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1995

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Air Force Institute of Technology

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Articles 1 - 30 of 83

Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Probabilistic Knowledge Base Validation, Howard T. Gleason Dec 1995

Probabilistic Knowledge Base Validation, Howard T. Gleason

Theses and Dissertations

Our work develops a new methodology and tool for the validation of probabilistic knowledge bases throughout their lifecycle. The methodology minimizes user interaction by automatically modifying incorrect knowledge; only the occurrence of incomplete knowledge involves interaction. These gains are realized by combining and modifying techniques borrowed from rule-based and artificial neural network validation strategies. The presented methodology is demonstrated through BVAL, which is designed for a new knowledge representation, the Bayesian Knowledge Base. This knowledge representation accommodates incomplete knowledge while remaining firmly grounded in probability theory.

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Neutron Damage In Distributed Bragg Reflectors And Microcavity Lasers, Mark A. Suriano Dec 1995

Neutron Damage In Distributed Bragg Reflectors And Microcavity Lasers, Mark A. Suriano

Theses and Dissertations

Distributed Bragg Reflectors (DBRs) grown on a gallium-arsenide substrate for a solid state mirror and a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) were subjected to a neutron fluence to determine the sensitivity of the DBRs. The samples were irradiated at Ohio State University's 500 kW research reactor. Relative and absolute reflectance measurements were taken before and after each irradiation over a spectral band of 530 880 µm. Relative reflectance measurements showed that the irradiation did not cause any spectral shift over seven decades of neutron fluences. The reflectivity of the DBRs decreased from their initial measurements after being irradiated. The …

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Model Of Chlorocarbon (Cfc-12) Chemisorption On Solid Rocket Motor Alumina Exhaust Particles, Gary E. Lund Dec 1995

Model Of Chlorocarbon (Cfc-12) Chemisorption On Solid Rocket Motor Alumina Exhaust Particles, Gary E. Lund

Theses and Dissertations

Solid Rocket (SRMs) that power Titan IV rockets and Space Shuttles, exhaust large quantities of potentially ozone damaging pollutants directly into the stratosphere, while in powered flight. In the past, studies on potential stratospheric impact of the exhaust products from aluminum/ammonium perchlorate based SRMs have focused on the effect of gaseous HCl from SRMs on the stratosphere. Until recently, the impact of heterogeneous chemistry on stratospheric ozone was believed to be relatively insignificant. This research investigates the potential heterogeneous process of CFC-12 dissociative chemisorption on alumina surfaces and the release of reactive halogen species known to destroy ozone. Through a …

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Design And Analysis Of Parallel Hierarchical Battlefield Simulation, Conrad P. Masshardt Dec 1995

Design And Analysis Of Parallel Hierarchical Battlefield Simulation, Conrad P. Masshardt

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research is to determine if hierarchically partitioning a discrete event battlefield simulation reduces runtime and, if reduction exists, to characterize the run time reduction given any particular partition configuration. A hierarchical discrete event simulation of a main battle tank was constructed. Implementations were built for both a single processor and a multiprocessing machine. The implementations used the Message Passing Interface to increase portability to other parallel and distributed configurations. Three test cases were generated and run on three parallel and distributed environments, a network of Sun SparcStation 20's, a Silicon Graphics Power Challenge, and a Paragon …

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Temporal Influence On Awareness, Don E. Hill Dec 1995

Temporal Influence On Awareness, Don E. Hill

Theses and Dissertations

Grossberg's Motion Oriented Contrast Filter (MOC) was extensively analyzed (7). The output from the filter's "global motion" neuronal layer was compared to a noncausal post-processing filter developed by AFIT. Both filters were shown to incorporate a weighted, noncausal temporal range of input data in processed output. The global motion framework was then implemented using a physiologically motivated pulsed neural model - the Pulse Coupled Neural Network (PCNN). By incorporating both spatial and temporal data, the PCNN was shown to exhibit a common visual illusion, apparent motion. The existence of a physiological temporal processing range was further investigated through implementation of …

