proba
float64 0.5
1
| text
stringlengths 16
174k
|
|---|---|
0.999962 |
It scares me to think about our daughter not having access to her medical formula. This isn’t an option for her, her life depends upon it and cost shouldn’t be a barrier for her or anyone living with a metabolic disorder. It’s not an alternative lifestyle, her life depends on it. Having coverage for medical food and formula would help ensure our daughter’s mind and body can grow and stay healthy. For her, the formula not an optional thing or nice to have, she is dependent on it to meet her caloric needs. Without it she would not be developing typically and because she will need it for the rest of her life, I am begging you to help ensure that she will always have access to it!
|
0.999993 |
Can you recommend a broker who uses the correct technical analysis tools to give investment/trading advice?
1. I make all my own decisions and work through a discount broker. I have not relied on the advice of a broker since the early 1970s. I therefore have no direct experience with a full service broker. I am reluctant to recommend anyone I have not worked with personally.
2. In any case, I think your search is futile. If a client adviser was a good investor/trader, he or she would not be working as a client adviser. They could earn far more as a trader or funds manager. So, I suggest you look towards learning the craft yourself.
3. Even if you lucked onto a client adviser who gave super advice, you could still lose money if you do not know about money management. You might find my videotape useful in developing a good trading plan.
|
0.999967 |
According to baseball lore, a curse was placed on the Boston Red Sox after Babe Ruth, the "Bambino," was sold to the New York Yankees in 1920. Before the sale, the Red Sox had won 5 World Series titles; the Yankees had never even played in a series. Following the sale, the Yankees went on to win 27 World Series titles. The Red Sox, meanwhile, failed to win another series for more than 8 decades, finally breaking the "curse" in 2004. How did some Red Sox fans attempt to "reverse the curse"?
The Great Wall of China is the world's longest man-made structure, stretching approximately 1,500 miles (2,400 km) along China's northern and northwestern borders. Erected to prevent invasions by northern nomads, it is an amalgamation of many walls built in ancient times and connected by later empires. Averaging a height of 25 feet (7.6 m) and a width of 15 to 30 feet (4.6–9.1 m) at its base, the wall is fortified by watchtowers placed at regular intervals. Can the Great Wall be seen from space?
Tolkien, author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, was a respected medieval scholar and university professor. The enduring influence of his works, which recount the fictional history of Middle Earth, has earned him recognition as "the father of modern fantasy literature." Recently, Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings series was adapted for film, and it soon became the world's highest grossing motion picture trilogy. For whom did Tolkien initially write The Hobbit?
|
0.999854 |
Showing results for tags 'aerocapture'.
Inline Ballutes Slow down your rocket in an upper atmosphere. Ballute = parachute + baloon = an alternative to a heatshield. Sample usage: Duna aerocapture and aerobraking, Kerbin reentry for reusable stages etc. Dependencies: stock aero = none. FAR: Module Manager by Sarbian and RealChute by stupid_chris Suggested mods: RealChute by stupid_chris - especially when with FAR aerodynamics. Config for RealChute is already included in the mod. RealHeat by NathanKell - brings the shock heat in the upper atmosphere to more realistic levels. Recommended especially for people that use Kerbol rescale mods (i.e. kscale2 / 64k). Installation instruction: Delete previous version of InlineBallutes mod. Unzip KermangeddonIndustries catalog into the KSP folder. DOWNLOAD 1.2.8[GitHub] Credits: Riocrokite - models, config Enceos - textures, testing, config ABZB - MM patch for RealChute License: CC 4.0 BY-NC-SA Changelog: FAQ: Is it even a real technology? Yes, you can read about this technology here [pdf] and here [pdf]. How to use it? Get into upper thin atmosphere (i.e. Duna, Kerbin or Laythe). Deploy it. Initially deceleration is marginal (depending on your vessel speed and mass) but it picks up quickly when you lower your altitude. You can repack it like a normal parachute if you plan multiple orbital decelerations Can I use it instead of a parachute? Rather not. Ballute drag is 4+ times lower than parachute. And then it's much heavier due to used material and shape (Zylon instead of Nylon). However since it's inline version you can use it complementary to parachute. Ballute is also great for semi-powered landing when you just need to use engines just above the surface for the final slowdown. How efficient are ballutes / how heavy rocket can be slowed down efficiently? The higher mass of the rocket the less efficient ballute is (just like a parachute). Ballute size (mass) - should work best for: - 1.25m (0.8t) - up to 20t vessel - 2.5 m (1.5t) - up to 40t vessel - 3.75m (2.75t) - up to 80t vessel - 5m (4.1t) - up to 120t vessel It is better than a heatshield? Depending on scenario it can be better than a heatshield. Shields usually have small diameter thus requiring ship to be slim and tall. With ballute you slow down in higher atmosphere when there's not much heat, thus you can have more broad vessel design. Also ballute slows you down quite effectively in thin atmosphere (i.e. above surface of Duna) whereas a heatshield doesn't have enough area to do this. There might be scenarios when you need both ballute and heatshield for optimal effect decelerating from high interplanetary speed). How it works with stock aero? Can I use it with FAR? Stock aerodynamics: In current version (1.0.5) aerobraking and aerocapture are quite effective, deceleration forces can reach 9g before a ballute breaks so watch out. However for extreme deceleration you'll also need a heatshield, otherwise the tip of your craft will melt Duna - interplanetary deceleration possible (+) Kerbin - interplanetary deceleration possible (+) Jool - it works great for even substantial deceleration thanks to reworked (much thinner) upper atmosphere in 1.0.5, it's best to aim at 170-180k m periapsis.(++) Laythe - only medium deceleration allowed due to very compressed atmosphere (starts at 50km) which gets thick very quickly so watch out.(+/-) Eve - limited deceleration due to thick atmosphere, should work for orbital deceleration, much less for interplanetary speeds(+/-). You can modify sensitivity of parachutes by modifying skinMaxTemp. You can modify drag (deceleration) values by changing deployed area. Tested max deceleration before breaking: about 9g. FAR (+RealChute) 1.0.5 aerodynamics: For FAR aerodynamics you need to install RealChute mod, otherwise FAR is overwritting parachute module with RealChuteLite module which has constant (and very low parachute-like) values. In other word ballutes with FAR won't work without RealChute. Current aerodynamics puts at least 10x more heat in upper atmosphere for ballutes than for parts so I couldn't balance it realistically so I just put unrealistic magic numbers (like 1m K max temperature) so it can behave similarly to stock. Deceleration scenarios: look above, one difference being that ballutes drag under FAR/RealChute is a bit lower than in stock (a little step towards realism;)). Tested max deceleration before breaking: about 4g. What about kscale2 or 64k mods compatibility? You probably want to install both RealChute and RealHeat mods by NathanKell since orbital/interplanetary speeds are much higher in those mods.
Aerocapture is a great way to save massive amounts of fuel on interplanetary missions. Its main downside is that it's not possible to plan very well, as your final trajectory depends on your craft, your planetary intersect, your periapsis, and what you do during the capture. Usually aerocapture involves trial and error with a couple of quicksaves/quickloads. Below I describe a technique for more controllable aerocaptures. It is applicable to Duna, Laythe, and Kerbin*; Eve and Jool would require exceptionally robust designs with creative use of heat shields at least. Designing the craft To execute this technique, your craft will need some plane-like characteristics, even if it is not an actual spaceplane. Specifically, it needs to be slippery along one axis and draggy along another axis, you need to be able to control its attitude while it is in the atmosphere, and you need to be able to survive the thermal load of the atmospheric entry (easy for Duna, a significant challenge for Kerbin, depending on where you're coming from). There are various ways to do it for a rocket-like craft -- winglets with control surfaces, big empty fuel tanks and reaction wheels/RCS -- but designing these is left to the reader. Your craft should not rely on heat shields as primary thermal protection as this significantly limits your options in executing the technique. Below we're assuming your craft has a plane-like geometry: pointy and slippery when pointed prograde, wide and draggy when pointed radial out. The technique Do preliminary research to determine a rough aerocapture altitude for your target, e.g. 15 - 20 km for Duna. Set your Pe based on that: if your craft is designed for this technique, you should be going toward the higher end of the range as it will be highly draggy when pointed radial out. Enter the atmosphere SAS set to orbit/radial out, i.e. 90 degrees. Switch immediately to map view and watch your trajectory. When your flyby turns into an orbit, set SAS to standard mode and nose down to follow prograde. Fine-tune your orbit by controlling pitch: with a plane-like craft the Ap will fall very slowly if you're tracking prograde, and very quickly if you're at radial out. Don't forget to burn prograde at Ap to get your Pe out of the atmosphere again. With plane-like aerodynamics you can get almost as precise control over your Ap as you would by controlled retrograde burns in a propulsive capture. *From relatively low-energy transfers. Mun, Minmus, and Duna are not too difficult, Eve should be doable.
First off, it's not my first rodeo in KSP. However, I found that one of my greatest challenges for interplanetary missions is designing a ship that is aerodynamically stable while performing an aerocapture maneuver. The primary reason for this is that rockets are naturally bottom-heavy, especially when launched from KSC. So while one can easily place an inflatable heat shield between the launch abort system and the command module, the center of mass will be so far back that the ship will tend to flip unless you add a ton of drag to the back end, in the form of literally tons of fins or more creative means. That was my first instinct, and I ended up with various semi-successful designs including turbine-like fins and infernal robotics deployed drag-inducers (heat shields). This solution isn't consistent, so I started designing ships to aerobrake engine-side first. Designs, using KIS/KAS, included using winches to haul a massive heat shield in front of the engines, assembling a heat shield in situ, or robotic arms moving radial shields into a heat shield snow plow design. Then came my most successful design concept - separation. I started designing ships to separate into two equally massive halves and aerocapture separately. Then would then rendezvous and rejoin after they left the atmosphere. The two halves were always much more stable than attempting to aero break with my typical burj khalifa looking design. My question is: what have been your successful solutions? I have a sneaking suspicion that there is a more elegant one out there.
Okay, about aerocapture . . .
Okay - I'm finally getting to Eve and Jool, and I'm hitting a wall with aerocapture. I'm having ships simply explode. I've resorted to having ships just use lots of fuel, but that's making them large and unwieldy. Would be nice to have some ideas on how to best accomplish aerocapture, as well as good altitudes - is the KSP wiki still accurate on this? Thanks for any help you can give.
Hi there, Just a quick question. Is it possible to aerocapture a vessel with a direct transfer from Kerbin to Laythe using heat shields? I've been trying this all night long, but the vessel keeps exploding the minute (nay, second!) I enter Laythe's atmosphere! Below you'll find a picture of my vessel. As you can see, I'm coming in hot (orbital velocity is + 8000 m/s). The vessel consists out of 5 FL-T stacks with 5 large heat shields. Do I need more heat shields? Or maybe the larger, inflatable one? Or is it just impossible at these speeds. If I need more heat shields, thus weight, I'll bet it's much more efficient to just fiddle around with gravity slings around Tylo to get a capture with Laythe.
|
0.984136 |
Q: Is sexism as prevalent as women say it is?
A: No. The longstanding practice of ignoring, invalidating, and silencing female voices would indicate that sexism is much more prevalent than women say it is.
|
0.999997 |
Can the plastics industry create a collaborative model for change?
Product manufacturers and brands long have recognized that plastic is one of the most effective and valuable materials in the market, due to its cost, durability and ability to be formed into so many shapes and sizes.
However, as technology improves and polymer varieties increase, including with nano-materials, so too does consumption, as well as complexity for recovery.
As a result, many also recognize that plastic has an image problem, largely linked to its ubiquitous nature, and to its propensity to be used to make disposable, single-use products. This tends to be further exacerbated by the lack of infrastructure to properly recover, convert and reuse much of that waste in other viable applications, or because of the lack of education or knowledge on how to discard waste materials properly.
As the world’s population grows, a rapidly mobile and financially stable middle class is emerging in much of the world. Those people become consumers who want products that the developed world has enjoyed for decades. This inevitably means that waste will grow proportionally. However, resource recovery is rarely given the focus it deserves to prevent impacts on water quality, health and livelihoods.
A lack of resources, or direct focus on the issue from governments, means that our waterways often become the waste-removal mechanism for many of our communities. This practice impacts our collective livelihoods in many ways, including water quality, tourism, health, and the ecosystem we rely on, yet addressing this multi-sourced problem is a complex task.
To address this, because no one pillar of society can fix this issue on its own, innovative and scalable collaborations between industry, governments and the community are starting to take shape in interesting, beneficial ways that benefit all parties involved.
As you might imagine, integrating different stakeholders to work together and take action is a difficult endeavor. Building trust among these groups is paramount, and maintaining an agreed-upon, collaborative agenda is the key in keeping each stakeholder group engaged. This is tough, when ideas easily can get “lost in translation” as delegated tasks are misunderstood or face internal politics.
Creating alliances is not new, but the benefits they can bring are needed, now more than ever, because usually none of these individual “pillars” can create the scale of positive change needed in our resource constrained world.
Fortunately, the intersection of business, community leaders and NGOs and the government is increasingly gaining prominence when parties are shown the potential for large scale change which is repeatable in many communities.
The triumvirate then becomes an appealing working model. Dealing with plastic pollution, while harnessing waste as a resource, is one of the big opportunities of the coming decades.
The recent study by the University of Georgia's College of Engineering estimated that over 4.8 million metric tons of plastic entered the ocean in 2010 from people living within roughly 30 miles of the coastline. Globally, some 280 million tons of plastic is produced annually, yet estimates suggest that only 10 percent actually is recycled.
Capturing this waste stream presents a significant and untapped business opportunity, as does the redesign of packaging and the thought process around waste recovery and resource maximization.
Waste should have no natural enemies, as few effectively can argue that having more waste is a good thing. However, the old models of simply burying or burning material are no longer sufficient, and these methods leave opportunities for money, jobs, innovations and improved livelihoods on the table.
The Plasticity Forum, now in its fourth year, is a unique collaborative forum which brings together a wide spectrum of experts operating within the “plastic puzzle” of commerce. The three critical pillars for creating new models include corporate and entrepreneurial leaders, government and civil society, all addressing logjams in our markets, legal and regulatory barriers for technical innovations and programs where scale can be expedited.
The journey to creating new models of engagement are not linear or steady, but they need to happen at a more aggressive pace, and doing so is good business. With joint cooperation between groups that leverage each other’s influence and capacities, all parties can benefit, including the communities they operate within, creating a circularity which often has defied our business operations of today.
Plastic waste is a unifying challenge we all face, because virtually every company and society uses it in some way, yet we have not focused collectively on how to recover it at scale, so that its value is maintained after its initial intended use. Plasticity was created to foster a shared foundation and fertile soil for these new collaborative models to be built, sparking a change in mindset for creative solutions that all are proud to be part of, and which consumers seek to support.
Not many countries are prepared for the World Bank’s estimated doubling in municipal solid waste within the next 15 years, so being in front of the curve with solutions that can help reduce this waste stream, of which plastic is the toughest to handle, will be a great advantage to any triumvirate entities who are part of these new solution-providing collaborations.
|
0.998833 |
The following text makes for a good description.
Create a PHP extension file.
Enable the GEOS PHP extension.
|
0.991312 |
The Second Buddhist Council took place about a hundred years later after the first one, which makes it roughly a hundred years after the Buddha was said to have entered nirvana. Once again, the main item of concern was the collection of the scriptures, the so-called Pali Canon. Its name is based on the fact that apparently its earliest version may have been in the language called Pali, which is closely related to Sanskrit, the Hindu holy language, and Prakrit, the ancient common language of India. However, this time the discussion of the Canon was not just a matter of assembling the appropriate writings, but of adjudicating between different schools who had their own preference as to which scriptures were considered to be authentic, and which ones were not.
The Pali Canon is frequently called the Tipitaka (Pali) or Tripitaka (Sanskrit), which means "Three Baskets." The reason for this name is that it consisted of three sections: the Vinaya Pitaka, which contains the rules for Buddhist monks, the Sutta Pitaka, which holds the discourses of the Buddha and some of his main disciples, and the Abidhamma Pitaka, which accommodates a lengthy explication of the Vinaya. Now, when you hear the term "basket," the question may come up as to the size of these conveyances. Well, think of baskets larger than any that you have ever seen. The picture on the right shows a book case in a library, and all the books that you see there are parts of one edition of the Pali Canon in a modern printing.
The Second Council saw the first split among Buddhist factions. The answer to the question of who walked out on whom depends on whose records you read. Now, please understand that both of these groups were good Buddhists, and neither of them held any bizarre ideas, but there was enough disagreement that they could not cooperate with each other. In addition, there were also groups of monks there who had found ingenious short-cuts around the discipline of the sangha. For example, they would get around the prohibition of alcohol by drinking a beverage before it was completely done fermenting. These clever brethren were simply given the boot. However, the two schools that emerged and divided at this point were not looking for shortcuts, but had sincere differences in their interpretation of Buddhist doctrine. They were the Sthaviravadins (who would eventually be known as the Theravadins) and the Mahasanghikans. The latter group undoubtedly was a forerunner of the eventual Mahayana orientation.
The Mahasanghikas may actually have constituted the majority of monks at the Second Council, which would be one explanation for their name, the "great" or "large" order. There is no agreement among scholars as to what may have been the precise catalyst for the secession, but we do know that the Mahasanghikas held certain beliefs that were categorically distinct from those of the Sthaviravadins.
The Mahasanghikas had a different version of the Vinaya Pitaka, the "basket" of the Canon that stores the rules and disciplines of the monks. They did not have as many rules, and their rules were not as precisley formulated as that of the Sthaviravadins. Some scholars believe that their edition of the Vinaya shows signs of being older than the one accepted by the Theravadins. If so, that fact would only reflect on the time when the writing was no longer being revised, not necessarily on the age of the beliefs expressed. In other words, a newer version may never have been edited once it had been compiled, while the older version may have been edited from time to time. The Mahasanghikas also did not accept any Abidharma (the basket with explanations) at all.
The Mahasanghikas also believed that there are multiple Buddhas and Bodhisattvas at any given time. By way of contrast, the Theravadin belief is that there is one Buddha for one given age, and that he will be succeeded by the one Bodhisattva who is preparing himself for that task right now. See the exposition on the Buddhas in Theravada on this site. In the Theravada view, a Buddha is a human being, who has attained the extremely rare spiritual goal of Buddhahood by a long sequence of incarnations. The Mahasanghikas thought that this view was too limiting, and they held that there were many simultaneous Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Consequently they must be superior to mere humans, constituting a kind of divine beings, and that their appearance on earth is simply a means of revealing the dharma.
In contrast to the Sthaviravadins, the Mahasanghikas also maintained that a person who has attained enlightenment, who is called an arhat, a "holy man," is fallible.
|
0.999715 |
How to Stop an IRS Levy When the IRS is about to levy your assets, you should look for any possible opportunities to stop or delay the levy. Once the levy happens, it’s very difficult to get that property back, but there are several ways to stop a levy before it takes place.
Can You Still Face Penalties If You Get a Tax Filing Extension?
|
0.998028 |
In a study appearing in JAMA, Anna Wald, M.D., M.P.H., of the University of Washington & Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, and colleagues compared the medications pritelivir and valacyclovir for reducing genital herpes simplex virus shedding and lesions in persons with recurrent genital herpes.
Of the 91 randomized participants, 56 had completed both treatment periods at the time of the study's termination. In intent-to-treat analyses, HSV shedding was detected in 2.4 percent of swabs during pritelivir treatment compared with 5.3 percent during valacyclovir treatment. Genital lesions were present on 1.9 percent of days in the pritelivir group vs 3.9 percent in the valacyclovir group. The frequency of shedding episodes did not differ by group. Quantity of virus shed was decreased significantly during pritelivir treatment compared with valacyclovir treatment. The frequency of pain was reduced in the pritelivir group compared to the valacyclovir group.
"Further research is needed to assess longer-term efficacy and safety," the authors write.
This study was supported by AiCuris GmbH & Co KG.
Article: Effect of Pritelivir Compared With Valacyclovir on Genital HSV-2 Shedding in Patients With Frequent Recurrences A Randomized Clinical Trial, Anna Wald et al., JAMA, doi:10.1001/jama.2016.18189, published 20 December 2016.
Editorial: A Recommendation Against Serologic Screening for Genital Herpes Infection - What Now? Edward W. Hook III, M.D., JAMA, doi: 10.1001/jama.2016.17139, published 20 December 2016.
JAMA. "Medication may provide greater virus suppression, reduction in lesions for patients with genital herpes." Medical News Today. MediLexicon, Intl., 28 Dec. 2016. Web.
|
0.999814 |
With advances in the medical research, physicians and health practitioners rely on prescription medication to heal patients. But there needs to be a gatekeeper who dispenses the meds that is one role of the pharmacist.
The druggist holds a professional doctorate degree and understands the relationship between medications, so he/she provides the patient with instruction on the safe use of these chemicals.
If you are considering a career as druggist, lets start by answering the question, how long does it take to become a pharmacist?
In the United States, a pharmacist holds a doctorate or professional degree, which is known as the Pharm.D. an entry-level degree for druggists.
To get a Pharm.D., you need to go through pharmacy school. First, though, youll need an undergraduate education.
Pharmacy programs vary about your undergrad studies. Some require a bachelors degree; others require a minimum of two years of undergraduate study.
If you are a high school student, you may be able to find a school near you that offers a 6-year program that culminates in a Pharm.D.
There are many different options, but for most people, they will get a bachelors degree, which will take four years to obtain, then apply to pharmacy school.
Pharmacy school will last another 3 to 4 years.
Note: When choosing a program, you want to make sure it is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education. There are currently 113 that hold accreditation through the United States.
Normally, the time it takes become a pharmacist is 8 years four for a bachelors degree and four for a Pharm.D. There are exceptions, though.
After you graduate with a Pharm.D., you will need to sit and pass the North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam (NAPLEX), which tests your skills and knowledge.
Also, you will need to complete any other processes your state requires to ensure you are registered. This may involve taking a state-specific exam or taking the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam (MPJE).
This information can be obtained from you local State Board of Pharmacy.
Pharmacists do more than fill prescriptions behind the counter.
They make sure patients will not be harmed by the script the doctor prescribed by reviewing medications the patient is currently taking.
A druggist will provide patient instruction about potential side effects from the prescription, along with answer general questions about over-the-counter drugs.
They will also consult with the prescribing physician or healthcare provider if he/she believes there may be an interaction between chemicals prescribed.
He/she may administer flu shots and other vaccinations and provide general advice about health topics and supervise pharmacy technicians.
The role of a druggist does depend on the work location. Those who work in community drugstores will see patients daily but may not have as much contact with them as someone who works in a clinical hospital.
Clinical hospital pharmacists may spend their days doing rounds with the physician or other health care provider and will recommend medication dosage and timing.
Remember, a pharmacist understand the chemical makeup of a medication and how to apply it in the most effective manner whereas a physician understands the general pathology and what is needed to help the patient get better.
Chemists may also find jobs in the pharmaceutical industry. These careers may involve research, development, sales, and marketing.
The research and development side may include researching and conducting experiments to create new pharmaceutical compounds and designing and conducting clinical trials to test for efficacy, side effects, and other outcomes of the chemical.
A pharmacist requires a professional education, which means salary corresponds to that training.
The median annual salary for a druggist in May 2012 was $116,670, which is a wage of $56.09 per hour.
The higher-than-average pay is also attributed to the hours they work.
Because many community pharmacies are open 24/7, a druggist may need to work nights and weekends during those times and dates there may be a shift differential.
The lowest 10 percent still earned a good wage at $89,280 per year or $42.92 per hour. The highest 10 percent brought a weekly pay of $70.14 or $145,910 per year.
As Obamacare takes over the United States and medical research continues to advance, careers in the pharmaceutical industry will rise.
Aging patients such as Baby Boomers will require more prescription medications, and the more people insured under Obamacare will mean more scripts being written by physicians.
This means more prescriptions filled and more consultations with patients.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that this career is expected to grow at least 14 percent by 2022.
Percentages dont always provide the full story. In terms of numbers, that percentage equals a growth of about 41,400 pharmacist positions by 2022.
Whether you choose to be a druggist right after high school or your undergraduate studies, I hope this article answered your question about how long it takes to become a pharmacist.
|
0.999843 |
Can you provide a few examples of good integrations?
English-by-phone.ru is probably the best integration that uses all the potential of the Zamenhof system.
Inglestogo is a really well made website. They integrated the free evaluation registration page by using html code. They are selling exclusively open courses. Note the popup window from the homepage; it did a great job in converting the visitors into students.
English-by-Phone.ru is one of the most effective websites from the network; they hired a famous Russian personality, Vasily Strelnikov to promote the service. This has an incredible impact on the visitors.
|
0.997547 |
NBA All-Star Game Stats: Players with the Most Steals in a Single Game.
List with information about the top 50 players who got more steals in a single NBA All-Star Game.
NBA All-Star Game Stats: Steals in a Single Game.
|
0.99996 |
See also: Public Libraries; Library, State.
Between 1886 and 1923, industrialist Andrew Carnegie and the Carnegie Corporation donated funds for more than 1,600 public library buildings in the United States. Ten of those libraries were constructed in North Carolina. Charlotte was the first North Carolina city to apply for Carnegie funds; its application for $25,000 was approved in 1901. Greensboro applied next, in 1902, and Winston-Salem (1903), Rutherford College (1907), Hendersonville (1911), Andrews (1914), Murphy (1916), Durham (1917), and Hickory (1917) followed. In 1915 Charlotte received an additional grant of $15,000 to add a children's room and an auditorium. After several false starts, Greensboro was given a second grant in 1922 to construct a branch for African Americans.
Carnegie's generosity spurred the creation and institutionalization of public library service in many communities. However, most towns eventually outgrew their original Carnegie buildings. In North Carolina, the period after World War II saw an expansion of collections and services that forced many of the nine towns with Carnegie libraries to build new facilities. The Carnegie libraries in Andrews, Charlotte, and Rutherford College were torn down, as was the white Carnegie library in Greensboro. Greensboro's second Carnegie library is now part of the Bennett College campus. The Carnegie buildings in Durham, Hendersonville, Hickory, Murphy, and Winston-Salem still stand, but none is used as a library.
Mary E. Anders, "The Contributions of the Carnegie Corporation and the General Education Board to Library Development in the Southeast" (M.A. thesis, UNC-Chapel Hill, 1950).
George S. Bobinski, Carnegie Libraries: Their History and Impact on American Public Library Development (1969).
Wendell W. Smiley, Library Development in North Carolina before 1930 (1971).
Valentine, Patrick M. "Steel, Cotton, and Tobacco: Philanthropy and Public Libraries in North Carolina, 1900-1940." Libraries & Culture 31, No. 2, Spring 1996. 272-298. http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.2307/25548437.
"Carnegie Free Library, Charlotte, N.C." Postcard. S. M. Kress and Co., circa 1910. http://digital.ncdcr.gov/u?/p249901coll36,1734.
That's a great question without a single answer. The history of the State of North Carolina goes back to the early efforts to explore the territory and found a colony in the area that is now largely Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina. In 1584 Sir Walter Raleigh received a patent from Queen Elizabeth I of England to found a colony. Philip Amadas and Arthur Barlowe were employed by Raleigh that year to explore the area. After favorable reports, Raleigh's cousin Sir Richard Grenville sent the first ship of colonists and supplies to Roanoke Island in 1585, although we know this attempt at colonization did not succeed. The permanent colony was later founded at Jamestown in 1607 and in 1663 and 1665 King Charles II of England granted charters for the founding and administration of the colony to 8 Lords Proprieters. Eventually the territory became three separate colonies, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina, and following the American Revolution, each entered the union as a separate state.
I hope this helps and thanks for visiting NCpedia!
|
0.999999 |
How does online classes and traditional classes contain the same material?
This is much too broad for an answer who doesn't know the intent of the question.
The best answer is probably in your text materials.
How does online classes and traditional education classes contain structure?
1. I put on a gym uniform for PE classes. 2. I put on a jogging suit for PE classes. 3. I put on a uniform for PE classes. 4. I wear a sports uniform for PE classes. 5. I wear sports clothes for PE classes.
|
0.972396 |
Having a healthy diet is a problem in the United States. With more and more people becoming overweight, managing the right foods and the right diet all comes down to making healthy foods appetizing and tasty.... Garlic Butter Brussels Sprouts is an easy side dish that even sprout haters will love! Fresh brussel sprouts covered in butter, garlic, and topped with parmesan cheese. Fresh brussel sprouts covered in butter, garlic, and topped with parmesan cheese.
Garlic Butter Brussel Sprouts A Deliciously Easy Side Dish!
Having a healthy diet is a problem in the United States. With more and more people becoming overweight, managing the right foods and the right diet all comes down to making healthy foods appetizing and tasty. how to break up with a girl over text examples Having a healthy diet is a problem in the United States. With more and more people becoming overweight, managing the right foods and the right diet all comes down to making healthy foods appetizing and tasty.
Frozen Brussels sprouts are already soft, so set the cook time for 0 mins (yes, 0!) and then perform a quick release. Then add the rest of the ingredients and mix.
Garlic Butter Brussels Sprouts is an easy side dish that even sprout haters will love! Fresh brussel sprouts covered in butter, garlic, and topped with parmesan cheese. Fresh brussel sprouts covered in butter, garlic, and topped with parmesan cheese.
Place brussels sprouts in the bottom of your slow cooker, top with olive oil, salt, pepper and butter. Cover and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours or on high for 1 to 2 hours. Drizzle with balsamic reduction while still warm and top with toasted pine nuts and parmesan cheese.
|
0.969232 |
Stephen Sartarelli was born in Youngstown, Ohio, on July 5, 1954. He holds a BA in literature and languages from Antioch College and an MA in comparative literature from New York University.
Sartarelli is the author of three books of poetry: The Open Vault (Spuyten Duyvil, 2001), The Runaway Woods (Spuyten Duyvil, 2000), and Grievances and Other Poems (Gnosis Press, 1989). He has translated over forty books of fiction and poetry from the Italian and French, including The Selected Poetry of Pier Paolo Pasolini (University of Chicago Press, 2014), which received the 2016 Raiziss/de Palchi Book Prize.
Sartarelli's other honors include the International Dagger Award from the Crime Writers Association of Great Britain, the John Florio Prize from the British Society of Authors, and the Raiziss/de Palchi Book Prize for Songbook: Selected Poems of Umberto Saba in 2001. He has also received grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities for the ongoing translation of Horcynus Orca by Stefano D’Arrigo, originally published in 1975.
Sartarelli currently lives in the Périgord region of South West France with his wife, the painter Sophie Hawkes.
truths, would be expressed at last.
But no such word exists.
|
0.930439 |
Kareem Amer, center, delivers his first public remarks four days before the country's parliamentary elections. November 2010.
Abdul Kareem Nabeel Suleiman Amer (Arabic: عبد الكريم نبيل سليمان عامر, IPA: [ʕæbdelkeˈɾiːm næˈbiːl seleˈmæːn ˈʕæːmeɾ, -kæˈɾiːm-]) (born c. 1984) is an Egyptian blogger and former law student. He was arrested by Egyptian authorities for posts on his blog that were considered to be anti-religious and insulting to Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. On February 22, 2007, in his native city Alexandria, Amer was sentenced to three years of imprisonment for insulting Islam and inciting sedition and one year for insulting the Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. He was the first blogger in Egypt explicitly arrested for the content of his writing, and was released on November 17, 2010, but not before he was beaten and detained by Egyptian security forces. He thereafter moved to Bergen, Norway where he obtained political asylum.
Kareem Amer, an ex-Muslim, secular Egyptian, completed elementary and secondary school at al-Azhar University. He wished to complete a biology degree, but family pressure forced him to enroll in al-Azhar's Department of Shari'a and Legal Studies instead.
In 2004, Amer began expressing his reformist views at "Modern Discussion", as well as "Copts United" by 2005. By mid-2006, he discontinued publishing at Copts United because he accuses them of limiting his writings to only criticizing Muslims and not Copts as well.
Amer first came to the attention of Egyptian authorities after he published a series of blog writings highly critical of the Muslim role in the deadly sectarian riots in Alexandria in 2005, the result of a play performed at a Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria, and the violent reaction of the Muslim community over the play's 'insult to Islam'.
On October 26, 2005, Amer was arrested for the first time by Egyptian state security agency Amn al-Dawla for anti-religious posts on his blog. He was detained for twelve days, and his books and personal writings were confiscated.
Early in 2006, Amer was expelled from al-Azhar University, Damanhour Campus, for criticizing some of the university's conservative instructors, writing in his blog that the "professors and sheikhs at al-Azhar who ... stand against anyone who thinks freely" would "end up in the dustbin of history". He also posted writings that promoted secularism and women's rights.
Amer referred to the university as "the university of terrorism" and said that the institution stifles free thought.
University administrators also filed a communiqué to the Public Prosecutor Office against their former student, alleging he was "spreading rumours endangering public security" and "defaming President Mubarak".
On November 6, 2006, Amer was again detained by the public prosecutor's office after it questioned him about his writings on "Modern Discussion" that were considered by authorities to be of an irreligious nature, and because of al-Azhar's complaint to the Public Prosecutor Office.
The Public Prosecutor told Amer that if he did not abandon his views, even though personal, he may be imprisoned. Nevertheless, Amer insisted on his right to freedom of expression. Consequently, Egyptian prosecutors ordered that Amer be held in a detention center in Alexandria until November 22 at least.
Amer defended himself by saying, "I don't see what I have done ... I expressed my opinion...the intention was not anything like these [charges]." Defence lawyers argued that crimes related to the Internet were new in Egypt and that the penal code did not cover them. Prosecution lawyer Mohamed Dawoud stated, "I want him [Nabil] to get the toughest punishment ... I am on a jihad here ... If we leave the likes of him without punishment, it will be like a fire that consumes everything." The blogger's father, Nabil Sulaiman, mocked the human rights organizations which tried to release his son. He called for applying Islamic Law "allowing him to repent within three days before killing him if he will not", according to the Egyptian newspaper Al-Masry Al-Youm.
On February 22, the judge said Nabil was guilty and would serve three years for insulting Islam and inciting sedition, and one year for insulting Mr Mubarak. An appeals court upheld the sentence on March 13, 2007.
Two congressmen's co-signed letter to Egypt's Ambassador to the US.
Democracies must allow for freedom of speech and certainly for the tolerance of diverse religious beliefs. I laud Mr. Amer's recognition that violence in the name of religion is unacceptable. I urge the Egyptian government to free Mr. Amer and to protect its citizens from persecution.
Three Italian MPs, former Minister of Defence Antonio Martino, President of the 10th Permanent Commission (Productive Affairs, Trade and Tourism) Daniele Capezzone, and Senator Gaetano Quagliariello wrote letters to the Egyptian Ambassador to Italy Mohamed Farid Monib.
Amnesty International designated Amer a prisoner of conscience, "imprisoned simply for exercising his right to freedom of expression". After Amer's release, the organization called for Egypt to investigate his allegations that he was tortured while in custody. Human Rights Watch described Amer's arrest as a "chilling precedent" and called for his immediate release. The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information called Amer's sentencing a "gloomy day for freedom of expression in Egypt" and also urged his release.
PEN America made Amer one of its "highest priority cases", arguing that he was "jailed for exercising his inalienable human right to freedom of expression". Wikipedia co-founder Jimmy Wales discussed Amer's case during the WikiMania 2008 conference in Alexandria, suggesting that high-profile arrests like his could be hampering the development of the Arabic Wikipedia by making editors afraid to contribute.
United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Derek Clark made a speech at the EU parliament in Strasbourg on the matter of Kareen Amer and human rights in Egypt. The MEP for the East Midlands region called for the European Union to take advantage of a recently signed trade agreement with Egypt, which states that the EU will 'support Egyptian government efforts to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms in line with international conventions to which Egypt is party'.
Amer was briefly freed on November 5, 2010, having served the full four years of his sentence. He was quickly rearrested by the Interior Ministry and detained for eleven additional days, during which time he later stated that he was tortured. Following his second release on November 16, he stated that he had no regrets for his previous words, and intended to continue blogging.
During the 2011 Egyptian revolution of the Arab Spring, Amer participated in the protests at Tahrir Square. He was arrested by the Egyptian Army on February 6 while leaving a protest. After three days in custody, he was released without charge. Since 2012, he's lived in exile in Norway in order to avoid further legal issues with the Egyptian authorities. Norwegian media have hosted articles and interviews of him. Through them, he urges the Norwegian society and the rest of Europe to show a more critical attitude towards Islam.
^ a b c "Egypt blogger jailed for 'insult'". BBC News. February 22, 2007. Retrieved February 22, 2007.
^ Radsch, C. (2010). "First Egyptian Blogger Imprisoned for Writings is Released". Huffington Post. Retrieved November 23, 2010.
^ Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (2010). "Prior to his Release After Spending Four Years in Prison State Security Officer Beat Kareem Amer and Held him Illegally". ANHRI." Retrieved November 23, 2010.
^ a b c Hege (30 January 2015). "Fritenkeren som er en stolt "rasist og islamofob"". Rights.no (in Norwegian). Retrieved 9 September 2017.
^ Kareem Amer. (2006). “تنويه هام جدا بخصوص موقع الأقباط متحدون ومقالى الأخير” (A Very Important Notice Regarding the Copts United Web Site and My Last Article) كريم عامر (Kareeem Amer's Arabic blog). Retrieved January 28, 2007.
^ The play itself was performed in 2003, but only became an issue in 2005 when DVDs of the performance began to circulate in Alexandria.
^ Moger, R. and J. Ehab. (2005). "All over a play: Sectarian riots leave three dead and more than 100 injured". Cairo Magazine. Retrieved November 15, 2006.
^ The Associated Press. (2005)."Egyptian blogger detained for anti-Islamic posts". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved November 15, 2006.
^ Press release. (2006). "Officials order blogger 'Kareem Amer' held for another two weeks". Reporters Without Borders. Retrieved November 15, 2006.
^ Kareem Amer (2006). لا إله إلا الإنسان (in Arabic). Retrieved June 29, 2012.
^ Claire Ulrich (26 August 2014). "Aliaa, l'Egyptienne qui provoque l'Etat islamique". Atlantico (in French). Retrieved 9 September 2017.
^ Kareem FAQ: Frequently asked questions - freekareem.com. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
^ a b Hamza Hendawi (February 2, 2012). "Egyptian court to issue verdict Feb. 22 for blogger accused of insulting Islam". Taiwan News. Associated Press. Retrieved June 29, 2012.
^ عائلة طالب الأزهر المتهم بـ«ازدراء الأديان» تتبرأ منه قبل الحكم عليه. Al-Masri Al-Youm (in Arabic). February 18, 2007. Retrieved June 29, 2012.
^ "Egypt: 4-year Sentence for Blogger Upheld". The New York Times. Associated Press. March 13, 2007. Retrieved June 29, 2012.
^ "Congressman Franks Concerned by Lack of Freedom of Religion and Speech in Egypt" (Press release). United States Congressman Trent Franks. January 24, 2007. Retrieved February 17, 2007.
^ "Support from Italy". Free Kareem!. February 11, 2007. Retrieved February 17, 2007.
^ "Egypt must investigate torture allegations made by freed blogger". Amnesty International. November 18, 2010. Retrieved June 29, 2012.
^ "Egypt: Blogger's Imprisonment Sets Chilling Precedent". Human Rights Watch. February 22, 2007. Retrieved June 29, 2012.
^ "Gloomy Day for Freedom of Expression in Egypt: Tough sentence for four years against Kareem Amer". Arabic Network for Human Rights Information. February 22, 2007. Retrieved June 29, 2012.
^ "Egyptian Blogger Kareem Amer Released from Prison". PEN America. November 16, 2012. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
^ Noam Cohen (July 17, 2008). "Wikipedia Goes to Alexandria, Home of Other Great Reference Works". The New York Times. Retrieved June 29, 2012.
^ "Euro MP Derek Clark Speaks for Kareem Amer". FreeKareem.org. March 14, 2007. Retrieved June 29, 2012.
^ Sarah Mikhail (November 24, 2010). "Egypt blogger says jail won't stop future activism". Reuters. Retrieved June 29, 2012.
^ "Egyptian blogger freed after 3 days in detention". The Jerusalem Post. Associated Press. February 11, 2011. Retrieved June 29, 2012.
|
0.986727 |
WHY[do Qantas serve the worst vegetarian meals ? I ask for no red meat or cheese (just two items) to be omitted from my meals, yet I always end up with Fruit/Fruit Salad for dessert :cry: I always have to beg (like a third rate citizen) for a spare "yummy" dessert, I have been BNE/LHR/DUB/PARIS return, also BNE/LAX/BOS/HLU/BNE and BNE/LAX/TORONTO/BOS/BIRMINGHAM/SIN/BNE in the past five years and am sick of the Qantas fruit/fruit salads every meal. How can one get decent meals on these flights. All the other One Alliance flights were great in the Special Meals field, choice and variety. Also Qantas never seem to order on my request to other carriers - do I always have to do this each leg, if I am busy and forget in time then I starve :roll: Do other long distance travellers have this problem with catering ? How do I overcome it, or should I change my Carrier ?
Alien - Thanks for the hint, wonder what Qantas think of serving King Prawns in Economy Class though ! I might end up with yucky smoked cod Will take up the Fish suggestion though for next trip.
Well if God didn't want us to eat animals, he wouldn't have made them out of meat, would he?
I don't believe Qantas has a special meal selection that is "No red meat and no cheese". They have vegetarian, although many airlines are now combining Vegetarian meal with Vegan meal since the Vegan meal also meets the Vegetarian requirements - well maybe in content, but not in flavour .
The only way to ensure no cheese would be to order non-dairy, which will eliminate the "yummy deserts".
On international flights in economy, there is generally a choice of two hot meals. I have never seen a case where noth choices are red meat. At least one is usually chicken or fish.
And in most cases, the cheese content is a wrapped block of cheese to go with the dry crackers. It is your choice to eat of leave it wrapped. However, there may be cases where some cheese product is used in the sauce of the main dish. So if you are alergic to cheese then that may not be an acceptable risk.
There seems to be a trend in airlines to reduce the range of special meals offered. They cost the airline money and many people have been ordering them just because they think they may get a better quality meal than the standard meals offered. They were originally provided to meet the medical or religious dietry requirements of some passengers. But given the number of times I have seen situations where requested special meals have not been loaded, I recommend that if you have special medical or religious dietry needs, that you BYO food for the journey - it will be safer.
If you just prefer not to eat red meat or cheese, then I suggest you may be better off just requesting the chicken or fish dish when the trolley comes past, which will ensure you get the yummy desert. If there is amedical or religious reason for avoiding these food types, then learn to like Vegan meals because that is what you are likely to receive.
Of course you can always pay to fly business class and enjoy a widr variety and enhanced menu quality ... and even ymuuier deserts. You can always decline the after dinner cheese selection and just ask for two Baileys instead - I've never been declined multiple Baileys for desert in QF business class :wink: .
PS. Man didn't make it to the top of the food chain to become a vegetarian .
Disadvantage: They clear the trays only by seat order - so you get to keep the empty trays for longer time.
|
0.999933 |
Suggest why a solution of malonic acid, concentration 0.2 mol/dm3, has a higher pH than one of sulfuric acid of the same concentration.
Because the sulfuric acid have low melting point and malonic has high melting point than malonic acid.
Which of the statements about ethanol are correct?
1 Ethanol can be formed by an addition reaction.
2 Ethanol can be formed by fermentation.
3 When ethanol burns in air, it forms carbon dioxide and water.
Sodium metal reacts rapidly with water to form a colourless solution of sodium hydroxide and hydrogen gas . The reaction is exothermic. The reaction is given below.
|
0.949066 |
Ferdinand Marcos played a huge part in Philippine history.
Ferdinand Marcos from saviour to sinner.
As president, Ferdinand Marcos embarked on a massive spending programme, in infrastructural development, such as roads, health centers and schools which gave the Philippines a taste of economic prosperity.
In 1969 Marcos sought and won an unprecedented second term against the Liberal Party Senator, Sergio Osmeña, Jr. He was however unable to reduce massive government corruption or to instigate any economic growth in proportion to the population growth.
The Communist Party of the Philippines formed the New Peoples Army, while the Moro National Liberation Front fought for an independent Mindanao. These events, together with student protests and labour strikes were later used as justification for the imposition of martial law.
Congress called for a Constitutional Convention in 1970 in response to public clamour for a new constitution to replace the colonial 1935 Constitution.
An explosion during the proclamation rally of the senatorial slate of the opposition Liberal Party in Plaza Miranda in Quiapo, Manila on August 21, 1971 prompted Marcos to suspend the writ of habeas corpus, hours after the blast, which he restored on January 11, 1972 after public protests.
Using the rising wave of lawlessness and the threat of a Communist insurgency as justification, Marcos declared martial law on September 21, 1972 by virtue of Proclamation No. 1081. Marcos ruling by decree, curtailed press freedom and other civil liberties, closed down media establishments and Congress and ordered the arrest of opposition leaders and militant activists, including his staunchest critics Senator Benigno Aquino, Jr. and Senator Jose Diokno.
Constitutionally barred from seeking another term beyond 1973 and with his political enemies in jail, Marcos reconvened and maneuvered the proceedings of the Constitutional Convention to adopt a parliamentary form of government to pave the way for him to stay in power beyond 1973. Sensing that the constitution would be rejected in a nationwide plebiscite, Marcos decreed the creation of citizen's assemblies, which anomalously ratified the constitution.
Even before the Constitution could be fully implemented, several amendments were introduced to it by Marcos, which included the prolonging of martial law and permitting himself to be President and concurrent Prime Minister.
Rigged elections for an interim Batasang Pambansa (National Assembly) were held in 1978.
Bowing to pressure from the United States, Marcos called for snap presidential elections in 1986. The Batasang Pambansa (Parliament) went on to proclaim Marcos as the winner of the election.
Marcos governed from 1973 until mid-1981 in accordance with the transitory provisions of a new constitution that replaced the commonwealth constitution of 1935. He suppressed democratic institutions and restricted civil liberties during the martial law period, ruling largely by decree and popular referenda.
The government began a process of political normalisation during 1978-81, culminating in the reelection of President Marcos to a 6-year term that would have ended in 1987. The Marcos government's respect for human rights remained low despite the end of martial law on January 17, 1981. His government retained its wide arrest and detention powers. Corruption and favouritism contributed to a serious decline in economic growth and development under Marcos.
In order to appease the Catholic Church before the visit of Pope John Paul II, Ferdinand Marcos officially lifted martial law on January 17, 1981, although he did retain his strongman rule. An opposition boycotted presidential elections then ensued in June 1981, which pitted Marcos (Kilusang Bagong Lipunan) against retired Gen. Alejo Santos (Nacionalista Party). Marcos won by a margin of over 16 million votes, which constitutionally allowed him to have another six-year term.
The assassination of opposition leader Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. upon his return to the Philippines in 1983, after a long period of exile, coalesced popular dissatisfaction with Marcos and set in motion a succession of events that culminated in a snap presidential election in February 1986. The opposition united under Aquino's widow, Corazon Aquino, and Salvador Laurel, head of the United Nationalist Democratic Organization (UNIDO). The election was marred by widespread electoral fraud on the part of Marcos and his supporters. International observers, including a U.S. delegation led by Sen. Richard G. Lugar, denounced the official results. Marcos was forced to flee the Philippines in the face of a peaceful civilian-military uprising that ousted him and installed Corazon Aquino as president on February 25, 1986. By that time the Philippines was a poorer country than before Marcos rose to power.
|
0.990397 |
Article: When Is Jake Miller’s “Overnight” Music Video With Simone Biles Coming Out Because We Need To See It ASAP! Behind The Scenes Look Here!
Ever since singing sensation Jake Miller came out with his masterpiece of an EP titled, “Overnight,” we’ve been nothing short of obsessed, and it looks like we aren’t the only ones! In fact, America’s hero, the iconic Olympic Gold medalist in gymnastics, Simone Biles loves it too and even shared a video of herself and Laurie Hernandez jamming out to Jake Miller’s incredible tune! Needless to say, when we found out that Jake Miller was going to be filming his “Overnight” music video, we all couldn’t be anymore excited, and we were even more thrilled to find out who will be starring in the music video!
We were super excited to find out the news and we loved how Jake Miller kept us all updated on his fun day of filming with Simone Biles through his Snapchat.
Simone Biles even shared some behind-the-scenes pics from the music video shoot and we are getting #TheFeels. When is this music video coming out because we need to see it ASAP!
Jake Miller then came out to support Simone Biles at the Staples Center. He shared the excellent photo as seen below on his Twitter account.
We love seeing Jake Miller and Simone Biles’ exceptional friendship and how they support each other. We’re totally counting down the days until Jake Miller’s “Overnight” music video starring Simone Biles comes out and our excitement is at a whole different level!
Next Article: Olivia Holt Looked So Ravishing At The Teen Vogue Young Hollywood Party!
|
0.952642 |
67.0 ▶ Ra: I am Ra and I greet you in the love and in the light of the One Infinite Creator. I communicate now.
Variations towards the distortion of intensity of attack occur due to the opportunities presented by the entity in any weakness. At this particular nexus the entity has been dealing with the distortion which you call pain for some time, as you call this measurement, and this has a cumulatively weakening effect upon physical energy levels. This creates a particularly favorable target of opportunity, and the entity of which we have previously spoken has taken this opportunity to attempt to be of service in its own way. It is fortunate for the on-going vitality of this contact that the instrument is a strong-willed entity with little tendency towards the distortion, called among your peoples, hysteria, since the dizzying effects of this attack have been constant and at times disruptive for several of your diurnal periods.
67.3 ▶ Questioner: I will ask if I am correct in this analysis. We would consider that the entity making this so-called attack is offering its service with respect to its distortion in our polarized condition now so that we may more fully appreciate its polarity, and we are appreciative of the fact and thank this entity for its attempt to serve our One Creator in bringing to us knowledge in, shall I say, a more complete sense. Is this correct?
67.4 ▶ Questioner: We would welcome the services of the entity who uses, and I will use the misnomer attack, since I do not consider this an attack but an offering of service, and we welcome this offering of service, but we would be able, I believe, to make more full use of the services if they were not physically disabling the instrument in a minor way. For with a greater physical ability she would be able to more appreciate the service. We would greatly appreciate it if the service was carried on in some manner which we could welcome in even greater love than at present. This, I assume, would be some service that would not include the dizzying effect.
I am trying to understand the mechanism of this service of the entity that seems to be constantly with us, and I am trying to understand the origin of this entity and his mechanism of greeting us. I will make a statement that will probably be incorrect but is a function of my extreme limitation in understanding the other densities and how they work. I am guessing that this particular entity is a member of the Orion Confederation and is possibly incarnate in a body of the appropriate density, which I assume is the fifth, and by mental discipline he has been able to project a portion or all of his consciousness to our coordinates, you might say, here and it is possibly one of the seven bodies that make up his mind/body/spirit complex. Is any of this correct, and can you tell me what is correct or incorrect about this statement?
Ra: I am Ra. We did not perceive a query in further detail. Please requestion.
67.6 ▶ Questioner: Which body in respect to the colors does the entity use to travel to us?
Ra: I am Ra. This query is not particularly simple to answer due to the transdimensional nature, not only of space/time to time/space, but from density to density. The time/space light or fifth-density body is used while the space/time fifth-density body remains in fifth-density. The assumption that the consciousness is projected thereby is correct. The assumption that this conscious vehicle attached to the space/time fifth-density physical complex is that vehicle which works in this particular service is correct.
67.7 ▶ Questioner: I undoubtedly will ask several uninformed questions. However, I was trying to understand certain concepts that have to do with the illusion, I shall say, of polarization that seems to exist at certain density levels in the creation and how the mechanism of the interaction of consciousness works. It seems to me that the fifth-density entity is attracted in some way to our group by the polarization of this group which acts somehow as a beacon to this entity. Am I correct?
Ra: I am Ra. This is, in substance, correct but the efforts of this entity are put forward only reluctantly. The usual attempts upon positively oriented entities or groups of entities are made, as we have said, by minions of the fifth-density Orion leaders; these are fourth-density. The normal gambit of such fourth-density attack is the tempting of the entity or group of entities away from total polarization towards service-to-others and toward the aggrandizement of self or of social organizations with which the self identifies. In the case of this particular group each was given a full range of temptations to cease being of service to each other and to the One Infinite Creator. Each entity declined these choices and instead continued with no significant deviation from the desire for a purely other-self service orientation. At this point one of the fifth-density entities over-seeing such detuning processes determined that it would be necessary to terminate the group by what you might call magical means, as you understand ritual magic. We have previously discussed the potential for the removal of one of this group by such attack and have noted that by far the most vulnerable is the instrument due to its pre-incarnative physical complex distortions.
67.8 ▶ Questioner: In order for this group to remain fully in service to the Creator, since we recognize this fifth-density entity as the Creator, we must also attempt to serve in any way we can, this entity. Is it possible for you to communicate to us the desires of this entity if there are any in addition to us simply ceasing the reception and dissemination of that which you provide?
67.9 ▶ Questioner: We find a—I’m sorry. Please continue.
67.10 ▶ Questioner: We have a paradoxical situation with respect to serving the Creator. We have requests, from those whom we serve in this density, for Ra’s information. However, we have requests from another density not to disseminate this information. We have portions of the Creator requesting two seemingly opposite activities of this group. It would be very helpful if we could reach the condition of full service in such a way that we were by every thought and activity serving the Creator to the very best of our ability. Is it possible for you to solve, or for the fifth-density entity who offers its service to solve, this paradox which I have observed?
You do not have merely two opposite requests for information or lack of information from this source if you listen careful to those whose voices you may hear. This is all one voice to which you resonate upon a certain frequency. This frequency determines your choice of service to the One Creator. As it happens this group’s vibratory patterns and those of Ra are compatible and enable us to speak through this instrument with your support. This is a function of free will.
A portion, seemingly of the Creator, rejoices at your choice to question us regarding the evolution of spirit. A seemingly separate portion would wish for multitudinous answers to a great range of queries of a specific nature. Another seemingly separate group of your peoples would wish this correspondence through this instrument to cease, feeling it to be of a negative nature. Upon the many other planes of existence there are those whose every fiber rejoices at your service and those such as the entity of whom you have been speaking which wish only to terminate the life upon the third-density plane of this instrument. All are the Creator. There is one vast panoply of biases and distortions, colors and hues, in an unending pattern. In the case of those with whom you, as entities and as a group, are not in resonance, you wish them love, light, peace, joy, and bid them well. No more than this can you do for your portion of the Creator is as it is and your experience and offering of experience, to be valuable, needs be more and more a perfect representation of who you truly are. Could you, then, serve a negative entity by offering the instrument’s life? It is unlikely that you would find this a true service. Thus you may see in many cases the loving balance being achieved, the love being offered, light being sent, and the service of the service-to-self oriented entity gratefully acknowledged while being rejected as not being useful in your journey at this time. Thus you serve One Creator without paradox.
67.12 ▶ Questioner: This particular entity, by his service, is able to create a dizzying effect on the instrument. Could you describe the mechanics of such a service?
67.13 ▶ Questioner: I was wondering about the magical, shall I say, principles used by the fifth-density entity giving this service and his ability to give it. Why is he able to utilize these particular physical distortions from the philosophical or magical point of view?
Ra: I am Ra. You are correct. In fifth-density light is as visible a tool as your pencil’s writing.
67.15 ▶ Questioner: Then am I correct in assuming that this entity configures the light into symbology, that is what we would call a physical presence? Is this correct?
67.16 ▶ Questioner: Are you familiar with a book that the instrument and I wrote approximately twelve years ago called The Crucifixion Of Esmerelda Sweetwater, in particular the banishing ritual that we used to bring the entities to Earth?
67.19 ▶ Questioner: The fifth-density entity you mentioned penetrated the quarantine. Was this done through one of the windows or was this because of his, shall I say, magical ability?
67.20 ▶ Questioner: The main point with this line of questioning has to do with the first distortion and the fact that this window exists. Was this a portion of the random effect and are we experiencing the same type of balancing in receiving the offerings of this entity as the planet in general receives because of the window effect?
67.21 ▶ Questioner: Then we experience in this seeming difficulty the wisdom of the first distortion and for that reason must fully accept that which we experience. This is my personal view. Is it congruent with Ra’s?
Ra: I am Ra. In our view we would perhaps go further in expressing appreciation of this opportunity. This is an intensive opportunity in that it is quite marked in its effects, both actual and potential, and as it affects the instrument’s distortions towards pain and other difficulties such as the dizziness, it enables the instrument to continuously choose to serve others and to serve the Creator.
67.22 ▶ Questioner: Thank you. Is this so-called attack offered to myself and (name) as well as the instrument?
67.24 ▶ Questioner: Is it within the first distortion to tell me why the instrument experienced so many physical distortions during the new times of its physical incarnation?
67.26 ▶ Questioner: Then there is no other service at this time that we can offer that fifth-density entity of the Orion group who is constantly with us. As I see it now from your point of view there is nothing that we can do for him? Is this correct?
67.27 ▶ Questioner: Thank you. In closing that part of the discussion I would just say that if there is anything that we can do that is within our ability—and I understand that there are many things such as the ones that you just mentioned that are not within our ability—that we could do for this particular entity, if you would in the future communicate its requests to us we will at least consider them because we would like to serve in every respect. Is this agreeable to you?
Ra: I am Ra. We perceive that we have not been able to clarify your service versus its desire for service. You need, in our humble opinion, to look at the humor of the situation and relinquish your desire to serve where no service is requested. The magnet will attract or repel. Glory in the strength of your polarization and allow others of opposite polarity to similarly do so, seeing the great humor of this polarity and its complications in view of the unification in sixth-density of these two paths.
67.28 ▶ Questioner: Thank you very much. I have a statement here that I will have you comment on for accuracy or inaccuracy. In general, the archetypical mind is a representation of facets of the One Infinite Creation. The Father archetype corresponds to the male or positive aspect of electromagnetic energy and is active, creative, and radiant as is our local sun. The Mother archetype corresponds to the female or negative aspect of electromagnetic energy and is receptive or magnetic as is our Earth as it receives the sun’s rays and brings forth life via third-density fertility. The Prodigal Son or the Fool archetype corresponds to every entity who seems to have strayed from unity and seeks to return to the One Infinite Creator. The Devil archetype represents the illusion of the material world and the appearance of evil but is more accurately the provider of catalyst for the growth of each entity within the third-density illusion. The Magician, Saint, Healer, or Adept corresponds to the Higher Self and, because of the balance within its energy centers, pierces the illusion to contact intelligent infinity and thereby demonstrates mastery of the catalyst of third-density. The archetype of Death symbolizes the transition of an entity from the yellow-ray body to the green-ray body either temporarily between incarnations or, more permanently, at harvest.
Each archetype presents an aspect of the One Infinite Creation to teach the individual mind/body/spirit complex according to the calling or the electromagnetic configuration of mind of the entity. Teaching is done via the intuition. With the proper seeking or mind configuration, the power of will uses the spirit as a shuttle to contact the appropriate archetypical aspect necessary for the teach/learning. In the same way each of the other informers of intuition are contacted. They are hierarchical and proceed from the entity’s own subconscious mind to group or planetary mind, to guides, to Higher Self, to archetypical mind, to cosmic mind or intelligent infinity. Each is contacted by the spirit serving as shuttle according to the harmonized electromagnetic configuration of the seeker’s mind and the information sought.
Would you please comment on the accuracy of these observations and correct any errors and fill in any omissions?
Ra: I am Ra. The entity has been using transferred energy for most of this session due to its depleted physical levels. We shall begin this rather complex answer which is interesting but do not expect to finish it. Those portions which we do not respond to we ask that you requestion us on at a working in your future.
Ra: I am Ra. Perhaps the first item we shall address is the concept of the spirit used as a shuttle between the roots and the trunk of mind. This is a misapprehension and we shall allow the questioner to consider the function of the spirit further, for in working with the mind we are working within one complex and have not yet attempted to penetrate intelligent infinity. It is well said that archetypes are portions of the One Infinite Creator or aspects of its face. It is, however, far better to realize that the archetypes, while constant in the complex of generative energies offered, do not give the same yield of these complexes to any two seekers. Each seeker will experience each archetype in the characteristics within the complex of the archetype which are most important to it. An example of this would be the observation of the questioner that the Fool is described in such and such a way. One great aspect of this archetype is the aspect of faith, the walking into space without regard for what is to come next. This is, of course, foolish but is part of the characteristic of the spiritual neophyte. That this aspect was not seen may be pondered by the questioner. At this time we shall again request that the query be restated at the next working and we shall at this time cease using this instrument. Before we leave may we ask if there may be any short questions?
|
0.994914 |
What trip to Athens would be complete without seeing the Acropolis. The ancient city boasts a number of impressive temples and structures such as the Parthenon and the Temple of Athena Nike.
It’s not particularly cheap on the pocket to gain entry unless you are eligible to avail of some of the student discounts. Another must see is the changing of the guard ceremony at the Acropolis museum.
