model. The convolutional neural network model can be obtained by learning training samples, and adapts well in terms of change in different postures, different lighting conditions and different scales of the target object to a certain extent. The two-dimensional similarity is denoted as S. Orders for performing the steps of calculating and obtaining the two-dimensional similarity Sand the three-dimensional similarity Sare not limited herein.
2
2
3
3
2
3
2
3
2
3
2
3
Optionally, the method further includes: determining a third weighted sum of the two-dimensional similarity and the three-dimensional similarity, where the third weighted sum represents a similarity between the target object and at least one object in a set of objects; identifying the target object in the set of objects according to the similarity. The third weighted sum mentioned above is S=wS+wS, where, Sis the two-dimensional similarity, Sis the three-dimensional similarity, wand ware weights, S is the similarity between the target object and the at least one object in the set of objects. In an application, such as an access control face recognition application, a threshold may be set, when the value of S is greater than the threshold, it is determined that the target face belongs to the set of faces, and if the set of faces is an accessible set of faces, the door opens. In another application, the similarities between the target object and each object in the set of objects may be calculated, and an object with the highest similarity in the set of objects may be selected as the final recognition result, that is, the object with the highest similarity is the target object. Optionally, w∈(0.5, 1], w∈[0.0, 0.5), such as w=0.6, w=0.4.
A method for pattern recognition provided in the present invention, can reduce restrictions on acquiring the image of the target object, for example, reduce the restrictions on the image of the target object in terms of postures, lighting, expressions, make-up and occlusion, thereby improving the accuracy of recognizing the target object and improving the recognition rate and reducing the recognition time at the same time.
FIG. 2
A method for pattern recognition according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described hereunder specifically in conjunction with . In the present embodiment, a face recognition method using two-dimensional face images and three-dimensional face images is described in detail by taking a face as an example. The method includes:
201
step , acquiring a two-dimensional image of a target object and acquiring a two-dimensional feature of the target object according to the two-dimensional image of the target object, and acquiring a three-dimensional image of the target object and acquiring a three-dimensional feature of the target object according to the three-dimensional image of the target object, the target object mentioned above is a target face.
202
Step , identifying the target object according to the two-dimensional feature and the three-dimensional feature of the target object.
The two-dimensional image of the target object includes a two-dimensional face image of the target face, the three-dimensional image of target object includes a three-dimensional face curved surface of the target face.
FIG. 3
FIG. 3
FIG. 3
The three-dimensional feature of the target object includes at least one three-dimensional face feature curve of the target face, the at least one three-dimensional face feature curve of the target face plane includes a curve where at least one plane intersects with the three-dimensional face curved surface of the target face or a curve where a part of the plane intersects with the three-dimensional face curved surface of the target face, or a set of points in the three-dimensional face curved surface of the target face with a distance to the intersecting curve less than or equal to a first threshold, or, at least one three-dimensional face feature curve of the target face includes a curve where at least one curved surface intersects with the three-dimensional face curved surface of the target face or a curve where a part of the curved surface intersects with the three-dimensional face curved surface of the target face, or a set of points in the three-dimensional face curved surface of the target face with a distance to the intersecting curve less than or equal to a first threshold. As shown in , the black plane is one of the at least one plane mentioned above, and the intersecting line of the plane and the face curved surface in is the three-dimensional face feature curve mentioned above. Optionally, if a partial region of the three-dimensional face curved surface of the target face includes most feature information of the three-dimensional image of the target face, the part of the plane mentioned above refers to the partial plane intersecting with the partial region, that is, the part where the black plane in intersects with the three-dimensional face curved surface. Similarly, if the three-dimensional face image of the target face is cut with a curved surface, the part of the curved surface mentioned above refers to the partial curved surface intersecting with the partial region. Optionally, the at least one curved surface or the part of the curved surface mentioned above may include a cylindrical surface with its center point being as same as a certain feature point or an approximate center point in the three-dimensional image, or a part of the cylindrical surface with the same center point, such as the upper half.
Optionally, the at least one plane mentioned above may be evenly distributed, for example, the included angle between two adjacent planes in the at least one plane is a first angle. Optionally, the first angle is 10 degrees. The first angle can also be other values, such as 18 degrees. The at least one plane may also be unevenly distributed according to the distribution of the feature points of the three-dimensional image of the target face, that is, the angle between the two adjacent planes in the at least one plane may be determined according to the distribution of the feature points of the three-dimensional image of the target face.
FIG. 3
Optionally, since the original three-dimensional face curved surface obtained by a three-dimensional camera apparatus includes redundant regions such as the neck, the shoulder and the like, the method may further include: perform ball-cutting on the original three-dimensional face curved surface by taking the tip point of the nose on the three-dimensional face curved surface obtained by the camera apparatus as a center and by taking a first radius as a radius, and obtaining the three-dimensional face curved surface mentioned above as shown in , the first radius may be selected according to actual sizes of the image, such as 90 mm.
Optionally, the two-dimensional feature of the target face can be acquired through a deep learning method. For example, the two-dimensional feature of a target face can be extracted using a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) model. The convolutional neural network model can be obtained by learning millions of training samples, and adapts well in terms of change in postures of faces, expressions, lighting, scales and the like within a certain range for different races and different ages.
Optionally, the three-dimensional image of the target face can be obtained by a depth camera apparatus, such as a depth camera. The depth camera can be equipped onto various types of terminals, such as laptops, cell phones, or surveillance camera apparatus. Optionally, the two-dimensional image of the target face and the three-dimensional image of the target face may be acquired by the same depth camera apparatus, or the three-dimensional image may be acquired by the depth camera apparatus, and the two-dimensional image of the target face may be acquired by a normal camera apparatus (a non-depth camera apparatus).
Optionally, the three-dimensional feature curve mentioned above includes a three-dimensional feature band, and the feature band can be regarded as being composed of multiple feature curves. The three-dimensional feature band can be obtained by the following method: after determining a curve where the aforementioned one plane or curved surface intersects with the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object, determining a set of points in the three-dimensional curved surface of the target face with a distance to the intersecting curve less than or equal to a first threshold, the set of points is the three-dimensional feature band, the distance mentioned above may be an Euclidean distance or a Hausdorff distance or a Geodesic distance, the threshold mentioned above may be set according to the distribution of the feature points or the shape of features of the target object, for example, may be 0.3.
FIG. 4
FIG. 4
FIG. 4
FIG. 4
Optionally, taking a face as an example, it may be approximately assumed that the upper half of the face with the tip point of the nose being a boundary includes most features of the face, correspondingly, the three-dimensional face feature curve is located on the upper half of the face including the tip point of the nose. Then, the feature curve of the face is a curve segment in the upper half of the face, as shown in , the straight line segment in is the projection of the curve segment mentioned above. Meanwhile, also shows the projection of the at least one plane mentioned above, as can be known from the figure, there are 19 planes that intersect with the three-dimensional face curved surface of the target face in total, and the angles between adjacent planes are 18 degrees, consequently, there are 19 feature curves of the target face in .
Optionally, the at least one plane is perpendicular to a face feature plane of the target face, the face feature plane of the target face includes a plane in which three of the following feature points are located, the three points include: one point or two points of an inner corner point of a left eye, an outer corner point of the left eye, an inner corner point of a right eye, and an outer corner point of the right eye; at least one of a left corner point of a mouth, and a right corner point of the mouth; and a tip point of a nose. For example, the face feature plane of the target face may be the plane in which the inner corner point of the left eye, the left corner point of the mouth, and the right corner point of the mouth located.
FIG. 4
Optionally, the at least one plane intersects at the first straight line, and the first straight line is perpendicular to the face feature plane of the target face and the first straight line passes the tip point of the nose on the target face. As shown in , the projection of the first straight line is a point at which the projections of the at least one plane intersects.
The above-mentioned method for obtaining the three-dimensional face feature curve of the target face not only commendably retains most geometric information of the face but also greatly simplifies the data amount of the recorded three-dimensional face curved surface of the target face.
Optionally, before acquiring the three-dimensional feature of the target object according to the three-dimensional image of the target object, the method further includes: performing, under a three-dimensional coordinate system whose original point is a tip point of a nose on a target face, a pose adjustment to the three-dimensional face curved surface of the target face, wherein the pose adjustment comprises at least one of the following: performing a pose adjustment according to a normal vector of the face feature plane of the target face; and performing a pose adjustment according to a vector which is determined according to a left corner point of a mouth and a right corner point of the mouth on the three-dimensional face curved surface of the target face.
z
z
Where the performing the pose adjustment according to the normal vector of the face feature plane of the target face includes: determining a rotation matrix Rfor rotating the normal vector of the face feature plane of the target face to a direction as same as a positive direction of a Z axis in the three-dimensional coordinate system, where an included angle between the normal vector and the positive direction of the Z axis is an acute angle, rotating the three-dimensional face curved surface of the target face according to the rotation matrix R.
x
x
Where the performing the pose adjustment according to vector which is determined according to the left corner point of the mouth and the right corner point of the mouth on the target face includes: determining a rotation matrix Rfor rotating the vector which is determined according to the left corner point of the mouth and the right corner point of the mouth on the target face to a direction as same as a positive direction of an X axis in the three-dimensional coordinate system, where an included angle between the determined vector and the positive direction of the X axis is an acute angle, rotating the three-dimensional face curved surface of the target face according to the rotation matrix R.
Specifically, redundant regions including the neck and the shoulder are cut out to obtain a three-dimensional face curved surface to be pose-adjusted after performing ball-cutting on the obtained original three-dimensional face curved surface by taking the tip point of the nose as a center, and taking a first radius as a radius, then performs a pose adjustment to the three-dimensional face curved surface to be pose-adjusted.
FIG. 5
Firstly, as shown in , the three-dimensional face curved surface to be pose-adjusted is translated to a three-dimensional coordinate system whose original point is the tip point of the nose. In the three-dimensional coordinate system mentioned above, the positive axis direction of the Z axis is determined according to the right-hand rule. The right-hand rule also determines the positive rotating direction for any one of the axes in the three-dimensional space. To mark the positive axis directions of the X, Y, and Z axes, place right hand back against the screen with its thumb pointing to the positive direction of the X axis. Stretch out the index finger and the middle finger, point to the positive direction of the Y axis with the index finger, and the direction indicated by the middle finger is the positive direction of the Z axis. Optionally, the selection of the original point may be the tip point of the nose, or may also be the philtrum, that is, the three-dimensional face curved surface to be pose-adjusted may also be translated to a coordinate system whose original point is the philtrum.
z
z
x
x
x
z
Then, the normal vector of the face feature plane of the target face is determined. The face feature plane may be a plane in which the inner corner point of the right eye, the left corner point of the mouth and the right corner point of the mouth are located, and the included angle between the normal vector and the positive direction of the Z axis of the three-dimensional coordinate system mentioned above is an acute angle, calculating a rotation matrix Rfor rotating the normal vector to a direction as same as the positive direction of the Z axis in the three-dimensional coordinate system, rotating the three-dimensional face curved surface of the target face according to the rotation matrix R. Similarly, the vector where the left corner point of the mouth and the right corner point of the mouth are located is determined, where an included angle between the vector where the left corner point of the mouth and the right corner point of the mouth are located and the positive direction of the X axis of the three-dimensional coordinate system is an acute angle, calculating a rotation matrix Rfor rotating the vector where the left corner point of the mouth and the right corner point of the mouth are located to a direction as same as the positive direction of the X axis in the three-dimensional coordinate system, rotating the three-dimensional face curved surface of the target face according to the rotation matrix R. Optionally, the three-dimensional face curved surface of the target face may be rotated according to the rotation matrix Rat first, and then according to the rotation matrix R.
