Digital Commons Network^™

Dynamic Networking For Programmable Logic Controller Communication, Richard Andrew Hardison

Masters Theses

"This thesis confronts the issue of set path communication in Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs). In order to increase reliability in a networked automated process, it is necessary to develop a dynamic method of communication between PLCs. Three methods for dynamic messaging in PLCs are explored in this work. These methods are based on the real-time reconfiguration of message paths when communication fails on the originally configured path. The simplest method involves replacing the original message block with an Add-On Instruction (AOI) which can accept multiple communication paths and has the ability to switch between these paths to maintain communication. A …

Explosives Recognition And Awareness Training: A Psychological Approach To Pre-Blast Mitigation, James Wade Hawkins

Masters Theses

"The nation's security strategy tends to be reactionary to a specific event. It is rare when established policies have proven successful, even though there is substantial financial and resource investment. The payoff is measured by analyzing the desired minimal effect rather than prevention of the event altogether. Such is the case in combating explosives-related threats. Today, research and development, science and technology, are plugged as the saviors of a post-blast event. Synthetic and composite materials are used to strengthen barriers and cutting-edge technology is utilized to refine the latest in standoff detection. These legitimate measures provide a sense of security …

A Hybrid Problem-Based And Just-In-Time Inductive Teaching Method For Failure Analysis Instruction, Ryan Michael Arlitt

Masters Theses

"When engineers retire, they take their expert knowledge with them. Preservation of this expert knowledge in a usable form is beneficial for the advancement of any engineering field. Risk in Early Design (RED) is one method for preserving expert risk analysis knowledge. The first purpose of this paper is to examine the usability of RED when incorporated with a hybrid problem-based and just-in-time inductive teaching method for failure analysis instruction. The second purpose of this paper is to propose and perform steps toward verification and validation of the RED methodology and implementation. Evaluation metrics were developed, and several of these …

Microalgae Harvesting By Flocculation With Polymer-Coated Magnetite Particles, Humayun Shariff

Masters Theses

"Although microalgae are considered to be one of the potentially significant feedstock for renewable biofuels, harvesting them efficiently from culture ponds has been a major hurdle. The conventional harvesting methods such as centrifugation and filtration are very time and labor intensive processes. Gravimetrical settlement with the aid of cationic flocculants is the most widely employed technique, but suffers from the difficulty in recovering microalgae floes. Furthermore, recycling of these flocculants after the harvesting process is not possible. Polymer-coated magnetite particles have been investigated for applications in various fields. This research has focused on the development of a novel and efficient …

Strength Evaluation And Transportation Behavior Of Preformed Particle Gel Using Screens And Tubes, Rajesh Sarma Challa

Masters Theses

"This research included a series of experiments, using screen models to evaluate the strength of swollen gel particles. It also includes the study of PPG propagation and extrusion behavior through tubes of various internal diameters. The effect of the particle gel swelling ratio (depending on brine concentration), flow rate; and mesh size on the gel injection pressure and injectivity were studied. The results show that gel injection pressure depends primarily on the swelling ratio and the mesh size. However, the injection pressure does not increase significantly with injection rates, behavior consistent with the real-time injection pressure and injection rate change …

Evaluation Of Alternative Methods For Surface Preparation And Deposition Of Cerium-Based Conversion Coatings On Aluminum Alloys, William J. Gammill

Masters Theses

"This thesis investigates alternative surface preparation and deposition methods for cerium-based conversion coatings (CeCC) on high strength aluminum alloys. Cerium-based conversion coatings are being investigated as a more environmentally friendly replacement for chromium-based conversion coatings. Currently, the alloys are immersed in strong alkaline and acidic solutions to prepare the aluminum surfaces for conversion coating, in which immersion may not be suitable for all situations. Alternatives to this method were investigated, including wipe application of solution, ultrasonic processing in deionized water, and abrasive blasting with alumina. AI 7075-T6 test panels were prepared using each of these methods and compared to a …

Sintering And Microstructural Effects On Mechanical Properties Of Zirconium Carbide-Tungsten Cermets, Melissa M. Giles Craft

Masters Theses

"Zirconium carbide-tungsten cermets were prepared by in situ reaction sintering a mixture of zirconia and tungsten carbide. Tungsten is a refractory metal with a melting point of 3422⁰C; however, its mechanical strength decreases significantly with increasing temperature. One approach to improve the elevated temperature strength is to add ceramic particulates to the matrix. Zirconia and tungsten carbide were compacted and then reacted and sintered in a single step by heating to 2050⁰C. The resulting stoichiometric zirconium carbide-tungsten cermet had a relative density greater than 96%. Cermets with two different grain sizes were produced by altering the final sintering temperature. Sintering …

