Constructing Dynamic Ad-hoc Emergency Networks using Software-Defined Wireless Mesh Networks

Natural disasters and other emergency situations have the potential to destroy a whole network infrastructure needed for communication critical to emergency rescue, evacuation, and initial rehabilitation. Hence, the research community has begun to focus attention on rapid network reconstruction in such emergencies; however, research has tried to create or improve emergency response systems using traditional radio and satellite communications, which face high operation costs and frequent disruptions. This thesis proposes a centralized monitoring and control system to reconstruct ad-hoc networks in emergencies by using software-defined wireless mesh networks (SDWMN). The proposed framework utilizes wireless mesh networks and software-defined networking to provide real-time network monitoring services to restore Internet access in a targeted disaster zone. It dispatches mobile devices including unmanned aerial vehicles and self-driving cars to the most efficient location aggregation to recover impaired network connections by using a new GPS position finder (GPS-PF) algorithm. The algorithm is based on density-based spatial clustering that calculates the best position to deploy one of the mobile devices. The proposed system is evaluated using the common open research emulator to demonstrate its efficiency and high accessibility in emergency situations. The results obtained from the evaluation show that the performance of the emergency communication system is improved considerably with the incorporation of the framework

Spray automated balancing of rotors: Methods and materials

The work described consists of two parts. In the first part, a survey is performed to assess the state of the art in rotor balancing technology as it applies to Army gas turbine engines and associated power transmission hardware. The second part evaluates thermal spray processes for balancing weight addition in an automated balancing procedure. The industry survey reveals that: (1) computerized balancing equipment is valuable to reduce errors, improve balance quality, and provide documentation; (2) slow-speed balancing is used exclusively, with no forseeable need for production high-speed balancing; (3) automated procedures are desired; and (4) thermal spray balancing is viewed with cautious optimism whereas laser balancing is viewed with concern for flight propulsion hardware. The FARE method (Fuel/Air Repetitive Explosion) was selected for experimental evaluation of bond strength and fatigue strength. Material combinations tested were tungsten carbide on stainless steel (17-4), Inconel 718 on Inconel 718, and Triballoy 800 on Inconel 718. Bond strengths were entirely adequate for use in balancing. Material combinations have been identified for use in hot and cold sections of an engine, with fatigue strengths equivalent to those for hand-ground materials

Expert Systems: Forecasting Petrol Orders for PETRONAS Petrol Station

This system aims to develop an expert system (ES) prototype to assist PETRONAS petrol station's manager to predict the weekly petrol sales. Accurate result is very important to the manager because this will determine the amount of petrol left in the petrol station storage tank. An empty tank will interrupt the petrol station daily operation and the manager needs to bear the cost as well. Currently the manager does not have any assisting material (training only provided before the petrol station start operating) to support them during planning and most of them based solely on their experienced. There is no guideline to guide inexperience manager particularly the new petrol station manager. The scope of study is to understand the process during making decision to order petrol from the depot, the underlying factors that involved in forecasting, external parties that influenced the forecast and the method used to develop the ES. The system will develop using rule-based ES that introduced the if-then rules. The system will allow more flexibility to the users to customize their own rules according to their needs. Two interfaces will be used to distinguish different user roles that involved in the system; administrator and operator. The system is depending on the system knowledge base and the inference engine to formalize and analyze the rules from the users inserts data. Later, the system will come out with the forecasted order and other details to guide the petrol station manager to make decision. The significant of this project will improve the performance, efficiency of the petrol station and also increase PETRONAS petrol selling throughout the nation

Development of L-Lysine-Loaded PLGA Microparticles as a Controlled Release System for Angiogenesis Enhancement

