Engineering Commons^™

Rule-Maker's And Rule-Follower's Meaning, R. P. Loui

All Computer Science and Engineering Research

No abstract provided.

The Dim System: Woz Simulation Results - Phase Ii, Anne Johnstone, Umesh Berry, Tina Nguyen

All Computer Science and Engineering Research

We report an experiment designed to compare human-human spoken dialogues with human-computer spoken dialogue. Our primary purpose was to collect data on the kinds of protocols that were used to control the interaction. Three groups of 12 subjects each were asked to complete tasks over the phone. These tasks involved the use of custom-calling features such as call-forwarding and speed-dialing. The experimental procedure was a new variation on the Wizard of Oz (WOZ) technique that allowed much clearer comparisons to be made between human-human and human-computer interactions. Subjects in the Operator Group were told they were talking to a human …

Clocked And Asynchronous Instruction Pipelines, Mark A. Franklin, Tienyo Pan

All Computer Science and Engineering Research

Clocked (synchronous) and self-timed (asynchronous) represent the two prinicipal methodologies associated with timing control and synchronization of digital systems. In this paper, clocked and the asynchronous instruction pipelines are modeled and compared. The approach which yields the best performance is dependent on technology parameters, operating range and pipeline algorithm characteristics. Design curves are presented which permit selection of the best approach for a given application and technology environment.

Clinical Decision-Support Systems In Radiation Therapy, Nilesh L. Jain, Michael G. Kahn

All Computer Science and Engineering Research

Computers have been used in radiation therapy since the early 1960s to perform dose calculations. In the last decade, researchers have developed computer-based clinical decision-support systems for assisting in different decision-making tasks in radiation therapy. This paper reviews eleven prototype systems developed for target volume delineation, treatment planning, treatment plan evaluation, and treatment machine diagnosis. The advent of three-dimensional (3D) conformal radiation therapy (CRT) provides radiation oncologists with the opportunity to consider innovative beam arrangements which were not possible in two-dimensional class solutions. The difficulty of manually generating the thousands of clinically plausible 3D treatment plans calls for the use …

The Dim System: Turn-Taking In Dyadic Telephone Dialogues, Umesh Berry, Anne Johnstone

All Computer Science and Engineering Research

The analysis of human conversations has revealed that the design of interfaces using spoken dialogue must differ radically from those using written communication. Such characteristics as prosody, confirmations, echoes, and other speech phenomena must be considered. This work is a step in that direction. Prosodic, syntactic and semantic information from actual human dialogues has been used to build a turn-taking model empirically for dydadic telephone dialogues. The ability to predict completion of turns has been the biggest motivating factor in the development of this model. The design and evaluation of the model are presented in this report.

Asking Questions To Minimize Errors, Nader H. Bshouty, Sally A. Goldman, Thomas R. Hancock, Sleiman Matar

All Computer Science and Engineering Research

A number of efficient learning algorithms achieve exact identification of an unknown function from some clas using membership and equivalence queries. Using a standard transformation such algorithms can easily be converted to on-line learning algorithms that use membership queries. Under such a transformation the number of equivalence queries made by the query algorithm directly corresponds to the number of mistakes made by the on-line algorithm. In this paper we consider several of the natural classes known to be learnable in this setting, and investigate the minimum number of equivalence queries with accompanying counterexamples (or equivalently the minimum number of mistakes …

Effective Loss Of Multiplexed Atm Cell Streams, Seyyed M-R Mahdavian, Andreas D. Bovopoulos

All Computer Science and Engineering Research

Cell loss is an inherent problem of ATM networks. The magnitude of the service degeneration caused by cell loss depends on the application and loss distribution. This paper introduces a new performance criterion, called effective loss, which can quantitatively measure this degradation. Effective loss is particularly suitable for block-oriented transmissions, such as file transfer applications, but can also be applied to a broad range of other applications. In this paper the effective loss measure is applied to the study of the effectiveness of bandwidth reservation mechanisms in an ATM multiplexer. Numerical results demonstrate circumstances under which bandwidth reservation improves performance …

Distributed Computing Systems And Checkpointing, Ken Wong, Mark Franklin

All Computer Science and Engineering Research

This paper examines the performance of synchronous checkpointing in a distributed computing environment with and without load redistribution. Performance models are developed, and optimum checkpoint intervals are determined. The analysis extends earlier work by allowing for multiple nodes, state dependent checkpoint intervals, and a performance metric which is coupled with failure-free performance and the speedup functions associated with implementation of parallel algorithms. Expressions for the optimum checkpoint intervals for synchronous checkpointing with and without load redistribution are derived and the results are then used to determine when load redistribution is advantageous.

