Monthly Archives: March 2015

Astronomy For Everyone – Episode 63 – Astronomy Programs at the University of Toledo August 2014 – Video

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Astronomy For Everyone - Episode 63 - Astronomy Programs at the University of Toledo August 2014
Astronomy For Everyone is a TV series of monthly TV shows developed by members of the Ford Amateur Astronomy Club (FAAC) targeted to beginner and intermediat...

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Astronomy For Everyone - Episode 63 - Astronomy Programs at the University of Toledo August 2014 - Video

Politics : the tidally-locked state of the Mauritian electorate

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In astronomy, the term tidally-locked applies to planets or other astronomical bodies such as the Moon which are said to be tidally-locked to another larger body when the gravitational gradient causes the same side of the smaller body to perpetually face the larger body. For example the same side of the Moon always faces the Earth. This concept allows us to draw an interesting analogy with the present state of Mauritian politics. For decades, the electorate has been tidally-locked to the same mainstream parties, facing and electing members of these same parties, without ever being able to break free from the latters gravitational-pull and drag new parties within the electoral systems orbit. An investigation of the possible causes would be certainly enlightening. If we factor-out cultural tendencies, the main causative factor is, ironically, a facet of democracy the first-past-the-post election system, which is also referred to as the plurality voting system. In such a system, the winner of a seat is the candidate with the most votes. In political science, Duvergers law is a principle which states that the plurality voting system fosters a two-party system, as a result of an alliance of weak parties or the elimination of weak parties by voters. In the latter case, voters gradually desert small parties on the grounds that they are perceived to have no chance of winning and that a vote for these parties is a wasted vote. Another consequence of the first-past-the-post system is the concept of tactical-voting by the electorate. Voters feel they have an incentive to vote for one of the three candidates they predict are most likely to win in their constituency even if they would prefer other candidates to win, because a vote for any other candidate will in all likelihood be wasted and have no impact on the final result. Since a few parties are perceived as credible politically, voters may well end up voting for candidates with whom they largely disagree so as to oppose a candidate with whom they disagree even more. Examples abound from the recent elections of the above assertions. Despite demonstrating its prowess and legitimacy through its successful legal battle to enable its members to stand as candidates for general elections without having to state their ethnic belonging, the Rezistans ek Alternativ party was unable to ride the wave of discontent which hit the incumbent government and seems condemned under the plurality voting system to be at best a pressure group and at worst a political party marginalized by the electorate due to its perceived political weakness. Further, soon after the debacle for the Labour party, its representatives did not wait to brandish the argument of vote sanction et non vote dadhsion to explain the large victory of the Alliance Lepep, which, if true, would be an example of tactical voting as encouraged under the first-past-the-post system. In light of this analysis, we must pre-empt the evolution of the political scenery over the coming decades with the overarching intention to improve the system towards a truly representative democracy. If the first-past-the-post election is maintained, a two-party system will always prevail. The solution in this case is to open up those few big / mainstream parties to new blood as opposed to promoting a dynastic leadership. Opening up would be encouraged by way of limiting the prime ministerial mandate to two tenures for any individual and putting in place primaries within the mainstream parties to elect the candidate for prime-ministership. The only obstacle to these evolutionary steps is the lack of will on the part of todays political stars (that is mainstream parties) shining down the electorate. These political stars must recall that in astronomy it is well known that despite their mass and energy, stars eventually turn into dwarves before dying.

Citoyen & Cadre dans la Finance

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Politics : the tidally-locked state of the Mauritian electorate

"The A.I APP Review" RESULTS 2015 Artificial Intelligence App By John Clark AI App Reviewed – Video

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"The A.I APP Review" RESULTS 2015 Artificial Intelligence App By John Clark AI App Reviewed
The A.I App Review - Artificial Intelligence App By John Clark More Info: http://doiop.com/AIAPP "The A.I App Review" Artificial Intelligence App RESULTS 2015 Artificial Intelligence App...

