Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Mapping Concepts In Medical Error Taxonomies, Min Zhu, Yong Huang, Yang Gong, Juliana J. Brixey, Jiajie Zhang, James P. Turley

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

No abstract provided.

Using Citation Data To Improve Retrieval From Medline, Elmer V Bernstam, Jorge R Herskovic, Yindalon Aphinyanaphongs, Constantin F Aliferis, Madurai G Sriram, William R Hersh

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether algorithms developed for the World Wide Web can be applied to the biomedical literature in order to identify articles that are important as well as relevant. DESIGN AND MEASUREMENTS A direct comparison of eight algorithms: simple PubMed queries, clinical queries (sensitive and specific versions), vector cosine comparison, citation count, journal impact factor, PageRank, and machine learning based on polynomial support vector machines. The objective was to prioritize important articles, defined as being included in a pre-existing bibliography of important literature in surgical oncology. RESULTS Citation-based algorithms were more effective than noncitation-based algorithms at identifying important articles. …

An Investigation Into The Spatial And Temporal Movement Of The Sand Dunes In The West Lake Ecosystem Of Sandbanks Provincial Park And The Implications For Management (Ontario), Jayson A. Childs

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Sandbanks Provincial Park is located on the northern shore of eastern Lake Ontario approximately 150km east of Toronto. The park is located on the southwestern shore of Prince Edward County in Hallowell Township and the research site was located on the larger of the two baymouth barriers the park protects. The research into aeolian sediment transport was carried out over twelve months in 2003--2004 on the Wellington Baymouth barrier. Vegetated sand dunes are sensitive geomorphic systems and when the protective cover is damaged and removed, changes are inevitable. The study examined variations in the amount of sediment transport in different …

Measured Stark Widths And Shifts Of The Neutral Argon Spectral Lines In 4s–4p And 4s–4p′ Transitions, Vladimir Milosavljevic, Albert R. Ellingboe, Stevan Djenize

Articles

We investigate the Stark widths (W) and the shift (d), of the seven neutral argon (Ar I) spectral lines from the 4s–4p and 4s–4p′ transitions. The line shapes are measured in a linear, low-pressure, optically thin pulsed arc discharge at about 16 000 K electron temperature (T) and about 7.0 × 10²² m^{− 3} electron density (N). The new data separates the electron width (W_e) and ion width W_i from the total Stark width (W_t), as well the separation of electron total Stark …

Application Of Cognitive Engineering Principles To The Redesign Of A Dichotomous Identification Key For Parasitology, Kimberly A. Smith-Akins, Sharon Mclane, Thomas M. Craig, Todd R. Johnson

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Dichotomous identification keys are used throughout biology for identification of plants, insects, and parasites. However, correct use of identification keys can be difficult as they are not usually intended for novice users who may not be familiar with the terminology used or with the morphology of the organism being identified. Therefore, we applied cognitive engineering principles to redesign a parasitology identification key for the Internet. We addressed issues of visual clutter and spatial distance by displaying a single question couplet at a time and by switching to the appropriate next couplet after the user made a choice. Our analysis of …

The Kronecker Product, Bobbi Jo Broxson

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This paper presents a detailed discussion of the Kronecker product of matrices. It begins with the definition and some basic properties of the Kronecker product. Statements will be proven that reveal information concerning the eigenvalues, singular values, rank, trace, and determinant of the Kronecker product of two matrices. The Kronecker product will then be employed to solve linear matrix equations. An investigation of the commutativity of the Kronecker product will be carried out using permutation matrices. The Jordan - Canonical form of a Kronecker product will be examined. Variations such as the Kronecker sum and generalized Kronecker product will be …

Coalgebras And Their Logics, Alexander Kurz

Engineering Faculty Articles and Research

"Transition systems pervade much of computer science. This article outlines the beginnings of a general theory of specification languages for transition systems. More specifically, transition systems are generalised to coalgebras. Specification languages together with their proof systems, in the following called (logical or modal) calculi, are presented by the associated classes of algebras (e.g., classical propositional logic by Boolean algebras). Stone duality will be used to relate the logics and their coalgebraic semantics."

Relationships Between Deflector Faults, Collapse Dolines And Collector Channel Formation: Some Examples From Slovenia, France Šušteršič

International Journal of Speleology

In some Slovenian caves collector channels gather sinking underground streams and redirect them for potentially long distances parallel to certain faults. The collector channels formed due to ongoing long-term collapse of cave roofs at the points where passages break through the faults, which function as a kind of screen and are termed deflector faults. The fault trends are marked by collapse within the caves, and by active collapse dolines at the surface.

