Digital Commons Network^™

Design And Implementation Of A Fuzzy Logic Speed Controller For An Internal Combustion Engine, Craig Jensen

Theses and Dissertations

Internal combustion engines are challenging to model and control. Uncertainties and nonlinearities pose operating problems for classical controllers. Delays inherent to the engine combustion cycle tend to introduce overshoot and oscillations in most control schemes. Most work that has been done in dealing with delays requires the designer to have extensive knowledge of the system to be controlled. Engines are very difficult to model accurately, thereby ruling out most of these techniques. Fuzzy logic is well suited to this problem, since an accurate model is not needed for design, and it is known to be robust to nonlinearities and parameter …

A Rescue Guide For Interdisciplinary Teams In Middle Schools, Claudia A. Tomaneck

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Educational Status Of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Thomas L. Wentz

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Dependence Of The Time-Asymptotic Structure Of 3-D Vortex Breakdown On Boundary And Initial Conditions, Jeffrey C. Tromp

Theses and Dissertations

The three-dimensional, compressible Navier-Stokes equations are solved numerically to simulate vortex breakdown in tubes. Time integration is performed with an implicit Beam-Warming algorithm, which uses fourth-order compact operators to discretize spatial derivatives. Initial conditions are obtained by solving the steady, compressible, and axisymmetric form of the Navier-Stokes equations using Newton's method. Stability of the axisymmetric initial conditions is assessed through 3-D time integration. Unique axisymmetric solutions at a Reynolds number of 250 lose stability to 3-D disturbances at a critical value of vortex strength, resulting in 3-D and time-periodic flow. Axisymmetric solutions at a Reynolds number of 1000 contain regions …

Ohmic Contact To Ion Implanted Gallium Arsenide Antimonide For Application To Indium Aluminum Arsenide-Gallium Arsenide Antimonide Heterostructure Insulated-Gate Field Effect Transistors, Kenneth G. Merkel Ii

Theses and Dissertations

The p-channel In_0.52Al_0.48As-GaAs_1-xSb_x heterostructure insulated-gate field effect transistor (p-HIGFET) is a candidate for complementary integrated circuits due to superior cutoff characteristics and low gate leakage current. Advancement of the In_0.52Al_0.48As-GaAs_1-xSb_x p-HIGFET requires improved source-drain design. Five main tasks were accomplished to achieve this goal. First, thermal limits of the In_0.52Al_0.48As-GaAs_0.51Sb_0.49 HIGFET were investigated. Second, the temperature dependence of band gap and impurity energies were determined for beryllium doped In_0.52Al_0.48. Third, high acceptor concentrations were obtained …

A Study On The Positive Effect Of Cooperative Learning On The Status Group Problems In The Classroom, Eugene D. Tecce

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect that cooperative learning and the teaching of group norms would have on the social ranking of the low status students in the elementary school classroom.

The sample was comprised of 48 fourth grade students. A treatment group consisting of 24 students, and a comparison group of 24 students were pretested and posttested using a sociometric instrument designed to examine the interpersonal relationship patterns of the students.

Introduction of a treatment designed to change the existing pattern of interaction was given to the treatment group. The treatment group met for 18 …

Attitudes Of Fourth And Fifth Grade Students Toward Gender And Careers, Valerie B. Sweeten

Theses and Dissertations

This study was designed to determine if students in a suburban, southern New Jersey elementary school would have gender-biased attitudes concerning appropriate roles and career aspirations for males and females.

A questionnaire was administered to a sample of 100 students from a total population of 74 fourth grade students and 58 fifth grade students from one school in a southern New Jersey suburban school district. Items on the questionnaire included a list of occupations as well as questions regarding gender and careers.

The hypothesis was not supported because it was found that most of the students did not possess a …

Frequency Of Female Contacts Made By Different Sex Teachers During Mathematics Class, Sheila M. Zackavich

Theses and Dissertations

Studies have shown that despite female students' eager attempt to initiate contact in the mathematics classroom, teachers tend to respond to the male students more often than the females.

This has been a questionable factor as to why females elect not to take four years of high school mathematics which exclude them from entering many high paying careers.

