Integration of task level planning and diagnosis for an intelligent robot

A satellite floating space is diagnosed with a telerobot attached performing maintenance or replacement tasks. This research included three objectives. The first objective was to generate intelligent path planning for a robot to move around a satellite. The second objective was to diagnose possible faulty scenarios in the satellite. The third objective included two tasks. The first task was to combine intelligent path planning with diagnosis. The second task was to build an interface between the combined intelligent system with Robosim. The ability of a robot to deal with unexpected scenarios is particularly important in space since the situation could be different from time to time so that the telerobot must be capable of detecting that the situation has changed and the necessity may exist to alter its behavior based on the new situation. The feature of allowing human-in-the-loop is also very important in space. In some extreme cases, the situation is beyond the capability of a robot so our research project allows the human to override the decision of a robot

Microscopic Investigation of Vortex Breakdown in a Dividing T-Junction Flow

3D-printed microfluidic devices offer new ways to study fluid dynamics. We present the first clear visualization of vortex breakdown in a dividing T-junction flow. By individual control of the inflow and two outflows, we decouple the effects of swirl and rate of vorticity decay. We show that even slight outflow imbalances can greatly alter the structure of vortex breakdown, by creating a net pressure difference across the junction. Our results are summarized in a dimensionless phase diagram, which will guide the use of vortex breakdown in T-junctions to achieve specific flow manipulation.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figure

Student success and retention from the perspectives of engineering students and faculty

Student retention and success is a complex issue, with many factors that impact an individual student’s retention and these factors varying across all of our students. At the University of Southern Indiana (USI), efforts within engineering, as well as across the college and university, have included intentional academic support services (such as expanded advising and tutoring services) and student development programs and extracurricular activities to foster student communities and a student’s sense of belonging. In addition, evidence indicates that implementing curricular changes across an engineering program and within specific courses, such as implementing active learning, instructional innovations, and high-impact practices, can improve student success and retention. This paper describes a systems thinking approach to gain better understanding of student retention and success from multiple perspectives. Through systems thinking, connections and interdependencies between elements related to the goal of improving student retention and success in engineering can be explored. Framing student retention in this connected and big picture perspective can help identify impacting factors that then inform potential solutions. The process involved engineering students, faculty, and staff in developing systems maps around the question “what impacts your (or students’) success in engineering?” Systems mapping was used to collaboratively generate graphical representations of the many factors and actions that impact student retention and success and how they are connected through feedback loops and interdependencies. Systems mapping also creates opportunities for reflection of beliefs and assumptions around academic success and retention, interaction with other perspectives, and conversations. Students enrolled in Electric Circuits and Senior Design, which both are required undergraduate engineering courses, and engineering faculty and staff were invited to participate in the systems mapping activities. This paper discusses the results of the systems maps generated, with analysis of the overall set and comparison of the student- and faculty-developed systems maps

DIGIPREDICT: Physiological, behavioural and environmental predictors of asthma attacks – a prospective observational study using digital markers and artificial intelligence - study protocol

Introduction Asthma attacks are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality but are preventable in most if detected and treated promptly. However, the changes that occur physiologically and behaviourally in the days and weeks preceding an attack are not always recognised, highlighting a potential role for technology. The aim of this study ‘DIGIPREDICT’ is to identify early digital markers of asthma attacks using sensors embedded in smart devices including watches and inhalers, and leverage health and environmental datasets and artificial intelligence, to develop a risk prediction model to provide an early, personalised warning of asthma attacks.Methods and analysisA prospective sample of 300 people, 12 years or older, with a history of a moderate or severe asthma attack in the last 12 months will be recruited in New Zealand. Each participant will be given a smart watch (to assess physiological measures such as heart and respiratory rate), peak flow meter, smart inhaler (to assess adherence and inhalation) and a cough monitoring application to use regularly over 6 months with fortnightly questionnaires on asthma control and well-being. Data on sociodemographics, asthma control, lung function, dietary intake, medical history and technology acceptance will be collected at baseline and at 6 months. Asthma attacks will be measured by self-report and confirmed with clinical records. The collected data, along with environmental data on weather and air quality, will be analysed using machine learning to develop a risk prediction model for asthma attacks.Ethics and dissemination Ethical approval has been obtained from the New Zealand Health and Disability Ethics Committee (2023 FULL 13541). Enrolment began in August 2023. Results will be presented at local, national and international meetings, including dissemination via community groups, and submission for publication to peer-reviewed journals.<br/

