Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Gas-Kinetic Schemes For Direct Numerical Simulations Of Compressible Homogeneous Turbulence, Wei Liao, Yan Peng, Li-Shi Luo

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

We apply the gas-kinetic scheme (GKS) for the direct numerical simulations (DNSs) of compressible decaying homogeneous isotropic turbulence (DHIT). We intend to study the accuracy, stability, and efficiency of the gas-kinetic scheme for DNS of compressible homogeneous turbulence depending on both flow conditions and numerics. In particular, we study the GKS with multidimensional, quasi-one-dimensional, dimensional-splitting, and smooth-flow approximations. We simulate the compressible DHIT with the Taylor microscale Reynolds number Reλ =72.0 and the turbulence Mach number Ma_t between 0.1 and 0.6. We compute the low-order statistical quantities including the total kinetic energy K (t), the dissipation rate ε (t), …

A Two-Population Insurgency In Colombia: Quasi-Predator-Prey Models - A Trend Towards Simplicity, John A. Adam, John A. Sokolowski, Catherine M. Banks

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

A sequence of analytic mathematical models has been developed in the context of the "low-level insurgency" in Colombia, from 1993 to the present. They are based on generalizations of the two-population "predator-prey" model commonly applied in ecological modeling, and interestingly, the less sophisticated models yield more insight into the problem than the more complicated ones, but the formalism is available to adapt the model "upwards" in the event that more data becomes available, or as the situation increases in complexity. Specifically, so-called "forcing terms" were included initially in the coupled differential equations to represent the effects of government policies towards …

Understanding How Disease And Environment Combine To Structure Resistance In Estuarine Bivalve Populations, Eileen E. Hofmann, David Bushek, Susan E. Ford, Ximing Guo, Dale Haidvogel, Dennis Hedgecock, John M. Klinck, Coren Milbury, Diego Narvaez, Eric Powell, Yongping Wang, Zhiren Wang, Liusuo Zhang

CCPO Publications

Delaware Bay oyster (Crassostrea virginica) populations are influenced by two lethal parasites that cause Dermo and MSX diseases. As part of the US National Science Foundation Ecology of Infectious Diseases initiative, a program developed for Delaware Bay focuses on understanding how oyster population genetics and population dynamics interact with the environment and these parasites to structure he host populations, and how these interactions might modified by climate change. Laboratory and field studies undertaken during this program include identifying genes related to MSX and Dermo disease resistance, potential regions for refugia and the mechanisms that allow them to exist, …

Southern Ocean Globec Research And The Future, Eileen Hofmann

CCPO Publications

(First paragraph) The International Global Ocean Ecosystems Dynamics (GLOBEC) Programme will end in early 2010, after almost 20 years. GLOBEC science has provided fundamental changes in our understanding of the scales of interactions in marine ecosystems, alternative views of marine food webs, and the influence of humans in marine ecosystem processes. Since Southern Ocean GLOBEC (SO GLOBEC) was one of the regional research programmes it is appropriate to reflect on i) its specific contributions, ii) how these might guide future Southern Ocean research, and iii) the key gaps for our future understanding of Southern Ocean ecosystems and the impact that …

On The Movement Of Beluga Whales In Cook Inlet, Alaska: Simulations Of Tidal And Environmental Impacts Using A Hydrodynamic Inundation Model, Tal Ezer, Roderick Hobbs, Lie-Yauw Oey

CCPO Publications

The population of beluga whales in Cook Inlet, Alaska, is in decline, and since 2000 these whales have been under consideration for designation as "endangered" under the Endangered Species Act (and were placed on the list in October 2008, just before this article went to press). In order to study environmental and hydrodynamic impacts on the belugas' movements and survival in the unique habitat of the inlet, a three-dimensional ocean circulation and inundation model is combined with satellite-tracked beluga whale data. Model-wale data comparisons from two whale paths during a five-day period (september 17-21, 2000) covering 10 tidal cycles suggest …

