Digital Commons Network^™

Integration Of Artificial Neural Networks And Simulation Modeling In A Decision Support System, Kenney Lecroy

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

A simulation based decision support system is developed for AT&T Microelectronics in Orlando. This system uses simulation modeling to capture the complex nature of semiconductor test operations. Simulation, however, is not a tool for optimization by itself. Numerous executions of the simulation model must generally be performed to narrow in on a set of proper decision parameters. As a means of alleviating this shortcoming, artificial neural networks are used in conjunction with simulation modeling to aid management in the decision making process. The integration of simulation and neural networks in a comprehensive decision support system, in effect, learns the reverse …

Reaction Of Titanocene Dichloride With Acetylenedicarboxylate, Tanya L. Hagler, Mark Draganjac, Paul M. Nave, J. Ed Bennett, Farooq Kahn, Robert Engelken, Gerard Williams, Chris Poole, Kwok Fai Yu

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

The reaction of Cp2TiCl2 with either the mono- or dipotassium salt of acetylenedicarboxylic acid (ADC) gives high yields of an insoluble orange product. The insoluble compound shows potential semiconductor behavior, as evidenced by an apparent bandgap in the orange region of the visible spectrum. Under N2 ,the compound decomposes at 238° C, eventually losing approximately 46% total mass up to 1350° C. The exothermic decomposition in air, beginning at 235° C, results in the formation of titanium oxides.

Multimedia Application Synthesis Study, Bob G. Mccullouch

JTRP Technical Reports

Multimedia with its ability to involve various human faculties through the use of various media forms, provides a robust environment in which to learn in. Retention improves significantly when media exercises these various human faculties. Studies indicate that students complete training in one-third the time of the traditional instruction method while reaching up to 50 percent higher competency levels. Utilizing this technology can provide improved training tools and learning environments for the Department. Because of the many potential applications, technical and nontechnical, that may exist within the Department for utilizing this technology; a study was performed to answer questions about …

A Comparison Of Fam And Cmac For Nonlinear Control, Arit Thammano, Cihan H. Dagli

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This article compares a neural network-based controller, both local and global networks, with fuzzy associative memories (FAM) on a nonlinear problem. CMAC and FAM are chosen as representatives of local generalization networks. CMAC controller is trained off-line, therefore, it can response to the incoming input immediately. CMAC can interpolate its memory and give a reasonable control signal even the input has not been trained on. Backpropagation is picked as a representative of global generalization networks. All three systems are studied on a simple simulated control problem. This preliminary research will be adapted later to control the laser cutting machine. A …

Interposed Abdominal Compression As An Adjunct To Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, Charles F. Babbs, Jeffrey B. Sack, Karl B. Kern

Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications

The addition of interposed abdominal compression (IAC) to otherwise standard CPR provides external pressure over the abdomen in counterpoint to the rhythm of chest compression. Interposed abdominal compression is a simple manual technique that can supplement the use of adrenergic drugs to increase both coronary perfusion pressure and total blood flow during CPR. Mechanistically, manual abdominal compressions induce both central aortic and central venous pressure pulses. However, owing to differences in venous versus arterial capacitance, the former are usually greater than the latter, so that systemic perfusion pressure is enhanced. Moreover, practical experience and theoretical analysis have suggested subtle refinements …

Efficacy Of Implementing An Ergonomics Program In An Industrial Setting Regarding Cumulative Trauma Disorders To The Upper Extremity, Christa Abraham, Lisa Evans, Patrick Hoban

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine if implementation of an industrial ergonomics program would decrease the number of upper extremity cumulative trauma disorders, lost days of work, and insurance costs. Data was collected from company records and OSHA logs including type of injury, lost days of work, restricted days of work, and insurance costs. This data was then analyzed using regression analysis and descriptive statistics.; The results of this study supported the concept that ergonomic programs may decrease the number of lost days of work. In this study, a number of limitations and weak correlations were found between …

Final Environmental Assessment For Endangered Species Habitat Improvement/Creation In The Missouri River Between The Niobrara River And Ponca, Nebraska

United States Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District

An environmental assessment has been prepared for new habitat development in upper Lewis and Clark Lake and the Missouri River below Gavins Point Dam. The actions described are in response to the November 1990, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Biological Opinion on the operation of the Missouri River Main Stem System, and will provide safer nesting habitat for the interior least tern (endangered species) and the piping plover (threatened species).

