Digital Commons Network^™

Learning System, Bhavesh T. Adani

Theses

Many rule-based learning systems have been implemented which generate and update rules/facts from illustrative examples provided by the user. But very few of them have succeeded in achieving the efficiency and accuracy of an ideal system.

The approach made here is to continuously update the hierarchical structure of rules/facts of a knowledge-base so that efficient and accurate solutions to any query can be achieved easily and immediately from the many possible solutions to the query. As the rule-based systems deal with a very large knowledge-base, it is sometimes necessary to apply a learning technique that finds optimum solutions efficiently.

The …

An Intelligent Computerized Pulse-Duplicator For The In-Vitro Evaluation Of Prosthetic Heart Valves, John F. Andrews

Theses

A computerized data acquisition system is presented for the in-vitro determination of the hydrodynamic performance of prosthetic heart valves. High speed data acquisition and ensemble averaging techniques are employed to minimize error and provide a standard for data collection and analysis across a wide range of simulated physiologic conditions. Processing algorithms automatically divide the cardiac cycle into phases based on landmarks in the pressure and flow waveforms, with minimal variability and without operator intervention. The contributions of valve resistance, regurgitation, ejection, leakage, and power loss to hydrodynamic performance are isolated for investigation. Phasic power loss analysis is reviewed as a …

Waveform Analysis And Application To A Model Of The Egg Waveform, Eu-Rune Chang

Theses

The purpose of thesis is to describe and investigate a model of electroglottogram waveform. At the beginning, we generate a set of sine waveform models to analyze by using Fourier transform theory. Then, according to the electroglottogram is conjectured to be related to the area contact between the vocal folds, we assume a simple model of vocal fold vibratory motion is used to estimate the vocal fold contact area as function of time. Therefore, we modified and developed the mathematic EGG waveform model by using personal computer program computation to become a set of realistic EGG waveform models, which are …

Development Of A Rock Model Testing Capability At The New Jersey Institute Of Technology And Testing Of Plane Stress Models Possessing A Central Circular Opening With A Nearby Horizontal Discontinuity, David R. Good

Theses

This thesis had three main objectives. They were to develop a rock model testing capability at N.J.I.T. by (1) developing and building a load testing frame for rock models, including all necessary appurtenances and load measuring devices, (2) developing a rock modelling material and quantifying its properties, and (3) applying the capabilities described in items 1 and 2.

A high capacity load test frame was constructed from structural steel members. Heavy screw rams were utilized to apply load and specially constructed proving rings were employed to accurately measure load. Additionally, load platens and other support equipment were constructed.

The model …

Computerized Analysis Of Gastrointestinal Spike Burst Activity, Karthik Krishnan

Theses

This thesis describes a computer algorithm for locating gastrointestinal spike bursts. The algorithm also finds the the number of spikes within each spike burst, the average duration, and average amplitude of each spike burst. The algorithm was applied to the automation of the analysis of the Migrating Colonic Complex.

The algorithm detects the spike burst using threshold, time interval and frequency criteria. The computer program is implemented on a PDP 11/73 digital computer. The operation of the algorithm was tested on animal models to detect the spike bursts, before and after the inducement of certain drugs to alter the colonic …

Finite Element Method In Turbo Pascal, Tingwang Kuo

Theses

A finite element program FEM2D in FORTRAN language by J.N. Reddy has been translated into TURBO PASCAL and several features such as interactive input, mesh generation for a rectangular plate with a circular hole at the center of the plate and graphical display of the meshes and node numbers have been implemented. Four examples including potential flow and plane stress problems have been tested successfully. It is concluded that the PASCAL language on a microcomputer can he used to write a finite element program and is easier to give graphical display than FORTRAN language. The maximal number of nodes that …

Development Of A Novel Dentin Bonding Agent And Testing For Mechanical Properties, Mircroleakage And Toxicity, Sanjay V. Odak

Theses

In this study a dentin bonding agent based on Tolylene diisocyanatc with o chlorophenol as a blocking agent was tested. Bond strength with dentin was determined using a clinically relevant test method. A comparison was made using commercially available bonding agents and restorative resins. A simulation of microleakage around restorations was performed using a "Silver staining technique". Microleakage was quantified using digital image analysis, and a method was proposed to compensate for the loss of the third dimension during image analysis. Layer-by-layer curing of restorative, and an acid etching technique was used to improve bonding to dentin. The oral LD50 …

Kalman Filtering Applied To The Analysis Of Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potentials, Chong An Qian

Theses

The objective of this thesis is to detect the Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response (BAER) using lower numbers of averages than at present, by using an optimal smoothing method which is based on the Kalman Filter.

