Joint Architecture For Reusable Vehicle-Integrated Software (J.A.R.V.I.S)

An integrated software architecture for development of unmanned research vehicles is developed. It has been created under the premise that all unmanned vehicles require a core set of functionality that is common across platforms and that priority should be to the readability and reusability of the code base. The architecture defines the top-level system interfaces allowing internal algorithms to be manipulated without affecting the rest of the system. A robust aerospace toolbox has been developed that provides a means to rapidly prototype algorithms without the need of recreating commonly used functions or the use of expensive, proprietary software

Orion GN&C Detection and Mitigation of Parachute Pendulosity

New techniques being employed by Orion guidance, navigation, and control (GN&C) using a reaction control system (RCS) under parachutes are described. Pendulosity refers to a pendulum-oscillatory mode that can occur during descent under main parachutes and that has been observed during Orion parachute drop tests. The pendulum mode reduces the ability of GN&C to maneuver the suspended vehicle resulting in undesirable increases to structural loads at touchdown. Parachute redesign efforts have been unsuccessful in reducing the pendulous behavior necessitating GN&C mitigation options. An observer has been developed to estimate the pendulum motion as well as the underlying wind velocity vector. Using this knowledge, the control system maneuvers the vehicle using two separate strategies determined by wind velocity magnitude and pendulum energy thresholds; at high wind velocities the vehicle is aligned with the wind direction and for cases with lower wind velocities and large pendulum amplitudes the vehicle is aligned such that it is perpendicular to the swing plane. Pendulum damping techniques using RCS thrusters are discussed but have not been selected for use onboard the Orion spacecraft. The techniques discussed in this paper will be flown on Exploration Mission 1 (EM-1)

Global Corporate Governance: Implications For A Functionally Harmonized Legal Infrastructure

As developing and centrally planned economies shift toward decentralized market economies, they will revise their corporate governance rules to attract foreign investors and foster economic growth.  However, the expansion of firms internationally creates the immediate problem of cross-border bankruptcy and policy makers will eventually have to turn to functional harmonization of national bankruptcy laws as well as other means of corporate governance to maintain fairness and to facilitate a freer flow of cross-border investment.   We propose three major changes to global governance:  (1) a functionally harmonized system of bankruptcy laws that supersede national bankruptcy laws  (2) contractual corporate governance via securities exchange listing and (3) arbitration as a means to enforce global recourse. &nbsp

Implications Of The Risk-Based Capital Requirements Of Implicit Recourse In Asset Securitizations In The Banking Industry

We consider implications of the risk-based capital requirements of implicit recourse in asset securitizations. These implications include issues in finance such as risk management and contracting between counterparties. The first part of our analysis deals with asset securitizations where originating institutions provide investors with implicit recourse. We show that the risk-based capital requirements associated with the new regulatory definition of implicit recourse may discourage some banks from offering implicit recourse in their asset securitizations. This suggests that the new regulatory definition of implicit recourse may be a workable compromise between supervisory regulators and originating institutions. We then consider a scenario where banks enter into reinsurance contracting with banks in other regions to mitigate some regional economic risks. These reinsurance contracts may enable banks to improve the performance of their balance sheet assets. Although we find weak correlation among equity returns for regional banks, future high correlation among bank portfolios could pose a problem to regulators because when a bank gets into financial distress this may spill over to other network banks. Widening yield spreads in asset securitizations might serve as an early warning signal of financial distress. Thus, regulators might devote more supervisory resources on originating institutions when their asset securitization yield spreads widen

Exclusion of Stellar Companions to Exoplanet Host Stars

Given the frequency of stellar multiplicity in the solar neighborhood, it is important to study the impacts this can have on exoplanet properties and orbital dynamics. There have been numerous imaging survey projects established to detect possible low-mass stellar companions to exoplanet host stars. Here we provide the results from a systematic speckle imaging survey of known exoplanet host stars. In total, 71 stars were observed at 692~nm and 880~nm bands using the Differential Speckle Survey Instrument (DSSI) at the Gemini-North Observatory. Our results show that all but 2 of the stars included in this sample have no evidence of stellar companions with luminosities down to the detection and projected separation limits of our instrumentation. The mass-luminosity relationship is used to estimate the maximum mass a stellar companion can have without being detected. These results are used to discuss the potential for further radial velocity follow-up and interpretation of companion signals.Comment: 11 pages, 4 figures, 3 tables, accepted for publication in A

When should acute nonvenereal conjunctivitis be treated with topical antibiotics?

Children with suspected or culture-proven acute nonvenereal bacterial conjunctivitis should be treated with topical antibiotics, which hastens clinical and microbiological remission and may prevent potentially serious morbidity. In light of recent evidence regarding the self-limiting nature of conjunctivitis in adults and the development of antibiotic resistance, a "wait-and-see"� approach with careful follow-up may be reasonable for adults, but this approach has not been evaluated. (Grade of recommendation: C, based on extrapolation from systematic reviews of specialty clinic trials and cohort studies.

Craft practice for sustainability. Re-thinking commercial footwear design process with a woven textile approach

The role of hand processes in design has evolved through history and in the present day, designers frequently employ digital methods. This brings opportunities but can limit material knowledge and it is therefore timely to reflect on the significance of hand processes. This paper explores the potential of craft-based woven textile approaches to designing sandals for large-scale manufacture. It addresses the research questions: what is the current situation/market in footwear/woven textile design; what are the benefits/drawbacks of a hands-on/craft-based approach to footwear design; does the approach have the potential to facilitate improved sustainability and if so, in what capacity? The paper presents findings from a practice-led study and key advantages of a craft-based approach were identified in generating in-depth knowledge of constructions and materials. This led to design outcomes that have potential benefits in sustainability through a zero/low-waste construction. However, the findings indicate difficulties in logistics, timescale and cost efficiency