Engineering Commons^™

Modeling, Simulation, And Visualization Of 3d Lung Dynamics, Anand Santhanam

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Medical simulation has facilitated the understanding of complex biological phenomenon through its inherent explanatory power. It is a critical component for planning clinical interventions and analyzing its effect on a human subject. The success of medical simulation is evidenced by the fact that over one third of all medical schools in the United States augment their teaching curricula using patient simulators. Medical simulators present combat medics and emergency providers with video-based descriptions of patient symptoms along with step-by-step instructions on clinical procedures that alleviate the patient's condition. Recent advances in clinical imaging technology have led to an effective medical visualization …

Sub-Pixel Registration In Computational Imaging And Applications To Enhancement Of Maxillofacial Ct Data, Murat Balci

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In computational imaging, data acquired by sampling the same scene or object at different times or from different orientations result in images in different coordinate systems. Registration is a crucial step in order to be able to compare, integrate and fuse the data obtained from different measurements. Tomography is the method of imaging a single plane or slice of an object. A Computed Tomography (CT) scan, also known as a CAT scan (Computed Axial Tomography scan), is a Helical Tomography, which traditionally produces a 2D image of the structures in a thin section of the body. It uses X-ray, which …

Algorithms For Discovering Communities In Complex Networks, Hemant Balakrishnan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

It has been observed that real-world random networks like the WWW, Internet, social networks, citation networks, etc., organize themselves into closely-knit groups that are locally dense and globally sparse. These closely-knit groups are termed communities. Nodes within a community are similar in some aspect. For example in a WWW network, communities might consist of web pages that share similar contents. Mining these communities facilitates better understanding of their evolution and topology, and is of great theoretical and commercial significance. Community related research has focused on two main problems: community discovery and community identification. Community discovery is the problem of extracting …

Wavelets In Real-Time Rendering, Weifeng Sun

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Interactively simulating visual appearance of natural objects under natural illumination is a fundamental problem in computer graphics. 3D computer games, geometry modeling, training and simulation, electronic commerce, visualization, lighting design, digital libraries, geographical information systems, economic and medical image processing are typical candidate applications. Recent advances in graphics hardware have enabled real-time rasterization of complex scenes under artificial lighting environment. Meanwhile, pre-computation based soft shadow algorithms are proven effective under low-frequency lighting environment. Under the most practical yet popular all-frequency natural lighting environment, however, real-time rendering of dynamic scenes still remains a challenging problem. In this dissertation, we propose a …

Algorithms For Haplotype Inference And Block Partitioning, Satya Ravi Vijaya

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The completion of the human genome project in 2003 paved the way for studies to better understand and catalog variation in the human genome. The International HapMap Project was started in 2002 with the aim of identifying genetic variation in the human genome and studying the distribution of genetic variation across populations of individuals. The information collected by the HapMap project will enable researchers in associating genetic variations with phenotypic variations. Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) are loci in the genome where two individuals differ in a single base. It is estimated that there are approximately ten million SNPs in the …

Syntax-Based Concept Extraction For Question Answering, Demetrios Glinos

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Question answering (QA) stands squarely along the path from document retrieval to text understanding. As an area of research interest, it serves as a proving ground where strategies for document processing, knowledge representation, question analysis, and answer extraction may be evaluated in real world information extraction contexts. The task is to go beyond the representation of text documents as "bags of words" or data blobs that can be scanned for keyword combinations and word collocations in the manner of internet search engines. Instead, the goal is to recognize and extract the semantic content of the text, and to organize it …

Adaptive Distributed Fair Scheduling And Its Implementation In Wireless Sensor Networks, Maciej Jan Zawodniok, Jagannathan Sarangapani, Steve Eugene Watkins, James W. Fonda

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A novel adaptive and distributed fair scheduling (ADFS) scheme for wireless sensor networks is shown through hardware implementation. In contrast to simulation, hardware evaluation provides valuable feedback to protocol and hardware development process. The proposed protocol focuses on quality-of-service (QoS) issues to address flow prioritization. Thus, when nodes access a shared channel, the proposed ADFS allocates the channel bandwidth proportionally to the weight, or priority, of the packet flows. Moreover, ADFS allows for dynamic allocation of network resources with little added overhead. Weights are initially assigned using user specified QoS criteria. These weights are subsequently updated as a function of …

Binary Decision Diagrams And Crisp Possibilistic Reconstructability Analysis, Martin Zwick, Alan Mishchenko

Complex Systems Faculty Publications and Presentations

The paper discusses the application of Binary Decision Diagrams (BDDs) in the reconstructability analysis of crisp possibilistic systems. In particular, we show how BDDs can be used to represent set-theoretic relations and implement the three basic operations of reconstructability analysis.

