Engineering Commons^™

Deformable Haptic Models For Surgical Simulation, Xiuzhong Wang

Electrical Engineering Dissertations - Archive

Surgical simulation is in great need for surgical training, analysis, planing and rehearsal. The core of this simulation is the deformable models for the organs. The deformable model must provides both realistic visual effects (graphics) and high fidelity force feedback (haptics) in real time, without distractive visual artifacts and misleading tactile clues. In view of the requirement of physical accuracy, physically based deformable models are favorable for surgical simulation. Physically based deformable modeling has been a serious research topic for about twenty years in the computer graphics community. For computer animation, a great deal of work has been done so …

Effects Of Base Station Power Control And Soft Handoff On The Outage And Capacity In The Forward Link Of Cdma Systems, Dongdong Li

Electrical Engineering Dissertations - Archive

This thesis focuses on the capacity analysis of the forward link of code division multiple access (CDMA) systems by characterizing the base station (BS) power distribution. With the rapid growth of data and multi-media traffic, the forward link becomes the system bottleneck. How to design an efficient call admission algorithm in the forward link to effectively use the limited base station power while guaranteeing certain quality of service is important to increase the forward link capacity. To effectively use the limited BS power, we need to understand the BS power distribution given a certain traffic pattern. However, the characterization of …

Development Of A Steel Bridge System - Simple For Dead Load And Continuous For Live Load, Atorod Azizinamini, Aaron Jon Yakel, Mohammadreza Farimani

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Modeling Interface Failure In Fiber-Composites, Andrew J. Craig

Renée Crown University Honors Thesis Projects - All

Interface failure has been studied in depth for more than the past twenty years due to its significant impact on the application of composite materials. The objective of this work is to investigate the role of the interface in the mechanical response of fiber-matrix composite materials subjected to an applied load. To do this, a single composite cylinder consisting of a rigid core, the fiber, and an elastic annulus, the matrix, with an interface of vanishing thickness separating them, is considered as the first step in what will later be representative of a composite material. Three non-linear, Needleman-type, force-separation relations …

Effects Of Central Island Landscape Treatments At Single-Lane Roundabouts, Karen Schurr, Jorge Abos-Sanchez

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Assessment Of Aquifer Vulnerability Due To Heavy Metals Using Ordinal Logistic Regression Analysis, N. K. Twarakavi, Jagath J. Kaluarachchi

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

A methodology using ordinal logistic regression is proposed to predict the probability of occurrence of heavy metals in ground water. The predicted probabilities are defined with reference to the background concentration and the maximum contaminant level. The model is able to predict the occurrence due to different influencing variables such as the land use, soil hydrologic group (SHG), and surface elevation. The methodology was applied to the Sumas-Blaine Aquifer located in Washington State to predict the occurrence of five heavy metals. The influencing variables considered were (1) SHG; (2) land use; (3) elevation; (4) clay content; (5) hydraulic conductivity; and …

Bond Strength Of Self-Consolidating Concrete For Prestressed Concrete Applications, Christopher Y. Tuan, Amgad F. Girgis

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Conductive Concrete For Bridge Deck Deicing And Anti-Icing, Christopher Y. Tuan

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Integrating Gis And Transportation Modeling Operations For The Nebraska Department Of Roads, Sunil G. Narumalani, Markus Craig

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Nu-Deck Precast Deck Panels And Innovative Bridge Research And Construction, Maher K. Tadros, Charles J. Vranek

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

Most of the deficiency in existing stringer-type bridges lie in deterioration of the bridge deck. Cast-in-place reinforced concrete decks experience cracking shortly after construction due to large differential creep and shrinkage with the supporting beams, and due to the temperature drop experienced during the hydration cycle. The NUDECK (Nebraska University) system is a full-depth precast/prestressed concrete bridge deck panel system. The combination of high performance precast concrete, where little creep and shrinkage occur after the deck is made composite with the beams, and two-way prestressing assure continued pre-compression of the deck during its life. With this system, construction time and …

Implications Of On-Ground Nitrogen Loading And Soil Transformations On Ground Water Quality Management, M. Almasri, Jagath J. Kaluarachchi

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

This paper presents a modeling approach based on a geographic information system (GIS) to estimate the variability of on-ground nitrogen loading and the corresponding nitrate leaching to ground water. The methodology integrates all point and nonpoint sources of nitrogen, the national land cover database, soil nitrogen transformations, and the uncertainty of key soil and land use-related parameters to predict the nitrate mass leaching to ground water. The analysis considered 21 different land use classes with information derived from nitrogen sources such as fertilizer and dairy manure applications, dairy lagoons, septic systems, and dry and wet depositions. Simulations were performed at …

Bie6810 - Biochemical Engineering, Spring 2004, Ron Sims

Biological and Irrigation Engineering - OCW

Biochemical processes, thermodynamics, and kinetics are used in the application of engineering principles to analyze, design, and develop processes using biocatalysts. Processes covered in the course include those that are involved in the formation of desirable compounds and products or in the transformation, or destruction of unwanted or toxic substances.

