Digital Commons Network^™

Real Time Maze Traversal, Robert Spina

Theses

This thesis investigates the application of artificial intelligence to real time control in combination with image analysis techniques. The system consists of a "mouse" and a "cheese" in a two dimensional maze which are viewed by a video camera connected to a frame grabber board in a personal computer (PC). The maze is designed to be alterable during the mouse's navigation towards the "cheese" or target. The pc runs the frame grabber software which analyzes the maze to find the cheese, mouse and movement options during traversal. Parameters about the mouse's position, the maze constraints in the vicinity of the …

A Microcomputer Based Non-Invasive Cardiopulmonary Monitor Using A Microwave Interferometer, Tanmoy K. Basu

Theses

With a microwave interferometer the vibrational velocity of the anterior (front), as well as posterior (back) chest wall can be monitored and recorded. The recorded signals are a reflection of the mechanical cardiac activity within the chest cavity, as opposed to Electrocardiogram (ECG) which is a reflection of the electrical cardiac activity. The interferometer recordings are obtained with no physical contact between the instrument and the subject. Moreover, the subject can be fully clothed since microwave energy readily passes through normal dry clothing.

A microwave interferometer that is capable of detecting the vibrational velocity of the surfaces of the chest …

Microprocessor-Based Processing Unit Implemented By Xilinx Programmable Logic Array, Lee Chuan Hu

Theses

The 8052 microprocessor-based processing unit is a super single board computer with many unusual features: memory page selecting with page indicators, on-board EPROM/PROM programmer, real time clock, battery back-up RAM, and memory mapped I/O. It is implemented by using Xilinx programmable logic array and can be used for various instruments. Xilinx user-programmable Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) is a large logic array with up to 9000 equivalent gates. The advantages of programmable logic devices over standard ICs are more flexibility, design security, lower cost, higher performance, reduced power consumption, smaller size, and increased reliability. The system development time is also greatly …

X.25 Interface Packet Level Simulation, Arvind Tewari

Theses

An X.25 interface was simulated at the packet level and data packets successfully transmitted from the Data Circuit-Terminating Equipment (a process) to the Data Terminal Equipment (another process). This was executed interactively. Two independent processesg were generated on the AT&T 3B15 computer and inter-process communication (IPC) used to transfer the data. The X.25 interface is based on the Open System Interconnection (OSI) model of the International Standards Organization.

Study Of Steel-Concrete Interface Behavior Of Reinforced Concrete Members, Jun Wan

Theses

The main objective of this thesis work is to study the steel-concrete interface behavior of reinforced concrete members using the nonlinear finite element method.

The reinforced concrete member was modeled as a continuum consisting of plane stress rectangular elements which represent the concrete, pin-joint two node bar elements which represent the reinforcing steel, and the nondimensional linkage elements which represent the bond stress-slip, aggregate interaction and dowel action effects. The load increment procedure is employed to carry out the nonlinear analysis.

An axially loaded tensile specimen, a deep beam specimen and a shallow beam specimen were analyzed. The results from …

Environmental Assessment In Bioethanol Technology Using Immobilized Yeast Cells, Minoo Kandy Zarnegar

Theses

This study is undertaken from the standpoint of water pollution evaluation in bioethanol technology, using immobilized yeast cells. Evaluation of water pollution caused by immobilized yeast fermentation is the main objective of this research.

The pollution in water remaining at the end of ethanol production, which is normally discharged in the wastewater stream, has been analyzed by the measurement of biological oxygen demand (BOD), since BOD measurement is one of the widely used parameters for water pollution evaluation. BOD obtained from produced water (stillage) was between the range of 115- 360 mg/l. The variation in BOD depended upon the removal …

The Influence Of Aggregate Grading With Two Different Binders On Mechanical Strength Of Polymer Concrete, Pei-Yuan Gao

Theses

The scope of this research is to study the influence of grading of the aggregate on the mixing design and the strength of polymer concrete .

Also, the curing conditions, the modification of polymer and the application of coupling agent were investigated.

Based on the experimental results, two numerical methods were developed to be used in combining the aggregates to obtain the desired specific surface area and the grading of the aggregate.

A computer program was developed for one of the methods to give all the possible compositions of the aggregate.

