Digital Commons Network^™

Intelligent System Applications Based On Genetic Algorithms, Yasin Volkan Pehlivanoglu

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

As a stochastic search method, evolutionary algorithm (EA) is an emergent optimization algorithm mimicking the natural evolution, where a "biological population" evolves over generations to adapt to an environment by selection, recombination, and mutation. When EA is applied to optimization problems, fitness, individual, and genes usually correspond to an objective function value, a design candidate, and design variables, respectively.

One of the key features of EA is that they search from multiple points in design space, instead of moving from a single point as in gradient-based methods. Furthermore, EA works on function evaluations alone and does not require derivatives or …

A Component Based Formal Ontology Model, A Method For Evaluating Such A Model, And The Results Of An Application Of That Method, Charles Tumitsa

Computational Modeling & Simulation Engineering Theses & Dissertations

For systems to truly communicate effectively, more than just data interchange is necessary. The systems must achieve conceptual interoperability, which implies communicating with understanding.

The LCIM (Levels of Conceptual Interoperability Model) describes a number of levels of interoperability, each of which shows systems with an increased amount of conceptual understanding of the other systems they are communicating with. The lowest levels of this model, technical and syntactic interoperability, are achieved (and there are many existing examples) via data exchange in a number of different ways. Research has shown, however, that to attain higher levels of conceptual understanding, that there must …

The Analytic Hierarchy & The Analytic Network Processes In Multicriteria Decision Making: A Comparative Study, Ali K. Taslicali

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The objective of this investigation is to identify the critical benefits and factors of decision making models in a changing technological environment. Decision making models are helping tools for the managers or decision makers to make future plans by using qualitative or quantitative data. In this research, a general idea about decision making models and, comparison between the two important models, the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and the Analytical Network Process (ANP), are introduced. The research was done by using the information in the literature and expert judgment. This paper can be used by academics as a foundation for further …

Development Of Fiber-Optic Humidity Sensor Probe With Gelatin Cladding, Akhiruddin Maddu, Kun Modjahidin, Sar Sardy, Hamdani Zain

Makara Journal of Technology

Development of Fiber-Optic Humidity Sensor Probe with Gelatin Cladding. Humidity sensor based on optical fiber with gelatin cladding has been developed. In this humidity sensor probe, the origin cladding of optical fiber is replaced by gelatin coating as humidity sensitive cladding. Testing of the optical fiber sensor probe was conducted by measuring of light intensity transmitted on the optical fiber probe for each variation of different humidity treatments. Response of the optical fiber sensor probe measured from 42%RH to 99%RH, the results show an optical transmission curve varied with relative humidity (RH). Optical transmission in the optical fiber probe increase …

A Time-Based Vlsi Potentiostat For Ion Current Measurements, Harpreet S. Narula, John G. Harris

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A time-based CMOS integrated potentiostatic control circuit has been designed and fabricated. The design maintains a constant bias potential between the reference and working electrodes for an amperometric chemical sensor. A technique of converting input currents into time for amperometric measurements is proposed. This technique eliminates current amplifying circuitry, reduces matching problems, and increases dynamic range while saving on area and power consumption. Redox currents ranging from 1 pA to 200 nA can be measured with a maximum nonlinearity of ±0.1% over this range. The design can be used to generate cyclic voltammograms for an electrochemical reaction by sweeping the …

A Quantitative Model Of Error Accumulation During Pcr Amplification, Elsje Pienaar, M. Theron, M. Nelson, Hendrik J. Viljoen

Hendrik J. Viljoen Publications

The amplification of target DNA by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) produces copies which may contain errors. Two sources of errors are associated with the PCR process: (1) editing errors that occur during DNA polymerase-catalyzed enzymatic copying and (2) errors due to DNA thermal damage. In this study a quantitative model of error frequencies is proposed and the role of reaction conditions is investigated. The errors which are ascribed to the polymerase depend on the efficiency of its editing function as well as the reaction conditions; specifically the temperature and the dNTP pool composition. Thermally induced errors stem mostly from …

