Digital Commons Network^™

Pressure Utilization In Water Transmission Pipelines In Alain Region Considering Transient Conditions, Mohamed Sultan Al Maamari

Theses

The residual pressure energy available in water transmission pipelines can be easily utilized via direct connection to the distribution system and bypassing the storage reservoirs and booster pumping stations. This thesis investigates the feasibility of bypassing a number of reservoirs and pumping stations in a small transmission system in AlAin City of United Arab Emirates. The system has a major transmission pumping station (AlAin Reception Pumping Station, or 'AARS') that hosts four fixed-speed pumps, a main 1200mm line, storage reservoirs and boosting pumps at three zones (Dahma, Markhania and Maqam), besides few other connection pipes. The system also has three …

Experimental Investigation And Numerical Modeling Of Hybrid Glass/Carbon Frp Section Combined With Concrete Slab, Stephen Craig Raynor

Theses

No abstract provided.

Geophysical And Hydrogeological Studies Of Al-Foah Area, North Al Ain, United Arab Emirates (Uae), Sameh Yahyia Ali Suleiman

Theses

No abstract provided.

Mixed-Integer Linear Programming Approach To U-Line Balancing With Objective Of Achieving Proportional Throughput Per Worker In A Dynamic Environment, Reyhan Erin

Theses

One of the major challenges of manufacturing companies is to remain competitive in a very dynamic environment dictated by fluctuations in production rate and customer demand. These challenges may be attributed to frequent changes in customer expectations, unsteady economic conditions or failure to reach the projected throughput due to inefficiencies in production systems. Survival in such a dynamic environment is contingent on implementing manufacturing systems that are able to adapt to change quickly and economically. The U-Shaped production cell is considered to be one of the most flexible techniques for changing the number of workers in the cell to match …

Mechanical Fatigue In A Magnetically Levitated Axial Blood Pump, Amy Slevar

Theses

This research investigated some of the mechanical fatigue associated with the use of a rotary pump as a left ventricular assist device, LVAD, for long term therapy (>20 years). In this magnetically levitated axial pump, we identified one feature most susceptible to mechanical stress and fatigue. the thin-sectioned inducer blade is made of titanium and is the first point of contact between the housing and impeller should the levitation system momentarily lose control. !e inducer blade is also long and thin and will experience both normal and bending loads when contacted by the impeller. The incidence of contact and …

Adaptable Videogame Platform For Interactive Upper Extremity Rehabilitation, Sally M. Jensen

Theses

The primary objective of this work is to design a recreational rehabilitation videogame platform for customizing motivating games that interactively encourage purposeful upper extremity gross motor movements. Virtual reality (VR) technology is a popular application for rehabilitation therapies but there is a constant need for more accessible and affordable systems. We have developed a recreational VR game platform can be used as an independent therapy supplement without laboratory equipment and is inexpensive, motivating, and adaptable. The behaviors and interactive features can be easily modified and customized based on players' limitations or progress.

A real-time method of capturing hand movements using …

Automatic Registration And Segmentation Of Abdominal Images And Detection Of Pancreatic Cancer, Girish Kumar Maniprasad

Theses

Localized and detailed analyses of 3D abdominal images obtained through different imaging modalities help greatly in determining the progression of a disease or for postoperative treatment / evaluation. However, such analyses become difficult and sometimes unfeasible due to the effects of patient motion and breathing. This is particularly evident during analysis of the pancreas for cancer, due to its proximity to other intra-abdominal organs. Within subject registration thus becomes imperative for pathological analysis of pancreatic cancer. An intensity-based, global image registration algorithm was developed in the present work, for registration of pancreatic abdominal images. The registration algorithm was automatic and …

Titanium Nitride As An Electrode Material For High Charge Density Applications, Mustafa Khan Patan

Theses

Present day neural prostheses require electrodes with high current densities. Traditional electrodes are not capable of delivering such high current densities. Titanium nitride as an electrode material and other techniques like reactive ion etching, platinization of titanium were studied in this thesis towards improving charge density of electrodes.

Titanium nitride (TiN) was sputtered in a custom designed pattern of electrodes with silicon as substrate, at a deposition rate of 2 A /sec. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) analysis of TiN film showed a smooth surface for a film thickness of 1 μm. X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis of the film showed the …

A Generalization Of The Birkhoff-Von Neumann Theorem, Nathan Reff

Theses

None provided.

