text:
Certain Physician Feedback Reporting Practices of Private Entities Could Improve CMS's Efforts
GAO-14-279: Published: Mar 26, 2014. Publicly Released: Mar 26, 2014.
Additional Materials:
- Highlights Page:
- Full Report:
- Accessible Text:
(202) 512-7114
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What GAO Found
Private entities GAO reviewed for this study selected a range of measures and benchmarks to assess physician group performance, and provided feedback reports to physicians more than once a year. Private entities almost exclusively focused their feedback efforts on primary care physician groups participating in medical homes and accountable care organizations, which hold physicians responsible for the quality and cost of all services provided. They limited their feedback reporting to those with a sufficient number of enrollees to ensure the reliability of reported measures. The entities decided on the number and type of measures for their reports, and compared each group's performance to multiple benchmarks, including peer group averages or past performance. All the entities used quality measures, and some also used utilization or cost measures. Because of the variety of quality measures and benchmarks, feedback report content differed across the entities. Some entities noted that in addition to national benchmarks, they compared results to state or regional level rates to reflect local patterns of care which may be more relevant to their physicians. Most health insurers spent from 4 to 6 months to generate their performance reports, a period that allowed them to amass claims data as well as to make adjustments and perform checks on the measure calculations. Commonly, private entities issued interim feedback reports, covering a 1-year measurement period, on a rolling monthly, quarterly, or semiannual schedule. They told GAO that physicians valued frequent feedback in order to make changes that could result in better performance at the end of the measurement period.
Feedback from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) included quality measures determined by each medical group, along with comparison to only one benchmark, and CMS did not provide interim reports to physicians. The agency has phased in performance feedback in order to meet its mandate to apply value-based payment (VBP) to all physicians in Medicare by 2017, a challenge not faced by private entities. In September 2013, CMS made feedback reports available to 6,779 physician groups. While private entities in this study chose the measures for their reports, CMS tied the selection of specific quality measures to groups' chosen method of submitting performance data. Although both CMS and private entities focused their feedback on preventive care and management of specific diseases, CMS's reports contained more information on costs and outcomes than some entities. While private entities employed multiple benchmarks, the agency only compared each group's results to the national average rates of all physician groups that submitted data on any given measure. CMS's use of a single benchmark precludes physicians from viewing their performance in fuller context, such as relative to their peers in the same geographic areas. CMS's report generation process took 9 months to complete, several months longer than health insurers in the study, although it included more steps. In contrast to private entity reporting, CMS sent its feedback report to physicians once a year, a frequency that may limit physicians' opportunity to make improvements in advance of their annual payment adjustments.
The Department of Health and Human Services generally concurred with GAO's recommendations and asked for additional information pertaining to the potential value of using multiple benchmarks to assess Medicare physicians' performance.
Why GAO Did This Study
Health care payers—including Medicare—are increasingly using VBP to reward the quality and efficiency instead of just the volume of care delivered. Both traditional and newer delivery models use this approach to incentivize providers to improve their performance. Feedback reports serve to inform providers of their results on various measures relative to established targets. The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 mandated that GAO compare private entity and Medicare performance feedback reporting activities.
GAO examined (1) how and when private entities report performance data to physicians, and what information they report; and (2) how the timing and approach CMS uses to report performance data compare to that of private entities. GAO contacted nine entities—health insurers and statewide collaboratives—recognized for their performance reporting programs. Focusing on physician feedback, GAO obtained information regarding report recipients, data sources used, types of performance measures and benchmarks, frequency of reporting, and efforts to enhance the utility of performance reports. GAO obtained similar information from CMS about its Medicare feedback efforts.
What GAO Recommends
The Administrator of CMS should consider expanding performance benchmarks to include state or regional averages, and disseminating feedback reports more frequently than the current annual distribution.
For more information, contact James Cosgrove at (202) 512-7114 or firstname.lastname@example.com.
Recommendations for Executive Action
Status: Open
Comments: CMS stated that it will consider GAO's recommendation regarding the use of additional benchmarks to compare physician performance in the Value Modifier program. CMS's efforts may, in time, address GAO recommendations to expand the types of performance benchmarks used in its reports but the Value Modifier program has yet to be fully implemented.
Recommendation: As CMS implements and refines its physician feedback and Value Modifier (VM) programs, to help ensure physicians can best use the feedback to improve their performance, the Administrator of CMS should consider developing performance benchmarks that compare physicians' performance against additional benchmarks such as state or regional averages.
Agency Affected: Department of Health and Human Services: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Status: Open
Comments: CMS stated that it will consider GAO's recommendation regarding more frequent dissemination of its performance reports as the Value Modifier program is phased in. The agency also noted reporting more frequently might also require changes to reporting practices for each method eligible providers can use to submit performance data (e.g., clinical data registries and electronic health records). CMS's efforts may, in time, address GAO recommendations to do more than annual report distribution but the Value Modifier program has yet to be fully implemented.
Recommendation: As CMS implements and refines its physician feedback and VM programs, to help ensure physicians can best use the feedback to improve their performance, the Administrator of CMS should consider disseminating performance reports more frequently than the current annual distribution--for example, semiannually.
Agency Affected: Department of Health and Human Services: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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|Content Category: Projects & Contracts
|Nordex Receives Turbine Order For Maryland Wind Project
|by NAW Staff on Tuesday May 11 2010
|Nordex USA Inc. has been awarded an order for 20 N90 2.5 MW wind turbines to be installed at a 50 [read more]
|Schneider Power To Begin Construction Of Arthur Wind Farm
|by NAW Staff on Tuesday May 11 2010
|Toronto-based Schneider Power Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide Inc., has received its building permit to [read more]
|Lockheed Martin Project Aims To Integrate Renewable Energy
|by NAW Staff on Monday May 10 2010
|Lockheed Martin has been awarded a $3.5 million contract to integrate renewable energy into deployable airfield power systems. The company will [read more]
|Dakota Wind Energy Accepted Into Big Stone II Transmission Backfill Study Group
|by NAW Staff on Thursday May 06 2010
|Dakota Wind Energy, along with its managing member, National Wind, has announced that the Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator (Midwest ISO) [read more]
|China Guangdong Nuclear Plans 800 MW Wind Farm
|by NAW Staff on Thursday May 06 2010
|China Guangdong Nuclear Power Group plans to build an 800 MW wind farm in the southwestern province of Yunnan, BusinessWeek reports. [read more]
|First Part Of Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project Completed
|by NAW Staff on Wednesday May 05 2010
|The first part of the Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project has been completed by Southern California Edison (SCE), an Edison International company, [read more]
|Ultralife Awarded Funding For Wind Turbine Energy-Storage System
|by NAW Staff on Tuesday May 04 2010
|Ultralife Corp. has been awarded a total of $3 million by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) [read more]
|DEP Accepting Funding Applications For Clean Energy Projects
|by NAW Staff on Monday May 03 2010
|More than $16 million is available to help develop clean energy projects in Pennsylvania, the state's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) [read more]
|Sempra Energy To Build 1.2 GW Wind Project In Baja California
|by NAW Staff on Friday April 30 2010
|Sempra Energy plans to construct a 1.2 GW wind farm on the Sierra de Juarez in Baja California, Mexico, the Baja [read more]
|AESO Receives Approval For Transmission Reinforcements
|by NAW Staff on Friday April 30 2010
|The Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) has received approval for its plan to reinforce electricity transmission throughout east central Alberta, allowing [read more]
|National Wind Launches Its First Texas Wind Project
|by NAW Staff on Friday April 30 2010
|National Wind and KRS Energy have announced the launch of Buffalo Wind Energy LLC, a utility-scale community wind project planned for [read more]
|Finavera Renewables Receives Executed Power Purchase Agreements
|by NAW Staff on Thursday April 29 2010
|Vancouver, British Columbia-based Finavera Renewables Inc. has received executed versions of the four power purchase agreements (PPAs) recently awarded in the [read more]
|Lamar To Retrofit Billboards In Florida With Wind, Solar Power
|by NAW Staff on Thursday April 29 2010
|Pensacola, Fla.-based Lamar Advertising Co., which operates more than 150 outdoor advertising companies in more than 40 states and Puerto Rico, [read more]
|Germany's First Offshore Wind Farm Formally Commissioned
|by NAW Staff on Wednesday April 28 2010
|Germany's first offshore wind project has been commissioned. alpha ventus, a 60 MW offshore wind farm located off the coast of [read more]
|SPP Approves Construction Of New Transmission Infrastructure
|by NAW Staff on Wednesday April 28 2010
|The Southwest Power Pool Inc. (SPP) board of directors and members committee have approved for construction a group of priority high-voltage [read more]

subset: commoncrawl


text:
"They eat poison like feed, you might as well be leaving out grain for them."
Dr Dougie Clarke, from the University of Huddersfield, said even poisons used by pest control experts were not strong enough to kill them.
UK should issue .22LR, i've yet to see a rat that can adapt to a lead
slug in the head.
wont be long and they may be paying for tails.
Just clone my cat, she'll take care of those rates with extreme prejudice!
