Digital Commons Network^™

A Study On The Causes Of Variations In Transmissivity And Storativity During Pump Tests At Asylum Lake, Paul Joseph Pare

Masters Theses

Over a two year period, Western Michigan University ran a number of pump tests in the Asylum Lake Area in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The transmissivities and storativities calculated from these tests differed significantly from well to well in any particular test, and from pump test to pump test. Utilizing the computer programs AQTESOLV 3.0 and Aquifer Parameter Estimator, a number of T and S values were calculated. After analysis of the results, the following conclusion was drawn. The main reason for the deviations in the T and S values arose from the mixing of the results of numerous methods (some of …

Effects Of Rote Exercise, Imagery, And A Material-Based Occupation On Postural Control In Children Ages 3-9, Robin Lengel

Masters Theses

Occupational therapy is based on the concept of enhancing motor, cognitive, sensory, and psycho-social performance through the utilization of purposeful activities. Purposeful activities are doing processes directed toward a planned or hypothesized end result, and can be naturalistic, simulated, or imagery-based (Nelson & Peterson, · 1989). This study compared the effects of a material-based occupation, imagery-based occupation, and rote exercise on the quality and duration of maintaining prone extension in children aged three to nine.· The quality of maintaining the posture was analyzed using the prone extension postural test (Gregory-Flock & Yerxa, 1984). Duration of prone extension for each child …

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 …

An Examination Of The Assimilation Process Of Japanese Americans Living In Michigan, Junko Onuma

Masters Theses

Japanese Americans are regarded as one of model minority groups recently in American society. Through the war experience, the Japanese Americans are likely to become upper middle class people and to assimilate into the Caucasian groups.

The purpose of this research is to investigate Japanese method to assimilate into American society. The research focuses on the Michigan area as a particular area of Japanese American assimilation process. The interview research was conducted with 14 people who live in Michigan. These people are classified into the three groups to distinguish differences, historical, and social factors on assimilation. Consequently, Japanese Americans living …

Music Therapy And Rett Syndrome: A Survey Of Music Therapy Practitioners, Stacy S. Gay

Masters Theses

Music therapy practitioners residing in the United States and known to have experience with Rett Syndrome were surveyed to better understand how music therapy aids in the treatment of clients with Rett syndrome. The survey was designed to learn if there were general trends in goals/objectives addressed, session structure used, vocal response to music intervention, strategies toward encouraging independent hand usage, and preferred instruments and adaptive equipment.

Of the 73 sent out to NAMT and AAMT members, 36 questionnaires were returned. Question items that received a 50% or higher response rate by the participants included session structure involving a set …

Regulation Of Leukotriene C4 Biosynthesis In Calcium Ionphore A23187-Challeneged August Rat Peritoneal Leukocytes, James M. Huebner

Masters Theses

Leukotriene (LT) C₄ is a potent myotropic product of arachidonic acid 5-lipoxygenation that is thought to play a role in the pathophysiology of immediate hypersensitivity reactions and inflammation. We designed the present study to evaluate the capacity of August (AUG) rat mixed peritoneal leukocytes to generate LTC₄ when challenged with different concentrations of the Ca²⁺ ionophore A23187 and to test the hypothesis that LTC₄ biosynthesis is regulated via a protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent mechanism. The AUG rat, which has a spontaneously high number of peritoneal eosinophils that can be harvested by a simple lavage procedure, is …

Effects Of Insulin And Insulin Mimetics On Antioxidant Enzyme Levels: In Vivo And In Vitro, Shikha Varma

Masters Theses

Tissue antioxidation status is considered to be an important factor for elucidating the etiology of diabetes and its physiological complications. This study was aimed to determine the in vivo antioxidant enzyme levels in the altered antioxidant status of diabetic rat liver with the treatment of two potent insulin mimetics, vanadium and selenate. The direct effects of vanadate, selenate, and zinc (another insulin mimetic) on the antioxidant enzyme levels in primary rat hepatocytes in culture was also determined. Levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and gluthahione peroxidase (GPX) were determined in both model systems.

