Engineering Commons^™

Integrated Multi-Criteria Signal Timing Design For Sustainable Traffic Operations, Rui Guo

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Traffic signal systems serve as one of the most powerful control tools in improving the efficiency of surface transportation travel. Traffic operations on arterial roads are particularly complex because of traffic interruptions caused by signalized intersections along the corridor. This dissertation research presents a systematic framework of integrated traffic control in an attempt to break down the complexities into several simpler sub-problems such as pattern recognition, environment-mobility relationships and multi-objective optimization for multi-criterial signal timing design.

The overall goal of this dissertation is to develop signal timing plans, including a day plan schedule, cycle length parameters, splits and offsets, which …

National Livestock Policy Of Nepal: Needs And Opportunities, Upendra B. Pradhanang, Soni M. Pradhanang, Arhan Sthapit, Nir Y. Krakauer, Ajay K. Jha, Tarendra Lakhankar

Publications and Research

This paper describes Nepal’s national livestock policies and considers how they can be improved to help meet the pressing national challenges of economic development, equity, poverty alleviation, gender mainstreaming, inclusion of marginalized and underprivileged communities, and climate vulnerability. Nepal is in the process of transforming its government from a unitary system to a federal democratic structure through the new constitution expected by 2015, offering the opportunity to bring a new set of priorities and stakeholders to policymaking. Nepal’s livestock subsector comes most directly within the purview of the National Agricultural Policy 2004, Agro-Business Policy, 2006 and Agricultural Sectoral Operating Policies …

Parameters Identification For A Composite Piezoelectric Actuator Dynamics, Mohammad Saadeh, Mohamed Trabia

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Research

This work presents an approach for identifying the model of a composite piezoelectric (PZT) bimorph actuator dynamics, with the objective of creating a robust model that can be used under various operating conditions. This actuator exhibits nonlinear behavior that can be described using backlash and hysteresis. A linear dynamic model with a damping matrix that incorporates the Bouc–Wen hysteresis model and the backlash operators is developed. This work proposes identifying the actuator’s model parameters using the hybrid master-slave genetic algorithm neural network (HGANN). In this algorithm, the neural network exploits the ability of the genetic algorithm to search globally to …

A Technical And Economic Comparative Analysis Of Sensible And Latent Heat Packed Bed Storage Systems For Concentrating Solar Thermal Power Plants, Jamie Trahan

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Though economically favorable when compared to other renewable energy storage technologies, thermal energy storage systems for concentrating solar thermal power (CSP) plants require additional cost reduction measures to help transition CSP plants to the point of grid-parity. Thermocline packed bed storage is regarded as one potential low cost solution due to the single tank requirement and low cost storage media. Thus sensible heat storage (SHS) and latent heat storage (LHS) packed bed systems, which are two thermocline varieties, are frequently investigated. LHS systems can be further classified as single phase change material (PCM) systems or cascaded systems wherein multiple PCMs …

Continual Cell Deformation Induced Via Attachment To Oriented Fibers Enhances Fibroblast Cell Migration, Sisi Qin, Vincent Ricotta, Marcia Simon, Richard A. F. Clark, Miriam Rafailovich

Department of Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications

Fibroblast migration is critical to the wound healing process. In vivo, migration occurs on fibrillar substrates, and previous observations have shown that a significant time lag exists before the onset of granulation tissue. We therefore conducted a series of experiments to understand the impact of both fibrillar morphology and migration time. Substrate topography was first shown to have a profound influence. Fibroblasts preferentially attach to fibrillar surfaces, and orient their cytoplasm for maximal contact with the fiber edge. In the case of en-mass cell migration out of an agarose droplet, fibroblasts on flat surfaces emerged with an enhanced velocity, v …

Dcms: A Data Analytics And Management System For Molecular Simulation, Meryem Berrada

