Engineering Commons^™

On-Line Analysis Of Highly Coherent Brain Activity During Transcendental Meditation And Automated Biofeedback, Deepak Dinkerrai Rawal

Theses

Occurance of highly coherent brain activity (EEG) specific to the meditation has been reported in the literature. The present thesis is an effort to look into the mechanics of meditation using the recent technique of analysis of high coherence in the EEG. Based on previous work, reporting increased EEG coherence during practice of Transcendental Meditation, a closed loop model and hypothesis is proposed using biofeedback to close the loop. The hypothesis proposes that very high coherence in the EEG is a very significant neurophysiological parameter, reflecting instantaneous quality of meditation in the form of an average high coherence above threshold. …

The Effects Of Platelet Activating Factor (Paf) On The Arteriolar Average Blood Velocity And Volumetric Flowrate In The Microcirculation Of The Hamster Cheek Pouch, Patricia Ann Shatynski

Theses

The effects of platelet activating factor (PAF) in vessel diameter, average red blood cell (RBC) velocity and volumetric flowrate were studied in twenty-four arterioles located in the cheek pouches of nine male syrian golden hamsters. The observed vessels were between 8-32um in diameter. These vesgs were subdivided further into two groups: 8-17um and the 21-32um group. Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) labeled cells were injected into the hamster to act as velocity tracers. Immediately prior to and for a total of 60 minutes after the topical application of 10^-7M and 10^-9M PAF, selected arterioles were video taped periodically …

Human Factors In The Design Of Computer Application Software, Curtis Springstead

Theses

The use of computers in business has expanded tremendously over the past two decades. This expansion has been possible due to increasing economies within the computer industry, and in spite of the lack of consideration shown for the users of such data processing systems. The popularity of computers has compelled users to expand their list of requirements from a computer system so that it includes ease of use.

This thesis attempts to bring together many widely dispersed studies and principles that can affect the ease of use of interactive computer systems. The material has been organized according to five components …

Ray And Beam Representation Of The Glancing Phenomena, Michael Sotiriou Vogas

Theses

Asymptotic ray theory (ART) is a widely used method dealing with problems of wave propagation in an inhomogeneous medium. The main deficiency of ART is in transition regions where rays near caustics, glancing and critical incidence fail to represent the actual wave field. Ray bundles in such transition regions have been successfully replaced with modal bundles and remainders El] in well defined profiles. However , in practical problems it is difficult to implement modal representations and almost impossible to express remainders. Recently emerging Gaussian beam method (GBM) has shown promising results in representing the total field produced by a source …

Sensitivity Analysis Of Linear Goal Programming On Priority Level Reordering, Fu-Chia Hor

Theses

The purpose of this research is to study on the sensitivity analysis of priority level reordering of a goal programming model. Two approaches are presented in this study to handle this priority level reordering analysis. The first one is an algorithm to generate the solution of a similar problem with different priority level ordering of the original one utilizing the final solution tableau of the original problem. In doing so, calculation steps and time are saved tremendously.

The second approach is based on the fact that some goal programming problem of different priority level ordering has the same solution as …

An Analysis Of Different Desalination Processes, Vahe Garabed Hovsepian

Theses

The object of this thesis is to study the various modes of desalination and analyze the energy and economic requirements. The desalination methods discussed are, single stage desalination, Long tube vertical Evaporator, Multistage Flash distillation, Solar Energy method, Freezing method, Reverse osmosis & Electrodialysis.

It was found that for vapor reheat process at 350°F input 639 ft-lbs/lb product required 2.01 kw-hr/100gal. product and the total cost 51.6c/1000gal.

Not one process is best for everyone. In countries close to the equator, the solar energy method is the best. Most other countries depend on flash distillation process, etc. So we can't draw …

In Vitro Comparative Hydrodynamic Study Of Heart Valve Bioprostheses Under Accelerated Fatigue Conditions And Under Physiological Conditions, Mario Cincinat Iosif

Theses

The present study involves the use of an accelerated fatigue testing system*, and a pulse duplicator (heart simulator)*, to evaluate the hydrodynamic characteristics of cardiac bioprostheses.

The hydrodynamic performance of these prosthetic valves is compared when tested using each machine, in order to assess the determining conditions that exist for each case, and try to correlate them.

Pressure drop and pulsatile flow across valves are measured, using a real-time on-line data acquisition system, which includes, in addition to the fatigue tester and the pulse duplicator, a DC amplifier, an analog-to-digital converter and a digital microcomputer. Special acquisition software has been …

Microcomputer Local Area Network Interface, David W. Juan

Theses

A Microcomputer Local Area Network Interface system for use in the study of Local Area Network has been built and tested. The special feature of the system is data transmission/receiving and error detection/recovery. The system adapted the International Standards Organization (ISO) Open System Interconnection COSI) model. It used the star topology and implemented the physical layer, data link layer and network layer. The results of the system indicated the data communications and resources—sharing between microcomputers.

