Voting Technology

Voting Technology Ludovice, Peter J.; DeMillo, Rich Rich DeMillo, former Dean of the Georgia Tech College of Computing, and Director of the Center for 21st Century Universities at Georgia Tech joins us to talk about the technology of voting machines and elections. Rich will discuss recent issues from law suits in Georgia in which he testified.

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Voting Technology

Voting Technology Ludovice, Peter J.; DeMillo, Rich Rich DeMillo, former Dean of the Georgia Tech College of Computing, and Director of the Center for 21st Century Universities at Georgia Tech joins us to talk about the technology of voting machines and elections. Rich will discuss recent issues from law suits in Georgia in which he testified.

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Assessing Dendritic Cell Activation and Phenotypic Responses to Gold Nanoparticle Treatments in Vitro

Assessing Dendritic Cell Activation and Phenotypic Responses to Gold Nanoparticle Treatments in Vitro Koutrelakos, Christina Barbara Dendritic cells (DCs) are potent antigen-presenting cells (APCs) that orchestrate an immune response to variety of pathogens or initiate tolerance. Successful manipulation of DCs to control the immune system is a powerful approach for optimizing vaccine delivery, tissue engineering, or immunotherapeutic approaches. Biomaterials are widely used in combination products for tissue regeneration or vaccine delivery; however knowledge of how biomaterials harness DC surface receptors to induce phenotypic changes is still lacking, particularly for nanoparticles (NPs). In this study, a point of reference is established for the immunogenic effects that gold nanoparticle (AuNP) parameters have on DCs. The overall goal of this research is to use this information to engineer a specific immune response. Preliminary results indicate a concentration dependent relationship between increasing levels of AuNPs and pro- inflammatory/maturation of DCs for the bare, and Polyethylene glycol (PEG) coated nanoparticle treatment groups. AuNPs that were serum coated had the opposite trend, where an increasing concentration of AuNPs produced a tolerogenic DC phenotype. Additionally, the serum-coated AuNP treatment group showed the highest levels of tolerogenic DC expression for all treatment groups, across all concentrations. There appears to be no significant difference in the levels of induced mature DC activation between Bare, PEG-2K (short chain PEG), and PEG-5K (long chain PEG).

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Biorobotic Locomotion: Biped Humanoid Walking using Optimal Control

Biorobotic Locomotion: Biped Humanoid Walking using Optimal Control Bindhi, Malavika This paper explores the use of optimal control for quasi-static bipedal walking trajectory synthesis. Optimal control differs from the traditional method of inverse kinematics used for generating trajectories. On setting up an optimal control problem and solving it, a set of joint angle trajectories for executing a portion of the gait can be synthesized using the forward kinematic description, as opposed to the method of inverse kinematics. Although optimal control solution requires the same computational processing, the advantage is the simplification of problem set up procedure. This research aims at developing a quasi-static walking gait for a humanoid by defining a set of optimal control problems with constraints and costs defined as functions of joint angles. OPTRAGEN, a Matlab toolbox, is used to convert the optimal control problem to a non-linear problem which is then solved by a numerical optimization program. The goal is to generate a planar walking gait by setting up an optimal control problem that minimizes the change in joint angles while keeping the body stable. The generated planar gait was tested on the physical robot. On completion of this, the same methods were also used to generate trajectories for a 3-Dimensional quasi-static walking gait.

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Synthesis and Optimization of Poly(Nickel-Ethylenetetrathiolate) for High Performance n-Type Thermoelectric Polymers

Synthesis and Optimization of Poly(Nickel-Ethylenetetrathiolate) for High Performance n-Type Thermoelectric Polymers Eng, Arnold Jesse Thermoelectric generators directly convert heat into electricity via the Seebeck effect, which creates a voltage in response to an applied temperature gradient. Thermoelectric generators have been limited to niche applications due to their high system costs. Electrically conducting polymers are an attractive class of materials, particularly for low-grade waste heat recovery applications. Furthermore, they are inexpensive owing to their abundance and potential to process from solution via printing techniques, and they have an inherently low thermal conductivity. Thermoelectric polymers are often compared by their power factor, which is a function of the electrical conductivity and the Seebeck coefficient. In this work, I investigate the thermoelectric properties of metallo-organic poly[Kx(Ni-ett)], which is one of the highest performing organic n-type TE materials. However, it is produced as a powder that is insoluble in common solvents such as methanol and water; previous attempts to solution process the material have resulted in significantly reduced thermoelectric properties. In this work, we optimize the synthesis of this polymer and fabricate a composite film by suspending poly[Kx(Ni-ett)] in a polymer matrix. This is achieved by optimizing the air exposure time and reducing the amount of polyvinylidene fluoride matrix needed to form a film. The obtained thin-film properties show a room temperature power factor that is several times higher than that of films reported in literature and shows excellent stability in air. Additionally, alternative polymer matrices are investigated to further improve thermoelectric properties.

