Engineering Commons^™

Beluga Whale Vocalizations, Michael T. Johnson

Dr. Dolittle Project: A Framework for Classification and Understanding of Animal Vocalizations

Sound files:

A Chirp; A Whistle ; B Chirp; B Whistle: Buzz; C Whistle; CH6 A Chirp; D Whistle; Down Warble; Down Whistle; E Whistle; Voca

African Elephant Vocalizations, Michael T. Johnson

Dr. Dolittle Project: A Framework for Classification and Understanding of Animal Vocalizations

Sound files:

Croak ; Rumble ; Rev ; Snort ; Trumpet

Depleted Energy Charge And Increased Pulmonary Endothelial Permeability Induced By Mitochondrial Complex I Inhibition Are Mitigated By Coenzyme Q1 In The Isolated Perfused Rat Lung, Robert D. Bongard, Ke Yan, Raymond G. Hoffmann, Said H. Audi, Xiao Zhang, Brian J. Lindemer, Mary I. Townsley, Marilyn P. Merker

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Mitochondrial dysfunction is associated with various forms of lung injury and disease that also involve alterations in pulmonary endothelial permeability, but the relationship, if any, between the two is not well understood. This question was addressed by perfusing isolated intact rat lung with a buffered physiological saline solution in the absence or presence of the mitochondrial complex I inhibitor rotenone (20 μM). Compared to control, rotenone depressed whole lung tissue ATP from 5.66±0.46 (SEM) to 2.34±0.15 µmol·g⁻¹ dry lung, with concomitant increases in the ADP:ATP and AMP:ATP ratios. Rotenone also increased lung perfusate lactate (from 12.36±1.64 to 38.62±3.14 µmol·15 …

Exploiting Contextual Information For Prosodic Event Detection Using Auto-Context, Junhong Zhao, Wei-Qiang Zhang, Hua Yang, Michael T. Johnson, Jia Liu, Shanhong Xia

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Prosody and prosodic boundaries carry significant information regarding linguistics and paralinguistics and are important aspects of speech. In the field of prosodic event detection, many local acoustic features have been investigated; however, contextual information has not yet been thoroughly exploited. The most difficult aspect of this lies in learning the long-distance contextual dependencies effectively and efficiently. To address this problem, we introduce the use of an algorithm called auto-context. In this algorithm, a classifier is first trained based on a set of local acoustic features, after which the generated probabilities are used along with the local features as contextual information …

The Effects Of Gantry Tilt On Breast Dose And Image Noise In Cardiac Ct, Michael Hoppe, Diksha Gandhi, Grant Stevens, Dennis Foley, Taly Gilat-Schmidt

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Purpose:

This study investigated the effects of tilted-gantry acquisition on image noise and glandular breast dose in females during cardiac computed tomography (CT) scans. Reducing the dose to glandular breast tissue is important due to its high radiosensitivity and limited diagnostic significance in cardiac CT scans.

Methods:

Tilted-gantry acquisition was investigated through computer simulations and experimental measurements. Upon IRB approval, eight voxelized phantoms were constructed from previously acquired cardiac CT datasets. Monte Carlo simulations quantified the dose deposited in glandular breast tissue over a range of tilt angles. The effects of tilted-gantry acquisition on breast dose were measured on a …

Finite Element Analysis Of Frp Debonding Failure At The Tip Of Flexural/Shear Crack In Concrete Beam, Tayyebeh Mohammadi, Baolin Wan, Kent Harries

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

One of the most common failure modes of strengthened RC beams with externally bonded FRP is intermediate crack (IC) debonding of FRP initiated at the tip of flexural/shear cracks. This study presents a method, using extended finite element method (XFEM), to model IC debonding in an FRP-strengthened concrete beam. In XFEM, as soon as a damage initiation criterion is reached in an element, additional degrees of element freedom are added to model crack initiation. Crack propagation is then modeled using fracture energy criterion. This method can be used to simulate debonding failure along an arbitrary, solution-dependent path without the requirement …

Heavy Vehicle Performance During Recovery From Forced-Flow Urban Freeway Conditions Due To Incidents, Work Zones And Recurring Congestion, Alexander Drakopoulos, Yue Liu, Alan Horowitz

