Finite Element Analysis of a Highly Flexible Flapping Wing

Small unmanned aerial systems are being designed to emulate the flapping kinematics of insects and birds which show superior control in slow speed regimes compared to fixed wing or rotorcraft aircraft. The flight of flapping wing vehicles is characterized by aeroelastic effects. Most research has been dedicated towards understanding the aerodynamic side of the aeroelastic response with minimal effort spent towards validating the structural response. A finite element model of a wing from a commercial flapping wing vehicle was created to validate the structural response. Vacuum testing allowed the isolation of the inertial response for a direct comparison to the finite element model. Wing tip displacement amplitude was matched to within 8%. The membrane kinematics of the finite element model were similar to the vacuum test article but overall membrane deflections predicted by the finite element solver were less than observed deflections seen in the vacuum. This research shows that significant focus must be placed on validating the structural side of a flexible structure in order to correctly model the complete aeroelastic response

Vortex Glass is a Metal: Unified Theory of the Magnetic Field and Disorder-Tuned Bose Metals

We consider the disordered quantum rotor model in the presence of a magnetic field. We analyze the transport properties in the vicinity of the multicritical point between the superconductor, phase glass and paramagnetic phases. We find that the magnetic field leaves metallic transport of bosons in the glassy phase in tact. In the vicinity of the vicinity of the superconductivity-to-Bose metal transition, the resistitivy turns on as $(H-H_c)^{2}$ with $H_c$. This functional form is in excellent agreement with the experimentally observed turn-on of the resistivity in the metallic state in MoGe, namely $R\approx R_c(H-H_c)^\mu$, $1<\mu<3$. The metallic state is also shown to presist in three spatial dimensions. In addition, we also show that the metallic state remains intact in the presence of Ohmic dissipation in spite of recent claims to the contrary. As the phase glass in $d=3$ is identical to the vortex glass, we conclude that the vortex glass is, in actuality, a metal rather than a superconductor at T=0. Our analysis unifies the recent experiments on vortex glass systems in which the linear resistivity remained non-zero below the putative vortex glass transition and the experiments on thin films in which a metallic phase has been observed to disrupt the direct transition from a superconductor to an insulator.Comment: Published version with an appendix showing that the claim in cond-mat/0510380 (and cond-mat/0606522) that Ohmic dissipation in the phase glass leads to a superconducting state is false. A metal persists in this case as wel

Beyond box-ticking:a study of stakeholder involvement in social enterprise governance

Purpose – This paper aims to present the findings from a small study of social enterprise governance in the UK, taking a case study approach to uncover the experiences of internal actors who are involved in their board-level management. Design/methodology/approach – The study took a qualitative constructionist approach, focusing on stakeholder involvement in social enterprise governance. Initial theme analysis of 14 semi-structured interviews with board or senior management representatives revealed key issues in the governance of social enterprise, which were then explored through a comparative case study of two organisations. Findings – The study found that social enterprises surveyed employed a number of mechanisms to ensure appropriate stakeholder involvement in their governance, including adopting a participatory democratic structure which involves one or more groups of stakeholders, creation of a non-executive advisory group to inform strategic direction and adopting social accounting with external auditing. The research also highlighted the potential of the community interest company legal form for UK social enterprise, particularly in developing the role of the asset-locked body in terms of providing CIC governance oversight. Research limitations/implications – This survey was limited to the North West of England; however its findings can potentially support innovation in conceptual developments internationally. Originality/value – This research contributes to the under-researched field of social enterprise governance, potentially enabling these organisations to adopt more effective governance mechanisms that appropriately manage the involvement of beneficiaries and other stakeholders

Skeletal Muscle Oxygenation during Plantarflexion Exercise in Young-Old and Older-Old Adults

