Escherization with Large Deformations Based on As-Rigid-As-Possible Shape Modeling

Escher tiling is well known as a tiling that consists of one or a few recognizable figures, such as animals. The Escherization problem involves finding the most similar shape to a given goal figure that can tile the plane. However, it is easy to imagine that there is no similar tile shape for complex goal shapes. This article devises a method for finding a satisfactory tile shape in such a situation. To obtain a satisfactory tile shape, the tile shape is generated by deforming the goal shape to a considerable extent while retaining the characteristics of the original shape. To achieve this, both goal and tile shapes are represented as triangular meshes to consider not only the contours but also the internal similarity of the shapes. To measure the naturalness of the deformation, energy functions based on traditional as-rigid-as-possible shape modeling are incorporated into a recently developed framework of the exhaustive search of the templates for the Escherization problem. The developed algorithms find satisfactory tile shapes with natural deformations for fairly complex goal shapes.

Assessment of individual competence

Aims: the assessment of individual competence in medical education is about finding a balance between having sufficient resources to make valid and reliable decisions and not using more resources than necessary. Sequential assessment, in which more resources are used for borderline performing candidates than for poorly or clearly satisfactorily performing candidates, can be used to achieve that balance. Although sequential assessment is commonly associated with larger groups of candidates to be assessed, in many practical settings numbers of candidates may be small.Objective: this article presents a single case design with a statistical model for the assessment of individual competence that can be used regardless of the number of candidates.Method: a worked example of a solution that can be used for an individual candidate, using simulated data in the zero-cost Open Source statistical program R version 4.0.5., is provided.Results: the aforementioned solution provides statistics that can be used to make pass/fail decisions at the level of the individual candidate as well as to make decisions regarding the length and timing of an exam (or parts thereof) for the individual candidate.Conclusion: the solution provided can help to reduce resources needed for assessment to a considerable extent while maximizing resources for borderline candidates. This facilitates both decision making and cost reduction in assessment.

Reinforcement of Montmorillonite Clay in Epoxy/Unsaturated Polyester Blended Composite: Effect on Composite Properties

Montmorillonite (MMT) clay was disseminated into Unsaturated Polyester (UP) and Epoxy blend systems in diverse weight ratios namely, 0, 1, 2, 3, and 5% to prepare Epoxy/UP/MMT clay composite. The specimen was characterized by thermal and chemical analysis. Homogeneous mixture of blended composites is obtained through mechanical stirring and ultrasonication processes. The testing of thermal and chemical properties was performed. Evidence acquired from the above tests indicate that Epoxy reinforced with UP and further strengthened with MMT clay enhanced the thermal and chemical properties of the composite to a considerable extent. The purpose of this study was to recognize an appropriate composite offering a stronger material with enhanced performance; that is suitable for diverse industrial uses.

Batch-produced, GIS-informed range maps for birds based on provenanced, crowd-sourced data inform conservation assessments

Accurate maps of species ranges are essential to inform conservation, but time-consuming to produce and update. Given the pace of change of knowledge about species distributions and shifts in ranges under climate change and land use, a need exists for timely mapping approaches that enable batch processing employing widely available data. We develop a systematic approach of batch-processing range maps and derived Area of Habitat maps for terrestrial bird species with published ranges below 125,000 km2 in Central and South America. (Area of Habitat is the habitat available to a species within its range.) We combine existing range maps with the rapidly expanding crowd-sourced eBird data of presences and absences from frequently surveyed locations, plus readily accessible, high resolution satellite data on forest cover and elevation to map the Area of Habitat available to each species. Users can interrogate the maps produced to see details of the observations that contributed to the ranges. Previous estimates of Areas of Habitat were constrained within the published ranges and thus were, by definition, smaller—typically about 30%. This reflects how little habitat within suitable elevation ranges exists within the published ranges. Our results show that on average, Areas of Habitat are 12% larger than published ranges, reflecting the often-considerable extent that eBird records expand the known distributions of species. Interestingly, there are substantial differences between threatened and non-threatened species. Some 40% of Critically Endangered, 43% of Endangered, and 55% of Vulnerable species have Areas of Habitat larger than their published ranges, compared with 31% for Near Threatened and Least Concern species. The important finding for conservation is that threatened species are generally more widespread than previously estimated.

