Engineering Commons^™

Autonomous Underwater Vehicles As Tools For Deep-Submergence Archaeology, Christopher N. Roman, Ian Roderick Mather

Graduate School of Oceanography Faculty Publications

Marine archaeology beyond the capabilities of scuba divers is a technologically enabled field. The tool suite includes ship-based systems such as towed side-scan sonars and remotely operated vehicles, and more recently free-swimming autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). Each of these platforms has various imaging and mapping capabilities appropriate for specific scales and tasks. Broadly speaking, AUVs are becoming effective tools for locating, identifying, and surveying archaeological sites. This paper discusses the role of AUVs in this suite of tools, outlines some specific design criteria necessary to maximize their utility in the field, and presents directions for future developments. Results are presented …

Design And Implementation Of User Level Socket Application Programming Interface With Socket Splitting And Mediation, Scott Walter Holzer

Master's Theses

Over the past few decades, the size and scope of the Internet has grown exponentially. In order to maintain support for legacy clients, new applications and services have been limited by dependence on traditional sockets and TCP, which provide no support for modifying endpoints after connection setup. This forces applications to implement their own logic to reroute communications to take advantage of composable services or handle failover. Some solutions have added socket operations that allow for endpoints to be redirected on the fly, but these have been limited in scope to handling failover and load balancing.

We present two new …

An Implementation Of Natural Language User Interface In Smart Home System., Ngoi Se Keng

Student Works (2010-2019)

Smart Home System has facilitated the control of home appliances through computer system. However, the physical interactions between the user and existing graphical user interface such as pointing and clicking button could be a challenge to elderly, whom are generally having vision and motor impairment. This project specifically focuses on the development of a user interface that does not require physical interaction. In this regard, a prototype smart home system namely Natural Language Instruction Driven System (NLIDS) that employed natural language (speech) based user interface has been developed. The prototype system consists of three modules, which are Input & Response …

A Parallel Histogram-Based Particle Filter For Object Tracking On Simd-Based Smart Cameras, Henry Medeiros, Germán Holguín, Paul J. Shin, Johnny Park

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

We present a parallel implementation of a histogram-based particle filter for object tracking on smart cameras based on SIMD processors. We specifically focus on parallel computation of the particle weights and parallel construction of the feature histograms since these are the major bottlenecks in standard implementations of histogram-based particle filters. The proposed algorithm can be applied with any histogram-based feature sets—we show in detail how the parallel particle filter can employ simple color histograms as well as more complex histograms of oriented gradients (HOG). The algorithm was successfully implemented on an SIMD processor and performs robust object tracking at up …

Mas Pole Location And Effective Spatial Bandwidth Of The Scattered Field, James Richie

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

The concept of effective spatial bandwidth (EBW) is introduced for periodic domains. The EBW is applied to the incident and scattered fields along the boundary of an infinite circular cylinder. The scattered field is formulated using the method of auxiliary sources (MAS). In MAS, monopoles on an auxiliary surface (AS) are used to model the scattered field. It is shown that the EBW of the incident field can provide some insight regarding the placement of poles for the MAS scattered field model. Example simulations are provided to demonstrate the usefulness of EBW with respect to monopole placement rules in MAS.

A Similarity Matrix For Irish Traditional Dance Music, Padraic Lavin

Dissertations

It is estimated that there are between seven and ten thousand Irish traditional dance tunes in existence. As Irish musicians travelled the world they carried their repertoire in their memories and rarely recorded these pieces in writing. When the music was passed down from generation to generation by ear the names of these pieces of music and the melodies themselves were forgotten or changed over time. This has led to problems for musicians and archivists when identifying the names of traditional Irish tunes.

Almost all of this music is now available in ABC notation from online collections. An ABC file …

Cybersecurity: Growing Like Topsy!, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

This article discusses cybersecurity in an intelligence context – what it is, what it does to us, and the sudden (and somewhat unplanned) increase in financial support for the area.

Selection And Recognition Of Landmarks Using Terrain Spatiograms, Damian M. Lyons

Faculty Publications

A team of robots working to explore and map an area may need to share information about landmarks so as to register their local maps and to plan effective exploration strategies. In previous papers we have introduced a combined image and spatial representation for landmarks: terrain spatiograms. We have shown that for manually selected views, terrain spatiograms provide an effective, shared representation that allows for occlusion filtering and a combination of multiple views.

