Engineering Commons^™

Efficient Stand-Alone Generalized Inverse Algorithms And Software For Engineering/Sciences Applications: Research And Education, Subhash Chandra Bose S V Kadiam

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Efficient numerical procedures for finding the generalized (or pseudo) inverse of a general (square/rectangle, symmetrical/unsymmetrical, non-singular/singular, real/complex numbers) matrix and solving systems of Simultaneous Linear Equations (SLE) are formulated and explained. The developed procedures and its associated computer software (under MATLAB computer environment) have been based on "special Cholesky factorization schemes" (for a singular matrix), the generalized inverse of the matrix product, and were further enhanced by the Domain Decomposition (DD) formulation.

Test matrices from different fields of applications have been chosen, tested and compared with other existing algorithms. The results of the numerical tests have indicated that the developed …

Real-Time Virtual Pathology Using Signal Analysis And Synthesis, Dennis L. Bergin

Computational Modeling & Simulation Engineering Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation discusses the modeling and simulation (M& S) research in the area of real-time virtual pathology using signal analysis and synthesis. The goal of this research is to contribute to the research in the M&S area of generating simulated outputs of medical diagnostics tools to supplement training of medical students with human patient role players.

To become clinically competent physicians, medical students must become skilled in the areas of doctor-patient communication, eliciting the patient's history, and performing the physical exam. The use of Standardized Patients (SPs), individuals trained to realistically portray patients, has become common practice. SPs provide the …

Identifying And Attributing Similar Traces With Greatest Common Factor Analysis, Fred Cohen

Journal of Digital Forensics, Security and Law

This paper presents an algorithm for comparing large numbers of traces to each other and identifying and presenting groups of traces with similar features. It is applied to forensic analysis in which groups of similar traces are automatically identified and presented so that attribution and other related claims may be asserted, and independently confirmed or refuted. The approach of this paper is to identify an approximate algorithm that will find a large subset of greatest common factor similar groups of arbitrary factors in far less time and space than an exact algorithm using examiner-provided selection criteria for factor definition.

Towards Omni-Tomography -- Grand Fusion Of Multiple Modalities For Simultaneous Interior Tomography, Ge Wang, Jie Zhang, Hao Gao, Victor Weir, Hengyong Yu, Wenxiang Cong, Xiaochen Xu, Haiou Shen, James Bennett, Mark Furth, Yue Wang, Michael Vannier

Radiology Faculty Publications

We recently elevated interior tomography from its origin in computed tomography (CT) to a general tomographic principle, and proved its validity for other tomographic modalities including SPECT, MRI, and others. Here we propose "omni-tomography", a novel concept for the grand fusion of multiple tomographic modalities for simultaneous data acquisition in a region of interest (ROI). Omni-tomography can be instrumental when physiological processes under investigation are multi-dimensional, multi-scale, multi-temporal and multi-parametric. Both preclinical and clinical studies now depend on in vivo tomography, often requiring separate evaluations by different imaging modalities. Over the past decade, two approaches have been used for multimodality …

The Structural Characterization Of Ga 2o 3-Na 2o-Cao-Zno-Sio 2 Bioactive Glasses, T. J. Keenan, A. W. Wren, A. Coughlan, M. M. Hall, Mark R. Towler

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The characterization of bioactive glasses in which zinc (Zn) has been incrementally replaced by gallium (Ga). © 2012 IEEE.

Increasing The Quantity Of Silver In Zinc-Based Glass Polyalkenoate Cement: Is There An Improvement In Antibacterial Efficacy?, A. Coughlan, S. M. Breed, C. Ashraf, J. A. Cardinale, M. M. Hall, Mark R. Towler

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Bone cements should have the ability to chemically bond to both bone and surgical metals, exhibit no chemical or thermal necrosis, and have no significant shrinkage or exotherm upon setting. Taking these properties into consideration, glass polyalkenoate cements (GPCs) have potential as bone cements. GPCs are formed by the reaction between an ion-leachable glass and an aqueous solution of polyacrylic acid (PAA) [1] and have proven antibacterial and cariostatic properties [2], which are related to their ability to release beneficial amounts of ions over time [3, 4]. The GPCs can be formulated to release ions that can have a therapeutic …