Computational Method For Robot Manipulator Dynamics Based On The Gibbs-Appell Equations, Kwang Bok Kim

Theses

Industrial robots are open-loop multi-degree of freedom mechanisms whose dynamic characteristics are described by nonlinear differential equations. The computations of forces and torques required at each joint of robot manipulator are crucial step for real time control of robot manipulators.

Vukobratovic developed a new computational method for rigid body articulated open-loop mechanisms based on the Gibbs -Appell equations to generate differential equations of motion for spatial open - chain mechanisms. To solve these equations, he introduced the recursive kinematic transformation matrices that represent the motion of each linkage with respect to the base linkage.

Computer programs are developed in this …

Preparation And Properties Of Monomers Derived From Hydroxyhexyl Methacrylate For Dental Adfesive, Ren-Dar Ku

Theses

Although methacrylic acid is the simplest unsaturated carboxylic acid and its hydroxyl ester polymerize readily, yielding useful resins, no adequate study of the preparation and application of the higher hydroxyl alkyl methacrylates has been published. The commercially important hydroxyethyl and hydroxypropyl methacrylates are manufactured from the appropriate alcohol in the presence of sulfuric acid, a method which appears to be less suitable for production of higher hydroxyl alkyl methacrylates. The purpose of the present work was to prepare the hydroxyhexyl methacrylate (HHMA) by a generally applicable method and determine its common physical properties. In addition, the urethane methacrylates were synthesized …

Design And Evaluation Of Performance For The Multi-Microprocessor System, Sang-Soo Lee

Theses

A tightly coupled multiple-microprocessor with two MPU's that can be run at different clock speeds has been built and tested. The method of interconnection for this multiprocessor is a timeshared common bus with shared memories having a tightly coupled architecture. The signal timipg of the multiprocessor system for different speeds has been investigated using a logic analyzer for simulation modeling. The desired timing results have been obtained. According to the timing results, the simulation model for the General Purpose Simulation System has been correctly designed and performance of the multiprocessor system for the various clock speeds has been evaluated by …

Air Pollutant Emissions From Non-Vented Radiant Kerosene Heater, Anil Kumar Mishra

Theses

Gaseous emissions from non-vented kerosene heaters can generate and create significant indoor air concentrations of various gaseous pollutants. Indoor air concentrations resulting from operating a portable non-vented radiant type kerosene heater in three rooms of size 38.7, 58.1 and 137 M³ were studied. Studies in the environmental chamber having a size of 38.7 M³ under two sets of ventilation conditions showed elevated levels of CO₂, total hydrocarbons and CO. An emission rate model was used to estimate the strength of pollutant source, for total hydrocarbons, CO₂ and CO with data reported in terms of mass …

Reliability Study Of Liquid Crystal Display, Kalpesh Mahendra Desai

Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to study the reliability of liquid crystal display under different temperature conditions. To accomplish this, accelerated life testing was done on the soft glass and the hard glass liquid crystal display units at 77 C and 85 C temperature without any added humidity or voltage.

As the current is a usefu1 indicator for probable wear of liquid crystal display, leakage current was measured at 0 hour, 1000 hours, 2000 hours and 3000 hours when the units have stabilized at room temperature.

The date shows higher spread for the hard glass units. This may indicate …

A Study Of Hazardous Wastes Generated In New Jersey With Regard To The Siting Of Waste Disposal Facilities In The State, Shreerang Narayan Dharasker

Theses

The effective treatment and disposal of hazardous wastes is one of the most urgent problems facing the State of New Jersey today. New Jersey is the most densely populated state and is a leader in industry. Nearly every major industry in the nation is represented by one or many production units all of which generate copious amounts of hazardous and toxic wastes each year. Although the state has the toughest rules and regulations on the management of hazardous waste, there are very few options exercised or facilities cited for the effective treatment and disposal of wastes within the state boundaries. …

The Effect Of Toxic Substances On The Index Properties Of Soils, Ronald Dicola

Theses

Contaminated soils were tested to determine if a relationship existed between their index properties and hydraulic conductivity. Atterberg Limit tests and Particle Size Analysis tests were performed on Woodbury, Raritan and Brunswick formation soils. The chemicals examined were Benzene, Phenol and Trichloroethylene (TCE). Tests were performed following the ASTM Standard Test Methods with only slight modification to accommodate the use of contaminated soils. Two different methods of soil contamination were used, one for chemical solutions and the other for pure chemicals.

