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Full-Text Articles in Mechanical Engineering
An Evaluation Of A Reduced Bar Spacing Turtle Excluder Device In The U.S Gulf Of Mexico Offshore Shrimp Trawl Fishery, Michel Anthony Nalovic
An Evaluation Of A Reduced Bar Spacing Turtle Excluder Device In The U.S Gulf Of Mexico Offshore Shrimp Trawl Fishery, Michel Anthony Nalovic
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
Shrimp are the most economically valuable internationally-traded seafood commodity, and wild-caught, trawled shrimp make up almost half of the ~6.6 million metric tons of annual global production. Shrimp trawling is responsible for one-third of the world’s total fisheries bycatch, leading many to consider shrimp trawling to be the single most destructive fishing practice in the world. Though the bycatch of large marine animals can be significantly reduced by use of turtle excluder devices (TEDs) on shrimp trawls, current TED designs are ineffective at reducing the capture of smaller organisms which represent a large portion of the total bycatch. To further …
Applications Of Pattern Classification To Time-Domain Signals, Crystal Ann Bertoncini
Applications Of Pattern Classification To Time-Domain Signals, Crystal Ann Bertoncini
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
Many different kinds of physics are used in sensors that produce time-domain signals, such as ultrasonics, acoustics, seismology, and electromagnetics. The waveforms generated by these sensors are used to measure events or detect flaws in applications ranging from industrial to medical and defense-related domains. Interpreting the signals is challenging because of the complicated physics of the interaction of the fields with the materials and structures under study. often the method of interpreting the signal varies by the application, but automatic detection of events in signals is always useful in order to attain results quickly with less human error. One method …
Twine-Top Modifications Of Sea-Scallop Dredges: Reducing Yellowtail-Flounder Bycatch, Kelli A. Milleville
Twine-Top Modifications Of Sea-Scallop Dredges: Reducing Yellowtail-Flounder Bycatch, Kelli A. Milleville
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
No abstract provided.
Parallel Three-Dimensional Acoustic And Elastic Wave Simulation Methods With Applications In Nondestructive Evaluation, Kevin Edward Rudd
Parallel Three-Dimensional Acoustic And Elastic Wave Simulation Methods With Applications In Nondestructive Evaluation, Kevin Edward Rudd
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
In this dissertation, we present two parallelized 3D simulation techniques for three-dimensional acoustic and elastic wave propagation based on the finite integration technique. We demonstrate their usefulness in solving real-world problems with examples in the three very different areas of nondestructive evaluation, medical imaging, and security screening. More precisely, these include concealed weapons detection, periodontal ultrasography, and guided wave inspection of complex piping systems. We have employed these simulation methods to study complex wave phenomena and to develop and test a variety of signal processing and hardware configurations. Simulation results are compared to experimental measurements to confirm the accuracy of …
Sonar Sensor Interpretation For Ectogeneous Robots, Wen Gao
Sonar Sensor Interpretation For Ectogeneous Robots, Wen Gao
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
We have developed four generations of sonar scanning systems to automatically interpret surrounding environment. The first two are stationary 3D air-coupled ultrasound scanning systems and the last two are packaged as sensor heads for mobile robots. Template matching analysis is applied to distinguish simple indoor objects. It is conducted by comparing the tested echo with the reference echoes. Important features are then extracted and drawn in the phase plane. The computer then analyzes them and gives the best choices of the tested echoes automatically. For cylindrical objects outside, an algorithm has been presented to distinguish trees from smooth circular poles …
Evaluating Restored Oyster Reefs In Chesapeake Bay: How Habitat Structure Influences Ecological Function, Janet A. Nestlerode
Evaluating Restored Oyster Reefs In Chesapeake Bay: How Habitat Structure Influences Ecological Function, Janet A. Nestlerode
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
A shortage of shell resources for restoring reefs of the Eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica, has led to widespread use of substitute materials. The effectiveness of such alternative substrates as habitat for reef-associated fauna other than oysters is largely unresolved. I investigated the habitat value of oyster shell, surf clam (Spisula solidissima) shell, and pelletized coal ash reefs for benthic and nektonic communities. Oyster recruitment, survival, and growth were monitored on reefs of oyster and surf clam shell near the mouth of Chesapeake Bay and York River, USA. Oyster shell supported greater oyster growth and survival and offered the highest degree …
Laboratory Oxide Coatings: Physical Form And Surface Chemistry, Kea U. Duckenfield
Laboratory Oxide Coatings: Physical Form And Surface Chemistry, Kea U. Duckenfield
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
The impact of dissolved trace metals on aquatic ecosystems and human health is controlled by sorption, i.e., binding to the surfaces of environmental particles. Since many environmental particles are coated with highly reactive substances, and since discrepancies in trace metal sorption behavior persist between oxides developed in the laboratory and environmental oxide phases, it was hypothesized that the physical form of oxide coatings may influence the chemical properties of the coated particle. Therefore, relationships between the physical forms of several different Fe(III) oxide coatings and the Cu(II) sorption behavior of the coated solids were investigated in comparison with the component …
