Digital Commons Network^™

The Urban Heat Island Mitigation Impact Screening Tool (Mist), David J. Sailor, Nikolaas Dietsch

Mechanical and Materials Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

A web-based software tool has been developed to assist urban planners and air quality management officials in assessing the potential of urban heat island mitigation strategies to affect the urban climate, air quality, and energy consumption within their cities. The user of the tool can select from over 170 US cities for which to conduct the analysis, and can specify city-wide changes in surface reflectivity and/or vegetative cover. The Mitigation Impact Screening Tool (MIST) then extrapolates results from a suite of simulations for 20 cities to estimate air temperature changes associated with the specified changes in surface characteristics for the …

Sagp/Ssips 2007 Abstract Collection, Anthony Preus

The Society for Ancient Greek Philosophy Newsletter

This is a collection of abstracts from the 2007 SAGP/SSIPS conference, in alphabetical order by name of author.

Harmonization Without Consensus: Critical Reflections On Drafting A Substantive Patent Law Treaty, Jerome H. Reichman, Rochelle Cooper Dreyfuss

Duke Law Journal

In this Article, we contend that the World Intellectual Property Organization's proposed Substantive Patent Law Treaty (SPLT) is premature. Developing countries are struggling to adjust to the heightened standards of intellectual property protection required by the TRIPS Agreement of 1994. With TRIPS, at least, these countries obtained side payments (in the form of trade concessions) to offset the rising costs of knowledge products. A free-standing instrument, such as the SPLT, would shrink the remaining flexibilities in the TRIPS Agreement with no side payments and no concessions to the catch-up strategies of developing countries at different stages of technological advancement. More …

Performance Of Network-Coding In Multi-Rate Wireless Environments For Multicast Applications, Luiz F. M. Viera, Archan Misra, Mario Gerla

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

This paper investigates the interaction between net-work coding and link-layer transmission rate diversity in multi-hop wireless networks. By appropriately mixing data packets at intermediate nodes, network coding allows a single multicast flow to achieve higher throughput to a set of receivers. Broadcast applications can also exploit link-layer rate diversity, whereby individual nodes can transmit at faster rates at the expense of corresponding smaller coverage area. We first demonstrate how combining rate-diversity with network coding can provide a larger capacity for data dissemination of a single multicast flow, and how consideration of rate diversity is critical for maximizing system throughput. We …

Comparisons Of An Adaptive Neural Network Based Controller And An Optimized Conventional Power System Stabilizer, Wenxin Liu, Ganesh K. Venayagamoorthy, Jagannathan Sarangapani, Donald C. Wunsch, Mariesa Crow, Li Liu, David A. Cartes

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Power system stabilizers are widely used to damp out the low frequency oscillations in power systems. In power system control literature, there is a lack of stability analysis for proposed controller designs. This paper proposes a Neural Network (NN) based stabilizing controller design based on a sixth order single machine infinite bus power system model. The NN is used to compensate the complex nonlinear dynamics of power system. To speed up the learning process, an adaptive signal is introduced to the NN's weights updating rule. The NN can be directly used online without offline training process. Magnitude constraint of the …

Intrinsic Conformational Preferences Of And An Anomeric-Like Effect In 1-Substituted Silacyclohexanes, Abby Jones Weldon, Gregory S. Tschumper

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

A series of ab initio computations have been performed to estimate the CCSD(T) complete basis set limit of the axial/equatorial energy difference for the chair conformation of 1-fluoro, 1-chloro, 1-methyl, 1-hydroxy, and 1-methoxysilacyclohexanes. The equatorial conformation is more stable than the axial by 0.21 kcal mol-1 for 1-methylsilacyclohexane, while the axial position is more stable for 1-fluoro, 1-chloro, and 1-methoxysilacyclohexane (by 0.09, 0.40, and 0.15 kcal mol-1, respectively). The axial and equatorial orientations of 1-hydroxysilacyclohexane are nearly electronically isoenergetic (equatorial favored by 0.03 kcal mol^-1). Zero-point vibrational energy corrections have very little effect on the relative energies (less …

Discussion On Effective Control Of Inter-Area Oscillations By Upfcs, Mahyar Zarghami, Mariesa Crow

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The paper discusses an effective method for damping inter-area oscillations in a power network using UPFCs. This two stage method controls voltage magnitudes/angles of the two sides of the UPFC based on a linearized approach, which in turn will command modulation amplitudes and angles of the UPFC. The method is compared to a one stage linearized approach which directly commands modulation amplitudes and angles of the UPFC. Discussion on the feasibility of the method and its relation to the steady-state operation of the UPFC is also addressed.

