Digital Commons Network^™

Search For Gravitational Waves From Binary Black Hole Inspiral, Merger, And Ringdown, J. Abadie, Marco Cavaglia, For Full List Of Authors, See Publisher's Website.

Physics Faculty Research & Creative Works

We present the first modeled search for gravitational waves using the complete binary black-hole gravitational waveform from inspiral through the merger and ringdown for binaries with negligible component spin. We searched approximately 2 years of LIGO data, taken between November 2005 and September 2007, for systems with component masses of 1-99M_⊙ and total masses of 25-100M_⊙. We did not detect any plausible gravitational-wave signals but we do place upper limits on the merger rate of binary black holes as a function of the component masses in this range. We constrain the rate of mergers for 19M_{⊙ …}

Evidence For Power-Law Griffiths Singularities In A Layered Heisenberg Magnet, Fawaz Hrahsheh, Hatem Barghathi, Priyanka Mohan, Rajesh Narayanan, Thomas Vojta

Physics Faculty Research & Creative Works

We study the ferromagnetic phase transition in a randomly layered Heisenberg model. A recent strong-disorder renormalization group approach [Phys. Rev. B 81, 144407 (2010)] predicted that the critical point in this system is of exotic infinite-randomness type and is accompanied by strong power-law Griffiths singularities. Here, we report results of Monte-Carlo simulations that provide numerical evidence in support of these predictions. Specifically, we investigate the finite-size scaling behavior of the magnetic susceptibility which is characterized by a non-universal power-law divergence in the Griffiths phase. In addition, we calculate the time autocorrelation function of the spins. It features a very slow …

Composition-Tuned Smeared Phase Transitions, Fawaz Hrahsheh, David Nozadze, Thomas Vojta

Physics Faculty Research & Creative Works

Phase transitions in random systems are smeared if individual spatial regions can order independently of the bulk system. In this paper, we study such smeared phase transitions (both classical and quantum) in substitutional alloys A _1-xB _x that can be tuned from an ordered phase at composition x=0 to a disordered phase at x=1. We show that the ordered phase develops a pronounced tail that extends over all compositions x<1. Using optimal fluctuation theory, we derive the composition dependence of the order parameter and other quantities in the tail of the smeared phase transition. We also compare our results to computer simulations of a toy model, and we discuss experiments.

Large Kinetic Asymmetry In The Metal-Insulator Transition Nucleated At Localized And Extended Defects, W. Fan, Jinbo Cao, J. Seidel, Yijia Gu, J. W. Yim, For Full List Of Authors, See Publisher's Website.

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Superheating and supercooling effects are characteristic kinetic processes in first-order phase transitions, and asymmetry between them is widely observed. In materials where electronic and structural degrees of freedom are coupled, a wide, asymmetric hysteresis may occur in the transition between electronic phases. Structural defects are known to seed heterogeneous nucleation of the phase transition, hence reduce the degree of superheating and supercooling. Here we show that in the metal-insulator transition of single-crystal VO 2, a large kinetic asymmetry arises from the distinct spatial extension and distribution of two basic types of crystal defects: point defects and twin walls. Nanometer-thick twin …

The Effect Of On-Line Videos On Learner Outcomes In A Mechanics Of Materials Course, Jeffery S. Thomas, Richard H. Hall, Timothy A. Philpot, Douglas R. Carroll

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The Mechanics of Materials course is one of the core engineering courses included in the curriculum of mechanical, civil, mining, petroleum, marine, aeronautical, and several other engineering disciplines. As a core course, the Mechanics of Materials course typically has large enrollment. Initiatives aimed at improving the effectiveness of the engineering core courses can have a major impact on engineering education by virtue of the large number of students affected.

Computers afford opportunities for creative instructional activities that are not possible in the traditional lecture-and-textbook class format. The study described in this paper examines the effectiveness of asynchronous online video that …

Missouri S&T Magazine Summer 2011, Missouri S&T Marketing And Communications Department, Miner Alumni Association

Missouri S&T Magazine

No abstract provided.

