Digital Commons Network^™

Practical Simulation /Optimization Modeling For Groundwater Quality And Quantity Management, Richard C. Peralta, Ineke M. Kalwij, Shengjun Wu

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Software for mathematically optimizing groundwater management has improved significantly in recent years. The SOMOS code can readily handle large complex plume and water management problems. Most recently, it developed a least-cost $40.82M 30-yr pumping strategy for the 6.58 mile long Blaine NAD plume. That strategy was 19 percent better than the strategy developed simultaneously by an experienced consultant using normal trial and error simulation procedures. The management problem involved 60 stress periods, and well installation and pumping rates that could change every 10 periods. The optimal strategy employed 10 new wells. At a simpler site, SOMOS helped select robust strategies …

Biology Goes Digital: An Array Of 5,700 Spartan Fpgas Brings The Biowall To "Life", Christof Teuscher, Gianluca Tempesti

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

A unique, scientific research instrument and art piece, the BioWall models bio-inspired electronic tissues capable of evolution, selfrepair, self-replication – and learning. Much pure and applied scientific research has focused on replicating biological functions in digital hardware. Here, at the Logic Systems Laboratory of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL), we have utilized 5,700 Xilinx Spartan™ FPGAs, in multiple configurations, to build bio-inspired computing machines that exploit three essential biological models: • Phylogenesis – the history of the evolution of the species • Ontogenesis – the development of an individual as directed by his genetic code • …

Computational Enhancement Of Genetic Algorithm Via Control Device Pre-Selection Mechanism For Power System Reactive Power/Voltage Control, G. Krost, Ganesh K. Venayagamoorthy, G. A. Bakare, U. O. Aliyu

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In this paper, the application of a novel and computationally enhances genetic algorithm (GA) for solving the reactive power dispatch problem is presented. In order to attain a significant reduction in the computational time of GA, a systematic procedure of reactive power control device pre-selection mechanism is herein proposed to choose a-priori subsets of the available control devices, which maximally influence buses experiencing voltage limit violations. The GA reactive power dispatch module then accesses such judiciously pre-selected control device candidates to determine their optimal settings. A pragmatic scheme aimed at further curtailing the number of the final control actions entertained …

Fuzzy Logic In Collective Robotic Search, Nian Zhang, Donald C. Wunsch

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

One important application of mobile robots is searching a geographical region to locate the origin of a specific sensible phenomenon. We first propose a fuzzy logic approach using a decision table. A novel fuzzy rule based was designed. And then a fuzzy search strategy is adopted by utilizing the three tier centers of mass coordination. Experimental results show that fuzzy logic algorithm is an efficient approach for the collective robots to locate the target source. In addition, noise and the position of the target affect the searching result.

Application Of Mechanistic Models In Predicting Flow Behavior In Deviated Wells Under Ubd Conditions, Faisal Abdullah Aladwani

LSU Master's Theses

Underbalanced drilling (UBD) has increased in recent years because of the many advantages associated with it. These include increase in the rate of penetration and reduction of lost circulation and formation damage. Drilling of deviated and horizontal wells also increased since recovery can be improved from a horizontal or a deviated well. The drilling of deviated wells using UBD method will reduce several drilling related problems such as hole cleaning and formation damage. Prediction of flow and pressure profiles while drilling underbalanced in such wells will help in designing and planning of the well. The main aim of this research …

Sensitivity To Hand Path Curvature During Reaching, Kyle P. Lillis, Robert A. Scheidt

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

People optimize reaching to make straight and smooth movements. We performed experiments characterizing human sensitivity to hand path deviations from a straight reach. Vision of the arm was blocked. Subjects either moved the hand along paths of constrained curvature, or a robot moved the relaxed limb along similar trajectories (active and passive conditions, respectively). Subjects responded after each trial whether or not they thought the movement curved convex right. In a series of three experiments, we tested the effects of modifying visual feedback of hand position to suppress curvature, isotonic muscle activation, and a distracter task on subjects ability to …