Vegetation on the river islands will be removed and maintained in the "sparsely vegetated" state needed for nesting habitat for the terns and plovers. After vegetation removal, the islands will …

The Status Of Nebraska Fishes In The Missouri River. 6. Sauger (Percidae: Stizostedion Canadense), Larry W. Hease

United States Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District

Saugers were once common representatives of the Missouri River fish assemblage. Prior to channelization and impoundment, they comprised from 10 to 65% of the main channel big-river fish group. They utilized the slower side channels and backwaters seasonally for feeding, resting, and maturing, but the main channel was important for breeding habitat, Since the onset of channelization and impoundment, saugers have been reduced by as much as 98% in some areas, and the trend toward extirpation continues unabated today. Recovery of native sauger stocks will require a complete cessation of harvest, recovery of the natural hydrograph, recovery of sediment transport, …

Darcy-Weisbach Roughness Coefficients For Selected Crops, John E. Gilley, E. R. Kottwitz

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Total hydraulic resistance on an upland agricultural site may be influenced by several factors including standing vegetation. In this laboratory study, Darcy-Weisbach roughness coefficients were measured for corn, cotton, sorghum, soybeans, sunflower, and wheat vegetation. Experimental variables used in this investigation in addition to crop type included plant population, row spacing, row orientation, and flow rate. For some of the experimental tests, a single row of vegetation was oriented within a flume parallel to the principal flow direction. For the remainder of the tests, rows of vegetation were placed perpendicular to the flow using row spacings and plant populations recommended …

Water Vapor Permeability And Mechanical Properties Of Grain Protein-Based Films As Effected By Mixtures Of Polyethylene Glycol Amd Glycerin Plasticizers, H. J. Park, J. M. Bunn, Curtis L. Weller, P. J. Vergano, R. F. Testin

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Grain protein-based films containing mixtures of glycerin and polyethylene glycol (PEG) as plasticizers were prepared and evaluated for water vapor permeability (WVP), tensile strength (TS), and elongation (E). Changes in mechanical properties during storage were also studied. The PEG produced opposite trends in E of wheat gluten and corn-zein films. The TS of wheat gluten films increased and E of the films decreased as the ratio of glycerin/PEG decreased. Corn-zein films containing only glycerin were very brittle (E of 4%), and E of the films improved to 94% when the ratio of mL PEG/g protein was 0.39. The WVP of …

Long Term Tillage Effects On Grain Yield And Soil Properties In A Soybean/Grain Sorghum Rotation, Elbert C. Dickey, Paul J. Jasa, Robert Grisso

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

In Nebraska, early adopters of conservation tillage, especially those using no-till planting, had some concerns regarding planter performance, early season weed control, and possible yield reductions. Selected tillage and planting systems were used long term to evaluate effects on soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] and grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] yield, soil properties, and residue cover in a non-irrigated rotation. The six tillage and planting systems selected for evaluation were: no-till, no-till with row-crop cultivation, disk, double disk, chisel, and plow. In 1981, two sets of field plots were established near Lincoln, NE, on a Sharpsburg silty …

Tillage And Planting System, Stalk Chopper, And Knife Applicator Influences On Corn Residue Cover, David P. Shelton, Stephen D. Kachman, Elbert C. Dickey, K.T. Fairbanks, Paul J. Jasa

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Percent corn (Zea mays L.) residue cover remaining on the soil surface after planting was measured for 11 tillage and planting systems that included combinations of the use, and timing, of a stalk chopper and/or a knife-type fertilizer applicator. Tillage, as well as use of a stalk chopper or knife applicator, significantly reduced residue cover. Only 27 of the 69 stalk chopper/knife applicator/tillage and planting system treatment combinations that were evaluated could be classified as conservation tillage by having at least 30% residue cover remaining after planting.