The Canonical Decomposition Fuzzy Comparative Methodology For Assessing Architectures, Jason P. Dauby, Cihan H. Dagli

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The challenge for system architects is to perform a realistic assessment of an inherently ambiguous system concept. Many existing assessment methods are available, but these are often subjective and unrepeatable. Repeatability, objectivity, and increased fidelity are desired. an architecture assessment methodology capable of achieving these objectives is possible by drawing on the strengths of existing approaches while addressing their collective weaknesses. the proposed methodology is the Canonical Decomposition Fuzzy Comparative approach. the theoretical foundations of this methodology are developed herein and tested through the assessment of three physical architectures for a peer-to-peer wireless network. an extensible modeling framework is established …

Using Social Networking Game To Teach Operations Research And Management Science Fundamental Concepts, Ivan G. Guardiola, Susan L. Murray, Elizabeth A. Cudney

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper presents our experience using the popular game FarmVille by Zynga® to teach the fundamentals of linear programming and integer programming concepts to undergraduate students in an introductory operations research course. FarmVille is a popular game within the social networking website Facebook®. A month-long contest was introduced amongst the students with the goal to be the best individual farmer by striving to reach high levels of revenue, experience, and aesthetic appeal of their own unique farm. The contest is to demonstrate the concepts of problem formulation, solution methods, multiple and competing objectives, implementation of policy, and reformulation. The students …

Enhancing Undergraduate Engineering Education Of Lean Methods Using Simulation Learning Modules Within A Virtual Environment, Elizabeth A. Cudney, Steven Corns, Jennifer A. Farris, Stephen Gent, Scott Erwin Grasman, Ivan G. Guardiola

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper highlights the use of an integrated user-centered virtual learning environment throughextensible simulation learning modules that is currently being developed to enhance undergraduate curricula to meet the industrial needs for engineers with education in lean. The purpose of the research is to address these expectations by developing learning modules that incorporate lean simulation models into various Engineering Management, Industrial Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering courses at Missouri S&T, Texas Tech, and South Dakota State, respectively. In recent years, increasing global competition, rapidly changing technology, and a deficit of U.S. engineering graduates have intensified the need to produce graduating engineers who …

Missouri S&T Engineering Management Capstone Senior Design: Lessons Learned And Challenges To Come, Stephen A. Raper

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A more traditional, capstone senior design course was recently added as a requirement for Engineering Management undergraduates in the Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Department at Missouri S&T. The case studies course that had served that purpose was deemed to be insufficient for ABET accreditation purposes by department faculty. The most recent 2008 accreditation visit for the department verified this belief and caused the department to launch the new class earlier than anticipated to prove the class would be taught and that it would meet required standards. Thus, no weaknesses or concerns were noted in this area in the final …

Effectiveness Of Objective Functions In Soil Model Calibration Through Numerical Optimization, Michelle Deng, Louis Ge

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

When a conventional method such as linear regression is insufficient to identify the constants and parameters of an advanced constitutive model, numerical optimization techniques are often being used. in employing numerical optimization to constitutive model calibration, an objective function essentially needs to be formulated in such way that the difference between the measured and computed data points is quantified. When a minimum value of the objection function is obtained, the corresponding variables are the optimized model constants and parameters. in this paper, a modified Cam-Clay model is calibrated against laboratory data. Three objective functions are proposed in different forms to …

Variability Analysis Of Undrained Shear Strength For Reliability-Based Design, Site Onyejekwe, Xin Kang, Louis Ge, Richard Wesley Stephenson

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Description of the Spatial Variation of Compositional and Mechanical Soil Parameters is Often Paramount in Site Characterization of Geotechnical Design and Analysis. the Values of the Parameters Themselves Largely Depend on In-Situ State Factors Which Are Related to Spatial Locations. Also, for Large-Scale Engineering Projects Such as Earth Dams or Highways, It is Generally Expected that Heterogeneous Site Characteristics Will Be Revealed by Investigations at Spatially Distant Locations. Currently, Most Reliability-Based Design Methods Are based on the Second-Moment Statistics (Mean and Variance). However, They Are Unable to Adequately Describe the Spatial Variation of Soil Properties. in This Paper, Spatial Correlation …