Dna Mapping Algorithms: Synchronized Double Digest Mapping, Jim Daues, Will Gillett

All Computer Science and Engineering Research

A technique called Synchronized Double Digest Mapping (SDDM) is presented; it combines classical Double Digest Mapping (DDM) and Multiple-Restriction-Enzyme Mapping (MREM). Classical DDM is a technique for determining the order of restriction fragments in a clone given three digestions of the clone: a digestion by enzyme1, a digestion by enzyme2, and a digestion by enzyme1 and enzyme2 combined. All algorithms for applying this technique are exponential (in the number of fragments present in the clone) in nature. MREM is an extension of classical high-resolution restriction-fragment mapping of a YAC or a genome, in which the overlaps among a set of …

Overview Of Acerc Comprehensive Model Development, Thomas H. Fletcher, Scott C. Hill

Faculty Publications

A major objective of the Advanced Combustion Engineering Research Center (ACERC) is the development of comprehensive combustion models to help in the solution of critical national combustion problems. Computer models incorporate research and technology results from center projects and from external research programs. The synergistic integration of scientific knowledge that is expected from the NSF engineering research centers is demonstrated to a great extent at ACERC by the development of these software tools. The transfer of technology from ACERC to industry is also accomplished in part by the implementation of the models at industrial firms. The effort to develop such …

Chemical Structural Features Of Pyridine Extracts Of The Argonne Premium Coals Using 13c Nmr Spectroscopy, Thomas H. Fletcher, S Bai, Ronald J. Pugmire, Steven Wood, David M. Grant

Faculty Publications

Soxhlet extractions were performed on the eight Argonne Premium coals using pyridine purged with argon and followed by a novel washing procedure to remove the pyridine. Mass closure (extracts plus residues) on duplicate experiments accounted for 94-96% of the original coal, repeatable to within 2%. Chemical structural features determined from ¹³C NMR analyses of the extracts and residues showed more attachments per aromatic cluster for the residues, indicating a greater degree of covalent bonding in the residue than in the extract. ¹H NMR analysis of the extracts showed a gradual increase in the hydrogen aromaticity with rank, along …

Observation Of The Charmed Baryon C+ And Measurement Of The Isospin Mass Splittings Of The C, Crawford, G.; Et Al., M. Thulasidas

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

No abstract provided.

Cultural Transposition: Exploring Meanings Of And Strategies For Cross-Cultural Transfer Of Organizational Practices, Yongming Tang

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The research objective is to study the phenomenon of transferring organizational practices which are conceptualized in one culture to another different culture. The purpose of the study is (1) to understand how cultural values and beliefs are manifested in behavior; (2) to explore how the Western organizational practices are interpreted and assimilated into an organization in an Eastern culture; and (3) to explore strategies for the fit between local cultural orientations and imported organizational practices. A qualitative, interpretive, and reflexive research methodology was developed to conduct this study.

The study was conducted in two phases. The first phase was designed …

The Use Of A Factory Simulation To Evaluate A Flexible Control Structure For Integrated Manufacturing, Ling Ling Pan

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Once a control structure for an integrated manufacturing system is decided upon, manufacturing activities are limited by that structure. A flexible control structure is presented as an approach for accommodating a variety of manufacturing activities, without being limited to a single control structure. A flexible control structure is one that allows multiple types of control structure in the manufacturing process. For example, both hierarchical and non-hierarchical structures may be used in a flexible structure. The properties of a flexible control structure are discussed from the point of view of graph theory.

Control structures for automated manufacturing are difficult to evaluate …

A Comparison Of Minority And Non-Minority Engineering Students On Selected Personality And Program Variables, Thomas Mercer Collier Jr.

Theses and Dissertations in Urban Services - Urban Education

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether there are common characteristics associated with 226 Hispanic, African American, and White engineering students who persist at predominantly White colleges and universities. A personality profile of minority and non-minority engineering students was developed. Information regarding factors influencing choice of major, university, study, work and extracurricular involvement, possible reasons for withdrawal from college, awareness and satisfaction with student support services and selected academic courses was also compiled. Components of Minority Engineering Programs (MEPs) which are most used or valued by minority engineering students were identified.

Analysis of Variance identified four of the …

Reliability Trend Analyses With Statistical Confidence Limits Using The Luke Reliability Trend Chart, Stephen R. Luke

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

In electronic systems, it is interesting to understand exactly how the reliability is changing with time. Dynamic performance changes when a system passes from infant mortality stage into useful life phase and when the system passes from useful life phase into wearout phase. Dynamic performance also changes when the system is redesigned or when the system is acted on by a number of other outside forces such as a change in maintenance policy, escalation of alignment problems, or a change in training program. It is important to know when a system is changing dynamically in order to assess design, policy …

Multidimensional Approach To Implementation Of Continuous Process Improvement Utilizing Small Run Analysis In A Shipyard Environment, Paul Ray Hollandsworth

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Nationally, both public and private shipyards are experiencing a high rework rate (over 40%) in the fabrication of plug connectors used for electronic systems onboard Navy vessels. The shipyard's survival depends on acquiring the elements necessary to maintain a major industry in a position of continuous improvement that produces a better product than their competitors, at less cost, in a safe manner, and on schedule.

