Prediction of higher heating values for saturated fatty acids from their physical properties

Higher heating values (HHVs) of fatty acids (C₄–C₁₈) were measured and correlated using linear least square regression analysis. Equations were developed for the estimation of the HHVs of saturated fatty acids from their molecular weight (Mw), density (DN) and carbon number (CN). These equations are HHV = 0.0518 Mw + 29.76, HHV = −93.4 DN + 122.67 and HHV = 0.7271 CN + 31.419 with R² values of 0.9895, 0.9798, and 0.9895, respectively. The correlations may be used for HHV estimation of mixtures of fatty acids developed from vegetable oils.     

Barriers to Increased Engineering Graduate Enrollments: Counterforces and Their Implementation

This paper highlights the role of the faculty member in recruiting students currently enrolled in B.S. programs in engineering and the sciences into full-time pursuit of a graduate-level engineering degree. The faculty member is demonstrated to be in a unique position to influence such students, providing strong counterforces to a confluence of attitudes and pressures experienced during the B.S. experience which effectively create a barrier to full-time engineering graduate study. We analyze this barrier via the method of force field analysis, and demonstrate that effective recruitment into full-time graduate study must be based on a four-fold strategy of education, expectations, improved B.S. experience and better control of the B.S. environment. Approaches to implement these strategies are discussed.     

An empirical InSAR-optical fusion approach to mapping vegetation canopy height

Exploiting synergies afforded by a host of recently available national-scale data sets derived from interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) and passive optical remote sensing, this paper describes the development of a novel empirical approach for the provision of regional- to continental-scale estimates of vegetation canopy height. Supported by data from the 2000 Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM), the National Elevation Dataset (NED), the LANDFIRE project, and the National Land Cover Database (NLCD) 2001, this paper describes a data fusion and modeling strategy for developing the first-ever high-resolution map of canopy height for the conterminous U.S. The approach was tested as part of a prototype study spanning some 62,000 km² in central Utah (NLCD mapping zone 16). A mapping strategy based on object-oriented image analysis and tree-based regression techniques is employed. Empirical model development is driven by a database of height metrics obtained from an extensive field plot network administered by the USDA Forest Service-Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program. Based on data from 508 FIA field plots, an average absolute height error of 2.1 m (r = 0.88) was achieved for the prototype mapping zone.     

The effects of human activities on natural radiation exposure: Health and regulatory implications

A decade ago, interest in “enhanced” natural radiation was focused primarily on localized industrial activities, e.g., uranium, radium, thorium and phosphate production. Recognition that all human activities influence natural radiation exposure, and that indoor radon exposure is particularly sensitive to such activities (building construction practice, occupant life-styles) has added a new dimension to the problem. Public health assessments must address the problem of high individual risks of lung cancer as well as substantial population risks that are only minimally ameliorated by reduction of high exposures. In the United States, Federal, State, and local government agencies are collaborating with the private sector in developing the information needed for public guidance. Voluntary standards relating to building construction practices are likely to be developed.     

Using formalized temporal message-flow diagrams

Temporal message-flow diagrams (TMFDs), alternatively called sequence charts, interaction diagrams, event traces, or actor diagrams, are illustrations of a system's global message-passing activity over time, and a pictorial aid to understanding the system's behavior. They are widely used for requirements and documentation for network protocols and object-oriented applications. We present a general formalism for TMFDs, describe a suite of tools we have designed that employs this formalism, and present our experiences with these tools. The formalism and tools described serve to support and broaden the use of TMFDs in developing communicating systems.     

Good-bye key escrow,hello key recovery

On 2 October 1996, IBM announced the formation of a new business alliance which will develop a different approach to law enforcement — accessible encryption that will not face government export controls or require the ‘escrowing’ of keys with either escrow ‘quote agents’ or trusted third parties. The day before, the White House announced a new government plan that would permit companies that promise to participate in a ‘key recovery’ system to receive a six-month license to export up to 56-bit DES encryption. When they fulfill their obligations and the government is satisfied that it can get access to the decryption keys, the 56-bit limit will be lifted. If, by the end of the two-year grace period, companies have not fulfilled their obligations to implement a key-recovery scheme, the 56-bit limit will be reduced to the current 40-bit export limit.     

Reaction of Iradium with Metal Carbides in the Temperature Range of 1923 to 2400 K

The reactions of titanium carbide and hafnium carbide with iridium have been studied in thin film couples fabricated by vapor deposition processes. The reaction product layers after exposure in the temperature range of 1923 to 2400 K are dependent on the stoichiometry of the metal carbide layers and range from simple solid solutions to MIr_x compounds. The observed microstructures are predictable from available thermochemical data. The morphology of residual carbon in the reacted metal carbide-iridium product layer varies from interfacial deposits to uniform carbon dispersion and depends upon exposure temperature and metal carbide stoichiometry.     

Formation of Azobenzenes and Azoxybenzenes from the Aqueous Reactions of Anilines and Ozone

Azobenzenes and azoxybenzenes are two of the products identified from the aqueous reaction of anilines with ozone. Aniline concentration and functional groups on the benzene ring of aniline affected the amount of azobenzenes and azoxybenzenes formed; (1) decreasing the aniline concentration significantly increased azobenzene formation, and (2) electron-withdrawing groups increased the formation of its related azobenzene and azoxybenzene, whereas electron-donating groups had the opposite effect.