The puncher’s chance in professional mixed martial arts competition

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and particularly the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), has rapidly evolved and grown significantly over the past 20 years. Sports performance research into MMA is limited, and as such, there are potential gains to be made by practitioners supported by scientific research. The outcomes of UFC bouts from 1997 to 2020 that ended with a knockout (n = 1815) were analysed as a function of each fighters significant strike percentage to quantify the “puncher’s chance”. Logistic regression was utilised to model the association between the outcome (win or loss), and the strike percentage. The limit of this model then provides the absolute minimum odds associated with the puncher’s chance (as the percentage approaches zero). Results gave a value of approximately 1:2000 for a fighter that is being completely outclassed. Features in the data highlighted what are dubbed “practical” values of the puncher’s chance. For a mildly outclassed fighter, landing 35% to 45% of total strikes, the odds were 1:40

Pspice simulation of an electro-acoustic communications channel

In this paper, we present results from a circuit simulation of a proposed electro-acoustic communications channel. The communications channel was modeled in PSpice using Redwood\u27s version of Mason\u27s equivalent circuit. The simulations used binary phase shift keyed communications signals with a carrier frequency of 1.12 MHz. Results obtained from the model are comparable with the results obtained experimentally. The frequency response of the model matched the measured frequency response, predicting lower frequency resonances obtained in the experimental data. The transient response of the model compares almost identically with the transient response observed experimentally. This is a significant characteristic as the acoustic communications are transient limited, which suggests that the model can be used with good confidence in the optimization of the transducers and algorithms used for acoustic communications

Spatial Performance of Acousto-Ultrasonic Fiber Bragg Grating Sensor

In this letter, we present results for the spatial performance of a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensor to continuous-wave acousto-ultrasonic (AU) signals. The FBG AU sensor is an intensity sensor, using a transmit reflect detection system. The AU sensor was used to receive actively generated continuous-wave ultrasonic signals from a PZT transducer. We present results showing the received signal strength as a function of longitudinal, lateral, and angular separation in small aluminum panels. Measurements were taken for distances of less then 100 mm and at angles from 0 to 90 degrees between the sensor and the transducer. These results show no direct dependence between the received signal strength and the spatial separation, in the range considered. Only variations due to interference were observed

Optimisation of Power Detection Interrogation Methods for Fibre Bragg Grating Sensors

We present a method to optimise the performance of power detection interrogation systems for fibre Bragg grating sensors. The performance of the different systems can be optimised in terms of their sensitivity and/or dynamic range

Fibre Bragg Grating Sensors for Acoustic Emission and Transmission Detection Applied to Robotic NDE in Structural Health Monitoring

Distributed acoustic emission sensors are used in structural health monitoring (SHM) for the detection of impacts and/or strain, in real time. Secondary damage may result from the initial impact or strain. This damage may include surface pitting, erosion, or cracking. This type of damage may not be detectable by the SHM system, specifically in passive fiber optic based sensing systems. The integration of non-destructive evaluation (NDE) by robots into SHM enables the detection and monitoring of a wider variety of damage. Communicating via acoustic transmissions represents a wireless communications method for use by NDE inspection robots to communicate with an integrated SHM system that does not require any additional hardware, as piezoelectric transducers are commonly used in the NDE of materials. In this paper, we demonstrate the detection of both acoustic emissions and transmissions with a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensor. The acoustic communications channel comprises of a piezoelectric transmitter, an aluminum panel as the transmission medium, and a FBG receiver. Phase Shift Keying was used to encode the acoustic transmissions. Results for the frequency and transient response of the channel are presented

Wireless Acoustic Communications and Power Supply for In-vivo Biomedical Devices

Pacemakers are common biomedical devices used in the treatment of specific cardiovascular problems. Current research in biomedical engineering is investigating the use of so called brain pacemakers to regulate conditions such as Parkinson\u27s and other neurological conditions. In this paper, we demonstrate the principle of acoustic communications and power harvesting, in vivo. The signals are intended to be used for fixed in vivo biomedical devices, such as pacemakers, were wired and wireless RF communications cannot be used. Results show the performance of the communications channel. The frequency response, transfer function and transient response (at resonance) of the communications channel were measured. Successful communication was achieved through the communications channel using phase shift keying. A data rate of 40kbps could be achieved. Preliminary results harvesting these acoustic signals to recharge the in vivo biomedical devices give a maximum AC power of 1.12mW

