Digital Commons Network^™

Quantifying The Protonospheric Effect On Prism, Kelly B. Doser

Theses and Dissertations

The total electron content (TEC) contribution to a Parameterized Real-time Ionospheric Specification Model (PRISM) calculation has been studied using protonospheric TEC measurements made by Global Positioning Satellites (GPS). Including the protonosphere proved challenging to both the calibration of GPS measurements and execution of PRISM. Though 46 days of GPS measurements were acquired, only 40 were successfully calibrated, and only 35 of those were used in the study. Data issues such as availability and completeness as well as measurement quality affected 6 of the days used. Calibration was done at Pittsburgh by excluding all measurements below 40.750 N. latitude cutoff. This …

Multi-Objective Evaluation Of Target Sets In A Logistics Network, Paul D. Emslie

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis addresses the selection of target sets to disrupt an adversary's logistics network in a wartime environment. In the presence of many objectives--such as reducing maximum flow, lengthening routes, avoiding collateral damage, all at minimal risk to our pilots--the problem of determining the best target set is complex. Previous efforts have not adequately considered the value of the remaining network functionality after target destruction. In addition, current network targeting procedures optimize target sets with respect to only a single metric. This thesis uses a multi-objective decision analysis framework capturing actual targeting decision-maker values and preferences to evaluate and analyze …

In Situ Treatment Of Chlorinated Ethene-Contaminated Groundwater Using Horizontal Flow Treatment Wells, Derek R. Ferland

Theses and Dissertations

The limitations of conventional containment technologies for groundwater contaminated with chlorinated solvents have motivated development of innovative technologies to achieve national groundwater remediation objectives. One inn9vative technology that is currently under development involves metal reductants or catalysts to chemically destroy the dissolved chlorinated solvent. Models are important tools that can be used to help transition this technology to the field. Model studies can be used to gain understanding about the technology, help determine when the prospective technology might work for a given site, and design full-scale field applications.

Chromium Concentration Bias In The Particle Size Distribution Of Primer Overspray, Joseph M. Fox

Theses and Dissertations

Air Force aircraft-painting operations create clouds of paint overspray that contain strontium chromate, a confirmed carcinogen, which poses an exposure hazard to painters. It is often assumed that all particles in paint overspray have the same chemical composition as the original paint mixture, however differences in composition may occur in various particle sizes. Because particle size affects where in the respiratory system a particle deposits, actual exposures to a specific chemical may vary. Paint particles greater than 2.5 µm are deposited in the upper respiratory system and will be eliminated by physiological removal mechanisms. Particles less than 2.5 µm will …

Attitude Control And Multimedia Representation Of Air Force Institute Of Technology’S (Afit’S) Simulation Satellite (Simsat), Joseph M. Fulton

Theses and Dissertations

This document describes the systematic construction of the AFIT-sponsored program to develop a laboratory-based satellite simulator. The simulation satellite (SIMSAT) system will provide a useful tool for resident staff while teaching attitude control concepts. A brief overview of attitude control theory is provided as well as a discussion of the benefits of multimedia use in education. A detailed discussion of the satellite's components allows the reader to become familiar with each piece of SIMSAT. Software control models are provided as well as a multimedia lesson plan on satellite attitude control. Also included in this document are potential experimental uses in …

A Comparative Analysis Of Cockpit Display Development Tools, Matthew J. Gebhardt

Theses and Dissertations

Currently, no standard methodology exists that enables cockpit display engineers to evaluate software tools used in the development of graphical cockpit displays. Furthermore, little research has been accomplished in comparing current software development tools with traditional hand-coded methods, This research effort discusses a framework for analyzing cockpit display software development tools and follows through with a detailed analysis comparing today's hand-coding standard, OpenGL, with two of today's cockpit display software development suites, Virtual Application Prototyping System (VAPS) and Display Editor. The comparison exploits the analysis framework establishing the advantages and disadvantages of the three software development suites. The analysis framework …

Three-Dimensional Data Visualization Of Electronic Military Intelligence Using The Project Broadsword System, Michael L. Goeringer

Theses and Dissertations

Today's military electronic infrastructure solves many problems while creating others. Using computers, battlefield and global awareness is brought to bear through the near real-time linking of sensor platforms from around the globe. These intelligence networks produce vast amounts of data that must be parsed, interpreted, digested and stored by information gathering systems. As the amount of intelligence data continues to increase, these text-based systems become cumbersome and inadequate. To ensure vital information is not overlooked or discovered too late, other forms of intelligence product management and data navigation need to be investigated. This thesis explores procedures for enhancing the capabilities …

