Digital Commons Network^™

The Effect Of Managerial Experience On Assessment Center Evaluations: An Application In Law Enforcement, Lonnie E. Griesemer

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

A Survey Of Microcomputers In Training Devices, Kenneth P. Kelly

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This report surveys the use of microcomputers in existing and emerging training devices, with an emphasis on military training devices. Other major purposes of this report are to familiarize the training device designer with the capabilities of the microcomputer and present the designer with the set of issues to consider in determining if a microcomputer could be used in his particular trainer. After providing a description of training devices, this study addresses the definition and capabilities of current microcomputers. Current applications of training devices that utilize both single and multiple, or distributed, microprocessors are given. Next, an overview of the …

Design Considerations For A Digital Audio Equalizer, Timothy Young

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this thesis is to consider a method for designing a digital audio equalizer. The primary design criteria is minimum audible frequency response error between a digital and a "reference" analog equalizer throughout the entire audio frequency range from 20 Hz to 20 Khz. The first step is to obtain a set of analog filters that suitably represent the reference equalization. From these filters, digital filter coefficients are generated using the bilinear transformation. Then, the digital filters are combined with anti-aliasing and D/A reconstruction filters and a zero-order hold to complete the design. Analysis of methods to minimize …

The Preparation And Use Of Polymeric Metal Complexes As Fuel Oil Combustion Catalysts, Sebastian Vasquez

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The effect of high molecular weight carboxylate ligands as compared to naphthenate ligands on the effectiveness of transition metals as additives for reducing soot particulates was studied in the combustion of diesel fuel and distillate fuel oil by use of a laboratory scale burner. A mechanism involving pseudoheterogenous catalytic reactions is proposed. A simple system to evaluate fuel additives by burning only a few milliliters of oil was designed, developed, and used. Polybutene with an average molecular weight of 920 was the raw material in this study. The polymer was oxidized with KMnO4 to the corresponding acid from whose potassium …

Simulation Of High Resolution Range And Separation Profiles Using A Stepped Frequency Radar Pulse, Howard. Fain

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Single frequency pulse, linear frequency pulse, and stepped frequency pulse are a few of the radar pulse waveforms used to obtain target range information. Using a basic single frequency pulse limits the radar's range resolution by the pulse width, has excessive energy requirements, and is more vulnerable to jamming. With the use of frequency modulation the radar's range resolution can be greatly enhanced. This report deals with some of the issues involved in using stepped frequency pulse trains to obtain high resolution target range and range autocorrelation profiles. Radar returns from stepped frequency pulse trains may be coherently processed to …

Psychological Responses Of Fathers And Mothers To Amniocentesis, Nancy D. Williamson

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Amniocentesis is one of the most widely used prenatal diagnostic techniques for congenital disorders. It was hypothesized that the psychological responses of mothers and fathers to amniocenthesis during high-risk pregnancies would be positively correlated on scales of Symptomatology (Anxiety, Depression, Anger, and Somatic Complaints) and Well-Being (Relaxed, Contented, Friendliness, and Somatic Well-Being). It was also hypothesized that Symptomatology would be negatively correlated with Well-Being. Nineteen couples, who were referred by their physicians, voluntarily participated in the study. Each partner completed the Symptom Questionnaire (Kellner, 1983), a self-rating scale of Symptomatology and Well-Being, in addition to the Pre-Amniocentesis and Post-Amniocentesis Questionnaires …

The Effect Of Experimenter's Warmth/ Coldness On Intrinsic Motivation, Phillip N. Guikema

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Individuals may approach an activity with either intrinsic motivation. Extrinsic motivational orientations are characterized by simplicity and predictability. Intrinsic motivation is characterized by novelty, complexity, and challenge. Task noncontingent rewards, in contrast to task contingent rewards, have been found to maintain or foster increases in intrinsic interest in a task. One explanation of this effect is that additional nonspecific factors like the perceived warmth of the experimenter was positively correlated with the noncontingent reward condition. To test this assumption, second grade subjects played with a game of intermediate complexity in one of four conditions: "cold" instructor with contingent reward, "cold" …