Monte Carlo Calculation Of Effective Diffusivities In Two- And Three-Dimensional Heterogeneous Materials Of Variable Structure, Mark R. Riley, Fernando J. Muzzio, Helen M. Buettner, Sebastian C. Reyes

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

A Monte Carlo technique that simulates tracer diffusion in multiphase materials of arbitrary complexity has been developed. Effective diffusivities are calculated for structures consisting of either overlapping or nonoverlapping inclusions with diffusivity D_c, distributed in a continuous phase with diffusivity D₀>D_c. Two-dimensional simulations for various values of D₀/D_c generate normalized diffusivities that correspond closely to their three-dimensional counterparts; they nearly collapse to a common curve when a simple scaling relation is applied.

Moisture Adsorption By Grain Protein Films, A. Gennadios, Curtis L. Weller

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Grain protein films plasticized with glycerol were prepared from corn zein (CZ), wheat gluten (WG), and a 2.3:1 mixture of wheat gluten and soy protein isolate (WG/SPI). Moisture adsorption curves of the three types of protein films at 25° C and within an approximate water activity range of 0.11 to 0.84 were obtained using a static gravimetric method. The Smith, Oswin, Halsey, and Guggenheim-Anderson-de Boer (GAB) models were applied to collected data. For all protein films, the GAB model showed the best fit over the entire studied water activity range yielding mean deviation modulus values (P) of 4.69, 3.44, and …

Identification Of Tire Leachate Toxicants And A Risk Assessment Of Water Quality Effects Using Tire Reefs In Canals, S. M. Nelson, G. Mueller, D. C. Hemphill, U.S. Bureau Of Reclamation

Publications (WR)

Cover is an important component of aquatic habitat and fisheries management. Fisheries biologists often try to improve habitats through the addition of natural and artificial material to improve cover diversity and complexity. Habitat-improvement programs range from submerging used Christmas trees to more complex programs using sophisticated artificial habitat modules. Used automobile tires have been employed in the large scale construction of reefs and fish attractors in marine environments and to a lesser extent in freshwater and have been recognized as a durable, inexpensive and long-lasting material which benefits fishery communities.

Recent studies by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation have quantified …

Hycrest Crested Wheatgrass Accelerates The Degradation Of Pentachlorophenol In Soil, A. Ferro, Ronald C. Sims, B. Bugbee

Biological Engineering Faculty Publications

We investigated the effects of vegetation on the fate of pentachlorophenol (PCP) in soil using a novel high-flow sealed test system. Pentachlorophenol has been widely used as a wood preservative, and this highly toxic biocide contaminates soil and ground water at many sites. Although plants are known to accelerate the rates of degradation of certain soil contaminants, this approach has not been thoroughly investigated for PCP. The fate of [14C]PCP, added to soil at a concentration of 100 mg/kg, was compared in three unplanted and three planted systems. The plant used was Hycrest, a perennial, drought-tolerant cultivar of crested wheatgrass …

Transform Method Of Processing For Speckle Strain-Rate Measurements, Donald D. Duncan, Sean J. Kirkpatrick, F. Fausten Mark, Lawrence W. Hunter

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

We have developed a highly sensitive method for measuring thermal expansion, mechanical strain, and creep rates. We use the well-known technique of observing laser speckle with a pair of linear array cameras, but we employ a data-processing approach based on a two-dimensional transform of the speckle histories from each camera. This technique can effect large gauge sizes, which are important in the assessment of the spatial statistics of creep. Further, the algorithm provides simultaneous global estimates of the strain rates at both small- and large-scale sizes. This feature may be of value in the investigation of materials with different short- …

Electronic Document Distribution: Design Of The Anonymous Ftp Langley Technical Report Server, Michael L. Nelson, Gretchen L. Gottlich