A study of tides and storm surges in offshore waters of the Meghna estuary using a finite element model

Tropical Cyclones which develop in the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal during the inter monsoon months (April-May, October-December), move either westwards affecting the east coast of India or recurve to the north or northeast and eventually cross the coast of Bangladesh or Myanmar. Extensive damage is caused to the life and property by the storm surge as much of the coastal land around the Bay of Bengal is densely populated. The damage caused by a cyclone induced surge depends to a considerable extent on whether the surge peaks at or close to high tide. The main purpose of the present study was to develop a combined time-surge model for the off-shore waters in the Meghna estuary. It seems clear that the strong, predominantly southward current measured at Site A, south of Sandwip Island, has substantial magnifying and delaying effect on tidal elevation and current. But the areal extent of this modification of the tide is unknown at present. Further, it is impossible to say whether the fast southward current forms a narrow jet or a broad current many kilometers wide, but it is important to know which is the case before the effect can be modelled satisfactorily.

Changes in New Private Law of the Czech Republic and Implementation of Basel III

Competition in the financial market puts currently new requirements for cost reduction on financial institutions. Available sources of cost reduction are seen i.a. in minimizing legal risks, which can reduce the uncertainty associated with enforcement and interpretation of legal acts, treaties and regulations in the field of contractual obligations. In this regard, banks in the Czech Republic are looking for new ways to reduce costs in the ongoing implementation of Basel II and preparation for implementation of Basel III. The central problem to which attention is focused is to ensure the required level of capital adequacy. This is conditioned i.a. by their risk management system. Capital adequacy may affect credit risk substantially. Besides others, the level of credit risk may be affected to a considerable extent by application of hedging instruments. This paper presents conclusions of the executed comparison of the existing and new private law provisions in the Czech Republic and, based on that, draws new opportunities and difficulties for banks in managing their credit risk and capital adequacy. The focus is only on the hedging instruments that may affect the activities of banks in a significant way.

Henry Corbin’s Oriental Philosophy and Iranian Nativist Ideologies

This paper aims to explore the roots of the nativist discourse among Iranian intellectuals in the 20th century prior to the Islamic Revolution, a discourse based on Eastern authenticity and the felt need for a return to Islamic, Persian, or Asian traditions. This general tendency took various forms among anti- and even pro-regime intellectuals, including severe anti-modernist evaluations of Al-e-Ahmad, Hossein Nasr, Ahmad Fardid, and Ehsan Naraqi. This nativist movement, as some scholars have shown, played a significant role in the victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979. This paper aims to discuss some philosophical origins of these East-based and anti-West ideologies in the specific interpretation of Henry Corbin of the East/West spiritual split. This paper demonstrates that these ideas, to a considerable extent, stemmed from Corbin’s “Eastern scheme,” based on the authenticity of spiritual illumination. This paper explores how this Oriental philosophy, rooted in ancient Persia and medieval Iranian wisdom, has been used for political purposes through the ideologization of tradition in contemporary Iran. Therefore, it discusses Corbin’s theological scheme’s political and social ramifications to demonstrate the traces of his scheme in the works of a few nativist intellectuals in an ideologized form.

On Topological Analysis of Entropy Measures for Silicon Carbides Networks

The silicon material has provoked and stimulated significant research concern to a considerable extent taking into account its marvelous mechanical, optical, and electronic properties. Naturally, silicons are semiconductors and are utilized in the formation of various materials. For example, it is used in assembling the electronic based gadgets. In this article, we have studied the 2 D structure of silicon carbide Si 2 C 3 − I m , n and Si 2 C 3 − I I m , n and then continued to discuss some degree grounded topological descriptors in association with their corresponding entropy measures. We extend this computation to the quantitative and pictorial comparisons which could be beneficial in the structure amendment for effective implementation.

An Improved Commercially Feasible Process for Flecainide Acetate

Commercially viable manufacturing process for Flecainide Acetate (I) conforming to regulatory specification and cost effective process is reported. Specifically, an improved process for the preparation of Flecainide Acetate allows isolation of anhydrous hydrochloride salt of Compound III, which facilitates the reduction of the pyridine ring with the only catalytic amount of platinum on carbon within 2 hours Therefore, simplifies the synthesis and isolation of Flecainide acetate on a commercial scale to a considerable extent.

The Trinitarian Doctrine of Isidore of Pelusium

The correspondence of Isidore of Pelusium (360–435/440?), which consists of approximately two thousand letters, deals to a considerable extent with spiritual teachings and biblical exegesis and to a lesser degree with theological subjects. This article focuses specifically on Isidore’s Trinitarian doctrine and aims to bring to light its sources. The examination of the predominant anti-Arian and anti-Neo-Arian arguments and of the biblical passages Isidore deployed to support his doctrinal points illustrates two aspects of interest: on the one hand, it reveals Isidore as a derivative representative of Neo-Nicene orthodoxy acquainted with different anti-Anomoean works; on the other hand, it confirms the well-established view that Isidore was a resourceful and cultivated exegete.