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Comparison Between Variational And Bilinear Time Finite Element Methods Performance In Nonlinear Dynamical System Analysis, Irawan Malik

Masters Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to compare the performance of two finite element formulations when applied to nonlinear dynamic system analysis. One of these formulations is a new approach to the finite element method based on Hamilton's law of varying action. That approach will be called a bilinear approach or method in this thesis. Its performance will be compared against that of a widely used in nonlinear systems dynamics variational approach to the finite element method. This study evaluates the convergence characteristics and speed (CPU time) for these two approaches in application to such single and two-degree-of-freedom dynamical systems …

Bioavailability Of Dissolved Organic Carbon In Surface Water By Surface And Subsurface Environmental Bacteria, Udit Minocha

Masters Theses

Metabolism of naturally occurring dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in surface water was examined. Environmental bacteria isolated from the Savannah River Site, (SRS) Aiken, SC, (subsurface soil) and from Georgetown, SC (surface water) were grown in a minimal medium to which surface water containing DOC was added. Three DOC concentrations for each pure bacterial isolate were tested. The negative control, which was the same for all bacteria, consisted of minimal salts in place of the surface water. The two other concentrations of DOC were 2 and 10 mgC-DOC/1. The initial inoculum was ca. 10²-10³ CFU/ml. Bacteria were plated …

Axially Loaded Members Employing Limit State Design For Statistically Determinate Truss, Vernon Mills

Masters Theses

This study was undertaken to develop a design code for the design of planar trusses employing the "Load and Resistance Factor Design" (LRFD) philosophy. The design code employs matrix methods of structural analysis combined with the LRFD design philosophy focusing on the limit states of strength. for structural integrity. The design aid features a personal computer program which evaluates a planar truss system to determine truss member forces, system deflections, restraint loading, and member size based on the failure mode criteria. The modes of failure investigated for axially loaded members include tension, compression, and buckling. The design code has the …

A Study Of Pole-Zero Placement Options For Frequency Sampling Fir Filter Realizations, Reuben Daniel Morris

Masters Theses

This thesis investigates finite impulse response (FIR) digital filters implemented using a frequency-sampling structure with a different radius for the poles than for the zeros. Even though it is well known that both the poles and zeros of the filter should ideally fall at the same locations on the unit circle, practical implementations move both the poles and zeros slightly inside to make the filter stable. Another benefit gained is that as the poles are moved farther inside the unit circle the error due to roundoff noise decreases. In a recent thesis both the poles and zeros were moved inside …

Pressure Gradient Modeling During Subcooled Boiling In High Heat-Flux And High Mass Flux Systems, Joel Lee Mcduffee

Masters Theses

A historical overview of the methods used to predict the channel pressure drop in subcooled boiling is given in this study. It is recommended for the conditions of the Advanced Neutron Source reactor that the drift-flux model developed by Avdeev [1982-1988] be used to predict the local pressure gradient. This reactor has fuel cooling channels with a 1.27 mm gap, 80 mm span, and 0.507 m length. The average heat flux is 6 MW/m², the channel inlet temperature is 45°C, the nominal mass flux is 25,000 kg/m² s, and the exit pressure is 1.7 MPa. The model …

Development And Processing Of Nickel Aluminide-Carbide Alloys, Timothy Scott Newport

Masters Theses

With the upper temperature limit of the Ni-based superalloys attained, a new class of materials is required. Intermetallics appear as likely candidates because of their attractive physical properties. With a relatively low density, high thermal conductivity, excellent oxidation resistance, high melting point, and simple crystal structure, nickel aluminide (NiAl) appears to be a potential candidate. However, NiAl is limited in structural applications due to its low room temperature fracture toughness and poor elevated temperature strength. One approach to improving these properties has been through the application of eutectic composites. Researchers have shown that containerless directional solidification of NiAl-based eutectic alloys …

Cultural Sensitivity Training And The African American Client : Are Colleges And Universities Doing Their Part?, Betty Marshall Ballard

