Engineering Commons^™

Heavy Metal Distribution For Aqueous And Solid Phases In Urban Runoff, Snowmelt And Soils, Donald W. Glenn Iii

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

At the start of the third millennium, over 50% of the world’s population lives in urban areas. Anthropogenic activities associated with urban development such as traffic generate significant particulate and heavy metal mass loadings. Ten urban highway sites located throughout the metropolitan area of Cincinnati, Ohio were studied. Storm water, snow and transportation land use soil/residual complexes (RSCs) were collected at each site. For the storm water, results are presented for a series of eight rainfall runoff events over a two-year period and included analyses between dissolved and particulate-bound fractions of heavy metals (Pb, Cu, Cd and Zn), and water …

Fulfilling The Bargain: How The Science Of Ergonomics Can Inform The Laws Of Workers’ Compensation, Jason M. Solomon

Faculty Publications

In the last decade, cumulative trauma disorders have become a significant percentage of reported workplace injuries and litigated workers'compensation claims. Arising from the accumulated impact of daily work activities on the body, these injuries do not fall neatly within "disease" categories which comprise workers' compensation laws. As a result, courts and legislatures have struggled to properly evaluate workers' compensation claims for these injuries. This Note looks at the legal treatment of cumulative trauma injuries in light of the "original bargain" of workers' compensation, where workers give up a tort remedy against their employers in exchange for guaranteed, but limited, compensation …

Fuzzy Modeling Approach For Integrated Assessments Using Cultural Theory, Adnan Yazici, Fred E. Petry, Curt Pendergraft

Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

It has already been noted that the accurate prediction of societal responses requires the use of a formal model based on some social or cultural taxonomy. One such taxonomic candidate is Cultural Theory (CT). CT argues that all societies, irrespective of time or place, are informed by their underlying worldviews, which must be more or less Hierarchic, more or less Individualistic, more or less Egalitarian, and more or less Fatalistic. This approach appears to have a potential for cross-temporal and spatial comparisons that makes it a particularly attractive instrument for a study of the human dimensions of global climate change. …

Advances In Computer And Information Sciences: From Abacus To Holonic Agents, Tuncer Ören

Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

The shift of paradigm emphasizing the importance of the ability to process knowledge rather then being knowledgeable is stressed. A taxonomy of knowledge processing tools, machines, or systems is offered. Major possibilities for future achievements that the author would like to underline are listed with emphasis on agent technology, agent-directed simulation, holonic agents, holonic-agent simulation, and contribution of system theories for cognitive abilities such as understanding, learning, adaptation, and anticipation in computerization.

Bag Distributed Real-Time Operating System And Task Migration, Beki̇r Tevfi̇k Akgün

Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

BAG is a distributed operating system designed for real-time applications which is run on a distributed real-time system. The heterogeneously distributed BAG system consists of nodes which have VME-bus chassis, different types of processor modules, and an interconnection network. The operating system has three main parts having distributed properties: task migration, load balancing and a distributed file system. Heterogeneous task migration is based on the extended finite state machine (EFSM) programming model. The EFMS model has also eased the implementation of the migration mechanism. The load balancing algorithm is centralized in one node. But the overall system will be a …

Avalanche And Bit Independence Properties For The Ensembles Of Randomly Chosen N \Times N S-Boxes, Işil Vergi̇li̇, Melek D. Yücel

Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

Cryptographic test methods such as avalanche, strict avalanche and bit independence criteria, which measure the degree of security of the s-boxes of substitution-permutation networks, are applied to randomly generated ensembles of ( n \times n \) s-boxes. Statistical analysis of experimental data directs the work towards defining ``relative errors'' and examining the avalanche and strict avalanche criteria within ``relative error ranges''. Histograms of relative errors in each ensemble are evaluated, and combining the results of different ensembles corresponding to different values of the s-box size, variations of maximum relative errors versus the size of the s-box are depicted. Some predictions …

Accurate Parameter Estimation For An Articulatory Speech Synthesizer With An Improved Neural Network Mapping, Hali̇s Altun, Tankut Yalçinöz, K. Mervyn Curtis

Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

Neural network (NN) applications have recently been employed to extract the parameters of an articulatory speech synthesizer from a given speech signal. Results from these attempts showed that a single NN is insufficient to cover all of the possible configurations uniquely. Moreover, apart from their computational advantages, NN mapping is so far not superior to the other mapping techniques [1]. Thus there is a clear need to improve NN solution to the inverse problem. Results from our earlier experiments with an articulatory speech synthesizer have shown that the statistical characteristic of the articulatory target pattern vectors can be exploited for …

Performance Evaluation Of Safer K-64 And S-Boxes Of The Safer Family, Ekrem Aras, Melek D. Yücel

Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

If the characteristics of s-boxes of the SAFER family of ciphers are examined for the criteria of strict avalanche, bit independence, and XOR table distribution, experiments show that the ``exponentiating'' s-box has a weakness for an input difference of 128 (=10000000_{2}) and the ``logarithm-taking'' s-box has a weakness for an input difference of 253 (=11111101_{2}). However, since these experiments are performed by isolating the s-boxes from the general structure, they do not necessarily indicate a weakness in the overall algorithm. We propose a quick and rough test method, called the avalanche weight distribution criterion, to evaluate the overall performance of …

A More Efficient Design And Implementation Of Cal Programs In Natural Science Using Object-Oriented Technology, Jurgen Friedrich

Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

With the amount and complexity of science topics and applications increasing, the need for appropriate and effective science education is constantly growing. Computer-based education is very promising to help both teachers and learners in their difficult task, which involves complex psychological processes. This complexity is reflected in high demands on the design and implementation methods used to create computer-assisted learning (CAL) programs. Due to their concepts, flexibility, maintainability and extended library resources, object-oriented technology (OOT) is very suitable to producing this type of pedagogical tool. The introduced approach is demonstrated by a basketball simulation program for instruction in Newtonian mechanics …

Ota-C Based Proportional-Integral-Derivative (Pid) Controller And Calculating Optimum Parameter Tolerances, Cevat Erdal, Ali̇ Toker, Cevdet Acar

Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

Proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controllers are one of the most important control elements used in the process control industry. In practice, operational amplifiers are generally used in analog controllers. On the other hand, the operational transconductance amplifiers recently developed, which have some positive properties compared to operational amplifiers, are not used in analog controller design at present. Furthermore, the optimum parameter tolerances for the proposed PID circuit by the use of parameter sensitivities are determined. These tolerances keep the relative error at the output of the controller due to parameter variations in the tolerance region.

Scalar Wave Diffraction By A Perfectly Soft Infinitely Thin Circular Ring, Fati̇h Di̇kmen, Ertuğrul Karaçuha, Yury Alexanderovich Tuchkin

Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

A new strong mathematically rigorous and numerically effective method for solving the boundary value problem of scalar (for example acoustic) wave diffraction by a perfectly soft (Dirichlet boundary condition) infinitely thin circular ring is proposed. The method is based on the combination of the Orthogonal Polynomials Approach, and on the ideas of the methods of analytical regularization. As a result of the suggested regularization procedure, the initial boundary value problem is equivalently reduced to the infinite system of the linear algebraic equations of the second kind, i.e., to an equation of the type ( (I + H) x = b …

Breakdown Voltage In Thin Iii-V Avalanche Photodiodes, Mohammad A. Saleh

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

1. The dead-space multiplication theory of Hayat et al. [Journal of Lightwave Technology 10, 1415 (1992)], in conjunction with the multiplication-width-independent ionization-coefficient model developed by Saleh et al. [IEEE Trans. Electron Devices 47, 625 (2000)], are shown to accurately predict breakdown voltages for thin avalanche photodiodes of GaAs, InP, In_0:52Al_0:48As, and Al_0:2Ga_0:8As, over a broad range of device widths. The breakdown voltage is determined from the analytical expression for the impulse-response-function decay rate.

Radiative Interactions In Thermochemical Nonequilibrium Expanding Flows, Srikanth B. Pidugu

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

A numerical study is conducted to investigate radiative interactions in flows with thermal and chemical nonequilibrium. The two dimensional spatially elliptic Navier-Stokes equations have been used to numerically investigate different physical processes in the nozzle flow problem. The system of governing equations are solved using explicit, unsplit MacCormack predictor-corrector scheme. The chemistry source term is treated implicitly to alleviate stiffness associated with fast chemical reactions.