Theoretical And Experimental Study Of Generation Mechanisms For Laser Ultrasound In Woven Graphite /Epoxy Composites With Translaminar Stitching, Adam D. Friedman
Theoretical And Experimental Study Of Generation Mechanisms For Laser Ultrasound In Woven Graphite /Epoxy Composites With Translaminar Stitching, Adam D. Friedman
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
The aerospace industry is beginning to use advanced composite materials for primary load bearing structures and their failure mechanisms must be better understood to predict their behavior in service. The Combined Loads Tests (COLTS) facility is being constructed at the NASA Langley Research Center to characterize these failure mechanisms. Laser based ultrasonic NDE can monitor the samples during dynamic loading without interfering with the structural tests. However, the constraints of implementing laser ultrasound in a structures laboratory reduces the efficiency of the technique. The system has to be "eye-safe" because many people will be present during the structural tests. Consequently, …
Nitrate Reduction At The Groundwater - Salt Marsh Interface, Craig -1967 Tobias
Nitrate Reduction At The Groundwater - Salt Marsh Interface, Craig -1967 Tobias
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
The influence of groundwater discharge on the hydrology and biogeochemical cycling of nitrogen in a fringing intertidal wetland was studied by characterizing groundwater discharge, determining N-cycling rates in cores, and examining nitrate reduction in situ using 15N enrichment and natural gradient tracer techniques. Groundwater discharge was estimated by three independent methods: Darcy's Law, a water/salt mass balance, and a subsurface tracer test. Seasonal patterns of discharge predicted by Darcy's Law and the mass balance were similar. Discharge maxima and minima occurred in April and September, respectively. The water/salt mass balance provided the more reasonable estimate of groundwater flux at high …
Ecosystem Analysis Of Water Column Processes In The York River Estuary, Virginia: Historical Records, Field Studies And Modeling Analysis, Yongsik Sin
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
Analyses of EPA long-term datasets (1985--1994) combined with field studies and ecosystem model development were used to investigate phytoplankton and nutrient dynamics in the York River estuary. Analysis of the EPA dataset showed that algal blooms occurred during winter-spring followed by smaller summer blooms. Peak phytoplankton biomass during the winter-spring blooms occurred in the mid reach of the mesohaline zone whereas during the summer bloom it occurred in the tidal fresh-mesolialine transition zone. River discharge appears to be the major factor controlling the location and timing of the winter-spring blooms and the relative degree of potential nitrogen (N) and phosphorus …
Propagation Of Rayleigh Waves In Thin Films, Agus A. Ananda
Propagation Of Rayleigh Waves In Thin Films, Agus A. Ananda
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
With the advent of thin film technology and more recently its applications in microelectronics and control of surface properties, the interest in mechanical properties of thin films has grown tremendously. Mechanical defects such as creep, fracture and adhesion loss, play a very important role in physical instabilities of thin film materials. An acoustic microscope has been built to study mechanical properties of thin-films. The microscope operates at a nominal frequency of 50 MHz. Rayleigh surface waves velocities on the surface of film-substrate systems were measured from V(z) curves generated by the acoustic microscope. V(z) curves are produced from interference between …
On-Line System Identification For Control System Applications In Particle Accelerators, Mahesh Chowdhary
On-Line System Identification For Control System Applications In Particle Accelerators, Mahesh Chowdhary
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
Particle accelerators require a number of feedback systems in order to stabilize a variety of parameters. The Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator at Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility presents a unique set of control and identification problems. This accelerator produces a continuous electron beam with energies between 0.5 and 4.0 GeV to be delivered to the experimental halls. In order to meet stringent beam quality requirements specified by the experimental halls, the position and the energy of the electron beam needs to stabilized at various locations in the accelerator.;A number of noise measurement tests were conducted at various locations in the …
Gaseous Flux And Distribution Of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Across The Air-Water Interface Of Southern Chesapeake Bay, Kurt E. Gustafson
Gaseous Flux And Distribution Of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Across The Air-Water Interface Of Southern Chesapeake Bay, Kurt E. Gustafson
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
Gaseous fluxes of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) across the air-water interface of Southern Chesapeake Bay were calculated for the period January 1994 through May 1995 using a modified two-film model. Additionally, the distributions of PAHs between the vapor and aerosol phase in the atmosphere, and between the freely dissolved and suspended particulate phase in the water column were investigated. Net instantaneous gaseous fluxes of PAHs were determined to vary in direction and magnitude both spatially and temporally across the air-water interface of Southern Chesapeake Bay at four sites ranging from remote to urban and highly industrialized. The magnitude of gas …
Impact Of Artificial Reef Associates On Macrobenthic Community Structure In Florida Bay, Heinz Michael Proft
Impact Of Artificial Reef Associates On Macrobenthic Community Structure In Florida Bay, Heinz Michael Proft
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
No abstract provided.
