Text Entry Systems
Book Description
Text Entry Systems covers different aspects of text entry systems and offers prospective researchers and developers global guidelines for conducting research on text entry, in terms of design strategy, evaluation methodology, and requirements; a discussion of the history and current state of the art of entry systems; and specific guidelines for designing entry systems for a specific target, depending on devices, modalities, language, and different physical conditions of users.
Text entry has never been so important as it is today. This is in large part due to the phenomenal, relatively recent success of mobile computing, text messaging on mobile phones, and the proliferation of small devices like the Blackberry and Palm Pilot. Compared with the recent past, when text entry was primarily through the standard "qwerty" keyboard, people today use a diverse array of devices with the number and variety of such devices ever increasing. The variety is not just in the devices, but also in the technologies used: entry modalities have become more varied and include speech recognition and synthesis, handwriting recognition, and even eye-tracking using image processing on web-cams. Statistical language modeling has advanced greatly in the past ten years and so therein is potential to facilitate and improve text entry — increasingly, the way people communicate.
 - This book covers different aspects of text entry systems and offers prospective researchers and developers
 - Global guidelines for conducting research on text entry, in terms of design strategy, evaluation methodology, and requirements
 - History and current state of the art of entry systems, including coverage of recent research topics
 - Specific guidelines for designing entry systems for a specific target, depending on devices, modalities, language, and different physical conditions of users
Table of Contents
 1. Cover
 2. Title page
 3. Table of Contents
 4. The Morgan Kaufmann Series in Interactive Technologies
 5. Copyright
 6. Preface: Variety and Universality
 7. Part 1: Foundations
 1. Chapter 1: Historical Overview of Consumer Text Entry Technologies
 1. 1.1 INTRODUCTION
 2. 1.2 TYPEWRITER, 1870s TO 1980s
 3. 1.3 PERSONAL COMPUTER, 1980s TO PRESENT
 4. 1.4 MOBILE PHONES, 1990s TO PRESENT
 5. 1.5 HANDHELD COMPUTERS
 6. 1.6 CONCLUSIONS
 7. 1.7 FURTHER READING
 2. Chapter 2: Language Models for Text Entry
 1. 2.1 INTRODUCTION
 2. 2.2 BASIC MODEL OF TEXT ENTRY
 3. 2.3 N-GRAM MODELS
 4. 2.4 HIDDEN MARKOV MODEL
 5. 2.5 ADAPTIVE MODELS
 6. 2.6 CONCLUDING REMARKS
 3. Chapter 3: Measures of Text Entry Performance
 1. 3.1 INTRODUCTION
 2. 3.2 AGGREGATE MEASURES
 3. 3.3 CHARACTER-LEVEL MEASURES
 4. 3.4 MEASUREMENTS FROM LOG FILES
 5. 3.5 METHOD-SPECIFIC MEASURES
 6. 3.6 DISCUSSION OF MEASURES
 7. 3.7 FURTHER READING
 4. Chapter 4: Evaluation of Text Entry Techniques
 1. 4.1 INTRODUCTION
 2. 4.2 COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF TEXT ENTRY TECHNIQUES
 3. 4.3 EXPERIMENT DESIGN
 4. 4.4 LEARNING
 5. 4.5 SUMMARY AND FURTHER READING
 8. Part 2: Entry Modalities and Devices
 1. Chapter 5: Text Entry Using a Small Number of Buttons
 1. 5.1 INTRODUCTION
 2. 5.2 MOBILE PHONE KEYPAD AND ENTRY METHODS
 3. 5.3 CHARACTERISTIC MEASURES FOR AMBIGUOUS KEYBOARDS
 4. 5.4 MOBILE PHONE KEYPAD VARIANTS
 5. 5.5 EVALUATING KEYBOARDS
 6. 5.6 ENTRY BY COMPLETION
 7. 5.7 SUMMARY AND FURTHER READING
 2. Chapter 6: English Language Handwriting Recognition Interfaces
 1. 6.1 INTRODUCTION
 2. 6.2 OFFLINE HANDWRITING RECOGNITION
 3. 6.3 ONLINE HANDWRITING RECOGNITION
 4. 6.4 SHORTHAND
 5. 6.5 COMMERCIAL ONLINE SYSTEMS
 6. 6.6 CASE STUDY
 7. 6.7 FURTHER READING
 3. Chapter 7: Introduction to Shape Writing
 1. 7.1 INTRODUCTION
 2. 7.2 THE BASIC CONCEPT OF SHAPE WRITING
 3. 7.3 INFORMATION AND CONSTRAINTS
 4. 7.4 SHAPE-WRITING RECOGNITION
 5. 7.5 OUT-OF-LEXICON INPUT, AMBIGUITY, AND ERROR HANDLING
 6. 7.6 HUMAN SENSITIVITY TO SHAPE AS AN ENCODING MODALITY AND THE PROGRESSION FROM TRACING TO DIRECT SHAPE WRITING
 7. 7.7 EFFICIENCY AND LAYOUT MATTERS
 8. 7.8 THE MULTIPLE DIMENSIONS AND GUIDELINES OF EFFICIENT TEXT ENTRY
 9. 7.9 FURTHER READING
 4. Chapter 8: Speech-Based Interfaces
 1. 8.1 INTRODUCTION
 2. 8.2 CATEGORIES OF SPEECH RECOGNITION TASKS
 3. 8.3 PRINCIPLES OF SPEECH RECOGNITION
 4. 8.4 DICTATION SYSTEMS AND THEIR DIFFICULTIES
 5. 8.5 SPOKEN DIALOGUE SYSTEMS AND THEIR DIFFICULTIES
 6. 8.6 EVALUATION OF SPEECH-BASED INPUT SYSTEMS
 7. 8.7 CONCLUSION
 5. Chapter 9: Text Entry by Gaze: Utilizing Eye Tracking
 1. 9.1 INTRODUCTION
 2. 9.2 DIFFERENT APPROACHES TO TEXT ENTRY BY GAZE
 3. 9.3 CASE STUDIES AND GUIDELINES
 4. 9.4 FURTHER READING
 5. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
 9. Part 3: Language Variations
 1. Chapter 10: Writing System Variation and Text Entry
 1. 10.1 INTRODUCTION
 2. 10.2 VARIATION IN WRITING SYSTEMS
 3. 10.3 TEXT ENTRY PROBLEMS IN DIFFERENT WRITING SYSTEMS
 4. 10.4 ALPHABETIC SCRIPTS
 5. 10.5 CONCLUDING REMARKS
 6. 10.6 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
 10. Part 4: Accessibility, Universality
 1. Chapter 11: Text Entry in East Asian Languages
 1. 11.1 INTRODUCTION
 2. 11.2 LANGUAGE DESCRIPTION
 3. 11.3 NONPREDICTIVE METHODS
 4. 11.4 PREDICTIVE ENTRY BASED ON PHONETICS
 5. 11.5 PREDICTIVE ENTRY BASED ON SHAPES
 6. 11.6 ENTRY ON OTHER DEVICES
 7. 11.7 IDEOGRAM ENTRY SYSTEM FOR NONNATIVES
 8. 11.8 CONCLUSION
 2. Chapter 12: Text Entry in South and Southeast Asian Scripts
 1. 12.1 INTRODUCTION
 2. 12.2 CHARACTERISTICS OF AN ABUGIDA
 3. 12.3 TEXT ENTRY ISSUES
 4. 12.4 TEXT ENTRY SYSTEMS IN INDIA
 5. 12.5 TEXT ENTRY SYSTEMS IN THAILAND
 6. 12.6 CONCLUSION
 7. 12.7 FURTHER READING
 3. Chapter 13: Text Entry in Hebrew and Arabic Scripts
 1. 13.1 INTRODUCTION
 2. 13.2 ARABIC AND HEBREW SCRIPTS
 3. 13.3 STANDARD ENTRY
 4. 13.4 ENTRY ON MOBILE DEVICES
 5. 13.5 TOWARD COMPUTER-AIDED ENTRY
 6. 13.6 CONCLUDING REMARKS
 7. 13.7 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
 4. Chapter 14: Text Input for the Elderly and the Young
 1. 14.1 INTRODUCTION
 2. 14.2 OVERVIEW OF AGE EFFECTS
 3. 14.3 TEXT INPUT FOR THE ELDERLY
 4. 14.4 TEXT INPUT FOR CHILDREN
 5. 14.5 CASE STUDY—EVALUATING TEXT INPUT WITH CHILDREN
 6. 14.6 FURTHER READING
 5. Chapter 15: Text Entry When Movement is Impaired
 1. 15.1 INTRODUCTION
 2. 15.2 USING KEYBOARDS
 3. 15.3 ASSISTIVE INPUT TECHNIQUES
 4. 15.4 ALTERNATIVES TO STANDARD KEYBOARDS
 5. 15.5 AAC TEXT INPUT
 6. 15.6 CASE STUDY: DISAMBIGUATION
 7. 15.7 FURTHER READING
 6. Chapter 16: Text Entry for People with Visual Impairments
 1. 16.1 INTRODUCTION
 2. 16.2 TEXT ENTRY FOR LATIN ALPHABETS
 3. 16.3 TEXT ENTRY FOR IDEOGRAPHIC CHARACTERS
 4. 16.4 SELECTION-BASED TEXT ENTRY INTERFACES
 5. 16.5 DESIGN GUIDELINES
 6. 16.6 CONCLUSION
 7. RELATED ORGANIZATIONS AND RESEARCH GROUPS
 8. MAJOR PRODUCTS
 11. Index
 12. About the Authors
Product Information
 - Title: Text Entry Systems
 - Author(s): Kumiko Tanaka-Ishii, I. Scott MacKenzie
 - Release date: July 2010
 - Publisher(s): Morgan Kaufmann
 - ISBN: 9780123735911


text:
When a loud motorcycle woke up Mark Nesdoly's young daughter, he decided he had enough. Instead of taking a baseball bat to the offending Harley, Nesdoly used his engineering skills to design the Noise Snare, a video detection system for loud vehicles.
The system is simple, yet effective. It uses a microphone to detect excessively loud vehicles and a video camera to record the offender as he or she drives by. Once you have video footage, you can lift an image of the driver, zoom in on his or her license plate, or extract the audio track to prove the person's car or motorcycle is way too loud.
All you need to do is mount the unit on a stationary object and the Noise Snare does the rest. It even connects to a wireless network and sends text messages or emails when a violation is recorded. The detection system works so well that the Canadian city of Calgary may field test the device in the upcoming months. [Gizmag]

