Fusion of IRST and Radar Measurements for 3D Target Tracking

Two different types of measurement fusion methods for fusing IRST (infrared search and track) and radar measurements to track a target in 3D Cartesian coordinates are evaluated and discussed in this paper. Performance evaluation metrics were provided to evaluate the tracking algorithm. It was observed that both the fusion algorithms are performed alike. Proof was provided to show that both the methods are functionally similar

An Evidence-Based Approach to Designing Virtual Patients

Virtual patients (VPs) are used for developing clinical reasoning which is an area of deficit in medical trainees. There are a number of studies showing that virtual patients have a positive effect on clinical reasoning skills but it remains uncertain how to best design or utilize VPs. Reasons for this include broad definitions of VPs, prior studies with poor descriptions of their design, and few studies looking at which design features are most efficacious. In this study on effective VP design, I outline the direct evidence from prior studies on VPs and indirect evidence from studies of other e-learning methods and educational theory. From this outline, A set of guidelines are proposed for developing VPs and create a blueprint for a design based on these principles

Detection of Airport Runway Edges using Line Detection Techniques

Airport runway detection is a vital aspect for both military and commercial applications. An algorithm to extract runway edges based on edge detection and line detection techniques is discussed. The runway images are initially enhanced by dilation, thresholding and edge detection. Based on some unique characteristics like the runway being gray with two white lines indicating the runway boundaries, long and continuous edges of the runway are considered to be straight lines. The straight lines are detected using Convolution operators pertaining to vertical, 45° or -45° lines. Hough Transform is then applied to fit only the pair of lines corresponding to the runway boundaries in certain orientations. The test results prove that combination of Convolution and Hough transform is very competent in detecting runway edges accurately

A survey of biosecurity-related practices, opinions and communications across dairy farm veterinarians and advisors

peer-reviewedBiosecurity at farm-level can often be poorly implemented, and lack of information has been cited by many studies as a potential explanation. Veterinary practitioners (VPs) and dairy advisors (DAs) play a central role in the provision of animal health and management services to dairy farmers. The objective of this study was to document and compare biosecurity-related practices and opinions across VPs and DAs in Ireland. A selection of veterinary experts (VEs) from outside of Ireland was also surveyed. Questionnaires were completed and response rates of 47% (VPs), 97% (DAs), and 65% (VEs) were achieved. Significant differences were identified in the promotion and implementation of biosecurity between VPs and DAs, with a higher proportion of VPs regularly receiving requests from (P = 0.004), and dispensing advice to (P < 0.0001), their farm clients. Communication between DAs and VPs was sub-optimal with over 60% of each group not in regular communication with each other. With regard to the main farmer motivation for biosecurity implementation, the majority of VPs (62%) prioritised external factors such as ‘economic benefit’ and ‘mandatory obligation’, while the majority of DAs prioritised health/animal-related factors (69%), which were similar to those of farmers (83.1%), although they remained significantly less likely (OR = 1.8) than farmers to choose such motivators (P = 0.005). Inconsistencies in the implementation of, and in opinions relating to, farm biosecurity were highlighted across all the groups surveyed emphasising the need for standardised information and improved communication.Irish Dairy Lev

Implementation and Validation of Video Stabilization using Simulink

A fast video stabilization technique based on Gray-coded bit-plane (GCBP) matching for translational motion is implemented and tested using various image sequences. This technique performs motion estimation using GCBP of image sequences which greatly reduces the computational load. In order to further improve computational efficiency, the three-step search (TSS) is used along with GCBP matching to perform a competent search during correlation measure calculation. The entire technique has been implemented in Simulink to perform in real-time

Implementation of IMMPDAF Algorithm in LabVIEW for Multi Sensor Single Target Tracking

Real time IMMPDAF algorithm has been implemented and tested in LabVIEW. Single aircraft flight profiles have been simulated and the plot data from multiple radars observing the single aircraft are generated with noise as well as clutter. The performance of the algorithm is evaluated using standard procedures. Since it is implemented and tested in LabVIEW, this algorithm can be easily realized in hardware for real time tracking applications