The purpose of this study was to observe a male and female teacher during their mathematics class and take frequency counts of all classroom contacts. This was to investigate if there was a significant difference between different sex teachers and their frequency …

Achievement And Social Status In The Cooperative Classroom, Natalie Ann Cooper

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to research whether student academic achievement and social acceptance of peers could be affected by cooperative learning instruction as opposed to a class where the students were not instructed using cooperative learning. The sample size of the experimental and control group was forty-six. The age of the group ranged from nine to eleven years of age. The sample was not randomly selected. Both classes were administered a pretest and posttest at the beginning of the study. The tests measured academic achievement and social acceptance. Both classes used the same textbook and supplementary materials. The …

Physiologically-Based Pharmacokinetic Modeling Of Skin Absorption Using Dermal Subcompartments, Richard L. Bookout Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

Dermal penetration of chemicals and drugs is important to both toxicologists and pharmacologists. Drug developers try to enhance and environmental professionals try to limit penetration of chemicals through the skin. Both can use predictive biologically-based mathematical models to assist in understanding the processes involved. When these models are based on physiological and biochemical parameters which can be measured in the laboratory, they can be extremely useful. Appropriately validated models based on first principles can be predictive of human exposures when the processes involved are adequately understood. In this thesis we develop four new physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models to predict blood …

Biomedical Data Interpolation For 3-D Visualization, Ming-Chung Chen

Theses and Dissertations

Medical imaging devices that produce three-dimensional data usually produce the data in the form of image slices. In such images, the resolution in z direction is lower than in x and y directions. Before extracting and displaying objects in such images, an interpolated 3-D gray-scale volume image can be generated via image interpolation techniques to fill in the missing information. The subject of this thesis is the applying three different interpolation techniques to generate intermediate slices and comparing their qualities. The three interpolation techniques are linear interpolation, cubic spline interpolation, and Fourier interpolation. We also apply the CT image matching …

Optimal Wavefront Reconstruction For A Coherent Diffracted Field, William W. Arrasmith

Theses and Dissertations

In sheared coherent beam interferometric imaging, an estimate of the average reflectivity profile of the object can be computed from measurements of point to point phase differences in the far field interference pattern and a suitable phase reconstruction technique. The phase difference information is encoded in the irradiance of three identical, shifted and superimposed speckled laser beam patterns. A minimum variance phase reconstruction technique is presented to estimate the phase of the field in the measurement plane from the phase differences and evaluate its performance. Prior knowledge of the phase covariance is used in the minimum variance reconstructor. Analytic calculations …

The Mathematics Of Measuring Capabilities Of Artificial Neural Networks, Martha A. Carter

Theses and Dissertations

Researchers rely on the mathematics of Vapnik and Chervonenkis to capture quantitatively the capabilities of specific artificial neural network (ANN) architectures. The quantifier is known as the V-C dimension, and is defined on functions or sets. Its value is the largest cardinality 1 of a set of vectors in Rd such that there is at least one set of vectors of cardinality 1 such that all dichotomies of that set into two sets can be implemented by the function or set. Stated another way, the V-C dimension of a set of functions is the largest cardinality of a set, such …

Optimal Mixed-Norm Control Synthesis For Discrete-Time Linear Systems, David R. Jacques

Theses and Dissertations

A mixed-norm approach to control synthesis for discrete time linear systems is developed. Specifically, the problem of minimizing the H₂ norm of a transfer function, subject to a combination of ℓ₁ and-or H_∞ norm constraints on dissimilar but related transfer functions is considered. The uniqueness of the optimal solution is shown, and numerical methods for approximating the optimal solution to within arbitrary accuracy are developed. These methods generally result in high order compensators which can not be implemented in most practical applications. In response to this, a numerical method is developed which solves for suboptimal solutions of …

Design, Fabrication, Modeling, And Testing Of Surface-Micromachined Micromirror Devices, M. Adrian Michalicek

Theses and Dissertations

The Flexure-Beam Micromirror Device (FBMD) is a phase-only piston style spatial light modulator demonstrating properties which can be used for phase adaptive- corrective optics. This thesis presents a complete study of new designs of FBMDs and other micromirror devices, from original design considerations through final device testing and verification of ideal and advanced models. The models relate the electrical and mechanical properties of the device by equating the electrostatic force of a parallel- plate capacitor with the counteracting spring force of the device's support flexures. For the advanced model of the Flexure-Beam micromirror device, the capacitor solution is derived via …

Determination Of The Temperature Coefficients Of Selected Material Constants Of Dilithium Tetraborate, Gregory S. Weaver

