Robot reconnoiters uncharted terrain

ScienceDaily (Feb. 16, 2012) ? Mobile robots have many uses. They serve as cleaners, carry out inspections and search for survivors of disasters. But often, there is no map to guide them through unknown territory. Researchers have now developed a mobile robot that can roam uncharted terrain and simultaneously map it -- all thanks to an algorithm toolbox.

Industrial robots have been a familiar sight in the workplace for many years. In automotive and household appliance manufacture, for example, they have proved highly reliable on production and assembly lines. But now a new generation of high-tech helpers is at hand: Mobile robots are being used in place of humans to explore hazardous and difficult-to-access environments such as buildings in danger of collapsing, caves, or ground that has been polluted by an industrial accident. Equipped with sensors and optical cameras, these robots can help rescue services search for victims in the wake of natural disasters, explosions or fires, and can measure concentrations of hazardous substances.

There's just one problem: Often there is no map to show them the location of obstacles and steer them along navigable routes. Yet such maps are critical to ensuring that the high-tech machines are able to make progress, either independently or guided by remote control. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Optronics, System Technologies and Image Exploitation IOSB in Karlsruhe have now developed a roaming land robot that autonomously reconnoiters and maps uncharted terrain. The robot uses special algorithms and multi-sensor data to carve a path through unknown territory.

"To be able to navigate independently, our mobile robot has to fulfill a number of requirements. It must be able to localize itself within its immediate surroundings, continuously recalculate its position as it makes its way through the danger area, and simultaneously refine the map it is generating," says graduate engineer Christian Frey of the IOSB. To make this possible, he and his team have developed an algorithm toolbox for the robot that runs on a built-in computer. The robot is additionally equipped with a variety of sensors. Odometry sensors measure wheel revolutions, inertial sensors compute accelerations, and distance-measuring sensors register clearance from walls, steps, trees and bushes, to name but a few potential obstacles. Cameras and laser scanners record the environment and assist in the mapping process. The algorithms read the various data supplied by the sensors and use them to determine the robot's precise location. The interplay of all these different elements concurrently produces a map, which is updated continuously. Experts call the process Simultaneous Localization and Mapping, or SLAM.

Mobile robots face an additional challenge: to find the optimal path that will enable them to complete each individual task. Depending on the situation, this may be the shortest and quickest route, or perhaps the most energy-efficient, i.e. the one that uses the least amount of gasoline. When planning a course, the high-tech helpers must take into account restrictions on mobility such as a limited turning circle, and must navigate around obstacles. And should the environment change, for example as a result of falling objects or earthquake aftershocks, a robot must register this and use its toolbox to recalculate its route.

"We made our toolbox modular, so it's not difficult to adapt the algorithms to suit different types of mobile robot or specific in- or outdoor application scenarios. For example, it doesn't matter what sensor set-up is used, or whether the robot has two- or four-wheel drive," says Frey. The software can be customized to meet the needs of individual users, with development work taking just a few months. Frey adds: "The toolbox is suitable for all sorts of situations, not only accident response scenarios. It can be installed in cleaning robots or lawnmowers, for example, and a further possible application would be in roaming robots used to patrol buildings or inspect gas pipelines for weak points." From March 6-10, the IOSB researchers will be demonstrating their mobile robot technology at the CeBIT trade fair.

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Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120216134119.htm

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Midterm Exam #1 information | Business Risk Management | Le Tour ...

The first midterm exam in Finance 4335 consists of 3 problems that are worth 32 points each; you get 4 points for ?successfully? writing your name on the cover of the exam booklet :-) .? Be sure to show your work as well as provide a complete answer for each problem; i.e., in addition to producing numerical results, also explain your results in plain English.

All three problems involve applications of expected utility.? A particularly important?concept on this exam involves knowing how to calculate risk premiums.? On the formula sheet that I just posted for the midterm exam, I list two ways to do this:

1) the ?exact? method involves calculating E(U(W)), setting U(WCE) = E(U(W)) and solving for WCE, and then calculating the risk premium by subtracting WCE from E(W).

2) the ?approximate? method involves calculating the expected value (E(W)) and variance of wealth and the Arrow-Pratt absolute risk aversion coefficient.? Once you have these data, then you can calculate the risk premium by multiplying 1/2 times the variance times the Arrow-Pratt absolute risk aversion coefficient evaluated at E(W).