Athens is a stylish city full of wonderful shopping opportunities including many shops carrying work from top designers. There is also plenty to discover outside Athens with your car hire. Delphi and Olympia are a must see and are within easy reach using a hire car. The beautiful town of Glyfada is also a great place to spend the day with activities on offer such as Sailing and surfing.
There are plenty of festivals to be enjoyed in Athens if you visit during the summer months. Festivals of note include the aptly named “Athens Festival”.
|
0.931504 |
Conrad Hal Waddington CBE FRS FRSE (8 November 1905 – 26 September 1975) was a British developmental biologist, paleontologist, geneticist, embryologist and philosopher who laid the foundations for systems biology, epigenetics, and evolutionary developmental biology.
Although his theory of genetic assimilation had a Darwinian explanation, leading evolutionary biologists including Theodosius Dobzhansky and Ernst Mayr considered that Waddington was using genetic assimilation to support so-called Lamarckian inheritance, the acquisition of inherited characteristics through the effects of the environment during an organism's lifetime.
Waddington had wide interests that included poetry and painting, as well as left-wing political leanings. In his book The Scientific Attitude (1941), he touched on political topics such as central planning, and praised Marxism as a "profound scientific philosophy".
Conrad Waddington, known as "Wad" to his friends and "Con" to family, was born in Evesham to Hal and Mary Ellen (Warner) Waddington, on 8 November 1905.
His family moved to India and until nearly three years of age, Waddington lived in India, where his father worked on a tea estate in the Wayanad district of Kerala. In 1910, at the age of four, he was sent to live with family in England including his aunt, uncle, and Quaker grandmother. His parents remained in India until 1928. During his childhood, he was particularly attached to a local druggist and distant relation, Dr. Doeg. Doeg, whom Waddington called "Grandpa", introduced Waddington to a wide range of sciences from chemistry to geology. During the year following the completion of his entrance exams to university, Waddington received an intense course in chemistry from E. J. Holmyard. Aside from being "something of a genius of a [chemistry] teacher," Holmyard introduced Waddington to the "Alexandrian Gnostics" and the "Arabic Alchemists." From these lessons in metaphysics, Waddington first gained an appreciation for interconnected holistic systems. Waddington reflected that this early education prepared him for Alfred North Whitehead's philosophy in the 1920s and 30s and the cybernetics of Norbert Wiener and others in the 1940s.
He attended Clifton College and Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge. He took the Natural Sciences Tripos, earning a First in Part II in geology in 1926. In 1928, he was awarded an Arnold Gerstenberg Studentship in the University of Cambridge, whose purpose was to promote "the study of Moral Philosophy and Metaphysics among students of Natural Science, both men and women." He took up a Lecturership in Zoology and was a Fellow of Christ's College until 1942. His friends included Gregory Bateson, Walter Gropius, C. P. Snow, Solly Zuckerman, Joseph Needham, and John Desmond Bernal. His interests began with palaeontology but moved on to the heredity and development of living things. He also studied philosophy.
During World War II he was involved in operational research with the Royal Air Force and became scientific advisor to the Commander in Chief of Coastal Command from 1944 to 1945.
After the war, in 1947, he replaced Francis Albert Eley Crew as Professor of Animal Genetics at the University of Edinburgh. He would stay at Edinburgh for the rest of life with the exception of one year (1960–1961) when he was a Fellow on the faculty in the Center for Advanced Studies at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut. His personal papers are largely kept at the University of Edinburgh library.
He died in Edinburgh on 26 September 1975.
Waddington was married twice. His first marriage produced a son, C. Jake Waddington, professor of physics at the University of Minnesota, but ended in 1936. He then married Margaret Justin Blanco White, daughter of the writer Amber Reeves, with whom he had two daughters, the anthropologist Caroline Humphrey (1943–) and mathematician Dusa McDuff (1945–).
In the early 1930s, Waddington and many other embryologists looked for the molecules that would induce the amphibian neural tube. The search was beyond the technology of that time, and most embryologists moved away from such deep problems. Waddington, however, came to the view that the answers to embryology lay in genetics, and in 1935 went to Thomas Hunt Morgan's Drosophila laboratory in California, even though this was a time when most embryologists felt that genes were unimportant and just played a role in minor phenomena such as eye colour.
In the late 1930s, Waddington produced formal models about how gene regulatory products could generate developmental phenomena, showed how the mechanisms underpinning Drosophila development could be studied through a systematic analysis of mutations that affected the development of the Drosophila wing.[a] In a period of great creativity at the end of the 1930s, he also discovered mutations that affected cell phenotypes and wrote his first textbook of "developmental epigenetics", a term that then meant the external manifestation of genetic activity.
Waddington introduced the concept of canalisation, the ability of an organism to produce the same phenotype despite variation in genotype or environment. He also identified a mechanism called genetic assimilation which would allow an animal's response to an environmental stress to become a fixed part of its developmental repertoire, and then went on to show that the mechanism would work.
In 1972, Waddington founded the Centre for Human Ecology in the University of Edinburgh.
Waddington's epigenetic landscape is a metaphor for how gene regulation modulates development. Among other metaphors, Waddington asks us to imagine a number of marbles rolling down a hill. The marbles will sample the grooves on the slope, and come to rest at the lowest points. These points represent the eventual cell fates, that is, tissue types. Waddington coined the term chreode to represent this cellular developmental process. The idea was based on experiment: Waddington found that one effect of mutation (which could modulate the epigenetic landscape) was to affect how cells differentiated. He also showed how mutation could affect the landscape, and used this metaphor in his discussions on evolution—he emphasised (like Ernst Haeckel before him) that evolution mainly occurred through mutations that affected developmental anatomy.
Waddington proposed an evolutionary process, "genetic assimilation", as a Darwinian mechanism that allows certain acquired characteristic to become heritable. According to Navis, (2007) "Waddington focused his genetic assimilation work on the crossveinless trait of Drosophila. This trait occurs with high frequency in heat-treated flies. After a few generations, the trait can be found in the population, without the application of heat, based on hidden genetic variation that Waddington asserted had been "assimilated".
[Waddington] did not describe himself as a Lamarckian, but by revealing mechanisms of inheritance of acquired characteristics, I think he should be regarded as such. The reason he did not do so is that Lamarck could not have conceived of the processes that Waddington revealed. Incidentally, it is also true to say that Lamarck did not invent the idea of the inheritance of acquired characteristics. But, whether historically correct or not, we are stuck today with the term 'Lamarckian' for inheritance of a characteristic acquired through an environmental influence.
Waddington was very active in advancing biology as a discipline. He contributed to a book on the role of the sciences in times of war, and helped set up several professional bodies representing biology as a discipline.
A remarkable number of his contemporary colleagues in Edinburgh became Fellows of the Royal Society during his time there, or shortly thereafter. Waddington was an old-fashioned intellectual who lived in both the arts and science milieus of the 1950s and wrote widely. His 1960 book Behind Appearance; a Study Of The Relations Between Painting And The Natural Sciences In This Century (MIT press) not only has wonderful pictures but is still worth reading. Waddington was, without doubt, the most original and important thinker about developmental biology of the pre-molecular age and the medal of the British Society for Developmental Biology is named after him.
^ Robertson, Alan. 1977. "Conrad Hal Waddington. 8 November 1905–26 September 1975." Biographical Memoirs of Fellows of the Royal Society 23, 575-622. pp. 575-76.
^ Waddington, C. H. 1975. The Evolution of an Evolutionist. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press. Pg. 2.
^ Robertson, Alan. 1977. "Conrad Hal Waddington. 8 November 1905 — 26 September 1975." Biographical Memoirs of Fellows of the Royal Society 23, 575-622. Pg 577.
^ Supplement, Historical Register of the University of Cambridge, 1921-30, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1932, p. 63.
^ Robertson, Alan. 1977. "Conrad Hal Waddington. 8 November 1905 — 26 September 1975." Biographical Memoirs of Fellows of the Royal Society 23, 575-622. Pp. 579-580.
^ Yoxen, Edward. 1986. "Form and Strategy in Biology: Reflections on the Career of C. H. Waddington." In A History of Embryology, edited by T. J Horder, J. A Witkowski, and C. C Wylie. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. pp. 310-11.
^ "Good Fellowship - The Repository - Royal Society". blogs.royalsociety.org. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
^ "Guide to the Center for Advanced Studies Records, 1958 - 1969". Wesleyan.edu. Archived from the original on 14 March 2017. Retrieved 4 April 2010.
^ Winchester, Guil (2004). "Edward B. Lewis 1918-2004" (PDF). Current Biology (published 21 September 2004). 14 (18): R740–742. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2004.09.007. PMID 15380080.
^ "Eric Wieschaus and Christiane Nüsslein-Volhard: Collaborating to Find Developmental Genes". iBiology. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
^ "Conrad Waddington". Centre for Human Ecology. Retrieved 9 November 2016.
^ Goldberg, A. D., Allis, C. D., & Bernstein, E. (2007). Epigenetics: A landscape takes shape. Cell, 128, 635-638.
^ Allen, Matthew. 2015. "Compelled by the Diagram: Thinking through C. H. Waddington’s Epigenetic Landscape." Contemporaneity 4.
^ Navis, Adam R. Navis (2007). "Conrad Hal Waddington". Embryo Project Encyclopedia. ISSN 1940-5030.
^ Peterson, Erik L. (2016). The Life Organic: the Theoretical Biology Club and the Roots of Epigenetics. Pittsburgh, PN: University of Pittsburgh Press. p. 220–222. ISBN 9780822944669.
^ Gilbert, Scott F. (2013). A Conceptual History of Modern Embryology: Volume 7: A Conceptual History of Modern Embryology. Springer. p. 205. ISBN 978-1-4615-6823-0.
^ a b Wilkins, Adam S (2015). "Waddington's Unfinished Critique of Neo-Darwinian Genetics: Then and Now". Biological Theory. 3 (3): 224–232. doi:10.1162/biot.2008.3.3.224.
^ Huang, Sui (2012). "The molecular and mathematical basis of Waddington's epigenetic landscape: A framework for post-Darwinian biology?". BioEssays. 34 (2): 149–157. doi:10.1002/bies.201100031. PMID 22102361.
^ Noble, Denis (2015). "Conrad Waddington and the origin of epigenetics". Journal of Experimental Biology. 218 (6): 816–818. doi:10.1242/jeb.120071. PMID 25788723.
^ Hall, Brian K (2004). "In search of evolutionary developmental mechanisms: The 30-year gap between 1944 and 1974". Journal of Experimental Zoology. 302 (1): 5–18. doi:10.1002/jez.b.20002. PMID 14760651.
^ Robertson, Alan (1977). "Conrad Hal Waddington, 8 November 1905 - 26 September 1975". Biographical Memoirs of Fellows of the Royal Society. 23: 575–622. doi:10.1098/rsbm.1977.0022. JSTOR 769627. PMID 11615737.
Waddington, C. H. (1939). An Introduction to Modern Genetics. London : George Alien & Unwin.
Waddington, C. H. (1940). Organisers & Genes. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Waddington, C. H. and others (1942). Science and Ethics, George Allen & Unwin.
Waddington, C. H. (1946). How Animals Develop. London : George Allen & Unwin.
Waddington, C. H. (1953). The Epigenetics of birds. Cambridge : Cambridge University Press.
Waddington, C. H. (1956). Principles of Embryology. London : George Allen & Unwin.
Waddington, C. H. (1957). The Strategy of the Genes. London : George Allen & Unwin.
Waddington, C. H. (1959). Biological Organisation Cellular and Subcellular : Proceedings of a Symposium. London: Pergamon Press.
Waddington, C. H. (1960). The Ethical Animal. London : George Allen & Unwin.
Waddington, C. H. (1961). The Human Evolutionary System. In: Michael Banton (Ed.), Darwinism and the Study of Society. London: Tavistock.
Waddington, C. H. (1961). The Nature of Life. London : George, Allen, & Unwin.
Waddington, C. H. (1962). New Patterns in Genetics and Development. New York: Columbia University Press.
Waddington, C. H. (1966). Principles of Development and Differentiation. New York: Macmillan Company.
Waddington, C. H. (1970). 72). Behind Appearance : A Study in the Relationship Between Painting and the Natural Sciences in this Century. The MIT Press.
Waddington, C. H., ed. (1968–72). Towards a Theoretical Biology. 4 vols. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.
Waddington, C. H. (1977) (published posthumously). Tools for Thought. London: Jonathan Cape.
Waddington, C. H. 1942. Canalization of development and the inheritance of acquired characters. Nature 150(3811):563–565.
Waddington, C. H. & Carter T. C. 1952. Malformations in mouse embryos induced by trypan blue. Nature 169(4288):27-28.
Waddington, C. H. 1952. Selection of the Genetic Basis for an Acquired Character. Nature 169(4294):278.
Waddington, C. H. 1953. Genetic assimilation of an acquired character. Evolution 7:118–126.
Waddington, C. H. 1953. Epigenetics and evolution. Symp. Soc. Exp. Biol 7:186–199.
Waddington, C. H. 1956. Genetic assimilation of the bithorax phenotype. Evolution 10:1–13.
Waddington, C. H. 1961. Genetic assimilation. Advances Genet. 10:257–290.
Waddington, C. H. 1974. A Catastrophe Theory of Evolution. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 231:32–42.
This page was last edited on 23 March 2019, at 17:30 (UTC).
|
0.999126 |
The Eastern Theatre encompassing the snow-capped peaks of Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh towards the North, the jungle clad hill tracts of Nagaland Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura and Meghalaya in the North-East and the alluvial fertile plains of Assam and Bengal, is a veritable conglomeration of flora and fauna in all its imaginable diversities. This is not only the most enticing and enchanting part of our country displaying nature's bounty at its best but also boasts of a wide diversity of cultures woven together by the underlying thread of nationalism. The abundance of natural resources coupled with the gracious and warm nature of the inhabitants makes the region uniquely different.
Headquarters of Eastern Command, occupying Fort William, the former seat and symbol of authority of the British Empire has an unparalleled aura not experienced by any other formation. The historic structures and edifices in and around the Fort, narrate the tales of trials and triumphs of the British Army and the post Independence Indian Army. The history of the region is replete with stories of uncanny heroic deeds of valour and sacrifice since the days of yore. The close proximity to a number of neighboring countries add significance to its strategic geopolitical position and standing.
In sharp contrast to the seemingly placid atmosphere, Eastern Command has remained heavily committed in active operations since its inception. Formations and units of the Command bore the brunt during the Chinese aggression in 1962 and were again in the forefront in 1971 Indo-Pak War, which changed the course of history of the subcontinent and installed India as an unchallenged regional power.
With such a glorious past and major ongoing commitments both along the border and in containing insurgency, the Eastern Army has much to be proud of.
|
0.940446 |
What happens to infants when they die?
If all men and women are born into a state of sinfulness, then what happens to infants when they die?
The question of how God accommodates the souls of children (or for that matter, the souls of invalids, mentally incapacitated, etc.) is not easy to answer, though Scripture does give us a limited answer. First, we must understand how all men are saved. Scripture tells us that all men are saved by faith in Jesus Christ, and by no other means. Without faith in the Savior's atoning sacrifice, no one may enter God's presence.
But faith itself is not something that men arrive at by their own power and reason.
Paul says in Romans 3 that no man chooses God - nor even seeks for God - by his own nature and will. On the contrary, the natural (unsaved) man is spirtually opposed to God and is an enemy of God (Rom 5:10). Paul later says in Romans 8:7 that the mind of natural man is hostile toward God and will not subject itself to God's decrees nor is even able to do so. Since man will never naturally seek after God nor believe the Gospel, Paul tells us in Ephesians 2:8 that our faith itself is "a gift" from God. Without God's intervention to change our hearts, all men would remain forever unbelievers until death.
This brings us back to the subject of infants.
Saving faith does not come as the result of a human intellectual process, and therefore it is not dependent upon our mental capacity or any other human, fleshly ability. Otherwise, our salvation could be said to depend - at least in part - on our own effort (e.g., our effort of evaluating and understanding the gospel), but Paul says in Eph 2:8-9 that God grants salvation through the gift of faith so that no man may boast before God. Therefore, faith is a spiritual process initiated by God and entirely apart from the workings of men.
Obviously, believing adults will normally arrive at some level of understanding regarding their belief in Christ, but this process occurs only after the truth of the gospel has been placed in their hearts through the regenerative power of the Holy Spirit.
Paul teaches that the Gospel is not received by those who are "perishing," but the One who shines the Light of the knowledge of Christ in our hearts is God Himself. So, faith is something that arrives by God's power and appointment in order to bring salvation to the unsavable, including you and I.
This means that God may, if He chooses, grant the gift of faith to anyone at any age, since God doesn't depend on our intellect or understanding. God may bring faith into the heart of an infant (or even in the womb, as He did for John the Baptist), though parents won't detect the faith of a child until some time later, when the child gains the capacity to express themselves, leading to a public profession in Christ and baptism.
On the other hand, if that child dies as an infant, we might never know that God had saved the child. Nevertheless, the child would still be saved by faith even though the child never obtained the physical and intellectual ability to express faith publicly. In a glorified body, that child would still have an opportunity to praise and glorify God in eternity.
This is the source of our present mystery. We can't know if God saves all children in this way or merely some children - either choice is within God's rights as sovereign Lord (see Rom 9:14-18).
We may choose to believe that God grants the gift of faith to some infants but not to all, in the same way He saves some adults but not all. On the other hand, we could choose to believe that God will save all children who die in infancy (or before a certain age). In either case, we know that God saves children in the same way He saves all men: not for their inherent goodness nor lack of sinfulness (for there is no person of any age who lacks sin), but rather all must be saved through the gift of faith.
Since scripture never tells us whether God saves some children or all children, we must trust this detail is unnecessary for a successful walk as Christians. Instead, we can know that God will do what is good and holy, and we look forward to a Day when we will understand it all perfectly (1Cor 13:12).
Can we confidently tell children God loves them?
How can a woman be “saved” by bearing children?
|
0.999993 |
Was Sri Aurobindo a Vegetarian?
Although Vegetarianism and sentientism are not a central part of Sri Aurobindo's teachings, he is quoted (in the Internet, but I need to confirm this with actual references) as saying "Life is life – whether in a cat, or dog or man. There is no difference there between a cat or a man. The idea of difference is a human conception for man's own advantage." (this was probably said at the time when the Mother was keeping and got to know a number of cats personally; she often talks about these cats in her Collected Works). There is also another statement he makes (which I need to find and add here) regarding consideration and compassion to animals.
In view of this, one wonders whether the original emphasis on vegetarianism in Indic mysticism was less for sentientist reasons (although it was in Jainism, and I have to say I side with the Jains in this, and the Pythagoreans would seem to have been influenced by Jains) than as a direct result of yogic siddhi. Or perhaps the two were equal factors. Ramana Maharshi who was a strong sentientist advised the eating "of sattwic food (and even that only) in small quantities"). Although vegetarian sentientist yogi was Ramalinga, a supramental diviniser anf predecessor of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother.
In any case, from the beginning of the ashram, a vegetarian lifestyle was the norm. According to a sympathetic account by Jatindranath Sen Gupta (circa 1927), in response to slander by the Catholic Church in Pondicherry at the time, life in the ashram was frugal, with one vegetarian meal a day (Peter Heehs, The Lives of Sri Aurobindo , p 359). The ascetic lifestyle may have been long relaxed during the War, when the ashram adopted many children and refugees, and hence it was impractical to enforce such rules. But even to this day the ashram serves only vegetarian food, and a vegetarian diet is standard among practitioners of Integral Yoga worldwide.
I have been told by a devotee I respect that the the Mother was always a vegetarian, even before she met Sri Aurobindo. But it seems (so someone else informed me recently) this was apparently for aesthetic reasons, not ethical ones (Mother's Agenda Vol 6, pp. 80-81 ), and when this was shown to be it was a big dissapointment, hence my preference for Ramana in this regard, despite my great respect and appreciation for Mirra in every other regard. In addition, elsewhere in the Agenda vol 10) Mirra speaks out strongly and with great sympathy against the Canadian clubbing of fur seal pups. As always, things are not simple!
In any case, she mentions somewhere in the Agenda that she and her first husband, Henri Morriset, a minor artist, travelled and lived a vegetarian lifestyle. I do not know whether Theon, her teacher in occultism, was vegetarian, although it would not be surprising as Theosophists were and are. Likewise Paul Ruchard, Mirra's second husband, and another student of Theon, was vegetarian and (I need to check the reference) sentientist.
|
0.99424 |
You might have noticed, I titled this post “... of Making ...” instead of “... of Being ...” and you'll get to know why. So, I thought, who would write poetry like me after I die? To address the issue at hand, I started thinking of ways I could use my knowledge of Machine Learning to build a bot that could be trained by my poems and the way I write, and be smart enough to spit out rhymes when required.
The simplest and the most trivial step in this quest is to write a Markov chain text generator. A Markov chain (in layman language) is a chain in which state changes are probabilistic and a future state depends just on the present state and is independent of past states.
So, how will this work?
The first step will be to get a collection of poems (or any text for that matter) which will be used as the corpus. Now, using our training database (the corpus) we will look for all triplets (three words in succession) and will make a map of all words which can come after two words. The current state of our Markov chain will be represented by the last two words in our sentence.
To begin, choose two successive words from the database at random. Look into the map and check which possible words can come after those two words. Choose one of them at random and continue.
An example of the method follows.
Input text: Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.
As I did not have a huge collection of my own poems, I used Sir Robert Frost's poetry collection North of Boston as the corpus. It will generate gibberish most of the time but can generate sensible statements once in a while. A kind of sensible one generated by the algorithm follows.
'I'm sure--I'm sure'--as polite as be.
could be. He spoke to his door.
Yes, that's how a drunk Robert Frost writes.
Furthur work includes the use of Backus–Naur context-free grammar and Natural Language Processing techniques to make the outputs more meaningful.
We can easily download profile pictures of people using Facebook's Graph API. For instance, to download the profile picture of Mark Zuckerburg (Facebook ID - 4) you can simply use this link. Following the pattern we can download a lot of profile pictures by simply increasing the Facebook ID sequentially beginning at 4 (1,2 and 3 aren't used). You cannot however download the profile pictures of all users using this method because at this point of time Facebook ID naming pattern has changed but that pattern is also not too tough to figure out.
A scaled version of the mosaic of first 3249 profile pictures. The original file was 61 MB large.
For each fb-id beginning at 4, check if it is the default silhouette of Facebook using json data obtained from this link.
If the Image is not silhouette then download it.
Resize the Image to 100x100 pixels.
Join the resized images to form a mosaic.
We know that this series converges to 2 at infinity. Such series are known as convergent series. The series which we are interested in, however, are the ones called divergent series.
Divergent series cannot be summed by usual methods but they can be ❛summed❜ (read: associated) to a number using other rigorous methods.
One famous example of a divergent series is the sum of all natural numbers upto infinity.
This series is particularly important because it has applications in other fields like Bosonic String Theory, Quantum Field Theory et cetera.
There are many methods to ❛sum❜ this series which require different amounts of rigor. I'm going to discuss two methods, the one using Cesaro Summation of Grandi's Series and Euler's Method. Other methods include Zeta Function Regularization, Ramanujan Summation, Exponential Regulation Method et cetera.
Now, the Grandi's series is mildly divergent as it can either be summed to 1 or 0. The graph of Grandi's series is a zig-zag 'oscillating' between 0 and 1 which can be thought as a straight line parallel to X-axis at y=1/2 or in simple terms an average of the two possibilities i.e. (0+1)/2 = 1/2. Cesaro Summation also sums Grandi's series to 1/2.
Now, -3S = S1 = 1/4.
Therefore, S= -1/12 or 1+2+3+4 ... = -1/12.
This method uses Taylor series expansion of 1/(1+x)2 to prove that S1 or 1-2+3-4 ... is equal to 1/4.
Now that we have proved S1=1/4 we can easily continue as above to prove S=-1/12.
It might seem bizarre to associate -1/12 to 1+2+3+4 ... but it has serious physical implications and is a well established fact with other rigorous proofs.
|
0.95441 |
Is there a website out there that shows how to install garage door openers? The manual that comes with mine is hard to figure out. I just need the basics to get started on it. Thanks.
Sounds like you'd be better served hiring someone to do it. You don't seem to have the skill to tackle a potentially dangerous job like that.
: > Is there a website out there that shows how to install garage door : > openers? The manual that comes with mine is hard to figure out. I just : > need the basics to get started on it. Thanks. : > : : Sounds like you'd be better served hiring someone to do it. You don't seem : to have the skill to tackle a potentially dangerous job like that. : : Patrick : : I respectfully disagree; armed with basic instructions and a diy background, many people are capable of the installation. It's not an inherently dangerous task unless one tries to do things without basic knowledge/instructions. Been there, done that; three times.
I'm sorry. Didn't the OP say he couldn't understand the instructions? And hanging a garage door is "inherently dangerous" both during the installation and afterward.
Go ahead and install it even if you can't comprehend the instructions?
The OP appears to already have the door installed and is just adding the opener. Putting in an opener is not (IMO) "inherently dangerous."
The fact that the OP does have a problem understanding the instructions is an indication that he may not be up to the job, but that is greatly overweighed by the fact that he has recognized that fact and is asking for additional information BEFORE he begins. I would rate his abilities very high do to his recognition of his limits.
I don't see much danger in that job, unless it involves running a new electrical circuit.
Remember they are installing an opener, not the door. Installing a door often involves working with a set of springs that can be dangerous.
So which is it? Dangerous? Not dangerous? Is 110v. electricity dangerous? Are those springs dangerous? Do they need tweaking? (not a job for a newbie that can't follow the directions for putting up the opener) The track is VERY EASY to tweak.
And is tweaking good or bad?
Tweaking, meaning minor adjustments is good.
Tweaking a straight piece of track, as in bending unintentionally, is bad. (This is VERY easy for an inexperienced person to do while installing a GDO by themselves.) Particularly if that person does not comprehend the instructions. Unless you are a pro, I think it is a two person job. And it is good for one of those people to comprehend the instructions.
Tweaking, as in adjusting garage door springs if you don't have experience doing so, is dangerous.
And just plain tweaking will rot your brain.
I believe if you can read, you will see where I noted a warning about working with the springs.
Maybe reading is not one of your better skills?
It would help in this case if you quoted the entire message and read the entire message. If you snip the message and don't understand it, don't blame me.
I stated what I thought, you stated what you thought.
If you can't read the instructions, I doubt you could hang it up safely. Hire a pro before you kill yourself or mess up the unit.
My SIL and I installed one in about four hours. Afterward, we saw that if we had any experience at all, it would have taken an hour. THEN I found out that Lowe's would have installed it for $40. I told him next time he had to do one, I would flip him for the $40.
Yeah me too, I have iunstalled a couple, PIA if you ask me.
But with installs under 50 bucks I would rather watch others do the job.
It is a garage door opener, not a garage door. Just wanted to clear this up. I got this from a friend who bought it years ago, but never used it. He lost the manual. It was an old Genie. I tried finding it on there website, but can't find the manuals there. Must have been a real old model or something. I just need instructions since i think i'm mechanically inclined enough. Thanks.
You need to measure the headroom, that is, the minimum distance between the ceiling and the highest point of the door, which you find by opening the door partially until its to reaches maximum height. The opener may not work if the headroom is too small, but there may be a special low-headroom adapter to get around this.
Assemble everything on the ground and cycle it a few times to make sure the trolley travels correctly and doesn't get jammed at one of the extremes. Most likely you'll have to set up the optical sensor and transmitter to make the opener close. Use only a 3-wire *GROUNDED* outlet for power, and realize that some 3-wire outlets aren't grounded (this may be OK, but only if the outlet is protected by a ground fault interupter). Remember the opener will be used in a wet environment, so you must eliminate the possibility of electric shock.
Find the center of the garage door opening and install the bracket far enough above this so the top of the door will never touch the bottom of the rail. The opener attaches to this and is then swung up at the opposite end. You'll need a ladder on which the opener can sit temporarily before its attached securely to the ceiling with metal brackets ("L" angle). These brackets may not be included with the opener. You'll likely need to attach 2 L angles to the beams overhead.with 1/4" lag screws, taking care to center the screws exactly in the beams. Decide whether the L angles should go parallel or perpendicular to the overhead wooden beams, and measure to center the opener in the middle of the door opening. Drill holes of proper size to prevent splitting the beams. Then to these L angles bolt flat pieces of steel between the opener and L-angles, using 1/4" bolts, nuts, and lock washers. Do NOT use metal pipe strapping for this; it's far too weak. You probably want the kind of L angle and flat steel that has a hole about every 1/2", resembling Erector Set beams. It's important to use lock washers since the motor vibrates a great deal and can cause bolts to vibrate gradually loosen. In addition, a jam nut against each nut wouldn't hurt.
The trolley arm needs to be attached to the center of the door. Some doors have a bracket for this, but with others you may have to install a horizontal reinforcement beam.
Openers made in the past 10-15 years are designed to not close the door unless the optical safety beam system is installed and working. Install this device properly since it's one of the most effective safety devices and by far the most sensitive one. You may need to mount the brackets on blocks of wood to let them extend pas any door springs that sit vertically near the floor. Use special electrical staples with cardboard insulators to attach the wiring to the wall since regular staples will pierce the wire insulation. Normally the ends of the wires are stripped and simply wrapped around the contact screws at the opener, but for a neater installation you can use crimp-on spade connectors. Install the wiring for the wall button similarly. Secure the wiring so it can't get tangled in the mechanism, such as with nylon wire ties, and take care not to let it abrade against sharp metal. To protect the wiring, either cover it with split looming, or cover the sharp edges with the looming.
The first time you operate the opener, have the trolley disengaged, in case it jams. After attaching it to the door, adjust the opening and closing limits for the right amount of door travel. Finally, adjust the force settings so the opener doesn't reverse during normal operation. You may have to increase the force as the temperature changes and affects the springs. If the door won't open or close even with the greatest force settings, the door mechanism may be binding, or the springs may have to be adjusted for proper balance. When a door is correctly balanced it will slowly fall when opened about 1/3 of the way and released, slowly rise when opened about 2/3 of the way and released.
Replacing transmitter/receiver of old Sears garage door opener?
Garage Door Opener for Shop: What Type?
|
0.999997 |
To tree trim or risk downed power lines?
It’s a common occurrence. Neighbors squabbling about property lines and aesthetics near their homes, especially when it comes to trimming trees near power lines. The latest disagreement is occurring in Commerce Township, Michigan and is making television news in Metro Detroit.
As to the two Commerce Township neighbors are battling over the potential tree trimming, Paul Francis wants the trees near the residential power lines taken down. But the neighbor, who actually owns the property where the trees are located, isn’t having it, according to a recent story on Fox 2 News.
As an electrocution attorney, I read this story as not being so much about the disagreement. Rather, it’s about the serious safety issue that arises when trees are too close to power line structures. This issue arises in many of the electrocution wrongful death lawsuits that I’ve filed, including one that was resolved just two years ago, also in Michigan.
What often happens in these cases is that the weight of the trees or the foliage becomes too much for the power lines, and when there’s a storm or heavy winter accumulation, they will likely fall. This poses an immense electrocution hazard to anyone in proximity. People who step in their normally safe backyards never expect to encounter this type of hazard.
This safety issue is always exacerbated when utility companies fail to inspect and maintain their power line structures. This is probably the biggest reason why people are electrocuted. There’s a duty on the utility companies to inspect and safely maintain their equipment. Think: 100-year-old wooden poles that are rotting and can easily fall with extra weight and force from inclement weather. Unfortunately, many attorneys who are unfamiliar with electrical injury and death cases fail to recognize and raise these issues. because they don’t understand and have experience with the legal duties and responsibilities of utility companies.
Meanwhile, DTE, which is the Detroit-based electrical company responsible for the power line, says they’re working on the issue by following their “national standards for utility tree trimming as part of its efforts to ensure safety.” Meanwhile, the neighbor protests trimming his trees.
As electrocution lawyers, we’ve written about these national tree trimming standards, in efforts to educate the public and our readers and also to emphasize the legal duty that utility companies have to safely maintain and reasonably inspect their structures to prevent downed lines when bad storms inevitably occur.
Mr. Francis has good cause to be concerned about live power lines falling in a bad Michigan winter storm.
Are utility companies required to trim trees near power lines?
Yes, absolutely. Utility companies are required by the National Electric Safety Code to trim trees and branches in proximity to power lines and in anticipation of forecasted growth in cycles.
Applicable laws and safety codes require that power companies not only repair the conditions on their power lines that they know to be defective or dangerous, but also that they use reasonable means and inspection schedules to find deficiencies in their systems.
Trimming and removing trees is another way to discover dangerous conditions and deficiencies, as well as to reduce the risk of downed wires caused by contact with tree branches or the branches breaking off during inclement weather like ice and storms.
The good news is that many states are starting to take preventative measures more seriously. For example, I recently wrote about DTE Energy and other utility companies taking a proactive approach to trimming and chopping down trees in an attempt to reduce power outages in Michigan. But this tree cutting also has the benefit of preventing tree limbs from growing too close to electrical lines and causing them to fall. Again, it’s these downed wires that cause many electrocution accidents every year in the U.S.
It’s important for the public to understand that while the aesthetic or the tree itself may have to suffer in the inspection and maintained process, tree trimming saves human lives that could otherwise be lost in preventable electrocution accidents.
In this case, Mr. Frances’s grandchildren are clearly more important than his neighbor’s trees.
|
0.962813 |
Doublecross Message Board: X-men RP Urgent!!!!!
He's cute....Anyways back to what we were talking about.
"I'm Merleah, this Garrett. So what's the plan?"
"Get Rylee and as many other mutants out of the MRD as possible." He and Garrett started talking about a plan. I felt my phone buzz and I went back. It was Benny.
How did you get a phone?
I found a old one and fixed it. Benny was smart. I needed to test him powers soon. I'm not ready to lose you.
I paused at the text. I turned back towards Garrett and Andreas. I went back to the phone and typed back.
I'm not ready to lose both of you.
I closed the phone and walked to the others.
"What's the plan," I asked.
I sat down on the floor of the living room. Benny and me haven't talked at all yet. He was on a phone texting with Merleah. He soon was staring at me.
"You would find that good in most cases. Leah says I talk to much."
Okay awesome! :) I'll probably post in.........one or two hours. I'll see if I can sooner.
Can you give me a simple description for what Xander looks like?
I rubbed my tired eyes and cursed myself for the billionth time for getting myself arrested. I thought it would be better for me, but boy, was I wrong. I was practically conversing with Death himself.
Footsteps rang out through the prison. An armed guard approached my cell and unlocked the door.
"There is someone here to see you," I said stonily. He unlocked the chains around my ankles and grabbed my arm. I had no choice but to stumble after him to a room I'd never seen before. There was a formidable iron door and the walls were white. There was a table with two chairs; one on either side. A security camera was positioned one of the corners. A young man around twenty was sitting in one of the chairs. He wore a black t-shirt with army pants and black combat boots. Around his neck was a shark-tooth necklace decorated with other beads and shells. A black wristwatch was clipped around his right wrist and a sweatband was around his opposite. An AK-47 laid on the table and he had a knife at his waist. A black backpack sat on the floor beside him.
He had brown hair and brown eyes. His skin was deeply tanned, his build was muscular, and he was admittedly quite handsome.
The guard shoved me down in the other chair and left. The man stood, locking the door, and then sat back down to face me, his eyes filled with urgency.
"Are you Rylee Foster?" he asked.
I fumbled with the chains around my wrists, my muscles tense. I glared at him. "Yes."
"I was wondering if I could speak with you for a moment. I'm from the US Military and I make it my responsibility to check in with the MRD Mutants to see how they're doing. Is that all right?"
"Sure." I wanted to strangle this man.
Some of the tension in his face relaxed and he sat up straighter. He reached into his backpack and pulled out a paper and a pencil. Handing them to me, her continued talking. "I just need you to fill this out before we begin. It's a record so that we know when to check in with you again. Nothing in here will be used against you in a court of law, it's all just for scheduling purposes."
I looked down at the form expecting to see a bunch of stupid questions like "How do you feel about being a Mutant" or "Have you realized the importance of keeping powers under control", but I was shocked. I was smart enough to hide it though.
"Don't say anything, Rylee Foster. Don't even make a move. Just keep reading and pretend like you're filling this out. I am Andreas Barton of the X-Men. I don't work for the US Military or the Brotherhood, or anything else like that. I've been sent by Professor Xavier to rescue you and bring you back. I have a plan to get us out of here. It won't be easy, but we can do it. Just act normal. I have everything under control. By the way, my power is internal compromise. Basically, the mechanisms inside of something are utterly destroyed at my will."
I slid it back to him casually. "There."
"You seem to be a girl of few words," he began with a laugh. "They warned me of that."
I became suddenly interested. "Who?" My nose twitched as I caught a hint of a familiar scent from the young man.
He slyly glanced at the security camera and his fingers twitched.The mechanism broke from the wall, it's wires sparking and fizzing.
"We only have a short amount of time before they realize the camera is dead, so listen carefully and don't ask questions." As he talked, he flicked a wrist at my collar and it beeped loudly, then fell to the floor. I yelped with surprise at the shock. A catlike hiss escaped my throat, but I refrained from using my newly-freed powers quite yet. Then he took care of my shackles. Horrified, I looked at my red, swollen wrists. Andreas winced and took some bandages from his backpack. I spoke as he wrapped my wounds.
"What do we need to do? How are we going to get out?"
He finished and stood, loading his gun. "I was told you can teleport. Can you get us out of here?"
"This place is teleport proof. We have to use the long way."
"That's okay. I have a Plan B, but it's a lot more dangerous. Are you willing?"
Andreas reached into his backpack again and pulled out a pistol, a simple wristwatch, and a tiny earpiece.
"Take these and don't lose them," he said. "The pistol can be transformed into a knife when the scanner on the back reads your thumb. The wristwatch is actually an extremely high-tech communicator complete with everything found on a modern phone. You can control it with this earpiece. Her name is Pepper. It's also voice-activated." He handed me the three items.
In awe, I clipped the ear-piece in my ear and slid the watch in my pocket. "Who made this stuff?"
"Look on the handle of the pistol." His lips twitched into a small smile.
I obeyed and saw two words in small dark grey print: Stark Industries. "How-?"
"No time to explain," Andreas's face filled with fear as he looked at his watch. "We were supposed to have escaped two minutes ago. We could be compromised by now."
In answer to his statement, a pounding resounded on the door. "You're under arrest," an angry voice barked. "Open up and stand down."
Andreas positioned his AK-47 and motioned for me to stay behind him.
I gave him an exasperated look. "No way. I can take down an army in panther form. You stay behind me. Besides I know more about this place than you. Destroy their guns and cover my back. Don't get shot, don't get killed, and whatever you do, don't get captured."
Before he could protest, I transformed into a panther and yowled as the soldiers outside smashed down the door. As I tackled the guards, the world around me became a complete blur. I was only focused on the moving bodies in front of me, my surrounding completely gone. I knew all the right places to attack so that they wouldn't be killed, but just wounded and unable to follow. When they had all fallen, I gave Andreas a look as if to say "told you so" and we continued on.
We ran down a few empty halls until we turned a corner where we were met by another group of heavily armed guards. I couldn't bite through their armor so I turned into a human and took the pistol Andreas had given mee. We stood shoulder-to-shoulder and stared at the group. I looked behind me and saw more men and women. A resounding bunch of gun clicks filled the air.
"Drop your weapons and stand down," the lead said.
Andreas began to put down his gun. I did the same, thinking we were really surrendering, but then he winked at me and I knew exactly what he was doing. The guards relaxed, the lead pulling out two pairs of handcuffs. Once his gun was on the ground, Andreas lifted his hands in mock surrender and pivoted a wrist. All of the guards' guns began sparking and sizzling. They all threw them to the ground as they burned through their thick gloves. While they were distracted, the mutant scooped up his gun and waved a hand at the surrounding alarms and lights. They all exploded, the guards covering their heads. With the darkness giving us an advantage, we forced our way through the barrier of bodies and continued running. We didn't stop until we made it out of the building. Tumbling over the grass, laughing, we high-fived each other and lay there, breathing heavily.
"Can you believe we just outsmarted the MRD?" Andreas said.
"They are so stupid sometimes!" I agreed.
With a sigh of relief, I looked up at the bright, cloudless sky, blue as an endless sapphire. For the first time since I was arrested, I felt alive, free. I wasn't weighed down my chains or sorrow. I was going to see Xander soon. I was going to be reunited with my friends. I breathed in the sweet air and sat up.
That's when I saw dozens of MRD guards filing out of the doors. I shook Andreas.
"Looks like we haven't escaped yet," I warned. We both stood. Andreas loaded his gun and I turned into a panther. Then we collided. We attacked repeatedly, but we were far too outnumbered.
"Run, Rylee!" Andreas shouted over the din of the battle. "Get out of here!"
I changed into a human and replied, "No way, Barton!" I paused to slam my fist into a skinny man's cheek. He stumbled backwards and spat out a tooth. "You can't survive on your own."
Andreas looked at a massive, dark-skinned man with bulging muscles who had a gun pointed straight at him. The mutant destroyed it and then broke the man's wrist. He grunted and fell back. Then Andreas turned back to me, a dark and serious look covering his face.
"Rylee," he kicked back an approaching teen. "Get out of here. Now." He fell to the ground and swung his leg, knocking several guards to their knees. "They need you."
That did it. I kicked down an approaching woman and ran into the wooded area ahead. Looking over my shoulder, I saw an intimidating man with a missing ear sprinting after me. I pulled out my pistol and shot his foot. He stumbled and fell, screaming in pain. Before I could turn around, I slammed right into another body. They gave a grunt and I looked up. I gasped. He looked different since I last saw him: older. He was taller with a stronger build and matured features. His hair was still dark blue, but styled differently.
"Garrett!" I cried and embraced him.
He returned the hug. "You're okay! Well, I mean, you don't look great, but you're alive!"
I laughed. "Hey, I've been in the MRD for two years, don't judge."
"It's so good to have you back."
"It's so good to be back!"
"Rylee!" a familiar voice squealed. A caramel-haired girl with brown eyes shoved Garrett aside and grabbed me in a spine-breaking bear hug.
"Merleah!" I said. Man, had she grown. Her hair was long and curled, her cheeks were splashed with pink, she was a few inches taller than I, and she was absolutely gorgeous.
"Oh my goodness, Rylee, I missed you so much!"
I held her close. "I missed you too. All of you."
She stepped back and wrinkled her nose, frowning. "You definitely need some cleaning up though. And your hair!" She rubbed my short fuzz. I knew she wasn't being all fussy and girlish. I knew she was genuinely concerned.
I put my condition a little lightly. "I- got sick. I'm fine though." I smiled. Merleah looked a little distrusting, but she smiled back.
I turned again to face Andreas's fight against the guards. He was doing quite well for one man, but his movements were beginning to slow. He was getting exhausted.
"I need to go back," I said, but before I could get too far, Merleah and Garrett both grabbed my arms. I growled. "He's in trouble!"
"He can handle himself!" Garrett snapped. He loosened his grip on me and gave me an apologetic look. "Look, we need you. We can't keep fighting without you. We can't lose you again. Xander needs you. We all do."
I relaxed and they released me. We watched fearfully as Andreas was engaged in a fierce melee with a muscle-bound man who was wickedly fast with a knife.
Suddenly, two other guards came behind the struggling mutant and snapped a collar around his neck. He twitched for a moment and then fell to the ground. I screamed his name and started forward, but Garrett and Merleah grabbed my arms and held them behind me. The guards handcuffed Andreas and began taking him to the nightmarish prison, unconscious with his feet dragging behind him.
Tears came to my eyes and I pulled hard against my old friends. Their grip was iron. "Let me go!" I sobbed. "I can't let him be taken!" I remembered all the horrors I faced. I couldn't let an innocent soldier face those unspeakable things too.
Finally, I gave up struggling, weak and exhausted. Against my will, Merleah and Garrett began dragging me away and I had no choice but to surrender under their strength.
I stare some more before looking back at the phone Merleah gave me.
My mouth felt as if it was tied shut, holding me back from uttering a single word to him. Did I like him? Was I just being shy..
It was early morning, I hadn't felt hungry eariler. What if he posions it! A shapshifter mutent.
I bring the small couch pillow to my chest, beginning to daydream myself appearing and helping them out. As if my power would be able to help them in someway.
"There is someone here to see you," HE said stonily.
Aw!!! Oh my gosh, thanks! :D Yours has too! I was AMAZED!
Xander has light green eyes that almost glow a bit, red brown hair, tall, muscular, and tanned skin.
I heard the door click and I turned around. I dropped the plate I was holding to see Rylee standing there. Merleah had an arm around her.
"Rylee," I asked. She nodded and I rushed to her. I opened my arms and she went into them."You're alive."
"I know.You're different," she said. I looked at her.
"You're still as beautiful as before." I moved some hair out of her face and looked at her. I slipped her hands into mine and brought them to my lips. I kissed her fingers and looked at her eyes. Merleah walked over to me.
"Don't mean to interrupt your moment but Rylee needs a shower, some good food, and rest." I nodded and let go of Rylee's fingers. I took her hand and walked her up the stairs.
"I remember Xander. I lived here once too."
"I know. But I'm trying to spend every second with you." She looked at me with a weak smile. I lead her to te shower room and smiled.
"See you in a few." She nodded and went inside. I walked back to my room and waited patiently for her to finish. I opened the letter I sent her. I had copyed it so I would remember her. I felt my heart beat as I thought about her. I closed the letter and I got up. I went to a chair in the hallway and waited for her to finish everything.
"Benny," I called. He sat up from on the couch. Looked like he just woke up.
"Merleah," he said getting up and running to me. I got on a knee and hugged him tighly. I looked at him and smiled.
"I don't trust the Xander guy." I smiled.
"Trust him. He's my brother. So he's your's too." He nodded and I stood up.
"If you don't mind. I'm going to change clothing." Ben and Garrett nodded. I walked upstairs and shut the door. Immediately a plan formed in my mind. I was getting in the MRD and getting Barton out. I can do it. I packed my bag and hid it under my bed. I came out of my room in fresh clothing.
"You're going to go get him," a voice asked as I went out my door. I froze and turned towards Garrett.
"Don't lie." I sighed and looked down.
"He saved Rylee. The least I can do is save him."
"Merleah. Your going to get hurt or die."
"I can't stop you. And I doubt I can go with you."
"Yep." He frowned and I moved some hair behind my ear.
"Look, the MRD hasn't caught me yet. They won't start. i promise you I'll be fine." I turned and started walking down the steps.
Wow! Merleah, you're an amazing writer! :D You guys are awesome!
Okay, so I'm going to Girls' Camp for my church from Wednesday to Saturday. I'll try to post when I get home on Saturday, but I dunno. :) I just don't want you to be all like WHOA SHE DISAPPEARED AGAIN! So yeah. Have fun and don't party too hard! :D Talk to you guys soon!
Never had a shower felt so amazing in my entire life. I rubbed all the dirt and grime out of my hair and skin, washing myself thoroughly twice. When I finished, I slipped on clothes that Merleah had left for me: a Green Lantern t-shirt and black jeans. I looked in the foggy mirror and tears pricked at my eyes. I hadn't noticed how thin I had gotten until now. My bones were more prominent then they should've been and when I lifted up the shirt, my ribs were the same. My skin was dreadfully pale, and black and purple spots lingered under my eyes. My wrists and ankles were still raw from the chains. I cursed the MRD for doing this to me.
Then I remembered that I was free and alive. I was filled with gratitude for Andreas Barton who had so selflessly given himself up so that I could be free. I thought of Xander's face when I had entered the house. His light green eyes glowing with joy. The way he held me close. I was ecstatic to be reunited with him again.
Plus, on the bright side, my cheeks were slightly flushed with light pink from my escape and my hair had grown a little more since the last time I saw it, which was about a month ago. Now I was able to spike the front a bit to make it look a little more natural.
I entered my room and saw Xander waiting. Wordlessly, he stood and we embraced.
"I'm so, so sorry," I whispered.
"Don't be." He kissed my cheek and stood back, holding my hands. He looked down at them and saw the red skin. "Did they do this to you?"
"Xander, they chained me up like an animal. They starved me, they tortured me, the treated me like I was a mentally insane psychopath from some killer freakshow. How did you survive it that long?"
His face darkened. "They've become more brutal over the years. They didn't use to be that horrible. I'm sorry, love."
I smiled sadly. "Don't, I'm home now. I'm never going back there again. I'll never leave you behind either."
The corners of his mouth turned up slightly. "Nor will I. Now, you need to eat."
My stomach growled. "Yes I do."
We went to the kitchen where Merleah was making soup. I could also smell rolls. It was absolutely amazing. A boy sat at the counter, presumably talking to her before we had come. He was cute and small with pale skin, large hazel eyes, and sandy blond hair with hints of red. He wore a Punisher shirt with dark green shorts and grey Converse, He stared at me emotionless. I tore my eyes from him and looked back to Merleah. She turned around, her cheeks an even brighter pink from the steam of her cooking. Her face lit up.
"Benny, can you stir for a second?" she asked. Without a word, the boy stood, staring at me and remained doing so until he reached the stove and began stirring.
"Oh, Rylee, you look so much better already!" she said, hugging me.
"Thanks," I laughed. "Your cooking smells great!"
"It's nothing really, just an old family recipe. Vegetable and ham with noodles. We used to always make it when welcoming back family members who had been gone for a while."
"Well, I'm honored to be considered a family member."
"You always have been!" She turned back to the boy, apparently named Benny. "Why don't you come get to know Rylee? I think you'll like her."
I could tell he was pretending not to hear her. She approached him and took the spoon. "I've got this, Ben, go talk to her." Reluctantly, he came to me.
"This is Ben. We kind of just took him in. We still haven't determined his power, but he's definitely mutant. He's really sweet once you get to know him."
We locked eyes. I still couldn't tell what he thought about me.
Benny looked at me gently before going over. he was paranoid for a bit. Garrett walked down the stairs and looked over at Rylee. My heart stopped for a second and I looked back at the food. He always had a thing for her. I felt arms wrap around me and I looked at Xander.
"No kidding. How much did you sleep?"
"Enough," I grumbled as I went back to the food. I soon put food on the table and sat down myself.
I'm still using my phone to write povs since there was an incident with my precious laptop, so bare with me povs for now~~!
I held my arms together, wavering back and foruth.
MRD. The horror she might have been through.
My eyes catch unto Rylee who was talking to Ben. I soften my gaze a small smile appearing. God help her if he end up not liking her.
"For a walk." I respond half way out the door, I hadn't lied. I wanted to walk off my memories, so I wouldn't have such a horrid expression when I wasn't even the one captured.
My eyes locked to her, unsure whether I would like her or not. A sense of awkwardness filled my body.
Finally, I look at the ground shuffling my feet, "H-...hey..."
"Hi. So your name's Benny?"
"Ben." I correct, "Miss rylee is a friend of Merleah's right...."
Is she really. What if she's a spy.
An alien from another planet taken the form of a girl who looks like Merleah's friend. Or maybe not.
I look away trying to escape her gaze further, until I notice something that sparks my intrest. My entire demnor changes, and I look up at her.
So far, so good. I grinned at the boy.
"Well, this is Leah's shirt, but yeah. Any superhero is pretty cool to me."
I finished dinner first and went up. I changed my outfit and grabbed my staff and put it on my back. I opened my window and hopped out. I placed a scarf around my nose and mouth. I walked forward towards the MRD and came to the front.
"Who are you?" My eyes glowed black as I lifted my hands. The two men flew out of my way and I walked in. I turned invisible as I walked in. I soon found Barton and opened his cage.
"Come on," I said. He looked around surprised. I grabbed his arm and he could see me.
"Sh. They can still hear us." He nodded and we started walking forward. I felt something hit my chest and I flung back into a cage. I sat up and looked up my powers were failing me. Barton turned visible.
"Run!" He did and I ran though the cages. I tried catching up but something caught my foot.
"Go," I exclaimed as I felt dragged back to the men. He looked at me then ran. I lifted my hands up. The ground shook around us and the building collapsed on top of me, the other mutants, and the MRD.
power:telepath, aquakenetic (ablity to control water),can see what her"water dragon" is seeing.
appearance:tan skin, turquoise eyes that glow when using powers, scar over left eye from an encownter with sabretooth, can't see unless she forms an ekat dragon from water, dark brown hair.
personality:extremly loyal to those few who can gain her trust, good friends with nightcrawler.
The owner is long gone, somehow after 2 years I think were all still going, it's nice to see a new character!
good. Who's turn is it to pov? I think it's you Riley.
Do you think we should start branching out? Like, maybe our characters could fight Joker's Gang or team up with the Guardians of the Galaxy. Just some ideas, but what do you think?
I watch in utter horror as the building collapsed on top of itself. Dust rose up in a billowing cloud around it. I sat on one knee, breathing heavily, my eyes wide. The dust slowly settled and I sprinted toward the destruction.
"Leah!" I yelled. "Leah, where are you?" I shoved the debris aside, finding nothing but unconscious guards. As I searched, I did find my backpack and ak-47 which was in miraculously good shape despite having been smashed by a prison, but there was still no sign of Merleah. I coughed as the dirt filled my lungs. In the midst of ruin, I pulled my phone from my backpack and called Xander. He answered almost immediately.
"Andreas? Are you guys safe?" he asked.
"No!" I said frantically. "Merleah brought the entire building down and I can't find her. I'm hoping she's just unconscious, but I need you to prepare to give medical treatment."
"On it. Just- one thing, Andreas."
There was a short pause. Then he took a deep breath. "Bring my sister home."
I rubbed my eyes. "I will."
"Yup. You too." The line went dead. I shoved my phone in my pocket and continued looking. Suddenly, Rylee appeared at my side in black jeans and a Green Lantern t-shirt.
"Teleport," she said before I could speak. She began helping me look without another word.
"Did Xander say you could come?"
She looked at the ground sheepishly. "Well, no. But I wasn't just gonna sit around and let Leah go missing, was I?"
I looked at her, exasperated. "You need to stay hidden, Foster! You're not well enough to go on missions like this!"
Glaring, she chucked a small rock at my head.
"Ow!" I yelped, putting my head to were it hit. It came back slightly bloody. "What was that for?"
"Don't tell me what I can and cannot do, Barton!" she growled, her hackles raised. "I make my own decisions and I'm not just going to let my friend lay dead among piles of rock."
"Fine." I held up my hands in mock surrender.
She sighed. "Look, I'm sorry. I've just been through a lot lately. It's not that I'm angry at you. I just can't stand my friends being in danger."
I grinned. "I get it."
We continued searching in silence. As the sun began to slip lower, we grew farther away from each other. My hands were cut and blistered, but I kept going.
Rylee yelped suddenly with pain. I looked up. She was squeezing her left hand at the wrist, grimacing. I ran to her.
"Touched a live wire," she seethed. A third-degree burn spread over half of her hand. Shaking it off, she continued. "I'm fine though. I found her." I looked down and sure enough, I saw Merleah face-down, unconscious.
"I've got it," I said. I picked her thin frame up in my arms and set her down in the grass away from the debris. She looked awful. Her skin was covered with soot and her clothes were stained crimson from blood. A gash decorated her temple and a deep cut sat on her lip. Other bruises and scratches covered various places. Her skin was ice-cold, but she still had a pulse. Rylee put a hand on my arm and we teleported back to the mansion. Immediately, doctors took the limp girl in my arms and we sat in the living room with Ben, Xander, and Garret. No one spoke. We just sat, eating the soup and rolls Leah had made. Xander sat next to Rylee, treating her burn and irritated wrists. Just as he finished wrapping them, there was a knock on the door. I held up a hand to make them stay and opened the door. Standing there was a blind girl with dark brown hair and turquoise eyes. She looked fearful.
"Is this the Kane Mansion?" she asked urgently.
"My name is Emma. I'm an X-Men." She paused for a moment. "Andreas Barton."
The x-men and the guardians never really affiliated with eachother until the phoenix arc. Which is when everyone was together, really.
I mean, if you'd like too I'd be ok-ay with it!
I'll start on a pov, soon~!
"You sholdn't have gone back. If they caught you again."
"Xander. Let me show you what happened." She grabbed my hand and we teleprted to a tree branch near by. I jumped down and looked down at the destroyed MRD. Merleah did this? I didn't now she could do this. What else can she do? Rylee touched me and we went back. I was frozen. Andreas wasn't bacl and Benny vanished and so was Garrett. I looked at Rylee.
"I didn't know she could do that," I said. I brushed my fingertips on her cheek and smiled. I wrapped my arm around her and her head rested on my shoulder.
"This is nice, just you and me. Peace and quiet," I said interlocking my open hand with hers. she smiled and I sighed.
"What did you think about while you were in there?"
"Ben we shouldn't really be in here."
"Don't worry. Merleah will let us."
"How do you know she's awake?"
"Her ears twitch a bit. See!" Darn it! I open my eyes and looked at Benny. He looked over at Garrett.
"Where am I," I asked sitting up. I cringed at my shoulder and I felt Benny hug me. I hugged back ignoring my shoulder and kept him close. I thought I was going to die. I felt tears leak out of my eyes as I hugged.
"Benny," Garrett said. We both looked at him.
"Can I talk to Leah for a bit?" Benny looked at me then nodded. He closed the door and Garrett looked at me.
"Why did you destroy it?"
"I was tired of my friends suffering. So I ended the main problem."
"Were suffering. I couldn't save everyone."
My hand claps over my mouth, my vision blurring from the glassy eyes.
"N-no..." I couldn't speak, only feel my body go into emotional turmoil from memories.
"People like me were in there, Merleah! People helpess! Your no better then everyone we've fought against. How could you just let them die, there are kids in there! Heck ben was gonna be one of those kids." Without another word I leave, unable to handle all the emotions now pounding inside me. I felt like dieing with them, I wasn't worth all of them.
Ben looks at me wide eyed, from staying by the door. I didn't even think about that.
"Why'd you get mad at her? What happened?"
I rub my temples, unsure if I should even respond. "It's...You wouldn't understand, Kid. Go play upstairs or something."
"The scary guy is down there with a scary women..."
He frowns at me, almost pitying again on my slow response, "Just go down there."
Returning the frown, I walk past him and go downstairs. Ben kept close behind me for once as if I'd provide for a heck of a good shield. The women was indeed a little intiminating, long blonde hair and awestrucking in her beauty despite her age. Although, I was averaging she's in her mid-twentys not to far from me. "Who is this?" I ask the boy Rylee fought so hard to rescue. Ben narrows his eyes on him, probably wondering if we could trust him. Anyone we escape the M.R.D, Is a friend of mine though. "She's evil. She's here to hurt us..." Ben mummers behind me.
Clearing my throat, to hope she didn't hear I am I ask again this time directing my questions towards the women, "Why'd you come here? Are you here to try and make one of us X-men?"
Jeez, All the X's surrounding her outfit had me really guessing what she was.
I honestly have never really though of Wanda and Kurt together. :) I kinda like it. I've always shipped Wanda and Vision.
I stared at the door and sighed.
"ou wouldn't understand Garrett," I said to myself."I can hear voices, peoples inner toughts. SOme people didn't want to survive. They would rather be dead. SOme kids wanted to stay alive but..." My lips trembled as I felt tears come out."I can't save everyone. I saved you,Rylee,Xander, Andreas. But no one has ever saved me and I don't know how to save more then one." I was 17 but I didn't know so much. I buried my face in a pillow.
"Send to Garrett," said a voice.
"No AARON," I said to the online computer system I installed.
"Sent to voicemail," he said.
"I hate you at times."
"I know mam. But I don't feel it." I turned over and looked out the window. I snapped and the light went off. I don't like my life. I heard the door open and Benny came in. He crawled up next to me and I sighed.
"I messed up big. I killed innocent people and I didn't even think about it for a second."
It was such a sudden, thought-provoking question. I didn't know how to reply.
"Well," I stammered. "I-I..." I took a deep breath and tried again. "I thought about you. And Merleah and Garrett, and how much I missed you guys. There were times, though, when Dark Stalker took over and I couldn't think of anything. I constantly regretted my decision to get myself arrested. I thought about what you and I would be like if I ever escaped. I remembered what it felt like to be free- just a lone panther running through the grass. I reminisced on the adventures we all had together. I-"
"Rylee, stop right there," he said, his eyes glossy. "Tell me the truth. I know your thoughts weren't perfect."
I looked at him ruefully. "My mind was chaotic. It wasn't organized or healthy. I was fired by a burning hatred of the MRD which is probably what kept me alive so long. Even so, I doubted that I would live much longer. I accepted the fact that I would die young. I grew sick both physically and mentally. I lost faith in myself. And I lost hope. I never thought I would get out. When I first met Andreas, I was so far gone I nearly strangled him. Until I realized he was an X-Men, trying to help me return to you. It healed me, I guess. But the pain and torture I had to endure will never leave my head. The MRD may be destroyed, but they will always get back up and build a new one. We can't escape what's held us back for years."
