From data to complex network control of airline flight delays

Many critical complex systems and networks are continuously monitored, creating vast volumes of data describing their dynamics. To understand and optimize their performance, we need to discover and formalize their dynamics to enable their control. Here, we introduce a multidisciplinary framework using network science and control theory to accomplish these goals. We demonstrate its use on a meaningful example of a complex network of U.S. domestic passenger airlines aiming to control flight delays. Using the real data on such delays, we build a flight delay network for each airline. Analyzing these networks, we uncover and formalize their dynamics. We use this formalization to design the optimal control for the flight delay networks. The results of applying this control to the ground truth data on flight delays demonstrate the low costs of the optimal control and significant reduction of delay times, while the costs of the delays unabated by control are high. Thus, the introduced here framework benefits the passengers, the airline companies and the airports.

MPU6050 MODULE CONTROL UNIT ON THE IC BUS BASED ON A MICROCONTROLLER

Рассматривается модуль GY-521, на котором установлена микросхема MPU6050, объединяющая в одном корпусе акселерометр, гироскоп и температурный датчик. Такие датчики изготовлены на основе микромеханических систем (МЭМС), основным преимуществом которых является малый размер, низкое энергопотребление и небольшая стоимость. Одновременное использование акселерометра и гироскопа позволяет определить изменение движения тела в трехмерном пространстве. Рассмотрены основные характеристики используемого модуля. Управление микросхемы осуществляется с помощью архитектуры интерфейса IC «ведущий-ведомый». В работе ведомым является MPU6050, а ведущим (производит запрос на чтение или запись данных) является микроконтроллер, имеющий в своем составе аппаратную шину передачи данных IC. Показана возможная программная реализация алгоритма подключения нескольких ведомых устройств (шести микросхем MPU6050). Представлена принципиальная схема подключения к одному порту ввода-вывода микроконтроллера. Рассмотрен алгоритм работы микроконтроллера с подключенными микросхемами (шестью) MPU6050. Приведены пример программы (с использованием языка ассемблер) инициализации связи с MPU6050, а также программа считывания данных для снятия последних измерений акселерометра, гироскопа, температурного датчика. Применение нескольких модулей с одновременным считыванием с них информации позволяет осуществлять контроль систем управления полетом, имеющих совокупность нескольких управляющих поверхностей и устройств The paper considers the GY-521 module, which is equipped with the MPU6050 chip, which combines an accelerometer, a gyroscope and a temperature sensor in one housing. Such sensors are made on the basis of micromechanical systems (MEMS), the main advantages of which are small size, low power consumption and low cost. The simultaneous use of an accelerometer and a gyroscope allows you to determine the change in the movement of a body in three-dimensional space. We considered the main characteristics of the module used. The control of the chip is carried out using the architecture of the IC interface "master-slave". In operation, the MPU6050 is the host, and the master (makes a request to read or write data) is a microcontroller that has an IC hardware data bus. We show a possible software implementation of the algorithm for connecting multiple slave devices (six MPU6050 chips). We present a schematic diagram of the connection to a single I/O port of the microcontroller. We consider the algorithm of operation of the microcontroller with connected chips (six) MPU6050. We give an example of a program (using the assembly language) for initializing communication with the MPU6050, as well as a program for reading data for taking the latest measurements of the accelerometer, gyroscope, and temperature sensor. The use of several modules with simultaneous reading of information from them allows you to control flight control systems that have a set of several control surfaces and devices

CRISPR/Cas9 knockout of female-biased genes AeAct-4 or myo-fem in Ae. aegypti results in a flightless phenotype in female, but not male mosquitoes

Aedes aegypti is a vector of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses. Current vector control strategies such as community engagement, source reduction, and insecticides have not been sufficient to prevent viral outbreaks. Thus, interest in novel strategies involving genetic engineering is growing. Female mosquitoes rely on flight to mate with males and obtain a bloodmeal from a host. We hypothesized that knockout of genes specifically expressed in female mosquitoes associated with the indirect flight muscles would result in a flightless female mosquito. Using CRISPR-Cas9 we generated loss-of-function mutations in several genes hypothesized to control flight in mosquitoes, including actin (AeAct-4) and myosin (myo-fem) genes expressed specifically in the female flight muscle. Genetic knockout of these genes resulted in 100% flightless females, with homozygous males able to fly, mate, and produce offspring, albeit at a reduced rate when compared to wild type males. Interestingly, we found that while AeAct-4 was haplosufficient, with most heterozygous individuals capable of flight, this was not the case for myo-fem, where about half of individuals carrying only one intact copy could not fly. These findings lay the groundwork for developing novel mechanisms of controlling Ae. aegypti populations, and our results suggest that this mechanism could be applicable to other vector species of mosquito.

