Separating true range measurements from multi-path and scattering interference in commercial range cameras

Time-of-flight range cameras acquire a three-dimensional image of a scene simultaneously for all pixels from a single viewing location. Attempts to use range cameras for metrology applications have been hampered by the multi-path problem, which causes range distortions when stray light interferes with the range measurement in a given pixel. Correcting multi-path distortions by post-processing the three-dimensional measurement data has been investigated, but enjoys limited success because the interference is highly scene dependent. An alternative approach based on separating the strongest and weaker sources of light returned to each pixel, prior to range decoding, is more successful, but has only been demonstrated on custom built range cameras, and has not been suitable for general metrology applications. In this paper we demonstrate an algorithm applied to both the Mesa Imaging SR-4000 and Canesta Inc. XZ-422 Demonstrator unmodified off-the-shelf range cameras. Additional raw images are acquired and processed using an optimization approach, rather than relying on the processing provided by the manufacturer, to determine the individual component returns in each pixel. Substantial improvements in accuracy are observed, especially in the darker regions of the scene

University-wide Entrepreneurship Education: Alternative Models and Current Trends

The paper examines the trend towards university-wide programs in entrepreneurship education. We present a conceptual framework for dividing university-wide programs into two categories: magnet programs, which draw students into entrepreneurship courses offered in the business school, and radiant programs, which feature entrepreneurship courses outside the business school, focused on the specific context of the nonbusiness students. Examining 38 ranked entrepreneurship programs, we found that about 79 percent now have university-wide programs, most of which follow a magnet model. In interviews with stakeholders at sample institutions, we found that magnet and radiant programs differ in terms of program definition, motivation for the university-wide focus, and costs and benefits. Our major findings are: (1) the trend toward university-wide entrepreneurship education is strong and gaining momentum; (2) our conceptual framework clarifies the different pathways for creating a university-wide approach; (3) while the radiant model is extremely appealing to students, parents, and alumni, the magnet model is easier to administer and represents the path of least resistance; and (4) while the magnet model is simpler to implement, it may lead to conflicts in the longer term because the benefits may not be shared equally across the university

University-wide Entrepreneurship Education: Alternative Models and Current Trends

WP 2002-02 March 2002The paper examines the trend towards university-wide programs in entrepreneurship education. We present a conceptual framework for dividing university-wide programs into two categories: “magnet programs,” which draw students into entrepreneurship courses offered in the business school, and “radiant programs,” which feature entrepreneurship courses outside the business school, focused on the specific context of the non-business students. Examining 38 ranked entrepreneurship programs, we found that about 75% now have university-wide programs, most of which follow a magnet model. In interviews with stakeholders at sample institutions (some ranked, others not), we found that magnet and radiant programs differ in terms of program definition, motivation for the university-wide focus, and costs and benefits. Our major findings are 1) The trend toward University-wide entrepreneurship education is strong and gaining momentum 2) Our conceptual framework clarifies the different pathways for creating a university-wide approach, 3) While the radiant model is extremely appealing to students, parents, and alumni, the magnet model is easier to administer and represents the pathway of least resistance, and 4) While the magnet model is simpler to implement, it may lead to conflicts in the longer term because the benefits (in terms of flow of students and donors) may not be shared equally across the university

Influence of soil drought stress on photosynthesis, carbohydrates and the nitrogen and phophorus absorb in different section of leaves and stem of Fugi/M.9EML, a young apple seedling

Drought is the most significant limiting factor for plant cultivation. Greenhouse-grown 1-year-old potted M.9EMLA apple trees (Malus domestica Borkh.) (after growing for 6 weeks) were subjected to drought stress by withholding water for an additional six-week period. The photosynthesis, carbohydrates and the nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) absorb in the upper, middle and lower leaves of the seedlings were determined. The results revealed that drought stress obviously decreased the photosynthesis and carbohydrates contents in the leaves at all sections of shoot compared with the control. Sorbitol and glucose concentrations increased over time and was kept at a higher level during the drought stress period whereas sucrose concentration declined. N content in the leaves kept a flat trend and was higher than that of the control while P concentration decreased compared with the control. These results demonstrated that drought stress prevented N and P absorbtion and decreased RWC of apple leaves, which caused the decline of photosynthesis and transpiration. Thus, the direct phenotype was the slowed growth which was specifically expressed in decreased plant height, number of leaves, average leaf area and stem diameter.Keywords: Malus domestica Borkh, sorbitol, water deficit, transpirationAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 9(33), pp. 5320-5325, 16 August, 201

Labeling, rehearsal, and short-term memory in retarded children

A short-term memory task was used to explore the effects of verbal labeling and rehearsal on serial-position recall in mildly retarded 9- to 11-year-old children. A stimulus array consisting of seven cards depicting familiar animals was presented for seven trials. In Expt I, recall when subjects labeled the pictures as they were shown was compared to recall when no labeling occurred. Total recall was not affected, but for the older CA group primacy recall was hindered and recency recall was facilitated by labeling. In Expt II, three variations of rehearsal of the names to be recalled were compared. When prompting accompanied rehearsal, recall improved at both recency and primacy positions. When prompting occurred for the primacy positions only, recall was higher for these positions but not for other positions. These results support the view that verbal skills affect recall in mildly retarded children similarly to normal children.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/22264/1/0000701.pd

Modelling the Sound of a Golf Ball Impacting a Titanium Plate

A model was developed to predict the sound of a ball impacting a USGA CoR plate, as a first step towards simulating the acoustics of a ball/driver impact. A ball was dropped from 2.5 m onto a free-free plate with the impact sound recorded with a microphone. The experiment was replicated in Ansys/LS-DYNA, with both the exact Boundary Element Method and the Rayleigh method applied to predict the sound. The Rayleigh method predicted lower acoustic pressure than the Boundary Element Method, and was less accurate at predicting relative amplitudes of the frequency spectrum. The models under-predicted decay time, although, increasing mesh density improved agreement with the experiment. Further work should look to improve agreement between model and experiment for decay time, while investigating the effect of impact speed for a range of plate thicknesses

Free Expression in America Post-2020 A Landmark Survey of Americans Views on Speech Rights

Free expression and the freedom of speech are cornerstones of American democracy. Yet the interpretation of the First Amendment continues to be a flashpoint in the 21st century as the nation debates how to apply these rights to our society. For the 2021 "Free Expression in America Post-2020" report, Knight Foundation commissioned Ipsos to conduct a survey with a nationally representative sample of more than 4,000 American adults, including an additional sample of 1,000 undergraduate college students. The Knight Foundation-Ipsos study provides a comprehensive look at American attitudes toward freedom of speech in a post-2020 environment, building on Knight Foundation's long-standing work studying free speech views among students since 2004. The findings described in this report cover many but not all of the rich insights possible from this complex dataset. We invite the public and researchers to explore this publicly available resource in further detail. This study finds that all Americans hold to the ideal of free speech, but putting free expression into practice reveals significant differences in experiences and attitude. It examines how Americans view free expression issues, events and the application of our First Amendment rights in an increasingly digital, diverse, and politically driven society.