By using this method, the wave V latency of the BAER which is useful in testing for hearing loss can be detected with as low as 500 averages, while the traditional signal averaging method requires at least 2000 averages. Thus the time required for a hearing loss test can be reduced from one hour to approximately 20 minutes.

Also several other methods for detecting BAER …

A Study Of Human Exposure To Benzo(A)Pyrene (Bap) Through Different Pathways. Part A ; Assessment Of Benzo(A)Pyrene (Bap) Exposure Through Urine Analysis With The Hydriodic Acid Reduction Reaction. Part B, Shao-Keng Liang

Theses

PART A: An investigation of total human exposure to an environmental pollutant is described. The study is being conducted in a community impacted by a foundry suspected to be a dominant local source of benzo(a)pyrene (BaP). The research aims to assess the relative contributions of indoor and outdoor sources and to measure BaP in media including indoor air, outdoor air, food and water.

PART B: A method for biological monitoring of exposure to benzo(a)pyrene, a representative polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), has been developed. The analytical procedure includes extraction of PAH and PAH metabolites from urine using commercial cartridges containing c …

Analysis Of C2 And C3 Hydrocarbons In Ambient Air. Section I ; Identification And Quantification Of Volatile Organics Emitted From A Landfill. Section Ii, Tsong-Sheng Chang

Theses

SECTION I

A method was developed to analyze Acetylene, Ethylene, Ethane, Propylene and Propane levels in the ambient air. Chlorinated compounds within the operation retention time, Methyl chloride, Methylene chloride and Vinyl chloride, were monitored also.

Four sampling sites are located at Carteret, Elizabeth, Newark and Montville in New Jersey. Samples were taken during the summer of 1988. Two sample duration periods utilizing 12 and 6 liter stainless steel canisters were set up to take 24 hour air samples and instantaneous air samples (5 minutes collection period).

The average levels of Acetylene, Ethylene, Ethane, Propylene and Propane at the four …

Computer Analysis Of The Electrocardiogram Using Hardware Digital Signal Processing, Mohammad Ashfaque Shaikh

Theses

A system based on the microcomputer IBM PC-AT has been realized to acquire and filter the clinical electrocardiogram (ECG) data in real time. The system program further detects and analyzes the ECG signals for possible cardiac arrhythmias.

This research is based on work done by previous researchers and achieves significant goals towards achieving on-line arrhythmia detection using a microcomputer. The system uses the hardware and software package ASPI 320/PC from Atlanta Signal Processors Inc. This hardware configuration uses a special purpose instrumentation microprocessor ( TMS32010 from Texas Instruments) to coprocess the ECG signals. Coprocessing the signals with the ASPI 320/PC …

Development Of A Knowledge-Based System For Human Error Analysis, Bang-Chiang Sung

Theses

Human Factors is one of several essential issues in a discussion of system productivity. Its consideration must be included in the design, development, operation, and maintenance of any human-machine system. In order to maximize the system productivity, humans must perform with their maximum possible efficiency. To achieve this, all human-related activities must be evaluated to determine their possible causes of errors and the consequences. Then, if unable to completely remove, the causes of human errors must be minimized.

This thesis integrates a knowledge of expert system into an analysis of human errors. Its objective is to develop a knowledge-based system …

Thermal Decomposition Of Dichloromethane/1,1,1-Trichloroethane Mixture In An Atmosphere Of Hydrogen, Yang Soo Won

Theses

The thermal decomposition of a dichloromethane/1 , 1 , 1-trichloroethane mixture diluted in hydrogen was conducted in tubular flow reactors at 1 atmosphere total pressure. The thermal degradation of each species was analyzed systematically over temperature ranges from 475 - 810 °C, residence times of 0.05 - 2.0 seconds and three different surface to volume ratio flow reactors.

