Advanced Dynamic Vehicle Simulation

The Motorsports Engineering Program within the Purdue School of Engineering and Technology at Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis (IUPUI) has partnered with Dallara Automobili to conduct basic and applied research involving dynamic vehicle simulation to advance motorsports engineering techniques and motorsports related economic development opportunities for the State of Indiana and beyond. The project includes completion and operation of the world’s most advanced vehicle dynamic simulator at Dallara’s IndyCar facility in Speedway, Indiana. This facility supports assembly of the racecars used for the IZOD IndyCar series, America’s foremost open-wheel racing series. The basic and applied research to be conducted by IUPUI using the advanced vehicle dynamic simulator at Dallara, includes the following aims: i) Correlation of empirical simulator data to both track-test empirical data and driver qualitative feedback; ii) Correlation of driver head and chest acceleration data between corresponding simulator and track-test situations; and iii) Extend simulator capabilities to other applications, including short track stock cars, sprint cars, etc., by developing new physics models to simulate appropriate track conditions

The Economics of Litigation and Arbitration: An Application to Franchise Contracts

If we define the deterrence benefits from contract enforcement as avoided harms net of avoidance costs, we should expect contracting parties to choose the dispute resolution forum that provides the greatest difference between deterrence benefits and dispute resolution costs for every type of dispute. We apply this general framework to franchise contracts and conduct an empirical analysis of the determinants of arbitration agreements among franchising parties. Although it is obvious that contracting parties have an incentive to choose arbitration in order to reduce dispute-resolution costs, there have been no studies of the importance of deterrence concerns. We examine the deterrence hypothesis here and find a great deal of support for it. Indeed, our results suggest that deterrence factors generally outweigh litigation costs in the design of dispute resolution agreements. We find that the probability of arbitration is significantly higher when the parties are likely to rely on implicit contract terms for governance and compliance with those terms is difficult to ensure

Effects of dtopors on soma and germ line aging in male Drosophila

Nuclei are given support and structure by a network of proteins and filaments called the nuclear lamina. Mutations in many genes encoding lamina components result in human diseases known as the laminopathies. Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS) occurs from a rare mutation in a major lamina component. Patients exhibit aspects of rapid aging including artherosclerosis, osteoporosis and sclerderma. HGPS is also associated with a nuclear dysmorphology in which multiple protrusions alter the normal shape of the nucleus, possibly causing the rapid aging phenotypes. A mutation of the D. melanogaster gene dtopors phenocopies this nuclear dysmorphology. The dTopors protein is a component of the lamina in all cell types examined, but unlike in HPGS, visible nuclear defects are limited to male germline cells. Here, I investigated both the germ line and soma of dtopors male flies to determine if rapid aging occurs. Results indicate that dtopors males lose the ability to produce progeny at a younger age than wildtype. Testes size decreases at a younger age, but is not due to decreased stem cell numbers. Somatic cells also appeared to be affected, as lifespan was shortened, and an enhanced age-related decrease in negative geotaxis was observed in dtopors males. Tests of effects on an age-related decrease in innate immunity yielded ambiguous results. Taken together, the results suggest that acceleration of some aspects of aging may be induced by mutations in dtopors, and that study of dTopors in Drosophila could yield insight into similar accelerated aging processes that coincide with changes in nuclear structure

Determining requirements for meiotic pairing in Drosophila melanogaster Spermatogenesis

