Engineering Commons^™

Euroconstruction Report 1, Louis Gunnigan, Trevor Orr

Reports

This report was prepared on behalf of the Construction Industry Federation as Ireland’s initial contribution to the Leonardo da Vinci Project: Euroconstruction.

The report is divided into 3 sections.

Section 1 concentrates on the recent and likely future changes in the structure of the Irish construction market and the impact of these changes on project management and project financing. The recent growth of the industry is documented and predictions for the future of the industry in Ireland are summarised. The conclusions reached show that an increased involvement in the financing of public projects is required from the private sector if …

Functional Radionuclide Imaging Algorithm Based On The Appended Curve Deconvolution Technique And Its Use In The Diagnosis Of Renovascular Hypertension, İrfan Karagöz, Hi̇kmet Bayhan

Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

In this study, a new method called the pixel basis functional radionuclide imaging (PBFRI) algorithm based on the appended curve deconvolution technique, in order to be able to increase the medical diagnostic capability of a conventional gamma camera, is presented together with the clinical results. In the PBFRI method, retention function of each pixel is obtained from the renograms and cardiac curves generated by processing the filtered segments of the kidney and heart, using a special deconvolution method. The deconvolution operation is done by using the Fourier transform technique. High frequency artifacts presented by the Fourier transform are removed by …

Nebraska Summary 287: John Deere 6210 Powrquad Diesel 16-Speed, Nebraska Tractor Test Lab

Nebraska Tractor Tests

ABOUT THE TEST REPORT AND USE OF THE DATA

The test data contained in this report are a tabulation of the results of a series of tests. Due to the restricted format of these pages, only a limited amount of data and not all of the tractor specifications are included. The full OECD report contains usually about 30 pages of data and specifications. The test data were obtained for each tractor under similar conditions and therefore, provide a means of comparison of performance based on a limited set of reported data.

EXPLANATION OF THE TEST PROCEDURES

Purpose

The purpose of …

Nebraska Summary 288: John Deere 6310 Syncroplus Diesel 12-Speed, Nebraska Tractor Test Lab

Nebraska Tractor Tests

ABOUT THE TEST REPORT AND USE OF THE DATA

The test data contained in this report are a tabulation of the results of a series of tests. Due to the restricted format of these pages, only a limited amount of data and not all of the tractor specifications are included. The full OECD report contains usually about 30 pages of data and specifications. The test data were obtained for each tractor under similar conditions and therefore, provide a means of comparison of performance based on a limited set of reported data.

EXPLANATION OF THE TEST PROCEDURES

Purpose

The purpose of …

Test 1898: Case Ih Cx 90/Case Ih C90/Mccormick C 90 & Cx 90 & Cx 95 Diesel, Nebraska Tractor Test Lab

Nebraska Tractor Tests

No abstract provided.

Test 1800: Challenger Mt 465 Diesel, Nebraska Tractor Test Lab

Nebraska Tractor Tests

No abstract provided.

Nebraska Summary: S283 New Holland 9682, Nebraska Tractor Test Lab

Nebraska Tractor Tests

ABOUT THE TEST REPORT AND USE OF THE DATA The test data contained in this report are a tabulation of the results of a series of tests. Due to the restricted format of these pages, only a limited amount of data and not all of the tractor specifications are included. The full OECD report contains usually about 30 pages of data and specifications. The test data were obtained for each tractor under similar conditions and therefore, provide a means of comparison of performance based on a limited set of reported data. EXPLANATION OF THE TEST PROCEDURES Purpose The purpose of …

Preparation For Sci-Tech Librarianship: Results Of A Survey, John Sandy, Mary Frances Lembo, James Manasco

Sci-Tech News

No abstract provided.

Genetic Approach For The Determination Of Object Parameters From X Ray Projections, Tayfun Günel, Sedef Kent

Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

In this study, a new method is presented, based on genetic algorithms for determining object parameters such as radii and/or attenuation coefficients with some assumptions and estimating a cross-sectional image of an object from its projections obtained by X ray illumination. After it was tested for projections degraded by different random noise levels, it was observed that the genetic and fuzzy genetic algorithms improved the signal to noise ratio of the projections. The fuzzy genetic algorithm gave better results than the genetic algorithm.

