Tracking System Research Articles

Determination of the natural frequencies of ultralight carbon fiber trusses for silicon tracking systems

In this work a method is developed to determine the natural frequency of highly-irradiated ultralight carbon fiber trusses. This method is based both in experimental acoustic measurements and the ANSYS-based modeling of the trusses. The structures under study are sensor supporting trusses widely used in silicon inner trackers of large experimental setups at LHC, FAIR and NICA.

Intervertebral disc deformation in the lower lumbar spine during object lifting measured in vivo using indwelling bone pins

Object lifting is often categorized into squat and stoop techniques, with the former believed to protect the back by maintaining a neutral spine, and the latter considered harmful due to spinal flexion. Despite the widespread promotion of these beliefs, there is no evidence to support such dichotomy, as spinal flexion is not conclusively linked to low back pain. This study aimed to investigate intervertebral disc deformation in the lower lumbar spine during squat and stoop lifting using indwelling bone pins. Five healthy males underwent insertion of Kirschner wires into the L3, L4, and L5 spinous processes, followed by biomechanical data collection using magnetic and optical tracking systems during upright standing, isolated flexion/extension, and object lifting with both squat and stoop techniques. Except for one subject, stoop lifting resulted in up to 90 % greater disc wedging compared to squat lifting, with a significant difference at L4/L5 (p = 0.042). The anterior annulus fibrosus experienced 10 % to 40 % more compression during stoop lifting, but no significant differences were found in posterior annulus fibrosus expansion between techniques. Lever arms were about 35 % longer during stoop compared to squat lifting. These results indicate that even though stoop lifting generally led to greater disc deformation, significant deformation was also observed during squat lifting, challenging the notion of maintaining a neutral spine with this technique. Moreover, the considerable variability observed among participants raises concerns about the suitability of current one-size-fits-all lifting guidelines.

Dynamics modeling and simulation for satellites with optoelectronic tracking system

Abstract The optoelectronic tracking system has a strong coupling between the tracking platform and the satellite platform when rapidly capturing and precisely tracking targets. The high-precision coordinated pointing control between the two platforms is a key technology in the fields of space laser communication, debris monitoring, and astronomical observation. Firstly, a multi-level coupled dynamics model of spacecraft with two-dimensional (2D) motion platforms is derived based on the principles of momentum and angular momentum. Secondly, the coupling effects between the motion platform and the satellite platform are theoretically analyzed, highlighting the impact of platform orientation, configuration, mass properties, and motion characteristics on the coupling. Finally, a multi-level platform cooperative control strategy is proposed, and the model and control strategy are validated through mathematical simulations. The results show that the model is consistent with simulation results from ADAMS software, and the satellite attitude accuracy under the cooperative control strategy can be improved by 80%.

Relationship Between Stride Mechanics and Shoulder Distraction Force in Collegiate Softball Pitchers.

Softball pitchers experience high shoulder distraction forces, and increased stride lengths are associated with upper extremity pain. Therefore, it is important to consider the influence of stride mechanics on shoulder distraction force in softball pitchers. To determine the relationship between stride mechanics and shoulder distraction force in collegiate softball pitchers. Descriptive laboratory study. A total of 63 collegiate softball pitchers (age, 20.1 ± 1.3 years; height, 173.3 ± 7.4 cm; weight, 79.7 ± 11.7 kg) were included in this study. Each pitcher threw 3 maximum-effort fastballs for a strike, and kinematic data were collected using an electromagnetic tracking system with a sampling frequency of 100 Hz. A forward regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between stride parameters at foot contact (stride length, stride-foot progression angle, and stride-foot position) and shoulder distraction force. Regression analysis revealed a significant and positive relationship between stride length and shoulder distraction force (R 2 = 0.11; F(1, 61) = 7.338; P = .009), where stride length accounted for 11% of the variation in shoulder distraction force. Specifically, shoulder distraction force increased by 0.94 N/kg for every 10% increase in stride length normalized as a percentage of body height. A positive relationship was found between stride length and peak shoulder distraction force during the acceleration phase of the softball pitch. Alternatively, no relationship was found between the other stride parameters (stride position and stride-foot progression angle) and shoulder distraction force. Coaches should be aware of the potential negative implications of increasing stride length during softball pitching. Although prior research has shown that greater stride length may positively affect performance, this may also increase stress at the shoulder.