Evolution? I doubt it. ...these rats are simply developing a tolerance
Lateral gene transfer and the nature of bacterial innovation
Unlike eukaryotes, which evolve principally through the modification of existing genetic information, bacteria have obtained a signi®cant proportion of their genetic diversity through the acquisition of sequences from distantly related organisms. Horizontal gene transfer produces extremely dynamic genomes in which substantial amounts of DNA are introduced into and deleted from the chromosome. These lateral transfers have effectively changed the ecological and pathogenic character of bacterial species.
SOS response promotes horizontal dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes
Mobile genetic elements have a crucial role in spreading anti- biotic resistance genes among bacterial populations.
i think ketsuko does not understand the concept of evolution.
anyway..... this is some scary stuff. i don't at ALL like the idea of resistant rats.
someone mentioned fleas..... that's another thing that has become resistant. those of us with pets know that the flea medications are becoming ineffective as recently as the last 2 years. resistant rats and resistant fleas. yikes!
"They eat poison like feed, you might as well be leaving out grain for them."


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RUPAUL'S DRAG U Returns Revamped to Logo Tonight, 6/18
Television's most fabulous makeover show is back and totally revamped. The third season of "RuPaul's Drag U" delivers more diva transformations, more drag queens and more surprises as biological women are treated not only to show-stopping makeovers, but also receive once-in-a-lifetime, real-world hair, makeup and fashion tips from the world's greatest drag faculty. This season continues to deliver fan favorite drag queens, more iconic celebrity judges and life-changing stories as eight new, one-hour episodes premiere tonight, June 18 at 9PM ET/PT on Logo.
In each episode, the drag professors help women create a show-stopping look for their lip-sync stage performance, while RuPaul coaches the women in 'everyday fabulous' by offering them new styles and tips that they can bring home with them after "Drag U." Some everyday tips include finding the perfect "little black dress," using the right makeup brushes and mastering form-fitting outfits.
Commenting on the new season, RuPaul said, "If behind every great, glamorous woman there's a gay man, then the contestants on 'RuPaul's Drag U' have hit the jackpot." He continued, "It's a truly life-changing experience for these lovely ladies to learn beauty secrets from the most talented and fashionable drag queens in the world."
Join RuPaul for a season of inspirational stories as women regain their self-esteem and develop the self-acceptance they need to jump to the head of the class. The season three faculty includes: Latrice Royale, JuJubee, Manila Luzon, Raja, Raven, Shannel, Alexis Mateo, Mariah, Chad Michaels, Willam, Morgan McMichaels, Pandora Boxx, Delta Work and Sharon Needles. And, of course, Lady Bunny returns as the "Dean of Drag" to dispense her "Lady Lessons." This new season also welcomes guest choreographers to take on the role of "Dean of Dance" including Candis Cayne, Jamal Sims, Adam Cook and Phlex.
This season of "RuPaul's Drag U" will also feature a new batch of visiting celebrity professors including: Donna Mills, Brittany Snow, Holly Robinson-Peete, Angela Kinsey, Joely Fisher, Tamara Taylor, Robin Givens and Tamala Jones.
"RuPaul's Drag U" strives to help modern women from all walks live their sexiest and most fulfilling lives. However, the road to fabulousness is a long one as each woman is carefully transformed from the inside-out. These eye-opening transformations will leave even the most educated viewer with a new respect for the power of drag.
About Author
- CNBC to Air THE MAKING OF DIG, the USA Network Event Series, 3/1
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text:
A method and apparatus for calibrating images output from an image generating device is provided which produces calibrated output images from uncalibrated input images, for various values of controllable imaging parameters that affect image calibration, such as, image resolution, exposure intensity and screen frequency. Calibration is achieved by programmably selecting a particular calibration set from a plurality of calibration sets in order to programmably adjust uncalibrated input images for various values of the controllable imaging parameters, in order to produce calibrated output images in either positive or negative sense.
1. A method of calibrating images output by an image generating device, comprising:
providing input images represented in a programmable page description language, each input image including a plurality of requested image densities;
reproducing said input images onto image bearing media with an image generating device to produce recorded images having a plurality of recorded image densities that are a function of controllable imaging parameters that affect calibration;
determining a density of each of said recorded images;
generating a plurality of calibration sets in accordance with said determining step, each said calibration set corresponding to a variation between said requested image densities and corresponding recorded image densities at different values of said controllable imaging parameters; and
programmably selecting a particular calibration set of said plurality of calibration sets to be used to convert one of a subsequent plurality of input images depending upon current settings of said controllable imaging parameters in said image generating device.
2. The method of claim 1, said programmable page description language including redefinable transfer function operators, said programmably selecting step comprising:
redefining said transfer function operators in accordance with said plurality of calibration sets; and
converting said subsequent plurality of input images into a respective plurality of calibrated output images as a function of said redefined transfer function operators.
3. The method of claim 2, said redefineable transfer function operators including a set transfer operator.
4. The method of claim 2, said redefinable transfer function operators including a set screen operator.
5. An apparatus for generating calibrated output images from an image generating device, comprising:
means for receiving an input image represented in a programmable page description language, each said input image including a plurality of requested image densities;
a programmable raster image processor having a channel for receiving said programmable page description language, and for converting said programmable page description language into a raster representation of said input image;
an image generating device connected to said programmable raster image processor, for reproducing said raster representation of said input image onto an image bearing medium as a recorded image;
an image density detector for measuring a density of said recorded image; and
a computer for receiving and storing a plurality of calibration sets, said sets reflecting variations between densities of said recorded image measured by said image density detector and corresponding requested image densities at different values of said controllable imaging parameters, said computer controlling said programmable raster image processor to programmably convert programmable page description language representations of subsequent input images, as a function of a selected one of said calibration sets stored in said computer, to programmably adjust said subsequent input images into calibrated output images.
6. The method of claim 5, said computer controlling said programmable raster image processor to redefine transfer function operators existing in said programmable page description language, as a function of said stored calibration sets.
This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/480,878, filed Jun. 7, 1995, now abandoned, which in turn is a continuation of Ser. No. 08/087,220, filed Jul. 2, 1993, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,457,541, which in turn is a continuation of Ser. No. 07/909,731, filed Jul. 7, 1992, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,245,443, which in turn is a continuation of Ser. No. 07/592,022, filed Oct. 2, 1990, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,170,257.
Source code listings of a computer program of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is included in a microfiche appendix to this patent document. This appendix includes 4 microfiche with the total number of 362 frames. A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the "Program Printout Appendix", as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office Patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
This invention relates to a method and apparatus for calibrating halftone output images from an imagesetting device. In particular, the present method and apparatus comprises steps and devices involved in producing a plurality of calibration sets and in using those calibration sets to adjust the uncalibrated halftone input images to produce calibrated output images as a function of image resolution, exposure intensity and screen frequency. Further, the calibration sets can be generated to produce halftone output images on either film or paper and for either positive or negative representation of the halftone input image.
Typically, there are four fundamental steps involved in producing typeset-quality output from a computer front end publishing system such as, e.g., a PostScript imagesetter (or typesetter). First, an application programed (a drawing or page layout package) is used to find what is wanted or actually printed on the paper or film. Second, the "print" option from the program is used to start the printing process. Typically, the print option translates what is seen on the screen into a page description language that the imagesetter can recognize. The page description language is what is then sent to the imagesetter.
Many conventional imagesetter systems consist of raster image processors (RIP) and recorders. An exemplary RIP is one sold under the Model No. RIP-30 by Linotype Company of Hauppauge, New York. The RIP performs the third step in the process by converting the page description language sent to it from the front end into a raster or a grid of lines. Each line contains a series of pixels, which can be considered as a list of dots which turn on or off to form the image. In the fourth step, the RIP sends this raster to the recorder, which uses a modulated light source to expose the image onto either photographic film or paper. An exemplary recorder is one sold as Model No. Linotype-330, also by Linotype Company. The photographic medium, in a light-tight takeup cassette, is then removed from the recorder and photo developed by a conventional chemical process.
All imagesetters have a light source intensity adjustment to provide proper exposure of the film. Exposed areas turn black on both photographic film medium or paper medium after development. The amount or degree of blackness, called "density" is a function of how much the film is exposed. Strictly speaking, density is a measure of how much light is blocked by a piece of film. Conversely, if photographic paper is used, density is the measure of how much light is not reflected. Higher density values correspond to a "blacker" piece of film.
These films are typically used in the publishing industry to make contact printing plates. For reasons of quality and ease of production in printing plate manufacture, it is desirable that the maximum density measurement on a film be in excess of 4.00. The maximum density available is a function of the light source intensity, the photographic medium and the process and chemicals used for development.
