Tethered Vehicle Control and Tracking System

A kite system includes a kite and a ground station. The ground station includes a sensor that can be utilized to determine an angular position and velocity of the kite relative to the ground station. A controller utilizes a fuzzy logic control system to autonomously fly the kite. The system may include a ground station having powered winding units that generate power as the lines to the kite are unreeled. The control system may be configured to fly the kite in a crosswind trajectory to increase line tension for power generation. The sensors for determining the position of the kite are preferably ground-based

Comparison of artificial neural network analysis with other multimarker methods for detecting genetic association

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Debate remains as to the optimal method for utilising genotype data obtained from multiple markers in case-control association studies. I and colleagues have previously described a method of association analysis using artificial neural networks (ANNs), whose performance compared favourably to single-marker methods. Here, the perfomance of ANN analysis is compared with other multi-marker methods, comprising different haplotype-based analyses and locus-based analyses.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Of several methods studied and applied to simulated SNP datasets, heterogeneity testing of estimated haplotype frequencies using asymptotic <it>p </it>values rather than permutation testing had the lowest power of the methods studied and ANN analysis had the highest power. The difference in power to detect association between these two methods was statistically significant (<it>p </it>= 0.001) but other comparisons between methods were not significant. The raw <it>t </it>statistic obtained from ANN analysis correlated highly with the empirical statistical significance obtained from permutation testing of the ANN results and with the <it>p </it>value obtained from the heterogeneity test.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Although ANN analysis was more powerful than the standard haplotype-based test it is unlikely to be taken up widely. The permutation testing necessary to obtain a valid <it>p </it>value makes it slow to perform and it is not underpinned by a theoretical model relating marker genotypes to disease phenotype. Nevertheless, the superior performance of this method does imply that the widely-used haplotype-based methods for detecting association with multiple markers are not optimal and efforts could be made to improve upon them. The fact that the <it>t </it>statistic obtained from ANN analysis is highly correlated with the statistical significance does suggest a possibility to use ANN analysis in situations where large numbers of markers have been genotyped, since the <it>t</it> value could be used as a proxy for the <it>p </it>value in preliminary analyses.</p

Tackling concentrated worklessness: integrating governance and policy across and within spatial scales

Spatial concentrations of worklessness remained a key characteristic of labour markets in advanced industrial economies, even during the period of decline in aggregate levels of unemployment and economic inactivity evident from the late 1990s to the economic downturn in 2008. The failure of certain localities to benefit from wider improvements in regional and national labour markets points to a lack of effectiveness in adopted policy approaches, not least in relation to the governance arrangements and policy delivery mechanisms that seek to integrate residents of deprived areas into wider local labour markets. Through analysis of practice in the British context, we explore the difficulties of integrating economic and social policy agendas within and across spatial scales to tackle problems of concentrated worklessness. We present analysis of a number of selected case studies aimed at reducing localised worklessness and identify the possibilities and constraints for effective action given existing governance arrangements and policy priorities to promote economic competitiveness and inclusion

Releasing Information in XBRL: Does It Improve Information Asymmetry for Early U.S. Adopters?

Information released in XBRL is intended to improve the quality and accessibility of SEC filings, leading to less information asymmetry in the equity market. Research findings on the effects of XBRL on information asymmetry in the US., however, are mixed. Kim et al. (2012) reports that XBRL reduces information asymmetry while Blankespoor et al. (2012) reports that XBRL increases information asymmetry. In contrast to these prior studies, we report that the answer as to whether XBRL affects information asymmetry is matter of firm size. In this study we examine shifts in two measures of information asymmetry for early adopters of XBRL in the US. Specifically, we find that the bid-ask spreads of early XBRL adopters significantly decrease after they adopt XBRL; yet, we find no overall change in trading volume associated with XBRL filings for early adopters. However, when examining the larger early adopting firms, we find evidence of reduced information asymmetry (bid-ask spreads significantly decrease and trading volume significantly increase). Our results generally support the SEC requirement of XBRL formatted financial information on the grounds that it may reduce information asymmetry of large filers in the US. equity market

Dual Mission Scenarios for the Human Lunar Campaign - Performance, Cost and Risk Benefits

Scenarios for human lunar operations with capabilities significantly beyond Constellation Program baseline missions are potentially feasible based on the concept of dual, sequential missions utilizing a common crew and a single Ares I/CEV (Crew Exploration Vehicle). For example, scenarios possible within the scope of baseline technology planning include outpost-based sortie missions and dual sortie missions. Top level cost benefits of these dual sortie scenarios may be estimated by comparison to the Constellation Program reference two-mission-per-year lunar campaign. The primary cost benefit is the accomplishment of Mission B with a "single launch solution" since no Ares I launch is required. Cumulative risk to the crew is lowered since crew exposure to launch risks and Earth return risks are reduced versus comparable Constellation Program reference two-mission-per-year scenarios. Payload-to-the-lunar-surface capability is substantially increased in the Mission B sortie as a result of additional propellant available for Lunar Lander #2 descent. This additional propellant is a result of EDS #2 transferring a smaller stack through trans-lunar injection and using remaining propellant to perform a portion of the lunar orbit insertion (LOI) maneuver. This paper describes these dual mission concepts, including cost, risk and performance benefits per lunar sortie site, and provides an initial feasibility assessment