source: openbmb/Ultra-FineWeb


text:
If you've ever asked yourself, "What's a piano quintet?" you're in the right place. This article will guide you through everything you need to know, from its history to its form, and how to appreciate one.
Table of Contents
What is a Piano Quintet?
A piano quintet is a form of chamber music that involves a group of five musicians. The ensemble is typically composed of a piano and a string quartet consisting of two violins, a viola, and a cello.
This instrumentation allows for a rich harmonic texture and a broad range of tonal colors, offering a lush backdrop against which the piano can both blend and contrast.
The repertoire for piano quintets is quite diverse, encompassing various musical styles and forms such as sonata-allegro, ternary, rondo, and theme and variations, among others.
Historical Background of Piano Quintets
The origins of the piano quintet as a distinct musical ensemble can be traced back to the 18th century. However, it was during the 19th century that the genre gained significant prominence, evolving as a critical form of chamber music.
This was a period of immense musical experimentation and development, and the piano quintet provided a fertile ground for composers to explore the interaction between the piano and string instruments.
One of the key figures in the development of the piano quintet genre was Johannes Brahms. His Piano Quintet in F minor, Op. 34, is often cited as a seminal work that exemplifies the balance and interplay between the piano and string instruments.
This quintet showcases the capabilities of each instrument while also highlighting the cohesive and integrative potential of the ensemble as a whole.
Antonín Dvořák, another major composer of the 19th century, also contributed significantly to the piano quintet repertoire. His Piano Quintet No. 2 in A major, Op. 81, is one of the most frequently performed pieces of this genre.
Dvořák's quintet is known for its thematic richness and the incorporation of elements from Czech folk music, providing an exotic color and texture to the traditional quintet setting.
Later composers like Dmitri Shostakovich and Edward Elgar would continue to explore the possibilities of the piano quintet, taking the genre into the 20th century and beyond.
Their works often reflected the evolving musical language of their times, incorporating modernist elements and, in some cases, atonal structures.
Today, the piano quintet remains a vibrant part of the chamber music repertoire, performed by both emerging and established musicians around the world.
The genre serves as an intriguing intersection of individual virtuosity and ensemble cohesion, offering an expansive canvas upon which composers and performers can articulate their musical ideas.
Anatomy of a Piano Quintet
To fully appreciate a piano quintet, it's important to understand the structural roles each instrument plays within the ensemble. Each component has a distinct function that contributes to the overall musical experience.
Piano: The piano serves a dual role in a piano quintet, acting as both a harmonic and melodic instrument.
It often sets the harmonic foundation upon which the other instruments build, but it also engages in thematic development and melodic interplay with the string instruments. The piano's broad range and tonal possibilities make it incredibly versatile within the ensemble.
Two Violins: Typically, the two violins handle the higher ranges of the melodic material. They often engage in thematic conversations with each other or with the piano, sometimes taking turns presenting the melody or playing in harmonious counterpoint.
Viola: The viola primarily fills in the inner harmonic textures of the composition. Its slightly lower range compared to the violins provides a rich middle voice that adds depth and complexity to the overall sound. In some compositions, the viola may also play a more prominent melodic role.
Cello: The cello usually occupies the lower range of the ensemble, providing the bassline that supports the harmonic structure.
The instrument's warm, resonant tone gives weight and grounding to the overall musical texture, and it occasionally steps into the spotlight for melodic solos or thematic development.
How to Listen to a Piano Quintet
Listening to a piano quintet is a rewarding experience, but gaining a deeper understanding requires a more focused approach:
Focus on the Piano: Given its dual role, the piano often acts as the keystone of the ensemble. Try to isolate the piano's contributions, and note how they serve to unify the different sections and themes of the composition.
Identify Themes: Most quintets are structured around recurring motifs or themes. Identifying these can offer insights into the composer's intent and the piece's overall structure. Listen for these themes as they are introduced, developed, and revisited throughout the performance.
Notice Interplay: One of the most captivating aspects of a piano quintet is the interplay between instruments.
Pay attention to how the instruments engage in dialogue with one another, sharing themes, and building upon each other's musical ideas. This will give you a sense of the ensemble's cohesion and the complexity of the composition.
By taking a structured approach to listening, you can deepen your appreciation and understanding of the intricacies involved in a piano quintet performance.
This type of listening often reveals the layers of craftsmanship and artistry that go into both composing and performing in this rich and intricate genre.
For more articles on piano questions, click here: Piano Questions: Your Ultimate Guide to Understanding All About Pianos
Conclusion: What's a Piano Quintet?
A piano quintet is a remarkable ensemble that offers a rich tapestry of musical expression, drawing upon the unique capabilities of both string instruments and piano.
Originating in the 18th century and reaching its pinnacle in the 19th century with contributions from iconic composers like Johannes Brahms and Antonín Dvořák, the genre has secured a lasting place in the chamber music repertoire.
From an anatomical perspective, each instrument in a piano quintet serves a specialized role that contributes to the ensemble's overall texture and complexity.
The piano often juggles dual responsibilities of melody and harmony, while the violins, viola, and cello add layers of tonal color, thematic development, and harmonic depth. Together, they create a holistic musical experience that is both intricate and cohesive.
Listening to a piano quintet is more than a passive exercise; it's an exploration that rewards attentive engagement.
Whether focusing on the piano's unifying role, identifying recurring themes, or noticing the interplay among instruments, a deeper level of listening can unlock new layers of appreciation and understanding.
In sum, the piano quintet stands as a testament to the transformative power of ensemble music, where individual virtuosity and collective cohesion come together to create something greater than the sum of its parts.
It offers musicians a broad canvas upon which to paint intricate musical ideas, and listeners an equally expansive landscape in which to explore the depths of musical expression.

source: m-a-p/FineFineWeb


GATE Questions & Answers of Transient and steady state analysis of LTI systems
What is the Weightage of Transient and steady state analysis of LTI systems in GATE Exam?
Total 21 Questions have been asked from Transient and steady state analysis of LTI systems topic of Control Systems subject in previous GATE papers. Average marks 1.48.
A closed-loop control system is stable if the Nyquist plot of the corresponding open-loop transfer function
The number and direction of encirclements around the point -1+0 in the complex plane by the Nyquist plot of Gs=1-s4+2s is
In the feedback system shown below GS=1s+1s+2s+3 .
The positive value of k for which the gain margin of the loop is exactly 0 dB and the phase margin of the loop is exactly zero degree is ________
The asymptotic Bode phase plot of GS=ks+0.1s+10s+p1 , with k and p1 both positive, is shown below.
The value of p1 is ________
In the circuit shown, the switch SW is thrown from position A to position B at time t= 0. The energy (in $ \mathrm{μJ} $) taken from the 3 V source to charge the 0.1 μF capacitor from 0 V to 3 V is

The polar plot of the transfer Gs=10s+1s+10 for 0ω< will be in the
In the circuit shown, switch SW is closed at t = 0. Assuming zero initial conditions, the value of vc(t) (in Volts) at t = 1 sec is _____.

In the circuit shown, the initial voltages across the capacitors C1 and C2 are 1 V and 3 V, respectively. The switch is closed at time t =0. The total energy dissipated (in Joules) in the resistor R until steady state is reached, is _______.
The transfer function of a mass-spring damper system is given by
Gs=1Ms2+Bs+k
The frequency response data for the system are given in the following table.
ω in rad/s |G()| in dB arg (G()) in deg
0.01 -18.5 -0.2
0.1 -18.5 -1.3
0.2 -18.4 -2.6
1 -16 -16.9
2 -11.4 -89.4
3 -21.5 -151
5 -32.8 -167
10 -45.3 -174.5
The unit step response of the system approaches a steady state value of____.
Consider the Bode plot shown in the figure. Assume that all the poles and zeros are real-valued.
The value of fH – fL (in Hz) is ______.
The phase margin (in degrees) of the system Gs=10ss+10 is _____.
Consider the feedback system shown in the figure. The Nyquist plot of G(s) is also shown. Which one of the following conclusions is correct?
The phase margin in degrees of Gs=10s+0.1s+1s+10 calculated using the asymptotic Bode plot is ________.
The Bode asymptotic magnitude plot of a minimum phase system is shown in the figure.
If the system is connected in a unity negative feedback configuration, the steady state error of the closed loop system, to a unit ramp input, is_________.
In a Bode magnitude plot, which one of the following slopes would be exhibited at high frequencies by a 4th order all-pole system?
Which one of the following statements is NOT TRUE for a continuous time causal and stable LTI system?
For the transfer function G=5+, the corresponding Nyquist plot for positive frequency has the form
For the asymptotic Bode magnitude plot shown below, the system transfer function can be
The Nyquist plot of a stable transfer function G(s) is shown in the figure. We are interested in the stability of the closed loop system in the feedback configuration shown.
Which of the following statements is true?
The Nyquist plot of a stable transfer function G(s) is shown in the figure. We are interested in the stability of the closed loop system in the feedback configuration shown.
The gain and phase margins of G(s) for closed loop stability are
The asymptotic Bode plot of a transfer function is as shown in the figure. The transfer function G(s) corresponding to this Bode plot is


text:
Do you know of a traditional song or dance associated with the night sky or the Sun?
We are gathering information on traditional songs and dances associated with the night sky or the Sun as a first step toward creating a collection that will be made available, free of charge, to researchers and enthusiasts worldwide on the Astronomers Without Borders website. Your contribution may be included in this collection so that others around the world can learn about this song or dance as well. Contributions will be used strictly for educational purposes, and no information will be used for profit or other financial gain. This is an exciting opportunity for us to share each other's traditional music of the night sky and the Sun from the Astronomers Without Borders viewpoint of One People, One Sky.
This important survey is being conducted by musician and astronomer Matthew Whitehouse in collaboration with Astronomers Without Borders.You may be contacted for additional information after submitting the basic information in this initial survey.
No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.Nelson Mandela _PHONE_, Long Walk to Freedom
Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required.


