In this work, a systematic methodology to construct cellular layouts using GT technique for large size problems has been developed. Previous researches in this field have addressed heuristics that can be used to solve only medium size problems. A mathematical model that uses reduced intercellular count as a criterion for cell formation is developed. The developed model includes details like machine sequence, production volume and machine revisits for formation of cells. A performance measure that is used to evaluate the cells being formed is proposed after some modifications in the existing method from Nair & Narendran (1998). Once the cell configurations are evaluated, separate layouts are developed for each cell depending on the amount of flow between machines within their respective cell. The best configuration is selected based on the least material handling cost that a configuration accounts for. This process defines entire steps of the proposed approach. The validity of the proposed approach was verified using small, medium and large case studies. From the case study results, it is concluded that the proposed methodology can be used to solve large facility layout problems using GT. The developed model proved to be efficient irrespective of the size of the problem considered, even after inclusion of details such as machine sequence, production volume and machine revisits along with the performance measure for the cells formed. By restricting the number of cell configurations between an upper and lower limit, the model eliminated the possibility of unwanted configurations that increases the complexity of the problem. So for a large size facility layout problem, the proposed method can be used to get the actual number of intercellular movement between cells and also can be used to select the best configuration for a given production plan using reduced material handling cost as the criteria. / Thesis (M.S.)--Wichita State University, College of Engineering, Dept. of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

There is no objective measurement clinically used to confirm consistency of thickened liquids in dysphagia management. This research was designed to examine the line spread test (LST) as an objective measurement following Paik et al.’s (2004) LST tool model with its acceptable ranges of thickened liquids. The original method was to measure nectar and honey consistency of thickened liquids mixed by four naïve adults, four SLPs, four dietary staff members, four licensed nurses, and four registered nurses. In the initial three naïve adult’s trials: 10 out of 12 cases for nectar consistency failed to meet the acceptable range and 1 out of 12 cases for honey consistency failed. From this preliminary data, the clinical validity of the LST tool was questioned. The research method was modified to measure LST values of pure drinks. The LST measure was performed by the investigator, four SLPs, and six naïve adults. The objectives of this modified research were to obtain LST values of pure base drink and to verify what caused the discrepancy in LST values. It was found that using different plates (glass and Plexiglas) caused significant differences in LST value of all pure base drinks. Overall values measured on a Plexiglas plate were less than those on a glass plate. No significant difference was found for person who performed the LST or time of day the LST was performed. This research found that the LST tool was not a reliable method to measure the consistency of thickened liquids. Depending on which plate was used, LST values obtained varied for all base drinks. Measurements obtained in this study did not agree with values reported by Paik et al. (2004). / Thesis (M.A.)--Wichita State University, College of Health Professions, Dept. of Communication Sciences and Disorders

The metal cutting process, known as conventional machining process, utilizes cutting fluids to provide lubrication, cooling and easy chip removal. The long-term effects of cutting fluids disposal into the environment are becoming increasingly evident. Research has also proven the health hazards on manufacturing workers who come in direct contact with cutting fluids. The formulation of stringent rules and restrictions on use and disposal of cutting fluids has increased the cost associated with cutting fluids use to between 7% and 17% of total manufacturing cost. The dry machining process considered in this thesis, using diamond-coated tools for the machining of aluminum eliminates cutting fluids from the cutting process. The improvement in tool life in dry machining and complete elimination of cutting fluids from the process are known benefits of the diamond-coated tools. Even though these advantages have been documented, no one to date has considered the environmental impacts of the entire life cycle of either wet or dry machining. In this research, a macro level life cycle analysis (LCA), a systems analysis tool for evaluating environmental impacts over the life span of a product or process, is used to compare environmental performance of the conventional or wet machining process using uncoated carbide tools and the dry machining process using diamond-coated carbide tools at a macro level. A cost analysis of these machining processes is also included here to provide more informed guidelines for the local Wichita aircraft manufacturers and for the manufacturing industry in general. The results indicate that the dry machining surpasses the wet machining process in terms of environmental impacts at a macro level / Thesis (M.S.)--Wichita State University, College of Engineering, Dept. of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

