Orbital navigation, docking and obstacle avoidance as a form of three dimensional model-based image understanding

Range imagery from a laser scanner can be used to provide sufficient information for docking and obstacle avoidance procedures to be performed automatically. Three dimensional model-based computer vision algorithms in development can perform these tasks even with targets which may not be cooperative (that is, objects without special targets or markers to provide unambiguous points). Role, pitch, and yaw of a vehicle can be taken into account as image scanning takes place, so that these can be correlated when the image is converted from egocentric to world coordinated. Other attributes of the sensor, such as the registered reflectance and texture channels, provide additional data sources for algorithm robustness

On the control of acute rodent malaria infections by innate immunity

Does specific immunity, innate immunity or resource (red blood cell) limitation control the first peak of the blood-stage parasite in acute rodent malaria infections? Since mice deficient in specific immunity exhibit similar initial dynamics as wild-type mice it is generally viewed that the initial control of parasite is due to either limitation of resources (RBC) or innate immune responses. There are conflicting views on the roles of these two mechanisms as there is experimental evidence supporting both these hypotheses. While mathematical models based on RBC limitation are capable of describing the dynamics of primary infections, it was not clear whether a model incorporating the key features of innate immunity would be able to do the same. We examine the conditions under which a model incorporating parasite and innate immunity can describe data from acute <i>Plasmodium chabaudi</i> infections in mice. We find that innate immune response must decay slowly if the parasite density is to fall rather than equilibrate. Further, we show that within this framework the differences in the dynamics of two parasite strains are best ascribed to differences in susceptibility to innate immunity, rather than differences in the strains' growth rates or their propensity to elicit innate immunity. We suggest that further work is required to determine if innate immunity or resource limitation control acute malaria infections in mice

Latitudinal differences in the amplitude of the OAE-2 carbon isotopic excursion: pCO2 and paleoproductivity [Discussion paper]

A complete, well-preserved record of the Cenomanian/Turonian (C/T) Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 (OAE-2) was recovered from Demerara Rise in the southern North Atlantic Ocean (ODP site 1260). Across this interval, we determined changes in the stable carbon isotopic composition of sulfur-bound phytane (δ13Cphytane, a biomarker for photosynthetic algae. The δ13Cphytane record shows a positive excursion at the onset of the OAE-2 interval, with an unusually large amplitude (~7 ‰) compared to existing C/T proto-North Atlantic δ13Cphytane records (3–6 ‰). Overall, the amplitude of the excursion of δ13Cphytane decreases with latitude. Using reconstructed sea surface temperature (SST) gradients for the proto-North Atlantic, we investigated environmental factors influencing the latitudinal δ13Cphytane gradient. The observed gradient is best explained by high productivity at DSDP Site 367 and Tarfaya basin before OAE-2, which changed in overall high productivity throughout the proto-North Atlantic during OAE-2. During OAE-2, productivity at site 1260 and 603B was thus more comparable to the mid-latitude sites. Using these constraints as well as the SST and δ13Cphytane-records from Site 1260, we subsequently reconstructed pCO2 levels across the OAE-2 interval. Accordingly, pCO2 decreased from ca. 1750 to 900 ppm during OAE-2, consistent with enhanced organic matter burial resulting in lowering pCO2. Whereas the onset of OAE-2 coincided with increased pCO2, in line with a volcanic trigger for this event, the observed cooling within OAE-2 probably resulted from CO2 sequestration in black shales outcompeting CO2 input into the atmosphere. Together these results show that the ice-free Cretaceous world was sensitive to changes in pCO2 related to perturbations of the global carbon cycle