Hydrological Monitoring With Hybrid Sensor Networks, Thomas V. Freiberger, Sahra Sedigh, Estella A. Atekwana

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Existing hydrological monitoring systems suffer from short- comings in accuracy, resolution, and scalability. Their fragility, high power consumption, and lack of autonomy necessitate frequent site visits. Cabling requirements and large size limit their scalability and make them prohibitively expensive. The research described in this paper proposes to alleviate these problems by pairing high-resolution in situ measure- ment with remote data collection and software maintenance. A hybrid sensor network composed of wired and wireless connections autonomously measures various attributes of the soil, including moisture, temperature, and resistivity. The mea- surements are communicated to a processing server over the existing GSM cellular …

Energy-Efficient Hybrid Key Management Protocol For Wireless Sensor Networks, Timothy J. Landstra, Maciej Jan Zawodniok, Jagannathan Sarangapani

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In this paper, we propose a subnetwork key management strategy in which the heterogeneous security requirements of a wireless sensor network are considered to provide differing levels of security with minimum communication overhead. Additionally, it allows the dynamic creation of high security subnetworks within the wireless sensor network and provides subnetworks with a mechanism for dynamically creating a secure key using a novel and dynamic group key management protocol. The proposed energy-efficient protocol utilizes a combination of pre-deployed group keys and initial trustworthiness of nodes to create a level of trust between neighbors in the network. This trust is later …

A Survey Of Neural Computation On Graphics Processing Hardware, Ryan J. Meuth, Donald C. Wunsch

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Modern graphics processing units (GPU) are used for much more than simply 3D graphics applications. From machine vision to finite element analysis, CPU's are being used in diverse applications, collectively called general purpose graphics processor utilization. This paper explores the capabilities and limitations of modern GPU's and surveys the neural computation technologies that have been applied to these devices.

Control Of Nonholonomic Mobile Robot Formations Using Neural Networks, Jagannathan Sarangapani, Travis Alan Dierks

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In this paper the control of formations of multiple nonholonomic mobile robots is attempted by integrating a kinematic controller with a neural network (NN) computed-torque controller. A combined kinematic/torque control law is developed for leader-follower based formation control using backstepping in order to accommodate the dynamics of the robots and the formation in contrast with kinematic-based formation controllers. The NN is introduced to approximate the dynamics of the follower as well as its leader using online weight tuning. It is shown using Lyapunov theory that the errors for the entire formation are uniformly ultimately bounded, and numerical results are provided.

Case Study: Applying A Regional Cge Model For Estimation Of Indirect Economic Losses Due To Damaged Highway Bridges, Chakkaphan Tirasirichai, David Lee Enke

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Destruction from natural and man-made disasters can result in extensive damage to the affected area's infrastructure. While the destruction results in costs that are necessary to restore the physical destruction and repair of existing infrastructure, a wider economic impact is often indirectly measured and felt. Policymakers generally focus only on losses that are directly caused by the destruction, such as the replacement of roads and bridges, yet tend to overlook the consequences from indirect economic losses. This study proposes a framework to estimate the indirect economic loss due to damaged bridges within the highway system of a major metropolitan area. …

Self-Organization In Cathode Boundary Layer Discharges, Nobuhiko Takano

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Cathode boundary layer (CBL) discharge, which has been developed as a UV light source, operates in a direct current between a planar cathode and a ring-shape anode that are separated by a dielectric with an opening of the same diameter as the anode. The nonthermal CBL discharges operate in a medium pressure range down to 30 Torr, emitting excimer radiation when operated with noble gases. The radiant excimer emittance at 172 nm in xenon reaches 1.7 W/cm², and a maximum excimer efficiency of 6 % has been obtained. The high excimer radiant emittance, in addition to low cost …

Work In Progress -- Tailoring Optics Resources For K-5 Pre-College Outreach, Theresa M. Swift, Steve Eugene Watkins

