Engineering Commons^™

The Development Of A Small Scale Radio Astronomy Image Synthesis Array For Research In Radio Frequency Interference Mitigation, Jacob L. Campbell

Theses and Dissertations

Radio astronomy synthesis imaging arrays are composed of many parabolic reflector antennas. These antennas are designed to be extremely sensitive to detect faint emissions from astronomical sources. Unfortunately, this also makes them susceptible to radio frequency interference (RFI) from man made sources such as orbiting satellites. The radio astronomy research group at Brigham Young University (BYU) is investigating methods to mitigate the effects of RFI in radio astronomy synthesis imaging. Though real-time RFI mitigation has been demonstrated for a large single dish telescope, for synthesis imaging arrays our prior work has consisted solely of algorithm development and computer simulations. To …

Root Causes Of Lost Time And User Stress In A Simple Dialog System, Nigel G. Ward, Anais G. Rivera, Karen Ward, David G. Novick

Departmental Papers (CS)

As a priority-setting exercise, we compared interactions between users and a simple spoken dialog system to interactions between users and a human operator. We observed usability events, places in which system behavior differed from human behavior, and for each we noted the impact, root causes, and prospects for improvement. We suggest some priority issues for research, involving not only such core areas as speech recognition and synthesis and language understanding and generation, but also less-studied topics such as adaptive or flexible timeouts, turn-taking and speaking rate.

Biophysics Of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation With Periodic Z-Axis Acceleration Of Abdominal Compression At Aortic Resonant Frequencies, Charles F. Babbs

Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications

Periodic z-axis acceleration (pGz)-CPR involves oscillating motion of a whole patient in the head-to-foot dimension on a mechanized table. The method is able to sustain blood flow and long-term survival during and after prolonged cardiac arrest in anesthetized pigs. However, the exact mechanism by which circulation of blood is created has remained unknown. Objectives: To explain the hemodynamic mechanism of pGz-CPR and to suggest theoretically useful improvements. Method: Computer modeling using a hybrid analytical-numerical approach, based upon Newton’s second law of motion for fluid columns in the aorta and vena cavae, Ohm’s law for resistive flow through vascular beds, and …

Quantifying The Effect Of A Vegetated Littoral Zone On Wet Detention Pond Pollutant Load Reduction (2005), Stormwater Academy

BMP Trains Research and Publications

This report describes an investigation sponsored by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), in which DB Environmental, Inc., with assistance from Community Watershed Fund, evaluated the potential of littoral zone vegetation to enhance contaminant removal performance of a wet detention pond.

For this effort, we constructed an experimental facility at a 1 hectare wet detention pond in Brevard Co, Florida that contained pre-existing littoral vegetation (distinct stands of cattail (Typha sp.) and pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata)) in addition to an unvegetated shoreline. Ten compartments, 3.7 m by 9.0 m, were deployed within the facility, effectively isolating sections of the pond. …

Bologna Process Update: Engineering Education In Ireland, Mike Murphy

Presentations

No abstract provided.

Acuta Enews September 2005, Vol. 34, No. 9

ACUTA Newsletters

In This Issue

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

FYI: Useful lnformation from the Campus............................. Student Monitor

Tech Talk: Putting Your Software Out in the Open ........................ Kevin Tanzillo, Dux PR

ACUTA Member Site to See

Web Tip: Pop-Up Blockers and the ACUTA Website ............................... Aaron Fuehrer, ACUTA Computer Services Mgr.

One More Conference Winner

DC Update....................................... Whitney Johnson, Retired, No. Michigan Univ.

New Advisory Group on Wireless lssues in Higher Education

ACUTA Audio Seminar: The Rote of Wireless in a Converged Wireless Network

Welcome New Members

ACUTA Events Calendar

Acuta Enews October 2005, Vol. 34, No. 10

ACUTA Newsletters

ln This lssue

'President's Message............................ Patricia Todus, Northwestern University, ACUTA President

Board Report........................ Riny Ledgerwood, San Diego State Univ, ACUTA Secretary/Treasurer

Tech Talk: Don't Let Data Become Causally of Disaster Kevin Tanzillo, Dux PR

In the Event of an Emergency............................... Rich Lehn, Univ of North Dakota

FYI: Useful lnformation from the Campus............................... Student Monitor

Ownership of Conduits.......................... From the ACUTA Listserv: Benny Kurashima &, Dave Barta

Web Tip: Post Positions Online......................... Aaron Fuehrer, ACUTA information Technology Mgr.

