FDP – VCU Data Acquisition Device

There is a need to monitor critical information during brake testing to obtain feedback and, ultimately, more insight on the brake performance of a vehicle. Currently, much of the data logging equipment required for testing is very specialized and consequently expensive. Additionally, automotive test vehicles apply older technology that is often not integrated with data analytics for calibrating stopping distance, number of stops, deceleration, and brake squeal. Presently, drivers fill out forms describing issues with brakes. Our team generated a device for FDP Brakes that monitors brake pad temperature, brake line pressure, and GPS location and speed of a test vehicle. This device is able to write data to an SD card in a tabulated format that can be interpreted by spreadsheet software to generate graphs of temperature, pressure, and speed/acceleration over time. Furthermore, the data can be viewed overlaying a map, implemented with a Google Maps web page applet, to show where events occurred. The device also displays up-to-date information at runtime regarding brake temperature and pressure, along with device status messages for error reporting and brake squeal detection, on a small LCD.https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/capstone/1184/thumbnail.jp

Orthogonal Array Experiment in Systems

This paper espouses the application of orthogonal array experiment to solve a class of engineering optimization problems encountered in systems engineering and architecting. It also illustrates the applicability of orthogonal array experiment in systems engineering and architecting with two examples: verification and validation of the performance of a bandwidth allocation algorithm and architecting of a system of systems to respond to small boat attacks by terrorists. The orthogonal array experiment approach does not call for linearization of nonlinear engineering optimization problems; using orthogonal arrays, it solves them directly by carrying out the smallest possible number of experiments and determining their solutions from the results of the experiments. The orthogonal array experiment method has been found to be effective and efficient for these problems. The feasibility of applying the orthogonal array experiment approach to these problems suggests its potential application to other optimization problems encountered in systems engineering and architecting

Energy Efficiency of Radio Units and its Impact on RAN Energy Consumption

As mobile telecommunications networks continue to grow, energy consumption continues to grow with it. This will without a doubt affect both the operational expense for network operators and the environment due to air pollution from power stations. As of today, a lot of radio units are consuming more power than necessarily, and with the growing industry this will have a substantial impact in the future. One way to address this issue is to make radio units more energy efficient. To approach this a study on Radio 2217, an Ericsson remote radio unit, was conducted. The study involved work on both hardware and software level. In order to test and evaluate the results a real LTE radio base station was set up. An LTE network was also modeled in Matlab with the purpose to show how different power save features of radio units could reduce the energy consumption. The findings of this work shows that the existing power save implementations of the radio unit could definitely be improved. The power save features Cell-Sleep and MIMO-Sleep were improved by 36 % and 3.4 % respectively. It also showed that the energy consumption in a mobile network could be reduced by up to 57 % by modernizing hardware and adding power save features.Reducing the Environmental Impact From Mobile Telecommunication Networks During the last decades, mobile networks have continued to grow and are expected to grow even further with the introduction of Internet of Things and the next generation radio system named 5G. As the networks grow, energy efficiency and sustainability is becoming more and more interesting and necessary for the network operators. However, energy efficiency is an area often overlooked in favor of connectivity, throughput and availability when building mobile networks. To see how we could increase the energy efficiency of radio units we studied both hardware and existing energy efficiency features to see if there were any possibilities to improve the current implementations. Due to our time limit we quickly realized we could not do any hardware changes in the means of changing components for more efficient ones, for example by introducing more efficient transistors in the power amplifier. Instead, our focus became trying to improve the current power save features that were implemented in the radio. We focused mainly on two features, one which during low traffic scenarios turns off one of the transmitter branches to save power, and one feature that basically powers down the radio when there is no need for the radio to transmit nor receive. The focus on the features became trying to turn off excess components that were not used, but still powered on and consuming power. To do this we set up a complete end-to-end system with real mobile phones connected to a real base station which was based LTE technology. This gave us full control over the system to test the features and to control the radio unit. A novel approach used to identify components that were consuming power was to look at the circuit board with a thermal camera to find “hot spots”, i.e. components that were consuming power. This helped us identify what we should focus on and proved to be good at visualizing the results. By the end of our work we managed to reduce the power consumption in the features by 36 % and 3.4 % respectively. We also created a model to show how new hardware and activation of power save features impacted the energy consumption of a realistic LTE network. It is shown in the model that by replacing old hardware by new modern hardware and activating and using power save features more often, the energy consumption can be reduced by up to 57 %

Trabecular bone structure correlates with hand posture and use in hominoids

Bone is capable of adapting during life in response to stress. Therefore, variation in locomotor and manipulative behaviours across extant hominoids may be reflected in differences in trabecular bone structure. The hand is a promising region for trabecular analysis, as it is the direct contact between the individual and the environment and joint positions at peak loading vary amongst extant hominoids. Building upon traditional volume of interest-based analyses, we apply a whole-epiphysis analytical approach using high-resolution microtomographic scans of the hominoid third metacarpal to investigate whether trabecular structure reflects differences in hand posture and loading in knuckle-walking (Gorilla, Pan), suspensory (Pongo, Hylobates and Symphalangus) and manipulative (Homo) taxa. Additionally, a comparative phylogenetic method was used to analyse rates of evolutionary changes in trabecular parameters. Results demonstrate that trabecular bone volume distribution and regions of greatest stiffness (i.e., Young's modulus) correspond with predicted loading of the hand in each behavioural category. In suspensory and manipulative taxa, regions of high bone volume and greatest stiffness are concentrated on the palmar or distopalmar regions of the metacarpal head, whereas knuckle-walking taxa show greater bone volume and stiffness throughout the head, and particularly in the dorsal region; patterns that correspond with the highest predicted joint reaction forces. Trabecular structure in knuckle-walking taxa is characterised by high bone volume fraction and a high degree of anisotropy in contrast to the suspensory brachiators. Humans, in which the hand is used primarily for manipulation, have a low bone volume fraction and a variable degree of anisotropy. Finally, when trabecular parameters are mapped onto a molecular-based phylogeny, we show that the rates of change in trabecular structure vary across the hominoid clade. Our results support a link between inferred behaviour and trabecular structure in extant hominoids that can be informative for reconstructing behaviour in fossil primates