Theses and Dissertations

The first and second order temperature coefficients of the material constants c^E₁₁, c^E₁₂, c^E₄₄, c^E₆₆, and e¹⁵ of dilithium tetraborate (Li₂B₄O₇) have been measured over a temperature range of 20°C to 150°C. An improved resonator method was used to measure the fundamental zero mass loading antiresonant frequencies of selected pure-mode orientations of Li₂B₄O₇. Material constants extraction was performed using a linear least squares matrix method. The resulting material constant curves were fit with a third …

A Study Of The Effects Of Teachers' Mathematics Anxiety And Mathematics Teaching Confidence Level On Their Attitudes Toward Manipulative Use, Jacqueline L. Brown

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis was to determine the effect of teachers' mathematics anxiety and their mathematics teaching confidence level on their attitudes towards manipulative use. To investigate this, a survey was developed and distributed to all of the mathematics teachers in the eight elementary schools in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

The survey was composed of fifty-five statements. These statements were rated on a five point Likert type scale. Thirteen of the statements researched mathematics anxiety in the sample teachers. Twelve of the statements investigated the confidence level of teachers as they instructed their students in the subject of mathematics. …

A Study Examining The Effectiveness Of Teaching Reading Using A Literature-Based Approach Vs. A Basal Approach, Tammy L. Vance

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if first grade students who were instructed following a literature based program would demonstrate a better understanding of reading. A comparison was made between the test scores and attitudes of those first grade students using a literature based reading program and those first grade students using a basal program.

The design for this study was a pretest posttest design with one treatment group and one control group, both having 24 students. Both groups were pretested and posttested using the Scott, Foresman Celebrate Reading (1993), Anthology Assessment. This test was selected to measure …

Comparison Of Developmentally Oriented Kindergartens And Academically Oriented Kindergartens, Lori Ann Weyer

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate if students enrolled in a kindergarten with a curriculum stressing academic skills perform better or worse on standardized tests than students in a developmentally oriented program by the end of first grade.

A survey was developed to establish if a kindergarten curriculum was developmentally oriented or academically oriented. This survey was sent to schools in Gloucester and Morris Counties in New Jersey. Mean Iowa basic skills tests were then used to determine if academically oriented kindergarten curriculums score significantly higher than developmentally oriented curriculums by the end of kindergarten. Also, the mean …

The Examination Of Academic Achievement And Self-Concept Between Early And Late Entrants Of First Grade Pupils, Terri J. Wells

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not students who entered first grade at an earlier chronological age could successfully compete with late-entrance students regarding academics and self-concepts. Research suggests that there may be a link between school success and chronological age for elementary students.

A study was constructed that included 18 first grade students of the same class. The 18 students were classified as being either "Early" or "Late" entrants. Late entrants were those students who were born between October, 1987 and March, 1988. Early entrants were those students who were born between April, 1988 and …

The Effectiveness Of Using Portfolio Assessment To Improve Instructional Planning And To Determine Attitudes Toward Mathematics Of Sixth Grade Students, Heather A. Moran

Theses and Dissertations

It was the purpose of this study to determine the effectiveness of using information gained from portfolio assessment to improve the quality of instructional planning in order to meet the needs of a specific group of students. This study also evaluated the change in attitude toward mathematics of the control and the experimental groups. A unit on the addition and subtraction of fractions was taught by this researcher to two different sixth grade classes. The control group was instructed using lessons designed from textbook recommendations and the experimental group was taught using lessons designed from a combination of textbook recommendations …

A Study Of The Effect Of A Computer Writing Program On The Writing Ability Of Elementary School Students, Barbara A. Autuore

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if significant differences in the creative writing of students would arise between a group of second grade students using a computer writing program and a group of second grade students using the traditional pencil and paper method of writing. The students were also given an attitude survey to determine whether or not the computer had an effect on their attitudes toward writing.

Students In both the control and experimental groups were holistically rated on a pre-test writing sample. Both groups were also given an attitude pre-test. One group of students wrote stories …

Gender Differences In Computing: Attitudes, Use, And Stereotypes, Mary S. O'Sullivan

Theses and Dissertations

This study was designed to determine the grade level at which students' attitudes towards computers begin to change. Application and gender bias towards computers were also examined. To achieve this, a survey was developed and administered to selected students in the third through eighth grades in the Egg Harbor City School District. in addition to the survey, students were asked to draw a "computer expert." Comparisons were made between males and females and the elementary and junior high grade levels.

