Digital Commons Network^™

Simulation Studying Effects Of Multiple Primary Aberrations On Donut-Shaped Gaussian Beam, Chen Zhang, K. Wang, J. Bai, Y. Liu, Guiren Wang

Faculty Publications

In this paper, we demonstrate the variation of donut-shaped depletion pattern which influenced by multiple primary aberrations. The simulation is base on a common stimulation emission of depletion (STED) system composed by Gaussian laser and vortex phase plate. The simulation results are helpful guidelines for analyzing the aberration of depletion patterns in real situations.

An Acid Catalyzed Reversible Ring-Opening/Ring-Closure Reaction Involving A Cyano-Rhodamine Spirolactam, H. Li, H. Guan, X. Duan, J. Hu, Guiren Wang, Qian Wang

Faculty Publications

Cyanamide was introduced into the rhodamine spirolactam framework to produce a colorless and non-fluorescent compound RBCN. It shows a reversible ring-opening/ring-closure process in response to the solution pH, which exhibits an “ON/OFF” switching in its fluorescence. Different from other rhodamine-type dyes, the ring-open form of RBCN is stable in protic solvents under neutral, near neutral and basic conditions, showing a pink color and very strong fluorescence. We also demonstrated the potential of RBCN in live cell imaging.

The Metalogicon Of John Of Salisbury: Medieval Rhetoric As Educational Praxis, Brian Gilchrist

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation addresses the following question: what are the implications of John of Salisbury's rhetorical theory for his approach to education? The Metalogicon, John's defense of the trivium, represents the primary text analyzed throughout the project. John's medieval rhetorical theory explicated the reciprocal relationship between rhetoric and education. The art of rhetoric acquired educational elements by providing ethical-theoretical frameworks to inform the practices of students and teachers. Experiences from the practices of students and teachers influenced the art of rhetoric. John called for an approach to medieval rhetorical education that could be placed into the service of all people living …

Integration Of Arbitrary Lumped Multiport Circuit Networks Into The Discontinuous Galerkin Time-Domain Analysis, Ping Li, Li Jun Jiang

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A hybrid electromagnetic (EM) circuit simulator is proposed for incorporating multiport lumped circuit networks through their admittance matrices into the discontinuous Galerkin time-domain (DGTD) method. The admittance matrix in the Laplace domain can be derived analytically or obtained from network parameters such as -parameters in the frequency domain. To convert frequency-dependent -parameters into the admittance matrix in the Laplace domain, the vector-fitting technique is employed to facilitate the mapping process. The computational domain of interest is split into two subdomains. One is the EM part solved by the DGTD, and another is the circuit part modeled by the basic I-V …

The Numerical Steepest Descent Path Method For Calculating Physical Optics Integrals On Smooth Conducting Quadratic Surfaces, Yu Mao Wu, Li (Lijun) Jun Jiang, Wei E.I. Sha, Weng Cho Chew

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In this paper, we use the numerical steepest descent path (NSDP) method to analyze the highly oscillatory physical optics (PO) integral on smooth conducting parabolic surfaces, including both monostatic and bistatic cases. Quadratic variations of the amplitude and phase functions are used to approximate the integrand of PO integral. Then the surface PO integral is reduced into several highly oscillatory line integrals. By invoking the NSDP method, these highly oscillatory PO line integrals are defined on the corresponding NSDPs. Furthermore, the critical point contributions for the PO integral are exactly extracted and represented based on the NSDPs. The proposed NSDP …

Overview Of Large-Scale Computing: The Past, The Present, And The Future, Weng Cho Chew, Li (Lijun) Jun Jiang

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This is a brief review of the development of computational electromagnetics (CEM) to partially summarize its achievements, issues, and possibilities. © 1963-2012 IEEE.

Robustness Of A Derivative-Free Adaptive Control Law In The Presence Of Unmodeled Dynamics, Tansel Yucelen, Anthony J. Calise

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Although adaptive control theory offers mathematical tools to achieve required system performance without excessive dependence on modeling, its application to safety-critical systems can be limited by the presence of unmodeled dynamics. This paper examines the robustness to unmodeled dynamics of a recently developed derivative-free adaptive control law. In contrast to derivative-based adaptive laws it is shown, using a Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional, that robustness to unmodeled dynamics is improved by increasing the adaptation gain. This is accomplished by including a bias term in the set of basic functions employed by the adaptive control law. It is shown that derivative-based adaptive laws do …

Neuropredictive Control And Trajectory Generation For Slung Load Systems, Gerardo De La Torre, Eric N. Johnson, Tansel Yucelen

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper presents a neuropredictive trajectory generation architecture for slung load systems. The presented architecture integrates the real-time trajectory generation method with a system uncertainty identifying neural network. It is shown that the effect of system uncertainty on a model predictive control approach can be mitigated by the use of neural networks. A numerical example of an uncertain slung load system is shown to demonstrate the effectiveness of the presented framework.

