Engineering Commons^™

F-111 Systems Engineering Case Study, Air Force Center For Systems Engineering, G. Keith Richey

AFIT Documents

The systems engineering lessons from the F-111 program will facilitate learning by emphasizing practical applications and resulting outcomes to the current processes and tools used on today s programs. The student will understand the long-term consequences of systems engineering as implemented on the F-111 and its effect on cost, schedule, and operational effectiveness. The reader can then postulate outcomes of alternate decisions at the program/system level.

Crystallization And Preliminary X-Ray Analysis Of Na-Asp-1, A Multi-Domain Pathogenesis-Related-1 Protein From The Human Hookworm Parasite Necator Americanus, Mehmet İnan, Oluwatoyin A. Asojo, Alex Lucas, Rick Barent, Jicai Huang, Brad Plantz, Amber Swanson, Mark Gouthro, Michael M. Meagher, Peter J. Hotez

Papers in Biochemical Engineering

Human hookworm infection is a major cause of anemia and malnutrition in the developing world. In an effort to control hookworm infection, the Human Hookworm Vaccine Initiative has identified candidate vaccine antigens from the infective larval stage (L₃) of the parasite, including a family of pathogenesis related- 1 (PR-1) proteins known as the ancylostoma-secreted proteins (ASPs). The functions of the ASPs are unknown. In addition, it is unclear why some ASPs have one while others have multiple PR-1 domains. There are no known structures of a multi-domain ASP and in an effort to remedy this situation, recombinant Na …

Manufacture And Testing Of An Activation Foil Package For Use In Afids, Warren E. Kimmel

Theses and Dissertations

This study used simulation and experiment to design and test foil packets for use in the Activation Foil Integrated Detection System (AFIDS). The initial plan to activate foil packets outside with the pulse reactor at White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) was not possible due to WSMR not having safety approval to take the reactor outside. As an alternative, the concept of using liquid nitrous oxide inside a reactor to simulate large volumes of air was investigated. Simulation using the Standardized Computer Analyses for Licensing Evaluation (SCALE) program was used to select ten foils to be included in the foil packet. …

The Purposes And Evaluation Methods For State Residential General Contractor Licensing, James Ellis Fenn

Theses and Dissertations

The main topic in the licensing debate is whether licensing affects construction quality. Available literature and previous studies indicate that it does not. The real question is not whether licensing improves quality, but whether the improving quality is the actual purpose of licensing. There is little information available on the purpose of licensing as defined by state licensing departments as well as a general lack of information on how states evaluate whether licensing is fulfilling the intended purpose. In order to effectively resolve some of the issues surrounding the construction licensing debate, the true purpose of licensing and the methods …

Feasibility Analysis Of A Compton Spectrometer System For Identification Of Special Nuclear Material, Chad C. Schools

Theses and Dissertations

Current operational needs require the deployment of radiation detection equipment with the ability to accurately and reliably identify special nuclear materials and their byproducts without dependence on cryogenics. This requires a resolution of 0.5% or less over a range of 200 to 700 keV. The feasibility of a Compton spectrometer to achieve this resolution is examined. The Compton spectrometer system used consists of two detectors. The Compton scatter event occurs in a CdTe detector where the Compton electron energy is collected. Gamma rays scattered out of the CdTe at an angle determined by a conical collimator, are collected in a …

Using Liquid Crystal Spatial Light Modulators For Closed Loop Tracking And Beam Steering With Phase Holography, Michael J. Perry

Theses and Dissertations

Optical Phased Array (OPA) technology offers advantages in the reduction of size, weight, and power of optical steering devices. Nematic liquid crystal (LC) spatial light modulators (SLMs) have been studied as a potential candidate for building non-mechanical OPAs. They can steer a laser beam and split the beam into multiple beams. This thesis builds upon the prior research showing each split beam can be individually controlled, including variation in intensity. A closed loop tracking scenario shows the flexibility of the SLM by tracking and stabilizing an incoming beam. Results show that applying a phase grating to the SLM has limitations …

United States Patent: Laser Machining Of Materials, Dennis R. Alexander, Brian W. Milulka, David W. Doerr

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering: Faculty Publications

Disclosed are systems and methods for reducing the adverse effects of particles which become dislodged by scribing and laser machining of materials, which dislodged particles otherwise accumulate on laser machined material surfaces and cause adverse effects.

