Learning Pose Estimation for UAV Autonomous Navigation and Landing Using Visual-Inertial Sensor Data

In this work, we propose a robust network-in-the-loop control system for autonomous navigation and landing of an Unmanned-Aerial-Vehicle (UAV). To estimate the UAV’s absolute pose, we develop a deep neural network (DNN) architecture for visual-inertial odometry, which provides a robust alternative to traditional methods. We first evaluate the accuracy of the estimation by comparing the prediction of our model to traditional visual-inertial approaches on the publicly available EuRoC MAV dataset. The results indicate a clear improvement in the accuracy of the pose estimation up to 25% over the baseline. Finally, we integrate the data-driven estimator in the closed-loop flight control system of Airsim, a simulator available as a plugin for Unreal Engine, and we provide simulation results for autonomous navigation and landing

Letter about Israel trip

Letter from Ann Seidman about a recent week-long trip to Israel taken as part of the Clark-Rehovot program at Clark University

An Experiment in Scaling Impact: Assessing the Growth Capital Aggregation Pilot

This report presents an assessment of the Growth Capital Aggregation Pilot. It was commissioned by the Edna McConnell Clark Foundation, founder and lead investor of the grantmaking initiative.Starting in 2000, The Edna McConnell Clark Foundation (Clark) adopted an investment approach to grantmaking that focused on providing growth capital to youth-serving organizations with demonstrated commitments to evaluation and measurable outcomes. For grantees, the strategy meant larger, longer-term, unrestricted investments, complemented by extensive access to consulting and technical assistance to strengthen their organizations.This approach helped Clark grantees across the portfolio increase the numbers of youth they served (for example, by 18 percent between 2005 and 2006) and achieve annual revenue gains (averaging 19 percent over the four years prior to the founding of GCAP). At the same time, the Foundation concluded that more capital would be required if its grantees and other promising youth-serving organizations were to realize their ultimate scale and sustainability potential

Volume 50 - April 1970

Volume 50 - April 1970. 45 pages including covers and advertisements. POETRY DUCLOS, STEPHEN A SUNDAY IN MARCH BURNET, JAMES AMPLE APPLE McINTYRE, ROBERT (printed by Nancy Clark) BELOVED KOUNTRY CHILDREN FROM JAMES L. McGUIRE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL and SHAW JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL, CHILDREN\u27S POETRY PARILLO, J.A. CRYSTAL FANTASY KELLY, ROBERT DUCK CLARK, ROY PETER ECOLOGY (to mother earth) MAAIA, WILLIAM GARBAGE MEN MERLUZZO, PAUL IMPROVISATION #34 TO SISERO MOCKAITIS, JOSEPH ON THE OCCASION OF THE HORSE PARTRIDGE, T.L. OUT OF ORDER GOODHUE, JIM RAMBLE MERLUZZO, PAUL URCHIN PAUL, MICHAEL WORK PROSE CHARPENTIER, ROBERT L. THE BOOK OF PEACE BISCONE, DEBBI INK STAINS UPON A SOGGY BLOTTER DiGIOVANNI, NICHOLAS MOBY DICK McDONALD, WAY SAINT CAROLINA ART CLARK, NANCY COVE

David Stafford-Clark (1916-1999): seeing through a celebrity psychiatrist

This article uses the mass-media career of the British psychiatrist David Stafford-Clark (1916-1999) as a case study in the exercise of cultural authority by celebrity medical professionals in post-war Britain. Stafford-Clark rose to prominence in the mass media, particularly through his presenting work on medical and related topics for BBC TV and Radio, and was in the vanguard of psychiatrists and physicians who eroded professional edicts on anonymity. At the height of his career, he traded upon his celebrity status, and consequent cultural authority, to deliver mass media sermons on a variety of social, cultural, and political topics. Stafford-Clark tried to preserve his sense of personal and intellectual integrity by clinging to a belief that his authority in the public sphere was ultimately to be vindicated by his literary, intellectual, and spiritual significance. But as his credibility dwindled, he came to distrust the cultural intermediaries, such as broadcasters and publishers, who had supported him

Introduction to the Talmud and Midrash

Reviewed Book: Stemberger, Günter . Introduction to the Talmud and Midrash. London: T & T Clark, 1991

Aerodynamic characteristics of several airfoils of low aspect ratio

This paper presents the results of wind-tunnel tests of several airfoils of low aspect ratio. The airfoils included three circular Clark Y airfoils with different amounts of dihedral, two Clark Y airfoils with slots in their portions, and three flat-plate airfoils. Lift, drag, and pitching-moment characteristics of the slotted airfoils with slots open and closed; pitching moment characteristics of one of the slotted airfoils with slots open and closed; and lift characteristics of the flat-plate airfoils are included. The results reveal a definite improvement of lift, drag, and pitching-moment characteristics with increase in dihedral of the circular Clark Y wing. Lift characteristics near the stall were found to depend markedly on the shape of the extreme tip but were not greatly affected by slots through the after portion of the airfoils. Changes in plan form of the flat-plate airfoils gave erroneous indications of the effect to be expected from changes in plan form of an airfoil of Clark Y section. The minimum drag characteristics of the circular Clark Y airfoils were found to be substantially the same as for a Clark Y airfoil of conventional aspect ratio

The limnology of Lake Clark, Alaska

Thesis (M.S.) University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2002This study gathered baseline limnological data to investigate the thermal structure, water quality, phytoplankton, and zooplankton of Lake Clark, Alaska. Results indicate Lake Clark is oligotrophic and mixes biannually, but stratification is weak and thermoclines are deep. Longitudinal gradients were seen in measurements of temperature, suspended solids, turbidity, light penetration, algal biomass, and zooplankton density. Wind and tributary inputs determine the thermal regime. Glacially-influenced tributaries drive turbidity and light gradients by introducing suspended solids to the inlet end of the lake. Suspended solids likely create the algal biomass gradient by limiting the light available for photosynthesis in the inlet basin. Algal biomass and turbidity gradients may interact to create an area of high productivity and low predation risk, causing high zooplankton concentrations in the central basin. Oxygen supersaturation was discovered in the hypolimnion but remains unexplained. Because tributaries are glacially influenced, Lake Clark could be sensitive to global warming

Extended minds and prime mental conditions: probing the parallels

Two very different forms of externalism about mental states appear prima facie unrelated: Williamson’s (1995, 2000) claim that knowledge is a mental state, and Clark & Chalmers’ (1998) extended mind hypothesis. I demonstrate, however, that the two approaches justify their radically externalist by appealing to the same argument from explanatory generality. I argue that if one accepts either Williamson’s claims or Clark & Chalmers’ claims on considerations of explanatory generality then, ceteris paribus, one should accept the other. This conclusion has implications for philosophy of mind, epistemology, and cognitive science