Self Energy Sensors for Roadside Applications

The Wind Reaper is a prototype for a highway-based sensor platform that powers itself by collecting energy from passing cars (via a vertical-axis wind turbine) and the sun (via a photovoltaic module). The system utilizes an ultra-low-power microcontroller to collect and process data from user-configurable sensors. The collected data is transmitted wirelessly at specified intervals throughout its daily operation. The system is also capable of detecting abnormal readings and signaling their occurrence with an “emergency” transmission. The Wind Reaper is intended to be the base for future research and development into applications for self-energy sensors

Anti-tuberculosis IgG antibodies as a marker of active mycobacterium tuberculosis disease

ManuscriptAnti-Mycobacterium tuberculosis IgG antibodies may aid in the diagnosis of active M. tuberculosis disease. We studied whether anti-M. tuberculosis IgG antibodies are elevated in active M. tuberculosis disease and assessed factors contributing to false positive and negative results. A retrospective study of 2,150 individuals tested by the QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-GIT) assay was conducted at University of Utah, ARUP Laboratories, November 2008 to December 2010. All samples were tested with the InBios Active TbDetect™anti-TB IgG antibody assay. Of 1,044 patients with a positive QFT-GIT, 59 (5.7%) were positive for M. tuberculosis antibodies. Fourteen of 1,106 (1.3%) with a negative or indeterminate QFT-GIT were positive for M. tuberculosis antibodies. M. tuberculosis antibody tests were positive in 61.5% with confirmed active M. tuberculosis disease and other mycobacterial infections. Over half of the false negative M. tuberculosis antibody tests occurred in patients ≥ 90 years of age. False positives were seen in 12.9% of autoimmune patients. The odds ratio of being 36 positive on the QFT-GIT and the InBios TB IgG assay increased with confirmed M. tuberculosis disease or highly suspected M. tuberculosis disease and was 86.7 (95% 38 confidence interval [CI], 34.4-218.5) in these two groups when compared to patients negative on both tests. Although anti-M. tuberculosis antibodies can be detected in patients with active M. tuberculosis disease, caution should be used in patients where immunoglobulin levels may be decreased or in patients with autoantibodies

HuSIS: A Dedicated Space for Studying Human Interactions

To support the study of effective human-surrogate interaction techniques and modalities, the Office of Naval Research awarded an equipment grant to support the development of a Human-Surrogate Interaction Space (HuSIS) at the University of Central Florida in the Institute for Simulation & Training. The HuSIS consists of a dedicated physical space, structures, and components designed specifically for carrying out controlled studies related to human-surrogate interactions. This article describes the motivation, design, and realization of the HuSIS and the benefits of the common data-collection and analysis framework developed for HuSIS research

The diversity of repression: measuring state repressive repertoires with events data

Tactical repertoires of mobilization and repression play an essential role in understanding dynamics of political violence, yet existing quantitative approaches focus primarily on intensities or counts of repressive actions. We focus instead on the diversity of repression, and demonstrate a novel method of measuring repertoires of state repression using event data. We show that more repressive states are likely to employ more diverse repertoires of repression, rather than specializing narrowly in particularly coercive tactics. We demonstrate that, globally, repertoires of state repression are growing less diverse over time. Finally, in the Online appendix, we model repertoires of repression across countries and over time, finding evidence of broader repertoires during protest and civil war, but narrower under democratic regimes and international human rights treaties

The effects of varying seeding rates of Bouteloua curtipendula and mowing on native plant establishment in a new prairie reconstruction

A major problem early in prairie reconstruction is weed competition. Research has shown that mowing in the first year can increase establishment and survival of prairie plants. The use of nurse crops (companion crops) has been suggested as an alternative to mowing for weed suppression. The goal of this study was to examine various seeding rates of B. curtipendula, as a nurse crop in mowed and unmowed plots to determine if it suppressed weeds and aided in the establishment of natives. We hypothesized that increasing the seeding rate of B curtipendula will reduce weed growth and promote an increase in native seedling numbers. In addition we hypothesized that number of the native seedlings in mowed plots with no B. curtipendula seed will be similar to unmowed plots seeded with B. curtipendula. Seeds of 25 different species of grasses and forbs were broadcast on June 18th at Neal Smith Wildlife Refuge at a seeding rate of22 seeds/m2 . B. curtipendula was also broadcast seeded at rates of 0, 22, 43, 173, and 345 seeds/m2 . The site was mowed mid-August of the first growing season and approximately every three weeks of the second growing season. Sampling was done in early September 2005 and in June and mid August 2006. Native seedling counts, biomass clippings, basal cover, and photosynthetic light were measured. Varying seeding rates of Bouteloua curtipendula had no significant effect on native species composition or weed biomass. Mowing had negative effects on native species composition, especially native grasses