Masters Theses

This research evaluates whether colleges and universities that are funded by the Rehabilitation Services Administration are actually teaching multicultural courses that are sensitive to African American clients with disabilities. A total of fifty-five (55) colleges and university curricula for Rehabilitation Counselors Education programs were examined to determine whether these educational institutions offered a minimum of 9-12 credits hours of African American cultural sensitivity courses. Nine to twelve credit hours were utilized to determine cultural competency in pre-service rehabilitation education curricula. The educational institutions were represented by the colleges and the universities throughout the country. These colleges and universities were representative …

U.S. Foreign Policy And Human Rights Violations In El Salvador, Tony Lanier Barbee

Masters Theses

In this study, I will observe U.S. foreign policy and human rights in El Salvador during the Carter, Reagan, and Bush administrations. I am observing whether external factors contribute to human rights violations in a country. Particularly, stating that compared to the Carter and Bush administrations, the Reagan administration significantly contributed to human rights violations in El Salvador. I am trying to show how each administration had a distinct ideology towards El Salvador and how they tried to implement that ideology into their foreign policy. There were several ways each administration tried to execute their foreign policy, such as providing …

Meteorological Conditions Influencing Ground-Level Ozone Concentrations, Emmert L. Brant

Masters Theses

The purpose of this research was to investigate meteorological parameters which are systematically associated with ground-level ozone concentrations; and to identify specific meteorological parameters that can be used to predict expected ozone concentrations. The meteorological parameters evaluated include wind speed, solar radiation, temperature and relative humidity. The investigation employed data from a monitoring station in Oak Ridge, Tennessee for the years 1988 and 1990, which were high and moderate ozone concentration years, respectively. The data used in the analysis included average hourly meteorological data and hourly 1-hour maximum ozone concentrations. Using this data various regression analyses were performed on a …

Seismic Modeling Of Bridge Piers Supported By Piles In Loess, Anthony Kevin Bowling

Masters Theses

The Tennessee Department of Transportation uses a program called SEISAB to determine the dynamic response of bridges. In addition to the properties of the bridge, SEISAB allows spring stiffnesses to be input to represent soil stiffnesses at the foundation. Since current modeling techniques by TNDOT assume fixed foundations, it was desired to determine the implications of adding spring stiffnesses to the bridges being modeled. These stiffnesses were calculated using results of pluck tests performed on a single pile. The tests were conducted in loess, a soil which is predominant in West Tennessee, which is an area of high seismic risk. …

A Natural Language Interface To The Unix Operating System Using Recurrent Neural Networks, Renwick Lowell Conrad

Masters Theses

This paper presents an experiment that was done in natural language processing using a recurrent neural network, specifically attempting to construct a natural language interface to the Unix operating system. Most natural language experimentation with neural networks has been done using a small vocabulary. The experiments in this paper were done to try to address what would happen using a larger vocabulary. Several different trials were run using binary inputs, bipolar inputs and a variety of different network architecture. When the input to the network was binary the network was able to correctly classify 85 percent of the sentences using …

Modeling And Control Of A Hydraulically Actuated Flexible Robot Link Of Variable Length, Angela Michelle Gizelar

Masters Theses

Through research in and production of radioactive materials the Department of Energy (DOE) has been generating toxic waste that was commonly stored in large, underground storage tanks. Long-reach manipulators (LRMs) will be used to remove waste from the tanks. LRMs exhibit flexible behavior and present control problems that are different from those seen with conventional manipulators. Because of the large payload requirement for removing tank waste, LRMs will use hydraulic rather than electric actuators. To explore the behavior of LRMs the Flexible Beam Test Bed (FBTB) was constructed at Pacific Northwest Laboratory (PNL). This thesis describes research performed on a …

A Computer Model And Parametric Study Of Earth-Atmospheric Entry Of Meteors, Richard Matthew Fought

