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Mayors, presidents and political representatives of European cities and metropolitan areas met in Rome on October 26, 2018 for the fourth edition of the EMA (European Metropolitan Authorities) Forum to continue the debate and work which was initiated in the previous editions and to take up again the conclusions reached in Warsaw to assert with determination a commitment to the following issues for the post-2020 period:
* Continuation of political programmes based on cohesion, maintaining the current level of investment in regard to the European Union’s financial budget;
* Strengthening of cohesion policies in the urban and metropolitan scope.
* Being active partners in the projection, execution and achievement of results.
COHESION POLICY
The European metropolitan areas support the proposal from the European Commission on the continuation of the European Cohesion Policy in the post-2020 period, as stated in the Warsaw Declaration and in the meetings which took place with the European Commissioner for Regional Policy, the President of the European Committee of the Regions and European Parliament members in Brussels in 2017.
At the same time European metropolitan cities particularly regret the significant cuts in cohesion policy budget: 10% in real terms, compared to the 2014-2020 period. The European Council and Commission have openly and repeatedly acknowledged the positive impact that cohesion policy has had in the past and its potential for the future. We recall that the promotion of economic, social and territorial cohesion is one of the Treaty objectives and that the Seventh Report on cohesion demonstrates that cohesion policy is achieving this goal. Currently European Union is facing a multitude of crises and we believe, that EU must continue with a strong cohesion policy where European, national, regional and local priorities meet and converge. We also believe that the cohesion budget is particularly important as it is one of the most visible European policies in the daily lives of our citizens.
The future cohesion policy for the post-2020 period should promote development strategies managed on a local level, mainly delegating finance-management tasks to local authorities.
Metropolitan areas should be identified as intermediate bodies and take part in the execution of the programmes using European funding (especially European Structural and Investment Funds).
On the basis of the structure proposed by the Commission for the 2021-2027 Programme, European metropolitan cities aspire to play a key role on the institutional discussion tables and take part in the decision-making process in the identification of future programmes.
On a national and regional level, metropolitan areas must be part of the steering committee which represents an important context in the field of the structural funds programme.
Currently, metropolitan cities do not participate in the consultation of the programmes and resources allocated to them. It is a structural problem which must be faced and resolved on a European and national level.
The cohesion policy is key to support the development of territorial balance and solidarity policies within the metropolitan areas.
FOR A MORE INCISIVE ROLE OF METROPOLITAN CITIES
IN THE SCOPE OF POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS
European cities and regions are facing important problems which could be resolved if they were managed on a metropolitan level. Metropolitan competences such as those related to air quality, mobility and transport, urban planning, housing availability, reinforce public space for a better inclusion, migration management, unemployment and lack of competitiveness are just a few examples for which efficient solutions could be envisaged from the scope of the metropolitan area itself. At the same time, there is a need to strengthen the governance of metropolitan areas through national legislative reforms and the allocation of greater resources.
The European Cohesion Policy and other sectoral European policies should pay more attention to the territory’s metropolitan scope. EMA member countries are committed to working together in order to bring this demand to the attention of the competent bodies.
A representation of Metropolitan authorities should be ensured in the European Committee of the Region (CoR).
THE FUTURE OF EMA
After four constructive editions of EMA forums (Barcelona 2015, Turin 2016, Warsaw 2017 and Rome 2018) with the participation of mayors, presidents and political representatives from over 40 European metropolitan authorities and networks (Metropolis, Eurocities and Metrex), we should be proud of the work we have accomplished so far.
In addition to these political meetings, we have also carried out common projects, idea exchanges, comparative analyses, research conducted on a metropolitan level and bilateral relations which have benefited not just our institutions but also our citizens’ quality of life.
We are committed to taking another step forward by analysing different measures which can be jointly developed on a voluntary basis and on a European scale (joint public procurements, common programmes in specific areas, technical exchanges, etc., also through collaboration with the other networks). The first result could be presented at the next EMA forum.
We agree to hold the next edition of the EMA Forum in Lyon in 2019. | http://ema2018.cittametropolitanaroma.gov.it/dichiarazione-di-roma/ |
RE:HUMANISM exhibition of the winning projects will open on Tuesday, April 16th at 6:30 pm at AlbumArte, in Rome. RE:HUMANISM is the first edition of the award dedicated to the relationship between art and artificial intelligence and is promoted by Alan Advantage, company active for more than ten years in the field of innovation and strategic consulting activities.
The exhibition will present the ten winning artists’ projects: the first-place winner Nguyen Hoang Giang; in second place the group formed by Albert Barqué-Duran, Mario Klingemann and Marc Marzenit; Enrico Boccioletti for the residency award; Lorem; Enrica Beccalli in collaboration with Roula Gholmieh; Guido Segni; Antonio “Creo” Daniele; Michele Tiberio in collaboration with Diletta Tonatto; Adam Basanta; Daniele Spanò. The ten projects involve the use of artificial intelligence technologies and put a question on the relation between man and computer, trying to outline the increasingly opaque border between human and artificial.
The performance The Fall of Nguyen Hoang Giang contemplates the fall as a semantic tool to demarcate the relation between human and artificial, marked by progress and failure. My Artificial Muse, second place for the trio Barqué-Duran, Klingemann and Marzenit, investigates the way artificial intelligence reflects on human archetypal concepts such as the inspiring muse: the algorithm becomes a tool for a new aesthetic definition.
Third place was won by devenir-fantôme by Enrico Boccioletti, a union of four previous works, where the artist stages a dialogue between machines, simulating the predominant elements of human empathy. Lorem showcases Adversarial Feelings. 1-5 Latent Selves, a short narration about a neural network capable of emotions. The exhibition will feature the testimony of Complessità: a human at the mercy of an algorithm by Enrica Beccalli in collaboration with Roula Gholmieh, a dance performance by which the symbiosis between man and machine generates new creative flows.
Guido Segni presents some of the results generated during Demand full laziness, today, a five-year project (2018-2023) in which the artist delegates his artistic production to artificial intelligence. Grammar#1, by Antonio “Creo” Daniele, investigates the primordial nature of the sign as a means of human expression and on how the AI is able to read its assumptions.
Michele Tiberio has created a material track and, thanks to an algorithm and the collaboration of Diletta Tonatto, also an olfactory track, of his digital identity (Me, My scent). With A Brief History of Western Cultural Production Adam Basanta wonders on the digital nature of the artworks contained in the world most important museums. Urge oggi, by Daniele Spanò, questions the game’s nature and how it can be interpreted within the context of automation.
In the projects selected for RE:HUMANISM, art and human processes are rethought through the impact that artificial intelligence has in today society. The action of algorithms within artistic creation allows a more widespread reflection on the relationship between man and machine, in a period where this technology is increasingly connected with human activities.
The technical jury of this first edition – composed of Alfredo Adamo, Daniela Cotimbo, Giovanni Losco, Elena Giulia Abbiatici, Giuseppe Chili, Valentina Tanni, Fabrizio Pizzuto, Salvatore Iaconesi and Oriana Persico, Matteo Cremonesi, Cristina Dinello Cobianchi – awarded the works that have centered the complex relationship between man and algorithm trying to propose, through a critical analysis, a proactive vision of the future to come.
“The idea of RE:HUMANISM – says curator Daniela Cotimbo – is therefore to bring new perspectives and to develop a lateral thought, proper to art, in support of a technological advancement that is “on a human scale”».
Alan Advantage srl, based in Rome and Boston, has been active for more than ten years in the field of Innovation, dealing with Strategic Consulting activities. The company has embraced the Open Innovation paradigm and provides direct delivery to medium and large customers. In the last fews years particular emphasis has been given to the Artificial Intelligence field, which has become the main scientific and technological strand among those edited by Alan Advantage in Consulting area.
Alan Advantage’s Open Innovation is based on a continuous selection of innovative Italian startups (over 450 have been selected in the last three years). The 32 selected startups (according to criteria of team reliability, business idea and model, potential market) have signed an agreement with Alan Advantage, which plays for them the advisor role. | http://digicult.it/art/rehumanism-art-prize-1st-edition-awarded-artists-on-view/ |
Rage of Bahamut (Shingeki no Bahamut) 2014
Okay, here’s a challenge for me – can I review a series in four paragraphs only? Let’s see.
Demons, Angels, Gods and Humans clash (and sometimes work together) in this supernatural fantasy, one that’s based on a card battling game from Cygames. You can expect a lot of modern, flashy animation (which is not a bad thing) and a memorable cast of characters too, along with a well-paced story. At the end, I was definitely left curious about the follow-up series, so I went away from Rage of Bahamut invested in the characters for sure.
Since I missed this show at the time of release, I did a bit of reading and apparently some folks were down on Naoyuki Onda’s character designs but for me that was a highlight – here they seem ‘off the wall’ for a fantasy setting, especially Favaro’s afro. The rest of the visuals are great, the settings and the creatures all memorable for me, evocative of what they represented with what felt like welcome modern touches – I’m thinking of the angels especially here.
I suspect at times folks might question a few character choices that suggest inconsistency but for me I was more thrown by a certain reveal that explained a sharp twist in one character. She started off kinda mysterious before transforming into tediously immature… but that was only a few times and it definitely makes sense considering the storyline.
In terms of audience, Rage of Bahamut is not so light-hearted as another Cygames/MAPPA collaboration (Granblue Fantasy). The tone here is at times closer to ‘Lupin’ only with more bounty-hunting, blood and demons too. If you’ve played the game you’d probably enjoy what seems like a proper fleshing out of the characters and if you like the genre, give this a look if it’s still streaming somewhere.
*I’m not counting this note as a paragraph – but since my discs for this series are not playing nice, I’ve had to source the images from online. | https://thereviewheap.home.blog/2020/05/05/rage-of-bahamut-shingeki-no-bahamut/ |
# TEST (x86 instruction)
In the x86 assembly language, the TEST instruction performs a bitwise AND on two operands. The flags SF, ZF, PF are modified while the result of the AND is discarded. The OF and CF flags are set to 0, while AF flag is undefined. There are 9 different opcodes for the TEST instruction depending on the type and size of the operands. It can compare 8-bit, 16-bit, 32-bit or 64-bit values. It can also compare registers, immediate values and register indirect values.
## TEST opcode variations
The TEST operation clears the flags CF and OF to zero. The SF is set to the most significant bit of the result of the AND. If the result is 0, the ZF is set to 1, otherwise set to 0. The parity flag is set to the bitwise XNOR of the least significant byte of the result, 1 if the number of ones in that byte is even, 0 otherwise. The value of AF is undefined. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TEST_(x86_instruction) |
The Su-47 is a highly sophisticated lance fighter design with stealth characteristics, designed for special operations.
Characteristics Edit
Designed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau, the Su-47 Lance Interceptor is the result of the Advanced Strike Interceptor project, which was ordered by the Soviet Star Union for the purpose of developing a stealth aerospace fighter with the capability to go undetected under enemy sensors and perform surprise attacks. Although it shares many similarities with its more common and well-known cousin, the I-3A Lance Fighter, the Su-47 is a very different machine.
During the development of the Su-47, numerous changes were made to the lance fighter platform, in order to conform to the specifications requested by the Politburo. The Su-47 lacks the automatic railguns which, on the I-3A design, are located on the wings and under the cockpit. Instead, the decision was made to sacrifice one of the plasma lances, in order to fit an automatic railgun and a missile launcher within one of the lance pylons, so that the fighter would not lose versatility. Although not as heavily armed as the I-3A Lance Fighter, the Su-47 benefits from a reloadable missile launcher, which can carry up to three missiles and nine switchable warheads which can be swapped in mid-flight.
The biggest difference lies in the Su-47's armor and internal components. Its outer hull is coated in a special material, which blocks sensor readings and the fighter features an internal holographic projector which gives the fighter the capability for limited visual camouflage. In addition, the Su-47 is also fitted with a revolutionary power plant, in the form of a cold fusion reactor, which produces very little heat. The fighter's thruster was also designed in such a way as to minimize the sensor readings given by the S740 fusion torch engine which has been specially developed for this fighter. The Su-47 is also capable of short-range FTL jumps, which combine with its stealth features to create a very capable scout ship.
Due to its costs, lengthy manufacturing process and difficulty of maintenance, the Su-47 is only fielded in limited numbers and is mostly available to special forces and some ships under the permanent command of the Order of Commissars. | https://soviet-star-union.fandom.com/wiki/Su-47_Lance_Interceptor |
Carrier screening is testing that’s done to see whether you or your partner carry a genetic mutation that could cause a serious inherited disorder in your baby. Some of the more common disorders screened for include cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease, thalassemia, and Tay-Sachs disease, but there are more than 100 others that can be tested for.
Many of these conditions are rare, but one large study found that 24 percent of the patients tested were carriers of at least one mutation. And the average risk of having a child with one of these diseases is higher than that of having a child with Down syndrome or a neural tube defect. What’s more, these conditions will not be detected by prenatal tests like CVS and amniocentesis unless you have carrier screening first.
If both you and your partner are carriers of a disorder like cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease, or Tay-Sachs disease, your child will have a 1 in 4 chance of inheriting one defective gene from each of you and being born with the disease.
Traditionally, couples have only been offered screening for one or two of the most common mutations if they are determined to be at risk for being a carrier. Risk factors include having a family member with the inherited disorder or who’s a known carrier, or being part of an ethnic group at increased risk for the disease. | http://angohealth.com/pregnancy/pregnancy-guide/pregnancy-health/ante-natal-scans/carrier-screening-inherited-genetic-disorders/ |
Our Green Impact framework sets out guidelines for our green impact strategies.
Sustainable DC Strategy | Masterclass
Industry experts share their views on a DC investment strategy that’s fit for members and fits with the sustainability objectives.
Sustainable investing under Solvency II
In a complex regulatory environment how insurance companies can take into account sustainable factors when making investment decisions.
Global Lower Carbon
Climate change is the number one long-term investment risk, according to the World Economic Forum Global Risks Perception Survey 2018. It will impact the way company business models operate and companies’ earnings potential over time.
Solvency update
Co-investments under Solvency II
IFRS 9, IFRS 17 and Solvency II
A three-way chess game in insurers’ investment strategy?
ESG & Climate Change Masterclass
As the world's climate changes, what are the potential risk and rewards for investment portfolios? Experts discuss divestment from stocks and sectors, and how to find the growth companies of the future. | https://www.assetmanagement.hsbc.co.uk/en/institutional-investor |
New data has revealed that coronavirus cases have risen by as much as 500 per cent in several London boroughs over the last month.
According to NHS figures, five boroughs - Bexley, Havering, Barking, Redbridge, and Barnet - have seen at least five times more positive tests during the first seven days of July than they did during the first week of June.
In Bexley, which has seen a six-fold increase in cases, an average of 10 people a day tested positive for COVID-19 between June 1 and June 7.
A month later, on July 5, the borough reported over 100 new positive tests.
Boroughs which have seen the biggest increase in cases
My London compared the daily number of positive cases across all 33 London boroughs in the first seven days of June and the first seven days of July and found the following:
- Every London borough has seen the average number of daily positive cases rise by at least 200 per cent between the first seven days of June and the first seven days of July
- Daily cases in Bexley in the first week of July are over 6x higher than they were a month ago
- Lambeth has the highest number of weekly cases overall, with 934 cases and a daily average of 135 in the first seven days of July
- 12 London boroughs have seen the rate of daily positive tests rise by over 400 per cent
- The highest daily average for positive cases in the first week of June was 48, now five London boroughs are seeing, on average, over 100 positive cases a day
- Other boroughs with shocking increases include Havering (550 per cent), Barking (548 per cent), Redbridge (507 per cent), and Barnet (505 per cent)
- The highest increase for an inner London borough was seen in Lewisham, where the rate of positive tests has risen by 455 per cent in the last month
Boroughs with the highest number of Covid cases over the last seven days
The statistics reveal a dramatic rise in the number of Londoners testing positive for COVID-19 as the new Delta variant sweeps across London.
It comes amid fears of a fourth wave of Covid, despite the upcoming Freedom Day (July 19), which will see face-coverings and social distancing become advisory rather than mandatory.
In Lambeth, the borough with the highest number of cases, the council has rolled out more walk-in clinics where residents can get vaccinated.
Compared: Total number of cases in first week of June vs first week of July
The Delta variant has become the dominant strain in the borough and the council says young people make up the majority of positive tests, with a high concentration of cases in areas such as Kennington West, Vauxhall, Stockwell South, Brixton North and Streatham.
Cllr Jim Dickson, joint Cabinet Member for Health & Social Care, described the rise in cases as "concerning" and said he hoped a combination of regular testing while maintaining the use of masks and social distancing would drive down the number of positive tests.
"We know that the only way to reverse the rising number of cases is for everyone to get vaccinated when offered," he added.
"It is important that we all pull together and continue to play our part to save lives and reduce the strain on our NHS." | https://www.mylondon.news/news/london-covid-five-boroughs-cases-21014182 |
This IBM® Redbooks® publication helps you plan, install, configure, and manage Copy Services on the IBM DS8000® operating in an IBM Z® or Open Systems environment. This book helps you design and implement a new Copy Services installation or migrate from an existing installation. It includes hints and tips to maximize the effectiveness of your installation, and information about tools and ...
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This IBM® Redbooks® publication describes the concepts, architecture, and implementation of the IBM DS8900F family. The book provides reference information to assist readers who need to plan for, install, and configure the DS8900F systems. This edition applies to DS8900F systems with IBM DS8000® Licensed Machine Code (LMC) 7.9.30 (bundle version 89.30.xx.x), referred to as Release 9.3. The ...
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IBM Redbooks are developed through a unique program - the Residency - that teams IBM technical professionals with Business Partners, clients, and IBM product development staff. Depending on the market needs of a product or solution, a team of residents is chosen through a competitive nomination process and collaborates for two to eight weeks on developing IBM Redbooks. Would you like to join a team writing IBM Redbooks? Find an upcoming residency from the list below and submit a nomination! | https://redbooks.ibm.com/domains/hybridflash |
TECHNICAL FIELD
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
BACKGROUND
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The technical field of the present invention is mechanics, and more specifically osteosynthesis apparatus or systems that make it possible to correct fractures of dislocated kneecap.
As described in the present descriptive memorandum, the present invention relates to a system that makes it possible to place a more accurate implant, doing so with minimal dissection, in all types of fractures of dislocated patella or kneecap in knee surgery to repair the fractures and provide satisfactory articular congruity via a mechanism for the movement of several securing devices that it possesses. It consists of a manual parallel closure, four securing devices that make it possible to stabilize the fragments, and slidable guides with dynamic movements for the placement of any type of implant in any direction through the fragments of the fracture in order to enable the patient's rehabilitation and return to daily activities with greater speed and efficacy than other existing techniques with the goal of providing a rapid functional recovery.
The device is designed such that when it is actuated, the securing devices can immobilize the fragments and keep them stable, while in turn possessing a multidirectional movement mechanism for adjusting the articular surface and providing exact congruity without removing the system via external maneuvers. The system is placed by means of minimal incisions and a parallel closure is performed to reduce the fracture fragments, and the implant required by the fracture is placed with greater accuracy, parallel and with multidirectional options, as needed, trough the bone tissue and the fragments to be treated via several slidable guides that make it possible to place in the patella any type of configuration that the surgeon appropriately creates according to the principles of internal fixation via a modified tension band and the variants thereof.
There are several known ways to perform the percutaneous reduction of fractures and the placement of implants in fractures of the patella or kneecap but these maneuvers are manual or with instruments that are not suitable for keeping the fragments stable and this results from a technical difficulty that leads to the performance, as a better option, of an open reduction and the incision of the anterior tissues of the knee in order to reveal the fragments and place the implant according to a manual calculation determined by the individual skills of each surgeon because there are no guides for its more accurate placement; this lack of a device that allows the facilitation of surgical treatment in this pathology is reflected in the complications that occur in this type of surgery, which can appear in up to 47% including infections, fibrosis, ankylosis of the knee, pain due to irritation of the implant, failure to reduce the fragments, articular incongruity, inflammation due to prolonged duration of the surgery, and postoperative pain.
There is no system that accomplishes the maneuvers consisting of reduction and the placement of the implant with greater accuracy with a percutaneous technique in this type of pathology.
The characteristic details of this novel system are clearly shown in the following description and in an accompanying drawing, along with an illustration thereof and with the use of the same reference designations to indicate the parts and the figure shown.
Figure 1
shows a traditional view of the system, with the two main arms that show the parallel closure mechanism based on a movable cross-guide; the "rack" to maintain the closure; the two main arms with two movable securing devices each; and the guide on the arms for the placement of the implant in any direction.
The present system was designed for application in orthopedic knee surgery, is a tool that makes it possible to reduce, repair, and fix knee fractures of any configuration and place any currently known type of cerclage wiring, implant, or securing device for the fixation of knee fractures using a minimally invasive technique and without dissecting soft tissues, and reducing the postoperative comorbidity of an open reduction that makes a longer incision in the tissues and exhibits greater comorbidity during the postoperative period. The system according to the invention makes it possible to achieve a compression of the fragments and keep them stable, and in turn, without removing the system, allows the reduction of the fracture to be manipulated mechanically and, if necessary, the correction of an articular incongruity of the surface of the knee cartilage. In turn, it has the characteristics of possessing, on the holding device arms, a slidable guide for the positioning of a longitudinally perforated rotating cylinder for the installation, via drilling, of Kirschner pins of any size oriented toward the fragments and through them in parallel form, thanks to the sliding of the guides in variable directions, which makes it possible to handle any size or type of kneecap with the security of placing the implant in a suitable direction and position. The four securing devices that hold the fracture fragments have their own mobility, which makes it possible to correct articular incongruities or manipulate the fragments without removing the system in order to reduce the fractures. With these characteristics the fragments technique is improved, the fragments are kept more stable, articular incongruities can be corrected, and in turn the implant can be placed more accurately, because the slidable guides place the implant accurately and not according to a manual calculation as is customarily done.
The system functions in the following way: Once a minimal incision approximately 5 mm long has been made in the lateral and base regions of the patella and the hematoma has been drained, the system is put in place with the holding arms open to their fullest extent; a "rack" is put into position that allows the parallel system to be closed but not opened unless the safety arm of the rack is removed; the system is put in place manually with the securing devices at the margin of the base of the patella and the other holding arm on the pole of the patella; and in the position of the pelvic extremity in extension the manual closure of the system is achieved; the fracture fragments are compressed; and, if necessary, the four securing devices (two for the base of the patella and two for the patellar pole) are calibrated according to the aperture diameter, because the securing devices are movable and adjusted to a patella of any size. Their size is calibrated and once the optimal size has been obtained the system is closed, the fragments of the patella are stabilized via the manual closure of the system, and palpation is performed with a blunt instrument, or an arthroscopic viewing device trough the initial incision in order to confirm the articular congruity of the patella being treated; in the event of articular incongruity the securing devices on the holding base or o the pole are manipulated via a movable mechanical mechanism that the system possesses by means of a T-type Allen wrench and the articular congruity, if present is corrected via the movements of the securing devices. Once the fragments have been- manipulated to the surgeon's satisfaction, the implant is placed bye means of the longitudinal drilling of the implant and through the fragments by means the initial placement first of a slidable guide that is located on any securing arm of the patellar pole or base; the guide is slid until it reaches the proper site for the placement of the implant and, in turn, a calibrated "jacket" or "barrel" is placed for the installation of Kirschner pins as a guide or final implant in parallel for and in any direction, because the above-mentioned "barrels" have eccentric and parallel perforations along the longitudinal axis of the extensor apparatus so as to obtain broader coverage during the placement of the implant. The angular inclination of the system makes it possible to obtain an x-ray projection in order to confirm the articular congruity as well as the position of the implant, which can be placed via the guides in any configuration.
(1)
(2)
(10)
(2)
(11)
(11
24)
(2)
(4)
(3)
(1)
(26)
(5)
(1)
(25)
(6)
(8)
(7)
Turning now to the above-mentioned figure, it can be seen that the system consists of two main arms that may have a cylindrical, quadrangular, or circular form; this arm carries the sharp-pointed securing devices , which may have a cylindrical or prismatic form, two of which are present on each arm, which are oriented toward the center of the securing devices and which have a tip that is inserted into the fracture fragments of the patellar pole and of the patellar base. These securing devices may carry an upward-and-downward movement mechanism that can be manipulated mechanically via the rotation of an internal-thread system by means of an Allen wrench, or the desired height of the securing elements cab be manipulated via the rotation of the "thread" and that makes it possible to manipulate the fracture fragments and move them so as to achieve satisfactory reduction and articular congruity of the fragments and of the articular surface. The patellar securing devices in turn may draw closer to each other on each arm in order to enclose any type or size of patella through manual manipulation or through an internal-thread system that can be manipulated via the rotation of the knob with these movements a kneecap of any size can be held. The holding arm has a smooth sliding surface that allows a "slidable guide" to be displaced along the main arm on either side the lower portion of this guide has an articulated longitudinal hollow cylindrical form with multidirectional movement controlled by degrees and whose longitudinal axis has an opening in order to be able to slide and to allow the installation of a Kirchner pin . This guide with its hollow cylinder in turn houses the slidable "jacket" or "barrel" that has a cylindrical form and that is eccentrically perforated, in parallel and in different sizes, so that when it is rotated the installation of the guide pin will enjoy greater coverage from deep to superficial, from anterior to posterior, and for a kneecap of any type or size. When the implant is placed the guide slides and any number of perforations can be made parallel to the longitudinal axis of the patella. Both of the holding arms are terminated in a region (43) that may take the form of a movable hinge (13 and 14) affixed to the compression arms (48) that carry the parallel closure mechanism. This inclination allows transoperative x-rays to be taken, and also allows articular congruity and the placement of the implant to be checked.
(48
15)
(20)
The parallel manual closure mechanism consists of two main arms and that have a slot along their longitudinal axis on each side, which slot has a "scissors" system consisting of two arms (16 and 50) that are secured by a screw (18) that allows movement but not sliding through the slot (20) such that the closure mechanism is parallel and the closure is controlled by a toothed "rack" (22) that maintains the desired compression (21) and in turn has a joint (23) that can be unlocked in order to start a new compression. The materials' form and size are subject to variation provided that they do not compromise the mechanisms as described or an alteration of the essential nature of the function of the system. The system may be made of stainless steel with the standard for surgical instruments. | |
For city dwellers in India, life in high-rise apartments amid the hustle-bustle of traffic has become the norm. Our days are spent in office cubicles and the only connection to nature is probably a tree outside the office window or a few flower pots in our balconies. Bird songs are restricted to mobile ring tones or the National Geographic channel! Nehal Shah was once very much a part of this world, but motherhood got her thinking about the kind of childhood she would be giving her son.
Nehal says, “Many of our first, most cherished childhood memories originate from direct experiences in nature together with a parent or a grandparent. Adults are effectively children’s gatekeepers to nature. It is important to keep in mind since kids today have considerably less freedom to play outside by themselves than their parents did. One of the reasons why I am so passionate about children spending time in nature is that it makes them more likely to protect the environment as adults.”
Nehal, 34, is the founder of Heart & Soil — a nature club for parents who want their children to discover the simple joys of being friends with nature. She started off with planning activities for her son so he could spend time outdoors instead of being cooped up at home in front of the television. In a natural progression, Nehal soon decided to start a nature club so that other parents could introduce their children to nature while also spending quality time together in what is essentially a bonding exercise. Hailing from a media background, Nehal was already experienced in organising events and so Heart & Soil was soon a reality.
The club started off very informally in September 2015 with Nehal’s husband lending a helping hand with the logistics and her mother even cooking and packing snacks for her first group of 30-odd parents and children. Nehal conducts her activities in around Mumbai with a few out of town trips thrown in. Heart & Soil has been working smoothly with minor hiccoughs despite the young age of its participants, presumably because it’s got its heart in the right place. She plans activities that range from a gardening get-together for a few hours to overnight camping trips. The group size ranges from 15 to 40 people. The activities can be broadly divided into nature-related ones like camping and trekking, adventure activities like kayaking and rappelling, and activities that introduce children to village life with a day at a farm. Children get to feed farm animals, indulge in creative activities like making a scarecrow, or go on a tractor ride. A recent trek organised by Nehal was on a flower trail near Sanjay Gandhi National Park so that kids could see the Karvi flower that blooms only once in eight years.
Nehal says,
I have seen multiple benefits up close as kids observe the flora and fauna and get comfortable in the countryside. They are participating in a process that promotes ecological awareness while at the same time improving their problem-solving skills and creativity. When children develop an early appreciation of nature, it will not only sensitise them to vital issues like ecological balance and the value of biodiversity but will also make a child’s world view that much richer and more inclusive.
There have been challenges, of course, from organising the logistics and food on time to handling children’s mood swings. However, Nehal often finds that children adapt easily and it is the parents who have mental blocks when it comes to allowing their children to play in the mud or eat the food prepared at a rural farm. When she senses a resistance in the father or mother, she encourages them to come in for a shorter activity at first, before joining overnight events. So, it is often a learning experience for both the parent and child.
Nehal prices the events very reasonably, with a farm trip costing Rs 900 for an adult and one child, because as a true mompreneur, her primary aim is to add value to other parents’ lives. “Seeing children excited about something as simple as drawing water from a well or frolicking with animals at a farm is heartening to watch,” she says.
Nehal also shares nature activity tips with parents through parenting platform BabyChakra and her plans include helping make happy memories for many more children and their families. She wants to include more activities that will help children understand the benefits of organic foods. Spending time at farms where they see cows being milked or vegetables getting harvested helps open their minds to healthy eating and an active lifestyle. | https://yourstory.com/2016/11/nehal-shah-mumbai |
Hello, and welcome to my personal blog about traveling. My name is John Cherokee, I am a person with a passion for traveling and a nature lover. Throughout my whole life, I loved to visit new places that I never been to, I am very happy and thankful that I can travel around the world.
A Little Bit About Me…
Wherever I travel to, I try to find some place where I can volunteer because I have found out that it is the best way to learn about some culture and meet the local people. My boy scout experience has helped me out in a lot of different situations. I try to use all the experience and knowledge that I got from the boy scouts.
Traveling is My Passion
Traveling has been my passion my entire life, even when I was a little kid, I always wanted to travel and visit new locations that I have never been to. The boy scouts experience was the best time of my life because I learned a lot of things and I have traveled a lot.
My Favourite Locations
Read My Blog
You would be amazed at the sheer amount of knots that one has to learn when in the boy scouts (I sure know I was). But what surprised me the most was, how knowledge of these knots can be applied in other situations. Of course, when you are learning something, it can be hard to […]
One of the best skills I learned as part of the boy scouts was how to choose the perfect base, when you need to camp out for the night. There are a number of steps you can take also, based on boy scout techniques, that will ensure that you have a very positive camping out […]
The time of year is fast approaching where many people decide it is time to spend a little bit of time in the great outdoors, camping. I myself like to spend time out on fishing trips or when I go kayaking, immersed in Mother Nature. But I’ve learned down through the years, both in my […]
Ultimate Camping Supply List
With summer just around the corner, many people hope to get out into the wilderness. They want to be where they can enjoy weekend camping trips and other adventures that are only made possible through being outdoors. This also means we spend time looking now for everything on their ultimate camping supply list.
Why We Need to Update Our Supply List
When we think about camping, there are certain things that serve a purpose and some that don’t. You should always take along your medications, a tent, sleeping bags, bug repellent, and other similar items. If you want to be prepared for anything that may come, a knife, gun, and other things can also be beneficial. In fact, many people consider them necessities. You don’t want to come upon a wild animal without having something to protect yourself with.
The thing is, we often forget that our basic supplies could be perhaps better. New things are always coming out for the people who love the great outdoors. Tents that have more space, more protection from the elements, and improved sleeping bags are only the beginning.
What’s Popular in Camping Gear?
This year, there are large four people tents, double sleeping bags that are guaranteed to make your night’s sleep a good one, and even self-inflating mats if you want to amp up your comfort. Beyond the basics, there are new camping lanterns. They work safely on very little power so your generator doesn’t suffer if you choose to take along some modern convenience.
We personally like the new cookware sets that are available. These sets allow you to carry them with you while taking up very little of your storage space. This is exceptionally nice when you pair it with a 12V Thermoelectric Cooler. All your cookware can fit inside of it while you wait to catch your dinner or you can fill it with cold beverages and snacks from home. You get to choose.
At the end of your camping trip, you may also want to have a camping trashcan available to use. This will ensure that you leave nothing behind you when you leave except for your footprints.
Getting Back to Nature
We all enjoy the idea of getting back to nature. It is something that we typically look forward to all winter long. Whether we enjoy spending time in the woods or on the beach, we can benefit from a lot of the new gear that is available this year. It is a great time to get prepared for when you will be able to do the things you love the most. What type of things do you want to have within easy reach?
Solutions to Mosquito & Pest Free Scouting Trips
Just because you love spending time in the outdoors, does not mean you have to love all parts of nature. You can choose to embrace the tent, or you can relax in a cabin. You can enjoy swimming in the lake, or you can opt to sit around a campfire. The beauty of the outdoors is that there is always something for every person to enjoy doing most. The downside is, when you are having fun, pests are there to spoil it. What if there was a viable solution to mosquito and pest control that could be used on scouting trips? Would you enjoy it a little more?
For the Love of Nature
Everyone loves the idea of camping and spending the time outdoors. Yet, we often hate that we are in the great outdoors. It comes with certain annoyances. Kids are often not excited to get mosquito bites. We don’t want to apply a lot of bug repellent to help them out. Adults who love scouting trips and camps, also dread getting “bugged”. The growing concern over DEET, only makes it worse. How do you manage to get beyond the bugs and back to having a good time?
Stop Bugs from Bothering Troops
As a scout leader, you know that time in the woods is more than a camping trip. You teach kids about teamwork. You explore the world. You get in touch with nature. No one wants a good trip to be spoiled by pests. Luckily, you have pest control options that can be effective on a weekend outing.
Let the Camping Fun Begin
Any camping trip will experience some problem with insects and bug bites. You are in a bug’s territory when you set out for the nearest wooded camping space. You can’t change that, and you cannot eliminate all pests. Would you really want to? Solutions to pest free scouting trips are not supposed to kill all bugs. It allows troops and scouts to avoid walking into a breeding ground without protection. The point of a trip out is to have fun. Bugs should not be the thing that makes it miserable.
Modern Day Camping Necessities
At one time, if you said you were going camping, it meant that you were roughing it. We imagine them eating roots, fish, and whatever they can catch. We may even imagine that person taking a bath in a lake, wiping with leaves, and covered in bug bites for the love of nature. Off the grid may still be popular for some, but camping in today’s world has basically evolved into “glamping” where we sacrifice only our home, not the electronics that we love so much. This means that we also have a few new modern day camping necessities that many are not willing to sacrifice.
For the Fun of Camping
There are many families out there that still enjoy camping as a family or going on scouting trips with their troop. However, roughing it in today’s world has definitely taken on a new look since most of us insist on brining along our iPhone or our iPads. We may also take along digital cameras, portable toilets, actual toilet paper, and other things that we feel keep us separated from the local wildlife. This isn’t a bad thing. We can still enjoy being out in the great outdoors, even if we do insist on a few luxuries. It can still be a bonding experience between troop members and the family members who are able to attend. In fact, it may help us to embrace the “off the grid” life a little more fully and help us to create memories that truly last a lifetime.
The New and Improved Camping Experience
When a parent sends their young scout out on a camping trip in the woods, a smart phone allows that child to call for help if they are unhappy or lost in the woods. This opens up the doors for more exploration. A family that goes out camping together can take photos of their time together by using their electronic devices. By having some of the modern amenities along, it has also encouraged people who would normally be unhappy about camping with the family to embrace the experience of it. Let’s say a family with a child who was afraid of the dark used a 2000 watt generator so that their child could have a night light. The child now loves camping and has even overcome their fear of the dark. Stranger things have happened with the newest way of camping out. Teens who hesitate to leave their friends and social media for a weekend with their parents in the woods, are more likely to go and share photos or update their status talking about the fun they are having. Family’s who take photographs of fish that were caught, end up looking forward to the next trip out together.
Embrace the Devices!
Our kids are only kids for so long. Then they are grown with kids of their own. They may even live in areas that are across a world from you. We have the devices to make memories special, even when we are camping out. We say, embrace it and simply enjoy the fact that you are doing things together, as a family, while you still can! | http://www.cherokeescouting.org/ |
[Cite as Fife v. Dept. of Rehab. & Corr., 2016-Ohio-1279.]
HAYDEN FIFE Case No. 2015-00523
Plaintiff Judge Patrick M. McGrath
Magistrate Gary Peterson
v.
ENTRY GRANTING DEFENDANT’S
DEPARTMENT OF REHABILITATION MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT
AND CORRECTION
Defendant
{¶1} On December 8, 2015, defendant filed a motion for summary judgment
pursuant to Civ.R. 56(B). Plaintiff did not file a response. The motion is now before the
court for a non-oral hearing pursuant to L.C.C.R. 4(D).
{¶2} Civ.R. 56(C) states, in part, as follows:
{¶3} “Summary judgment shall be rendered forthwith if the pleadings,
depositions, answers to interrogatories, written admissions, affidavits, transcripts of
evidence, and written stipulations of fact, if any, timely filed in the action, show that
there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to
judgment as a matter of law. No evidence or stipulation may be considered except as
stated in this rule. A summary judgment shall not be rendered unless it appears from
the evidence or stipulation, and only from the evidence or stipulation, that reasonable
minds can come to but one conclusion and that conclusion is adverse to the party
against whom the motion for summary judgment is made, that party being entitled to
have the evidence or stipulation construed most strongly in the party’s favor.” See also
Gilbert v. Summit Cty., 104 Ohio St.3d 660, 2004-Ohio-7108, citing Temple v. Wean
United, Inc., 50 Ohio St.2d 317 (1977).
{¶4} According to the complaint, plaintiff is an inmate in the custody and control
of defendant. The complaint, which contains few factual details, provides that on
Case No. 2015-00523 -2- ENTRY
January 14, 2015, staff members at the Ross Correctional Institution (RCI) “maliciously
assaulted Plaintiff, knowing fully well that Plaintiff is on Defendant’s mental health
caseload.” Plaintiff alleges that the staff members should have known that he had not
taken his mental health medication and that no use of force documentation was
initiated.
{¶5} Defendant argues that it is entitled to summary judgment on plaintiff’s claim
arising from the alleged assault, and that, to the extent that plaintiff has alleged that
defendant’s staff members failed to follow internal rules or procedures, there is no
cause of action for such alleged violations.
{¶6} In addition to the theory of assault pleaded in the complaint, it has been held
that allegations of “unnecessary or excessive force against an inmate may state claims
for battery and/or negligence.” Brown v. Dept. of Rehab. & Corr., 10th Dist. Franklin No.
13AP-804, 2014-Ohio-1810, ¶ 13.
{¶7} “To prove assault under Ohio law, plaintiff must show that the defendant
willfully threatened or attempted to harm or touch the plaintiff offensively in a manner
that reasonably placed the plaintiff in fear of the contact. To prove battery, the plaintiff
must prove that the intentional contact by the defendant was harmful or offensive. Ohio
courts have held that, in a civil action for assault and battery, the defendant has the
burden of proving a defense of justification, such as the exercise of lawful authority.”
(Citations omitted.) Miller v. Ohio Dept. of Rehab. & Corr., 10th Dist. Franklin No.
12AP-12, 2012-Ohio-3382, ¶ 11.
{¶8} “To recover on a negligence claim, a plaintiff must prove by a
preponderance of the evidence (1) that a defendant owed the plaintiff a duty, (2) that a
defendant breached that duty, and (3) that the breach of the duty proximately caused a
plaintiff’s injury.” Ford v. Ohio Dept. of Rehab. & Corr., 10th Dist. Franklin No. 05AP-
357, 2006-Ohio-2531, ¶ 10. “Ohio law imposes a duty of reasonable care upon the
Case No. 2015-00523 -3- ENTRY
state to provide for its prisoners’ health, care, and well-being.” Ensman v. Ohio Dept. of
Rehab. & Corr., 10th Dist. Franklin No. 06AP-592, 2006-Ohio-6788, ¶ 5.
{¶9} “The use of force is sometimes necessary to control inmates.” Jodrey v.
Ohio Dept. of Rehab. & Corr., 10th Dist. Franklin No. 12AP-477, 2013-Ohio-289, ¶ 17.
“Correctional officers considering the use of force must evaluate the need to use force
based on the circumstances as known and perceived at the time it is considered.”
Brown at ¶ 15, citing Ohio Adm.Code 5120-9-01(C). “[T]he precise degree of force
required to respond to a given situation requires an exercise of discretion by the
corrections officer.” Ensman at ¶ 23. “In Ohio Adm.Code 5120-9-01, the Ohio
Administrative Code sets forth the circumstances under which correctional officers are
authorized to use force against an inmate.” Id. at ¶ 6.
{¶10} Ohio Adm.Code 5120-9-01 provides, in pertinent part:
{¶11} “(C) Guidelines regarding the use of force. * * *
{¶12} “* * *
{¶13} “(2) Less-than-deadly force. There are six general circumstances in which
a staff member may use force against an inmate or third person. A staff member may
use less-than-deadly force against an inmate in the following circumstances:
{¶14} “(a) Self-defense from physical attack or threat of physical harm.
{¶15} “(b) Defense of another from physical attack or threat of physical attack.
{¶16} “(c) When necessary to control or subdue an inmate who refuses to obey
prison rules, regulations or orders.
{¶17} “(d) When necessary to stop an inmate from destroying property or
engaging in a riot or other disturbance.
{¶18} “(e) Prevention of an escape or apprehension of an escapee; or
{¶19} “(f) Controlling or subduing an inmate in order to stop or prevent self-
inflicted harm.”
Case No. 2015-00523 -4- ENTRY
{¶20} “Pursuant to Ohio Adm.Code 5120-9-01(C)(1)(a), correctional officers ‘may
use force only to the extent deemed necessary to control the situation.’ Additionally,
correctional officers ‘should attempt to use only the amount of force reasonably
necessary under the circumstances to control the situation and shall attempt to
minimize physical injury.’ Ohio Adm.Code 5120-9-01(C)(1)(b).” Brown at ¶ 16. Also
pertinent is Ohio Adm.Code 5120-9-01(B)(3), which defines “excessive force” as “an
application of force which, either by the type of force employed, or the extent to which
such force is employed, exceeds that force which reasonably appears to be necessary
under all the circumstances surrounding the incident.”
{¶21} In support of its motion, defendant submitted the affidavits from the
following RCI staff members: Corrections Captain Nathan Thompson, Corrections
Lieutenant Kevin S. Riffe, Corrections Lieutenant Clyde L. Spencer, Corrections Officer
Jered W. Knisley, and Corrections Officer Brad T. Reese.
{¶22} As set forth in the affidavits, on January 14, 2015, plaintiff was brought to
Corrections Captain Thompson’s office as a result of being suspected of illicitly
smuggling food out of the chow hall. While in Thompson’s office, Corrections
Lieutenants Riffe and Spencer and Corrections Officers Knisley and Reese describe
plaintiff as yelling aggressively and argumentatively, and generally acting in a
threatening manner. Riffe, Spencer, and Knisley aver that plaintiff remarked something
to the effect of “bring it on; I am ready” while taking off his jacket. Each of the affiants
avers that plaintiff thereafter swung his fist at Spencer, missed, and struck Knisley.
Riffe avers that he subsequently grabbed plaintiff over the shoulder, and that along with
the assistance of Reese and Knisley, plaintiff was taken to the ground. Riffe, Reese,
and Knisley aver that plaintiff continued to struggle while on the ground but they were
able to put handcuffs on plaintiff at that point. Thompson, Riffe, Spencer, Knisley, and
Reese, further state that they were not aware of whether plaintiff was taking any
medication for mental health issues and that pursuant to DRC policy, the appropriate
Case No. 2015-00523 -5- ENTRY
level of force for a given situation does not change dependent on whether the inmate is
on such medication. All of the affiants authenticate incident reports that they prepared
to document the matter. Thompson authenticates documents related to the use of force
investigation.
{¶23} As stated above, plaintiff did not file a response to defendant’s motion, nor
did he provide the court with any affidavit or other evidence to support his allegations.
Civ.R. 56(E) states, in part, that “[w]hen a motion for summary judgment is made and
supported as provided in this rule, an adverse party may not rest upon the mere
allegations or denials of the party’s pleadings, but the party’s response, by affidavit or
as otherwise provided in this rule, must set forth specific facts showing that there is a
genuine issue for trial. If the party does not so respond, summary judgment, if
appropriate, shall be entered against the party.”
{¶24} Based upon the uncontested affidavit testimony provided by defendant,
reasonable minds can only conclude that plaintiff was brought to Thompson’s office as a
result of being suspected of illicitly smuggling food out of the chow hall. While in
Thompson’s office, plaintiff was argumentative, aggressive and threatening. It is
undisputed that plaintiff remarked “bring it on; I am ready,” removed his jacket, and
swung his fist at Spencer and struck Knisley. Thereafter, plaintiff was taken to the
ground where he continued to resist; however, Riffe, Reese, and Knisley were able to
place handcuffs on plaintiff. Finally, it is undisputed that none of the officers involved
knew whether plaintiff was taking medication for any mental health issues. Each of the
officers completed incident reports and Thompson completed a use of force
investigation.
{¶25} It can only be concluded that, under the circumstances, the officers had the
lawful authority and privilege to use such force as may have reasonably appeared
necessary under the circumstances to both control or subdue plaintiff and to prevent
harm to others and themselves. It must also be concluded that the degree of force used
Case No. 2015-00523 -6- ENTRY
during the incident was justified and privileged, and satisfied the duty of reasonable
care.
{¶26} To the extent plaintiff has alleged that defendant’s employees violated
internal rules or procedures, such internal rules, policies, procedures, and regulations
are primarily designed to guide correctional officials in prison administration rather than
to confer rights on inmates. State ex rel. Larkins v. Wilkinson, 79 Ohio St.3d 477, 479
(1997); Peters v. Dept. of Rehab & Corr., 10th Dist. Franklin No. 14AP-1048, 2015-
Ohio-2668. Accordingly, there is no claim for relief based solely upon the violation of
internal rules and policies. Triplett v. Warren Corr. Inst., 10th Dist. Franklin No. 12AP-
728, 2013-Ohio-2743, ¶ 10.
{¶27} Based upon the foregoing, it can only be concluded that there are no
genuine issues of material fact and that defendant is entitled to judgment as a matter of
law on plaintiff’s assault claim. To the extent plaintiff claims a violation of internal rules
or procedures, no such cause of action exists. Accordingly, defendant’s motion for
summary judgment is GRANTED and judgment is rendered in favor of defendant. All
other pending motions are DENIED as moot. All previously scheduled events are
hereby VACATED. Court costs are assessed against plaintiff. The clerk shall serve
upon all parties notice of this judgment and its date of entry upon the journal.
PATRICK M. MCGRATH
Judge
cc:
Hayden Fife, #665-366 Lee Ann Rabe
P.O. Box 120 Assistant Attorney General
Lebanon, Ohio 45036 150 East Gay Street, 18th Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215-3130
Filed February 24, 2016
Sent To S.C. Reporter 3/25/16
| |
Dallas Wilson had wins and personal records in the shot put and discus as the Chico State men”s track and field team dominated its own Chico State Four-Year Invitational on Saturday at University Stadium.
Wilson had a shot put of 48 feet, 9.5 inches and a 147-8 toss of the discus to set personal bests. The junior also finished second in the hammer throw.
Chico State scored 83 points in the competition, aided by Joey Johnson”s 200 meters win and Sean Goetzl”s win in the 110 hurdles. Other wins include Christopher Kaiakapu in the javelin, J. Patrick Smith in the long jump and 100, Kyle Fales in the 800, Zach Long in the high jump and Jackson Price in the pole vault.
The 400 relay team of Smith, Johnson, John Brunk and Theodore Elsenbaumer took first, as did the 1,600 relay team of Fales, Johnson, Brock Kraus and Smith. The Wildcats took 12 of 16 events overall on the day.
American River Invitational >> Butte”s Max Bryson won the javelin with a toss of 170-3 to lead the Roadrunners. Michael Haddorff also placed for Butte, taking second in the discus with a throw of 141-11.
College Women”s Track and Field
Chico State Four-Year Invitational >> The Wildcats won 12 events at University Stadium, led by Tori Mason”s wins in the 100-meter hurdles and 400 hurdles. Mason ended the day with a win in the 1,600 relay along with Erica Arenas, Tibire Edwards and Emily Denton.
Kasey Barnett vaulted 12-7.5 for a win and also won the long jump at 19-1.5. Kapri Madrid won two events as well, taking the discus with 125-4 and 126-11.
Other event winners included Erin Eicholtz in the 800, Amilia Santos in the 100, Meghan Delamater in the javelin and Dominique Powell in the high jump.
American River Invitational >> Lauren Magneson represented Butte by winning the high jump with a mark of 4 feet, 11.5 inches at the American River invite.
Prep Boys Volleyball
UC Davis Tournament >> Pleasant Valley went 2-3 in the tournament, beginning with a loss to Serra (25-19, 25-18), a win over Concord (25-18, 25-15) and then a loss to Granite Bay, 25-11, 25-23. From there, the Vikings entered the playoff bracket and beat Davis 21-25, 25-22, 15-13. In the quarterfinals, PV fell to Bentley 25-18, 23-25, 15-8.
