What are ASMR roleplay videos?

ASMR roleplay videos are a subcategory of ASMR content where the creator, often referred to as an 'ASMRtist,' simulates providing personal attention to the viewer. These videos typically involve the ASMRtist acting directly to the camera as if the viewer were the recipient of a simulated service, such as having their hair styled, makeup applied, or undergoing a medical examination. Many viewers report that watching such simulations triggers the ASMR sensation, which is characterized by a pleasurable tingling feeling often accompanied by relaxation and sleepiness[1].

[1] wikipedia.org
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How do metaphors enhance writing?

 title: 'Using Metaphors and Symbolism: How to Add Depth and Meaning to Your Writing | Elite Authors'

Metaphors enhance writing by creating vivid imagery and helping readers grasp complex ideas through familiar comparisons. They allow writers to evoke emotions, making descriptions more impactful, as seen in phrases like “her smile was a ray of sunshine,” which conveys warmth and happiness[2]. Additionally, they simplify abstract concepts, as when 'life is a journey' illustrates the challenges and experiences of life in an accessible way[4].

Moreover, metaphors can enrich storytelling by providing depth and stimulating readers' imagination, fostering connections between seemingly unrelated ideas[1][3]. Their effective use can make writing more engaging and memorable, encouraging readers to reflect on the underlying meanings[5].

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What is section 174?

Section 174[1] refers to a provision in the tax code that allows businesses to deduct or amortize certain[1] research and development (R&D) costs. It applies to all taxpaying entities, including corporations, small businesses, startups, and sole proprietorships. Qualifying expenses include salaries, supplies, patent costs, overhead expenses, and contract research expenses. However, not all R&D expenses are deductible under Section 174[1], and it's important to determine conformity to this provision at the state level.

[1] thomsonreuters.com

How do octopuses camouflage effectively?

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A Timeline of Prominent Search Engines and Their Release Dates

Archie

The first search engine, created in 1990 by Alan Emtage at McGill University, originally designed to search for files on FTP servers.


Aliweb

Launched in 1993, it allowed webmasters to submit their pages and descriptions for indexing without a bot.


WebCrawler

The first search engine to offer full-text search, launched in 1994, it indexed the entire content of web pages.


Lycos

Launched in 1994, it introduced algorithms that measured search term frequency and word proximity on pages.


Yahoo!

Founded in 1994 as a web directory, it evolved into a search engine and later partnered with other search technologies.


AltaVista

Launched in 1995, it was one of the first search engines with its own index and allowed natural language queries.


Excite

Launched in 1995, it was based on the Architext project and utilized statistical analysis for search efficiency.


Ask Jeeves

Introduced in 1996, it was a natural language search engine that allowed users to ask questions.


Google

Founded in 1998, it revolutionized search with its PageRank algorithm that utilized links to gauge page importance.


MSN Search

Launched in 1998, it struggled initially but underwent several rebranding efforts before becoming Bing in 2009.


Baidu

Founded in 2000, it became the leading search engine in China, focusing on the local market and complying with government regulations.


Bing

Launched in 2009, it aimed to compete directly with Google by enhancing result suggestions and integrating with Microsoft products.


DuckDuckGo

Founded in 2008, it emphasizes user privacy and provides the same search results to all users without tracking.


Ecosia

Established in 2009, this eco-friendly search engine uses its ad revenue to plant trees.


Yandex

Launched in 1997, it became the dominant search engine in Russia, known for its understanding of the Russian language.


HotBot

Initially launched in 1996, later became a meta search engine, known for its colorful interface and fresh results.


Teoma

Introduced in 2000, it utilized clustering to organize search results based on subject-specific popularity.


Ask.com

The rebranding of Ask Jeeves in 2006, adapting to modern search needs while maintaining its legacy.


Infoseek

Started in 1995 and later purchased by Disney, it attempted to innovate but ultimately failed in the competitive search market.


AllTheWeb

Launched in 1999, it served as a strong competitor to Google but was eventually acquired by Overture.


LookSmart

Established in 1995, it functioned as a directory before transitioning to a pay-per-click model.


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Understanding Multi-Scale Context Aggregation by Dilated Convolutions

In the realm of computer vision, particularly in tasks like semantic segmentation, it's crucial to accurately assign labels to each pixel in an image. The paper 'Multi-Scale Context Aggregation by Dilated Convolutions' by Fisher Yu and Vladlen Koltun addresses the limitations of traditional convolutional networks by introducing a novel approach designed to enhance the performance of dense prediction tasks.

The Problem with Traditional Methods

Semantic segmentation involves classifying each pixel into one of various categories—an inherently complex task. Existing models often struggle because they were primarily designed for image classification rather than pixel-wise tasks. This discrepancy leads to poor outcomes when they are applied to semantic segmentation directly. The authors argue that the core challenge stems from how these models deal with resolution and contextual information when classifying pixels.

