Optical fiber sensors and signal processing for intelligent structure monitoring

The analytic and experimental performance of optical fiber sensors for the control of vibration of large aerospace and other structures are investigated. In particular, model domain optical fiber sensor systems, are being studied due to their apparent potential as distributed, low mass sensors of vibration over appropriate ranges of both low frequency and low amplitude displacements. Progress during the past three months is outlined. Progress since September is divided into work in the areas of experimental hardware development, analytical analysis, control design and sensor development. During the next six months, tests of a prototype closed-loop control system for a beam are planned which will demonstrate the solution of several optical fiber instrumentation device problems, the performance of the control system theory which incorporates the model of the modal domain sensor, and the potential for distributed control which this sensor approach offers

2-D CFD Computations of the Two-Bladed Darrieus-Type Wind Turbine

In spite of the attractiveness of CFD methods and advanced measurement methods, there is still no full analysis of aerodynamic blade loads for vertical axis Darrieus-type wind turbines. Due to an inherently unsteady flow around the rotor blades, blade-wake-blade interaction and the occurrence of dynamic stall, the aerodynamics of this type of wind turbine is very complex. A two-bladed rotor have been investigated numerically for the tip speed ratio of 5.0. This paper compares results for aerodynamic blade loads obtained applying such turbulence models as: the standard k-ε; the RNG k-ε; the Realizable k-ε and the SST k-ω. As a result, quantitative instantaneous blade forces as well as instantaneous wake profiles behind the rotor have been obtained. Aerodynamic wake behind the rotor is also visualized by using streak lines. All CFD results are compared with experimental data taken from literature. Good agreement between the numerical results and the experiment is shown for the aerodynamic blade loads as well as for aerodynamic wake behind the rotor

Evidence for shape coexistence in odd-mass rhodium nuclei

Results from the study of the ‘@‘Ru (‘He, d) “‘Rh reaction reveal evidence for shape coexistence in odd-mass rhodium isotopes. The strongly excited states at 786, 806, 969, 1019 and 1355 keV in “‘Rh are good candidates for a rotational-like positive-parity band with J”= l/2+, 3/2+, 5/2+, 7/2+ and 9/2+, respectively, coexisting with spherical shell-model states like lg92 2p12 2p32 and lf52 as well as core-coupled configurations

DDX3 depletion represses translation of mRNAs with complex 5' UTRs

DDX3 is an RNA chaperone of the DEAD-box family that regulates translation. Ded1, the yeast ortholog of DDX3, is a global regulator of translation, whereas DDX3 is thought to preferentially affect a subset of mRNAs. However, the set of mRNAs that are regulated by DDX3 are unknown, along with the relationship between DDX3 binding and activity. Here, we use ribosome profiling, RNA-seq, and PAR-CLIP to define the set of mRNAs that are regulated by DDX3 in human cells. We find that while DDX3 binds highly expressed mRNAs, depletion of DDX3 particularly affects the translation of a small subset of the transcriptome. We further find that DDX3 binds a site on helix 16 of the human ribosomal rRNA, placing it immediately adjacent to the mRNA entry channel. Translation changes caused by depleting DDX3 levels or expressing an inactive point mutation are different, consistent with different association of these genetic variant types with disease. Taken together, this work defines the subset of the transcriptome that is responsive to DDX3 inhibition, with relevance for basic biology and disease states where DDX3 is altered

Development of a sports technology quality framework

Identifying tools and processes to effectively and efficiently evaluate technologies is an area of need for many sport stakeholders. This study aimed to develop a standardised, evidence-based framework to guide the evaluation of sports technologies. In developing the framework, a review of standards, guidelines and research into sports technology was conducted. Following this, 55 experts across the sports industry were presented with a draft framework for feedback. Following a two-round Delphi survey, the final framework consisted of 25 measurable features grouped under five quality pillars. These were 1) Quality Assurance & Measurement (Accuracy, Repeatability, Reproducibility, Specifications), 2) Established Benefit (Construct Validity, Concurrent Validity, Predictive Validity, Functionality), 3) Ethics & Security (Compliance, Privacy, Ownership, Safety, Transparency, Environmental Sustainability), 4) User Experience (Usability, Robustness, Data Representation, Customer Support & Training, Accessibility) & 5) Data Management (Data Standardisation, Interoperability, Maintainability, Scalability). The framework can be used to help design and refine sports technology in order to optimise quality and maintain industry standards, as well as guide purchasing decisions by organisations. It may also serve to create a common language for organisations, manufacturers, investors, and consumers to improve the efficiency of their decision-making relating to sports technology

Neoliberalism, managerialism and the reconfiguring of social work in Sweden and the United Kingdom

This is the author's manuscript of an article published in Archaeological Dialogues. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1350508412448222This paper considers some of the ways in which neoliberalism, through the processes of managerialism, has impacted on the occupation of social work in Sweden and the UK. It is argued that there are similar implications in both countries, through the managerial drive for increased performance in economy, efficiency and effectiveness, but also in the development of evidence based practice. Whilst the key focus of the paper is on similarities between these two countries, differences are also noted. There is also recognition of the way in which resistance to the reconfiguration of social work is taking shape

A framework for modeling the cathode fall illustrated with a single beam model

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