179,898 research outputs found
An overview of the ATLAS High Level Trigger Dataflow and Supervision.
No full textThe ATLAS high-level trigger (HLT) system provides software-based event selection after the initial LVL1 hardware trigger. It is composed of two stages, the LVL2 trigger and the event filter (EF). The LVL2 trigger performs event selection with optimized algorithms using selected data guided by Region of Interest pointers provided by the LVL1 trigger. Those events selected by LVL2 are built into complete events, which are passed to the EF for a further stage of event selection and classification using off-line algorithms. Events surviving the EF selection are passed for off-line storage. The two stages of HLT are implemented on processor farms. The concept of distributing the selection process between LVL2 and EF is a key element in the architecture, which allows it to be flexible to changes (luminosity, detector knowledge, background conditions, etc.) Although there are some differences in the requirements between these subsystems there are many commonalities. An overview of the dataflow (event selection) and supervision (control, configuration, monitoring) activities in the HLT is given, highlighting where commonalities between the two subsystems can be exploited and indicating where requirements dictate that implementations differ. An HLT prototype system has been built at CERN. Functional testing is being carried out in order to validate the HLT architecture
Designing a 'Bud Box'
No full textThere is nothing magical or mystical about a Bud Box. It is a facility design that allows the handler to position themselves correctly to facilitate cattle flow out of the box into either the crowd alley leading to a chute or to a trailer load out. Always keep in mind that the Box is a flow- through part of the facility. Cattle should never be stored in the Box waiting to be sent into the crowd alley or to a trailer. Bring them in and let them flow back out immediately
Simulation of thermal plant optimization and hydraulic aspects of thermal distribution loops for large campuses
No full textFollowing an introduction, the author describes Texas A&M University and its utilities system. After that, the author presents how to construct simulation models for chilled water and heating hot water distribution systems. The simulation model was used in a $2.3 million Ross Street chilled water pipe replacement project at Texas A&M University. A second project conducted at the University of Texas at San Antonio was used as an example to demonstrate how to identify and design an optimal distribution system by using a simulation model. The author found that the minor losses of these closed loop thermal distribution systems are significantly higher than potable water distribution systems. In the second part of the report, the author presents the latest development of software called the Plant Optimization Program, which can simulate cogeneration plant operation, estimate its operation cost and provide optimized operation suggestions. The author also developed detailed simulation models for a gas turbine and heat recovery steam generator and identified significant potential savings. Finally, the author also used a steam turbine as an example to present a multi-regression method on constructing simulation models by using basic statistics and optimization algorithms. This report presents a survey of the author??s working experience at the Energy Systems Laboratory (ESL) at Texas A&M University during the period of January 2002 through March 2004. The purpose of the above work was to allow the author to become familiar with the practice of engineering. The result is that the author knows how to complete a project from start to finish and understands how both technical and nontechnical aspects of a project need to be considered in order to ensure a quality deliverable and bring a project to successful completion. This report concludes that the objectives of the internship were successfully accomplished and that the requirements for the degree of Degree of Engineering have been satisfied
Using EMCS Data to Document and Improve Air Handler Performance
No full textTraditionally, energy monitoring and control
systems (EMCS) have been used, as the name
implies, to monitor and control heating, ventilating
and air conditioning systems, however, this paper
will identify other benefits of an EMCS. Recording
EMCS data on a periodic basis, typically once an
hour, and analyzing it using a commercial off the
shelf database program has proven to be an effective
method to improve and document indoor air quality,
energy savings; and provide continuous controls
commissioning and performance diagnostics.
Identification of system problems is the key to
having an efficient and reliable EMCS. Once
identified they can be scheduled to be repaired and
system integrity will be maintained. Specific
diagnostic and functionality programming include:
Identifying leaking heating and cooling
control valves
Identifying simultaneous heating and cooling
operation
Identifying proper air side economizer
operation
Identifying faulty components
Identifying cooling and heating system
problems
Calculating ventilation rates
Calculating energy wastes and savings
Finally, using EMCS data in the non-traditional
manner has saved thousands of dollars in operation
and maintenance costs by providing a hands-off
"tool" to diagnose air handler performance
Dog-handler dynamics influence avalanche search team's performance.
No full textAvalanche search dogs represent an irreplaceable resource in case of environmental disasters. The “Alpine Rescue of Guardia di Finanza Project” is a broad research project aimed to identify limiting factors affecting teams’ performance. This work focused on behavioral dynamics between dog and handler during a simulated avalanche search trial. A warmed up scent article was randomly buried under the snow (-20cm), avoiding olfactory pollution, in fields prepared to resemble an avalanche fall environment (10mt x 15mt; 2170masl). Twelve dog-handler Units were individually video recorded and videos were analyzed through focal animal sampling of behavioral categories related to the dog-handler relationship (dog-handler tactile and visual communication, reciprocal position and distance). Nine of the 20 trials analyzed (45%) were successful with a mean latency of 148s. Principal component analysis included 15 behavioral traits and extracted three principal components (PCs) explaining 71% of the variation. PC1 mainly included items describing orientation of the dog compared with the handler and vice versa. PC2 included items related to dog’s spatial position within the field in relation to its handler. PC3 included handler-directed behaviors of the dog. High score of PC3, indicating frequent visual and physical contacts, reduced the likelihood of success (odd ratio= 0.144; 95% CI= 0.034–0.612; p=0.009). These findings suggest the dog’s behaviors directed to the handler may indicate insecurity during an avalanche search and negatively affect team’s performance. Dogs less dependent on their handlers spent more time interacting with the environment and performed better during the avalanche search trial.