Theoretical explanation is offered and a numerical example is …

Thermodynamic And Leaching Studies Of Various Systems, Satya D. Rami

Theses

The group contribution approach is a reliable and fast method for the prediction of liquid phase activity coefficients in none lectrolyte, nonpolymeric mixtures at low to moderate pressures and temperatures between 300 and 425 K. It has become widely used in practical chemical engineering applications in cases where little or no relevant experimental information is available.

The two group contribution methods examined in the course of this work, are the Knox and & UNIFAC models. Group interaction parameters are evaluated for each of these models and results compared. Although the results for both models are similar when sufficient data are …

Molecular Modeling In Anatoxin And Other Semirigid Agonists, Wen-Chung Shang

Theses

Conformational search and molecular mechanics calculations were combined to investigate the structural flexibility of isoquinolone, the anatoxin series, and the ferruginine series. Ring searching allow all rational conformations to be generated.

Isoquinolone shows conformational similarity to isoarecolone but is much less potent which suggests that the proximity of the methyl group beta to the carbonyl groups affects the bioactivity of isoquinolone. The very active agonist-anatoxin, without a similar conformation as isoarecolone, shared a similar electrostatic potential contour in the vicinity between the two atoms connected to the electro-positive nitrogen and hydrogen bonding site. These phenomena were not found in ferruginine …

A Methodology For Designing Spacecraft Onboard Processing Systems, Mohammad Nadeem Ahmad

Theses

A three layer methodology is presented for designing spacecraft onboard computer systems. The system design is perceived as a sequence of three hierarchical layers: the Dedicated Processing Layer, the Application and Support Processing Layer, and the Communications Processing Layer. Each layer implements a distinct set of functions and offers services at different levels of abstraction. As opposed to the ISO/OSI Reference Model, where the prime objective is to implement peripheral interaction between two systems, the layered approach used here is to address the problems in system design itself. The problem is approached in a bottom-up fashion, starting with the description …

Design Of A Temperature Sensor For Gallium Arsenide Ic Applications, Raviprakash Raviprakash Gutala

Theses

This thesis presents the design of a temperature sensor circuit including sensor, differential amplifier, and a memory element for gallium arsenide IC standard cell applications. A standard 1-um depletion-mode GaAs MESFET technology has been used for the design of the circuit. The circuit is intended to be used as a standard cell in GaAs les providing an alarm when the sensor temperature reaches 125 °C. The circuit includes a NAND latch which is set when the chip cell temperature reaches 125 °C. The output of the latch can be sensed by additional circuits (on or off the GaAs chip) which …

Ionitriding To Improve The Wear Resistance Of Ferrous Materials, Ravi K. Kodali

Theses

In this work the effect of ionitriding treatment on wear resistance of ferrous materials was studied. A basic understanding of the ionitriding concepts were given and the advantages of this process over other conventional nitriding treatments were outlined. The effect of various parameters like gas composition, temperature, pressure, process duration and power density on the metallurgical aspects of this process were discussed. Under technical aspects of this technology, advantages of pulsed direct current over conventional direct current nitriding systems were given. In this work wear tests were performed on components made from gray cast iron, alloy steel (AISI 4340), and …

Reliability Problems And Failure Mechanisms In Ic Packaging, Dilip J. Patel

Theses

Today, reliability is acknowledged as an important item in design and operation of electronics circuits and system.

This thesis provides information on evaluation of the reliability for hermetic and non hermetic IC packages made by different manufacturers.

Literature study concentrates on the reliability and related problems in IC packages developed between 1970 and 1988.

Several failure mechanisms and failure modes are discussed to point out how higher reliability in IC packages may be achieved.

The bibliography is given in a chronological order to help further research in this area.

Generation Of Atomic Nitrogen By Gas Discharge In Microwave Cavity, Jong-Shun Shieh

Theses

A microwave discharge system for producing atomic nitrogen at low flow rate and low pressure has been investigated. The molecular nitrogen passes through a microwave cavity in a quartz tube and is dissociated by the microwave energy. Subsequent recombination of nitrogen atoms produces a characteristic yellow glow due to the relaxation of excited molecular nitrogen to its ground state. The titration of nitric oxide with atomic nitrogen was used to measure the atomic nitrogen yield. At a 2 sccm nitrogen flow rate the atomic nitrogen yield was 8.75*10¹⁵ atom/sec, which corresponds to a nitrogen generation efficiency of about 1%. …

