text:
spp. The faecal antigen capture ELISA and PCR revealed 35% prevalence of C. parvum in contrast to 25% by mZN staining with a relatively higher prevalence (66·7%) in younger (8–14-day-old) calves. The detection rate of the other enteropathogens associated with C. parvum was 45·71% for C. perfringens followed by Salmonella spp (40·0%), rotavirus (36·0%), coronavirus (16·0%), E. coli (12·0%) and Eimeria spp (4·0%) The sensitivity for detection of C. parvum by ELISA and mZN staining in comparison to PCR was 97·14% and 72·72%, respectively. An important finding of the study was that C. parvum alone was found in only 10% of the diarrhoeic faecal samples, whereas, majority of the samples (90%) showed mixed infections ranging from a combination of two to five agents. This is the first documentary proof of C. parvum and associated pathogens responsible for severe periurban outbreaks of bovine calf diarrhoea culminating in heavy mortality from Northern India.
Influenza A(H1N1) viruses of the 2009 pandemic (A(H1N1)pdm09) continue to cause outbreaks in the post-pandemic period. During January to May 2015, an upsurge of influenza was recorded that resulted in high fatality in central India. Genetic lineage, mutations in the hemagglutinin (HA) gene and infection by quasi-species are reported to affect disease severity. The objective of this study is to present the molecular and epidemiological trends during the 2015 influenza outbreak in central India. All the referred samples were subjected to qRT–PCR for diagnosis. HA gene sequencing (23 survivors and 24 non-survivors) and cloning were performed and analyzed using Molecular Evolutionary Genomic Analyzer (MEGA 5·05). Of the 3625 tested samples, 1607 (44·3%) were positive for influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, of which 228 (14·2%) individuals succumbed to death. A significant trend was observed in positivity (P = 0·003) and mortality (P < 0·0001) with increasing age. The circulating A(H1N1)pdm09 virus was characterized as belonging to clade-6B. Clinically significant mutations were detected. Patients infected with the quasi-species of the virus had a greater risk of death (P = 0·009). This study proposes a robust molecular and clinical surveillance program for the detection and characterization of the virus, along with prompt treatment protocols to prevent outbreaks.
Antigenic variation in malaria was discovered in Plasmodium knowlesi studies involving longitudinal infections of rhesus macaques (M. mulatta). The variant proteins, known as the P. knowlesi Schizont Infected Cell Agglutination (SICA) antigens and the P. falciparum Erythrocyte Membrane Protein 1 (PfEMP1) antigens, expressed by the SICAvar and var multigene families, respectively, have been studied for over 30 years. Expression of the SICA antigens in P. knowlesi requires a splenic component, and specific antibodies are necessary for variant antigen switch events in vivo. Outstanding questions revolve around the role of the spleen and the mechanisms by which the expression of these variant antigen families are regulated. Importantly, the longitudinal dynamics and molecular mechanisms that govern variant antigen expression can be studied with P. knowlesi infection of its mammalian and vector hosts. Synchronous infections can be initiated with established clones and studied at multi-omic levels, with the benefit of computational tools from systems biology that permit the integration of datasets and the design of explanatory, predictive mathematical models. Here we provide an historical account of this topic, while highlighting the potential for maximizing the use of P. knowlesi – macaque model systems and summarizing exciting new progress in this area of research.
Background: Insular cortex involvement as a part of epileptogenic zone is often suspected in the context of operculo-insular semiology and can be confirmed by routine interrogation of the insula with stereo-electroencephalography (SEEG). However the safety and efficacy of insular resections remains unclear. Methods: We reviewed all the patients who underwent insular resection for drug-resistant epilepsy, from 2002 – 2016, in the Calgary Epilepsy Program. Details of the comprehensive pre-surgical evaluation, surgery performed, complications and seizure outcome at the latest follow-up were collected. Results: Fifteen patients (8 males, 7 females) with age range 3 – 41 years were identified. MRI was normal in 9 patients. The decision to resect the Insula was made based on clinical semiology and structural and functional imaging in 6 patients and on SEEG findings in 9 patients. Insular resection was total in 11 and partial in 4 patients. Four (26%) patients had transient hemiparesis and 1 patient had permanent mild upper extremity weakness following total resection. After a mean follow-up period of 45.6 months (range 2 – 150 months), 40% of the patients are seizure free. Conclusions: Insular cortex resections for drug resistant epilepsy can be performed safely and may contribute to additional effectiveness in seizure outcomes in patients with challenging extra-temporal epilepsy.
Plasmodium knowlesi is increasingly recognized as a major cause of malaria in Southeast Asia. Anopheles leucosphyrous group mosquitoes transmit the parasite and natural hosts include long-tailed and pig-tailed macaques. Despite early laboratory experiments demonstrating successful passage of infection between humans, the true role that humans play in P. knowlesi epidemiology remains unclear. The threat posed by its introduction into immunologically naïve populations is unknown despite being a public health priority for this region. A two-host species mathematical model was constructed to analyse this threat. Global sensitivity analysis using Monte Carlo methods highlighted the biological processes of greatest influence to transmission. These included parameters known to be influential in classic mosquito-borne disease models (e.g. vector longevity); however, interesting ecological components that are specific to this system were also highlighted: while local vectors likely have intrinsic preferences for certain host species, how plastic these preferences are, and how this is shaped by local conditions, are key determinants of parasite transmission potential. Invasion analysis demonstrates that this behavioural plasticity can qualitatively impact the probability of an epidemic sparked by imported infection. Identifying key vector sub/species and studying their biting behaviours constitute important next steps before models can better assist in strategizing disease control.
Atom probe tomography and transmission electron microscopy are used to analyze magnetron-sputtered MoS2 films containing Ti and Au/Sb2O3 as a model system for tribological coatings. Transmission electron microscopy characterization showed that the Ti–MoS2 film is dense and featureless whereas Sb2O3/Au–MoS2 film is less dense and have columnar morphology. Three-dimensional atom probe reconstructions revealed that the Ti–MoS2 films have a homogeneous composition and contain about 15 at.% Ti, which is uniformly distributed throughout the MoS2 matrix without any evidence of Ti precipitation. Sb2O3/Au–MoS2 films also showed homogeneous distribution of Sb2O3 throughout the MoS2 matrix and the presence of Au-rich precipitates. The complementary techniques of atom probe tomography and transmission electron microscopy indicate that Ti and Sb2O3 incorporation in the deposition of MoS2 produces amorphous microstructures, whereas the addition of Au forms nano-sized and well-dispersed precipitates.