Xander held my hand tightly, tears filling his eyes. "Yes we can. We can defeat them once and for all. We can live a great, peaceful life. Maybe we'll even get married someday."
"Married?" I looked at him, my expression devastated. "I can't- I'm too feral to be able to handle that! Why do you think I locked myself up in the MRD in the first place? Why do you think I've gone rogue all these years? Why do you think-"
Xander pulled forward and our lips locked. (I hope this is okay ;) We stood, foreheads touching and he spoke.
"You're not feral. You just need a peace of mind. And the only way that will happen is if you allow it to; if you have hope."
"Xander," I moaned. "I. Can't. Not after what I've been through."
He stepped back. "The MRD changed you, Rylee. You don't have to be like this."
I inhaled sharply. "You know what? I'll try. For you. No one else, not Leah, not Garrett, not Andreas. You."
"I love you, Rylee. I know you can do it."
"Me too," I lied, smiling. But the truth was, I didn't have any faith. My only light in a dark tunnel was Xander. I made a promise. I would try just for him. I just doubted if I could do it or not.
Xander could tell what I was thinking, because he said. "You can, Rylee. Don't doubt yourself."
There was a knock on the door and Andreas came down to open it. I heard their voices. Xander and I approached Andreas, hand-in-hand. A blind girl stood in the doorway, looking quite afraid.
"Why'd you come here? Are you here to try and make one of us X-men?" Garret said.
I put a hand on his shoulder. "Garrett, it's okay."
He turned to face me and gave me a look that said, "I'm not taking any chances."
Suddenly, my head began pounding. It felt as if someone was whacking it with a baseball bat repeatedly. I fell to the ground, trying to reduce the pain. I screamed as it only grew. Xander kneeled beside me, taking my face in his hands.
"Rylee, what's happening? What's wrong?" he said urgently.
I was sobbing too hard to answer.
"Get a doctor, get someone!" he ordered. I heard Andreas running upstairs.
Then it was gone. Everything. There wasn't a single throb of pain. It was as if it was never even there. Tears streaming down my face, I looked at the girl.
"What kind of sick monster are you?" I cried.
Xander helped me stand, but my legs were shaking violently and I fell to the ground. He rubbed my shoulder worridly.
I gathered by wits about me. "I know what it feels like. It's happened before. They tortured us like that in the MRD."
"She was inside my head. She's a telepath."
|
0.876324 |
In order to change a size of an imaging area of a tomographic image of an object to be inspected easily, provided is an optical tomographic apparatus for acquiring a tomographic image of an object to be inspected, the optical tomographic apparatus including a control unit for controlling a measuring light path length changing unit to change an optical path length of measuring light in a case where the size of the imaging area of the tomographic image is changed, and for controlling a movable unit for moving a focus lens for focusing the measuring light to the object to be inspected along an optical path to move the focus lens in association with the change in the optical path length of the measuring light.
The present invention relates to an optical tomographic apparatus and a control method thereof. For example, the present invention relates to an optical tomographic apparatus used for ophthalmic care, and a control method thereof.
In recent years, an optical image measurement technology for forming images of a surface and an inside of an object to be measured through use of light has been drawing attention. The optical image measurement technology has no invasiveness to a human body unlike a conventional X-ray CT, and hence, its application to a medical field, in particular, is being expected. Above all, its application to an ophthalmic field is advancing remarkably.
As a typical procedure of the optical image measurement technology, there is a procedure called Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). According to this procedure, owing to the use of an interferometer, measurement with high resolution and high sensitivity can be performed. There is also an advantage in that safety to a subject is high owing to the use of extremely weak light in a wide band as illumination light.
An optical tomographic apparatus using the Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) utilizing optical interference (hereinafter referred to as “OCT apparatus”) is an apparatus capable of acquiring a tomographic image of a sample with high resolution, and particularly, relates to an anterior ocular segment optical tomographic apparatus for forming an image of an anterior ocular segment of, an eye to be inspected.
The OCT apparatus is capable of irradiating a sample with measuring light that is low coherent light and measuring backscattered light from the sample with high sensitivity through use of an interference system or an interference optical system. Further, the OCT apparatus can acquire a tomographic image with high resolution by scanning the sample with the measuring light. Thus, a tomographic image of a cornea site in an anterior ocular segment of an eye to be inspected is acquired and utilized in ophthalmic diagnosis and the like.
In such an ophthalmic apparatus, in order to take an image, an inspection portion (mainly, a measurement optical system) of the apparatus is matched with an anterior ocular segment cornea site of an eye to be inspected and an imaging position of an interference optical system, and the eye to be inspected and the apparatus are aligned at a predetermined length.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-22502 describes a cornea observing apparatus capable of grasping a depth position of an image in a cornea and determining an abnormal state of a cell of the cornea. In the cornea observing apparatus, in order to take an image of each site of a cornea epithelium, a Bowman's layer, a corneal stromal layer, a Descemet's layer, or a cornea epidermis of an anterior ocular segment, a reference mirror is moved. Further, a distance between an eye to be inspected and a cornea observing apparatus is set to a predetermined length regarding each photographing site, and the reference mirror is moved to perform actual photographing.
Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-147612 describes an optical tomographic apparatus capable of taking both an anterior ocular segment tomographic image and an eyeground tomographic image. This apparatus is an ophthalmic photographing apparatus that involves moving a reference mirror in an interference optical system to move a photographing position of the interference optical system to a predetermined position in accordance with an anterior ocular segment photographing mode and an eyeground photographing mode. The ophthalmic photographing apparatus has a configuration in which the reference mirror is moved to a predetermined position in an anterior ocular segment photographing mode, and at that time, a distance between an eye to be inspected and the ophthalmic photographing apparatus is set to a predetermined length.
In this case, when an attempt is made so as to acquire a tomographic image of a desired site in an anterior ocular segment, it is generally necessary to obtain a state in which the desired site is present in a portion corresponding to an imaging position by moving a fixation lamp and further to obtain an appropriate focus state. In this case, a burden on a subject or difficulty in operation for obtaining the expected state cannot be avoided. Further, as another aspect, it is also conceivable to cleave a desired site from a taken tomographic image and electronically sharpening the site. However, a decrease in resolution involved in enlargement, an increase in time required for sharpening, and the like cannot be avoided.
In view of the above-mentioned problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide an optical tomographic apparatus capable of easily changing a size of an imaging area of a tomographic image of an object to be inspected and a control method thereof.
The present invention provides an optical tomographic apparatus configured as follows.
That is, according to the present invention, there is provided an optical tomographic apparatus configured to acquire a tomographic image of an object to be inspected based on light obtained by combining return light from the object to be inspected irradiated with measuring light with reference light corresponding to the measuring light, the optical tomographic apparatus including: a measuring light path length changing unit configured to change an optical path length of the measuring light; a movable unit configured to move a focus lens for focusing the measuring light to the object to be inspected along an optical path; and a control unit configured to control the measuring light path length changing unit to change an optical path length of the measuring light in a case where a size of an imaging area of the tomographic image is changed, and for controlling the movable unit to move the focus lens in association with the change in the optical path length of the measuring light.
FIG. 1 is a view illustrating an entire apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a measurement optical system configuration according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which an anterior ocular segment of an eye to be inspected is scanned in an x-direction.
FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C are explanatory diagrams each illustrating a scan range at an anterior ocular segment imaging position and an image acquired depending on the scan range.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a measurement operation screen.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating another example of the measurement operation screen.
FIG. 7 is a measurement flowchart related to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E, and 8F are views each illustrating a display example of a tomographic image of an anterior ocular segment and a display example of the corrected tomographic image.
An embodiment of the present invention is hereinafter described.
An optical tomographic apparatus (OCT apparatus) according to this embodiment is described below.
A schematic configuration of the optical tomographic apparatus according to this embodiment is described with reference to FIG. 1.
FIG. 1 is a side view of an optical tomographic apparatus. An optical tomographic apparatus 200 includes an optical head 900 that is a measurement optical system for taking a two-dimensional image and a tomographic image of an anterior ocular segment and a stage portion 950 that is a movable portion capable of moving the optical head through use of motors (not shown) in xyz directions. A base portion 951 contains a spectrometer (described later).
A personal computer 925, which also serves as a control portion of the stage portion, controls the stage portion and configures a tomographic image. A hard disk 926 also serves as a subject information storage portion and stores a program for taking a tomographic image. A monitor 928 serves as a display portion, and an input portion 929 gives an instruction to the personal computer. Specifically, the input portion 929 includes a keyboard and a mouse. A jaw holder 323 holds a jaw and a forehead of a subject to urge the subject to fix an eye (eye to be inspected). An external fixation lamp 324 is used for visual fixation of the eye of the subject. The external fixation lamp 324 and an internal fixation lamp (described later) can be switched.
Configurations of the measurement optical system and the spectrometer of this embodiment are described with reference to FIG. 2.
First, an inside of the optical head 900 is described. Objective lenses 101-1 and 101-2 are set so as to be opposed to an eye to be inspected 100, and an optical path on an optical axis thereof is branched into an optical path L1 of an OCT optical system and an optical path L2 for anterior ocular segment observation and internal fixation lamp depending on the wavelength band by a reflective mirror 102 and a dichroic mirror 103.
The optical path L2 is further branched into an optical path to a CCD 105 for anterior ocular segment observation and an optical path to an internal fixation lamp 106 by a third dichroic mirror 104 depending on the wavelength band in the same way as the above. Here, out of lenses 101-3, 107, and 108, the lens 107 is driven with a motor (not shown) for focus adjustment for fixation lamp and anterior ocular segment observation. The CCD 105 has sensitivity in the vicinity of a wavelength of illumination light for anterior ocular segment observation (not shown), specifically, 780 nm. On the other hand, the internal fixation lamp 106 generates visible light to urge the subject to fix the eye.
The optical path L1 forms the OCT optical system as described above and is used for taking a tomographic image of an anterior ocular segment 100-1 of the eye to be inspected 100. More specifically, the optical path L1 is used for obtaining an interference signal for forming a tomographic image. In the optical path L1, there are arranged a lens 101-4, a mirror 113, and an X-scanner 114-1 and a Y-scanner 114-2 for scanning the anterior ocular segment 100-1 of the eye to be inspected 100 with light. Further, out of lenses 115 and 116, the lens 115 is driven with a motor (not shown) for adjusting focus of light emitted from a light source 118 through a fiber 117-2 connected to an optical coupler 117 onto the anterior ocular segment 100-1. Owing to the focus adjustment, the light from the anterior ocular segment 100-1 simultaneously forms an image in a spot shape to enter an end of the fiber 117-2.
Next, configurations of an optical path from the light source 118, a reference optical system, and the spectrometer are described.
The configurations include the optical source 118, a mirror 119, a dispersion compensation glass 120, the optical coupler 117 described above, optical fibers 117-1 to 117-4 in a single mode connected to the optical coupler 117 to be integrated, a lens 121, and a spectrometer 180.
The above-mentioned components constitute a Michelson interferometer. The light emitted from the light source 118 is split into measuring light on the optical fiber 117-2 side and reference light on the optical fiber 117-3 side through the optical fiber 117-1 via the optical coupler 117. The measuring light illuminates an eyeground of the eye to be inspected 100 to be observed through the optical path of the OCT optical system described above and reaches the optical coupler 117 through the same optical path due to reflection and scattering by a retina.
On the other hand, the reference light reaches the reference mirror 119 through the optical fiber 117-3, the lens 121, and the dispersion compensation glass 120 inserted for matching the dispersion of the measuring light with that of the reference light, and is reflected from the reference mirror 119. Then, the reference light returns through the same optical path and reaches the optical coupler 117. The optical coupler 117 combines the measuring light with the reference light to form interference light. In this case, interference occurs when an optical path length of the measuring light and an optical path length of the reference light satisfy a predetermined condition. The reference mirror 119 is held so as to be adjusted in an optical axis direction by a motor and a drive mechanism (not shown) and is capable of adjusting the optical path length of the reference light to that of the measuring light varying depending on the anterior ocular segment 100-1. The interference light is guided to the spectrometer 180 through the optical fiber 117-4.
The spectrometer 180 includes lenses 181 and 183, a diffraction grating 182, and a line sensor 184. The interference light output from the optical fiber 117-4 is substantially collimated through the lens 181 and dispersed by the diffraction grating 182 to form an image on the line sensor 184 by the lens 183. The line sensor 184 is illustrated as an example of a light receiving element for receiving interference light and generating and outputting an output signal corresponding to the interference light in this embodiment.
Next, the periphery of the light source 118 is described. The light source 118 is a super luminescent diode (SLD) that is a typical low coherent light source. Light emitted from the light source 118 has a central wavelength of 855 nm and a wavelength band width of about 100 nm. In this case, the band width influences a resolution in an optical axis direction of a tomographic image to be acquired, and hence, is an important parameter. Further, although the SLD is selected, the type of the light source 118 is not particularly limited as long as the light source is capable of emitting low coherent light, and amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) or the like may also be used. Considering the measurement of an eye, near-infrared light is suitable for the central wavelength. Further, it is desired that the central wavelength be a shortest possible wavelength because the central wavelength influences a resolution in a lateral direction of a tomographic image to be acquired. For both the reasons, the central wavelength is set to 855 nm.
Although the Michelson interferometer is used as an interferometer in this embodiment, a Mach-Zehnder interferometer may be used. It is desired that the Mach-Zehnder interferometer be used in the case where an optical amount difference between the measuring light and the reference light is large, and the Michelson interferometer be used in the case where the optical amount difference is relatively small.
A method of taking a tomographic image through use of the optical tomographic apparatus is described. The optical tomographic apparatus is capable of taking a tomographic image in a desired site in the anterior ocular segment 100-1 of the eye to be inspected 100 by controlling the X-scanner 114-1 and the Y-scanner 114-2.
FIG. 3 illustrates a state in which measuring light 201 is radiated to the eye to be inspected 100 to scan the anterior ocular segment 100-1 in the x-direction. The line sensor 184 takes an image based on a predetermined imaging number of pieces of information from an imaging area in the x-direction in the anterior ocular segment 100-1. A luminance distribution on the line sensor 184 obtained at a certain position in the x-direction is subjected to fast Fourier transformation (FFT), and a linear luminance distribution obtained by the FFT is converted into density or color information so as to be displayed on a monitor. This image is referred to as an A scan image. That is, an image is acquired as the A scan image in accordance with an output signal obtained from interference light received by the line sensor 184 that is a light receiving element. A two-dimensional image in which multiple A scan images are arranged is referred to as a B scan image. After taking multiple A scan images for constructing one B scan image, a scanning position in the y-direction is moved to perform scanning in the x-direction again to acquire multiple B scan images. By displaying the multiple B scan images or a three-dimensional tomographic image constructed from the multiple B scan images on the monitor, an operator can use those images for diagnosis of the eye to be inspected.
In this case, an angle of view that is an imaging area for acquiring an anterior ocular segment tomographic image is generally determined in accordance with a scan range R0 in the x-direction illustrated in FIGS. 4A to 4C described later. Further, the scan range R0 is determined by a scan angle θ of a scanner and a photographing distance P0 from the objective lens 101-1 to the anterior ocular segment of the eye to be inspected. That is, in the case of changing a size of the imaging region, the scan angle θ or the photographing distance P0 is changed, and the photographing distance P0 can be changed easily by changing the optical path length of the measuring light involving the movement of the optical head 900 in the z-axis direction. Therefore, in this embodiment, the optical head 900 changes the photographing distance P0 by changing the optical path length of the measuring light, and this configuration is defined as a measuring light path length changing unit. Note that, there is another configuration for changing the optical path length of the measuring light than that in this exemplary embodiment, but in this embodiment, the measuring light path length changing unit is defined as a concept including these configurations.
In order to combine the measuring light with the reference light to obtain desired interference, it is required that the optical path length of the measuring light and the optical path length of the reference light move in association with each other so as to satisfy a predetermined condition as described above. Thus, the reference mirror 119 is moved so as to change the optical path length of the reference light in accordance with the optical path length of the measuring light at a position of an anterior ocular segment corresponding to the photographing distance P0.
The reference mirror 119 and a configuration for moving the reference mirror 119 are illustrated as an example of a reference light path length changing unit for changing the optical path length of the reference light in this embodiment. Further, as described above, in order to obtain interference from combined light, it is required that the optical path length of the reference light be changed in accordance with the optical path length of the measuring light. In this embodiment, as an example, a module region functioning as a control unit (sometimes referred to as “optical path length interlocking unit”) in the personal computer 925 causes the reference light path length changing unit to change the optical path length of the reference light in association with the change in the optical path length of the measuring light by the measuring light path length changing unit.
FIGS. 4A to 4C are views illustrating scan ranges at a position of an anterior ocular segment when the photographing distance P0 is changed and illustrating tomographic images displayed in an angle of view at that time, the scan ranges corresponding to the tomographic images. By changing the photographing distance P0 and moving the reference mirror 119 in accordance with this change, a size of an imaging area of the anterior ocular segment can be changed without changing the scan angle θ. By changing the photographing distance P0 to Pmax so as to increase the distance between an eye to be inspected and the apparatus as illustrated in FIG. 4B and moving the reference mirror 119 to a position corresponding to the photographing distance Pmax, the anterior ocular segment can be taken as an image in a wide scan range Rmax (angle of view). Further, by changing the photographing distance P0 to Pmin so as to decrease the distance between the eye to be inspected and the apparatus as illustrated in FIG. 4C and moving the reference mirror 119 to a position corresponding to the photographing distance Pmin, the anterior ocular segment can be taken as an image in a scan range Rmin that magnifies the anterior ocular segment.
FIG. 5 illustrates a measurement screen 1000.
The measurement screen 1000 includes an anterior ocular observation screen 1101 obtained by the CCD 105 for anterior ocular observation, and a tomographic image display screen 1301 for checking an acquired tomographic image.
The optical head 900 is moved to an initial position of a right or left eye by pushing an L or R button 1001 for switching a right eye to be inspected and a left eye to be inspected. The operator operates a mouse included in the input portion 929 to move a position of a mouse cursor 1002. In this measurement apparatus, an alignment unit can be changed in accordance with a position of the mouse cursor by a mouse cursor position detecting unit. The mouse cursor position detecting unit calculates a position of the mouse cursor from a pixel position thereof on the display screen. A range is provided in a measurement screen, and the provided range is associated with alignment drive in advance. Thus, when the mouse cursor is placed in a pixel in the set range, alignment determined in the set range can be performed. Further, an alignment operation by the mouse is performed by rotating a wheel of the mouse.
Further, a slider arranged in the vicinity of each image is used for making adjustment. A slider 1103 designates a photographing distance with respect to an eye to be inspected, and when the slider 1103 is moved, a size of a character 1003 in the anterior ocular observation screen changes in association with the movement of the slider 1103. Further, the size of the character 1003 is associated with the imaging area (angle of view) of the anterior ocular segment, and a change in the character 1003 moves the focus lens 107 for anterior ocular segment observation to a predetermined position. The focus lens 107 is illustrated as an example of an anterior ocular segment observing unit including a second focus lens for performing focusing with respect to the anterior ocular segment in this embodiment. An upper limit of the slider corresponds to the anterior ocular segment imaging area Rmax described above, and a lower limit of the slider corresponds to the anterior ocular segment imaging area Rmin. A slider 1203 performs OCT focus adjustment. The OCT focus adjustment is adjustment for moving the lens 115 in an illustrated direction so as to perform focus adjustment with respect to the anterior ocular segment. Further, these sliders also move in association with an alignment operation by the mouse in each image. That is, independently or in association with the OCT focus adjustment by the slider 1203, a control unit (sometimes referred to as “focus interlocking unit”) in the personal computer 925 further causes the OCT focus lens 115 to perform focusing with respect to the anterior ocular segment in association with a change in optical path length of measuring light by the measuring light path length changing unit. It is required that the focus operation with respect to the anterior ocular segment by the anterior ocular segment observing unit be performed in accordance with change in optical path length of measuring light involving a change in photographing distance. In this embodiment, the control unit (sometimes referred to as “focus interlocking unit for an anterior ocular segment”) causes the anterior ocular segment observing unit to perform focusing with respect to the anterior ocular segment in association with a change in optical path length of measuring light by the measuring light path length changing unit.
Next, a method of acquiring a tomographic image through use of the OCT apparatus that is a feature of this embodiment, and a method of processing the tomographic image are described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 6. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the operator and the personal computer 925.
Anterior ocular segment illumination light (not shown) illuminates the eye to be inspected 100, and thereafter, reflected light therefrom passes through the objective lenses 101-1 and 101-2, and forms an image on the CCD 105 through the optical path L2 described above. The anterior ocular segment image formed on the CCD 105 is read by a CCD control portion (not shown), amplified, subjected to A/D conversion, and input to an operation portion. The anterior ocular image input to the operation portion is taken in the personal computer 925.
Description is hereinafter made with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 7. The personal computer 925 acquires an anterior ocular segment image 1102 in Step S102. In Step S103, with respect to the anterior ocular segment image, when the operator designates a change in a desired imaging area with the slider 1103 described above in the input portion 929 for giving an instruction to the personal computer, the optical head 900 is moved so that a photographing distance corresponding to the imaging area is obtained. In accordance with a change in predetermined length of an optical path length of measuring light involved in the movement of the optical head 900, the reference mirror 119, the OCT focus lens 115, and the anterior ocular segment focus lens 107 are respectively moved to positions corresponding to the measuring light path length in Step S104. In this case, the respective movements of the OCT focus lens 115 and the anterior ocular segment focus lens 107 that is the second focus lens may be in association with each other by the control unit. Simultaneously, the anterior ocular segment tomographic image 1301 is acquired by the above-mentioned method of taking a tomographic image. That is, a coherence gate is adjusted so that the anterior ocular segment image 1102 is placed in a photographing frame, and thereafter, in the case where an instruction of a change in photographing area is given, the optical head 900 and the reference mirror 119 are moved in association with each other, with the result that a focus operation is performed. After the operator finishes alignment of the anterior ocular segment and the apparatus in Step S105, the slider 1203 is moved in Step S106. Then, the OCT focus lens 115 is operated, and the operator performs detailed focusing while watching the anterior ocular segment tomographic image 1301 and presses a photographing button 1005 in Step S107 to acquire a tomographic image of the anterior ocular segment. In Step S108, the acquired image is displayed or the image is corrected and displayed. In this case, the image acquired in Step S108 may be an image of a site in a larger range or an image of a site in a smaller range in a screen with the same width, for example, with respect to a tomographic image obtained in the case of the photographing distance P0 that is set as a standard. As described later, the correction is an operation of magnifying or demagnifying a display area (angle of view) so that a site of the photographed images can be displayed with the same size as that of a site obtained at the photographing distance P0. The above-mentioned operation is performed by the module region that functions as an image correcting unit for correcting and changing a display form of an image in the personal computer 925. Further, the display of a cursor or the like for giving an instruction of a change in size of a photographing area on a display unit or the change in display form thereof are performed by the module region that functions as a display control unit included in the control unit.
Actually, in the anterior ocular segment tomographic image, only a size in a horizontal direction becomes small without a change in tomographic depth when a photographing distance is larger than a standard distance, and only a size in the horizontal direction becomes large when the photographing distance is smaller than the standard distance. FIGS. 8A to 8F illustrate examples of corrected display images of anterior ocular segment tomographic images. In FIG. 8A, a field of view x0 in the horizontal direction corresponding to the photographing distance P0 becomes narrow to a field of view xm in the horizontal direction as a photographing distance Pmax increases. Converting the field of view xm into the field of view x0 in the horizontal direction and displaying the field of view x0 as illustrated in FIG. 8D can be easily performed by a known method of processing an image. Regarding the photographing distance Pmin, an image can be processed and displayed as in FIG. 8F. Further, various measurements may be made based on the images of FIGS. 8D and 8F or various measurements may be performed through use of the original figures of FIGS. 8C and 8E by multiplying the photographing distance P by the field of view x in the horizontal direction.
Further, as illustrated in FIG. 6, without acquiring an anterior ocular segment image, an imaging area may be changed without acquiring an anterior ocular segment image through use of an imaging area selection button 1004 instead of the slider 1103. Note that, in FIG. 7, usual (R0=6 mm), maximum (Rmax=9 mm), and minimum (Rmin=3 mm) are respectively set.
Note that, in Step S105, the anterior ocular image taken by the CCD 105 is subjected to image processing to detect a pupil position of the eye to be inspected 100, and thereby, an alignment position relationship between the optical tomographic apparatus and the eye to be inspected 100 can be obtained. This optical tomographic apparatus drives the optical head 900 on an xyz stage (not shown) so that the detected pupil position of the eye to be inspected 100 is placed at an ideal position. Further, even during photographing of a tomographic image, the anterior ocular segment of the eye to be inspected 100 can always be monitored.
As described above, in the optical tomographic apparatus of this embodiment, an apparatus allowing the operator to designate various imaging areas for photographing can be provided. That is, an optical tomographic apparatus with various fields of view and high resolution can be provided while keeping performance of an optical system. Further, simultaneously, the operation distance between the eye to be inspected and the apparatus can be changed, and hence, the burden on a subject can be alleviated by photographing while setting an operation distance longer in accordance with the state of the subject.
Further, this embodiment can also be realized by performing the following processing. That is, the processing involves supplying software (program) for realizing the function of the above-mentioned embodiment to a system or an apparatus via a network or various storage media and causing a computer (or a CPU, an MPU, or the like) of the system or the apparatus to read and execute the program.
Note that, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments and can be variously modified or changed within a scope without departing from the spirit of the embodiments. For example, in the above-mentioned embodiments, the case where an object to be inspected is an eye has been described, but the embodiments can also be applied to objects to be measured such as a skin and an organ except an eye. In this case, the present invention has an aspect as medical equipment such as an endoscope except an ophthalmic apparatus. Thus, it is preferred that the above-mentioned eye to be inspected be understood as an object to be inspected.
This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-014650, filed Jan. 26, 2012, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
a control unit configured to control the movable unit in association with the measuring light path length changing unit, in accordance with the designation of the designating unit.
2. An optical tomographic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the movable unit in association with the measuring light path length changing unit, in accordance with the designation of the designating unit, to move the focus lens by a length corresponding to the change in the optical path length of the measuring light.
3. An optical tomographic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the measuring light path length changing unit in accordance with the designation of the designating unit, to change the optical path length of the measuring light by a length corresponding to a change of the designated size, and controls the movable unit to move the focus lens in association with the change in the optical path length of the measuring light.
wherein the designating unit designates the size in response to an operation of an operation unit.
the control unit causes the measuring light path length changing unit to change the optical path length of the measuring light by a predetermined length, in a case where a tomographic image of an eyeground of the eye to be inspected is acquired and thereafter a tomographic image of an anterior ocular segment of the eye to be inspected is acquired, and the control unit controls the measuring light path length changing unit, in a case where the optical path length of the measuring light is changed by the predetermined length and thereafter the size of the imaging area of the tomographic image is changed.
6. An optical tomographic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an image correcting unit configured to correct the tomographic image in accordance with the optical path length of the measuring light to be determined by the measuring light path length changing unit.
the control unit causes the anterior ocular segment observing unit to focus to the anterior ocular segment in association with the change in the optical path length of the measuring light by the measuring light path length changing unit.
the control unit controls the movable unit in association with the optical system moving mechanism, in accordance with the designation of the designating unit.
9. An optical tomographic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the object to be inspected is an anterior ocular segment of an eye.
controlling a movable unit for moving a focus lens in association with a measuring light path length changing unit for changing an optical path length of the measuring light, in accordance with the designation.
11. A method of controlling an optical tomographic apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the step of controlling comprises controlling, in accordance with the designation, the movable unit in association with the measuring light path changing unit to move the focus lens by a length corresponding to the change in the optical path length of the measuring light.
12. A method of controlling an optical tomographic apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the step of controlling comprises controlling, in accordance with the designation, the measuring light path length changing unit to change the optical path length of the measuring light by a length corresponding to a change of the designated size, and controlling the movable unit to move the focus lens in association with the change in the optical path length of the measuring light.
13. A program for causing a computer to perform each step of the method of controlling an optical tomographic apparatus according to claim 10.
the step of controlling comprises controlling the movable unit in association with the optical system moving mechanism, in accordance with the designation of the designating unit.
wherein the step of receiving comprises a step of receiving the designation of the size in response to an operation of an operation unit.
a control unit configured to control the measuring light path length changing unit in accordance with the designation received by the display form.
17. An optical tomographic apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the display form receives the designation in accordance with an operation of an operation unit.
18. An optical tomographic apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the operation unit includes a computer mouse.
the control unit controls the measuring light path length changing unit in accordance with a movement of the slider.
the control unit controls the measuring light path length changing unit in accordance with a button selected among the plurality of selectable buttons.
the control unit controls the measuring light path length changing unit in association with the optical system moving mechanism, in accordance with the designation received by the display form.
22. An optical tomographic apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the control unit controls the measuring light path length changing unit to shorten the optical path length of the measuring light when the designation is to narrow the size of the imaging area, and to lengthen the optical path length of the measuring light when the designation is to widen the size of the imaging area.
a control unit configured to control the measuring light path length changing unit in accordance with the designation from the designating unit.
changing an optical path length of the measuring light in accordance with the designation received by the display form.
25. A program for causing a computer to perform each step of the method of controlling an optical tomographic apparatus according to claim 24.
changing an optical path length of the measuring light in accordance with the designation.
27. A program for causing a computer to perform each step of the method of controlling an optical tomographic apparatus according to claim 26.
Jun. 30, 2014 Chinese Official Action in Chinese Patent Appln. No. 201310030724.6.
May 14, 2013 European Official Action in European Patent Application No. 13152656.8.
|
0.937269 |
How can we create a safe environment for children with disabilities?
Special considerations are needed when addressing bullying in youth who have disabilities. There are resources to help kids with disabilities who are bullied, or who bully others. Youth with disabilities often have Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or Section 504 plans that can be useful in crafting specialized approaches for preventing and responding to bullying.
Children who stutter may be more likely to be bullied. In one study, 83 percent of adults who stammered as children said that they were teased or bullied; 71 percent of those who had been bullied said it happened at least once a week (Hugh-Jones & Smith, 1999).
|
0.999972 |
On July 15, 1991, the SEC approved an NASD rule change to provide three clarifications to the Resolution of the Board of Governors — Notice to Membership and Press of Suspensions, Expulsions, Revocations, and Monetary Sanctions under Article V, Section 1 of the Rules of Fair Practice (the "Resolution"). The Resolution has been amended to provide that (1) sanctions imposed in District Business Conduct Committee (DBCC) decisions do not become effective and will not be publicized until 45 days after the DBCC's decision; (2) expulsions and bars imposed pursuant to an "offer of settlement, or an acceptance, waiver and consent" are effective and may be published immediately on approval by the National Business Conduct Committee (NBCC); and (3) all final decisions of the NASD that call for bars or expulsions will become effective immediately. The amended text follows this notice.
On July 15, 1991, the SEC approved three NASD rule changes to the Resolution dealing with the effectiveness of and publication for the NASD membership and the press of disciplinary sanctions that have been imposed. The three changes conform the Resolution to current practices of the NASD with respect to the effectiveness of and publicity on disciplinary actions.
The Resolution currently provides that a DBCC decision may become effective, and thus its sanctions publicized, after a 30-day period following the date of the decision. This suggests that a DBCC decision may become effective and its sanctions made known to the public during the last 15 days of the 45-day period in which the NBCC may call a decision for review and the respondent may appeal the decision to the NBCC. As amended, the Resolution now clarifies that the sanctions imposed in the DBCC decisions that are not appealed to or called for review by the NBCC do not become effective until 45 days after the DBCC's decision. Furthermore, notices of decisions imposing monetary sanctions of $10,000 or more, or penalties of expulsion, revocation, suspension, and/or the barring of a person from being associated with all members shall not be publicized until 45 days after the DBCC's decision.
It is current practice for respondents in NASD disciplinary actions to waive all rights to appeal when they agree to an offer of settlement ("Offer") or Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent (AWC). Once the Offer or AWC is approved by the NBCC, there is no need for a delay in the effectiveness or publication of expulsions or bars since there can be no SEC review. As amended, the Resolution now provides that expulsion and bars imposed pursuant to an Offer or AWC are effective and may be published immediately on approval by the NBCC.
The Resolution currently provides that all decisions of the Board, if not appealed to the SEC, are effective on the later of 30 days after the date of the decisions or on a date specified by the Association. The current practice is to make any bars or expulsions effective immediately on issuance of the decision. As amended, the Resolution is revised to provide that a final NASD decision issued by either the NBCC or the Board that calls for a bar or expulsion is effective immediately regardless of whether it is appealed to the SEC. All other final decisions of the NBCC or Board, if not appealed to the SEC, continue to be effective on the later of 30 days after the date of the decision or on a date specified by the Association.
Questions concerning this notice may be directed to P. William Hotchkiss, Director, Surveillance, at (202) 728-8235.
If a decision of a District Business Conduct Committee is not appealed to or called for review by the [Board of Governors] NBCC, the order of the District Business Conduct Committee shall become effective on a date set by the Association but not before the expiration of 45 days after the date of decision. Notices of decisions imposing monetary sanctions of $10,000 or more or penalties of expulsion, revocation, suspension and/or the barring of a person from being associated with all members shall promptly be transmitted to the membership and to the press, concurrently; provided, however, no such notice shall be sent prior to the expiration of 45 days from the date of the said decision.
Notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, expulsions and bars imposed pursuant to the provisions of Article II, Sections 10 and 11 of the Code of Procedure shall become effective upon approval or acceptance by the National Business Conduct Committee, and publicity regarding any sanctions imposed pursuant to Article II, Sections 10 and 11 of the Code may be issued immediately upon such approval or acceptance.
If a final decision of the [Board of Governors] Association is not appealed to the Securities and Exchange Commission, the [decision] sanctions specified in the decision (other than bars and expulsions) shall become effective on a date established by the Association but not before the expiration of 30 days after the date of the decision. Bars and expulsions, however, shall become effective upon issuance of the decision, unless the decision specifies otherwise. Notices of decisions imposing monetary sanctions of $10,000 or more or penalties of expulsion, revocation, suspension and/or the barring of a person from being associated with all members shall promptly be transmitted to the membership and to the press, concurrently; provided, however, no such notice shall be sent prior to the expiration of 30 days from the date of the said decision.
|
0.968044 |
Did you know that Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, the longest book in the series, was released three years after the Goblet of Fire, on 21st June 2003 in the UK, USA and Canada. Despite the huge gap between book releases, the book still sold a record-breaking 5 millions copies in just 24 hours.
Products: 1 – Harry Potter with Sorting Hat Funko Pop, 2 – Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Hardback, 3 – Neville Longbottom Funko Pop, 4 – Ron Weasley Series 1 Funko Mystery Mini, 5 – Triwizard Champion Harry Potter Funko Pop, 6 – Dobby Funko Supercute Plushie, 7 – Harry Potter Funko Pop, 8 – Hedwig Funko Pocket Pop, 9 – Ron Weasley Funko Pop, and 10 – Harry Potter Lego Mini Figure.
|
0.947527 |
Mary Douglas Nicol was born on February 6, 1913. Her father, Erskine Nicol, was a popular landscape artist, and Mary spent much of her childhood in Europe, especially in the Dordogne and at Les Eyzies, a region rich in prehistoric art and archaeological sites, topics in which Mary became interested. Her idyllic life was shattered in 1926 when her father, to whom she was exceptionally close, died, and Mary and her mother moved back to London. Attempts to give her some conventional education failed when the rebellious girl was expelled from two Catholic schools. In 1930 she began auditing archaeology and geology university courses, and she worked on archaeological digs and as a scientific illustrator. She met Louis Leakey in 1933 at Cambridge, and soon began an affair with him. On his next expedition to Africa, she arranged to meet him there, travelled home with him, and soon moved in with him. After his wife Frida divorced him, they were married in late 1936. She returned to Kenya with Louis the following year, and in the subsequent decades worked in many excavations. An important discovery of Mary's was the first fossil skull of the extinct Miocene primate Proconsul. Mary primarily worked as an archeologist rather than a physical anthropologist.
In 1959, Mary found the "Zinjanthropus" (Australopithecus boisei) fossil which was to propel the Leakey family to worldwide fame. From the mid-1960's, she lived almost full time at Olduvai Gorge, often alone, while Louis worked on other projects. She and Louis grew apart, partly because of his womanizing and partly because Louis was dividing his time between many other projects. In 1974, she commenced excavations at nearby Laetoli, and in 1976 her team found huge numbers of animal footprints that had been fossilized in ash deposited by a volcano. In 1978 they found what would be her greatest discovery, adjacent footprint tracks that had been left by two bipedal hominids.
In 1983, Mary retired from active fieldwork, moving to Nairobi from Olduvai Gorge, where she had lived for nearly 20 years. She died in 1996 at the age of eighty-three. Although it was Louis Leakey who was the more charismatic and well-known figure, Mary became a famous scientist in her own right. Although she had never earned a degree, by the end of her life she had received many honorary degrees and other awards. It is generally agreed that Mary was a better scientist, far more meticulous and cautious than the often reckless Louis. Her prodigious achievements in archaeology make her a giant in the field.
Morell V. (1995): Ancestral passions: the Leakey family and the quest for humankind's beginnings. New York: Simon & Schuster.
|
0.999923 |
Iceland, the westernmost country of Europe, is an Ísland in the North Atlantic Ocean, just below the Arctic Circle and a little more than 322 km (200 mi) E of Greenland, 1,038 km (645 mi) W of Norway, and 837 km (520 mi) NW of Scotland. It has an area of 103,000 sq km (39,769 sq mi), extending 490 km (304 mi) E–W and 312 km (194 mi) N–S. Comparatively, the area occupied by Iceland is slightly smaller than the state of Kentucky. The total length of coastline is about 4,988 km (3,099 mi). The republic includes many smaller Ísland s, of which the chief are the Westman Ísland s (Vestmannaeyjar) off the southern coast.
Today, Iceland has some of the world's highest levels of economic and civil freedoms. In 2007, Iceland was ranked as the most developed country in the world by the United Nations' Human Development Index. It is also the fourth most productive country per capita, and one of the most egalitarian, as rated by the Gini coefficient. Icelanders have a rich culture and heritage, such as cuisine and poetry, and the medieval Icelandic Sagas are internationally renowned. Iceland is a member of the UN, NATO, EFTA, EEA and OECD, but not of the European Union.
The Nordic countries make up a region in Northern Europe called the Nordic region, consisting of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden and their associated territories which include the Faroe Ísland s, Greenland and Åland. Scandinavia is sometimes used as a synonym for the Nordic countries, although within the Nordic countries the terms are considered distinct.
Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland and Faroe Ísland s speak Scandinavian languages but even though Finland was greatly influenced by Swedish culture during its occupation, the Finnish language is a Uralic language.
The European Union is composed of 27 independent sovereign countries which are known as member states: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. There are three official candidate countries, Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and Turkey. The western Balkan countries of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Serbia are officially recognised as potential candidates.. The Faeroe Ísland s, Greenland, the Canary Ísland s, the British Channel Ísland s and the Åland Ísland s are not part of the EU customs area. They are regarded as areas outside the EU. There are also some small areas of some EU countries that do not belong to the EU customs area either. The customs rules applying to areas outside the EU are the same as those applying to countries outside the EU.
Denmark is southwest of Sweden and south of Norway. Denmark borders both the Baltic and the North Sea. The country consists of a large peninsula, Jutland (Jylland) and many Ísland s, most notably Zealand (Sjælland), Funen (Fyn), Vendsyssel-Thy, Lolland, Falster and Bornholm as well as hundreds of minor Ísland s often referred to as the Danish Archipelago. Denmark has long controlled the approach to the Baltic Sea, and these waters are also known as the Danish straits. The Faroe Ísland s and Greenland are autonomous provinces of Denmark with home rule, but are not members of the European Union. Greenlandic is, however, an official language of the union.
Current duty rates generally range from 0% to 30% ad valorem and the average weighted tariff is 3.6%. Some goods enter duty-free, such as meat, fish, and dairy products.
Over 90% of imports are not subject to import restrictions or duties other than the same value-added tax applied to domestically produced goods. Special excise taxes are levied on sugar and some sugar products, potatoes, and motor vehicles. Agricultural products remain the most heavily taxed. In March 1970, Iceland acquired full membership in EFTA. On 28 February 1973, Iceland ratified a trade agreement with the European Community (later named the European Union) leading to the elimination of tariffs on industrial goods. A law authorizing the establishment of free trade zones went into effect in 1992. Iceland's trade regime underwent considerable liberalization in the 1990s with accession to the European Economic Area (EEA) in 1993, and the Uruguay Round in 1994.
1. The importer is or has been domiciled abroad.
2. The vehicle is intended for personal use of the importer and his family members and others traveling with him and are domiciled abroad.
3. The vehicle is imported or purchased new and unregistered here within a month from the arrival of the importer to the country for a temporary stay.
4. The vehicle will not be used for any kind of transportation of people or goods in return for payment.
5. The vehicle is exported when the importer leaves the country within a year from his arrival here.
Travelers are also permitted to import, following the same conditions, other vehicles than automobiles e.g. motorcycle, caravans, campers and trailers.
The director of customs can ask the importer for documentation, e.g. a temporary employment contract or a temporary lease contract, proving that he only intends to stay in the country temporarily and no longer than a year.
Director of customs in the district where the vehicle is unloaded from the freighter or a ferry is in charge of registration and surveillance of above mentioned vehicles.
If the importer decides to reside here permanently or for a longer period than one year, he does no longer meet the conditions for temporary duty free importation of the vehicle. He must present himself to the director of customs in his place of residence and tell him of this decision. Then the final customs clearance must be made for the vehicle or the vehicle must be exported out of the country.
A vehicle registered in the following countries are considered to have a valid automobile insurance in Iceland; Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Faroe Ísland s, Estonia, Finland, France, Monaco, Greece, Netherlands, Ireland, Italy (The Holy See and San Marino), Croatia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, Norway, Portugal, Poland, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Britain, Northern- Ireland (Alderney, Guernsey, Jersey, Isle of Man and Gibraltar), Sweden, Czech Republic, Hungary and Germany.
If not listed above, importer must produce a valid international automobile insurance (Green card).
The importer must fill out a special form headed: "Declaration for Temporary Duty Free Importation of a Motor Vehicle/Vessel". In this document he will give certain general information about himself and the vehicle and that he is aware that he is not permitted to dispose of it by loaning it or selling it to a third party, and additionally undertaking to export the vehicle or pay the charges stipulated by law before the permit expires. When exporting a vehicle the importer must take care to submit to the customs a copy of this declaration (the green copy).
The director of custom can ask the importer to produce specific identifications to validate his information. E.g. the registration certificate of the vehicle, drivers license, a proof of his legal possession of the vehicle (e.g. a copy of the car rental agreement)m insurance certification, certification of the importers domicile abroad and if appropriate a bill of lading and a notice of the freight charges. These documents he will get from the office of the company which transported the vehicle to the country.
Before a final customs clearance is granted, a permanent registration number for the vehicle must have been obtained from the Icelandic Vehicle Inspectorate Ltd.
People are urged to be in good time for the final customs clearance of a vehicle. It should also be noted that a vehicle is cleared through customs according to the customs rate of exchange valid at the time of arrival of the importer, if the final customs clearance takes place within one month from the vehicles arrival to the country. If more than one month has passed, the vehicle will receive customs clearance according to a new customs rate of exchange and the same applies when the selling rate of exchange for foreign currency has increased by 5% or more.
Travel agencies and others, who's profession is planning of group tours around Iceland, are allowed to import a tour bus, registered abroad for use for the activities of a specific group of tourists, domiciled abroad, without paying duties, provided that the tour bus will be exported when the tourist group leaves the country.
Duty free importation of fuel contained in built in fuel tanks of vehicles is permitted, the maximum quantity is 200 liters.
If the above mentioned vehicle breaks down or is damaged it is permitted to import, without paying duties, spare parts for the vehicle.
Special attention is drawn to the condition that it is prohibited to sell the vehicle unless a prior payment has been made of the import charges stipulated by law. It should also be noted, that a vehicle, which has not received a complete customs clearance, serves as a pledge for the import charges and if an importer abuses these customs privileges the vehicle may be seized and sold at a public auction to cover the import charges.
On importation and exportation of goods there are following requirements regarding customs procedures.
On arrival or departure a cargo manifest stating the same information as on the bill of loading or Airway bill has to be delivered to customs. The manifest is then used for customs clearance control. This clearance control has for some years been computerised and the main cargo/forwarding firms supply the manifest information with EDI covering ca. 97% of the consignments. Every import consignment has a unique reference number given by the freight forwarder according to regulation. No clearance is allowed unless the manifest information has been delivered to customs. In some cases of urgency special clearance permit is allowed although complete information is not available.
The manifested cargo is not to be removed from the premises of the forwarding firm unless the goods have been cleared through customs. The forwarder is liable for customs duties if the goods are removed from his premises without permit. The accommodations for keeping goods have to be accepted by the customs authorities.
Customs officers can inspect goods at any step of the importation procedure.
Consignments can be stowed in bonded warehouses or a tax-free zone. Special regulations cover those procedures but the main purpose is to split up consignments to the convenience of the user. In the case of tax-free zone some processing is allowed.
Bill of loading/Seaway bill/Airway bill.
Commercial invoice, or similar information if invoice is not available.
Bills/invoices covering cost of delivery other than stated on the commercial invoice (freight, packing, insurance and forwarding charges and fees) in accordance with the customs value (cif on import, fob on export).
Other documentation if necessary to determine the goods.
Permits and certificates if necessary according to the legislation covering the respective commodities.
Clearance by customs authorities was computerised in 1988 and covers all importation aspects, f. ex. calculation of duties, manifest/inventory control, statistics, accounting and other fact-finding and control mechanics.
Electronic data interchange, EDI, in customs clearance has been introduced and covers about 98% of the decalations of import and export firms.
Clearance can be made through customs in some minuets if EDI is used but may take longer time if manually processed and then usually few hours.
Declarants can appeal against customs decisions to the local customs director if they believe that customs value, tariff heading or duties are wrongly levied by customs officers. They can reappeal to a special customs procedures committee which gives the final verdict.
Customs valuation procedures is based on WTO rules of valuation. Tariffs are applied to the c.i.f. value in imports and f.o.b. value in exports. The method of pre-shipment inspection is not practised in Iceland. In cases of fraude, valuation is somtimes optained with the assistance of customs outhorities of the orginating country.
Minimum prices or reference prices are not used as bases for customs valuation. Average prices for tariff headings and exporing country are somtimes used as guidance to discover discrepancies.
There are no special formalities for importation of goods other than mentioned before such as licences and special permits.
Most motor vehicles are subject to an excise duty upon import. The excise duty is calculated on the basis of the customs value of an imported vehicle.
All motor vehicles are subject to a 24.5% value added tax. Upon importation, the VAT is calculated on the basis of the customs value plus the excise duty.
The excise duty can be waived or lowered in the following cases, sometimes under certain terms.
Cars which are partially fuelled with electricity or methane The duty is lowered by 240.000 krónur.
a) Motor vehicles for the transport of eighteen or more persons, including the driver.
b) Dumpers designed for off-highway use, of a gross weight 4 tons or more.
e) Snow-mobiles, weighing 700 kg. or more.
f) Navigable vehicles on wheels designed to travel over both land and water.
i) Tractors principally designed for semi-trailers or for hauling another vehicle.
ii) Motor vehicles for the transport of goods.
iii) Trailers and semi-trailers for the transport of goods.
iv) Motor vehicles for special purposes; breakdown lorries, crane lorries and more, not principally designed for the transport of persons or goods.
a) Chassis fitted with engines for motor vehicles.
b) Bodies for motor vehicles.
c) Trailers and semi-trailers, other than for transport of goods.
i) Crane lorries and mobile drilling derricks.
ii) Trailers and semi-trailers, for transport of goods.
iii) Tractors principally designed for semi-trailers or for hauling another vehicle.
iv) Motor vehicles for the transport of goods.
v) Motor vehicles for special purposes, breakdown lorries and more, not principally designed for the transport of persons or goods.
a) Motor vehicles for the transport of 10-17 persons, including the driver.
A weight tax is levied on all motor vehicles, regardless of fuel source. The tax for every taxation period (6 months) is calculated as follows: 6.83 krónur for each kg up to 1,000 kg, 9.21 krónur for each kg up to 3,000 kg, and 2,277 krónur for each begun tonne after that. However, the tax shall neither be less than 3,416 krónur nor more than 41,193 krónur for each taxation period.
A disposal charge of 350 krónur is levied on each vehicle for each six-month period. This charge is payable for fifteen years from the date of the first registration of the vehicle in this country, except when the vehicle is aldready 25 years old at the beginning of the payment year. The charge is an environmental tax that is intended to finance the disposal of the vehicle at the end of its useful life. Once the vehicle is delivered for scrap, a 15.000 krónur refund will be paid to the owner.
VAT is not added to the weight tax or the disposal charge.
An excise tax is levied on petroleum. The tax is calculated in two steps. The so-called general excise tax is 9.28 krónur pr. liter, and the so-called special excise tax is 32.95 krónur pr. liter (34.92 krónur if the petroleum contains lead). Therefore the overall excise tax on petroleum is 42.23 krónur (44.20). A tax of 45 krónur per liter is imposed on diesel fuel (this tax is temporarily reduced by 4 krónur per liter from July 1st 2005 until July 1st 2006) for motor vehicles. Diesel fuel for certain purposes (e.g. space heating) is exempt from this tax in which case a dye is added to the fuel to distinguish is from taxed fuel.
A 24,5% VAT is added on to the selling price after the inclusion of the excise tax.
Owners of vehicles that weigh less than 10 tonnes do not pay a weight-distance tax.
• Iceland Ísland import • Iceland Ísland car import • Iceland Ísland car export • Iceland Ísland car dealer • shipping a car to Iceland Ísland • shipping to Iceland Ísland • car shipping to Iceland Ísland • shipping Iceland Ísland • shipping cars to Iceland Ísland • Iceland Ísland import duty • shipping to big creek Iceland Ísland • ship car to Iceland Ísland • what does Iceland Ísland import • shipping to Iceland Ísland city • ship to Iceland Ísland • ship a car to Iceland Ísland • shipping car to Iceland Ísland • cars Iceland Ísland used new • register your car in Iceland Ísland • import on Iceland Ísland • shipping Iceland Ísland texas • shipping lines to big creek Iceland Ísland • create shipping from houston to Iceland Ísland • import cars to Iceland Ísland • shiping used cars to belieze • Iceland Ísland registering cars • mobile alabama Iceland Ísland shipping • travel to and from Iceland Ísland by ship • car shipment to Iceland Ísland • car ship Iceland Ísland • shipping to car to big creek Iceland Ísland • Iceland Ísland import duties • Iceland Ísland how to import a car • ship automobile Iceland Ísland • importing cars into Iceland Ísland • export cars from Thailand • importing cars from Thailand • importing 4x4 pickup from Thailand • importing 4x4 SUV from Thailand • importing Toyota Hilux Vigo from Thailand • importing Toyota Fortuner from Thailand • importing Mitsubishi L200 Triton from Thailand • importing Nissan Navara from Thailand • importing Isuzu Dmax from Thailand • importing Isuzu MU7 from Thailand • importing Ford Ranger from Thailand • importing Chevy Colorado from Thailand • importing Toyota Fortuner from Thailand • Thailand top new car dealer • Thailand top new car exporter • Thailand top new car importer Thailand top used car dealer • Thailand top used car exporter • Thailand top used car importer • Thailand top new 4x4 dealer • Thailand top new 4x4 exporter • Thailand top new 4x4 importer Thailand top used 4x4 dealer • Thailand top used 4x4 exporter • Thailand top used 4x4 importer.
Toyota Hilux Revo Thailand Exporter, Toyota Hilux Revo Rocco Thailand Export, Toyota Hilux Vigoremains our best selling and top selling 4x4 pickup. If you are looking for Toyota Hilux Revo Thailand Exporter, Toyota Hilux Revo Rocco Thailand Export, Toyota Hilux Vigo4x2 or 4x4 or single cab Toyota Hilux Vigo, extra cab Toyota Hilux Vigo and double cab Toyota Hilux Vigo, Soni Motors Thailand is the place.
|
0.965535 |
Loft Conversions Ireland For The Cheapest And Best.
n a process begun in the 12th century, and completed in 1606, the island of Ireland has historically been divided into thirty-two counties (Irish language contae or condae, pronounced IPA: [kʊndeː]). After the partition of Ireland in 1921, what eventually became the country of Ireland comprised twenty-six of these, with Northern Ireland comprising six. The counties of Northern Ireland are no longer used for local government, and two former counties in the Republic have been subdivided, giving a modern total of twenty-nine counties for administrative purposes rather than twenty-six. The names "County Dublin" and "County Tipperary" remain in common usage outside administrative matters. In addition, the larger cities are administratively equivalent to counties. The traditional thirty-two counties had previously been adopted by sporting and cultural organisations such as the Gaelic Athletic Association, which organises its activities on GAA county lines, and today they still attract strong loyalties, particularly in the sporting field. In Irish usage, the word county nearly always comes before rather than after the county name; thus "County Clare" in Ireland as opposed to "Clare County" in Michigan. The former "King's County" and "Queen's County" were exceptions; these are now County Offaly and County Laois.
|
0.999965 |
Coming out with a very dovish tone, the Bank of England lowered its inflation forecasts and reiterated plans to keep its asset purchase program unchanged until inflation hits the 2.00% target rate. By sending a very dovish message to markets, the BoE now joins most other central banks which have either come out dovish, making the US Federal Reserve the only Central Bank that is expected to hike rates.
The Bank of England, in its monetary policy announcement yesterday left interest rates unchanged at 0.50% with no change to the MPC's rate count with one dissenter in favor of a rate hike while 8 members voted to keep rates steady. The Bank of England released its quarterly inflation expectations report where it significantly lowered the near-term outlook. The Central Bank said that it expects CPI to remain below 1.00% into the second half of 2016, pushing back the rate hike expectations into the first quarter of 2017. On the unemployment front, the BoE expects to see the UK's unemployment rate at 5.00% in two years. On the positive side, the BoE revised its quarterly GDP expectations and said that third quarter GDP could be revised to 0.60% after preliminary estimates put the number at 0.50%. GBPUSD posted sharp declines, closing yesterday at 1.5207.
The Reserve Bank of Australia released its quarterly statement on monetary policy earlier today. Overall, the Central Bank did not make any major changes to the forecasts from the August report and reiterated that the Australian economy could grow at a 3.00% annualized pace in 2016 while making minor downward revisions to GDP forecasts this year to 2.25% from 2.50% previously. On inflation, the RBA lowered its forecasts from 2.50% to 2.00% and expects inflation to remain at 2.00% until June 2016. There was some positive news for the labour markets as the RBA expects to see further strengthening in employment growth. The Bank's statement hinted that the RBA is likely to put rate cuts on hold into the end of this year and the first quarter of 2016. AUDUSD has traded sideways since early Asian trading after closing with a doji candlestick pattern yesterday at 0.7141.
The monthly labour market data from Canada is due for release at the same time as the US monthly payrolls report. Median estimates is for Canada's unemployment rate to have remained unchanged at 7.10% while the monthly employment change is expected to show 10,000 new jobs being added to the Canadian economy, a modestly lower figure compared to the 12,100 increase a month ago. However, the gains in the prior report was due to a large number of workers leaving full-time employment while part-time employment fared better, indicating a likely drag on the unemployment rate over the medium-term. Released simultaneously, will be Canada's building permits data as well, which is estimated to rise 0.20% for the month. Combined, the data dump is likely to put the Canadian dollar under pressure into the announcement with USDCAD very likely to turn volatile on the news release.
|
0.999956 |
These days, Alex is fond of a mobile game called "one touch drawing".
Alex is given a graph, and requires him to travel all the edges of the graph certain times. To make the game funny, some regulations are added to this game.
First, all the edges are required to be travelled for once or twice.
Second, there will be some pairs of transport vertices. For example, s1 and s2 are a pair of transport vertices. Once Alex travels to s1, then he will be forced to arrive at s2, and the transportation is directed!
Third, most of the edges are undirected, while the others are directed. A directed edge may have one Green Vertex. Once Alex travels to a Green Vertex, the direction of those edges whose Green Vertex is that vertex will change.
Unfortunately, when Alex played the game, he found some of the graph couldn't be drawn with these contraints. Alex doesn't want to waste time on playing on those graph without any solutions. So he asks you to tell him if the graph given by the game has any solution.
Last followed by W lines. Each line contain two integers s1 and s2. Means s1 and s2 are a pair of tranport vertices(and the transport direction is s1 -> s2 ONLY!). We promise that s1 can only transport to ONE vertice. Process to END_OF_FILE.
For each test case. Output one line.If there exists a solution for that graph, output "Yes". Otherwise, Output "No".
The solution of first sample input is 0 -> 1, 3 -> 2 -> 1, 3 -> 2 -> 1, 3 -> 0 -> 2.
|
0.581984 |
Would you like to know where the Ingalls Family went to church? Well of course at first there was no church in the area. The government of the day had deeded twelve hundred acres of woodland to the Church of England to form a place of worship on Grand Manan. The first missionary, Dr. Alley came from St. Andrews and stayed in the home of Captain Ross. From here Dr. Alley went to the various villages and persuaded parents to allow him to baptise their children. On one of his trips he baptised sixty-two children and thirty-three adults. Most everyone said they would be willing to set something aside from their meagre earnings to help build a church.
In the winter the men trekked into the woods and cut the logs for the frame of the church. They continued working hard for more than a year and in December 1823, Grand Manan's first church stood ready to receive the people for worship. They named the little building St. Paul's. The first little church was very plain with clapboard on the outside and the plaster not finished within. However, it had the necessary pews, an altar and a reading desk. It was here that John Ingalls worshipped with his family in pews marked Number 9 and 17.
Rev. Dunn, his wife, Anne, and infant child came to the island as rector in 1832. Things went well for a time and the church prospered spiritually. Then on the night of October ninth, 1839 Rev. Dunn woke up to see the little church burning up in a ball of flames. On a tree, lighted by the crackling flames, one could see an effigy (that means a stuffed form that looked like Rev. Dunn), dressed in a long black waistcoat, black pantaloons and vest swinging by the neck from a tall tree. For some reason, at least one member of the church had got frustrated and took this means of revenge. Unfortunately, suspicion fell on Mr. Fisher, a son-in-law to John Ingalls. Perhaps that is why we see The Ingalls pews in the first church but a later find the family worshipping in the Baptist Church across the corner.
Within three days of the burning of the church, 125 people had pledged L 281 for the reconstruction. The ladies of the church raised L 12 for the replacement of Rev. Dunn's gown. Remember most families wouldn't earn more than one pound a week at this time so the sacrifice to build the new church was surely significant. Anne, the minister's wife wrote the following words: "In the depths of the North American winter the inhabitants of the island went into the forest, where they built huts of the branches of trees; in these they lived, while they quarried the stone, which they afterwards brought, with great labour, over a partially frozen morass to the site of the church." I may also state that of these people, some had not, excepting potatoes, any food but that supplied to them by the missionary." Through sacrifice, hard work and determination the little church was rebuilt and stands today as a testimony of what can be done when one puts their whole heart into solving a problem.
|
0.998771 |
Spanish Translation US: Blog de traducciones » material bilingüe en EE. UU.
Home » material bilingüe en EE. UU.
|
0.999837 |
Written by El Camino Travel's Colombian-American Founder, Katalina Mayorga.
Being a daughter of Colombian immigrants means that I have had the good fortune of traveling to Colombia my whole life. My parents did an amazing job of always taking us to a new city or pueblito on each visit that was very different than their hometowns of Bogota and Cali. Despite visiting there for over 30 years, I still feel like there is so much I could see, do, and experience for the first time in Colombia, especially now that the Peace Agreement was signed at the end of 2016. There are huge parts of the country that are opening up not only to tourists but to Colombians for the first time in decades.
Colombia is huge and culturally and geographically diverse, making it such an incredible place to visit. Did you know it is the second most biodiverse country in the world with six, distinct biodiverse regions? You can go back several times and have a completely different experience each trip. There will even be destinations where you feel like you are visiting a whole other country. How amazing is that?!
That being said, I also know that vacation days are precious (especially to the US traveler). We often do not have the luxury of spending three weeks to deeply discover a destination. Below is a HIGHLY curated list of destinations within Colombia I would consider if I were traveling there for the first time and wanted to make the best use of my vacation days. These recommendations are based on my first-hand knowledge in the country and taking hundreds of travelers to Colombia where a majority of them were visiting for the first time.
Please also note that there are tons of guides out there for those traveling to Colombia on a tight or “backpacker” budget. After reading many of these, I kept reading the word “cheap” over and over again. Cheap beer, cheap food, cheap entrance fee, etc. While I love a good deal, I also know that there are many travelers like myself that are looking for a more elevated and immersive experience in Colombia or what is known as the high-low experience. The recommendations below are written with this type of traveler in mind.
