Digital Commons Network^™

Standard Meteorological Measurements, Kenneth Hubbard, Steven E. Hollinger

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Instruments that measure weather variables have been invented and tested since the time of Leonardo de Vinci. The earliest instruments were crude by today’s standards and required manual observation and notation of the weather variable of interest. In recent years, the miniaturization of circuits–sensors and the use of electronic processors have made it possible to collect ever-increasing numbers of observations on scales not previously considered.

In many agricultural applications, the primary portion of the atmosphere that is of interest is the lower planetary boundary layer, or that layer affected by the earth’s surface. Accurate measurement of weather variables in the …

Revisiting Medical Error: Five Years After The Iom Report, Have Reporting Systems Made A Measurable Difference, Maxine M. Harrington

Faculty Scholarship

Although the goal of patient safety is a laudable one, it is questionable whether state and national policy can be made on so vague a concept as "medical error." There is neither an accurate baseline nor reliable current data that could be used to validate the effectiveness of reporting systems as tools for improving patient safety. This Article examines the difficulty in estimating the incidence of medical error, including the lack of uniform standards of measurement and the legal and cultural disincentives to accurate reporting of error. Part I provides a brief background of the IOM report and addresses the …

Private Dispute Resolution In The Card Context: Structure, Reputation, And Incentives, Andrew P. Morriss, Jason Korosec

Faculty Scholarship

Explosive growth in credit, debit, and other card payment systems in recent years has produced a parallel growth in private dispute resolution systems based on the web of contracts entered into by merchants, merchant acquirers, consumers, card issuers, card associations, and transaction processors. These contracts have produced legal systems based on contract and the enforcement of which rests primarily on reputational constraints. To cost-effectively resolve disputes, these private legal systems have evolved innovative procedures using resources at the lowest-possible level, including incentive-payments for producing information and rigid deadlines for parties' actions. This paper describes and analyzes these legal systems and …

Manpower Development: Industry And Educators Need To Work Together, Peter W. Sauer, Mani Venkata, Mariesa Crow

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

No abstract provided.

Multiuser Channel Estimation For Cdma Systems Over Frequency-Selective Fading Channels, Jingxian Wu, Chengshan Xiao, Khaled Ben Letaief

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In this paper, a pilot-assisted minimum mean square error (MMSE) multiuser channel estimation algorithm is proposed for quasi-synchronous code-division multiple-access (CDMA) systems that undergo frequency-selective channel fading. The frequency-selective multiuser fading channel is represented as a symbol-wise time-varying chip-spaced tapped delay line filter with correlated filter taps. The multiuser channel tap coefficients at pilot symbol positions are estimated under the MMSE criterion with the help of the channel intertap correlation matrix, which is determined by the combined effects of the physical fading channel, transmit filter, and receive filter. In the development of the estimation algorithm, the channel intertap correlation matrix …

Neural Networks Based Non-Uniform Scalar Quantizer Design With Particle Swarm Optimization, Wenwei Zha, Ganesh K. Venayagamoorthy

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Quantization is a crucial link in the process of digital speech communication. Non-uniform quantizer such as the logarithm quantizers are commonly used in practice. In this paper, a companding non-uniform quantizer is designed using two neural networks to perform the nonlinear transformation. Particle swarm optimization is applied to find the weights of neural networks such that the signal to noise ratio (SNR) is maximized. Simulation results on different speech samples are presented and the proposed quantizer design is compared with the logarithm quantizer for bit rates ranging from 3 to 8.

Estimation Of Additive Noise Variance For Multiuser Cdma Systems, Jingxian Wu, Chengshan Xiao, Khaled Ben Letaief

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In this paper, a novel additive noise variance estimation algorithm is proposed for multiuser CDMA systems experiencing time varying and frequency selective fading. The algorithm is developed by exploring the eigen-structure of the receive signal correlation matrix, which is characterized by the statistid properties of both the fading channeI and the additive white Gaussian noise. Relying only on the knowledge of the receiver signal samples, the algorithm can accurately estimate the variance of the additive noise present at the receiver of multiuser CDMA systems. The estimated noise variance can be employed along with other receiver algorithms to improve system performance.

