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2012

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Articles 6121 - 6150 of 6303

Full-Text Articles in Engineering

Analysis, Nonlinear Control, And Chaos Generator Circuit Of Another Strange Chaotic System, İhsan Pehli̇van, Zhouchao Wei Jan 2012

Analysis, Nonlinear Control, And Chaos Generator Circuit Of Another Strange Chaotic System, İhsan Pehli̇van, Zhouchao Wei

Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

In this paper, we introduce a new 3-dimensional quadratic continuous autonomous chaotic system. This system can generate strange and interesting attractors. Some basic dynamical properties, such as bifurcations, and chaotic behaviors of the new chaotic system are investigated analytically and numerically. We propose a nonlinear control scheme to discuss codimension 1 and 2 Hopf bifurcations. In addition, a new circuit implementation of the chaotic attractor is reported and examined in PSpice. The new system is suitable for purposefully generating chaos in chaos-based engineering applications.


Dynamic Stability Enhancement Of A Multimachine Electric Power System Using Statcom, Hasan Fayazi Boroujeni, Reza Hemmati, Sayed Mojtaba Shirvani Boroujeni Jan 2012

Dynamic Stability Enhancement Of A Multimachine Electric Power System Using Statcom, Hasan Fayazi Boroujeni, Reza Hemmati, Sayed Mojtaba Shirvani Boroujeni

Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

With the expansion of electric power systems, the size and complexity of the network is increased. One of the most important drawbacks of network expansion is the reduction in the damping torque of the whole system. The lack of damping torque can lead to fluctuations and instability in the power system. With regard to this problem, power system stabilizers (PSSs) have been widely utilized to improve power system stability. However, due to some drawbacks of the conventional PSSs, the need for finding a better substitution still remains. Therefore, in this paper, the application of a static synchronous compensator (STATCOM) to …


A Neural-Based Electromagnetic Inverse Scattering Approach To The Detection Of A Conducting Cylinder Coated With A Dielectric Material, Senem Makal, Ahmet Kizilay Jan 2012

A Neural-Based Electromagnetic Inverse Scattering Approach To The Detection Of A Conducting Cylinder Coated With A Dielectric Material, Senem Makal, Ahmet Kizilay

Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

In this study, a radial basis function neural network approach is applied for the estimation of the localization and the radius of a conducting cylinder with a circular cross-section coated with a dielectric material. A set of features, the radar cross-section (RCS) values, are derived from scattered fields, which are calculated using the surface equivalence principle and the method of moment. RCS values are obtained using 10 different scattering angles that are fed into the network. The outputs of the network are the location (x_0, y_0) and the radius (r_p) of the conducting cylinder. This is an application of the …


Considering Transmission Loss For An Economic Dispatch Problem Without Valve-Point Loading Using An Ep-Epso Algorithm, Sevugarathinam Muthu Vijaya Pandian, Keppanagowder Thanushkodi Jan 2012

Considering Transmission Loss For An Economic Dispatch Problem Without Valve-Point Loading Using An Ep-Epso Algorithm, Sevugarathinam Muthu Vijaya Pandian, Keppanagowder Thanushkodi

Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

Economic dispatch (ED) is one of the most important optimization problems in a power system. The objective of ED is sharing the power demand among the online generators while keeping the minimum cost of generation as a constraint. The aim of this paper is to operate an electric power system as economically as possible within its security limits. This paper proposes the following 2 new particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithms to solve a nonconvex economic dispatch problem: an efficient PSO is termed as efficient particle swarm optimization (EPSO), and a hybrid of evolutionary programming (EP) and EPSO is termed as …


Resolution Enhancement Of Video Sequences By Using Discrete Wavelet Transform And Illumination Compensation, Sara Izadpanahi, Çağri Özçinar, Gholamreza Anbarjafari, Hasan Demirel Jan 2012

Resolution Enhancement Of Video Sequences By Using Discrete Wavelet Transform And Illumination Compensation, Sara Izadpanahi, Çağri Özçinar, Gholamreza Anbarjafari, Hasan Demirel

Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

This research paper proposes a new technique for video resolution enhancement that employees an illumination compensation procedure before the registration process. After the illumination compensation process, the respective frames are registered using the Irani and Peleg technique. In parallel, the corresponding frame is decomposed into high-frequency (low-high, high-low, and high-high) and low-frequency (low-low) subbands using discrete wavelet transform (DWT). The high-frequency subbands are superresolved using bicubic interpolation. Afterwards, the interpolated high-frequency subbands and superresolved low-frequency subband obtained by registration are used to construct the high-resolution frame using inverse DWT. The superiority of the proposed resolution enhancement method over well-known video …


