Engineering Commons^™

Daubechies And Quadratic B-Spline Wavelets For Automated Early Diagnosis Of Alzheimer's Disease, Genevieve Jacques

Theses and Dissertations

Alzheimer's disease is a neurological disorder characterized by nerve degeneration and neuronal death. The diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease at an early stage is a major concern due to the lack of a standard and effective diagnosis procedure available to community healthcare providers, as well as the increasing numbers of the elderly population affected. Clinical evaluation, the standard AD diagnostic procedure conducted at major university hospitals and research clinics, achieves, on average, a positive predictive value of 93%, with a sensitivity of 83%, specificity of 55% and an overall accuracy of 75%. An effective and objective tool for early diagnosis of …

Vlsi Implementation Of An Efficient Method For The Computation Of Line Spectral Frequencies, David L. Reynolds

Theses and Dissertations

In speech coding applications using linear predictive techniques, the computation of line spectral frequencies (LSFs) from the predictor coefficients is an extremely computationally intensive task. The unique properties of the symmetric and antisymmetric polynomial roots limit the region which must be searched, however it is still necessary to perform a root-finding algorithm on a high-order polynomial.

Certain algorithms have been developed to reduce the complexity of the root finding exercise. One such algorithm, developed by Ramachandran and Kabal, takes advantage of certain properties of the symmetric and antisymmetric polynomials to map the upper portion of the unit circle onto the …

Three-Dimensional Shape Characterization For Particle Aggregates Using Multiple Projective Representations, Jonathan Paul Corriveau

Theses and Dissertations

Shape descriptors are used extensively in computer vision/automated recognition applications such as fingerprint matching, robotics, character recognition, etc. The conventional two-dimensional shape descriptors used in these applications do not readily lend themselves to compact representations in three dimensions. The situation is even more challenging when one attempts to numerically describe the three-dimensional shapes of a mixture of objects such as in an aggregate mix.

The goal of this study is the design, development and validation of automated image processing algorithms that can estimate three-dimensional shape-descriptors for particle aggregates. The thesis demonstrates that a single set of numbers representing a composite …

Evaluation Of Artificial Intelligence Based Models For Chemical Biodegradability Prediction, James R. Baker, Dragan Gamberger, James R. Mihelcic, Aleksandar Sabljic

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1

This study presents a review of biodegradability modeling efforts including a detailed assessment of two models developed using an artificial intelligence based methodology. Validation results for these models using an independent, quality reviewed database, demonstrate that the models perform well when compared to another commonly used biodegradability model, against the same data. The ability of models induced by an artificial intelligence methodology to accommodate complex interactions in detailed systems, and the demonstrated reliability of the approach evaluated by this study, indicate that the methodology may have application in broadening the scope of biodegradability models. Given adequate data for biodegradability of …

An Investigation Of Multi-Dimensional Evolutionary Algorithms For Virtual Reality Scenario Development, Scott Papson

Theses and Dissertations

Virtual reality (VR) has emerged as a powerful visualization tool for design, simulation, and analysis in modem complex industrial systems. The primary motivation for this thesis is to develop a framework for the effective use of VR in design-simulation-analysis cycles, particularly in situations involving large, complex, multi-dimensional data-sets. This thesis develops a framework that is intended to support not only the integration of such data for visual, interactive, and immersive displays, but also provides a method for performing risk analysis. Previously "static" VR environments are enhanced with time-evolutionary capabilities. Four candidate algorithms are evaluated for this purpose – deterministic modeling, …

Heterogeneous Multi-Sensor Data Fusion Using Geometric Transformations And Parzen Windows For The Nondestructive Evaluation Of Gas Transmission Pipelines, Joseph Anthony Oagaro

