The Effect of Synthetic Aperture Radar Image Resolution on Target Discrimination

This research details the effect of spatial resolution on target discrimination in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images. Multiple SAR image chips containing targets and non-targets are used to test a baseline Automatic Target Recognition (ATR) system with reduced spatial resolution. Spatial resolution is reduced by lowering the pixel count or synthesizing a degraded image by filtering and reducing the pixel count. A two-parameter Constant False Alarm Rate (CFAR) detector is tested, and three feature sets, size, contrast, and texture, are used to train a linear classifier and to estimate probability density functions for the two classes. The results are scored using Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic (AUROC) curve. The CFAR detector is shown to perform better at a lower resolution. All three feature sets perform well together with degradation of resolution; separately the sets have different performances. The texture features perform the best because they do not depend on the number of pixels on the target; the size features perform the worst for the same reason. The contrast features yield improved performance when the resolution is slightly reduced

Development of an experimental space station model for structural dynamics research

Design, analysis, and testing of an experimental space station scale model is presented. The model contains hardware components with dynamic characteristics similar to those expected for other large space structures. Validation of analysis models is achieved through correlation with dynamic tests of hardware components and representative assembly configurations. A component mode synthesis analysis method is examined through comparisons with results from fully mated system models. Selection of input requirements for accurate component synthesis analysis predictions are assessed

Valuing Coca-Cola Using The Free Cash Flow To Equity Valuation Model

In this paper, we provide a detailed example of applying the free cash flow to equity valuation model proposed in Damodaran (2006). Damodaran (2006) argues that the value of a stock is the discounted present value of the future free cash flow to equity discounted at the cost of equity. We combine the free cash flow to equity model with the super-normal growth model to determine the current value of Coca-Cola. At the time of this paper, we determined a value of Coca-Cola at $161 billion using the free cash flow to equity model, and the actual market value of Coca-Cola was$150 billion

Applying The Teacher Scholar Model In The School Of Business

The teacher-scholar model was proposed in Boyer (1990) and defines four dimensions of scholarship:  1) discovery, 2) integration, 3) application, and 4) teaching. In this paper, we describe the characteristics of scholarship, the theory of the scholarship of teaching, the excellent teacher, and undergraduate research and scholarship.  We then show how the teacher-scholar model is applied at one University for annual faculty evaluations.&nbsp

Calculating The Beta Coefficient And Required Rate Of Return For Coca-Cola

In this paper, we demonstrate how to compute the required rate of return for Coca-Cola using modern portfolio theory with data downloaded from the internet.  We demonstrate how to calculate monthly returns for the index and Coca-Cola and how to use the returns to compute the beta coefficient and the required rate of return using the downloaded data.  We show how to validate the data for the market index and the company and how to compute the returns using the dividend and stock split adjusted prices.  We demonstrate how to graph the characteristic line for Coca-Cola and use the graph to check that the regression was run correctly.  We use Coca-Cola and the S&P 500 Index in this paper, but any company listed on Yahoo! Finance can be used as the example.  This paper can be used as the basis of a lecture on intermediate corporate finance or investments to demonstrate the process using a real company

Class 1 Integrons in Resistant Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp., US Hospitals

We examined Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. from US hospitals for class 1 integrons. Of 320 isolates, 181 (57%) were positive; association of integrons with resistance varied by drug and organism. Thus, determining integron epidemiology will improve understanding of how antibacterial resistance determinants spread in the United States

Long-term perspectives on terrestrial and aquatic carbon cycling from palaeolimnology

Lakes are active processors and collectors of carbon (C) and thus recognized as quantitatively important within the terrestrial C cycle. Better integration of palaeolimnology (lake sediment core analyses) with limnological or modelling approaches has the potential to enhance understanding of lacustrine C processing and sequestration. Palaeolimnology simultaneously assimilates materials from across lake habitats, terrestrial watersheds and airsheds to provide a uniquely broad overview of the terrestrial-atmospheric-aquatic linkages across spatial scales. The examination of past changes over decadal-millenial timescales via palaeolimnology can inform understanding and prediction of future changes in C cycling. With a particular, but not exclusive, focus on northern latitudes we examine the methodological approaches of palaeolimnology, focusing on how relatively standard and well tested techniques might be applied to address questions of relevance to the C cycle. We consider how palaeolimnology, limnology and sedimentation studies might be linked to provide more quantitative and holistic estimates lake C cycling. Finally, we use palaeolimnological examples to consider how changes such as terrestrial vegetation cover, permafrost thaw, the formation of new lakes and reservoirs, hydrological modification of inorganic C processing, land use change, soil erosion and disruption to global nitrogen and phosphorus cycles might influence lake C cycling