A Distributed Agent Architecture For A Computer Virus Immune System, Paul K. Harmer

Theses and Dissertations

Information superiority is identified as an Air Force core competency and is recognized as a key enabler for the success of future missions. Information protection and information assurance are vital components required for achieving superiority in the Infosphere, but these goals are threatened by the exponential birth rate of new computer viruses. The increased global interconnectivity that is empowering advanced information systems is also increasing the spread of malicious code and current anti-virus solutions are quickly becoming overwhelmed by the burden of capturing and classifying new viral stains. To overcome this problem, a distributed computer virus immune system (CVIS) based …

Modeling Chlorinated Ethene Removal In Constructed Wetlands: A System Dynamics Approach, Colby D. Hoefar

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to gain understanding of the dynamics of the processes that degrade Perchloroethene (PCE) to ethylene, or carbon dioxide (CO₂), within the confines of a constructed wetland. A system dynamics approach will be used. This model is focused on identifying and optimizing the naturally occurring processes in stratified wetland sediment that reduce mass, toxicity, mobility, volume or concentration of contaminants in groundwater. Contaminant fate and transport within a wetland system is extremely complex and the mechanisms that drive wetland behavior are dynamic. Confidence in the model was built through verification and testing. Reasonable …

Toxicity Of Tolyltriazole To Bacillus Microorganisms, Christopher J. Leonard

Theses and Dissertations

The safety of air travel in cold weather depends upon the use of aircraft deicing fluids (ADAF). The environmental and toxic effects of the ADAF component tolyltriazole are not well understood. Tolyltriazole is a potential human carcinogen and has exhibited microbial toxicity in Microtox test. This research used two methods to investigate the toxicity of tolyltriazole on bacillus shaped microorganisms. The first method compared the dissolved oxygen uptake of microcosms exposed to varying concentrations of tolyltriazole. When exposed to 1000 ppm tolyltriazole, all isolated species showed inhibition in respiration. There was no evidence that tolyltriazole at

An Intelligent User Interface To Support Air Force Weather Product Generation And Automated Metrics, Darryl N. Leon

Theses and Dissertations

Air Force pilots require dependable weather reports so they may avoid unsafe flying conditions. In order to better gauge the accuracy of its weather products, Air Force Weather has established the requirement for an Air Force-wide automated weather metrics program. Under the guidelines for this program, forecasts will automatically be compared to observed weather to determine their accuracy. Statistics will be collected in the hopes of determining forecast error trends that can be corrected through education and training. In order for the statistical data produced by such a program to draw reliable conclusions about forecast accuracy, however, the correct format …

Temperature Determination In An I2 Gas Using Dopper-Limited Saturation Spectroscopy, James W. Myers Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

Saturation spectroscopy techniques were used to demonstrate the ability to make spatially resolved temperature measurements by exploiting the B3 ∏(O⁺_u) - X1 Σ ;(O⁺_g) electronic transition in molecular iodine (I₂). Doppler-free saturation spectroscopy measurements resulted in hyperfine spectral profiles for the P(7O) 17-1 and P(53) 19-2 ro-vibrational transitions between the electronic levels. Doppler-limited saturation spectroscopy, an adaptation of the Doppler-free technique in which beams propagate in the same direction and cross within the gas sample, allowed for the measurement of spatially resolved Doppler profiles for the same transitions. The profiles were measured …

Investigation Of Conformal High-Impedance Ground Planes, Michael A. Saville

Theses and Dissertations

Applique antennas are a long range vision for military vehicles because they are lighter, quicker to replace, less expensive, and can have better performance than conventional antennas. Two newly reported high-impedance ground planes have potential to begin the realization of the applique antenna vision and each is investigated for use with thin conformal antenna structures. Bistatic reflection measurements completely characterize the high-impedance region of planar, thumbtack high-impedance ground planes, and periodic moment method models validate the measurement results. Rigorous planar and conformal surface wave coupling measurements clarity the reported photonic band gap behavior of the thumbtack high-impedance ground plane, and …

Organizational And Individual Effects On The Reporting Of Wrongdoing In The Workplace, Brian M. Stumpe

Theses and Dissertations

The study focuses on the organizational context in which the act of whistle-blowing occurs within organizations. The study suggests that many aspects of the context in which whistle-blowing actually occurs may be within the span of control of managers. Thus, management can possibly take steps to after certain aspects of the organizational context and ensure that organizational members are willing to report wrongdoing observed within their organization. To fulfill this objective, the study analyzes survey responses taken from military members' and civilian employees' responses to a 1997 survey distributed throughout the Aeronautical Systems Center (ASC), Wright Patterson Air Force Base …