Fuzzy Pso: A Generalization Of Particle Swarm Optimization, S. Abdelshahid, Donald C. Wunsch, Ashraf M. Abdelbar

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In standard particle swarm optimization (PSO), the best particle in each neighborhood exerts its influence over other particles in the neighborhood. In this paper, we propose fuzzy PSO, a generalization which differs from standard PSO in the following respect: charisma is defined to be a fuzzy variable, and more than one particle in each neighborhood can have a non-zero degree of charisma, and, consequently, is allowed to influence others to a degree that depends on its charisma. We evaluate our model on the weighted maximum satisfiability (maxsat) problem, comparing performance to standard PSO and to Walk-Sat.

Marketing Locally Produced Foods: Consumer And Farmer Opinions In Washington County, Nebraska, Mindi L. Schneider, Charles A. Francis

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Local food system potentials were studied in Washington County, Nebraska, United States. As a departure from most studies of locally based systems, farmers were surveyed in addition to consumers for potential participation. Data about the current food system and opinions and preferences for local production, marketing, and purchasing of food were collected using self-administered mail questionnaires. The response rate was 35% for the farmer survey and 37% for the consumer survey. Results indicated that, on the farming side of the food system, conventional corn and soybean production and marketing predominated in Washington County, and farmer interest in producing for local …

Farmer Research: Conventional Experiences And Guidelines For Alternative Agriculture And Multi-Functional Agro-Ecosystems, Charles S. Wortmann, A. P. Christensen, Keith L. Glewen, Terence A. Hejny, J. Mulliken, J. M. Peterson, D. L. Varner, S. Wortmann, Gary L. Zoubek

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Crop producers are challenged to operate profitably, use resources efficiently, meet high standards of quality and protect the environment, while sustaining rural economies and societies. Cropping systems are generally fine-tuned and improved through changes that have small effects which can often be verified only through research. The processes and successes of two farmer research projects were studied. Results of these studies, information from other sources and the authors’ reflections on their own experiences were integrated to develop guidelines for the implementation of farmer research projects for alternative agriculture and multi-functional agro-ecosystems with diverse stakeholders. Surveys were mailed to 118 farmers …

The Demand For Industrial Technology And Technology Education Faculty Professors At United States Universities, Cleo Hicks Jr.

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

To guide this study, the following goals were developed: 1. Identify the positions available at the university level for professors of Technology Education and Industrial Technology; 2. Determine the demand of Industrial Technology faculty professor positions during the past five years; 3. Deter the demand of Technology Education faculty professor positions during the past five years; 4. Identify the different types of skills and requirements sought in these professions; 5. Determine the technical areas where the greatest need for faculty exists.

Factors Contributing To Virginia Marketing Education's Low Participation In State Deca Competitive Written Events, Eric R. Keiser

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

To guide this research the following objectives were established: 1. Identify Virginia DECA chapters who traditionally participate in competitive written events at the state level; 2. Identify Virginia DECA chapters who experience success in written events at the state level; 3. Identify what student demographic characteristics exist in DECA chapters who consistently participate in written competitive events.

Virginia Quality Institute's Conflict Management Training, Marguerite Inscoe

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

The purpose of this study was determine if Virginia Quality Institute's conflict management training attendees were successful in using the recommended conflict strategies and verbal techniques to mitigate difficult conversations and conflict situations at their job.

The Attitudes Of Students Enrolled In Riding Instruction Preparation Classes, Bethanne Ridgeway

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

The following goals were established to guide this study: 1. Identify the outcomes students desire to accomplish in a riding instruction class; 2. Determine if the students believe a riding instruction class will be crucial to their career success.