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Reducing Lag In Virtual Displays Using Multiple Model Adaptive Estimation, David W. Kyger Dec 1995

Reducing Lag In Virtual Displays Using Multiple Model Adaptive Estimation, David W. Kyger

Theses and Dissertations

Multiple Model Adaptive Estimation is an effective method for reducing lag in virtual environment displays. Lag in displays (the time from head motion to the appearance of the proper image on the display) is a significant detriment to realism in virtual environments. Increasing the speed of the computers which control the virtual display is not a final answer. No matter how fast the processors work, there will always be demands to do more. Predicting angular head positions (look-angles) can reduce the lag by allowing the computer to calculate the appropriate scene before it is needed on the display. Single predictors …

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Transforming Algebraically-Based Object Models Into A Canonical Form For Design Refinement, Charles G. Beem Dec 1995

Transforming Algebraically-Based Object Models Into A Canonical Form For Design Refinement, Charles G. Beem

Theses and Dissertations

The understandability of object-oriented design techniques and the rigor of formal methods have improved the state of software development; however, both ideas have limitations. Object-oriented techniques, which are semi-formal, can still result in incorrect designs, while formal methods are complex and require an extensive mathematical background. The two approaches can be coupled, however, to produce designs that are both understandable and verifiable, and to produce executable code. This research proposes an approach where object-oriented models are first represented algebraically in a formal specification language such as LARCH and then transformed into a canonical form suitable for design refinement. In the …

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Study Of The Long-Term Desorption Of Trichloroethylene From Clay Soils Using Infrared Spectroscopy, Mary P. Stager Dec 1995

Study Of The Long-Term Desorption Of Trichloroethylene From Clay Soils Using Infrared Spectroscopy, Mary P. Stager

Theses and Dissertations

Slow desorption of contaminants from soil presents one of the greatest challenges to modeling contaminant fate and transport and implementing effective remediation technologies. The kinetics of long-term desorption of trichloroethylene (TCE) from powdered clay soils were studied to determine the desorption rates and mechanism. Infrared absorption spectroscopy was used to monitor the concentration of TCE desorbed from contaminated flint clay for 71 hours. Observed gas phase TCE concentrations as a function of time were compared to that predicted by a one-site Langmuir desorption mechanism. The Langmuir model, with a single type of bonding site, did not account for the release …

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Design, Fabrication And Characterization Of Micro Opto-Electro-Mechanical Systems, Darren E. Sene Dec 1995

Design, Fabrication And Characterization Of Micro Opto-Electro-Mechanical Systems, Darren E. Sene

Theses and Dissertations

Several micro-opto-electro-mechanical structures were designed using the Multi-User MEMS Process (MUMPS). Specific design techniques were investigated for improving the capabilities of elevating flip up structures. The integration of several flip up microoptical structures into a microoptical system was explored with emphasis on the development of a microinterferometer. The thermal effects on the Modulus of Elasticity were determined by detecting the resonant frequency for a square Flexure Beam Micromirror Device. The resonance of the device was found to match theory to within 0.1 % and the Modulus of Elasticity was found to decrease by 0.041 GPa/K from 290 to 450 K. …

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The Role Of Frame Selection And Bispectrum Phase Reconstruction For Speckle Imaging Through Atmospheric Turbulence, Elizabeth A. Harpold Dec 1995

The Role Of Frame Selection And Bispectrum Phase Reconstruction For Speckle Imaging Through Atmospheric Turbulence, Elizabeth A. Harpold

Theses and Dissertations

Frame selection using quality sharpness metrics have been shown in previous AFIT theses, to be effective in improving the final product of images obtained using adaptive optics. This thesis extends this idea to noncompensated speckle image data. Speckle image reconstruction is simulated with and without frame selection. Speckle images require the processing of hundreds of data frames. Frame selection is a method of reducing the amount of data required to reconstruct the image. A collection of short exposure image data frames of a single object are sorted based on sharpness metrics. Only the highest quality frames are retained and processed …