Bie6300 - Irrigation & Conveyance Control Systems, Spring 2004, Gary P. Merkley

Biological and Irrigation Engineering - OCW

This is a course regarding measurement of flow rates and water levels. Calibration, design, and selection of open-channel flow measurement structures. Design of irrigation conveyance and distribution system infrastructure.

Bie6150 - Surface Irrigation Design, Spring 2004, Wynn Walker

Biological and Irrigation Engineering - OCW

This course was originally developed for the United States Department of Agriculture. It contains nearly 20 video lecture presentations with accompanying slides in English, Arabic, and French, an online textbook, homework assignments, and downloadable surface irrigation simulation software also developed by Dr. Walker. This course highlights design and evaluation of surface irrigation systems, field measurements for evaluating and improving uniformity and efficiency, simulation of surface systems, and land leveling computation and equipment. Note: The simulation software is designed to run on a PC only.

Cee6880 - Soil-Based Hazardous Waste Management, Spring 2004, Ron Sims

Civil and Environmental Engineering - OCW

Engineering management of hazardous wastes present in the vadose zone, including extraction, containment, and biological, chemical, and physical destruction technologies. Aspects include engineering characterization, problem definition, treatment, and monitoring. Analysis and design emphasized through problems, examinations, and report writing.

Technical Requirements: A PC is required to run the Fugacity Calculator.

Ece3260 - Science Of Sound, Spring 2004, Paul Wheeler

Electrical and Computer Engineering - OCW

Welcome to Science of Sound. This course is offered as a regular class Fall Semesters on the USU campus in Logan, Utah. It is also available over the internet Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters, or as a yearlong independent-studies course. In each case, work is submitted using the internet. The only difference in the regular class held Fall semester is that students meet with the professor three times a week to discuss the material in the text. A teaching assistant is assigned to answer questions via the internet. The course consists of reading the text, supplementing concepts using the Internet, …

Teaching Coupled Transport And Rate Processes, Yaşar Demirel

Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering: News Releases

Coupling refers to a flux occurring without its primary thermodynamic driving force; for example, mass flux without a concentration gradient called the thermal diffusion is a well-known coupled process. Coupling also refers to a flux occurring in a direction opposite to the direction imposed by its driving force; for example, a mass flux can occur from a low to a high concentration region and is called the active transport or uphill transport, such as potassium and sodium pumps coupled to chemical energy released by the hydrolysis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in biological systems. Although the coupled processes seem to be …

Post-Training Support For Learning Technology, Sam Snoddy Jr., David G. Novick

Departmental Papers (CS)

To examine the effects of post-training support, we studied the introduction of new gradebook software in a public high school. The school's 108 faculty members received training on the software, and approximately half of the faculty received posttraining support for eight weeks. The study measured the faculty's current computer usage, usage of earlier versions of the software, and their perceived skill levels in using the software. The data suggest that the faculty members who received post-training support maintained and raised their skill levels, while unsupported faculty had their skill levels decline.

Assessing Effectiveness Of Personality Style In Documentation, Kenneth Sayles, David G. Novick

Departmental Papers (CS)

This paper extends previous work by other researchers that indicated that users of computers preferred a computer with a personality that was similar to theirs. We conducted a similar experiment, but looking beyond preference to see if the personality of documentation would make a difference in the user’s performance. Our data suggest did not indicate that personality match affects performance; and if such a relationship exists it is likely to be weak. We discuss the related research, describe our methodology, present our results, and describe their implications and limitations.