DC Update.................................. Whitney Johnson, Retired, No. Michigan Univ

Welcome New Members

ACUTA Events Calendar: SPECIAL OFFER

Optimization And Decision Making Under Interval And Fuzzy Uncertainty: Towards New Mathematical Foundations, Hung T. Nguyen, Vladik Kreinovich

Departmental Technical Reports (CS)

In many industrial engineering problems, we must select a design, select parameters of a process, or, in general, make a decision. Informally, this decision must be optimal, the best for the users. In traditional operations research, we assume that we know the objective function f(x) whose values describe the consequence of a decision x for the user. Optimization of well-defined functions is what started calculus in the first place: once we know the objective function f(x), we can use differentiation to find its maximum, e.g., as the point x at which the derivative of f with respect to x is …

Early Opening Of Portland Cement Concrete (Pcc) Pavements To Traffic, James Crovetti, Lev Khazanovich

Transportation Reports with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation

This report presents the results of a detailed stress analysis and a field and laboratory test program which investigated the early-age strength gain for selected PCC paving mixtures used in Wisconsin as well as the effects of early-age loading on doweled pavement joints. A simplified procedure for predicting critical dowel-PCC interface stresses was developed. This procedure was used in conjunction with allowable bearing stresses to establish minimum compressive strength requirements for opening to traffic based on pavement design parameters, including PCC, base, subgrade and dowel material properties. Equations for predicting early-age PCC compressive strength from 7-Day or 28-Day laboratory test …

Wright State University College Of Engineering And Computer Science Bits And Pcs Newsletter, Volume 22, Number 1, September 2005, College Of Engineering And Computer Science, Wright State University

BITs and PCs Newsletter

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

Analysis Of Per Capita Expenditures Of Suburbanizing Communities In Maine, New England Environmental Finance Center

Economics and Finance

This study analyzes per capita expenditure trends among selected fast-growing Maine towns from 1970-2004. The ten communities studied are termed as “suburbanizing” towns. This term is used to describe towns that over the past 30-40 years have been in the process of transition from rural to suburban – in terms of their population and housing densities, their forms of government, and the services they provide, as well as other characteristics.1 Such towns are of particular interest because they have been absorbing a healthy percentage of the state’s population growth during this time period, often at the expense of Maine’s service …

Technical Support For Development Of An Attic Simulation Model For The California Energy Commission, Florida Solar Energy Center, Danny Parker

FSEC Energy Research Center®

The California Energy Commission (CEC) is developing a new attic simulation model for assessing residential energy performance within its Title 24 residential compliance methodology. Within this project, we are providing technical support to assist Bruce Wilcox and CEC in development of the model based on Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) experience with similar models. We assisted the effort by using data from FSEC instrumented facilities to help verify the eventual simulation. We also outlined critical issues for modeling with the development of the simulation. Given the importance of attic ventilation, we are also conducting new studies of varied ventilation rates …

The Human Eye Position Control System In A Rehabilitation Setting, Yvonne Nolan, Ted Burke, C. Boylan, Annraoi De Paor

Articles

Our work at Ireland’s National Rehabilitation Hospital involves designing communication systems for people suffering from profound physical disabilities. One such system uses the electro-oculogram, which is an (x,y) system of voltages picked up by pairs of electrodes placed, respectively, above and below and on either side of the eyes. The eyeball has a dc polarisation between cornea and back, arising from the photoreceptor rods and cones in the retina. As the eye rotates, the varying voltages projected onto the electrodes drive a cursor over a mimic keyboard on a computer screen. Symbols are selected with a switching action derived, for …

Ireland’S Economic Environment:The Scm Context, Edward Sweeney

Practitioner Journals

No abstract provided.

Under Graduate Course Description

Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering: Courses

No abstract provided.