The aging process is associated with a gradual decrease in exercise performance, leg muscle blood flow and oxygenation, and endothelial vascular reactivity. Purpose: To examine potential differences in femoral artery flow-mediated dilation (fa-FMD) and calf muscle oxygenation (HbO2) during low-intensity plantarflexion exercise in older adults. Methods: 43 young-old (YO; n=24, 67 ± 1 years) and older-old (OO: n=19, 70 ± 1 years) individuals were included in this study. We measured body fat % and leg lean mass (LLM) by DEXA and handgrip maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) using a dynamometer. VO2max was estimated using a submaximal treadmill test. fa-FMD was assessed by Doppler ultrasound, measuring the relative change in diameter from baseline to peak hyperemic response following 5 min of muscle ischemia. After a 10-min semi-recumbent rest, participants performed three sets (3-min each) of rhythmic plantar-flexion exercise at increasing intensity (20, 30 and 40 pounds) separated by 1-min of rest. Percent changes (%∆) in muscle HbO2 from baseline to the 3rd min of each set was monitored by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) on the medial gastrocnemius muscle. Results: There were no between-group differences in VO2max, MVC, LLM, body fat %, and fa-BF (P= .07). The OO group had significantly lower fa-FMD compared to the YO group (5.7 ± 1.4 vs 6.7 ± 1.6%, p \u3c .05). During exercise, the OO group exhibited a higher %∆ in HbO2 compared to the YO in sets 2 (-60.0 ± 21.2 vs. -44.7 ± 17.2%, p \u3c .05) and 3 (-66.7 ± 18.8 vs. -52.6 ± 18.2%, p \u3c .05). Conclusion: There was a lower calf muscle oxygenation during low-intensity plantar-flexion exercise performed at the same absolute intensity in OO compared to YO adults. Exercising at a greater relative intensity may explain the lower calf muscle oxygenation in OO adults

Work-in-Progress: Rapid Development of Advanced Virtual Labs for In-Person and Online Education

During the closure of K-12 schools and universities thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, many educators turned to web conferencing tools such as Zoom and WebEx to deliver online lectures. For courses with labs, some teachers provide recorded videos of real labs. Watching recorded lab videos is a passive experience, as the procedures and point of view are fixed, and students do not have any control of the lab and thus miss the opportunity to explore different options, including making mistakes that is important part of the learning process. One approach that holds great potential to enhance laboratory experience for online education is the use of computer-based modeling and simulation tools. Simulation based virtual laboratories emulate lab equipment and configurations in highly realistic 3D environments and can provide very effective learning experiences. While there exist limited interactive lab computer simulations for various subjects, their presentations are still very primitive and often lack realism and complexity. This paper presents methodologies and preliminary findings on rapid development of advanced virtual labs using modeling and simulation for in-person and online education. The importance of modeling and simulation has long been recognized by the scientific community and agencies such as DoD and NSF. However, high-quality simulations are not commonplace, and simulations have not been widely employed in education. Existing simulations for education lack interoperability and compatibility. While there are sporadic uses of computer-based simulations in education that were developed in a piecemeal fashion, there was never systematic development at an industry level for such purposes. Virtual lab development usually require substantial amount of effort and lack of systematic research on rapid virtual lab development hinders their wide use in education. This paper proposes a wholistic and systematic approach for addressing the issues in rapid lab simulation development from several perspectives, including rapid generation of virtual environment, integration of state-of-the-art industry leading software tools, advanced software design techniques that enables large scale software reuse, and innovative user interface design that facilitate the configuration and use of virtual labs by instructors and students. This paper will implement a virtual circuit lab that emulates a circuit lab for the course XXX offered at XXX University and will be used to elucidate the crucial methodologies for rapid virtual lab development. The virtual lab contains highly realistic visual renderings and accurate functional representations of sophisticated equipment, such as digital oscilloscopes, function generator, and digital multimeters, and authentic rendition of the lab space. The virtual lab allows advanced analog and digital circuit simulation by integrating the de-facto industry standard circuit simulation engine SPICE and Xspice, supporting the circuit labs in the course XXX. The Unity game engine is used to develop the front end of the virtual lab. Advanced software development methodologies will be investigated to facilitate software reuse and rapid development, e.g., the same simulation code can be used to support equipment manufactured by different vendors. The paper will also investigate the impact of fidelity of the virtual lab, e.g., equipment and lab room, on student learning outcomes and efficacy

Senior Recital: Justin Rowan, trumpet

This recital is presented in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree Bachelor of Music in Music Education. Mr. Rowan studies trumpet with Karin Bliznik.https://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/musicprograms/1445/thumbnail.jp

Senior Recital: Melinda Mason, tuba

This recital is presented in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree Bachelor of Music in Music Education. Ms. Mason studies tuba with Bernard Flythe.https://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/musicprograms/1172/thumbnail.jp

Junior Recital: David Anders, French horn

This recital is presented in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree Bachelor of Music in Performance. Mr. Anders studies French horn with Tom Witte.https://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/musicprograms/1532/thumbnail.jp