TL;DR (To Long; Don’t Read) Version: Check out our 9 day itinerary for Colombia to get a better sense of how we would travel the country if it were our first trip to this stunning destination.
Cartagena is located on the north coast of Colombia and because it is a coastal town, it comes with a certain raw energy that only can be found in cities that have beaches as their backyards and the constant (and sometimes oppressive) heat. It is the city that nurtured the poetic prose of Gabriel Garcia Marquez, the godfather of magic realism, after all. Costeños, the name for people from the Caribbean coast of Colombia, are slower moving, but faster talking. They know how to have a great time, their salsa and champeta are on point, and they are always excited to share their culture with others. It truly is a very different feeling from any of the other major cities.
Cartagena has three main neighborhoods where travelers stay: Bocagrande (some call this the “Miami” of Cartagena), the walled Old City (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), and Getsemani (the bohemian rising star). If it were my first time, I would skip out on Bocagrande and stay in the Old City or Getsamani. While Getsamani is my neighborhood of choice, know that parts of it are still very gritty and not all travelers will feel comfortable there.
Surprisingly, the beaches in Cartagena itself are not very nice and not worth the visit. Instead, head out Islas de Rosario, an archipelago right off the coast that takes about an hour to get to. This is where you will find the crystal clear waters and white sand beaches.
Pro Tip: Most tourists go to Playa Blanca, but we recommend Isla Grande for a less touristy outpost. We actually take our travelers to a secret and more secluded beach that we keep under wraps for obvious reasons. However, you will have a great time going to whatever beach you decide on!
I mean it when I say there is no other city like Medellin. Urban planners everywhere from Amsterdam to Rwanda come to intensely study its urban fabric because it is a city that went from being one of the most violent to one of the most socially progressive in a short period of time. It was even named the most innovative city of the year in 2013. Why? To combat a lot of the violence and aftermath of the narco-terror years, the local government poured billions of dollars into social urbanism which are infrastructure and social programs geared towards the poorest parts of the city. That continues today where it is estimated 85% of the city’s budget is allocated towards social urbanism. This has resulted in a sophisticated public transport system that flies you high above the cities in gondolas or drops you off right in the middle of a vast ecological nature preserve. Architectural masterpieces known as “peace libraries” jut out of the hillside of the city in some of the cities poorest neighborhoods. We can learn a lot from how Medellin responded to one of the darkest periods in their nation's history. Medellin chose to respond with love and compassion that has paid off in dividends.
Looking for a day trip? Be sure to check out the colorful town of Guatape and the sweeping view of the lake district atop of a giant rock. Don’t worry - it's only 700+ steps to get to that view.
Pro Tip: Skip out on the cheesy Escobar tours. There is so much more to Medellin’s history than its notorious past. Instead, visit the art filled streets and escalators of Comuna 13.
I have been going to the mountainous capital, Bogota, my whole life. It is where my dad is from and we still have tons of family (50+ second cousins and counting) that live there. While most of my experience in the capital has been hopping from one family event to another, these past few years for work have allowed me to explore it more from the traveler mindset and I have come to appreciate it for its burgeoning creative scene.
One thing to note is that Bogota is much bigger than any of the other main cities. It is sprawling and has some of the worst traffic I have ever experienced. That being said, the traffic is worth the journey. There is so much to see, do, and experience in Bogota.
Just like Medellin, Bogota is also going through its own design boom. Secret restaurants have popped up (you need to stroll pass a few emerald shops), there is a coveted showroom by one of the world’s hottest designers (that happens to be Colombian), and the modern art museum is getting hip to this whole "large installations that are Instagram friendly” thing. Not to mention that the classics still leave such a strong impression despite how many times I have visited them. Hike to the top of Montserratte to see the best view of the city (sip on a cup of steamin' hot agua de panela), visit the gold museum, wander the historic center, and stroll the streets of Candelaria on a “free” graffitti tour to see some very impressive large-scale artwork.
Pro Tip: Check out Andres Carne de Res for one of the best nightlife experiences in all of Colombia. However, for the true experience, do not head to the one directly in the city. Instead, take a taxi to the one 30 minutes outside of the city in a middle of a field.
Where do I even begin with this area of Colombia? Imagine Tulum 15-20 years ago, but more secluded, without all the hipsters, and the tourist gouged prices. This area of paradise is located in the Northern Caribbean coast of Colombia and is known for having vast swaths of gorgeous beaches lined with mammoth palm trees. It truly feels untouched. It is about a six-hour bus ride from Cartagena or a one-hour taxi ride from the Santa Marta airport.
Parque Tayrona itself is one of Colombia’s most famous national parks. It protects over 12,000 hectares of land and 3,000 hectares of ocean. There are many hikes to various beaches and you can even stay inside the park. Tayrona’s most famous beach, Cabo de San Juan, is a must hike but I would not recommend staying there. The accommodations are geared more towards backpackers (hammocks + tents) and it has more of the hostel party vibe at night. If that's your vibe, than this is your place to stay. However, if you're looking for a more elevated alternative, we recommend the Eco Habs.
One of my favorite boutique hotels that I have ever visited is located right outside in the park, Gitana del Mar. This place is absolutely stunning and the food is some of the best I have had in the country. The owners, Nina and Ryan, are some of the most hospitable people I have ever met and truly make you feel like you are at your own tropical home. If you have a few days in the area and are looking for more active experiences, float down a jungle river or hike to sacred watering holes.
We are itching to explore the Colombian region of La Guajira and will be heading there after our Creative Retreat in August! Learn more about the region from @mariaskjoedt whose travel snaps of this area are getting us pumped. "This is where South America begins. After more than 6 hours drive through nothing but desert you arrive to Punta Gallinas, which is the most northern point of the continent. Here the huge sand dunes make an amazing viewpoint before they drop into the ocean."
I always struggled with the question, “where is the most beautiful place you have ever traveled to?” How could I choose? It’s like choosing your favorite child. However, I can now confidently say La Guajira, Colombia. This very remote area of Colombia is unreal and is located in the northernmost tip of the country and surrounded by the crystal clear blue waters of the Caribbean sea. It is most known for its desert landscape, the large sand dunes, and the various fishing villages and ranches of the Wayuu indigenous people.
Note that this area is very hard to get to and once you are there you are dealing with the most basic of living conditions. The road can be unforgiving at times, but it is worth all the hassle. You will have no internet and be forced into a digital detox which was much welcomed by me.
I hope this breakdown of some of my favorite destinations in Colombia helped you narrow down your decision of where to travel.
WANT TO KNOW EVERYTHING UP AND COMING FOR YOUR TRIP TO COLOMBIA?
WANT TO KNOW WHAT COLOMBIA TRIP IS BEST FOR YOU? TAKE THIS 2 MINUTE SURVEY TO FIND OUT.
|
0.999999 |
Don't miss the deal of the week from Ryanair, shop now to get the cheapest flights to somewhere new!
These days, when you’re travelling, you need to get places quickly and cheaply, so don’t pay over the odds for your next trip, stick with Ryanair for the most convenient skybound experience. Book your tickets with a Ryanair voucher and you’ll be sure to make a saving, so you can get a bargain flight to Basle, a discount to Dubrovnik or a great price to Prague. Fly all over Europe and beyond with this no-fuss carrier that finally makes air travel affordable!
To really get the most out of Ryanair, use its handy Fare Finder. Choose your point of departure, destination and a maximum price and it’ll bring up a range of options so you can see what suits you best. A great way to stick to your budget, it’ll point you in the direction of the cheapest times to head out and back. This is an excellent tool in the armoury of any thrifty traveller, so get involved today!
Out of the many wonderful places you can go with Ryanair, Italy is undoubtedly one of the best. You can touch down in Bologna, Milan, Rome and beyond so you’ll be ready to explore this beautiful country in no time at all. Buy with a Ryanair discount code and you’re sure to land an excellent saving, meaning you’ll have more to spend on tortellini and a glass or two of Chianti when you’re there.
If you’re looking to get somewhere and a train won’t cut it, Ryanair is your best bet. Whether you’re planning a high level business meeting, stag weekend or you’re just looking to get away from it all, this brand offers a huge number of destinations at bargain prices. You can experience 205 destinations across 33 countries in Europe and beyond, meaning you can access everywhere from Athens to Zadar with one low cost airline.
It’s also got a range of fares that means you can shop the tickets you need to suit you. Its Standard Fare is the cheap and cheerful option, whilst the Plus Fare gets you a check-in bag, reserved standard seat and 60 day check-in. Then there’s the Flexi Plus option that gets you all of the above plus flexibility on your flight and Fast Track capability. All you have to do is pick the level of ticket that works for you!
I need to reprint my Ryanair boarding passes. Can this be done?
Can I get Ryanair gift vouchers?
Yes, these vouchers make for great gifts for any jet-setting friends.
Where is my nearest Ryanair enabled airport?
Yes, its airport map will help you find cheap flights departing near you. Handy or what?
Will I be able to change my Ryanair flight?
Ryanair fares are non-refundable and non-exchangeable — however, its Flexi Plus tickets can be exchanged for flights with the same arrival and departure point on the day before or after the original flight.
|
0.999662 |
Which way to reform the UN and the international system?
Forum Barcelona is one of a number of events that will feed into the UN September Summit in New York to look at progress on the Millennium Development Goals, as well as the issue of UN reform. It was hosted by UBUNTU, chaired by UBUNTU founder Federico Mayer and co-hosted by Forum 2000, the Montreal International Forum (FIM), the Club of Madrid, the International Facilitating Group on Financing for Development, the Helsinki Process on Globalization and Democracy, the World Political Forum, and the World Governance Programme.
|
0.983882 |
The Canadian Football League (CFL), the sport's top professional league, and trace their roots to 1880. The CFL is the most popular and only major professional Canadian football league. It is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football. Its nine current teams, which are located in nine separate cities, are divided into two divisions: the East Division, with four teams, and the West Division with five teams.
Founded on January 19, 1958, making it the second oldest professional gridiron football league in North America. The CFL is the second-most popular major sports league in Canada, after the National Hockey League.
The Grey Cup is both the name of the championship of the CFL and the name of the trophy awarded to the victorious team. The Grey Cup is the second-oldest trophy in North American professional sport, after the Stanley Cup. The Grey Cup game is hosted in one of the league's member cities. In recent years, it has been hosted in a different city every year, selected two or more years in advance.
|
0.999998 |
Given an array consisting of n integers, find the contiguous subarray of given length k that has the maximum average value. And you need to output the maximum average value.
1 <= k <= n <= 30,000.
Elements of the given array will be in the range [-10,000, 10,000].
|
0.953852 |
Is Yoga really a cure for pain? What kind of Yoga teacher should you visit for pain management? What style of Yoga would be best, if you are constantly feeling pain? In which cases would Yoga not be advisable for students in severe pain? Let's look at some pain management solutions that Yoga has to offer.Is Yoga really a cure for pain? Many Yoga students swear by the results they have received from regularly attending Yoga classes, two or three times per week. In truth, Yoga has its limits ? just like any diet. Can you imagine if you were going to diet wisely once a week? You can imagine the results.
Therefore, the real dilemma, with Yoga practice, is getting a student to practice on a regular basis. Also, Yoga, much like any prescription drug, cannot promise to be a "cure-all" for every ailment. Yoga can promise to be a diversion from pain and help students to manage it better, with no adverse side effects.The lifestyle changes that occur after regularly practicing Yoga, will cause Yoga students to evaluate everything they do, and everything they eat. Yoga is not just another exercise program or some fad that just came along within the least decade.
According to some archaeological findings, Yoga has been in existence for over 5000 years. Show me an exercise fad with those credentials!.What kind of Yoga teacher should you visit for pain management? The Yoga teacher you select, for pain management, should be knowledgeable in the use of props. The prospective Yoga teacher should understand that each posture can be modified for the needs of the specific student.
In other words, if you detect a "it's my way or the highway" attitude, get as far away from that Yoga teacher as you can.The most important component in a Yoga teacher's personality, who helps students with ailments, is compassion. If you don't see, feel, or hear any compassion, this is the wrong match for your needs. Yoga can be customized for the specific needs of students. The Yoga teacher, who has not yet felt any pain, is going to have less empathy for students who are in pain. So, an "elite" Yoga teacher, who can perform every asana imaginable, and has the body of a competing Olympic gymnast, may not exactly understand your pain.
What style of Yoga would be best, if you are constantly feeling pain? There are a number of styles to consider that can be easily customized for your specific needs. Here are a few to consider: Restorative Yoga, Therapeutic Yoga, Iyengar Yoga, Yoga Therapy, and Tri-Yoga. Please keep in mind that these styles will vary according to the Yoga teacher's interpretation of the style's principles.In which cases would Yoga not be advisable for students in severe pain? Sometimes, physicians do not recommend Yoga in cases of severe pain, such as in the case of extremely severe arthritis. The reasoning is that any movement will cause a great deal of pain in the joints. If your physician tells you not to practice a gentle form of Yoga, you should at least ask why.
If you are not satisfied with the answer, you should seek a second opinion.If you are feeling pain, and want to take positive action, you should consult your physician, and if agreed by your physician, explore your options with a local Yoga teacher, who teaches a gentle style and has a history of helping Yoga students with ailments.© Copyright 2006 ? Paul Jerard / Aura Publications.
|
0.957879 |
The two girls want to go jogging and make a bet. One girl thinks that she can run more kilometres than the other, but after their run they notice that they both ran the same number of kilometres. Because of that they decide that it's unfair to punish only one and so decide on punishing each other with tickling.
The first girl is tied to a chair. First of all, the girl removes her shoes and then the first girl is tickled. Half of the time the girl is tickled in socks and the other half the girl is tickled without socks and with oil on her soles. The whole time only the hands are used to tickle the girls' feet.
After 5-7 minutes, the second girl is tied to a chair and everything repeats again.
|
0.983067 |
The most iconic band of the U.K. glam rock scene of the '70s, T. Rex were the creation of Marc Bolan, who started out as a cheerfully addled acolyte of psychedelia and folk-rock until he turned to swaggering rock & roll with boogie rhythm and a tricked-up fashion sense. For a couple years, T. Rex were the biggest band in England and a potent cult item in the United States. If their stardom didn't last, their influence did, and T. Rex's dirty but playful attitude and Bolan's sense of style and rock star moves would show their influence in metal, punk, new wave, and alternative rock; it's all but impossible to imagine the '80s new romantic scene existing without Bolan's influence.
Marc Bolan was born Mark Feld on September 30, 1947 in Stoke Newington, London, England. The youngster seemed cut out for a career in showbiz nearly from the start; he started playing guitar at the age of nine when he and some friends formed a skiffle band, and he made his professional acting debut in 1963, playing a minor role on the children's television series Orlando. After a brief run as a child model, Bolan (his stage name a contraction of Bob Dylan) dove into music, and released his first single, "The Wizard," in November 1965, shortly after he signed a deal with Decca Records. After cutting a few more unsuccessful singles, which found Bolan moving into a direction clearly inspired by Dylan and Donovan, Simon Napier-Bell took over as his manager, and in 1967 Bolan became a member of the notorious psychedelic band John's Children. While he was in John's Children long enough to write and sing lead on their single "Desdemona" and tour Europe as the Who's opening act, Bolan left the group after a mere four months, and quickly began writing songs for his next project.
Before 1967 was out, Bolan had launched his new group, Tyrannosaurus Rex, with a show at London's Electric Garden. However, Bolan booked the gig before he finalized the band's lineup; legend has it he was still auditioning musicians the day of the show, and by all reports the debut was disastrous. Abandoning his original concept of a four-piece band, Bolan reworked Tyrannosaurus Rex into an acoustic duo, with Marc on guitar and vocals and Steve Peregrin Took on percussion. Bolan's loopy but engaging lyrical sensibility and Eastern-influenced melodies, coupled with Took's use of hand drums and unconventional percussion devices, helped to earn the group a loyal following in London's hippie community, and they were championed by the legendary BBC disc jockey John Peel. The duo scored a deal with Regal Zonophone Records, and their debut album, My People Were Fair and Had Sky in Their Hair... But Now They're Content to Wear Stars on Their Brows, was released in July 1968; the album was produced by Tony Visconti, who would go on to produce nearly all of Bolan's subsequent work. The second Tyrannosaurus Rex album, Prophets, Seers & Sages: The Angels of the Ages, appeared just three months later, and the third, Unicorn, came out in May 1969, shortly after the publication of The Warlock of Love, a book of poems written by Bolan. However, Bolan and Took found themselves increasingly at odds, as Took's behavior became more outré, especially during a largely unsuccessful American tour, and Unicorn proved to be his last album with Tyrannosaurus Rex.
Mickey Finn took over as the duo's percussionist, and in 1970 they recorded the album A Beard of Stars as well as the single "Ride a White Swan," and both saw the band moving in a new direction, venturing away from the fading U.K. hippie scene. Bolan had begun playing electric guitar, giving the songs a bigger and buzzier sound, and Finn's handclaps and percussion provided a stompdown backbeat that turned Tyrannosaurus Rex from a folk act into a potent if minimal rock band. The duo acknowledged their shift in direction with their fifth album, which bore their new name, T. Rex. "Ride a White Swan" was a surprise smash in the U.K., and the T. Rex album also fared well, and Bolan doubled down on the group's new proto-boogie sound by expanding T. Rex to a quartet with the addition of trap drummer Bill Legend and bassist Steve Currie. Bolan also took to sporting top hats, feather boas, and glittery outfits on-stage, giving their shows a welcome sense of flash, and while some of Bolan's older fans blanched at his abandonment of his folkie impulses, the release of Electric Warrior in September 1971 was all the consolation he needed. The album was a major hit, rising to the top of the U.K. album charts and establishing T. Rex as one of Britain's biggest bands, while also helping to launch the glam rock era that would dominate U.K. rock for the next several years. The album spawned two U.K. hit singles, "Jeepster" and "Bang a Gong (Get It On)," and while the former made little impact in the United States, the latter cracked the American Top 40, and T. Rex developed a growing cult following in the United States, especially on the West Coast, where the glam crusade found its greatest American success.
As "T. Rexstasy" took hold in the U.K. and Europe, Bolan and his crew released The Slider in July 1972, which offered more of the group's crunchy hard rock boogie and Bolan's sly, playful lyrics; the album was another smash in the U.K., rising to number four on the album charts, while it peaked at a more than respectable number 17 in the United States. The album was also recorded while a film was being made about Bolan and T. Rex, Born to Boogie, directed by none other than Ringo Starr. But neither of the two singles, "Telegram Sam" nor "Metal Guru," made much of an impression in the United States, and neither did the non-album single "20th Century Boy," though it was a smash in the U.K. Surprisingly, T. Rex opted not to feature the song on Tanx, issued in January 1973, and the album rose no further than number 102 in America, and it received lukewarm reviews in the U.K. and Europe, though sales there were still impressive. By the time T. Rex released their next album, Gloria Jones had joined T. Rex on keyboards and backing vocals (she was also in a romantic relationship with Bolan, despite the fact he was married at the time), and the group displayed a new R&B influence on 1974's Zinc Alloy and the Hidden Riders of Tomorrow. However, the album's reception confirmed the bloom was off the rose for T. Rex; the single "Teenage Dream" failed to crack the U.K. Top Ten, and the LP wasn't even released in the United States.
Early 1975 saw the release of Bolan's Zip Gun, which was produced by Bolan after Tony Visconti bowed out, and only featured drummer Bill Legend on one track, with drummer Davy Lutton and keyboard man Dino Dines joining the group. Once again, the album wasn't issued in America, though a combination of tracks from Zinc Alloy and Zip Gun was released stateside by Casablanca Records as Light of Love. Bolan became a tax exile who relocated to California, which made him the target of more unfriendly reports in the British music press.
|
0.999979 |
How do stoplights detect a car?
If you have time to read all the others, here is one more: Some are simply on a timer. Most have sensors buried in the pavement. Magnetic or weight is irrelevant. If you look up on the light support and see a small shiny box, it is a device to detect strobes on ambulances and fire engines. When an emergency vehicle approaches, the device detects the strobes from a long ways back to change the light. (Don't always work in daylight, maybe my strobes aren't bright enough.) And another method nobody has mentioned. The lights are computer controlled from a central location. Ever been on a street with a sign that says"Stop lights are set for "X" mph?" If you drive that speed or a couple of mph faster you will make every light.
Source(s): Volunteer fireman for 14 years.
Trivia: If it says the lights are set for 40 mph, it will also work at 80 mph.
Wow. There's a LOT of misinformation out there. Okay, first, the old style lights used thyristors as timers. They were often synchronized with lights a block or more away to make traffic flow at a particular speed.
Now, however, most systems use inductive sensors buried in the streets to tell the computer that you are there. That would be those square or round black lines of tar that ppl have mentioned here.
Those weight sensors though, are obsolete. There may be a few HUNDRED of them still in the US, but they are almost certainly extinct for the most part. Those consisted of a rectangular steel box buried in the street, maybe 5 ft by 8 inches wide with a steel switch plate exposed on the surface. I remember seeing them when I was a kid. But that was over 40 years ago.
The only light sensors I know about were experimental, and designed to allow emergency vehicles through intersections while their strobes were working. Your headights don't affect them.
Most stoplights don't, they are on a timer.
Some like the ones at roadworks at night have a light sensor so if they detect a set of lights coming from one direction and none from another they will activate the sequence and give the oncoming car the green light.
most stoplights are programmed to the heaviness of the traffic at each specific time of the day/night. But there are certain stoplights in certain countries like Japan and cities like San Francisco, that are wired to change lights when sensors embedded underneath the road detect a vehicle being idle for a certain amount of time.
Others work off metal sensors in the pavement just before the white line where the car stops.
Depends upon the type of sensor. One method employs a coil placed into a rectangular cut in the pavement that detects the metal in the vehicle, a principle similar to a metal detector. Another method is the use of a camera. The camera senses the vehicle approaching and stopping at an intersection. It senses traffic based on the percent of change in the video signal from the camera to the control unit. When no cars are detected, the lights change on a timer.
There is a magneto Loop running round in a square or rectangle cuts into the road surface, it is meant to detect the drop in the magnetic current that flows through the wire, there are usually one or two magnetic loops more back further to detect the flow of traffic whether it gets heavier especially in peak hour times then the traffic lights switch to a timer to prolong the time for the extra vechiles to cross, its funny with motor bikes i've seen some just sit there at night when its not so busy and they wait for the lights to change. then get pissed off and go thru a red light cause the magnetic loop didn't detect it.even though the motorcyclist knew how to activate the loop he jumped up and down on the bike to try and trip the loop but to no avail.LOL. even some cars do the same, i even roll back and then forward to set the loop off, if it doesn't detect me at times, these type of loops are too old and need to be replaced.
There is a little truth in many of your answers. I don't think people control them, they are too small for today's sized people. :-) I don't think they are on timers anymore although some small towns and city's may still be.
For the most part, traffic lights are run by road sensors that have magnets and weigh vehicles. I ride a motorcycle and often find myself sitting through 2-3 red light cycles watching the other sides of traffic get to go and mine stays red, because the bike doesn't weigh enough or I may not be on a magnetic field, In some states they allow a rider to go through the light if it isn't changing and the traffic is clear. So when you are sitting at a traffic light behind a motorcycle and they are the first ones in the line of traffic and motioning you to move up closer to them, you'll know why.
Why is my car not producing a strong enough magnetic pull on stoplights?
|
0.998505 |
Armenia, officially the Republic of Armenia, is a sovereign state in the South Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located in Western Asia, on the Armenian Highland, it is bordered by Turkey to the west, Georgia to the north, the de factoindependent Nagorno-Karabakh Republicand Azerbaijan to the east, and Iran and Azerbaijan's exclave of Nakhchivan to the south. The Republic of Armenia constitutes only one-tenth of historical Armenia.
Armenia is a unitary, multi-party, democratic nation-state with an ancient cultural heritage. Urartu was established in 860 BC and by the 6th century BC it was replaced by the Satrapy of Armenia. In the 1st century BC the Kingdom of Armeniareached its height under Tigranes the Great. Armenia became the first state in the world to adopt Christianity as its official religion. In between the late 3rd century to early years of the 4th century, the state became the first Christian nation. The official date of state adoption of Christianity is 301 AD. The ancient Armenian kingdom was split between the Byzantine and Sasanian Empires around the early 5th century. Under the Bagratuni dynasty, the Bagratid Kingdom of Armenia was restored in the 9th century. Declining due to the wars against the Byzantines, the kingdom fell in 1045 and Armenia was soon after invaded by the Seljuk Turks. An Armenian principality and later a kingdom Cilician Armenia was located on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea between the 11th and 14th centuries.
Between the 16th century and 19th century, the traditional Armenian homeland composed of Eastern Armenia and Western Armenia came under the rule of the Ottoman and Iranian empires, repeatedly ruled by either of the two over the centuries. By the 19th century, Eastern Armenia had been conquered by the Russian Empire, while most of the western parts of the traditional Armenian homeland remained under Ottoman rule. During World War I, Armenians living in their ancestral lands in the Ottoman Empire were systematically exterminated in the Armenian Genocide. In 1918, following the Russian Revolution, all non-Russian countries declared their independence after the Russian Empire ceased to exist, leading to the establishment of the First Republic of Armenia. By 1920, the state was incorporated into the Transcaucasian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic, and in 1922 became a founding member of the Soviet Union. In 1936, the Transcaucasian state was dissolved, transforming its constituent states, including the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic, into full Union republics. The modern Republic of Armenia became independent in 1991 during the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
The Republic of Armenia recognizes the Armenian Apostolic Church, the world's oldest national church, as the country's primary religious establishment. The unique Armenian alphabet was invented by Mesrop Mashtots in 405 AD.
Given its proud claim to being the world's first officially Christian country, there are countless monasteries and churches, which are set in some places of incredible natural beauty. The monasteries at Tatev, Noravank, Haghartsin, Haghpat and Geghard are well worth a visit just for the landscape even without the impressive, millennium-old monasteries found there.
Armenia is at the fascinating crossroads of Europe and Asia and its culture draws from both. While many Armenians consider themselves European, their social conservatism in some realms is not consistent with Europe proper. The new world faced by Armenians after the fall of the Soviet Union has seen great social changes especially in the capital, Yerevan. The small and very homogeneous (about 99% Armenian) population is strongly family oriented. The people across the land are very hospitable, and place a lot of pride in their hospitality. Show up in a village without a penny, and food and a place to stay will flow - along with drinks and endless toasts.
Politically, Armenia has aligned itself with Russia and against its Turkish and Azeri neighbours.
Armenia also has lots of road signs in English, and there are a fair amount of English-speaking Armenians in general, and you get the distinct feeling that tourists are welcome. Police don't appear to be too crooked, at least not in Yerevan, and in general the country appears to be both reasonably safe and well-organised.
Armenia is a landlocked country in the geopoliticalTranscaucasus (South Caucasus) region, that is located in the Southern Caucasus Mountains and their lowlands between the Black Sea and Caspian Sea, and northeast of the Armenian Highlands. Armenia is bordered on the north by Georgia, the east by Azerbaijan; the south by Iran; and the southwest and west by Turkey. Armenia lies between latitudes 38° and 42° N, and meridians 43° and 47° E.
The Republic of Armenia has a territorial area of 29,743 square kilometres (11,484 sq mi). The terrain is mostly mountainous, with fast flowing rivers, and few forests. The climate is highland continental, which means that Armenia is subjected to hot summers and cold winters. The land rises to 4,090 metres (13,419 feet) above sea level at Mount Aragats, and no point is below 390 metres (1,280 ft) above sea level.
Armenia has established a Ministry of Nature Protection and introduced taxes for air and water pollution and solid-waste disposal, whose revenues are used for environmental protection activities. Waste management in Armenia is underdeveloped, as no waste sorting or recycling takes place at Armenia's 60 landfills.
Armenia has a population of 3,238,000 (2008 est.) and is the second most densely populated of the former Soviet republics. There has been a problem of population decline due to elevated levels of emigration after the break-up of the USSR. In the past years emigration levels have declined and there is steady population growth.
Armenia has a relatively large external diaspora (8 million by some estimates, greatly exceeding the 3 million population of Armenia itself), with communities existing across the globe. The largest Armenian communities outside of Armenia can be found in Russia, France, Iran, the United States, Georgia, Syria, Lebanon, Argentina, Australia, Canada, Greece, Cyprus, Israel, Poland, Ukraine and Brazil. 40,000 to 70,000 Armenians still live in Turkey (mostly in and around Istanbul).
About 1,000 Armenians reside in the Armenian Quarter in the Old City of Jerusalem, a remnant of a once-larger community. Italy is home to the San Lazzaro degli Armeni, an island located in the Venetian Lagoon, which is completely occupied by a monastery run by the Mechitarists, an Armenian Catholic congregation. Approximately 139,000 Armenians live in the de facto country of Nagorno-Karabakh where they form a majority.
Ethnic Armenians make up 97.9% of the population. Yazidis make up 1.3%, and Russians 0.5%. Other minorities include Assyrians, Ukrainians, Pontic Greeks (here usually called Caucasus Greeks), Kurds, Georgians, and Belarusians. There are also smaller communities of Vlachs, Mordvins, Ossetians, Udis, and Tats. Minorities of Poles and Caucasus Germans also exist though they are heavily Russified. As of 2016, there are an estimated 35,000 Yazidis in Armenia.
Catholics also exist in Armenia, both Latin rite and Armenian rite Catholics. The Mechitarists(also spelled "Mekhitarists" Armenian: Մխիթարեան), are a congregation of Benedictine monks of the Armenian Catholic Church founded in 1712 by Mekhitar of Sebaste. They are best known for their series of scholarly publications of ancient Armenian versions of otherwise lost ancient Greek texts.
The Yazidi Kurds, who live in the western part of the country, practice Yazidism. As of 2016, the world's largest Yazidi temple is under construction in the small village of Aknalish. There are also non-Yazidi Kurds who practice Sunni Islam.
The economy relies heavily on investment and support from Armenians abroad. Before independence, Armenia's economy was largely industry-based – chemicals, electronics, machinery, processed food, synthetic rubber, and textile – and highly dependent on outside resources. The republic had developed a modern industrial sector, supplying machine tools, textiles, and other manufactured goods to sister republics in exchange for raw materials and energy. Recently, the Intel Corporation agreed to open a research center in Armenia, in addition to other technology companies, signalling the growth of the technology industry in Armenia.
Agriculture accounted for less than 20% of both net material product and total employmentbefore the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. After independence, the importance of agriculture in the economy increased markedly, its share at the end of the 1990s rising to more than 30% of GDP and more than 40% of total employment. This increase in the importance of agriculture was attributable to food security needs of the population in the face of uncertainty during the first phases of transition and the collapse of the non-agricultural sectors of the economy in the early 1990s. As the economic situation stabilized and growth resumed, the share of agriculture in GDP dropped to slightly over 20% (2006 data), although the share of agriculture in employment remained more than 40%.
A liberal foreign investment law was approved in June 1994, and a law on privatisation was adopted in 1997, as well as a program of state property privatisation. Continued progress will depend on the ability of the government to strengthen its macroeconomic management, including increasing revenue collection, improving the investment climate, and making strides against corruption. However, unemployment, which was 18.5% in 2015, still remains a major problem due to the influx of thousands of refugees from the Karabakh conflict.
Armenia ranked 85th on the 2015 UNDP Human Development Index, the lowest among the Transcaucasian republics. In the 2015 Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), Armenia ranked 95 of 168 countries. In the 2016 Index of Economic Freedom, Armenia ranked 54th, ahead of countries like France, Portugal and Italy.
|
0.933582 |
This is a deeply personal and honest account of Cheryl Strayed’s 1,100 hike alone up the Pacific Crest Trail from the Mojave Desert to northernmost Oregon. A novice hiker when she set out, the journey took her 3 months during which she experienced searing heat, snows, bears, rattlesnakes and such sore feet as well as stunningly beautiful scenery and being truly alone.
We had all enjoyed ‘Wild’. The initial collective feeling was ‘How could she have walked out on such a good man?’ ‘Why did she throw so much away?’, but we recognised that Strayed had already experienced an unconventional difficult upbringing. Her mother Bobbi’s deep love for Cheryl and her two siblings held them together as a family, but she still craved acceptance and recognition. Bobbi’s death leaves her reeling, “unmoored by sorrow” at the age of just 22.
We all agreed that Strayed showed remarkable determination and endurance – faced with blisters and losing toenails, walking with a pack (the Monster) that weighed more than she did- none of us would have lasted a day, let alone 3 months. Over that time she heals physically and mentally, but there isn’t one big cathartic moment – it is a gradual process. She had expected to find time to reflect, but in reality the process of walking and surviving took over. As one of the group said – long distance walking actually doesn’t allow room for thought – you become focused on the next step, what hurts, and sometimes irritating earworms! You live in the moment and ‘empty the spirit’. It also is an experience in which you are totally reliant on yourself and your own resources.
Another thought was that the account illustrates Maslow’s hierarchy of need. In the early stages all Strayed can concentrate on is meeting her basic biological needs of food, water and comfort, and although these remain important as she gets stronger along the trail she has the energy to meet needs further up the pyramid such as friendship: the camaraderie of the other hikers on the PCT comes over as does the kindness of so many of the strangers she meets – negative encounters with others are few and far between. You feel at the end that she is growing in self-esteem.
Jonathan Raban (1999) Passage to Juneau: a sea and it’s meanings.
Raban is a master of travel writing, but this is one of my personal favourites – an account of his trip by yacht from Seattle to Juneau, Alaska which gives a detailed account of the sea in all its moods presented alongside with the voyage of Captain George Vancouver in 1792-94 and his encounters with the seagoing natives living along the coast.
A book that transformed a generation: an unforgettable narration of a summer motorcycle trip across America’s Northwest, undertaken by a father and his young son. A story of love and fear — of growth, discovery, and acceptance — that becomes a profound personal and philosophical odyssey into life’s fundamental questions.
|
0.954389 |
London (CNN) — Tensions between police and marauding gangs continued into Tuesday in areas of Great Britain, after violence initially sparked by the shooting death of a 29-year-old man in London spread to other parts of the nation.
The number of people arrested in London since the violence began has risen to 334, police said Tuesday. Dozens of police officers have been injured, police said.
British Prime Minister David Cameron cut short his vacation in Italy and is scheduled to hold an emergency meeting Tuesday to discuss the unrest. Home Secretary Theresa May also canceled her summer holiday to return to London.
During the overnight hours, standoffs continued at several locations in London as police in riot gear warily watched roaming gangs often just yards away.
In Ealing, West London, a bus was vandalized and set on fire, while the driver was still on board. He escaped without injury.
There was evidence of vandalism in central London, with visible damage to a number of shops.
Sony Corp. said its only warehouse London caught fire between late Monday and early Tuesday, with significant product damage but no casualties.
The company is working to determine the cause of the fire, but the warehouse is located in north London’s Enfield neighborhood, which has seen scattered protests.
The rioting has forced the postponement of at least one sporting event as West Ham United called off Tuesday night’s match with Aldershot Town.
“Whilst neither the club or police anticipate any issues around the game itself, the club has to comply with the police request,” a statement on the football club’s website said.
The developments come as reports of violence and vandalism flowed in from other parts of the country.
In Leeds, about 170 miles north of London, police reported no rioting early Tuesday, but said there were “pockets of isolated disorder.” A car was set on fire and a man was taken to hospital with serious injuries after an alleged shooting.
“Officers are urging people to avoid the city centre at this time. People already in the city centre should leave the area and go home,” Bristol police said in a statement early Tuesday.
Disturbances also were reported in the Liverpool area, about 180 miles northwest of London, with police there saying officers had responded to “reports of vehicles on fire and criminal damage” in south Liverpool.
A representative of London Mayor Boris Johnson said Monday evening that the mayor was cutting short his family holiday in North America to return to London.
“People have lost their homes, businesses and livelihoods through mindless violence,” he said.
Police said the rioting and looting in other parts of the capital were “copycat” events conducted by opportunists and criminals.
The violence started in Tottenham — the ethnically diverse, working-class suburb north of London’s center whose residents are predominantly Afro-Caribbean — after the shooting death Thursday of Mark Duggan, a black man, as he was seated inside a cab.
Officers from Operation Trident — a Metropolitan Police unit that deals with gun crime — stopped the cab during an attempted arrest. Soon afterward, shots were fired, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said.
Duggan, a father of four, was killed. Shooting deaths are rare in England.
The commission divulged neither who shot Duggan nor why police had stopped the cab, with the incident still under investigation.
Some reports suggested that Duggan was held down by police and shot in the head, but the IPCC has denied this.
“Speculation that Mark Duggan was ‘assassinated’ in an execution style involving a number of shots to the head are categorically untrue,” the IPCC said in a statement.
The IPCC said evidence from Thursday’s shooting scene, including a non-police firearm, was to undergo forensic testing.
The man’s family and friends, who blamed police for the death, gathered Saturday night outside the Tottenham police station to protest.
The protest began peacefully but soon devolved into riots as demonstrators — whose numbers included whites and blacks — tossed petrol bombs, looted stores and burned police cars.
Tottenham was the site of riots before. In 1985 Floyd Jarrett, who was of Afro-Caribbean origin, was stopped by police near the Broadwater Farm estate in Tottenham on suspicion of driving with a forged tax disc, a document all British vehicles must carry.
A few hours later, officers raided the nearby home of his mother, who collapsed and died during the raid. Rioting erupted shortly afterwards. Like the current violence, a protest outside Tottenham Police Station sparked the 1985 conflict.
These riots are to be expected as a result of the draconian measures of the extreme right wing Conservative Party who is in power allied with the puny Liberal Party.
There is large scale unemployment with draconian cut-backs on public spending. People are driven to poverty. Pensioners are no longer able to live-off their pensions as that too has been reduced and the cost of living is high. To survive, they are selling their homes and possessions and down-sizing to live in rented accommodation in rural areas where the rent is low.
Education, NHS and social services have all been hit by the extrmeme policies of the Conservatives. In such a backdrop it is not surprising that people take to the streets in riots and looting, to express their anger and resentment at the draconian measures of the Conservative-Liberal government. This is just the beginning.
Comparatively, SL is better-off under our Hon President’s Mahinda Chintanaya Idiri Dekma. We are progressing slowly but surely. I welcome the policy of, ‘Api wawamu Rata Nagamu’. With the government fertiliser subsidies, every home should take to growing small vegetable plots in their home gardens, in this our fertile land, to meet home food needs. This vision of the Hon President is brilliant, to stave-off an expected world famine in the future due to climate changes.
Korea offered 600 menial jobs to Sri Lanka and provided 3000 application forms. The bureaucrats/politicians in Colombo printed another 15,000 bogus application forms which were sold at Rs 3,500 each. There was a crowd of over 15,000 including Hons. Graduates from the University who congregated for the application forms.
Nicholas, SL is sitting on a time bomb; on a social explosion about to happen.
The recent events in Katunayake where a demonstrator lost his life and the Police Chief promoted to Ambassador is a pointer.
The political leadership goes around creating not opportunities but white elephants for self glorification. They are also getting rid of valuable public assets without any accountability. The opposition is weak; they have their own divisive issues to deal with. The intellegentsia (including citizens such as you) is dumb; maybe they too along with 99% of the country’s population are focussed on where the next meal is coming from.
Dear Nicholas, before we gloat about the idiri dekama rubbish, please take note of what’s happening around you.
Never mind guys.. There’ll be a day all’ll be alright…!
It is unfortunate that all governments of whatever hue tend to have a few rotten apples among them, while the majority work hard to implement their ploicies. As a result the rotters give the government a bad reputation. Hon President is aware of this and is doing his best to work with them for the betterment of the country despite the obstacles.
|
0.999998 |
Could you write a better Job Description?
Do you have a background within design research, ethnography, service design or similar?
• Be part of a company where children, parents and fans are at the heart of how we innovate and develop our business.
The Consumer Insight & Experience Innovation department develops insight into LEGO consumers’ behavior and mindset, builds consumer value propositions for new business development through consumer co-creation, and handles experience innovation and design. The team is situated across UK, US and Denmark, and you have the option of being in Billund, Denmark or Slough, UK and your assignments will also involve travel to other LEGO locations and markets.
Your main responsibility is to develop in-depth understanding of consumers’ needs, experiences and expectations. This is used to define new consumer value propositions and business opportunities for products, services and experiences. You orchestrate consumer co-creation sessions, ethnographic studies and consumer research. You partner and co-operate with marketers, developers and business owners, and you inspire and challenge them in order to constantly guarantee consumer focus in the innovation processes.
|
0.938741 |
What is an Interface in C#.NET?
Interfaces are just like as abstract classes, but without implementation in it, means only signature of the members will allow in Interface. An abstract can allows both concrete and abstract members in it but Interface only allow abstract members in it.
An interface can contain only signature of classed, method, Indexers, delegates or events. The reason Interface only provide signature is they are inherited by classed, method, Indexers, delegates or events, which must provide the implementation for the members declared in the Index.
The key word Interface is used to create an interface. Below is the code for defining the sample interface.
The following code demonstrates the Interface implementation. Below IMyValue interface define the signature for the properties for the val1 and val2, these properties need to set the get and set the properties. MyDerived class implemented these properties.
Interfaces are much like abstract classes and they share the fact that no instances of them can be created. However, interfaces are even more conceptual than abstract classes, since no method bodies are allowed at all. So an interface is kind of like an abstract class with nothing but abstract methods, and since there are no methods with actual code, there is no need for any fields. Properties are allowed though, as well as indexers and events. You can consider an interface as a contract - a class that implements it is required to implement all of the methods and properties. However, the most important difference is that while C# doesn't allow multiple inheritance, where classes inherit more than a single base class, it does in fact allow for implementation of multiple interfaces.
In an interface class, all methods are abstract - there is no implementation so when we create an interface, we are creating a set of methods, properties without any implementation and it must be overridden by the implemented classes. The benefit is that it allows a class to be a part of two classes: one from inheritance hierarchy and one from the interface.
|
0.999357 |
If you are suffering from depression or anxiety, you can see your doctor to get needed medications that help to fix the hormone imbalance. However, a focus on full-body healing can also help improve your quality of life. Here are a few things you can do to approach depression from a holistic medicine perspective, and why those things can make a difference for managing or overcoming depression.
Exercise is good for helping to manage depression because it trains your body to have a higher threshold for stress. Exercise puts your body into a temporary stressful state, so consistent exercise helps your body adapt to this level of stress, which makes it harder for you to experience stress at rest. For depression and anxiety, this increased stress threshold can make a big difference.
Also, exercise increases your confidence and you can experience a dose of hormones that help you to feel happier after working out. When you have depression you might not feel motivated to work out. Simply taking a walk is a good place to start, but try and find something you enjoy; don't force yourself to stick with a workout that you hate.
Sometimes people with depression and anxiety can have a harder time getting the rest they need. You might have trouble falling asleep or you might wake up early in the morning and not be able to get back to sleep. You might try helping your sleep with melatonin supplements, or by using essential oils that encourage relaxation. Try using a white noise machine, calming music, or even an audiobook to help promote better rest.
Meditation is a simple, daily activity that can have a huge impact on your overall mental health. As you meditate, you practice deep breathing and metacognition, which can help you train your mind to be more objective. Meditation strengthens your ability to have mental clarity, so even if you are plagued with depressive thought, meditation can bring you a sense of wellness and ease. For anxiety, the deep breathing helps you to practice calming yourself so that when you do have an anxious episode, you are better equipped to handle it both mentally and physically.
Finally, give yourself some time in nature. You might take a walk through a local park, do an easy hike on the weekends, or just sit in your backyard. Closeness to green space causes your body to release endorphins which can boost feelings of happiness.
|
0.998986 |
Hello, I'm currently serving a conditional sentence and my conditional sentence order says ' abstain from the consumption of alcohol, other intoxicating substances or non-prescribed drugs. I am a medical marijuana patient with a doctor issued prescription and am registered with a licensed producer, would that interfere against my conditional sentence?
If you have prescription for your medical marijuana, it should not interfere with your conditional sentence but you should still inquire about the specific conditions placed by the court to be sure.
|
0.941137 |
Brian Keller Vaughan (born July 17, 1976) is an American comic book and television writer, best known for the comic book series , Ex Machina, Runaways, Pride of Baghdad, Saga, and, most recently, Paper Girls.
Vaughan was a writer, story editor and producer of the television series Lost during seasons three through five. He was nominated for a Writers Guild of America Award for Best Dramatic Series at the February 2009 ceremony for his work on the fourth season. The writing staff was nominated for the award again at the February 2010 ceremony for their work on the fifth season. He was formerly the showrunner and executive producer of the TV series Under the Dome.
Wired describes Vaughan's comics work as "quirky, acclaimed stories that don't pander and still pound pulses". His creator-owned comics work is also characterized by "finite, meticulous, years-long story arcs", on which Vaughan comments, "That's storytelling, with a beginning, a middle, and an end. Something like Spider-Man, a book that never has a third act, that seems crazy." Erik Malinowski, also of Wired, has called Vaughan "the greatest comic book visionary of the last five years", comparing him to Frank Miller, Alan Moore, Paul Pope, and Steve Niles, and praised his addition to the TV series Lost as redeeming that series' third season.
For his writing, Vaughan has won 14 Eisner Awards, 14 Harvey Awards, as well as a Hugo Award.
Brian K. Vaughan was born July 17, 1976 in Cleveland, Ohio, to Geoffrey and Catherine Vaughan. He grew up in Rocky River and Westlake. Vaughan and his older brother are both fans of writer Peter David, and according to Vaughan, their adolescent comics reading was largely defined by a shared love of David's 12-year run on The Incredible Hulk. Vaughan also cites Joss Whedon as the reason he wanted to become a writer, a decision he made while attending St. Ignatius High School, from which he graduated in 1994. He then attended New York University to study film. While a student there, Vaughan took part in Marvel Comics's Stan-hattan Project, a class for fledgling comic book writers.
Vaughan's first credit was for Marvel Comics' Tales From the Age of Apocalypse #2 (December 1996). He would eventually write for some of the highest-profile characters at Marvel, including X-Men, Spider-Man, and Captain America. He would also write Batman and Green Lantern for DC Comics, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight for Dark Horse Comics.
From 2002 to 2008, Vaughan, who came to prefer writing his own characters, wrote the creator-owned monthly series , a post-apocalyptic science fiction series about the only man to survive the apparent simultaneous death of every male mammal on Earth. The series was published in sixty issues by Vertigo and collected in a series of ten paperback volumes (and later a series of five hardcover "Deluxe" volumes). The series received Eisner Awards in 2005 and 2008, and numerous other nominations. The film rights to the series were acquired by New Line Cinema. Vaughan wrote his own screenplay for the project, though it was reported in March 2012 that Matthew Federman and Stephen Scaia were in final negotiations to write their own version.
In 2006, Vaughan published the graphic novel Pride of Baghdad, which centers on a group of lions who escape from an Iraqi zoo after the start of the Iraq War. The book was praised by IGN, who named it the Best Original Graphic Novel of 2006, calling it a "modern classic", lauding it for combining a tale of survival and family with a powerful analogy of war, and praising Vaughan for representing various viewpoints through the different lion characters.
From 2004 to 2010 Vaughan wrote another creator-owned series, Ex Machina, a political thriller that depicts the life of Mitchell Hundred, a former superhero known as the Great Machine who, in the wake of his heroism during the September 11, 2001 attacks, is elected Mayor of New York City. The story is set during Hundred's term in office, and interwoven with flashbacks to his past as the Great Machine. Through this, the series explores both the political situations Hundred finds himself in, and the mysteries surrounding his superpowers. New Line Cinema purchased the film rights to the series in July 2005, and commissioned Vaughan to write one of the two commissioned scripts, which he was reported to be working on in 2007. Following the conclusion of Ex Machina in 2010, Vaughan reiterated his previous statement that he would concentrate on creator-owned work, saying, "I realized when I turned in this final Ex Machina script that it would be the first time I wasn't under some kind of deadline at Marvel or DC since 1996. That's a huge chunk of my life to spend with those characters. I love them, and I still read Marvel and DC's superhero books. I just think I'm better when I'm working on my own creations. When there are so many talented creators out there who are better at that stuff than me, I should leave those characters to them. I should do what I'm fortunate enough to be in the position to do, which is to create more new stuff."
Vaughan was a writer, executive story editor and producer for seasons 3 to 5 on the ABC TV series Lost, a job he earned on the basis of his work on Y: The Last Man, of which Lost co-creator and executive producer Damon Lindelof was an ardent fan. Lindelof showed that book to series showrunner and executive producer Carlton Cuse. Lindelof relates, "And I told him, 'We need a guy like this on the show, but I don't think he'd ever do it. I don't think he even works in L.A.' And the next thing we knew, he was on the show." He began his stint on the series as executive story editor with the episode "The Man from Tallahassee", which premiered in March 2007. Vaughan continued as story editor on several episodes until he began writing episodes, beginning with the episode "Catch-22", which Vaughan co-wrote with Jeff Pinker, and premiered in April that year. That episode was praised by Wired writer Erik Malinowski, who stated that the themes that Vaughan's carried over to Lost from his comics work, including intricately weaved storylines typified by pathos and hope, as well as pop culture references, redeemed that series' third season.
Vaughan would write a total of 7 episodes, the last of which was the April 2009 episode "Dead Is Dead". He was first credited as a producer with the fourth-season premiere "The Beginning of the End", eventually acting as producer on a total of 29 episodes. He was also a co-producer on , a spinoff Internet short film series produced during the hiatus between the show's third and fourth seasons.
In November 2011 Steven Spielberg selected Vaughan to adapt the Stephen King novel Under the Dome into a television series for Showtime, which is Vaughan's first television work since Lost. Vaughan was the showrunner and executive producer of the series. He exited the show before the second season premiered in 2014.
On March 14, 2012, Image Comics published the first issue of Vaughan and Fiona Staples' epic space opera/fantasy series, Saga, which he conceived to be a concept strictly relegated to comics, and not adapted to other media. Although Vaughan was a child when he first conceived of the ideas for the book - which owes its inspiration to Star Wars - it was not until his wife became pregnant with his second child that he began to write the series, which harbors parenthood as an underlying theme. The series depicts two aliens from warring races trying to survive with their newborn daughter. The book is Vaughan's first publication for Image Comics, and represents the first time he has employed first-person narration in his comics writing. The first issue sold out of its first printing ahead of its March 14 release date, with a second printing ordered for April 11, the same release date for issue #2. The series has received positive reviews from MTV, Ain't it Cool News, Comic Book Resources, IGN, Publishers Weekly and Time magazine. It has also appeared on the New York Times Graphic Books Best Seller List, won three 2013 Eisner Awards, won a Hugo Award and was nominated for seven Harvey Awards.
In March 2013, Vaughan published the first issue of The Private Eye with artist Marcos Martín on Panel Syndicate, a pay-what-you-want host for their creative efforts. Panel Syndicate offers DRM-Free comics available for purchase/download for whatever price readers wish to pay. Through Panel Syndicate, Vaughan and Martin published 10 issues of The Private Eye and released the first issue of Barrier in late 2015.
At the Image Expo in January 2015, it was announced that Vaughan would release two new books through Image Comics in 2015: Paper Girls with Cliff Chiang and Matthew Wilson, and We Stand On Guard with Steve Skroce.
Vaughan and his wife, a native of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada and playwright, live in Los Angeles and have two children. They also have a pet Dachshund named Hamburger that has been repeatedly referenced as Vaughan's aide in selecting letters for the Saga letter column, including appearing in an illustration of Vaughan and Staples that was included in a 2013 Time magazine story on Saga.
"Breaking Into Comics The Marvel Way"
"What if the Runaways became the Young Avengers"
Young Justice #22 "Other Interests"
F. Elisabeth (September 28, 2009). "Brian K. Vaughan Shares His Thoughts on the End of Ex Machina". Things From Another World.
Web site: 2009 Writers Guild Awards Television, Radio, News, Promotional Writing, and Graphic Animation Nominees Announced. December 12, 2008. Writers Guild of America, West. 2008. yes. https://web.archive.org/web/20081212052838/http://www.wga.org/content/default.aspx?id=3410. December 12, 2008. mdy-all.
Web site: 2010 Writers Guild Awards Television, Radio, News, Promotional Writing, and Graphic Animation Nominees Announced. April 15, 2010. Writers Guild of America, West. 2009. yes. https://web.archive.org/web/20100129155258/http://www.wga.org/content/default.aspx?id=3888. January 29, 2010. mdy-all.
Malinowski, Erik (April 19, 2007). "10 Reasons Why Brian K. Vaughan’s 'Lost' Was the Best Ever". Wired.
"Brian K. Vaughan." Contemporary Authors Online. Detroit: Gale, 2013. Biography In Context. Web. August 11, 2013.
"Brian K. Vaughan." The Writers Directory. Detroit: St. James Press, 2013. Biography In Context. Web. August 11, 2013.
Dawidziak, Mark (January 19, 2009). "'Lost' writer Brian K. Vaughan is a Cleveland native". Cleveland.com.
Saga. 10. Chapter Ten. Image Comics. Vaughan, Brian K.. Staples, Fiona. February 2013. 23.
Heyman, Marshall (February 17, 2008). "The Last Man Exits". The New York Times.
http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/eisner05.php "2005 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards"
http://www.comic-con.org/cci/cci_eisners_08win.shtml "Eisner Awards Celebrate the 'Magic of Comics'"
News: Caruso, Ellsworth take on 'Man'; Bender, Spink, Novick, Goyer to produce. McNary. Dave. 2007-07-24. July 23, 2007. Variety.
News: Borys. Kit. The Hollywood Reporter. New Line Sets Writers for Y: The Last Man. March 14, 2012.
Goldstein, Hilary (September 14, 2006). "Pride of Baghdad Review ". IGN.
http://bestof.ign.com/2006/comics/7.html "Best of 2006: Best Original Graphic Novel"
http://movies.ign.com/articles/633/633714p1.html "New Line Adapting Ex Machina"
Schedeen, Jesse (August 12, 2010). "What's Next for Brian K. Vaughan?". IGN.
O'Neal, Sean (November 8, 2011). "Brian K. Vaughan to adapt Stephen King's Under The Dome for Showtime ". The A.V. Club.
Goldberg, Lesley (June 10, 2014). "Under the Dome EP Brian K. Vaughan Exits". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 23, 2014.
Uzumeri, David (March 14, 2012). "'Saga': Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples Bring a Stellar Sci-Fi Comic Into the World" . Comics Alliance.
Kit, Borys (March 14, 2012). "'Lost' Writer Brian K. Vaughan Debuts New Comic With Damon Lindelof and Friends". The Hollywood Reporter.
http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=33472 "CCI EXCLUSIVE: BKV Builds 'Saga' at Image"
http://www.comicsbulletin.com/main/news/press-release-image-comics-saga-1-brian-k-vaughan-and-fiona-staples-sells-out-gets-reprint "THE START OF AN EPIC SAGA SELLS OUT: SAGA #1 gets a second printing"
Hayes, P.S. (March 13, 2012). "Comic Review: Saga #1". Geeks of Doom.
Zalben, Alex (March 5, 2012). "The 'Saga' Of Brian K. Vaughan: How He Went From Runaway Kids To Epic Fantasy" . MTV Geek.
http://www.aintitcool.com/node/54275#7 "AICN COMICS REVIEWS: Brian K. Vaughan’s SAGA! FAIREST! UNCANNY X-MEN! AKA! & MORE!!!"
McElhatton, Greg (March 13, 2012). "Review: Saga #1". Comic Book Resources.
Esposito, Joey (August 15, 2012). "Saga #6 Review". IGN.
Kepler, Adam W. (October 26, 2012). "Graphic Books Best Sellers: Fiona Staples Talks About 'Saga'". The New York Times.
News: Hennon, Blake. Comic-Con: 'Building Stories,' 'Saga' top Eisners (winners list). July 20, 2013. Los Angeles Times. July 20, 2013.
Web site: 2013 Hugo Awards. The Hugo Awards. July 18, 2015.
Web site: 'Hawkeye' and 'Saga' lead Harvey Award nominations. Kevin. Melrose. July 15, 2013. Comic Book Resources. July 16, 2013.
Web site: Yehl, Joshua. Schedeen, Jesse. Image Announces 19 New Comics. IGN. January 8, 2015.
Saga. 26. Chapter Twenty-Six. Image Comics. Vaughan, Brian K.. Staples, Fiona. March 2015.
Web site: 2005 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards. www.hahnlibrary.net. 2018-02-18.
Web site: 2006 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards. www.hahnlibrary.net. 2018-02-19.
Web site: The 2006 Eisner Awards: 2006 Master Nominations List. 2006-06-14. 2018-02-19.
Web site: The Harvey Awards. 2006-11-05. 2018-02-19.
News: 2006 Nominees and Winners. 2008-12-30. THE JOE SHUSTER AWARDS. 2018-02-19. en-US.
Web site: 2007 Harvey Award Nominees and Winners. www.hahnlibrary.net. 2018-02-19.
News: 2007 Nominees and Winners. 2008-12-30. THE JOE SHUSTER AWARDS. 2018-02-19. en-US.
News: The 2007 Rave Awards. Staff. Wired. WIRED. 2018-02-19. en-US.
Web site: The 2008 Eisner Awards: 2008 Eisner Award Winners. 2008-08-24. 2018-02-19.
News: 2008 Harvey Award Winners. 2008-09-28. CBR. 2018-02-19. en-US.
News: 2009 Hugo Award Nominations. 2009-03-20. The Hugo Awards. 2018-02-19. en-US.
News: Winners of the 2009 Harvey Awards. 2009-10-11. CBR. 2018-02-19. en-US.
News: 2013 Hugo Awards. 2012-12-22. The Hugo Awards. 2018-02-19. en-US.
News: Comic-Con: ‘Building Stories,’ ‘Saga’ top Eisners (winners list). 2013-07-20. Hero Complex - movies, comics, pop culture - Los Angeles Times. 2018-02-19. en-US.
News: Saga Wins Big At 2013 Harvey Awards, Plus Complete List Of Winners - Bleeding Cool News And Rumors. 2013-09-07. Bleeding Cool News And Rumors. 2018-02-19. en-US.
News: Winners of the British Fantasy Awards 2013. 2013-11-03. The British Fantasy Society. 2018-02-19. en-US.
News: 2014 Hugo Awards. 2014-04-18. The Hugo Awards. 2018-02-19. en-US.
News: 2014 Will Eisner Comic Industry Award Winners!. 2014-07-26. Comic-Con International: San Diego. 2018-02-19. en.
News: Brian K. Vaughan & Fiona Staples' 'Saga' leads Harvey Awards. 2014-09-07. CBR. 2018-02-19. en-US.
News: 2015 Hugo Awards. 2015-03-31. The Hugo Awards. 2018-02-19. en-US.
News: 2015 Eisner Awards Winners (Full List). Newsarama. 2018-02-19. en.
News: BCC: "Saga," "Daredevil," "Southern Bastards" Take Home Harvey Awards. 2015-09-27. CBR. 2018-02-19. en-US.
News: 2016 EISNER AWARD Winners (Full List). Newsarama. 2018-02-19. en.
News: Saga & March Win Big At 2016 Harvey Awards. 2016-09-04. CBR. 2018-02-19. en-US.
News: 2017 Hugo Awards. 2016-12-31. The Hugo Awards. 2018-02-19. en-US.
News: Here Are Your 2017 Eisner Awards Winners. Comics. 2018-02-19. en.
News: The Hugo Award Nominations for 2018 - Bleeding Cool News And Rumors. 2018-03-31. Bleeding Cool News And Rumors. 2018-04-01. en-US.
News: 2018 Eisner Awards Nominations. 2018-04-23. Comic-Con International: San Diego. 2018-04-29. en.
Web site: Image Comics to publish Brian K. Vaughan and Marcos Martin’s miniseries BARRIER Press Releases Image Comics. imagecomics.com. en. 2018-03-01.
Web site: The Private Eye. Panel Syndicate. March 12, 2014. 2014-03-20.
Web site: Barrier. Panel Syndicate. December 1, 2015. 2015-12-02.
Melrose, Kevin (December 20, 2006). "Brian K. Vaughan Joins Writing Staff of Lost" . Newsarama.
Warmoth, Brian (July 6, 2009). "Brian K. Vaughan Leaves Lost Writing Staff". MTV.
Web site: Brian K. Vaughan. IMDb. 2018-02-04.
News: Report: Saga's Brian K. Vaughan Is Writing a Silver Surfer Movie for Fox. Whitbrook. James. io9. 2018-02-28. en-US.
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Brian K. Vaughan".
|
0.998949 |
May 5 - July 27 United States finished in first position in the final medal rankings, with 25 gold medals and 63 medals overall.