In this paper, we present a landmark saliency architecture (LSA) for automatically selecting candidate landmarks. Using a dataset of 21 outdoor stereo images generated by LSA, we …

Uncertainty In Partially Ordered Sets As A Natural Generalization Of Intervals: Negative Information Is Sufficient, Positive Is Not, David Mireles, Olga Kosheleva

Departmental Technical Reports (CS)

In many real-life applications, we have an ordered set: a set of all space-time events, a set of all alternatives, a set of all degrees of confidence. In practice, we usually only have a partial information about an element x of this set. This partial information includes positive knowledge: that a <= x or x <= a for some known a, and negative knowledge: that it is not true that a <= x or x <= a for some known a. In the case of a total order, the set of all elements satisfying this partial information is an interval. We show that in the general case of a partial order, the corresponding analogue of an interval is a convex set. We also show that in general, to describe partial knowledge, it is sufficient to have only negative information about x but it is not sufficient to have only positive information.

Why Feynman Path Integration?, Jaime Nava, Juan Ferret, Vladik Kreinovich, Gloria Berumen, Sandra Griffin, Edgar Padilla

Departmental Technical Reports (CS)

To describe physics properly, we need to take into account quantum effects. Thus, for every non-quantum physical theory, we must come up with an appropriate quantum theory. A traditional approach is to replace all the scalars in the classical description of this theory by the corresponding operators. The problem with the above approach is that due to non-commutativity of the quantum operators, two mathematically equivalent formulations of the classical theory can lead to different (non-equivalent) quantum theories. An alternative quantization approach that directly transforms the non-quantum action functional into the appropriate quantum theory, was indeed proposed by the Nobelist Richard …

Expanding Algorithmic Randomness To The Algebraic Approach To Quantum Physics: Kolmogorov Complexity And Quantum Logics, Vladik Kreinovich

Departmental Technical Reports (CS)

Physicists usually assume that events with a very small probability cannot occur. Kolmogorov complexity formalizes this idea for non-quantum events. We show how this formalization can be extended to quantum events as well.

Strings Lead To Lattice-Type Causality, Francisco Zapata, Essau Ramirez, Joel A. Lopez, Olga Kosheleva

Departmental Technical Reports (CS)

Traditional causality relation of special relativity is a lattice in the simplest case of 1-D space (2-D space-time), but it is no longer a lattice in the actual 3-D space (and 4-D space-time). We show that if we take into account effects of string theory, then we get a lattice-type causality relation even for the 4-D space-time.

Refining The Digital Device Hierarchy, F. Chevonne Dancer, David Dampier

Computer Sciences and Electrical Engineering Faculty Research

Smartphones are increasing in popularity due to functionality, portability, convenience and affordability. Because of this, examiners must acquire and analyze these devices when criminal activity is suspected to have occurred. In order to obtain this information, it has to be extracted in a way that is repeatable and testable. There are several process models available for use, but the ad-hoc approach is on the rise. The dilemmas are that ad-hoc approaches and the forensic investigative process models available are not well suited for the examination of such devices. These approaches may cause the validity of investigator skill and methods to …

Towards Simpler Description Of Properties Like Commutativity And Associativity: Using Expression Fragments, Shubhra Datta, Valeria Fierro, Krasen Petrov, Jessica Romo, Gesuri Ramirez, Cesar Valenzuela

Departmental Technical Reports (CS)

Properties like commutativity and associativity are very important in many applications. To make detecting these properties easier, it is desirable to reformulate them in the simplest possible way. A known way to simplify these descriptions is to use postfix notations, in which there is no need to use parentheses. We show that some of these properties can be further simplified if we represent them as equalities not between well-defined expressions, but as equalities between expression fragments.

Equivalence Of Gian-Carlo Rota Poset Approach And Taylor Series Approach Extended To Variant Ligands, Jaime Nava, Vladik Kreinovich

Departmental Technical Reports (CS)

In many practical situations, molecules can be obtained from a "template" molecule like benzene by replacing some of its hydrogen atoms with ligands (other atoms or atom groups). There can be many possible replacements of this type. To avoid time-consuming testing of all possible replacements, it is desirable to test some of the replacements and then extrapolate to others -- so that only the promising molecules, for which the extrapolated values are desirable, will have to be synthesized and tested.

Towards A Fast, Practical Alternative To Joint Inversion Of Multiple Datasets: Model Fusion, Omar Ochoa, Aaron A. Velasco, Christian Servin

Departmental Technical Reports (CS)

In many areas of science and engineering, we have different sources of data. For example, in geophysics, there are many sources of data for Earth models: first-arrival passive seismic data (from the actual earthquakes), first-arrival controlled-source seismic data (from the seismic experiments), gravity data, etc.