Since conventional printing processes cannot reproduce continuous tone tints or images, gray scales (tints) and halftones are approximated in page description languages by overlying a halftone grid on top of the recorder's pixel grid. The halftone grid, often called a screen, is specified by the number of halftone cells per inch (or lines per inch) and the angle from the vertical by which the halftone grid is rotated. Each cell of the half tone grid encompasses a specific number of pixels of the recorder's pixel grid. A continuous tone image is simulated by assigning a gray value to each halftone cell contained within the image. Thus, imagesetters which use PostScript� are unable to produce shades of gray directly, generally approximate shades of gray by utilizing the aforementioned halftone technique. Halftone grids overlying the top of the pixel grids allows for a shade of gray to be approximated by turning a certain percentage of pixels on. The gray value of the halftone is obtained by averaging the gray continuous tone values contained within the dimensional boundaries of the halftone cell. Each halftone cell approximates a shade of gray by turning on, in dot shape, a certain percentage of the pixels contained within the cell. As the cell needs to be darker, more of the pixels are turned on. Theoretically, a 50% gray tint is made by turning on 50% of the pixels in a half-tone cell. These conventional techniques are well known in the art.
Associated with halftones is the problem commonly discovered by densitometers. A densitometer is a scientific instrument that measures density, or the ability of a piece of film to block light. The blacker the film, the more light it absorbs, and the higher the density reading on the densitometer. When measured with a densitometer, a halftone area that was supposed to be 50% gray will typically (for paper positive) be darker, because the higher exposure intensity needed for a higher maximum density (Dmax) tends to expand the pixel size, causing the overall halftone-dot to be larger than it actually is. Thus, halftone images, when uncalibrated, produce a gray value which is typically darker than that which the gray value should be. That is, when 50% of the pixels within a halftone cell are exposed, the resulting dark area covers more than 50% of the area contained by the halftone cell. At a dot area value of 0%, none of the halftone cell's pixels are exposed; at 100% dot value area, all of the pixels are exposed. Both 0% and 100% are always obtainable, therefore a non-linear relationship exists between the commanded dot area (or gray value) and the dot area actually achieved. A series of tint boxes in 5% intervals between 0% and 100% is commonly called a "gray scale".
The non-linear response of the gray scale is a function of the resolution of the recorder pixel grid, the light source intensity, the photographic media (film or paper) and the screen grid. These, however, are not the sole contributors to gray scale non-linearity. Contributing factors include the recorder light source, different film batches and photoprocessor chemicals.
Page description languages referred to hereinabove usually contain a mechanism to correct for non-linearities in gray scale and halftone output. An exemplary page description language is one sold under the trade name PostScript�, by Adobe Systems Inc. of Mountain View, California. The mechanism Adobe included in PostScript� is called the "transfer function", and it provides the lowest level means to calibrate the imagesetter to correct for non-linear gray scale response. Postscript� transfer functions suffers an important disadvantage in not having the ability to compensate for all the numerous variables which typically cause the non-linear response, e.g., resolution variation in media, resolution, screen frequency exposure intensity, etc.
Not only are conventional imagesetters, and transfer functions therein, lacking in necessary complexity so as to compensate for numerous variations in, e.g., the resolution of the image to be calibrated, the exposure intensity of the to-be-developed image, the screen frequency, etc., but conventional devices also cannot produce precision transfer functions applicable to color image processing. Current imagesetters are black and white devices and "process color" reproductions are produced by overprinting the colored inks yellow, cyan, megenta and black. The colors of an image are "separated" into yellow, cyan, megenta and black components and are then outputted on black and white film in precise percentages. The films, called color separations, represent the amount of process color needed in each area of the page, and are used to make the printing plates. The imagesetter produces black and white, and the ink used with the final printing plate produces color. The RIP and imagesetter mechanism that produces tints and halftones also produces color separations. The key difference is that each color separation is rotated with respect to the others and its respective line per inch specification is slightly different. The rotation and change in lines per inch specification avoids the dots lining up in a moire pattern. While gray scale calibration is mostly insensitive to rotation, it is a function of the halftone lines per inch.
Gray scale calibration is well known in the industry. A series of pre-determined gray scale tint boxes, at pre-determined dot areas, are requested of the RIP and imagesetter, through the page description language, and each tint box on the resulting film is measured with a dot-area densitometer described hereinabove. The resulting measurement, called a "transfer curve" is then used to adjust the requested dot area by an amount necessary to achieve calibrated output.
However, as mentioned above, conventional transfer curves suffer many inherent disadvantages. Existing art divides the method in which the gray scale calibration adjustments are effected into two categories: application program-based and RIP-based. In application program-based gray scale calibration, an attempt is made to compensate for the non-linearities by sending an adjusted transfer curve immediately before the print job. This process is tedious and error prone because it requires an operator to construct a transfer curve under identical output conditions to the present, and to properly identify and select a specific curve to be sent with the print job. This process is duplicated for each application program, and for each imagesetter. If there are multiple front ends sending the imagesetter print jobs, then the files containing the curves must be distributed and managed. The number of transfer curves can become unruly. In an effort to reduce the number of transfer curves required, conventional methods require limiting the number of output conditions which can be specified. For instance, if film negatives at high resolutions of 150 lines per inch was the only output condition, then only one transfer curve per application, per imagesetter would be required. This is typically the case for closed reproduction systems, such as that mentioned in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,075,662 and 4,500,919. The limitation on output conditions, however, is unrealistic and impractical with multi-function RIPs and imagesetters such those used in Model Nos. RIP-30 and Linotronic-330. A typical production environment using this equipment may require 24 transfer curves, for 5 applications, for 2 imagesetters. This would yield 240 separate transfer curves (24�5�2=240). If these curves were distributed among four front ends, then the operator would have to manage 960 separate files. In practice, the number of transfer curves used is a balance of output flexibility versus the number of curves to manage.
The second method by which conventional calibration adjustments are made, or RIP-based calibration, was formed as an attempt to reduce the number of curves and files required to support a minimum of output flexibility. Thus, RIP-based calibration is an approach used to calibrate the RIP and the imagesetter as a unit, so that all front ends and all application programs assume the device produces a linear gray scale. This process requires an operator to construct a transfer curve under identical output conditions to the present, and to properly identify and select that curve for use in the RIP and imagesetter. In the existing art, the operator loads the single curve into violative memory within the RIP. This is not repeated for each application programmable front end. In our example, this has the net effect of reducing a number of transfer curves needed from 240 to 48, and the number of files from 960 to 48. Although RIP-based calibration is effective in reducing the number of transfer curves, current RIP-base calibration techniques do not utilize many of the variable inputs which can effect the transfer curve. Furthermore, conventional RIP-based calibration requires manual selection and loading of the transfer curve appropriate to the current output conditions. Manual selection and loading for each transfer curve is not only inefficient but difficult to incorporate and thus, it is error-prone.
Accordingly, current calibration methodology requires that separate transfer curves be constructed to account for the plurality of variable inputs. Included with those inputs is either positive or negative output sense conditions. Images can be outputted in either a positive or negative format, one format or sense being the inversion of the other. Images, lines and type in a page description language are usually specified from the front end in a positive sense. The RIP and imagesetter can output any positive sense, or can switch to a negative independent of the page description. The negative sense is useful in many printing processes. Conventional methods for specifying a negative output sense are as follows:
1. Mathematically, through the transfer function and its interaction with the page description language. This method converts a gray value to negative by subtracting the gray value from 100 prior to halftone dot generation. Hence, a 0% gray value becomes 100%, 25% becomes 75%, etc.
2. Electronically, by inverting the pixel stream in the RIP prior to it leaving the RIP. A gray value is converted to a raster-based halftone dot, the halftone dot is placed in the RIP's raster memory, and after the complete page description is processed, the raster memory is transferred from the RIP in serial fashion to the recorder. Each bit in the pixel stream is inverted; that is, if the bit were on, it is turned off, if the bit were off, it is turned on. This produces a negative image, but because it has the effect of "turning the halftone dot inside out" the transfer curve required to produce the negative calibrated output is substantially different from that used with the mathematical negative.
3. Electronically, by inverting the pixel stream in the recorder immediately after it enters the recorder. This method is substantially similar to the second method above, and uses the same transfer as the second method in order to calibrate.
In practice, these methods are multiplicate in nature. That is, each of the three output sense settings shown above are set either positive or negative, and combine to produce an image. The negative of a negative is a positive. For example, the first method shown above places the output sense setting as positive, and the second and third method each set output sense setting as positive and the resultant image is positive. However, if method one places sense setting as negative, but method two places sense as negative and method three as positive, the resultant image is also positive. The transfer curve for these two cases, however, are different and this must be recognized by the operator for successful calibration. Thus, regardless of which method is used or whether or not the methods are multiplicated such that more than one method is used, an operator must set the methodology each time positive or negative output sense conditions are specified. Accordingly, conventional methods shown above which set sense output are often prone to operator error.
The net result of conventional art and all the complexities described hereinabove, is that halftone calibration for imagesetters with multiple output conditions such as, e.g., resolution, media, halftone frequency, screen intensity and sense/polarity output, is non-intuitive, labor-intensities, tedious and therefore error prone. Current methods require an inordinate amount of attention from the operator for success.
The problems outlined above are in large part solved by the method and apparatus of the present invention, which provides programmable convenience capability in programming image generating devices having variable output conditions. More specifically, the present invention is capable of calibrating output images at various image resolutions, exposure intensities and screen frequencies. Thus, by simply changing, in software, imaging parameters such as resolution, exposure intensity, screen frequency, sense (polarity) and/or photographic medium, a more precisely calibrated output image is achieved from standard image generating devices. The present invention takes into account many variables in the calibration method and apparatus so that a more precisely calibrated output image is achieved.