Different physical processes considered in this study are investigated in a systematic manner. Finite chemical processes in chemically reacting supersonic nozzle flows are studied. Five hydrogen-air combustion models have been employed to study the influence …

Characterization Of The Biological Activities Of Recombinant Fusion Protein Green Fluorescent Protein/Human Zona Pellucida Protein 3 (Gfp/Hzp3), Zhiyong Lin

Theses and Dissertations in Biomedical Sciences

Despite numerous reports indicating the successful production of bioactive recombinant ZP3, no report has shown the rhZP3 having direct binding activity with human sperm. Recombinant ZP3 generated from our previous study displayed binding activity with human sperm through indirect evidence from hemizona assay (HZA).

This present study focused on the production of recombinant ZP3 with direct binding activity with human sperm. Through the application of a pEGFP expression vector, fusion protein GFP/ZP3 was successfully generated and expressed. The expression of GFP/ZP3 was evidenced by RT-PCR and western blot. The fusion protein was partially purified by Ni-NTA affinity column from cell …

Finite Element Analysis And Active Control For Nonlinear Flutter Of Composite Panels Under Yawed Supersonic Flow, Khaled Abdel-Motagaly

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

A coupled structural-electrical modal finite element formulation for composite panels with integrated piezoelectric sensors and actuators is presented for nonlinear panel flutter suppression under yawed supersonic flow. The first-order shear deformation theory for laminated composite plates, the von Karman nonlinear strain-displacement relations for large deflection response, the linear piezoelectricity constitutive relations, and the first-order piston theory of aerodynamics are employed. Nonlinear equations of motion are derived using the three-node triangular MIN3 plate element. Additional electrical degrees of freedom are introduced to model piezoelectric sensors and actuators. The system equations of motion are transformed and reduced to a set of nonlinear …

An Integrated Risk Analysis Methodology In A Multidisciplinary Design Environment, Katrina R. Hampton

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Design of complex, one-of-a-kind systems, such as space transportation systems, is characterized by high uncertainty and, consequently, high risk. It is necessary to account for these uncertainties in the design process to produce systems that are more reliable. Systems designed by including uncertainties and managing them, as well, are more robust and less prone to poor operations as a result of parameter variability.

The quantification, analysis and mitigation of uncertainties are challenging tasks as many systems lack historical data. In such an environment, risk or uncertainty quantification becomes subjective because input data is based on professional judgment. Additionally, there are …

Nonlinear Response And Fatigue Estimation Of Surface Panels To White And Non-White Gaussian Random Excitations, Jean-Michel Dhainaut

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

In stochastic structural dynamics, the majority of analyses have dealt with linear structures under stationary, Gaussian, and band-limited white noise excitations. Although these simplifying assumptions may be justified, in many processes experimental data have shown quite frequently the non-stationary and non-Gaussian characteristics of the loads. An efficient finite element modal formulation has recently been developed to extend the analysis to nonlinear structural responses. Laminated plate theory and von Karman large displacement relations are used to derive the nonlinear equations of motion for an arbitrarily laminated composite panel subjected to combined acoustic and thermal loads. The nonlinear equations of motion in …

Book Review: Space Shuttle: The History Of The National Space Transportation System: The First 100 Missions, T. D. Oswalt

Publications

This document is Dr. Oswalt’s review of Space Shuttle : the History of the National Space Transportation System: the First 100 Missions by Dennis R. Jenkins. Voyageur Press, 2001 513p, 0-9633974-5-1 $39.95.

Transformations Of Coal-Derived Soot At Elevated Temperature, Thomas H. Fletcher, Jim Rigby, Jinliang Ma, Brent W. Webb

Faculty Publications

Coal pyrolysis experiments were performed in the post-flame region of a CH₄/H₂/air flat-flame burner operating under fuel-rich conditions, where the temperature and gas compositions were similar to those found in the near-burner region of an industrial pulverized coal-fired furnace. Volatiles released from the coal particles formed a cloud of soot particles surrounding a centrally fed coal/char particle stream. Soot samples were collected from the cloud at different residence times using a water-cooled, nitrogen-quenched probe. The soot samples were then analyzed for their elemental compositions of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur, and (by difference) oxygen plus inorganic matter. …

