Motion retargeting and evaluation for VR-based training of free motions

Virtual reality (VR) has emerged as one of the important and effective tools for education and training. Most VR-based training systems are situation based, where the trainees are trained for discrete decision making in special situations presented by the VR environments. In contrast, this paper discusses the application of VR to a different class of training, for learning free motion, often required in sports and the arts. We propose a VR-based motion-training framework that contains an intuitive motion-guiding interface, posture-oriented motion retargeting, and an evaluation and advice scheme for corrective feedback. Applications of the proposed framework to simple fencing training and a dance imitation game are demonstrated.     

Generalized Lorenz-Mie theory for a spheroidal particle with off-axis Gaussian-beam illumination

The beam-shape coefficients of arbitrary off-axis Gaussian beams in spheroidal coordinates are evaluated with a generalized Lorenz-Mie theory. The light-scattering properties of absorbing and nonabsorbing homogeneous spheroidal particles, such as the angular distribution of scattered intensity for a wide range of particles sizes and different complex refractive indices versus the magnitude and location of the beam waist, are investigated.     

How effective is intermittent chlorination to control adult mussel fouling in cooling water systems?

Mussel control in cooling water systems is generally achieved by means of chlorination. Chlorine is applied continuously or intermittently, depending on cost and discharge criteria. In this paper, we examined whether mussels will be able to survive intermittent chlorination because of their ability to close their valves during periods of chlorination. Experiments were carried out using three common species of mussels: a freshwater mussel, Dreissena polymorpha, a brackish water mussel, Mytilopsis leucophaeata and a marine mussel, Mytilus edulis. The mussels were subjected to continuous or intermittent (4 h chlorination followed by 4 h no chlorination) chlorination at concentrations varying from 1 to 3 mg l(-1) and their responses (lethal and sublethal) were compared to those of control mussels. In addition, shell valve activity of mussels was monitored using a Mussel-monitor. Data clearly indicate that mussels shut their valves as soon as chlorine is detected in the environment and open only after chlorine dosing is stopped. However, under continuous chlorination mussels are constrained to keep the shell valves shut continuously. The mussels subjected to continuous chlorination at 1 mg l(-1) showed 100% mortality after 588 h (D. polymorpha), 966 h (Mytilus edulis) and 1104 h (Mytilopsis leucophaeata), while those subjected to intermittent chlorination at 1 mg l(-1) showed very little or no mortality during the same periods. Filtration rate, foot activity index and shell valve movement of D. polymorpha, Mytilopsis leucophaeata and Mytilus edulis decreased more than 90% at 1 mg l(-1) chlorine residual when compared to control. However, mussels subjected to intermittent chlorination showed a similar reduction (about 90%) in filtration rate, foot activity index and shell valve movement during chlorination and 3% during breaks in chlorination. The data indicate that intermittent chlorination between 1 and 3 mg l(-1) applied at 4 h on and 4 h off cycle is unlikely to control biofouling if mussels are the dominant fouling organisms.     

Composition, structure and size distribution of suspended particulates from the Rhine River

Fluvial suspended particulates collected from the Rhine River were investigated in terms of composition, structure and size distribution. Elemental analysis and Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Spectroscopy reveal that most particulate organic matter is formed from material derived from microorganisms. Transmission Electron Microscopy observations on resin-embedded samples and structural characterization from break-up experiments, show that fluvial particulate matter should be viewed as fractal aggregates organized by bacterial exopolymeric substances. The shape of particulate size distribution suggests that the formation and dynamics of suspended particulate matter are controlled mainly by physical processes. Finally, particulate growth and structure are consistent with a cluster-cluster aggregation scheme.     