An Interoperability Infrastructure For Developing Multidatabase Systems, Asuman Doğac, Gökhan Özhan, Ebru Kılıç, Fatma Özcan, Sena Nural, Sema Mancuhan, Cevdet Dengi, Pınar Köksal, Uğur Halıcı, Budak Arpınar, Cem Evrendilek, Vahid Sadjadi

Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

A multidatabase system (MDBS) allows the users to simultaneously access autonomous, heterogeneous databases using a single data model and a query language. This provides for achieving interoperability among heterogeneous, federated DBMSs. In this paper, we describe the interoperability infrastructure of a multidatabase system, namely METU Interoperable DBMS (MIND). The architecture of MIND is based on OMG distributed object management model. It is implemented on top of a CORBA compliant ORB, namely, ObjectBroker. The interface of the generic database object is defined in CORBA IDL and multiple implementations of this interface, one for each component DBMSs, namely, Oracle 7, Sybase, Adabas …

Performance Of Prefiltered Model-Based Frequency Estimators, Mustafa A. Altınkaya, Bülent Sankur, Emin Anarım

Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

In this work, the performance improvement due to prefiltering of inputs in model-based frequency estimators is investigated based on simulation experiments. Initial estimates on the tone frequency locations, which are obtained via DFT peak picking type preanalysis, are used to design a prefilter to remove noise and interference. The simulations indicate that prefiltering can improve the accuracy of Pisarenko and AR frequency estimators and MUSIC and KT frequency estimators with low subspace order significantly. The SNR thresholds of model-based frequency estimators are lowered by prefiltering. Additionally, interesting trade-offs between prefiltering gain and the gain due to subspace noise filtering have …

Analysis Of Images Of Cells With Neurites, Florence Cloppet, Georges Stamon

Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

This study is concerned with the segmentation of cytological images and extraction of cellular entities in order to provide quantitative data about the number of cells in culture (statistical tests, morphology, model of evolution, etc). This quantitative supply is useful in biology to evaluate the consequences of the application of active substances on morphological changes and cellular viability. It is related to the conception of a system dedicated to automatic analysis of cell images, in order to evaluate the effects of drugs on the morphology of neuronal cells. We use a cooperative region / contour segmentation, which gives closed polygonal …

Imaging Electrical Current Density Using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, B. Murat Eyüpoğlu, Ravinder Reddy, John S. Leigh

Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

In this study, images of nonuniform and uniform electric current density in conductor phantoms, which contain magnetic resonance active nuclei, are produced using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). A standard spin echo pulse sequence is used, with the addition of a bipolar current pulse. The flux density parallel to the main magnetic field, generated by the current pulse, is encoded in the phase of the complex MR image. The spatial distribution of magnetic flux density is extracted from the phase image. Current density is calculated using the magnetic flux density. This fairly recent technique is known as Magnetic Resonance Current Density …

Use Of The Magnetic Field Generated By The Internal Distribution Of Injected Currents For Electrical Impedance Tomography (Mr-Eit), Y. Zi̇ya İder, Özlem Bi̇rgül

Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

In two dimensional conventional Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT), volume conductor is probed by means of injected currents, and peripheral voltage measurements are used as input to the reconstruction algorithm. The current that flows in the 2D object creates magnetic fields that are perpendicular to the plane of imaging. Such magnetic fields can be measured using magnetic resonance tomography. In this study, use of this magnetic field generated by the injected currents, for the purpose of reconstructing the conductivity distribution, is studied. Sensitivity matrix relating the magnetic field to the element conductivities is calculated using the Finite Element Method and Biot-Savart …

Fdtd Evaluation Of The Sar Distribution In A Human Head Near A Mobile Cellular Phone, Selçuk Paker, Levent Sevgi̇

Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

In this study, Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) method is used to calculate the Specific Absorbtion Rate (SAR; defined as the power absorbed by unit mass of the tissue) distribution in a human head near a hand-held cellular phone. A three dimensional FDTD algorithm is built in cartesian coordinates. A discrete human head model, derived from a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) image by semi-automatic algorithm, is located within FDTD volume together with a discrete hand-held receiver model. FDTD simulations are carried out for both european GSM (operating at 900MHz) and DECT (operating at 1.8GHz) systems with a quarter-wavelength antenna, mounted on top …

Cardiac Passive Acoustic Localization: Cardiopal, Yildirim Bahadirlar, Hali̇l Özcan Gülçür

Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

A novel non-invasive system is proposed as an adjunct diagnostic tool for cardiac disorders, which is based on processing of the heart sounds acquired using a specially designed 2-D passive acoustic array. In addition to the acoustic array, the system consists of a personal computer, specially developed instrumentation and interface hardware and an adaptive array processing scheme. A signal model is constructed in accordance with the basic assumptions made for very near-field low frequency sources. The multiple signal characterization (MUSIC) method together with the model is used for the localization of assumed point sources in the heart. Locations of the …

Evaluation Of Ch4/Nox Reduced Mechanisms Used For Modeling Lean Premixed Turbulent Combustion Of Natural Gas, Hemant P. Mallampalli, Thomas H. Fletcher, J Y. Chen