text:
The Japanese battleship Yamato, built in the shipyards at Kure in 1941, was 263 meters long, with 12 Kanpon boilers turning four turbine screws 6 meters (20 ft.) in diameter, at 27 knots (50Km/h) and displaced an astonishing 72,800 tonnes of water. Along with her sister ship the Musashi, she was the largest, heaviest and most powerfully armed battleships ever constructed.
Sent to "fight until destroyed" while protecting Okinawa, the battleship never made it that far, and its great size may have hindered it when it was spotted by American air forces. The massive ship was bombed by American planes in April 1945. As the ship rolled over and began to sink, the ships explosives detonated and the blast created a mushroom cloud over 4 miles high, visible from 100 miles away. The Yamato lost most of her crew, some 3,055 out of 3,332 sailors.
The sinking of the Musashi (in 1944) and the spectacular sinking/explosion of the Yamato in 1945, represented a major psychological blow to the Japanese. Both ships had represented the apex of Japanese naval engineering, and were potent symbols of the power of the empire itself. Today the story of the Yamato, serves as a sort of shorthand metaphor for the ending of the Japanese empire itself.
The Battleship Yamato Museum, dedicated to the ship and her history, is located by the harbor in Kure, near Hiroshima, and opened in 2005. It features a 26.3 meter long scale model of the battleship, and other fascinating items including a Japanese Type 62 Zero aircraft and a "Kaiten," a one-man human driven torpedo, used by the Japanese as a suicide weapon.
The battleship has also inspired much in Japanese pop culture such as an anime series about a space battleship Yamato, and models and robots from that series are on display in the museum.
Know Before You Go
- personal visit


text:
- Title: Policy Brief: Street Vending for Sustainable Urban Development in Bangkok
- Resource Title: Policy Brief: Street Vending for Sustainable Urban Development in Bangkok
This policy brief, created in concert with urban specialists, uses an urban systems perspective to consider:
- the role of street vending for Bangkok's economy and urban system, and impacts on these when it is eliminated;
- lessons from vending management in cities around the world; and
- recommendations for innovations in Bangkok's vending management system that can maximize benefits to pedestrians, consumers, businesses, tourists, and workers alike.


text:
Planet Palooza mBot Automation Weeks I & II Combined
June 21 @ 9:00 am - June 26 @ 12:00 pm| $130
June 14, 2021
June 21, 2021
June 28, 2021
July 5, 2021
In this accelerated week of activities, Campers will learn to work with NASA planetary data to upload, sort, analyze, calculate, and respond to research questions using spreadsheets. They will explore relevant science data related to planetary geography, weather, climate, and physics as aligned with Next Generation Science Standards.
With the guidance of a camp facilitator available during the day, campers will use the data gathered from their research activities to build and program an mBot Educational Robot Kit (or similar device) to showcase the knowledge gained throughout the week.
This camp is most appropriate for students in 9th grade or higher.
Planets: Venus, Mercury, Earth, Uranus, Mars, Saturn, Jupiter, Neptune


text:
MCLE Self-Study: Putting Intent in Its Place: A New Direction for Title VII
By Noah Zatz
Noah D. Zatz is Professor of Law at UCLA School of Law. His teaching and research focus on work and inequality in contexts such as employment discrimination, social welfare policy, and low-wage work. Before beginning his academic career, he practiced at the National Employment Law Project as a Skadden Fellow.
At its fiftieth anniversary, Title VII faces a fork in the road. One path is well-markedâthe path of Ledbetter, Wal-Mart, and Ricci.1Along that path robust commitments to civil rights are choked off by the stranglehold of discriminatory intent. But what is the alternative? Piecemeal protests at particular results have failed to marshal a compelling competing theory of antidiscrimination law. I propose that we find new direction by taking as our compass the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), Title VII's younger cousin.
The ADA's signature contribution is to characterize denial of reasonable accommodation ("nonaccommodation") as disability discrimination. Appreciating why that is can cast Title VII jurisprudence in a new light. It highlights the affirmative duties Title VII already imposes on employers, and it reveals how persistent legal puzzles might be solved with new tools.


How To Disable NVIDIA's 'Spying' Service In Its Latest Drivers
How To Disable NVIDIA's 'Spying' Service In Its Latest Drivers
Remember how there was a huge uproar when it was revealed that Windows 10 had telemetry services that automatically sent information back to Microsoft on how users were interacting with the operating system? It seems that graphics card maker NVIDIA has now added telemetry into its latest drivers. If you don't want to be tracked by NVIDIA, here's a way to disable it.
For those who have downloaded the latest driver packages from NVIDIA, you may have noticed that if you've installed GeForce Experience, the desktop client that controls the graphics card settings, you now have a few additional telemetry processes running on your machine.
Some people consider telemetry as spying since it automatically sends information about users' computers back to vendors. Some of the information, such as crash reports, is useful for vendors to improve their products and services. But the lack of transparency in terms of what information is collected can be concerning to some users.
Reddit users have already pointed out that NVIDIA's current privacy policy does say that the company "may collect 'Personal information', which is any information that can be used to identify a particular individual which can include traditional identifiers such as name, address, e-mail address, telephone number and non-traditional identifiers such as unique device identifiers and Internet Protocol (IP) addresses."
It's not known exactly what kind of information the new telemetry services are collecting. We've reached out to NVIDIA for comment and here's the response from a company spokesperson:
If you really want to disable the telemetry, Major Geeks has provided some instructions on how to do so:
 - Download Microsoft Autoruns, which shows you which programs are set to run during login or system bootup. Unzip it and run it.
 - Type 'nvidia' in the filter box. The telemetry processes will be listed under the "Task Scheduler" section. Their names will include "Nv Tm". For example, one of them is called "Nv TmMon_". Uncheck those boxes.
 - Close Autoruns and reboot your PC.
You can find more detailed instructions over at Major Geeks.
 - That might explain why Defender found an Invidia trojan or malware of some kind last week. I couldn't figure out why it was coming up, so I uninstalled the Geforce drivers and just let Windows install its version. Haven't had a problem with it since, but I'm going to do the MS Autoruns thing now though.
 - Why even call the machines PC anymore?
 It seems software vendors and taking the Personal away from Personal Computer!
Show more comments
Comments are closed.
Log in to comment on this story!


Java-Gaming.org Hi !
Featured games (90)
games approved by the League of Dukes
Games in Showcase (714)
Games in Android Showcase (214)
games submitted by our members
Games in WIP (787)
games currently in development
News: Read the Java Gaming Resources, or peek at the official Java tutorials

 Home Help Search Login Register
Pages: [1]
 ignore | Print
 Vectorization of image in Java (triangles on top of image) (Read 8487 times)
0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.
Offline M2009
Junior Devvie
« Posted 2009-06-22 18:31:44 »
Alright, time to kick it up a notch. I've been thinking lately:
Say you have a 2D game seen from the side and the map is build using polygons. So when you build the map you need to place each polygon manually.
Imagine if there was a way to automate this - instead of building a map you draw a picture of how you want the map to look and then let the application build the map for you by filling what you have drawn with triangles (polygons).
Here's a small example, the image drawn will be in black and white (black = air, white = ground). The yellow lines are the polygons that the application has calculated to fill the white space.
Here's how I would like the code to look:
1
2
3
4
VectorizationTool vt = new VectorizationTool(Color.WHITE);
ArrayList<Polygon> ground = vt.process(<image object>);
vt.setColor(Color.RED);
ArrayList<Polygon> lava = vt.process(<image object>);
There we have it, would be very simple to use. We create an instance of the tool where we say that the color white is the ground, then we process the image and get the polygons representing the ground in our map. All other colors that arent pure white will be ignored. Then we just switch which color to process and use the same image to get the polygons that should represent a "lava" type of ground. The "Polygon" object can simply be the polygon's three corners' X/Y coordinates measured in pixels. (0,0) would be at the top left corner of the image that is processed.
Now my question to you fellows is as follows: How would one go about implementing this thing? Is there already available source to look at, or maybe even something like this already exists in Java and is ready to use?
I've been searching the net for this a bit but come up short. There are many algorithms out there, but I'm not sure which one I want that does what I want it to do or which one that is most effective. Hopefully there are people on this forum that knows this better than I do, I'm not at all good at math so I bet there are plenty of people here that can advise me.
(In case this thread will become a success I will now write down some key words to help others to find this topic more easily by search in the future: trace bitmap to vector, Raster-to-Vector Algorithm, Vectorization, convert bitmap to polygons, convert image to polygons, image edges java, fill image with polygon java, polygon mask java, poly2mask java. Some of these "keywords" might make no sense but they are part of what I searched for in order to finally decide on the thread's subject.)
Offline thijs
Junior Devvie
Lava games rock!
« Reply #1 - Posted 2009-06-30 07:14:17 »
You should lookup the marching squares algorithm:
_URL_
It does exactly what you want, and the wiki entry links to a Java implementation.
3DzzD!
Arcazoid!
Offline M2009
Junior Devvie
« Reply #2 - Posted 2009-07-08 01:46:07 »
You should lookup the marching squares algorithm:
_URL_
It does exactly what you want, and the wiki entry links to a Java implementation.
Hey thijs, thanks a lot for your reply! I'm glad this thread got one. Smiley That algorithm will be very useful, awesome that there already is a Java implementation of it too.
But it doesn't do exactly what I want. What I get from that algorithm is the path through a object's outline, from an origin and back to the origin. From this:
1
2
3
4
5
6
00000
00000
00110
00110
00010
00000
This would be returned: S, S, E, S, E, N, N, N, W, W.
That is the path around the ones representing the object in the code above. It can be parsed in order to take out the coordinates of every corner (every change in direction), and then the results of that can be parsed to remove unnecessary coordinates that follows the same direction (for diagonal lines). Then I would have the coordinates of the outlines of one object in the image.
However I figure this can't discover many objects in one image. And it also won't detect holes inside a object, like so for example:
1
2
3
4
5
00000
01110
01010
01110
00000
And mainly, it won't divide the object into triangles (like in my example picture). That's the biggest problem. I guess some, if not all, of these things can be implemented somehow using the algorithm in some clever way, but I can't figure that out myself.
Edit: Forgot to close a code tag.
Games published by our own members! Check 'em out!
Legends of Yore - The Casual Retro Roguelike
Offline thijs
Junior Devvie
Lava games rock!
« Reply #3 - Posted 2009-07-08 10:45:22 »
About the multiple image issue:
Can't you split them in a seperate images? You can identify an mask color for transparant pixels (fx black) in the image, which you can use as empty space for the marching squares algorithm or "cut" out seperate images from your map.
About the holes:
You could repeat the process for the marching squares from within the first transparant pixel you find within the bounds of the already vectorized outline in the image. That will give the vector outline for the hole.
About the triangles:
Once you have created the concave polygon for your image you can use a tesselator to split the concave polygon into triangles which the gpu can render. JOGL has a nice tesselator in the glu package, if you dont want to stick to jogl, there are plenty of others around. But be aware that the quality of these tesselators can vary a great deal, some cant deal with concave polys, other cant handle holes in polys etcetc. I know the opengl version is very robust and I believe Slick also has a good one for tesselating SVG shapes.
Good luck!
Thijs
3DzzD!
Arcazoid!
Offline M2009
Junior Devvie
« Reply #4 - Posted 2009-07-19 23:36:42 »
Sorry for the late reply, haven't read for a while.
Thanks for your thoughts, the JOGL tesselator sounds great! Did a search and came up with a few links which I'll post now in case someone else needs them:
_URL_
_URL_
Also found this which might be useful:
_URL_
It's for finding if a point is inside a polygon, not exactly related to this thread maybe but I'll post it anyway since it may come in handy sometime.
Your suggestions are great. However I've been thinking that to solve the first "multiple image" issue maybe I can just remove the pixels of a found polygon from the original image before I look for another polygon?
Since you seem to know stuff I thought I'd ask if you also have a colution for removing unnecessary points from a polygon? Imagine this example:
1
2
3
4
5
00100
01110
11111
01110
00100
This will generate four points too much, these points aren't needed since if they were removed the polygon would look the same. The polygon have four corners, would be nice to have four points then instead of eight. Do you have any suggestion as to how unnecessary points can be detected? To be clear I have marked the points that are not needed with "X" here:
1
2
3
4
5
 1
 X X
1 1
 X X
 1
Thank you again!
Offline ryanm
Senior Devvie
Projects: 1
Exp: 15 years
Used to be bleb
« Reply #5 - Posted 2009-07-20 06:55:54 »
Loop around the vertices of your polygon and examine every adjacent triple A-B-C. If B lies within some threshold distance of the line segment AC, then it can be removed. Keep looping around the vertices until no more vertices are being removed.
Offline mh114
Junior Devvie
« Reply #6 - Posted 2009-07-20 07:01:05 »
This will generate