The Effects Of Three Levels Of Rhetorical Questions On Information Processing And Attitude Change, David N. Macqueen

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Feedback On Improving Safe Work Behaviors: A Component Analysis, Jeanine L. Williamson

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Decline in the growth rate of worker productivity as well as the failure of other types of organizational development strategies to improve productivity has resulted in considerable interest in strategies to change employee behavior. This situation has led to the rapid growth of organizational behavior modification (OBM) as an approach to organizational change. Performance feedback interventions have been used in numerous settings to improve work behaviors (Prue & Fairbanks, 1981). OBM has worked especially well in improving safe work behavior in the work place. However, when new approaches are used in dealing with human behavior, much systematic, thorough research must …

Ipcl1- An Interactive Process Control Language, Richard A. Erlandson

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This report documents a Process Control Language. It was written to provide an easy-to-use, user-friendly language to control a manufacturing-type process. It is not assumed the user is proficient or even familiar with any computer languages. The user should be able to grasp the simple set of commands available and begin writing user programs in a short period of time. Emphasis has been placed on error messages to inform the user of the type of error and enough information to correct it. The language was written in PDP-11 assembly language and run on a 11/34 computer in the Microcomputer Laboratory …

Fate Of Heavy Metals From Highway Runoff In Stormwater Management Systems, Harvey H. Harper

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The movement and fate of heavy metal inputs (Cd, Zn, Mn, Cu, Al, Fe, Pb, Ni and Cr) from highway runoff were investigated in a three-year study on 1.3 hectare retention facility near the Maitland Interchange on Interstate 4, north of Orlando, Florida. Physical characteristics of the retention pond and surrounding watershed were defined and field instrumentation was installed. Stormwater samples were collected over a one-year period, representing a wide range of intensities and antecedent dry periods. Stormwater characteristics were compared with average retention pond water quality to determine removal efficiencies for heavy metals within the pond. A total of …

The Assessment Of Adjustment Scores Between Married Persons With And Without Children, Donna N. Strickland

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Radio Commercial: The Effects Of Varied Background Music On Attitude, Listener Recall And Intent To Purchase The Product, Ann E. Stump

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Criterion Contamination And Deficiency On Predictor Validity And Validity Generalization, Cheryl L. Pavlick

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this experiment is to examine one previously untested premise of the validity generalization model proposed by Schmidt and Hunter on test validity. The sample consisted of 307 subjects who were tested on measures constructed to be examples of contaminated, deficient, relevant and ultimate criteria. These criteria were correlated to a predictor, student GPA. The predictor-criteria relationship was observed over various sample sizes ranging from n = 25 to n = 300. The validity coefficients were hypothesized to change over increasing sample sizes in the same pattern as the other artifacts from Schmidt and Hunter's validity generalization model. …

The Design Of An Internal Resource Allocation Model For Use In Higher Education, Ann Clark

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

A computer model has been developed for the purpose of allocating funds, by department, within a university. This model categorizes each class as one of three types -- lecture, problem solving, or laboratory. A standard class size is assigned to each type -- 40, 25, and 10 respectively. Combining the previous years head count for each class with the credit-hour value of each class, a faculty position count for every department is generated.

Administrative positions, staff positions, operating expense, and operating capital funds are calculated using various combinations of factors involving student credit hours, faculty positions, and class type. Factors …

Fiber Optic Fluid Level Sensor, Navid Ghandeharioun

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

A fiber optic fluid level sensor based on light transmission attenuation due to bending losses is designed, built and tested.