Spatial Variation And Correlation Between Undrained Shear Strength And Plasticity Index, Xin Kang, Site Onyejekwe, Louis Ge, Richard Wesley Stephenson

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A Soil Variability Analysis is Presented in This Paper. About 317 Unconsolidated Undrained Triaxial Compression Tests (UU) Were Carried Out on Undisturbed Samples from Four Locations in Missouri. the Spatial Variation of the Undrained Shear Strength and Plasticity Index Was Described by the Second-Moment Statistics (Mean and Variance). Meanwhile, the Correlation between the Undrained Shear Strength and Plasticity Index Was Established and Compared with Other Published Empirical Equations. the Results from the Soil Variability Analysis Provide a Framework to the Reliability-Based Design. © 2011 ASCE.

Surface Reaction Rate And Probability Of Ozone And Alpha-Terpineol On Glass, Polyvinyl Chloride, And Latex Paint Surfaces, Shi Shu, Glenn Morrison

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Ozone can react homogeneously with unsaturated organic compounds in buildings to generate undesirable products. However, these reactions can also occur on indoor surfaces, especially for low-volatility organics. Conversion rates of ozone with α-terpineol, a representative low-volatility compound, were quantified on surfaces that mimic indoor substrates. Rates were measured for α-terpineol adsorbed to beads of glass, polyvinylchloride (PVC), and dry latex paint, in a plug flow reactor. a newly defined second-order surface reaction rate coefficient, k2, was derived from the flow reactor model. the value of k2 ranged from 0.68 - 10-14 cm 4s-1molecule-1 for α-terpineol adsorbed to PVC to 3.17 …

The Depolarization Of Pb(Zr0.52ti0.48)O₃ Ferroelectrics By Cylindrical Radially Expanding Shock Waves And Its Utilization For Miniature Pulsed Power, S. I. Shkuratov, Jason Baird, E. F. Talantsev

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The effects of depolarization of Pb(Zr_0.52Ti_0.48)O₃ (PZT 52/48) poled ferroelectrics by cylindrical radially expanding shock waves propagated along and across the polarization vector P₀ were experimentally detected. Miniature (total volume 100 cm³) autonomous generators based on these effects were capable of producing output voltage pulses with amplitudes up to 25 kV and output energies exceeding 1 J.

An Exploratory Study Of Speed Limit Compliance In Missouri Work Zones, Mojtaba A. Mohammadi, Ghulam Bham, Hadi Khazraee

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This study evaluated the speed compliance with the posted speed limit both quantitatively and qualitatively using objective and subjective data analysis. Free flow speed data for three work zones on I-44 in Missouri were used for the objective evaluation. Speeds analyzed for cars and trucks were distributed normally. Construction activity had a significant effect in reducing the speed of vehicles. Results indicate that the speeds of vehicles were statistically higher than the speed limit regardless of the construction activity, when the lane width was not reduced. the subjective evaluation investigated the drivers' perception of driving through the work zone by …

Slip Ramp Spacing Design For Truck Only Lanes Using Microscopic Simulation, Ghulam H. Bham, Manoj Vallati

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

For the Corridors of the Future project, slip ramps will provide access to trucks between the proposed truck-only lanes (TOLs) and general-purpose lanes (GPLs) for trucks to exit using at-grade interchanges. This paper proposes recommendations for slip ramp spacing between the TOLs and the general GPLs along Missouri rural interstate highways using a microscopic simulation model, VISSIM. Simulation of peak period traffic conditions indicated that heavy vehicle speeds were directly proportional to the lengths of the merge, diverge, and link sections. the proposed design recommendations for slip ramp spacing are based on the results of these section lengths. Central composite …

Travel Time Reliability Estimation: Use Of Median Travel Time As Measure Of Central Tendency, M. Arezoumandi, Ghulam H. Bham

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper proposes use of median travel time compared to mean travel time as the measure of central tendency to calculate Buffer Time Index (BTI), one of the most important measures of travel time reliability. This study examined gamma, exponential, largest extreme value, smallest extreme value, logistic, Weibull, lognormal and log-logistic distributions to determine the best fit to travel time data for two cases: 24 hours and peak hours for a highway with Variable Speed Limit (VSL) conditions. the goodness-of-fit tests indicated that the log-normal distribution best represented the travel time data for peak periods and log-logistic distribution better fitted …

