The concepts studied during Offset Stream Technology (OST) test were all designed to produce directional jet noise reduction in a separate flow engine configuration by redirecting the fan stream relative to the core stream, creating a thicker fan flow on one side of the jet. Previous studies, conducted at bypass ratios of five or less showed that lower noise levels would result on the thickened...

This paper reports on various aspects of the Intelligent Vehicle Systems (IVS) team’s involvement in the recent 2007 DARPA Urban Challenge, wherein our platform, the autonomous “XAV-250,” competed as one of the 11 finalists qualifying for the event. We provide a candid discussion of the hardware and software design process that led to our team’s entry, along with lessons learned at this event a...

A taxonomic study was conducted to clarify the relationships of two bacterial populations belonging to the genus Weissella. A total of 39 strains originating mainly from Malaysian foods (22 strains) and clinical samples from humans (9 strains) and animals (6 strains) were analysed using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. The methods included classical phenotyping, whole-cell protein electrophores...

We present a case study in the design of an autonomous robotic software subsystem for managing mission execution and discrete traffic interaction in the 2007 DARPA Urban Challenge. Its role is reviewed in the context of the overall software system that controls “Boss”, Tartan Racing’s winning entry in the competition. Design criteria are presented, followed by the application of design principl...

The idea that somemedical procedures are unnecessary and can do more harm than good is as old as medicine itself. In Mesopotamia 38 centuries ago, Hammurabi proclaimed a law threatening overzealous surgeons with the loss of a hand or an eye. In 1915, at the height of a surgical vogue for prophylactic appendicectomy, Ernest Codman offended his Boston colleagues with a cartoon (figure⇓) mocking t...

In November 2007 the international competition DARPA Urban Challenge took place on the former George Airforce Base in Victorville, California to significantly promote the research and development on autonomously driving vehicles for urban environments. In the final race only eleven out of initially 89 competitors participated and “Boss” from Carnegie Mellon University succeeded. This paper summ...