Digital Commons Network^™

Feasibility Of State-Of-The-Art Project Planning Techniques In Pakistan, Ahmed Mansoor Ansari

Theses

The objective of this work is two-fold:

1. Technological transfer of the best suitable state of the art techniques for implementation in the construction industry of Pakistan.

2. A vehicle intended for American readers to gain insight of the present methods of working in Pakistan.

In harmony to the first of the forestated ambitions this work covers subjects widely ranging from introducing the concept of proven scheduling techniques as CPM, PERT to the application of these techniques via advanced computer technology.

Frequently, American professionals and consulting firms are invited to participate to administer or design specialist construction projects in Pakistan. …

Study Of Reliability And Failure Mechanism Of Solid Tantalum Capacitor, Rajan N. Bhatt

Theses

Today, reliability is acknowledged as an important item in design and operation of the electronic systems.

This thesis provides some theory, and experiments are instituted to evaluate the reliability of SOLID TANTALUM CAPACITORS made by reputed manufacturers. The experiment was conducted on four batches of tantalum capacitors at different temperatures at different humidity levels. One chapter is on different manufacturing techniques presently applied.

Literature study concentrates on the reliability in solid tantalum capacitors developed between 1961 and 1986.

Several failure mechanism with figure are illustrated to point out how higher reliability of solid tantalum capacitor may be developed.

The bibliography …

Management And Organizational Effectiveness Examined : Past Practices And Theories Versus The Future, Ronald J. Boyer

Theses

The primary objective for this thesis is to collect and analyze data on how a new model for business organizations might best be formulated. There seems to be a consensus among authorities in the field that because modern business practices are so complex, indeed they have been revolutionized in many areas in the past decade. New organizational techniques must be devised if organizations are to remain as effective and as efficient as in the previous area. Some have claimed that the present structural model has reached the point of no return-that is, no longer functional because of such factors as …

Finite Element Stress Analysis Of The Femoral Hip Stem Prosthesis - Bone Interface, Mark C. Buechel

Theses

A three-dimensional finite element model is used to examine the stresses of the femoral hip stem prosthesis and surrounding bone, specifically at the interface between the stem and the bone. Using General Electric's GEOMOD modelling program, 3-dimensional models of the hip stem prosthesis, and both the cortical and cancellous bone, are generated. Due to the complexity of the individual models, General Electric's SUPERTAB modelling program is required to merge the three separate models into one complete model. The model is then broken down into finite elements for analysis. The model assumes isotropic properties to cortical bone and cancellous bone. Several …

Computer-Aided Storm Sewer Design For Apple Macintosh, Andrea Cancalosi

Theses

The design of storm sewer systems because of its repetitive calculations lends itself to the use of computers for time-efficient solutions. The program developed designs storm sewer systems. Runoff is calculated using the Rational method. The rational method yields satisfactory results for relatively small areas and is widely used for stormwater calculations in urban areas.

Before, during or after the calculation process, the input data can be edited using a user-friendly editor incorporated into the program. Input data can be viewed by display on the screen or printed at any time while editing.

From the given input data, the program …

On Longitudinal And Transverse Shear Spring Constants At The Juncture Of Piping-Nozzle, Chihwei David Chen

Theses

This thesis investigates the longitudinal and transverse shear spring constants at the juncture of a radial nozzle and a cylindrical shell.

Due to the difficulty of arriving an analytical solution to these constants, the " ANSYS" program has been employed to calculate them numerically. These results are reported in tabulated forms. Plots for these spring constants K_x, K_z in terms of parameters Beta ( nozzle radius / pipe radius ), Gamma ( pipe radius / shell thickness ) and shell thickness are also presented in this thesis. A numerical example is given to facilitate the design analysis.

Microcomputer-Based Automated System To Monitor Flow And Respiratory Quotient, Chung C. Chien

Theses

An instrument system has been designed to monitor Respiratory Quotient experiments on rats which are living within whole-body calorimeters. By using multiplexing techniques, this system is capable of monitoring Respiratory Quotients in six calorimeters (animal chambers). It exhibits some features that make it more versatile than the previous system. One of the features of this instrument is that it uses a more accurate method of determining rapid changes in gas exchange between subject and environment. The value of this method is its ability to assess the rapid change in metabolic rate which occurs as a result of change in activity, …

Groundwater Contamination Studies At A Sanitary Landfill In New Jersey, Yau-Chorng Chien

Theses

Edgeboro Landfill, a site used for the disposal of municipal and industrial refuse, is one of the largest landfills in New Jersey. The landfill has been in operation since 1954, serving the solid waste disposal needs of local townships and a major portion of Middlessex and the surrounding counties. The landfill was not equipped with a liner and a leachate collection system at the time of start up. The leachate collection line around the landfill, on-site leachate treatment by three stabilization ponds and subsurface cut-off wall were provided to minimize the discharge of leachate into adjacent waters in 1979. Groundwater …

Ksc2408 Digital Filter Evaluation System For The Ecg, Chi-Tong Chung

Theses

A hardware implementation in digital filters by using the high speed and high precision KSC2408 digital filter chips, demonstrates the power of the KSC2408 and proves that the real time digital filters can be implemented without complex circuitry and without high expense.

