The otolith organs are housed in the inner ear and are responsible for sensing accelerations and gravity. These inertial sensing systems are modeled in this thesis as a three material system consisting of a rigid otoconial plate attached to the skull by a gel layer, surrounded by a viscous endolymph fluid. The gel layer is considered to be a viscoelastic solid, and modeled as a simple Kelvin element. The governing differential equations are derived and nondimensionalized, yielding three nondimensional parameters: nondimensional density, R, nondimensional viscosity, M, and nondimensional elasticity, 6. The equations are solved using uÌ nite difference techniques on a digital computer. By comparing the modelâ s response with previous biological research, values for the nondimensional parameters are found. The value of R is 0.75 and the value of 6 is between 0.3 and 0.075. While the value of M is placed between 5. and 10., results indicate that to properly model the long time response of the otolith, a single and constant value for viscosity is not feasible. / Master of Science

The principle of encoding specificity states that effective information retrieval relies upon consistency of encoding and retrieval cues. The present study generalized this principle to a complex social interaction in order to investigate the relation between certain combinations of pre- and post-observational cues and their effects on information categorization, recognition accuracy, and judgment accuracy. It was hypothesized that two experimental factors, appraisal purpose and rating format categorization, would influence organization, retrieval, and judgment of performance information. Specifically, consistent encoding (purpose) and retrieval (format) cues were expected to result in the most efficient retrieval of information, and consequently in more accurate performance ratings. / Master of Science

The concept, design, fabrication, and calibration of a new type of layered heat flux gage is described. Using thin-film microfabrication techniques the gage design is able to combine many of the desirable characteristics of other previous gage designs to produce a gage that has a very small size, high frequency response, and the ability to measure very high heat flux rates. The heat flux microsensor incorporates a differential thermopile, a set of 100 differential thermocouple pairs connected in series across a thin thermal resistance layer. The gage is fabricated on a model surface without the need for additional adhesives. The design configuration allows the thermal insulating layer to remain very thin, while still retaining the high output typical of much thicker gages. The small overall thickness of the gage, less than 2 µm, gives it a fast time response with the capability of measuring heat transfer in transient flow conditions. The combination of small thickness and small surface dimensions, 1 mm by 1 cm, gives the microsensor negligible flow and thermal disruption. The performance of a prototype microsensor deposited on Corning 7059 glass was measured. Steady-state calibrations were done using a convection calibration apparatus. The measured sensitivity (before amplification) was 0.164 mV per watt/cm². The output was linear over the range tested from 800 to 9000 watts/m². The unsteady response was tested using a continuous laser beam directed through a variable speed chopper wheel onto the gage surface. Results showed a frequency response of at least 1 kHz. / Master of Science

To facilitate the design of efficient simulation experiments, Schruben and Margolin (1978) recommend a correlation induction strategy for orthogonally blockable experimental designs. The objective of such experiments is to estimate a general linear regression model on the basis of a quantitative response variable generated by the simulation model. Nozari, Arnold, and Pegden (1987) develop optimal statistical procedures for analyzing simulation experiments performed under the Schruben-Margolin correlation induction strategy. Formulas are given for parameter estimation, hypothesis testing, and confidence interval estimation. The validity of this statistical analysis procedure is contingent upon the presence of a pure error component in the response. The goal of this thesis is to provide an appropriate statistical analysis technique for simulation experiments conducted under the Schruben-Margolin correlation induction strategy in the absence of pure error, and to identify conditions under which the pure error component is absent. Often, in order to construct valid inferences on the responses from a simulation experiment, the technique used to execute the simulation experiment must be properly identified. For purposes of this research, the identification problem takes the form of ensuring that the hypothesized metamodel is appropriate for the number of random number streams used to induce correlations between responses across design points. / Master of Science

This study was conducted to determine what the most frequently used methods were in obtaining corporate sponsors for athletic departments. A questionnaire was sent to all NCAA division Iâ A independent colleges (N = 24) in the United States. Twenty-one athletic departments returned the questionnaire for a response rate of 88%. The questionnaire investigated several areas of corporate sponsorship programs in the athletic departments: (a) staff size, (b) types of solicitation used to attract corporate sponsors (c) the athletic department's association with corporate sponsor, (d) the location of corporate sponsor, and (e) the benefits received by both corporate sponsor and the athletic department. Two important findings were made because of the study. First, 80% of the corporate sponsors used were either vendors or sponsors who employed alumni. Seventy-four percent of the corporate sponsors were located between zero and one hundred and fifty miles from the university. / Master of Science

Over the past ten to fifteen years the area of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy has seen tremendous growth. For example, in conjunction with multiple quantum NMR, molecular structural mapping of a compound can be easily performed in a two dimensional (2D) experiment. However, only two kinds of detector coils have been typically used in NMR studies. These are the solenoid coil and the Helmholtz coil. The solenoid coil was very popular with the permanent and electromagnet NMR instruments. With the advent of the superconducting magnets the popularity shifted to the Helmholtz coil, which remains the most common coil today for superconducting magnets. The Helmholtz coil, however, has been shown to have lower sensitivity than the solenoid coil. Hoult (1) has pointed out that potentially the Helmholtz coil represents a loss of signal-to-noise (S/N) by a factor of three in comparison to the solenoid coil. Since Hoult's original work, alternate methods for optimizing S/N have been explored. One of these has been the suggestion of toroid shaped resonators for NMR studies (2). A potential advantage of a toroid cell and coil is the confinement of the B₁ field to the torus region.It has been suggested that the toroid has a potential (S/N) advantage of 3.9 - 4.5 in comparison to the conventional Helmholtz cell (3). Since Zero Quantum (ZQ) experiments are independent of B₀ homogeneity, 2D ZQ experiments provide a convenient method of comparing the toroid and Helmholtz coils. In these zero quantum studies, the toroid and Helmholtz probes will be characterized in terms of several factors 1) B1 homogeneity, 2) B₀ homogeneity, 3) flip angle dependence, and 4) sensitivity. Finally, the two probes will be contrasted using spectral analysis in the spin-spin mapping of a simple molecule (nâ butanol) and a complex molecular system (taxol). / Master of Science