Tidewater Virginia Technology Education Teacher Professional Development Needs, Richard A. Nash

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

The following objectives were established to answer this problem: 1. Determine the types of professional development being sought by Tidewater public school technology education teachers; 2. Recommend specific types of professional development that should be made available to Tidewater technology education teachers.

Knowledge Management In Training In Hampton Roads, Virginia, Stephanie Mckinney

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

To guide this study, the following research goals were developed: 1. Determine the number of Hampton Roads, Virginia businesses using knowledge management as an integral part of training; 2. Determine what types of knowledge management processes are currently being used; 3. Determine the importance of knowledge management as an area for current and future training

Middle School Equipment Needs To Teach The Standards For Technology Literacy, Thomas G. Warner

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

The following goals were evaluated to produce a master equipment list for CATTS to recommend for implementation of technology education at the middle school level: 1. Validate the master equipment list developed by Duffey for middle school technology education; 2. Make changes to the middle school master equipment list based on feedback from Center to Advance the Teaching of Technology and Science consortium state representatives; 3. Recommend a master equipment list for middle school technology education.

The Effects Of The Hampton Roads Women's Network Program On Its Participants At Bank Of America, Charlene T. Runner

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

The goals of this study were to answer the following questions: 1. What is the value of Hampton Roads Women's Network Program to Bank of America women associates? 2. What are recommendations for increased professional development of Bank of America women associates through its Women's Network Program?

An Analysis Of Attitudes Toward Instructional Technology Integration At Heritage High School, Nicole P. Edwards

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

The research goals of this study would determine the following: 1. What were teachers' attitudes towards having basic instructional technology skills? 2. What were teachers' attitudes towards using instructional technology in the classroom? 3. What populations of teachers were satisfied with their degree of instructional technology knowledge?

Factors That Contribute To Turnover Of Sales Professionals In South Hampton Roads, Monica Miccio-Vieira

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

By completion of this study, the following goals will have been answered: 1. What are the attitudes of Human Resource Directors towards turnover in South Hampton Roads? 2. What are the costs of employee turnover to an organization? 3. What recommendations can be made to Human Resource Directors to reduce employee turnover?

The Effectiveness Of Loudoun Country Public Schools Teacher Cadet Program, Erik J. Kittelson

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

The objectives of this study were to answer the following questions: 1. Determine if students who participate in the Loudoun County Public Schools Teacher Cadet program actually pursue a teaching degree or licensure; 2. Determine the percentage of Teacher Cadet completers who plan to pursue a teaching degree or licensure; 3. Determine if the teacher cadet program prepares students for higher education teaching programs; 4. Determine if the content of the current curriculum prepares students for their respective teaching area of interest.

Assessment And Prediction Of Self-Reported Hiv-Risk Behaviors By Women In Substance Abuse Treatment, Radhika Sehgal

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

This study compared information obtained from self-administered questionnaires (SAQ) and faceto- face interview (FTFI) versions of the HIV Risk-taking Behavior Scale. This study also compared women intravenous drug users (IVDU’s) and non-IVDU’s on rates of HIV risk behaviors and the extent to which unstable housing, unemployment, single parenthood, barriers to accessing health care, and number of years of drug abuse predicted HIV risk. There were no differences in rates of risk behavior reported between SAQ and FTFI formats. IVDU’s had higher sexual risk behaviors than non-IVDU’s. Unstable housing significantly predicted risk behavior. Relative to those with more education, those with …

Change And Persistence In An Independent Nonprofit College: A Case Study, John Selmon

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Private independent nonprofit colleges and universities serve millions of students annually, yet very little is written about this group. Most of the literature and research concern large public institutions of higher learning. Davenport College, a private independent nonprofit college system in Michigan and northern Indiana, serving 15,000 students, was the focus of the case study that offers a historical view of how the college evolved and changed over the institution’s 134-year history. The study highlights the influence of the five leaders and significant environmental events that that led to change and persistence in Davenport College from its inception on January …

The Effect Of Pretense On The Creativity Of Storytelling In Preschool And Kindergarten-Age Children, Storm R. Ross

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Previous research suggests a link between pretense and the creative behavior of children, such as associative fluency. Most results show that children who engaged in pretense prior to an associative fluency task gave more nonstandard uses for play objects than children who engaged in imitation play or coloring. However, the effect of pretense play on other forms of creativity has not been extensively researched. One such form of creativity is storytelling.

