Digital Commons Network^™

Autonomous Vehicle Technologies For Small Fixed Wing Uavs, Derek B. Kingston, Randal Beard, Timothy Mclain, Michael Larsen, Wei Ren

Faculty Publications

Autonomous unmanned air vehicle flight control systems require robust path generation to account for terrain obstructions, weather, and moving threats such as radar, jammers, and unfriendly aircraft. In this paper, we outline a feasible, hierarchal approach for real-time motion planning of small autonomous fixed-wing UAVs. The approach divides the trajectory generation into four tasks: waypoint path planning, dynamic trajectory smoothing, trajectory tracking, and low-level autopilot compensation. The waypoint path planner determines the vehicle's route without regard for the dynamic constraints of the vehicle. This results in a significant reduction in the path search space, enabling the generation of complicated paths …

Modular Verification Of Timed Circuits Using Automatic Abstraction, Eric G. Mercer, Chris Myers, Hao Zheng

Faculty Publications

The major barrier that prevents the application of formal verification to large designs is state explosion. This paper presents a new approach for verification of timed circuits using automatic abstraction. This approach partitions the design into modules, each with constrained complexity. Before verification is applied to each individual module, irrelevant information to the behavior of the selected module is abstracted away. This approach converts a verification problem with big exponential complexity to a set of subproblems, each with small exponential complexity. Experimental results are promising in that they indicate that our approach has the potential of completing much faster while …

Dynamic Sociometry In Particle Swarm Optimization, Mark Richards, Dan A. Ventura

Faculty Publications

The performance of Particle Swarm Optimization is greatly affected by the size and sociometry of the swarm. This research proposes a dynamic sociometry, which is shown to be more effective on some problems than the standard star and ring sociometries. The performance of various combinations of swarm size and sociometry on six different test functions is qualitatively analyzed.

Park's Tribolium Competition Experiments: A Non-Equilibrium Species Coexistence Hypothesis, Jeffrey Edmunds, J. M. Cushing, R. F. Costantino, Shandelle M. Henson, Brian Dennis, R. A. Desharnais

Faculty Publications

1. In this journal 35 years ago, P. H. Leslie, T. Park and D. B. Mertz reported competitive exclusion data for two Tribolium species. It is less well-known that they also reported 'difficult to interpret' coexistence data. We suggest that the species exclusion and the species coexistence are consequences of a stable coexistence two-cycle in the presence of two stable competitive exclusion equilibria. 2. A stage-structured insect population model for two interacting species forecasts that as interspecific interaction is increased there occurs a sequence of dynamic changes (bifurcations) in which the classic Lotka-Volterra-type scenario with two stable competitive exclusion equilibria …

Riemann And Edalat Integration On Domains, Jimmie D. Lawson, Bin Lu

Faculty Publications

The main result of this paper is that the domain-theoretic approach to the generalized Riemann integral first introduced by Edalat extends to a large class of spaces that can be realized as the set of maximal points of domains. The approach is based on the theory of a Riemann-Stieltjes type integral on a topological space with respect to a finitely additive measure. We develop the theory of this integral for a bounded function f defined on the maximal points of a continuous domain and show that it gives an alternate approach to the Edalat integral. © 2002 Elsevier B.V. All …

First-Principles Calculations For Nitrogen-Containing Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes, James P. Lewis, Mingwen Zhao, Yueyugan Xia, Ruiqin Zhang

Faculty Publications

We present calculations for possible configurations of nitrogen-containing single-walled carbon nanotubes and their electronic properties obtained with the ab initio tight-binding FIREBALL method. It is found that nitrogen atoms can be energetically incorporated into the carbon network in three forms: Substitution, substitution with formation of a vacancy structure, and chemical adsorption. The different forms exhibit different local densities of states near the Fermi levels, which might suggest a potential method to control the electronic properties of nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes

High-Field Measurements Of Electron Decoherence Time In Metallic Nanowires: Switching Off Magnetic Impurity Spins, P. Mohanty, Richard A. Webb

Faculty Publications

We report low-temperature measurements of electron decoherence time in a series of pure gold wires, 18 nm thick and 30 nm wide. At fields up to 15 T, large enough to polarize any concentration of magnetic impurity spins, conductance fluctuation measurements show almost no temperature dependence of the decoherence time below 300 mK, both in the correlation field for interference and the root-mean-square value of the fluctuations. Combined with previous low-field weak localization measurements on samples from similar material, our experiment suggests that the ubiquitous saturation of decoherence time in these samples is not due to any mechanism based on …

Explaining And Predicting Patterns In Stochastic Population Systems, Shandelle M. Henson, Aaron A. King, R. F. Costantino, J. M. Cushing, Brian Dennis, Robert A. Desharnais

Faculty Publications

Lattice effects in ecological time-series are patterns that arise because of the inherent discreteness of animal numbers. In this paper, we suggest a systematic approach for predicting lattice effects. We also show that an explanation of all the patterns in a population time-series may require more than one deterministic model, especially when the dynamics are complex.