Keywords: avalanche dog; dog-handler relationship; search performanc
Instituting Copyright: Reconciling Copyright Law and Industry Practice in the Australian Film and Television Sector
No full textIntroduction: The law/practice conundrum When considering how rights are created and income streams generated in practice in the Australian film and television industry, legal scholarship invariably views these issues through the lens of formal copyright law. This approach involves asking well-established questions such as whether copyright subsists in particular types of subject matter being created and traded, who owns that copyright, and the scope of the resultant rights. When looked at in this way, it would seem that there are significant uncertainties as to the extent to which some cultural products are in fact legally protected, or who (if anyone) can be said to own the rights to them. For example, it is accepted that under Australian law something described at such a high level of abstraction as a ‘television format’ is not recognized as a species of copyright ‘work’ or ‘subject matter’. Even though aspects of television formats might constitute literary or dramatic works and receive copyright protection on that basis, a format per se is not something that is capable of being owned, assigned, licensed or infringed under copyright law. In a related manner, under Australian law the right to make an ‘adaptation’ of a literary or dramatic work is narrowly defined and the boundaries of the scope of the right to make a ‘reproduction’ of a substantial part of such a work are unclear. This means that it cannot be said with any degree of certainty that Australian copyright law protects ‘characters’ or gives copyright owners the right to make sequels, spin-offs or similar variations of their content. These copyright limitations are likely to be entirely familiar to legal scholars and students of copyright law, and similar uncertainties affect many jurisdictions. What is equally well-known is that there is a significant disjuncture between the formal law and how, in practice, cultural subject matter is in fact managed and income streams are generated. It is common knowledge that there is a long-standing industry practice of buying and selling rights to television formats, with the annual global trade in format rights valued at over 3 billion euros
Intern experience at CH���M Hill, Inc.: an internship report
No full textIncludes author's vita"Submitted to the College of Engineering of Texas A&M University in partial
fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Doctor of Engineering."Includes bibliographical referencesA review of the author's internship experience with CH���M HILL, Inc.
during the period September 1975 through May 1976 is presented. During this nine month
internship the author worked as an Engineer II in the Industrial Processes discipline of this
large consulting engineering firm... The author's prime responsibility was as one of three
lead design engineers on the design of a large wastewater treatment facility for a pulp mill
in Hoquiam, Washington owned by ITT Rayonier Inc. The work generally consisted of the design
of individual treatment units and associated piping and pumping. The purpose of the project
was to provide wastewater treatment capabilities that would satisfy the effluent limitations
(standards) imposed upon the mill by the State of Washington Department of Ecology and the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The author's assignment also entailed necessary
interaction with the project manager and other CH���M HILL design engineers and support staff
members, the client's representatives, and representatives of two other consulting engineering
firms working on the project. Thus, the internship position at CH���M HILL provided considerable
experience coordinating the author's work with the work of other engineers, guiding the design
and administrative efforts of a support staff, and interacting regularly with the client and
other consulting firms. This broad exposure to a variety of engineering and organizational
problems provided a valuable educational experience
Intern experience at the Texas Transportation Institute: an internship report
No full text"Submitted to the College of Engineering of Texas A&M University in partial
fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Engineering."Includes vita (leaf 91)Includes bibliographical references (leaf 57)This report discusses the author's engineering experience at the Texas
Transportation Institute (TTI), Texas A&M University from March 1974 through July 1977. A
report of this experience plus twelve additional hours of academic course work were
substituted for an internship according to requirements established by the College of
Engineering. Although the author could not retroactively establish objectives of the type
associated with a typical internship, the work experience gained could be related to the two
general objectives of an intership: 1. To demonstrate an identifiable contribution to the
organization in which the intern served, and 2. To enable the intern to become aware of the
non-technical aspects of working as an engineer in a non-academic environment. While a member
of the Texas Transportation Institute staff, the author worked on a number of projects in the
areas of highway traffic engineering research and the preparation of continuing education
courses for transportation engineering officials. These assignments were contained within the
Urban Transportation Systems Division of TTI. This report delineates the author's contribution
to four particular projects and discusses the technical as well as non-technical experience
gained from each. Having been exposed to more engineering situations than many of the other
Doctor of Engineering students, the author has already formulated some rather specific
milestones for the future. The Doctor of Engineering program is discussed in conjunction with
its potential for helping the author attain these career goals and objectives. Also, some
thoughts are presented regarding the Doctor of Engineering as a viable alternative to the
Ph.D. in preparing for a career in engineering higher education
FACTORS INFLUENCING FARMERS' SELECTION OF A MILK HANDLER
No full textA structural probit model is estimated to determine the change in the probability of selecting a milk handler. Cooperatives are thought to have lower prices and higher deductions than independent milk handlers and these factors reduce the probability that a farmer will select a cooperative by 0.39 and 0.32. Cooperatives are thought to have better services and an assured market and payment than independent mile handlers and these factors increase the probability that a farmer will select a cooperative by 0.20 and 0.26. This indicates that many cooperative members value monetary characteristics over non-monetary characteristics.Cooperatives, Processors, Attributes, Selection, Probit, Dairy, Livestock Production/Industries,
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