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Despite the fact that Molecular Simulation systems represent a major research tool in multiple scientific and engineering fields, there is still a lack of systems for effective data management and fast data retrieval and processing. This is mainly due to the nature of MS which generate a very large amount of data - a system usually encompass millions of data information, and one query usually runs for tens of thousands of time frames. For this purpose, we designed and developed a new application, DCMS (A data Analytics and Management System for molecular Simulation), that intends to speed up the process …

Embedded System Design For Real-Time Monitoring Of Solitary Embedded System Design For Real-Time Monitoring Of Solitary, Robert Philip O'Brien

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia cause cognitive disabilities in the afflicted person. As a result, the person with dementia often requires assistance from a primary caregiver. However, while the caregiver is away from the home they are unaware of the person's status and may not be able to find out without returning to the home due to dementia's effects on cognition.

In this thesis work, a system of embedded devices is presented which tracks a solitary dementia patient in the home in real-time. The system is composed of three main hardware components. Multiple passive and active sensors are …

Investigating Correlation Between Availability Of Free Time Facilities For Pupils And Their Educational Achievements While Exploiting Linked Data And Volunteered Geographic Information, Peter Kovar

Dissertations

The advent of Semantic Web as an extension of the current World Wide Web (Web) brings methods and technologies to structure the data, interlink it with other related data and capture its semantics. This holds for new data to be published as well as for the data already on the Web. The interlinking of data led to definition of a linked data paradigm and the Semantic Web allows for creating a Global Linked Data Space. The linked data sets can combine data coming from heterogeneous sources. Using ontologies the meaning in data from different areas of interest can be compared …

Integration Of An Energy Balance Snowmelt Model Into An Open Source Modeling Framework, A. Sen Gupta, David G. Tarboton, P. Hummel, M. E. Brown, S. Habib

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

This paper presents a data model for organizing the inputs and outputs of an energy balance snowmelt model (the Utah Energy Balance Model, UEB) that provides a foundation for its integration into the EPA BASINS modeling framework and enables its coupling with other hydrologic models in this system. Having UEB as a BASINS component has facilitated its coupling with the Geospatial Streamflow Forecast Model (GeoSFM) to compute the melting of glaciers and subsequent streamflow in the Himalayas. The data model uses a combination of structured text and network Common Data Form (netCDF) files to represent parameters, geographical, time series, and …

A Unified Approach For Process-Based Hydrologic Modeling: 2. Model Implementation And Case Studies, Martyn P. Clark, Bart Nijssen, Jessica D. Lundquist, Dmitri Kavetski, David E. Rupp, Ross A. Woods, Jim E. Freer, Ethan D. Gutmann, Andrew W. Wood, David J. Gochis, Roy M. Rasmussen, David G. Tarboton, Vinod Mahat, Gerald N. Flerchinger, Danny G. Marks

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

This work advances a unified approach to process-based hydrologic modeling, which we term the “Structure for Unifying Multiple Modeling Alternatives (SUMMA).” The modeling framework, introduced in the companion paper, uses a general set of conservation equations with flexibility in the choice of process parameterizations (closure relationships) and spatial architecture. This second paper specifies the model equations and their spatial approximations, describes the hydrologic and biophysical process parameterizations currently supported within the framework, and illustrates how the framework can be used in conjunction with multivariate observations to identify model improvements and future research and data needs. The case studies illustrate the …

Technological Forecasting Based On Segmented Rate Of Change, Dong-Joon Lim

Dissertations and Theses

Consider the following questions in the early stage of new product development. What should be the target market for proposed design concepts? Who will be the competitors and how fast are they moving forward in terms of performance improvements? Ultimately, is the current design concept and targeted launch date feasible and competitive?

