Business Commons^™

New Gripping And Binding Device Greatly Improves Preparation Of Natural Clasts For Rfid Tracking, Samuel Slaven, Isaac Slaven, Alison M. Anders

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Radio frequency identification technology (RFID) has allowed for tracking of individual clasts implanted with passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags through sedimentary systems, providing recovery rates much higher than older sediment tagging methods such as painted or magnetic clasts. However, preparation of natural clasts for PIT tag implantation has been time-consuming and dangerous with rates of catastrophic failure of clasts of ∼66% or more. Moreover, failure rates increase as clast size decreases. The authors present an improved methodology that provides nearly 100% success rates and allows for drilling of clasts down to 23 mm along the intermediate diameter. The gripping and …

New Gripping And Binding Device Greatly Improves Preparation Of Natural Clasts For Rfid Tracking, Samuel Slaven, Isaac Slaven, Alison Anders

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Radio frequency identification technology (RFID) has allowed for tracking of individual clasts implanted with passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags through sedimentary systems, providing recovery rates much higher than older sediment tagging methods such as painted or magnetic clasts. However, preparation of natural clasts for PIT tag implantation has been time-consuming and dangerous with rates of catastrophic failure of clasts of ∼66% or more. Moreover, failure rates increase as clast size decreases. The authors present an improved methodology that provides nearly 100% success rates and allows for drilling of clasts down to 23 mm along the intermediate diameter. The gripping and …

Methodology For Evaluating Statistical Equivalence In Face Recognition Using Live Subjects With Dissimilar Skin Tones, Rigoberto Chinchilla

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

The general purpose of this study is to propose a methodology that can be employed in the application of facial recognition systems (FRS) to determine if a statistically significant difference exists in a facial recognition system’s ability to match two dissimilar skin tone populations to their enrolled images. A particular objective is to test the face recognition system’s ability to recognize dark or light skin tone subjects. In addition to the direct comparison of results from two different populations, this study uses a Box Behnken Design to examine four factors commonly effecting facial recognition systems. Four factors were tested, the …

Libraries And Total Quality: Making The Patron A Partner, Todd Bruns, Rendong Bai

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Libraries began to see service competition for the first time in the 1990s, due to the Internet and Google. The necessity of being more customer-focused became apparent, and this resulted in the creation of LibQUAL+, a tool developed to quantitatively measure the quality of customer service (Saunders, 2007). While LibQUAL+ serves as a first step toward increasing quality and value for patrons, library commitment to responding to survey results is essential.

Although LibQUAL+ has been used by a wide range of libraries, this paper focuses on the use of LibQUAL+ by academic libraries, using two university libraries (Vanderbilt University and …

Getting A Good Read, Todd Bruns, Rendong Bai

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Libraries began to see service competition for the first time in the 1990s, due to the Internet and Google. The necessity of being more customer-focused became apparent, and this resulted in the creation of LibQUAL+, a tool developed to quantitatively measure the quality of customer service (Saunders, 2007). While LibQUAL+ serves as a first step toward increasing quality and value for patrons, library commitment to responding to survey results is essential.Although LibQUAL+ has been used by a wide range of libraries, this paper focuses on the use of LibQUAL+ by academic libraries, using two university libraries (Vanderbilt University and the …

Getting A Good Read, Todd Bruns, Rendong Bai

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Libraries began to see service competition for the first time in the 1990s, due to the Internet and Google. The necessity of being more customer-focused became apparent, and this resulted in the creation of LibQUAL+, a tool developed to quantitatively measure the quality of customer service (Saunders, 2007). While LibQUAL+ serves as a first step toward increasing quality and value for patrons, library commitment to responding to survey results is essential.

Although LibQUAL+ has been used by a wide range of libraries, this paper focuses on the use of LibQUAL+ by academic libraries, using two university libraries (Vanderbilt University and …

Methodology For Evaluating Statistical Equivalence In Face Recognition Using Live Subjects With Dissimilar Skin Tones, Rigoberto Chinchilla

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

The general purpose of this study is to propose a methodology that can be employed in the application of facial recognition systems (FRS) to determine if a statistically significant difference exists in a facial recognition system’s ability to match two dissimilar skin tone populations to their enrolled images. A particular objective is to test the face recognition system’s ability to recognize dark or light skin tone subjects. In addition to the direct comparison of results from two different populations, this study uses a Box Behnken Design to examine four factors commonly effecting facial recognition systems. Four factors were tested, the …

Collaboration Between Private Sector And Academia: Arewe Compromising Our Engineering Programs?, Rigoberto Chinchilla

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

A central theme in the past ASEE Main Plenary in San Antonio, Texas, was the need to prepare our students for an “effective industrial practice.” Most panelists stressed the fact that “nowadays companies do not want to spend too much in training.” The direct implication at the end of the plenary was that academia was somehow “obligated” to supply engineers with the “right skills” for these companies. With the increased pressure in cost saving, according to the panelists in the plenary, the private sector has suggested that academia has to build a curriculum “ad-hoc” so they can hire “good engineers” …

