Digital Commons Network^™

Australian Firearm Identification System Based On The Ballistics Images Of Projectile Specimens, Dongguang Li

Research outputs pre 2011

Charactetistic markings on the cartridge case and projectile of a fired bullet are created when it is fired. Over thirty different features within these marks can be distinguished, which in combination produce a "fingerprint" for a firearm. By analyzing features within such a set of fireann :fingerprints, it will be possible to identify not only the type and model of a fireann, but also each every individual weapon as effectively as human :fingerprint identification. A new analytic system based on fast Fourier transform (FFT) for identifying the projectile specimens by the line-scan imaging technique is proposed in this paper. Experimental …

Providing Qos For Symmetrical Voice/Video Traffic In Wireless Networks, Justin Wyatt, Daryoush Habibi, Iftekhar Ahmad, Hushairi Zen

Research outputs pre 2011

Voice over IP (VoIP) and voice-video over IP (VIoIP) are becoming very popular and widespread. These types of real-time services produce streams that are almost symmetrical in nature. A new token passing media access control (MAC) developed by our group, called wireless token network (WTN), has been designed with QoS guarantees in mind. We have previously shown in our previous paper (2006) that WTN supports a higher number of VoIP clients compared to 802.11e due to its higher channel efficiency. In this paper we show that WTN also provides superior QoS for bidirectional streams such as VIoIP due to a …

Generating A Gender Balance: Making Introductory Information Systems Courses A Positive Experience, Rosemary Stockdale, Susan Stoney

Research outputs pre 2011

There is a growing shortfall of graduates entering the IT profession. The situation is exacerbated by the continuing decline in the number of women undertaking IT related degrees. However, there are an increasing number of students taking business degrees that have a small information systems component, although few students choose to major in IS. Using a qualitative reflective approach we identify the perceptions and experiences of female undergraduates taking introductory IS courses in two universities, one in Australia and one in New Zealand. We discuss ways of improving the delivery of introductory IS courses in order to make information systems …

Analysis Of Pki As A Means Of Securing Odf Documents, Gautham Kasinath, Leisa J. Armstrong

Research outputs pre 2011

Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) has for the last two decades been a means of securing systems and communication. With the adoption of Open Document Format (ODF) as an ISO standard, the question remains if the unpopular, expensive, complex and unmaintainable PKI can prove to be a viable means of securing ODF documents. This paper analyses the drawbacks of PKI and evaluates the useji.tlness of PKl in provisioning robust, cheap and maintainable XML security to XML based ODF. This paper also evaluates the existing research on XML security, more specifically fine grained access control.

Minimizing The Number Of Constraints For Shared Backup Path Protection (Sbpp) In Shared Risk Link Group (Srlg) Optical Mesh Networks, Daryoush Habibi, Viet Quoc Phung, Hoang N. Nguyen

Research outputs pre 2011

Path-arc integer linear programming (ILP) models for shared backup path protection (SBPP) in optical mesh networks generally contain many redundant constraints for calculating shared backup capacity. This greatly increases the computational time of the ILP solvers. In this paper, we first identify the sharing relationship between working and backup capacities, which facilitates the development of two novel algorithms for minimizing the number of constraints in ILP models for SBPP in mesh networks. Next, we consider the more realistic case of Shared Risk Link Group (SRLG) networks, where some optical fibers have the same risk of a physical cut due to …

Fibre Bragg Grating Sensors For Acoustic Emission And Transmission Detection Applied To Robotic Nde In Structural Health Monitoring, Graham Wild, Steven Hinckley

Research outputs pre 2011

Distributed acoustic emission sensors are used in structural health monitoring (SHM) for the detection of impacts and/or strain, in real time. Secondary damage may result from the initial impact or strain. This damage may include surface pitting, erosion, or cracking. This type of damage may not be detectable by the SHM system, specifically in passive fiber optic based sensing systems. The integration of non-destructive evaluation (NDE) by robots into SHM enables the detection and monitoring of a wider variety of damage. Communicating via acoustic transmissions represents a wireless communications method for use by NDE inspection robots to communicate with an …

Profiling Through A Digital Mobile Device, Lee Fueng Yap, Andrew Jones

Research outputs pre 2011

Mobile digital devices have evolved from telecommunications device to a lifestyle product over the years. These devices are used in all aspects of our daily life. As a result, more information is stored within the devices. Unprotected mobile digital device is susceptible to privacy invasion attack when the device falls into the wrong hand of any unscrupulous third party. The main objective of this paper is to provide an implication analysis on the possible risks of information leakage through digital mobile devices, in the case when users forget to, or choose never to apply any security protection to their devices

