1,955 research outputs found
Obituary for Manatee County's Doug Beck
No full textWest Point Assembly's obituary for Donald Alexander Beck of the Class of 1923 from the Winter 1966 edition. It was written by Helen G. Beck. Born in Lithonia, Georgia, the son of a Baptist preacher. The family moved to Bradenton when Don was four years old. He graduated from the Manatee County High School in 1918, then attended the Citadel for one year before entering West Point. He joined the Cavalry on graduation and was assigned troop commander with the 6th Cavalry. In the late 1920s he was cofounder, officer and manager of the Palmetto Canning Company in Palmetto, although he lived across the river in Bradenton. Recalled to service in March 1942 for service in World War II, with the rank of captain, he served as S4, base executive officer at johnson Field in Goldsboro, South Carolina. He served with the 6499 Air Depot Wing at its base at Tachikawa, Japan. He was decommissioned overseas in July 1945, by then a major, and returned to the Palmetto Canning Company. Recalled for service in the Korean Waron 7 November 1950, he served as director of the Air Force Watson Laboratories in Red Bank, New Jersey. At the close of the war, Don was promoted to Colonel and assigned to Griffiss Air Force Base at Rome, New York. After other postwar assignments, including the Pentagon, he retired at age 60. He died in 1964 at age 64
Economic and political developments in the British West Indies during the period of the American Revolution
No full textPhDThe years after 1763 were vital to the special position of the West Indian islands within the British Empire. Yet no integrated study has been made of the economic and political issues raised in the West Indies
during the period of the confrontation between the American colonies and Britain. This thesis is intended to fill this gap.
The first chapter, which outlines West Indian
commercial connections from 1770 to 1775, shows that during these years the production of West Indian staples was increasing in most islands, especially in Jamaica
and the ceded islands where new plantations were being developed. The War of American Independence therefore raised the question of the future of the islands as profitable commodity producing areas, given their dependence on the American colonies for lumber and provisions, as well as a market for their excess products. Chapters II to V look at the War's effect on the islands' economy, and examine the various measures adopted by Parliament and the local legislatures to avert any lasting recession.
The other aspect of the Revolution was the political impact on the Caribbean colonists. In the islands, as in America, many constitutional questions were raised. The
idea, held by the Americans, that Parliament was not sovereign, and could not legislate for the colonies in internal affairs, or when British interests conflicted with theirs, was also widely discussed.
Chapters VI to VII assess politics in the colonies, showing that there was widespread opposition to individual governors in most of the islands, and an erosion of much of the executive power
Comparison of cloud-to-cloud distance calculation methods for change detection in spatio-temporal point clouds
No full textThe advantages of using point clouds for change detection analysis include comprehensive spatial and temporal representation, as well as high precision and accuracy in the calculations. These benefits make point clouds a powerful data type for spatio-temporal analysis. Nevertheless, most current change detection methods have been specifically designed and utilized for raster data. This research aims to identify the most suitable cloud-to-cloud (c2c) distance calculation algorithm for further implementation in change detection for spatio-temporal point clouds. Eight different methods, varying in complexity and execution time, are compared without converting the point cloud data into rasters. Hourly point cloud data from monitoring a beach-dune system's dynamics is used to carry out the comparison. The c2c distance methods are (1) the nearest neighbor, (2) least squares plane, (3) linear interpolation, (4) quadratic (height function), (5) 2.5D triangulation, (6) natural neighbor interpolation (NNI), (7) inverse distance weight (IDW) and (8) multiscale model to model cloud comparison (M3C2). We evaluate these algorithms, considering both the accuracy of the calculated distance and the execution time. The results can be valuable for analyzing and monitoring the (build) environment with spatio-temporal point cloud data.Digital Technologie
Decentralisation and land administration in the Upper West Region of Ghana : a spatial exploration of law in development
No full textDecentralisation for local community development has become the new paradigm of
development discourse in Ghana in the present times. There is currently an elaborate legal
framework in Ghana on decentralisation as a means for addressing local community
development. The role of law in development is therefore implicated in the discourse. This
study raises provocative, startling and challenging questions not only on the decentralisation
programme, but the appropriate theoretical framework for reading the role of law in
development. The study argues that decentralisation in Ghana is a spatial strategy of the state
for addressing the crisis of its political economy and not one necessarily for local community
development. Taking its starting point in land administration in the Upper West Region of
Ghana (predominantly agrarian communities), the study explores how the objectives of
decentralisation in Ghana address the subjectivity of development needs of local communities
in Ghana. The study's contention is that the legal regime of the decentralisation programme
and its praxis fail to address a pertinent development concern (land) of the Upper West
communities. The study argues that if local community development were the object of the
programme, it would perforce address the problematic of land administration that is an
important concern for predominantly subsistence farming communities. The study also
demonstrates how a spatial reading of social phenomenon provides critical insights to an
understanding of the role of law in development.
