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A range of siliceous, ferruginous and ferromanganiferous deposits are intercalated with, and overlie the lavas of the Late Cretaceous northern Oman ophiolite. Most of the deposits lie on the upper surface of the spreading event lavas; spreading event magmatism and later seamount-building events are coeval to relatively small metalliferous sediment deposits. The mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of these sediments are a function of the interaction between local hydrothermal systems, the marine depositional environment, and early diagenetic transformations. Various techniques are employed to objectively determine the actual end-member component compositions from which the metalliferous sediments formed. The sediments are a mixture of primary biosiliceous oozes and hydrothermal metallic components which were deposited at or near a marginal ocean-basin spreading axis during Cenomanian time. Factor analysis, selective acid leaching experiments and linear programming modelling identify six geologically reasonable end-members, which represent biosiliceous sediment, carbonate sediment, detrital sediment, hydrogenous sediment, and hydrothermal sediment. The techniques show that the sediments have a complicated hydrothermal history which is associated with the evolution of the Oman ophiolite. The hydrothermal component is sub-divided into high temperature and low temperature end-members which are characteristic of the proto-seamount and proto- rift event environments respectively. Vent proximal and vent-distal facies are described. The geochemistry of the deposits provides evidence for calcareous pelagic dissolution by hydrothermal fluids, which resulted in the relative concentration of a hyaloclastic component. The deposits which were not early-lithified are epidotized. Metamorphic transformation of the primary sediment occurred prior to eruption of the upper lava unit. The techniques which have been used to describe the range, composition and distribution of the end-member components provide a flexible framework for the characterisation of geological mixing in all marine metalliferous sediments.

In this thesis we report on the design and evaluation of interfaces to support crowdsourced programming tasks. We present WordMatch and SnipMatch: two programming tools that can incorporate crowdsourced source code. The design of these tools is informed by an investigation of crowdsourcing; specifically, Crowdsourced Human-Based Computation (CHC) systems, which organize tasks performed by humans. Recommendations include methods to obtain and maintain users who are highly motivated to participate and methods to improve task performance. WordMatch, a novel programming environment for specifying direct answers for search queries, builds on this work by introducing a parameterized search interface that can be easily understood by end users. In a laboratory study, we found that people with basic computer literacy could be taught to create complex direct answers with minimal training. Finally, evaluations of SnipMatch, a search interface for curated source code snippets, demonstrate that features from WordMatch are applicable to general programming tasks. Participants in our longitudinal study reported that SnipMatch was an effective tool for reducing context switching and as a memory aid. / Thesis (Ph.D, Computing) -- Queen's University, 2013-01-31 12:50:58.15

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited / Each year the United States Marine Corps suffers excessive loss of man years from Marines awaiting entry-level schools. During fiscal year 2001 (the most recent complete time-awaiting-training data), Marines exceeded 2,800 man years of time awaiting training. Non-infantry personnel comprise 80% of the more than 30,000 recruits shipped to Marine Corps Recruit Depots each year, but they constitute almost 95% of the 2,800 man-year loss. Marine Corps manpower planners consider the current level of loss unacceptable and believe significant improvement can be gained by optimally scheduling courses at Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) schools. This thesis uses an integer linear program, Entry-Level Course Scheduler (ELCS), to optimize a course schedule that includes recommended seat assignments by MOS and gender. ELCS seeks to minimize the time awaiting training while successfully meeting yearly classification requirements. ELCS results using fiscal year 2003 data indicate time awaiting training can be reduced to only 1,700 man years (a 1,100 man-year improvement, when compared with fiscal year 2001 data). / Captain, United States Marine Corps

This thesis presents an overarching plan to migrate a time-optimal spacecraft control algorithm from the MATLABTM development environment into an FPGA-based embedded-platform development board. Research at the Naval Postgraduate School has produced a revolutionary time-optimal spacecraft control algorithm based upon the Legendre Pseudospectral method. Currently, the control algorithm is dependent on the MATLABTM environment, a fourth generation language (4GL). 4GLs are powerful high-level abstraction and development tools, but are not efficiently instantiated into an embedded system. This study establishes three distinct development phases to migrate the algorithm from 4GL dependency to embedded operation. The first phase removes the algorithm's dependency on the 4GL environment by translating the algorithm into the C programming language. The second development phase compiles and embeds the algorithm into an FPGA-based development board. The final development phase introduces a custom computing machine (CCM) instantiated in an FPGA to reduce the control calculation time, thereby broadening the algorithm's potential application.

This thesis presents the use of a field programmable gate array (FPGA) to implement a non-coherent binary-frequency-shift-keyed receiver-transmitter (BFSK-RT) that simulates the modulation of the SINCGARS radio, the RT-1523C. An FPGA successfully, and with very few resources, implemented the desired modulation and demodulation. Topics covered include FPGA history, the hardware and software utilized, a summary of the SINCGARS RT-1523C characteristics, the BFSK-RT on FPGA design procedure and the design results.

This thesis presents the use of a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) to control two Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) Power Electronic Building Blocks (PEBB) configured to produce a three-phase low distortion sine wave output. The next generation warship is expected to contain more electric loads that require quality variable frequency output. A typical propulsion motor in the 40MW range will probably require the current Total Harmonic Distortion to be less than 3% (MIL-STD-1399). However, high power low distortion inverters usually have associated high cost and weight penalties. This thesis presents a parallel hybrid converter which demonstrates the use of a high power low fidelity bulk inverter with a low power high fidelity active filter. The high power low fidelity output is sourced using a six-step inverter which produces the entire fundamental current. The low power hysteresis controlled active filter section produces only cancelling harmonic current. The paralleled result is a pristine output sine wave with a 1% current Total Harmonic Distortion (THD). This solution should offer the Navy a high fidelity high power inverter without the cost and weight penalties. / US Navy (USN) author.

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