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Sensit Technologies Swiss Army Programmer (SAP) App
No full textSensit Technologies, a Valparaiso-based company that manufactures gas leak detection equipment, requested an application to reduce manufacturing complexity. Our goal with the Swiss Army Programmer (SAP) App is to simplify the firmware uploading process for the operator through the integration and consolidation of these complex configurations and tasks done by the application without user input. The new application is authored using C# and Windows Presentation Foundation to enable loading of single-board computers with firmware. The complexities of pairing Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) to appropriate loaders creates additional, avoidable tasks for assembly technicians, requiring them to juggle more than 5 software tools, each with unique file navigation systems and user interfaces. This application aims to provide Sensit with a uniform suite to support all of their PCBs, thereby reducing that workload and specific task complexity. As opposed to the PCB configurations for all of the different software (each of which has a unique process for identifying the type of PCB and its configuration), the SAP App aims to allow an operator to simply select a product and the type of microcontroller the product uses and start/stop the download process. One of the challenges this project faced included the need for physical hardware and products used for testing purposes. In addition, the lack of resources on this highly specialized domain provided the challenge of creating extensive and from-scratch software for unique device detection, PCB and product configuration, and loading protocols
The Effects of Rear Spoilers on Automobiles
No full textSpoilers are a common implement on modern automobiles due to their enhancement of vehicle stability and performance. Spoilers are majorly utilized in motor sports due to the introduced drag they provide that creates a downforce on the vehicle. The downforce pulls the car towards the road, increasing stability and traction. This study analyzes the effects that rear spoilers have on automobiles by utilizing computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations to confirm the benefit of these added forces on modern automobiles. Using Sim-Scale, a web based CFD modeling software, 3-D models of automobiles with and without a rear spoiler are simulated to compare the effects of aerodynamic drag utilizing velocity and pressure gradients. Comparing the simulated results will show the quantitative differences in forces between automobiles with and without an added spoiler. The increase in pressures introduced on the rear of the vehicle due to the added spoiler increases the aerodynamic drag of said automobile. This creates a negative lift force that provides greater traction and stability when driving at higher speeds. However, the increased drag may have a slight effect on fuel efficiency when compared to the car without a spoiler, as the drag introduced requires more power to get the vehicle up to the same speed
Liposome Size Control for Lymphatic Drug Delivery
No full textLiposomes are small, spherical vesicles created from cholesterol and phospholipids which show potential for oral drug administration. In order to investigate how liposome characteristics impact their stability in gastrointestinal environments, their transport across the gut epithelium, and subsequent drug access to the lymphatic system, control over liposome properties is required. The goal of this research is thus to identify synthesis conditions that allow for control of liposome size and charge, and to synthesize a panel of liposomes over a broad size range which will be used to investigate the impact of liposome properties on lymphatic uptake of orally administered drugs. Liposomes were composed of two different phosphatidylcholines (DPPC and DOPC) and cholesterol and were synthesized using the thin-film hydration method. Liposome diameter and zeta potential were characterized using a Malvern dynamic light scattering instrument. Control of product size was tested by varying synthesis conditions like the molar ratio of phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol and resuspension concentration. The impact of processing methods like sonication and filtration were also assessed. This project improves our understanding of how synthesis conditions impact liposome characteristics, enabling future testing of the impact of these characteristics on drug access to the lymphatic system
Open Source Flight Firmware Development for Autonomous Downlinking via SatNOGS
No full textThis student-led project, in partnership with NearSpace Education, focuses on designing, constructing, and programming a payload for integration into an existing satellite platform. The payload is built to fit within a 0.5U CubeSat form factor measuring 10 cm × 10 cm × 5 cm and serves as a testbed for autonomous downlink scheduling through the SatNOGS network, a global open-source ground station network.
To develop this, the team utilizes the open-source COMMS architecture by the Libre Space Foundation. This allows for hands-on experience in small spacecraft payload integration, mission operations planning, and communications subsystem design. The project also draws on tools and protocols developed by AMSAT to support amateur satellite communications.
