251 research outputs found
Background Mitigation in Dual Phase Xenon Time Projection Chambers
The focus of this thesis is on the identification and removal of background events in the
dual-phase xenon TPC experiments of LUX and LZ. In particular, this effort focuses on a
few hard to classify background types that appear in the traditional WIMP search and
in the EFT search. The first half of the original research presented in this thesis pertains
to backgrounds expected to be present in LZ. This includes multiple scatter events which
only deposit a proportion of their energy in the LXe, and multiple scatter events which only
produce a single ionisation signal. The thesis then goes on to examine how backgrounds
such as these, and other backgrounds occurring close to the edge of the LXe can be reduced
with improved modelling of ionisation electron paths in the LXe, and describes how
this modelling was used by the LZ collaboration. The second half of this thesis focuses
exclusively on these multiple scatter events which only produce a single ionisation signal
but in the context of LUX data. It begins by examining how previous studies have identified
and removed them; then presents a novel method for the identification and removal of these
events using a machine learning algorithm called a BDT. Finally, the thesis concludes after
using data and simulations to compare this new BDT cut against previously developed cuts
for this class of events, and shows this new BDT cut to be the best option for the ongoing EFT
analysis of LUX
Exploration of Game Consoles as a legitimate computing platform for in-the-field biomedical data acquisition and management
Biomedical research increasingly requires for testings be conducted outside the lab, in the field such as the participantās home or work environment. This type of research requires semi-autonomous computer systems that collect such data and send it back to the lab for processing and dissemination.
A key aspect of this type of research is the selection of the required software and hardware components. These systems need to be reliable, allow considerable customizability and be readily accessible but also able to be locked down.
In this paper we report a set of requirements for the hardware and software for such a system. We then utilise these requirements to evaluate the use of game consoles as a hardware platform in comparison to other hardware choices
Cast and 3D printed ion exchange membranes for monolithic microbial fuel cell fabrication
Ā© 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. We present novel solutions to a key challenge in microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology; greater power density through increased relative surface area of the ion exchange membrane that separates the anode and cathode electrodes. The first use of a 3D printed polymer and a cast latex membrane are compared to a conventionally used cation exchange membrane. These new techniques significantly expand the geometric versatility available to ion exchange membranes in MFCs, which may be instrumental in answering challenges in the design of MFCs including miniaturisation, cost and ease of fabrication. Under electrical load conditions selected for optimal power transfer, peak power production (mean 10 batch feeds) was 11.39 Ī¼W (CEM), 10.51 Ī¼W (latex) and 0.92 Ī¼W (Tangoplus). Change in conductivity and pH of anolyte were correlated with MFC power production. Digital and environmental scanning electron microscopy show structural changes to and biological precipitation on membrane materials following long term use in an MFC. The cost of the novel membranes was lower than the conventional CEM. The efficacy of two novel membranes for ion exchange indicates that further characterisation of these materials and their fabrication techniques, shows great potential to significantly increase the range and type of MFCs that can be produced
Soft Gripping: Specifying for Trustworthiness
Soft robotics is an emerging technology in which engineers create flexible
devices for use in a variety of applications. In order to advance the wide
adoption of soft robots, ensuring their trustworthiness is essential; if soft
robots are not trusted, they will not be used to their full potential. In order
to demonstrate trustworthiness, a specification needs to be formulated to
define what is trustworthy. However, even for soft robotic grippers, which is
one of the most mature areas in soft robotics, the soft robotics community has
so far given very little attention to formulating specifications. In this work,
we discuss the importance of developing specifications during development of
soft robotic systems, and present an extensive example specification for a soft
gripper for pick-and-place tasks for grocery items. The proposed specification
covers both functional and non-functional requirements, such as reliability,
safety, adaptability, predictability, ethics, and regulations. We also
highlight the need to promote verifiability as a first-class objective in the
design of a soft gripper.Comment: Updated the Standards subsection of paper. 9 pages, 2 figures, 1
table, 34 reference
Distribution and Emergency
Streaming video requires RealPlayer to view.The University Archives has determined that this item is of continuing value to OSU's history.Humanitarian organizations divide their work into