To answer these questions, there is a need to integrate the product benchmarking with the assessment of performance improvement so that analysts can have a risk measure for their R&D target setting practices. Consequently, this study presents how time series benchmarking analysis can be used to assist scheduling …

Solids Accumulation Rates Of Latrines At Rural Schools In Nimba County, Liberia, Caraline M. Murphy

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Access to appropriate sanitation facilities as well as access to clean drinking water are considered fundamental human rights (Carr, 2001; Bjorklund & Sjodin, 2010), yet roughly 2.5 billion people on the planet lack access to an improved form of sanitation (WHO/UNICEF, 2014). Additionally, many entities responsible for emergency excreta management and sanitation management design guidelines, specifically solids accumulation rates in latrine pits, use rates that are 30-60 years old and may be established from dated knowledge on diet and lifestyle trends (Franceys et al., 1992; Harvey et al., 2002; Harvey, 2007). Using solids accumulation rates that are dated as well …

Exploring The Impact That Organisational Culture And Structures Have On Knowledge Management Initiatives, Gavin Digan

Dissertations

The project builds on research in the domain of knowledge management, with a literature review covering several aspects of the domain. There is particular emphasis on knowledge management implementations within organisations. Several researchers in the area offer methodologies or strategies for organisations to adopt, when implementing knowledge management initiatives. These options are covered at length in the literature review along with real world case studies on organisations that have implemented knowledge initiatives with varying degrees of success. A key aspect of the research is assessing the impact of organisational culture on knowledge management initiatives. The literature review contains an extensive …

Prussian Green: A High Rate Capacity Cathode For Potassium Ion Batteries, Prasanna Pradigi, Joseph Thiebes, Mitchell Swan, Gary Goncher, David Evans, Raj Solanki

Physics Faculty Publications and Presentations

The influence of the precursors, namely potassium ferrocyanide and potassium ferricyanide on the particles sizes of Prussian Blue (PB) and Prussian Green (PG), under identical reaction conditions have been investigated. It was found that the particle sizes influence the gravimetric capacity utilization of these materials as cathodes for aqueous potassium (K⁺ ) ion batteries. The PG particle sizes were on the order of 50-75 nm, whereas PB particles size were on the order of 2-10 microns. The PG cathodes demonstrated a reversible capacity of 121.4 mAhr/g, with a coulombic efficiency of 98.7% compared to PB cathodes which demonstrated 53.8 …

Event-Based Hydrologic Model Calibration Using Nexrad In A Data-Poor Region Of Southern New Jersey, Christopher Siegel

Theses and Dissertations

Proper calibration of hydrologic models requires both reliable observed stream flow and precipitation data. Southern New Jersey has a notable lack of observed precipitation data, in particular, at the event scale; therefore model calibration represents a significant challenge. From a design standpoint this has not been a major concern as hydrologic models have been driven using design storms and are not calibrated. However, the need for research and impact analyses in the face of climate change (changes in extreme precipitation and sea-level rise in particular) and expected population growth in the region requires calibrated models, and reliable observed precipitation data …

Constrained Motion Particle Swarm Optimization For Non-Linear Time Series Prediction, Nicholas Sapankevych

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Time series prediction techniques have been used in many real-world applications such as financial market prediction, electric utility load forecasting, weather and environmental state prediction, and reliability forecasting. The underlying system models and time series data generating processes are generally complex for these applications and the models for these systems are usually not known a priori. Accurate and unbiased estimation of time series data produced by these systems cannot always be achieved using well known linear techniques, and thus the estimation process requires more advanced time series prediction algorithms.

One type of time series interpolation and prediction algorithm that has …

Improving System Performance In Cellular And Wban Networks Via User-Specific Qos And Mimo In Vivo Technologies, Chao He

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation is composed of two independent studies: Cellular research and WBAN (Wireless Body Area Network) research. Both investigations are directed towards improving the system performance in wireless communication systems in terms of Quality of Service (QoS) and system capacity.