Controlled Surface-Associated Delivery Of Genes And Oligonucleotides, Tatiana Segura, Lonnie D. Shea, Angela K. Pannier, Zain Bengali, Jae-Hyung Jang, Peter Chung, Brian C. Anderson

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

A system and methods for controlled gene delivery comprising condensed nucleic acids complexed with polylinkers, wherein the complexes are covalently and/or noncovalently bound to the surface of a substrate capable of supporting cell adhesion. The gene delivery system achieves temporal and spatial control of nucleic acid delivery to a target cell or cells through control of complex density on the surface of the support substrate, and reversibility of the attachment of the polylinker to the support substrate. The system and method of the invention can be used to create spatial patterns of gene expression, and in tissue engineering, high throughput …

Retrofit Of Distillation Columns Using Thermodynamic Analysis, Yaşar Demirel

Papers in Physical Properties

Thermodynamic analysis provides the column grand composite curves and exergy loss profiles, which are becoming readily available for a converged distillation column simulation. For example, the Aspen Plus simulator performs the thermodynamic analysis through its Column–Targeting tool for rigorous column calculations. This study uses the column grand composite curves and the exergy loss profiles obtained from Aspen Plus to assess the performance of the existing distillation columns, and reduce the costs of operation by appropriate retrofits in a methanol plant. Effectiveness of the retrofits is also assessed by means of thermodynamics and economics. The methanol plant utilizes two distillation columns …

Updated Asabe Standard Manure Excretion Standard, Richard K. Koelsch

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Presentations and White Papers

This newsletter introduces the new ASABE (American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers) Standard D384.2, Manure Production and Characteristics. This new standard provides an equation-based approach that integrates animal feeding program and performance into the final estimate of total solids, nitrogen, and phosphorus excretion for seven livestock and poultry species. This article reviews the opportunity this standard provides for improving accuracy of farm-specific nutrient management planning and introduces an educational opportunity for users to be introduced to new software for using the standard.

I propose to conduct one or more workshops on the standard and supporting software tool in June. …

Modeling Of Coupled-Tank System Using Fuzzy Takagi-Sugeno Model, Aries Subiantoro

Makara Journal of Technology

Modeling of Coupled-Tank System Using Fuzzy Takagi-Sugeno Model. This paper describes modeling of coupledtank system based on data measurement using fuzzy Takagi-Sugeno model. The fuzzy clustering method of Gustafson- Kessel algorithm is used to classify input-output data into several clusters based on distance similarity of a member of input-output data from center of cluster. The formed clusters are projected orthonormally into each linguistic variables of premise part to determine membership function of fuzzy Takagi-Sugeno model. By estimating data in each cluster, the consequent parameters of fuzzy Takagi-Sugeno model are calculated using weighted least-squares method. The resulted fuzzy Takagi-Sugeno model is …

Association Of Sound To Motion In Video Using Perceptual Organization, Sunil Babu Ravulapalli

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Technological developments and innovations of the first forty years of the digital era have primarily addressed either the audio or the visual senses. Consequently, designers have primarily focused on the audio or the visual aspects of design. In the perspective of video surveillance, the data under consideration has always been visual. However, in light of the new behavioral and physiological studies which established a proof of cross modality in human perception i.e. humans do not process audio and visual stimulus separately, but percieve a scene based on all stimulus available, similar cues are being used to develop a surveillance system …

2006 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.

Use Of A Modified Zirconia Support In The Separation Of Immunoproteins, Anuradha Subramanian, Sabyasachi Sarkar

Papers in Biotechnology

Zirconia beads (25–38 μm in diameter) were modified with N,N,N′,N′-ethylenediaminetetramethylenephosphonic acid to generate a zirconia based pseudoaffinity support, further referred to as r_PEZ. The influence of pH, salt concentration and temperature on the binding of human immunoglobulin G (hIgG) to r_PEZ was studied. Temperature had no significant impact on the maximum binding capacity (Qmax), and the equilibrium-binding constant (Kd), whereas pH and the salt concentration had a noticeable impact on both Qmax and Kd. The Qmax value of 55 mg hIgG/ml of bead was obtained at a pH of 5.5 and found to decrease with an increase of pH. The …

Space For Project Based Learning Programs, Robert J. Twiggs

Robert "Bob" Twiggs STEM Education Collection

A PowerPoint Presentation created by Professor Bob Twiggs titled "Space for Project Based Learning Programs" from March 24, 2006.

