Digital Commons Network^™

A Biologically Inspired Joint Model Using Engineering Methods To Enhance Understanding Of Muscle Activity, Richard Paradiso

Theses

Compliant actuators and control methods have been known to exhibit similarities in human musculoskeletal systems. In order to better understand and improve the effects of force optimization under closed- loop conditions, a physical joint model was constructed with an agonist and an antagonist muscle operating under linear control. Utilizing LabVIEW software, compliant McKibben air muscles and Merlin stretch sensors, the author was able to incorporate a Bang-Bang controller and propose the inclusion of pulse width modulation (PWM) as well as a Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PD) controller to study the reflex loops under various levels of feedback sensitivity. The feedback mechanism, similar to …

Study Of Mosfet Degradation Under Substrate Injection And Hot Carrier Degradation, Bhawar S. Patel

Theses

With continued scaling of MOSFET's, the reliability of thin gate oxides is becoming increasingly important. Degradation issues due to fabrication technology may result in misinterpretation unless the actual physical situation arising at source, drain, gate and substrate of a transistor during processing is understood. This degradation is prominent in plasma processing due to wafer charging which occurs due to the reactive ions in the plasma. The voltages developed at source and drain junctions, depending upon polarity relative to the substrate cause the source and drain junctions to be forward biased or reverse biased. Keeping in view this type of physical …

Photonic Crystals Composed Of Thick Inductive And Capacitive Meshes, Jay Shah

Theses

The transmission properties of metal meshes are studied for single meshes, photonic double layers and photonic crystals. Simulations are performed with the Flomerics Micro-Stripes program for light of infrared and millimeter wavelengths. The Micro-Stripes program solves Maxwell's equations numerically and, for simulations of the transmittance of metal meshes, has been proven as good as an experiment. Input data are the geometrical parameters, the indices of refraction and the conductivity, chosen according to the Drude model. The light is assumed to be at normal incidence and the simulation results are compared with experiments.

Single layers of inductive meshes are studied for …

Low Interference Routing For Wireless Ad-Hoc Networks, Mohit Gupta

Theses

In this thesis the primary focus is on the problem of interference between messages. The thesis discusses why the messages are blocked in a system? How adding a message impacts the cost of all other available links, which can be established in the system.

This thesis analyzes how the availability of channels, increase in number of nodes and increase in the transmission range help in increasing the number of messages that can be handled in the network. It is also analyzes how critical is the selection of the maximum transmission range MTR, transmission range TR and required transmission range RTR. …

Study Of Baroreceptor Sensitivity Index In Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Diane L. Donnelly

Theses

Although numerous studies evaluate baroreflex response as part of their research protocol, only one was identified as having evaluated continuous baroreceptor response as part of a 70° head-up tilt. It was done by Youde et al. [28] and was limited in that it evaluated only sequences of three beats for lag 0. The limitations of the Youde study [28] are not present in this thesis.

The data for this thesis came from a 70° head-up tilt study performed on chronic fatigue syndrome subjects by LaManca et al. [3] at the East Orange VA Medical Center. Baroreflex was not evaluated as …

Issues Of Seismic Response And Retrofit For Critical Substation Equipment, Seyed Ali Hashemi Nezhad Ashrafi

Theses

This study focuses on means to reduce the seismic hazard for transformer-bushing systems and different issues of the response and rehabilitation of transformers. The primary means of seismic mitigation investigated is the use of the Friction Pendulum System (FPS) bearings to seismically isolate transformers. This is done by developing a finite element model representing the behavior of FPS bearings and implementing this model on to ADINA finite element package for further use in analytical studies. This model is used to study the behavior of isolated primary-secondary systems and the effects of parameters like different FPS radii or vertical excitations. Also …

Production Of Nanocrystalline Nitramine Energetic Materials By Rapid Expansion Of Supercritical Solutions, Victor Stepanov

Theses

Nanotechnology is a rapidly evolving field and has been characterized as "the next industrial revolution". Nanostructured materials are receiving increasing amount of attention in fields ranging from electronics to metallurgy due to their novel and unique properties. This work was focused on exploring the benefits of nanofabrication of high density energetic materials. The work primarily focused on the feasibility and viability of recrystallization of nitramine explosives down to the nanometer crystal size (<100 nm). It is anticipated that properties of the high density energetic materials such as sensitivity, packing density, crystal quality, energetic performance will be benefited.

Rapid Expansion of Supercritical Solutions was chosen as the process most appropriate to realize the objective. Solubility of CL-20 in supercritical solutions was studied. Nitramine crystals with …

Synthesis And Application Of Novel Chiral Ionic Liquids Derived From Alpha-Pinene, Yun Wang

Theses

Two new chiral ionic liquids of oxazolinium cations derived from a-pinene: 9,9-Dimethyl-4-propenyl-5-propyl-3 -oxa-5-azonia-tricyclo [6.1.1.0 ^2,6] dec-4-ene tetrafluoro borate ([ChIPOZ] [BF₄]) and 9,9-Dimethyl-4-propenyl-5-propyl-3-oxa-5-azonia-tricyclo [6.1.1.0 ^2,6] dec-4-ene hexafluoro phosphate ([ChIPOZ][PF₆]). Both these chiral ionic liquids have been applied in enantiomeric copper-catalyzed 1,4-addition reactions with diethyl zinc. The enantiomeric excess for product using [ChIPOZ][BF₄] is above 70% and for [ChIPOZ][PF₆] is above 30%. Chiral ionic liquids worked as phase transfer catalysts In this reaction.