Kayden Walker had 24 kills, 20 digs and six blocks on the day, while Brandon Biermann had 38 kills, 34 digs and three blocks. Zack Bittner had 25 digs and 10 kills, while Ben Sanders had 75 assists, 31 digs, 12 kills and seven aces in the tournament for Pleasant Valley (4-14).
Chico also played in the tournament, going 3-3 on the day. Chico beat Sheldon 25-22, 23-25, 15-12, lost to St. Ignatius 25-23, 25-18, and beat Davis 25-17, 22-25, 15-13. The Panthers went on to lose to Vista 25-22, 25-21, beat Concord 25-15, 25-17 and lost to Kennedy 25-16, 25-21. | |
Original Buchtitel: UBICOMM 2012, Sixth International Conference on Mobile Ubiquitous Computing, Systems, Services and Technologies,Sept. 23-28, Barcelona, Spain, 2012.
Original Kurzfassung: Mobile devices get smarter and increasingly provide access to sensitive data. Smart phones and tablet computers present detailed contact information, e-mail messages, appointments, and much more. Users often install apps on their devices to get additional functionality like games, or access to social networks. Too often, such apps access sensitive data and take privacy less serious than expected by users. In this paper, we will have a closer look at permissions that users grant to apps in Android, a wide-spread operating system for mobile devices like smart phones. As it turns out, Android does not provide sufficient control to their users about what apps are allowed to do. We demonstrate the feasibility of a permission tracking functionality, but conclude that thorough modifications in Android itself will be necessary to provide satisfying control of apps? permissions and users? privacy. | https://fodok.uni-linz.ac.at/fodok/publikation.xsql?PUB_ID=42007 |
What can you do about boredom? Obviously, there are times when you are stuck. If you are listening to a lecture that you cannot leave, then you just need to find a way to get through it. When you have some control, though, use your understanding of boredom to help you out. If you can, try to do a meditation exercise to lower your arousal level. Also, keep some music handy. Music you enjoy can crowd out distractions in the environment. It can also influence your mood in positive ways to counteract the pain of being bored.
Although it has not been widely studied, research on boredom suggests that boredom is a major factor impacting diverse areas of a person's life. People ranked low on a boredom-proneness scale were found to have better performance in a wide variety of aspects of their lives, including career, education, and autonomy. Boredom can be a symptom of clinical depression. Boredom can be a form of learned helplessness, a phenomenon closely related to depression. Some philosophies of parenting propose that if children are raised in an environment devoid of stimuli, and are not allowed or encouraged to interact with their environment, they will fail to develop the mental capacities to do so.
The most common way to define boredom in Western culture is having nothing to do. Boredom is generally viewed as an unpleasant emotional state in which the individual feels a pervasive lack of interest in and difficulty concentrating on the current activity. The condition corresponds more precisely to the French ennui, an existential perception of life’s futility. Ennui is a consequence of unfulfilled aspirations (Goodstein, 2005).
Some individuals are more likely to be bored than others. People with a strong need for novelty, excitement, and variety are at risk of boredom. These sensation seekers (e.g., skydivers) are likely to find that the world moves too slowly. The need for external stimulation may explain why extroverts tend to be particularly prone to boredom. Novelty seeking and risk-taking is the way that these people self-medicate to cure their boredom.
Absent-mindedness is where a person shows inattentive or forgetful behaviour. Absent-mindedness is a mental condition in which the subject experiences low levels of attention and frequent distraction. Absent-mindedness is not a diagnosed condition but rather a symptom of boredom and sleepiness which people experience in their daily lives. When suffering from absent-mindedness, people tend to show signs of memory lapse and weak recollection of recently occurring events. This can usually be a result of a variety of other conditions often diagnosed by clinicians such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and depression. In addition to absent-mindedness leading to an array of consequences affecting daily life, it can have as more severe, long-term problems.
The authors of this paper point to an interesting study by Robin Damrad-Frye and James Laird in the August 1989 issue of the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. In this study, participants had to listen to a tape of a person reading a Psychology Today article. In the next room, there was a television soundtrack from a soap opera playing. For some groups listening to the article, the TV was very loud and distracting, for others it was barely noticeable, and for some it was not playing at all. After listening to the article, people rated their boredom during the study.
Erich Fromm and other thinkers of critical theory speak of boredom as a common psychological response to industrial society, where people are required to engage in alienated labor. According to Fromm, boredom is "perhaps the most important source of aggression and destructiveness today." For Fromm, the search for thrills and novelty that characterizes consumer culture are not solutions to boredom, but mere distractions from boredom which, he argues, continues unconsciously. Above and beyond taste and character, the universal case of boredom consists in any instance of waiting, as Heidegger noted, such as in line, for someone else to arrive or finish a task, or while one is travelling somewhere. The automobile requires fast reflexes, making its operator busy and hence, perhaps for other reasons as well, making the ride more tedious despite being over sooner.
The bored antihero became prominent in early 20th century existentialist works such as Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis (1915), Jean-Paul Sartre's La Nausée (1938) (French for 'Nausea'), and Albert Camus' L'Étranger (1942) (French for 'The Stranger'). The protagonist in these works is an indecisive central character who drifts through his life and is marked by ennui, angst, and alienation.
There’s no specific, medical treatment for boredom. However, there are tons of solutions if you’re experiencing boredom. For example, you may want to consider trying some new hobbies or other new diversional activities. Joining a club can be a good way to thwart your boredom. Reading clubs, hobby groups, or exercise groups are all great places to start. Joining a community group that organizes activities and outings is another good idea. | https://enuui.org/why-do-i-get-bored-so-easily-cure-for-ennui.html |
How To Help Your Child Improve In Maths
I am going to start this article off with a story. As I write this article, PSLE exam results just came out and a good percentage of our students got the elusive A star. And even more so, we would like to highlight just one humble story, a story that may resonate with you and your child, that, there is in fact a way out. A way, a method, that if used with discipline can and will help your child. And with every inch of conviction and a congratulatory message from the parent of the child, we would like to share one such success story with you, amidst plenty that we have experienced as teachers. And may I add that this is what teachers live for.
A backdrop of the story is necessary. While this girl did not get the coveted A star, she received an A nonetheless. Let us call her Belle.( Her real name is not Belle) But let us not forget where she started from. In primary 5, she scored less than 50 marks for SA 1. But for PSLE, she got an A.
Surely that is a remarkable improvement. And we applaud the student for it.
So why is that?
What did this student do that others didn’t?
What is it that we do that helps students do well?
Can this be replicated?
Can this system be taught?
Can thinking be inculcated?
Polya’s Problem Solving Strategies
At this point, we want to introduce George Polya’s framework to solving mathematical problems. In 1945, Polya, a mathematician wrote a seminal classic on How To Solve It which sold a million copies and was translated into 17 languages. Polya broke problem solving down to:
- Understand the problem
- Devise a plan
- Carry out the plan
- Reflection on the problem
This set of steps to better problem solving, if you will, has long been introduced in schools in Singapore. And the effectiveness of Polya’s methods have already been proven, recognised and even endorsed by other mathematicians.
The question is : Is there a way to improve on Polya’s problem solving processes?
General Weaknesses Of Students
Some of the problems that we encountered with students is that they often try to see the end of the question without actually working on what needs to be worked on first. And at other times, students are careless, make wrong assumptions often and also have a first conclusion bias when it came to problem solving. The first conclusion bias is actually a term borrowed from psychology where a thinker tends to think that the first conclusion is correct. In that sense,there is a tendency to attribute correctness to the first set of drawn conclusions. Another problem when trying to solve a mathematical question hinges on the decision making ability of the student. We would classify this issue as incorrect decisions.
So in summary, the other weaknesses that students have while trying to solve questions are :
- Poor decision making ability
- Incorrect assumptions
- Too much guessing involved
- Latent biases such as the first conclusion bias
- Errors in calculation
Any educator who has been in the profession and has had an interaction with students will at some point come upon these issues. Parents too will also face similar issues when tutoring their own kids. That is also the reason why we at www.singaporemathguru.com started our own video learning company to help parents and other educators.
Our solution to the problems above
Our solutions to these weaknesses above are laden, explained away, taught, dissected and grilled into our students with our 330 hour video library to over 10,000 free examination questions from primary 1 to 6. And this is how we solve the problems above.
We incorporate first principles thinking to problem solving. That is, we ask our students to ask themselves what is it they know, from reading the question, that has a state of certainty. Then, work from there to solve the question. That state of certainty is often a statement within the question that contains a very clear message.
Let me list some examples here.
John has 30 beads and Mary has 15 more than John.
So from this statement alone, a student can work a couple of things out.
After reading the statement, the student should start to underline/highlight the key information in the question. Key information is information needed such that the problem can be solved. So in this case, the student should underline or highlight :
John has 30 beads and Mary has 15 more than John.
The next is to react to the statement.
30 + 15 = 45
Mary has 45 beads.
45 + 30 = 75
They have a total of 75 beads.
So by doing so, the student is incorporating elements of first principles thinking to the question and working from certainty.
So it is not that Mary has 15 less or John has 15 more.
It is that Mary has 45 beads and they have a total of 75 beads.
3 is the magic number
From our experience as educators, 3 seems to be the magic number. Can you examine your thought processes above. Are you working with clarity? Is there a flippant or careless attitude? Do you know the question deeply?
If you repeat to yourself once, you know a little. But if you repeat to yourself thrice and then acting on it, you know deeply. Hence we call our approach:
- Read
- Underline
- React immediately
The reaction can be some workings, a model or something visual. This also incorporates elements of first principles thinking and Polya’s advocacy of using a visual diagram or a picture.
A side note though. Elon Musk, a famous entrepreneur and founder of Tesla and SpaceX, uses first principles thinking on a very deep level when trying to solve real world problems. And if it can be used for solving real world problems, it can be used to solve mathematical problems. Elon Musk did say that it is good to “take a position that you are some degree wrong and your goal is to be less wrong over time”. For a man who has solved so many of the world’s complex business problems, perhaps we should borrow some of his wisdom and help our children develop that ability to think.
What is first principles thinking?
First principles thinking is a way of thinking that does not allow for incorrect assumptions and poor decision making to creep into the mind while making a decision. It is likened to a basic assumption that cannot be further deduced. It is a way to thinking deeper and deeper into the problem until one is left with foundational truths.
And why is this even important?
Because it helps our children solve math questions. No incorrect assumptions. No wild guessing. Just really good foundational truths to build upon. And if you think about it, that really makes sense. The only way that you can get full marks for solving a question is to be right from the start to the end. Build foundational truths, one at a time, till the correct answer is found. So the emphasis should not be placed on the answer but rather, the immediate steps to take to get to these foundational truths.
How does SingaporeMathGuru do it?
With the strategies that Polya has laid out, first principles thinking and the Read,Underline,React Now approach, we have created more than 300 hours of worked video explanations to questions to guide students to become better thinkers and to get that elusive A star.
Our questions are free to peruse and attempt with progress tracked on an exercise level. As these videos are a self learning tool, we encourage parents who are interested to also learn with their kids watching the videos together with them. The videos will contain a whiteboard with a teacher explaining in an exacting amount of detail, what to do, when to do, why to do, where, who and how, to the student, incorporating elements, thought processes and habits that help a student towards the A and the elusive A star. | https://www.singaporemathguru.com/blog/how-to-help-your-child-improve-in-maths/ |
Before Exams: 7 Helpful Memory Improvement Tecniques
Exams often cause a lot of anxiety to students because of the amount of information they’re expected to master in a short time. If you’re afraid your memory will fail you during your tests, don’t worry. There are several ways you can boost your memory and retention before test day. Here are some great practices that will improve your memory:
Get Your Z’s
While pulling an all-nighter to cram the night before an exam may seem like a good idea, allowing you extra hours of studying, it can actually have a negative effect on your exam outcome. That’s because sleep is an important part of brain function. Your brain actually synthesizes the information it learned during sleep. Sleep also aids in memory formation, allowing you to recall information later. Without these hours of rest and rejuvenation, the brain’s cognitive abilities are inhibited. It’s much more effective for you to get a good night’s sleep than to push through until dawn looking over information you may not be able to remember anyway. If you have no choice and need to study at night, at least find out how to study for a test the night before without harming your he
Diet
Give yourself some healthy brain food before an exam. Don’t skip any meals. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and omega 3 fatty acids. Some high-power brain foods are:
- Broccoli and cauliflower
- Walnuts
- Chickpeas
- Red meat
- Blueberries
- Olive oil
- Salmon
- Avocado
- Eggs
Exercise
Getting a bit of exercise before a test is a great way to increase the blood and oxygen flow to the brain. A quick run or bicycle ride in the morning or some jumping jacks, yoga or calisthenics should be enough to get your heart rate up and your blood pumping. Physical exercise is also a great way to boost your mood and overall sense of well-being – an ideal state of mind and body to be in before you take your exam.
Association
A lot of exam studying is memorization, but, unfortunately, memorization is short term, meaning you’ll likely forget the information soon after you take the test. Learning how to make associations can help you to retain the information for longer. For example, you could make up Acronyms or letter associations for certain concepts such as Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally which stands for the order of operations for mathematical problems (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction). Creating a rhyme could also help you remember important names or dates (In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue). More tips on memorizing you can find in our post on how to develop photographic memory.
Visualization
Visualization is a powerful technique that can be used for all subjects. If you’re studying for a History exam, try to imagine the events as they take place. If you’ve watched a documentary or film about the events, try to incorporate those images into your memory. For a Biology exam, recall the slides of the different specimen you studied. Visualize their movements and behaviors and apply that to the concepts you learned in class. For a math exam, you can visualize equations in their most simple forms and use that to apply to more complicated equations on the exam. Also, you should try the technique of building mind palace (like Sherlock, you know?).
Divide and conquer
Don’t study for all of your exams all at once. Instead, focus on one at a time. By taking one subject and reviewing your notes and using some of the techniques mentioned above, you’re creating a specific compartment in your brain for you to recall that information. Mixing all of the information up will cause some confusing cross-referencing when it’s time to take the exams. See your studying through from start to finish on one subject, allowing some time to review your notes before the big test.
Relaxation
Probably the worst thing you can do to your exam performance is stress out. A little adrenaline is natural, but going into a downward spiral of negative thinking, anxiety and even hyperventilation will only make things worse. Stress causes your blood vessels to constrict, inhibiting the flow of blood and oxygen throughout the body, including to the brain. Without these necessary elements, the brain’s function also gets reduced.
If you have a tendency to stress out before a big test or exam, try taking some time right before the test to relax. Find a quiet spot, or put on some headphones and listen to some soothing music. Take several long, deep breaths. Search for any tension in your body and see if you’re able to relax those tense areas. When the time comes to start the exam, maintain that relaxed state of mind and if you feel yourself tensing up, take deep breaths and remember to relax. | https://blog.essaytigers.com/exams-7-helpful-memory-improvement-tecniques/ |
The city of Chicago is pushing through two changes: first, side streets will now only be plowed during union working hours, which apparently are weekdays 7am-3pm (hat tip: Neal Boortz, via americanthinker.com):
CHICAGO (CBS) — Mayor Richard M. Daley said Tuesday that city crews will cut back on plowing side streets this winter in an effort to save money. The mayor said the city will only plow side streets during weekday union business hours this winter, rather than during overtime hours.
The other change? City parking meters are being outsourced and will have their rates double or more over the next 5 years, plus the meters will have to be fed 24/7 (hat tip: my wonderful girlfriend):
Motorists will pay $6.50 an hour by 2013 to feed downtown parking meters — more than double the current rate — and neighborhood parkers will see an eight-fold increase under a $1.15 billion privatization plan that raised eyebrows in the City Council.
…
In addition to the possibility of “congestion pricing,” the deal calls for meter rates in the Loop to rise to $3.50 an hour in 2009; $4.25 in 2010; $5 in 2011; $5.75 in 2012, and $6.50 in 2013. Central business district rates outside the Loop would go from $1 an hour to $2 in 2009; $2.50 in 2010; $3 in 2011; $3.50 in 2012, and $4 in 2013. Rates would be cut in half between 9 p.m. and 8 a.m., but meters would have to be fed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Need I add that the city of Chicago is pretty much owned by the Democratic Party? Personally, I’m rooting for blizzards to hit Chicago every Friday afternoon all winter long. Imagine someone getting a ticket because their car was snowed in next to a parking meter all weekend long and they couldn’t move it because the street hadn’t been plowed the whole time. | https://redstate.com/diary/finrod/2008/12/04/chicago-where-services-are-only-available-on-union-hours-but-you-have-to-pay-247-n191237 |
The “sixth rock from the Sun,” Saturn, named after the Roman God, is the second largest planet in the Solar System following Jupiter.
Two things which set Saturn apart from other planets are its nine rings composed of ice particles along with some rocky debris and dust, as well as at least 62 moons. Saturn’s atmosphere is composed of 96% hydrogen, 3% helium with traces of other gases.
The images below were captured by NASA’s Cassini Missions, Equinox and Solstice. Four of the images are natural color and one is ultra-violet.
An intriguing planet, to be sure.
For many more images visit: NASA Saturn Cassini Images. | https://scottdwelch-mainstreetone.com/2011/09/09/nasas-cassini-missions-view-saturn/ |
Wealth, Profit, and Success Come from God” is the third essential truth point in the series of 7.7 Biblical Secrets to Success. In this episode, the LRPN team breaks down what it means to truly embrace the belief that wealth and success comes from God. Sean, Deborah, Troy and Adrienne illustrate from the Scriptures how that belief will change our strategies and tactics as business owners. Imagine the diligence, integrity, excellence, confidence, and trust that business owners will operate with when the Lord is the center of attention as the source of profit and success! The co-hosts elaborate upon Deuteronomy 8:18, among other verses, give several practical applications of the Scriptures, and answer many questions from the listeners on FB live. Be sure to listen in for tips on a wide range of applications to this point-- from setting business hours, to shifting the focus on the “optics” and the aesthetics of ads, to avoiding unethical/manipulative business practices, and much more. | https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/music-news-the-bible/live-recession-proof-now/e/53957015 |
Reducing risk of stroke in patients with acute coronary syndrome: is screening for asymptomatic carotid disease useful?
Managing recurrent carotid artery disease with redo carotid endarterectomy: a 10-year retrospective case series
Development of a duplex-derived velocity risk prediction model of disease progression in patients with moderate asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis
Circulating osteoprotegerin and asymptomatic carotid atherosclerosis in postmenopausal non diabetic women
Associations between systemic and cerebral endothelial impairment determined by cerebrovascular reactivity to L-arginine
Permissive hypertension during awake eversion carotid endarterectomy: a physiologic approach for cerebral protection
Proximal versus distal protection during carotid artery stenting: analysis of the two treatment approaches and associated clinical outcomes
Aortic and Mitral Calcification Is Marker of Significant Carotid and Limb Atherosclerosis in Patients with First Acute Coronary Syndrome
Ultrasound-Based Carotid Elastography for Detection of Vulnerable Atherosclerotic Plaques Validated by Magnetic Resonance Imaging
National variation in preoperative imaging, carotid duplex ultrasound criteria, and threshold for surgery for asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis
Comparison of lipid-rich necrotic core size in symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid atherosclerotic plaque: Initial results
Underrecognized peripheral arterial disease in patients with acute coronary syndrome: prevalence of traditional and emergent cardiovascular risk factors
Predictors of neurological deterioration during hospitalization: results from the Chinese Intracranial Atherosclerosis (CICAS) Study
A prediction model for unstable carotid atheromatous plaque in acute ischemic stroke patients: proposal and internal validation
An assessment of the relationship between excess fluoride intake from drinking water and essential hypertension in adults residing in fluoride endemic areas
Selective external endarterectomy in patients with ipsilateral symptomatic internal carotid artery occlusion
Critical appraisal of the Carotid Duplex Consensus criteria in the diagnosis of carotid artery stenosis
Citations
Beneficial effect of carotid endarterectomy in symptomatic patients with high-grade carotid stenosis
Carotid duplex sonography: a multicenter recommendation for standardized imaging and Doppler criteria
Correlation of high-resolution, B-mode and continuous-wave Doppler sonography with arteriography in the diagnosis of carotid stenosis
Duplex accuracy compared with angiography in the Veterans Affairs Cooperative Studies Trial for Symptomatic Carotid Stenosis
Screening for asymptomatic internal carotid artery stenosis: duplex criteria for discriminating 60% to 99% stenosis
Assessment of carotid artery stenosis by ultrasonography, conventional angiography, and magnetic resonance angiography: correlation with ex vivo measurement of plaque stenosis
Reappraisal of duplex criteria to assess significant carotid stenosis with special reference to reports from the North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial and the European Carotid Surgery Trial
Detection and quantification of carotid artery stenosis: efficacy of various Doppler velocity parameters
Cerebrovascular disease assessed by color-flow and power Doppler ultrasonography. Comparison with digital subtraction angiography in internal carotid artery stenosis
Determination of duplex Doppler ultrasound criteria appropriate to the North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial
An approach for the use of Doppler ultrasound as a screening tool for hemodynamically significant stenosis (despite heterogeneity of Doppler performance). A multicenter experience. Asymptomatic Carotid Atherosclerosis Study Investigators
Carotid duplex criteria for a 60% or greater angiographic stenosis: variation according to equipment
Asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis screening in patients with lower extremity atherosclerosis: a prospective study
Proposed new duplex classification for threshold stenoses used in various symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid endarterectomy trials
Benefit of carotid endarterectomy in patients with symptomatic moderate or severe stenosis. North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial Collaborators
The value of internal carotid systolic velocity ratio for assessing carotid artery stenosis with Doppler sonography
Standardization of carotid ultrasound: a hemodynamic method to normalize for interindividual and interequipment variability
Doppler sonographic parameters for detection of carotid stenosis: is there an optimum method for their selection?
Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography of carotid arteries: utility in routine clinical practice
Related Concepts
Related Feeds
Carotid Artery Diseases
Carotid artery disease is a group of pathological conditions of the carotid artery. Discover the latest research on carotid artery disease here. | https://www.meta.org/papers/carotid-artery-stenosis-grayscale-and-doppler/14730262 |
Located in Windermere just north of Dr. Phillips is the luxurious gated community of Westover Reserve. The Westover Reserve community consists of 81custom built four, five, and six bedroom estate homes on tree lined streets and low maintenance lots. Home sizes range from 2500 square feet to over 4500 square feet and were built between 1997 - 2005.
Westover Reserve Homes for Sale
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Westover Reserve residents enjoy a community park, playground, and tennis court, along with convenient access to major throughways. With all of the great amenities the Windermere and Dr. Phillips areas have to offer it is no wonder why residents are proud to call Westover Reserve home.
Westover Reserve Community Information
Location: Westover Roberts Road & Apopka Vineland Road
Number of Homesites: 81
Square Footages: 2,500 - 4,500+
Year Built: 1997 - 2005
HOA Fee's: $1245.00 per year *subject to change
Community Features: Gated, Children's Playground, Tennis Court
Orange County Public Schools
- Thornebrooke Elementary School: Grades Pre-K - 5 Distance: 2 miles
- Gotha Middle School: Grades 6 - 8 Distance: 1 mile
- Olympia High School: Grades 9 -12 Distance: 2 miles
Dining and Shopping
- Shopping Center with Grocery Store - Distance: 1.5 miles
- Restaurant Row - Distance: 5.5 miles
- The Mall at Millenia, Retail Shopping Centers & BJ's Wholesale Club - Distance: 7 miles
- Winter Garden Village at Fowlers Grove, Retail Shopping, & Super Target - Distance: 6 miles
- Downtown Orlando - Distance: 11 miles
Parks and Recreation
- Dr. P. Phillips Community Park, Sporting Fields, Fountain Water Park, Dog Park - Distance: 8.4 miles
- Bill Frederick Park at Turkey Lake, Community Pool, Boat Rentals, Camping, & Fishing Pier - Distance: 3 miles
- Rose Place Orange County Park & Sporting Fields - Distance: 1.5 miles
- Lake Down Public Access Boat Ramp - Distance: 2.6 miles
- Dr. P. Phillips YMCA Family Center - Distance: 4.5 miles
Hospitals
- Health Central Hospital - Distance: 4 miles
- Dr. P. Phillips Hospital - Distance: 8.5 miles
*Distances are approximately measured from the Westover Reserve community entrance
Windermere Featured Communities
All listing information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed and should be independently verified through personal inspection by appropriate professionals. Listings displayed on this website may be subject to prior sale or removal from sale; availability of any listing should always be independently verified.
Listing information is provided for consumer personal, non-commercial use, solely to identify potential properties for potential purchase; all other use is strictly prohibited and may violate relevant federal and state law.
Listing data comes from My Florida Regional MLS DBA Stellar MLS.
Listing information last updated on February 23rd, 2020 at 8:30am EST. | https://realtyinorlando.com/windermere-real-estate/westover-reserve.php |
Personal insolvencies dropped 8.7% in the September quarter compared to 2012, but the figure doesn’t reveal the true picture of the economic battles being fought, an expert suggests.
Late last week the Australian Financial Security Authority (ASFA) chief executive Veronique Ingram released the provisional personal insolvency activity statistics for the September quarter 2013.
The figures showed that personal insolvency activity nationally fell 8.7% in the September quarter this year, compared to the September quarter for 2012.
All states and territories except for Western Australia recorded a decrease.
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In the quarter, 24.1% of bankruptcies were business related, while 9.1% of debt agreement debtors were business related.
Of those entering personal insolvency agreements in the quarter, 31.1% were business related.
Despite the decline in personal insolvencies, Pitcher Partners partner Andrew Yeo warns that this is not an indication of economic improvement.
He told SmartCompany this morning that a change in fee structure for people or companies filing bankruptcy against an individual rose 30% in in June 2012. He says it could cost a business at least $3000 in fees to file against someone, or an individual around $1500.
“In some instances, this has dissuaded creditors from pursuing debtors to bankruptcy.”
Add to this lawyer fees and the cost is beyond what many can afford.
“It is very expensive to bankrupt someone,” he says.
Yeo explains that the statistics for the September quarter 2012 would have been largely made up of people filing at the lower fee rate.
Another reason for the decline could be the delay in bankruptcies of individuals due to the relatively low interest rates and low unemployment figures. Yeo explains that these two factors mean debtors are inclined to hold on as long as possible before conceding that they can pay.
“Most debtors will do everything possible, and hold out as long as possible in order to avoid bankruptcy, in the hope that circumstances may change,” he says.
A hike in interest rates, or losing their job could push them to act.
Yeo says a third aspect, and a sleeping giant, is the recently implemented Directors Penalty notices, which he thinks will lead to an increase in bankruptcy rates.
“Recent amendments to the tax legislation have meant that a significantly increasing number of company directors will find themselves personally liable for certain company tax obligations,” he says.
“These amendments became effective from 30 June 2012. While a large number of bankruptcies are certain to eventuate as a result of these amendments, the ATO has not yet commenced the full process of pursuing them.
“This will certainly occur in the future as the ATO receives further funding for these recovery processes,” he says. | https://www.smartcompany.com.au/business-advice/innovation/personal-insolvencies-down-but-statistics-hide-the-real-issues-expert-suggests-2/ |
Electoral boards and registrars across the state are concerned about offering in-person voting for the upcoming May and June elections amid the coronavirus pandemic. In a letter sent last week, two associations asked the state to close polling locations and accept only mail-in ballots.
The Voter Registrars Association of Virginia and the Virginia Electoral Board Association sent a joint letter to Chris Piper, the Virginia Department of Elections commissioner, detailing potential issues connected to in-person voting.
The letter cited concerns about the safety of voters who come to polling locations, sanitizing voting machines and materials, previously closed polling locations opening to the public, and the participation of election officials, who are often seniors and retirees expected to self-quarantine.
“Voters should not be forced to choose between exercising their constitutional rights and preserving their own health and that of their community,” the letter read. “Conducting the May and June elections entirely by mail is common sense and strikes the correct balance between protecting voter’s rights while simultaneously protecting their personal health.”
More than 50 localities will be conducting May municipal elections, including Salem, Vinton, Boones Mill, Rocky Mount and Radford, all of which have open seats on their city and town councils. Absentee voting for May elections started March 20. Virginia Republicans are to select a candidate for U.S. Senate via a June primary.
The Department of Elections previously issued a notice encouraging voters to use absentee ballots for the May elections. State law requires voters to provide a reason for voting absentee, but the department extended that to every voter because of the pandemic.
Voters can choose reason “2A My disability or illness” on their absentee ballots. This designation does not require supplemental documentation.
Allison Robbins, president of the Voter Registrars Association of Virginia, said the group is seeking guidance from the state health and elections departments on how to proceed among growing concerns about the safety of election officials, their families and voters.
The letter asks state officials a myriad of questions: How do offices ensure an adequate number of election officials staff polling places? How often should equipment, pens, tables and privacy booths be sanitized? How do offices balance the right of people to observe polling places with the expectation citizens also practice social distancing?
Robbins said the only two options are to proceed as normal and hope everything works out in May and June, or to plan now in an effort to mitigate these issues.
“It’s becoming increasingly concerning for all of us who are responsible for conducting elections to know what it is we should be doing and ensuring we’re not creating a distribution method for this virus,” Robbins said. “If we’re going to allow in-person voting, how do we make sure we’re not creating the potential for community spread?”
Local election officials in Roanoke County and Salem said some poll workers have already dropped out over concerns about their health.
Roanoke County Electoral Board Chairman Ken Srpan said he agreed with restricting the election to mail-in ballots only.
“If it’s in person, there’s going to be problems,” he said. “I think this is the only solution right now.”
Robbins said state officials have not responded to the letter as of Monday.
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Meaning of Biogeography
What is Biogeography:
Biogeography is the discipline of science that aims to study the distribution of living beings on Earth, their origin and recorded changes, as well as the distribution of ecosystems and landscapes.
Biogeography is an interdisciplinary science that is related to other areas of study, mainly geography and biology. Therefore, these studies, analyzes and descriptions are more exact in terms of describing the characteristics of each geographic space and the living beings that inhabit them.
For this reason, biogeography studies are supported by concepts and terms of other branches of study such as botany, geology, zoology, ecology, climatology, cell biology, marine biology, genetics, physiology, microbiology, among others.
In this sense, the studies covered by biogeography are very broad: they go from the past to the present and seek to understand what the future of living beings and ecosystems will be.
Thus, biogeography seeks to explain how life has evolved on Earth, how habitats, ecosystems have been modified and how species have evolved.
Likewise, it tries to explain what have been the changes and peculiarities that the aquatic and terrestrial environments have experienced due to their location, climate and the living beings that inhabit there.
The analyzes of the data obtained from the biogeography offer a historical and descriptive reflection of the behavior, adaptation and evolution that living beings, such as the seas and the land environment with their reliefs have experienced in the different geographical areas that exist.
Living beings are distributed according to the biological and climatic evolution, as well as the land and the seas.
Part of these changes arise from the movement of the tectonic plates (lithosphere and earth's crust) and from orogenesis, which refers to the changes that the earth's crust undergoes, which can be shortened or folded as a result of the pushing movement of the plates.
In this sense, it can be determined that life on Earth differs from one place to another according to its availability to obtain energy from sunlight, as well as its aquatic, terrestrial and aerial characteristics.
For example, the equatorial zones receive more solar energy than those that are towards the poles and the climatic seasons are less marked. Hence, the conditions of each region or ecosystem are different and, sometimes, unique. | https://lifestylemommy.me/biogeografia-10A |
This invention relates in general to water treatment systems and, more specifically, to a method and apparatus for removing volatile organic contaminants from water.
Treatment systems using a variety of technologies have been developed over the years to remove a variety of contaminants from water supplies, both to treat drinking water prior to use or sewage prior to reintroduction into the environment. A number of different techniques, usually involving flotation, are used to remove solid particulate material. Other methods have been developed to remove naturally occurring gaseous contaminants such as sulfur-containing gases from water. Today, many wells and other water sources have become contaminated with volatile organic compounds, such as trichloroethylene (TCE), tetrachloroethylene, petroleum hydrocarbons, and benzene, or mixtures of such compounds.
The traditional method for removing gaseous contaminants has been the packed tower air stripping method. A vertical tower, usually on the order of 20 to 30 feet high, is constructed to treat the water at atmospheric pressure. Contaminated water is pumped to the top of the tower and is allowed to cascade down over packing or plates within the tower. Air is forced upwardly through the tower by a fan to volatilize any volatile organic contaminants. The contaminant-free water is collected at the bottom of the tower and is pumped into the distribution system. The air exiting the top tower may be vented to the atmosphere or collected, dehumidified and purified (usually with activated charcoal filters) before release to the atmosphere.
While generally effective, these towers have a number of disadvantages. The towers are expensive to construct, operate and maintain. Operation is expensive because great quantities of air must be forced up against the falling water to achieve the required level of treatment and the energy needed to pump the water to the top of the tower is lost with the cascading and further energy is expended in pumping the decontaminated water back to the distribution system pressure. The high capacity fans, pumps and motors tend to require high levels of maintenance. Also, the tall towers have an adverse visual impact on the surrounding area, which may be particularly important in residential or commercial areas.
A number of other water treatment systems have been developed using air jets or bubbles to help remove contaminants, both solid and gaseous, from water. Some are flotation systems in which are bubbles are introduced into contaminated water in a manner permitting the bubbles to attach to fine solid particles and float to the top, where the accumulated foam-like layer can be skimmed off. Typical of these is the process described by Treyssac in U.S. Pat. No. 4,146,472. There, two separate flows of liquid are separated by a fine mesh grid, with particulate contaminated water above the grid and a higher pressure air saturated layer of water below the grid. Small bubbles pass upwardly through the grid and capture fine particles as they move to the surface for skimming. While this arrangement may effectively remove particulates, there is nothing to suggest removal of dissolved volatile organic contaminants. Further, this arrangement is complex, requires precise sizing and pressure relationships to prevent intermixing of flows and turbulence and is energy intensive in requiring large volumes of high pressure air-saturated water.
Various filter arrangements have been developed for removing inorganic gases, such as sulfur-containing gases, and particulates from well water or the like. Typical of these is the filter described by Kemper in U.S. Pat. No. 4,094,789. There, high pressure air and water jets are positioned to impinge on a splash plate, causing immediate and violent co-mingling of the air and water, causing at least some of the sulfur gases to mix with the air and be carried away therewith. The water then passes through a granular filter for particulate removal. This is very low volume, high energy requirement system, requiring low volume, high velocity jets of water and air.
Increasingly, water supplies, particularly wells, have been becoming contaminated with a variety of volatile organic compounds which are by-products of high technology industries. While these compounds are often present in only very small proportions, because of the high toxic or carcinogenic characteristics of some of them removal from drinking water supplies is essential.
Prior water treatment methods are often ineffective in removing volatile organic contaminates from water. Prior methods also tend to be complex, costly and either very low in capacity or require very large plants for effective utilization. Thus, there is a continuing need for an improved method and apparatus for removing volatile organic contaminants from water which can be efficiently sized for both large and small volume operations, is cost and energy efficiently and is environmentally non-intrusive.
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Do you reside in Ecuador? Are you planning to travel to China? If you answered yes, then this article is perfect for you.
Before booking for your trip, you might be wondering: Do Ecuadorean citizens need a visa to enter China? What visa do I need to travel to or visit China? What are the visa requirements for China? How long can I stay in China on e-visa?
The majority of Ecuadorean citizens are asking these questions for themselves. As the world becomes smaller thanks to modern technology and more convenient transportation options, it’s natural to want to see other regions of the globe.
If you’re looking to travel to another country but do not already know its conditions for visas, then it might be a bit challenging.
Luckily, we’ll discuss the visa requirements as well as other important information about traveling to China with Ecuadorean passport.
It is important to plan ahead before traveling to ensure that nothing goes wrong. To help you with this, we’ve created this article, which provides important information about what you need you should do prior to traveling to China.
We will discuss what type of visa you need to enter or visit China, as well as how long you can stay in China if your visa is approved.
This article will tell you all you need to be aware of when getting a visa application to visit China as a citizen from Ecuador.
About China
China is one of the most stunning countries in the world. It is famous for its vibrant culture and diversity. The country offers many opportunities for travelers to experience its rich history and cultural heritage.
If you are looking for a place to go on vacation or simply want to explore a new area, China is a great choice!
One method to get an idea of what makes this country special is to go to one of the many tourist destinations!
There are many factors that make this country so special. First, it has a rich and varied history that can be seen throughout many of its cities and landmarks. In addition, it has a diverse population with people from all over the world living there.
If you are planning on traveling there soon be sure to check out some of these tourist attractions to ensure that you do not be missing any thing!
China is a country with a rich and diverse culture and history. There are many places to visit in China and there is no best time to visit. The best time to visit China depends on what you are looking for. If you are looking for ancient history, then the best time would be fall or winter because it is when many of the historical sites are open. If you want to see more modern attractions, then summer would be the best time because it's when most of the tourist sites will be open. China's capital Beijing is a good destination for both ancient and modern history because the city is in the center of China and a lot of people visit during either season.
Read Also About: Central-African-Republic
Visa Requirements for Visiting China With Ecuadorean Passport:
In this article, we will talk about the requirements for a visa to visit China. But, before you get the desire to visit China it is important to know that there are a variety of types of visas, each with its own specifications.
When you are thinking about a trip to China , there are a lot of factors to think about, such as the requirements for visas to enter the country. Although no two countries follow exactly the same process however, each has its own set of requirements for obtaining visas that can help you decide whether the trip is worth the expense and effort.
If you are planning to visit a foreign country, the first thing to do is make sure that you have all the proper documentation to apply for a visa.
In order to get a visa there are several documents that you need to have including evidence of income or employment. The requirements may vary depending on which type of visa you’re seeking, therefore make sure to check before making any plans!
Visa Free
No visa is required to enter this country
As the name elaborates, you don't need any visa to enter this country.
The purpose of the whole concept is to enable an individual to enter a particular country without obtaining any visa in advance or at arrival.
Nonetheless, this doesn't apply to every country. Instead, your country has to sign an agreement with any other country to allow you and all other citizens to travel without any visa. For instance, you are a resident of one particular country named X, and your government has signed an agreement with another country: Y. So, now you can travel to this country with a free visa. You just would need a valid passport & your bags.
Nonetheless, note that you can’t stay in a Visa-free country for an unlimited period. Instead, the total duration for an individual to stay in a visa-free country varies.
So, Please check with the embassy of the country before you travel.
In the end, it’s important to understand the way China visas work and how they impact the travel plan you have in mind. This article offers an overview of the process, you can also contact the local consulate or embassy for more information about the specific circumstances. | https://entrystatus.com/ecuador/traveling-to-china/ |
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
STATEMENT REGARDING GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
II. Mathematical Model of Orthorectification
A. Calibration of Video Camera
B. Determination of the Offset Between GPS Antenna and Camera
C. Solution of Kinematic GPS Errors
D. Estimation of Boresight Matrix
III. Georectification of Video Stream
A. Determination of Orthorectified Image Size
B. Orthorectification
C. Mosaicking
IV. Experiments and Analysis A. Experimental Field Establishment
B. UAV System
C. Data Collection
D. Bundle Adjustment of Video
Orthorectijication and Accuracy Analysis
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/336,353, filed Jan. 21, 2010, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
The U.S. Government has a paid-up license in this invention and the right in limited circumstances to require the patent owner to license others on reasonable terms as provided for by the terms of Contract NSF 344521 awarded by the U.S. National Science Foundation Contract.
1. Field of the Invention
This pertains to a method of creating a real-time georeferencing and mosaic of digital video flow from aerial perspectives, such as an unmanned aviation vehicle (UAV) transmitted digital video stream, so that the geo-referenced UAV digital image can be merged with other geospatial data for fast-response to time-critical events.
2. Description of the Related Art
A number of conventional approaches to georeferencing and mosaic (also referred to as mosaicking) have been presented over the past decades. The previous approaches have focused on particular operational platforms, such as space or airborne platforms, and images from specific and different sensors, such as radar, visible image devices, and multispectral imaging devices Some of the prior mathematical models ranged from a simple affine transformation, (which utilize higher-order polynomials) to projective transformations. However, there has been a shortage of research for the georeferencing of video from small UAV.
Applications of small, low-cost, moderately functional, varying-in-size, and long-endurance, UAV systems for private sector use, and the use of nonmilitary government agencies to meet geospatial needs—often focusing on small areas of interest—are attracting many researchers. For example, NASA Dryden Research Center, NASA Ames Research Center, and NASA Goddard Space Flight Center have developed different types of UAV systems, which use different onboard types of sensors for a variety of applications, such as homeland security demonstration, forestry fire monitoring, rapid response measurement in emergencies, earth-science research, and the monitoring of gas pipelines. There are many such applications for small and low-cost UAVs, which can include capturing and downlinking real-time videos for homeland security, disaster mitigation, and military operations for time-consuming, labor-intensive, and possibly dangerous tasks, such as bomb detection and search- and research.
An aspect of image data processing in UAV systems is real-time orthorectification and mosaic, so that the georeferenced UAV image can be merged with geospatial data for fast-response to time-critical events. Some previous methods of image orthorectification and mosaic have arisen for different operation platforms. As noted above, these previous methods included mathematical models. In general, these methods can be divided into two types as follows: 1) nonparametric; and 2) parametric. The nonparametric approach is a rigorous solution in which ground control points (GCPs) are generally used. The spatial relationships between an image pixel and its conjugate ground point are characterized by the imaging geometry, which is described by the collinearity condition of the central perspective images. The parametric approach does not need to recover the sensor orientation in advance of the processing. In this method, GCPs are collected at locations where identifiable points are coincident on both the image and a corresponding map. Once enough GCPs are collected, the image coordinates are modeled as functions of the map coordinates using the least squares solution to fit the functions. However, none of these approaches have supplied an effective method, system, or media for the real time mosaic of streaming digital video data from an aerial digital video camera, such as those mounted on UAVs.
An aspect of an embodiment includes a mathematical model for real-time orthorectification and mosaic of video flow acquired aerially, such as by a small and low-cost UAV. The developed model is based on photogrammetry bundle model, in which the direct linear transformation (DLT) algorithm is used for calculating the initial values of unknown parameters. This method concentrates the development of a mathematical model for geo-referencing the video stream. The developed model is able to simultaneously solve each of the video camera's interior orientation parameters (IOP) (including lens distortion), and the exterior orientation parameters (EOPs) of video frames.
In one embodiment, the developed model is able to simultaneously solve the video camera's IOPs and the EOPs of each video frame.
In another embodiment, an aspect is that the results demonstrated that the accuracy of the mosaicked video images (i.e., 2-D planimetric map) is approximately 1-2 pixels, i.e., 1-2 m when compared with 55 checked points, which were measured by differential global positioning systems (DGPS) surveying.
In another embodiment, an aspect is that the accuracy of seam lines of two neighbor images is less than 1.2 pixels.
In yet another embodiment, an aspect is that the processing speed and achieved accuracy can meet the requirement of UAV-based real-time response to time-critical events.
In another embodiment, an aspect is that the method is an economical, functional UAV platform that meets the requirements for fast-response to time-critical events.
In another embodiment, the method is adapted to the fact that the boresight matrix in a low-cost UAV system will not be able to remain a constant. This matrix is usually assumed to be a constant over an entire mission in a traditional UAV data processing. Thus, this method takes the exterior orientation parameters of each video frame in a low-cost UAV mapping system and estimates them individually.
In another embodiment the method of real time mosaicking of streaming digital video data from an aerial digital video camera involves providing a digital video camera having GPS and attitude sensors for determining roll, pitch and yaw. The digital video camera is capable of taking at least two digital video image frames. Additionally ground control points are determined in proximate geometric distances from a 3D object. At least two digital video image frames are taken or captured in a known epoch and the digital video camera GPS position, roll, pitch and yaw data is determined. The at least two digital video image frames and the GPS position, roll, pitch and yaw data are stored on a computer readable storage medium. A boresight matrix is estimated from data on a given digital video image frame including the GPS position, roll, pitch and yaw data and ground control points. The boresight matrix is compared to additional digital video image frames with respect to pixel variations of a 3D object image determining the size of the original image. The pixels of a given digital video image frame are then orthorectified on a frame basis using a photogrammetric model into a resulting image. Additionally pixels of the resulting image are assigned a shading or gray scale value and then mosaicking into a composite of the resulting object image. The shading enhances the depiction of the mosaic of any 3D object image of interest.
In yet another embodiment the method for creating a real time mosaic of streaming digital video data from an aerial digital video camera follows the steps of
(i) providing a GPS sensor proximate and in a known relation to the digital video camera;
(ii) providing an attitude sensor proximate to the video camera for determining roll, pitch, and yaw;
(iii) capturing one or more video image;
(iv) comparing a first video image and a second video image;
(v) calibrating the video camera with respect to a plurality of predetermined ground control points;
(vi) extracting feature points from the first video image and second video image;
(vii) comparing and refining the feature point locations;
(viii) estimating a boresight matrix;
(ix) comparing the ground control points, the boresight matrix and refined feature point locations;
(x) calibrating the video camera in relation to the GPS position, roll, pitch, yaw, ground control points and feature point locations;
(xi) inputting the digital elevation model (DEM) as determined by the ground control points and determining the Z axis;
(xii) comparing the DEM and the video camera calibration in step (x);
(xiii) orthorectifying the images using a photogrammetric model;
(xix) assigning shading to determined areas for orthorectification of video images;
(xx) mosaicking the resulting orthorectified video images; and
(xxi) repeating steps (i) to (xx) for all video images.
One embodiment is a method of real time mosaic of streaming digital video data from an aerial digital video camera involving (i) providing a GPS sensor proximate and in known location relative to the video camera for determining position; (ii) providing an attitude sensor proximate and in known location relative to the digital video camera for determining roll, pitch, and yaw; (iii) calibrating the digital video camera with respect to a plurality of predetermined ground control points; (iv) estimating a boresight matrix; and (v) orthorectifying the digital video data photogrammetric model which uses the following equation:
r
=r
t
R
t
s
·R
·r
t
r
G
GPS
Att
G
C
g
GPS
M
M
M
Att
C
C
()+()·[()+]
G
GPS
G
g
C
GPS
Att
M
M
C
Att
C
M
wherein ris a vector computed for any ground control point G in a given mapping frame; r(t) is a vector of the GPS sensor in the given mapping frame at a certain epoch (t); sis a scale factor between at least one given video camera frame and the mapping frame; r(t) is a vector observed in a given digital video camera frame image for point g, which is captured and synchronized with the GPS sensor epoch (t); Ris the boresight matrix between the digital video camera frame and the attitude sensor; and ris a vector of position offset between the GPS sensor geometric center and the digital video camera lens center; and R(t) is a rotation matrix from the attitude sensor to the given mapping frame and is a function of the roll, pitch, and yaw.
An alternate embodiment is a system for real time mosaic of streaming digital video data from an aerial position, the system involving: (i) a digital video camera; (ii) a GPS sensor proximate to and in known location relative to the digital video camera for determining position; (iii) an attitude sensor proximate to and in known relationship to the digital video camera for determining roll, pitch, and yaw; (iv) a recording device or computer readable storage device such as a hard drive, optical disk, magnetic tape, flash drive or other known device in communication with the digital video camera, the GPS sensor, and the attitude sensor, for recording digital video data, position data, and roll, pitch, and yaw data; (v) a processing device in communication with the recording device for calibrating the video camera with respect to a plurality of predetermined ground control points, estimating a boresight matrix, and orthorectifying the data using the photogrammetric model equation:
r
=r
t
R
t
s
·R
·r
t
r
G
GPS
Att
G
C
g
GPS
M
M
M
Att
C
C
()+()·[()+]
G
GPS
G
g
C
GPS
Att
M
M
C
Att
C
M
wherein ris a vector computed for any ground control point G in a given mapping frame; r(t) is a vector of the GPS sensor in the given mapping frame at a certain epoch (t); sis a scale factor between a given video camera frame and the mapping frame; r(t) is a vector observed in a given image frame for point g, which is captured and synchronized with GPS sensor epoch (t); Ris the boresight matrix between the video camera frame and the attitude sensor; and ris a vector of position offset between the GPS sensor geometric center and the video camera lens center; and R(t) is a rotation matrix from the attitude sensor to the given mapping frame and is a function of the roll, pitch, and yaw.
Another alternate embodiment is a computer readable medium storing a computer program product for real time mosaic of streaming digital video data from an aerial digital video camera; such a computer readable medium might include a hard drive, optical disk, magnetic tape, flash drive or other known device (i) a computer program code for receiving and storing data from the digital video camera; (ii) a computer program code for receiving and storing position data from a GPS receiver proximate to and in known location relative to the digital video camera; (iii) a computer program code for receiving and storing roll, pitch, and yaw from an attitude sensor proximate to and in known relationship to the digital video camera; (iv) a computer program code for calibrating the digital video camera with respect to a plurality of predetermined ground control points; (iv) a computer program code for estimating a boresight matrix; and (v) a computer program code for orthorectifying the digital video data using the photogramxnetric model equation:
r
=r
t
R
t
s
·R
·r
t
r
G
GPS
Att
G
C
g
GPS
M
M
M
Att
C
C
()+()·[()+]
G
GPS
G
g
C
GPS
Att
M
M
C
Att
C
M
wherein ris a vector computed for any ground control point G in a given mapping frame; r(t) is a vector of the GPS sensor in the given mapping frame at a certain epoch (t); sis a scale factor between a given digital video camera frame and the mapping frame; r(t) is a vector observed in a given image frame for point g, which is captured and synchronized with GPS sensor epoch (t); Ris the boresight matrix between the digital video camera frame and the attitude sensor; and ris a vector of position offset between the GPS sensor geometric center and the digital video camera lens center; and R(t) is a rotation matrix from the attitude sensor to the given mapping frame and is a function of the roll, pitch, and yaw.
