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Statistical And Finite Element Analysis Of The Effects Of Random Input Parameters On The Mechanical Characteristics Of Sheetmetal Forming Processes Using Quadrature Method, Yu Quan

Theses

In this thesis, the computer aided finite element analysis is implemented in the analysis of sheetmetal forming process. To rationalize the experimentation and analysis, the statistical method is introduced to study the variability of sheetmetal deformation process and final shape with respect to the variation of different parameters.

In Chapter 2, the basic characteristics and considerations of deep drawing operation is described with emphasis on the study of geometrical and physical variables of the forming process.

Chapter 3 discussed the three phases which are encountered in the computer aided finite element analysis. As a typical representative of professional finite element …

Bioremediation Of 2-Chlorophenol In A Laboratory Soil Column, Timothy A. Coon

Theses

In-situ bioremediation offers the prospect of rendering organic contaminants harmless without having to remove them from the subsurface. It involves the modification of environmental factors to stimulate the biodegradation of chemicals in the subsurface by microorganisms. However, for the cost-effective use of in-situ bioremediation, it is necessary to develop accurate engineering models to quantify biodegradation.

In this thesis, the biodegradation of 2-chlorophenol in a laboratory soil column was examined in order to experimentally verify an engineering model. Experiments were performed to obtain the physical and biological parameters required by the model, and the steady-state 2-chlorophenol distribution in the column.

A …

The Cyberspace Workplace : An Argument And Design For The Virtual Office, Richard C. Jones

Theses

The Virtual Office has become a viable solution to the need for a changing workplace. Technology, design, and a redefinition of work have combined to create something entirely new. An office not of walls and doors but of electronic peripherals, networks, and global digital communication. This concept allows workers to be free from their physical surrounding to conduct work from remote locations or in some instances in a totally electronic world commonly referred to as Cyberspace. Through research, interviews, and problem solving the virtual office concept presented will redefine the use of space as we know it. These concepts will …

The Eden Alternative, Jennifer Ellen Gettman

Theses

The purpose of this study and program implementation was to integrate animal, plants, and teamwork philosophy into the nursing home environment. The focus of measurement was to identify the therapeutic value of the Eden Alternative in nursing home residents.

Utilizing the Yesavage Geriatric depression scale, 196 residents of a St. Louis based nursing home were studied. Fifty-five percent of the residents were identified of having some depression. Utilizing the long form of the Yesavage tool, residents were questioned to establish a base level of minimal, moderate, and severe depression. In a six-month follow-up, 22% of the severely depressed were reassessed. …

The Analysis And Isolation Of Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning Toxins, Seán S. Kelly

Theses

This research was initiated to examine the Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP) toxin profiles in mussels (Mytilus edulis) in south-west Ireland. Extensive sampling and testing of shellfish was conducted during the toxic periods of 1991 to 1994. This was the most comprehensive study ever undertaken of toxin profiles in shellfish from a single cultivation area.

A new toxin named dinophysistoxin-2 (DTX-2), which is an isomer of okadaic acid (OA), was the major toxin during prolonged DSP episodes. This toxicity in shellfish occuired soon after high cell counts of Dinophysis acuta were observed. As well as seasonal variability in toxin levels, substantial …

Hazard Recognition And Regulation : An Asbestos Chronology, Diane A. Colson

Theses

One hundred years after it was first mined, several uses of asbestos were banned in the United States. The latency period that typifies asbestos-related diseases was but one factor in the delayed recognition of asbestos as a health hazard. Many other factors delayed the initiation of practical measures to alleviate the hazards.

Controversies surrounding exposure to asbestos continue. Epidemiological studies have answered many questions, but many others are, and may remain, unanswered. Some of the controversies surrounding exposure to asbestos are embedded in the development of the United States of America as a country. An understanding of the historical basis …

A Comparison On Student Motivation Of Students Who Enroll Voluntarily And Involuntarily A Vocational Training Program, Teresa Ross-Taylor

Theses

The present study compared the motivation of female students who enrolled in a federally funded vocational training program voluntarily with those who enrolled involuntarily. The federal government has mandated that females receiving public aid must complete a trade and obtain full-time employment. The study was conducted from January 1, 1994 through March 31, 1994. Motivation was evaluated by vocational completion, average length of stay (ALOS) , and GED completion. The students have to complete all the required assignments and pass a competency test in the vocational area to be considered a vocational completer. In addition, they were required to complete …

Spiritual Awakenings, Saundra Annette Austin

Theses

Not available.

Breast Cancer: New Cause For Concern, Karen L. Prideaux

Theses

This thesis will focus on the results of eight randomized studies and how these results were utilized by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to change their guidelines for breast cancer screening mammography in women 40-49 years of age.

The incidence of breast cancer has been steadily on the rise since the 1970s. This increase in the number of new cases has caused some individuals to view breast cancer as an epidemic.