The study is based on a field study conducted in Ghana and among the communities of the
Upper West Region, through interviews with officials of institutions, traditional authorities
and civil society organisations. The interviews were complemented by written primary and
secondary sources. Primary sources include documents from the National Archives in Ghana
and from decentralised institutions in the Upper West Region. Secondary sources include
unpublished essays and theses, books, articles, reported cases in the Ghana Law Reports,
unreported and/or pending cases in the Ghanaian courts
Redesigning a Haptic Glove for New Features and Improved Assembly
No full textThis report describes the development of a redesigned haptic glove for SenseGlove, a Delft-based startup specializing in haptic technologies for use in Virtual Reality. Their Nova product line offers force feedback, haptics, and finger tracking to increase immersion in VR and provide intuitive interaction with virtual objects for training purposes. Driven by a desire to implement new features, communicate a new branding direction and increase production rates while maintaining quality, SenseGlove requested a full redesign of Nova’s enclosure with a focus on improving assembly time.An analysis of Nova’s original assembly process and design was conducted and showed several areas in which it could be improved. Then, three focus points were defined based on principles from Poka Yoke and DFA:Focus point 1:Minimize the number of parts needed for subassemblies within the scope of this project.Focus point 2:Improve the logic of the assembly steps and make them as self-explanatory as possible.Focus point 3:Reduce the loss of progress that can occur from human error during assembly.Guided by the focus points, a three-phase design process was completed in which Nova was divided into several subproblems that were individually solved, then combined into a configuration model, before finally being integrated with a new aesthetic direction that was co-developed with SenseGlove to create a Nova 2.0 concept with a new assembly process. A proposal for CMF was also provided, along with an evaluation based on assembly, aesthetics reception, manufacturability, and costs.The Nova 2.0 concept is estimated to take approximately 53% of the original time to assemble, while eliminating the need for several assembly stations and enabling nondestructive disassembly. The new aesthetic direction fits well among other VR devices often used together with Nova but requires some refinement to meet all visual goals set by SenseGlove. The model provided in this report is not yet completely manufacturable, but with minor adjustments and implementation of recommendations should be ready for production. The new production cost is expected to be higher than the original Nova due to the implementation of new features and a redesigned PCBA, though the exact price cannot be determined as some features were beyond the scope of this project. The Nova 2.0 concept reaches the goals set at the start of this project and SenseGlove is recommended to further develop it but is advised to keep the three focus points in mind when making changes, as design for assembly needs to be applied in all stages of development to bring maximum benefits and reduce the risk of facing issues in the future.Integrated Product Desig
Tool Point Analysis for Bending, Torsional and Axial Receptances of tool-holder-spindle Assembly
No full textAbstractA generalized method for the analysis of the tool point receptances related to all axes (X, Y and Z) is presented in this paper. In order to facilitate modeling, the tool-holder-spindle assembly is divided into four substructures, i.e., spindle-holder subassembly, shank of tool, fluted part of tool and tool-holder joint interface. The fluted part of tool is modeled using three-dimensional Timoshenko theory. The tool-holder joint interface is regarded as a zero-thickness distributed layer. A set of independent spring-damper elements is employed to simulate the dynamic properties of the joint interface. The dynamic responses of all substructures is assembled to calculate the tool point receptances. Finally the proposed method is experimentally verified
The role of emerin and LEM domain proteins in nuclear envelope assembly and cytoskeleton organisation
No full textThe nuclear envelope (NE) plays a fundamental role in the cell by separating nuclear from cytoplasmic activities, and mutations in NE proteins have been associated with a diverse array of diseases. In the present study the Xenopus cell-free system was used to investigate the function of the inner nuclear membrane protein, emerin, which is associated with the Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy (X-EDMD).Initially, the order and dynamics of NE assembly in Xenopus egg extracts have been investigated. Using a panel of antibodies it was shown that NE assembly proceeds by the ordered recruitment of two membrane populations, Nuclear Envelope Precursor vesicles -A and -B (NEP-A and NEP-B), to chromatin. As shown by immunofluorescence NEP-B vesicles, together with nucleoporins (Nups), appear first around chromatin at about ten minutes after initiation of NE assembly while NEP-A vesicles appear at a later stage, at about twenty minutes. To investigate the role of different emerin domains in this process, four human emerin peptides consisting of amino acids (aa) 1-70, 1-176, 1-220 and 73-180 were added individually to Xenopus nuclear assembly reactions at different concentrations and the effect on nuclear vesicle recruitment and NPC formation was monitored. Immunofluorescence analysis showed that peptides containing the LEM domain of