INTERCANINE DISTANCE USED AS A MEASURE TO RULE OUT BITERS IN BITE MARK FORENSICS

The science of identification by bite mark analysis has recently been called into serious question. (Reesu and Brown 2016) Human dentition is truly variable, but often not unique. When animal bites are considered, a proper ID of the perpetrator is nearly impossible. Primary distortion (when the bite is made) and secondary distortion (during decomposition or healing) both further disrupt landmarks that might be used for identification. (Sheasby and MacDonald 2001) Using only ink marks and intercanine distance on live subjects, this study attempts to determine maximum distortion possible for a variety of bite mark locations on skin. (Pretty and Sweet 2010) Lower arm, lower leg, upper back where chosen because of the high instance of bites occurring here. (Dogsbite.org, 2016) Though bite location likelihood does vary with age of the victim, these were relatively consistently common locations across groups. (Karbeyaz & Aranci, 2013) Facial bites were very common, but the face does not present continuous skin and therefore likely not useful for data. It may be an option for future study. Caliper measurements of body fat will also be used, to check for variation of distortion due to malleability of the area in question. It is hoped that this research will produce a numerical value relating the bite mark on the victim to the intercanine distance of the suspect (either human or animal) that will allow a rule-in or rule-out assessment. Also, it is hoped that a hospital protocol can be developed so that bite mark victims are more likely to see justice and the perpetrators accurately identified

A GDV COMPARISON OF HUMAN ENERGY FIELDS BEFORE AND AFTER STIMULATION OF SHEALY'S RINGS OF FIRE, EARTH, WATER, AIR, CRYSTAL

The objective of this research was to detect any change in the human energy field of the body as measured by the Gas Discharged Visualization (BEQ-GOV) device after the stimulation of the Shealy Rings of Fire, Earth, Water, Air, and Crystal. These Rings are each a set ofacupuncture points which were using the SheLi Tens Stimulator. A control group of sham, non-acupuncture points was also administered. This study used a comparison of the five rings, plus the control group of points, to examine the respective human energy field as displayed by the photon emission of the electrical magnetic field on the BEQ-GOV

Investigations into High Temperature Components and Packaging

The purpose of this report is to document the work that was performed at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in support of the development of high temperature power electronics and components with monies remaining from the Semikron High Temperature Inverter Project managed by the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL). High temperature electronic components are needed to allow inverters to operate in more extreme operating conditions as required in advanced traction drive applications. The trend to try to eliminate secondary cooling loops and utilize the internal combustion (IC) cooling system, which operates with approximately 105 C water/ethylene glycol coolant at the output of the radiator, is necessary to further reduce vehicle costs and weight. The activity documented in this report includes development and testing of high temperature components, activities in support of high temperature testing, an assessment of several component packaging methods, and how elevated operating temperatures would impact their reliability. This report is organized with testing of new high temperature capacitors in Section 2 and testing of new 150 C junction temperature trench insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBTs) in Section 3. Section 4 addresses some operational OPAL-GT information, which was necessary for developing module level tests. Section 5 summarizes calibration of equipment needed for the high temperature testing. Section 6 details some additional work that was funded on silicon carbide (SiC) device testing for high temperature use, and Section 7 is the complete text of a report funded from this effort summarizing packaging methods and their reliability issues for use in high temperature power electronics. Components were tested to evaluate the performance characteristics of the component at different operating temperatures. The temperature of the component is determined by the ambient temperature (i.e., temperature surrounding the device) plus the temperature increase inside the device due the internal heat that is generated due to conduction and switching losses. Capacitors and high current switches that are reliable and meet performance specifications over an increased temperature range are necessary to realize electronics needed for hybrid-electric vehicles (HEVs), fuel cell (FC) and plug-in HEVs (PHEVs). In addition to individual component level testing, it is necessary to evaluate and perform long term module level testing to ascertain the effects of high temperature operation on power electronics

Error Reduction for Weigh-In-Motion

Federal and State agencies need certifiable vehicle weights for various applications, such as highway inspections, border security, check points, and port entries. ORNL weigh-in-motion (WIM) technology was previously unable to provide certifiable weights, due to natural oscillations, such as vehicle bouncing and rocking. Recent ORNL work demonstrated a novel filter to remove these oscillations. This work shows further filtering improvements to enable certifiable weight measurements (error < 0.1%) for a higher traffic volume with less effort (elimination of redundant weighing)

