Digital Commons Network^™

Lip Feature Extraction Towards An Automatic Speechreading System, Xiaozheng Zhang, Russell M. Mersereau

Electrical Engineering

The use of color information can significantly improve efficiency and robustness of lip feature extraction capability over purely grayscale-based methods. Edge information provides another useful tool in characterizing lip boundaries. In this paper we present a method of integrating both types of information to address the problem of lip feature extraction for the purpose of speechreading. We first examine various color models and view hue as an effective descriptor to characterize the lips due to its invariance to luminance and human skin color, and its discriminative properties. We use prominent red hue as an indicator to locate the position of …

Mustang Daily, September 9-15, 2000

Cal Poly Student Newspaper

Student newspaper of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA.

Singularly Perturbed Control Systems Using Non-Commutative Computer Algebra, J. W. Helton, F. Dell Kronewitter, W. M. Mceneaney, Mark Stankus

Mathematics

Most algebraic calculations which one sees in linear systems theory, for example in IEEE TAC, involve block matrices and so are highly non-commutative. Thus conventional commutative computer algebra packages, as in Mathematica and Maple, do not address them. Here we investigate the usefulness of non-commutative computer algebra in a particular area of control theory − singularly perturbed dynamic systems − where working with the non-commutative polynomials involved is especially tedious. Our conclusion is that they have considerable potential for helping practitioners with such computations. Commutative Gröbner basis algorithms are powerful and make up the engines in symbolic algebra packages' …

Using A Mensuration Approach With Fia Vegetation Plot Data To Assess The Accuracy Of Tree Size And Crown Closure Classes In A Vegetation Map Of Northeastern California, Samantha J. Gill, Jeff Milliken, Debby Beardsley, Ralph Warbington

Natural Resources Management and Environmental Sciences

The accuracy of the Lassen-Modoc vegetation map was assessed using data from a grid of permanent Forest In-ventory and Analysis (FIA) plots in conjunction with a fuzzy logic approach. This paper presents the results for the Modoc National Forest. The main foci of this paper are the methods and results for assessing the accuracy of tree size and crown closure classes using a mensurational approach based on calculations made from the plot data. This approach proved very useful in conjunction with fuzzy accuracy methods. Higher error rates reported for crown closure classes may be due to a variety of factors …

An Unusual Pulse In Recruitment Of Two Reef Fishes In The Galápagos Islands Coincident With The 1997–1998 El Niño, Benjamin I. Ruttenberg

Biological Sciences

No abstract provided.

Occurrence And Distribution Of Diverse Populations Of Magnetic Protists In A Chemically Stratified Coastal Salt Pond, Dennis A. Bazylinski, David R. Schlezinger, Brian H. Howes, Richard B. Frankel, Slava S. Epstein

Physics

Chemical stratification occurs in the water columns and sediments of many aquatic habitats resulting in vertical chemical and redox gradients. Various types of microorganisms are often associated with specific depths and chemical parameters in these situations. For example, magnetite-producing magnetotactic bacteria are known to form horizontal “plates” of cells at the oxic/anoxic transition zone (OATZ) of such environments. Here, we report the presence of populations of diverse magnetic protists in a seasonally chemically stratified, coastal salt pond. The protistan types included several biflagellates, a dinoflagellate, and a ciliate that were each associated with specific depths and thus, specific chemical, microbiological …

Cal Poly Magazine, Fall 2000

Cal Poly Magazine

No abstract provided.

The Effect Of Anisotrophy On The Potential Distribution In Biological Tissues And Its Impact On Nerve Excitation Simulations, Robert B. Szlavik, Hubert De Bruin

Biomedical Engineering

Presents a finite difference solution of the potential distribution associated with electrical current stimulation in an anisotropic in-homogeneous tissue environment and compare it to the isotropic case. The results demonstrate that there can be significant errors associated with the assumption of isotropic tissue properties in calculating the potential distribution along an axon in nerve excitation simulations. These errors can have a significant impact on predicted nerve fiber recruitment patterns when evaluating the efficacy of specific surface or intramuscular stimulus electrode configurations. The results of this study also suggest when a more comprehensive tissue model should be implemented in an electrode …

Irrigation District Service In The Western United States, Charles M. Burt, Stuart W. Styles

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

Data were obtained from 61 agricultural districts within the Mid-Pacific Region of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation regarding the level of water delivery service provided to users, water pricing, associated characteristics, and plans for modernization. A flexibility index was developed and used by the writers to characterize the degree of water delivery flexibility provided by each district. The flexibility index provides a rating of 3–15 (15 being the highest value) based upon the frequency, rate, and duration of irrigation water delivery service to farmers. The data show that 42% of the districts received a flexibility score of 12 or greater, …

Executive Committee - Meeting Minutes, 8/29/2000, Academic Senate

Academic Senate Minutes

No abstract provided.