Fibers formed with reverse curvatures of decreasing radii will induce and increasing amount of lower order mode light loss to the cladding as the light propagates along the step index multimode fiber. The sensor is arranged in the fluid in a vertical position such that the light travels along the fiber from the bottom or low fluid point to the top or full point. As the fluid covers increasing lengths of the exposed fiber, it strips even more power from …

Structural Comparisons Of Sand Pine Scrubs Of East-Central Florida, Pamela J. Latham

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Evaluation Of Percolation Ponds For Design And Operation, David A. Baar

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Land application of domestic wastewater effluent by rapid rate infiltration (i.e., percolation ponds) is a very successful and cost-effective method for wastewater management. Municipal percolation pond systems have been successfully operated in the United States for about 100 years. The disposal concept depends on a relatively high rate of secondary wastewater effluent infiltration into the soil by rapid percolation, either vertically or horizontally, away from the application surface area. This study was accomplished to determine infiltration rates at two working percolation pond systems and the variability of these rates, to compare the operating results with the initial design, and to …

Survey Of Fiber Optic Connectors And Cables, John B. Ostlund

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Today the world of fiber optics is bigger than ever. What is available to the engineer and the technician is now only apparent to the well informed. Not all engineers and technicians have a background or an education in the field of fiber optics. This report is intended to be an informative preliminary guide to those readers whose interest lies in the field of fiber optics.

The advantages of fiber optic systems are discussed and compared to conventional systems. Although a fiber optic system includes transmitters and receivers, this report concentrates primarily on fiber optic connectors and cables. It also …

A Comparative Study On Presently And Previously Obese Individuals In Food Diary Records, And Lifestyle Data By Subjects Attending A Weight Control Program, Ileana M. Mancusi

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

In an attempt to replicate and extend previous research on the validity of food diary records, 18 obese and 16 previously obese individuals from the community were quizzed on food recording and kcalorie estimation in a controlled analogue of self-monitoring. Results of the experimental phase of the study replicate those of previous studies indicating that the food diaries of obese clients are invalid because of poor food descriptions, incorrect quantity estimates, and errors in converting kcalories. The results also indicate that subjects tend to overestimate quantities and kcalories of foods. However, the present study extended previous research by examining the …

Life History Tactics Of The Sailfin Molly (Poecilia Latipinna) In Contrasting Environments, Helen L. Large

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Life history tactics of three Central Florida populations of Poecilia latipinna were compared to those predicted by life history selection theory. The three populations were sampled monthly for one year. At each sampling period a series of physicochemical measurements were taken to determine the degree of spatial and temporal environmental heterogeneity within each site. Life history traits determined for each population included size at maturity, size specific fecundity, reproductive effort, and length, weight, and condition of offspring. The population inhabiting the most variable environment was characterized by smaller size at maturity, lower size specific fecundity, lower overall reproductive output, and …

Design Of A Gold Code Generator For Use In Code Division Multiple Access Communication System, Mark W. Young

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

A Gold code sequence generator suitable for use in a code division multiple access spread spectrum communication application is designed. A dual, single return shift register configuration is used to generate Gold code sequences. The code sequences are generated by the mod-2 addition of two linear maximal length pseudo-random noise codes, each of which corresponds to a sixth-order primitive polynomial. A computer model of the design is used to generate all 65 possible members of the Gold code sequence family. A tabulation of all sequences and their initial condition “keys” is provided, along with a designation as to which code …

A High Level Programming Language And Graphics Simulator For The Heathkit Et-18 Hero Robot, Kenneth J. Sizemore

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

As modern industrial robots are used more in industry, the need for qualified programmers and operators will increase. Inexpensive robots are available for use as training systems, but these robots typically lack the high level tools, such as high level, languages and graphics simulators, that are available for the industrial robots. A high level programming language and a graphics simulator were developed for one of these training robots, the Heath ET-18 Hero Robot. The programs were designed to be executed on an IBM Personal Computer. The software was developed as part of an overall system which also includes a compiler …

Fiber Optic Temperature Sensors For A Large Electric Power Generator, Daniel A. Lester

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Fiber optic temperature sensors are excellent candidates for monitoring the temperature along the stator windings of a large electric power generator. Unlike thermocouple thermometers, they are immune to the effects of strong magnetic fields which are present in all power generators. Several different point and line sensors have been evaluated in their ability to resolve temperature and temperature distribution (respectively), as well as their compatibility with the generator environment. The sensor must function inside the generator for long periods of time (up to 25 years) without benefit of recalibration. This constraint has required us to devise methods by which the …

