Autonomous Planning and Replanning for Mine-Sweeping Unmanned Underwater Vehicles

This software generates high-quality plans for carrying out mine-sweeping activities under resource constraints. The autonomous planning and replanning system for unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) takes as input a set of prioritized mine-sweep regions, and a specification of available UUV resources including available battery energy, data storage, and time available for accomplishing the mission. Mine-sweep areas vary in location, size of area to be swept, and importance of the region. The planner also works with a model of the UUV, as well as a model of the power consumption of the vehicle when idle and when moving

The Effect of Music Tempo on Heart Rate and Rating of Perceived Exertion During Submaximal Exercise

Many people listen to music during exercise, possibly attempting to dissociate from the activity. PURPOSE: To examine the effect of music tempo on time-to-target heart rate (THR) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) during submaximal exercise. METHODS: Eighteen college-age subjects were recruited (n=18). Prior to participation in the experimental trials, subjects were measured for mass, stature, and resting heart rate. Subjects then performed the Bruce Treadmill protocol on three different days to a target heart rate of 85% of predicted maximal heart rate (HRmax=220-age). Using a balanced crossover design over the three experimental trials, subjects performed one bout with fast tempo music (FST, ≥140 beats.min-1), one bout with slow tempo music (SLO, ≤85 beats.min-1), and one bout with no music (CON). THR was compared across music tempo (FST, SLO, CON) using an ANOVA with repeated measures, α=0.05. RPE at target heart rate was compared across music tempo using Friedman ANOVA by ranks, α=0.05. Adjustments to post-hoc analyses were made to maintain the experimentwise error rate at 0.05. RESULTS: THR did not differ between the experimental trials (FST=9.2±2.6 min; SLO=9.6±2.3min; CON=9.3±2.2min)(p=0.4820). RPE did differ significantly between the three experimental trials (p=0.041). Post-hoc analysis revealed specific differences between RPE at SLO (14.9±2.1) and FST (13.9±2.3), but neither SLO nor FST differed significantly from CON (14.5±2.5). CONCLUSION: The use of fast tempo music as a dissociative device while exercising does decrease RPE compared to slow tempo music, but does not change THR (i.e., submaximal heart rate). These findings are consistent with most previous research. However, the data suggest that exercising with no music at all yields a similar RPE response as exercising with fast tempo music

Concurrent Verbal Encouragement and Wingate Anaerobic Cycle Test Performance in Females: Athletes vs. Non-Athletes

International Journal of Exercise Science 5(3) : 239-244, 2012. To examine the effect of concurrent verbal encouragement on the performance of the WAnT in female athletes vs. female non-athletes. College-age female subjects were recruited where ten of the subjects were intercollegiate athletes (ATH, n1=10) and the nine were non-athletes (NON, n2=9). The WAnT was novel to all subjects and the subjects were blinded to the study’s purpose. Prior to the experimental trials, subjects were measured for body composition and performed a familiarity WAnT trial without verbal encouragement. Subjects then performed the WAnT twice, once with concurrent verbal encouragement (VE) and once without (NVE), in a balanced cross-over design. Peak (PP) and mean power (MP), and total work (TW) were compared between ATH and NON across VE and NVE using an ANOVA (1 between, 1 within), α=0.05. ATH and NON did not differ (p\u3e0.05) in age or body composition with the exception of fat-free mass which differed significantly (ATH=53.7±6.6, NON=46.1±5.7 kg) (p\u3c0.05). A significant (p\u3c0.05) main effect for ATH/NON was observed where ATH outperformed NON when pooled across VE/NVE trials for PP (ATH=13.0±1.4, NON=11.3±1.7 W·kg-1), MP (ATH=7.7±1.1, NON=6.7±0.9 W·kg-1) and TW (ATH=232±35, NON=201±26 J·kg-1). When pooled across all subjects (ATH and NON), the VE/NVE trials did not differ (p\u3e0.05) for PP (VE=12.4±1.7, NVE=12.0±1.9 W·kg-1), MP (VE=7.3±1.1, NVE=7.2±1.2 W·kg-1) and TW (VE=219±33, NVE=215±35 J·kg-1). The ATH/NON interaction with VE/NVE was not significant (p\u3e0.05). Concurrent verbal encouragement does not affect performance on the WAnT in females, nor does it affect WAnT performance in female athletes and non-athletes differently

Concurrent Verbal Encouragement and Wingate Anaerobic Cycle Test Performance in Females: Athletes vs. Non-Athletes