Broadly speaking, the present invention contemplates a method of calibrating images output by an image generating device. In this method, input images represented in a programmable page description language are provided, with each input image including a plurality of requested image densities. Then, the input images are reproduced onto image bearing media using an image generating device in order to produce recorded images that have a plurality of recorded image densities that are a function of controllable imaging parameters that affect calibration. Then, a density of each of the recorded images is determined, and a plurality of calibration sets is generated in accordance with the determining step, with each calibration set corresponding to a variation between the requested image densities and corresponding recorded image densities at different values of the controllable imaging parameters. Then, a particular calibration set of the plurality of calibration sets is programmably selected and used to convert one of a subsequent plurality of input images, depending upon current settings of the controllable imaging parameters in the image generating device.
The programmable page description language may include redefineable transfer function and screening operators, and then the programmably selecting step includes redefining the transfer function and screening operators in accordance with the plurality of calibration sets, and then the subsequent plurality of input images is converted as a function of the redefined transfer function and screening operators. The redefineable operators may include a set transfer operator and a set screen operator.
The present invention also contemplates an apparatus for generating calibrated output images from an image generating device, the apparatus including a device for receiving an input image represented in a programmable page description language, with each input image including a plurality of requested image densities. The apparatus also includes a programmable raster image processors having a channel for receiving the programmable page description language, and for converting the programmable page description language into a raster representation of the input image. An image generating device is connected to the programmable raster image processor, and it is used to reproduce the raster representation of the input image onto an image bearing medium as a recorded image. An image density detector is provided for measuring a density of the recorded image, and a computer is provided that receives and stores a plurality of calibration sets, the calibration sets reflecting variations between densities of the recorded image measured by the image density detector and corresponding requested image densities at different values of the controllable image of the parameters. The computer controls the programmable raster image processor to programmably convert programmable page description language representations of subsequent input images as a function of a selected one of the calibration sets stored in the computer in order to programmably adjust the subsequent input images into calibrated output images. The computer may control the programmable raster image processor to redefine transfer function and screening operators existing in the programmable page description language, as a function of the stored calibration sets.
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a sample test strip pattern used by the present invention in setting the imagesetter exposure intensity setting and generating halftone response function for calibration set construction;
FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic block representation of the present invention showing various components along with the flow of data and steps used in the calibration process; and,
FIG. 3 is a graph depicting the method by which, given a calibration set selected for resolution, exposure intensity and halftone screen frequency, the transfer function is derived for the proper output sense condition.
Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a sample test strip pattern used by the present invention. In particular, FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary uncalibrated halftone input processed in the form of a test pattern 10 representing numerous indicia usable for subsequent calibration of halftone input images. Included within pattern 10 is a solid area 11 along with targets 12, 13 and 14. Targets 12, 13 and 14 are useful in setting the exposure intensity of the halftone image to as a high a value as possible without overexposing the image placed on a media such as film. Solid area 11 and targets 12, 13 and 14 are examined on pattern 10 for evidence of film overexposure so that corrections can be made prior to the imagesetting process. Also included in test pattern 10 are two gray scales 15 and 16 usable in measuring various degrees of densities or gray values ranging between 2% and 100%. 0% is capable of being read from any clear space 17 on pattern 10. It is important to note that pattern 10 is merely a sample and does not indicate all the various forms of test patterns which can be obtained by the present invention. Furthermore, pattern 10 is placed upon a photographic media such as a film so that density readings can be obtained therefrom by a standard densitometer. It is envisioned, however, that other forms of photographic media may be used provided densities can be read therefrom by a standard densitometer. Thus, photographic media such as paper or photographic plates are also possible.
Included for identification of an operator viewing test pattern 10, is the imagesetter name 18 and various parameters which effect the calibrated halftone output image such as, e.g., screen frequency 19, angle of rotation 20 of the halftone image with respect to the type set page, the imagesetter light source exposure intensity 21 and the imagesetter pixel grid resolution 22. Also shown is indicator 23 useable for determining if the gray scale shown on pattern 10 is uncalibrated output (as shown in FIG. 1) or an attempt at calibrated output (not shown). Thus, FIG. 1 illustrates uncalibrated halftone test pattern 10 usable for establishing calibration sets disclosed hereinbelow. Included under each gray scale tint box (2%-100%), is an area 24 usable for recording gray scales with positive output sense. Area 25A is used for recording gray scale areas with negative output sense. Thus, the sample test pattern 10 shown in FIG. 1 is produced with a positive output since area 25A contains positive-output-sense-recorded test patterns.
Turning now to FIG. 2, calibrated halftone output images are created by computer front-ends in a page description language 25 as shown. Language 25 is then sent to an imagesetter comprised of a raster image processor, or a RIP, 26. RIP 26 then converts language 25 into a raster format which is then sent to recorder 27. Recorder 27 records the halftone input image on photographic media and delivers that media to photoprocessor 28 for chemical processing and development. Output from photoprocessor 28 is then characterized in one of two categories, namely, uncalibrated halftone output images 29 or calibrated halftone output images 30. Uncalibrated output 29 is then used to characterize the halftone response of the imagesetter, film and photoprocessor system for different combinations of media, resolution and halftone frequency 45, 46 and 47, respectively.
Test pattern 10 shown in FIG. 1 can thereby be encoded from page description language 25 to begin the calibration process. Namely, description language of a halftone image corresponding to test pattern 10 is sent via channel 31 to RIP 26. Test pattern 10 is then ultimately imaged at a predetermined media 45, resolution 46 and halftone frequency 47. First, the gray values in test pattern 10 are mapped through transfer function 33. Note that line art and text, through black in a positive page image, is still considered a gray value of 100%, and is passed through transfer function 33. Not shown, and not germane to this discussion, are the mechanisms that RIP 26 uses to generate the actual text in line art images included in a complete page description.
For purpose of forming calibration sets and characterizing the halftone response, transfer function 33 is set to the unitary function; that is the output gray value equals the input value. Also possible, and equally usable, is an inverse linear transfer function, in which the percent gray value is subtracted from 100% to invert the image. The output value equals 100% minus the input value. Unity or inverse transfer function 33 is set at user direction through page description language 25.
After transfer function 33 (which may have caused a negative image), gray values 34 pass to halftone dot generation section 35. RIP 26 then creates a separate halftone dot proportional in size, usually linear, to each gray value 34. Halftone dots representing each gray value 36 are placed in raster memory 37. Raster memory 37 contains a pixel-by-pixel translation of page description 25. When page description 25 has been completely processed, page image 38 is passed through a conditional invertor 39. Invertor 39 is enabled to produce a negative at user direction through page description language 25.
After the pixel stream 40 leaves RIP 26, it enters recorder 27 and is passed through a similar conditional invertor 41. This invertor 41 is also enabled under user direction through page description language 25. From invertor 41, the pixel stream is used to modulate a light source scanning in raster fashion 42 which then produces a photographic media of the latent image corresponding to test pattern 10 representation of the uncalibrated halftone input image.
The film with the exposed test pattern 43 corresponding to halftone input image test pattern 10, is then developed by photoprocessor 28. Photoprocessor 28 has been used extensively in the art, and therefore, it is not discussed herein.
The processor 28 which produces uncalibrated test pattern images 44 is activated for each combination of media, resolution and halftone frequency desired, 45, 46 and 47, respectively. Test pattern films 43 are divided into a specific media category 45 (film or paper), resolution 46 (high or low) and halftone screen frequencies 47 (multiple lines per inch). Note that while FIG. 2 shows two types of media 45, two resolution values 46 and three halftone screen frequencies 47, it is clearly within the scope and spirit of this invention to include multiple values beyond two types of media, two resolution values and three halftone screen frequencies.
Upon obtaining media 45, resolution 46 and screen frequencies 47 of uncalibrated output 29, the operator can then measure the test pattern gray scales 15 and 16 (shown in FIG. 1) with a standard dot-area densitometer 48. The record of these measurements, along with output sense (either positive or negative), media, exposure intensity, resolution and halftone frequency constitute a calibration set 49. A plurality of calibration sets 50 may be created, stored in RIP 26, and used with transfer function 33 to linearize the imagesetter's halftone response. One or more calibration sets 49 are transferred to RIP 26 in a manner well known in the art. RIP 26 is constructed with a selector 51 and calibration function 52. Thus, selector functions to select a given calibration set 50 within RIP 26 to provide linearized, calibrated halftone response output.