Two essays on the universal and particular dimensions of culture

The first of the two essays was presented at the conference 'Ethnicity in an Age of Globalisation', held at Uganda Martyrs University, Kampala, Uganda, from 3-6 September 2001.Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2002.Babel or Piraeus? : globalisation, culture and tradition -- Between freedom and culture : Alain Finkielkraut's critique of multiculturalism.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The conception of globalisation as a "programme" or "project" driven by a group of people or companies with a set agenda underlies much of the antagonistic discussion of globalisation. Protagonists of globalisation, in turn, often describe the process as inevitable progress. This paper analyses the process of globalisation and argues that it should not be understood as such a singular process. Rather, the concept "complex connectivity" - where the local and the global come' into closer contact and influence, or interpenetrate, one another more directly - facilitates a more nuanced analysis of globalisation -.This understanding of globalisation will be tested against the phenomenon of culture by posing two questions: Does globalisation lead to the destruction of local culture( s) by an encroaching singular global culture (i.e. is globalisation cultural imperialism)? Or alternatively: Does globalisation represent an opening .up and exchange between previously isolated cultures and societies? This paper argues in favour of the second position by employing John Tomlinson's existential definition of culture and his understanding of the dialectic that exists between the local and the global in complex connectivity. Instead of global culture, we can more properly speak of . "globalized" culture, which looks different in every local situation. This is a more optimistic answer to the cultural' effects of globalisation, and although some concerns remain, it seems clear that to understand globalisation as complex connectivity rules out many of the charges of cultural imperialism lodged against globalisation.AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Baie van die hedendaagse antagonistiese diskussie oor globalisasie gaan uit van die veronderstelling dat globalisasie 'n 'program' of 'n 'projek' is wat deur 'n groep individue of maatskappye gedryf word. Voorstanders van globalisasie, daarenteen, beskou die proses dikwels as 'onafwendbare vooruitgang.' Hierdie opstel analiseer die proses van globalisasie en argumenteer dat globalisasie nie as so 'n eenduidige process verstaan moet word nie. Die konsep "complex connectivity" word ingespan om 'n meer genuanseerde analise van globalisasie te bied aangesien dit dui op die komplekse interaksie, of selfs interpenetrasie, tussen plaaslike en globale prosesse. Hierdie opvatting oor globalisasie word getoets aan die hand van kultuur deur twee teenstellende vrae te stel: Is globalisasie 'n enkelvoudige globale kultuur wat dreig om plaaslike kulture oor te neem en uiteindelik te vernietig (ook genoem kultuurimperialisme)? Of eerder: Is globalisasie 'n geleentheid tot groter openheid en interaksie tussen kulture en gemeenskappe wat voorheen van mekaar geïsoleer was? Die opstel argumenteer ten gunste van die tweede posisie deur gebruik te maak van John Tomlinson se eksistensiële definisie van kultuur en sy opvatting oor die interaksie tussen die plaaslike en die globale. Instede van globale kultuur kan ons eerder praat van 'geglobaliseerde' kultuur, wat telkens anders lyk in elke plaaslike opset. Hierdie posisie bied 'n versigtige, maar meer optimistiese antwoord op die kulturele impak van globalisasie deurdat veel van die aanklagte van kultuurimperialsime teen globalisasie afgewys word

Tests of arc lamps

Citation: Jacobus, C. R. and Young, S. S. Tests of arc lamps. Senior thesis, Kansas State Agricultural College, 1908.Introduction: In the year 1800 Volta observed the spark, in which year, also, Davy discovered the particularly bright spark between charcoal points separated in air or in liquids, which pressure from 150 elements. In 1808 Davy with a battery of 2000 elements exhibited the first true arc, a flame of about four inches long, before the Royal Institution at London, England

UKURAN, KEPADATAN DAN POTENSI IKAN BARONANG LINGKIS (Siganus canaliculatus) DI TELUK KOTANIA, SERAM BAGIAN BARAT PADA MUSIM TIMUR

White-spotted rabbitfish (Siganus canaliculatus Park, 1797) that live in Indonesian waters are valuable commercial fish species. Research on the fish species has been carried out in the waters of Kotania Bay, West Seram, from mid-June to late July 2022 (which represents the east season), aiming to obtain information on size, density and potential of the fish species. Primary data covering total length (TL), weight and number of individual fish is taken at four observation stations using 120m length of bottom gillnet with mesh sizes consisting of 2.0, 2.5, 3.0 and 3.5 inches. In the process of data collecting, the bottom gillnet is operated in a circle that starting two hours before the low tide then the fish caught are collected at the low tide, while secondary data about allowable size for catching are obtained through literature study. The results showed that the total length of white-spotted rabbitfish scattered in Kotania Bay waters is in the range of 13.1 – 24.6 cm which was dominated by fish with a size of   16 – 18 cm.  From secondary data it is known that the white-spotted rabbitfish can be exploited if their total length is more than 15 cm. Mean density of the white-spotted rabbitfish is 259 individual/ha, so the abundance the fish in the area of seagrass beds 823.62 ha was estimated as 213,318 individual fish, The mean weight of the fish at this size is 221.6 grams, so calculated biomass is 46.58 tons with a MSY value of 23.64 tons in wet season.   ABSTRAK Ikan baronang lingkis (Siganus canaliculatus Park, 1797) yang hidup di perairan Indonesia termasuk salah satu jenis sumberdaya ikan komersial. Penelitian terhadap sumberdaya ikan baronang lingkis tersebut telah dilakukan di perairan Teluk Kotania sejak pertengahan Juni hingga akhir Juli 2022 (yang mewakili musim timur), dengan tujuan untuk memperoleh informasi tentang ukuran, kepadatan dan potensi dari jenis ikan tersebut. Data primer yang mencakup panjang total, berat dan jumlah individu ikan baronang lingkis diambil di empat stasiun pengamatan yakni di perairan Pulau Osi, di perairan P. Marsegu, di perairan P. Burung dan di perairan P. Buntal, menggunakan jaring insang dasar (bottom gillnet) berukuran panjang 120 m dengan ukuran mata jaring 2,0, 2,5, 3,0 dan 3,5 inchi. Jaring dipasang berbentuk lingkaran yang dimulai dua jam sebelum air surut duduk, ikan-ikan yang tertangkap dikumpulkan disaat air surut duduk tersebut, sedangkan data sekunder tentang ukuran layak tangkap diperoleh dari studi literatur. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa ukuran panjang total ikan baronang lingkis yang tersebar di perairan Teluk Kotania berada pada kisaran 13,1 – 24,6 cm yang didominasi oleh ikan-ikan berukuran 16 – 18 cm, sedangkan dari data sekunder diketahui bahwa ikan baronang lingkis layak tangkap pada ukuran panjang total >15 cm. Kepadatan rata-rata ikan baronang lingkis adalah 259 individu/ha, dengan demikian kelimpahannya pada luas padang lamun 823,62 ha adalah sebanyak 213.318 individu. Berat rata-rata ikan pada ukuran layak tangkap adalah 221,6 gram, maka biomasa dikalkulasi sebesar 47.27 ton dengan nilai MSY sebesar 23,64 ton pada Musim Timur. Kata Kunci: Ikan baronang, kepadatan, panjang total, potensi, Teluk Kotani