The primary goal is to develop and validate flight software capable of autonomously scheduling and executing downlink passes, optimizing communication opportunities without requiring manual intervention. This approach aims to improve satellite-ground coordination, particularly for receive-only networks like SatNOGS.
This poster highlights the conceptual foundations of autonomous satellite communication, the technical challenges faced in limited-volume payload design, and the software development process. Future phases of the project will focus on in-orbit testing and refining the downlink optimization algorithm to support broader applications in small satellite missions
Beowulf and Théoden: Differing Teaching Methods of Hrothgar and Gandalf
No full textMost studies on the character of Théoden in The Lord of the Rings center on Germanic heroic themes like courage and oath-keeping, often emphasizing his renewal by Gandalf at Meduseld and his death at the Battle of Pelennor Fields. This perspective overlooks Théoden\u27s growth in wisdom and hope between these events. During this period, Théoden learns about the various forces in Middle-earth and contemplates his role in the broader world, leading to a profound sense of humility. Building on Tolkien\u27s inspiration from Beowulf, this paper compares Théoden and Beowulf to explore their learning processes and heroic outcomes. This comparison highlights the deeper aspects of Théoden\u27s character and shows how Gandalf\u27s teachings help him rise above Beowulf and other Northern heroes. The differing fates of Théoden and Beowulf highlight the different teaching methods of Gandalf and Hrothgar and reveal how Tolkien redefines heroism, moving beyond the traditional Anglo-Saxon model
J.R.R. Tolkien in Central Europe: Context, Directions, and the Legacy (2023), edited by Janka Kaščáková and David Levente Palatinus
Get PDFBook review, by Andrew Higgins, of J.R.R. Tolkien in Central Europe: Context, Directions, and the Legacy (2023), edited by Janka Kaščáková and David Levente Palatinu
Maternal Incarceration, Adolescent Delinquency, and Siblings
Get PDFResearchers have estimated that approximately 2.7 million children in the United States have a parent in jail or prison. Since 1991, the number of children with a father in prison grew by 77%, while the number of children with a mother in prison more than doubled (131%). In examining the consequences of maternal incarceration on children, many researchers have found an association between negative child outcomes and maternal incarceration. However, not all research has produced the same conclusions, thus yielding heterogeneous findings. It is essential to understand the factors that may explain the variation in outcomes of children experiencing maternal incarceration. Data from the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study is used to examine how sibling relationships moderate the effect of maternal incarceration on juvenile delinquency. The findings show that exposure to maternal incarceration and living with a sibling is associated with variation in juvenile delinquency among adolescents. This will assist practitioners and policymakers to bring awareness to sibling relationships as a way to alleviate strains among youth who experience maternal incarceration. A better understanding of which factors contribute to more favorable outcomes will allow for more effective interventions and allocation of resources for children, families, and communities
Associations Among Serropalpus substriatus (Coleoptera: Melandryidae) and Sirex (Hymenoptera: Siricidae) Communities
Get PDFSerropalpus substriatus Haldeman (Coleoptera: Melandryidae) develops within the same trees as Sirex noctilio F. and Sirex cyaneus F. (Hymenoptera: Siricidae). This species is now reported emerging from red pine (Pinus resinosa Sol. ex Aiton) and balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) (Pinaceae) in eastern North America. Numbers of Se. substriatus emerging from pines were always much lower than numbers of Sirex in trees, and 18% of Se. substriatus required 2 years before emergence. During first years of emergence, Se. substriatus was found in only 12 of 41 sampled red pines infested by Si. noctilio. Trees from which Se. substriatus emerged hosted higher densities of Sirex than trees without Se. substriatus. Comparing dually infested trees, Deladenus siricidicola Bedding, the parasitic/mycophagous nematode associated with Si. noctilio, was found parasitizing one of 141 (0.7%) Se. substriatus. This is the first report of a non-target impact of D. siricidicola in North America, but parasitism was very low in this uncommonly encountered woodboring beetle. In Europe, a related species, Serropalpus barbatus Schaller, has also been reported to be parasitized by D. siricidicola