SysML-Based Domain-Specific Executable Workflows

The Systems Modeling Language (SysML) is a general-purpose graphical modeling language for specifying, analyzing, designing, and verifying complex systems. This thesis presents a tool called SysFlow Workflow Engine (SWE) that is being developed to execute a domain workflow defined using SysML\u27s Activity Diagram. The thesis also describes extensions added to the SysML semantics to make them SWE executable. SWE focuses on grid computing, cyberinfrastructure and related domains; however, support for other domains can be easily added. SWE aims to provide a common interface to grid, cyberinfrastructure and other domain-specific software by abstracting their complexity and idiosyncrasies. To create a workflow, users can use SysML modelers such as Topcased, which allow them to create and validate SysML models. Before submitting a workflow to SWE for execution, users have to ensure that their workflow is not only a valid SysML model but also a valid SWE executable model. SWE receives a SysML workflow in XML Metadata Interchange (XMI) format and after performing certain validation checks, it parses and executes the workflow

Visualization of a plane sweep algorithm for construction of the visibility graph for robot path planning

Research and development work in robotics and industrial automation has prompted a need for efficient motion planning algorithms for collision avoidance. To build fully autonomous robots, these algorithms must also model the environment correctly and accurately to safely maneuver the robot around obstacles. The main focus of this thesis is on the following problem and its solution: Given a set of obstacles represented as polygons in two-dimensional space, determine the shortest, collision-free path from the source point of the robot to some destination point. A fast and efficient algorithm for solving this problem is based on a plane-sweeping technique and runs in O(N{dollar}\sp2{dollar} log N) time; Since this solution has been studied very briefly in its theoretical form by (SS84), we present an in-depth analysis of the plane-sweep algorithm along with a full-scale implementation as well as an animation of the plane-sweeping technique

InPhaDel: integrative shotgun and proximity-ligation sequencing to phase deletions with single nucleotide polymorphisms.

Phasing of single nucleotide (SNV), and structural variations into chromosome-wide haplotypes in humans has been challenging, and required either trio sequencing or restricting phasing to population-based haplotypes. Selvaraj et al demonstrated single individual SNV phasing is possible with proximity ligated (HiC) sequencing. Here, we demonstrate HiC can phase structural variants into phased scaffolds of SNVs. Since HiC data is noisy, and SV calling is challenging, we applied a range of supervised classification techniques, including Support Vector Machines and Random Forest, to phase deletions. Our approach was demonstrated on deletion calls and phasings on the NA12878 human genome. We used three NA12878 chromosomes and simulated chromosomes to train model parameters. The remaining NA12878 chromosomes withheld from training were used to evaluate phasing accuracy. Random Forest had the highest accuracy and correctly phased 86% of the deletions with allele-specific read evidence. Allele-specific read evidence was found for 76% of the deletions. HiC provides significant read evidence for accurately phasing 33% of the deletions. Also, eight of eight top ranked deletions phased by only HiC were validated using long range polymerase chain reaction and Sanger. Thus, deletions from a single individual can be accurately phased using a combination of shotgun and proximity ligation sequencing. InPhaDel software is available at: http://l337x911.github.io/inphadel/

Power System Testing and Verification for a Space Camera System With 18650 Batteries

CubeSat functionality is often limited by not only volume but also power. As such, there have been multiple advances in devices to store energy with higher energy density. 18650 Lithium-Ion Cells are a common battery used for low current draw use cases, making them an economical and approachable candidate as primary batteries for powering this type of small spacecraft. However, it is known that the performance and efficiency will vary according to different environmental conditions, in particular, temperature–requiring thorough testing of the batteries at extreme conditions. This paper will explore environmental tests to verify a power system based on 18650 batteries for a mission duration and to rate them for human spaceflight. The main tests that were conducted included discharge tests at various temperatures and cyclic testing corresponding to the environment in which the batteries will be used. From this performance, data is collected on the battery’s performance at a range of temperatures, discharge rates, and environmental conditions, validating the battery for space applications

