A simple construction method for sequentially tidying up 2D online freehand sketches

This paper presents a novel constructive approach to sequentially tidying up 2D online freehand sketches for further 3D interpretation in a conceptual design system. Upon receiving a sketch stroke, the system first identifies it as a 2D primitive and then automatically infers its 2D geometric constraints related to previous 2D geometry (if any). Based on recognized 2D constraints, the identified geometry will be modified accordingly to meet its constraints. The modification is realized in one or two sequent geometric constructions in consistence with its degrees of freedom. This method can produce 2D configurations without iterative procedures to solve constraint equations. It is simple and easy to use for a real-time application. Several examples are tested and discussed

COBE ground segment attitude determination

The Cosmic Background Explorer (COBE) spacecraft was launched in November 1989 by NASA to survey the sky for primordial radiation left from the Big Bang explosion. The success of the mission requires an accurate determination of the spacecraft attitude. While the accuracy of the attitude obtained from the attitude sensors is adequate for two of the experiments, the higher accuracy required by the Diffuse Infrared Background Experiment (DIRBE) is obtained by using the DIRBE instrument as a special type of star sensor. Presented here is an overview of the attitude processing algorithms used at the Cosmology Data Analysis Center (CDAC) and the results obtained from the flight data

The Insurance Industry as a Complex Social System: Competition, Cycles, and Crises

Insurance is critical to the fabric of modern societies and economies, but the insurance industry continues to suffer deep cycles and periodic crises. These have a great socio-economic cost as insurance cover can become prohibitively expensive or unavailable, damaging livelihoods, property, belongings and employment. These phenomena are poorly understood. A set of socio-anthropological and behavioral hypotheses have recently been posited. We investigate these explanations by means of an agent-based simulation model. The model is parameterized on actual property insurance industry data and is carefully validated. Our main result is that simple behavior and interaction at the individual level can result in complex cyclical industry-wide behavior. Heterogeneity and interaction at a micro level must therefore be understood if cycles and crises in the insurance industry are to be managed and prevented

On the variations of the elemental composition of the P3 component in presolar diamonds

Analysis of noble gas element variations in the P3 component of presolar diamonds indicates that a special mechanism of element fractionation is required to explain the variations

Presolar diamonds in Krymka: C, N and Xe isotope data from grain-size separates and comparison with other meteorites

Comparison of carbon isotope variations in grain size fractions of presolar diamonds separated from three meteorites (Efremovka, Boriskino and Krymka) suggest that diamond from various parts of solar nebular have had diffrent C isotope signature

Is Xe-HL a real component?

Analysis of noble gases in the grain-size fractions of Boriskino meteorite indicate that Xe-HL is a real component implanted into diamonds after mixing of isotopically anomalous and normal components

COBE ground segment gyro calibration

Discussed here is the calibration of the scale factors and rate biases for the Cosmic Background Explorer (COBE) spacecraft gyroscopes, with the emphasis on the adaptation for COBE of an algorithm previously developed for the Solar Maximum Mission. Detailed choice of parameters, convergence, verification, and use of the algorithm in an environment where the reference attitudes are determined form the Sun, Earth, and star observations (via the Diffuse Infrared Background Experiment (DIRBE) are considered. Results of some recent experiments are given. These include tests where the gyro rate data are corrected for the effect of the gyro baseplate temperature on the spacecraft electronics

Separation of Q from carbon in CR meteorites during stepped combustion

Introduction: The nature of the planetary noble gas carrier (Q) in meteorites remains uncertain. It is known that it is likely to be carbonaceous, but represents only a small fraction of the total macromolecular material. Q is oxidisible with nitric and other oxidizing acids. It seems to be partly destroyed with pyridine and may have an organic structure. Previously, we have shown that during parent body thermal metamorphism Q is less affected than the majority of other carbonaceous materials. If organic matter is graphitized, as has happened in the enstatite chondrite parent bodies, Q remains unaffected. In the present study we have found that Q is also separable from the majority of carbon in type 2 and 3 CR chondrites during stepped combustion. It is possible that this is because Q has become encased within the matrix, in contrast to other carbon phases, during parent body metamorphism

Neglected Discovery

In recent decades, many states have expanded discovery in criminal cases. These reforms were designed to make the criminal process fairer and more efficient. The success of these changes, however, depends on whether defense attorneys actually use the new discovery opportunities to represent their clients more effectively. Records from digital evidence platforms reveal that defense attorneys sometimes fail to carry out their professional duty to review discovery. Analyzing a novel dataset we obtained from digital evidence platforms used in Texas, we found that defense attorneys never accessed any available electronic discovery in a substantial number of felony cases between 2018 and 2020. We also found that the access rate varied by county, year, offense type, attorney category, attorney experience, and file type. To better understand when and why attorneys neglect the available discovery, we supplemented the analysis of digital platform data with interviews of more than three dozen Texas criminal defense attorneys. We learned that defense attorneys were aware that many of their peers fail to review discovery in felony criminal cases. Our interviewees identified several explanations for the failure to access evidence. These include a lack of technological skills and support; the overwhelming volume of digital discovery; the client’s desire for fast resolution of the case; the lesser gravity of some cases; high caseloads; low compensation; and, in some cases, simple lack of diligence. We consider the implications of these attorney practices for ineffective assistance of counsel litigation, effective supervision of defense attorneys, and criminal law reform