Digital Commons Network^™

Harmony Search For Structural Design, Zong Woo Geem, Kang Seok Lee, Chung-Li Tseng

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Various algorithms have been developed and applied to structural optimization, in which cross-sectional areas of structure members are assumed to be continuous. in most cases of practical structure designs, however, decision variables (cross-sectional areas) are discrete. This paper proposes a combinatorial optimization model for structural design using a new nature-inspired algorithm, harmony search (HS). HS is also compared to genetic algorithms through a standard truss example. Numerical results reveal that the proposed HS is a powerful search algorithm for combinatorial structure optimization.

An Analog Vlsi Implementation Of A Multi-Scale Spike Detection Algorithm For Extracellular Neural Recordings, Christy L. Rogers, John G. Harris, Jose C. Principe, Justin C. Sanchez

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper discusses a multi-scale neural spike detection algorithm for a low-power analog circuit implementation. The key idea is to implement wavelet decomposition and improve spike detection by independently controlling thresholds for each scale. Each thresholder scale is then combined to provide a single output indicating a spike occurrence. This spike detection algorithm shows promising results towards a robust, compact, and unsupervised low power analog spike detection circuit. A low power front-end spike detection circuit can be added to a neural amplifier and dramatically reduce the required data bandwidth for BMI applications. © 2005 IEEE.

A Novel Method For Determination Of Dielectric Properties Of Materials Using A Combined Embedded Modulated Scattering And Near-Field Microwave Techniques-Part I: Forward Model, Dana M. Hughes, R. Zoughi

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The use of combined embedded modulated scattering technique and near-field microwave nondestructive testing techniques is investigated as a novel method for evaluating the dielectric properties of a material. The forward formulation for determining the reflection coefficient at the aperture of a waveguide radiating into a dielectric half-space in which a PIN diode-loaded dipole (i.e., modulated scattering technique probe) is embedded is presented. This formulation is based upon calculating the near-field coupling between the waveguide and the dipole as a mutual impedance.

A Novel Method For Determination Of Dielectric Properties Of Materials Using A Combined Embedded Modulated Scattering And Near-Field Microwave Techniques-Part Ii: Dielectric Property Recalculation, R. Zoughi, Dana Hughes

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The use of combined embedded modulated scattering technique and near-field microwave nondestructive testing techniques is investigated as a novel method for evaluating the dielectric properties of a material. The forward formulation for determining the reflection coefficient at the aperture of a waveguide radiating into a dielectric half-space in which a PIN diode-loaded dipole (i.e., modulated scattering technique probe) is embedded was presented in Part I of this paper. Here, in Part II, the recalculation of the dielectric properties, using the results of the forward model, is presented along with some associated experimental results.

The General Variational Formulas For Capacitance Parameter Extraction, W. C. Chew, L. (Lijun) J. Jiang

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

To obtain second order accuracy using the first order data for the capacitance parameter extraction, a set of new generalized variational formulas are presented in this paper. They are complete since they are valid not only for self-capacitances, but also for mutual capacitances. A more general variational formula is derived to account for the asymmetrical elastance matrix case. By these novel formulas the computational accuracy can be significantly improved compared to the conventional direct capacitance extraction method. © 2005 IEEE.

Crosstalk Analysis By Fast Computational Algorithms, Z. G. Qian, J. Xiong, L. Sun, I. T. Chiang, W. C. Chew, L. (Lijun) J. Jiang, Y. H. Chu

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In this paper, we will present the use of low frequency fast algorithms for crosstalk analysis. Some criss-cross line structures are studied and time domain signals are demonstrated to ascertain crosstalk effect. ©2005 IEEE.

Solving Low Frequency Electromagnetic Problems With Fast Solvers, W. C. Chew, L. (Lijun) J. Jiang, Y. H. Chu, Y. A. Liu, M. K. Li, Z. G. Qian, J. Xiong, L. Sun

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

No abstract provided.

