Engineering Commons^™

Using Textual Features To Predict Popular Content On Digg, Paul H. Miller

Department of English: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Over the past few years, collaborative rating sites, such as Netflix, Digg and Stumble, have become increasingly prevalent sites for users to find trending content.  I used various data mining techniques to study Digg, a social news site, to examine the influence of content on popularity.  What influence does content have on popularity, and what influence does content have on users’ decisions?  Overwhelmingly, prior studies have consistently shown that predicting popularity based on content is difficult and maybe even inherently impossible.  The same submission can have multiple outcomes and content neither determines popularity, nor individual user decisions.  My results show …

A Cost-Benefit Analysis Of A Campus Computing Grid, Preston M. Smith

Purdue Polytechnic Masters Theses

Any major research institution has a substantial number of computer systems on its campus, often in the scale of tens of thousands. Given that a large amount of scientific computing is appropriate for execution in an opportunistic environment, a campus grid is an inexpensive way to build a powerful computational resource. What is missing, though, is a model for making an informed decision on the cost-effectives of a campus grid. In this thesis, the author describes a model for measuring the costs and benefits of building a campus computing resource based on the institution’s existing investment in computing hardware.

For …

Optimized Delay-Sensitive Multimedia Communications Over Wireless Networks, Haiyan Luo

Department of Computer Electronics and Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Multimedia communication is expected to be the major application of the next-generation wireless networks. However, providing delay-sensitive, loss-tolerant and resource-guzzling multimedia services over the current resource-limited wireless networks is still a very challenging task. In addition to their heterogeneous nature and resource limitation, wireless networks also suffer from channel variations and environmental changes. In this dissertation, we study the optimization techniques for wireless multimedia communications and address the issues from different theoretical and practical perspectives.

To solve the issues resulting from the increasingly heterogeneous wireless networks, we propose a framework for error resilient source coding and distributed application-layer error control, …

Multi-Channel Peer-To-Peer Streaming Systems As Resource Allocation Problems, Miao Wang

School of Computing: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

In the past few years, the Internet has witnessed the success of Peer-to-Peer (P2P) streaming technology, which has attracted millions of users. More recently, commercial P2P streaming systems have begun to support multiple channels and a user in such systems is allowed to watch more than one channel at a time. We refer to such systems as multi-channel P2P streaming systems. In this dissertation, we focus on designing multi-channel P2P streaming systems with the goal of providing optimal streaming quality for all channels, termed as system-wide optimal streaming quality. Specifically, we design the systems from the perspective of how to …

Offline Optimization Of Advance Reservation Of Bandwidth Over Dynamic Circuit Networks, Pragatheeswaran Angu

School of Computing: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

E-science projects require very high-speed and reliable networks to transfer data across various destinations in the world. Dynamic Circuit Network (DCN) is a networking service to make advance reservation of bandwidth between a source and a destination in a network. In this thesis we solve the problem of advance reservation of bandwidth in next-generation wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) networks using a simulation based approach.
We implement a greedy algorithm and a genetic algorithm in parallel, in separate threads. The request for advance reservation is processed by both but the user gets the response only from the greedy algorithm. The genetic algorithm …

Development Of High Resolution Sea Floor Mapping Tools And Techniques, Gabrielle Inglis, J. Ian Vaughn, Clara Smart, Christopher N. Roman

Graduate School of Oceanography Faculty Publications

There is a persistent need for high resolution photographic and bathymetric maps of the sea floor for many research areas in marine geology, biology and archaeology. This poster will present recent work using high frequency multibeam sonars, stereo vision and structured light laser imaging techniques to create maps with centimeter resolution for these applications. This research involves the development of new image and sonar processing techniques that combat the typical difficulties of imperfect navigation information, limited sensor ranges and adverse environmental conditions associated with using marine robotic vehicles in the ocean. Data for this work has been collected with the …

Reliability Testing Of Algan/Gan Hemts Under Multiple Stressors, Bradley D. Christiansen, Ronald A. Coutu Jr., Eric R. Heller, Brian S. Poling, Glen D. Via, Ramakrishna Vetury, Jeffrey B. Shealy

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

We performed an experiment on AlGaN/GaN HEMTs with high voltage and high power as stressors. We found that devices tested under high power generally degraded more than those tested under high voltage. In particular, the high-voltage-tested devices did not degrade significantly as suggested by some papers in the literature. The same papers in the literature also suggest that high voltages cause cracks and pits. However, the high-voltage-tested devices in this study do not exhibit cracks or pits in TEM images, while the high-power-tested devices exhibit pits.