Executive Committee - Agenda, 8/29/2000, Academic Senate

Academic Senate Agendas

No abstract provided.

Relative Intensity Noise Characteristics Of Injection-Locked Semiconductor Lasers, Xiaomin Jin, Shun-Lien Chuang

Electrical Engineering

An experimental and theoretical study of relative intensity noise (RIN) spectra of side-mode injection-locked Fabry–Perot semiconductor lasers is reported. It is shown that the injection-locking technique effectively increases the relaxation oscillation frequency from 4.5 GHz (free-running mode) to 12 GHz (injection-locked mode) and enhances relaxation peaks of the slave laser RIN spectra. Results from our theoretical model, which include the key parameters for semiconductor quantum-well lasers, such as the linewidth enhancement factor, the nonlinear gain saturation coefficients, and optical confinement factor, show good agreement with our experimental results.

Summer Mustang, August 24, 2000

Cal Poly Student Newspaper

Student newspaper of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA.

Summer Mustang, August 17, 2000

Cal Poly Student Newspaper

Student newspaper of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA.

August 16, 2000 Cal Poly Report, Public Affairs Office

Cal Poly Report

No abstract provided.

Summer Mustang, August 10, 2000

Cal Poly Student Newspaper

Student newspaper of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA.

Stability And Heat Transfer Characteristics Of Condensate Fluid Layers In Reduced Gravity, James C. Hermanson, Andreas N. Alexandrou, William W. Durgin, Peder C. Pedersen, Jeffrey S. Allen

Office of the Provost Scholarship

The focus of this ground-based program is the study of film condensation phenomena under variable, reduced-gravity conditions. Experimental tests, combined with numerical modeling, are employed to gain an improved understanding of the fundamental fluid physics responsible for condensate film growth, film instability and the resulting interfacial motion under variable gravity, and the corresponding implications for heat transfer. There has been relatively little research on the mechanisms operative at the film interface between condensed liquid and its vapor under reduced gravity conditions. Of particular interest are the stability characteristics of the condensate layer, and how they differ from those of films …

Thermally Treated Coal Tar Contaminated Soil As A Concrete Aggregate, Katherine E. Leblanc, John L. Durant, Christopher Swan, Michael J. Weaver, Daniel C. Jansen

Civil and Environmental Engineering

The current practice of landfilling thermally treated and untreated coal tar-contaminated soil is expensive, and it is a waste of a potentially useful material and landfill space. A less expensive and possibly more practical alternative is to use coal tar-contaminated soil as an aggregate in concrete. Because little work has been done in this area, the present study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of coal tar-contamination and thermal treatment on the physical properties of soil and the strength of concrete containing contaminated soil as an aggregate. Also assessed was the leachability of coal tar constituents (specifically, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons …

Summer Mustang, August 3, 2000

Cal Poly Student Newspaper

Student newspaper of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA.

August 2, 2000 Cal Poly Report, Public Affairs Office

Cal Poly Report

No abstract provided.

Palatability Of Beef Steaks Marinated With Solutions Of Calcium Chloride, Phosphate, And (Or) Beef-Flavoring, J. A. Scanga, R. J. Delmore Jr., R. P. Ames, K. E. Belk, J. D. Tatum, G. C. Smith

Animal Science

This study evaluated the efficacy of marination for increasing consumer acceptability of beef. Top-sirloin steaks from 28 USDA select steers were randomly assigned to one of six marination treatments: control (CT), 150 mM calcium chloride (CA), 10% solution of beef-flavoring/seasoning mixture (FL), CA and FL (CF), 2.5% sodium phosphate and FL (PF), and tap water (TW). Steaks were marinated in vacuum pouches, aged for 7 days, cooked to 70°C and evaluated by a trained sensory panel. Marination with CA did not affect tenderness ratings, but increased (P

Caught In/On The Web: To Publish Without Perishing In The Digital Age, Brian G. Kennelly

World Languages and Cultures

Publishing online is an increasingly prevalent means for scholars to test their ideas. But what of its challenges? Focusing on an ill-fated Web site dedicated to the polemic French writer Louis-Ferdinand Céline, and on a proposed hypertextual edition of his most multilinear and multisequential work, this paper asks how to reconcile the need of academics with the bullheadedness of publishers who resist the renegotiation of copyright and the marketplace it (once) enabled.

