Digital Commons Network^™

Automatic Cad Model Processing For Downstream Applications, Paresh S. Patel

Theses and Dissertations

Computer Aided Design (CAD) models often need to be processed due to data translation issues and requirements of the downstream applications like computational field simulation, rapid rototyping, computer graphics,computational manufacturing, and real-time rendering before they can be used. Automatic CAD model processing tools can significantly reduce the amount of time and cost associated with the manual processing.In this dissertaion, automated topology generation and feature removal techniques are developed to prepare suitable models with mimunum user interaction. A topology generation algorithm, commonly known as CAD repairing/healing, is presented to detect commonly found geometrical and topological issues like cracks, gaps, overlaps, intersections, …

Biomechanical And Metabolic Changes Within Rabbit Articular Cartilage Following Treatment With Radiofrequency Energy, Christopher Larry Horstman

Theses and Dissertations

The effects caused to articular cartilage by the remote use of arthroscopically-delivered RF energy to soft tissues in the joint are unknown. This investigation reported the short and long-term effects of bRF and mRF energy on the biomechanical properties and metabolic activity of articular cartilage. In addition, the effect of Cosequin® therapy was addressed. Thirty New Zealand white rabbits were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups (Group 1 - placebo; Group 2 - Cosequin®). Histopathology, cell viability, GAG synthesis, and mechanical function of the articular cartilage were compared between groups. Data were analyzed using a mixed model ANOVA …

Combining Static Analysis And Dynamic Learning To Build Context Sensitive Models Of Program Behavior, Zhen Liu

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation describes a family of models of program behavior, the Hybrid Push Down Automata (HPDA) that can be acquired using a combination of static analysis and dynamic learning in order to take advantage of the strengths of both. Static analysis is used to acquire a base model of all behavior defined in the binary source code. Dynamic learning from audit data is used to supplement the base model to provide a model that exactly follows the definition in the executable but that includes legal behavior determined at runtime. Our model is similar to the VPStatic model proposed by Feng, …

Design And Evaluation Of A Large Scale Aerosol Generator, Tracy Kristina Hogancamp

Theses and Dissertations

The Diagnostic Instrumentation and Analysis Laboratory (DIAL) at Mississippi State University was awarded a project to study the feasibility of measuring particulate matter downstream of a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter by testing commercially available equipment used to monitor the downstream side of a HEPA filter. In order to perform the work required for this project, a test stand to accommodate a 12? x 12? x 11.5? HEPA filter with a rated flow of 250 standard cubic feet per minute (scfm) was constructed. The test stand required an aerosol generator capable of producing a mass loading rate of 30 …

Design Optimization Of A Parallel Hybrid Powertrain Using Derivative-Free Algorithms, Sachin Kumar Porandla

Theses and Dissertations

A Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) is a complex electro-mechanical-chemical system that involves two or more energy sources. The inherent advantages of HEVs are their increased fuel economy, reduced harmful emissions and better vehicle performance. The extent of improvement in fuel economy and vehicle performance greatly depends on selecting optimal component sizes. The complex interaction between the various components makes it difficult to size specific components manually or analytically. So, simulation-based multi-variable design optimization is a possible solution for such kind of system level design problems. The multi-modal, noisy and discontinuous nature of the Hybrid Vehicle design requires the use of …

Empirical Findings On Persuasiveness Of Recommender Systems For Customer Decision Support In Electronic Commerce, Qinyu Liao

Theses and Dissertations

More and more companies are making online presence by opening online stores and providing customers with company and products information but the overwhelming amount of information also creates information overload for the customers. Customers feel frustrated when given too many choices while companies face the problem of turning browsers into actual buyers. Online recommender systems have been adopted to facilitate customer product search and provide personalized recommendation in the market place. The study will compare the persuasiveness of different online recommender systems and the factors influencing customer preferences. Review of the literature does show that online recommender systems provide customers …

Development Of A Supersonic Wind Tunnel Rapid Real-Time Data Acquisition And Control System, Ndubuisi Emmanuel Okoro

Theses and Dissertations

As a part of the revitalization of the supersonic wind tunnel maintained by the Aerospace Engineering Department of Mississippi State University, a new data acquisition and control system became incumbent. Previous data acquisition and control systems used in the operation of the supersonic wind tunnel made use of now outdated hardware and functioned with two central processing units; one processor was used for recording system response, while the other monitored and controlled the tunnel. A new system is required to provide adequate rapid real-time control, along with rapid acquisition of raw tunnel feedback or response data and tunnel pressure data …