Introduction to Dilated Convolutions

To tackle these issues, the paper proposes the use of dilated convolutions, which allow for a greater receptive field—essentially, the area of the input image that influences a particular prediction—without sacrificing spatial resolution. This is achieved through 'exponential expansion' of the receptive field, enabling the model to gather multi-scale contextual information effectively. Using dilated convolutions, the proposed architecture maintains accuracy while processing images at different scales, making it particularly adept for dense prediction tasks like semantic segmentation[1].

Architectural Innovations

The authors introduce a context module that processes features by aggregating multi-scale information. The design allows integration into existing architectures at any resolution, thus enhancing their functionality without the need to completely overhaul their structure. The experiments conducted demonstrate that incorporating this context module significantly boosts the accuracy of state-of-the-art semantic segmentation systems[1].

Structure of the Context Module

The context module is structured in a way that each layer captures information from increasingly larger receptive fields, thereby aggregating multi-scale contextual information. This systematic approach ensures that the model not only retains resolution but also improves its performance through better context comprehension. The effectiveness of this model is validated through rigorous testing on standard datasets, showing a notable increase in accuracy compared to previous methods[1].

Results and Performance

Table 5: Semantic segmentation results on the CamVid dataset. Our model (Dilation8) is compared to ALE (Ladicky et al., 2009), SuperParsing (Tighe & Lazebnik, 2013), Liu and He (Liu & He, 2015), SegNet (Badrinarayanan et al., 2015), and the DeepLab-LargeFOV model (Chen et al., 2015a). Our model outperforms the prior work.
Table 5: Semantic segmentation results on the CamVid dataset. Our model (Dilation8) is compared to ALE (Ladicky et al., 2009), SuperParsing (Tighe & Lazebnik, 2013), Liu and He (Liu & He, 2015), SegNet (Badrinarayanan et al., 2015), and the DeepLab-L...Read More

Experimental results from the paper reveal that the introduction of dilated convolutions and the context module markedly improve segmentation performance. The authors conducted controlled experiments on the Pascal VOC 2012 dataset, showing that their model outperformed previous architectures, achieving an impressive increase in intersection over union (IoU) scores on benchmark tests. For instance, their simplified prediction module surpassed existing models, demonstrating superior accuracy by more than five percentage points in observed test sets[1].

Visual Demonstration

 title: 'Figure 5: Results produced by the Dilation10 model after different training stages. (a) Input image. (b) Ground truth segmentation. (c) Segmentation produced by the model after the first stage of training (front-end only). (d) Segmentation produced after the second stage, which trains the context module. (e) Segmentation produced after the third stage, in which both modules are trained jointly.'
title: 'Figure 5: Results produced by the Dilation10 model after different training stages. (a) Input image. (b) Ground truth segmentation. (c) Segmentation produced by the model after the first stage of training (front-end only). (d) Segmentation pr...Read More

The paper includes qualitative results, showcasing how the model's predictions compare with ground truths across various images. These examples highlight the enhanced segmentation capabilities, revealing the model's proficiency in distinguishing between complex objects and backgrounds more effectively than traditional methods. The visual evaluations further substantiate the claims made regarding improvements in performance accuracy[1].

Conclusion

The research presented in 'Multi-Scale Context Aggregation by Dilated Convolutions' offers significant advancements for semantic segmentation through the innovative use of dilated convolutions and context aggregation techniques. By enhancing resolution retention and contextual understanding, this architecture effectively addresses the limitations inherent in traditional convolutional networks. This work not only provides a foundation for improved models in semantic segmentation but also opens avenues for future research in related areas, ensuring that the field continues to evolve and improve over time[1].

Thus, the findings and methodologies put forth by Yu and Koltun serve as a critical step toward achieving high-quality dense predictions in challenging computer vision tasks, with potential applications across various domains including autonomous driving, medical imaging, and more.


Creating a Fashion Mood Board: A Guide

'a collage of pictures on a wall'
title: 'How to Make a Fashion Mood Board — A Guide for Designers' and caption: 'a collage of pictures on a wall'

Creating a fashion mood board is an essential step for designers, fashion enthusiasts, and anyone looking to explore and communicate their style ideas visually. This guide offers a step-by-step approach to developing a compelling mood board that captures your unique vision and aesthetic.

Define Your Theme and Purpose

creating fashion moad board
title: 'creating fashion moad board' and caption: 'a diagram of a fashion mood board'

The first step in crafting a mood board is to define a clear theme. This theme will help guide your selections and ensure consistency in your design direction. Themes can revolve around various concepts, such as a color palette, an emotional vibe, a cultural reference, or even a seasonal trend. For example, you might decide on a theme like 'summer garden party,' which could inspire a collection focused on vibrant floral patterns and light fabrics[6][7].