Systematic Evaluation Of A Variable Speed Limit System In St. Louis Missouri, Khushboo Lall, Ghulam H. Bham

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper presents the systematic evaluation of Variable Speed Limit (VSL) system implemented on I-270 in St. Louis County. the system varies the speed limit in real time during periods of recurring and non-recurring congestion to prevent traffic from breaking down. the system was evaluated objectively and subjectively, and this paper describes the objective evaluation of the system. the objective evaluation was performed by comparing the traffic flow parameters during static speed limit (pre-VSL) with variable speed limit (post-VSL) by using five measures of performance: 1) speed, 2) volume, 3) occupancy, 4) travel time, and 5) congestion measures. Identification of …

A General Life History Theory For Effects Of Caloric Restriction On Health Maintenance, Chen Hou, Kendra Bolt, Aviv Bergman

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Background: Caloric restriction (CR) has been shown to keep organisms in a relatively youthful and healthy state compared to ad libitum fed counterparts, as well as to extend the lifespan of a diverse set of organisms. Several attempts have been made to understand the underlying mechanisms from the viewpoint of energy tradeoffs in organisms' life histories. However, most models are based on assumptions which are difficult to justify, or are endowed with free-adjusting parameters whose biological relevancy is unclear.

Results: In this paper, we derive a general quantitative, predictive model based on physiological data for endotherms. We test the hypothesis …

A Range And Existence Theorem For Pseudomonotone Perturbations Of Maximal Monotone Operators, Vy Khoi Le

Mathematics and Statistics Faculty Research & Creative Works

In this paper, we prove a range and existence theorem for multivalued pseudomonotone perturbations of maximal monotone operators. We assume a general coercivity condition on the sum of a maximal monotone and a pseudomonotone operator instead of a condition on the pseudomonotone operator only. An illustrative example of a variational inequality in a Sobolev space with variable exponent is given.

Neuronostatin Acts In Brain To Biphasically Increase Mean Arterial Pressure Through Sympatho-Activation Followed By Vasopressin Secretion: The Role Of Melanocortin Receptors, Gina L.C. Yosten, Alicia T. Pate, Willis K. Samson

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Neuronostatin is a recently described neuropeptide that is derived from the somatostatin preprohormone. We have shown previously that neuronostatin led to a biphasic, dose-related increase in mean arterial pressure when injected into the lateral cerebroventricle of adult, male rats. Because neuronostatin depolarized both magnocellular and parvocellular, paraventricular nucleus neurons in hypothalamic slice preparations, we hypothesized that neuronostatin elevated mean arterial pressure first by stimulating sympathetic nervous system activity followed by the release of a pressor hormone, specifically vasopressin. We found that the first phase of neuronostatin-induced increase in mean arterial pressure was reversed by pretreatment with phentolamine, indicating that phase …

Probabilistic Fatigue Life Prediction Model For Alloys With Defects: Applied To A206, R. Kapoor, Vittal S. Rao, R. S. Mishra, J. A. Baumann, G. Grant

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A model for the prediction of fatigue life based on the statistical distribution of pores, intermetallic particles and grains is presented here. This has been applied to a cast Al alloy A206 before and after friction stir processing (FSP). the model computes the probability of initiating a small crack based on the probability of finding combinations of defects and grains on the surface. Crack initiation and the propagation life of small cracks due to these defect and grain combinations are computed and summed to obtain the total fatigue life. the defect and grain combinations are ranked according to total fatigue …

Numerical Characterization Of Yb-Signal-Aided Cladding-Pumped Er:Yb-Codoped Fiber Amplifiers, Qun Han, Yang He, Zhaoxia Sheng, Weiyi Zhang, Jiping Ning, Hai Xiao

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In this Letter, high-power cladding-pumped Er:Yb-codoped fiber amplifiers (EYDFAs) coseeded with a Yb-band signal are numerically characterized according to the wavelength and power of the aiding signal, the length of the gain fiber, and the wavelength of the pump. the results show that properly designing these parameters not only helps to suppress the parasitic lasing and improve the pump conversion efficiency but also helps to improve the output power stability of high-power EYDFAs. © 2011 Optical Society of America.

