Curtis Sanders - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Curtis Sanders

In the 21 st century, law-enforcement, military, border patrol, and private companies all use a w... more In the 21 st century, law-enforcement, military, border patrol, and private companies all use a wide variety of surveillance equipment that is tailored to their specific needs. This equipment is expensive, typically requires an enormous capital investment, and often fails to live up to expectations; there must be a better way. The primary objective of this thesis is to conceptualize a new and more capable surveillance system, dubbed the Portable Sensor Network (PSN), which can either augment or entirely replace existing systems. The core concept of the PSN demands that it must affordable, portable, modular, and based on existing, commercially available technology. To achieve this goal a four step methodology has been developed: analysis of customer's needs, analysis of the capabilities and features of existing systems, development of the PSN based on that analyses, and finally, analysis of the fully developed PSN's effectiveness via analytical methods borrowed from the field of intelligence analysis. By the end of this thesis, it should be clear to the reader which surveillance system(s) are most effective in a given scenario and how the PSN can augment or replace that system(s).

Open-File Report, 2002

The checking and reviewing of daily records of streamflow within the U.S. Geological Survey is tr... more The checking and reviewing of daily records of streamflow within the U.S. Geological Survey is traditionally accomplished by hand-plotting and mentally collating tables of data. The process is time consuming, difficult to standardize, and subject to errors in computation, data entry, and logic. In addition, the presentation of flow data on the internet requires more timely and accurate computation of daily flow records. BASEPLOT was developed for checking and review of primary streamflow records within the U.S. Geological Survey. Use of BASEPLOT enables users to (1) provide efficiencies during the record checking and review process, (2) improve quality control, (3) achieve uniformity of checking and review techniques of simple stage-discharge relations, and (4) provide a tool for teaching streamflow computation techniques. The BASEPLOT program produces tables of quality control checks and produces plots of rating curves and discharge measurements; variable shift (V-shift) diagrams; and V-shifts converted to stage-discharge plots, using data stored in the U.S. Geological Survey Automatic Data Processing System database. In addition, the program plots unit-value hydrographs that show unit-value stages, shifts, and datum corrections; input shifts, datum corrections, and effective dates; discharge measurements; effective dates for rating tables; and numeric quality control checks. Checklist/tutorial forms are provided for reviewers to ensure completeness of review and standardize the review process.

Scientific Investigations Report, 2012

Map showing locations of U.S. Geological Survey streamgages in Iowa considered for development of... more Map showing locations of U.S. Geological Survey streamgages in Iowa considered for development of the Flow Anywhere and Flow Duration Curve Transfer methods ......4 2. Graphs showing translation of a flow-duration curve to a time series of estimated streamflow by using the Flow Duration Curve Transfer method showing the observed time series, flow-duration curve, exceedance probability, and estimated time series at the ungaged site ..

Scientific Investigations Report, 2013

Inch/Pound to SI Multiply By To obtain Length mile (mi) 1.609 kilometer (km) Area square mile (mi... more Inch/Pound to SI Multiply By To obtain Length mile (mi) 1.609 kilometer (km) Area square mile (mi 2) 2.590 square kilometer (km 2) Flow rate cubic foot per second (ft 3 /s) 0.02832 cubic meter per second (m 3 /s) Horizontal coordinate information is referenced to the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83

A linear implicit finite-difference model that uses the continuity and momentum equations was use... more A linear implicit finite-difference model that uses the continuity and momentum equations was used to simulate unsteady streamflow along a 126-river mile reach of the Savannah River. Streamflow records from the gaging stations at Augusta, Georgia, the upstream boundary, and Clyo, Georgia, the downstream boundary, for the years 1952-79, were used for calibration purposes. Data for 1952-70 from the stream-gaging station at Millhaven, 74 river miles downstream from Augusta, along with the 1952-79 discharge data from the station at Clyo, were used to verify the model. Maximum annual flood discharges and elevations for intermediate locations along the reach were also simulated by the model.