Once calibration sets 50 are obtained and transfer function 33 is in place, subsequent halftone input images can then be calibrated in accordance with calibration sets 50 and transfer function 33. Accordingly, at the start of processing any subsequent halftone input image in the form of subsequent page description language 32, selector 51 is called upon to select a corresponding calibration set 50 appropriate to the current system conditions such as e.g., exposure intensity 21, media 45, resolution 46, screen frequency 47, etc. Current media 45 is determined by a one-to-one mapping process with the exposure intensity 54 which is determined from recorder 27 by query. For example, all film test strips 10 are exposed at the same exposure intensity setting 21 and all paper test strips are exposed at the same exposure intensity setting 21. A requirement of the present invention is that exposure intensity settings 21 be different for each different media 45 (paper or film). In practice, this causes no difficulty. In the event that two different media are properly exposed at the same exposure intensity setting 21, the present invention requires that one media be shifted in exposure intensity. This shift is at most 0.4%, a negligible amount. In this manner, selector 51 can determine which group of calibration set is appropriate to the current media 45 by examining the exposure intensity setting only.
Next, selector 51 narrows the list of possible sets by examining the current resolution 53 from recorder 27. The halftone parameters 55, notably halftone screen frequency, are determined either from default within RIP 26 or may be overridden by page description language 25. Once media 45, resolution 46 and screen frequency 47 are determined, selector 51 examines the group of calibration sets 50 for a match, and if a match is found, it presents the found calibration set to the calibration function 52. In the event that a calibration set match is not found, selector 51 presents a no set, which has the net effect of providing unadjusted halftones. This method of operation has the advantage of not disabling output in the event that halftone input images could not be calibrated--a desirable outcome to many operators. In another embodiment of the present invention, selector 51 terminates current page description 25 if a calibration set could not be found.
Note that in the current art, page description 25 may specify any halftone screen frequency 47 from the practical limits of 40 lines per inch to 300 lines per inch. It would be unreasonable and unworkable to construct a calibration set 50 for every halftone frequency that could be specified. Evidence from testing has shown that a given calibration set at a given halftone screen frequency is accurate at a frequency significantly different from that at which the set was measured. For instance, a calibration set measured at 150 lines per inch may be accurate within a tolerance of 1% for �15 lines per inch. It is a feature of the present invention that the operator may specify a halftone frequency range for which a calibration set may apply. Selector 51 matches the current halftone frequency to a halftone range, consisting of a starting frequency spanning to an ending frequency, inclusive. The halftone ranges for calibration set at a given exposure intensity 21 and a given resolution 46 are not allowed to overlap, thereby yielding the possibility of only one match. This method has the significant advantage of not allowing the operator to vary the number of calibration sets for various frequencies depending upon the operator's accuracy requirements.
As gray values 32 are specified in page description language 25 where halftone input images are to be calibrated, gray values are mapped through transfer function 33. Transfer function 33 is a convenient way to map user gray values to values that are presented to dot generator 35 of RIP 26 so that the end result is a calibrated halftone output image. Transfer function 33, however, has multiple uses. Page description language 25 may specify an inverted transfer function 33 in order to produce a negative image. In this case, the invention concatenates calibration function 52 with the one specified through page description language 25. Care is taken to ensure that calibration function 52 is not concatenated more than once.
The output sense can be provided by either the default transfer function 33 or of one specified via page description 56 provided to calibration function 52, along with the sense of conditional RIP invertor 57, and the sense of conditional recorder invertor 58. These various data inputs provide the present invention with bases for calibrating or mapping within calibration function 52. Mapping or calibration according to sense of conditional RIP invertor 39 and conditional recorder invertor 41 is described with the aid of FIG. 3.
Shown in FIG. 3 is a graphical depiction of the halftone response contained in a typical calibration set. The ordinate and abscissa are in % minus dot area, a typical and widely used halftone measurement for negatives. Dot area measurements are usually spoken of in terms of printed dots on the page. That is, a 10% dot area means that 10% of a given area is covered by dots, or is mostly white. But for a negative that would be used to produce a printing plate that would make a 10% dot area, the area is mostly black, or 90% of the area on the negative is covered by dots. For convenience, this area is called a 10% minus dot area, since the negative produces a 10% dot.
Negative curve 59 of FIG. 3 results if the halftone measurement taken on gray scales 15 and 16 of FIG. 1 were taken from a negative; rather, they were minus dot measurements. If so, positive curve 60 can be constructed from curve 59. In the alternative, if halftone measurements taken on gray scales 15 and 16 were taken from a positive, then they are plotted on curve 60 and negative curve 59 is constructed from positive curve 60. Curve 61 is the unity function, and is shown for reference.
Curve 60 is a complementary curve constructed from curve 59 in the following manner: for each % minus dot area commanded, such as point 62, there is a corresponding point 63 for positive dots, which is simply expressed as 100% less the minus dot point value. At point 62, the difference of the commanded value to the actual value recorded, the distance A, is transferred to the corresponding point 63, in opposite sense, as the distance A'. In like manner, point 63's distance to the negative curve B is transferred to point 62 in opposite fashion as distance B'. the magnitude of A equals A', and the magnitude B equals B' for each corresponding point along curve 61. At points 64 and 65, A equals A' equals B equals B'.
It is a feature of the present invention that the measurement points are symmetric about 50%. That is, a measurement of 2% corresponds to a measurement of 98%, a 5% to 95%, a 7% to 93%, etc. While not mandatory for construction of the complementary curve, this arrangement merely simplifies the algorithms and assures accuracy.
The purpose of the calibration function 52 is to invert the halftone response function from the selected calibration set 50, depending upon the output sense conditions 56, 57 and 58. The present invention relies on the fact that the measured halftone response is usable regardless of the state of the three output sense conditions 56, 57 and 58. Calibration functions 52 is dependent on the individual output sense conditions. Because the effect of the conditional pixel invertors 39 and 41 can be combined through the use of the "exclusive or" function, there are four principal sense conditions to deal with: 1) the transfer function 56 (Ntf) is positive, and invertors 39 and 41 produce a positive for a positive image; 2) Ntf is negative and the invertors 39 and 41 produce a positive for a negative image; 3) Ntf is positive and the invertors 39 and 41 produce a negative for a negative image; and 4) Ntf is negative and the invertors 39 and 41 produce a negative for a positive image.
The above four principal sense conditions are described hereinbelow. In the case where Ntf is positive and invertors are also positive, the dot area value from transfer function 33 is in positive dot, so it is first converted to minus by subtracting from 100%. For an input value of 50%, calibration function follows line 66 until in intersects curve 60 at point 67. This occurs at a given percent dot area-to-command point 68. The value to command from point 68 is then subtracted from 100% and output along path 34 to dot generator 35 of FIG. 2. Other transfer values are computed in like manner by intersecting curve 60. In the case where Ntf is negative and invertors 39 and 41 are positive, the dot area is used directly. For an input value of 50%, calibration function 52 follows line 66 until in intersects curve 59 at point 69. This occurs at a given percent dot area-to-command point 70. The value to command from point 70 is then used directly and output along path 34 to dot generator 35 of FIG. 2. Note that the commanded values for 50% positive and 50% negative are identical, and the commanded value for 25% positive and 75% negative are identical. It is worth mentioning at this point that the use of two curves is not mandatory. The mathematical relationship between positive and negative dot area measurements is straight forward, but the use of two curves here is advantageous for recording the halftone response measurement and to help understand the operation of transfer function 33 and calibration of function 52. If Ntf is positive and invertors 39 and 41 are negative, the dot area value from transfer function 33 is used directly. For this case, however, calibration function 52 intersects the positive curve 60 even though a negative image will ultimately be formed. From an input value of 90%, the curve is intersected at point 71, for a commanded value at point 72. The command value at point 72 is used directly and is sent along path 34 to the dot generator 35. Still further, if Ntf is negative and invertors 39 and 41 are negative, the dot area value from transfer function 33 is inverted by subtracting from 100%. For an input value of 90%, this converts to 10%. The calibration function intersects the negative curve 59, even though a positive image will ultimately be formed. From an input value of 10%, the curve is intersected at point 73. The value to command from point 73 is then subtracted from 100% and is sent along path 34 to dot generator 35.
Note that the last two examples shown above produce the same absolute gray value output. Again, the use of two curves is not mandatory but is helpful for explanation purposes.
The invention herein described assumes short term stability in the photoprocessor 28, photographic media 43 and photo exposure mechanism 42. Significant effort within the current art is devoted to assuring the stability of these three items. In practice, the calibration sets 50, which are a function of these three items, have been shown to be accurate for periods exceeding four weeks, provided there are good controls on the photographic processes. In the event of major change, such as a change in the type of film, chemicals or processor, the existing calibration sets 50 may need to be discarded and new ones created. The present invention provides for easy verification of the calibration set accuracy and can be easily changed.
The current embodiment of the present invention also assumes that dot generator 35 on FIG. 2, produces a fixed dot shape that varies only with gray value requested. In another embodiment of the invention, the dot shape is allowed to change. This replicates the groups 45, 46 and 47 for each different dot shape. Dot shape is also included in the calibration sets 50 and the dot shape is taken into account by selector 51 with input from dot generator 35.
The foregoing description of the present invention has been directed to particular preferred embodiments. It will be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that modifications and changes in both apparatus and method may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. For example, the present invention contemplates functioning with any standard raster image processor for any form of output media. Furthermore, the present invention also contemplates use in any standard personal computer which can programmably receive calibration sets and apply those calibrations sets to any form of input page description language. Therefore, it is the applicant's intention in the following claims to cover all such equivalent modifications and variations which fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.