The Other Mother: An Artist's Conception, Dean Schmiedel

Theses

The Other Mother represents the act of human conception, birth, and nurturing from an artist/man/father’s perspective. The work attempts to reconcile the divide between this ultimate creation and the creative process that we confront through art. The result is a masculinized nursery composed of a chopperized pram, a crib and rocker with hard edges and superhero symbols, and walls decorated with oversized, graphic images. To create the pieces in this installation, I worked closely with men in the traditional masculine trades of automobile customizing, welding, woodcraft, and upholstering. The resulting work is flashy and clean, without the hominess and earthy …

Developing A Habitat Suitability Model For The Spotted Turtle Using A Hybrid-Deductive Approach, Bryan Correa-Berger

Theses

Knowledge of species with multiple habitat needs for conservation and species survival planning is scarce. In order to predict areas of habitat suitability and potential further research, suitability modeling is necessary. This research created a GIS-based model to predict habitat suitability potential for the spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata) in four counties of western New York. Because of scarce and conflicting information on spotted turtle habitat needs, a survey was sent out to experts that evaluated spotted turtle habitat parameters. The goal of the habitat model was to predict optimal habitat for sustainable spotted turtle populations in an area where viable …

Development Of Test Targets For Microprinting Applications On The Kodak Nexpress 2100, The Hewlett Packard Indigo 5000 And The Heidelberg Speedmaster 74, Kevin Landolt

Theses

Microprinting is utilized in many types of documents for authentication and anticounterfeiting purposes. Elements of microprinting are usually text and not readable to the human eye without the aid of magnification. A series of test targets were developed to evaluate the capability of the Kodak NexPress 2100, the HP Indigo 5000 and the Heidelberg Speedmaster 74 printing systems to render micro text. The primary criterion that determines the ability of a printing device to render micro elements are: addressability, spot size, font selection, workflow (e.g. file processing), and resolution. All three devices were capable of reproducing micro text. While the …

Potential Air Contaminants And Noise Levels Generated By The Kodak Nexpress 2500 Digital Production Color Press: A Study Of Its Emissions Of Respirable Dust, Ultrafine Particulates, Volatile Organic Compounds, Ozone, And Occupational Noise Exposure, Federico Leal

Theses

The printing industry is beginning to get acquainted with the environmental impact of digital printing technologies. This study addressed issues related to the electrophotographic dry toner printing technology used in the Kodak NexPress 2500 Digital Production Color Press. The importance of these topics will grow as high-speed variable data printing becomes pervasive, because these printed products will become widespread, and a greater number of operators will be exposed to these technologies. Indoor air quality and noise levels generated by the NexPress under normal operating conditions were studied: ventilation, dust, volatile organic compounds, ozone, and noise. The results of this study …

Iir Modeling Of Interpositional Transfer Functions With A Genetic Algorithm Aided By An Adaptive Filter For The Purpose Of Altering Free-Field Sound Localization, Dereck Padden

Theses

The psychoacoustic process of sound localization is a system of complex analysis. Scientists have found evidence that both binaural and monaural cues are responsible for determining the angles of elevation and azimuth which represent a sound source. Engineers have successfully used these cues to build mathematical localization systems. Research has indicated that spectral cues play an important role in 3-d localization. Therefore, it seems conceivable to design a filtering system which can alter the localization of a sound source, either for correctional purposes or listener preference. Such filters, known as Interpositional Transfer Functions, can be formed from division in the …

Analysis Of Yeast Codon Usage Patterns Using The Movable Orf Collection, Nunut Butarbutar

Theses

The relationships between codon usage and protein expression levels have been extensively studied in various organisms. Highly expressed genes have often been shown to have stronger compositional codon bias. However, previous studies often failed to separate the effects of regulatory control from codon usage patterns. These studies have also been deficient with respect to both gene and protein coverage. In this study, we investigated the role of codon usage patterns in Saccharomyces cerevisiae using the Movable Open Reading Frame (MORF) collection library. The new collection is based on the recent annotation of yeast genome and is made with high– efficiency …