An Experimental Approach to a Rapid Propulsion and Aeronautics Concepts Testbed

Modern aircraft design tools have limitations for predicting complex propulsion-airframe interactions. The demand for new tools and methods addressing these limitations is high based on the many recent Distributed Electric Propulsion (DEP) Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) concepts being developed for Urban Air Mobility (UAM) markets. We propose that low cost electronics and additive manufacturing can support the conceptual design of advanced autonomy-enabled concepts, by facilitating rapid prototyping for experimentally driven design cycles. This approach has the potential to reduce complex aircraft concept development costs, minimize unique risks associated with the conceptual design, and shorten development schedule by enabling the determination of many "unknown unknowns" earlier in the design process and providing verification of the results from aircraft design tools. A modular testbed was designed and built to evaluate this rapid design-build-test approach and to support aeronautics and autonomy research targeting UAM applications utilizing a complex, transitioning-VTOL aircraft configuration. The testbed is a modular wind tunnel and flight model. The testbed airframe is approximately 80% printed, with labor required for assembly. This paper describes the design process, fabrication process, ground testing, and initial wind tunnel structural and thermal loading of a proof-of-concept aircraft, the Langley Aerodrome 8 (LA-8)

Can music move people? : The effects of musical complexity and silence on waiting time

Previous research has suggested that music might influence the amount of time for which people are prepared to wait in a given environment. In an attempt to investigate the mechanisms underlying such effects, this study employed three levels of musical complexity and also a “no-music” condition. While one of these played in the background, participants were left to wait in a laboratory for the supposed start of an experiment. The results indicated that participants waited for the least amount of time during the no-music condition, and that there were no differences between the three music conditions. Other evidence indicated that this may be attributable to the music distracting participants’ attention from an internal timing mechanism. The results are discussed in terms of their implications for consumer behavior and research on the psychology of everyday life

The moulding into being of Tennessee Williams' The night of the iguana

The intent of this thesis is to examine the merits of Tennessee Williams as a playwright with practical examples drawn from a production of The Night of the Iguana and its concluding critical analysis. The first chapter discusses the author's life and style of writing as a major influence on American drama; the justification of the choice of the play; a description of the setting and its function; an evaluation of the mood inherent in the script and the production; and an analysis of the characters. The second chapter is a detailed record of an interesting and successful production of The Night of the Iguana performed in the theatre of the W. Raymond Taylor Building on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro during the premiere season of the UNC-G Summer Repertory Theatre. The performances were at eight-thirty on the evenings of June 28, 30, July 5, 13, 18, 21, and at two-thirty the afternoon of July 8. Included in the prompt book are notations of movement, composition, picturization, characterization, stage business, rhythm and tempo, sound and lighting cues, and special effects cues. The material is supplemented with floorplans and production photographs which help clarify the director's interpretation of the script

The relationship between physical fitness and academic achievement among 4th and 5th grade boys and girls from high and low-poverty schools

This study examined the relationship between fitness (cardiorespiratory endurance) and academic achievement (North Carolina End-of-Grade Math and Reading Assessments) in 4th and 5th grade boys and girls from high and low-poverty schools (N=2194). The primary aim of this study was to clarify specific relationships among cardiorespiratory endurance, academic achievement, gender, and poverty in order to help guide school policy. The secondary aim was to use detailed findings from this study to make specific recommendations to stakeholders in the school district to change school programs and policies toward increasing physical activity for specific student populations. Descriptive, correlational, and regression analysis were performed to analyze the relationship among fitness, academic achievement, gender, and poverty. Results demonstrated that students from low-poverty schools generally outperformed students from high-poverty schools in all measurements of fitness and academic achievement. Main effects of gender and poverty were seen on academic achievement and cardiorespiratory endurance, though the effect of poverty was much stronger than that of gender. Positive correlations were demonstrated between fitness and academic scores among the full participant group. Fitness was a significant predictor of math and reading across both poverty levels, though generally stronger in low-poverty schools. The strongest relationship between fitness scores and academic achievement was found with math scores for girls from high-poverty schools. Findings from this study were used to make specific recommendations to stakeholders in the school system toward increasing student physical activity levels among high-poverty elementary schools

Lunar Lander Structural Design Studies at NASA Langley

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is currently developing mission architectures, vehicle concepts and flight hardware to support the planned human return to the Moon. During Phase II of the 2006 Lunar Lander Preparatory Study, a team from the Langley Research Center was tasked with developing and refining two proposed Lander concepts. The Descent-Assisted, Split Habitat Lander concept uses a disposable braking stage to perform the lunar orbit insertion maneuver and most of the descent from lunar orbit to the surface. The second concept, the Cargo Star Horizontal Lander, carries ascent loads along its longitudinal axis, and is then rotated in flight so that its main engines (mounted perpendicular to the vehicle longitudinal axis) are correctly oriented for lunar orbit insertion and a horizontal landing. Both Landers have separate crew transport volumes and habitats for surface operations, and allow placement of large cargo elements very close to the lunar surface. As part of this study, lightweight, efficient structural configurations for these spacecraft were proposed and evaluated. Vehicle structural configurations were first developed, and preliminary structural sizing was then performed using finite element-based methods. Results of selected structural design and trade studies performed during this activity are presented and discussed