Particle Size Analysis tests were performed both with and without dispersing agent. Hydrometer tests with dispersing agent resulted in …

Cybernetic Theory Applied In Production Control, Ding-Hsin Fang

Theses

There are many theories for the control of production. Also. there are many successful cases for each of the different theories.

Cybernetic theory is quickly evolving as a design basis for management control systems. Cybernetics is the science of self-regulation and its basic tenents are control, or the ability to direct action toward a predetermined goal, and communication, or the ability to send and receive information.

The objective of this thesis is to identify and discuss this theory applied to the management techniques of production control for a Far Eastern textile firm and to investigate the extent that the firm …

Physical And Mechanical Properties Of A New Type Of Polymer Concrete, Kyan Bin Khoo

Theses

A new type of Polymer concrete is an admixture of a special Latex, Portland cement and Sand. It has high bond strength, quick curing, durability and adequate strength. The Mechanical and Physical properties were investigated in this paper. Reinforcement with Glassfiber was done and its properties compared to those of control specimens. The heat generation in Polymer Concrete (PC) and its relationship with the properties of PC was also investigated.

A new type of Polymer concrete is an admixture of a special Latex, Portland cement and Sand. It has high bond strength, quick curing, durability and adequate strength. The Mechanical …

The Separation Of Proteins Via Charged Electromembrane Process, Chi-Wen Lin

Theses

A new method for separation and concentration of protein and other biocolloids such as hemoglobin and albumin was developed by a process called the charged electromembrane (CEM) process. The process is characterized by using a metallic membrane as a filter which can carry either positive or negative electric current.

The effect of various factors on the separation coefficient and filtration efficiency were investigated experimentally. These factors include strength of electric field, pH of colloidal solution, electric current through membrane filter and flow rate.

It was found out that the thickness of the gel layer formed on the membrane could be …

Biodegradation Of Mixed Phenolic Substrates, Prasad Gonnabathula

Theses

The biological degradation of phenol, with either 2-chlorophenol, 2,6-dichlorophenol, or nitrobenzene as cosubstrates was studied in aerated five - liter batch reactors using mixed liquor from the Passaic Valley Sewarage Commissioners wastewater treatment plant (Newark, NJ). The initial substrate concentrations were: 100 – 150 ppm phenol, 10 - 20 ppm 2-cp, 10 ppm 2,3 dcp, and 10 - 20 ppm nitrobenzene. The concentration vs. time data were fit to three kinetic models: zero-order, first-order, and Monod(assuming constant biomass). Most of the data were best fit by either the Monod or zero-order model. For all compounds tested, biodegradation was the primary …

Prediction Of Vapor And Liquid Equilibrium Properties For 25 Organic Priority Pollutants In Aqueous Solution, Pinchieh Pai

Theses

Activity coefficients and Henry's law constants for 25 organic priority pollutants were estimated using UNIFAC thermodynamic calculations. For 6 of these compounds, the results were compared with measured values reported in the literature. This indicated errors in the UNIFAC predictions varying from 24.0% to 95.0%. Best results with UNIFAC were obtained using liquid-liquid equilibria, rather than vapor-liquid equilibria.

Octanol/water partition coefficients were also estimated for the same 25 organic priority pollutants using the fragment constant method. Results differed from values reported in the literature by 5% to 170%.

Estimated activity coefficients were also used to predict stripping rates of organic …

Deposition Of Suspensions In Convergent Channels Due To Electrostatic Image Forces, Kwok Wah Hui

Dissertations

The deposition of suspensions for uniform flow in convergent channels under the combined influences of inertia, viscous and electrostatic image forces was studied theorectically. The fluid phase was assumed to be two-dimensional, steady, uniform, incompressible and laminar while the particle phase was assumed to be uniform, steady, dilute and with negligible gravity effects.

Since the image force equations for convergent channels have not been derived, it becomes one of the main purposes of this study to perform the derivation of the image force equations. The lengths of the channels were chosen in a way that the exit area is only …

Reactions Of Chlorocarbon Species With Hydrogen Over Palladium On Alumina Catalyst And Zeolite Catalyst-Development Of Deactivation Models, Yuh-Der Yang

Dissertations

Four catalytic dechlorination reactions were studied experimentally using a fixed-bed reactor at atmosphere pressure. Reaction mechanisms were proposed, and the kinetics modelled.

The first reaction is 1,2-dichloroethane with hydrogen over zeolite catalyst. Catalyst deactivation models were examined.

The second reaction was between 1,2-dichloroethane and hydrogen over palladium catalyst on alumina support. Formation of two intermediates on the catalyst surface is proposed, which then produced ethane, ethylene, and ethyl chloride. Higher conversion to ethane and ethylene was observed at temperatures above 218°C while conversion to chloroethane is higher at temperatures below 218°C. The activation energy was found to be 15 Kcal/gm-mole. …

Deposition Of Particles In Tubes Due To Gravity And Electrostatic Charges, Win-Chung Chen

Dissertations

The deposition of particles in a parallel-plate channel and a circular tube under the influence of inertia, fluid viscosity, gravity and electrostatic image forces was studied by analytical and numerical methods. A laminar flow with uniform and parabolic velocity profiles was investigated with a particle initial velocity of zero as well as that of the local fluid velocity.