Interactivity-Constrained Server Provisioning In Large-Scale Distributed Virtual Environments, Nguyen Binh Duong Ta, Thang Nguyen, Suiping Zhou, Xueyan Tang, Wentong Cai, Rassul Ayani

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Maintaining interactivity is one of the key challenges in distributed virtual environments (DVE), e.g., online games, distributed simulations, etc., due to the large, heterogeneous Internet latencies; and the fact that clients in a DVE are usually geographically separated. In this paper, we consider a new problem, termed the interactivity-constrained server provisioning problem, whose goal is to minimize the number of distributed servers needed to achieve a pre-determined level of interactivity. We identify and formulate two variants of this new problem and show that they are both NP-hard via reductions to the set covering problem. We then propose several computationally efficient …

A Relaxed Fusion Of Information From Real And Synthetic Images To Predict Complex Behavior, Damian M. Lyons, D. Paul Benjamin

Faculty Publications

An important component of cognitive robotics is the ability to mentally simulate physical processes and to compare the expected results with the information reported by a robot's sensors. In previous work, we have proposed an approach that integrates a 3D game-engine simulation into the robot control architecture. A key part of that architecture is the Match-Mediated Difference (MMD) operation, an approach to fusing sensory data and synthetic predictions at the image level. The MMD operation insists that simulated and predicted scenes are similar in terms of the appearance of the objects in the scene. This is an overly restrictive constraint …

Scalar Em Beam Propagation In Inhomogeneous Media, John M. Jarem, Partha P. Banerjee

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

In the previous chapter, we reviewed some of the mathematical preliminaries that will be useful later on in the text. In this chapter, we discuss some of the basic concepts of scalar wave propagation, and discuss an important numerical method, called the beam propagation method (BPM), to study propagation in linear media and in media with induced nonlinearities. Furthermore, we also discuss propagation through induced gratings, both transmission and reflection type, in order to assess energy coupling between participating waves. Finally, we introduce readers to an important characterization method, called the z-scan method, which is often used to determine the …

Sorting On Cuda, Ayushi Sinha

Mathematics & Computer Science Student Scholarship

The traditional sorting technique, sequential sorting, is inefficient with increasing amounts of data that can be stored on computers. Researchers looking for faster sorting techniques have turned to parallel computing to address the limitations of sequential sorting. This project involves the implementation of three parallel sorting algorithms on CUDA, a parallel computing architecture which implements algorithms on Graphics Processing Units (GPUs).

The Solvent Effectiveness On Extraction Process Of Seaweed Pigment, Warkoyo Warkoyo, Elfi Anis Saati

Makara Journal of Technology

Eucheuma cottonii seaweed is a species of seaweed cultured in Indonesian waters, because its cultivation is relatively easy and inexpensive. It has a wide variety of colors from green to yellow green, gray, red and brown, indicating photosynthetic pigments, such as chlorophyll and carotenoids. An important factor in the effectiveness of pigment extraction is the choice of solvent. The correct type of solvent in the extraction method of specific natural materials is important so that a pigment with optimum quality that is also benefical to the society can be produced. The target of this research is to obtain a high …

Binary And Core-Shell Nanoparticle Dispersed Liquid Crystal Cells For Metamaterial Applications, George Nehmetallah, Rola Aylo, Partha P. Banerjee

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

We theoretically explored the feasibility of a tunable metamaterial using binary as well as core-shell nanoparticle dispersed liquid crystal cells in the infrared and optical regimes. Owing to the spatial variation of the permittivity of the liquid crystal host upon the application of a bias voltage, the host was decomposed into a layered medium and the effective refractive index recalculated for each layer due to the distribution of polaritonic and plasmonic nanoparticles.

The scattering, extinction, and absorption of such a nanoparticle dispersed liquid crystal cell were also found. Depending on the applied voltage bias across the liquid crystal host, the …

Polygonal Spatial Clustering, Deepti Joshi

School of Computing: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Clustering, the process of grouping together similar objects, is a fundamental task in data mining to help perform knowledge discovery in large datasets.  With the growing number of sensor networks, geospatial satellites, global positioning devices, and human networks tremendous amounts of spatio-temporal data that measure the state of the planet Earth are being collected every day.  This large amount of spatio-temporal data has increased the need for efficient spatial data mining techniques.  Furthermore, most of the anthropogenic objects in space are represented using polygons, for example – counties, census tracts, and watersheds.  Therefore, it is important to develop data mining …

Cs 340: Programming Language Workshop In Python, Krishnaprasad Thirunarayan

Computer Science & Engineering Syllabi

This course is designed as a self-study in Python. You are expected to learn the language and solve a set of programming problems assigned to you from Budd's text using Python available from http://www.python.org. There are no exams. We officially meet only once in the quarter. However, I will be available in the posted office hours for clarifications and discussions about the programming problems.

Ceg 434/634-01: Concurrent Software Design, Soon M. Chung

Computer Science & Engineering Syllabi

No abstract provided.

Ceg 463/663-01: The Personal Software Development Process, John A. Reisner

Computer Science & Engineering Syllabi

In this course, you will learn more about one particular way to address some of the challenges and issues associated with successful software design. Specifically, you will learn and use the Personal Software Process (PSP), designed to help individual software practitioners become more adept at their craft through the use of project planning, project tracking, defect analysis, review and verification activities, software measurement, and process management.

