Digital Commons Network^™

Vowel Recognition In Continuous Speech, Darrell C. Stam

Theses

In continuous speech, the identification of phonemes requires the ability to extract features that are capable of characterizing the acoustic signal. Previous work has shown that relatively high classification accuracy can be obtained from a single spectrum taken during the steady-state portion of the phoneme, assuming that the phonetic environment is held constant. The present study represents an attempt to extend this work to variable phonetic contexts by using dynamic rather than static spectral information. This thesis has four aims: 1) Classify vowels in continuous speech; 2) Find the optimal set of features that best describe the vowel regions; 3) …

Automatic Formant Labeling In Continuous Speech, Elizabeth A. Richards

Theses

This thesis was developed out of a need to reduce the time required to correct Linear Predictive Code (LPC) data used for training a formant tracker. A program was written to select peaks from LPC data and interpret them as Fl, F2, and F3, using knowledge about the phonetic transcription, the sex of the speaker, knowledge about individual phonemes, and a few heuristics. The system was tested on a database of eight speakers, four male and four female, each of whom produced ten sentences. This data set comprised 1,011 resonant phonemes covering 17,363 5-msec. frames. Overall the system correctly matched …

An Investigation Of The Color Reproduction Accuracy Of Two Halftoning Algorithms For Dot Matrix Systems, Peter A. Zuber

Theses

The recent popularity of dot matrix printing technologies has renewed interest in developing color halftoning techniques for these systems. A color reproduction scheme based on colorimetric principles would provide accurate color rendition, and can be configured to different hardware implementations. Additionally, where there are demands for multiple copies, color reproduction accuracy is assured to the nth generation.

A binary dot matrix halftoning algorithm previously used for black-and-white reproduction (error diffusion) and a new algorithm to be described (EZ method) were investigated in terms of their color reproduction capabilities, with the objective to achieve colorimetric color reproduction.

The error diffusion technique …

Geneplanner: A Prototype Of An Expert System To Assist With Chemical Dna Gene Synthesis Planning, Marilyn Daum

Theses

Expert systems are a popular area of artificial intelligence. The development of an expert system involves the selection of an appropriate problem, acquisition of knowledge from the expert, selection of control mechanisms and knowledge repre sentations, selection of tools, implementation, and testing. This thesis describes the development of a prototype expert system in the area of genetic engineering. The prototype system suggests the fragments of DNA to chemically synthesize and the steps for joining these fragments in order to make a gene. The system follows the hueristic rules of an expert to select the fragments and strategy for synthesis, backtracking …

Coach: A Two Level Expert Planning Assistant For High School Football, Gary F. Hasman

Theses

This thesis describes a two level expert planning system that first helps to develop a game plan for a high school football game and then aids in the selection of plays during that game. Built using Rulemaster, an expert system development tool, the system, called COACH, is initially provided observed data through the answering of questions which represents the receiving of a scouting report. This information is stored in a data file for further use. Also created during this questioning period is a data file containing comparisons of key players on the offense against their counterparts on the opponent's defensive …

Intelligent Knowledge Acquisition System, Bong-Soo Youn

Theses

IKAS (Intelligent Knowledge Acquisition System) is an expert system building shell with a machine-assisted concept checker for easy integrated rule-entry. Unlike most expert system shells currently available, IKAS not only performs rule syntax checking, but also maintains semantic integration of the knowledge base by using a Concept Base. The Concept Base is incrementally grown during the cycle of expert system application development and safeguards the whole domain from conceptually conflicting rules by finding possible inconsistencies or duplications of concepts and giving recommendations for possible solutions. Also automatic generalized concept forming using the Inductive Extension Generalization method gives IKAS a capability …

Computing The Chromatic Number Of T-(V,K,[Lambda]) Designs, Nancy M. Schornstein

Theses

Colouring t-designs has previously been shown to be an NP-complete problem; heuristics and a practical algorithm for this problem were developed for this thesis; the algorithm was then employed to find the chromatic numbers of the sixteen non- isomorphic 2-(25, 4, 1) designs and the four cyclic 2-(19, 3, 1) designs. This thesis additionally examines the existing literature on colouring and finding chromatic numbers of t-designs.

Detecting Errors In Software Using A Parameter Checker: An Analysis, John Sexton A.

