Digital Commons Network^™

The Broadband Impact: Asymmetric Regulations Restrict Growth, Brent P. Thurn

Theses

Though the growth of broadband has increased dramatically in the last decade, asymmetric government regulations are impeding its continued growth. The Federal Communication Commission (FCC) has placed additional regulations on advanced telecommunications capability services (broadband). This report will show that asymmetric government regulations have limited the future growth of broadband by local exchange carriers (LECs1). Broadband technology has had a significant impact on today's Internet culture because it has changed the way that we work and use the Internet as a means for communicating. Most of the broadband regulations only apply to the telephone incumbents as compared to cable, satellite, …

Filter Selection For Spectral Estimation Using A Trichrmatic Camera, David C. Day

Theses

Current imaging practices are based on exploiting metamerism to record and reproduce images. As a result, the data obtained in these images are dependent on the viewing conditions and the observer. While these methods produce acceptable results for day to day use, they often do not exhibit the type of accuracy and control required for scientific purposes such as art conservation. As a solution, many research institutions are now advocating the use of multispectral imaging to record the objects fundamental spectral properties to remove the data's dependency on the observer and viewing environment. The research described in this thesis involved …

The Effects Of Multi-Channel Visible Spectrum Imaging On Perceived Spatial Image Quality And Color Reproduction Accuracy, Ellen A. Day

Theses

Two paired-comparison psychophysical experiments were performed. The stimuli consisted of six image types resultingfrom several multispectral image-capture and reconstruction techniques. A seventh image type, color-managed images from a high-end consumer camera, was also included in thefirst experiment to compare the accuracy of commercial RGB imaging. The images were evaluated under simulated daylight (6800K) and incandescent (2700K) illumination. The first experiment evaluated color reproduction accuracy. Under simulated daylight, the subjects judged all of the images to have the same color accuracy, except the consumer camera image which was significantly worse. Under incandescent illumination, all the images, including the consumer camera, had …

Image Processing Techniques To Separate Linear And Curvilinear Features In Textures, Bhavani Pidaparthi

Theses

Varied image processing techniques have been developed to extract or detect linear features from images. However, these techniques are targeted at extracting or detecting linear features, and it has been shown in an existing technique that the Fourier transform can be used in conjunction with the polar transformation to essentially lift or separate linear features from the background image. Extracting or detecting linear features in images involves locating these features in the image while separating or lifting them involves separating them from the background image such that we get two images: one image containing the linear features and the other …

Automatic Classification Of One-Dimensional Cellular Automata, Daniel R. Kunkle

Theses

Cellular automata, a class of discrete dynamical systems, show a wide range of dynamic behavior, some very complex despite the simplicity of the system's definition. This range of behavior can be organized into six classes, according to the Li-Packard system: null, fixed point, two-cycle, periodic, complex, and chaotic. An advanced method for automatically classifying cellular automata into these six classes is presented. Seven parameters were used for automatic classification, six from existing literature and one newly presented. These seven parameters were used in conjunction with neural networks to automatically classify an average of 98.3% of elementary cellular automata and 93.9% …

Near-Lossless Bitonal Image Compression System, Jeremy Pyle

Theses

The main purpose of this thesis is to develop an efficient near-lossless bitonal compression algorithm and to implement that algorithm on a hardware platform. The current methods for compression of bitonal images include the JBIG and JBIG2 algorithms, however both JBIG and JBIG2 have their disadvantages. Both of these algorithms are covered by patents filed by IBM, making them costly to implement commercially. Also, JBIG only provides means for lossless compression while JBIG2 provides lossy methods only for document-type images. For these reasons a new method for introducing loss and controlling this loss to sustain quality is developed. The lossless …

Cultural Sensitivity In Visual Communication, Yih-Chi Wang

Theses

Not Included

Java Software For Libr-Water Absorption Refrigeration System Evaluation, Indraneel Samanta

Theses

The energy consumption per capita per year throughout the world is increasing. With an increase in standard of living and world population, the demand for total energy is increasing rapidly and it is anticipated that the existing fossil fuels will be exhausted before the end of this century. More attention is being focused by the scientists and engineers throughout the world to develop potential methods that would use waste heat. A significant amount of low temperature (between 60° C and 99° C) heat is wasted annually in industrial process [1]. This waste heat could be used to drive absorption chillers, …

Carbon Nanotube Catalysts: An Approach Toward Nanodimensional Reactions, Mindy Gordon