It was found that the conversions of each species in the mixture were a function of both temperature and residence time. Complete decay occurs at about 810 °C for dichloromethane and around 570 °C for 1,1,1-trichloroethane at 1 second residence time. The …

Simulation Of Aids Patient Detoxification By An Extracorporeal Device And Related Experimental Studies, Mansoor Yusuf Kapadvanjwala

Theses

A simple numerical simulation of an AIDS patient detoxification by an extracorporeal device for the removal of virus has been designed. The mathematical model accounts for healthy white cells (W) attacking and destroying the virus (V), while at the same time the virus attacks and infects certain white cells. The infected white cells (W_i) serve as a site for viral growth, and finally the cell is lysed, releasing a large number of viruses in the blood stream. This model can be used to predict concentrations over a given period for the patient.

The device incorporates an antitwister mechanism …

A Productivity Measurement System For Human Resources Management, Vivian C. Keenan

Theses

A Productivity Measurement System was designed to meet the needs of a company's Human Resources management. This thesis presents the design, testing, and implementation of this system.

During the design stage, the jobs and main activities were identified and the key volume indicators were established. Data was collected using time studies, work sampling techniques and historical data. Time studies and historical data were used primarily to measure the information for the activities. Work sampling techniques proved to be very effective in obtaining measurements for personal time and unavoidable delays.

The data was analyzed and time standards were set for the …

Istemcr : Integrated System For Truck Engine Monitoring Via Cellular Radio, Tse-Shan Pan

Theses

The study presented is aimed at the application of the Data Acquisition to The Truck Engine as the source of all the signals, with the mobile telephone Cellular Radio system.

Data Extraction And Analysis In Glucose Monitor, Chang Qian

Theses

For the purpose of building a workstation to read and analyze data from hand-held, home use glucose monitor, a new high performance Digital Oscilloscope Peripheral (DOP) for PC is used to easy sample and store data, and it is described here. The new features of DOP are discussed and some application software packages for different purpose are described here in detail.

Since the sampled data from the hand-held, home use glucose monitor is irregular and in random form, the Least-Square Polynomial Modeling Method is used to produce a fit curve line, which best goes through most data points. Using the …

Solid Modeling Interactive Interface For Design Drafting, Edward Maruggi

Theses

Providing certain Solid Modeling software systems with Computer-Aided Design Drafting facilities allows these systems to produce industry acceptable engineering drawing displays. A method is put forth to provide these facilities through the design and implemention of a two-dimensional interactive graphics package that interfaces with these systems. This allows other graphical and textual elements to be added to displays produced by the Solid Modeling systems.

A Study Of Postscript As A Graphics Programming Language, Ruane Miller

Theses

None provided.

Viscoelastic Damping Of Beams, Mansour Messalti

Theses

The composite damping characteristics of a viscoelastic sandwich beam are investigated. The sandwich consists of an elastic central layer coated on both sides with a viscoelastic material and two outer layers made out of the same material as the central layer. The composite beam is investigated for damping effectiveness. As in the work of DiTaranto and Kerwin, and also Mead, the energy dissipation due to the vibratory motion of the system is assumed to take place due to the shear deformation of the viscoelastic layer only. The assumption that the outer layers do not stretch or contract during bending, further …

Diagnosis Expert System With Automated Query To A Process Control System, Richard Winslow

Theses

This thesis describes the development of a diagnosis expert system for an automated process control facility. To reduce the number of user responses to the expert system, a network interface was created between the expert system and the process control computer. This document focuses on the unique concerns associated with the development, validation, and implementation of an expert system that is directly interfaced to a process control system.

Computer Use In The Warren County Riii School District: A Proposal For The Implementation Of A Computer Lab Program In The Elementary School, Debbie Reese

Theses

A problem faced by many schools in the 1980s is how to approach computer ir1struction in the elementary grades. Schools have moved into a new technological realm with the advent of the modern microcomputer. The focus of this project was to investigate current trends in computer education in the elementary grades in respect to computer placement within the schools and content of computer education programs. The paper addresses, specifically, the lack of a computer program in the Warren County RIII School District and the rationale for developing a computer lab in the elementary school. An interim plan is also proposed, …

A Simple Solubility Theory Combining Solubility Parameter And Lewis Acid-Base Concepts, Lan Tuyet Evans