The following detailed description is an example of embodiments for carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating general principles of embodiments of the invention.
A method of real-time mosaic may be used with aerial (e.g., UAV) transmitted video stream in order to meet the need of data processing for fast-response to time-critical events. The proposed method is based on a photogrammetry model. Conventional approaches include as follows: Campbell and Wheeler [7] presented a vision-based geolocation method based on a square root sigma point filter technology. However, Dobrokhodov et al. [9] and Campbell and Wheeler [7] exhibited that their methods involved estimate biases that are sensitive to heavy wind conditions. Gibbins et al. [12] reported a geolocation accuracy of over 20 m; Whang et al. [33] described a geolocation solution, in which the range estimates were obtained using a terrain model, and a nonlinear filter was used to estimate the position and velocity of ground moving targets. Barber et al. [2] proposed a method for georectification at localization errors of below 5 m.
FIG. 1
FIG. 1
1
System
5
Digital video camera
10
GPS
15
Attitude sensors
20
Image frames
25
Ground control points
30
3D object
35
Boresight matrix
45
3D object image
For a UAV system, the geometric configuration between the two navigation sensors and the digital video camera is shown in . The following is an item list to be used in conjunction with
The mathematical model can be expressed by
r
=r
t
R
t
s
·R
·r
t
r
G
GPS
Att
G
C
g
GPS
M
M
M
Att
C
C
()+()·[()+] (1)
G
GPS
G
g
C
GPS
Att
M
M
C
Att
C
M
where ris a vector to be computed for any ground point G in the given mapping frame; r(t) is a vector of the GPS antenna phase center in the given mapping frame, which is determined by the onboard GPS at a certain epoch (t); sis a scale factor between the camera frame and the mapping frame; r(t) is a vector observed in the image frame for point g, which is captured and synchronized with GPS epoch (t); Ris the so-called boresight matrix (orientation offset) between the camera frame and the attitude sensor body frame; and ris the vector of position offset between the GPS antenna geometric center and the camera lens center, which is usually determined by terrestrial measurements as part of the calibration process. R(t) is a rotation matrix from the UAV attitude sensor body frame to the given mapping frame and is a function of the three attitude angles in (2),
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C
C
Att
Att
where ξ, Ψ, and ζ represent roll, pitch, and yaw, respectively. Therefore, the relationship between the two sensors is, in fact, to mathematically determinate matrix Rthrough (1). The determination of Ris usually solved by a least squares adjustment on the basis of a number of well-distributed GCPs. Once this matrix is determined, its value is assumed to be a constant over the entire flight time in traditional airborne mapping system. The basic procedures of UAV-based orthorectification and mosaic are as follows.
1
The calibration of a video camera may include calibration of parameters such as focal length, principal point coordinates, and lens distortion calibration, which are referred to as interior orientation parameters (IOPs). A direct linear transformation (DLT) method may be used, which was originally presented in []. This method requires a set of GCPs whose object space and image coordinates are already known. In this step, the calibration process only considers the focal length and principal point coordinates because the solved IOPs and exterior orientation parameters (EOPs) will be employed as initial values in the later bundle adjustment model. The DLT model is given as:
<math overflow="scroll"><mtable><mtr><mtd><mtable><mtr><mtd><mrow><mrow><msub><mi>x</mi><mrow><mi>g</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mn>1</mn></mrow></msub><mo>-</mo><msub><mi>x</mi><mn>0</mn></msub><mo>+</mo><mrow><mrow><msub><mi>ρ</mi><mn>1</mn></msub><mo></mo><mrow><mo>(</mo><mrow><msub><mi>x</mi><mrow><mi>g</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mn>1</mn></mrow></msub><mo>-</mo><msub><mi>x</mi><mn>0</mn></msub></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow></mrow><mo></mo><msubsup><mi>r</mi><mn>1</mn><mn>2</mn></msubsup></mrow></mrow><mo>=</mo><mfrac><mrow><mrow><msub><mi>L</mi><mn>1</mn></msub><mo></mo><msub><mi>X</mi><mi>G</mi></msub></mrow><mo>+</mo><mrow><msub><mi>L</mi><mn>2</mn></msub><mo></mo><msub><mi>Y</mi><mi>G</mi></msub></mrow><mo>+</mo><mrow><msub><mi>L</mi><mn>3</mn></msub><mo></mo><msub><mi>Z</mi><mi>G</mi></msub></mrow><mo>+</mo><msub><mi>L</mi><mn>4</mn></msub></mrow><mrow><mrow><msub><mi>L</mi><mn>9</mn></msub><mo></mo><msub><mi>X</mi><mi>G</mi></msub></mrow><mo>+</mo><mrow><msub><mi>L</mi><mn>10</mn></msub><mo></mo><msub><mi>Y</mi><mi>G</mi></msub></mrow><mo>+</mo><mrow><msub><mi>L</mi><mn>11</mn></msub><mo></mo><msub><mi>Z</mi><mi>G</mi></msub></mrow></mrow></mfrac></mrow></mtd></mtr><mtr><mtd><mrow><mo>=</mo><msubsup><mo>∫</mo><mi>x</mi><mn>1</mn></msubsup></mrow></mtd></mtr></mtable></mtd><mtd><mrow><mo>(</mo><mrow><mn>3</mn><mo></mo><mi>a</mi></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow></mtd></mtr><mtr><mtd><mtable><mtr><mtd><mrow><mrow><msub><mi>y</mi><mrow><mi>g</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mn>1</mn></mrow></msub><mo>-</mo><msub><mi>y</mi><mn>0</mn></msub><mo>+</mo><mrow><mrow><msub><mi>ρ</mi><mn>1</mn></msub><mo></mo><mrow><mo>(</mo><mrow><msub><mi>y</mi><mrow><mi>g</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mn>1</mn></mrow></msub><mo>-</mo><msub><mi>y</mi><mn>0</mn></msub></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow></mrow><mo></mo><msubsup><mi>r</mi><mn>1</mn><mn>2</mn></msubsup></mrow></mrow><mo>=</mo><mfrac><mrow><mrow><msub><mi>L</mi><mn>5</mn></msub><mo></mo><msub><mi>X</mi><mi>G</mi></msub></mrow><mo>+</mo><mrow><msub><mi>L</mi><mn>6</mn></msub><mo></mo><msub><mi>Y</mi><mi>G</mi></msub></mrow><mo>+</mo><mrow><msub><mi>L</mi><mn>7</mn></msub><mo></mo><msub><mi>Z</mi><mi>G</mi></msub></mrow><mo>+</mo><msub><mi>L</mi><mn>8</mn></msub></mrow><mrow><mrow><msub><mi>L</mi><mn>9</mn></msub><mo></mo><msub><mi>X</mi><mi>G</mi></msub></mrow><mo>+</mo><mrow><msub><mi>L</mi><mn>10</mn></msub><mo></mo><msub><mi>Y</mi><mi>G</mi></msub></mrow><mo>+</mo><mrow><msub><mi>L</mi><mn>11</mn></msub><mo></mo><msub><mi>Z</mi><mi>G</mi></msub></mrow></mrow></mfrac></mrow></mtd></mtr><mtr><mtd><mrow><mo>=</mo><msubsup><mo>∫</mo><mi>y</mi><mn>1</mn></msubsup></mrow></mtd></mtr></mtable></mtd><mtd><mrow><mo>(</mo><mrow><mn>3</mn><mo></mo><mi>b</mi></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow></mtd></mtr></mtable></math>
2
2
2
(i)
g(i)
0
g(i)
0
g1
g1
1
0
0
1
where r=(x−x)+(y−y)(i=1, 2); (x, y) are the coordinates of the image point gin the first image frames; (XG, YG, LG) are the coordinates of the ground point G; (x, y, f, ρ) are the IOPs; and Li(i=1, . . . , 9) are unknown parameters.
Equation (3) is nonlinear equations and may be linearized using Taylor series. The linearized equation is given as:
X
L
+Y
L
+Z
L
+L
+x
X
L
+x
Y
L
+x
Z
L
]/A+(
x
−x
r
+x
/A=v
G
1
G
2
G
3
4
g1
G
9
g1
G
10
g1
G
11
g1
0
1
1
g1
x
2
−[)ρ (4a)
X
L
+Y
L
+Z
L
+L
+y
x
L
+y
Y
L
+y
Z
L
]/A
y
−y
r
+y
/A=v
G
5
G
6
G
7
8
g1
G
9
g1
G
10
g1
G
11
g1
0
1
1
g1
y
2
−[+()ρ (4b)
The matrix form of (4) is:
V=CΔ+L
(5)
where the expressions for C, Δ, V, and L are given in (6), shown at the below. With the iteration computation, the 11 parameters can be solved. With the solved 11 parameters, the IOPs can be calculated by
<math overflow="scroll"><mtable><mtr><mtd><mrow><mrow><mi>C</mi><mo>=</mo><mrow><mrow><mo>-</mo><mfrac><mn>1</mn><mi>A</mi></mfrac></mrow><mo></mo><mrow><mo>(</mo><mtable><mtr><mtd><msub><mi>X</mi><mi>G</mi></msub></mtd><mtd><msub><mi>Y</mi><mi>G</mi></msub></mtd><mtd><msub><mi>Z</mi><mi>G</mi></msub></mtd><mtd><mn>1</mn></mtd><mtd><mn>0</mn></mtd><mtd><mn>0</mn></mtd><mtd><mn>0</mn></mtd><mtd><mn>0</mn></mtd><mtd><mrow><msub><mi>x</mi><mrow><mi>g</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mn>1</mn></mrow></msub><mo></mo><msub><mi>X</mi><mi>G</mi></msub></mrow></mtd><mtd><mrow><msub><mi>x</mi><mrow><mi>g</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mn>1</mn></mrow></msub><mo></mo><msub><mi>Y</mi><mi>G</mi></msub></mrow></mtd><mtd><mrow><msub><mi>x</mi><mrow><mi>g</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mn>1</mn></mrow></msub><mo></mo><msub><mi>Z</mi><mi>G</mi></msub></mrow></mtd><mtd><mrow><mrow><mo>(</mo><mrow><msub><mi>x</mi><mrow><mi>g</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mn>1</mn></mrow></msub><mo>-</mo><msub><mi>x</mi><mn>0</mn></msub></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow><mo></mo><msubsup><mi>r</mi><mn>1</mn><mn>2</mn></msubsup></mrow></mtd></mtr><mtr><mtd><mn>0</mn></mtd><mtd><mn>0</mn></mtd><mtd><mn>0</mn></mtd><mtd><mn>0</mn></mtd><mtd><msub><mi>X</mi><mi>G</mi></msub></mtd><mtd><msub><mi>Y</mi><mi>G</mi></msub></mtd><mtd><msub><mi>Z</mi><mi>G</mi></msub></mtd><mtd><mn>1</mn></mtd><mtd><mrow><msub><mi>y</mi><mrow><mi>g</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mn>1</mn></mrow></msub><mo></mo><msub><mi>X</mi><mi>G</mi></msub></mrow></mtd><mtd><mrow><msub><mi>y</mi><mrow><mi>g</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mn>1</mn></mrow></msub><mo></mo><msub><mi>Y</mi><mi>G</mi></msub></mrow></mtd><mtd><mrow><msub><mi>y</mi><mrow><mi>g</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mn>1</mn></mrow></msub><mo></mo><msub><mi>Z</mi><mi>G</mi></msub></mrow></mtd><mtd><mrow><mrow><mo>(</mo><mrow><msub><mi>y</mi><mrow><mi>g</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mn>1</mn></mrow></msub><mo>-</mo><msub><mi>y</mi><mn>0</mn></msub></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow><mo></mo><msubsup><mi>r</mi><mn>1</mn><mn>2</mn></msubsup></mrow></mtd></mtr></mtable><mo>)</mo></mrow></mrow></mrow><mo></mo><mstyle><mtext></mtext></mstyle><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="4.4em" height="4.4ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mrow><mi>Δ</mi><mo>=</mo><msup><mrow><mo>(</mo><mrow><msub><mi>L</mi><mn>1</mn></msub><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.8em" height="0.8ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><msub><mi>L</mi><mn>2</mn></msub><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.8em" height="0.8ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><msub><mi>L</mi><mn>3</mn></msub><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.8em" height="0.8ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><msub><mi>L</mi><mn>4</mn></msub><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.8em" height="0.8ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><msub><mi>L</mi><mn>5</mn></msub><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.8em" height="0.8ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><msub><mi>L</mi><mn>6</mn></msub><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.8em" height="0.8ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><msub><mi>L</mi><mn>7</mn></msub><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.8em" height="0.8ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><msub><mi>L</mi><mn>8</mn></msub><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.8em" height="0.8ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><msub><mi>L</mi><mn>9</mn></msub><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.8em" height="0.8ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><msub><mi>L</mi><mn>10</mn></msub><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.8em" height="0.8ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><msub><mi>L</mi><mn>11</mn></msub><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.8em" height="0.8ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><msub><mi>ρ</mi><mn>1</mn></msub></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow><mi>T</mi></msup></mrow><mo></mo><mstyle><mtext></mtext></mstyle><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="4.4em" height="4.4ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mrow><mi>V</mi><mo>=</mo><mrow><mo>(</mo><mtable><mtr><mtd><msub><mi>v</mi><mi>x</mi></msub></mtd></mtr><mtr><mtd><msub><mi>v</mi><mi>y</mi></msub></mtd></mtr></mtable><mo>)</mo></mrow></mrow><mo></mo><mstyle><mtext></mtext></mstyle><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="4.4em" height="4.4ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mrow><mi>L</mi><mo>=</mo><mrow><mrow><mo>-</mo><mfrac><mn>1</mn><mi>A</mi></mfrac></mrow><mo></mo><mrow><mo>(</mo><mtable><mtr><mtd><mi>x</mi></mtd></mtr><mtr><mtd><mi>y</mi></mtd></mtr></mtable><mo>)</mo></mrow></mrow></mrow></mrow></mtd><mtd><mrow><mo>(</mo><mn>6</mn><mo>)</mo></mrow></mtd></mtr><mtr><mtd><mrow><mstyle><mspace width="4.4em" height="4.4ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mrow><msub><mi>x</mi><mn>0</mn></msub><mo>=</mo><mrow><mrow><mo>-</mo><mrow><mo>(</mo><mrow><mrow><msub><mi>L</mi><mn>1</mn></msub><mo></mo><msub><mi>L</mi><mn>9</mn></msub></mrow><mo>+</mo><mrow><msub><mi>L</mi><mn>2</mn></msub><mo></mo><msub><mi>L</mi><mn>10</mn></msub></mrow><mo>+</mo><mrow><msub><mi>L</mi><mn>3</mn></msub><mo></mo><msub><mi>L</mi><mn>11</mn></msub></mrow></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow></mrow><mo>/</mo><mrow><mo>(</mo><mrow><msubsup><mi>L</mi><mn>9</mn><mn>2</mn></msubsup><mo>+</mo><msubsup><mi>L</mi><mn>10</mn><mn>2</mn></msubsup><mo>+</mo><msubsup><mi>L</mi><mn>11</mn><mn>2</mn></msubsup></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow></mrow></mrow></mrow></mtd><mtd><mrow><mo>(</mo><mn>7</mn><mo>)</mo></mrow></mtd></mtr><mtr><mtd><mrow><mstyle><mspace width="4.4em" height="4.4ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mrow><msub><mi>y</mi><mn>0</mn></msub><mo>=</mo><mrow><mrow><mo>-</mo><mrow><mo>(</mo><mrow><mrow><msub><mi>L</mi><mn>5</mn></msub><mo></mo><msub><mi>L</mi><mn>9</mn></msub></mrow><mo>+</mo><mrow><msub><mi>L</mi><mn>6</mn></msub><mo></mo><msub><mi>L</mi><mn>10</mn></msub></mrow><mo>+</mo><mrow><msub><mi>L</mi><mn>7</mn></msub><mo></mo><msub><mi>L</mi><mn>11</mn></msub></mrow></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow></mrow><mo>/</mo><mrow><mo>(</mo><mrow><msubsup><mi>L</mi><mn>9</mn><mn>2</mn></msubsup><mo>+</mo><msubsup><mi>L</mi><mn>10</mn><mn>2</mn></msubsup><mo>+</mo><msubsup><mi>L</mi><mn>11</mn><mn>2</mn></msubsup></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow></mrow></mrow></mrow></mtd><mtd><mrow><mo>(</mo><mn>8</mn><mo>)</mo></mrow></mtd></mtr><mtr><mtd><mrow><mstyle><mspace width="4.4em" height="4.4ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mrow><msubsup><mo>∫</mo><mi>x</mi><mn>2</mn></msubsup><mo></mo><mrow><mo>=</mo><mrow><mrow><mo>-</mo><msubsup><mi>x</mi><mn>0</mn><mn>2</mn></msubsup></mrow><mo>+</mo><mrow><mrow><mo>(</mo><mrow><msubsup><mi>L</mi><mn>1</mn><mn>2</mn></msubsup><mo>+</mo><msubsup><mi>L</mi><mn>2</mn><mn>2</mn></msubsup><mo>+</mo><msubsup><mi>L</mi><mn>3</mn><mn>2</mn></msubsup></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow><mo>/</mo><mrow><mo>(</mo><mrow><msubsup><mi>L</mi><mn>9</mn><mn>2</mn></msubsup><mo>+</mo><msubsup><mi>L</mi><mn>10</mn><mn>2</mn></msubsup><mo>+</mo><msubsup><mi>L</mi><mn>11</mn><mn>2</mn></msubsup></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow></mrow></mrow></mrow></mrow></mrow></mtd><mtd><mrow><mo>(</mo><mrow><mn>9</mn><mo></mo><mi>a</mi></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow></mtd></mtr><mtr><mtd><mrow><mstyle><mspace width="4.4em" height="4.4ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mrow><msubsup><mo>∫</mo><mi>y</mi><mn>2</mn></msubsup><mo></mo><mrow><mo>=</mo><mrow><mrow><mo>-</mo><msubsup><mi>y</mi><mn>0</mn><mn>2</mn></msubsup></mrow><mo>+</mo><mrow><mrow><mo>(</mo><mrow><msubsup><mi>L</mi><mn>5</mn><mn>2</mn></msubsup><mo>+</mo><msubsup><mi>L</mi><mn>6</mn><mn>2</mn></msubsup><mo>+</mo><msubsup><mi>L</mi><mn>7</mn><mn>2</mn></msubsup></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow><mo>/</mo><mrow><mo>(</mo><mrow><msubsup><mi>L</mi><mn>9</mn><mn>2</mn></msubsup><mo>+</mo><msubsup><mi>L</mi><mn>10</mn><mn>2</mn></msubsup><mo>+</mo><msubsup><mi>L</mi><mn>11</mn><mn>2</mn></msubsup></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow></mrow></mrow></mrow></mrow></mrow></mtd><mtd><mrow><mo>(</mo><mrow><mn>9</mn><mo></mo><mi>b</mi></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow></mtd></mtr><mtr><mtd><mrow><mstyle><mspace width="4.4em" height="4.4ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mrow><msubsup><mo>∫</mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle></msubsup><mo></mo><mrow><mo>=</mo><mfrac><mrow><mrow><msubsup><mo>∫</mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle></msubsup><mo></mo><mi>x</mi></mrow><mo>+</mo><mrow><msubsup><mo>∫</mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle></msubsup><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mi>y</mi></mrow></mrow><mn>2</mn></mfrac></mrow></mrow></mrow></mtd><mtd><mrow><mo>(</mo><mn>10</mn><mo>)</mo></mrow></mtd></mtr></mtable></math>
The EOP's can be calculated by:
<math overflow="scroll"><mrow><msub><mi>a</mi><mn>3</mn></msub><mo>=</mo><mrow><msub><mi>L</mi><mn>9</mn></msub><mo>/</mo><msqrt><mrow><msubsup><mi>L</mi><mn>9</mn><mn>2</mn></msubsup><mo>+</mo><msubsup><mi>L</mi><mn>10</mn><mn>2</mn></msubsup><mo>+</mo><msubsup><mi>L</mi><mn>11</mn><mn>2</mn></msubsup></mrow></msqrt></mrow></mrow></math>
<math overflow="scroll"><mrow><msub><mi>b</mi><mn>3</mn></msub><mo>=</mo><mrow><msub><mi>L</mi><mn>10</mn></msub><mo>/</mo><msqrt><mrow><msubsup><mi>L</mi><mn>9</mn><mn>2</mn></msubsup><mo>+</mo><msubsup><mi>L</mi><mn>10</mn><mn>2</mn></msubsup><mo>+</mo><msubsup><mi>L</mi><mn>11</mn><mn>2</mn></msubsup></mrow></msqrt></mrow></mrow></math>
<math overflow="scroll"><mrow><msub><mi>c</mi><mn>3</mn></msub><mo>=</mo><mrow><msub><mi>L</mi><mn>11</mn></msub><mo>/</mo><msqrt><mrow><msubsup><mi>L</mi><mn>9</mn><mn>2</mn></msubsup><mo>+</mo><msubsup><mi>L</mi><mn>10</mn><mn>2</mn></msubsup><mo>+</mo><msubsup><mi>L</mi><mn>11</mn><mn>2</mn></msubsup></mrow></msqrt></mrow></mrow></math>
<math overflow="scroll"><mrow><msub><mi>a</mi><mn>1</mn></msub><mo>=</mo><mrow><mfrac><mn>1</mn><mrow><msubsup><mo>∫</mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle></msubsup><mo></mo><mi>x</mi></mrow></mfrac><mo></mo><mrow><mo>(</mo><mrow><mrow><msub><mi>L</mi><mn>1</mn></msub><mo>/</mo><msqrt><mrow><msubsup><mi>L</mi><mn>9</mn><mn>2</mn></msubsup><mo>+</mo><msubsup><mi>L</mi><mn>10</mn><mn>2</mn></msubsup><mo>+</mo><msubsup><mi>L</mi><mn>11</mn><mn>2</mn></msubsup></mrow></msqrt></mrow><mo>+</mo><mrow><msub><mi>a</mi><mn>3</mn></msub><mo></mo><msub><mi>x</mi><mn>0</mn></msub></mrow></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow></mrow></mrow></math>
<math overflow="scroll"><mrow><msub><mi>b</mi><mn>1</mn></msub><mo>=</mo><mrow><mfrac><mn>1</mn><mrow><msubsup><mo>∫</mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle></msubsup><mo></mo><mi>x</mi></mrow></mfrac><mo></mo><mrow><mo>(</mo><mrow><mrow><msub><mi>L</mi><mn>2</mn></msub><mo>/</mo><msqrt><mrow><msubsup><mi>L</mi><mn>9</mn><mn>2</mn></msubsup><mo>+</mo><msubsup><mi>L</mi><mn>10</mn><mn>2</mn></msubsup><mo>+</mo><msubsup><mi>L</mi><mn>11</mn><mn>2</mn></msubsup></mrow></msqrt></mrow><mo>+</mo><mrow><msub><mi>b</mi><mn>3</mn></msub><mo></mo><msub><mi>x</mi><mn>0</mn></msub></mrow></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow></mrow></mrow></math>
<math overflow="scroll"><mrow><msub><mi>c</mi><mn>1</mn></msub><mo>=</mo><mrow><mfrac><mn>1</mn><mrow><msubsup><mo>∫</mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle></msubsup><mo></mo><mi>x</mi></mrow></mfrac><mo></mo><mrow><mo>(</mo><mrow><mrow><msub><mi>L</mi><mn>3</mn></msub><mo>/</mo><msqrt><mrow><msubsup><mi>L</mi><mn>9</mn><mn>2</mn></msubsup><mo>+</mo><msubsup><mi>L</mi><mn>10</mn><mn>2</mn></msubsup><mo>+</mo><msubsup><mi>L</mi><mn>11</mn><mn>2</mn></msubsup></mrow></msqrt></mrow><mo>+</mo><mrow><msub><mi>c</mi><mn>3</mn></msub><mo></mo><msub><mi>x</mi><mn>0</mn></msub></mrow></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow></mrow></mrow></math>
<math overflow="scroll"><mrow><msub><mi>a</mi><mn>2</mn></msub><mo>=</mo><mrow><mfrac><mn>1</mn><mrow><msubsup><mo>∫</mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle></msubsup><mo></mo><mi>y</mi></mrow></mfrac><mo></mo><mrow><mo>(</mo><mrow><mrow><msub><mi>L</mi><mn>5</mn></msub><mo>/</mo><msqrt><mrow><msubsup><mi>L</mi><mn>9</mn><mn>2</mn></msubsup><mo>+</mo><msubsup><mi>L</mi><mn>10</mn><mn>2</mn></msubsup><mo>+</mo><msubsup><mi>L</mi><mn>11</mn><mn>2</mn></msubsup></mrow></msqrt></mrow><mo>+</mo><mrow><msub><mi>a</mi><mn>3</mn></msub><mo></mo><msub><mi>y</mi><mn>0</mn></msub></mrow></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow></mrow></mrow></math>
<math overflow="scroll"><mrow><msub><mi>b</mi><mn>2</mn></msub><mo>=</mo><mrow><mfrac><mn>1</mn><mrow><msubsup><mo>∫</mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle></msubsup><mo></mo><mi>y</mi></mrow></mfrac><mo></mo><mrow><mo>(</mo><mrow><mrow><msub><mi>L</mi><mn>6</mn></msub><mo>/</mo><msqrt><mrow><msubsup><mi>L</mi><mn>9</mn><mn>2</mn></msubsup><mo>+</mo><msubsup><mi>L</mi><mn>10</mn><mn>2</mn></msubsup><mo>+</mo><msubsup><mi>L</mi><mn>11</mn><mn>2</mn></msubsup></mrow></msqrt></mrow><mo>+</mo><mrow><msub><mi>b</mi><mn>3</mn></msub><mo></mo><msub><mi>y</mi><mn>0</mn></msub></mrow></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow></mrow></mrow></math>
<math overflow="scroll"><mrow><msub><mi>c</mi><mn>2</mn></msub><mo>=</mo><mrow><mfrac><mn>1</mn><mrow><msubsup><mo>∫</mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle></msubsup><mo></mo><mi>y</mi></mrow></mfrac><mo></mo><mrow><mo>(</mo><mrow><mrow><msub><mi>L</mi><mn>7</mn></msub><mo>/</mo><msqrt><mrow><msubsup><mi>L</mi><mn>9</mn><mn>2</mn></msubsup><mo>+</mo><msubsup><mi>L</mi><mn>10</mn><mn>2</mn></msubsup><mo>+</mo><msubsup><mi>L</mi><mn>11</mn><mn>2</mn></msubsup></mrow></msqrt></mrow><mo>+</mo><mrow><msub><mi>c</mi><mn>3</mn></msub><mo></mo><msub><mi>y</mi><mn>0</mn></msub></mrow></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow></mrow></mrow></math>
The rotation matrix can be expressed by:
<math overflow="scroll"><mtable><mtr><mtd><mrow><msubsup><mi>R</mi><mi>M</mi><mi>C</mi></msubsup><mo>=</mo><mrow><mo>(</mo><mtable><mtr><mtd><mrow><mi>a</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mn>1</mn></mrow></mtd><mtd><mrow><mi>a</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mn>2</mn></mrow></mtd><mtd><mrow><mi>a</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mn>3</mn></mrow></mtd></mtr><mtr><mtd><mrow><mi>b</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mn>1</mn></mrow></mtd><mtd><mrow><mrow><mi>b</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mn>2</mn></mrow><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle></mrow></mtd><mtd><mrow><mi>b</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mn>3</mn></mrow></mtd></mtr><mtr><mtd><mrow><mi>c</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mn>1</mn></mrow></mtd><mtd><mrow><mi>c</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mn>2</mn></mrow></mtd><mtd><mrow><mi>c</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mn>3</mn></mrow></mtd></mtr></mtable><mo>)</mo></mrow></mrow></mtd><mtd><mrow><mo>(</mo><mn>11</mn><mo>)</mo></mrow></mtd></mtr></mtable></math>
S
S
S
The exposure center coordinates (X, Y, Z) can be calculated by solving the following equations:
a
X
+b
Y
+c
Z
+L′=
3
S
3
S
3
S
0 (12a)
x
+f
a
X
+b
Y
+c
Z
L′+L
0
x
1
S
1
S
1
S
4
()/=0 (12b)
y
+f
a
X
+b
Y
+c
Z
L′+L
0
y
2
S
7
S
2
S
8
()/=0 (12c)
9
10
11
2
2
2
where L′=√{square root over (L+L+L)}
GPS
M
1) Set up the Total Station 5-10 m away from the UAV aircraft;
2) take a shot to the GPS antenna, and read the horizontal and vehicle distance and angles from the imaging station;
3) take a shot to the lens of the camera, during which the vertical wire of telescope of the imaging station is aligned with the telescope axis, and the horizontal wire of telescope of the Total station is aligned with the shut;
4) revise the telescope of the imaging station, and repeat the operations of Steps 2) and 3);
5) repeat the operations of Steps 2), 3), and 4) for three times; and
GPS
GPS
GPS
lens
lens
lens
6) suppose that the origin of a presumed local coordinate is at the imaging station, and calculate coordinates of the GPS antenna (X, Y, Z) and the camera lens (X, Y, Z); and 7) calculate the offset between the two centers by:
The GPS antenna geometric center and the camera lens center cannot occupy an identical center. The offset (r) between the two centers is measured so that the correction can be carried out in (1). Precise measurement of the offset may be conducted using a survey imaging station, such as the GTS-2B Total Station available from Topcon®. An embodiment of the process is as follows:
D
X
−X
Y
−Y
Z
−Z
X
−X
Y
−Y
Z
−Z
X
−X
Y
−Y
Z
−Z
offset
GPS
lens
GPS
lens
GPS
lens
GPS
lens
GPS
lens
GPS
lens
GPS
lens
GPS
lens
GPS
lens
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
=√{square root over (()+()+())}{square root over (()+()+())}{square root over (()+()+())}
The measurement accuracy for this embodiment reached on the order of a millimeter level, since survey imaging stations such as the Total Station have a measurement capability of millimeter level.
36
For kinematic GPS errors, the baseline length may be limited to ground reference stations for the onboard differential GPS (DGPS) survey. It has been demonstrated that a GPS receiver onboard an UAV can achieve an accuracy of a few centimeters using this limitation []. The other errors may be orthorectified mathematically. Basically, the traditional differential rectification model is based on photogrammetric collinearity, in which the interior and exterior orientation elements and DEM (X-, Y-, and Z-coordinates) are known.
C
Att
With the solved EOPs in (11), an initial boresight matrix Rcan be calculated through multiplication of the attitude sensor orientation data derived from the onboard TCM2™ sensor with the three angular elements of the EOPs solved by DLT. The formula is expressed by
R
t
R
t
R
t
C
M
Att
Att
C
M
T
()=[()·()] (13)
C
Att
M
Att
M
C
where Rand Rare the same as in (1); Ris a rotation matrix, which is a function of three rotation angles (ω, φ, and κ) of a video frame, and is expressed as in (14).
<math overflow="scroll"><mtable><mtr><mtd><mrow><msubsup><mi>R</mi><mi>M</mi><mi>C</mi></msubsup><mo>=</mo><mrow><mrow><mo>(</mo><mtable><mtr><mtd><mrow><mi>a</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mn>1</mn></mrow></mtd><mtd><mrow><mi>a</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mn>2</mn></mrow></mtd><mtd><mrow><mi>a</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mn>3</mn></mrow></mtd></mtr><mtr><mtd><mrow><mi>b</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mn>1</mn></mrow></mtd><mtd><mrow><mrow><mi>b</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mn>2</mn></mrow><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle></mrow></mtd><mtd><mrow><mi>b</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mn>3</mn></mrow></mtd></mtr><mtr><mtd><mrow><mi>c</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mn>1</mn></mrow></mtd><mtd><mrow><mi>c</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mn>2</mn></mrow></mtd><mtd><mrow><mi>c</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mn>3</mn></mrow></mtd></mtr></mtable><mo>)</mo></mrow><mo></mo><mrow><mo>(</mo><mtable><mtr><mtd><mrow><mi>cos</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mi>ϕ</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mi>cos</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mi>κ</mi></mrow></mtd><mtd><mrow><mrow><mi>cos</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mi>ω</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mi>sin</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mi>κ</mi></mrow><mo>+</mo><mrow><mi>sin</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mi>ω</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mi>sin</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mi>ϕ</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mi>cos</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mi>κ</mi></mrow></mrow></mtd><mtd><mrow><mrow><mi>sin</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mi>ω</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mi>sin</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mi>κ</mi></mrow><mo>-</mo><mrow><mi>cos</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mi>ω</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mi>sin</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mi>ϕ</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mi>cos</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mi>κ</mi></mrow></mrow></mtd></mtr><mtr><mtd><mrow><mrow><mo>-</mo><mi>cos</mi></mrow><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mi>ϕ</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mi>sin</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mi>κ</mi></mrow></mtd><mtd><mrow><mrow><mi>cos</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mi>ω</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mi>cos</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mi>κ</mi></mrow><mo>-</mo><mrow><mi>sin</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mi>ω</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mi>sin</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mi>ϕ</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mi>sin</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mi>κ</mi></mrow></mrow></mtd><mtd><mrow><mrow><mi>sin</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mi>ωcos</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mi>κ</mi></mrow><mo>+</mo><mrow><mi>cos</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mi>ωsin</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mi>ϕ</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mi>sin</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mi>κ</mi></mrow></mrow></mtd></mtr><mtr><mtd><mrow><mi>sin</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mi>ϕ</mi></mrow></mtd><mtd><mrow><mrow><mo>-</mo><mi>sin</mi></mrow><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mi>ω</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mi>cos</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mi>ϕ</mi></mrow></mtd><mtd><mrow><mi>cos</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mi>ω</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mi>cos</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mi>ϕ</mi></mrow></mtd></mtr></mtable><mo>)</mo></mrow></mrow></mrow></mtd><mtd><mrow><mo>(</mo><mn>14</mn><mo>)</mo></mrow></mtd></mtr></mtable></math>
With the initial values computed earlier, a rigorous mathematical model was established to simultaneously solve the camera's IOPs and EOPs of each video frame. In addition, because stereo camera calibration method can increase the reliability and accuracy of the calibrated parameters due to coplanar constraints [3], a stereo pair of images constructed by the first and the second video frames is selected. The mathematical model for any ground point G can be expressed as follows.
For the first video frame
<math overflow="scroll"><mtable><mtr><mtd><mrow><msubsup><mo>∫</mo><mi>x</mi><mrow><mi>g</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mn>1</mn></mrow></msubsup><mo></mo><mrow><mo>=</mo><mrow><mo>-</mo><mrow><mo>∫</mo><mfrac><mrow><mrow><msubsup><mi>r</mi><mn>11</mn><mn>1</mn></msubsup><mo></mo><mrow><mo>(</mo><mrow><msub><mi>X</mi><mi>G</mi></msub><mo>-</mo><msubsup><mi>X</mi><mi>S</mi><mn>1</mn></msubsup></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow></mrow><mo>+</mo><mrow><msubsup><mi>r</mi><mn>12</mn><mn>1</mn></msubsup><mo></mo><mrow><mo>(</mo><mrow><msub><mi>Y</mi><mi>G</mi></msub><mo>-</mo><msubsup><mi>Y</mi><mi>S</mi><mn>1</mn></msubsup></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow></mrow><mo>+</mo><mrow><msubsup><mi>r</mi><mn>13</mn><mn>1</mn></msubsup><mo></mo><mrow><mo>(</mo><mrow><msub><mi>Z</mi><mi>G</mi></msub><mo>-</mo><msubsup><mi>Z</mi><mi>S</mi><mn>1</mn></msubsup></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow></mrow></mrow><mrow><mrow><msubsup><mi>r</mi><mn>31</mn><mn>1</mn></msubsup><mo></mo><mrow><mo>(</mo><mrow><msub><mi>X</mi><mi>G</mi></msub><mo>-</mo><msubsup><mi>X</mi><mi>S</mi><mn>1</mn></msubsup></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow></mrow><mo>+</mo><mrow><msubsup><mi>r</mi><mn>32</mn><mn>1</mn></msubsup><mo></mo><mrow><mo>(</mo><mrow><msub><mi>Y</mi><mi>G</mi></msub><mo>-</mo><msubsup><mi>Y</mi><mi>S</mi><mn>1</mn></msubsup></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow></mrow><mo>+</mo><mrow><msubsup><mi>r</mi><mn>33</mn><mn>1</mn></msubsup><mo></mo><mrow><mo>(</mo><mrow><msub><mi>Z</mi><mi>G</mi></msub><mo>-</mo><msubsup><mi>Z</mi><mi>S</mi><mn>1</mn></msubsup></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow></mrow></mrow></mfrac></mrow></mrow></mrow></mrow></mtd><mtd><mrow><mo>(</mo><mrow><mn>15</mn><mo></mo><mi>a</mi></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow></mtd></mtr><mtr><mtd><mrow><msubsup><mo>∫</mo><mi>y</mi><mrow><mi>g</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mn>1</mn></mrow></msubsup><mo></mo><mrow><mo>=</mo><mrow><mo>-</mo><mrow><mo>∫</mo><mfrac><mrow><mrow><msubsup><mi>r</mi><mn>21</mn><mn>1</mn></msubsup><mo></mo><mrow><mo>(</mo><mrow><msub><mi>X</mi><mi>G</mi></msub><mo>-</mo><msubsup><mi>X</mi><mi>S</mi><mn>1</mn></msubsup></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow></mrow><mo>+</mo><mrow><msubsup><mi>r</mi><mn>22</mn><mn>1</mn></msubsup><mo></mo><mrow><mo>(</mo><mrow><msub><mi>Y</mi><mi>G</mi></msub><mo>-</mo><msubsup><mi>Y</mi><mi>S</mi><mn>1</mn></msubsup></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow></mrow><mo>+</mo><mrow><msubsup><mi>r</mi><mn>23</mn><mn>1</mn></msubsup><mo></mo><mrow><mo>(</mo><mrow><msub><mi>Z</mi><mi>G</mi></msub><mo>-</mo><msubsup><mi>Z</mi><mi>S</mi><mn>1</mn></msubsup></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow></mrow></mrow><mrow><mrow><msubsup><mi>r</mi><mn>31</mn><mn>1</mn></msubsup><mo></mo><mrow><mo>(</mo><mrow><msub><mi>X</mi><mi>G</mi></msub><mo>-</mo><msubsup><mi>X</mi><mi>S</mi><mn>1</mn></msubsup></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow></mrow><mo>+</mo><mrow><msubsup><mi>r</mi><mn>32</mn><mn>1</mn></msubsup><mo></mo><mrow><mo>(</mo><mrow><msub><mi>Y</mi><mi>G</mi></msub><mo>-</mo><msubsup><mi>Y</mi><mi>S</mi><mn>1</mn></msubsup></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow></mrow><mo>+</mo><mrow><msubsup><mi>r</mi><mn>33</mn><mn>1</mn></msubsup><mo></mo><mrow><mo>(</mo><mrow><msub><mi>Z</mi><mi>G</mi></msub><mo>-</mo><msubsup><mi>Z</mi><mi>S</mi><mn>1</mn></msubsup></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow></mrow></mrow></mfrac></mrow></mrow></mrow></mrow></mtd><mtd><mrow><mo>(</mo><mrow><mn>15</mn><mo></mo><mi>b</mi></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow></mtd></mtr></mtable></math>
For the second video frame
<math overflow="scroll"><mtable><mtr><mtd><mrow><msubsup><mo>∫</mo><mi>x</mi><mrow><mi>g</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mn>2</mn></mrow></msubsup><mo></mo><mrow><mo>=</mo><mrow><mo>-</mo><mrow><mo>∫</mo><mfrac><mrow><mrow><msubsup><mi>r</mi><mn>11</mn><mn>2</mn></msubsup><mo></mo><mrow><mo>(</mo><mrow><msub><mi>X</mi><mi>G</mi></msub><mo>-</mo><msubsup><mi>X</mi><mi>S</mi><mn>2</mn></msubsup></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow></mrow><mo>+</mo><mrow><msubsup><mi>r</mi><mn>12</mn><mn>2</mn></msubsup><mo></mo><mrow><mo>(</mo><mrow><msub><mi>Y</mi><mi>G</mi></msub><mo>-</mo><msubsup><mi>Y</mi><mi>S</mi><mn>2</mn></msubsup></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow></mrow><mo>+</mo><mrow><msubsup><mi>r</mi><mn>13</mn><mn>2</mn></msubsup><mo></mo><mrow><mo>(</mo><mrow><msub><mi>Z</mi><mi>G</mi></msub><mo>-</mo><msubsup><mi>Z</mi><mi>S</mi><mn>2</mn></msubsup></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow></mrow></mrow><mrow><mrow><msubsup><mi>r</mi><mn>31</mn><mn>2</mn></msubsup><mo></mo><mrow><mo>(</mo><mrow><msub><mi>X</mi><mi>G</mi></msub><mo>-</mo><msubsup><mi>X</mi><mi>S</mi><mn>2</mn></msubsup></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow></mrow><mo>+</mo><mrow><msubsup><mi>r</mi><mn>32</mn><mn>2</mn></msubsup><mo></mo><mrow><mo>(</mo><mrow><msub><mi>Y</mi><mi>G</mi></msub><mo>-</mo><msubsup><mi>Y</mi><mi>S</mi><mn>2</mn></msubsup></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow></mrow><mo>+</mo><mrow><msubsup><mi>r</mi><mn>33</mn><mn>2</mn></msubsup><mo></mo><mrow><mo>(</mo><mrow><msub><mi>Z</mi><mi>G</mi></msub><mo>-</mo><msubsup><mi>Z</mi><mi>S</mi><mn>2</mn></msubsup></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow></mrow></mrow></mfrac></mrow></mrow></mrow></mrow></mtd><mtd><mrow><mo>(</mo><mrow><mn>16</mn><mo></mo><mi>a</mi></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow></mtd></mtr><mtr><mtd><mrow><msubsup><mo>∫</mo><mi>y</mi><mrow><mi>g</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mn>2</mn></mrow></msubsup><mo></mo><mrow><mo>=</mo><mrow><mo>-</mo><mrow><mo>∫</mo><mfrac><mrow><mrow><msubsup><mi>r</mi><mn>21</mn><mn>2</mn></msubsup><mo></mo><mrow><mo>(</mo><mrow><msub><mi>X</mi><mi>G</mi></msub><mo>-</mo><msubsup><mi>X</mi><mi>S</mi><mn>2</mn></msubsup></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow></mrow><mo>+</mo><mrow><msubsup><mi>r</mi><mn>22</mn><mn>2</mn></msubsup><mo></mo><mrow><mo>(</mo><mrow><msub><mi>Y</mi><mi>G</mi></msub><mo>-</mo><msubsup><mi>Y</mi><mi>S</mi><mn>2</mn></msubsup></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow></mrow><mo>+</mo><mrow><msubsup><mi>r</mi><mn>23</mn><mn>2</mn></msubsup><mo></mo><mrow><mo>(</mo><mrow><msub><mi>Z</mi><mi>G</mi></msub><mo>-</mo><msubsup><mi>Z</mi><mi>S</mi><mn>2</mn></msubsup></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow></mrow></mrow><mrow><mrow><msubsup><mi>r</mi><mn>31</mn><mn>2</mn></msubsup><mo></mo><mrow><mo>(</mo><mrow><msub><mi>X</mi><mi>G</mi></msub><mo>-</mo><msubsup><mi>X</mi><mi>S</mi><mn>2</mn></msubsup></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow></mrow><mo>+</mo><mrow><msubsup><mi>r</mi><mn>32</mn><mn>2</mn></msubsup><mo></mo><mrow><mo>(</mo><mrow><msub><mi>Y</mi><mi>G</mi></msub><mo>-</mo><msubsup><mi>Y</mi><mi>S</mi><mn>2</mn></msubsup></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow></mrow><mo>+</mo><mrow><msubsup><mi>r</mi><mn>33</mn><mn>2</mn></msubsup><mo></mo><mrow><mo>(</mo><mrow><msub><mi>Z</mi><mi>G</mi></msub><mo>-</mo><msubsup><mi>Z</mi><mi>S</mi><mn>2</mn></msubsup></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow></mrow></mrow></mfrac></mrow></mrow></mrow></mrow></mtd><mtd><mrow><mo>(</mo><mrow><mn>16</mn><mo></mo><mi>b</mi></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow></mtd></mtr></mtable></math>
(i)
g(i)
0
g(i)
0
g1
g1
g2
g2
g1
g2
G
G
G
i,j
1
1
1
2
2
2
0
0
1
S
S
S
1
1
1
S
S
S
2
2
2
2
2
2
m
1
1
1
2
2
2
Where r=(x−x)+(y−y)(i=1,2); (x, y) and (X, y) are the coordinates of the image pointsand in the first and second video frames, respectively; (X, Y, Z) are the coordinates of the ground point G; (x0, y0, f, ρ1) are the IOPs; and r(i=1, 2, 3; j=1, 2, 3) are elements of the rotation matrix R for the first video frame (when m=1) and the second video frame (when m=2), which are a function of three rotation angles (ω, φ, κ) and (ω, φ, κ). The expression is described in (14). In this model, the unknown parameters contain the camera's IOPs (x, y, f, ρ) and the EOPs of the first and second video frames (X, Y, Z, ω, φ, κ) and (X, Y, Z, ω, φ, κ), respectively. To solve these unknown parameters, (15) and (16) must be linearized by using a Taylor series expansion including only the first-order terms. The vector form of the linearized equation is expressed by:
v
=A
X
+A
X
−L
1
1
1
2
2
1
2
1
2
1
where Xrepresents a vector of the EOPs of two video frames, Xdenotes the vector of the camera IOPs, Aand Aare their coefficients, and vis a vector containing the residual error. Their components can be referenced to [36].
1) the determination of the size of the orthorectified image;
2) the transformation of pixel locations from the original image to the resulting (rectified) image using (1); and
FIG. 2
3) re-sampling the original image pixels into the rectified image for assignment of gray values.
The flowchart is shown in .
After the orientation parameters of the individual video frame are determined by the model described in Section II, each original video frame may be orthorectified. The procedures include as follows:
Xsample
Ysample
GCP
GCP
GCP
GCP
1) The determination of four corner coordinates: For a given ground resolution of Δand Δalong x- and y-directions in the original image, assume that the planimetric coordinates of any GCP are (X, Y), whose corresponding location in the original image plane is (row, col). The coordinates of four corner points can then be determined routinely. For example, for Corner 1, its coordinates can be calculated by
The orthorectification process registers the original image into a chosen map-based coordinate system, and invariably, the size of the original image is changed. To properly set up the storage space requirements when programming, the size of the resulting image footprint (upper left, lower left, upper right, and lower right) has to be determined in advance. These procedures are as follows.
X
=X
−col
1
GCP
GCP
Xsample
·Δ
Y
=Y
−row
1
GCP
GCP
Ysample
·Δ
The other corners can also be calculated accordingly.
2) The determination of minimum and maximum coordinates from the aforementioned four corners. For example, for the minimum x-coordinate, it can be calculated by
X
X
, X
min
1
3
=min().
max
min
max
The maximum x (X) and minimum and maximum y (Y, Y) can be calculated accordingly.
3) The determination of size of the resulting image is calculated by
<math overflow="scroll"><mrow><mi>N</mi><mo>=</mo><mrow><mi>Col</mi><mo>=</mo><mfrac><mrow><msub><mi>X</mi><mi>max</mi></msub><mo>-</mo><msub><mi>X</mi><mi>min</mi></msub></mrow><mrow><mi>Δ</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mi>X</mi></mrow></mfrac></mrow></mrow></math>
<math overflow="scroll"><mrow><mi>M</mi><mo>=</mo><mrow><mi>Row</mi><mo>=</mo><mfrac><mrow><msub><mi>Y</mi><mi>max</mi></msub><mo>-</mo><msub><mi>Y</mi><mi>min</mi></msub></mrow><mrow><mi>Δ</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mi>Y</mi></mrow></mfrac></mrow></mrow></math>
where ΔX and ΔY are the ground-sampled distance (GSD) in the resulting image.
1) For any point P(I, J) in the resulting image, (I, J) are its image coordinates in the image plane.
S
S
2) Compute the planimetric coordinates of the point P(X, Y) with respect to the geodetic coordinate system by using the given cell size.
S
3) Interpolate the vertical coordinates Zfrom the given DEM using a bilinear interpolation algorithm.
4) Compute the photo coordinate (x, y) and the image coordinate (i, j) of the point P in the original image by using (1), in which all of the parameters have been determined by the methods described in Section II.
orig
5) Calculate the gray value gby a nearest neighbor resampling algorithm.
orig
orig
6) Assign the gray value gas the brightness gof the resulting (rectified) image pixel.
The basic procedures of orthorectification are as follows:
The aforementioned procedure is then repeated for each pixel to be rectified. The details of the overall process of the orthorectification can be referenced to [37].
The mathematical model for radiometric balancing and blending operations for scene-to-scene radiometric variations was developed for individual scenes to prevent a patchy or quilted appearance in the final mosaic. In this model, the weights for blending an individual scene along the specified buffer zone are calculated by the following cubic Hermite function:
W=
d
d
2
3
1−3+2 (18)
G=W·G
−W
G
1
2
+(1)· (19)
1
2
where W is the weighting function applied in the overlap area with values ranging from 0 to 1; d is the distance of a pixel to the buffer line, which is normalized from 0 to 1; Gand Gare the brightness of overlapping images; and G is the resulting brightness value. In the buffer zone, large intensity values have lower weight, while small brightness values have high weight.