Consensus-Based Table Form Recognition, William A. Barrett, Heath E. Nielson

Faculty Publications

Zoning documents increases the resolution of indexing from the image level to the field level. A line-delimited tabular document forms a well defined series of regions. However, as image quality decreases, accurate zoning becomes increasingly difficult. Given a sequence of documents with the same layout, we present a robust zoning method which exploits both intra- and inter-document consensus to form a more accurate combined result (template) that can be applied to any other document with the same layout.

Just-In-Time Browsing For Digitized Microfilm And Other Similar Image Collections, William A. Barrett, Douglas J. Kennard

Faculty Publications

This paper describes “Just-In-Time Browsing” (JITB), a method for image browsing (at modem-like speed) in which image data is transmitted and presented to the user progressively, in prioritized order, based on image content and user interaction. Spatial resolution and grayscale or color fidelity is increased first for the portions of the image that are immediately of most interest to the user. JITB is specifically geared toward digitized microfilm and other similar document image collections, although it can also be used for other types of images. A series of common browsing tasks performed by multiple users demonstrates that JITB compares favorably …

Learning Real-Time A* Path Planner For Sensing Closely-Spaced Targets From An Aircraft, Jason K. Howlett, Michael A. Goodrich, Timothy W. Mclain

Faculty Publications

This work develops an any-time path planner, based on the learning real-time A* (LRTA*) search, for generating flyable paths that allow an aircraft with a specified sensor footprint to sense a group of closely-spaced targets. The LRTA* algorithm searches a tree of flyable paths for the branch that accomplishes the desired objectives in the shortest distance. The tree of paths is created by assembling primitive turn and straight sections of a specified step size. The operating parameters for the LRTA* search directly influence the running time and path-length performance of the search. A modified LRTA* search is presented that terminates …

Tidal Corrections For Topex Altimetry In The Coral Sea And Great Barrier Reef Lagoon: Comparisons With Long-Term Tide Gauge Records, D.M. Burrage, C.R. Steinberg, L.B. Mason, L. Bode

Faculty Publications

[ 1] The well-known capability of TOPEX/Poseidon altimetry to map sea levels precisely in the deep oceans motivates its application to the topographically complex Coral Sea and NE Australian continental margin. We assess several global tidal models for correcting TOPEX altimetry in the Coral Sea and find CSR3.0 offers good overall performance, based on comparisons of model-predicted and tide gauge harmonic constituents. Using CSR3.0 tidal corrections, we evaluate residual Sea Surface Height (SSH) Root Mean Square (RMS) variability and residual M2 tidal alias errors. Away from large reefs and islands, CSR3.0 amplitude and phase errors for M2 are typically less …

T-Splines And T-Nurccs, Thomas W. Sederberg, Jianmin Zheng, Almaz Bakenov, Ahmad Nasri

Faculty Publications

This paper presents a generalization of non-uniform B-spline surfaces called T-splines. T-spline control grids permit T-junctions, so lines of control points need not traverse the entire control grid. T-splines support many valuable operations within a consistent framework, such as local refinement, and the merging of several B-spline surfaces that have different knot vectors into a single gap-free model. The paper focuses on T-splines of degree three, which are C2 (in the absence of multiple knots). T-NURCCs (Non-Uniform Rational Catmull-Clark Surfaces with T-junctions) are a superset of both T-splines and Catmull-Clark surfaces. Thus, a modeling program for T-NURCCs can handle any …

Dijet Angular Distributions In Photoproduction Of Charm At Hera, S. Chekanov, M. Derrick, D. Krakauer, J. H. Loizides, S. Magill, B. Musgrave, J. Repond, R. Yoshida, Margarita C. K. Mattingly, P. Antonioli, G. Bari, M. Basile, L. Bellagamba, D. Boscherini, A. Bruni, G. Bruni, G. Cara Romeo, L. Cifarelli, F. Cindolo, A. Contin, M. Corradi, S. De Pasquale, P. Giusti, G. Iacobucci, A. Margotti, R. Nania, F. Palmonari, A. Pesci, G. Sartorelli, A. Zichichi, G. Aghuzumtsyan

Faculty Publications

Dijet angular distributions of photoproduction events in which a D*± meson is produced in association with one of two energetic jets have been measured with the ZEUS detector at HERA, using an integrated luminosity of 120 pb-1. Differential cross sections as a function of the angle between the charm-jet and the proton-beam direction in the dijet rest frame have been measured for samples enriched in direct or resolved photon events. The results are compared with predictions from leading-order parton-shower Monte Carlo models and with next-to-leading-order QCD calculations. The angular distributions show clear evidence for the existence of charm originating from …