Studies Of Condensation/Evaporation Processes In The Glowworm Cave, New Zealand, C. R. De Freitas, A. Schmekal

International Journal of Speleology

The condensation/evaporation process is important in caves, especially in tourist caves where there is carbon dioxide enriched air caused by visitors. The cycle of condensation and evaporation of condensate is believed to enhance condensation corrosion. The problem is condensation is difficult to measure. This study addresses the problem and reports on a method for measuring and modelling condensation rates in a limestone cave. Electronic sensors for measuring condensation and evaporation of the condensate as part of a single continuous process of water vapour flux are tested and used to collect 12 months of data. The study site is the Glowworm …

Identification Of Cave Minerals By Raman Spectroscopy: New Technology For Non-Destructive Analysis, William B. White

International Journal of Speleology

The identification of minerals from caves generally requires that samples be removed from the cave for analysis in the laboratory. The usual tools are X-ray powder diffraction, the optical microscope, and the scanning electron microscope. X-ray diffraction gives a definitive fingerprint by which the mineral can be identified by comparison with a catalog of reference patterns. However, samples must be ground to powder and unstable hydrated minerals may decompose before analysis is complete. Raman spectroscopy also provides a fingerprint useful for mineral identification but with the additional advantage that some a-priori interpretation of the spectra is possible (distinguishing carbonates from …

Approximate String Matching With Dynamic Programming And Suffix Trees, Leng Hui Keng

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The importance and the contribution of string matching algorithms to the modern society cannot be overstated. From basic search algorithms such as spell checking and data querying, to advanced algorithms such as DNA sequencing, trend analysis and signal processing, string matching algorithms form the foundation of many aspects in computing that have been pivotal in technological advancement.

In general, string matching algorithms can be divided into the categories of exact string matching and approximate string matching. We study each area and examine some of the well known algorithms. We probe into one of the most intriguing data structure in string …

P2pcompute - A Peer-To-Peer Computing Model, Jayant Mishra

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Peer-to-peer (P2P) networks consist of nodes which have both client and server capabilities and on which communication and data sharing is carried on directly between nodes, rather than being arbitrated by an intermediary node. The P2P architecture was popularized by file-sharing, one of the widely-used applications of the Internet. Many applications that are based on this architecture have been developed. It also provides an efficient platform to harness the computing power of a network of desktop computers. P2P computing power can help solve computationally complex problems that require powerful supercomputers. However, it has not been as widely used as the …

Search For Gravitational Waves From Binary Black Hole Inspirals In Ligo Data, B. P. Abbott, R. Abbott, W. G. Anderson, Mario C. Diaz, Wm. R. Johnston, Soumya Mohanty, Soma Mukherjee, Cristina V. Torres

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications

We report on a search for gravitational waves from binary black hole inspirals in the data from the second science run of the LIGO interferometers. The search focused on binary systems with component masses between 3 and 20M⊙. Optimally oriented binaries with distances up to 1 Mpc could be detected with efficiency of at least 90%. We found no events that could be identified as gravitational waves in the 385.6 hours of data that we searched.

Ferromagnetic Resonance Investigations On Ga0.965mn0.035as Film, S. Balascuta, X. Liu, D. V. Baxter, J. Carini, T. Wojtowicz, Y. Sasaki, J. Furdyna, Mircea Chipara

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications

Ferromagnetic resonance studies of the temperature dependence of magnetic anisotropies in a Ga0.965Mn0.035As film between 5 and 40K are reported. The in-plane and out-of-the-plane angular dependences of the resonance field were analyzed within the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert approach. The second- and fourth-order magnetic anisotropy energies were derived. The temperature dependence of magnetization and of magnetic anisotropy were studied by superconducting quantum interference device and ferromagnetic resonance.

Electrical Pulse Formation During High Temperature Reaction Between Ni And Al, Mona Setoodeh, Karen S. Martirosyan, Dan Luss

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications

An electric voltage pulse (duration of about 2ms) with an amplitude of up to 0.6V was generated during the reaction between nickel and aluminum powders by a high temperature moving reaction front. The electrical signal formed during the initial stages of the combustion was annihilated before the moving front attained its maximum temperature. The voltage amplitude and combustion temperature depended on the particle size of the reactants as well as the Al to Ni ratio in the reactant mixture, and their largest values were attained for a mixture containing 27–31.5wt% Al. The combustion temperature increased when smaller Al particles were …

Salt Ingestion Caves, Charles A. Lundquist, William W. Varnedoe Jr.