Vascularization is a highly conserved and considerably complex and precise process that is finely driven by endogenous regulatory processes at the tissue and systemic levels. However, it can reveal itself to be slow and inadequate for tissue repair and regeneration consequent to severe lesions/damages. Several biomaterial-based strategies were developed to support and enhance vasculogenesis by supplying pro-angiogenic agents. Several approaches were adopted to develop effective drug delivery systems for the controlled release of a huge variety of compounds. In this work, a microparticulate system was chosen to be loaded with the essential amino acid L-lysine, a molecule that has recently gained interest due to its involvement in pro-angiogenic, pro-regenerative, and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. Poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid), the most widely used FDA-approved biodegradable synthetic polymer for the development of drug delivery systems, was chosen due to its versatility and ability to promote neovascularization and wound healing. This study dealt with the development and the effectiveness evaluation of a PLGA-based microparticulate system for the controlled release of L-lysine. Therefore, in order to maximize L-lysine encapsulation efficiency and tune its release kinetics, the microparticle synthesis protocol was optimized by varying some processing parameters. All developed formulations were characterized from a morphological and physicochemical point of view. The optimized formulation was further characterized via the evaluation of its preliminary biological efficacy in vitro. The cellular and molecular studies revealed that the L-lysine-loaded PLGA microparticles were non-toxic, biocompatible, and supported cell proliferation and angiogenesis well by stimulating the expression of pro-angiogenic genes such as metalloproteinase-9, focal adhesion kinases, and different growth factors. Thus, this work showed the potential of delivering L-lysine encapsulated in PLGA microparticles as a cost-effective promoter system for angiogenesis enhancement and rapid healing

Automated Deploy for Chrome OS Testing

The current NVIDIA Chrome OS team is rather small, and they simply do not have that many man-hours to devote to testing Chromebooks. To alleviate this pressure, our MQP group has developed a system to automatically deploy and test the newest builds of NVIDIA’s Chrome OS software on their new Tegra-based Chromebooks. Our software system allows the NVIDIA Chrome OS team to quickly test new nightly builds, eliminate broken builds, and ensure their development Chromebooks are always in a bootable state

Developoing A Computer and Network Engineering Major Curriculum For Vocational High School (VHS) in Indonesia

This study aims at developing curriculum for Computer and Network Engineering major which is relevant to industrial needs. The study employed the qualitative method. The data were collected through an in-depth interview, documentation, and focus group disscussion. The research population comprised of (1) industry practitioners from computer and network engineering industries, and (2) teachers of vocational high schools in Special Region of Yogyakarta. In this qualitative research, the one who became the instrument or tool of the research was the researcher himself. Understanding the qualitative research method and the knowledge related to the field of the research, the researcher was sure that he had sufficient knowledge both academically and technically. The findings of this study consisted of four parts, namely (1) standard competence of Computer and Network Engineering major for vocational high school; (2) the curriculum of Computer and Network Engineering major that is currently implemented; (3) competences in the field of Computer and Network Engineering demanded by industries; and (4) the curricuulum of Computer and Network Engineering major that is appropriate for industrial needs

Sociotechnical systems as applied to knowledge work

This study examines the logic behind choosing variances and the design of forums during the planning of deliberations in non-routine work environments using a Sociotechnical System design approach. This study was accomplished through review and comparison of literature on sociotechnical applications of non-routine, knowledge work environments. The traditional sociotechnical application applied to factory settings with linear and routine work tasks analyzes unit operations within an open system, identifying technical variances that contribute to problems and social roles that control the variances. A new sociotechnical approach has been developed for systems involved in non-routine, knowledge work environments. This approach focuses on deliberations formed around topics, establishes variances that lead to poor deliberations, designs forums that minimize variances and gives control of variances to discretionary coalitions. These results generally support that variances contributing to poor deliberations are well established and that organizations need only identify the key variances that contribute to problems in their system. Organizations need to understand how the key variances affect the development of knowledge and how forums can be designed to enhance deliberations. This study places specific focus on the design of information technology forums that enhance knowledge developmenthttp://www.archive.org/details/sociotechnicalsy00oswaLieutenant, United States NavyApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited