Digitization of Blowup Images of Contemporary Helicopters: A Case Study

The process of designing aircraft requires information in the form of images and blown-up reproductions of their parts. There are a lot of images of various parts available, but they require to be classified and encoded according to model, system and component. This has been done in a project by the Information Centre, RWR and DC, HAL, Bangalore by designing a user front end in Visual Basic and creating the database of images using MS Access as backend. Each component is given a code indicating the helicopter, system and a unique 3-digit number for the component. The design scientist queries the database based on chosen criteria and retrieve the required blowup image

Motor simulation without motor expertise: enhanced corticospinal excitability in visually experienced dance spectators

The human “mirror-system” is suggested to play a crucial role in action observation and execution, and is characterized by activity in the premotor and parietal cortices during the passive observation of movements. The previous motor experience of the observer has been shown to enhance the activity in this network. Yet visual experience could also have a determinant influence when watching more complex actions, as in dance performances. Here we tested the impact visual experience has on motor simulation when watching dance, by measuring changes in corticospinal excitability. We also tested the effects of empathic abilities. To fully match the participants' long-term visual experience with the present experimental setting, we used three live solo dance performances: ballet, Indian dance, and non-dance. Participants were either frequent dance spectators of ballet or Indian dance, or “novices” who never watched dance. None of the spectators had been physically trained in these dance styles. Transcranial magnetic stimulation was used to measure corticospinal excitability by means of motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) in both the hand and the arm, because the hand is specifically used in Indian dance and the arm is frequently engaged in ballet dance movements. We observed that frequent ballet spectators showed larger MEP amplitudes in the arm muscles when watching ballet compared to when they watched other performances. We also found that the higher Indian dance spectators scored on the fantasy subscale of the Interpersonal Reactivity Index, the larger their MEPs were in the arms when watching Indian dance. Our results show that even without physical training, corticospinal excitability can be enhanced as a function of either visual experience or the tendency to imaginatively transpose oneself into fictional characters. We suggest that spectators covertly simulate the movements for which they have acquired visual experience, and that empathic abilities heighten motor resonance during dance observation

Variable stars in the globular cluster NGC 7492. New discoveries and physical parameters determination

We have performed a photometric V, R, I CCD time-series analysis with a baseline of ~8 years of the outer-halo globular cluster NGC 7492 with the aim of searching for new variables and using these (and the previously known variables) to determine the physical parameters of interest for the cluster (e.g. metallicity, absolute magnitude of the horizontal branch, distance, etc.). We use difference image analysis (DIA) to extract precise light curves in the relatively crowded star field, especially towards the densely populated central region. Several approaches are used for variability detection that recover the known variables and lead to new discoveries. We determine the physical parameters of the only RR0 star using light curve Fourier decomposition analysis. We find one new long period variable and two SX Phe stars in the blue straggler region. We also present one candidate SX Phe star which requires follow-up observations. Assuming that the SX Phe stars are cluster members and using the period-luminosity relation for these stars, we estimate their distances as ~25.2+-1.8 and 26.8+-1.8 kpc, and identify their possible modes of oscillation. We refine the periods of the two RR Lyrae stars in our field of view. We find that the RR1 star V2 is undergoing a period change and possibly exhibits the Blazhko effect. Fourier decomposition of the light curve of the RR0 star V1 allows us to estimate the metallicity [Fe/H]_ZW-1.68+-0.10 or [Fe/H]_UVES-1.64+-0.13, log-luminosity ~1.76+-0.02, absolute magnitude ~0.38+-0.04 mag, and true distance modulus of ~16.93+-0.04 mag, which is equivalent to a distance of ~24.3+-0.5 kpc. All of these values are consistent with previous estimates in the literature.Comment: 12 pages, 13 figures, 6 tables, accepted for publication in A&

Constraining the parameters of globular cluster NGC 1904 from its variable star population

We present the analysis of 11 nights of V and I time-series observations of the globular cluster NGC 1904 (M 79). Using this we searched for variable stars in this cluster and attempted to refine the periods of known variables, making use of a time baseline spanning almost 8 years. We use our data to derive the metallicity and distance of NGC 1904. We used difference imaging to reduce our data to obtain high-precision light curves of variable stars. We then estimated the cluster parameters by performing a Fourier decomposition of the light curves of RR Lyrae stars for which a good period estimate was possible. We also derive an estimate for the age of the cluster by fitting theoretical isochrones to our colour-magnitude diagram (CMD). Out of 13 stars previously classified as variables, we confirm that 10 are bona fide variables. We cannot detect variability in one other within the precision of our data, while there are two which are saturated in our data frames, but we do not find sufficient evidence in the literature to confirm their variability. We also detect a new RR Lyrae variable, giving a total number of confirmed variable stars in NGC 1904 of 11. Using the Fourier parameters, we find a cluster metallicity [Fe/H]_ZW=-1.63 +- 0.14, or [Fe/H]_UVES=-1.57 \pm 0.18, and a distance of 13.3 +- 0.4 kpc (using RR0 variables) or 12.9 kpc (using the one RR1 variable in our sample for which Fourier decomposition was possible).Comment: 14 pages, 11 figures, accepted for publication in A&

ASEAN Synergy to Overcome Challenges in Investment Arbitration

Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines, have been sued by foreign investors through International investment arbitrations (IIA). No matter whether the outcome is favorable or not, those countries have spend significant time, energy, and financial resources to arbitrate. ASEAN countries are not in advantageous position in IIA.The first and the most obvious reason is language barrier. Arbitration proceedins are mainly conducted in English. Consequently, the arbitrators and counsels more often than not come from English speaking countries. Not only do they lead to high cost, but also they lack of familiarity with South East Asia\u27s social, politics, economic, culture and customs. This may influence how they treat the cases such as the interpretation of provisions specifically designed to protect foreign investors such as: national treatment; fair and equitable treatment; most favored nation; and also in deciding jurisdictional issues. regional news as a legal basis for foreign investment activities aim to provide protection for foreign investor. On the other hand, it also serves as a mean to facilitate economic development in the host states of investment. Unfortunately, BITs often contain excessive and limitless protection clauses in order to attract foreign investors. This may endanger host states position as it can be used as a weapon by the investors to sue the host states. In responding to this fact, it is necessary to strengthen cooperation among ASEAN members in dealing with foreign investors through BIT. The ideal picture will be that SEA is pro-market and pro-arbitration reform. It is unavoidable that in order to protect themselves from harsh investors as well as intricate arbitration, ASEAN would be better off having its own investment arbitration center run by its experts. Thus, the short-term challenge is to equip legal practitioners, business players and academicians with more knowledge, skills and experiences in dealing with investment disputes. The long-term step will be to negotiate model of investment treaties applicable in the region and to harmonize national investment laws. These efforts are strategic opportunities for ASEAN as single market to keep balance between promoting investment, protecting investors and the host states at the same time

Penerapan Model Pembelajaran Atraktif Berbasis Multiple Intelligences Tentang Pemantulan Cahaya pada Cermin

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui efektivitas penerapan model pembelajaran atraktif berbasis multiple intelligences dalam meremediasi miskonsepsi siswa tentang pemantulan cahaya pada cermin. Pada penelitian ini digunakan bentuk pre-eksperimental design dengan rancangan one group pretest-post test design. Alat pengumpulan data berupa tes pilihan ganda dengan reasoning. Hasil validitas sebesar 4,08 dan reliabilitas 0,537. Siswa dibagi menjadi lima kelompok kecerdasan, yaitu kelompok linguistic intelligence, mathematical-logical intelligence, visual-spatial intelligence, bodily-khinestetic intelligence, dan musical intelligence. Siswa membahas konsep fisika sesuai kelompok kecerdasannya dalam bentuk pembuatan pantun-puisi, teka-teki silang, menggambar kreatif, drama, dan mengarang lirik lagu. Efektivitas penerapan model pembelajaran multiple intelligences menggunakan persamaan effect size. Ditemukan bahwa skor effect size masing-masing kelompok berkategori tinggi sebesar 5,76; 3,76; 4,60; 1,70; dan 1,34. Penerapan model pembelajaran atraktif berbasis multiple intelligences efektif dalam meremediasi miskonsepsi siswa. Penelitian ini diharapkan dapat digunakan pada materi fisika dan sekolah lainnya