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"The A.I APP Review" RESULTS 2015 Artificial Intelligence App By John Clark AI App Reviewed - Video

Artificial Intelligence Solutions and Artificial Intelligence Software Development Services Offered by Talee ltd

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LONDON, March 16, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

Artificial intelligence (AI) is the mimicking of human thought and cognitive processes to solve complex problems automatically. AI uses techniques for writing computer code to represent and manipulate knowledge. Different techniques mimic the different ways that people think and reason (see case-based reasoning and model-based reasoning for examples). AI applications can be either stand-alone software, such as decision support software, or embedded within larger software or hardware systems

AI has been around for about 50 years and while early optimism about matching human reasoning capabilities quickly has not been realized yet, there is a significant and growing set of valuable applications. AI hasn't yet mimicked much of the common-sense reasoning of a five-year old child. Nevertheless, it can successfully mimic many expert tasks performed by trained adults, and there is probably more artificial intelligence being used in practice in one form or another than most people realize.

Really intelligent applications will only be achievable with artificial intelligence and it is the mark of a successful AI software designer to deliver functionality that can't be delivered without using AI.

We work closely with customers to move them from manual information management into the world of advanced analytics. Our approach allows analysts to shift from raw data scanning to the creation of important, actionable intelligence.

We deliver software systems to help our customers solve problems that defy traditional approaches. We specialize in artificial intelligence products and solutions for...

Education & Training Planning & Scheduling Decision Support Knowledge Management & Discovery Computer Security & Reliability

Our software development, implementation, and technology transfer services ensure the successful deployment of effective, long-term solutions.

Talee AI Services can help with the design, review and implementation of your contemplated AI system

Implementing AI and expert systems can be a fairly significant undertaking, and is usually at the heart of the system value proposition itself. By utilizing members of our team that are working with a broad set of algorithms and approaches on a daily basis, the time and costs associated with your project can be greatly reduced. We can even just review and provide written analysis of your project status, in addition to optionally building and integrating. Systems can be stand-alone PC - based or fully web-based. Hosted, local or embedded.

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Artificial Intelligence Solutions and Artificial Intelligence Software Development Services Offered by Talee ltd

About Digits

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The South by Southwest festival of tech, arts and music features lively debates over the benefits, and risks, or artificial intelligence. Which made it a good setting for the North American debut of Ex Machina, a movie about a tech CEO creating a conscious female robot.

In the film, a young programmer at a Google -like company named BlueBook wins a lottery to spend a week living and working alongside its reclusive CEO, Nathan, on a secret project. The CEO introduces the programmer, Caleb, to Ava, a self-aware, sentient cyborg. Tensions among the three rise as the programmer befriends Ava while evaluating her human-like qualities.

Writer and director Alex Garland said he wants audiences to feel conflicted between Ava and her human friends and creator.

But Garlands sympathies are clear. Im 100% for the robots, he said during a Q&A session after the Saturday night screening. I am very sort of suspicious and worried about people. I dont feel that way about robots. I think they might more reasonable than we are.

Ex Machina, which hits U.S. theaters on April 10, is Garland first film as a director. Hes best known for writing independent films such as 28 Days Later, Sunshine, and Never Let Me Go.

Garland said he chose to make the film because of what he views as misplaced fears about technology, particularly artificial intelligence.

We dont really understand how these things work, so thats strange, but they seem to know how we work, Garland said of search engines and social networks. They can anticipate things about us. They know more about us than we know about them. And that makes us feel scared.

There was no fear at the screening, which brought laughter and applause from a packed house at the Paramount Theatres 1,100-seat auditorium. Jarrod Neece, SXSW Films senior programmer, said Ex Machina might be the best film ever played at the festival.

In a Sunday interview with The Journal, the filmmaker said he doesnt want to perpetuate doomsday scenarios and fears of artificial intelligence. Garland also said he feels like its only a matter of time before truly self-aware and conscious artificial intelligence is created.

Sentient artificial intelligence feels as inevitable as a cure for cancer, he said. Broadly speaking, if and when we can do something, someone somewhere does it.

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About Digits

Airbus, Korea Aerospace Industries in new helo partnership deal

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PARIS, March 16 (UPI) -- Airbus Helicopters is to jointly develop and manufacture military and civilian helicopters in South Korea with Korea Aerospace Industries.

The teaming contract, which involves technology transfer, is for 214 light attack helicopters and about 100 light civil helicopters based on the technology of the latest version of the Airbus AS365B1 Dauphin, a twin-engine medium helicopter, now re-designated H155.