Effective Compliance to Technical Regulations - Why is Compliance to the Orbital Debris Mitigation Rules So Poor?

Adherence to debris mitigation guidelines is critical for future robust space traffic management (STM). Debris mitigation guidelines are reviewed and their effectiveness at managing the space object population are contrasted against the means to comply with the guidelines. Specific concerns related to the deployment of large constellations are detailed to provide potential trade-offs for consideration in enhanced tracking systems to enable safe and efficient STM practices. The balance between reducing future debris deposition and minimizing the operational burden on satellites to maintain reliable operations are examined.

Viscoelastic study of cement and emulsified asphalt mortar under temperature variations based on a novel variable-order fractional Maxwell model

Cement and emulsified asphalt (CA) mortar is a critical viscoelastic component of ballastless track systems, exhibiting pronounced temperature sensitivity. However, accurately predicting the mechanical responses of CA mortar due to temperature fluctuations remains a challenge. This work proposes a novel variable-order fractional Maxwell (VOFM) model to investigate the viscoelastic properties of CA mortar under temperature variations. The VOFM model is numerically solved using a time-varying coefficient ladder (TVL) model. The VOFM model is validated by comparing with both numerical integration methods and experimental data. The basic properties of the VOFM model, the viscoelastic responses of CA mortar under varying temperatures and alternating stress are systematically investigated. The results show that the mechanical properties of VOFM model agree with the FM model when time-dependent parameters of the VOFM model correspond to that of the FM model. Moreover, high temperatures have a promoting effect on the deformation of CA mortar under both alternating and constant stress conditions. The peak amplitude of CA mortar strain under practical varying temperature and stress loading correlates with the trend of temperature changes.

Passive vision based three-dimensional seam tracking using a stereo vision system with a single HDR camera

Seam tracking is a crucial feature that an automatic welding system must have. The laser tracking algorithm offers high accuracy but faces challenges in identifying seams with extremely narrow gaps, as the deformation of the laser stripe becomes difficult to detect in such cases. In contrast, the passive vision-based algorithm can effectively capture narrow gap information from the welding scene, making it more suitable for recognizing narrow seams. However, most of proposed passive vision-based seam tracking is based on “teaching and playback” mode and can only realize planar tracking. In medium and thick steel plate welding, the workpieces are so large that the “teaching and playback” based control algorithm is unsuitable. Therefore, in this paper, a stereo vision system with a single camera and the corresponding calibration algorithm are developed to achieve three dimensional seam tracking. Compared to stereo system with dual camera, the proposed system is cheaper and easier to synchronize acquisition. Moreover, to get out of the “teaching and playback” control strategy, a vector control algorithm without cumulative error is proposed. Results of nine experiments show that the average error of the proposed seam tracking system is less than 1.0662mm and the maximum error is 1.8030mm.

Abdominal Oblique and Rectus Muscle Injuries in Major and Minor League Baseball Players: An Updated Epidemiological Review