Patent Citations
Non-Patent Citations
Referenced by
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text:
Updated: 07/24/2014 7:00 AM
Created: 07/23/2014 12:41 PM KSTP.com
Mankato is preparing for an influx of Minnesota Vikings football players and fans on the eve of the team's three-week training camp.
The Free Press reports Mankato businesses are hiring additional employees in anticipation of a potential surge in clientele. One restaurant owner says he expects a 30 to 40 percent increase in business.
A record 69,000 fans attended last year's training camp.
The 49th annual Vikings training camp begins Thursday when players return to field at Minnesota State University. Festivities are set to kick off with a tailgate party featuring Vikings players and cheerleaders.
(Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
|Suspect, Victim ID'd in Fatal Shooting Outside Coon Rapids Bar
|Bold Break-in Leaves Inver Grove Heights Neighborhood on Edge
|8 Arrested after Robbery at Edina Louis Vuitton Store, High-Speed Chase
|2 Motorcyclists Killed in Carver County Crash, Total Deaths at 36
|Hastings Turns Off Lights to Deter Mayflies


text:
HTC Titan II
At the Consumer Electronics Show 2012 in Las Vegas, USA, HTC Corp has announced the company's first Windows Phone to run on a 4G LTE network, Titan II.
Sporting a large 4.7-inch super LCD capacitive touchscreen display, HTC Titan II features a 16 megapixel camera with a wide-angle lens, autofocus, dual LED flash, red eye reduction, image stabilization, a backside-illuminated sensor and a physical camera button. The smartphone also enables 720p HD video recording.
The phone's other camera features include, panoramic shot for sweeping landscapes and burst shot for action photography. HTC has also added a 1.3 megapixel front facing camera for video chat and video calling.
Peter Chou, CEO of HTC Corp said, "HTC's history of innovation in 4G technology includes delivering the first 4G-powered devices to each major carrier in the US. The smartphone combines HTC's design with AT&T's high-speed 4G LTE network and Microsoft's powerful Windows Phone software, giving people more of what they crave."
Powered by Qualcomm's 1.5 GHz Snapdragon S2 processor, HTC Titan II will feature the latest version of Windows Phone OS and will pack 1,730mAh lithium ion battery.
The phone will also offer quick access to the latest movies and TV shows via HTC Watch and on-the-go gaming with Xbox LIVE.
HTC Titan II, which comes with a large on-screen keyboard, will offer instant access to Windows Phone Office Hub, Microsoft Exchange 2010 and Outlook Mobile. The Live
Tile display will bring the latest updates and news from popular social networks directly to the home screen. The phone will also let customers download exclusive HTC applications for free within Windows Marketplace through HTC Hub. The phone also offers support for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS.
The HTC Titan II is expected to become available exclusively from AT&T in the US in the coming months.


text:
The Official STAR TREK Grading & Discussion Thread [SPOILERS]
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May 8 2009, 12:09 AM
Say my name...
Location: United Kingdom
Re: The Official STAR TREK Grading & Discussion Thread [SPOILERS]
teacake wrote:
I did little jump at the Cardassian drink being mentioned in the bar scene. It seems unlikely that Cardassia would have been known enough for a drink to make it's name known, or to even use the name "Cardassian" as a drink moniker whether it came from that planet or not.
1) If memory serves, we don't know when we first encountered Cardassia/interacted with them
2) Alternate timeline - for all we know Starfleet started on a big 'ally search' following their mysterious attack by a massively superior force. They ran into the Cardassians, and forged a friendship.
This post terminates here. Please do not attempt to board.
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Want to take amazing photos? Stand out from the crowd - make your photos POP! Retrica will transform your photo experience into something truly memorable. Choose how you want to remember that great view from your trip, or that delicious meal you shared with a friend. With Retrica's live filters, you can preview how your photos will look, before you even take the photo!
Retrica also comes with trendy logos to make your photos more noticeable. And with over 100 filters, you'll never run out of options.
More than 100 million photos are taken per day with Retrica. Download Retrica today, and join the crowd!
Check out these awesome features when you download Retrica:
+ Endless possibilities: All of your favorite moments can be photographed and remembered with 100+ filters.
+ Real-time filters: Preview your photos before you snap.
+ Vignette: Add a classic vignette border with the touch of a button.
+ Collage: Set the time interval, and take consecutive photos using the collage feature; it's like being in a photo booth! Take fun and quirky pictures with your friends.
+ Watermark: You have the option to add Retrica's watermark logo, so everyone can see the fun you're having with Retrica!
+ Timer: No photographer necessary - set the timer, choose your interval, and you're good to go.
+ Blur: Your subjects can be placed in and out of focus with this feature.
+ Build your social network: Upload your photos to your favorite social networking sites – be the talk of the town.
What's New
Version 2.5 (Jun 15, 2015)
Added an awesome FREE filter pack: Phonetic
ALL FREE access to filters using the shuffle button
UI and performance improvements
Version 2.4.1 (May 11, 2015)
Retrica now warns you if your privacy setting does not allow us to save photos
Crashing bug when you alter filter strength have been fixed
Other bug fixes
Performance improvements
Version 2.4 (Mar 31, 2015)
ALL NEW Retrica! This update includes:
- Fresh new UI design that better suit your Retrica experience
- Extremely fast photo taking experience on Retrica
- Location watermarks that show where you were!
Version 2.3.2 (Dec 31, 2014)
Critical fixes: Go Pro purchase error and photo saving error fixed. EXIF related fixes.
Enjoy premium filters this holiday season at heavily discounted rates!
Limited edition watermarks for 2014-2015 winter holidays season!
Version 2.3.1 (Dec 20, 2014)
Enjoy premium filters this holiday season at heavily discounted rates!
Limited edition watermarks for 2014-2015 winter holidays season!
Bug fixes
Version 2.3 (Dec 02, 2014)
Thank you for using Retrica! Retrica has been updated so that you can experience more from your camera. Check out what's new in 2.3:
● Four new filter packs: Brilliant, Antique, Juxtapose, and Mythic, have been added to capture even more of your
special moments!
● The Stella filter has been added to the Chic filter pack
● Watch a sponsored video to try a premium filter for free
● Choose a Retrica watermark after you take a photo
● Manually control the exposure for your photos
● Retrica now supports remote Bluetooth shutter buttons
● Overall UI improvements have also been made
Version 2.2.2 (Oct 10, 2014)
iOS 8 support / iPhone 6, 6+ support
Bug fixes and performance improvements
Version 2.2.1 (Sep 27, 2014)
iOS 8 support
Bug fixes and performance improvements
Version 2.2 (Aug 28, 2014)
* You can now randomly select filters when you are editing photos from the system albums
* Swiping within the in-app album is now possible
* FAQ is now provided with answers
* User interface improvements
* Other performance enhancements and bug fixes
Version 2.1 (Jun 24, 2014)
* You can now randomly select filters when you are editing photos from the system albums
* Swiping within the in-app album is now possible
* FAQ is now provided with answers
* User interface improvements
* Other performance enhancements and bug fixes
Version 2.0.1 (Jan 03, 2014)
- iPod touch 5G 16GB support
- Launch image added
- Performance / UI improvements
- Bug fixes
Version 2.0 (Dec 17, 2013)
* iOS 7 compatibility
* iPhone 5S/5C support
* Bug fixes
* User interface improvements
* 40 new filters (25 of which you get once you purchase the Pro Upgrade)
* Manual consecutive shots feature
* 6 new collages
* 9 new hip Retrica logos
* Prepare for Instagram
:: Import photos from Saved Album ::
You can now import photos from your Saved Album and apply Retrica filters on them to turn those photos to pop! You can also apply vignette or blur effects on them too (in-App purchase only feature.)
Version 1.3.0 (Jun 14, 2013)
New awesome Retrica Logo and 3 new additional Logos available (You can also turn the logo watermark off in
You can either CHOOSE from saving photos automatically into Camera roll only
OR saving photos in both in app album and Camera roll.
Bug fixes
Version 1.2.0 (May 11, 2013)
The Retrica logo watermark is back as an option! (You can turn off the watermark at settings.)
Random selection of filter is available.
Various bugs including geo tagging fixed.
Version 1.1.0 (Apr 29, 2013)
The watermark(Retrica logo) removed
Bugs fixed
16 Real-time filters added
The range of Self-timer expanded
Geo tag and EXIF information supported
Vignette enhanced
Options added
- Touch sound
- Save as preview (Mirror effect)
Version 1.0.1 (Nov 27, 2012)
In-App-Purchase "Remove Watermark and Ads" added


text:
Official Flight Simulator X Feedback Thread
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Comfortably Numb
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 752
Re: Flight Simulator X Full Version Feedback Thread
Hey SJA06
Yep i agree the water thing can be tricky but i think you've nailed the tones for the UK in that last theme so great work
ive played with the tropical sets a few time for hawaii but never publish any to the FEX GUI,the main thing that throws water tweaking is that bloody silly milky moon that effects water tone even durning the day,just one other thing that got past Aces Q&A...i just hope either FSWC or chirs new shader will let us nuke it for once and all
Ive been trying to find an app that can monitor VM under Vista but it seems due to videomemory virtualization nothing can track it
riva tunner VM plugin has this to say on the matter
Videomemory usage monitoring is not available under Vista due to Vista videomemory virtualization.