A Logic Simulator Interface, John D. Lofgren

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

A software interface between a firmware documentation system and a logic simulator named TEGAS-5¹ is described. The interface accepts PALASM² inputs for PAL files. The output is an ASCII file which defines the firmware parts in TEGAS-5 format. Modules are written in FORTRAN and command routines are written in DCL on VAX 11/780 machines. No system calls are required, so portability is maintained. Limitations include the inability to load two different programs in identical firmware parts on the same design, but this can be overcome.

¹GE/Calma Corporation trademark

²MMI Corporation trademark

An Evaluation Of Wheelchair Restraint Systems Used In The Transportation Of Disabled Persons, Robin L. Drespel

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

There has been a significant effort to provide disabled persons with increased independence and mobility. The federal government requires that transportation facilities be made accessible to the disabled, and the number of handicapped persons using these facilities is expected to increase significantly in the future. Restraint systems have been required for passenger cars since the 1960s, and considerable effort has been dedicated to increasing public awareness of the benefits of seat belt usage. Little effort has been devoted to the development of restraint systems for individuals who must use wheelchairs as vehicle seats. A survey was conducted in the Central …

A Computer Program To Design Reinforcement For Concrete Beams Subjected To Torsion, James E. Schwarz

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

A concrete beam is rarely subjected to pure torsion loading. However, in many design applications a beam is subjected to torsional loads in addition to bending and shear loading. The American Concrete Institute has developed a specification for the design of beams subjected to torsion. These specifications are found in ACI 318-83. In this research report, a computer program is presented, using these specifications, which will aid engineers in the design of reinforcement for concrete beams subjected to torsional loading. The provisions of the ACI 318-83 specification and their implementation into the computer program are presented. A sample problem is …

Evaluation Of A Binary Spatial Light Modulator Correlator Using Time-Domain Polarity Coincidence Correlation Theory, Thomas J. Posluszny

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Time-domain Polarity Coincidence Correlators (PCC) have been studied for the possible extension of these theories to the spatial-domain in the context of an optical PCC. The existing body of knowledge has been found to be inadequate for direct application to the spatial-domain. However, by remodeling the type of clipper or hardlimiter used in the development of the existing theory from a signum (bipolar) clipper to a binary (unipolar) clipper, a new expression for the output signal-to-noise ratio of an optical PCC is developed. This modification is necessary to account for the unipolar nature of light intensity. Both the existing time-domain …

A Computer Graphics Head-Up Display For Air-To-Air And Air-To-Ground Flight Simulation, Daryl R. Mair

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

A computer graphics simulation of an aircraft Head-Up Display was designed using an RDS-3000 Ikonas Graphics Processor and a PDP-11/34 host computer system. The software control and display modules were accomplished using Ikonas microcode and Digital Equipment Corporation Fortran IV-PLUS. The Head-Up Display system consists of the basic flight data, which includes aerodynamic flight information, Roll/Pitch Ladder, and the Velocity Vector or Flight Path Marker. The system was designed for flexibility in modifications and evaluation of various weapons delivery systems. These will be adapted to specific needs by research scientists and engineers at the Visual Technology Research Simulator in Orlando, …

Suitability Of The Tms320 Digital Signal Processor In Digital Signal Processing Applications Requiring Multiple-Precision, Randall L. Walker

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The TMS320 single-chip digital signal processor, produced by Texas Instruments, shows promise for a long life-cycle not only because it fills a technical need in the digital signal processing field; but because it also represents an excellent early design. Furthermore, Texas Instruments has provided thorough software and development support. However, this chip was not designed to support digital signal processing applications which require multiple-precision operations. In this paper, algorithms were developed and expressed in macros that provide the capability of modeling systems requiring multiple-precision operations. Finally, a performance envelope showing the system complexity versus sampling bandwidth limitations is provided to …