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Information contained in the Highway Capacity Manual on the influence heavy vehicles have on freeway traffic operations has been based on few field data collection efforts and relied mostly on traffic simulation efforts. In the 2010 Manual heavy vehicle impact is evaluated based on “passenger car equivalent” values for buses, recreational vehicles and trucks. These values were calibrated for relatively uncongested freeway conditions (levels of service A through C) since inadequate field data on heavy vehicle behavior under congested conditions were available. A number of field data collection efforts, that were not included in deriving the passenger car equivalent values …

Calculation Of Magnet Losses In Concentrated-Winding Permanent-Magnet Synchronous Machines Using A Computationally Efficient Finite-Element Method, Peng Zhang, Gennadi Y. Sizov, Jiangbiao He, Dan M. Ionel, Nabeel Demerdash

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

The proposed hybrid method combines computationally efficient finite-element analysis (CE-FEA) with a new analytical formulation for eddy-current losses in the permanent magnets (PMs) of sine-wave current-regulated brushless synchronous motors. The CE-FEA only employs a reduced set of magnetostatic solutions yielding substantial reductions in the computational time, as compared with the conventional FEA. The 3-D end effects and the effect of pulsewidth-modulation switching harmonics are incorporated in the analytical calculations. The algorithms are applied to two fractional-slot concentrated-winding interior PM motors with different circumferential and axial PM block segmentation arrangements. The method is validated against 2-D and 3-D time-stepping FEA.

Timoshenko Beam Effects In Lateral-Mode Microcantilever-Based Sensors In Liquids, Joshua A. Schultz, Stephen M. Heinrich, Fabien Josse, Nicholas J. Nigro, Isabelle Dufour, Luke A. Beardslee, Oliver Brand

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Recent experimental and analytical research has shown that higher in-fluid quality factors (Q) are achieved by actuating microcantilevers in the lateral flexural mode, especially for microcantilevers having larger width-to-length ratios. However, experimental results show that for these geometries the resonant characteristics predicted by the existing analytical models differ from the measurements. A recently developed analytical model to more accurately predict the resonant behaviour of these devices in viscous fluids is described. The model incorporates viscous fluid effects via a Stokes-type fluid resistance assumption and `Timoshenko beam' effects (shear deformation and rotatory inertia). Unlike predictions based on Euler-Bernoulli beam …

Conditional Spectrum-Based Ground Motion Selection. Part I: Hazard Consistency For Risk-Based Assessments, Ting Lin, Curt B. Haselton, Jack W. Baker

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

The conditional spectrum (CS, with mean and variability) is a target response spectrum that links nonlinear dynamic analysis back to probabilistic seismic hazard analysis for ground motion selection. The CS is computed on the basis of a specified conditioning period, whereas structures under consideration may be sensitive to response spectral amplitudes at multiple periods of excitation. Questions remain regarding the appropriate choice of conditioning period when utilizing the CS as the target spectrum. This paper focuses on risk-based assessments, which estimate the annual rate of exceeding a specified structural response amplitude. Seismic hazard analysis, ground motion selection, and nonlinear dynamic …

Conditional Spectrum-Based Ground Motion Selection. Part Ii: Intensity-Based Assessments And Evaluation Of Alternative Target Spectra, Ting Lin, Curt B. Haselton, Jack W. Baker

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

In a companion paper, an overview and problem definition was presented for ground motion selection on the basis of the conditional spectrum (CS), to perform risk-based assessments (which estimate the annual rate of exceeding a specified structural response amplitude) for a 20-story reinforced concrete frame structure. Here, the methodology is repeated for intensity-based assessments (which estimate structural response for ground motions with a specified intensity level) to determine the effect of conditioning period. Additionally, intensity-based and risk-based assessments are evaluated for two other possible target spectra, specifically the uniform hazard spectrum (UHS) and the conditional mean spectrum (CMS, without variability).It …

Microelectromechanical Systems (Mems) Resistive Heaters As Circuit Protection Devices, Ronald A. Coutu Jr., Scott A. Ostrow