Climate Change Agreements
Climate Change Agreements (CCAs) are voluntary agreements which offer energy-intensive sectors the chance to receive up to 90% reduction in the Climate Change Levy.
The agreements are intended to reduce industry's energy use and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. An organisation with a CCA will measure and report its energy use, business activity levels and carbon emissions against agreed targets over five, two-year target periods.
In return for signing up, participating sectors receive a discount on the Climate Change Levy (CCL), of up to 90% on electricity bills and 65% on other fuels.
Climate Change Agreements (CCAs) are available for major energy-intensive processes such as aerospace, cement making and supermarkets to printing works, sawmills and agriculture.
esave can help identify the relevant sector CCA for your organisation, calculate the costs and benefits of joining, gather the registration evidence pack and make the application to join the CCA.
We can also manage the regular reporting program (as required by the industry sector CCA holder) and provide you with advice and guidance on meeting the next energy reduction target.


text:
How much do words matter when it comes to what's on our plates? Two poultry farmers talk about chicken-raising and how their understanding of words has changed over time.
In six minutes, "The Lexicon of Sustainability" looks at the evolution of words. People who raise their chickens outdoors, with access to fresh air, insects, seeds, and room to roam have "cage-free" chickens. But does cage-free actually mean that?
Cage-free simply means that the chicken lives outside the cage and nothing more. The chickens can be packed into a small room that gives them no more individual space than they would have in a cage.
For a few years, farmers who raised their chickens humanely used cage-free to denote their model. However, it didn't take long for factory farms to take the label and apply it to their thousands of chickens crammed into a small room.
The farmers then have to find a new word to describe what they're doing, so that consumers know what we're getting. Marketers for the large corporations inevitably find a way to use the new labels.
It's an interesting look at how these farmers' view of what they're doing and how others see them develops.
Image capture from video

source: HuggingFaceFW/fineweb-edu


directory arranged in a modular visitor. The AST is traversed and a CCode tree is created.
Vala is split upon these lines, most probably to break the system into conceptually-related, understandable chunks. However, with suitable modifications, the different modules could be replaced. Conceivably, Vala could produce non-GObject C code. More realistically, Vala could produce intermediate code as a GCC frontend.
Parser
The parser reads Vala and VAPI code and outputs an AST. In the eyes of the parser, Vala and VAPI are the same thing. The difference to us is that VAPI files never have method definitions, but the parser will read pretty much everything as long as it seems syntactically correct. Most errors are caught later by the Semantic Analyzer.
Before 0.3.1, Vala's parser was the classic flex scanner and Bison LALR parser combination. But as of Commit eba85a, the parser is a hand-crafted recursive descent parser. The parser is in vala/valaparser.vala and its lexer is in vala/valascanner.vala.
The entry point of the parser is Vala.Parser.parse(). This method is called by Vala.Compiler.run(). Vala.Parser is an implementation of Vala.CodeVisitor for source files.
Visitors and Ping Pong
CodeVisitor is an abstract base class which provides 75 empty virtual methods for each kind of code node. A class which inherits CodeVisitor is supposed to do some kind of processing of the code tree. Here are all the CodeVisitor classes in Vala:
public abstract class Vala.CodeVisitor
public class Vala.CodeGenerator : CodeVisitor
public class Vala.CodeWriter : CodeVisitor
public class Vala.FlowAnalyzer : CodeVisitor
public class Vala.GenieParser : CodeVisitor
public class Vala.GirParser : CodeVisitor
public class Vala.GIdlParser : CodeVisitor
public class Vala.Parser : CodeVisitor
public class Vala.SemanticAnalyzer : CodeVisitor
public class Vala.SymbolResolver : CodeVisitor
CodeVisitor works closely with the different Vala.CodeNode classes to traverse the code tree. Here are all the code node types in Vala grouped by superclass:
public abstract class Vala.CodeNode
public class Vala.Attribute : CodeNode
public class Vala.CatchClause : CodeNode
public abstract class Vala.DataType : CodeNode
public abstract class Vala.Expression : CodeNode
public class Vala.MemberInitializer : CodeNode
public interface Vala.Statement : CodeNode
public class Vala.SwitchLabel : CodeNode
public abstract class Vala.Symbol : CodeNode
public class Vala.UsingDirective : CodeNode
Data types:
public class Vala.CType : DataType
public class Vala.DelegateType : DataType
public class Vala.FieldPrototype : DataType
public class Vala.GenericType : DataType
public class Vala.InvalidType : DataType
public class Vala.MethodType : DataType
public class Vala.PointerType : DataType
public abstract class Vala.ReferenceType : DataType
public class Vala.SignalType : DataType
public class Vala.UnresolvedType : DataType
public abstract class Vala.ValueType : DataType
public class Vala.VoidType : DataType
Reference data types:
public class Vala.ArrayType : ReferenceType
public class Vala.ClassType : ReferenceType
public class Vala.ErrorType : ReferenceType
public class Vala.InterfaceType : ReferenceType
public class Vala.NullType : ReferenceType
public class Vala.ObjectType : ReferenceType
Value data types:
public class Vala.BooleanType : ValueType
public class Vala.EnumValueType : ValueType
public class Vala.FloatingType : ValueType
public class Vala.IntegerType : ValueType
public class Vala.StructValueType : ValueType
Expressions:
public class Vala.AddressofExpression : Expression
public class Vala.ArrayCreationExpression : Expression
public class Vala.Assignment : Expression
public class Vala.BaseAccess : Expression
public class Vala.BinaryExpression : Expression
public class Vala.CastExpression : Expression
public class Vala.ConditionalExpression : Expression
public class Vala.ElementAccess : Expression
public class Vala.InitializerList : Expression
public class Vala.LambdaExpression : Expression
public abstract class Vala.Literal : Expression
public class Vala.MemberAccess : Expression
public class Vala.MethodCall : Expression
public class Vala.NamedArgument : Expression
public class Vala.ObjectCreationExpression : Expression
public class Vala.PointerIndirection : Expression
public class Vala.PostfixExpression : Expression
public class Vala.ReferenceTransferExpression : Expression
public class Vala.SizeofExpression : Expression
public class Vala.SliceExpression : Expression
public class Vala.Template : Expression
public class Vala.Tuple : Expression
public class Vala.TypeCheck : Expression
public class Vala.TypeofExpression : Expression
public class Vala.UnaryExpression : Expression
Literal expressions:
public class Vala.BooleanLiteral : Literal
public class Vala.CharacterLiteral : Literal
public class Vala.IntegerLiteral : Literal
public class Vala.ListLiteral : Literal
public class Vala.MapLiteral : Literal
public class Vala.NullLiteral : Literal
public class Vala.RealLiteral : Literal
public class Vala.RegexLiteral : Literal
public class Vala.SetLiteral : Literal
public class Vala.StringLiteral : Literal
Statements:
public class Vala.BreakStatement : CodeNode, Statement
public class Vala.ContinueStatement : CodeNode, Statement
public class Vala.DeclarationStatement : CodeNode, Statement
public class Vala.DeleteStatement : CodeNode, Statement
public class Vala.DoStatement : CodeNode, Statement
public class Vala.EmptyStatement : CodeNode, Statement
public class Vala.ExpressionStatement : CodeNode, Statement
public class Vala.ForStatement : CodeNode, Statement
public class Vala.IfStatement : CodeNode, Statement
public class Vala.LockStatement : CodeNode, Statement
public class Vala.Loop : CodeNode, Statement
public class Vala.ReturnStatement : CodeNode, Statement
public class Vala.StatementList : CodeNode, Statement
public class Vala.SwitchStatement : CodeNode, Statement
public class Vala.ThrowStatement : CodeNode, Statement
public class Vala.TryStatement : CodeNode, Statement
public class Vala.UnlockStatement : CodeNode, Statement
public class Vala.WhileStatement : CodeNode, Statement
public class Vala.YieldStatement : CodeNode, Statement
Symbols:
public class Vala.Block : Symbol, Statement
public class Vala.Constructor : Symbol
public class Vala.Destructor : Symbol
public class Vala.EnumValue : Symbol
public class Vala.FormalParameter : Symbol
public class Vala.LocalVariable : Symbol
public abstract class Vala.Member : Symbol
public class Vala.Namespace : Symbol
public class Vala.PropertyAccessor : Symbol
public class Vala.TypeParameter : Symbol
public abstract class Vala.TypeSymbol : Symbol
public class Vala.UnresolvedSymbol : Symbol
Members:
public interface Vala.Lockable
public class Vala.Constant : Member, Lockable
public class Vala.Field : Member, Lockable
public class Vala.Method : Member
public class Vala.Property : Member, Lockable
public class Vala.Signal : Member, Lockable
Type symbols:
public class Vala.Delegate : TypeSymbol
public class Vala.Enum : TypeSymbol
public class Vala.ErrorCode : TypeSymbol
public class Vala.ErrorDomain : TypeSymbol
public abstract class Vala.ObjectTypeSymbol : TypeSymbol
public class Vala.Struct : TypeSymbol
Last but not least:
public class Vala.Comment
public class Vala.Scope
public class Vala.SourceFile
public class Vala.SourceReference
The SourceFile class is an exception when visiting nodes, because it's not a CodeNode but there is a visit_source_file in the CodeVisitor.
All CodeNodes except the root have a non-null parent CodeNode. Some specializations of CodeNode may have children. The type and number of children are declared in the specialized class.
The two important methods in a CodeNode are accept and accept_children. The accept() method lets the node declare to the CodeVisitor what it is, so the CodeVisitor can act on it. For example, Vala.Struct.accept():
 public override void accept (CodeVisitor visitor) {
 visitor.visit_struct (this); /


text:
Its woody fragrance, rich in sweet and earthy nuances, brings back memories of blissful gatherings and sacred abodes. Oud, also known as agarwood, has long been praised for its olfactory splendor. It is traditionally cut into small carvings such as prayer beads, too.
DID YOU KNOW?
In Arabic, the name ʿoud is used for a variety of fragrant wood types. It refers to both agarwood and its extracts. Agar, a word ultimately coming from one of the Dravidian or Indic languages, is the name of the aromatic resin that is formed in the heart of the tree trunk and is also called aloes. When the tree becomes infected with a particular mold, it produces a dense, dark, resin-imbedded wood to protect itself. This is why scientists speak of oud as a stress-induced aroma. Once cut, an essential oil with a woody and enveloping scent can be extracted that is so valuable it is often dubbed liquid gold.
Did you know?
Agarwood occurs in trees primarily belonging to the genus Aquilaria, that grow at the Himalayan foothills, throughout Southeast Asia, and in the rainforests of Papua New Guinea. First-grade agarwood production is limited to small pockets of South and Southeast Asia. The species of the tree, its geographic location, the length of time since its infection, and harvesting methods are all factors that influence its aromatic qualities.
DID YOU KNOW?
HAVEN OF THE SCENTS
In Cantonese, Hong Kong means "Fragrant Harbor." It is a reminder of how it once played a crucial role as a trading port in the incense trade to the lands of Islam and beyond, to which agarwood was central as the most priced incense of all.
The four Vedas, the oldest scriptures of Hinduism, are a testimony to the use of agarwood as a religious offering and fragrant smoke of thousands of years ago, believed to facilitate spiritual connections. Used by the Indian nobility to perfume their homes, this precious heartwood spread along the Silk Road and was incorporated into both Christian and Islamic cultures. The use of oud also extended to China and Japan. In Ayurvedic, Tibetan, and traditional Chinese medicine, agarwood has been applied for therapeutic purposes. It was also chewed on to sweeten the breath.
Today, this odorous wood is one of the most expensive natural raw materials in the world. Its wild resource is now depleted, which only contributes to its rarity and high cost within an ever-growing market. Did you know it is pricier than gold?
THE ISLAMIC TRADITION
There are a number of ahadith referring to agarwood, either used as incense or as a remedy. Our beloved Prophet reportedly said that al-ʿoud al-hindi contains seven cures, including one for pleurisy. One hadith in particular, narrated by Abu Huraira, describes Paradise where agarwood will be used.
In the publication Arabian Drugs in Early Medieval Mediterranean Medicine, it is described that in early medieval times, oud was imported from the lands of Sind and India along the Persian Gulf-Syrian Desert route. At the Persian port of Siraf, it was loaded onto ships and exported over sea to other parts of the world. Over twenty kinds of agarwood were mentioned in sources from this era, their names referring to their origin. Earlier named as a drug in Byzantine medical sources and by the 12th-century polymath Ibn Rushd, it was considered a hot and dry drug in the Unani Tibb tradition. The book teaches us further that an agarwood potion was swallowed to soothe upset stomachs, and cure liver problems and dysentery. Smearing agarwood ointments and massaging the ailing body with oud oil was thought to treat fever, itches, and respiration issues. It was also used to polish the teeth, protect the mouth and gums, boost the spirit, and calm the nerves.
From the early Islamic period on, oud was used as a liquid perfume and an incense. Disliked for its rather bitter fragrance before, it only became really popular under Abbasid reign. It was believed to kill lice and prevent them from breeding. Oud became one of the leading perfumes of the Islamic world, as described by the theologian and natural scientist al-Jahiz, the physician Ibn Masawayh, and the polymath al-Kindi. Some of the most precious—and expensive—perfumes were distilled out of musk, amberis, and oud. Highly esteemed in medieval Arabic literature and poetry, especially after the Islamic conquests, these were often sent to rulers as prestigious gifts.
THE ISLAMIC TRADITION
In this day and age, oud is still an indispensable part of the cleaning ritual of the Kaaba. Its inner walls are wiped with white cloths impregnated with Zamzam water mixed with oud perfume, rose, and musk oil. Associated with the virtue of hospitality, oud incense is burned in many Muslim households and spaces of devotion. Oud still is, as it always has been, linked to the sacred.


Introducing the EdApp Discussions and Assignments Feature
Introducing the EdApp Discussions and Assignments Feature
At EdApp, we are constantly evolving to inspire and drive growth in the L&D space, making learning more accessible, engaging, and effective. After the announcement of our Playlists feature, we are excited to follow up with Discussions and Assignments. This innovative new feature has been introduced as a boost to our social learning elements. To ensure the success of adult learning, this feature delivers instant coaching and mentoring opportunities to learners by providing the closest simulation that we have to face-to-face, instructor-led sessions.
Read on to discover how this feature will enhance your learning initiatives and experience its full capabilities.
Why was it developed?
The Discussions and Assignments feature was designed to increase the amount of social interaction to ensure the success of adult learning. This exciting addition enables learners to collaborate with each other in a forum-like discussion, strengthening the power of peer learning. But what is really exciting is this feature forces reflection and applied knowledge from your learners.
The feature also facilitates coaching and mentoring throughout the process, giving you the opportunity to comment and lead the discussion when necessary along with providing real-time feedback. Nobody knows your company's products or processes better than your existing workers, so leveraging that expertise to reinforce vital content makes a great deal of sense. Learners will be more engaged when they can relate to both the lesson and the teacher, resulting in even more effective learning outcomes.
Enhancing EdApp's existing social learning element, the Discussions and Assignments feature includes conversation threads that can be leveraged to analyse specific concepts and topics provided by you. Having these discussions provides a more dynamic and interactive learning experience, where employees can learn additional information, resulting in a more in-depth understanding of the content provided.
For example, a course provided to retail employees on a new line or product can be discussed by colleagues to create a holistic understanding of the features of the product, enabling employees to be able to effectively sell to new and existing customers. Coaches can step in, highlighting key responses to provide insight for reinforcing the most important details of the new product. This forum enables instantaneous interaction with your team, all from within the EdApp platform.
What is digital learning?
Beyond the use of Discussions, Assignments provide an option in which learners submit responses directly to you, which can then be easily reviewed and graded. Submissions can be made through boxes of free text, designed to task learners with submitting a more in-depth and personal response. This structure ensures that the progress and knowledge of employees is tracked, meaning that you have the opportunity to fill possible gaps in learning if any are identified.
The EdApp team built this feature as a way to facilitate the growth of essential knowledge amongst employees through increased engagement and interactivity with learning material.
What does it change?
Within the EdApp platform, learners can collaborate to spotlight important pieces of information about specific topics. This means that there is no need to host forums on external platforms, and it also provides you with continued access to the conversations and progress reports, keeping it organised. The feature also offers a new LMS screen for learners, which makes it easy to switch between courses and topics.
What do learners see?
If a learner is completing a Discussions and Assignments lesson, they will have access to a wealth of knowledge provided by peers. Topics can be discussed in a conversation-like forum to express areas which may require extra clarification to master important bits of information.
When an Assignment is set for completion, the learner will be provided with an abundance of free space to write their response, which will later be reviewed by yourself. After the learner's submission has been made, they will see 1 of 4 options: No submission, submitted, try again or pass. From here, they will then receive your feedback, highlighting areas of strength or potential room for improvement.
On top of participating in conversations, learners also have the ability to keep track of certain Discussion threads so they do not miss out on any important updates. This "watching" feature sends push notifications directly to their device when a new comment is added to the comment of interest.
What do you see?
As an admin, you have continued access to social reports and tools, where you can review the progression and engagement of your learners, enabling a more smooth experience in managing your cohort. When assessing your Assignments tasks, ensure that you leave a comment on the assignment status. From there, you can either make this response hidden or public by the simple switch of a toggle.
You also have the option to make Assignments tasks mandatory along with the ability to set up completion requirements through peer learning. To make things easier, completed Assignments are counted in the analytics the same way that lessons are.
New image and video enhancement
To enhance this peer learning feature even further, we have also added the ability for learners to submit an image or video as a submission, giving you (and your learners) the freedom to choose the medium for their response. Available in both the Discussions and Assignments space, learners can submit an image or record a video and upload it as a submission straight from their smartphones. The EdApp platform can accommodate most sizes and formats, but we recommend following our microlearning rhetoric by keeping video submissions to a couple of minutes long. This way, learners have the freedom to express their points in an open-ended format and viewers can easily absorb the information at hand without losing interest or focus.
Implementing visuals and especially video in your L&D strategy has proven benefits including higher interaction and retention rates, along with strengthening the connection between learners. When individuals can clearly see their peers' responses, it provides an even more dynamic and interactive learning experience. Ultimately, your audience can easily absorb additional information in a more effective way, resulting in a more in-depth understanding of the content provided.
We hope you enjoy our newest feature and continue to experience the success of your learning strategy!
To learn how to access the Discussions and Assignments feature and how to implement it into your next lesson, we have created a step-by-step guide. Find our comprehensive guide on Discussions and our guide on Assignments.
Stay tuned for more exciting announcements coming throughout the year and please reach out to us at for feedback and any more enhancements you would love to see.
The EdApp Team


text: This English heirloom variety was bred for early maturity and a long harvest window. Glaskin's Perpetual Rhubarb is tart, but never bitter due to its naturally low oxalic acid content. If it's given a good early start indoors, it can be harvested (late) during the first season's growth. Some leaves should be left unharvested to encourage good root growth and a strong return the following summer. The thick, succulent stems grow 30-35cm (12-14") long, with a primarily pink and green pigment and some red markings. This is the best rhubarb variety for harvesting later in the year. Grow it in full sun, in rich, fertile, well drained soil.


