Predictive Model of Adaptive Cruise Control Speed to Enhance Engine Operating Conditions

This article presents a novel methodology to predict the optimal adaptive cruise control set speed profile (ACCSSP) by optimizing the engine operating conditions (EOC) considering vehicle level vectors (VLV) (body parameter, environment, driver behaviour) as the affecting parameters. This paper investigates engine operating conditions (EOC) criteria to develop a predictive model of ACCSSP in real-time. We developed a deep learning (DL) model using the NARX method to predict engine operating point (EOP) mapping the VLV. We used real-world field data obtained from Cadillac test vehicles driven by activating the ACC feature for developing the DL model. We used a realistic set of assumptions to estimate the VLV for the future time steps for the range of allowable speed values and applied them at the input of the developed DL model to generate multiple sets of EOP’s. We imposed the defined EOC criteria on these EOPs, and the top three modes of speeds satisfying all the requirements are derived at each second. Thus, three eligible speed values are estimated for each second, and an additional criterion is defined to generate a unique ACCSSP for future time steps. A performance comparison between predicted and constant ACCSSP’s indicates that the predictive model outperforms constant ACCSSP.

Prototype Development of Continuous Remote Monitoring of ICU Patients at Home

Vital signs are a group of essential body parameter, which provides the overall health state of a human body. They often play a pivotal role in accessing the overall physiological state of the human body. For patients requiring intense and continuous monitoring, especially those in an Intensive Care Unit, the essentiality to assess their vital signs regularly. Monitoring the health status of ICU patients becomes quite cost-effective when the same can be monitored within the comfort zone of their own house. The technique elaborated herein revolves around the fundamental idea of implementing a vital sign monitoring system that continuously assesses a patient and regularly updates the same to a centralized server system. In an event of a medical emergency, the relevant data is conveyed to the doctor via an efficient alert system, thereby ensuring safe and timely treatment to the patients. Also, as suggested the proposed design is characterized by IoT capability that allows real-time monitoring of the subject, thereby allowing, minimizing the human involvement in its operation.

Prediction of body weight with morphometric traits in some broiler chicken strains

Morphometric traits also called linear body measurements or conformation traits are important parameters in predicting body weight especially in commercial breeders and producers. Thus, the study was carried out to predict body weight of broiler using linear body measurement. In this study, a total of 270 day old broiler chicks comprising of 90 chicks each of Abor Acre, Ross and Marshal Strains were used. Data were collected on body weight using body measurements to include breast length (BRL), thigh width (TW), shank length (SL), keel length (KL), wing length and drumstick length (DL). The regression analysis was simple linear regression. The values of the coefficient of determination (R2) in Abor Acre, Ross and Marshall strains ranged from 89.8 – 99.8; 88.4 – 98.9; and 80.8 – 99.5 respectively with thigh width showing the highest % R2 value of 99.8% in week 2; 66.5 – 97.9; 60.3 – 80.4 and 28.6 – 72.3 respectively with breast length (97.9%) having the highest % R2 value. This showed that breast length was the best predictor of the body weight of the broiler in week 4; 38.5 – 100; 88.0 – 98.6; 17.0 – 94.8 with shank length (100%) showing a 100% R2 value. This showed that breast length was the best predictor of the body weight of the broiler in week 4; 38.5 – 100; 88.0 – 98.6; 17.0 – 94.8 with shank length (100%) showing a 100% R2 value in week 6; 76.9 – 96.3, 72.2 – 88.8 and 58.1 – 97.6 respectively with wing length recording the highest % R2 value in week 6; 76.9 – 96.3, 72.2 – 88.8 and 58.1 – 97.6 respectively with wing length recording the highest value (97.9%) week 8. The different strains had different coefficient of determination (R2) values above 50% with different linear body parameter at different ages of the birds, indicating that any of the linear body parameter could be used to predict body weight of broiler chicken although, accuracy of prediction increased with increasing R2 value. Amongst all the linear body parameters evaluated, the shank length of Abor Acres strain had highest R2 value (100%) in week 6. Thus shank length was the best linear body parameter with 100% accuracy of prediction, and may be useful criterion in estimation of growth and prediction of body weight.

Stochastic Bioimpedance-Based Channel Model of the Human Body for Galvanic Coupling

Human body communication (HBC) uses the human body as the channel to transfer data. Extensive work has been done to characterize the human body channel for different HBC techniques and scenarios. However, statistical channel bioimpedance characterisation of human body channels, particularly under dynamic conditions, remains relatively understudied. This paper develops a stochastic fading bioimpedance model for the human body channel using Monte Carlo simulations. Differential body segments were modelled as 2-port networks using ABCD parameters which are functions of bioimpedance based body parameters modelled as random variables. The channel was then modelled as the cascade of these random 2-port networks for different combinations of probability distribution functions (PDFs) assumed for the bioimpedance-based body parameters. The resultant distribution of the cascaded body segments varied for the different assumed bioimpedance based body parameter distributions and differential body segment sizes. However, considering the distribution names that demonstrated a best fit (in the top 3 PDF rankings) with highest frequency under the varying conditions, this paper recommends the distribution names: Generalized Pareto for phase distributions and Log-normal for magnitude distributions for each element in the overall cascaded random variable ABCD matrix.