Examination Of The Migratory Potential Of Patterned Cortical Neurons Using Laser Direct-Write, T. B. Phamduy, C. J. Rivet, D. Kingsley, R. J. Gilbert, D. B. Chrisey

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

We describe the patterning of neuronal cultures by a laser-based printing system. Embryonic chick cortical neurons were transferred into predetermined array positions with micron accuracy, enabling detailed study of neuronal migration, aggregation, and neurite outgrowth regulated by cell-cell interactions on a homogeneous surface. Images of cells were analyzed up to 14 days. Results demonstrated that increasing the spacing between neighboring groups of cells causes intra-group cells to preferentially migrate towards each other and aggregate towards the center of the printed 'spot'. In addition, increasing the printed 'spot' size encouraged migration towards neighboring groups of cells. © 2012 IEEE.

Silver Coated Bioactive Glass Particles For Wound Healing Applications, P. Hassanzadeh, A. W. Wren, Mark R. Towler

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Hench and colleagues discovered that bone could bond chemically to certain glass compositions in 1969 [1]. This group of glasses is known as bioactive glasses [1]. Some special compositions of bioactive glasses will bond to soft tissues as well as bone [1]. One of the important characteristics of bioactive glasses is their ability to release beneficial ions such as Ca²⁺, Na⁺, Zn²⁺, Sr²⁺, and PO 43- in the body, which promote self-healing [2]. Bioactive glasses generally contain much less glass former (e.g., SiO₂, B₂O₃ etc.) than conventional …

Gallium Containing Glass Polyalkenoate Bone Cements: Glass Characterization And Physical Properties, L. Placek, A. W. Wren, A. Coughlan, Mark R. Towler

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Gallium (Ga) glasses were developed to formulate a Glass Polyalkenoate Cement (GPC) series with both E9 and E11 polyacrylic acid (PAA) at 50, 55 and 60wt% additions. Working times (T w), setting times (T s), compression (σ c), and biaxial flexural (σ f) strength testing were evaluated to determine the GPCs potential use in orthopedics. © 2012 IEEE.

Novel Soft Surfaces With Interesting Surface And Bulk Morphology, Souvik Chakrabarty

Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this research is to cover a broad set of scientific investigations of elastomeric materials based on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and poly((3,3,3-trifluoroethoxymethyl)methyloxetane) diol. The scope of study covers five areas, well correlated with each other. The first study investigates the near surface morphology of condensation cured PDMS as a function of increasing the amount of siliceous phase. The appearance, disappearance and reappearance of untreated fumed silica nanoparticles at the PDMS near surface and their correlation with the volume fraction of siliceous phase have been studied. This research with PDMS nanocomposites has led to the development of an alternative route …

Efficient Algorithms For Fast Integration On Large Data Sets From Multiple Sources, Tian Mi, Sanguthevar Rajasekaran, Robert H. Aseltine

Open Access Author Fund Awardees' Articles

Background

Recent large scale deployments of health information technology have created opportunities for the integration of patient medical records with disparate public health, human service, and educational databases to provide comprehensive information related to health and development. Data integration techniques, which identify records belonging to the same individual that reside in multiple data sets, are essential to these efforts. Several algorithms have been proposed in the literatures that are adept in integrating records from two different datasets. Our algorithms are aimed at integrating multiple (in particular more than two) datasets efficiently.

Methods

Hierarchical clustering based solutions are used to integrate …

Final Technical Report (2nd Revision) Arra: Florida Energy Code Compliance Train-The-Trainer Program, Florida Solar Energy Center, Jeffrey Sonne

FSEC Energy Research Center®

A multi-faceted Florida Energy Code compliance methods, tools and field verification training program was established that included development of two instructor-led and two web-based courses, instructor training and course development support, and training of building officials and contractors throughout the state.

Separate instructor-led commercial and residential 2010 Florida Energy Code compliance courses were developed for train-the-trainer class use, and existing instructor-led blueprints data collection and energy code software courses were redeveloped as web-based courses.

