Engineering Commons^™

Electroencephalogram Based Causality Graph Analysis In Behavior Tasks Of Parkinson’S Disease Patients, Abdulaziz Saleh Almalaq

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Electroencephalographic (EEG) signals of the human brains represent electrical activities for a number of channels recorded over a the scalp. The main purpose of this thesis is to investigate the interactions and causality of different parts of a brain using EEG signals recorded during a performance subjects of verbal fluency tasks. Subjects who have Parkinson's Disease (PD) have difficulties with mental tasks, such as switching between one behavior task and another. The behavior tasks include phonemic fluency, semantic fluency, category semantic fluency and reading fluency. This method uses verbal generation skills, activating different Broca's areas of the Brodmann's areas (BA44 …

Particle Swarm Optimization Based Reactive Power Dispatch For Power Networks With Distributed Generation, Xiao Kou

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Reactive power is critical to the operation of the power networks on both safety aspects and economic aspects. Unreasonable distribution of the reactive power would severely affect the power quality of the power networks and increases the transmission loss. Currently, the most economical and practical approach to minimizing the real power loss remains using reactive power dispatch method.

Reactive power dispatch problem is nonlinear and has both equality constraints and inequality constraints. In this thesis, PSO algorithm and MATPOWER 5.1 toolbox are applied to solve the reactive power dispatch problem. PSO is a global optimization technique that is equipped with …

Locational Marginal Pricing At The Power Distribution Level, Jun Hao

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

During the development of smart grid at distribution level, the realization of real-time nodal pricing is one of the key challenges. This thesis proposes a novel methodology of locational marginal pricing at power distribution level. The nodal pricing mechanism is implemented utilizing both Direct Current Optimal Power Flow and Alternate Current Optimal Power Flow. The University of Denver campus power grid is used to develop the simulation test bed of the distribution level power system. In order to realize our approach, the first step is to extract the network topology from the DU campus grid utility map. The network topology …

Spontaneous Facial Behavior Computing In Human Machine Interaction With Applications In Autism Treatment, Seyedmohammad Mavadati

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Digital devices and computing machines such as computers, hand-held devices and robots are becoming an important part of our daily life. To have affect-aware intelligent Human-Machine Interaction (HMI) systems, scientists and engineers have aimed to design interfaces which can emulate face-to-face communication. Such HMI systems are capable of detecting and responding upon users' emotions and affective states. One of the main challenges for producing such intelligent system is to design a machine, which can automatically compute spontaneous behaviors of humans in real-life settings. Since humans' facial behaviors contain important non-verbal cues, this dissertation studies facial actions and behaviors in HMI …

Identification Of Geostationary Satellites Using Polarization Data From Unresolved Images, Andy Speicher

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In order to protect critical military and commercial space assets, the United States Space Surveillance Network must have the ability to positively identify and characterize all space objects. Unfortunately, positive identification and characterization of space objects is a manual and labor intensive process today since even large telescopes cannot provide resolved images of most space objects. Since resolved images of geosynchronous satellites are not technically feasible with current technology, another method of distinguishing space objects was explored that exploits the polarization signature from unresolved images.

The objective of this study was to collect and analyze visible-spectrum polarization data from unresolved …

2015 Annual Report Transportation Research Center For Livable Communities, Western Michigan University, University Of Texas Arlington, Wayne State University, Utah State University, Tennessee State University

Transportation Research Center Reports

Table of Contents

• Messages from the Director and Representatives
• TRCLC Mission and Objectives
• Center Personnel
• Research Investigators
• Consortia
• Our Research
• List of Research Projects
• Highlighted Projects
• Technology Transfer and Outreach Activities
• Student Awards
• Upcoming Events

Connecting People And Ideas From Around The World: Global Innovation Platforms For Next-Generation Ecology And Beyond, P. Søgaard Jørgensen, F. Barraquand, V. Bonhomme, T. J. Curran, E. Cieraad, T. G. Ezard, L. Gherardi, R. A. Hayes, T. Poisot, R. Salguero-Gómez, Lucía Desoto, B. Swartz, J. M. Talbot, B. Wee, Naupaka B. Zimmerman

