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Cwu Faculty Senate Minutes - 03/10/10, Janet Shields

Faculty Senate Minutes

These are the official Central Washington University Faculty Senate minutes for the 03/10/10 meeting.

The Diamond, March 10, 2010, Dordt College

Dordt Diamond

• Front Page: Krygsman Named President of Redeemer; Statue Removed from Campus Center Gallery
• News: Symposium Update; Fundamental Elements Start Fundraising Trend; Concert Choir to Tour Pacific Northwest for Spring Break; Ten Haken to Attend Seminary; Gorter Steps Down as Dean of Chapel, in Search of a Church to Pastor
• Features: Crossings Talks Sex in Latest Issue; Calvinism Workshop to be Held at Dordt; Nurses Plan Summer Trip to Haiti; What Are You Doing for Spring Break?
• Opinion: Dating Daze: All's Fair in Equal Opportunity Dating; Reality Check: How Much Debt Is Too Much?; The Anti-Moderate: Drama That Stings; Alvin Observes: …

Multi-Objective Constraint Satisfaction For Mobile Robot Area Defense, Kenneth W. Mayo

Theses and Dissertations

In developing multi-robot cooperative systems, there are often competing objectives that need to be met. For example in automating area defense systems, multiple robots must work together to explore the entire area, and maintain consistent communications to alert the other agents and ensure trust in the system. This research presents an algorithm that tasks robots to meet the two specific goals of exploration and communication maintenance in an uncoordinated environment reducing the need for a user to pre-balance the objectives. This multi-objective problem is defined as a constraint satisfaction problem solved using the Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II (NSGA-II). Both …

Toward A Mobile Agent Relay Network, Hyon H. Kwak

Theses and Dissertations

Although wireless communication provides connectivity where hardwired links are difficult or impractical, it is still hindered by the environmental conditions where the communicators reside. Signal loss over large distances or because of intervening obstacles can be mitigated by increasing the user's transmission power or adding repeater nodes between the users. Unfortunately, increasing the signal strength strains limited power resources and increases the likelihood of eavesdropping. Stationary repeaters are impractical for highly mobile users in dangerous environments. While mobile relay nodes might be a preferred solution, a centralized control scheme saps bandwidth from important traffic and introduces a single point of …

Evolutionary Artificial Neural Network Weight Tuning To Optimize Decision Making For An Abstract Game, Corey M. Miller

Theses and Dissertations

Abstract strategy games present a deterministic perfect information environment with which to test the strategic capabilities of artificial intelligence systems. With no unknowns or random elements, only the competitors’ performances impact the results. This thesis takes one such game, Lines of Action, and attempts to develop a competitive heuristic. Due to the complexity of Lines of Action, artificial neural networks are utilized to model the relative values of board states. An application, pLoGANN (Parallel Lines of Action with Genetic Algorithm and Neural Networks), is developed to train the weights of this neural network by implementing a genetic algorithm over a …

A Structural Dynamic Analysis Of A Manduca Sexta Forewing, Travis W. Sims

Theses and Dissertations

Micro air vehicles (MAVs) are intended for future intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance use. To adequately fulfill a clandestine capacity, MAVs must operate in close proximity to their intended target without eliciting counter-observation. This objective, along with DARPA’s constraint of a sub-15 centimeter span, requires future MAVs to mimic insect appearance and flight characteristics. This thesis describes an experimental method for conducting a structural analysis of a Manduca Sexta (hawkmoth) forewing. Geometry is captured via computed tomography (CT), and frequency data is collected using laser vibrometry in air and vacuum. A finite element (FE) model is constructed using quadratic beams and …

Mission Analysis And Design For Space Based Inter-Satellite Laser Power Beaming, Nicholas M. Keller