Is sex a proxy for mechanical variables during an upper limb repetitive movement task? An investigation of the effects of sex and of anthropometric load on muscle fatigue

Background Women report more work-related pain and neck/shoulder musculoskeletal disorders than men. For the same absolute workload, due to lower strength, females generally work at a higher relative intensity, which could induce more fatigue. However, the arm’s anthropometric load (AL) of men is higher. Therefore, simply lifting their arm could be more fatiguing. Sex as a variable is formed of many constructs, and analyses can become muddied by their differing responses to fatigue. No studies have considered AL, when comparing how fatigue affects men and women. The purpose was to determine if including the arm’s AL in the statistical analysis would impact findings of sex-specific effects of shoulder fatigue on muscle EMG. Methods Fifty-five (29m/26f) participants completed a repetitive pointing task (RPT) at shoulder height until they reported fatigue of 8+ on the BORG CR-10 scale. Muscle activities were measured using surface electrodes placed over the anterior deltoid (AD) and upper trapezius (UT) muscles. Muscle activity amplitude was quantified using root mean square (RMS). First- and last-minute data were used to assess change from no-fatigue (NF) to fatigue-terminal (FT) conditions. AL was calculated using sex-specific body parameter equations. General estimating equations (GEE) were used to determine the effects of sex and fatigue on RMS values, while including AL in the GEE. Results There was no sex difference in time to reach fatigue. A significant main effect of sex on RMS was observed (χ2(1) = 4.17, p = 0.04) when including AL as a covariate. Females displayed a significantly higher percentage change in AD RMS from NF to FT, compared to males (p = 0.03), when AL was included in the GEE. No sex differences in UT were observed. Conclusions This sex difference emerged when AL was included as a covariate, suggesting that sex-associated anthropometric differences may contribute to sex differences in the fatigue response. Differences in the impact of AL on AD compared to UT could be explained by differences in their respective mechanical roles or muscle fiber content. Anthropometrics may be useful to include as covariates in future research to separate individual anthropometric differences from sex differences.

Mixed Convective Radiative Flow through a Slender Revolution Bodies Containing Molybdenum-Disulfide Graphene Oxide along with Generalized Hybrid Nanoparticles in Porous Media

The current framework tackles the buoyancy flow via a slender revolution bodies comprising Molybdenum-Disulfide Graphene Oxide generalized hybrid nanofluid embedded in a porous medium. The impact of radiation is also provoked. The outcomes are presented in this analysis to examine the behavior of hybrid nanofluid flow (HNANF) through the cone, the paraboloid, and the cylinder-shaped bodies. The opposing flow (OPPF) as well as the assisting flow (ASSF) is discussed. The leading flow equations of generalized hybrid nanoliquid are worked out numerically by utilizing bvp4c solver. This sort of the problem may meet in the automatic industries connected to geothermal and geophysical applications where the sheet heat transport occurs. The impacts of engaging controlled parameters of the transmuted system on the drag force and the velocity profile are presented through the graphs and tables. The achieved outcomes suggest that the velocity upsurges due to the dimensionless radius of the slender body parameter in case of the assisting flow and declines in the opposing flow. Additionally, an increment is observed owing to the shaped bodies as well as in type A nanofluid and type B hybrid nanofluid.

Perspectives of Heat Stroke Shield: An IoT based Solution for the Detection and Preliminary Treatment of Heat Stroke

Heat stroke is considered a major problem in Karachi, with a considerable number of people recorded as victims each year. The proposed Internet-of-Things (IoT) based heat stroke shield works under heat stroke conditions, depending on a heat index value (atmospheric temperature and humidity). The system comprises of a wristband, a hardware kit and an alert system which can pre-notify a wearer regarding his body parameter readings. Moreover, the system can also work as a problem solver, in heat stroke condition, by showering water on the victim. In both cases, an alert will also be generated to the wearer’s caretakers with his GPS location.

Morphological differences between free-living soil and freshwater nematodes in relation to their environments

Summary There is no single feature to distinguish free-living soil nematodes from freshwater nematodes, also because all free-living nematodes are essentially aquatic. This notwithstanding, by examining the frequencies of some characters of 1141 European species, differences of qualitative/quantitative characters between soil and freshwater nematodes were found. In particular, aquatic and semi-aquatic species are, on average, longer and slimmer than soil species, have a longer tail, greater body weight, smooth cuticle and larger amphids. A new body parameter, length of the pharynx in relation to the length of the whole digestive tract (e), was also taken into consideration.