Uncertainty Estimation For Target Detection System Discrimination And Confidence Performance Metrics, David R. Parker

Theses and Dissertations

This research uses a Bayesian framework to develop probability densities for target detection system performance metrics. The metrics include the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the confidence error generation (CEG) curve. The ROC curve is a discrimination metric that quantifies how well a detection system separates targets and non-targets, and the CEG curve indicates how well the detection system estimates its own confidence. The degree of uncertainty in these metrics is a concern that previous research has not adequately addressed. This research formulates probability densities of the metrics and characterizes their uncertainty using confidence bands. Additional statistics are obtained …

A Comparative Study Of Monoclonal Antibodies (Mabs) Purified From Cell Culture Supernatant On Edtpa-Modified Zirconia Beads And Protein A-Hyper D Support, Anuradha Subramanian, Blanca Martinez, Jill Holm, Peter W. Carr, Clayton V. Mcneff

Papers in Biotechnology

Colloidal zirconia was spray dried to yield zirconia particles, which were further modified with N, N, N0, N0- Ethylenediamine tetra methylenephosphonic acid (EDTPA) to yield a sup-port for use in bioseparations. EDTPA modified zirconia particles will be further referred to as, r_PEZ. Cell culture supernatants rich in monoclonal antibody (Mab) subtypes IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b, and IgG3 were chromatographed on a r_PEZ column, and on a protein A-hyper D col-umn that was purchased commercially. All Mab subtypes bound to r_PEZ and process yields in the range of 88 to 99% were obtained. The purity of the Mab products were ascertained by …

Risk Of Colon Cancer In Hereditary Non-Polyposis Colorectal Cancer Patients As Predicted By Fuzzy Modeling: Influence Of Smoking, Rhonda M. Brand, David D. Jones, Henry T. Lynch, Randall E. Brand, Patrice Watson, Ramesh Ashwathnayaran, Hemant K. Roy

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

AIM: To investigate whether a fuzzy logic model could predict colorectal cancer (CRC) risk engendered by smoking in hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) patients.

METHODS: Three hundred and forty HNPCC mismatch repair (MMR) mutation carriers from the Creighton University Hereditary Cancer Institute Registry were selected for modeling. Age-dependent curves were generated to elucidate the joint effects between gene mutation (hMLH1 or hMSH2), gender, and smoking status on the probability of developing CRC.

RESULTS: Smoking significantly increased CRC risk in male hMSH2 mutation carriers (P < 0.05). hMLH1 mutations augmented CRC risk relative to hMSH2 mutation carriers for males (P < 0.05). Males had a significantly higher risk of CRC than females for hMLH1 non smokers (P < 0.05), hMLH1 smokers (P < 0.1) and hMSH2 smokers (P < 0.1). Smoking promoted CRC in a dose-dependent manner in hMSH2 in males (P < 0.05). Females with hMSH2 mutations and both sexes with the hMLH1 groups only demonstrated a smoking effect after an extensive smoking history (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: CRC promotion by smoking in HNPCC patients is dependent on gene mutation, gender and age. …

Flight Testing Small, Electric Powered Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Jon N. Ostler

Theses and Dissertations

Flight testing methods are developed to find the drag polar for small UAVs powered by electric motors with fixed-pitch propellers. Wind tunnel testing was used to characterize the propeller-motor efficiency. The drag polar was constructed using data from flight tests. The proposed methods were implemented for a small UAV. A drag polar was found for this aircraft with CDo equal to 0.021, K1 equal to 0.229, and K2 equal to -0.056. This drag polar was then used to find the following performance parameters; maximum velocity, minimum velocity, velocity for maximum range, velocity for maximum endurance, maximum rate of climb, maximum …