Field Case Histories For Spt-Based In Situ Liquefaction Potential Evaluation, K. Onder Cetin, Raymond B. Seed, Robb E.S. Moss, Armen Der Kiureghian, Kohji Tokimatsu, Leslie F. Harder, Jr., Robert E. Kayen

Civil and Environmental Engineering

This report provides documentation of the field performance case histories and site response analyses described in the report entitled "SPT-Based Probabilistic and Deterministic Assessment of Seismic Soil Liquefaction Initiation Hazard," by Cetin, et al. (2000).

Table 3-5, taken from that report, summarizes the interpreted field performance case histories from the original database of Seed et al. (1984) that were found to conform to the standards of Data Classes A, B or C, and so were used in the studies of Cetin et al. Table 3-7, also taken from that report, summarizes the cases that were deleted from the overall database …

The Legacy Of Modern Urbanism In Brazil: Paradigm Turned Reality Or Unfinished Project?, Vicente Del Rio, Haroldo Gallo

City and Regional Planning

The Modern Movement ideals of transformation and progress coincided with the national spirit and zeitgeist of the 1930s Estado Novo in Brazil. Despite a persistent conflict between distinct urbanist views a progressive approach of urbanism became eventually predominant. Its strong impact on urbanist manifestations reached its climax with the construction of Brasilia. This paper explores some negative aspects of the modern legacy in Brazilian urbanism, but by acknowledging that Modern Movement ideals helped to establish a great sense of social consciousness and promoted a common aim, also the creation of a particular identity is recognized. By strengthening local elements of …

Benchmarking Irrigation, Charles M. Burt

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

A few performance indicators (e.g., “efficiency”) have been included in irrigation jargon for many decades. However, at the Rome meeting we will have a comprehensive discussion on irrigation benchmarking. It will be easy to fall into a discussion of definitions and specifics. Prior to that, it might be helpful to consider the following aspects that will help to set the stage for the details:

An Inference Engine-Based Subscription Service, Kym J. Pohl, Jens G. Pohl

Collaborative Agent Design (CAD) Research Center

A Distributed Network Architecture (DNA) forms the basis of many decision-support systems available today. Such architecture excels at providing an application environment rich in transparency, performance, and expandability (Gray and Lievano 1997). However, efforts at the Collaborative Agent Design (CAD) Research Center in San Luis Obispo, California have found that for this architecture to be successfully applied to agent-based, decision-support systems two additional ingredients must be present, namely a query service and a subscription service. These two mechanisms support the extensive collaboration inherent in agent-based, decision-support systems. Although primarily utilized as a means of agent-to-agent interaction these two services can …

Adapting To The Information Age, Jens G. Pohl

Collaborative Agent Design (CAD) Research Center

This paper draws attention to the profound changes that human civilization is experiencing as it moves from an industrial environment into an information environment, in which unprecedented emphasis is placed on the knowledge and capabilities of the individual. A clear distinction is drawn between data and information in relationship to computer-based facilities, and the transition of data-processing to the higher levels of information and knowledge representation in quasi intelligent decision-support systems. It is argued that the cultivation of its human capital becomes a foundational requirement for the success of a knowledge-based organization. In such an organization traditional practices of hierarchical, …

Summer Mustang, July 27, 2000

Cal Poly Student Newspaper

Student newspaper of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA.

An Optimized Lifetime Reliability-Based Inspection Program For Deteriorating Structures, Allen C. Estes, Dan M. Frangopol

Architectural Engineering

No matter how well they are designed, all civil engineering structures will deteriorate over time and a program of lifetime inspection, maintenance and repair represents a substantial portion of the total lifetime cost of most structures. An optimized inspection program is the key to making appropriate repairs at the right time to minimize cost and maintain an appropriate level of safety in a structure. When a visual inspection will not provide the necessary level of information, some other non-destructive evaluation method is often needed. This study summarizes a methodology for optimizing the timing, the frequency, and the type of inspection …

Direct Stochastic Equivalent Linearization Of Sdof Smart Mechanical System, L. Duval, Mohammad N. Noori, S. Seelecke

Office of the Dean (CENG) Scholarship

The first and second moments of response variables for SDOF system with pseudoelastic material are obtained by a direct linearization procedure. This procedure is an adaptation of well-known statistical linearization methods, and provides concise, model-independent linearization coefficients. The method can be applied to systems that incorporate any SMA hysteresis model having a differential constitutive equation, and can be used for zero and non-zero mean random vibration. This implementation eliminates the effort of deriving linearization coefficients for new SMA hysteresis model. In this paper the complete statistical response of SDOF system containing a mass and a bar made of SMA is …