Generalized Q-Deformed Symplectic Sp(4) Algebra For Multi-Shell Applications, K. D. Sviratcheva, A. I. Georgieva, J. P. Draayer

Faculty Publications

A multi-shell generalization of a fermion representation of the q-deformed compact symplectic spq(4) algebra is introduced. An analytic form for the action of two or more generators of the Spq (4) symmetry on the basis states is determined and the result used to derive formulae for the overlap between number-preserving states as well as for matrix elements of a model Hamiltonian. A second-order operator in the generators of Sp q(4) is identified that is diagonal in the basis set and that reduces to the Casimir invariant of the sp(4) algebra in the non-deformed limit of the theory. The results can …

Global Patterns Of Dissolved N, P And Si In Large Rivers, R. Eugene Turner, Nancy N. Rabalais, D. Justic', Q. Dortch

Faculty Publications

The concentration of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN), dissolved nitrate-N, Total-N (TN), dissolved inorganic phosphate (DIP), total phosphorus (TP), dissolved silicate-Si (DSi) and their ratios in the world's largest rivers are examined using a global data base that includes 37% of the earth's watershed area and half its population. These data were compared to water quality in 42 subbasins of the relatively well-monitored Mississippi River basin (MRB) and of 82 small watersheds of the United States. The average total nitrogen concentration varies over three orders of magnitude among both world river watersheds and the MRB, and is primarily dependent on variations …

Markov Chains And Dynamic Geometry Of Polygons, Jiu Ding, L. Richard Hitt, Xin-Min Zhang

Faculty Publications

In this paper we construct sequences of polygons from a given n-sided cyclic polygon by iterated procedures and study the limiting behaviors of these sequences in terms of non-negative matrices and Markov chains. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.

Design Of A Multiband Internal Antenna For Third Generation Mobile Phone Handsets, Mohammod Ali, Gerard James Hayes, Huan-Sheng Hwang, Robert A. Sadler

Faculty Publications

A multiband internal antenna is introduced. The antenna consists of a driven meander-line element and two parasitic elements. The design is particularly unique since it supports the third generation mobile phone handsets where multiband operation is greatly desired. The proposed antenna operates effectively in the aMPS 800 (824-894 MHz), GSM 900 (880-960 MHz), and GSM 1900 (1850-1990 MHz) bands within 2.5:1 (voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR). Detail design criteria with respect to geometrical parameter variation are given. Experimental data (VSWR and pattern) obtained from a laboratory prototype are also presented.

Design And Testing Of Spacecraft Power Systems Using Vtb, Zhenhua Jiang, Shengyi Liu, Roger A. Dougal

Faculty Publications

A study is presented on the design and testing of spacecraft power systems using the virtual test bed (VTB). The interdisciplinary components such as solar array and battery systems were first modeled in native VTB format and validated by experiment data. The shunt regulator and battery charge controller were designed in Simulink according to the system requirements and imported to VTB. Two spacecraft power systems were then designed and tested together with the control systems.

Observation Of And Model For Nonlinear Mode Conversion In A Non-Neutral Plasma, Grant W. Hart, Bryan G. Peterson, Ross L. Spencer

Faculty Publications

The nonlinear interaction of the two lowest Trivelpiece-Gould modes in a non-neutral plasma has been observed. Because of coupling in the nonlinear terms of the continuity and momentum equations, the two modes can exchange energy and convert one to the other. This can be modeled using the cold fluid equations and the averaging method. Experimentally, this process always stops with the lower frequency mode dominating the final state. Numerical integration of the model suggests that this occurs because the higher frequency mode is more strongly damped than the lower frequency mode.

“$20,000 In Six Weeks”, Meredith Jones-Gray

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Focusing Of Spin Polarization In Semiconductors By Inhomogeneous Doping, Yuriy V. Pershin Dr, Vladimir Privman

Faculty Publications

We study the evolution and distribution of nonequilibrium electron spin polarization in n-type semiconductors within the two-component drift-diffusion model in an applied electric field. Propagation of spin-polarized electrons through a boundary between two semiconductor regions with different doping levels is considered.We assume that inhomogeneous spin polarization is created locally and driven through the boundary by the electric field.We show that an initially created narrow region of spin polarization can be further compressed and amplified near the boundary. Since the boundary involves variation of doping but no real interface between two semiconductor materials, no significant spin polarization loss is expected. …

Types Of Digital Library Cooperation In German Studies, Richard Hacken

Faculty Publications

A paper delivered at the ACRL/WESS Program in Toronto on June 23, 2003. A small sampling of the types of cooperative work being done in German studies, especially of retrospective digitization (as opposed to ongoing electronic publications).