Rythukosam TANA
TANA Agriculture Forum Programs
Abstract: TANA Agriculture forum has identified the following short and long term projects to support Andhra Pradesh and Telangana farmers. Agriculture forum is planning to execute these projects in two different phases with the support of TANA executive committee and sponsors. More details on the significance of each project, cost estimates, and sponsorship forms are included below.
Phase I: Time line: December 2016, during TANA tour to INDIA
 1. TANA-PPE: Distribute Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits to reduce the exposure of farmers/farm workers to toxic pesticides.
 Cost/kit: $12
 3. TANA-Crop Health Camps: Distribute GreenSeeker, a hand held crop nitrogen sensor that assesses crop health and make decisions regarding the amount of nitrogen fertilizer (e.g. urea) to be applied to the crop. This is a quick way of knowing the soil nitrogen status and nitrogen is a critical factor that effects crop yield and water quality
 Cost/unit: $500
 Phase II: Time line: TANA 2017 conference
 5. TANA-Soil Health Camps: Perform soil testing to reduce indiscriminate application of synthetic fertilizers and input costs to the farmer and leave lesser foot print on the environment. The cost estimates will be posted as committee makes progress on technical and feasibility details.
Phase I
Project 1: TANA-PPE
(Distribute Personal Protective Equipment kits to farmers/farm workers)
Importance of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)farmer-pesticideIn agriculture, a wide variety of pesticides are routinely used for controlling crop pests.
Major goalsAlthough these chemicals have been helpful in improving crop yields, they are toxic to humans if they are exposed to them. In villages, our farmers/farm workers apply chemicals using manual pesticide applicators without wearing appropriate PPE, thus exposing themselves to hazardous chemicals like organophosphates. A slow and repeated exposure to these chemicals causes "Chronic Toxicity". In short term such toxic effects may not be realized but long-term exposure to toxic chemicals will have huge implications on human health and leads to death. It's like death in slow motion
While we cannot help eliminate all exposure, we can reduce some of the exposure by providing simple protective equipment like gloves and goggles. TANA would like to distribute PPE Kits (Figure 2) to the pesticide handlers and farm workers in villages of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
rythukosam-poster-3Project 2: TANA-Crop Health Camps
(Distribute GreenSeeker/Nitrogen Fertilizer Application Estimator)
Importance: In India, traditionally farmers apply nitrogen fertilizerhandheld-green-seeker-farmer (urea) uniformly as a blanket recommendation without considering crop type and/or soil nitrogen status to obtain higher crop yields. It has been proven that each crop has specific requirements for nitrogen fertilizer. Low nitrogen application will lead to poor yields. Whereas excessive nitrogen application does not benefit the crop, but increases input costs to the farmer/government and environment pollution. Water soluble nitrate is major component of urea drained into water bodies which is harmful to human and animal health. Furthermore, several factors, including soil type, farm practices, and crop rotations effect the availability of soil nitrogen for crop growth. For example, pulses add more nitrogen to the soil due to their nitrogen fixing ability and corn/rice uptake more nitrogen from the soil. Therefore, identification of optimal nitrogen requirement for each crop is critical to maximize crop yields, reduce input costs and environmental pollution.
In the United States, farmers use various technologies to determine nitrogen fertilizer requirements for optimal crop growth e.g, "GreenSeeker" (Developed by Trimble). GreenSeeker is hand held, user friendly, and cost effective crop sensor device (Figure. 3) that instantly measures crop health and provides a reading (e.g., 0.61), similar to measuring body temperature or blood pressure. The reading will be used to determine the amount of nitrogen fertilizer (urea) required from a reference chart specific for each crop.
Reduces input cost to farmers and subsidy cost to the Government
 - Reduces environmental pollution and protect human and animal health
 - Precision agriculture. As shown in Figure 4, this device can be used to develop a crop health map for the entire field using "Farm Scout App" (free) downloaded on a smart phone/iPad. Based on the field map, different rates of urea could be applied within a field rather than uniform/blanket application to the entire field.
Major goals: As a pilot project
 - 10 units will be distributed to reach stations to optimize conditions and test the applicability of
 Green Seeker on our crop varieties.
 TANA Agriculture forum will develop a Telugu version of easy to use manual for GreenSeeker.
Cost/Unit: $500 (GreenSeeker: $500)
Phase II
Soil Health Camps
(Soil Testing and Create awareness on importance of soil health)
Importance of Soil Testing
Soil is an important natural resource that provides essential nutrients required for crop growth. Humans without sound health cannot perform normal functions. Likewise, without having sound health, soil cannot provide favorable environment for optimal crop growth and leads to reduced crop yields. Like we perform routine health checkups to know the health status of our body, soil health needs to be tested periodically. In the past, unknowingly, farmers have taken care of soil health by following good cultural practices, such as applying manures and growing nitrogen fixing crops etc. As the technology has advanced, farmers are depending more on synthetic fertilizers and using them indiscriminately, without knowing what is deficient in the soil. The indiscriminate use of fertilizers not only wastes money but also contributes to environmental pollution. For example, if Phosphorus is low and Potash is high in the soil, one can take the money from Potash and put into Phosphorus. If both are high, fertilizer application can be minimized, which saves money and helps the environment. If both are low, both should be applied to bring their levels up to the levels required for optimal crop growth. Therefore, it is necessary to determine soil health periodically and the only way it can be done is by testing soils.
Benefits of Soil testing
 - Diagnoses whether there is too little or too much of a given nutrient in the soil.
 - Encourages optimal plant growth and increase crop yields by providing the best fertilizer (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potash) recommendations.
 - Saves money that might otherwise be spent on unneeded fertilizer.
 - Reduces environmental pollution by reducing indiscriminate fertilizer application.
Major Gaps in the Current Soil Testing System
 1. Lack of awareness on the importance of soil testing
 3. We have well established soil testing laboratories. However, the biggest issue with soil testing in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana areas has been the turnaround time. Often times it takes several months before the soil test results are communicated to farmers. Hence, a farmer cannot take appropriate measures to correct defects in soils on time.
 5. Less efficient manual soil sample collection processes.
Major goals
TANA Agriculture committee is looking at various options to improve the efficiency of soil testing processes. Committee is hoping to identify a feasible technology to fill gaps in existing soil testing processes and create awareness on the importance of soil testing among farmers.
Sponsorship Form
 1. Name of the Sponsor: ________________________________
 3. Sponsor contact address:____________________________________________
 5. Phone:_____________________________________
 9. Program you would like to sponsor
 Person Protection Equipment (PPE)-$12/kit
 Green Seeker-$500/unit
 11. Payments details: Make payments online via TANA online donation portal _URL_ and select the RYTHUKOSAM TANA program
under the donations drop down menu. NO amount is small amount and all donors will be appropriately recognized in our event. Thank you for being part of sustainable Indian Agriculture in 21st Century and Protect the Natural Resources for Future Generations
Agricultural Forum
Dr. Janaiah Kota
_PHONE_
Dr. Subbarao Yarlagadda
_PHONE_
Dr. Hanumaiah Bandla
_PHONE_
Srinivas Davuluri
_PHONE_


text:
Recording a macro is a great way to perform a one-time task, or to get things done quickly when you don't want to mess with Vim script or mappings, or if you do not yet know how to do it more elegantly.
In Vim, the word "macro" may refer to:
- A sequence of commands recorded to a register (this tip).
- A mapping to expand a sequence of typed keys to a longer sequence (see tutorial).
- A script written in the Vim script language (stored in a file with extension
.vim– see :help script).
Recording a macroEdit
Each register is identified by a letter
To enter a macro, type:
To execute the macro times (once by default), type:
So, the complete process looks like:
| || start recording to register |
| ||your complex series of commands|
| ||stop recording|
| ||execute your macro|
| ||execute your macro again|
Running a macroEdit
Use this mapping as a convenient way to play a macro recorded to register
:nnoremap _USER_
- Start recording keystrokes by typing
- End recording with
q(first press Escape if you are in insert mode).
- Play the recorded keystrokes by hitting space.
Suppose you have a macro which operates on the text in a single line. You can run the macro on each line in a visual selection in a single operation:
- Visually select some lines (for example, type
vipto select the current paragraph).
:normal _USER_ run the macro from register
qon each line.
Viewing a macroEdit
You can use the
:registers command to view the current contents of any or all register values in Vim. For example, use
:reg to view all registers, or
:reg a to view only what you have recorded into register
:reg abx will show the contents of registers a, b, and x.
Saving a macroEdit
There are two primary ways of saving a macro for later use.
The simplest way occurs by default if you run Vim in nocompatible mode (which is the default if you have a vimrc). Simply by including the proper text in your
'viminfo' option or leaving the nocompatible default alone, Vim will automatically write all your registers to a file and restore them at startup.
By default, the content of each register is saved, and will be available next time you run Vim. For example, you might record a macro to register
a, then exit from Vim with
:q!. On restarting Vim, you can press
_USER_ to run the macro from register
viminfo' option can disable the saving of registers. If
:set viminfo? shows a value including (for example)
s10 then up to 50 lines and 10KB will be saved in each register. If either item is zero, no registers are saved. :help 'viminfo'
The second way to save a macro for later use (especially if you think you might overwrite the macro by accident, therefore restoring the wrong value from the viminfo file) is to use a let command in your vimrc.
For a very simple example, suppose you have recorded a macro to jump to the first occurrence of the letter a in a line into register a, using the following key sequence in normal mode:
If you want to restore this macro whenever you start Vim, regardless of what might be in your viminfo file, you would edit your vimrc and add the following line:
Assuming that you already have the macro recorded, you can easily insert the register contents rather that typing them all again. While entering the above line, after typing
let _USER_=', simply type Ctrl-R Ctrl-R a to insert the contents of the
a register. The double Ctrl-R is to insert the contents literally, rather than interpreting them as if typed.
Single quote characters (') are recommended and used in the above examples, because they allow you to type almost everything literally, whereas in double-quotes (") you need to escape certain characters. Compare '\1\2\3"abc"' with "\\1\\2\\3\"abc\"", for example. However, if your register must itself contain single quote characters, you use a second single-quote character to escape it. For example, if you want your register to contain "Vim's quote handling is a little tricky" you would type
:let _USER_='"Vim''s quote handling is a little tricky"'
Note however, that the above method using
:let will not work as expected for any macros which you make ending in a or character (carriage return or newline). This is because, as documented in :help :let-@, Vim will treat the register as "linewise" under these conditions. The reason for this is to make registers set with
:let act "the right way" when dealing with yanked/deleted text, but it can cause headaches when dealing with recorded macros. Possible workarounds include using the setreg() function or adding "no-op" commands to the end of the macro, such as
a. See the discussion on vim_dev about unexpected behavior of the :let command for details.
Appending to a macroEdit
If you have recorded a macro that is almost right, but you need to add a few commands to it, you can easily append the commands to an existing macro instead of recording the whole thing over again. Simply replace the register letter with a capital letter.
For example, if you recorded into register
qa...q, you could add to the macro (without replacing it) using
Editing a macroEdit
Suppose that you have recorded a macro in register
a and you would like to edit the macro. The procedure is explained above, but here is a summary of the steps:
- Press Ctrl-R Ctrl-R
ato insert the current contents of register
a(type Ctrl-R twice to insert the register exactly).
- Edit the text as required.
- Append an apostrophe (
') to finish the command, and press Enter.
:reg ato view the new value in the register.
_USER_ execute the contents of register
Note the caveat above about macros which end in or .
- Record a recursive macro
- Reversing order of blocks of text example of recording a macro to move blocks
- Using command-line history repeating ex commands without a macro
- Recursive repeats for quick editing of structured text
- Easy playback of recorded keys
- Recording keys for repeated jobs
Todo: Need a couple more simple examples.
Is it possible to have different sets of registers for different jobs, par example one set for editing xsl files with shortcuts for various tags in them, another one for editing html, xml, sql etc.? --annonymous user
- No, this is not possible. Registers in Vim are global across the entire Vim instance, unlike mappings, abbreviations, etc. which can be local to a buffer. --Fritzophrenic (talk) 21:49, January 15, 2013 (UTC)
- I should say "not possible without some scripting". There is a BufEnter and BufLeave autocmd event, and also a FileType event, which could be combined with saving and restoring of every single named register if desired. I know of no existing plugins which do this. --Fritzophrenic (talk) 21:51, January 15, 2013 (UTC)

source: HuggingFaceFW/fineweb-edu


text:
You write the scale as "1:22,000.000" with a comma and a period. Do you mean "1:22,000,000" or "1:22,000"?
The scale in a map is 1:22,000.000. Two cities are distant from New York 4 and 6cm, respectively. If a road was built connecting the three cities, what would the minimum extention of this road?
In my opinion, the minimun extension would be 6cm x 22million, which out result in 132,000.000 centimeters or 1320 kilometers. But the book says the correct answer would be 220km. Could anyone explain to me what did I do wrong? Cheers
You seem to be right in saying that the shortest possible road to build between the cities, going from the information provided, is 1320 kilometres. I assume you're thinking along these lines:
The book authors seem to think that this is the shortest road to build, given the information:
If you haven't omitted any crucial information regarding the problem, I can only say that you're right and that the authors of the book are totally wrong. They have simply forgotten that city A can lie inbetween New York and city B. Also they seem to have problems converting between centimetres and kilometres.