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

With increased opportunities for the exploitation (i.e., reverse engineering) of vulnerable electronic components and systems, circuit protection has become a critical issue. Circuit protection techniques are generally software-based and include cryptography (encryption/decryption), obfuscation of codes, and software guards. Examples of hardware-based circuit protection include protective coatings on integrated circuits, trusted foundries, and macro-sized components that self-destruct, thus destroying critical components. This paper is the first to investigate the use of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) to provide hardware-based protection of critical electronic components to prevent reverse engineering or other exploitation attempts. Specifically, surface-micromachined polycrystalline silicon to be used as meandering resistive heaters …

Characterization Of Two-Dimensional Oculomotor Control During Goal-Directed Eye Movements In Humans, Vincent Dang

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Oculomotor control is a subset of sensorimotor control that allows humans to make extremely accurate eye movements for ADL. Impairments to oculomotor control can increase the impact of sensorimotor control deficits, especially in neurodegenerative diseases such as MS. Here, a two-dimensional computational control system of saccades and smooth-pursuit eye movements was compiled from literature to systematically characterize oculomotor control in eight visually-healthy humans as a precursor to studying the relationship between oculomotor and sensorimotor control in patient populations. Subjects visually tracked a single dot on a 41 x 30.5 cm monitor in a dark room while eye positions were recorded …

Supraspinal Control Of Unilateral Locomotor Performance: An Fmri Study Using A Custom Pedaling Device, Brett Arand

Master's Theses (2009 -)

This study aimed to develop a novel unilateral pedaling device, validate its function, and use it in an fMRI study of bilateral vs. unilateral locomotor control. The new device is MRI compatible and allows for conventional coupled bilateral pedaling, along with decoupled unilateral pedaling. It was designed with an assistance mechanism to simulate the presence of the non-contributing leg while pedaling unilaterally. During coupled bilateral pedaling, the two legs work in unison: while one leg is extending in the downstroke, it provides support to lift the other leg back up as it is flexing in the upstroke. The device uses …

Quantification Of Local Hemodynamic Alterations Caused By Virtual Implantation Of Three Commercially-Available Stents For The Treatment Of Aortic Coarctation, Sung Kwon

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Patients with coarctation of the aorta (CoA) are prone to morbidity including atherosclerotic plaque that has been shown to correlate with altered wall shear stress (WSS) in the descending thoracic aorta (dAo). We created the first patient-specific computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model of a CoA patient treated by Palmaz stenting, and compared resulting WSS distributions to those from virtual implantation of the NumedCP and GenesisXD stents also commonly used for CoA. CFD models were created from magnetic resonance, fluoroscopy and blood pressure (BP) data. Simulations incorporated vessel deformation, downstream vascular resistance and compliance to match measured data and generate blood …

An Investigation Of Phase-Change Effects During Rapid Compression Machine Experiments, Colin Banyon

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Rapid compression machines (RCMs) are well characterized laboratory scale devices capable of achieving internal combustion (IC) engine relevant thermodynamic environments. These machines are often used to collect ignition delay times as targets for gas-phase chemical kinetic fuel autoigntion models. Modern RCMs utilize creviced piston(s) to improve charge homogeneity and allow for an adequate validation of detailed chemistry mechanisms against experiments using computationally efficient, homogeneous reactor models (HRMs). Conventionally, experiments are preformed by introducing a premixed gas of fuel + oxidizer + diluent into the machine, which is compressed volumetrically via a piston. Experiments investigating low-vapor pressure fuels (e.g. diesels, biodiesels, …

Numerical Simulation Model On Irreversibility Of Shock-Wave Process, Longhao Huang

Master's Theses (2009 -)

The objective of this research is to develop a better understanding of the irreversibilities associated with the shock compaction of matter, especially as a result of impact. Due to complex shock processes, experimentation alone cannot fix the material state, since properties such as internal energy, entropy as well as the shock process are not measurable. Thus, in addition to experimentation, analytical and numerical methods are also used to completely characterize the shock process, although they are restricted by underlying constitutive assumptions. Instead of using artificial irreversibility, such as artificial viscosity to simplify and stabilize the numeric shock model, this work …

Automation Of Energy Demand Forecasting, Sanzad Siddique

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Automation of energy demand forecasting saves time and effort by searching automatically for an appropriate model in a candidate model space without manual intervention. This thesis introduces a search-based approach that improves the performance of the model searching process for econometrics models. Further improvements in the accuracy of the energy demand forecasting are achieved by integrating nonlinear transformations within the models. This thesis introduces machine learning techniques that are capable of modeling such nonlinearity. Algorithms for learning domain knowledge from time series data using the machine learning methods are also presented. The novel search based approach and the machine learning …

