A Study of the Air Force Airworthiness Assessment Process with Recommendations for Reusable Launch Vehicles

Flight safety is a critical design and engineering consideration within the United States Department of Defense (DoD) and particularly the United States Air Force (USAF). This study conducts an independent evaluation of the airworthiness assessment process used by the United States Air Force’s Engineering Directorate through modeling and simulation. The airworthiness process is examined for its ability to effectively verify sound engineering design and efficiency with respect to the implementation of new software-based assessment tools and its impact on timeliness of reviews and resource utilization. Simulation results guide recommendations for reducing non-value-added activities and strategic leveling of resource demands to increase efficiency and decrease processing time. Lastly, from observation and detailed study of the aircraft airworthiness process, recommendations are made for the space domain toward the development of a re-qualification process for reusable launch vehicles, as this is a growing area of interest for the space communit

Image Processing Application Development: From Rapid Prototyping to SW/HW Co-simulation and Automated Code Generation

Nowadays, the market-place offers quite powerful and low cost reconfigurable hardware devices and a wide range of software tools which find application in the image processing field. However, most of the image processing application designs and their latter deployment on specific hardware devices is still carried out quite costly by hand. This paper presents a new approach to image processing application development, which tackles the historic question of how filling the gap existing between rapid throwaway software designs and final software/hardware implementations. A new graphical component-based tool has been implemented which allows to comprehensively develop this kind of applications, from functional and architectural prototyping stages to software/hardware co-simulation and final code generation. Building this tool has been possible thanks to the synergy that arises from the integration of several of the pre-existent software and hardware image processing libraries and tools.COSIVA (TIC 2000-1765-C03-02),EFTCOR (DPI2002-11583-E), PMPDI-UPCT-2004Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería de Telecomunicació

RSM optimization of the catalytic wet peroxide oxidation of methyl orange and correlation with major intermediates and by-products

Statistical response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the main parameters of the CWPO reaction in the catalytic degradation of methyl orange (MO) in a 1.5 L semi-batch reactor. Studied experimental variables were: (i) catalyst’s concentration, (ii) dose of hydrogen peroxide and (iii) reaction time; Non-controllable variables were: starting pH, Temperature and initial [MO] loading (as Total Organic Carbon - TOC)

Degradación de naranja de metilo mediante la tecnología PCFH activada con un catalizador Al-Fe/PILC

Entre los procesos de oxidación avanzada (POAs), la Peroxidación Catalítica en Fase Húmeda (PCFH) activada con un catalizador de tipo Al/Fe-PILC ha demostrado un enorme potencial para la depuración de compuestos orgánicos tóxicos disueltos en agua (Figura 1) [1]. Por otra parte, recientes estudios han demostrado que la Materia Orgánica Natural (MON) en las fuentes de abastecimiento, está generando serios problemas en los sistemas de tratamiento para la producción de agua potable [2]. Sin embargo, dado que la estructura de la MON es bastante compleja, con una significativa contribución de fenoles y aminas aromáticas, los colorantes diazoicos como el naranja de metilo (NM) pueden servir como moléculas modelo para anticipar el comportamiento de la fracción nitrogenada presente en la MON ante la degradación vía POAs. De acuerdo a lo anterior, en el presente trabajo se reporta la optimización simultánea de los principales parámetros de la degradación PCFH de naranja de metilo (NM) en medio acuoso, empleando un diseño estadístico de experimentos central compuesto, seguido de análisis por superficies multi-respuesta (MSR). Durante el proceso se maximizaron las respuestas: mineralización de NM (eliminación de COD), decoloración (UV-Vis), fracción de peróxido reaccionada (UV-Vis) y eliminación de nitrógeno total (NT) combinadas en una función deseabilidad. También se siguieron los principales intermediarios y subproductos de la oxidación mediante HPLC/DAD y GC/FI

Patient and public involvement and engagement in a doctoral research project exploring self-harm in older adults

Background: The contribution of involving patients and public in health research is widely reported, particularly within mental health research. Less is written about such contributions to doctoral research. The research focus of this doctoral research, self-harm in older adults, was put forward by a Patient Public Involvement Engagement (PPIE) group, who contributed to its development. Aims: Critically reflect on the process, potential impact and identify challenges and opportunities in involving robust PPIE in a doctoral study. Methods: Three PPIE members contributed to a systematic review (SR) and a qualitative study through a series of four workshops to meet the aims of the study. PPIE contributed to developing the SR review questions, protocol, data analysis and dissemination of findings. For the qualitative study, they helped develop research questions, protocol, public-facing documentation, recruitment strategies and data analysis. Involvement followed the GRIPP2-SF reporting checklist. Results: PPIE enhanced methodological rigour, data analysis, interpretation and dissemination of findings. Challenges included lack of ethical guidance, time-related pressures and ensuring support for PPIE members. These were successfully managed through ongoing dialogue and regular communication. Conclusions: PPIE can enhance the quality and depth of doctoral research, as lived experiences shared by PPIE members add to research's components. Exposing early-career researchers to PPIE can build research cultures sensitive to PPIE's potential contribution and develop the expertise needed to avoid tokenistic involvement. Capturing lay perspectives is essential in mental health research to ensure research findings are accessible and that findings inform clinical practice. However, clear guidance on the ethical dimensions to PPIE is needed