The companies expected the contract to be worth an estimated $3 billion over a 29-year period.

Airbus said it will contribute technology and expertise, while KAI will be conduct some manufacturing and final assembly at its facility in Sacheon, South Korea.

Airbus Helicopters partnered earlier with KAI in the development of the KUH-1 Surion, a larger twin-engine helicopter, for the Korean military and government agencies. Export marketing of the Surion are handled by a joint venture company with KAI and a similar arrangement is planned for the new light helicopter programs.

"We would like to express our deep gratitude to Korea Aerospace Industries and the South Korean government for entrusting us with this major helicopter program," said Airbus Helicopters President Guillaume Faury. "We are committing our full support in ensuring the LCH and LAH projects will be completed on time, on cost and to specification."

"The LCH and LAH programs will build on our collaboration with Korea Aerospace Industries on the Surion, which has become a reference in successful rotorcraft collaboration. By continuing our relationship, we will significantly reduce the risks of these two new development programs, while meeting all of the mission requirements," added Faury.

The civilian helicopter to be developed is expected to enter service in 2020. The light attack helicopter will follow two years later.

2015 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Any reproduction, republication, redistribution and/or modification of any UPI content is expressly prohibited without UPI's prior written consent.

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Airbus, Korea Aerospace Industries in new helo partnership deal

XCOR Announces Jay Gibson as New Chief Executive Officer

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XCOR Aerospace, Inc. announced today that executive John H. (Jay) Gibson II has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer and President of the company. Mr. Gibson succeeds Jeff Greason, who is transitioning to Chief Technology Officer. Mr. Greason will dedicate his time to Lynx development, XCOR's orbital system and other crucial projects.

"After a thorough search for the ideal candidate, we decided on Jay Gibson." said Mr. Greason. "There could not be a more opportune moment for XCOR to welcome Jay on board. With his prominent leadership and management roles at Beechcraft Corporation, the United States Air Force, The Department of Defense as well as other industries and organizations, Jay delivers the depth and breadth of leadership and experience necessary to elevate XCOR to the next level."

As CEO, Mr. Gibson leads XCOR Aerospace with locations in Mojave, California and Midland, Texas as well as subsidiary XCOR Space Expeditions in Amsterdam. XCOR will also be establishing its manufacturing facility at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Said Mr. Gibson, "I am excited to join this exceptional team at a critical time on the XCOR journey to making space accessible to everyone. The potential of commercially reusable rockets and vehicles in both the payload and passenger markets are incredible and are still being defined. This is a rare opportunity to participate in the continuing development of the space industry, and more specifically the success of XCOR, which stands at the forefront of the commercial spaceflight market."

Most recently, Mr. Gibson served as Senior Vice President, Global Mission Support for Beechcraft Corporation in Wichita, Kansas. Additionally at Beechcraft he served as Vice President of the Special Missions Group and Vice President/CFO of the Defense unit. Prior to joining Beechcraft, he served as the Assistant Secretary of the United States Air Force, and as Deputy Under Secretary of Defense in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. Earlier in his career, Jay served in a variety of leadership and management roles in private industry.

"This year is vital to XCOR's plans," added Mr. Greason, who will continue to serve as Chairman of the Board and remain a lead voice in space policy and industry circles. "With the commencement of the Lynx flight test program on the horizon, Jay's arrival allows this team to focus on getting Lynx in the air, moving forward on plans for our orbital vehicle, and transitioning XCOR to a more efficient and effective company."

About XCOR Aerospace: XCOR Aerospace is based in Mojave, California. It is currently building its Research and Development Center in Midland, Texas, and in the future an operational and manufacturing site at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. XCOR builds safe, reliable and reusable rocket-powered vehicles, propulsion systems, advanced non-flammable composites and rocket piston pumps. XCOR works with aerospace prime contractors and government customers on major propulsion systems, while also building Lynx. Lynx is a piloted, two-seat, fully reusable liquid rocket-powered vehicle that takes-off and lands horizontally. The Lynx-family of vehicles serves three primary missions depending on their specific type including: research & scientific missions, private spaceflight, and micro satellite launch (only on Lynx Mark III). Lynx production models (designated Lynx Mark II) are designed to be robust, multi-mission (research / scientific or private spaceflight) commercial vehicles capable of flying to 100+ km in altitude up to four times per day. Lynx vehicles are available to customers in the free world on a wet lease basis to start their own manned space flight program. For more information on XCOR Aerospace, visit http://www.xcor.com and follow us on Facebook or Twitter as XCOR.