The Formal Laplace-Borel Transform Of Fliess Operators And The Composition Product, Yaqin Li, W. Steven Gray

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

The formal Laplace-Borel transform of an analytic integral operator, known as a Fliess operator, is defined and developed. Then, in conjunction with the composition product over formal power series, the formal Laplace-Borel transform is shown to provide an isomorphism between the semigroup of all Fliess operators under operator composition and the semigroup of all locally convergent formal power series under the composition product. Finally, the formal Laplace-Borel transform is applied in a systems theory setting to explicitly derive the relationship between the formal Laplace transform of the input and output functions of a Fliess operator. This gives a compact interpretation …

Book Review: Digital Crime And Forensic Science In Cyberspace, Gary C. Kessler

Journal of Digital Forensics, Security and Law

This issue presents the first Book Review column for the JDFSL. It is an experiment to broaden the services that the journal provides to readers, so we are anxious to get your reaction. Is the column useful and interesting? Should we include more than one review per issue? Should we also review products? Do you have suggested books/products for review and/or do you want to write a review? All of this type of feedback -- and more -- is appreciated. Please feel free to send comments to Gary Kessler ([email protected]) or Glenn Dardick ([email protected]).

Alphaco: A Teaching Case On Information Technology Audit And Security, Hüseyin Tanriverdi, Joshua Bertsch, Jonathan Harrison, Po-Ling Hsiao, Ketan S. Mesuria, David Hendrawirawan

Journal of Digital Forensics, Security and Law

Recent regulations in the United States (U.S.) such as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 require top management of a public firm to provide reasonable assurance that they institute internal controls that minimize risks over the firm’s operations and financial reporting. External auditors are required to attest to the management’s assertions over the effectiveness of those internal controls. As firms rely more on information technology (IT) in conducting business, they also become more vulnerable to IT related risks. IT is critical for initiating, recording, processing, summarizing and reporting accurate financial and non-financial data. Thus, understanding IT related risks and instituting internal …

Table Of Contents

Journal of Digital Forensics, Security and Law

No abstract provided.

Designing A Data Warehouse For Cyber Crimes, Il-Yeol Song, John D. Maguire, Ki Jung Lee, Namyoun Choi, Xiaohua Hu, Peter Chen

Journal of Digital Forensics, Security and Law

One of the greatest challenges facing modern society is the rising tide of cyber crimes. These crimes, since they rarely fit the model of conventional crimes, are difficult to investigate, hard to analyze, and difficult to prosecute. Collecting data in a unified framework is a mandatory step that will assist the investigator in sorting through the mountains of data. In this paper, we explore designing a dimensional model for a data warehouse that can be used in analyzing cyber crime data. We also present some interesting queries and the types of cyber crime analyses that can be performed based on …

A Forensic Log File Extraction Tool For Icq Instant Messaging Clients, Kim Morfitt, Craig Valli

Journal of Digital Forensics, Security and Law

Instant messenger programs such as ICQ are often used by hackers and criminals for illicit purposes and consequently the log files from such programs are of interest in a forensic investigation. This paper outlines research that has resulted in the development of a tool for the extraction of ICQ log file entries. Detailed reconstruction of data from log files was achieved with a number of different ICQ software. There are several limitations with the current design including timestamp information not adjusted for the time zone, data could be altered, and conversations must be manually reconstructed. Future research will aim to …

The Design Of An Undergraduate Degree Program In Computer & Digital Forensics, Gary C. Kessler, Michael E. Schirling

Journal of Digital Forensics, Security and Law

Champlain College formally started an undergraduate degree program in Computer & Digital Forensics in 2003. The underlying goals were that the program be multidisciplinary, bringing together the law, computer technology, and the basics of digital investigations; would be available as on online and oncampus offering; and would have a process-oriented focus. Success of this program has largely been due to working closely with practitioners, maintaining activity in events related to both industry and academia, and flexibility to respond to ever-changing needs. This paper provides an overview of how this program was conceived, developed, and implemented; its evolution over time; and …

The Role Of Power And Negotiation In Online Deception, Chad Albrecht, Conan C. Albrecht, Jonathan Wareham, Paul Fox

Journal of Digital Forensics, Security and Law

The purpose of this paper is to advance theoretical understanding of the important role of both power and negotiation during online deception. By so doing, the paper provides insight into the relationship between perpetrator and victim in Internet fraud. The growing prevalence of Internet Fraud continues to be a burden to both society and individuals. In an attempt to better understand Internet fraud and online deception, this article attempts to build an interactive model, based upon the dimensions of power and negotiation from the management and psychology literature. Using the model presented, the article examines the effects of the Internet …