Theses and Dissertations

The natural gas transmission pipeline network in the United States is a key component of the nation's energy supply infrastructure and extends for over 280,000 miles and has an average age of over 60 years. The integrity of the pipeline is maintained by periodic inline inspections using magnetic or ultrasonic pigs. Defect characterization algorithms developed using current pigging data are hampered by the fact that single inspection techniques (either magnetic or ultrasonic) do not yield sufficient information for accurately and repeatably characterizing defects. This thesis demonstrates that defect characterization algorithms using multiple inspection techniques can accomplish this task. In particular, …

Hydrographic Aspect Of Chole Bay, Mafia Island, Alfonse Dubi

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Mafia has been a port on the monsoon trade routes from the Arabia to Sofala for almost 2000 years. The Island has not changed significantly since ancient times and retains a traditional culture of fishing and subsistence agriculture. By 1991, development of tourism on the Island seemed very slow. Factors limiting the number of visitors include lack of adequate travel connections between the island and the mainland, and inadequate and poor hotel services. Currently, accessibility to Mafia Island has improved. Mafia Island can now be reached by air in addition to the traditional sea travel. However, the Island does not …

Participatory Evaluation And Improvement Of Cassava Processing Machines For The Eastern Zone Of Tanzania, V Silayo

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Cassava processing machines previously introduced in Tanzania were chippers and graters of the International Institute Of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) design. Popularization of such machmes in Tanzania required thorough participatory testing with stakeholders. When tested with farmers in Muheza and Kibaha districts average throughputs were 11-18 kg/h, 752 kg/h and 270 kg/hfor the manual chipper, engine-powered chipper and the engine-powered grater, respectively. Despite their low throughputs the manual chipper and the grater were Veo difficult to operate, and therefore demanded improvement. Improvement on these machines included modifications on the design for increased throughput, ease of operation and safety. The improved machines …

High Temperature Heat Exchanger Project: Quarterly Progress Report October 1, 2004 Through December 31, 2004, Anthony Hechanova

Publications (NSTD)

UNLV hosted an NHI Systems Interface Meeting on Dec. 16 and a UNLVRF HTHX Kickoff Meeting on Dec. 17. The purpose of the meetings was to coordinate the FY05 research and development effort of the UNLV Research Foundation portion of the Nuclear Hydrogen Initiative among the DOE, national program technical directors and the UNLVRF collaborators. Collaborators also had the opportunity to discuss their research program plan and update their progress. It was decided that these type of collaboration meetings were very useful and they will be held quarterly at the various collaborator sites. The next meeting will be in March …

Theoretical Modeling Of Protective Oxide Layer Growth In Non-Isothermal Lead-Alloys Coolant Systems, Yitung Chen

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

The goal of the proposed research project is to provide basic understanding of the protective oxide layer behaviors and to develop oxide layer growth models of steels in non-isothermal lead-alloys (lead or lead-bismuth eutectic) coolant systems. It is widely recognized that the corrosiveness of the lead-alloys is a critical obstacle and challenge for which it can be safely used or applied in the nuclear coolant systems. Active oxygen control technique can promote the formation of the “self-healing” oxide films on the structural material surface, drastically reducing steel corrosion and coolant contamination. Many experiments of steels exposed to flowing lead-alloys have …

Development Of Integrated Process Simulation System Model For Spent Fuel Treatment Facility (Sftf) Design: Quarterly Report October 1-December 31, 2004, Yitung Chen, Sean Hsieh

Separations Campaign (TRP)

The Advanced Fuel Cycle Initiative (AFCI) and Transmutation Research Program- University Participation Program (TRP-UPP) supported by Department of Energy of the United States have been developing many important technologies for the transmutation of nuclear waste to address long-term disposal issues. While successfully embedding AMUSE module into a dedicated System Engineering Model (TRPSEMPro), developed by the Nevada Center for Advanced Computational Methods (NCACM) at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas collaborating with Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), ANL is interested in further simulating the Light Water Reactor (LWR) Spent Fuel Treatment Facility (SFTF) combining commercial process simulation and analysis packages and core …

Energy Meter Reading And Tampering Protection Through Powerline Communication Channel, S Naiman