Biology Faculty Publications

We present a case for using Global Community Innovation Platforms (GCIPs), an approach to improve innovation and knowledge exchange in international scientific communities through a common and open online infrastructure. We highlight the value of GCIPs by focusing on recent efforts targeting the ecological sciences, where GCIPs are of high relevance given the urgent need for interdisciplinary, geographical, and cross-sector collaboration to cope with growing challenges to the environment as well as the scientific community itself. Amidst the emergence of new international institutions, organizations, and meetings, GCIPs provide a stable international infrastructure for rapid and long-term coordination that can be …

A Human-Centered Credit-Banking System For Convenient, Fair And Secure Carpooling Among Members Of An Association, H.-S. Jacob Tsao, Magdalini Eirinaki

Faculty Publications

This paper proposes an unconventional carpool-matching system concept that is different from existing systems with four innovative operational features: (F1) The proposed matching system will be used by members of an association and sponsored by the association, e.g., the employees of a company, members of a homeowner association, employees of a shopping center. This expands the scope beyond commute trips. Such associations can also voluntarily form alliances to increase the number of possible carpool partners and geographical reach. (F2) Service provided by a driver or received by a rider incurs credit or debt to a bank centrally and fairly managed …

Upgrade Of Flash Pyrolysis Condensate By Esterification With Higher Alcohols, Tim Schulzke, Stefan Conrad, Stefan Kaluza, Tom Van Loo

Biorefinery I: Chemicals and Materials From Thermo-Chemical Biomass Conversion and Related Processes

No abstract provided.

Evolution Of Palm Oil Mills Into Biorefineries: Technical, And Environmental Assessment Of Six Biorefinery Options, Jesus Alberto Garcia-Nunez, Manuel Garcia-Perez, Daisy Tatiana Rodriguez, Nidia Elizabeth Ramirez, Carlos Fontanilla, Claudio Stockle, James Amonette, Craig Frear, Electro Silva

Biorefinery I: Chemicals and Materials From Thermo-Chemical Biomass Conversion and Related Processes

No abstract provided.

Organosolv Pretreatment As A Major Step Of Lignocellulosic Biomass Refining, Dimitrios Sidiras, Ioanna Salapa

Biorefinery I: Chemicals and Materials From Thermo-Chemical Biomass Conversion and Related Processes

No abstract provided.

Shotcrete Education And Nozzlemen Certification In North America, Marc Jolin, J. Nehasil, C. Hanskat

Shotcrete for Underground Support XII

No abstract provided.

Interaction Between The Shotcrete Outer Shell And The Sealing System, Dietmar Mähner

Shotcrete for Underground Support XII

No abstract provided.

A Review On Plasma Technologies Applied To Thermo-Chemical Biomass Conversion, François Gitzhofer

Biorefinery I: Chemicals and Materials From Thermo-Chemical Biomass Conversion and Related Processes

No abstract provided.

Upgrading Of Fast Pyrolysis Byproducts For Material Use With High Value, A. Funke, M.M. Abbas, N. Dahmen

Biorefinery I: Chemicals and Materials From Thermo-Chemical Biomass Conversion and Related Processes

No abstract provided.

Shotcrete – Sustainable Design For Underground Structures Facing Challenging Ground Conditions, Johannes Benedikt, Matthias Beisler

Shotcrete for Underground Support XII

No abstract provided.

Investigation Of The Interaction Between Sheet Membranes, Geotextile And Sprayed Concrete In Tunnelling, Stefan Lorenz, Robert Galler

Shotcrete for Underground Support XII

No abstract provided.

Fibre Reinforced Spray Concrete: Minimum Performance Requirement To Meet Safety Needs, Benoit De Rivaz

Shotcrete for Underground Support XII

No abstract provided.

A Case Study On The Impact Of Pozzolanic-Based Rheology Control Agent On Wet-Mix Shotcrete Performance In Underground Applications, Ezgi Yurdakul, Klaus-Alexander Rieder, Bernardo Vicencio, Gerardo Staforelli, Diego Granell

Shotcrete for Underground Support XII

No abstract provided.

Fractionation Of Flash Pyrolysis Condensates By Staged Condensation, Tim Schulzke, Stefan Conrad, Jan Westermeyer

Biorefinery I: Chemicals and Materials From Thermo-Chemical Biomass Conversion and Related Processes

No abstract provided.

