Biaxial compression test technique

Fixture and technique have been developed for predicting behavior of stiffened skin panels under biaxial compressive loading. Tester can load test panel independently in longitudinal and transverse directions. Data can also be obtained in combined mode

Cross-calibration of Time-of-flight and Colour Cameras

Time-of-flight cameras provide depth information, which is complementary to the photometric appearance of the scene in ordinary images. It is desirable to merge the depth and colour information, in order to obtain a coherent scene representation. However, the individual cameras will have different viewpoints, resolutions and fields of view, which means that they must be mutually calibrated. This paper presents a geometric framework for this multi-view and multi-modal calibration problem. It is shown that three-dimensional projective transformations can be used to align depth and parallax-based representations of the scene, with or without Euclidean reconstruction. A new evaluation procedure is also developed; this allows the reprojection error to be decomposed into calibration and sensor-dependent components. The complete approach is demonstrated on a network of three time-of-flight and six colour cameras. The applications of such a system, to a range of automatic scene-interpretation problems, are discussed.Comment: 18 pages, 12 figures, 3 table

Automatic Detection of Calibration Grids in Time-of-Flight Images

It is convenient to calibrate time-of-flight cameras by established methods, using images of a chequerboard pattern. The low resolution of the amplitude image, however, makes it difficult to detect the board reliably. Heuristic detection methods, based on connected image-components, perform very poorly on this data. An alternative, geometrically-principled method is introduced here, based on the Hough transform. The projection of a chequerboard is represented by two pencils of lines, which are identified as oriented clusters in the gradient-data of the image. A projective Hough transform is applied to each of the two clusters, in axis-aligned coordinates. The range of each transform is properly bounded, because the corresponding gradient vectors are approximately parallel. Each of the two transforms contains a series of collinear peaks; one for every line in the given pencil. This pattern is easily detected, by sweeping a dual line through the transform. The proposed Hough-based method is compared to the standard OpenCV detection routine, by application to several hundred time-of-flight images. It is shown that the new method detects significantly more calibration boards, over a greater variety of poses, without any overall loss of accuracy. This conclusion is based on an analysis of both geometric and photometric error.Comment: 11 pages, 11 figures, 1 tabl

View-based approaches to spatial representation in human vision

In an immersive virtual environment, observers fail to notice the expansion of a room around them and consequently make gross errors when comparing the size of objects. This result is difficult to explain if the visual system continuously generates a 3-D model of the scene based on known baseline information from interocular separation or proprioception as the observer walks. An alternative is that observers use view-based methods to guide their actions and to represent the spatial layout of the scene. In this case, they may have an expectation of the images they will receive but be insensitive to the rate at which images arrive as they walk. We describe the way in which the eye movement strategy of animals simplifies motion processing if their goal is to move towards a desired image and discuss dorsal and ventral stream processing of moving images in that context. Although many questions about view-based approaches to scene representation remain unanswered, the solutions are likely to be highly relevant to understanding biological 3-D vision

Religion and Depression: Examining the Nature of the Relationship

After more than a century of research, the nature of the relationship between religion and mental health still is not fully understood. Some studies find that religion is associated with better mental health. Other studies find that religion is associated with worse mental health. Many prior studies have conceptualized religion either as individual religiosity or as religious group participation, with mixed results. It is also necessary to establish the temporal relationship between religion and mental health. While prior religion could influence subsequent mental health, prior mental health could also influence subsequent religion. It is also important to identify factors which this relationship. Results of the present study show that a) prior religion is associated with subsequent mental health, b) individual religiosity and religious group participation relate to subsequent mental health in different ways, c) these relationships are partially mediated by personal mastery, social support, and physical disability

\u27Tis Better to Give and to Receive: Social Support, Stress, and Mental Health in Dyadic Relationships

ABSTRACT Research Questions: How do levels of perceived support within dyadic social networks interact to predict mental health outcomes for both network members? I examine whether one’s significant other’s level of perceived social support moderates the relationship between one’s own perceived social support and one’s own depressive and anxiety symptoms. I also consider whether stress may moderate the support-mental health relationship. Method: I use Actor-Partner Interdependence Modeling investigate how each respondent’s own perceived social support and each respondent’s significant other’s perceived social support predict each respondent’s levels of depressive and anxiety symptoms. I use a sample of 982 respondent dyads, as well as a subsample of 450 intimate partner dyads to investigate these relationships. Results: Among intimate partner dyads, each partner’s level of perceived support is negatively associated with each partner’s level of depressive and anxiety symptoms. Perceiving that one is highly supported by one’s intimate partner predicts lower levels of depressive and anxiety symptoms. This relationship is stronger when one’s intimate partner also perceives that they are highly supported. Stress moderates the relationship between one’s own social support and depressive and anxiety symptoms, but not the relationship between one’s significant other’s social support and depressive anxiety symptoms. Conclusions: In the context of intimate partner relationships, both the support a person receives from his or her partner and the support that person provides to his or her partner is associated with that person’s levels of depressive and anxiety symptoms. Thus, while it is beneficial for a person to receive high levels of support, it is better to give and to receive

Field Experiences with the Division of Nutrition in the Florida State Board of Health

This report is based upon observations and experiences during eight weeks with the Division of Nutrition in the Florida State Board of Health. The purpose of the field training was to supplement academic training in public health nutrition at The University of Tennessee and to complement concurrent field experiences in Knox County. A varied program of experiences aided the student in her study of nutrition activities in official health agencies. Information was obtained on history, organization, and programs of the Florida State Board of Health and the Division of Nutrition through selected reading, conferences, conversations, and observations, in addition to a planned orientation. Observation and participation in the programs in a local health department increased the student\u27s knowledge of the practice of public health. During the field experience, the student gained an understanding of the activities of the bureaus and divisions of the Florida State Board of Health and observed the integration of nutrition services into the total public health program. She gained an increased awareness of the importance of planning nutrition programs to meet the needs of the population. Observation of several nutritionists increased the student\u27s understanding of the role of the public health nutritionist at state, regional, and county levels

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