A Cmos Digital Temperature Sensor For Asic Vlsi Standard Cell Design, Chih-Ta Sung

Theses

This thesis describes the design of a CMOS digital temperature sensor cell including the physical layout database.This cell is designed for implementation within an ASIC VLSI chip as a standard cell . The digital temperature sensor can trigger an alarm signal and turn off power for preventing fatal damage in the VLSI chip if overheating occurs.A digital output also permits measurement of temperature over the 0 - 120°C range with ±3.4°C accuracy using standard VLSI foundry processing. Two sensing elements are implemented in a differential mode within the temperature sensor cell. An operational amplifier is used in the successive approximation …

Durability Of Slurry Cut-Off Walls Around Hazardous Waste Sites, M. Khalid Umer

Theses

A study was undertaken in order to provide insight into the behavior of backfill materials when in contact with hazardous chemicals. It was found that the liquid limit is not a reliable parameter in assessing clay behavior when exposed to these chemicals. However, the expansion index provided a consistent correlation to permeability when all other conditions were kept constant. In addition, the use of fly ash mixed with clay showed an increase in the values of permeability even though its grain size is finer than that of sand. It is believed that this phenomenon was the result of the absence …

Use Of The Lms Algorithm In Ecg Analysis, Xiaohua Yang

Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to develop an IBM PC-AT based system to effectively process electrocardiogram (ECG) signals. Adaptive filter theory is used to implement a noise cancellation system (adaptive noise canceller), which adaptively cancels the ECG signals resulting in real ECG noise. The adaptive process is based on the well known least-mean square (LMS) algorithm.

The noise canceling system is software based. Several programs have been written, which include analog to digital converter control, data acquisition and storage, data retrieval, adaptive filtering and digitized data graphics.

The thesis presents numerous computer experiments. The performance of the adaptive noise …

Experimental Evaluation Of J-Integral For Concrete Subjected To Impact Loading, Naishan Zhang

Theses

This thesis presents an experimental evaluation of J-integral for concrete subjected to impact loading. Twenty four three-point bend specimens with two different thicknesses and mid-span notch lengths were tested under impact velocities of 167.22 in/sec (424.74 cm/sec) and 261.78 in/sec (664.92 cm/sec). Multi specimen method was used to analyze and estimate J_I and its critical J^-Ic values. Effects of specimen thickness and impact velocity on J^-Ic values were observed and discussed. Evaluation of J^-Ic Values from the experimental results of this study indicated that can be characterized as a material constant even under different impact velocities. …

A Research Analysis : Differences Between Contemporary Corporate Management And Entrepreneurial Management, Kevin A. Gugliotta

Theses

A research analysis was conducted to distinguish the differences between contemporary corporate management and entrepreneurial management. A major difference is in the attitude, perception, and priority of the senior management and the organizational mission. Other distinguishing differences are related to individual and organizational leadership, organizational hierarchy and structure, decision-making authority, and compensation systems for employees.

Progressive Transmission Of Images Using Pyramidal Structure, Chin-Hua Hsu

Theses

A progressive image transmission scheme based upon Laplacian pyramid structure is used for image coding over low-bandwidth channels. The filtering and differential pulse code modulation (DPCM) methods of image coding are generalized to allow quantization of the Laplacian images. Filtering is performed with a local, symmetric weighting function. The three different quantizers, (1) scalar quantizer, (2) memoryless vector quantizer (VQ), and (3) finite state vector quantizer (FSVQ), are used here to compare the results. In the receiver end, the image can be reconstructed using reverse procedure. The reconstructed image is not the same as the original image because of the …

A Wideband Continuous Phase Shifter For Ka-Band, William J. Tanis

Theses

The design, fabrication and test of a 45 degree microstrip phase shifter capable of full Ka-band performance is presented. The design uses a Lange coupler with two ports terminated with beam-lead varactor diodes to provide continuous phase shift. Although this concept has been employed at X-band and below, this thesis demonstrates its feasibility for wideband use at frequencies as high as 40 GHz. The design uses thin-film capacitors, beam-lead diodes, simulated grounds, and air bridges to achieve a planar geometry and to simplify the production process. Detailed test results using various test circuits are shown for comparison to actual phase …

Design Of A Lan Based Data Acquisition System For Sensor Applications, Krishna Murthy Uppunda