Design Guidelines For Deploying Closed Loop Systems, Andrew P. Nichols, Darcy M. Bullock

JTRP Technical Reports

Closed loop systems are becoming the preferred method of operating coordinated traffic signal systems. Some of the benefits of a closed loop system include remote controller access, synchronization of controller time clocks, and orderly transition between coordination plans. With ensured time clock synchronization, the coordination of traffic signals becomes more reliable, which leads to optimal vehicle progression through the system. However, due to the complexity and relative infrequent implementation in more rural districts of closed loop systems, it is very difficult to obtain a successful deployment. This manual provides a step-by-step procedure for designing the parameters, implementing, testing, and field …

Impact-Ionization And Noise Characteristics Of Thin Iii-V Avalanche Photodiodes, Mohammad A. Saleh, Majeed M. Hayat, Paul P. Sotirelis, Archie L. Holmes, Joe C. Campbell, Bahaa E.A. Saleh, Malvin Carl Teich

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

It is, by now, well known that McIntyre's localized carrier-multiplication theory cannot explain the suppression of excess noise factor observed in avalanche photodiodes (APDs) that make use of thin multiplication regions. We demonstrate that a carrier multiplication model that incorporates the effects of dead space, as developed earlier by Hayat et al. provides excellent agreement with the impact-ionization and noise characteristics of thin InP, In/sub 0.52/Al/sub 0.48/As, GaAs, and Al/sub 0.2/Ga/sub 0.8/As APDs, with multiplication regions of different widths. We outline a general technique that facilitates the calculation of ionization coefficients for carriers that have traveled a distance exceeding the …

Arc - An Oai Service Provider For Digital Library Federation, Xiaoming Liu, Kurt Maly, Mohammad Zubair, Michael L. Nelson

Computer Science Faculty Publications

The usefulness of the many on-line journals and scientific digital libraries that exist today is limited by the inability to federate these resources through a unified interface. The Open Archive Initiative (OAI) is one major effort to address technical interoperability among distributed archives. The objective of OAI is to develop a framework to facilitate the discovery of content in distributed archives. In this paper, we describe our experience and lessons learned in building Arc, the first federated searching service based on the OAI protocol. Arc harvests metadata from several OAI compliant archives, normalizes them, and stores them in a search …

Smart Objects And Open Archives, Michael L. Nelson, Kurt Maly

Computer Science Faculty Publications

Within the context of digital libraries (DLs), we are making information objects "first-class citizens". We decouple information objects from the systems used for their storage and retrieval, allowing the technology for both DLs and information content to progress independently. We believe dismantling the stovepipe of "DL-archive-content" is the first step in building richer DL experiences for users and insuring the long-term survivability of digital information. To demonstrate this partitioning between DLs, archives and information content, we introduce "buckets": aggregative, intelligent, object-oriented constructs for publishing in digital libraries. Buckets exist within the "Smart Object, Dumb Archive" (SODA) DL model, which promotes …

Buckets: Smart Objects For Digital Libraries, Michael L. Nelson

Computer Science Faculty Publications

Current discussion of digital libraries (DLs) is often dominated by the merits of the respective storage, search and retrieval functionality of archives, repositories, search engines, search interfaces and database systems. While these technologies are necessary for information management, the information content is more important than the systems used for its storage and retrieval. Digital information should have the same long-term survivability prospects as traditional hardcopy information and should be protected to the extent possible from evolving search engine technologies and vendor vagaries in database management systems. Information content and information retrieval systems should progress on independent paths and make limited …

Dynamics Of Pancake Vortices In A Finite Stack Of Superconducting Copper Oxide Layers, Mariam Mustafa Ahmad Al Marzoqi

Theses

The high temperature superconductors are very promising materials in a wide range of applications, starting from the electricity power supply. They play a lifesaving function through imaging systems. Even major internet and communication advances depend on these materials.

Superconductivity in these materials occurs particularly in the copper-oxide planes. However, since these materials are type-II superconductors, magnetic fields can penetrate these materials in quantized amounts of flux called vortices without destroying completely superconductivity, but producing some resistance, due to vortex motion. In order to overcome the resistance problem, vortices must be pinned to prevent their motion and hence eliminate the resistance. …