Modeling and simulation of autonomous quadrotor systems and their onboard sensors

Simulators are valuable tools to evaluate autonomous systems and methods of their control in a cost-effective and safe fashion. There are several implementations of simulators for autonomous systems in the literature. However, they provide limited capabilities in terms of the simulation of specific autonomous methods, for example control, flight, or sensor dynamics. In this paper, we present our design of a simulator for an environment that handles multiple quadrotors with their own set of sensors. We simulate three main sensors to get spatial and environmental information: an Inertial Measurement System that contains a three-axis gyroscope and an accelerometer; a pressure sensor; and ultrasonic sensors. To provide a realistic environment, we implement the thrust force, hub force, total torque, rolling moments, and equations of motion. We provide several attitude controllers, altitude controllers, obstacle detection methods, positioning methods, and flocking methods. We then present a comparison of their performance and behavior. Until the writing of this paper, there were no other simulators that provide this number of various autonomous methods. Moreover, the object-oriented design of our simulator makes it easy to support the addition of any other controller or method. Our simulator provides a comprehensive testbed for current and future methods for autonomous quadrotors.

Flight Recovery Method of Regional Multiairport Based on Risk Control Model

In the regional multiairport system, the contradiction between the limited operating resources and the large flight flow is serious, and the flight delays can easily lead to the occurrence of unsafe events. This paper investigates the abnormal flight recovery method in regional multiairport system based on risk control. The focus is to reschedule arrival-departure flights in real time with minimized delay time and risk probability. In this study, the risk about terminal area control and scene operation was considered in the analysis of the risk control model (RCM), which includes six key risk points: airspace control, flight conflict, ground service, apron support, ground control, and taxiing conflict. The mathematical model on flight recovery was constructed to solve minimized delay time and risk probability with MSINS (multistart algorithm with intelligent neighborhood selection). The data of a typical regional multiairport system in China were selected for experimental verification in order to compare the RCM with the traditional recovery model (TRM). The experimental results show that first, there are some hidden dangers in the traditional recovery methods of flight delay. Flight conflict and apron support are the risk points that need to be controlled most in the multiairport system. Secondly, for the effective solution with the shortest delay time, the RCM can reduce the overall operation risk of the system, but the flight delay time is a little longer. For the effective solution with the lowest risk probability, RCM can reduce the risk of system operation and the delay time of flights at the same time. Therefore, RCM can improve the security level of the system during abnormal flight recovery and ensure or even improve the recovery efficiency.

Soft biohybrid morphing wings with feathers underactuated by wrist and finger motion

Since the Wright Flyer, engineers have strived to develop flying machines with morphing wings that can control flight as deftly as birds. Birds morph their wing planform parameters simultaneously—including sweep, span, and area—in a way that has proven to be particularly challenging to embody robotically. Previous solutions have primarily centered around the classical aerospace paradigm of controlling every degree of freedom to ensure predictable performance, but underperform compared with birds. To understand how birds accomplish wing morphing, we measured the kinematics of wing flexion and extension in common pigeons, Columba livia. The skeletal and feather kinematics show that the 20 primary and 20 secondary feathers are coordinated via approximately linear transfer functions controlled by wrist and finger motion. To replicate this control principle in a robot, we developed a biohybrid morphing wing with real feathers to understand the underlying design principles. The outcome, PigeonBot, embodies 42 degrees of freedom that control the position of 40 elastically connected feathers via four servo-actuated wrist and finger joints. Our flight tests demonstrate that the soft feathered wings morph rapidly and robustly under aerodynamic loading. They not only enable wing morphing but also make robot interactions safer, the wing more robust to crashing, and the wing reparable via “preening.” In flight tests, we found that both asymmetric wrist and finger motion can initiate turn maneuvers—evidence that birds may use their fingers to steer in flight.

