Engineering Commons^™

The "Invisible Hand" Of Peer Review: The Implications Of Author-Referee Networks On Peer Review In A Scholarly Journal, Pierpaolo Dondio, Niccolo Casnici, Nigel Gilbert, Francisco Grimaldo, Flaminio Squazzoni

Articles

Peer review is not only a quality screening mechanism for scholarly journals. It also connects authors and referees either directly or indirectly. This means that their positions in the network structure of the community could influence the process, while peer review could in turn influence subsequent networking and collaboration. This paper aims to map these complex network implications by looking at 2232 author/referee couples in an interdisciplinary journal that uses double blind peer review. By reconstructing temporal co-authorship networks, we found that referees tended to recommend more positively submissions by authors who were within three steps in their collaboration network. …

Mediaeval2019: Flood Detection In Time Sequence Satellite Images, Palavi Jain, Bianca Schoen-Phelan, Robert J. Ross

Conference papers

In this work, we present a flood detection technique from time series satellite images for the City-centered satellite sequences (CCSS) task in the MediaEval 2019 competition [1]. This work utilises a three channel feature indexing technique [13] along with a VGG16 pretrained model for automatic detection of floods. We also compared our result with RGB images and a modified NDWI technique by Mishra et al, 2015 [15]. The result shows that the three channel feature indexing technique performed the best with VGG16 and is a promising approach to detect floods from time series satellite images.

Effect Of Sensor Errors On Autonomous Steering Control And Application Of Sensor Fusion For Robust Navigation, Shuvodeep Bhattacharjya

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Autonomous steering control is one the most important features in autonomous vehicle navigation. The nature and tuning of the controller decides how well the vehicle follows a defined trajectory. A poorly tuned controller can cause the vehicle to oversteer or understeer at turns leading to deviation from a defined path. However, controller performance also depends on the state–feedback system. If the states used for controller input are noisy or has bias / systematic error, the navigation performance of the vehicle is affected irrespective of the control law and controller tuning. In this report, autonomous steering controller analysis is done for …

Discontinuous Galerkin Methods For Convection-Diffusion Equations And Applications In Petroleum Engineering, Nattaporn Chuenjarern

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

This dissertation contains research in discontinuous Galerkin (DG) methods applying to convection-diffusion equations. It contains both theoretical analysis and applications. Initially, we develop a conservative local discontinuous Galerkin (LDG) method for the coupled system of compressible miscible displacement problem in two space dimensions. The main difficulty is how to deal with the discontinuity of approximations of velocity, u, in the convection term across the cell interfaces. To overcome the problems, we apply the idea of LDG with IMEX time marching using the diffusion term to control the convection term. Optimal error estimates in L^infinity(0, T; L^{2 …}

Mpc-Based Autonomous Driving Control With Localized Path Planning For Obstacle Avoidance And Navigating Signalized Intersections, Sai Rajeev Devaragudi

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Connected and autonomous vehicles are becoming the major focus of research for the industry and academia in the automotive field. Many companies and research groups have demonstrated the advantages and the requirement of such technology to improve the energy efficiency of vehicles, decrease the number of crash and road accidents, and control emissions.

This research delves into improving the autonomy of self-driving vehicles by implementing localized path planning algorithms to introduce motion control for obstacle avoidance during uncertainties. Lateral path planning is implemented using the A* algorithm combined with piecewise Bezier curve generation which provides an optimum trajectory reference to …

Improved Low-Frequency Impact Insulation Class Measurements Based On Comparison Techniques, Sunit Girdhar

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

In today’s world, noise pollution is growing as a major concern and it is becoming more and more difficult to find quiet places. But when the problem escalates to the extent that people are annoyed with loud noises even in their apartments, it becomes an alarming issue for engineers. Around the world, cities have defined some basic performance requirements for buildings, and isolation of residents from noise is one of the cardinal performance requirements. In the United States, building codes use the Impact Insulation Class (IIC) rating to characterize the performance of floor/ceiling assemblies. This method uses the response measured …