Consensus Protocols For Networked Multiagent Systems With Relative Position And Neighboring Velocity Information, Gerardo De La Torre, Tansel Yucelen, Eric N. Johnson

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The consensus problem appears frequently in the coordination of multiagent systems in science and engineering and involves the agreement of networked agents upon certain quantities of interest. In this paper, we focus on a new consensus protocol for networked multiagent systems. The proposed control protocol consists of a standard term capturing relative position information and a new term capturing neighboring velocity information. In particular, the addition of the latter term results in an increase of the rate of system convergence while maintaining a fixed graph structure and without increasing the maximum eigenvalue of the graph Laplacian. Furthermore, in certain cases, …

Separate-Channel Integrated Guidance And Autopilot For Automatic Path-Following, Takeshi Yamasaki, S. N. Balakrishnan, Hiroyuki Takano

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

An integrated guidance and autopilot scheme for a path-following uninhabited aerial vehicle is presented in this study. A fixed-wing aircraft usually performs a bank-to-turn maneuver to change its flight direction. The novel approach presented here, however, assumes that each of the three channels of the integrated guidance and autopilot can be independently designed. This concept makes the design process simple. A virtual target moving on the prespecified path for the uninhabited aerial vehicle is introduced to facilitate the algorithm development. A first-/ second order sliding structure with a second order sliding mode and a high-order sliding mode differentiator for the …

Carbon Emissions And Economic Growth: A Granger Causality Analysis Across 18 Countries, Rohan Vakil

Empirical Economic Bulletin, An Undergraduate Journal

In this paper, an analysis of the relationship between Economic Growth and Carbon Emissions will be done using data from 9 Developed Countries, and 9 Less Developed Countries, as determined by the World Bank and United Nations. The countries analyzed will be Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea (South), Spain, United Kingdom, United States of America (9 Developed Countries); and India, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Mexico, Brazil, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa (9 Less Developed Countries). This research expands on the research done by Barassi and Spagnolo (2012), and Coondoo and Dinda (2003).

Education And Wellbeing Of A Country, Michael Arons

Empirical Economic Bulletin, An Undergraduate Journal

This paper examines education, employment sectors and GDP per capita. The study examines which aspects of education math, reading, or science is more important to an economy, and how they affect different employment sectors. The model will attempt to show if educational subject scores have an impact in different sectors of the economy. The main function of this model is to decipher how education affects the wellbeing of a country. The results will attempt to discern whether education impacts employment in various sectors, and conversely GDP per capita.

Stability Of Large Flocks: An Example, J. J. P. Veerman, F. M. Tangerman

Mathematics and Statistics Faculty Publications and Presentations

The movement of a flock with a single leader (and a directed path from it to every agent) can be stabilized. Nonetheless for large flocks perturbations in the movement of the leader may grow to a considerable size as they propagate throughout the flock and before they die out over time. As an example we consider a string of N+1 oscillators moving in the line. Each one `observes' the relative velocity and position of only its nearest neighbors. This information is then used to determine its own acceleration. Now we fix all parameters except the number of oscillators. We then …

Extending Positive Identification From Persons To Places: Terrorism, Armed Conflict, And The Identification Of Military Objectives, Laurie R. Blank

Utah Law Review

In January 2013, French forces combating rebel forces in Mali attacked "Islamic targets" in northern Mali and French fighter planes "hit rebel targets in the northern cities of Gao and Kidal" Turkish forces frequently attack "rebel positions," fighting the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in Iraq's Kurdistan region, and the Sri Lankan Army targeted "terroris stronghold[s]" during the conflict with the Tamil Tigers. The Israel Defense Forces contend with "rocket villages" in Hezbollah-dominated areas in southern Lebanon and with the complexities of a periodically intensifying conflict with a terroris entity governing the Gaza Strip. In Afghanistan, U.S. and multinational forces seek …

Dynamic Mechanical Analysis And Computer Simulation Of Polyurea Aerogels, Victoria Ann Prokopf

Masters Theses

"Historically, the use of aerogels has been limited due to their poor mechanical properties. However, polyurea aerogels have proven to be mechanically strong under quasi-static conditions. Polyurea aerogels can be created by filling molds of the desired shape with a liquid solution that then creates a solid gel filled with liquid. The liquid can be removed from the gel by supercritical drying. This thesis outlines dynamic testing as well as simulation for polyurea aerogels.