Sweden finished in second position in the final medal rankings, with 24 gold medals and 65 medals overall. 28 2407 102 in 14 sports The 1912 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the V Olympiad, were held in 1912 in Stockholm, Sweden Most notable case of an athlete losing Olympic eligibility for violation the amateur code is that of the 1912 gold medalist Jim Thorpe of the United States. Thorpe was stripped of his Olympic medals because he has earned a small amount of money playing semi-professional baseball two years before the 1912 Stockholm Games. Jim Thorpe was an American Indian, who won both the decathlon and pentathlon in Stockholm; Thorpe was eventually honored as the greatest athlete of the first half of the 20th century.
For the first time, competitors in the Games came from all five continents symbolized in the Olympic rings. It was also the last time that solid gold medals were awarded; modern medals are usually gold coated silver. The main arena was Stockholms Olympiastadion.
1913 Baron Pierre de Coubertin designed the Olympic emblem in 1913. In his words, "These 5 rings represent the union of the five continents and the meeting of athletes from throughout the world at the Olympic Games. The colors were chosen because at least one of these colors is found in the flag of every nation.
1916 The anticipated 1916 Summer Olympics, which were to be officially known as the Games of the VI Olympiad, were to have been held in Berlin, Germany. At the outbreak of World War I in 1914, organization continued, as no one foresaw the war dragging on for four years.
April 20 - September 12 The USA won 41 Gold, 27 Silver, and 27 Bronze medals, the most won by any of the 29 nations attending. Sweden, Great Britain, Finland and Belgium round out the top 5 medal winning nations. 29 2626 154 in 22 sports The 1920 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the VII Olympiad, were held in 1920 in Antwerp, Belgium These Olympics were the first in which the Olympic Oath was uttered, the first in which doves were released to symbolize peace, and was the first time the Olympic Flag was flown.
At the age of 72, Sweden's running deer double-shot event champion Oscar Swahn won in the team event to become the oldest Olympic champion ever.
|
0.823148 |
The Sermon on the Mount is believed to be a sermon given by Jesus of Nazareth to his disciples, as recorded in chapters 5-7 of the Gospel of Matthew. The words epitomize Jesus moral teachings in the context of the Mosaic Law. While biblical literal interpreters believe these verses represent an accurate record of an actual speech given by the historical Jesus, critical scholars take it to be a compilation of sayings attributed to Jesus, some historical, some not.
Recent scholarship has led some to conclude that the sermon was meant as a summary of Jesus' teaching for Matthew's Jewish-Christian audience. It emphasizes the need for continued obedience to most of the precepts of the Mosaic Law, and to go beyond the required major commandments. Some Christians believe that the Sermon on the Mount shows Christ as initiating a "New Covenant." That covenant effectively nullified the old Law of Moses. To many readers, the sermon contains the central tenets of Christian discipleship and is considered as such by numerous religious and moral thinkers, such as Leo Tolstoy, Mahatma Gandhi, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and Martin Luther King, Jr.. Its teachings have also been one of the main sources of Christian pacifism.
The best-known portions of the open-air sermon comprise the Beatitudes, found at the beginning of Matthew's reportage. The sermon also contains the Lord's Prayer and the injunctions to "resist not evil" and "turn the other cheek." Also, there is Jesus' version of the Golden Rule. Other lines often quoted are the references to "salt of the Earth," "light of the world," and "judge not, lest ye be judged." It concludes with an admonition not only to hear Jesus' words, but to do them, a teaching which some commentators find to be at odds with the Pauline emphasis on faith in Jesus as opposed to works as the key to salvation.
The Gospel of Matthew groups Jesus' teachings into five discourses, of which the Sermon on the Mount is the first. Those accepting the ancient church tradition of Matthean authorship take the sermon as what it purports to be (Matthew 5:2), namely the actual words of Jesus given on the occasion described. Critical scholars tend to see portions of the Sermon on the Mount and the parallel Sermon on the Plain in the Gospel of Luke as having been drawn from a common "sayings source" document known as Q. Tending to confirm this idea is that fact that some of the sayings can also be found in the apocryphal Gospel of Thomas. However, others argue that the parallels in Luke tend to be very loose, and that the Gospel of Thomas could have borrowed the verses either from Matthew or Luke.
The Church of the Beatitudes, high on a northern hill overlooking the Sea of Galilee.
Matthew sets the Sermon on the Mount near the very beginning of Jesus' ministry. After being baptized by John the Baptist (chapter 3), Jesus is tempted by Satan in the wilderness (4:11). He then learns that John has been arrested and returns to Galilee. There, he begins to preach the same message that John did: "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is hand." In Galilee, Jesus gathers disciples and begins to attract a wider following as a healer and exorcist. News of his ministry spreads throughout the area, including not only the Galilee but also Syria, the Decapolis, the Transjordan, and Judea (4:2-25).
In Matthew, the Sermon on the Mount is the first unique teaching of Jesus, distinct from the message already proclaimed by his forerunner John. Seeing the crowds, he walks up a mountainside and sits down; it is not the crowds whom Jesus addresses, but his disciples: "His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them" (5:1-2). Indeed, some commentators indicate that Jesus seems have gone up the mountain not to gain a better platform from which to address a large audience, but to escape those who have been attracted by his healing ministry, so that he may address his disciples in private.
There are no actual mountains in this part of Galilee, but there are several prominent hills in the region to the west of the Sea of Galilee, and so a number of scholars do not feel "the mount" is the most accurate understanding of the sermon's setting. One possible location of the sermon is on a hill that rises near Capernaum. Known in ancient times as Mt. Eremos and Karn Hattin, this hill is now the site of a twentieth century Roman Catholic chapel called the Church of the Beatitudes.
Introductory narrative (Matthew 5:1-2)—A large crowd assembles due to Jesus healing the sick, so he climbs a mountain and speaks to his disciples.
The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12)—A series of eight (or nine) blessings describing the character of the people of the kingdom, such as meekness, purity of heart, humility, being a peacemaker, and experiencing persecution.
Metaphors of Salt and Light (Matthew 5:13-16)—This concludes the picture of God's people drawn in the Beatitudes, calling them the "salt of the earth" and the "light of the world." It includes a stern warning to those who disciples who faith to manifest these characteristics.
Expounding of the Law (Matthew 5:17-48)—Jesus declares his commitment to the Mosaic Law "until heaven and earth shall pass away." His disciples must keep the commandments more carefully than the Pharisees do and must go even beyond the requirements of certain key commandments: not just "do not kill," but do not be angry; not just "do not commit adultery," but do not even look at a woman with lust; not just "love your neighbor," but "love you enemy," and so on. In total, the disciples must "be perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect."
Discourse on ostentation (Matthew 6)—Jesus criticizes fasting, alms, and prayer when they are only done for show, and not from the heart. Within the context of his criticism of hypocritical prayer, Jesus provides his famous example of correct prayer, known as The Lord's Prayer. The discourse goes on to urge the disciples not to worry about material needs, but to seek God's kingdom first and store their "treasures in heaven."
Discourse on holiness (Matthew 7:1-29)—Jesus condemns those who judge others before first perfecting themselves, encouraging his disciples to "seek and knock," for the way, though narrow, shall be opened to them. He warns against false prophets, for the "tree" is known by its "fruit." He concludes by urging his disciples to be not only "hearers" but "doers" of his teachings, for mere "hearers" build on a shifting foundations while "doers" built on solid rock.
The Sermon on the Mount is one of the most debated works in all of literature, let alone the Bible itself. One of the key points in the debate has to do with its relationship to traditional Judaism. Many Christians believe that Jesus presented a "new law" in the Sermon on the Mount, to replace the "old law" of Moses. The reference to going up a mountain prior to preaching is considered by many to be deliberate reference to Moses on Mount Sinai, fitting with a consistent theme in the Gospel of Matthew to present Jesus as a new Moses.
Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven (5:17-20).
The Absolutist View take the sermon as saying precisely what it says about such things as moral perfection and facing persecution. If obeying the scripture costs the welfare of the believer, then that is a reasonable sacrifice for salvation.
Others have dealt with the issue by Modifying the Text of the sermon. In ancient times this took the form of scribes actually altering the text of the Sermon to make it more palatable. Thus some early copyists changed Matthew 5:22 from "whosoever is angry with his brother shall be in danger of the judgment" to the watered-down "whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment." "Love your enemies" was changed to "Pray for your enemies," and so on. More common in recent centuries is to paraphrase the sermon and in so doing make it far less radical.
The Hyperbole View argues that portions of what Jesus states in the Sermon are exaggerations. Matt 5:29-30—commanding that believers gouge out their eyes and cut off their hands if these cause sin—is the most prominent example, but there is disagreement over exactly which sections should not be taken literally.
The General Principles View argues that Jesus was not giving specific instructions, but general guidelines of how one should behave.
The Double Standard View divides the teachings of the sermon into general precepts and specific counsels. The great mass of the population need only concern themselves with the precepts; the counsels must be followed by only a pious few such as the clergy and monks.
The Two Realms View, proposed by Martin Luther, divided the world into the religious and secular realms and argued that the sermon only applied to the spiritual. In the temporal world, obligations to family, employers, and country force believers to compromise. Thus a judge, for example, may need to sentence a criminal to death, but inwardly, he should mourn for the fate of the criminal.
The Analogy of Scripture View holds that the more rigid precepts in the sermon were moderated by other parts of the New Testament. For instance, both the Old and New Testaments hold that all people sin, so the command to "be perfect" cannot be taken literally, and even Jesus himself did not always obey the command to refrain from being angry with one's brother.
The notion of Attitudes not Acts holds that, while no one can live up to the Sermon on the Mount completely, it is one's attitude that matters most rather than the external deeds themselves.
The Interim Ethic View sees Jesus as being convinced that the world was going to end in the very near future. Thus, survival in the world did not matter, as in the end times, material well-being would be irrelevant. Although it was known earlier, Albert Schweitzer particularly associated with popularizing this view.
Another German thinker, Martin Dibelius, presented the Unconditional Divine Will View, which holds that although the ethics behind the Sermon are absolute and unbending, the fallen state of the world makes it impossible to live up to them. Humans are bound to attempt to live up to them, but failure is inevitable. This will change when the Kingdom of Heaven is finally realized.
The Repentance View holds that Jesus knew that the precepts in his sermon were unattainable, and that it was meant to stimulate repentance and faith in the Gospel, which teaches that we are saved not by works of righteousness, but faith in Jesus' atoning death and resurrection.
Another Eschatological View is that of modern dispensationalism, first developed by the Plymouth Brethren, which divides human history into a series of ages or dispensations. Although we are currently living in an age where teachings of the sermon is impossible, in the future Millennium following them will be a prerequisite to salvation.
The Sermon on the Mount may be compared with the similar but more succinct Sermon on the Plain as recounted by the Gospel of Luke (6:17–49), which occurs at a similar moment in Luke's narrative, although Luke first provides additional details about Jesus' work in and around Nazareth. In Luke's version, Jesus ascends a mountain to pray with his disciples and then comes down and delivers his sermon to a large crowd in a level place. Some scholars believe that this is simply Luke's account of the same sermon, while others hold that Jesus simply gave similar sermons in different places, as do many preachers. Still others hold that the two "sermons" represent the two authors; different ways of presenting a number of sayings of Jesus recorded in the Q document as if they were part of a single sermon (Ehrman 2004, 101).
The Sermon on the Plain is generally shorter and pithier than the Sermon on the Mount. One exception to this is that in Luke's version, Jesus adds four "woes" to the blessings of the Beatitudes, cursing those who are rich, those who are fed, those who laugh, and those disciples who are praised by the general population.
Ehrman, Bart D. The New Testament: A Historical Introduction to the Early Christian Writings. Oxford, 2004. ISBN 0195154622.
Fox, Emmet. The Sermon on the Mount: The Key to Success in Life and the Lord's Prayer: An Interpretation. 1989. ISBN 0060628626.
Kissinger, Warren S. The Sermon on the Mount: A History of Interpretation and Bibliography. Metuchen: Scarecrow Press, 1975. ISBN 9780810808430.
Kodjak, Andrej. A Structural Analysis of the Sermon on the Mount. New York: M. de Gruyter, 1987. ISBN 9780899251592.
Lapide, Pinchas. The Sermon on the Mount, Utopia or Program for Action? Translated by Arlene Swidler. Maryknoll: Orbis Books, 1986. ISBN 9780883442487.
McArthur, Harvey King. Understanding the Sermon on the Mount. Westport: Greenwood Press, 1978. ISBN 9780313205699.
Prabhavananda, Swami. Sermon on the Mount According to Vedanta. 1991. ISBN 0874810507.
History of "Sermon on the Mount"
This page was last modified on 8 September 2015, at 19:31.
|
0.964671 |
The tidal force is an apparent force that stretches a body towards and away from the center of mass of another body due to a gradient (difference in strength) in gravitational field from the other body; it is responsible for diverse phenomena, including tides, tidal locking, breaking apart of celestial bodies and formation of ring systems within the Roche limit, and in extreme cases, spaghettification of objects. It arises because the gravitational field exerted on one body by another is not constant across its parts: the nearest side is attracted more strongly than the farthest side. It is this difference that causes a body to get stretched. Thus, the tidal force is also known as the differential force, as well as a secondary effect of the gravitational field.
In celestial mechanics, the expression tidal force can refer to a situation in which a body or material (for example, tidal water) is mainly under the gravitational influence of a second body (for example, the Earth), but is also perturbed by the gravitational effects of a third body (for example, the Moon). The perturbing force is sometimes in such cases called a tidal force (for example, the perturbing force on the Moon): it is the difference between the force exerted by the third body on the second and the force exerted by the third body on the first.
Figure 4: The Moon's gravity differential field at the surface of the Earth is known (along with another and weaker differential effect due to the Sun) as the Tide Generating Force. This is the primary mechanism driving tidal action, explaining two tidal equipotential bulges, and accounting for two high tides per day. In this figure, the Earth is the central blue circle while the Moon is far off to the right. The outward direction of the arrows on the right and left indicates that where the Moon is overhead (or at the nadir) its perturbing force opposes that between the earth and ocean.
When a body (body 1) is acted on by the gravity of another body (body 2), the field can vary significantly on body 1 between the side of the body facing body 2 and the side facing away from body 2. Figure 4 shows the differential force of gravity on a spherical body (body 1) exerted by another body (body 2). These so-called tidal forces cause strains on both bodies and may distort them or even, in extreme cases, break one or the other apart. The Roche limit is the distance from a planet at which tidal effects would cause an object to disintegrate because the differential force of gravity from the planet overcomes the attraction of the parts of the object for one another. These strains would not occur if the gravitational field were uniform, because a uniform field only causes the entire body to accelerate together in the same direction and at the same rate.
The relationship of an astronomical body's size, to its distance from another body, strongly influences the magnitude of tidal force. The tidal force acting on an astronomical body, such as the Earth, is directly proportional to the diameter of that astronomical body and inversely proportional to the cube of the distance from another body producing a gravitational attraction, such as the Moon or the Sun. Tidal action on bath tubs, swimming pools, lakes, and other small bodies of water is negligible.
Figure 3 is a graph showing how gravitational force declines with distance. In this graph, the attractive force decreases in proportion to the square of the distance, while the slope relative to value decreases in direct proportion to the distance. This is why the gradient or tidal force at any point is inversely proportional to the cube of the distance.
The tidal force corresponds to the difference in Y between two points on the graph, with one point on the near side of the body, and the other point on the far side. The tidal force becomes larger, when the two points are either farther apart, or when they are more to the left on the graph, meaning closer to the attracting body.
For example, the Moon produces a greater tidal force on the Earth than the Sun, even though the Sun exerts a greater gravitational attraction on the Earth than the Moon, because the gradient is less. The Moon produces a greater tidal force on the Earth, than the tidal force of the Earth on the Moon. The distance is the same, but the diameter of the Earth is greater than the diameter of the Moon, resulting in a greater tidal force.
What matters is not the total gravitational attraction on a body, but the difference from one side to the other. The greater the diameter of the body, the more difference there will be from one side to the other.
Gravitational attraction is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the source. The attraction will be stronger on the side of a body facing the source, and weaker on the side away from the source. The tidal force is proportional to the difference.
As expected, the table below shows that the distance from the Moon to the Earth, is the same as the distance from the Earth to the Moon. The Earth is 81 times more massive than the Moon but has roughly 4 times its radius. As a result, at the same distance, the tidal force per unit mass of the Earth on the Moon is about 20 times stronger than that of the Moon on the Earth.
Thus the Earth was able to lock the Moon's rotation to its orbit around the Earth but not vice versa.
Figure 5: Saturn's rings are inside the orbits of its principal moons. Tidal forces oppose gravitational coalescence of the material in the rings to form moons.
In the case of an infinitesimally small elastic sphere, the effect of a tidal force is to distort the shape of the body without any change in volume. The sphere becomes an ellipsoid with two bulges, pointing towards and away from the other body. Larger objects distort into an ovoid, and are slightly compressed, which is what happens to the Earth's oceans under the action of the Moon. The Earth and Moon rotate about their common center of mass or barycenter, and their gravitational attraction provides the centripetal force necessary to maintain this motion. To an observer on the Earth, very close to this barycenter, the situation is one of the Earth as body 1 acted upon by the gravity of the Moon as body 2. All parts of the Earth are subject to the Moon's gravitational forces, causing the water in the oceans to redistribute, forming bulges on the sides near the Moon and far from the Moon.
When a body rotates while subject to tidal forces, internal friction results in the gradual dissipation of its rotational kinetic energy as heat. In the case for the Earth, and Earth's Moon, the loss of rotational kinetic energy results in a gain of about 2 milliseconds per century. If the body is close enough to its primary, this can result in a rotation which is tidally locked to the orbital motion, as in the case of the Earth's moon. Tidal heating produces dramatic volcanic effects on Jupiter's moon Io. Stresses caused by tidal forces also cause a regular monthly pattern of moonquakes on Earth's Moon.
Tidal forces contribute to ocean currents, which moderate global temperatures by transporting heat energy toward the poles. It has been suggested that in addition to other factors, harmonic beat variations in tidal forcing may contribute to climate changes. However, no strong link has been found to date.
Tidal effects become particularly pronounced near small bodies of high mass, such as neutron stars or black holes, where they are responsible for the "spaghettification" of infalling matter. Tidal forces create the oceanic tide of Earth's oceans, where the attracting bodies are the Moon and, to a lesser extent, the Sun. Tidal forces are also responsible for tidal locking, tidal acceleration, and tidal heating. Tides may also induce seismicity.
By generating conducting fluids within the interior of the Earth, tidal forces also affect the Earth's magnetic field.
Figure 1: Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 in 1994 after breaking up under the influence of Jupiter's tidal forces during a previous pass in 1992.
Figure 2: This simulation shows a star getting torn apart by the gravitational tides of a supermassive black hole.
Figure 6: Tidal force is responsible for the merge of galactic pair MRK 1034.
Tidal acceleration does not require rotation or orbiting bodies; for example, the body may be freefalling in a straight line under the influence of a gravitational field while still being influenced by (changing) tidal acceleration.
is a unit vector pointing from the body M to the body m (here, acceleration from m towards M has negative sign).
is directed outwards from to the center of m (where ∆r is zero).
in linear approximation as in Figure 4.
The tidal accelerations at the surfaces of planets in the Solar System are generally very small. For example, the lunar tidal acceleration at the Earth's surface along the Moon-Earth axis is about 1.1 × 10−7 g, while the solar tidal acceleration at the Earth's surface along the Sun-Earth axis is about 0.52 × 10−7 g, where g is the gravitational acceleration at the Earth's surface. Hence the tide-raising force (acceleration) due to the Sun is about 45% of that due to the Moon. The solar tidal acceleration at the Earth's surface was first given by Newton in the Principia.
^ "On the tidal force", I. N. Avsiuk, in "Soviet Astronomy Letters", vol. 3 (1977), pp. 96–99.
^ See p. 509 in "Astronomy: a physical perspective", M. L. Kutner (2003).
^ R Penrose (1999). The Emperor's New Mind: Concerning Computers, Minds, and the Laws of Physics. Oxford University Press. p. 264. ISBN 978-0-19-286198-6.
^ a b Thérèse Encrenaz; J -P Bibring; M Blanc (2003). The Solar System. Springer. p. 16. ISBN 978-3-540-00241-3.
^ a b "The Tidal Force | Neil deGrasse Tyson". www.haydenplanetarium.org. Retrieved 2016-10-10.
^ a b Sawicki, Mikolaj (1999). "Myths about gravity and tides". The Physics Teacher. 37 (7): 438–441. CiteSeerX 10.1.1.695.8981. doi:10.1119/1.880345. ISSN 0031-921X.
^ R. S. MacKay; J. D. Meiss (1987). Hamiltonian Dynamical Systems: A Reprint Selection. CRC Press. p. 36. ISBN 978-0-85274-205-1.
^ Rollin A Harris (1920). The Encyclopedia Americana: A Library of Universal Knowledge. 26. Encyclopedia Americana Corp. pp. 611–617.
^ "Millennial Climate Variability: Is There a Tidal Connection?". doi:10.1175/1520-0442(2002)015<0370:MCVITA>2.0.CO;2.
^ "Hungry for Power in Space". New Scientist. 123: 52. 23 September 1989. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
^ "Inseparable galactic twins". ESA/Hubble Picture of the Week. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
^ Newton, Isaac (1729). The mathematical principles of natural philosophy. 2. p. 307. ISBN 978-0-11-772880-6. , Book 3, Proposition 36, Page 307 Newton put the force to depress the sea at places 90 degrees distant from the Sun at "1 to 38604600" (in terms of g), and wrote that the force to raise the sea along the Sun-Earth axis is "twice as great" (i.e., 2 to 38604600) which comes to about 0.52 × 10−7 g as expressed in the text.
Gray, Meghan; Merrifield, Michael. "Tidal Forces". Sixty Symbols. Brady Haran for the University of Nottingham.
Pau Amaro Seoane. "Stellar collisions: Tidal disruption of a star by a massive black hole". Retrieved 2018-12-28.
|
0.999999 |
What's the best way to help the homeless?
重點一：huge range of factors can cause people to become homeless, including family breakdown, leaving an institution, and mental health problems. For women, escaping a violent relationship often leads to homelessness.
重點二：Drug dependency can be another cause, but mental and physical health problems, poor education, having been in care, self harm and the loss of a partner are also important factors.
重點一：Donating money or food is always a matter of personal choice, but the most important thing is that young people who are sleeping rough get the help they need as quickly as possible."
重點二：If you can, donating to a charity to support their work is a good way to do something deeper to solve the problem.
重點三：better funding for homelessness services and more affordable housing is the best way forward.
|
0.966263 |
Two of the architects I featured in the last post managed to achieve a great deal of notoriety. America's most famous architect in the early and mid twentieth century was Frank Lloyd Wright. The most renowned American architect at the close of the twentieth century was Frank Gehry. I feel I am on solid ground with those statements. Everything else I will say in this post is speculation and conjecture, and completely hypothetical. It all stems from this statement of conjecture: Neither Frank Lloyd Wright not Frank Gehry would have gained the level of success they achieved had they practiced during the time period of the other. Indeed, the time in which they practiced was a required component of their success.
Wright was obviously very gifted but he was never one to conform. He forged his own way. Wright attended but never graduated high school. His college experience consisted of a handful of courses in civil engineering at the University of Wisconsin at Madison, where he was admitted as a special student in 1886. He dropped out after two semesters, feeling it was a waste of his time and talents, and set out for Chicago. There he sought employment in the field of architecture. He lied about the extent of his education and managed to secure a position as a draftsman. His timing was good. Chicago firms were busier than ever, rebuilding from the Great Fire. Wright was able to gain entry level employment and soon landed a job with the famous architect Louis Sullivan. There he quickly rose to the position of chief draftsman. This became the launching pad to his independent career, and in 1893 Wright opened his own architectural practice. If Wright had been educated during Gehry's time, he would likely not have taken all of the steps necessary to become an architect. It would no longer have been possible for one to hang out his own shingle and announce himself as an architect. There would have been the requirement that one graduate high school and acquire a professional (five year minimum) architecture degree from an accredited university, followed by a internship of three of more years before one could apply to take the registration exam. While Wright no doubt possessed the talent, he lacked the confirmative nature, and would probably not be willing to comply with what he would have considered meaningless steps. Perhaps Wright would have just focused on houses (the one building type that does not require an architect), or perhaps he would have just labored as a draftsman for other architects. I'm not sure what he would have done - architecture was in his blood.
Wright also had an unorthodox practice, which future labor laws would not permit. Rather than having employees which he paid, Wright had apprentices who paid him (for the privilege of learning from the Master). They lived with Wright and their colleagues on a working estate called Taliesin. There they prepared the drawings for the firm's projects, and also performed a variety of domestic tasks to keep the estate going - from arranging flowers to constructing buildings.
If we assumed that Wright could have altered his personality enough to become an architect, and if we also assumed that he could have operated his practice, it is still doubtful that he could have secured the type of commissions he desired. Simply put, late 20th century clients valued service above all else, and few would not have put up with his antics. Wright had a reputation for taking his time to produce deliverables for his projects. An even bigger problem was that few of his projects were ever completed within budget. Finally, his method of administering construction, using his apprentices rather than building contractors, would later be deemed illegal.
Gehry's deconstructivist architectural works are inspired by his love of sculpture. The resulting buildings are dynamic, where walls, floors, and ceilings bulge, slant, and curve. Gehry's design process begins in a very conventional way. He generates hand drawn sketches of ideas that have been cooking in his mind. From that point on, however, his process deviates from convention.
Gehry's design process continues with the construction of physical models, rather than the conventional method of generating sketches. These models are then digitized and become the genesis of a three dimensional computer generated model. The model is then manipulated and developed. Once it reaches the desired form, Gehry's office produces a complete set of construction drawings and a building information model, which the builder uses during construction. The curves and angles generated by the model can only be dealt with using the computer. Had Gehry been an architect during Wright's time, he would not have had the tools necessary to create the type of projects for which he has become known.
To create his sculptural works, Gehry's projects are typically constructed of state of the art materials and complex building systems. Neither the materials/systems nor the construction tools/techniques required to build the projects were available until late in the twentieth century. Had Gehry practiced during Wright's reign, perhaps he would have still formed wonderful creations in his head, but he would not have been able to really document or construct them. My guess is that he would have become a sculptor, an artform he has always admired.
So it is not only raw talent that creates a great architect. It is also a matter of timing. Frank Lloyd Wright and Frank Gehry owe much to talent, but they also owe much to being born at the right time and in the right place. Though separated by time, both of these architects had interesting relationships with their clients. That is a connection worthy of further investigation. Look for To Educate and to Serve, coming next time.
|
0.95648 |
In his Notes on the State of Virginia (1785), Thomas Jefferson defended American Indian culture and marveled at how the tribes of Virginia "never submitted themselves to any laws, any coercive power, any shadow of government" due to their "moral sense of right and wrong". He would later write to the Marquis de Chastellux in 1785, "I believe the Indian then to be in body and mind equal to the whiteman". His desire, as interpreted by Francis Paul Prucha, was for the Native Americans to intermix with European Americans and to become one people. To achieve that end, Jefferson would, as President, offer U.S. citizenship to some Indian nations, and propose offering credit to them to facilitate their trade—with the expectation, as Bernard Sheehan argues, that they would be unable to honor their debts and thereby allow the United States to acquire their land.
In 1795, in his Seventh Annual Message to Congress, Washington intimated that if the U.S. government wanted peace with the Indians, then it must give peace to them, and that if the U.S. wanted raids by Indians to stop, then raids by American "frontier inhabitants" must also stop.
The Confederation Congress passed the Northwest Ordinance of 1787, which would serve broadly as a precedent for the manner in which the United States' territorial expansion would occur for years to come, calling for the protection of Indians' "property, rights, and liberty": The U.S. Constitution of 1787 (Article I, Section 8) makes Congress responsible for regulating commerce with the Indian tribes. In 1790, the new U.S. Congress passed the Indian Nonintercourse Act (renewed and amended in 1793, 1796, 1799, 1802, and 1834) to protect and codify the land rights of recognized tribes.
As president, Thomas Jefferson developed a far-reaching Indian policy that had two primary goals. First, the security of the new United States was paramount, so Jefferson wanted to assure that the Native nations were tightly bound to the United States, and not other foreign nations. Second, he wanted "to civilize" them into adopting an agricultural, rather than a hunter-gatherer lifestyle. These goals would be achieved through the development of trade and the signing of treaties.
Under President James Monroe, Secretary of War John C. Calhoun devised the first plans for Indian removal. By late 1824, Monroe approved Calhoun's plans and in a special message to the Senate on January 27, 1825, requested the creation of the Arkansaw Territory and Indian Territory. The Indians east of the Mississippi were to voluntarily exchange their lands for lands west of the river. The Senate accepted Monroe's request and asked Calhoun to draft a bill, which was killed in the House of Representatives by the Georgia delegation. President John Quincy Adams assumed the Calhoun–Monroe policy and was determined to remove the Indians by non-forceful means, but Georgia refused to submit to Adams' request, forcing Adams to make a treaty with the Cherokees granting Georgia the Cherokee lands. On July 26, 1827, the Cherokee Nation adopted a written constitution modeled after that of the United States which declared they were an independent nation with jurisdiction over their own lands. Georgia contended that it would not countenance a sovereign state within its own territory, and proceeded to assert its authority over Cherokee territory. When Andrew Jackson became president as the candidate of the newly organized Democratic Party, he agreed that the Indians should be forced to exchange their eastern lands for western lands and relocate to them, and enforced Indian removal policy vigorously.
When Andrew Jackson assumed office as president of the United States in 1829, his government took a hard line on Indian Removal policy. Jackson abandoned the policy of his predecessors of treating different Indian groups as separate nations. Instead, he aggressively pursued plans against all Indian tribes which claimed constitutional sovereignty and independence from state laws, and which were based east of the Mississippi River. They were to be removed to reservations in Indian Territory west of the Mississippi (now Oklahoma), where their laws could be sovereign without any state interference. At Jackson's request, the United States Congress opened a debate on an Indian Removal Bill. After fierce disagreements, the Senate passed the measure 28–19, the House 102–97. Jackson signed the legislation into law May 30, 1830.
In 1830, the majority of the "Five Civilized Tribes"—the Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, Seminole, and Cherokee—were living east of the Mississippi. The Indian Removal Act of 1830 implemented the federal government's policy towards the Indian populations, which called for moving Native American tribes living east of the Mississippi River to lands west of the river. While it did not authorize the forced removal of the indigenous tribes, it authorized the President to negotiate land exchange treaties with tribes located in lands of the United States.
The Marshall court heard the case in Cherokee Nation v. Georgia (1831), but declined to rule on its merits, instead declaring that the Native American tribes were not sovereign nations, and had no status to "maintain an action" in the courts of the United States. In Worcester v. Georgia (1832), the court held, in an opinion written by Chief Justice Marshall, that individual states had no authority in American Indian affairs.
By the terms of the Second Treaty of Buffalo Creek (1838), the Senecas transferred all their land in New York, excepting one small reservation, in exchange for 200,000 acres of land in Indian Territory. The U.S. federal government would be responsible for the removal of those Senecas who opted to go west, while the Ogden Land company would acquire their lands in New York. The lands were sold by government officials, however, and the money deposited in the U.S. Treasury. The Senecas asserted that they had been defrauded, and sued for redress in the U.S. Court of Claims. The case was not resolved until 1898, when the United States awarded $1,998,714.46 in compensation to "the New York Indians". In 1842 and 1857, the U.S. signed treaties with the Senecas and the Tonawanda Senecas, respectively. Under the treaty of 1857, the Tonawandas renounced all claim to lands west of the Mississippi in exchange for the right to buy back the lands of the Tonawanda reservation from the Ogden Land Company. Over a century later, the Senecas purchased a nine-acre plot (part of their original reservation) in downtown Buffalo to build the "Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino".
Historical views regarding the Indian Removal have been re-evaluated since that time. Widespread acceptance at the time of the policy, due in part to an embracing of the concept of Manifest destiny by the general populace, have since given way to somewhat harsher views. Descriptions such as "paternalism", ethnic cleansing, and even genocide have been ascribed by historians past and present to the motivation behind the Removals.
Andrew Jackson's reputation took a blow for his treatment of the Indians. Historians who admire Jackson's strong presidential leadership, such as Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., would skip over the Indian question with a footnote. Writing in 1969, Francis Paul Prucha argued that Jackson's removal of the Five Civilized Tribes from the very hostile white environment in the Old South to Oklahoma probably saved their very existence. In the 1970s, however, Jackson came under sharp attack from writers, such as Michael Paul Rogin and Howard Zinn, chiefly on this issue. Zinn called him "exterminator of Indians"; Paul R. Bartrop and Steven Leonard Jacobs argue that Jackson's policies did not meet the criterion for genocide or cultural genocide.
^ William G. McLoughlin (Spring 1981). "Experiment in Cherokee Citizenship, 1817-1829". American Quarterly. 33 (1): 3–25. doi:10.2307/2712531. JSTOR 2712531.
^ a b Kane, Sharyn & Keeton, Richard (1994). "As Long as Grass Grows [Ch. 11]". Fort Benning: The Land and the People. Fort Benning, GA and Tallahassee, FL: U.S. Army Infantry Center, Directorate of Public Works, Environmental Management Division, and National Park Service, Southeast Archaeological Center. pp. 95–104. ASIN B000QQX5IC. OCLC 39804148. Archived from the original on August 17, 2007. Retrieved March 7, 2017. CS1 maint: Uses authors parameter (link) CS1 maint: BOT: original-url status unknown (link) The work is also available from the U.S. Army, as a Benning History/Fort Benning the Land and the People.pdf PDF.
^ John P. Bowes (2014). "American Indian Removal beyond the Removal Act". Wicazo Sa Review. 1 (1): 65. doi:10.5749/natiindistudj.1.1.0065. ISSN 0749-6427.
|
0.999531 |
Define total rewards and describe the advantages of a total rewards approach.
Create a brief overview of the company requirements for a total rewards system.
Formulate a total rewards strategy to encompass the fundamentals of compensation and the regulatory environments.
Explain the advantages of the total rewards strategy you are proposing and how it might satisfy the employees’ needs.
Determine the key communication components of the total rewards system.
Indicate your strategy for devising a competitive pay structure.
Analyze an organization’s strategy, workforce, operating environment, and key stakeholders to identify critical factors in designing a total rewards strategy.
Evaluate the elements of a total rewards communication program.
Use technology and information resources to research issues in total rewards.
Write clearly and concisely about total rewards using proper writing mechanics.
|
0.979612 |
What were the results of the last matches of teams Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Newcastle United?
Both teams have met so far 12 times. Wolverhampton Wanderers wons 3 matches, Newcastle United 4 wons and 5 draws.
|
0.999983 |
Design a custom site header.
The site is [url removed, login to view] - The header is going to take the place of the banner currently at the top of our site. The header should read: Welcome to FOOTBALL FORECASTERS / "It is good to see, but better to foresee".
A little animation/flash is OK - but don't over do it. Would prefer to see a mock, and be able to ask for modifications.
Looking for a craftsman who can give us something tasteful and eyecatching - and works with our exisiting banner & logo. This project will not necessarily be given to the lowest bid. Open to suggestions.
|
0.930617 |
How to Conjugate "Élire" (to Elect"
In French, the verb élire means "to elect." Whenever you want to use it in the past tense "elected" or the future tense "will elect," you will need to conjugate the verb. French students know that this can be a challenge and élire is one of those tricky irregular verbs.
French verb conjugations are more complex than they are in English. That's because the verb endings change not only with the tense of the sentence but also with the subject pronoun.
Élire is an irregular verb and it's similar to other words like lire (to read), réélire (to re-elect), and relire (to re-read, replay). While this is not the most common conjugation pattern, these few words do make learning the entire group a little easier.
To conjugate élire, pair the subject pronoun with the tense. For instance, "I elect" is "j'élis" while "we will elect" is "nous élirons." Practice each of these in context to learn how to use them in your French conversations.
The present participle is another verb form that you should know. To form it, add -ant to the verb stem to produce élisant. Beyond using it as a verb, you will also find it helpful as an adjective, gerund, or noun in some circumstances.
For the past tense of élire, you can choose either the imperfect or the passé composé. To construct the latter, begin with the subject pronoun and conjugate the auxiliary verb avoir to match it. Then, attach the past participle élu.
The passé composé comes together quickly: "I have elected" is "j'ai élu" and "we elected" is "nous avons élu."
Among other simple conjugations of élire that French students should know are the following. You may not use them often, but they can be quite handy to know.
In rare instances, and primarily when reading or writing, you may see the passé simple or the imperfect subjunctive. More frequently, the subjunctive and conditional verb moods are used. Each implies no guarantee to the verb's action in some form or fashion.
To use élire in exclamations, demands, and short requests, use the imperative form. When doing so, skip the subject pronoun and use "élis" rather than "tu élis."
You'll "Shine" at Conjugating the French Verb "Briller"
|
0.999993 |
Machine learning is a subset of artificial intelligence. In machine learning, the computer program should "learn" from experience "i.e. given data" such that the overall performance on doing a certain task increase.
An example of that, is given a set of email message that are known to be SPAM and another set of message that are known to be non-spam (ham).
Those data represet the "training examples"
Can a program learn how to whether an email message (even it is not present in the training examples) is spam/ non-spam ?
Other areas of artificial intelligence that are not machine learning focus on aspects like : Knowledge representation, reasoning, logical deduction, and problem solving by search and heuristics.
|
0.926502 |
Is the microstepping an accurate way to increase resolution?
It is if your mechanics are suitably low friction that 1 microstep will result in movement. If you have a heavy printer axis and you send a few microsteps at 1/256 to the motor nothing will happen, only when enough microsteps accumulate and overcome friction/stiction does the axis move. At least that's my understanding of it.
an instrument for the precise measurement of angles, especially one used to measure the angles between the faces of crystals.
If I only loose torque, it is OK; I can over-size the motor… But if it doesn't move, that's a problem.
but with real rotation axes, as building virtual ones is tricky ; my axes won't be concurrent, but it is not a problem, as it can be corrected but the firmware and XYZ axes.
In a typical 3D printer, increasing microstepping beyond about 16x does not increase resolution, because above that the incremental torque per microstep is insufficient to overcome friction. Also, not all microsteps are exactly the same size.
OTOH using 0.9deg motors instead of 1.8deg does double the resolution.
Ok, thanks for your answer. I plan to use 0.9° motors, but it won't be enough to get the needed accuracy; I will have to design a gearbox, using pulleys/belts.
|
0.999999 |
Why do I need to provide the geographical location of my sightings?
The geographical location of your sightings provide more context to your observations and can be of great help in making the correct species identification. It can also be of great use in monitoring the reach of a species.
Important: In the case of wildlife that is at risk of being poached, never include the precise location. Rather only indicate the greater region where it was spotted.
|
0.99911 |
How do I know when to use mangia, mangi, or mangio?
I'm not learning Italian, but I know a bit of French, so I'm guessing that those are different conjugations of the verb meaning 'to eat'. They are different because in many languages, there are different conjugations, or forms of the verb, depending on who you are talking about. For example, in Spanish, como means 'I eat', comes is 'you eat', and come is '(he, she, it) eats'. This is different than in English, where we would either just use 'eat' or 'eats'. So mangia, mangi, and mangio are just different forms of the same verb, and to know which one to use, you have to know which one goes with each pronoun (I, you, he, she, it). I hope this makes sense and I hope I helped you.
Thank you so much, I am sure you have helped me out!
Lei, Lui mangia; tu mangi; io mangio. They are different conjugations of 'mangiare' (to eat). In many languages, the infinitive ending (in this case, '-are') is removed and a different ending is added depending on the speaker. This way, subjects can also be left out, and the sentence will still be understood. Io mangio - I eat Mangio - I eat Io ('I') is not included in the second sentence, but one can still tell you are referring to yourself based on the io ending -o.
Mangiare is a regul. verb ending on -ARE. So just follow the conjugation rule for such verbs. And also they are verbs ending on -IRE and -ERE.
Moved to the Italian section.
Mangiamo, mangiate, mangiano, mangia, mangio, mangi.
"Il nostro orso mangia la marmellata."
"Chi non lavora non mangia."
|
0.98852 |
What is aggressive inline skating?
This sport on inline skates is stunt skating and aggressive inline skating, also called rollerblading. In the foreground stands Grinden and jumping. Stunt skating and aggressive skating takes place mostly in skate parks, metro and subway stations, as well as half-pipe etc. Likewise, loading ramps of factory buildings, stair railings and staircases from all imaginable large buildings are used for skating. Of course, skating in the park works better or worse depending on the structure of the park. Optimal are skate parks with halfpipes or skateboard parks.
What do I have to consider as a beginner when stunt skating?
If you're skating with a beginner on a stunt, you should wear plenty of protective gear and a helmet. Furthermore, an advanced to perfect inline skate technique is essential for this sport. You have to be safe in the balance on the skates, as well as mastering rotations and reverse driving without problems. Before you move into a half pipe or similar, you should try with light jumps over curbs and small steps. If you manage this without any problems you can try to skip the height of the stairs and other objects. It is very important to get a feel for the skates. Get to know the weight and handling characteristics of your skates. How does the skate behave when landing after a jump? Practice the correct assessment for success and failure in jumps. Do not start with the biggest stunts right away. Even the professional stunt and aggressive skaters started small and trained their technique and skills over the years.
|
0.999556 |
Name the the two-word countries with two-word capitals, and their capitals.
Isn't Washington DC more than 2 words? "District of Columbia?"
Finished with 1:31 left, going slowly.
|
0.999955 |
What do people in the Amazon eat? They do not have a burger joint down the block or a local supermarket. They have to catch or grow their food. The crop most widely grown is manioc, called "Yuca" by locals. (Scientific name: Manihot esculenta) Do you think yuca is yucky? It's not! One way to prepare it and it tastes like delicious potato fries (chips). Most commonly, it is made into a flour and then baked as a flat bread, which does taste rather boring and has a rubbery texture. This is the staple food of Amazon people.
Manioc is the most widely eaten staple food in the Amazon. It is cultivated elsewhere in the tropics (also known as cassava). The starchy root contains poisonous cyanide compounds so needs careful preparation before being eaten. Tapioca is manioc with the fiber removed.
This patch of manioc is typical of a mature crop just before harvest. Banana plants are interspersed among the manioc, avoiding the monoculture typical of industrialized agriculture. This practice, called intercropping, may help natural enemies protect the crops in the absence of pesticides.
|
0.972857 |
It's been said that you should always hope for the best and prepare for the worst, and that definitely applies to driving. While it's important to make sure that your vehicle is in good working condition, you should also always have a good roadside emergency kit on hand just in case you find yourself stranded.
This kit should at the very least include jumper cables, a flashlight, a tool kit, a first aid kit containing things such as bandages and instant ice packs, tools for patching up a damaged tire, and fluids such as motor oil or antifreeze. You should also pack a blanket when you travel in cold weather as well as some non-perishable snacks just in case you find yourself stranded for a longer period of time.
Even though you might not find much help finding a blanket or a first aid kit from a mechanic, a local dealership or auto service shop can help you find things such as jumper cables and tools, so don't hesitate to ask for advice if you think you'll need it.
|
0.999155 |
With the choice between AC and DC motors, knowing which one is the best option for a given application is an essential part of the selection process. The most significant difference between the two is the use of AC or DC current, with the DC motor having the advantage of using direct current.
There are many different parts to a DC motor, but this is no different than with a comparable AC motor. However, due to the design of the DC option, there are two distinct advantages in choosing the direct current motor.
With the ability to regulate and change the voltage in the motor, the direct current motor offers a broader option in speed variation. This control in the voltage can be through the armature or the field voltage, and sometimes by controlling or changing both of the two voltage options.
Both armature voltage and shunt field control (field voltage) allows for different options in control. By using armature voltage control, the torque of the motor is not impacted by the speed, producing a constant torque operation for use in equipment and systems.
Field control or shunt field control allows for constant horsepower capacity within the rated speed range. The combination of the two allows for constant torque as well as constant horsepower based on the speed.
There are several different options in DC motor models on the market. These include shunt, series, compound wound and permanent magnet motors. Each of these motors is optimized for a specific type of use requirement from power through speed regulation and even for optimized response time on the motor.
Selecting the correct option in DC motors is always a consideration. Taking the time to consider options and to make the ideal choice based on the specific requirements and workload on the motor will be essential for long life and motor performance.
|
0.960104 |
Bill Title: District Public Defender; create office of.
AN ACT TO CREATE NEW SECTION 99-18-21, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO ESTABLISH THE PUBLIC DEFENDER OVERSIGHT COUNCIL, PROVIDE FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS AND REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES, AND TO ESTABLISH THE DUTIES AND AUTHORITY OF THE COUNCIL; TO CREATE NEW SECTION 99-18-23, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO ESTABLISH THE INDIGENT APPEALS DIVISION WITHIN THE OFFICE OF THE STATE PUBLIC DEFENDER; TO CREATE NEW SECTION 99-18-25, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO ESTABLISH THE DIVISION OF DISTRICT PUBLIC DEFENDER AND PROVIDE FOR PERSONNEL AND FUNDING SOURCES; TO AMEND SECTION 99-18-1, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE FUNDING FOR AND DUTIES OF THE OFFICE OF STATE PUBLIC DEFENDER; TO AMEND SECTION 99-18-9, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE COMPENSATION OF THE CAPITAL DEFENSE DIRECTOR; TO AMEND SECTION 99-18-13, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE STATE DEFENDER; TO AMEND SECTION 99-18-15, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE DUTY OF THE CAPITAL DEFENSE DIRECTOR TO SUBMIT CERTAIN RECORDS; TO AMEND SECTION 99-18-17, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CLARIFY THE CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH PRIVATE COUNSEL WILL UNDERTAKE INDIGENT REPRESENTATION AND TO DELETE REFERENCES TO THE CAPITAL DEFENSE COUNSEL FUND; TO AMEND SECTION 25-32-1, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ASSISTANT DISTRICT DEFENDER POSITIONS BY BOARDS OF SUPERVISORS; TO AMEND SECTION 25-32-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT ALL ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDERS ARE TO BE APPOINTED BY THE DISTRICT PUBLIC DEFENDER; TO AMEND SECTION 25-32-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CLARIFY THE PROHIBITION AGAINST THE PRIVATE PRACTICE OF LAW BY PUBLIC DEFENDERS; TO AMEND SECTION 25-32-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE FOR THE PAYMENT OF COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES OF ASSISTANT DISTRICT PUBLIC DEFENDERS; TO AMEND SECTION 25-32-9, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE MANNER OF DETERMINATION OF INDIGENCE; TO AMEND SECTION 25-32-15, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE TERMINATION OF COUNTY SUPPORT FOR ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDERS; TO AMEND SECTION 25-32-17, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CLARIFY THE COMPENSATION AND PAYMENT OF EXPENSES OF THE OFFICE OF DISTRICT PUBLIC DEFENDER; TO AMEND SECTION 25-32-19, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CLARIFY THE AUTHORITY OF THE DISTRICT PUBLIC DEFENDER TO OBTAIN FINANCIAL AND OTHER ASSISTANCE IN OPERATION OF THE OFFICE; TO AMEND SECTION 99-39-107, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO ELIMINATE THE NEED FOR THE CHIEF JUSTICE TO APPROVE THE TERMINATION OF ATTORNEYS EMPLOYED IN THE OFFICE OF CAPITAL POST-CONVICTION COUNSEL; TO AMEND SECTION 99-39-109, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE COMPENSATION OF ATTORNEYS IN THE OFFICE OF POST-CONVICTION COUNSEL; TO AMEND SECTION 99-39-115, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE DUTY OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF POST-CONVICTION COUNSEL TO MAKE CERTAIN REPORTS; TO AMEND SECTION 99-39-117, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CLARIFY THE APPOINTMENT OF PRIVATE COUNSEL AND TO DELETE REFERENCES TO THE CAPITAL POST-CONVICTION COUNSEL FUND; TO AMEND SECTION 99-15-15, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE FOR APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL TO THOSE CHARGED WITH AN ACT OF DELINQUENCY; TO AMEND SECTION 99-15-17, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE COMPENSATION OF COUNSEL FOR INDIGENT DEFENDANTS; TO AMEND SECTION 99-15-19, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE REIMBURSEMENT FOR SOME EXPENSES TO COUNTIES IN WHICH A STATE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY IS LOCATED IN CERTAIN CASES; TO AMEND SECTION 99-15-21, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE FOR RESOLUTION OF DISPUTES OVER COMPENSATION OF COUNSEL FOR INDIGENT DEFENDANTS; TO AMEND SECTION 43-21-201, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO LIMIT A YOUTH'S ABILITY TO WAIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL; TO AMEND SECTION 43-21-357, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL IN DELINQUENCY AND CHILD-IN-NEED-OF-SUPERVISION CASES; TO REPEAL SECTION 99-40-1, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH CREATES THE INDIGENT APPEALS AND PUBLIC DEFENDER TRAINING DIVISIONS AND ESTABLISHES THE PUBLIC DEFENDERS EDUCATION FUND; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
99-18-21. Public Defender Oversight Council, created; members; authority; reimbursement of expenses; duties. (1) There is created the Mississippi Public Defender Oversight Council to be composed of nine (9) members. Other than county supervisor members, members of the council must be individuals with significant experience working in the criminal justice system or who have demonstrated a strong commitment to providing adequate and effective representation of indigent defendants. Except as otherwise provided in this section for the initial terms of members or for filling a vacancy, members shall serve for a term of four (4) years.
(a) Three (3) members shall be appointed by the Mississippi Association of Supervisors, each from a different supreme court district of this state. The initial appointments shall be for one-, two- and four-year terms, respectively, as designated by the Mississippi Association of Supervisors for each appointment. A county supervisor council member is eligible to serve so long as he or she retains the office by virtue of which he or she is serving on the council.
(b) Two (2) members shall be appointed by the Lieutenant Governor. The initial appointments shall be for one (1) and four (4) years, respectively, as designated by the Lieutenant Governor for each appointment.
(c) Two (2) members shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The initial appointments shall be for one (1) and four (4) years, respectively, as designated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives for each appointment.
(d) Two (2) members shall be appointed by the Chief Justice. The initial appointments shall be for two (2) and three (3) years, respectively, as designated by the Chief Justice for each appointment. At least one (1) of the appointments must be of an experienced criminal defense attorney with felony indigent defense experience who is not at the time of appointment nor during the appointee's term providing public defense services.
(e) All initial terms begin on July 1, 2019. A vacancy in a term is to be filled by the appointing authority, and a successor appointee shall serve the balance of the vacating member's unexpired term. A member of the council may be appointed to successive terms.
(f) In making the appointments of members of the council who are not county supervisors, the appointing authorities shall seek to identify and appoint persons who represent a diversity of backgrounds and experience and shall solicit suggestions from The Mississippi Bar, the Magnolia Bar, the Mississippi Public Defenders Association, the Mississippi Association for Justice, the associations representing the various categories of state court judges in Mississippi, and the Mississippi Prosecutors Association, as well as from the public and other interested organizations and individuals within this state. The appointing authorities shall not appoint a prosecuting attorney, any employee of a prosecuting attorney's office, an employee or member of the Prosecutors Association, a sitting judge or an attorney or employee of a public defender office or indigent defense contractor to serve on the council.
(2) The council shall elect a chairman and vice chairman from its membership and shall adopt rules for transacting its business and keeping records. Members of the council shall receive a per diem in the amount provided in Section 25-3-69 for each day engaged in the business of the council. Members of the council shall receive reimbursement for travel expenses incurred while engaged in official business of the council in accordance with Section 25-3-41.
(v) Performance of defense counsel in criminal, mental health and youth court cases.
(iv) Coordinate the collection, analysis and dissemination of data and research pertaining to indigent defense. (c) Report to the Legislature, the Governor and the Chief Justice no later than December 1 of each year: all standards approved; an assessment of compliance with the standards by the Office of the State Public Defender, Office of Capital Post-Conviction Counsel and any district, city or county indigent defense provider; an accounting of all indigent defense expenditures by state or local government; and any recommendations for the improvement of indigent defense services.
(4) The council may pay and disburse salaries, employment benefits and charges relating to employment of an executive director and any necessary staff as determined by the council and approved by the Legislature and to establish their salaries and expenses of the office; to incur and pay travel expenses of staff necessary for the performance of the duties of the office; to rent or lease on such terms as the director may think proper such office space as is necessary in the City of Jackson to accommodate the staff; to enter into and perform contracts and to purchase office supplies and equipment as may be needed for the proper administration of the offices within the funds appropriated for such purpose; and to incur and pay such other expenses as are appropriate and customary to the operation of the office, including, but not limited to, expenses associated with capital conflict cases under Sections 99-18-17 and 99-39-117, Mississippi Code of 1972. The director is further authorized to solicit and accept monies, gifts, grants or services from any public or private source for the purpose of funding, operating and executing the duties of the office.
(c) Current and accurate information for the Legislature pertaining to the needs of public defenders practicing in all state, county, municipal and youth courts.
(6) The council, in consultation with the defender selection panel, shall develop a plan for representation in cases that cannot be handled by the District Public Defender due to a conflict of interest or excessive caseload. Those plans may include utilization of contract defenders as an alternative to counsel appointed under Section 99-15-15, but all contracts must comply with indigent defense standards under Section 99-15-17 and standards adopted by the Public Defender Oversight Council.
(7) The council shall act as an ombudsman to settle disputes between defenders, judges, supervisors or clients concerning standards compliance, contracts, fees or services.
99-18-23. Indigent Appeals Division created; director and staff; compensation; duties. (1) There is created the Indigent Appeals Division within the Office of the State Public Defender. This office shall consist of the Indigent Appeals Director, who must be an attorney in good standing with The Mississippi Bar, and staffed by any necessary personnel as determined and hired by the State Defender. The Indigent Appeals Director shall be appointed by the State Defender. The remaining attorneys and other staff shall be appointed by the State Defender and shall serve at the will and pleasure of the State Defender. Attorneys in the office shall be active members of The Mississippi Bar. The attorneys in the office shall practice law exclusively for the office and shall not engage in any other practice. The office shall not engage in any litigation other than that related to the office. The Indigent Appeals Director shall be compensated at no more than the State Defender, and other attorneys in the office shall be compensated at no more than the maximum amount allowed by statute for an assistant district attorney with comparable years of practice experience.
(2) The office shall provide representation on appeal for indigent persons convicted of felonies and indigent juveniles adjudicated delinquent in youth court. The office may provide advice and assistance to attorneys representing persons under felony charges in the trial courts and juveniles in youth court delinquency proceedings.
99-18-25. Division of District Public Defender created; personnel; funding sources; qualifications, duties and removal of district defender; funding of agency expenses. (1) There is hereby created in each circuit court district the Division of District Public Defender. The Division of District Public Defender shall consist of a District Public Defender who shall be appointed by the State Defender on recommendation of the District Public Defender Selection Panel established under this section and staffed by any necessary personnel as determined and hired by the District Public Defender in compliance with standards established by the Public Defender Oversight Council.
(2) The District Public Defender must be a duly licensed attorney admitted to the practice of law in this state, have practiced in the area of criminal law for at least five (5) years and shall meet all qualifications to serve as trial counsel in death penalty cases as may be set by the Supreme Court of Mississippi. The District Public Defender shall be familiar with and integrate into his other practice standards promulgated by the Public Defender Oversight Council. The salary of the District Public Defender shall be no more than ninety percent (90%) of the salary of the State Defender.
(3) The District Public Defender may be removed by the State Defender upon finding that the District Public Defender is not qualified under law, has failed to perform the duties of the office, has failed to substantially comply with standards promulgated by the Public Defender Oversight Council or has acted beyond the scope of the authority granted by law for the office.
(4) The District Public Defender shall be responsible for oversight of the indigent defense delivery system in the district, including collection of data as requested by the State Defender and the Public Defender Oversight Council, evaluation of the performance of attorneys providing indigent defense and other standards-compliance matters. The District Public Defender shall handle a caseload that accounts for the administrative responsibilities of the position as approved by the State Defender. The counties must provide the District Public Defender with office space, administrative assistance, and all reasonable expenses of operating the office on a per capita basis at least equal to a pro rata share of the district attorney based on the number of authorized staff.
(5) The District Public Defender, subject to approval of the State Defender, may employ assistant public defenders on a full-time or part-time basis as well as investigators, paralegals and social service providers to the extent funds are provided by a county or otherwise available as provided for in Sections 25-32-1 through 25-32-19, Section 99-18-13, or by appropriation of the Legislature.
(6) There shall be a District Public Defender Selection Panel in each circuit court district. All members of the selection panel must reside in the district. The panel shall consist of three (3) members, at least two (2) of whom shall be experienced criminal defense attorneys with felony indigent defense experience. The panel members may not at the time of appointment or during their terms of service serve on the panel providing public defense services in the district. One (1) member shall be appointed by the Senior Circuit Judge, one (1) by the President of The Mississippi Bar, and one (1) by the President of the Magnolia Bar. If a vacancy occurs in the position of District Public Defender, the panel shall be convened by the State Defender to evaluate and recommend a new District Public Defender. The panel shall also consult with the Public Defender Oversight Council to develop plans for representation in cases not handled by the district public defender office due to conflict of interest or excessive caseload.
99-18-1. (1) There is hereby created the Office of State Public Defender. The Office of State Public Defender shall consist of a State Defender who shall be appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate for a term of four (4) years and staffed by any necessary personnel as determined and hired by the State Defender.
* * * (2) Funding for the Office of State Public Defender shall come from funds available in the Capital Defense Counsel Fund, the Indigent Appeals Fund and the Public Defenders Education Fund as determined by the State Defender. The State Defender shall have the authority to transfer funds between the various funds to efficiently and effectively accomplish the mission of the Office of State Public Defender and its divisions.
( * * *32) The State Defender must be a duly licensed attorney admitted to the practice of law in this state, have practiced in the area of criminal law for at least five (5) years and shall meet all qualifications to serve as * * * lead trial * * * and or appellate counsel in death penalty cases as may be set by the Supreme Court of Mississippi. The salary of the State Defender shall be * * * no more than the maximum amount allowed by statute for equivalent to the salary of a district attorney.
( * * *43) The State Defender may be removed by the Governor upon finding that the State Defender is not qualified under law, has failed to perform the duties of the office, or has acted beyond the scope of the authority granted by law for the office.
( * * *54) The Office of State Public Defender shall be responsible for the administration, budget and finances of the Divisions of Capital Defense Counsel, Indigent Appeals and Public Defender Training, which shall be divisions of the Office of State Public Defender.
( * * *65) The State Defender may simultaneously serve as State Defender and as director of one or more divisions but shall receive no additional compensation for doing so. Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit the State Defender from directly representing clients of the office. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent an employee of one (1) division of the Office of the State Public Defender from working, in whole or in part, for another division.
* * * (7) The State Defender shall coordinate the collection and dissemination of statistical data and make such reports as are required of the divisions, develop plans and proposals for further development of a statewide public defender system in coordination with the Mississippi Public Defenders Task Force and to act as spokesperson for all matters relating to indigent defense representation.
( * * *86) From and after July 1, 2016, the expenses of this agency shall be defrayed by appropriation from the State General Fund and all user charges and fees authorized under this section shall be deposited into the State General Fund as authorized by law.
( * * *97) From and after July 1, 2016, no state agency shall charge another state agency a fee, assessment, rent or other charge for services or resources received by authority of this section.
99-18-9. The Capital Defense Director appointed under this chapter shall be compensated at no more than the maximum amount allowed by statute for a district attorney, and other attorneys in the office shall be compensated at no more than the maximum amount allowed by statute for an assistant district attorney with comparable years of practice experience.
99-18-13. (1) The State Defender is hereby empowered to pay and disburse salaries, employment benefits and charges relating to employment of division staff and to establish their salaries and expenses of the office; to incur and pay travel expenses of staff necessary for the performance of the duties of the office; to rent or lease on such terms as he may think proper such office space as is necessary in the City of Jackson to accommodate the staff; to enter into and perform contracts and to purchase such necessary office supplies and equipment as may be needed for the proper administration of said offices within the funds appropriated for such purpose; and to incur and pay such other expenses as are appropriate and customary to the operation of the office. The State Defender is further authorized to solicit and accept monies, gifts, grants or services from any public or private source for the purpose of funding, operating and executing the duties of the office.
(2) The State Defender may provide representation to parents or guardians who have been determined by the youth court judge to be indigent and in need of representation in an abuse, neglect or termination of parental rights proceeding or appeal therefrom. Representation may be provided by staff or contract counsel including, but not limited to, by contract with legal services organizations or by a district public defender office.
99-18-15. The Capital Defense Director shall keep a docket of all indicted death-eligible cases originating in the courts of Mississippi which must, at all reasonable times, be open to inspection by the public and must show the county, district and court in which the cause is pending. The director shall prepare and maintain a roster of all death penalty cases in the courts of Mississippi indicating the current status of each case and submit this report to the Governor, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and the Administrative Office of Courts monthly. The director shall also report * * * monthly to the * * * Administrative Office of Courts Public Defender Oversight Council in a form, manner and on a schedule prescribed by the council the activities, receipts and expenditures of the office.