A Mixed-Form Fast Multipole Algorithm, Li (Lijun) Jun Jiang, Weng Cho Chew

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The fast multipole algorithm manifests in two very different forms at low frequencies and at mid frequencies. Each can operate in their respective regimes, but are not tenable in the other regimes. The paper reports on a way to factorize the Green's function for fast algorithm using a mixed form. The low-frequency fast multipole algorithm (LF-FMA) will be used at low frequencies or the long-wavelength regime, and the multilevel fast multipole algorithm (MLFMA) will be used for the mid frequencies or the shorter-wavelength regime. For object modeling where both long-wavelength and wave physics are important, we propose a mixed-form fast …

Lsuhsc Facilities Daily Updates: December 2005, Lsuhsc Property And Facilities Management

LSUHSC Facilities Daily Updates: 2005

LSUHSC Daily Facilities Updates from December 1 to December 22, 2005. These updates describe damage and a timeline of repairs at the LSU Health Sciences Center - New Orleans campus due to Hurricane Katrina, which made landfall August 29, 2005.

Lsuhsc Facilities Biweekly Update: December 2005, Lsuhsc Property And Facilities Management

LSUHSC Facilities Biweekly Updates: 2005

LSUHSC Facilities Biweekly Update from December 9 and 22, 2005.

These updates describe damage and a timeline of repairs at the LSU Health Sciences Center - New Orleans campus due to Hurricane Katrina which made landfall August 29, 2005.

(Review) Self-Interest Before Adam Smith: A Genealogy Of Economic Science, Spencer J. Pack

Economics Faculty Publications

Pierre Force, Self-Interest Before Adam Smith: A Genealogy of Economic Science (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2003), pp. ix, 279, $65.00. ISBN 0-521 83060-5.

The Stress Management Self-Efficacy Inventory (Smsei): Development And Initial Psychometrics, Kristin Higgins

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The primary purpose of the current study was to develop, pilot, and establish the initial psychometrics of the Stress Management Self-Efficacy Inventory (SMSEI). Once developed and positive psychometrics established, middle school counselors and other mental health professionals can use the SMSEI to identify children who lack self-efficacy in the area of stress management. Once adolescents are identified as having low stress management self-efficacy, this measure can also aid professionals in creating programs and interventions. The SMSEI measures how well adolescents believe they can manage their stress as well as measures specific areas or management techniques that a child believes they …

Renewable Energy Technologies To Improve Energy Access In Brazil, José Goldemberg, Emili Lebre La Rovere, Suani Teixeira Coelho, André Felipe Simoes, Patricia Guardabassi, Felipe Moreira Miranda, Centro Clima/Coppe/Ufrj, Cenbio/Usp

Latin American Energy Dialogue, White Papers and Reports

This report shows the potential of Renewable Energy Technologies (RETs) to help Brazil achieve it's goal to ensure the access to electricity to all citizens, and provides some recommendations of future actions to tap the RETs potential in order to make progress towards this end.

Improving The Quality Of Conceptual Modeling Using Cognitive Mapping Techniques, Keng Siau, X. Tan

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Conceptual modeling involves the understanding and communication between system analysts and end-users. Many factors may affect the quality of conceptual modeling processes as well as the models per se. Human cognition plays a pivotal role in understanding these factors and cognitive mapping techniques are effective tools to elicit and represent human cognition. In this paper, we look at the use of cognitive mapping techniques to improve the quality of conceptual modeling. We review frameworks on quality in conceptual modeling and examine the role of human cognition in conceptual modeling. The paper also discusses how human cognition is related to quality …

Webarc: Website Archival Using A Structured Approach, Ee Peng Lim, Maria Marissa

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Website archival refers to the task of monitoring and storing snapshots of website(s) for future retrieval and analysis. This task is particularly important for websites that have content changing over time with older information constantly overwritten by newer one. In this paper, we propose WEBARC as a set of software tools to allow users to construct a logical structure for a website to be archived. Classifiers are trained to. determine relevant web pages and their categories, and subsequently used in website downloading. The archival schedule can be specified and executed by a scheduler. A website viewer is also developed to …

Tailored Watermarking Schemes For Authentication Of Electronic Clinical Atlases, Feng Bao, Robert H. Deng, Beng-Chin Ooi, Yanjiang Yang

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

It is accepted that digital watermarking is quite relevant in medical imaging. However, due to the special nature of clinical practice, it is often required that watermarking not introduce irreversible distortions to medical images. The electronic clinical atlas has such a need of "lossless" watermarking. We present two tailored reversible watermarking schemes for the clinical atlas by exploiting its inherent characteristics. We have implemented the schemes and our experimental results look very promising.