Understanding the purpose of the mood board is equally important. Are you designing a specific clothing line or planning a photoshoot? The intended use influences your choices in imagery and layout, ensuring that the final product effectively communicates your vision[5].

Gather Inspiration

Once your theme is established, it’s time to collect inspiration. This involves researching and curating visuals that resonate with your chosen theme. Potential sources of inspiration include:

  • Fashion magazines

  • Online platforms like Pinterest and Instagram, where you can find a wealth of fashion images and trends[1][4].

  • Real-life observations, such as nature, architecture, or street style[6][7].

  • Social media, which provides access to real-time trends and styles[6][9].

As you gather materials, aim for a diverse range of elements, including photographs, fabric swatches, color samples, and even textures from other design disciplines, such as interior design or art[2][4][6].

Selection and Organization of Materials

fashion inspo board
title: 'fashion inspo board' and caption: 'a diagram with text and images'

After collecting a wide array of inspirations, the next step is to select the visuals that best represent your concept. This process should involve filtering out materials that do not quite fit, creating a more cohesive narrative. Look for common themes and color schemes among your materials, which will help in establishing a strong visual flow[5][6].

When organizing your mood board, consider the layout and composition carefully. You might want to group images by color, texture, or theme to facilitate a clear understanding of how the elements interact visually. The arrangement should guide the viewer’s eye naturally across the board, merging larger images with smaller accents to create a balanced look[3][6][8].

Create Your Mood Board

Once your elements are selected and organized, it’s time to assemble the mood board. You can opt for a physical board using cork or poster boards, or a digital platform like Canva, Milanote, or Adobe Spark, which allows for easy editing, sharing, and collaboration[5][6][9].

Physical Mood Boards

Physical Moodboard
title: 'Physical Moodboard' and caption: 'a collage of a woman working on a design'

For those who prefer a tactile approach, physical boards enable the use of actual fabric swatches and printed images. Begin by positioning larger items first, followed by smaller details, to maintain balance and clarity in the overall composition[6][7].

Digital Mood Boards

Fashion MoodBoard
title: 'Fashion MoodBoard' and caption: 'a collage of people wearing clothes'

For digital mood boards, choose a software that suits your ability and the kind of presentation you wish to create. Digital tools often provide enhanced flexibility and aesthetics, allowing for a polished final product that can be easily shared with collaborators or clients[2][4][9].

Consider Color and Texture

Color selection is a critical aspect of mood boards. The colors you choose should evoke the feelings that align with your theme. Utilize color theory principles to develop harmonious palettes—consider complementary and analogous colors to create a visually appealing outcome[3][4]. Incorporating textures alongside images can also enhance the sensory experience of your mood board; for example, fabric swatches can provide a tangible sense of what the final pieces may feel like[1][6][8].

Engage and Evaluate

'a woman in a hat and sunglasses sitting at a desk'
title: 'Learn How to Create a Fashion Design Mood Board' and caption: 'a woman in a hat and sunglasses sitting at a desk'

Once the mood board is complete, engage with it critically. Review your arrangement, ensuring that it accurately captures the intended mood and concept. Ask yourself whether it communicates the story you want to tell, and consider seeking feedback from peers or mentors, which can provide fresh perspectives on the effectiveness of your visual narrative[3][5][8]. Don’t hesitate to make adjustments as needed; mood boards can evolve as your project develops, reflecting new inspirations and insights you gather along the way[6][7][9].

Conclusion

Creating a fashion mood board is a dynamic and iterative process that encapsulates your design ideas and inspirations. By defining a clear theme, gathering diverse materials, selecting and organizing your visuals thoughtfully, and paying attention to color and texture, you can produce a mood board that not only inspires your fashion journey but also serves as a vital communication tool throughout your design process. Happy creating!


What are the physical and mental benefits of regular exercise?

The Benefits of Regular Exercise

Regular physical activity is recognized as a cornerstone of good health, offering a multitude of physical and mental benefits. From preventing chronic diseases to enhancing psychological well-being, the impact of exercise is profound and well-documented.

Physical Health Benefits

'a group of people swimming in the water'
title: 'Why is exercise good for you? Scientists are finding answers in our cells' and caption: 'a group of people swimming in the water'

Disease Prevention and Management

Engaging in regular exercise significantly reduces the risk of various noncommunicable diseases. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), physical activity plays a crucial role in preventing and managing conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and type 2 diabetes[6]. Regular exercise can lower symptoms of depression and anxiety, enhance brain health, and improve overall well-being[6].

Research highlights that adherence to recommended physical activity levels can lead to substantial health benefits. For instance, a study showed a 24% reduction in the risk of premature death among regular exercisers, alongside diminutions in fatal cardiovascular events[8]. The guidelines suggest at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise weekly to tap into these health benefits[8].