Optionally, the rotations are performed according to the Z axis and the X axis the present invention to perform the pose adjustment. Persons of ordinary skill in the art may know that, the rotations may also be performed according to the X axis and the Y axis to perform the pose adjustment or according to the Z axis and Y axis to perform the pose adjustment, which is not limited in the present invention, and the orders of the two successive rotations are also not limited in the present invention.
Optionally, the method further includes: determining a distance between the at least one three-dimensional face feature curve of the target face and the at least one three-dimensional face feature curve corresponding to at least one face in a set of faces, and determining a first weighted sum of the obtained at least one distance, where the first weighted sum represents a three-dimensional face similarity between the target face and at least one face in the set of faces.
i
3
i=1
i
i
i
3
n
Specifically, after obtaining the 19 three-dimensional feature curves of the target face, obtaining the 19 three-dimensional feature curves of face A in the set of faces using the same way mentioned above. The distances between the three-dimensional feature curves of the target face and the three-dimensional feature curves corresponding to the face A in the set of faces are calculated respectively, 19 distance values can be obtained, and the first weighted sum of the 19 distance values is calculated. The first weighted sum represents a three-dimensional face similarity between the target face and the face A. In detail, the aforementioned corresponding means that: a feature curve A where the plane mentioned above intersects with the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object corresponds to a feature curve B where the same plane intersects with the face A in the set of faces. The distance between the three-dimensional curves mentioned above is the distance between the feature curve A and the feature curve B. The distance can be an Euclidean distance, also can be a Hausdorff distance or a Geodesic distance. Obtaining the 19 distances φ(i=1, 2, 3, . . . , 19) corresponding to different planes using the same way, then calculating the first weighted sum S=Σw·φof the obtained 19 distances, where, n is the number of the planes mentioned above, w(i=1, 2, 3, . . . , 19) is the weight. The Smay represent a three-dimensional face similarity between the three-dimensional face curved surface of the target face and the face A in the set of faces.
Optionally, where the acquiring the two-dimensional feature of the target object according to the two-dimensional image of the target object includes: acquiring a two-dimensional feature of the target face and a two-dimensional feature of at least one face in the face set using a convolutional neural network model; the method further includes: determining a distance between the two-dimensional feature of the at least one face in the set of faces and the two-dimensional feature of the target face, and determining a second weighted sum of the at least one of the distance, where the second weighted sum represents a two-dimensional face similarity between the target face and at least one face in the set of faces.
2
2
3
Specifically, the two-dimensional feature of the two-dimensional image of the target face and the two-dimensional feature of the two-dimensional image of face A in the set of faces can be acquired through a deep learning method, for example, using a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) model. The convolutional neural network model can be obtained by learning training samples, and adapts well in terms of change in different postures, different lighting conditions and different scales of the target object to a certain extent. The two-dimensional similarity is denoted as S. Orders for performing the steps of calculating and obtaining the two-dimensional face similarity Sand the three-dimensional face similarity Sare not limited herein.
Optionally, the method further includes: determining a third weighted sum of the two-dimensional face similarity of the target face and the three-dimensional face similarity of the target face, where the third weighted sum represents a similarity between the target face and at least one face in a set of faces; identifying the target face in the set of faces according to the similarity of the at least one face.
2
2
3
3
2
3
2
3
2
3
2
3
Specifically, the third weighted sum mentioned above is S=wS+wS, where, Sis the two-dimensional similarity between the target face and the face A, Sis the three-dimensional similarity between the target face and the face A, wand ware weights, S is the similarity between the target face and the face A. In an application, such as an access control face recognition application, a threshold may be set, when the value of S is greater than the threshold, it is determined that the target face is the face A, and if the face A belongs to an accessible set of faces, the door opens. In another application, the similarities between the target face and each face in a set of faces may be calculated, and a face with the highest similarity in the set of faces may be selected as the final recognition result, that is, the face with the highest similarity is the target face. Optionally, w∈(0.5, 1], w∈[0.0, 0.5), such as w=0.6, w=0.4.
A method for pattern recognition provided in the present invention, can reduce restrictions on acquiring the image of the target object, for example, reduce the restrictions on the image of the target object in terms of postures, lighting, expressions, make-up and occlusion, thereby improving the accuracy of recognizing the target object and improving the recognition rate and reducing the recognition time at the same time.
FIG. 6
600
601
602
An apparatus for pattern recognition according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described hereunder specifically in conjunction with . Reference may be made to the descriptions in the first method embodiment, the apparatus can be equipped onto various types of terminals, such as laptops, cell phones, or surveillance camera apparatuses. The apparatus includes an acquiring module and an identifying module ,
601
The acquiring module , configured to acquire a two-dimensional image of a target object and acquire a two-dimensional feature of the target object according to the two-dimensional image of the target object; and acquire a three-dimensional image of the target object and acquire a three-dimensional feature of the target object according to the three-dimensional image of the target object;
602
The identifying module , configured to identify the target object according to the two-dimensional feature and the three-dimensional feature of the target object.
601
Optionally, the acquiring module can acquire the two-dimensional feature of the target object through a deep learning method. For example, the two-dimensional feature of the target object can be extracted using a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) model. The convolutional neural network model can be obtained by learning millions of training samples, and adapts well in terms of change in different postures, different lighting conditions and different scales of the target object.
601
601
601
Specifically, the acquiring module may include a depth camera apparatus, the two-dimensional image and the three-dimensional image of the target object can be acquired by the depth camera apparatus. The acquiring module may also include a depth camera apparatus and a normal camera apparatus, the three-dimensional image may be acquired by the depth camera apparatus, and the two-dimensional image may be acquired by the normal camera apparatus (a non-depth camera apparatus). The acquiring module may also be a processor, the processor acquires the two-dimensional image and the three-dimensional image mentioned above from a memory.
Optionally, the three-dimensional image of the target object includes a three-dimensional curved surface of the target object, the three-dimensional feature of the target object includes at least one three-dimensional feature curve of the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object; the at least one three-dimensional feature curve includes a curve where at least one plane intersects with the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object or a curve where a part of the plane intersects with the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object, or a set of points in the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object with a distance to the intersecting curve less than or equal to a first threshold; or, the at least one three-dimensional feature curve includes a curve where at least one curved surface intersects with the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object or a curve where a part of the curved surface intersects with the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object, or a set of points in the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object with a distance to the intersecting curve less than or equal to a first threshold. Optionally, the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object may include some redundant images, an approximate center point of the three-dimensional image of the target object may be used as a center point to perform ball-cutting, most feature information of the target object may be retained in the cut three-dimensional image. Optionally, if a partial region of the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object includes most of the feature information of the three-dimensional image of the target object, consequently, the aforementioned part of the plane refers to the partial plane intersecting with the partial region. Similarly, the aforementioned part of the curved surface refers to the partial curved surface intersecting with the partial region. Optionally, the at least one curved surface or the part of the curved surface mentioned above may include a cylindrical surface with its center point being as same as a certain feature point or an approximate center point in the three-dimensional image, or a part of the cylindrical surface with the same center point, such as the upper half.
Optionally, the at least one plane mentioned above may be evenly distributed, for example, the included angle between two adjacent planes in the at least one plane is a first angle. Optionally, the first angle is 10 degrees. The first angle can also be other values, such as 18 degrees. The at least one plane may also be unevenly distributed according to the distribution of the feature points of the three-dimensional image of the target object, that is, the angle between the two adjacent planes in the at least one plane may be determined according to the distribution of the feature points of the three-dimensional image of the target object.
Optionally, the three-dimensional feature curve includes a three-dimensional feature band, and the feature band can be regarded as being composed of multiple feature curves. The three-dimensional feature band can be obtained by the following method: after determining a curve where the aforementioned plane or curved surface intersects with the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object, determining a set of points in the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object with a distance to the intersecting curve less than or equal to a first threshold, the set of points is the three-dimensional feature band, the distance mentioned above may be an Euclidean distance or a Hausdorff distance or a Geodesic distance, the threshold mentioned above may be set according to the distribution of the feature points or the shape of features of the target object, for example, may be 0.3.
The three-dimensional feature of the target object is concentrated in a first region, where the first region includes a partial region of the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object, and the at least one three-dimensional feature curve is located in the first region. Optionally, taking a face as an example, it may be approximately assumed that the upper half of the face with the tip point of the nose being a boundary includes most features of the face, correspondingly, the first region is the upper half of the face with the tip point of the nose being the boundary, then the feature curve of the face is a curve segment in the upper half of the face. Taking a tree as an example, it can be approximately assumed that a crown part includes most features of the tree, correspondingly, the first region is the crown part or the crown part plus a small part of the trunk, then the feature curve of the tree is a curve segment in the three-dimensional curved surface of the crown or the crown plus a small part of the trunk.
Optionally, the at least one plane is perpendicular to a feature plane of the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object, and the feature plane of the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object includes a plane in which three feature points on the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object are located. For example, taking a face as an example, the three feature points mentioned above may be: one point or two points of an inner corner point of a left eye, an outer corner point of the left eye, an inner corner point of a right eye, and an outer corner point of the right eye; at least one of a left corner point of a mouth, and a right corner point of the mouth; and a tip point of a nose.
Then, the plane in which the three feature points are located may be the plane in which the inner corner point of the left eye, the left corner point of the mouth, and the right corner point of the mouth are located.
Optionally, the at least one plane intersects at a first straight line, and the first straight line is perpendicular to the feature plane of the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object. Optionally, the at least one plane may not intersect at a straight line according to the distribution conditions of the three-dimensional feature of the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object. If the three-dimensional feature of the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object mentioned above is distributed in the first region mentioned above, the at least one plane may intersect at a straight line segment.
The apparatus further includes a pose adjusting module, the pose adjusting module is configured to perform, under a three-dimensional coordinate system whose origin point is a feature point on the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object, a pose adjustment before the acquiring module acquires the three-dimensional feature of the target object according to the three-dimensional image of the target object, wherein the pose adjusting module comprises at least one of the following sub-modules: a first pose adjusting sub-module and a second pose adjusting sub-module;
the first pose adjusting sub-module, configured to perform a pose adjustment according to a normal vector of the feature plane of the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object; and
the second pose adjusting sub-module, configured to select two feature points on the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object, and perform a pose adjustment according to the vector where the two feature points are located.
In the three-dimensional coordinate system mentioned above, the positive axis direction of the Z axis is determined according to the right-hand rule. The right-hand rule also determines the positive rotating direction for any one of the axes in the three-dimensional space. To mark the positive axis directions of the X, Y, and Z axes, place the right hand back against the screen with its thumb pointing to the positive direction of the X axis. Stretch out the index finger and the middle finger, point to the positive direction of the Y axis with the index finger, and the direction indicated by the middle finger is the positive direction of the Z axis.
Optionally, one method for selecting two feature points on the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object may be to select the vector where the two feature points are located to be similar to the direction of the X axis of the three-dimensional coordinate system. For example, if the target object is a face, the two feature points may be a left corner point of the mouth and a right corner point of the mouth. The included angle between the vector where the left corner point and the right corner point and the X axis of the three-dimensional coordinate system is an acute angle.
The approximate center point of the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object can be regarded as one of the feature points, so the original point can also be the approximate center point of the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object. Taking a face as an example, the original point can be a tip point of a nose or a philtrum.
z
z
The first pose adjusting sub-module is specifically configured to determine a rotation matrix Rfor rotating the normal vector of the feature plane of the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object to a direction as same as a positive direction of a Z axis in the three-dimensional coordinate system, where an included angle between the normal vector and the positive direction of the Z axis is an acute angle, rotate the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object according to the rotation matrix R;
x
x
The second pose adjusting sub-module is specifically configured to determine a rotation matrix Rfor rotating the vector where the two feature points are located to a direction as same as a positive direction of an X axis in the three-dimensional coordinate system, where an included angle between the vector where the two feature points are located and the positive direction of the X axis is an acute angle, rotate the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object according to the rotation matrix R.