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

POwer utility companies have suffered revenue losses due to uncollected bills and energy tampering for many years. The use of powerline communication to overcome the problems has been proposed. This needs tampering detection and transceivers capable of communicating data through poww•line channel. This paper identifies different methods Of tampering, presents simulated results for tampering detection scheme and proposes a Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) wilh Binary Phase Shift Keying (BPSK) transceiver design for energy metering as a solution to the problem. The choice of DSSS-BPSK modulation scheme is based on its robustness and its ability to spread signal inro wide …

Short-Term Scheduling Of A Hydro-Thermal System Using Linear Programming Technique, A Kyaruzi

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

The paper discusses the short term scheduling of Hydrothermal for Tanzania Electricity Supply Company (TANESCO) Power System. The problem is to determine on hourly interval the Hydro and Thermal generation. The scheduling keeps balance between production and consumption in a reliable and economical way during the study period. Linear programming (LP) mathematical model using MATL4B has been developed. The constraints are hydrological balance, thermal power plants limitations and load requirements. The result from LP solution gave low operation cost. Generation was mainly from hydro and all reservoirs elevation was high at the end ofplanning period.

Comparative Study Of The Dynamics Of Circulating Fluidized Bed Riser And Downer Of Equal Diameters, Samwel V. Manyele

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

The microscopic flow dynamics of the 100-mm internal diameter riser/downer circulating fluidized bed (CFB) unit were monitored using a solids concentration fiber optic probe. The comparison was conducted by comparing radial profiles Of the dynamic parameters derived from time-series analysis techniques (statistical and chaos analyses). The solids concentration signals used were recorded under similar operating conditions (gas velocity of 8.0 m/s and solids flux of 100 kg/m2s). Similar axial elevations were compared (entrance and fully developed sections of die reactors). A1 each loca!ion, the signals were sampled a! afrequency of 970 Hz for duration of 30 seconds. It was observed …

Information And Communication Technology Applications In The Tanzanian Health Sector, M Victor

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

The potential role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the health sector is to improve the delivery of health services and would also help to deal with major constraints in uplifting the health standards Of Tanzanians. ICT in heath can be used to facilitate remote consultation, diagnosis and treatment. The objective Of the study was exploratory in nature and aimed at determining the awareness level of the länzanian health sector on various ICT applications which could be used in the sector. The study also aimed ar establishing the challenges to the implementation of ICT in the Tanzanian health sector. …

Aeration Efficiency Of A Three-Phase Fluidized Bed Bioreactor During Food Industry Wastewater Treatment, S Manyele

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

The implementation Of a three-phase fluidized bed bioreaclor (TPFBB) in food- processing wastewater (FPW'W) treatment is reported. This study includes the modification Of the air distributor (plate design and gas-liquid mixing) for the bioreactor and resting of its aeration efficiency under different liquids. The aeration efficiency for wastewater samples collected from a soft drink processing industry and tannin processing industry (TANWA T) and tap water were compared. The aeration efficiency parameters studied include bed expansion, air holdup. volumetric oxygen mass transfer coefficient, and alpha factors. The variation of these parameters With air flow rates were studied at different liquid heights, …

Usefulness Of Technology Life Cycle In Tanzania: The Case Of The Ipl Developed Technologies, Abdallah Chungu

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

This study sought to identify the adoption rate of technologv innovations developed by the Institute Of Production Innovation (IPI) at the University Of Dar-es-Salaam since 1984 to 1997 using a sigmoid shaped curve (S-shaped curves) to predict the life cycles of the respective technologies. Depending on the stimuli imparted to the specific technology, some of such technologies for instance, cinva ram and block making machines with hollow/spacer/louver exhibited longer life period as indicated by a series Of infer-connected S-curves. Other technologies including but nor limited to sunflower oil processing kit-winnowers, scorcher with one stove, seed roller, standard wheelbarrow, and manual …

Assessment Of The Accuracy Of Approximate Methods In The Analysis Of Plane Frame Structures, I Rubaratuka

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

pproximaic methods of analysis are widely used in the analysis OJ' frames for preliminary design due to their simplicily as compared to exact analysis meth o ds Ough they a re nol as accurate. In this paper. the methods Of hinges and portal frame are described and have been used to analyze a statically indeterminate frame by taking inro account the bending stiffness of the frame members. The obtained results are comparable Io the magnitudes of forces determined by exact methods Of analysis.