source: openbmb/Ultra-FineWeb


text:
FARM-Africa are asking their supporters to 'give their honey a bee' this Valentine's Day and help them to continue changing lifes in Africa. For only £15 the lucky recipient will receive a model bee, charity gift pack, plus information on how the money raised is helping people less fortunate.
FARM-Africa help farmers like Raphael in eastern Africa. Raphael lives in the Nou Forest, Tanzania, with his wife, three sons and three daughters. He has always used the forest as his main source of income, sourcing and selling honey to others in his village. He used to harvest honey from traditional log hives that were set high up in the trees. The hives were very hard to access and produced little honey. The demand for honey in his village was growing but he could not produce enough to keep up.
Raphael became a member of the Mkombozi beekeeping group, which was set up in 2008 by FARM-Africa. He was shown how to improve his honey production using langstroth hives and modern beekeeping techniques. The new hives are easier to use and mean Raphael is producing enough honey for his family, as well as surplus to sell in his village. The money he earns helps buy essential goods such as food and water for his family.
So why not 'get buzzy' and bestow on your honey a bee from FARM-Africa this weekend, and help more farmers fight hunger and provide for their families.
Other top charity gifts


text:
Title | Students with Learning Disabilities and the Process of Writing: A Meta-Analysis of SRSD Studies
Author | Graham, S., & Harris, K. R.
Source | In H. L. Swanson, K. R. Harris, & S. Graham (Eds.), Handbook of learning disabilities (pp. 323-344). New York: Guilford Press.
Year Published | 2003
The Handbook of Learning Disabilities (LD) is an edited compendium comprised of contributions from over 55 of the leading scholars involved in LD research. Contributing authors were charged with reviewing the major theoretical, methodological, and instructional advances that have occurred in the field over the last 20 years. This particular article appears as Chapter 20 in the 3rd section of the book, "Effective Instruction."
In the last two decades of the 20th century, research on writing expanded from studies of mechanics and grammar to examinations of what good writers do and the strategies students can master to improve the content and quality of their writing. Skilled writers spend time planning, monitoring, evaluating, revising, and managing the writing process. Students with learning disabilities (LD), on the other hand, often do not employ any of these skills.
Self-regulated strategy development (SRSD) is a method designed to help students learn, use, and eventually adopt as their own, the strategies used by skilled writers. SRSD is more than simply strategy instruction, however. It promotes self-regulation skills, content knowledge, and motivation.
There are five fundamental characteristics of SRSD instruction:
- Explicit and extensive instruction on writing strategies, self-regulation, and appropriate content knowledge is provided.
- Interactive learning and active collaboration from the students are encouraged.
- Instruction is individualized to the student's needs and abilities using feedback and support.
- Students are self-paced, but must meet certain criteria before moving from one stage of instruction to the next.
- New strategies and new ways to use previously taught strategies are continually introduced.
- This meta-analysis examines the use of SRSD methods for teaching writing to students with learning disabilities.
This synthesis was done to examine the effects of self-regulated strategy development (SRSD) methods for children and adolescents with learning disabilities (LD). This meta-analysis sought to answer these questions:
- Do SRSD interventions improve the writing performance of students with LD?
- Does SRSD improve the revision skills of students with LD?
- Are students able to maintain and generalize their acquired SRSD abilities?
- Is SRSD more effective with younger or older children?
- Are teachers able to apply SRSD methods effectively?
- Are certain components of SRSD more important than others?
- Number of Studies Included | 18
- Number of Subjects | N/A
- Years Spanned | _PHONE_
Students with LD in 2nd – 8th grade.
Age/Grade of Subjects
Most participants were in grades 2-8. The median grade was 5th.
In order to be included in the meta-analysis, subjects had to be diagnosed or described as having one or more of the following: learning disabilities (LD); dsygraphia; mild mental retardation; LD/gifted; poor writing skills.
Participants received self-regulated strategy development (SRSD) interventions.
Duration of Intervention
The number of weeks or sessions of SRSD instruction in each of these studies was not provided, however maintenance tests were reportedly given in 2-14 week intervals.
- Self-regulated strategy development (SRSD) interventions improve the writing performance of students with LD, poor writers, and average students.
- SRSD had moderate to strong effects on improving the revision skills of students with LD.
- Students with LD strongly maintained their acquired SRSD abilities to make substantive revisions to their writing, but their abilities to make surface-level revisions were less well maintained. Both poor writers and students with LD were able to generalize the writing and revising strategies they learned during SRSD instruction to new writing genres and settings.
- SRSD is effective with both elementary (2nd through 6th grade) and middle school (7th and 8th grade) children. SRSD had a greater effect on the average writing quality of elementary school students, and the composition length of middle school students, but there was no clear difference in writing elements/structure scores based on age.
- SRSD was effective regardless of whether students were taught by researchers or their regular classroom teacher. Students who were tested right after the implementation phase of SRSD instruction performed slightly better if they were taught by one of the study researchers. However, students taught by their classroom teachers preformed better on maintenance and generalization of SRSD strategies.
- Components of SRSD related to self-regulation (i.e. goal setting, self-monitoring, self-recording, self-statements, and teacher modeling) significantly impact the writing performance of students with LD.
Combined Effects Size
The overall mean effect sizes for children with and without learning disabilities (LD) using SRSD were significant. When individual components of writing were tested separately, SRSD was found to be highly effective for improving writing skills in both average and LD students. Effect sizes were broken down by the following writing components:
- Writing quality (LD students = ES of 1.14, Students overall = 1.47)
- Elements (LD students = ES of 2.15, Students overall = 1.87)
- Story Grammar (LD students = ES of 3.52, Students overall = 3.52)
- Length (LD students = ES of 1.86, Students overall = 2.07)
For practice: The results of this meta-analysis support the use of self-regulated strategy development (SRSD) to improve the writing skills of students with learning disabilities (LD), as well as poor and average writers. SRSD appears to be a very versatile form of writing instruction. It is effective for both students with and without LD, a variety of ages, different teachers, and various writing genres. Classroom teachers were shown to implement SRSD effectively, improving the writing performance of students with learning disabilities and average writers alike.
For research: The authors discuss several weaknesses within the current research base and suggest subsequent investigations that:
- Independently evaluate SRSD. Harris and Graham were the authors of 14 of the 18 studies in this meta-analysis, and their former students and colleagues accounted for the rest.
- Examine how maintenance and generalization of SRSD skills can be further fostered and supported.


income distribution
The distribution of wages earned across a company, industry, or country. Income distribution reveals what percentage of individuals are at various wage levels, information that can reveal more about overall wage patterns than average income can.
Use income distribution in a sentence
specified investment flow-through tax (SIFT) specified investment flow-through trust (SIFT)


text:
palatogram is an image of the region of the upper surface of the vocal tract
contacted by the tongue due to a consonant. The best way to obtain such an
image is to coat the tongue with a mixture of equal parts olive oil and
activated charcoal powder and record the resulting transfer of pigment.
The process is as follows:
- To protect the subject, one should use latex type gloves and
preferably a surgical mask.
- Mix the olive oil and the activated charcoal powder.
- Apply mixture to the speaker's whole tongue with a paintbrush
or Q-Tip. NOTE: In case of dripping, one should cover the speaker's
clothes before applying the mixture.
- Ask the speaker to produce a word that contains the target sound
(The word should not include any other sounds that make contact with the
- Use a mirror (preferably a sterilized inter-oral mirror), and
place it inside the speaker's mouth at a 45O angle with respect
to the plane of the teeth.
Fig 1: Diagram showing relative position of
the elements required to record the palatogram.
- Use a camera or video camera to photograph the mirror's
reflection of the place of articulation depicted by the imprint.
- If a video camera is used, the image can be transferred
directly to a computer for further processing as described in "How to Capture Video for use on the Mac."
- Once the image has been recorded, have the speaker rinse out
his/her mouth with lemonade (or lemon juice in water).
Fig 2: Palatogram; still image digitized
from video. Orientation: Upper teeth are shown at top and
reflected in the mirror at bottom.


