Computer applications can be described as largely rigid structures within which an information seeker must navigate in search of information - each screen, each transaction having underlying unique code. The larger the application, the higher the number of lines of code and the larger the size of the application executable. This study suggests an alternative pattern based approach, an approach driven by the information seeker. This alternative approach makes use of value embedded in intelligent patterns to assemble rules and logic constituents, numerous patterns aggregating to form a ‟virtual screen‟ based on the need of the information seeker. Once the information need is satisfied, the atomic rules and logic constituents dissipate and return to a base state. These same constituents are available, are reassembled and form the succeeding ‟virtual screen‟ to satisfy the following request. The pattern based approach makes use of multiple pattern ‟instances‟ to deliver functionality each pattern instance has a specific embedded value. Numbers of these patterns aggregate to drive the formation of a ‟virtual screen‟ built using patterns, each pattern referencing and associating (physical) atomic logic and spatial constituents. This is analogous to painting a picture using removable dots. The dots can be used to describe a fish, and then, once appreciation has been completed, the image is destroyed and the dots are returned to the palette. These same dots can later be reapplied to present the picture of a dog, if that is requested by the information seeker. In both pictures the same ‟dots‟ are applied and reused. The form of the fish and dog are retained as value embedded within the patterns, the dots are building blocks aligned using instructions within the patterns. This group classifies current solutions within the ‟Artefact-Pattern-Artefact‟ (APA) group and the pattern based approach within the ‟Pattern-Artefact-Pattern‟ (PAP) group. An overview and characteristics of each are discussed. The study concludes by presenting the results obtained when using a prototype developed using the PAP approach. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Information Technology))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2011

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This study is concerned with whiplash injuries resulting from the sudden acceleration and deceleration of the head relative to the torso in vehicle collisions. Whiplash is the most common automobile injury, yet it is poorly understood. The objective of this thesis is to develop a representative rigid linkage lumped parameter model using Lagrangian mechanics to capture the relative motion of the head and cervical spine. Joint locations corresponding to the intervertebral centers of rotation are used to simulate the normal spinal movements and an inverse analysis is applied to determine the viscoelastic parameters for the spine, based on cadaver test results. The model is further validated using ANSYS dynamic finite element analysis and experimentally validated using a newly designed and fully instrumented whiplash test fixture. Our findings reveal the effectiveness of the simplified model which can be easily scaled to accommodate differences in collision severity, posture, gender, and occupant size.

This study is concerned with whiplash injuries resulting from the sudden acceleration and deceleration of the head relative to the torso in vehicle collisions. Whiplash is the most common automobile injury, yet it is poorly understood. The objective of this thesis is to develop a representative rigid linkage lumped parameter model using Lagrangian mechanics to capture the relative motion of the head and cervical spine. Joint locations corresponding to the intervertebral centers of rotation are used to simulate the normal spinal movements and an inverse analysis is applied to determine the viscoelastic parameters for the spine, based on cadaver test results. The model is further validated using ANSYS dynamic finite element analysis and experimentally validated using a newly designed and fully instrumented whiplash test fixture. Our findings reveal the effectiveness of the simplified model which can be easily scaled to accommodate differences in collision severity, posture, gender, and occupant size.

Conformational selection is the idea that proteins traverse positions on the conformational space represented by their potential energy landscape, and in particular positions considered as local energy minima. Conformational selection a useful concept in ligand binding studies and in exploring the behavior of protein structures within that energy landscape. Often, research that explores protein function requires the generation of conformational ensembles, or collections of protein conformations from a single structure. We describe a method of conformational ensemble generation that uses joint-constrained rigid-body dynamics (an approach that allows for explicit consideration of rigidity) and the elastic network model (providing structurally derived directional guides for the rigid-body model). We test our model on a selection of unbound proteins and examine the structural validity of the resulting ensembles, as well as the ability of such an approach to generate conformations with structural overlaps close to the ligand-bound versions of the proteins.

The aim of this study is to present a design approach for compliant bistable four-link mechanisms. The design constraints are the two positions of the mechanism, the force required to snap between the positions and the fatigue life of the designed mechanism. The theory presented here will be applied to the door lock mechanism used in commercial dishwashers, which is originally designed as a rigid inverted slider crank mechanism snapping between two positions with the force applied by a spring. The mechanism is re-designed as a compliant bistable four-link mechanism and a prototype has been manufactured.

In this study, a long annulus bonded to a rigid cylinder containing an axisymmetric circumferential crack of width (d-c) at the midplane is considered. The material of the annulus is assumed to be linearly elastic and isotropic. The external surface of the annulus is free of stress. Surfaces of the crack are subject to distributed compressive loads. The Fourier and Hankel transform techniques are used to solve the governing equations which are reduced to a singular integral equation for crack surface displacement derivative. This integral equation is converted to a system of linear algebraic equations which are solved numerically by using Gauss-Lobatto and Gauss-Jacobi quadrature formulas. Then, the stress intensity factors at the edges of the crack are calculated. Results are presented in graphical form.

Stuttgart, Univ., Diss., 2008.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 1997. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 223-229). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 1997. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 223-229). Also available on the Internet.