Dec 2004, Tractor Museum

Lester F. Larsen Tractor Museum: Planning and Development Documents

Introductions Treasurer's Report Curator's Report

Imaging Using Lateral Bending Modes Of Atomic Force Microscope Cantilevers, A. Caron, U. Rabe, M. Reinstadtler, Joseph A. Turner, W. Arnold

Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience: Faculty Publications

Using scanning probe techniques, surface properties such as shear stiffness and friction can be measured with a resolution in the nanometer range. The torsional deflection or buckling of atomic force microscope cantilevers has previously been used in order to measure the lateral forces acting on the tip. This letter shows that the flexural vibration modes of cantilevers oscillating in their width direction parallel to the sample surface can also be used for imaging. These lateral cantilever modes exhibit vertical deflection amplitudes if the cantilever is asymmetric in thickness direction, e.g., by a trapezoidal cross section.

Conversation Exchange Dynamics: A New Signal Primitive For Computer Network Intrusion Detection, John C. Mceachen, John M. Zachary, Junling Wang, Kah Wai Cheng

United States Navy: Publications

As distributed network intrusion detection systems expand to integrate hundreds and possibly thousands of sensors, managing and presenting the associated sensor data becomes an increasingly complex task. Methods of intelligent data reduction are needed to make sense of the wide dimensional variations. We present a new signal primitive we call conversation exchange dynamics (CED) that accentuates anomalies in traffic flow. This signal provides an aggregated primitive that may be used by intrusion detection systems to base detection strategies upon. Indications of the signal in a variety of simulated and actual anomalous network traffic from distributed sensor collections are presented. Specifically, …

Minimum Power Configuration In Wireless Sensor Networks, Guoliang Xing, Chenyang Lu, Ying Zhang, Qingfeng Huang, Robert Pless

All Computer Science and Engineering Research

This paper proposes the minimum power configuration (MPC) approach to energy conservation in wireless sensor networks. In sharp contrast to earlier research that treats topology control, power-aware routing, and sleep management in isolation, MPC integrates them as a joint optimization prob-lem in which the power configurationof a network consists of a set of active nodes and the transmission powers of the nodes. We show through analysis that the minimum power configu-ration of a network is inherently dependent on the data rates of sources. We propose several approximation algorithms with provable performance bounds compared to the optimal solu-tion, and a practical …

Sub-Surface Corrosion Research On Rock Bolt System, Perforated Ss Sheets And Steel Sets For The Yucca Mountain Repository, Dhanesh Chandra, Jaak J.K. Daemen, Jaime Gonzalez, Raymond Keeler, Amy J. Smiecinski

Publications (YM)

The objective of the proposed investigation is to conduct corrosion research and predict the durability of rock-bolts and other underground metallic roof supports. In critical areas, it is possible to use highly corrosion resistant steels for rock bolts at Yucca Mountain (YM) repository, as the steel rock bolts, as well as other materials such as Bernold type shields for tunnels at YM site [1-4]. In addition, there is propensity for stress corrosion cracking as well as hydrogen induced cracking in rock bolts likely to occur in YM repository emplacement under drift conditions. As corrosion of these materials for underground support …

Oscillatory Interlayer Exchange Coupling In [Pt/Co]N/Nio/[Co/Pt]N Multilayers With Perpendicular Anisotropy: Dependence On Nio And Pt Layer Thicknesses, Z. Y. Liu, Lanping Yue, D. J. Keavney, Shireen Adenwalla