Model Selection And Score Normalization For Text-Dependent Single Utterance Speaker Verification, Osman Büyük, Mustafa Levent Arslan Jan 2012

Model Selection And Score Normalization For Text-Dependent Single Utterance Speaker Verification, Osman Büyük, Mustafa Levent Arslan

Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

In this paper, we investigate model selection and channel variability issues on a text-dependent single utterance (TDSU) speaker verification application. Due to the lack of an appropriate database for the task, a multichannel speaker recognition database, which consists of multiple recordings of a single Turkish utterance, is collected. The first set of experiments is devoted to model selection. Phonetic hidden Markov model (HMM)-based, sentence HMM-based, and Gaussian mixture model (GMM)-based methods are compared to find the most appropriate modeling approach for the target application. Based on the experimental results, the HMM-based methods outperform the GMM. The sentence HMM yields the …


Using A Game-Based Learning Model As A New Teaching Strategy For Computer Engineering, Kristijan Kuk, Dragica Jovanovic, Dusan Jokanovic, Petar Spalevic, Marko Caric, Stefan Panic Jan 2012

Using A Game-Based Learning Model As A New Teaching Strategy For Computer Engineering, Kristijan Kuk, Dragica Jovanovic, Dusan Jokanovic, Petar Spalevic, Marko Caric, Stefan Panic

Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

Interactive multimedia simulations and computer game elements can be successfully combined in order to create new advanced educational resources for teaching today's generation of students. Such a learning environment, a game-based learning model (GBLm), has been designed as a research prototype. This paper describes one type of GBLm for computer engineering, which we have used in the subject of computer graphics for the teaching unit Z-buffer algorithm, in order to facilitate the learning process. The implementation of a GBLm for graphical algorithms (GBL4CAl) is presented in detail as a multimedia interactive learning module designed to motivate students by making learning …


On The Degradation Of Ota-C--Based Cmos Low-Power Filter Circuits For Biomedical Instrumentation, Yasi̇n Özçelep, Ayten Kuntman, Hulusi̇ Hakan Kuntman Jan 2012

On The Degradation Of Ota-C--Based Cmos Low-Power Filter Circuits For Biomedical Instrumentation, Yasi̇n Özçelep, Ayten Kuntman, Hulusi̇ Hakan Kuntman

Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

In this work, we propose a degraded transistor-based circuit degradation simulation method to investigate the degradation effect in complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) biomedical devices. The method is demonstrated on an operational transconductance amplifier and capacitor (OTA-C)-based CMOS filter structure. First, we simulate the degradation of the symmetrical CMOS OTA by determining the degraded transistors in the structure. The simulation results are compared with the experimental results of our previous study. First- and second-order low-pass filter degradations are also simulated to demonstrate the accuracy of the proposed method. Finally, the degradation in the electroencephalogram band-pass filter and its effect on the …


Adaptive Optimization Of Edca Parameters For Improved Qos In Multi-Media Applications, Alparslan Çi̇l, Mehmet Akar, Emi̇n Anarim Jan 2012

Adaptive Optimization Of Edca Parameters For Improved Qos In Multi-Media Applications, Alparslan Çi̇l, Mehmet Akar, Emi̇n Anarim

Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

IEEE 802.11e Enhanced Distributed Channel Access (EDCA) has been incorporated into the standard as an effective medium access mechanism in order to provide the desired QoS for multimedia applications such as VoIP and IPTV. This paper presents an adaptive optimization algorithm in EDCA which strives to provide improved QoS from both delay and throughput perspectives. As a first step towards this goal, a Markov model of the EDCA mechanism has been introduced, which is subsequently used to compute the estimates of throughput and delay. Based on the analytical model that is validated via real-time simulations in OPNET, a new algorithm …


Hybrid Mpi+Upc Parallel Programming Paradigm On An Smp Cluster, Zeki̇ Bozkuş Jan 2012

Hybrid Mpi+Upc Parallel Programming Paradigm On An Smp Cluster, Zeki̇ Bozkuş

Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

The symmetric multiprocessing (SMP) cluster system, which consists of shared memory nodes with several multicore central processing units connected to a high-speed network to form a distributed memory system, is the most widely available hardware architecture for the high-performance computing community. Today, the Message Passing Interface (MPI) is the most widely used parallel programming paradigm for SMP clusters, in which the MPI provides programming both for an SMP node and among nodes simultaneously. However, Unified Parallel C (UPC) is an emerging alternative that supports the partitioned global address space model that can be again employed within and across the nodes …