Optionally, the rotations are performed according to the Z axis and the X axis in the present invention to perform the pose adjustment. Persons of ordinary skill in the art may know that, the rotations may also be performed according to the X axis and the Y axis to perform the pose adjustment or according to the Z axis and Y axis to perform the pose adjustment, which is not limited in the present invention.
602
The identifying module is specifically configured to determine a distance between the at least one three-dimensional feature curve of the target object and at least one three-dimensional feature curve corresponding to at least one three-dimensional image in a set of three-dimensional images for objects, and determine a first weighted sum of the obtained at least one distance, where the first weighted sum represents a three-dimensional image similarity between the three-dimensional image of the target object and at least one three-dimensional image in the set of three-dimensional images for the objects.
i
3
i=1
i
i
i
3
n
Optionally, the aforementioned corresponding means that: a feature curve A where the plane mentioned above intersects with the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object corresponds to a feature curve B where the same plane intersects with a three-dimensional image in the set of three-dimensional images for the objects. The distance between the three-dimensional curves is the distance between the feature curve A and the feature curve B. The distance can be an Euclidean distance, also can be a Hausdorff distance or a Geodesic distance. Obtaining the distance φcorresponding to different planes using the same way, then calculating the first weighted sum S=Σw·φof the obtained at least one distance, where, n is the number of the planes mentioned above, wis the weight. The Smay represent a three-dimensional image similarity between the three-dimensional image of the target object and at least one three-dimensional image in the set of three-dimensional images for the objects.
601
The acquiring module is specifically configured to acquire the two-dimensional feature of the two-dimensional image of the target object and a two-dimensional feature of at least one two-dimensional image in a set of two-dimensional images for objects;
602
The identifying module is specifically configured to determine a distance between the two-dimensional feature of the at least one two-dimensional image in the set of two-dimensional images for the objects and the two-dimensional feature of the two-dimensional image of the target object, and determine a second weighted sum of the at least one of the distance, where the second weighted sum represents a two-dimensional similarity between the two-dimensional image of the target object and at least one two-dimensional image in the set of two-dimensional images for the objects.
2
2
3
Optionally, the two-dimensional feature of the target object and the two-dimensional feature of the at least one two-dimensional image in the set of two-dimensional images for the objects can be acquired through a deep learning method, for example, using a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) model. The convolutional neural network model can be obtained by learning training samples, and adapts well in terms of change in different postures, different lighting conditions and different scales of the target object to a certain extent. The two-dimensional similarity is denoted as S. Orders for performing the steps of calculating and obtaining the two-dimensional similarity Sand the three-dimensional similarity Sare not in any order.
2
2
3
3
2
3
2
3
2
3
2
3
The identifying module is specifically configured to determine a third weighted sum of the two-dimensional similarity and the three-dimensional face similarity, where the third weighted sum represents a similarity between the target object and at least one object in a set of objects, identify the target object in the set of objects according to the similarity determined by the identifying module. The third weighted sum mentioned above is S=wS+wS, where, Sis the two-dimensional similarity, Sis the three-dimensional similarity, wand ware weights, S is the similarity between the target object and the at least one object in the set of objects. In an application, such as an access control face recognition application, a threshold may be set, when the value of S is greater than the threshold, it is determined that the target face belongs to the set of faces, and if the set of faces is an accessible face set, the door opens. In another application, the similarities between the target object and each object in the set of objects may be calculated, and an object with the highest similarity in the set of objects may be selected as the final recognition result, that is, the object with the highest similarity is the target object. Optionally, w∈(0.5, 1], w∈[0.0, 0.5), such as w=0.6, w=0.4.
600
The functions and structures of the apparatus for face recognition are described in detail below. Reference may be made to the descriptions in the second method embodiment.
The target object includes a target face, the three-dimensional image of target object includes a three-dimensional face curved surface of the target face.
The three-dimensional feature of the target object includes at least one three-dimensional face feature curve of the target face.
FIG. 3
FIG. 3
FIG. 3
The at least one three-dimensional face feature curve of the target face plane includes a curve where at least one plane intersects with the three-dimensional face curved surface of the target face or a curve where a part of the plane intersects with the three-dimensional face curved surface of the target face, or a set of points in the three-dimensional face curved surface of the target face with a distance to the intersecting curve less than or equal to a first threshold, or, at least one three-dimensional face feature curve of the target face includes a curve where at least one curved surface intersects with the three-dimensional face curved surface of the target face or a curve where a part of the curved surface intersects with the three-dimensional face curved surface of the target face, or a set of points in the three-dimensional face curved surface of the target face with a distance to the intersecting curve less than or equal to a first threshold. As shown in , the black plane is one of the at least one plane mentioned above, and the intersecting line of the plane and the face curved surface in is the three-dimensional face feature curve mentioned above. Optionally, if a partial region of the three-dimensional face curved surface of the target face includes most feature information of the three-dimensional image of the target face, the part of the plane mentioned above refers to the partial plane intersecting with the partial region, that is, the part where the black plane in intersects with the three-dimensional face curved surface. Similarly, if the three-dimensional face image of the target face is cut with a curved surface, the part of the curved surface mentioned above refers to the partial curved surface intersecting with the partial region. Optionally, the at least one curved surface or the part of the curved surface mentioned above may include a cylindrical surface with its center point being as same as a certain feature point or an approximate center point in the three-dimensional image, or a part of the cylindrical surface with the same center point, such as the upper half.
Optionally, the at least one plane mentioned above may be evenly distributed, for example, the included angle between two adjacent planes in the at least one plane is a first angle. Optionally, the first angle is 10 degrees. The first angle can also be other values, such as 18 degrees. The at least one plane may also be unevenly distributed according to the distribution of the feature points of the three-dimensional image of the target face, that is, the angle between the two adjacent planes in the at least one plane may be determined according to the distribution of the feature points of the three-dimensional image of the target face.
601
FIG. 3
Optionally, since the original three-dimensional face curved surface obtained by a three-dimensional camera apparatus in the acquiring module includes redundant regions such as the neck, the shoulder and the like, the apparatus may further include: an original three-dimensional face curved surface processing module, the original three-dimensional face curved surface processing module is configured to perform ball-cutting on the original three-dimensional face curved surface by taking the tip point of the nose on the three-dimensional face curved surface obtained by the camera apparatus as a center and by taking a first radius as a radius, and obtain the three-dimensional face curved surface mentioned above as shown in , the first radius may be selected according to actual sizes of the image, such as 90 mm.
Optionally, the two-dimensional feature of the target face can be acquired through a deep learning method. For example, the two-dimensional feature of a target face can be extracted using a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) model. The convolutional neural network model can be obtained by learning millions of training samples, and adapts well in terms of change in postures of face, expressions, lighting, scales and the like within a certain range for different races and different ages.
601
601
601
Optionally, the three-dimensional image of the target face can be obtained by a depth camera apparatus in the acquiring module , such as a depth camera. The depth camera can be equipped onto various types of terminals, such as laptops, cell phones, or surveillance camera apparatus. The acquiring module may include a depth camera apparatus, the depth camera apparatus may acquire the two-dimensional image and the three-dimensional image of the target object. The acquiring module may also include a depth camera apparatus and a normal camera apparatus, the three-dimensional image may be acquired by the depth camera apparatus, and the two-dimensional image may be acquired by the normal camera apparatus (a non-depth camera apparatus).
Optionally, the three-dimensional feature curve mentioned above includes a three-dimensional feature band, and the feature band can be regarded as being composed of multiple feature curves. The three-dimensional feature band can be obtained by the following method: after determining a curve where the aforementioned one plane or curved surface intersects with the three-dimensional curved surface of the target object, determining a set of points in the three-dimensional curved surface of the target face with a distance to the intersecting curve less than or equal to a first threshold, the set of points is the three-dimensional feature band, the distance mentioned above may be an Euclidean distance or a Hausdorff distance or a Geodesic distance, the threshold mentioned above may be set according to the distribution of the feature points or the shape of features of the target object, for example, may be 0.3.
FIG. 4
FIG. 4
FIG. 4
FIG. 4
Optionally, taking a face as an example, it may be approximately assumed that the upper half of the face with the tip point of the nose being a boundary includes most features of the face, correspondingly, the three-dimensional face feature curve is located on the upper half of the face including the tip point of the nose. Then, the feature curve of the face is a curve segment in the upper half of the face, as shown in , the straight line segment in is the projection of the curve segment mentioned above. Meanwhile, also shows the projection of the at least one plane mentioned above, as can be known from the figure, there are 19 planes that intersect with the three-dimensional face curved surface of the target face in total, and the angles between adjacent planes are 18 degrees, consequently, there are 19 feature curves of the target face in .
Optionally, the at least one plane is perpendicular to a face feature plane of the target face, the face feature plane of the target face includes a plane in which three of the following feature points are located, the three points include: one point or two points of an inner corner point of a left eye, an outer corner point of the left eye, an inner corner point of a right eye, and an outer corner point of the right eye; at least one of a left corner point of a mouth, and a right corner point of the mouth; and a tip point of a nose. For example, the face feature plane of the target face may be the plane in which the inner corner point of the left eye, the left corner point of the mouth, and the right corner point of the mouth located.
FIG. 4
Optionally, the at least one plane intersects at the first straight line, and the first straight line is perpendicular to the face feature plane of the target face and the first straight line passes the tip point of the nose on the target face. As shown in , the projection of the first straight line is a point at which the projections of the at least one plane intersects.
The above-mentioned method for obtaining the three-dimensional face feature curve of the target face not only commendably retains most geometric information of the face but also greatly simplifies the data amount of the recorded three-dimensional face curved surface of the target face.
Optionally, the apparatus further includes a face pose adjusting module, the face pose adjusting module is configured to perform, under a three-dimensional coordinate system whose original point is a tip point of a nose on a target face, a pose adjustment to the three-dimensional face curved surface of the target face.
The face pose adjusting module includes a first face pose adjusting module and a second face pose adjusting module; the first face pose adjusting module is configured to perform a pose adjustment according to a normal vector of the face feature plane of the target face.
The second face pose adjusting module is configured to perform a pose adjustment according to a vector which is determined according to a left corner point of a mouth and a right corner point of the mouth on the three-dimensional face curved surface of the target face.
z
z
The first face pose adjusting module is specifically configured to determine a rotation matrix Rfor rotating the normal vector of the face feature plane of the target face to a direction as same as a positive direction of a Z axis in the three-dimensional coordinate system, where an included angle between the normal vector and the positive direction of the Z axis is an acute angle, rotate the three-dimensional face curved surface of the target face according to the rotation matrix R;
x
x
The second face pose adjusting module is specifically configured to determine a rotation matrix Rfor rotating the vector which is determined according to the left corner point of the mouth and the right corner point of the mouth on the target face to a direction as same as a positive direction of an X axis in the three-dimensional coordinate system, where an included angle between the determined vector and the positive direction of the X axis is an acute angle, rotate the three-dimensional face curved surface of the target face according to the rotation matrix R.
601
Specifically, the acquiring module is configured to obtain a three-dimensional face curved surface to be pose-adjusted after performing ball-cutting on the obtained original three-dimensional face curved surface by taking the tip point of the nose as the center, and taking a first radius as the radius to cut out redundant regions including the neck and the shoulder, then the face pose adjusting module performs the pose adjustment to the three-dimensional face curved surface to be pose-adjusted.