Diploid germline cells must undergo two consecutive meiotic divisions before differentiating as haploid sex cells. During meiosis I, homologs pair and remain conjoined until segregation at anaphase. Drosophila melanogaster spermatocytes are unique in that the canonical events of meiosis I including synaptonemal complex (SC) formation, double-strand DNA breaks, and chiasmata are absent. Sex chromosomes pair at intergenic spacer sequences within the rDNA. Autosomes pair at numerous euchromatic homologies, but not at heterochromatin, suggesting that pairing may be limited to specific sequences. However, previous work generated from genetic segregation assays or observations of late prophase I/prometaphase I chromosome associations fail to differentiate pairing from maintenance of pairing (conjunction). To begin, the capability of X euchromatin to pair and conjoin with the Y chromosome was examined using an rDNA-deficient X and a series of Dp(1;Y) chromosomes. Genetic assays determined that duplicated X euchromatin can substitute for endogenous rDNA pairing sites; however, segregation was not proportional to homology length. Using fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) to early prophase I spermatocytes, pairing was shown to occur with high fidelity at all homologies tested. By comparing genetic and cytological data, we determined that centromere proximal pairings were best at segregation. Segregation was dependent on the conjunction protein Stromalin in Meiosis while the autosomal-specific Teflon was dispensable. Next, the ability of the X euchromatic homology to pair with and segregate from the heterolog chromosome 3 was examined using Dp(1;3) chromosomes containing X euchromatin duplications ranging in size from 21 to 177 Kb. In contrast to duplications of X euchromatin on the Y, duplications of X material on chromosome 3 are not as effective in directing segregation. In early prophase I, however, homologies on the X and chromosome 3 pair. Pairing between homologs is normally released at S2b of prophase I. Using a control probe to only select cells where chromosome 2 has already unpaired, the X and Dp(1;3) was unpaired in a significantly higher number of cells than was the X and Dp(1;Y). This result suggests different mechanisms exist to manage pairings between homologs and pairings between heterologs. The FISH pairing assay was used to score meiotic I nondisjunction (NDJ) and compared to genetic NDJ. Some NDJ frequencies were significantly different between the two methods. Data suggests genetic NDJ calculations are not always a true measure of the meiotic defect. The FISH pairing assay was also used to investigate an uncharacterized male meiotic mutant since the assay provides a rapid identification of the defective meiotic stage. FISH identified a unique defect that caused sister chromatids to segregate to opposite poles during meiosis I. This identification would not have been possible by only monitoring the outcome of meiosis through genetic crosses. The molecular techniques and approaches described within are suggested to be useful in defining the mechanisms regulating the establishment of conjunction and segregation between paired sequences

Thermodynamic Computing

The hardware and software foundations laid in the first half of the 20th Century enabled the computing technologies that have transformed the world, but these foundations are now under siege. The current computing paradigm, which is the foundation of much of the current standards of living that we now enjoy, faces fundamental limitations that are evident from several perspectives. In terms of hardware, devices have become so small that we are struggling to eliminate the effects of thermodynamic fluctuations, which are unavoidable at the nanometer scale. In terms of software, our ability to imagine and program effective computational abstractions and implementations are clearly challenged in complex domains. In terms of systems, currently five percent of the power generated in the US is used to run computing systems - this astonishing figure is neither ecologically sustainable nor economically scalable. Economically, the cost of building next-generation semiconductor fabrication plants has soared past $10 billion. All of these difficulties - device scaling, software complexity, adaptability, energy consumption, and fabrication economics - indicate that the current computing paradigm has matured and that continued improvements along this path will be limited. If technological progress is to continue and corresponding social and economic benefits are to continue to accrue, computing must become much more capable, energy efficient, and affordable. We propose that progress in computing can continue under a united, physically grounded, computational paradigm centered on thermodynamics. Herein we propose a research agenda to extend these thermodynamic foundations into complex, non-equilibrium, self-organizing systems and apply them holistically to future computing systems that will harness nature's innate computational capacity. We call this type of computing "Thermodynamic Computing" or TC.Comment: A Computing Community Consortium (CCC) workshop report, 36 page

Medial longitudinal arch development of school children : The College of Podiatry Annual Conference 2015: meeting abstracts

Background Foot structure is often classified into flat foot, neutral and high arch type based on the variability of the Medial Longitudinal Arch (MLA). To date, the literature provided contrasting evidence on the age when MLA development stabilises in children. The influence of footwear on MLA development is also unknown. Aim This study aims to (i) clarify whether the MLA is still changing in children from age 7 to 9 years old and (ii) explore the relationship between footwear usage and MLA development, using a longitudinal approach. Methods We evaluated the MLA of 111 healthy school children [age = 6.9 (0.3) years] using three parameters [arch index (AI), midfoot peak pressure (PP) and maximum force (MF: % of body weight)] extracted from dynamic foot loading measurements at baseline, 10-month and 22-month follow-up. Information on the type of footwear worn was collected using survey question. Linear mixed modelling was used to test for differences in the MLA over time. Results Insignificant changes in all MLA parameters were observed over time [AI: P = .15; PP: P = .84; MF: P = .91]. When gender was considered, the AI of boys decreased with age [P = .02]. Boys also displayed a flatter MLA than girls at age 6.9 years [AI: mean difference = 0.02 (0.01, 0.04); P = .02]. At baseline, subjects who wore close-toe shoes displayed the lowest MLA overall [AI/PP/MF: P < .05]. Subjects who used slippers when commencing footwear use experienced higher PP than those who wore sandals [mean difference = 31.60 (1.44, 61.75) kPa; post-hoc P = .04]. Discussion and conclusion Our findings suggested that the MLA of children remained stable from 7 to 9 years old, while gender and the type of footwear worn during childhood may influence MLA development. Clinicians may choose to commence therapy when a child presents with painful flexible flat foot at age 7 years, and may discourage younger children from wearing slippers when they commence using footwear