The governing equations were solved by the Lagrangian approach to obtain the particle trajectories from which the fraction of deposition was calculated. Closed form solutions for particle trajectory and a complete deposition of particles in a finite length of the flow passage …

Computer Aided Stress Analysis Of Long Bones Utilizing Computed Tomography, Shlomo Asher Marom

Dissertations

A computer aided analysis method, utilizing computed tomography (CT) has been developed, which together with a finite element program determines the stress-displacement pattern in a long bone section. The CT data file provides the geometry, the density and the material properties for the generated finite element model.

A three-dimensional finite element model of a tibial shaft is automatically generated from the CT file by a pre-processing procedure for a finite element program. The developed pre-processor includes an edge detection algorithm which determines the boundaries of the reconstructed cross-sectional images of the scanned bone. A mesh generation procedure then automatically generates …

Two And Three-Dimensional Isoparametric Finite Elements For Axisymmetric Micropolar Elasticity, Fuang-Yuan Huang

Dissertations

Finite element analysis program for isotropic and orthotropic axisymmetric micropolar (Cosserat) elastic solids are developed in this thesis. Isoparametric elements of 8- and 20- node are used to solve general three-dimensional problems, arid both 4- and 8-node elements are used for two-dimensional cases. Three-dimensional finite element formulation for cylindrical coordinate system is derived. Corresponding Fortran programs are then developed. Patch tests are performed for two-dimensional cases to verify the applicability of the finite element method to non-rectangular geometries. Several two-dimensional and three- dimensional problems for micropolar elastic solids are solved to verify the formulations arid computer program.

Good agreements were …

Simulation Of A Microprocessor Controlled Drill Press, Arun J. Ayyagari

Theses

The concept of flexible manufacturing systems has ushered new dimensions into machine tool design. The power of this new technique is that a high degree of flexibility in a machine tool can be easily achieved by developing a software based control system as against conventional hard wired systems in existence.

To demonstrate this point, a microprocessor based control system is developed, in this thesis, to control the automated drill press. The Motorola MC6808 8-bit microprocessor is chosen as an example.

The microprocessor first evaluates the optimum cutting parameters for the given cutter size, work material and operation. It then uses …

Computational Method For Solving The Kinematics Of Mechanisms Using Matrix Methods, Rajat Pardal

Theses

This thesis deals with the computational methods for kinematics of mechanisms using matrix methods. The method is particularly suited to the complex mechanism problems for which hand calculations are difficult. The thesis first reviews the matrix methods on which the program IMP is based. A computer program developed by Ve Tung using the same theory is enhanced in this thesis. By using this revised program, comparison between the non-linear algebraic approach and the matrix methods developed in this thesis has been made by the help of suitable examples. Further, it has been proved that the Integrated Mechanisms Program does not …

Investigation Into The Feasibility Of Burning Hazardous Waste In Utility Boilers, Reuben Steinberg

Theses

Disposal of hazardous waste is of major concern in recent years in this country. Declining availability of landfills together with more stringent State and Federal regulations has necessitated the need to consider alternative means of hazardous waste disposal. It was suggested that burning hazardous wastes in presently operating utility boilers might be beneficial to the utilities and offer a solution to this social problem.

This thesis investigates the feasibility of this alternative given the technical, economic and regulatory considerations involved and discusses the findings of adopting this technology for hazardous waste disposal.

Based on the results of this study it …

Graphic Display Of Robot Kinematics, Ramamurthy Vishwanathan

Theses

This thesis uses the HOUIE.BYLI graphics software package to simulate the kinematics of a six degree of freedom, MAKER I robot. The coordinate frames for the various links of the robot were established. The kinematic equations for the manipulator were developed snd solved using the techniques of inverse geometric transformations and transformations of objects in 3D space. A program was also developed to calculate the joint variables of the manipulator given any point on, and the orientation of, an object. These variable values are used to direct the robot end effector to the given point. This can be seen in …

On Natural Frequency Of The Stiffened Hvac Ducts, Jin-Lian Ha

Theses

This thesis employs ANSYS program to calculate the natural frequency of a stiffened HVAC duct and to investigate the affect of these stiffeners to the values of the natural frequency.

Investigation through this thesis shows that increases in the number of transverse stiffeners mould increase the natural frequency of the HVAC duct and the installation of the axial stiffener mould also increase the duct natural frequency.