Digital Commons Network^™

Analysis Of The Effects Of Biofeedback On Cardiovascular And Neuromuscular System, Andreas T. Gikas

Theses

Time series signal processing techniques (Fourier based) were applied to study the effects of biofeedback on the cardiovascular and neuromuscular system.

A medical instrumentattion system was developed to monitor ECG, EEG and EMG biopotential signals and temperature.

Data from two experiments were first analyzed. These data were from two normal male subjects who engaged in relaxation techniques (Transcendental Meditation & Imagery). If we assumed that for both subjects relaxation produced a decrease of the sympathetic activity then that resulted in a decrease of the heart rate (ECG) and an increase in skin temperature. Spectral analysis of the EEG signal showed …

The Application Of Microwave Technology To The Remediation Of Non- Volatile Organic-Contaminated Soil, Huiping Gu

Theses

The application of microwave technology to the remediation of soils contaminated with non-volatile organic chemicals is the subject of this thesis. It had been previously shown in this laboratory that volatile and semi-volatile organics could be steam distilled from soil. This study has been focussed on the applicability of microwave treatment of soil contaminated with non-volatile organics at relatively low temperatures achievable by in situ microwave treatment. Non-volatile toxics, like dioxin, pose their greatest danger when excavated and transported, according to the EPA, therefore, there is an urgent need for an in situ remediation process. Microwave treatment is one of …

Reliability Of Titanium Dioxide Capacitors, Md. Badrul Hasan

Theses

In recent years many different materials have been investigated as potential thin-film capacitor dielectrics. Silicon monoxide (SiO) and tantalum pentoxide (Ta₂O₅) are the two dielectric materials that are being used by most companies.

This thesis provides some theory and experiments to evaluate the reliability of TiO₂ as a material which would yield a dielectric constant much higher than Ta₂O₅. It has also been shown that titanium dioxide is economically and technically capable of miniaturization demanded by the latest electronic systems.

Included here are the sections covering evaporant materials and their purities, …

An Artificial Neural Network For Redundant Robot Inverse Kinematics Computation, Wibawa Utama

Theses

A redundant manipulator can be defined as a manipulator that has more degrees of freedom than necessary to determine the position and orientation of the end effector. Such a manipulator has dexterity, flexibility, and the ability to maneuver in presence of obstacles. One important and necessary step in utilizing a redundant robot is to relate the joint coordinates of the manipulator with the position and orientation of the end-effector. This specification is termed as the direct kinematics problem and can be written as x = f(q)
where x is a vector representing the position and orientation of the end-effector, q …

Simulation Of Random Packing Of Hard Spheres Using Monte Carlo Method, Sung-Ho Park

Theses

A computer based method of generating a random packing of hard spheres is described. Using a Monte Carlo method as employed in the field of Computational Statistical Physics, packing of hard spheres are generated and analyzed.

The mean packing fractions for the present assemblies of 1000 spheres are 0.555±0.015 after pouring and 0.582±0.018 after 10 cycles of shaking. These values are approximately 5 to 6 per cent lower than the experimental results of G.D. Scott[30], but similar with the result of Visscher & Bolsterli [17].

The mean coordination numbers are 5.97 and 6.33 for the pouring and shaking case, respectively. …

X-Ray Powder Diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscopy And Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy Studies Of Soil Containing Chromium Immobilized By Microwave Treatment, Nagui Ibrahim

Theses

The orientation of soil contaminants such as chromium is altered during microwave heating. The SEM and EDS were utilized in the study. The nature of the orientation is related to the heating time. This results in immobilizing the contaminant in leaching tests. The non-leachibility was related to the reactivity of the chromium salt with the soil hematite phase (Fe2O3) during the microwaving. This was proved By the X-ray diffraction analysis. The spectrums obtained from 30 and 60 minutes microwaved samples were identical in the crystal phases and were significantly different from the contaminated unheated sample.

Design And Analysis Of Movable Boundary Allocation Protocol, Karun Sekhri

Theses

The increasing digital communications traffic will require very high speed networks. The use of high communication speed increases the ratio between end to end propagation delay and the packet transmission time. This increase causes rapid performance deterioration and restricts the utilization of the high system bandwidth in broadcast channel based systems. Using several parallel channels in place of a single channel improves this ratio. For a given system bandwidth the total system capacity is increased by bandwidth division and parallel communication. FTDMA protocols have been suggested for the parallel channel network and these protocols are suitable for different loads. In …

