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Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

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Small Particle Separation In A Circulating Fluidized Bed Riser System, Robert R. Almond Dec 2005

Small Particle Separation In A Circulating Fluidized Bed Riser System, Robert R. Almond

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Particle separation is an important area of interest in many fields, such as the coal and mineral processing industries. A circulating fluidized bed riser system has been built to investigate the separation processes. The system separated the particles into three streams which lead to the dense bin, the product bin, and the filter chamber. Promising results have been obtained which may lead to a system which is viable for commercial separation. The following categories of separation were investigated: separation based on size difference of the particles, separation based on density difference of the particles, and the practicality of separating mineral …

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Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy As A Diagnostic Tool For Coal Fines, I. Andrew Aurelio Dec 2005

Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy As A Diagnostic Tool For Coal Fines, I. Andrew Aurelio

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) is a technique that uses a laser, to focus down and atomize a sample of desired material. Focusing of the laser onto the material causes a plasma formation, which the material is broken down into excited ionic and atomic states. The atoms then emit characteristic optical radiation. Collection of the emitted light can be used to provide information on the elemental composition of the material. This research investigates a fundamental study of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) applied to coal samples, coal fines, and fly ash. During this research, apparatus and methodology were developed to quantify …

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Robust Pre-Processing Techniques For Non-Ideal Iris Images, Purva M. Barve Dec 2005

Robust Pre-Processing Techniques For Non-Ideal Iris Images, Purva M. Barve

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The human iris has been demonstrated to be a very accurate, non-invasive and easy-to-use biometric for personal identification. Most of the current state-of-the-art iris recognition systems require the iris acquisition to be ideal. A lot of constraints are hence put on the user and the acquisition process.;Our aim in this research is to relax these conditions and to develop a pre-processing algorithm, which can be used in conjunction with any matching algorithm to handle the so-called non-ideal iris images. In this thesis we present a few robust techniques to process the non-ideal iris images so as to give a segmented …

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Automated Dental Identification: A Micro-Macro Decision-Making Approach, Diaa Eldin M. Nassar Dec 2005

Automated Dental Identification: A Micro-Macro Decision-Making Approach, Diaa Eldin M. Nassar

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Identification of deceased individuals based on dental characteristics is receiving increased attention, especially with the large volume of victims encountered in mass disasters. In this work we consider three important problems in automated dental identification beyond the basic approach of tooth-to-tooth matching.;The first problem is on automatic classification of teeth into incisors, canines, premolars and molars as part of creating a data structure that guides tooth-to-tooth matching, thus avoiding illogical comparisons that inefficiently consume the limited computational resources and may also mislead the decision-making. We tackle this problem using principal component analysis and string matching techniques. We reconstruct the segmented …

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Supporting Awareness In Heterogeneous Collaboration Environments, Vijayanand Bharadwaj Dec 2005

Supporting Awareness In Heterogeneous Collaboration Environments, Vijayanand Bharadwaj

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Rapid technological advancements have made it possible for humans to collaborate as never before. However demands of group work necessitate distributed collaboration in very heterogeneous environments. Heterogeneity as in various applications, platforms, hardware and communication infrastructure. User mobility, lack of availability and cost often make imposing a common collaboration environment infeasible. Awareness is essential for successful collaboration. Awareness is a key design criterion in groupware but often collaboration occurs with applications not designed to support useful awareness. This dissertation deals with the issue of effective group awareness support in heterogeneous environments.;Awareness propagation is effective if the appropriate amount of information, …

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Cooperative Diversity For The Cellular Uplink: Sharing Strategies, Performance Analysis, And Receiver Design, Kanchan G. Vardhe Dec 2005

Cooperative Diversity For The Cellular Uplink: Sharing Strategies, Performance Analysis, And Receiver Design, Kanchan G. Vardhe

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In this thesis, we propose data sharing schemes for the cooperative diversity in a cellular uplink to exploit diversity and enhance throughput performance of the system. Particularly, we consider new two and three-or-more user decode and forward (DF) protocols using space time block codes. We discuss two-user and three-user amplify and forward (AF) protocols and evaluate the performance of the above mentioned data sharing protocols in terms of the bit error rate and the throughput in an asynchronous code division multiple access (CDMA) cellular uplink. We develop a linear receiver for joint space-time decoding and multiuser detection that provides full …

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An Integrated Computer-Based Timber Cruising System For Appalachian Hardwoods, Jingxin Wang Dec 2005

An Integrated Computer-Based Timber Cruising System For Appalachian Hardwoods, Jingxin Wang