An Invariance Transformation Algorithm For Defect Characterization Of Ultrasonic Signals For The Nondestructive Evaluation Of Concrete, Michael Dominic Ciocco

Theses and Dissertations

Nondestructive evaluation (NDE) techniques offer cost-effective strategies for monitoring the integrity of a variety of civil infrastructure, such as natural gas and sewer pipelines, without the need to take the system off-line. However, interpretation of NDE signals in terms of the location, size, and shape of underlying flaws in the material being inspected is fraught with difficulty. Typically, variations in the testing signal due to operational parameters have created a significant challenge for defect characterization. This thesis proposes, develops, and validates a defect characterization algorithm that compensates for operational variables and maps the test signal to a visual defect profile. …

Optimal Pumping Strategies For Umatilla Chemical Depot Rdx And Tnt Plumes, Richard C. Peralta

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

We present optimal pumping strategies to address RDX and TNT plumes at Umatilla Chemical Depot (UCD). We provide strategies for four optimization problem formulations. Each strategy requires constructing 2 wells. New Well U-1 is in the same location for all strategies. The second well location can differ with formulation. The number in a strategy’s name refers to the formulation it addresses. Using optimization in design is normally an iterative process involving interaction between the designer and client after preliminary optimizations are performed. This project does not permit that. To compensate, we present a second strategy for Formulation 1 (Strategy USU1B), …

Dec 2002, Tractor Museum

Lester F. Larsen Tractor Museum: Planning and Development Documents

Report from Director on Leave Development Projects Liason Report

Computer Simulations And Neutron Reflectivity Of Proteins At Interfaces, Amol A. Mungikar, Daniel Forciniti

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Computer simulations in conjunction with neutron reflectivity is an excellent combination for the study of biological materials at solid-liquid interfaces: Both techniques have excellent resolution levels (Ångströms) and they are mature. A stronger interaction between physicists and biologists will allow the use of these two approaches in topics of biological-biomedical interest.

Lunar Lava Tube Radiation Safety Analysis, Giovanni De Angelis, J. W. Wilson, M. S. Clowdsley, J. E. Nealy, D. H. Humes, J. M. Clem

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

For many years it has been suggested that lava tubes on the Moon could provide an ideal location for a manned lunar base, by providing shelter from various natural hazards, such as cosmic radiation, meteorites, micrometeoroids, and impact crater ejecta, and also providing a natural environmental control, with a nearly constant temperature, unlike that of the lunar surface showing extreme variation in its diurnal cycle. An analysis of radiation safety issues on lunar lava tubes has been performed by considering radiation from galactic cosmic rays (GCR) and Solar Particle Events (SPE) interacting with the lunar surface, modeled as a regolith …

A Review Of Nanotechnology Applications, Nick Ledbetter, Tarun Goswami

Biomedical, Industrial & Human Factors Engineering Faculty Publications

A review of current technology research efforts has been conducted in this paper. In nanoscience, objects are measured in nanometers, 1 billionth of a meter. For comparison, a human hair is approximately 100,000 nanometers thick and the smallest feature on current computer chips measures about 200 nanometers. Since nanotechnology has a wide range of applications from computer chip manufacturing, new materials, renewable energy, interconnection technology to mount the nano-chips, and in medical science, this review presents a broad summary of development efforts in the government and private sector laboratories. Therefore this project on the one hand prepares a review of …

Implementation Of Gy-Eq For Deterministic Effects Limitation In Shield Design, John W. Wilson, Myung-Hee Y. Kim, Giovanni De Angelis, Francis A. Cucinotta, Nobuaki Yoshizawa, Francis F. Badavi

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

The NCRP has recently defined RBE values and a new quantity (Gy-Eq) for use in estimation of deterministic effects in space shielding and operations. The NCRP's RBE for neutrons is left ambiguous and not fully defined. In the present report we will suggest a complete definition of neutron RBE consistent with the NCRP recommendations and evaluate attenuation properties of deterministic effects (Gy-Eq) in comparison with other dosimetric quantities.