Integration Of Probabilistic Graphic Models For Decision Support, Jiang C., Poh K., Tze-Yun Leong

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

It is a frequently encountered problem that new knowledge arrived when making decisions in a dynamic world. Usually, domain experts cannot afford enough time and knowledge to effectively assess and combine both qualitative and quantitative information in these models. Existing approaches can solve only one of two tasks instead of both. We propose a four-step algorithm to integrate multiple probabilistic graphic models, which can effectively update existing models with newly acquired models. In this algorithm, the qualitative part of model integration is performed first, followed by the quantitative combination. We illustrate our method with an example of combining three models. …

Guatemala Drug Czar Busted; Government Fails To Deliver On Drug-War Promises, Ladb Staff

NotiCen

No abstract provided.

Honduran Presidential Election Throws Country Into Crisis, Ladb Staff

NotiCen

No abstract provided.

The Social And Cultural Construction Of Singlehood Among Young, Single Mormons, Jana Darrington, Kathleen W. Piercy, Sylvia Niehuis

The Qualitative Report

Religious young adults interpret their single experiences based on an intricate system of influences that include personal beliefs, family, religious teachings, and friendships. This qualitative study of 24 never-married, young Mormon men and women examined the social and cultural construction of singlehood based on: (1) definitions of singlehood, (2) influences on the construction of singlehood, and (3) feelings about being single. A major theme of this research emerged in the way participants defined singlehood: by what they lacked and by seeking to end their temporary single state through marriage. Families and religious teachings interacted to form the strongest influences on …

Neutrosophic Methods In General Relativity, Florentin Smarandache, Dmitri Rabounski, Larissa Borissova

Branch Mathematics and Statistics Faculty and Staff Publications

In this work the authors apply concepts of Neutrosophic Logic to the General Theory of Relativity to obtain a generalisation of Einstein’s fourdimensional pseudo-Riemannian differentiable manifold in terms of Smarandache Geometry (Smarandache manifolds), by which new classes of relativistic particles and non-quantum teleportation are developed. Fundamental features of Neutrosophic Logic are its denial of the Law of Excluded Middle, and open (or estimated) levels of truth, falsity and indeterminancy. Both Neutrosophic Logic and Smarandache Geometry were invented some years ago by one of the authors (F. Smarandache). The application of these purely mathematical theories to General Relativity reveals hitherto unknown …

Ductile Regime Nano-Machining Of Silicon Carbide, Biswarup Bhattacharya

Masters Theses

This thesis describes experimental work carried out to study the ability to ductile . single point diamond turn both polycrystal Silicon Carbide (SiC) and chemically vapor deposited (CVD) SiC. A Precitech diamond turning machine was used for ductile regime machining of polycrystal SiC at depths of 10 and 25 nm. The possibility of machining SiC in the ductile mode was substantiated by post process analysis of the chips collected during machining and the surface profiles. The force data obtained during machining was recorded and compared later with the different depth of cuts. An investigation into the ability to single point …

Remapping Hand Movements In A Novel Geometrical Environment, Kristine M. Mosier, Robert A. Scheidt, Santiago Acosta, Ferdinando A. Mussa-Ivaldi

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

The issue of how the Euclidean properties of space are represented in the nervous system is a main focus in the study of visual perception, but is equally relevant to motor learning. The goal of our experiments was to investigate how the properties of space guide the remapping of motor coordination. Subjects wore an instrumented data glove that recorded the finger motions. Signals generated by the glove operated a remotely controlled endpoint: a cursor on a computer monitor. The subjects were instructed to execute movements of this endpoint with controlled motions of the fingers. This required inverting a highly redundant …

Campus Chronicle (Vol. 8, No. 16), Valparaiso University

Campus Chronicle

No abstract provided.

