An often overlooked area of graphics is the ability of application programs to create graphical images. Many programs exist which allow creation interactively, but few offer the same ability for noninteractive application programs. By allowing an application program to create graphical images more user friendly programs may be created by programmers. / Department of Computer Science

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a microcomputer-assisted instructional program on the ability of college choral ensemble members to sing melodic configurations at sight.A two-way analysis of variance was constructed to research four questions. After a microcomputer was obtained and set up, two criterion tests--the Singing AchievementTest (Bowles) and a microcomputer-generated sightsinging test (MGST)--were given to forty-one members of choral performing ensembles at Fort Wayne Bible College. The students were divided into two ability groups based upon the Singing Achievement Test pretest scores. Each ability group was then randomly divided into experimental and control groups by means of a table of random numbers. There was no attempt made to single out participants with special abilities or trainingAn eight-week experiment with the microcomputer program, MELODIOUS DICTATOR, was constructed consisting of three non-consecutive fifteen-minute periods per week for all experimental group participants. The control group attended choral rehearsals with the experimental group but had no exposure to the computer program. After the eight weeks, the same criterion tests were readministered to all participants. An Opinionnaire was also completed by the students in the experimental group.Data-were processed statistically by the use of a two-way analysis of variance. The ability level group and the experimental/control group were independent variables. Pretest scores for Singing Achievement Test, melodic errors-Singing Achievement Test, and microcomputer-generated sightsinging test, and posttest scores for the same three tests were the dependent variables. Results of these data and observations from the Opinionnaire led to the following conclusions:1. There was no significant effect on the ability of college choral ensemble members to sing melodic configurations at sight through the use of the MELODIOUS DICTATOR as measured by mean scores of two criterion posttests.2. Differences in criterion posttest mean scores between high and low ability groups were significant at the .05 level.3. The MELODIOUS DICTATOR assisted students in the development of their melodic dictation skills as measured by the difference between the first and last experiment total notes notated and total notes notated correctly. However, no relationship was found between success as measured by the MELODIOUS DICTATOR and the individual student's perception of success as measured by the Opinionnaire.4. Students did have a somewhat positive attitude toward the MELODIOUS DICTATOR as revealed by the Opinionnaire.While the MELODIOUS DICTATOR did not seem to improve sightsinging skills significantly, benefits of the CAI program were evident through direct contact between the program and the students. The need for supervision, tutoring, and maintenance was negligible. Students also expressed interest in other experiences with the microcomputer according to the results of the Opinionnaire.

This thesis is concerned with utilizing new mathematical techniques developed in Sweden for inverting characteristic functions of probability distributions of functionals defined on the collective risk stochastic process. A characteristic function is a Fourier transform. However, such transforms-could not be inverted. With the advent of the electronic computer, the Fast Fourier Transform technique was developed for inverting Fourier Transforms. Essentially these techniques replace integrals over an uncountable number of points by series over a discrete set of points. This thesis will convert some Swedish results into useful forms for American students. It will be concerned with the probability distribution of aggregate claims in a fixed time, as well as ruin probabilities. The thesis will illustrate the basic mathematical techniques with several practical problems. Computer programs and numerical examples will be included.

Although one significant method of interpolation is that of the cubic spline, it has the drawback of occasionally producing undesired inflections in a curve. As a remedy, the spline can mathematically be "stretched" (so to speak) in much the same way that a draftsman's spline could be pulled at its ends while still being anchored at certain points throughout.This thesis will make use of FORTRAN subroutines given in the April, 1974 issue of Communications of the ACM, which have the capability of applying this tension factor to a cublic spline in a graphics package. It will also discuss the necessary modifications which are required before compatibility can be achieved between these subroutines and the Tektronix terminal which is coupled to the DEC-10 here at Ball State University.

This Creative Project has investigated current methods being used to produce computer animation. This investigation has resulted in the creation of a computer rendering program capable of generating animation. In order for the program to be able to execute though, a model of the object to be viewed must first be specified. This is done by assembling together a series of graphic primitives that when viewed collectively, form the desired model. Next, the rendering software is told where to point an imaginary camera in space. This camera is used to focus the image found in the viewfinder onto the computer monitor. Lastly, the imaginary camera is provided with a three dimensional path to follow as it tracks its way through space. By combining this data with the rendering software, a person viewing the resulting computer animation is able to interact with the computer model. / Department of Computer Science

Databases and database technology are having a major impact on the growing use of computers. It is fair to say that databases are playing a critical role in almost all areas where computers are used, including business, engineering, medicine, law, education, and library science, to name a few.At Ball State University, databases are very widely used among faculty, staff, and students. The common commercial database management system (DBMS) used in the university is ORACLE. Due to the extensive use of the system and the availability and easy access to alternative systems such as RDB/VMS, a comparative research is in order.This thesis is a comprehensive comparison between the two systems. It covers the differences in design, SQL codings, and the use of host programming language such as FORTRAN. It concentrates on the differences in memory usage, execution time, as well as the CPU time needed to precompile, link, and run. / Department of Computer Science

The hypercube is one of the most versatile and efficient networks yet discovered for parallel computation. It is well suited for both special-purpose and general-purpose tasks, and it can efficiently simulate many other networks of the same size. The size of subgraphs can be used to estimate the efficient communications of hypercube computer systems.The thesis investigates induced subgraphs of a hypercube, discusses sizes of subgraphs, and provides a formula to give bounds on the size of any subgraph of the hypercube.The concept of spanning graphs and line graphs is useful for studying properties of graphs. An MS WINDOWS based graphical system is developed which allows the creation and display of graphs and their spanning graphs, line graphs and super line graphs. / Department of Computer Science

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Two empirical studies are presented which investigated Sexpert, a rule-based expert system for the treatment of couple sexual dysfunctions. The following hypotheses were evaluated: (1) couples' attitudes towards computerized psychotherapy would improve subsequent to an interaction with Sexpert, (2) couples would find Sexpert more engaging than other sources of information, (3) couples interacting with Sexpert would report learning more about their relationship than those exposed to other sources of information, and (4) Sexpert could influence the sexual behavior of volunteer couples. The research hypotheses were tested in 2 studies (81 & 77 couples respectively) which compared the effects of Sexpert, a sex education book and video, and a therapist, with a no-information control (crossword puzzles). A rigorous statistical analysis of the reliability of couples' self-report of their sexual behavior was made. In study 1, positive attitude shifts towards Sexpert were replicated with semantic differential as well as dissimilarity scales. In study 2, positive attitude shifts were only demonstrated via a ranking methodology. Sexpert was reported to be the most engaging of the experimental manipulations tested in either study. Couples provided with information via Sexpert, video, book, or therapist retrospectively reported significant positive changes in communication, sexuality, feelings, and relationship satisfaction. The highest change ratings were given by participants in the therapist group, followed by the Sexpert, video and book groups. Participants also reported significant learning about many aspects of their relationship and sexuality; however, there were no significant differences between the Sexpert, video, and therapist conditions. The sexual behavior monitoring data did not corroborate retrospectively reported changes in behavior. These inconsistencies in behavioral reporting were attributed to couple reactivity to the monitoring of sexual behavior and to s

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