International Journal of Speleology

Large vertebrate herbivores, when they find a salt-bearing layer of rock, say in a cliff face, can produce sizable voids where, over generations, they have removed and consumed salty rock. The cavities formed by this natural animal process constitute a unique class of caves that can be called salt ingestion caves. Several examples of such caves are described in various publications. An example in Mississippi U.S.A., Rock House Cave, was visited by the authors in 2000. It seems to have been formed by deer or bison. Perhaps the most spectacular example is Kitum Cave in Kenya. This cave has been …

Unconfined Versus Confined Speleogenetic Settings: Variations Of Solution Porosity, Alexander Klimchouk

International Journal of Speleology

Speleogenesis in confined settings generates cave morphologies that differ much from those formed in unconfined settings. Caves developed in unconfined settings are characterised by broadly dendritic patterns of channels due to highly competing development. In contrast, caves originated under confined conditions tend to form two- or three-dimensional mazes with densely packed conduits. This paper illustrates variations of solution (channel) porosity resulted from speleogenesis in unconfined and confined settings by the analysis of morphometric parameters of typical cave patterns. Two samples of typical cave systems formed in the respective settings are compared. The sample that represents unconfined speleogenesis consists of solely …

Tracer-Test Design For Losing Stream–Aquifer Systems, Malcolm S. Field

International Journal of Speleology

Hydrological tracer testing is an effective way for assessing the significance and extent of leakage through the bed of an influent (losing and sinking) stream. In karstic terranes, leakage from losing and sinking streams typically resurge at downstream springs, but flow may be intercepted by production wells. Although sinking streams that disappear into swallow holes and caves are relatively easy to trace, developing a tracer test design for a losing stream that allows slow percolation through its bed is complicated by the lack of basic knowledge regarding leakage rate, leakage locations along its length, and temporal variability. To overcome these …

Caves And Speleogenesis At Blomstrandsøya, Kongsfjord, W. Spitsbergen, Stein-Erik Lauritzen

International Journal of Speleology

Blomstrandsøya, at Kongsfjord (78° 57’N), Spitsbergen, is within the high arctic, a completely permafrozen zone. The bedrock consists of Paleozoic marbles and has yielded a surprising amount of karst features. Early phases of hydrothermal, possibly Caledonian, speleogenesis and subsequent Devonian karstification with redbed deposits is well documented. 62 active seacaves, and more than 30 relict karst caves were found in the coastal cliffs and in escarpment faces around the island. All caves have very limited extent; they are either quite short, like most of the active sea caves, or they are soon choked by frozen sediments and ground ice after …

Thermal Variations In The Hyporheic Zone Of A Karst Stream, Toby Dogwiler, Carol Wicks

International Journal of Speleology

This investigation quantifies how temperatures in the streambed sediments of a karst stream fluctuate in relation to discharge, seasonal, and diurnal temperature variations as the stream passes through a karst window. Furthermore, the linkages between meteorological processes and temperature variation in the hyporheic zone are delineated. Examination of a high-resolution, three dimensional record of temperature variation in a karst stream substrate provides insight into thermal disturbances in the hyporheic zone. Temperatures in the upper portion of the hyporheic zone are strongly linked to air temperatures via the surface water. The variation is considerably less as depth increases. The annual temperature …

Vashegyite From Gaura Cu Muscă Cave (Locvei Mountains, Romania): A New And Rare Phosphate Occurrence, Bogdan P. Onac, Luminiţa Zaharia, Joe Kearns, Daniel Veres

International Journal of Speleology

This study investigated the occurrence of vashegyite from a guano-rich deposit located in the Gaura cu Muscă Cave, Romania. Analytical methods used include optical microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron-microscopy (SEM), inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), thermal investigations and Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) analyses. Vashegyite occurs as friable, chalky white, irregular nodules of up to 2.5 cm in diameter, within a 15 cm thick sequence of organic and minerogenic sediments. The chemical structural formula is: (Al_10.91Fe³⁺_0.06Na_0.1Ca_0.02Mg_0.08)_Σ=11.17[(PO₄)_8.78(SiO₄)_0.056]_Σ=8.83(OH) …

The Distribution Of Diatom Flora In Ice Caves Of The Northern Yukon Territory, Canada: Relationship To Air Circulation And Freezing, Bernard Lauriol, Clément Prévost, Denis Lacelle

International Journal of Speleology

In the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, various media in karst environments in the Northern Yukon Territory were examined for their diatom content. Cryogenic cave calcite powders, grus and various ice formations (ice plugs, ice stalagmites and floor ice) were collected from three freezing caves and one slope cave to make an inventory of the diatom content, and to explain the spatial distribution of the diatoms within the caves. The results show that approximately 20% of diatoms in the caves originate from external biotopes and habitats (e.g., river, lake, stream), with the remaining 80% of local origin (i.e., from subaerial …

Radon In Caves: Clinical Aspects, Stephen A. Craven, Berend J. Smit

International Journal of Speleology

Historical, experimental and clinical evidence is presented to suggest that radon constitutes a relatively small carcinogenic risk for casual visitors to caves. The risk is dependent on radon levels and the smoking of tobacco. Show cave guides, chronically exposed to radon, may be at increased risk for lung cancer due to the effects of radon, especially if they are smokers of tobacco.