"In Situ" Printed Circuit Board Material Extraction Procedure With Conductor Surface Roughness Study, Amendra Koul

Masters Theses

"Analysis of printed circuit board (PCB) behavior in a wide frequency range from tens MHz to at least 40 GHz is very important for modern high-speed digital design and assuring for signal integrity (SI). this analysis includes preliminary evaluation of per-unit-length parameters of the PCB transmission line and transmission line characteristics, such as propagation and attenuation constants, and also extraction of these parameters from measurements on real test vehicles. This thesis describes an impedance calculator tool, which can substantially speed up PCB design, and the second topic considered in this work is characterization of dielectric parameters of substrates of printed …

Controlling Strength And Permeability Of Silica Investment Casting Molds, Darryl M. Kline

Masters Theses

"Investment casting is a metal casting process in which a ceramic mold is created around a disposable pattern using dip coating. The fine silica flour making up most of the mold gives the benefits of a smooth internal mold surface and high density. The high density allows for investment casting molds to be thinner and lighter than sand-based molds, but gives substantially smaller gaps between particles for air flow. This research focused on the design and improvement of the formulation for making investment casting molds with customizable physical properties. Properties of the molds, specifically flexural strength, permeability, and physical structure, …

Strategic Process Integration Of Energy And Environmental Systems In Wastewater Treatment Plants, Bharath Kumar Gangichetty

Masters Theses

"Green environmental practices are increasingly important in combating serious global energy and environmental issues. Most wastewater treatment facilities were built when energy costs were not a concern; however, an increasing demand for energy, changing climatic conditions, and constrained energy supplies have resulted in the need to apply more energy-conscious choices in the maintenance or upgrade of existing wastewater treatment facilities. A detailed analysis of the majority of water and wastewater treatment services shows that most facilities operate far below the efficiency levels needed for effective energy use. Failure to comply with regulated environmental standards is also a problem. Although standards …

Effects On Digital Image Quality When Photographing Through A Transparent Material Used To Hold Or Flatten An Original Object, Paul E. Howell

Masters Theses

An increasing number of libraries and archives are initiating projects where new and updated technologies make it practical to digitize materials containing color and fine detail. Many of the imaging systems and methods used for this process require that some type of glass or plastic be placed over the original to hold it flat and in the correct position during image capture. The physical properties of a material placed between an original object and the capture system or camera, during digitization, could possibly affect the accuracy of image color and quality being reproduced by the system. This investigation provides an …

A Possible Positive Feedback Modulation Of Acetylcholine Release Through The Stimulation Of Alpha-7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors On Bipolar Neurons In Pig Retina, Viralkumar M. Patel

Masters Theses

Glaucoma is associated with excitotoxicity in which increased glutamate release leads to apoptotic death of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Acetylcholine (ACh) has shown neuroprotection of RGCs through the stimulation of RGCs’ nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). The cholinergic amacrine cells are the only cells in retina which synthesize and release ACh. They get excitatory inputs from bipolar cells. The presence of α7nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (α7nAChRs) on the cholinergic amacrines, bipolar cells and RGCs is documented. Recently, stimulation of presynaptic nAChRs of cholinergic cells was shown to enhance ACh release in the rat superior cervical ganglion. Therefore, we hypothesized that α7nAChRs stimulation …

The Sherwood Method: Creating An Independent Christian Feature Film, Jacob H. Johnston

Masters Theses

This thesis will define the Sherwood Method for creating independent Christian feature-length films by researching the success of the film Facing The Giants (2006) produced by Sherwood Pictures. In order to understand the method, the essay has laid out the definitions of key words such as film, independent film and Christian film, and the background of the film industry. It also chronicles the formation of Sherwood Pictures and its effect on the film business. Finally the essay will break down what the key elements of the Sherwood Method are and how Christian filmmakers can use them in their future projects.