An Evaluation of the International Maritime Organization's Gaseous Agents Test Protocol

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) Maritime Safety Committee's (MSC) subcommittee on fire protection (FP) has developed a test protocol for evaluating the extinguishing effectiveness and critical design parameters of fixed gaseous halon alternative fire extinguishing systems. This paper is an evaluation of the developed protocol based upon its effectiveness in verifying agent distribution throughout the protected space and the effectiveness of the agent against typical maritime fire scenarios. The testing described herein was conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard as part of their evaluation of the developed protocol. Four halocarbon agents (NAF-SIII, CEA-410, CEA-308 and FM-200), one inert agent (Inergen), one gas/powder mix (Envirogel), and Halon 1301 for baseline comparisons were evaluated with the protocol. The IMO Protocol was found to represent a reasonable basis for evaluating the effectiveness of fixed gaseous fire extinguishing systems. However, the results from testing with the protocol are subject to interpretation due to the lack of a definition of the end of the discharge time. The four fire scenarios that make up the protocol can better meet their respective objectives by modifying the scenarios to reduce the impact on extinguishment of variables other than the uniform addition of agent throughout the space (e.g., oxygen depletion, localized high agent concentrations, and localized high flow velocities).     

A mini challenge: build a verifiable filesystem

We propose tackling a “mini challenge” problem: a nontrivial verification effort that can be completed in 2–3 years, and will help establish notational standards, common formats, and libraries of benchmarks that will be essential in order for the verification community to collaborate on meeting Hoare’s 15-year verification grand challenge. We believe that a suitable candidate for such a mini challenge is the development of a filesystem that is verifiably reliable and secure. The paper argues why we believe a filesystem is the right candidate for a mini challenge and describes a project in which we are building a small embedded filesystem for use with flash memory. The work described in this paper was carried out at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, under a contract with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.     

Identification of the thermal phases in firing of kaolinite to mullite by using micro-Raman spectroscopy and curve-fitting

Firing of kaolinite to mullite is an important process in ceramic industry. In the present study, Raman spectroscopy and curve-fitting are utilized for identification of the thermal phases in progressive firing of kaolinite to mullite up to 1300 °C. The results are compared to that observed by XRD. Many natural kaolinites consist of accessory anatase, and this mineral has strong Raman bands. Therefore, the spectra of anatase-free and anatase-containing kaolinites were analyzed. The Raman response is sensitive to the degree of the structural order of the thermal phases. Dehydroxylated kaolinite is detected at 500 °C by the disappearance of the Raman bands of the kaolinite. The metakaolinite at 700 °C and the spinel-type phase at 1000 °C have broad and weak Raman bands due to their short-range and poorly-order structure, respectively. Amorphous silica is observed at 1000 °C by the development of diagnostic broad and weak Raman bands. Mullite and cristobalite are detected at 1300 °C by the appearance of characteristic Raman bands. In firing of anatase-containing kaolinite, progressive thermal transform from anatase to rutile is observed at 1100–1300 °C by the appearance of Raman bands of rutile and by the decreasing of the anatase bands. The results can be applied in using micro-Raman spectroscopy as a non-destructive method for identification of thermal phases in the composition of modern and ancient ceramic.     

Contingency management and levodopa-carbidopa for cocaine treatment: A comparison of three behavioral targets.

New data support use of levodopa pharmacotherapy with behavioral contingency management (CM) as one efficacious combination in cocaine dependence disorder treatment. A potential mechanism of the combined treatment effects may be related to dopamine-induced enhancement of the saliency of contingently delivered reinforcers. Evidence to support this mechanism was sought by evaluating levodopa-enhancing effects across distinct CM conditions that varied in behavioral targets. A total of 136 treatment-seeking, cocaine dependent subjects participated in this 12-week, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of levodopa (vs. placebo) administered in combination with one of three behavioral CM conditions. In the CM-URINE condition, subjects received cash-valued vouchers contingent on cocaine-negative urine toxicology results. In the CM-ATTEND condition, the same voucher schedule was contingent on attending thrice weekly clinic visits. In the CM-MEDICATION condition, the same voucher schedule was contingent on Medication Event Monitoring Systems- and riboflavin-based evidence of pill-taking behavior. Primary outcomes associated with each CM target behavior were analyzed using generalized linear mixed models for repeated outcomes. CM responding in the CM-ATTEND and CM-MEDICATION conditions showed orderly effects, with each condition producing corresponding changes in targeted behaviors, regardless of medication condition. In contrast, CM responding in the CM-URINE condition was moderated by medication, with levodopa-treated subjects more likely to submit cocaine-negative urines. These findings specify the optimal target behavior for CM when used in combination with levodopa pharmacotherapy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)