Using three linear accelerometers and three angular rate sensors arranged to measure local acceleration in the X, Y, and Z directions and angular velocity about those axes, it is possible to calculate spatial orientation and position in a global coordinate system. The intent of this thesis is to use this calculation to provide the head trajectory of an Anthropomorphic Test Device (ATD) to supplement or replace photometric analysis. This thesis examines the various parameters of the calculations of the spatial orientation and position to determine the most accurate and efficient method. Using the local angular velocity as an input, this method determines spatial orientation as a function of a unit quaternion by numerically solving a system of ordinary differential equation. The parameters of the numerical integration examined are the numerical integration methods, time step, and order of rotation. These functions are examined through simulation data generated by various MADYMO models. The MADYMO three-dimensional multi-body simulations output the linear accelerations and angular velocity of selected bodies in simulations similar to the data provided from accelerometers and angular rate sensors during dynamic impact testing. Simulation data is useful in the examination and validation of the different parameters used in the method due to the lack of noise and gravitational effects incurred during physical dynamic impact testing. The method is evaluated for dynamic impact testing through a comparison between the calculated spatial orientation and position using the algorithm and photometric analysis as well as physical limitations in the test setup, i.e. rigid bulkhead. The method is demonstrated to be successfully implemented into the NIAR Crash Dynamics Laboratory at Wichita State University. / Thesis (M.S.)--Wichita State University, College of Engineering, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering.

Major metropolitan areas throughout the United States provide Light Rail Transit (LRT) services. What distinguishes the light rail system is that it operates on city streets with grade crossings within city limits. Consequently, the injury rates of the light rail systems are higher than for example the heavy rail systems. Light rail vehicles have different types of seats arrangements as: forward-facing seats, aft-facing seats, side-facing seats, and so forth. Although, side-facing seats are not the most common type of seats, they represent more than 17% of total number of current LRV seats. Different side-facing seats configurations are analyzed in this thesis and the current level of safety is evaluated for different occupant sizes, as well as different crash scenarios. To evaluate the current level of safety, a multi-body model of a current LRV interior is built. The injuries are quantified by comparing the simulations results with the current Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) limits. Overall, the level of safety for a typical head-on crash scenario, where one LRV is stationary and the other is traveling at 20 mph, is acceptable when barrier or aft-facing seats are placed at the end of the side-facing seats. The remaining configurations analyzed do not provide the sufficient level of protection, in particular when there is head to head contact between occupants. / Thesis (M.S.)--Wichita State University, College of Engineering, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering.

A numerical analysis of flow through a stenosed artery downstream of a stented region is presented. Three different Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved stents (Bx Velocity, NIR, and Multilink Zeta) are considered in analyzing pressure drop and flow rates at the blockage and outlet of artery. Blood flow inside the artery is assumed to be steady. The inlet pressures are defined as the mean arterial pressures in the stented artery using all stages of blood pressures. The pressure drop and volumetric flow rate increases at the blocked artery with increase in mean arterial pressures. In contrast to the previous results the pressure drop and volumetric flow rates decreases at the narrow end of the artery. A comparison was made between all the three different stents which determines the highly optimum stent geometry. An unsteady flow analysis is performed using NIR stent since it is proved to highly optimum when compared to other stents. The velocity and mass flow rates at the outlet are relatively high for unsteady flow rates when compared to steady flow rates. A grid independence study was also performed for all the three stents for accuracy. The obtained results can be used in determining the restenosis rates in patients after NIR stent implantation. / Thesis (M.S.)--Wichita State University, College of Engineering, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering.

A conceptual study of performance enhancing devices for an airfoil is performed using Computational Fluid Dynamics. Three simple, passive devices are examined to explore alternate methods for stall control and lift-to-drag improvement. The motivation behind this research is to study effective techniques to improve performance with fewer drawbacks than previously existing methods. An evaluation scheme is presented to compute airfoil lift, drag and pitching moment for a range of angles-of-attack up to stall. NACA 641-212 single-element and slatted airfoil CFD results are compared with experimental data to validate the computational model. Evaluations on the first conceptual design (Stall vane) show elimination of the separation at 15 degrees of angle-of-attack where the flow reversal normally starts at 86% - chord. A total drag increase of 22% is detected because of the sharp leading-edge of the device, but the main element drag has a reduction of 43%. The maximum lift coefficient does not show a significant change on the same model. The second device (Cylinder) has a negative effect, initiating flow separation and causing a significant decrease in lift-to-drag ratio at a given lift coefficient. The third device (Dimples) demonstrates the potential of lift-to-drag ratio improvement at the higher angle-of-attack. Further investigation is required to verify the results since the improvement is small. / Thesis (M.S.)--Wichita State University, College of Engineering, Dept. of Aerospace Engineering.

