Reduction of quantization error in measurement of frequency

Method reduces quantization errors using new digital circuit. Circuit provides very high resolution (10 to the minus 2nd power to 10 to the minus 3rd power Hz) without high-speed counters. It lends itself to microminaturization and is simple to construct. Unknown frequency is compared to standard frequency by means of zero-crossing coincidence-detecting circuit

Visual recognition of American sign language using hidden Markov models

Thesis (M.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Program in Media Arts & Sciences, 1995.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 48-52).by Thad Eugene Starner.M.S

Factors in Refugee Resilience Building during Humanitarian Response

If countries hosting refugees want to build resiliency and reduce dependency on foreign relief, humanitarian response and local development need to be addressed simultaneously, and collaboration at all levels of stakeholders needs to take place in planning and decision making. Additionally, innovation and strong leadership are strong factors in creating and leading new ideas as funding and world leadership dynamics change, especially with traditional leaders such as the US and the UN losing influence. Observations made at the Mahama Refugee Camp in Rwanda as well as existing document analysis reflect these traits by active efforts of camp administrators and humanitarian leaders to build resilience with refugees through self-reliance activities such as camp jobs, growing their own food and encouraging positive relationships with the host community. Investing in resiliency is crucial for the future, and providing tools and resources to facilitate any organization or program to implement effective methods for collaboration and innovation can make a huge difference in whether refugees and their hosts can envision possibilities of growth and prosperity in these circumstances, or not

Does Yoga Improve Symptoms in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease?

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not yoga improved symptoms in patients with Parkinson’s disease. STUDY DESIGN: A systematic review of three peer-reviewed primary studies published between 2014 and 2018. DATA SOURCES: Two randomized control trials and one before and after case study evaluating if yoga can improve symptoms for patients who are diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. OUTCOMES MEASURES: The outcomes that were measured were balance and movement speed. Balance was measured using single leg balance test, single leg stance, and Berg Balance Scale. Movement speed, bradykinesia, was measured using the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale motor score (UPDRS). RESULTS: In the study conducted by Boulgarides et al., they found that single leg bance (SLB) showed improvement nearing a significant value following the yoga intervention (p = 0.007) and the Berg Balance Scale intervention period did not approach significance (p = 0.15). In the study conducted by Ni et al., single leg stance resulted in a lack of significant difference (p = 0.136) and Berg Balance Score reproduced a clinically meaningful improvement (p = 0.000) between the yoga intervention group and the control group. In the study conducted by Ni et al., they found that differences in bradykinesia and mobility reached statistically significant improvement in the yoga intervention group when compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The evidence presented in this review shows that yoga does improve symptoms in individuals with Parkinson’s Disease. Significant results were found in each article with some variation to the test that yielded significant results. However, due to the small sample sizes and other limitations of these studies, the idea of yoga improving symptoms in patients diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease should be further researched

Get a Lot for Less: Evaulation of the $1 Vacant Lot Pilot Program in Milwaukee\u27s 15th Aldermanic District

Between July, 2014 and July, 2015, the city piloted a program in which City-owned vacant lots could be sold for $1 to adjacent homeowners exclusively in the 15th Aldermanic District. The focus of this research was to determine the effectiveness of the$1 lot program in revitalizing the neighborhoods within that District. Using a visual assessment, this research observed the condition of 26 vacant lots sold approximately one year prior to the assessment and scored them based on a unique set of factors including the presence of a fence (a proxy for defensible space) the presence of gardens, whether any improvements had been made, and a maintenance score of 1-3. The findings showed that the majority of new purchased vacant lots were unfenced and without gardens. The average maintenance score was 1.7 indicating the general maintenance level was good. Most vacant lots were not markedly improved, but were maintained at a level similar to, or better than, when they were owned by the City. Additionally, this research conducted telephone interviews with 18 of the 26 first program participants. Through these interviews, this research ascertained the motivation for the purchase, future plans for the lots, and if owners perceived benefits to themselves and/or their community. Significantly, the findings showed residents viewed the additional land as beneficial and appreciated being a stakeholder in the development options around them. The interviewees wanted the responsibility and control of adjacent vacant land. Expanded ownership incentivized continued investment in the area and reduced blight conditions. The increased space expanded territoriality, an aspect of defensible space, as well as decreased perceived crime rates, especially dumping and loitering. Program participants spoke of plans to utilize the additional land in unique and beneficial ways. The residents of the area are essential components of this grassroots revitalization effort, especially in the absence of top-down development plans. This research also examined the financial benefits of the program for the City of Milwaukee in the form of increased property taxes and decreased maintenance fees. Using the total number of vacant lots sold from July 1, 2014 through February 29, 2016, the total increase in property taxes was between $10,800 and$21,600. Total savings in maintenance fees was $46,080. Other benefits of the program include increased housing code compliance and increased payment of delinquent property taxes due to the program’s requirements. Overall, the program represents a small step in the right direction for revitalization efforts in the 15th Aldermanic District. However, the$1 Vacant Lot Pilot Program cannot alone solve the problem of land vacancy. More could be done by the City of Milwaukee to ensure there is an increase in homeownership in order to better absorb present and future vacant lots and incentivize further yard improvements