ESD Terms and Definitions (Version 12)

Basic terms related to engineering system

Cardiovascular and Noncardiovascular Prescribing and Mortality After Takotsubo:Comparison With Myocardial Infarction and General Population

BACKGROUND: Takotsubo syndrome is an increasingly common cardiac emergency with no known evidence-based treatment.OBJECTIVES: To investigate cardiovascular mortality and medication use after takotsubo syndrome.METHODS: In a case-control study, all patients with takotsubo syndrome in Scotland between 2010-2017 (n=620) were age, sex and geographically matched to individuals in the general population (1:4, n=2,480) and contemporaneous patients with acute myocardial infarction (1:1, n=620). Electronic health record data linkage of mortality outcomes and drug prescribing were analysed using Cox proportional hazard regression models.RESULTS: Of the 3,720 study participants (mean age, 66 years; 91% women), 153 (25%) patients with takotsubo syndrome died over the median of 5.5 years follow up. This exceeded mortality rates in the general population [374 (15%)]; hazard ratio [HR] 1.78 [95% confidence interval 1.48-2.15], P<0.0001), especially for cardiovascular (HR 2.47, [1.81-3.39], P<0.001) but also non-cardiovascular (HR 1.48 [1.16-1.87], P=0.002) deaths. Mortality rates were lower for patients with takotsubo syndrome than those with myocardial infarction (31%, 195/620; HR 0.76 [0.62-0.94], P=0.012), which was attributable to lower rates of cardiovascular (HR 0.61 [0.44-0.84], P=0.002) but not non-cardiovascular (HR 0.92 [0.69-1.23], P=0.59) deaths. Despite comparable medications use, cardiovascular therapies were consistently associated with better survival in patients with myocardial infarction but not in those with takotsubo syndrome. Diuretic (P=0.01), anti-inflammatory (P=0.002) and psychotropic (P<0.001) therapies were all associated with worse outcomes in patients with takotsubo syndrome.CONCLUSIONS: In patients with takotsubo syndrome, cardiovascular mortality is the leading cause of death, and this is not associated with cardiovascular therapy use

Cardiovascular and Noncardiovascular Prescribing and Mortality After Takotsubo:Comparison With Myocardial Infarction and General Population

BACKGROUND: Takotsubo syndrome is an increasingly common cardiac emergency with no known evidence-based treatment.OBJECTIVES: To investigate cardiovascular mortality and medication use after takotsubo syndrome.METHODS: In a case-control study, all patients with takotsubo syndrome in Scotland between 2010-2017 (n=620) were age, sex and geographically matched to individuals in the general population (1:4, n=2,480) and contemporaneous patients with acute myocardial infarction (1:1, n=620). Electronic health record data linkage of mortality outcomes and drug prescribing were analysed using Cox proportional hazard regression models.RESULTS: Of the 3,720 study participants (mean age, 66 years; 91% women), 153 (25%) patients with takotsubo syndrome died over the median of 5.5 years follow up. This exceeded mortality rates in the general population [374 (15%)]; hazard ratio [HR] 1.78 [95% confidence interval 1.48-2.15], P<0.0001), especially for cardiovascular (HR 2.47, [1.81-3.39], P<0.001) but also non-cardiovascular (HR 1.48 [1.16-1.87], P=0.002) deaths. Mortality rates were lower for patients with takotsubo syndrome than those with myocardial infarction (31%, 195/620; HR 0.76 [0.62-0.94], P=0.012), which was attributable to lower rates of cardiovascular (HR 0.61 [0.44-0.84], P=0.002) but not non-cardiovascular (HR 0.92 [0.69-1.23], P=0.59) deaths. Despite comparable medications use, cardiovascular therapies were consistently associated with better survival in patients with myocardial infarction but not in those with takotsubo syndrome. Diuretic (P=0.01), anti-inflammatory (P=0.002) and psychotropic (P<0.001) therapies were all associated with worse outcomes in patients with takotsubo syndrome.CONCLUSIONS: In patients with takotsubo syndrome, cardiovascular mortality is the leading cause of death, and this is not associated with cardiovascular therapy use