The present study examined the relationship between pretense and storytelling. It was hypothesized that the stories a child tells after engaging in pretense play would be ranked and rated …

Characteristics Of Beef Cattle That Determine The Price Difference Between Traditional And Cph Sales, Terry L. Lunsford

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

Cattle producers are faced with difficult decisions on how they market theircalves. This study examines the different characteristics that play a role in determiningthe price of a group of animals. Identifying characteristics that determine pricedifferentials relative to the price premium given to producers participating in CPH salesis important information when producers are making a marketing decision. The modeldeveloped in this study provides producers with evidence of what characteristics generatethe highest price, as well as relative differences between sales locations and types ofsales. The more information available to producers, the better equipped they are to makedecisions.

Robust Resource Allocations In Parallel Computing Systems: Model And Heuristics, V. Shestak, Shoukat Ali, Howard Jay Siegel, A. A. Maciejewski

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The resources in parallel computer systems (including heterogeneous clusters) should be allocated to the computational applications in a way that maximizes some system performance measure. However, allocation decisions and associated performance prediction are often based on estimated values of application and system parameters. The actual values of these parameters may differ from the estimates; for example, the estimates may represent only average values, the models used to generate the estimates may have limited accuracy, and there may be changes in the environment. Thus, an important research problem is the development of resource management strategies that can guarantee a particular system …

Spatial Bioaccumulation Modeling In A Network Of Bayous, Ronaldo Luna, Karen H. Watanabe, Andrew J. Wilding

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A software system, Spatial Network Bioaccumulation Model (SNBM), was developed to model the bioaccumulation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in aquatic food webs. The SNBM uses a geographic information system as an engine to: (i) store the spatial representation of input parameters (the data related to the ecosystem), (ii) transfer input and output data to and from the food-web bioaccumulation model, and (iii) display the predicted food-web organism concentrations over a base map of the field site. The bioaccumulation model is a time-dependent, set of first-order ordinary differential equations that are solved numerically. Many sampling locations can be analyzed using …

The Inkwell, Armstrong Atlantic State University

The Inkwell

No abstract provided.

Decentralized Discrete-Time Neural Network Controller For A Class Of Nonlinear Systems With Unknown Interconnections, Jagannathan Sarangapani

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A novel decentralized neural network (NN) controller in discrete-time is designed for a class of uncertain nonlinear discrete-time systems with unknown interconnections. Neural networks are used to approximate both the uncertain dynamics of the nonlinear systems and the unknown interconnections. Only local signals are needed for the decentralized controller design and the stability of the overall system can be guaranteed using the Lyapunov analysis. Further, controller redesign for the original subsystems is not required when additional subsystems are appended. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed controller. The NN does not require an offline learning phase and the weights …

Derivation Of A Closed-Form Approximate Expression For The Self-Capacitance Of A Printed Circuit Board Trace, Todd H. Hubing, Hwan-Woo Shim

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The electric fields that couple traces on printed circuit boards to attached cables can generate common-mode currents that result in significant radiated emissions. Previous work has shown that these radiated emissions can be estimated based on the self-capacitances of the microstrip structures on a board . In general, the determination of these self-capacitances must be done numerically using three-dimensional static modeling software. In this paper, an approximate closed-form expression for the self-capacitance of microstrip traces is derived. This expression can be used to estimate the voltage-driven common-mode emissions from boards with various microstrip trace geometries. The expression also provides insight …