Trans‐generational parasite protection associated with paternal diet

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/110089/1/jane12289.pd

Elevated atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide reduce monarch tolerance and increase parasite virulence by altering the medicinal properties of milkweeds

Hosts combat their parasites using mechanisms of resistance and tolerance, which together determine parasite virulence. Environmental factors, including diet, mediate the impact of parasites on hosts, with diet providing nutritional and medicinal properties. Here, we present the first evidence that ongoing environmental change decreases host tolerance and increases parasite virulence through a loss of dietary medicinal quality. Monarch butterflies use dietary toxins (cardenolides) to reduce the deleterious impacts of a protozoan parasite. We fed monarch larvae foliage from four milkweed species grown under either elevated or ambient CO2, and measured changes in resistance, tolerance, and virulence. The most high‐cardenolide milkweed species lost its medicinal properties under elevated CO2; monarch tolerance to infection decreased, and parasite virulence increased. Declines in medicinal quality were associated with declines in foliar concentrations of lipophilic cardenolides. Our results emphasize that global environmental change may influence parasite–host interactions through changes in the medicinal properties of plants.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/145415/1/ele13101-sup-0003-TableS1.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/145415/2/ele13101-sup-0007-TableS5.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/145415/3/ele13101-sup-0006-TableS4.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/145415/4/ele13101.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/145415/5/ele13101_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/145415/6/ele13101-sup-0004-TableS2.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/145415/7/ele13101-sup-0009-AppendixS1.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/145415/8/ele13101-sup-0005-TableS3.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/145415/9/ele13101-sup-0002-FigS2.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/145415/10/ele13101-sup-0008-TableS6.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/145415/11/ele13101-sup-0001-FigS1.pd

Architectural intimacy - an urban retreat

The purpose of this study is to investigate ritual in order to establish an intimacy between architecture and its users. The lithurgy of the Roman Catholic Church is used as a point of departure, but the study is especially concerned with personal secular ritual. The intervention will function as an urban retreat. It consists of a series of contemplative spaces that facilitate a spiritual journey. The Retreat is based on ideas surrounding the traditional Roman Catholic Convent, which informed the accommodation schedule to a great extend. The study recognizes the new approach of the Roman Catholic Religion, which entails a holistic ministry that plays an increasingly critical and social role. The Retreat will therefore function as a base for religious and social organizations to work from in the inner-city of Pretoria. The retreat will also offer limited social facilities such as counselling and seminar rooms. The site is situated in the inner-city of Pretoria, in the block directly north-east of Church Square. The site consists of two properties: the northern consists of the National Library of South Africa (NLSA), with the southern being a pan-handle erf that functions as a service courtyard for commercial ventures on Church Street. The Noordvaal thoroughfare runs parallel to the site on its western edge, linking Church and Vermeulen Streets. The site exists unnoticed by pedestrians using the arcade, because of a boundary wall. Of further importance is the 2,8 m slope of the site from south to north over a distance of 140 m. The project directly addresses urban issues as well as spatial and emotional ones. The intervention is seen as part of a process of architectural proliferation. It takes the existing fabric and current conditions and rather than replacing them, creates a synthesis of elements so as to evolve a new urban condition; i.e. how to grow a piece of city rather than how you build it. Design decisions were influenced by Pallasmaa's ideas on fragile architecture: it is concerned with real sensory interaction instead of conceptual manifestations. Problems and opportunities are identified on a small scale and the response is focussed on these: it is an architecture that grows and opens up.Dissertation (MArch (Prof))--University of Pretoria, 2005.Architectureunrestricte