Towards A Cross-Platform Microbenchmark Suite For Evaluating Hardware Performance Counter Data, Maria G. Aguilera, Roberto Araiza, Thientam Pham, Patricia J. Teller

Departmental Technical Reports (CS)

As useful as performance counters are, the meaning of reported aggregate event counts is sometimes questionable. Questions arise due to unanticipated processor behavior, overhead associated with the interface, the granularity of the monitored code, hardware errors, and lack of standards with respect to event definitions. To explore these issues, we are conducting a sequence of studies using carefully crafted microbenchmarks that permit the accurate prediction of event counts and investigation of the differences between hardware-reported and predicted event counts. This paper presents the methodology employed, some of the microbenchmarks developed, and some of the information uncovered to date. The information …

Antiplane Surface Acoustic Waves Propagating In Elastic Half-Space Coated With An Anisotropic Laminate, Xiangfa Wu, Yuris A. Dzenis

Department of Engineering Mechanics: Faculty Publications

Dispersion relation of antiplane surface acoustic waves (SAWs) propagating in elastic half-space coated with an anisotropic laminate was determined explicitly by means of Stroh's formalism within the subsonic range, where is no energy leakage into the substrate. During the procedure, the governing dynamic equation in each anisotropic layer and the displacement–traction continuity at interfaces were exactly satisfied by Stroh's functions. Explicit algebraic equation was derived for determining the dispersion relation. As an example, the wave number vs. phase velocity diagram for steel half-space coated with a graphite-fiber/epoxy laminate with a [± 45°/0°₂] lay-up was demonstrated. The given method …

Experimental Evaluation Of The Strength And Behaviour Of 16- And 18-Gauge Cold Formed Steel Top Track Systems, J. L. Dawe

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

No abstract provided.

Cold-Formed Steel Walls With Fiberboard Sheathing - Shear Wall Testing, Nahb Research Center, Inc.

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

No abstract provided.

Substrate-Mediated Delivery From Self-Assembled Monolayers: Effect Of Surface Ionization, Hydrophilicity, And Patterning, Angela K. Pannier, Brian C. Anderson, Lonnie D Shea

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Gene transfer has many potential applications in basic and applied sciences. In vitro, DNA delivery can be enhanced by increasing the concentration of DNA in the cellular microenvironment through immobilization of DNA to a substrate that supports cell adhesion. Substrate-mediated delivery describes the immobilization of DNA, complexed with cationic lipids or polymers, to a biomaterial or substrate. As surface properties are critical to the efficiency of the surface delivery approach, selfassembled monolayers (SAMs) of alkanethiols on gold were used to correlate surface chemistry of the substrate to binding, release, and transfection of non-specifically immobilized complexes. Surface hydrophobicity and ionization were …

Improving The Quality Of Low Bitrate Lpc Speech Codec Using Gamma-Chirp Filterbank, Amin Khajeh Djahromi

Electrical Engineering Theses - Archive

In this thesis, two methods for getting higher speech quality in low bit-rate LPC coder in comparison with the original LPC coder were presented. In order to improve the quality of the speech, the embedded method which can take the place of the traditional synthesis algorithm in LPC coders and the post-processing method that also can be used as the last stage in the LPC-coder based systems were proposed. In the embedded method, the result of MOS test of the synthesized speech increased by 0.8 and in the post-processing method the result of MOS test of the synthesized speech increased …

The Processing, Mechanical Properties And Bioactivity Of Zinc Based Glass Ionomer Cements, D. Boyd, Mark R. Towler

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The suitability of Glass Ionomer Cements (GICs) for use in orthopaedics is retarded by the presence in the glass phase of aluminium, a neurotoxin. Unfortunately, the aluminium ion plays an integral role in the setting process of a GIC and its absence is likely to hinder cement formation. However, zinc oxide, a bacteriocide, can act both as a network modifying oxide and an intermediate oxide in a similar fashion to alumina and so ternary systems based on zinc silicates often have extensive regions of glass formation. The purpose of this research was to produce novel GICs based on calcium zinc …

Coronal Fractures Of The Distal Femoral Condyle: A Biomechanical Evaluation Of Four Internal Fixation Constructs, David J. Hak, James Nguyen, Shane Curtiss, Scott Hazelwood

Biomedical Engineering

This study evaluated different fixation methods in posterior femoral condyle coronal fractures. A standardised osteotomy was created in synthetic composite femurs and fixed with one of four methods (one 3.5 mm diameter screw, two 3.5 mm screws, one 6.5 mm screw, two 6.5 mm screws). The stiffness and mean loads to specified displacements were measured. The stiffness of two 6.5 mm screws was significantly greater than both single 3.5 mm screw (3567 versus 2584 N/mm; p = 0.0075) and double 3.5 mm screws (3567 versus 2080 N/mm; p = 0.003). There was no statistical difference in the stiffness of one …

Long-Term Maintenance Needs Planning, Doug Kreis, Lenahan O'Connell, Brian Howell

