The Open Source DataTurbine Initiative: Streaming Data Middleware for Environmental Observing Systems

The Open Source DataTurbine Initiative is an international community of scientists and engineers sharing a common interest in real-time streaming data middleware and applications. The technology base of the OSDT Initiative is the DataTurbine open source middleware. Key applications of DataTurbine include coral reef monitoring, lake monitoring and limnology, biodiversity and animal tracking, structural health monitoring and earthquake engineering, airborne environmental monitoring, and environmental sustainability. DataTurbine software emerged as a commercial product in the 1990 s from collaborations between NASA and private industry. In October 2007, a grant from the USA National Science Foundation (NSF) Office of Cyberinfrastructure allowed us to transition DataTurbine from a proprietary software product into an open source software initiative. This paper describes the DataTurbine software and highlights key applications in environmental monitoring

Rolling element bearing fault diagnosis using laplace-wavelet envelope power spectrum

The bearing characteristic frequencies (BCF) contain very little energy, and are usually overwhelmed by noise and higher levels of macro-structural vibrations. They are difficult to find in their frequency spectra when using the common technique of fast fourier transforms (FFT). Therefore, Envelope Detection (ED) has always been used with FFT to identify faults occurring at the BCF. However, the computation of the ED is suffering to strictly define the resonance frequency band. In this paper, an alternative approach based on the Laplace-wavelet enveloped power spectrum is proposed. The Laplace-Wavelet shape parameters are optimized based on Kurtosis maximization criteria. The results for simulated as well as real bearing vibration signal show the effectiveness of the proposed method to extract the bearing fault characteristic frequencies from the resonant frequency band.Khalid F. Al-Raheem, Asok Roy, K. P. Ramachandran, D. K. Harrison, and Steven Grainge

Design and 3D-printing of MRI-compatible cradle for imaging mouse tumors

Background: The ability of 3D printing using plastics and resins that are magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) compatible provides opportunities to tailor design features to specific imaging needs. In this study an MRI compatible cradle was designed to fit the need for repeatable serial images of mice within a mouse specific low field MRI. Methods: Several designs were reviewed which resulted in an open style stereotaxic cradle to fit within specific bore tolerances and allow maximum flexibility with interchangeable radiofrequency (RF) coils. CAD drawings were generated, cradle was printed and tested with phantom material and animals. Images were analyzed for quality and optimized using the new cradle. Testing with multiple phantoms was done to affirm that material choice did not create unwanted image artifact and to optimize imaging parameters. Once phantom testing was satisfied, mouse imaging began. Results: The 3D printed cradle fit instrument tolerances, accommodated multiple coil configurations and physiological monitoring equipment, and allowed for improved image quality and reproducibility while also reducing overall imaging time and animal safety. Conclusions: The generation of a 3D printed stereotaxic cradle was a low-cost option which functioned well for our laboratory

An Adaptive Statistical Approach To Flutter Detection

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