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Canmol : Expert System In Medicine, Kulin Hemani

Theses

The intriguing words for the nineteen nineties are "Expert Systems", and "Artificial Intelligence". To a layman these terms conjure up thoughts of spaceships and futuristic beings. In reality they exemplify man's capability to harness technology.

Expert systems are computer software programs that make use of previously accumulated knowledge to assist in solving complex problems.

In recent years the practice of medicine has changed dramatically from a fundamentally individually deductive approach to an Artificial Intelligence based science. The modern physician no longer draws conclusions simply by examining the patient. Today the physician employs sophisticated computer based diagnostic tools to generate a …

Biodegradation Of Phenol And 4-Chlorophenol Using A Single Species In A Sequencing Batch Reactor, Kung-Wei Wang

Theses

Biodegradation of phenol and 4-chlorophenol (4CP) using Pseudomonas putida (ATCC 17514) was studied in batch and sequencing batch reactors. Batch experiments were first performed in order to reveal the kinetics of biodegradation for each substrate. 4-Chlorophenol was degradable only in the presence of phenol, or immediately after exposure of the organism to phenol. It was postulated that an enzyme induced by the presence of phenol was necessary to initiate degradation of 4-chlorophenol.

A mathematical model was then developed to describe the dynamic behavior of both substrates in a sequencing batch reactor (SBR). The model utilized rate parameters obtained from batch …

Wright State University College Of Engineering And Computer Science Bits And Pcs Newsletter, Volume 7, Number 7, October 1991, College Of Engineering And Computer Science, Wright State University

BITs and PCs Newsletter

A ten page newsletter created by the Wright State University College of Engineering and Computer Science that addresses the current affairs of the college.

A Conservation Tillage Educational Program, Elbert C. Dickey, Paul J. Jasa, David P. Shelton

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

An educational program was conducted to enhance the adoption of conservation tillage practices in targeted areas to reduce soil erosion and on-farm fuel use. Traditional extension methods such as meetings, field days, demonstrations, and plots were used extensively. In addition, the following nontraditional educational methods were used to achieve project objectives: targeting high priority areas, local program guidance committees, surveys to evaluate perceptions and use of conservation tillage, employment of extension assistants to work in the target areas, use of a rainfall simulator to demonstrate the effectiveness of residue cover in reducing erosion, and small group or "coffee shop" meetings …

Instrumentation And Control For A Microprocessor-Based Coronary Perfusion System, Daniel L. Priester

Master's Theses (1922-2009) Access restricted to Marquette Campus

No abstract provided.

Area Conservation Tillage Meetings-A Successful Educational Program, Elbert C. Dickey, Paul J. Jasa, David P. Shelton, Robert Grisso, Keith Glewen

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Interest in conservation tillage began to increase in the early 1980s, and farmers wanted information on how to adopt and manage various tillage and planting systems. Area conservation tillage meetings were developed by the University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension to provide the needed information on a regional basis. Local extension agents and Soil Conservation Service personnel helped extension specialists determine program content. The multidisciplinary meetings included farmer presentations and allowed space and time for commercial exhibits. About 80% of respondents to meeting evaluations indicated they planned to change their tillage practices as a result of the information presented.

Deconvolution Applications In Arterial Dynamics, Shanthi Ganesan

Theses

This thesis deals with the computation of the Arterial Impulse Response Function by deconvolving aortic pressure and flow signals in time domain. Several methods have been developed in the past to obtain a solution for the convolution integral. These are (1) Transform method, and (2) Numerical Approximation methods : a. Conventional method b. Relaxation methods.

These methods have been applied in the past to the RC network model and it was found to work well. In this thesis, the methods are applied to data from more realistic models and also on data obtained from dogs. The model considered is a …

Wright State University College Of Engineering And Computer Science Bits And Pcs Newsletter, Volume 7, Number 6, September 1991, College Of Engineering And Computer Science, Wright State University

BITs and PCs Newsletter

An eight page newsletter created by the Wright State University College of Engineering and Computer Science that addresses the current affairs of the college.

The Cognitive Status Of Risk: A Response To Thompson, L. James Valverde

RISK: Health, Safety & Environment (1990-2002)

Discussing the role that probability theory should play in Risk analysis and management, Dr. Valverde argues that Thompson's approach puts too much emphasis on the distinction between Risk subjectivism and Risk objectivism in addressing the question, "When are Risks real?"