A Curriculum For Teaching Information Technology Investigative Techniques For Auditors, Grover S. Kearns

Journal of Digital Forensics, Security and Law

Recent prosecutions of highly publicized white-collar crimes combined with public outrage have resulted in heightened regulation of financial reporting and greater emphasis on systems of internal control. Because both white-collar and cybercrimes are usually perpetrated through computers, internal and external auditors’ knowledge of information technology (IT) is now more vital than ever. However, preserving digital evidence and investigative techniques, which can be essential to fraud examinations, are not skills frequently taught in accounting programs and instruction in the use of computer assisted auditing tools and techniques – applications that might uncover fraudulent activity – is limited. Only a few university-level …

Development Of A National Repository Of Digital Forensic Intelligence, Mark Weiser, David P. Biros, Greg Mosier

Journal of Digital Forensics, Security and Law

Many people do all of their banking online, we and our children communicate with peers through computer systems, and there are many jobs that require near continuous interaction with computer systems. Criminals, however, are also “connected”, and our online interaction provides them a conduit into our information like never before. Our credit card numbers and other fiscal information are at risk, our children's personal information is exposed to the world, and our professional reputations are on the line.

The discipline of Digital Forensics in law enforcement agencies around the nation and world has grown to match the increased risk and …

Electronic Data Discovery: Integrating Due Process Into Cyber Forensic Practice, John W. Bagby, John C. Ruhnka

Journal of Digital Forensics, Security and Law

Most organizations and government agencies regularly become engaged in litigation with suppliers, customers, clients, employees, competitors, shareholders, prosecutors or regulatory agencies that nearly assures the need to organize, retain, find and produce business records and correspondence, emails, accounting records or other data relevant to disputed issues. This article discusses some high visibility cases that constrain how metadata and content is routinely made available to opposing parties in civil litigation, to prosecutors in criminal prosecutions and to agency staff in regulatory enforcement litigation. Public policy, as implemented in the rules of evidence and pretrial discovery, restrict electronic data discovery (EDD) as …

Forensic Tools For Mobile Phone Subscriber Identity Modules, Wayne Jansen, Rick Ayers

Journal of Digital Forensics, Security and Law

Mobile phones and other handheld devices incorporating cellular capabilities, such as Personal Digital Assistants, are ubiquitous. Besides placing calls, these devices allow users to perform other useful tasks, including text messaging and phonebook entry management. When cell phones and cellular devices are involved in a crime or other incident, forensic specialists require tools that allow the proper retrieval and speedy examination of data present on the device. For devices conforming to the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) standards, certain data such as dialed numbers, text messages, and phonebook entries are maintained on a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM). This paper …

Investigating The Male-Driven Evolution Hypothesis Using Human AluRepeat Elements, Sridhar Ramachandran

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Thousands of copies of short interspersed repeats (SINEs) are scattered essentially ran-domly through the human genome. Although copies of each repeat subfamily are identical at the time of their insertion, they become subject to individual substitutions after insertion. As the relative time of insertion is known for many of these repeats, such "junk DNA" can be used to provide a sizeable number of time-series data points for studying substitution effects in a variety of genomic contexts. This dissertation specifically discusses the usefulness of the Alufamily of SINE repeats towards addressing open problems in genomics, population genetics, and biology in …

Analysis Of Aircraft Arrival Delay And Airport On-Time Performance, Yuqiong Bai

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

While existing grid environments cater to specific needs of a particular user community, we need to go beyond them and consider general-purpose large-scale distributed systems consisting of large collections of heterogeneous computers and communication systems shared by a large user population with very diverse requirements. Coordination, matchmaking, and resource allocation are among the essential functions of large-scale distributed systems. Although deterministic approaches for coordination, matchmaking, and resource allocation have been well studied, they are not suitable for large-scale distributed systems due to the large-scale, the autonomy, and the dynamics of the systems. We have to seek for nondeterministic solutions for …

Unsymmetrical And Symmetrical Sparse Iterative Algorithm With Multiple Right-Hand-Sides Strategies, D. T. Nguyen, A. P. Honrao, G. Hou, O. Akan, O. Baysal

Civil & Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Unified unsymmetrical and symmetrical iterative solvers for handling multiple right-hand-side vectors are examined in this work. Efficient computer implementation strategies (to reduce computational time and in-core memory requirements) are proposed. In-core, out-of-core, linear, multiple right hand side (RHS) vectors, non-linear, symmetrical, and unsymmetrical capabilities of the developed software are demonstrated by solving variety of problems selected form different engineering disciplines. Results indicate that the developed algorithm and software is reliable and efficient.