Conceptual Design And Specification Of A Microsatellite Forest Fire Detection System, Domenico Luisi

Theses

The burning of our forests and other forms of biomass are increasingly harming the local, regional and global environment. As evidenced by studies of the earth's atmosphere, biomass burning is a significant global source of greenhouse gases and particulate matter that impact the chemistry of the troposphere and stratosphere. Current remote sensing methods used for monitoring forest fires and other forms of biomass burning rely on sensors primarily designed for measurement of temperatures near 300 degrees Kelvin or the average surface temperatures of the earth’s surface. Fires radiate intensely against a low-temperature background, therefore it is possible to detect fires …

Chemical Stidies On Nucleic Acids Interaction With Some Antiviral Drugs: Developing Of Some New Methods For Nucleic Aeids Determination And Their Application, Islam Kamal Ali Shams

Theses

No abstract provided.

Air Monitoring Of Some Air Pollutants In Al-Ain City Using Passive Samplers, By Ismail Abdel Karim El Haty

Theses

Air pollution monitoring is highly valuable due to effects on economics and public health. Hence, concerned authorities in different countries as well as the World Health Organization (WHO) specified the permitted standard concentration of the main pollutants. Large number of countries also have built their air quality monitoring stations, and distributed them in several sites to monitor air pollutants over the whole year. Some developed countries established an awareness environmental program to educate the public and inform them of daily pollution level to take necessary precautions.

In this study, air pollution was monitored in AI-Ain City over twelve months, through …

Exploration Of A Hybrid Locomotion Robot, Jeffrey Webb

Theses

In this work, a hybrid locomotion robotic platform is evaluated. This system combines the benefits of both rolling and walking, with the intent on having the ability to traverse variable terrain. A quadruped leg-wheeled robot was designed, built, and tested. Experimental trials were conducted to demonstrate the overall feasibility of the design. Finally, important conclusions about the effectiveness and value of hybrid locomotion were reached. Posturecontrol is specifically identified as an effective area with great potential.

Acceptor Splice Site Prediction, Eric Foster

Theses

Gene finding is an important aspect of biological research. The state of gene finding is such that many approaches exist yet the problem itself is still largely unsolved. The various signals involved in gene location and modification offer a window of opportunity for the accurate prediction of genes. Many algorithms attempt to break down the problem of gene prediction into smaller portions focusing on various signals and properties. The individual study of these signals becomes warranted. This work focuses on splice site prediction, and more specifically, acceptor splice site prediction. Several current approaches, weight matrix models and Markov models, are …

Optimization Of A New Digital Image Compression Algorithm Based On Nonlinear Dynamical Systems, Anurag R. Sinha

Theses

In this paper we discuss the formulation, research and development of an optimization process for a new compression algorithm known as DYNAMAC, which has its basis in the nonlinear systems theory. We establish that by increasing the measure of randomness of the signal, the peak signal to noise ratio and in turn the quality of compression can be improved to a great extent. This measure, entropy, through exhaustive testing, will be linked to peak signal to noise ratio (PSNR, a measure of quality) and by various discussions and inferences we will establish that this measure would independently drive the compression …

Art Curriculum: Self-Expression By Connecting To Real World Events, Sarah Mccormick

Theses

Self-expression in art to connect with real world events is an art curriculum intended for any art teacher across America. The rational for the art curriculum project is to encourage students to learn how to express themselves visually. Actively experiencing history in art as well as the logic of certain artists' reasoning will promote understanding of the real world. Although it would be very easy to have the students follow directions, step-by-step, where the entire class will get the same or similar outcomes. These "cookie-cutter" pieces inhibit students' development as a human being. We, as teachers, need to notice the …

Polarimetric Modeling Of Remotely Sensed Scenes In The Thermal Infrared, Michael G. Gartley

Theses

This dissertation develops a polarimetric thermal infrared (IR) framework within the Digital Image and Remote Sensing Image Generation (DIRSIG) software tool enabling users in the remote sensing community to conduct system level trades and phenomenology studies. To support polarized reflection and emission modeling within DIRSIG, a generalized bi-directional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) is presented. This generalized form is a 4x4 element Mueller matrix that may be configured to resemble the commonly utilized Beard-Maxwell or Priest-Germer BRDF models. A polarized emissivity model is derived that leverages a hemispherical integration of the polarized BRDF and Kirchoff's Law. A portable experimental technique for …