Anaerobic Co-Digestion Planning And Research For Green Bay, Wi, Jonathan Kusowski

Master's Theses (2009 -)

The aspiration to find an alternative sustainable fuel source is an ever growing concern. Anaerobic digestion might hold the answer to finding an alternative sustainable energy source. Anaerobic digestion does not only provide a renewable resource in the form of biogas, but also stabilizes wastes, preventing large amounts from being landfilled or incinerated. Anaerobic digestion of municipal wastewater sludges can often be improved by the addition of high strength industrial wastes, in a process called co-digestion. High strength industrial wastes provide an additional carbon source for the microbes to utilize and convert into usable biogas. Co-digestion also offers the opportunity …

Comparison Of Three Space Vector Pwm Methods For A Three-Level Inverter With A Permanent Magnet Machine Load, Alia Rebecca Strandt

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Much work exists on multilevel space vector pulse width modulation (PWM) to drive induction machines, in which the rotor currents are induced by stator rotating field effects. However, there are few investigations that analyze these modulation methods applied to permanent magnet (PM) and wound-field synchronous machines, in which the rotor induces a back emf in the stator. In this thesis, three different three-level space vector PWM switching sequences are applied to a three-level neutral-point-clamped (NP) inverter driving an internal permanent magnet (IPM) machine load. The inherent qualities of each of the switching sequences when under the influence of a forcing …

Developing Mhealth Solutions For Natural Family Planning, Md Miftah Uddin

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Natural Family Planning (NFP) is a method to help couples determine the fertile and infertile times of a woman’s menstrual cycle with natural indicators of fertility. NFP methods have advantages over other methods of family planning. Proper use of NFP methods also ensures high effectiveness (close to 98%) in helping couples avoid pregnancy. However, very few physicians prescribe NFP to their patients due to lack of credibility to the fertility methods and lack of access to NFP knowledge. The Marquette University College of Nursing Institute for Natural Family Planning has been researching for many years to increase knowledge and efficiency …

Effects Of Bit Type On Maximum Torque And Axial Force Using Manual Screwdrivers, Mark Hickok

Master's Theses (2009 -)

The screwdriver is a tool that has been among the most widely used hand tools for decades and continues to be used in the workplace to perform a variety of fastening tasks. Advancements in fastener technology have been complemented by the development of new types of screwdriver bits. While designs may vary, so do the force application requirements placed on the tool user. The primary objective of this experiment is to analyze the relationship between user torque and screwdriver bit design. A further objective is to utilize the results to develop an effort metric by which bits of different designs …

Admittance Selection For Force Guided Assembly With Optimal Motion, Fernando Rodriguez Anton

Master's Theses (2009 -)

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Current robots lack the precise relative positioning necessary to complete automatic assembly tasks. Several solutions have been proposed. Some approaches use complex vision and force sensing systems to generate corrective motion if misalignment is present in the assembly task. Other solutions rely on generating elastic behavior, known as compliance, between the end eector and the held movable part. This compliant mechanism helps guide the movable part of the assembly into its proper position. The project focuses on designing a process by which passive compliant systems can achieve successful assembly for a range of misalignment and generate error-reducing motion that …

Ion Exchange Nutrient Recovery From Municipal Wastewater, Allen Williams

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Nitrogen and phosphorus discharge is regulated due to eutrophication. Typically ammonium-nitrogen is removed through nitrification which requires energy and phosphorus (P) is removed by metal salt addition to precipitate P. A more sustainable approach may be to implement nutrient recovery to form fertilizers. Most nitrogen fertilizer is formed through the energy intensive Haber-Bosch process. Phosphate rock, a limited resource, is mined for P fertilizer. Discharge regulations and the fertilizer production costs provide an economic driver for recovery. The current project used anionic and cationic ion exchange (IX) to concentrate the nutrients with recovery by struvite precipitation. Previous work lacks direct …

Applying An Improved Mrps-Gmm Method To Detect Temporal Patterns In Dynamic Data System, Shaobo Wang