Control Of Stress In Silicon Nitride Thin Films, Ajay Krishnan

Theses

Silicon nitride thin films of varying composition and thickness were deposited on silicon substrates by reactive rf diode sputtering of a silicon target using an argon/nitrogen gas mixture. Film stoichiometry could be controlled by varying the partial pressure of nitrogen, the total sputtering gas pressure and the target rf power. Films with refractive index of 2.01, the value for stoichiometric silicon nitride, could be obtained. Film stress was measured by wafer curvature; refractive index and thickness of deposited films were obtained by ellipsometry and interferometry measurements. The etch rate in buffered HF for films with refractive index 2.05 was 29A/min; …

Multiprocessor System Design Tutor : Expert System Approach, Rakesh Kamdar

Theses

To increase computational bandwidth and system resilience, integration of several microprocessors in a single system becomes necessary. The overall throughput and efficiency of such a system is directly dependent on the hardware and software interconnection supported by the basic microprocessor chip. Sometimes it becomes difficult to put together all the information for design criteria and all the design related formulas.

The approach made here is to continuously update the hardware and software information in the database related to a given microprocessor. This information can be accessed at any time for efficient design solution. Intel 80386 and Motorola 68020 microprocessors are …

Construction Cost Estimating In Project Management, Kalpit N. Patel

Theses

The primary objective of Cost Estimating is to support the timely generation of bid or alternative estimates. Cost Estimating also supports management analysis of estimate accuracy, reasonableness and project risk through the generation of summary reports and analysis. Estimates also provide a base of information during construction for such items as scope changes to the contract, variations in costs of the project cost, total project cost, feedback for scheduling etc.

Contruction cost estimating is the process of identifying and compiling the many items of cost that will enter into a construction project. This is a procedure that requires very detailed …

A Study Of The Effects Of Weighting Matrices In Power System State Estimation, Yanshi Wang

Theses

The effects of weighting matrices that may be used in the Weighted Least Squares (WLS) method when applied to the problem of Power System State Estimation (PSSE) are studied. These weighting matrices include the one usually used in the literature and the one used in the utility PSSE programs

The performances of these weighting matrices are compared using the Monte Carlo simulation technique.

To test the performances of the weighting matrices, a PSSE program is developed, different performance indices for state comparison are defined, and many cases are studied.

Results show that the weighting matrix usually used in literature, 1/σ², …

Investigation Of Mixed-Made Fracture In Concrete, Stylianos C. Aniftos

Theses

This study is aimed at evaluating the failure characteristics of concrete in the notched beam configuration. In general, for Mode I failure tension is commonly encountered. However, in the area of high shear stress, it remains to be a question whether shear or Mode II failure exists. Researches carried out in the past decade confirmed the existance of both Mode I and Mode II failure. It is the objective of this investigation to clarify this failure characteristics using FRANC an interactive fracture mechanics software.

The investigation carried out in this study used the experimental results of Bazant and Pfeiffer (3) …

Experimental Evaluation Of Process Zone Deformation In Concrete, Cherng-Maou Meng

Theses

Concrete structures are often subjected to a variety of loading conditions. Under ultimate load design, concrete structures can resist these loads without evident deformation. However, under service, tension cracks will develop and depending on their location, they may impair load carrying capacity.

It is generally believed that microcrack development is preceeded by formation of a relatively long microcracked region. A large number of studies have indicated that due to formation of this process zone (microcracked zone), Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics (LEFM) principles are not applicable to concrete. However, a number of nonlinear models can be developed if the length of …

Trends Of Metals (Pb, Zn, Cd, Cr, Mn, Fe, Hg And Ni) Concentration In The New Jersey Air Environment, Shobha R. Boddu

Theses

The atmospheric concentrations and relative trends of ten trace elements (Co, Cd, Fe, Hg, Pb, Ni, Zn, Cu, Cr and Mn) were studied at Elizabeth and Carteret, New Jersey from July 1987 to September 1989. The specific sites are Industrial and Residential Interface areas. The analytical procedure involved collection of the airborne particulates on a quartz microfiber filter using a high volume sampler. The samples were digested and then analyzed using the atomic absorption spectrometer. Elizabeth usually showed lower values for the metals than Carteret. Average concentrations (ng/m3) for the respective metals over the entire project are: Metal: Co Cd …

A Comparative Study Of Cadmium Uptake By Cells Of Gram-Positive And Gram-Negative Bacteria, Shubhangi Rajan Bhende

Theses

Cadmium uptake by cells of Gram-positive and Gram- negative bacteria was studied. Gram-positive and Gram- negative bacterial cells were separated from activated sludge collected from the Parsippany Troy Hills Water Pollution Control Plant (NJ) by isolating them on agar plates. These were grown separately and used for uptake experiments.