The face pose adjusting module includes a translating sub-module, the translating sub-module is configured to translate the three-dimensional face curved surface to be pose-adjusted to a three-dimensional coordinate system whose original point is the tip point of the nose. In the three-dimensional coordinate system mentioned above, the positive axis direction of the Z axis is determined according to the right-hand rule. The right-hand rule also determines the positive rotating direction of any one of the axes in the three-dimensional space. To mark the positive axis directions of the X, Y, and Z axes, place right hand back against the screen with its thumb pointing to the positive direction of the X axis. Stretch out the index finger and the middle finger, point to the positive direction of the Y axis with the index finger, and the direction indicated by the middle finger is the positive direction of the Z axis. Optionally, the selection of the original point may be the tip point of the nose, or may also be the philtrum, that is, the three-dimensional face curved surface to be pose-adjusted may also be translated to a coordinate system whose original point is the philtrum.
z
z
x
x
x
z
The face feature plane determined by the first face pose adjusting module mentioned above may be a plane in which the inner corner point of the right eye, the left corner point of the mouth and the right corner point of the mouth are located, and the included angle between the normal vector and the positive direction of the Z axis of the three-dimensional coordinate system mentioned above is an acute angle, the first face pose adjusting module calculates a rotation matrix Rfor rotating the normal vector to a direction as same as the positive direction of the Z axis in the three-dimensional coordinate system, rotates the three-dimensional face curved surface of the target face according to the rotation matrix R. The second face pose adjusting module mentioned above determines the vector where the left corner point of the mouth and the right corner point of the mouth are located, where an included angle between the vector where the left corner point of the mouth and the right corner point of the mouth are located and the positive direction of the X axis of the three-dimensional coordinate system is an acute angle, calculates a rotation matrix Rfor rotating the vector where the left corner point of the mouth and the right corner point of the mouth are located to a direction as same as the positive direction of the X axis in the three-dimensional coordinate system, rotates the three-dimensional face curved surface of the target face according to the rotation matrix R. Optionally, the three-dimensional face curved surface of the target face may be rotated according to the rotation matrix Rat first, and then according to the rotation matrix R.
Optionally, the rotations are performed according to the Z axis and the X axis the present invention to perform the pose adjustment. Persons of ordinary skill in the art may know that, the rotations may also be performed according to the X axis and the Y axis to perform the pose adjustment or according to the Z axis and Y axis to perform the pose adjustment, which is not limited in the present invention, and the orders of the two successive rotations are also not limited in the present invention.
601
602
i
3
i=1
i
i
i
3
The identifying module is specifically configured to determine a distance between the at least one three-dimensional face feature curve of the target face and the at least one three-dimensional face feature curve corresponding to at least one face in a set of faces, and determine a first weighted sum of the obtained at least one distance, where the first weighted sum represents a three-dimensional face similarity between the target face and at least one face in the set of faces. Specifically, after the acquiring module obtains the 19 three-dimensional feature curves of the target face, obtains the 19 three-dimensional feature curves of face A in the set of faces using the same way mentioned above. The identifying module calculates the distance between the three-dimensional feature curves of the target face and the three-dimensional feature curves corresponding to the face A in the set of faces respectively, 19 distance values can be obtained, and the first weighted sum of the 19 distance values is calculated. The first weighted sum represents a three-dimensional face similarity between the target face and the face A. In detail, the aforementioned corresponding means that: a feature curve A where the plane A mentioned above intersects with the three-dimensional face curved surface of the target face corresponds to a feature curve B where the same plane intersects with the face A in the set of faces. The distance between the three-dimensional face curves mentioned above is the distance between the feature curve A and the feature curve B. The distance can be an Euclidean distance, also can be a Hausdorff distance or a Geodesic distance. Obtaining the 19 distances φ(i=1, 2, 3, . . . , 19) corresponding to different planes using the same way, then calculating the first weighted sum S=Σw·φof the obtained 19 distances, where, n is the number of the planes mentioned above, w(i=1, 2, 3, . . . , 19) is the weight. The Smay represent a three-dimensional face similarity between the three-dimensional face curved surface of the target face and the face A in the set of faces.
601
602
The acquiring module is specifically configured to acquire a two-dimensional feature of the target face and a two-dimensional feature of at least one face in the face set using a convolutional neural network model; the identifying module is specifically configured to determine a distance between two-dimensional feature of the at least one face in the set of faces and the two-dimensional feature of the target face, and determine a second weighted sum of the at least one of the distance, where the second weighted sum represents a two-dimensional face similarity between the target face and at least one face in the set of faces.
2
2
3
Specifically, the two-dimensional feature of the two-dimensional image of the target face and the two-dimensional feature of the two-dimensional image of face A in the set of faces can be acquired through a deep learning method, for example, using a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) model. The convolutional neural network model can be obtained by learning training samples, and adapts well in terms of change in different postures, different lighting conditions and different scales of the target object to a certain extent. The two-dimensional similarity is denoted as S. Orders for performing the steps of calculating and obtaining the two-dimensional face similarity Sand the three-dimensional face similarity Sare not limited herein.
2
2
3
3
2
3
2
3
2
3
2
3
The identifying module is specifically configured to determine a third weighted sum of the two-dimensional face similarity of the target face and the three-dimensional face similarity of the target face, where the third weighted sum represents a similarity between the target face and at least one face in a set of faces, specifically configured to identify the target face in the set of faces according to the similarity of the at least one face. Specifically, the third weighted sum mentioned above is S=wS+wS, where, Sis the two-dimensional similarity between the target face and the face A, Sis the three-dimensional similarity between the target face and the face A, wand ware weights, S is the similarity between the target face and the face A. In an application, such as an access control face recognition application, a threshold may be set, when the value of S is greater than the threshold, it is determined that the target face is the face A, and if the face A belongs to an accessible set of faces, the door opens. In another application, the similarity between the target face and each face in a set of faces may be calculated, and a face with the highest similarity in the set of faces may be selected as the final recognition result, that is, the face with the highest similarity is the target face. Optionally, w∈(0.5, 1], w∈[0.0, 0.5), such as w=0.6, w=0.4.
An apparatus for pattern recognition provided in the present invention, can reduce restrictions on acquiring the image of the target object, for example, reduce the restrictions on the image of the target object in terms of postures, lighting, expressions, make-up and occlusion, thereby improving the accuracy of recognizing the target object and improving the recognition rate and reducing the recognition time at the same time.
FIG. 7
FIG. 7
701
701
702
An apparatus for pattern recognition according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described hereunder specifically in conjunction with , the apparatus includes a computer readable storage medium , the computer readable storage medium is stored with a computer program, the computer program performs a step of the method according to the first or second embodiment when executed by a first processor . As shown in , the apparatus may include a bus.
An apparatus for pattern recognition provided in the present invention, can reduce restrictions on acquiring the image of the target object, for example, reduce the restrictions on the image of the target object in terms of postures, lighting, expressions, make-up and occlusion, thereby improving the accuracy of recognizing the target object and improving the recognition rate and reducing the recognition time at the same time.
800
801
802
801
802
802
800
FIG. 8
An apparatus for pattern recognition according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described hereunder specifically in conjunction with , the apparatus includes a memory , a second processor and a computer program stored in the memory and executable on the second processor , where the computer program performs a step of the method according to the first or second embodiment when executed by the second processor . Optionally, as shown in the figure, the apparatus may include a bus.
An apparatus for pattern recognition provided in the present invention, can reduce restrictions on acquiring the image of the target object, for example, reduce the restrictions on the image of the target object in terms of postures, lighting, expressions, make-up and occlusion, thereby improving the accuracy of recognizing the target object and improving the recognition rate and reducing the recognition time at the same time.
Illustratively, the computer program may be divided into one or more modules/units that are stored in the memory and executed by the processor to implement the present invention. The one or more modules/units may be a series of segments of computer program instructions capable of fulfilling a specific function, the segments of instructions are used to describe an execution process of the computer program in the apparatus/terminal device.
The apparatus/terminal device may be a calculating device such as a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a desk-top computer, a laptop, a palm computer or a cloud server. The apparatus/terminal device may include but is not limited to, a process and a memory. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that, the drawings in the present invention are merely examples of the apparatus/terminal device rather than limiting the apparatus/terminal device, which may include more or less parts than in the drawings, or a combination of certain parts, or different parts, for example, the apparatus/terminal device may also include an input output device, a network access device, a bus and the like.
The above-described processor may be a central processing unit (Central Processing Unit, CPU) or other universal processors such as a digital signal processor (Digital Signal Processor, DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (Application Specific Integrated Circuit, ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (Field-Programmable Gate Array, FPGA) or other programmable logic devices such as a discrete gate or a transistor logic device, a discrete hardware component, etc. The universal processors may be a microprocessor, or the processor may be any regular processor or the like, the processor serves as a control center of the apparatus/terminal device, and uses various interfaces and circuits to connect the parts of the entire apparatus/terminal device.
The memory may be configured to store the computer program and/or the modules. The processor implements various functions of the apparatus/terminal device by running or executing the computer program and/or the modules stored in the memory and calling data stored in the memory. The memory may include a program storage area and a data storage area, where the program storage area may store an operation system, an application program required by at least one function (for example, an image playing function), and the like; the data storage area may store data created in accordance with the use of a mobile phone (for example, video data, images), etc. Furthermore, the memory may include a high rate random access memory, a nonvolatile memory, such as a hard disk, memory, a plug-in hard disk, a smart media card (Smart Media Card, SMC), a secure digital (Secure Digital, SD) card, a flash card (Flash Card), at least one magnetic disc memory device, a flash memory device or other volatile solid memory devices.
If embodied in the form of a software function unit and sold or used as an independent product, the modules/units integrated in the apparatus/terminal device may be stored on a computer readable storage medium. Based on such understanding, the present invention implements all or a part of procedures in the method according to the foregoing embodiments, which may also be implemented by a computer program instructing relevant hardware, and the computer program may be stored on a computer readable storage medium. When the computer program is executed by the processor, the steps in the method according to the embodiments may be performed. The computer program includes computer program codes that may be in the form of source codes, object codes, executable files or in some intermediate forms. The computer readable medium may include: any entity or apparatus capable of carrying the computer program codes, a recording medium, a USB flash disk, a mobile hard disk, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a computer memory, a read-only memory (ROM, Read-Only Memory), a random access memory (RAM, Random Access Memory), an electric carrier signal, a telecommunication signal, a software distribution medium, etc.
Imaging of a target object in each of the foregoing embodiments may be local imaging or global imaging of the target object. For either the local imaging or the global imaging the method or the apparatus provided in the present invention are applicable, or the method or the apparatus provided in the present invention are applicable to a case after corresponding adjustments are made to the local imaging or the global imaging. The described adjustments require no creative effort by persons of ordinary skill in the art, and shall fall into the protection scope of the present invention. | |
Homeland security needs to keep pace with the increasing technological prowess of sources of threats. Th e adoption of Command, Control, Communications, Computing and Intelligence, Security, Reconnaissance (C4ISR), which makes extensive use of geospatial technologies, provides security forces the wherewithal to do so.
With the increasing frequency and diverse nature of threats to the State, what previously used to take place as uncoordinated activities by diff erent branches and chapters of law-enforcement agencies, is now consolidated under an architecture that allows disparate agencies and their chapters to gather specifi c and useful information, and share the same across a network of interested parties. Th is architecture, loosely termed homeland security is, today, seen as vital to the continued survival of the State. Homeland security needs to leverage the technological advances and practices of the day, to keep pace with the increasing technological prowess of sources of threats. Th e adoption of C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computing, and Intelligence, Security, Reconnaissance) concept, from military practice, provides homeland security the wherewithal to do so.
C4ISR can be thought of as a framework for organising multi-media information emanating from a situation (typically a crisis), in a manner that enables non-local users to analyse such information (from multiple sources); act on that information or advise local players on actions to be taken; receive feedback from local players on actions taken; based on which a follow-up set of actions or advice can be initiated, to resolve the situation to the advantage of the users. C4ISR systems make extensive use of technology: especially geospatial technologies.
| Border/Coastal Surveillance
|
Unregulated borders and coastlines are the chinks in a nation’s homeland security armour. Smuggling (contraband and human traffi cking), illegal immigration, and terrorism are the three threats to a country’s security, most likely to exploit the porosity of unregulated borders and coastlines. Th ink of the 26 November Mumbai attacks or think of the smuggling of contraband through the borders of Gujarat, Jammu & Kashmir or Rajasthan. C4ISR Border/Coastal Surveillance Systems (B/CSS) seek to signifi cantly reduce, if not eliminate, the incidence of such activities.