FIG. 2
FIG. 3
An experimental field, located in Picayune, Miss., approximately 15 min north of the NASA John C. Stennis Space Center, was established. This test field covered about 4 ml long along N.W. and 3.0 ml wide along S.W. In this field, 21 nontraditional GCPs using DGPS were collected. These “GCPs” were located in the corners of sidewalks, parking lots, crossroads, and curb ends (see ). Each point was observed for at least 30 min in order to ensure that at least four GPS satellites were locked simultaneously. The height angle cutoff was 15 degrees. The planimetric and vertical accuracy of the “GCPs” was on the order of a decimeter level. This accuracy was enough for the late processing of UAV-based georeferencing and 2-D planimetric mapping because the accuracy evaluation of this system was carried out relative to the USGS DOQ (U.S. Geological Survey, digital orthophoto quadrangle), whose cell size is 1 m. In addition to the 21 nontraditional GCPs, 1-m USGS DOQ imagery (see ) covering the control field was also downloaded from the USGS Web site for the accuracy evaluation of UAV-based real-time video data georeferencing and 2-D planimetric mapping.
TABLE 1
Specifications of a Low-Cost Civilian UAV Platform
Power Plant
2 stroke, 1½ hp
Length/Height
1.53 m × 1.52 m
Gross weight
10
kg
Operating Altitudes
152-619
m
Endurance
45 minutes at cruise speed
Cruise speed
56
km/h
Max Speed
89
km/h
Operating Range
1.6-2.5
km
Fuel Capacity
0.46
kg
Wingspan
2.44
m
Payload
2.3
kg
FIG. 4
A small UAV system was developed by Zhou et al. [36]. The specifications of the UAV are listed in Table 1. This UAV system was specifically designed as an economical, moderately functional, and small airborne platform intended to meet the requirement for fast-response to time-critical events in private sectors or government agencies for small areas of interest. Cheap materials, such as sturdy plywood, balsa wood, and fiberglass, were employed to craft a proven, versatile and hi-wing design, with tail dragger landing gear for excellent ground clearance that allows operation from semi-improved surfaces. Generous flaps enabled short rolling takeoffs and slow flight. The 1½-hp two-stroke engine operated with a commercial glow fuel mixed with gas ().
FIG. 4
2
In addition, the UAV was constructed to break down into a few easy-to-handle components which quickly pack into a small size van, and was easily deployed, operated, and maintained by a crew of three. This UAV system, including hardware and software, was housed in a lightly converted (rear seat removed and bench top installed) van (), a mobile vehicle that was also used for providing command, control, and data recording to and from the UAV platform, and real-time data processing. The field control station housed the data stream monitoring and UAV position interface computer, radio downlinks, antenna array, and video terminal. All data (GPS data. UAV position and attitude data, and video data) was transmitted to the ground receiver station via wireless communication, with real-time data processing in field for fast-response to rapidly evolving events. In this project, three onboard sensors, GPS, attitude sensor (TCM2™), and video camera were integrated into a compact unit. The GPS Receiver was a handheld model with 12 parallel channels, which continuously tracked and used up to 12 satellites to compute and update the position. The GPS Receiver combined a basemap of North and South America, with a barometric altimeter and electronic compass. The compass provided bearing information, and the altimeter determined the UAV altitude. An attitude navigation sensor was selected to provide the real-time UAV's attitude information. This sensor integrated a three-axis magneto-inductive magnetometer and a high-performance two-axis tilt sensor (inclinometer) in a single package, and provided tilt-compensated compass headings (azimuth, yaw, or bearing angle) and precise tilt angles relative to Earth's gravity (pitch and roll angles) for precise three-axis orientation. The electronic gimbaling eliminated moving parts and provided information about the environment of pitch and roll angles and 3-D magnetic field measurement. Data may be output on a standard RS-232 serial interface with a simple text protocol that includes checksums. A CCD video camera was used to acquire the video stream at a nominal focal length of 8.5 mm with auto and preset manual focus, and program and manual exposure. The camera was installed in the UAV payload bay at a nadir-looking direction. The video stream is recorded with a size of 720 (h)×480 (v) pixeland delivered in an MPEG-I format.
TABLE 2
RESULTS OF THE THREE METHODS (σ<sub>0 </sub>is STANDARD
DEVIATION) FOR THE FIRST VIDEO FRAME
X0
Y0
f
σ<sub>0</sub>
Roll (ω)
Pitch (Φ)
Yaw (κ)
(pixel)
(pixel)
(pixel)
ρ<sub>1</sub>
(pixel)
Onboard
0.07032
0.00245
1.08561
—
—
—
—
TCM2 ™
DLT
−0.01039
0.00002
−1.06379
362.20
241.32
790.54
—
1.27
Our Method
−0.01873
0.00032
−1.02943
361.15
239.96
804.09
−1.02e−<sup>7</sup>
0.42
TABLE 3
ACCURACY STATISTICS OF RESULTS OF THE PROPOSED
METHODS (σ<sub>0 </sub>is STANDARD DEVIATION)
X<sub>S </sub>(m)
Y<sub>S</sub>(m)
Z<sub>S</sub>(m)
Ω (sec)
Φ(sec)
κ(sec)
Minimum σ<sub>0</sub>
0.17
0.09
1.33
10.5
8.4
17.1
Maximum σ<sub>0</sub>
2.20
1.94
1.21
30.8
24.4
13.3
Average σ<sub>0</sub>
1.54
1.11
1.25
21.2
17.5
15.8
FIG. 4
The data were collected over the established test field. The UAV and all the other hardware, including computers, monitor, antennas, and the periphery equipment (e.g., cable), and the software developed in this project were housed in the van and transported to the test field via the field control station (see ). After the UAV was assembled, all the instruments, such as antenna, computers, video recorder, battery, etc., were set up, and the software system was tested. An autopilot avionics system was employed in this UAV system for command, control, autopilot telemetry, DGPS correction uplink, and the pilot in the loop (manual flight) modes. The autopilot data link was built on a MHz 910/2400 radio modem. The data link has up to 40-kBd throughput and is used. The data architecture allowed multiple aircraft to be controlled by a single operator from a single pound control station. Data from the payload could be downlinked over the main data link. The autopilot included pressure ports for total and static pressure. Both the dynamic and static pressures were used in the autopilot primary control loops.
FIG. 4(
FIG. 4(
e
e
Video data stream was collected for approximately 60 min and was transmitted (downlinked) to the field control station at real time using a 2.4-GHz S-band transmitter with a 3-dB transmit antenna. The data collection process demonstrated that such received video was acceptably clear [)]. Moreover, the UTC time taken from the onboard GPS was overlaid onto the video in the lower right-hand corner [)]. Meanwhile, the video was recorded on digital tape. The video was then converted from tape to MPEG-I format.
0
0
1
S
S
S
1
1
1
S
S
S
2
2
2
1
1
1
2
2
2
With measurement of a number of high-quality nontraditional GCPs described in Section IV-A, all unknown parameters in (1) can be solved. In this model, 11 GCPs were employed, and their imaged coordinates in the first and second images were also measured. The initial values of unknown parameters, including (x, y, f, ρ), (X, Y, Z, ω, φ, κ), and (X, y, Z, ω, φ, κ), were provided by the aforementioned computation. With the initial values, an iterative computation with updating the initial values was carried out, and the finally solved results for the first video frame were listed in Table II.
0
The aforementioned computational processing can be extended into an entire strip, in which the interesting distinct points must be extracted and tracked. The final tracked distinct points in the video flow could be used as tie points to tie all overlap images together in the bundle adjustment model [i.e., (17)]. From the solution of (17), the EOPs of each video frame can be obtained. A statistical analysis of EOPs for the video flow (correspondingly 18200 video frames) is listed in the last column of Table III. From experimental results, the standard deviation (σ) of the six unknown parameters can reach 0.42 pixels. In addition, the maximum, minimum, and average standard deviations of six EOPs are listed in Table III. As shown, the average standard deviations of linear elements of EOPs are less than 1.5 m, and the average standard deviations of nonlinear elements of EOPs are less than 22 s.
TABLE 4
ACCURACY EVALUATION OF THE 2-D PLANIMETRIC MAPPING
DERIVED USING THREE ORIENTATION PARAMETERS, AND
δX = {square root over ((X − X′)<sup>2</sup>/n)} AND δY = {square root over ((Y − Y′)<sup>2</sup>/n)}
WHERE (X, Y) AND (X′, Y′) ARE COORDINATES IN THE 2-D
PLANIMETRIC MAPPING AND THE USGS DOQ, RESPECTIVELY
Accuracy
relative
From self-calibration
From boresight
From
to USGS DOQ
bundle adjustment
alignment
GPS/TCM2 ™
δX(m)
0.17
10.46
44.04
δY(m)
0.25
10.33
56.26
FIG. 5
FIG. 5
With the previously solved EOPs for each video frame, the generation of georeferencing video can be implemented using the proposed method described in Section III. More details of this method can be referenced to [37]. The method may be used to individually orthorectify each digital video frame and mosaic them together to create a 2-D planimetric mapping covering the test area (). In order to quantitatively evaluate the accuracy (absolute accuracy) achieved by this method, 55 checkpoints were measured in both the mosaicked ortho-video and the USGS DOQ. The results are listed in Table IV. As shown in Table IV, the average accuracy can achieve 1.5-2.0 m (i.e., 1-2 pixels) relative to USGS DOQ. Meanwhile, it was found that the lowest accuracy occurred in the middle area (Section II), due to the paucity and poor distribution of GCPs used in the bundle adjustment model. Sections I and III in have a relatively higher accuracy due to more GCPs and a better distribution. Therefore, the experimental results demonstrated that the algorithms developed and the proposed method can rapidly and correctly rectify a digital video image within acceptable accuracy limits.
FIG. 5
Also measured was the accuracy of seam lines of two overlapping mosaicked images. The sub-windows of the magnified seam lines for the three sections are shown in . The results showed that the accuracy of seam lines in the three sections can achieve less than 1.2 pixels.
FIG. 6
1
5
10
15
5
151
20
25
30
5
20
10
15
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shows a digital video camera system [] with a digital video camera [], GPS [] and attitude sensors [] for determining roll, pitch and yaw. The digital video camera [] is mounted in an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) (not shown for clarity). The digital video camera is capable of taking at least two digital video image frames []. Ground control points (GCP's) [] are located in proximate geometric distances from a 3D object []. The digital video camera [] captures at least two digital video image frames [] in a known epoch and determines the GPS position, roll, pitch and yaw data from the GPS [] and attitude sensors [] respectively in relation to any given image frame []. Any given image frame [], along with the GPS position, roll, pitch and yaw data is stored on a computer readable storage medium (not shown) which may be internal or external to the digital video camera [].
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Any given image frame [] is also the basis for a boresight matrix [] which is determined from a given image frame [], GPS position, roll, pitch and yaw data and ground control points []. Known parameters from the digital video camera [] are used to determine pixel data as a measurement between GCP image []. GCP [] data is also compared to the 3D object image [] to determine location and dimensions of the 3D object []. Additional image frames [] are orthorectified with respect to pixel variations of the 3D object image [].
FIG. 7
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In shown are a first image frame [], a second image frame [] and a third image frame [] each with a 3D object image []. Each image frame [, , ] has been orthorectified individually. The orthorectified image frames [, , ] are then manipulated to form a composite orthorectified image []. The pixilated 3D object images [] are then mosaicked to more accurately depict the 3D object []. Additional manipulation of the pixels of the mosaicked image [] with respect to known digital elevation models (DEM) provides gray assignment shading to the mosaicked 3D object image frame [] and in particular to the 3D object image [].
This contemplated arrangement may be achieved in a variety of configurations. While there has been described what are believed to be the preferred embodiment(s), those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the true scope of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
shows a geometric configuration for UAV-based multisensors, including video camera, GPS, attitude sensor and equation variables.
FIG. 2
is a flowchart of geometric rectification using the block bundle adjustment model.
FIG. 3
21
shows a photographic aerial view of a Digital Orthophoto Quadrangle (DOQ) and the distribution of the measured nontraditional GCPs.
FIG. 4
is a photograph of the UAV ground control station and field data collection.
FIG. 5
is a photograph of a mosaicked ortho-video and the accuracy estimation of ground coordinates and seam lines of a 2-D planimetric map.
FIG. 6
shows the relationship of the digital video camera and associated system components.
FIG. 7
shows how digital image frames are orthorectified and mosaicked to produce an object image. | |
Sensationalism emblems may be based on subjective criteria.
Readers are encouraged to take entries critically, and form their opinion independently.
Independent, UK based gaming news and reviews website, also offering a podcast. Has a strong ethics policy.
Launched shortly before GamerGate, it was one of the few websites willing to cover the early stories when the subject was still controversial — which caused them censorship issues but placed them among the activists' supported alternatives. | http://deepfreeze.it/outlet.php?o=gamesnosh |
A procedure to determine the correct thickness of an object with confocal microscopy in case of refractive index mismatch.
A difference in refractive index (n) between immersion medium and specimen results in increasing loss of intensity and resolution with increasing focal depth and in an incorrect axial scaling in images of a confocal microscope. Axial thickness measurements of an object on such images are therefore not exact. The present paper describes a simple procedure to determine the correct axial thickness of an object with confocal fluorescence microscopy. We study this procedure for a specimen that has a higher refractive index than the immersion medium and with a thickness up to 100 microm. The measuring method was experimentally tested by comparing the thickness of polymer layers measured on axial images of a confocal microscope in case of a water-polymer mismatch to reference values obtained from an independent technique, i.e. scanning electron microscopy. The case when the specimen has a lower refractive index than the immersion medium is also shown by way of illustration. Measured thickness data of a water layer and an oil layer with the same actual thickness were obtained using an oil-immersion objective lens with confocal microscopy. Good agreement between theory and experiment was found in both cases, consolidating our method.
| |
2 edition of Urban development grant impact study Northside-Belfast found in the catalog.
Urban development grant impact study Northside-Belfast
John Hendry
Published
1991
by Centre for Environmental Planning, The Queen"s University of Belfast in Belfast
.
Written in English
Edition Notes
Includes updates for 1991 and 1992.
|Statement||John Hendry, Malachy McEldowney, Sarah Gilbert.|
|Contributions||McEldowney, Malachy., Gilbert, Sarah., Queen"s University of Belfast. Centre for Environmental Planning.|
|The Physical Object|
|Pagination||Various pagings :|
|ID Numbers|
|Open Library||OL17498101M|
In a study of Columbus, Ohio, Mikelbank finds that vacant properties have a more severe impact on their immediate surroundings than do foreclosures, which have a relatively modest impact but over a larger area. 16 Whitaker and Fitzpatrick also separate vacant properties from foreclosures in assessing spillover effects, finding that in the. What is the prevalence of mental illness among people experiencing homelessness in the U.S.? According to a assessment by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, , people were homeless on a given night in the United States. At a minimum, , or 25 percent of these people were seriously mentally ill, and , or 45 percent had any mental illness. .
NOTE: If state specific forms are not shown above, please refer to the application materials listed below to start the process of ensure that your state is selected in the dropdown menu above to find the State Office contact information for this program and speak to a Community Programs Specialist before attempting to fill out any forms or applications. Journals & Books Help Selected articles from this journal and other medical research on Novel Coronavirus (nCoV) and related viruses are now available for free on ScienceDirect – start exploring directly or visit the Elsevier Novel Coronavirus Information Center.
The Urban Child Institute (UCI) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the education, health, and well-being of young children in Shelby County. at the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. According to her analysis of data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, a cognitive gap exists at 9 months of age, and widens by 24 months. Thus, well before formal schooling begins, the Black child is behind, and by fifth grade, that.
Mechanical Development For Reliable Reactor Components.
Imperialism and civilization
Antibiotics
Knickerless Nicola.
Lazy virtues
dark kingdoms
Esmeralda
Land matters through the cases
Transition, the role of the paraprofessional
DArcy McGee, 1825-1925
History of Blackrod
Search the world's most comprehensive index of full-text books. My library. Urban Development At-A-Glance Globally, 55% of the population lives in urban areas today.
Bythe number of people living in cities will increase by times to 6 billion, adding 2 billion more urban. Sustainable Urban Development research in the Department for Continuing Education at the University of Oxford.
Research on Sustainable Urban Development (SUD) at Oxford seeks to develop advanced knowledge on the challenges and opportunities for developing more sustainable and just urban spaces, communities and politics.
The Department of Urban Studies and Planning (DUSP) is a department within the School of Architecture and Planning at MIT. It is comprised of four specialization areas (also referred to as Program Groups): City Design and Development; Environmental Policy and Planning; Housing, Community and Economic Development; and the International Development Group.
HOPE VI is a program of the United States Department of Housing and Urban is intended to revitalize the worst public housing projects in the United States into mixed-income developments. Its philosophy is largely based on New Urbanism and the concept of defensible space.
The program began inwith formal recognition by law in U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development | 7th Street S.W., Washington, DC Telephone: () TTY: () Find the address of the HUD office near you. The book provides a conceptual framework and work program for actions and outlines future research needs.
It presents the current evidence-base, the benefits of and numerous case studies on integrating health and the environment into urban development and transport planning. Urban Studies JournalAdam Smith Building 40 Bute Gardens, GLASGOW, G12 8RT.
Urban Studies Journal impact factor Urban Studies Foundation is a registered Scottish charity: registration number SC Rural sociology focuses on how rural people and communities are socially, culturally, politically, and economically organized.
As a discipline, it has a distinct body of knowledge, specific. "Overall, the fellowship has enabled me to produce original research, publish articles in top-academic journals, learn new practical skills, make a documentary film, create a new research network, secure external funding, organise academic events and obtain an excellent permanent job.".
The program aims to examine the concept of a smart city in different geographical contexts, develop and establish Smart City indicators, establish partnership and cooperation for action, promote exchange of best practices and knowledge transfer on sustainable urban development, including “smart cities” and scale up the concept of smart cities and create a multiplier the absence.
Include Project Documents, Research & Publications from before View All The Women, Business and the Law study measures economies, tracking how laws affect women at different stages in their working lives and focusing on those laws applicable in the main business city.
It covers reforms. As ofWiley has ceased publication of Review of Urban & Regional Development Studies. Recent issues Issue Vol Issue 3.
Pages: i-ii, November Issue Vol Issue Pages: i-iii, March‐July Issue Vol Issue 3. Pages: i-iii, November Jane Jacobs OC OOnt (née Butzner; 4 May – 25 April ) was an American-Canadian journalist, author, and activist who influenced urban studies, sociology, and book The Death and Life of Great American Cities () argued that "urban renewal"/"slum clearance" did not respect the needs of city-dwellers.
Jacobs organized grassroots efforts to protect neighborhoods from. Urban Studies New and recent books published in the field of urban studies by Cornell University Press and its imprints.
View the PDF or the Issuu version. involvement in children’s learning and development through activities at home and at school affects the literacy, mathematics, and social-emotional skills of children ages 3 to 8.
A total of 95 studies of family involvement are reviewed. These include both descriptive, nonintervention. Impact Development Practices: Addressing Barriers to LID EPA F April United States Environmental Protection Agency New England Executive Summary Low Impact Development or LID practices manage stormwater by minimizing impervious cover and by using natural or man-made systems to filter and recharge stormwater into the ground.
Housing and Urban Development Local Offices. Main Address: 7th St., SW Washington, DC Phone Number: TTY: Forms: Department of Housing and Urban Development Forms. Government branch: Executive Department.
Popular Services from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Homes for Sale. The urban dimension of Cohesion Policy will be strengthened, with 6% of the European Regional Development Fund dedicated to sustainable urban development strategies.
There is also a new European Urban Initiative to support cities to innovate, access knowledge and understand policy, and support networking and capacity building.
The Urban Operational Plan (UOP) – of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) supports ADB developing member countries (DMCs) in expanding their urban economies, improving environmental sustainability, and making pro-poor investments through a 3E approach (Economy, Environment, and.
WIA Gold Evaluation: Providing Public Workforce Services to Job Seekers: month Impact Findings on the WIA Adult and Dislocated Worker Programs. Final Report; Technical Supplement; This study was sponsored by the Employment and Training Administration, Office of Policy Development and Research, Division of Research and Evaluation.
Sociology professor explores the impact of urban planning in new book; Next Post UM-Flint nurse practitioner program partners with counseling services to support students; UM-Flint receives $, EDA CARES Act grant to support local economic development.COVID Resources.
Reliable information about the coronavirus (COVID) is available from the World Health Organization (current situation, international travel).Numerous and frequently-updated resource results are available from this ’s WebJunction has pulled together information and resources to assist library staff as they consider how to handle coronavirus. | https://dijimatazenub.museudelantoni.com/urban-development-grant-impact-study-northside-belfast-book-15925no.php |
BNB, the native token for Binance, is a highly-valued asset that has a market capitalization in excess of $43bn. Although the token rallied ahead the July 27 Federal Open Market Committee meeting was scheduled, the anticipated 75 basis point rate increase might end the current rally. This is still to be seen. In the last 24 hours, the volume of the asset increased by 66%. BNB has recovered from the SMA ($239) of 50 days on July 26, suggesting that bulls are trying to convert this level into support.
BNB traded at $268 as of the writing date
BNB Chart
After hitting a low of $183.4 in June, BNB has shown signs of recovery and rallied almost 49% to $274.8. The asset trades in an “Ascending Channel”, where the lower trendline acts like a strong support while the upper channel’s trendline acts like a resistance. BNB faces strong resistance at $275, which is the Horizontal Trendline. To further rally, it must break above the resistance with high volumes. If it breaks the lower channel trendline, prices could drop to $215.
Support 2Support 1AssetResistance 2$ 215$ 23BNB$ 275$ 300
Disclaimer: This report should not be regarded as investment advice. It does not consider the financial situation, investment goals or needs of investors. When deciding whether an investment is right for them, all investors should take into account these factors and consult with a professional advisor. This report was prepared by the Company using information that it has access to, as well as information from public sources that have not been independently verified. The Company makes no representations or warranties, either express or implied, regarding the accuracy, reliability, correctness, completeness, reliability, or fairness of the information, opinions, or conclusions contained herein. This report is preliminary. The Company does not assume any obligation to revise or update the reports in the event of changes or unforeseen events. Trading and Investments in crypto assets viz. Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, and Ethereum are highly speculative investments that can be subject to market risk. The Author’s analysis should be used only as information and should not be considered investment advice.
28th-July-2022 ZebPay. | https://www.goldcoastmoneyonline.com/bnb-technical-analysis-report-28th-july-2022/ |
Can you believe we’re almost to the end of August and September is less than 2 weeks away? Time really is flying by this year. We’re almost ready to enter the busiest time of the year. With the way this year is going, it will be 2018 before you know it.
Positive habits and healthy practices are common come January. Did you make any healthy resolutions at the start of 2017? Are you sticking with them? If so great, if not, remember it’s never too late to start a new habit or add new practices to support existing self-care rituals to your current routine. It’s important to consciously create positive habits so you live your life to the fullest and stay healthy and pain-free.
Life gets hectic. We get distracted. Sometimes we have difficulty carving out time for our own personal well-being. Here are 3 exercises you can do easily and quickly at your desk to prevent neck pain and stay in alignment longer in between visits:
Neck Rotations
Keeping your eyes parallel with the horizon, rotate your head to the right and hold. Take a deep breath.
Keep your shoulders back and down in a relaxed fashion. As you rotate to the right you will be looking over your right shoulder.
Hold that position for 20 seconds then return back to center.
Rotate to the left and hold the position for 20 seconds.
Cervical Lateral Bend
Sit up straight and flex your neck to one side so that your ear approximates towards your shoulder.
Make sure your shoulders are pulled back and your ear is in alignment over your shoulder.
Hold the stretch for 20 seconds then repeat on the other side.
Resist the urge to ‘pop’ your neck in any direction.
Neck Retractions
Sit tall in the chair with a backrest. Keep looking forward while bringing your head backward, making sure not to tilt your head down (it may help to put a finger on your chin to guide your head back).Tuck your chin as if you were making a double chin while maintaining a forward gaze. A great way to visualize this exercise is thinking about giving yourself an extra chin, as it has this effect when performed.
Retract the neck back and hold for 10 seconds, then repeat 5 times. You should feel the muscles in the front of your neck engage. | https://woolstonwellnesscenter.com/3-desk-exercises-to-help-prevent-neck-pain/ |
This comprehensive history and instruction manual contains, in one volume, thirteen significant medieval scripts, with a history of the evolution of the alphabets, and fascinating background material on the scribes, their world, and how writing styles changed over a thousand years. Moreover, it is the only modern book that provides clearly described, brilliantly photographed, and accurately reproduced examples of both major and minor hands along with explicit directions for writing them.
The author — a professional calligrapher of medieval styles, as well as illuminator, writer, and teacher — presents a spirited historical account of thirteen important writing styles developed from about the fourth century to the end of the fifteenth. These include Roman Rustic, Uncial, Carolingian Minuscule, Early Gothic, Luxeuil Minuscule, Gothic Littera Bastarda , and seven other distinctive hands. The text explains how and why different styles evolved, why certain devices, codes, and abbreviations were used, and how form and function interacted.
In addition to fascinating facts about the origin and development of medieval scripts, Medieval Calligraphy also shows you how to duplicate medieval techniques with modern writing tools. Thorough instructions and sharply detailed, full-page photographs of the original alphabets explain pen angles and stroke sequences for each letter and capital. By carefully studying and practicing the techniques described, calligraphers will be able to master some of history's most interesting and influential scripts. Mr. Drogin has rounded out the book with helpful lists of suppliers of tools and materials, American and European sources for facsimiles and books, calligraphic societies, a bibliography, index, and more.
Reprint of the Allanheld, Osmun & Co. Publishers, Inc., and Abner Schram, Ltd., Montclair, New Jersey, 1980 edition. | http://store.doverpublications.com/0486261425.html |
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Journal Articles
The Review of Economics and Statistics (2003) 85 (4): 1021–1037.
Published: 01 November 2003
AbstractView article PDF
The objective of this paper is to investigate if and how capital adjustment departs from the smooth pattern implied by standard model based on convex adjustment costs. Using Norwegian micro data, we start by documenting the intermittent and lumpy nature of investment rates. We then present two pieces of econometric evidence on these issues. First, we estimate a discrete hazard model to determine the probability of having an episode of high investment, conditional on the length of the interval from the last high-investment episode. Second, we estimate a switching regression model that allows for the response of the investment rate to fundamentals to differ across regimes. In both cases we investigate the aggregate implications of our results.
Journal Articles
The Review of Economics and Statistics (2000) 82 (2): 239–263.
Published: 01 May 2000
AbstractView article PDF
The effect of financial liberalization on private saving is theoretically ambiguous, not only because the link between interest rate levels and saving is itself ambiguous, but also because financial liberalization is a multidimensional and phased process, sometimes involving reversals. Using principal components, we construct 25-year time-series indices of financial liberalization for each of eight developing countries: Chile, Ghana, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Turkey, and Zimbabwe. These are employed in an econometric analysis of private saving in these countries. Our results cannot offer support for the hypothesis that financial liberalization will increase saving. On the contrary, the indications are that liberalization overall—and in particular those elements that relax liquidity constraints—may be associated with a fall in saving.
Journal Articles
Investment and Capital Market Imperfections: A Switching Regression Approach Using U.S. Firm Panel Data
The Review of Economics and Statistics (1998) 80 (3): 466–479.
Published: 01 August 1998
AbstractView article PDF
In this paper we develop a switching regression model of investment, in which the probability of a firm facing a high premium on external finance is endogenously determined. This approach allows one to address the potential problem of static and dynamic misclassification encountered where firms are sorted using a criteria chosen a priori. We use U.S. firm level data to analyze the effects of variables that capture each firm's credit worthiness, asymmetric information, and agency problems on the probability of being in the high- or low-premium regime. The role of macroeconomic conditions and monetary policy is also discussed. | https://direct.mit.edu/rest/search-results?f_Authors=Fabio+Schiantarelli |
The course provides students with an overview of rotary drilling system and associated drilling components. The types, selection and characteristics of drilling fluids are discussed, and the analysis of the flow of drilling fluids during drilling is presented. Strategies for the selection and design of casings, cementing methodologies as well as design and configuration of completion systems are introduced, with emphasis on safety implications. Challenges of directional and horizontal drilling methods and associated technologies are discussed. Students will learn the common issues in drilling operations, including drilling remediation and environmental impact and considerations.
Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.
1st Attempt: 1 three-hour written examination paper (80%), continuous assessment (20%). The continuous assessment will comprise of laboratory practical on drilling fluids, and a class test.
Resit: 1 three-hour written examination paper (80%), continuous assessment (20%). In case of noncompletion or failure of the laboratory portion of the continuous assessment, stundents will be able to submit an equivalent written assignment.
Weekly tutorial question sheets covering core concepts in course.
a) Students can receive feedback on their progress with the Course on request at the weekly tutorial/feedback sessions. b) Tutorial answer sheets will be posted in advance of the exam, and discussed during tutorial sessions. c) Students requesting feedback on their performance in the exam should make an appointment during the scheduled feedback session which will be announced within 4 weeks of the publication of the exam results.
We have detected that you are have compatibility mode enabled or are using an old version of Internet Explorer. You either need to switch off compatibility mode for this site or upgrade your browser. | https://www.abdn.ac.uk/registry/courses/undergraduate/2017-2018/engineering/ep3595 |
Our Federal Government Client is seeking Performance Testers to support a number of in-train and future objectives.
This is a long-term contract role until 30 June 2021 with 12 months extension options, located at our Client's Canberra City location.
As the selected candidate, you will be responsible for:
- Drafting project change risk assessments based on current and future systems
- Creating detailed test plans including application simulation models and test run schedules
- Preparing, developing and executing test scripts and scenarios via LoadRunner
- Undertaking detailed performance analysis in a multi technology and platform environment
- Reviewing, assessing and communicating risks and
- Test reporting and analysing application performance.
To be successful in this role, you should have:
- Demonstrated experience (2+years) in performance testing tools, including:
- LoadRunner
- Micro Focus ALM
- Demonstrated Script Development experience in any of the following protocols:
- CITRIX / VDI
- Web (HTTP/HTML), Web Services
- Siebel
- Java
- Performance analysis and monitoring experience using different monitoring techniques and technologies
- Familiarity with DevOps and Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery (CI/CD)
- Familiarity with different software development methodologies, including Waterfall, Agile, and hybrid methodologies
- Demonstrated understanding and/or experience of performance testing methodologies, development of detailed test plans and application simulation models
- Demonstrated ability to communicate and co-ordinate with both technical and non-technical stakeholders
- Demonstrated experience in training and knowledge transfer
Due to security clearance requirements for this role, candidates must be Australian Citizens who currently possess Federal Government Security Clearances.
Apply now for immediate consideration - contact Carissa Burgos on 02 9137 8700 quoting Job Reference: #211399
Please note: Only candidates that meet the above criteria will be contacted. Thank you for your interest in the position. | https://www.peoplebank.com.au/job/Performance-Test-Analyst-5/ |
When it comes to digital imagery, there are two major types of results that get generated. Even though users of each type use them on various platforms. Most of the times, people are confused between the two types of digital imagery, let us shed some light on how and why they are different.
Here is a compare and contrast of their differences (ad similarities), together with a verdict as to what should be used where.
The Scalability Test
One of the most obvious tests that help differentiate vectors from raster is scalability. Vector files are very elastic, in the way that they do not lose their clarity and sharpness, no matter how much (or how many times) you increase or decrease them in size.
However, in the case of a bitmap (or raster) they get blurry or pixelated as soon as you resize them. This can be demonstrated perfectly well by the help of an example. The images below are two separate versions of the same picture. One is a raster and the other is a vector. The smaller images are the originals in either case. Look closely as one image loses out its sharpness.
The Game of Resolution
The resolution falls different by a huge margin when it comes to compare vector formats and rasterized formats.
The resolution of a raster graphic forms its basis on squared pixels in millions known as DPI (Dots per Inch), this means the size of the pixels remains the same. This means when you increase the size of a raster the value of the pixels remains the same, resulting in a decrease of quality. Therefore, when you want to resize a raster, only go for smaller size so that the same sized pixels re-pack into a concentrated area giving a crisp look.
Parallel to the above, a vector image is made of various paths that are systematically defined by numbers and figures in terms of width, height, length and etc. So no matter how you resize the image (increase in size or downgrade) your image resolution gets recalculated and adjusted accordingly. The result, of all this, means that the image maintains its sharpness and clarity at the end of the adjustment.
The Creation Process
The two types of these digital images vary tremendously in terms of creation. A vector image can easily (without a doubt) be created into a raster. As opposed to this, creating a vector from a raster will take some serious rework.
The creation of vector graphics is done through specialized software, namely Adobe Illustrator. Therefore, in the absence of the software on cameras, it is impossible to take a photo directly in vector format. Furthermore, all images printed and taken from digital cameras are automatically saved in raster formats. Therefore, the vector photos that you see on the internet or elsewhere are actually vectors created on a software manually and not the other way round. In the image below you can see how distortion takes place on a raster image while a vector image remains in perfect shape.
Ease of use
As stated earlier, vector images can be resized without losing their sharpness and clarity. This sinle handedly makes vectors the perfect choice for use in various places be it online, social media or even print media where you can increase the size to fit any length/width of a page. On the contrary, if you are sing a raster image, you can use it in the only size that it was originally taken in, or a smaller size. For if you increase the size, the image quality will deteriorate.
Storage Space
You might think that vectors maintain their size, their clarity and the overall appeal no matter what size, so they must be the heavier ones. Wrong! Since the vector files are based on mathematical calculations that get calculated every time the image gets resized, and not thousands or millions of pixels in specified sizes, vector files are light weight and do not take up much of the system storage space.
However, raster images vary in size and the larger the image, the heavier it will be since the file will contain a higher number of pixels (DPI or PPI) with specific image data.
The Compatibility Issue
For vector files, compatibility remains an issue. For if you are a designer or someone related to the design field other than a designer (printer maybe), you will have access to a software such as Adobe Illustrator that can open vector files. But the same cannot be said to a regular person, trying to access a vector file on their system. They most probably will not have a suitable software (or an idea where to get one) to open the file at hand.
Raster on the other hand are files that are easily available on all system types be it a JPEG, PNG, BMP and the likes. Every system has many software (some default ones as well) that open these raster image files easily without the user even bothering to look for an opener online.
Getting them Printed
Default raster image files that have a pixel value of 72DPI work fairly well for printing and most printers use these files. The same cannot be said for vector files, since the printer may not have the software to open the file in the first place. A problem that hinders the process further is the print quality for vector files, that is, they don’t turn out too good when printed. Therefore it is better to use a 300DPI format for your raster image file so that even if you increase the size the quality does not get (read terribly) pixelated.
The final verdict
Come to think of it, both tyes of digital image files have their pros and cons. It is only important for you to know where and why you are using these images and you will be good to go. However, if you ask us for a verdic, we will go for vector files only not in the case of printing. The rest is up to you to decide. We hope we made a perfect case for you to make an informed decision as to which files to use in what case.
If you wish to learn more about the design file types or want to add to our story, feel free to comment below, its always fun to learn something new. | https://www.uptownlogodesign.com/blog/understanding-the-difference-between-vector-and-raster/ |
Meghalaya & Entrepreneurship
- Meghalaya is a land of myriad opportunities and challenges. It is a land-locked North Eastern state located between Bangladesh on the South and West and Assam on the North and East. The State’s population is predominantly tribal (85.9 percent as per the 2011 census), with the Khasis, Garos and Jaintias being the major tribes, in addition to the plain tribes like the Koch, Rabhas and Bodos. The languages spoken in the state include Khasi, Garo, Pnar, Hindi and English. The Khasi, Garo and Jaintia societies follow a matrilineal system, where the line of descent is from the women. The population of the State is 29.7 lakh. About 80 % of the population lives in rural areas and is dependent on agriculture and allied activities for their livelihoods.
- Meghalaya has an average per capita GSDP of INR 81,098 (2017-18 data) against the national average of INR 1,14,958. Only five states- Assam, Bihar, Manipur, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh- have lower per capita GSDP than Meghalaya. In terms of human development, the State ranked 26th (among 29 Indian States) on Human Development Index (HDI) for the year 2011. It ranked 7th amongst the eight North Eastern States.
- The State has many unique strengths and opportunities that have to be leveraged upon to promote sustainable development. A salubrious climate conducive to Agri-horticulture sectors and eco-tourism, untapped hydroelectric potential, human resources, forest resources, mineral resources and the social capital in the village communities are some of the key ones. Several high-value agriculture and horticulture crops viz. Strawberry, Ginger, Lakadong turmeric (with high curcumin content), Honey, Black Pepper and various exotic flowers (Anthurium, Carnation, different types of Orchids etc.), as also Potato, Jackfruit, Pine Apple and Areca Nut are produced in large quantities. Further, most of State’s agriculture and horticulture produce is naturally organic, with farmers using traditional methods of cultivation. The State’s literacy rate at 75.5% in 2011 is higher than the national average and the English-speaking skills of the population are superior to that of most large Indian States. Further, 76.5 percent of the State’s area is under forest cover, which provides global public goods and can be tapped for promoting high value eco-tourism and forestry related livelihoods and enterprises. At the grassroots, there is high levels of social capital and community spirit amongst the rural communities, which can be leveraged for fostering sustainable development.
- Over the last few years, the State Government has been making concerted efforts to improve the quality of life of its citizens. In the last 8 years, poverty in the state has declined by 4.3 percentage points. In 2004-05, 16.1 percent of the State’s population lived below the poverty line. This figure has declined to 11.9 percent in 2011-12.
- Despite the many strengths and opportunities, the State also faces several critical obstacles in its development efforts like inadequate infrastructure, insufficient access to markets and an underdeveloped private sector. For instance, the road density of the State is only 47.8 Km/ 100 sq. km against the national average of 170. Even amongst the NE states, Meghalaya’s road density is on the lower side of the spectrum. Several of the challenges faced by the State stem from a severe geographic disadvantage. The State is landlocked, far away from well-developed markets, has hilly terrain with very severe slopes on the Southern side and experiences heavy torrential rainfall.
- Given this, the State government is crafting a development strategy that builds on our strengths and takes the challenges head on. The prime focus is to foster human development, by prioritizing education and health sectors, to improve physical, social and digital infrastructure, and to build robust rural livelihoods and enterprises in the Agri-horticulture, food processing and tourism sector. The ultimate vision is to transform Meghalaya into a high-income Indian State by 2030
- Entrepreneurship is at the core of the state’s development vision. However, entrepreneurship is not a natural choice for the citizens of the State. There are many challenges to enterprise development and promotion in Meghalaya stemming from historical, geographic, economic and cultural reasons. As mentioned earlier, the per capita GDP of the State is lower than the national average and about 80 percent of the population which lives in rural areas, are engaged in agriculture and allied activities and a significant proportion of them are at a subsistence level of income and livelihoods. Private sector development in the State is at a very nascent stage and Government spending is about 30 percent of GDP compared to the national average of around 13. The geographic remoteness, the absence of a strong private sector (including the banking sector) and the overreliance on government mean that entrepreneurship is not a preferred career choice for many youths.
- However, the demographic profile of Meghalaya, with 37 percent of the population in the age group of 15 – 34 years and the aspirational changes brought about by technology in a deeply connected world, make entrepreneurship an imperative for the State in the 21st century. Local employment opportunities need to be created for the 37 percent of the young population so that they are productively engaged in their communities. On the supply side, opportunities for building enterprises abound in the sectors of Agri-horticulture, food processing, tourism, digital industries and new age industries like fashion, food and music.
- Given this, the State Government made significant policy and program interventions in the last few years to make entrepreneurship a viable and exciting opportunity. The objective is to build an entrepreneurial ecosystem that encourages and supports innovation, risk-taking and good-old- hard work.
- Building on the experiences of the past and taking into consideration the current socio-economic realities, the State has now finalized a strong entrepreneurship focused program called PRIME – Promotion and Incubation of Market-driven Enterprises program. This will be an all-encompassing program aimed at providing targeted support to aspiring entrepreneurs through focusing on the four-pillars of market access, skill development, technology and credit linkages. | https://miemeghalaya.org/meghalaya-entrepreneurship/ |
Aspiring family physicians must first complete a bachelor's degree program in order to continue on to medical school.
Traditionally, premed programs offered by nearly all major universities, but are not necessarily required to enter medical school.
Programs that emphasize science, such as biology, physics, or physiology, may also be sufficient as medical school qualifications.
However, those that are certain they want to enter this, or any other, medical profession should pursue a premed program.
A list of accredited medical education programs is available through the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME). For more information and advice on successfully getting into medical school, you can check with the Association of American Medical Colleges.
Medical school consists of four years of studying the basics in science and participating in clinical “rotations.” These are hands-on clinical experiences in real health care settings. In most med schools, the first two years are taken up with classroom studies before students are assigned to do rotations.
The current trend, however, finds a number of medical schools exposing students to early clinical experiences that continue throughout the four-year program.
Most medical schools base their curriculum on a system-based approach that focuses on one physiological system at a time, such as the respiratory system or the nervous system.
Still others may use a case-based curriculum that teaches about the human body’s normal functioning and disease processes by assigning students to following individual patient cases from start to finish. Still other med schools use a combination of these approaches to educate their students.
During the last two years of schooling, students are required to obtain hands-on experience at hospitals and clinics, learning to diagnose and treat patients while working under the supervision of licensed physicians.
Upon completion of four years of med school, a student is awarded a medical degree, or M.D. Another popular trend is for schools to offer combination degree programs, such as MD/MPH, MD/PHD or MD/JD.
In order to practice medicine, aspiring geriatricians must pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE).
This exam is sponsored by the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) and the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME).
Assesses the ability to apply scientific concepts, basic to practicing medicine, emphasizing mechanisms underlying health, disease, and therapy.
Divided into 2 sub-steps: clinical knowledge (CK) & clinical skills (CS).
The clinical knowledge section assesses the ability to apply medical knowledge, skills, and clinical science to patient care.
The clinical skills section assesses the ability to gather information from patients, perform physical exams, and communicate findings with colleagues.
Administered at 6 test centers in the US: Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, & Philadelphia.
Foundations of Independent Practice assesses the knowledge and principles essential for effective health care.
Advanced Clinical Medicine assesses the ability to apply knowledge of health and disease to the context of patient management and an evolving disease.
Neurologists are required to complete a 1 year basic training year prior to beginning their residency program.
These are designed to train graduates in both surgical and internal medicine rotations while preparing them for entry into their chosen specialty. Transitional programs can be found on the FREIDA online database.
After completing med school, you aren’t finished yet. Now it’s time to choose your specialty and complete your residency.
These residency programs are offered in conjunction with intensive clinical training experiences. Depending on the specialty, residency can last from three to eight years.
The American Medical Association’s online FREIDA service is an interactive database of over 9,400 graduate medical education programs.
These programs are all accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. There is also information on over 200 combined specialty programs.
Neurologists can become certified by passing the examination offered by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Inc.
Although certification is not mandatory, it is highly advisable as it further establishes the neurologist as a professional in their field and provides a competitive advantage when searching for a new position. | https://www.hospitalcareers.com/career-paths/how-to-become-a-neurologist |
Abstract:
Nowadays, banks noticed the importance of the CRM systems and started to implement them according to their strategy. Customer relationship management solutions help banks to raise their number of clients, retain existing ones and grow their customer lifetime value. The paper highlights the measures that banks should take in order to enhance the performance of CRM. Customer relationship management in the banking system represents a research step in an interdisciplinary area of maximum interest. The subject is very important for researchers, as well as for bankers. The research about the customer service in the banks measures the customer satisfaction and tries to identify the main problems that the banks are facing with and the future of CRM in banking using the new technologies.
Keywords: customer relationship management; banking; innovation; customer satisfaction; loyalty (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: M15 G21 O32 G40 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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How the sense of connection to a "future self" affects consumer choices.
The decisions consumers make depend partly on who they think they'll be in the future, says Chicago Booth marketing professor Oleg Urminsky. Those who believe they'll change significantly—and feel only distantly connected to their "future selves"—are more likely to make short-term choices. In a study in the June Journal of Consumer Research, Urminsky and Columbia University collaborator Daniel Bartels divided 18- to 29-year-old participants into two groups: one told that their young adulthoods would see big changes, the second that their identities were mostly set.
Some participants had to select a retailer for a gift certificate (fixed) right away, while others could choose later (flexible). To assess how connectedness affected the subjects' decisions, researchers then had them pick between a lesser-value certificate immediately or wait a year for one worth more. Those who'd been told their current self wouldn't change showed more patience to wait for a larger reward, as shown above. The trend held whether the retailer choice was fixed or flexible. | https://mag.uchicago.edu/economics-business/decision-time |
As long as the Fourth Estate is seen as a check on the government, the easiest way to avoid scrutiny will remain to undermine journalism altogether.
Questioning the legitimacy of journalism is historically engrained within the profession but a deep derision for it is growing more overt by the day. The profession was created as a quasi-institutional check on the functions of a government, yet more often than not governments do not want to undergo those checks.
There is a plethora of ways in which the fourth estate can be undermined. It can shut out any media contact whatsoever in the style of Prime Minister Joseph Muscat who travelled to Azerbaijan in 2014 alongside chief of staff Keith Schembri and then Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi without alerting or inviting the media. Or it can be a more outright disbelief in the legitimacy of the mainstream media more appropriate to the Trump era fever dream we are living in. Donald Trump may have popularised calling news sources fake news when they do not align with his political goals, but it is a trend very much present in Malta as well.
Most recently, Alfred Sant resorted to questioning the financing of the Daphne Project framing it as a conspiracy by certain members of the opposition. This clear undermining of the media is used to take away the power it could yield. Additionally, transferring the burden of evidence onto journalists by consistently demanding Daphne’s laptop, even without rightful reason, moves the pressure away from the government and law enforcement and places it on the media.
The fake news trend is best understood as a development of propaganda theory, in which the propagandists bypass the media and instead focus on changing the opinion of the public. If the public distrusts the media as well, the scrutiny it supplies provides no threat to the government. That very form of propaganda is refined to an art form when the focus of attack is narrowed to journalistic sources, the attack is then framed as a justifiable concern for the principles of verification of the media.
However, another issue arises there in that if a journalist reveals their sources they are doing so at the cost of their trustworthiness as they are breaking an assured confidentiality. Therein lies the art of this propaganda – it places the journalist in a dichotomous situation in which both sides result in delegitimisation of the journalist.
There is a strong reason for anonymous sources, it not only protects the source but in doing so encourages more people to share what they know. Information should not come at the cost of one’s livelihood and the anonymity of sources is there to ensure that. Confidentiality cannot simply be broken when it suits the government, sources will be identified whenever it is feasible – in fact Daphne Caruana Galizia even revealed the identity of the De La Rue employee who threatened her, which is referenced by Sant.
But on a greater scale the media is being attacked because maintaining confidentiality is seen to be an active hindrance to the police and government in undertaking investigations. However, it is important to remember that journalism is first and foremost meant to serve and inform the public, not undertake the jobs of law and order. The profession cannot continue to inform the public sphere if their sources refuse to communicate with them if confidentiality continues to become a dismissible phrase.
Journalism will often provide information that will point out routes for police investigators to pursue but it is not on the journalist to do research and gather proof for the police. Journalists want the issues they spent months exposing to be pursued and prosecuted, but they cannot instruct the police to do so – initiative for investigation cannot end with the journalists. It needs to be done by the police and other democratic superstructures otherwise there will be no possibility of change.
Institutional instability in which pillars of democracy are either deeply distrusted or ineffectual can only result in widening of the problems plaguing a society. Corruption will not magically disappear by enforcing doubt in journalism, or by assigning it responsibilities beyond its domain. In fact, it will only grow worse causing civil society to grow justifiably restless. | https://theshiftnews.com/2018/05/13/methodology-of-undermining-the-fourth-estate/ |
White House revokes press passes for dozens of journalists
In what appears to be an unprecedented move, the White House revoked the press passes of a significant chunk of the Washington press corps because they didn’t meet a new standard, according to Washington Post columnist Dana Milbank. Under the new rules, rolled out earlier this year, in order to qualify for the highest level of access—known as a “hard pass”—journalists had to be present in the White House for at least 90 days out of a 180-day period. According to Milbank, virtually the entire press corps failed to meet this new test, including all six of the Post’s White House correspondents. Media outlets then had to apply for exceptions to cover their senior journalists, or settle for six-month passes, which don’t allow as much access.
The Post applied for and was granted exceptions for its White House correspondents, Milbank says, but he was not given one. “I strongly suspect it’s because I’m a Trump critic,” he wrote on Wednesday. “The move is perfectly in line with Trump’s banning of certain news organizations, including The Post, from his campaign events and his threats to revoke White House credentials of journalists he doesn’t like.” Milbank noted that, since dozens of senior correspondents didn’t meet the new standards either, “they all serve at the pleasure of Press Secretary Sarah Sanders” and
“therefore, in theory, can have their credentials revoked any time they annoy Trump or his aides.” (The White House press secretary told the Post the move was a result of security concerns, not a desire to crack down on specific journalists.)