Modeling Study To Quantify The Benefits Of Groundwater Contaminant Source Remediation, David E. Wagner

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to quantify the benefits of groundwater contaminant source remediation by using a model to simulate how reduction of source mass was related to reduction of contaminant concentration at a receptor. This thesis sought to answer three research questions: (1) how are contaminant source mass reduction and reduction of mass flux leaving the source-zone related; (2) how can we quantify the effect of the important natural attenuation processes that act upon the dissolved contaminant as it travels from the source zone to downgradient receptors, and (3) under specified site conditions, what is the maximum contaminant …

Terrain And Spatial Effects On Hazard Prediction And Assessment Capability (Hpac) Software Dose-Rate Contour Plot Predictions As Compared To A Sample Of Local Fallout Data From Test Detonations In The Continental United States, 1945-1962, Kevin D. Pace

Theses and Dissertations

Hazard Prediction and Capability (HPAC) Software is validated by comparing modeled predictions to historical test data. Reanalysis weather data is acquired and reformatted for use in HPAC. Simulations are made using various amounts of weather data by use of a spatial domain. Simulations are also varied by levels of terrain resolution. The predicted output of the software is numerically compared to historical test data. The result of this research culminated in the knowledge that HPAC prediction accuracy is improved by using terrain resolutions beyond the flat earth assumption. Furthermore, this research establishes that domain size variation produces no significant advantage …

Using Agent-Based Modeling To Search For Elusive Hiding Targets, Jeffrey E. Rucker

Theses and Dissertations

The SCUD hunt problem that emerged during Operation Desert Storm has become a source of great interest to major commands like Air Combat Command. One of the metrics used to measure the effectiveness of our operations in a SCUD hunt is time to detect and target. We use the agent-based System Effectiveness and Analysis Simulation (SEAS) to provide a simulation environment in which all the elements of a SCUD hunt mission can adequately be modeled. Our Blue Force agents are modeled as multirole fighters, satellites and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) with various sensor capabilities. The Red Force agents are modeled …

Oleochemical Biofuel, Peter Reimers

Bioenergy - I: From Concept to Commercial Processes

No abstract provided.

Biorefinery Process Economics, Gregory M. Bohlmann

Bioenergy - I: From Concept to Commercial Processes

No abstract provided.

Ethanol Processing Co-Products - Current Constraints And Future Directions, Kurt A. Rosentrater

Bioenergy - I: From Concept to Commercial Processes

No abstract provided.

Poster: Biomass Energy Priorities For Developing Nations, Henry R. Bungay

Bioenergy - I: From Concept to Commercial Processes

No abstract provided.

Hansenula Polymorpha As A New Promising Organism For High Temperature Alcoholic Fermentation Of Lignocellulose Sugars, Andriy A. Sibirny

Bioenergy - I: From Concept to Commercial Processes

No abstract provided.

Poster: Sequestration Of Carbon Dioxide With Simultaneous Production Of Succinic Acid By Metabolically Engineering Escherichia Coli, M. A. Eiteman, S. Lu, J. L. Buday, J. R. Kastner, E. Altman

Bioenergy - I: From Concept to Commercial Processes

No abstract provided.

Mixed Culture Fermentation For Bioenergy Production, Robbert Kleerebezem, Mark Cm Van Loosdrecht

Bioenergy - I: From Concept to Commercial Processes

No abstract provided.

Poster: Valorization Of Manure Using Combined Anaerobic Digestion / Algal Tag Production, Alexandra Holland, Rhonda Schmidt, Nam Nguyen

Bioenergy - I: From Concept to Commercial Processes

No abstract provided.

Program - Bioenergy I: From Concept To Commercial Processes - March 5-10, 2006 - Tomar, Portugal

Bioenergy - I: From Concept to Commercial Processes

No abstract provided.