In the vivo model, insulin treatment …

The Effects Of Air Sparging On Aquifer Hydraulic Conductivity, Hans Neve

Masters Theses

Air sparging is a relatively new technology used to remove organic contaminants from aquifers. This remediation technique involves injecting into contaminated portions of water table aquifers. Theoretically air sparging will reduce aquifer hydraulic conductivity. Injected air fills some of the available sediment pores, thus restricting the flow of water to the remaining water-filled pore spaces.

The purpose of this study was to measure the reduction in hydraulic conductivity due to air sparging. This was assessed using both laboratory and field techniques. The hydraulic conductivities of several different sediments were determined in the laboratory using a large constant head permeameter modified …

Dynamic Pulse Buckling Of Columns With Viscous Damping, Murli Kadandale

Masters Theses

This is a study of dynamic pulse buckling of columns with viscous damping. The differential equations of motion were obtained using the Bemoulli-Navier hypothesis. The effects of axial and rotary inertia were included in the analysis. The Voigt-Kelvin model for a viscoelastic material is used. The Finite Difference Method was employed to solve the differential equations of motion. First columns without geometrical imperfections were studied, and a correlation between the damping modulus and the more familiar damping ratio was obtained. Then beams with initial geometrical imperfection were studied. A suitable dynamic buckling criterion was defined. It was observed that viscous …

Toward A Theory Of Gendered Reading, Larry Edward Schoenholtz

Masters Theses

Sociolinguistic studies have long acknowledged that men and women sometimes read, write, speak, and view differently. This is often recognized as a cultural phenomenon, but there are increasing reasons to suppose that biology may play a larger role in these differences than was suspected two or three decades ago. Over the last fifteen to twenty years, in particular, evidence has continued to mount in that direction from studies in neurophysiology, endocrinology, and infant behavior. In addition, sociobiological perspectives first proposed in the 1970s seem to have met with large success in being confirmed by cross-cultural studies done in the 1980s. …

Band Structure For Acoustic Waves Propagating In A Periodic Elastic Media And Impurity Modes Arising From Slab Substitutions, Abdur Rahman

Masters Theses

In this thesis I study the band structure for acoustic waves propagating in a one-dimensional elastic array which forms a periodic elastic system in which band gaps are opened in the frequency spectrum. Specifically, I study the single impurity problem in this system. An impurity is introduced in the system by replacing one of the acoustic slabs with a new slab of different acoustic medium or by changing the thickness of impurity slab. I study the very narrow (in frequency) impurity modes in the band gaps which are localized about the impurity sites. Then I study the frequency of impurity …

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 …

Reverse Osmosis Treatment Of Deinking Effluents, Lei Zhao

Masters Theses

The application of the reverse osmosis process for treatment of preclarified deinking effluent was studied for its efficiency and capacity to remove the total suspended and dissolved solids. Seven coagulants and flocculents were studied in the pretreatment to determine the best coagulant. Two variables, temperature and coagulant dose, were studied to determine the optimum conditions. For the reverse osmosis treatment, two types of thin film composite membranes, sea water and brackish water were used in the research. A set of orthogonal experiments and regression analyses were conducted to study the effects of pressure, temperature, feed concentration, and feed pH on …

Cumulative Average Pricing Method For Estimating Average Service Life, Mahendra Babu Hosangadi

Masters Theses

The study determined if accuracy of estimation of retirement price of industrial equipment was affected by using a cumulative average pricing (CAP) method at varying conditions of inflation rate, service life, and life characteristics. The study also determined the accuracy of estimating the average life of unaged data by simulated plant record (SPR) method. Thirty-six experiments were conducted at varying conditions of inflation rate, curve type and average life. The study was conducted for two left modal curves, two symmetrical modal curves and two right modal curves at 20 and 40 years average life using three different inflation rates: 3%, …