Digital Commons Network^™

Photographic Work 1986-87, Peter Ainsworth Carter

Theses

Not listed.

An Experimental Characterization Of The Tensile Behavior Of Polystyrene, Louis T. Loggi

Theses

The characterization of polymeric materials involves many different tests which often depend upon the ultimate environment for the end product. One important area for many engineering applications is that of mechanical testing. Although the evaluation of tensile properties ranks as the most common mechanical test, standard test methods can have serious shortcomings when applied to plastics. This work seeks to study test method variability by evaluating experimental data from uni -axial tension tests conducted on a typical high-impact polystyrene at room temperature. Two common methods will be used to obtain the strain data: extensometer transducer and foil strain gage. These …

Cview, A Graphical Program Generator For The C Programming Language, Walter E. Martin

Theses

The electronics industry has long been a user of graphical design aids. Graphical design tools for VLSI circuits are used to lay out the design, generate data structures for the simulation of the circuit and eventually produce the photomasks for the production of the chip. As such these tools form a working environment that allows an engineer to design, debug and produce a final product. Software design, in general, is still done by writing individual lines of code. At best a macro language or a meta-language will be available to ease the pain of detail coding. While these tools are …

A User Interface Management System For Voice I/O Applications, Brian A. Nadworny

Theses

With the use of voice technology increasing, a need for proper end-user interfacing is necessary. To deal with voice I/O applications, a user interface management system (UIMS) is suggested. This will alleviate the frustrations of poorly designed interfacing. It will also remove the burden from the systems designer of implementing the end-user interface and allow him/her to concentrate on the application. The end-user interface will then be designed by an expert in dialogue design with the assistance from the UIMS. This thesis presents a UIMS model to be used with voice applications.

The Relationship Between Computer Interaction And Individual User Characteristics, Kathleen Lambert

Theses

Development of effective human computer interaction is being approached independently by two disciplines -- user interface design and computer aided instruction. The lack of communication between the two fields has left each separately pursuing different paths toward the same goals. This thesis attempts to bridge the gap between these two disciplines. An exploratory study was conducted to analyze whether user choices in a computer aided instruction environment and personality types as defined by the Myers-Briggs type indicator are related strongly enough to provide the basis for future user models. The results demonstrated that no single instructional strategy was preferred, implying …

The Controlled Shutdown Of A Hydraulic Servo-System Using Acceleration Feedback, Mark Jolly

Theses

Hydraulic servoactuators have long been used in industry where high performance precision motion control is required. Because of their precision and ability to generate large forces, applications are numerous in industry. One such application provides cockpit motion for flight simulation. This thesis investigates a new emergency shutdown (abort) scheme for such high performance servo-systems. Because flight simulation involves the motion control of both man and machinery (a mock cockpit in motion), it will be used as the standard by which a safe and effective abort is modeled. The justification for motion abort during actuator operation is unsafe actuator accelerations. In …

Computer Aided Design Of Multiple Pulley Timing Belt Drives, Gary Matson

Theses

The design of timing belt drive systems involves determining the belt width and belt length. The length of the belt is a geometry problem which requires summing the tangent lines and the arcs comprising the pitch line. The width of the belt is determined by the required loads. A computer program is developed in this project to automate the timing belt design process. The program comes in three versions. Each version chooses a target belt length, moves a specified pulley to achieve that length, then calculates the minimum belt width. The three versions of the program are the batch version, …

An 8085 Microprocessor Based Monitor System For A 750 Cc Honda Motorcycle, Robert H. Leet

Theses

This system replaces the analog speedometer and tachometer gauge cluster of a 750 cc Honda motorcycle with a computerized monitor system based on the INTEL 8085A microprocessor and family of peripherals. The system adds the enhanced functionality of engine temperature, battery charging, fuel level, turn signal, and kick stand monitoring and status display. A security function is also employed as a guard against unauthorized use or theft. The speedometer and tachometer functions utilize phototransistor sensors generating pulses derived from stock cable connections to the engine block and front wheel. The engine temperature, fuel level, and battery charging functions are implemented …

A Modified Extended Kalman Filter As A Parameter Estimator For Linear Discrete-Time Systems, Bruno Johannes Schnekenburger

Theses

This thesis presents the derivation and implementation of a modified Extended Kalman Filter used for Joint state and parameter estimation of linear discrete-time systems operating in a, stochastic Gaussian environment. A novel derivation for the discrete-time Extended Kalman Filter is also presented. In order to eliminate the main deficiencies of the Extended Kalman Filter, which are divergence and biasedness of its estimates, the filter algorithm has been modified. The primary modifications are due to Ljung, who stated global convergence properties for the modified Extended Kalman Filter, when used as a parameter estimator for linear systems.

Implementation of this filter is …

Dataflow: Overview And Simulation, Steven I. Benjamin

Theses

The thesis project is a software simulation of the dataflow machine prototyped at the University of Manchester. It uses a dynamic token matching scheme based on the U-interpreter, and supports I-structures, an array-like data structure. An assembly language is provided for programming the simulator.

