Cities have become more committed to ecological restoration and management activities in urban natural areas.

ALL ACCESS' Urban/UAC section is a crucial daily destination for pros carving out a place in the format. It's updated by Editor SAM WEAVER, your trusted source for all things … more

Urban Southern creates handcrafted, honest leather bags that simply fit your everyday. Made in the southern U.S.A. from full grain, locally tanned saddle leather.

By Kristie Auman-Bauer Penn State News Climate change is causing glaciers to shrink, temperatures to rise, and shifts in human migration in parts of the world, according to a Penn State researcher. Brian Thiede, assistant professor of rural sociology, along … Continue reading →

We present a LiDAR-based and real-time capable 3D perception system for automated driving in urban domains. The hierarchical system design is able to model stationary and movable parts of the environment simultaneously and under real-time conditions. Our approach extends the state of the art by innovative in-detail enhancements for perceiving road users and drivable corridors even in case of non-flat ground surfaces and overhanging or protruding elements. We describe a runtime-efficient pointcloud processing pipeline, consisting of adaptive ground surface estimation, 3D clustering and motion classification stages. Based on the pipeline's output, the stationary environment is represented in a multi-feature mapping and fusion approach. Movable elements are represented in an object tracking system capable of using multiple reference points to account for viewpoint changes. We further enhance the tracking system by explicit consideration of occlusion and ambiguity cases. Our system is evaluated using a subset of the TUBS Road User Dataset. We enhance common performance metrics by considering application-driven aspects of real-world traffic scenarios. The perception system shows impressive results and is able to cope with the addressed scenarios while still preserving real-time capability.

In this paper, we continue our prior work on using imitation learning (IL) and model free reinforcement learning (RL) to learn driving policies for autonomous driving in urban scenarios, by introducing a model based RL method to drive the autonomous vehicle in the Carla urban driving simulator. Although IL and model free RL methods have been proved to be capable of solving lots of challenging tasks, including playing video games, robots, and, in our prior work, urban driving, the low sample efficiency of such methods greatly limits their applications on actual autonomous driving. In this work, we developed a model based RL algorithm of guided policy search (GPS) for urban driving tasks. The algorithm iteratively learns a parameterized dynamic model to approximate the complex and interactive driving task, and optimizes the driving policy under the nonlinear approximate dynamic model. As a model based RL approach, when applied in urban autonomous driving, the GPS has the advantages of higher sample efficiency, better interpretability, and greater stability. We provide extensive experiments validating the effectiveness of the proposed method to learn robust driving policy for urban driving in Carla. We also compare the proposed method with other policy search and model free RL baselines, showing 100x better sample efficiency of the GPS based RL method, and also that the GPS based method can learn policies for harder tasks that the baseline methods can hardly learn.

A system and method that facilitates urban traffic state detection based on support vector machine (SVM) and multilayer perceptron (MLP) classifiers is provided. Moreover, the SVM and MLP classifiers are fused into a cascaded two-tier classifier that improves the accuracy of the traffic state classification. To further improve the accuracy, the cascaded two-tier classifier (e.g., MLP-SVM), a single SVM classifier and a single MLP classifier are fused to determine a final decision for a traffic state. In addition, fusion strategies are employed during training and implementation phases to compensate for data acquisition and classification errors caused by noise and/or outliers.

A process for the production of bio-oil from solid urban waste, comprising the following steps: a) subjecting said solid urban waste to liquefaction, obtaining a mixture including an oily phase consisting of bio-oil, a solid phase and an aqueous phase; b) subjecting the aqueous phase obtained in the liquefaction step a) to fermentation, obtaining a fermented biomass; c) feeding the fermented biomass obtained in the fermentation step b) to the liquefaction step a). The bio-oil (or bio-crude) thus obtained can be advantageously used in the production of biofuels which can be used as such or mixed with other motor vehicle fuels. Alternatively, this bio-oil (or bio-crude) can be used as such (biocombustible) or mixed with fossil combustibles (combustible oil, coal, etc.) for the generation of electric energy or heat.

A method to prevent failure on a server computer due to internally and/or externally induced shock and/or vibration. The method includes acquiring, by at least one sensor, analog acceleration data of components in a server computer. The data is then converted to digital format and stored within a motor drive assembly processor memory unit. The processor analyzes the stored data for existence of machine degradation. In response to detecting the existence of machine degradation, the motor drive assembly processor initiates remediation procedures. The remediation procedures include controlling rotating speed of moving devices or performing a complete system shut down.

Overhead public transport installation for urban and peri-urban environment using track ropes with overhead stations, each comprising a platform situated below the level of the boarding/disembarkation platforms and consistent with the overhead clearance of the road transport system in terms of the difference in level that corresponds to the sag in the track ropes.

Apparatus and methods are disclosed, such as a method that includes precharging channel material of a string of memory cells in an unselected sub-block of a block of memory cells to a precharge voltage during a first portion of a programming operation. A programming voltage can then he applied to a selected memory cell in a selected sub-block of the block of memory cells during a second portion of the programming operation. The selected memory cell is coupled to a same access line as an unselected memory cell in the unselected sub-block. Additional methods and apparatus are disclosed.

An example method for detecting respiratory disturbances experienced by a subject can include receiving an airflow signal and at least one of an acoustic or vibration signal, where the airflow, acoustic, and/or vibration signals are associated with the subjects breathing. At least one feature can be extracted from the airflow signal and at least one feature can be extracted from at least one of the acoustic or vibration signal. Based on the extracted features, at least one respiratory disturbance can be detected. The respiratory disturbance can be flow limited breath or inspiratory flow limitation (“IFL”).