The system consists of two parts - the digital filter board and the IBM PC; the former handles the data filtering, the latter handles the analog-to-digital data conversion and data display. The KSC2408 is programmed as a 16th order Butterworth digital filter to have flat response in the passband and good attenuation in the stopband.

Management Controls And Modeling With Personal Computers (Pcs) For Material Procurement Within The Department Of Defense (Dod), Stefano Coppola

Theses

As an inevitable fallout of the microcomputer explosion, micro-to-mainframe links have been praised as an effective means of satisfying microcomputer users who insist for more processing power and less dependence on mainframe data processing. Personal Computers used to emulate terminals offer local storage capabilities as well as financial analysis and graphics.

Using a Personal Computer, Lotus 123, and a simulated PC-Link, a management control system was designed to satisfy the Department of Defense Instruction (DODI) 7000.2 for material procurement.

The resulting model provides both the Government and the contractor's management control system with a reliable, timely, and auditable system that …

Developing A Portable Data Terminal Computer System For Field Service Personnel, Frank De Bellis

Theses

This thesis is intended to provide the reader with a background in the development of modern day portable data terminals / computer systems. In order to accomplish this, some background will be provided to familiarize the reader with the evolution of computer systems. This will enable the reader to become familiar with the fast pace at which these computer systems have developed within only the last several years.

This thesis will include a description of the design, development, and implementation of these computer systems. The thesis will include a description of the way the many pieces of such a sophisticated …

A Study Of White-Collar Clerical Productivity : Composition, Issues And Implications For Human Resource Planning, Sheila Devereaux

Theses

During the past decade, there has been a growing concern and focus over declining American productivity. Declining productivity requires long-range thinking, and fundamental changes on the part of government, labor and management.

One of the major contributors identified is the labor force. What has gone unmeasured for years is the white-collar clerical workforce. The service sector has become the most dominant area where clerical workers have increased, consequently, productivity issues have become a top priority.

Management must assess the implications of losses in turnover, absenteeism, performance lag, and morale that affects bottom-line profits. Management is under pressure to develop action …

Fibrin Glue For Spilt-Thickness Skin Grafts And Microsurgical End-To-End Arterial Anastomoses In Live Rats, Susan Diane Drastal

Theses

Fibrinogen and thrombin were combined to make a "glue" for adherence in microvascular anastomoses and split-thickness autologous skin grafts in rats. The powdered human fibrinogen and bovine thrombin were mixed with sterile water and each applied drop-wise through separate syringes in equal concentrations. A gelatinous clot formed in 10 seconds, and was completely coagulated in 45 seconds. In part I, one-half of the group had their grafts sutured, and one-half had their grafts glued in place.

In part II, microvascular arterial anastomoses were performed. Group I had their arteries reanastomosed using sutures only; group II had their arteries reanastomosed by …

Energy Analysis Of A Multistory Office Building Using Bin Method Computer Program, Mohammed Nasim Ghauri

Theses

The consumption of energy by an HVAC system in a high rise office building was investigated by comparing results obtained from ASEAM and Trakload (two microcomputer programs) with the manual calculations and DOE-2 (Department of Energy Program) results obtained by Tishman Research Corporation. The study was performed on the Public Service Building of Newark, New Jersey. It is a 26 story office building, designed to be energy efficient.

The results obtained show that, the energy consumed by the HVAC system is a substantial amount of the total energy used but the controlling factors are electrical lighting and equipment. Both of …

Thermal Desorption Of Hazardous And Toxic Organic Compounds From Soil Matrices, Michael L. Hornsby

Theses

The purpose of this initial laboratory scale research project was to study and demonstrate the feasibility in removal of selected toxic organic compounds from soil by thermal desorption and gas purge. Applying heat and a flow of inert gas to the soil increases the volatilization and effects removal of organic compounds from soil. The work was done in two parts: First, organic solvents were injected into columns containing real and simulated soil matrices. The columns were heated to one of the four temperatures and purged with a flow of nitrogen carrier gas. The organic vapors were deposited as a plug …