Some seemed concerned that the new rules are an attempt to exert more direct control over the White House press corps, after an incident involving CNN reporter Jim Acosta in November. Acosta’s press pass was revoked following a contentious press conference in which the CNN reporter repeatedly asked the president questions about immigration policy that Trump refused to answer, and then refused to hand over the microphone when an aide tried to take it from him. Later that day, Acosta tried to access the White House in the usual way and was told his “hard pass” had been revoked because of his behavior. Sanders later released a statement saying the CNN reporter’s pass had been withdrawn “until further notice.”
CNN went to court to seek an injunction ordering the White House to return Acosta’s pass, and won. The media company and a number of other organizations that filed briefs in the case argued that the First Amendment protected the media’s right to cover the White House, and that this right couldn’t be abridged without due process. Judge Timothy Kelly agreed with the latter part of that argument, and said the Trump administration had failed to show why Acosta’s press pass was being revoked, or, in fact, that any process had been followed at all. “Whatever process occurred within the government is still so shrouded in mystery that the government could not tell me at oral argument who made the initial decision to revoke Mr. Acosta’s press pass,” he wrote.
Now, with its new standards for performance and most of the press corps holding passes that have only been issued as “exceptions,” the White House has a structure in place that could allow it to remove whoever it wishes to remove. That wouldn’t necessarily override First Amendment protection for press access (which Kelly didn’t rule on), but in the short term it gives the Trump administration new levers with which to control the press corps. Some argue that access to the White House is already almost meaningless, since press briefings are few and far between (there hasn’t been an on-camera briefing for 58 days, a new record) and what briefings there are often involve the White House press secretary and/or the president shutting down journalist questions and in many cases outright lying about various details of the administration’s behavior or plans.
Un-American: “This is what dictators do,” Patrick Leahy, the senior Democratic senator from Vermont, said in a tweet posted to his official Twitter account, quoting from the Dana Milbank piece in The Washington Post. Jeff Merkley, a Democratic senator from Oregon, posted a similar sentiment on Twitter, saying: “Curtailing a free press and undermining the public’s access to government is a hallmark of authoritarianism & has no place in America. This purge of reporters is un-American and needs to be reversed ASAP. ”
Not normal: Even before the furor over the revoking of Jim Acosta’s press pass, New York University journalism professor Jay Rosen was arguing that the media should “suspend normal relations with the Trump presidency” because of the way it treated journalists and the press. New outlets and journalists should refuse to do background or off-the-record briefings, Rosen said, and stop repeating the president’s falsehoods. Rosen also argued as early as 2017 that media outlets should stop sending their senior journalists to White House briefings.
Does it matter? In September, Pete Vernon wrote for CJR about the inexorable decline of the White House press briefing and asked whether or not it matters anymore. Olivier Knox, the president of the White House Correspondents Association, told CNN’s Brian Stelter that the briefing “has both a symbolic and a substantive importance to the White House press corps,” because it shows that “the most powerful political institution in American life is not above being questioned.” But others argued it was just an exercise in political theater.
No dinner: Trump announced last month that he wouldn’t be attending the White House Correspondent Dinner, an annual fundraiser in which journalists dine with politicians and celebrities, and then ordered that no White House or administration officials would be allowed to attend the dinner either. Trump said the dinner was “so boring and negative” that he would be attending a rally in Green Bay, Wisconsin instead. Last year, CJR looked at the dinner and found that less than half the money raised went to scholarships.
Other notable stories:
Columbia Journalism School and the Poynter Institute are holding a symposium at Columbia on Thursday—which will be livestreamed—to discuss the challenges of doing journalism at a time of rampant misinformation, as part of the launch of the Craig Newmark Centers for Journalism, Ethics and Society at Columbia and Poynter. The event features Maria Ressa, founder of the Philippines-based news site Rappler, as well as Emily Bell, director of the Tow Center for Digital Journalism at Columbia, and sociologist Zeynep Tufekci. Watch live, starting at 10.
The owner of The Salt Lake Tribune, Utah’s largest newspaper, says he has asked for IRS approval to turn the paper into a non-profit operation owned by the community. Paul Huntsman said that he saw the move as the best way to maintain the integrity of the Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper, which like many publications has suffered years of heavy financial losses. The plan is to create a non-profit foundation and turn the paper into a 501(c)(3) run by a public board.
Justin Ray writes for CJR about how a reporter got his hands on the cellphone video recorded by Sandra Bland when she was pulled over and ordered to get out of the car by an officer wielding a stun gun. Bland was taken into police custody and later discovered hanging in her jail cell three days later. Her death was ruled a suicide, but based on the video her family has asked for the investigation into her arrest and death to be reopened.
Evan Greer, a transgender activist and deputy director of the digital rights group Fight For the Future, writes in The Guardian that Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg should be removed as CEO of the social network. “Silicon Valley’s royal families have sat in their castles, amassing treasure mined from a mountain of our data,” Greer writes. “It’s time we prove these kings are not gods. It’s time we dethrone Mark Zuckerberg.”
David Barker, a professor of government at American University, and Morgan Marietta, an associate professor of political science at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, say the debate over the Mueller report is part of what they call the “dueling facts” phenomenon in America. This problem can’t be solved by fact-checking, they argue, because voters “see the world in ways that reinforce their values and identities.”
Two months after Facebook pledged to fight vaccine misinformation on its platforms, Instagram is still showing posts from anti-vaccination accounts and those with anti-vaccination hashtags to anyone who searches for the word “vaccine,” according to a report from CNN. The company said it has blocked hashtags that contain vaccine misinformation, such as #VaccinesCauseAids, but hoaxes and other misinformation can still be found, CNN says.
Art Kunkin, the legendary publisher of The Los Angeles Free Press, a counterculture newspaper he started in 1964 that was one of the first and most successful of the alternative underground newspapers in the 1960s and 1970s, passed away April 30 in Joshua Tree, California at the age of 91. The paper ran into financial difficulties after Kunkin published the names and home addresses of 80 government narcotics agents, which led to multiple lawsuits. The paper was later acquired by Hustler magazine publisher Larry Flynt.
Disney Inc. has taken another writedown on its investment in Vice Media, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The entertainment giant recorded a $353 million impairment charge as part of its quarterly results. That comes on top of a previous $157 million writedown it took on its Vice investment in November. Disney invested $400 million in Vice in 2015 in two separate investment rounds, and also owns a stake in the company through A+E Networks, a joint venture between Disney and Hearst that invested $250 million in Vice 2014.
The New York Times is hoping to duplicate some of the success of its Cooking and crossword apps, both of which have attracted significant numbers of subscribers, with a new product called Parenting, which launched in beta on Wednesday after a year of development. The paper told the Nieman Lab’s Laura Hazard Owen that a weekly subscription newsletter of the same name has signed up more than 5 times as many users in the past month as the Times expected it would (although the paper has provided no hard numbers). The Times also reportedbetter than expected earnings for the most recent quarter.
Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today.
Mathew Ingram is CJR's chief digital writer. Previously, he was a senior writer with Fortune magazine. He has written about the intersection between media and technology since the earliest days of the commercial internet. His writing has been published in The Washington Post and the Financial Times as well as Reuters and Bloomberg.
Featured
Good journalism is no longer sufficient to combat the assault on truth and democracy. Media companies are striving to counter the threat of information warfare by working in new and different ways, and to respond to the ethics challenges posed... | |
Persona:
- Data Scientist
Abstract
Smaller screens and conversational interfaces are now a reality. Recommendation and personalization are going to be key to make conversation interface a success. Traditionally recommendation systems are very important for web services like Amazon, Netflix, Facebook and LinkedIn for engaging users and discovering new content, products and connections.
This talk first describes how recommendation systems have evolved over time and how bots are emerging as a new form of delivering personalized recommendations. Next the talk will cover why bots are the new apps in conversational mediums such as messaging apps and devices like Amazon Echo. Finally, this talk will conclude with discussion on deep learning revolution that is making leaps and bounds progress in natural language processing and making conversational AI a reality.
Similar Talks
.
Tracks
Monday Nov 7
-
Architectures You've Always Wondered About
You know the names. Now learn lessons from their architectures
-
Distributed Systems War Stories
“A distributed system is one in which the failure of a computer you didn't even know existed can render your own computer unusable.” - Lamport.
-
Containers Everywhere
State of the art in Container deployment, management, scheduling
-
Art of Relevancy and Recommendations
Lessons on the adoption of practical, real-world machine learning practices. AI & Deep learning explored.
-
Next Generation Web Standards, Frameworks, and Techniques
-
Optimize You
Keeping life in balance is a challenge. Learn lifehacks, tips, & techniques for success.
Tuesday Nov 8
-
Next Generation Microservices
What will microservices look like in 3 years? What if we could start over?
-
Java: Are You Ready for This?
Real world lessons & prepping for JDK9. Reactive code in Java today, Performance/Optimization, Where Unsafe is heading, & JVM compile interface.
-
Big Data Meets the Cloud
Overviews and lessons learned from companies that have implemented their Big Data use-cases in the Cloud
-
Evolving DevOps
Lessons/stories on optimizing the deployment pipeline
-
Software Engineering Softskills
Great engineers do more than code. Learn their secrets and level up.
-
Modern CS in the Real World
Applied, practical, & real-world dive into industry adoption of modern CS ideas
Wednesday Nov 9
-
Architecting for Failure
Your system will fail. Take control before it takes you with it.
-
Stream Processing
Stream Processing, Near-Real Time Processing
-
Bare Metal Performance
Native languages, kernel bypass, tooling - make the most of your hardware
-
Culture as a Differentiator
The why and how for building successful engineering cultures
-
//TODO: Security <-- fix this
Building security from the start. Stories, lessons, and innovations advancing the field of software security.
-
UX Reimagined
Bots, virtual reality, voice, and new thought processes around design. The track explores the current art of the possible in UX and lessons from early adoption. | https://qconsf.com/sf2016/sf2016/presentation/recommendations-bots-conversational-interfaces.html |
Your two selections should demonstrate your voice at its best. You may use CD accompaniment, accompany yourself on an instrument you play, or have a pianist accompany you. Singers who would like to have a pianist play for them must notify Dr. Hudson prior to their scheduled audition time and bring sheet music with them to their audition. During the audition, singers will be required to sight read the soprano, alto, tenor, or bass part from an unfamiliar song. Singers will also be required to sing some vocal exercises to check range and possible voice part. | http://www.snead.edu/about_us/college_departments/academic/fine_arts/vocal.aspx |
CEO: Career vs. children is the wrong mindset—it's not a trade off
Recently, I sat in the back of an elementary school classroom in southeast London, on a Saturday morning. As I watched a group of beginner guitar players, including Isak, my five year old grandson, I frantically scribbled down the teacher's fingering for the intro chords of "Uptown Funk."
At the end of class, my mind raced to a question I have occasionally considered over the years: "Did I sacrifice experiences such as this with my own children, because of devotion to my career, and would I do it differently a second time around?"
The answer to the first question is a resounding YES; of course I missed many activities while I was at work. There were countless episodes with my children in which I was not present.
What I was feeling, however, in that South London classroom, was the unfamiliar pang of remorse and a sense that I might have made some poor trade offs.
For this discussion, we should start with a basic definition of "trade off" as an exchange of one desirable thing for another. For example: If I play more bridge, I will play less piano; if the town uses tax revenues for a new sports field it can't rebuild the library; if Jason takes the higher paying job in Seattle, he will see his family in Boston much less. These are trade offs.
However, focusing on a struggle between competing forces, particularly career and family, emphasizes non-compatibility rather than acknowledging that life is a constant stream of choices, priorities and realignments. Without intention, this over-simplifies the multiple strands of each individual's journey into battling pursuits.
"Generations ago, lines were more clearly defined and society's norms so deeply ingrained that guilt rarely applied to our roles in parenting, a verb yet to be invented. "
In fact, it's the misconception about trade offs that contributes heavily to our sense of guilt. Either we suffer because we believe we have traded off our time with children in favor of our careers or that we shirk our work responsibilities in favor of family time.
Generations ago, lines were more clearly defined and society's norms so deeply ingrained that guilt rarely applied to our roles in parenting, a verb yet to be invented. Career and family were never incompatible or "trade off" paths for fathers, who missed most "kid" activities during working hours.
However, in recent years, the concept of two-parent involvement in children's daily lives has become an expected staple of modern life. Rather than getting credit for appearing at a Little League game before it ends, many dads feel guilty if they do not arrive before the fourth inning
For women, the views on a combined career/children path have evolved over my lifetime from nearly impossible, to unlikely, to the current "complicated" status. We may have altered the conversation about women as leaders in the workplace, but we have a long way to go toward addressing the issue of guilt that many of us might feel.
Now we have a collective problem where everyone is educated, desires a career, and wants to be an involved parent. Guilt has become the unfortunate and unavoidable byproduct of that equation. Beyond the family association, self-condemnation also creeps into our participation across exercise, hobbies, and non-profit involvement.
We need to break the spiral of guilt. There is no harm and much to gain from diligence and ambition in our careers. All the hours we spend at work are, by definition, hours not spent doing anything else. When my children were young, I was often not the first to hear about an excellent grade on a test, but I was as enthusiastic as any parent could be when I did get the news.
So how can we avoid that tingling of guilt whether it's about missing a soccer game or leaving the office earlier than usual to attend a Habitat for Humanity meeting?
Think about priorities and make sure that we are comfortable with our own. If so, there is no reason to torture ourselves.
Remember that you are a better parent, partner and friend if you are challenged and fully engaged in your work.
Some guilt is fine. Studies have shown that a little guilt drives achievement, but too much becomes oppressive and leads to depression.
Pay attention to the experiences we actually have rather than ones we envision might be or would have been beneficial to others. It turns out my grandson wasn't remotely interested in learning the guitar fingering from me.
When we provide role models for our children, affirming our commitment to pursue multiple, yet complementary, aspects of life, we reduce the likelihood that future generations will be riddled by guilt about making the wrong trade offs.
Missing things is one of life's inevitabilities; it should not be a constant source of self-reproach or stress. We are not making a trade off, we're just living a life in which, until some clever tech wizard discovers otherwise, it is impossible to be in more than one place at a time. | |
Q:
How to split noise and text from the image for preprocessing of OCR
I am applying OCR against subtitle in TV footage. (I am using Tesseact 3.x w/ C++) I am trying to split text and background part as a preprocessing of OCR.
Here's the original image:
And, preprocessed image:
The OCR result is: Sicemn clone
As the above preprocessed image shown, there're some "fog" remained around the letter which prevents OCR module to do their job properly.
Is there any way to recognize those "fog" programatically to remove, or do some image processing to remove/reduce it from the preprocessed image?
Since preprocessed logic is heavily optimized to handle different images, I rather want to find a way to "clean" the preprocessed image, than modifying preprocessed logic (since optimizing to this pics can affecting to other pics)
Any suggestion is very welcome.
Update
Apparently, sixela's answer is great, and will work with most of the case.
The case it does not work is background also include similar color of text
Example of not working case:
Example of result:
Seemingly, Gaussian filter seems to cause a problem in this types of footage.
This implies, different footage may requires different approach.
A:
I managed to have a clearer (not perfect) image by using morphological operations and thresholding.
Here is how:
I started by converting the original image in greyscale
Applied a gaussian Blur (9x9 kernel) to denoise the greyscale image
Top Hat Morphological operation (3x3 kernel)to get the white text
Otsu thresholding method
dilation
Inverted binary threshold to get the white text in black
I finally obtained the following image
Which gives, as OCR results, this text: "Since vou don'k"
PS: This result can of course be improved by tweaking the parameters (kernel size for example) but i hope it can guide you. I used OpenCv in Python to quickly try out those methods.
import cv2
image = cv2.imread('./inputImg.png', 0)
imgBlur = cv2.GaussianBlur(image, (9, 9), 0)
kernel = cv2.getStructuringElement(cv2.MORPH_RECT, (3, 3))
imgTH = cv2.morphologyEx(imgBlur, cv2.MORPH_TOPHAT, kernel)
_, imgBin = cv2.threshold(imgTH, 0, 250, cv2.THRESH_OTSU)
imgdil = cv2.dilate(imgBin, kernel)
_, imgBin_Inv = cv2.threshold(imgdil, 0, 250, cv2.THRESH_BINARY_INV)
cv2.imshow('original', image)
cv2.imshow('bin', imgBin)
cv2.imshow('dil', imgdil)
cv2.imshow('inv', imgBin_Inv)
cv2.imwrite('./output.png', imgBin_Inv)
cv2.waitKey(0)
After this i tried the output image on Tesseract with this command:
tesseract output.png stdout
| |
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Key
Latitude & Longitude (WGS84):
21° 38' 20'' North , 157° 55' 11'' West
Latitude & Longitude (decimal):
Locality type:
Köppen climate type:
An area near the Polynesian Cultural Center.
Select Mineral List TypeStandard Detailed Strunz Dana Chemical Elements
Detailed Mineral List:
| ⓘ Calcite|
Formula: CaCO3
Habit: Scalenohedral
Colour: Pale tan
Fluorescence: Bright creamy white (LW & SW UV).
Description: Crusts of drusy, scalenohedral calcite crystals coating large cavity surfaces.
List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification
|Group 5 - Nitrates and Carbonates|
|ⓘ||Calcite||5.AB.05||CaCO3|
List of minerals arranged by Dana 8th Edition classification
|Group 14 - ANHYDROUS NORMAL CARBONATES|
|A(XO3)|
|ⓘ||Calcite||14.1.1.1||CaCO3|
List of minerals for each chemical element
|C||Carbon|
|C||ⓘ Calcite||CaCO3|
|O||Oxygen|
|O||ⓘ Calcite||CaCO3|
|Ca||Calcium|
|Ca||ⓘ Calcite||CaCO3|
Other Regions, Features and Areas containg this locality
Pacific OceanOcean
Pacific PlateTectonic Plate
This page contains all mineral locality references listed on mindat.org. This does not claim to be a complete list. If you know of more minerals from this site, please register so you can add to our database. This locality information is for reference purposes only. You should never attempt to visit any sites listed in mindat.org without first ensuring that you have the permission of the land and/or mineral rights holders for access and that you are aware of all safety precautions necessary. | https://www.mindat.org/loc-17375.html |
Have you ever felt swayed when making a decision? Or answered the same question differently on separate occasions simply because of the way that question was posed? Well, if so, you’ve just experienced the power of Framing!
This framing effect permeates throughout society and is used by all; Framing works particularly well as a tactic to influence our decisions because the average person doesn’t have time to carry out sufficient research to counter the frame.
For example, politicians may frame a position, should they be looking to implement some new scheme. Let’s say cleaner energy. They can decide to frame their position as either a) If you adopt this new system, then on average it will save you €300 per year or b) if you don’t adopt this new system, then it will cost you €300 per year. Numerous studies have shown that if this same information is framed in terms of losses rather than gains that it is much more powerful and more likely to be effective. Thus option B in this scenario is a far more powerful frame and therefore used to generate superior results.
Another good example of how this framing bias works comes from a journal on “Rational Choice and the Framing of Decisions” by Tversky and Kahneman. In their study of preferences between medical treatments, (McNeil et al 1982) respondents were given statistical information about the outcomes of two treatments for lung cancer. The same statistics were presented to some respondents in terms of Survival rates and to others in terms of Mortality rates. The respondents were then asked to indicate their preferred treatment. The information was presented as follows;
Survival Frame!
Surgery: Of 100 people having surgery, 90 live through the post-operative period, 68 are alive at the end of the 1st year and 34 are alive at the end of 5 years.
Radiation therapy: Of 100 people having radiation therapy, all live through the treatment, 77 are alive at the end of the 1st year and 22 are still alive after 5 years.
Mortality Frame!
Surgery: Of 100 people having surgery, 10 die during surgery or the post-operative period, 32 are dead by the end of the 1st year and 66 are dead after 5 years
Radiation therapy: Of 100 people having radiation therapy, none die during treatment, 23 die by the end of the 1st year and 78 are dead after 5 years
According to the study, the difference in the way these very same questions were framed resulted in significantly different responses. The overall percentage of respondents who favoured radiation therapy rose from 18% in the survival frame to 44% in the mortality frame even though they had been given the exact same information! The advantage of radiation therapy over surgery obviously looms larger when stated as a reduction of the risk of immediate death from 10% to 0% rather than an increase from 90% to 100% in the rate of survival.
A policy paper published by Dr Peter Lunn of the ESRI discussed MINDSPACE and the UK Governments thoughts on using behavioural science to generate policy and influence future policy design.
This MINDSPACE acronym incorporates a number of behavioural biases, including framing, amongst others, which I have previously spoken about. If the UK Government is actively engaged in spending time and money on this, I feel you should at least consider its implications for you, in decisions you make around your financial future. Furthermore, possibly the biggest danger with this framing bias is that it is often presented within the context of providing people with just two options. One of those options will generally be a frame to encourage a response beneficial to the presenting body.
Messenger – We are heavily influenced by who communicates information.
Incentives – Our responses to incentives are shaped by predictable mental shortcuts such as strongly avoiding losses
Norms – We are strongly influenced by what others do
Defaults – We “go with the flow” of pre-set options
Salience – Our attention is drawn to what is novel and seems relevant to us
Priming – Our acts are often influenced by sub-conscious cues
Affect – Our emotional associations can powerfully shape our actions
Commitments – We seek to be consistent with our public promises and reciprocate acts
Ego – We act in ways that make us feel better about ourselves
When making financial decisions or looking at planning your Financial Future, or to reserve your free Discovery Meeting consultaion, get in touch with us today.. Paul is the Managing Director of Lifestyle Financial Planners Ltd, has been in business since 1985 and offers specialist, tax efficient wealth management, retirement and estate planning solutions to our customers. Paul is a Certified Financial Planner and holds a Masters Degree from UCD in Financial Services and Risk Management.
Tel: 096-75951 Mob: 086-8053755, Email: [email protected] web: www.lifestylefinancialplanners.ie
Please share this blogpost if you think it has been informative or contact us directly if you have any personal Financial Planning queries. Email if you would like us to discuss or explain a specific topic in a future blogpost.
Waiver: The information contained in this article is for general information only and cannot be relied upon as the basis for any form of agreement or advice. The author recommends that you seek independent tax, legal or financial advice relevant to your own particular circumstances. | https://lifestylefinancialplanners.ie/answer-well-depending-way-ask-question/ |
A recent study in rats has revealed that production of the hormone vasopressin in the eye helps to program the brain’s biological clock.
The research, led by Mike Ludwig, PhD, at the University of Edinburgh, added to previous findings that retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are responsible for communicating information on outside light intensity to the brain.
According to the paper, which was published in The Journal of Physiology, scientists have already established that an area within the hypothalamus called the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) moderates circadian rhythms based on cues from ambient light perceived by the eye. For example, bright morning light synchronizes the 24-hour cycle, telling us it is time to wake up and be alert. This explains why looking at a bright screen at night may interfere with our internal clock and cause sleeplessness.
Until now, however, it was not known exactly how the RGCs relay the information to the SCN. Cells in the SCN use vasopressin to modulate or “entrain” circadian rhythm-driven processes within the brain, and it was assumed that the role of the hormone was limited to these functions.
A series of experiments by the Edinburgh team demonstrated instead that retinal cells express vasopressin, thought before to be synthesized only in the hypothalamus, in response to light, and they use it to signal the SCN.
First, the researchers showed that a bright pulse of light excited the RGCs in the rat eye, causing them to release vasopressin. Next, they showed that neurons in the SCN were also activated after a pulse of light. But when a vasopressin-inhibiting compound was injected into this brain region, the SCN cells responded less to the same pulse of light.
Interestingly, the team also found that SCN stimulation induced a phase shift in the rest-activity cycle via enhanced expression of the transcription factor c-Fos, but only if the rats had been subjected to a period of darkness prior to light stimulation. When the rats were exposed to light in the beginning of a dark phase, their SCNs did not show levels of c-Fos adequate to reset the circadian rhythm. This suggests that the brain resists letting the cycle reset to “morning” unless a period of darkness, or “night,” has been observed.
Though the findings have yet to be confirmed in humans, Ludwig believes the vasopressin pathway holds promise for drug development.
"Our exciting results show a potentially new pharmacological route to manipulate our internal biological clocks,” he said. “Studies in the future which alter vasopressin signaling through the eye could lead to developing eye drops to get rid of jet lag, but we are still a long way off from this." | https://www.aao.org/headline/retinal-ganglion-cells-may-hold-key-to-resetting-o |
In uncertain environmental times, it’s become important to understand the effects of our lives on our natural habitat. This is not only for ourselves, but for future generations who will inherit the planet we leave behind.
As a volunteer on the Environmental Education project, you’ll help to teach local children and adults techniques for preserving and conserving the environment while still being able to foster social and economic development.
You’ll also assist locals on conservation efforts including beach clean ups, community upcycling and recycling programs, helping with environmental clubs and gardening programs in local schools, tree planting programs and leading community workshops.
Environmental volunteers should have a strong work ethic, passion for nature and drive to preserve green spaces through a range of tasks. You don’t need to speak fluent Spanish to participate, however your ability to do some tasks may depend on your ability to speak with locals. | https://www.volunteerhq.org/destinations/ecuador/environmental-education-in-santa-elena/ |
Following on from my earlier question regarding assembly structures, I have a couple more questions:
The parts in the robot models from the manufacturer are all STEP files, each part containing a single imported feature. When opened in Solidworks, all the parts are Fixed (they have the (f) next to them in the feature tree. When I move the parts around into their respective sub-assemblies, I want to locate each part in the sub-assembly by mating its origin with the sub-assembly origin. Here are the questions:
1. How can I select all the parts in the assembly and Float them simultaneously? It seems that the Float option is not available if more than one part is selected. I'm not a fan of the 'select a part, right-click, Float, select the next part...' option.
2. How can I select all the parts in a given sub-assembly and mate their origins to the sub-assembly origin simultaneously? I know about the multiple mate option, but I can't seem to find a way to select all the part origins without expanding each part and clicking the origin in the feature tree. That's a lot of clicking. Again, I'm not a fan.
3. I want each of my robot models to be constructed the same way. That means the mates between the sub-assemblies as well. Assuming I can get the common assembly structure sorted (thanks John Stoltzfus for the suggestion), is there a way to copy mates without their being fully-defined? Then I would open up my newly-created robot assembly, with its parts in their correct sub-assemblies, and select the references for each of the pre-defined mates. I did think maybe smart mates could help, but remember a) I am not creating the parts, they are STEP files from the manufacturer, although I am creating the sub-assemblies and b) The parts are all referenced to the overall origin of the robot, not to any repeatable spot on my sub-assembly, thus the offsets between origin and axis vary with the size of the robot.
4. Finally (I think), when restructuring an assembly by dragging components from one sub-assembly to another, I find that sometimes I can select a group of components then click, drag the top selected component and they all follow each other into the target sub-assembly; other times, only one goes and the others stay where they were. I can't see a reason for this variation in behaviour, but there is probably a sensible justification.
SW2016, SP5
Windows 10
Thanks, | https://forum.solidworks.com/thread/206167 |
The Presidium of the Baltic Assembly is closely following the developments in Ukraine, and it expresses deep concern about the escalation of military conflict which has become a serious threat to peaceful and democratic development in the region.
The Presidium of the Baltic Assembly reaffirms its unwavering belief in the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders, and it emphasises that military aggression against another sovereign state is unacceptable because it violates universally binding international law.
The Presidium of the Baltic Assembly regrets that every attempt to resolve the conflict in a peaceful manner, including the recent negotiations held in Minsk, has failed.
The Presidium of the Baltic Assembly urges Russia to immediately stop the warfare, as well as unconditionally withdraw its military personnel and armaments from the territory of Ukraine.
The Presidium of the Baltic Assembly calls on to the international community to summon the involved parties to negotiations aimed at resolving the dispute in a constructive dialogue based on neighbourly relations, a spirit of openness and compliance with international law. Strong and coordinated measures should be taken to stop the military aggression by the Russian Federation and prevent its recurrence. | https://guam-organization.org/en/statement-of-the-presidium-of-the-baltic-assembly-on-the-situation-in-ukraine-29-08-2014/ |
Electronic Properties of Materials/Quantum Mechanics for Engineers/Hydrogen
This brings us to looking at atoms in materials. This sections provides the complete derivation of the Hydrogen Atom with relevant insights. Currently, we can solve the Hydrogen atom and the ionized Helium atom, as single electron systems. Higher order atoms, or many body problems, can be further observed through perturbation methods as discussed in the next chapter.
In this chapter, you should begin to see where the mathematics of atoms comes from, as much of the conversation around atoms is in terms of atomic orbitals which are initially derived here.
** INCOMPLETE **
Simple Hydrogen AtomEdit
Imagine a "simple" Hydrogen atom. This simple Hydrogen atom has a nucleus with some momentum, the proton has some mass, and both have some position relative to the origin. The electron also has some position relative to the origin, some momentum and some mass.
If we want to talk about this we have to write the Hamiltonian. Given that is the kinetic energy of the proton, is the kinetic energy of the electron and is the coulomb potential then the Hamiltonian classically looks like:
The problem with this equation is that it's complicated. Here, we are dealing with Cartesian space and two particles with unique , , and which is a many-body problem and quite complicated. That said, the many-body accounts for the movement of the hydrogen atom, which isn't that relevant here. We want to change to a more natural coordinate system which will allow us to distinguish hydrogen atom translation from <FIGURE> interaction, and which focuses on the movement of the electron around the proton. To accomplish this we will change our static coordinate system with the particle system moving in space to a center of mass system. Ideally, we also want a simplified version of .
<FIGURE> "Center of Mass System" (The first step to shifting the coordinate system is to identify the center of mass.)
Looking at <FIGURE>, we can define a new coordinate system, where we have some center of mass, which we want to use as our new origin, and a distance from the original origin to this new origin, called . Additionally, is the distance between the nucleus and the electron, and this combined system has some momentum for the center of mass, , and some momentum for the electron, . In doing this transform, we have identified the center of mass as:
The Physical ApproachEdit
<FIGURE> "Relative Velocity in a Two Body System" (The relative velocity of these two particles is .)
The first approach is to appeal to the physics of the situation utilizing relative and total momentum. As such, would be the total momentum of the system, and the relative velocity of the system is . Similarly, the relative momentum of the system, , where is the reduced mass ( ):
Applying this to our momentum equation and simplifying gets us:
This equation for relative momentum is then combined with our earlier equations for the classical Hamiltonian, and for total momentum ( ) to find the momentum of the electron ( ) and the momentum of the proton ( ), in terms of the relative and absolute momentums.
Now, this is a classical Hamiltonian. Let's turn it into a quantum Hamiltonian! Remembering that the quantum version of momentum is , we get:
While this first approach is physically intuitive, it's not purely quantum. Physics people tend to do a lot of really bad math which happens to work out, and this solution has issues as it is not generalizable.
The General ApproachEdit
The second, better, approach is to use our already derived quantum Hamiltonian. This approach has the benefit of being generalizable and can be used to solve other many body systems.
Remember that the Laplacian operator is:
Remember that the chain rule for the transformation of differential operators.
Using the relations , and to perform the coordinate transformation, to . With some algebra, it results in the same Hamiltonian as the earlier equation.
We now have , and since each section is dependent only on one parameter, this means our solution is separable as . Looking specifically at , this is just a free particle, . We've already solved this problem and found is planewaves. Alternatively, looking at shows us that this is an , with mass correction in the kinetic energy term, moving around a central potential:
<VIDEO> 24:38
How big is the reduced mass correction? Tiny.
Experimentally, it is possible to distinguish hydrogen and deuterium by spectral shifts. As more particles are added this method can be extended. For three particles:
<FIGURE> "Title" (Description)
<MATHY STUFF> (related to figure)
The problem we want to solve is:
But this is a spherically symmetric potential. Cartesian coordinates aren't the best choice. Switch to spherical coordinates.
<FIGURE> "Spherical Axis" (Description)
Spherical coordinates are highly relevant to the following mathematical calculations, now is a good time to pause and familiarize yourself if needed.
In Spherical Coordinates:
Wow! What a mess! How do we solve this? #SeparationOfVariables
Let
Multiply Left By:
So both sides equal a constant, . Thus:
Let's look closer at the second one:
<MATH>
As it happens, this is an operator. First I'll tell you the answer, and then I'll show you where it originates.
The operator is , where is angular momentum. The eigenequation is:
, where is an integer and .
Angular MomentumEdit
Before we can proceed with studying Hydrogen, we need to learn a little about angular momentum. In Quantum Mechanics there are two types of angular momentum. "Orbital" momentum is analogus to the classically understood angular momentum where , and "Spin" momentum which has no classical equivalent. We will talk about spin later, and for now we will focus on orbital angular momentum.
Orbital Angular MomentumEdit
Classically: is a vector. Thus:
Consider the commutation of the operator.
Which means that we cannot simultaneously measure all components of . Very odd properties for a vector!
What about the magnitude of ?
Therefore simultaneous eigenfunctions of and any one component of can be known. For this discussion to be useful we need to switch from cartesian coordinates to spherical. This requires a bunch of algebra, simple yet tedious. Here I will skip it and just provide the equations:
... and substituting into provides:
It is noteworthy that in many problems the solution is invariant to rotation, so any direction we point we can define as and use the simple operator and . Let's start by looking at the eigensolutions for .
What are good solutions for ?
Boundary Conditions: ; implying that
Since , they share an eigenfunction.
-> What solution?
The same:
depends only on so the separable solution is:
which results in the same eigenvalues with
Returning to ...Edit
Separating and and substituting
This is what we have to solve. With the appropriate substitutions and even more algebra, this can be transformed into the Legendre equation. With even more algebra, we can get a solution in terms of the associated Legendre functions.
are the associated Legendre functions:
Most mathematical software packages (mathematica, maple, MATLAB, etc...) have these built in.\
These are called "Spherical Harmonics" which are either normalized on a sphere with a unity radius, or orthonormal as:
... where means "to integrate over a sphere", and . Note that are a "complete set" meaning that any function can be written.
This is analogous to planewaves in a cartesian space and all around, a good use full function.
As a matter of notation we designate states with:
For many-body systems we denote the total orbital angular momentum with a capital , where .
Here, is called the "orbital angular momentum quantum number", and is called the "magnetic quantum number". Furthermore, , , , , and operators all lack creative names.
<Liboff, Chapter 9>
Back to the Hydrogen Atom...Edit
Edit
Since , if we let , and plug our previous equation in we get:
Here, is the true Coulumb potential, and is called "the angular momentum barrier.
<FIGURE> "Title" (Description)
<FIGURE> "Title" (Descripiton)
Simplifying further... Edit
Looking at the first term...
Substituting in we get...
Which combines with the initial equation to get:
This equation is nice an compact, but not solvable. To get something solvable we substitute back into the equation...
Introduce two dimensionless variables to substitution in to equation.
This gets us:
Consider solutions for . In the limit of the large (Large ), the equation simplifies to:
Here, our solution is , but as approaches infinity, will approach zero. Therefore, equals zero, which means that:
Consider the other limit where approaches zero. The problem becomes:
Guessing the solution , which gives us:
Which means that as , and we're going to want a solution that looks like this:
<FIGURE> "Title" description
Search for solutions as a polynomial expansion:
The substitution for which results in:
The Solution:
When , equals the Rydberg constant (~13.6 eV), and is the Bohr radius (~ 0.529 Å). When and are substituted:
Exactly the energy from Bohr's Atom (Lecture 1). Note that Bohr's idea of quantized angular momentum is important since it is the angular momentum barrier that prevents the electron from spiraling into the nucleus.
The Radial Wave FunctionEdit
Where , and to within an arbitrary phase factor (selected form of the solution).
The Associated Laguerre PolynomialsEdit
Edit
If we assume that , we get the quantum numbers of hydrogen:
(since our is real)
<FIGURE> "The eigenfunctions of the bound states." (Description)
The number of nodes in ... As increases, gets pushed out from the origin.
<FIGURE> "Radial Nodes" (Description)
The Solution so Far....Edit
Where:
Also:
which provides:
This result shares eigenfunctions and can be simultaneously measured!
<FIGURE> "Title" (Description)
Highly degenerate energy levels. eigenfunctions per level.
<FIGURE> "Title" (Description)
We've solved for the states of the given . Now what? We want to think about an atom. The nucleus is sitting at the origin. We then want to put electrons in. Hydrogen has one electron, but we could also make an or a ion. This is a very simplistic view, but we'll use it for out thought experiment.
Electrons are Fermions so no two can have the same Quantum Numbers.
<FIGURE> "Title" (Comparing a standard Hydrogen atom with an ion. Notice how both electrons have , , and .)
Notice how both electrons in FIGURE have , , and . This is seemingly contradictory to what we've already learned, but if we apply an electrical field to the ion we get something akin to FIGURE. The electron energies slit in what is called the Zeeman Effect.
<FIGURE> "Zeeman Effect" (Description)
Magnetic fields interact with angular momentum called "spin". There is no physical meaning to the word "spin", rather it is just an intrinsic angular momentum of purely quantum nature. Electrons have spin quantum numbers where . We'll call spin up , and spin down . Including spin, there are now four quantum numbers ( , , , ). The wave function is given ( ). And the levels of the system fill according to FIGURE.
<FIGURE> "Title" (Description)
Including spin, the degeneracy is now . Relativistic corrections called "fine structures" in part lift this degeneracy. These "fine structures" include relativistic correction to , coupling, and Darwin Term. | https://en.m.wikibooks.org/wiki/Electronic_Properties_of_Materials/Quantum_Mechanics_for_Engineers/Hydrogen |
Last signal
Shows one of the latest signals which the station did send to the server.
Stroke count
Here you can see the whole stroke count per hours detected by the lightning network, the count of detected strokes/h of the station Oreland and the mean stroke count for all stations
Signal count
The count of received signals per hour of the station Oreland and also mean value of all stations.
Ratios
Stroke and locating ratios are important parameters for the correct adjustment
of the station. Calculations:
locating ratio = (detected strokes of the station) / (signals of the station)
stroke ratio = (detected strokes of the station) / (network stroke count)
Stroke ratio by distance
Overview about the own locating ratio over distance from stations. Whole stroke count over distance is also visible.
Stroke ratio by bearing
Own locating ratio over the geographic direction. For better comparision, there is also the whole stroke count visible.
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Stroke survivors should consider a regular stroll around their neighborhood instead of routine trips to a masseuse.
A new study shows that stroke survivors who walked three times a week were better off than those who got therapeutic massages. The walkers reported a better quality of life related to their health, had a lower resting heart rate and were able to walk farther.
Experts say walking is a great way to get active after a stroke because it’s familiar, inexpensive, and easy to do. However, many survivors are afraid of falling when they walk – not just when they exercise, but doing typical activities like being with family and friends. For the study, stroke survivors walked with others until they felt more comfortable walking alone.
The American Heart Association recommends that stroke survivors get 20 to 60 minutes of aerobic exercise three to seven days a week, depending on fitness level. For others, the association recommends at least 150 minutes per week of moderate exercise or 75 minutes per week of vigorous exercise (or some combination of both).
Related Information:
- Post-stroke walking program improves stroke survivors’ lives
- Read more on regaining independence after stroke.
- Create, find and track walking paths with the American Heart Association Walking Paths App for iPhone and Android.
- For the latest heart and stroke news, follow @HeartNews on twitter. | http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/News/NewsReleases/Walking-trumps-massage-for-improving-life-after-stroke_UCM_449941_Article.jsp |
Global Crypto AML & Regulatory Fines Surge in 2022
Since the financial crash in 2007, an estimated $56.1 billion in enforcement actions has been levied to financial institutions and individuals for AML, data privacy, MiFID, and ESG compliance violations.
The Report will be available in February 2023. We will be hosting a webinar before that, where we will be sharing early access to the report.
Join Fenergo’s live webinar where our Financial Crime Policy Manager, Rory Doyle, will be joined by special guests to delve into the findings of Fenergo’s analysis of enforcement actions data from 2022, as well as:
Registrants will gain early access to our annual enforcement actions report.
In 2022, fines for non-compliance with Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and related regulations against the financial sector totalled $4.17 billion, a decrease of 22% from 2021.
regulators issued a total of $5.58 million in enforcement actions to financial institutions in 2022, down 99% from 2021
saw a 66% decrease in the value of financial penalties, from $3.4 billion in 2021 to just over $1.16 billion in 2022
had a sharp rise in enforcement actions during the 2022 calendar year, with values up 151% from 2021
regulators in Latin America fined financial institutions $2.5 billion, down 82% from 2021
approximately 12 individuals were fined $31.2 million for their role in AML-related compliance breaches
$5.58m
APAC
$1.16b
EMEA
$2.51m
LATAM
$3b
NAM
Fenergo's 2021 report of global financial institution fines is available to download now. So what’s changed since 2020?
Globally, the total value of financial penalties issued by regulators to financial institutions for AML and data privacy breaches reached approximately $5.4 billion, a 49% decrease in value compared to the year prior.
How have geopolitical and financial crime trends impacted enforcement actions in 2021 and what does 2022 behold for financial institutions?
Discover this and more at our informative webinar discussion entitled Financial Institution Enforcement Actions: Implications of a COVID Climate.
Fines to crypto financial institutions and their employees reached $193 million, rising by 92% when compared to 2021.
Fines to individuals increased by 89% from approximately $16,505,264 in 2021 to $31,209,191 in 2022 – largely a result of crypto-related fines. | https://www.fenergo.com/aml-fines-report |
Effect of misdiagnosis on the prognosis of anorectal malignant melanoma.
Anorectal malignant melanoma (AMM) is frequently subjected to misdiagnosis. Here the effect of misdiagnosis on the prognosis of AMM was investigated. Between 1995 and 2007, 79 patients managed for AMM were reviewed; 46 (58.23%) of them had been misdiagnosed during the symptoms, while 33 (41.77%) cases had been diagnosed exactly not more than 1 week after the first visit. Diseases misdiagnosed were categorized as cancer, hemorrhoids, polyps and other diseases. Data were statistically analyzed by using the life tables and Kaplan-Meier curves. The software used was SPSS 16.0 for Windows. The 1-, 2-, 3- and 5-year survival rates of AMM patients were 58, 33, 24 and 16%, respectively, and the median survival time was 14.0 months; 1-, 2-, 3- and 5-year survival rates of the misdiagnosed patients were 61, 22, 22 and 11%, respectively, and the median survival time was 14.0 months; 1-, 2-, 3- and 5-year survival rates of the patients not misdiagnosed were 55, 44, 25 and 25%, respectively, and the median survival time was 12.0 months. Analyses based on Kaplan-Meier curves revealed no significant effect of misdiagnosis on the survival of AMM patients (P > 0.05). Nevertheless, the diseases misdiagnosed significantly affect the prognosis (P = 0.009); AMM misdiagnosed as hemorrhoids had a poor prognosis, with a 1-year survival rate of only 29% and the median survival of only 6.0 months. The misdiagnosed patients had relatively poor prognosis, but the effect of misdiagnosis on the prognosis was not significant; however, misdiagnosis of AMM as hemorrhoids seriously affected the prognosis.
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The utility model provides a blue solar control coated glass. Coated glass include glass substrate and from glass substrate outwards folds a dielectric film layer, the 2nd dielectric film layer, a reflective coating, colour interference rete, the 2nd reflective coating, the 3rd dielectric film layer, the fourth dielectric film layer of establishing in a surface in proper order. The utility model discloses can the blue solar control coated glass that obtains has shading coefficient low (being less than 0.4), glass face look blueness, and effectual (b reach 22 ), can (b reach to see through the equally indigo plant of look apparent 6 ), the optical property is stable, colorful and easy regulation, color tuning wide range, glass colour difference characteristics such as little between the same batch not, can reach the effect of blue glass as the coating film glass of substrate completely. | |
Our system of training is backed by a combination of Sports/Exercise Science and experience that focuses on three main pillars to achieve elite training performance:
Prepare, Perform, and Recover
We understand that all athletes are not created equal, and therefore we take an individualized approach to help each athlete attain his/her specific goals. Every program starts with a thorough assessment of the athletes deficiencies [Prepare]. From there, we work to create a well rounded program that will address and improve those deficiencies [Perform]. Then, we focus on a proper recovery program to ensure individuals get optimal recovery and are continue to train at a high level [Recover]. | https://www.eptsstrong.com/our-philosophy |
For this workshop I want to show how to paint a scene in the style of 70s sci-fi artists like John Berkey, Peter Elson and Chris Foss. Back in their time, there weren’t computers to make the amazing photorealistic renderings that we can achieve today. I really miss that painterly style, with the bright and vivid colours they used in their works. That’s why the ImagineFX team and I decided to tap into those colours and spaceship designs, and create an image with the same feel – but using today’s digital techniques.
To produce this kind of image there are two key things to keep in mind: bold shapes and vibrant colours. As you’ll see in this tutorial, most of my workflow for this kind of design is based on experimenting with different shapes and positions, using randomness as a tool to find ideas that I wouldn’t otherwise have achieved in a more logical way. I hope to share my understanding of how colour can be used as a tool to make a composition work, and how important it is to find a balance between big and simple shapes, and detailed elements.
I’ll also introduce you to basic ZBrush and Cinema 4D modelling and KeyShot rendering, which can speed up your workflow and highlight plenty of possibilities for your compositions.
01. Composition rough sketch
The first thing I do when I start a new piece is to try and figure out what the composition will be, by making some sketches. After coming up with some ideas, I cast my eye over my ideas and settle on a final design. In this case, the scene represents a big spaceship flying away from a city that has just been damaged in a bombing run.
02. Modelling the spaceship
Next, I jump into ZBrush and start designing the spaceship. I take the Sphere 3D tool, make a polymesh and start wrapping and deforming it using the Move brush. I save the shapes that I like, separated in .obj format, which means that I can import them later into Cinema 4D.
03. Creating the spaceship
Once the different elements are imported into Cinema 4D, I start experimenting, mixing them in ways that will work well for my spaceship design. I’m inspired by John Berkey’s spaceships, and put together a design with some holes in the front with thin lines between them. To depict the city I just use simple cylinders and boxes.
04. Composing the rendering
Once the spaceship and city are finished, I use KeyShot to apply colour and light. I want to generate an oversaturated environment with a Martian feeling, so I change the tone of a normal blue sky to make it yellow and orange. I use a metallic blue for the spaceship, and make the red soil reflect on the ship’s chrome base to produce a vibrant purple colour.
05. Panting the sky
When I have the rendering done, it’s time to move finally to Photoshop and start painting. I begin by giving some depth to the sky with a colour gradient between yellow and orange, and then adding clouds, using some photos and changing the colour balance and tone, to make them fit in with the background.
06. Adding colour to the city
To make the city, I start doing some photobashing with building reference photos. When I have them placed on the canvas, I start playing with the Layers mode and set them to Darken mode, so only the darkest parts will be seen. Then I continue painting over them until I find a level of detail that I consider works well for the background.
07. Enhancing the Martian surface
This step is pretty similar to the last one, but it’s important to bear in mind that the photographs used must fit the perspective. To make them work with the depth of the painting, I distort them to make the details look smaller in the distance. I also slightly boost the colour of the ground, by altering the Color Balance and the Saturation.
08. Photobashing the ship
Now I turn my attention to the ship. I look for photographs of aircraft details that I can use to add texture to my spaceship. I set them to Darken mode and start playing around, finding shapes that I find interesting for my design.
09. Details on the ship
After completing the photobashing stage, I paint small details on the spaceship, such as the light inside the motors and the yellow patterns. To make these patterns I make a mask and change the tone and colour balance just in that area. When it’s finished, I continue painting over the ship, to try and define the reflections and lights.
10. Introducing the background spaceships
To add more story to the image, I put a couple of small spaceships chasing the big one, to suggest that they’re defending the city. These ones are fully painted, just using a colour as a base and then a mask to create the light and details over them.
11. Painting the explosion
To create the huge explosion in the background I use some photographs of fire and put them on a Screen Mode layer. This will make the lights brighter and the dark tones disappear. I also paint in some aerial perspective to the city and make it fit with the distance and the colour of the sky.
12. Painting trails and smoke
I add details, such as little clouds, in the foreground to blend the spaceship with the colours of the sky. I also paint trails to give more depth to the image and further tie the ships into the scene. When painting smoke, remember that it has depth and volume like other objects and materials: I make a mask over it to create some shadows and lights.
13. Applying filters
I want to give the image a strong painterly feel, but notice that some of the edges are looking too sharp and there are no brush strokes. To achieve this, and to reduce a bit of detail in the photobashed areas, I use AKVIS to add an oil effect and make some parts of the painting appear loose and messy.
14. Finishing the piece
I continue mixing the edges to lose some of the detail, using the Smudge Tool and a texture brush, which also helps to create some brush strokes, add motion blur and merge the ship with the background. Finally, ImagineFX ask me to adjust the ground, the lighting on the main ship and remove the smaller ships in the background, to give the cover greater impact.
This article was originally published in ImagineFX magazine issue 139. Buy it here. | https://www.creativebloq.com/features/how-to-paint-explosive-environments |
The Herb Block Foundation Pathways Out of Poverty (Deadline: February 07, 2018)
This program will focus on helping needy young people and adults gain a quality education. For projects serving youth, The Herb Block Foundation seeks proposals which focus on improving student achievement and healthy development of young people. Projects may include in-school and community-based educational programs, after-school activities, and mentoring programs. Programs designed to increase high school graduation rates are encouraged to apply.
Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) – Adolescent and Young Adult Health Capacity Building Program (Deadline: February 16, 2018)
The purpose of this funding is to improve the health of adolescents and young adults by strengthening the capacity of state maternal and child health programs to address their needs effectively.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) – Grant Funding (Deadline: February 21, 2018)
The purpose of this program is to implement screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment services for adolescents and adults in primary care and community health settings for substance misuse and substance use disorders. This program is designed to expand the identification of, and enhance the care for, individuals who have or are at risk for a substance use disorder.