Showing posts with label Cloister. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cloister. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Trappist Nuns In Syria Do Not Fear Fate of Trappists in Algeria
(Damascus) They came to the near East in 2005 with the intention to live out the Christianization of the first centuries after Christ. Their history is comparable to the Trappist monks of Tibhirine in Algeria, who in 1996 were murdered by a moderate Islamic group. Xavier Beauvaus created a memorial for them and their martyrdom by the film "Of Men and Gods".
The comparison is more pressing when one things of the five Trappists, who left their peaceful and isolated Cloister in Valserena in Tuscany, Italy, in order to go to Syria. A land whose internal situation had been already tense and in the midst of a civil war with thousands of deaths and flooded with hundreds of thousands of refugees.
Why have they decided to found a new Cloister in an unstable country like Syria? "Because Christianity had developed here and spread from here to Asia Minor, Greece, Rome, Armenia, India and China", say the sisters. "in the first centuries the mission was led by a living Monastic movement, which existed alone and independently of one another here and in Egypt." The sisters recall St. Ephraem the Syrian, Saint Simeon the Stylite, St. John Chrysostom or St. John of Damascus, whose traces they follow. "Going out from our Latin and Benedictine Tradition we want to follow the stream, because we are convinced of the rich fruits, which will come about in an exchange between the West and Eastern heritage of Christendom."
So the Cloister of Azeir exists amidst the civil war afflicted cities of Homs and Tartous in Central Asia. The sisters feel a mission in that, which resembles that of the monks of Tibhirine: to help Christians and Muslims without respect to religion, to be a lighthouse of peace and harmony in the civil war, which they did not foresee when the five Trappists set foot for the first time on Syrian soil. "Now we belong to these people. The fate of the Syrians is our fate," says Abbess Monica to AsiaNews.
The nuns reported on their internet site established and independent of all propaganda of one of the other sides of the civil war and the fate of Syria's Christians. Some of the letters of the last months could have been called out. They described for everyone the suffering of the civilian population. For them the Cloister is clearly a sign of hope, because it is "a place, where God is really present through the Eucharist and through the Church, through the prayer and the brotherly community. It is a blessing for all."
"Why should we go away?" was the astonished response of the sisters. "The people here ring our door. They seek help, diverse help. They ask for food, they seek consolation, young men have started to come to us, because they are seeking someone to help them to understand things, to reflect, to grow innerly." The Cloister offers already numerous people sanctuary and accommodation, people, who are have been made refugees by government troops or the rebels, people who are pursued by one side or the other. Even as a place for secret business, the Cloister is on hand.
"We are called to give a witness of our Christian hohpe, which is stronger than all worry. Why should we go away from a place, where the people so desperately need this hope", said the Abbess to Asia News.
Text: Religion en libertad/Giuseppe Nardi
Bild: Valserena


text:
Summary of findings from the Esperanza's expedition, September - December 2011.
During the three-month 'Defending Our Pacific' expedition, the Esperanza monitored the Pacific Commons and visited Pago Pago in American Samoa, Nauru, and Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea. In December, Greenpeace and the government of Palau conducted a joint fisheries enforcement operation in Palau's national waters. Greenpeace assisted in apprehending and detaining a licensed vessel engaged in illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, failing to report via its vessel monitoring system and catching and finning sharks, a practice banned in Palauan waters.
The Esperanza encountered 63 fishing vessels in total during the expedition, including an overt, illegal, stateless and unmarked purse seine vessel operating with six other support vessels in what appeared to be a group operation. Fishing vessels were also sighted transiting through Pacific countries' waters. Catches of sharks were particularly high on a number of vessels; in several cases the Esperanza crew took action, inspecting and documenting vessels at the invitation of their captains, and releasing endangered species and other bycatch from tuna longline hooks.
The expedition showed that longline fishing in the Pacific Commons remains rampant.
Defending Our Pacific


text:
A logic error
The program in Listing 3 illustrates a simple logic error. The intent of the program was for the program to display the following text:
However, a programming logic error causes the program to display the following text instead:
Goodbye Cruel World
Note that most logic errors are more subtle than this one and are much more difficult to find and fix.


text:
Date: August 9, 1983
Creator: Bailey, Dorothy J
Description: This report shows that in recent years, attention has increasingly focused upon the minority composition of the Federal judiciary, in apparent response to concerns that judges appointed to the Federal bench should more compositely reflect the U.S. population they serve. Two of the larger U.S. subpopulations served by the Federal judiciary are blacks and Hispanics. Accordingly, this mini brief lists chronologically and cumulatively the appointments of blacks and Hispanics to the Federal bench, which includes the U.S.Supreme Court, Circuit Courts of Appeals, and District courts.
Contributing Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department


text:
600 V Single High Side Gate Driver IC IR2128S with over current protection and fault reporting
Open online SPICE simulator circuit link: power_600VDC_high_side_gate_driver_IR2128S.TSC
600 V Single High Side Gate Driver IC IR2128S with over current
protection and fault reporting
The IR2128S is a high voltage, high speed power MOSFET and IGBT driver. Proprietary
HVIC and latch immune CMOS technologies enable ruggedized monolithic construction.
The logic input is compatible with standard CMOS or LSTTL outputs, down to 3.3V.
The protection circuity detects over-current in the driven power transistor and terminates
the gate drive voltage. An open drain FAULT signal is provided to indicate that an
over-current shutdown has occurred. The output driver features a high pulse current
buffer stage designed for minimum cross-conduction. The floating channel can be used
to drive an N-channel power MOSFET or IGBT in the high side or low side configuration
which operates up to 600 volts.
Model performance :
- Static Electrical Characteristics and Dynamic Electrical Characteristics
are modeled with the typical values from the datasheet.
- Temperature effects are not modeled
The following features have been modeled :
- Switching Characteristics such as propagation delay, peak currents
- Under voltage lockout
Product Info: IR2128S


I have two trees that experience significant traffic of ants up and down?
 1. Crataegus 'Pauls's Scarlet' - An established mid-age tree. Ants go up to the top of the tree, can't see what they are looking for. No visible damage or decease of the tree.
 2. Sorbus aucuparia - This is a young specimen, only 1m/3ft high. I noticed some black spots on the underside of emerging leaves. Ants come as if attracted to these spots. Or they tend them. Could they be their eggs?
Here are two pictures of affected sorbus' leaves underside:
enter image description here
enter image description here
Whereas "Paul's scarlet"'s leaves look fine at the first glance:
enter image description here
Some pictures of ants:
enter image description here
enter image description here
enter image description here
They are approximately of length 3mm / 1/8 inch.
Should I do something about it, or just ignore it?
Also, I noticed that ants respect 'right side' rule when passing each other. The trees are in continental Europe (Serbia, 30 km off of Belgrade, altitude 100m). Would ants in Britain behave differently?
 - 1
 What's your goal? Saving the trees? Eliminating the ants? – Mast May 25 at 12:22
 - _USER_ Saving (or growing and providing healthy environment for) the trees. Nothing against ants or even aphids per se. – Alex Alex May 25 at 12:26
 - In another area, that is sandy, there is a colony of ants, but I didn't see them bothering any plant nearby. – Alex Alex May 25 at 12:35
 - 4
 Antkeeping hobbyist here: Imho this question is impossible to answer without knowing where you are located and without knowing what the ants look like. A photo would be helpful. Most ant species won't harm your tree at al. But there are a few that will destroy them from the inside out. (Lasius fuliginosus comes to mind if you live in Europe) Edit: looks like I missed the part where you said the trees are in Britain. My bad. Point about the picture still stands though. – Opifex May 25 at 15:42
 - 1
 _USER_ "The trees are in continental Europe" is pretty clear – pipe May 26 at 9:09
The trees have probably got aphids. From the RHS website here:
Ants may be found climbing plants with aphid colonies, they tend the aphids obtaining honeydew as a reward. The ants will remove aphid predators.
Not much you can do about it. If you spray the aphids, you risk killing useful predators such as ladybirds. Best treat it as all part of nature's rich tapestry. Here in the UK ants are legally obliged to walk on the left :-)
 - 6
 What's the proper procedure for reporting an ant walking on the right? – spikey_richie May 25 at 13:22
 - 7
 _USER_ Report it directly to Her Majesty the Queen! (of the ant colony). – Philipp May 25 at 13:45
 - 3
 Therein lies the problem. She's very hard to get to, usually 2 feet under my lawn using my sundial as a mock gatehouse, or a stubborn tree stump. Then there's all the red tape to get through, and her (seemingly endless) entourage. I might write a petition to suggest she improve public relations, otherwise she'll feel the wrath of a litre of boiling water on her poorly defended keep. – spikey_richie May 25 at 13:49
 - 7
 You're right about the aphids, but dead wrong about the response. If the aphids are well established, it's already beyond anything that ladybirds can do (and perhaps there aren't any anyway), so you lose nothing by spraying. And even if you don't want to spray, sticky bands around the trunk stop the ants and leave the aphids way more vulnerable to predators. Bottom line, you absolutely can do stuff about it, and you should if you value the health of the tree and getting any fruit off it. – Graham May 25 at 20:40
 - 2
 _USER_ Your choice, of course, but spraying ornamental trees to kill common pests such as aphids is not an environmentally friendly way to garden. You do realise that Crataegus 'Paul's Scarlet' and Sorbus aucuparia are not fruit trees, don't you? – Peter4075 May 26 at 12:06
I agree with the other answers, you probably have an aphid infestation.
But rather than spraying your trees to get rid of the aphids, you may try putting a ring of glue on your tree, to get rid of the ants.
Without their support, your aphid infestation will probably quickly rescind due to the natural predators.
 - 3
 Good suggestion. Try googling "glue bands for fruit trees" to see what's available. – Peter4075 May 25 at 11:31
The problem with not treating for aphids is it's likely to get worse, especially with ants warding off aphid predators. With large trees, it's obviously next to impossible to treat for aphids because you can't reach the top easily, but for your smaller tree, if there are a lot of aphids,I would recommend some treatment, even if that's just you physically rubbing them off. If you don't want to do that, then use one of the organic sprays mentioned in the RHS link already supplied. If you clear the aphid infestation, the ants will disappear. Note also that, although ants on plants most often indicates the presence of aphids, it may also indicate scale insect infestation.
It might be instructive to look for the Hawthorn shield bug which feeds on the fruits of both hawthorn and other species including rowan (mountain ash). The fruits are attractive because both are pomes, like apple fruits, with a fleshy, juicy outer cover. The shield bugs pierce the fruit and allow them to bleed juices which contain sugars that the ants can profit from. Humans should be very careful about trying haws and rowan fruits, they need to be prepared correctly in the making of jams and jellies.
Aphids and ants might like my trees, but they love garden nasturtium.
enter image description here
If there's a nasturtium somewhere close to the trees, aphids, ants and ladybugs will happily move there (here's a related article):
enter image description here
As a bonus, these plants are easy to grow. Every part of it tastes great, provided it's not too rich in protein.
 - Hm, do aphids taste well? – Alex Alex May 26 at 7:23
 - 1
 _USER_: Ahah. No, I should have written "provided they don't have any protein". It's interesting, though, some leaves are almost completely covered by aphids, and some leaves or flowers don't have any. And those taste great. – Eric Duminil May 26 at 7:31
 - 1
 _USER_ From my experience cycling, I would say no. – Andrew Morton May 26 at 10:08
You didn't say how big the tree is. If you have aphids on roses, you can just brush them off. A tiny minority might make it back to the plant or be carried back by ants, but most wont.
Doable if it's a short sapling, but perhaps not too practical for huge mature tree :).
 - I said one tree is a very young tree, and another one is middle-aged, the size can be concluded easily by that and species. – Alex Alex May 27 at 13:57
 - Ah sorry missed that – Ne Mo May 27 at 23:30
Contact a local tree care company. A lot of the times they offer a systemic injection into ground around the root system of the tree. The tree will uptake the treatment and then when the aphids bite onto the tree (usually the underside of the leaves where its soft), they will take in the treatment and die. I have had this done with Elm Scale for my Elm tree.
Your Answer