Contrasting population genetic patterns within the white-throated sparrow genome (Zonotrichia albicollis)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The level of nucleotide diversity observed across the genome is positively correlated with the local rate of recombination. Avian karyotypes are typified by large variation in chromosome size and the rate of recombination in birds has been shown to be negatively correlated with chromosome size. It has thus been predicted that nucleotide diversity is negatively correlated with chromosome size in aves. However, there is limited empirical evidence to support this prediction.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Here we sequenced 27 autosomal and 12 sex chromosome-linked loci in the white-throated sparrow (<it>Zonotrichia albicollis</it>) to quantify and compare patterns of recombination, linkage disequilibrium (LD), and genetic diversity across the genome of this North American songbird. Genetic diversity on the autosomes varied up to 8-fold, with the lowest diversity observed on the macrochromosomes and the highest diversity on the microchromosomes. Genetic diversity on the sex chromosomes was reduced compared to the autosomes, the most extreme difference being a ~300-fold difference between the W chromosome and the microchromosomes. LD and population structure associated with a common inversion polymorphism (ZAL2/2^m) in this species were found to be atypical compared to other macrochromosomes, and nucleotide diversity within this inversion on the two chromosome arrangements was more similar to that observed on the Z chromosome.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>A negative correlation between nucleotide diversity and autosome size was observed in the white-throated sparrow genome, as well as low levels of diversity on the sex chromosomes comparable to those reported in other birds. The population structure and extended LD associated with the ZAL2/2^mchromosomal polymorphism are exceptional compared to the rest of the white-throated sparrow genome.</p

Design Strategy of a Thermoelectric Evaporative Refrigerator for Safe Food Storage

Lack of safe food storage can lead to sickness, cancer, and even death. This has effects on developing communities where over a billion people live without access to electricity. This lack of electrical power limits families in developing communities’ ability to utilize modern refrigeration systems, forcing them to instead rely on ice boxes to keep their food cold. Ice boxes are a time consuming refrigeration system that can be highly inconsistent and unsafe, if not constantly monitored. Simply, poor food storage can lead to illness and systemic problems caused by poor diet. In order to combat this problem, we are developing an off-grid, low power, compact refrigeration system with a user interface to allow for greater individual control. By optimizing thermoelectric modules with regards to the refrigerator size and heat dissipation system, it is possible to achieve a temperature difference suitable for storing food at power levels lower than that of a standard light bulb. The cooling system is further enhanced using an evaporative cooling solution that is rigorously designed to provide the greatest cooling effect with minimal user interaction. When used in conjunction with the main thermoelectric heat pump, lower internal temperatures can be achieved at reduced power. This system performance is monitored and controlled using a micro-controller that measures environmental conditions as well as fridge performance. It can inform the user and allow them a greater amount of control over the performance of their refrigeration system. In summary, we seek to effectively design a product that will enhance the quality and safety of life for those without access to reliable refrigeration

UC-272 Defunct to Funct: Expanding the Functionality of Forgotten Robots

The field of robotics is an expanding landscape, pushing the frontiers of engineering, machine vision, artificial intelligence and more. The robotics industry also has a foothold in many areas, such as consumer markets, scientific research, industrial and medical applications, and even exploration. With the growing interest in automated machines, individuals who can work with these machines are in demand, and providing a way to learn the skills to do so would be just as valuable. Kennesaw State University is currently in possession of two UXA-90 Humanoid robots; both of which have remained in storage for extended periods of time since their purchase in the mid 2010’s. They have been intermittently worked on, but prior groups were unable to make the robots functional. Our project is to assess the robots, attempt to bring them back online, and then to explore their functionality in the hopes that current and future students would be able to utilize these robots in different projects. We utilized the manuals that accompanied the robots, as well as the software documentation for the Robot Operating System (ROS) in order to access the robot’s internal computer and diagnose the problems with the preloaded programs. By fixing the problems in the preloaded programs, we are now able to expand on the functionality of the robot with things such as voice control and face recognition

EphB1 recruits c-Src and p52Shc to activate MAPK/ERK and promote chemotaxis

Eph receptors and their ligands (ephrins) play an important role in axonal guidance, topographic mapping, and angiogenesis. The signaling pathways mediating these activities are starting to emerge and are highly cell- and receptor-type specific. Here we demonstrate that activated EphB1 recruits the adaptor proteins Grb2 and p52Shc and promotes p52Shc and c-Src tyrosine phosphorylation as well as MAPK/extracellular signal–regulated kinase (ERK) activation. EphB1-mediated increase of cell migration was abrogated by the MEK inhibitor PD98059 and Src inhibitor PP2. In contrast, cell adhesion, which we previously showed to be c-jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) dependent, was unaffected by ERK1/2 and Src inhibition. Expression of dominant-negative c-Src significantly reduced EphB1-dependent ERK1/2 activation and chemotaxis. Site-directed mutagenesis experiments demonstrate that tyrosines 600 and 778 of EphB1 are required for its interaction with c-Src and p52Shc. Furthermore, phosphorylation of p52Shc by c-Src is essential for its recruitment to EphB1 signaling complexes through its phosphotyrosine binding domain. Together these findings highlight a new aspect of EphB1 signaling, whereby the concerted action of c-Src and p52Shc activates MAPK/ERK and regulates events involved in cell motility