Background: Abdominal musculature injuries comprise the third most prevalent time-loss injury across professional baseball. Despite increased awareness and prevention attempts in the recent decade, the trends of these abdominal injury numbers in Major League Baseball (MLB) are not fully understood. Purposes: To update the trends in oblique and intercostal injuries, analyze the impact of these injuries based on time out of play, and identify factors that correlate with increased injury severity to help with recovery time prognostication for the sports medicine community. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods: Using the MLB Health and Injury Tracking System, the authors identified all abdominal and core musculature injuries that resulted in time out of play in MLB and Minor League Baseball (MiLB) between the 2011 and 2021 seasons. These were filtered for injuries that resulted in ≥1 days missed (DM) during spring training, the regular season, and postseason. A Student t test was utilized to assess for significant differences for all normally distributed values. Regression analysis was utilized for determining change over time. For all statistical comparisons, the threshold for alpha was set to P < .05. Results: During the study period between 2011 and 2021, there were 4560 total abdominal injuries among 3401 athletes. When filtered for in-season, time-loss injuries defined as spring training, regular season, and postseason, there were 2890 injuries. Of these, 1928 were oblique injuries, 453 were intercostal injuries, and 115 were rectus injuries. The number of oblique injuries each season increased for all of baseball ( P < .001), as well as for MLB ( P = .009) and MiLB ( P = .012) individually. Of the 1928 oblique injuries, 498 (26%) oblique injuries occurred at the MLB level and 1430 (74%) occurred at the MiLB level. Batting and pitching-related injuries comprised 860 (45%) and 729 (38%) oblique injuries, with a total of 18,455 DM and 20,891 DM, respectively. This corresponded to a mean of 22 DM for batting injuries and 29 DM for pitching injuries (mean difference, 7.2; 95% CI, 5.27-9.13; P < .001). Conclusion: This decade-long study on professional baseball revealed a significant increase in abdominal oblique injuries across MLB and MiLB, with the largest number of injuries observed in the 2021 season. Meanwhile, there was a significant decrease in intercostal injuries across professional baseball during these years. Such injuries continue to pose challenges, leading to substantial DM per injury and affecting players from various positions.

GPS Tracking and Indoor Navigation System

This project is an idea of developing an application based on a navigation system formed by Graph Data Structure. An indoor positioning system (IPS) can be thought of as a global positioning system (GPS) for indoor venues. While GPS is used outdoors, IPS can detect real-time locations to accurately determine the coordinates of people or assets inside a building. These coordinates are typically represented visually by a blue dot on a digital indoor map to provide additional context to users and features such as wayfinding. The project aims to have certain objectives such as a tracking system, navigation system that is inside a small area of a building. This idea aims to track the location of any particular device within a building and show a navigation to that device in an efficient manner. Not only tracking of devices but also solving a problem of finding a particular room in the building through data of different paths that is stored. This project comes under the intelligent system design and development domain and falls under the sector of analysing and designing hardware, software and operating systems for computers. The main objective of this system design is to navigate through the area and find places to reach with ease and as fast as possible, it is helpful for people who are new at that place and even finding a user in that particular vicinity by live tracking technique.

Raspberry Pi based IOT Weather Station

This paper presents a real-time system for monitoring and updating weather conditions online. The system tracks three key parameters: temperature, humidity, and rainfall. These values are displayed on an LCD screen and stored in a database. When the area is dry, the rainfall reading shows zero. If raindrops are detected, the rainfall value updates accordingly. As the temperature changes, it also reflects on the display. Users can check the weather status of a specific area from anywhere. We use an ARM-based Raspberry Pi 3 board, running the Raspbian operating system with a Linux kernel. The programming is done in Python, which is supported by the IDLE environment. This system provides users with a clear understanding of local weather conditions, making it a valuable tool for monitoring the climate in a specific area.

Evaluating compliance with track and trace and other regulations in Pakistan's cigarette market.

To control the illicit cigarette market, the government of Pakistan adopted a Tracking and Tracing System (TTS) that was fully operational by July 2022, despite many roadblocks. By this date, major tobacco companies had either registered their brands with the tax authority and/or installed TTS. This paper is the first to evaluate the degree of compliance with the TTS by evaluating the extent and nature of illicit trade in tobacco products. We use randomised sampling to collect cigarette packs from waste recycling stores located in the ten most populous cities of Pakistan, to evaluate illicit trade penetration. Almost a third of the packs collected did not bear a tax stamp, mostly due to the lack of compliance by local companies, confirming a recent review of the TTS implementation by the Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR). Even the largest companies that ostensibly adopted the TTS did not fully comply with the system, signalling poor enforcement. This is a missed opportunity, since a well-functioning TTS combined with proper enforcement is an effective means of controlling illicit tobacco trade, boosting tax revenue and improving public health. However, the enforcement should not be limited to the TTS since 23.6% of packs did not comply with other regulatory requirements.