emerin interfere with a correct NE assembly by inhibiting chromatin decondensation and recruitment of membranes to chromatin. This inhibitory effect was shown to be exerted mainly on NEP-A membranes and on Nup62 and Nupl53. By the use of two antibodies, raised against the LEM domain of human emerin and LAP2ß, two proteins of 30 and 36 kD, respectively, were identified in Xenopus. Both proteins were shown to reside in the NEP-A membrane population providing an explanation for the preferential inhibition of NEP-A recruitment to chromatin by exogenously added LEM domain containing emerin peptides. To further investigate whether the domain specific inhibitory effects of emerin on nuclear assembly correlate with specific interacting proteins, co-precipitation experiments were performed to identify emerin binding proteins in the Xenopus cytosol. From these experiments ß -tubulin was identified as a protein able to interact with emerin peptides 1-70 and 73-180. Staining of X-EDMD cells, which lack emerin, with a ß -tubulin antibody revealed no alterations in the organisation of the microtubule (MT) network. The most prominent effect of emerin mutations regarding MTs was the position of the Microtubule Organising Centre (MTOC) relative to the NE. Staining for the centrosomal protein pericentrin revealed a mis-localisation of the MTOC away from the NE in X-EDMD cell lines at distances at least double compared to control cells
The north west shelf natural gas project: An analysis of critical events
No full textThe thesis which follows is an attempt to examine a complex organisational phenomenon corporate policy within a multinational resource based joint venture. It employs a multidisciplinary conceptual framework which draws on a range of disciplines including Business Policy/Strategy, Organisation Theory and Macroeconomics (see 1.1).
The central concern of the thesis is to "Explain how prevailing political and economic factors have influenced the policy decisions undertaken by the North West Shelf (NWS) joint venturers throughout critical periods or 'events' in the history of Australia's largest capital project." This objective is accommodated within the main body of the thesis along with two other interrelated goals "Production of an original and comprehensive commentary on the history of the North West Shelf project from 1973 to 1986 and the design of a broad conceptual schema to describe the decision making environment of the NWS joint venturers." (see Figure 3). This schema is ultimately developed into a model with general applications for the study of corporate policy and strategy within multinational resource based joint venture projects (see 8.3). Policy, Strategy and Environment are the three keynote terms employed in the theoretical base of the study which attempts to highlight the essential connection between them (see 1.1.3).
The topic of corporate policy and strategy relating to the North. West Shelf joint venture was chosen for a number of reasons, not least the sheer scale and significance of the project for the Australian and Western Australian economies. The NWS project has been given a high media profile since the Woodside joint venture participants (JVP) made their first commercial gas finds off North Western Australia in 1972 (see Introduction)
It has also been the subject of extensive parliamentary debate at Federal and State level, with continuing political controversies over government control and high levels of foreign interest in Australia's premium natural gas fields. Federal and West Australian legislative frameworks and policy instruments relating to large scale petroleum and mineral developments are examined in some detail in the thesis (see Chapter 4). The essential interaction between corporate and public policies (host governments and multinational joint venturers), is also an important focal point of the study.
To date no comprehensive historical commentary has been produced to describe the planning and development of Western Australia's largest resource project: in terms of capital invested ($A12 billion by 1995) (1987 dollars) and revenue from sales of hydrocarbons, piped natural gas and 1iquified natural gas (LNG) to domestic and export markets. The thesis accommodates this goal through the use of published sources and interview material (see 1.1 and 1.2) within a unique theoretical framework.
Interview respondents provided both general background on the NWS venture and a variety of perspectives on a series of 'critical events' in the history of the project. Analysis of these 'events', through comparison of interview responses and information from a range of published sources, provides an essential insight into the policy decisions taken by the NWS joint venturers during critical periods in planning and development of the project.
The central reference point in the thesis is the 'Conceptual Map' which is comprised of a series of schematic diagrams outlining various sectors of the North West Shelf project organisation's internal and external environment. The map and relevant concepts are used to demonstrate how policy outputs from the NWS joint venture influence and are influenced by other organisations or interest groups within the project organisation's internal and external environment.
The NWS project organisation is seen to be linked to a series of other influential organisations and government bodies through an interorganisational network. This follows Odell (1983) who developed the concept of an international petroleum network to highlight essential connections between corporate and governmental bodies operating at each level within the vertically integrated international petroleum industry (see 3.1).