Incorporating Remote Sensing Information In Modeling House Values: A Regression Tree Approach, Danlin Yu, Changshan Wu

Department of Earth and Environmental Studies Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

This paper explores the possibility of incorporating remote sensing information in modeling house values in the City of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.A. In particular, a Landsat ETM+ image was utilized to derive environmental characteristics, including the fractions of vegetation, impervious surface, and soil, with a linear spectral mixture analysis approach. These environmental characteristics, together with house structural attributes, were integrated to house value models. Two modeling techniques, a global OLS regression and a regression tree approach, were employed to build the relationship between house values and house structural and environmental characteristics. Analysis of results indicates that environmental characteristics generated from remote …

A Multigrid Method For Variable Coefficient Maxwell's Equations, Jim E. Jones, Barry Lee

Mathematics and System Engineering Faculty Publications

This paper presents a multigrid method for solving variable coefficient Maxwell's equations. The novelty in this method is the use of interpolation operators that do not produce multilevel commutativity complexes that lead to multilevel exactness. Rather, the effects of multilevel exactness are built into the level equations themselves-on the finest level using a discrete T -V formulation and on the coarser grids through the Galerkin coarsening procedure of a T - V formulation. These built-in structures permit the levelwise use of an effective hybrid smoother on the curl-free near-nullspace components and permit the development of interpolation operators for handling the …

Geometry-Based Detection Of Flash Worms, Sang Soo Kim

Master's Projects

While it takes traditional internet worms hours to infect all the vulnerable hosts on the Internet, a flash worm takes seconds. Because of the rapid rate with which flash worms spread, the existing worm defense mechanisms cannot respond fast enough to detect and stop the flash worm infections. In this project, we propose a geometric-based detection mechanism that can detect the spread of flash worms in a short period of time. We tested the mechanism on various simulated flash worm traffics consisting of more than 10,000 nodes. In addition to testing on flash worm traffics, we also tested the mechanism …

Engineering Enterprise Software Systems With Interactive Uml Models And Aspect-Oriented Middleware, Paul Nguyen

Master's Projects

Large scale enterprise software systems are inherently complex and hard to maintain. To deal with this complexity, current mainstream software engineering practices aim at raising the level of abstraction to visual models described in OMG’s UML modeling language. Current UML tools, however, produce static design diagrams for documentation which quickly become out-of-sync with the software, and thus obsolete. To address this issue, current model-driven software development approaches aim at software automation using generators that translate models into code. However, these solutions don’t have a good answer for dealing with legacy source code and the evolution of existing enterprise software systems. …

Characterization Of Beta-Amyloid Peptide Aggregation And Acceleration With Non-Fibrillar Forming Peptide-Based Mediators, Nadia J. Edwin

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Protein aggregation occurs under many circumstances, from the dynamic assembly of tubulin to form microtubules, the aggregation of actin into filaments, as well as plaque formation by amyloid precipitation. One important requirement in studying the mechanism of amyloid aggregation is the ability to monitor the growth kinetics over a wide range in size scales (10 nm to microns) with time that spans microseconds to seconds. Understanding the mechanisms of the aggregation may then lead to improved design of drugs to help control or suppress the aggregation process. In this dissertation, the physical characterization of the â-amyloid peptide and its interaction …

Representation Properties Of Definite Lattices In Function Fields, Jean Edouard Bureau

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This work is made of two different parts. The first contains results concerning isospectral quadratic forms, and the second is about regular quadratic forms. Two quadratic forms are said to be isospectral if they have the same representation numbers. In this work, we consider binary and ternary definite integral quadratic form defined over the polynomial ring F[t], where F is a finite field of odd characteristic. We prove that the class of such a form is determined by its representation numbers. Equivalently, we prove that there is no nonequivalent definite F[t]-lattices of rank 2 or 3 having the same theta …

High-Energy Effective Action From Scattering Of Qcd Shock Waves, Ian Balitsky

Physics Faculty Publications

At high energies, the relevant degrees of freedom are Wilson lines--infinite gauge links ordered along straight lines collinear to the velocities of colliding particles. The effective action for these Wilson lines is determined by the scattering of QCD shock waves. I develop the symmetric expansion of the effective action in powers of strength of one of the shock waves and calculate the leading term of the series. The corresponding first-order effective action, symmetric with respect to projectile and target, includes both up and down fan diagrams and pomeron loops