<p>Nowadays, the polishing process is one of the most important steps of the manufacturing of moulds and dies. Occupying up to 40% of the total production time and cost, it is decisive for the final appearance and quality of a surface. Because of its complexity, the polishing is mainly carried out manually; and the final quality depends of the expertise of the operator. That is why an automation of the polishing process is necessary.</p><p>The purpose of this project was to find out the optimized sequence of polishing for a Mirrax ESR steel (Uddeholm Tooling AB) using the Strecon RAP-200 (robot assisted polishing equipment). Using a Design of Experiment, the machine parameters were tested in order to better understand their influences and interactions. The report starts with a description of general polishing knowledge and ends up with the results from a Design of Experiment.</p><p>The information from this test are a first step in the evaluation of the Strecon RAP-200. Even if many results have been found out, only four parameters have been tested, and to be able to optimize the polishing sequence, further studies need to be carried out.</p>

Thesis (M. Ed.(Curriculum Studies) -- University of Pretoria, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references. Available on the Internet via the World Wide Web.

The purpose of the study was to determine if learning computer programming on a microcomputer in BASIC language has a significant effect on the reading comprehension of fourth grade students.The study population consisted of eighty students in four fourth grade classrooms in a metropolitan district in central Indiana. The classes were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. Each of the four classes received thirty minute instruction sessions. The experimental group received programming instruction while the control group received no programming instruction, but were instructed in computer awareness and the use of math computer software.Findings the data from this study indicated:1) There were no significant differences in 1 reading comprehension between the group of students that learned to do computer programming and the group of students that did not learn programming without regard to sex or reading ability levels.2) Learning computer programming had a significant effect on the comprehension achievement of female students in the average and below average reading ability groups.3) Computer programming instruction did not result in a significant gain for students in the above average reading ability group.Conclusions based on the findings of this study the following conclusions were drawn:1) Learning how to do computer programming did not significantly affect the reading comprehension achievement of fourth grade students without regard to sex or reading ability level.2) Students with reading abilities in the average and below average range responded better to programming instruction by demonstrating higher mean comprehension gains.3) Female students demonstrated a better response to programming instruction than male students no matter what the classification of reading ability.4) Lower ability students made greater gains whether they did or did not learn programming, possibly indicating that hands-on experience with a computer may assist in improving reading comprehension.The results of this study indicated that the students responded favorably to learning computer programming. Only two students in the experimental group did not improve their comprehension scores. Nine students in the control group did not improve their scores. However, no significant evidence was found that suggested that learning computer programming would improve comprehension achievement.With the educational community rapidly entering the technological world, the influence of computers in the education of elementary students will continue to increase. This study has attempted to add to the body of knowledge that educational decision makers will need in order to make education and schools of the future use computers effectively as tools for enhancing reading growth and improvement, and overall learning.

This thesis is concerned with sensitivity alterations of Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG), sensors through additive coatings produced by a combined Laser-Assisted Maskless Micro-deposition (LAMM) and electroless plating process. The coatings can also protect the brittle FBG used in harsh environments. The thesis encompasses design, fabrication procedures, modeling and comparison of experimental and modeling results to gain insight into the advantages and short-comings of the approach. Starting with the opto-mechanical modeling, a program is written in MAPLE to analyze the effect of different on-fiber metallic materials and coating thicknesses on the sensitivity of FBGs to temperature and axial force. On the basis of the proper material and thickness, the sensitivity of FBG at different thermal and loading strains are predicted. The optimal theoretical data suggests that if the thickness of the Ni layer is 30–50 μm, maximum temperature sensitivity is achieved. Some experiments are proposed to test the feasibility of the coated FBG sensors. LAMM is used to coat bare FBGs with a 1-2 μm thick conductive silver layer followed by the electroless nickel plating process to increase layer thickness to a desired level ranging from 1 to 80 μm. Our analytical and experimental results suggest that the temperature sensitivity of the coated FBG with 1 μm Ag and 33 μm Ni is increased almost twice compared to a bare FBG with sensitivity of 0.011±0.001 nm/°C. On the contrary, the force sensitivity is decreased; however, this sensitivity reduction is less than values reported in the literature.

There is no abstract available for this dissertation.

Using findings from a statewide study of satisfaction and retention of 294 direct-care staff in 39 assisted-living facilities (ALFs) in Georgia, this study examines the effect of sociodemographic, job, and attitudinal characteristics on overall job satisfaction and its various dimensions. The results show age has a negative effect on promotion satisfaction. Whites are more satisfied than non-whites with overall job, work, supervision, and pay. Urban workers are less satisfied with overall job, supervisor, coworker, promotion, and pay than their rural counterparts. Education negatively affects coworker satisfaction. Workers with children are less satisfied with supervisor relationships, and pay than childless persons. Pay is positively associated with pay satisfaction. Perceived workload is negatively associated with overall job satisfaction and each of its dimensions. Finally, perceived autonomy is positively associated with promotion satisfaction. The results of this study emphasize the need for new strategies to improve job satisfaction among workers in ALFs.

Nowadays, the polishing process is one of the most important steps of the manufacturing of moulds and dies. Occupying up to 40% of the total production time and cost, it is decisive for the final appearance and quality of a surface. Because of its complexity, the polishing is mainly carried out manually; and the final quality depends of the expertise of the operator. That is why an automation of the polishing process is necessary. The purpose of this project was to find out the optimized sequence of polishing for a Mirrax ESR steel (Uddeholm Tooling AB) using the Strecon RAP-200 (robot assisted polishing equipment). Using a Design of Experiment, the machine parameters were tested in order to better understand their influences and interactions. The report starts with a description of general polishing knowledge and ends up with the results from a Design of Experiment. The information from this test are a first step in the evaluation of the Strecon RAP-200. Even if many results have been found out, only four parameters have been tested, and to be able to optimize the polishing sequence, further studies need to be carried out.

Thesis (MEd(Computer-Integrated Education))--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Abstract in English. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 205-212). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2001. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Available also from UMI/Dissertation Abstracts International.