Digital Commons Network^™

A Sustainable Kitchen, Hyeon-Gyeong Yun

Theses

None provided.

Assessment Of Aggression In Children: The Use Of Human Figure Drawings, Jennifer Underwood

Theses

The purpose of this study was to assess the validity of six characteristics of drawings cited in the literature as indicators of aggression. The study was designed to compare the drawings of students to their rated behavior on the Aggression sub-scale of the Child Behavior Checklist-Youth Self Report form. It was hypothesized, based upon past research, that students who rated their behavior as aggressive would demonstrate a significant number of the aggressive characteristics in their drawings. One-hundred seventy, eighth grade students participated in this study by completing the checklist and drawing a person. The results obtained did not support the …

The Impact Of The Duration Of Special Education On The Self-Concepts Of Students With Learning Disablities In General Education Settings, Theresa Horning

Theses

This study was performed to determine whether the length of time students with learning disabilities received special education services correlated with their self-concepts. The Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale was given to 23 elementary school students who were classified as learning disabled according to New York State guidelines. These students ranged in age from eight to thirteen and were in grades three through six. They attended a small, rural, upstate New York school district and were included in general education classrooms for at least five months prior to the study. The results indicated that a correlation did not exist between the …

The Effectiveness Of A Pre-First Grade Program On Later Academic Achievement, Betsey Grossman

Theses

Extra-year programs are widely used to help students who are deemed "unready" to master the curriculum of the next grade. This study investigated the academic effectiveness of a pre-first grade program in a suburban, predominantly Caucasian, upper middle class school system. Twenty-five matched pairs of children were selected for the study based on a readiness score on the Brigance K & 1 screening. Children who spent an extra year in pre-first grade were matched with youngsters who proceeded directly to the first grade based on gender, date of birth, and Brigance score. While no significant differences were found between the …

An Experimental Method To Determine Micromechanical Properties Of Thin Films Using The Atomic Force Microscope, Brandon Comella

Theses

A promising method has been developed to determine micromechanical properties of thin film materials. Metal and ceramic thin films are used extensively in the computer microprocessor industry and in the relatively new field of Micro- Electromechanical Systems (MEMS). The push for miniaturization and increased performance out of the computer microprocessor and MEMS devices have pushed materials to their limits. Micromechanical properties are very difficult to obtain due to the lack of adequate testing equipment on the microscale. The atomic force microscope (AFM), most commonly used as an imaging tool, lends itself to mechanical interaction with the sample surface by means …

Lentejuelas, E. Vicente Martinez

Theses

None provided.

Finite Element Modeling Of A Moving Boundary Problem, Chang Heub Lee

Theses

The analysis and calculation of the finite element modeling of a moving boundary between immiscible fluids in a porous medium is presented. One fluid is introduced under prescribed inlet boundary conditions and the motion of the resulting interface boundary studied and calculated. The aforementioned scenario is calculated using a finite element program based on the software, MATLAB. Analytical solutions developed in one dimension illustrate the moving boundary movement and benchmark for numerical solutions. The aim of computer aided calculation is to develop and predict a model applicable to a real situation, yet flexible enough for future adaptation to other problems …

Conscious Visions, Masako Nitz

Theses

My goal in creating this body of work is to investigate narrative painting using images which are personally relevant. I have labeled my paintings as representations of personal allegories derived from memories and dreams, and in doing so I am referring to the transference of memory, and its inherently subjective and ambiguous visual images, into a concrete visual form. I also attach symbolic importance to the memories I have chosen to paint, not because the events they describe are hallmarks of my life, but rather for their random nature. These images all describe moments when I have consciously thought "I …

Mother And Child, Gow Chen

Theses

None provided.

The Temptation Of Desires, Wen-Hwa Cheng

Theses

None provided.

African Voices: An On-Line Exhibit For The Museum Of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, F. Lee Corkran

Theses

The purpose of this project is to develop a network-based interactive model for disseminating information contained in a museum exhibition. This will encompass developing a logical navigational design, translating the exhibit content into an effective information layout and relating it to the user through a cognitive interface. Specifically, my intent is to develop and construct the foundational struc ture and supporting elements of a website for the African Voices project, an exhibition in the Museum of Natural History at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC. The goal of the website is to provide users with the information they would gain …

Emotional And Spiritual Connotations Of The Vessel, Charles Iv Carson

Theses

None provided.

Heritage, Kelly Anne Cornell

Theses

None provided.

Interactive Computer/Video Game Sampler Cd-Rom Disc, Jeffrey Mariotti

Theses

None provided.