Operational Components
Before going into further details of the technologies used in C4ISR solutions, it would be useful to gain a perspective on the operational components of a C4ISR solution, as applied to border/coastal surveillance (B/CSS) and critical infrastructure protection (CIP).
As can be seen from the above functional fl ow (Figure 1), there are four components of a C4ISR solution:
- Sensors (Remote Sensing)
- GPS
- GIS
- Command & Control Application
| Critical Infrastructure Protection
|
Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) is the term used to refer to the systems and processes implemented to ensure that designated critical assets are protected from actions intended to curtail, seriously disrupt, or altogether prevent their functioning. A critical infrastructure need not refer only to physical assets of national importance (ports/airports, nuclear facilities, Parliament etc.); it may refer to any asset (physical, virtual) considered by an organisation (government, parastatal or private), as vital to its functioning. A C4ISR CIP solution provides comprehensive cover to key infrastructure.
Sensors
Sensors are the eyes, ears, and skin of a surveillance network, and the eff ectiveness of the surveillance set-up in a particular environment is critically dependent on the type and specifi cations of the sensors employed in the network.
How many times have we heard of a jewelry store heist where the surveillance footage was of little use because the resolution of the installed surveillance cameras was too low; because the lens used was not right; because the entrancefacing camera did not feature a WDR (Wide Dynamic Range) sensor or support BLC (back-light compensation).
Th ere are a variety of sensor technologies in the market. Fig. 2 lists many of the popular sensor technologies, their delivery platforms, and the communications fabric, with respect to B/ CSS and CIP requirements.
Given a plethora of options, users typically apply the following thumb-rules when choosing among sensor technologies for specifi c situations:
- Implement a design comprising layers of sensors, with each layer delivering an increasing resolution of the entity-under-surveillance, as it approaches a defi ned boundary: for example, radars may be employed to track entities at a distance of 5-50 kilometres; long-range thermal cameras may be employed to track entities at a distance of 1-5 kilometres; and high-resolution optical cameras may be employed to track entities at a distance of one kilometer and below.
- Each layer may be a mix of technologies, such that blindspots in one technology are visible in another; and such that counter-measures by the entity-under-surveillance do not render the entire surveillance layer dysfunctional: for example, in the case of surveillance on land, a mix of radars and vibration sensors may be implemented in one layer to preclude the possibility of the entity-undersurveillance evading observation by employing radarmasking techniques.
- Data from diff erent sensor technologies can be combined to deliver a level of information signifi cantly greater than can be provided by each of the individual technologies in isolation. Th is data fusion is typically handled at the application level (command and control application or sensor management software).
Choosing a sensor technology will be a function of parameters such as cost (or budget), the potential entitiesunder- surveillance, surveillance range, the terrain of the areaunder- surveillance, and the features to be captured (of the entities-under-surveillance). Fig. 3 shows a range of sensors used in a typical CIP implementation.
| GPS Receiver Module
|
Built around the SiRf Star III chip, the GPS Receiver Module from Mistral is the world’s smallest high-sensitivity GPS module. Th e 20-channel GPS receiver is capable of giving accurate details of location, altitude, velocity, and direction. Th is fully functional RF module receives spread spectrum signals from the MEO (Medium Earth Orbiting) satellites.
It features a low-noise RF amplifi er with sensitivity below -159dBm; and has the ability to withstand ESD up to 2000V. Th e GPS module is PCB mountable, with a very small footprint; and can be easily integrated in a wide range of applications in the defense and consumer electronics segment. Th ese include portable navigation, cellular phones and other communication equipment.
GPS
Th e second important geospatial component of a C4ISR solution is the device that allows user resources to be tracked in real-time, in terms of location and movement. All C4ISR solutions include a Blue Force Tracking (BFT) module.
Blue Force Tracking (BFT) is a United States military term used to denote a GPS-enabled system that provides military commanders and forces with location information about friendly (and despite its name, also about hostile) military forces. In military symbology, the colour blue is typically used to designate friendly forces while red is used for enemies, and green or yellow are used for neutral forces.
A BFT system, at its simplest, consists of a GPS device and a means for relaying the GPS information to a monitoring centre: a police patrol unit may have a VHF radio set with the GPS device integrated in the microphone, so that location information is transmitted to the monitoring centre at the touch of a button. More sophisticated BFT systems will allow relaying of mobile sensor data, providing additional information specifi c to the location, etc.; along with the transmission of the coordinates.
Depending on the terrain being traversed, the GPS device will need to support a level of sensitivity that will allow it to function at all times.
GIS
Th e cartographic module is an important component of a C4ISR solution. A detailed digital representation of the areaunder- surveillance will allow the user to integrate the data from the sensors and the GPS receivers on to map, and allow the user to associate real-time sensor feed with a location or feature on the map, as well as track its resources visually. Th e cartographic module typically imports maps from a thirdparty and then allows situation-specifi c interpretation to be imported or added to the maps. Multiple maps can be imported and used, provided they conform to widely used formats.
Command & Control Application
Th e command and control component integrates the feed from the sensors and GPS receivers with the cartographic representation of the area-under-surveillance, and allows the user to initiate SOPs in the event of an incident, query and receive additional information from sensors and resources in the fi eld in real-time, and send out instructions to the resources on how to respond to an incident.
All this happens in a coordinated manner – even if there are multiple decision-makers participating from diff erent locations – and with all available information at the fi ngertips of the decision-makers (common operational picture or COP). Th e command and control application sometimes also provides, through additional hardware, the capability to patch multiple communications protocols; thereby allowing diff erent fi eld units (some on V/U/ HF, others on GSM or CDMA etc.) to communicate transparently with each other. Such a communications matrix is extremely eff ective in maintaining command and control during crisis situations.
Finally, given that duplication of information is bound to happen during an incident, the application automatically recognises the reports of an incident that are similar, and allows a user to de-duplicate such information.
Desiderata of a C4ISR homeland security solution
Choosing a Homeland Security solution – B/CSS or CIP – based on a C4ISR framework should be a decision taken on the basis of support for the following functionality:
Interoperability
By interacting with legacy systems of involved agencies and with deployed mobile units as well, it is possible to develop a higher resolution picture of a crisis situation. For this purpose, a data model such as the standard JC3IEDM should be used, and web services should be XML-based.
Sharing Mechanism
Sensor data should be managed by publication/ subscription mechanisms: the operator subscribes to the information or services off ered by the solution, which incorporates a middleware layer in charge of searching for the information and publishing it to subscribers. Th is allows information to be received and consolidated in a database in real time.
Openness
Sensor-independence allows the solution to integrate new sensors (based on new technologies) at a future point in time. Cartographic independence allows the solution to support a variety of map formats.
Architecture
A decentralised and service-oriented-architecture (SOA) allows the system to be managed from any fi xed or mobile network device, providing an added robustness, in the event of failure or crisis situation.
Low-bandwidth protocol:
Data synchronisation mechanisms used should allow information to be shared in real-time, at rates as low as less than 10 kbps, for the solution to function eff ectively in crisis situation.
Case Study
Th is case study is of a C4ISR B/CSS implementation in Spain, covering Spain’s maritime border with North Africa (specifi cally Morocco). Th e problem Spanish authorities had was that this stretch of the maritime border was being used for illegal immigration and drug smuggling, and that the number of incidents were increasing at an alarming rate.
As can be seen in Fig. 6, the implemented system manages all phases involved in border management. Th e graph on the right plots the progress of the entity-under-surveillance towards the Spanish shore, with distance from the shore being plotted on the Y-axis, and elapsed time since detection being plotted on the X-axis.
Th e table on the right provides the phase-wise fi gures for three scenarios – detection at 20 to 16 kilometres, 15 to 11 kilometres, and 10 to 8 kilometres. Th e eff ect of the C4ISR B/CSS implementation, in this case, has been a staggering fall in the number of incidents featuring illegal crossing and drug-running across the maritime border covered by the solution.
Conclusion
Geospatial technologies can be used to deliver a far stronger implementation of homeland security solutions. In this connection, it is important to leverage the latest in the respective technologies (remote sensing, GPS, GIS) so that as detailed a COP (common operational picture) as possible is provided to decision-makers. In addition, these implementations, across various law-enforcement agencies, should support a level of interoperability that will allow them to share relevant information in real-time.
Homeland security is too critical a responsibility to be left to be addressed through silo-type responses. C4ISR solutions, leveraging the latest in geospatial technologies, promise and deliver signifi cant improvements in the manner the State responds to threats to its existence. | https://www.geospatialworld.net/article/c4isr-harnessing-tech-for-optimum-security/ |
His main interest lies in the autonomous decision making using algorithms to help human make decisions such as in negotiations. Particular interest is in the development of Machine Learning algorithm that analyzes data to make informed decisions.
The researches have been funded by the private and government institutions in Malaysia. I am looking for potential collaborations with the private, government and industry institutions.
Solving complex multi-objective optimization (MOO) problems can be painstakingly difficult endeavour considering multiple and conflicting goals. One of the challenges in MOO algorithms is to adjust themselves in a dynamic environment given different goals dimensions (i.e. single/multi-dimensional independent/multi-dimensional dependent). In a changing environment, the current optimization goals may need to be altered at a different time to get an optimized result. The complexity of adapting and tuning the goals is higher for multidimensional goals. This research is aspired to use adaptive decision making to address the limitation of the MOO approaches and improve its performance in the changing environment.
Aims at enhancing the double auction framework to accommodate both heterogeneous and multi-attributes cloud services negotiation at the same time. Heterogeneous cloud services are common nowadays where many different sizes and pricing of cloud service virtual machines, processors and storages are supported by cloud service providers. The heterogeneous cloud services require the negotiation frameworks to accommodate multi-attributes negotiation to optimize the benefits to both customer and provider.
The growth of public cloud offerings provide great challenge to consumers in choosing the services, prices and providers that can fulfill their needs. RightScale survey in 2016 identified that the lack of cloud resource/expertise which results from poor management is now the number one cloud issue replacing security. Furthermore, the cloud consumers' top priority is to save costs. To address these issues, the research aims to work at the fundamental level by proposing a multilateral agent based negotiation framework and protocol for cloud service market that is able to regulate dynamic pricing based on the current market condition. The framework could be later implemented for managing large bargaining scenarios in online cloud marketplace and expected to be time and cost effective.
The research aimed to address missing components of concurrent service level agreement negotiation in cloud-based systems, namely dynamic pricing and concurrent negotiations. We had identify suitable protocols for concurrent cloud service negotiation and proposed an enhanced concurrent cloud service negotiation mechanism that adopts dynamic pricing for cloud service negotiation. The mechanism not only considers the business objectives, but also account for the precise service level values for better service delivery. This enables customers to acquire the best quality of service that meets their needs. On the other hand, the proposed concurrent negotiation protocol could perform better in terms of negotiation time, number of proposals and average utility in a large market involving multiple buyers and sellers. Hence, the concurrent negotiation protocols are relevant for the cloud service market.
Childhood obesity has become a worrying global epidemic. Evidences show that childhood obesity persists into adulthood. Therefore, predicting obesity at an early age is both useful and important. The objectives of this study are to identify significant risk factors and protective factors of childhood obesity in Malaysia; to select and propose parameters for prediction; to investigate suitable data mining techniques for childhood obesity and overweight predictions; and to propose hybrid data mining techniques to increase the sensitivity of predictions. | https://mhariz.com/research/ |
The present invention relates to batteries, and in particular a battery for use in a flywheel.