Aquachlorido(2-{[6-(dimethylamino)pyrimidin-4- yl]sulfanyl}pyrimidine-4,6-diamine)copper(II) chloride hydrate

A copper(II) complex of the non-symmetric bidentate ligand 2-{[6-(di­methyl­amino)­pyrimidin-4-yl]sulfan­yl}pyrimidine-4,6-di­amine (L1) is reported. The single-crystal X-ray structure of aqua­[aqua/chlorido­(0.49/0.51)](2-{[6-(di­methyl­amino)­pyrimidin-4-yl]sulfan­yl}pyrimidine-4,6-di­amine)­copper(II) 0.49-chloride 1.51-hydrate, [CuCl1.51(C10H13N7S)(H2O)1.49]Cl0.49·1.51H2O or [(L1)Cl1.51(H2O)1.49Cu]0.49Cl·1.51H2O, exhibits distorted square-pyramidal geometry around the metal centre, with disorder in the axial position, occupied by chloride or water. The six-membered metal–chelate ring is in a boat conformation, and short inter­molecular S- - -S inter­actions are observed. In addition to its capacity for bidentate metal coordination, the ligand has the ability to engage in further supra­molecular inter­actions as both a hydrogen-bond donor and acceptor, and multiple inter­actions with lattice solvent water mol­ecules are present in the reported structure

Intergenerational family communication about mammography: young women\u27s perceptions, intentions and experiences

Early detection of breast cancer through regular mammograms is crucial to reducing the mortality rate, yet almost 50% of target women (aged 50-69years) fail to have regular mammograms. Young women aged 18-39 years (N = 60) participated in a two-stage study that explored familycommunication as a vehicle for mammography promotion to target women.Intention to initiate such a conversation was measured and predicted using the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) framework.The TPB variables together produced a model that predicted behavioural performance, withintention being the only independent predictor.Young womens anticipatory perceptions and actual experiences of initiating a conversationabout mammography were also explored qualitatively. Barriers included a sense of being illinformed, and a desire to avoid awkwardness andworry.Perceived advantages included a more supportive and open relationship with the female relative, learning more about mammography from an experienced female, and prompting a family member to consider regular mammography a health priority.Intergenerational family communication appears to be a viable vehicle for mammographypromotion

Occupation-Focused Aquatic Therapy for Stroke Survivors

This capstone project explores the impact of aquatics-based occupational therapy on stroke survivors\u27 quality of life. A needs assessment was performed at an outpatient aquatic physical therapy clinic, and an aquatic program was developed based on stroke survivors\u27 unmet physical, social, mental, and occupational needs.https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonesspring2024/1039/thumbnail.jp

Preschool children\u27s counterfactual inferences: the causal length effect revisited

Research into young childrens counterfactual thinking is equivocal about how childrens counterfactual responses to causal events may be affected by the length of the causal inference required. This study examined the causal length effect in 3- and 4-year-old children (N=87). Children participated in two counterfactual inference tasks involving causally-related sequences of events. One task entailed counterfactual emotional judgements about the experience of characters in stories, whereas the other task entailed a counterfactual inference about a potential alternative outcome to a physical event. Children at each age level were randomly assigned to answer test questions that required a long, medium, or short counterfactual inference. Four-year-olds outperformed 3-year-olds in both tasks, but this age difference was mediated by childrens language ability. More striking was the complete absence of difference among causal length conditions in both tasks. Our results support other studies that question the nature of the causal length effect in childrens counterfactual reasoning. We discuss the possibility that childrens developing understanding of temporal versus causal relationships may account for discrepant findings regarding the causal length effect

English reading ability and phonological awareness of Chinese college students with early exposure to pinyin

Thesis (B.Sc)--University of Hong Kong, 2006."A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Bachelor of Science (Speech and Hearing Sciences), The University of Hong Kong, June 30, 2006."Also available in print.published_or_final_versionSpeech and Hearing SciencesBachelorBachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing Science