Metric-discontinuous zonal grid calculations using the Osher scheme

Computations on zonal grids—in particular, grids with metric discontinuities resulting from the interspersion of highly clustered regions with coarse regions—are possible using a fully conservative form of the Osher upwind scheme. These zonal grids can result from an abrupt clustering of points near solution discontinuities or near other flow features that require improved resolution. The zonal approach is shown to capture shocks with almost “shock-fitting” quality but with minimal effort. Results for inviscid flow, including quasi-one-dimensional nozzle flow, supersonic flow over a cylinder, and blast-wave diffraction by a ramp, are presented. These calculations demonstrate the powerful capabilities of the Osher scheme used in conjunction with zonal grids in simulating flow fields with complex shock patterns.     

Understanding Parkinsonian handwriting through a computational model of basal ganglia

Handwriting in Parkinson's disease (PD) is typically characterized by micrographia, jagged line contour, and unusual fluctuations in pen tip velocity. Although PD handwriting features have been used for diagnostics, they are not based on a signaling model of basal ganglia (BG). In this letter, we present a computational model of handwriting generation that highlights the role of BG. When PD conditions like reduced dopamine and altered dynamics of the subthalamic nucleus and globus pallidus externa subsystems are simulated, the handwriting produced by the model manifested characteristic PD handwriting distortions like micrographia and velocity fluctuations. Our approach to PD modeling is in tune with the perspective that PD is a dynamic disease.     

Novel synchronization technique for two parallel connected sparkgap switches

In this article a novel way of synchronizing two parallel connected sparkgap switches with accuracies of 1-5 ns for high frequency pulsed power applications is described. The circuit design of a synchronized sparkgap switch circuit is discussed. The circuit uses a combination of one master sparkgap and a set of inductor and capacitors to synchronize two sparkgaps and can be controlled via an IGBT switch. Critical issues for circuit design are presented together with analytical calculations and simulations. Experimental verification of the novel topology is carried out in a prototype experimental setup. Results showing nanosecond level of accuracy in synchronization are reported in this paper along with simulations and analysis.     

Teaching a humanoid robot to draw ‘Shapes’

The core cognitive ability to perceive and synthesize ‘shapes’ underlies all our basic interactions with the world, be it shaping one’s fingers to grasp a ball or shaping one’s body while imitating a dance. In this article, we describe our attempts to understand this multifaceted problem by creating a primitive shape perception/synthesis system for the baby humanoid iCub. We specifically deal with the scenario of iCub gradually learning to draw or scribble shapes of gradually increasing complexity, after observing a demonstration by a teacher, by using a series of self evaluations of its performance. Learning to imitate a demonstrated human movement (specifically, visually observed end-effector trajectories of a teacher) can be considered as a special case of the proposed computational machinery. This architecture is based on a loop of transformations that express the embodiment of the mechanism but, at the same time, are characterized by scale invariance and motor equivalence. The following transformations are integrated in the loop: (a) Characterizing in a compact, abstract way the ‘shape’ of a demonstrated trajectory using a finite set of critical points, derived using catastrophe theory: Abstract Visual Program (AVP); (b) Transforming the AVP into a Concrete Motor Goal (CMG) in iCub’s egocentric space; (c) Learning to synthesize a continuous virtual trajectory similar to the demonstrated shape using the discrete set of critical points defined in CMG; (d) Using the virtual trajectory as an attractor for iCub’s internal body model, implemented by the Passive Motion Paradigm which includes a forward and an inverse motor model; (e) Forming an Abstract Motor Program (AMP) by deriving the ‘shape’ of the self generated movement (forward model output) using the same technique employed for creating the AVP; (f) Comparing the AVP and AMP in order to generate an internal performance score and hence closing the learning loop. The resulting computational framework further combines three crucial streams of learning: (1) motor babbling (self exploration), (2) imitative action learning (social interaction) and (3) mental simulation, to give rise to sensorimotor knowledge that is endowed with seamless compositionality, generalization capability and body-effectors/task independence. The robustness of the computational architecture is demonstrated by means of several experimental trials of gradually increasing complexity using a state of the art humanoid platform.     