Remotely Controlled Industrial Robotic Arm And Simulation Of Automated Thermal Furnace, Prince Mehandi Ratta

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

The right execution of controllers ensures the correct analysis of information, generating efficient results and better optimizing the system. In this report, two controllers were designed. Firstly, a remotely controlled robotic arm, since there are no such type commercially available controllers. Moreover, robotic platforms are costly, so students and researchers are often unable to learn the concepts of programming industrial robots. This project makes a non-destructive, remotely-controlled robotic arm to better teach students and researchers about programming and control of robotic arms. Secondly, simulation of an automated thermal furnace for ArcelorMittal on SIMULINK, which is used for the annealing process …

Comparative Study And Design Of Economical Sound Intensity Probe, Karan Gundre

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

The theory of sound intensity measurement using the two-microphone method was first developed in the late 1970s. Even though the measurements were limited by the technology of the time, the theory was straight-forward and considerable attention was given to improving precision during testing or post-processing. With the development of modern equipment, however, the focus shifted to the apparatus. The commercial intensity probes available today have microphones that are already phase-matched. This eliminates the need for correction during or post-testing as a majority of the errors are minimized before any data is even collected. Although such intensity probes facilitate taking precise …

Exploring The Role And Impact Of Microscale Phenomena On Electrode, Microdevice, And Cellular Function, Sanaz Habibi

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Microfluidic technologies enable the development of portable devices to perform multiple high-resolution unit operations with small sample and reagent volumes, low fabrication cost, facile operation, and quick response times. Microfluidic platforms are expected to effectively interpret both wanted and unwanted phenomena; however, a comprehensive evaluation of the unwanted phenomena has not been appropriately investigated in the literature. This work explored an attenuative evaluation of unwanted phenomena, also called here as secondary phenomena, in a unique approach.

Upon electric field utilization within microfluidic devices, electrode miniaturization improves device sensitivity. However, electrodes in contact with medium solution can yield byproducts that can …

Improved Methods For The Quantification Of Viable Ascaris Suum And Application To Biosolids, Tanner Keyzers

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

The current method for detection of Ascaris ova in biosolids and wastewater has several drawbacks including being labor and time intensive as well as being difficult to quantify viable ova that have larvated during treatment. The goal of this thesis was to improve several methods for the detection and quantification of Ascaris ova during long term-storage of biosolids including improvement of quantifying viable ova using a heat and bleach treatment to promote movement of larvae inside of ova, and comparison of the traditional microscopic method with qPCR and PMA-qPCR to prevent the false-positive results. Improved methods to promote movement of …

Optical Vortex And Poincaré Analysis For Biophysical Dynamics, Anindya Majumdar

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Coherent light - such as that from a laser - on interaction with biological tissues, undergoes scattering. This scattered light undergoes interference and the resultant field has randomly added phases and amplitudes. This random interference pattern is known as speckles, and has been the subject of multiple applications, including imaging techniques. These speckle fields inherently contain optical vortices, or phase singularities. These are locations where the intensity (or amplitude) of the interference pattern is zero, and the phase is undefined.

In the research presented in this dissertation, dynamic speckle patterns were obtained through computer simulations as well as laboratory setups …

Spread Of Emerging Contaminants In Water Distribution Systems, Danielle Pilarski

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Emerging contaminants are a growing concern to humans and the environment. Studies have shown these contaminants are present in the environment through continuous release into surface waters from wastewater treatment effluent, manufacturing processes, and agricultural use. The effects of these contaminants have been observed in ecological studies, but they have not yet been well studied for long term exposure in humans. These emerging contaminants have also not been well studied to determine the rates at which they decay or how they move through distribution systems. This study aims to determine the importance of decay rate on concentration throughout a distribution …

Investigation Of Long Term Pillar Stability In An Abandoned Gypsum Mine Based On Dissolution Models, Mohammadhossein Sadeghiamirshahidi