Robotic Simulation Package For Personal Computers, Amitava Jana

Theses

A software package for three dimensional wire frame modeling of an educational robot is developed for personal computers. This package can be used by students as well as robot technicians to study basic principles of robot kinematics. The interactive simulation software supports both the joint-level and world-level motion control, enabling user to understand teach-pendant programming as well as robot level off-line programming. The desired orientation and position of the robot hand can also be specified through a homogeneous transformation matrix, allowing an advanced student to learn the concept of world modeling in the design of robot work cells. To help …

Characterization Of Pulse Duplicator Model For Testing Of Heart Valves, Pankesh Nilkamal Kadam

Theses

The design and development of a pulse duplicator system for testing of prosthetic valves is described. The performance characteristics were evaluated by computing the input impedance of the system from the measured pressure and flow signals for different simulation configurations. The study has been further extended to determine the feasibility of evaluating the cardiovascular status of a patient after major open heart procedure or in state of shock.

Built on hydrodynamic principles, the model allows for a wide range of heart rates, flow rates and mean pressures to be simulated. The artificial circulatory system used as a load to the …

Studies Directed Toward Beta-Cyclodextrin And Capped Beta-Cyclodextrin Mimics Of Alpha-Chymotrypsin, Preston Marlon Canzius

Theses

Molecular mechanics calculations were used to investigate beta-cyclodextrin and capped beta-cyclodextrin as models for the active site of alpha-chymotrypsin. The Amber molecular mechanics force field was used to investigate the effect that addition of the caps has on the conformation of the beta-cyclodextrin macrocycle.

The RMS module of Amber was used to calculate differences in position between the atoms of the minimized mimics and those of the X-ray crystal structure. The deviation in position of the atoms of the minimized capped beta-cyclodextrin macrocycle was found to be larger than that of the minimized beta-cyclodextrin, indicating that the caps do affect …

Theoretical Studies Of A Norbornane Mimic Of Acyl-Alpha-Chymotrypsin, Pin-Nan Chen

Theses

Molecular mechanics calculations were used to investigate the structural flexibility of the norbornane mimic which is a model of an acyl-alpha-chymotrypsin intermediate. The Amber molecular mechanics force field was used to perform the conformational analysis.

Comparison of the optimized conformations of different energy has shown the relative structural rigidity of this molecule. Structural superposition of the minimized mimic to the native conformation of chymotrypsin shows that the mimic has a very similar spatial arrangement of its functional groups compared to the catalytic triad of the real enzyme.

Molecular electrostatic potential maps calculated in planes parallel to the average plane containing …

Hydrodechlorination Reactions On Silica-Supported Rhodium Catalysts, Yung-Ming Chen

Theses

The objectives of this study were to investigate the pathways of the hydrodechlorination reactions over silica-supported Rh catalysts as well as identify selectivities and deactivation properties.

Reaction of 1,2-dichloroethane with hydrogen over Rh/SiO₂ catalyst was studied in the temperature range 200 to 300°C. Formation of two intermediates was proposed while 1,2-dichloroethane was adsorbed on the catalyst, the reactive intermediates then produce ethane, ethylene, chloroethane and methane. From the methane formation, it was inferred that the ethane hydrogenolysis occured over the Rh/SiO₂ catalysts. Higher conversion to C₁ and C₂ hydrocarbons was observed at higher reaction temperature. The …

Separation Of Chromium From Waste Sludges By An Electric Membrane Process, Freeman Nai-Tchun Ho

Theses

The process is characterized by using metallic membrane as a filter which is charged by a separate DC-power supply and it may become experimentally very effective in increasing the separation potency and migration flux. The technique of integrating migration with electromembrane was evaluated for the removal of chromium. The transport was found to be adequately described by an equation in which the rate is proportional to the chromium concentration. The rate of dichromate ions transported across the membranes and the gel water content of membrane increased when the ratio of electromembrane potential and cell system potential was increased. The back …

Particle Size Distribution In Isothermal Batch Emulsion Polymerization, Bhavin R. Patel

Theses

A detailed modified mathematical model for particle size distribution in isothermal batch emulsion polymerization of Styrene and Vinyl acetate is proposed on the basis of the population balance approach in presence of several kinetic and mass transfer processes. This study is limited to Smith-Ewart's case II, which assumes instantaneous free radical termination within the polymer particles. Radical desor¬ption mechanism from polymer particles is included in the model and the desorption rate is formulated from the diffu¬sion theory which suggests that the rate co-efficient should be inversely proportional to the surface area of polymer particles.