An Analysis Of Fixed Wing Tactical Airlifter Characteristics Using An Intra-Theater Airlift Computer Model, Paul Pappas

Theses and Dissertations

This study used computer simulation to identify which tactical airlifter characteristics most significantly affected tactical airlift capability in a given scenario. The Generalized Air Mobility model was used to simulate a tactical airlift system. Aircraft characteristics within the model were grouped into six variables. A 2(6) two level full factorial experimental design was used to assess the effect of changes in aircraft characteristics on the effectiveness of the tactical airlift system. Yates algorithm was used to identify significant terms based upon the results of the factorial experiment. These significant terms were used to develop a parsimonious regression model that represented …

Evaluation Of Managerial Challenges Created By Acceleration Of The Installation Restoration Program, Robert L. Vinson Iii

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates the distribution of managerial tasks related to the Installation Restoration Program (IRP). Initiated in 1986, the IRP is the DoD program to identify and clean-up hazardous waste sites. Study areas include current distribution of managerial tasks, changes in task distribution needed to accelerate the program, and potential resource constraints. Additionally, the study considers how acceleration of Army and Navy restoration programs could impact the Air Force IRP. The study reveals IRP management is heavily centralized at MAJCOM with most technical work being performed through contracts with service centers. Individual bases have little direct involvement in the program. …

Industrial Wastewater Management Practices In Air Force Logistics Command, Patrick J. Smith

Theses and Dissertations

The selection of a model plant was based upon criteria established by a review of current literature. The criteria were permit compliance, plant performance, and the adoption of pollution prevention as a corporate environmental philosophy. In this study, private sector firms were examined to identify the best industrial wastewater management practices using a Total Quality Management (TQM) tool called benchmarking. The data gathering process consisted a survey of water pollution control organizations, and a survey of benchmark candidates. The purpose of surveying water pollution control organizations was to objectively identify possible benchmark candidates. A questionnaire was then used to gather …

Impacts Of Biomonitoring Requirements On Dod Wastewater Treatment Facilities, James R. Brady

Theses and Dissertations

Legislative emphasis on reducing the toxicity of wastewater effluent has resulted in increasingly sophisticated methods of determining toxicity. The purpose of this research project is to assess the impacts on DoD wastewater treatment facilities of one new monitoring method, biomonitoring. Biomonitoring has impacted DoD wastewater treatment facilities, however not to the degree anticipated. For bases that have been impacted, cost of contracting the tests is the primary problem associated with biomonitoring. Many bases have not been impacted because wastewater reuse has negated the need for discharge permits, and the inherent monitoring requirements. Bases subject to biomonitoring should assess water reuse …

The Performance Evaluation Of A New Neural Network Based Traffic Management Scheme For A Satellite Communication Network, Dequan Liu

Theses

The thesis describes a new neural network based traffic management scheme for a satellite communication network. The scheme consists of two levels of management. The front end of the scheme is a derivation of the Kohonen's self-organization model to configure maps for the satellite communication network dynamically, The model consists of three stages. The first stage is the pattern recognition task which selects an exemplar map that best meets the current network requirements. The second stage analyzes the discrepancy between the chosen exemplar map and the state of the network, and adaptively modifying the chosen exemplar map to conform closely …

A Biomechanical Analysis Of Three Humeral Fracture Fixation Systems, Alina Michelle Waite

Theses

Often, humeral fractures requiring internal fixation can be a challenging orthopaedic procedure. Each method of treatment possesses clinical and biomechanical advantages and disadvantages. Rigid plate fixation is highly successful in treating a large variety of long bone fractures. Nevertheless, excessive soft tissue dissection is necessary, and vascular and neural anatomy of the humerus can make plate application and removal difficult. An intramedullary nail offers a relatively simple procedure, thereby reducing these anatomical concerns. However, rotational instability at the fracture site is a common complication with a conventional intramedullary nail. Thus, a study was conducted to evaluate a new interlocking intramedullary …

A Three-Dimensional Finite Element Stress Analysis Of Interface Conditions In Porous Coated Hip Prosthesis, Siu-For Yau

Theses

A three-dimensional finite element model of a collar-type hip stem and both the cortical and cancellous bones is used to investigate the stress distributions on an implanted femoral stem, adjacent bone, and specifically at the bone/implant interface for various amounts of porous coating and different stem materials. The finite element model consists of 909 nodes comprising 536 linear eight-node solid brick elements and 176 two-node interface elements. The finite element analysis code employed is SUPERTAB from SDRC. The interface elements consist of coincident-node spring elements and gap elements which model the rigidly bonded and loose interfaces respectively. Local coordinate systems …

An Approach To Improving The Antithrombogenesis Of Pneumatic Diaphragm Artificial Ventricle : Fabrication And Design Considerations, Hui-Sun Wang

Theses

Thrombus formation is one of the major problems in artificial heart development and its clinical applications. In order to improve the antithrombogenesis in the artificial ventricles, three aspects of investigation have been done in the laboratory.