Masters Theses

This investigation involves the physics of meteors entering the Earth's atmosphere. A computer model coded in FORTRAN is developed that simulates the trajectory of such bodies through the atmosphere. Both new and old techniques are used to simulate the various aspects of the problem physics. An improvement is made over previous work primarily in the radiative heat transfer and ablation models. To this end a new, estimation technique for the thermodynamic properties of high-pressure, high-temperature equilibrium air is devised. This new radiative model produces energy fluxes and ablation rates much lower than previously calculated, and this significantly affects the predicted …

Analysis Of Controllability Of A Wastewater Treatment Plant, James Michael Grove

Masters Theses

This study presents the development of a dynamic simulator for a biotreatment wastewater bio-treatment plant and an operational and control analysis approach for evaluating potential control strategies for the plant-wide wastewater biotreatment plant patterned after a plant under construction by the DuPont Company in Victoria, Texas. The research first reviews existing modelling techniques and sensor technology. It then reviews concepts presented by the Activated Sludge Model No. 1 and utilizes these concepts in the creation of a dynamic simulator for a wastewater treatment plant using the Simulink™ package of Matlab™ as the programming platform. The dynamic simulator is designed to …

Benefiting Built Environment Education : The Use Of Scaled Three-Dimensional Urban Simulations As Teaching Tools In Elementary And Secondary School Curricula, Vincent Paul Gauthier

Masters Theses

The intent of this thesis has been to determine how three-dimensional scaled simulations, such as miniature villages and city planning models, can be used in built environment education. An extensive literature review uncovered a wide range of elementary and secondary school curricula oriented towards community design issues. In order to assess the programming associated with existing urban representations, surveys were mailed to a sample group) of 65 public and private entities, each featuring at least one form of simulation. Questionnaire recipients included: planning agencies, museums, architectural firms, universities, and tourist attractions. Three mini-case studies were also conducted. Over thirty organizations …

An Examination Of The Theoretical And Philosophical Foundations Of Reflective Thinking And Practice, Jerry D. Johnson

Masters Theses

The recent revival, especially in education, of a widespread interest in reflective thinking, has made the understanding of its theoretical and philosophical foundations of great importance. A corresponding practical application of reflective thinking, with an aspiration of achieving improvement in practice, has enunciated another aspect of the traditional connection of mind to matter. The clarification of the meaning of reflective thinking and practice involves an interdisciplinary consideration of the conceptual basis of its origins. By showing areas of agreement or apparent consensus among theorists and philosophers, some uniformity, consistency, and coherence in meaning begins to emerge. A comparison and cros-sreferencing …

Patterns Of Sexual Dimorphism In North American Indian Groups, Cathi Lee Sullivan

Masters Theses

This study examines patterns of sexual dimorphism in 26 North American Indian and Siberian groups. Past research on sexual dimorphism has looked into possible causative factors such as nutritional status, settlement type, marriage systems, sexual division of labor, and climate. No one explanation can be universally applied to all populations. Three measurements of height; standing height, sitting height, and sub-ischial height were examined for variation in sexual dimorphism. Univariate and multivariate statistical tests were performed to determine which component of stature contributes more to the variability in sexual dimorphism.

Results of this study indicate that the groups of the Northwest …

Foodservice Conditions In Licensed Urban And Rural Child Care Centers: An Application Of The National Health And Safety Performance Standards, Todd Michael Kirkpatrick

Masters Theses

Objectives: To assess the degree to which child care centers in urban and rural counties met foodservice standards as documented in the National Health and Safety Performance Standards; to determine if a difference in foodservice conditions existed between these two groups; to determine if the foodservice conditions at child care centers are related to the directors' perception of existing foodservice conditions or the importance of maintaining safe foodservice conditions, or previous environmental health inspection scores; to identify child care staffing needs.

