This thesis deals with the design and construction of a variable geometry truss (VGT) of the double-octahedral (pyramid-pyramid) geometry. The truss is expected to be the focus of several experimental research projects. In this thesis, a kinematic model is formulated, and the forward and inverse kinematic problems are solved. Issues of motor and instrumentation choices are addressed. Dimensional choices and the important problems of joint design are examined. A computer simulation is performed for force and vibration analysis. A fully collapsible double-octahedral variable geometry truss with three degrees of freedom was built using NC machining technologies. An improved second generation twenty-one degree-of-freedom truss will be built based on this original test article. / Master of Science

The volatile economic world of agriculture in the past two decades has had a significant impact on agribusinesses. Among these agribusinesses are farm supply cooperatives. Consolidation of farm supply cooperative stores could help to correct many inefficiencies which they face. This research attempted to create a model which would help cooperative managers consider consolidation of cooperative stores or product lines as a method to correct inefficiencies and lower the costs of doing business. A microcomputer based linear programming model which simulates the product/trade flows of a farm supply cooperative trade area was developed. This model simulates consumer behavior by minimizing the net cost (purchase price plus cost of transport) of purchasing agricultural supplies to the patron. Using the simulated product flows, the financial situation of the trade area was presented. The model was tested by analyzing several consolidation scenarios based on the costs, prices, and asset capacities of a sample trade area. Consolidation of the feed and fertilizer product lines into one location was found to be a very successful cost saving scenario for the sample trade area. / Master of Science

The effects of various fixatives on viral suspensions, the progress of wheat soil-borne mosaic virus (WSBMV) through Florida 302 wheat, and WSBMV relationship to Polymyxa graminis Led. were studied at the subcellular level. The utilization of electron immunocytochemical techniques using gold-labelled antibodies on viral suspensions and thin sections confirmed that (1) paraformaldehyde provided the best preservation of viral morphology, viral concentration, and antigenicity; (2) P; graminis is the actual vector of the virus; and (3) the labelling pattern of the fungal structures and plant chloroplasts suggests that they may play a role in the synthesis of some viral proteins. / Master of Science

A generalized hydrodynamic interaction force model is combined with a ship maneuvering simulator to provide a free-running, closed loop ship simulation capable of trajectory predictions of ships operating in close proximity in a shallow, asymmetric canal. The interaction force model is based on the generalized Lagally's theorem, properly accounting for the orientations and dynamic motions of the ships. Also included are the lift forces and the cross-flow drag forces, which are found to be important for bank suction phenomena. A simplified method is implemented for box shapes, applicable for barge-tows operating in rivers. Results of the calculations are found to be generally in good agreement with experimental and other theoretical results. This work would have utility in studying maneuvers involving ships and barges in close proximity and can be used in training pilots who operate in canals, harbors and rivers, and also in studying the effects of various steering control systems in the early design stages. / Ph. D.

Little research has been conducted dealing with human performance in symbol search of cartographic images on matrix-addressable displays. Alphanumeric studies have researched failures and polarity on such displays, but not using cartographic images. Two studies were conducted which required the subject to search for symbols on cartographic images under various conditions of failure, polarity, and background clutter. Response time and accuracy were measured. Generally, high clutter impeded performance more than low clutter, and negative polarity produced slightly better performance than positive. Horizontal line failures affected search ability more than vertical line or cell failures, particularly when the failures were in "on" mode rather than "off" mode. Further, it was found that while previous alphanumeric studies found effects at three percent failures or greater, effects were observed for the present studies at two percent or greater, apparently due to the presence of map information on the display. Recommendations for cartographic display design and future research are discussed. / Master of Science

La investigación pretende responde las siguientes preguntas: ¿Cómo y por qué la propuesta del Partido Comunista del Perú Sendero Luminoso (PCP-SL) se convierte en una opción de adhesión para hombres y mujeres jóvenes sobre todo en el contexto de finales de los ochenta y comienzos de los noventa? y ¿qué diferencias o similitudes existieron entre las motivaciones, entendidas como las explicaciones justificadoras, que tuvieron los miembros del PCP-SL en el periodo 1989-1992 de aquellos que lo hicieron antes de este periodo de tiempo? / Tesis

by Paul Tseng. / Cover title. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 20-21). / Research supported by the U.S. Army Research Office. DAAL03-86-K-0171 Research supported by the National Science Foundation. NSF-DDM-8903385

Orientador : Shiguenoli Miyamoto / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Filosofia e Ciencias Humanas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-07-18T22:34:13Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Belli_Benoni_M.pdf: 4572509 bytes, checksum: c78c43fa66a4ac8644bd056b4fb28d6f (MD5) Previous issue date: 1994 / Resumo: Não informado / Abstract: Not informed. / Mestrado / Mestre em Ciência Política

Mémoire numérisé par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.

Broccoli growers in Southside Virginia have had difficulty with stand establishment. This research was undertaken to identify potential causes of poor stand establishment. Temperature and soil moisture conditions in Southside Virginia during July and August are often less than favorable for seedling growth. Experiments were designed to test the temperature and moisture stress limits for germination and emergence of 'Packman' broccoli, under the controlled conditions of growth chambers. / Master of Science