Adaptive mesh refinement in topology optimization

This dissertation presents developments in stress constrained topology optimization with Adaptive Mesh Refinement (AMR). Regions with stress concentrations dominate the optimized design. As such, we first present an approach to obtain designs with accurately computed stress fields within the context of topology optimization. To achieve this goal, we invoke threshold and AMR operations during the optimization. We do so in an optimal fashion, by applying AMR techniques that use error indicators to refine and coarsen the mesh as needed. In this way, we obtain accurate simulations and greater resolution of the design domain in a computationally efficient manner. We present results in two dimensions to demonstrate the efficacy of our method. The topology optimization community has regularly employed optimization algorithms from the operations research community. However, these algorithms are implemented in the Euclidean space instead of the proper function space where the design, i.e. volume fraction, field resides. In this thesis, we show that, when discretizing the volume fraction field over a non-uniform mesh, algorithms in Euclidean space are mesh dependent. We do so by first explaining the functional analysis tools necessary to understand why convergence is affected by the mesh. Namely, the distinction between derivative and gradient definitions and the role of the mesh dependent inner product. These tools are subsequently used to make the Globally Convergent Method of Moving Asymptotes (GCMMA), a popular optimization algorithm in the topology optimization community, mesh independent. We then benchmark our algorithm with three common problems in topology optimization. High resolution three-dimensional design models optimized for arbitrary cost and constraint functions are absolutely necessary ingredients for the solution of real{world engineering design problems. However, such requirements are non trivial to implement. In this thesis, we address this dilemma by developing a large scale topology optimization framework with AMR. We discuss the need for efficient parallelizable regularization methods that work across different mesh resolutions, iterative solvers and data structures. Furthermore, the optimization algorithm needs to be implemented with the same data structure that is used for the design field. To demonstrate the versatility of our framework, we optimize the designs of a three dimensional stress constrained benchmark L-bracket and a stress-constrained compliant mechanism

Un método sencillo de diseño de estructuras tensadas combinando mallado en topología y análisis no lineal de estructuras

When designing a tension structure the shape is not known at the beginning of the process. Form-finding methods allow the designer to obtain an initial shape from given boundary conditions. Several form-finding methods for tension structures are already available in the technical literature; all of them posses certain limitations and drawbacks and no single method is optimal for all problems. The engineer may select the proper combination of methods best suited to the designer’s needs. In this paper it is proposed a combined method to achieve satisfactory equilibrium configurations for fabric tension structures. The force density method (FDM) implemented with topological mapping (TM) is used as a search engine for the preliminary design, and a procedure that employs nonlinear structural analysis is proposed for final refinement of the initial equilibrium configuration hence allowing the use of the same analysis tool for both refinement of the solution and analysis under loading.Al diseñar una estructura tensada la forma inicial es normalmente desconocida. Los métodos de búsqueda de forma permiten al ingeniero obtener una geometría inicial dadas unas condiciones de contorno. Existen diferentes métodos de búsqueda de formas de equilibrio, pero todos tienen limitaciones y no existe uno único óptimo para cualquier tipo de problema. El ingeniero debe elegir la combinación de métodos que mejor se adapte a sus necesidades. En este artículo se propone un método combinado para generar configuraciones de equilibrio satisfactorias en estructuras tensadas. Como motor de búsqueda para el diseño preliminar se emplea el método de las densidades de fuerza (FDM) implementado con mallado en topología (TM), y se propone un procedimiento basado en análisis no lineal de estructuras para el refinamiento de la configuración inicial de equilibrio, permitiéndose así el empleo de las mismas herramientas tanto para el refinamiento de la solución inicial como para el cálculo posterior bajo condiciones de carga

The experiences and needs of supporting individuals of young people who self-harm: A systematic review and thematic synthesis

Self-harm in young people is a serious international health concern that impacts on those providing informal support: the supporting individuals of young people. We aimed to highlight the experiences, views, and needs of these supporting individuals of young people. We conducted a systematic review and thematic synthesis: PROSPERO CRD42020168527. MEDLINE, PsycINFO, EMBASE, AMED, CINAHL, ASSIA, and Web of Science were searched from inception to 6 May 2020 with citation tracking of eligible studies done on 1 Oct 2021. Primary outcomes were experiences, perspectives, and needs of parents, carers, or other family members of young people aged 12–25. Searches found 6167 citations, of which 22 papers were included in synthesis. Supporting individuals seek an explanation for and were personally affected by self-harm in young people. It is important that these individuals are themselves supported, especially as they negotiate new identities when handling self-harm in young people, as they attempt to offer support. The GRADE-CERQual confidence in findings is moderate. Recommendations informed by the synthesis findings are made for the future development of interventions. Clinicians and health service providers who manage self-harm in young people should incorporate these identified unmet needs of supporting individuals in a holistic approach to self-harm care. Future research must co-produce and evaluate interventions for supporting individuals

Parathyroid hormone-related protein as a renal regulating factor: From Vessels to Glomeruli and Tubular Epithelium

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) and PTH-related protein (PTHrP) produce similar biological effects through the PTH/PTHrP receptor. Less is known about the physiological role of PTHrP, which was first identified as the agent of the humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy. Despite the widespread production of PTHrP in healthy individuals, the concentration of the protein is below the detectable limit of current assays, suggesting that PTHrP normally functions locally in an autocrine or paracrine manner. Thus, some differences in their biological activities have been described and they may be related to the presence of different receptors. In this regard, a second receptor that binds selectively to PTH has also been found. Recent studies have demonstrated the expression of both PTH/PTHrP receptor and protein in the renal glomeruli. Moreover, there are convincing data that support a direct role of PTH and PTHrP in modulating renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate. This multifunctional protein, PSHrP, also has a proliferative effect on both glomerular mesangial cells and tubular epithelial cells. Increases in the expression of PTHrP have been observed in several experimental models of nephropathies, suggesting that PTHrP upregulation is a common event associated with the mechanism of renal injury and repair