The Analysis of Large Order Bessel Functions in Gravitational Wave Signals from Pulsars

In this work, we present the analytic treatment of the large order Bessel functions that arise in the Fourier Transform (FT) of the Gravitational Wave (GW) signal from a pulsar. We outline several strategies which employ asymptotic expansions in evaluation of such Bessel functions which also happen to have large argument. Large order Bessel functions also arise in the Peters-Mathews model of binary inspiralling stars emitting GW and several problems in potential scattering theory. Other applications also arise in a variety of problems in Applied Mathematics as well as in the Natural Sciences and present a challenge for High Performance Computing(HPC).Comment: 8 pages, Uses IEEE style files: Ieee.cls, Ieee.clo and floatsty.sty. Accepted for publication in High Performance Computing Symposium, May 15-18 (HPCS 2005) Guelph, Ontario, Canad

Analytical and experimental investigation of mistuning in propfan flutter

An analytical and experimental investigation of the effects of mistuning on propfan subsonic flutter was performed. The analytical model is based on the normal modes of a rotating composite blade and a three-dimensinal subsonic unsteady lifting surface aerodynamic theory. Theoretical and experimental results are compared for selected cases at different blade pitch angles, rotational speeds, and free-stream Mach numbers. The comparison shows a reasonably good agreement between theory and experiment. Both theory and experiment showed that combined mode shape, frequency, and aerodynamic mistuning can have a beneficial or adverse effect on blade damping depending on Mach number. Additional parametric results showed that alternative blade frequency mistuning does not have enough potential for it to be used as a passive flutter control in propfans similar to the one studied. It can be inferred from the results that a laminated composite propfan blade can be tailored to optimize its flutter speed by selecting the proper ply angles

Detecting Manufacturing Defects in PCBs via Data-Centric Machine Learning on Solder Paste Inspection Features

Automated detection of defects in Printed Circuit Board (PCB) manufacturing using Solder Paste Inspection (SPI) and Automated Optical Inspection (AOI) machines can help improve operational efficiency and significantly reduce the need for manual intervention. In this paper, using SPI-extracted features of 6 million pins, we demonstrate a data-centric approach to train Machine Learning (ML) models to detect PCB defects at three stages of PCB manufacturing. The 6 million PCB pins correspond to 2 million components that belong to 15,387 PCBs. Using a base extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) ML model, we iterate on the data pre-processing step to improve detection performance. Combining pin-level SPI features using component and PCB IDs, we developed training instances also at the component and PCB level. This allows the ML model to capture any inter-pin, inter-component, or spatial effects that may not be apparent at the pin level. Models are trained at the pin, component, and PCB levels, and the detection results from the different models are combined to identify defective components

Understanding social behaviors in the indoor environment: a complex network approach

Being able to monitor and analyze human interactions in the indoor environment over time has many architectural applications from spatial planning to post occupancy evaluation. In this paper, we present our interdisciplinary approach that interprets human-spatial interactions as a complex network. We combine methods and techniques from sensor networks, signal processing, data mining, network theory, and information visualization to form a novel framework that facilitates versatile investigations. We will demonstrate the framework with a real-world case study: we have collected and analyzed human-spatial interaction data from a workshop scenario where multiple design projects were conducted within a shared studio space

Patterning of silicon by indentation and chemical etching

An array of features on Si 100 is fabricated by a new maskless pattering process involving a combination of indentation and anisotropic wet chemical etching. Indentation is carried out in order to induce transformation to the high-pressure phases, Si III and Si XII, before etching in a KOH solution. The pressure-induced phases are found to be highly resistant to etching in the KOH solution, with an etch rate more than an order of magnitude slower than that of Si 100. The possibility of exploiting this mechanism for a maskless nanoscale patterning process in Si using indentation is discussed.The authors would like to acknowledge the Australian Research Council and the WRiota Pty Ltd. for funding

Eimeria species occurrence varies between geographic regions and poultry production systems and may influence parasite genetic diversity