text:
Trade names: TheraCys®, TICE® BCG
Chemocare.com uses generic names in all descriptions of drugs. Bacillus Calmette-Guerin is the trade name for BCG. TheraCys and TICE BCG are other names for BCG. In some cases, health care professionals may use the trade name bacullus calmette-guerin or other names TheraCys or TICE BCG when referring to the generic drug name BCG.
Drug type: BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin) is a biologic response modifier.
(For more detail, see "How this drug works" section below).
What this drug is used for:
- Bladder cancer
- Immunization against tuberculosis
Note: If a drug has been approved for one use, physicians sometimes elect to use this same drug for other problems if they believe it might be helpful.
How this drug is given:
- BCG is given by intravesicular infusion. This means it is given directly into the bladder through a urinary catheter. The urinary catheter is inserted through the urethra (the tube which carries urine from the bladder to the outside the body). The BCG solution is injected into the catheter, which is then clamped. Clamping the catheter allows the medication to remain in the bladder. The patient is encouraged to roll from side to side and to lie on their backs to help the medication reach all areas of the bladder. After a predetermined time (usually about 2 hours) the catheter is unclamped and the fluid is drained. The catheter is then removed.
- BCG treatment is given as an outpatient procedure.
- The treatments are usually given on a weekly basis for 6 weeks followed by treatments once a month for 6 to 12 months. Your doctor will determine your exact treatment schedule and dose.
Important things to remember about the side effects of BCG:
- Most people do not experience all of the side effects listed.
- Side effects are often predictable in terms of their onset and duration.
- Side effects are almost always reversible and will go away after therapy is complete.
- There are many options to minimize or prevent side effects.
- There is no relationship between the presence or severity of side effects and the effectiveness of the medication.
The following side effects are common (occurring in greater than 30%) for patients having BCG treatments:
- Painful or difficult urination, urgency (see bladder problems)
- Urinary frequency (see bladder problems)
- Blood in the urine (hematuria) (see bladder problems)
- Flu-like symptoms; fever, chills, malaise, fatigue, generalized aches and pains.
These are less common side effects (occurring in 10-29%) for patients receiving BCG vaccine:
- Bladder irritation or infection
A rare, but potentially serious side effect of BCG is called systemic BCG reaction. This systemic reaction to BCG can occur following exposure to BCG within one week of either biopsy, TUR(trans-urethral resection) surgery, or traumatic bladder catheterization. Symptoms of a systemic BCG reaction include unexplained high fever lasting 24-48 hours or more, chills, confusion, dizziness or lightheadedness (symptoms of low blood pressure) or shortness of breath. A systemic BCG reaction can cause pneumonitis, hepatitis, prostatitis, epididimal-orchitis, respiratory distress and other symptoms of sepsis (systemic infection).
Not all side effects are listed above, some that are rare (occurring in less than 10% of patients) are not listed here. However, you should always inform your health care provider if you experience any unusual symptoms.
When to contact your doctor or health care provider:
Contact your healthcare provider immediately, day or
night, if you should experience any of the following symptoms:
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
The following symptoms require medical attention, but are not an emergency. Contact your health care provider within 24 hours of noticing any of the following:
- Fever of 39.5(C (103(F) or higher within 24 hours.
- Fever of 38.5(C (101(F) or higher after 48 hours.
- Blood in the urine.
- Extreme fatigue (unable to perform self care activities).
- Fever, chills, malaise, flu-like symptoms, increased fatigue or an increase in urinary symptoms (such as burning or pain on urination) are not uncommon. However, if these increase in severity, or last more than 48 hours let your doctor know.
Always inform your health care provider if you experience any unusual symptoms.
- Before starting BCG treatments, make sure you tell your doctor about any other medications you are taking (including over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, or herbal remedies).
- BCG may be inadvisable in tuberculin positive individuals.
- Inform your health care professional if you are pregnant or may be pregnant prior to starting this treatment. Pregnancy category C (use in pregnancy only if benefit to mother outweighs risk to the fetus).
- To avoid transmission of BCG to others, for 6 hours after treatment patients should void (urinate) while seated to avoid splashing of urine. Urine voided during this time should be disinfected with 2 cups of household bleach into the toilet water and letting it stand for 15-20 minutes before flushing.
- Men having this treatment can pass on BCG during sex. To protect your partner from coming into contact with BCG, you should not have sex for 48 hours after each treatment. Use a condom if you have sex at other times during the treatment course and for six weeks after treatment has ended.
- For both men and women: Do not conceive a child (get pregnant) while taking BCG treatments. Barrier methods of contraception, such as condoms, are recommended. Discuss with your doctor when you may safely become pregnant after therapy.
- Do not breast-feed while taking this medication.
- Limit fluid intake for 6-10 hrs before treatment and for 2 hours following installation of BCG, afterward resume normal fluid intake.
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol on treatment days. This is due to the diuretic and irritant properties of these substances.
- Get plenty of rest.
- Maintain good nutrition.
- If you experience symptoms or side effects, be sure to discuss them with your health care team. They can prescribe medications and/or offer other suggestions that are effective in managing such problems.
Monitoring and testing:
You will be monitored regularly by your doctor while you are receiving treatment with BCG. Your doctor will order blood tests and other tests as needed to monitor side effects and check your response to therapy.
How this drug works:
BCG is thought to bring about an immune response in the bladder by triggering an inflammatory reaction in the bladder. This reaction brings disease-fighting white blood cells and cytokines (proteins produced by one cell that influence the behavior of other cells) to the bladder. The immune system cells then fight directly against the tumor cells. The cytokine response changes the environment in the bladder that may inhibit future tumor growth and progression.
Note: We strongly encourage you to talk with your health care professional about your specific medical condition and treatments. The information contained in this website is meant to be helpful and educational, but is not a substitute for medical advice.


text:
The water basin under a large cooling tower can serve as a storage reservoir to balance flows through the plant condenser system, overcoming variations in evaporative losses and make up water availability. To use the storage capability effectively requires that some attention be given to the hydraulic design details of the basin and the channel leading from it to the circulating water pump pits. This model study has been undertaken to examine a design for that system for one of the cooling towers at the Callaway Plant Unit of the Union Electric Company.
|Original language||English (US)|
|State||Published - Apr 1977|


text:
This research project aims to explore the relationship between national identity, attitudes towards gender roles and medium of instruction in the Kazakhstani context.
This research discusses the violation of the right to education of disabled children in Semipalatinsk in the context of the post-Cold War. The author argues that there was a missed generation of children with disabilities of the 90s, as they did not have or had limited access to education.
The research explores how gender and social inequities are produced by a language in school textbooks on the History of Kazakhstan. Particularly, textbooks in the Kazakh and Russian languages are compared. Using the multimodal approach to discourse analysis, we investigate how texts and images interplay to represent gender for school children.
This study explores the work of local NGOs within the education sector and the contribution education makes towards peacebuilding and social cohesion in Kazakhstan.
The politics of languages in education: issues of access to education and labour market participation of minority ethnic groups in Kazakhstan
This research aims to investigate the influence of different language policies and reforms on educational and the economic situation of minority groups, specifically of Uzbek groups in Kazakhstan since gaining independence.


How to Clean Travertine Stone Flooring
Tile travertine Flooring
DougBennett / Getty Images
 - Total Time: 1 - 2 hrs
 - Skill Level: Intermediate
Travertine is a type of stone flooring that is quarried from the earth and then refined into tiles for architectural use. It has been used in a variety of building applications for thousands of years. A form of limestone, travertine is indeed "hard as a rock," but it is also relatively porous when compared to some other natural stone construction materials. For this reason, it has certain inherent vulnerabilities that need to be considered when cleaning and caring for these materials. This includes both long-term, regular maintenance concerns, as well as specific instructions and precautions you should follow whenever working with these surfaces.
How Often to Clean Travertine Flooring
Regular sweeping or vacuuming, plus mopping, should be done weekly with travertine floors, or whenever the surface is visibly soiled. Sweeping or vacuuming the floor removes small particles that can cause minor abrasive scarring to the surface of the tile. Over time, these tiny particles can wear down the luster and finish of the material while also removing the protective sealant coat, leaving the stone beneath vulnerable to discoloration and staining. In addition to regular cleaning, there are three other parts to cleaning and maintaining travertine floors:
 - Disinfect floors during monthly maintenance.
 - Clean grout lines every few months depending on how dirty your floor gets.
 - Surface-seal travertine every three to five years according to most stone flooring manufacturers, though harsh chemicals and heavy use may wear out the sealer more quickly than that, requiring additional applications.
What You'll Need
Equipment / Tools
 - Broom or vacuum cleaner
 - Mop or sponge
 - Mop bucket
 - Towels
 - Small, narrow scrub brush for grout
 - 1 tablespoon mild, non-acidic dish soap
 - Baking soda
 - Warm water
 - Stone cleaner (optional)
 1. Sweep or Vacuum the Floor
 Sweep or vacuum the floor to eliminate small particles of dirt and grit.
 2. Mop the Floor
 Apply a small amount of plain warm water to the floor with a sponge or mop that is nearly wrung dry so that the travertine surface gets just barely damp. Do not saturate travertine tiles with water, as it can penetrate down past sealant or into grout lines, causing discoloration, degradation, and the growth of mold and mildew.
 3. Disinfect the Floor
 If it is time to disinfect the floor, add a tablespoon of mild, non-acidic dish soap to a gallon of water. Damp-mop the floor with this solution. Mop a second time with clean water to remove any lingering residue that may exist. Toweling the surface dry is also recommended.
 4. Clean the Grout Lines
 Cleaning the grout around travertine tiles can be tricky because you don't want to mar the stone, but you need something abrasive to clean the grout. If the grout lines are due to be cleaned, mix equal parts baking soda and water to create a gritty paste. Carefully scrub this slightly abrasive paste onto the grout with a tiny brush as you avoid scratching or etching the edges of the tile with the tool. Also, try a specially formulated stone cleaner (approved to use on travertine) to try to clean the grout.
Tips on Sealing Travertine Stone Flooring
Natural travertine has microscopic pores in the surface which give it a rustic look, but which can also soak up liquids, leading to stains, discoloration, material degradation, and mold growth. The way to combat this is to ensure that the material is properly sealed both during and after installation, and then again periodically throughout its existence.
Types of Sealant
There are two types of sealants used on travertine floors. The first is a deep penetrating material that will seep down and clog the pores, making it difficult for moisture to invade the stone. A surface barrier sealer can then be used to create a clear coating over the tiles to stop spills from causing discoloration. Once the initial below-surface sealer is brushed on, a barrier surface coating can then be reapplied every few years to maintain the treatment.
Color Effects of Sealants
Travertine tiles tend to be light in color, but adding sealer can deepen those hues, and give them a slightly glossy appearance. Some people like this look, and if that is your desired effect you can reapply the sealant frequently. On the other hand, others prefer a weathered look which can be achieved by using the sealer less often.
Tips to Keep Your Travertine Tiles Clean Longer
Maintaining travertine comes down to using mild cleaners and taking care of the grout. Never use abrasive chemical cleaners or anything acidic when caring for travertine floors. Travertine stone is by nature an alkaline substance, and it can stain and discolor if it comes in contact with acidic substances.
The grout lines between tiles are the most vulnerable points in your travertine flooring installation, as these spaces are susceptible to water penetration, stains, discoloration, and the growth of dark, unsightly, and unhealthy mold. Do not use commercial grout cleansers used for ceramic tile because they often contain bleaches which may etch travertine stone.
If necessary, grout lines can also be completely removed and replaced, which can give your flooring installation a brand new and revitalized look. While regrouting can be moderately difficult, it is a much easier and less expensive option than replacing an entire travertine floor.


