Development and flight tests of a gyro-less wing leveler and directional autopilot

A gyro-less wing leveler and directional autopilot were developed and flight tested in a single-engine light airplane. The primary purpose of the project was to develop a simple, reliable, low-cost stability augmentation and autopilot system for light aircraft. The wing leveler used a fluidic inertial rate sensor, electronic signal processing circuitry, and vacuum operated servos. A strap-down magnetic heading reference of simple design provided the wing leveler with directional autopilot capability. Flight tests indicated that the performance of the gyro-less wing leveler was equal to that of a commercial wing leveler using a gyroscopic rate sensor. Drift-free, long-term, heading-hold capability of the magnetic heading reference was demonstrated

Dynamic precession damper for spin stabilized vehicles Patent

Dynamic precession damping of spin-stabilized vehicles by using rate gyroscope and angular acceleromete

Attitude orientation of spin-stabilized space vehicles Patent

Attitude orientation control of spin stabilized final stage space vehicles, using horizon scanner

Jet shoes

Jet shoes for space locomotio

Kainate induced theta-frequency oscillatory network activity in the medial septum/diagonal band complex

The medial septum/diagonal band complex (MS/DB) forms part of the septo-hippocampal feedback loop and is thought to have a major functional role in the generation and/or maintenance of the hippocampal theta rhythm in vivo (4 * 15 Hz). Several different mechanistic scenarios may underlie the generation of a theta-frequency EEG pattern, amongst them (1) an external pacemaker-type input (2) theta activity being an emergent property of the septo-hippocampal feedback loop and (3) theta arising in the synaptic network of the MS/DB itself. This investigation tested the latter scenario by using an in vitro slice preparation of the (deafferented) MS/DB. Longitudinal slices (0.45 mm) from 21 day old rats were maintained at 32 deg C in an interface recording chamber perfused with oxygenated ACSF. Following the bath application of the AMPA/kainate receptor agonist kainate (25 *100 nM), extracellular recordings, using ACSF-filled micropipettes, showed rhythmic population activity with a mean peak frequency of ~6 Hz which was most prominent along the midline of the MS/DB. The higher concentrations of kainate were accompanied by corresponding increases in spectral power (amplitude). Subsequently, intracellular recordings were obtained with QX-314 containing electrodes to prevent spiking-activity, and thus allowing IPSPs to be recorded at depolarised membrane potentials. These recordings revealed the presence of rhythmic IPSPs (~6 Hz) in the class of fast-firing cells of oscillating MS/DB slices, presumably arising in the mutually connected interneuronal network of the MS/DB and pacing the oscillation. Moreover, these findings clearly demonstrate that the intrinsic circuitry of the isolated MS/DB complex is sufficient to generate rhythmic theta frequency activity

Kainate induced theta-frequency oscillatory network activity in the medial septum/diagonal band complex

The medial septum/diagonal band complex (MS/DB) forms part of the septo-hippocampal feedback loop and is thought to have a major functional role in the generation and/or maintenance of the hippocampal theta rhythm in vivo (4 * 15 Hz). Several different mechanistic scenarios may underlie the generation of a theta-frequency EEG pattern, amongst them (1) an external pacemaker-type input (2) theta activity being an emergent property of the septo-hippocampal feedback loop and (3) theta arising in the synaptic network of the MS/DB itself. This investigation tested the latter scenario by using an in vitro slice preparation of the (deafferented) MS/DB. Longitudinal slices (0.45 mm) from 21 day old rats were maintained at 32 deg C in an interface recording chamber perfused with oxygenated ACSF. Following the bath application of the AMPA/kainate receptor agonist kainate (25 *100 nM), extracellular recordings, using ACSF-filled micropipettes, showed rhythmic population activity with a mean peak frequency of ~6 Hz which was most prominent along the midline of the MS/DB. The higher concentrations of kainate were accompanied by corresponding increases in spectral power (amplitude). Subsequently, intracellular recordings were obtained with QX-314 containing electrodes to prevent spiking-activity, and thus allowing IPSPs to be recorded at depolarised membrane potentials. These recordings revealed the presence of rhythmic IPSPs (~6 Hz) in the class of fast-firing cells of oscillating MS/DB slices, presumably arising in the mutually connected interneuronal network of the MS/DB and pacing the oscillation. Moreover, these findings clearly demonstrate that the intrinsic circuitry of the isolated MS/DB complex is sufficient to generate rhythmic theta frequency activity

On Developing The Writing Skills Course For Accounting Students

The CSU, Stanislaus, accounting program is providing a new course that meets the university-wide upper-division writing requirement and offers accounting students additional professional study. While a writing skills course is not unusual in a business program, few offer an alternative centered on the accounting body of knowledge. Undergraduate students’ research questions are usually not addressed before graduate study and reinforce skills learned in their regular accounting courses. Initial reactions from students have ranged from appreciation for additional time spent on accounting topics to disappointment at missing out on the "general business" writing course. Continual reassessment of the course is planned

The Impact Of Merit Pay On Research Outcomes For Accounting Professors

Merit pay for professors to encourage better teaching, research and service is controversial. Its effectiveness can be examined empirically. In this study, the existence of a merit plan and ACT scores of incoming freshmen were strongly associated with measurable research outcomes. Additional study is needed to test the association with the other dimensions of faculty performance

A novel chlorhexidine-hexametaphosphate coating for titanium with antibiofilm efficacy and stem cell cytocompatibility

Abstract Dental implants are an increasingly popular way to replace missing teeth. Whilst implant survival rates are high, a small number fail soon after placement, with various factors, including bacterial contamination, capable of disrupting osseointegration. This work describes the development of chlorhexidine-hexametaphosphate coatings for titanium that hydrolyse to release the antiseptic agent chlorhexidine. The aim was to develop a coating for titanium that released sufficient chlorhexidine to prevent biofilm formation, whilst simultaneously maintaining cytocompatibility with cells involved in osseointegration. The coatings were characterised with respect to physical properties, after which antibiofilm efficacy was investigated using a multispecies biofilm model, and cytocompatibility determined using human mesenchymal stem cells. The coatings exhibited similar physicochemical properties to some implant surfaces in clinical use, and significantly reduced formation of multispecies biofilm biomass up to 72 h. One coating had superior cytocompatibility, with mesenchymal stem cells able to perform normal functions and commence osteoblastic differentiation, although at a slower rate than those grown on uncoated titanium. With further refinement, these coatings may have application in the prevention of bacterial contamination of dental implants at the time of surgery. This could aid a reduction in rates of early implant failure