Digital Commons Network^™

The Creation Of An Expert System For Teaching Piano Lessons, Carol Chew

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Combining the arts with science and technology has had many beneficial results. Computers and music have been connected for many years. Computers have been used in music composition, electronic keyboards, music publishing and digital sound processing. Artificial intelligence has been used in creating expert systems for training people in various fields. An attempt will be made to tie together expert systems for training with current computerized music technology.

This research report proposes that an expert system be developed to teach piano lessons. The fields of music and artificial intelligence will be drawn upon in developing this expert system structure. While …

The Application Of Expert Systems To Automated Storage And Retrieval, Robert E. Mcdonald

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This report discusses the major functions, decisions, and strategies of automated storage and retrieval systems (AR/RS). The report surveys the essential features of expert systems and discusses how they can be applied in automated warehousing environments. A blackboard expert system architecture was examined and found to be a flexible and responsive control system for automated warehousing applications. A simple AR/RS expert system was constructed using an expert system software package. A warehousing simulation was performed which compared the expert system’s performance to a typical AR/RS control system. The expert system produced increased efficiency of operation because of the intelligent rules …

Corrosion Ability And The Chemistry Of Mercuric Chloride And Related Compounds, Martin R. Kruger

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This research project found that a solution of methanol and methylene chloride saturated with mercuric chloride was very effective at diffusing through a paint film and destroying an aluminum barrier below. The project also found evidence that mercuric chloride chemically reacts with dimethylformamide and dimethysulfoxide. The project concluded that corrosion of metals in an organic solvent media is best studied by thermal analysis.

Development And Testing Of A Heuristic Line Balancing Program For A Microcomputer, Dean B. Creech

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Development, operation, and testing of a heuristic line balancing program for a microcomputer are discussed. Tasks are grouped into work stations along an assembly line such that the number of work stations required is minimized.

The model is built primarily using the Hoffman (1963) procedure with modifications described by Gehrlein and Patterson (1975). For purposes of comparison the Rank Positional Weight technique (Helgeson and Birnie, 1961) is also included in the model.

Testing included thirty-seven different balances using problems from the literature. For each balance, both Rank Positional Weight and Hoffmann solutions were obtained in the forward and reverse directions. …

Snap, A Contract Pricing Tool For The Micro-Computer, Kris Luella Hoffman

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The amount of time required during the contracting process from the solicitation of bids through contract award can be significant. Two of the main problem areas are evaluating the contractor’s proposal and completing the negotiation process. The SNAP system was developed to simplify Negotiations with Automated Pricing using the microcomputer. SNAP can track three separate positions during negotiations and provide hour/dollar summaries for each of these positions by cost account, lot, department, and Work Breakdown Structure (WBS). Evaluation worksheets and department summaries can be produced to provide the evaluators with different perspectives of the same work effort. SNAP will also …

Utilization Of Expert Systems In The Work Place: Performing Project Software Cost Estimation On Training Systems, Henry A. Marshall

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This research report investigates the use of an expert system to aid project engineers at the Naval Training Systems Center in making decisions concerning the requirements of the computer systems used in simulators. For a prototype system domain, the author chose an expert system that would generate a software development cost estimate. This system questions the user about the features and options required on the training system. The expert system then analyzes the information to generate a “lines of code” estimate. A selected model will combine various factors to generate s value answer for the user. The capabilities and features …

A Monte Carlo Approach To Ridge Discriminant Analysis, Lee Wooldridge

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

A combined analytical and empirical method to define human performance measures is required for effective automated training. In theory, performance measures can be weighted and combined in a single first order equation upon which an automated training system can track a student's comparative skill level. A form of multivariate discriminant analysis was the statistical technique incorporated into the measurement selection and weighting scheme. (Vreuls and Wooldridge 1977). As with regression analysis, this discriminant technique was subject to debilitating problems such as overfit and undesirable inaccuracies in the coefficients. The author developed and implemented an adjustment to the discriminant function analogous …

Simulation Model To Evaluate Performance Of Operational Systems And Their Impact On Repair Shop Activity At A Navy Field Site, James T. Newell

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This paper presents the background and procedures leading to development of a simulation model to analyze the impact of certain decision variables on operational system performance and workloads as the repair facility of a typical Navy field site. The research examines the impact of maintenance support concepts, as implemented by changes in the decision variables, associated with the broader application of Automatic Test Equipment. The initial effort consisted of data collection and field site surveys which culminated in defining a work flow model illustrating typical repair facility operations. The work flow model is translated into a computer simulation model. The …