text:
By John Myers
Even if scientists, regulators, politicians and industry leaders find common ground on how much sulfate is too much for wild rice, the issue of sulfate in Minnesota waterways isn't going away.
Scientists studying wetlands in northern Minnesota recently published the findings of a study that ties elevated sulfate to elevated toxic mercury levels and shows that, when sulfate stops flowing into a wetland, the level of toxic mercury goes back down.
"Sulfate is an issue even if and where wild rice is not," said Ed Swain, research scientist for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and a national authority on mercury in the environment.
Scientists know the same bacteria that convert sulfate to hydrogen sulfide, which might damage wild rice, are the same ones that convert benign mercury that falls from the sky into methyl mercury — the toxic form of mercury that is unsafe for animals and humans in large doses.
That means the more sulfate, the more active the bacteria, and the more bacteria, the more mercury turns toxic, at least in areas of low oxygen, such as underwater in wetlands.
Swain said added sulfate will not stimulate bacterial growth if there is no organic matter such as plants and weeds. Wetlands and lakes that have a lot of plant growth would be much more affected by an increase in sulfate than a fast-moving stream that has a gravel bottom and little organic matter, he added. Added sulfate from human activity also has more impact in waters that had been low in sulfate naturally.
Mercury "concentrations in fish may be the result of increased sulfate" in what had been low-sulfate waters, an earlier study by Minnesota scientists notes. A study published this summer by Minnesota scientists in the journal Environmental Science & Technology confirmed the correlation.
Scientists are also tracking down a link between sulfate in the water and higher levels of phosphate, a key ingredient in algae blooms. That may be why some lakes that have seen increased levels of sulfate are showing signs of rapid aging, with more weeds and algae growth, a process called eutrophication.
When bacteria convert sulfate to sulfide, it releases phosphate from sediment into the water, Swain noted, making it available for algae. That's because phosphate is usually held in the sediment by iron, but sulfide binds with iron so that it no longer holds onto the phosphate.
Meanwhile, higher water temperatures from a warming climate may be bolstering the bacteria that make all the conversions possible.
The mercury comes from all over the world, going up in smoke from power plants as far away as China, and as close as taconite plants on the Iron Range. The sulfate also can come from all over the world, in the form of acid rain, but also originates locally, in the runoff from mining operations.
Suddenly, sulfate has become a hot topic in Minnesota environmental protection. And officials agree that efforts to reduce the flow of sulfate into the environment are only likely to grow.
"Its time has come," Mark Tomasek, the PCA's supervisor of water quality standards, said of sulfate.
In the past, the primary source of human-caused sulfate increases came for acid rain. But rain has been getting less acidic for more than 20 years, thanks to controls on coal-burning power plants and other manufacturing.
Now, the main sources of sulfate to Minnesota streams are municipal and industrial wastewater discharges and diffuse sources such as runoff from waste rock piles on the Iron Range, Swain said.
Nancy Schuldt, water quality coordinator for the Fond du Lac band's environmental program, said the PCA is late to the game in addressing the sulfate issue. Sulfate should have been a key part of water pollution permits for industry for decades, she said. But the state only recently began raising the issue, prompting vocal resistance from industry and the Legislature.
"We've been concerned about sulfate for years," Schuldt said. "We're hoping this means the state is going to take it seriously."
Sulfate naturally leaches from rock and soil. But it is often seen at higher levels in some areas because of human activity, such as mining, mills and treatment plants. Some sulfate comes from the sky during rain and snow. And some runs off the land as water flows into local streams and lakes. On the Iron Range, it's coming out of wastewater ponds and old stockpiles of mine rubble left behind by operations long since closed.
The St. Louis River, for example, appears to have had a natural sulfate level of about 3 parts per million. But below mining areas, the river runs as high as 50 parts per million sulfate.
Research by Department of Natural Resources scientists, however, notes that the amount of methyl mercury in streams below mining areas is about the same as nearby streams that don't see runoff from mining, water where any sulfate would come from air pollution or naturally, hinting that sulfate from mining isn't the reason fish have more toxic mercury.
Another nearly $1 million study under way by the DNR this summer seeks to find a connection, if any, between Iron Range mining, sulfate and high toxic mercury levels in fish, also looking at whether high iron concentrations and other elements in the water may play a role.
In other parts of the state, ethanol plants appear to be contributing sulfate into waterways, Swain said, and humans also pass it on to wastewater treatment plants.
By John Myers


text:
Staten Island Advance
Thanks to the Huguenot school's innovative online platform and a digital "Blackboard System," Sea debuted a "virtual day of school."
This meant students did not have to be physically present to attend class, but they had to "be present."
How does that work, exactly?
On a virtual day, teachers at Sea post a lesson, accompanied by an assignment. Students must logon between 8:05 a.m. and noon and begin at least one lesson to be considered present for the day.
All the assignments were due by 11:59 p.m.
"I have to tell you, I think it's very innovative," says Annadale resident Lori Argento, a Sea alumna. "I put it into perspective and compared it to when I was working. On a day like today I would work from home instead of taking a vacation day. Why waste the day?"
Sea principal Father Michael Reilly puts it this way: "Almost every college uses Blackboard to offer their students entire courses online. So, certainly, we can use it to offer them online instruction on days when the weather precludes coming to school.
Reilly says the real advantage is not having "to make up the days in June when the weather is nice. From what I've seen so far, the students are heavily engaged on the instruction process today."
For students who needed assistance with the assignments, an online help desk was available. According to Reilly, almost half the students in his classes had completed their assignments.
"Given the choice between trudging through the snow or a digital school day, I'll take the latter," says Grace Garlisi, a Sea student. "While this definitely isn't a day off from school — we had a lot of work to do — it is a day outside of the classroom."
Thomas Marotte, a Sea sophomore, says he prefers a virtual day to trudging into class with so much snow on the ground: "It wasn't bad at all. We still enjoyed a day being home while also keeping pace with our school work."
Other reactions from the Sea community were similarly positive.
What do you think? Should students be required to do complete assignments on snow days? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.
Dr. Sara Guariglia, Vice Principal Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM): "The Virtual Day is very helpful to teachers because we do not have to lose instructional time. We were able to post lectures, PowerPoint slides videos and other instructional tools along with assessments to keep our students progressing through their studies."
Joseph Gorgorglione, Vice Principal of Academics: "Today's 'Virtual School Day' is a great example, using a great combination of teacher-led-activities with self and peer learning techniques. Utilizing the technology already in their hands, students and teachers are ensuring the planned lessons and activities are progressing even when safety issues prevent access to the school building."
Stephen Amato, Director of Information Technology: "Our SOLE program allows students to enhance the best aspects of their social-media-digital-generation and turn that into unique ways to learn, both on their own and in the classroom."
Eileen Marotte, Parent: "As a parent who would have to struggle with the decision of letting my sons miss school or risk going, I think a virtual day is a perfect compromise, plus as a bonus I had them home to shovel. We love the direction St. Joseph by the Sea is going in."
Clement Marotte, Sea Senior: "I'm glad I get to go to a school that's so technologically advanced, and that they are able to keep their students safe."
Kristine Garlisi, Parent: "While most families welcome the peace of mind that accompanies a school closure due to snow, not everyone welcomes the impact the closures have on the school calendar later in the year. A Digital Day is a happy medium that allows for students' safety, the continuity of academics, and a natural expansion of the technology and college preparatory environment that Sea offers."


text:
This week is Tongan Language Week – Uike Kātoanga'i 'o e Lea Faka-Tonga. This is the second blog post for this week where the Pacific Cultures team highlight collection items that relate to Tongan language and culture.
This is a kumete, a wooden bowl used in Tongan communities for the preparation of kava, a beverage made from the roots of the kava plant. A person preparing kava will crush the roots into a powder-like form before mixing it in a bowl with water to suitable strength and taste.
The most important use of kava is in meetings and ceremonies. Important guests and occasions are honoured with the formal serving of kava in coconut shell cups. Kava is also consumed informally, sometimes in kava clubs. While these informal kava drinking circles are often social, they are also important venues for the preservation of Tongan language and culture. Conversation, song, humour and even relationships are nurtured around the bowl through the sharing of the beverage among family and friends.
At Te Papa we collect tangible items associated with kava drinking such as kumete, kava cups and photography of specific events. However, just as interesting are the intangible elements of culture that make these artefacts significant – the stories, tales and cultural practices.
Watch this video clip from the Tales from Te Papa series where the Reverend Tevita Finau explains how kava drinking can play a role in the arts of Tongan courtship. Click here to Go to video.
Look out too for the Tales from Te Papa book available from Te Papa Press: _URL_