Faculty Publications

This study has identified useful reduced kinetic schemes that can be used in comprehensive multi-dimensional gas-turbine combustor models. Reduced mechanisms lessen computational cost and possess the capability to accurately predict the overall flame structure, including gas temperatures and key intermediate species such as CH₄, CO and NO_x. In this study, four-new global mechanisms with 5, 6, 7, and 9 steps based on the full GRI 2.11 mechanism, were developed and evaluated for their potential to model natural-gas chemistry (including NO_x chemistry) in gas turbine combustors. These new reduced mechanisms were optimized to model the high …

Buckets: Aggregative, Intelligent Agents For Publishing, Michael L. Nelson, Kurt Maly, Stewart N. T. Shen, Mohammad Zubair

Computer Science Faculty Publications

Buckets are an aggregative, intelligent construct for publishing in digital libraries. The goal of research projects is to produce information. This information is often instantiated in several forms, differentiated by semantic types (report, software, video, datasets, etc.). A given semantic type can be further differentiated by syntactic representations as well (PostScript version, PDF version, Word version, etc.). Although the information was created together and subtle relationships can exist between them, different semantic instantiations are generally segregated along currently obsolete media boundaries. Reports are placed in report archives, software might go into a software archive, but most of the data and …

Creating A Canonical Scientific And Technical Information Classification System For Ncstrl+, Melissa E. Tiffany, Michael L. Nelson

Computer Science Faculty Publications

The purpose of this paper is to describe the new subject classification system for the NCSTRL+ project. NCSTRL+ is a canonical digital library (DL) based on the Networked Computer Science Technical Report Library (NCSTRL). The current NCSTRL+ classification system uses the NASA Scientific and Technical (STI) subject classifications, which has a bias towards the aerospace, aeronautics, and engineering disciplines. Examination of other scientific and technical information classification systems showed similar discipline-centric weaknesses. Traditional, library-oriented classification systems represented all disciplines, but were too generalized to serve the needs of a scientific and technically oriented digital library. Lack of a suitable existing …

Influence Of Iron Oxide Inclusion Shape On Coii/Iiiedta Reactive Transport Through Spatially Heterogeneous Sediment, James E. Szecsody, Ashley Chilakapati, John M. Zachara, Amanda Garvin

United States Department of Energy: Publications

Multisolute reactive transport was investigated in chemically heterogeneous systems to determine the influence of the shapes of the reactive heterogeneities (iron oxide inclusions) by comparison of two-dimensional heterogeneous experiments with spatially averaged models that had differing inclusion characterization. Eleven reactions were considered in this system, starting with absorption of the initial solute (Co^IIEDTA) to Fe oxides, followed by two competing surface reactions: oxidation forming Co^IIIEDTA and Fe dissolution forming Fe^IIIEDTA and Co2+. Spatial moments of the eight mobile species were compared between data and models. One spatially averaged model (homogenous equivalent), which incorporated inclusion …

Bacterial Reduction Of Crystalline Fe3+ Oxides In Single Phase Suspensions And Subsurface Materials, John M. Zachara, James K. Fredrickson, Shu-Mei Li, David W. Kennedy, Steven C. Smith, Paul L. Gassman

United States Department of Energy: Publications

Microbiologic reduction of synthetic and geologic Fe³⁺ oxides associated with four Pleistocene- age, Atlantic coastal plain sediments was investigated using a dissimilatory Fe reducing bacterium (Shewanella putrefaciens, strain CN32) in bicarbonate buffer. Experiments investigated whether phosphate and anthraquinone-2, 6-disulfonate, (AQDS, a humic acid analogue) influenced the extent of crystalline Fe³⁺ oxide bioreduction and whether crystalline Fe³⁺ oxides in geologic materials are more or less reducible than comparable synthetic phases. Anaerobic incubations (10⁸ organisms/mL) were performed both with and without PO₄ and AQDS that functions as an electron repository and shuttle. The production of …

Chemical Information On Tank Supernatants, Cs Adsorption From Tank Liquids Onto Hanford Sediments, And Field Observations Of Cs Migration From Past Tank Leaks, R. J. Serne, John M. Zachara, D. S. Burke

United States Department of Energy: Publications

Borehole gamma-logging profiles beneath the SX-Tank Farm suggest that contamination from Cs-137 extends to at least a depth of 40 m (130 ft), and may extend even deeper. What is presently not known is the pathway that Cs-137 has taken to reach these depths. In this report we provide an analysis of the chemistry of tank supernates with emphasis on the REDOX waste stream disposed in SX tanks, Cs chemistry in aqueous solutions and adsorption properties onto minerals, available data on Cs adsorption onto Hanford sediments, and information on Cs migration from other Hanford tank leaks that have been studied. …

Master Of Science Degree Programs 1998, Nova Southeastern University

College of Engineering and Computing Course Catalogs

No abstract provided.