1] the surface features and the surface defects on specially prepared samples made of polyurethane and silicon rubber were studied and analyzed by scanning electron microscopy ( SEM ), light microscopy and KEVEX Feature Analysis for understanding and controlling the blood contacting surface.

2] the polyurethane blood contacting surface with smooth surface fabricated by solution cast process, the material treatment, and the fabrication procedure …

Composition And Method For Radiation Synovectomy Of Arthritic Joints, D. E. Day, Gary J. Ehrhardt

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A method for preparing nonradioactive microspheres adapted for radiation synovectomy of arthritic joints in a mammal involves forming the microspheres by doping a biodegradable glass material which may be lithium or potassium silicate, lithium or potassium aluminosilicate, lithium or potassium aluminoborate, lithium or potassium germanate or lithium or potassium alumino- germanate with an isotope which may be samarium, holmium, erbium, dysprosium, rhemium or yttrium so that the isotope is chemcially dissolved in and distributed uniformly throughout the glass material. The doped glass material is then treated with an acid wash to produce a thin layer on the surface thereof and …

Roughness Coefficients For Selected Residue Materials, John E. Gilley, Eugene R. Kottwitz, Gary A. Wieman

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Analysis of surface runoff on upland areas requires identification of roughness coefficients. A laboratory study is conducted to measure Darcy-Weisbach and Manning roughness coefficients for corn, cotton, peanut, pine needles, sorghum, soybeans, sunflower, and wheat residue. Varying rates of flow are introduced into a flume in which selected amounts of residue are securely attached. Roughness coefficients are calculated from measurements of discharge rate and flow velocity. The laboratory data are used to derive regression equations for relating roughness coefficients to Reynolds number and either percent residue cover or residue rate. Separate equations are developed for Reynolds number values from 500 …

Comparing Simulated And Experimental Hysteretic Two-Phase Transient Fluid Flow Phenomena, R. J. Lenhard, J. C. Parker, Jagath J. Kaluarachchi

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

A hysteretic model for two-phase permeability (k)-saturation (S)-pressure (P) relations is outlined that accounts for effects of nonwetting fluid entrapment. The model can be employed in unsaturated fluid flow computer codes to predict temporal and spatial fluid distributions. Consideration is given to hysteresis in S-P relations caused by contact angle, irregular pore geometry, and nonwetting fluid entrapment effects and to hysteresis in k-Srelations caused by nonwetting fluid entrapment effects. An air-water flow experiment is conducted with a 72-cm vertical soil column where the water table is fluctuated to generate scanning S-P paths. Water contents are measured via a gamma radiation …

Santa Clara Magazine, Volume 33 Number 4, Summer 1991, Santa Clara University

Santa Clara Magazine

12 - GEORGE BUSH AND THE QUESTION OF STYLE The president's campaign strategists have had Bush play up the victory in the Persian Gulf and avoid talk of much else. By Rita Beamish '74

17 - MIND OVER MONEY Challenging accepted notions about how to make money in the stock market through research on the psychology of investing. By Kathryn Bold '81

20 - STRESS: THE DEMOCRATIC AILMENT From bricklayers to stock brokers, everyone is susceptible to stress. By Elizabeth Fernandez '79

24 - CHARLES LAMPKIN: ON THE LONG ROAD Remembering the actor and music man who was SCU's artist-inresidence …

Impulse, Carrie Sword, Carey Crouse, Ross Berndt, Steve Poessnecker

Impulse (Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering Publication)

Features:
[Page 2] Water research: Saving for a 'dry day'
[Page 4] Regional water center enjoys benefits of Brookings
[Page 5] Feed Jake'
[Page 6] SDSU honors distinguished engineers
[Page 8] Scholarships awarded at annual banquet
[Page 10] New South Dakota businesses proposed by SDSU students

Departments:
Faculty:
[Page 11] Transportation technology service receives funding
[Page 11] Wayne Knabach honored
[Page 12] Faculty and students attendance at Dalton.
[Page 12] Conference focuses on women, minorities
[Page 13] Professors receive doctorates
[Page 13] Fulbright Scholar
[Page 14] Two retire from College of Engineering faculty
[Page 14] Former dean of engineering dies …

Purification And Characterization Of The Prostate Cancer-Associated Antigen: 7e11-C5, Qi Feng