Christianity And Communication: Kierkegaard, Hamann, And The Necessity Of Indirect Communication, Benjamin D. Cates

Masters Theses

In 1849, Kierkegaard praised Hamann's dedication to written and spoken language as derived from the Divine Logos. This thesis examines Hamann and Kierkegaard in order to understand both thinkers' impact upon verbal and written communication. Hamann's dedication to the idea of communication as given graciously and solely by God is apparent in his authorship. Kierkegaard's model of indirect communication is ultimately one of Christian existence. Given the fact that Kierkegaard owed much to Hamann and was perhaps even led back to faith in God through his exhaustive reading of the German linguist, this thesis examines the possibility of a Hamannian …

Viewing The World Through Oprah's Eyes: A Framing Analysis Of The Spiritual Views Of Oprah Winfrey, Marianne Jeanette Crosby

Masters Theses

Oprah Winfrey is an American icon. She has a hand in almost every form of media: movies, television, books, Internet, and radio. In her rise to success, another place that she has infiltrated is the church. Because of her wide range of influence, her thoughts and teaching on spirituality have made their way into both the home and church. Over ten years ago, talk shows had a reputation for portraying mainly negative topics. To combat this stereotype, she made a push to encourage more positive topics of discussion on her show. Yet after receiving criticism for "preaching," she withdrew from …

"Life Wants Padding": Food, Eating, And Bodies In George Eliot's Novels, Tess Rebecca Stockslager

Masters Theses

This thesis uses six of the novels of George Eliot (those that take place entirely in rural England), works from the field of psychology, the concepts of realism and sympathy, and a metaphor of liquidity from Thomas Carlyle to explore several ways that body fat shapes identity and mediates relationships with others. Boundaries are the guiding concept: the chapters move from a demonstration of how boundaries between the self and others are created (padding), through a discussion of how sympathy can enable those boundaries to be broken (stuffing), to two case studies of characters whose boundaries of selfhood are in …

A Visual Rhetorical Analysis Of Selected Nexium Prescription Drug Advertisements According To The Methodology Of Sonja Foss, Jonathan Henry Ryan Law

Masters Theses

Direct‐to‐consumer advertising has gathered much negative attention. It’s purpose is filled with questions of ethics and legitimacy. This analytical study takes a deeper look into the advertisements that promote prescription drugs. The advertisements can be seen at the flip of a magazine, click of a button, or a walk down the road. The methodology for analyzing visual images according to Sonja Foss provided a framework to provide results. This preliminary study found evident problems in the drug advertising industry. Further research was beckoned due to the findings of this exploratory project.

Development Of An Electronic Governor System For A Small Spark Ignition Engine, Donald Ray Hibler

Masters Theses

"The use of electronic controls on engines has been widespread and has now reached the small utility engine. The evolution from carburetion to electronic fuel injection has presented opportunity to implement additional controls with the intent to improve engine control and performance. In this study, an electronic governor system is developed for use on a small twin cylinder utility engine. This system is to replace an existing mechanical governor system, and it should have the potential as a production based solution that integrates with an existing fuel injection system. It must improve the speed droop characteristics over the current mechanical …

Coughlin And Cleveland, Karen G. Ketchaver

Masters Theses

Father Charles E. Coughlin was one of the most prominent, and most controversial, figures in the United States in the 1930s and in the early years of the 1940s. This Canadian-born cleric rose from the life of an ordinary parish priest to becoming one of the leading radio phenomena of his day, masterfully using the new medium to command a vast audience. Coughlin began his radio career addressing religious subjects, but he expanded into the realm of politics by the early 1930s. His views became more and more extreme, and, by the latter part of the decade, he became increasingly …

You've Come A Long Way, Baby?: A Feminist Rhetorical Analysis Of More Magazine, Therese Supple Kincade

Masters Theses

Past research has focused on the power of mediated artifacts to reinforce gender roles in girls and women. For decades, women's magazines have focused on an idealized representation of women in a male dominated socio-political system guided by patriarchal investments. Since 1998, More magazine has offered an updated version of this image to an over 40 female audience. This thesis explores normative gender expectations as conveyed in More magazine, paying specific attention to the tensions negotiated in the liminal space assigned to middle-aged women. This feminist rhetorical analysis of More argues that the magazine presents contradictory images of middle-aged women, …

Eliminating Hazing By Addressing Masculinities In A Fraternity Setting, Kevin J. Kolman

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

A Survey Of Disability Support Services In Illinois Higher Education, Courtney Diann Quinn

Masters Theses

This study explored the services and accommodations available to students with disabilities at several institutions of higher education in the state of Illinois. Focus was on the number of students with disabilities matriculating, the types of disabilities the students had, and the services colleges and universities were providing to support success among students with disabilities. A survey was distributed to disability services administrators at eighty colleges and universities in Illinois to obtain data regarding college and university demographics, and the programs and resources offered by the colleges and universities. Additional phone interviews were conducted to receive further information to supplement …

Disparity Between Boys' And Girls' Academic Achievement, Laura M. Harris

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to identify the factors that contribute to the disparity between the academic achievement level of boys and girls in the school setting. Current literature indicates that while boys have historically outperformed girls in the area of math, girls have all but closed this achievement gap.