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

The abandoned Domtar Mine in Grand Rapids, MI underlies Interstate I-196. The mine operated for over 140 years, mining a 30-meter-deep, four-meter thick gypsum seam. In 2000, the mine was abandoned with the removal of the mine’s dewatering pumps allowing groundwater to flood the mine. The initial flooding resulted in saturating the mine pillars along with some amount of pillar dissolution. Overtime, gypsum dissolution would cease as the water becomes saturated with the gypsum dissolution products. The mine, however, is located adjacent to the Grand River and has groundwater moving through the mine resulting in the potential for continuing dissolution. …

Development Of The Coil Volume Method For Time-Domain Simulation Of Internal Faults In Transformers, Elizaveta Egorova

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

A power transformer is a very important and expensive asset for a utility. As for any other power equipment, the transformer is subject to internal faults. The extent of transformer damage depends on the fault duration. Therefore, the protective relays should provide for sensitivity, selectivity, and speed of operation to minimize the effects of damaging conditions. High sensitivity of the relay allows it to identify internal faults quickly. However, the relay should not jeopardize the normal operation of the transformer. To determine desirable relay settings, a transformer model for simulation of internal faults is required.

Transformer models, shown in the …

Enhancing The Resolution Of Imaging Systems By Spatial Spectrum Manipulation, Wyatt Adams

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Much research effort has been spent in the 21st century on superresolution imaging techniques, methods which can beat the diffraction limit. Subwavelength composite structures called ``metamaterials" had initially shown great promise in superresolution imaging applications in the early 2000s, owing to their potential for nearly arbitrary capabilities in controlling light. However, for optical frequencies they are often plagued by absorption and scattering losses which can decay or destroy their interesting properties. Similar issues limit the application of other superresolution devices operating as effective media, or metal films that can transfer waves with large momentum by supporting surface plasmon polaritons. In …

Modeling And Control Of Maximum Pressure Rise Rate In Rcci Engines, Aditya Basina

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Low Temperature Combustion (LTC) is a combustion strategy that burns fuel at lower temperatures and leaner mixtures in order to achieve high efficiency and near zero NOx emissions. Since the combustion happens at lower temperatures it inhibits the formation of NOx and soot emissions. One such strategy is Reactivity Controlled Compression Ignition (RCCI). One characteristic of RCCI combustion and LTC com- bustion in general is short burn durations which leads to high Pressure Rise Rates (PRR). This limits the operation of these engines to lower loads as at high loads, the Maximum Pressure Rise Rate (MPRR) hinders the use of …

Modeling Of Thermal Dynamics In Chevrolet Volt Gen Ii Hybrid Electric Vehicle For Integrated Powertrain And Hvac Optimal Operation Through Connectivity, Nehal Doshi

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Integrated thermal energy management across system level components in electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) is currently an under explored space. The proliferation of connected vehicles and accompanying infrastructure in recent years provides additional motivation to explore opportunities in optimizing thermal energy management in EVs and HEVs with the help of this newly available connected vehicle data. This thesis aims to examine and analyze the potential to mitigate vehicle energy consumption and extend usable driving range through optimal control strategies which exploit physical system dynamics via controls integration of vehicle subsystems.

In this study, data-driven and physics-based models …

Electro-Optic Antenna Elements For Passive Phased Array Radar, Evan Gawron

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Passive phased antenna arrays are utilized in military and civilian radar systems to determine the received signal origination. Phased array placement for optimal reception is challenging due to the required supporting electronic hardware and the associated coaxial cabling that typically accompanies each antenna channel. Low noise amplifiers and frequency conversion hardware add size and complexity, limiting possible positions for phased array placement. Eliminating required phased array electronic subcomponents without sacrificing function would allow placement onto smaller agile platforms, such as unmanned systems and rapid deployment networks. Electro-optic (EO) antenna elements utilize an optical waveguide embedded between the antenna and ground …

Development Of A 2d Scr Catalyst On A Diesel Particulate Filter Model For Design And Control Applications To A Ultra Low Nox Aftertreatment System, Venkata Chundru

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

This research focuses on modeling and control of PM and NO_x in diesel engine exhaust using an SCR catalyst on a Diesel Particulate Filter (SCR-F). A 2D SCR-F model was developed that is capable of predicting internal states: 2D temperature, PM and NH₃storage distributions and filtration efficiency, pressure drop, PM mass retained in the PM cake and substrate wall and outlet NO, NO₂and NH₃concentrations. The SCR-F model was used to simulate a DOC + SCR-F + DOC + SCR ultra-low NOx system that can achieve > 99.5% NOx conversion efficiency.