Conditional code compilation in Java
In C/C++ there is a construct which allows you to conditionally compile code. Yes I am talking about the _TAG_... _TAG_ Java doesn't have an equivalent. But you can use the following clever trick to achieve the same functionality.
Why conditionally compile code?
So before we proceed, you might ask me, why we need to do conditionally compiling? There are couple of reasons, but the main reason which motivated me to look for the solution is to conditionally enable debug statements. You can say that we can probably use a boolean variable or a function call, to determine whether we need to output the debug statement or not. But if the number of debug statements is high then they could add up.
Setting up final boolean variable
So the trick is simple. You have to create a if statement with a boolean private variable and if you make the boolean private variable as final and set the value to false, then at compile time, the compiler will be able to determine that these code branches are unreachable and will not include them as part of the compiled code.
Sample Code
The following sample code explains this trick.
Related posts
Tags:,
4 Comments so far
Follow up comments through RSS Feed | Post a comment
1 Tweetbacks so far
Leave a Reply to Krishna Cancel reply


text:
- Adjustable Automatic Oiler
The Adjustable Automatic Oiler allows the user to adjust the lubricant of the guide bar and saw chain for different bar lengths and cutting conditions.
- Reduced-Emission Engine Technology - Caring for Nature
The STIHL Inc. "Caring for Nature" seal identifies its powered products that are more environmentally conscious, producing zero or low exhaust emissions. STIHL Inc. defines "low exhaust emissions" as being cleaner than EPA and/or CARB exhaust emission standards.
- IntelliCarb™ Compensating Carburetor
The IntelliCarb™ Compensating Carburetor is designed to automatically adjust the air/fuel ratio when the air filter becomes restricted or partially clogged and maintains the engine's correct RPM. IntelliCarb™ uses air from the clean side of the air filter to control the diaphragm and flow of fuel. As the air filter becomes dirty and less air is available for the carburetor, the IntelliCarb™ system adjusts the fuel flow to compensate for the decrease in air flow. This is in contrast to typical carburetors that utilize this air from the "dirty" side of the air box.
- Side-Access Chain Tensioner
The side-access chain tensioner makes it much more convenient for the user to adjust the saw chain with a bar wrench as opposed to the typical location of the guide bar adjustment screw.
- Toolless fuel and oil caps with retainers
Simply lift the lever and twist the caps to remove or tighten. There's no need to use a tool to tighten or loosen
Saw can be used in multiple positions for felling or limbing with hands in the proper positions.


CRT Logo
Welcome to Cambridge Refrigeration Technology
ICCT - Mission Statement
Mission Statement
To achieve effective coordination of technical developments within the environment in order to ensure consistent and cost effective management of temperature sensitive cargo.
 - To guide market developments in order to encourage greater coordination of goals and harmonisation of development timescales through a process of education and awareness.
 - To coordinate the application of existing standards and codes of practice and define best safe practice.
 - To advance technical ideas which will give input to the design construction and installation of equipment and in turn develop coordinated performance criteria.
 - To increase awareness of effective environmental measures.
Terms of Reference
 1. Identify each component in the cold chain from harvest to retail sale.
 2. Identify/determine future trends within each component sector of the cold chain.
 3. Through analysis determine the initial technical factors which are common to a range of sectors and which, if co-ordinated, would enable improvements to be identified and for new technology to be trialled across sectors in a comprehensive manner.
 4. Identify barriers (technical, legislative, commercial or environmental) which prevent the successful co-ordination of the cold chain.
 5. Identify and promote best safe practice position assuming that within reason barriers could be removed or their impact restricted.
 6. Identify of arguments that could be exploited in order to influence relevant national or international authorities with the objective of tackling the barrier identified.
 7. Identify and summarise all significant international research in areas relevant to ICCT and if appropriate commission further research. The results of this work should be communicated widely within ICCT.
 8. For ICCT to achieve, its potential members must be prepared to take on the identity of ICCT and where possible and appropriate suspend corporate standpoints.
related information
Cambridge Refrigeration Technology Contact Details


text:
Traditional Art Fairs
Fairs at the Ivan Honchar Museum have been held since 2004 to promote traditional Ukrainian art and folk artists, exchange creative experiences, and improve the quality of Ukrainian souvenirs.
Masters come from Kyiv and various regions of Ukraine including Kyiv, Chernihiv, Cherkasy, Kirovohrad, Lviv, Vinnytsia, Ternopil, Poltava, Ivano-Frankivsk, Rivne, Volyn, and Mykolaiv oblasti.
Both authentic masters who follow and reproduce traditional forms and those who interpret tradition with new forms and ideas take part.
The following crafts are presented: embroidery, weaving, carpet weaving, pottery, pysanky painting, spoon-making, candlestick-making, blacksmithing, straw, vine, and pine root weaving, and the manufacture of traditional musical instruments and children's toys. Masters revive ancient fabric decoration techniques such as woodblock printing on textiles, reproduce elements of traditional Ukrainian clothing and full folk attire, and make replicas of traditional jewelry.
Fairs are held on the eve of major religious and state holidays: Easter in April, Kyiv Day in May, Independence Day in August, and St. Nicholas Day in December.


text:
During an initialization phase, the ITask interface provides your custom task with injected dependent objects, see here for more details on these objects. One challenge while writing a custom ITask implementation is debugging your task with real-time injected values. One approach is to have your debugger launch a finished or failed job in a similar environment as the IIS Transform Manager would.
Here are the high level tasks to achieve this:
- Run and locate a job instance
- Identify the program and arguments to execute
- Setup the working environment
- Run the command under your debugger


text:
The BRIT SEED School® is the 2012 Community Outreach Award Recipient presented by REAL School Gardens
The BRIT SEED School is the first non-school organization to be honored with the award
FORT WORTH, Texas (May 23, 2012) – The Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT) announced today that its teacher education program, The BRIT SEED School (TBSS), is the 2012 Community Outreach Award recipient presented by REAL School Gardens, the Fort Worth garden-based education organization. The award is presented annually to school partners who extend teaching, learning, and service beyond the walls of the school and engage individuals and organizations from the community in project-based learning.
Presentation of the award occurred Thursday, May 10, 2012, during the REAL School Gardens' REAL People Community-Building Event held at Holiday Heights Elementary School. The award was in recognition of the successful BRIT-developed Messy Science program which provided over 1,100 public school students the opportunity to interact with BRIT scientists and educators while experiencing an inquiry-based lesson about farming, soils, and the nature of science. This lesson was designed to support the Smart Potatoes program developed by the educators of REAL School Gardens in an effort to encourage children to grow their own food and give back to their communities.
Students in the Messy Science program are guided by scientists in making observations and predictions, assessing soil health for agriculture, designing potential investigations by asking their own questions, and discovering the importance of the plants their lives. In addition, they engage in inquiry through dialogue, journaling, and experiential learning while exposed to the field of botany.
"The creativity and learning elements designed into the Messy Science program is indicative of the talented and knowledgeable staff The BRIT SEED School employs," says Dr. Amanda Stone Norton, director, The BRIT Seed School. "Messy Science complements and enhances the Smart Potatoes program by providing experiential learning, which oftentimes serves as a catalyst for knowledge-building and long-term subject interest in children."
"The BRIT SEED School staff have given students at our partner schools a rich opportunity to become scientists, and they have demonstrated, for teachers, new ways to use their learning gardens as outdoor classrooms," says Jeanne McCarty, executive director, REAL School Gardens. "We value BRIT's knowledge and expertise, and we know our impact is deepened through collaborative efforts like this one."


text:
Definition of recompense :
1. An equivalent returned for anything done, suffered, or given; compensation; requital; suitable return.
2. To give in return; to pay back; to pay, as something earned or deserved.
3. To give recompense; to make amends or requital.
4. To render an equivalent to, for service, loss, etc.; to requite; to remunerate; to compensate.
5. To return an equivalent for; to give compensation for; to atone for; to pay for.
pay off, gratuity, premium, allowance, recoupment, honorarium, contribution, furbish up, mend, fix, pay, fee, reparation, resort, consideration, stipend, spend, indemnify, bushel, reward, finance, renovate, even off, invest in, down payment, reprisal, doctor, remediate, settlement, quittance, wages, damages, counterbalance, overcompensate, make up, remuneration, advance, repair, requital, satisfaction, fund, restore, payback, recreate, touch on, animate, indemnification, indemnity, reanimate, repay, quicken, disburse, revive, deposit, requite, restitution, vivify, salary, payment, even out, compensation, bear the cost/expense etc., amend, hire, earnings, repayment, remittance, pay out, revivify, put up, right, cover, even up
atone (part of speech: verb)
recompense (part of speech: verb)