Theses

A simple model of liquid / liquid solubility has been developed. The existing solubility parameter theory which tries to explain solvent - salute interaction in terms of dispersion , polar , and hydrogen bonding interactions is discussed. The current theory has been widely used qualitatively but can not be used quantitatively due largely to incorrect modeling of the hydrogen bonding interactions. This research proposes modifications to the current solubility parameter theory that are designed to overcome the problems encountered with hydrogen bonding interactions in which the hydrogen bonding interactions are described as a special case of more general Lewis acid …

Dbprolog: A Prolog/Relational Database Interface, Diane Oagley

Theses

dbProlog is a prototype system that provides a C-Prolog user access to data in an external relational database via both loose and tight coupling. To the application programmer, dbProlog is a group of six built-in Prolog predicates that effect communication between a C-Prolog process and a database management system process. Prolog application program statements may be written using the six predicates to make the interface transparent to an end-user. The system is based on a "driver" process that must be customized to the interfaced DBMS and whose primary function is the translation of requests and replies between C-Prolog and the …

Medical Illustration On The Macintosh Personal Computer, Bobby Louis Pitts

Theses

None provided.

Data Flow Dependency Generator, Chin-Piao Chan

Theses

Data flow is a new approach to parallel computing. The concept is to enable the execution of an instruction whenever its operands become available. The only constraints in a data flow machine are the data flow dependencies between instructions.

In this thesis, a simulation package called the Data Flow Dependency Generator is developed. This package is designed to express the idea of data flow computations, the data flow dependencies and the use of multiprocessors.

Given a number of processors, a number of time units for each operation and a program, the Data Flow Dependency Generator finds the data dependencies between …

A 3-D Tactile Sensor With Digital Output, Sin-Shou Cho

Theses

This thesis details the design of a new tactile sensor for general-purpose robot manipulators. Such manipulators, designed to be functionally equivalent to the human hand, will require sensor arrays that fulfill several requirements : (1) many sensor elements to minimize tactile imaging time, (2) close spacing of small sensing elements for fine spatial discrimination, (3) ability to be molded to a convex fingertip surface for taction on concave surfaces, (4) tolerance to over-scale forces without damage. In addition to the above, which are considered requirements, several other characteristics are desirable. Foremost is the ability to sense shear forces, which provide …

Messaging, The Effects Of The Use Of Voice Mail On The Use Of Electronic Mail, Terese M. De Troia

Theses

A number of office automation products have evolved over the years to address the messaging needs of organizations. The 1800's brought us telegraph systems which led the way for teletype and Telex systems, followed by facsimilie, computer-based message systems, document based electronic mail and, most recently, voice store and forward (or voice messaging) systems (Advances in Office Automation, 1985). Voice messaging systems, a newly emerging method of communications, are having a significant impact on communications. The concept of messaging services is rapidly gaining acceptance in business communities (Girishankar 1986, Hirschheim 1985). With costs rising and time becoming more valuable, organizations …

Two Domain Heat Transfer Studies Using A Coupled Finite-Difference And Boundary Element Programs, Serap Dikmenli

Theses

An iterative coupling of a finite-difference boundary layer code "STAN5"' and a boundary element code "BEASY"2 have been used to study two dimensional convective-conductive problems. The coupling method essentially leaves undisturbed the codes of these programs and uses their custom features in their applicable domains. The boundary layer program is used-in the convective domain, while "BEASY" is used in the solid domain. Compatability conditions are established between these domain solutions and an iterative scheme is used until these conditions are mutually satisfied.

The indirect communication of compatability (boundary) criteria between these programs was achieved by two editor/data-transferor like programs. Combined …

The Tapered Dielectric Rod-Conical Antenna, Nicholas I. Georghiades

Theses

The problem of the linearly tapered dielectric rod/conical antenna, excited by the HEI1 hybrid mode in a metallic circular waveguide , is rigorously studied. A theoretical model, and numerical investigation for the radiation characteristics of such an antenna are presented. The model is based on the combination of classical analysis of the Electromagnetic Fields within the dielectric rod, Local Mode Theory, and the Equivalence Principle for the determination of equivalent current distributions.

The far-zone radiation field is considered to be the summation of the fields produced by two radiative components in the dielectric rod/conical structure: The "aperture" of the uniform …