Auburn Theses and Dissertations: Recent submissions
Now showing items 7041-7060 of 9773
Advanced Learning Algorithms of Neural Networks
(2011-08-26)
The concept of “learn to behave” gives very vivid description of functionalities of neural networks. Specifically, a group of observations, each of which consists of inputs and desired outputs, are directly applied to ...
Methods for Improving Generalization and Convergence in Artificial Neural Classifiers
(2011-08-26)
Artificial neural networks have proven to be quite powerful for solving nonlinear classification problems. However, the complex error surfaces encountered in such problems often contain local minima in which gradient based ...
Strands For Wood Composites: Mechanics & NIRS Based Nondestructive Testing
(2011-08-25)
Improvements in silvicultural techniques have allowed for rapid growth and shorter rotation age of southern pine species utilized for structural wood components. However, the rapid growth results in lumber consisting ...
Ues of Vision Sensors and Lane Maps to Aid GPS-INS Navigation
(2011-08-25)
This thesis proposes a method to increase observability of a GPS/INS system operating under limited satellite coverage. Measurements from vision sensors are used to supplement the GPS pseudorange and pseudorange-rate ...
A Technology for Enhanced Control of Erosion, Sediment and Metal Leaching at Disturbed Land Using Polyacrylamide and Magnetite Nanoparticles
(2011-08-25)
Urbanization and human disturbance of land often result in serious soil erosion and releases of fine sediments and soil-bound toxic metals, which can lead to contamination of downstream water bodies and cause water treatment ...
Incorporating Green Chemistry Principles in Heterogeneous Catalysis Operations
(2011-08-25)
Many commercial processes for the production of chemicals involve harsh organic solvents as well as numerous by-products that are detrimental to the environment. For many years it was common practice to implement a process ...
Chemical Ecology and Management of Yellowmargined Leafbeetle Microtheca ochroloma Stal (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)
(2011-08-22)
Cruciferous vegetable production is an important industry in Alabama and other parts of the southern United States (U.S.). Many farmers in the region grow various kinds of cruciferous crops (e.g., turnip, radish, mustard, ...
An Approach to Medical Device Design Considering a Second Life
(2011-08-22)
During the span of one year, a study will be conducted to see if an approach to medical device design could be altered to better consider the second life. This study will be performed with the thought that considering the ...
Substrate Effect, Pile-Up and Sink-In Factors During Thin Film Nanoindentation
(2011-08-19)
Theoretical and experimental models continue to be developed for thin-film nanoindentation that attempt to account for substrate effects in differing film-substrate combinations. While many models have been developed to ...
A Cosmetic Connection: A Guide for Designing Color Cosmetics to Women that are Emotionally Appealing
(2011-08-19)
This thesis reports on an interpretive study of women’s views towards cosmetic usage and how this relates to their response to various forms of packaging for these products. The focus of the study is on the communicative ...
Resource Partitioning between Generalist Competitors & Factors Affecting the Detectability of Scat by Dogs
(2011-08-17)
Syntopic generalist competitors like Procyon lotor and Didelphis virginiana must partition resources in order to coexist. Our study examined spatial and temporal resource partitioning using occupancy modeling to account ...
Experimental Study of Renewable Energy Implementation in Cement Kilns through Industrial-Scale Downdraft Gasification of Poultry Litter
(2011-08-17)
Waste biomass, most notably poultry litter, is a potential source of energy that is widely available and cheap, especially in the southeast. Using poultry litter as an energy source provides a year-round outlet for this ...
Effects of Root Pruning Containers and Traditional Containers on Growth of Roots and Shoots of Selected Landscape Plants
(2011-08-17)
Objectives of this research were to compare the effects of container root pruning technology, RootMaker® containers, traditional containers, and a combination of both production systems on plant growth using a diverse range ...
Evaluation of Non-Solvent Methods to Characterize Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement Binder
(2011-08-17)
Increases in material costs have led many agencies to consider allowing higher percentages of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) in asphalt mixes. However, as RAP percentages increase, the stiffness of the overall mix is ...
Investigation of Active Control of Aircraft Wing Tip Vortices and Wake Turbulence
(2011-08-17)
The present work was focused on study and application of active flow control methods to
alleviate the wake turbulence problem in commercial aircraft. Sinusoidal perturbations were
introduced into the tip vortex generated ...
The Standoff: First Presbyterian Church of Columbus, Georgia, Robert McNeill, and Racial Equality
(2011-08-17)
The civil rights movements of the mid-twentieth century touched every segment
of American society. American churches were one central battle ground with opponents
and supporters of integration leveraging biblical ...
A Decision Support Tool: Integrating Wildlife Occupancy Models with Stand Projections
(2011-08-16)
With the increase in consumptive trends of wood products there is greater push for ecosystem management. Ecosystem management is a process that aims to conserve major ecological services and restore natural resources while ...
The evolution of sexual size dimorphism in squirrels
(2011-08-16)
Difference between the sizes of the sexes in a species (sexual size dimorphism SSD) is a common phenomenon, and most mammals are male-biased in size. Female-biased size dimorphism (FBSD) is uncommon in mammals. Flying ...
Performance of Satsuma Mandarin within Various Orchard Designs
(2011-08-15)
Freeze protection is the most challenging aspect of commercial satsuma mandarin production in Alabama. In addition to other freeze protection methods, satsuma growers have used various orchard designs to reduce freeze ...
Evaluation Of Flavor Of Pacific White Shrimp Penaeus Vannamei Cultured In Low Salinity Water
(2011-08-15)
Water quality variables and phytoplankton were monitored in five ponds with low-salinity water (2-3 ppt) for culture of Pacific white shrimp (Pennaeus vannamei) at a farm in West Alabama from August to October. Shrimps ...