The model was calibrated …

Estimation Of Multi-Directional Ankle Impedance As A Function Of Lower Extremity Muscle Activation, Lauren Knop

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

The purpose of this research is to investigate the relationship between the mechanical impedance of the human ankle and the corresponding lower extremity muscle activity. Three experimental studies were performed to measure the ankle impedance about multiple degrees of freedom (DOF), while the ankle was subjected to different loading conditions and different levels of muscle activity. The first study determined the non-loaded ankle impedance in the sagittal, frontal, and transverse anatomical planes while the ankle was suspended above the ground. The subjects actively co-contracted their agonist and antagonistic muscles to various levels, measured using electromyography (EMG). An Artificial Neural Network …

Networked Microgrid Optimization And Energy Management, Robert S. Jane

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Military vehicles possess attributes consistent with a microgrid, containing electrical energy generation, storage, government furnished equipment (GFE), and the ability to share these capabilities via interconnection. Many military vehicles have significant energy storage capacity to satisfy silent watch requirements, making them particularly well-suited to share their energy storage capabilities with stationary microgrids for more efficient energy management. Further, the energy generation capacity and the fuel consumption rate of the vehicles are comparable to standard diesel generators, for certain scenarios, the use of the vehicles could result in more efficient operation. Energy management of a microgrid is an open area of …

Magnetic Domain Structures In Fe-Ga Alloys, Matthew N. Tianen

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Fe-Ga alloys, also referred to as Galfenol, have attracted great attention as new giant magnetostrictive materials for over fifteen years. They exhibit large magnetostriction, small hysteresis, good machinability, and high tensile strength, providing many advantages over other functional materials like magnetostrictive Terfenol-D, piezoelectric PZT, and magnetic shape memory Ni-Mn-Ga. In spite of the intense interest in Fe-Ga alloys, the domain phenomena that underlie their properties and functionalities are less known. Using the Bitter method, a systematic study of magnetic domain structures in Fe-Ga single crystals of different compositions and heat treatments has been performed. Our domain observation experiments reveal numerous …

A Smart Implantable Bone Fixation Plate Providing Actuation And Load Monitoring For Orthopedic Fracture Healing, Brad Nelson

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Fracture non-union occurs in roughly 5-10% of all fracture cases, and current interventions are both time-consuming and costly. There is therefore significant incentive to develop new tools to improve fracture healing outcomes. Several studies have shown that low-magnitude, high-frequency (LMHF) mechanical loading can promote faster healing and reduce the risk of refracture in critical-size long bone fractures. This is typically done using whole-body vibration, which may result in undesirable systemic effects on the rest of the body. This work discusses an implantable piezoelectric fixation plate that can both apply LMHF loading directly to the fracture site using flexible scheduling and …

Acoustic Localization Techniques For Application In Near-Shore Arctic Environments, Miles B. Penhale

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

The Arctic environment has undergone significant change in recent years. Multi-year ice is no longer prevalent in the Arctic. Instead, Arctic ice melts during summer months and re-freezes each winter. First-year ice, in comparison to multi-year ice, is different in terms of its acoustic properties. Therefore, acoustic propagation models of the Arctic may no longer be valid. The open water in the Arctic for longer time periods during the year invites anthropogenic traffic such as civilian tourism, industrial shipping, natural resource exploration, and military exercises. It is important to understand sound propagation in the first-year ice environment, especially in near-shore …

Effect Of Development Of Scandium Trialuminide Precipitates On Corrosion And Mechanical Behavior In Aluminum-Magnesium Alloys, Carson Williams

