title: One dimensional non-uniform rational B-splines for animation control

authors: Mahoui, Abdelaziz

subjects: computer science

abstract: Most 3D animation packages use graphical representations called motion graphs to represent the variation in time of the motion parameters. Many use two-dimensional B-splines as animation curves because of their power to represent free-form curves. In this project, we investigate the possibility of using One-dimensional Non-Uniform Rational B-Spline (NURBS) curves for the interactive construction of animation control curves. One-dimensional NURBS curves present the potential of solving some problems encountered in motion graphs when two-dimensional B-splines are used. The study focuses on the properties of One-dimensional NURBS mathematical model. It also investigates the algorithms and shape modification tools devised for two-dimensional curves and their port to the One-dimensional NURBS model. It also looks at the issues related to the user interface used to interactively modify the shape of the curves.

text: One dimensional non-uniform rational B-splines for animation control Most 3D animation packages use graphical representations called motion graphs to represent the variation in time of the motion parameters. Many use two-dimensional B-splines as animation curves because of their power to represent free-form curves. In this project, we investigate the possibility of using One-dimensional Non-Uniform Rational B-Spline (NURBS) curves for the interactive construction of animation control curves. One-dimensional NURBS curves present the potential of solving some problems encountered in motion graphs when two-dimensional B-splines are used. The study focuses on the properties of One-dimensional NURBS mathematical model. It also investigates the algorithms and shape modification tools devised for two-dimensional curves and their port to the One-dimensional NURBS model. It also looks at the issues related to the user interface used to interactively modify the shape of the curves.

year: 2000-03

title: Immigration and innovation in European regions

authors: Poot, Jacques

subjects: immigration

abstract: The pooling of people with diverse backgrounds in particular areas may boost the creation of new ideas, knowledge spillovers, entrepreneurship and economic growth. In this paper we measure the impact of the size, skills and diversity of immigration on innovativeness of host regions. For this purpose we construct a panel of data on 170 regions in Europe (NUTS 2 level) for the period 1991-2001. Innovation outcomes are measured by means of the number and types of patent applications. Given the geographical concentration and subsequent diffusion of innovation activity, and the spatial selectivity of immigrant settlement patterns, we take account of spatial dependence and of endogeneity of immigrant settlement in the econometric modelling. We find that an increase in patent applications in a region is associated with (i) net immigration; (ii) the share of foreigners in the population of the region; (iii) the average skill level of the immigrants; and (iv) the cultural diversity of the immigrants. The magnitude of these effects varies between types of patents.

text: Immigration and innovation in European regions The pooling of people with diverse backgrounds in particular areas may boost the creation of new ideas, knowledge spillovers, entrepreneurship and economic growth. In this paper we measure the impact of the size, skills and diversity of immigration on innovativeness of host regions. For this purpose we construct a panel of data on 170 regions in Europe (NUTS 2 level) for the period 1991-2001. Innovation outcomes are measured by means of the number and types of patent applications. Given the geographical concentration and subsequent diffusion of innovation activity, and the spatial selectivity of immigrant settlement patterns, we take account of spatial dependence and of endogeneity of immigrant settlement in the econometric modelling. We find that an increase in patent applications in a region is associated with (i) net immigration; (ii) the share of foreigners in the population of the region; (iii) the average skill level of the immigrants; and (iv) the cultural diversity of the immigrants. The magnitude of these effects varies between types of patents.

year: 2010

title: Lake Rotokawau: Water quality and sediment study

authors: Pearson, Lisa Kyle

abstract: Lake Rotokawau is a small (0.52 km2), deep (74 m), oligotrophic lake in the Rotorua Lakes District, located approximately 4.1 km east of Lake Rotorua. The lake is privately owned and managed by the local iwi, Ngati Rangiteaorere. During a site visit carried out on the 25 July 2010, surface and bottom water samples and a sediment core were collected, together with a water column profile (CTD) of temperature, dissolved oxygen, fluorescence, conductivity and depth. The CTD cast showed an anoxic hypolimnion and that the lake likely had not mixed during at the time of sampling, in mid-winter. This observation is highly unusual amongst the Te Arawa lakes and suggests that the lake may remain stratified for multiple years. The lack of mixing could be due to several factors including: presence of higher-salinity bottom waters, high water depth to area ratio, and sheltered aspect. The sediment core collected in the central basin revealed the presence of Ruapehu ash (1995-6 eruption) preserved in the upper 5 cm of the sediment record and the Tarawera Tephra (1886 eruption) located at 13 cm below the sediment water interface. The Ruapehu Ash layer is not preserved in sediment from any other Rotorua lakes and has likely been preserved due to the lack of seasonal mixing. The sediment and pore water chemistry are similar to that of the other lakes in the Rotorua region but however multiple sediment cores are necessary to fully assess variability across the whole lake area.
It is recommended that a routine monitoring programme be established so that any improvement or degradation in water quality can be detected and the mixing frequency of the lake determined. The water quality monitoring should include water column profiles of temperature, dissolved oxygen, fluorescence, conductivity and depth, nutrient analysis (ammonium, nitrate, nitrite, phosphate, silicon, total nitrogen and total phosphorus) of surface and bottom waters and water clarity readings (e.g. Secchi disk and light attenuation). Our observations point to the highly unusual nature of Lake Rotokawau in terms of mixing status and indicate a strong need to preserve significant biological and landscape features of this lake which has not been subject to problems with invasive species that characterise several other lakes in this region.

text: Lake Rotokawau: Water quality and sediment study Lake Rotokawau is a small (0.52 km2), deep (74 m), oligotrophic lake in the Rotorua Lakes District, located approximately 4.1 km east of Lake Rotorua. The lake is privately owned and managed by the local iwi, Ngati Rangiteaorere. During a site visit carried out on the 25 July 2010, surface and bottom water samples and a sediment core were collected, together with a water column profile (CTD) of temperature, dissolved oxygen, fluorescence, conductivity and depth. The CTD cast showed an anoxic hypolimnion and that the lake likely had not mixed during at the time of sampling, in mid-winter. This observation is highly unusual amongst the Te Arawa lakes and suggests that the lake may remain stratified for multiple years. The lack of mixing could be due to several factors including: presence of higher-salinity bottom waters, high water depth to area ratio, and sheltered aspect. The sediment core collected in the central basin revealed the presence of Ruapehu ash (1995-6 eruption) preserved in the upper 5 cm of the sediment record and the Tarawera Tephra (1886 eruption) located at 13 cm below the sediment water interface. The Ruapehu Ash layer is not preserved in sediment from any other Rotorua lakes and has likely been preserved due to the lack of seasonal mixing. The sediment and pore water chemistry are similar to that of the other lakes in the Rotorua region but however multiple sediment cores are necessary to fully assess variability across the whole lake area.
It is recommended that a routine monitoring programme be established so that any improvement or degradation in water quality can be detected and the mixing frequency of the lake determined. The water quality monitoring should include water column profiles of temperature, dissolved oxygen, fluorescence, conductivity and depth, nutrient analysis (ammonium, nitrate, nitrite, phosphate, silicon, total nitrogen and total phosphorus) of surface and bottom waters and water clarity readings (e.g. Secchi disk and light attenuation). Our observations point to the highly unusual nature of Lake Rotokawau in terms of mixing status and indicate a strong need to preserve significant biological and landscape features of this lake which has not been subject to problems with invasive species that characterise several other lakes in this region.

year: 2011-07