Other important concepts to think about include the following:

  1. A utility function is risk averse/risk neutral/risk loving if marginal utility decreases/stays constant/increases as wealth increases; therefore, utility functions such as U(W) = ln W and?U(W) = W.5?are risk averse?because of diminishing marginal utility.??To see this,?note?that marginal utility in both cases is positive (which implies ?greed?); for U(W) = ln W, marginal utility is U?(W) = 1/W?> 0 and for U(W) = W.5, marginal utility is U?(W) = .5W-.5?> 0.? Furthermore, the rate of change in marginal utility in both cases is negative (which implies ?fear?); for U?(W) = 1/W,?U?(W) =?-1/W2 < 0, and for U?(W) = .5W-.5, U?(W) = -.25W-1.5?< 0.
  2. The Arrow-Pratt absolute risk aversion coefficients for U(W) = ln W and?U(W) = W.5 are 1/W and .5/W respectively.? Therefore, a person with utility U(W) = W.5 is less risk averse than a person with utility U(W) = ln W.? Furthermore, both utility functions imply decreasing absolute risk aversion (DARA), which means that as wealth increases, risk aversion associated with a specific gamble declines.? This?is a particularly important insight,?as it?helps to?explain?a lot of familiar ?real world??behavior; e.g., why?firms go public (recall the ?Risk Analysis Class Problem?, which?illustrates how?an entrepreneur as well as her investors are all better off in an expected utility sense?from going public).? Finally,?DARA implies constant absolute risk aversion (CRRA).

In the meantime, if you have any other questions or concerns related to either the exam or Finance 4335 more generally, feel free to call me at 254-307-1317.

Source: http://risk.garven.com/2012/02/15/midterm-exam-1-information/

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Source: http://letourenglish.jameshouts2010.com/1096/midterm-exam-1-information-business-risk-management/

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Deploying Your Applications on Windows Azure

Virtualization & Cloud Computing News, Support, Podcasts, Videos, Downloads for the Citrix, VMware, Microsoft, Remote Desktop Services (Terminal Services), Application Virtualization, Server Virtualization, Desktop Virtualization (VDI), Virtualization Security, and Desktop Management Software community!

Source: http://feeds.dabcc.com/~r/AllArticles/~3/Aiy8imVTkyw/article.aspx

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Migraine Headaches Relief

Not Every Migraine Headaches Relief Treatment Is The Same

If you?re considering treatment for migraine headaches relief, you should know there are a wide range of options available to you.

For the record, I?m no stranger to every sort of migraine headache treatment that?s out there.? Some have worked fairly well, and other just FAILED MISERABLY.

So, with that said, I?ll try to wrap up neatly what I have learned over the course of my 10 year quest for migraine headaches relief.

The Drawbacks ? Common Mistakes in Treatment For Migraine Headaches Relief

1) The Only Solution For Migraine Headaches Relief is Medication

If we become ill, we visit a doctor. The doctor prescribes medicine.

If this is the kind of mindset you have, then your solution for migraine headaches relief will be medication.

This solution will lead to 3 results:

Your current migraine headache will be immediately relieved

A disastrous cycle of headaches will rebound that will seem almost impossible to escape

You will end up frustrated with all medications for migraine headaches relief

2) Inability To Identify Triggers

Any good treatment for migraine headaches relief SHOULD begin with identifying your personal migraine triggers.? But, in my experience, not one doctor I have ever consulted put the first emphasis on identifying my personal triggers.

And, in all of my years of experience, I have found this to be the ONLY effective migraine headaches relief CURE.? Instead, each and every doctor gave me a prescription for one medication or another ? many prescribing 2 or more drugs at the same time.

Over the course of 10 years, this has been the automatic treatment for migraine headaches relief from EVERY doctor I visited.

The FIRST step in any treatment for migraine headaches relief must be identifying and eliminating ALL of your personal triggers.? This will benefit you much more than any medication EVER will.

3) Afraid of All Medications

If the alternative is blindly taking every medication prescribed, it?s better to avoid all medications.

But?an effective treatment for migraine headaches relief will include the occasional use of abortive migraine medication.? Zomig, Axert, Imitrex are a few examples.? In addition, Aleve will be periodically advised to give the Triptan, or abortive medication, an effective boost.

But if you are already following a treatment for migraine headaches relief that includes NO medication, this is much preferred than following a treatment with LOADS of migraine medication.

Not Questioning Your Treatment For Migraine Headaches Relief

We?re raised not to question doctors.? It?s a rare doctor indeed that relishes in having his authority or judgment questioned.

This is especially so when you want to ask questions of your doctor after he prescribes your treatment for migraine headaches relief.

But your doctor is not the one that has to deal with the consequences of the plan of treatment.? And he is well compensated for the few short minutes you get to bask in his presence.? If a question comes to your mind, you need to ask it.

If you want to know why a particular medication is giving you certain reactions, then ask.

If you want to why you are suffering even more migraine headaches since the onset of your treatment for migraine headaches relief, that question needs to be asked as well.