Improved Computerized Evaluation Of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm, Semi̇h Utku, Hulusi̇ Baysal, Reyat Yilmaz, Aytaç Gülcü, Recep Alp Kut, Ahmet Yi̇ği̇t Göktay Jan 2012

Improved Computerized Evaluation Of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm, Semi̇h Utku, Hulusi̇ Baysal, Reyat Yilmaz, Aytaç Gülcü, Recep Alp Kut, Ahmet Yi̇ği̇t Göktay

Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

Accurate measurements of arterial anatomy are emerging as the most important determinants of endovascular abdominal aneurysm repair. It is quite difficult to define and measure arterial anatomy features quantitatively due to the complex structure of the aneurysm and insufficient visual feedback. During decision making, to assist operators in diagnosing abdominal aortic aneurysms, a specialized preprocessing Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Measurement and Evaluation Tool (AMET) was developed. AMET provides visual interfaces with broad measurement capabilities to generate a 3D model of the aorta for a better diagnosis and accurate stent selection. The accuracy and usability of the tool was tested with a …


Engagement Assessment Using Eeg Signals, Feng Li, Jiang Li, Frederic Mckenzie, Guangfan Zhang, Wei Wang, Aaron Pepe, Roger Xu, Tom Schnell, Nick Anderson, Dean Heitkamp Jan 2012

Engagement Assessment Using Eeg Signals, Feng Li, Jiang Li, Frederic Mckenzie, Guangfan Zhang, Wei Wang, Aaron Pepe, Roger Xu, Tom Schnell, Nick Anderson, Dean Heitkamp

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

In this paper, we present methods to analyze and improve an EEG-based engagement assessment approach, consisting of data preprocessing, feature extraction and engagement state classification. During data preprocessing, spikes, baseline drift and saturation caused by recording devices in EEG signals are identified and eliminated, and a wavelet based method is utilized to remove ocular and muscular artifacts in the EEG recordings. In feature extraction, power spectrum densities with 1 Hz bin are calculated as features, and these features are analyzed using the Fisher score and the one way ANOVA method. In the classification step, a committee classifier is trained based …


Procedural Wound Geometry And Blood Flow Generation For Medical Training Simulators, Rifat Aras, Yuzhong Shen, Jiang Li, David R. Holmes Iii (Ed.), Kenneth H. Wong (Ed.) Jan 2012

Procedural Wound Geometry And Blood Flow Generation For Medical Training Simulators, Rifat Aras, Yuzhong Shen, Jiang Li, David R. Holmes Iii (Ed.), Kenneth H. Wong (Ed.)

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Efficient application of wound treatment procedures is vital in both emergency room and battle zone scenes. In order to train first responders for such situations, physical casualty simulation kits, which are composed of tens of individual items, are commonly used. Similar to any other training scenarios, computer simulations can be effective means for wound treatment training purposes. For immersive and high fidelity virtual reality applications, realistic 3D models are key components. However, creation of such models is a labor intensive process. In this paper, we propose a procedural wound geometry generation technique that parameterizes key simulation inputs to establish the …


A Voice-Based Automated System For Ptsd Screening And Monitoring, Roger Xu, Gang Mei, Guangfan Zhang, Pan Gao, Timothy Judkins, Michael Cannizzaro, Jiang Li, James D. Westwood (Ed.), Susan W. Westwood (Ed.), Li Felländer-Tsai (Ed.), Randy S. Haluck (Ed.), Richard A. Robb (Ed.), Steven Senger (Ed.), Kirby G. Vosburgh (Ed.) Jan 2012

A Voice-Based Automated System For Ptsd Screening And Monitoring, Roger Xu, Gang Mei, Guangfan Zhang, Pan Gao, Timothy Judkins, Michael Cannizzaro, Jiang Li, James D. Westwood (Ed.), Susan W. Westwood (Ed.), Li Felländer-Tsai (Ed.), Randy S. Haluck (Ed.), Richard A. Robb (Ed.), Steven Senger (Ed.), Kirby G. Vosburgh (Ed.)

