Land Grant Application- White, Joshua (Fairfield)

Land grant application submitted to the Maine Land Office on behalf of Joshua White for service in the Revolutionary War, by their widow Margaret.https://digitalmaine.com/revolutionary_war_me_land_office/1965/thumbnail.jp

Development of a Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) Cycle for CO2 Capture From Flue Gas Using a 4-Bed PSA Apparatus

Pressure swing adsorption is an effective way to capture CO2 from flue gases in energy plants. Pressure swing adsorption utilizes an adsorbent’s selectivity to a specific compound to remove it from a feed stream. Zeolite 13X was used for this research to obtain a high purity and recovery of CO2 at a higher feed flow than previous research. The first part of the work was to use in house FORTRAN based Dynamic Adsorption Process Simulator (DAPS) that uses the finite difference method and the time adaptive Differential- Algebraic Equation (DAE) solver called DASPK to narrow down appropriate experiment criteria for the custom built 4-bed Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) system. The second part of the research focused on experimentally confirming the mathematical predictions. Adsorption equilibrium isotherms for CO2 and N2, on zeolite 13X were measured by using a volumetric system from micromeritics ASAP2010. The feed gas considered as a simulated dry flue gas consisting of 15.9% CO2 and balance N2 that was fed at 121 kPa and at 25 °C. Operation pressure range provided by this system is from 0 to 127 KPa. A unique combination of cycle steps consisting of three beds were able to produce high purities (\u3e90%) and high recoveries (\u3e90%) of CO2 in the heavy product. The throughput achieved experimentally was 404 LSTP/hr/kg. The PSA cycle consist of seven different cycle steps; feed (F), heavy reflux (HR), pressure equalization (E), countercurrent blowdown, light reflux purge (LR), and light product pressurization (LPP). The model successfully predicts the pressure and temperature profiles and performance of each experiment

Seed Predation on Slickspot Peppergrass by the Owyhee Harvester Ant

(1) Seed predation can significantly restrict the reproductive output and individual fitness of plants, particular those plants that are rare or endangered. In some cases the total seed loss can reach 100%. Owyhee harvester ants, Pogonomyrmex salinus, actively remove the fruits and seeds of slickspot peppergrass, Lepidium papilliferum, a rare mustard endemic to southwest Idaho. (2) Several experiments were conducted to quantify seed predation on L. papilliferum located within the foraging distance of P. salinus. Individuals exposed to harvester ants experienced a direct loss of fruits and seeds (\u3e 40%), whereas plants shielded from ants suffered almost no seed loss. Harvester ants were also effective scavengers of seeds on the ground (removing \u3e 90% of seeds from the ground). (3) All fruits and seeds collected by ants were returned to their nests and taken below ground. Of 100 successful foragers monitored all returned the fruit or seeds to the nest. A search of 30 middens revealed many empty L. papilliferum fruit husks but no intact seeds. Thus, it does not appear that the ants benefit L. papilliferum by dispersing their seeds. (4) Pogonomyrmex salinus is the main seed predator of L. papilliferum and in some cases can remove and destroy complete seed sets of individuals. Seed removal of this magnitude suggests that P. salinus may significantly limit recruitment of new individuals of L. papilliferum and lead to further decline of this rare plant species

Automated testsystem of COGNISION headset for cognitive diagnosis.