99-18-17. * * * (1) If at any time during the representation of two (2) or more defendants, the State Defender determines that the interests of those persons are so adverse or hostile they cannot all be represented by the staff of the * * * Capital Counsel Division office without conflict of interest, or if the State Defender determines that the volume or number of representations shall so require, the State Defender, in his sole discretion, notwithstanding any statute or regulation to the contrary, shall be authorized to refer the case to the Public Defender Oversight Council which may employ qualified private counsel. Fees and expenses approved by order of the * * * court of original jurisdiction Public Defender Oversight Council, including investigative and expert witness expenses of such private counsel, shall be paid by funds appropriated to the Capital Defense Counsel Fund for this purpose.
(f) Monies received from such other sources as may be provided by law.
25-32-1. Should the board of supervisors of any county or the boards of supervisors of two (2) or more counties in the same circuit court district determine by order spread upon their minutes that the county or counties have a sufficient number of indigent defendant cases * * * to establish an office of public defender, the board of supervisors or boards of supervisors are authorized and empowered, in their discretion, to * * * establish the office fund assistant public defender positions, provide office space, personnel and funding for the office, and to perform any and all functions necessary for the efficient operation of such an office to the end that adequate legal defense for indigent persons accused of crime shall be provided at every critical stage of their cases as an alternative to court appointed counsel. Said order shall specify whether the assistant public defender shall be full-time or part-time. Assistant public defenders funded under this section shall be county employees.
25-32-3. * * * (1) When the office of public defender is established, the circuit judge or the senior circuit judge, if there be more than one (1) circuit judge, shall appoint a practicing attorney to serve the county or counties as public defender until the end of the term of office of the district attorney and thereafter for a term of four (4) years and said term shall coincide with the term of the district attorney. Such appointee shall be selected from a list of two (2) or more attorneys recommended by the county or regional bar association. In the event a vacancy shall occur in the office of the public defender, the circuit judge or the senior circuit judge, if there be more than one (1) circuit judge, shall appoint another person to serve as public defender until the end of the regular term of office.
(2) Assistant public defenders may be authorized by the board of supervisors, or boards of supervisors if two (2) or more counties are acting jointly. The District Public Defender shall appoint all assistant public defenders. An assistant public defender may be removed by the District Public Defender upon finding that the assistant public defender is not qualified under law, has failed to perform the duties of the office, or has acted beyond the scope of the authority granted by law for the office. Such assistant public defenders may be compensated in such an amount as may be authorized by the respective board of supervisors in compliance with standards set by the Public Defender Oversight Council; * * * provided, however, * * * that in no case may such the assistant public defenders may not receive compensation in an amount greater than that received by the public defender.
25-32-5. * * * Compensation for the public defender shall be fixed by the board of supervisors or boards of supervisors, if two (2) or more counties are acting jointly; provided, however, the compensation for a public defender, who shall be full‑time, representing an entire circuit court district shall not be less than the compensation of the district attorney, the compensation for a public defender representing one (1) county shall not be less than the compensation of the county prosecuting attorney and the compensation for a public defender representing two (2) or more counties, but less than the entire circuit court district, shall not be less than the aggregate of the compensation for county prosecuting attorneys of the counties served, but in no event to exceed the compensation of the district attorney. No full-time public defender or full-time assistant public defenders shall engage nor be associated with any person in the private practice of law. Part-time public defenders or part-time assistant public defenders may engage in the private practice of the law as long as such practice does not relate to the prosecution of criminal matters.
25-32-7. (1) * * * The Each assistant district public defender shall be provided with office space, secretarial assistance, and all reasonable expenses of operating the office, at least equal to * * * or more than the county prosecuting attorney, or the amount provided to the district attorney * * *if the public defender represents the entire circuit court district for an assistant district attorney. The compensation and expenses of the district public defender�s office not covered by the budget of the State Defender shall be paid by the county or counties if two (2) or more counties are acting jointly. The funds shall be paid upon allowance by the board of supervisors by order spread upon the minutes of the board.
(2) The district public defender is authorized to assign the duties of and exercise supervision over all employees of the office without regard to the source of funding for those employees.
25-32-9. (1) When * * * any a person * * * shall be is arrested and charged with a felony * * *, or a misdemeanor * * * or an act of delinquency, then the arresting authority shall afford * * * such the person an opportunity to sign an affidavit stating that * * * such the person is an indigent and unable to employ counsel. Upon the signing of * * * such an affidavit by * * * such the person, the district public defender shall represent * * * said the person unless the person waives the right to counsel * * * be waived by such person. * * * Provided further, A statement * * * shall must be executed by the alleged indigent, under oath, listing all assets available to the indigent for the payment of attorney's fees, including the ownership of any property, real or personal, and setting out therein the alleged indigent's employment status, number of dependents, income from any source, * * *the ability of his parents or spouse to provide an attorney's fee, and any other information which might prove or disprove a finding of indigency. The affidavit and statement shall be * * * a part of the record filed under seal in the case and shall be subject to review by the appropriate court. Based on review of the affidavit, statement or other appropriate evidence, if the appropriate court finds that the defendant is not indigent, * * * said the court shall terminate the representation of the defendant by the public defender.
When * * * any a person * * * shall be is arrested and charged with a misdemeanor, the presiding judge or justice, upon determination that the person is indigent as provided in this section, and that representation of the indigent is required, shall appoint the public defender whose duty it shall be to provide such representation. No person determined to be an indigent as provided in this section shall be imprisoned as a result of a misdemeanor conviction unless he was represented by the public defender or waived the right to counsel.
(2) The accused shall have such representation available at every critical stage of the proceedings against him where a substantial right may be affected.
(3) The public defender shall also represent persons in need of mental treatment, as provided under * * * Sections Section 41-21-61 et seq. The chancery court may tax costs as provided in Sections 41-21-79 and 41-21-85.
(4) The District Public Defender is authorized to represent persons charged with commission of an act of delinquency.
25-32-15. The * * * office of public defender county support for assistant public defenders authorized under Section 25-32-1 may be terminated, in the discretion of the board of supervisors, by entering an order upon the minutes of the board of supervisors at least six (6) months * * * prior to before the expiration of the term of the district public defender * * *. Such, and the termination * * * shall be is effective at the end of the term of the public defender.
25-32-17. The compensation, administrative staff, office space and secretarial assistance shall not be reduced or diminished but may be increased during the term of the district public defender.
25-32-19. The District Public Defender and the board of supervisors may cooperate with any individual or public agency, whether state or federal, or with any institution of higher learning of the State of Mississippi, to obtain by gift, grant or otherwise any financial, professional, investigatory or research or other assistance; provided, however, that any grants or any financial assistance whatever for the purpose herein set out shall be paid over to the board of supervisors and administered by it for the purposes herein set forth. The board shall have the authority to use any financial assistance or grants to extend and expand the facilities of the office.
99-39-107. The Office of Capital Post-Conviction Counsel shall limit its activities to the representation of inmates under sentence of death in post-conviction proceedings and ancillary matters related directly to post-conviction review of their convictions and sentences and other activities explicitly authorized in statute. Representation by the office or by private counsel under appointment by the office will end upon the filing of proceeding for federal habeas corpus review or for appointment of counsel to represent the defendant in federal habeas corpus proceedings. However, the office may continue representation if the office or a staff attorney employed by the office shall be appointed by a federal court to represent the inmate in federal habeas corpus proceedings. In such event, the office or the employee attorney shall apply to the federal court for compensation and expenses and shall upon receipt of payments by the federal court pay all sums received over to the office for deposit in the Special Capital Post-Conviction Counsel Fund as provided in Section 99-39-117, from which all expenses for investigation and litigation shall be disbursed. Representation in post-conviction proceedings shall further include representation of the inmate from the exhaustion of all state and federal post-conviction litigation until execution of the sentence or an adjudication resulting in either a new trial or a vacation of the death sentence. The attorneys appointed to serve in the Office of Capital Post-Conviction Counsel shall devote their entire time to the duties of the office, shall not represent any persons in other litigation, civil or criminal, nor in any other way engage in the practice of law, and shall in no manner, directly or indirectly, participate in the trial of any person charged with capital murder or direct appeal of any person under sentence of death in the state, nor engage in lobbying activities for or against the death penalty. Any violation of this provision shall be grounds for termination from employment, in the case of the director, by the Governor, and in the case of other attorneys, by the director * * *, with approval of the Chief Justice.
99-39-109. The director appointed under this article shall be compensated at no more than the maximum amount allowed by statute for a district attorney, and other attorneys in the office shall be compensated at no more than the maximum amount allowed by statute for an assistant district attorney with comparable years of practice experience.
99-39-115. The director shall keep a docket of all death penalty cases originating in the courts of Mississippi, which must at all reasonable times be open to the inspection of the public and must show the county, district and court in which the causes have been instituted. The director shall prepare and maintain a roster of all death penalty cases originating in the courts of Mississippi and pending in state and federal courts indicating the current status of each such case, and a history of those death penalty cases filed since 1976. Copies of such dockets and rosters shall be submitted to the Governor, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and the Administrative Office of Courts * * * monthly as requested. The director shall also report * * * monthly to the * * * Administrative Office of Courts Public Defender Oversight Council in the form and manner and on a schedule prescribed by the council the activities, receipts and expenditures of the office.
99-39-117. * * * (1) If at any time during the representation of two (2) or more defendants, the director determines that the interest of those persons are so adverse or hostile that they cannot all be represented by the director or his staff without conflict of interest, or if the director * * * shall determines that the volume or number of representations shall so require, the director, in his sole discretion, notwithstanding any statute or regulation to the contrary, * * * shall be is authorized to refer the case to the Public Defender Oversight Council, which may employ qualified private counsel. Fees and expenses, approved by * * * order of the appropriate court the Public Defender Oversight Council, including investigative and expert witness expenses of such private counsel shall be paid from funds appropriated * * * to the Capital Post‑Conviction Counsel Fund for this purpose.
99-15-15. When any person * * * shall be is charged with a felony * * *, or misdemeanor punishable by confinement * * * for ninety (90) days or more, or commission of an act of delinquency, the court or the judge in vacation, being satisfied that such person is an indigent person and is unable to employ counsel, * * * may, in the discretion of the court, shall appoint counsel to defend him.
Such appointed counsel shall have free access to the accused who shall have process to compel the attendance of witnesses in his favor.
The accused shall have such representation available at every critical stage of the proceeding against him where a substantial right may be affected.
When a person is charged with commission of an act of delinquency, counsel shall be appointed under Section 43-21-201.
99-15-17. The compensation for counsel for indigents appointed as provided in Section 99-15-15, shall be approved and allowed by the appropriate judge and in any one (1) case may not exceed One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) for representation in circuit court whether on appeal or originating in said court. * * * Provided, however, If * * * said the case is not appealed to or does not originate in a court of record, the maximum compensation shall not exceed Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) for any one (1) case, the amount of * * * such compensation to be approved by a judge of the chancery court, county court or circuit court in the county where the case arises. * * * Provided, however, In a capital case two (2) attorneys may be appointed, and the compensation may not exceed Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00) per case. If the case is appealed to the state supreme court by counsel appointed by the judge, the allowable fee for services on appeal shall not exceed One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) per case. These fee caps may be exceeded, in the discretion of the presiding judge, after finding extraordinary circumstances. The attorney shall be paid a reasonable hourly rate consistent with standards adopted by the Public Defender Oversight Council which shall be inclusive of all regular expenses of operating a law office. In addition, the judge shall allow reimbursement of * * * actual expenses for expert and investigative services on prior approval of the court. The attorney or attorneys so appointed shall itemize the time spent in defending said indigents together with an itemized statement of expenses of such defense, and shall present same to the appropriate judge. The fees and expenses as allowed by the appropriate judge shall be paid by the county treasurer out of the general fund of the county in which the prosecution was commenced.
99-15-19. Any county paying counsel fees and expenses incurred on appeal to the Supreme Court or by virtue of any prosecution charging the commission of a crime on * * * the a premises of * * * the a Mississippi state * * * Penitentiary correctional facility or the commission of a crime by any escapee therefrom, may request reimbursement of all such payments from the State Treasurer. The State Auditor shall issue his warrant, based upon a voucher sent by the Treasurer of any county entitled to such reimbursement together with a certification that such sums have been allowed and paid. The State Treasurer shall pay the amount of any such reimbursement out of any funds in the State Treasury appropriated for such purpose.
99-15-21. All compensation and reimbursements allowed by the judge shall be made on the basis of an itemized statement as to time and nature of work and the expense incurred by the appointed counsel. The * * * attorney general Public Defender Oversight Council shall prepare and make available the proper form for the itemized statement which is to be submitted to the appropriate judge by the attorney or attorneys. Compensation and reimbursements authorized by Sections 99-15-15 through 99-15-21 shall be allowed only in cases in which the appointment is made * * * subsequent to April 5, 1971 after January 1, 2020. In all cases in which counsel have been appointed * * * prior to said before that date, compensation shall be allowed in the same manner and to the same extent as provided by law at the time * * * such the appointment was made. If an attorney or a county board of supervisors disagrees with the judge's decision on compensation, either may petition the Public Defender Oversight Council for an increase or decrease in the amount. The council shall promulgate rules to govern this procedure.
43-21-201. (1) Each party shall have the right to be represented by counsel at all stages of the proceedings including, but not limited to, detention, adjudicatory and disposition hearings and parole or probation revocation proceedings. In delinquency matters the court shall appoint legal defense counsel who is not also a guardian ad litem for the same child. If the party is a child, the child shall be represented by counsel at all critical stages: detention, adjudicatory and disposition hearings; parole or probation revocation proceedings; and post-disposition matters. * * * If indigent, the child shall have the right to have counsel appointed for him by the youth court. No child shall be allowed to waive the right to the assistance of counsel except a child who indicates a desire to waive the right to counsel in the presence of counsel after consultation with counsel, and then only if the court determines that the waiver is knowing and voluntary.
(2) When a party first appears before the youth court, the judge shall ascertain whether he is represented by counsel and, if not, inform him of his rights, including his right to counsel. If the court determines that a parent or guardian who is a party in an abuse, neglect or termination of parental rights proceeding is indigent, the youth court judge may appoint counsel to represent the indigent parent or guardian in the proceeding.
(3) An attorney appointed to represent a delinquent child shall be required to complete annual juvenile justice training that is approved by the Mississippi Office of State Public Defender and the Mississippi Commission on Continuing Legal Education. An attorney appointed to represent a parent or guardian in an abuse, neglect or termination of parental rights proceeding shall be required to complete annual training that is approved by the Office of State Public Defender and the Mississippi Commission on Continuing Legal Education. The Mississippi Office of State Public Defender and the Mississippi Commission on Continuing Legal Education shall determine the amount of juvenile justice training and continuing education required to fulfill the requirements of this subsection. The State Public Defender shall maintain a roll of attorneys who have complied with the training requirements and shall enforce the provisions of this subsection. Should an attorney fail to complete the annual training requirement or fail to attend the required training within six (6) months of being appointed to a youth court case, the attorney shall be disqualified to serve and the youth court shall immediately terminate the representation and appoint another attorney. Attorneys appointed by a youth court to five (5) or fewer cases a year are exempt from the requirements of this subsection.
(4) The child's attorney shall owe the same duties of undivided loyalty, confidentiality and competent representation to the child or minor as is due an adult client pursuant to the Mississippi Rules of Professional Conduct.
(5) An attorney shall enter his appearance on behalf of a party in the proceeding by filing a written notice of appearance with the youth court, by filing a pleading, notice or motion signed by counsel or by appearing in open court and advising the youth court that he is representing a party. After counsel has entered his appearance, he shall be served with copies of all subsequent pleadings, motions and notices required to be served on the party he represents. An attorney who has entered his appearance shall not be permitted to withdraw from the case until a timely appeal, if any, has been decided, except by leave of the court then exercising jurisdiction of the cause after notice of his intended withdrawal is served by him on the party he represents.
(6) Each designee appointed by a youth court judge shall be subject to the Code of Judicial Conduct and shall govern himself or herself accordingly.
(f) That a petition be filed.
(f) Order that a petition be filed.
(3) If the preliminary inquiry discloses that a child needs emergency medical treatment, the judge may order the necessary treatment.
(4) If the intake unit recommends any action under subsection (1) of this section in delinquency or child-in-need-of-supervision proceedings, the unit must notify the public defender who would represent the child. If there is no public defender available, the intake unit shall recommend to the youth court that qualified counsel be appointed, and the youth court must appoint counsel under Section 43-21-201.
SECTION 27. Section 99-40-1, Mississippi Code of 1972, which creates the Indigent Appeals and Public Defender Training Divisions and establishes the Public Defenders Education Fund, is repealed.
SECTION 28. Section 1, Sections 4 through 8, and Section 26 of this act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2019, and the remainder of this act shall take effect and be in force from and after January 1, 2020.
|
0.999632 |
If you have been in a car accident, there are a few things that you need to realize before you even call up your insurance company if you want to guarantee that you get a fair settlement.
The first thing you need to make sure that you don't do is admit fault at the scene of the accident. It is human nature to apologize for things, even if you didn't do anything wrong. For example, if someone bumps into, and you reflexively say sorry. When talking with the other driver, it can be natural to ask if they are okay and to say sorry for what happened, even if you were not at fault.
If you can, try to hold back on the natural urge to say sorry to the other driver. It may seem and feel like a simple courtesy to you, but by saying sorry, the other driver can report to their insurance company that you admitted fault for the accident, which can greatly reduce your chances of getting a fair settlement. If the other driver records your conversation in any way, it can look like a clear-cut admission of fault.
Second, be careful when you call your insurance company as well. It is important to realize that your statements are recorded when you call your insurance company. If the insurance company asks if you are hurt, don't say that you are fine. Let them know that you have gotten or are going to get evaluated by medical professionals; do not say that you are fine or okay and don't provide details of your medical condition until you have been fully assessed by a medical professional. You don't want to say that you are okay, then later come back to your insurance company with medical expenses.
Also, be careful about what you disclose about the accident. Stick to the facts of what happened, and don't attempt to guess the answer to any questions. Everything that you say will be used to determine who is at fault and your overall compensation.
Your words only mean so much. If possible, try to gather as much evidence of what happened. Take pictures of the scene, your vehicle and your injuries. Make sure that you get copies of your medical records. The more evidence you can gather and present to your insurance company, the better the chance is that they are going to see the accident in the manner that you perceive it and properly award you the right level of compensation.
If you have any doubts about getting the level of compensation that you deserve, you are going to want to talk to a personal injury or car accident lawyer, or visit a site like http://www.bjhmaldenlaw.com.
|
0.988019 |
You have a nice looking iMac G4? And you just can't throw it away?
First, we need to know how the inverter pinout is. This requires to measure the signals on the living object. The next thing to do is to remove all the old innards.
The touch sensors for the CCFL brightness adjustment require two big holes in the faraday cage.
The 19V NUC PSU powers the entire system. An additional Pico PSU converts the 19V input voltage to 12V, 5V and 3.3V for the screen, the optical drive etc. It is switched on and off, using a custom made controller.
Working with mains voltage is dangerous can cause serious injury or even d..th! Be careful! The most important point is, that the metal part of the dome is always properly connected with the ground wire!!
The backlights are controlled from a Picaxe microcontroller and two touch sensors. This little extra makes a brightness change very convenient.
The Intel NUC is installed in the top half of the dome, below the new 80mm Noctua fan. This leaves just enough room for the original Super Drive.
The original Super Drive is connected, using an ATA to USB adapter. A little cutout in the sheet metal housing is required in order to free some space for the internal NUC power connector. All the custom electronics and the Chime controller are mounted on the bottom side of the drive housing.
A vintage Apple computer just needs an "Apple Chime" start sound. A new sound module drives the original internal speaker and is controlled by the Picaxe controller, which is described in step 5.
The original M6531 Pro Speakers are used in original condition, using their 2.5mm Apple connector. The signal comes from a USB sound adapter and is then amplified in a PAM8403 class D amplifier. The original 2.5mm socket on the mainboard is rewired.
To keep the fan noise as silent as possible, a temperature controlled Picaxe fan controller is implemented in this step.
In this step, the original USB sockets are removed and replaced with new ones. The two FireWire sockets are replaced with a USB 3.0 socket. In addition, the original Ethernet socket is rewired and reused. The original power switch is also reused and rewired.
The NUC CMOS battery is moved outside the NUC, in order to keep it accessible.
Can you give me a list of spacific parts that you would recommend me using?
The 19V original NUC power brick is used and feeds the NUC via the coaxial plug. 19V then comes out of the internal 2pin molex connector on the NUC mainboard and feeds into the pico PSU. You have to use a pico PSU with wide range input to be compatible with the 19V from the NUC. Unfortunately I don't have the product reference anymore.
Hi! thanks for the pictures and explanations, just could you explain how you go from the original power bloc to the NUC power supply and how do you split from there to both the picoPSU and the NUC? Do you have a product reference I can order? Thanks!
Thats some amazing work! We have an old G4 iMac in our office and no idea what to do with it.
Thanks. Just keep it. The price will raise!
They said that about the Color Classic and Mac Classic machines I have. At least those are easy to wire up, since they're just big cubes.
|
0.998942 |
Doctor: How did you sustain this injury?
Victory:(1)Because I was forced to exercise for a long time, I sustained this injury.
(2)Being forced to exercise for a long time, I sustained this injury.
It is unsuitable to answer the doctor question with the second pattern.
Could anybody tell me when the second type of sentence pattern is used?
(1)Because Lucus is generous and loves his alma mater very much, he donates a big sum of money when his school is in need.
(2)Being generous and loving his alma mater very much, Lucus donates a big sum of money when his school is in need.
Your dialogue is much too formal to be realistic. Here's a more typical version.
Doctor: How did you do this?
Victory: Exercising for a long time.
I wouldn't say it's unsuitable. I'd say it's not a common way to speak.
#2 is more formal, and more typical of writen English. In order to produce a sentence like this, most native speakers need first to think carefully and plan in detail. That's why it is not typical of spontaneous everyday speech.
What I hope most to know is?
When the second type of sentence is more suitable to be used?
The second type of sentence give me the feeling that it's lack of the meaning of cause and effect.So I think the second one it is not very suitable to be used when others ask you why.
So that makes me confused that when the sentence type of pattern is more suitable.
the second type of sentence pattern gives me the feeling that it is more suitable to be used when we are going to talk about sequence.
Actually,I don't know whether my opinion is right or not?
The second type of sentence give me the feeling that it's lack of the meaning of cause and effect.So I think the second one it is not very suitable to be used when others ask you why. That's true. The 'cause' is more implicit. The grammar just really says 'consider these two things together'.
the second type of sentence pattern gives me the feeling that it is more suitable to be used when we are going to talk about sequence. No, I see less sense of 'sequence' here, and even less sense of explicit connection between the two parts.
Finally, and speaking very, very generally, I'd say it is more common to give the effect first, followed by the reason.
eg He broke his leg because he fell down rather than Because he fell down, he broke his leg.
Personally, I think we tend to think first of the effect and then of the cause.
|
0.999687 |
Hola mi nombre es Roberto Rubio. Yo trabajo en el restaurant "Pargo Rojo". Tengo 15 años trabajando ahí, a lo largo de esa trayectoria eh conocido a muchos Americanos, pero eh tenido el placer de tener un amistad con señora Carolyn Joyce Kinsman y señor Perry Wilkes, personas muy agradables y humildes, que luchan por un bien común, estoy muy orgulloso de formar parte de la vida de tan maravillosas personas y que mis hijos tengan tan grandes ejemplos para que sean altruistas ante todo. Hace algún tiempo señora Carolyn me ofreció ayudar a mi hija Priscilla en su ingles ya que yo le platicaba que es muy vergonzosa para practicarlo de aquí nació otra amistad.
Hello my name is Roberto Rubio and I work in the restaurant "Pargo Rojo". I have been working there 15 years and am known to many Americans, but there was the pleasure of having a friendship with Mrs. Carolyn Joyce Kinsman and Mr. Perry Wilkes , very nice and humble people, who are fighting for a common good. I am very proud to be part of the lives of such wonderful people and my children have such great examples to be altruistic first and foremost. Some time ago, Mrs. Carolyn offered to help my daughter Priscilla in her English and I told her that it is very embarrassing to practice it. From here was born another friendship.
Expanding your world with adventures and friendships in another country and sharing stories and laughter in another language is an amazing gift. When you open your heart, eyes and mind to another culture, you are rewarded with a renewed perspective, mutual acceptance and a broader understanding of how interconnected we all are.
This describes the meaning of my friendship with Noe Bustamante for so many years here in Bahia de Kino, Sonora, Mexico. We worked together in a residential treatment program for young men called Positive Impact . We have also shared in many activities over the years - Mexican holidays, quinceañeras, weddings*, funerals, panga trips to Isla Alcatraz, eating "tacos de cabeza" in the plaza, to mention a few.
It is no surprise to me that Noe is now the "comisario" (mayor) of Kino Bay, such a generous soul intent on helping others.
Because of our years of friendship, I feel accepted and included within the Mexican life. I have learned much from my Mexican friend about courtesy, respect and a generosity of spirit that so represents the Mexican people.
Seeing Noe in town always means sharing a smile and a friendly greeting. When he tells me that I am now a Kineña, (a person from Kino), he makes me feel that special connection of belonging where I live. I thank him for that!
My life has been enriched and I am proud to stand alongside of Noe in a Kino mural celebrating "Amigos Sin Muros" - para siempre, forever!
In 2004 while trying to locate a person in old Kino, I knocked on a door of a young woman named Alma. At the time I spoke almost no Spanish but somehow was able to communicate who I was looking for. A child of 2 years at her side and pregnant, without hesitation she climbed in my car and after 4 or 5 stops located the person. We became friends, sharing coffee and stilted conversation. Over the years I watched the children grow up. Adriana would great me with hugs and say " Marylana, would you like coffee?" Her first English sentence. Precilla, not wanting a quincinera, but a space of her own instead. Alma and Lupe having a third daughter Nicole. There have been hard times for this family but they are resilient and are always grateful for all they have. They exemplify the " family first" in Mexican culture. I am honored to be their friend and part of their lives as the girls grow into fine young women.
Jorge and I met while I was attending classes at Prescott College in Bahia de Kino. We both live at the Prescott College Kino Bay Center, him fulltime and myself only during the school year. Since knowing Jorge he has been a teacher of many things. Not only has he helped me with my Spanish throughout the time I’ve known him, he also has educated me on different aspects of the Estuaries and wetlands in this area as well as the occasional geology of the islands and peaks surrounding Kino. I am grateful to know Jorge and share a learning space with him because I believe people coming together from different nations is crucial to create diversity and diverse opinions. If you look at a problem from only one perspective, you will only come up with a one-sided solution. By diversifying your surroundings and interacting with people who are different than yourself, you are able to look at things with a broader and more educated view.
|
0.999242 |
What causes pain related to my dentures?
Denture pain is usually due to poor fitting or poorly adjusted dentures. It may also be a result of new dentures, worn over soft tissues that have not developed thick, toughened layers of protective keratin.
There are many causes of denture pain. Here are a few of the more common ones. Your dentist can help you to better understand the causes of, and solutions for denture sores.
Poor fitting, or poorly retained (loose) removable dentures can rub on the gum tissues causing sore spots. Complete dentures apply pressure to the supporting alveolar bone, which can cause it to resorb(shrink) away over time. When this occurs, the dentures rock back and forth, creating pressure points and more pain. Minimizing the number of pressure points and keeping chewing forces evenly distributed on the soft tissue requires good adaptation of the denture to the edentulous ridge. This is why it is so important to have your dentures evaluated for proper fit and bite adjustment by a dentist on regular intervals.
Removable partial dentures, that are held in the mouth by attachments to teeth or implants, and supported by the soft tissues where teeth are missing, can also get out of proper adjustment. This happens when the soft tissue and underlying bone shrink (resorb) away from the denture after a period of time, and cause the denture to be suspended only from teeth. The supporting anchor teeth (abutments) may crack or loosen, the denture may begin to rock, and the denture will no longer function properly against the teeth of the opposite jaw. Again, it is very important to have removable partial dentures evaluated for proper fit, retention, and bite adjustment by a dentist on regular intervals to avoid these sorts of problems.
When bone resorption under a lower denture becomes severe, the denture may begin to place direct pressure on the mental nerves. This can be extremely painful, and typically happens after many years of complete denture wear. The pain is generally felt in the area just behind the missing canine teeth, and is worst when applying biting pressure in that area. If you are experiencing these problems, ask your dentist about Mental Nerve Pain, and the possibility of treating it with dental implants.
Another potential source of pain with dentures is a condition called candidiasis (or thrush), a fungal infection which can cause painful erosions of the soft tissue under the denture. If you have painful mouth sores of any kind, see your dentist as soon as possible. Not all forms of candidiasis are painful, so if you notice changes in the appearance of your soft tissues, see your dentist as soon as possible to have it evaluated.
Over-the-counter remedies for denture pain and loose dentures seldom offer acceptable long-term solutions to the problem, and can even aggravate it. As an example, applying excessive amounts of denture adhesive to a denture changes its physical position in the mouth, and the teeth no longer engage properly with the teeth of the opposite dental arch. The resulting imbalance in chewing force distribution can cause further resorption of the edentulous ridges.
Denture sores are usually due to poor fitting or poorly adjusted dentures. They may also be a result of new dentures, worn over soft tissues that have not developed thick, toughened layers of protective keratin.
Poorly retained complete dentures are generally due to inadequate suction, and is a common complaint—especially for lower complete dentures. Dentures which once stayed in place well, but have recently begun to feel loose often become that way as a result of changes in the shape of the underlying bone and soft tissue in response to bone resorption.
Partial dentures may become loose as a result of improperly adjusted clasps, which may distort over time under normal usage. Denture retention can often be improved substantially by placement of one or more dental implants, to which the denture is attached with custom hardware. Retention can sometimes be improved by relining the denture.
This page was last updated on November 27, 2017.
|
0.999967 |
Passage To India specialises in Indian takeaways, serving a range of dishes.
Sanjida Indian Takeaway specialises in Indian takeaways, serving a wide variety of dishes.
So, welcome to Sanjida Indian Takeaway now serving Indian and other takeaway meal combinations. At Sanjida Indian Takeaway you are certain to find the perfect dish for not only yourself but for your family and friends.
"Indian Takeaways in Porthmadog Takeaway The Easy Way"
|
0.940152 |
If you are looking to open a new bank account, it is a good idea to learn about the different types of bank accounts available, to ensure that you get the right account for your exact needs.
There are several types of bank accounts available, each one being tailored to slightly different requirements and also varying from bank to bank. Each type of account offers different advantages and for many it might be beneficial to hold a combination of accounts.
This type of account usually offers the customer the facility to have regular payments paid in free of charge, and to set up direct debits or standings orders. The customers bank should issue the account holder with a card to withdraw money, which may or may not be free of charge, depending upon where the money is withdrawn.
A basic account normally lacks the facility of a chequebook and an overdraft, the benefit of the latter being that the customer need not worry about accumulating debt. On the downside, the interest rate received by the customer may be lower than that for a current account.
Like the basic account, current accounts are tailored towards everyday use such as paying in money, withdrawing money, as well as setting up standing orders and direct debits. Customers will receive a debit card with capability such as visa or maestro, enabling the customer to withdraw money where they find the relevant sign. The debit card for this account also permits customers to make payments via the chip and pin process.
A current account will typically also return low levels of interest on the money in your account, but unlike the basic account, may provide the facility of an overdraft which needs to be arranged with your bank. Customers are also usually entitled to a chequebook as a method of payment.
Savings accounts will offer a higher rate of interest to the customer and therefore provide a means of saving money and to see a return in the form of interest. This often means that you cannot move your money too often. In fact, some savings accounts require that you give notice before withdrawing money. Customers should also be ware that interest gains will be taxed, and are normally deducted before being received by the account holder. Non-taxpayers in the UK can claim back the tax on the interest gained, but for UK taxpayers, an ISA may be a better option for saving money.
The main feature of a student account is that they normally offer an overdraft facility for students. The overdraft limit will vary between banks, but will commonly be a free facility. Banks also offer different incentives for students to open an account, which may include complimentary insurance, electronic devices, railcards and more.
|
0.966572 |
sum-up of the wedding vibe: An elegant elopement in a natural setting with unique personal touches.
Our cocktail reception. Since we were eloping in the woods, we knew we wanted some way to celebrate with all of our friends later in the day, and because everything else was so low-key, the cocktail reception ended up being about half of our budget.
Our attire (compared to a “regular” wedding), because I didn’t want to wear a white dress—it’s totally not my style. So I went to a vintage store in San Francisco and bought a flapper-style dress for $325. Definitely the most expensive dress I’ve ever personally purchased, but waaaay less money than a standard wedding gown! For John, we got him a suit online and had it tailored, so his outfit ended up costing about the same as mine. We spent hardly any money on invitations (I’m an invitation designer, so I did them all myself), and my corsage and John’s boutonnière were completely free, picked from our garden and assembled by me. We also spent under $1,000 for both of our rings, because we wanted to make them ourselves and opted for silver without stones.
Having a private ceremony! Being in the wedding industry, I knew that I wanted an extremely low-key wedding, because I know how expensive and stressful planning a wedding can be. I wanted to fly somewhere and elope, but John felt that celebrating with family and friends was important, so we compromised and had a completely private ceremony, and then met up with friends and family afterward. It was so incredible to have that time alone where we could focus on the importance of our commitment to each other (and get some stellar photos without having to wrangle family and friends). Because it was just us, we could avoid the headache of reserving a ceremony spot. We just scouted it a month or so before, and then showed up on the day and did the thing!
The tintypes were also super worth it. We found someone who was willing to take tintype photos of us at the actual ceremony spot—and they set up an entire darkroom in the woods to develop as they shot them. It was such a fun experience and something we will keep forever. Plus, since we didn’t have any guests present at the ceremony, it was okay that the tintypes took time to take and develop. We didn’t have to stress about people waiting on us and could enjoy the process.
We literally wracked our brains, and there is absolutely nothing we regret about the day. Everything was intentional and personal, and it all went off without a hitch. We wouldn’t have changed a thing!
Since I’m a wedding professional, I had a ton of great resources and contacts at my disposal, which I am super grateful for. Our photographer was a colleague of mine who does a lot of elopement work, and I completely trusted her to capture our day—plus since we know each other, I felt comfortable asking her to be our witness! And, when I was trying to figure out our officiant, she had a friend who was certified, so it worked out to have him come along (and he ended up doing an incredible job). Even though we were having a low-key wedding, we still didn’t have $10,000 burning a hole in our pocket. We couldn’t have made any of this happen without both of our parents, who covered our family dinner and our cocktail reception.
Go with your instincts! We both had a really specific vision of what we wanted, and we tried to infuse the day with lots of meaning and significance. Getting pushback about not having a “traditional” wedding can be tough, but we stuck with our plan and what was important to us, and we had the best time. At the end of the day, our celebration was completely about us and our love for each other.
We were married on our ten-year anniversary, so we played into the significance of that day with a lot of elements. We got “engagement tattoos” (since I was the one who proposed, and it didn’t involve a ring). The tattoos have nine lines/dots to represent the nine years we’ve been together, and the wedding band is the tenth line, added on the day of our ten-year anniversary. We made our own wedding bands at Metalworks SF, and they feature ten facets, to also represent our ten years together. We also designed a wall hanging that we could make together at the ceremony, with ten strands and a branch from our plum tree. John had the genius idea to color-code it based on all the places we’ve lived together over the past ten years. And, of course, our wedding hashtag was #decadetolife.
|
0.999488 |
Significance: Immigrant aid organizations played an important role in helping immigrants to establish themselves in the United States. Not only have they offered muchneeded financial assistance to immigrants, many of whom have been employed in lowwage jobs, but they also have given immigrants a sense of belonging and created a sense of home by providing social activities and traditional holiday celebrations.
During the eighteenth, nineteenth, and twentieth centuries, the vast majority of immigrants coming to the United States from Europe, Latin America, and Asia were poor working-class individuals who came seeking economic opportunities and better lives for themselves and their families. Farmers, laborers, and tradespeople who have lacked formal educations have found themselves in a new country in which customs are different, working conditions are often far from ideal, and the legal system is unfamiliar. The situation of new immigrants has been made more difficult by the fact many do not speak English when they arrive, and they have missed the cultural ambiance that they had left in their native lands.
Within the various ethnic communities or groups, organizations were soon formed to help individuals through both financial assistance and moral support. Early organizations helped those in their group who were ill and in need of medical care and those who were at times unable to find work and provide for their families. The concept of self-help was a major part of these organizations. Members paid either set dues or whatever they could afford. These funds were typically used to assist members with expenses incurred in childbirth, weddings, and funerals. Aid organizations eventually began offering health and life insurance at low rates. Some organizations even established banks to provide loans to members. Many organizations were also active in maintaining traditions of the home countries by sponsoring festivals and traditional holiday celebrations. Many of these organizations have remained active into the twenty-first century. as aid societies or social organizations or both.
The first immigrant aid organization formed in the United States was the Charitable Irish Association of Boston, which was founded in 1737. Originally, its members had to be Irish Protestants, or of Irish ancestry, and had to live in Boston. However, by 1742, the majority of the members were Irish Catholics living in Boston. The Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) formed organizations to aid Irish Catholic immigrants in almost all the areas of the United States in which Irish immigrants settled. The Hibernians were present in New York City, in Savannah, Georgia, and in Philadelphia.
The AOH was also active in the anthracite coal-mining region of Pennsylvania where it was purported to be associated with the Molly Maguires, a militant Irish Catholic mineworkers group that attempted to improve their working conditions by the use of intimidation and force. While members of the Molly Maguires were also members of the AOH, the latter organization itself eschewed violence, was benevolent, and provided financial assistance to members who were ill or impoverished.
The large Mexican immigrant population that was first located in the southwestern United States brought with it from Mexico a strong sense of community. El pueblo, the place where one lives, had a major significance in the Mexican mindset. Community aid organizations known as mutualistas were a part of the culture of their homeland. The membership of the mutualistas, which have remained very active into the twenty-first century, has varied and continues to do so. Members have included Mexicans, Mexican Americans, and non-Mexicans. The mutualistas provide not only financial assistance and traditional social activities but also support to members who experience workplace or political discrimination.
The Italian immigrants who came to the United States also created mutual aid organizations to provide financial assistance to the ill and impoverished. However, unlike the Irish, who emphasized nationality and religion, and the Mexicans, for whom el pueblo, or the community, was most important, the Italians established their societies on a narrower base. Their organizations based membership either on the families to which members belonged or the regions of Italy from which the immigrants came.
The mutual aid organizations established by the vast number of Chinese immigrants brought to the California area as laborers in the gold mines and for railroad construction were even more complex in their determination of membership. However, they also reflected the traditions and culture of the home country. Three distinct types of Chinese mutual aid associations were established. The clan associations received members having the same surname, and the tongs had a broader membership and included immigrants from different clans and districts. Membership in the huikuan or huiguan was open to all those speaking the same dialect, coming from the same district, or belonging to the same ethnic group. Other European groups such as the Belgians, Germans, and Poles also established aid organizations based on nationality.
Candeloro, Dominic. Chicago’s Italians: Immigrants, Ethnics, Americans. Chicago: Arcadia Press, 2003. Traces development of Italian contributions to Chicago in labor unions, politics, and religion.
Gutíerrez, David G. Walls and Mirrors: Mexican Americans, Mexican Immigrants and the Politics of Ethnicity. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1995. Excellent history of Mexicans and their descendants in the United States with a strong emphasis on the Mexican immigrants’ maintenance of their culture and the role of mutualistas. Also good presentation of role of labor and political organizations.
Portes, Alejandro, and Rubén G. Rumbaut. Immigrant America: A Portrait. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2006. Excellent for understanding the problems and difficulties shared by immigrant groups and the need for immigrant aid organizations.
Pozzetta, George, ed. Immigrant Institutions: The Organization of Immigrant Life. New York: Routledge, 1991. Collection of useful articles on Italian, Jewish, and Japanese aid organizations. Many articles emphasize the roles of ethnic newspapers and of saloons as gathering places.
Reimers, David. Other Immigrants: The Global Origins of the American People. New York: New York University Press, 2005. Good discussion of the problems faced by non-European immigrants, with some attention to the aid organizations that were formed.
See also: Association of Indians in America; Chinese family associations; Chinese secret societies; Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles; El Rescate; Ethnic enclaves; Health care; Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund; Social networks; Sociedad Progresista Mexicana; Welfare and social services.
|
0.949802 |
Picture the following situation: The sun is shining on your face, a cat is curled up in your lap – purring-, it smells like toasted scone with jam, and there’s someone playing the guitar close by. That’s me. Right now. Could it get any more Irish?
Let me give you some more details: Three weeks ago, I landed in Dublin early in the morning and took a bus towards Callan, a village close to Kilkenny. Here, I worked as a volunteer at Fennelly’s, a local art café, together with other volunteers.
I thought long about how to summarise my experiences and arrived at the conclusion that one a post isn’t enough! So, here’s the first impression of my stay, focusing on what to do and see in Kilkenny.
Kilkenny (Irish: Cill Chainnigh, meaning “Church of Cainnech”) is literally how you imagine an Irish town. Its the perfect mix of historic buildings, narrow lanes and colourful storefronts. Kilkenny’s picturesque ‘Medieval Mile’ along the bank of the River Nore is one of the Southeast’s biggest tourists draws – for obvious reasons!
Kilkenny is definitely not short on shops and pubs.
My personal highlight, though: The castle. This 12th Century castle dominates the ‘High Town’ of Kilkenny city. It was home of the powerful Butler family for almost 600 years and has just recently (1967) been sold back to ‘the people’ for a symbolical price of £50. As a student, you pay an admission fee of €4 to see the castle’s art gallery and historical exhibition. I think it’s worth it but I’m also a little castle fanatic.
If you don’t feel like spending money, don’t worry! The castle gardens are free and absolutely stunning! Trust me, nothing beats a walk along the River Nore and through the massive gardens on a late summer afternoon.
Flower, ponds, and wildlife – you’ll find it all!
Most of the towns historic buildings and churches are built of dark-grey limestone flecked with fossil seashells, giving Kilkenny the nickname ‘the Marble city’. I, personally, was most impressed by the St. Mary’s Cathedral. The Gothic cathedral is built entirely out of limestone and its tower rises to a height of 186 feet (approx. 56 meters). But there’s also the ‘lack Abbey and the Church of St Canicewith its round tower, which are worth a visit!
However, ot only Kilkenny’s churches are impressive. Another favourite building of mine is St Kieran’s College. Founded in 1782, makes it the oldest Catholic college in Ireland.
Fun fact: Ralph Fiennes, the actor who plays Lord Voldemort, went to St Kieran’s College for a year.
Kilkenny is one of Ireland’s most creative hubs. I was lucky enough to arrive during the Kilkenny Art Festival, which takes place all across town. However, you can sense the creative soul of the city throughout the whole year. I’ll be back in Kilkenny at the end of November to attend the European Subtitle Film Festival – already super excited!
One of Kilkenny’s many art installations.
I hope you enjoyed my personal highlights of Kilkenny. The next post will be about what to do in the county of Kilkenny. There’re some pretty awesome places to visit! Would you like to know more about how to become a volunteer in Ireland? Let me know!
P.S. I’m off to Dublin now. So, if anyone has tips about where to eat, what to see or hidden gems of the capital, hit me up!
|
0.948355 |
NEW: Investigators suspect "political and religious motives"
(CNN) -- An Arkansas man was arrested Monday in connection with a shooting at a Little Rock military recruiting center that killed one soldier and wounded another, authorities said.
Police identified the suspect as Abdulhakim Mujahid Muhammad, formerly known as Carlos Bledsoe.
Abdulhakim Mujahid Muhammad -- a 24-year-old Little Rock resident formerly known as Carlos Bledsoe -- faces a first-degree murder charge and 15 counts of engaging in a terrorist act, Little Rock Police Chief Stuart Thomas said. The terrorist counts stem from the shots fired at an occupied building.
While authorities continued to investigate a motive, Thomas said Muhammad is a Muslim convert and, based on preliminary interviews with him, investigators believe there were "political and religious motives" in the shooting.
Military officials initially believed the shooting was a random act, but Thomas said police believe the shooter acted alone "with the specific purpose of targeting military personnel."
The soldier who was killed was identified as Pvt. William Long, 24, of Conway, and the wounded soldier is Pvt. Quinton Ezeagwula, 18, of Jacksonville, Thomas said.
Ezeagwula is in stable condition and expected to recover, the police chief said.
"I'm relieved there's a suspect in custody," said Capt. Matthew Feehan, commander of the center.
Feehan said seven other recruiters were in the building, but nobody else was injured.
Thomas said police recovered three guns from Muhammad's black Ford SUV: an SKS semi-automatic rifle, a .22-caliber rifle and a pistol.
The victims were just out of basic training and had not been deployed, said Lt. Col. Thomas F. Artis, commander of the Oklahoma recruiting battalion that oversees the Little Rock recruiting center.
Melvin Bledsoe of Memphis, Tennesee , who was listed on the police report as Muhammad's father, declined to comment, referring questions to Little Rock Police.
The soldiers were part of a recruiting program called "hometown recruiting assistance," Artis said. Under the program, recruiters have the soldiers tell their stories to potential recruits. It's a volunteer position taken while soldiers are visiting or based back in their home region, Artis said.
The FBI has opened an investigation into the incident, said Steven Frazier, spokesman for the agency's Little Rock office. "Based on what we find, we will determine whether there is any federal jurisdiction to prosecute," he said.
CNN's Mike Phelan, Mike Mount and Terry Frieden contributed to this report.
|
0.944493 |
While you hear the world platinum”, what comes to mind? Platinum weddings, platinum albums, platinum credit cards, and naturally platinum jewellery In other words, platinum symbolizes the last word in luxurious and status. A particularly uncommon metallic, platinum can be more valuable than gold or silver, and demand for it remains very excessive. This is a look into the fascinating history behind platinum, its use in jewelry and business, and a glimpse into the best way by which it has develop into a really worthwhile commodity for buyers and collectors. I use to promote jewellery, so I can firmly attest that you have offered excellent ideas and advice right here. Such as you mentioned, if at all potential, get to know the jeweler. I discovered that a jeweler who is aware of you personally will take better care of you.
|
0.984434 |
Article Name:High Hitler: How Nazi drug abuse steered the course of History?
Methamphetamine: a synthetic drug with more rapid and lasting effects than amphetamine, used illegally as a stimulant.
Vertiginous: Extremely High or Steep.
Turret: A low armoured tower, typically one that revolves, for a gun and gunners in a ship, aircraft, fort, or tank.
Fracking: The process of creating fractures in rocks and rock formations by injecting specialized fluid into cracks to force them to open further.
Ratify: Sign or give formal consent to (a treaty, contract, or agreement), making it officially valid.
Stellar: Featuring or having the quality of a star performer or performers.
Commune: A group of people living together and sharing possessions and responsibilities.
|
0.978313 |
Tell me a story: How does one photographer capture all three outs of a triple play?
How does one photographer capture all three outs of a triple play?
To visually tell the story of a major-league triple play with a video camera is no great feat; every game is televised and shot by multiple cameras. But to capture all three outs with stills takes anticipation and preparation, as Boston Globe photographer Jim Davis says. It's a lesson that can be applied by any photographer or reporter in almost any situation, be it breaking news, a sit-down interview or anything in between.
|
0.939069 |
本発明は、画像の中から対象物の特徴点を検出するための装置や方法やプログラム等に適用されて有効な技術に関する。 The present invention relates to the application has been effective technique from an image to the apparatus and methods and programs for detecting the feature point of the object.
画像の中から対象物の特徴点を検出する技術として、顔の特徴点を検出する技術がある。 As a technique for detecting the feature point of the object from the image, there is a technique for detecting feature points of the face. 以下、顔を対象物とした場合の背景技術について述べる。 The following describes the background of the case, which was the object of the face.
人物が撮像された画像から顔の特徴点位置を得ることにより、例えば、その人物の目の開閉情報、顔姿勢、視線方向、顔の表情などを推定することができる。 By a person obtaining the feature point position of the face from the image captured, for example, can be estimated closing information of the eye of the person, the face pose, viewing direction, and facial expressions. また、これらの推定結果から、その人物の状態をより詳細に知ることが可能となる。 Further, from these estimation results, it is possible to know the status of the person in more detail. そして、人物の状態を詳細に把握することにより、マン・マシン・インタフェースの性能向上や新たなサービスの提供等を図ることができる。 Then, by knowing the state of the person in detail, it is possible to achieve the provision of improved performance and new services of the man-machine interface. このように、顔の特徴点位置を正確に知ることは、マン・マシン・インタフェースの開発の上で重要な課題となっている。 In this way, to know the exact feature point position of the face, it has become an important issue in the development of man-machine interface.
このようなマン・マシン・インタフェースの例として、運転者モニタリングシステムがある。 Examples of such man-machine interface, there is a driver monitoring system. このシステムでは、運転者の目の開閉、顔姿勢、視線方向などが逐次観察される。 In this system, the opening and closing of the driver's eyes, the face pose, such as line-of-sight direction is sequentially observed. そして、この観察結果に基づいて運転者の疲労度合い等が判断され、状況に応じた的確なアドバイスが可能となる。 Then, this observation degree of fatigue of the driver based on the like are determined, it is possible to accurate advice according to the situation.
また、他のマン・マシン・インタフェースの例として、動画ビデオカメラや静止画カメラなどへの応用がある。 In addition, as an example of the other man-machine interface, there are applications such as motion video camera or a still camera. これらの装置において、被撮影者の顔姿勢を知ることにより、撮影条件を変化させるなど、多彩な処理が可能となる。 In these devices, by knowing the face orientation of the person to be photographed, such as changing the photographing conditions, versatile processing can be performed. この他、目や口などの特徴点の画像を詳細に解析することで、個人の識別を高い精度で行うことも可能となる。 In addition, by analyzing in detail the image feature points such as the eyes and mouth, it is possible to perform identification of individual with high precision.
画像から特徴点位置を得る方法（以下、「特徴点検出方法」と呼ぶ）としては、テンプレートマッチングによるもの、及びその応用によるものが一般的である。 Method of obtaining the feature point position from the image (hereinafter, referred to as "feature point detecting method") as is by template matching, and is generally due to its applications. これらの方法では、各特徴点の一般的な情報（以下、「特徴量」と呼ぶ）が予め保存される。 In these methods, general information of each feature point (hereinafter, referred to as "feature amount") is previously stored. そして、画像内の一部の領域から得られる特徴量と、保存されている特徴量とが比較されることにより、取得すべき特徴点であるか否かが判断される。 Then, the feature amount obtained from the partial region within the image, by the feature amount stored is compared, whether a feature point to be acquired is determined. このとき使用される特徴量の具体例としては、画像の輝度値ベクトルがある。 Specific examples of the characteristic quantity used at this time, there is a luminance value vector of the image. また、両特徴量の比較手段としては、正規化相関やユークリッド距離を使用するものが一般的である。 As the comparison means of the two feature quantities, those using a normalized correlation and Euclidean distance are common.
このような特徴点検出技術の例として、分離度フィルタによって予め探索点数を減らした後、パターンマッチングにより特徴点候補を検出する技術が提案されている（特許文献１参照）。 Examples of such feature point detecting technique, after reducing the pre-search score by separability filter, a technique for detecting the feature point candidates through pattern matching has been proposed (see Patent Document 1). この技術では、特徴点候補が検出された後、幾何的な拘束条件を適用し、最も人間の顔らしいと判断される候補点の組み合わせが出力される。 In this technique, after the feature point candidates are detected, applying a geometric constraint, the combination of candidate points that is determined to likely most human face is output.
しかしこの技術では、ほぼ正面を向いた、撮影条件のよい人物画像の特徴点しか検出することができない。 However, in this technique, facing almost straight ahead, it can only detect feature points of a good person images photographing condition. 従って、特徴点の一部が遮蔽物によって隠れてしまった画像や、予め保存されている特徴点の取得時と撮影条件（例えば照明条件）が大きく異なる画像からは、特徴点を正確に検出することは困難であった。 Therefore, a portion of the feature point image and which had hidden by shield from the pre-stored in the time of feature points acquired are photographing conditions (e.g., lighting conditions) greatly different images, to accurately detect the feature point it has been difficult.
また、顔の特徴点位置を得ることにより顔姿勢を推定する技術もある（特許文献２，３参照）。 There is also a technique for estimating the face pose by obtaining the feature point position of the face (see Patent Documents 2 and 3). このような技術では、顔の特徴点位置が取得された後、その全体配置や特徴量を用いて推定する手法が一般的である。 In such a technique, after the feature point position of the face are acquired, a method of estimating by using the entire arrangement and the feature amount is generally used. 例えば、目や口や眉や鼻を示す特徴点の座標と顔姿勢との関係が予めルックアップテーブルとして保存されている。 For example, the relationship between the coordinate and the face orientation of the feature points indicating the eye, mouth and eyebrows and nose are stored in advance as a look-up table. そして、画像から取得された特徴点の座標に対応する顔姿勢が、このルックアップテーブルから判断され、推定結果として出力される。 Then, the face pose corresponding to the coordinates of the acquired feature points from the image, it is determined from the look-up table, and output as an estimation result. この他にも、顔全体又は顔の特徴量のテンプレートを複数の顔の向きに対応して用意し、これらのテンプレートとマッチングをとることによって顔姿勢を求める手法もある。 In addition to this, and prepared corresponding characteristic quantity of template for the entire or face the face of the orientation of the plurality of faces, some method of obtaining the face pose by taking matching with these templates. しかしながら、これらの手法においても、顔姿勢の推定が正確に実行できるか否かは、顔の特徴点位置の精度に依存する。 However, in these methods, whether the estimation of the face pose can be accurately performed depends on the accuracy of the feature point position of the face. 従って、顔の特徴点位置の取得を正確に実行できなければ、顔姿勢の推定も正確に行うことができなかった。 Therefore, to be able to accurately perform acquisition of the feature point position of the face, the estimation of the face pose even could not be carried out accurately.
このような問題を解決する技術として、ＡＳＭ（Ａｃｔｉｖｅ Ｓｈａｐｅ Ｍｏｄｅｌ）と呼ばれる技術がある（非特許文献１参照）。 As a technique for solving such problems, ASM there is a technique called (Active Shape Model) (see Non-Patent Document 1). ＡＳＭでは、予め、学習用の多数の顔画像について特徴点の位置が取得され、顔形状モデルが作成され保持される。 In ASM, previously, the acquired position of the characteristic point for a large number of face images for learning, the face shape model is created and held. 顔形状モデルは、各特徴点に対応するノードによって構成される。 Face shape model is configured by nodes corresponding to each feature point. なお、顔形状モデルの詳細については、発明を実施するための最良の形態の欄で説明する。 The details of the face shape model will be described in the best mode section for carrying out the invention.
次に、ＡＳＭにより画像から特徴点の位置を検出する処理について説明する。 Next, a description will be given of a process for detecting the position of the feature point from the image by ASM. まず、処理対象となる画像の適当な初期位置に、この顔形状モデルが配置される。 First, a proper initial position of the image to be processed, the face shape model is arranged. 次に、顔形状モデルの各ノードについて、ノード周辺の複数の特徴量の取得が行われる。 Next, for each node of the face shape model, obtains the plurality of features of neighboring nodes is performed. 取得された複数の特徴量と予めそのノードに対応づけて保持されている特徴量とが比較される。 A feature amount in which a plurality of feature amounts obtained as being held in advance correlated to the node are compared. これら複数の特徴量取得位置のうち、各ノードに対応する特徴量に最も近い特徴量が取得された位置（即ち、各ノードに対応する特徴点である可能性が最も高いと判断される位置）に各ノードが移動される。 Among the plurality of feature acquiring position, a position closest feature quantity to the feature quantity corresponding to each node is acquired (i.e., a position likely to be a feature point corresponding to each node is determined to highest) each node is moved to. この時点で、顔形状モデルの各ノードの位置は、初期の位置からずれている。 At this point, the position of each node of the face shape model is displaced from the initial position. そこで、変形されたノード集合が、顔形状モデルに射影されることにより整形される。 Therefore, modified node set is shaped by being projected to the face shape model. 各ノード周りにおける特徴量の取得以降の処理が、所定の回数、又は一定の条件（収束条件）が満たされるまで繰り返し実行される。 Processing after acquiring feature quantity at around each node, a predetermined number of times, or certain conditions (convergence condition) is repeatedly executed until filled. そして、各ノードの最終的な位置が、各特徴点の位置と判断される。 The final position of each node is determined to the position of each feature point.
ＡＳＭでは、上記のように、各ノードの位置が移動した後に、顔形状モデルへの射影が行われる。 In ASM, as described above, after the position of each node moves, projection to the face shape model is performed. この処理により、各ノードの位置関係が顔らしい形状を保ったまま、特徴点の正確な位置を検出することができる。 This process can be positional relationship of each node while maintaining the face-like shape, to detect the exact position of the feature point. 即ち、一般の人の顔の形状からは到底ありえない位置に偶然的に特徴点と似た特徴量を有する部分が存在した場合にも、このような点を特徴点として誤検出することが防止される。 That is, the shape of the face of the general public even when the chance to portion having a feature value similar to a feature point to hardly Impossible position existed, erroneously detected such points as feature points is prevented that.
しかしながら、従来のＡＳＭでは、各ノードにおいて周囲の探索処理（特徴量の取得と、その比較）を行う必要があった。 However, in the conventional ASM, (acquisition of feature amount, the comparison) search processing around each node it is necessary to perform. このため、多くの計算時間を必要とするという欠点があった。 Therefore, there is a drawback that it requires a lot of computation time. また、従来のＡＳＭには、ロバスト性が低いという問題があった。 Moreover, the conventional ASM, robustness is low. 即ち、処理対象となる画像中の顔の向きが、初期位置に配置された顔形状モデルにおいて想定されている顔の向きと大きく異なる場合、特徴点の検出に失敗する場合が多いという問題があった。 That is, the orientation of the face in the image to be processed, a case where the face orientation is assumed in the arrangement face shape model at an initial position to differ, a problem that often fail to detect feature points It was.
量を推定することが可能になる。 It is possible to estimate the amount. ＡＡＭでは、以上の処理が学習処理として、予め実行される。 In AAM, the above process as the learning process is executed in advance.
次に、ＡＡＭにより画像から特徴点の位置を検出する処理について説明する。 Next, a description will be given of a process for detecting the position of the feature point from the image by AAM. まず、処理対象となる画像の適当な初期位置に、顔形状モデルが配置される。 First, a proper initial position of the image to be processed, the face shape model is arranged. 次に、配置された顔形状モデルのノード位置に基づいてパッチが作成され、各パッチにおける輝度分布がサンプリングされる。 Then, the patch is created based on the node position of the arranged face shape model, the luminance distribution in each patch is sampled. そして、サンプリングされた輝度分布が射影されることにより、シェイプフリー顔輝度値モデルが作成される。 By sampled luminance distribution is projected, the shape free face luminance value model is created.
次に、このシェイプフリー顔輝度値モデルから、予め求められている回帰式により、顔形状モデルの移動・変形量が推定される。 Then, from this shape free face luminance value model by a regression equation obtained in advance, movement and deformation amount of the face shape model is estimated. 顔形状モデルは、この推定結果に従って移動・変形される。 Face shape model is moved and deformed according to the estimation result. 以上の処理が、所定の回数、又は一定の条件（収束条件）が満たされるまで繰り返し実行される。 Above process, a predetermined number of times, or certain conditions (convergence condition) is repeatedly executed until filled. そして、各ノードの最終的な位置が、各特徴点の位置と判断される。 The final position of each node is determined to the position of each feature point.
ＡＡＭによれば、上記のように、各ノード周りの探索処理を行うことなく各特徴点の位置を検出することができる。 According to AAM, it is possible to detect the position of each feature point without performing as described above, the search processing around each node. このため、ＡＳＭの場合と異なり、各ノード周りの探索処理に時間を要することが無く、計算時間を削減できる。 Therefore, unlike the case of ASM, without it takes time to search processing around each node can reduce the calculation time. また、形状モデルを変形させることにより探索を行うため、ＡＳＭの場合と同様に、各ノードの位置関係が顔らしい形状を保ったまま、特徴点の正確な位置を検出することが可能となる。 Furthermore, for performing a search by deforming the shape model, as in the case of ASM, the positional relationship of each node while maintaining the likely face shape, it is possible to detect the precise position of the feature point.
しかしながら、ＡＡＭには以下のような問題点がある。 However, the AAM has the following problems.