Reconsidering Lapita Ancestry: Evidence of Material Change and Migration on Tutuila Island, American Samoa

Recent advances in the archaeology of the Samoan Islands have forced us to reconsider the generally accepted phylogenetic model for the chronology of cultural change in prehistoric Samoa. In this dissertation I use new archaeological evidence from excavations at multi-component sites across the islands of American Samoa to measure the degree to which the archaeological record supports the accepted linguistics-based phylogenetic model for Samoan cultural transformation. Specifically, I focus on multi-component sites to assess the social implications of diachronic change in pottery production, obsidian use and basalt tool manufacture. To expand our understanding of the chronology for cultural change in the Samoan Archipelago I study the chronology of site use and tool production at Vainu’u, ’Aoa, Aganoa and Matautia on Tutuila Island and offer recalibrated radiocarbon dates from To’aga on Ofu Island. The findings from these multi-component sites show that differences in traditions of stone tool production and raw material provisioning accompany the noted cessation of pottery production ca. 1,500-1,700 B.P. Two identifiable forms of technological organization, attributed to the Ceramic Period and Monument Building Period components, are separated in time by several centuries of reduced population density across the study area. Patterning in the chronology of site use and technological change provides support for a cultural hiatus with demographic decline in the Samoan Islands beginning ca. 1,500 B.P

Investigating Transportation Policies to Reduce Air Pollution in Hong Kong

This report, prepared for Friends of the Earth (Hong Kong), examined the current transportation policies in relation to air pollution in Hong Kong. The transport policies of several cities including Seoul, Singapore, and Rome were examined in relation to reduction of congestion and air pollution. The pedestrians were surveyed and observations of traffic patterns in Hong Kong were made, then the team recommended a reevaluation of the bus system, several limited traffic zones, and several changes to the cross-harbor tunnels

Seeing in the Dark and Through Walls: Using IR Cameras in STEM Outreach

The recent introduction of affordable infrared (IR) cameras and IR imaging attachments for smartphones has provided a unique opportunity to enhance the education of K-12 students. We have acquired a number of different IR cameras and IR camera attachments and discuss the utilization of these devices in both a college course and in our STEM and STEAM outreach efforts. While our outreach efforts have placed us in a classroom for just an hour or two at a time, thanks to local IEEE Chapter support, we have placed IR cameras in these classrooms for several weeks at a time. This paper discusses the outreach efforts and the utilization of IR cameras by 5th grade elementary school students and their classroom teachers after our departure and the wild enthusiasm that this approach has generated. A comparison of the different IR systems is also made

Optical Identification of Cepheids in 19 Host Galaxies of Type Ia Supernovae and NGC 4258 with the Hubble Space Telescope

We present results of an optical search for Cepheid variable stars using the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) in 19 hosts of Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) and the maser-host galaxy NGC 4258, conducted as part of the SH0ES project (Supernovae and H0 for the Equation of State of dark energy). The targets include 9 newly imaged SN Ia hosts using a novel strategy based on a long-pass filter that minimizes the number of HST orbits required to detect and accurately determine Cepheid properties. We carried out a homogeneous reduction and analysis of all observations, including new universal variability searches in all SN Ia hosts, that yielded a total of 2200 variables with well-defined selection criteria -- the largest such sample identified outside the Local Group. These objects are used in a companion paper to determine the local value of H0 with a total uncertainty of 2.4%.Comment: ApJ, in press. v2 adds missing co-author to arXiv metadata and text in acknowledgment

Collision Mitigation System: Pedestrian Test Target, Final Design Report

Daimler Trucks North America is creating an advanced emergency braking system which uses radar sensors that detect pedestrians and automatically applies the brakes to bring the vehicle to a stop. To improve and validate their technology, they need a mechanical pedestrian target that can mimic a human walking across the street. However, the assisted braking may not work properly during every test and the pedestrian target must be able to survive impact with a vehicle at low speeds. Four senior Mechanical Engineering students from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo decided to take on the challenge. The main features of the test dummy are as follows: The dummy’s shoulders, elbows, and hips articulate under active servo control to imitate human gait. The soft limbs can be crushed without permanent damage. The mannequin rests on a platform that is translated by a pulley system. The speed of translation and frequency of gait vary with separate analog controllers. The mannequin falls off the platform away from the truck upon impact. The dummy survives an impact without serious damage and continues to function