Its one of the reasons that i dont really think im gonna need the 1GB version of the 4870,I think im gonna wait out for a week or 2 for prices here in the UK to settle a little Ebuyer have them on preorder for £180 which is a great price ive allready come close to hitting the buy button twice today ! OcUK on the other hand want £235 for the same card lol welcome to rip off britain...
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Kapoor, R. R; Flanagan, S. E; Fulton, P.; Chakrapani, A.; Chadefaux, B.; Ben-Omran, T.; ... Hussain, K.; + view all Kapoor, R. R; Flanagan, S. E; Fulton, P.; Chakrapani, A.; Chadefaux, B.; Ben-Omran, T.; Banerjee, I.; Shield, J. P; Ellard, S.; Hussain, K.; - view fewer (2009) Hyperinsulinism-hyperammonaemia syndrome: novel mutations in the GLUD1 gene and genotype-phenotype correlations. European Journal of Endocrinology , 161 (5) pp. 731-735. 10.1530/EJE-09-0615.
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Background: Activating mutations in the GLUD1 gene (which encodes for the intra-mitochondrial enzyme glutamate dehydrogenase, GDH) cause the hyperinsulinism–hyperammonaemia (HI/HA) syndrome. Patients present with HA and leucine-sensitive hypoglycaemia. GDH is regulated by another intra-mitochondrial enzyme sirtuin 4 (SIRT4). Sirt4 knockout mice demonstrate activation of GDH with increased amino acid-stimulated insulin secretion. Objectives: To study the genotype–phenotype correlations in patients with GLUD1 mutations. To report the phenotype and functional analysis of a novel mutation (P436L) in the GLUD1 gene associated with the absence of HA. Patients and methods: Twenty patients with HI from 16 families had mutational analysis of the GLUD1 gene in view of HA (n=19) or leucine sensitivity (n=1). Patients negative for a GLUD1 mutation had sequence analysis of the SIRT4 gene. Functional analysis of the novel P436L GLUD1 mutation was performed. Results: Heterozygous missense mutations were detected in 15 patients with HI/HA, 2 of which are novel (N410D and D451V). In addition, a patient with a normal serum ammonia concentration (21 µmol/l) was heterozygous for a novel missense mutation P436L. Functional analysis of this mutation confirms that it is associated with a loss of GTP inhibition. Seizure disorder was common (43%) in our cohort of patients with a GLUD1 mutation. No mutations in the SIRT4 gene were identified. Conclusion: Patients with HI due to mutations in the GLUD1 gene may have normal serum ammonia concentrations. Hence, GLUD1 mutational analysis may be indicated in patients with leucine sensitivity; even in the absence of HA. A high frequency of epilepsy (43%) was observed in our patients with GLUD1 mutations.
|Hyperinsulinism-hyperammonaemia syndrome: novel mutations in the GLUD1 gene and genotype-phenotype correlations
|Open access status:
|An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
|Publisher version:
|Additional information:
|© 2009 European Society of Endocrinology. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the European Journal of Endocrinology's Re-use Licence which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. For information see http://www.eje-online.org/misc/reuse_licence.dtl
|UCL classification:
|UCL > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > Institute of Child Health > Department of Genes, Development and Disease > ICH - Clinical and Molecular Genetics
UCL > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > Institute of Child Health
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39 year old man | Issaquah, WA, USA | Seeking women 32-42 within 20 miles
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I spent my entire life in California before moving to Seattle in February 2013 for a new job. I work in a small company owned by a very large online retailer named after a river and am fortunate that it combines two of my favorite things: photography and writing. I've been lucky enough to do a lot of traveling in my life: 32 countries and 5 continents (Antarctica being one of them). I have a huge bucket list and am hoping to do SE Asia, Spain, and more of Japan next. Photography is my favorite hobby and it gives me a good excuse to travel. Some other favorites include spending time with my niece and nephew, though it's not as often as I'd like. I'll often get in my car, pick a direction, and drive, camera in tow. I've been volunteering at animal shelters for over seven years which gives me that warm, fuzzy feeling and is also a much-needed break from work. I'm a loyal fan of San Francisco sports teams, so you won't see me wearing a Seahawks jersey anytime soon (In return I promise not to wear any red and gold). I haven't done a lot of outdoor activities, but I'd like to do more hiking, kayaking, and camping. And maybe, just maybe, skiing. I'm hoping to meet someone that can give me a kick in the behind to try some of these things! I'd love my potential partner to be intelligent, compassionate, ambitious and, of course, funny. A love of travel and animals is a must! Bonus points if you have an interest in photography, and double points if you like the oxford comma. Looking forward to hearing from you!
Coffee and conversation , Dining out , Hobbies and crafts , Movies/Videos , Museums and art , Exploring new areas , Political interests , Travel/Sightseeing , Video games , Volunteering , Watching sports
Basketball, Bowling, Golf, Tennis / Racquet sports, Walking / Hiking, Yoga
I exercise 1-2 times per week.
I have Cats
I like Dogs
I grew up with both dogs and cats, and currently have a pair of the latter. I lost a wonderful companion to cancer last year and now have a new member of the family that has made returned balance to the household.
Near: Anywhere in the mountains or near water. My old hometown of San Francisco. Napa Valley, Monterey and Carmel, Yosemite, San Diego, Disneyland. Abroad: Maui, Paris, Venice, London, Santorini, Kyoto, Hong Kong, Buenos Aires, Antarctica
University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA
Music (trance/electronic), photography, gadgets, tasty food (spicy Chinese and real Mexican food (which is lacking here), frozen yogurt, my pets, and family/friends. The creek and forest in my backyard is nice, too.
Photography, travel, volunteering, gadgets, hanging out with my niece and nephew, roller coasters, drives to nowhere in particular.
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|What he is looking for
|6'1" (185cms)
|5'0" (152cms) to 6'0" (182cms)
|Body type:
|A few extra pounds
|Slender, About average, Curvy, Athletic and toned, A few extra pounds
|No preference
|No preference
|No Way
|No Way
|Social Drinker
|Never, Social Drinker
|Technical / Science / Computers / Engineering
|No preference
I ran my own business for 15 years, which sadly I had to close down at the end of 2012. The good news is that I'm doing essentially the same thing here in Seattle, which combines photography and writing.
|$75,001 to $100,000
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|Never Married, Divorced
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|Asian, East Indian, Latino / Hispanic, White / Caucasian, Other
|Agnostic, Atheist, Buddhist / Taoist, Christian / Catholic, Christian / Protestant, Jewish, Spiritual but not religious
Culturally Jewish
|English, French
|No preference
|Bachelors degree
|Bachelors degree, Graduate degree, PhD / Post Doctoral
BS in Cognitive Science from UC San Diego, with a minor in Art History.


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Are you Tomas Puelma?Claim your profile
Publications (2)4.62 Total impact
Article: Discriminative local subspaces in gene expression data for effective gene function prediction[Show abstract] [Hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Massive amounts of genome-wide gene expression data have become available, motivating the development of computational approaches that leverage this information to predict gene function. Among successful approaches, supervised machine learning methods, such as Support Vector Machines (SVMs), have shown superior prediction accuracy. However, these methods lack the simple biological intuition provided by co-expression networks (CNs), limiting their practical usefulness. In this work, we present Discriminative Local Subspaces (DLS), a novel method that combines supervised machine learning and co-expression techniques with the goal of systematically predict genes involved in specific biological processes of interest. Unlike traditional CNs, DLS uses the knowledge available in Gene Ontology (GO) to generate informative training sets that guide the discovery of expression signatures: expression patterns that are discriminative for genes involved in the biological process of interest. By linking genes co-expressed with these signatures, DLS is able to construct a discriminative CN that links both, known and previously uncharacterized genes, for the selected biological process. This article focuses on the algorithm behind DLS and shows its predictive power using an Arabidopsis thaliana dataset and a representative set of 101 GO terms from the Biological Process Ontology. Our results show that DLS has a superior average accuracy than both SVMs and CNs. Thus, DLS is able to provide the prediction accuracy of supervised learning methods while maintaining the intuitive understanding of CNs. A MATLAB® implementation of DLS is available at http://virtualplant.bio.puc.cl/cgi-bin/Lab/tools.cgi.Bioinformatics 07/2012; 28(17):2256-64. DOI:10.1093/bioinformatics/bts455 · 4.62 Impact Factor
Article: An ensemble of discriminative local subspaces in microarray data for gene ontology annotations predictions.[Show abstract] [Hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Genome sequencing has allowed to know almost every gene of many organisms. However, understanding the functions of most genes is still an open problem. In this paper, we present a novel machine learning method to predict functions of unknown genes in base of gene expression data and Gene Ontology annotations. Most function prediction al-gorithms developed in the past don't exploit the discriminative power of supervised learning. In contrast, our method uses this to find discriminative local subspaces that are suitable to perform gene functional prediction. Cross-validation test are done in artificial and real data and compared with a state-of-the-art method. Preliminary results shows that in overall, our method outperforms the other approach in terms of precision and recall, giving insights in the importance of a good selection of discriminative experiments.