Coccidiosis is one of the biggest challenges faced by the global poultry industry. Recent studies have highlighted the ubiquitous distribution of all Eimeria species which can cause this disease in chickens, but intriguingly revealed a regional divide in genetic diversity and population structure for at least one species, Eimeria tenella. The drivers associated with such distinct geographic variation are unclear, but may impact on the occurrence and extent of resistance to anticoccidial drugs and future subunit vaccines. India is one of the largest poultry producers in the world and includes a transition between E. tenella populations defined by high and low genetic diversity. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors associated with the prevalence of Eimeria species defined by high and low pathogenicity in northern and southern states of India, and seek to understand factors which vary between the regions as possible drivers for differential genetic variation. Faecal samples and data relating to farm characteristics and management were collected from 107 farms from northern India and 133 farms from southern India. Faecal samples were analysed using microscopy and PCR to identify Eimeria occurrence. Multiple correspondence analysis was applied to transform correlated putative risk factors into a smaller number of synthetic uncorrelated factors. Hierarchical cluster analysis was used to identify poultry farm typologies, revealing three distinct clusters in the studied regions. The association between clusters and presence of Eimeria species was assessed by logistic regression. The study found that large-scale broiler farms in the north were at greatest risk of harbouring any Eimeria species and a larger proportion of such farms were positive for E. necatrix, the most pathogenic species. Comparison revealed a more even distribution for E. tenella across production systems in south India, but with a lower overall occurrence. Such a polarised region- and system-specific distribution may contribute to the different levels of genetic diversity observed previously in India and may influence parasite population structure across much of Asia and Africa. The findings of the study can be used to prioritise target farms to launch and optimise appropriate anticoccidial strategies for long-term control

Altered glucocorticoid binding and action in response to epidermal growth factor in HBL100 cells

Incubation of adherent human breast epithelial HBL100 cells with epidermal growth factor (EGF) decreased [3H]dexamethasone binding by 35% with no effect on affinity. Maximal inhibition was obtained at 3 nm EGF and the 50% effective dose was 0.2 nm EGF. Decreased dexamethasone binding induced by 3 nm EGF was maximal by 5 min of treatment and, in the continuous presence of EGF, persisted at a constant level over 4 days. The action of EGF was antagonized by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, which did not inhibit dexamethasone binding significantly, and by concanavalin A. In homogenates of EGF-treated cells, decreased dexamethasone binding was observed only in the cytosolic fraction. Saturation dexamethasone binding inhibited the growth rate of HBL100 cells by approximately 50%, but concurrent treatment with EGF overcame this inhibition. The effect of EGF on dexamethasone-inhibited cell growth also was antagonized by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate

Ca II and Na I Quasar Absorption-Line Systems in an Emission-Selected Sample of SDSS DR7 Galaxy/Quasar Projections: I. Sample Selection

The aim of this project is to identify low-redshift host galaxies of quasar absorption-line systems by selecting galaxies which are seen in projection onto quasar sightlines. To this end, we use the Seventh Data Release of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS-DR7) to construct a parent sample of 97489 galaxy/quasar projections at impact parameters of up to 100 kpc to the foreground galaxy. We then search the quasar spectra for absorption line systems of Ca II and Na I within +- 500 km/s of the galaxy's velocity. This yields 92 Ca II and 16 Na I absorption systems. We find that most of the Ca II and Na I systems are sightlines through the Galactic disk, through High Velocity Cloud complexes in our halo, or Virgo cluster sightlines. Placing constraints on the absorption line rest equivalent width significance (>=3.0 sigma), the Local Standard of Rest velocity along the sightline (>= 345 km/s), and the ratio of the impact parameter to the galaxy optical radius (<=5.0), we identify 4 absorption line systems that are associated with low-redshift galaxies at high confidence, consisting of two Ca II systems (one of which also shows Na I), and two Na I systems. These 4 systems arise in blue, L_r^* galaxies. Tables of the 108 absorption systems are provided to facilitate future follow up.Comment: 13 pages, 11 figures, 6 tables; online data included in electronic version as 1 FITS table and 2 machine readable tables; to be published in The Astronomical Journa

Clino-radiological and functional outcome of intra-articular distal radius fractures treated with volar locking plate system

Background: No uniform consensus exists to decide type of fixation for unstable distal radius fractures. The objective of the study is to evaluate the patients on regular follow up for radiological &amp; functional status. We evaluated the effectiveness and outcomes of unstable distal radius fractures treated with locking plates.Methods: The study design was prospective observational study. 36 patients with distal radius fractures deemed unsuitable for conservative management underwent ORIF with a volar locking plate. The evaluation methods were clinical examination, DASH score and PRWE score. Patients were followed up from minimum of 2 weeks to 6 months. This data was analysed in MS excel and SPSS software version 19.0 for testing the association between different variables by using the chi-square tests.Results: The mean age of patients was 45 years with male preponderance. As per DASH score 17 patients had zero score implying no disability. In the remaining 19 patients score ranged from 4 to 24 with a mean of 11 indicating good outcome. PRWE score was best in 17 patients and worst in zero patients.Conclusions: The fixation of unstable distal radius fractures with volarly applied locking plates without bone grafting and prolonged immobilisation is an effective method &amp; hence has gained worldwide acceptance and is highly recommended