Through partnerships with Florida colleges, building departments and industry organizations, a total of 42 instructors were trained to provide commercial energy code compliance training and 42 …

Reconfigurable Antenna And Rf Circuits Using Multi-Layer Stretchable Conductors, Riaz Ahmed -. Liyakath

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The growth of flexible electronics industry has given rise to light-weight, flexible devices which have a wide range of applications such as wearable electronics, flexible sensors, conformal antennas, bio-medical applications, solar cells etc. Though several techniques exist to fabricate flexible devices, the limiting factors have been durability, cost and complexity of the approach. In this research, the focus has been on developing stretchable (flexible) conductors using a multi-layer structure of metal and conductive rubber. The stretchable conductors developed using this approach do not lose electrical connection when subjected to large strains up to 25%. Also, the conductivity of the conductive …

Preparation And Electrochemical Performance Of Tio2/Gns Nanocomposite As Anode Materials For Lithium-Ion Batteries, Lin-Lin Qin, Huan Zhang, Xiao-Jing Liu, Jian-Hui Xu, Yi-Ning Shi, Ming-Sen Zheng, Quan-Feng Dong

Journal of Electrochemistry

The honeycomb-like porous TiO₂/graphenes (TiO₂/GNs) nanocomposite was prepared by a reflux method. SEM and TEM results showed that nanosized anatase TiO₂ (about 5~10 nm) were dispersed uniformly on the surface of the GNs. The TiO₂/GNs composite showed excellent rate and cycling performance: A stable charge capacity of 169.5 mAh·g^-1 was obtained at 30C, and can restore to 241.7 mAh·g^-1 while current went back to 1C. The stable charge capacity of TiO₂/GNs nanocomposite electrode up to 201.9 mAh·g^-1 was achieved at 10C in the first cycle, and could be …

Diagnosis Of Breast Cancer By Optical Image Analysis, Salim J. Attia, Jonathan Blackledge, Ziad M. Abood, I. R. Agool

Conference papers

We consider the process of object detection, recognition and classification in digital optical images of human breast cells with the aim of differentiating between normal and abnormal (cancerous) cells. The work is based on research into the development of a breast cancer screening system that can be used by cytologists to differentiate between benign and malignant types using images that are typical of those currently interpreted by cytologists world-wide. The approach considered is based on feature vectors which are of two types. We consider statistical features such as the mode, median, mean, and standard deviation and features composed of Euclidian …

A Wireless And Digital Electrode Bus Topology For Biopotential Measurement, Mark Nolan, Edward Burke, Eugene Coyle

Conference Papers

The conventional biopotential measurement configuration utilises long lead wires which connect measuring electrodes to signal conditioning circuitry. The majority of bioelectric signals that are measured from the human body have a tiny signal amplitude (5µV-5mV range) and thus any interference that is induced on the lead wires can have a detrimental effect on the original signal. In this paper, we present an alternative configuration, in which digitisation occurs on the electrode, potentially providing enhanced signal measurement as well as significant benefits in terms of the simplification of the physical interconnections between electrodes. Multiple electrodes are combined to form a digital …

We Need A More Professional Rental Market, Lorcan Sirr

Media

No abstract provided.

Efficient Wakeup Scheduling Considering Both Resource Usage And Timing Budget For Power Gating Designs, Ming Chao Lee, Yiyu Shi, Shih Chieh Chang

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Power gating has been a very effective way to reduce power leakage. Normally, wakeup scheduling is required to control the turn-on times of sleep transistors to limit the surge current during the wakeup process. in this paper, a voltage sensor is adopted to compare the virtual ground voltage with the predesigned reference voltages and use the result to determine the turn-on times of sleep transistors. We then propose a novel wakeup scheduling formulation that considers the tradeoff between wakeup times and hardware resources incurred by the voltage sensor. to address this problem, on the one hand, an efficient algorithm is …

Novel Molten-Salt Electrolysis Processes Towards Low-Carbon Metallurgy, Wei Xiao, Hua Zhu, Hua-Yi Yin, De-Hua Wang

Journal of Electrochemistry

This review focuses on recent developments in molten-salt electrolytic metallurgical processes with respect to 1) high-efficiency metallurgical technologies via electrolytic reduction of solid oxides in molten chlorides and 2) zero-carbon-footprint electrochemical splitting metallurgical technologies. Initiating with an introduction on dynamic solid/solid/liquid three-phrase interlines electrochemistry for electrochemical reduction of solid cathode, the former aspect is discussed in terms of facilitating mass transfer throughout solid cathode, one-step production of functional alloy powders with the assistance of under-potential electroreduction of active metals and near-net-shape production of metal/alloy components. Whilst the latter is summarized by introducing some zero-carbon molten-salt electrolytic technologies including electro-splitting of …