Deceleration Lanes Of Left-Turn Bays Of Four-Lane Expressways, Karen Schurr, Patrick T. Mccoy, Geza Pesti, Anthonny Egelhoff, Rebecca Burdick

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Implementation Of The Superstructure/Substructure Joint Details, Maher K. Tadros

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Spliced I-Grinder Concrete Bridge System, Maher K. Tadros, Charles J. Vranek

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Bie6110 - Sprinkle & Trickle Irrigation, Fall 2003, Gary P. Merkley

Biological and Irrigation Engineering - OCW

This is a course regarding technical design and evaluation of pressurized agricultural irrigation systems, including system layout, pipe sizing, water applicator selection, pumping system hydraulics, water filtration requirements, and water application uniformity and efficiency.

Applicability Of Risk-Based Management And The Need For Risk-Based Economic Decision Analysis At Hazardous Waste Contaminated Sites, I. Khadam, Jagath J. Kaluarachchi

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Decision analysis in subsurface contamination management is generally carried out through a traditional engineering economic viewpoint. However, new advances in human health risk assessment, namely, the probabilistic risk assessment, and the growing awareness of the importance of soft data in the decision-making process, require decision analysis methodologies that are capable of accommodating non-technical and politically biased qualitative information. In this work, we discuss the major limitations of the currently practiced decision analysis framework, which evolves around the definition of risk and cost of risk, and its poor ability to communicate risk-related information. A demonstration using a numerical example was conducted …

An Interaction Initiative Model For Documentation, David G. Novick, Karen Ward

Departmental Papers (CS)

In this paper we propose a model of creation and use of documentation based on the concept of mixed-initiative interaction. In our model, successful single-initiative interaction is characterized by grounding of contributions, and successful mixed-initiative interaction is characterized by both grounding and agreement. Just as in spoken conversation, achievement of actual agreement depends on the intentions of both parties; agreement is achieved when the reader follows the documentation’s instructions. In fact, readers are not obligated to—and often do not—act according to the author’s intentions. By making these dynamics explicit, the model can aid authors in developing effective documentation. The paper …

Hands-Free Documentation, Karen Ward, David G. Novick

Departmental Papers (CS)

In this paper, we introduce an analysis of the requirements and design choices for hands-free documentation. Hands-busy tasks such as cooking or car repair may require substantial interruption of the task: moving the pan off the burner and wiping hands, or crawling out from underneath the car. We review the need for hands-free documentation and explore the role of task in the use of documentation. Our central analysis examines the roles and characteristics of input and output modalities of hands-free documentation. In particular, we review the use of speech as an input modality, and then visual means and speech as …

Extending Direct Manipulation In A Text Editor, David G. Novick, Francisco Romero, Edgar Rene Saenz, Armando Sandoval

Departmental Papers (CS)

This paper describes the implementation of a prototype text editor that incorporates conversation-like features through the direct-manipulation modality. In this way, traditional direct-manipulation interaction techniques such as direct reference via pointing can be extended to include techniques more commonly associated with human conversation, such as negotiation of reference. The paper illustrates the use of the prototype with an extended example, and discusses research issues raised by the implementation.

Accounting For Domain Context In Evaluation, Meriem Chater, David G. Novick

Departmental Papers (CS)

Work is situated activity. Taking into account human factors in evaluation involves considering not only users but also their contexts of use. Consequently, the evaluation of systems — from video-games to safetycritical interfaces — requires analysis of context to understand not only the effect of context on usability but also the impact of artifacts' usability on users' environments. In the case of safety-critical systems (SCS), errors (by users or designers) may threaten human lives.
To assess the degree to which interface evaluation methods currently account for context, we have used the research strategy taxonomy of McGrath as a framework for …

"Conversational" Dialogues In Direct-Manipulation Interfaces, David G. Novick

Departmental Papers (CS)

This paper reports ongoing research in extending direct-manipulation interfaces by incorporating, via the direct-manipulation modality itself, interaction techniques that add kinds of language features associated with spoken conversation. The paper proposes means of implementing ways for a user of a direct-manipulation system to define new kinds of relations among objects in the interface.

Users And Uses Of Synchronous Business Communications Software, David G. Novick, Eleanor Wynn

Departmental Papers (CS)

To help designers and authors understand users' intentions and work practices for synchronous business communications in a systematic way, we used ethnographic and task-analytic techniques to collect, analyze and classify evidence of the activities of potential users as they conducted their work lives. The interactions we observed among our users took place through a variety of modalities. We found eight categories of tasks for the collaborative or interactive work in which our subjects engaged. Based on these data, we were able to classify roles of potential users of synchronous business communications software into a set of "archetypes" that characterize their …