Pervasive 2d Barcodes For Camera Phone Applications, Hiroko Kato, Keng T. Tan

Research outputs pre 2011

In a previous study, we evaluated six 2D barcodes using eight criteria for standardization potential: omnidirectional symbol reading, support for low-resolution cameras, reading robustness under different lighting conditions, barcode reading distance, error correction capability, security, support for multiple character sets, and data capacity. We also considered the fidelity of the camera phone's captured image as a metric for gauging reading reliability. Here, we review the six 2D barcodes and then use an additional metric - a first-read rate - to quantitatively verify our earlier results and better gauge reading reliability.

Design And Characterization Of Cmos/Soi Image Sensors, Igor Brouk, Kamal Alameh, Yael Nemirovsky

Research outputs pre 2011

The design, operation, and characterization of CMOS imagers implemented using: 1) "regular" CMOS wafers with a 0.5-mum CMOS analog process; 2) "regular" CMOS wafers with a 0.35-mum CMOS analog process; and 3) silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafers in conjunction with a 0.35-mum CMOS analog process, are discussed in this paper. The performances of the studied imagers are compared in terms of quantum efficiency, dark current, and optical bandwidth. It is found that there is strong dependence of quantum efficiency of the photodiodes on the architecture of the image sensor. The results of this paper are useful for designing and modeling CMOS/SOI image …

Adaptive Segregation-Based Mac Protocol For Real-Time Multimedia Traffic In Wlans, Hushairi Zen, Daryoush Habibi, Alexander Rassau, Justin Wyatt

Research outputs pre 2011

Wireless local area networks (WLANs) have become very popular both in private and public sectors. Despite the fast expansion of WLANs in various environments, quality of service (QoS) issues for multimedia applications in WLANs are not yet resolved. Multimedia applications contain traffic that are sensitive to delay and jitter and therefore a best-effort protocol such as the legacy IEEE 802.11 is not suitable. The 802.11e protocol provides prioritization and classification of traffic to offer better QoS for real-time services. However, it leaves the design and implementation of many important optimization features to vendors. In this paper we introduce a mechanism …

Some Problems In Network And Data Centre Management, David Veal, Gurpreet Kohli

Research outputs pre 2011

Computer networks are vital to the running of modern organisations. Network managers are often concerned with the running of data centres. This paper provides an overview of some of the more important issues in managing modern computer networks and data centres and the problems faced in undertaking this task. It would be impossible to provide a complete list which, due to the fluid nature of this industry, would become outdated very quickly. It is important that network managers have an awareness of modern Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) requirements, training and skills. There is also a need for network managers …

Experimental Demonstration Of A Tunable Laser Using An Soa And An Opto-Vlsi Processor, Muhsen Aljada, Rong Zheng, Kamal Alameh, Yong Lee

Research outputs pre 2011

In this paper we propose and experimentally demonstrate a tunable laser structure cascading a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) that generates broadband amplified spontaneous emission and a reflective Opto-VLSI processor that dynamically reflects arbitrarily wavelengths and injects them back into the SOA, thus synthesizing an output signal of variable wavelength. The wavelength tunablility is performed using digital phase holograms uploaded on the Opto-VLSI processor. Experimental results demonstrate a tuning range from 1524nm to 1534nm, and show that the proposed tunable laser structure has a stable performance.

Data Fusion Techniques For Health Monitoring Of Aging Aircraft And Skin Cancer Detection, Kapil Gupta

Doctoral Dissertations

"Data fusion is generally practiced to enhance decision or inference making capability. Sensor and information source data may often be corrupted by noise or other factors. Data fusion can be used to improve sensor and/or information source data quality and reliability and improve detection accuracy. There are several types of data fusion, including raw data level, feature level, and decision level.

This work presents the investigation and development of image and signal processing, computational intelligence, fuzzy logic, and statistical techniques for different types of data fusion for a varied range of applications. Raw data and decision level fusion approaches are …

The Development Of Hybrid Intelligent Systems For Technical Analysis Based Equivolume Charting, Thira Chavarnakul

Doctoral Dissertations

"This dissertation proposes the development of a hybrid intelligent system applied to technical analysis based equivolume charting for stock trading. A Neuro-Fuzzy based Genetic Algorithms (NF-GA) system of the Volume Adjusted Moving Average (VAMA) membership functions is introduced to evaluate the effectiveness of using a hybrid intelligent system that integrates neural networks, fuzzy logic, and genetic algorithms techniques for increasing the efficiency of technical analysis based equivolume charting for trading stocks"--Introduction, page 1.