Unveiling the dynamics of shallow fronts in Australia during Southerly Buster episodes (1994–2020)

A Frontal Identification System (FIS), initially designed to track Galernas in the Bay of Biscay, has been adapted to monitor cold fronts across Australia using wind shifts derived from ERA5 hourly reanalysis data. This high-resolution system tracks shallow, cloud-free fronts during the warm season, which can trigger bushfires, dust storms, extreme heat, and coastal weather extremes like Southerly Busters (SB) on the east coast. SB episodes, marked by sudden, squally south winds, pose hazards for boating and aviation. Our analysis of 35 SB events from 1994 to 2020 indicates that SBs originate from frontogenesis in Bass Strait (40 %) or from prefrontal troughs crossing the strait (60 %). Preceding synoptic conditions involve a Southern Ocean cold front driving cool maritime winds into the Australian thermal low, creating shallow convergence fronts (∼1000 m deep) facing warm continental winds. Onshore acceleration into the thermal low sharpens these new fronts (Type 2 fronts of the southern coast) and weakens the trailing primary ocean front, which may disappear due to high-pressure wave propagation, cold advection, and subsidence over the sea. These fronts can penetrate deep inland (Central Australian fronts) and initiate SBs on the southeast coast after interacting with the Great Dividing Range. All 35 SB events show active shallow front frontogenesis/frontolysis affecting the southern coast and inland regions. Upper-level reversed pressure gradients between the thermal low over the continent and the ocean depression maintain a wind shear region over the shallow inland cold advection. Intense warm north-westerlies south of the surface front, with wind speeds of 35–50 m s−1 between 700 and 550 hPa, contribute to mesofront formation preceding SB episodes. This jet also sustains strong cross-mountain winds over the Great Dividing Range, causing the lee trough at the coastal strip that precedes all SB episodes on the eastern coast. Understanding these dynamics can help predict and manage these events more effectively.

Feed system tracking receive/transmit shaped Cassegrain antenna C/K bands

Background. The need to create, space communication stations based on mobile carriers, for example, on ships, requires the use of multi-band reflector antennas irradiating systems that ensure the combination of not only channels for receiving and transmitting high-frequency signals, but also direction-finding channels for constructing a monopulse tracking system. Aim. Study of the possibility of creating an irradiation system that ensures the combination of reception and transmission of signals in the multi-band reflector antenna in spaced ranges with frequency bands C(Rx) – 21 %, C(Tx) – 16 % and K(Rx) – 21 %, with the implementation of a monopulse angular automatic tracking system in both receiving ranges. Methods. Development of a three-band irradiation system that ensures the implementation of automatic tracking in both receiving ranges. Analysis of the characteristics of a three-band irradiation system that ensures the implementation of reception and automatic tracking in both receiving ranges. Results. Development of a three-band irradiation system that ensures the implementation of automatic tracking in both receiving ranges. Analysis of the characteristics of a three-band irradiation system that ensures the implementation of reception and automatic tracking in both receiving ranges. Conclusion. The irradiation system of the multi-band reflector antenna for mirrors with profiled surfaces is proposed, with the implementation of combined signal reception in the C(Rx) and K(Rx) frequency ranges with a 21 % band and signal transmission in the C(Tx) frequency range with a 16% band, and the formation of partial RPs in both receiving ranges for the implementation of a monopulse angular tracking system. The following characteristics of the irradiation system are implemented: cross-polarization isolation of more than 30 dB, the formation of identical partial RPs and a stable tracking mode based on signals from onboard repeaters in communication systems with frequency reuse.

Cooling and noise performance of the ATLAS ITk strip system tests

The current tracking system of the ATLAS detector will be replaced by the new Inner Tracker (ITk) to cope with the challenging conditions expected at the High Luminosity Large Hadron Collider. This new tracking system will be an all-silicon detector consisting of silicon pixel sensors in the inner most layers and silicon micro-strips sensors in the outer layers. A central barrel section surrounds the interaction point and two end-cap sections cover the forward regions. This contribution focuses on the results of the system tests for the ITk strips detector in which several close-to-final detector components are evaluated before production. The barrel system tests structure at CERN consists of up to eight staves, while for the end-caps a structure at DESY is loaded with up to twelve petals. Staves (petals) consist of core structures loaded with square (trapezoid) shaped sensors of various lengths and strip pitches, and include readout and power electronics mounted on top of the sensors. Objects are mechanically held in place in a support structure and connected to the electrical, optical and cooling services as true as possible to the final system. With these setups, it is possible to validate the detector design, including the verification of the detector data acquisition, powering and cooling. This article gives an overview of the system tests and summarizes their current status by showing a selection of test results.