Master's Theses (2009 -)

The purpose of this thesis is to introduce an improved approach for the temporal pattern detection, which is based on the Multivariate Reconstructed Phase Space (MRPS) and the Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM), to overcome the disadvantage caused by the diversity of shapes among different temporal patterns in multiple nonlinear time series. Moreover, this thesis presents an applicable software program developed with MATLAB for users to utilize this approach. A major study involving dynamic data systems is to understand the correspondence between events of interest and predictive temporal patterns in the output observations, which can be used to develop a mechanism …

Characterization Of Stator Winding Short-Circuit Faults In Interior Permanent-Magnet Motor-Drive Systems, Andrew Strandt

Master's Theses (2009 -)

This thesis contains a comprehensive analysis of experimental data collected from a case-study interior permanent-magnet electric machine experiencing winding short-circuit faults of varying severity. The experimental data collected from the faulted machine is from both motoring operation energized by a PWM sensorless ac drive as well as generating operation driven by the test bed dynamometer with a resistive winding load. For both modes of operation a complete set of three-phase voltage and current signals was recorded and analyzed. The three fault diagnosis techniques applied and compared regarding their ability to diagnose and prognosticate a winding fault in an interior permanent-magnet …

Slow Potentials Of The Sensorimotor Cortex During Rhythmic Movements Of The Ankle, Ryan J. Mckindles

Dissertations (1934 -)

The objective of this dissertation was to more fully understand the role of the human brain in the production of lower extremity rhythmic movements. Throughout the last century, evidence from animal models has demonstrated that spinal reflexes and networks alone are sufficient to propagate ambulation. However, observations after neural trauma, such as a spinal cord injury, demonstrate that humans require supraspinal drive to facilitate locomotion. To investigate the unique nature of lower extremity rhythmic movements, electroencephalography was used to record neural signals from the sensorimotor cortex during three cyclic ankle movement experiments. First, we characterized the differences in slow movement-related …

Design Synthesis And Optimization Of Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machines Based On Computationally-Efficient Finite Element Analysis, Gennadi Sizov

Dissertations (1934 -)

In this dissertation, a model-based multi-objective optimal design of permanent magnet ac machines, supplied by sine-wave current regulated drives, is developed and implemented. The design procedure uses an efficient electromagnetic finite element-based solver to accurately model nonlinear material properties and complex geometric shapes associated with magnetic circuit design. Application of an electromagnetic finite element-based solver allows for accurate computation in intricate performance parameters and characteristics. The first contribution of this dissertation is the development of a rapid computational method that allows accurate and efficient exploration of large multi-dimensional design spaces in search of optimum design(s). The computationally efficient finite element-based …

Theoretical Analysis Of Laterally Vibrating Hammerhead Microcantilever Sensors In A Viscous Liquid, Jinjin Zhang

Dissertations (1934 -)

Dynamically driven prismatic microcantilevers excited in the in-plane flexural mode have been investigated and used in liquid-phase sensing applications. However, the performance is restricted due to their limited surface sensing area and higher stiffness in shorter and wider prismatic microcantilevers. To increase the surface sensing area, and further improve sensing characteristics, it has been proposed to investigate symmetric hammerhead microcantilevers vibrating laterally in viscous liquid media. In this work, a theoretical model is proposed and the characteristics of the microcantilevers with symmetric shaped hammerheads (isosceles trapezoid, semi-circle, uniform rectangle and composite rectangle) are investigated. In the analysis, the stem of …

Effect Of Tilt Sensor Versus Heel Loading On Neuroprosthesis Stimulation Reliability And Timing For Individuals Post-Stroke During Level And Non- Level Treadmill Walking, M. Barbara Silver-Thorn

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Study background: Non-level walking may adversely affect stimulation of neuroprostheses as initial programming is performed during level walking. The objectives of this study were to assess stimulation reliability of tilt and heel sensor-based neuroprosthesis stimulation during level and non-level walking, examine stimulation initiation and termination timing during level and non-level walking, and determine whether heel or tilt sensor-based stimulation control is more robust for non-level ambulation. Methods: Eight post-stroke individuals with drop foot who were able to actively ambulate within the community were selected for participation. Each subject acclimated to the neuroprosthesis and walked on a treadmill randomly positioned in …