Investigative Simulation: Towards Utilizing Graph Pattern Matching for Investigative Search

This paper proposes the use of graph pattern matching for investigative graph search, which is the process of searching for and prioritizing persons of interest who may exhibit part or all of a pattern of suspicious behaviors or connections. While there are a variety of applications, our principal motivation is to aid law enforcement in the detection of homegrown violent extremists. We introduce investigative simulation, which consists of several necessary extensions to the existing dual simulation graph pattern matching scheme in order to make it appropriate for intelligence analysts and law enforcement officials. Specifically, we impose a categorical label structure on nodes consistent with the nature of indicators in investigations, as well as prune or complete search results to ensure sensibility and usefulness of partial matches to analysts. Lastly, we introduce a natural top-k ranking scheme that can help analysts prioritize investigative efforts. We demonstrate performance of investigative simulation on a real-world large dataset.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figures. Paper to appear in the Fosint-SI 2016 conference proceedings in conjunction with the 2016 IEEE/ACM International Conference on Advances in Social Networks Analysis and Mining ASONAM 201

Formation of Non-reciprocal Bands in Magnetized Diatomic Plasmonic Chains

We show that non-reciprocal bands can be formed in a magnetized periodic chain of spherical plasmonic particles with two particles per unit cell. Simplified form of symmetry operators in dipole approximations are used to demonstrate explicitly the relation between spectral non-reciprocity and broken spatial-temporal symmetries. Due to hybridization among plasmon modes and free photon modes, strong spectral non-reciprocity appears in region slightly below the lightline, where highly directed guiding of energy can be supported. The results may provide a clear guidance on the design of one-way waveguides

A nonoscillatory, characteristically convected, finite volume scheme for multidimensional convection problems

A new, nonoscillatory upwind scheme is developed for the multidimensional convection equation. The scheme consists of an upwind, nonoscillatory interpolation of data to the surfaces of an intermediate finite volume; a characteristic convection of surface data to a midpoint time level; and a conservative time integration based on the midpoint rule. This procedure results in a convection scheme capable of resolving discontinuities neither aligned with, nor convected along, grid lines

Quantum Phase Imaging using Spatial Entanglement

Entangled photons have the remarkable ability to be more sensitive to signal and less sensitive to noise than classical light. Joint photons can sample an object collectively, resulting in faster phase accumulation and higher spatial resolution, while common components of noise can be subtracted. Even more, they can accomplish this while physically separate, due to the nonlocal properties of quantum mechanics. Indeed, nearly all quantum optics experiments rely on this separation, using individual point detectors that are scanned to measure coincidence counts and correlations. Scanning, however, is tedious, time consuming, and ill-suited for imaging. Moreover, the separation of beam paths adds complexity to the system while reducing the number of photons available for sampling, and the multiplicity of detectors does not scale well for greater numbers of photons and higher orders of entanglement. We bypass all of these problems here by directly imaging collinear photon pairs with an electron-multiplying CCD camera. We show explicitly the benefits of quantum nonlocality by engineering the spatial entanglement of the illuminating photons and introduce a new method of correlation measurement by converting time-domain coincidence counting into spatial-domain detection of selected pixels. We show that classical transport-of-intensity methods are applicable in the quantum domain and experimentally demonstrate nearly optimal (Heisenberg-limited) phase measurement for the given quantum illumination. The methods show the power of direct imaging and hold much potential for more general types of quantum information processing and control

Characteristics and performance of the variable polarity plasma arc welding process used in the Space Shuttle external tank

Significant advantages of the Variable Polarity Plasma Arc (VPPA) Welding Process include faster welding, fewer repairs, less joint preparation, reduced weldment distortion, and absence of porosity. Flow profiles and power distribution of argon plasma gas as a working fluid to produce plasma arc jet in the VPPA welding process was analyzed. Major loss of heat transfer for flow through the nozzle is convective heat transfer; for the plasma jet flow between the outlet of the nozzle and workpiece is radiative heat transfer; and for the flow through the keyhole of the workpiece is convective heat transfer. The majority of the power absorbed by the keyhole of the workpiece is used for melting the solid metal workpiece into a molten metallic puddle. The crown and root widths and the crown and root heights can be predicted. An algorithm for promoting automatic control of flow parameters and the dimensions of the final product of the welding specification to be used for the VPPA Welding System operated at MSFC are provided

Explaining Changes in the Distribution of Annual Dairy Farm Income over Time

This paper identifies factors affecting the distribution of farm income among dairy producers over time. Using data from participants in Cornell's Dairy Farm Record Program, we decompose differences of farm income distributions into those due to: differences in means of observable farm characteristics, differential marginal effects of characteristics and unobserved random error. The distribution of farm income is affected by factors reflecting the operators' experience and investment in human capital and indicators of management efficiency and level of capital investment. The marked changes in marginal contributions of these factors explain most of the total change in the distribution of income.Dairy farm income distribution, Decomposition, Farm Management, Livestock Production/Industries,

On processing development for fabrication of fiber reinforced composite, part 2

Fiber-reinforced composite laminates are used in many aerospace and automobile applications. The magnitudes and durations of the cure temperature and the cure pressure applied during the curing process have significant consequences for the performance of the finished product. The objective of this study is to exploit the potential of applying the optimization technique to the cure cycle design. Using the compression molding of a filled polyester sheet molding compound (SMC) as an example, a unified Computer Aided Design (CAD) methodology, consisting of three uncoupled modules, (i.e., optimization, analysis and sensitivity calculations), is developed to systematically generate optimal cure cycle designs. Various optimization formulations for the cure cycle design are investigated. The uniformities in the distributions of the temperature and the degree with those resulting from conventional isothermal processing conditions with pre-warmed platens. Recommendations with regards to further research in the computerization of the cure cycle design are also addressed