Improving the Hough Transform gathering process for affine transformations

In this paper, we show that significant wrong evidence can be generated when the Hough Transform (HT) is used to extract arbitrary shapes under rigid transformations. In order to reduce the amount of wrong evidence, we consider two types of constraints. First, we define constraints by considering invariant features. Secondly, we consider constraints defined via gradient direction information. Our results show that these constraints can significantly improve the gathering strategy, leading to identification of the correct parameters. The presented formulation is valid for any rigid transformations represented by affine mappings

Modeling quasar accretion disc temperature profiles

Microlensing observations indicate that quasar accretion discs have half-light radii larger than expected from standard theoretical predictions based on quasar fluxes or black hole masses. Blackburne and colleagues have also found a very weak wavelength dependence of these half-light radii. We consider disc temperature profile models that might match these observations. Nixon and colleagues have suggested that misaligned accretion discs around spinning black holes will be disrupted at radii small enough for the Lense-Thirring torque to overcome the disc's viscous torque. Gas in precessing annuli torn off a disc will spread radially and intersect with the remaining disc, heating the disc at potentially large radii. However, if the intersection occurs at an angle of more than a degree or so, highly supersonic collisions will shock-heat the gas to a Compton temperature of T~10^7 K, and the spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of discs with such shock-heated regions are poor fits to observations of quasar SEDs. Torn discs where heating occurs in intermittent weak shocks that occur whenever the intersection angle reaches a tenth of a degree pose less of a conflict with observations, but do not have significantly larger half-light radii than standard discs. We also study two phenomenological disc temperature profile models. We find that discs with a temperature spike at relatively large radii and lowered temperatures at radii inside the spike yield improved and acceptable fits to microlensing sizes in most cases. Such temperature profiles could in principle occur in sub-Keplerian discs partially supported by magnetic pressure. However, such discs overpredict the fluxes from quasars studied with microlensing except in the limit of negligible continuum emission from radii inside the temperature spike.Comment: Submitted to MNRAS. Comments welcome. 20 pages, 5 figure

Moderate-cost approaches for hydrodynamic testing of high performance sailing vessels

This study examines the relative merits of physical testing techniques which may be used in early stage design for assessment of the resistance of high-performance sailing vessels. The hull chosen as a benchmark form is a high-speed hard-chine sailing dinghy. The hull proportions and shape are typical of modern trends in skiff design, but may also be considered to be broadly similar to some high performance yacht hulls. The 4.55m hull was tested at full scale in a moderate size towing tank, at 1:2.5 scale in the same tank, and at full-scale by towing on open water. Results show the mean discrepancy in the measured resistance between the open water towing and the full-scale tank test is around 4%. The challenges of full-scale open-water testing are discussed and several improvements identified for future work. Comparison of the full-scale results suggests that blockage and depth correction for the full-scale hull in the tank do not present a substantial problem for subcritical speeds. Larger discrepancies were found between resistance from the model scale and the full scale tank tests at higher speeds; it was speculated that these discrepancies relate to the differences in the detailed geometry of the model and full-scale boat, particularly in the region of the chines

Hai Karate and Kung Fuey: Early Martial Arts Tropes in British Advertising

This paper focuses on the responsibility of advertising messages to authentically mirror and reflect British audience feelings towards ‘the Other’ and discusses caricatures of the Chinese in advertising through early martial arts tropes. It provides contextual background to Chinese depictions on screen in Britain before illustrating martial arts representations on print and television advertising during the 1970s. The paper includes examples of two popular brands in Britain: Pfizer’s ‘Hai Karate’ (1973) and Golden Wonder’s ‘Kung Fuey’ (1974-76) to illustrate colonial notions of the ‘Oriental’ during the 1960s and ’70s. This interdisciplinary study borrows from ethical representation and martial arts discourse in film and TV, to explain the exoticisation and exclusion of the Chinese in the context of authenticity and appropriation in advertising