α-Pinene was used as the "chiral pool" in the synthesis of amino alcohol through a two-step reaction, followed by …

Co-Operative Location Updates For Mobile Nodes For Cellular Networks, Samir Shah

Theses

In current pure cellular networks, each and every mobile node updates it's location to the particular base station separately following certain algorithms, say timer based, mobility based or both. For the next generation wireless networks, which we can consider as a highly dense network, such location update algorithms prove to be very costly in the terms of overall location update traffic to the base station and average battery usage by each mobile node for location updates due to large number of mobile nodes for particular base station area.

Instead of using such one-to-one link for location updates, this report describes …

A Content Analysis Of The Portrayal Of Men In Advertising: Gentlemen's Quarterly 1985-2000, Maryrose Mason

Theses

This thesis examines images of men and the products they promote in Gentleman 's Quarterly (GQ) magazine using the symbolic interaction theory of gender display developed by Erving Goffman in his monograph Gender Advertisements (1979). The study examines advertising images for evidence of sexual objectification of men, and reports on the extent different product types use gender displays to attract a male target market. 332 advertising images appearing in GQ from 1985 to 2000 were coded in ten categories of ritual display: setting, image position, image dominance, skin exposure, body portrayal, self-touch, gaze, and product type. The study concludes that …

Kindergarten Retention Is Not Successful, Kimberly Marie Manis

Theses

This study investigated the academic effects of kindergarten retention on a group of eighth grade students who had been retained at the kindergarten level (n=22). The comparison group used consisted of eighth grade students who had been recommended for kindergarten retention but who were not actually retained (n=27). The students' fifth grade Terra Nova Standardized Test scores were analyzed to gather data for this study. The retained students had more not-mastered or partially mastered Terra Nova Performance Objectives and fewer mastered objectives than the students who were not retained. Some significant differences in academic achievement level were found in the …

Beginning Principals And Their Educational Training Programs, Jeffrey Dale Francis

Theses

Summary. The Bureau of Statistics estimates there will be a l 0% increase in job employment for all types of school administrators by the year 2006. Also, by the year 2003 it is estimated that 50% of all current principals will retire. In the absence of seasoned administrators, school districts will be searching a field that is primarily composed of skilled teachers that lack the experience of administration.

Most college and university programs in Missouri present knowledge about school administration and require an internship regarding school administration. However, this framework does not fully help students develop skills that translate that …

Restructuring For Instructional Leadership, Pamela S. Sloan

Theses

The purpose of this study is determine how the organizational structure for instructional leadership might look if the responsibility becomes a shared function of the stakeholders in the educational process. A questionnaire was distributed to educators who are in building leadership positions to determine if changes in the design of the instructional leadership position have taken place since the demands and expectations on principals have become so diverse.

Pipedreams, Matt Trebelhorn

Theses

None provided.

Modelling The Tone Reproduction Characteristics Of Digital Printers Using Continuous Tone Model, Prashant Mehta

Theses

Traditional halftone models have been used to characterize the tone reproduction characteristics of digital printers. These models can be corrected to incorporate system parameters like light scattering, softer dot edge etc. This thesis work explores the possibility of applying the modified continuous tone model to characterize the tone reproduction of high addressibility printers. Both the continuous tone model and the modified halftone model will be compared for how well they characterize the tone reproduction characteristics of the printer.

Variable Temperature Nmr Studies On 3-Imino-2,2,4,4-Tetramethylcyclobutanones: Gibbs Free Energy For Inversion Of Groups On Nitrogen, Hing-Lun Chong

Theses

A value for the free energy of activation, or G for the inversion of groups on the imino nitrogen of the title compounds was calculated from data obtained from variable temperature NMR. The coalescence temperature, Tc, is obtained as the temperature at which the non-equivalent methyl resonances of the title compounds collapse to a singlet. G is calculated from G =2.3RTc(10.32 + logTc/k) Eq.3 derived from the Eyring Equation. p-Methoxyphenylimino-2,2,4,4-tetramethyl 3-cyclobutanone (4) is found to possess an energy of activation equal to that of 18.55 kcal/mole with its temperature of coalescence at 118C. p-Nitrophenylimino-2,2,4,4-tetramethyl 3-cyclobutanone (5) is found to have …

Out, Out..., Charles Bandla

Theses

None provided.