The scarab beetle tribe Cyclocephalini (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae) includes 15 genera and approximately 500 species that are distributed primarily in the New World. Species in the group are important pollinators of aroids, palms, and lilies, some are agricultural pests, and a few are invasive in areas where they have been introduced. Evolutionary relationships of the group have not been examined, and monophyly of the tribe and relationships of genera have not been addressed. As a result, the classification remains unstable, and there is no foundation with which to interpret evolutionary patterns. To provide an evolutionary framework, a phylogenetic analysis using 77 adult morphological characters was performed. Representatives from all recognized cyclocephaline genera were examined as well as taxa that have historically been included in the tribe. Outgroups included exemplars from the dynastine tribes Oryctini, Oryctoderini, and Pentodontini and the ruteline tribes Anomalini and Rutelini. Based on the analysis, Cyclocephalini, as currently circumscribed, does not constitute a monophyletic lineage. Thus, the current classification does not reflect evolution, and revision is required. Based on strong character support, the genera Eriocelis and Stenocrates are not a part of the new cyclocephaline clade while genera Parapucaya and Neohyphus are members of the new Cyclocephalini. / Thesis (M.S.)--Wichita State University, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Dept. of Biological Sciences.

This research attempts to expose the patterns of language behavior of two five-year old bilingual children through the analysis of the code-switching and code-mixing occurrences in their everyday conversational interactions. The goal of the study is to analyze the code choice and the motivation behind such pattern in order to see whether there are any differences between the two case studies, and most of all, what is causing these differences in linguistic behavior to occur. Data used in analysis was collected during informal conversations recorded in home domain of the two families studied. The recorded data along with the observational notes collected was then analyzed sentence by sentence and separated into several dyads in order to understand the relation between the children‟s code-switching/code-mixing and the interlocutor. It is concluded that most common motivation behind their code choice is solidarity –establishing “we code”, referential, directive, and reactive to positive/ negative face and power. The major difference between the two children‟s language behavior regarding code choice is rather in the patterns of code-switching versus code-mixing. The boy, being a natural bilingual who acquired the second language (L2) simultaneously is more prone to code-switch in certain situations. On the other hand, the girl, who acquired L2 consecutively and therefore adopted the syntax of Serbian language, uses more code-mixing during her conversational interactions. This showed close connection of the linguistic behavior with the linguistic environment exposing essential mechanisms of children‟s ability to adjust their language skills to their conversational needs. / Thesis (M.A.)--Wichita State University, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Dept. of Anthropology

This research attempted to develop “label-free” biosensor for the detection of cardiovascular risk biomarker, C-reactive protein (CRP). An electrospun Polystyrene (PS)/ Polyaniline (PANI) nanofiber was used as the sensing element of the biosensor and coupled with electrical measurement system. High aspect ratio and porosity of nanoscale fiber provides size matched confinement for tiny biomolecule immobilization, which leads to rapid transduction and enhancement in signal strength. Nanofiber mat was integrated with a gold microelectrode interdigitated chip and microfluidic chamber to create a lab-on-chip platform. Results demonstrated that nanotextured fiber with appropriate chemical and electrical functionality can be used as sensing element of an electrochemical biosensor for detection of biomolecules at very low concentration. CRP was successfully detected at 100 fg/ml concentration from human serum suggesting the potential of this lab-on-chip platform for early detection of any cardiovascular risk. A large dynamic linear range of 100 fg/ml-1 μg/ml was achieved in human serum for detection of CRP. Less than 10% cross-reactivity with human albumin suggests the selective detection capability of the proposed biosensor. / Thesis (M.S.)--Wichita State University, College of Engineering, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering.

