Digital Commons Network^™

Multi-Objective Generation Scheduling With Hybrid Energy Resources, Manas Trivedi

All Dissertations

In economic dispatch (ED) of electric power generation, the committed generating units are scheduled to meet the load demand at minimum operating cost with satisfying all unit and system equality and inequality constraints. Generation of electricity from the fossil fuel releases several contaminants into the atmosphere. So the economic dispatch objective can no longer be considered alone due to the environmental concerns that arise from the emissions produced by fossil fueled electric power plants. This research is proposing the concept of environmental/economic generation scheduling with traditional and renewable energy sources. Environmental/economic dispatch (EED) is a multi-objective problem with conflicting objectives …

A Comparative Fault Diagnosis Methodology Based On Time Series Analysis Of System's Signals, Hany Bassily

All Dissertations

The detection of system anomalies represents an important task in safety critical systems. Over the past two decades, advances in data manipulation techniques and sensor technology have contributed to the widespread application of signal processing concepts for fault diagnosis. However, the majority of these signal processing, or data driven, diagnostics do not possess the redundancy level exhibited in conventional model-based methods. Among signal processing methods, time series analysis is advantageous since it offers insight into the underlying dynamics and forecasts system behavior. Furthermore, the data driven method allows the depiction of system dynamics with an increased level of redundancy. This …

Energy Efficiency In Cold-Weather High-End Custom Homes, Joseph R. Kearl

Theses and Dissertations

Nationally, there is increasing interest in energy efficient homes due to growing energy costs and increased awareness. However, many builders haven't yet incorporated energy saving products and practices into homes. Many builders don't have the resources to evaluate available options and prefer to rely on the experiences of other builders. The purpose of this study was to create energy efficiency benchmarks for cold-weather, high-end custom homes and evaluate current building practices. A list of energy-efficient products and practices was created through a review of relevant literature. A group of expert builders was formed into a committee to help determine energy …

Experimental And Analytical Application Of The Hodd Method For The Detection Of Damage, Jacob Merkley

All Theses

Detecting damage location and severity in civil engineering structures has become an important research topic in the past several decades. Various non-destructive damage identification methods using dynamic properties from ambient and forced vibration have been developed. Researchers have shown that higher order derivatives of mode shapes of the 2nd and 4th order can be effective in detecting damage in civil engineering structures. Furthermore, these higher order derivatives are sensitive to small changes in global stiffness facilitating the detection of small degrees of damage.
In this study a modal analysis is performed on analytical and experimental simply supported beams using the …

Mexico Engineering Study Abroad: Assessing The Effectiveness Of International Experiences On Teaching Global Engineering Skills, Joshua Benjamin Draper

Theses and Dissertations

Globalization is a rapidly increasing trend in many industries, including civil engineering. This paper defines the skills engineers will need in an increasingly international industry. It also describes an engineering study abroad program designed to teach some of those skills to students and presents a survey used as an assessment tool to evaluate the effectiveness of the program. The program, called Mexico Engineering Study Abroad (MESA), is taught at Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo, UT. MESA is a project-based extended field trip format class that couples hydrologic modeling with cultural awareness as students work together with Mexican students on …

Department Of Biological Systems Engineering Newsletter, Volume 2, Issue 3, December 2007

BSE Department Magazine

Contents:
New Tractor Test Track Dedication
From the Department Head
Awards
Meet the Faculty
Alumni News
Student News
Summer Graduations
Quarter-scale Tractor Competition
ASABE Student Branch
ASABE International Preprofessional Council
Distinguished Fellowship Awards
John and Louise Skala Fellowships
Researching Plant Sterols
Milton E. Mohr Fellowship in Agriculture
Scholarships and Ice Cream
100 Years As a University of Nebraska Department
Alumnus Profile
Career opportunities in food engineering
Congratulations
Comings and Goings

41st Conference On Senior Engineering Design Projects, College Of Engineering And Applied Sciences

Senior Engineering Design Conference

The 41st Conference on Senior Engineering Design Projects was held on December 4, 2007 at the College of Engineering and applied Sciences on the Parkview Campus of Western Michigan University. The college sponsors the conference to showcase the work of its graduating seniors, who are required to complete a capstone project that puts into practice what they have learned. Many of the projects are sponsored by business and industry.

Embedded System For Monitoring Human Activities Using 3-Axis Accelerometer, Himabindu Yamana

Electrical Engineering Theses - Archive

The last decade has witnessed a surge of interest in new sensing and monitoring devices for health care. In several medical and non-medical applications it is necessary to measure the human activities. Detection and monitoring of human activities requires the use of external sensors around the body. The reported design provides a systematic approach for characterization of states. The design employs a 3-axis accelerometer, a microcontroller and RS232 based communication protocol for sensing the activities of a person and the output will be seen on a PC with a graphical user interface. Experiments were conducted on human test subjects and …

Fiscal Year 2007 Fhwa-536 Report For The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Steven Douglas Kreis

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) requires state transportation agencies to submit a biennial report on local highway finances. The purpose of these reports is to provide FHWA with the data it needs to capture the financing of highway activities at the local level. Based on this information, it can identify trends in revenue, expenditures, investments, and program development, and in turn make decisions about future investments. The report, FHWA-536, asks agencies to report on four areas of local highway finance: 1) disposition of highway-user revenues; 2) revenues used for roads and streets identified by source and funding type; 3) road …

A Computer Model Of Gluconeogenesis And Lipid Metabolism In The Perfused Liver, Elie Chalhoub, Richard W. Hanson, Joanne M. Belovich

Chemical & Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications

A mathematical model of the perfused rat liver was developed to predict intermediate metabolite concentrations and fluxes in response to changes in various substrate concentrations in the perfusion medium. The model simulates gluconeogenesis in the liver perfused separately with lactate and pyruvate and the combination of these substrates with fatty acids (oleate). The model consists of key reactions representing gluconeogenesis, glycolysis, fatty acid metabolism, tricarboxylic acid cycle, oxidative phosphorylation, and ketogenesis. Michaelis-Menten-type kinetic expressions, with control by ATP/ADP, are used for many of the reactions. For key regulated reactions (fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase, phosphofructokinase, pyruvate carboxylase, pyruvate dehydrogenase complex, and pyruvate kinase), rate …

Glycosaminoglycan Stabilization In Bovine Pericardium, Lauren Browne

All Theses

Glutaraldehyde crosslinked bovine pericardium has been used for fabrication of bioprosthetic heart valves as well as cardiac patches for soft tissue repair. However, calcification and limited mechanical stability result in shortened life for the prostheses. Previous research has shown that glutaraldehyde crosslinking does not stabilize glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and that GAGs are lost from porcine bioprosthetic heart valves[1]. Bovine pericardial tissue is composed of an amorphous network of collagen and elastin fibers, proteoglycans, and GAGs. The GAGs of bovine pericardium include dermatan sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, and hyaluronan [2].
It is hypothesized that Glut does not stabilize GAGs in pericardium and loss …

Using Science, Engineering, And Education To Address Water Supply Challenges In The Highlands Of Guatemala, Andrew Curtis Elmore, William Fahrenholtz

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The Guatemalan Highlands is a Popular Destination for Non-Government Organizations Interested in Performing Relief Projects. U.S.-Based Organizations Such as Rotary International, Engineers Without Borders, and Various Religious Organizations Travel to Guatemala to Conduct Humanitarian Activities Which May Be Effective for the Short Term, But It is Not Clear that the Efforts Have a Systematic Impact. Students and Faculty at the University of Missouri-Rolla Have Systematically Studied Water Supply Issues Including Undergraduate and Graduate Research Projects and Undergraduate Engineering Courses Such as International Capstone Design. Materials Engineers Have Been Involved in the Study of Ceramic-Based Water Treatment Devices. These Microfilters Have …

A Role Delineation Study For The Sme, Hiral A. Shah

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to perform a role delineation study to validate and prioritize the competency areas included in the body of knowledge developed by SME/AME/Shingo for their three levels of certification examinations in lean manufacturing. A modified Delphi technique was used to gather data and describe what experts in the field consider important for candidates to know and become certified in the discipline of lean manufacturing. Seventy-six Delphi panel experts were selected to serve on the Delphi panel, based on their experience, expertise, and commitment. The study incorporated a Web-based pre-Delphi study followed by three rounds of …

Design Of An Active Orthotic Device For Joint Management., Steven Clayton Anderson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Existing treatment programs and procedures are incapable of addressing the complications encountered with patients who experience spasticity and hypertonia related joint contractures. Current passive therapy procedures and devices are only capable of managing the extent of joint contractures on patients with chronic and acute onset severe neurological disorders. The project was conceived as a means to develop an active device that is capable of adapting to the state of the joint to mange the extent of contractures and to permit consideration for the prevalence of spastic activity episodes and hypertonia. The project focused on the design of the physical prototype …

Bs News

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

The Tri-Frame Model, Elsje Pienaar, Hendrik J. Viljoen

Hendrik J. Viljoen Publications

The tri-frame model gives mathematical expression to the transcription and translation processes, and considers all three reading frames. RNA polymerases transcribe DNA in single nucleotide increments, but ribosomes translate mRNA in pairings of three (triplets or codons). The set of triplets in the mRNA, starting with the initiation codon (usually AUG) defines the open reading frame (ORF). Since ribosomes do not always translocate three nucleotide positions, two additional reading frames are accessible. The -1RF and the +1RF are triplet pairings of the mRNA which are accessed by shifting one nucleotide position in the 5’ and 3’ directions respectively. Transcription is …