Using Timed-Release Cryptography To Mitigate Preservation Risk Of Embargo Periods, Rabia Haq

Computer Science Theses & Dissertations

This research defines Time-Locked Embargo, a framework designed to mitigate the Preservation Risk Interval: the preservation risk associated with embargoed scholarly material. Due to temporary access restrictions, embargoed data cannot be distributed freely and thus preserved via data refreshing during the embargo time interval. A solution to mitigate the risk of data loss has been developed by suggesting a data dissemination framework that allows data refreshing of encrypted instances of embargoed content in an open, unrestricted scholarly community. This framework has been developed by exploiting implementations of existing technologies to"time-lock" data using Timed-Release Cryptology (TRC) so that it can be …

The Development Of Genetic Algorithm For The Prediction Of Ship Motion From Wave Radar Data, Sumanth Tirumala Vangipuram

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Genetic Algorithms represent a model of natural process based on the Darwinian principle of evolution. Genetic algorithms are used to solve optimization problems by generating a set of possible solutions and determining which of these solutions most closely match the desired result. The Genetic Algorithm (GA) initially generates a random set of possible solutions, or populations, determines which members of the population are most desirable, and calculates better solutions by implementing genetic operations such as reproduction, cloning, and mutation. Problems where the evaluation of a solution is computationally simple enable the GA to search a vast search space. One of …

Biomarker Identification For Prostate Cancer Using An Efficient Feature Selection Algorithm, Vamsi Krishnam Raju Mantena

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

In recent years, there has been an increased interest in using protein mass spectrometry to identify biomarkers that discriminate diseased from healthy individuals. A biomarker is a characteristic that is objectively measured and evaluated as an indicator of normal biological processes, pathological processes, or pharmacological responses to a therapeutic intervention. Identifying biomarkers will be an important step towards disease characterization and patient management. One challenge of biomarker identification is how to handle the high dimensional mass spectral data. In this thesis, we applied an efficient feature selection algorithm to mass spectrometry data obtained from prostate tissue samples to identify prostate …

Engineering Management Framework In Support Of Modeling & Simulation Application For Domain Specific Procurement, Thomas Guy Litwin

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

A strategic process is desirable for project-based organizations in order for them to be efficient and effective when developing Modeling & Simulation (M&S) systems. This thesis proposes an overarching process that combines traditional M&S and Engineering Management methodologies in a new framework to support M&S organizations during the procurement process.

This thesis proposes both a Strategic Project Management Process (SPMP) and a systems engineering process for M&S federation development projects. The systems engineering process utilizes the artifacts of Model Driven Architecture (MDA) to support building M&S federations driven by operational requirements. Detailed research of this systems engineering process revealed a …

Modeling Geographic Population Dispersion Utilizing Geospatial Information System Environment Agents In An Agent Based Model, Karl D. Liebert

Computational Modeling & Simulation Engineering Theses & Dissertations

New capabilities in agent based model (ABM) environments are opening the door to the creation of ABM that may incorporate high-quality, real world environment data in the form of Geospatial Information System (GIS) files . In the past, GJS environments were only possible through extensive software development efforts focused on specific model applications.

This thesis explores the value and issues of using GIS data to provide an ABM environment. It examines the ability of ABM development environments (DE) to support GIS environment data. The selected ABM DE is then used to model population behavior in an environment defined by authoritative …

Spatial Analyses And Repletion Of Gargathy Coastal Lagoon, Loreto Herraiz Gomez

OES Theses and Dissertations

Coastal lagoons and bays vary in shape and size in response to antecedent topography, geologic processes and sea level rise. Variations in shape and environmental conditions of coastal basins are believed to influence the distribution of benthic sub-environments and the exchange of water with the ocean and other adjacent coastal systems. Gargathy Inlet and its coastal lagoon vary spatially from the inlet, where the greatest depths are observed, to the mainland, dominated by shallow intertidal areas, colonized by marsh. Hypsographic and hydro-hypsographic analyses of Gargathy's coastal lagoon were the primary techniques applied to understand the relative distribution of the benthic …

