Digital Commons Network^™

Vertical Hydraulic Gradients And The Cause Of Foliar Variation In Tall Redwood Trees (Sequoia Sempervirens), Gregory M. Jennings

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Recent research on whole-tree water relations has revealed interesting patterns of hydraulic variation in tall conifers. This work has been accompanied by an increasing attention to foliar anatomy and the role it plays in a tree's hydraulic functioning. In spite of broad interest in this topic, redwood, one of the potentially most interesting species, has been little studied. This thesis addresses our poor understanding of redwood by examining potential causes of foliar variation, testing the ability of foliage to directly absorb water, and quantifying vertical gradients in xylem pressure potential (psi x),stable carbon isotope ratio (delta 13C),light environment, foliar morphology, …

A Quantitative Similarity Metric For Design-By-Analogy, Daniel A. Mcadams, Kristin L. Wood

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

During the design and development of new products, design engineers use many techniques to generate and define new and "good" concepts. Inherent in this search for solutions is the conscious and unconscious reliance on prior experience and knowledge, or design-by-analogy. In this paper, a quantitative metric for design-by-analogy is developed. This metric is based on the functional similarity of products. By using this product-similarity metric, designers are able to formalize and quantify design-by-analogy techniques during concept and layout design. The methods, as developed in this paper, allow a designer with limited experience to develop sophisticated solutions that enhance the overall …

Analysis Of Accident Cost And Comparison With Available Research, Michael Osterhaudt

Theses

This project is designed to determine the cost of occupational injury in one case study and to relate it to the cost of occupational injury in the available literature. The main reason for this project is the general lack of knowledge that companies have regarding the actual cost of occupational injuries. Information was gathered for this project through personal interviews with the case study individual, telephone calls to various agencies and hospitals regarding the scenario presented in the case study and compilation of the costs and hours spent with respect to this case study. Through the case study this project …

The Collaborative Learning Handbook: A Best Practices Guide, Sameer Malhotra

Theses

Not provided.

On A Conjecture Of Furstenberg, Grzegorz Świçatek, J. J. P. Veerman

Mathematics and Statistics Faculty Publications and Presentations

The Hausdorff dimension of the set of numbers which can be written using digits 0, 1,t in base 3 is estimated. For everyt irrational a lower bound 0.767 … is found.

End To End Congestion Control In High-Speed Networks, Sarangapani Jagannathan

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper proposes an adaptive methodology to prevent congestion in packet switched networks such as the Internet, where the internal network nodes convey very little information to the ingress nodes. Two architectures of preventing the congestion are presented: the first one when the traffic arrival rates, and bottleneck queue levels are known and the other when these are unknown. In the latter, the network traffic is estimated online using an adaptive system by measuring the buffer occupancy. In both architectures, the congestion is controlled by adjusting the transmission rates of non real-time and certain real-time sources in response to the …

Distributed Power Control In Wireless Communication Systems, Sarangapani Jagannathan, A. T. Chronopoulos, S. Ponipireddy

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Energy efficiency is a measure of performance in wireless networks. Therefore, controlling the transmitter power at a given node increases not only battery operating life, but also overall system capacity by successfully admitting new links. It is essential to find effective means of power control in point-to-point, broadcasting and multicasting scenarios. Wireless networking presents formidable challenges, and we consider the problem of unicast or point-to-point (peer-to-peer) communication in wireless networks in the presence of other nodes. We study the feasibility of admitting new links in an wireless network operating area while maintaining quality of service (QoS), in terms of signal-to-interference …

A Hybrid System Theoretic Approach For Admission Controller Design In Multimedia Networks, Sarangapani Jagannathan

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A novel real-time discrete-event admission control (AC) scheme for high-speed networks is proposed with the aim of attaining a desired quality of service (QoS) and high network utilization. The AC uses the available capacity from a novel adaptive bandwidth estimation scheme, a congestion indicator derived from a congestion controller, peak bit/cell rate (PBR/PCR) estimate from new sources, along with the desired QoS metrics, and makes decisions whether to 'admit' or 'reject' new sources. The novel aspect of the proposed approach is the application of hybrid system theory to prove the performance of the admission controller, stability and the development of …