The research work presented in this thesis is comprised of syntheses, characterization, electrochemical and photophysical studies of aza-BODIPY appended donor-acceptor conjugates. The first chapter delivers an introduction to the research presented in the chapters that follow. It provides an overview of the primary events of natural photosynthetic processes, an understanding of which is essential for constructing artificial photosynthetic systems capable of harvesting light energy. The second chapter deals with photoinduced electron transfer processes occurring in the aza-BODIPY-C60 dyad and Ferrocene-aza-BODIPY systems. Femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy showed efficient photoinduced electron transfer. In the third chapter (BODIPY)-aza-BODIPY dyad and triad were studied to explore the role of aza-BODIPY as an energy acceptor. Steady state optical absorption and emission studies revealed the occurrence of efficient energy transfer from singlet excited BODIPY to aza-BODIPY. Chapter four describes the supramolecular tetrad composed of aza-BODIPY, ZnP and fulleropyrrolidine, which was studied to explore both electron and energy transfer processes. / Thesis (M.S.)--Wichita State University, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Dept. of Chemistry

This study evaluates the existence and degree of human variation as it is represented by the morphology of the tibia. Specifically, this research is undertaken in order to quantitatively address the morphological variation of this skeletal element to reveal the inherent variation within the individual, while also evaluating the discrepancies that result due to the sex and age of an individual. It also explores the interaction of tibial morphology with living stature, assessing the ability of the quantified portions of the bone to explain stature. In order to investigate this variation, the tibiae of 382 mature skeletal remains from the Hamann-Todd Osteological Collection in Cleveland, Ohio, were analyzed. These specimens were comprised of 180 females and 202 males whose group affiliation were designated as American Black. Using univariate and multivariate analyses, the morphological variation of the human tibia was assessed in respect to goals outlined above. These analyses revealed the manner by which dimensions of the tibia covaries, providing a better understanding of the innate variation that exists within this bone. These procedures also enabled the evaluation of sex and age effects on the size and shape of the tibia, revealing that the variations due to sex are profound enough to allow accurate classification of the sexes from the morphology of the tibia. While age related changes impact the morphology of the bone, they do not impede the ability of the dimensions to be used as reliable sex indicators. Further, the assessment of the interaction of the tibia and stature demonstrates the degree by which the variables explain the stature variation in the sample, attesting to the capacity of the tibial dimensions to be used as predictors of stature. Finally, the efficacy of particular measurements employed throughout this study to obtain accurate information concerning human variation is established, as well as their applicability to fragmentary remains. / Thesis (M.A.)--Wichita State University, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Dept. of Anthropology.

The ad hoc on-demand distance vector (AODV) routing protocol offers quick adaptation to dynamic link changes, incurs low processing and memory overhead, has a low initial setup while connecting to networks, and determines unicast routes to destinations within the ad hoc network. This routing protocol allows for efficient and reliable discovery of routes. Although the connection setup delay is lower for the AODV protocol compared to other ad hoc routing protocols, such as the dynamic source routing (DSR) protocol and destination sequenced distance vector (DSDV) protocol, the AODV routing protocol involves a heavy control overload and delay while finding the routes in adverse conditions, such as the presence of malicious nodes in the network or connection failures due to network congestion. This thesis studies the secure message transmission (SMT) protocol, which safeguards data transmission against arbitrary malicious behavior of other nodes and evaluates its performance over the AODV routing protocol. The analysis of the performance of the AODV routing protocol in combination with the SMT protocol was done by considering a scenario of mobile ad hoc networks under adverse conditions, with half of the nodes acting maliciously and dropping both data and control packets. The AODV routing protocol in combination with the SMT protocol imposes up to 46% less routing overhead, delivering up to 17% more data packets, with a throughput of 12% more and end-to-end delays that are up to 24% lower than those of the native AODV routing protocols in the scenarios considered. Thus the AODV routing protocol performs well with the SMT protocol, and is reliable. The NS-2 network simulator was utilized to compare performances. The advantages of the proposed approach of using the AODV routing protocol together with the SMT protocol are more apparent in the presence of malicious nodes in the network. / Thesis (M.S.)--Wichita State University, College of Engineering, Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.