Perturb and Observe Maximum Power Point Tracking for Photovoltaic Cell

Maximum power point tracking (MPPT) techniques are used in photovoltaic (PV) systems to maximize the PV array output power by tracking continuously the maximum power point (MPP) which depends on panel’s temperature and on irradiance conditions. The issue of MPPT has been addressed in different ways in the literature but, especially for low-cost implementations, the perturb and observe (P&O) maximum power point tracking algorithm is the most commonly used method due to its ease of implementation. A drawback of P&O is that, at steady state, the operating point oscillates around the MPP giving rise to the waste of some amount of available energy; moreover, it is well known that the P&O algorithm can be confused during those time intervals characterized by rapidly changing atmospheric conditions. In order to limit the negative effects associated to the above drawbacks, the P&O MPPT parameters must be customized to the dynamic behavior of the specific converter adopted. A theoretical analysis allowing the optimal choice of such parameters is also carried out. In this paper MATLAB-based M file programming scheme suitable for monitoring the I-V and P-V characteristics of a PV array under a nonuniform insolation due to partial shading condition for different configuration (modules in series parallel) of solar PV. It can also be used for developing and evaluating new maximum power point tracking techniques, especially for shaded conditions. Implementation of a novel MPPT technique has been developed using P&O algorithm has been done using MATLAB-based M file programming scheme without applying shading effect to solar array. Keywords: Maximum power point (MPP), maximum power point tracking (MPPT), perturb and observe (P&O), photovoltaic (PV

Utilization of CT scanning associated with complex spine surgery.

BackgroundDue to the risk associated with exposure to ionizing radiation, there is an urgent need to identify areas of CT scanning overutilization. While increased use of diagnostic spinal imaging has been documented, no previous research has estimated the magnitude of follow-up imaging used to evaluate the postoperative spine.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study quantifies the association between spinal surgery and CT utilization. An insurance database (Humana, Inc.) with ≈ 19 million enrollees was employed, representing 8 consecutive years (2007-2014). Surgical and imaging procedures were captured by anatomic-specific CPT codes. Complex surgeries included all cervical, thoracic and lumbar instrumented spine fusions. Simple surgeries included discectomy and laminectomy. Imaging was restricted to CT and MRI. Postoperative imaging frequency extended to 5-years post-surgery.ResultsThere were 140,660 complex spinal procedures and 39,943 discectomies and 49,889 laminectomies. MRI was the predominate preoperative imaging modality for all surgical procedures (median: 80%; range: 73-82%). Postoperatively, CT prevalence following complex procedures increased more than two-fold from 6 months (18%) to 5 years (≥40%), and patients having a postoperative CT averaged two scans. For simple procedures, the prevalence of postoperative CT scanning never exceeded 30%.ConclusionsCT scanning is used frequently for follow-up imaging evaluation following complex spine surgery. There is emerging evidence of an increased cancer risk due to ionizing radiation exposure with CT. In the setting of complex spine surgery, actions to mitigate this risk should be considered and include reducing nonessential scans, using the lowest possible radiation dose protocols, exerting greater selectivity in monitoring the developing fusion construct, and adopting non-ferromagnetic implant biomaterials that facilitate MRI postoperatively

Review on Content Management System using SharePoint

The idea to make something useful for organizational environment has led us intranet organizational portal. Since, SharePointand ASP.NET is the most emerging and trending technologies these days, the application is developed in ASP.NET using SharePoint. The application focuses on communication between staff and higher authority, and also provides some functionality required to manage the departmental documentation without paperwork. After registering in the application, user can use the different facilities given by the application like notice board, notification, prolife, upload or download, etc. Also, frequently required tabs like daily tasks, news, notifications are included in the application for quick reference. Extra things like International/National level paper presentations, intra/inter organizational events and cultural activities can also be put under observation using it. Employees have been given the functionality to maintain attendance, Progress record to a certain limit of functions

Gender differences in clinical profile and risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea in a public health care setting