If you are not satisfied with the answers and treatment you are getting from your current doctor, you shouldn?t hesitate to see another doctor.

Just like any other profession in this world, not all doctors have the same level of skill.

4) Not Trusting What Your Own Body Is Telling You About Your Treatment For Migraine Headaches Relief

When I was child, my parents instructed me to do as the doctor advised.

But after 10 years of taking medications for migraine headaches I realized a couple of things.? The first was that the more medications I took for migraine headaches relief, the more frequent and severe my migraines became.? The second thing I realized what that I had tried virtually medical treatment available.

I had not listened to what my body had been telling me all along.

?

See, if you can answer this one simple question:? When was the last time you had a migraine headache and didn?t take a pill?

When was the last time you considered a natural treatment for migraine headaches relief?

You have the ability to decide which treatment for migraine headaches relief is right for you.

Summation

An effective treatment for migraine headaches relief requires a Triptan prescription that works best for you

But even these are not very often necessary if you follow a proper path for migraine headaches relief.? The last thing you want is to get caught in the rebound cycle.

There is not one person is this world that should naturally suffer more than a few migraine headaches a month (even that is too much).

There is not one person in this world that should be taking pills every day as their treatment for migraine headaches relief.

There is a better way.

Source: http://www.1directory.net/health-fitness/migraine-headaches-relief-4755.html

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How to Introduce Your Toddler to a New Sibling

Bringing home a new baby is a special occasion for all members of the family. ?Introducing a new child into the family can be a great time of bonding and celebrating, but for younger children it can also be a time of confusion and jealousy. ?If you are expecting a child and have a toddler, it is important to take a few simple steps to make introducing your toddler to a new sibling go as smoothly as possible.

1. ?Talk to your child about the upcoming changes. ?Toddlers will probably not understand all of the big changes that having a new member of the family will involve, but they will understand that the changes can be a good and happy thing if you explain it to them in the right way. ?Tell them that they can help you care for the new baby and that the new baby won?t be replacing them in any way. ?Answer any questions that your toddler may have about what will happen once the new baby arrives and be sure to give them extra hugs and kisses to remind them that they are just as important as the new baby.

2. ?Let your toddler help you prepare for the arrival of your new child. ?Your toddler will enjoy being your ?little helper? as you prepare the baby?s room, clean bottles, or pick out baby clothes. ?Tell them how much their new sibling will appreciate all of the hard work your toddler is doing to make them feel welcome in their new home. ?You can even let your toddler make a special art project for the baby?s room.

3. ?Purchase a toy or special gift for your toddler that the new baby can ?give? them when you bring the baby home. ?A new gift from the baby will help your toddler view the new baby as a friend and not as competition. ?Explain to your toddler that the baby wanted him/her to have a special gift because they love them.

4. ?Spend quality alone time with your toddler once the baby comes home. ?If you have extra help, make sure to take some time with just you and your toddler to make them feel special and to remind them that the new baby has not replaced them.

5. ?Take it slow. ?Don?t get frustrated if your toddler has a hard time adjusting to the new baby. ?The big change may be a lot for them to handle at first, but if you continue to take it slowly and let everyone adjust when they?re ready, you will be successful in introducing your toddler to a new sibling.

Source: http://parenting1.factoidz.com/how-to-introduce-your-toddler-to-a-new-sibling/

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Affirmations for the Platinum Rule for Love Relationships | Gale ...

These positive affirmations will assist you in benefiting from the ?Platinum Rule for Love Relationships?. If you have not taken the opportunity yet to read my website article that explains and supports these affirmations, here is the link, ?Platinum Rule for Love Relationships.

*Affirmations:

?

?

?

?

  • ?I directly inquire and learn about the ways that make my partner sense being loved completely by me.
  • ?I successfully express, frequently and consistently, my love for my partner in ways that are best received and most acceptable??? for my partner.
  • Thus, I successfully communicate my love to my partner in ways that are most effective for my partner?s sense of truly being loved completely.
  • I offer my partner my list of what my partner may do to make me feel and believe I am truly loved completely.
  • Our love grows greater each and every day.
  • I am so happy to believe and to feel my partner?s complete love for me.
  • It is so great to have a truly loving relationship with my partner.

*Remember when using the above affirmations in a self-hypnosis format, you may simply refer to the Platinum Rule article and all of these positive affirmations that you want your subconscious to download and to keep reinforcing always. Furthermore, you may make a recording for personal use of these affirmations for listening during hypnosis. Also, print out these affirmations to read and focus on daily.

Source: http://galeglassner.com/2012/02/affirmations-for-the-platinum-rule-for-love-relationships/

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simplejar.com | The Most Effective Health and fitness Guide Online ...