Distect: automatic sample-position tracking for X-ray experiments using computer vision algorithms.

Soft X-ray spectroscopy is an important technique for measuring the fundamental properties of materials. However, for measurements of samples in the sub-millimetre range, many experimental setups show limitations. Position drifts on the order of hundreds of micrometres during thermal stabilization of the system can last for hours of expensive beam time. To compensate for drifts, sample tracking and feedback systems must be used. However, in complex sample environments where sample access is very limited, many existing solutions cannot be applied. In this work, we apply a robust computer vision algorithm to automatically track and readjust the sample position in the dozens of micrometres range. Our approach is applied in a complex sample environment, where the sample is in an ultra-high vacuum chamber, surrounded by cooled thermal shields to reach sample temperatures down to 2.5 K and in the center ofa superconducting split coil. Our implementation allows sample-position tracking and adjustment in the vertical direction since this is the dimension where drifts occur during sample temperature change in our setup. The approach can be easily extended to 2D. The algorithm enables a factor of ten improvement in the overlap of a series of X-ray absorption spectra in a sample with a vertical size down to 70 µm. This solution can be used in a variety of experimental stations, where optical access is available and sample access by other means is reduced.

The gas-sensing mechanism of Nb2C monolayer for SF6 decomposition based on the DFT study

Abstract In addressing malfunctions in gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) systems, it is imperative to have a real-time tracking system for SF6 decomposition products to guarantee the safety and reliability of the equipment's operation. Although a variety of gas detection technologies are currently available on the market, low-power gas detection devices for SF6 decomposition products are still in the development stage, and technological advances in this area are of great significance for improving the reliability of GIS systems. Based on the density functional theory (DFT), the Nb2C crystal surface structure was established and six adsorption structures of SO2, H2S, SOF2, SO2F2, HF and CO gas molecules on Nb2C crystal surface were constructed by geometrical optimization in this paper. The gas-sensitive properties of each adsorption system were explored in terms of adsorption energy, charge transfer, electron density, density of states and recovery time. The results showed that the Nb2C crystal surface was unfit HF and CO gases detection, both of which showed weak physical adsorption; the adsorption energies of SO2, H2S, SOF2, and SO2F2 on the Nb2C crystal surface were -1.846 eV, -1.081 eV, -5.270 eV, and -10.582 eV, respectively, and all of them were strong chemical adsorption. It was further shown by theoretical recovery time calculations that the Nb2C crystal surface can act as SOF2 and SO2F2 gas scavengers, and are able to desorb H2S (4.69 s) and SO2 (2.26 s) gases by appropriately increasing the temperature, but the Nb2C crystal surface is more suitable for use as a low-power gas-sensitive material for H2S gas detection. Therefore, Nb2C is anticipated to be a promising material for high response, low-power consumption and fast recovery for H2S gas detection in SF6 decomposition gas.

Contextual Conversational Intelligence : Leveraging Language Models For College Chatbot By Retrieval Augmented Generation

By harnessing the capabilities of Large Language Models (LLM), the proposed system evolves into a sophisticated conversational agent, capable of understanding nuanced user inputs, providing context-aware responses, and delivering an unparalleled level of engagement. This chatbot is also equipped to assess a student's likelihood of being accepted into a specific program at the college using a machine learning (ML) model. The model analyzes the student's rank and eligible quota (such as reserved categories) in conjunction with historical admission data to gauge their chances of acceptance. It also recommends alternative programs where the student may have a better chance of admission based on their rank. The chatbot also features a smart Applicant Tracking System (ATS) that assists students in evaluating their resumes. This system provides keyword matching suggestions based on job descriptions and generates an overview of the resume. Additionally, it highlights areas for improvement and highlights the resume's distinctiveness. The methodology involves the development and deployment of a website chat bot integrated with Lang Chain, with the potential of advanced language models in transforming website chat bot interactions using Retrieval augmented generation (RAG) technique to ground LLM to generate responses to user queries based on a custom knowledge-base. Key Words: Chatbot, Generative AI, Large Langauge Model, Website, Machine Learning, Retrieval-augmented generation , Web scrapping , Resume , ATS.