There are more than 15 million Americans suffering from a chronic cognitive disability in the Unites States. Researchers have been exploring many different quantitative measures, such as event related potentials (ERP), electro-encephalogram (EEG), Magnetic Encephalogram (MEG) and Brain volumetry to accurately and repeatedly diagnose patients suffering from debilitating cognitive disorders. More than a million cases have been diagnosed every year, with many of those patients being misdiagnosed as a result of inadequate diagnostic and quality control tools. As a result, the medical device industry has been actively developing alternative diagnostic techniques, which implement one or more quantitative measures to improve diagnosis. For example, Neuronetrix (Louisville, KY) developed COGNISION™ that utilizes both ERP and EEG data to diagnose the cognitive ability of patients. The system has shown to be a powerful tool; however, its commercial success would be limited without lack of a fast and effective method of testing and validating the product. Thus, the goal of this study is to develop, test and validate a new “Testset” system for accurately and repeatedly validating the COGNISION™ Headset. A Testset was constructed that is comprised of a software control component designed using the Labview G programming language, which runs on a computer terminal, a Data Acquisition (DAQ) card and switching board. The Testset is connected to a series of testing fixtures for interfacing with the various components of the Headset. The Testset evaluates the Headset at multiple stages of the manufacturing process as a whole system or by its individual components. At the first stage of production the Electrode Strings, amplifier board (Uberyoke), and Headset Control Unit (HCU) are tested and operated as individual printed circuit boards (PCBs). These components are again tested as mid-level assemblies and/or at the finished product stage as a complete autonomous system with the Testset monitoring the process. All tests are automated, requiring only a few parameters to be defined before a test is initiated by a single button press, and then selected test sequences are begun for that particular component or system and are completed in a few minutes. A total of 2 Testsets were constructed and used to validate 10 Headsets. An automated software system was designed to control the Testset. The Testset demonstrated the ability to validate and test 100% of the individual components and completed assembled Headsets. The Testsets were found to be within 5% of the manufacturing specifications. Subsequently, the Automated Testset developed in this study enabled the manufacturer to provide a comprehensive report on the calibration parameters of the Headset, which is retained on file for each unit sold. The automated testsystem’s statistical analysis shows that the two Testsets yielded reliable and consistent results with each other

Improving Text Classification with Semantic Information

The Air Force contracts a variety of positions, from Information Technology to maintenance services. There is currently no automated way to verify that quotes for services are reasonably priced. Small training data sets and word sense ambiguity are challenges that such a tool would encounter, and additional semantic information could help. This thesis hypothesizes that leveraging a semantic network could improve text-based classification. This thesis uses information from ConceptNet to augment a Naive Bayes Classifier. The leveraged semantic information would add relevant words from the category domain to the model that did not appear in the training data. The experiment compares variations of a Naive Bayes Classifier leveraging semantic information, including an Ensemble Model, against classifiers that do not. Results show a significant performance increase in a smaller data set but not a larger one. Out of all models tested, an Ensemble Based Classifier performs the best on both data sets. The results show that ConceptNet does not add enough new or relevant information to affect classifier performance on large data sets

Development and Validity Assessment of the Max Power Model for the Detection, Separation, and Quantification of Differences in Resistive and Propulsive Forces in Swimming

Thesis (PhD) - Indiana University, School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, 2006Purpose: The purpose of this study was twofold. First, a new method, the Max Power Model, for assessing resistive (Fres) and propulsive (Fprop) forces using tethered swimming was developed. The Max Power Model (MPM) is based on the maximum power that a swimmer can deliver to an external load while swimming (Pmax) and its relationship with the maximum velocity of the swimmer (vmax). The development of the MPM was accomplished in three ways: examination of the shape of the Pmax vs. vmax curve, development of a method of comparing Pmax vs. vmax curves, and finally testing the sensitivity of the method to large changes using the four competitive strokes and underwater dolphin kicking. Second, the validity of the MPM was assessed by comparison with the Velocity Perturbation Model (VPM) and response to independent changes in Fres and Fprop during swimming (as supplied by a pocketed dragsuit, a wetsuit, hand paddles, fist gloves). Results: The MPM was developed effectively. The Pmax vs. vmax curve was found to be best described as an exponential function. Comparisons of Pmax vs. vmax curves were therefore made after linearization using the natural log of Pmax. If the slopes were similar, the comparisons were accomplished using ANCOVA with vmax as the covariate, otherwise a t-test for differences in slope was used. The MPM was sensitive to large changes in the swimming condition as seen through significant differences (p < 60; 0.05) in an ANCOVA for competitive stroke and a significantly different slope of ln(Pmax) vs. vmax for underwater dolphin kick in comparison with the competitive strokes. Assessment of the validity of the MPM yielded mixed results. The MPM showed a strong relationship to the VPM. However, the VPM showed no significant differences between any of the equipment treatment conditions in either the calculated Fres or the drag coefficient indicating an inability to detect small changes in Fres and Fprop. The MPM showed more promise, responding as expected to a majority of the equipment conditions. Conclusion: While still in need of further exploration and validation, the MPM has promise as a simple method to detect, separate, and quantify differences in Fres and Fprop during swimming