text:
UF scientist links bacterium to kidney stone prevention
GAINESVILLE, Fla.— Dietary supplementation with a beneficial bacterium that plays a key role in breaking down a substance linked to kidney stone formation could someday prevent stone disease in people, a University of Florida researcher and his colleagues have discovered.
Giving rats high doses of a naturally occurring intestinal bacterium called Oxalobacter formigenes safely lowers chronically high levels of oxalate – a byproduct of digestion that is a major cause of kidney stones – to near normal, the scientists reported in the October issue of The Journal of Urology.
Scientists at UF and other institutions previously linked kidney stone formation to a lack of O. formigenes in the body, but the article provides the first published evidence that supplementation with the bacteria may help prevent stone formation. The research was conducted in collaboration with scientists at Ixion Biotechnology, a UF technology licensee located in Alachua, Fla.
UF and Ixion researchers are now developing the bacterium as a treatment for kidney stone disease in people. They are in the process of seeking approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to begin testing in humans a frozen form of the bacterium that would be mixed with a beverage and consumed. The National Institutes of Health has awarded Ixion a small business grant of $786,000 over the next two years to develop the bacterium into pill form.
"Outside of attempts to change people's dietary habits, which are not very successful on a long-term basis, there has been a lack of successful treatment for lowering oxalate levels," said Dr. Ammon B. Peck, a professor of pathology, immunology and laboratory medicine at UF's College of Medicine.
"This particular treatment is such a simple process, and if its safety and efficacy holds up in humans, it certainly will be a major step forward for individuals suffering from this disease. We're very optimistic that this will be something that we can bring to the public fairly soon," said Peck, who also is the chief scientist at Ixion, where the research was conducted.
Kidney stone disease is a painful and costly disorder that afflicts about 5 percent to 10 percent of people worldwide. More than three-quarters of stones form because of excessive oxalate, which binds with calcium to form crystals that become stones. Oxalate is found in high concentrations in many foods, including asparagus, tea, broccoli, peanut butter, spinach and chocolate. The disease is more common in men and in certain geographic regions. About $2.5 billion is spent annually treating it, including surgically removing stones or repeatedly aiming high-energy sound waves at them until they disintegrate – therapies that can damage the kidneys.
O. formigenes could be the newest member of a class of beneficial bacteria called medical probiotics, used to treat a variety of conditions. Currently, the most common is Lactobacillus, which is found in active-culture yogurt and other supplements and has been shown to prevent or treat diarrhea.
For the current study, supported by a $26,000 grant from the Ross Products Division of Abbott Laboratories, 26 rats received high doses of oxalate, predisposing them to kidney stone formation. Using cultures of O. formigenes grown from a sample originally obtained from a wild rat, researchers gave groups of the study animals four different doses of the bacterium through a feeding tube during a two-week period. A control group was fed a normal diet and did not receive the bacterial supplement.
Within two days of starting the supplementation, urinary levels of oxalate declined in rats fed the high-oxalate diet. The higher the dose of the bacterium the rats received, the less oxalate excreted through the kidneys. In animals receiving the highest doses of O. formigenes, the amount of oxalate present in the urine dropped to the levels found in the control group.
During the treatment period and for four weeks afterward, all the rats remained healthy and showed no adverse effects.
First discovered in sheep in the mid-1980s by co-researcher Milton J. Allison, a University of Iowa microbiologist, O. formigenes is a useful bacterium that people pick up from the environment from about 1 to 3 years of age. It is present in the intestinal tracts of almost every animal species UF researchers have tested, but is susceptible to antibiotics, dietary changes, health conditions and unknown environmental factors.
"People who get stones more than once are more likely to keep getting them, and we have found that people who make a lot of stones lack the O. formigenes bacteria necessary to degrade oxalate from the body in order to prevent kidney stone disease," said Harmeet Sidhu, vice president and director of research for Ixion's oxalate division, and the paper's principal author. Prior to joining Ixion, Sidhu was a visiting scientist at UF.
"Because this bacterium is something that nature has provided, it can be a good way of preventing absorption of oxalate from the diet. And the most important thing is that this treatment proved very safe. It did not have any toxic effects, even in laboratory rats that did not have the bacteria normally and had never been exposed to it before," she said.


text:
Chapter I presents general information about landfill leachate, characteristics of leachates in Vietnam and review of general leachates treatment situation in the country.
In chapter II, a careful bibliographical study on biological processes of nitrification and denitrification is done.
In chapter III, existing activated sludge models are briefly reviewed, focusing on ASM1 and ASM3. The ASM3 model then is studied in more detail with focuses on state variables, processes; kinetic and stoichiometric parameters of the model.
A careful bibliographical study on sequencing batch reactor (SBR) is done in chapter IV. Chapter V presents materials and methods that will be applied in the experiments in laboratories and modelling processes of this study.
In chapter VI, an SBR bench-scale is set up in the laboratory to study partial nitrification process.
Chapter VII presents the experimental studies on maximum nitrification and denitrification capability, then determination of kinetic and stoichiometric parameters that will be used for calibration in the next steps.
Chapter VIII presents a study on partial nitrification by applying data analysis and experimental planning method.
In chapter IX (the key part of the Thesis), the modelling of the partial nitrification and denitrification in SBR is presented.
It is hoped that, this study will contribute to the major issue of leachate treatment in Vietnam, especially in the North of the country where leachate characteristics and variations are the same as what was used during our experiments.
Partial nitrification seems to be easily achieved in an SBR bench-scale using leachate in Nam Son landfill site. Some important characteristics of the studied leachate, are high alkalinity, high pH leading to high free ammonia concentration in the system. This free ammonia is known as a growth rate inhibitor for nitrite oxidizing bacteria, thus limiting oxidation of nitrite to nitrate and accumulating nitrite during the nitrification period. DO concentration is also known as an important influencing factor in partial nitrification in many previous studies. But in our case, its influence is just significant when the nitrification process is nearly complete: no more ammonium remains in the system, alkalinity concentration is reduced leading to a lower buffer capacity, lower pH, and then nitrite is easily oxidized to nitrate. A sufficiently high DO concentration in this case, expresses its importance in bringing about the best nitrification efficiency, while saving aeration energy.
The SBR technique has demonstrated its advantages, especially the flexibility in changing the working volume, and the operating time.
Modeling of partial nitrification and denitrification processes for landfill leachate treatment using the SBR technique was the main objective of this study. The simulation software - WEST® program was very useful tool to implement this task. With this program, the available model base for activated sludge model (ASM1, ASM 2, ASM 3 etc,), presented in the Peterson matrix, the variables, kinetic, stoichiometric parameters, processes can be easily modified to another activated sludge model suitable in the scope of our study. In the present case, based on the ASM3, the ASM3_2step was developed and applied, in which nitrification and denitrification are divided into two steps with nitrite as an intermediate product. The modified ASM3_2step has shown its high accuracy during calibration process. It could be use also for the other processes/techniques using activated sludge, by adding more equations and parameters.
Calibration and validation were implemented for two cases: Partial nitrification and denitrification with and without carbon addition. Good results were obtained where the simulations fit well the experimental data. The kinetic and stoichiometric parameters found are very important for the other simulations, especially in process optimisation.
It also demonstrates that, through process optimisation, general productivity of the SBR system can be increased. Controlling DO, changing operating time cycle mechanisms can improve the total nitrogen removal efficiency, save some aeration energy for nitrification and carbon source for denitrification.
As our results are very promising, the next step could be to implement the ANAMMOX process.
Key words: Partial nitrification and denitrification, ASM3_2steps, SBR, modeling.


text:
In the world of wireless networking, IT professionals seek to expand their knowledge and skills to meet the demands of their organizations better. One of the credible certifications in this field is the Huawei HCIE-WLAN V1.0 Exam. This certification validates the knowledge and expertise of a wireless network engineer in deploying, managing, and troubleshooting wireless networks. In this blog, we will explore the structure, content, and benefits of the Huawei HCIE-WLAN V1.0 Exam.
HCIE-WLAN V1.0 Exam Structure
The Huawei HCIE-WLAN V1.0 exam is a 90-minute exam with 60 questions. It is divided into two parts: the theoretical part and the lab part. The theoretical part consists of 40 questions that test your knowledge of WLAN principles, technologies, and protocols. On the other hand, the lab part consists of 20 questions that assess your practical skills and ability to solve wireless network issues.
HCIE-WLAN V1.0 Exam Content
The Huawei HCIE-WLAN V1.0 exam covers many topics, including WLAN planning and design, WLAN network construction, WLAN network optimization, WLAN security, and troubleshooting. Candidates must demonstrate their expertise in these areas by answering questions on WLAN radio frequency (RF) principles, WLAN authentication and encryption, WLAN load balancing, and mobility.
The Huawei HCIE-WLAN V1.0 certification provides numerous benefits to IT professionals seeking to enhance their careers in wireless networking:
- The certification is globally recognized and respected, making it a valuable asset to your resume.
- The certification validates your knowledge and skills in wireless networking, giving you a competitive edge in the job market.
- The certification enables you to work with Huawei wireless products and technologies, opening up opportunities for collaboration and networking.
Preparing for the HCIE-WLAN V1.0 Exam
To prepare for the Huawei HCIE-WLAN V1.0 exam, you must have a solid foundation in wireless networking principles, technologies, and protocols. You can enroll in training courses, read relevant books and blogs, or participate in online forums and communities—additionally, practice lab exercises and simulations to enhance your practical skills and prepare for the lab-based questions. Finally, take practice exams to evaluate your readiness for the exam and identify areas needing more attention.
When taking the Huawei HCIE-WLAN V1.0 exam, it is essential to read the instructions and questions thoroughly to understand the requirements and avoid mistakes. Manage your time wisely by allocating enough time for the theoretical and lab parts, and avoid spending too much time on a single question. Finally, remain calm and focused throughout the exam and trust yourself and your skills.
H12-351 Exam Online Training Material offers:
– 100 hours of advanced content.
– Realistic exam simulator for complex scenarios.
– 24/7 expert support for prompt issue resolution.
– Digital HCIE-WLAN V1.0, exam preparation materials featuring challenging sample questions.
– Expert instructions and corrections for refining skills.
H12-351 Exam Prep Training Portal Features
– On-demand access to advanced training materials.
– Logical organization of content for effective learning.
– Interactive chat functionality for engaging learning experiences.
– Built-in practice exams for comprehensive preparation.
Who Should Use the Training Materials
These online training materials cater to individuals preparing for the HCIE-WLAN V1.0 exam, ensuring they meet the certification requirements outlined on the application process page. Aspiring candidates benefit from an interactive learning experience, including simulations and practice exams, to enhance their readiness for the exam. The materials provide detailed explanations and additional resources, maximizing users' learning potential. The training materials enable candidates to navigate exam objectives efficiently, offering valuable hands-on experience in an interactive environment. The comprehensive set of practice tests and simulations helps build confidence, and the online learning platform provides real-time feedback on identified errors in the training material, along with expert instructor support.
Why Choose Us?
– Recognized as a leading online training materials provider.
– Regularly updated content covering all advanced exam objectives.
– Answers verified by subject matter experts.
– Demonstrates a high pass rate among similar vendors.
– 24/7 customer support for prompt assistance.
– Fast delivery of materials.