To date, research has not answered the question of what causes breast cancer, although their are many theories. Therefore, since the disease can not be prevented, women must rely …

The Impact Of Corporate Training Programs And Business/Education Partnerships On The Skills Gap Of The American Workforce, Clare G. Romeo

Theses

This thesis will focus on the study of the impact of corporate training programs and business education partnerships on the skills gap of the American workforce.

Research indicates that there is an emerging crisis in the American workplace. Increased demand for highly skilled workers, combined with an aging workforce, has created shortages of skilled workers, shortages that are predicted to grow for many years to come. This shortage of skilled workers required by employers is defined as the skills gap.

Some of the causes of the skills gap are demographic trends, technological change and increased international competition. One major factor …

Achieving Complete Customer Satisfaction, Marilyn K. Haag

Theses

The term customer service has changed in meaning over the years. There was a time when it suggested an unpleasant experience for both the customer and the business. Employees tried to avoid complaints because they weren't educated in how to handle them. Over time, customer service evolved into a much broader meaning as companies noticed that the leaders in their industry provided service as part of the sale. When companies began to change their own way of doing business, they began to see profits associated with offering service with the sale, and they found that it can be the "secret …

Violence In The Womb, Violence In The World: The Effects Of Fetal Exposure To Alcohol, Drugs, And Nicotine, Aileen R. Wynne

Theses

This project will focus on prenatal substance abuse and the long term adverse effects of birth defects in the offspring of these women. The focus will discuss a relationship between the drug exposed fetus as a predictor of later development of behavior problems , running along the continuum from antisocial behavior to aggression and violence.

Research will show that of the three leading contributors to birth defects , Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is number one, greater than Downs Syndrome and Spina Bifida. The risk factors of prenatal substance abuse will be described as use of alcohol , other drugs , and …

The Relationship Between Mind Altering Substances And Aggressive Behavior, Keith A. Leonard

Theses

The relationship between aggressive behaviors and substance abuse was examined using subjects placed on probation for assault in St. Louis County. These subjects were administered the Substance Abuse Questionnaire, at the probation office, within seven days of sentencing . The Substance Abuse Questionnaire, designed to assess behavior and risk for behaviors including aggressivity, has a validity scale which measures how truthful the individual was while completing the test. Those subjects whose scores on the Substance Abuse Questionnaire were determined to be valid, were considered in this research. The purpose of this research was to examine whether the introduction of legal …

A Silicon Knife Design And Fabrication, Mingli Wang

Theses

In this thesis, the design and fabrication of a silicon knife is described. The device design is based on the principle of oxidation sharpening.

The knife is made from a silicon wafer and can be made to be any chosen length up to 150 mm. It was made with the same basic procedures used in semiconductor chip manufacturing. This type of processing/manufacturing results in a knife with a high degree of sharpness and smoothness compared with existing knife technology.

The knife fabrication plan combines IC processing, techniques including anisotropic and isotropic etching of silicon, plasma dry etching and chemical etching …

The Surveillance And Control Of Foodborne Diseases, Donal J. Daly

Theses

There is great variation in the extent of surveillance of foodbome disease throughout the world. Some countries contribute important epidemiological and microbiological data to the WHO Surveillance Programme for Foodbome Diseases in Europe. While the UK is a major contributor to this programme, data from Eire has been non-existent. Trends in the incidence of foodbome disease in the UK may have particular relevance to Eire given the similarity of culture. Microbiological and epidemiological data in relation to foodbome pathogens, foods most frequently incriminated in outbreaks, places where outbreaks occur, together witli the main contributory factors are discussed. The broader area …

Chained To The Night: An Examination Of The Vampire, All That Remain, Jeffrey Richard Stone

Theses

It is the intent of this project to form an evaluation of the myth and legend of the vampire. It is the intent of the author to use this evaluation to develop an original screenplay.

This project provides a historical foundation by discussing the vampire's legendary existence in different cultures , including the possible birthplace of the vampire myth, Eastern Europe. The author examines works of literature and other mass media to provide a wide spectrum of examples of the myths and legends of the vampire.

The vampire is a mysteriously alluring creature that has evolved from the common myths …

Principles And Simulation Of Straight Boomerang, Nicolas Restrepo

Theses

There has been a lot of research done on the regular boomerang but little or none has ever been done on the straight boomerang. This not so popular toy does behave as a boomerang but the physics governing its flight are very different from those governing the regular boomerang's flight. In order to understand what makes the straight boomerang come back, high speed photography was used. It was concluded that the autorotation phenomenon played an important role during the flight. A mathematical model was then developed and the flight dynamics of the boomerang incorporating its actual behavior was simulated using …

A Question Of Balance: Constructing A Mobile Software Simulator, Michael Wulf Axelrod

Theses

Initial inspiration for this project comes from the world of moving sculptures called mobiles. Artists such as Alexander Calder have pioneered the way by showing the world that mobiles can do more than entertain infants. This project brings the world of moving scultures to the computer and extends the artistic role mobiles can play for the average person. The primary objective of this project was to design and implement a tool to create and visualize simple mobiles. The application was to be flexible and easy to use. So easy in fact that a child should be able to construct a …

Overcoming Limitations, Debra Barton

Theses

None provided.