Opportunities In Television: A Guidebook For Black Women, Katherine Naomi Lucas-Johnson

Theses

Unavailable.

Modal Analysis Of A Computer Disk Drive, Michael G. Thurston

Theses

The normal (real) modes of a Winchester type hard disk drive were determined in the frequency range 0-2200hz. Two methods of analysis were used in order to allow cross-correlation of the results. Experimental modal analysis was performed using Structural Measurement Systems' (SMS) Modal 3.0 analysis system and the requisite experimental hardware. A finite element analysis was also performed using MSC/NASTRAN; the NASTRAN model was created using the PATRAN pre-processing program. In order to alleviate the complications associated with matching the structural mounting conditions, a free-free analysis was performed using NASTRAN, and a light string was used to free mount the …

Management Stress And Its Impact On Marital Dysfunction, Thomas J. Kemper

Theses

The purpose of this investigation is to examine the occupational and life stressors suffered by managers and the relationship between this stress and the marital dysfunction of these managers.

The relationship between employee's work lives and their nonwork lives has undergone a number of investigations over the years . One area that has received particular attention is the area of occupational stress, its causes and effects. Occupational stress is something that is no longer suffered by air traffic controllers and top executives Lower level managers are becoming distressed because of the pressures placed on them by corporations to perform, and …

Production Effects Of Biotechnology In The Dairy Industry: An Exploratory Study, Kenneth L. Schurter

Theses

Genetically engineered products are being produced at an economical level. products is bovine sornatotropin. One of these Injections of bovine sornatotropin increase milk yield in dairy cattle. This increase in production per cow is consistent with the thirty year trend of fewer dairy farms, fewer cows, and more milk per cow.

Starting in the 1950's in the mechanical era, farmers went from horses to tractors. In the chemical era, herbicides and fertilizers started being used. Now in the 1980's the technical era is coming in to existence . Through all of these era's there was controversy. Each of these era's …

Where Have All The Nurses Gone? The Continuing Saga Of The Nursing Shortage, Deborah R. Mcfarland

Theses

This paper examines the issues which have encompassed the nursing profession for many years, thus making it a difficult career in which to attract and retain members. The nursing shortage, many say, has returned, but did it really go away? The shortage experienced in the 1970's was coupled with high admission rates and high employee turnover causing a shortage of nurses, particularly experienced ones. Then, hospitals faced the emergence of the federal government making major changes in reimbursement to hospitals. This caused a major shift in the cash flow system of hospitals. Also, costs were no longer reimbursed on a …

A Synthesized Approach For Data Base Life Cycle Design, Philip J. Morales

Theses

This thesis examines the human and technological issues that are often encountered during the application-driven system design and recommends a synthesized life cycle approach to data base design. The aerospace industry is emphasized due to the highly competitive and regulatory operating environment. Special attention is given to the strategic business planning and end-user involvement in the requirements definition phase of system development. The research consists of reviewing of current literature concerning tools, techniques, and available Information Engineering (IE) methodologies that are the basis for managing data as a resource. The benefits offered by these methodologies along with the experience gained …

A Study Of The Rubber Tire Industry, Ronald D. Owens

Theses

The thesis, "A Study of the Rubber Tire Industry," provides an in-depth analysis of structural changes and technological innovations within the tire industry. It examines the evolution of the industry's structure, particularly over the past 50 years, highlighting trends in firm concentration, market behavior, and technological advancements. Key themes include the decline in the number of firms due to mergers, bankruptcies, and acquisitions, as well as the dominance of a few major players like Goodyear and Firestone.

The research delves into how market dynamics, such as the original equipment (OE) and replacement tire markets, influence industry structure. The thesis also …

A Faster Way: A Recommendation To Machinery And Equipment Appraisers, Gerald L. Huether

Theses

Unavailable.

Building Knowledge Systems For The Manufacturing Support Environment: A User's Approach, Vernon Joseph Tracy Jr.

Theses

Knowledge systems provide a largely untapped resource for accomplishing productivity gains in the manufacturing support disciplines. Major corporations, usually under the guidance of newly formed Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) departments, are rushing to develop large knowledge systems. These large systems offer the promise of a considerable payback and therefore deserve their current attention. There also exists a wealth of smaller projects that if identified and developed, could contribute to improved corporate performance. The shortage of knowledge engineers has been the major reason why small knowledge system applications in the manufacturing support areas are not being vigorously pursued. This paper presents an …

B-Spline Surface Techniques For Solid Modeling An Application To Computer-Aided Geometric Design, Chi-Ming Tang

Theses

One important area of Computer-Aided Geometric Design (CAGD) is concerned with the approximation and representation of the surfaces of solid objects. Accurately describing the shape of an object so that the description is useful to designers who must decide how to manipulate it is an important problem. B-spline techniques promise greater versatility in describing complex surfaces than other techniques, thus the B-spline surface is highlighted in the field of constructive solid geometric modeling. A method for drawing complex surfaces by using B-spline techniques is presented. The tensor product surface scheme is developed for constructing sculptured surfaces. Also, the basic principle …

The Representation Of Symmetric Patterns Using The Quadtree Data Structure, Lucia Lodolini

Theses

Hierarchical data structures for image representation have been widely explored in recent years. These data structures are based on the principle of "recursive decomposition" of an image region. The most commonly mentioned picture data structure for two-dimensional data is referred to as a "quadtree". The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the use of a general quadtree scheme as a means of representing symmetric images. Specifically, images are generated according to the rules of selected two-dimensional plane symmetry groups.