A Synthesizable Single-Cycle Multiply-Accumulator, John Childs

Theses

The multiplication and multiply-accumulate operations are expensive to implement in hardware for Digital Signal Processing, video, and graphics applications. A standard multiply-accumulator has three inputs and a single output that is equal to the product of two of its inputs added to the third input. For some applications it is desirable for a multiply-accumulator to have two outputs; one output that is the product of the first two inputs, and a second output that is the multiply-accumulate result. The goal of this thesis is to investigate algorithms and architectures used to design multipliers and multiply-accumulators, and to create a multiply-accumulator …

Design And Analysis Of Meal Assembly And Delivery Methods In Hospital Foodservice Systems, Emily Olney

Theses

Foodservice systems are a necessary and integral part of virtually every hospital. Although hospital foodservice is not the primary function hospitals perform, the foodservice system is a significant part of a hospital's operating budget and floor space, and as a result, should be operated in an optimal way. The main objective of this thesis is to determine the best foodservice system for alternative hospital configurations focusing on the tray assembly and ordering/delivery methods used in providing meals to patients. Four main factors are evaluated at two different levels for each factor using a full factorial experiment. These four factors are …

Navigating The Roadblocks To Spectral Color Reproduction: Data-Efficient Multi-Channel Imaging And Spectral Color Management, Mitchell Rosen

Theses

Commercialization of spectral imaging for color reproduction will require the identification and traversal of roadblocks to its success. Among the drawbacks associated with spectral reproduction is a tremendous increase in data capture bandwidth and processing throughput. Methods are proposed for attenuating these increases with data-efficient methods based on adaptive multi-channel visible-spectrum capture and with low-dimensional approaches to spectral color management. First, concepts of adaptive spectral capture are explored. Current spectral imaging approaches require tens of camera channels although previous research has shown that five to nine channels can be sufficient for scenes limited to pre-characterized spectra. New camera systems are …

Wearable Walking Aid For Elderly People, Yungshiun Lin

Theses

None provided.

Some Limitations And Possibilities Of Image And Form, Susan Forster

Theses

The primary goal for this thesis experience is to examine the connections and correlations between two-dimensional imagery and threedimensional form. The concept for this exploration came from genuine personal interest and sensitivity for multiple materials, techniques, and the dynamics and energy they create in relation to each other and their environment. My intention was to create a total environment in which the viewer receives not just a single frame perspective of a visual image or object, but instead becomes an interactive part of the space. This need to expand my work beyond a single object or pictorial frame of painting …

Journey To Freedom, Tung Hoang

Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to investigate imagery that encompasses my early memories of Vietnam, my immigration to a new country, and my current situation in America. This investigation will also include both my use of Rostow & Jung's water-based intaglio inks, and non-toxic printmaking techniques to help illustrate my imagery. I will discuss not only the similarities and differences of artists who have influenced my work but also my source material. The latter, gained through the observation and documentation of my family, friends, and environmental images.

Spectral Imaging Of Human Portraits And Image Quality, Qun Sun

Theses

This dissertation addresses the problem of capturing spectral images for human portraits and evaluating image quality of spectral images. A new spectral imaging approach is proposed in this dissertation for spectral images of human portraits. Thorough statistical analysis is performed for spectral reflectances from various races and different face parts. A spectral imaging system has been designed and calibrated for human portraits. The calibrated imaging system has the ability to represent not only the facial skin but also the spectra of lips, eyes and hair from various races as well. The generated spectral images can be applied to color-imaging system …

Employee Perceptions Of Task And Work Posture Frequency In An Office Environment: The Accuracy Of Self Report, Kevin Ii Meredith

Theses

The growth and expansion of the computers in the workplace have changed the way that people do work. In effort to minimize the number of work related musculoskeletal disorders, employee exposure to ergonomic risk factors has been number of assessment methods exist for collecting information regarding exposure to ergonomic risk factors in occupational settings. Establishing the validity of such methods is key to developing a greater understanding of the dose response relationship associated with ergonomic risk factors in the workplace. This research utilized work sampling techniques to determine the accuracy with which workers estimated task and work posture duration in …

Chroma, Keliu Zhu

Theses

Not Included

Talismans Of Task, Pollitt Karen

Theses

The creation of sculptures using different wood species, sheet steel, Lexan and other materials.

Talismans Of Task, Karen Pollitt

Theses

The creation of sculptures using different wood species, sheet steel, Lexan and other materials.

Harmony, Yun Hsu

Theses

None provided.

Determinants In Printer Selection And Use Of Personalization Technology Among Advertising Agencies, Lauren Olson

Theses

As an investigation into the demand chain between print providers, advertising agencies, and corporate marketing executives, this thesis focuses on printer selection and use of the personalization capabilities of print by advertising agencies. A longer length of relationship among companies allows for long term bonds and repeat business, which may decrease an agency's willingness to seek out new relationships with print providers who have new technology available. Likewise, available technology is limited by an agency's number of print providers and their associated printing technologies. This thesis' work began as an investigation into the relationship between advertising agencies and print providers, …