Comments On Internal Alternating Current Resistance Test Standard And Methods Of Lithium-Ion Batteries, Ya-Li Zhang, Sen Xin, Yu-Guo Guo, Li-Jun Wan

Journal of Electrochemistry

The sustainable development of energy and environment is one of the most influential issues of this century. Batteries, especially secondary batteries are important for powering out daily life. However, in many practical applications, such as in electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles, batteries should be used in packs and the performance consistency of each battery in the pack should be taken into consideration. As one of the performance parameters being used to characterize the battery consistency, internal resistance is of great importance to the industrial fabrication and the use of batteries. Currently, internal resistance tests of secondary batteries, such as …

Methodological Significance Of "Property-Activity Relationship" For Catalyst Studies, Jun-Tao Lu, Li Xiao, De-Li Wang, Yu-Bao Sun, Yan-Ge Suo, Lin Zhuang

Journal of Electrochemistry

Instead of attempting the structure-activity relationship (SAR), which is commonly regarded as the core problem for catalyst studies, this paper highlights the methodological significance of “property-activity relationship (PAR)”. The “property” here refers to an index （such as the adsorption energy of an intermediate） or a group of indexes reflecting the behavior of a catalyst which interacts with reactants or intermediates, and is a bridge between structure and activity. Because property is related to activity more directly than structure to activity, PAR should be simpler, less difficult and, therefore, more feasible to be accessed than SAR. Once the key property is …

Simple Analysis And Possible Solutions Of The Unusual Interfacial Reactions In Li-S Batteries, Xin-Ping Ai, Yu-Liang Cao, Han-Xi Yang

Journal of Electrochemistry

Rechargeable Li-S batteries are a promising power source with realizable energy densities several times higher than current Li-ion batteries. However, the capacity utilization and cycling stability of the existing Li-S technologies are still insufficient for battery applications. The causes for the electrochemical instability of this redox system arise probably from the changes in the surface structures and electrochemical microenvironments of the Li anode and sulfur cathode during charge-discharge reactions, which includes the frustrated electron transfer in the sulfur-carbon interface, the dissoluble diffusion of the polysulfide intermediates, and the shuttle reaction inbetween the sulfur and Li electrodes. To deal with these …

Preparation And Characterization Of Prussian Blue Modified Nanoelectrode, Wei Wang, Bao-Fa Su, Dong-Ping Zhan

Journal of Electrochemistry

The Pt nanoelectrodes were fabricated by using a laser-based pipet puller and the recessed nanoelectrodes were prepared by etching of disk Pt nanoelectrodes wtih high frequency ac voltage. Prussian blue microcrystal was synthesized electrochemically on the both disk and recessed Pt nanoelectrodes. The strength of mechanical adhesion for the Prussian blue microcrystal on the nanoelectrode was enhanced. A novel method for the controllable synthesis of single particle is proposed, which has potential applications in modified electrodes and single particle electrocatalysis.

On The Molecular Mechanism Of Electron Transfer Of Cytochrome C Modulated By Gold Nanoparticles In Nano-Sandwich Architecture, Shou-Rui Lin, Li-Xu Wang, Xiu-E Jiang, Li-Ping Guo

Journal of Electrochemistry

The effects of adsorbed gold nanoparticles on the surface-enhanced infrared absorption (SEIRA) difference spectra of redox-induced cytochrome (Cyt) c in AuNPs/Cyt c/Au sandwich architecture were monitored by SEIRA spectroscopy. The results indicated that the intensity of SEIRA difference spectrum for the vibration of the heme was significantly increased due to the adsorption of gold nanoparticles on the Cyt c. This was induced by the electron transfer between the heme and the gold nanoparticles, which also promoted electron transfer of adsorbed protein. This study suggested a new technique for optimizing the electrochemical property of adsorbed protein.