Investigating Traditional Instruction And Problem-Based Learning At The Elementary Level, Ann Wiley Scott

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if Problem-Based Learning (PBL) is as effective an instructional method at the elementary level as traditional instruction in learning content. This study also is a contribution to the literature on PBL in the elementary classroom. The research design was quasi-experimental with a non-equivalent control group. A pilot study was conducted in science classes prior to the commencement of the research project in social studies. Eighty-eight students participated in the two studies. The control groups received instruction in a traditional format, and the experimental groups received instruction through the use of PBL. The …

An Approach To Graph-Based Modeling Of Network Exploitations, Wei Li

Theses and Dissertations

Computer security professionals and researchers are investigating proactive techniques for studying network-based attack behavior. Attack modeling is one of these research areas. In this dissertation, we address a novel attack modeling technique called an exploitation graph (e-graph) for representing attack scenarios. The key assumption in this research is that we can use exploitation graphs to represent attack scenarios, and methods involving e-graphs can be applied to provide vulnerability mitigation strategies. The modeling process consists of three primary steps. The first step is the creation of a knowledge base of vulnerability graphs (v-graphs) from known system vulnerabilities. Each v-graph shows necessary …

An Investigation Of The Performance In College Algebra Of Students Who Passed The Summer Developmental Program At Mississippi State University, Martha Hall Pratt

Theses and Dissertations

At Mississippi State University (MSU), students who do not meet full admission requirements may enroll in the Summer Developmental Program (SDP). During this ten-week summer program, students take four developmental courses to prepare them for college-level courses. MA 0003 Developmental Mathematics is the course designed to prepare these students for MA 1313 College Algebra. In addition, the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at MSU offers MA 0103 Intermediate Algebra to prepare students for MA 1313 College Algebra. The purpose of this study was to determine (a) whether there were correlations between student grades in MA 0003, MA 0103, and MA …

Testing The Floristic Quality Assessment Index In Natural And Created Wetlands In Mississippi, Usa, Brook Danielle Herman

Theses and Dissertations

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has mandated that states must include the use of biological assessments in their water quality laws to assess the biological integrity of aquatic systems. The Floristic Quality Assessment Index (FQAI), which uses wetland vegetation to assess the biological integrity of an ecosystem, has not been tested in Mississippi. The purpose of this study was to test the efficiency of the FQAI in wetlands along a gradient of human influence. Coefficients of conservatism (CC) were assigned to plant species based on their tolerance to disturbance and fidelity to habitat. A negative correlation was found between the …

The Geology And Hydrology Of The Proposed Upper Mccurtain Creek Watershed Impoundment Choctaw County, Mississippi, Leonard D (Leonard Dwight) Rawlings

Theses and Dissertations

The McCurtain Creek watershed was proposed for a large reservoir project resulting in the commissioning of this study to assess the site?s geology, hydrogeology, and surface hydrology to find whether or not the site was suitable. Data was collected from 57 geophysical logs from coal exploration boreholes to produce geologic and aquifer cross sections. A program to assess discharge identified surface hydrology characteristics of the stream at five locations. Twenty-seven geotechnical boreholes, 23 standpipe piezometers, and the data from the coal exploration were used to map the water table using ArcGIS 8.3 software. Eighteen piezometers at stream sites, used to …

Individualistic Roamers Or Community Builders?:Differences And Boundaries Among Rvers, Gloria Anne Mattingly

Theses and Dissertations

The number of leisure and working RVers roaming America?s highways, now conservatively estimated at over eight million, continues to increase (Curtin 2001; Sommer 2003). In spite of their growing presence and unique lifestyle, these populations remain sociologically understudied. This exploratory case study of two distinctly different RV parks is a small but significant step toward filling that research gap. At both RV parks I found a diverse population of individualists who value self-contained travel, freedom, relaxation, and sociality. In spite of sharing a collective, subcultural lifestyle, they differed along multiple axes. Marked differences separate RVers into three broad groups (full-timers, …

Faculty Senate Minutes - December 9, 2005, Usm Faculty Senate

Faculty Senate Minutes

No abstract provided.

Volume 41 - Issue 11 - Friday, December 9, 2005, Rose Thorn Staff

The Rose Thorn Archive

The Rose Thorn, Rose-Hulman's independent student newspaper.