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Modeling and Inquiry Learning Application: An Exploration of Spatial Simulations in an Inquiry Learning Application

Modeling and Inquiry Learning Application: An Exploration of Spatial Simulations in an Inquiry Learning Application Hartman, Taylor Modeling and simulation is a common technique to explore phenomena in ecology without having to spend an enormous amount of time with data collection and waiting on an ecosystem to develop. The practice of simulating an ecological phenomenon requires a good amount of practice and ability in scripting and programming. A lack of knowledge in the domain of computer modeling and simulation makes creating a working model and simulation of an ecological phenomenon difficult. The MILA system helps to bridge this difficulty by combining a conceptual modeler with a simulator. The research presented in this work expands on the MILA system to add a spatial simulation component to the conceptual modeller and the simulation compiler to provide further flexibility for users of this system. This thesis also provides an exploration of the changes needed to make to be able to simulate phenomenon in any domain beyond ecology.

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Assessing Dendritic Cell Activation and Phenotypic Responses to Gold Nanoparticle Treatments in Vitro

Assessing Dendritic Cell Activation and Phenotypic Responses to Gold Nanoparticle Treatments in Vitro Koutrelakos, Christina Barbara Dendritic cells (DCs) are potent antigen-presenting cells (APCs) that orchestrate an immune response to variety of pathogens or initiate tolerance. Successful manipulation of DCs to control the immune system is a powerful approach for optimizing vaccine delivery, tissue engineering, or immunotherapeutic approaches. Biomaterials are widely used in combination products for tissue regeneration or vaccine delivery; however knowledge of how biomaterials harness DC surface receptors to induce phenotypic changes is still lacking, particularly for nanoparticles (NPs). In this study, a point of reference is established for the immunogenic effects that gold nanoparticle (AuNP) parameters have on DCs. The overall goal of this research is to use this information to engineer a specific immune response. Preliminary results indicate a concentration dependent relationship between increasing levels of AuNPs and pro- inflammatory/maturation of DCs for the bare, and Polyethylene glycol (PEG) coated nanoparticle treatment groups. AuNPs that were serum coated had the opposite trend, where an increasing concentration of AuNPs produced a tolerogenic DC phenotype. Additionally, the serum-coated AuNP treatment group showed the highest levels of tolerogenic DC expression for all treatment groups, across all concentrations. There appears to be no significant difference in the levels of induced mature DC activation between Bare, PEG-2K (short chain PEG), and PEG-5K (long chain PEG).

from Theses online http://www.rssmix.com/

Biorobotic Locomotion: Biped Humanoid Walking using Optimal Control

Biorobotic Locomotion: Biped Humanoid Walking using Optimal Control Bindhi, Malavika This paper explores the use of optimal control for quasi-static bipedal walking trajectory synthesis. Optimal control differs from the traditional method of inverse kinematics used for generating trajectories. On setting up an optimal control problem and solving it, a set of joint angle trajectories for executing a portion of the gait can be synthesized using the forward kinematic description, as opposed to the method of inverse kinematics. Although optimal control solution requires the same computational processing, the advantage is the simplification of problem set up procedure. This research aims at developing a quasi-static walking gait for a humanoid by defining a set of optimal control problems with constraints and costs defined as functions of joint angles. OPTRAGEN, a Matlab toolbox, is used to convert the optimal control problem to a non-linear problem which is then solved by a numerical optimization program. The goal is to generate a planar walking gait by setting up an optimal control problem that minimizes the change in joint angles while keeping the body stable. The generated planar gait was tested on the physical robot. On completion of this, the same methods were also used to generate trajectories for a 3-Dimensional quasi-static walking gait.

from Theses online http://www.rssmix.com/

Synthesis and Optimization of Poly(Nickel-Ethylenetetrathiolate) for High Performance n-Type Thermoelectric Polymers