Theses

This paper will discuss a study of parameter errors that occurred in a software product developed using the "C" language. Through the use of a parameter checker that was developed from an existing compiler, the frequency and type of parameter errors over several releases of an application are studied. In addition to parameter checking, other static analysis data was collected concerning function usage (or non-usage) and function return value comparisons. This paper may serve as a useful complement to previous static analyses done for the FORTRA, COBOL and Pascal languages. The study presents statistics that show the large number of …

Congestion Control Schemes And Their Effect On A Hypothetical Network, Jeffrey S. Reifsteck

Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to allow data communication students to experiment with various congestion control schemes to see how they will affect a simulated network. Using various parameters, the user can design a full duplex, packet switched, point-topoint virtual circuit network. Then, using this network the student can choose a congestion control scheme and run the simulation. After each run the parameter(s), the control scheme, or both, can be changed and the simulation rerun to see what the changes will do to network performance.

A Simulated Shape Recognition System Using Feature Extraction, Wendy Pan

Theses

A simulated shape recognition system using feature extraction was built as an aid for designing robot vision systems. The simulation allows the user to study the effects of image resolution and feature selection on the performance of a vision system that tries to identify unknown 2-D objects. Performance issues that can be studied include identification accuracy and recognition speed as functions of resolution and the size and makeup of the feature set. Two approaches to feature selection were studied as was a nearest neighbor classification algorithm based on Mahalanobis distances. Using a pool of ten objects and twelve features, the …

Distributed C++ : Design And Implementation, Pradeep P. Mansey

Theses

Distributed C++ is a learning tool developed to investigate distributed programming using the object paradigm. An extension is designed for C++, to enable the use of C++ in programming distributed applications. A user transparent interface is designed and implemented to create and manipulate remote objects on a network of workstations running the Unix operating system. The concept of remote classes is introduced and remote object invocation is implemented over a remote procedure call mechanism.

Ada And The Graphical Kernel System, Richard R. Wessman

Theses

Since the introduction of the standard language in 1983, Ada has been the subject of controversy about its capabilities and its desirability. Proponents have claimed that Ada may be the ultimate computer language because it is a high-level, structured language that may be used in applications ranging from controlling jet fighters to business. Detractors have argued that Ada's very versatility may be its undoing because it can do many things but not as well as more specialized languages. This thesis attempts to evaluate the capabilities and suitability of Ada for large projects by using it to implement the Graphical Kernel …

Gsd - An Interactive Window Oriented Debugger, Gary Bricault S.

Theses

Each computer program, no matter how carefully designed, may contain code entry mistakes, errors in logic, and/or anomalies that can result in unexpected outcome (also known as bugs). In order to find and correct these problems, a software tool known as a debugger can be utilized by a programmer as an aid in isolating and correcting computer programs. The purpose of this thesis is to design and create such a tool for the AT&T UNIX-PC CU that will allow the user to function interactively within a window-oriented environment. This new debugger will be referred to as GSD (Graphic Symbolic Debugger). …

Computing Techniques For The Enumeration Of Cyclic Steiner Systems, Timothy Frenz Carl

Theses

In this thesis a powerful algorithm is developed for finding cyclic Steiner systems. A cyclic Steiner system with parameters S(t,k,v) is a pair ( V,B), where B is a collection of subsets all of size k (called blocks) and V is a t; element set of points, such that each t-subset of V is contained in precisely one block of B. A Steiner system is called cyclic if it has an automorphism carrying the points in a v-cycle. The results obtained so far with this algorithm are given in Table VII of chapter 5. Among the values reported there, are …

Computer Construction Of (4,4,V)-Threshold Schemes From Steiner Quadruple Systems, W. Monroe John

Theses

A construction for Sv/4 pairwise disjoint quadruple systems on u points has been given by Lindner. This thesis looks at an implementation of nearly optimal (4,4, v)threshold schemes based on his construction. These threshold schemes will have 3 v/4 keys, whereas the best implementation known to date is based on a construction given by Shamir and yields only v/4 keys. Lindner's construction depends heavily on the existence of an iV2 latin square of order v/4, thus several constructions for them have also been implemented. Unfortunately, due to the combinatorial nature of the problem, the limitations of this implementation are an …

Enhancements To The Frame Virtual Machine, Archna Bhandari

Theses

The Enhanced Frame Package is a tool to build Expert Systems. It is a frame based system, that initially was developed in C-Prolog by LaMora S. Hiss at Rochester Institute of Technology in 1987 for her master's thesis. It was enhanced in the current thsis to provide much larger expressive power andgreater ease of use. Several operators were modified/enhanced, and several new operators were added, while providing the user a balance of computational tractability, expressive power and consistency. Major concepts provided in the Enhanced Frame Package include - local consistency checking as opposed to global consistency checking and how the …

Three-Dimensional Data Input Using Sutherland's Two-Dimensional Tablet Strategies Plus Enhanced User Feedback, Myra Bennett Pelz

Theses

Although the representation of three-dimensional computer images has become increasingly more sophisticated and complex, the problem of making three-dimensional data available to the computer continues to plague graphics systems designers. In 1974, Ivan Sutherland developed a system that defines a three-dimensional point by digitizing the same point simultaneously in two different two-dimensional views of an object. This project will implement Sutherland's system, with refinements, particularly in the area of improved user feedback.

The Dfs Distributed File System: Design And Implementation, Ananth K. Rao

Theses

This thesis describes the design of an operating system independent distributed file system (DFS) and details the implementation, on a cooperating set of server computers interconnected by means of a communications network. The DFS provides the mechanism by which the file systems of these physically dispersed units are integrated into a single logical unit. Users and application programs thus have the illusion that their files are on a single computer system, even though in reality they may be physically distributed around the network. This location transparency frees users from having to remember details such as the current location of the …

The Design And Implementation Of An Information System For A Consumer Product Company Distribution Center, Richard C. Gilormo

Theses

The purpose of the thesis is to design an information system for a consumer product company distribution center from the MIS and distribution center staff perspective.

The design of the information system is based on the steps involved in the project cycle which are necessary for the successful completion of a project. The steps range from requirements gathering to project completion. Each step in the project cycle identifies key areas that must always be addressed, including the pitfalls that must be avoided.

This thesis can be used as a tool for the development of any distribution center information system project …

Respiratory Impedances Computed From The Forced Oscillation Technique Using An Esophageal Balloon, Richard Thomas Fisler

Theses

The purpose of this investigation is to develop methodology for the standard measurement and physiological interpretation of lung resistance and compliance using non-invasive forced oscillations techniques and validating these results with standardized esophageal balloon techniques. Application of the forced oscillation technique with an esophageal balloon in place permits partitioning of the respiratory system into the pulmonary system which is of primary interest and the less clinically important chestwall system. Diseased lung states are induced in normal subjects by inhalation of a bronchoconstrictor. The total respiratory (pulmonary plus chest wall) and pulmonary impedances are interpreted using both a linear three element …

Unsaturated Column Studies Of Silty Sand Using A Conservative Tracer, Canagasabapathy Nallianathan

Theses

A laboratory study was conducted to investigate the flow and mass transport of a conservative tracer in the unsaturated phase. For this purpose, a relatively "large-scale" cylindrical column(12 in. O.D. x 4 feet long) was fabricated and equipped with tensiometer and psychrometer sensors.

The soil used in the study was a New Jersey based silty sand compacted to an average dry density of 93 lb/ft³. The soil was permeated with a 0.5 M NaCl solution infiltrated at the top of the column using a perforated spiral tube assembly. The permeant was applied at a constant rate of approximately …

Artificial Intelligence And Mechanical Engineering, Efthimios Papayianis

Theses

Many artificial intelligence programs have been developed to assist engineers in their search for solutions. Most of them are designed to assist with a specific type of problem and they usually take the form of an expert system. However one may also use the concepts of artificial intelligence to solve a problem for which an expert system is not yet available.

Three expert systems were developed with Prolog to demonstrate how artificial intelligence can help solve problems in mechanical engineering. The first expert assists in the design of simply supported beams. The second expert assists in the design of thick …

A Dynamic Model Of Fill-And-Draw Reactor Utilizing An Inhibitory Substrate, Yun-Fei Ko

Theses

A dynamic model of a fill-and-draw reactor has been developed, which includes a number of operational parameters, the fraction of total cycle time devoted to fill, reaction and draw, and the concentration of the toxic substance in the feed to the reactor.

Operating diagrams have been generated, from which one can choose suitable operating parameters.

The model has been solved numerically for Andrews kinetics ( substrate inhibition ), and tested experimentally, using a 5-liter fill-and-draw reactor with phenol as sole carbon source and a pure culture of Pseudomonas putida. Results compared very well to the model predictions.