Adaptability and Management of Alfalfa Overseeded into Warm-Season Perennial Grasses in Mississippi

Alfalfa overseeded into warm-season perennial grasses such as bahiagrass or bermudagrass has the potential to increase forage quality and dry matter yield as well as extend the growing season. Many of the challenges associated with alfalfa in mixtures have been observed in warm-season grasses, but few studies have attempted to explain the dynamics between these grasses and alfalfa when grown together. Two studies were designed to note these relationships: The objective of the first study was to observe the effect of seeding rate and sod preparation on alfalfa and bermudagrass persistence over three years by using minimum tillage and alfalfa seeding rates of 17, 22, 28, and 39 kg ha-1. Results indicated that sod preparation had no effect on establishment compared to no-tillage. Seeding rates resulted in similar biomass yields and species composition by the second year suggesting that increased seeding rates were unnecessary. Forage quality and yield were improved throughout the year, but alfalfa composition generally decreased towards the end of summer. The objective of the second study was to quantify the amount of nitrogen recovered when alfalfa was overseeded into bahiagrass and bermudagrass and fertilized with ammonium nitrate during late summer. This was accomplished by using two nitrogen rates of 15N labeled fertilizer (28 and 56 kg N ha-1) and two application times (after 2nd and 3rd harvest) and in two separate planting environments (planting I and II). It was found that bahiagrass was more competitive than bermudagrass when overseeded with alfalfa. Alfalfa/grass mixtures did not increase forage dry matter yield, nutritive value or grass composition with N application. Nitrogen fertilizer recovery was variable between plantings due to a large variation of alfalfa persistence within different soil types. Where alfalfa was limited, grass fertilizer recovery was over 60%, but when grass composed less than 10% in the mix, then alfalfa had the potential to recover over 40% of the applied fertilizer. The greatest N recovery by grass were favored during late N application. On the other hand, alfalfa N recovery was favored by early fertilizer application

A new soil performance classification system and utilizations of fly ash as a construction material

This dissertation is a compilation of three papers that describe utilizations of fly ash in combination with other waste materials to produce new construction materials and a new soil classification system for use during design and construction of cohesive earth embankments. The first paper describes the long-term performance of a demonstration project where road base materials were constructed from reclaimed hydrated fly ash (HFA) with atmospheric fluidized bed combustion (AFBC) and cement kiln dust (CKD) by-products used as calcium activators. Reclaimed HFA is a form of artificial aggregate produced from compacted, hydrated (ASTM class C) fly ash at pulverized coal combustion facilities. Strength testing and chemical analysis indicate that AFBC and CKD activators increase cementitious and pozzolanic reactions in the HFA material. Long-term testing indicates that the high-volume alternative use of these by-products is an economical and suitable application;The second paper describes strength tests and microstructural features of a composite material from high-lime fly ash and recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic. Composite specimens with varying fly ash concentrations were tested in compression and tension, immersed in water to measure water absorption, and observed for shrinkage during manufacturing. Theoretical equations for modulus of elasticity and tensile strength are derived with values compared to Portland cement concrete. The results of this investigation show that the fly ash concentration contributes significantly to both the strength of the composite material and the crystallinity of the PET binder;The third paper describes field-testing and laboratory analysis that were conducted to develop a simple and rapid performance-based soil classification system for cohesive earth embankments. Development of the Empirical Performance Classification (EPC) system is founded on swell potential and frost susceptibility relationships derived from liquid limit, plasticity index, and fines content (≤75 mum). From these parameters the EPC chart is used graphically to classify soils into one of three categories: select, suitable or unsuitable. This paper presents the background for the development of this system and procedures for its use. A field trial indicates that field personnel can effectively use the EPC system to better link soil design with construction activities