Digital Commons Network^™

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 …

Planning Design Change : Focus On Ottawa, Illinois, Donna Jean Carney

Theses

The subject of the study is development change as it impacts the identity of small cities. Can small city development problems be analyzed as smaller versions of big city problems, thereby requiring smaller versions of big city design and planning solutions, or do they require responses different than reduced scale of form and land use?

The specific problem context is Ottawa, Illinois, a city in which past developments and plans for future change are representative of a large class of small cities in the U.S. Many towns of this size are caught in the dilemma of decline through not changing, …

The Architecture Of Automobile And Building Design : Learning From 100 Years Of Parallel Processes, Vojislav Ristic

Theses

The industrial revolution has had a critical impact on society in general and architecture in particular. How we design, build and use buildings is different due to industrial changes in materials, processes and techniques. A key manifestation of the industrial revolution has been the automobile. Since the automobile is a more direct result of application of technique, it is helpful to examine its design to better understand the less direct influences of technique in architecture. This is especially important at a time when the role of technology in architecture is becoming both more significant and more difficult to define and …

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 …

The Strategic Planning Dilemma In American Manufacturing, James Andrew Kiray

Theses

The decline of American manufacturing competitiveness is a highly publicized and controversial issue. This publicity has led to a panacea of solutions being offered to this problem. As a result, many conflicting viewpoints have emerged, which have aided in making any solution to this problem extremely difficult. Top executives have been inundated with recommendations for change, causing confusion at all levels of management.

In an effort to define the underlying problems existing within the American strategic planning process, this author has selected current literature which supports his own views, and has expended upon these views.

Once these underlying problems are …

Personal Icons, Donna Nadine Bratcher

Theses

None provided.

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 …

The Comparison Of Different Quality Of Working Life Among Countries From A Cross-Cultural Perspective, Jih-Ping Ouyang

Theses

The objective of this study is to focus on the factors underlying the prosperity of Taiwan from a cross-cultural perspective by utilizing Hofstede's (1980) theory and England's (1983) theory. It presents the scores on Hofstede's four indices (Power Distance, Uncertainty Avoidance, Individualism and Masculinity), using it to compare with countries, and touches upon England's eleven work goals.

Through research and analysis comparisons of the differences and similarities between Taiwan (Republic of China) and the other countries are found and based on these, the modifications can be made to improve the current managerial pattern. For the past few years, there has …

Computerizing The Human Resource Information System, Dur-Chih Wang

Theses

In the past twenty years we have moved from an industrial society to an information society in which 60% (Personnel, 1985) of the work force is occupied with the creation, processing, and distribution of information. Because of this change in work distribute effective management of information is now and continue to be the key to employee productivity, competitive strength, and economic achievement. The business community is coming to realize that after people, information is its most important asset. At the same time, many aggressive firms are learning to use information technology and their people as strategic weapons to gain a …

Breast Cancer: Options In Care And Treatment, Elliot Friedman

Theses

None provided.

The Arts And Crafts Aesthetic In A Contemporary Setting, Christopher Wellman Wright

Theses

None provided.

The Integration Of Ghanaian Traditional Pottery And American Contemporary Ceramics, Vesta Elizabeth Adu Gyamfi

Theses

None provided.

The Embryological Development Of The Tilapiine Fishes, Michelle Katz

Theses

None provided.

"Eggspressions", Eyda Jové

Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to create an animation for entertainment utilizing the computer as opposed to traditional animation. I intend to use the computer as a tool to tell a visual story rather than performing visual tricks and techniques so often found in computer animation. The animation will tell a story in which the characters will have visual appeal in order to involve the viewer. It is also possible that I may integrate some video techniques. The Genigraphics computer systems will be used incorporating both the paintbox and animation system.

Instructional Material Through Computers And Photography, Joseph Kevin Newbill

Theses

This thesis report documents the design and production of an audiovisual program for the Industrial, Interior, and Packaging Design Department at Rochester Institute of Technology. The curriculum structure, beginning with the freshman year and ending with the senior year, was examined in this program. The faculty and students were portrayed within their multi-faceted classroom environment. Additional ly, this program was designed to give prospective students an overall view of each design field. Attention was directed towards capturing the challenging activities that design students encounter during their educational experience.