The Hydra Filesystem: A Distrbuted Storage Famework, Benjamin Gonzalez, George K. Thiruvathukal

Computer Science: Faculty Publications and Other Works

Hydra File System (HFS) is an experimental framework for constructing parallel and distributed filesystems. While parallel and distributed applications requiring scalable and flexible access to storage and retrieval are becoming more commonplace, parallel and distributed filesystems remain difficult to deploy easily and configure for different needs. HFS aims to be different by being true to the tradition of high-performance computing while employing modern design patterns to allow various policies to be configured on a per instance basis (e.g. storage, communication, security, and indexing schemes). We describe a working prototype (available for public download) that has been implemented in the Python …

A Field Programmable Gate Array Architecture For Two-Dimensional Partial Reconfiguration, Fei Wang

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Reconfigurable machines can accelerate many applications by adapting to their needs through hardware reconfiguration. Partial reconfiguration allows the reconfiguration of a portion of a chip while the rest of the chip is busy working on tasks. Operating system models have been proposed for partially reconfigurable machines to handle the scheduling and placement of tasks. They are called OS4RC in this dissertation. The main goal of this research is to address some problems that come from the gap between OS4RC and existing chip architectures and the gap between OS4RC models and practical applications. Some existing OS4RC models are based on an …

Development Of Integrated Process Simulation System Model For Spent Fuel Treatment Facility (Sftf) Design, Yitung Chen, Sean Hsieh

Separations Campaign (TRP)

The overall goal of this project is the creation of a framework that combines all the strengths of AMUSE’s complicated calculations, well-established commercial system process packages, and TRPSEMPro’s flexible parameter optimization modules. Development of the process simulation code can be done using the solvent extraction process at Argonne National Laboratory in collaboration with the UNLV Nevada Center for Advanced Computational Methods.

The major objectives are the following:

• Develop a framework for simulating the Spent Fuel Treatment Facility (SFTF) process using AMUSE code, commercial process package, such as ASPEN-PLUS, and system engineering model.
• Develop a middleware package that can communicate between …

Efficient Scheduling For Sdmg Cioq Switches, Mei Yang, S. Q. Zheng

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Research

Combined input and output queuing (CIOQ) switches are being considered as high-performance switch architectures due to their ability to achieve 100% throughput and perfectly emulate output queuing (OQ) switch performance with a small speedup factor S. To realize a speedup factor S, a conventional CIOQ switch requires the switching fabric and memories to operate S times faster than the line rate. In this paper, we propose to use a CIOQ switch with space-division multiplexing expansion and grouped input/output ports (SDMG CIOQ switch for short) to realize speedup while only requiring the switching fabric and memories to operate at the line …

A Corpus-Based Concatenative Speech Synthesis System For Turkish, Haşi̇m Sak, Tunga Güngör, Yaşar Safkan

Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

Speech synthesis is the process of converting written text into machine-generated synthetic speech. Concatenative speech synthesis systems form utterances by concatenating pre-recorded speech units. Corpus-based methods use a large inventory to select the units to be concatenated. In this paper, we design and develop an intelligible and natural sounding corpus-based concatenative speech synthesis system for the Turkish language. The implemented system contains a front-end comprised of text analysis, phonetic analysis, and optional use of transplanted prosody. The unit selection algorithm is based on commonly used Viterbi decoding algorithm of the best-path in the network of the speech units using spectral …

An Ann Based Approach To Improve The Distance Relaying Algorithm, Hassan Khorashadi Zadeh, Zuyi Li

Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

This paper presents an artificial neural network- (ANN) based approach to improve the performance of the distance relaying algorithm. The proposed distance relay uses magnitudes of voltages and currents as input signals to find fault locations. In this approach, an ANN has been included in the protection algorithm as an extension of the existing methods, which improves the reliability of the protection operation. The design procedure of the proposed relay is presented in detail. Simulation studies are performed and the influence of changing system parameters, such as fault resistance and source impedance, is studied. Performance studies show that the proposed …

Sturm-Liouville Equation: The Bridge Between Eigenvalue And Green's Function Problems, Levent Sevgi̇

Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

This article is intended as an educational aid and discusses guided wave propagation problems that are modeled via the Sturm-Liouville equation in electromagnetics. The bridge between source-free (eigenvalue) and source-driven (Green's function) problems that are represented by the same Sturm-Liouville equation is emphasized. The presentation focuses on representation of an arbitrary source from the features (eigenfunctions) of the problem geometry and extraction of the eigenvalues of a problem from propagation characteristics (Green's function) on a canonical problem; a homogeneously filled parallel plate waveguide with non-penetrable boundaries