For the Cellular research part, this dissertation will present novel user-specific QoS requirements as defined by their respective Mean Opinion Score (MOS) formulas, and associated schedulers for wireless applications and systems that optimize spectral allocation. User-specific QoS requirements are defined and several methods to make use of such requirements to maximum the spectral utilization are presented. Five User-Specific QoS Aware …

Global Time-Independent Agent-Based Simulation For Transactive Energy System Dispatch And Schedule Forecasting, Shawn Aaron Chandler

Dissertations and Theses

Electricity service providers (ESP) worldwide have increased their interest in the use of electrical distribution, transmission, generation, storage, and responsive load resources as integrated systems. Referred to commonly as "smart grid," their interest is driven by widespread goals to improve the operations, management and control of large-scale power systems. In this thesis I provide research into a novel agent-based simulation (ABS) approach for exploring smart grid system (SGS) dispatch, schedule forecasting and resource coordination. I model an electrical grid and its assets as an adaptive ABS, assigning an agent construct to every SGS resource including demand response, energy storage, and …

The Effect Of Stress-­ Relaxation Cycles On The Capacitance Of Dielectric Electro Active Polymers, Cody Rieger, Boon-Chai Ng

Posters, Presentations, and Papers

Dielectric Electro Active Polymers (DEAP) has the potential of converting mechanical energy into useful electrical energy. This material consists of a silicone dielectric film material with a special corrugated surface and a very thin layer of metallic electrodes on both sides of the surface. As these materials allow large mechanical deformations with low operating forces, potential applications include using this material to convert the energy from the ocean waves, and wind. This work examined the capacitance to provide useful information in optimizing the electrical properties for specific applications, and to investigate how the electrical properties are affected by electrical and/or …

Structural Integrity Of Conventional And Modified Railroad Bearing Adapters For Onboard Monitoring, Joseph Montalvo, Alexis Trevino, Arturo A. Fuentes, Constantine Tarawneh

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

This paper presents a detailed study of the structural integrity of conventional and modified railroad bearing adapters for onboard monitoring applications. Freight railcars rely heavily on weigh bridges and stations to determine cargo load. As a consequence, most load measurements are limited to certain physical railroad locations. This limitation provided an opportunity for an optimized sensor that could potentially deliver significant insight on bearing condition monitoring as well as load information. Bearing adapter modifications (e.g. cut outs) were necessary to house the sensor and, thus, it is imperative to determine the reliability of the modified railroad bearing adapter, which will …

Fabrication And Characterization Of Polycarbonate Polyurethane (Pcpu) Nanofibers Impregnated With Nanofillers, Hruday Chand Katakam

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Polycarbonate polyurethane (PCPU) has been studied as a novel polymer impregnated with nanoparticles for improved mechanical, thermal and adhesion properties [4]. This study investigates the synthesis of polycarbonate polyurethane (PCPU) polymeric nanofiber membranes by the process of electrospinning. This study further examines all the parameters associated with electrospinning a novel PCPU polymeric solution impregnated with nanofillers, such as nanoparticles, to produce fiber membranes. Tetrahydrofuran (THF) and N, N dimethylformamide (DMF) are used as solvents to dissolve PCPU polymer. One percent (1%) of nanofillers like silver and silica nanoparticles are added to PCPU polymer solution to investigate the impact on polymer …

Design Of A Hardware Platform For Gps-Based Orientation Sensing, Daniel Eugene Kirkpatrick

Dissertations and Theses

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV's) have recently gained popularity in military, civil service, agriculture, commercial, and hobby use. This is due in part to their affordability, which comes from advances in component technology. That technology includes microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) for inertial sensing, microprocessor technology for sequential algorithm processing, field programmable gate arrays (FPGA's) for parallel data processing, camera technology, global navigation satellite systems (GNSS's) for navigation, and battery technology such as the high energy density of lithium polymer batteries.

Despite the success of the technology to date, there remains development before UAV's should be flying alongside manned aircraft or over populated …

Eps & Batteries, Jeff Kruth

Robert "Bob" Twiggs STEM Education Collection

Notes written by Jeff Kruth on "EPS & Batteries" from March 12, 2015.