Electrical motors are a less noisy, less polluting alternative to internal combustion engines for use in vehicles and other applications. One problem with the use of an electric motor is the need for a large amount of battery capacity, and the drag on the vehicle caused by the weight of the batteries.
One method for dealing with the weight of the battery is to put the weight of the batteries to use by mounting the batteries on a flywheel. One such system is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,497,026. By mounting the battery on the flywheel, the weight of the battery is used to store angular momentum in the flywheel, which can then be tapped as a source of power. This source of power can thus reduce the amount of power needed to be produced directly by the batteries, thus reducing the size of the batteries needed.
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Background
==========
Ascitic fluid infections (AFI) are frequent and severe complication in cirrhotic patients and have a high morbidity and mortality. Two variants of AFI have been described in medical literature, 1) Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) with polymorph nuclear (PMN) count \>250/mm^3^and positive ascitic fluid culture without any evidence of external or intra-abdominal source of infection \[[@B1]\] and 2) Culture negative neutrocytic ascites (CNNA) with PMN \> 250/mm^3^and a negative ascitic fluid culture \[[@B2]\].
The first description of SBP did not include those patients who had a negative ascitic fluid culture. The term CNNA was proposed in 1984 \[[@B2]\] and is considered a variant of SBP associated with lower mortality as compared to SBP \[[@B3]\]. Then it was decided that an ascitic fluid PMN count \>250/mm^3^in the absence of evidence of abdominal infection is also a form of AFI even though the ascitic culture is negative \[[@B4]\].
SBP is a serious complication of end-stage liver disease, with a very high recurrence rate of up to 70% at 1 yr \[[@B5]-[@B7]\], and is seen in 8--27% of hospitalized patients with cirrhosis and ascites. Studies suggest that the in-hospital mortality in patients with SBP ranges from 20% to 40% \[[@B8],[@B9]\].
There are few studies addressing the outcome in cirrhotic patients with AFI \[[@B3],[@B4],[@B9]\]. One of the studies found high creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) on admission to be associated with high mortality regardless of ascitic fluid culture positivity and type of organism \[[@B9]\].
There is a paucity of literature comparing the outcome in patients based on culture results, and factors predicting poor prognosis in cirrhotic patients with ascitic fluid infection. The available literature has included very limited number of patients with the two variants AFI and shows low mortality in CNNA as compared to SBP \[[@B3]\]. Moreover, majority of these studies are reported in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis \[[@B4]\].
We studied the outcome in the two variants of AFI in a large cohort of patients with viral causes of cirrhosis including hepatitis B and/or hepatitis C in a tertiary care University Hospital setting.
Methods
=======
We analyzed 675 consecutive patients with viral causes of cirrhosis along with ascites admitted at The Aga Khan University Hospital from November 2005 to December 2007. The medical records of patients admitted with symptoms and signs of ascitic fluid infection such as fever, abdominal pain and those with asymptomatic infection were retrieved. The data of their age, gender, clinical features, complications such as hepatic encephalopathy, upper GI bleed, hepatocellular carcinoma, etc was collected along with laboratory data and the Child Turcotte Pugh (CTP) score was calculated for all patients. All patients had liver cirrhosis diagnosed on clinical, hematological and biochemical laboratory parameters along with ultrasonological findings. 187 patients with ascitic fluid infections met the criteria in the form of either SBP or CNNA and they were included in the study. Only patients who had first episode of either SBP or CNNA were included in this study. Patients with secondary bacterial peritonitis, non-cirrhotics causes of ascites such as tuberculosis or malignancy were excluded. Those with cirrhosis and ascites who received systemic antibiotics within 30 days for any other infection (s) were also excluded from the study. Patients with cirrhosis due to causes other than hepatitis B, C or D viral infections were also excluded.
Diagnostic paracentesis was performed on the bed side by sterile method with a 21 G needle attached to 20 cc syringe, and then collected into Ethylene Diamine Tetra Acetate (EDTA) tube and analyzed within 3 hours of extraction. Ascitic fluid was then centrifuged in laboratory for 3 minutes for detailed report including total proteins, total and differential leukocyte count. Smear was performed and stained with Geimsa. At the same time 10 cc of ascitic fluid (5 cc in each bottle) was inoculated in aerobic and anaerobic blood culture bottles (Bactec 9240, Becton Dickinson, Ireland) containing Trypticase foy broth and processed according to manufacture\'s instructions and were observed for 1 month.
Similarly, blood cultures were also drawn in aerobic and anaerobic blood culture bottles, before starting antibiotics. All patients were treated with ceftriaxone 2 grams once daily and it was changed to appropriate antibiotic (s) based on less than 50% improvement in PMN count in the repeat ascitic fluid detailed report after 48 hours or culture sensitivity results of initial ascitic fluid. Recovery from the AFI was assessed on the basis of decrease in ascitic fluid PMN count to \< 250/mm^3^.
This study is approved by the Ethics Review Committee (ERC) of Aga Khan University Hospital.
Statistical Analysis
--------------------
Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical package for social science SPSS (Release 15.0, standard version, copyright^©^SPSS; 1989--02). A descriptive analysis was performed for clinical features and results are presented as mean ± standard deviation for quantitative variables and numbers (percentages) for qualitative variables. χ^2^test and Fisher\'s exact test were used for categorical variables, while the independent sample t-test was applied for numerical variables. We used a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) for determining any statistical difference amongst the subgroups. Variables found to be statistically significant in the univariate analysis (p ≤ 0.25) were included in a multivariate stepwise logistic regression model. The model was constructed to identify independent predictors of mortality in patients with SBP and to obtain the odds ratio.
All p-values were two sided and considered as statistically significant if \< 0.05.
Results
=======
A total of 675 patients were admitted with ascites due to cirrhosis during the study period. Of these 187 (27.7%) patients with AFI were included for analysis. There were 44 (23.5%) patients who had SBP while 143 (76.4%) had CNNA (Figure [1](#F1){ref-type="fig"}).
{#F1}
The demographics and clinical data of patients with SBP and CNNA patients are shown in Table [1](#T1){ref-type="table"}. The two groups of AFI patients, i.e., SBP and CNNA were matched for age, gender, clinical features, and complications such as upper GI bleed and hepatoma. The patients with SBP had statistically significant incidence of hepatic encephalopathy 36 (81.8%) vs. 83 (58%), p-value = 0.004; and had advanced CTP score 12.52 ± 1.45 at the time of admission as compared to CNNA group, 11.44 ± 1.66, p-value = \<0.001.
######
Demographics and clinical variables among patients with SBP and CNNA
**Variables** **SBP (n = 44); ±/(%)** **CNNA (n = 143); ±/(%)** **p- value**
---------------- ------------------------- --------------------------- --------------
Age (years) 52.18 ± 10.6 53.49 ± 12.6 0.49
Gender
Male 23(52.3) 76 (53.1)
Female 21(47.7) 67 (46.9) 0.9
Fever 38(86.4) 125 (87.4) 0.8
Abdominal Pain 27(61.4) 80(55.9) 0.6
Encephalopathy 36 (81.8) 83(58) 0.004
GI bleed 5 (11.36) 14 (9.7) 0.10
CTP Score 12.52 ± 1.45 11.44 ± 1.66 \<0.001
Hepatoma 7 (15.9) 39 (27.3) 0.12
Majority of hematological and biochemical laboratory tests including hemoglobin, white blood cells (WBC) counts, and liver function tests were similar in the two groups. There were significantly low levels of platelets in SBP group (101 ± 53 × 10^9^/L) as compared to CNNA (132 ± 91 × 10^9^/L), p-value = 0.005; similarly, SBP group had a high creatinine level (1.95 ± 1.0 mg/dl) as compared to CNNA (1.44 ± 0.85 mg/dl), p-value = 0.003. Ascitic fluid WBC counts were not different in the two groups, while blood cultures were significantly positive in patients with SBP. Table [2](#T2){ref-type="table"}.
######
Comparison of laboratory data of patents with SBP and CNNA
**Variables** **SBP ± SD (n = 44)** **CNNA ± SD (n = 143)** **p- value**
--------------------------- ----------------------- ------------------------- --------------
Hemoglobin (g/dl) 10.43 ± 1.5 10.21 ± 1.9 0.44
WBC (10^9^/L) 10.9 ± 7.3 10.4 ± 5.6 0.69
Platelets (10^9^/L) 101 ± 53 132 ± 91 0.005
Creatinine (mg/dl) 1.95 ± 1 1.44 ± 0.85 0.003
Total Bilirubin (mg/dl) 7.82 ± 6.1 6.68 ± 6.8 0.30
SGPT (IU/L) 49.29 ± 41.4 60.58 ± 58.3 0.18
Prothrombin Time(s) 24.8 ± 6.6 22.4 ± 7.2 0.04
INR 2.05 ± 0.55 2.05 ± 2.5 0.99
Serum albumin (g/dl) 1.99 ± 0.37 2.04 ± 0.4 0.47
Ascitic TLC (cells/mm^3^) 4774 ± 3642.45 4384 ± 3638.71 0.70
Ascitic PMN (cells/mm^3^) 4055 ± 2860 3875 ± 2245 0.59
Blood culture positive 14 (31.8%) 14 (9.8%) 0.002
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection was the most common underlying cause of cirrhosis in 139 (74.3%) followed by hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in 43 (22.9%); out of these 43 patients 12 (6.4%) had concomitant hepatitis D virus infection. Moreover, 5 (2.6%) patients had concomitant HBV and HCV infection causing cirrhosis.
Out of 187 patients with AFI, 44 (23.5%) had culture positive ascitic fluid cultures i.e., SBP; of these 32 (72.7%) patients had gram negative bacterial infection, while rest of 12 (27.2%) had gram positive infection. Escherichia. Coli (E. Coli) being the most common organism isolated from 27 (61.3%) patients. Table [3](#T3){ref-type="table"} shows the other organisms isolated from ascitic fluid cultures.
######
Distribution of different organisms in patients with SBP (n = 44)
**Organisms cultured** **n (%)**
-------------------------- -----------
E. Coli 27 (61.3)
Streptococcus Pneumoniae 5 (11.3)
Pseudomonas species 4 (9)
Staphylococcus species 3 (6.8)
Enterococcus species 3 (6.8)
Bacillus species 1 (2.2)
Group D Streptococcus 1 (2.2)
Overall 28/187 (14.9%) patients had positive blood culture results. The yield of culture was higher in SBP group (14/44; 31.8%) as compared to CNNA group (14/143; 9.8%), p-value = 0.002. There were 17 (60.7%) gram negative and 11 (39.2%) gram positive bacterial infection. Among the gram-negative organisms, E. coli was the most common isolated from blood culture in 15/28 (53.5%) patients.
All patients were started on intravenous ceftriaxone 2 grams once daily, after drawing ascitic and blood cultures. Intravenous salt poor albumin (25%), 100 ml twice a day for 5 days was given to all patients with a creatinine level of \>1.5 mg/dl as per the protocol of our Gastroenterology Section. Out of 44 patients with SBP 13 were resistant to first line antibiotic; 7/32 (22%) were resistant in gram negative group while 6/12 (50%) in gram positive infection group. Gram negative resistant organisms were sensitive to other beta-lactam antibiotics; five of these patients were treated with piperacillin tazobactam and 2 received imepenam (carbepenam group) as per treating physician\'s decision. Similarly, vancomycin was given in 6 patients in whom ascitic culture was positive for Staphylococcus and Enterococcus species. Out of these 13 patients with resistant organism 8 died due to delay in start of appropriate antibiotics. There was 11/44 (25%) in-hospital deaths in SBP group of patients as compared to 12/143 (8.4%) in CNNA group, p-value = 0.003; the causes of death in SBP group were AFI and sepsis in 8 patients and PSE, hematemesis and seizures in 1 patient each. Whereas in CNNA 6 patients died of AFI and sepsis and 2 patients each in PSE, seizures and pneumonia
Survival curve of patients with SBP and CNNA group of ascitic fluid infection is shown in Figure [2](#F2){ref-type="fig"}.