American Legion Child Welfare Foundation – Grant Funding (Deadline: July 15, 2018)
The purpose of this program is to contribute to the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual welfare of children through the dissemination of knowledge about new and innovative organizations and/or their programs designed to benefit youth; and to contribute to the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual welfare of children through the dissemination of knowledge already possessed by well-established organizations, to the end that such information can be more adequately used by society.
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MedStar Georgetown University Hospital – Child Life Education Specialist (Washington DC)
The incumbent in this position will develop and implement educational programming and provide academic instruction for school-age patients while taking into consideration their medical, developmental and academic needs. These functions are performed in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations and MedStar Georgetown University Hospital’s philosophy, policies, procedures, and standards.
Nemours – Child Life Specialist (Orlando, FL)
The Child Life Specialist will provide Child Life Therapy assessment and intervention independently to assigned patient population within the guidelines designated by department and hospital policy and procedures. Demonstrates clinical competency in direct patient care and is responsible for completion of 100% of basic Child Life competencies. Continue to expand knowledge and skill through mentorship, educational opportunities, etc.
The Stepping Stones Group – School Psychologist (Gaffney, SC)
The School Psychologist will Work with school-aged children and young adults. Listen to concerns about academic, emotional or social problems. Help students process their problems and plan goals and action. Promote positive behaviors.
Maximum Healthcare Services – Pediatric Nurse, School Setting (South Portland, ME)
This position provides advanced and specialized professional nursing skills and serves as a supervisor and coordinator of a program component within a public health department. This nurse works under the direction of a Public Health Program Manager or Nurse Services Manager. | http://healthinschools.org/weekly-insider/weekly-insider-january-25-2018/ |
Buddhism and Quantum Physics by Christian Thomas Kohl. A Strange Parallel of Two Concepts of Reality Abstract There is a surprising parallel between the philosophical concept of Nagarjuna and the physical concept of reality of quantum physics.
The fundamental reality has no firm core but consists of systems of interacting objects. These concepts of reality are inconsistent with the substantial, subjective, holistic and instrumentalistic concepts of reality which are forming the base of modern modes of thought. Nagarjuna's Concept of Reality Nagarjuna had been the most important Buddhist philosopher of India. Nagarjuna's main work, Mulamadhyamaka-karika [MMK] is translated into German, English, French and other European languages. [Pratityasamutpada] the dependent arising is what we call [sunyata] substancelessness. Nagarjuna's philosophy consists mainly of two aspects. Substantialism Subjectivism By subjectivist modes of thought, I understand the turning point to the subject that had been introduced by Ren' Descartes.
Holism Instrumentalism. Real Scientist of Life = Buddha + Einstein by Amrit Sorli. Awakening of the Observer in Science Abstract Who is the observer in a process of scientific experiencing of the universe?
Russell Brand Interviews Quantum Physicist Dr. John Hagelin (Part 13) A Jewel at the Heart of Quantum Physics. By Natalie Wolchover | Quanta Magazine Physicists have discovered a jewel-like geometric object that dramatically simplifies calculations of particle interactions and challenges the notion that space and time are fundamental components of reality.
“This is completely new and very much simpler than anything that has been done before,” said Andrew Hodges, a mathematical physicist at Oxford University who has been following the work. The revelation that particle interactions, the most basic events in nature, may be consequences of geometry significantly advances a decades-long effort to reformulate quantum field theory, the body of laws describing elementary particles and their interactions. Interactions that were previously calculated with mathematical formulas thousands of terms long can now be described by computing the volume of the corresponding jewel-like “amplituhedron,” which yields an equivalent one-term expression.
The amplituhedron itself does not describe gravity. THE SECRET OF MASS By Ron Alvarez. THE SECRET OF MASS By Ron Alvarez The "secret of mass" is a new theory of everything that provides answers to many unresolved questions and proves that the atom is alive and is fundamental life form.
*The secret of mass predicted the origins and existence of electronic DNA. Chemical bonds are electrical information that originates from the unified field and is responsible for creating or manifesting matter in the universe from energy via a energy to mass conversion. Electronic DNA is getting researchers to view electricity in a very unexpected way with many unpredicted manifestations revealed from it's behavior. From the archive: Deepak Chopra’s 2002 talk at TED. As part of a public exchange of letters (his, ours, his) regarding TED’s views on the line between good and bad science, Deepak Chopra has asked us to post a talk he gave at TED in 2002 (four years before TED began free online distribution of some of its talks).
Here it is: We never posted Chopra’s talk before because, frankly, it seemed unfocused, and it used the language of quantum physics in a way we thought was misleading. We admired Deepak’s desire for a more spiritual, connected world. But in our curatorial opinion, this particular talk wasn’t right for the homepage of TED.com. We add just one talk each weekday on our homepage, chosen from thousands of candidate talks in our archives, and strive for a broad variety of topics and styles designed to inform, entertain and inspire. The Science of Energy and Thought. Subconscious Mind Power. A scientific approach explaining the power of thought.
We have all heard before, 'Your thoughts create your reality'. Well, new quantum physics studies support this idea. Learn about recent research about how the mind can influence the behavior of subatomic particles and physical matter. If you enjoy the video, please pass it on to friends and family. The power of our thoughts and feelings allows us to manifest our desires. Working with our thoughts consciously allows our awareness and experience of life to unfold its potential. Our past is but a memory and the future is in our imagination, right now in the present moment is our true point of power. Dr. Amit Goswami, Ph.D. : Theoretical Quantum Physicist.
The holographic universe: Where science and spirituality meet. 2011 World Science Festival panel discussion on the holographic principle.
What we touch. What we smell. What we feel. They're all part of our reality. But what if life as we know it reflects only one side of the full story? | http://www.pearltrees.com/juliaratsey/quantum-physics-spirituality/id7962649 |
SHORT FEATURES and FACES ARTICLE
A recent review by Rajita Sinha and Ania Jastreboff from the Yale Stress Center, New Haven, CT, USA, provides an integrative perspective on the neurohormonal mechanisms by which stress affects the reward system, and how the interactions between the stress and reward systems may contribute to the epidemic of obesity.
In spite of the well-known link between stress and obesity, the nature of this association remains poorly understood, including why is it some people lose weight when stressed, whereas others gain weight?
Animal research indicates that stress in most cases is related to a reduction in food intake. Interestingly, in rats, when given a choice of highly palatable food, such as lard or sugar, stress, in fact, increases intake of that palatable food. In humans, most individuals increase their food intake during stress yet a much smaller number of people, roughly 30%, are able to reduce food intake and lose weight during or after stress (cf. TC Adam & ES Epel, Physiol Behav, 2007, 91: 449).
In addition, an increasing body of evidence indicates that the brain reward circuitry may play a major role in stress-induced food intake (TC Adam & ES Epel, Physiol Behav, 2007, 91: 449). Furthermore, hedonic systems in brain influence food intake and excessive consumption of palatable food can trigger neuro-adaptive responses in brain reward circuitries similar to drug abuse (PJ Kenny, Neuron, 2011; 69: 664).
As with drug abuse, palatable food can activate the brain reward system, comprising opioid, dopamine and endocannabinoid signaling. This, in turn, produces a powerful behavioral reinforcement for both acquisitions of drugs as well as palatable food (TC Adam & ES Epel, Physiol Behav, 2007, 91: 449).
In their review Drs. Sinha and Jastreboff sum up recent research indicating the involvement of brain reward regions in obesity. They discuss how stress and glucocorticoids potentiate dopaminergic transmission, while stress-induced release of orexigenic neuropeptide Y (NPY) and the increased NPY messenger RNA expression in the hypothalamus, amygdala, and hippocampus increase feeding but also decrease anxiety and stress.
These overall changes increase food craving, motivation and intake of highly palatable (HP) foods. Thus, stress has been reported to increase binge eating and the consumption of fast food, snacks, and calorie dense and HP foods. In addition, the craving for desserts, snacks, and higher HP food intake, particularly, in overweight individuals and/or obese women increase as well.
The authors suggest a heuristic model of how HP foods, food cues, and stress exposure through alterations of metabolic, stress, and reward-motivation pathways in the brain are able to drive increased HP food motivation and intake. This includes:
- Stress- and metabolic- related hormones influencing brain reward regions and prefrontal cortical circuits involved in reward prediction, self-control, and decision making;
- With weight-related adaptations in neurohormonal and behavioral responses, a vulnerable individual becomes highly susceptible to food cues-related and stress-related HP food craving, predicting HP food intake;
- Promotion of weight gain, and increased sensitization of brain motivation pathways, to raise HP food motivation and intake, exceptionally under conditions of food cue or stress exposure.
The authors conclude that despite some advances in behavioral and pharmacological obesity treatment, it is unclear how they relate to normalizing stress, metabolic, and reward disturbances in susceptible obese individuals.
This research is in its infancy, but given the current world-wide obesity epidemic, it may require greater attention in the future.
Source: Biol Psychiatry, 2013, 73:827-35. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2013.01.032. Epub 2013 Mar 26.
Read More: Biol Psychiatry
“People may very well choose to trade off years of their life,
or the possibility of disease or injury,
in exchange for the current pleasure, excitement, | https://www.brainimmune.com/stress-the-reward-system-and-the-epidemic-of-obesity/ |
Clinical trial populations and real-world patients are often different, and multiple myeloma (MM) trials are no exception. Given the differences between these patient groups, drug trials may not always be representative of all patients. Thus, a review published in Frontiers in oncology reviewed the last 10 years of comparable and discordant results from clinical trials and real-world settings.
Clinical trials have led to the approval of new drug options and combinations in MM in recent years, and real-world data has often shown a good degree of reproducibility for key outcomes such as free survival. progression, overall survival and overall response rate (ORR). However, there are significant differences in the management of patients with MM in clinical trials versus the real world that may impact real-world safety and effectiveness.
The current review compared real-world data and clinical trial results in treatments for newly diagnosed MM (NDMM) and relapsed/refractory MM (RRMM) to better understand effective treatment strategies.
In newly diagnosed patients ineligible for autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT), clinical trial results have led to the approval of immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs) and proteasome inhibitors (PIs) in combination with monoclonal antibodies against -CD38 (mAb) in the induction phase before transplantation and during maintenance treatment. IMiD lenalidomide is approved in combination with dexamethasone (Rd) in patients not eligible for transplant (NTE), and the addition of the mAb daratumumab to the Rd (Dara-Rd) has become a new standard in these patients. Lenalidomide plus bortezomib is also approved in combination with dexamethasone (VRd) in the induction phase before ASCT as well as in the maintenance phase after ASCT.
For NTE patients, there has not yet been a direct comparison between the effectiveness of IMiD and PI. Standard treatment options for this patient population are bortezomib-melphalan-prednisone (VMP) fixed duration for 9 cycles, Rd until disease progression or intolerance, or bortezomib-Rd (VRd) for 6 cycles followed from Rd until progression or intolerance. However, these regimens have not been compared in clinical trials, and each has advantages and disadvantages, including renal toxicity with lenalidomide and neurotoxicity with bortezomib.
An ongoing randomized trial comparing Rd and VMP is ongoing and may provide insight into the optimal strategy. So far, real-world results—where MM is more heterogeneous than in clinical trials—results have been mixed with VMP and Rd, and it is difficult to develop detailed guidelines for the treatment of patient subsets.
VRd has been shown to be more effective in clinical trials, but could have problematic toxicity in real-world elderly patients who would be excluded from trial settings. A reduced dose and less intense regimen of VRd showed better toxicity responses in a phase 2 trial, although longer time to next treatment (TTNT) was associated with longer treatment duration in all. Two phase 3 trials of VMP or Rd versus the same combinations plus Dara showed better results with the addition of Dara. However, there are no actual data on Dara-Rd in first-line to compare with clinical trials.
In transplant-eligible (TE) patients, VRd is approved for pre-ASCT induction therapy. Clinical trial and real-world results have been similar, even in real-world cohorts with a significant proportion of elderly patients and a high number of African American patients, who are often underrepresented in clinical trials. In the post-ASCT setting, real-world data support the use of lenalidomide, especially in high-risk patients.
Under the RRMM, pomalidomide, a third-generation IMiD, combined with dexamethasone (Pd) is authorized in patients who have relapsed or are refractory to lenalidomide. ORR with Pd was around 30% in 2 large clinical trials and was similar or higher in real-world data. Other trials have had varying results, and pomalidomide-based triplets are a future direction that can be evaluated as more real-world data potentially confirm clinical trial results.
PIs are another option in RRMM, with carfilzomib and ixazomib both approved in this disease setting. Elderly, frail, or cardiovascular risk patients may be better suited to ixazomib given its favorable safety profile. Overall, both drugs showed real-world results that are similar to clinical trial results when it comes to primary outcomes.
Dara monotherapy is another option in heavily pretreated patients, but with safety concerns regarding haematological adverse events and infusion-related reactions (IRRs). Trials and real-world data showed significantly different incidence of RRI, with fewer reports in real-world settings. Another mAb, elotuzumab (Elo), did not show efficacy as monotherapy but may be effective in combination with Rd or Pd (Elo-Rd and Elo-Pd). Although Elo has shown positive results in trials and similar results in real-world studies so far, prior exposure to lenalidomide generally leads to a sub-average response and thus limits its applicability in the real-world setting. of the RRMM.
Newer agents include venetoclax, selinexor and mafodotin belantaab, all of which still have little real data.
“Prospective multinational studies exploring standards of care in RW are ongoing, and further studies are still needed to detect any possible discrepancies between clinical trials and RW practice, as well as validation of new tools or composite measures incorporating these additional considerations,” the authors conclude. | https://rapport-chiro.com/mm-treatment-landscape-review-compares-clinical-trials-to-real-world-results/ |
Nigeria:
PUNUKA Annual Lecture Holds November 11, 2021
To print this article, all you need is to be registered or login on Mondaq.com.
The 13th edition of the PUNUKA Attorneys &
Solicitors Annual Lecture with the theme: "FinTech,
Crypto and Frontier Technologies in Trade: Prospects and Legal
Challenges" will hold on Thursday November 11 2021 at
the Metropolitan Club, 15 Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island,
Lagos, at 10.00am and also virtually, via the zoom platform at same
time
The event will have as the Guest Lecturer, Charles
Von Simson a former legal subject matter expert at Ross
Intelligence, the world's leading legal AI research platform
and currently a clinical Associate Professor at the University of
Wisconsin, while Dr Segun Aina, founder of the
Africa FinTech Network will be the Chairman of the occasion. There
will also be a panel of discussants made up of experts in the tech
space who will be sharing their insights on the subject
Notable dignitaries in government and business are expected to
grace the occasion including the Honourable Minister of
Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Isa
Pantami who has been invited as the Keynote Speaker and
Honourable Minister of State for Budget and Physical Planning,
Prince Clem Agba who is invited as the Special
Guest of Honour
Speaking on the appropriateness of the lecture theme, the Senior
Partner of PUNUKA Attorneys & Solicitors, Chief Anthony Idigbe,
SAN stated that the theme was carefully chosen with a focus on
Nigeria's burgeoning technological advancement in trade and
financial system as emerging and frontier technologies like
blockchain, virtual reality, AI, Open banking, Cryptocurrency and
the interconnectedness of the Internet of things are fast
disrupting traditional business models, legal services, regulatory
expectations, consumer engagement, and even government services to
the people and presenting new ways of doing things.
Also speaking on the subject, the Chairperson of the lecture
organizing committee Isioma Idigbe said the programme will provide
a platform for stakeholders to deliberate on these frontier
technologies, the new opportunities, global trend, legal
imperatives, as well as possible solution to identified
challenges.
The PUNUKA Annual Lecture, is a yearly event aimed at bringing
together key industry players and stakeholders on topical issues
bordering on law, economy, technology, financial matters, good
governance, nation building amongst others.
On the 5th day of February 2021, the Central Bank of Nigeria ("CBN") instructed banks and other financial institutions to refrain from dealing with cryptocurrency (a digital currency) and facilitating payment for cryptocurrency exchanges.
With the rapid growth of technology, start-ups have continually found ways to improve financial services. This trend has been matched by the growing appetite of the consumers for faster and more convenient financial services.
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Time again to reach into the “Ask Mr. Cosmology” mailbag and see what readers want to know about . . . The Wonders of the Universe!
Q: Why does the full moon look larger near the horizon than when it’s higher in the sky?
Mr. Cosmology: Because it is.
Q: What is the correct pronunciation of supernovae?
Mr. Cosmology: Supernovae.
Q: I have a light, almost porcelain complexion. I’m a natural brunette, and I’ve always been fine with that, but I think I wouldn’t mind a change. I’m wondering if there’s a shade that might complement my features?
Mr. Cosmology: You’re thinking of “Ask Mr. Cosmetology.” And it’s henna.
Q: What’s the difference between astronomy and astrology?
Mr. Cosmology: Three letters, yet only one point, assuming neither word has a blank. And you’re thinking of “Ask Mr. Scrabble.”
Q: When is the universe going to end?
Mr. Cosmology: Right about…now.
Q: You were wrong.
Mr. Cosmology: Did I mention that the margin of error is plus or minus infinity?
Q: You mean eternity.
Mr. Cosmology: You say eternity, I say infinity, let’s call the whole thing off.
Q: How would you define the universe?
Mr. Cosmology: Mr. Cosmology just told you: Off.
Q: Knowing as much as you do about the workings of the cosmos, are you still able to look up at the night sky and feel awe?
Mr. Cosmology: Let’s just say that sometimes when reading a letter from the mailbag, Mr. Cosmology casts his eyes toward the heavens and goes, “Wow.”
Q: Of what possible value is cosmology?
Mr. Cosmology: Seventeen. Unless you’re using a blank. | http://www.lastwordonnothing.com/2013/10/14/ask-mr-cosmology-4/ |
Senate Inquiry recognises the importance of the natural gas industry
The interim report of the Senate Select Committee on Unconventional Gas Mining released last night confirms that the inquiry did not identify any factual or scientific evidence to support the fear campaign peddled by industry opponents.
A compelling body of evidence from leading scientific institutions and independent experts shows that a properly regulated unconventional gas industry does not threaten the environment or public health.
Recommendations made by the inquiry’s Chair, Senator Glenn Lazarus, are not supported by the evidence presented to the inquiry. Nor are they supported by the majority of his committee members.
The following extracts are from the report. | https://naturalcsg.appea.com.au/senate-inquiry-recognises-the-importance-of-the-natural-gas-industry/ |
This 2019 Granville home located in the Belterra gated community shows great pride of ownership and will impress you with its class and modern feel. Perfect for the first time homebuyer. This home features 3 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms, an open floor plan from the kitchen to the living area and spacious primary bedroom and guest rooms. The home has beautiful plank tile flooring throughout the lower level and bathrooms, quartz countertops, LED canned lighting, and stainless steel appliances. There is a nice sized kitchen island/breakfast bar with quartz countertop and stainless undermount sink. The large primary bedroom is bright and airy with several windows and the primary bathroom has large tub, shower, dual sinks, spacious quartz countertops, and large walk-in closet. Both guest bedrooms are a good size and share a nicely appointed bathroom. There is an adequate amount of space as well between the bedrooms and the current owners have been able to utilize this space for a small office. The home is equipped with a tankless water heater that will efficiently provide you with endless hot water. There is a community pool just around the block from this home with plenty of covered seating areas and restroom. Please schedule your appointment to see this charming, modern home in person... you won't be disappointed.
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Unfortunately, we don't have any similar listings at the moment. Please remove or change some of the selected filters. | https://www.paulsinghrealtor.com/property/ca/93727/fresno/-/6217-e-sydney-drive/62a0c6c19ebbbbce8d66421f/ |
Nothing in this world can keep you from your fears but you. Whatever makes you anxious or fear living your life in the best way possible, there are always ways to overcome fears and anxiety. Here are seven ways to do them.
Tip #1. Give yourself a time out.
It is so easy to get overwhelmed these days, especially since we are experiencing a pandemic. When your mind races over time and you think about all the wrong things, take a time out. Go on a hike, run or go out and take in some fresh air. Better yet, make yourself a cup of tea so you can relax. If you dwell on these thoughts, you are only adding fuel to your anxieties. Taking a time out is always a good idea.
Tip #2. Face your fears.
Avoiding your fears is not going to change things. You may be lucky to dodge a bullet today, but what about tomorrow or the next day? You can avoid your fears, but you cannot hide from them forever. It would be best to find a way to face them and familiarize yourself with what scares you. Knowing what you fear indeed gives you a starting point to develop a solution on how to fix them.
Tip #3. Practice breathing techniques.
Suppose you feel like panicking after seeing something that scared you, don’t. Try to compose yourself and identify the source of your anxiety. Once you do, count down to 10 as you focus on your breathing. It will help you calm down and stay focused. Learning breathing techniques can help you in many ways. If you are feeling anxious, scared, or in a panic, make sure to arm yourself with breathing exercises so you don’t break down.
Tip #4. Use your imagination in a good way.
Overthinking and playing impossible scenarios in your head only amplifies your fears. Instead of dwelling in these negative thoughts, why not use your imagination more beneficially? Think of a scenario that makes you feel good rather than leading your ideas into a dark corridor . If you do not like crowded places, why not think of a scene where you handled the situation better? Directing your thoughts into something positive can help ease your fears or anxieties, even just for a little while. Give it a try.
Tip #5. Don’t live a perfect life.
Our lives are nowhere perfect; you must realize that it is okay to be imperfect. We all have fears, stress, anxieties – it’s part of life! Bad days will happen, and setbacks can occur at any time. Life is messy like that; try not to overthink everything and, most importantly, relax. Dwelling on the wrong things shortens your life!
Tip #6. Talk about your fears.
Dealing with your fears and anxiety alone is a heavy burden to carry around. Instead, find people you trust enough to talk about these things. If you cannot speak to a partner or someone in your family, there are always hotlines, group therapies, and other support groups that you can reach out to. Getting mental health services or counseling can also help you out.
Tip #7. Reward yourself.
Overcoming your fears is not easy, but if you did something to face them today, that’s a start! If you rode the elevator without panicking, took the bus on your own for the first time, in a crowded place without having anxiety attacks, congratulations! You did something brave today; rewarding yourself is the best way to reinforce this small win . Get ice cream, treat yourself with some of your favorite snacks – rewarding yourself by doing something positive will also encourage you to do them often. The more you do them, the more you realize that you no longer feel anxious or scared.
Your Takeaway
To overcome fears and anxiety, you must also do your part. You cannot avoid getting scared. It is part of life. Doing something so you don’t have to be afraid is always a good thing. So, keep doing them. Applying these tips will surely get you started. | https://frontlinewarriorsclub.com/overcome-fears-and-anxiety-7-easy-ways-to-do-it/ |
This post looks at the rise of hospital infections that occur at the surgical site. This post also discusses what legal avenues patients can explore if they catch an infection at the surgical site, or if they believe that the surgical instruments used were infected.
Oftentimes, when a patient contracts an infection from their stay in hospital, they are told that it is simply ‘bad luck’. However in most cases this is not the truth. This is purely what many doctors and health care professionals want you to think.
These infections are incredibly risky and for patients that are already in an immunocompromised state, and can potentially have life-impacting consequences. A particular form of hospital acquired infections are infections that form at the surgical site. These infections are particularly sinister and can have reactions that are far-reaching and can even cause further damage than the surgery was looking to fix.
In this post, we look at whether or not there has been a rise in hospital infections in Australian hospitals, and what you can do if you catch an infection at the site of surgery, or if you believe that the surgical instruments used were infected.
How did I get this infection?
Once a patient notifies healthcare professionals about an infection present at the surgical site, they are often told that it is purely a case of ‘bad luck’ and that there is nothing that the hospital could’ve done. Recent studies into this are dismissing this and putting the onus of care back onto the hospitals.
Studies conducted into postoperative surgical site infections in the United States determined that infections are caused either by bacteria present on the patient’s skin, or external sources such as hospital workers, the hospital environment and instruments used during surgery.
Certain preoperative and intraoperative risk factors for surgical site infections include:
- Improper use of antimicrobial prophylaxis (a substance that kills or inhibits the growth of microorganisms that can cause infection)
- Infection at the remote site not treated prior to surgery
- Shaving the site versus clipping
- The duration of surgery
- Improper skin preparation
- Improper surgical team hand preparation
- Ventilation and sterilization of the operating room
- Surgical attire and scrubs
- Surgical technique (sterile field, foreign bodies etc)
A common argument employed by hospitals and hospital workers are that the bacteria was already present on the patient’s skin. This tactic is used to attempt to put the onus back onto the patient. However, it is critical prior to a surgery that hospitals carry out optimisation of antimicrobial prophylaxis, widely regarded as one of the most important interventions in preventing surgical site infections. Its purpose is to provide a brief course of an antimicrobial agent in order to reduce the likelihood of contamination, without overwhelming the patients natural immune defence.
If a hospital properly carries out the optimisation of antimicrobial prophylaxis, the chance of receiving an infection during or post surgery is significantly reduced.
Infections on the rise?
Unfortunately, Australia does not undertake any type of survey that looks into the prevalence of infections that are caught in hospital. Nor do we have a national surveillance system that collects and reports data on hospital-acquired infections. We are one of the only countries in the OECD that lacks such basic information and data.
However, a number of studies have been done in the United States as to this issue and the data is that approximately 5% of surgeries result in a surgical site infections. According to this data, surgical site infections are the third most frequently reported nosocomial infection and are associated with substantial morbidity that can endanger a patient’s life, increase the number of days in the hospital, and increase healthcare costs.
Surgical site infections are defined as infections that occur 30 days after surgery with no implant, or within one year if an implant is placed and the infection looks to be localised to the surgical site. It is important to understand your rights as a patient, and what you can do if you believe that you have received an infection due to your stay in hospital.
Owen Hodge Lawyers can help if you believe that you have received an infection due to surgery. Call us today on 1800 770 780 or send us an enquiry email at [email protected]. Surgical site infections can have long lasting and devastating consequences – we can help you understand who is really at fault. | https://www.owenhodge.com.au/blog/case-study-infections-at-the-surgical-site/ |
This PPS aims to create new products, processes or services, innovative and technologically advanced, driving the entire value chain of T&C industries to areas with scientific and technological skills in the sense of Digitization and Dematerialization.
The aim is to develop solutions applied to textile dematerialisation (textile samples, modeling and prototyping of technical clothing) through the use of technologies and information tools.
Digitization is the process of converting information into a digital format, making it easier to access, share, and store data. It concerns the processes of integrating value chains of products or services in real time through digital platforms, as well as the use of tools such as cloudcomputing, mobility, analytics (big data) and social networks.
Industry 4.0 involves computerization of machines and automation using robotics as well as intelligent measuring and data analysis to improve efficiency, profitability and safety. These automation technologies will be driven by advanced sensors, big-data technologies and intelligent machine applications that will acquire, analyze, manage and produce feedback to the user in real time.
In this context, developments focusing on the innovative application of Information and Communication Technologies (TICs) are included in accordance with two main strategic orientations:
1. dematerialization of samples and sample plants, through an algorithm capable of learning from the history of textile data, and able to predict and optimize variables / parameters useful for decision-making processes in textile production;
2. dematerialized modeling (motion capture) of sports clothing (performance) through studies of the sportsman and sportswoman biomechanics, relating with the properties of the textiles to be selected for each zone of the clothing articles to be developed (comfort mapping) and for the validation of the sensors to include in the suits, as well as to choose the places where they will be integrated. | https://texboost.pt/en/idi-areas/digitization-and-dematerialization |
The invention discloses a master batch for a flame-retardant material and a preparation method of the master batch. The master batch for the flame-retardant material comprises the following raw materials in parts by weight: 40-50 parts of polypropylene particles, 3-5 parts of a flame-retardant modifier and 3-5 parts of flame-retardant microcapsules, the flame-retardant micro-capsule outer layer combusts to release the internal flame-retardant filler, the flame-retardant filler releases crystal water, evaporates, decomposes and releases water vapor, and a large amount of combustion heat energy needs to be absorbed in the reaction process, so that the surface temperature of the material is greatly reduced, thermal decomposition and combustion of the high polymer material are prevented, meanwhile, smoke generated by combustion is reduced, and the service life of the material is prolonged. When the organic flame-retardant component containing phosphorus aerobic acid combusts, a material matrix can be promoted to form a cross-linked compact carbon layer through dehydration and carbonization, transmission of substances and heat between gas and solid phases is effectively isolated, dripping is prevented, meanwhile, nitrogen in molecules combusts to form nitride gas, the oxygen concentration can be diluted, and combustion is prevented. | |
The invention relates to a hearing aid, in particular to a medical hearing aid, comprising a means for compensating for noises. Preferably, the hearing aid compensates for amblyacousia. The invention further relates to a corresponding method for operating and adjusting a hearing aid according to the invention.
The medical demand for hearing aids is high and increases constantly and the available devices cover a broad range from simple broadband amplifiers to be worn behind the ear to highly-developed and considerably miniaturised devices fitting into the auditory canal of the user.
An essential quality feature of hearing aids of any miniaturising level is the adaptability of the amplification factor and the frequency response of the internal amplifiers to the individual hearing defect of the user. In practice, there are a lot of different types of hearing defects (apart from complete deafness, which, however, cannot be corrected with the hearing aids described herein) so that a corresponding adaptability of the hearing aid is required for the correction of a defective hearing. If this adaptation is omitted and sound is only uniformly amplified in the entire processible frequency range, it leads to the fact that sounds in frequency regions in which the user still hears well are amplified too much and, in the worst case, the hearing is even further damaged. However, in the frequency regions concerned, in which a greater amplification would be necessary, the broadband amplification is usually too low considering the undamaged ranges of the spectra.
The adjustment of the amplification of a hearing aid according to the prior art is performed by a hearing aid audiologist on the basis of an audiogram, which was ascertained from the patient before-hand by himself or an otorhinolaryngologist. To this end various sounds are played to the patient by means of calibrated earphones with increasing loudness, wherein the patient is to indicate from which loudness on a sound is audible. Thus, the individual frequency response, in particular the lower auditory threshold of the patient's hearing is ascertained at various frequencies. The more different frequencies are used, the higher is the spectral resolution of the audiogram; and the more often the measurement with the same sound is repeated, the higher is the statistical confidence level for this measurement value. The thus ascertained audiogram informs about the regions of the auditory spectrum in which an amplification is necessary for the patient; and the hearing aid audiologist then accordingly adjusts the amplification of the hearing aid for different spectral regions. Subsequently, an audiogram with the hearing aid should be recorded for controlling purposes to keep records of its purpose and to check its adjustment. In the ideal case, this new audiogram corresponds to that of an average normal hearing. This ideal, however, is rarely achieved since the adjustments of an acoustician are usually not precise enough and most hearing aids do not allow for a sufficiently high enough adjustment of the frequency response of the amplification. Most of the devices used have only three regions to be adjusted separately for high, middle and low frequencies, wherein the hearing aid audiologist is forced to accept considerable compromises in his work.
Besides the compensation of the auditory curve of the patient, the “pain threshold” of the patient has to be taken into consideration upon adjustment of the hearing aid. Even an amplification which is perfectly adapted to the hearing defect of the patient but linear would lead to the fact that the patient can hear talk in a low voice, however, loud sounds are amplified to such a great extent that painful or even harmful loudness is the result. This is in particular relevant when the loudness regarded as painful is lowered due to the illness of the hearing. The prior art usually solves this problem in that the maximum output loudness of a hearing aid is limited due to its design. The maximum loudness is limited by nature due to the small size and the limited electrical energy. Moreover, even the simplest devices usually have a volume control with which the user can adapt the volume of its hearing aid, e.g., to different environmental situations. High-quality hearing aids automatically perform such an adjustment dependent on the situation and do not only alter the volume but also optimise the individual frequency response with regard to the specific situation (e.g., talk, music, street noise). However, such an adaptation dependent on the situation, be it automatically or manually, goes beyond the medical aspect of the re-establishment of a normal hearing.
The decisive data for the analytical characterisation of a hearing defect are given by means of the audiogram and the loudness pain threshold. The data about syllable articulation (e.g., Freiburg word test) often additionally acquired by the otorhinolaryngologist or the hearing aid audiologist during an audiometry are prior art but may well be considered to be superfluous with regard to the possibilities and limits of a hearing aid.
A further technical problem which is independent of the hearing defect of the patient arises in that there is—in particular in highly-integrated devices—only a limited spatial distance between sound recording (microphone) and sound generation (miniature loudspeaker, often called “transducer” in the hearing aid, in the following always simply called “loudspeaker”). Thus, there is the risk that for individual frequencies the closed-loop gain between loudspeaker and microphone is greater than 1 thus leading to acoustic feedback howling. This problem is often solved in that critical frequencies are dampened with additional narrow-band filters (“notch filter”). Thus, the acoustic feedback or the tendency to oscillate of the system can be suppressed, however, these additional filters influence the frequency response in an undesired manner, in particular they possibly thwart the actually required high amplification in the regions of the spectrum in which the patient hears badly.
Regarding hearing aids of the highest price range, the prior art discloses further methods of the digital signal processing going beyond the described methods. Thus, one tries, e.g., to make a difference between voice and noise components in the sound signal in order to remove the latter or at least to reduce it. However, in such methods of noise suppression also known from other fields of application, various side effects have to be taken into account. In some methods, e.g., the damping of the noise also entails an alienation of the useful sound, e.g., of the language, and the sound of the dampened noises is considerably changed. Furthermore, some methods cause a signal delay, which can be accepted to a very limited extent only in a hearing aid since otherwise the things seen and heard are no longer chronologically synchronous, which may lead to distortions of perception of the user of the hearing aid.
The object of the invention is to provide an improved hearing aid which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages. In particular, a hearing aid is to be provided with an improved noise suppression and which is preferably adjustable in interaction with the user. Further a corresponding method is to be provided.
The object is achieved with the features of the claims.
According to the invention, parameters of an adjustable filter are modified such by means of a noise estimation that a noise suppression can be effected which leads to a real acoustic perceptual image for the user of a hearing aid. To this end, damping factors can be ascertained, e.g., at certain time intervals or continuously. The parameters of an optional hearing defect compensation and a noise suppression can be combined such that the signal to be processed is adapted in one calculation step per frequency band or discrete frequency.
According to an embodiment of the invention, in interaction with the user, an audiogram, i.e., the spectral characteristics of the hearing ability of the user is to be ascertained automatically during an initialising phase and the internal signal processing, preferably a digital signal processing, such as, e.g., multiband equalizer as well as limiter/compressor, is to be adapted with the obtained data such that an ideal compensation of the individual hearing defect is achieved. The ascertained data, i.e., correction factors for compensating the hearing defect are stored, preferably in a non-volatile storing medium. Preferably the user may conduct the ascertainment of an audiogram any time again or optimise existing data. The correction factors may be already fixed or predetermined, e.g., by a physician or hearing aid audiologist as starting basis for an adjustment of the audiogram by the user.
The audiometry, i.e., the ascertainment of the audiogram of a patient, may take place in the hearing aid itself. Thus, it is rendered possible that the hearing aid automatically adjusts the frequency response of its amplification in a closed system and no audiogram is interpreted by a hearing aid audiologist. Thus, the individual hearing defect of a patient can be exactly compensated for since the parameters of the internal signal processing are determined by the hearing aid itself in an initialising mode, which is different from the mode of operation in which the parameters are used. The hearing aid emits test signals in the initialising mode; signals recorded by the own microphone are preferably at least partially not supplied to the sound emission of the hearing aid. No calibrated measurement devices as necessary for a classical audiometry are required; a previous calibration of the hearing aid as such is not necessary either and the influence of the physical presence of the hearing aid in the auditory canal on the hearing is intrinsically taken into account.
FIG. 1
FIG. 1
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In a schematic representation, shows a hearing aid according to the invention, which is at or in the human ear, and which comprises its components, microphone , initialising module , hearing module and loudspeaker , wherein the initialising module is connected to a control device via which the user interacts with the device during initialising. In a preferred embodiment, the hearing aid further comprises an analogue-digital converter and a digital-analogue converter as shown in . As feedback path the acoustic feedback path is depicted via which sound gets from the loudspeaker back into the microphone and may lead to acoustic feedback howling.
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It is pointed out that the initialising module and the control device are optional features of the hearing aid according to the invention.
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The hearing module comprises a means for noise suppression conducting a noise estimation for determining the parameters of a filter depending on a signal.
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An initialising is carried out to optionally adjust the hearing module of the hearing aid to the individual defective hearing of a user—i.e., the deviation from the normal auditory curve—by a correspondingly amplified loudspeaker output of the sound recorded by the microphone . To this end an interaction between user and hearing aid is provided according to an embodiment, which takes place through operating elements at the hearing aid itself or a wireless or wired connection to an operation auxiliary means, e.g., a personal computer; this operation auxiliary means is generally described as control device in the following. The control device at least comprises an actuating device comprising a switch and/or a push-button.
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The signal flow in the hearing aid is as follows: The microphone signal s(t) is preferably discretized and digitised by an analogue-digital converter and supplied to the hearing module and the initialising module where the signal processing, preferably a digital signal processing, takes place. Subsequently, in case of a digital signal processing, a digital-analogue converter generates an output signal s(t) with which the ear of the user is treated with ultrasound through a loudspeaker .
FIG. 2
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shows the hearing module with a summing unit , which adds a negative pseudo feedback calculated by the anti-feedback filter to the microphone signal, an optional auditory curve correction by signal amplification dependent on frequency, a sound suppression and a volume limitation of the loudspeaker signal to be outputted. The calculation of the negative pseudo feedback is performed by discrete convolution of the impulse response of the feedback path with the loudspeaker signal to be outputted s(t).
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FIG. 2
FIGS. 4 to 6
In the following the components and the function of the hearing module shown in are explained in further detail with reference to .
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FIG. 4
The hearing module receives the digital microphone signal s(t) and adds the negative pseudo feedback s(t) which is calculated by means of the impulse response of the feedback path h(t) as discrete convolution with the loudspeaker signal S(t) to s(t)=h(t)*s(t) to remove the feedback of the loudspeaker signal in the microphone from the microphone signal and to thus prevent a feedback howling. Subsequently, the optional auditory curve correction , as shown in more detail in , is performed in that a system of different filters with centre frequencies f=f. . . fand amplifications V(f) is applied on the signal, wherein the quality of the filters is chosen such that the superposition of all filters has a frequency response as constant as possible when all amplifications V(f) have the same value, i.e., V(f)=V(f)=V(f)= . . . =V(f). The V(f) values have to be adjusted as exactly as possible to the individual hearing defect so that upon use of the hearing aid the auditory curve of the user approaches the curve of a person with average hearing abilities as close as possible.
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The optional auditory curve correction in the hearing module is performed by a series of independent filters, preferably IIR filters. The individual adjustment of the V(f) values for the correction of the hearing defect is effected by means of the initialising module .
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FIG. 5
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After the optional auditory curve correction , a first embodiment of a noise suppression as shown in and known, e.g., from DE 199 48 308 A1, takes place. The signal is subjected to a Fourier transformation in order to obtain an estimation of the noise spectrum by, e.g., minimum detection in the spectrum. This noise estimation is used to determine a filter depending on the noise and signal or the filter coefficients of a filter, which is applied to the signal spectrum. The latter is then re-transformed into a noise-reduced time signal by inverse Fourier transformation, which is provided at the output of the noise suppression .
FIG. 5
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Instead of by means of IIR filters the optional auditory curve correction can be alternatively also realised as filter in the spectrum, as will be shown in the following with reference to a second embodiment according to . To this end the signal is first of all subjected to a Fourier transformation so that the correction factors K(f) may be used directly as multiplication in the signal spectrum to compensate for a hearing defect on the boundary condition that the frequencies fare in the frequency raster of the Fourier transformation.
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FIG. 5
FIG. 5
FIG. 5
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Preferably the correction factors K(f) correspond to the amplification values V(f). This embodiment can be advantageously combined with the application of a noise suppression. To this end the signal spectrum is additionally multiplied with damping factors (gain factors) G(f) dependent on signal and noise. The damping factors are preferably determined from a noise estimation R(f) and the current signal spectrum S(f), e.g., as G(f)=1−R(f)/S(f). The noise estimation is formed from the signal spectrum by being averaged over those time intervals where the signal basically only consists of background noise and there is no or only insignificant wanted signal proportion (language). For example, a good noise estimation can be performed in a speech pause where no wanted signal proportion is present. shows the combined application of auditory curve correction by means of correction factors K(f) and noise suppression by means of damping factors G(f). According to , the signal spectrum S(f) is used both for determining a noise estimation R(f) and a multiplication in the spectrum with correction factors K(f). After determination of the noise estimation R(f), the damping factors G(f) are determined, which are based on the noise estimation R(f). After multiplication of the microphone signal in the spectrum with the correction factors K(f) to compensate for the hearing defect, a multiplication in the spectrum with damping factors G(f) is carried out according to . Thus, the signal can be adjusted to, e.g., outer circumstances such as subway, apartment, concert hall, etc. After the corresponding calculations in the spectrum, the signal spectrum thus modified is re-transformed by means of inverse Fourier transformation in a time signal being corrected according to the auditory curve and being noise-reduced, which is provided at the output of the filter module .
It is pointed out that the auditory curve correction is optional and the corresponding device feature and the method step may be omitted.
FIG. 5
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The signal processing as shown in can be modified. For example, the order of the multiplication in the spectrum with correction factors K(f) and the multiplication in the spectrum with damping factors G(f) can be exchanged. According to a further alternative, the multiplication in the spectrum with correction factors K(f) and the multiplication in the spectrum with damping factors G(f) can be combined and preferably effected in one step per frequency band or discrete frequency. To this end, preferably the damping factors G(f) are multiplied with the correction factors K(f) and only afterwards the signal spectrum S(f) is multiplied with the result of this multiplication of the two factors. This is advantageous in that the real time signal (microphone signal) has to undergo only one multiplication, i.e., the signal processing time can be shortened altogether.
The damping factors G(f) are determined based on the noise estimation R(f) which is renewed preferably at certain intervals and/or adaptively in order to be able to account for a change in the noise surroundings. Adaptively means a continuous automatic noise estimation. Besides fixed time intervals dynamic factors can be also used triggering a new noise estimation. A dynamic trigger factor can be a manual user input. A user preferably chooses a moment where there is as little wanted signal as possible. Further, the user may pre-select the surroundings with a subsequent optimisation of the noise estimation. Fixed time intervals to determine a new noise estimation can be combined with dynamic trigger factors.
FIG. 5
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The damping factors can be also applied only in part or not at all, i.e., changed. Here the formula indicated in can be modified to G(f)=1−c*R(f)/S(f), wherein 0<c<1. Thus, the extent of the noise suppression can be adjusted automatically or manually by the user. At c=0, the noise suppression is deactivated and at c=1, the noise suppression is completely active. The noise suppression being adjustable, the signal outputted by the loudspeaker () can be adjusted as exactly as possible to real acoustic surroundings. For example, a noise suppression could recognise the roar of the ocean or the rustling of leaves as unwanted signal and consequently suppress it although this is not what the user wants in this case.
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FIG. 6
The last step of the signal processing in the hearing module prior to the output of the signal to the digital-analogue converter and the loudspeaker is the limitation of the maximum output volume to a maximum value M in order to not exceed the individual pain threshold of the user. To this end preferably a characteristic curve as shown in is used, which is linear for subcritical signal volumes and approaches the threshold M when the pain threshold is reached without exceeding it for even higher input levels. The threshold M is preferably ascertained in the initialising module in interaction with the user.
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FIG. 3
According to the invention the individual adjustment of the parameters of the hearing module is performed for the ideal compensation of the personal hearing deficit of the user by means of the optional initialising module . Here the optional control device is used with which the user interacts with the initialising module . As is schematically shown in , in the initialising module , the auditory curve of the patient is measured by outputting tones or acoustic signals with increasing volume. In particular the initialising module emits electrical signals which are transformed into tones or acoustic signals. Subsequently, the auditory curve is ascertained relative to the auditory curve of a person with average hearing abilities and the corresponding filters are determined for compensation for the individual hearing defect. Furthermore, the pain threshold of the user is measured by outputting noise of increasing volume. Thus, the maximally bearable output volume is ascertained, which is also individual for each user. Preferably at the same time the impulse response of the feedback path is determined—in that the test signals outputted by the loudspeaker are recorded again by the microphone —the response being used for the elimination of feedback in the anti-feedback filter of the hearing module .
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In the initialising mode according to an embodiment of the invention, the initialising module outputs a series of electrical signals to the loudspeaker which are transformed into acoustic signals, wherein the acoustic signals are used for measuring the auditory curve of the user. The acoustic signals have a certain frequency or a certain frequency spectrum with a certain centre frequency to determine a lower auditory threshold level of the user depending on the respective frequency. In a preferred embodiment, the transmission from microphone to loudspeaker is interrupted while the initialising module is operated to measure the auditory curve of the user.
Preferably, the hearing aid according to the invention further comprises a comparator for comparing a lower auditory threshold level of a user at a certain centre frequency with a stored lower auditory threshold level of a user with normal hearing ability and an adjustment means for adjusting an amplification at the respective frequency in order to compensate a hearing defect of the user.
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In order to determine a pain threshold of the user, i.e., a maximally acceptable volume, which is outputted to the loudspeaker , the initialising module emits electrical signals, preferably according to a predetermined program, which is explained in more detail with reference to . The hearing module limits the loudspeaker output according to the maximally acceptable volume.
FIG. 7
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shows a flow diagram of an audiogram measurement and determination of the amplifications V(f) for the auditory curve correction according to an embodiment of the invention. In order to determine the auditory curve of the user and the amplification parameter V(f) for the correction of the auditory curve in a first step S various test tones are emitted whose frequencies correspond to the centre frequencies fof the filters, which are available for the correction of the auditory curve. For a chosen frequency f, the volume is at first set at A=A, which preferably corresponds to the volume which is just still audible by a person with average hearing ability, i.e., a lower auditory threshold. In step S the volume A is then successively increased at an increase rate to be determined until the user signalises in step S-yes via pushing a button at the control device that he/she has heard the tone. The corresponding individual lower auditory threshold A(f) is stored in step S. Subsequently, the procedure is repeated in step S-no with another frequency funtil the auditory curve measurement is terminated by a corresponding user interaction at the control device and/or a termination condition in step S-yes is terminated. The individual auditory threshold is determined at least once for all frequencies f, f, f, . . . , f, preferably, however, several times to obtain a certain statistical confidence level for the measurement values. Thus, a possible termination condition can be, e.g., a sufficient, ascertained data amount, i.e., all lower auditory thresholds of the user at the respective frequency are at least once ascertained. Subsequently, in step S an average value of the various values of A(f), i.e., amplification values at the same frequency, is obtained, preferably the median since in this average “freak values”—i.e., completely faulty measurement values—are not contained in the average. In step S the amplifications V(f) are calculated therefrom.
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The number of test tones or acoustic signals of the series of electrical signals for measuring the auditory curve of the user is preferably between 4 and 128 or between 8 and 64 or between 16 and 48 and particularly preferably 32 different tones, i.e., frequencies fto fare measured with the particularly preferred number of tones 32. The amplitude of a tone becoming louder during measurement of the auditory curve of the user is, from a minimum volume to a maximum volume, preferably divided into 10 to 200 or 50 to 150 and particularly preferably into 100 amplitude values, i.e., that the amplitude of a tone becoming louder changes in the particularly preferred stage 100 times from the minimum to the maximum volume.
In a preferred embodiment the frequencies of the successive test tones or acoustic signals are changed during the measurement in a random order or defined pseudo random order.
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Besides the optional correction of the personal auditory curve, a further element of the digital signal processing of the hearing aid is the limitation of the maximum output volume which is also individually adjusted to the hearing of the user. shows a flow diagram of a determination of the maximum volume M according to the invention. To this end, in step S noise Rr(t), preferably white noise, is generated with an initial volume R=R, corresponding to a volume which is approximately in the middle between the hearing threshold and the pain threshold of a person with average hearing ability. Before the noise signal reaches the ear of the user, it is amplified in a frequency-depending manner in step S by the auditory curve correction ascertained before-hand by means of the correspondingly adjusted filter V(f). This step is preferred so that the measurement of the pain threshold is already adjusted to the personal hearing ability of the user. The volume R of the noise signal is successively increased in step S until the user signalises in step S-yes via pushing a button at the control device that a volume is reached which is considered to be painful. If this is the case, the current value of R is stored as maximum volume M in step . This measurement, too, is preferably repeated several times (step S-yes) in order to be able to obtain an average value of the various measurements in step S thus creating a certain statistical confidence level. Preferably the median is ascertained for the average.
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The white noise preferably used for ascertaining the maximum volume is preferably outputted in a frequency band of 0-8 kHz from the initialising module via the loudspeaker . The sampling rate used for ascertaining the feedback signal via the microphone is higher than 16 kHz according to the Nyquist-Shannon sampling theorem.
The sampling rate of the use of the hearing aid after the initialising is preferably 16 kHz, i.e., a hearing deficit of a user is corrected in a frequency band of preferably 0 kHz to approximately 8 kHz.
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Since the white noise is one of the most disagreeable sounds for the human hearing, it is to be assumed that all other sounds which are outputted with the ascertained maximum volume M are less critical. There is a further advantage by the use of (white) noise: the signal is very suitable for the determination of the impulse response of the feedback path h(t) which is used in the anti-feedback filter . To this end the microphone signal s(t) is analysed, preferably while the outputted loudspeaker signal S(t) consists, as described, of noise signals of various volumes to determine the maximum volume M. It is described, e.g., in detail in DE 101 40 523 or DE 100 43 064 how the impulse response h(t) of the acoustic path between loudspeaker and microphone —i.e., the feedback path—can be deduced from the simultaneous analysis of microphone and loudspeaker signal.