Nitrogen Gas Generation And Diffusion From Diazo Reproducution Materials, David R. Anderson

Theses

It has been hypothesised that generation of nitrogen during exposure by diazo duplication materials can contribute to image degradations in microform and aerial negative reproductions. Research was conducted to investigate the rate generated gas is diffused from the surface and possible film- film separations this gas may cause during contact printing. Apparatus was constructed to measure gas diffusion rates and simulated film-film separations during exposure. Diffused gas was collected in a rubber diaphragm whose expansion was measured using a variable capacitor tuned oscillator technique. To simulate printer film- film separations movement of a 5.4 x 7.5 cm. glass plate placed …

Modeling The Effect Of Ink Spread And Ink Penetration On Tone Reproduction, Michael Alber

Theses

In ink jet printing when ink is printed on top of the paper, two effects occur that have an effect on the dot that is printed. One effect is that the ink spreads out laterally and the other is that the ink penetrates into the paper. A tone reproduction model was developed that mathematically modeled the effects ink spread and ink penetration have on tone reproduction. Since the optical behavior of ink penetration is very complex, the model only included characteristics that were expected to be significant. This model was built from the foundation of another tone reproduction model which …

An Experimental Analysis Of The Mpeg Compression Standard With Respect To Processing Requirements, Compression Ratio, And Image Quality, Daniel Howard

Theses

As computer use and capabilities have grown, people have become more interested in being able to create and access varies types of multimedia content. The MPEG video compression technique provides a method for compressing video content down to a size that computers and networks can handle. To properly make use of this algorithm it is necessary to understand the trade-offs that exist when choosing among the various options of the MPEG algorithm. Background information on the MPEG-1, MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 algorithms is presented. This thesis then provides an understanding of the trade-offs of applying different compression and decompression options of …

Methods Of Digital Classification Accuracy Assessment, Jeffrey R. Allen

Theses

Landcover classification of remotely sensed data has found many useful applications in industries such as forestry, agriculture, and defense. With the push toward end users, class maps are often incorporated directly into geographical information systems for use in solving large, complex problems. However, errors are inherent in the classification process. The importance of assessing the thematic accuracy of data derived from remote sensing platforms is universally recognized and has motivated much research. Classification accuracy assessment is often required to determine the "fitness of use" or suitability of a data set for a particular application. Failure to identify the magnitude of …

A Study Of An Under Hood Automotive Air-Conditioning Component For The Purposes Of Noise And Vibration Reduction, Charles Depasquale

Theses

All automotive components are engineered to be as quiet and smooth running as possible. This takes into account structure borne noise as well as air borne noise. A standard air conditioning compressor is analyzed statically (outof- vehicle testing) in this study to better understand noise and vibration traits. Mode shapes of the compressor, associated with noise, are extracted in an operating frequency range and shown to be modeled after a simple two degree of freedom system. Bearing free play in the pulley is cited as another possible source of noise. Lastly, with the use of theoretical damping, the sound pressure …

An Experimental Determination Of Freeplay And Its Effect On Modal Complexity And Damping, Timothy S. Merle

Theses

This experiment is designed to address the effects of joint related nonlinearities on system parameters. Specifically, the effects of freeplay on the natural frequency, damping, and modal complexity. Many modal analysis techniques assume a system exhibits linear properties that are time invariant. Large structures are commonly constructed with several pinned and bolted joints and these joints can lead to gap and frictional-type nonlinearities. Joint nonlinearities will result in exaggerated damping estimates and complex time-varying mode shapes. These characteristics will result in incorrect modal parameter estimation when estimation assumes linearity. The experiment's intent is to examine nonlinearities and indicate methods of …

Assessment Of The Environmental Impact Of Re-Injecting Oil-Field Water Into The Miocene Clastic Sediments On The Shallow Aquifer In The Bu Hasa Oil Field, United Arab Emirates, Khalid Ali Al Amari

Theses

The Bu Hasa oil field is located about 200 km southwest of Abu Dhabi City in the U.A.E. Oil production from the field started in 1965 and a water injection program was initiated in 1970. This research is focused on the assessment of the environmental hazards to the Quaternary Liwa aquifer from either the re-injection of oil-field water into the Miocene Clastic aquifer or surface dumping into unlined pits.

Well logs, core samples, structure and isopach contour maps, stratigraphic cross sections, and water chemistry analyses were utilized in this study. Moreover, a detailed hydrogeological aquifer assessment was conducted and a …

Design And Evaluation Of Multimedia Extensions For The Dlx Architecture, Brian Hughes

Theses

Multimedia computer architecture extensions for Hennessy and Patterson's DLX architecture are developed following the study of multimedia applications and existing multimedia architecture extensions. Support for the extensions is added to a VHDL superscalar DLX CPU model as well as a DLX assembler. Key functions used in digital video encoding and decoding are modified to use the extensions, and simulations are undertaken using the VHDL model to determine the speedup offered by the extensions for these functions. The results of the simulations are used to calculate the application speedup based on the function speedup and the fraction of the time that …

Vhdl Design Of A Des Encryption Cracking System, Thomas Oelke

Theses

This thesis illustrates the design of a chip to crack a message encrypted with Digital Encryption Standard (DES). VHSIC Hardware Description Language (VHDL) is used to describe the system. Part of the design criteria of the system is to provide a scalable and reconfigurable set of DES building blocks in VHDL. In order to provide this, a modular design with a pipeline architecture is employed. This system could be synthesized to produce actual hardware in either an ASIC or FPGA part. Simulations using Synopsys with Actel's 3200DX FPGA library demonstrate that the design could be run at over 16Mhz. Because …