Gram-positive bacterial cells showed 17% more uptake of cadmium as compared to Gram-negative cells at 30°C and pH 6.6. More than 95% of the total cadmium removal from the solution was observed during first 5 min. of cell-metal contact time. In case of Gram-positive bacteria cadmium uptake decreased by 5-10% after …

Mathematical Modeling And Simulation Of The Progression Of Aids, Anju H. Nagpal

Theses

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) caused by Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a pernicious disease acknowledged as a world health problem. One of the major issues in the study of AIDS is understanding the manifestation and the progression of the disease following the transmission of HIV. Unfortunately, the present state of biological knowledge does not yet give us a reliable means of evaluating these phenomena. A simulation approach is, therefore, extremely useful in predicting the various phases of the deteriorating physiological status of the patient. In the present study we have focused on the development of a mathematical model of the …

Design Of A Real Time Optical Sensor For Continuous Blood Cell Separation, Girish S. Yerande

Theses

For continuous measurement and display of oxygen saturation and RBC content in blood during cell separation a reflection type optical sensor is designed based on the theoretical model using the photon diffusion theory. The prototype sensor consists of two arrays of light emitting diodes, red and infrared, and photodiodes. The emission wavelength of LEDs are 660 nm and 800 nm. The 800 rim which is in the infrared region is very close to isobestic value for blood. The prototype sensor is mounted on the blood cell separator equipped with an antitwister mechanism. Each LED emits a specific wavelength of light …

Biodegradation Of Polymers And Isolation And Crude Characterization Of Proteins From These Studies, Sunil S. Godbole

Theses

The performance of immobilized and free microorganisms in the biodegradation of polymers was investigated using a recirculation flow reactor and an air-sparged reactor respectively. The bio-oxidation ability of these microbes towards polyamide emulsion was studied.

Extracellular protein cuts isolated were checked for oxidative activity in a microassay reactor. These fractions were compared from various biodegradation studies.

Microassay tests and monitoring of the oxygen consumption in recirculation flow confirmed substrate dependent oxygen consumption, polyamide being provided as the sole carbon source. Increases in extracellular protein buildup were a positive indication of biodegradation.

The protein cut greater than 500,000 daltons was found …

Biomechanical Analysis Of The Acetabulum And Acetabular Prothesis By Three Dimensional Finite Element Analysis, Mitchell J. Palmer

Theses

A biomechanical analysis modeling methodology of the acetabulum and acetabular prosthesis using three dimensional finite element analysis is presented. A simplified pelvis model is utilized which will yield accurate bone/component interfacial stresses. The SDRC IDEAS software program was used to perform the associated operations. Model generation of the simplified pelvic model and cup, finite element subdivision; material properties, restraints and load modeling are detailed. The model is comprised of 429 isoparametric elements in the simplified pelvis portion and 633 elements in the cup portion. Materials properties and loads are from the literature. The modeling methodology offers the advantages of determining …

A Study Of The Effect Of Flexibility On Manufacturing Performance, Prashanth B. Nagendra

Theses

Manufacturing flexibility has been a major topic of research in recent years. Researchers and managers are concerned about the role of flexibility in manufacturing performance. The strategic and economic impact of flexibility is of vital importance for managers in today's competitive industry.

This thesis initially provides an in-depth.perception of the prior research conducted in the area of manufacturing flexibility. Manufacturing flexibility, in this study, has been classified into four major types. Simple definitions and operational measures are provided for each of these primary types. The different factors effecting these flexibilities are identified. A new concept called the Cause-Effect-Flexibility-Technology diagrams based …

Towards An Understanding Of Women's Status In The Labor Force, Despina Papageorgiou

Theses

The thesis examines the status of women in the labor force from the economic and sociological point of view. It explores both the occupational segregation and the differences in earnings.

None of the existing theories provides a sufficient explanation either of the causes of the problems, or of the effects of women's position in the labor force. Each study has its limitations.

The previous studies failed to predict the dynamic effects of the changes that rapidly take place in the business environment and the increasing demand for highly qualified and experienced professionals. These changes facilitated women's entrance to top-management positions …

Trellis Coded Tamed Frequency Modulation In Rayleigh Fading Channels, Kiran R. Patel

Theses

It is usually difficult to reduce the effects of channel impairements on transmitted information. A fading channel is one such media in which digital communications system operates. A signal is subject to distortion in amplitude and phase when propagating towards the receiver. This puts constraint in required SNR at the receiver, for given performance. Various modulation/coding and demodulation/decoding techniques are employed to lessen the effects of fading. Bit error rate is a performance parameter that sets the criteria for signal design, system architecture and performance.