Testing has been conducted in dynamic tension and bending for densities of polyurea aerogels ranging from 0.12 g/cm³ to 0.31 g/cm³. In most …

Low Complexity Soft-Interference Cancellation Turbo Equalization For Mimo Systems With Multilevel Modulations, Jingxian Wu, Longbao Wang, Chengshan Xiao

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper presents a low complexity soft-interference cancellation equalizer (SICE) for the turbo detection of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems operating in time dispersive channels. The SICE contains three time-invariant linear filters: a feedforward filter, a causal feedback filter and an anti-causal feedback filter. The feedforward filter is designed to suppress the InterSymbol interference (ISI) due to time dispersive channels and the multiplexing interference from multiple transmit antennas. The causal (or anti-causal) feedback filter is developed to remove the residual interference caused by the symbols transmitted before (or after) the symbol under detection. The performance of the proposed SICE is verified …

Neural Network-Based Adaptive Event-Triggered Control Of Affine Nonlinear Discrete Time Systems With Unknown Internal Dynamics, Avimanyu Sahoo, Hao Xu, S. Jagannathan

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In this paper, the design of a neural network (NN) based adaptive model-based event-triggered control of an uncertain single input single output (SISO) nonlinear discrete time system in affine form is presented. The controller uses an adaptive estimator consisting of a single-layer NN not only to approximate the internal dynamics of an affine nonlinear discrete-time system but also to provide an estimate of the state vector during inter event interval. The NN weights of the adaptive NN estimator are tuned in a aperiodic manner at the event trigger instants unlike periodic updates in standard adaptive neural network (NN) control. A …

Neural Network-Based Optimal Control Of Mobile Robot Formations With Reduced Information Exchange, Travis Dierks, Bryan Brenner, S. Jagannathan

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A novel formation control scheme for mobile robots is introduced in the context of leader-follower framework with reduced communication exchange. The dynamical controller inputs for the robots are approximated from nonlinear optimal control techniques in order to track the designed control velocities generated by the kinematic controller. The proposed nonlinear optimal control technique, referred to as adaptive dynamic programming, uses neural networks (NNs) to solve the optimal formation control problem in discrete time in the presence of unknown internal dynamics and a known control coefficient matrix. A modification to the follower's kinematic controller is used to allow the desired formation …

Central Georgia Regional Analysis: Demographics, Economy, Entrepreneurship And Innovation, Merissa Piazza, Joe Andre, Elorm M. Tsegah, Eunkyu Lee, Ziona Austrian

All Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs Publications

No abstract provided.

Confirmation Of Allelopathic Chemicals From Reed Canarygrass (Phalaris Arundinacea L.) Roots, Alexander Richard Tomes

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Reed Canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea) is an invasive species and a major threat to grasslands and natural wetlands on nearly every landmass (Morrison and Molofsky 1998). Methanol extracts of whole and macerated Reed Canarygrass roots have been found to reduce the germination and growth of lettuce (Lactuca sativa), radish (Raphanus sativus), and the aquatic plant, Reed Mannagrass (Glyceria maxima) (Veit and Proctor 2009). Linoleic, linolenic and palmitic acids were identified in the methanol extracts of both the whole and macerated Reed Canarygrass roots (Proctor 2011). The purpose of this research was to determine if these chemicals individually and in combination would …

Change In Location And Amount Of Affordable Housing In Dakota County, Minnesota From 2006 To 2010, Joel Nyhus

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this research study is to examine the location and amount of affordable housing in Dakota County, Minnesota for the years 2006 and 2010 and the changes occurring between these years. The analysis is segmented. The research utilizes parcel level data for owner-occupied units, and address-based data for rental units and manufactured housing units. This report uses findings to produce analyses, maps and spreadsheets detailing community-level, and county-level data associated with this research. The maps show all 34 communities in Dakota County and the corresponding location and amount of affordable housing in these communities for the time period …

Urban Growth Patterns And Effectiveness Of The Metropolitan Urban Service Areas In Woodbury, Minnesota, Danielle Thomas

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This study evaluates the effectiveness of a specific urban sprawl containment strategy called the Metropolitan Urban Service Areas (MUSA). MUSA was developed for Minneapolis/St. Paul in order to ensure organized and practical development in areas that already had pre-built roads and sewer system infrastructures. Currently, MUSA is not an urban boundary; its specific goal is to, "synchronize urban growth with the provision of infrastructure needed to accommodate growth" (Council, August 2006). To evaluate the rigidity of the MUSA boundaries, the sample years of 1990, 2000, 2010 and the projected 2020 boundaries were subjected to spatial analysis utilizing three different software …

A Systematic Analysis Of Paraprofessional Job Expectations: Development Of The Paraprofessional Survey Of Expectations Tool (P-Set), Angela Maxine Christenson