Ice-Rafted Detritus Events In The Arctic During The Last Glacial Interval, And The Timing Of The Innuitian And Laurentide Ice Sheet Calving Events, Dennis A. Darby, Paula Zimmerman

OES Faculty Publications

Ice-rafted detritus (IRD) layers in the Arctic Ocean not only indicate the source of this detrital sediment, but give insights into the ice drift and ice sheet history. Detrital sand-sized FE oxide mineral grains that are matched to precise sources using the microprobe chemical fingerprint of each grain, along with elevated coarse IRD abundance and radiocarbon ages, are used to define IRD peaks from the Innuitian and Arctic portions of the Laurentide ice sheets. Because grains from these two areas can be entrained by sea ice from the shelves just offshore of the calving areas, peaks in these grains must …

The Return Of Russia: Energy's Superpower Or Potemkin Village?, Greg R. Bayes

Graduate Program in International Studies Theses & Dissertations

George Kennan's prediction of the Soviet Union's downfall may have, in retrospect, jinxed Russia on the one aspect that had historically worked in its favor: time. The confluence of time and space--brought about by an emphasis on territorial expansion-had greatly aided Russia when difficulties had rendered the variable of time indispensable. When confronted by the likes of Napoleon and Hitler, for example, Russia had at its disposal the luxury of always trading space for time. Although deprived of its empire, the issue of space is not an overarching concern for a Russia that today still spans from Vladivostok to St. …

Tools For A Preservation-Ready Web, Joan A. Smith, Michael L. Nelson

Computer Science Presentations

PDF of a powerpoint presentation from the National Digital Information Infrastructure and Preservation Program (NDIIPP) Partners Meeting, Washington D.C., July 9, 2008. Also available on Slideshare.

Using Agile Software Development Practices In A Research Oriented Distributed Simulation, Douglas James Mielke

Computational Modeling & Simulation Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Although sometimes controversial, agile methodologies have proven to be a viable choice for some software development projects. Projects suited to agile methodologies are those that involve new technology, have requirements that change rapidly, and are controlled by small, talented teams. Much literature about agile software development leans towards business products and non-government entities. Only a handful of literature resources mention agile software development being used in government contracts and even fewer resources mention research projects. NASA's Airspace and Traffic Operations Simulation (ATOS) is a research oriented simulation that doesn't follow the traditional business project mold. In an effort to gain …

Extending The Network Life Time In Wsn Using Energy Efficient Algorithm, Venkata Sesha Sai Koundinya Goparaju

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Wireless Sensor networks have many potential applications. These wireless sensor networks necessitate specific design requirements of which energy efficiency is vital. The sensor networks consist of sensor nodes that operate on battery power, and replacement of these batteries is very often a strenuous task, since networks are deployed in areas where the act of replacing the batteries proves impractical.

With the limited available energy of sensor nodes, most of the energy is drained during communication. An energy efficient routing algorithm can prolong the lifetime of the network by gradually depleting the nodes in the network. Many of the routing protocols …

Integrating Preservation Functions Into The Web Server, Joan A. Smith

Computer Science Theses & Dissertations

Digital preservation of theWorldWideWeb poses unique challenges, different fromthe preservation issues facing professional Digital Libraries. The complete list of a website’s resources cannot be cited with confidence, and the descriptive metadata available for the resources is so minimal that it is sometimes insufficient for a browser to recognize. In short, the Web suffers from a counting problem and a representation problem. Refreshing the bits, migrating from an obsolete file format to a newer format, and other classic digital preservation problems also affect the Web. As digital collections devise solutions to these problems, the Web will also benefit. But the core …

Biology-Inspired Approach For Communal Behavior In Massively Deployed Sensor Networks, Kennie H. Jones