Background: Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome is an increasingly prevalent chronic condition which is, unfortunately, still underdiagnosed. It is peculiarity of this noisy disease that it announces itself to everyone within earshot-except its victims. The intermittent hypoxemia and sleep fragmentation caused by recurrent episodes of upper airway collapse are chiefly responsible for the pathophysiology associated with this condition.Methods: The present study was carried out from January 2014 to August 2015 in a tertiary care government hospital. In this comparative hospital based study 94 patients with Sleep Disordered Breathing and >13 years of age were included. There were 58 males and 36 females in the present study. All patients who satisfied inclusion criteria were studied after taking written consent. Collection of data was carried out with predesigned proforma.Results: Of all the 94 patients who underwent overnight Polysomnographic study,80 patients were diagnosed as Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Risk factor of OSA have gender differences in their distribution. Female patient is older with significantly higher mean age compared to male patients with OSA (52.9 vs 44.7 years). Females are having significantly higher BMI compared to male OSA(38.2 vs 31.5) but neck circumference is higher in males (44.7 Vs 38.1 cm).The prevalence of Smoking and Alcoholism as a risk factor is higher in male patients while endocrine disorder are more common in females. ENT abnormalities are present more or less equally in both the sexes.Conclusions: In the present study females’ patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea were mainly Older, Obese, Postmenopausal and endocrine disorder like Hypothyroidism were more prevalent while male patients were Smoker, Alcoholic and had higher neck circumference

Mechanical Properties of Polypropylene Fiber Reinforced Concrete under Elevated Temperature

Apart from many advantages, High Strength Concrete (HSC) has disadvantages in terms of brittleness and poor resistance to fire. Various studies suggest that when polypropylene (PP) fibers are uniformly distributed within concrete, they play an active role in improving spalling resistance of concrete when exposed to elevated temperature while having no adverse effect on its mechanical properties. Therefore, there is a necessity to quantify the effect of the addition of polypropylene fibers in terms of the fiber dosage, the strength of the concrete, and the residual mechanical properties of fiber-reinforced concrete under exposure to high temperature from fire. The study was carried out on three water/cement (w/c) ratios (0.47, 0.36 & 0.20) using granite aggregate for determining short term mechanical properties of Polypropylene fiber reinforced concrete in comparison to control mix. The experimental program includes 100 × 200 mm & 150 x 300 mm cylinders with fiber volume of 0.5%, that were subjected to temperatures exposures of 400 °C and 600 °C for durations of 1 hour. From the results, it was observed that no significant enhancement in mechanical properties such as modulus of elasticity, Poisson’s ratio, split tensile strength, flexural strength, and compressiv

Effect on mechanical properties and stress strain characteristics of normal and high strength concrete at elevated temperature

High strength concrete (HSC) has some disadvantages such as brittleness and poor resistance to fire. Fire exposure affects the concrete in way that the disintegration of concrete starts and a severe surface spalling occurs at very high temperatures. Therefore, the structural behaviour or response to the load will change after fire exposure and the structural members may not behave as they were designed. Further, the basics of flexural design depend on the stress- strain response of the concrete which is also affected upon fire exposure. Hence, this study is carried out to provide useful input to aid the provision of a fire resistance for structural behaviour of concrete by investigating the effects on mechanical properties of concrete after exposure to high temperatures up to 600°C and establishing a stress-strain relationship. The concrete cylinders of size 100 mm x 200 mm were exposed to the temperature of 2000C, 4000C and 6000C after which the residual compressive strength, split tensile strength and flexural strength were recorded. For stress strain characteristics, 100 × 200 mm cylinders with polypropylene fiber content of 0.5% by volume of concrete were subjected to temperature exposure of 6000C for durations of 1 hour. Curves for reduction factors of strength and stress strain characteristics after fire/elevated temperature exposure has been established. Just consideration of reduced strength for assessment after fire exposure will not serve the purpose as the change in load response and increased deformation capacity also needs to be addressed properly