ＡＡＭによって各特徴点の位置検出の精度を維持するためには、各パッチの輝度分布を取得する際に均質で密度の高いサンプリングを行う必要がある。 To maintain the accuracy of position detection of each feature point by the AAM, it is necessary to perform a high density sampling homogeneous when acquiring the luminance distribution of each patch. このため、そのサンプリングや、輝度分布を平均形状モデルへ射影する際の計算量が多大となり、多くの計算時間を要してしまう。 Therefore, the sampling and calculation amount when projecting the luminance distribution to the mean shape model becomes great, it takes a lot of computation time. さらに、ＡＡＭでは、正解点周りの微小なずれによる線形回帰に基づいて、顔形状モデルの移動量や変形量が推定される。 Moreover, in AAM, based on linear regression by minute displacement around the correct answer point, the movement amount and deformation amount of the face shape model is estimated. このため、大きなずれに対しては正しい推定を行うことができず、正しい結果を得ることができない。 Therefore, a large can not be performed correctly estimate for deviations, it is impossible to obtain a correct result.
このように、従来のＡＳＭやＡＡＭを用いた処理では、探索処理や、均質且つ高密度なサンプリングによる輝度分布の形状修正処理などにおいて多くの計算量を必要とするため、高速に特徴点の検出を行うことができなかった。 Thus, in the process using the conventional ASM and AAM, search processing, homogeneous and requires a lot of computational in such shape correction processing of the luminance distribution by a high density sampling, detection of the feature point at high speed It could not be carried out. しかしながら、上記したように、特徴点の検出結果はマン・マシン・インタフェース等において入力データとして利用されるため、応答性が求められる場合が多い。 However, as described above, the detection result of the feature point to be used as input data in the man-machine interface, etc., often response is required. このため、高速に特徴点の検出を行う事への要求が高まっていることも事実である。 Therefore, it is also true that there is an increasing demand for performing the detection of the feature point at high speed.
そこで本発明はこれらの問題を解決し、画像から特徴点の位置を高速に検出することを可能とする装置やプログラム等を提供することを目的とする。 The present invention solves these problems, and an object thereof is to provide an apparatus and a program making it possible to detect the position of the feature point at high speed or the like from the image.
従来は、ＡＡＭのように、形状修正処理を行うことによって、誤差推定（形状モデルにおける各ノードの正解点への移動方向や移動量を推定すること）を行うことが一般であった。 Conventionally, as AAM, by performing the shape correction processing, to perform the error estimation (estimating the moving direction and the moving amount of the correct point of each node in the shape model) were generally. 従って、これまで、誤差推定を行うにあたり形状修正処理を省くことは検討されてこなかった。 Accordingly, heretofore, omitting the shape correction processing when performing error estimation has not been studied. しかし、従来のＡＡＭにおいて、計算量の増大を招いていた要因を検討すると、必要とされている形状修正処理がその要因として挙げられる。 However, in the conventional AAM, when considering the factors that have led to an increase in calculation amount, the shape correcting process is required is given as the cause. そこで、本発明者は、このような形状修正処理を行うことなく特徴点の検出を可能とする装置について検討した。 The present inventors have studied device which allows the detection of the feature point without performing such a shape correcting process.
また、従来は、誤差推定の精度を高く維持するため、各ノードの周囲で高密度なサンプリングが実施されることが一般であった。 Further, conventionally, in order to maintain a high accuracy of error estimation, it has been common to high-density sampling around each node is performed. 例えば、従来のＡＡＭでは、各ノードによって構成されるパッチ内において均質且つ高密度なサンプリング（具体的には、通常１万点以上のサンプリング）が必要とされていた。 For example, in the conventional AAM, (specifically, usually 10,000 or more sampling) homogeneous and high density sampling in the patch configured by each node has been required. 従って、これまで、誤差推定を行うにあたり低密度なサンプリングを実施することは検討されてこなかった。 Accordingly, heretofore, performing the low-density sampling when performing error estimation has not been studied. しかし、従来のＡＡＭにおいて、計算量の増大を招いていた要因の一つとして、このような均質で高密度なサンプリングも挙げることができる。 However, in the conventional AAM, as one factor which has led to increase in the calculation amount it can also include high-density sampling in such homogeneous. そこで、本発明者は、このような均質且つ高密度なサンプリングを行うことなく特徴点の検出を可能とする装置について検討した。 The present inventors have studied device which allows the detection of the feature point without performing such homogeneous and high density sampling.
また、従来は特徴点の位置を画像平面（２次元）上で捉えていた。 Further, conventionally it had captured the position of the feature point on the image plane (two-dimensional). したがって、対象物（例えば、人の顔）の姿勢を得るためには、画像平面上での特徴点の位置が決定された後に、この特徴点の位置に基づいて対象物の姿勢を推定する必要があった。 Thus, the object (e.g., a human face) in order to obtain the attitude of, after the position of the feature point on the image plane is determined, necessary to estimate the posture of the object based on the position of the feature point was there. 形状モデルを３次元で表すことは検討されてこなかった。 Represent a shape model in three dimensions has not been studied. しかし、形状モデルとして３次元モデルを用いた場合は、検出された特徴点の位置から直接対象物の姿勢を求めることができる。 However, in the case of using the three-dimensional model as a geometric model, it is possible to determine the orientation of the direct object from the position of the detected feature points. そこで、本発明者は、３次元形状モデルを用いて特徴点の検出を行う装置について検討した。 The present inventors have studied device for detecting the feature points by using the three-dimensional shape model.
これらの検討の結果、本発明者は以下のような考えに至った。 Results of these studies, the present inventors have led to the idea as follows. まず、従来のＡＡＭにおける誤差推定では、各ノードにより構成されるパッチにおいてサンプリングが実施されていた。 First, the error estimation in the conventional AAM, the sampling has been performed in configured patch by each node. このため、パッチのように面としてサンプリングの結果を捉えると、誤差推定の結果に基づくノードの移動に伴う形状変形を形状修正処理によって修正しなければ処理の精度を維持することが難しかった。 Therefore, when capturing the results of the sampling as a surface as a patch, it is difficult to maintain the accuracy of processing to be modified the shape deformation caused by the movement of the node based on the results of the error estimated by the shape correction process. しかし、各ノードの周囲の複数の点について非均質且つ低密度のサンプリングを行う場合、形状が変形しても点は変形しないため、またサンプリング点が低密度であるため、ノードの移動に伴う形状変形の影響を受けにくい。 However, when performing the sampling of non-homogeneous and low density for a plurality of points around each node, since the shape is a point does not deform even when deformed, and because the sampling point is a low density, shape due to the movement of the node less susceptible to deformation. このため、形状修正処理を特に実施することなく処理の精度を維持することが可能となる。 Therefore, it is possible to maintain the accuracy of process without particularly performing the shape correction processing. このような検討結果に基づき、本発明者は以下のような特徴点検出装置を提案する。 Based on such study results, the present inventors propose a feature point detecting device as described below.
本発明の第一の態様は、入力された画像から、所定の対象物の画像における複数の特徴点の３次元位置を推定する特徴点検出装置である。 A first aspect of the present invention, from the input image, a feature point detecting device for estimating a three-dimensional positions of a plurality of feature points in the image of the predetermined object. ここでいう対象物は、形状モデルを設定できるものであればどのような対象物であっても良い。 Object herein may be any object as long as it can set the shape model. 例えば、対象物は、人の顔、人の全体（全身）、レントゲン画像やＣＴ（Ｃｏｍｐｕｔｅｄ Ｔｏｍｏｇｒａｐｈｙ）画像における臓器であっても良い。 For example, the object is a human face, the entire people (whole body), may be the organ in the X-ray images and CT (Computed Tomography) image. 言い換えれば、大きさの個人差がある対象物や基本的な形が変わらずに変形する対象物について本技術は適用可能である。 In other words, the present technology for object to be deformed without changing the object or basic form of individual differences in size is applicable. また、他の例として、自動車などの工業製品のように変形しない剛体の対象物であっても、形状モデルを設定することができるため本技術を適用することができる。 Further, as another example, be a subject of rigid not deformed as industrial products such as automobiles, it is possible to apply the present technique it is possible to set the shape model.
次元モデルは、３次元モデルの各ノードを入力画像上に射影した射影点が、各ノードの対応する特徴点に近いと想定される位置であることが望ましい。 Dimensional model projection point obtained by projecting the input image each node of the three dimensional model is desirably a position which is assumed to be close to the corresponding feature point of each node. 従って、このような基準に基づいて作成される３次元モデルの初期位置及び姿勢が予め定められると良い。 Therefore, the initial position and orientation of the three-dimensional model created based on such criteria may be predetermined. 例えば、対象物は画面中央に正面向きに撮像されることが多いという経験に基づいて、画面中央を初期位置とし、正面向きとすることができる。 For example, the object on the basis of the experience that it is often captured frontally in the center of the screen, the screen center to the initial position may be a front direction.
射影手段は、３次元モデルによって定められた各ノードを入力画像に射影し、その射影点の画像平面における位置を算出する。 Projection means, each node defined by the three-dimensional model projected on the input image, and calculates the position in the image plane of the projection points.
特徴量取得手段は、射影手段によって射影された各ノードの射影点の付近の一つ又は複数のサンプリング点から取得された一つ又は複数の特徴量を、 ３次元モデルの各ノードのノード特徴量として取得する。 Characteristic amount obtaining means, one or more feature acquired from one or more sampling points in the vicinity of the projection point of each node projected by the projecting means, a node feature value of each node of the three dimensional model to get as. 特徴量の具体例として、画素の輝度値，Ｓｏｂｅｌフィルタ特徴量，ＨａｒｒＷａｖｅｌｅｔ特徴量，ＧａｂｏｒＷａｖｅｌｅｔ特徴量やこれらを複合した値がある。 Specific examples of the feature amount, the luminance value of the pixel, Sobel filter feature value, HarrWavelet feature amount, a value obtained by combining the GaborWavelet feature amount and these. また、サンプリング点の配置は、非均質で低密度であっても良い。 The arrangement of sampling points may be a low density non-homogeneous.
記憶手段は、予め実行されている学習結果を記憶する。 Storing means stores the learning result that is executed in advance. この学習結果は、複数の学習用の画像について学習処理を行うことにより取得される。 The learning result is obtained by performing learning processing on images of a plurality of learning. 具体的には、以下に示す二つの値に基づいて、誤差推定行列が予め学習結果として取得される。 Specifically, based on the two values shown below, the error estimation matrix is acquired in advance as a learning result. 一方の値は、複数のノードがそれぞれに対応する特徴点の正しい３次元位置に配置された３次元モデルである正解モデルと、複数のノードのうちの少なくともいずれかが対応する特徴点の正しい位置からずれた位置に配置された３次元モデルである誤差モデルとの差である。 One value is the correct model plurality of nodes is a three-dimensional model arranged in the correct three-dimensional position of the feature point corresponding to each, the correct position of a feature point that at least one corresponding one of the plurality of nodes it is the difference between the error model is a three-dimensional model disposed in a position shifted from the. 他方の値は、誤差モデルを学習用の画像に射影した射影点に基づいて取得された上述のノード特徴量である。 Other value is a node feature value described above acquired based on the projection point of projecting the error model image for learning. このような二つの値に基づく誤差推定行列は、例えば正準相関分析や、線形回帰，線形重回帰，非線形重回帰などの分析手法によって取得される。 Error estimation matrix based on two such values, for example, canonical and correlation analysis, linear regression, multiple linear regression, are obtained by analytical methods such as non-linear regression.
誤差推定量取得手段は、記憶手段に記憶される誤差推定行列と、特徴量取得手段によって取得された各ノードのノード特徴量とに基づいて、現在の３次元モデルの各ノードの位置とそれぞれに対応する特徴点の位置とのずれを示す誤差推定量を取得する。 Error estimator obtaining means, and the error estimation matrix stored in the storage means, based on the node feature value of each node acquired by the feature value acquiring means, respectively the position of each node of the current three-dimensional model acquiring an error estimated amount indicating the displacement between the position of the corresponding feature points.
推定手段は、誤差推定量取得手段によって得られた誤差推定量と、現在の３次元モデルの各ノードの位置とに基づいて、入力された画像における各特徴点の３次元位置を推定する。 Estimating means estimates the error estimated amount obtained by the error estimator obtaining means, based on the position of each node of the current three-dimensional model, the three-dimensional positions of the feature points in the input image. 即ち、特徴点検出装置は、推定手段によって推定された各３次元位置において各特徴点を検出したこととなる。 That is, the feature point detection apparatus, and thus detecting the respective feature points in each three-dimensional position estimated by the estimating means.
本発明の第一の態様によれば、第一に、形状修正処理が必要とされない。 According to a first aspect of the present invention, the first, it is not required shape correcting process. 言い換えれば、本発明の第一の態様によれば、形状修正処理が実施されない。 In other words, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the shape correction processing is not performed. このため、これまで形状修正処理に費やされていた多くの処理を省き、処理の高速化を図ることが可能となる。 Therefore, eliminating the previous lot was spent shape correction processing process, it is possible to increase the speed of processing.
本発明の第一の態様によれば、第二に、各ノードの周囲において探索処理をする必要はなく、各ノードによって構成されるパッチにおいて面としての高密度なサンプリングを行う必要もない。 According to a first aspect of the present invention, secondly, there is no need to search processing around each node, there is no need to perform a high-density sampling as a surface in a patch configured by each node. このため、従来技術によるこのようなサンプリングによって必要とされていた多くの計算量を削減することが可能となる。 Therefore, it is possible to reduce the number of calculation amount has been required by such sampling according to the prior art.
特徴点の検出処理が高速化されることにより、上記したマン・マシン・インタフェースを高速に動作させることが可能となる。 By detection process of the feature point is faster, it is possible to operate the man-machine interface as described above at high speed. 例えば、運転手モニタリングシステムはその性質から応答性が要求されるが、従来実現されていなかったこの要求を解決することが可能となる。 For example, the driver monitoring system is response is required by its nature, it is possible to resolve this request has not been conventionally realized.
本発明の第一の態様は、繰り返し処理の終了を判定する終了判定手段をさらに備えても良い。 A first aspect of the present invention may further comprise a termination determining means for determining the end of the iterative process. 終了判定手段は、例えば繰り返し処理が実行された回数をカウントし、所定の回数に達した場合に終了を判定するように構成されても良い。 End determination means may count the number of times the repetition process is executed, may be configured to determine the end when it reaches the predetermined number of times. 終了判定手段がさらに備えられる場合、モデル作成手段は、誤差推定量が得られた場合は、この誤差推定量に基づいて現在の各ノードの位置を移動させて新たな３次元モデルを作成する。 If the end determining means is further provided, the model creating means, if the error estimated amount is obtained, by moving the position of the current of each node to create a new three dimensional model based on the error estimated amount. そして、モデル作成手段と誤差推定量取得手段とは、繰り返して処理を実行し、推定手段は、終了判定手段によって終了が判定された時点での誤差推定量と、この時点での３次元モデルとに基づいて、入力された画像における各特徴点の３次元位置を推定する。 Then, the model generating means and the error estimated amount acquiring means repeatedly processing is executed, and estimating means, an error estimated amount at the time of termination is determined by the termination determination means, a three-dimensional model at this point based on estimates the three-dimensional positions of the feature points in the input image.
このように構成された本発明の第一の態様によれば、誤差推定量に基づいて各ノードの３次元位置が移動された新たな３次元モデルに基づいて、再び誤差推定量が求められ、この処理が繰り返される。 According to a first aspect of the present invention configured as above, based on the new three-dimensional model 3-dimensional position of each node based on the error estimated amount is moved, the error estimator is obtained again, this process is repeated. そして、終了判定手段によって、この繰り返し処理の終了が判定された時点での誤差推定量と、この時点での３次元モデルとに基づいて、各特徴点の３次元位置が推定される。 Then, the end determining unit, the error estimated amount at the time of termination is determined in this repetitive process, based on the three-dimensional model at this point, three-dimensional positions of the feature points is estimated. 従って、３次元モデルに基づいた一度の誤差推定量の取得により各特徴点の３次元位置が推定される場合に比べて、その精度が向上する。 Therefore, as compared with the case where three-dimensional positions of the feature points is estimated by obtaining the error estimated amount of one time based on a three-dimensional model, to improve its accuracy.
本発明の第一の態様における終了判定手段は、誤差推定量取得手段によって得られた誤差推定量が閾値以下になった場合に、繰り返し処理の終了と判定するように構成されても良い。 End determining unit according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the error estimated amount obtained by the error estimator obtaining means becomes equal to or less than the threshold value, it may be configured to determine the end of the iterative process. このように構成されることにより、各特徴点の位置をより正確に検出することが可能となる。 By such a configuration, it is possible to detect the position of each feature point more accurately.
また、本発明の第一の態様におけるモデル作成手段は、上記の繰り返し処理を行う場合には、繰り返し回数によって、誤差推定量に基づいて新たな３次元モデルを作成する処理を変更しても良い。 Furthermore, the model creating means in the first aspect of the present invention, when performing the repetitive process described above, the number of repetitions may be changed the process of creating the new three dimensional model based on the error estimated amount . 例えば、モデル作成手段は、繰り返し処理の初期段階においては、誤差推定量に基づいて、現在の各ノードの相対位置関係を保ったまま各ノードを移動及び／又は回転させて、３次元モデルの姿勢を変化させて新たな３次元モデルを作成する。 For example, the model creating means, in the initial stage of the repetitive processing, based on the error estimated amount, by moving and / or rotating each node while maintaining the relative positional relationship of each current node, the three-dimensional model pose It was allowed to change to create a new 3-dimensional model. そして、３次元モデルの姿勢に関する誤差が所定の閾値以下になった後は、誤差推定量に基づいて、現在の各ノードの相対位置も変化させて新たな３次元モデルを作成するようにしても良い。 Then, after the error related to the posture of the three-dimensional model becomes less than a predetermined threshold value, based on the error estimated amount, also be created a new three-dimensional model is also the relative position of each current node is changed good. このような構成をとることによって、入力画像中に現れる対象物の向きの変化に対してロバストな特徴点検出を行うことができる。 By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to perform robust feature point detection for the direction of change of the object appearing in the input image.
本発明の第一の態様は、所定の対象物として人の顔を対象とすることが好適である。 A first aspect of the present invention, it is preferable to subject the face of the person as the predetermined object. そして、本発明の第一の態様は、入力された画像から少なくとも人の顔又は人の顔の要素（顔に含まれる器官や部分を指し、例えば目，鼻，口，額などである）の位置を検出する顔検出手段をさらに備えても良い。 Then, a first aspect of the present invention, at least a human face or person's face elements from the input image (refer to organs and parts included in the face, it is for example the eyes, nose, mouth, forehead, etc.) position may further include a face detecting means for detecting. この場合、モデル作成手段は、検出された人の顔又は人の顔の要素の位置に基づいて、３次元モデルにおける各ノードの３次元位置を決定する。 In this case, the model creating means, based on the position of the detected human face or person's face elements, to determine a three dimensional position of each node in the three dimensional model. このように構成されることにより、各ノードの初期位置が適切な位置、即ちそれぞれが対応する特徴点に近い位置となる。 By such a configuration, the initial position is the proper position of each node, that is, a position close to the feature points, each corresponding. このため、各特徴点の位置をより正確に検出することが可能となる。 Therefore, it is possible to detect the position of each feature point more accurately.
本発明の第一の態様における顔検出手段は、人の顔の向きをさらに検出するように構成されても良い。 Face detection means in the first aspect of the present invention may be configured to further detect the orientation of the face of a human. この場合、モデル作成手段は、各ノードの３次元位置を定めた３次元ノードモデルを有しており、顔検出手段によって検出された顔の向きに基づいて、３次元ノードモデルを変形させて使用するように構成されても良い。 In this case, the model creating means includes a three-dimensional node model that defines the three-dimensional position of each node, based on the orientation of the face detected by the face detection means, used to deform the 3D node model it may be configured to. 例えば、モデル作成手段は、顔検出手段によって顔の向きが左向きとして検出された場合には、３次元ノードモデルの各ノードを、左向きの顔にマッチするように回転させればよい。 For example, the model creating unit, when the face orientation is detected as left by the face detecting means, each node of the three dimensional node model, may be rotated to match the face of leftward. モデル作成手段は、他の方向の顔が検出された場合にも、それぞれの方向について上記のような回転処理を行うように構成されても良い。 Modeling means, even when the other direction of the face is detected, for each direction may be configured to perform rotation processing as described above. このように構成されることにより、予め用意された３次元ノードモデルを変形せずに使用する場合に比べて、各特徴点の位置をより正確に検出することが可能となる。 By thus it is configured, as compared with the case where used without deforming the three-dimensional node model prepared in advance, it is possible to detect the position of each feature point more accurately.
本発明の第一の態様における顔検出手段は、人の顔の大きさをさらに検出するように構成されても良い。 Face detection means in the first aspect of the present invention may be configured to further detect the size of a human face. この場合、モデル作成手段は、３次元モデルにおける各ノードの３次元位置を定めた３次元ノードモデルを有しており、顔検出手段によって検出された顔の大きさに基づいて、３次元ノードモデルを変形させて使用するように構成されても良い。 In this case, the model creating means includes a three-dimensional node model that defines the three-dimensional position of each node in the three dimensional model, based on the size of the face detected by the face detection means, 3-dimensional node model it may be configured for use by deforming the. 例えば、モデル作成手段は、顔検出手段によって検出された顔の大きさに基づいて、３次元ノードモデルを拡大又は縮小して使用するように構成されても良い。 For example, the model creating means, based on the size of the face detected by the face detection means may be configured for use in enlarging or reducing the three-dimensional node model. このように構成されることにより、予め用意された３次元ノードモデルを変形せずに使用する場合に比べて、各特徴点の位置をより正確に検出することが可能となる。 By thus it is configured, as compared with the case where used without deforming the three-dimensional node model prepared in advance, it is possible to detect the position of each feature point more accurately.
本発明の第一の態様における顔検出手段は、人の顔の向きをさらに検出するように構成されても良い。 Face detection means in the first aspect of the present invention may be configured to further detect the orientation of the face of a human. この場合、モデル作成手段は、３次元モデルにおける各ノードの３次元位置を定めた３次元ノードモデルを、顔の向きに応じて複数有するように構成されても良い。 In this case, the model creating means, a three-dimensional node model that defines the three-dimensional position of each node in the three dimensional model may be configured to have a plurality according to the orientation of the face. 例えば、モデル作成手段は、右向きの顔，正面向きの顔，左向きの顔，上向きの顔，下向きの顔それぞれに対応する３次元ノードモデルを有するように構成されても良い。 For example, the model creating means, right face, face front direction, a leftward face, upward face may be configured to have a three-dimensional node models corresponding to each downward face. また、記憶手段は、それぞれに対応する向きの顔が撮像された学習用画像を用いて予め得られた各３次元ノードモデルに対応する誤差推定行列を記憶するように構成されても良い。 Further, storage means, the face orientation corresponding to each may be configured to store the error estimation matrix corresponding to the three-dimensional node model obtained in advance using the learning image captured. また、モデル作成手段は、顔検出手段によって検出された顔の向きに基づいて、使用する３次元ノードモデルを選択するように構成されても良い。 Furthermore, the model creating means, based on the orientation of the face detected by the face detection means may be configured to select the 3-dimensional node model to use. そして、誤差推定量取得手段は、モデル作成手段によって選択された３次元ノードモデルに対応する誤差推定行列を記憶手段から読み出し使用するように構成されても良い。 The error estimated amount acquiring means may be constituted error estimation matrix corresponding to the three-dimensional node model selected by the model creating means from the storage means to use read.
このように構成された本発明の第一の態様では、顔検出手段によって検出された顔の向きに特化した３次元ノードモデル及びこの３次元ノードモデルに対応する誤差推定行列を用いて特徴点検出が行われる。 In a first aspect of the present invention configured as above, wherein checking using the error estimation matrix corresponding to the three-dimensional node model and the three-dimensional node model specialized for the direction of the face detected by the face detection means out it is performed. 従って、常に一つの３次元ノードモデルが使用される場合に比べて、各特徴点の位置をより正確に検出することが可能となる。 Therefore, always in comparison with the case where one of the three dimensional node model is used, it is possible to detect the position of each feature point more accurately.
本発明の第一の態様における顔検出手段は、人の顔の大きさをさらに検出するように構成されても良い。 Face detection means in the first aspect of the present invention may be configured to further detect the size of a human face. この場合、モデル作成手段は、３次元モデルにおける各ノードの３次元位置を定めた３次元ノードモデルを、顔の大きさに応じて複数有するように構成されても良い。 In this case, the model creating means, a three-dimensional node model that defines the three-dimensional position of each node in the three dimensional model may be configured as a plurality in accordance with the size of the face. また、記憶手段は、それぞれに対応する大きさの顔が撮像された学習用画像を用いて予め得られた各３次元ノードモデルに対応する誤差推定行列を記憶するように構成されても良い。 Further, storage means, the size of the face corresponding to each may be configured to store the error estimation matrix corresponding to the three-dimensional node model obtained in advance using the learning image captured. また、モデル作成手段は、顔検出手段によって検出された顔の大きさに基づいて、使用する３次元ノードモデルを選択するように構成されても良い。 Furthermore, the model creating means, based on the size of the face detected by the face detection means may be configured to select the 3-dimensional node model to use. また、誤差推定量取得手段は、モデル作成手段によって選択された３次元ノードモデルに対応する誤差推定行列を記憶手段から読み出し使用するように構成されても良い。 The error estimator obtaining means may be configured to error estimation matrix corresponding to the three-dimensional node model selected by the model creating means from the storage means to use read.
このように構成された本発明の第一の態様では、顔検出手段によって検出された顔の大きさに特化した３次元ノードモデル及びこの３次元ノードモデルに対応する誤差推定行列を用いて特徴点検出が行われる。 Features In the first aspect of the present invention configured as above, using the error estimation matrix corresponding to the three-dimensional node model and the three-dimensional node model specialized for the size of the face detected by the face detection means point detection is performed. 従って、常に一つの３次元ノードモデルが使用される場合に比べて、各特徴点の位置をより正確に検出することが可能となる。 Therefore, always in comparison with the case where one of the three dimensional node model is used, it is possible to detect the position of each feature point more accurately.
本発明の第一の態様における特徴量取得手段がノード特徴量を取得するサンプリング点は、ノードの射影点の周囲に離散的に配置されても良い。 Sampling points characteristic amount obtaining means in the first aspect of the present invention to obtain the node feature value may be discretely arranged around the projection point of the node. 本発明の第一の態様における特徴量取得手段がノード特徴量を取得するサンプリング点は、ノードの射影点に近いほど密であり、ノードの射影点から遠いほど疎であるように構成されても良い。 Sampling points characteristic amount obtaining means in the first aspect of the present invention to obtain a node feature value is a dense closer to the projection point of the node, be configured to be sparse farther from the projection point of the node good. また、本発明の第一の態様における特徴量取得手段がノード特徴量を取得するサンプリング点は、レティナ構造を有するように構成されても良い。 The sampling point feature amount acquisition device according to the first aspect of the present invention to obtain the node feature value may be configured to have a retina structure. また、本発明の第一の態様における特徴量取得手段は、複数の異なるレティナ構造を記憶し、各ノードの射影点に応じたレティナ構造に従って複数のサンプリング点を決定するように構成されても良い。 The feature value acquiring means in the first aspect of the present invention stores a plurality of different retina structure may be configured to determine a plurality of sampling points according to the retina structure corresponding to the projection point of each node .
本発明の第二の態様は、人の顔における複数の特徴点の３次元配置を表す３次元顔形状モデルを用いて、入力画像における顔の特徴点の３次元配置を推定する特徴点検出装置である。 A second aspect of the present invention, by using the 3-dimensional face shape model representing a three-dimensional arrangement of a plurality of feature points in the face of a human, the feature point to estimate the three-dimensional arrangement of the feature points of the face in the input image detecting device it is. 本発明の第二の態様に係る特徴点検出装置は、モデル作成手段，射影手段，特徴量取得手段，記憶手段，誤差推定量取得手段，変更手段，及び推定手段を備える。 Feature point detection apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention includes a model creating means, projecting means, a feature amount acquisition means, storage means, error estimator obtaining means, changing means, and the estimating means.
モデル作成手段は、人の顔における複数の特徴点の３次元配置を表す３次元顔形状モデルを作成する。 Model creating means creates a three dimensional face shape model representing a three-dimensional arrangement of a plurality of feature points in the face of a human.
射影手段は、モデル作成手段によって作成された３次元顔形状モデルの各ノードを入力された画像平面上に射影し、射影点の画像平面における位置を決定する。 Projection means is projected onto the image plane that is input to each node of the three dimensional face shape model created by the model creating means, for determining the position in the image plane of the projection point.
特徴量取得手段は、射影手段によって射影された３次元顔形状モデルの各ノードの射影点の位置の付近で一つ又は複数の特徴量を取得し、一つの射影点に基づいて取得された複数の特徴量を一つのノード特徴量として取得する。 Multiple feature quantity acquiring means that acquires one or more feature quantities in the vicinity of the position of the projection point of each node of the three dimensional face shape model projected by the projecting means, is acquired based on one projection point get the feature amount as one node feature value.
記憶手段は、各ノードが正しい位置に配置された３次元顔形状モデルである正解３次元顔形状モデルと、少なくともいずれかのノードが正しい位置からずれて配置された３次元顔形状モデルである誤差３次元顔形状モデルとにおける各ノードの位置の差を示すベクトルの集合、及び、誤差３次元顔形状モデルを学習用の画像に射影して得られるノード特徴量の集合、を入力とした正準相関分析により予め取得された変換ベクトル行列を誤差推定行列として記憶する。 Storage means, the correct 3-dimensional face shape model each node is a three-dimensional face shape model arranged in the correct position, a 3-dimensional face shape model in which at least one of the nodes is arranged displaced from the correct position error set of vectors indicating the difference in the position of each node in the three dimensional face shape model, and were set of node feature amount obtained by projecting the error three dimensional face shape model image for learning, the input canonical storing the previously acquired transform vector matrix using correlation analysis as an error estimation matrix.
誤差推定量取得手段は、記憶手段に記憶される誤差推定行列と、特徴量取得手段によって取得されたノード特徴量の集合とに基づいて、３次元顔形状モデルの各ノードの現在位置と顔の特徴点の位置とのずれを示す誤差推定量を取得する。 Error estimator obtaining means, and the error estimation matrix stored in the storage means, based on a set of obtained node feature amount by the feature quantity acquiring means, the current position and the face of each node of the three dimensional face shape model acquiring an error estimated amount indicating the displacement between the position of the feature point.
変更手段は、誤差推定量取得手段によって得られた誤差推定量に基づいて、現在の３次元顔形状モデルの各ノード位置を変更する。 Changing means, based on the error estimated amount obtained by the error estimated amount acquiring means, to change each node position of the current three dimensional face shape model.
そして、推定手段は、変更手段によって位置が変更された後の各ノード位置を特徴点の位置として推定する。 The estimation means estimates each node position after position is changed by the changing means as the position of the feature point.
このように構成された本発明の第二の態様によっても、本発明の第一の態様と同様の作用や効果を奏することができる。 By a second aspect of the present invention configured as above, it is possible to achieve the first same action and effects as aspects of the present invention.
第一〜第二の態様は、プログラムが情報処理装置によって実行されることによって実現されても良い。 First to second aspect, the program may be realized by being executed by the information processing apparatus. 即ち、本発明は、上記した第一〜第二の態様における各手段が実行する処理を、情報処理装置に対して実行させるためのプログラム、或いは当該プログラムを記録した記録媒体として特定することができる。 That is, the present invention can be the means of the first-second aspect described above is a process to be executed is specified as a recording medium for recording a program, or the program for executing the information processing apparatus . また、本発明は、上記した各手段が実行する処理を情報処理装置が実行する方法をもって特定されても良い。 Further, the present invention may be identified with a method of processing of each means described above is executed processing apparatus executes. また、ここに示す情報処理装置とは、パーソナルコンピュータ，デジタルカメラ，デジタルビデオカメラ，防犯カメラ，デジタルカメラを搭載した携帯電話機，デジタルビデオレコーダ，画像処理を行うサーバ（ネットワークに接続されたサーバであっても良い），デジタルフォトプリンタ，ミニラボ機などである。 Further, the information processing apparatus shown here, a personal computer, a digital camera, a digital video camera, security camera, a cellular phone, a digital video recorder, server connected to the server (network for performing image processing with Digital Camera and it may be), digital photo printer, and the like mini-laboratory.
本発明によれば、画像から対象物の特徴点の位置を検出する際に、形状修正処理や高密度なサンプリングを必要としない。 According to the present invention, when detecting the position of the feature point of the object from the image, it does not require a shape correcting process and high-density sampling. このため、特徴点の検出処理をより高速に実現することが可能となる。 Therefore, it is possible to realize the detection process of the feature point faster.
以下では、対象物を人の顔とし、人の顔の特徴点の３次元位置を推定する特徴点検出装置について説明する。 Hereinafter, the object and the face of a human, described feature point detecting device for estimating a three-dimensional positions of the feature points of the face of a human. 以下の説明において、顔画像とは、少なくとも人物の顔の一部または全部の画像を含む画像である。 In the following description, the facial image is an image including a part or the whole of the image of the face of at least a person. 従って、顔画像とは、人物全体の画像を含んでも良いし、人物の顔だけや上半身だけの画像を含んでも良い。 Therefore, the face image may include an image of the entire person, it may include an image of only the only or the upper body face of a person. また、顔画像は、複数の人物についての画像を含んでも良い。 The face image may include an image of a plurality of persons. さらに、顔画像は、その背景に人物以外の風景（背景：被写体として注目された物も含む）や模様などのいかなるパターンを含んでも良い。 Further, face image, scenery other than a person in the background: may include any pattern, such as (background including those that have been attracting attention as a subject) and patterns.
本発明者は、ＡＳＭにおいて形状モデルとして３次元形状モデルを用い、さらに可変レティナ構造による特徴量サンプリングと、正準相関分析による誤差推定行列学習とを組み合わせることにより、高速な特徴点検出を実現した。 The present inventors, using a 3-dimensional shape model as shape model in ASM, still a feature amount sampling by variable retina structure, by combining the error estimation matrix learning by canonical correlation analysis to realize a high speed feature point detection . また、この組み合わせにより、ロバスト性の高い特徴点検出も実現することができる。 Moreover, this combination can also be realized high feature point detection robustness. また、この組み合わせにより、特徴点の検出と同時に顔姿勢の推定まで行うことができる。 Further, this combination may be performed to estimate the detection at the same time as the face pose of the feature point. 以下、本発明者の提案する技術について説明する。 The following describes proposed technique of the present inventor.
まず、特徴点の検出に必要となる学習処理について説明する。 First, the learning process will be explained required for the detection of the feature point. 次に、この学習処理の結果に基づいて、本発明者が提案する特徴点検出を実施する特徴点検出装置１について、構成例や動作例などを説明する。 Then, based on the result of the learning process, the feature point detecting device 1 for performing the feature point detection by the present inventor proposes is described like configuration example and an operation example. 次に、特徴点検出装置１の構成に当たり採用可能な変形例について説明する。 Next, a description will be given adoptable modification Upon configuration of the feature point detecting device 1.
まず、特徴点検出装置１を動作させるために必要となる学習処理について説明する。 It will be described first learning processing necessary to operate the feature point detecting device 1. この学習処理は、特徴点検出装置１によって顔画像から特徴点の位置を検出するために予め実施しておく必要のある処理である。 The learning process is a processing required of advance performed to detect the position of the feature point from the face image by the feature point detecting device 1. まず、本学習処理のフローを説明するにあたって必要となる処理、３次元顔形状モデルの取得、３次元顔形状モデルの画像平面への射影、レティナサンプリング、及び誤差推定行列の取得について説明する。 First, processing required in describing the flow of the learning process, the acquisition of three-dimensional face shape model, projection of the 3-dimensional face shape model image plane, retina sampling, and the acquisition of the error estimation matrix will be described. その後、学習処理の具体的なフローの例について説明する。 Then, an example of a specific flow of the learning process.
学習処理では、まず、複数の学習用顔画像（以下、学習処理の説明において「顔画像」と呼ぶ）と、各顔画像における特徴点の３次元座標を用意する。 In the learning process, first, a plurality of learning face images (hereinafter, in the description of the learning process is referred to as "face image") and, providing a three-dimensional coordinates of feature points in each face image. 特徴点は、例えば、レーザスキャナやステレオカメラなどの技術によって取得することができるが、その他どのような技術を用いても良い。 Feature points, for example, may be obtained by techniques such as laser scanner, stereo camera, any other such techniques may be used. この特徴点抽出処理は、学習処理の精度を高めるためにも、人間によって実施されることが望ましい。 The feature point extraction processing, in order to increase the accuracy of the learning process is also desired to be performed by humans. 図１（ａ）は、顔画像から抽出された特徴点の例を示す図である。 1 (a) is a diagram showing an example of feature points extracted from the face image. 図１（ａ）において、斜線を含む円の中心位置が特徴点となる。 1 (a), the center position of the circle containing the shaded becomes the feature point. 具体的には、両目の両端（目頭と目尻）及び中心部分、左右のほお骨部分（眼窩底部分）、鼻の頂点、左右の口角、口の中心、鼻の左右端点と左右の口角の中間点などを特徴点とすることができる。 Specifically, both ends (inner corner and outer corners) and the central portion of the eyes, the right and left cheekbone portion (orbital floor portion) of the vertex of the nose, left and right corners of the mouth, center of the mouth, the midpoint of the corner of the mouth of the right and left and right end points of the nose etc. can be point features. なお、図１（ａ）は特徴点の位置を説明するために平面的な図として示しているが、実際には図１（ｂ）に示すように３次元座標として特徴点が抽出される。 Incidentally, FIG. 1 (a) is shown as planar diagram to explain the position of the feature point, in fact feature points are extracted as three-dimensional coordinates as shown in FIG. 1 (b). 各特徴点ｐｉの座標を、ｐｉ（ｘｉ，ｙｉ，ｚｉ）とする。 The coordinates of each feature point pi, and pi (xi, yi, zi). このとき、ｉは、１からｎ（ｎは特徴点の数を示す）の値を示す。 In this case, i is, shows a value of from 1 n (n is the number of feature points).
次に、各顔画像についての特徴点配置ベクトルＸを数１のように定義する。 Next, define the feature point arrangement vector X for each face image, as the number 1. ある顔画像ｊについての特徴点配置ベクトルは、Ｘｊと記す。 Feature point arrangement vector for a certain face image j is referred to as Xj. なお、Ｘの次元数は３ｎである。 Incidentally, the number of dimensions of X is 3n.
次に、取得された全ての特徴点配置ベクトルＸを、適当な基準に基づき正規化する。 Then, all of the feature point arrangement vector X obtained, normalized on the basis of appropriate criteria. このときの正規化の基準は、設計者によって適宜決定されて良い。 Reference normalization at this time may be appropriately determined by the designer. 以下、正規化の具体例について説明する。 Hereinafter, a specific example of the normalization. 例えば、ある顔画像ｊについての特徴点配置ベクトルＸ ｊについて、点ｐ １ 〜ｐ ｎの重心座標をｐ Ｇとするとき、重心ｐ Ｇを原点とする座標系に各点を移動させた後、数２によって定義されるＬ ｍを用いて、その大きさを正規化することができる。 For example, the feature point arrangement vector X j for a certain face image j, when the barycentric coordinates of the point p 1 ~p n and p G, after moving each point the center of gravity p G to the coordinate system whose origin, using L m which is defined by the number 2, it is possible to normalize the size. 具体的には、Ｌ ｍによって移動後の座標値を割ることにより、大きさを正規化することができる。 Specifically, by dividing the coordinate value after movement by L m, it can be normalized magnitude. ここで、Ｌ ｍは、重心から各点までの直線距離の平均値である。 Here, L m is the average value of the linear distance to each point from the center of gravity.
また、回転に対しては、例えば両目の中心を結ぶ直線が一定方向を向くように特徴点座標に対して回転変換を行うことにより、正規化することができる。 Further, with respect to the rotation, for example by performing a rotation transformation on the feature point coordinates as the straight line connecting the centers of both eyes is oriented a certain direction may be normalized. 以上の処理は、回転、拡大・縮小の組み合わせで表現できるため、正規化後の特徴点配置ベクトルｘは数３のように表すことができる（相似変換）。 The above processing rotation, because that can be expressed by a combination of scaling, the feature point arrangement vector x after normalization can be expressed as in equation 3 (similarity transformation).
次に、この正規化特徴点配置ベクトルの集合に対し、主成分分析を行う。 Then, for a set of normalized feature point arrangement vectors, performing principal component analysis. 主成分分析は例えば以下のように行うことができる。 Principal component analysis can be performed as follows, for example. まず、数４に示される式に従って平均ベクトル（平均ベクトルはｘの上部に水平線を記すことにより示される）を取得する。 First, the average vector according to the equations shown in Equation 4 (average vector is indicated by mark the horizontal line at the top of x) to acquire. なお、数４において、Ｎは、顔画像の数、即ち特徴点配置ベクトルの数を示す。 Note that in a few 4, N indicates the number of face images, that is, the number of feature point arrangement vectors.
上記した主成分分析の結果、固有ベクトルと固有値との組が３ｎ個得られる。 Results of principal component analysis as described above, the set of eigenvectors and eigenvalues are obtained the 3n. 任意の正規化特徴点配置ベクトルは、数６に示される式によって表すことができる。 Any normalization feature point arrangement vectors, can be represented by the formula shown in Equation 6.
ここで、Ｐは固有ベクトル行列を示し、ｂは形状パラメタベクトルを示す。 Here, P is shows the eigenvector matrix, b represents the shape parameter vector. それぞれの値は数７に示される通りである。 Each value is as shown in equation (7). なお、ｅ ｉは、固有ベクトルを示す。 In addition, e i indicates the eigenvector.
実際には、固有値の大きい上位ｋ次元までの値を用いることにより、任意の正規化特徴点配置ベクトルｘは数８のように近似して表すことができる。 In fact, by using a value of up to a large upper k eigenvalue, any normalized feature point arrangement vector x can be approximately expressed as in equation 8. 以下、固有値の大きい順に、ｅｉを第ｉ主成分と呼ぶ。 The following, in descending order of the eigenvalues, referred to as the i-th main component ei.
なお、実際の顔画像に顔形状モデルをあてはめる（フィッティングさせる）際には、正規化特徴点配置ベクトルｘに対して相似変換（平行移動，回転）を行う。 Note that when fitting the face shape model of the actual face image (to fit), the similarity transform to normalized feature point arrangement vector x (translation, rotation) is performed. 相似変換のパラメタをｓ ｘ ，ｓ ｙ ，ｓ ｚ ，ｓ θ ，ｓ φ ，ｓ ψとすると、形状パラメタとあわせて、モデルパラメタｋを数９のように表すことができる。 The parameters of similarity transformation s x, s y, s z , s θ, s φ, when the s [psi, together with the shape parameters, it is possible to represent the model parameters k as in equation 9.
このモデルパラメタｋによって表される３次元顔形状モデルが、ある顔画像上の特徴点位置にほぼ正確に一致する場合に、そのパラメタをその顔画像における３次元正解モデルパラメタと呼ぶ。 3 dimensional face shape model represented by the model parameter k is if it matches almost exactly the feature point positions on a certain face image, called the parameter and the three-dimensional correct model parameter in the face image. 正確に一致しているか否かは、設計者により設定される閾値や基準に基づいて判断される。 Whether exactly match is determined based on a threshold or criteria set by the designer.
３次元形状モデルは、２次元平面に射影することにより２次元画像上での処理が可能になる。 3-dimensional shape model is processed on a two-dimensional image is made possible by projecting a two-dimensional plane. ３次元形状を２次元平面に射影する方法としては、平行投影法、透視投影法などの各種の手法が存在する。 The three-dimensional shape as a method of projecting a two-dimensional plane, parallel projection method, various methods such as perspective projection method exists. ここでは、透視投影法のうち単点透視投影を例に説明する。 Here, a description will be given as an example of single point perspective projection of the perspective projection method. もっとも、他のどのような手法を使用しても同様の効果を得ることができる。 However, the use of any other such techniques it is possible to obtain the same effect. ｚ＝０平面への単点透視投影行列は、数１０に示すとおりである。 Single point perspective projection matrix onto z = 0 plane is as shown in Formula 10.
ここで、ｒ＝−１／ｚであり、ｚ ｃはｚ軸上の投影中心を表す。 Here, a r = -1 / z, z c denotes the projection center on the z axis. これにより、３次元座標［ｘ，ｙ，ｚ］は数１１に示すように変換され、ｚ＝０平面上の座標系で数１２のように表される。 Thus, three-dimensional coordinate [x, y, z] is converted as shown in equation 11 is expressed as in equation 12 in the coordinate system on the z = 0 plane.
以上の処理により、３次元形状モデルは２次元平面に射影される。 With the above processing, three-dimensional shape model is projected on the two-dimensional plane.
次に、特徴量のサンプリングについて説明する。 Next, a description will be given sampling of the feature. 特徴量のサンプリングは、画像上に射影された顔形状モデルに対し可変レティナ構造を組み合わせることによって行う。 Characteristic amount sampling is carried out by combining a variable retina structure with respect to the projected face shape model onto the image. レティナ構造とは、ある着目したい特徴点（ノード）の周囲に放射状に離散的に配置されたサンプリング点の構造のことである。 The retina structure is that there the radially discretely-arranged sampling points structure around the focused want feature point (node). 図２は、レティナ構造の例を示す図である。 Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a retina structure. 図２では、注目したい特徴点の座標は原点であり、その他の座標に位置する各点がレティナ構造におけるサンプリング点を示す。 In Figure 2, the coordinates of the feature point to be noted is the origin, each point located on the other coordinate indicates the sampling point in the retina structure. レティナ構造によるサンプリングを実施することにより、特徴点周りの情報を、低次元で効率的にサンプリングすることが可能となる。 By performing the sampling by the retina structure, the information about the feature points, it is possible to efficiently sampled at low dimension. 本学習処理では、３次元顔形状モデルから２次元平面に射影された顔形状モデル（以下、２次元顔形状モデルという）の各ノードの射影点（各点ｐ）においてレティナ構造によるサンプリングを実施する。 In this learning process, 3-dimensional face shape model from a two-dimensional plane projected face shape model (hereinafter, referred to as 2-dimensional face shape model) projected point of each node of the (each point p) to implement the sampling by the retina structure . なお、レティナ構造によるサンプリングとは、レティナ構造に従って定められたサンプリング点においてサンプリングを実施することを言う。 Note that the sampling by the retina structure means that implement the sampling at sampling points defined according to the retina structure.
図３は、２次元顔形状モデルのある一つのノードに対してレティナ構造を適用した場合のサンプリング点の分布例を示す図である。 Figure 3 is a diagram showing a distribution example of sampling points when applying the retina structure with respect to one node with a two-dimensional face shape model. 図３において、斜線を含む円は顔形状モデルのノードを示し、黒丸はレティナ構造におけるサンプリング点を示す。 3, circle including oblique lines indicates the node of the face shape model, black circle indicates the sampling point in the retina structure.
レティナ構造は、ｉ番目のサンプリング点の座標をｑｉ（ｘ ｉ ，ｙ ｉ ）とすると、数１３のように表すことができる。 Retina structure, qi the i-th coordinate sampling point (x i, y i) When, can be expressed as in equation 13.
従って、例えばある点ｐ（ｘ ｐ ，ｙ ｐ ）について、レティナ構造によるサンプリングを行うことにより得られるレティナ特徴量ｆ ｐは、数１４のように表すことができる。 Thus, for example, for a point p (x p, y p) , Retina feature amount f p obtained by performing sampling with retina structure can be expressed as in equation 14.
ただし、ｆ（ｐ）は、点ｐ（サンプリング点ｐ）での特徴量を示す。 However, f (p) indicates the feature value at point p (sampling point p). また、レティナ構造における各サンプリング点では、画像の輝度値，Ｓｏｂｅｌフィルタ特徴量，ＨａｒｒＷａｖｅｌｅｔ特徴量，ＧａｂｏｒＷａｖｅｌｅｔ特徴量やこれらを複合した値が、そのサンプリング点における特徴量として取得される。 In each sampling point in the retina structure, the luminance value of the image, Sobel filter feature value, HarrWavelet feature quantity, GaborWavelet feature quantity and a value obtained by combining these, is acquired as the characteristic amount at the sampling point. 特徴量が多次元の場合、レティナ特徴量は数１５のように表すことができる。 If the feature amount is a multidimensional, retina feature value can be expressed as in equation 15.
ここで、Ｄは特徴量の次元数、ｆ ｄ （ｐ）は、点ｐでの第ｄ次元の特徴量を表す。 Here, D is the dimensionality of the feature, f d (p) represents the characteristic amount of the d-dimensional at point p. また、ｑ ｉ （ｄ）は第ｄ次元に対するレティナ構造の、ｉ番目のサンプリング座標を示す。 Further, q i (d) shows the retina structure with respect to the d-dimensional, the i-th sampling coordinates.
なお、レティナ構造は、顔形状モデルのスケールに応じてその大きさを変化させることができる。 Incidentally, the retina structure may be varied in size depending on the scale of the face shape model. 例えば、平行移動パラメタｓ ｚに反比例させて、レティナ構造の大きさを変化させることができる。 For example, in inverse proportion to the parallel movement parameter s z, it is possible to change the size of the retina structure. このとき、レティナ構造ｒは数１６のように表すことができる。 In this case, the retina structure r can be expressed as in equation 16. なお、αは適当な固定値である。 Incidentally, alpha is an appropriate fixed value. また、レティナ構造は、顔形状モデルにおける他のパラメタに応じて回転や形状変化させても良い。 Further, the retina structure may be rotated or shape changed according to other parameters in the face shape model. また、レティナ構造は、顔形状モデルの各ノードによってその形状（構造）が異なるように設定されても良い。 Further, the retina structure, the shape (structure) may be set differently by each node of the face shape model. また、レティナ構造は中心点一点のみの構造であっても良い。 Further, the retina structure may be a structure of only the center point one point. すなわち、特徴点（ノード）のみをサンプリング点とする構造もレティナ構造に含まれる。 That is, the structure of the feature points only (node) and the sampling points are also included in the retina structure.
あるモデルパラメタによって定まる３次元顔形状モデルにおいて、射影平面上に射影された各ノードの射影点ごとに上記のサンプリングを行って得られたレティナ特徴量を一列に並べたベクトルを、その３次元顔形状モデルにおけるサンプリング特徴量ｆと呼ぶ。 In 3-dimensional face shape model defined by certain model parameters, a vector obtained by arranging in a row the retina feature amount obtained for every projection point of each node projected onto the projection plane after the above sampling, the 3-dimensional face It called the sampling feature value f in the shape model. サンプリング特徴量ｆは数１７のように表すことができる。 Sampling feature value f can be expressed as in equation 17. 数１７において、ｎは顔形状モデルにおけるノードの数を示す。 In Equation 17, n denotes the number of nodes in the face shape model.
なお、サンプリング時に、各ノードにおいて正規化を行う。 Incidentally, at the time of sampling, it performs normalization at each node. 例えば、特徴量が０から１の範囲に収まるようにスケール変換を行うことにより正規化を行っても良い。 For example, it may be performed normalized by performing scale conversion as feature amount falls within the range 0 to 1. また、一定の平均や分散をとるように変換を行うことによって正規化を行っても良い。 Also, it may be performed normalized by performing conversion to take a constant average or variance. また、特徴量によっては正規化を行わなくても良い場合がある。 Further, depending on the feature amount in some cases it is not necessary to perform normalization.
次に、本学習処理において実行する誤差推定行列の取得について説明する。 Next, a description Acquisition of error estimation matrix executed in the present learning process. 誤差推定行列の取得は、正準相関分析（Ｃａｎｏｎｉｃａｌ Ｃｏｒｒｅｌａｔｉｏｎ Ａｎａｌｙｓｉｓ）を用いることにより実施する。 Acquisition of the error estimation matrix is carried out by using the canonical correlation analysis (Canonical Correlation Analysis). 正準相関分析は、二つの次元の異なる変量間の相関関係を求める手法の一つである。 Canonical correlation analysis is one method of obtaining the correlation between the different variables that the two dimensions. 正準相関分析により、顔形状モデルの各ノードが誤った位置（検出すべき特徴点と異なる位置）に配置されてしまった際にどの方向に修正すべきかの相関関係について学習結果を得ることができる。 The canonical correlation analysis, to obtain the learning result for correlation should be corrected in any direction when had been arranged in each node a wrong position (different from the feature point to be detected position) of the face shape model it can.
まず、学習用の顔画像の特徴点の３次元位置情報から３次元顔形状モデルを作成する。 First, a 3-dimensional face shape model from the three-dimensional position information of the feature points of the face image for learning. または、学習用の顔画像の２次元正解座標点から３次元顔形状モデルを作成する。 Or to create a 3-dimensional face shape model from two-dimensional correct coordinate point of the face image for learning. そして、３次元顔形状モデルから正解モデルパラメタを作成する。 Then, to create a correct model parameter from the three-dimensional face shape model. この正解モデルパラメタを、乱数などにより一定範囲内でずらすことにより、少なくともいずれかのノードが特徴点の３次元位置からずれているずれ配置モデルを作成する。 The correct model parameter by shifting within a certain range due to a random number, to create the displaced arrangement model in which at least one of the nodes is displaced from the three-dimensional position of the feature point. 図４は、ずれ配置モデルを学習用顔画像に射影したときの各ノードの射影点の例を示す図である。 Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of a projection point of each node when projecting the displaced arrangement model learning face image. 図４において、斜線を含む円が射影点の位置を示す。 4, a circle including oblique lines indicates the position of the projection point. 図４（ａ）は、ある顔画像における正解モデルパラメタを学習用顔画像に射影することによって得られる各ノードの射影点の位置を示す図である。 4 (a) is a diagram showing the positions of the projection point of each node obtained by projecting the correct model parameter in a certain face image to the learning face image. 図４（ｂ）は、図４（ａ）に示された正解モデル（正解モデルパラメタによって表される３次元顔形状モデル）をずらすことによって作成されたずれ配置モデルを学習用顔画像に射影することによって得られる各ノードの射影点の位置を示す図である。 FIG. 4 (b), projects the displaced arrangement model created learning face image by shifting the indicated correct model (three dimensional face shape model represented by correct model parameter) in FIGS. 4 (a) It shows the position of the projection point of each node obtained by. そして、ずれ配置モデルに基づいて取得したサンプリング特徴量と、ずれ配置モデルと正解モデルとの差と、を組として、相関関係についての学習結果を取得する。 Then, the sampling feature value acquired based on the displaced arrangement model, and the difference between the correct model and the displaced arrangement model, as set, to obtain the learning result of the correlation. 以下、具体的な処理を説明する。 Hereinafter, specific processing.
まず、二組の変量ベクトルｘとｙを数１８のように定義する。 First, we define two sets of variate vectors x and y, as the number 18. ｘは、ずれ配置モデルに対するサンプリング特徴量を示す。 x indicates the sampling feature value for the displaced arrangement model. ｙは、正解モデルパラメタ（ｋ ｏｐｔ ）とずれ配置モデルパラメタ（ずれ配置モデルを示すパラメタ：ｋ ｄｉｆ ）との差を示す。 y is offset from the correct model parameter (k opt) deployment model parameters (displacement parameter showing the arrangement model: k dif) indicative of the difference between.
二組の変量ベクトルは、予め各次元ごとに平均０、分散１に正規化する。 Two sets of variate vectors are average advance for each dimension 0, normalized to unit variance. 正規化するために用いたパラメタ（各次元の平均、分散）は、後述する特徴点の検出処理において必要となる。 (Average of each dimension, dispersion) parameters used to normalize, it is necessary in the detection process of the feature point will be described later. 以下、それぞれをｘ ａｖｅ ，ｘ ｖａｒ ，ｙ ａｖｅ ，ｙ ｖａｒとし、正規化パラメタと呼ぶ。 Hereinafter, the respective x ave, x var, y ave , and y var, referred to as normalization parameters.
次に、二つの変量に対する線形変換を数１９のように定義した場合、ｕ，ｖ間の相関を最大にするようなａ，ｂを求める。 Then, when you define a linear transformation with respect to two variables as in equation 19 obtains u, a, such as to maximize the correlation between v, and b.
上記ａとｂとは、ｘ，ｙの同時分布を考え、その分散共分散行列Σを数２０のように定義した場合に、数２１に示す一般固有値問題を解いたときの最大固有値に対する固有ベクトルとして得られる。 The above-mentioned a and b, x, consider the joint distribution of y, if you define the covariance matrix Σ as in equation 20, as the eigenvector for the maximum eigenvalue of when solving a general eigenvalue problem shown in Formula 21 can get.
これらのうち、次元の低い方の固有値問題を先に解く。 Of these, solving the dimension of the lower of the eigenvalue problem before. 例えば、１番目の式を解いて得られる最大固有値がλ １ 、対応する固有ベクトルがａ １であった場合、ベクトルｂ １は、数２２に表される式によって得られる。 For example, 1 the maximum eigenvalue obtained by solving the first equation is lambda, if the corresponding eigenvectors were a 1, vector b 1 is obtained by a formula expressed in Equation 22.
このようにして求められたλ １を第一正準相関係数と呼ぶ。 The lambda 1 obtained in this manner is referred to as a first canonical correlation coefficient. また、数２３によって表されるｕ １ ，ｖ １を第一正準変量と呼ぶ。 Also referred to u 1, v 1, represented by the number 23 and the Kazumasa quasi variate.
以下、２番目に大きい固有値に対応する第二正準変量、３番目に大きい固有値に対応する第三正準変量というように、固有値の大きさに基づいて順に求めていく。 Hereinafter, the second canonical variate corresponding to the largest eigenvalue to the second, and so the third canonical variate corresponding to the largest eigenvalue third, to seek the order based on the size of the eigenvalues. なお、後述する特徴点の検出処理に用いるベクトルは、固有値がある一定以上の値（閾値）を有する第Ｍ正準変量までのベクトルとする。 Incidentally, the vector used in the detection process of the feature point to be described later, a vector up to the M canonical variate having at least a certain value is the eigenvalue (threshold). このときの閾値は、設計者によって適宜決定されて良い。 Threshold at this time may be appropriately determined by the designer. 以下、第Ｍ正準変量までの変換ベクトル行列を、Ａ'，Ｂ'とし、誤差推定行列と呼ぶ。 Hereinafter, the transform vector matrix up to the M canonical variate, and A ', B', we called the error estimation matrix. Ａ'，Ｂ'は、数２４のように表すことができる。 A ', B' can be expressed as in equation 24.
Ｂ'は、一般に正方行列とはならない。 B 'is not a generally square matrix. しかし、特徴点の検出処理において逆行列が必要となるため、Ｂ'に対し擬似的に０ベクトルを追加し、正方行列Ｂ''とする。 However, since the inverse matrix is needed in the detection process of the feature point, 'pseudo-add the zero vector to a square matrix B' B and '. 正方行列Ｂ''は数２５のように表すことができる。 Square matrix B '' can be expressed as in equation 25.
なお、誤差推定行列を求めることは、線形回帰，線形重回帰，非線形重回帰などの分析手法によっても可能である。 Incidentally, determining the error estimation matrix, linear regression, multiple linear regression, it is also possible by analysis techniques such as linear regression. しかし、正準相関分析を用いることにより、小さな固有値に対応する変量の影響を無視することが可能となる。 However, by using the canonical correlation analysis, it is possible to ignore the influence of the variate corresponding to a small eigenvalue. 従って、誤差推定に影響しない要素の影響を排除することが可能となり、より安定した誤差推定が可能となる。 Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the influence of factors that do not affect the error estimation, it is possible to more stable error estimation. よって、係る効果を必要としないのであれば、正準相関分析ではなく上記した他の分析手法を用いて誤差推定行列の取得を実施することも可能である。 Therefore, if the does not require the effects of, it is also possible to carry out the acquisition of the error estimation matrix using other analytical techniques mentioned above rather than canonical correlation analysis. また、誤差推定行列は、ＳＶＭ、ＲＶＭなどの手法によって取得することも可能である。 The error estimation matrix may also be acquired SVM, by a technique such as RVM.
以上、本学習処理に必要となる三つの処理、即ち顔形状モデルの取得、レティナサンプリング、及び誤差推定行列の取得について説明した。 Above, three processing required in this learning process, i.e. the acquisition of the face shape model, described retina sampling, and the acquisition of the error estimation matrix. 次に、これらの処理を用いて学習処理を行う際のフローについて説明する。 Then the flow will be described when performing the learning process using these processes. 図５は、学習処理のフローの例を示すフローチャートである。 Figure 5 is a flow chart showing an example of a flow of a learning process. 以下、図５を用いて学習処理の流れの例について説明する。 Hereinafter, an example of the flow of the learning process will be described with reference to FIG. なお、以下に説明する処理は、学習処理プログラムがインストールされた情報処理装置によって実行される。 Note that the processing described below is executed by the information processing apparatus learning processing program is installed. この情報処理装置は、接続された記憶装置から学習用の顔画像及び各顔画像において予め抽出されている各特徴点の３次元座標位置（特徴点の正解座標）を読み出すことが可能に構成される。 The information processing apparatus is configured to be able to read the three-dimensional coordinate position of each feature point (correct coordinate of feature point) that has been previously extracted by the face image and the facial image for learning from connected storage device that. この情報処理装置は、上記した記憶装置からのみならず、ネットワークを介することにより、又は記録媒体にアクセスすること等によって、上記データを読み出すことが可能に構成されても良い。 The information processing apparatus not only from the storage device described above, by going through the network, or such as by accessing the recording medium may be configured to be able to read the data.
