A Superresolution Approach to Perimeter Measurement

A new method is presented for the measurement of perimeter (length of boundaries) in binarized digital images. It considers the boundary to be represented by local configurations of pixels, smooths the pixel values, and constructs a super resolution contour line through them to measure the length of the perimeter. The results are more accurate and less sensitive to feature position and orientation than traditional perimeter measurements.     

Ultra-high vacuum compatible image furnace

We report the design of an optical floating-zone furnace for single-crystal growth under ultra-high vacuum (UHV) compatible conditions. The system is based on a commercial image furnace, which has been refurbished to be all-metal sealed. Major changes concern the use of UHV rotary feedthroughs and bespoke quartz-metal seals with metal-O-rings at the lamp stage. As a consequence, the procedure of assembling the furnace for crystal growth is changed completely. Bespoke heating jackets permit to bake the system. For compounds with elevated vapor pressures, the ultra-high vacuum serves as a precondition for the use of a high-purity argon atmosphere up to 10 bar. In the ferromagnetic Heusler compound Cu(2)MnAl, the improvements of purity result in an improved stability of the molten zone, grain selection, and, hence, single-crystal growth. Similar improvements are observed in traveling-solvent floating-zone growth of the antiferromagnetic Heusler compound Mn(3)Si. These improvements underscore the great potential of optical float-zoning for the growth of high-purity single crystals of intermetallic compounds.     

Minimalistic control of biped walking in rough terrain

Toward our comprehensive understanding of legged locomotion in animals and machines, the compass gait model has been intensively studied for a systematic investigation of complex biped locomotion dynamics. While most of the previous studies focused only on the locomotion on flat surfaces, in this article, we tackle with the problem of bipedal locomotion in rough terrains by using a minimalistic control architecture for the compass gait walking model. This controller utilizes an open-loop sinusoidal oscillation of hip motor, which induces basic walking stability without sensory feedback. A set of simulation analyses show that the underlying mechanism lies in the “phase locking” mechanism that compensates phase delays between mechanical dynamics and the open-loop motor oscillation resulting in a relatively large basin of attraction in dynamic bipedal walking. By exploiting this mechanism, we also explain how the basin of attraction can be controlled by manipulating the parameters of oscillator not only on a flat terrain but also in various inclined slopes. Based on the simulation analysis, the proposed controller is implemented in a real-world robotic platform to confirm the plausibility of the approach. In addition, by using these basic principles of self-stability and gait variability, we demonstrate how the proposed controller can be extended with a simple sensory feedback such that the robot is able to control gait patterns autonomously for traversing a rough terrain.     

The Story of Science

The Story of Science is a book series by Joy Hakim of which the first three volumes are now available – Aristotle Leads the Way (2004), Newton at the Center (2005) and Einstein Adds a New Dimension (2007) – and three more are planned. The books represent an on-going project aimed at teaching science in a way that is both specific and interdisciplinary. Kim Williams discussed the project and its goals with author Joy Hakim and art scholar Sabine Russ, who chose the illustrations for the books.     

Optical clustering on a mesh-connected computer

In this paper, we present optimal parallel algorithms for optical clustering on a mesh-connected computer.Optical clustering is a clustering technique based on the principal of optical resolution, and is of particular interest in picture analysis. The algorithms we present are based on the application of parallel algorithms in computational geometry and graph theory. In particular, we show that given a setS ofN points in the Euclidean plane, the following problems can be solved in optimal time on a mesh-connected computer of sizeN.

Between the Lines: How the CFPB Will Police Financial Services Arbitration

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on May 5 delivered a proposal to regulate arbitration by banning the waivers of class processes that often accompany the alternative dispute resolution process in consumer contracts, and require individualized processes.     

CPR News

International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution Chairman John Kiernan told attendees at the Association for Conflict Resolution of Greater New York 2016 Annual Conference that conflict resolution practices had made great strides, and the processes and practitioners are widely used.