Synthesis and Optimization of Poly(Nickel-Ethylenetetrathiolate) for High Performance n-Type Thermoelectric Polymers Eng, Arnold Jesse Thermoelectric generators directly convert heat into electricity via the Seebeck effect, which creates a voltage in response to an applied temperature gradient. Thermoelectric generators have been limited to niche applications due to their high system costs. Electrically conducting polymers are an attractive class of materials, particularly for low-grade waste heat recovery applications. Furthermore, they are inexpensive owing to their abundance and potential to process from solution via printing techniques, and they have an inherently low thermal conductivity. Thermoelectric polymers are often compared by their power factor, which is a function of the electrical conductivity and the Seebeck coefficient. In this work, I investigate the thermoelectric properties of metallo-organic poly[Kx(Ni-ett)], which is one of the highest performing organic n-type TE materials. However, it is produced as a powder that is insoluble in common solvents such as methanol and water; previous attempts to solution process the material have resulted in significantly reduced thermoelectric properties. In this work, we optimize the synthesis of this polymer and fabricate a composite film by suspending poly[Kx(Ni-ett)] in a polymer matrix. This is achieved by optimizing the air exposure time and reducing the amount of polyvinylidene fluoride matrix needed to form a film. The obtained thin-film properties show a room temperature power factor that is several times higher than that of films reported in literature and shows excellent stability in air. Additionally, alternative polymer matrices are investigated to further improve thermoelectric properties.

from Theses online http://www.rssmix.com/

Modeling and Inquiry Learning Application: An Exploration of Spatial Simulations in an Inquiry Learning Application

Modeling and Inquiry Learning Application: An Exploration of Spatial Simulations in an Inquiry Learning Application Hartman, Taylor Modeling and simulation is a common technique to explore phenomena in ecology without having to spend an enormous amount of time with data collection and waiting on an ecosystem to develop. The practice of simulating an ecological phenomenon requires a good amount of practice and ability in scripting and programming. A lack of knowledge in the domain of computer modeling and simulation makes creating a working model and simulation of an ecological phenomenon difficult. The MILA system helps to bridge this difficulty by combining a conceptual modeler with a simulator. The research presented in this work expands on the MILA system to add a spatial simulation component to the conceptual modeller and the simulation compiler to provide further flexibility for users of this system. This thesis also provides an exploration of the changes needed to make to be able to simulate phenomenon in any domain beyond ecology.

from Theses online http://www.rssmix.com/

Trust But Verify

Trust But Verify Bennett, Charlie; Hagenmaier, Wendy; Rascoe, Fred; Kowalski, Melanie T. Interview portion of Lost in the Stacks episode 351, broadcast July 21, 2017. Features interview with Matt Spitzer, Community Manager of the Center for Open Science, discussing the importance of openness and reproducibility in scientific research.

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Doshi Drops the Mic

Doshi Drops the Mic Bennett, Charlie; Doshi, Ameet; Hagenmaier, Wendy; Rascoe, Fred Discussion portion of Lost in the Stacks episode 349, broadcast June 30, 2017. Lost in the Stacks hosts discuss the departure of founding host and producer, Ameet Doshi, as he leaves to focus on fully realizing the vision of the 21st century library at Georgia Tech.

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The Human Library

The Human Library Bennett, Charlie; Doshi, Ameet; Hagenmaier, Wendy; Rascoe, Fred Discussion portion of Lost in the Stacks episode 348, broadcast June 23, 2017. Lost in the Stacks hosts discuss the concept of the "Human Library", a project that encourages libraries to host people to be "checked out" for conversations so that marginalized stories can be heard.

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Doshi Drops the Mic

Doshi Drops the Mic Bennett, Charlie; Doshi, Ameet; Hagenmaier, Wendy; Rascoe, Fred Discussion portion of Lost in the Stacks episode 349, broadcast June 30, 2017. Lost in the Stacks hosts discuss the departure of founding host and producer, Ameet Doshi, as he leaves to focus on fully realizing the vision of the 21st century library at Georgia Tech.

from Theses online http://www.rssmix.com/

The Human Library

The Human Library Bennett, Charlie; Doshi, Ameet; Hagenmaier, Wendy; Rascoe, Fred Discussion portion of Lost in the Stacks episode 348, broadcast June 23, 2017. Lost in the Stacks hosts discuss the concept of the "Human Library", a project that encourages libraries to host people to be "checked out" for conversations so that marginalized stories can be heard.

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Engineering the Hidden Library

Engineering the Hidden Library Bennett, Charlie; Doshi, Ameet; Hagenmaier, Wendy; Rascoe, Fred Interview portion of Lost in the Stacks episode 344, broadcast May 19, 2017. Features interview with Alexis Linoski, the Licensed Content Coordinator Librarian at the Georgia Tech library, and Sonya Slutskaya, the Metadata Strategist Librarian at Georgia Tech, about the future of library technical services.