Design Optimization Of A Xerographic Auger System, Kip Jugle

Theses

This thesis will show how the Taguchi technique can be applied to a complex system and can be optimized with a minimum number of tests. The focus of this thesis is the application of Taguchi methods to the optimization of a xerographic developer auger system. An auger system was optimized to minimize the toner concentration across the magnetic roll. By minimizing the toner concentration variation across the magnetic roll, the visual density variation on the customer prints can be minimized. The technique was applied by determining the proper control factors that can be used to minimize the variation of the …

Kinetic Study Of Styrene/Maleic Anhydride Copolymers Using Succine Anhydride As The Model Compound, Barbara M. Jauch

Theses

The reaction of aniline with succinic anhydride, a low molecular weight poly[styrene-co-(maleic anhydride)], and a high molecular weight poly[styreneco-( maleic anhydride)] were used to determine if these polymer reactions are diffusion- or reaction-controlled. Kinetic study protocols were developed to determine the rate constants for the succinic anhydride/aniline model reaction and for the 50/50 and 86/14 copolymers. These protocols were then used to gather kinetic data. The succinic anhydride/aniline reaction was determined to be exothermic and to have an induction period. The succinic anhydride/aniline reaction was also determined to have an experimental rate constant of 13 L/molmin 25% at 67 +/- …

Determination And Studying Of Stress Distribution In Various Ankle-Foot Orthoses : Experimental Stress Analysis, Rong Feng

Theses

Ankle-Foot Orthosis (AFO) is prescribed to constrain and inhibit abnormal motion such as "drop foot" due to stroke. Most orthoses were hand-made by orthotists according to their own experience. However, some types of AFO were easy to fatigue (out of their functional capabilities) than others due to regular usage. In order to improve the design and usage, quantitative stress analysis of different types of orthoses is needed. The objective of this project is to obtain experimental data which will confirm the results obtained from previous Finite Element Analysis (FEA)^[1]. In addition, the experimental analysis is extended to obtain …

Analysis And Comparison Of Resistive, Ferroelectric And Pyroelectric Uncooled Bolometers For Electronic Imaging Systems, Mo-Huang Li

Theses

The performance parameters (responsivity (R_v). detectivity (D*), total noise and response time) of resistive, pyroelectric and ferroelectric bolometer detectors are dependent on a large number of key variables including chopping frequercy, the input impedance and voltage noise of the readout circuitry, the structure dependent parameters (particularly thermal conductance and thermal capacitance), and material properties such as dielectric constant, pyroelectric coefficient, loss tangent and thin film thickness. The interrelationship between the key variables and their influence on performance is often complex and not easily discerned for the three major types of thermal detectors: resistive, pyroelectric and ferroelectric bolometers.

In …

Analysis Of 320x240 Uncooled Microbolometer Focal Plane Array And Design Of Thermoelectric Cooler Controller, Takayoshi Fukaya

Theses

Uncooled microbolometer focal plane array is one of the promising method used in uncooled infrared imaging projects. The array's advantages over the conventional cooled imagers are its ability to operate without cryogenic cooler or dewar and its low cost. For the past several years, the ULTRA (Uncooled, Low cost, Technology Reinvestment Alliance) Consortium has been developing uncooled microbolometer imaging system.

This thesis investigates the technology behind the ULTRA camera system. The theoretical as well as the operation of the uncooled microbolometer focal plane array and the processing hardware and software is analyzed and explained.

Thermoelectric cooler controller for the microbolometer …

Development Of Methods For Field Determination Of Chromium (Vi) In Water And Groundwater, David John Chesbro

Theses

In this study, methods for the determination of chromium (VI) in fresh water at low ppb levels for the use under field conditions were developed. The plan was to devise a simple and inexpensive on-site field method which would be useable by people who are not professional chemists. An investigation was carried out to develop a preconcentration and determination procedure for the analysis of chromium (VI) using anion-exchange membranes and/or resins. The chromium (VI) would be sorbed to the solid support and then treated with 1 ,5-diphenylcarabzide, a specific colorimetric reagent for chromium (VI), which forms a red complex upon …

Growth Of Grass Shrimp, Palaemonetes Pugio, In A Contaminated And An Uncontaminated Site, Suruchi Bhan

Theses

Previous experiments have found that grass shrimp, Palaemonetes pugio, from a contaminated site, Piles Creek (PC). in Linden. New Jersey, are larger than those from a relatively pristine reference site, Sheepshead Creek, located in Tuckerton (T), New Jersey.

This study investigated the possibility that PC conditions provide more food for the shrimp, possibly by being a eutrophic environment. thus allowing for greater growth. or that salinity, toxicants, or other factors at. PC stimulate growth. The current experiment indicated that PC conditions do not foster greater growth for the shrimp than T conditions and that PC shrimp are not inherently …