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

With increased accountability due to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA), the provision of services to children with disabilities in the least restrictive environment is necessary to ensuring an inclusive, free appropriate public education. Paraprofessionals are increasingly utilized as service providers for children with disabilities in the schools. In fact, there are over a million paraprofessionals jobs nationally according to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (2010) and the upward trend is steadily rising. Yet, the role of the paraprofessional is not well defined, nor agreed upon by school personnel. The Paraprofessional Survey of Expectations …

The Sustainability Of Italian Debt, Moshe Ash

Theses & ETDs

This thesis seeks to analyze the sustainability of fiscal policy in the Italian Republic, where the debt to GDP ratio is among some of the world's highest. A test for Italy's debt sustainability is run as a regression, using a modified form of an equation developed by Bohn (1998). The test reveals that the government's fiscal policy is ultimately sustainable, notwithstanding the fact that there exist various complications with the nation's economy, which are herein detailed. The thesis explores the foundations of debt sustainability literature, and provides an overview of the Italian economy and the difficulties it currently faces. Research …

Closeness And Conflict In Schools: Positive Behavioral Interventions And Supports (Pbis) And Teacher Perception Of Student Behavior And Student-Teacher Rapport, Christopher James Cochran

Doctor of Education (EdD)

This study measured elementary teachers' perceptions regarding the fidelity to which PBIS has been implemented in their school, and the impact that PBIS has had on student behavior and student-teacher rapport. Participant responses (N=175) were analyzed using correlation, regression, t-test, and ANOVA. Demographic variables included teacher gender, current grade taught, Title I/non-Title I school placement, years of teaching experience, years of PBIS implementation, and teacher perception of PBIS implementation fidelity. The primary focus of this study was to compare teachers' perception of the impact PBIS has on student behavior and the impact PBIS has on student-teacher rapport. The study's primary …

A Statistical Analysis For Estimating Fish Number Density With The Use Of A Multibeam Echosounder, Madeline L. Schroth-Miller

Master's Theses and Capstones

Fish number density can be estimated from the normalized second moment of acoustic backscatter intensity [Denbigh et al., J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 90, 457-469 (1991)]. This method assumes that the distribution of fish scattering amplitudes is known and that the fish are randomly distributed following a Poisson volume distribution within regions of constant density. It is most useful at low fish densities, relative to the resolution of the acoustic device being used, since the estimators quickly become noisy as the number of fish per resolution cell increases. New models that include noise contributions are considered. The methods were applied to …

Balancing Ecological And Economic Values In Northern Hardwood Stands: What Are The Trade-Offs?, Daniel Woock Kilham

Master's Theses and Capstones

New England has 32 million acres of forested land, 27.5 million acres are private and 13.5 million of those private forests are family owned. Two of the main landowner objectives of privately owned forests in New England are generating income and promoting biodiversity and nature. Objectives were to develop a rapid ecological assessment method to aid management of private forests and to determine any trade-offs between economic and ecological values. We measured economic and ecological values in our study site in New Hampshire, and simulated four harvest treatments to determine the effects of different silvicultural approaches. Ecological values were measured …

Student Dropout From The Perspectives Of Junior High Counselors In Northeast Mississippi, Kelly Ann Bennett

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

I investigated fifteen junior high counselors' understandings about student dropout, particularly about identification of and interventions for students at risk for dropping out of school. As an educator, I desired to research the phenomenon of student dropout to understand how to better reach these types of students. Research is available concerning student dropout from the perspectives of teachers, principals, and student dropouts; however, little research on student dropout from the viewpoint of counselors exists. I utilized a qualitative design, in particular a descriptive case study, to develop understanding of the counselors' perspectives of student dropout. Data collection included individual and …

The Federal Reserve And Panic Prevention: The Roles Of Financial Regulation And Lender Of Last Resort, Gary B. Gorton, Andrew Metrick

Documents

No abstract provided.

Using Respiratory Variations Of Plethysmographic Waveforms To Track Changes In Intravascular Volume During Hemodialysis, Nyasha George

Yale Medicine Thesis Digital Library

Whereas dynamic indices have been shown to accurately predict volume status in mechanically ventilated patients, we still lack a reliable noninvasive means of intravascular volume status assessment in spontaneously breathing patients. The present study was undertaken to determine the impact of incentive spirometry (IS) on plethysmographic (PPG) waveforms in spontaneously breathing end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. Furthermore, the impact of ultrafiltration on plethysmographic waveform variability in spontaneously breathing patients with and without incentive spirometry was analyzed.

With IRB approval, data were collected and analyzed for 44 hemodialysis cases. PPG waveforms were recorded at 100 Hz with a data acquisition …