Auger Timing Effects On Performance Of A Combine Unloading System, Todd Philip Cole

Open Access Master's Theses (through 2010)

Performance effects were measured on a combine unloading system using three different auger timing settings.Performance measures included maximum startup torque, mean operating torque, standard deviation of the operating torque, flow rate of grain through the system, and mechanical damage to the grain.The performance effects were measured with the system unloading corn and soybeans.

The data were statistically analyzed to check for interactions between the grains and differences between the timings.Using an alpha value of 0.1 it was found that timing 1 for both grains had a 3% (<2.4 L/s) higher flow rate over timings 2 and 3.Timings 1 and 2 for both grains had higher maximum startup torque, about 10% (60 N·m) more torque required than timing 3.In soybeans, timings 2 and 3 also had the smallest standard deviation in operating torque, about 30% (20 N·m) less than timing 1.We were unable to detect any differences in mechanical damage to corn or soybeans as a result of unloading auger timing.These findings suggest that timing 3, with the cross augers lagging 90° behind the vertical unloading auger, may require less maximum startup torque and less variation in torque for the cross augers to effectively fill the loosely filled space left after the vertical auger lifts the grain without extra torque effects of having the augers push against each other as they do in timing 1.

Advisor: Michael F. Kocher

Development Of Water-Based Ink System For Braille Printing, Saurabh Varma

Masters Theses

The most commonly used system of writing by and for blind persons is called Braille, named after its French inventor, Louis Braille (1809-1952). Braille is comprised of a rectangular six-dot cell on its end, with up to 63 possible combinations using one or more of the six dots. Braille is the only reliable method of literacy for blind persons, because it enables them to read and write by touch¹.

Currently, Braille is printed by special embossers that serve as a printing press. These embossers create Braille output when it is attached appropriately to computers. The speed of these …

Ccr4-Bearing T Cells Participate In Autoimmune Diabetes., Soon H. Kim, Mary M. Cleary, Howard S. Fox, Icos Coporation, Nora Sarvetnick

Journal Articles: Regenerative Medicine

Chemokine receptor expression is exquisitely regulated on T cell subsets during the course of their migration to inflammatory sites. In the present study we demonstrate that CCR4 expression marks a pathogenic population of autoimmune T cells. CCR4 was found exclusively on memory CD4(+) T cells during the progression of disease in NOD mice. Cells expressing the CCR4 ligand TARC (thymus- and activation-regulated chemokine) were detected within infiltrated islets from prediabetic mice. Interestingly, neutralization of macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC) with Ab caused a significant reduction of CCR4-positive T cells within the pancreatic infiltrates and inhibited the development of insulitis and diabetes. Furthermore, …

Metastable Phases Of Mgo-Tio2 Solid Solutions, Liang-Chieh Ma

Masters Theses

Magnesium titanium oxide powders were synthesized by the sol-gel method using alkoxides of magnesium and titanium with different ratios. Matastable phases of qandilite, Mg₂TiO₄, were found with Mg:Ti ratios down to 1.52:1 in lower temperature 600 °C than in the equilibrium condition which is above 1200 °C. Powder samples were examined by neutron powder diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) for analysis of structure and oxidation states. Also, samples were tested for the Mg:Ti ratios by induced coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. The structure refinements of the samples were done by General Structure Analysis System (GSAS) …

Method, Apparatus And Article For Microfluidic Control Via Electrowetting, For Chemical, Biochemical And Biological Assays And The Like, James D. Sterling

Business and Information Technology Faculty Research & Creative Works

An active-matrix microfluidic platform employs thin film transistor active ("TFT") matrix liquid crystal display ~ technology to manipulate small samples of fluid for chemical, biochemical, or biological assays without moving parts, for example, using a two-dimensional matrix array of drive electrodes. The active-matrix microfluidic platform may employ existing active matrix 0 addressing schemes and/or commercial "off-the-shelf" animation software to program assay protocols. A feedback subsystem may > determine an actual location of a fluid in the microfluidic structure, and provides location information to for display, for example, on an active-matrix display, and/or to control movement of one or more fluid bodies …

Flight Physician - November, 2002, 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.