Subjects: 36 urban and 34 rural child care centers in east Tennessee

Design: On-site assessment …

Characterization Of The Particle Collection Efficiency Of Melt-Blown Media At High Air Velocity : Particle Bounce And The Effects Of Tackifier Filter Adhesive, Bruce Alan Phillips

Masters Theses

Many commercially available indoor air filters are currently being marketed with topically applied tackifier filter adhesives. The concept is as old as the mucous coated cilia in the human respiratory tract. The idea is that a fibrous filter's capture efficiency may be improved by applying a sticky substance to the individual dry fibers. However, little information is available in the literature concerning the application of tackifiers and their effectiveness on decreasing particle penetration through filters. Therefore, it is of scientific value to investigate the efficacy of such tackifiers over a variety of operating air velocities, especially in light of the …

A Study Of The Interaction Of Bee Venom Melittin With Model Biological Membranes Using Both Total And Polarized Fluorescence Measurements, Angela K. Payongayong

Masters Theses

Polarized fluorescence intensity measurements consisting of vertical and horizontal components were taken using a stopped-flow fluorometer in order to study the kinetics of melittin binding to dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) small unilamellar vesicles and dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) small unilamellar vesicles over a range of temperatures. The data were analyzed within the framework of a sophisticated model proposed by Bradrick (1994). The results for DMPC small unilamellar vesicles showed that the rates of melittin-vesicle association and dissociation increased with increasing temperature, as expected. The number of lipid molecules per binding site did not show any noticeable trend although at the transition temperature of 21 …

Heavy Metal Salts And Osmotic Pressure Affect Shoot Regeneration From Leaf Explants Of Dendranthema Grandiflora, Olga Ruiz-Marín

Masters Theses

Shoot organogenesis was induced in two recalcitrant varieties of Dendranthema grandiflora Tzvelev 'Adorn' and 'Goldmine'. Regeneration of shoots from 'Goldmine' leaf explants was obtained on the following media; Murashige and Skoog (1962) (MS) medium amended with 0.1 μM BA, 11.5 μM lAA and 4.2 μM CoCI₂ and transferred after 5 weeks to medium with the same concentration of BA and CoCI₂, but without lAA. Schenk and Hildebrandt (SH) medium also was suitable for shoot induction in this variety when amended with 5% sucrose and 0.1 μM BA and 11.5 μM lAA. Explants …

Use Of A Bioluminescent Reporter To Monitor Exopolysaccharide Production By Environmental Bacteria From Corroded Metal Surfaces, James F. Rice

Masters Theses

An alginic acid biosynthesis bioluminescent reporter plasmid, pUTK50, was transconjugated into environmental strains of Pseudomonas putida, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and Pseudomonas syringae. Bioluminescent transconjugates were selected from each strain for investigation of environmental stress factors promoting alginic acid exopolymer biosynthesis in developing biofilms. Environmental stimuli associated with increased levels of alginate synthesis, in a previously developed P. aeruginosa,/em> FRDl, were applied to the environmental strains. Increased salt concentrations and higher ratios of nitrate vs. ammonium ions as limited nitrogen source induced bioluminescence in FRDl and the environmental strains. However, for environmental strains of P. putida, …

Molecular Analysis Of The Upstream Dna Of Arrestin B (Arrb) Gene Of Drosophila Melanogaster For Its Level Of Transcription And Head-Specific Expression, Sunil Tuppale

Masters Theses

Arrestin protein (Art) is an important component of the phototransduction or visual transduction process in both vertebrates and invertebrates. It is required for normal vision and structural integrity of the retina. It has been shown from studies in Drosophila that under expression or overexpression of arrestin causes impaired vision. In Drosophila underexpression of arrestin B (ArrB), one of the two arrestins found in this species has been shown to cause light dependent retinal degeneration. Studies in rds (retinal degeneration slow ) mutant mouse showed that overexpression of Arr causes light dependent retinal degeneration. The maintenance of proper level of …

Incidence Of Antimicrobial Resistant Fecal Escherichia Coli In Tennessee Swine Units, William Gregory Upchurch

Masters Theses

Sows and pigs from ten Tennessee swine units from various regions of the state were sampled to determine the incidence of resistant fecal Escherichia coli (E. coli) to selected antimicrobial agents. At each site 5 sows and 5 pigs per sow were randomly identified. At 7 days post partem, selected individuals were rectally swabbed to obtain samples for culture. Additional samples were collected from pigs at 35 and 63 days of age. Fecal samples were transferred to lactose MacConkey agar and cultured overnight. Ten lactose fermenting colonies, consistent with E. coli in color and morphology, were randomly chosen and subjected …