Performance Analysis Of Text-Oriented Printing Using Postscript, Thomas Kowalczyk

Theses

POSTSCRIPT is a page description language which is used to transmit printing information from a host computer (i.e. Apple Macintosh) to a printer (i.e. Apple LaserWriter Plus). It has the ability to describe pages consisting of text, vector graphics, and scanned bit-map images. Printing text is the area of concentration for this thesis. Specifically several variables that affect the printing speed of a common POSTSCRIPT printer, the Apple LaserWriter Plus, are looked at when printing text in a variety of fonts, sizes, and orientations. The variables that affect printer performance include: - use of outline vs. bit-map fonts; - the …

Ada As A Design Specification Language, Barbara Brunner Gibson

Theses

The primary thesis objective is research into current approaches to design specification languages, emphasizing Ada. Requirements specification is touched upon. Design specification is explored and related to requirements and implementation. The role of language in design is discussed, as well as objectives of the design specification and features that a specification language should provide in order to meet those objectives. Formal language is contrasted with natural language. Some formal specification languages are described, both Ada related and not Ada related. The secondary objective, the thesis project, is to illustrate a design specification in a formal language, Ada. The purpose of …

A System For The Generation Of Tonal Music Based On Transformations, Karl J. Myers

Theses

Most if not all of the approaches being used in the computer study of natural languages also have been applied to the computer study of music. Music theorist Heinrich Schenker (1867 - 1935) developed a system for the study of tonal music that is compatible with the transformational grammars defined by linguist Noam Chomsky for the study of natural languages. Steven Smoliar ( 1980 ) defined transformations, based on Schenker’s theory, for the analysis of musical compositions. This study provides background into the application of grammars in the generation of musical compositions and a full implementation of the transformations defined …

A Knowledge Acquisition Assistant For The Expert System Shell Nexpert-Object, Florence Perot

Theses

This study addresses the problems of knowledge acquisition in expert system development examines programs whose goal is to solve part of these problems. Among them are knowledge acquisition tools, which provide the knowledge engineer with a set of Artificial Intelligence primitives, knowledge acquisition aids, which offer to the knowledge engineer a guidance in knowledge elicitation, and finally, automated systems, which try to replace the human interviewer with a machine interface. We propose an alternative technique to these approaches: an interactive syntactic analyzer of an emerging knowledge base written with the expert system shell called Nexpert Object. This program intends to …

A Timing Simulator, Kathryn D. Heintz

Theses

A timing simulator, called TIMSIM, has been developed which performs gate level simulation of simple digital logic circuits. TIMSIM has a library of twelve standard TTL gate elements and memory elements. These elements incorporate various features including single outputs, multiple outputs, non-symmetric inputs, and memory states. TIMSIM uses a rise-fall delay model and three values to represent a signal's logic level.

Aids And The Foodservice Industry: Operators, Employees, Patrons, And ... Problems, Cheri Ann Young

Theses

Not Included

Dependence Of Stress And Morphology Of Sputtered Copper Films On Deposition Conditions, Sangki Hong

Theses

In the rapidly developing semiconductor industry, sputter deposition is the most widely used metallization (metal coating) process in chip manufacturing and packaging. Since most sputtered coatings are in a state of stress, understanding the origin of stress is very important. High stress can lead to electrical shorts and mechanical instability in a microelectronic circuit pattern.

The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the parameters which can be used to control stress in sputtered metal films. We worked with sputtered copper on polyimide (Kapton H) as a film-substrate combination which occurs frequently in the microelectronic packaging industry.

Stress and film …

Laser Printer's Image Quality Using Paper Substrates, Irene L. Lobo

Theses

This thesis reports the results of an investigation into the quality of an image produced by a laser printer. The laser printer used was the Kodak Ektaprint Electronic Publishing System, 300 dots per inch, resolution. It was found that certain aspects of the image quality vary with the paper substrate. Papers used in this experiment varied in basis weights and qualities of smoothness, brightness, gloss, opacity, porosity and caliper.

The papers chosen were of three basis weights, two of each weight. six papers in all were tested.

Quantitfication and subjective judgement were used for evaluation of image quality. Image quality …

Measurement Of The Thermal Conductivity Of Thin Solid Films With A Thermal Comparator, Charles A. Amsden

Theses

A direct-reading thermal comparator was used to measure the thermal conductivities of several thin solid films. This new application of the thermal comparator was based on heat flow modelling using the thermal constriction resistance, generalized here for the case of a film on the surface of an infinite half-space.

Four dielectric optical coating materials were tested, and found to have thermal conductivities significantly lower than those for the same material in bulk form.

The finite element method was used to estimate the minimum sample dimensions required for accurate results, and the variation of the thermal constriction resistance with the assumed …