An assessment of some recent Trinitarian thought

This thesis is a study of some representative thinkers in recent trinitarian thinking (post 1970). My intention is to note leading themes, in particular changes from past emphases, and also assess the seriousness of some of the problems that result. In the first two chapters I characterise and analyse in some detail two representative Roman Catholic writers (Leonardo Boff and Catherine Mowry LaCugna) and two Protestant (Jűrgen Moltmann and Colin E. Gunton), noting some of their major recurring themes, and, where appropriate, points of convergence or divergence. Chapter III then focuses upon the most marked feature of recent Trinitarian thinking, the new stress on a dynamic and social understanding of the doctrine. Chapter IV offers a critique, arguing that the whole approach is premised on anthropological and sociological assumptions that really come from elsewhere than from revelation. The net result is to restrain God in a typology of this world. The final chapter then attempts to balance that critique by noting both positive and negative contributions in such recent thinking. As a whole the thesis welcomes the new focus on the biblical revelation, as I agree that the doctrine can only be found on the basis of God's salvation history. Where I differ is in questioning whether recent trends do not impair the fundamentally transcendent character of the being of God, through too simplistic a dependency on human reason and anthropological ideologies

Ion exchange kinetics of cesium for various reaction designs using crystalline silicotitanate, UOP IONSIV IE-911

Through collaborative efforts at Texas A&M University and Sandia National Laboratories, a crystalline silicotitanate (CST), which shows extremely high selectivity for radioactive cesium removal in highly concentrated sodium solutions, was synthesized. The effect of hydrogen peroxide on a CST under cesium ion exchange conditions has been investigated. The experimental results with hydrogen peroxide showed that the distribution coefficient of cesium decreased and the tetragonal phase, the major component of CST, slowly dissolved at hydrogen peroxide concentrations greater than 1 M. A simple and novel experimental apparatus for a single-layer ion exchange column was developed to generate experimental data for estimation of the intraparticle effective diffusivity. A mathematical model is presented for estimation of effective diffusivities for a single-layer column of CST granules. The intraparticle effective diffusivity for Cs was estimated as a parameter in the analytical solution. By using the least square method, the effective diffusivities of 1.56 ± 0.14 x 10-11 m2/s and 0.68 ± 0.09x 10-11 m2/s, respectively, were obtained. The difference in the two values was due to the different viscosities of the solutions. A good fit of the experimental data was obtained which supports the use of the homogeneous model for this system. A counter-current ion exchange (CCIX) process was designed to treat nuclear waste at the Savannah River Site. A numerical method based on the orthogonal collocation method was used to simulate the concentration profile of cesium in the CCIX loaded with CST granules. To maximize cesium loading onto the CST and minimize the volume of CST, two design cases of a moving bed, where the fresh CST is pulsed into the column at certain periods or at certain concentration of cesium, were investigated. Simulation results showed that cesium removal behavior in the pilot-scale test of CCIX experiment, where the column length is 22 ft and the CST is pulsed 1 ft in every 24 hours, was well predicted by using the values of the effective diffusivities of 1.0 to 6.0 × 10-11 m2/s

Multi-layer approach to motion planning in obstacle rich environment

A widespread use of robotic technology in civilian and military applications has generated a need for advanced motion planning algorithms that are real-time implementable. These algorithms are required to navigate autonomous vehicles through obstacle-rich environments. This research has led to the development of the multilayer trajectory generation approach. It is built on the principle of separation of concerns, which partitions a given problem into multiple independent layers, and addresses complexity that is inherent at each level. We partition the motion planning algorithm into a roadmap layer and an optimal control layer. At the roadmap layer, elements of computational geometry are used to process the obstacle rich environment and generate feasible sets. These are used by the optimal control layer to generate trajectories while satisfying dynamics of the vehicle. The roadmap layer ignores the dynamics of the system, and the optimal control layer ignores the complexity of the environment, thus achieving a separation of concern. This decomposition enables computationally tractable methods to be developed for addressing motion planning in complex environments. The approach is applied in known and unknown environments. The methodology developed in this thesis has been successfully applied to a 6 DOF planar robotic testbed. Simulation results suggest that the planner can generate trajectories that navigate through obstacles while satisfying dynamical constraints

Online home appliance control using EEG-Based brain-computer interfaces

Brain???computer interfaces (BCIs) allow patients with paralysis to control external devices by mental commands. Recent advances in home automation and the Internet of things may extend the horizon of BCI applications into daily living environments at home. In this study, we developed an online BCI based on scalp electroencephalography (EEG) to control home appliances. The BCI users controlled TV channels, a digital door-lock system, and an electric light system in an unshielded environment. The BCI was designed to harness P300 andN200 components of event-related potentials (ERPs). On average, the BCI users could control TV channels with an accuracy of 83.0% ?? 17.9%, the digital door-lock with 78.7% ?? 16.2% accuracy, and the light with 80.0% ?? 15.6% accuracy, respectively. Our study demonstrates a feasibility to control multiple home appliances using EEG-based BCIs

CCTV Surveillance System, Attacks and Design Goals

Closed Circuit Tele-Vision surveillance systems are frequently the subject of debate. Some parties seek to promote their benefits such as their use in criminal investigations and providing a feeling of safety to the public. They have also been on the receiving end of bad press when some consider intrusiveness has outweighed the benefits. The correct design and use of such systems is paramount to ensure a CCTV surveillance system meets the needs of the user, provides a tangible benefit and provides safety and security for the wider law-abiding public. In focusing on the normative aspects of CCTV, the paper raises questions concerning the efficiency of understanding contemporary forms of ‘social ordering practices’ primarily in terms of technical rationalities while neglecting other, more material and ideological processes involved in the construction of social order. In this paper, a 360-degree view presented on the assessment of the diverse CCTV video surveillance systems (VSS) of recent past and present in accordance with technology. Further, an attempt been made to compare different VSS with their operational strengths and their attacks. Finally, the paper concludes with a number of future research directions in the design and implementation of VSS