Computer Science Theses & Dissertations

Research in wireless sensor networks has accelerated rapidly in recent years. The promise of ubiquitous control of the physical environment opens the way for new applications that will redefine the way we live and work. Due to the small size and low cost of sensor devices, visionaries promise smart systems enabled by deployment of massive numbers of sensors working in concert. To date, most of the research effort has concentrated on forming ad hoc networks under centralized control, which is not scalable to massive deployments. This thesis proposes an alternative approach based on models inspired by biological systems and reports …

Investigation Of (E, 2e) Collisions And Related Phenomena, Jason Manuel Martinez

Physics Theses & Dissertations

In this thesis I investigate (e, 2e) processes, or electron impact ionization, using several theoretical methods. I first examine the problem using the Born approximations, particularly the Distorted Wave Born Approximation (DWBA), focusing on the underlying processes that dominate for ionization of the 2p state of Argon and Magnesium. I investigate as well the ionization of helium and hydrogen and use the simplicity of the approximation to probe the incident particle effects on the Helium cross section. In both cases the results are compared with experiment. I also produce cross section results for ions near threshold, a regime that …

Microtextures Of Cyanobacterial Mats In Siliciclastic Sedimentary Environments (Modern & Ancient): Applications To The Search For Life On Mars, Dina M. Bower

OES Theses and Dissertations

The current Mars Exploration Rover Program (MER) is one of NASA's most successful missions. The aim of the MER is to explore for possible life on the surface of Mars. My thesis developed new methods of how to detect and to identify microbial mats in siliciclastic sediments (modern and ancient), and to make recommendations on the applicability of MISS as biosignatures. Predominantly, I employed instrumentation portable by future rovers. To search for life on other planets, we need to have information on how this life might look. Most astrobiological studies therefore focus on Earthly analogues of life and its habitats. …

3he Spin-Dependent Cross Sections And Sum Rules, K. Slifer, M. Amarian, L. Auerbach, T. Averett, J. Berthot, P. Bertin, B. Bertozzi, K. Mccormick, F. Sabatié, L. Todor

Physics Faculty Publications

We present a measurement of the spin-dependent cross sections for the ^3→He(→e,e′)X reaction in the quasielastic and resonance regions at a four-momentum transfer 0.1≤Q²≤0.9  GeV². The spin-structure functions have been extracted and used to evaluate the nuclear Burkhardt-Cottingham and extended Gerasimov-Drell-Hearn sum rules for the first time. The data are also compared to an impulse approximation calculation and an exact three-body Faddeev calculation in the quasielastic region.

Integer Ratio Logarithm Based Edge Detection For Runway Hazard Detection, Sri Satya Vardhan Gogineni

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

As air traffic is growing in leaps and bounds every day, flying safe has been a major concern in day to day life. Aviation safety is always dependent on the performance of the pilot and air traffic controllers. The very involvement of human discretion introduces judgment as a component of a safe takeoff and landing. A convenient and immediate alternative would be the use of technology to alleviate the problem. Several algorithms have been developed to solve this problem. However, most computer vision algorithms leave the task of interpreting the end data unaddressed. Juggling the myriad tasks during landing and …

Medical Image Modeling And Processing, Ramu Pedada

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

During the last few decades of the twentieth century, medical imaging has been playing a prominent role in many fields of biomedical research and clinical practice. Image modalities such as x-rays, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance images (MRI) have all been valuable additions to the radiologist's arsenal of imaging tools. Medical images assure quality diagnosis and patient safety by gathering valuable information without invading the human body. Apart from clinical diagnosis, medical images are used as tools for education where they are used for training individuals before operating on a patient. Many medical educators tum to simulation based training …

Image Pre-Processing Techniques For Hazard Detection In Poor Visibility Conditions, Girish Singh Rajput