two categories: development aid that improves underlying
conditions, and emergency aid, given in response to a natural or
manmade disaster. However, Jennifer Rubenstein, a fellow at
Princeton University, questioned this distinction. While it might
have logistical advantages, she argued, it does not suit the
variety of situations and populations requiring aid.Ohio State University. Mershon Center for International Security StudiesEvent webpage, streaming video, photos, power point presentation, and lecture summar
The Grizzly, November 10, 1998
Financial Aid: Who Here Gets It? ā¢ President Pleased with Success of Roundtable ā¢ Upperclassman Mentors ā¢ Opinion: Letter to the Editor; New Athletic Facility; Reflection on Mid-term Elections; U.S. Policy Makers, Look Before you Leap; Cashing in on the Past ā¢ Betting, Off-Track and On-Campus ā¢ Kidnapped? Grizzly Uncovers Surprising Truth About Missing Corson Statue ā¢ War Years Classes Dedicate Promise-Anthem ā¢ Remembering War Years Life at Ursinus ā¢ Eden Cinema at Ursinus ā¢ Waiting for the World to Catch Up ā¢ Swimming Takes First Plunge ā¢ UC Field Hockey Finishes Strong ā¢ Bears\u27 Future: Contenders or Pretenders? ā¢ NCAA Sets to Control Wrestling Tragedies ā¢ Men\u27s Basketball Prepares for Tough Schedule ā¢ Ursinus Athletes Honored ā¢ UC Soccer Finishes Season with Tough Losshttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1428/thumbnail.jp
Mastering the Hard Stuff: The History of College Concrete-Canoe Races and the Growth of Engineering Competition Culture
This article details the history of college engineering competitions, originating with student concrete-canoe racing in the 1970s, through todayās multi-million-dollar international multiplicity of challenges. Despite initial differences between engineering educators and industry supporters over the ultimate purpose of undergraduate competitions, these events thrived because they evolved to suit many needs of students, professors, schools, corporations, professional associations, and the engineering profession itself. The twenty-first-century proliferation of university-level competitions in turn encouraged a trickling-down of technical contests to elementary-age children and high schools, fostering the institutionalization of what might be called a competition culture in engineering
The Summary Index of Malaria Surveillance (SIMS): a stable index of malaria within India
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Malaria in India has been difficult to measure. Mortality and morbidity are not comprehensively reported, impeding efforts to track changes in disease burden. However, a set of blood measures has been collected regularly by the National Malaria Control Program in most districts since 1958.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Here, we use principal components analysis to combine these measures into a single index, the Summary Index of Malaria Surveillance (SIMS), and then test its temporal and geographic stability using subsets of the data.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The SIMS correlates positively with all its individual components and with external measures of mortality and morbidity. It is highly consistent and stable over time (1995-2005) and regions of India. It includes measures of both <it>vivax </it>and <it>falciparum </it>malaria, with <it>vivax </it>dominant at lower transmission levels and <it>falciparum </it>dominant at higher transmission levels, perhaps due to ecological specialization of the species.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This measure should provide a useful tool for researchers looking to summarize geographic or temporal trends in malaria in India, and can be readily applied by administrators with no mathematical or scientific background. We include a spreadsheet that allows simple calculation of the index for researchers and local administrators. Similar principles are likely applicable worldwide, though further validation is needed before using the SIMS outside India.</p
No effect of glutamine ingestion on indices of oxidative metabolism in stable COPD
COPD patients have reduced muscle glutamate which may contribute to an impaired response of oxidative metabolism to exercise. We hypothesised that prior glutamine supplementation would enhance View the MathML source peak, View the MathML source at lactate threshold and speed pulmonary oxygen uptake kinetics in COPD. 13 patients (9 males, age 66 Ā± 5 years, mean Ā± SD) with severe COPD (mean FEV1 0.88 Ā± 0.23 l, 33 Ā± 7% predicted) performed on separate days ramp cycle-ergometry (5ā10 W minā1) to volitional exhaustion and subsequently square-wave transitions to 80% estimated lactate threshold (LT) following consumption of either placebo (CON) or 0.125 g kg bmā1 of glutamine (GLN) in 5 ml kg bmā1 placebo. Oral glutamine had no effect on peak or View the MathML source at LT, {View the MathML source peak: CON = 0.70 Ā± 0.1 l minā1 vs. GLN = 0.73 Ā± 0.2 l minā1; LT: CON = 0.57 Ā± 0.1 l minā1 vs. GLN = 0.54 Ā± 0.1 l minā1} or View the MathML source kinetics {tau: CON = 68 Ā± 22 s vs. GLN = 68 Ā± 16 s}. Ingestion of glutamine before exercise did not improve indices of oxidative metabolism in this patient group
- ā¦