Mechanical Integrity And Behavior Of Thin Films And Their Applications In Mems, Gang Duan

Doctoral Dissertations

"Electric actuated thin films are widely used in micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) such as radio frequency switches (RF-switches), micro-pumps and valves, and electrostatic actuators. This dissertation will focus on the operation of a MEMS-RF-switch. In a typical MEMS-RF-switch, a mechanically suspended 1-D rectangular or 2-D axisymmetric thin film is pulled by an electrostatic voltage (V₀) applied to an electrode-pad directly underneath. When V₀ exceeds a certain "pull-in" threshold, V₀*, the thin film makes direct contact with the pad so that either an "on" or "off" signal is induced, and when the voltage is removed, the thin film resumes its original undeformed …

Effects Of Combined Exposure To Ethanol And Ionizing Radiation On The Antioxidant Status Of In Vitro And In Vivo Models, Joshua Ogony

Doctoral Dissertations

"Ethanol and ionizing radiation exposure are independently known to cause tissue damage through various mechanisms. Non-enzymatic and enzymatic metabolism of ethanol, the latter via the cytochrome P₄₅₀2E1-dependent pathway, produces free radicals which deplete cellular glutathione (GSH). Ionizing radiation exposure has been shown to induce lipid peroxidation, DNA damage, protein oxidation, and GSH depletion, as well. It was postulated that initial exposure to ethanol, followed by ionizing radiation, would result in heightened oxidative stress. The in vitro model used in this investigation was HepG2 cells (human hepatocellular liver carcinoma cell line), while the in vivo model was Cd-1 mice"--Abstract, page iii.

Advanced Controller Design Using Neural Networks For Nonlinear Dynamic Systems With Application To Micro/Nano Robotics, Qinmin Yang

Doctoral Dissertations

"The dissertation focuses on neural network (NN) control designs for nonlinear systems with application to micro/nano robotic. Critical problems in nano scale including thermal drift are also addressed"--Abstract, page iv.

Development Of A Geographic Information System-Based Virtual Geotechnical Database And Assessment Of Liquefaction Potential For The St. Louis Metropolitan Area, Jae-Won Chung

Doctoral Dissertations

"The St. Louis Metropolitan area is the focus the U.S. Geological Survey's Earthquake Hazard Program's plan for assessing and reducing the likely risks of an earthquake likely emanating from New Madrid Seismic Zone (NMSZ), which is the most active seismic zone in the Midwestern United States. The St. Louis Metropolitan area consists of three counties in Missouri and four in Illinois, which are divided by the state boundary along the Mississippi River. Both of the state's respective geological surveys have produced their own geologic maps and datasets, employing dissimilar geodata information and systems, with differing map units, map scales, and …

Antimicrobial Activities Of Aldehydes And Ketones Produced During Rapid Volatilization Of Biogenic Oils, Aruna Lamba

Masters Theses

"The overall objective of the research presented in this thesis was to evaluate the antimicrobial properties of commercially available neat compounds in order to validate the analytes which were found in the smoke generated during rapid volatilization of biogenic oil esters and mineral oils. To attain this objective various analytes were selected from the analytical data provided for the smoke, and neat compounds were purchased. A special desiccator was designed to conduct experiments. Simultaneously vapor phase concentration of the neat compounds was determined to establish relation between neat compounds and the analytes found in smoke. Other part of the thesis …

Energy Efficient Processor Operation And Vibration Based Energy Harvesting Schemes For Wireless Sensor Nodes, Phani Kumar Gajjala

Masters Theses

"A wireless Sensor Network (WSN) is a network of spatially distributed autonomous sensors deployed in the environment in order to cooperatively monitor physical or environmental conditions such as temperature, sound, pressure, motion or pollutants at different locations. Each node in a sensor network is equipped with a radio transceiver, a microprocessor and an energy source such as a battery which should be replaced periodically. To increase the lifetime of the network keeping the small size in mind, methods should be put in place to reduce the power consumption of the sensor node or increase the node life and/or to supply …

E-Design Tools For Friction Stir Welding: Cost Estimation Tool, Pradeep Kumar Tipaji

Masters Theses

"A cost model is an important tool for product design and material selection. An efficient and effective cost estimation tool is necessary for early design evaluation. In this paper, cost estimation models that estimate the production cost for Metal Inert Gas (MIG), Friction Stir (FS), and Friction Stir Spot (FSS) welded joints are presented. These models determine the cost incurred to fabricate each joint along with a detailed explanation of each cost component. Each cost component has been closely analyzed and major cost components have been included in the cost model"--Abstract, page iv.