A Rehabilitation Engineering Course For Biomedical Engineers, M. Barbara Silver-Thorn

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

This paper describes an upper division elective course in rehabilitation engineering that addresses prosthetics and orthotics, wheelchair design, seating and positioning, and automobile modifications for individuals with disabilities. Faculty lectures are enhanced by guest lectures and class field trips. Guest lecturers include a prosthetist and a lower extremity amputee client, an engineer/prosthetist specializing in the upper extremity, and a rehabilitation engineer. The lower extremity prosthetist and his client present a case study for prosthetic prescription, fabrication, fitting, alignment, and evaluation. The engineer/prosthetist contrasts body-powered versus externally powered upper extremity prostheses and associated design, fitting, and functional considerations; he also discusses …

Mechanical Properties Of Corn And Soybean Meal, Marek Molenda, Michael D. Montross, Jozef Horabik, Ira Joseph Ross

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

Ground corn and soybean meal are common ingredients in feed mixes. The knowledge of their mechanical properties is important to the feed manufacturer and consumer. Changes in these properties can lead to abnormally high or low levels of active ingredients in finished feed, thus decreasing its quality. Mechanical properties of wheat, corn meal, and soybean meal were investigated using a modified direct shear apparatus. The moisture content (wet basis), uncompacted bulk density, and particle density were: 10.4%, 733 kg/m³, and 1410 kg/m³ for soft red winter wheat; 11.4%, 583 kg/m³, and 1350 kg/m³ for …

The Aeronautics Education, Research, And Industry Alliance (Aerial) 2002 Report, Brent D. Bowen, Mary M. Fink, Jocelyn S. Nickerson, Uno Aviation Institute

Faculty Books and Monographs

UNOAI Report 02-7

The NASA Nebraska Space Grant Consortium (NSGC) & EPSCoR programs at the University I of Nebraska at Omaha are involved in a variety of innovative research activities. Such research is supported through the Aeronautics Education, Research, and Industry Alliance (AERIAL) and collaborative seed funds. AERIAL is a comprehensive, mulch-faceted, five year NASA EPSCoR initiative that contributes substantially to the strategic research and technology priorities of NASA while intensifying Nebraska’s rapidly growing aeronautics research and development endeavors.

AERIAL includes three major collaborative research teams (CRTs) whose nexus is a common focus in aeronautics research. Each CRT - Small …

Mineralization Of Manure Nutrients, Bahman Eghball, Brian J. Wienhold, John E. Gilley, Roger A. Eigenberg

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

In order to apply manure or compost to fulfill the nutrient requirements of a crop, knowledge of the amount of nutrients mineralized following application is needed. Nutrient mineralization from applied manure depends on temperature, soil moisture, soil properties, manure characteristics, and microbial activity. Since these factors cannot be accurately predicted, nutrient mineralization from applied manure can only be approximated. Nitrogen (N) availability from applied manure includes the inorganic N (NO₃-N and NH₄-N) in manure plus the amount of organic N mineralized following application. Nitrogen mineralization differs for different manure types since the inorganic/organic fraction and quality …

The Impact Of Variations In Membrane Capacitance On The Detected Neural-Electronic Signal, Robert B. Szlavik

Biomedical Engineering

There have been various theoretical and experimental studies presented in the literature that focus on interfacing neurons with discrete electronic devices such as transistors. The demonstrated lack of reproducible fidelity of the nerve cell action potential at the device junction would make it impractical to implement these devices in any neural prosthetic application where reliable detection of the action potential was a pre-requisite. In this study, the impact of typical variations in membrane capacitance on the detected neural signal is investigated.