Theses

The oxidations of aromatic and aliphatic amines have been investigated to evaluate the catalytic effect of functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes. Aniline oxidation by hydrogen peroxide produces very low yields of azoxybenzene; similarly, p-toluidine oxidation produces azoxytoluene after long time periods. When functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes are present in these reactions, the above oxidations produced unique products such as azobenzene or azotoluene within a short period. The course of the reaction has been followed by GC/MS that showed a mass number of 198 corresponding to azoxybenzene (without carbon nanotubes) or 182 corresponding to azobenzene (with the nanotubes). The first stage of …

Loathing, Jessica Rose Monsour

Theses

This thesis project explores an artist's struggle with self in relationship to environment and society. Specifically, the artist examines loathing, as a shadow that is representative of one's unacceptable attributes that are labeled by society's expectations, through the combination of three processes: photography, sculpture and installations.

Concept, Design, Simulation, And Fabrication Of An Ultra-Scalable Vertical Mosfet, Keith H. Tabakman

Theses

A new orientation to the conventional MOSFET is proposed. Processing issues, as well as short channel effects have been making planar MOSFET scaling increasingly difficult. It is predicted by the 2001 International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors (ITRS) that non-planar devices will be needed for production as early as 2007. The device proposed in this thesis is similar in operation to the planar MOSFET, however the current transport from source to drain, normally in the same plane as the wafer surface, is oriented perpendicular to the die surface. The proposed device has successfully been simulated, showing a proof of concept. Fabrication …

Sliding Mode Control Of An Unmanned Air-Vehicle System, Jayakrishna Vanaparthy

Theses

The objective of this study is to design a Controller that is stable under varying conditions of system parameters from the trim conditions and also robust for parametric variation for an Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) System. The PID and Sliding Mode Controller are the control models for the UAV system that are studied, designed and analyzed. The proposed Sliding Mode Controller was applied to a nonlinear second order system (Single Input Single Output (SISO)) and tested for stability and robustness of the system for parametric variation. The control model indicated chattering effect with switching (signum) function. Therefore, in order to …

Estimation Of Illuminants From Color Signals Of Illuminated Objects, Xiaoyun Jiang

Theses

Color constancy is the ability of the human visual systems to discount the effect of the illumination and to assign approximate constant color descriptions to objects. This ability has long been studied and widely applied to many areas such as color reproduction and machine vision, especially with the development of digital color processing. This thesis work makes some improvements in illuminant estimation and computational color constancy based on the study and testing of existing algorithms. During recent years, it has been noticed that illuminant estimation based on gamut comparison is efficient and simple to implement. Although numerous investigations have been …

Steady State And Transient Analysis Of Thermoelectric Devices Using Finite Element Method, Gurjinder Singh

Theses

Thermoelectric devices offer noiseless and environment friendly operation, which makes them the most suitable devices of the future in their category. However, the performance of these devices is still way below its competitor thermal and electrical systems. The major factor that decides the performance of these devices is the thermoelectric material. Although the use of Silicon as a thermoelectric material greatly improved the performance of new thermoelectric devices over the metal based thermoelectric devices, it is still not close to the performance level of heat engines or refrigerators. With a limit on the material properties, these devices must be optimized …

New Approaches To Gortler And Tollmien-Schlichting Boundary-Layer Instabilities, Vijay Kalburgi

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

A detailed understanding of the physical processes that lead to instability and transition in the external viscous boundary layers of airfoils has been the goal of researchers for decades. This study seeks to enhance our understanding of Gortler and Tollmien-Schlichting instabilities through a critical review of prior theoretical methodology and fundamental experiments, the development of dimensionally consistent disturbance equations, and novel interpretation of the resulting flow physics revealed by their solutions to explain the process of transition.

Gortler vortices arise in boundary layers along concave surfaces due to centrifugal effects and these vortices in combination with other instabilities play an …

Experimental Investigation Of Elemental Incorporation In The Otoliths Of Larval And Juvenile Fish: Implications For Use As Environmental Recorders, Gretchen Bath Martin

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Innovative techniques for discerning fish stocks, identifying nursery habitats, locating spawning sites, tracing larval transport pathways, and quantifying the degree of population connectivity are required to meet the goals of sustainable management of marine capture fisheries. One of the most promising techniques is the use of elemental signatures in fish otoliths (ear stones), which record valuable life history data and serve as the link between fish and their environment. To validate the assumption that otolith elemental composition is a function of water elemental concentrations, and to address the possible effects of external variables such as temperature and salinity, the composition …

Privatize Or Self-Operate: Decision-Making In Campus Services Management, Jeffrey Shelton Pittman

Theses and Dissertations in Urban Services - Urban Education

In the past colleges operated as communities in which teaching and almost every other aspect of campus life were managed by a campus entity. This is particularly true in the area of campus support services. In recent years, there has been a significant shift in the way campus services are provided. Increasingly, college and university administrators evaluate the benefits and potential problems of privatizing or outsourcing various service units. Currently, such services as bookstores, food preparation/service operations, and physical plant departments have been the primary services chosen for privatization.