Conversion Of Biomass Resource To Useful Forms Of Energy And Other Products, Latosha Johnson

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

The United States is facing increasing pressure to find renewable energy sources due to rising energy costs. With world energy demand at an all time high, renewable energy has been thrust into the forefront of research as a means to mitigate this looming crisis. Throughout the United States, there is a large quantity of agricultural biomass that could be used to generate energy and lessen the dependence on diminishing resources. Specifically, animal feeding operations (AFOs) such as dairies generate large amounts of cow manure, which, when improperly handled, causes both air and water pollution. Currently, most manure is temporarily stockpiled …

Vulnerability Of Shallow Aquifers Of The Conterminous United States To Nitrate: Assessment Of Methodologies, Karthik Kumarasamy

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Groundwater is an important natural resource for numerous human activities, accounting for more than 50% of the total water used in the United States. Groundwater is vulnerable to contamination by several organic and inorganic pollutants such as nitrate, heavy metals, and pesticides. Assessment of groundwater vulnerability aids in the management and protection of limited groundwater resources.

The focus of this thesis is to (1) statistically compare two groundwater vulnerability assessment models; modified DRASTIC (Acronym for Depth to water, net Recharge, Aquifer media, Soil media, Topography, Impact of vadose zone, and hydraulic Conductivity of aquifer) and ordinal logistic regression for NO …

Prolonged Quadriceps Activity Following Imposed Hip Extension: A Neurophysiological Mechanism For Stiff-Knee Gait?, Michael D. Lewek, T. George Hornby, Yasin Y. Dhaher, Brian D. Schmit

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

The biomechanical characteristics of stiff knee gait following neurological injury include decreased knee flexion velocity at toe-off, which may be due to exaggerated quadriceps activity. The neuromuscular mechanism underlying this abnormal activity is unclear, although hyperexcitable heteronymous reflexes may be a source of impaired coordination. The present study examines the contribution of reflex activity from hip flexors on knee extensors following stroke and its association with reduced swing-phase knee flexion during walking. Twelve individuals poststroke and six control subjects were positioned in supine on a Biodex dynamometer with the ankle and knee held in a static position. Isolated hip extension …

Biohydrogen Production By The Hyperthermophilic Bacterium Thermotoga Neapolitana, Xiaohui Yu

All Dissertations

ABSTRACT Thermotoga neapolitana can use different sources of carbon and nitrogen for growth and produces biological hydrogen. Sources of carbon (glucose, sucrose, xylose, xylan, cellulose, cellobiose, starch, corn starch, beet bulp pellet, and rice flour) and nitrogen (yeast extract, fish meal, cottonseed meal, canola meal, linseed meal, and soybean meal) were compared. In the carbon studies, glucose, sucrose, rice flour, and xylan produced similar levels of hydrogen. In the nitrogen studies, Trypticase combined with alternative nitrogen sources can efficiently increases the yield of hydrogen produced by Thermotoga neapolitana. Yeast extract with trypticase as the dual nitrogen sources produced significantly increased …

Self-Healing Control With Multifunctional Gate Drive Circuits For Power Converters, Xiao Peng, Ganesh K. Venayagamoorthy, Keith A. Corzine, Robert Woodley

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Many commercial and military transport systems have fault diagnostic functions implemented to help protect the device when a severe fault occurs. However, most present systems do not contain prognostics capability which would allow operators to observe an unhealthy system component in its prefault condition. in industry applications, scheduled downtime can result in considerable cost avoidance. the next technology step is self-healing system components which observe not only potential problems but can also take steps to continue operation under abnormal conditions - whether due to long-term normal wear-and-tear or sudden combat damage. in this paper, current and voltage information using the …

Collaborative Routing Algorithm For Wireless Sensor Network Longevity, Shishir Bashyal, Ganesh K. Venayagamoorthy

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This study proposes a new parameter for evaluating longevity of wireless sensor networks after showing that the existing parameters do not properly evaluate the performance of algorithms in increasing longevity. This study also proposes an ant inspired Collaborative Routing Algorithm for Wireless Sensor Network Longevity (CRAWL) that has scalability and adaptability features required in most wireless sensor networks. Using the proposed longevity metrics and implementing the algorithm in simulations, it is shown that CRAWL is much more adaptive to non-uniform distribution of available energy in sensor networks. The performance of CRAWL is compared to that of a non-collaborative algorithm. Both …

Moment Analysis Of Near-Equilibrium Binding Interactions During Electrophoresis, Yousef Daneshbod, James D. Sterling, Ali Nadim

Business and Information Technology Faculty Research & Creative Works

The electrophoretic transport of three chemically reacting species, two of which can bind reversibly to form the third, is analyzed mathematically. The species are assumed to move horizontally through a long channel with different electrophoretic mobilities and diffusion coefficients. By considering small perturbations of the system about equilibrium or when one of the two binding species is much more abundant than the other, the governing advection-reaction- diffusion equations can be linearized and studied via the method of moments. The result is a set of coupled ordinary differential equations for the moments that can be solved analytically. Analysis of the long-time …