Microcomputer Control Of An Ac Induction Motor Using A Pwm Computational Intensive Method, Luther William Schnug

Theses

A three-phase microcomputer based AC Inverter has been developed using a computational intensive PWM algorithm that generates the output bridge switching patterns in real time. This approach utilizes the on-board capabilities of an advanced microcontroller, (a 16-bit 8097 from Intel), to eliminate most of the external hardware, and demands on memory size, required in other designs. This algorithm implements in software the Triangular Modulation Method of PWM generation, and utilizes a trapezoidal approximation to the sinusoidal reference waveform. Brassboard tests have shown that this approximation produces 5th and 7th harmonics that degraded performance, at low speeds. An enhanced algorithm, utilizing …

The Path Method In Power System State Estimation, Fareed A. R. Shirazi

Theses

A new method for Power System State Estimation (PSSE), the 'Path Method', is developed and studied. In this method the state (voltage magnitude and angle) of one node is calculated at a time, using only the local measurements. This procedure is repeated to calculate the state of all nodes in the system, following a predefined path to determine the next node whose state is to be calculated. In the process, more measurements are used whenever available and possible. Results obtained for this method are comparable and close to those of the Line-Flow Only (LFO) method. An advantage of the Path …

Effects Of Compliance And Machining Prameters On Robotic Grinding/Deburring, Kung-Le Chang

Theses

A theoretical model for robotic grinding/deburring has been developed and compared with experimental results. Various grinding parameters such as depth of cut, feed rate, surface profile and roughness, grinding forces, and robot stiffness, have been experimentally investigated in this study. It was observed that the depth of cut is a function of specific grinding energy, force, and robot compliance. The observed roughness and waviness are directly proportional to depth of cut and feed rate and, in addition, to the robot compliance and the encoder quantization error. Other effects of the robot system for grinding performance are also addressed.

Decontamination Of Contaminated Clay Soils By Thermal Treatment, Chandrakanthi Weerasinghe

Theses

An experimental investigation on the desorption of contaminated clay soils by thermal treatment was performed. This study was carried out on two clay soils (kaolinite and bentonite) sorbed with three liquid organic compounds (phenol, chlorophenol, and chlorobenzene). The study consists of two different phases, the adsorption and desorption. The results on batch equilibrium adsorption were correlated with different isotherm models of which the Freundlich isotherm model was found to be best fit in predicting adsorption capacities of kaolinite, and that for bentonite was found to be the linear isotherm model.

A thermal desorption study followed the equilibrium adsorption study. A …

The Evaluation Of The Impact Of Reducing The Domestic Wastewater Phosphorus On The Algal-Related Water Quality Of The Hudson/Raritan Estuary And Northern New Jersey's Coastal Waters, Ron Gautreau

Theses

An investigation was undertaken to examine the planktonic algal-related water quality of the Hudson/Raritan Estuary and northern New Jersey's coastal waters with respect to quantifying the relationship between the amount of phosphorus loading to the planktonic algal-related water quality responses. Recreational and commercial uses of northern New Jersey's coastal waters have at times been impaired by excessive growth of planktonic algae. Using population equivalents and export coefficients the amount of domestic wastewater and land runoff derived phosphoruscontributed to the Estuary was estimated. The P load contributed to the Estuary via the discharge of New York and New Jersey domestic wastewater …

Implementation Of A Robotic Workcell, John J. Rogers

Theses

This thesis is intended to provide the reader with some insight into the implementation of robotics technology into an organization. A seven step approach to implementing robotics into an organization was used. The seven steps consist of the following:

1) Initial familiarization with the technology.

2) Plant survey to identify potential applications.

3) Selection of the application.

4) Selection of the robot.

5) Detailed economic analysis.

6) Planning and engineering the installation.

7) Installation.

These steps were applied in an actual organization, the IBM Corp. Real-life processes and operations were utilized in proceeding with the seven step approach. Included in …

The Opinions Of Parents And Teachers Of Children In Grades K-6 In The Francis Howell School District Regarding Homework, Rita Freebairn Beard

Theses

The purpose of this study was to survey parents and teachers of children in kindergarten through sixth grade in the Francis Howell School District to determine opinions regarding the value and scope of homework in the elementary school. It was also designed to determine t heir awareness of district homework policy.

All data in the study were gathered by means of a printed questionnaire, which was developed so it could be answered by both parents and teachers . Two hundred participants (150 parents and 50 teachers) were randomly chosen to be part of the study. The questionnaires, along with cover …