A gyroscope includes a substrate, a first structure, a second structure and a third structure elastically coupled to the substrate and movable along a first axis. The first and second structure are arranged at opposite sides of the third structure with respect to the first axis A driving system is configured to oscillate the first and second structure along the first axis in phase with one another and in phase opposition with the third structure. The first, second and third structure are provided with respective sets of sensing electrodes, configured to be displaced along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis in response to rotations of the substrate about a third axis perpendicular to the first axis and to the second axis.

Groundbreaking partnership with HS2 Ltd to design new infrastructure and connectivity.

Environmental project shows extent of wildlife to be found in the region.

Since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, many local plant nurseries say there’s been a run on seeds as people all over Seattle take to gardening to grow food and provide solace during an uncertain time.

Produce selection is geared toward each chef’s menu offerings.

Since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, many local plant nurseries say there’s been a run on seeds as people all over Seattle take to gardening to grow food and provide solace during an uncertain time.

As waitlists for care facilities grow longer and more people with dementia are choosing to live within their own communities, urban planning and design will play an increasingly important role in helping them live safe, comfortable and independent lives.

Season-conscious mindset and urban design can help us embrace winter instead of avoiding it.

Appealing solo debut from the former Metronomy man.

What can we learn from living through lockdown to make our cities and urban areas better places to live into the future?

Can these lockdown patterns of urban behaviour change how we shape our cities, one man's mission to de-plastic our sea and sand, how Cape York communities have had zero infection on a shoestring budget, and a landmark Dylan song falls back into relevance.

Cameron Bancroft survived a one-year ban for ball tampering, but has since gone from the lofty heights of a Test at Lord's to suburban cricket after being dropped from the WA state team, writes Ben Cameron.

Wildlife carers in Victoria say more native animals are being injured or killed as prolonged dry weather drives them to seek food and water closer to urban areas.

A prominent urban researcher warns that Ballarat is heading towards a "social disaster" unless it can curb urban sprawl.

There’s a new emphasis on land reclamation and building floating structures for everything from accommodation to marine farming to energy generation. Re-defining the use of the ocean is part of the emerging “blue economy” – one that can be both economically beneficial and environmentally responsible. How well can these often contradictory goals be reconciled?

Critics say that the proliferation of modern, wafer-thin skyscrapers are symbols of rising urban inequality. Also: Are levels of density in our cities making us ill? And what's the impact of short-term letting on urban affordability? 

A sixth-generation farming family living on the urban fringes of Melbourne are watching farming properties around them disappear because of the urban sprawl.

Experts say bushfires coupled with decreasing habitat in an urbanised landscape is taking its toll on wildlife and improved land management is crucial.

More than 2.7 million Australians live in a house with a swimming pool and with growing environmental awareness, residents across the country are converting their pools to ponds.

When tiny pieces of plastic that were spilled on other side of the world start washing up on your beaches, who is responsible for cleaning them up?

A jury finds a former Canberra police officer who improperly used police data to impersonate his neighbour, in order to call authorities about a suburban dispute, acted reasonably and did not commit a crime.

Researchers say there used to be an expectation that there was an urban/country divide in racist attitudes in Australia, but a recent study has challenged the assumption.

#architektura #architekt #dom #design

#architektura #architekt #dom #design

(California Court of Appeal) - In an environmental action, challenging defendant city's finding that a project was exempt from formal environmental review, the trial court's grant of mandatory relief to plaintiff under Code of Civil Procedure section 473(b) is reversed where: 1) such relief is limited to default, default judgments, and dismissal; and 2) the trial court's grant of judgment to defendant after plaintiff counsel failed to prepare and lodge the administrative record as stipulated does not fall within either category.

(United States Tenth Circuit) - In trademark dispute over steel "body kits" designed to make a truck look like a military-style vehicle, denial of plaintiff GM's motion for preliminary injunction is affirmed where the district court did not abuse its discretion in finding that GM failed to make a strong showing of a likelihood of success on the merits that the "body kits" infringe upon and dilute GM's trade dress rights in its Hummer line of vehicles.

(United States Seventh Circuit) - Held that a construction business that ceased operations and cut off its pension contributions was subject to withdrawal liability under ERISA's Multiemployer Pension Plan Amendments. Affirmed summary judgment in favor of a labor union pension fund.

Remember when it was fun to be afraid of things other than a global pandemic?

La marca de moda urbana DPStreet, filial del corporativo GrupoDP, ha dado a conocer su intención de transformar el modelo comercial y de negocio apoyados en la habilitación de distintas estrategias digitales, una de las principales es una tienda virtual desarrollada por IBM (Digital Commerce) e implementada por Solemti S.A. de C.V., su asociado de negocios en el área digital.

As most of us know, states across the U.S. can no longer rely on a defined fire season. This sobering truth is especially evident in California where the fire season is 70 days longer than it was 40 years ago, and fire ignitions in the state have greatly

Fire chiefs from France, the United Kingdom, and the United States gathered in Quincy, Massachusetts at the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Urban Fire Forum (UFF) to listen to first-hand accounts of some of the biggest emergency response incidents over the past 15 months, including hurricane response in Texas and Florida, the Grenfell Tower fire in London, and the Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando.

On the invitation of the Chengdu government, New York-based architecture firm ODA has created a visionary new masterplan for the southwestern Chinese city. Spanning 1 million square feet, the proposal would include four 13-story residential towers integrated into a 700,000-square-foot, mixed-use commercial park with modern buildings optimized for passive energy savings. Described by the firm as an “urban experiment in rearranging priorities for the public realm,” the masterplan emphasizes pedestrian-friendly design and indoor-outdoor living throughout.[...]

But it’s not clear whether elevated cholesterol is bad for birds.

Housing patterns and transit modes could turn out to be decisive factors in why some cities were better able to fend off spread of the coronavirus.