2007 Fall Engr333/Biol354 Project Solutions Poster, 2007 Fall Engr333, 2007 Fall Biol354

ENGR 333

A carbon footprint is term which refers to the net amount of greenhouse gases produced to directly or indirectly by human activities and is usually expressed in terms of metric tons of carbon dioxide. The Calvin community places a strong emphasis on practicing good stewardship, including stewardship of Creation. Reducing Calvin’s carbon footprint is crucial because carbon dioxide is a major greenhouse gas and contributes heavily to global climate change. In a previous portion of this project, the carbon footprint of Calvin College was calculated to be about 66,400 MTCE (Metric Tons Carbon dioxide Emitted). The goal of this portion …

2007 Fall Engr333/Biol354 Project Footprint Poster, 2007 Fall Engr333, 2007 Fall Biol354

ENGR 333

The students of Calvin College’s Engineering 333 and Biology 354 classes were given the task of determining “What would it take to make Calvin College Carbon Neutral?” At first glance, it would not appear that classes on Advanced Thermal System Design and Investigations in Plant Ecology would have much in common. However, the biology and engineering students comprising these classes banded together to tackle the problem. Coming to a satisfactory conclusion would require: Creating an inventory of Green House Gas (GHG) emissions and sequestration potential Coming up with detailed solutions to achieve Carbon Neutrality Working out a practical schedule to …

Determination Of Malathion Based On Carbon Nanotubes Modified Electrode Incorporating Acetylcholinesterase, Lu Zhang, Yao-Dong Zhang, Hong-Lan Qi

Journal of Electrochemistry

A biosensor for determination of organophosphorus pesticide based on the acetylcholinesterase and multi-wall carbon nanotubes modified electrode is fabricated.Under the optimal conditions,the chronoamperometric current at +0.70V(vs.SCE) increased linearly with the concentration of malathion in the range from 6.0×10^-10 to 6.0×10^-9 mol·L^-1 with a detection limit of 1.0×10^-10 mol·L^-1.The recoveries of malathion in lake water is 97% to 105% determinated by this method.

Trenchless Water Pipe Condition Assessment Using Artificial Neural Network, Zong Woo Geem, Chung-Li Tseng, Juhwan Kim, Cheolho Bae

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In order to assess the water pipe condition without excavating, artificial neural network (ANN) model was developed and applied to real-world case in South Korea. for the input in this ANN model, 11 factors such as (1) pipe material, (2) diameter, (3) pressure head, (4) inner coating, (5) outer coating, (6) electric recharge, (7) bedding condition, (8) age, (9) trench depth, (10) soil condition, and (11) number of road lanes were used; and, for the output, overall pipe condition index was derived based on 5 factors such as (1) outer corrosion, (2) crack, (3) pin hole, (4) inner corrosion, and …

The Potency Of Fire And Explosion Hazard On Premium Oil Storage Tank At Depot X 2007, Fatma Lestari, Warid Nurdiansyah

Makara Journal of Technology

The Potency of Fire and Explosion Hazard on Premium Oil Storage Tank at Depot X 2007. Premium oil storage tanks have fire and explosion risk because Premium oil is flammable liquid. Because of that, fire and explosion risk assessment on Premium oil storage tank at Depot X is needed as foundation to fire and explosion risk management, and comply with regulations. Method of this research is Dow’s Fire and Explosion Index. This research indicate that F&EI value for Premium oil storage tank is 118,82. Based on that F&EI value, level of risk at Premium oil storage tank is intermediate risk.

Flight Physician - November, 2007, Civil Aviation Medical Association

Browse all Civil Aviation Medical Association Newsletters

A sixteen page newsletter of the Civil Aviation Medical Association. The newsletter provided news about civil aviation medicine and information related to the organization.

Propagation And Provenance Of Probabilistic And Interval Uncertainty In Cyberinfrastructure-Related Data Processing And Data Fusion, Paulo Pinheiro Da Silva, Aaron A. Velasco, Martine Ceberio, Christian Servin, Matthew G. Averill, Nicholas Ricky Del Rio, Luc Longpre, Vladik Kreinovich

Departmental Technical Reports (CS)

In the past, communications were much slower than computations. As a result, researchers and practitioners collected different data into huge databases located at a single location such as NASA and US Geological Survey. At present, communications are so much faster that it is possible to keep different databases at different locations, and automatically select, transform, and collect relevant data when necessary. The corresponding cyberinfrastructure is actively used in many applications. It drastically enhances scientists' ability to discover, reuse and combine a large number of resources, e.g., data and services.

Because of this importance, it is desirable to be able to …