Minimal Graphs In R3 Over Convex Domains, Michael Dorff

Faculty Publications

Krust established that all conjugate and associate surfaces of a minimal graph over a convex domain are also graphs. Using a convolution theorem from the theory of harmonic univalent mappings, we generalize Krust's theorem to include the family of convolution surfaces which are generated by taking the Hadamard product or convolution of mappings. Since this convolution involves convex univalent analytic mappings, this family of convolution surfaces is much larger than just the family of associated surfaces. Also, this generalization guarantees that all the resulting surfaces are over close-toconvex domains. In particular, all the associate surfaces and certain Goursat transformation surfaces …

The Topology Of Hyperbolic Attractors On Compact Surfaces, Todd L. Fisher

Faculty Publications

Suppose M is a compact surface and M is a nontrivial mixing hyperbolic attractor for some f 2 Diff(M). We show that if is a hyperbolic set for some g 2 Diff(M), then is a nontrivial mixing hyperbolic attractor or repeller for g.

A Self-Adapting Healthcare Information Infrastructure Using Mobile Computing Devices, James K. Archibald, Eric S. Hall, Charles D. Knutson, David K. Vawdrey

Faculty Publications

Despite recent improvements in the gathering and sharing of patient medical information among healthcare providers, there remains a gap in the electronic medical record infrastructure. Patient data is not available in some situations, either because the infrastructure is inaccessible (as in a natural disaster) or because there is no way to link the patient to the infrastructure (e.g., the patient cannot supply necessary identification information). This paper describes the Poket Doktor System, an architecture that allows an individual to carry personal electronic medical information on a wireless handheld device such as a smart card, cell phone, or PDA. Medical workers …

Wigner Distribution Function Approach To Dissipative Problems In Quantum Mechanics With Emphasis On Decoherence And Measurement Theory, R. F. O'Connell

Faculty Publications

We first review the usefulness of the Wigner distribution functions (WDFs), associated with Lindblad and pre-master equations, for analysing a host of problems in quantum optics where dissipation plays a major role, an arena where weak coupling and long-time approximations are valid. However, we also show their limitations for the discussion of decoherence, which is generally a short-time phenomenon with decay rates typically much smaller than typical dissipative decay rates. We discuss two approaches to the problem both of which use a quantum Langevin equation as a starting-point: (a) use of a reduced WDF but in the context of an …

Bis[Μ-1,2-Bis(2-Pyridyl)Ethyne-K2N:N']Bis[Aquadinitratocadmium(Ii)], Badruz Zaman Md., Matthew J. Davis, Mark D. Smith, Hans Conrad Zur Loye

Faculty Publications

Two twisted 1,2-bis(2-pyridyl)ethyne ligands bridge two Cd²⁺ centers in the C₂-symmetric title complex, [Cd₂(NO₃)₄(-C₁₂H₈N₂)₂(H₂O)₂]. The bridging ligands arch across one another creating a `zigzag loop' molecular geometry. Two nitrate ions and a water molecule complete the irregular seven-coordinate Cd-atom environment. The dihedral angles between the equivalent pyridyl ring planes of the two independent ligands are 67.2 (1)°. O_water-HO_nitrate hydrogen bonding creates two-dimensional layers parallel to the ab plane.

Formula: [Cd₂(NO₃)₄(C …

Links Between Snow Cover, Surface Skin Temperature, And Rainfall Variability In The North American Monsoon System, Toshi Matsui, Venkataraman Lakshmi, Eric Small

Faculty Publications

The influence of land–atmosphere interactions on the variability of the North American monsoon system(NAMS) is investigated using the Television Infrared Observation Satellite (TIROS) Operational Vertical Sounder(TOVS) Pathfinder, the Climate Prediction Center (CPC) gauge precipitation, and observed snow water equivalent(SWE). Three hypotheses are tested regarding the connection between land surface variables and precipitationin the NAMS region. First, there is a weak negative correlation between 1 April SWE and subsequent surfacetemperature in the southern Rocky Mountains (SRM) region. However, this connection persists only until Juneand, therefore, cannot directly influence monsoon rainfall in July and August. Second, there is a negativecorrelation between SRM …

Dynamic Joint Action Perception For Q-Learning Agents, Nancy Fulda, Dan A. Ventura

Faculty Publications

Q-learning is a reinforcement learning algorithm that learns expected utilities for state-action transitions through successive interactions with the environment. The algorithm's simplicity as well as its convergence properties have made it a popular algorithm for study. However, its non-parametric representation of utilities limits its effectiveness in environments with large amounts of perceptual input. For example, in multiagent systems, each agent may need to consider the action selections of its counterparts in order to learn effective behaviors. This creates a joint action space which grows exponentially with the number of agents in the system. In such situations, the Q-learning algorithm quickly …