Wright State University College Of Engineering And Computer Science Bits And Pcs Newsletter, Volume 19, Number 1, October 2002, College Of Engineering And Computer Science, Wright State University

BITs and PCs Newsletter

A sixteen page newsletter created by the Wright State University College of Engineering and Computer Science that addresses the current affairs of the college.

Nebraska Blueprint – Fall 2002

Nebraska Blueprint (Student Publication)

Table of Contents:

From the Editor

You Never Know Where the Road Will Lead – Civil engineering graduate student takes research on the road.

Feel the POWER! – Quarter-scale tractor team strives for excellence in competition and continues to move up in the ranks.

Independent Study Team Goes Robotic – The story behind the making of a robot by an undergraduate independent study team.

A Fine-Tuned Balance – Biological systems engineering student balances school and musical interests.

100 Hundred Years of Nebraska Blueprint – Serving engineering students of NU for a century, the Nebraska Blueprint celebrates its 100th Anniversary with …

Recurrent Neural Networks And Algorithms For Reconstruction Of Images From Noisy And/Or Partial Data, Ming-Jung Seow

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

In this thesis, modular architectures and neighborhood-distance based learning algorithms for fast and effective convergence with increased storage capacity of Hopfield neural networks are presented. The main objective of this research work is to better understand the function of recurrent neural networks and the influence of modularity within a network, and to design, implement, and test the performance of modular Hopfield neural networks for pattern association. Mathematical analysis and results are provided to show that the speed, storage capacity, and generalization capability of the recurrent networks are improved significantly by incorporating the modular architectures and learning algorithms. A new ratio …

Evaluation Of 70/30 D,L-Pla For Use As A Resorbable Interbody Fusion Cage, Jeffrey M. Toth, Mei Wang, Jeffrey L. Scifert, G. Bryan Cornwall, Bradley T. Estes, Howard Seim, Simon Turner

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Titanium lumbar interbody spinal fusion devices are reported to be 90% effective for single-level lumbar interbody fusion, although radiographic determination of fusion has been debated. Using blinded radiographic, biomechanic, histologic, and statistical measures, researchers in the present study evaluated a radiolucent 70/30 poly(L-lactide-co-D,L-lactide) (70/30 D,L-PLa) interbody fusion device packed with autograft or rhBMP-2 on a collagen sponge in 25 sheep at 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. A trend of increased fusion stiffness, radiographic fusion, and histologic fusion was demonstrated from 3 months to 24 months. Device degradation was associated with a mild to moderate chronic inflammatory response at …

A Multilevel Neural Network Architecture For Digital Implementation Of A Face Recognition System Based On Eigenface Approach, Linda Rajan

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The design and development of the digital implementation of a multilevel feed forward neural network architecture for face recognition based on statistical features representing Eigenfaces is presented in this thesis. The architecture is divided into three parts: feature extractor, classifier and identifier, The Eigenface extractor architecture is developed based on an efficient design strategy in which all the M weight values corresponding to the Eigenfaces are generated simultaneously from M images representing the Eigen vectors and the test input image. The multilayer neural network classifier is trained using error backpropagation algorithm. A novel multilevel digital architecture is developed for the …

Methods Of Modifying Lignin In Plants By Transformation With A 4-Coumarate Coenzyme A Ligase Nucleic Acid, Vincent Lee C. Chiang, Chung-Jui Tsai, Wen-Jing Hu

Michigan Tech Patents

The invention pertains to methods of altering growth, lignin content, coniferyl and sinapyl alcohol units in the lignin structure, disease resistance and cellulose content in plants by transformation with a lignin pathway p-coumarate Co-enzyme A ligase (4CL) nucleic acid.