This research examines the development of microbial buildups in the Middle Jurassic Lower Sundance Formation in the Bighorn Basin of northwestern Wyoming. Previous studies of Jurassic microbial research have focused on development along the Tethys Sea. This research examines buildups along the western side of the North America continent, in present day Wyoming. Microbial buildups were studied through outcrop measurements, hand sample and petro graphic analysis. In addition, the stable carbon and oxygen isotopic composition were run to explain paleo climate and chemical composition of seawater during the Middle Jurassic. The studied outcrop is located in northern Wyoming near Cody along the east side of Cedar Mountain. The microbial outcrop has an excellent semi-circular, exposure of microbial buildups at the location. The buildups are about 2.27 meters in height, 2.9 meters in width and 30 cm in thickness. The microbial buildups are composed of several thrombolitic heads. The microbial buildups are associated with the Gypsum Spring and Lower Sundance Formation. The microbial units were deposited along a contact between these two Formations. The lithology of the Gypsum Spring is dominated by massive white gypsums at the lower unit and red shale at the upper unit. These deposited evaporites represent hypersaline condition with seasonally arid and warm climate over an extended period. The lithology of the Lower Sundance Formation is dominated by basal oolitic grainstone at the contact between itself and the Gypsum Spring Formation. The Lower Sundance Formation is also dominated by green shale and carbonate rocks with highly abundant in fossil especially ostracods, crinoids, and pelecypods. Based on petrographic analysis, the microbial buildups have thrombolitic or clotted characteristic features. Thrombolite structures are produced by sediment trapping, binding and/or precipitation as a result of the growth and metabolic activity of microorganisms, principally cyanobacteria. The thrombolite or bindstone is composed of highly clotted-looking algae such as Girvanella (Cyanobacteria), Cayeuxia (Chlorophyta), Solenopora (Rhodophyta) and other encrusting microorganisms such as foraminifera, ostracods, bryozoan, and cyanobacteria. The isotopic composition values of belemnites can be used as a proxy for chemical composition of marine water because belemnites are believed to have not fractionated. As a result, belemnite calcite constitutes the best standard for the geochemistry of Jurassic seawater and provides a reasonable approximation of sea water chemistry during deposition of a rock unit. The carbon isotopic values of belemnite from the Sundance Formation are 2.11 to 2.54 ‰, and oxygen isotopic values are -2.34 to - 2.36‰. The carbon isotopic values of carbonate rock samples including microbial thrombolite from the Lower Sundance Formation range from 1.5 to 2.5 ‰, and an oxygen isotopic value range from -5.5 to -9 ‰. Overall, the isotopic values of carbonate rocks from the Lower Sundance Formation of the study section are more negative than the standard for seawater as represented by the belemnite isotopic values. The result of the entire stratigraphic column has been altered post-depositionally. Negative values suggest that rocks have been diagenetically altered by meteoric water since deposition during the Jurassic. As a result, carbon and oxygen isotopes can not be used to determine original sea water chemistry. However isotopic composition values from the belemnite can be used to determine paleotemperature. The paleotemperature of the Middle Jurassic (Late Bathonian to Early Callovian) seawater based on the belemnite samples from Wyoming is calculated to about 15-17oC. / Thesis (M.S.)--Wichita State University, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Dept. of Geology.

According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), each year about 400,000 trucks are involved in motor vehicle crashes. Eighteen percent of these accidents are in rear-end crashes of the trucks. Accordingly, fatal injury had resulted to 5 percentages of the injuries. Whiplash is the common neck injury in rear impact consuming billions of dollars in insurance. However due to relatively low number of deaths or injuries in rear impact crashes, NHTSA does not conduct any rear impact testing to test the bumpers. The main objective of this thesis is to study the effects of low speed impact on light trucks and the potential injuries on the occupants. The Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) includes rear impact testing of fuel leakage, but only has a voluntary test for rear bumper impact test at low speed. In this thesis, the low speed rear impact simulation of a light truck was performed to understand the bumper deformation. A Chevy light truck is impacted to a flat barrier at 5 mph by using the finite element code LS-Dyna. This simulation is analyzed and validated for its bumper impact test. A parametric study is thus performed to quantify the effect of various parameters on the rear end impact of the truck. Four vehicles were selected from public domain National crash analysis center (NCAC). These vehicles were Geo Metro, Chevy Truck, Ford Taurus and Ford single unit truck, selected according to the weight of the vehicles. The Chevy truck was chosen as target vehicle and other three models were selected as bullet vehicles. The target vehicle was then impacted with speed of 5, 10 and 15 mph. The accelerations were extracted from the center of gravity of the target vehicle (Chevy Truck). The acceleration pulses from the LS-Dyna were used in multi body analysis Mathematical Dynamic Model (Madymo). The seat model was built with similar characteristics as the Chevy truck seat. A Hybrid ΙΙΙ dummy model was positioned with seat and the model was given the acceleration pulses from the corresponding g’s at low speed for the truck impacted at 5, 10 and 15 mph. This model was used to study the injuries on the neck. The developed model was then compared for neck response from the occupant with head restraint and without head restraint. Output of the dummy response resulted in injury values needed to be studied. The injury values were compared with standard critical values complying with injuries. The result of this study can be utilized to obtain the effect of weight of impacting vehicles in low speed rear crashes of trucks. The impact response of the occupants and potential neck loads and injuries are also by products of this study / Thesis (M.S.)--Wichita State University, College of Engineering, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering.