Digital Commons Network^™

Live Video Database Management Systems, Rui Peng

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

With the proliferation of inexpensive cameras and the availability of high-speed wired and wireless networks, networks of distributed cameras are becoming an enabling technology for a broad range of interdisciplinary applications in domains such as public safety and security, manufacturing, transportation, and healthcare. Today’s live video processing systems on networks of distributed cameras, however, are designed for specific classes of applications. To provide a generic query processing platform for applications of distributed camera networks, we designed and implemented a new class of general purpose database management systems, the live video database management system (LVDBMS). We view networked video cameras as …

A Visual Analytics Approach To Understanding Spatiotemporal Hotspots, Ross Maciejewski, Stephen Rudolph, Ryan Hafen, Ahmad Abusalah, Mohamed Yakout, Mourad Ouzzani, William S. Cleveland, Shaun Grannis, David S. Ebert

Cyber Center Publications

As data sources become larger and more complex, the ability to effectively explore and analyze patterns amongst varying sources becomes a critical bottleneck in analytic reasoning. Incoming data contains multiple variables, high signal to noise ratio, and a degree of uncertainty, all of which hinder exploration, hypothesis eneration/exploration, and decision making. To facilitate the exploration of such data, advanced tool sets are needed that allow the user to interact with their data in a visual environment that provides direct analytic capability for finding data aberrations or hotspots. In this paper, we present a suite of tools designed to facilitate the …

Peer Review Report 2010

United States Department of Transportation: Publications

The purpose of this document is to report findings from the research peer reviews held April 14, April 15, April 27 & April 28, 2010 for PHMSA’s Pipeline Safety Research and Development Program. The findings and recommendations in this report are derived from the scoring and comments collected from the peer review panelists.

Department of Transportation (DOT) Operating Agencies (OA) are required to develop and execute a systematic process for peer reviews and for all influential and highly influential information that the OA plans to disseminate in the foreseeable future.

Through the Information Quality Act, Congress directed the Office of …

Cost Effective Prevention Of Reflective Cracking In Composite Pavements, Rakesh Bandaru

LSU Master's Theses

Louisiana had experimented with various techniques and treatments to control reflection cracking since the 1970s; however, the cost-effectiveness and performance of these methods had not been reliably evaluated. In addition, scientific evaluation and testing of these treatment methods was not performed on many projects. To ensure successful control of this distress and effective allocation of maintenance funds, there is a critical need to assess the performance of pavement sections across the state built with various treatment methods and to determine the most cost-effective techniques to delay or to prevent reflection cracking in composite pavements. The objective of this study is …

Pre-Disaster Planning For Transportation Infrastructure Recovery, Stephanie Victoria Watson

All ETDs from UAB

The US is dependent upon a functioning transportation network for many aspects of daily life, and those aspects that become largely important during times of disaster. For example, emergency medical response is a crucial activity that relies upon a functioning transportation network during regular daily operations as well as during times of emergency. The US has experienced several natural and manmade devastating events within the past decade including the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Hurricanes Ivan, Katrina and Rita, and record flooding in Tennessee. When disasters occur, the potential of disrupting various infrastructures either individually or simultaneously exists. During a …

Broadening Ethics Teaching In Engineering: Beyond The Individualistic Approach, Eddie Conlon, H. Zandvoort

Articles

There is a widespread approach to the teaching of ethics to engineering students in which the exclusive focus is on engineers as individual agents and the broader context in which they do their work is ignored. Although this approach has frequently been criticised in the literature, it persists on a wide scale, as can be inferred from accounts in the educational literature and from the contents of widely used textbooks in engineering ethics. In this contribution we intend to: (1) Restate why the individualistic approach to the teaching of ethics to engineering students is inadequate in view of preparing them …

A Case Study In Quantitative Analysis Of Cyber-Physical Systems: Reliability Of The Smart Grid, Ayman Z. Faza