An Analysis Of Seawinds Simultaneous Wind/Rain Retrieval In Severe Weather Events, Jeffrey R. Allen

Theses and Dissertations

Scatterometers, such as SeaWinds, can provide wide coverage of ocean surface winds. They estimate near-surface wind vectors by relating measured radar backscatter to a geophysical model function. However, SeaWinds measurements are also sensitive to rain, and conventional wind retrieval degrades in rainy conditions. An algorithm that exploits SeaWinds' sensitivity to both wind and rain has be developed. This algorithm, termed simultaneous wind/rain retrieval, retrieves both wind vectors and rain rates for a given ocean area. Instantaneous results of simultaneous wind/rain retrieval in Hurricane events is analyzed through comparison with the NEXRAD ground-based radar system. This comparison allows validation of retrieved …

Zero-Knowledge Proofs For Mix-Nets Of Secret Shares And A Version Of Elgamal With Modular Homomorphism, Marius C. Silaghi

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Faculty Publications

Mix-nets can be used to shuffle vectors of shared secrets. This operation can be an important building block for solving combinatorial problems where constraints are secret to different participants. A main contribution of this paper is to show how participants in the mix-net can provide Zero-Knowledge proofs to convince each other that they do not tamper with the shuffled secrets, and that inverse permutations are correctly applied. The approach is related to the proof of knowing an isomorphism between large graphs. We also make a detailed review and comparison with rationales and analysis of Chaum's and Merritt's mix-nets. Mix-nets offer …

Chromatic Dispersion Of Thin Film Filters, R. M. Fortenberry, M. A. Scobey, Dennis J. Derickson, L. F. Stokes, P. C. Egerton

Electrical Engineering

This paper discusses the chromatic dispersion effects of thin film filters used in telecommunications systems. ITU channel, banded architecture, and low dispersion filter results are presented. Design techniques to improve and manage chromatic dispersion in practical network implementations are discussed.

Optimization Of Automatic Target Recognition With A Reject Option Using Fusion And Correlated Sensor Data, Trevor I. Laine

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines the optimization of automatic target recognition (ATR) systems when a rejection option is included. First, a comprehensive review of the literature inclusive of ATR assessment, fusion, correlated sensor data, and classifier rejection is presented. An optimization framework for the fusion of multiple sensors is then developed. This framework identifies preferred fusion rules and sensors along with rejection and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve thresholds without the use of explicit misclassification costs as required by a Bayes' loss function. This optimization framework is the first to integrate both "vertical" warfighter output label analysis and "horizontal" engineering confusion matrix …

Automated Migration Analysis Based On Cell Texture: Method & Reliability, Jianfeng Qin, Thomas W. Chittenden, Ling Gao, Justin D D. Pearlman

Dartmouth Scholarship

Background: In this paper, we present and validate a way to measure automatically the extent of cell migration based on automated examination of a series of digital photographs. It was designed specifically to identify the impact of Second Hand Smoke (SHS) on endothelial cell migration but has broader applications. The analysis has two stages: (1) preprocessing of image texture, and (2) migration analysis.

Results: The output is a graphic overlay that indicates the front lines of cell migration superimposed on each original image, with automated reporting of the distance traversed vs. time. Expert preference compares to manual placement of leading …

Finite Approximations To The Second-Order Properties Closure In Single Phase Polycrystals, Brent L. Adams, Xiang Gao, Surya R. Kalidindi

Faculty Publications

This work was supported at Brigham Young University and Drexel University by a grant from the US Army Research Office, through the Metallurgy Program headed by Dr. David Stepp. Extension of the first-order theory of microstructure design to considerations of morphological texture is addressed in this paper. The main challenges include the r-interdependence of the 2-point correlation functions of lattice orientation, construction of the corresponding microstructure hull, and its corresponding properties closure(s). It is shown that the correlation functions can be expressed in terms of an intermediate construct, called the texture function; the correlation functions have quadratic dependence in the …

Real-Time Evaluation Of Vision-Based Navigation For Autonomous Landing Of A Rotorcraft Unmanned Aerial Vehicle In A Non-Cooperative Environment, Dale D. Rowley

Theses and Dissertations

Landing a rotorcraft unmanned aerial vehicle (RUAV) without human supervision is a capability that would significantly broaden the usefulness of UAVs. The benefits are even greater if the functionality is expanded to involve landing sites with unknown terrain and a lack of GPS or other positioning aids. Examples of these types of non-cooperative environments could range from remote mountainous regions to an urban building rooftop or a cluttered parking lot. The research of this thesis builds upon an approach that was initiated at NASA Ames Research Center to advance technology in the landing phase of RUAV operations. The approach consists …