This study examines the decision-making process governing the choice between privatization …

Boussinesq Model And The Relative Trough Froude Number (Rtfn) For Wave Breaking, Takashi Okamoto

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The relative trough Froude number (RTFN) theory is a new phase-resolving type, wave breaking trigger model introduced by Utku (1999) and Utku and Basco (2002). Based on the moving hydraulic jump concept, this model provides a better implementation of wave breaking in terms of hydrodynamics. Development of computer resources permits the use of the phase-resolving type, Boussinesq wave models in nearshore areas. The Boussinesq equation, however, does not include the physics of wave breaking, so that an additional mechanism is required to initiate wave breaking in the model. The main objective of this study is to develop a new wave …

Developing A Methodology To Detect Partial Failures For Dynamic Systems, Anwar A. Al-Jowder

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this research is to develop a decision support system that can assist in detecting partial failures in dynamic systems such as Fire Control System Tracking Radar (TR) onboard Naval Ships. Partial failures do not necessarily shut down the system immediately but cause degradation of operational performance. Previous work has shown that experts in the field of failure detection, test point insertion and Built-In-Test Equipment (BITE) can provide useful input in detecting partial failures. Partial failures affect operational system performance and support costs, which can be significant. Often, however, partial failure detection consists of the estimations and opinions …

Muscle Recovery From A Short Fatigue Test And Consequence On The Reliability Of Emg Indices Of Fatigue, Christian Larivière, Denis Gravel, A. Bertrand Arsenault, Denis Gagnon, Patrick Loisel

Études primaires

No abstract provided.

Hierarchical Optimal Control Of A Turning Process - Linearization Approach, Anand Dasgupta, B. Pandurangan, Robert G. Landers, S. N. Balakrishnan

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Machining process control technologies are currently not well integrated into machine tool controllers and, thus, servomechanism dynamics are often ignored when designing and implementing process controllers. In this paper, a hierarchical controller is developed that simultaneously regulates the servomechanism positions and cutting forces in a lathing operation. The force process and servomechanism system are separated into high and low levels, respectively, in the hierarchy. The high level goal is to maintain a constant cutting force to maximize productivity while not violating a spindle power constraint. This goal is systematically propagated to the lower level and combined with the low level …

Multiple Transporters Associated With Malaria Parasite Responses To Chloroquine And Quinine, Jianbing Mu, Michael T. Ferdig, Xiaorong Feng, Deirdre A. Joy, Junhui Duan, Tetsuya Furuya, G. Subramanian, L. Aravind, Roland A. Cooper, John C. Wootton, Momia Xiong, Xin-Zhuan Su

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Mutations and/or overexpression of various transporters are known to confer drug resistance in a variety of organisms. In the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum, a homologue of P-glycoprotein, PfMDR1, has been implicated in responses to chloroquine (CO), quinine (ON) and other drugs, and a putative transporter, PfCRT, was recently demonstrated to be the key molecule in CO resistance. However, other unknown molecules are probably involved, as different parasite clones carrying the same pfcrt and pfmdr1 alleles show a wide range of quantitative responses to CO and ON. Such molecules may contribute to increasing incidences of ON treatment failure, the molecular basis …

Proper Orthogonal Decomposition Based Modeling And Experimental Implementation Of A Neurocontroller For A Heat Diffusion System, Prashant Prabhat, S. N. Balakrishnan, Dwight C. Look, Radhakant Padhi

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Experimental implementation of a dual neural network based optimal controller for a heat diffusion system is presented. Using the technique of proper orthogonal decomposition (POD), a set of problem-oriented basis functions are designed taking the experimental data as snap shot solutions. Using these basis functions in Galerkin projection, a reduced-order analogous lumped parameter model of the distributed parameter system is developed. This model is then used in an analogous lumped parameter problem. A dual neural network structure called adaptive critics is used to obtain optimal neurocontrollers for this system. In this structure, one set of neural networks captures the relationship …