Independent "t" tests were performed to identify significant differences at the .05 level. Significant differences in attitudes towards computers were …

Generalization Of Organizational Skills From One Setting To Another, Kristine J. Jansen

Theses and Dissertations

Learning disabled students have consistently had difficulty generalizing organizational skills from a resource center, where the skills are taught, to a mainstream classroom without support. This study hypothesized that organizational skills taught in a mainstream classroom with resource support (inclusion) would generalize more frequently to a mainstream classroom without resource support than skills taught in the resource center. Ten seventh grade students with learning disabilities were taught strategies for organizing themselves to complete classwork and homework, keep an organized notebook and come prepared to class. Mainstream classroom teachers felt these four skills were necessary for students to become successful in …

The Effect Of A Self-Monitoring Program On Perceptually Impaired Students' Compliance To Class Rules, Michael A. Scully

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of a self-monitoring procedure that was designed to increase compliance to classroom rules in a middle school setting. Four male seventh grade students classified as Perceptually Impaired with histories of discipline and academic difficulties served as subjects for this investigation. After a baseline period in which a rating scale was used to evaluate their behavior, the subjects were taught to use the same scale and were required to rate their compliance to a predetermined set of rules. Points to be used for participation in a reinforcement activity could be earned …

Specific Strategy Instruction To Enhance Revising And Editing Skills For The Learning Disabled, Barbara J. Stubbs

Theses and Dissertations

For years, research and replications of research have supported the findings that grammar taught in isolation is at best ineffective. As a result, some teachers have abandoned grammar instruction altogether. Other teachers are unaware of the findings or simply choose to ignore them. With so many mildly handicapped students being placed in regular education classes, these curricular decisions are having an impact on their success in producing correct written communication.

This study compares eleven learning disabled seventh grade students taught in the mainstream with traditional grammar instruction to nine learning disabled peers taught in a resource center with specific strategy …

The Efficacy Of An Alternative School, Celeste Wilden

Theses and Dissertations

This study examines a self-contained day school for emotionally disturbed adolescents by evaluating whether changes produced by the intervention result in practical personally and socially worthwhile improvements. Such evaluation, often called social validation (Kazden, 1977) involves determining whether the changes have brought the student's performance within acceptable levels. Social validation deals with how closely the student's functioning fits expectations of appropriate performance in society (Haring & McCormick, 1990). This hypothesis was tested by the results of a questionnaire given to graduates from the program since DYFS withdrew its funding in 1983. Success was defined as having the ability to support …

Kindergarten Curriculum, Kelly-Ann Grossman

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this project was to develop a kindergarten curriculum suitable for a rural disadvantaged full-day kindergarten program. This was accomplished by a review of literature including five major theories of curriculum: the enrichment curriculum, the directed teaching curriculum, the cognitive emphasis curriculum, the custodial care curriculum and the combination curriculum. A combination curriculum was decided on and specific curriculums were reviewed for further content and design. Curriculums from nearby schools were reviewed and blended with the textbooks and areas of content felt necessary by the school's kindergarten teachers.

Does Learning Style Instruction Have A Positive Effect On Academic Achievement In The First Grade?, Nancy D. Rosenberg, Pamela M. Hernandez

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of learning style instruction when implemented in a typical first grade classroom setting. The study was designed to determine if the use of several learning style methodologies would produce an increase in academic achievement.

Two regular first grade classes were used as the Study and Control Groups. Each student in the Study Group was surveyed to discover possible learning styles present within the group. For approximately six months, the Study Group received instruction which was modified, wherever possible, to allow for each student's individual needs. During this period, the Control …

A Study Of The Effects Of In-Class Support On Math Performance Of Regular Education Students, Classified Special Education Students, And At-Risk Students, Susan Wenger

Theses and Dissertations

In an effort to service special needs students, service delivery models have progressed from self contained classrooms and separate facilities for special needs children to resource center pull-out programs, in-class support, mainstreaming, and full inclusion.

The in-class support model, which provides a special educator or aide in the regular classroom, attempts to enhance the academic success of identified special education students in such placements.

This study focused on the effects of in-class support. The population consisted of 76 7 to 9 year old math students in a New Jersey school district. Curriculum-based pre and posttest math scores achieved by regular …