Vision Based Leader-Follower Formation Control For Mobile Robots, Gerard Sequeira

Masters Theses

"Creating systems with multiple autonomous vehicles places severe demands on the design of control schemes. Robot formation control plays a vital role in coordinating robots. As the number of members in a system rise, the complexity of each member increases. There is a proportional increase in the quantity and complexity of onboard sensing, control and computation. This thesis investigates the control of a group of mobile robots consisting of a leader and several followers to maintain a desired geometric formation"--Abstract, page iii.

An Open Framework For Highly Concurrent Hardware-In-The-Loop Simulation, Ryan C. Underwood

Masters Theses

"Hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulation is becoming a significant tool in prototyping complex, highly available systems. The HIL approach allows an engineer to build a physical system incrementally by enabling real components of the system to seamlessly interface with simulated components. It also permits testing of hardware prototypes of components that would be extremely costly to test in the deployed environment. Key issues are the ability to wrap the systems of equations (such as Partial Differential Equations) describing the deployed environment into real-time software models, provide low synchronization overhead between the hardware and software, and reduce reliance on proprietary platforms. This thesis …

Security Architecture Methodology For Large Net-Centric Systems, Njideka Adaku Umeh

Masters Theses

"This thesis describes an over-arching security architecture methodology for large network enabled systems that can be scaled down for smaller network centric operations such as present at the University of Missouri-Rolla. By leveraging the five elements of security policy & standards, security risk management, security auditing, security federation and security management, of the proposed security architecture and addressing the specific needs of UMR, the methodology was used to determine places of improvement for UMR"--Abstract, page iii.

Risks Of Diazinon Use To The Federally Listed Endangered Barton Springs Salamander (Eurycea Sosorum), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

KIP Data Sets and Technical Reports

The purpose of this assessment is to make an "effects determination" for the Barton Springs salamander (Eurycea sosorum) by evaluating the potential direct and indirect effects of currently registered uses of the insecticide diazinon within the Barton Springs area (action area) on the survival, growth, and reproduction of this federally listed endangered species. This assessment was completed in accordance with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Endangered Species Consultation Handbook (USFWS/NMFS, 1998 and procedures outlined in the Agency's Overview Document (U.S. EPA, 2004). Open Access - Permission by Publisher See Extended description for …

Risks Of Carbaryl Use To The Federally Listed Endangered Barton Springs Salamander (Eurycea Sosorum), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

KIP Data Sets and Technical Reports

The purpose of this assessment is to make an "effects determination" for the Barton Springs salamander (Eurycea sosorum) by evaluating the potential direct and indirect effects of currently registered uses of the insecticide carbaryl within the Barton Springs area (action area) on the survival, growth, and reproduction of this federally-listed endangered species. This assessment was completed in accordance with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Endangered Species Consultation Handbook (USFWS/NMFS, 1998 and procedures outlined in the Agency's Overview Document (U.S. EPA, 2004). Open Access - Permission by Publisher See Extended description for more …

Full Issue, Studies In Avian Biology

Studies in Avian Biology

No abstract provided.

Nutrient Concentrations At Baseflow Conditions In The Upper White River Basin, Southwest Missouri And Northwest Arkansas, Gopala G. Borchelt

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

The Upper White River Basin (UWRB) is becoming increasingly vulnerable to water quality degradation from urban/population growth and increased agricultural production. This study examines the relationships among nutrient levels, water chemistry and watershed characteristics of 19 watersheds in the UWRB. Water samples were collected during baseflow conditions each month for one year at USGS continuous-flow gage stations. Watershed characteristics evaluated were land use, geology, drainage area, flow discharge, and wastewater treatment plant discharge (WTP). Measured chemical water quality indicators include total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), specific conductivity, turbidity, pH and dissolved oxygen. Rapidly expanding urban areas are associated with …

Methods Of Estimating Nest Success: An Historical Tour, Douglas H. Johnson

Studies in Avian Biology

No abstract provided.

Literature Cited, John W. Mason, Gerard J. Mcchesney, William R. Mciver, Harry R. Carter, John Y. Takekawa, Richard T. Golightly, Joshua T. Ackerman, Dennis L. Orthmeyer, William M. Perry, Julie L. Yee, Mark O. Pierson, Michael D. Mccrary

Studies in Avian Biology

No abstract provided.