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Microcrack Network Development in Salt-Rock During Cyclic Loading at Low Confining Pressure

Microcrack Network Development in Salt-Rock During Cyclic Loading at Low Confining Pressure Ding, Jihui; Chester, Frederick M.; Chester, Judith S.; Xianda, Shen; Arson, Chloé Triaxial compression tests of synthetic salt-rock are conducted to investigate microfracture development in a semibrittle polycrystalline aggregate. The salt-rock is produced from uniaxial consolidation of granular halite at 150 °C. Following consolidation, the sample is deformed by cyclic loading at room temperature and low confining pressure (Pc = 1 MPa). Load cycles are performed within the elastic regime, up to yielding, and after successive increments of steady ductile flow. At the tested conditions, the samples exhibit ductile behavior with slight work hardening. The microstructure at different stages of deformation indicates that grain-boundary cracking is the dominant brittle deformation mechanism. Microcracking is influenced by the loading configuration and the geometric relationships between neighboring grains. These microcracks display a preferred orientation parallel to the load axis. With cyclic loading, microcracks increase in density and form linked arrays parallel to the direction of loading. As the linked arrays lengthen, grain contacts are progressively opened, which eventually leads to loss of cohesion along surfaces parallel to the loading direction. The observations of crack-network development in salt-rock can improve our understanding of progressive damage and spalling at salt cavern walls. Copyright © 2017 by the American Rock Mechanics Association.; ARMA 17-0308

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Numerical Study of Thermo-Mechanical Effects on the Viscous Damage Behavior of Rock Salt Caverns

Numerical Study of Thermo-Mechanical Effects on the Viscous Damage Behavior of Rock Salt Caverns Cheng, Zhu; Shen, Xianda; Arson, Chloé; Pouya, Ahmad Underground cavities in rock salt have received increased attention for the storage of oil, gas, and compressed air energy. In this study, the transition between secondary and tertiary creep in salt is determined by a micro-macro model: The initiation of grain breakage is correlated with the acceleration of viscoplastic deformation rate and with the initiation of damage at the macroscopic scale. Salt stiffness decreases when macroscopic damage increases, which allows predicting the evolution of the damage zone around salt caverns used for geological storage. After implementing the phenomenological model into the Finite Element Method (FEM) program POROFIS, two thermo-mechanical coupled stress paths are simulated to analyze stress concentrations and viscous damage around a 650-m-deep cavern in axisymmetric conditions. Numerical results indicate that, despite the pressurization or depressurization-induced temperature variation, internal gas temperature always tends to approach the primary surrounding rock mass value. The viscous deformation induced by thermo-mechanical couplings significantly affects the original stress field at the cavern wall and induces high damage at the most concave sections of the cavern. Results reveal the significant influences of idle time, gas pressure range, and injection and withdrawal cycles on stress, strain and temperature distributions in the vicinity of the cavern. More analyses are needed to confirm the influence of thermo-mechanical cycles of pressurization and depressurization, and to design long-term cavern operations. Copyright © 2017 by the American Rock Mechanics Association.; ARMA 17-353

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Monthly Maps of SMAP L2 Version 4 Soil Moisture Retrievals over Contiguous United States in 2016: Data Sample Size Under Various Quality Flags

Monthly Maps of SMAP L2 Version 4 Soil Moisture Retrievals over Contiguous United States in 2016: Data Sample Size Under Various Quality Flags Lin, Liao-Fan; Bras, Rafael L. This document presents the data sample size of the SMAP L2 Version 4 soil moisture retrievals for each month during 2016 and the percentages of the soil moisture data within some quality control limits defined by NASA. The soil moisture retrievals of each 36-km grid cell are associated by NASA to a surface condition and retrieval quality flag. Each half orbit was obtained from http://ift.tt/2po7ceI. There are 11 surface conditions defined in the SMAP data: static water, radar-derived water, coastal proximity, urban area, precipitation, snow, permanent ice, frozen ground from SMAP radiometer-derived freeze/thaw state, frozen ground from GMAO TSURF model, mountainous terrain, and dense vegetation. For each surface condition, a lower threshold T1 and a higher threshold T2 are defined. Only data with all surface conditions under the T1 threshold are flagged as high quality. In this document, we use three variables (i.e.,soil_moisture, surface_flag, and retrieval_qual_flag) from each data file to illustrate the distribution and quality of the data.

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The Diversity Paradigm

The Diversity Paradigm Bennett, Charlie; Doshi, Ameet; Hagenmaier, Wendy; Rascoe, Fred Interview portion of Lost in the Stacks episode 342, broadcast May 5, 2017. Features interview with David James Hudson, Learning & Curriculum Support Librarian, University of Guelph, discussing his article "On 'Diversity' as Anti-Racism in Library and Information Studies: A Critique", published in the Journal of Critical Library and Information Studies.

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