9,871 research outputs found
Non-photorealistic rendering: a critical examination and proposed system.
In the first part of the program the emergent field of Non-Photorealistic Rendering is explored from a cultural perspective. This is to establish a clear understanding of what Non-Photorealistic Rendering (NPR) ought to be in its mature form in order to provide goals and an overall infrastructure for future development. This thesis claims that unless we understand and clarify NPR's relationship with other media (photography, photorealistic computer graphics and traditional media) we will continue to manufacture "new solutions" to computer based imaging which are confused and naive in their goals. Such solutions will be rejected by the art and design
community, generally condemned as novelties of little cultural worth ( i.e. they will not sell).
This is achieved by critically reviewing published systems that are naively described as Non-photorealistic
or "painterly" systems. Current practices and techniques are criticised in terms of their low ability to articulate meaning in images; solutions to this problem are given. A further argument claims that NPR, while being similar to traditional "natural media" techniques in certain aspects, is fundamentally different in other ways. This similarity has lead NPR to be sometimes proposed as "painting simulation" — something it can never be. Methods for avoiding this position are proposed. The similarities and differences to painting and drawing are presented and NPR's relationship to its other counterpart, Photorealistic Rendering (PR), is then delineated. It is shown that NPR is paradigmatically different to other forms of representation — i.e. it is not an "effect", but rather something basically different.
The benefits of NPR in its mature form are discussed in the context of Architectural Representation and Design in general. This is done in conjunction with consultations with designers and architects. From this consultation a "wish-list" of capabilities is compiled by way of a requirements capture for a proposed system.
A series of computer-based experiments resulting in the systems "Expressive Marks" and 'Magic Painter" are carried out; these practical experiments add further understanding to the problems of NPR. The exploration concludes with a prototype system "Piranesi" which is submitted as a good overall solution to the problem of NPR. In support of this written thesis are : -
• The Expressive Marks system
• Magic Painter system
• The Piranesi system (which includes the EPixel and Sketcher systems)
• A large portfolio of images generated throughout the exploration
Reduction of cogging torque in interior-magnet brushless machines
An investigation into the cogging torque in a four-pole interior-magnet brushless machines having either a six-slot stator and a short-pitched nonoverlapping winding or a 12-slot stator and a full-pitched overlapping winding is described. It is shown by finite-element analyses and measurements that, by appropriately defining the pole-arc to pole-pitch ratio, the optimal pole-arc to pole-pitch ratio for minimum cogging torque, which has been derived for surface-mounted magnet machines, is equally applicable to interior-magnet machines
Research needs for Chagas disease prevention.
We present an overview of the two main strategies for the primary (vector control) and secondary (patient care) prevention of Chagas disease (CD). We identify major advances, knowledge gaps, and key research needs in both areas. Improved specific chemotherapy, including more practical formulations (e.g., paediatric) or combinations of existing drugs, and a better understanding of pathogenesis, including the relative weights of parasite and host genetic makeup, are clearly needed. Regarding CD vectors, we find that only about 10-20% of published papers on triatomines deal directly with disease control. We pinpoint the pitfalls of the current consensus on triatomine systematics, particularly within the Triatomini, and suggest how some straightforward sampling and analytical strategies would improve research on vector ecology, naturally leading to sounder control-surveillance schemes. We conclude that sustained research on CD prevention is still crucial. In the past, it provided not only the know-how, but also the critical mass of scientists needed to foster and consolidate CD prevention programmes; in the future, both patient care and long-term vector control would nonetheless benefit from more sharply focused, problem-oriented research
Correlated noise in networks of gravitational-wave detectors: subtraction and mitigation
One of the key science goals of advanced gravitational-wave detectors is to
observe a stochastic gravitational-wave background. However, recent work
demonstrates that correlated magnetic fields from Schumann resonances can
produce correlated strain noise over global distances, potentially limiting the