Computer Science Faculty Publications

An experimental electronic dissemination project, the Langley Technical Report Server (LTRS), has been undertaken to determine the feasibility of delivering Langley technical reports directly to the desktops of researchers worldwide. During the first six months, over 4700 accesses occurred and over 2400 technical reports were distributed. This usage indicates the high level of interest that researchers have in performing literature searches and retrieving technical reports at their desktops. The initial system was developed with existing resources and technology. The reports are stored as files on an inexpensive UNIX workstation and are accessible over the Internet. This project will serve as …

Immittance Spectroscopy Of Smart Components And Novel Devices, Mohammad Anwarul Alim, Sanjida Khanam, Martin A. Seitz

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

AC small-signal immittance spectroscopy is employed as a viable tool to demonstrate electrical characterization, performance improvement, and quality assurance issues of smart materials-based components and novel devices. The variation in the ac response, complemented via dc measurements within a range of tolerating temperature, delineates competing phenomena occurring in the microstructures of these engineering material systems. The results are presented in a generic manner with possible explanations on the mechanisms for two selected Debye-like (nearly ideal) and non-Debye (non-ideal) low-capacitance resistors. This spectroscopic approach allows systematic development of a representative equivalent circuit, considered to be the characteristic of the devices and …

Introducing Uncertainty Of Aquifer Parameters Into An Optimization Model, Robert L. Ward, Richard C. Peralta

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

A stochastic analysis is made for a previously described groundwater contaminant management model {Peralta and Ward, 1988). The stochastic model is based on incorporating uncertainty of the aquifer parameters transmissivity and effective porosity into the model. This is accomplished by finding the partial derivative of drawdown with respect to each of these parameters using a Taylor series expansion approximation of the Theis equation. Input that is required for the stochastic version is the mean of the transmissivity and effective porosity, the coefficient of variation of the transmissivity and effective porosity, and a reliability level (0%-100%) . The reliability is a …

Optimizing Irrigation Management For Pollution Control And Sustainable Crop Yield, Ghassan R. Musharrafieh, Richard C. Peralta, Ronald J. Hanks, Lynn M. Dudley

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Irrigation strategies which maximize crop yield while maintaining target salt concentration in the root zone and/or prevent salt from leaching to the groundwater are computed using a nonlinear, one dimensional, simulation/optimization management model. The included constraint equations maintain a water volume balance and salt transport in the unsaturated zone. Utilized are implicit finite difference forms of the nonlinear, unsteady, unsaturated water flow equation (Richards's equation), and the diffusion-convection solute transport equation. Other constraints include nonlinear functions describing the hydraulic properties of the medium (hydraulic conductivity as a function of matric potential, volumetric water content as a function of matric potential, …

Preventing Pesticide Contamination Of Groundwater While Maximizing Irrigated Crop Yield, Richard C. Peralta, M. A. Hegazy, G. Musharrafieh

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

A simulation/optimization model is developed for maximizing irrigated crop yield while avoiding unacceptable pesticide leaching. The optimization model is designed to help managers prevent non-point source contamination of shallow groundwater aquifers. It computes optimal irrigation amounts for given soil, crop, chemical, and weather data and irrigation frequencies. It directly computes the minimum irrigated crop yield reduction needed to prevent groundwater contamination. Constraint equations used in the model maintain a layered soil moisture volume balance; describe percolation, downward unsaturated zone solute transport and pesticide degradation; and limit the amount of pesticide reaching groundwater. Constraints are linear, piecewise linear, nonlinear, and exponential. …

Modeling Technique For Optimal Recovery Of Immiscible Light Hydrocarbons As Free Product From Contaminated Aquifer, Grant S. Cooper Jr., Richard C. Peralta, Jagath J. Kaluarachchi

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Contamination sites associated with light non-aqueous phase liquids {LNAPL) are numerous and represent difficult cleanup problems. Remediation methods for cleanup of LNAPL fluids in subsurface systems are continuously evolving with the development of various technologies for pump.-and~treat, soil venting, and in-situ bioremediation. Evaluating the effectiveness of remediation techniques as well as attempting to improve their efficiency has been a focus of many researchers, These efforts have included the development of computer simulation models to predict and analyze the fluid movement, entrapment, and mobilization of three~phase systems in porous media. The capability of computer models that not only simulate but optimize …