Theses and Dissertations

This research effort develops an interdisciplinary design tool to optimize an orbit for the purpose of wirelessly beaming power from the International Space Stations (ISS) Japanese Experimental Module Exposed Facility (JEM/EF) to a target satellite. For the purpose of this initiative, the target satellite will be referred to as FalconSAT6, a reference to the proposed follow-on satellite to the U.S. Air Force Academy’s (USAFA) FalconSAT5 program. The USAFA FalconSAT program provides cadets an opportunity to design, analyze, build, test and operate small satellites to conduct Department of Defense (DoD) space missions. The tool developed for this research is designed to …

Development Of Measures To Assess Product Modularity And Reconfigurability, Amie C. Stryker

Theses and Dissertations

Several fundamental benefits of modularity are agreed upon by industry including reusability, flexibility, reconfigurability and extensibility. Interfaces within or between modules which establish provide/depend relationships are the focus of current modularity measures. This research outlines a new method and measures for assessing product modularity in terms of degree of coupling and the recognized modularity benefits. A five–step analysis process is developed and used to guide the modularity assessment. Defining and decomposing products are performed first. Using the resultant functional model from the first step, the identified functions are mapped to modules in a product in the second step. In the …

High Volume Air Sampling For Viral Aerosols: A Comparative Approach, Casey W. Cooper

Theses and Dissertations

The United States Air Force has high volume biological air sampling equipment available including the XMX/2L-MIL and DFU-1000. Neither system has been evaluated for effectiveness in the collection of viruses. Furthermore, decontamination methods have not been evaluated for these systems after use in sampling for a viral agent. MS2 bacteriophage was used as a surrogate virus. Aerosolized MS2 was released into a 12 m3 exposure chamber. High and moderate airborne concentrations of MS2 were evaluated. Low volume impingers were used for comparative purposes as well. Samples were analyzed using plaque assay and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). At high viral loads …

Nitrogen And Phosphorus Biomass-Kinetic Model For Chlorella Vulgaris In A Biofuel Production Scheme, William M. Rowley

Theses and Dissertations

Chlorella vulgaris was cultured in microbioreactors using Bold’s Basal medium at varying nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations to define nitrogen and phosphorus utilization standards. Nutrient concentration was varied between 137 mg/L to 7.33 mg/L NO3-N and between 55.2 mg/L to11.0 mg/L PO4-P in five test scenarios. All were grown under a constant photoperiod at 22±2 °C and a mixture of 4 to 10% carbon dioxide/air. Maximum yield and growth rate occurred with the highest initial nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations. A statistically significant difference in biomass was found among all test levels at the end of the eight day growth period. Applying …

Optimization Of Environmental Conditions To Maximize Carbon Dioxide Sequestration Through Algal Growth, Kenneth M. Karcher

Theses and Dissertations

The micro-alga Chlorella vulgaris was cultivated under a variety of environmental conditions in various culture media solutions to assess and optimize growth rate and biomass productivity. Efforts during this work investigated growth parameters at the micro-scale in an air-lift bubble system with the goal of interpreting performance characteristics that can be applied to a larger serpentine tubular Photo-bioreactor. Maximum growth rates and biomass yields were 0.65 d^-1 and 2.003 g biomass/L and achieved in seven days using urea in de-ionized water under a 24:0 Photoperiod (Light:Dark). Additionally, growth rates and biomass yields of 0.65 d^-1 and 1.964 g …

Modeling The Fate Of Groundwater Contaminants Resulting From Leakage Of Butanol-Blended Fuel, Khai H. Vuong

Theses and Dissertations

Fuel spills and leaks from storage tanks can contaminate groundwater. Typically in groundwater, hazardous aromatic hydrocarbons like benzene are attenuated through natural processes. However, it is possible that adding butanol to gasoline will interfere with these natural attenuation processes, so that spills and leaks of alternative fuels containing biobutanol may result in more persistent hazardous aromatic hydrocarbon plumes. This effect has already been observed with ethanol, which is currently added to gasoline. A numerical model was developed to simulate the subsurface fate and transport of butanol-blended fuel to assess the potential impacts of butanol on the natural attenuation of benzene. …

Method Of Measuring The Economic Impact Of A Radiological Dispersal Event Within An Urban Environment, Antoine N. Munfakh