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Pontifical Catholic University of ChileCiudadSantiago, Santiago Metropolitan, Chile


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Heart Rate Variability and Sleep: How we are wired to sleep, part 3
Well kids, our time together is almost over. This is the third and final blog about how we are wired to sleep, what happens when things go wrong, and what steps you can take to fight back. I hope you have already learned some useful information, put it to use, and that those of you… Continue Reading


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massage and bodywork professionals
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Massage Education Guide connects massage educators, students, supply sources, therapists, CE providers, massage schools, insurance providers, and all those who are interested in learning more about the massage therapy profession.
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What is your favorite classroom CE that you have ever taken?Why was it great? Who taught the class?Continue
Started by Tina Holt. Last reply by Gary W Addis, LMT Feb 6, 2014.
Hey everyone! I already took my KT1 & KT2 courses but I can't find any classes for KT3 in the Chicago or Arizona areas. I already looked on the Kinesio Taping International website and couldn't…Continue
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Started by Courtney Smith Jan 23, 2014.
Hey everyone! I already took my KT1 & KT2 courses but I can't find any classes for KT3 in the Chicago or Arizona areas. I already looked on the Kinesio Taping International website and couldn't…Continue
Tags: chicago, arizona, courses, taping, kinesio
Started by Courtney Smith Jan 23, 2014.
If you are interested in learning more about Massage Therapy and Breast Cancer
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World Massage Festival:
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World Massage Festival; Michigan City, Indiana: July 13th-14th
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World Massage Festival
Enrich your prone/supine massage with non pressure side position, and Enhance your repertoire of neck techniques. Core Alignment Technique (CAT) is a unique passive movement style of bodywork inspired by a Feldenkrais exercise, Shiatsu/Thai stretches and Energy Work. It is an effective hands-on technique that does not tax your joints. This technique uses slow, repetitive, range-of-motion type movement and stretches.
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Learn/ review meridian location and functions and learn the Masunaga abdominal diagnostic areas.
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Contact me here or for check my website www.bodyworkwisdom.com
Reiki I and Sound Healing class is coming up! April 14 & 15. Enroll to get your Early Bird Savings!
Rejuvenate yourself with my NCBTMB CE Home-Study course "HEALING THE HEALER". Self-paced, 3 CE hrs.,$33. and open to everyone! Approved by NC Board of Cosmetic Arts and FL Board of Massage Therapy.www.shirleyknapp.com/healingthehealerhomestudycourse.html
Spontaneous Muscle Release Technique (SMRT) Class Schedule:
SMRT: Hips, Lower Back, & Abdomen, Winter Park, FL, April 4-6, 2014, 24 CE's
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SMRT: Shoulder, Axilla, Ribcage, & Upper Back, Rochester, MN, April 25-27, 2014, 24 CE's
SMRT: Thighs & Knees, Seattle, WA, May 9-10, 2014, 12 CE's
SMRT: Lower Legs & Feet, Seattle, WA, May 10-11, 2014, 12 CE's
SMRT: Head & Neck, Coeur d'Alene, ID, May 16-17, 2014, 12 CE's
SMRT: Back & Spine, Coeur d'Alene, ID, May 17-18, 2014, 12 CE's
SMRT: Head & Neck, Watford City, ND, June 13 -14, 2014, 12 CE's
SMRT: Arm & Hand, Watford City, ND, June 14-15, 2014, 12 CE's
The following classes will be on our website by March 10th
SMRT: Shoulder, Axilla, Ribcage, & Upper Back, Moorhead, MN, July 18-20, 2014, 24 CE's
SMRT: Head & Neck, Atlanta, GA, August 1-2, 2014, 12 CE's
SMRT: Back & Spine, Atlanta, GA, August 2-3, 2014, 12 CE's
SMRT: Shoulder, Axilla, Ribcage, & Upper Back, Durham, NC, September 5-7, 2014, 24 CE's
SMRT: Thighs & Knees, Boulder, CO, October 3-4, 2014, 12 CE's
SMRT: Lower Legs & Feet, Boulder, CO, October 4-5, 2014, 12 CE's
To register, go to http://efullcircle.com/registration-2/
Have you ever had a client with a thick, tight piriformis? Maybe you used your forearms, elbows, thumbs, and worked like crazy to get the tone to come down. But, when you went back to piriformis, it was hypertonic again. Has this ever happened to you? One of the main reasons piriformis gets, and remains, tight is that the second through fourth sacral vertebrae are compressed. This compresses the fibers of piriformis' origin, and creates hypertonicity in the muscle. Unlocking the sacrum can be done quickly and easily. I have a client that I have been seeing for almost 20 years. When he first came to me, he was convinced that a girl like me would never have enough pressure for him. He had fairly severe piriformis syndrome or psuedo-sciatica and had been getting massage for several years with limited results. Needless to say, my pressure was fine, but it was the Spontaneous Muscle Release Technique or SMRT that really took our first session over the top. I unlocked his sacrum, released both piriformis muscles, as well as the rest of the hip tissue in both hips and bilateral hamstrings. One session, that is all it took with SMRT to get rid of his piriformis syndrome, and I had a client for life. He came back every week and had me do the same massage for six months, just to be sure it would stay gone. It came back - 15 years later after his second hip replacement. It took us one session to fully release piriformis and it was gone again. Work SMaRTer on piriformis! Get better results for the client in a way that is easier on your body. Join us in Winter Park, FL to learn this and much more. 10% discount ends Tuesday, March 4th. http://efullcircle.com/class-schedule/
Hi Everyone! This is a link to our newest newsletter article - http://efullcircle.com/case-study-beths-knee/
I had an interesting incident at my chiropractor's office this week. My chiropractor likes to use electrostimulation before each adjustment. While I was prone on a table with my head turned to the side and electrostim pads on my mid and lower back, the man on the other table, who had had the pads on his hip, got up and walked to the restroom.
I remarked to the receptionist that he had a shortened psoas. "A short what?" She asked. "It's the main hip flexor muscle. His left side is short and imbalancing his hips." I said. Then I apologized for mentioning it. "No," she said, "tell me more, that's my husband." "Oh, well then maybe I can just fix it before he gets his adjustment." I said. "That would be great." She said.
So, we put him back on the table in a supine position. I did 2 moves on each iliopsoas muscle. It all took about 2 minutes, and he went in to be adjusted. The chiropractor later told me he had adjusted better than he ever had. The next day, this man emailed me and asked if he could get an appointment with me. Although he had been getting consistent massage for years, he informed me that his hip had not felt this good in a decade and he felt it was "a miracle".
I would love to see you in Winter Park, FL and show you how to release iliopsoas in 2 minutes. 10% tuition discount ends March 4, 2014. http://efullcircle.com/class-schedule/
© 2015 Created by Lara Evans Bracciante.


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Thiago Silva has conceded that he 'misses Milan so much' and that he hopes one day to work with the club again.
The Brazilian centre-back enjoyed three full seasons with the Rossoneri before summer 2012's €42m transfer to Paris Saint-Germain.
After helping Brazil to advance to the Round of 16 of the World Cup with victory over Cameroon, the 29-year-old took the chance to reiterate how he recalls his time at Milanello fondly.
"Milan has been very important for me," Silva has told Sky Italia.
"[Assistant Coach Mauro] Tassotti and [Massimiliano] Allegri always believed in me and I am glad to have worked with them, particularly with Mauro for the defensive aspect.
"I miss them all so much. I hope one day to be able to return to work with them."
Think you know your Italian football? Share your knowledge, tips and comments to win cash prizes in OLBG's tipster competition - £11,000 to be won monthly!


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Cord principal Raila Odinga has dismissed the move to cut the salaries of the President, his deputy and Cabinet. He said it is a ploy to cover the inefficiencies of the jubilee government. Raila said the jubilee administration has failed to bring down the high cost of living, fight rampant corruption in government and create employment.
He said President Uhuru and Deputy President William Ruto do not understand how to run an economy. "Kibaki and I managed the grand coalition well. Let them invite us and we shall show them how to run a government," said the former Prime Minister.
Raila was speaking at Musitinyi Primary School in Luanda constituency during a memorial service for eight people who were burnt to death after a matatu they were travelling in caught fire in an accident a week ago.
He said the coalition government gave Kenyans a new constitution but Jubilee has been unable to implement it. Raila said corruption claims in the laptops project and standard gauge railway is proof that jubilee "is gambling" with government.
Cord co-principal Moses Wetang'ula said Uhuru and Ruto are graduates of the central command system and cannot be entrusted with implementing devolution. "The two have embarked on a new deception and another gimmick to cheat Kenyans that they have reduced their salaries. We hope they are not laying the foundation and ground to start reducing salaries in the civil service," he said.