Open-File Report, 2004

As part of its mission to collect, analyze, and store streamflow data, the U.S. Geological Survey... more As part of its mission to collect, analyze, and store streamflow data, the U.S. Geological Survey computes flow through several dam structures throughout the country. Flows are computed using hydraulic equations that describe flow through sluice and Tainter gates, crest gates, lock gates, spillways, locks, pumps, and siphons, which are calibrated using flow measurements. The program DAMFLO.2 was written to compute, tabulate, and plot flow through dam structures using data that describe the physical properties of dams and various hydraulic parameters and ratings that use time-varying data, such as lake elevations or gate openings. The program uses electronic computer files of time-varying data, such as lake elevation or gate openings, retrieved from the U.S. Geological Survey Automated Data Processing System. Computed time-varying flow data from DAMFLO.2 are output in flat files, which can be entered into the Automated Data Processing System database. All computations are made in units of feet and seconds. DAMFLO.2 uses the procedures and language developed by the SAS Institute Inc.

Journal of Accountancy, Feb 1, 2008

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY * CPAs can use their expertise to structure partnerships between long-term comm... more EXECUTIVE SUMMARY * CPAs can use their expertise to structure partnerships between long-term community investors and developers who want to contribute to improving markets without displacing current residents and local businesses. * For tax purposes, forming an LLC may be the best approach to a development partnership. The partners generally benefit from reporting their share of LLC taxable income on their individual tax returns, avoiding the double taxation of a C corporation. * An increase in equity creates a win-win situation. In this example the property owner converts his equity to cash and retains title to his business property. The developer takes advantage of an improved loan-to-value ratio to leverage her cash and secure project financing. * An LLC may allow for more flexible terms when negotiating the details of community development partnerships. It is unlikely that each member Will contribute an equal value of property or cash. It's important for the operating agreement to comply with IRC section 704. This substantiates that income allocations have economic substance and are likely to be accepted for tax purposes. ********** [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A major challenge of community development is crafting a plan to revitalize neighborhoods without displacing current residents and local businesses. CPAs can use their expertise to help structure partnerships between people with long-term investments in their community and developers looking to invest in the improving market conditions. This article uses a hypothetical situation involving a businessman named Mr. Smith to explore several tax and accounting issues that can arise through such a partnership. Mr. Smith owns a five-story, corner building on a prime commercial boulevard. From the first floor of this building, he operates a profitable business, Smith Hardware. The top floors of the building, which was originally a rooming house, have been vacant since he purchased it. The cellar is used for storage. (It is common for buildings in undervalued areas to be underutilized in this manner). There are no mortgages on the building, and Mr. Smith's tax basis in the property is zero. As a result of neighborhood improvements, property values have increased dramatically since Mr. Smith originally invested in the property. He now wants to benefit from the improved market conditions while continuing to operate his hardware store. Mr. Smith originally considered selling the building to profit from the economic turnaround, but he didn't want to relocate his business or be forced to negotiate a lease with the new owner to remain at his current location. A more viable alternative came about when he was approached by Ms. Johnson, a community-oriented developer who offered to convert the top floors into condominiums, sell the units, and share the profits with Mr. Smith on an equitable basis. To accomplish this, a single purpose limited liability company (LLC) was formed (see "The Choice-of-Entity Maze," JofA, March 07, page 64). The LLC form was chosen over a C corporation to avoid double-taxation issues later on. The resulting company, Smith Development LLC (SDL), has two members: Mr. Smith (who would contribute his property to SDL) and Ms. Johnson (who would contribute cash to cover the pre-development and soft cost of development). Soft costs generally include architectural, engineering, legal fees, financing fees and other costs not directly associated with construction of the project. Construction financing would cover the cost directly associated with renovating the units, often referred to as hard costs. Once the condominium units are completed and sold, Mr. Smith will receive the first floor and cellar as a non-taxable liquidating distribution. This alternative allows Mr. Smith to convert equity in his property to cash, to benefit from the development and sale of the condominium units, and retain title to the space he uses to operate his hardware store. …