A Case Study Of Tunnel Instability In Weakness Zone Containing Swelling Clay, Dawei Mao, Bjørn Nilsen, Shurong Feng, Haibin Zhao, Ming Lu

Shotcrete for Underground Support XII

No abstract provided.

Electrical Characterization Of Different Carbon Based Polymer Composites, Mauro Giorcelli, Aamer Abbas Khan, Patrizia Savi, Franco Berruti, Alberto Tagliaferro

Biorefinery I: Chemicals and Materials From Thermo-Chemical Biomass Conversion and Related Processes

No abstract provided.

Precipitations In The Tunnel Drainage System – Optimized Shotcrete Mix-Design, Maria Thurmann, Markus Astner, Andreas Saxer, Wolfgang Kusterle

Shotcrete for Underground Support XII

No abstract provided.

Biorecoverbiomass Residues Conversion & Valorisation For An Economic Refinery, Paul J. De Wild

Biorefinery I: Chemicals and Materials From Thermo-Chemical Biomass Conversion and Related Processes

No abstract provided.

Pure Aromatics From Biomass, Matti Reinikainen, David Thomas, Pekka Simell, Ikka Hannula

Biorefinery I: Chemicals and Materials From Thermo-Chemical Biomass Conversion and Related Processes

No abstract provided.

A Case Study Of Tunnel Instability In Weakness Zone Containing Swelling Clay, Dawei Mao, Bjørn Nilsen, Shurong Feng, Haibin Zhao, Ming Lu

Shotcrete for Underground Support XII

No abstract provided.

Organosolv Pretreatment As A Major Step Of Lignocellulosic Biomass Refining, Dimitrios K. Sidiras, Ioanna S. Salapa

Biorefinery I: Chemicals and Materials From Thermo-Chemical Biomass Conversion and Related Processes

No abstract provided.

Gelatin Microgel Incorporated Poly (Ethylene Glycol) Bioadhesive With Enhanced Adhesive Property And Bioactivity, Yuting Li

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

In this study, chemically crosslinked gelatin microgels were incorporated into dopamine-modified poly (ethylene glycol) (PEGDM) adhesive to form composite bioadhesive with simultaneously improved adhesive property and bioactivity. Gelatin microgel, with an average diameter of 53.6±14.2μm, was prepared with water in oil emulsification method and chemically crosslinked with
1-ethyl-3-[3-dimethylaminopropyl]carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) and N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS). Gelatin microgels were incorporated into PEGDM adhesive precursor solution at 1.5wt%, 3.75wt% and 7.5wt%. The cure time of adhesive reduced from 54 seconds to 37 seconds with increasing gelatin microgel content. Additionally, the incorporation of the gelatin microgel also increased the crosslinking density of the adhesive network …

Engineering Research Review 2015, Office Of Engineering Research

Engineering Research Review

Contents:
[Page] 2 CFD modeling confirms improved blood flow with new stent design
[Page] 4 Statisticians evaluate probability models for crime scene evidence
[Page] 6 Oscillating heat pipes help cool high-power electronics
[Page] 8 Grid connection method improves double-tee girder performance
[Page] 10 Civil engineers help formulate recipe for Wisconsin prestressed bridge girders
[Page] 12 Steel byproducts trap phosphorous in agricultural drainage water
[Page] 14 Microgrids help data centers use renewable energy, maintain reliability
[Page] 16 Two engineering researchers receive awards
[Page] 17 Grantswinship awards recognize research funding

Development Of A Cell Morphological Analysis Tool To Evaluate The Ultrasound Vibrational Effects On Cell Adhesion, Joseph M. Smith

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

Fibroblast encapsulation is a stage of the wound healing process in which the implanted device is separated from the biological environment due to the formation of fibrotic tissue. Uncontrolled adhesion of fibroblasts, called fibrosis, has the ability to inhibit an implanted device’s functionality over its lifetime. Over time, fibroblasts have been shown to cause loosening and failure of bone-anchor implants which could include the possibility of harming the patient. The encapsulating process could also hinder the sensitivity of implanted biosensors operating in the body for continuous monitoring. Unfortunately, the antifouling surfaces which are commonly used on implanted devices to control …