The user interface (UI) is a critical part of any software product. When it's done well, users don't even notice it. When it's done poorly, users can't get past it to efficiently use a product. To increase the chances of success when creating user interfaces, most designers follow interface design principles. Interface design principles represent high-level concepts that are used to guide software design. In this article, I'll share a few fundamental principles. These are based on Jakob Nielsen's 10 Usability Heuristics for UI Design, Ben Shneiderman's The Eight Golden Rules of Interface Design, and Bruce Tognazzini's Principles of Interaction Design. Most of the principles are applicable to any interactive systems — traditional GUI environments (such as desktop and mobile apps, websites) and non-GUI interfaces (such as voice-based interaction systems).
The UI design principals are:
 1. Place users in control of the interface
 2. Make it comfortable to interact with a product
 3. Reduce cognitive load
 4. Make user interfaces consistent
1. Place users in control of the interface
Good UIs instill a sense of control in their users. Keeping users in control makes them comfortable; they will learn quickly and gain a fast sense of mastery.
Make actions reversible – be forgiving
This rule means that the user should always be able to quickly backtrack whatever they are doing. This allows users to explore the product without the constant fear of failure — when a user knows that errors can be easily undone, this encourages exploration of unfamiliar options. On the contrary, if a user has to be extremely careful with every action they take, it leads to a slower exploration and nerve-racking experience that no one wants.
Perhaps the most common GUIs where users have the 'Undo/Redo' option are text and graphics editors. While writing text or creating graphics, 'Undo' lets users make changes and go back step-by-step through changes that were made. 'Redo' lets users undo the undo, which means that once they go back a few steps, they are able to move forward through their changes again.
'Undo' can be extremely helpful when users choose system function by mistake. In this case, the undo function serves as an 'emergency exit,' allowing users to leave the unwanted state. One good example of such emergency exits is Gmail's notification message with an undo option when users accidentally delete an email.
A sceenshot of a Google Hangouts chat moving to trash
Create an easy-to-navigate interface
Navigation should always be clear and self-evident. Users should be able to enjoy exploring the interface of any software product. Even complex B2B products full of features shouldn't intimidate users so that they are afraid to press a button. Good UI puts users in their comfort zone by providing some context of where they are, where they've been, and where they can go next:
 - Provide visual cues. Visual cues serve as reminders for users. Allow users to navigate easily through the interface by providing points of reference as they move through a product interface. Page titles, highlights for currently selected navigation options, and other visual aids give users an immediate view of where they are in the interface. A user should never be wondering, "Where am I?" or "How did I get to this screen?"
 - Predictability. Users should be provided with cues that help them predict the result of an action. A user should never be wondering, "What do I need to press in order to do my task?" or "What is this button for?"
A screenshot of a checkout payment page
A clear, visible workflow encourages task completion.
Image by Designmodo.
Provide informative feedback – be acknowledging
Feedback is typically associated with points of action — for every user action, the system should show a meaningful, clear reaction. A system with feedback for every action helps users achieve their goals without friction.
UI design should consider the nature of interaction. For frequent actions, the response can be modest. For example, when users interact with an interactive object (such as a button), it's essential to provide some indication that an action has been acknowledged. This might be something as simple as a button changing color when pressed (the change notifies the user of the interaction). The lack of such feedback forces users to double-check to see if their intended actions have been performed.
 A green submit button with rounded corners
Feedback acknowledges an action has taken place successfully.
GIF by Colin Garven.
For infrequent and significant actions, the response should be more substantial. For example, when filling out a password field in the signup form, good UI might inform users of the requirements for their password.
A screenshot of a create a password page
User sees a green checkmark when a password requirement is satisfied.
GIF by Emmanuel Torres
Show the visibility of system status
Users are much more forgiving when they have information about what is going on and are given periodic feedback about the status of the process. Visibility of system status is essential when users initiate an action that takes some time for a computer to complete. Users don't like to be left seeing nothing on the device screen while the app is supposed to be doing something. The use of progress indicators is one of the subtle aspects of UI design that has a tremendous impact on the comfort and enjoyment of users.
 A screenshot of an upload to dropbox
Good UI can comfort users by showing progress while the system is completing a task. Dropbox is indicating the status of a document upload: the current progress and the amount of time left.
Accommodate users with different skill levels
Users of different skill levels should be able to interact with a product at different levels. Don't sacrifice expert users for an easy-to-use interface for novice or casual users. Instead, try to design for the needs of a diverse set of users, so it doesn't matter if your user is an expert or a newbie.
Adding features like tutorials and explanations is extremely helpful for novice users (just make sure that experienced users are able to skip this part).
Once users are familiar with a product, they will look for shortcuts to speed up commonly-used actions. You should provide fast paths for experienced users by enabling them to use shortcuts.
A screenshot of the file menu on Safari
2. Make it comfortable for a user to interact with a product
Eliminate all elements that are not helping your users
Interfaces shouldn't contain information that is irrelevant or rarely needed. Irrelevant information introduces noise in UI —it competes with the relevant information and diminishes its relative visibility. Simplify interfaces by removing unnecessary elements or content that does not directly support user tasks. Strive to design UI in a way that all information presented on the screen will be valuable and relevant. Examine every element and evaluate it based on the value it delivers to users.
A good example of an app that follows the 'less is more' approach by avoiding overloading the interface with content or features is iA Writer.
The same interface on a computer, laptop, iphone, and android
Image by iA Writer
The interface of iA Writer app is a clean typing sheet with no distractions. It allows users to focus on what they're writing and hides everything else.
Don't ask users for data they've already entered
Don't force users to have to repeat data they've previously entered. Users are easily annoyed by tedious data-entry sequences, especially when they have provided all the required information before. Good UI performs a maximum of work while requiring a minimum amount of information from users.
Avoid jargon and system-oriented terms
When designing a product, it's important to use language that is easy to read and understand. The system should speak the user's language, with words, phrases, and concepts familiar to the user, rather than jargon or system-oriented terms.
Correct and incorrect terminology on mobile
Use everyday language, not systems or developer language.
Image by Think With Google
Apply Fitts's Law to interactive elements
Fitts Law states that the time to acquire a target is a function of the distance to and size of the target. This means that it's better to design large targets for important functions (big buttons are easier to interact with).
A diagram of Fitt's Law
D is the distance from the cursor's starting point; W is the width of the target (Fitts's law).
Two hands showing touch target size
Image by Apple
It's also important to remember that the time required to acquire multiple targets is the sum of the time to acquire each. Thus, when working on UI design, to increase the efficiency of an interaction, try to not only reduce distances and increase target sizes, but also reduce the total number of targets that users must interact with to complete a given task.
Design accessible interfaces
When we design products it's important to remember that a well-designed product is accessible to users of all abilities, including those with low vision, blindness, hearing impairments, cognitive impairments, or motor impairments. Good UI is accessible UI because improving your product's accessibility enhances the usability for all groups of users.
Color is one of the elements of design that has a strong impact on accessibility. People perceive color differently — some users can see a full range of colors, but many people can only make out a limited range of colors. Approximately 10 percent of men and one percent of women have some form of color blindness. When designing interfaces, it's better to avoid using color as the only way to convey information. Anytime you want color to convey information in the interface, you should use other cues to convey the information to those who cannot see the colors.
Use real-world metaphors
Using metaphors in UI design allows users to create a connection between the real world and digital experiences. Real