Development Of A Web-Based Gis For Groundwater Exploration In Arid Lands, Nakul Manocha

Masters Theses

A three-fold exercise was conducted to assess the groundwater potentiality in the Eastern Desert (ED) of Egypt. First, a database was generated to host all relevant data sets in a GIS environment for a better understanding of the spatial relationships between these data sets. Co-registered digital mosaics were generated from relevant data sets including remote sensing (e.g., Landsat TM, SIR-C, SRTM, TRMM), geochemical (solute concentrations, O and H stable isotope composition), geological (geologic maps), and hydrological (lithology, depth to water table) data sets. Second, a web-based GIS interface (ArcIMS) was developed to provide a vehicle for data analysis, visualization, and …

Evaluation Of Mechanical Properties Of Recycled Aggregate Concrete, Sajjad Ali Khan

Masters Theses

The maintenance and repair work in the civil engineering infrastructures develops the production of huge wastes which causes the growth of waste piles, additional costs in construction projects and some environmental problems. If this waste is recycled and used again in construction projects, it will help to overcome the problems discussed earlier. Moreover, if natural aggregates are supplemented by recycled aggregate, it will preserve the natural resources and also put a pause in the deterioration of natural landscape.

This thesis addresses the importance of using recycled aggregate in concrete structures. Its practical feasibility in construction projects is studied in light …

A K-Epsilon Extension For Wall-Bounded Flows On The Broadband Aeroacoustic System Simulator, David González

Masters Theses

The turbulence modeling capabilities of the Broadband Aeroacoustic System Simulator (BASS), an experimental code developed at NASA Glenn Research Center, have been extended to include wall-bounded flow capabilities. This was done by first validating the code's viscous solving routines by comparing numerical solutions to known, simple analytic solutions. Finally, the dynamics of the wall shear flows were accounted for with the use of wall-damping functions incorporated into the turbulence model. The results for both viscous and turbulence routines agree well with published data.

An Analysis Of Seawinds-Based Rain Retrieval In Severe Weather Events, David G. Long, Jeffrey R. Allen

Faculty Publications

The Ku-band SeaWinds scatterometer estimates near-surface ocean wind vectors by relating measured backscatter to a geophysical model function for the near-surface vector wind. The conventional wind retrieval algorithm does not explicitly account for SeaWinds' sensitivity to rain, resulting in rain-caused wind retrieval error. A new retrieval method, termed "simultaneous wind/rain retrieval," that estimates both wind and rain from rain-contaminated measurements has been previously proposed and validated with Tropical Rain Measuring Mission data. Here, the accuracy of rains retrieved by the new method is validated through comparison with the Next Generation Weather Radar (NEXRAD) in coastal storm events. The rains detected …

Modeling Microwave Emissions Of Erg Surfaces In The Sahara Desert, David G. Long, Haroon Stephen

Faculty Publications

Sand seas (ergs) of the Sahara are the most dynamic parts of the desert. Aeolian erosion, transportation, and deposition continue to reshape the surface of the ergs. The large-scale features (dunes) of these bedforms reflect the characteristics of the sand and the long-term wind. Radiometric emissions from the ergs have strong dependence on the surface geometry. We model the erg surface as composed of tilted rough facets. Each facet is characterized by a tilt distribution dependent upon the surface roughness of the facet. The radiometric temperature (Tb) of ergs is then the weighted sum of the Tb from all the …

Teaching A Vocal Tract Simulation To Imitate Stop Consonants, M Huckvale, I Howard

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

The imitation of spoken stop consonants by an articulatory synthesizer using only general learning principles addresses significant issues in speech inversion and speech acquisition. Stop consonants are relatively large, complex acoustic events resulting from discrete articulations, so inversion based on the use of small time windows or based on the minimisation of average articulatory error across multiple places of articulation will not provide a satisfactory solution. This paper explores the effect of variation in inversion window size and the use of smoothing constraints on the quality of imitation of the stops [b], [d] and [g]. However good results are only …