Theses

This thesis presents the design of a local area network (LAN) based data acquisition system for sensor applications. The circuit designed forms the robotic LAN (RLAN) interface between the sensor IC nodes and the ARCNET network. The RLAN network uses two packet protocols. The sensor data request (SDR) packet is received by the sensor IC nodes and the sensor transmits the sensor data (SD) packet. The RLAN interface provides a two way communication between the sensors and the ARCNET network. Whenever an ARCNET node receives the SDR packet, it stores the packet temporarily in a 1k RAM buffer. The RLAN …

Image Quality Analysis Of The Reproductions Of Black And White Photographs Obtained From A Desktop Publishing System, Manuel Fabián Ruiz-Laverde

Theses

This research project was directed to characterize the variables that govern the black and white reproduction process in a desktop publishing enviroment (DTP), which in this case is formed by: a Macintosh II computer, a Mycrotek 300A scanner as the inputing device and a LaserWriter as the outputting device. The specific goal of this research was to find the ideal settings of cell size and resolution for each type of black and white photographic image that would produce the best reproduction possible from the system. Two different experiments were performed, the first one using a gray scale and a resolution …

Laser Perforation For Computer Paper, Claude F. Gattuso

Theses

In today's computer paper printing, cross and edge perforations are done only by mechanical perforators. The mechanical perforation process works fine since the width of the bridges and the length of the holes to be perforated remain large. Concerned with improvements in quality, printers have introduced microperforations. The holes and bridges of the perforation pattern are so small that after the user has torn off the sheet of computer paper along the perforation pattern, the edges of the document are very smooth and clean. Unfortunately, microperforations are reaching the limits of what can be achieved by the mechanical perforators. Because …

A Study Of The Effect Of Oil Added To Toray Driographic Ink On Toning In The Non-Image Areas Of Toray Company's Negative Working Driographic Plates, Joseph El-Yabroudi

Theses

Several studies and investigations have been conducted to test the new Toray plate. The studies revealed that the new plate eliminated many of the problems that used to hinder the progress and development of the driographic plate system. The two major problems with this plate were short run lengths and toning in the non-image areas. This study investigates toning problems in negative working Toray plates. Toning is a term that refers to the non-image areas of the driographic plate that are accepting ink. Previous studies have shown that ink tack and flow do not affect toning in any way. However, …

Pilot Study Of Hotel Ownership Patterns And Their Economic Impacts On Wales Economy, Joseph La Lopa

Theses

Countless cities, states and nations have decided to employ tourism development as a method to bolster their economy. One of the key components in a successful tourism development plan is the hotel sector. Hotel ownership patterns have a variety and range (from low to high) of economic impacts on the host community. Knowledge of the affects hotel ownership0 patterns have on the economy can serve to assist host governments in accomplishing specific economic objectives in their community. From this standpoint, it is entirely possible to facilitate a desirable outcome from tourist consumption of the host's cultural, historical and natural resources.

The Introduction, Demonstration And Evaluation Of A New Typeface Identification System, J. Ames Parsons

Theses

Graphic communicators, including typographers, designers, and descriptive bibliographers, are often called upon to identify typefaces. Since there are thousands of typefaces available in the marketplace today, it is unlikely that any one designer, typographer or bibliographer can name them all at sight. Accordingly, there is a need tfor a typeface identification system. The purpose of this paper is to introduce, demonstrate and evaluate such a system. An identification system called TYPE-ID was developed and tested. Two principles -- the "pass option" and the "null digit" -- were introduced. A sequence of questions was written for a number of different characters. …

Opinions Of Elementary Teachers Regarding The Effects Of Hugging Students, John E. Graham Iii

Theses

No abstract provided.

Dark Star: A Director's Commentary On Directing A New Script, Barry D. Wall

Theses

"Dark Star: A Director's Commentary on Directing a New Script" by Barry D. Wall is a Master of Fine Arts thesis documenting the comprehensive process of staging an original theatrical production. The project centers on Dark Star, a previously unproduced play by Missouri playwright George Hickenlooper, inspired by the life of poet Sara Teasdale. Wall's objective was to explore the collaborative and interpretive challenges inherent in directing a new script, from initial selection and playwright collaboration to final performance.

The thesis is structured in four chapters—pre-production, analysis, production, and post-production. It begins with Wall’s rationale for choosing an unproduced …

A Specialty Orthopedic Skilled Unit, Vivian K. Landes

Theses

Unavailable.