Theses and Dissertations in Biomedical Sciences

A murine monoclonal antibody (MAb), 7E11-C5, recognizes a prostate organ-specific antigen. Under reducing conditions, the 7E11-C5 antigen exhibited major 100-Kd and minor 70-Kd bands, suggesting that the antigen comprises two peptide chains. The antigen was detected in pooled normal human seminal plasma, xenograft tissue extract of a prostate adenocarcinoma cell line, LNCaP, and tissue extracts of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate carcinomas, but was not identified in any of the non-prostate tissue extracts tested. Antibodies of the three major prostate-associated antigens (prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP), prostate specific antigen (PSA) and prostate secretory protein (PSP)) were unable to block the …

A Comparative Analysis Of The Efficacy Of Zero-Order, First-Order And Monod Kinetic Models In Representing Raw Aerobic Biodegradation Data, Andrew I. Bakun

Theses

A total of 148 raw aerobic biodegradation data sets from batch and continuous stirred-tank reactors were extracted from the open literature and previous NJIT MS theses. Kinetic analysis of each of these data sets was performed with respect to the following commonly used empirical models: (1) zero-order, (2) first-order, and (3) Monod. Two constant-biomass versions of each model were evaluated; one in which So (i.e., the boundary condition for substrate concentration at time equal to zero) was assumed to be equal to the measured value of the initial substrate concentration and the other in which So was treated as a …

Tractor Museum Committee Establishment 1991, Tractor Museum

Lester F. Larsen Tractor Museum: Planning and Development Documents

No abstract provided.

1-Nitronaphthalene Causes Ultrastructural Changes Primarily In Nonciliated Bronchiolar Epithelium Followed By Ciliated Epithelium In The Rat, John-Michael Sauer

Masters Theses

This study describes morphological changes in the lung at several time intervals following a single injection of 1-Nitronaphthalene (100 mg/kg intraperitoneal) in male Sprague-Dawley rats using transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Dilation of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondrial distension in the nonciliated bronchiolar (Clara) cells was apparent as early as 1 hour after injection, while adjacent ciliated cell showed minimal changes. At 6 hours, when respiratory distress was apparent in the animals, Clara and ciliated cells exhibited chromatin clumping, loss of mitochondrial cristae and cytoplasmic vacuolization. Also at 6 hours, the interstitial area around the terminal bronchioles was infiltrated …

A Vision System Model, Erik J. Fretheim

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation provides four major contributions to the field of vision research. The first contribution is a general vision system model. The model, which blends biological as well as technological methods into a coherent approach to vision, will provide a basis for implementing vision systems. The second contribution of this dissertation is to demonstrate particular implementations of portions of the model. These implementations will include methods for using Gabor wavelets in edge detection, in preprocessing images for use as feature vectors in backpropagation neural networks, and as basis functions in a recognition/reconstruction network, as well as methods for integrating color …

Mathematical Modeling Of Mass Transfer In Microvascular Wall And Interstitial Space, Daekyung Kim

Dissertations

The dynamics of macromolecular transport across the microvascular wall and into the adjoining interstitial space was studied in the hamster cheek pouch using intravital fluorescence microscopy in combination with digital image processing. Fluorescein isothiocyanate-labe led dextrans (FITC-Dx) of 70,000 and 150,000 daltons were used as tracers. In each experiment, the time-dependent extravasation of FITC-Dx from a leakage site in a blood vessel was videotaped for about 2 hours. The macromolecular transport from individual microvessels was quantified by digital video-image processing. Histograms of the light intensity distributions for selected fields at various times were obtained and then converted to the interstitial …

Image Enhancement And Analysis Of Leukocyte Adhesion, Yee-Ruh Lin

Theses

The image of leukocyte adhesion to microvascular walls in the isolated rat perfused heart model has been observed and processed. Some of the fluorescent labeled leukocytes are barely visible due to microscope focal plane and the motion of objects. The purpose of this thesis is to extract leukocyte from the image of the experimental data using image enhancement and analysis (segmentation) techniques and develop a program to handle automatically counting of leukocytes in a predefined scene.

The Application Of Adaptive Step-Size Control In The Numerical Simulation Of Calcium Release In Vascular Smooth Muscle, Michael John Sydor

Theses

An algorithm for the adaptive control of numerical integration step-size is developed and implemented for the simulation of a three compartment model for Vascular Smooth Muscle. The three compartment model accounts for the simultaneous diffusion of Ca, ⁴⁵Ca, EGTA, Ca-EGTA, and ⁴⁵Ca-EGTA, and is an extension of a two compartment model by Diecke for the simultaneous diffusion of Ca, EGTA, and Ca-EGTA. The addition of the third compartment is to account for the presence of the Sarcoplasmic Reticulum which stores the calcium needed for contraction and is the primary regulator of calcium in the VSM cell. The SR …