text:
What Do Harper and Flaherty Mean By "Sustainable"?
In his "Speech to the World" in Davos on January 26, 2012, Prime Minister Harper proclaimed that steps would be taken to ensure the "sustainability of our social programs and fiscal position over the next generation". What does this mean?
Since coming into office in 2006, the Prime Minister and his Minister of Finance have denied the emergence of a structural deficit due to the aging of the population. Reports issued by the Parliamentary Budget Officer and others were dismissed out of hand. Now with a majority government, the aging of the population and its long-term impact on federal government programs and the resulting fiscal position have become the number one budget priority.
The first indication of this was the Government's unilateral decision, in December 2011, to restrain the growth in the Canada Health Transfer (CHT) to a three-year moving average in nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP), beginning in 2017-18. Funding is to be guaranteed to increase by at least 3 per cent per year. Up to 2016-17, the CHT will grow by 6 per cent per year. Thereafter, however, the annual rate of growth will be in the 3.5 to 4 per cent range.
Is this what the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance mean by "sustainable"? Do they mean that any federal program that grows by more than the rate of growth in GDP is not sustainable and must be cut? If they do, then they are wrong.
What government programs are growing faster than GDP?
Excluding automatic stabilizer and self-financing programs, only one major program is currently expected to grow faster than GDP and that is elderly benefits (OAS). In previous budgets, steps were taken to ensure that other federal programs were not increasing by more than the growth in GDP. In the March 2010 Budget, the rate of growth in international assistance was reduced from 8 per cent per year to zero. Between 2005-06 and 2010-11, defence spending averaged 7.2 per cent. However, in the March 2010 Budget, defence spending was reduced by $525 million in 2012-13 and $1 billion annually beginning in 2013-14. The chart contained in the 2010 Budget shows defence spending growing less than GDP in the future. Transfers under the Equalization program are capped at the growth of nominal GDP. With the ending of most of the stimulus measures in 2011-12 and the restraint measures put in place in the March 2010 Budget, coupled with the upcoming savings under the Targeted Strategic and Operating Reviews, only OAS benefits will be increasing faster than the rate of growth in nominal GDP over the long term.
This is the program that the Prime Minister targeted in his Davos speech. According to the Chief Actuary, Office of Superintendent of Financial Institutions Canada, OAS benefits are expected to increase from $36.5 billion in 2010 to $107.9 billion in 2030 and to $200.1 billion in 2055. Apparently, the government considers these "large" increases to be unsustainable.
But are they?
As a percentage of the economy, they increase from 2.25% in 2010 to 3.14% in 2030 before falling back to 2.6% in 2050. These ratios are much lower than in other advanced countries. Therefore, as a percentage of GDP, the increases are not large at all. Between 2010 and 2030 the increase amounts to only 0.89% of GDP.
As noted above, all other components of program expenses are expected to grow at the same rate as GDP growth or well below it. On balance, excluding OAS, total program expenses, as a percentage of GDP, will likely decline continuously over the next twenty years. In addition, with a progressive tax system, budgetary revenues as a percentage of GDP will likely increase over time. These two factors alone would more than fund the projected small increase in OAS benefits as a share of GDP over the next twenty years.
Public debt charges and interest rates remain the wild card. The sensitivity on the budgetary balance of changes in interest rates has increased significantly since 2008 due to the accumulation in the stock of federal debt ($183 billion from 2007-08 to 2015-16) due to the recession and the impact of the stimulus measures introduced as part of the Economic Action Plan.
From a fiscal or budget perspective, a sustainable fiscal structure is one in which the government debt is not growing faster than the economy. In other words, the government's debt burden (the ratio of debt to GDP is either stable or falling.
Following the Second World War, the federal debt-to-GDP ratio fell to about 18.5% in 1973-74. Thereafter, it rose steadily – to about 30% by 1980-81, to just over 50% by 1990-91, before peaking at 68.4% in 1995-96. Clearly, during most of this period, the federal fiscal position was "unsustainable".
However, over the 1995-96 to 2008-09 period, the federal debt-to-GDP ratio declined dramatically from a peak of 68.4% in 1995-96, to 28.9% in 2008-09. The recession and the impact of the stimulus measures have resulted in an only a slight increase in the debt-to-GDP ratio. According to the June 2011 Budget, it is expected to reach 35% in 2012-13, before resuming its downward path reaching 30.3% in 2016-17.
Based on these projections, the federal position is still sustainable. In fact, the Prime Minister and his Minister of Finance take great pleasure in announcing to the world that Canada's debt-to-GDP ratio is the lowest among the G-7.
If the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance are worried about fiscal sustainability, they must have in their possession research that shows that over the next twenty years, that the federal debt to GDP ratio is rising steadily, and therefore the government's fiscal position is not sustainable. If this is case, this analysis should be released in the budget..
The Minister of Finance has up until now rejected studies by the Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) and others (_URL_) that the federal government has a long-term structural deficit. Originally, the PBO concluded that the federal fiscal position was not sustainable over the long term. However, by restraining the growth in federal transfers to the provinces under the CHT, PBO recently concluded that the federal fiscal position is now sustainable. However, the PBO also concluded that the federal government had just transferred its structural deficit to the provinces and that fiscal position of Canada "Incorporated" is not sustainable.
As stated by the PBO, "responsible fiscal planning needs to take account of challenges, not only the next few years, but also those anticipated over the long term". Most OECD countries produce long-term fiscal sustainability reports. According to the OECD, such reports "offer invaluable signposts to help current governments to respond to known fiscal pressures and risks in a gradual manner, earlier rather than later, and help future governments avoid being forced to adopt sudden policy changes".
It is time that the Prime Minister be clear on what he means by "sustainability" and why he now believes it is should be of great concern to Canadians. The public is sorely in need of credible information and analyzes, which can be studied by others and debated. This would involve
 "Fiscal Sustainability Report 2011"page I; Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer September 2011.
 OECD (2009) "The Benefits of Long-term Fiscal Projections" OECD Policy Brief.


text:
Eating disorder link to dieting mothers
GIRLS whose mothers are on a diet are almost twice as likely to have an eating disorder, a poll of more than 500 teenagers has found.
Many girls say their mother has the biggest influence on their own self-image and they feel damaged by the effects of their mum's dieting and views on food.
The survey of 512 teenage girls, aged between 12 and 18 found that 6 per cent had an eating disorder, rising to one in ten among those whose mothers diet.
Almost four out of ten girls said their mother had the biggest influence on how they perceived themselves.
Two-thirds of those surveyed said they had heard their mum complaining about her own weight and 56 per cent have mothers who are on a diet
– despite 68 per cent describing their mother's body size as normal.
Other findings include:
- Just over half of teenage girls surveyed have dieted, rising to 59 per cent among those girls whose mothers diet.
- Almost eight out of ten girls worry about their weight – 20 per cent say they worry about their looks all the time.
- One in five girls said they are criticised by family members for being "too big" and 51 per cent of those say they have been hurt by hearing their parents talking about their size. Almost one in three have been called names like "elephant" by relatives.
- Some 9 per cent of teenage girls say they are "constantly" on a diet. Among girls whose families comment on their weight, this rose to 24 per cent.
The survey was carried out among readers of teen magazine, Sugar. Its editor, Annabel Brog, said girls were heavily influenced by their family's views on diet and food – what she described as their "thinheritance".
And psychologist Amanda Hills said: "Children learn how to behave by watching their parents … at least half of the people I see with an eating disorder admit that there are problems with eating in the family."
Search for a job
Search for a car
Search for a house
Weather for Edinburgh
Saturday 25 May 2013
Temperature: 6 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: West
Temperature: 9 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: South west


text:
Designing for Informavores, or, Why Users Behave Like Animals Online
In a 1989 article entitled "The Design of Browsing and Berrypicking Techniques for the Online Search Interface," Marcia Bates exposed the inadequacy of the classic information retrieval model characterized by a single query.
Instead, she proposed a berrypicking model that recognizes the iterative and interactive nature of the information seeking process. Bates understood that the query and the information need itself evolve as users interact with documents and search systems. She also recognized that since relevant documents (like berries) tend to be scattered, users move fluidly between search and browse modes, relying on a rich variety of strategies including footnote chasing, area scanning, and citation, subject, and author searching.
In short, Bates described information seeking behavior on today's Web, back in 1989. Google relies on the citations we call "inbound links." Blogs support "backward chaining" through trackbacks. Flickr and del.icio.us allow us to pivot on subject or author. The Web allows our information seeking to grow more iterative and interactive with each innovation. The berrypicking model is more relevant today than ever.
Bates' research was picked up by Peter Pirolli and Stuart Card and folded into their 1995 paper titled Information Foraging in Information Access Environments:
We use the term Information Foraging both to conjure up the metaphor of organisms browsing for sustenance and to indicate a connection to the more technical optimal foraging theory found in biology and anthropology. Animals adapt their behavior and their structure through evolution to survive and reproduce to their circumstance. Animals adapt, among other reasons, to increase their rate of energy intake. To do this they evolve different methods: a wolf hunts ("forages") for prey, but a spider builds a web and allows the prey to come to it. Humans seeking information also adopt different strategies, sometimes with striking parallels to those of animal foragers. The wolf-prey strategy bears some resemblance to classic information retrieval, and the spider-web strategy is like information filtering.
So if you've ever wondered why users behave like animals online, now you know. There's real science behind it in information foraging. Instead of hunting for food, users hunt for information, ruthlessly, and without compunction.
In practice, what this means is that users pursue "information scent". Users will click the back button nearly instantly when they don't catch a whiff of the right information from the current page. Jakob Nielsen explains:
Information foraging's most famous concept is information scent: users estimate a given hunt's likely success from the spoor: assessing whether their path exhibits cues related to the desired outcome. Informavores will keep clicking as long as they sense (to mix metaphors) that they're "getting warmer" -- the scent must keep getting stronger and stronger, or people give up. Progress must seem rapid enough to be worth the predicted effort required to reach the destination.
If you think this is all a bunch of trumped-up academic terminology for the basic principle of human laziness, well.. you're right.
Humans are under less evolutionary pressure to improve their Web use, but basic laziness is a human characteristic that might be survival-related (don't exert yourself unless you have to). In any case, people like to get maximum benefit for minimum effort. That's what makes information foraging a useful tool for analyzing online media.
Whether you call it "information foraging" or the rather more honest "maximum benefit for minimum effort", it's a powerful model of the way people actually work online. There are billions of web pages, and only a tiny fraction are worth the users' time. That's why informavores are unforgiving. They will..
- Demand to see what you have to offer in under four seconds.
- Form a first impression of your site in just 50 milliseconds.
- Give up on your site entirely within two minutes of arriving.
The last point is noted by Nielsen in his new book Prioritizing Web Usability:
In recent years, highly improved search engines have reversed [the idea of "sticky" web sites] by emphasizing quality in their sorting of search results. It is now extremely easy for users to find other good sites. Information foraging predicts that the easier it is to find good patches [of information], the quicker users will leave a patch. Thus, the better search engines get at highlighting quality sites, the less time users will spend on any one site. This theoretical prediction was amply confirmed by the empirical data we collected for this book: People left the sites they found useless within less than two minutes.
Frankly, I'm surprised it's a whole two minutes. You better hope the information scent is strong on your page, because Informavores' fingers are always hovering over the back button. And they have very itchy trigger fingers.