Forensic Investigation Of Failed Mast Arms Of Traffic Signal Supported Structures, Genda Chen, Michael G. Barker, D. Scott Mackenzie, Christopher W. Ramsay, Joe Alderson, Lokeswarappa R. Dharani, Jiaqing Yu

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In Missouri, 11 traffic signal mast arms fractured at the arm-post weld connection in 7 years. To reduce this fatigue failure, the Missouri Department of Transportation developed a fatigue-resistant weld profile that increases the weld leg and reduces the slope of the weld at the toe. This study investigated causes of the failed arms, compared performance of new and old weld profiles, and suggested retrofitting measures for further investigation. The scope included a metallurgical investigation of one failed field mast arm, laboratory fatigue testing of five prototype mast arms (two new and three old profiles), and laboratory failure analysis of …

A New Cascaded Multilevel H-Bridge Drive, Keith Corzine, Yakov L. Familiant

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In this paper, a general structure for cascaded power converters is presented in which any number of H-bridge cells having any number of voltage levels are series connected to form an inverter phase leg. Equations are introduced for determining an optimal voltage ratio of DC voltages for the H-bridge cells which will maximize the number of voltage levels obtainable resulting in high power quality. Special cases of the generalized inverter are presented including novel 11-level and 15-level inverters. Laboratory measurements demonstrate the proposed inverter performance

Biological Fixed Film Systems, Mark W. Fitch, Ellen England

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

No abstract provided.

Comparative Ecophysiology Of Grain Sorghum And Abutilon Theophrasti In Monoculture And In Mixture, Samba Traoré, John L. Lindquist, Stephen Mason, Alex Martin, D. A. Mortensen

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Selection of crop genotypes that are more competitive with weeds for light interception may improve crop yield stability in the presence of weeds. The effects of interference on ecophysiological characteristics of Abutilon theophrasti Medic. and three morphologically diverse grain sorghum hybrids was evaluated to determine the relative tolerance and suppressive ability of the three hybrids and specific traits that may contribute to those differences. A tall hybrid was more tolerant to A. theophrasti interference than two medium stature hybrids. Early leaf area growth of two medium-stature sorghum hybrids was reduced by A. theophrasti interference, whereas early growth of a tall …

Identifying The Causes Of The New Hire Turnover At The Panasonic Customer Call Center, Donna W. Jones

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

To guide this study, the following research objectives were established: 1. Identify the causes of employee turnover; 2. Determine call center management's attitudes/perceptions towards turnover; 3. Develop an action plan to lower turnover rates.

The Effectiveness Of Boxwood Treatment Program On Offender's Supervised In The District 39 Probation And Parole Office To Determine If The Method Of Referral Effected The Relapse Rate, Deborah Papotnik

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

The following hypothesis will guide this research project; 1. Offenders are just as likely to relapse when court ordered to complete Boxwood Treatment Program as when they are sanctioned to complete the program by their probation officer.

Factors That Influence Students To Enroll Into Teletechnet Programs, Elaine Ward

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

Some of the areas considered in this study include: 1. Identify the factors that influence student enrollment at the Southwest Virginia Community College Teletechnet site; 2. Identify the population of students enrolling at the Teletechnet program in regards to age and occupation; 3. Project the graduation rate of those students enrolling at the Teletechnet site located at Southwest Virginia Community College during spring 2002.

Multilevel Voltage-Source Duty-Cycle Modulation: Analysis And Implementation, Keith Corzine, J. R. Baker

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Multilevel converters have become increasingly popular due to high power quality, high-voltage capability, low switching losses, and low electromagnetic compatibility concerns. Considering these advantages, the multilevel converter is a suitable candidate for implementation of future naval ship propulsion systems. This paper focuses on modulation techniques for the multilevel converter. In particular, a novel voltage-source method of multilevel modulation is introduced and compared to existing methods. The proposed method is discrete in nature and can therefore be readily implemented on a digital signal processor. The method is also readily extendable to any number of voltage levels. Results of experimental implementation are …

High-Efficiency Solar Cells Based On Cu(Inal)Se[Sub 2] Thin Films, S. Marsillac, P. D. Paulson, M. W. Haimbodi, R. W. Birkmire, W. N. Shafarman