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Comprehensive evaluation of PTSD includes diagnostic interviews, self-report testing, and physiological reactivity measures. It is often difficult and costly to diagnose PTSD due to patient access and the variability in symptoms presented. Additionally, potential patients are often reluctant to seek help due to the stigma associated with the disorder. A voice-based automated system that is able to remotely screen individuals at high risk for PTSD and monitor their symptoms during treatment has the potential to make great strides in alleviating the barriers to cost effective PTSD assessment and progress monitoring. In this paper we present a voice-based automated Tele-PTSD Monitor …


Strategies For Real Time Reservoir Management, Yuanyuan Shuai Jan 2012

Strategies For Real Time Reservoir Management, Yuanyuan Shuai

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Real–time reservoir management is developed to manage a shrinking labor force and rising demand on energy supply. This dissertation seeks good strategies for real–time reservoir management. First, two simulator–independent optimization algorithms are investigated: ensemble–based optimization (EnOpt) and bound optimization by quadratic approximation (BOBYQA). Multiscale regularization is applied to both to find appropriate frequencies for well control adjustment. Second, two gathered EnKF methods are proposed to save computational cost and reduce sampling error: gathered EnKF with a fixed gather size and adaptively gathered EnKF. Finally, oil price uncertainty is forecasted and quantified with three price forecasting models: conventional forecasting, bootstrap forecasting …


Optimal Production And Delivery Scheduling Models For A Supply Chain System Of Deteriorating Items, Bingqing Wu Jan 2012

Optimal Production And Delivery Scheduling Models For A Supply Chain System Of Deteriorating Items, Bingqing Wu

LSU Master's Theses

The market is varying from minute to minute nowadays. Increase cooperation and pursue the optimal interest of the integrated supply chain become a more effective way than act alone in the competition. In this research, an integrated inventory policy between singleproducer and multi-buyer is developed and two inventory models are built. The first model extends the research of Lin and Lin (2007) by changing the single-buyer system to the multibuyers one. Both backorder of buyers and deteriorating items of each party (producer’s level, buyers’ level, and during transport) are considered herein. The second model is based on the research of …


Measurement Of Interfacial Tension In Hydrocarbon/Water/Dispersant Systems At Deepwater Conditions, Mohamed Abdelrahim Jan 2012

Measurement Of Interfacial Tension In Hydrocarbon/Water/Dispersant Systems At Deepwater Conditions, Mohamed Abdelrahim

LSU Master's Theses

The events of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico were associated with great water depths that made it difficult to understand the behavior of the spilled oil as it came in contact with the seawater. The remedial subsea application of chemical dispersants draws interest to evaluate the interfacial interactions between the oil and water at such great water depths. Most importantly, a quantification of the interfacial tension (IFT) between the spilled oil and seawater at deepwater conditions can provide insight into the effectiveness of the chemical dispersion of spilled oil. In this study, Macondo crude oil …


Stability Problems In Constrained Pendulum Systems And Time-Delayed Systems, Prashanth Ramachandran Jan 2012

Stability Problems In Constrained Pendulum Systems And Time-Delayed Systems, Prashanth Ramachandran

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

In this dissertation, we study the boundary of stability of a class of linear mechanical systems as a function of a parameter. We consider two different systems under this class: a constrained double pendulum connected by a rigid rod and a state-feedback-controlled mechanical system with time delay. In the first system, the destabilizing parameter is the distance between the supports of the two pendulums. In the second system, the destabilizing parameter is the time delay. In the constrained double pendulum system, linear perturbation analysis is used to determine the natural frequency of the system. Our analysis reveals a zone of …


Computer Simulations Of Faceted Nanoparticles And Carbon Nanotubes In Liquid Crystals, Shivkumar Shankar Bale Jan 2012

Computer Simulations Of Faceted Nanoparticles And Carbon Nanotubes In Liquid Crystals, Shivkumar Shankar Bale

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this research is to investigate the use of liquid crystals (LCs) to manipulate and organize faceted nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Computer simulations at different levels of detail are used to study these systems. Results from this project will be relevant for potential applications of these systems in displays, nanoscale electronics, electro-optical switches, and in the development of composites with unique mechanical, thermal and/or electronic properties. In this research, two independent but directly related projects were carried out. In the first part of the research, we investigated the torque that develops when faceted nanoparticles, namely cubes and …


The Effects Of Lean Intervention (5s) On Perceived Musculoskeletal Workload And Perceived Hazardous Working Conditions In A Health Center Pharmacy, Jastinder Singh Dhindsa Jan 2012

