Estimation of vector fields in unconstrained and inequality constrained variational problems for segmentation and registration

Vector fields arise in many problems of computer vision, particularly in non-rigid registration. In this paper, we develop coupled partial differential equations (PDEs) to estimate vector fields that define the deformation between objects, and the contour or surface that defines the segmentation of the objects as well.We also explore the utility of inequality constraints applied to variational problems in vision such as estimation of deformation fields in non-rigid registration and tracking. To solve inequality constrained vector field estimation problems, we apply tools from the Kuhn-Tucker theorem in optimization theory. Our technique differs from recently popular joint segmentation and registration algorithms, particularly in its coupled set of PDEs derived from the same set of energy terms for registration and segmentation. We present both the theory and results that demonstrate our approach

3D ball skinning using PDEs for generation of smooth tubular surfaces

We present an approach to compute a smooth, interpolating skin of an ordered set of 3D balls. By construction, the skin is constrained to be C-1 continuous, and for each ball, it is tangent to the ball along a circle of contact. Using an energy formulation, we derive differential equations that are designed to minimize the skin's surface area, mean curvature, or convex combination of both. Given an initial skin, we update the skin's parametric representation using the differential equations until convergence occurs. We demonstrate the method's usefulness in generating interpolating skins of balls of different sizes and in various configurations

A shipboard cable-hauling system for large electrical cables

An air -powered hauling machine and reeling device for use at sea with large electrical cable systems such as hydrophone arrays is described. The system may be used to haul cables from 0. 3 to 2 . 0 inch diameter. Hauling tensions up to 9 80 lbs . and speeds up to 4 30 ft/ min. are provided. The principal advantage of the system is that it does not cause the cable to bend while under tension. Reeling is accomplished under only sufficient tension to cause the cable to conform to the reel.Undersea Warfare Branch Office of Naval Research under Contracts Nonr-4029(00) NR 260-10

Dignity, Deference, and Discrimination: An Analysis of Religious Freedom in America’s Prisons

The free exercise of religion often presents a complex reality in prison. Over the years, the standard of scrutiny for free exercise claims has not only been easily alterable but also unclear and inconsistent in its application. Recent legislation, such as RLUIPA and RFRA, has significantly improved the state of religious freedom in prisons. However, two U.S. Supreme Court decisions on RLUIPA—Cutter v. Wilkinson and Holt v. Hobbs—have led to some confusion among lower courts regarding the level of deference that should be afforded to prison officials. Although Holt demonstrated a hard look approach to strict scrutiny, it did nothing to strike down or clarify Cutter’s deferential language. This is problematic because there is an inherent contradiction in applying strict scrutiny with deference. Although many courts follow a true strict scrutiny approach, in practice, remnants of a deferential approach remain among lower courts. This Note argues that courts must adhere to strict scrutiny, not only in theory, but also in practice. In doing so, it first gives a brief, general overview of the history of religious freedom in the prison system, with particular focus on the efforts and struggles of religious minorities. Then it addresses the inconsistency between Cutter and Holt while comparing the due deference and hard look approaches. Finally, to provide some concrete examples of why this inconsistency matters, it examines two issues more indepth: First Amendment retaliation claims and equal treatment claims. It looks at several recent cases to further support the conclusion that strict scrutiny is not only necessary to protect religious minorities’ rights, but it is also both practical and feasible, even in the prison context

Book review: Underflows: queer trans ecologies and river justice by Cleo Wölfle Hazard

In Underflows: Queer Trans Ecologies and River Justice, Cleo Wölfle Hazard explores the hydrological, cultural and epistemological dynamics of public imaginaries of water and water-related networks through a queer and trans orientation to the world. Covering an impressive swath of ground, this book presents insightful and challenging departures in theory and methodology and is a worthwhile read for ecological scientists and social theorists alike, writes Dani Slabaugh. Underflows: Queer Trans Ecologies and River Justice. Cleo Wölfle Hazard. University of Washington Press. 2022

Book review: Underdogs: social deviance and queer theory by Heather Love

In Underdogs: Social Deviance and Queer Theory, Heather Love explores how queer theory was shaped by the Cold War-era world of deviance research. Presenting a careful, close reading of deviance studies, this book invites queer theorists to reconsider their intellectual heritage; how the field of queer theory will make meaning of these connections remains to be seen, writes Dani Slabaugh. Underdogs: Social Deviance and Queer Theory. Heather Love. University of Chicago Press. 2021

Book review: Underdogs: social deviance and queer theory by Heather Love

In Underdogs: Social Deviance and Queer Theory, Heather Love explores how queer theory was shaped by the Cold War-era world of deviance research. Presenting a careful, close reading of deviance studies, this book invites queer theorists to reconsider their intellectual heritage; how the field of queer theory will make meaning of these connections remains to be seen, writes Dani Slabaugh

Senior auditors\u27 reaction to premature sign-off by a staff member

The research presented in this paper is an extension of research completed by Kaplan (1995), who examined senior auditors\u27 reporting intentions upon discovery of premature sign-off of an audit step by a staff member. His research found that audit seniors do not always formally report the discovery of premature sign-off, even though firms have formal policies requiring such reporting (McNair 1991). In Kaplan\u27s (1995) research, an experiment was conducted in which subjects were asked to respond to a hypothetical scenario in which an audit staff member prematurely signed off on a required audit step. His study manipulated two situational variables: the necessity of the audit step skipped and the work history of the staff auditor. He found both variables had an effect on the senior auditors\u27 reporting intentions upon their discovery of a staff member\u27s premature sign-off. Kaplan\u27s (1995) study also examined the effects of the audit seniors\u27 gender and audit staff evaluation experience on reporting intentions. He found the audit seniors\u27 gender did not affect their reporting intentions; however, their level of audit staff evaluation experience did affect their reporting intentions. Specifically, audit seniors who had performed more staff evaluations were more likely to report the premature sign-off behavior

Book review: underdogs: social deviance and queer theory by Heather Love

In Underdogs: Social Deviance and Queer Theory, Heather Love explores how queer theory was shaped by the Cold War-era world of deviance research. Presenting a careful, close reading of deviance studies, this book invites queer theorists to reconsider their intellectual heritage; how the field of queer theory will make meaning of these connections remains to be seen, writes Dani Slabaugh. Underdogs: Social Deviance and Queer Theory. Heather Love. University of Chicago Press. 2021