Monitoring and Correction of Geometric Distortion in Projected Displays

A technique, and associated system and computer executable program code on a computer readable storage medium, for automatically correcting distortion of a front-projected display under observation by at least one camera. The technique may be employed in a myriad of front-projected display environments, e.g., single or multiple projectors and cameras are used. The technique includes: observing a first image, projected from at least one projector, comprising at least one target distribution of light intensities; for each conglomeration of white pixels of a difference image, compute a bounding box comprising a corresponding conglomeration of pixels in a framebuffer information of the camera, compute a bounding box comprising a corresponding conglomeration of pixels in a framebuffer information of the projector, compute an initial homography matrix, Htemp, mapping pixels of the projector\u27s bounding box to those of the camera\u27s bounding box, optimize the initial homography matrix, compute a central location, (Cx, Cy), of the camera\u27s bounding box using the initial homography matrix; and using a plurality of correspondence values comprising the correspondence, compute a corrective transform to aid in the automatic correcting of the display

Quantifying the severity of criticality limit violations

Since August of 1994, the Los Alamos National Laboratory has been using the LANL Categorization Criteria Matrix for determining the need for and level of reporting criticality safety limit violations. The LANL Categorization Criteria Matrix is DOE approved, and is cited in a DOE approved SAR for the LANL Plutonium Facility as the method used to determine whether a criticality limit violation is reportable to DOE via 5000.3B ``Occurrence Categorization, notification and Reporting Requirements`` (replaced by DOE O 232.1). The use of the LANL Categorization Criteria Matrix provides a framework that allows criticality limit violations to be objectively reviewed in terms of what were the consequences of the criticality safety limit violation. Using the LANL Categorization Criteria Matrix helps the criticality safety engineer and line supervision explain to others, in a quantifiable manner, the significance of the criticality limit violation, the levels of margin of safety built into operations, and demonstrate the difference between evaluated conditions and working conditions

Digital Orthopaedics: A Glimpse Into the Future in the Midst of a Pandemic.

BackgroundThe response to COVID-19 catalyzed the adoption and integration of digital health tools into the health care delivery model for musculoskeletal patients. The change, suspension, or relaxation of Medicare and federal guidelines enabled the rapid implementation of these technologies. The expansion of payment models for virtual care facilitated its rapid adoption. The authors aim to provide several examples of digital health solutions utilized to manage orthopedic patients during the pandemic and discuss what features of these technologies are likely to continue to provide value to patients and clinicians following its resolution.ConclusionThe widespread adoption of new technologies enabling providers to care for patients remotely has the potential to permanently change the expectations of all stakeholders about the way care is provided in orthopedics. The new era of Digital Orthopaedics will see a gradual and nondisruptive integration of technologies that support the patient's journey through the successful management of their musculoskeletal disease

Pollutant Emissions Reporting for Ammonia Fuel Blends

This is a white paper published by SEI and is to be hosted on the SEI website and circulated among energy professionals.To combat carbon dioxide emissions, it is desirable to transition existing combustion systems to carbon-free fuels such as hydrogen and ammonia without negatively impacting air quality. However, quantitatively assessing air quality impacts of pollutants such as NOx is a nuanced process when comparing emissions across different fuels. Recently, the authors of this study published a separate paper showing that some standardized measurement approaches (i.e., measuring dried exhaust concentration) were inflating pollutant emissions by up to 40% for hydrogen combustion relative to natural gas. In this white paper, we extend this analysis to ammonia and cracked ammonia blends, showing that using concentration-based reporting approaches for comparing NOx from ammonia combustion is appropriate (less than a 3% effect), but can inflate apparent NOx emissions from fully cracked ammonia (i.e., an H2/N2 fuel blend) by 20%

The Massive Progenitor of the Type II-Linear Supernova 2009kr

We present early-time photometric and spectroscopic observations of supernova (SN) 2009kr in NGC 1832. We find that its properties to date support its classification as Type II-linear (SN II-L), a relatively rare subclass of core-collapse supernovae (SNe). We have also identified a candidate for the SN progenitor star through comparison of pre-explosion, archival images taken with WFPC2 on board the Hubble Space Telescope with SN images obtained using adaptive optics plus NIRC2 on the 10 m Keck-II telescope. Although the host galaxy's substantial distance (similar to 26 Mpc) results in large uncertainties in the relative astrometry, we find that if this candidate is indeed the progenitor, it is a highly luminous (M(V)(0) = -7.8 mag) yellow supergiant with initial mass similar to 18-24 M(circle dot). This would be the first time that an SN II-L progenitor has been directly identified. Its mass may be a bridge between the upper initial mass limit for the more common Type II-plateau SNe and the inferred initial mass estimate for one Type II-narrow SN.Hungarian OTKA K76816NSF AST-0707769, AST-0908886Sylvia & Jim Katzman FoundationTABASGO FoundationNASA through STScI AR-11248, GO-10877Harvard UniversityUC BerkeleyUniversity of VirginiaNASA/Swift NNX09AQ66GDOEAstronom

The Bionic Bra: Using electromaterials to sense and modify breast support to enhance active living

Background: Although the most supportive sports bras can control breast motion and associated breast pain, they are frequently deemed uncomfortable to wear and, as a result, many women report exercise bra discomfort. Given that exercise bra discomfort is associated with decreased levels of physical activity, there is a pertinent need to develop innovative solutions to address this problem. Objectives: This research aimed to evaluate the use of electromaterial sensors and artificial muscle technology to create a bra that was capable of detecting increases in breast motion and then responding with increased breast support to enhance active living. Methods: The research involved two phases: (i) evaluating sensors suitable for monitoring and providing feedback on changes in the amplitude and frequency of breast motion, and (ii) evaluating an actuator capable of changing breast support provided by a bra during activity. Results: When assessed in isolation, the developed technologies were capable of sensing breast motion and actuating to provide some additional breast support. Conclusions: The challenge now lies in integrating both technologies into a functional sports bra prototype, and assessing this prototype in a controlled biomechanical analysis to provide a breast support solution that will enable women to enjoy active living in comfort

Study protocol: Investigating the feasibility of a hybrid delivery of home-based cluster set resistance training for individuals previously treated for lung cancer

Background: Symptom burden remains a critical concern for individuals with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) following the completion of treatment. The most common symptom clusters, dyspnea (shortness of breath) and fatigue, can contribute to physical decline, reductions in quality of life, and a higher risk of comorbidities and mortality. Dyspnea is a primary limiter of exercise capacity in individuals with lung cancer, resulting in exercise avoidance and an accelerated physical decline. As such, designing resistance training with cluster sets to mitigate symptoms of dyspnea and fatigue may result in improved exercise tolerance. Thus, maintaining the exercise stimulus via cluster sets, combined with improved tolerance of the exercise, could result in the maintenance of physical function and quality of life. The purpose of this study is to investigate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a hybrid-delivery home-based cluster-set resistance training program in individuals with NSCLC. Methods: Individuals with NSCLC (n = 15), within 12 months of completion of treatment, will be recruited to participate in this single-arm feasibility trial. Participants will complete 8 weeks of home-based resistance training designed to minimize dyspnea and fatigue. The hybrid delivery of the program will include supervised sessions in the participants’ home and virtual supervision via video conferencing. The primary outcome of feasibility will be quantified by recruitment rates, retention, acceptability, and intervention fidelity. Exploratory outcomes (dyspnea, fatigue, quality of life, physical function, and body composition) will be assessed pre- and post-intervention. Discussion: This study will provide important data on the feasibility of delivering this intervention and inform procedures for a future randomized controlled trial. Trial registration: Record not yet publi