Investigation on laser drilling of AA6061-TiB2/ZrB2 in situ composites

Laser beam machining is considered as economic machining process to machine the composite materials. AA6061-TiB₂/ZrB₂ in situ composites are drilled by using Ytterbium fiber laser machine with input parameters as laser trepanning speed, laser power, and standoff distance. Entry diameter, exit diameter, and taper are responses which are to be measured by metallurgical microscope. The contribution of the paper is to analyze the influence of reinforcement ratio of the composites and machining parameters on the responses. Analysis of the results shows that the entry and exit diameters and taper of unreinforced alloy are less than the composites for all the experimental conditions. Increase in laser trepanning speed decreases the entry and exit diameters whereas increases the taper of the laser drilled hole. Increase in laser power enlarges the entry and exit diameters but reduces the taper of the hole. The increase in the standoff distance reduces the entry and exit diameters of the hole. This investigation helps to find the suitable machining parameters for attaining the desired accuracy of laser drilled holes.     

Real-Time Transaction Scheduling: A Framework for Synthesizing Static and Dynamic Factors

Real-time databases are poised to be an important component of complex embedded real-time systems. In real-time databases (as opposed to real-time systems), transactions must satisfy the ACID properties in addition to satisfying the timing constraints specified for each transaction (or task). Although several approaches have been proposed to combine real-time scheduling and database concurrency control methods, to the best of our knowledge, none of them provide a framework for taking into account the dynamic cost associated with aborts, rollbacks, and restarts of transactions. In this paper, we propose a framework in which both static and dynamic costs of transactions can be taken into account. Specifically, we present: i) a method for pre-analyzing transactions based on the notion of branch-points for data accessed up to a branch point and predicting expected data access to be incurred for completing the transaction, ii) a formulation of cost that includes static and dynamic factors for prioritizing transactions, iii) a scheduling algorithm which uses the above two, and iv) simulation of the algorithm for several operating conditions and workload. Our dynamic priority assignment policy (termed the cost conscious approach or CCA) adapts well to fluctuations in the system load without causing excessive numbers of transaction restarts. Our simulations indicate that i) CCA performs better than the EDF-HP algorithm for both soft and firm deadlines, ii) CCA is more fair than EDF-HP, iii) CCA is better than EDF-CR for soft deadline, even though CCA requires and uses less information, and iv) CCA is especially good for disk-resident data.     

Surface layer dynamics in the pyrolysis of ammonium perchlorate-hydrocarbon binder propellants

Mixtures of ammonium perchlorate particles and polybutadiene binder appear to exhibit preferential accumulation of one or the other component on the pyrolyzing surface over a range of rocket-operating pressures. At low pressures, the surface layer is enriched with the oxidizer, and at high pressures, it is enriched with the binder. The degree of accumulation of the oxidizer is found to be higher for smaller particle size. These experimental data can be explained by the difference in activation energies for pyrolysis of the oxidizer and the binder. The particle size effect is explained by consideration of nearly identical surface temperatures for the oxidizer and binder in mixtures with fine particles, but different temperatures for those with coarse particles. The results obtained are important to the explanation of the mechanism of plateau burning rate exhibited by certain composite propellants. Translated fromFizika Goreniya i Vzryva, Vol. 36, No. 5, pp. 57–62, September–October, 2000.     

Acousto-optic tunable filters (AOTFs) for multiwavelength opticalcross-connects: crosstalk considerations

Acousto-optic tunable filters (AOTF) have been investigated as a potential basis for multiwavelength cross-connects in optical networks. In this paper, we discuss crosstalk issues, some of which are common to other cross-connect technologies, and some of which are unique to the AOTF, which will determine the suitability of the AOTF technology for this application. In particular we show how the interactions between wavelength channels make the AOTF sensitive to switch architectures, we conclude that significant performance improvements will be required to diminish crosstalk if the AOTF is to be useful in any but small-size cross-connects, even when spare and wavelength dilation are used     

Mechanical Characterization Studies of Aluminium Alloy 7075 Based Nanocomposites

Silicon - In the present study, addition of nano silicon carbide particulates (nSiCp) in the matrix of aluminium alloy 7075 (AA7075) in different weight proportions (0 %, 0.5 %,...