KUALITAS PELAYANAN PUBLIK DINAS KEPENDUDUKAN DAN PENCATATAN SIPIL KABUPATEN HALMAHERA UTARA

Negara Indonesia merupakan negara demokrasi dengan basis melayani masyarakat melaui instansi pemerintah yang tersebar dengan visi dan misi melayani kepentingan umum masyarakat. Pelayanan umum dimasyarakat yang disediakan oleh pemrintah ini bertujuan mempermudah akses masyarakat terhadap banyaknya akan kebutuhan individu atau umum yang digunakan dalam berbagai kepentingan. Dinas kependudukan dan pencatatan sipil kabupaten Halmahera Utara merupakan salah satu pelaksana pelayanan administrasi publik di wilayah Maluku Utara. Pelayanan kependudukan ini meliputi pendaftaran penduduk dan pencatatan sipil. Pendaftaran penduduk meliputi pembuatan Kartu Keluarga (KK), dan Kartu Tanda Penduduk Elektronik (e-KTP), sedangkan pencatatan sipil meliputi pembuatan kutipan akta kelahiran, kutipan akta kematian, kutipan akta perceraian, pencatatan pengakuan anak dan pengesahan anak, pencatatan perubahan nama, dan pencatatan perubahan kewarganegaraan. Berangkat dari pemikiran diatas peneliti tertarik untuk melakukan penelitian mengenai “Kualitas Pelayanan Publik Dinas Kependudukan dan Pencatatan Sipil Kabupaten Halmahera Utara” Kendala yang dihadapi dalam menciptakan pelayanan yang prima di Kantor Dinas Kependudukan dan Pencatatan Sipil Kabupaten Halmahera Utara, adalah sering terjadinya ganguan jaringan yang menghambat proses pengurusan surat-surat, dan kesadaran masyarakat akan pentingnya melengkapi berkas saat melakukan pengurusan dokumen. Juga sering terjadinya pemadaman listrik yang dapat menggangu proses pelayanan di Kantor Dinas Kependudukan dan Pencatatan Sipil. Dinas Kependudukan dan Pencatatan Sipil Kabupaten Halmahera Utara dapat meningkatkan sarana pendudukung yang sering menghambat proses pelayanan, yaitu peningkatan jaringan yang digunakan dalam proses pelayanan. Selain itu juga perlu adanya penambahan alat penyejuk ruangan (AC) agar supaya masyarakat tidak merasakan kepanasan saat melakukan pengurusan di Dinas Kependudukan dan Pencatatan Sipil Kabupaten Halmahera Utara.Kata Kunci : Kualitas, Pelayanan Publik, Dinas Kependudukan dan Pencatatan Sipil

A Near-Infrared and Thermal Imager for Mapping Titan's Surface Features

Approximately 10% of the solar insolation reaches the surface of Titan through atmospheric spectral windows. We will discuss a filter based imaging system for a future Titan orbiter that will exploit these windows mapping surface features, cloud regions, polar storms. In the near-infrared (NIR), two filters (1.28 micrometer and 1.6 micrometer), strategically positioned between CH1 absorption bands, and InSb linear array pixels will explore the solar reflected radiation. We propose to map the mid, infrared (MIR) region with two filters: 9.76 micrometer and 5.88-to-6.06 micrometers with MCT linear arrays. The first will map MIR thermal emission variations due to surface albedo differences in the atmospheric window between gas phase CH3D and C2H4 opacity sources. The latter spans the crossover spectral region where observed radiation transitions from being dominated by thermal emission to solar reflected light component. The passively cooled linear arrays will be incorporated into the focal plane of a light-weight thin film stretched membrane 10 cm telescope. A rad-hard ASIC together with an FPGA will be used for detector pixel readout and detector linear array selection depending on if the field-of-view (FOV) is looking at the day- or night-side of Titan. The instantaneous FOV corresponds to 3.1, 15.6, and 31.2 mrad for the 1, 5, and 10 micrometer channels, respectively. For a 1500 km orbit, a 5 micrometer channel pixel represents a spatial resolution of 91 m, with a FOV that spans 23 kilometers, and Titan is mapped in a push-broom manner as determined by the orbital path. The system mass and power requirements are estimated to be 6 kg and 5 W, respectively. The package is proposed for a polar orbiter with a lifetime matching two Saturn seasons

Value and engagement : what can clinical trials learn from techniques used in not-for-profit marketing?

No funding has been received for this work.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Texas Forestry Paper No. 28

Plants following timber harvest: importance to songbirdshttps://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/texas_forestry_papers/1016/thumbnail.jp

Investigating the Relationship Between Student Engagement and Transition

Failure to establish meaningful and effective transition for undergraduates can lead to academic underachievement. Student engagement represents a key component of student success. This study sought to investigate the impact of a bespoke transition programme featuring a wide range of innovative, student-centred activities on enhancing students’ engagement with educationally effective practices through examining student relations with others, learning and the discipline. For the study 104 undergraduates on a Sport Development course at a British university undertook a five-week transition programme. Data were collected via weekly questionnaires and focus groups at the end of weeks 1, 3 and 5. The investigation revealed that transition programmes require a high-intensity, novel and varied timetable supported by a student-centred staff team. Effective transition programmes can enhance students’ engagement with educationally effective practices. Future research should investigate the longer-term impact of such programmes