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

A Cu(InAl)Se₂solar cell with 16.9% efficiency is demonstrated using a Cu(InAl)Se₂thin film deposited by four-source elemental evaporation and a device structure of glass/Mo/Cu(InAl)Se₂/CdS/ZnO/indium tin oxide/(Ni/Algrid)/MgF₂. A key to high efficiency is improved adhesion between the Cu(InAl)Se₂ and the Mo back contact layer, provided by a 5-nm-thick Ga interlayer, which enabled the Cu(InAl)Se₂ to be deposited at a 530 °C substrate temperature. Film and device properties are compared to Cu(InGa)Se₂ with the same band gap of 1.16 eV. The solar cells have similar behavior, with performance limited by recombination through …

A "Good Angry Man": Harry Caudill, The Formative Years, 1922-1960, Tylina Jo Mullins

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

After the publication of Night Comes to the Cumberland: A Biography of a Depressed Area, Harry Caudill became a spokesperson for Appalachia. Throughout the 1960s, Caudill continued to challenge the corrupt political system of the Cumberland Valley. His indictment of the coal industry as a leading factor in the continual depression of the area led scholars and reformers to a better understanding of the interrelated dynamics affecting the region. Even though with the passage of time, scholars have rejected many of Caudills ideas concerning the mountain people, few doubt that he led the challenge against the political, economic, and social …

The Role Of Social And Dispositional Variables Associated With Emotional Processing In Adjustment To Breast Cancer, John E. Schmidt

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

Recent theories suggest that cognitive and emotional processing is critical to successful adjustment to traumatic experiences, such as breast cancer. Cognitive and emotional processing of trauma can be facilitated by both dispositional (e.g., emotional intelligence) and situational (e.g., social supports, social constraints) factors. The present study investigated the relationship between emotional intelligence and current social support and constraints in a sample of 190 breast cancer survivors (mean age=48.3 years; SD=8.9). Women were recruited via postings to on-line breast cancer support groups. Postings to support groups described the study, and provided a link to the study web site. The study consisted …

A Novel Test Bed And Stochastic Vibration Diagnostics For Assessing The Condition Of Constant Velocity Joints, Gregory Kacprzynski

Theses

N/A||In this thesis, the design of a novel test bench for quickly and repeatedly testing CV joints under torque is provided along with vibration diagnostics software, developed in Matlab, for assessing the condition of a particular joint.

Information Technologies For The Healthcare Delivery System, Gary Scialdone

Theses

That modern healthcare requires information technology to be efficient and fully effective is evident if one spends any time observing the delivery of institutional health care. Consider the observation of a practitioner of the discipline, David M. Eddy, MD, PhD, voiced in Clinical Decision Making, JAMA 263:1265-75, 1990, ". . .All confirm what would be expected from common sense: The complexity of modern medicine exceeds the inherent limitations of the unaided human mind." The goal of this thesis is to identify the technological factors that are required to enable a fully sufficient application of information technology (IT) to the modern …

They Did Not Teach: Veterans' Experiences In A Mid-Career Transition Program At An Urban University, Joseph Franklyn Shipes

Theses and Dissertations in Urban Services - Urban Education

This descriptive phenomenology examines the lived experiences of veterans who attempted a mid-career transition into teaching. The study identifies and describes experiences that led to the outcome decisions of 22 men who enrolled in a Military Career Transition Program (MCTP), completed a Master's Degree in Education, but did not become public school teachers. Self-descriptions of their experience were collected in multiple, open-ended interviews and analyzed using Moustakas's (1994) protocols.