Algorithms for Multispectral, Hyperspectral, and Ultraspectral Imagery VI, 2000

ABSTRACT An end-to-end hyperspectral system model with applications to space and airborne sensor ... more ABSTRACT An end-to-end hyperspectral system model with applications to space and airborne sensor platforms is under development and testing. In this paper we discuss current work in the development of the sensor model and the results of preliminary testing. It is capable of simulating collected hyperspectral imagery of the ground as sensors operating from space or airborne platforms would acquire it. Dispersive hyperspectral imaging sensors operating from the visible through the thermal infrared spectral regions can be modeled with actual hyperspectral imagery or simulated hyperspectral scenes used as inputs. In the sensor model portion, fore-optics (misalignment), dispersive spectrometer designs, degradations (platform motion, smile, keystone, misregistration), focal plane array (temperature drift, nonuniformity/nonlinearity), noise (shot, dark, Johnson, 1/f, RMS read, excess low frequency), analog-to-digital conversion, digital processing, and radiometric/temporal/wavelength calibration effects are included. The overall model includes a variety of processing algorithms including constant false alarm rate anomaly detection, spectral clustering of backgrounds for anomaly detection, atmospheric compensation, and pairwise adaptive linear matching for detection and classification. Results of preliminary testing using synthetic scene data in the visible/near infrared portion of the spectrum are discussed. Potential applications for this modeling capability include processing results performance prediction and sensor parameter specification trade studies.

Imaging Spectrometry VI, 2000

Radiometrically calibrated hyperspectral imagery contains information relating to the material pr... more Radiometrically calibrated hyperspectral imagery contains information relating to the material properties of a surface target and the atmospheric layers between the surface target and the sensor. All atmospheric layers contain well-mixed molecular gases, aerosol particles, and water vapor, and information about these constituents may be extracted from hyperspectral imagery by using specially designed algorithms. This research describes a total sensor radiance-to-ground reflectance inversion program. An equivalent surface-pressure depth can be extracted using the NLLSSF technique on the 760nm oxygen band. Two different methods (APDA, and NLLSSF) can be used to derive total columnar water vapor using the radiative transfer model MODTRAN 4.0. Atmospheric visibility can be derived via the NLLSSF technique from the 400-700nm bands or using an approach that uses the upwelled radiance fit from the Regression Intersection Method from 550nm-700nm. A new numerical approximation technique is also introduced to calculate the effect of the target surround on the sensor-received radiance. The recovered spectral reflectances for each technique are compared to reflectance panels with well-characterized ground truth.

TAXON, 1985

... International Botanical Congress, Cam-bridge, 1930. Verlag von Gustav Fischer, Jena. 148 TAXO... more ... International Botanical Congress, Cam-bridge, 1930. Verlag von Gustav Fischer, Jena. 148 TAXON VOLUME 34 Page 3. Coville, F. 1893. Botany of the Death Valley Expedition. Contr. US Natl. Herb. 4: 1-363. Watson, S., DC Eaton et al. 1871. Botany. ...

Remote Sensing of Environment, 2001

Radiometrically calibrated hyperspectral imagery contains information relating to the material pr... more Radiometrically calibrated hyperspectral imagery contains information relating to the material properties of a surface target and the atmospheric layers between the surface target and the sensor. All atmospheric layers contain well-mixed molecular gases, aerosol particles, and water vapor, and information about these constituents may be extracted from hyperspectral imagery by using specially designed algorithms. This research describes a total sensor radiance-to-ground reflectance inversion program. An equivalent surface-pressure depth can be extracted using the Non-Linear Least-Squares Spectral Fit (NLLSSF) technique on the 760-nm oxygen band. Two different methods, the Atmospheric Pre-Corrected Differential Absorption (APDA) and NLLSSF, can be used to derive total columnar water vapor using the radiative transfer model MODTRAN 4.0. Atmospheric visibility can be derived via the NLLSSF technique from the 400-700-nm bands or using an approach that uses the upwelled radiance fit from the Regression Intersection Method from 550 to 700 nm. A new numerical approximation technique is also introduced to calculate the effect of the target surround on the sensor-received radiance. The recovered spectral reflectances for each technique are compared to reflectance panels with well-characterized ground truth.

Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics of North America, 2001

Health Physics, 1987

Chain aggregate aerosol particles are normally formed during many high-temperature combustion and... more Chain aggregate aerosol particles are normally formed during many high-temperature combustion and vaporization processes. The shape of chain aggregate aerosol particles could have an effect on the pattern of inhalation deposition and retention of the particles in the respiratory tract. A chain aggregate aerosol of nuclear reactor fuel could be present as an inhalation hazard if it were released to the atmosphere after a meltdown, coredisruptive accident. Rats were exposed to a chain aggregate U-Pu aerosol made by laser vaporization of mixedoxide, breeder reactor fuel (20% plutonium dioxide and 80% uranium dioxide), then sacrificed to measure the clearance and retention of the fuel aerosol particles. Deposition of the 0.7-pm (activity median aerodynamic equivalent diameter) aerosol particles resulted in an average initial lung burden of 4140 Bq (Y activity. The chain aggregate particle shape was not a major factor in the total deposition; however, it may have influenced the regional distribution of the activity deposited. Retention of the particles in the upper airways of the tracheobronchial tree was on the order of 1% of the concurrent lung burden, which is consistent with recent data of other investigations. This study indicates that insoluble chain aggregate particles are retained in the tracheobronchial airways to a degree similar to simple spherically shaped particles of equivalent volume diameter.

Applied Optics, 2000

Existing atmospheric correction algorithms for multichannel remote sensing of ocean color from sp... more Existing atmospheric correction algorithms for multichannel remote sensing of ocean color from space were designed for retrieving water-leaving radiances in the visible over clear deep ocean areas and cannot easily be modified for retrievals over turbid coastal waters. We have developed an atmospheric correction algorithm for hyperspectral remote sensing of ocean color with the near-future Coastal Ocean Imaging Spectrometer. The algorithm uses lookup tables generated with a vector radiative transfer code. Aerosol parameters are determined by a spectrum-matching technique that uses channels located at wavelengths longer than 0.86 m. The aerosol information is extracted back to the visible based on aerosol models during the retrieval of water-leaving radiances. Quite reasonable water-leaving radiances have been obtained when our algorithm was applied to process hyperspectral imaging data acquired with an airborne imaging spectrometer.

Open-File Report, 2002

Scientific Investigations Report, 2012

Scientific Investigations Report, 2013

Open-File Report, 2004

Journal of Accountancy, Feb 1, 2008

Algorithms for Multispectral, Hyperspectral, and Ultraspectral Imagery VI, 2000

Imaging Spectrometry VI, 2000

TAXON, 1985

Remote Sensing of Environment, 2001

Radiometrically calibrated hyperspectral imagery contains information relating to the material pr... more Radiometrically calibrated hyperspectral imagery contains information relating to the material properties of a surface target and the atmospheric layers between the surface target and the sensor. All atmospheric layers contain well-mixed molecular gases, aerosol particles, and water vapor, and information about these constituents may be extracted from hyperspectral imagery by using specially designed algorithms. This research describes a total sensor radiance-to-ground reflectance inversion program. An equivalent surface-pressure depth can be extracted using the Non-Linear Least-Squares Spectral Fit (NLLSSF) technique on the 760-nm oxygen band. Two different methods, the Atmospheric Pre-Corrected Differential Absorption (APDA) and NLLSSF, can be used to derive total columnar water vapor using the radiative transfer model MODTRAN 4.0. Atmospheric visibility can be derived via the NLLSSF technique from the 400-700-nm bands or using an approach that uses the upwelled radiance fit from the Regression Intersection Method from 550 to 700 nm. A new numerical approximation technique is also introduced to calculate the effect of the target surround on the sensor-received radiance. The recovered spectral reflectances for each technique are compared to reflectance panels with well-characterized ground truth.

Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics of North America, 2001

Health Physics, 1987

Applied Optics, 2000