{#F2}
Predictors of mortality in patients with SBP variant of ascitic fluid infection, on univariate analysis were, presence of PSE, raised creatinine, low platelets counts, increased PT. Furthermore, blood culture positive results were also significant on univariate analysis for mortality in patients with SBP. We analyzed all these factors along with those of a p-value of \<0.25 for finding the independent predictors of mortality by logistic regression technique. After multiple logistic regression analysis we found that a creatinine of \>1.1 mg/dl and positive blood culture were the independent predictors of mortality in patients with SBP. Table [4](#T4){ref-type="table"}
######
Univariate and Multiple logistic regression analysis of predictors of mortality in SBP.
**Univariate Analysis:**
-------------------------------------------- ----------- --------------- -------
Characteristics Odd Ratio 95% CI p
PSE 3.25 1.41 --7.49 0.006
Cr (\>1.1 mg/dl) 3.65 1.29 -- 10.29 0.01
Platelets (\<91 × 109/L) 3.35 1.65 -- 6.79 0.001
PT (\>24 Secs) 2.18 0.92 -- 5.13 0.005
Blood culture positivity 4.30 1.85 -- 9.96 0.001
**Multiple logistic regression analysis:**
Cr (\>1.1 mg/dl) 5.78 1.23 -- 27.1 0.02
Blood culture positivity 7.8 2.15 -- 28.2 0.002
Discussion
==========
This is one of the largest reports of hepatitis B and C virus related cirrhotic patients with ascitic fluid infection. The incidence of AFI, including SBP and CNNA was found to be around 28%. We found that mortality is higher in patients with SBP 11/44 (25%) as compared to CNNA 12/143 (8.4%) in our series. We also found that the independent predictors of mortality in SBP were raised creatinine (\> 1.1 mg/dl) along with blood culture positivity.
SBP and CNNA are both considered serious complications of advanced liver cirrhosis \[[@B10]\]. Reported incidence of AFI infection in cirrhotics ranges from 8--30% and mean in- hospital mortality is reported to reach 78% \[[@B1]\]. Incidence of AFI in our series was 28%, which is similar to reported literature.
Runyon and Hoefs in 1984 \[[@B2]\] studied 32 patients with a positive ascitic fluid culture and 17 patients with a negative ascitic fluid culture, with their mortalities being 70% and 50% respectively. There was however, no statistical difference noted. In another study, Pelletier et al in 1990 studied 15 patients with CNNA and 38 patients with SBP and showed the mortality to be considerably higher in patients with SBP \[[@B11]\]. In our study mortality rates were noted to be higher in patients with SBP (25%) than in CNNA (8.4%), possibly suggesting that CNNA is a less severe variant of SBP, despite the fact that both groups received similar intravenous third generation antibiotic and albumin. Different theories have been suggested for ascitic fluid infection severity. Impaired activity of the reticulo-endothelial system, decreased serum and ascitic complement levels, and a low ascitic protein level are some of the mechanisms responsible for entrance of enteral organisms into the ascitic fluid of patients with SBP \[[@B1]\]. Another established theory is that portal hypertension increases bacterial translocation to the lymphatic system and portal vein. The potential mechanisms responsible for this action are bacterial overgrowth due to impaired gastrointestinal transit, impaired host defense or morphological and functional damage to the bowel mucosa \[[@B12]\]. Lower mortality rates in patients with CNNA could be explained by a better hepatic function in terms of better CTP in patients with CNNA. We know that CTP score reflects the severity of portal hypertension and this could contribute to more bacterial translocation in patients with SBP.
In our report the rate of ascitic fluid bacterial growth was less (23%) as compared to other reports, where it ranges from 50 to 71% \[[@B3],[@B11]\]. Use of blood culture bottles and the volume of the blood sample drawn affect the yield of culture. Sending a syringe or tube of fluid to the laboratory for culture dramatically decreases the sensitivity of the results since SBP is a low-colony-count monomicrobial infection similar to bacteremia \[[@B13]\]. Thus, culturing ascitic fluid as if it were blood (with bedside inoculation of ascitic fluid into blood culture bottles) has been shown to increase the culture-positivity of the ascitic fluid of patients with an ascitic fluid PMN count \>250 cells/mm3 (in the absence of prior antibiotic treatment, pancreatitis, tuberculous peritonitis, or malignancy-related ascites) from about 50% to approximately 80% \[[@B13]\]^.^We were unable to find any reason for this low yield accept that the amount of ascitic fluid inoculated was 5 cc in each bottle as compared to few studies where 10 cc was inoculated \[[@B4],[@B11]\].
E. coli was the most common organism found in two thirds of patients with SBP, monomicrobial gram-negative organism was recovered in 32 (72.7%) patients and E. coli representing more than two thirds, which is similar to other studies \[[@B3]\] (Table [3](#T3){ref-type="table"}). In our patients with SBP, blood culture yield was higher as compared to CNNA and it is comparable to other studies \[[@B4],[@B11]\]. Interestingly, we found that, the death in patients resistant to first line antibiotic was high emphasizing on the need for an early detection method of organism for appropriate antibiotics according to sensitivity. Currently with an improvement in culture technique, time required for bacterial growth and its detection is usually more than 24 hours \[[@B14]\]. Considering the prognostic significance of early appropriate antibiotic treatment in patients with SBP \[[@B15]\], it would be pertinent to find a method to shorten the time for bacterial identification in clinical practice such as BacT/ALERT and bacterial DNA by PCR. BacT/ALERT is an automated microbial detection system, which is proven to be faster than conventional blood culture bottles in patients with bacteremia \[[@B16]\]. An earlier report of sensitivity of bacteria in ascitic fluid can be helpful in starting appropriate antibiotics, which can decrease mortality. In our study, raised serum creatinine and a positive blood culture were found to be the independent predictors of prognosis in SBP patients. Similarly Follo A et al reported renal impairment to be the most sensitive predicator of in hospital mortality in ascitic fluid infection \[[@B17]\].
Over all 23/187 (12.2%) patients with AFI died in our report; out of this majority, belonged to SBP group. The possible explanation for worse prognosis in SBP group could be advanced liver cirrhosis in this group as evidenced by CTP score and more renal impairment (Table [1](#T1){ref-type="table"} and [2](#T2){ref-type="table"}). There is literature to support that renal impairment is a well-known prognostic factor of poor survival in patients with SBP \[[@B17]\]. Several authors suggested that CNNA and SBP are two variants of same disease with similar outcomes \[[@B4],[@B18]\]. Our results together with report of Amri et al \[[@B3]\] and Pelletier at al \[[@B11]\] suggest SBP to be more severe variant with poor prognosis than CNNA. Early diagnosis of SBP along with prompt initiation of appropriate antibiotic therapy can be helpful in overall patient\'s survival.
Conclusion
==========
In conclusion ascitic fluid infection is a serious and life threatening complication of liver cirrhosis. SBP is associated with a higher mortality than CNNA. Patients with raised serum creatinine levels and positive blood cultures have poor prognosis, and they should be treated with greater vigilance. In the new era advanced culture methods with high and early yield can facilitate a prompt and accurate initiation of antibiotic therapy.
Competing interests
===================
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
Authors\' contributions
=======================
LK and KM conceived the idea and drafted the protocol. LK supervised the data collection and statistical analysis; she wrote the first draft and revised manuscript under the supervision of KM. KM revised and advised for modifications in the statistical analysis and manuscript. USA and AWA were mainly involved in data collection and entered into SPSS software; they also contributed in the first draft of manuscript. WJ contributed in conception of study and participated in design and coordination. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Pre-publication history
=======================
The pre-publication history for this paper can be accessed here:
<http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-230X/8/59/prepub>
Acknowledgements
================
We would like to acknowledge Dr. Hasnain Ali Shah for supervising us in this project; he is also supervisor of LK for her Fellowship of College of Physician and Surgeons of Pakistan in Gastroenterology. We would also like to acknowledge Drs. Shahab Abid and Saeed Hamid for their substantial contributions to conception and design of study. Finally, we acknowledge Ms. Safia Awan who helped us in the statistical analysis of the data.
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Sodium (996 mg), Potassium (280 mg) and Phosphorus (199 mg) are some of the minerals present in Turkey, drumstick, smoked, cooked, with skin, bone removed.
In addition to its widely known role in bone structure, Calcium is used to help nerve function and control muscle. 32 milligrams of calcium can be found on every 100 grams of Turkey, drumstick, smoked, cooked, with skin, bone removed, the 3% of the total daily recommended calcium intake.
All of the tissues in your body need a near constant supply of oxygen to maintain life. The hemoglobin is an iron-containing protein in your blood, which help in the delivery of oxygen. In 100 grams of Turkey, drumstick, smoked, cooked, with skin, bone removed, you can find 2.3 milligrams of iron. It provides the hierro_porcentaje% of the daily recommended value for the average adult.
Along with sodium, calcium, magnesium, and chloride, potassium is an electrolyte, meaning that it helps to conduct electrical charges in the human body. In 100 grams of Turkey, drumstick, smoked, cooked, with skin, bone removed, you can find 280 milligrams of potassium. It provides the 6% of the daily recommended value for the average adult.
About 50% of a person’s magnesium is stored in the bone, and as such, it plays a key role in bone metabolism, even a mild ongoing magnesium deficiency can lead to a significant amount of bone loss. 100 grams of Turkey, drumstick, smoked, cooked, with skin, bone removed contains 23 milligrams of magnesium, that’s the 6% of the daily recommended value for an adult.
Inadequate intakes of phosphorus results in hypophosphataemia the symptoms of which include anorexia, anaemia, muscle weakness, bone pain, ataxia, confusion and possibly death. Phosphorus is so widespread in the food supply that dietary phosphorus deficiency is extremely rare. 100 grams of contains 199 milligrams of phosphorus, that’s the 20% of the daily recommended value for an adult.
Low sodium in the blood can lead to what is called hyponatremia: fatigue, seizures, muscle spasms, confusion and coma. Sodium deficiency is caused by vomiting, diarrhea, drinking excessive water and excessive sweating. In 100 grams of Turkey, drumstick, smoked, cooked, with skin, bone removed, you can find 996 milligrams of sodium. It provides the 66% of the daily recommended value for the average adult.
Immunity, reproduction, skin health, and vision are just some of the areas that can be affected by zinc deficiency. 4.27 milligrams of zinc can be found on every 100 grams of Turkey, drumstick, smoked, cooked, with skin, bone removed, the 28% of the total daily recommended zinc intake.
In the food we commonly eat, there are only very small amounts of copper. As much as any dietary mineral, the amount of copper you eat is directly related to the amounts of minimally processed plant foods you get every day. In 100 grams of Turkey, drumstick, smoked, cooked, with skin, bone removed, you can find 0.15 milligrams of copper. It provides the 8% of the daily recommended value for the average adult.
Selenium-containing enzymes are involved in recycling of vitamin C from its spent form back to its active one, allowing for greater antioxidant protection. 100 grams of Turkey, drumstick, smoked, cooked, with skin, bone removed contains 38.3 micrograms of selenium, that’s the 55% of the daily recommended value for an adult. | http://www.freenutritionfacts.com/turkey-drumstick-smoked-cooked-with-skin-bone-removed/minerals/ |
This novel is all about mistaken identities. Many characters don't know where their parents are, or even who their parents are. Names are supposed to be society’s main marker for identity—the w.