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shows the determination of the anti-feedback filter and the filter coefficients. Of both signals s(t) and s(t) spectra S(f) and S(f) are formed on frames with a predetermined length by means of Fourier transformation; furthermore, the complex conjugate S*(f) is determined of S(f). The product S(f)S*(f) as well as the square of the absolute value S(f)S*(f) are respectively chronologically averaged and divided. Thus, the transfer function H(f) of the feedback path is obtained from which the impulse response h(t) results by inverse Fourier transformation.
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After all desired individual parameters have been determined in the described manner, a change is performed from the initialising module to the hearing module and the wheel turns full circle: the impulse response h(t) last determined is required first of all in the digital signal processing of the hearing module . The control device is not required by the hearing module according to the invention after the initialising, however, it can be used for trivial interactions not described in further detail in this context, e.g., for the user-operated volume change or a situation-depending equalizer choice.
This invention has been described by means of examples. It has to be pointed out in this context that individual features, examples and embodiments can be optionally combined and thus further preferred features, examples and embodiments can be achieved.
The mode of operation of the hearing aid and the corresponding method are described in the following by means of preferred embodiments with reference to the Figures. They show:
FIG. 1
a schematic representation of the components of a hearing aid according to the invention;
FIG. 2
FIG. 1
a schematic representation of a hearing module of a hearing aid according to ;
FIG. 3
FIG. 1
a schematic representation of an initialising module of a hearing aid according to ;
FIG. 4
FIG. 2
a schematic representation of an auditory curve correction in a hearing module according to ;
FIG. 5
FIG. 2
a
a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a noise suppression in a hearing module according to ;
FIG. 5
FIG. 2
b
a schematic representation of a second embodiment of a noise suppression in a hearing module according to ;
FIG. 6
FIG. 2
a schematic representation of a volume limitation in a hearing module according to ;
FIG. 7
a flow diagram for ascertaining an audiogram according to the invention;
FIG. 8
a flow diagram for ascertaining a maximally acceptable volume according to the invention; and
FIG. 9
a schematic representation of the determination of the anti-feedback filter according to the invention. | |
I love to cook! Do you love to cook too? Here's some of my recipes and some tips as well. Do you have some to share? Please e-mail them to me at [email protected] and I'll add them to this page/"recipe book." Thanks!!
2 lb. Ripe tomatoes2 teaspoons snipped fresh rosemary or 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed1 clove garlic, minced1 recipe tart pastry4 teaspoons stone-ground yellow cornmeal1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Regiano cheese or any other very flavorful cheese**Preheat oven at 400 degrees**Slice both ends off tomatoes, slice center section into 1/4 inch thick slice. Then chop end slices to make 1 cup and set aside. Combine garlic and rosemary and set aside.**On a sheet of floured waxed paper, roll pastry into a 13 1/2 inch circle; invert pastry onto a lightly greased large cookie sheep and then peel of wax paper.**From the center of the pastry to about 3 inches from the edge, sprinkle 3 teaspoons of the cornmeal and half of the cheese. Arrange a row of tomato slice around the inside edge of the covered area/ Spread chopped tomatoes in center of the tomato ring. Sprinkle with rosemary mixture adding salt and pepper to taste. Make a second row of tomatoes on top of chopped tomatoes, overlapping the outer row. Put remaining slices in the center. Sprinkle tart with salt and pepper again. Sprinkle remaining cheese and cornmeal on top.**Fold edge of pastry over tomatoes, pleating as necessary. Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until pastry is golden brown and tomatoes are bubbling. Cool tart on pan for 15 to 30 minutes. Makes 6 servings. Enjoy!
1 small pineapple, chopped or 1 (20 ounce) can unsweetened pineapple chunks packed with juice, drained2 cups fresh or frozen unsweetened raspberries or strawberries1 cup orange juice1/4 cup lemon juice2 tablespoons honey1 (1 liter) bottle ginger ale, chilled**If using fresh pineapple, prepare pineapple (remove "skin" and chop).**In blender or food processor , combine pineapple, berries, orange juice, lemon juice and honey; cover and blend until smooth.**Press through sieve if you wanting a smooth classy-looking drink or don't and receive all of the benefits of the pulp and seeds. Next pour into a 2-quart square baking dish and cover and freeze for 24 hours.**To serve, let stand at room temperature 20 to 30 minutes. With a spoon, scrape across surface and place shush in glasses. Add ginger ale; stir to mix. Add mint leaf to garnish. Serves 8 to 10. So refreshing!!!!! | http://margiesnaturalbeauty.com/page9.html |
From Ballarat, Victoria, comes Maze, who performs under the name Macy Rose. Maze is an independent musician, taking on all of the writing, producing, and everything in between. Driven by emotional, storytelling influences, their music combines harmony and transparency in an outlet they’re proud to share with the world. Based in Perth and occasionally Melbourne, they explore and absorb their roots of the Aussie music scene with pride.
Behind them as they take to the stage for live performances is Christian Passalacqua on drums, Dion Fernandes on bass, Gus De la Fuente on rhythm guitar and backing vocals, Josh Fairweather on lead guitar, and Rosie Dagless on keys and backing vocals. The group met in 2021 after commencing study within the same course at the Western Australia Academy of Performing Arts.
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What We Bring
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"Our dedicated following is present in countries across the world, and we present a unique and energetic performance by blending the genres of rock, funk, indie, jazz, and alternate-pop into our own powerful sound. "
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Members
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Maze Mather (Lead Vocals)
Rosie Dagless (Keyboard, Backing Vocals)
Josh Fairweather (Lead Guitar)
Dion Fernandes (Bass)
Christian Passalacqua (Drums)
Gus De la Fuente (Rhythm Guitar, Backing Vocals)
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Australia
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Perth
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"From the beautiful Melbourne, Australia comes Macy Rose. A singer-songwriter with a passionate voice, soft melody and a meaningful message."
Click to read more... | https://www.ozmusicfestivals.com.au/performer_macyrose.html |
The Resonant Mirror (RM) Sensor is a leaky planar waveguide optical sensor that uses frustrated total internal re ̄ection (FTR) to couple light into and out of a leaky waveguiding layer. RM modes are dispersive as well as leaky, causing the coupling angle for a particular mode to shift as the illumination wavelength changes. This is a particular problem when using coherent illumination from a laser diode, as these are prone to mode hopping as the diode temperature changes. This leads to sudden changes in the wavelength of the laser output, causing a similar abrupt change in the measured resonance angle. Without some form of referencing, it is impossible to determine whether a change in resonance angle is a result of a wavelength change or a change in surface refractive index.To overcome this problem, an additional buried RM waveguide layer was incorporated into the sensor structure. By using a slightly different thickness for the buried waveguide layer, a second resonance could be obtained for one polarisation which was much less sensitive to surface refractive index changes, but had the same dispersion as the conventional surface RM resonance. As a result, the difference in resonance angle between the buried and surface modes was only sensitive to changes in the refractive index of the overlayer above the surface RM layer. The device is slightly sensitive to changes in temperature, although the response is dominated by the temperature coef®cient of refractive index of the aqueous overlayer. Since the RM layers are very thin( ~1.3 mm in total), thermal equilibrium between the surface and buried modes should be established very rapidly.To demonstrate the utility of this approach, modi®ed RM sensors were fabricated using CVD of silica and silicon nitride. The sensors were tested in two ways; ®rstly by changing the wavelength of illumination using a series of interference ®lters, and secondly by placing materials of different refractive index on the surface of the device. In the ®rst case, the two resonance peaks moved by the same angle, while in the second case, the surface mode moved approximately 25 times further than the buried mode. | https://pure.ulster.ac.uk/en/publications/internally-referenced-resonant-mirror-devices-for-dispersion-comp-3 |
Facts About Copper The First Chemical Reaction What Changes Did Sodium Hydroxide Exergonic Real World Reactions Journal Biophysical Chemistry Acid Rain Equation Contact Allergy
Majority of the chain reactions are normally carried out in the solutions. Solvents play an important role in occurrence of chain reactions. It solvent's both the reagent and also the reactant so that they can liquify. Solvents serve as a setting of managing the temperature in exothermic as well as endothermic reactions. In exothermic reactions, they provide a control over excess warmth generated during the reaction by absorbing it. It is essential to select the most ideal solvent so regarding obtain most efficient outcomes. An excellent solvent must have the ability to meet all the required requirements such as it ought to be an inert to all the reaction conditions, the boiling factor of the solvent must be proper, at the end of the reaction, there must not be any kind of problem in its elimination, it needs to liquify the reagents as well as reactants.
Example: Compose the formula for the response of sodium hydroxide and also hydrochloric acid to generate salt chloride and water. The reactants would certainly be NaOH and also HCl. The products would certainly be NaCl and HOH. Currently create the equation with reactants on the left and also the items on the right. NaOH + HCl === > NaCl + HOH.
Combustion reaction: it is a sort of redox response in which any type of flammable compound combines with an oxidizing aspect, generally oxygen, to generate warmth and also form oxidized items. Example: C3H8 + 5 O2' 3 CO2 + 4 H2O. | https://wildseasonthegame.com/noxgma14785/iXVyep14797/ |
This summer we had lots of insects in our garden, so I decided to use insect repellent to get rid of them. I went to the garage to see if we had something from the previous season. I found a bottle, but I didn’t know how long it had been there, and the expiration date was unreadable. Needless to say, I was a bit hesitant, so I did some research to find out if it was safe to use.
My main question was: does insect repellent expire? What I learned was that DEET-based or picaridin-based repellents don’t have an expiration date. If the repellent contains IR3535 (which is commonly added to skincare products), then there is an expiration date that is usually between 18 and 36 months after it is packaged. If you have no idea what kind of repellent you are using, try to use your common sense.
In this article, I’m going to take a closer look at different types of insect repellents and their expiration dates.
Top Rated Insect Repellents
What is DEET-based insect repellent?
Although DEET sounds like something from outer space or the name of a Moby album, it is the active ingredient (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) in most repellent products sold in the U.S.
Although it was developed in 1946 by U.S. Army military personnel who used it in insect-rich areas, it has only been on the public market since 1957. Nowadays, roughly 33% of the U.S. population uses DEET-based insect repellents for their skin protection.
Is it safe to use DEET-based repellents?
The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) reviewed the safety of DEET in 1998 and 2014. According to the reviews, they believe DEET is safe and does not present a health concern. Of course, we are talking about the normal use of DEET.
Since DEET can sometimes cause skin irritation, the important thing to remember is that DEET should be sprayed over clothes as opposed to directly on the skin.
Is it safe to use DEET-based repellents on children?
EPA writes on their homepage that there is no age restriction regarding DEET usage. They have confirmed that products containing DEET can be used on children, but since we are dealing with a pesticide product here, you should always read and follow the instructions on the label.
Does DEET kill mosquitoes?
No, it doesn’t. Mosquitoes detect chemicals using receptors and neurons on their antennae and mouth. DEET interferes with those neurons and receptors; therefore, it protects your skin from the direct application.
What is the expiration date of DEET-based repellents?
DEET-based repellents do not have expiration dates, which means they’re believed to last indefinitely. What you have to consider is that the effectiveness can reduce over time; otherwise, you shouldn’t have any problems with it.
What is picaridin-based insect repellent?
Picaridin is a synthetic ingredient in lots of skin-applied insect repellents, and it has been on the market since the 1980s. Like DEET, it blocks insects’ smell sensors, making it hard for them to find exposed skin on your body. In the United States, picaridin has been available since 2005.
Since picaridin is odorless (or has a minimal odor) and doesn’t damage fabrics, it is suitable to use on clothes or other synthetics. It lasts up to eight hours and is as effective as DEET but not as oily.
Is it safe to use picaridin-based repellents?
Yes, picaridin is safe. It is rated as a “non-toxic” ingredient, which means that you can use it on your skin. Although it is uncommon, there are reports that some users experience skin irritation.
What if you ingest something that contains picaridin?
According to this study (held between January 2000 and May 2015), “Unintentional ingestion of picaridin-containing and other insect repellents was associated only with minor toxicity and was generally managed outside of a healthcare facility.”
Is it safe to use picaridin-based repellents on children?
Yes, you can use picaridin-based repellents on children. Currently, no studies have shown that it is unsafe to use picaridin for children. Keep in mind that according to the National Pesticide Information Center, infants and children may be more sensitive to pesticides. Also, it is unwise to use it on children younger than three years of age.
Does picaridin kill mosquitoes?
No, picaridin does not kill mosquitoes (or other insects). It blocks out the scent, making it harder for the insect to find exposed parts of our body.
What is the expiration date of picaridin-based repellents?
Like DEET-based repellents, picaridin-based repellents don’t have expiration dates; however, there is some reduction in the potency over time.
What is IR3535-based insect repellent?
IR3535 was developed in the 1970s and was mainly used in Europe. In the United States, it has been used since 1999. Primary targets of IR3535 are mosquitoes, deer ticks, body lice, and biting flies.
Some reports claim that IR3535 performs against ticks and mosquitoes just as well as DEET-based repellents but doesn’t protect as long as DEET- or picaridin-based repellents.
Is IR3535 safe?
The developer of IR3535 (Merck Inc.) confirms that it does not harm your health or the environment, but can we trust them? Well, according to EPA toxicity tests, IR3535 is indeed not harmful even when ingested or inhaled. It can, however, be irritating to the eyes. Also, since it may dissolve or damage plastics, it is not as suitable to use on clothes.
Is IR3535 safe for children?
Yes, it is. Health authorities from all over the world have not been introduced to any problems caused by IR3535-based repellents. But as mentioned above, IR3535 can cause eye irritation.
Does IR3535 kill mosquitoes?
No, it doesn’t. Like DEET- or picaridin-based repellents, IR3535 confuses the insect’s sense of smell, and since mosquitoes are seeking exposed skin, it makes it difficult for them to find you.
What is the expiration date of IR3535-based repellents?
Unlike DEET- or picaridin-based repellents, IR3535 products have an expiration date. Usually, it is between 18 months and 36 months, but read the product label to be sure.
Manufacturers recommend disposing of the product after two years. Besides, most of them won’t guarantee effectiveness for any longer than two years.
What if there is no expiration date label visible on the product?
Then you should use your common sense. If the product looks okay and you purchased it within the last two years, then it should still be able to repel insects.
You can also take a look at the manufacturer’s website and see what the expiration date for the current product is. (In this case, you have to know when you bought it.)
Remember that some countries have different regulations for repellents. It mostly depends on whether it is a “biocide,” a “healthcare” product, or a “pharmaceutical” product. Sometimes an expiration date is required and provided even though it is a product that doesn’t expire.
How to store insect repellents
Insect repellents should be stored away from heat or flame, and they should be kept in areas that are inaccessible to children.
How to dispose of insect repellents
The disposal of insect repellent depends on the type of container in which the repellent is sold.
If it’s a non-refillable container, empty it out before disposing of it (follow the instructions on the product label). For example, if it’s a non-aerosol spray, pour it into a jug of kitty litter, which can later be emptied in your regular trash. If the repellent cannot be emptied, contact your local waste agency. After that, recycle the empty bottle (if available).
To sum up: Does insect repellent expire?
Depending on the ingredients of your insect repellents, there are differences regarding the expiration date. If it’s DEET- or picaridin-based repellent, then there’s no expiration date but perhaps a decrease in potency.
If it’s IR3535-based repellent, then the normal expiration date is between 18 and 36 months, but to be sure, take a look at the product label.
Related questions
How do I correctly apply insect repellent? If you use a spray, shake it first and then, with a slow sweeping motion, spray it by holding it 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) away from your skin and clothing. Some repellents (IR3535, for example) can cause eye irritation, so spray it onto your hands first before applying to face.
If you are using non-aerosol repellents, use just enough to cover your skin (don’t overuse it).
Do ultrasonic pest repellents work? No, they don’t. There is no evidence showing the effectiveness of ultrasonic repellents. We have an article about studies conducted by scientists that showed commercially available ultrasonic devices had little or no effect on pests (full article here).
Can pest control get rid of snakes? The answer is no; pest control can’t get rid of snakes. Pest control can only manage small insects. Since snakes are reptiles the only way to take them away from your home and surrounding is to catch them. (full article here). | https://pestcontrolfaq.com/does-insect-repellent-expire/ |
- Product Sku:
- Categories Spiritual Books
- Type: Books:Nonfiction
This comprehensive record of Krishnamurti's teaching is an excellent, wide-ranging introduction to the great philosopher's thought. Within general discussions of conflict, fear, violence, religious experience, self-knowledge, and intelligence, Krishnamurti examines specific issues, such as the role of the teacher and tradition; the need for awareness of "cosmic consciousness"; the problem of good and evil; and traditional Vedanta methods of help for different levels of seekers. Krishnamurti discusses these themes with Jacob Needleman, Alain Naude, and Swami Venkatasananda, among others. The Awakening of Intelligence is indispensable for all those intent on a fuller understanding of Krishnamurti's teaching.
J. Krishnamurti (1895-1986) was a renowned spiritual teacher whose lectures and writings influenced millions throughout the 20th century, and his thoughts continue to resonate even a decade after his death. His works include On Mind and Thought, On Nature and the Environment, On Relationship, On Living and Dying, On Love and Loneliness, On Fear, and On Freedom.
Practical, profound and timeless, Krishnamurti's ideas rejecting the prejudices of traditional learning, celebrating personal, spiritual freedom, and the individual's search for Truth are inspiring now more than ever. Collected in this comprehensive volume are the most illuminating and essential of his writings and talks: words that are of vital relevance to today's spiritual environment, and catalytic in guiding us toward a deeper understanding of ourselves, our place in the universe, and the mysteries of the human condition. | https://meditativebooks.com/products/the-awakening-of-intelligence-by-j-krishnamurti |
Luther's theology and humanism
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How did Luther's theology relate to renaissance humanism?© BrainMass Inc. brainmass.com October 10, 2019, 3:34 am ad1c9bdddf
https://brainmass.com/history/luthers-theology-humanism-425658
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Luther's theological concepts of 'sola scriptura', 'sola fide', and consubstantiation relate to renaissance humanism in several ways. First, renaissance humanism encouraged the return to ancient writings in their original languages as well as the promotion of vernacular languages. Humanists distanced themselves from Jerome's Latin Vulgate (the Bible in Latin) in favour of a return to the Greek New Testament and the Hebrew Old Testament. This practice manifested in Luther's theology as 'sola scriptura', 'by scripture alone', which emphasised the importance of basing theology on the Bible only. 'Sola scriptura' also encouraged the use of Greek ...
Solution Summary
This solution is a detailed explanation of the place that renaissance humanism had in Luther's theology. In particular, the solution focuses on Luther's concepts of 'sola fide', 'sola scriptura', and consubstantiation. The cited sources are included with this 300-word answer. It would be useful to students of Reformation and religious history in the sixteenth-century, of Christian theology, of Martin Luther, and of renaissance humanism. | https://brainmass.com/history/luthers-theology-humanism-425658 |
For a useful timeline scroll down on our homepage.
There has been a pattern of failing government strategies in the UK to tackle the overuse of antibiotics in farming.
In 1968 the UK Swann Committee was established after serious outbreaks of multi-drug resistant salmonella food poisoning were linked to the use of antibiotics in livestock production.
The committee recommended that all antibiotics which are important in human medicine should be banned as growth promoters in farming. As a result, in the early 1970s the use of penicillin and tetracyclines were banned as growth promoters. An EU ban on all remaining antibiotic growth promoters was implemented in 2006.
The same antibiotics, however, could still be used for routine disease prevention or treatment, often at the same doses previously used for growth promotion. Read our report "Swann song" for routine antibiotic use, 50 years on? for more about this landmark review.
This meant the use of these antibiotics in animal feed continued to increase. By 2012, farm use of penicillin-type antibiotics had increased five-fold since the growth promoter ban, and the use of tetracyclines had increased ten-fold.
In 2014, total UK veterinary sales of antibiotics licensed only for food animals also increased by 4%, and total sales in of antibiotics classified as “critically important” in human medicine had increased by 3% to a new record high.
The O’Neill report published in 2015, recommended measures to tackle antibiotic resistance, including a target for reducing the overall veterinary use of antibiotics and strict oversight on farm use of antibiotics which are critical for human health.
These proposals demonstrated that the international community was waking up to the risks of farm antibiotic use. Read our response to the O’Neill report here.
Since 2015 there have been reductions in farm antibiotic use in the UK and a number of European countries. In the UK the use of antibiotics on farms has fallen by 50% over the last four years. More reductions can be achieved in the UK by widespread improvements to the baseline standards for farm animal welfare. Read more about the solutions in our 2017 report, Real Farming Solutions to antibiotic misuse. | https://saveourantibiotics.org/the-issue/a-history-of-antibiotic-abuse/ |
Bauxite vs the Cockpit Country
Jamaica’s last remaining wilderness, Cockpit Country is a rugged, natural paradise located in the heart of the island. Hundreds of species found nowhere else in the world make their homes in Cockpit Country and its unique geology has created countless caves, waterfalls and towering cliffs throughout the area. The 73,000 Jamaicans in 66 communities living in and around Cockpit Country have created a cultural heritage whose warmth and friendliness is unparalleled. As the location of many of the first Maroon settlements and the battlefield and ally for Maroon fighters in Jamaica’s earliest independence struggles, Cockpit Country is one of the final bastions for the old-time culture of the Jamaican countryside, which is disappearing in today’s modern world. This rich heritage and natural history is kept alive today in the crafts, food, art, music and humanity of Cockpit Country’s residents.
Cockpit Country is a singular place. There is no other place in the world that is even remotely like it. Yet within this internationally recognized wilderness a national debate rages. The only Jamaicans who haven’t heard about this debate in the media in the past weeks are those true bush men and women living too far out in the Cockpit Country wilderness to get any news. It is widely accepted that Cockpit Country has an enormous economic potential that is largely untapped. The debate is how to tap those resources and make them available to the people of Jamaica. Side one of the debate is to exploit Cockpit Country resources through bauxite mining, in which case economic benefits will come until the bauxite runs out and nothing more is left of Cockpit Country. Side two of the debate is to develop a sustainable economic system that builds on this unique natural area and the rich culture and heritage of the people who call it home.
In 1999 and in 2000 a series of Cockpit Country Stakeholder fora funded by the Environmental Foundation of Jamaica (EFJ) were held that brought together a range of stakeholders including community members, farmers, Maroons, government departments, unemployed persons, academics and the Jamaica Bauxite Institute, among others. The general consensus of the stakeholders fora was that Cockpit County was a valuable natural resource for Jamaica and the idea of a project to conserve the biodiversity of Cockpit Country was supported. Ms. Diane Gordon of the Jamaica Bauxite Institute, who attended the stakeholder meetings, stated that “the Jamaica Bauxite Institute supports the effort to protect and conserve Cockpit Country and acknowledges the value of the species that exist there.” She went on to say that exploratory drilling was done on the northern boundary of Cockpit Country in the mid 1990’s and that testing indicated there were bauxite reserves of high economic value. She also made it clear that it would be challenging to mine the area and put in the required management practices necessary to protect Cockpit Country biodiversity.
It is clear from these stakeholder meetings that bauxite mining in Cockpit Country has economic value. It is also clear from statements made at the stakeholders fora that the economic value gained through bauxite mining could not be achieved without serious damage to the natural environment
In the same time period as the Cockpit Country Stakeholder fora a World Bank Cockpit Country conservation survey was executed by NRCA. The survey was conducted within a wide spectrum of Cockpit Country residents and picked up on several potential cutting-edge alternative economic opportunities. Some of the economic opportunities mentioned in the survey were a butterfly ranch and zoo, high-end organic agriculture, hemp product development, spring and mineral water production, essential oils and neutraceuticals, bamboo for housing, agro by-products from yam and other crops, and eco/cultural tourism.
All of these ideas are sustainable, long-term economic projects that provide income AND conserve Cockpit Country. There are organizations that are currently pursuing some of these strategies. We at the Southern Trelawny Environmental Agency are at this moment pursuing an EFJ funded project to work with the Cockpit Country communities of Rock Spring, Alps and Bunkers Hill to develop community and eco-tourism attractions. At the same time we are investigating communities such as Mocho, Oxford, Balaclava and Wilson’s Run for similar opportunities. Under the project seven natural attractions are right now being developed for visitors to come and experience Cockpit Country communities.
These sustainable development strategies can work. The question is where to start. Communities in rural Jamaica do not have millions of dollars at their disposal to pursue projects like bauxite companies do. As a result of the conservation survey conducted six years ago the World Bank wanted to support the development of the entrepreneurial initiatives proposed by the people in Cockpit Country. Had it been pursued, those alternatives would now be generating income to Cockpit Country residents. Why it didn’t happen? The Government of Jamaica would not give assurances to the World Bank that bauxite mining would not take place in Cockpit Country. The World Bank was not prepared to invest in the area as mining would destroy the project’s conservation and economic objectives permanently.
If proper marketing and support is given to Cockpit Country by government and private organizations in Jamaica, the beauty and wonder of Cockpit Country can sustain its residents far into the future. If support is given to bauxite interests little benefit will go to Cockpit Country residents. And when all of the bauxite is take from the forest, nothing will be left to support our future generations. Our children and grandchildren will be denied the opportunities and resources that are rightly theirs.
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Verzio International Human Rights Documentary Film Festival is the only human rights documentary film festival in Hungary, organized yearly since 2004. Verzio aims to promote open society, democratic values, rule-of-law, freedom of expression, political and cultural pluralism as well as to expose abuse and human rights violations throughout the world by presenting quality, creative documentaries.
For the last 13 years Verzio grew dynamically, has screened more than 700 documentaries attracting altogether over 80,000 visitors. The program includes creative, exceptional documentary films which undertake important issues such as poverty, civil wars, war crimes, terrorism, crisis zones, political oppression, freedom of press, minorities, nationalism, xenophobia, racism, discrimination, migration, integration, equal rights, women’s rights, feminism, gender roles, sexual diversity, socialization of children and young people, drug abuse, corruption, domestic violence, people living in the margins of society, exclusion of the disabled and the sick or stereotypes.
Verzio has been showcasing outstanding films from all over the world addressing important social and political issues which examine the present, reflect on the past, arouse sympathy in the viewer and approach their subjects in authentic and imaginative ways.
Beside the screenings, Verzio implements independent discussion platforms such as round table sessions, open debates and Q&A-s with the participation of filmmakers, human rights activists and civil organizations. These occasions serve as unique opportunities for dialogue between the audience and professionals, as well as experts of documentary filmmaking and of human rights. Within the frame of these meetings participants can also contemplate on the social responsibility of the film industry and the effect of documentaries on public opinion. Verzio aims to engage a broad public to encourage them to take part in the discussion on human rights, meanwhile the festival’s program supports critical thinking and media literacy.
Verzio contributes to the international platform of documentary film industry by organizing workshops and master classes led by internationally renowned professionals, providing the national film industry with a special opportunity to get involved in the global circulation. Supporting this objective The Festival Crossroads section each year hosts a foreign human rights film festival.
Student Jury is organized to promote young critics and free educational screenings are held for high school students. Apart the screenings in Budapest we bring our programs to further Hungarian cities as well, to build an even wider platform where films and viewpoints can be examined creatively and critically. | http://verzio.org/en/2016/about |
Man referred for chronic red eye
The patient also had chronic headache and new onset of blurry vision and diplopia.
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A 71-year-old man was referred to our practice for evaluation of a chronically red left eye for the past 3 months. There was no associated discharge or pain. He also initially noted blurry vision in the left eye while watching a football game 3 months ago. Since that point, he feels the blurry vision has progressively worsened. Two months prior to presentation, he developed binocular diplopia on upgaze, which has persisted. There was no history of trauma.
History
The patient’s ocular history was significant for open-angle glaucoma in his left eye, which was currently being treated with Xalatan (latanoprost, Pfizer). For the past few months, IOP had been slightly elevated in his left eye.
His medical history included hypertension, mitral valve prolapse, gastroesophageal reflux disease and chronic headache. He was initially evaluated for a headache and a swishing sound in his left ear by neurology 1 year ago. After an extensive evaluation including an MRI, he was diagnosed with hypertension and started on lisinopril, and his headache improved.
Examination
On examination, the patient’s best corrected visual acuity was 20/25 in the right eye and 20/40 in the left eye. His pupils were reactive with no afferent pupillary defect. Ocular motility showed mild restriction of upgaze in his left eye. His color vision with Ishihara color plates was full in both eyes, and Hertel exophthalmometry showed 3 mm of relative proptosis of the left eye. His IOPs were 21 mm Hg in the right eye and 28 mm Hg in the left eye.
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Images: Nandakumar N, Marx J
Anterior segment examination showed dilated conjunctival vessels in a corkscrew configuration and chemosis in the left eye (Figure 1). The right eye had a normal anterior segment exam.
Posterior segment examination showed drusen in both eyes, mildly tortuous retinal veins in the left eye and healthy-appearing optic nerves. On auscultation, there was an audible bruit heard over the left eye.
What is your diagnosis?
Red eye, chemosis
Our patient presented with a red eye, chemosis, exophthalmos and increased IOP in his left eye.
The differential diagnosis includes vascular lesions such as carotid-cavernous fistulas (direct and indirect), arteriovenous malformations and cavernous sinus thrombosis. Autoimmune and inflammatory processes such as thyroid eye disease, scleritis and orbital pseudotumor can also be considered. Other etiologies, including processes that elevate episcleral venous pressure such as Sturge-Weber, are also in the differential diagnosis. Chronic conjunctivitis and blepharitis, while unlikely, can also be considered.
Differential diagnosis
Carotid-cavernous fistulas (C-C fistulas) are abnormal communications between the internal or external carotid arteries and the cavernous sinus. They can be classified based on velocity of blood flow (high vs. low), anatomy (direct vs. dural) and etiology (traumatic vs. spontaneous). Direct C-C fistulas are connections between the intracavernous portion of the internal carotid artery and the cavernous sinus. They are high-flow fistulas that are commonly caused by a traumatic tear in the arterial wall. On the other hand, dural C-C fistulas are low-flow fistulas that have connections between the meningeal branches of the internal or external carotid arteries and the dural veins. They can occur spontaneously or from hypertension, diabetes or other vascular disorders. Ocular manifestations of C-C fistulas include chemosis, bruit, exophthalmos, corkscrew-shaped conjunctival vessels and glaucoma secondary to elevated episcleral venous pressure. Ocular motility disturbance, optic nerve ischemia and tortuous retinal veins can also be seen.
Most intracranial arteriovenous malformations are congenital and can vary substantially in size. They may manifest as a headache or seizure or have focal neurological symptoms based on their location; however, they are often asymptomatic.
Thyroid eye disease can present in a number of ways, including bilateral proptosis, eyelid retraction, restrictive myopathy resulting in diplopia, lid lag, conjunctival injection and chemosis. Compressive optic neuropathy has been reported in less than 5% of cases, and patients may present with decreased color vision, a relative afferent pupillary defect and/or visual field defects. A CT scan often shows enlargement of the extraocular muscles sparing the tendon.
Orbital pseudotumor may also have a number of different ocular presentations. It is usually a unilateral process that can manifest as proptosis, diplopia, increased IOP, lid erythema and edema, ocular pain and/or lacrimal gland enlargement. A B-scan ultrasonogram of the eye may demonstrate a T-sign and thickening of the sclera. As opposed to thyroid eye disease, a CT scan will show enlargement of both the extraocular muscles and tendons.
Patients with scleritis often present with pain, photophobia and a red eye. Ocular findings may include diffuse or sectoral areas of deep conjunctival injection, tenderness to touch, chemosis, peripheral keratitis, thickened and inflamed posterior sclera, chorioretinal folds, retinal edema and elevated IOP.
Sturge-Weber syndrome may present with dilated tortuous conjunctival and episcleral vessels, increased IOP, heterochromia irides, diffuse choroidal hemangiomas and serous retinal detachments. Extraocular findings include port wine stains, mental retardation and seizures.
Further workup
Further workup included an MRI/MRA, thyroid function tests and gonioscopy. The MRI demonstrated a dural C-C fistula that was better visualized on the MRA (Figure 2). Thyroid function tests were within normal limits. Gonioscopy showed open angles without blood in Schlemm’s canal or neovascularization of the angle.
Diagnosis and management
Based on the history, examination and radiological findings, a diagnosis of a carotid-cavernous dural fistula was made. Treatment options included observation, conservative medical management with blood pressure control, carotid compression, angiography and endovascular embolization, or neurosurgery. After extensive discussions with several physicians, the patient elected to undergo angiography and endovascular embolization of the fistula.
The criteria for undergoing angiography with endovascular embolization of a C-C fistula include glaucoma, diplopia, intolerable bruit or headache, and severe proptosis causing exposure keratopathy. Risks of the procedure include ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, occlusion of the superior ophthalmic vein leading to a central retinal vein occlusion, no improvement in proptosis, red eye or high IOP, and reopening of the fistula.
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Figure 3. Angiogram and treatment.
Our patient successfully underwent embolization of the C-C fistula (Figure 3), and we continue to closely follow him postoperatively.
References:
- Feiner L, Bennett J, Volpe NJ. Cavernous sinus fistulas: carotid cavernous fistulas and dural arteriovenous malformations. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2003;3(5):415-420.
- Kirsch M, Henkes H, Liebig T, et al. Endovascular management of dural carotid-cavernous sinus fistulas in 141 patients. Neuroradiology. 2006;48(7):486-490.
- Miller NR. Diagnosis and management of dural carotid-cavernous sinus fistulas. Neurosurg Focus. 2007;23(5):E13.
- Miller NR. Carotid-cavernous sinus fistulas. In: Miller NR, ed. Walsh and Hoyt’s Clinical Neuro-Ophthalmology. 4th ed. Baltimore: Williams; 1991:2165-2209.
- Sergott RC, Grossman RI, Savino PJ, Bosley TM, Schatz NJ. The syndrome of paradoxical worsening of dural-cavernous sinus arteriovenous malformations. Ophthalmology. 1987;94(3):205-212.
- Namrata Nandakumar, MD, and Jeffrey Marx, MD, can be reached at New England Eye Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, 750 Washington St., Box 450, Boston, MA 02111; 617-636-4219; fax: 617-636-4866; Web site: www.neec.com.
- Edited by Mark E. Patron, MD, and Andre J. Witkin, MD. Drs. Patron and Witkin can be reached at New England Eye Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, 750 Washington St., Box 450, Boston, MA 02111; 617-636-4219; fax: 617-636-4866; Web site: www.neec.com. | https://www.healio.com/news/ophthalmology/20120331/man-referred-for-chronic-red-eye |
My current research interests include objective evaluation and intervention of psychosomatic/psychiatric disorders using ambulatory assessment (AA) and ecological momentary assessment (EMA). In regards to my current interests, I recently studied the temporal associations between momentary depressive mood and the behavioral alterations using AA and EMA, and demonstrated the robust and common psycho-behavioral correlates in patients with major depressive disorders as well as in healthy controls. This would be an important step toward the development of continuous and objective evaluation of the dynamic features of pathogenic processes and pathological states of depressive mood in psychiatric disorders.
Education
- Ph.D., Education (Physical and Health Education), The University of Tokyo
- M.Sc., Education (Physical and Health Education), The University of Tokyo
- B.Sc., Psychology, Chung-Ang University
Selected Publications
- Kim J, Nakamura T, Yamamoto Y. A momentary biomarker for depressive mood. In Silico Pharmacology, 4: 4, 2016.
- Kim J, Nakamura T, Kikuchi H, Yoshiuchi K, Sasaki T, Yamamoto Y. Covariation of depressive mood and spontaneous physical activity in major depressive disorder: Towards continuous monitoring of depressive mood. IEEE Journal of Biomedical and Health Informatics, 19: 1347-1355, 2015.
- Kim J, Nakamura T, Kikuchi H, Sasaki T, Yamamoto Y. Co-variation of depressive mood and locomotor dynamics evaluated by ecological momentary assessment in healthy humans. PLoS ONE, 8: e74979, 2013.
- Kim J, Kikuchi H, Yamamoto Y. Systematic comparison between ecological momentary assessment and day reconstruction method for fatigue and mood states in healthy adults. British Journal of Health Psychology, 18: 155-167, 2013.
Projects Joined
Everyday Stress Responses Targets in the Science of Behavior Change
Research Interests
I study psychosocial and endocrine precursors to social stress responses in order to understand downstream consequences for health outcomes. I am particularly interested in how perceptions of social status, individual difference (trait dominance) and social textual factors (hierarchy stability), as well as the underlying endocrine determinants of social status (testosterone) impact stress functioning across endocrine, psychophysiological, affective, behavioral, and immune domains. Through the Pathways program, I am investigating the extent to which stress-relevant endocrine and immune factors alter age-related health and well-being disparities. My work is focusing specifically on inflammation as a path by which sex hormones alter risk for Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment.
Projects Joined
Research Interests
My primary area of research is family relationships of older persons, particularly the long-term impacts of parental childhood maltreatment on later-life intergenerational relationships. Other interests include relational conflict in family caregiving, stress and coping in older adults, childhood victimization and lifetime revictimization, and childhood trauma and adult attachment. My mentors are Drs. Lynn Martire and Jennie Noll.
Selected Publications
Kong, J., Roh, S., Easton, S. D., Lee, Y., & Lawler, M. J. (in press). A history of childhood maltreatment and intimate partner violence victimization among Native American adults. Journal of Interpersonal Violence. Online first: http://jiv.sagepub.com/content/early/2016/02/21/0886260516632353.abstract
Kong, J., & Moorman, S. (in press). History of childhood abuse and intergenerational support to mothers in adulthood. Journal of Marriage and Family. Online first: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1741-3737/earlyview
Harry, M. L., Kong, J., MacDonald, L., McLuckie, A., Battista, C., Majoney, E., … Mahoney, K. J. (2016). The long-term effects of participant direction of supports and services for people with disabilities. Care Management Journals. 17(1), 2-12. doi: 10.1891/1521-0987
Kong, J., & Moorman, S. (2015). Caring for my abuser: Childhood maltreatment and caregiver depression. The Gerontologist, 55(4), 656-666. doi:10.1093/geront/gnt136
Coohey, C., Easton, S. D., Kong, J., & Bockenstedt, J. (2015). Sources of psychological pain and suicidal thoughts among homeless adults. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 45(3), 271-280. doi:10.1111/sltb.12126
Projects Joined
Research Interests
I research links between marital processes (e.g., coping and support behaviors) and individual health and well-being as couples experience stressors external to their relationships (e.g., work-related and health-related stressors). I am especially interested in adopting a multiple timescale approach, thereby evaluating how micro-level marital processes map onto health outcomes over more prolonged periods of time. I typically adopt a systems perspective and aim to identify specific micro-level marital processes that may account for linkages among spouses’ health and well-being in the context of stress and transition.
Projects Joined
Research Interests
My research focuses on the association between social relationships and health in daily life and across the lifespan. My research topics include the dyadic processes between couple members, daily social interactions and health outcomes across lifespan and the influences of psychological traits and contextual factors on health and social relationships.
Education
Ph.D., 2014, Social/Personality Psychology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO USA
M.S., 2011, Social/Personality Psychology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO USA
B.S., 2006, Psychology, Nankai Univeristy, Tianjin, China
Selected Publications
Zhaoyang, R., Sliwinski, M. J., Martire, L.M., & Smyth, J. M. (2018). Age Differences in Adults Daily Social Interactions: An Ecological Momentary Assessment Study. Psychology and Aging. Online Advance. doi: 10.1037/pag0000242.
Wilson, S. J., Martire, L. M., & Zhaoyang, R. Couples’ Day-to-Day Pain Concordance and Marital Interaction Quality. (2018). Journal of Social and Personal Relationships. Online Advance. doi.org/10.1177/0265407517752541.
Martire, L. M., Hemphill, R. C., Zhaoyang, R., Stephens, M. A., P., Franks, M. M., & Stanford, A. M. (2018). Daily marital tension and symptom severity in older adults with diabetes or osteoarthritis. Annals of Behavioral Medicine. Online Advance. doi: 10.1093/abm/kax062.
Zhaoyang, R., Martire, L.M., & Stanford, A.M. (2018). Disclosure and Holding Back: Communication, Psychological Adjustment and Marital Satisfaction among Couples Coping with Osteoarthritis. Journal of Family Psychology. Journal of Family Psychology, 32(3), 412-418. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/fam0000390
Lee, S., Martire, L. M., Damaske, S. A., Mogle, J. A., Zhaoyang, R., Almeida, D. M., & Buxton, O. M. (2017). Covariation in couples’ nightly sleep and gender differences. Sleep Health. 4(2):201-208. doi: 10.1016/j.sleh.2017.10.009.
Zhaoyang, R., Martire, L.M., & Sliwiski, M.J. (2017). Morning self-efficacy predicts physical activity throughout the day in knee osteoarthritis. Health Psychology, 36(6), 568-576. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/hea0000479
Algoe, S. B., & Zhaoyang, R. (2016). Positive Psychology in Context: Effects of Expressing Gratitude in Ongoing Relationships Depend on Perceptions of Enactor Responsiveness. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 11(4), 1-17. DOI:10.1080/17439760.2015.1117131
Schmidlen, T., Scheinfeldt, L., Zhaoyang, R., Kasper, R., Sweet, K., Gordon, E.S. et al. (2015). Genetic knowledge among participants in the Coriell Personalized Medicine Collaborative. Journal of Genetic Counseling, 25, 385-394.
Diseati, L., Scheinfeldt, L., Kasper, R., Zhaoyang, R., Gharani, N., Schmidlen, T. et al. (2015). Common genetic risk for melanoma encourages preventive behavior change. Journal of Personalized Medicine. 5(1), 36-49.
Cooper, M.L., & Zhaoyang, R. (2014). Personality effects on risky sexual behavior: The importance of dynamic situational processes and relational contexts. In C. R. Agnew & S. C. South (Eds.), Interpersonal relationships and health: Social and clinical psychological mechanisms. Oxford University Press.
Sheldon, K.M, Zhaoyang, R., & Williams, M.J. (2013). Psychological need-satisfaction and basketball performance. Psychology of Sport & Exercise, 14,675-681.
Zhaoyang, R., & Cooper, M.L. (2013). Body satisfaction and couple's daily experience: A dyadic perspective. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 42, 985-98. doi:10.1007/s10508-013-0082-4.
Cooper, M.L., Barber, L.L., Zhaoyang, R., & Talley, A.E. (2012). Motivational pursuits in the context of human sexual relationships. Journal of Personality, 79, 1333-1368.
Chen, H., Luo, S., Yue, G., Zhaoyang, R., & Xu, D. (2009). Assortative mating in two national samples of newlywed couples in China: Culture commonalities and differences. Personal Relationships, 16, 167-186.
Luo, S., Chen, H., Yue, G., Zhang, G., Zhaoyang, R., & Xu, D. (2008). Predicting marital satisfaction from self, partner, and couple characteristics: Is it you, me, or us? Journal of Personality, 76, 1231- 1265. | http://healthyaging.psu.edu/people/research_scientists |
MIT scientists propose giant laser beacon to attract alien attention
It could be the thing that makes an intelligent alien civilization stop and look at us further
It's surprisingly not all that difficult to accomplish; a 100-foot diameter primary mirror and 1 to 2 megawatt laser is about what it takes.
The idea is to create a noticeable anomaly, rather than trying to directly target anything. But hold on a second... should we do this?
Star light, start bright... wait, what?!
(MONICA M. DAVEY/AFP/Getty Images)
An Avlis copper/dye laser emits a laser beam guide star into the night skies behind a telescope at the Lawrence Livermore National Labratory in Livermore, California 12 January. Scientists from the US and France sent the beam skyward during a series of experiments to attempt to refine technology for astronomical observation.
A new article by researchers at Massachusetts Institute of Technology was just published in The Astrophysical Journal, and it's proposing that humans can build a laser capable of effectively sending out beams to various locations—a relatively close proximity, granted—that would create enough of an anomaly in the light signals that are already broadcast by our own Sun that an intelligent alien civilization could see it and go... wait, what?!
Potentially, the laser beams could reach up to 20,000 light years away.
"If we were to successfully close a handshake and start to communicate, we could flash a message, at a data rate of about a few hundred bits per second, which would get there in just a few years," said James Clark, graduate student in MIT's Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics and author of the study.
In the MIT article announcing the "feasibility study," the concept was likened to a porch light in our little neighborhood of the galaxy.
It's possible to accomplish, according to MIT, and it could create a tantalizing reality in which communication lines can be established with said civilization, once found.
Direct communication?
(JOE KLAMAR/AFP/Getty Images)
It gets even more interesting if we happen upon aliens who understand what it is, and then, basically "talk back" using similar methods of communication; using lasers, we can establish a channel capable of 2mbps speeds. In other words, a somewhat slow but still capable Internet connection. Think basic DSL type of data transfers.
"Mean-time-to-handshake"
(Photo by Chris Ware/Keystone Features/Getty Images)
9th January 1964: An actor wearing a sculpted 'Martian' costume approaches a curious crowd whilst taking a break from a theatre production of 'The Man in the Moon'.
Of course, the communication line itself has to be established first, and that could take decades or even centuries.
From the paper: "While the probability of closing a handshake with even a nearby extraterrestrial intelligence is low with current survey methodologies, advances in full-sky surveys for SETI and other purposes may reduce the mean-time-to-handshake to decades or centuries, after which these laser systems may close links at data rates of kbps–Mpbs."
Although we can be looking for similar signals from within 20,000 lights years, the problem is that unless they're lasers on the infrared spectrum, they're very hard to detect. That's a key reason that this paper was written; the author says he hopes it will spur infrared imaging techniques that would improve the chances of us detecting signals such as what he proposed.
"With current survey methods and instruments, it is unlikely that we would actually be lucky enough to image a beacon flash, assuming that extraterrestrials exist and are making them," Clark says. "However, as the infrared spectra of exoplanets are studied for traces of gases that indicate the viability of life, and as full-sky surveys attain greater coverage and become more rapid, we can be more certain that, if E.T. is phoning, we will detect it."
(Photo by Mary Turner/Getty Images)
A troop of alien characters dance through the Excel Centre at the London Super Comic Convention on March 15, 2014 in London, England.
The question of whether it's actually wise to be broadcasting laser beams around our galaxy still remains to be debated, however. And, for that matter, the concept of reaching out and trying to contact aliens is up for hot discussion.
For example, in 2010, Stephen Hawking suggested we might not want to let an alien civilization know we are here, thinking they might have consumed all resources they can find and wish to locate other planets to gather even more from.
"Such advanced aliens would perhaps become nomads, looking to conquer and colonize whatever planets they could reach," Hawking said. "If so, it makes sense for them to exploit each new planet for material to build more spaceships so they could move on. Who knows what the limits would be?"
And then there's Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., in his novel, Breakfast of Champions. I'll not assume I can summarize it better than the man himself, but it's another example of what might happen should aliens contact us in a more direct fashion:
A flying saucer creature named Zog arrived on Earth to explain how wars could be prevented and how cancer could be cured. He brought the information from Margo, a planet where the natives conversed by means of farts and tap dancing. Zog landed at night in Connecticut. He had no sooner touched down than he saw a house on fire. He rushed into the house, farting and tap dancing, warning the people about the terrible danger they were in. The head of the house brained Zog with a golfclub."
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In our age, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi has brought to light detailed knowledge of the highest states of human development, and the technologies of consciousness, including the Transcendental Meditation and Transcendental Meditation-Sidhi programs, for systematically attaining the full functioning of the total brain physiology.
Maharishi has formulated a complete science of consciousness — his Vedic Science — from the knowledge contained in the ancient Vedic Literature. This science describes the seven states of human consciousness—each with its own unique corresponding state of physiology and mental experience—and gives the theoretical and practical knowledge for unfolding the full value of human consciousness. The first three states of consciousness are commonly experienced and understood:
1. Deep Sleep: body at deep rest; no mental awareness
2. Dreaming: body at rest; illusory mental awareness
3. Waking State: body in activity; active mental awareness
Down through time, great individuals have glimpsed higher levels of reality beyond these three states of consciousness. The Vedic Tradition describes how through proper education it is possible to systematically unfold four higher states of consciousness. They are:
4. Transcendental Consciousness: self-referral consciousness characterized by unbounded awareness, heightened wakefulness and deep physical rest. The Transcendental Meditation program offers a natural, effortless and universal way for an individual of any background to systematically develop Transcendental Consciousness. Maharishi has brought out this path to enlightenment is ideal suited for people of activity and does not require effort and strain, renunciation, change in belief, etc.
5. Cosmic Consciousness: integration of Transcendental Consciousness with waking, dreaming, and sleeping states of consciousness. In this state the physiology is so stable and flexible that stress cannot accumulate. One experiences an underlying continuum of unbounded awareness. In this state the total potential of Natural Law is fully awake in ones awareness and one’s thoughts speech and actions are supported by the evolutionary intelligence of Nature. On this basis, one does not make mistakes but brings maximum nourishment to oneself, society and environment. Cosmic Consciousness, Maharishi has emphasized, is the normal state of human life that can be developed through proper education.
6. God Consciousness or Refined Cosmic Consciousness: When Cosmic Consciousness has been established, in this stress-free state of physiological functioning perception refines to support the richest experience of the finest level of Nature. God Consciousness is not “God’s Consciousness” but the direct experience of the full range of God’s creation. On this basis one naturally rises to the realization of God and all things in the light of God in the context of one’s own spiritual traditions.