Recognizing Toxic Species In Aquatic Habitats: A Potential Concern In Lake Management, Mikolaj Kokocinski, Harold G. Marshall

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

The importance of distinguishing toxic and non-toxic algal species is becoming a more common problem for management decisions associated with various freshwater and estuarine habitats. An example is given where two dinoflagellates, originally unidentified as closely resembling the toxin producing Pfiesteria spp., have been compared to these species. In order to clarify any relationship to Pfiesteria spp., scanning electron microscopy was used to determine the plate tabulation patterns of these dinoflagellates and make comparisons to the tabulation present in Pfiesteria spp. The results indicated significant differences in the plate tabulations of these taxa to distinguish them from Pfiesteria …

Algal Composition And Abundance In The Neuston Surface Micro Layer From A Lake And Pond In Virginia (U.S.A.), Lubomira Burchardt, Harold G. Marshall

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

A comparative study was conducted that characterized the algae within the neuston, ca 2 mm below the surface, and the algae in the water column from two freshwater habitats. There were significant differences in total algal abundance and the abundance of diatoms, cyanoprokaryotes, and chlorophytes between the neuston and water column algae of these two regions during each season and at both sites. The pond neuston was dominated by chlorophytes, with total algal abundance ranging seasonally from 0.6 to 59.6 x 10^-3 cells ml^-1 compared to water column algal concentrations of 4.1 to 40.4 x 10-3 cells ml-1. …

Proposed Patent Local Rules For Adoption By Texas' Federal District Courts, Alfonso Garcia Chan

Computer Law Review and Technology Journal

This paper proposes a set of local rules to govern patent cases litigated in Texas' U.S. District Courts. The Proposed Patent Local Rules combine the patent rules implemented by U.S. District Judge T. John Ward of the Eastern District of Texas and the most-recent version of the Patent Local Rules of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. The Proposed Patent Local Rules also incorporate comments from the Litigation Committee of the State Bar of Texas Intellectual Property Law Section. The Rules build upon the successes of existing rules in these other courts and can provide trial …

Should Patent Protection Be Considered For Computer Software-Related Innovations?, Éloïse Gratton

Computer Law Review and Technology Journal

The twentieth century witnessed the development of more significant scientific and technological advances than any other period in history. In today's society computer-related technologies, including software, are at the forefront of change. But at the beginning of the computer age the computer industry overlooked software in favor of more-valuable computer hardware.

The question of software patentability arose during the 1960's and the early 1970's, when the prevailing view of computer suppliers was that software should not be protected by copyright or patent. The industry believed that a system allowing the free exchange and availability of computer programs might stimulate the …

Striking A Balance Between Employer Business Interests And Employee Privacy: Using Respondeat Superior To Justify The Monitoring Of Web-Based, Personal Electronic Mail Accounts Of Employees In The Workplace, Micah Echols

Computer Law Review and Technology Journal

Electronic mail ("e-mail") is a convenient and financially beneficial tool in the workplace. Although businesses that take advantage of e-mail have experienced many benefits, these same businesses also face a number of disadvantages. One such disadvantage is the legal liability that employers may face-under a vicarious liability theory-for the e-mail-related actions of their employees. Due to this exposure, nearly eighty percent of employers have turned to various methods of monitoring their employees, including direct e-mail monitoring. Traditionally, this type of monitoring has been limited to company, proprietary e-mail accounts, in which courts have routinely held that an employee has no …

Ashcroft V. Aclu: The Fate Of The Child Online Protection Act, Marybeth Eyrich

Computer Law Review and Technology Journal

Concerns about the proliferation and accessibility of cyber-porn motivated Congress to pass legislation intended to protect children from on-line pornography. This nascent attempt to regulate the Internet has not yet passed constitutional muster, as Congress's efforts to protect children have been thwarted by First Amendment challenges. Ashcroft v. ACLU examines, but does not resolve, the constitutionality of the Child Online Protection Act ("COPA"). The issue in Ashcroft was whether COPA's use of "community standards" to identify "material that is harmful to minors" violated the First Amendment. In a plurality opinion, the Court held that COPA's use of "community standards" does …

Clients' Views On Privacy And Security After September 11: Have They Changed? Should They? An Information Technology Lawyer's Perspective, Richard G. Lyon

Computer Law Review and Technology Journal

No abstract provided.