The Echo: December 9, 2005, Taylor University

2005-2006 (Volume 93)

Students film SINBAD – Lighthouse trips commissioned – Library to remain open on Sundays – Surges scare students – SAC hosts Christmas banquet – G.E.M’s Going the Extra Mile – Self-defense seminars hit home – Financial aid reviews scholarships – Grappling with life, death – Getz makes Ivanhoe’s history – Elwell makes big bucks – Deck the Halls… …with TU Christmas – “And heaven and nature sing” – Kidding out of love – Letters to the Editor – Christianity calls for chivalry – Goofus and Gallant – Watch out kid, you’ll shoot your ear out – Letters to the Editor …

The Courier, Volume 39, Issue 12, December 9, 2005, The Courier, College Of Dupage

The Courier

Stories:

Aramark Sets National Goals

Pace Survey Nears End

Replacing Computers

College Celebrates Anniversary

Students Shed Some Light–HOD Student Symposium Showcases Read Across Campus Project With Student Works

Witches, Mass Hysteria And Puritans–Arthur Miller's ‘The Crucible’ Pens In Student Productions Tonight In Theatre 2

ESSAI Gains Recognition

It Takes Hard Work To Be A Loser–The College Is Bringing A Part Of Reality TV Into The Fitness Center This Winter

People:

Brian Zimerle

Krista Woldeit

The Communicator, December 9, 2005, Bronx Community College

The Communicator

The Communicator newspaper published on December 9, 2005.

Reporter - December 9th 2005, Rit Reporter Staff

University Publications

No abstract provided.

The Bison, December 9, 2005

The Bison Newspapers

No abstract provided.

College Voice Vol. 30 No. 12, Connecticut College

2005-2006

No abstract provided.

Trust Broker: A Defense Against Identity Theft From Online Transactions, Michael George Edvalson

Theses and Dissertations

The proliferation of online services over the years has encouraged more and more people to participate in Internet activities. Many web sites request personal and sensitive information needed to deliver the desired service. Unfortunately, it is difficult to distinguish the sites that can be trusted to protect such information from those that cannot. Many attempts to make the Internet easier to use introduce new security and privacy problems. On the other hand, most attempts at creating a safe online environment produce systems that are cryptic and hard to use. The TrustBroker system is based on a specialized online repository that …

The Bg News December 9, 2005, Bowling Green State University

BG News (Student Newspaper)

The BGSU campus student newspaper. December 9, 2005. Volume 96-Issue 73.

Structural Studies On A Mitochondrial Glyoxalase Ii, Gishanthi P. K. Marasinghe, Ian M. Sander, Brian Bennett, Gopal R. Periyannan, Ke-Wu Yang, Christopher A. Makaroff, Michael W. Crowder

Physics Faculty Research and Publications

Glyoxalase 2 is a β-lactamase fold-containing enzyme that appears to be involved with cellular chemical detoxification. Although the cytoplasmic isozyme has been characterized from several organisms, essentially nothing is known about the mitochondrial proteins. As a first step in understanding the structure and function of mitochondrial glyoxalase 2 enzymes, a mitochondrial isozyme (GLX2-5) from Arabidopsis thaliana was cloned, overexpressed, purified, and characterized using metal analyses, EPR and ¹H NMR spectroscopies, and x-ray crystallography. The recombinant enzyme was shown to bind 1.04 ± 0.15 eq of iron and 1.31 ± 0.05 eq of Zn(II) and to exhibit k_cat and …

Volume 43, Number 16: December 9, 2005, University Of North Dakota

University Letter Archive

No abstract provided.

Crusader, December, 9, 2005, College Of The Holy Cross

Student Newspapers

The student newspaper for the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts. Articles include coverage of campus events and issues, sports, editorials and special features.

Daily Eastern News: December 09, 2005, Eastern Illinois University

December

No abstract provided.

Wmu Board Of Trustees Formal Session December 09, 2005, Wmu Board Of Trustees

WMU Board of Trustees Meetings

Minutes of the WMU Board of Trustees meeting include appendices:

• Acceptance of the Agenda
• Approval of the Minutes
• Resolution Honoring Football Team
• Remarks by the President Bailey
• Remarks by the WSA President and GSAC Chair
• Presidential Evaluation/Compensation Recommendation
• WMU/POA Contract (If agreement reached)
• 2004/05 External Audit Report/Appointment of External Auditor for 2005/06

Fall Commencement Ceremonies, University Of North Florida

Commencement Printed Materials

Program for the Fall Commencement ceremonies held at UNF Arena.

Change Bell Ringing And Mathematics: A High School Student Excursion Into Graph Theory And Group Theory, Kristi Carlson

Honors Theses

This unit was created as a way to introduce higher level mathematics concepts to advanced high school students. All five of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Process Standards are found in this unit. For most of the unit, students work within small groups