Software Quality Assurance, Edward C. Soistman

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The problems associated with software development and use are investigated from a management point of view. Having identified the critical aspects of effective software management, an approach is suggested for the creation and implementation of a software quality assurance program, Particular attention is focused on the concept of Life Cycle Procurement as currently utilized by the Department of Defense. The research was accomplished in two phases. The first consisted of an extensive literature search, seminar attendance and participation in several working groups assigned the responsibility for establishing software quality assurance guidelines. The second phase involved direct participation in the development …

An Introduction To The Winograd Discrete Fourier Transform, Janice S. Agnello

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This paper illustrates Winograd's approach to computing the Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT). This new approach changes the DFT into a cyclic convolution of 2 sequences, and illustrates shortcuts for computing this cyclic convolution. This method is known to reduce the number of multiplies required to about 20% less than the number of multiplies used by the techniques of the Fast Fourier Transform. Three approaches are discussed, one for prime numbers, one for products of primes, and lastly one for powers of odd primes. For powers of 2 Winograd's algorithm is, in general, inefficient and best if it is not used. …

Methods And Techniques Used For Job Shop Scheduling, Yoo Baik Yang

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The job shop scheduling problem, in which we must determine the order or sequence for processing a set of jobs through several machines in an optimum manner, has received considerable attention. In this paper a number of the methods and techniques are reviewed and an attempt to categorize them according to their appropriateness for effective use in job shop scheduling has been made. Approaches are classified in two categories: a) analytical techniques and b) graphical methods. Also, it should be noticed that this report does not include all the attempts and trials, especially the heuristic approaches.

Survey Of Techniques Used By Small Manufacturing Businesses To Implement Production Control, William De Hoog

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Application Of Fire Protection Models In Urban Planning, Ronald George Thomas

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Energy Resource Allocation Optimization: A Mixed Integer Programming Fixed Charge Model, Mashaallah Khorsandi

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

A fixed charge model has been developed for a case study of a total energy power plant involving energy demands for chilled water, high temperature hot water, and electrical power. Using a FORTRAN computer program, which employs the Land and Doig branch and bound algorithm, the system model is solved for different sets of system demands for multiple energy users, and the following set of information is obtained to guide the decisions of operations personnel: 1. Recommend on/off status for each piece of equipment in the system. 2. Recommended rate of operation for each piece of machinery. 3. Required amounts …

An Interactive Information System For Tracking Student Academic Progress And For Projecting Quarterly Course Enrollments, Marilyn Sellers Khorsandi

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

An interactive information system has been developed for the College of Engineering to promote faster and more accurate trial advisement interviews between professors and the students they advice. This system also provides departmental administrative personnel with information to guide course scheduling. The system has the capability of providing the following information concerning undergraduate students enrolled in the College of Engineering: 1. A student's academic progress toward graduation. 2. A projection for four quarters of enrollments in engineering core courses. 3. The current status of any course offered as a requirement for obtaining a Bachelor's Degree in one of the Engineering …

Energy Resource Allocation Optimization--A Linear Programming Model, Paul F. Hutchins

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

A linear programming model has been developed for a Central Energy Plant which minimizes operational costs for a system involving the generation of chilled water and high temperature hot water plus the generation and/or purchase of electric power with equipment using natural gas or fuel oil energy. The fundamental concepts developed herein are sufficient for the analysis of any combination of energy supplies, demands, and energy conversion equipment. Utilization of this model is demonstrated with a case study and computer program results for high and low temperature environments. The linear programming model approach establishes a well-defined framework for the analysis …

A Dynamic Simulation Of The Gasoline Distribution System During Periods Of Normal And Restricted Availability, Sheriar R. Bamasi

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Flood Control Modeling, Peter E. Delle Donne

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This is a research report that discusses some continuous and discrete modeling techniques. The report applies these techniques to the analysis of Canal 38 (Kissimmee River) part of Central and South Florida Flood Control District. The analysis is based on recorded data for defining the physical systems parameters. Established parameters are mathematically related to define a descriptive model for Canal 38. The modeling procedure of 'trial and error' is used to assemble the model with measures of merit, the integral square error, and root mean squared error. General simulation considerations are discussed for application of the mathematical model.