7. Unity Consciousness: in this supreme state of human experience, one perceives everything in terms of oneness the Self. In Cosmic Consciousness one lives in harmony with Natural Law, gaining support of Nature’s cosmic creativity.In Unity Consciousness, one experiences everything as a mode of functioning of one’s own intelligence and gains command over all the Laws of Nature.
The fully developed state of Unity Consciousness is Brahman Consciousness—Totality of life. Aham Brahmasmi, the Vedic Literature says, “I am totality.”
Maharishi Vedic Science includes descriptions of the quality of physiology, perception, and behavior of individuals living higher states of consciousness.
For example, such individuals display the highest levels of creativity, intelligence, and organizing power. Their speech and actions are spontaneously most nourishing and evolutionary for others and for the environment. On the platform of inner fulfillment and enlightenment, their desires are always for the good of all humanity, and are achieved most effortlessly. They radiate an influence of vitality and harmony to the whole society, and are a source of joy and wisdom to all who know them.
Maharishi’s Science of Consciousness describes in detail the quality of human awareness that spontaneously gives rise to such behavior. In higher states of consciousness, when the full potential of the brain is being utilized, the fundamental field of Nature’s intelligence — Transcendental Consciousness, the Unified Field of Natural Law — is fully enlivened in the individual’s consciousness.
Maharishi describes this field of consciousness as containing all the Laws of Nature in their most concentrated, abstract form, just as a seed contains the whole tree. The fundamental dynamics of this field are the Veda and Vedic Literature, whose reverberations give rise to all the Laws of Nature governing the orderly evolution of the universe.
When this total creative process of Nature is enlivened in awareness, the individual spontaneously makes use of it, commanding the whole field of action, able to know anything, do anything right, and achieve any great goal — and always supported by the total intelligence of Natural Law.
Extensive research has shown that each state of consciousness has its own distinct physiological correlates.
Transcendental Consciousness, for example, is marked by heightened mental wakefulness along with deep physical rest.
Features of heighten wakefulness are increased alpha activity; increased coherence in brain functioning, mobilization of the brain’s latent reserves, increases in the brain’s processing speed, increased flow of blood to the brain.
Features of deep physical rest are: reduced breath rate, reduced heart rate, increased stability of the autonomic nervous system, reduced metabolism in muscles and red blood cells, decreased cortisol and lactate in the blood, increased serotonin.
Recent research has further discovered that the fundamental structures of Natural Law expressed in the Vedic Literature are contained in human physiology. This discovery reveals that the physiology of everyone is the expression of the total intelligence of Natural Law — that the individual is cosmic. Functioning with cosmic intelligence becomes a living reality when the total potential of the brain is actualized.
The Global Country of World Peace offers every person the opportunity to experience peace in life through the systematic development of higher states of consciousness that allow individual intelligence to reflect the cosmic intelligence of nature. Every individual has the potential to be fully in accord with Nature’s perfect administration for a mistake-free life. Such enlightened individuals radiate spontaneously peace to their surroundings and create a nourishing atmosphere of harmony for all. | https://www.globalcountry.org/wp/personal-enlightenment/ |
August 2021 Spotlight on SRCD U.S. Federal Policy Fellow: Christian Clesi, Ph.D.
As a doctoral student I was able to develop a training plan that focused on applied developmental psychology and prepared me to work outside of traditional academic roles. I was fortunate to have a mentor who was also licensed in clinical psychology and made it possible for me to explore my interests beyond the classroom and research lab. During my studies I worked at a diagnostic clinic for children with developmental disabilities, worked for a state-funded autism agency, and worked with a collaborative team to develop community-based trainings for parents of children with autism.
I engaged with families from many different backgrounds and communities across Alabama and they consistently had one thing to say about disability services – they were not accessible to them. Hearing from families that the system was not working for them encouraged me to pursue a career to influence policy and enact meaningful change through my training as a developmental scientist. In that regard, SRCD’s Congressional Policy Fellowship was the perfect opportunity for me to use what I learned at the state level, including funding mechanisms, the organization of state government, and how policies are developed, passed into law, and implemented, to build on my understanding of how federal policymaking works.
Currently, I am a Congressional Fellow on Senator Robert Casey’s (D-PA) Special Committee on Aging staff, where I primarily work on disability policy. I have worked in a wide range of policy areas, as disability is pervasive throughout all aspects of life. During my fellowship year I have worked on legislation related to people with disabilities and mental health and human-services supports, employment and financial well-being, higher education, workforce development, and disaster preparedness. Engaging in such a broad portfolio has given me the opportunity to utilize my training as a developmental psychologist to provide input and advance policy in the field while learning strategies for developing and moving legislation in-depth. I have been able to provide input as a developmental psychologist, including how to develop programs intended for people with disabilities and programs to improve interactions between people with disabilities and law enforcement officers to ensure everyone’s safety. I have also used my knowledge of the disability network, including various local, state, and national organizations to build coalitions of support for legislation. In terms of building support and advancing legislation, I have negotiated with offices in the House and Senate to develop legislation, worked with Pennsylvanians and national stakeholders to edit legislative text, and engaged with Senate committee staffers to plan legislative strategy. In each of these roles, my training as a developmental psychologist has prepared me to speak to the needs of people with disabilities and how legislation would address them.
Most notably, I have been charged with advancing Senator Casey’s Law Enforcement Education and Accountability for People with Disabilities (LEAD) Initiative, which is a package of bills intended to reduce the number of violent interactions between people with disabilities and law enforcement by diverting non-criminal emergency calls away from 9-1-1 and to 2-1-1 for human-services supports and/or to 9-8-8 (which will become active in July 2022) for mental health needs. LEAD also includes a bill to provide disability-specific training to law enforcement officers and to improve data collection on the interactions between people with disabilities and law enforcement. This has been my most meaningful work during the fellowship as I have spoken with families that have lost a loved one or had a family member injured in an interaction with law enforcement that could have been approached differently. I have also been able to connect stakeholders and constituents with the Senator to discuss their experiences and engage in conversations on how to improve the mental health response system in America.
Working on this diverse legislative portfolio has allowed me to learn about the organizational structure of many government agencies, including how funding from legislation is routed to agencies and states, how research and oversight is written into legislation to ensure proper implementation of laws, and how government agencies can support the work of legislative staff. In addition, I have been able to engage with government agencies and organizations to plan and discuss legislation and how their work, including research and evaluation, can support legislation. Through my experiences, I have also learned the importance of building broad coalitions to advance a bold legislative agenda. Throughout my fellowship experience I have developed and maintained relationships with a diverse group of stakeholders and advocates in the disability field that will continue to be assets over the course of my career. As a developmental scientist, I have also been an asset to my office in researching and planning legislation and I have been able to provide input related to my firsthand experience working with children with disabilities and their families to the work we do. The structure of the SRCD Congressional Fellowship puts me in a position to make these connections and the support from the SRCD staff has been integral to my placement in such an impactful office for disability policy. | https://www.srcd.org/news/august-2021-spotlight-srcd-us-federal-policy-fellow-christian-clesi-phd |
Birds Canada is the leading authority on birds in Canada. As a national, non-profit, charitable organization, it is built on a longstanding foundation of scientific research and the enthusiastic contributions of thousands of caring members and volunteer Citizen Scientists. Our mission is to conserve wild birds through sound science, on-the-ground actions, innovative partnerships, public engagement, and science-based advocacy. Data (observations) collected through migratory tracking and Citizen Scientists, alongside targeted research projects, are used to identify significant bird population changes and help direct conservation action.
Our national headquarters is located in Port Rowan, Ontario, connected to the historic Long Point Bird Observatory, with regional offices from coast to coast. The President has traditionally been located at headquarters but other locations across Canada are possible.
THE OPPORTUNITY
Birds Canada is seeking a visionary leader who can provide overall strategic and operational leadership for the organization and realize expansion opportunities to make a significant impact in applied conservation for birds. The President will provide advice to the Board and direct the staff in all aspects of the organization’s work.
As the leading Canadian expert in bird science, Birds Canada is poised to play a pivotal role in the road to recovery for bird species and populations both in Canada and more broadly in the Americas.
The President serves as an advocate and effective spokesperson for Birds Canada through a wide range of media and in a wide range of fora, at national and international levels.
For more information on the role, please click Apply Now!
|Education Requirements||A graduate degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience.|
|Experience||• Demonstrated leadership, preferably in the non-profit sector, with experience in operational management, fundraising, and financial acumen.|
• Experience in or an understanding of science-based conservation or some combination of relevant experience in research, stewardship, policy, environmental, or sustainability.
• Results oriented with ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Strategic planning and organizational development to meet long-term goals.
• Track record of developing and engaging in partnerships with a variety of organizations including government, industry, other non-government organizations, and universities.
• Fundraising and revenue experience, including relationship building for developing a network of funding support, creativity in securing funds including through contracts and other restricted funding, and managing a team to effectively raise funds.
• Knowledgeable about the mission and major programs of Birds Canada.
• Knowledgeable about current bird conservation priorities, policies, and programs in relation to social, cultural, economic, and political issues, particularly in Canada, but with a view to the United States and the wider Western Hemisphere.
• Experience networking nationally and/or internationally in the conservation/environment sector would be an asset.
• History of engaging productively with a Board of Directors, preferably in the non-governmental sector.
• Applied management of human resources, including long-term planning, team building, and conflict resolution.
• Business acumen and demonstrated skill in communications and management.
|Languages||Fluency in both official languages is a significant asset.|
|How To Apply||Please submit your application by end of day January 18th, 2021, by emailing your cover letter and résumé to: [email protected]|
Birds Canada is an equal-opportunity employer and committed to fair and accessible employment practices. We strongly support and value diversity in the workplace. Applications from all qualified candidates are welcome, and individuals from equity-seeking groups are encouraged to apply.
We thank applicants for their interest, however; only those advancing in the process will be contacted. | https://careers.indigenous.link/viewjob?jobname=D4-F2-5E-A0-A2-0A |
Digitalization and Industry 4.0 will have a far-reaching impact on the energy sector. For stakeholders of all value stream steps and generation technologies, new opportunities and chances as well as new challenges arise. The VGB project DigiPoll@Energy (VGB P428) analyzes the view on digitalization as well as the current status and the expected development among ordinary VGB members with the objective to prepare the ground for joint research projects and support activities by VGB for its members.
Therefore, an online survey was launched in December 2019. Extensive answers were submitted by 35 participants. Subsequently deep dive interviews with 5 interview partners were conducted to clarify questions and go into more detail.
The survey reveals that companies are well aware of the upcoming changes, both on the benefit as well as the risk side. Although some first steps have been taken, a substantial need to further drive digitalization measures becomes apparent. There are indications that the implementation and use of actual digital applications follows the implementation of digitalization measures with a time lag, hence swift action is recommended. Besides the current low implementation level of applications many companies are at present experimenting with new applications, thus a significant future impact can be expected. One of the biggest challenges for many companies appears to be to connect different systems and devices into a central network and database.
This article is a summarized version of the full DigiPoll@Energy documentation!
Digitalization possibilities and the potential of the Digital Twin for steam supply systems
Lukas Kasper, Thomas Bacher, Felix Birkelbach and René Hofmann
Digitalization is more and more becoming part of industrial processes and opens up completely new application areas. The visions of Industry4.0 and Energy4.0, as summarized in this article, both paint a picture of an unprecedented level of interconnectedness of devices and smart services in the Internet of Things. Systems and products will be created that have a high degree of networking, flexibility and automation. Because of these features, they have a huge potential for reducing cost, energy consumption and for improving economic sustainability.
In this article, as an excerpt from the VGB research project DigiSteam, the most promising possibilities offered by digitalization are evaluated with special focus on the steam supply sector. The connection with the concept of reference architectures, such as RAMI4.0, is discussed and the Digital Twin is introduced. Based on these theoretical fundamentals, an adaption of a five-dimensional Digital Twin model to a steam generator is presented. It consists of physical steam generator, communication model, virtual steam generator, data model and service model. A holistic Boiler Prognostics and System Health Management is outlined and with use cases, it is shown that system monitoring, prediction and optimization can be greatly improved by employing this Digital Twin.
Flexibilization of a combined cycle gas turbine by integration of a P2F synthesis
Florian Möllenbruck, Emmanouil Kakaras and Klaus Görner
By integrating an appropriately dimensioned Power-to-X plant into an existing power plant process, the power range of the power plant can be significantly increased. However, providing the required operating media for the Power-to-X plant has a significant impact on the power plant process. The thermal power requirement results essentially from the capturing of CO2 (desorption of the solvent). This leads to an average reduction in gross output of about 11 MWel. The electrical power requirement of the Power-to-X system is dominated by electrolysis (96%). The integration of the Power-to-X plant into the power plant process continues to lead to a partly significant change in the mechanical shaft power. While the HD turbine remains virtually unaffected, the shaft performance of the LP turbine drops significantly. The reduction results essentially from the reduction of the mass flow and the resulting reduction in the inlet pressure.
Gas turbine combustors with constant volume heat addition
Friedrich Hala and Reinhard Willinge
Around of the beginning of the twentieth century gas turbines underwent important changes, one of them being in the field of combustion, which in turn developed in two different ways: the constant pressure combustion and the constant volume heat addition, which yields higher thermodynamic efficiency. This paper describes the development of the latter method.
By the middle of the 20th century, further research was carried out, using detonations for the burning fuel. Again there were two approaches, both of them in combination with a turbine stage, namely “pulsed detonation engines (PDE)” and by the “continuously rotating detonation engine (CDRE)”. Either method will be described here in brief.
In the various investigations, it was shown that gas turbines with combustion chambers in which the heat supply is isochoric can achieve better efficiency than with isobaric combustion. In particular, this applies to combustion chambers that work with detonations. | https://www.vgb.org/en/pt_11_20.html |
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Written by Juliane Rausch, research associate of Project PRESFUL.
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The global pandemic raises a lot of issues, politicians need to act under very special circumstances. Nevertheless, sport and the importance of movement and exercise were not enough taken into account. Current studies show the dramatic results of this lack of strategy. Measures need to be taken now.
There is a lot at stake
The global outbreak of Covid-19 has led to a world-wide decrease of physical activity in general, weight gain and loss of physical fitness. Many young people are losing the support system that sports provided for them.
An interim balance of a current German study on the impact of Covid-19 on the movement behaviour of children states that the physical activity of young people decreased significantly during the period of contact restrictions in April 2020. The group of children who hardly exercised at all during this time increased fivefold to about 25 percent. This is particularly dramatic given the fact that children and adolescents in Germany were not moving enough even before the crisis: 80 percent do not meet the WHO’s recommendations for physical activity. It is well established that physical activity is an important protective factor for the healthy development of young people and may have an important impact on personality development. Physical education and club sport make a very important contribution to promoting things like dealing with victory and defeat, cultivating friendships, settling conflicts and controlling impulses.
Around one third of the young people in the study said they were more worried and less satisfied with life in times of the pandemic. This deterioration in well-being was proven to be accompanied by a decrease in physical activity, which forms a vicious circle: Less movements leads to decrease of well-being leads to lack of movement, etc.
Social inequalities worsen the situation
Low-income families are especially vulnerable to these negative effects during the current pandemic, as they tend to have sub-standard accommodations and more confined spaces, making it difficult to engage in physical exercise. Material conditions such as flat size, access to a garden and the availability of sports materials, but also parental influence and parental encouragement to exercise become more decisive when all other sports opportunities are eliminated. As schools, sports lessons and sports clubs can no longer even out social inequality regarding access to exercise, social inequalities will increase.
These results are also reflected by a study of Sport England: While the proportion of children and young people reporting that they were active during the summer term 2020 fell by 2.3 percent in general compared to the same period 12 months earlier, the impact was a lot more significant for children from Black and Mixed backgrounds.
We can see inequality effects on the adults level as well: The proportion of adults classed as inactive increased by 7.4 percent, which represents over 3.4 million more inactive adults in England. The audiences who found it hardest to stay active include: People with long-term health conditions/disabilities, people from lower socio-economic groups, women, young adults (16–34-year-olds), Black adults, Asian adults and adults from other ethnic groups.
Ultimately, lack of financial resources due to fewer employee rates, especially among younger adults, may lead to a reduction in sports sector investment and could impact activities which cater for children and young people as well as adults: Uncertain employment and financial circumstances mean that fewer people will be in a position to make an ongoing financial commitment to participate.
The global community has adapted rapidly by creating online content tailored to different people. However, access to such resources is far from universal and may therefore not be able to compensate for these effects, even though it may have a positive impact on some.
Impacts on Sport socialization
Ultimately, after the German National Youth Sport Report socialization of sport and exercise has been impaired during lockdown measures. The loss of sporting opportunities and the decline in active sportspeople have led to fewer sport and exercise-related educational and socialization processes. This includes the attachment of children and young people to the institution of sports clubs. Meaning that children and young people may change their behavior and attitude towards sports, which cannot simply be reversed once the crisis is over. As a consequence, a decline in the proportion of children and young people in Germany who are active in sport and physical activity may be expected in the long-term.
In addition, the current pandemic and the taken social distancing measures have heavy physical and psychological impacts on society and children in particular. These effects may be even stronger for children and young people living in urban centers, where sporting activity is more strongly linked to club structures and school offers. As mentioned, these impacts are even higher for socially disadvantaged groups.
Governmental strategies handling the crisis – what about sports?
In view of these effects, many sports scientists criticize the strategies for dealing with the pandemic with regard to sports. The importance of sport is not seen enough by governments.
Some scientists are concerned with the lack of importance given to physical education in comparison to other school subjects. As Prof. Thiel from the Institute for Sports Science Tübingen states, while main subjects such as mathematics and German can once again take place in face-to-face lessons, physical education is left out. And this despite the fact that the danger of infection is even lower in physical education than in the classroom, as long as the distancing measures are observed, because the distances can be kept even better in gymnasiums or outdoors. However, there is no clear governmental concept of how physical education classes can be held again in presence. “The protection against infection, which is supposed to protect us, simultaneously leads to the risk of illness. This is paradoxical.”
Another point of criticism is the handling of sports and sport clubs within lockdown measures. Prof. Froböse, professor of sports science at University of Cologne outlines that according to regional opening plans, sport is not considered as a priority in most areas. He states that “what we previously recognised as a guarantor of health, sport and exercise, we are just taking that away from people. And we are going to suffer very, very much from this. At the moment, we are producing the sick people of the future“.
Sports facing the crisis – what needs to be done?
In the face of a pandemic, people might say that there are more important issues to handle at the moment. Sure thing, it is up to politics to decide which measures to take to face the pandemic situation. But what we can see at the moment is that the current strategy – or lack of strategy – has a significant impact on children’s and everyone’s health. Giving up on sport concepts will make our current problems far worse in the future. So what needs to be done?
In general, long and short-term strategies need to be set in place.
Governments should expand online offerings to support physical activities at home. Nevertheless, it should stay in mind that not all groups will be able to benefit from these measures (s.a.).
Overall, sport interests, especially grassroot sport interests, need to be discussed with politicians and people in charge. Therefore, “we need a lobby for children and movement”, as Alexander Woll, who also directed a study about this subject, claims. This may be particularly important on long-sight.
Secondly, sport and exercise, especially given the difficult circumstances of the moment, are going to need long- and short-term investments. Prof. Marckhoff, the responsible researcher of the German study, claims a “kind of revitalization program for sport”. This contains initiatives in schools, clubs and everywhere one can intervene and control from the state side. These initiatives should actively bring children back into the clubs and back into sport in general. We should not believe that the current impacts and change in behavior will solve themselves, once our lives go back to normal. The German Youth Sport Report also notes that an information campaign may be needed to advise parents about the benefits of exercise and the risks of not being active. At the same time, more specific offers should be provided and subsidized by the state. These measures may demand public investments, but given the costs that the effects concerning the lack of exercise have for our health and therefore our health system, these costs may probably largely be outweighed on the long-term perspective.However, due to “autonomous, federal-decentral self-governing structures and a subsidiary self-image” in the sport and sport-education sectors, “the implementation of (long-term) counterstrategies cannot simply be ‘decreed’ top-down”. The overcoming of this crisis will therefore need a collaborative effort of all stakeholders: governments, sport organizations, sport clubs, health organizations, schools, teachers, coaches and players. Given what is at stake, we should all get moving. | http://presful.org/2021/04/06/covid19-crisis-sports/ |
Why it matters:
- With every breath you take, your lungs are exposed to the world around you, filtering over 8,000 liters of air a day. Breathing dirty air hurts the body both by inflaming and destroying lung tissue and by weakening the lungs’ defenses against contaminants and infection.
- Over 500,000 people in Washington state have lung disease. For them, air pollution—even at moderate levels—may mean discomfort, limited activities, increased use of medications, more frequent visits to doctors, and even a shortened life.
- Even otherwise healthy people can suffer when pollution levels are high. Symptoms may include watery eyes, runny nose, coughing and wheezing. Breathing dirty air is especially hard on the elderly, pregnant women, as well as young children and infants whose lungs are still developing.
How we’re doing:
- Air quality in our region and across the United States has dramatically improved since the 1970s and 1980s. This history was developed by Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency.
- In Benton County, particulate pollution and air toxics are our greatest air quality concerns. These pollutants pose a range of health impacts – such as respiratory ailments, heart disease and cancer – which is why we support and implement programs and policies designed to reduce their emissions, and our risk of exposure to them.
- Agricultural irrigation development from the 50’s to the 70’s increased the stability of the landscape. In the 80’s and 90’s there were extended periods of below normal precipitation. Dust storms during these years resulted in a number of exceedances of the air pollution standards for PM10.
- During the late 1980s and early 1990s Benton County was subject to a large number of exceedances of the 24-hour National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for particulate matter ten microns or less (PM10).
- These exceedances were recorded in Spokane, Kennewick, and Wallula, Washington. An examination showed a close correlation to high wind events. The exeedances are primarily attributable to activity on agricultural fields, although other sources may contribute.
- As a result of a great deal of work and cooperation with the agricultural and business communities, the Conservation Districts and Washington State University, measures have been implemented that keep recent PM10 exceedances at a level far below previous decades.
- Since 2005 Benton County consistently has not violated any of the federal, health-based air quality standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Air Quality Challenges: - As we look ahead our challenges include:
- Meeting more stringent and health protective air quality standards for coarse and fine particulate matter being developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- Implementing new federal programs to protect the public from hazardous air pollutants
- Maintaining adequate program funding to meet these and other challenges
- Supporting local businesses in their efforts to comply with air quality regulations.
Air Quality and Health
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) establishes National Ambient Air Quality Standards for six criteria pollutants. The chart below provides key information on each of these pollutants. To learn more about the two pollutants of most concern in Benton County (fine particles and coarse particles) click here.
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Criteria Pollutant
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Description & Standard
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Sources
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Health Effects
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Particulate Matter Up to 10 Microns in Diameter (PM10)
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Particles less than 10 microns in diameter in size. 24-hour Standard: 150 micrograms per cubic meter of air, averaged over 24 hrs.
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Dust stirred up from paved and unpaved roads, construction activities, windblown dust.
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When inhaled, fine particles travel deep in the lungs, damaging delicate lung tissue. Especially harmful to those suffering from existing heart and lung diseases, as well as the pregnant, young children, and the elderly.
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Fine Particulate Matter Up to 2.5 Microns in Diameter (PM2.5)
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Fine particles less than 2.5 microns in diameter in size. 24-hour Standard: 35 micrograms per cubic meter of air, averaged over 24 hrs. Annual Standard: 15 micrograms per cubic meter of air.
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Combustion-related, motor vehicles, wood burning, open burning, industrial processes.
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(same as above)
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Carbon Monoxide (CO)
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An odorless, tasteless, colorless gas which is emitted from any form of combustion. Standard: 9 parts per million, averaged over 8 hrs.
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Automobiles, wood burning devices, outdoor burning, and industrial combustion sources.
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Deprives the body of oxygen by reducing the blood’s capacity to carry oxygen: causes headaches, dizziness, nausea, listlessness and in high doses, may cause death.
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Ozone (O3)
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Formed when nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds react in the presence of sunlight. A component of smog. Standard: 0.075 parts per million, averaged over 8 hours.
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Automobiles, industry, gasoline storage and transfer, gasoline refueling, paints, solvents.
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Irritates eyes, nose, throat, and respiratory system; especially bad for those with chronic heart and lung disease, as well as the very young and old, and pregnant women.
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Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)
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A poisonous gas produced as a byproduct of high combustion temperatures. Standard: .053 parts per million, annual average.
Effective 4/12/2010 - EPA established a new 1-hour standard of 100 parts per billion (0.100 ppm)
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Fossil fuel power generation, mobile sources, industrial combustion processes.
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Harmful to lungs, irritates bronchial and respiratory systems; increases symptoms in asthmatic patients.
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Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)
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A gas resulting from the burning of sulfur-containing fuel. Standard: .14 parts per million, averaged over 24 hours.
Effective 8/23/2010 - EPA is establishing a new 1-hour standard of 75 parts per billion (0.075 ppm) and revoking the 24-hour and annual standards.
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Fossil fuel power plants, non-ferrous smelters, pulp production, primary aluminum production.
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Increases symptoms in asthmatic patients; irritates respiratory system.
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Lead (Pb)
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Lead emissions throughout the country have been significantly reduced since the conversion to unleaded gasoline. Between 1976 and 1995, ambient levels of lead declined 97%.
Effective 1/12/209 - EPA established a new standard of 0.15 micrograms per cubic meter of air for a 3-month rolling average.
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Smelters and battery plants.
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Affects motor function and reflexes and learning; causes damage to the central nervous system. Kidneys and brain. Children are affected more than adults.
Air Quality Index
EPA’s Air Quality Index (AQI)
What is EPA’s Air Quality Index?
The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a national uniform system, defined and used by the EPA, to report pollution levels for the criteria air pollutants regulated under the Clean Air Act. The AQI provides citizens with information about the general health effects associated with different pollution levels.
In Benton County, particulate air pollutants are monitored. To learn more about these pollutants and federal air quality standards for each, click here.
The AQI converts the highest measured pollutant concentration in a community’s air to a number on a scale of 0 to 500. The data is reported as a rolling 24-hour value which is updated hourly and reported here.
How does unhealthy air affect people?
Fine particulate matter is a major air pollutant that has been shown to cause a number of health symptoms and complications. People will have difficulties breathing polluted air depending on their age and their health. People most sensitive to air pollution include:
- Infants and children
- Older adults (those 65 and older)
- People with lung and heart disease, stroke, diabetes, or those with a current respiratory infection.
People sensitive to air pollution may experience problems sooner and at lower levels of pollution. When people are active they breathe more air into their bodies. If air pollution levels rise, they will take in more pollutants. The amount of outdoor activity that may cause difficulties for people will be different. For example, when air pollution levels rise, daily activities such as walking the dog may cause problems for some people. Others may not be affected until doing more strenuous activity such as running. People should limit outdoor activity depending on how air quality affects them.
Air Quality Standards
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency establishes National Ambient Air Quality Standards to protect public health from adverse effects of air pollution. Standards are set for six outdoor air pollutants, called Criteria Pollutants.
The Clean Air Act, which was last amended in 1990, requires EPA to set National Ambient Air Quality Standards (40 CFR part 50) for pollutants considered harmful to public health and the environment. The NAAQS are set for six outdoor air pollutants and are found here.
A Closer Look at Air Toxics
In addition to criteria air pollutants, Benton Clean Air’s work involves reducing air toxics. Air toxics are a group of over 400 pollutants known or suspected to cause a number of health problems, including cancer and birth defects, as well as damage to lungs, and immune and nervous systems.
In our region, air toxics come primarily from particulate matter contained in diesel exhaust and smoke from wood burning. While air toxics do not have federal ambient air quality standards, our research indicates that they are occasionally present in our air at levels that pose a health risk to residents.
EPA has information on air toxics here.
Air Pollutants - Frequently Asked Questions
Current levels of PM in the Tri-Cities?
The BCAA currently measures air pollution with a rating called PM2.5, and PM10. The “PM” refers to Particulate Matter. The number after the “PM” refers to the size of the particle in micro-meters; PM10 is about 1/7th the diameter of a human hair and PM2.5 is about 1/28th the diameter of a human hair.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a way to simplify the impacts of air pollution through the use of a color chart. If you want to know the actual concentration of the pollution, it is given above the charts with the units of “ug/m3” or micrograms per cubic meter. For most people, the color chart is easier to understand.
The pollutant with the highest AQI is the pollutant that is most responsible for the health impacts. Since PM10 is a larger particle, it is more often associated with dust and has a higher AQI during windstorms and during the summer and fall. PM10 can trigger asthma and allergy symptoms. PM2.5 is a much smaller particle and is associated with smoke and vehicle exhaust. It usually has a higher AQI due to smoke from wildfires, stagnant air, and the winter when woodstoves are in use.
PM2.5 particles are generally associated with smoke and combustion sources. Because of the smaller particles, PM2.5 can have greater health effects than larger particles such as dust and ash.
How does Benton County’s Air Quality compare with other areas?
Compared to other urban areas in Washington State, Benton County has some of the cleanest air over the majority of the year. Our average pollution levels are well below the national average. However, on occasion, Benton County does have problems with a pollutant called “particulate matter”. Particulate matter is a federally regulated pollutant; in high concentrations, it poses a health risk to both sensitive populations and to healthy, active people as well.
What is particulate matter?
Particulate matter, or “PM”, is a form of pollution composed of very small particles of dust, smoke, soot, and other materials. PM comes in many shapes, sizes, and compositions. However, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has identified through many years of scientific study, that two sizes of PM have identifiable health risks.
These two types of PM are called PM10 and PM2.5. The number refers to how small the particles are. PM10 is composed of particles that are 10 microns or smaller in diameter; this is about 1/ 7-th the diameter of a human hair. PM2.5 is even smaller, being only 2.5 microns across or 1/28th the diameter of a human hair.
The severity of the health effects from breathing these particles depends upon the concentration, or “how much” of the PM is in the air. The EPA has set health standards, called National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), for these and other air pollutants, called “criteria pollutants”. The criteria pollutants are considered to have the greatest adverse effect on the people. Each NAAQS has an associated concentration and duration that areas cannot exceed.
How is PM harmful of health?
PM10 and PM2.5 are among the most harmful of all air pollutants. When inhaled these particles evade the respiratory system’s natural defenses and lodge deep in the lungs.
Health problems begin as the body reacts to these foreign particles. PM can increase the number and severity of asthma attacks, cause or aggravate bronchitis and other lung diseases, and reduce the body’s ability to fight infections.
Although particulate matter can cause health problems for everyone, certain people are especially vulnerable to the adverse health effects of PM. These “sensitive populations” include children, the elderly, exercising adults, and those suffering from asthma or bronchitis. The important thing to consider is that healthily, active people are also at risk because those individuals are often outside and are breathing more air during exercise, thus increasing their exposure.
Of greatest concern are recent studies that link PM exposure to the premature death of people who already have heart and lung disease, especially the elderly.
Where does PM come from?
In the western United States, there are sources of PM in both urban and rural areas, major sources include:
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Activity-related and wind blown dust from construction and agriculture
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Wind blown dust from open lands.
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Outdoor and agricultural burning.
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Wood burning stoves and fireplaces.
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Wildfires.
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Industrial sources.
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Motor vehicles.
PM is a mixture of materials that can include smoke, soot, dust, salt, acids, and metals. Particulate matter also forms when gases emitted from motor vehicles and industry undergo chemical reactions in the atmosphere.
What can I do to reduce PM in Benton County?
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Here are a few things individuals, business, and other organizations can do immediately to reduce the threat of PM:
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Reduce travel on days with poor air quality.
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Avoid using your wood stove and fireplace on days that have poor air quality.
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Drive slowly on unpaved roads and other dirt surfaces
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Get involved with air quality improvement programs in your community
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If you own or operate an industrial source of PM, comply with local rules that apply to your operation. Work with local agencies to develop strategies that will further reduce PM emissions.
Other Questions?
If you have any questions about Particulate Matter, PM10, PM2.5, blowing dust, or smoke impacts from agriculture, forest burning, or wildfires, please contact BCAA.
Thanks to the California Air Resources Board for their information on Particulate Matter.
Air Quality Monitoring
Air Quality Monitoring Nationwide
- Nationwide Air Quality information is here.
Air Quality Monitoring in Washington State
- Ecology manages a statewide network of air quality monitors, which cover the state and measure the presence of one or more pollutants.
- Ecology’s web site contains information about Washington’s Air Monitoring Network, and offers real-time air monitoring data in many areas of the state.
- Department of Ecology’s Air Quality Advisory Fact Sheet is here.
- A link to the 2010 Ambient Air Monitoring Assessment, by Ecology, is here.
Air Quality Monitoring in Benton County
- Air quality monitoring of Benton County is continuously conducted via our air monitoring site located on the roof of Tri-Tech at Metaline and Kellogg in Kennewick, Washington.
- Data from the air monitoring site are readily available on the Department of Ecology’s website. | http://bentoncleanair.org/air-quality/ |
New Jersey state law previously prohibited parking within 25 feet of intersections and 50 feet from stop signs on inbound street sections, however a recent change lets municipalities create parking closer to intersections and stop signs when school is not in session.
As a result, the Hoboken City Council recently amended the City Code to establish “Extended Parking Zones,” permitting residents to park 15 feet from crosswalks on “outbound” street segments and 25 feet from crosswalks on “inbound” street segments during certain times. “Outbound” and “inbound” street segments are the portions of the street that permit a vehicle to drive away from and towards an intersection, respectively.
Parking in “Extended Parking Zones” is not permitted between the hours of 7am and 7pm on days when public schools are in session. To maintain clearance for emergency response vehicles, any vehicle parked closer than 15 feet from a crosswalk is subject to summons and towing if it is determined that it could impact emergency response times. Please refer to the diagram below for examples of parking that is permitted and not permitted (Click here to download a pdf version of the Extended Parking Zone diagram). The complete language from the City code is also included below.
Parking near corners along inbound legs blocks visibility between pedestrians, bicyclists, and oncoming vehicles, posing a serious risk to all.
Inbound Leg: The roadway segment connected to an intersection, or portion thereof, that permits a vehicle to be driven towards an intersection in accordance with the legally established direction of traffic.
Outbound Leg: The roadway segment connected to an intersection, or portionthereof, that permits a vehicle to be driven away from an intersection in accordance with the legally established direction of traffic.
Travel Lane: The section of a roadway’s width that is intended to conduct the flow of moving vehicular traffic.
Parking Lane: The section of a roadway’s width, typically no fewer than 7.5 feet, located between a Travel Lane and a curb that is reserved for on-street parking, where designated, and does not interfere with the safe and efficient flow of moving vehicular traffic in a Travel Lane.
A. Pursuant to NJSA 39:4-138.6, “Extended Parking Zones” are hereby established as the area in a parking lane no closer than 25 feet from the crosswalk along Inbound Legs of intersections, and no closer than 15 feet from the crosswalk along Outbound Legs of intersections, measured from the edge of the crosswalk area furthest from the center of the intersection.
2. Parking within Extended Parking Zones shall not be allowed Mondays through Fridays between the hours of 7:00am and 7:00pm whenever public primary or secondary schools are in session.
C. Due to the extreme difficulty and delay of maneuvering emergency equipment at intersections, any vehicle parked within the Extended Parking Zone closer than 15 feet of the crosswalk at any time and for any duration shall be subject to immediate summons and tow by city enforcement staff.
D. The City of Hoboken shall not be required to install or maintain any markings, signs, or other indications for Extended Parking Zones; it shall be incumbent upon the driver to ensure that no vehicle is parked within 25 feet of a crosswalk on Inbound Legs and within 15 feet of a crosswalk on Outbound Legs of intersections at any time. | http://archive.hobokennj.gov/departments/transportation-parking/extended-parking-zones/ |
Electroencephalography (EEG) signals have been using for clinical purposes for many years. However, studies on the use of EEG signals in brain computer interface (BBA) applications are increasing. It is possible to control ...
8 Channel Mobile EEG Measurement Device Design
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With the increase in the number of publicly available finger-vein datasets, most of the recent studies on finger-vein biometrics have started to use Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs). Since it is not an easy task to ...
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Diffraction mechanism is vital to predict the field strength and calculate the coverage in urban, rural and indoor. Diffraction occurs on the sharp surfaces like rooftop, edge, corner, and vertex. S-UTD-CH model computes ...
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In this paper, a novel adaptive noise canceller (ANC) based on the quaternion valued least mean square algorithm (QLMS) is designed in order to remove electrooculography (EOG) artifacts from electroencephalography (EEG) ... | http://acikerisim.btu.edu.tr/xmlui/handle/20.500.12885/1713/discover?filtertype=rights&filter_relational_operator=equals&filter=info%3Aeu-repo%2Fsemantics%2FclosedAccess |
89 P.3d 479 (2003)
The PEOPLE of the State of Colorado, Plaintiff-Appellee,
v.
Kelly Lee CLEMONS, Defendant-Appellant.
No. 01CA2346.
Colorado Court of Appeals, Div. A.
October 23, 2003.
Certiorari Denied May 10, 2004.
*481 Ken Salazar, Attorney General, Laurie A. Booras, First Assistant Attorney General, Denver, Colorado, for Plaintiff-Appellee.
Samler and Whitson, P.C., Eric A. Samler, Hollis A. Whitson, Denver, Colorado, for Defendant-Appellant.
Opinion by Judge HUME.[*]
Defendant, Kelly Lee Clemons, appeals the judgment of conviction entered upon jury verdicts finding him guilty of attempted manslaughter, second degree kidnapping of a robbery victim, aggravated robbery, first degree assault, and first degree aggravated motor vehicle theft. We affirm.
I.
Defendant first argues that the evidence is insufficient to support the jury's verdict finding him guilty of aggravated robbery. More specifically, defendant asserts that the evidence does not establish that he took a thing of value from the person and presence of the victim, as the jury instruction mistakenly defined the offense. We are not persuaded.
A.
As an initial matter, we reject the People's assertion that defendant is precluded from raising this claim because his attorney made a binding judicial admission of guilt in closing argument. Even if we were persuaded that an argument by counsel could constitute a binding judicial admission as to the elements of a substantive offense, we would still reject the People's assertion in this case because the record shows that defense counsel made no such admission.
B.
"A person who knowingly takes anything of value from the person or presence of another by the use of force, threats, or intimidation commits robbery." Section 18-4-301(1), C.R.S.2002 (emphasis added). And, as relevant here, "[a] person who commits robbery is guilty of aggravated robbery if during the act of robbery or immediate flight therefrom ... [h]e is armed with a deadly weapon with intent, if resisted, to kill, maim, or wound the person robbed or any other person." Section 18-4-302(1)(a), C.R.S.2002.
Contrary to defendant's assertion, the instruction defining aggravated robbery as requiring that the property be taken from the "person and presence" of the victim did not lower the prosecution's burden of proof beyond the statutory requirement that the property be taken from "the person or presence" of the victim.
Although the instruction in this case unnecessarily used the conjunction "and" between the alternative means of establishing this single element of aggravated robbery, the jury's general verdict may be sustained based solely on its finding that defendant took something of value from the victim's presence if that finding is supported by the evidence, because nothing more is required by the statute defining the offense. See People v. Pineda, 40 P.3d 60, 66 (Colo.App. 2001)(where general verdict is returned based on an instruction setting forth two alternative methods of establishing a single element, the requirement of James v. People, 727 P.2d 850 (Colo.1986), that alternative elements in a general verdict must both be supported by sufficient evidence does not *482 apply); People v. Hanson, 928 P.2d 776 (Colo.App.1996)(same).
Therefore, the jury's additional finding that defendant took something of value from the victim's person is a superfluous determination, and we need not decide whether it is supported by the evidence. See Carlson v. People, 91 Colo. 418, 429-30, 15 P.2d 625, 629 (1932)("[o]rdinarily, an instruction in the language of the statute is sufficient," and "[t]hose parts that are not applicable may be considered mere surplusage, unless ... they tend to mislead the jury").
C.
In reviewing an insufficiency of the evidence claim, we view the evidence presented as a whole and in the light most favorable to the prosecution to determine whether it is sufficient to support a conclusion by a reasonable person that the defendant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. In this regard, the prosecution is entitled to the benefit of every reasonable inference that might be fairly drawn from the evidence. Kogan v. People, 756 P.2d 945 (Colo.1988).
The evidence in this case, when viewed according to the foregoing standards, establishes the following facts. On the evening in question, the victim was working as the front desk clerk of a motel where defendant was employed as a security guard and maintenance man. As part of her duties, the victim was responsible for the cash register located in the motel lobby.
The victim was working in the laundry room adjacent to the lobby when defendant approached her and asked whether she would help him move an item in his apartment on the second floor of the motel. The victim agreed to help defendant and followed him upstairs. When the victim entered defendant's apartment, he told her that the item was in a closet. As the victim walked toward the closet, defendant attacked her from behind and pushed her into the closet. Defendant choked the victim, cut her with a knife, threatened to kill her, and told her that he wanted to tie her up. The victim resisted until defendant stabbed her in the leg, at which point she agreed to be bound. Defendant tied the victim's hands, placed a gag over her mouth, and left her in the closet.
Defendant then took over $500 from the cash register in the lobby and fled from the scene in a truck that belonged to the owner of the motel.
In People v. Bartowsheski, 661 P.2d 235, 244-45 (Colo.1983), the supreme court established the analytical framework for determining the meaning of "presence" for purposes of the robbery and aggravated robbery statutes. The court there noted that "presence" in the context of robbery "is not so much a matter of eyesight as it is one of proximity and control: the property taken in the robbery must be close enough to the victim and sufficiently under [her] control that, had [she] not been subjected to violence or intimidation by the robber, [she] could have prevented the taking" (quoting W. LaFave & A. Scott, Handbook on Criminal Law § 94, at 696 (1972)). The supreme court's reasoning in Bartowsheski is dispositive of this case.
Here, the trial evidence was sufficient to establish that the victim had control of the cash register and its contents. See People v. Marquez, 692 P.2d 1089, 1097 (Colo.1984)(evidence was sufficient to support robbery conviction of motel clerk where defendant took money from the cash drawer of the motel), rejected on other grounds by James v. People, supra; see also People v. Borghesi, 66 P.3d 93, 101 (Colo.2003)("Proof of ownership of the property taken is immaterial [in a robbery case] so long as the victim had sufficient control over it at the time of the taking.").
In our view, it is immaterial that the victim was not in the motel lobby when defendant used force to take away her control of the cash register. Defendant's conduct luring the victim to his apartment and attacking her there in order to steal the money from the cash drawer located in the lobbyis virtually identical to that of the hypothetical robber described in Bartowsheski. Accordingly, we conclude the evidence was sufficient to prove that defendant took something of value from the presence of the victim by the use of force while armed with a deadly weapon *483 and while acting with the intent, if resisted, to kill, maim, or wound the victim.
In light of our conclusion that there is sufficient evidence to sustain defendant's conviction for aggravated robbery, we necessarily also reject his derivative claim that, because no robbery was proved, the evidence is insufficient to support the jury's verdict finding him guilty of second degree kidnapping of a robbery victim.
II.
Defendant next argues that the evidence is insufficient to support the jury's verdict finding him guilty of first degree aggravated motor vehicle theft. Again, we disagree.
As relevant here, "[a] person commits aggravated motor vehicle theft in the first degree if he or she knowingly obtains or exercises control over the motor vehicle of another without authorization or by threat or deception" and causes $500 or more of property damage. Section 18-4-409(2)(e), C.R.S.2002.
Although the statute specifies that the prosecution need only prove that the defendant obtained the vehicle "without authorization or by threat or deception," the jury instruction in this case stated the alternative methods of establishing this single element in the conjunctive, as follows: "without authorization and by threat and deception" (emphasis added).
Relying on this error in the instructions, defendant argues that the jury's verdict must be set aside because the prosecution failed to present any evidence showing that he took the truck from the motel owner by means of threat and deception. We reject this argument for the reasons set forth in the preceding section. See Carlson v. People, supra; People v. Pineda, supra; People v. Hanson, supra. Hence, because there was ample evidence proving that defendant took the motel owner's truck without authorization, we conclude the evidence is sufficient to support the jury's verdict.
III.
Finally, defendant contends the prosecutor committed reversible error in closing argument by paraphrasing Edmund Burke's statement that "the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to stand by and do nothing," characterizing defendant's actions as "evil," and then urging the jury not to "stand by and do nothing." Although we agree that these remarks were improper as used here, we conclude the error was harmless.
A prosecutor should not use arguments calculated to inflame the passion or prejudices of the jury. Thus, arguments urging a jury to convict in order to carry out the wishes of the community are improper. See Wilson v. People, 743 P.2d 415, 420 n. 8 (Colo.1987).
However, an instance of improper argument must be evaluated in the context of the prosecutor's argument as a whole and in light of the evidence. Errors that do not substantially influence the verdict or affect the fairness of the proceedings may be deemed harmless. Crim. P. 52(a); People v. Griffith, 58 P.3d 1111, 1113 (Colo.App.2002).
We agree with defendant that the prosecutor's use of this quotation was an improper attempt to persuade the jurors to convict defendant in order to combat evil for the community. However, this quotation was an isolated incident in an otherwise proper closing argument in which the prosecutor repeatedly urged the jury to apply the rules of law to the evidence adduced at trial. Accordingly, we are convinced that this error was harmless. See Loaiza v. State, 186 Ga. App. 72, 74, 366 S.E.2d 404, 406 (1988)(no reversible error where trial court sustained defendant's objection to prosecutor's use of this Burke quote in closing argument, but denied mistrial motion); Commonwealth v. Davis, 38 Mass.App.Ct. 932, 934, 646 N.E.2d 1093, 1095 (1995)(prosecutor's use of this Burke quote in closing argument, to which defendant objected, did not require reversal); People v. Williams, 453 N.W.2d 675 (Mich.1990)(prosecutor's use of this Burke quote in closing argument did not require reversal); State v. Stufflebean, 329 N.W.2d *484 314 (Minn.1983)(prosecutor's use of this Burke quote not reversible error); cf. State v. Prevatte, 356 N.C. 178, 264, 570 S.E.2d 440, 488 (2002)(prosecutor's use of this Burke quote in closing argument was proper); see also Trujillo v. State, 44 P.3d 22, 26 (Wyo.2002)(prosecutor's use of this Burke quote in closing argument was an inappropriate rhetorical device but not plain error). But see State v. Mills, 57 Conn.App. 202, 213, 748 A.2d 318, 325 (2000)(reversing defendant's conviction where prosecutor used this Burke quote in closing argument, but also emphasizing numerous other instances of serious misconduct in the prosecutor's closing argument).
The judgment is affirmed.
Chief Judge DAVIDSON and Judge WEBB concur.
NOTES
[*] Sitting by assignment of the Chief Justice under provisions of Colo. Const. art. VI, § 5(3), and § 24-51-1105, C.R.S.2002.
| |
The strength of the South African passport has declined from 102 in 2018 to 99 in 2019 in terms of the number of countries South Africans are allowed to visit. This is according to the latest report by Henley Passport Index, a global measure of the access given by a country’s passport.
The report ranked South Africa in 54th place on the ranking down from 51 after Djibouti’s policy changed from visa-on-arrival to an e-visa system. Below are countries South African citizens can visit visa-free:
Africa: Angola, Madagascar, Kenya, Zambia, Ghana, St. Helena, Benin, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Swaziland, Botswana, Mauritania, Tanzania, Cape Verde Islands, Mauritius, Togo, Comores Islands, Mozambique, Tunisia, Ethiopia, Namibia, Uganda, Gabon, Reunion, Guinea-Bissau, Senegal, Seychelles, Lesotho and Somalia.
Europe: Ireland, Kosovo, and Russia.
Asia: Cambodia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Maldives, Tajikistan, Indonesia, Nepal, Thailand, Kyrgyzstan, Philippines, Timor-Leste, Laos, Singapore, Macao, and South Korea.
Caribbean: Antigua and Barbuda, Dominican Republic, St. Lucia, Bahamas, Grenada St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Barbados, Haiti Trinidad and Tobago, British Virgin Islands, Jamaica Turks and Caicos, Cayman Islands. Montserrat, Dominica, and St. Kitts and Nevis
Oceania / Australia: Cook Islands, Micronesia, Samoa, Fiji, Niue, Tuvalu, Marshall Islands, Palau Islands, and Vanuatu.
America: Chile, Guyana, Uruguay, Costa Rica, Honduras and Venezuela,Argentina, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Belize, El Salvador Panama, Bolivia, Falkland Islands, Paraguay, Brazil, Guatemala, and Peru.
Middle East / Others: Armenia, Israel, Qatar, Georgia, Jordan, Iran, and Palestinian Territory.
Seychelles continues to retain its top place in Sub-Sahara Africa with a visa-free score of 150. The country has been ranked position 27th globally. Mauritania also maintained its second place while South Africa came third with 145 and 99 scores respectively.
In the region, Somalia came last with access to only 31 destinations visa-free.
With a visa-free score of 189, Japan and Singapore were ranked the first globally. South Korea ,Finland and Germany came in second place on the index. Natives of these three countries have access to 187 countries around the world visa-free.
Notably, in most of the index’s history, UK has held one of the top five positions in the ranking but the report has indicated that with the Brexit issue that is now imminent, the country’s passport power may decline.
The UK has long since been a popular travel destination for most South Africans. Reportedly, it is the most searched for destination by South Africans.
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