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Runway incursion is a persistent problem that has resulted in some of the most devastating accidents in aviation history. With ever increasing air traffic and more passengers, runway safety is of utmost priority to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other agencies concerned with aviation. As the issue of aviation safety becomes increasingly important, developing a consistent application that detects runway incursions in various visibility conditions is crucial for the aviation industry. This thesis presents a novel method for detecting runway hazards in poor visibility conditions using image processing techniques. The first step is to obtain images of a runway …

Congestion Mitigation In Wireless Sensor Networks Using Single-Hop Backpressure Algorithm, Vijay Shekar Mangilipalli Gangu Sham

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Wireless sensor networks consist of a group of small components with limited resources allocated to sense the environment and transmit data to the user or interpreter. This concept is technically evolved from Sensors that are basically used to sense the environment around and collect data based on the sensing application incorporated in them. An extension to functionality of the sensors leads to the concept of sensor networks, where, in addition to gathering information at individual sensors, the data is processed and transmitted to a central station or Base station. This concept of transmitting the information from one node to the …

Robust Edge-Detection Algorithm For Runway Edge Detection, Swathi Tandra

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Fog and other such weather conditions hamper the visibility of runway surfaces and any obstacles present on the runway, creating a situation where a pilot may not be able to safely land the aircraft. Assisting the pilot to land the aircraft safely in such conditions is an active area of research. A new method is being investigated that combines non-linear image enhancement with classification of runway edges to detect objects on the runway. The image is segmented into runway and non-runway regions, and objects that are found in the runway regions are deemed to constitute potential hazards. For runway edge …

Object Detection In Poor Visibility Conditions Using Image Segmentation, Triveni Vuppalapati

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

It can be dangerous for a pilot to attempt to land an aircraft safely in poor visibility conditions such as rain, fog, haze, snow and low light, but external imagery of a runway can be enhanced to provide increased situational awareness. Objects that are detected in a scene may or may not be a hazard, so interpretation is left to the pilot. In order to detect whether an object is a hazard to safe landing, it is necessary to determine whether the object is on the runway. For this purpose, two image segmentation algorithms: histogram based d-peak algorithm and local …

Reflection High-Energy Electron Diffraction Studies Of Indium Phosphide (100) And Growth On Indium And Indium Nitride On Silicon (100), Mohamed Abd-Elsattar Hafez

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Study of the effects of atomic hydrogen exposure on structure and morphology of semiconductor surfaces is important for fundamental properties and applications. In this dissertation, the electron yield of a hydrogen-cleaned indium phosphide (InP) surface was measured and correlated to the development of the surface morphology, which was monitored by in situ reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED). Atomic hydrogen treatment produced a clean, well-ordered, and (2x4)-reconstructed InP(100) surface. The quantum efficiency, after activation to negative electron affinity, and the secondary electron emission were shown to increase with hydrogen cleaning time. RHEED patterns of low-index InP(100) surface were modified by the …

Joint Transform Correlation With A Synthetic Discrimination Function For Object Classification, Inder K. Purohit

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

A novel method using adaptive progressive thresholding (APT) and shifted phase-encoded fringe-adjusted joint transform correlation (SPFJTC) that employs a synthetic discriminant function (SDF) image for object classification is presented in this thesis. An adaptive progressive thresholding scheme first processes the given input scene to separate any objects present in the scene from the background. The preprocessing step results in an image having only the foreground objects, such as boats, trees and other cluttered regions, and hence reduces the search space for the correlation step significantly. The processed irμage is then fed to the shifted phase-encoded fringe-adjusted joint transform correlator, which …

Circulation, Vol. 15, No. 1, Center For Coastal Physical Oceanography, Old Dominion University, Tal Ezer

CCPO Circulation

Spring 2008 issue of CCPO Circulation featuring article "Hydrodynamic Numerical Ocean Models Support Environmental Studies and Conservation Efforts: From an Arctic Estuary to a Caribbean Coral Reef" by Dr. Tal Ezer