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, …

Estimation Of In-Situ Compression Index Of Contaminated Clays Using The Electrical Method, Prasanna Ratnaweera

Theses

For contaminated clay soils, it has been found that current testing methods to determine compressibility characteristics do not truly identify the physico-chemiral interaction present in the soil-pore fluid-electrolyte system. Most methods are virtually impracticable due to various reasons such as evaporation of pore-fluid, difficulty of handling toxic chemicals, etc. Also, destructive test methods may not maintain in-situ conditions while testing.

The electrical properties of soils, the dielectric dispersion in particular is considered to represent the amount of physico-chemical interaction present in the soil-pore fluid-electrolyte system. For uncontaminated soils, correlations between the dielectric dispersion and the slope of the isotropic consolidation …

Duality In Furniture Design, Kenneth S. Burton

Theses

None provided.

Team Development Is An Industry Management Tool Whose Time Has Arrived, Jacquelyn Jean Smith

Theses

This study examines the evolution and practice of participative management within the General Motors Wentzville Assembly Center, with a focus on team development, labor–management relations, and organizational communication. The research situates the Wentzville plant as a case study in the broader context of the U.S. automotive industry’s efforts to implement participative programs during the late 20th century, including quality circles, team-based structures, and employee involvement initiatives.

The thesis highlights the challenges and opportunities faced by both management and the United Auto Workers (UAW) in adopting cooperative approaches to decision-making and problem-solving. Key themes include the role of trust and transparency …

Analytical Study Of The Aerodynamic Removal Of Small, Charged Particles From A Dielectric Surface, Carl Bothner

Theses

The need to aerodynamically remove isolated charged particles 50 to 500 micrometers in size from a bed comprised of numerous smaller 10-15 micrometers size charged particles is identified. To facilitate accurate prediction for successful particle removal, a new analytical method is presented for determining the magnitude and location of the aerodynamic drag force acting on a spherical particle in a boundary layer flow. Wind tunnel experiments are conducted on spheres of 2 to 2.5 cm diameter in turbulent boundary layer flow for sphere Reynolds numbers on the order of 10,000. The experiments measure the drag force on the sphere and …

Design Of Bridge Inter-Connecting Token Ring & Token Bus Local Area Networks, Kasinath Anupindi

Theses

A Bridge interconnecting two Local Area Networks has been modelled. The two interconnected networks are the Token Ring and the Token Bus LANs. Concepts of Queueing theory have been employed in the design. Initially it is assumed that the buffer size at the Bridge is infinite. Further it is assumed that the arrival rate of the messages is Markovian and the service rate is General, Le it is an M/G/1 system. Expressions for the average waiting time at the Bridge and the size of the buffers is computed. Graphs for various parameters have been plotted. Based on these graphs the …

Expert Systems Approach For Means Of Egress Analysis, Dimitrios N. Dontas

Theses

The use of Expert Systems has grown dramatically during the 1980's. Developed as a branch of Artificial intelligence, knowledge based Expert Systems were at first of academic interest only. With successful application of knowledge based Expert Systems to medical and other diagnostic problems, industrial and commercial use of this technique is also increasing significantly. As of 1986, fifty percent of the Fortune 500 companies are embarked in their own Expert Systems research.

A variety of knowledge based Expert Systems has been developed for the Civil Engineering design and construction industries. The applications cover a wide range of subjects, including among …

Effective Techniques For Selection Of Information Systems Personnel, Robert Reginald Downs

Theses

Although major developments in information systems have occurred within the last two decades, staffing to manage these systems has received limited attention. Staffing information systems personnel is investigated in this study to develop effective techniques that can be used in the selection process.

Recent literature on selection and staffing has been reviewed to establish methods that can be used to identify qualified candidates. Technological developments and the resulting effects upon organizational operations are examined, revealing the transition in the information systems management function as well as the effects upon the role of these personnel. The qualifications that are associated with …

A Methodology For Evaluating Prospective Investments In Flexible Automation, Werner A. Eikenbusch

Theses

The flexible automation of production systems (FA) provides the technology necessary for competitive success. However, the use of traditional budgeting methods has proved unsatisfactory when evaluating this type of investment, primarily because of the inadequate consideration being given to the resultant strategic benefits.

