Supporting distributed computation over wide area gigabit networks

The advent of high bandwidth fibre optic links that may be used over very large distances has lead to much research and development in the field of wide area gigabit networking. One problem that needs to be addressed is how loosely coupled distributed systems may be built over these links, allowing many computers worldwide to take part in complex calculations in order to solve "Grand Challenge" problems. The research conducted as part of this PhD has looked at the practicality of implementing a communication mechanism proposed by Craig Partridge called Late-binding Remote Procedure Calls (LbRPC). LbRPC is intended to export both code and data over the network to remote machines for evaluation, as opposed to traditional RPC mechanisms that only send parameters to pre-existing remote procedures. The ability to send code as well as data means that LbRPC requests can overcome one of the biggest problems in Wide Area Distributed Computer Systems (WADCS): the fixed latency due to the speed of light. As machines get faster, the fixed multi-millisecond round trip delay equates to ever increasing numbers of CPU cycles. For a WADCS to be efficient, programs should minimise the number of network transits they incur. By allowing the application programmer to export arbitrary code to the remote machine, this may be achieved. This research has looked at the feasibility of supporting secure exportation of arbitrary code and data in heterogeneous, loosely coupled, distributed computing environments. It has investigated techniques for making placement decisions for the code in cases where there are a large number of widely dispersed remote servers that could be used. The latter has resulted in the development of a novel prototype LbRPC using multicast IP for implicit placement and a sequenced, multi-packet saturation multicast transport protocol. These prototypes show that it is possible to export code and data to multiple remote hosts, thereby removing the need to perform complex and error prone explicit process placement decisions

From local project to open source: a brief history of the Loughborough Online Reading List System (LORLS)

Following a proposal at Loughborough University that "reading lists should be made available online" the university library undertook responsibility to design and develop a system to achieve this aim. Using open source tools the rapid development of a reading list management system soon followed, and by Autumn 2000 the solution had been successfully implemented at the university. The system is now available to other institutions as open source software

A virtual environment for learning to view during aerial movements

Training the gymnasts to view the landing area when learning aerial skills may lead to more consistent landings but can be problematic and potentially dangerous. A virtual environment allowing gymnasts to get introduced to viewing techniques safely is presented. The system is based on existing simulation models and visualisation software, and is implemented using client–server technology to allow reuse with new simulation models in the future

Evaluating possible uses of a Raspberry Pi in an academic library environment

Loughborough University's Library Systems Team investigated two potential uses for Raspberry Pis. The first use to be identified for investigation was using the Raspberry Pi as a replacement for the existing OPAC hardware. While it met a majority of the requirements there were issues with the responsiveness to user input at certain times. The second use for Raspberry Pis investigated was to provide a number of digital signs to display details about resource bookings and the availability of PCs in IT labs around campus. The Raspberry Pi demonstrated that it was ideally suited to this task

Raspberry Pi driven digital signage

Loughborough University makes extensive use of digital signage to display rapidly changing information to its staff, students and visitors. Within the library, digital signage displays show PC availability, study and meeting room bookings, IT support information and details of forthcoming events. To drive the displays small, inexpensive and low powered Raspberry Pi computers are used. The low cost and ease of use of the Raspberry Pi based solution has allowed the Library to have far more displays in use than would otherwise be possible, which provides for an enhanced user experience in the building. This paper describes how Raspberry Pi's can be used to drive displays, shows some of the cost savings that can be made and looks at some potential future applications of cheap, digital signage

INTERACTIVE VIEWING OF SIMULATED AERIAL MOVEMENTS

An 11-segment computer simulation model of aerial movement was used to generate a set of configuration and orientation angles for a double straight somersault with a full twist in the second somersault (back-in full-out). Computer graphics were generated in real-time using OpenInventor from a virtual head-mounted camera and were rendered at 50 Hz to a Trivisio 3scope stereo Head Mounted Display worn by the user to give a trampolinist’s view. Changes in orientation of the user’s head in the real world were detected by a 3D-Bird sensor and were reflected in real-time movements of the head of the virtual trampolinist. The system allowed continuous repetition of the trampoline skill and was tested by several elite gymnasts who learned the correct head movement at a reduced speed before increasing to half actual performance speed

A novel method to find the neutral position of the breast

Breast pain affects up to 70% of the female population. It is believed that stretching of the breast tissue causes discomfort and that by placing the breast into a position in which the tissue is neither in compression or tension (termed neutral position) will eliminate breast pain. The purpose of the study was to find a simple method that could be used to determine the location of the neutral position. One participant with a breast size of 34C performed three activities. The breast and torso movement were tracked using four retroreflective markers. The results suggest that the counter-movement jump was the most appropriate method as it forced the breast to oscillate from tension in the upper-side of the breast to tension in the under-side of the breast. The neutral position was found to be -129 ± 6 mm below the suprasternal notch, which was located 14 mm above the resting height of the breast. It was concluded that the first role of a bra is to lift the breast above the static position to cause more symmetrical oscillations about the neutral position

Automating library stock ordering from reading lists

Deciding which works should be held by a university library, and how many copies of each work are required, is a time consuming process. Library staff have to consider a number of variables in making each purchasing decision, and use data from a variety of library systems. At Loughborough University one such system is the online reading lists, which allows academic staff to indicate to students and library staff which books they feel are most useful/important. This paper discusses taking data from the reading list system, and other library data sources, and using it in an automated system to make book purchasing suggestions to ease this task for library staff. © 2013 J.P.Knight,G.P. Brewerton and J.L.Cooper

Model-based automatic tracking of articulated human movement

This study applied a vision-based tracking approach to the analysis of articulated, three-dimensional (3D) whole-body human movements. A 3D computer graphics model of the human body was constructed from ellipsoid solids and customized to two gymnasts for size and colour. The model was used in the generation of model images from multiple camera views with simulated environments based on measurements taken on each of three synchronized video cameras and the lighting sources present in the original recording environment. A hierarchical procedure was used whereby the torso was tracked initially to establish whole-body position and orientation and subsequently body segments were added successively to the model to establish body configuration. An iterative procedure was used at each stage to optimize each new set of variables using a score based on the RGB colour difference between the model images and video images at each stage. Tracking experiments were carried out on movement sequences using both synthetic and video image data. Promising qualitative results were obtained with consistent model matching in all sequences, including sequences involving whole-body rotational movements. Accurate tracking results were obtained for the synthetic image sequences. Automatic tracking results for the video images were also compared with kinematic estimates obtained via manual digitization and favourable comparisons were obtained. It is concluded that with further development this model-based approach using colour matching should provide the basis of a robust and accurate tracking system applicable to data collection for biomechanics studies