A Use Case-Guided Comparison Of Opm And Pml, Paulo Pinheiro Da Silva, Steve Roach

Departmental Technical Reports (CS)

The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) Provenance Incubator Group has the goal of providing "a state-of-the art understanding ... in the area of provenance for Semantic Web technologies." To enhance the mutual understanding of language capabilities, the group is attempting to map several of the existing provenance languages such as Provenir, PREMIS, and the Proof Markup Language (PML) into the provenance language the Open Provenance Model (OPM). OPM is intended to be a precise inter-lingua for exchanging provenance information. This article contributes to the understanding of the capabilities of OPM and PML by establishing a set of six common and …

Nonlinear Control Strategy For A Cost Effective Myoelectric Prosthetic Hand, Cristian Federico Pasluosta

Doctoral Dissertations

The loss of a limb tremendously impacts the life of the affected individual. In the past decades, researchers have been developing artificial limbs that may return some of the missing functions and cosmetics. However, the development of dexterous mechanisms capable of mimicking the function of the human hand is a complex venture. Even though myoelectric prostheses have advanced, several issues remain to be solved before an artificial limb may be comparable to its human counterpart. Moreover, the high cost of advanced limbs prevents their widespread use among the low-income population.

This dissertation presents a strategy for the low-level of control …

Predicting Panel Ratings For Semantic Characteristics Of Lung Nodules, Dmitriy Zinovev, Jonathan Feigenbaum, Daniela Raicu, Jacob Furst

Technical Reports

In reading CT scans with potentially malignant lung nodules, radiologists make use of high level information (semantic characteristics) in their analysis. CAD systems can assist radiologists by offering a “second opinion” - predicting these semantic characteristics for lung nodules. In our previous work, we developed such a CAD system, training and testing it on the publicly available Lung Image Database Consortium (LIDC) dataset, which includes semantic annotations by up to four human radiologists for every nodule. However, due to the lack of ground truth and the uncertainty in the dataset, each nodule was viewed as four distinct instances when training …

Cs 241: Computer Programming, Travis E. Doom

Computer Science & Engineering Syllabi

A continuation of CS240. The emphasis is on data abstraction and software engineering. Prerequisite: CS240.

Ceg 233-01: Linux And Windows, Prabhaker Mateti

Computer Science & Engineering Syllabi

Introduction to Linux and Windows systems. GUI and Windowing Systems. Files and Directories. Ownership and Sharing. Programs and Processes. System calls, Libraries. Loading. Dynamic linking. Command Line Shells. Scripting languages. Regular expressions. Clients and Servers. Web browser clients and servers. Secure shell, sftp. SSL/TSL. HTTPS. System Administration. 4 credit hours. 3 hours lectures, 2 hours labs. Prerequisites: CS 240 or CS 220 or equivalent.

Ceg 210-01: Pc Networking I, Chris P. Fickert

Computer Science & Engineering Syllabi

Introduction to networking technologies including infrastructure and architectures, standards, protocols and directory services, administration, security and management. Integrated lecture and lab.

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 societal impact of technology.

Ceg 221-01: Introduction To C Programming For Engineers, Jay Dejongh

Computer Science & Engineering Syllabi

This course introduces advanced constructs, algorithms, and data structures in the C programming language. Emphasis is on problem solving and techniques useful to engineers. Topics include functions, arrays, pointers, and structures as well as sorting algorithms, linked lists, binary files, complex numbers, and numerical methods applications. 4 credit hours. Prerequisite: CEG220 (Introduction to C Programming for Engineers).

Data-Driven Approaches To Community-Contributed Video Applications, Xiao Wu, Chong-Wah Ngo, Wan-Lei Zhao

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

With the prosperity of video-sharing websites such as YouTube, the amount of community-contributed video has increased dramatically. Reportedly more than 65,000 new videos were uploaded to YouTube every day in July 2006 and it's estimated that 20 hours of new videos were uploaded to the site every minute in May 2009. In addition to the huge volume of video data, the social Web provides rich contextual and social resources associated with videos. These resources include title, tags, thumbnails, related videos, and user and community information, as illustrated in Figure 1. While billions of user-generated videos accompanied with rich-media information have …

Cs 214: Visual Basic Programming, Vanessa Starkey

Computer Science & Engineering Syllabi

This course will cover the fundamentals of object-oriented computer
programming including design, structure, debugging, and testing. Visual Basic 2008 will be used for
developing programs.

Cs/Bio 471/671: Algorithms For Bioinformatics, Michael L. Raymer

Computer Science & Engineering Syllabi

Theory-oriented approach to the application of contemporary algorithms to bioinformatics. Graph theory, complexity theory, dynamic programming and optimization techniques are introduced in the context of application toward solving specific computational problems in molecular genetics. 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 141: Computer Programming I, Vanessa Starkey

Computer Science & Engineering Syllabi

Introduction to use of computers as a problem-solving tool. Examples from and applications to a broad range of problems. Methodology for algorithm design and for structured modular implementation is stressed. Three hours lecture, two hours lab.

Cs 415: Social Implications Of Computing, Leo Finkelstein

Computer Science & Engineering Syllabi

CS 415 is a communication skills course using as its subject matter current salient issues associated with the social implications of computing. In addition to the course text, you will need to use certain reading materials in the library and elsewhere, and you will be responsible for using concepts and theories provided in class lectures and discussions.