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This research contributes to Kentucky’s knowledge base of long-term maintenance needs in two parts. Part 1 presents an estimate of the average revenue needed to maintain four categories of highway in the first fifteen years after each is built or resurfaced. Total maintenance costs per mile for four types of facilities in five AADT volume categories were estimated. The results suggest that Kentucky is not resurfacing all its roads in a timely manner. Part II presents background information on preventive maintenance programs in the states. A review of the states found two recurring themes. The first was the widespread adoption …

A Prediction Code For The Thrust Performance Of Two-Dimensional, Non-Axisynnetric, Converging Diverging Nozzles, Angela M. Geatz

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this research is to develop a prediction code for the Air Force Research Laboratory Propulsion Directorate that can accurately determine the gross thrust coefficient for a user defined nonaxisymmetric two-dimensional converging diverging nozzle. The code includes the effects of friction, angularity, and expansion losses on nozzle efficiency. To demonstrate the prediction method, the generated computational results were compared to experimental data, as well as computational results from other existing nozzle performance codes, for a number of different nozzle geometries. The nozzle internal performance prediction code showed excellent agreement with experimental data in predicting the gross thrust performance …

Operator State Estimation For Adaptive Aiding In Uninhabited Combat Air Vehicles, Christopher A. Russell

Theses and Dissertations

This research demonstrated the first closed-loop implementation of adaptive automation using operator functional state in an operationally relevant environment. In the Uninhabited Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV) environment, operators can become cognitively overloaded and their performance may decrease during mission critical events. This research demonstrates an unprecedented closed-loop system, one that adaptively aids UCAV operators based on their cognitive functional state A series of experiments were conducted to 1) determine the best classifiers for estimating operator functional state, 2) determine if physiological measures can be used to develop multiple cognitive models based on information processing demands and task type, 3) determine …

Nonlinear Regression Methods For Estimation, Eric B. Nelson

Theses and Dissertations

Regression techniques are developed for batch estimation and applied to three specific areas, namely, ballistic trajectory launch point estimation, adaptive flight control, and radio-frequency target triangulation. Specifically, linear regression with an intercept is considered in detail. An augmentation formulation is developed. Extensions of theory are applied to nonlinear regression as well. The intercept parameter estimate within the linear regression is used to identify the effects of trim change that are associated with the occurrence of a control surface failure. These estimates are used to adjust the inner loop control gains via a feed-forward command, hence providing an automatic reconfigurable retrim …

Combat Identification With Sequential Observations, Rejection Option, And Out-Of-Library Targets, Timothy W. Albrecht

Theses and Dissertations

This research extends a mathematical framework to select the optimal sensor ensemble and fusion method across multiple decision thresholds subject to warfighter constraints for a combat identification (CID) system. The formulation includes treatment of exemplars from target classes on which the CID system classifiers are not trained (out-of-library classes) and enables the warfighter to optimize a CID system without explicit enumeration of classifier error costs. A time-series classifier design methodology is developed and applied, yielding a multi-variate Gaussian hidden Markov model (HMM). The extended CID framework is used to compete the HMM-based CID system against a template-based CID system. The …

Modeling Adaptive Middleware And Its Applications To Military Tactical Datalinks, Jason T. Lawson

Theses and Dissertations

Open systems solutions and techniques have become the de facto standard for achieving interoperability between disparate, large-scale, legacy software systems. A key technology among open systems solutions and techniques is middleware. Middleware, in general, is used to isolate applications from dependencies introduced by hardware, operating systems, and other low-level aspects of system architectures. While middleware approaches are or will be integrated into operational military systems, many open questions exist about the appropriate areas to applying middleware. Adaptive middleware is middleware that provides an application with a run-time adaptation strategy, based upon system-level interfaces and properties. Adaptive middleware is an example …

Protein Impregnated Polymer (Pip) Film Infrared Sensor Using Suspended Microelectromechanical Systems (Mems) Pixels, Tetsuo Kaieda

Theses and Dissertations

The Air Force Research Laboratory Materials and Manufacturing Directorate have developed a novel protein impregnated polymer (PIP) suspension that changes resistivity as a function of absorbed infrared radiation. Due to this property, the PIP is a potential material for use as an uncooled bolometer, or thermal sensor. In this research, a thermally-isolated pixel design, sensor characterization methods, and sensor fabrication and processing steps were developed. To create a microbolometer, the PIP was applied to two prototype micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) surface micro-machined structures. The first is a raised cantilever pixel array that uses residual stress polysilicon and metal film arms to …