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Analysis And Interpretation Of Ion Data Associated With Neutral Gas Releases In The Earth's Ionosphere, Timothy M. Shadid Dec 1995

Analysis And Interpretation Of Ion Data Associated With Neutral Gas Releases In The Earth's Ionosphere, Timothy M. Shadid

Theses and Dissertations

Barium and strontium release experiments were conducted throughout 1991 from the Combined Release and Radiation Effects Satellite (CRRES) to study both natural and man-made disturbances in the earth's ionosphere. A mass spectrometer on the spacecraft counted the Ba and Sr ions as the cloud expanded. In this study, data from the G-1 (in sunlight) and G-11b (in darkness) releases were modeled to understand the source of the ion signals. The model reproduced the Ba+ sun data well assuming photoionization (τ = 28 s) was the primary ionization mechanism. However, it was not able to account for the remaining ion …

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Semantic Interpretation Of An Artificial Neural Network, Stanley D. Kinderknecht Dec 1995

Semantic Interpretation Of An Artificial Neural Network, Stanley D. Kinderknecht

Theses and Dissertations

Recent advances in machine learning theory have opened the door for applications to many difficult problem domains. One area that has achieved great success for stock market analysis/prediction is artificial neural networks. However, knowledge embedded in the neural network is not easily translated into symbolic form. Recent research, exploring the viability of merging artificial neural networks with traditional rule-based expert systems, has achieved limited success. In particular, extracting production (IF.. THEN) rules from a trained neural net based on connection weights provides a valid set of rules only when neuron outputs are close to 0 or 1 (e.g. the output …

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Deriving Optimal Solutions From Incomplete Knowledge Bases, Shawn A. Northrop Dec 1995

Deriving Optimal Solutions From Incomplete Knowledge Bases, Shawn A. Northrop

Theses and Dissertations

Many real world domains cannot be represented using Bayesian Networks due to the need for complete probability tables and acyclic knowledge. However, Bayesian Knowledge Bases (BKBs) are a viable method for representing these incomplete domains, but very little research has been performed on inferencing with them. This paper presents three inference engines for extracting optimal solutions from three distinct BKB subclasses: singly- connected, multiply-connected with mutually exclusive cycles, and cyclic. The singly-connected inference engine has a worst case polynomial run time. Performance improvement techniques for increasing inference engine speed are discussed, in addition to a new tool for measuring incompleteness …

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The Effects Of Vegetative Canopies On Atmospheric Dispersion, John R. Lindell Dec 1995

The Effects Of Vegetative Canopies On Atmospheric Dispersion, John R. Lindell

Theses and Dissertations

This research was conducted to improve our understanding of the effects of vegetative canopy-induced turbulence on the dispersion of air pollution. The computer model most often used to calculate atmospheric dispersion is the Gaussian plume model, which requires some method to compute the downwind dispersions coefficients. These coefficients are a parameterization of the atmospheric stability or the level of turbulence in the atmosphere. The Environmental Protection Agency's recommended parameterization scheme is the Pasquill-Gifford method. By comparing the Pasquill-Gifford method to the Modified Mitchell method using sigma theta, the standard deviation of the horizontal wind fluctuations, the relative precision of each …

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The Effect Of Meteorological Data Averaging Times On Plume Concentrations From Explosive Ordnance Disposal Open Burning Operations, Ida L. Widmann Dec 1995

The Effect Of Meteorological Data Averaging Times On Plume Concentrations From Explosive Ordnance Disposal Open Burning Operations, Ida L. Widmann

Theses and Dissertations

Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Open Burning (OB) operations are performed to treat and dispose of unserviceable munitions in the Department of Defense (DOD) inventory. Air pollution modeling of OB operations is an Environmental Protection Agency requirement for permit issuance at OB sites. Specific OB regulation is still in its infancy; therefore, establishment of OB modeling techniques is still in the early stages. This thesis effort sought to develop a computer model, based upon the Gaussian Puff Equation. The model varies from standard plume modeling practices by not making the assumption that the wind direction, wind speed and turbulence are uniform …