Previous research has shown that concurrent verbal encouragement improves performance on the Wingate Anaerobic Cycle Test (WACT), a 30-s supramaximal exercise protocol, in male non-athletes. This effect has not previously been examined in athletes or females. Consistently, athletes and females display a more self-determined motivational profile than non-athletes and males, suggesting verbal encouragement to be of lesser consequence to athletes and females. PURPOSE: To examine the effect of concurrent verbal encouragement on the performance of the WACT in female athletes vs. female non-athletes. METHODS: Nineteen college-age female subjects were recruited where ten of the subjects were active intercollegiate athletes (ATH, n1=10) and the remainder were non-athletes (NON, n2=9). The WACT was novel to all subjects and the subjects were blinded to the purpose of the study. Prior to participation in the experimental trials, subjects were measured for body composition and performed a familiarity WACT trial without verbal encouragement. Subjects then performed the WACT twice, once with concurrent verbal encouragement (VE) and once without (NVE), in a balanced cross-over design. All WACT trials were performed at least one week apart. Peak power (PP), mean power (MP), and total work (TW) were compared between ATH and NON across VE and NVE using an ANOVA (1 between, 1 within), α=0.05. RESULTS: ATH and NON did not differ significantly (p\u3e0.05) with regard to age or body composition with the exception of fat-free mass which differed significantly (ATH=53.7±6.6, NON=46.1±5.7 kg)(p\u3c0.05). As expected, a significant (p\u3c0.05) main effect for ATH/NON was observed where ATH outperformed NON when pooled across VE/NVE trials for PP (ATH=13.0±1.4, NON=11.3±1.7 W·kg-1), MP (ATH=7.7±1.1, NON=6.7±0.9 W·kg-1) and TW (ATH=232±35, NON=201±26 J·kg-1). However, when pooled across all subjects (ATH and NON), the VE/NVE trials did not differ significantly (p\u3e0.05) for PP (VE=12.4±1.7, NVE=12.0±1.9 W·kg-1), MP (VE=7.3±1.1, NVE=7.2±1.2 W·kg-1) and TW (VE=219±33, NVE=215±35 J·kg-1). Additionally, the ATH/NON interaction with VE/NVE was not significant (p\u3e0.05). CONCLUSION: Concurrent verbal encouragement does not affect performance on the WACT in females, nor does it affect WACT performance in female athletes and non-athletes differently

Planning and Execution for an Autonomous Aerobot

The Aerial Onboard Autonomous Science Investigation System (AerOASIS) system provides autonomous planning and execution capabilities for aerial vehicles (see figure). The system is capable of generating high-quality operations plans that integrate observation requests from ground planning teams, as well as opportunistic science events detected onboard the vehicle while respecting mission and resource constraints. AerOASIS allows an airborne planetary exploration vehicle to summarize and prioritize the most scientifically relevant data; identify and select high-value science sites for additional investigation; and dynamically plan, schedule, and monitor the various science activities being performed, even during extended communications blackout periods with Earth

Autonomous Coordination of Science Observations Using Multiple Spacecraft

This software provides capabilities for autonomous cross-cueing and coordinated observations between multiple orbital and landed assets. Previous work has been done in re-tasking a single Earth orbiter or a Mars rover in response to that craft detecting a science event. This work enables multiple spacecraft to communicate (over a network designed for deep-space communications) and autonomously coordinate the characterization of such a science event. This work investigates a new paradigm of space science campaigns where opportunistic science observations are autonomously coordinated among multiple spacecraft. In this paradigm, opportunistic science detections can be cued by multiple assets where a second asset is requested to take additional observations characterizing the identified surface feature or event. To support this new paradigm, an autonomous science system for multiple spacecraft assets was integrated with the Interplanetary Network DTN (Delay Tolerant Network) to provide communication between spacecraft assets. This technology enables new mission concepts that are not feasible with current technology. The ability to rapidly coordinate activities across spacecraft without requiring ground in the loop enables rapid reaction to dynamic events across platforms, such as a survey instrument followed by a targeted high resolution instrument, as well as regular simultaneous observations

A scientific synthesis of marine protected areas in the United States: status and recommendations