sensitivity of stochastic background searches with advanced detectors. In this
paper, we estimate the correlated noise budget for the worldwide Advanced LIGO
network and conclude that correlated noise may affect upcoming measurements. We
investigate the possibility of a Wiener filtering scheme to subtract correlated
noise from Advanced LIGO searches, and estimate the required specifications. We
also consider the possibility that residual correlated noise remains following
subtraction, and we devise an optimal strategy for measuring astronomical
parameters in the presence of correlated noise. Using this new formalism, we
estimate the loss of sensitivity for a broadband, isotropic stochastic
background search using 1 yr of LIGO data at design sensitivity. Given our
current noise budget, the uncertainty with which LIGO can estimate energy
density will likely increase by a factor of ~4--if it is impossible to achieve
significant subtraction. Additionally, narrowband cross-correlation searches
may be severely affected at low frequencies f < 45 Hz without effective
subtraction.Comment: 16 pages, 8 figure
The assessment of pain in older people
Pain is under-recognised and under-treated in older people. It is a subjective, personal experience, only known to the person who suffers. The assessment of pain is particularly challenging in the presence of severe cognitive impairment, communication difficulties or language and cultural barriers. These guidelines set out the key components of assessing pain in older people, together with a variety of practical scales that may be used with different groups, including those with varying levels of cognitive or communication impairment. The purpose is to provide professionals with a set of practical skills to assess pain as the first step towards its effective management. The guidance has implications for all healthcare and social care staff and can be applied in all settings, including the older person’s own home, in care homes, and in hospital
Hall effect in heavy-fermion metals
The heavy fermion systems present a unique platform in which strong
electronic correlations give rise to a host of novel, and often competing,
electronic and magnetic ground states. Amongst a number of potential
experimental tools at our disposal, measurements of the Hall effect have
emerged as a particularly important one in discerning the nature and evolution
of the Fermi surfaces of these enigmatic metals. In this article, we present a
comprehensive review of Hall effect measurements in the heavy-fermion
materials, and examine the success it has had in contributing to our current
understanding of strongly correlated matter. Particular emphasis is placed on
its utility in the investigation of quantum critical phenomena which are
thought to drive many of the exotic electronic ground states in these systems.
This is achieved by the description of measurements of the Hall effect across
the putative zero-temperature instability in the archetypal heavy-fermion metal
YbRhSi. Using the CeIn (with Co, Ir) family of systems as
a paradigm, the influence of (antiferro-)magnetic fluctuations on the Hall
effect is also illustrated. This is compared to prior Hall effect measurements
in the cuprates and other strongly correlated systems to emphasize on the
generality of the unusual magnetotransport in materials with non-Fermi liquid
behavior.Comment: manuscript accepted in Adv. Phy
Older adults' evaluations of the standard and modified pedometer-based Green Prescription
INTRODUCTION: The Green Prescription is a primary care programme designed to increase physical activity in individuals with low activity levels. Older adults tend to engage in insufficient physical activity to obtain health-related gain.
AIM: To examine participants’ ratings of the Healthy Steps intervention and to assess how participants rated the use of a pedometer-based Green Prescription in aiding their physical activity.
METHODS: In total, 330 community-dwelling older adults who have low levels of activity were randomised to receive either a standard time-based Green Prescription or a modified pedometer-based Green Prescription. Post-intervention, 259 participants completed the participant evaluation questionnaire via postal survey. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Chi-squared analyses.
RESULTS: The standard components of the Green Prescription (general practitioner consultations and telephone counselling) received similar and higher ratings across both allocation groups than the use of print materials. A pedometer-based Green Prescription was rated as being helpful in aiding physical activity.
DISCUSSION: This study supports the importance of general practitioners’ initial role in prescribing physical activity for older adults and of ongoing telephone support for longer-term adherence. Incorporating a pedometer can be effective in helping low-active older adults initiate and maintain regular physical activity
- …