Improved Physical Condition

Exercise strengthens the heart, enhances blood circulation, and contributes to the maintenance of healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels, which in turn reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes[9]. Weight-bearing exercises, such as resistance training, not only help in building muscle mass but also increase bone density, thus mitigating the risk of osteoporosis and fractures as individuals age[9].

Moreover, studies have shown that even a limited amount of regular exercise can lead to significant benefits, especially for women, who demonstrated health advantages from achieving substantial activity levels in less time than men[8]. This includes pronounced cardiovascular benefits that emphasize the importance of tailoring exercise recommendations based on individual needs and capabilities.

Mental Health Benefits

'a group of women running'
title: 'Women may realize health benefits of regular exercise more than men' and caption: 'a group of women running'

Enhanced Mood and Reduced Stress

The mental health benefits of regular exercise are equally significant. Engaging in physical activities is known to trigger the release of endorphins, often referred to as the body's natural mood lifters. This release helps alleviate symptoms of anxiety and stress, improves overall mental well-being, and boosts self-esteem[9]. Regular exercise is linked to improvements in cognitive function, including attention, memory, and decision-making skills[3].

Research indicates that exercise can be an effective adjunct treatment for mood disorders, including major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder. Studies reveal that incorporating exercise into routine care can lead to marked improvements in mental health outcomes, highlighting the value of physical activity in therapeutic settings[1][3]. For instance, a controlled study reported significant reductions in depression scores following a structured exercise intervention, underscoring the potential of physical activity as a compelling adjunct to conventional therapies[1].

Cognitive Function and Brain Health

An external file that holds a picture, illustration, etc.
Object name is cureus-0015-00000033475-i01.jpg
title: 'An external file that holds a picture, illustration, etc. Object name is cureus-0015-00000033475-i01.jpg' and caption: 'a diagram of a physical activity'

The cognitive benefits of regular exercise extend across all ages. In children and adolescents, physical activity supports healthy growth and development, promoting motor and cognitive skills[6]. In older adults, regular exercise is associated with a reduced risk of cognitive decline and dementia, reinforcing the importance of maintaining an active lifestyle throughout life[6].

Exercise impacts cognitive functions by improving neuroplasticity and increasing the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein essential for brain function and emotional regulation[3]. Furthermore, studies have shown that physical activity can enhance cognitive performance, particularly in tasks requiring executive function and selective attention, making it beneficial not just for physical health but also for educational and occupational outcomes[5].

Challenges of Inactivity

Despite its benefits, there's a growing trend of physical inactivity that poses significant public health risks. The WHO reports that a considerable percentage of adults do not meet the recommended levels of physical activity, leading to increased risks for various health issues including obesity, heart disease, and mental health disorders[6]. Inactivity is termed a 'silent killer' as it is associated with higher mortality rates and a plethora of chronic diseases[2]. To combat this, it is essential not only to promote regular physical activity but also to find ways to reduce sedentary behavior, which has become increasingly common due to technological advancements[9].

Conclusion

The evidence supporting the benefits of regular exercise is overwhelming, underscoring its importance in both physical and mental health. Regular physical activity can prevent and manage chronic diseases, improve physical fitness, enhance mood, and support cognitive functions. Therefore, incorporating exercise into daily routines is critical for holistic health and well-being. As individuals, communities, and global entities work to address the epidemic of inactivity, promoting a culture of movement and exercise will be vital in fostering healthier populations.

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Dueling Laws, Customs, and Controversies

🤔 According to the text, what might happen to a conquered man under old Danish and Lombard laws?
Difficulty: Easy
⚔️ In the duel between Baron des Guerres and Lord de Fendilles, what controversial tactic was employed by the Baron's supporters that went against dueling etiquette?
Difficulty: Medium
📜 What was King Francis I's role in the combat of Sarzay and Veniers, and what did this action demonstrate about Royal authority over duels?
Difficulty: Hard

What defines modern art?

Modern art is defined as artistic work produced roughly from the 1860s to the 1970s, characterized by a departure from traditional styles in favor of experimentation. This era showcases a movement towards abstraction, moving away from narrative elements typical of previous artistic forms. Modern artists sought new perspectives and innovative uses of materials, reflecting a break from the past and a focus on fresh ideas about art's nature and function. Significant movements within modern art include Fauvism, Cubism, and Expressionism, influenced by earlier movements such as Romanticism and Impressionism. The modern art movement is closely linked to Modernism and emphasizes emotional liberation and new artistic expressions, as seen in works by artists like Vincent van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, and Henri Matisse, among others. The tex also notes that the notion of modern art is intertwined with significant historical and cultural shifts, including the Enlightenment and events like the French Revolution, which fostered a climate of critical thought and artistic innovation[1].

[1] wikipedia.org
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