Here, a slow Rayleigh fading channel with three propagation paths possesing a scattering function of …

Lossless Image Data Compression Techniques Using High Order Markov Arithmetic Encoding, Santo Politi

Theses

It is difficult to compress digital images with acceptable ratios if a distortion is not acceptable. The lack of a rule based structure as in a language is one of the main reasons. In this work a number of algorithms for lossless image data compression are considered. The coding and the modeling aspects are treated separately. Different approaches are proposed to combine. Markov Arithmetic Encoding, a very efficient plain text encoding scheme, with source modeling algorithms to obtain higher compressibility. A modular approach is selected which enables combining various models. Model statistics are studied for further improvements. The schemes presented …

Single Token Integrated Dama In Multiple Bus Local Networks, Srinivasan Ramadurai

Theses

Multiple-bus local Networks (MBLNs) provide an architecturally simple solutions to serve high-reliability-high capacity local area networks(LAN) applications. Access mechanisms for MBLNs possessing stability and favorable delay characteristics are developed in this thesis. A new technique is proposed that uses a single explicit token to achieve demand assignment multiple access (DAMA) to arbitrate access on all the buses in the system. Analytical model was developed and compared to simulation results that indicates performance improvement in terms of delay characteristics of the system of buses.

Effective Use Of Management Information Systems In Manufacturing, Bhavik Shah

Theses

Information is the catalyst of management and the ingredient that coalesces the managerial functions of planning, organizing, actuating and controlling. The implementation of management information system (MIS) provides the vehicle by which management process can be administered and integrated. Information is at the core of creative thinking, which leads to new ways of improving products, process and services to the invention of new devices and to discovery of new marketable concepts. Thus information for an organization has a dual application for internal operation and external marketing potential.

The organization studied was a small to medium sized batch manufacturer of healthcare …

Temperature Dependent Current-Voltage Characteristics Of Tisi2/N+/P Silicon Shallow Junctions, Bhupendra M. Shah

Theses

Analyses of temperature dependent current-voltage characteristics, of titanium silicide films on n+/p silicon shallow junctions, has been presented here. The fabrication technique involves the formation of shallow pn junctions, by ion-implantation of As+ through titanium films evaporated on P type silicon. The improvement of the activation of dopants has been fulfilled by different annealing processes in conjunction with the dopant drive-in. Electrical measurement of temperature dependent current-voltage technique has been employed to characterize these devices. The temperature dependent factors such as energy bandgap narrowing, majority carrier degeneracy, diffusivities, mobilities and minority carrier life time are evaluated by using key approximations.

Application Specific Integrated Circuits For Single Board Computer, Ximing Shi

Theses

A single board computer is the central part of many microprocessor-based instruments. The implementation of the logic portion of a single board computer using Xilinx Logic Cell Array makes the computer system more powerful. Xilinx Logic Cell Array is a new kind of Programmable Gate Array in application specific integrated circuit with high design flexibility and functional density. The XACT Development System provides schematic capture and auto place-and-route for design entry.

In this thesis, a Xilinx Logic Cell Array was developed and implemented in the 8052AH-Basic based Single Board Computer design. Also, the logic and timing verification and simulation of …

Design And Analysis Of Microengineered Accelerometer, Nana Shigematsu

Theses

This master's thesis is about microengineered accelerometer integrated on a silicon wafer using two polysilicon layers acting as capacitors. This accelerometer operates as a capacitor sensor which is built between two polysilicon layers. It senses a difference of acceleration of gravity, or weight of the polysilicon beam. Both changes tend to change the capacitance between two layers, therefore, to change the resonant frequency of a resonant circuit built using this device and external inductors.

This master's thesis involves theoretical calculations of capacitor sensor for three sizes of capacitor area. Even though this sensor has not been fabricated yet, this sensor …

The Kinetic Study Of Degradation Of The Azo Dyes By Photolytic Ozonation And Photolytic Hydorgen Peroxide Oxidation, Hung-Yee Shu

Theses

The experiments which study the decomposition of azo dyes such as acid red 1 and acid yellow 23 by using ozonation, photolytic ozonation and photolytic hydrogen peroxide oxidation have been studied in laboratory sized reactor and pilot scale reactor to determine the reaction rate constants.

The rate constants and mass transfer coefficients were obtained by a series of experiments of varying complexity. A reaction kinetic model which describes the contemplated experiments was developed and exercised using the Rosenbrock Hillclimb Optimization Algorithm with the Forth-Order Runge-Kutta method. The effects between different hydrogen peroxide dosages and pH level were also analyzed.

In …

A Study Of Methane Gas Production On Anaerobic Digestion System, Seng-Fung Su

Theses

The anaerobic sludge digestion process is not a recent development. At least 100 years ago in France,Louis H. Mouras designed and constructed fermenters to liquefy the sludge obtained from domestic wastes.

Since the turn of the century, the anaerobic fermentation process has been used extensively in the treatment of waste-water solids.

The necessity of preventing pollution of water resource, as a consequence of the rapid increase in human waste, demands adequate treatment of liquid wastes from domestic and industrial sources. For this purpose, the anaerobic digestion process can play an important role as a method for stabilizing and eliminating wastes …