Crop Tree Management Of Upland Hardwoods In West Tennessee, David O'Neal

Masters Theses

A 40-year-old upland hardwood stand in west Tennessee was selected to test the effectiveness of crop tree management techniques. The stand consisted of 20 acres with each acre having the potential to contain 36 crop trees. Treatments consisted of: 1) a crown release, 2) fertilization (150 lbs. N and 35 lbs. P₂0₅ per acre) and 3) a combined release and fertilizer treatment.

A severe ice storm struck west Tennessee the winter following the study's initiation. Results indicated that release greatly increased a crop tree's susceptibility to severe ice damage and that black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.) …

Gis Modeling Of Forest Cover Distributions In A Southern Appalachian Watershed, Daniel Thomas Rutledge

Masters Theses

This study develops a method to model forest cover distributions in the Little Tennessee River Watershed in Macon County, North Carolina using a geographic information system (GIS). The model employs common environmental variables, e.g. elevation, aspect, and slope, and a newly developed metric called a topographic index. The topographic index quantifies landscape form to reflect the degree of site convexity or concavity. To generate index values, the GIS sums relative aspect differences between all adjacent cells and the center cell in a neighborhood analysis. To determine predominant community types and their environmental ranges in the study area, I surveyed canopy …

Caliber Estimation From Cranial Entrance Defect Measurements, Ann H. Ross

Masters Theses

Estimation of caliber from entrance defects has long been rejected by forensic scientists. However, previous studies have been from the viewpoint of the forensic pathologist, and because their focus is usually upon soft tissue, therefore this is a role for the forensic anthropologist to pursue. Consequently, this study examined the relation between caliber and cranial entrance defects and maximum cranial thickness.

The calibers considered in this inquiry were .22, .25, .32, and .38. The sample consists of 73 specimens obtained at autopsy (thirty-seven of .22 caliber, five of .25, six of .32, and twenty-five of .38). The strength of the …

Assessment Of Role Modeling And/Or Mentoring Programs In The Knoxville Metropolitan Statistical Area, Troy A. Breitmann

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of mentoring and/or role modeling programs for inner-city youth in the Knoxville Metropolitan Statistical Area. In the course of the research agencies, organizations, and groups in the Knoxville Metropolitan Statistical Area who offered mentoring programs were identified. The programs they offered were examined to determine the criteria of mentor and protoge eligibility as well as the overall scope of the program. A questionnaire was developed using the Total Design Method (TDM) and validated with a jury of experts. The questionnaire was delivered via mail to 116 agencies, organizations, and groups …

Framing Health Care Reform: An Analysis Of White House Information Subsidies And Ap News Stories, Rosa Renee Rallos

Masters Theses

This thesis was a text analysis using both thematic analysis and the computerized content analysis program, VBPro, to determine whether White House information subsidies on health care reform served as a framing influence on AP news stories. A census of all White House health care reform information subsidies and a random sample of AP news stories released between January 20, 1993, and September 30, 1994, were analyzed. The AP news stories were separated into two groups: those that cited the White House as a source first and those that did not. A computerized content analysis of these text files was …

Incidence And Life History Of Beech Scale, Initiator Of Beech Bark Disease, In The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Robert Angelo Vance

Masters Theses

American beech, Fagus grandifolia Ehrlich, in eastern North America are currently threatened by the devastating beech bark disease. This disease is caused by the fungal pathogens, Nectria coccinea var. faginata Lohman, Watson and Ayers, and Nectria galligena Bres., which infect trees that are predisposed by infestations of beech scale, Cryptococcus fagisuga Lindinger. In 1993, beech bark disease was discovered in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP).

In 1994, a 2-year cooperative research project involving the National Park Service and the University of Tennessee Agricultural Experiment Station was initiated to study several aspects of beech bark disease in the GSMNP. …