College Of Engineering News, Georgia Southern University

College of Engineering & Computing: News & Publications (2010-2023)

• IT and ME Students as Keynote Speakers at STEM Conference
• SGA President Azell Francis wins Potts Leadership Award
• CS student wins People’s Choice and Miss Congeniality award

Particulate-Matter Emission Estimates From Agricultural Spring-Tillage Operations Using Lidar And Inverse Modeling, Kori D. Moore, Michael D. Wojcik, Randy S. Martin, Christian C. Marchant, D. S. Jones, W. J. Bradford, G. E. Bingham, R L. Pfeiffer, J. H. Prueger, J. L. Hatfield

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Particulate-matter (PM) emissions from a typical spring agricultural tillage sequence and a strip–till conservation tillage sequence in California’s San Joaquin Valley were estimated to calculate the emissions control efficiency (ηη) of the strip–till conservation management practice (CMP). Filter-based PM samplers, PM-calibrated optical particle counters (OPCs), and a PM-calibrated light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system were used to monitored upwind and downwind PM concentrations during May and June 2008. Emission rates were estimated through inverse modeling coupled with the filter and OPC measurements and through applying a mass balance to the PM concentrations derived from LIDAR data. Sampling irregularities and errors …

Carbon Dioxide (Co2) Emissions, Human Energy, And Cultural Perceptions Associated With Traditional And Improved Methods Of Shea Butter Processing In Ghana, West Africa, Emily Adams

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The shea tree is indigenous to 21 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and provides nuts from which oil (referred to as butter) can be extracted. Shea butter production in the Northern Region of Ghana is of socioeconomic importance to female processors who practice shea production. This study quantified the environmental effects of shea processing from carbon dioxide emissions and the human energy expended through the traditional, improved, and centralized methods of shea processing. Par-boiling accounted for up to 88% of total carbon dioxide emissions throughout the entire shea butter production process. A difference of 2.5(CO₂ (kg))/(Shea butter (kg)) emitted observed …

The Development Of An Adaptive Driving Simulator, Sarah Marie Tudor

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The ability to drive a car is an important skill for individuals with a spinal cord injury to maintain a high quality of life, particularly their freedom and independence. However, driving with a physical disability often requires the installation of an adaptive driving system to control steering, gas, and braking. The two main types of adaptive driving controls are mechanical and electrical, also known as drive by wire (DBW). DBW controls work by converting electric signals to mechanical actuators. Driving simulators are useful tools for adaptive driving systems because they allow users to test different control devices, to practice driving …

Pavement Underdrain To Achieve Longer Life Pavement Structure, Tommy E. Nantung

Purdue Road School

Drainage as the key to pavement performance has been suggested since the early design of modern pavement structures. In fact, the three parameters for pavement performance are drainage, drainage and drainage. Drainage is so important to the performance of pavement that many state DOTs mandate a pavement underdrain system for routes with medium to high truck traffic. In the current evolution of pavement underdrain design, the speed of water removal from the soil foundation is the key issue. In a recent field investigation, some pavement sections with an underdrain system are not immune to pavement structural deterioration. It was determined …

Indygo Downtown Transit Center - Transforming Indianapolis, Ben Smith, Steve Robinson, Joe Fischer

Purdue Road School

The new IndyGo Downtown Transit Center will transform transit in downtown Indianapolis and offers lessons in transit planning, traffic planning, intermodal connectivity, public engagement, and pedestrian access. This presentation will give an overview of the facility and then focus on attributes of the facility and of the design process that might offer useful lessons to other transit projects, including those of a smaller scale

Pavement Rehabilitation Options In Indiana, David Holtz, Tommy E. Nantung, Lisa A. Egler-Kellems

Purdue Road School

Many pavement rehabilitation options are now available to maintain the function and structure of a pavement section, and pavement engineers can choose an option that is suitable for the existing pavement condition. Many agencies today use traditional pavement rehabilitation techniques such as patching, overlay, and mill and fill. Recent developments in materials and construction have made available new rehabilitation options that are not only cost effective but also increase the use of recycled materials. This presentation will feature hot-in-place recycling, cold-in-place recycling, and full-depth reclamation techniques used successfully with recently rehabilitated pavement sections in Indiana.