Measured And Simulated Performance Of Reflective Roofing Systems In Residential Buildings, Florida Solar Energy Center, Danny Parker

FSEC Energy Research Center®

A series of experiments in Florida residences have measured the impact on space cooling of increasing roof solar reflectance. In tests on 11 homes with the roof color changed mid summer, the average cooling energy use was reduced by 19%. Measurements and infrared thermography showed that a significant part of the savings were due to interactions when the duct system is located in the attic space. An improved residential attic and duct simulation model, taking these experimental results into account, has been implemented in the DOE-2.1E building energy simulation program. The model was then used to estimate the impact of …

A Tool For Evaluating Access Control On High Speed Urban Arterials, Part I, Henry C. Brown, Samuel Labi, Andrzej P. Tarko, Jon D. Fricker

JTRP Technical Reports

A highway system serves two needs: mobility and accessibility. Access control techniques are used to restrict access to the highway and improve vehicle flow. The objective of this research was to develop a comprehensive procedure to evaluate access control alternatives. The procedure includes the design and quantitative evaluation of alternatives to select the best one. Evaluation of each alternative includes prediction of turning volumes, delays, crash rates, and economic effectiveness. Several existing models predict traffic delays for signalized intersections and for minor streams at unsignalized intersections. Models are needed to predict delays of arterial streams caused by minor streams at …

A Tool For Evaluating Access Control On High Speed Urban Arterials, Part Ii: User's Manual, Henry C. Brown, Samuel Labi, Andrzej P. Tarko, Jon D. Fricker

JTRP Technical Reports

A highway system serves two needs: mobility and accessibility. Access control techniques are used to restrict access to the highway and improve vehicle flow. The objective of this research was to develop a comprehensive procedure to evaluate access control alternatives. The procedure includes the design and quantitative evaluation of alternatives to select the best one. Evaluation of each alternative includes prediction of turning volumes, delays, crash rates, and economic effectiveness. Several existing models predict traffic delays for signalized intersections and for minor streams at unsignalized intersections. Models are needed to predict delays of arterial streams caused by minor streams at …

An Integrated Transportation Use Modeling System For Indiana, Andrew Ying-Ming Yen, Jon D. Fricker

JTRP Technical Reports

The principle objective of this research was to develop an integrated model to represent the interrelationships between land use and transportation, subject to the requirements of the ISTEA of 1991 and the CAAA of 1990. The integrated model includes two major parts: a land-use allocation module and a travel demand module. An interface module has also been built to transform data between these two modules. The land-use allocation module consists of a residential location model, an employment location model, a land use potential model, and a land consumption model. One unique feature of the residential and employment location models is …

An Integrated Transportation Use Modeling System For Indiana; Implementation Report And User's Manual, Andrew Ying-Ming Yen, Jon D. Fricker

JTRP Technical Reports

The principle objective of this research was to develop an integrated model to represent the interrelationships between land use and transportation, subject to the requirements of the ISTEA of 1991 and the CAAA of 1990. The integrated model includes two major parts: a land-use allocation module and a travel demand module. An interface module has also been built to transform data between these two modules. The land-use allocation module consists of a residential location model, an employment location model, a land use potential model, and a land consumption model. One unique feature of the residential and employment location models is …

Assessing And Updating Indot's Traffic Monitoring System For Highways (2 Volumes), Samuel Labi, Jon Fricker

JTRP Technical Reports

This study evaluates the existing resources and procedures of INDOT’s current traffic monitoring program, with the objective of transforming this program into a comprehensive Traffic Monitoring System for Highways (TMS/H). Reliable traffic data is a valuable input for studies and decision-making at various levels and in various phases of highway management including planning and design, finance and taxation, legislation and safety. The nature and scope of the various components comprising a TMS/H for any state were identified in available literature such as the Federal Register and Traffic Monitoring Guide. A complete inventory of the existing resources (personnel and equipment) and …

Controlling Air Content In Concrete That Is Being Pumped, A Synthesis Study, Charles F. Scholer, Jay Grossman

JTRP Technical Reports

Changes in the air content of fresh concrete that is being pumped can occur at a number of places. These locations include the initial loading of the concrete into the pump hopper, as it passes through the pump line, and when it exits the line. This synthesis reviews the findings of recent research studies which deal with air content change in pumped concrete and summarizes methods of reducing air loss caused by handling. Three main mechanisms by which air content is lost in fresh concrete that is being pumped have been noted. These factors include the high-pressure dissolution of air …