まず、変数ｉを定義し、１を代入する（Ｓ０１）。 First, define the variable i, and substitutes the 1 (S01). 次に、予め特徴点の３次元位置が取得されている学習用の顔画像のうち、ｉ番目の顔画像（Ｉｍｇ＿ｉ）を読み込む（Ｓ０２）。 Next, advance of the facial image for learning the three-dimensional positions of feature points are acquired, read i th face image (Img_i) (S02). ここでは、ｉに１が代入されているため１番目の顔画像（Ｉｍｇ＿１）が読み込まれる。 Here, the first face image for 1 is substituted into i (Img_1) is read. 次に、顔画像Ｉｍｇ＿ｉの特徴点の正解座標の集合を読み出し、正解モデルパラメタｋ ｏｐｔを取得し３次元顔形状モデル（正解モデル）を作成する（Ｓ０３）。 Then, reading the set of correct coordinates of the feature points of the face image IMG_I, creating a obtains the correct model parameter k opt 3-dimensional face shape model (correct model) (S03). 次に、正解モデルパラメタｋ ｏｐｔに基づいてずれ配置モデルパラメタｋ ｄｉｆを作成し、ずれ配置モデルを作成する（Ｓ０４）。 Then, the deviation based on the correct model parameter k opt to create a deployment model parameter k dif, to create a displaced arrangement model (S04). このずれ配置モデルの作成は乱数を発生させて所定の範囲内で正解モデルからずらすことが好ましい。 Creating the displaced arrangement model is preferably displaced by generating a random number from the correct model within a predetermined range. 次に、ずれ配置モデルを学習画像上に射影する（Ｓ０５）。 Next, it projects the displaced arrangement model in the learning image (S05). そして、ずれ配置モデルが射影された２次元形状モデルに基づいて、レティナ構造を用いたサンプリングを実行し、サンプリング特徴量ｆ＿ｉを取得する（Ｓ０６）。 Then, based on the 2-dimensional geometric model displaced arrangement model is projected, performing the sampling with retina structure, it obtains the sampling feature value f_i (S06). また、正解モデルパラメタｋ ｏｐｔとずれ配置モデルパラメタｋ ｄｉｆとに基づいて形状モデルの誤差（ずれ）ｄｐ＿ｉを取得する（Ｓ０７）。 Further, to obtain the error (deviation) Dp_i shape model based on the correct model parameter k opt and displaced arrangement model parameter k dif (S07). ここで、全ての学習用の顔画像について処理が完了したか否か判断する（Ｓ０８）。 Here, it is determined whether processing for all the face images for learning has been completed (S08). 例えば、ｉの値と、学習用の顔画像の数を示すｎとを比較することにより判断することができる。 For example, it can be judged by comparing the value of i, and n indicating the number of face images for learning. 処理していない顔画像がある場合には（Ｓ０８−Ｎｏ）、ｉの値をインクリメントし（Ｓ０９）、新たなｉの値に基づいてＳ０２以降の処理を実行する。 When there is a face image that is not the process (S08-No), increments the value of i (S09), it executes S02 and subsequent steps based on the value of the new i. 一方、全ての顔画像について処理が完了したと判断した場合（Ｓ０８−Ｙｅｓ）、各顔画像について得られたサンプリング特徴量ｆ＿ｉと形状モデルの誤差ｄｐ＿ｉとの集合について正準相関分析を実行する（Ｓ１０）。 On the other hand, if it is determined that processing for all the face images has been completed (S08-Yes), it executes the canonical correlation analysis for the set of error dp_i obtained sampling feature value f_i and the shape model for each face image ( S10). そして、予め定められた閾値よりも小さい固定値に対応する不要な相関行列を削除し（Ｓ１１）、最終的に誤差推定行列を取得する（Ｓ１２）。 Then, delete unnecessary correlation matrix corresponding to the small fixed value than a predetermined threshold value (S11), and finally obtains the error estimation matrix (S12).
上記の処理では、各学習用画像に対してずれ配置モデルを１つしか作成していないが、複数個のずれ配置モデルを作成しても良い。 In the above process, is not created only one displaced arrangement model for each learning image may be created a plurality of displaced arrangement model. すなわち、学習用の画像に対してＳ０３からＳ０７の処理を複数回（例えば１０〜１００回）実行しても良い。 That is, a plurality of times the processes from S03 S07 for the image for learning (e.g. 10 to 100 times) may be executed.
次に、特徴点検出装置１について説明する。 Next, a description will be given feature point detecting device 1. 特徴点検出装置１は、上記した学習処理によって得られる誤差推定行列や正規化パラメタ等に基づいて、入力された顔画像から特徴点を検出する。 Feature point detecting device 1, based on the error estimation matrix and the normalized parameters and the like obtained by the learning process described above, detects feature points from the input face image. まず、特徴点検出装置１の装置構成について説明する。 First, descriptions will be given of the device configuration of the feature point detecting device 1.
中央演算処理装置），主記憶装置（ＲＡＭ），補助記憶装置などを備えるように構成されても良い。 Central processing unit), a main memory (RAM), may be configured to include such auxiliary storage device. この場合は、プログラムがＣＰＵによって実行されることにより、特徴点検出装置１が実現される。 In this case, the program is executed by the CPU, the feature point detecting device 1 is realized. ここで言う補助記憶装置は、不揮発性記憶装置を用いて構成される。 The term auxiliary storage device is constructed of a nonvolatile storage device. 不揮発瀬記憶装置とは、いわゆるＲＯＭ（Ｒｅａｄ−Ｏｎｌｙ Ｍｅｍｏｒｙ：ＥＰＲＯＭ（Ｅｒａｓａｂｌｅ Ｐｒｏｇｒａｍｍａｂｌｅ Ｒｅａｄ−Ｏｎｌｙ Ｍｅｍｏｒｙ），ＥＥＰＲＯＭ（Ｅｌｅｃｔｒｉｃａｌｌｙ Ｅｒａｓａｂｌｅ Ｐｒｏｇｒａｍｍａｂｌｅ Ｒｅａｄ−Ｏｎｌｙ Ｍｅｍｏｒｙ），マスクＲＯＭ等を含む），ＦｅＲＡＭ（Ｆｅｒｒｏｅｌｅｃｔｒｉｃ ＲＡＭ），ハードディスク等を指す。 The nonvolatile Seto storage device, a so-called ROM (Read-Only Memory: EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), including a mask ROM, etc.), FeRAM (Ferroelectric RAM), hard disk refer to the like.
図６は、特徴点検出装置１の機能ブロック例を示す図である。 Figure 6 is a diagram showing an exemplary functional block diagram of a feature point detecting device 1. 特徴点検出装置１は、補助記憶装置に記憶された各種のプログラム（ＯＳ，アプリケーション等）が主記憶装置にロードされＣＰＵにより実行されることによって、画像入力部２，顔検出部３，特徴量取得部４，学習結果記憶部５，及び誤差推定部６等を含む装置として機能する。 Feature point detecting device 1, the stored various programs in the auxiliary storage device (OS, applications, etc.) by Execution is loaded into main memory CPU, an image input unit 2, the face detection unit 3, the feature amount acquisition unit 4, and functions as a device including a learning result storing section 5, and the error estimating unit 6 and the like. また、特徴点検出装置１の全部又は一部は、専用のチップとして構成されても良い。 Further, all or some of the feature point detecting device 1 may be configured as a dedicated chip. 次に、特徴点検出装置１が含む各機能部について説明する。 Next, a description will be given of each functional unit included in the feature point detecting device 1.
画像入力部２は、顔画像のデータを特徴点検出装置１へ入力するためのインタフェースとして機能する。 The image input unit 2 serves as an interface for inputting data of the face image to the feature point detecting device 1. 画像入力部２によって、顔画像のデータが特徴点検出装置１へ入力される。 By the image input unit 2, data of the face image is input to the feature point detecting device 1. 画像入力部２は、特徴点検出装置１へ顔画像のデータを入力するためのどのような既存技術を用いて構成されても良い。 The image input unit 2 may be configured using any existing techniques for inputting the data of the face image to the feature point detecting device 1.
例えば、ネットワーク（例えばローカル・エリア・ネットワークやインターネット）を介して顔画像のデータが特徴点検出装置１へ入力されても良い。 For example, data of the face image via a network (e.g., a local area network or the Internet) may be input to the feature point detecting device 1. この場合、画像入力部２はネットワークインタフェースを用いて構成される。 In this case, the image input unit 2 is configured using a network interface. また、デジタルカメラやスキャナやパーソナルコンピュータや記録装置（例えばハードディスクドライブ）等から顔画像のデータが特徴点検出装置１へ入力されても良い。 Also, data of the face image from the digital camera or scanner and a personal computer or a recording apparatus (e.g., hard disk drive) or the like may be input to the feature point detecting device 1. この場合、画像入力部２は、デジタルカメラやパーソナルコンピュータや記録装置などと特徴点検出装置１とをデータ通信可能に接続する規格（例えばＵＳＢ（Ｕｎｉｖｅｒｓａｌ Ｓｅｒｉａｌ Ｂｕｓ）やＳＣＳＩ（Ｓｍａｌｌ Ｃｏｍｐｕｔｅｒ Ｓｙｓｔｅｍ Ｉｎｔｅｒｆａｃｅ）等の有線接続やｂｌｕｅｔｏｏｔｈ（登録商標）等の無線接続の規格）に応じて構成される。 In this case, the image input unit 2, a digital camera, a personal computer or a recording apparatus such as a feature point detecting device 1 and the data communicably connected to standard (e.g. USB (Universal Serial Bus), SCSI (Small Computer System Interface), etc. constructed in accordance with the wired connection or bluetooth (registered trademark) or the like of wireless connection standard). また、記録媒体（例えば各種フラッシュメモリやフロッピー（登録商標）ディスクやＣＤ（Ｃｏｍｐａｃｔ Ｄｉｓｋ）やＤＶＤ（Ｄｉｇｉｔａｌ Ｖｅｒｓａｔｉｌｅ Ｄｉｓｃ、Ｄｉｇｉｔａｌ Ｖｉｄｅｏ Ｄｉｓｃ））に記録された顔画像のデータが特徴点検出装置１へ入力されても良い。 The recording medium (e.g., various flash memories, floppy (registered trademark) disk or a CD (Compact Disk) and DVD (Digital Versatile Disc, Digital Video Disc)) to the input data of the recorded face image to the feature point detecting device 1 it may be. この場合、画像入力部２は、記録媒体からデータを読み出す装置（例えばフラッシュメモリリーダやフロッピー（登録商標）ディスクドライブやＣＤドライブやＤＶＤドライブ）を用いて構成される。 In this case, the image input unit 2 is constructed of a device for reading data from a recording medium (e.g., flash memory reader, floppy disk drive, CD drive or DVD drive).
また、特徴点検出装置１がデジタルカメラ等の撮像装置又はデジタルカメラ等の撮像装置を備える各種装置（例えばＰＤＡ（Ｐｅｒｓｏｎａｌ Ｄｉｇｉｔａｌ Ａｓｓｉｓｔａｎｔ）や携帯電話機）の内部に含まれ、撮像された画像が顔画像のデータとして特徴点検出装置１へ入力されても良い。 The feature point detecting device 1 is contained within the various devices equipped with an imaging device such as an imaging device or a digital camera such as a digital camera (e.g. a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) or a cellular phone), the captured image is a face image data may be input to the feature point detecting device 1 as the. この場合、画像入力部２は、ＣＣＤ（Ｃｈａｒｇｅ−Ｃｏｕｐｌｅｄ Ｄｅｖｉｃｅｓ）やＣＭＯＳ（Ｃｏｍｐｌｅｍｅｎｔａｒｙ Ｍｅｔａｌ−Ｏｘｉｄｅ Ｓｅｍｉｃｏｎｄｕｃｔｏｒ）センサ等を用いて構成されても良いし、ＣＣＤやＣＭＯＳセンサなどによって撮像された顔画像のデータを特徴点検出装置１に入力させるためのインタフェースとして構成されても良い。 In this case, the image input unit 2, CCD (Charge-Coupled Devices) and CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor) may be configured using a sensor or the like, data of the captured face image by a CCD or CMOS sensor it may be configured as an interface for inputting to the feature point detecting device 1 a. また、特徴点検出装置１が、プリンタやディスプレイ等の画像出力装置の内部に含まれ、出力データとしてこれらの画像出力装置に入力された画像が顔画像のデータとして特徴点検出装置１へ入力されても良い。 Further, the feature point detecting device 1, contained within the image output device of a printer or display, the input image is input to the feature point detecting device 1 as data of the face image to those of the image output device as output data and it may be. この場合、画像入力部２は、これらの画像出力装置に入力された顔画像のデータを特徴点検出装置１において取り扱い可能なデータに変換する装置などを用いて構成される。 In this case, the image input unit 2 is configured by using a device for converting the feature point detecting device 1 data of the input face image in these image output device which can be handled data.
また、画像入力部２は上記された複数の場合に応じることが可能となるように構成されても良い。 Further, the image input unit 2 may be configured to be capable to respond to the case of the plurality of the above.
顔検出部３は、画像入力部２を介して入力された顔画像から、人の顔を検出する。 The face detection unit 3, the input face image via the image input unit 2, detects the face of a human. 顔検出部３は、例えば、顔全体の輪郭に対応した基準テンプレートを用いたテンプレートマッチングによって顔を検出するように構成されても良い。 The face detection unit 3, for example, may be configured to detect a face by template matching using a reference template corresponding to the contour of the entire face. また、顔検出部３は、顔の構成要素（目，鼻，耳など）に基づくテンプレートマッチングによって顔を検出するように構成されても良い。 The face detecting section 3, the components of the face (eyes, nose, ears, etc.) by the template matching based on may be configured to detect a face. また、顔検出部３は、クロマキー処理によって頭部などの頂点を検出し、この頂点に基づいて顔を検出するように構成されても良い。 The face detection unit 3 detects a vertex, such as the head by chroma key processing may be configured to detect the face based on the vertex. また、顔検出部３は、肌の色に近い領域を検出し、その領域を顔として検出するように構成されても良い。 The face detection unit 3 detects an area close to the skin color, it may be configured to detect that region as the face. また、顔検出部３は、ニューラルネットワークを使って教師信号による学習を行い、顔らしい領域を顔として検出するように構成されても良い。 The face detection unit 3 performs learning by a teacher signal using a neural network, may be configured to detect a face-like region as the face. また、顔検出部３による顔検出処理は、その他、既存のどのような技術が適用されることによって実現されても良い。 The face detection processing by the face detecting section 3 may also include other, may be achieved by any technique existing is applied.
顔検出部３は、検出された顔の位置を特定し、その位置を特徴量取得部４へ渡す。 Face detecting section 3 specifies the position of the detected face, and passes the position to the feature value acquiring section 4. このとき、顔検出部３は、顔の傾きや顔の大きさを取得して、その値を特徴量取得部４にさらに渡すように構成されても良い。 In this case, the face detection unit 3 obtains the amount of inclination and face of the face, the value may be configured to further pass characteristic amount obtaining section 4.
特徴量取得部４は、顔検出部３によって検出された人の顔の画像からサンプリング特徴量を取得する。 Feature value acquiring section 4 acquires the sampling feature value from an image of a human face detected by the face detection unit 3. 以下、特徴量取得部４の具体的な処理について説明する。 The following describes specific processing of the feature amount acquisition unit 4.
特徴量取得部４は、顔検出部３によって検出された顔について初めてサンプリング特徴量を取得する場合には、まず、３次元顔形状モデルにおける各ノードの３次元位置を決定し、その形状モデルのパラメタ（初期パラメタ）ｋ ｉｎｉｔを取得する。 Feature value acquiring section 4, when acquiring a first sampling feature value for the face detected by the face detection unit 3 first determines the three-dimensional position of each node in the three dimensional face shape model, the geometric model parameter to get the (initial parameters) k init. この３次元形状モデルは、例えば検出された顔の中心と３次元顔形状モデルの中心とが一致するような形状であっても良い。 The 3-dimensional shape model, for example, the centers of the three-dimensional face shape model of the detected face may be shaped to match. また、３次元形状モデルは、例えば顔検出部３によって顔矩形（検出された顔を囲む矩形）が取得される場合には、この顔矩形のある頂点（例えば左上のかど）から所定の位置に顔形状モデルの所定のノードが配置されるような形状であっても良い。 Also, 3-dimensional shape model, for example, when the face rectangle by the face detecting section 3 (a rectangle surrounding the detected face) is acquired, a predetermined position from the vertex (e.g., upper left excessive) with this face rectangle given node of the face shape model may be shaped to be disposed. 特徴量取得部４が作成する３次元顔形状モデルは、検出された顔に対し適当にノードが配置されるのであれば、その他どのように設計者によって定義されても良い。 3D face shape model to create the feature value acquiring section 4, if the the appropriate node to the detected face is positioned, what other may be defined by the designer to.
また、初期パラメタｋ ｉｎｉｔとは、数９によって表されるモデルパラメタｋのうち、初期値によって表されるモデルパラメタをいう。 Further, the initial parameter k init, of the model parameters k expressed by the number 9, it refers to a model parameter represented by the initial value. 初期パラメタｋ ｉｎｉｔには、適当な値が設定されて良い。 The initial parameter k init, may appropriate value is set. ただし、一般的な顔画像から得られる平均的な値を初期パラメタｋ ｉｎｉｔに設定することにより、様々な顔の向きや表情変化などに対応することが可能となる。 However, by setting the average value obtained from a general face image to the initial parameter k init, it is possible to correspond to such different facial orientation or expression change. 従って、例えば、相似変換のパラメタｓ ｘ ，ｓ ｙ ，ｓ ｚ ，ｓ θ ，ｓ φ ，ｓ ψについては、学習処理の際に用いた顔画像の正解モデルパラメタの平均値を用いても良い。 Thus, for example, the parameter s x of similarity transformation, s y, s z, s θ, s φ, for s [psi may be used an average value of the correct model parameter of face image used in the learning process. また、例えば、形状パラメタｂについては、ゼロとしても良い。 Further, for example, the shape parameter b, may be zero. また、顔検出部３によって顔の向きの情報が得られる場合には、この情報を用いて初期パラメタを設定しても良い。 Further, when the face detection unit 3 the orientation of the information of the face obtained may set the initial parameters by using this information. この他、設計者が経験的に得た他の値をもって初期パラメタとしても良い。 In addition, it may be used as the initial parameters with other values the designer was obtained empirically.
次に、特徴量取得部４は、設定された初期パラメタによって表される顔形状モデルを入力された顔画像に射影する。 The feature value acquiring section 4 is projected on the input face shape model represented by the set initial parameter face image. そして、特徴量取得部４は、射影された形状モデルを用いて、レティナ構造に基づいたサンプリングを実施し、サンプリング特徴量ｆを取得する。 The feature value acquiring section 4 using the projected shape model, executed the sampling based on the retina structure, obtains the sampling feature value f. そして、特徴量取得部４は、得られたサンプリング特徴量ｆを、誤差推定部６へ渡す。 The feature value acquiring section 4, the resulting sampling feature value f, and passes to the error estimating section 6.
得られたサンプリング特徴量ｆを、誤差推定部６へ渡す。 The resulting sampling feature value f, and passes to the error estimating section 6.
学習結果記憶部５は、不揮発性記憶装置を用いて構成され、上記した学習処理によって得られる学習結果を記憶している。 Learning result storage unit 5 is composed of a nonvolatile memory, and stores the learning result obtained by the learning process described above. 具体的には、学習結果記憶部５は、誤差推定行列，正規化パラメタなどを記憶している。 Specifically, the learning result storing section 5 stores the error estimation matrix, and normalizing parameters. また、必要に応じて、学習結果記憶部５は、初期パラメタｋ ｉｎｉｔ又は初期パラメタｋ ｉｎｉｔを構成する値の一部（例えば、学習処理の際に用いた顔画像の正解モデルパラメタにおける相似変換パラメタの平均値など）をさらに記憶しても良い。 If necessary, the learning result storing section 5, the initial parameter k init or initial parameter k init some values that constitute the (e.g., similarity transformation parameter in the face image correct model parameter of that used during the learning process such as an average value) may further store.
誤差推定部６は、特徴量取得部４によって取得されたサンプリング特徴量ｆ、及び学習結果記憶部５に記憶される誤差推定行列や正規化パラメタなどに基づいて、誤差量を推定し新たなモデルパラメタｋを取得する。 Error estimating unit 6, the sampling feature value f acquired by the feature value acquiring section 4, and the like based on the error estimation matrix and the normalized parameter stored in the learning result storing section 5, a new model to estimate the amount of error to get the parameter k. 以下、誤差推定部６の具体的な処理例について説明する。 The following describes specific processing example of the error estimating section 6.
まず、誤差推定部６は、正規化パラメタ（ｘ ａｖｅ ，ｘ ｖａｒ ）を用いて、特徴量取得部４により取得されたサンプリング特徴量ｆを正規化し、正準相関分析を行うためのベクトルｘを取得する。 First, the error estimating section 6, the normalized parameters (x ave, x var) with the sampling feature value f acquired by the feature value acquiring section 4 then normalized, the vector x for performing the canonical correlation analysis get. そして、誤差推定部６は、数２６により表される式に基づいて第一〜第Ｍ正準変量を算出することにより、変量ｕを取得する。 Then, the error estimating section 6, by calculating the first to M canonical variate based on the equation represented by the number 26, to obtain the variable u.
次に、誤差推定部６は、数２７に表される式を用いて、正規化誤差推定量ｙを取得する。 Then, the error estimating section 6, using the formula represented in several 27 obtains the normalized error estimated amount y. なお、数２７において、Ｂ'が正方行列でない場合には、Ｂ' Ｔ−１はＢ'の擬似逆行列である。 Note that in a few 27, B 'if is not a square matrix, B' T-1 is a pseudo-inverse matrix of B '.
次に、誤差推定部６は、正規化誤差推定量ｙに対し、正規化パラメタ（ｙ ａｖｅ ，ｙ ｖａｒ ）を用いて復元処理を行い、誤差推定量ｋ ｅｒｒを取得する。 Then, the error estimating section 6, with respect to the normalized error estimated amount y, the normalization parameter (y ave, y var) performs a restoration process is used to acquire the error estimated amount k err. ｋ ｅｒｒは、現在のモデルパラメタｋ ｉから正解モデルパラメタｋ ｏｐｔまでの誤差推定量である。 k err is the error estimated amount from the current model parameter k i to the correct model parameter k opt. 従って、正解モデルパラメタの推定値ｋ ｉ＋１は、現在のモデルパラメタｋ ｉに誤差推定量ｋ ｅｒｒを加算することにより取得できる。 Therefore, the estimated value k i + 1 of the correct model parameter can be obtained by adding the error estimated amount k err to the current model parameter k i. ただし、ｋ ｅｒｒは誤差を含んでいる可能性がある。 However, k err is likely to contain errors. このため、より安定した検出を行うために、数２８に表される式によって正解モデルパラメタの推定値ｋ ｉ＋１を取得することができる。 Therefore, in order to perform a more stable detection, it is possible to obtain an estimate k i + 1 of the correct model parameter by a formula expressed in Equation 28. 数２８において、σは適当な固定値であり、設計者によって適宜決定されて良い。 In Equation 28, sigma is a suitable fixed value, may be appropriately determined by the designer. また、σは、例えばｉの変化に従って変化しても良い。 Further, sigma may vary according to, for example i changes in.
誤差推定部６は、上記のサンプリング、誤差推定を繰り返し正解モデルパラメタの推定値ｋ ｉを正解パラメタに近づけていくことが好ましい。 Error estimating unit 6, the above sampling, it is preferable that the estimated value k i of the correct model parameter repeated error estimate is brought close to the correct parameter. このような繰り返し処理を行う場合には、誤差推定部６は、推定値ｋ ｉを得る度に、終了判定を行う。 When performing such repetitive processes, the error estimating section 6, each time to obtain an estimated value k i, determines the termination. 例えば、誤差推定部６は、ｉの値が閾値を超えた場合に、処理を終了すると判定しても良い。 For example, the error estimating section 6, if the value of i exceeds a threshold value, it may be determined that the process ends. また、例えば誤差推定部６は、数２９によって表されるΔｋの値が閾値以下になった場合に、処理を終了すると判定しても良い。 Further, for example, the error estimating section 6, if the value of Δk represented by the number 29 is equal to or less than the threshold value, it may be determined that the process ends. また、誤差推定部６は、取得されたｋ ｉ＋１の値が正常範囲内であるか否かに基づいて終了判定を行っても良い。 The error estimating section 6, the value of the acquired k i + 1 may perform the end determination based on whether or not within the normal range. 例えば、誤差推定部６は、取得されたｋ ｉ＋１の値が、明らかに人の顔の画像における正解位置を示すものでない場合には、エラーを出力することにより終了することを決定しても良い。 For example, the error estimating section 6, the value of k i + 1, which is acquired in the case does not indicate the correct position in the apparently human face image may be decided to terminate by an error . また、誤差推定部６は、取得されたｋ ｉ＋１によって表されるノードの一部が、処理対象の画像からはみでてしまった場合にも、エラーを出力することにより終了することを決定しても良い。 The error estimating section 6, a part of the node represented by k i + 1, which is acquired, when had protruding from the image to be processed also be decided to terminate by an error good.
誤差推定部６は、処理を続行すると判定した場合、取得された正解モデルパラメタの推定値ｋ ｉ＋１を特徴量取得部４へ渡す。 Error estimating section 6, if it is determined to continue the process, and passes the estimated value k i + 1 of the acquired correct model parameter to the feature value acquiring section 4. 一方、誤差推定部６は、処理を終了すると判定した場合、その時点で得られている正解モデルパラメタの推定値ｋ ｉ （又はｋ ｉ＋１であっても良い）を、最終推定パラメタｋ ｅｓｔとして出力する。 On the other hand, the error estimating section 6, if it is determined that the process ends, outputs an estimated value k i of the correct model parameter obtained at that time (or k i + 1 may be), as the final estimated parameter k est to.
図７は、特徴点検出装置１の動作例を示すフローチャートである。 Figure 7 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the feature point detecting device 1. 以下、図７を用いて特徴点検出装置１の動作例について説明する。 Hereinafter, an operation example of the feature point detecting device 1 with reference to FIG. まず、特徴点検出装置１は、画像入力部２を介して、処理対象となる画像を読み込む（Ｓ２０）。 First, the feature point detecting device 1 via the image input unit 2 reads the image to be processed (S20). 次に、顔検出部３は、処理対象となる画像から人の顔を検出する。 Next, the face detection unit 3 detects the human face from an image to be processed. 次に、特徴量取得部４は、初期パラメタｋ ｉｎｉｔに基づいた３次元顔形状モデルを、顔検出部３による顔検出処理の結果に従って得られる初期位置に配置する（Ｓ２１）。 The feature value acquiring section 4, a 3-dimensional face shape model based on the initial parameter k init, placed in the initial position obtained according to the result of the face detection processing by the face detecting section 3 (S21). 次に、特徴量取得部４は、変数ｉを定義し１を代入する。 The feature value acquiring section 4 assigns 1 to define the variable i. また、特徴量取得部４は、ｋ ｉを定義し、初期パラメタｋ ｉｎｉｔを代入する（Ｓ２２）。 The feature value acquiring section 4 defines the k i, and substitutes the initial parameter k init (S22). そして、特徴量取得部４はｋ ｉで表される３次元顔形状モデルを処理対象の画像上に射影する（Ｓ２３）。 The feature value acquiring section 4 projects the three-dimensional face shape model represented by k i on the image to be processed (S23). 特徴量取得部４は、射影された２次元形状モデルに従って、レティナ構造に基づき、サンプリング特徴量ｆを取得する（Ｓ２４）。 Feature value acquiring section 4 according to the projected two dimensional shape model on the basis of the retina structure, obtains the sampling feature value f (S24).
次に、誤差推定部６は、取得されたサンプリング特徴量ｆや学習結果記憶部５に記憶される誤差推定式などにより、３次元形状モデルｋ ｉと正解モデルパラメタとの推定誤差ｋ ｅｒｒを取得する（Ｓ２５）。 Then, the error estimating section 6, such as by an error estimation expression, which is stored in the obtained sampled feature amounts f and learning result storing section 5, acquires the estimated error k err between the correct model parameter and the three-dimensional shape model k i to (S25). 誤差推定部６は、推定誤差に基づいて正解モデルパラメタの推定値ｋ ｉ＋１を数２８にしたがって算出する（Ｓ２６）。 Error estimating section 6 calculates according to the estimated value k i + 1 the number 28 of the correct model parameter based on the estimated error (S26). 次に、誤差推定部６は、Δｋをｋ ｉ＋１とｋ ｉとの差として算出し（Ｓ２７）、ＥをΔｋの二乗として算出する（Ｓ２８）。 Then, the error estimating section 6 calculates the .DELTA.k as the difference between the k i + 1 and k i (S27), calculates the E as the square of Δk (S28). そして、誤差推定部６は終了判定を行う。 The error estimating unit 6 determines the termination.
終了判定において、誤差推定部６は、まず取得されたｋ ｉ＋１の値が正常範囲内であるか否か判断する（Ｓ２９）。 At the end determination, the error estimating section 6 first value of the acquired k i + 1 is determined whether or not within the normal range (S29). ｋ ｉ＋１の値が正常範囲内でない場合（Ｓ２９−Ｎｏ）、誤差推定部６は、不図示の出力装置などにエラーを出力し（Ｓ３０）、特徴点検出装置１としての処理を終了する。 If the value of k i + 1 is not within the normal range (S29-No), the error estimating section 6 outputs an error to such an output device (not shown) (S30), and ends the process as a feature point detecting device 1. 一方、ｋ ｉ＋１の値が正常範囲内である場合（Ｓ２９−Ｙｅｓ）、Ｓ２８の処理で取得されたＥの値が閾値（ε）を超えているか否か判断する（Ｓ３１）。 On the other hand, k if i + 1 values are within the normal range (S29-Yes), the value of An E acquired in the process of S28 is whether judged exceeds a threshold value (ε) (S31). Ｅが閾値を超えていない場合（Ｓ３１−Ｙｅｓ）、誤差推定部６は、処理が収束したとして、ｋ ｅｓｔを出力し（Ｓ３２）、特徴点検出装置１としての処理を終了する。 If E does not exceed the threshold value (S31-Yes), the error estimating section 6, as the process has converged, and outputs the k est (S32), and ends the process as a feature point detecting device 1.
一方、Ｅが閾値を超えている場合（Ｓ３１−Ｎｏ）、誤差推定部６は、ｋ ｉ＋１の値を特徴量取得部４に渡す。 On the other hand, if E is greater than the threshold value (S31-No), error estimating unit 6 transfers the value of k i + 1 to the feature value acquiring section 4. そして、特徴量取得部４は、このｋ ｉ＋１の値に基づいて新たな３次元顔形状モデルを作成する（Ｓ３３）。 The feature value acquiring section 4 creates a new three dimensional face shape model based on the value of the k i + 1 (S33). この後、誤差推定部６は、ｉの値をインクリメントする（Ｓ３４）。 Thereafter, the error estimating section 6 increments the value of i (S34). 特徴量取得部４は、新たな３次元顔形状モデルを処理対象画像に射影してサンプリング特徴量ｆの取得などを行う。 Feature value acquiring section 4, or get the sampling feature value f by projecting a new three dimensional face shape model to the processing target image. 即ち、この場合、新たな３次元顔形状モデルに基づいてＳ２３以降の処理が繰り返される。 That is, in this case, the process is repeated after S23 based on the new three dimensional face shape model.
従来のＡＳＭでは、顔形状モデルの各ノード周囲において探索処理を繰り返す必要があった。 In the conventional ASM, it is necessary to repeat the search process at each node around the face shape model. また、従来のＡＡＭでは、各ノードによって構成されるパッチ内で均質且つ高密度なサンプリングを行い、さらにこの結果に対し形状修正処理を行う必要があった。 Further, in the conventional AAM, perform homogeneous and high density sampling in the patch configured by each node, it is necessary to further carry out the shape correction processing on this result. 具体的には、従来のＡＡＭでは通常１万点以上のサンプリングが必要とされていた。 Specifically, conventional usually 10,000 or more sampling the AAM has been required. 即ち、特徴点の検出処理には処理速度や応答性が要求されているにも関わらず、従来のこれらの技術では、計算量を削減することが十分には実現されていなかった。 In other words, despite the detection process of the feature points are processing speed and responsiveness is required, the conventional of these techniques, it has not been fully realized to reduce the calculation amount.
一方、特徴点検出装置１では、第一に、形状修正処理を必要としない。 On the other hand, the feature point detecting device 1, first, does not require a shape correction process. さらに、特徴点検出装置１では、レティナ構造に基づく非均質且つ低密度なサンプリングによって、特徴点の検出処理が行われる。 Further, the feature point detecting device 1, the non-homogeneous and low density sampling based on retina structure, the detection process of the feature point is performed. 具体的には、通常数百点程度のサンプリングで検出処理が可能である。 Specifically, it is possible to detect treatment with usually several hundred points about the sampling. このように、特徴点検出装置１によれば、特徴点の検出に要する計算量を従来に比べて大幅に削減することが可能となる。 Thus, according to the feature point detecting device 1, it becomes possible to greatly reduced compared to the amount of calculation required for detection of the feature point in the prior art. また、サンプリング点が少なくなるため、学習結果として保存しておくデータ量を抑制することも可能となる。 Also, since the sampling points is reduced, it is possible to suppress the amount of data stored as the learning result.
また、特徴点検出装置１では、誤差推定行列を正準相関分析によって求めるため、予測誤差の原因となる余分な要素の影響を予め排除することができる。 Further, the feature point detecting device 1, for determining the canonical correlation analysis error estimation matrix can be previously eliminate the influence of extra elements that cause prediction errors. また、線形演算のみによって誤差推定を行うことができるため、高速に誤差推定処理を行うことができる。 Moreover, since only by linear calculation can be performed error estimation, it is possible to perform error estimation processing at high speed.
また、特徴点検出装置１は顔形状モデルを使用して特徴点の探索を行うため、処理対象の顔画像において、一部の特徴点が隠れていたり、学習画像の顔と大きく異なっていた場合でも安定して特徴点検出を行うことができる。 Also, in order to perform searching of the characteristic point detection apparatus 1 feature point using the face shape model, if the face image to be processed, or hidden part of the feature points were significantly different from the face of the learning image But stably can be performed feature point detection. さらに、顔形状モデルとして３次元顔形状モデルを用いているため、より精度良く安定した結果を得ることができる。 Furthermore, due to the use of 3-dimensional face shape model as the face shape model, it is possible to obtain more accurately stable results.
また、３次元顔形状モデルを用いているため、検出過程もしくは検出結果から顔姿勢（顔が向いている方向やその角度）を直接求めることができる。 Further, it is possible to obtain due to the use of 3-dimensional face shape model, the face pose from the detection process or detection result (direction and the angle of the face is facing) directly. すなわち、特徴点検出装置１が出力した顔形状モデルパラメタに含まれるパラメタｓ θ ，ｓ φ ，ｓ ψから顔の姿勢を求めることが可能である。 That is, the parameter s theta the feature point detecting device 1 included in the output face shape model parameters, s phi, it is possible to determine the orientation of the face from the s [psi.
学習結果記憶部５は、予め複数の顔の状態を示す初期パラメタｋ ｉｎｉｔを記憶していても良い。 Learning result storing section 5 may store the initial parameters k init indicating the state of pre plurality of faces. 例えば、学習結果記憶部５は、横を向いた顔や上を向いた顔などに対応する初期パラメタｋ ｉｎｉｔの値を記憶していても良い。 For example, the learning result storing section 5, the value of the initial parameter k init corresponding like face facing sideways facing face and above may be stored. そして、特徴量取得部４は、取得されるｋ ｉ＋１の値によっては、使用する顔形状モデルを変更しても良い。 The feature value acquiring section 4, depending on k i + 1 of the values obtained may be changed the face shape model to use. 具体的には、まず、各初期パラメタが担当する顔形状モデルの範囲を予め定めておく。 Specifically, first, in advance delimits a face shape model in which each initial parameter is responsible. 特徴量取得部４は、誤差推定部６によって新たに取得されたｋ ｉ＋１の値が採用した初期パラメタの担当範囲からずれた場合には、このｋ ｉ＋１の値を破棄して、採用された初期パラメタｋとは異なる別の初期パラメタを学習結果記憶部５から読み出し、その値に基づいてＳ２１以降の処理を再度実行するように構成されても良い。 Initial feature value acquiring section 4, when the deviation from the serving range of the initial parameter values of k i + 1 newly acquired by the error estimating section 6 is adopted, which discards the value of the k i + 1, is employed reads another initial parameter different from the parameter k from the learning result storing section 5, S21 may be configured to perform the subsequent processing again based on that value.
また、特徴量取得部４は、例えば、特徴点の検出処理が繰り返し実行される場合には、ある時点で得られたｋ ｉ＋１の値に応じて次に入力される顔画像に対する検出処理で用いる顔形状モデルを変更しても良い。 The feature value acquiring section 4, for example, when the detection process of the feature point is repeatedly executed is used in the detection process for the face image input next according to the value of k i + 1 obtained at a certain point in time it may change the face shape model. 処理対象となっている画像に含まれる顔が横を向いている場合などには、ｋ ｉ＋１で表されるモデルを用いて処理を続行するよりも、横を向いた顔の顔形状モデルを示す初期パラメタを用いて処理を行った方がより精度の高い結果を得られる場合がある。 The a case that the face included in the image to be processed is facing the side, rather than continue processing using the model represented by k i + 1, showing the face of the face shape model facing horizontal in some cases better to perform processing by using the initial parameters are obtained more accurate results. 従って、このような場合には、上記の変形例に従って構成することが有効である。 Therefore, in such a case, it is effective to configure according to a modification of the above.
このような構成により、より大きな顔姿勢の変化に対応することができるようになる。 With this configuration, it becomes possible to respond to changes in the larger face pose.
また、特徴量取得部４は、初期パラメタｋ ｉｎｉｔではなく、レティナ構造や、誤差推定行列などを切り替えるように構成されても良い。 The feature value acquiring section 4, the initial parameter k init without or retina structure may be configured to switch such as an error estimation matrix. 例えば、初期の正解モデルパラメタ推定は形状パラメタを固定して移動・回転のパラメタだけを変化させて行い、移動・回転パラメタがほぼ決定した後に形状パラメタの推定を行う処理を行うことが考えられる。 For example, the initial correct model parameter estimation is carried out by changing only the parameters of the movement and rotation by fixing the shape parameter, it is considered to perform the process of estimating the shape parameter after the movement and rotation parameters are determined substantially. すなわち、初期のモデルパラメタ推定においては、誤差推定量ｋ ｅｒｒのうちから移動と回転に関するパラメタｓ ｘ ，ｓ ｙ ，ｓ ｚ ，ｓ θ ，ｓ φ ，ｓ ψを利用してモデルパラメタを正解パラメタに近づけていく。 That is, in the initial model parameter estimation, the parameter s x related to the rotation and the movement out of the error estimated amount k err, s y, s z , s θ, s φ, s ψ to correct parameter model parameters using the go closer. そして、移動と回転に関するパラメタが収束したら誤差推定量ｋ ｅｒｒから形状パラメタｂ １ ，ｂ ２ ，． The error estimated amount k err from the shape parameter b 1 When parameters converge about the movement and rotation, b 2,. ． . ． . ，ｂ ｋを利用してモデルパラメタを正解パラメタに近づけていく。 , It will close the model parameters to correct parameters using the b k. このような構成により、より顔向きの変化にロバストな特徴点検出・顔姿勢推定が可能となる。 Such a configuration allows robust feature points detection and face pose estimation change more face orientation. また、一度に使用するパラメタの次元数を減らすことができるので処理を高速化することができる。 Further, it is possible to speed up the process it is possible to reduce the number of dimensions of the parameter to be used at a time. なお、上記のように移動と回転に関するパラメタが修正してから初めて形状パラメタを近似させる構成以外も、繰り返し処理の回数に応じて形状パラメタの変化を大きくしていく構成をとることができる。 Incidentally, it is possible to take a first time other than the constituent to approximate the shape parameters, configurations continue to increase the change in shape parameter according to the number of iterative processing from the corrected parameters relating to the rotation and movement as described above.
また、誤差推定部６は、終了判定を行うことなく、その時点で得られたｋ ｉ＋１の値をｋ ｅｓｔとして出力しても良い。 The error estimating section 6 does not perform the determination as to termination, may output the value of k i + 1 obtained at this time as k est.
また、特徴点検出装置１は、顔検出部３を備えることなく構成されても良い。 The feature point detecting device 1 may be configured without providing the face detecting section 3. この場合、特徴量取得部４は、例えば画面中央を初期位置とすることにより処理を行うように構成されても良い。 In this case, the feature value acquiring section 4, for example, may be configured to perform processing by the screen center as the initial position. また、顔検出部３が特徴点検出装置１の外部に設けられ、顔画像とともに検出された顔の位置情報が特徴点検出装置１に入力されても良い。 Further, the face detecting section 3 provided outside the feature point detecting device 1, the position information of the face detected with the face image may be input to the feature point detecting device 1.
また、顔検出部３は、人の顔そのものではなく、人の目や口や他の特徴点を検出するように構成されても良い。 The face detection unit 3 is not a human face itself may be configured to detect the eyes and mouth and other feature points of the human. この場合、特徴量取得部４は、これらの特徴点の位置に基づいて初期位置を決定するように構成されても良い。 In this case, the feature value acquiring section 4 may be configured to determine the initial position based on the position of these feature points.
また、特徴量取得部４は、レティナ構造以外の構造に基づいてサンプリング点の配置を行っても良い。 The feature value acquiring section 4 may perform the arrangement of sampling points based on structures other than the retina structure. 例えば、特徴量取得部４は、ノードの射影点の周囲に離散的に配置された複数の点から特徴量を取得しても良い。 For example, it features value acquiring section 4 may acquire the feature value from a plurality of points discretely arranged around the projection point of the node.
また、特徴点検出装置１は、人の顔を対象物として人の顔の特徴点の位置を推定するものとして説明したが、対象物は人の顔以外のものであっても良い。 The feature point detecting device 1 has been described as to estimate the position of the feature point of the human face of a human face as an object, the object may be other than a human face. 例えば、特徴点検出装置は１、人の全体（全身）やレントゲン画像やＣＴ画像における臓器など、大きさに個人差がある対象物や基本的な形が変わらずに変形する対象物を対象として、特徴点の位置を推定しても良い。 For example, the feature point detecting device 1, such as organs in the whole (whole body) and X-ray images and CT images of a person, as a target object to be deformed without changing the object or basic form of individual differences in size it may estimate the position of the feature point. また、特徴点検出装置１は、自動車などの工業製品のように変形しない剛体に対しても形状モデルを設定することができるため、このような剛体を対象物としてその特徴点の位置を推定しても良い。 The feature point detecting device 1, it is possible to set the shape model even for non-deformable rigid as industrial products such as automobiles, to estimate the position of the feature point such rigid as the object and it may be.
顔画像から抽出された特徴点の例を示す図である。 Is a diagram illustrating an example of the extracted feature points from the face image. レティナ構造の例を示す図である。 Is a diagram illustrating an example of a retina structure. 顔形状モデルのある一つのノードに対してレティナ構造を適用した場合のサンプリング点の分布例を示す図である。 It is a diagram illustrating a distribution example of sampling points when applying the retina structure with respect to one node with a face shape model. ずれ配置モデルの例を示す図である。 Is a diagram illustrating an example of a displaced arrangement model. 学習処理の処理例を示すフローチャートである。 It is a flowchart showing a process example of a learning process. 特徴点検出装置の機能ブロックの例を示す図である。 Is a diagram illustrating an example of functional blocks of the apparatus for detecting a feature point. 特徴点検出装置の動作例を示すフローチャートである。 Is a flowchart showing an operation example of the apparatus for detecting a feature point.
前記誤差推定量取得手段によって得られた誤差推定量と、現在の３次元モデルとに基づいて、入力された画像における各特徴点の３次元位置を推定する推定手段とを備える特徴点検出装置。 An error estimator obtained by said error estimated amount acquiring means, on the basis of the current three-dimensional model, feature point detection device and a estimating means for estimating a three-dimensional positions of the feature points in the input image.
前記推定手段は、前記終了判定手段によって終了が判定された時点での誤差推定量と、この時点での３次元モデルとに基づいて、入力された画像における各特徴点の３次元位置を推定する請求項１に記載の特徴点検出装置。 It said estimating means, an error estimated amount at the time of completion is determined by the termination determination means, based on the three-dimensional model at this point to estimate the three-dimensional positions of the feature points in the input image feature point detection apparatus according to claim 1.
前記終了判定手段は、前記誤差推定量取得手段によって得られた誤差推定量が閾値以下になった場合に、繰り返し処理の終了と判定する請求項２に記載の特徴点検出装置。 The end determining unit, when the error estimated amount obtained by said error estimated amount acquiring means is equal to or less than the threshold value, the feature point detection apparatus according to and end determines claim 2 iteration.
３次元モデルの姿勢に関する誤差が所定の閾値以下になった後は、前記誤差推定量に基づいて、現在の各ノードの相対位置も変化させて新たな３次元モデルを作成する請求項２又は３に記載の特徴点検出装置。 After the error regarding the attitude of the three-dimensional model becomes less than a predetermined threshold value, on the basis of the error estimated amount, the relative position of each current node may be changed in creating a new three-dimensional model according to claim 2 or 3 feature point detection apparatus according to.
前記対象物は人の顔である請求項１〜４のいずれかに記載の特徴点検出装置。 The object feature point detecting device according to claim 1 which is a human face.
前記配置手段は、前記検出された人の顔又は人の顔の要素の位置に基づいて、前記３次元モデルにおける各ノードの３次元位置を決定する請求項５に記載の特徴点検出装置。 The positioning means, based on the position of the detected human face or person's face elements, feature point detection apparatus according to claim 5 for determining the three dimensional position of each node in the three dimensional model.
前記モデル作成手段は、３次元モデルにおける各ノードの３次元位置を定めた３次元ノードモデルを有しており、前記顔検出手段によって検出された顔の向きに基づいて、前記３次元ノードモデルを変形させて使用する請求項６に記載の特徴点検出装置。 Said model creating means includes a three-dimensional node model that defines the three-dimensional position of each node in the three dimensional model, based on the orientation of the detected face by the face detecting means, the three-dimensional node model feature point detection apparatus according to claim 6 for use by deforming.
前記モデル作成手段は、３次元モデルにおける各ノードの３次元位置を定めた３次元ノードモデルを有しており、前記顔検出手段によって検出された顔の大きさに基づいて、前記３次元ノードモデルを変形させて使用する請求項６に記載の特徴点検出装置。 It said model creating means includes a three-dimensional node model that defines the three-dimensional position of each node in the three dimensional model, based on the size of the detected face by the face detection means, the three-dimensional node model feature point detection apparatus according to claim 6, is deformed to use the.
前記誤差推定量取得手段は、前記モデル作成手段によって選択された３次元ノードモデルに対応する前記誤差推定行列を前記記憶手段から読み出し使用する請求項６に記載の特徴点検出装置。 The error estimated amount acquiring means, feature point detection apparatus according to the error estimation matrix corresponding to the three-dimensional node model selected by said model creating means to claim 6 read using from the storage means.
ノードの射影点付近の前記サンプリング点は、ノードの射影点の周囲に離散的に複数配<br> 置されている請求項１〜１０のいずれかに記載の特徴点検出装置。 Before Kisa sampling points around the projection point of the node, the feature point detection apparatus according to claim 1 which is more distribution <br> location discretely around the projection point of the node.
前記変更手段によって位置が変更された後の各ノード位置を特徴点の３次元位置として推定する推定手段とを備える特徴点検出装置。 Feature point detection apparatus comprising an estimating means for estimating a respective node positions after the position is changed by said changing means as the three-dimensional position of the feature point.
前記誤差推定量と、現在の３次元モデルとに基づいて、入力された画像における各特徴点の３次元位置を推定するステップとを実行する特徴点検出方法。 Wherein the error estimator, on the basis of the current three-dimensional model, feature point detection method and a step of estimating a three-dimensional positions of the feature points in the input image.
前記誤差推定量と、現在の３次元モデルとに基づいて、入力された画像における各特徴点の３次元位置を推定するステップとを情報処理装置に実行させる特徴点検出プログラム。 Wherein the error estimator, on the basis of the current three-dimensional model, feature point detection program and a step of estimating a three-dimensional positions of the feature points in the input image to the information processing apparatus.
位置が変更された後の各ノード位置を特徴点の３次元位置として推定するステップとを実行する特徴点検出方法。 Feature point detection method and a step of estimating a three-dimensional position of the feature point of each node position after position is changed.
位置が変更された後の各ノード位置を特徴点の３次元位置として推定するステップとを情報処理装置に実行させる特徴点検出プログラム。 Feature point detecting program for executing a step of estimating each node position after position is changed as the three-dimensional positions of feature points to the information processing apparatus.
|
0.925926 |
Share your Gyan, Discuss Your Doubts.
Click on 'reply' button to post your query.
Select 'Reply to this topic anyway', when asked, while replying.
There are five houses in a row, each of a different color, and inhabited by 5 people of different states, with different pets, favorite drinks, and favorite sports.
The Maharashtrian lives in the red house.
The Rajasthani owns the dog.
Coffee is drunk in the green house.
The green house is immediately to the right of the white house.
The hockey player owns a Cat.
The football player lives in the yellow house.
Milk is drunk in the middle house.
The Punjabi lives in the first house on the left.
The table tennis player lives in the house next to the man with the Camel.
The football player lives next to the house where the horse is kept.
The basketball player drinks orange juice.
The person from MP likes Cricket.
The Punjabi lives next to the blue house.
can you tell me how to solve this?
120 students attended the interview of company A or company B or company C. The number of students who attended the interview of company A is greater than that of company B, which in turn is greater than that of company C. Also, the number of students who attended the interview of exactly one company is more than the number of students who attended the interview of exactly two companies, which in turn is greater than the number of students who attended the interview of exactly 3 companies. It is known that there is atleast one person who attended the interview of all three companies.
a. Find max. number of students who attended the interview of exactly 3 companies.
b. Find min. possible number of students who attended the interview of company A.
c. Find max. possible number of participants who attended the interview of company C.
d. What is the min. possible number of students who attended the interview of only company A?
a) maximum number of students who attended exactly 3 companies.
We have to minimize I and II.
Let say x people attended all three. and let x + 1 attended exactly two companies and x + 2 attended exactly one company.
|
0.890943 |
The Noble Maritime Collection is the proud steward of Robbins Reef Lighthouse. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, Robbins Reef is of historical significance to Staten Island and New York Harbor because of its location, history, and architecture. A well-preserved example of an offshore "spark plug" style lighthouse, Robbins Reef primary historical significance lies in the story of Katherine Walker, keeper from 1895-1919.
Where is Robbins Reef Lighthouse?
The lighthouse is located between Staten Island's North Shore and the Statue of Liberty.
Originally constructed of granite in 1839, the station was rebuilt of cast iron in 1883. The tower is 48 feet tall.
The lighthouse has six levels: the cellar, equipped with a cistern; the first and largest floor, was used as a kitchen; the second floor was the sitting room and office; the third and fourth floors, used as bedrooms; and the fifth floor, which opens on to a balcony overlooking the Harbor and leads up to the lantern gallery.
Since the mid-20th Century lighthouses have been automated, but up until then a keeper maintained the light for passing ships. The most famous keeper of Robbins Reef was Katherine Walker. Today the Noble Maritime Collection maintains the structure; the US Coast Guard maintains the solar-powered light, which blinks every six seconds; and NOAA maintains weather-data equipment there.
When did Katherine Walker arrive at Robbins Reef?
Accompanied by her young son Jacob, Katherine Walker, nee Gortler (1848-1931), came to America from Germany as a widow in 1882 and settled in Sandy Hook, New Jersey where she met Captain John Walker, keeper of the land-based Sandy Hook Lighthouse. In 1885, after they wed, Kate and John moved out to Robbins Reef. In 1890, Captain Walker died of pneumonia. His last words to his wife were "Mind the light, Kate," and she heeded them and remained at Robbins Reef for 33 years. She earned $600 a year, which she received once a year when an official dropped off a year's supply of coal and barrels of oil for the light.
Tending to the light was arduous. It had to be lit each night immediately following the gunfire from Governor's Island which signaled sunset. Until dawn, it would blink every six seconds; on a clear night, it could be seen from twelve miles away. In fog, Kate would start an engine in the basement that sent out foghorn blasts at three-second intervals; if it malfunctioned, she had to hammer on a bell at the top of the tower to signal to the mainland that the foghorn was in need of repair. She also had to keep detailed records and submit them to the government each month.
The water around Robbins Reef is treacherous. By her own count, over the years Kate rescued 50 people and one dog. She herself almost lost her life in a sudden storm that came up while she was rowing back from Staten Island. After three hours of struggling through snow and wind, she was rescued by a ferry that towed her as close as possible to her home, and by the time she ascended the ladder, she was covered in ice. Another time, her rowboat, her only transportation, almost came loose from its mooring in a storm. As she struggled to secure it, the chain holding the boat hit her in the eye, and the wind nearly blew her off the caisson. In 1919, after 33 years at the station, Kate retired and moved into a little cottage with a garden on Brook Street, Staten Island. Her son replaced her as keeper.
Who owns the lighthouse now?
In 2009, the federal government declared Robbins Reef surplus property and in 2011 it awarded ownership to the Noble Maritime Collection under the United States Lighthouse Preservation Act. The museum is restoring the lighthouse as a museum.
If you would like to donate your time or services toward this project please contact the museum at (718) 447-6490.
|
0.988824 |
India says it will consider all options "to protect its territorial integrity"
NEW DELHI, India (CNN) -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice called on Pakistan Wednesday to take responsibility for terrorists that are operating within its borders, terrorists India accuses of masterminding last week's attacks on Mumbai.
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice arrives at New Delhi's Air Force station on Wednesday.
"We believe Pakistan has a central role to play in this, to make certain that these terrorists cannot continue to operate and operate in this fashion," Rice said at a joint news conference with her Indian counterpart in New Delhi.
While stressing that the investigation into who is behind last week's terrorist siege is still ongoing, she took issue with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari's assertion in a CNN interview that Pakistan had no role in the attack which he said was carried out by "stateless actors."
"Non-state actors sometimes operate within the confines a state ... and when that is the case, there has to be very direct and tough action against them," Rice said.
"Non-state actors, that's still a matter of responsibility if in fact it somehow relates to your territory."
Indian investigators say the lone surviving suspect in last week's attack has told them he is a Pakistani, as were the the other gunmen.
The attacks last week killed at least 179 people, including six Americans. Rice is in New Delhi to try to ease tensions between India and Pakistan, both nuclear powers and key allies of the United States. She will head to Islamabad on Thursday.
"So far as (the) government of India is concerned, what action will be taken by government will depend on the response we have from Pakistan authorities," Mukherjee said.
India recently renewed its demand that Pakistan arrest the suspected Islamic militant leaders, who have been on India's most wanted list for some time. New Delhi believes the group -- which includes the leader of the al Qaeda-linked terror group Lashkar-e-Tayyiba -- helped plot last week's attacks on Mumbai.
Rice warned India that "any response needs to be judged by its effectiveness in prevention, and also by not creating other unintended consequences or difficulties."
"We are going to work very closely over this time, and as I said, we are focused with India on both bringing the perpetrators to justice and on preventing further attacks."
|
0.740256 |
(CNN) A woman battling a severe eating disorder won the right to refuse forced feedings in a New Jersey court on Monday, according to her attorney.
Judge Paul Armstrong announced that the court recognized her right to "live free from medical intervention" in an opinion delivered in Morris County Superior Court, according to attorney Edward d'Alessandro.
The order came after state agencies moved to force the 29-year-old woman, referred to in court documents as A.G., to use a feeding tube, which would deliver liquid nutrition through her nose directly into her stomach, as part of her care.
The legal battle was set in motion when her court-appointed guardian sought an order allowing her to enter palliative care, since feeding methods put in place over the summer led to heart failure, which she has now recovered from. The woman had recently ripped out her PICC line and had repeatedly refused further treatment, according to court documents. A PICC line is essentially an IV tube used to administer treatments such as chemotherapy or, as in this case, saline nutrition.
The state's Department of Human Services and its Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services opposed the motion.
Armstrong's ruling now means the woman can enter palliative care, where the goal is to relieve the symptoms of her illness and improve her quality of life, which was her wish.
However, the state argued in a legal brief that "This is in essence, permitting A.G. to die."
The Department of Human Services referred questions to the state attorney general's office, which did not respond to a request for comment.
The woman has had anorexic thoughts since the age of 5, according to court documents. With incidents dating as far back as her high school years, she has repeatedly refused to cooperate with treatment and has been hospitalized multiple times for her disorder.
The disorder, involving both eating restriction and bingeing and purging, left her weighing only 60 pounds when she was admitted to the hospital this summer.
The state argues that the woman is delusional, claiming that she "suffers from a mental disorder that, among other things, includes a distorted view of reality, and a false view of her own weight and prognosis."
In another area of its brief, the state writes as an example of her thinking that she believes any weight above 65 to 67 pounds is "obese." Additionally, her guardian testified that the woman did not want a feeding tube because "she did not want to get fat," according to court documents.
According to d'Alessandro, the woman will still receive medication, counseling and pastoral support through her palliative care.
"My client is very grateful that the court recognized her right to self-determination and is allowing her to live free from intervention," d'Alessandro said.
|
0.999998 |
On occasion, FDA issues exceptions for types of devices that require premarket notification. In their own words, "The FDA believes that the device types identified in the Federal Register are sufficiently well understood and do not present risks that require premarket notification review to provide a reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness. This action will decrease regulatory burdens on the medical device industry and will eliminate private costs and expenditures required to comply with Federal regulation. "
On April 7 of 2017, FDA published a list of 71 Class I devices that will no longer require premarket clearance. Essentially, FDA has decided that these devices are understood well enough that they don't need to go through the pre-approval process or be found substantially equivalent to an existing device. Class I devices are considered the lowest risk. The example FDA gives of a Class I device is perfect: dental floss.
"FDA classifies medical devices based on the risks associated with the device. Devices are classified into one of three categories—Class I, Class II, and Class III.
Class I devices are deemed to be low risk and are therefore subject to the least regulatory controls. For example, dental floss is classified as Class I device.
Class III devices are generally the highest risk devices and are therefore subject to the highest level of regulatory control. Class III devices must typically be approved by FDA before they are marketed. For example, replacement heart valves are classified as Class III devices."
I recommend reading the full notification, but here's an excerpt. FDA reviewed Class I devices and made determinations as follows: "...a class I device is exempt from the premarket notification requirements under section 510(k) of the FD&C Act, unless the device is intended for a use which is of substantial importance in preventing impairment of human health or it presents a potential unreasonable risk of illness or injury (hereafter “reserved criteria”). Based on these reserved criteria, FDA has evaluated all class I devices to determine which device types should be exempt from premarket notification requirements. In developing the list of exempt devices, the Agency considered its experience in reviewing premarket notifications for these devices, focusing on the risk inherent with the device and the disease being treated or diagnosed (e.g.,devices with rapidly evolving technology or expansions of intended uses). The Agency also considered the history of adverse event reports under the medical device reporting program for these devices, as well as their history of product recalls. Following these considerations, FDA reached the final determination that the devices listed in table 1 do not meet the reserved criteria in that they are not intended for a use that is of substantial importance in preventing impairment of human health or present a potential unreasonable risk of illness or injury."
FDA is always looking for ways to get medical devices to market as safely and efficiently as possible. There tends to be a view that FDA is here to muddy the waters and make things more complicated, but, having been on both sides—currently a regulatory affairs consultant and formerly an FDA reviewer—part of my goal is helping people understand that this is simply not the case. Truly, it's in everyone's best interest to help US citizens get the best and safest healthcare possible! One way FDA does this is by reviewing and updating policies, procedures, and the current status quo. One way industry does this is by following the regulations and general controls to ensure quality devices are entering the market.
If you've attended any of the panels or webinars I've been on where I discuss FDA 101: Tips, Tricks, and Trends, you already know some of the ways that FDA reviews existing policies. Exempting Class I devices from premarket notification is just another way they continue to ensure they're facilitating the process of getting safe and helpful medical devices to market.
Check out the complete table below and additional information on the types of Class I device types exempt from premarket notification.
|
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.