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Atmospheric Transport And Diffusion Modeling Of Rocket Exhaust, Chad A. Burel Dec 1995

Atmospheric Transport And Diffusion Modeling Of Rocket Exhaust, Chad A. Burel

Theses and Dissertations

Space launches at Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB) and the Cape Canaveral Air Station (CCAS) produce exhaust from the solid rocket boosters and liquid hypergolic fuels containing several toxic substances including hydrogen chloride and hydrazine. In order to estimate the health risk that would be imposed upon the public by proposed launches, range safety officials rely on the Rocket Exhaust Effluent Diffusion Model to predict where the exhaust chemicals will go after the launch and how strong the concentrations will be. The original REEDM program averaged the meteorological parameters (wind speed, wind direction, shear, etc.) across the entire mixing level …

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Two-Wavelength Neodymium Based Lasers, Scott H. Mccracken Dec 1995

Two-Wavelength Neodymium Based Lasers, Scott H. Mccracken

Theses and Dissertations

A dual wavelength Q switched laser cavity has been successfully designed and assembled to evaluate the new neodymium (Nd) based materials. Initial characterization has been achieved for Nd:YAG and Nd:YLF. The results indicate that for a fixed pulse repetition frequency, the delay time can be used to adjust the relative energy between the 1.06 and 1.32 micrometer pulses. Any deficiency in the performance of one transition can be made up by performance in the other simply by changing the relative amount of time the population inversion is allowed to build up for each pulse. The best performance was obtained using …

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A Neural Network Approach To The Prediction And Confidence Assignation Of Nonlinear Time Series Classifications, Erin S. Heim Dec 1995

A Neural Network Approach To The Prediction And Confidence Assignation Of Nonlinear Time Series Classifications, Erin S. Heim

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis uses multiple layer perceptrons (MLP) neural networks and Kohonen clustering networks to predict and assign confidence to nonlinear time series classifications. The nonlinear time series used for analysis is the Standard and Poor's 100 (S&P 100) index. The target prediction is classification of the daily index change. Financial indicators were evaluated to determine the most useful combination of features for input into the networks. After evaluation it was determined that net changes in the index over time and three short-term indicators result in better accuracy. A back-propagation trained MLP neural network was then trained with these features to …

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Experimental Investigation And Computer Modeling Of Optical Switching In Distributed Bragg Reflector And Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser Structures, Richard J. Bagnell Dec 1995

Experimental Investigation And Computer Modeling Of Optical Switching In Distributed Bragg Reflector And Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser Structures, Richard J. Bagnell

Theses and Dissertations

The optical switching capabilities of Distributed Bragg Reflector (DBR) structures, including Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers (VCSELs) are examined. Reflectivity switching is demonstrated using both thermal and carrier generated effects to alter the DBR/VCSEL layers' refractive indices. Optical bistability is demonstrated at room temperature, under CW photopumped excitation. The optical bistability hysteresis is controllable by spectral location of the pump on the stop band edge. In the VCSEL, reflective bistability is also evidenced; additionally, this bistability is accompanied by a bistability in the VCSEL lasing output intensity, spot size, and wavelength. Modeling of the DBR/VCSEL thermally induced bistability was accomplished …

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A Monte Carlo Analysis Of Computerized Tomography, Karyl J. Davis Dec 1995

A Monte Carlo Analysis Of Computerized Tomography, Karyl J. Davis

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis was to model a computerized tomography device (CT) using Monte Carlo methods to determine the scattered radiation spectrum inside and the dose outside the suite at Wright-Patterson Medical Center and at a generic suite to non-occupational personnel. This was driven by the recent inclusion of the most recent NCRP recommended dose limits into 10CFR20 of 50 mSv, occupational; 1 mSv; non-occupational continuous exposure; and 5 mSv, infrequent exposure. The rotating fan beam of the CT was modeled for MCNP, a general-purpose Monte Carlo n-particle transport modeL The CT target was a standard human phantom defined …