Marine protected areas (MPAs) are a key tool for achieving goals for biodiversity conservation and human well-being, including improving climate resilience and equitable access to nature. At a national level, they are central components in the U.S. commitment to conserve at least 30% of U.S. waters by 2030. By definition, the primary goal of an MPA is the long-term conservation of nature; however, not all MPAs provide the same ecological and social benefits. A U.S. system of MPAs that is equitable, well-managed, representative and connected, and includes areas at a level of protection that can deliver desired outcomes is best positioned to support national goals. We used a new MPA framework, The MPA Guide, to assess the level of protection and stage of establishment of the 50 largest U.S. MPAs, which make up 99.7% of the total U.S. MPA area (3.19 million km2). Over 96% of this area, including 99% of that which is fully or highly protected against extractive or destructive human activities, is in the central Pacific ocean. Total MPA area in other regions is sparse – only 1.9% of the U.S. ocean excluding the central Pacific is protected in any kind of MPA (120,976 km2). Over three quarters of the non-central Pacific MPA area is lightly or minimally protected against extractive or destructive human activities. These results highlight an urgent need to improve the quality, quantity, and representativeness of MPA protection in U.S. waters to bring benefits to human and marine communities. We identify and review the state of the science, including focal areas for achieving desired MPA outcomes and lessons learned from places where sound ecological and social design principles come together in MPAs that are set up to achieve national goals for equity, climate resilience, and biodiversity conservation. We recommend key opportunities for action specific to the U.S. context, including increasing funding, research, equity, and protection level for new and existing U.S. MPAs

Diagnostic accuracy of telestroke consultation: a Louisiana based tele-network experience

Background and purposeTelestroke has grown significantly since its implementation. Despite growing utilization, there is a paucity of data regarding the diagnostic accuracy of telestroke to distinguish between stroke and its mimics. We aimed to evaluate diagnostic accuracy of telestroke consultations and explore the characteristics of misdiagnosed patients with a focus on stroke mimics.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective study of all the consultations in our Ochsner Health’s TeleStroke program seen between April 2015 and April 2016. Consultations were classified into one of three diagnostic categories: stroke/transient ischemic attack, mimic, and uncertain. Initial telestroke diagnosis was compared with the final diagnosis post review of all emergency department and hospital data. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), positive likelihood ratio (LR+) and negative likelihood ratio (LR−) for diagnosis of stroke/TIA versus mimic were calculated. Area under receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) analysis to predict true stroke was performed. Bivariate analysis based on the diagnostic categories examined association with sex, age, NIHSS, stroke risk factors, tPA given, bleeding after tPA, symptom onset to last known normal, symptom onset to consult, timing in the day, and consult duration. Logistic regression was performed as indicated by bivariate analysis.ResultsEight hundred and seventy-four telestroke evaluations were included in our analysis. Accurate diagnosis through teleneurological consultation was seen in 85% of which 532 were strokes (true positives) and 170 were mimics (true negatives). Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV were 97.8, 82.5, 93.7 and 93.4%, respectively. LR+ and LR− were 5.6 and 0.03. AUC (95% CI) was 0.9016 (0.8749–0.9283). Stroke mimics were more common with younger age and female gender and in those with less vascular risk factors. LR revealed OR (95% CI) of misdiagnosis for female gender of 1.9 (1.3–2.9). Lower age and lower NIHSS score were other predictors of misdiagnosis.ConclusionWe report high diagnostic accuracy of the Ochsner Telestroke Program in discriminating stroke/TIA and stroke mimics, with slight tendency towards over diagnosis of stroke. Female gender, younger age and lower NIHSS score were associated with misdiagnosis

The Science of Marine Protected Areas (3rd edition, Mediterranean)

The main purpose of the booklet is to present the latest scientific information about the effects of MPAs in the Mediterranean in order to inform current management dialogues. This is particularly relevant given the increasing legislative frameworks and political initiatives to implement networks of MPAs in countries across the Mediterranean Sea. Importantly, this Edition does much more than simply tailor the earlier content for the Mediterranean region. The edition update the basic content of the booklet, drawing on the wealth of new published scientific literature, highlighting case studies from the Mediterranean Sea

Ethnic Speech and Ethnic Action as Ethnic Behavior: Part 1. Construction of the Brunel Ethnic Behavior Inventory

© 2016 Taylor & Francis.This article reports the construction of a new survey—specifically, the Brunel Ethnic Behavior Inventory (BEBI)—designed to measure ethnic speech and ethnic action as separate, yet related, aspects of individuals’ ethnic behavior. Using Tajfel’s social identity theory as a conceptual frame of reference, this study sought an answer to the research question of how many factors actually are measured by the BEBI, and tested the hypothesis that a two-factor model (i.e., Ethnic Speech and Ethnic Action as two correlated factors) would provide significantly better goodness of fit to the correlational data than would a one-factor model (i.e., Ethnic Behavior as one undifferentiated factor). Across one pilot sample (n = 101) and two main samples (n = 120 for Sample 1, n = 148 for Sample 2), the study found that not only did the BEBI measure two factors at most (i.e., Ethnic Speech and Ethnic Action) but, consistent with the hypothesis, the two-factor model yielded better goodness of fit than did the one-factor model. Implications for the conceptualization and measurement of Verkuyten’s “ways of ethnicity” are discussed