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In order to facilitate resource data collection and processing, an integrated computer-based timber cruising system was modeled and developed based on Microsoft Component Object Model (COM) and Objected-Oriented Programming (OOP) techniques. The system consists of three components - handheld data collection system, data transfer, and data analysis, all of which are stand-alone objects. The handheld system, which is Windows CE based, was used to collect overstory and understory tree data in the field. Data transfer and analysis components reside on a desktop PC and were used to synchronize cruising data from handheld PCs, analyze data and generate reports. A relational …

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The Use Of Charge -Charge Correlation In Impedance Measurements: A Test Of The Epet Method, Christopher W. Gregory Dec 2005

The Use Of Charge -Charge Correlation In Impedance Measurements: A Test Of The Epet Method, Christopher W. Gregory

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

It is well known that biological tissues possess impedance properties that might be useful in medical diagnostics and treatment. Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT) images internal electrical properties by using numerical methods to solve Laplace's differential equation. The indirect reconstruction method (IRM), a common method in application, predicts internal electrical property distribution by iteratively computing a forward and inverse solution. This approach reduces the non-linear Laplace's equation into a poorly conditioned series of linear equations, which are solved simultaneously. This method suffers from high computational effort and is susceptible to prediction errors that stem from measurement noise.;As an alternative to Laplace's …

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Evaluation Of The Transverse Load Capacity Of Block Stoppings For Mine Ventilation Control, Thomas M. Barczak Dec 2005

Evaluation Of The Transverse Load Capacity Of Block Stoppings For Mine Ventilation Control, Thomas M. Barczak

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The transverse loading requirement for stoppings as specified in the current Code of Federal Regulations is 39 psf. This measure is based on physical testing of a freestanding wall in accordance with ASTM E 72 specifications, where the dominant parameter is the tensile strength of the sealant. A new protocol based on arching has been developed to determine the true transverse load capacity of stoppings. Arching is achieved by the restraint of the stopping against the mine roof and floor, whereby compressive forces are developed within the wall. A laboratory procedure using the NIOSH Mine Roof Simulator (MRS) to simulate …

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Water Quality Changes Of Underground Mines In Northern West Virginia, Jennifer Demchak Dec 2005

Water Quality Changes Of Underground Mines In Northern West Virginia, Jennifer Demchak

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Acid mine drainage (AMD) is a serious problem from both abandoned surface and underground mines, and about 10,000 km of streams have been impacted by AMD in the northeastern U.S. (Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio, and West Virginia). Streams in the region have shown improvement over time and this improvement has been partly attributed to reclamation of mined sites and natural attenuation of AMD impacts. This study was initiated to determine the water quality changes from underground mines over time in northern West Virginia. In order to compare chemistry data across years and seasons with varying flow, relationships between discharge rates and …

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A Web-Based Environment For Automated Dental Identification Research, Satyasrinivas Chekuri Dec 2005

A Web-Based Environment For Automated Dental Identification Research, Satyasrinivas Chekuri

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS), division of the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), include in its strategic plan the creation of an Automated Dental Identification System (ADIS), a Post Mortem Dental Identification System.;This project aims at designing an end-to-end web-interface to meet the requirements of ADIS like Identification, Maintenance and Bridge Modules. In Identification Mode the subject record will be uploaded by the user and the match list is obtained as result. Maintenance Mode enables uploading of reference records and to populate the database with preprocessing data. Bridge Module enables researchers from other universities to use the database designed …

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The Design, Construction And "Optimization" Of A Binder Pitch Refining Unit, Kevin D. Whiteman Dec 2005

The Design, Construction And "Optimization" Of A Binder Pitch Refining Unit, Kevin D. Whiteman

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Pitches have been important to mankind for hundreds of years. One of the most important pitches used in industry today is binder pitch. Binder pitch is used to make anodes for the aluminum industry. The supply of high quality binder pitch has been steadily decreasing. A process has been developed to produce binder pitch from coal at West Virginia University, but this pitch in this process requires refining.;The focus of this thesis was to design, and construct a bench top wiped film evaporator system to refine that pitch. From the data collected in this thesis, the process was scaled up …

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Properties Of Chain Programs Over Difference Constraints, John E. Argentieri Dec 2005