The network concept is usefully employed in the thesis to illustrate the influence which World level (multinational), National and State level interests can hold in relation to corporate policy and strategy within a multinational joint venture project.
The thesis is structured in a form which allows Chapters 3 to 8 to pursue and develop a series of discrete themes relating to the NWS project. These are bound together by the theoretical framework and conceptual schema set out in Chapters 1 and 2. In broad terms the content of the study breaks down as follows: Introduction - (i) Historical background to the NWS project; (ii) the structure of the NWS joint venture, (iii) chronology and overview of key events influencing the planning of the project. Chapters 1 and 2 cover the theoretical structure and methodological basis of the study. The contribution of various writers to the multidisciplinary conceptual framework of the thesis is discussed in detail. Chapter 3 covers the worldwide petroleum network, the structure of the Australian oil and gas industry, the position of the NWS project as an exporter of liquified natural gas (LNG) and the growing international trade in this product. Chapter 4 is primarily concerned with the legislative and public policy framework, which has been developed at Federal and State level to govern the development of large scale petroleum and minerals projects in Australia. Provisions with particular relevance to the NWS project are considered at length. Chapter 5 is a simple but detailed description of the Conceptual Map, highlighting the influence of a series of key external bodies on the corporate policies of the NWS joint venturers over specified periods of time. Chapters 6 and 7 provide a detailed analysis of three 'critical events' identified by interview respondents as having an important impact on the future development of the NWS project.
Each event is set within a wider context of political and economic change within Western Australia and Australia. Major macroeconomic shifts in relevant international markets are also considered.
In the final chapter information presented in Chapters 3, 6 and 7 is updated bringing important themes pursued in these sections through to the end of 1988. A simple model of 'Policy Making Environment' for multinational resource based joint ventures is presented incorporating major features drawn from the conceptual map employed throughout the thesis. Final conclusions are presented in order to draw together both the theoretical and thematic content of the work and identify key areas for future research
Persuasion as a social heuristic: A rhetorical analysis of the making of the constitution of Namibia
No full textThe study focuses on the rhetoric used during the drafting of the Constitution of the Republic of Namibia. The thesis will offer a framework for understanding negotiations in terms of distinct and coherent rhetoric. Primary sources for this thesis consist of five volumes of the Hansard of the Standing Committee on Standing Rules and Orders and Internal Arrangements of the Windhoek Constituent Assembly. To understand the rhetoric under which the Namibian Constitution was drafted, the Hansard of the Standing Committee was analysed. By analysing the Hansard, one can begin to formulate a picture of the rhetoric that led to a new Constitution of the Republic of Namibia and begin to understand rhetoric in the Namibian context. In order to make valid assertions, one has to go beyond what was said in the Constituent Assembly and look at what the participants said elsewhere. The thesis is concerned here with their words, not with their thoughts. But there is a recognition that sometimes thoughts matter as much as words. No judgements are made on the merits of their arguments. The study simply intended to examine their rhetoric and how rhetoric impacted on the final outcome of the negotiations. The study revealed that, with very few exceptions, most of the debates of the Windhoek Constituent Assembly were initially built on argument and many of them were solved through practical reasoning. This can be explained in part by the attitude of the members and in part by the constraint of the process. The study also revealed that the informative role of deliberation helped the framers of the Namibian constitution to form a more complete set of preferences than they originally had or even forced them to change positions when they were exposed to the full consequences or incoherence of their original proposals. For another, when political actors needed to justify their proposals, they found that impartial arguments were not available or, if they were, they were too obviously tied to a particular interest to be convincing. vi Persuasion as a Social Heuristic: A Rhetorical Analysis of the making of the Constitution of Namibia The appeal to fear strategy, as a means to enable delegates to better recognise the nature of the problems facing the political community and to begin thinking about potential solutions, was clearly at play at the Windhoek Constituent Assembly. Finally, the proceedings of the Windhoek Constituent Assembly which framed the Constitution show that many of the provisions of that instrument which are seemingly straightforward and artless rest in reality upon compromises, and are often laboured and tortuous. The outcome of constitution-making in Namibia was greatly influenced by the exchange of arguments and counter-arguments among the framers
Review of 2024 Georgia General Assembly
No full textBackground: The 2024 Georgia General Assembly is anticipated to debate numerous bills related to the public health budget, policy and practice.
Methods: The author will attend sessions of the General Assembly on a daily basis, monitoring committee hearings and floor debates and votes and report on them utilizing a Power Point presentation, along with lecture and Q & A.
Results: Attendees will be up-to-date on recently passed legislation impacting public health policy and practice.
Key words: Policy, legislation, legislature, budge
- …