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Development of aluminum alloys has seen an increase in attention in recent years. The 5xxx series of Al-Mg alloys has the potential to provide strong, lightweight materials in various industry applications, however issues with strain formability and corrosion hinder the development of these alloys. The addition of Sc for developing Al₃Sc precipitates provides considerable precipitation strengthening as well as grain refinement characteristics that can help mitigate these issues. Alloys with varied Mg content were analyzed for heat treatment aging responses and precipitate formation, changes in mechanical behavior related to the Portevin-le Chatelier effect, and effects on intergranular corrosion …

Investigating Microalloying Elements To Accelerate Zirconium Trialuminide Precipitation In Aluminum Alloys, Philip D. Staublin

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Precipitation of the L1₂-structured coherent Al₃Zr trialuminide phase in aluminum-zirconium alloys increases the alloy strength. Precipitation of a more refined dispersion of Al₃Zr can further increase the strength of these alloys. The addition of microalloying elements which bind to zirconium may accelerate the precipitation kinetics, allowing for nucleation of a greater number of precipitates and faster precipitate growth. Zirconium binding energies are computed for a wide range of elements, based on which the elements tin, antimony, and tellurium were selected for investigation. Ternary Al-Zr-X alloys (X = Sn, Sb, Te) were cast and heat …

Hydrologic Impacts And Trade-Offs Associated With Forest-Based Bioenergy Development Across The Americas, Azad Heidari

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

A simulation-based framework for studying hydrologic impacts and associated tradeoffs for existing and proposed biofuel projects in the US (poplar), Argentina (eucalyptus) and Mexico (oil palm) is developed. For each case study, a representative watershed is selected and a SWAT model is set up and calibrated for an improved simulation of hydrologic processes and plant growth cycles. Potential bioenergy scenarios are developed that represent various planting densities, harvest cycles, fertilization and irrigation rates, land cover types being converted, slope, and locations across the watershed.

Simulations indicate that growth and biomass production are significantly dependent on nitrogen availability, making fertilization a …

Online Learning Of The Spatial-Temporal Channel Variation In Underwater Acoustic Communication Networks, Wensheng Sun

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Influenced by environmental conditions, underwater acoustic (UWA) communication channels exhibit spatial and temporal variations, posing significant challenges for UWA networking and applications. This dissertation develops statistical signal processing approaches to model and predict variations of the channel and relevant environmental factors. Firstly, extensive field experiments are conducted in the Great Lakes region. Three types of the freshwater river/lake acoustic channels are characterized in the aspects of statistical channel variations and sound propagation loss, including stationary, mobile and under-ice acoustic channels. Statistical data analysis shows that relative to oceanic channels, freshwater river/lake channels have larger temporal coherence, higher correlation among densely …

Design And Development Of Personal Protective Equipment Products To Reduce The Impacts Of Machete Injuries For Indigenous Ngäbe Subsistence Farmers In Bocas Del Toro, Panama, Micah Koller

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Design and development of personal protective equipment products for workers using machetes (MPPE) is considered in the specific context of indigenous Ngäbe subsistence farmers in a small, rural community in Bocas del Toro, Panama where the author spent two years as a Peace Corps volunteer from 2017-2019. People in this community regularly suffer significant health and economic impacts due to accidents with machetes, which are essential tools in their farm work and daily lives. The history, criticisms, and recent frameworks related to product design and development in resource-poor markets is examined, and specific details of the problem of machete injuries …

3d Printing In Low Resource Healthcare Settings: Analysis Of Potential Implementations, Alenna Beroza

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

3D printing has gained significant momentum in the past ten years, and its unique advantages make it especially ideal for use in low resource healthcare settings, where many designs have already been successfully implemented. Yet, little has been studied on how 3D printing can be sustainably and functionally implemented in low resource healthcare systems as a manufacturing practice. In this report, three business models are proposed for this implementation: In-House Operator, Independent Operator, and Print Farm. These models were then tested over four months in Kisumu county, Kenya, at two workshops and seven public hospitals. I worked with local medical …