Collaboration Between Private Sector And Academia: Arewe Compromising Our Engineering Programs?, Rigoberto Chinchilla

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

A central theme in the past ASEE Main Plenary in San Antonio, Texas, was the need to prepare our students for an “effective industrial practice.” Most panelists stressed the fact that “nowadays companies do not want to spend too much in training.” The direct implication at the end of the plenary was that academia was somehow “obligated” to supply engineers with the “right skills” for these companies. With the increased pressure in cost saving, according to the panelists in the plenary, the private sector has suggested that academia has to build a curriculum “ad-hoc” so they can hire “good engineers” …

Performance Modeling Of Distributed Collaboration Services With Independent Inputs/Outputs, Toqeer A. Israr, Gregor V. Bochmann

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

This paper deals with modeling and performance analysis of dis-tributed applications, service compositions and workflow systems. From the functional perspective, the distributed application is modeled as an activity in-volving several roles, where behavior is defined in terms of compositions from several sub-activities using the standard sequencing operators found in UML Activity Diagrams. Each activity is characterized by a certain number of input and output events, and the performance of the activity is defined by the mini-mum delays that apply for a given output event in respect to each input event. We use a partial order to model these events, whose …

Book Review: The Cybrarian's Web: An A-Z Guide To 101 Free Web 2.0 Tools And Other Resources, Todd Bruns

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

No abstract provided.

Book Review: The Cybrarian's Web: An A-Z Guide To 101 Free Web 2.0 Tools And Other Resources, Todd Bruns

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

No abstract provided.

Book Review: The Cybrarian's Web: An A-Z Guide To 101 Free Web 2.0 Tools And Other Resources, Todd Bruns

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

No abstract provided.

Leader, Supervisor, Facilitator: Applying Technology Management Techniques To Repository Management, Todd Bruns

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Managing a repository can mean wearing a number of different management "hats": Leading the vision of the repository, supervising support staff effectively, and facilitating department and faculty content contributions. This presentation focuses on techniques from the field of technology management, including Total Quality Management, the Five Factor Model of Leadership, Facilitation Skills, and Motivational Theories of Supervision. We will introduce these theories and focus our discussions on sharing best practices for managing repository workflows and staffing.

Book Review: Open Source Web Applications For Libraries, Todd Bruns

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

No abstract provided.

Book Review: Open Source Web Applications For Libraries, Todd Bruns

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

No abstract provided.

The Impact Of Three Interfaces For 360-Degree Video On Spatial Cognition, Wutthigrai Boonsuk, Stephen Gilbert, Jonathan Kelly

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

In this paper, we describe an experiment designed to evaluate the effectiveness of three interfaces for surveillance or remote control using live 360-degree video feeds from a person or vehicle in the field. Video feeds are simulated using a game engine. While locating targets within a 3D terrain using a 2D 360-degree interface, participants indicated perceived egocentric directions to targets and later placed targets on an overhead view of the terrain. Interfaces were compared based on target finding and map placement performance. Results suggest 1) nonseamless interfaces with visual boundaries facilitate spatial understanding, 2) correct perception of self-to-object relationships is …

The Impact Of Three Interfaces For 360-Degree Video On Spatial Cognition, Wutthigrai Boonsuk, Stephen B. Gilbert, Jonathan W. Kelly

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

In this paper, we describe an experiment designed to evaluate the effectiveness of three interfaces for surveillance or remote control using live 360-degree video feeds from a person or vehicle in the field. Video feeds are simulated using a game engine. While locating targets within a 3D terrain using a 2D 360-degree interface, participants indicated perceived egocentric directions to targets and later placed targets on an overhead view of the terrain. Interfaces were compared based on target finding and map placement performance. Results suggest 1) nonseamless interfaces with visual boundaries facilitate spatial understanding, 2) correct perception of self-to-object relationships is …

Wind Turbine Safety: Developing A Technician Training Course, Isaac Slaven, Ed Dennis

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

This article examines the development of a safety course for prospective wind technicians. The goal was to increase student interest in safety topics related to the wind turbine industry and to maintain the material within the OSHA-10 topics guidelines.

Wind Turbine Safety: Developing A Technician Training Course, Isaac Slaven, Ed Dennis

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

This article examines the development of a safety course for prospective wind technicians. The goal was to increase student interest in safety topics related to the wind turbine industry and to maintain the material within the OSHA-10 topics guidelines.

One Year In - Top Downloads Of Documents From The Keep In The First Year Of The Repository, Todd Bruns

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

This document compiles the total full text downloads of documents in The Keep. The time period covered is the first full year of operation of The Keep, December 2011 through the end of November 2012.

