Object Tracking Using Autonomous Quad Copter

This work explains an approach to implement an autonomous ball catching quad copter by combining object detection and trajectory calculations. To accomplish this, a quad copter is used to autonomously catch a ball by dynamically calculating trajectory and the interception point using two Kinects. This approach is tested in a two-step process. First successful test is done on a flat surface (table) and the second test is done in the air

A survey on sensor classifications for industrial applications

Journal ArticleThe importance of sensors in industrial applications is a result of the introduction of many robotics, automation, and intelligent control techniques into factory floors. Research and improvements need to be continuously performed to meet the challenges in automation and manufacturing applications in industry. Manufacturing processes are becoming extensively dependent on robotic and automation systems, and are requiring more reliable and accurate sensors to be integrated with the manufacturing systems. Sensors are selected depending on the type of process, the expected precision, the operational environment, and many other factors. In this report we survey the different classifications of sensors, and the various sensor applications in industry

A PC-Based Simulator/Controller/Monitor Software for a Manipulators and Electromechanical Systems

Pre-print of "A PC-Based Simulator/Controller/Monitor Software for a Generic 6-DOF Manipulator". The final publication is available at link.springer.comGeneral form application is a very important issue in industrial design. Prototyping a design helps in determining system parameters, ranges and in structuring better systems. Robotics is one of the industrial design fields in which prototyping is crucial for improved functionality. Developing an environment that enables optimal and flexible design using reconfigurable links, joints, actuators and sensors is essential for using robots in the education and industrial fields [4] [6]. We propose a PC-Based software package to control, monitor and simulate a generic 6-DOF (six degrees of freedom) robot including a spherical wrist. This package may be used as a black box for the design implementations or as white (detailed) box for learning about the basics of robotics and simulation technology.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1023/A%3A101203541183

Online Customization and Enrollment Application Network (OCEAN)

This paper introduces the Online Customization and Enrollment Application Network (OCEAN), developed in the School of Engineering at the University of Bridgeport. OCEAN is an interactive web-based application for graduate programs, concentrations, certificates and courses across the Schools of Engineering, Business and Education that allows prospective and current students to customize their preferences in the course selection process depending on the targeted graduate concentrations, degrees, and/or dual degree programs

Sensing Under Uncertainty for Mobile Robots

The final publication is available at www.springerlink.comIn this work we present a control strategy under uncertainty for mobile robot navigation. In particular, we implement a server-client model, where the server executes the commands and the clients run in parallel, each performing its tasks. Tolerance analysis is performed to incorporate sensing uncertainties into the proposed model. The sensory system is depicted with a framework that allows different levels of data representation, based on the robust modeling of the sensing uncertainties.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1023%2FA%3A100801722539

Logical Control for Mobile Robots

In this work we present a distributed sensor-based control strategy for mobile robot navigation. We investigate a server-client model, where the clients are executing their tasks in parallel. The logical sensor approach is used as a hybrid framework to model and implement the sensory system for control of the mobile robot. The framework allows for a hierarchical data representation scheme, where sensory data and uncertainty is modeled and used at different levels, depending on the nature of the requested control command

In vitro differentiation of human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells into functioning hepatocytes

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were isolated by gradient density centrifugation from umbilical cord blood. Spindle-shaped adherent cells were permitted to grow to 70% confluence in primary culture media which was reached by day 12. Induction of differentiation started by culturing cells with differentiation medium containing FGF-4 and HGF. Under hepatogenic conditions few cuboidal cells appeared in culture on day 7. From day 21 to day 28, most of cells became small and round. The control negative cells cultured in serum free media showed fibroblast-like morphology. Urea production and protein secretion by the differentiated hepatocyte-like cells were detected on day 21 and increased on day 28. Protein was significantly increased in comparison with control by day 28. The cells became positive for AFP at day 7 and positive cells could still be detected at days 21 and 28. The cells in the control group were stained negative for AFP. The cells expressed albumin gene at the 14th day that became markedly increased at the 28th day of culture with HGF and FGF-4. No albumin expression was observed in the 7th day sample and the control. This study demonstrated that UCB-derived MSCs had the ability to differentiate into functioning hepatocyte-like cells starting from the 7th day after culturing under hepatogenic conditions and became well functioning at days 21 and 28. These data indicated that UCB-derived MSCs can be a promising source of cell therapy for intractable liver diseases.Keywords: Umbilical cord blood; Mesenchymal stem cells; Culture; Hepatocytes; HGF; FGF-

An Enhanced Communication Protocol for Location Privacy in WSN

Wireless sensor network (WSN) is built of many sensor nodes. The sensors can sense a phenomenon, which will be represented in a form of data and sent to an aggregator for further processing. WSN is used in many applications, such as object tracking and security monitoring. The objects in many situations need physical and location protection. In addition to the source location privacy, sink location privacy should be provided. Providing an efficient location privacy solution would be challenging due to the open nature of the WSN. Anonymity is a key solution for location privacy. We present a network model that is protected against local, multilocal, and global adversaries that can launch sophisticated passive and active attacks against the WSN.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/69709