Flexural Behavior Of Carbon/Epoxy Isotruss Reinforced-Concrete Beam-Columns, Monica Joy Ferrell

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis quantifies the flexural behavior (strength, stiffness and failure) of IsoTruss®-reinforced concrete beam-columns for use in deep foundation pile applications. Four-point bending tests were performed in the laboratory on two instrumented carbon/epoxy IsoTruss® reinforced concrete piles (IRC piles) and two instrumented steel reinforced concrete piles (SRC piles). The piles were approximately 14 ft (4.3 m) in length and 14 in (36 cm) in diameter and were loaded to failure while monitoring load, deflection, and strain data. The steel and IsoTruss®® reinforcement cages were designed to have equal flexural stiffness to permit a relative strength comparison. Moment curvature diagrams reveal …

Wright State University College Of Engineering And Computer Science Bits And Pcs Newsletter, Volume 21, Number 6, March 2005, College Of Engineering And Computer Science, Wright State University

BITs and PCs Newsletter

An eight page newsletter created by the Wright State University College of Engineering and Computer Science that addresses the current affairs of the college.

A Dynamic Pruning And Feature Selection Strategy For Real-Time Tracking, D. Frank Hsu, Damian M. Lyons

Faculty Publications

Automated video tracking is useful in a number of applications such as surveillance, multisensor networks, robotics and virtual reality. In this paper we investigate an approach to tracking based on fusing the output of a collection of video trackers, each attending to a different feature or cue on the target. We show both theoretically and experimentally that the method used to prune the growth of target hypotheses can have a great impact on the trackers performance, and indirectly, change the benefit of using linear score combination as opposed to a non-linear rank combination for fusion. We also show that the …

Flight Physician - March, 2005, Civil Aviation Medical Association

Browse all Civil Aviation Medical Association Newsletters

A twenty page newsletter of the Civil Aviation Medical Association. The newsletter provided news about civil aviation medicine and information related to the organization.

Acuta Enews March 2005, Vol. 34, No. 3

ACUTA Newsletters

In This Issue

From ACUTA Headquarters............................ Jeri A. Semer, CAE, ACUTA Executive Director

Did You See the Post?

Nominate for ACUTA Board of Directors

Tech Talk: Holographic Storage................... Kevin Tanzillo, Dux Public Relations

Abandoned Cable May take Unexpected Bite.................. Frank Bisbee, www.wireville.com

Board Report.................... Carmine Piscopo, Providence College

ACUTA Member Sites to See

Web Tip: Questions, Anyone?....................... Aaron Fuehrer, ACUTA Computer Svcs. Mgr.

DC Update..................... Whitney Johnson, Retired, Northern Michigan Univ.

Welcome New Members

ACUTA Online Press Room

Effect Of Edge-Stiffening And Diaphragms On The Reliability Of Bridge Girders, Christopher D. Eamon, Andrzej S. Nowak

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research Publications

Secondary elements such as barriers, sidewalks, and diaphragms may affect the distribution of live load to bridge girders. The objective of this study is to evaluate their effect on girder reliability if these elements are designed to be sufficiently attached to the bridge so as not to detach under traffic live loads. Simple span, two lane structures are considered, with composite steel girders supporting a reinforced concrete deck. Several representative structures are selected, with various configurations of barriers, sidewalks and diaphragms. Bridge analysis is performed using a finite element procedure. Load and resistance parameters are treated as random variables. Random …

Nsf Advance: Institutional Transformation For Faculty Diversity - Faculty Worklife Survey Results, Manuela Romero, Ann Q. Gates

Departmental Technical Reports (CS)

The The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) received an NSF ADVANCE grant in October 2003 to create an initiative for institutional change with the goal of serving as a model for other institutions that desire to increase the representation and advancement of women, including underrepresented minorities, in academic science and engineering careers. In the first year of the grant, co-PI's Ann Gates and Patricia Witherspoon worked with the ADVANCE Program Evaluator, Manuela Romero, to create an instrument to survey faculty work life at UTEP. The instrument is based on the "Study of Faculty Work Life" survey instrument that …

Supporting Documentation For The 2003 Sps-Prospec Experiment, Oscar Mondragon, Salamah Salamah

Departmental Technical Reports (CS)

In spring of 2003 an empirical study was conducted to compare the effectiveness of the Prospec tool with the Specification Pattern System (SPS). The objective of the experiment was to determine the effect that Prospec and SPS have over the completeness and correctness of the generated software property specifications. The purpose of this document is to present the material that was used during the experiment, and to document how the classification of the patterns and scopes of each trial was validated.