Experimental runs are made using laser …

Indicators Of Microbial Activity In Biological Treatment Of Hazardous Wastes, Alexander Mclean Sherrin

Theses

Three methods were used to measure the activity of mixed liquor from the Livingston, N.J. municipal wastewater treatment plant on exposure to phenol. The three methods were, substrate removal rate (SRR), dissolved oxygen uptake rate (DOUR), and the dye reduction rate (DRR). Parameters from each test were compared for reproducibility and ease of determination. The SRR test gave the most reproducible results, while the DOUR test was the least reproducible. Although the reproducibility of the DRR test was close to that of the SRR test, the DRR was more time consuming and required a greater degree of expertise and training. …

A Computer-Aided Design And Manufacturing System For Wiring Boards Production, Shiau Chia-Ming

Theses

Our purpose is to build some SBC-8052-BASIC microcontroller based instrument systems, and this thesis integrate resources from two areas into a powerful CAD/CAM system for this purpose. Since wiring board is the most popular used tool for laboratory development and small-scale manufacturing, a microcomputer-aided design and manufacturing system is developed to improve the whole efficiency from wirelisting and wiring sequences to hardware and software debugging. So anytime a circuit theory design stage is finished, the prototype can be made easily, then tested and redesigned, till last stage producing. Several practical wiring board circuits have been made through this system, it …

A Data Compression System Using Arithmetic Code, Seokrim Choi

Theses

Generally it is difficult to compress data, from statistically unknown sources, with significant compression ratio. To achieve this, the compression scheme should have an ability to gather context information of the source, adaptively. For better compression, it is desirable to separate the context gathering scheme from coding itself. Arithmetic code is very flexible and can accept any kind of context gathering scheme which can generate probabilities. One context gathering algorithm which generates Markov type probability adaptively is studied and implemented in software using Arithmetic code. This scheme performs well and results in compression ratio better than any existing algorithms such …

Recruitment Of Engineers In A Small Company, Robert Cohen

Theses

With most recruitment techniques written for large companies, recruitment of engineers in a small company may be a large problem. A detailed analysis of the engineering employer and employee is constructed making note of large and small company differences. A survey was taken and the results are presented in support of the authors opinions. A generic recruitment technique is also presented, followed by modifications or other considerations to that technique. This should increase the available applicant pool and optimize quality levels of the engineering candidates for the small company.

The Degradation Of Trace Pollutants In Wastewater, Christine M. Cheng

Theses

The effect of different treatments on the degradation of chlorinated organic pollutants in wastewater has been studied. The model compound investigated was para-chlorophenol. The different treatments used were ozone, UV irradiation, ultrasound, air flow and pure oxygen.

It is concluded that ozone has the greatest effect, ozone-UV irradiation follows closely behind, and UV irradiation has much less of an effect in degrading the p-chlorophenol.

P-chlorophenol was found to have an immeasureably slow degradation rate when treated with air even at an elevated temperature of 55°C.

The oxygen, at room temperature, showed a degradation of p-chlorophenol which, although small, was much …

Construction Labor And Productivity : Productivity Improvements, Stavros C. Nicolaou

Theses

Construction productivity has been on the decline in the last decade. Although an important factor in the nation's economy, productivity of construction labor has been given little attention over the years. A review of the literature dealing with construction was performed that revealed the importance of the declining productivity as well as the confusion among construction managers and labor leaders as to what productivity is all about and how it can be improved. It has been found also, that construction labor motivation, which is the most important factor in improving productivity, is almost nonexist. Very few construction companies employ any …

A Study Of Failure Modes In Rock Resulting From Pile Penetration, Girish Mehta

Theses

The purpose of this thesis was to physically examine the failure mode of a rock mass as a result of pile penetration. In addition, the static bearing capacity of piles bearing in rock was investigated. This was accomplished in the laboratory by performing model tests using a dynamic pile driving device.

Tests were performed using 1 inch nominal diameter model pipe piles and H-piles. Piles were driven into a simulated rock mass consisting of clay-masonry bricks. Following pile driving, the rock mass was carefully dissected and observations of the failure mode were made.

A new technique was developed to preserve …

Optimization Of The Design Of The Harrington Distraction Rod And Hooks, Margaret Ann Pisani

Theses

The Harrington Distraction Rod is presently attached to the spines of patients who suffer from scoliosis and vertebral fractures. The rod's purpose is to apply a distractive force to the scoliotic curve in an attempt to reduce its severity. In fractures this rod is implanted to reduce the fracture and increase the stability of the spinal column. Harrington distraction rods are also inserted in order to give mechanical support to the spinal column.

Presently the Harrington Distraction Rod, manufactured by Zimmer, is one—quarter inch in diameter and made of 316L cold—worked stainless steel. The proximal end of the rod consists …