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Pre-college instruction in science, technology, Engineering; and mathematics (STEM) is critical to preparing a workforce and citizens for a technology-based society. The K-5 years are especially important to creating interest and instilling basic concepts. Engineering-based pre-college outreach can provide useful resources in the K- 5 education classroom. However, interaction among K-5 teachers and STEM professionals is more effective if outreach is tailored to the K-5 environment. In particular, resources and outreach should accommodate K-5 assessment standards, level-appropriate concept definition, and grade continuity. This work uses a set of optics resources as an example of tailored outreach. Example lessons and activities …

Expert System For Team Facilitation Using Observational Learning, Ray Luechtefeld, R. K. Singh, Steve Eugene Watkins

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

While ABET criteria require that engineering graduates be able to "function on multidisciplinary teams" and "communicate effectively", the need for effective team skills goes far deeper. One solution is the use of a computationally intelligent "virtual facilitator" that contains a subset of the expert knowledge of a skilled facilitator. The "virtual facilitator" models behaviors of an expert facilitator to engineering student teams as they are working together. Albert Bandura's theory of observational learning suggests that skills can be developed through observation of expert "others" engaged in practice. Preliminary research indicates that students can increase beneficial team behaviors (such as inquiry) …

Lsu Health Sciences Center New Orleans Update, Larry H. Hollier Md

LSUHSC Hurricane Katrina Archive: Reports & Presentations

"LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans Update" is a PowerPoint presentation of 52 slides presented by Larry H. Hollier, MD, FACS (Dean of the School of Medicine 2004-2007, Chancellor 2006-2021) to the LSUHSC Board of Supervisors in October 2007.

This presentation includes academic program updates, facilities updates, student enrollment numbers, and faculty recruitment details two years after Hurricane Katrina forced the temporary closure and relocation of LSU Health Sciences Center - New Orleans.

Lsuhsc Facilities Daily Update: October 2007, Lsuhsc Property And Facilities Management

LSUHSC Facilities Daily Updates: 2007

LSUHSC Facilities Daily Updates from October 2007.

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: October 2007, Lsuhsc Property And Facilities Management

LSUHSC Facilities Biweekly Updates: 2007

LSUHSC Facilities Biweekly Updates from October 12 and 26, 2006.

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.

A Brief History Of The Nrea Professional Journal, V. Pauline Hodges

The Rural Educator

No abstract provided.

Technology Empowered Transitions: Curriculum, Teachers' Practices, And . . . Change?, R. Stewart Meyers, Michael F. Desiderio

The Rural Educator

No abstract provided.

The Essential Role Of Integrating Technology Content And Skills Into University Principal Preparation Programs, Kathy Dale, Robert Moody, Mike Slattery, Regi Wieland

The Rural Educator

"Just-in-time" delivery of goods and services was the call to action phrase of the 1990's, but in the 21st Century, just-in-time is too late. University leaders in principal preparation programs must not only respond to the call of the field, but also anticipate the needs even before school administrators recognize the content and skills necessary with which to lead. As building principals become increasingly accountable for integrating technology into instruction and infrastructure, principal preparation programs are more accountable to prepare principals to succeed in their leadership roles, acknowledge the impact of principals on student achievement and teacher performance, and accept …

Om-Based Video Shot Retrieval By One-To-One Matching, Yuxin Peng, Chong-Wah Ngo, Jianguo Xiao

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

This paper proposes a new approach for shot-based retrieval by optimal matching (OM), which provides an effective mechanism for the similarity measure and ranking of shots by one-to-one matching. In the proposed approach, a weighted bipartite graph is constructed to model the color similarity between two shots. Then OM based on Kuhn-Munkres algorithm is employed to compute the maximum weight of a constructed bipartite graph as the shot similarity value by one-to-one matching among frames. To improve the speed efficiency of OM, two improved algorithms are also proposed: bipartite graph construction based on subshots and bipartite graph construction based on …

Gapprox: Mining Frequent Approximate Patterns From A Massive Network, Chen Chen, Xifeng Yan, Feida Zhu, Jiawei Han

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Recently, there arise a large number of graphs with massive sizes and complex structures in many new applications, such as biological networks, social networks, and the Web, demanding powerful data mining methods. Due to inherent noise or data diversity, it is crucial to address the issue of approximation, if one wants to mine patterns that are potentially interesting with tolerable variations. In this paper, we investigate the problem of mining frequent approximate patterns from a massive network and propose a method called gApprox. gApprox not only finds approximate network patterns, which is the key for many knowledge discovery applications on …

