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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 …

An Experimental Investigation Of Natural Gas Catalysts Using A Bench-Flow Reactor, Paul Lisenby

Masters Theses

A computer-controlled bench-flow reactor was constructed and used to study the effects of feed stream composition, Pd/Rh loading and washcoat composition on the conversion efficiency of natural gas catalysts. Both fresh and thermally aged catalysts were evaluated using noncycled rich, noncycled lean and cycled stoichiometric feed streams. Results indicated that the cycled stoichiometric feed stream was the optimum feed stream for effective three-way removal of CH₄, NO_x, and CO for both the fresh and aged catalysts. In addition, the conversion of CH₄, NO_x and CO was found to be maximized with higher Pd/Rh …

A Methhodology For The Computer Solution Of Radiation-Induced Thermal Stresses In Fusion Reactor Components, Bruce A. Munro

Masters Theses

This report describes the creation of a methodology for determining thermal stresses of complex shapes given a neutron radiation environment. This report also examines the results of its application to a specific case, the TPX (Tokamak Physics experiment) lower hybrid waveguide system, which is considered a high-risk case for buckling because of it's structure of multiple thin, flat plates. The thesis describes the computer codes used, namely the Monte Carlo code MORSE for calculating the radiation field and the code ANSYS to calculate the thermal stresses, as well as the linking code created to join them. It discusses the value …

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 …

Thermal-Hydraulic Modeling Of A Boiling Water Reactor Scale Model Developed For Training, Education, And Research, U. Ugur Mertyurek

Masters Theses

Core components of a BWR physical model are designed. The BWR physical model operates with a slight vacuum condition in the simulated fuel with mass flow rate of 3.16x10^-4 kg/sec and total power of 0.075 kW. The static instability of the fuel cooling channel, and critical heat flux for the heaters are establish to assure safe normal operating conditions. An upper plenum and a steam separator are designed for liquid recirculation and dry steam requirements, respectively. The heaters, steam separator, and upper plenum designs are tested in the BWR physical model and perform consistent with expectations. A thermal-hydraulic simulation …

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 …

Radioassay Of A Portion Of The Main Radioactive Ventilation Header At The Radiochemical Development Facility Using In Situ Gamma Spectrometry Methods For Intact Fluid Systems, Mark Mchugh

Masters Theses

There exists a need for a method to radioassay components and fluid systems internally contaminated with radioactive material. Often operating constraints require these analyses to be performed without system penetration. The results of an accurate analysis of this type could be used for radiological planning and waste generation estimates. Gamma spectrometry methods are a valid choice, but have a large associated uncertainty due to unknown source distribution, shielding composition, and background radiation contribution. The most common approach to the problem is to survey the component with a field survey meter and, given process knowledge of the isotope of concern, convert …

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 …

Recursive Hash Trees, Timothy Andrew Martin

Masters Theses

As long as there have been computers, there has also been data sets to store in those computers. Data storage and retrieval is an important responsibility of computer scientists. Sometimes a specific framework must be constructed around the unique requirements of a particular application. There is seldom a single best solution for any given data storage and search problem yet often there are many suitable existing solutions that can be integrated with any given implementation.

Despite all attempts at generalizing data management systems (DMS), many such systems lend themselves well to only a limited class of applications. Hash tables are …

Impact Of Hydrogen Peroxide Treatment On The Binding And Mobilization Of Uranium In Soils, Son H. Nguyen

Masters Theses

Hydrogen peroxide has been recently used to oxidize organic contaminants in soil as an in-situ environmental restoration technique by the Department of Energy (DOE). However, many organic-contaminated soils at DOE facilities also contain uranium (U) which may become mobile during oxidation of target organics thereby increasing the potential for groundwater contamination and human exposure. This research addressed the impact of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) treatment on U binding and mobilization in soils.