The Effects Of Lean Intervention (5s) On Perceived Musculoskeletal Workload And Perceived Hazardous Working Conditions In A Health Center Pharmacy, Jastinder Singh Dhindsa

LSU Master's Theses

The healthcare industry involves a significant level of health and safety risks in various work processes, and healthcare professionals are at risk for work-related musculoskeletal disorders and other health problems. In recent years, Lean has been introduced in healthcare with the goal of eliminating waste and improving efficiency. Lean is also believed to affect the health and safety of workers. The present research studies the effects of Lean (5S) implementation in an acute care pharmacy of a health center. A version of the Dutch Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (DMQ) was used to record the perceived musculoskeletal workload and perceived hazardous working conditions. …


Continuum And Crystal Strain Gradient Plasticity With Energetic And Dissipative Length Scales, Danial Faghihi Shahrestani Jan 2012

Continuum And Crystal Strain Gradient Plasticity With Energetic And Dissipative Length Scales, Danial Faghihi Shahrestani

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This work, standing as an attempt to understand and mathematically model the small scale materials thermal and mechanical responses by the aid of Materials Science fundamentals, Continuum Solid Mechanics, Misro-scale experimental observations, and Numerical methods. Since conventional continuum plasticity and heat transfer theories, based on the local thermodynamic equilibrium, do not account for the microstructural characteristics of materials, they cannot be used to adequately address the observed mechanical and thermal response of the micro-scale metallic structures. Some of these cases, which are considered in this dissertation, include the dependency of thin films strength on the width of the sample and …


Dynamic Route Choice In Hurricane Evacuation, Meisam Akbarzadeh Jan 2012

Dynamic Route Choice In Hurricane Evacuation, Meisam Akbarzadeh

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

In this research a framework is developed for modeling route choice in hurricane evacuation. Two behavioral hypotheses are evaluated which together with the route choice model, constitute the contributions of the research. The first hypothesis states that beside congestion, other variables such as familiarity with the route, availability of fuel and shelter, facility class, and length of route have an effect on an evacuees' route choice. The second hypothesis states that as time passes and storm conditions change, the impact each variable has on route choice changes. The logit structure was used for modeling the choice process and stated choice …


Field Investigation Of Wave And Surge Attenuation In Salt Marsh Vegetation And Wave Climate In A Shallow Estuary, Ranjit S. Jadhav Jan 2012

Field Investigation Of Wave And Surge Attenuation In Salt Marsh Vegetation And Wave Climate In A Shallow Estuary, Ranjit S. Jadhav

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This research investigates and quantifies the effectiveness of salt marsh vegetation in reducing storm-induced waves and surge, and the potential for wetland erosion due to wave action, using field measurements on the Louisiana coast. To quantify wave attenuation and wave energy dissipation by vegetation (Spartina alterniflora), wave data were measured along a transect using pressure transducers during two tropical storms. Measurements showed that incident waves attenuated exponentially over the vegetation. The linear spatial wave height reduction rate increased from 1.5% to 4% /m as incident wave height decreased. The bulk drag coefficient estimated from the field measurements decreased with increasing …


Risk Of Well Integrity Failure Due Sustained Casing Pressure, Koray Kinik Jan 2012

Risk Of Well Integrity Failure Due Sustained Casing Pressure, Koray Kinik

LSU Master's Theses

Sustained casing pressure (SCP) is considered a well integrity problem. The approach of this study is to look at SCP as environmental risk due hydrocarbon release. Currently, the risk is qualified by the value of surface pressure (Pcsg) that may cause failure of casing head. However, the resulting rate of gas emission to the atmosphere is not considered. Also not considered is a possibility of breaching the casing shoe due transmission of Pcsg downhole. The objective of this study is to develop methods for maximum possible air emission rates (MER) and risk of subsurface well integrity failure due SCP. Mathematical …


A Modeling, Optimization, And Analysis Framework For Designing Multi-Product Lignocellulosic Biorefineries, Paritosh Kumar Sharma Jan 2012

A Modeling, Optimization, And Analysis Framework For Designing Multi-Product Lignocellulosic Biorefineries, Paritosh Kumar Sharma

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The objective of this research is to propose a methodology to develop modular decision analysis frameworks to design value chains for enterprises in the renewable fuels and chemicals sector. The decision support framework focuses on providing strategic decision support to startup and new product ventures. The tasks that are embedded in the framework include process and systems design, technology and product selection, forecasting cost and market variables, designing network capacities, and analysis of risks. The Decision support system (DSS) proposed is based on optimization modeling; systems design are carried out using integer programming with multiple sets of process and network …