Longitudinal Dynamic Modeling And Control Of Powered Parachute Aircraft, John Chambers

Theses

Powered parachutes (PPC) represent a very unique class of aircraft which have thus far seen limited use beyond recreational flight. Their slow flight and large payload characteristics make them a practical platform for applications such as aerial spraying and surveillance. The portability of the units when not airborne, fast transition to flight readiness, inherent stability, and simplicity of control enhance their appeal for use as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV). The aircraft fly using only three control inputs consisting of two steering lines and a throttle for control of climb and descent. One of the more interesting characteristics that distinguish PPC …

Simulation Analysis Of Capacity And Scheduling Methods In The Hospital Surgical Suite, Sarah Ballard

Theses

With health-care costs rising and an aging population, the health-care industry is progressively faced with the problem of growing demand and diminishing reimbursements. Hospital administration is often faced with a lack of quantifiable data regarding surgical suite capacity and the impact of adding new surgical procedures. With the inherent variation in surgery due to unique procedures and patients, accurately measuring maximum capacity in the surgical suite through mathematical models is difficult to do without making simplifying assumptions. Several hospitals calculate their operating room (OR) efficiencies by comparing total OR time available to total surgical time used. This metric fails to …

Print Productivity: A System Dynamics Approach, Jorge Uribe

Theses

The productivity of the printing industry in terms of real sales per employee has been growing at an annualized rate of 1.9% for more than a decade. The National Association for Printing Leadership (NAPL) reports that the industry is lagging, when compared to the average productivity growth of 4% from the non-durable manufacturing industries (2004). Many possible causes and reasons for the slow improvement are presented, but the final focus is on the inefficiencies of the print production system when analyzed as a whole. The technology within the printing industry has improved dramatically; however, its implementation usually delivers localized improvements …

Unbounded Solutions Of The Max-Type Difference Equation Xn+1 = Max {An/Xn, Bn/Xn-2},N = 0,1,2,..., Chris Kerbert

Theses

We investigate the periodic character and the boundedness nature of positive solutions of the difference equation: xn+1=max{An/xn,Bn/xn−2},n=0,1,..., where {An}∞n=0 and {Bn}∞n=0 are periodic sequences of positive real numbers.

Mathematics And Signing Using Modem Technology, Erin Bosley

Theses

The purpose of this curriculum development capstone project is to provide a sign language resource for the teachers of mathematics classes in deaf education settings. The project consists of a webpage including the clips of various mathematics signs in American Sign Language (ASL). The webpage includes 45 mathematics vocabulary words, taken from the Algebra I mathematics book by Bellman, Bragg, Charles, Hall, Handlin, and Kennedy (2007). A definition as well as visual illustrations and/or visual examples are provided for each word. After the implementation of the website, several questions were asked in order to improve the quality of the webpage. …

Solution Strategies For A Supply Chain Deterministic Model, Ming Hong

Theses

To most firms, intelligent supply chain decisions are essential to achieve competitiveness in an environment characterized with increasing globalization and relentless changes. As the supply chain concept largely evolved from traditional logistics management, practitioners and researchers have historically focused on the individual processes of a supply chain. A wide array of mathematical models have been developed to tackle such functional issues as inventory level, lead-time performance, delivery performance, customer satisfaction and so on. This research presents a model that aims to evaluate and optimize the overall performance of the supply chain. The key nodes and variables in the model are …

Quantitative Analysis Of Infrared Contrast Enhancement Algorithms, Seth Weith-Glushko

Theses

This thesis examines a quantitative analysis of infrared contrast enhancement algorithms found in literature and developed by the author. Four algorithms were studied, three of which were found in literature and one developed by the author: tail-less plateau equalization (TPE), adaptive plateau equalization (APE), the method according to Aare Mallo (MEAM), and infrared multi-scale retinex (IMSR). Engineering code was developed for each algorithm. From this engineering code, a rate of growth analysis was conducted to determine each algorithm’s computational load. From the analysis, it was found that all algorithms with the exception of IMSR have a desirable linear nature. Once …