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The Last-Mile Problem: How Data Science And Behavioral Science Can Work Together

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By James Guszcza, Deloitte Consulting LLP

What do Moneyballapplying data analytics to make more economically efficient decisionsand nudge using principles from psychology and behavioral economics to promote decisions that are consistent with peoples long-term goalshave in common? Quite a bit, as it turns out.

Business analytics and the science of behavioral nudges are different types of responses to the observation that people are predictably irrational. Predictive analytics aims to guide people toward rational behavior by using data to correct for mental biases. Behavioral techniques aim to nudge people toward certain actions by designing choice environments in ways that go with, rather than against, the grain of human psychology.

The science of behavioral nudges should find a place in the toolkit of mainstream predictive analytics. Predictive models, however strongly backed by analytics, can only point the end user in the right directionand no model can deliver the benefits it is designed to deliver unless appropriately acted upon. It is at this last mile stage that most programs meet with the greatest resistance, and behavioral nudges can play a part in solving this problem.

An example from the 2012 US presidential campaign illustrates the power of programs powered by predictive analytics and designed with human behavioral tendencies in mind. Though both Romneys and Obamas campaigns were propelled to a large extent by big data and analytics, Obamas stood apart for its combined use of predictive analytics and behavioral nudge tactics. In an example of the latter, campaign workers would ask voters to fill out and sign commitment cards with a photograph of Barack Obamaa tactic informed by research indicating that people are more likely to follow through on actions they have committed to.

Push the worst, nudge the rest

When the goal is behavior change, predictive analytics and the science of behavioral nudges can serve as two parts of a greater, more effective whole. For example, predictive models could be used to identify noncustodial parents at risk of falling behind on their child support payments. These high-risk parents could then be targeted with nudge tactics aimed at keeping them current with payments (such as filling out commitment cards and designing outreach letters using devices such as addressing the parent by name and using colloquial and forthright language). Similar ideas can inform next-generation fraud detection insurance claims, especially to combat what is usually referred to as soft fraudpractices such as opportunistic embellishment or exaggeration rather than premeditated schemes. Behavioral nudge tactics offer a soft touch approach that is well suited to the ambiguous nature of much fraud detection work. For instance, judiciously worded letters that remind the claimant of the companys fraud detection policies could have a sentinel effect.

In 3D: Data meets digital meets design

Just as behavioral science can help overcome the last-mile problem of predictive analytics, data science can assist with the last-mile problem of behavioral economicsto bridge the gap between peoples long-term intentions and their everyday actions. In certain contexts, useful nudges can take the form of digitally delivered, analytically constructed data products.

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The Last-Mile Problem: How Data Science And Behavioral Science Can Work Together

Local students honored for their work in regional science, engineering fair

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The San Juan Regional Science and Engineering Fair took place Friday and Saturday at the Turano-Chrisman Performing Arts Theater at Piedra Vista High School in Farmington. Prizes ranged from money to school supplies, like new backpacks and flash drives. A total of 163 projects were presented during the two-day fair from students across the San Juan Region, which included Cuba to the south, Lumberton to the east and Newcomb to the west. Elementary, middle school and high school students all took part in the event.

The San Juan Regional Science and Engineering Fair results

Earth and Space Science:

1st. Mallory Southern

2nd. Nathan Heidke

3rd. Jayden Franklin

Life Science:

1st. Luke Culpepper

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Local students honored for their work in regional science, engineering fair

Dr. Emily Splichal Book: BAREFOOT STRONG: Unlock the Secrets to Movement Longevity – Video

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Dr. Emily Splichal Book: BAREFOOT STRONG: Unlock the Secrets to Movement Longevity
In this interview, we talk with Dr. Emily Splichal about the luahc of her new book, "BAREFOOT STRONG: Unlock the Secrets to Movement Longevity." As one of th...

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Dr. Emily Splichal Book: BAREFOOT STRONG: Unlock the Secrets to Movement Longevity - Video