Cs 205: Introduction To Computers And Office Productivity Software, John P. Herzog

Computer Science & Engineering Syllabi

Focus on learning MS Office software applications including intermediate word processing, spreadsheets, database and presentation graphics using a case study approach where critical thinking and problem solving skills are required. Computer concepts are integrated throughout the course to provide an understanding of the basics of computing, the latest technological advances and how they are used in industry. Ethics and issues encountered in business are discussed to challenge students on social impact of technology.

Cs 206: Computer Software Productivity Tools, John P. Herzog

Computer Science & Engineering Syllabi

Focus on learning MS Office software applications including intermediate word processing, spreadsheets, database and presentation graphics, using a case study approach where critical thinking and problem solving skills are required. Computer concepts are integrated throughout the course to provide an understanding of the basics of computing, the latest technological advance and how they are used in industry. Ethics and issues encountered in business are discussed to challenge students on societal impact of technology.

Cs 208-01: Computer Programming For Business I, Dennis Kellermeier

Computer Science & Engineering Syllabi

CS 208 is the first of a two quarter sequence in programming for business students. It is required for Management Information Science majors. The courses are designed to help students achieve a high degree of facility in intermediate level programming. This course assumes students have never written a program before.

Cs 240: Computer Programming - I, Michael Ondrasek

Computer Science & Engineering Syllabi

Basic concepts of programming and programming languages are introduced. Emphasis is on problem solving and object oriented programming. This course provides a general introduction to the fundamentals of computer science and programming. Examples from and applications to a broad range of problems are given. No prior knowledge of programming is assumed. The concepts covered will be applied to the Java programming language. Students must register for both lecture and one laboratory section. 4 credit hours.

Cs/Mth 316/516: Survey Of Numerical Methods For Computational Science, Ronald F. Taylor

Computer Science & Engineering Syllabi

Introduction to numerical methods used in the sciences and engineering. Included will be methods for interpolation, data smoothing, integration, differentiation, and solution of systems of linear and nonlinear equations. Discussion of sources of error in numerical methods. Applications to science, engineering and applied mathematics are an integral part of the course. Special topics presented as schedule permits. Four hours lecture.

Cs 209-01: Computer Programming For Business Ii, David M. Hutchison

Computer Science & Engineering Syllabi

CS 209 is the second in a sequence of two programming classes required for MIS majors. This course will continue teaching students to the basic concepts of programming. Examples are from business applications and emphasis is on problem solving with the computer as a stool.

Cs 470/670: System Simulation, Mateen M. Rizki

Computer Science & Engineering Syllabi

No abstract provided.

Cs 740: Complexity Theory And Algorithm Analysis, Pascal Hitzler

Computer Science & Engineering Syllabi

What does it mean to say that some computational problem is intrinsically more difficult than some other problem? How can I claim that I have found a good algorithmic solution? The study of these questions gives rise to an area of area of Theoretical Computer Science called Complexity Theory, which is based on a systematic and thorough formal study of the complexity of problems with respect to their algorithmic solvability, using Turing machines as main conceptual tool. In this class, we will understand how problem and algorithm complexity is measured, and discuss some of the main complexity classes arising from …

Cs 142: Computer Programming Ii, Wenbo Wang

Computer Science & Engineering Syllabi

Concepts introduced in CS 141 are developed in greater detail and depth. Emphasis on verification and testing of programs. Three hours of lecture, two hours lab.

Cs 205-01,02,03: Introduction To Computers And Office Productivity Software, Ann Tirpack

Computer Science & Engineering Syllabi

Focus on learning MS Office software applications including intermediate word processing, spreadsheets, database and presentation graphics using a case study approach where critical thinking and problem solving skills are required. Computer concepts are integrated throughout the course to provide an understanding of the basics of computing, the latest technological advances and how they are used in industry. Ethics and issues encountered in business are discussed to challenge students on social impact of technology.

Cs 241-01: Computer Programming Ii, Travis E. Doom

Computer Science & Engineering Syllabi

A continuation of CS 240. The emphasis is on data abstraction and software engineering.

Cs/Mth 317/517: Applications Of Numerical Methods For Computational Science, Ronald F. Taylor

Computer Science & Engineering Syllabi

Applications of computing for solving scientific and engineering problems. Numerical solution of initial value and boundary value problems for ordinary and partial differential equations are covered. Applications involving numerical optimization methods are included. Special topics presented as schedule permits. Four hour lecture.

Cs 350/550: Computational Tools And Techniques For Data Analysis, John C. Gallagher

Computer Science & Engineering Syllabi

CS 350/550 is an introduction to the representation, visualization, and modeling of large data sets using standard, high-level software tools. The course is designed to expose students to tools and methods useful to conduct analysis of large data sets often encountered in science and engineering pursuits. The goal of this course is to help students understand how they might summarize and how to make predictions based on that date. Topics include data filtering, clustering, classification, and data mining. A familiarity with spreadsheet software is assumed. Students should also be able to construct simple programs in a "C like" language (C, …