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Effects Of Ammonium Perchlorate On The Thyroid Hormone Levels Of The Sprague-Dawley Rat, James H. King Jr. Dec 1995

Effects Of Ammonium Perchlorate On The Thyroid Hormone Levels Of The Sprague-Dawley Rat, James H. King Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to determine the threshold dose for ammonium perchlorate (AP) in the Sprague-Dawley rat. No dose response data exist for AP and the EPA has studied literature on the subject of perchlorates to determine a provisional reference dose. The Perchiorate Group, a consortium of DoD and industry representatives, believes this provisional reference dose is too conservative. This experiment was executed to provide dose response data on which to base a more accurate reference dose. The study consisted of eight groups of 12 Sprague-Dawley rats, six male and six female, which were exposed to incremental doses …

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Micromirror Array Control Of A Phase-Locked Laser Diode Array, Carl J. Christensen Dec 1995

Micromirror Array Control Of A Phase-Locked Laser Diode Array, Carl J. Christensen

Theses and Dissertations

A ten element micromirror array has been designed, fabricated, and employed to control the far field irradiance pattern of a phase locked laser diode array. The laser array used in this experiment was a ten element, gain guided array lasing at a nominal wavelength of 828 nm and operating in the it out of phase supermode. The laser's near field irradiance was imaged onto a micromirror array, where the it phase differences between adjacent laser elements were corrected. This was accomplished by moving the micromirrors with individually applied voltages. The result was the desirable single lobed far field pattern, placing …

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Objectism 3.0: A Software Architecture For The Development Of Portable Visual Simulation Applications, Shawn M. Hannan Dec 1995

Objectism 3.0: A Software Architecture For The Development Of Portable Visual Simulation Applications, Shawn M. Hannan

Theses and Dissertations

A visual simulation software architecture is a reusable design for visual simulation applications. This thesis effort was the third stage in an ongoing refinement of such an architecture, named ObjectSim. The primary goals of this stage were to improve the architecture by eliminating its dependence on two platform-specific graphics libraries (named GL and Performer, from Silicon Graphics, Inc.), and to examine the potential for expanding the architecture to accommodate distributed simulations. The effort resulted in a new version of the architecture which allows the development of visual simulation applications which take full advantage of the aforementioned libraries without calling those …

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The Application Of Hybridized Genetic Algorithms To The Protein Folding Problem, Robert L. Gaulke Dec 1995

The Application Of Hybridized Genetic Algorithms To The Protein Folding Problem, Robert L. Gaulke

Theses and Dissertations

The protein folding problem consists of attempting to determine the native conformation of a protein given its primary structure. This study examines various methods of hybridizing a genetic algorithm implementation in order to minimize an energy function and predict the conformation (structure) of Met-enkephalin. Genetic Algorithms are semi-optimal algorithms designed to explore and exploit a search space. The genetic algorithm uses selection, recombination, and mutation operators on populations of strings which represent possible solutions to the given problem. One step in solving the protein folding problem is the design of efficient energy minimization techniques. A conjugate gradient minimization technique is …

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An Object-Oriented, Formal Methods Approach To Organizational Process Modeling, Vincent S. Hibdon Dec 1995

An Object-Oriented, Formal Methods Approach To Organizational Process Modeling, Vincent S. Hibdon

Theses and Dissertations

This document presents a methodology for developing an organizational process model which is based on the principles of object oriented design and formal software engineering methods. The methodology begins with the development of an object oriented Rumbaugh model (27). The Rumbaugh model is then formally specified in Z (Zed) schemas. Finally, the Z specifications are translated into an executable model in the Software Refinery Environment(TM). This model is described based on the AF wing domain and developed in this domain. The proposed methodology is then shown to produce a very general model which is extendable across almost any domain. The …