Methods for determining scattered solar radiation in order to increase the accuracy of forecasting hourly electricity generation by solar power plants

Relevance. А simple and up-to-date methodology is needed to assess the potential of electricity that can be obtained from solar power plants installed in different regions. The difficulty in assessing the potential of solar energy lies in the presence of some factors that affect electricity generation and depend on random events. Such factors include, first of all, the sky clarity, the direction of photovoltaic panels strictly to the Sun, dustiness, and ambient temperature. The literature uses different approaches to assess the potential of solar energy. This paper presents a methodology for evaluating the generation of electricity by a solar panel having a continuous solar tracking system, taking into account the dustiness and temperature of photovoltaic panels. The technique has been tested on an existing physical model. Aim. To study the existing methods for assessing the potential of solar energy and to select the most suitable ones for the central part of Russia. Object. Solar power plants. Methods. Empirical and analytical methods. Using data obtained from an operating solar station, the adequacy of the proposed methodology was assessed. Results. The selected methods take into account the hourly sky clarity index, which made it possible, with sufficient accuracy for engineering techniques, to determine the daily power generation of a solar station with different angles of inclination of solar panels. This will improve the accuracy of estimating the potential of electricity generated by solar power plants, both with stationary photovoltaic panels and with solar tracking systems. Based on the conducted computational experiments and the analysis of data obtained from an operating solar station, the authors concluded that the technique presented in this paper allows us to determine with high enough accuracy the potential of electricity that can be produced in Russia by solar stations.

Transforming animal tracking frameworks using wireless sensors and machine learning algorithms

Conventional animal tracking systems such as physical human observation, animal ear tagging or notching raises serious concerns over the observation and animal handling techniques that may sometimes cause stress and disruptions to animal ecology. Wireless sensor networks on the other hand hold real promise for animal tracking due to their accuracy, scalability, and ethical consideration frameworks involved. To test machine learning algorithms in a wireless sensor framework, a simulation was carried out to illustrate the behavior of a Wireless sensor network to draw conclusions. Advanced data algorithms and Python features was adopted to emulate the behavior of a wireless sensor network from cattle datasets sourced from the repository of Ireland’s government Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine which contains 3,503 records of cattle in various areas in Europe. The capacities of different algorithms for location estimation and assessment of performance were also analyzed and the results demonstrates great potentials of a WSN for efficiency in farm monitoring, where parameters such as location and sensor accuracy can be monitored in real time.

Experimental study on the synchronization mechanism and trigger characteristic density of vertical evacuation in crowds.

Due to simultaneous horizontal and vertical displacement during vertical evacuation, the consequences of stampede congestion accidents can be more severe. Generally, pedestrians trigger a synchronization mechanism at some point during the vertical evacuation process. This synchronization behavior helps prevent stampede congestion and improves evacuation efficiency. This paper designs a well-controlled single-file vertical evacuation experiment. After the experiment, the video footage is imported into the TRACKER system to extract the coordinates of pedestrian step movements, after which the experimental data undergo calculations and visual analysis. The research findings indicate the following: Firstly, when the crowd coordinates trigger the synchronization mechanism, this behavior remains stable as long as pedestrian speed and direction are unchanged; Secondly, the variation in footstep speed over time is not directly related to the footstep synchronization rate of the crowd; Lastly, this study calculated the characteristic density value most likely to trigger the synchronization mechanism during vertical evacuation. This research deepens our understanding of crowd dynamics, reveals the characteristics of pedestrian movement during vertical evacuation, and proposes evacuation guidance strategies based on these features.