Crassostrea Virginica On Constructed Intertidal Oyster Reefs: The Effects Of Tidal Height And Substrate Level On Settlement, Growth, And Mortality, Ian K. Bartol
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
No abstract provided.
Directional Wave Spectra Using An Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler, William T. Stockhausen
Directional Wave Spectra Using An Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler, William T. Stockhausen
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
No abstract provided.
Dynamics Of Fish Assemblages Associated With An Offshore Artificial Reef In The Southern Mid-Atlantic Bight, Aaron J. Adams
Dynamics Of Fish Assemblages Associated With An Offshore Artificial Reef In The Southern Mid-Atlantic Bight, Aaron J. Adams
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
No abstract provided.
Interspecific And Intraspecific Variability In Placoid Scale Morphology In Relation To Body Form Variability In Squaliformes, Christopher R. Tabit
Interspecific And Intraspecific Variability In Placoid Scale Morphology In Relation To Body Form Variability In Squaliformes, Christopher R. Tabit
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
An ontogenetic series of nine species; Centrophorus granulosus, Centroscymnus coelolepis, Dalatias licha, Deania calcea, Echinorhinus cookei, Isistius brasiliensis, Oxynotus centrina and Squalus acanthias were studied to determine swimming capabilities, boundary-layer flow conditions and placoid scale functional morphologies. Body morphometric variables included the girth and the distance from snout to the orbitals, origin of the median and paired fins, and the caudal peduncle, body and fin surface area, fin aspect ratios and caudal fin angles. Placoid scales were sampled from sixteen regions across the body. Morphometric variables included the number of scales per area of integument, scale crown width, length and …
Beach Forms Induced By Coastal Structures Forming Embayments In Fetch-Limited Environments, Jian Hua Li
Beach Forms Induced By Coastal Structures Forming Embayments In Fetch-Limited Environments, Jian Hua Li
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
No abstract provided.
The Effects Of Shading By Open-Pile Structures On The Density Of Spartina Alterniflora, Heather L. Mcguire
The Effects Of Shading By Open-Pile Structures On The Density Of Spartina Alterniflora, Heather L. Mcguire
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
No abstract provided.
Recommendations For Amelioration Of Legal And Environmental Concerns About Mining Of Deepsea Deposits Of Polymetallic Sulfides, Michael P. De Luca
Recommendations For Amelioration Of Legal And Environmental Concerns About Mining Of Deepsea Deposits Of Polymetallic Sulfides, Michael P. De Luca
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
No abstract provided.
Late Cenozoic Landforms, Stratigraphy And History Of Sea Level Oscillations Of Southeastern Virginia And Northeastern North Carolina, Pamela Crowson Peebles
Late Cenozoic Landforms, Stratigraphy And History Of Sea Level Oscillations Of Southeastern Virginia And Northeastern North Carolina, Pamela Crowson Peebles
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
A depositional model accounting for the stratigraphic sequences which accumulate during a marine transgression across a dissected coastal plain aids in understanding the geologic history of southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina. Application of this model to the Shirley Formation (middle Pleistocene) and the Sedgefield and Lynnhaven members of the Tabb Formation (late Pleistocene) allows delineation of (1) the facies within, (2) the areal extent of, and (3) the landforms associated with these lithostratigraphic units. Facies within each lithostratigraphic unit consist of (1) a vertical succession from local, basal, channel-fill deposits and coarse, basal, lag deposits which grade upward into …