LOW COST EMBEDDED CONTROLLER SIMULATION FOR MISSILE IN REAL-TIME ENVIRONMENT

This paper focuses on the development of real-time environment for low cost embedded system to control flight performance of missile. Real-time simulation is generated by using xPC target so that standalone target boot can be developed, and target PCs can be simulated in real-time. Two PCs and single board computers (SBCs) are required to configure the host and standalone target respectively. The host PCs are used to control the target PCs while these target PCs run simultaneously in real-time. Target PCs are divided into plant platform and controller platform. Plant platform represents missile dynamics model, while control algorithm is compiled to the other system as controller platform. Linear control synthesis will be implemented for maintaining flight stability of missile using optimal control approach based linear quadratic regulator (LQR). This real-time system should resemble the environment of future flight test.Keywords: r

Disrupting female flight in the vector Aedes aegypti

Aedes aegypti is a vector of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses. Current vector control strategies such as community engagement, source reduction, and insecticides have not been sufficient to prevent viral outbreaks. Thus, interest in novel strategies involving genetic engineering is growing. Female mosquitoes rely on flight to mate with males and obtain a bloodmeal from a host. We hypothesized that knockout of genes specifically expressed in female mosquitoes associated with the indirect flight muscles would result in a flightless female mosquito. With the CRISPR-Cas9 system, we performed embryonic microinjections of Cas9 protein and guide RNAs specific to genes hypothesized to control flight in mosquitoes, and have obtained genetic knockouts in several genes specifically expressed in the flight-muscle, including those specific to female flight muscle. Analysis of the phenotype of these female-specific gene knockout mutants resulted in flightless females and flying males. While further assessment is required, this work lays the groundwork for a mechanism of population control that is female-specific for the Ae. aegypti vector.

Impulse control flight to the invariant manifold near collinear libration point

We consider the special problem of flight from near-Earth orbit to a neighborhood of first collinear libration point of the Sun-Earth system. For such flight the numerical experiments substantiate the adequacy of the model of Hill’s equations, which is the nonlinear approximation of equations of circular limited three-body problem. Otherwise, we would be obliged to use the model of limited three-body problem (or its approximation) in conjunction with the model of two-body problem for modeling of motion. During of approach to the neighborhood of libration point (in space of positions), the series of impulse controls are implemented. Controls are built on the basis of equations in variations. The purpose of implementing presented controls is hitting the manifold, where a spacecraft will be as long as possible in the linear case. This manifold is achieved when the special functions of phase variables is equal to zero. All the presented studies are illustrated in detail.

How Birds and Other Adults Get Their Color Back

Lorenz's Kinderchenschema can lead to genetic repurposing (pleiotropy) as mutations that help infants survive are later used for adult mating. Around 2014 it was discovered that blue eyes and blond hair appeared first among human infants. Color attracts, essential for infant mammal survival. Pleiotroptic regulators were selected to enable these attribute to be retained in adults, as attraction capacity also increases mating success.Nestlings birds have beaks with internal membranes called gapes, frequently colorful and/or patterned. Beaks conserve vital genetic information, useful over 30 million years of radiation. Colorful gapes are present in monochromatic as well as species with colorful plumage. Gapes and the beak's cere are the only colored part of many raptors, a broad group related to ancestors of many landbirds. Gapes are bird Kinderchenschema, an infant display feature that compels parent behavior.Birds move in extradimensional space, with bifurcated visual systems that lets one side control flight in the face of distraction. Bright, bold displays aid navigation. Ecological psychology, developed for pilot training, established motion perception as the core of direct perception. Bird gapes serve as landing pads.Mammalian Kinderchenschema is dominated by superficial features of the head, such as eye and forehead size, to transact emotion that encourages protection and feeding. Atricial bird kinderchenschema also promotes protection and feeding. When nestlings are vulnerable to predation, internal mouth color remains hidden, protecting them. When nestling parents approach, the internal mouth color is exposed, enabling feeding.For a nestling color to be repurposed in plumage, it may trigger a conditioned response that aids selection. Nestling displays trigger adult bird neurotransmitters. Color can be disassociated from underlying structure and transferred, along with hormone release.There's a strong correlation between gape and plumage color. Adaptionist explanations of gape and feather colors emphasize nutrient conditions, but these increase saturation, not brilliance. It is color's attention-grabbing aspect that makes it so important for nestlings, and transferable for mating. Given changing environments, that require birds to evolve different color displays, the conserved resource of gape color is important.