Participants described a transition in four stages (a) preliminary conditions for change, (b) socialization and adjustment, (c) refocusing career goals, and (d) reflective assessment. Planning for career change began with ideal …

Finite Element Modal Formulation For Panel Flutter At Hypersonic Speeds And Elevated Temperatures, Guangfeng Cheng

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

A finite element time domain modal formulation for analyzing flutter behavior of aircraft surface panels in hypersonic airflow has been developed and presented for the first time. Von Karman large deflection plate theory is used for description of the structural nonlinearity and third order piston theory is employed to account for the aerodynamic nonlinearity. The thermal loadings of uniformly distributed temperature and temperature gradients across the panel thickness are incorporated into the finite element formulation. By applying the modal reduction technique, the number of governing equations of motion is reduced dramatically so that the computational time of direct numerical integration …

Active And Adaptive Flow Control Of Twin-Tail Buffet And Applications, Zhi Yang

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Modern fighter aircraft with dual vertical tails are operated at high angles of attack. The vortex generated by leading edge extension (LEX) breaks down before reaching the two vertical tails. The wake of highly unsteady, turbulent flow causes unbalanced broadband aerodynamic loading on the tails and may produce severe buffet on the tails and lead to tail fatigue failure.

Flow suction along the vortex cores (FSVC) is investigated as an active control method for tail-buffet alleviation. Suction tubes have been tilted at different angles to study the control effectiveness of suction tubes orientation. Flow field response, aerodynamic loading and aeroelastic …

Federating Heterogeneous Digital Libraries By Metadata Harvesting, Xiaoming Liu

Computer Science Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation studies the challenges and issues faced in federating heterogeneous digital libraries (DLs) by metadata harvesting. The objective of federation is to provide high-level services (e.g. transparent search across all DLs) on the collective metadata from different digital libraries. There are two main approaches to federate DLs: distributed searching approach and harvesting approach. As the distributed searching approach replies on executing queries to digital libraries in real time, it has problems with scalability. The difficulty of creating a distributed searching service for a large federation is the motivation behind Open Archives Initiatives Protocols for Metadata Harvesting (OAI-PMH). OAI-PMH supports …

Feedback Seeking In Customer Service Relationships, Aletta Machell Barnard

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

With the shift to a service economy (Cascio, 1995), customer service effectiveness is a critical measure of success for service firms. In service relationships, where a single employee may be the only point of contact for customers, monitoring service effectiveness becomes incumbent upon the employees delivering the service (i.e., boundary spanners). The purpose of this study was to provide an investigation into service effectiveness (i.e., customer satisfaction and repatronage and word-of-mouth intentions) in service relationships. Specifically, boundary spanners' perceived organizational support (POS) was proposed to impact customer satisfaction through its impact on feedback seeking behaviors (i.e., direct inquiry, monitoring, positive …

Evidence For Infanticide In Bottlenose Dolphins Of The Western North Atlantic, Dale G. Dunn, Susan G. Barco, D. Ann Pabst, William A. Mclellan

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Nine bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) calves that stranded in Virginia in 1996 and 1997 died of severe blunt-force trauma. Injuries were concentrated on the head and chest and multiple rib fractures, lung lacerations, and soft tissue contusions were prominent. Skeletal and/or soft tissue trauma occurred bilaterally in all of the calves. One had a bite wound across the left mandible that exhibited deep punctures consistent with the tooth placement in an adult bottlenose dolphin. The lesions were not compatible with predation, boat strike, fisheries interactions, rough-surf injury, or blast injury. However, they were similar to traumatic injuries described in stranded …

La Question Prioritaire De Constitutionnalité (Qpc): L’Héritage Paradoxal De Nicolas Sarkozy Sur La Constitution Française, Sydney White , '22

Senior Theses, Projects, and Awards

No abstract provided.

Mining Law Reform Redux, Once More, John D. Leshy

Faculty Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Nonequilibrium Atmospheric Pressure Plasmas On The Heterotrophic Pathways Of Bacteria And On Their Cell Morphology, Mounir Laroussi, J. Paul Richardson, Fred C. Dobbs

OES Faculty Publications

To date, most research on the interaction of nonequilibrium, atmospheric pressure plasma discharges with bacteria has concentrated on the germicidal effects. Therefore, published results deal mainly with killing efficacy and little attention is given to physical mechanisms and biochemical pathways and their potential alterations when cells of microorganisms are exposed to the plasma. In this letter, an attempt to investigate the effects of plasma exposure on the biochemical pathways of bacteria is presented. In addition, using electron microscopy, we investigate if any gross morphological changes take place when cells are exposed to a lethal dose of plasma. We are testing …