Three different types of clay (Kaolinite, Illite and Ca-Montmorillonite), two metal oxides (Al₂0₃ and Fe₂O₃) and three DOE …

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 …

Effects Of Four Pine-Hardwood Regeneration Techniques On First Year Regeneration And Wildlife Habitat, Virgil Lee Andrews

Masters Theses

Pine-hardwood mixtures are declining in the southern states due to a variety of factors. Interest has increased in obtaining information on the pine-hardwood forest cover type, its silviculture, and its significance to wildlife and wildlife habitat. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of the fell-and-burn treatment for regenerating a mixed pine-hardwood stand with other widely-used silvicultural treatments, and to evaluate the wildlife habitat resulting from those treatments. Four site preparation techniques currently employed as regeneration techniques in the southern United States were tested as methods to successfully regenerate mixed pine-hardwood stands. Treatments included no site preparation …

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. …

The Meaning Of Editorial Freedom For An Advertising-Free Women's Magazine : A Case Study Of Ms., Anne-Lauren Cunningham

Masters Theses

Content analyses and survey research have shown that advertising is often a powerful force that can dictate the editorial content of magazines, especially women's and trade publications. This study examines how Ms. magazine, which used to publish with advertising but in 1990 dropped it in order to maintain editorial integrity, now functions without advertising. Qualitative interviews were conducted with eight members of Ms.’s current staff who answered the question, "What does editorial freedom mean to you." Based on these interviews, observations made during four days spent at the Ms. offices, and Ms. editorials, a model of advertising-free publishing was …

Computer Interfacing And Analysis Of A Sigma-Delta Analog-To-Digital Converter, Anthony Dale Coulson

Masters Theses

The suitability of a 16 bit Motorola DSP56ADC18 sigma-delta modulator analog to digital converter for use in audio and instrumentation applications was studied using statistical and Fourier analysis. In addition, a personal computer interface was developed that was quite reliable, yet reasonably priced and is practical for home use. Such a device was designed for use externally to the PC parallel port and built to allow data from the A/D to be stored in computer memory. Driver software was written using C and assembly language to interact with the external hardware and to manage the data flow from the A/D. …

Training To Enhance Sensitivity To Nonverbal Behavior, Donnal Francis Patrick Crohan

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of role-playing as training for increasing the nonverbal sensitivity of counselors in training. The Revised Self-Monitoring Scale (RSMS) was used to measure the subjects' sensitivity to nonverbal expressive behavior and their ability to modify self presentation. Role-playing activities, designed to enhance participant's sensitivity to nonverbal cues, were conducted with the experimental group. A control group participated in a counseling class without special emphasis on nonverbal sensitivity. Both groups received the RSMS as a pre and post test. Two scores were obtained on the RSMS: ability to modify self presentation and …

Evaluation Of Disability Simulations As A Teaching Tool For Undergraduate Students Majoring In Recreation And Related Fields, Melanie Collins

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to design a set of disability simulation activities and to determine the logical validity of the activities for use as a teaching tool for students preparing for careers in recreation and related fields. The general circumstances of three disabilities, spinal cord injury, visual impairment and hearing impairment, were defined and were then evaluated by a jury of experts. This is referred to in the study as the Definition of Circumstances. The definitions described the physical, environmental and psycho-social circumstances of each of the disabilities. Four disability simulation activities were designed, including parameters, rules and …

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 …

Determining If Self-Concept Differences Exist In A Group Of University Women Identified As Eating-Disordered And Noneating-Disordered, Gregory Lee Duthey

Masters Theses

The purposes of this study were: 1) to determine if there was a significant difference in self-concept between a non randomly selected sample of eating-disordered and non eating-disordered undergraduate females at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and 2) to determine the relationship between the variables that compromise the two instruments used in this study. Data were collected during Spring, Summer, and Fall, 1995 terms. Three-hundred-thirty eight volunteers from General Psychology 110 classes completed a demographic questionnaire and the following two self-report instruments: The Eating Disorder Inventory-2 (EDI-2) and the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale (TSCS).

Scores of 14 and above on the …

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 …

From This Small Place, Charlene M. Horak

Masters Theses

This collection contains poems of personal narrative and observation. The first section contains poems of reaching, questioning, and observation. Poems in the second section deal with the emotions of relationships and the places to which they lead. The last section contains poems of reconciliation.