Frequency Analysis of Gradient Estimators in Volume Rendering

Gradient information is used in volume rendering to classify and color samples along a ray. In this paper, we present an analysis of the theoretically ideal gradient estimator and compare it to some commonly used gradient estimators. A new method is presented to calculate the gradient at arbitrary sample positions, using the derivative of the interpolation filter as the basis for the new gradient filter. As an example, we will discuss the use of the derivative of the cubic spline. Comparisons with several other methods are demonstrated. Computational efficiency can be realized since parts of the interpolation computation can be leveraged in the gradient estimatio

Etienne Balibar in Conversation: Revisiting European Marxism

In this interview, Balibar provides a number of reflections on the articulation of different Marxist traditions, including Italian Marxism and the Neue Marx Lektüre to his own Althusserian position. Similarly, he comments on his relationship to the readings of French theory upon Marx’s oeuvre. He further develops an analysis of the contemporary challenges posed by capitalism – and its different crises – to critical theory, social sciences and social movements. Then, he argues that financialization and the Anthropocene are central issues. He concludes with thoughts on internationalism and citizenship, which he believes to be indispensable political elements in order to conceptualize resistance in this crisis context

LRC System Allows Remote Disposal

Panther Ridge Research initially designed a Laser Receiver Controller system for the blasting industry where non-electric shock tubing could be used as the lead for initiating the blast-hole pattern of the material to be blasted (known as the overburden). Presently, the system is being modified for the explosive ordnance disposal and unexploded ordnance technician. This tool was designed “by a tech for a tech,” and it is anticipated it will save operators many grueling hours of setting up the disposal sites, as well as cleanup after operations are completed

The Emergence of Leadership in Children: The Role of Play, Athletics, and School

Leadership studies and leadership development have become increasingly popular in recent years. However, much of this popularity has been focused on leadership in adults. This thesis explores the emergence and development of leadership skills in children as they gain experience from play, athletics, and school. The definition of leadership is examined as well as the skills needed for proficient leadership. The skills are structured around the Big Five personality factors. Each of the areas discussed – play, athletics, and school – gives children many opportunities to interact with their peers allowing for valuable development. Overall, this thesis asserts that leadership and its development can occur at the beginning of an individual’s lifetime and does not need to be restricted to adulthood

Low-Profile Disposal of U.S. Ordnance

The mission was simple enough; monitor air operations at Thumrate bombing range from a safe distance, locate ordnance that did not detonate, ensure a positive identification of said ordnance and ensure a complete disposal of said ordnance is accomplished with the lowest profile possible. Oh, if life could be so easy! The ordnance: MK82, 500-pound bombs using M904E point detonating nose fuzing with a M990 series, inertia tail fuze back-up, and GBU-10, laser guided bombs (MK84) with a MK346 electric tail fuze. What normally would have been a “blow-n-go” operation took a brutal turn for the worse when a herd of camels followed by the entire tribe of Bedouins wandered onto the range. This simple act of random grazing blew the “low profile” right out the window and led to a severe case of “mass pain in the six”

Attribute preferences on clothing reselling platforms of Italian consumers - impact of different attribute levels on platform adoption

The individual part is taken out of the conjoint analysis and is comprised of counterfactual scenarios, which have been conducted to allow further insights into consumer preferences, especially into price sensitivity. For this purpose, starting with the attribute composition of the most realistic market scenario, scenarios have been created for the most important attributes of the conjoint study: buyer protection, product price and additional fee. The analysis of the different scenarios enabled the finding that price sensitivity does depend on the brand on the one hand and on the type of monetary component, i.e. product price and additional fee