Augmented Faces
Augmented Faces allows your app to automatically identify different regions of a detected face, and use those regions to overlay assets such as textures and models in a way that properly matches the contours and regions of an individual face.
How does Augmented Faces work?
This example shows an app that overlays facial features of a fox onto a user's face using assets that include 3D models and an overlay texture.
The 3D model consists of two fox ears and a fox nose. Each is a separate bone that can be moved individually to follow the facial region they are attached to:
The texture consists of eye shadow, freckles, and other coloring:
When you run the sample app, it calls APIs to detect a face and overlays both the texture and the models onto the face.
Identifying an augmented face mesh
In order to properly overlay textures and 3D models on a detected face, ARCore provides detected regions and an augmented face mesh. This mesh is a virtual representation of the face, and consists of the vertices, facial regions, and the center of the user's head.
When a user's face is detected by the camera, ARCore performs these steps to generate the augmented face mesh, as well as center and region poses:
 1. It identifies the center pose and a face mesh.
 - The center pose, located behind the nose, is the physical center point of the user's head (in other words, inside the skull).
 - The face mesh consists of hundreds of vertices that make up the face, and is defined relative to the center pose.
 2. The AugmentedFace class uses the face mesh and center pose to identify face region poses on the user's face. These regions are:
 - Left forehead (LEFT_FOREHEAD)
 - Right forehead (RIGHT_FOREHEAD)
 - Tip of the nose (NOSE_TIP)
These elements -- the center pose, face mesh, and face region poses -- comprise the augmented face mesh and are used by AugmentedFace APIs as positioning points and regions to place the assets in your app.
Next steps
Start using Augmented Faces in your own apps. To learn more, see:


text:
A maggot is a larva of the common fly. Maggots have soft bodies and no legs, so they look a bit like worms. They usually have a reduced head that can retract into the body. Maggot commonly refers to larvae that live on rotting flesh or tissue debris of animal and plants. Some species eat healthy animal tissue and living plant matter.
Some people choose to eat maggots intentionally. Maggots may be fried and eaten in places where eating bugs is commonplace. They can also be used to make a Sardinian delicacy. "Casu marzu" translates to maggot cheese or rotten cheese. It's an Italian cheese that's prepared specially to turn into breeding grounds for maggots. While casu marzu may be described as a fermented Pecorino cheese, it's actually decomposing. It's said that the cheese is safe to eat as long as the maggots are still living.
It's also possible to eat maggots by mistake since they're often found around food, though usually they're found around contaminated food that you'd avoid. However, eating maggots poses a few risks of which you need to be aware.
It may be safe to consume maggots themselves, but you may be susceptible to whatever they've eaten or been exposed to, such as feces or rotting flesh. Fruit infested with maggots is likely to be rotting and ridden with bacteria. Other risks include the following:
Myiasis is an infection that occurs when maggots infest and feed on the living tissue of animals or humans. It's most common in tropical and subtropical counties. People who have difficulty maintaining good oral hygiene are particularly at risk. Larvae can settle in areas of the mouth where hygiene is poor.
Eating maggots is also thought to leave the internal organs and tissue susceptible to the larvae, although myiasis is more commonly something that occurs under the skin. The maggots that cause myiasis can live in the stomach and intestines as well as the mouth. This can cause serious tissue damage and requires medical attention.
Myiasis is not contagious. Symptoms of myiasis in your gastrointestinal tract include stomach upset, vomiting, and diarrhea. In the mouth, the larvae are typically visible.
Eating maggots or maggot-infested food can cause bacterial poisoning. Most foods that have maggots aren't safe to eat, especially if the larvae have been in contact with feces. Some houseflies use animal and human feces as breeding sites. They also breed on garbage or rotting organic material.
It's possible for maggots to become contaminated with Salmonella enteritidis and Enterococcus coli bacteria. Symptoms of an E. coli infection include fever, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting, and cramping. Symptoms of salmonella are similar. Both conditions can also cause bloody stool and fatigue.
Some people may be allergic to maggots. Certain types of larvae have been shown to cause respiratory and asthmatic symptoms in people who handled the larvae to use as live fishing bait or who are occupationally exposed. Contact dermatitis has also been reported.
It's been suggested that you may have an allergic reaction if you eat larvae that have been exposed to or consumed foods you're allergic to. Scientific research is needed to clarify this view.
Eating dried, cooked, or powdered maggots is safer than eating whole, unprocessed larvae. The processing would get rid of microbes, parasites, and bacterial spores. Producing larvae in this way would have less of an environmental impact than producing meat for human consumption.
However, at present, risks still exist and likely outweigh potential benefits.
Call your doctor if you develop any unusual symptoms that you think are related to eating maggots. This is especially important if you're in the tropics or traveling in a country with unsafe food conditions.
Overall, it's unlikely you'll be exposed to large amounts of maggots. If you accidentally eat one in an apple, you'll probably be fine. You may choose to eat fried maggots or casu marzu at your own discretion.
To prevent maggots and flies from developing in your home, follow these tips:
- Keep your house and kitchen as sanitary as possible.
- Keep an eye on all of your fruits, vegetables, and meats to ensure they're not becoming breeding grounds.
- Cover your fruits and vegetables with a net or store them in the refrigerator, especially if you live in a warmer climate.
- Keep your garbage can covered and take it out as often as possible.


sphere onto the XY, YZ and XZ planes so they should look like circles centered at coordinate (0, 0) but they are a bit off both in position and shape.
Plot |M| is the magnitude of the Earth's magnetic field as sensed by the magnetometer. The Earth's magnetic field is constant so the plot should be a straight line parallel to the X axis. Instead we see that the sensed magnitude is all over the place.
The calibration process more or less boils down to finding a transformation of the calibration data that makes it fulfill equation 1, the sphere equation. A proper solution involves matrices but a simplified solution is to independently transform the readings along each axis according to this equation:
// calibrate the magnetometer readings along the X axis
mx = (mx - bias_x) / range_x
Where mx is an array of readings along the X axis, and bias_x and range_x are scalars that can be found using these equations:
bias_x = (mx.max() + mx.min()) / 2;
range_x = (mx.max() - mx.min()) / 2;
Applying this transformation to the calibration data yields the following calibrated data:
Now the plots M_XY, M_YZ and M_XZ do look like circles centered at (0, 0), and the magnitude plot |M| looks much more like a constant value with some noise sprinkled on it.
Madgwick's orientation filter
(This is the thing that you saw in the intro video.)
Madgwick's orientation filter is a sensor fusion algorithm that computes the absolute orientation of an object from MARG sensor data. MARG stands for Magnetic, Angular Rate and Gravity, and basically refers to a system that can measure Earth's Magnetic field, Angular Rate and the acceleration of Gravity. The magnetometer (M), gyroscope (AR) and accelerometer (G) on the F3 board form a MARG sensor array.
To give you an idea of how this filter works: the Gravity vector tells you where down is and the Magnetic vector tells you where north is. These two vectors kind of form an absolute coordinate system as their directions are pretty much constant.
Thus, the Gravity and Magnetic data give information about how the MARG system is oriented with respect to this down-north coordinate system. Whereas the Angular Rate data gives information about how that orientation is changing.
None of this data can't be fully trusted though: if the MARG system moves then the accelerometer will measure not only the acceleration of gravity but also its own acceleration; the Magnetic data can be easily affected by EM radiation, external magnetic sources and nearby ferromagnetic materials; and the Angular Rate data suffers from bias that drifts over time and that changes with the ambient temperature.
The way the filter deals with all this uncertainty is to treat the data not as ground truth but as the input of an optimization problem. The rest is the magic of mathematics.
And it holds quite well, I must say. In the video at the beginning of this post the magnetometer is subject to the EMF that my laptop generates and at some point in the video I shake the board along the different accelerometer axes. All these are disturbances introduced in the input data but the filter handles them without much trouble.
For more details (i.e. the actual math) you can read Madgwick's internal report. There's also a conference paper but it's behind a paywall – its contents are not that different from what's written in the internal report though.
I have published Madgwick's orientation filter as the madgwick crate. This crate is compatible with no_std programs and requires no memory allocation so it can be run on bare metal systems.
The API is straightforward to use: you create an instance of the filter; you feed MARG sensor data into it and you get back the 3D orientation as a unit quaternion.
let mut filter = madgwick::Marg::new(BETA, SAMPLING_PERIOD);
// e.g. 'Quaternion(0.9999, 0.0017, -0.0046, 0.0006)'
let quat = filter.update(m, ar, g);
The parameter BETA is the gain of the filter and its value should be in the same order of magnitude as the measurement noise in the gyroscope (in rad / s). You can measure the gyroscope noise by logging gyroscope data while the board is still and then computing the standard deviation of the readings along each axis.
The parameter SAMPLING_PERIOD is the sampling period in seconds. You should run the filter periodically and on each periodic run you should feed the latest sensor data to the filter. That period is the sampling period of the filter.
You can find the visualization software used for the Madgwick demo here. It uses kiss3d to do the rendering – kudos to the authors; this was my first time doing anything graphics related with Rust and it was pretty straightforward 👍.
All the plots in this blog post where done using this Python script.
You can find the F3 firmware used for the demo as the madgwick example in the f3 crate. That crate also contains a log-sensors example that was used to log the data used to make the plots in this blog post and to calibrate the magnetometer.
That's it! Two embedded-hal drivers are out; 50 more to go before the year ends 😅. And you also got a reusable implementation of Madgwick's orientation filter.
Finally, don't forget to calibrate your sensors before you use them for anything serious!
Thank you patrons! ❤
I want to wholeheartedly thank:
Iban Eguia, Aaron Turon, Geoff Cant, Harrison Chin, Brandon Edens, whitequark, James Munns, Fredrik Lundström, Kjetil Kjeka, Kor Nielsen, Alexander Payne, Dietrich Ayala, Kenneth Keiter, Hadrien Grasland, vitiral and 48 more people for supporting my work on Patreon.
Let's discuss on reddit.
Creative Commons License
Jorge Aparicio