Theses and Dissertations

A radiological dispersal event (RDE) is the result of a Radiological Dispersal Device (RDD) or a dirty bomb. An RDD is a low‐yield conventional bomb surrounded by radiological material (RM) such as Cesium‐137 or Cobalt‐60. Upon detonation, the blast of the conventional explosive is designed to spread the RM over a wide area. The RM will then be inhaled or ingested by people, or otherwise absorbed into the environment. An RDD is an affordable, feasible, and economically devastating option for terrorist groups. Possible RM could be stolen or acquired cheaply from the millions of radioactive sources used worldwide in industry, …

Gadolinium Oxide/Silicon Thin Film Heterojunction Solid-State Neutron Detector, Christopher M. Young

Theses and Dissertations

The internal conversion electron emission from the de-excitation of the Gd-158m nucleus was explored as a means for neutron detection. Thin film gadolinium oxide (Gd₂O₃) and p-type silicon heterojunction diodes were produced using a supercritical water deposition process. Pulse height spectroscopy was conducted on the novel diodes while they were subjected to a moderated plutonium-beryllium (PuBe) source flux of 10⁴ thermal neutrons/cm² s. Coincident gamma spectroscopy was employed to verify the 1107.6 keV photon emissions from the diode indicative of successful neutron capture by Gd-157 and the subsequent de-excitation of the Gd-158m nucleus. Neutron …

Temporal Sequencing Via Supertemplates, Michael Healy, Thomas Caudell

Electrical & Computer Engineering Technical Reports

No abstract provided.

Spartan Daily March 10, 2010, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily (School of Journalism and Mass Communications)

Volume 134, Issue 22

Montana Kaimin, March 10, 2010, Students Of The University Of Montana, Missoula

Montana Kaimin, 1898-present

Student newspaper of the University of Montana, Missoula.

March 10, 2010, The Daily Mississippian

Daily Mississippian (all digitized issues)

No abstract provided.

Putting Metal In The Middle, David Bollivar

Scholarship

Placing metal ions into the center of a porphyrin ring is a significant cellular challenge. Lundqvist et ai. (2010) provide snapshots of the AAA + motor unit of magnesium chelatase, an enzyme that insert magnesium ion into the porphyrin ring accompanied by ATP expenditure, in different states of binding to adenosyl nucleotides.

Independent Media In A Time Of War, Amy Goodman

Sacred Heart University Review

Amy Goodman is the host and executive producer of Democracy Now! This talk, on one of the subjects of her book (co-authored with her brother, David Goodman), The Exception to the Rulers (Hyperion, 2004), was presented at the Tenth Annual Media Studies Symposium at Sacred Heart University on April 20, 2005.

Microbes At A Non-Point Source Sub-Tropical Recreational Marine Beach And Their Implications On Human Health And Beach Monitoring Practices, Amir Mahmoud Abdelzaher

Open Access Dissertations

Swimming in ocean water, including beaches not impacted by known point sources of pollution, continues to pose a rising health concern. Studies which evaluate the relationship between indicator microbes, pathogens, and human health at recreational beaches are rare, especially at non-point beaches, although such studies are necessary for establishing criteria which would protect public health while minimizing economic burdens. The objective of this dissertation was to better understand the non-point source beach system, and hence determine possible directions that should be taken from a beach regulatory perspective in order to protect bather health and minimize economic burdens. This objective was …

Spartan Daily March 9, 2010, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily (School of Journalism and Mass Communications)

Volume 134, Issue 21

Parasympathetic Functions In Children With Sensory Processing Disorder., Roseann C. Schaaf, Teal W. Benevides, Erna Imperatore Blanche, Barbara A. Brett-Green, Janice P. Burke, Ellen S. Cohn, Jane Koomar, Shelly J. Lane, Lucy Jane Miller, Teresa A. May-Benson, Diane Parham, Stacey Reynolds, Sarah A. Schoen