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Evaluation Of The Air Force Installation Restoration Advisory System, Dale M. Fox Dec 1995

Evaluation Of The Air Force Installation Restoration Advisory System, Dale M. Fox

Theses and Dissertations

This research is intended to evaluate the Air Force's Installation Restoration Advisory System Workstation software and documentation. Groundwater modeling is the biggest aid to Air Force Installation Restoration decision makers in making their conclusions about what to do with their hazardous waste sites where the groundwater is contaminated. The Advisory System aids the user in determining if a site poses a potential problem, and if so assists the user in selecting an appropriate groundwater transport model. The decision of what type of model is most suitable is based upon the user's conceptual site model and the decision is made by …

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Macroscale Diffusion-Limited Sorption Modeling--A Preliminary Modeling Exercise For A Dover Afb Site, Jason T. Herman Dec 1995

Macroscale Diffusion-Limited Sorption Modeling--A Preliminary Modeling Exercise For A Dover Afb Site, Jason T. Herman

Theses and Dissertations

A modification was made to the USGS SUTRA code which allowed the simulation of macro scale diffusion effects from specific layers. This modification utilized a split-operator finite element numerical technique to incorporate the macroscale diffusion. The code was applied to a conceptual site developed from a field site at Dover AFB, DL Simulations were done to compare the modified code to the unmodified code which clearly showed the modified code as a closer representation of reality. Simulations were also done to study the effects of pulsed and continuous pumping within the time frame of a field experiment at Dover. These …

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Evaluating The Feasibility Of Sequential Indicator Simulation In Reproducing Spatial Connectivity In A Heterogeneous Transmissivity Field, D. Duane Kenyon Dec 1995

Evaluating The Feasibility Of Sequential Indicator Simulation In Reproducing Spatial Connectivity In A Heterogeneous Transmissivity Field, D. Duane Kenyon

Theses and Dissertations

A Non-Parametric estimation technique was used to simulate realizations of a heterogeneous transmissivity field based upon sampled values from three different sampling scenarios. These realizations were compared to output from a parametric estimation technique with respect to truth as defined by an exhaustive data set of 6,000 transmissivity values. Estimated transmissivity fields were then used as input into a flow model from which fields of heads and specific discharges were obtained and compared. Given the financial limitations imposed upon the number and quality of samples reasonably available, Sequential Indicator Simulation, a non-parametric technique, was shown to be of considerable value …

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A Comparison Of Remediation Priorities Developed By The Defense Priority Model, The Relative Risk Evaluation Method, And A Quantitative Risk Assessment Approach, David M. Hunter Dec 1995

A Comparison Of Remediation Priorities Developed By The Defense Priority Model, The Relative Risk Evaluation Method, And A Quantitative Risk Assessment Approach, David M. Hunter

Theses and Dissertations

The Superfund, established by the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) of 1980, seriously underestimated both the number of severely contaminated sites and the associated cleanup cost. The magnitude of projected cleanup costs, coupled with shrinking federal budgets, necessitated the development and use of risk-based prioritization models among some federal agencies. Among these tools, the DOD prioritization models are meant to give priority to sites posing the greatest threat to human health. Their failure to properly rank sites could incorrectly shift the focus from those that pose substantial risk to sites of lesser risk. The DOD site ranking …

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Design And Evaluation Of Standard Telerobotic Control Software, Kevin P. Anchor Dec 1995

Design And Evaluation Of Standard Telerobotic Control Software, Kevin P. Anchor

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis represents the first implementation of a proposed Air Force standard telerobotic control architecture. This architecture was developed by the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the National Institute of Standards and Technology under contract to the Air Force Materiel Command Robotics and Automation Center of Excellence (RACE) as the Unified Telerobotics Architecture Project (UTAP). The AFIT Robotics and Automation Applications Group (RAAG) Lab B facility computational structure was redesigned to be compliant with the UTAP architecture. This thesis shows that the UTAP specification to be implementable. However, if the underlying operating system does not support generic message passing, an …

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