Optical Metrology Of Adaptive Membrane Mirrors, John W. Wagner

Theses and Dissertations

Current space-based imaging platforms are significantly constrained in both size and weight by the launch vehicle. Increased payload size and weight results in increased cost and a decrease in launch responsiveness. The USAF Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) identified "Large lightweight structures for optics and antennas" as a revolutionary primary technology to be developed for the Air Force of the 21st Century. A membrane primary mirror in a space-based imaging system has the ability to overcome current payload constraints and meet evolutionary needs of the future. The challenge of membrane optics in space is the process of implementing adaptive optics technology …

Use Of Genetic Algorithms To Characterize Groundwater Contamination Source Areas, Chaz M. Williamson

Theses and Dissertations

In this work, genetic algorithms (GAs) were used to help interpret tracer breakthrough curves from partitioning interwell tracer tests (PITTs) conducted at Hill AFB, Utah by researchers from the University of Florida. Two transport models were developed to simulate tracer transport in the test cells. One model assumed the cell consisted of multiple layers, and that transport in each layer could he described by the one-dimensional advective/dispersive equation. The second model also assumed multiple layers, and modeled transport in the individual layers as advective transport through 100 tubes. Transport times were represented by a stochastic (lognormal) distribution. The model solutions …

Evaluation Of 4 Small Doses Of Fertilizer In Growing Maize (Zea Mays L.) In Two Communities Of San Juan Ermita, Chiquimula, Victor Estuardo Villalta Garcia

Theses and Dissertations

Corral de Piedra and Salitron are two communities located in the municipality of San Juan Ermita, which is in the department of Chiquimula, Guatemala. In both communities, the land has very sloped topography with slope grades ranging from 12 to 55%. Agriculture is the main production activity with corn (Zea mays L.) and beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) being the crops of greatest economic importance. These crops are planted through a system of sequential association commonly called relay. First, corn is planted at the beginning of the rainy season (May or June). Once it has completed its reproductive cycle, beans are planted …

The Availability And The Use Of Basic Services In Relation To The Nutritional Status, Acute Diarrhetic Diseases And Acute Respiratory Infections In Children Under Five Years Of Age In Three Rural Communities Of The Imbabura Province During The 1998-1999 Period, Margarita Caicedo Ceron

Theses and Dissertations

To a large degree, the political and economic conditions of third world countries influence poverty levels, especially in rural areas. This poverty affects the availability of basic services, such as potable water, refuse elimination, housing, and sewage systems. As a consequence of these deficiencies, more diseases are transmitted through the water and environment. These diseases include acute diarrhea and acute respiratory infections in children younger than five years of age. Consequently, it is important to have available water and sewage elimination to control these diseases among children and the general population.

Evaluation Of Forty-Two Corn (Zea Mays L.) Genotypes And Their Tolerance To Drought In Chiquimula, Servin Ardany Flores Galdámez

Theses and Dissertations

The Corral de Piedra community is located in Chiquimula, Guatemala. The main agricultural activities are corn and bean production, small-scale gardens, and small animal production, such as poultry and pigs. The crop areas are predominantly located on lands with slopes between 12 and 55%, presenting low fertility conditions and poor moisture retention capabilities. In addition, local crop varieties have low productivity potentials and the winter season is characterized by poorly distributed and erratic periods of rain. The Benson Institute introduced a technology transfer model to increase and diversify agricultural production, while preserving current natural resources. An integral part of this …

Agro-Socio-Economic Evaluation Of Three Rural Communities In The Colta Canton Of The Chimborazo Province, Ivan Asaquibay Paucar

Theses and Dissertations

The faculty of natural resources, School of Agricultural Engineering of ESPOCH, with an agreement since 1992 with the Benson Institute of Brigham Young University has been working with the development of small scale production before its diffusion it is necessary to know the real social- economic conditions and the technological levels of the most important harvests of the communities, that when this model is involved in the aspects that affect the production. For this reason this investigation was made necessary in which the following objectives were raised: 1. Evaluate the social-economic conditions of the communities of San Lorenzo of Cahuiña, …

Application Of Dietary Guidelines For Guatemala In Three Rural Communities Of Chiquimula, Sandra Liseth Salazar Donis