Department of Occupational Therapy Faculty Papers

The overall goal of this study was to determine if parasympathetic nervous system (PsNS) activity is a significant biomarker of sensory processing difficulties in children. Several studies have demonstrated that PsNS activity is an important regulator of reactivity in children, and thus, it is of interest to study whether PsNS activity is related to sensory reactivity in children who have a type of condition associated with sensory processing disorders termed sensory modulation dysfunction (SMD). If so, this will have important implications for understanding the mechanisms underlying sensory processing problems of children and for developing intervention strategies to address them. The …

Terrestrial Ecological Systems And Natural Communities Of Nebraska - Version Iv, Steven B. Rolfsmeier, Gerry Steinauer

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission: White Papers, Conference Presentations, and Manuscripts

Over two decades ago, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and state natural heritage programs developed the “coarse filter/fine filter” approach to preserving biological diversity (Grossman et al. 1994). This approach involves identification and protection of natural communities (coarse filter) as well as rare species (fine filter). Identifying and protecting representative examples of natural communities ensures conservation of most species, biotic interactions and ecological processes. Those species that “fall through” the community filters are generally the rare species. Identification and protection of viable occurrences of rare species serves as the fine filter for preserving biological diversity. Using communities as a coarse filter …

Atomic Details Of Near-Transition State Conformers For Enzyme Phosphoryl Transfer Revealed By Mgf3− Rather Than By Phosphoranes, Nicola J. Baxter, Matthew W. Bowler, Tooba Alizadeh, Matthew J. Cliff, Andrea M. Hounslow, Bin Wu, David B. Berkowitz, Nicholas H. Williams, G. Michael Blackburn, Jonathan P. Waltho

David Berkowitz Publications

Prior evidence supporting the direct observation of phosphorane intermediates in enzymatic phosphoryl transfer reactions was based on the interpretation of electron density corresponding to trigonal species bridging the donor and acceptor atoms. Close examination of the crystalline state of β-phosphoglucomutase, the archetypal phosphorane intermediate-containing enzyme, reveals that the trigonal species is not PO−3 , but is MgF−3 (trifluoromagnesate). Although MgF−3 complexes are transition state analogues rather than phosphoryl group transfer reaction intermediates, the presence of fluorine nuclei in near-transition state conformations offers new opportunities to explore the nature of the interactions, in particular the independent measures of local electrostatic and …

Isolated Cellulose Synthase Promoter Regions, Chandrashekhar P. Joshi

Michigan Tech Patents

The invention relates to methods of inducing expression of coding sequences including cellulose synthase coding sequences in transgenic plants using promoters of cellulose synthase genes from Populus plant species and transgenic plants produced by the methods.

The Hilltop 3-9-2010, Hilltop Staff

The Hilltop: 2000 - 2010

No abstract provided.

Autonomous Genosensor Apparatus, David P. Fries, John H. Paul, Andrew Farmer, Matthew Smith

USF Patents

An autonomous genosensor apparatus and methods for use are provided for the field detection and analysis of ambient chemical, biochemical, biologic, biogenetic, and radiologic materials under field conditions in fluid or gaseous environments, such as marine or aquatic environments or industrial processes. Autonomous genosensors provide integral, self contained units which automatically extract environmental samples, prepare those samples for analytical studies, analyze those samples using studies such as DNA or biomarker analysis, and store or transmit the data produced to a remote computer or computer network. Autonomous genosensors may be used as freestanding units, or may be networked and controlled through …

Methods For Enhancing Neuroprotection Via Administration Of Stem Cells And Blood Brain Barrier Permeabilizers, Cesario V. Borlongan, Paul R. Sanberg

USF Patents

The present invention provides compositions and methods for enhancing the neuroprotective effect of umbilical cord blood cells. More particularly, the present invention provides methods of treating neurodegenerative disorders by administering umbilical cord blood cells and a substance capable of permeabilizing the blood brain barrier. In one embodiment, the blood brain barrier permeabilizer is mannitol. In another embodiment, the blood brain barrier permeabilizer is Cereport.

Soundings 2010-03, N/A N/A

Soundings

No abstract provided.