This study found a relationship between the Search and Cancellation of Ascending Numbers (SCAN), Digit Span, and Visual Search and Attention Test (VSAT). Data suggest the measures represent a common construct interpreted to be attention. An auditory distracter condition of the SCAN did not distract participants, while the measure exhibited ample alternate forms reliability. The study also found that the Test of Attentional and Interpersonal Style (TAIS) short form poorly predicted performance on the Digit Span, VSAT, and SCAN. Although the TAIS exhibited good internal consistency, the items likely measure the subjective perception of attention. Furthermore, discriminant and convergent validity of the TAIS were found to be poor.

Typescript (photocopy). / Digitized by Kansas Correctional Industries

Digitized by Kansas Correctional Industries

Typescript. / Digitized by Kansas Correctional Industries

No description available.

The purpose of this study is to provide the necessary technical background and data for the development of a suspension system for a recumbent bicycle. For this reason, the customer requirements-design criteria for the development of the suspension system were set, and several static and dynamic tests were conducted on the bicycle's suspension components in order to determine their shock absorption properties. The shock absorption properties of the bicycle's components can be used as means of evaluating the specifications of the suspension system that will satisfy the established design criteria best. In addition, a test machine that can be used for damping coefficient and spring constant measurements was designed to provide further assistance with the analysis of the damping and elastic properties of the recumbent bicycle's suspension components. It was designed so that it can also be used for similar testing of other materials and parts used in the bicycle industry. The subject of this study was BikeE, a recumbent bicycle that was developed by Professor D. G. Ullman and the BikeE Corporation in 1992. / Graduation date: 1995

Electromechanical actuators are highly complex non-linear devices that cannot be accurately modeled using only analytical formulations derived from first principles. When the application demands high model accuracy with a wide parametric range (and criteria) plus the need to take manufacturing/assembly variations associated with the asbuilt actuator into account, an empirical model based on extensive testing across the entire operating domain is the recommended approach. Since testing is an expensive, time consuming and laborious process, it is the aim of this research to determine efficient test methodologies (experimental designs) that would obtain the maximum information about actuator performance by means of a minimal number of tests. Current test standards are primarily designed to arrive at the actuator specifications by carrying out tests at either a single or a very limited set of test points. The results thus obtained are typically not valid across the entire operating domain of the actuator. Also these tests are performed for a very small set (one or two) of criteria. Furthermore most of this testing is conducted in terms of just one (occasionally two) control variables. As a result the full capability of the actuator is poorly represented. The research presented here addresses these limitations. To achieve the objective, the steps followed in this research are -- a) define a set of actuator performance criteria for testing, b) construct a test bed for actuator testing, c) develop a framework for testing actuators, d) conduct tests by applying principles from Design of Experiments, e) apply statistical techniques to identify empirical models and develop efficient experimental designs, and f) graphically present the actual capabilities of the actuator using performance maps. A commercially available permanent magnet synchronous motor-geartrain combination was chosen as the test actuator. This actuator has a nominal/peak rating of 43/86 lb-ft torque and 30/100 RPM speed. The criteria considered for characterizing the actuator’s operational capability includes noise, vibration, efficiency, current consumption, torque ripple, velocity ripple, backdriveability, and temperature. Control variables affecting the performance criteria were identified. Measurement of performance over the entire operating range of actuator requires that the actuator be operated at specific levels of these control variables and the concerned performance criteria be measured. Therefore to perform these actuator tests, a modular test bed was constructed. The test bed consists of an actuator loading mechanism (in the form of a magnetic particle brake or a geartrain-motor combination), an array of sensors, amplifiers, a signal conditioning unit, data acquisition modules, motion controller, and transformer. The measured sensor data is filtered through the signal conditioning unit (to remove noise) and digitized using the data acquisition modules. Statistical techniques were employed to process the sensor data and for each criterion, an empirical model relating the criteria to its control variables was determined. Model adequacy checks were carried out to ensure that the model did not violate important statistical assumptions and that it adequately represented the relationship between the input control variables and the output response (performance criteria). These models were used to generate performance maps for each criteria. Based on a predetermined set of run sizes, for each empirical model, alternate experimental designs were determined. Efficient experiment designs were identified by metrics such as -- Gefficiency, maximum prediction variance and average prediction variance. Besides the obvious advantage of arriving at complete and accurate performance profiles for the actuator undergoing tests (with minimal testing), the methodology could be applied to other actuators of a similar family. We might consider the methodology to be a subset of the general concept of metrology; i.e., the determination of as-built parameters vs. as designed parameters. Simplification techniques were applied to these models to remove unwanted model terms. / text

published_or_final_version / Civil Engineering / Master / Master of Philosophy

An analysis of the performance of simple refractive null compensators was done. Two types of correctors were studied--the Dall compensator and the Offner compensator. A framework was built for determining whether these simple null tests are adequate for a wide range of aspheric surfaces. Variables involved in determining a surface to be null tested are f-number, conic constant, and focal length. Examples are given on how to determine the best null test for several aspheric surfaces. Also of concern in the design of a null compensator was simplicity. Two elements were the maximum used for both compensators and all compensator surfaces were spherical.

No description available.