The Electrocatalytic Performance Of Pd Catalysts Supported On Pvp Modified Mwcnts For Formic Acid Oxidation, Jing Zhang, Xiao Zhao, Chang-Peng Liu, Wei Xing

Journal of Electrochemistry

In this paper the MWCNTs were modified by Poly (N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) (PVP) to support Pd nanoparticles, which were used as the catalyst for formic acid electrooxidation. And the performance of Pd/PVP-MWCNTs catalysts was studied by electrochemical measurements. The observations from Fourier transforms infrared spectrometer (FTIR) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) illustrated that the Pd nanoparticles with a small size and narrow size distribution were highly dispersed on PVP-MWCNT support. Therefore, the Pd/PVP-MWCNTs catalysts showed excellent catalytic activity for formic acid electrooxidation.

Synthesis Of Spherical Ni3S4 By Solvothermal Method As Supercapacitor Electrodes, Qing-Na Huan, Li-Fang Jiao, Qing-Hong Wang, Hong-Mei Du, Jia-Qin Yang, Wen-Xiu Peng, Yi-Jing Wang, Hua-Tang Yuan

Journal of Electrochemistry

The Ni₃S₄ microspheres have been synthesized via a facile solvothermal method. The crystal structure and surface morphology are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Microspherical Ni₃S₄ exhibits good electrochemical capacitance validated by electrochemical measurements. The specific capacities of 1120.6 F∙g^-1 at 0.5 A∙g^-1 and 433.4 F∙g^-1 at 4 A∙g^-1 with the capacitance retention of 89.37 % and 84.88 % were obtained after 1000 cycles, respectively. The electrochemical reaction is expected due to the transformation of Ni(OH)₂ and NiOOH based on the XRD, XPS and CV …

Detection Of Pml/Rarî± Fusion Gene Using Gold Nanopaticles Modified Electrode By Chronocoulometry, Li-Man Wang, Li-Qing Lin, Shao-Huang Weng, Xin-Hua Lin, Yuan-Zhong Chen

Journal of Electrochemistry

A gold nanoparticles modified electrode was prepared by electrodeposition at constant potential. The sulfydryl modified probe was immobilized onto surface of gold nanoparticles via Au-S covalent bond and hybridized with complementary target DNA sequences, then the DNA sensor was fabricated for the detection of PML/RARα fusion gene by chronocoulometry in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were used to characterize the surface morphology of gold nanoparticles and the constructing process of sensor. With hexaammineruthenium(Ⅲ) chloride (RuHex) as a novel electrochemical indicator, the chronocoulometric DNA biosensor was employed to monitor artificial APL PML/RARα fusion …

Using Inductance As A Tuning Parameter For Rf Meta-Atoms, Derrick Langley, Ronald Coutu Jr., Peter J. Collins

Faculty Publications

The resonant frequency of metamaterials structured with split ring resonator (SRR) meta-atoms is determined primarily through the capacitance and inductance of the individual meta-atoms. Two designs that vary inductance incrementally were modeled, simulated, fabricated, and tested to investigate the role inductance plays in metamaterial designs. The designs consisted of strategically adding sections to the SRR to increase the inductance, but in a manner that minimized capacitance variations. Each design showed a shift in resonant frequency that was proportional to the length of the added section. As the length of each section was increased, the resonant frequency shifted from 2.78 GHz …

Investigation Of Compliant Space Mechanisms With Application To The Design Of A Large-Displacement Monolithic Compliant Rotational Hinge, Robert Mcintyre Fowler

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research is to investigate the use of compliant mechanisms in space applications and design, analyze, and test a compliant space mechanism. Current space mechanisms are already highly refined and it is unclear if significant improvements in performance can be made by continuing to refine current designs. Compliant mechanisms offer a promising opportunity to change the fundamental approach to achieving controlled motion in space systems and have potential for dramatic increases in mechanism performance given the constraints of the space environment. A compliant deployment hinge was selected for development after industry input was gathered. Concepts for large-displacement …

Plants For Stormwater Pollution Removal: Greenhouse Research And Field-Study At Green Meadows Subdivision Logan, Ut, Ryan Dupont, Margie Rycewicz-Borecki

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Much of the stormwater protection in Cache Valley is done with respect to prevention of TSS contamination during construction activities. Preventing contamination of stormwater from construction activities is critical, but stormwater can still be highly polluted