As the child hero of a melodramatic novel of social protest, Oliver Twist is meant to appeal more to our sentiments than to our literary sensibilities. On many levels, Oliver is not a believable character, because although he is raised in corrupt surroundings, his purity and virtue are absolute. Throughout the novel, Dickens uses Oliver’s character to challenge the Victorian idea that paupers and criminals are already evil at birth, arguing instead that a corrupt environment is the source of vice. At the same time, Oliver’s incorruptibility undermines some of Dickens’s assertions. Oliver is shocked and horrified when he sees the Artful Dodger and Charley Bates pick a stranger’s pocket and again when he is forced to participate in a burglary. Oliver’s moral scruples about the sanctity of property seem inborn in him, just as Dickens’s opponents thought that corruption is inborn in poor people. Furthermore, other pauper children use rough Cockney slang, but Oliver, oddly enough, speaks in proper King’s English. His grammatical fastidiousness is also inexplicable, as Oliver presumably is not well-educated. Even when he is abused and manipulated, Oliver does not become angry or indignant. When Sikes and Crackit force him to assist in a robbery, Oliver merely begs to be allowed to “run away and die in the fields.” Oliver does not present a complex picture of a person torn between good and evil—instead, he is goodness incarnate.
Even if we might feel that Dickens’s social criticism would have been more effective if he had focused on a more complex poor character, like the Artful Dodger or Nancy, the audience for whom Dickens was writing might not have been receptive to such a portrayal. Dickens’s Victorian middle-class readers were likely to hold opinions on the poor that were only a little less extreme than those expressed by Mr. Bumble, the beadle who treats paupers with great cruelty. In fact, Oliver Twist was criticized for portraying thieves and prostitutes at all. Given the strict morals of Dickens’s audience, it may have seemed necessary for him to make Oliver a saintlike figure. Because Oliver appealed to Victorian readers’ sentiments, his story may have stood a better chance of effectively challenging their prejudices.Nancy
A major concern of Oliver Twist is the question of whether a bad environment can irrevocably poison someone’s character and soul. As the novel progresses, the character who best illustrates the contradictory issues brought up by that question is Nancy. As a child of the streets, Nancy has been a thief and drinks to excess. The narrator’s reference to her “free and agreeable. manners” indicates that she is a prostitute. She is immersed in the vices condemned by her society, but she also commits perhaps the most noble act in the novel when she sacrifices her own life in order to protect Oliver. Nancy’s moral complexity is unique among the major characters in Oliver Twist. The novel is full of characters who are all good and can barely comprehend evil, such as Oliver, Rose, and Brownlow; and characters who are all evil and can barely comprehend good, such as Fagin, Sikes, and Monks. Only Nancy comprehends and is capable of both good and evil. Her ultimate choice to do good at a great personal cost is a strong argument in favor of the incorruptibility of basic goodness, no matter how many environmental obstacles it may face.
Nancy’s love for Sikes exemplifies the moral ambiguity of her character. As she herself points out to Rose, devotion to a man can be “a comfort and a pride” under the right circumstances. But for Nancy, such devotion is “a new means of violence and suffering”—indeed, her relationship with Sikes leads her to criminal acts for his sake and eventually to her own demise. The same behavior, in different circumstances, can have very different consequences and moral significance. In much of Oliver Twist, morality and nobility are black-and-white issues, but Nancy’s character suggests that the boundary between virtue and vice is not always clearly drawn.Fagin
Although Dickens denied that anti-Semitism had influenced his portrait of Fagin, the Jewish thief’s characterization does seem to owe much to ethnic stereotypes. He is ugly, simpering, miserly, and avaricious. Constant references to him as “the Jew” seem to indicate that his negative traits are intimately connected to his ethnic identity. However, Fagin is more than a statement of ethnic prejudice. He is a richly drawn, resonant embodiment of terrifying villainy. At times, he seems like a child’s distorted vision of pure evil. Fagin is described as a “loathsome reptile” and as having “fangs such as should have been a dog’s or rat’s.” Other characters occasionally refer to him as “the old one,” a popular nickname for the devil. Twice, in Chapter 9 and again in Chapter 34. Oliver wakes up to find Fagin nearby. Oliver encounters him in the hazy zone between sleep and waking, at the precise time when dreams and nightmares are born from “the mere silent presence of some external object.” Indeed, Fagin is meant to inspire nightmares in child and adult readers alike. Perhaps most frightening of all, though, is Chapter 52. in which we enter Fagin’s head for his “last night alive.” The gallows, and the fear they inspire in Fagin, are a specter even more horrifying to contemplate than Fagin himself.
When Oliver Twist was published, many people were shocked, and clergymen and magazine editors accused the young novelist of having written an immoral book. In later editions, Charles Dickens defended the book, explaining that one of his purposes had been to take the romance out of crime and show the underworld of London as the sordid, filthy place he knew it to be. Few of his readers ever doubted that he had succeeded in this task.
When Dickens began writing, a popular form of fiction was the Newgate novel, or the novel dealing in part with prison life and the rogues and highwaymen who ended up in prison. These heroes often resembled Macheath of John Gay’s The Beggar’s Opera (1728). Dickens took this tradition and form and turned it around, making it serve the purposes of his new realism. The subplot concerning Bill Sikes and Nancy contains melodramatic elements, but Sikes is no Macheath and Nancy no Polly Peachum.
The grim birth of the infant who was named Oliver opens the book, immediately plunging the reader into an uncomfortably unromantic world where people are starving to death, children are “accidentally” killed off by their charitable keepers, the innocent suffer, and the cruel and unscrupulous prosper. Dickens does not hesitate to lay the facts out clearly: Nancy is a prostitute, Bill is a murderer, Fagin is a fence, and the boys are pickpockets. The supporting cast includes Bumble and Thingummy and Mrs. Mann, individuals who never hesitate to deprive others of what they themselves could use. Poverty is the great leveler, the universal corruptor; in the pages of Oliver Twist. the results of widespread poverty are portrayed with a startling lack of sentimentality. Dickens may become sentimental when dealing with virtue but never when dealing with vice.
The petty villains and small-time corrupt officials, such as Bumble, are treated humorously, but the brutal Bill Sikes is portrayed with complete realism. Although Dickens’s contemporaries thought Bill was too relentlessly evil, Dickens challenged them to deny that such men existed in London, products of the foul life forced on them from infancy. He holds up Sikes in all his nastiness, without making any attempt to find redeeming characteristics. Nancy, both immoral and kindhearted, is a more complicated character. She is sentimental because she is basically good, while Sikes is entirely practical, one who will step on anybody who gets in his way and feel no regrets.
In Oliver Twist. Dickens attempts a deliberate contrast to his previous work, The Pickwick Papers (1836-1837). While there is much humor in Oliver Twist. it is seldom like that of its predecessor, and it is woven into a realistic and melodramatic narrative of a particularly grim and dark kind. The readers of Mr. Pickwick’s exploits must have been startled when they picked up the magazines containing this new novel by Dickens and discovered old Fagin teaching the innocent Oliver how to pick pockets and children swigging gin like practiced drunkards. Dickens had many talents, however, and in Oliver Twist. he exploits for the first time his abilities to invoke both pathos and horror and to combine these qualities in a gripping narrative. United with the vitality that always infuses Dickens’s prose, these powers guaranteed Oliver Twist a wide readership.
The book was the first of Dickens’s nightmare stories and the first of his social tracts. A certain amount of social protest could be read into Mr. Pickwick’s time in prison, but it is a long distance from the prison depicted there to the almshouse in Oliver Twist. The leap from farce to melodrama and social reform is dramatically successful, and Dickens continued in the same vein for many years. Some critics called his work vulgar, but his readers loved it. He was accused of exaggeration, but, as he repeatedly emphasized, his readers had only to walk the streets of London to discover the characters and conditions of which he wrote so vividly. If his characterizations of some individuals suggest the “humours” theory of Ben Jonson rather than fully rounded psychological portraits, the total effect of the book is that of an entire society, pulsing with life and energy.
In Oliver Twist. Dickens displays for the first time his amazing gift of entering into the psychology of a pathological individual. He follows Sikes and Fagin closely to their respective ends, and he never flinches from revealing their true natures. The death of the unrepentant Sikes remains one of the most truly horrible scenes in English fiction. (When Dickens performed this passage to audiences in his public readings, it was common for women in the audience to scream or faint.) When Fagin is sitting in court, awaiting the verdict of his trial, Dickens describes his thoughts as roaming from one triviality to another, although the fact of his approaching death by hanging is never far away. The combination of the irrelevant and the grimly pertinent is a kind of psychological realism that was completely new in 1838.
Dickens entertained a lifelong fondness for the theater, and this interest in drama had a profound influence on his fiction. He was himself an actor, and he became famous for his readings from his books toward the end of his life. In his novels, the actor in Dickens is also discernible. At times, it is as if the author is impersonating a living individual; at other times, the plots bear the imprint of the popular stage fare of the day, including heavy doses of melodrama, romance, and coincidence. All of these aspects are seen in Oliver Twist. particularly the violence of the melodrama and the coincidences that shuffle Oliver in and out of Mr. Brownlow’s house.
Above all and ultimately much more important, however, stands the realism that Dickens uses to unite the different elements of his story. Perhaps the greatest achievement of the author in this early novel is the giant stride he makes in the realm of realism. He had not yet perfected his skills, but he knew the direction in which he was moving, and he was taking the novel with him.
Description and explanation of the major themes of Oliver Twist. This accessible literary criticism is perfect for anyone faced with Oliver Twist essays, papers.
Oliver Twist study guide contains a biography of Charles Dickens, literature essays, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary.
Themes Themes are the fundamental and often universal ideas explored in a literary work. The Failure of Charity Much of the first part of Oliver Twist challenges the organizations of charity run by the church and the government in Dickens’s time. The system Dickens describes was put into place by the Poor Law of 1834, which stipulated that the poor could only receive government assistance if they moved into government workhouses.
Oliver Twist: Theme Analysis, Free Study Guides and book notes including comprehensive chapter analysis, complete summary analysis, author biography information.
Oliver Twist is a novel teeming with many closely interrelated ideas. There is preoccupation with the miseries of poverty and the spread of its degrading effect.
Dickens’ Oliver Twists deals with themes such as good and evil, alienation, and economic injustice, ultimately becoming a satire of the 1834 Poor Laws.
written by Charles Dickens
Oliver Twist published in 1838, a novel written by Charles Dickens, who was a leading English novelist of the Victorian ear and also considered of being one of the greatest English writers with deep-storytelling novels. ``Oliver Twist``, Dickens second novel, tells the story of the orphan Oliver who is through unfortunate circumstances forced to take part in criminal acts of the gangland of London. Where from he is later on rescued. I decided to analyse how Dickens tried to describe and expressed the poverty and the abundance in his novel, in doing so I will also try to direct my attention on the conditions of life at that time in England.
To clearly understand you have to know how England was looking like around 1830 – also called the Victorian ear. In the 19th century more and more people moved into towns, with intent to find work. Cities like London were not prepared for such crowed of people and overcrowded very fast. And with the crowing number of people the living standards went down. So it was normal that a whole street had to share toilets and water. On the other hand there were the rich, which had bigger houses with fluent water and underground sewers. Dickens is showing in his novel all the time the two, to this time ruling standards of life, and Oliver Twist performs as his character who walks between and tries to reveal them. On the one side there is Mr. Bumble, the beadle, his job is to administrate the finances of the poorhouses, and will represent the upper class. Whom we can face to Fagin`s gang which is a professional gang of young criminals in London, as an example for the poor part of the society. At first we can pick up the breeding. Mr. Bumble who belongs to the upper class and in his working position was certainly able to read and calculate and would have something like a formal education, whereas the young criminals of Fagin`s gang hadn’t got any education at all, because children were often. | http://avant-club.ru/id-9865.html |
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