One hundred and twenty-four fourth and fifth grade students (71 girls, 53 boys, predominantly Caucasian) from a school in the Midwest region of the United States participated in the study. Gender and living with a male role model were found to have no relationship with academic achievement. These results …

An Analysis Of The Relationship Between Athletic Identity And Academic Success Among Intercollegiate Athletes, Kimberly A. Garkie

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine if a relationship existed between athletic identity and academic success at a small, NCAA Division I institution. Two hundred and twenty-eight student-athletes (143 men, 85 women), representing 15 intercollegiate sports at Eastern Illinois University, completed the Athletic Identity Measurement Scale (AIMS; Brewer, Van Raalte, & Linder, 1993) and these responses were correlated with the student athlete's Grade Point Averages. Results indicated that no statistically significant relationship was found between athletic identity scores and self-reported Grade Point Average (GPA). Limitations of the current study, as well as a need for future research regarding …

Training Delivery Methods Utilized By Illinois American Society Of Training And Development (Astd) Members, Kimberly S. Ervin

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to contribute to a better understanding of training for the state of Illinois and identify training delivery methods currently being utilized by the American Society of Training and Development (ASTD) Illinois members. A survey was developed and made available to members of all five Illinois ASTD chapters. A total of 169 Illinois ASTD members responded. The survey created an inventory of all training delivery methods used and identified the most utilized training and delivery method and most perceived effective training and delivery method. The majority of respondents indicated the single most utilized training and …

Development Of Learning Objectives For An Undergraduate Electrical Discharge Machining Technology Course Using The Delphi Technique, Aaron Harmon

Masters Theses

The purpose of this Delphi study was to develop comprehensive learning objectives that support undergraduates' acquisition of knowledge and skills of the Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) processes and procedures. This study reflects learning objectives created for EDM. The learning objectives were derived by utilizing a panel of experts from academia and industry involved with EDM. The results of this study are intended for use when creating an instructional module for undergraduate machining studies.

A panel of experts was chosen through recommendations from members of an engineering and technology listserv. Two successive rounds of Delphi instruments were utilized to complete a …

The First Adventure Of Raspberry And Lime: A Futuristic Screenplay, Sarah E. Mims

Masters Theses

This thesis consists of a short screenplay coupled with an introductory essay. The focus of the story and the essay is an examination of the "hero" and the hero's journey as deciphered by Joseph Campbell. My focus was on the heroic elements of the American superhero as depicted on both the big and small screen.

The essay outlines Campbell's cycle or journey that all heroes have in one way or another. I profile prominent examples of the "classic" heroic journey as depicted in modem American cinema. I use Luke Skywalker as the most basic example. I then examine less "typical" …

Food Selection Behaviors Of Children In A Buffet Setting, Megan J. Merrill

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to evaluate food choices made by children of varying ages when a wide assortment of both healthy and unhealthy food items were available. The results were used to assess the importance of caregiver influence with regard to children's dietary intakes and to determine significant relationships between age. food preference. and relevant behavioral patterns.

Fifty children between the ages of 3 and 15 were observed in buffet-style restaurants with their caregivers. A food and beverage selection checklist was used to determine children's food selections when each food group was present and available to them, A …

Impact Of Alcohol On Dietary Behaviors Of Male College Students, Cheryl Anne Rozela

Masters Theses

Research has suggested that many male students increase consumption of alcohol during their college years (Von Ah, Ebert, Ngamvitroj, Park & Kang, 2001). As alcohol consumption increases during this time many students also make less healthy dietary choices, suggesting a relationship between alcohol use and dietary patterns may be present (Adams & Rini, 2007). Although suggestive of a relationship, there is a lack of research documenting an association between alcohol use and dietary behaviors of male college students, therefore, the current study utilized a convenience sample of twenty male participants from a midwestem university and a series of five open-ended …

A Content Analysis Of Food Advertisements During Children's Tv Programming, Jillian Hurt

Masters Theses

The purpose was to determine nutritional quality of foods and marketing techniques and messages used in food ads during children's television programming. Programming was taped on 4 networks (PBS, Disney, Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for l day each, from July 8 to July 11, 2008.

One third of ads shown in 36 hours of programming were for food. Eighty-four percent of food ads promoted foods that were high in fat, saturated fat, added sugar and sodium or low in vitamins, minerals, fruits, vegetables and fiber. Animation was used in 44% and taste in 58% …