The Effect Of Glucose Oxidase On Reducing Headspace Oxygen In An Airtight Package, Meredith Mchugh

Theses

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of Glucose Oxidase in reducing headspace oxygen in an airtight package. Glucose Oxidase (0.05%) was included in the standard recipe for mayonnaise. A 0.10 ml of headspace gas was removed daily for 10 days from 15 jars of mayonnaise. Results indicated that headspace oxygen was reduced by the Glucose Oxidase. These results indicate that Glucose Oxidase may replace synthetic antioxidants used in food packaging currently. Studies may be continued to research the possibility of the reaction continuing after the product is opened to extend shelf life.

Availability And Use Of Food Resources By Two Species Of Automolus (Aves, Furnariidae), Grace Patricia Servat-Valenzuela

Theses

Foraging specialization is one mechanism that has been hypothesized to promote species coexistence and, thus, higher bird species diversity in tropical forests. Dead-leaves suspended in vegetation above the forest floor constitute a focal substrate that may promote specialization (Rosenberg 1990a, b). In a study locality in Amazonia, Remsen and Parker (1984) reported 16 species of birds closely associated with this system. Therefore, it represents a microcosm of high diversity in tropical forests. As such, one natural question is how this substrate can support so many coexisting species, and at what level does specialization occur? In the present study, I address …

San Lucas: The History Of A California Cattle Town, Matthew James Gildersleeve

Theses

If one follows the Salinas River from its source in the mountains of Santa Barbara north to where it pours into the Monterey Bay, one comes across many settlements along its banks. Such a settlement is San Lucas. With a population of fewer than 500 and little industry the town has been left to wither away in sun baked South Monterey County. This had not always been the case, however, for San Lucas. Over one hundred years ago the settlement was paramount to Southern Monterey County. Once the hub of economic activity in this region, San Lucas boasted of many …

Click! Folie A Deux, Silvina Manrique

Theses

Not provided.

The Permeation Of Volatile Compounds Through Acrylonitrile Polymers Films, Juan Escobar

Theses

The increasing use of polymeric films for packaging food is challenging the industry with two very critical facts: aromatic constituents of foodstuffs can either be absorbed by the packaging materials or permeate through the polymers and escape from the package. The packaging and food industries are constantly researching new packaging materials and systems which present alternatives to overcome these problems. In order to evaluate polymers' performance, it is then necessary to develop new testing equipment to prove their barrier efficiency . This study analyzed and compared the characteristics of three barrier materials: BarexR 210, BicorR 84, and BicorR 70 by …

Improvement Of Packaging As One Of The Key Terms Of The Efficient Economy Development, Edward Goldberg

Theses

This paper presents the analysis of the modern packaging technology in the United States, summarizing and featuring the important points and aspects that can be implemented in Russia. The paper emphasizes the important role of packaging in advertising, marketing, distribution and shipping of products, as well as its necessity in order to maintain the products and packaging integrity during shipment and distribution. The level of packaging identity in Russia is close or may be a little bit above zero; the paper gives the detailed analysis of current state of the Russian packaging industry, food distribution and the current trends in …

Dynamic Model Update Program, Feroz Ahmed

Theses

This thesis presents a general method to modify the properties of a finite element model of a structure to better correlate analytical (FE) modal data with experimental modal data. A FORTRAN program to correlate finite element and experimental results of a structure by executing a Cross-Orthogonality check was developed. Sensitivity coefficients of a structure were generated to tune the FE model to match the experimental model. These sensitivity coefficients were generated through sensitivity analysis which illustrates the change in response of a structure for known changes in parameters. This thesis covers the theory, procedure, and application of sensitivity analysis. Sensitivity …

Mental Pictures Drawings And Objects, Deborah Rieders

Theses

Not provided.

Seroprevalence Of Toxoplasmosis Amongst Healthy Adults In The Al Ain Area, Hamad Noor Mohamed Ahmad

Theses

There being no published data on the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in the UAE, a base -line study was carried out on a randomly selected population of healthy adults drawn from subjects presenting themselves for a health certificate at the Department of Preventive Medicine, Al Ain, or presenting for blood donation at the two main hospitals in Al Ain, the Tawam Hospital and Al Ain Hospital. Commercially available VIDAS IgG and IgM kits were used to test for seropositivity. A validated questionnaire was used to record personal data and blood was drawn from each donor after informed consent. All raw data …

Where The Gods Meet, Felix Blanco

Theses

None provided.

Live It! - An Interactive Non-Linear Adventure, Gedeon Maheux, Talos Tsui

Theses

None provided.