This research addresses the complex problem of how to introduce quality control methodologies within a job shop environment that assists in identifying variables that influence the rework rate of plug fabrication process over a four …

Theoretical Results Supporting The Use Of Passive Damping As Augmentation To The Active Control Of Flexible Structures, Joseph Vincent Harrell

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

One challenge of modern control technology is how to control a flexible structure with accuracy, speed, and economy of effort. Controlling a structure with many degrees of freedom by purely active means implies the implementation of inordinate sensors and actuators and creates the need for numerous calculations that must be done instantly. Experiments have shown that practical structures under active control alone can suffer instabilities due to modal vibrations beyond the bandwidth of the active controller. Furthermore, if there is a high degree of model uncertainty, instabilities can be produced by inputs of modal vibrations not occurring in the system …

A Comparison Of Queueing, Cluster And Distributed Computing Systems, Joseph A. Kaplan, Michael L. Nelson

Computer Science Faculty Publications

Using workstation clusters for distributed computing has become popular with the proliferation of inexpensive, powerful workstations. Workstation clusters offer both a cost effective alternative to batch processing and an easy entry into parallel computing. However, a number of workstations on a network does not constitute a cluster. Cluster management software is necessary to harness the collective computing power. A variety of cluster management and queuing systems are compared: Distributed Queueing Systems (DQS), Condor, Load Leveler, Load Balancer, Load Sharing Facility (LSF - formerly Utopia), Distributed Job Manager (DJM), Computing in Distributed Networked Environments (CODINE), and NQS/Exec. The systems differ in …

Intel Nx To Pvm 3.2 Message Passing Conversion Library, Trey Arthur, Michael L. Nelson

Computer Science Faculty Publications

NASA Langley Research Center has developed a library that allows Intel NX message passing codes to be executed under the more popular and widely supported Parallel Virtual Machine (PVM) message passing library. PVM was developed at Oak Ridge National Labs and has become the defacto standard for message passing. This library will allow the many programs that were developed on the Intel iPSC/860 or Intel Paragon in a Single Program Multiple Data (SPMD) design to be ported to the numerous architectures that PVM (version 3.2) supports. Also, the library adds global operations capability to PVM. A familiarity with Intel NX …

Progress In Coal Pyrolysis, Peter R. Solomon, Thomas H. Fletcher, Ronald J. Pugmire

Faculty Publications

The heterogeneous nature of coal and the complexity of the pyrolysis process have made it very difficult to perform unambiguous experiments to determine the rates and mechanisms in coal pyrolysis. However, recent years have seen a number of new experimental and theoretical approaches which shed new light on the subject. This paper considers the recent progress on kinetics, the formation of volatile products, network models, cross-linking, rank effects, and the ‘two-component’ model of coal structure. Recent experiments which measured coal particle temperatures at high heating rates provide reasonable agreement on kinetic rate constants. These rates also agree with those derived …

An Overview Of Acerc Research In Fuel Characterization And Reaction Mechanisms, Ronald J. Pugmire, Thomas H. Fletcher

Faculty Publications

A major objective of the Advanced Combustion Engineering Research Center is the development and verification of data on fuel characterization and reaction mechanisms and rates that can be incorporated into submodels for use in the comprehensive combustion codes. As technology has advanced, the levels of analytical sophistication has also advanced, making it possible to augment the existing body of information with new data. From this new data it is possible to draw new insights regarding the complex nature of coal and the various processes associated with combustion. The ACERC program has made it possible to bring different disciplines together to …

Diffusion Of Total Quality Management: An Organizational Self-Production Perspective, Baizhong Zhao

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

American industries are in the process of a quality revolution. Most companies are busy implementing Total Quality Management (TQM) programs. However, the experience of both Japanese and American companies indicates that successful TQM implementation depends on an understanding of implementation processes, which itself relies on an understanding of organizational self-organizing, for it is through this process that TQM gets diffused and becomes a core component of an organization's culture. Self-organizing is a so-called process-oriented approach, based on theory from cybernetics (Ashby, 1962; Steier & Smith, 1985; von Foerster, 1960), dissipative structure theory (Prigogine & Stengers, 1984), and chaos theory (Gleick, …