Wildlife Exposure Factors Handbook, Appendix: Literature Review Database, Volume Ii Of Ii, United States Environmental Protection Agency

United States Environmental Protection Agency: Publications

This Appendix is intended to accompany the Wildlife Exposure Factors Handbook (hereafter referred to as the Handbook) and should be used only by individuals familiar with the Handbook. The species-specific values for the exposure factors presented in Chapter 2 of the Handbook of are a subset of the data included in the tables of this Appendix. Most values identified in the literature reviewed for the Handbook are included in this Appendix. For some exposure factors for some species, large quantities of data are available. For these factors and species, we tried to select data that represented a range of values …

Genetic Algorithms Applied To A Mission Routing Problem, James B. Olsan

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis applies genetic algorithms to a mission routing problem. The mission routing problem involves determining an aircraft’s best route between a staging base and a target. The goal is to minimize the route distance and the exposure to radar. Potential routes are mapped to a 3-dimensional mesh where the nodes correspond to checkpoints in the route and the arcs correspond to partial paths of the route. Each arc is weighted with respect to distance and exposure to radar. A genetic algorithm is a probabilistic search technique loosely based on theories of biological evolution. Genetic crossover and survival of the …

Neural Networks For Dynamic Flight Control, Ronald E. Setzer

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines the application of artificial neural networks (NNs) to the problem of dynamic flight control. The specific application is the control of a flying model helicopter. The control interface is provided through a hardware and software test bed called the Fast Adaptive Maneuvering Experiment (FAME). The NN design approach uses two NNs: one trained as an emulator of the plant and the other trained to control the emulator. The emulator neural network is designed to reproduce the flight dynamics of the experimental plant. The controller is then designed to produce the appropriate control inputs to drive the emulator …

Color Image Segmentation, Kimberley A. Mccrae

Theses and Dissertations

The most difficult stage of automated target recognition ATR is segmentation. Current AFIT segmentation problems include faces and tactical targets previous efforts to segment these objects have used intensity and motion cues. This thesis develops a color preprocessing scheme to be used with the other segmentation techniques. A neural network is trained to identify the color of a desired object, eliminating all but that color from the scene. Gabor correlations and 2D wavelet transformations will be performed on stationary images and 3D wavelet transforms on multispectral data will incorporate color and motion detection into the machine visual system. The thesis …

Creation Of Prototype Aircrew Protection Equipment Based On Face Anthropometry, Martin E. Piccus, Gary A. Smith, Brian K. Standley, Tami L. Volk, Linda B. Wildes

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this research is to develop a process which will analyze and group human faces, concentrating on the oxygen mask seal area, into a minimum number of generic yet distinct face types. The shape and size, or form, of the face is described by bending energies. This bending energy provides the features for the grouping of similar face types, while distinguishing representatives for each cluster. The face tariffs are the percentage of faces grouped under a representative face. The representative faces are then transformed Into three-dimensional solids using computer-aided design. A rapid prototype creates the solids or plugs …

Wright State University College Of Engineering And Computer Science Bits And Pcs Newsletter, Volume 9, Number 10, December 1993, College Of Engineering And Computer Science, Wright State University

BITs and PCs Newsletter

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

Wildlife Exposure Factors Handbook, Volume I Of Ii, United States Environmental Protection Agency

United States Environmental Protection Agency: Publications

The Exposure Assessment Group of the Office of Health and Environmental Assessment (OHEA) has prepared the Wildlife Exposure Handbook in support of the Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response and the Office of Water. The Handbook provides information on various factors used to assess exposure to wildlife. The goals of the project are (1) to promote the application of risk assessment methods to wildlife species, (2) to foster a consistent approach to wildlife exposure and risk assessments, and (3) to increase the accessibility of the literature applicable to these assessments.
The bulk of the document summarizes literature values for …