Once your body is involved, becoming in good shape signifies more than seeking toned and physically healthy. Health and fitness also involves the endurance and overall quality in your life. You should manifest the perspective that permits you to utilize the adaptations required to let you attention properly yourself. This assortment of health and fitness information will furnish motivation and awareness to suit your needs when you go after health. When motivation for your workout is waning, a whole new post of workout clothes, baton rouge computer repair similar to a exciting exercise match, may possibly boost your enthusiasm. A reward provide you with motivation and enable you to display it away at the gym. To build power in your feet, use walls is placed. When performing walls is placed, be sure you come with an vacant walls, with nothing way too close to your system. Commence with regards to a ft . and a 50 percent away from the walls, along with your again into the walls. Bend the knees when leaning backwards, until your again is flat against the walls.

Continue to keep bending the knees and place yourself in the seated crouch over the walls with thighs and ground parallel to one another. Make an effort to maintain this place so long as achievable. Focus on when your body lets you know to relax. Many people will say which you can just take a relax between the models. No trainer is available who can provide you with better information than your own body can. Once your body lets you know it?s time to stop, you must stop. In the event you over practice it then you definitely threat injuries. Breathe out violently once you appear when you total your ab crunches. This process of respiration will enable you to have the most from your workout, and you will burn more calories for every crunch. This is the best way to get more from the crunches. Be an involved mother or father, and provides to spend more time with your child?s course during their health and fitness plans. By finding how crucial physical fitness would be to their mother or father, may possibly encourage them to take part far more.

Transform your encounter about three elements. Commence little by little, and then function up to your standard tempo. Drive your tempo up last your standard performance during the last 3rd. This helps to increase your stamina levels, and it is possible to operate lengthier each time you step out. Make sure you visit your medical doctor in the event you expertise exhaustion or ache in your joints. Trying to keep an workout log or diary is a great way to keep a record associated with a ache you might expertise. Avoid working out immediately after a dish. You can receive an annoyed tummy in the event you workout right after ingesting. Upsetting your tummy could have a lots of bad outcomes, computer repair baton rouge like vomiting, nausea and diarrhea. Try to eat some thing extremely lighting before you exercise and have a larger dish afterward. In case you have hurt muscles, relieve again into working out.

By excising the hurt region little by little and carefully you may advertise recovery. A gentle exercise gets the blood running for the recovering muscles, and you will gradually have them at complete power once again. Generally attempt to get more powerful and more quickly ? don?t give into the entropy of aging. Get your health and fitness to the next level by applying this article?s assistance for your exercise.

This entry was posted by brianna on February 12, 2012 at 2:06 pm, and is filed under Uncategorized. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

Comments are closed.

Source: http://www.simplejar.com/the-most-effective-health-and-fitness-guide-online-nowadays/

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Low Credit Score Car Financing Funding ? Methods for Low Credit ...

[unable to retrieve full-text content]After getting denied out of area put on to, many individuals would imagine that poor credit car financing money is impossible to acquire, and in some cases whenever possible, prices an expensive income. This does not guide ...

Source: http://www.seascape-project.info/low-credit-score-car-financing-funding-methods-for-low-credit-score-car-finance-financing/

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Political Animal - What is College For?

February 12, 2012 8:45 AM What is College For?

By Jesse Singal

Jumping back into our debate from yesterday on the merits and difficulties of asking colleges to collect data about the employment outcomes of their graduates, commenter Some Experience writes:

The? issue that concerns me is the underlying premise that college is a job training program. I fully recognize that college should prepare people for careers, but it strikes me that making the direct connection between your college and your job placement rate will debase the idea of a liberal arts education and the humanities.

In theory, I agree completely. College should be a time to immerse oneself in the liberal arts and explore one?s beliefs and perhaps even take illicit substances and discuss What It All Means with friends while watching what surely must be the most gorgeous sunrise to have ever occurred from a beach (or, if attending school far from the ocean, a 24-hour IHOP parking lot).

In practice, the student loan crisis is so severe that I?m not sure we can afford to take this view of college. Moreover, most students choose to major in a field that has more to do with earning potential than with liberal artsy forms of intellectual edification.

If you told most students, ?Okay, you?re going to go into debt for 25 years and pay about $200,000 over the life of the loan, and in doing so you won?t markedly improve your employment prospects,? it might not be a deal they would take, because most people go to school primarily to increase their earning potential.

Jesse Singal is a former opinion writer for The Boston Globe and former web editor of the Washington Monthly. He is currently a masters student at Princetons Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Policy.

Source: http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal-a/2012_02/what_is_college_for035358.php

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