On The Secrecy Rate Of Multi-Antenna Wiretap Channel Under Finite-Alphabet Input, Shafi Bashar, Zhi Ding, Chengshan Xiao

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This work investigates the effect of limiting source signals to finite-alphabet on the secrecy rate of a multi-antenna wiretap system. Existing works have characterized maximum achievable secrecy rate or secrecy capacity for single- and multi-antenna systems based on Gaussian source signals and secrecy code. Despite the impracticality of Gaussian source, its compact closed-form expression of mutual information motivated broad use of Gaussian input assumption. for practical consideration, we study the effect of finite discrete-constellation on instantaneous and ergodic secrecy rate of multiple-antenna wire-tap channels. Our results demonstrate substantial difference between systems involving finite-alphabet inputs and systems with Gaussian inputs. Results …

German Wwi Expunging Of Words Of Foreign Origin, Gerald Leonard Cohen

Arts, Languages and Philosophy Faculty Research & Creative Works

No abstract provided.

Origin Of English “Strafe”: Overwrought Anti-British Hatred In Wwi Germany And The Ridiculing Reaction It Evoked, Gerald Leonard Cohen

Arts, Languages and Philosophy Faculty Research & Creative Works

No abstract provided.

Slow Magnetic Relaxation And Electron Delocalization In An S = 9/2 Iron(Ii/Iii) Complex With Two Crystallographically Inequivalent Iron Sites, Susanta Hazra, Sujit Sasmal, Michel Fleck, Fernande Grandjean, Moulay T. Sougrati, Meenakshi Ghosh, T. David Harris, Pierre Bonville, Gary J. Long, Sasankasekhar Mohanta

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

The magnetic, electronic, and Mössbauer spectral properties of Fe ₂L(µ-OAc)₂ClO₄, 1, where L is the dianion of the tetraimino-diphenolate macrocyclic ligand, H₂L, indicate that 1 is a class III mixed valence iron(II/III) complex with an electron that is fully delocalized between two crystallographically inequivalent iron sites to yield a [Fe₂]^V cationic configuration with a S_t 9/2 ground state. Fits of the dc magnetic susceptibility between 2 and 300K and of the isofield variable-temperature magnetization of 1 yield an isotropic magnetic exchange parameter, J, of -32(2) cm^-1 for an …

Wave Passage And Ground Motion Incoherency Effects On Seismic Response Of An Extended Bridge, Aman M. Mwafy, Oh Sung Kwon, Amr Elnashai, Youssef M.A. Hashash

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper investigates the implications of ground motion spatial variability on the seismic response of an extended highway bridge. an existing 59-span, 2,164-meter bridge with several bearing types and irregularity features was selected as a reference structure. the bridge is located in the New Madrid Seismic Zone and supported on thick layers of soil deposits. Site-specific bedrock input ground motions were selected based on a refined probabilistic seismic hazard analysis of the bridge site. Wave passage and ground motion incoherency effects were accounted for after propagating the bedrock records to the ground surface. the results obtained from inelastic response-history analyses …

Forecasting The Cosmological Constraints With Anisotropic Baryon Acoustic Oscillations From Multipole Expansion, Atsushi Taruya, Shun Saito, Takahiro Nishimichi

Physics Faculty Research & Creative Works

Baryon acoustic oscillations imprinted in the galaxy power spectrum can be used as a standard ruler to determine the angular diameter distance and Hubble parameter from high-redshift galaxies. Combining redshift distortion effect which apparently distorts the galaxy clustering pattern, we can also constrain the growth rate of large-scale structure formation. Usually, future forecasts for constraining these parameters from galaxy redshift surveys are made with the full 2D power spectrum characterized as a function of wave number k and directional cosine µ between line-of-sight direction and wave vector, i.e., P(k,µ). Here, we apply the multipole expansion to the full 2D power …