Automated knowledge generation

The general objectives of the NASA/UCF Automated Knowledge Generation Project were the development of an intelligent software system that could access CAD design data bases, interpret them, and generate a diagnostic knowledge base in the form of a system model. The initial area of concentration is in the diagnosis of the process control system using the Knowledge-based Autonomous Test Engineer (KATE) diagnostic system. A secondary objective was the study of general problems of automated knowledge generation. A prototype was developed, based on object-oriented language (Flavors)

Two-stage, low noise advanced technology fan. 4: Aerodynamic final report

A two-stage research fan was tested to provide technology for designing a turbofan engine for an advanced, long range commercial transport having a cruise Mach number of 0.85 -0.9 and a noise level 20 EPNdB below current requirements. The fan design tip speed was 365.8m/sec (1200ft/sec);the hub/tip ratio was 0.4; the design pressure ratio was 1.9; and the design specific flow was 209.2 kg/sec/sq m(42.85lbm/sec/sq ft). Two fan-versions were tested: a baseline configuration, and an acoustically treated configuration with a sonic inlet device. The baseline version was tested with uniform inlet flow and with tip-radial and hub-radial inlet flow distortions. The baseline fan with uniform inlet flow attained an efficiency of 86.4% at design speed, but the stall margin was low. Tip-radial distortion increased stall margin 4 percentage points at design speed and reduced peak efficiency one percentage point. Hub-radial distortion decreased stall margin 4 percentage points at all speeds and reduced peak efficiency at design speed 8 percentage points. At design speed, the sonic inlet in the cruise position reduced stall margin one percentage point and efficiency 1.5 to 4.5 percentage points. The sonic inlet in the approach position reduced stall margin 2 percentage points

The sustainability of reading recovery intervention on reading achievement of students identified as at-risk for early reading failure

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact and sustainability of successfully discontinued first grade Reading Recovery students as compared to non-Reading Recovery students in reading achievement measures as third graders. Schools are facing the unprecedented challenge to ensure reading success for all students by the end of second grade, regardless of the various strengths and challenges each individual child brings to school. Therefore, it is imperative that the chosen interventions truly do close the achievement gap and that the results sustain over time. This study may offer insight into the best use of available funding for at-risk readers in the primary grades

Build-up effect of auditory stream segregation using amplitude-modulated narrowband noise

Recent psychoacoustic experiments (Böckmann-Barthel et al., 2014; Deike et al., 2012) have re-examined research regarding stream segregation and the build-up effect. Stream segregation is the ability to discern auditory objects within a stream of information, such as distinguishing one voice amongst background noise or an instrument within an orchestra. Initial works examining this topic proposed that auditory information is not immediately distinguished as various streams, but rather that differences accumulate over time, allowing listeners to segregate information following a period of build-up (i.e., the build-up effect); whereas more current findings indicate a build-up period is unnecessary for segregation. This experiment’s methods were based on those of older studies of stream segregation and the build-up effect, but aimed to gather first perceptual responses to stimuli within a window of time more realistic than prior studies, in which subjects seemed to hesitate before giving their first responses of their stream perception. The main differences explored were prompting and training of subjects, allowing subjects to become familiar with stimuli prior to data gathering, and re-instructing subjects if their response times seemed to indicate they still did not understand the task. Another goal of this experiment was to gather data to further assess current beliefs of an inability of cochlear implant-wearing (CI) listeners to harness auditory cues in streaming of information, due to degraded information relative to that of normal-hearing (NH) listeners (Cooper & Roberts, 2009). Normal-hearing and cochlear implant listeners in this experiment indicated whether they experienced one or two auditory streams during a 24.7 second window of stimuli presentation consisting of alternating A and B noise bursts. This experiment examined correlations between spectral difference, amplitude-modulation rate, and initial response of stream number perception. Results from this experiment indicated that spectral cues are often salient enough to result in high probabilities of a segregated or integrated perception in NH listeners, though not in CI listeners. These findings are congruent with prior research. Findings also indicate that in conditions without spectral separation, AM-rate differences greater than two-octaves generate a build-up of segregated perception in NH listeners. Overall, while observations of CI listeners thus far suggest possible build-up segregation elicited by robust spectral cues, no data indicate that AM-rate cues are being harnessed to aid in streaming

Whiplash - Defense Counsel\u27s View

Many words have been spoken and written on the controversial subject of whiplash injuries of the cervical spine. However, no papers have been noted which discuss the problem from the viewpoint of the defense trial attorney. From a defense standpoint, some of the medical phrases or words used by doctors today have devastating psychological effects upon jurors trying personal injury cases. The word whiplash is one of these coined words. Thus, while it is conceded that medical men are only trying to define particular injuries with preciseness, the constant use and repetition of such words or terms cause the average juror to regard these particular injuries as much more serious and disabling than is actually appropriate in the majority of cases. It is this psychological hump which defense counsel must overcome in defending personal injury cases involving such injuries

Autonomous integrated GPS/INS navigation experiment for OMV. Phase 1: Feasibility study

The phase 1 research focused on the experiment definition. A tightly integrated Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation System (GPS/INS) navigation filter design was analyzed and was shown, via detailed computer simulation, to provide precise position, velocity, and attitude (alignment) data to support navigation and attitude control requirements of future NASA missions. The application of the integrated filter was also shown to provide the opportunity to calibrate inertial instrument errors which is particularly useful in reducing INS error growth during times of GPS outages. While the Orbital Maneuvering Vehicle (OMV) provides a good target platform for demonstration and for possible flight implementation to provide improved capability, a successful proof-of-concept ground demonstration can be obtained using any simulated mission scenario data, such as Space Transfer Vehicle, Shuttle-C, Space Station