Evaluating the use of 3'-(p-Aminophenyl) fluorescein for determining the formation of highly reactive oxygen species in particle suspensions

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Given the importance of highly reactive oxygen species (hROS) as reactants in a wide range of biological, photochemical, and environmental systems there is an interest in detection and quantification of these species. The extreme reactivity of the hROS, which includes hydroxyl radicals, presents an analytical challenge. 3'-(<it>p</it>-Aminophenyl) fluorescein (APF) is a relatively new probe used for measuring hROS. Here, we further evaluate the use of APF as a method for the detection of hydroxyl radicals in particle suspensions.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Particle-generated hROS can be quantified with an estimated detection limit of 50 nM. Measurements of hROS in two National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST 2709 and 2710) soil suspensions and a pyrite suspension show non-linear particle dose-response curves for hROS generation. APF can also be used in solutions containing no dissolved molecular oxygen (O₂) to determine the role of O₂in the formation of hROS. Results confirm that O₂is mechanistically important in the formation of hROS by dissolved ferrous iron and in pyrite suspensions.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Given the non-linear dose-response curves for particle generation of hROS, we recommend using several particle loadings in experiments aimed to compare particles for their hROS generation potential. The method presented here is specific to hROS and simple to perform. The analysis can be conducted in mobile labs as only basic laboratory equipment is required.</p

Efficacy of intra-articular hyaluronan (Synvisc®) for the treatment of osteoarthritis affecting the first metatarsophalangeal joint of the foot (hallux limitus): study protocol for a randomised placebo controlled trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Osteoarthritis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint (MPJ) of the foot, termed <it>hallux limitus</it>, is common and painful. Numerous non-surgical interventions have been proposed for this disorder, however there is limited evidence for their efficacy. Intra-articular injections of hyaluronan have shown beneficial effects in case-series and clinical trials for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint. However, no study has evaluated the efficacy of this form of treatment using a randomised placebo controlled trial. This article describes the design of a randomised placebo controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of intra-articular hyaluronan (Synvisc^®) to reduce pain and improve function in people with hallux limitus.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>One hundred and fifty community-dwelling men and women aged 18 years and over with hallux limitus (who satisfy inclusion and exclusion criteria) will be recruited.</p> <p>Participants will be randomised, using a computer-generated random number sequence, to receive a single intra-articular injection of up to 1 ml hyaluronan (Synvisc^®) or sterile saline (placebo) into the first MPJ. The injections will be performed by an interventional radiologist using fluoroscopy to ensure accurate deposition of the hyaluronan in the joint. Participants will be given the option of a second and final intra-articular injection (of Synvisc^®or sterile saline according to the treatment group they are in) either 1 or 3 months post-treatment if there is no improvement in pain and the participant has not experienced severe adverse effects after the first injection. The primary outcome measures will be the pain and function subscales of the Foot Health Status Questionnaire. The secondary outcome measures will be pain at the first MPJ (during walking and at rest), stiffness at the first MPJ, passive non-weightbearing dorsiflexion of the first MPJ, plantar flexion strength of the toe-flexors of the hallux, global satisfaction with the treatment, health-related quality of life (assessed using the Short-Form-36 version two questionnaire), magnitude of symptom change, use of pain-relieving medication and changes in dynamic plantar pressure distribution (maximum force and peak pressure) during walking. Data will be collected at baseline, then 1, 3 and 6 months post-treatment. Data will be analysed using the intention to treat principle.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>This study is the first randomised placebo controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of intra-articular hyaluronan (Synvisc^®) for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the first MPJ (hallux limitus). The study has been pragmatically designed to ensure that the study findings can be implemented into clinical practice if this form of treatment is found to be an effective treatment strategy.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12607000654459</p