Materials Research Science and Engineering Center: Faculty Publications

Interlayer exchange coupling has been studied in a series of [Pt( t_Pt Å)/Co(4 Å)]n/NiO( t_NiO)/[Co(4 Å)/Pt( t_Pt Å)]_n multilayers with perpendicular anisotropy. The coupling oscillates between antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic as a function of t_NiO with a period of ~5 Å, and the oscillatory behavior is related to the antiferromagnetic ordering of the NiO layer. This interlayer coupling between two Co/Pt multilayers is shown to occur domain by domain by magnetic force microscopy imaging. For the strongest antiferromagnetic coupling at t_NiO = 11 Å, an oscillation with a period of ~6 Å is superposed …

The Social And Economic Costs Of Employee Misclassification In Construction [Massachusetts Report], Françoise Carré, Randall Wilson

Center for Social Policy Publications

With this study, a cross disciplinary team of the Center for Construction Policy Research has taken a first and significant step in documenting employee misclassification in the Massachusetts construction industry. This report documents the dimensions of misclassification and its implications for tax collection and worker compensation insurance.

Misclassification occurs when employers treat workers who would otherwise be waged or salaried employees as independent contractors (self employed). Or as one report commissioned by the U.S. Department of Labor put it, misclassification occurs “when workers (who should be) getting W-2 forms for income tax filing instead receive 1099- Miscellaneous Income forms.”

2004 Fall Engr333 Final Report On Co-Generation (Section A), Matt Dekam, Chris Wiesehan, Jason Flietstra, Jeremy Hanson, Brian Katerberg, Kevin Palmer, Aaron Svacha, Aaron Buys, Josh Blocker, Matt Vredevoogd, Andrew Huisjen, Thomas Totoe, Andy Vandermoren, Chris Vanroekel

ENGR 333

The goal of the project was to construct a realistic plan to get Calvin off the grid. This means that Calvin would own and operate on-site facilities that generate all the electricity consumed by the campus. Current peak load for the college is approximately three megawatts. Upon completion of the new recreation center and dining hall renovation, future load will climb to roughly five megawatts. As a result, the desired system to remove the college from the grid would provide five megawatts.

2004 Fall Engr333 Final Report On Wind Generation (Section B), Terry Austen, Kristin De Groot, Matt Ooms, Andy Van Noord, Kurt Koubal, Dan Kuiper, Andy Wermel, Ryan Dewall, Eddie Lucas, Dawn Svenkeson

ENGR 333

An energy savings plan for Calvin College has been developed. The plan suggests implementing a small-scale wind turbine pilot program and an energy usage awareness program (Powerful Savings). If implemented, this proposal could save around $6,400 annually with a payback period of 8 years.

Validation Of Energygauge® Usa Using The Hers Bestest, Florida Solar Energy Center, Philip W. Fairey

FSEC Energy Research Center®

This report presents results from the testing and validation of the EnergyGauge USA home energy rating software conducted using the HERS BESTEST procedures. The results show that EnergyGauge USA is an excellent and verifiable simulation program that is capable of meeting all national requirements for home energy rating software tools.

4-Coumarate Co-Enzyme A Ligase Promoter, Vincent Lee C. Chiang, Chung-Jui Tsai, Wen-Jing Hu

Michigan Tech Patents

The present invention provides a Populus 4-coumarate Co-enzyme A ligase gene promoter that directs expression in the xylem of plants. The promoter is used in methods designed to alter lignin content, lignin structure, cellulose content and combinations thereof. The methods comprise operably linking said promoter to heterologous nucleic acid molecules.

New Product Launch Decisions Under Competition And Uncertainty: A Real Options And Game-Theoretic Approach To New Product Development, James O. Ostler

Theses and Dissertations

New product development is central to many firms' future success. Not only as a means to continue to maintain their piece of the market, but product development can also be a strategic means for a company to diversify, and/or alter focus to adapt to changing market conditions.

Most of the research in new product development has been on how to do it cheaper and faster than the next guy. However, early commercialization does not guarantee a position of strength in the market. Failures of EMI in CT scanners and Xerox in personal computers illustrate that being first to market does …