Efficient Discovery Of Frequent Approximate Sequential Patterns, Feida Zhu, Xifeng Yan, Jiawei Han, Philip S. Yu

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

We propose an efficient algorithm for mining frequent approximate sequential patterns under the Hamming distance model. Our algorithm gains its efficiency by adopting a "break-down-and-build-up" methodology. The "breakdown" is based on the observation that all occurrences of a frequent pattern can be classified into groups, which we call strands. We developed efficient algorithms to quickly mine out all strands by iterative growth. In the "build-up" stage, these strands are grouped up to form the support sets from which all approximate patterns would be identified. A salient feature of our algorithm is its ability to grow the frequent patterns by iteratively …

Mining Modal Scenarios From Execution Traces, David Lo, Shahar Maoz, Siau-Cheng Khoo

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Specification mining is a dynamic analysis process aimed at automatically inferring suggested specifications of a program from its execution traces. We describe a method, a framework, and a tool, for mining inter-object scenario-based specifications in the form of a UML2-compliant variant of Damm and Harel's Live Sequence Charts (LSC), which extends the classical partial order semantics of sequence diagrams with temporal liveness and symbolic class level lifelines, in order to generate compact and expressive specifications. Moreover, we use previous research work and tools developed for LSC to visualize, analyze, manipulate, test, and thus evaluate the scenario-based specifications we mine. Our …

Flexible Access Control To Jpeg 2000 Image Code-Streams, Yongdong Wu, Di Ma, Robert H. Deng

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

JPEG 2000 is an international standard for still image compression in the 21st century. Part 8 of the standard, named JPSEC, is concerned with all the security aspects, in particular to access control and authentication. This paper presents a novel access control scheme for JPEG 2000 image code-streams. The proposed scheme is secure against collusion attacks and highly efficient. The scheme is also very flexible, allowing access control to JPEG 2000 image code-streams according to any combination of resolution, quality layer and region of interest. The "encrypt once, decrypt many ways" property of our scheme is designed to work seamlessly …

A Multitude Of Opinions: Mining Online Rating Data, Hady Wirawan Lauw, Ee Peng Lim

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Online rating system is a popular feature of Web 2.0 applications. It typically involves a set of reviewers assigning rating scores (based on various evaluation criteria) to a set of objects. We identify two objectives for research on online rating data, namely achieving effective evaluation of objects and learning behaviors of reviewers/objects. These two objectives have conventionally been pursued separately. We argue that the future research direction should focus on the integration of these two objectives, as well as the integration between rating data and other types of data.

Npake+: A Hierarchical Group Password-Authenticated Key Exchange Protocol Using Different Passwords, Zhiguo Wan, Robert H. Deng, Feng Bao, Bart Preneel

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Although two-party password-authenticated key exchange (PAKE) protocols have been intensively studied in recent years, group PAKE protocols have received little attention. In this paper, we propose a hierarchical group PAKE protocol nPAKE+ protocol under the setting where each party shares an independent password with a trusted server. The nPAKE+ protocol is a novel combination of the hierarchical key tree structure and the password-based Diffie-Hellman exchange, and hence it achieves substantial gain in computation efficiency. In particular, the computation cost for each client in our protocol is only O(logn). Additionally, the hierarchical feature of nPAKE+ enables every subgroup obtains their own …

Analyzing Service Usage Patterns: Methodology And Simulation, Qianhui (Althea) Liang, Jen-Yao Chung

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

This paper proposes that service mining technology will power the construction of new business services via both intra- and inter-enterprise service assembly within the Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) framework. We investigate the methodologies of service mining at the component level of service usage. We also demonstrate how mining of service usage patterns is intended to be used to improve different aspects of service composition. Simulation experiments conducted for mining at the component level are analyzed. The processing details within a general service mining deployment are demonstrated.

Follow The Leader? Price Change Timing In Internet-Based Selling, R. J. Kauffman, Charles A. Wood

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Internet technologies should lessen information asymmetry, prompting competitive price reactions, but this does not seem to be happening in Internet-based selling. We study empirical regularities of price change timing for music CD vendors and booksellers to assess several theoretical explanations. Our sample includes 123, 680 daily prices for 169 products and 53 firms. Bertrand competition is insufficient to explain our observation that sellers do not shift prices this way. Tacitly collusive responses to competitors' price changes are observed rather than price changes solely in response to demand or cost shifts as would be expected with Bertrand competition. We find evidence …