Prototype Weigh-In-Motion Performance

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) has developed and patented methods to weigh slowly moving vehicles. We have used this technology to produce a portable weigh-in-motion system that is robust and accurate. This report documents the performance of the second-generation portable weigh-in-motion prototype (WIM Gen II). The results of three modes of weight determination are compared in this report: WIM Gen II dynamic mode, WIM Gen II stop-and-go mode, and static (parked) mode on in-ground, static scales. The WIM dynamic mode measures axle weights as the vehicle passes over the system at speeds of 3 to 7 miles per hour (1.3 to 3.1 meters/second). The WIM stop-and-go mode measures the weight of each axle of the vehicle as the axles are successively positioned on a side-by-side pair of WIM measurement pads. In both measurement modes the center of balance (CB) and the total weight are obtained by a straight-forward calculation from axle weights and axle spacings. The performance metric is measurement error (in percent), which is defined as 100 x (sample standard deviation)/(average); see Appendix A for details. We have insufficient data to show that this metric is predictive. This report details the results of weight measurements performed in May 2005 at two sites using different types of vehicles at each site. In addition to the weight measurements, the testing enabled refinements to the test methodology and facilitated an assessment of the influence of vehicle speed on the dynamic-mode measurements. The initial test at the National Transportation Research Center in Knoxville, TN, involved measurements of passenger and light-duty commercial vehicles. A subsequent test at the Arrival/Departure Airfield Control Group (A/DACG) facility in Ft. Bragg, NC, involved military vehicles with gross weights between 3,000 and 75,000 pounds (1,356 to 33,900 kilograms) with a 20,000-pound (9,040 kilograms) limit per axle. For each vehicle, four or more separate measurements were done using each weighing mode. WIM dynamic, WIM stop-and-go, and static-mode scale measurements were compared for total vehicle weight and the weight of the individual axles. We made WIM dynamic mode measurements with three assemblages of weight-transducer pads to assess the performance with varying numbers (2, 4, and 6) of weigh pads. Percent error in the WIM dynamic mode was 0.51%, 0.37%, and 0.37% for total vehicle weight and 0.77%, 0.50%, and 0.47% for single-axle weight for the two-, four-, and six-pad systems, respectively. Errors in the WIM stop-and-go mode were 0.55% for total vehicle weight and 0.62% for single-axle weights. In-ground scales weighed these vehicles with an error of 0.04% (within Army specifications) for total vehicle weight, and an error of 0.86% for single-axle weight. These results show that (1) the WIM error in single-axle weight was less than that obtained from in-ground static scales; (2) the WIM system eliminates time-consuming manual procedures, human errors, and safety concerns; and (3) measurement error for the WIM prototype was less than 1% (within Army requirements for this project). All the tests were performed on smooth, dry, level, concrete surfaces. Tests under non-ideal surface conditions are needed (e.g., rough but level, sun-baked asphalt, wet pavement), and future work will test WIM performance under these conditions. However, we expect the performance will be as good as, if not better than, the present WIM performance. We recommend the WIM stop-and-go mode under non-ideal surface conditions. We anticipate no performance degradation, assuming no subsurface deformation occurs

On the Nearly Spherical Stratified Flame Propagation

Stable and reliable power is critical for not only modern conveniences, but also for basic goods and services needed to ensure protection of both life and property. To ensure a sustainable source of reliability in the global energy sector through current and future environmental and political changes and in concert with alternative and renewable production sources, current and future combustible fuels are needed to be accurately modeled. A key proponent of both natural gas and biogas is methane which has both current natural sources and future supply prospects. However there are still many fundamental questions regarding accurate modeling of the combustion of methane, and in particular within inhomogeneous mixtures. These stratification layers are less well understood in combustion environments than flames propagating through homogeneous mixtures, despite many of the current uses of this gaseous fuel in a variety of engineering systems.A set of spherical methane-air experiments within a constant volume chamber using Schlieren imaging and pressure traces as well as supporting one dimensional and three dimensional numerical modeling was undertaken to explore stratified flames propagating through methane-air mixtures. With comparisons to past work, an investigation of the effects of the stratification layer’s impact on the observed flame speed, product gas emissions, and to evaluate the possibility of extending the lean limit. To process the Schlieren images, a robust in-house edge tracking code was developed to track the progress of the flame observed in Schlieren images and closely evaluate the transient dynamics of the flame that occur within a flame burning through a stratification layer gradient set up between two mixture concentrations using a soap bubble. A speed up on the order of 20% higher than homogeneous equivalence ratio of 1.1 was observed in the rich to lean stratified cases. The experiments and numerical work agreed reasonably well with past experimental and numerical work. Higher CO was noted while burning in a stratified environment, while lower unburnt hydrocarbons and moderately lower NOx was also noted from stratification layers compared with an equivalent homogeneous mixture. The lean limit appeared to be extended, and a discussion is given in light of the prior work and capabilities within this work.While relative agreement was achieved experimentally with recent work, unexpected in- stabilities were noted in the flame that are difficult to be accounted for with the setup alone. This work adds to the possibility first mentioned and observed by Markstein, Behrens, and Einbinder of an inherent instability within stratified methane-air flames

Brain Hemispheric Specialization for American Sign Language

(Statement of Responsibility) by Alana Joy Scudiere(Thesis) Thesis (B.A.) -- New College of Florida, 1996(Electronic Access) RESTRICTED TO NCF STUDENTS, STAFF, FACULTY, AND ON-CAMPUS USE(Bibliography) Includes bibliographical references.(Source of Description) This bibliographic record is available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication. The New College of Florida, as creator of this bibliographic record, has waived all rights to it worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law.(Local) Faculty Sponsor: Bauer, Gordo