Properties Of Chain Programs Over Difference Constraints, John E. Argentieri

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Chain Programming is a restricted form of linear programming in which there exists a total ordering over the program variables. In other words, the constraints x1 ≤ x 2 ≤ ... ≤ xn are either implicitly or explicitly part of the constraint system. At the present juncture, it is not clear whether an arbitrary Chain Program is easier to solve than a linear program, either asymptotically or computationally. This thesis presents a variety of interesting properties pertaining to the case in which a Chain Program is constituted entirely of difference constraints. Deciding the feasibility of a system of difference constraints …

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Stability Monitoring And Analysis Of Online Learning Neural Networks, Sampath Yerramalla Dec 2005

Stability Monitoring And Analysis Of Online Learning Neural Networks, Sampath Yerramalla

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

On-line adaptation using soft-computational learning methods is on the rise for use in safety-critical applications such as fault-tolerant flight control, maintenance of distributed networks, implementation of high security devices, etc. The inapplicability of traditional analysis methods is limiting the wider use of soft-computational learning methods in safety-critical applications that involve online adaptation. The focus of the research is the development of non-conventional analysis techniques for the testing, verification, validation and analysis of adaptive learning components such as the online learning neural networks.;Our research considers stability of online adaptation as a heuristic measure of correctness in the operation of the adaptive …

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The Influence Of Beaver Impoundments On Vegetative Composition, And Modeling Habitat Suitability As A Tool For Wildlife Management And Conservation, Jerry Leanne Bonner Dec 2005

The Influence Of Beaver Impoundments On Vegetative Composition, And Modeling Habitat Suitability As A Tool For Wildlife Management And Conservation, Jerry Leanne Bonner

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Beavers (Castor canadensis) can have dramatic effects on vegetative communities through impounding streams and wetlands. These alterations may influence rare plant species where beaver create ponds. We found that the youngest and oldest beaver ponds in Canaan Valley, West Virginia, USA had similar species richness. Rare plant species occurred most in oldest ponds, although no significant differences were detected. Species composition around ponds was found to be different between areas influenced by ponds versus those not affected, creating more obligate wetland communities when influenced by beaver. This information should be incorporated into management decisions when rare plant species conservation is …

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Acid Mine Drainage: Sludge Dewatering, Metal Recovery And Synthesis Of Magnetite Nanoparticles, Xinchao Wei Dec 2005

Acid Mine Drainage: Sludge Dewatering, Metal Recovery And Synthesis Of Magnetite Nanoparticles, Xinchao Wei

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Acid mine drainage (AMD) is one of the significant environmental challenges for the coal and hard-rock mining industry. Traditional AMD treatment generates large volumes of sludge with low solids which are difficult to dewater. In this study, a systematic investigation was carried out on the characteristics and dewaterability of AMD sludge produced from an ammonia neutralization operation, and the dewatering performance of different treatment options. In order to mitigate the AMD sludge problem, a selective precipitation process was developed to recover Fe and Al while AMD was treated simultaneously. In conjunction, a low-cost synthesis approach was examined to prepare magnetite …

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Towards Large Eddy Simulation Of Dispersed Gas -Liquid Two-Phase Turbulent Flows, Gusheng Hu Dec 2005

Towards Large Eddy Simulation Of Dispersed Gas -Liquid Two-Phase Turbulent Flows, Gusheng Hu

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study presents a detailed investigation of all essential components of computational and modeling issues necessary for a successful large-eddy simulation (LES) of dispersed two-phase turbulent flows. In particular, a two-layer concept is proposed to enable the LES capability in two-phase flows involving dispersed bubbles that are relatively large compared to the mesh size. The work comprises three major parts.;Part I focuses on the development and verification of a transient, three-dimensional, finite-volume-method (FVM) based accurate Navier-Stokes solver, named DREAM II (second generation of the DREAM code). Several high-order schemes are implemented for both the spatial and temporal discretization. Solution of …

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Thermal Stresses In The Superstructure Of Integral Abutment Bridges, Kevyn C. Mcbride Dec 2005

Thermal Stresses In The Superstructure Of Integral Abutment Bridges, Kevyn C. Mcbride

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Integral abutment bridges (IAB) have become a popular alternative to expansion joint bridges mainly due to their lower maintenance and repair costs. Although no specific guidelines exist for integral abutment bridge design, standards primarily used assume the volumetric changes of IAB under thermal loading occur free of constraint. This study examines the validity of this assumption and determines the effect of changing temperature on the state of stress in the superstructure of an IAB. The effect of changing thermal conditions on the Evansville Bridge in Preston County, West Virginia is investigated using an extensive bridge instrumentation system along with a …

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Unconstrained Face Recognition For Law Enforcement Applications, Richa Singh Dec 2005

Unconstrained Face Recognition For Law Enforcement Applications, Richa Singh

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This research work simulates the human visual cortex by using 2D log polar Gabor wavelet to extract the facial features. Scale and orientation independent convolution of face image with Gabor wavelet gives the features in the form of amplitude and phase. The proposed face recognition algorithm is invariant to frequency, scale, filter orientation, illumination, and contrast. We evaluated the recognition algorithm on four face databases namely FERET, CMU AMP, CMU PIE and Notre Dame Face databases. Experimental results show that using single image for training, phase feature based face recognition performs approximately 5% better than amplitude feature based face recognition.;Another …

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Reducing False Rejection Rate In Iris Recognition By Quality Enhancement And Information Fusion, Mayank Vatsa Dec 2005

Reducing False Rejection Rate In Iris Recognition By Quality Enhancement And Information Fusion, Mayank Vatsa

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In this thesis we propose a set of algorithms to reduce the false rejection rate of iris recognition. Even though high recognition accuracy is claimed for iris recognition algorithms, high false rejection rates cause the impediment in worldwide use of iris biometrics.;A novel iris segmentation algorithm for non-ideal iris images treating iris as an elliptical object is proposed. Further, quality of the extracted iris image is improved using SVM based enhancement algorithm. In this algorithm, selected enhancement algorithms globally enhance the iris image and the learning algorithm synergistically fuses local information from these intermediate enhanced images. 1D log polar Gabor …

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Ozone Forming Potential Of Exhaust Emissions From Heavy-Duty Diesel Engines, Ravi Kaklasaria Dec 2005

Ozone Forming Potential Of Exhaust Emissions From Heavy-Duty Diesel Engines, Ravi Kaklasaria

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This research aimed at determining the effect of exhaust aftertreatment devices and ultra low sulfur diesel (ULSD) fuel on the reactivity of exhaust emissions from heavy duty diesel (HDD) engines. Specifically, the objective of this research was to determine the effect of two diesel particulate filters: Engelhard DPX(TM) and Johnson Matthey CRT(TM), and two ULSD fuels, ECD and ECD1 on the ozone forming potential (OFP) of exhaust emissions from HDD engines. To achieve this objective, data was obtained from the "ECD Study" performed in the Spring 2001 to chemically characterize emissions from trucks and buses operating on the two test …

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Action Research Analysis Of The Forces Affecting Farmer Participation In A West Virginia Cooperative Extension Service Farmer Education Program, John Robert Edalgo Dec 2005

Action Research Analysis Of The Forces Affecting Farmer Participation In A West Virginia Cooperative Extension Service Farmer Education Program, John Robert Edalgo

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study uses action research principles and Kurt Lewin's field theory to investigate the forces dictating farmer participation in the Decision Enabling Data Collection and Management System Initiative (DEDCMSI). These forces were classified in Chapter IV under the following project categories: Hardware, Software, Perception of DEDCMSI, Perception of Technology, and Sociocultural. This West Virginia University Cooperative Extension Service (WVUCES) initiative organized four farm finance groups located in the following counties: Ohio, Jefferson, Mineral, and Monroe. Data collection methods used to identify forces occurring within this seven-month pilot project is listed here as follows: structured, semi-structured, and un-structured interviews. A total …

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Effectiveness Of The "Common" Method In Balancing Exhaust Ventilation Systems, Vivek Balasubramanian Dec 2005

Effectiveness Of The "Common" Method In Balancing Exhaust Ventilation Systems, Vivek Balasubramanian

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Dampers are used to adjust the distribution of airflows in duct systems. The "common"(i.e., most commonly used) method is to adjust each damper in turn so that the airflow through its branch equals the desired level. Typically, the airflow through each branch duct is estimated from the centerline velocity pressure. To test the effectiveness of that approach, dampers were adjusted on a seven branch, full-sized experimental duct system. After adjusting the dampers for a given condition, the percent excess airflow (%Qexcess) for the system was estimated as the amount above the ideal fan airflow that would exist if the fan …

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Actin Nanokinematics Under The Influence Of Dc Electric Fields, Raghu Chilakamarri Dec 2005

Actin Nanokinematics Under The Influence Of Dc Electric Fields, Raghu Chilakamarri

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Molecular shuttles are nanometer-sized machines capable of transporting single molecules over small distances under user control. Actin-myosin system is a motor protein system, which naturally evolved within the cell for the nanoscale transport. The Acto-Myosin system is fuelled by ATP, converting chemical energy into linear motion. The gliding geometry movement of actin wherein the tails of the motors are adsorbed to the surface and the heads of the motors move the actin filaments across the surface can be exploited to achieve the directional control. The motion of actin in a specific direction and the surface of travel can be modified …

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Investigation Of Moisture Sensitivity Of Hot Mix Asphalt Concrete, Anu Ganesan Viswanathan Dec 2005

Investigation Of Moisture Sensitivity Of Hot Mix Asphalt Concrete, Anu Ganesan Viswanathan

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The objective of this research project is to evaluate impact of change in AASHTO T 283 test method on Superpave mix designs in West Virginia. The Lottman test method and Tunnicliff and Root test method were combined into Modified Lottman test procedure and published as AASHTO T 283 in 1985 and revised in 1989. Research was done to establish how the Superpave compaction and conditioning method affect the test results. As a result of this research, AASHTO T 283 test method was revised in 2003. In the 2003 version, use of gyratory compactor was allowed and changes were made to …

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Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composite Decks For Military Applications, Srikanth Mantri Dec 2005

Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composite Decks For Military Applications, Srikanth Mantri

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The U.S. Marine Corps is aiming to replace the M105 cargo trailers, M149 water tank trailers, and the M353 utility trailers with a new trailer platform known as the Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement Trailers (MTVR-T). This project focused on developing a MTVR-T type trailer using Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer composite decks. Systems & Electronics Inc. (SEI) provided the initial design for the prototype trailer. Prodeck 4 was chosen as the decking material for the prototype trailer.;A detailed FE model of the FRP deck and steel support assembly was built. Four operational and transportation load conditions as identified by SEI were …

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Propagation And Field Assessment Of West Virginia Native Species For Roadside Revegetation, Sarah B. Wennerberg Aug 2005

Propagation And Field Assessment Of West Virginia Native Species For Roadside Revegetation, Sarah B. Wennerberg

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Road construction removes vegetation from roadside slopes, making them susceptible to erosion and non-native plant introductions. Erosion Sediment Control (ESC) practices can reduce the annual loss of soil by as much as 100 cubic yards per acre and be cost beneficial. ESC includes using plant species that can germinate and survive on reconstructed areas. In West Virginia, the Division of Highways (WVDoH), uses plant species that are not native, and sometimes invasive, to revegetate newly constructed roadsides. This activity contributes to the growing problem of increased non-native and invasive species in our landscape.;This research investigated the potential use of five …

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Parameter Incremental Learning Algorithm For Neural Networks, Sheng Wan Aug 2005

Parameter Incremental Learning Algorithm For Neural Networks, Sheng Wan

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In this dissertation, a novel training algorithm for neural networks, named Parameter Incremental Learning (PIL), is proposed, developed, analyzed and numerically validated.;The main idea of the PIL algorithm is based on the essence of incremental supervised learning: that the learning algorithm, i.e., the update law of the network parameters, should not only adapt to the newly presented input-output training pattern, but also preserve the prior results. A general PIL algorithm for feedforward neural networks is accordingly derived, using the first-order approximation technique, with appropriate measures of the performance of preservation and adaptation. The PIL algorithms for the Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) …

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Generalization Of An Integrated Cost Model And Extensions To Cots, Ple And Ttm, Lin Yang Aug 2005

Generalization Of An Integrated Cost Model And Extensions To Cots, Ple And Ttm, Lin Yang

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

There have been existing software reuse cost models related to estimating costs of software reuse, for example, COCOMO II, COCOTS, and so on. Chmiel's model [Chmiel 2000] is a generalization of these cost models. This model is different from others in that the decisions are composed of four levels and treats reuse projects from a point of view of long term run. Each level corresponds one engineering cycle. Each level is a decision making process based on calculation of NPV, ROI, and other economic indices. Reuse investment decisions are made on different levels from the corporate to the programming.;Chmiel's model …

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Staten Island Ferry Emissions Reduction, John Nuszkowski Aug 2005

Staten Island Ferry Emissions Reduction, John Nuszkowski

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Marine diesel engines are being investigated thoroughly since many engines in these vessels incorporate older technology that may not have been subjected to emissions regulations and hence produce a significant amount of pollution. The Staten Island Ferry Alice Austen was fitted with selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology to reduce the emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) to offset the dredging equipment emissions from the Harbor Deepening project. Data logging showed a repeatable route of vessel operation including an idle, acceleration, cruise, and maneuvering mode combined with vessel direction. The SCR system provided 34-64% NOx reduction for a round trip with …

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