Frp Stiffener Efficiency Coefficient For Sbs Shear Strengthening Applications, Hamed Babaizadehroshanfekr Jan 2012

Frp Stiffener Efficiency Coefficient For Sbs Shear Strengthening Applications, Hamed Babaizadehroshanfekr

LSU Master's Theses

The use of composite materials such as Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) to strengthen concrete structures has surged during the past two decades as an alternative for conventional methods of structural strengthening and repair. FRP materials are light and relatively easy to install. They are noncorrosive, durable and less vulnerable to environmental conditions in comparison to other construction and retrofitting materials. The knowledge and applications of composites for strengthening steel structures are relatively smaller when compared to concrete strengthening applications. Strengthening-By-Stiffening (SBS) is a new strengthening alternative that was developed at Louisiana State University. SBS has proven to be a practical …


Copper-Cobalt Catalysts For Conversion Of Syngas To Ethanol And Higher Alcohols, Miranda Louise Smith Jan 2012

Copper-Cobalt Catalysts For Conversion Of Syngas To Ethanol And Higher Alcohols, Miranda Louise Smith

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Higher alcohols produced by catalytic conversion of synthesis gas are potential octane enhancers for transportation fuels. Copper-cobalt catalysts have emerged as alternatives to the ethanol-selective, but expensive, rhodium-based ones. The reducibility of the catalyst and the CO adsorption mode are important factors in directing the selectivity of CO hydrogenation toward methanol, hydrocarbons, or higher alcohols. In this study, Cu/SiO2, Co/SiO2, and bimetallic CuCo/SiO2 catalysts, as well as their tin-promoted analogues, were synthesized and characterized by TPR, in situ XRD, in situ XANES, and in situ DRIFTS. Cobalt addition to Cu/SiO2 created an amorphous fraction of CuO that was more easily …


Numerical And Experimental Evaluation Of Preheated Premixed Flames At Lean And Rich Conditions, Joseph Edward Gibson Jan 2012

Numerical And Experimental Evaluation Of Preheated Premixed Flames At Lean And Rich Conditions, Joseph Edward Gibson

LSU Master's Theses

Preheating a combustible mixture enhances the laminar burning flux characteristic mad with high reaction firing rates. As a result, the flammable zone as defined by inlet conditions of equivalence ratio and temperature is expanded beyond that available at standard ambient conditions; however, fundamental questions in these combustion regimes have not been addressed. In this thesis, preheated lean and rich combustion of methane/air mixtures is studied numerically and experimentally to catalog and confirm expected trends in these regimes. Numerical simulations were completed using both GRI-Mech 3.0 and San Diego mechanisms in the combustion code Cantera. An adiabatic simulation data set …


Determining The Performance Of Breakwaters During High Energy Events: A Case Study Of The Holly Beach Breakwater System, Andrew Keane Woodroof Jan 2012

Determining The Performance Of Breakwaters During High Energy Events: A Case Study Of The Holly Beach Breakwater System, Andrew Keane Woodroof

LSU Master's Theses

Breakwaters have been constructed in many areas along Louisiana’s coastline to protect the shoreline from wave energy and erosion. During normal conditions, these breakwaters can typically be analyzed using traditional empirical methods for emergent breakwaters. However, Louisiana’s coastline is under constant threat from tropical storms and hurricanes, during which breakwaters can frequently become overtopped or submerged systems. Recent studies show that the type of shoreline response to a breakwater system may vary depending on the crest height of the breakwater in relation to the mean water level. Though emergent breakwaters typically induce sediment accretion along the shoreline, studies using laboratory …


Improving Discourse Structure Identification, Jamie Allison Guidry Jan 2012

Improving Discourse Structure Identification, Jamie Allison Guidry

LSU Master's Theses

Rhetorical Structure Theory (Mann et al. 1988), a popular approach for analyzing discourse coherence, suggests that coherent text can be placed into a hierarchical organization of clauses. Identification of a text’s rhetorical structure through automatic discourse analysis is a crucial element for many of today’s Natural Language Processing tasks, but no sufficient tool is available. The current state-of -the-art discourse parser, SPADE (Soricut et al. 2003), is limited to parsing discourse within a single sentence. HILDA (Hernault et al. 2010) extends the parsing abilities of SPADE to the document level, but with a decrease in performance. This study achieved document-level …