Wireless Communications and Power Supply for In Vivo Biomedical Devices Using Acoustic Transmissions

Introduction:- Acoustic transmissions are investigated for use in the wireless transmission of digital communications signals and power supply for in vivo biomedical devices. The acoustic transmissions are intended to be used for fixed implanted biomedical devices, such as pacemakers, but more importantly, neural implants were wired and wireless radio frequency communications cannot be used. The acoustic transmissions can be used for both wireless communications and to recharge the device, in vivo, using conventional piezoelectric power harvesting techniques. (cont.

A Fibre Bragg Grating Sensor as a Receiver for Acoustic Communications Signals

A Fibre Bragg Grating (FBG) acoustic sensor is used as a receiver for acoustic communications signals. Acoustic transmissions were generated in aluminium and Carbon Fibre Composite (CFC) panels. The FBG receiver was coupled to the bottom surface opposite a piezoelectric transmitter. For the CFC, a second FBG was embedded within the layup for comparison. We show the transfer function, frequency response, and transient response of the acoustic communications channels. In addition, the FBG receiver was used to detect Phase Shift Keying (PSK) communications signals, which was shown to be the most robust method in a highly resonant communications channel

The Role of Freighter Aircraft in a Full-Service Network Airline Air Freight Services: The Case of Qantas Freight

The dedicated all-cargo aircraft market is vital to the global economy. Freighter aircraft now carry around 56 per cent of world air cargo traffic. Using an in-depth case study research design, this study examined the Qantas Freight Boeing B747-400 and B767-300 freighter aircraft route network design during the 2017/2018 Northern Winter Flight schedule period, which was in effect from the 29th October 2017 to March 24th, 2018. The qualitative data were examined by document analysis. The study found that Qantas Freight deploy their leased B747-400 freighter aircraft on a route network that originates in Sydney and incorporates key markets in Thailand and China with major markets in the United States. The Boeing B767-300 freighter aircraft operated 5 services per week on a Sydney/Auckland/Christchurch/Sydney routing as a well as a weekly Sydney/Hong Kong/Sydney service. The Boeing B747-400 freighter services could generate 114,755,020 available freight tonne kilometres (AFTKs) over the schedule period. The Boeing B767-300 freighter aircraft could generate 46,974,1440 AFTKs. The Qantas Freight route network and freighter fleet is underpinned by Australia’s liberalized freighter aircraft policy, the “Open Skies” agreement between Australia and China – which permits the onward carriage of cargo traffic across the trans-Pacific – and the liberalized “open skies” agreement with New Zealand

Visual flight into instrument meteorological condition: A post accident analysis

The phenomenon of encountering instrument meteorological conditions (IMCs) while operating an aircraft under visual flight rules (VFRs) remains a primary area of concern. Studies have established that pilots operating under VFRs that continue to operate under IMCs remains a significant cause of accidents in general aviation (GA), resulting in hundreds of fatalities. This research used the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) database, which contained a total of 196 VFR to IMC occurrences, from 2003 to 2019, with 26 having formal reports. An explanatory design was adopted, commencing with a qualitative study of the 26 occurrences with reports followed by a quantitative study of all 196 occurrences. Factors investigated included the locations and date of the occurrences, involved aircraft (manufacturer, model, type), pilot details (licenses, ratings, h, and medical), number of fatalities, and causal factors. Fisher\u27s exact tests were used to highlight significant relationships. Results showed occurrences were more likely to end fatally if (1) they involved private operations, (2) pilots only had a night VFR rating, (3) the pilot chose to push on into IMCs, (4) the pilot did not undertake proper preflight planning consulting aviation weather services, and (5) the pilot had more than 500 h of flight experience. Further results showed occurrences were less likely to end fatally if the meteorological condition was clouds without precipitation, if the pilot held a full instrument rating, or the pilot was assisted via radio. Analysis of the data using the Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS) framework revealed that errors and violations occur with slightly greater frequency for fatal occurrences than non-fatal occurrences. Quantitative analyses demonstrated that the number of VFR to IMC occurrences have not decreased even though initiatives have been implemented in an attempt to address the issue. © 2020 by the authors