Top 50 Downloads From The Keep (March 1, 2012), Todd Bruns

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

This spreadsheet lists the top 50 downloaded items from The Keep as of March 1, 2012.

Wind Power Technologies: A Need For Research And Development In Improving Vawt’S Airfoil Characteristics, Rigoberto Chinchilla, Samuel Guccione, Joseph Tillman

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Straight bladed fixed pitched vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs) offer several potential advantages over the standard horizontal axis wind turbines which are now in common use worldwide. The purpose of this study was to determine the need for further research and develop on improved airfoil or blade characteristics for use on straight bladed fixed pitched VAWT. This need was demonstrated by the design and construction of an airfoil that was physically modeled and field tested. The test showed that asymmetric airfoils would enable SBVAWTs to self start.

Performance Modeling Of Distributed Collaboration Services, Toqeer A. Israr, Gregor V. Bochmann

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

This paper deals with performance modeling of distributed applications, service compositions and workflow systems. From the functional perspective, the distributed application is modeled as a collaboration involving several roles, and its behavior is defined in terms of a composition from several sub-collaborations using the standard sequencing operators found in UML Activity Diagrams and similar formalisms. For the performance perspective, each collaboration is characterized by a certain number of independent input events and dependent output events, and the performance of the collaboration is defined by the minimum delays that apply for a given output event in respect to each input event …

Clean Energy As A Platform For Interdisciplinary Collaborations Within A Technology-Driven Institution, Douglas Schauer, Isaac Slaven, Glen Robinson

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Using biodiesel production as the centerpiece, the efforts of multiple academic programs were combined to achieve a common objective, thus illustrating the importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration. These programs include Chemical Technology, Sustainable Energy, Automotive Technology, HVAC, Biotechnology, and Agricultural Technology. By participating in the implementation of a closed-loop biodiesel supply chain, students learned the significance of communication and the interdependence of the myriad programs.

Wind Power Technologies: A Need For Research And Development In Improving Vawt’S Airfoil Characteristics, Rigoberto Chinchilla, Samuel Guccione, Joseph Tillman

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Straight bladed fixed pitched vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs) offer several potential advantages over the standard horizontal axis wind turbines which are now in common use worldwide. The purpose of this study was to determine the need for further research and develop on improved airfoil or blade characteristics for use on straight bladed fixed pitched VAWT. This need was demonstrated by the design and construction of an airfoil that was physically modeled and field tested. The test showed that asymmetric airfoils would enable SBVAWTs to self start.

Properties Of Wood Waste Stored For Energy Production, Isaac Slaven, Eva Haviarova, Daniel Cassens

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Storage of wood biomass is not a new concern, but our current focus on using wood for renewable energy has brought it back to researchers’ attention. Since much of the past research done on pile storage relates to paper pulp chips, most of it dates to the 1960s and 1970s. Fiber shortages during that period caused increased interest in higher pulp yields (Zoch, Springer, & Hajny 1976). Further interest in the use of whole trees came about from the energy crisis of the late 1970s. Recent efforts by the government to create a U.S. energy portfolio rich in renewable resources …

Clean Energy As A Platform For Interdisciplinary Collaborations Within A Technology-Driven Institution, Douglas J. Schauer, Isaac Slaven, Glen Robinson

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Using biodiesel production as the centerpiece, the efforts of multiple academic programs were combined to achieve a common objective, thus illustrating the importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration. These programs include Chemical Technology, Sustainable Energy, Automotive Technology, HVAC, Biotechnology, and Agricultural Technology. By participating in the implementation of a closed-loop biodiesel supply chain, students learned the significance of communication and the interdependence of the myriad programs.

Properties Of Wood Waste Stored For Energy Production, Isaac Slaven, Eva Haviarova, Daniel Cassens

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Storage of wood biomass is not a new concern, but our current focus on using wood for renewable energy has brought it back to researchers’ attention. Since much of the past research done on pile storage relates to paper pulp chips, most of it dates to the 1960s and 1970s. Fiber shortages during that period caused increased interest in higher pulp yields (Zoch, Springer, & Hajny 1976). Further interest in the use of whole trees came about from the energy crisis of the late 1970s. Recent efforts by the government to create a U.S. energy portfolio rich in renewable resources …

Automated Fixture Design For A Rapid Machining Process, Wutthigrai Boonsuk, Matthew C. Frank

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Rapid prototyping techniques for CNC machining have been developed in an effort to produce functional prototypes in appropriate materials. One of the major challenges for rapid machining is to develop an automatic fixturing system for securing the part during the machining process. The method proposed in this paper is the use of sacrificial fixturing, similar to the support structures in existing rapid processes like Stereolithography. During the machining process, sacrificial supports emerge incrementally and, at the end of the process, are the only entities connecting the part to the stock material. This paper presents methodologies for the design of sacrificial …