A Contextual Interpretation Of Undefinedness For Runtime Assertion Checking, Yoonsik Cheon, Gary T. Leavens

Departmental Technical Reports (CS)

Runtime assertion checkers and static checking and verification tools must all cope with the well-known undefinedness problem of logic. This problem is particularly severe for runtime assertion checkers, since, in addition to the possibility of exceptions and errors, runtime assertion checkers must cope with non-executable expressions (such as certain quantified expressions). This paper describes how the runtime assertion checker of the Java Modeling Language (JML) copes with undefinedness. JML is interesting because it attempts to satisfy the needs of a wide range of tools; besides runtime assertion checking, these include static checking tools (like ESC/Java) and static verification tools. These …

System Identification Of Base-Isolated Building Using Seismic Response Data, T. Furukawa, M. Ito, K. Izawa, Mohammad N. Noori

Office of the Dean (CENG) Scholarship

Due to the complex nature of the excitation, and the inherent dynamics characteristics of restoring force of the base isolation systems, the response of base-isolated structures subject to strong earthquakes often experiences excursion into the inelastic range. Therefore, in designing base-isolated structures, the nonlinear hysteretic restoring force model of the base isolation system is frequently used to predict structural response and to evaluate structural safety. In this paper, the prediction error method system identification technique is used in conjunction with nonlinear state-space models for identification of a base-isolated structure. Using a variety of nonlinear restoring force models and bidirectional recorded …

Lessons Learned From Failures Of The Building Envelope In Windstorms, Joseph E. Minor

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Lessons learned from failures of the building envelope in windstorms are encapsulated in three principal findings. the building envelope is crucial to the performance of buildings in windstorms. Windborne debris is decisive in shaping the performance of the building envelope. Design attention should be given to postimpact behavior of building-envelope systems. Reviews of damage documentation, insurance records, and computer simulations of building failures establish the importance of the building envelope to satisfactory building performance. These reviews also establish the decisive role of windborne debris in causing damage. the imperative for considering the postimpact behavior of building envelope systems is discussed, …

California Energy Commission: Estimated Energy Requirements Under Drought Conditions, Charles M. Burt, Daniel J. Howes

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

This study is a continuation of a previous study conducted by ITRC for the CEC summarized in a report titled California Agricultural Water Energy Requirements (ITRC Report No. 03-006), which focused on determining a baseline energy requirement for agricultural sectors as well as analyzing potential future trends in the agricultural water community to predict future energy requirements. This study utilized the data and model developed in the previous analysis in order to quantify the impact of drought conditions on energy requirements of the agricultural water sector.

Fast Algorithm For Computing The Upper Endpoint Of Sample Variance For Interval Data: Case Of Sufficiently Accurate Measurements, Gang Xiang

Departmental Technical Reports (CS)

When we have n results x1,...,xn of repeated measurement of the same quantity, the traditional statistical approach usually starts with computing their sample average E and their sample variance V. Often, due to the inevitable measurement uncertainty, we do not know the exact values of the quantities, we only know the intervals [xi] of possible values of xi. In such situations, for different possible values xi from [xi], we get different values of the variance. We must therefore find the range [V] of possible values of V. It is known that in general, this problem is NP-hard. For the case …

Farm Dams In Western Australia, David Stanton

Bulletins 4000 -

This bulletin provides practical information on the location and construction of dams on farms in Western Australia. Various types of dam, with diagrams and explanations, are included. Also discussed are the planning considerations, failures and problems, design, construction, maintenance, legal aspects, impacts and risks of dams.

Cold-Formed Steel Gable End Wall Design Using The Prescriptive Method For One And Two Family Dwellings, Benjamin W. Downey, Sutton F. Stephens, Roger A. Laboube

American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) Specifications, Standards, Manuals and Research Reports (1946 - present)

No abstract provided.

Hydrogeophysical Investigation At Luxor, Southern Egypt, Ahmed Ismail, Neil Lennart Anderson, J. David Rogers

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Over the past 35 years, the exposed stone foundations of the ancient Egyptian monuments at Luxor have deteriorated at an alarmingly accelerated rate. Accelerated deterioration is attributable to three principal factors: 1) excavation and exposure of foundation stone; 2) construction of the Aswan High Dam; and 3) changes in the regional groundwater regime. In an effort to better elucidate the hydrostratigraphy in the Luxor study area that extends from the River Nile to the boundaries of the Nile Valley and covers about 70 km², a geophysical/hydrological investigation was conducted. Forty Schlumberger vertical electrical soundings (VES), two approximately 6 …