A methodology considered suitable for evaluating FA investments is proposed together with an illustrative application. To determine its industrial usefulness, manufacturing managers of North American and West German companies were surveyed both via interviews and via questionnaires. Their response confirms the merit of the procedure, despite the differences in competitive foci found between the American and the …

Effects Of Peripheral And Microwave-Core Heating On Survival In Hemorrhagic Shock In Rats, Ashraf Sabry El-Assuooty

Theses

In a model of rats resuscitated from hemorrhagic shock,where 11 of 12 animals were alive up to 4 hours after shock, there was an average drop of 10°C in core body temperature. Survival and morbidity was much impaired when the shocked animals were externally heated with an infrared lamp to maintain a core body temperature of 35°C. Since the increased intrashock mortality is possibly due to the circulatory changes induced by peripheral heating, an attempt was made to determine the effects of heating the animal at its core. Twelve rats were shocked in the same fashion, however the body core …

Apap: The Arithmetic Pipeline Analysis Package, Chang-Chieh Lin

Theses

This study is aimed at the development of an interactive PC-based package for simulating data flow within an arithmetic pipeline in multiprocessor systems. The user constructs the arithmetic pipeline, specifying the functionality of each segment, the intersegment connectivity and pipeline inputs and outputs. After defining reservation tables and data, analysis is performed with the results available in tabular, simple graphic and animated graphic forms.

APAP allows the user to design hardware and analyze its functionality with-out building the circuit, an economical alternative. Even when circuits are to be built, APAP allows the user to correct logic errors before implementation, leaving …

The Quantitative Determination Of Formaldehyde In Ambient Air (Analytical Method), Chitsan Lin

Theses

A procedure for coating in situ silica gel in prepacked cartridges with 2,4-dinitrophenylhvdrazine (DNPH) acidified with hydrochloric acid is described. The method was evaluated under practical field conditions in The Northern New Jersey-Staten Island Urban Air Toxics Project. The formaldehyde hydrazone formed is desorbed by acetonitrile and determined by high-performance liquid chromatography with UV det.ection. In this study, we have examined trap coaz)ng, trap efficiency, parallel ambient air and inaoor air sampLing, to find the best analysis method. Sampling traps aci:iifled .:ith hydrochloric acid perform better than those using percnicric acid or phosphoric acid. Trap sampling efficiency was significantly affected …

Preconcentration And Direct Flame Ionization Method For Measurement Of Non-Methane Organic Compounds In Ambient Air And Statistical Analysis Of Experimental Data, Lianyi Zuo

Theses

A fast and reliable method for the determination of non-methane organic compounds (NMOC) in ambient air has been developed. Samples are collected in SUMMA polished stainless steel canisters using a sampling system with a critical orifice as flowrate controller. Analysis of NMOC in the atmosphere via a canister is carried out by cryogenic preconcentration and a direct flame ionization detection method (PDFID). This system is sensitive and provides accurate measurement of ambient NMOC concentration even if the concentration is as low as 0.1 ppm carbon. The performance of the method was characterized using 19 pairs of canister samples and tested …

Detection And Determination Of N-Nitrosohexamethyleneimine In Benzenesulfonamide, N-[[(Hexahydro-1-H Azepin-1-Yl)Amino]-Carbonyl]-4 Methyl By Hptlc, Anulfo A. Valdez

Theses

A simple method, by High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography HPTLC), was developed for rapid determination of N-Nitrosohexamethyleneimine in Benzenesulfonamide, N-[((hexahydro-1 H Azepin-1-yl)amino]-Carbonyl]-4 methyl, (Tolazamide). Separation of N-Nitrosohe-xamethyleneimine from a Tolazamide solution in chloroform was obtained by precipitation of Tolazamide with n-heptane and by passing the resulting clear solution through a small silica column which was eluted with methanol.

Determination of the N-nitroso compound was achieved by ultraviolet irradiation of it on activated High Performance Silica Gel Plates. Detection was performed by spraying the plates with triethylamine and fluorescamine reagent giving a fluorescent product. Visual detection limits of 25 ppb were …

Sorptive And Geotechnical Characteristics Of Kaolinite, Chi-Yuan Shih

Theses

The sorption/desorption behavior of phenol and chlorobenzene as well as their influence on geotechnical characteristics of kaolinite were studied. The results reveal that the sorption process follows closely with the Freundlich adsorption isotherm whereas the sorption/desorption ratio depends upon the characteristics of organic compounds.

A series of geotechnical properties tests was also undertaken after achieving equilibrium at different concentrations of organic compounds. It was found that the parameters such as liquid limit, plastic limit, optimum moisture content, and dry density increase with an increasing-concentration of organic compounds.

The relationship between the geotechnical, properties and sorption behavior of soils provides the …