Doctoral Dissertations

"A cyber-physical system is the integration of a physical infrastructure with a cyber infrastructure, which provides control over its physical counterpart. The goal is to improve certain aspects of the physical infrastructure, such as its reliability. The Smart Grid, in which intelligent cyber control is added to improve the operation of the traditional power grid, is a prime example of a cyber-physical system. Quantitative models are needed in order to better understand the benefits and risks of adding intelligence to physical systems. To this end, we have developed an integrated cyber-physical reliability model, with a focus on the Smart Grid …

Fiscal Year 2009 Fhwa-536 Report For The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Steven Douglas Kreis, Candice Y. Wallace

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 …

Performance Of Storm Water Stage And Quality Measuring Instruemtnation Of A Small Watershed Using A Remote Monitoring Station, Rebecca Crane

All Theses

ABSTRACT


As economic development proceeds special care must be taken to preserve and sustain our water resources. Monitoring the storm water from a watershed during a rainfall event can help quantify any changes in water quantity and quality. An accurate means of measuring flow is necessary for all watershed monitoring projects. This study was conducted to analyze the performance of stage, turbidity, and temperature measuring devices in a laboratory setting as well as on Honeycutt Creek in Clemson, South Carolina.
The stage measuring devices under study include: a radar level sensor, ultrasonic transmitter, pressure transducer, and a bubbler module. A …

Total Storm Management Manual, Indiana Department Of Transportation

JTRP Other Publications and Reports

No abstract provided.

A Robust Method To Detect Concealed Weapons, Anand Gone

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Concealed weapons detection is a large problem that is faced by the Police Department nowadays. There are many disasters caused by poor detection of the weapons. Since public safety is at risk there is a need to design an efficient detector that can detect the weapons hidden under the clothing. This thesis presents a novel method for detecting concealed weapons under clothing using image processing techniques. In this thesis IR imagery is used to capture an image which works on the principle of law of black body radiation. Image thresholding is performed on the captured data using Sauvola's adaptive thresholding …

Netherlands Antilles Satellite Orbit Development, Leonardo De Abreu Ladeira

Robert "Bob" Twiggs STEM Education Collection

A PowerPoint Presentation created by Leonardo de Abreu Ladeira   titled "Netherlands Antilles Satellite Orbit Development" from September 9, 2009.

Analysis And Modeling Of Motor Vehicle Crashes Involving Air Force Military Personnel, Antonios Markopoulos

Theses and Dissertations

The primary purpose of this thesis was to improve the data analysis of Motor Vehicle Crashes (MVCs). This thesis employed the Air Force Safety Center (AFSC) data, collected over 20 years, of MVCs in which US Air Force (USAF) military personnel are involved when off duty and off base. Categorical Data Analysis and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were applied to identify risk factors related to MVCs and influence the severity of injuries and those factors associated with the alcohol consumption before driving, and affect the number of lost workdays resulting from MVCs. Categorical Data Analysis showed that male USAF members …

The North American Transportation Security Center – Serri Analysis Update, Steven Douglas Kreis, Michael M. Barclay

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Executive Summary

There are over 800,000 hazardous materials (hazmat) shipments over the nation’s roads each day. According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), terrorist activity related to the transportation of hazardous materials represents a significant threat to public safety and the nation’s critical infrastructure. Specifically, the federal government has identified the government’s inability to track hazmat shipments on a real-time basis as a significant security vulnerability.

In 2004, the U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) completed a study to determine if “smart truck” technology such as GPS tracking, wireless modems, panic buttons, and on-board computers could be …

An Efficient And Effective Implementation Of The Trust System For Power Grid Compartmentalization, Juan M. Carlos Gonzalez

Theses and Dissertations

As utility companies develop and incorporate new technologies, such as moving to utility Internet technology based architecture and standard; it is crucial that we do so with history in mind. We know that traditional utility protection and control systems were not designed with security in their top priorities. This presents a danger in an environment where near real-time responses are required to ensure safe operations. As a consequence, system security becomes a burden to the system rather than necessary protection. Unfortunately, technology implementation is not the only concern. The number of utility privately-owned companies has multiplied as the market has …

Slides: Next Evolutionary Steps In State Instream Flow Programs, Lawrence J. Macdonnell

Western Water Law, Policy and Management: Ripples, Currents, and New Channels for Inquiry (Martz Summer Conference, June 3-5)

Presenter: Lawrence J. MacDonnell, attorney and consultant, Boulder, CO

27 slides

The North American Transportation Security Center – Deploy Project Collaboration Hardware/Software Infrastructure, Steven Douglas Kreis, Michael M. Barclay

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

No abstract provided.

The North American Transportation Security Center – Technology Prototype Gap Analysis, Steven Douglas Kreis, Michael M. Barclay

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Executive Summary

There are over 800,000 hazardous materials (hazmat) shipments over the nation’s roads each day. According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), terrorist activity related to the transportation of hazardous materials represents a significant threat to public safety and the nation’s critical infrastructure. Specifically, the federal government has identified the government’s inability to track hazmat shipments on a real-time basis as a significant security vulnerability.

In 2004, the U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) completed a study to determine if “smart truck” technology such as GPS tracking, wireless modems, panic buttons, and onboard computers could be …

Development Of An In-Vitro Tissue Engineered Blood Vessel Mimic Using Human Large Vessel Cell Sources, Dimitri E. Delagrammaticas

Master's Theses

Tissue engineering is an emerging field that offers novel and unmatched potential medical therapies and treatments. While the vast aim of tissue engineering endeavors is to provide clinically implantable constructs, secondary applications have been developed to utilize tissue-engineered constructs for in-vitro evaluation of devices and therapies. Specifically, in-vitro blood vessel mimics (BVM) have been developed to create a bench-top blood vessel model using human cells that can be used to test and evaluate vascular disease treatments and intravascular devices. Previous BVM work has used fat derived human microvascular endothelial cells (EC) sodded on an ePTFE scaffold. To create a more …

Full-Wave Analyses Of Nano-Electromechanical Systems Integrated Multifunctional Reconfigurable Antennas, Xiaoyan Yuan

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This thesis work builds upon the theoretical studies and full-wave analysis of radio frequency micro- and nano-electromechanical systems (RF M/NEMS) integrated multi-functional reconfigurable antennas(MRAs). This is a part of the overall μN∈MS research efforts performed in the RF NEMS Laboratory at USU, which includes design, microfabrication, test, and characterization of M/NEMS integrated congitive wireless communication systems (fig. A.1).

The thesis work focuses on two MRAs. 1) A triple bands patch antenna which can operate at 800, 2400, and 4900 MHz in response to public safety wireless communication systems. 2) A multi-frequency multi-polarization MRA for wireless personal area networking application (WPAN) …

Needs Assessment For Local Roads And Streets 2009, Indiana Ltap

Indiana Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) Publications

This report presents the results of a study whose objective was to use the condition of local transportation infrastructure to identify the funding level required to maintain the infrastructure and then compare this with existing funding to determine the adequacy of the current funding. The basic finding of the study is evidence that there is a severe shortage of funds to adequately maintain local transportation facilities.

A Strategic Planning Decision Support Methodology In Emergency Department Preparedness For Mass Casualty Events, Adrian Spencer Benson

Computational Modeling & Simulation Engineering Theses & Dissertations

This study's objective is to design a strategic planning decision support methodology to improve Emergency Department (ED) preparedness for Mass Casualty Events (MCEs). This effort will enable hospital and medical strategic planners to evaluate alternatives which improve ED capacity. This comparative analysis illuminates the relative performance of alternatives involving three improvement scenarios for an ED, involving various increases in trauma bay, examination room, radiology, surgery, and recovery/observation study capacities. To illustrate this decision methodology, a Discrete Event Simulation (DES) was implemented in Arena, and used a mixture of Subject Matter Expert (SME) estimates and appropriate notional data. The design of …

Smart Grid Reliability Assessment Under Variable Weather Conditions, Arif Islam

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The needs of contemporary electric utility customers and expectations regarding energy supply require dramatic changes in the way energy is transmitted and delivered. A smart grid is a concept by which the existing and aging electrical grid infrastructure is being upgraded with integration of multiple applications and technologies; such as two way power transfer, two way communication, renewable distributed generation, automated sensors, automated & advanced controls, central control, forecasting system and microgrids. This enables the grid to be more secure, reliable, efficient, self-healing, while reducing greenhouse gases. In addition, it will provide new products & services and fully optimize asset …

2009 Directory Of Indiana State, County, City And Town Officials Responsible For Road And Street Work, Indiana Ltap

Indiana Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) Directory

Contact information for agency officials and employees responsible for Indiana’s local road infrastructure.