Theses and Dissertations

In Guatemala, nutritional problems are directly related to the difficulty to purchase food fit for human consumption due to low family incomes as well as low nutritional education. This situation motivated the realization of the present study whose main objective was to apply the dietary guidelines for Guatemala in three rural communities of Chiquimula. All three communities were previously aided by Benson Institute efforts to promote changes in eating behavior. The sample was comprised of mothers from the El Pinalito, El Guayabo, and Maraxco communities of the department of Chiquimula. There were eight mothers, four literate and four illiterate, from …

Learner Concerns At The Missionary Training Center In The Technology Assisted Language Learning Program, Elaine T. Lindsay

Theses and Dissertations

Chapelle (1997) states the following as a vital question to be asked with respect to computer assisted language learning, “How good is the language experience in CALL for L2 learning?” (n.p.) In order to truly answer this question, investigators need to look to the learner and his concerns. In planning curriculum or designing a program, teachers and administrators normally look toward learner needs. However, these educators are also known to fully implement a new program, at times, without consideration of learner concerns. This appears to be especially true with the use of technology in the second language classroom. Research is …

Geographic Literacy Among Lds Returned Missionaries, Paul Cook Stahmann

Theses and Dissertations

The majority of male Ricks College students, while serving as missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, spend two years living in geographically unfamiliar environments. This thesis compares the geographic literacy of those Ricks College males who have served LDS Church missions with those who have not. A test of geographic literacy was administered to 306 male Ricks College students. Returned missionaries demonstrated significantly higher knowledge of general cultural and physical geography than pre-missionanes. In contrast, returned missionaries demonstrated no greater ability to identify global places such as countries and cities. As expected, the returned missionaries possessed …

Health Care Rationing : Revolutionary Reform Or Dangerous Idea?, Brian Duane Helland

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Building Community Through Partnerships And Collaborative Efforts, Judith M. Lang

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Farm Crisis And Its Impact On Rural Education And Communities, Barbara Lynn Kendall

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Small-Scale Variability Of Groundwater-Lake Interaction At Shingobee Lake, Minnesota, Hans F. Kishel

Theses and Dissertations

Groundwater discharge is an important contributor to the water budget of a lake. The variability of hydraulic parameters of lake and groundwater systems causes difficulties in estimating the contribution of groundwater to a lake water budget. This study attempts to show that amount of variability for a small portion of the lake and shore (8 x 15 meter section, starting approximately five meters from shore and extending nine meters into the lake).

Piezometers were installed at a depth of one half and one meter in nests at 70 locations in the rectangular study site. Water levels were collected from the …

Analysis And Organization Of The Family Based Agricultural Production System In The Poroma Community Of Oropeza Province, Marco Antonio Domingo Burgoa Chopitea

Theses and Dissertations

This research analyzed the management strategies and organization of crop production in a family agricultural system. This study took place in the Poroma community, Oropeza province, Chuquisaca Department, in Bolivia, at the so called “red zone”, so named for its extreme poverty. The agricultural system used in this study is unique to the pre-puna area of Bolivia and is located in a meso-thermal valley with wet summers. This agricultural system uses a diverse number of native and cultivated plants and animals and incorporates interrelated production strategies in agriculture, animal husbandry, forestry, and crafts. Two important production sectors have been identified …

Study Of Two Species Of Bees (Apis Mellifica) And Three Types Of Beehives In And Around Chulumani (Prov. Chapare), Jose Cruz Pardo

Theses and Dissertations

In order to improve the diet of the comunarios of Chulumani, and to expect a better production of honeybee; it has been introduced the Apis mellífica cárnica queen in Apis mellífica scutellata colonies. It was also carried out comparative tests among beehives Langstroth, Schirmer and Dadant. The nucleus “S” was only used as an introduction of queens, and the nucleus “M” and “K” were utilized for the development of the colony (submúltiplos of the beehive Schirmer). The study was carried out totally at random with the experimental design with factorial arrangement, and the meaning of the comparative analysis it was …

Reclaiming A Sacred Domain: An Ethnographic Study Of Mormon Women Overcoming The Media-Supported Message Of Acceptable Birth Practice Through Giving Birth At Home, Celeste Elain Witt

Theses and Dissertations

This study ethnographically explores the experiences of 30 American Mormon women who chose to give birth at home, a practice which differs from the culturally expected birth practice supported by most media birth scenes. The dominant birth practice among American Mormon women aligns with the biomedical birth system nearly universally practiced in the United States.
Recent research indicates that the biomedical model is supported by most media portrayals of birth (Elson 1997b). Mormon women who had given birth at home with a midwife were located and invited to participate. A semi-structured interview guide was used to frame the research process. …