Computer Aided Design systems intended for three dimensional solid modelling have traditionally used geometric representations incompatible with established representations in computer vision. The utilization of object models built using these systems require a representation conversion before they can be used in automatic sensing systems. Considerable advantages follow from building a combined CAD and sensing system based on a common geometric model. For example, a library of objects can be built up and its models used in vision and touch sensing system integrated into an automated assembly line to 'discriminate between objects and determine- orientation and distance. This thesis studies a representation scheme, the dual spherical representation, useful in geometric modelling and machine recognition. We prove that the representation uniquely represents genus 0 polyhedra. We show by,example that our representation is not a strict dual of the vertex connectivity graph, and hence is not necessarily ambiguous. However, we have not been able to prove that the representation is unambiguous. An augmented dual spherical representation which is unique for general polyhedra is presented. This graph theoretic approach to polyhedra also results in an elegant method for decomposition of polyhedra into combinatorially convex parts. An algorithm implementation details and experimental results for recognition of polyhedra using a large field tactile sensor are given. A theorem relating the edges in the dual spherical representation and the edge under perspective projection is proved. Sensor fusion using visual and tactile sensory inputs is proposed to improve recognition rates. / Master of Science

This thesis presents a simple Real Time Embedded Control System (RTECS) in an application of Intelligent Structure Monitoring. Research in smart structures, especially the area of vibration suppression, has warranted the investigation of advanced computing environments. Real time PC computing power has limited development of high order control algorithms. The system discussed allows for implementation of l/O intensive algorithms and provides capability for advanced system development. In an application of Modal Domain Sensing for Vibration Control, RTECS is compared to a PC AT based system for overall functionality and speed. Using a model development procedure, the system is optimized for efficient operation and speed. This includes minimizing the computational overhead associated with I/O. A comparison shows an order of magnitude I increase in system speed with larger speed increases discussed. The results provide an avenue for high order control system design. This leads to more accurate device modeling and a higher level of system control. RTECS employs a novel RISC microcontroller capable of 15 MIPs continuous performance and burst rates of 40 MIPs. Advanced CMOS circuits are integrated on a single printed circuit board measuring 100 mm by 160 mm and require only 1 Watt of power. An operating system written in Forth provides the flexibility for high speed operation in short development cycles. / Master of Science

Overwinter survival of wild turkeys on industrial forests managed for short-rotation pines (treatment) and typical Piedmont forests and farmland (control), was investigated in Virginia's central Piedmont during 1986-1988. Ninety-six percent of the turkeys (N =106) were captured in early fall with alpha-chloralose laced bait. Sixty-three percent of the captured turkeys recovered and were released with transmitters; 15% were released without transmitters; and 21% died from capture related causes. Overwinter survival for all turkeys was <2% regardless of area or year. Daily survival was lower on the control areas (P < 0.01), however, due to the small (13) and scattered sample of turkeys captured over the 3 years on control areas, these data were omitted from further analyses. Daily survival on treatment areas over the 3 years was 97.6%. Thirty-seven percent of radio-equipped turkeys on treatment areas died within 2 weeks of release suggesting that factors related to the trapping process influenced survival. Possibilities considered were residual effects from alpha-chloralose, capture myopathy, and/or a negative effect from the transmitter and/or harness. Four weeks after release daily survival rates improved significantly (P < 0.01) indicating the influence from trapping had subsided. While hardwoods composed 38% of the primary treatment area, 65% of turkeys died in hardwood stands; predation accounted for 81% of the turkey mortality (N =42). Field evidence and necropsy results plus scent station data indicated that gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) were the main turkey predators. Fox scats contained no detectable turkey remains but indicated that eastern cottontails (Silvilagus floridanus) were a primary prey species. / Master of Science

Brucella abortus st. RB51 is a rough mutant of smooth st. 2308 devoid of O-side chain and resistant to rifampin. The purpose of this investigation was to study the behavior and effects of viable st. RB51 organisms in inoculated mice and cattle and to further substantiate the lack of O-side chain antigens in this strain. A single injection of live st. RB51 persisted in BALB/C mice up to 28 days. A secondary exposure was cleared in 7-21 days. One or 2 injections of st. RB51 did not induce detectable titers of anti-O-side chain antibodies, although antibody titers to st. RB51 whole cell and cytoplasmic antigens were detected. Mice infected with st. RB51 alone or followed by infection with st. 2308, demonstrated a very strong reaction to a 14-18 Kd antigen which was believed to be the core of the LPS complex. When st. RB51 was administered after injection of st. 2308 the response to the core determinants were inhibited. One vaccination with st. RB51 was able to significantly protect mice against challenge with st. 2308 at one and four weeks post challenge. Two st. RB51 vaccinations were able to protect mice as well as one vaccination at one week post challenge but protection increased by four weeks post challenge. Strain RB5l was able to survive in cattle a for at least twenty-two days. The organism remained stable, rifampin resistant, and may have induced minor amounts of transient anti-O-side chain antibodies in some cows late in the experiments. / Master of Science