Implementation Of Collaborative Rf Localization Using A Software-Defined Radio Network, Augustine A. Honore

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigates the use of collaboration between sensor nodes that were tasked with localizing a radio frequency emitter. Localization is a necessary component for dynamic spectrum access. Using a set of software-defined radios as our sensors and a received signal strength-based maximum likelihood localization algorithm, we successfully localized transmitting nodes based on their received signal strength. Our experiment was conducted outdoors using a flexible topology that could be shaped into 21 sub-topologies that varied in size, and orientation with respect to the transmitters. This was made possible through application of a time shift concept and a post-processing technique. We …

The Modular Clock Algorithm For Blind Rendezvous, Nicholas C. Theis

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines the problem in initializing communications whereby cognitive radios need to find common spectrum with other cognitive radios, a process known as frequency rendezvous. It examines the rendezvous problem as it exists in a dynamic spectrum access cognitive network. Specifically, it addresses the problem of rendezvous in an infrastructureless environment. A new algorithm, the modular clock algorithm, is developed and analyzed as a solution for the simple rendezvous environment model, coupled with a modified version for environment models with less information. The thesis includes a taxonomy of commonly used environment models, and analysis of previous efforts to solve …

Formulating A Conceptual Base For Secondary Level Engineering: A Review And Synthesis, Rodney L. Custer, Jenny L. Daugherty, Joseph P. Meyer

Reports of Center Studies

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education across the K-16 spectrum. While much of this interest has concentrated on science and mathematics, technology and engineering are emerging as authentic educational problem solving contexts, as well as disciplines in their own right at the K-12 level. Over the past 20 years, the technology education field has concentrated on defining and implementing a set of content standards, the Standards for Technological Literacy (ITEA, 2000) (STL), with mixed results. On a national scale, the field continues to evolve from its historical industrial arts …

Nanofiltration Membrane Pilot Studies For Disinfection By-Product Control, Eric J. Lynne

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Watertown, South Dakota currently uses conventional softening to treat ground water to remove hardness, iron and manganese, and natural organic matter. The distribution system has experienced elevated concentrations of disinfection by-products, which will require additional treatment to comply with future limits set by the Stage 2 Disinfectant/Disinfection By-Products Rule. A nanofiltration membrane system has been proposed to remove additional natural organic matter from the softened water. Removing the natural organic material disinfection by-product precursors should reduce the concentration of disinfection by-products. The use of nanofiltration membranes has been previously documented to reject total organic carbon, while allowing desirable levels of …

2009 Government And Industry Pipeline R&D Forum Report

United States Department of Transportation: Publications

Nine government and industry organizations via a steering committee organized, planned and executed this forum. The forum brought together approximately 215 representatives from Federal, State and foreign government offices along with domestic and foreign natural gas and hazardous liquid pipeline operators. The forum’s goals included identifying key challenges facing industry and government, sharing information on current research efforts, and identifying research that can help to meet the challenges.

Efficient Tracking Of Many Objects In Structured Environments, Nathan Jacobs, Michael Dixon, Scott Satkin, Robert Pless

All Computer Science and Engineering Research

We consider the special case of tracking objects in highly structured scenes. In the context of vehicle tracking in urban environments, we offer a fully automatic, end-to-end system that discovers and parametrizes the lanes along which vehicles drive, then uses just these pixels to simultaneously track dozens of objects. This system includes a novel active contour energy function used to parametrize the lanes of travel based only on the accumulation of spatio-temporal image derivatives, and a tracking algorithm that exploits longer temporal constraints made possible by our compact data representation; we believe both of these may be of independent interest. …