The main focus of this work is on the problem of existence of nonlinear optimal controllers
realizable by artificial neural networks. Theoretical justification, currently
available for control applications of neural networks, is rather limited. For example,
it is unclear which neural architectures are capable of performing which control
tasks. This...
The objectives of this research were to 1) evaluate the establishment and peak standing crop of Berber Orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata var. "Berber"), Palestine Orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata var. "Palestine"), and Sheep Fescue (Festuca ovina var. "Covar") ; 2) to assess establishment and production changes resulting from environmental gradients (elevation, slope, aspect,...
In 1987, Congress authorized a 5 year $150 million dollar research program called
the Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP). SHRP was divided into four major
areas, including the asphalt research program. The asphalt research program was divided
into six major research contracts, one such contract, SHRP-003A was called Performance
Related...
The incipient motion of sediment particles in gravel-bed
rivers is a very important process. It represents the
difference between bed stability and bed mobility. A field
study was conducted in Oak Creek, Oregon to investigate
incipient motion of individual particles in gravel-bed
streams. Investigation was also made of the incipient...
Role of temperature and photoperiod on development of the filbert leafroller, Archips rosanus L., (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) from the Willamette Valley, Oregon was studied in the laboratory and in the field. Both temperature and photoperiod had a significant influence on the developmental rate of this species from neonate larva to adult...
This study investigated the job satisfaction of
elementary school counselors in the Pacific Northwest,
defined as Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. The purpose of
the study was to (a) describe current elementary counselor
characteristics, duties and functions; (b) determine the
overall level of job satisfaction of elementary school
counselors; (c) investigate...
I have participated in a drug discovery program designed to screen marine algae for
inhibitors of cancer-related enzymes, antitumor compounds, antiinflammatory substances,
and other agents of potential pharmaceutical utility. Over 1,500 lipid and aqueous extracts
of marine plants and animals were surveyed for biomedical potential. Assays designed to
screen extracts...
Multiparadigm languages are languages that are designed to support more than one style of programming. Leda is a strongly-typed multiparadigm programming language that supports imperative, functional, object-oriented, and logic programming. The constraint programming paradigm is a declarative style of programming where the programmer is able to state relationships among some...
We introduce a relativistic model for pion-nucleon scattering which includes an elementary
delta dressed by its decay. Crossing-symmetric single-particle exchange
is augmented by parametrized multiple-scattering interactions, with covariant sideways
form factors in both 3- and 4-field vertices. Causality is enforced by dispersion
relations. Unitary fits to observed on-shell amplitudes are...
Maize defective kernel (dek) mutants identify genes necessary for the
successful passage of embryos through the embryogenic and maturation
phases of embryo development. The goal of this thesis was to characterize the
developmental potential of three dek mutants that appeared to be
morphologically blocked prior to the maturation phase of...
Sampling error associated with estimates of species composition and age composition
of commercial groundfish landings in Oregon from 1989 to 1991 is documented to evaluate
the impact of variable landing data on fisheries management and monitoring programs. The
statistical reliability and bias associated with two multistage sampling designs are
investigated...
Stochastic analysis procedures have been recently applied to analyze nonlinear
dynamical systems. In this study, nonlinear responses, stochastic and/or chaotic, are
examined and interpreted from a probabilistic perspective. A multi-point-moored
ocean structural system under regular and irregular wave excitations is analytically
examined via a generalized stochastic Melnikov function and Markov...
The studies presented here use the B- to Z-DNA transition and Z-DNA
crystallization as model systems to determine the contribution of solvent interactions to
macromolecular structures. The substituent groups of naturally occurring and modified
nucleotide bases affect the hydration and thus the stability of right-handed B-DNA and
left-handed Z-DNA. The...
Current research on sport motivation has focused primarily on
goal perspective approaches in an attempt to understand behavior in
achievement situations (Ames, 1984; Nicholls, 1984). According to
Nicholls' (1984) theory, the achievement goal orientation an
individual develops may be influenced by both individual differences
and situational factors.
Relative to situational...
This thesis proposes an approximate maximum likelihood estimator and
likelihood ratio test for parameters in a generalized linear model when two or
more random effects are present. Substantial progress in parameter estimation
for such models has been made with methods involving generalized least squares
based on the approximate marginal mean...
Issues of right to life, as well as death have surfaced as topics of hot debate. In particular, questions about when and if individuals have the right to end their own lives have emerged and gained considerable attention as health policy issues having the potential to affect all Americans..
The...
Monoclonal antibodies (MCA) produced against infectious
laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV) of chickens reacted in
western blotting experiments with several different ILTV
protein bands in the absence of tunicamycin which inhibits
carbohydrate synthesis. Most of the MCA lost their
reactivity in western blotting experiments when extracts of
tunicamycin-treated ILTV CELC were used,...
Trained male cyclists (6 in study 1, 5 in study 2) cycled to exhaustion (EXH) at
75% of VO₂ max twice; once in the non-supplemented (NS) state and once in the vitamin
B-6 (B-6)(20 mg PN) supplemented (S) state. The diet contained 2.3 mg B-6 in study 1
and 1.9...
This correlational study examined the perceptions of 45
pairs of masters-level intern students and their field-site
supervisors from the perspective of their supervisory working
alliance and a specific personality characteristic, optimism-pessimism.
Supervisory pairs completed the Supervisor or
Supervisee Demographic Questionnaire, the Working Alliance
Inventory Revised, the Supervisory Working Alliance
Inventory,...
In November 1990, Oregon voters approved Ballot Measure 5,
placing an ultimate ceiling on local property tax rates of 1.5% of
market value (excluding specific levies for capital expenditure). Any
resulting shortfalls in local education revenues are to be made up by
transfers from state funds, at the expense of...
Machine vision is widely used in scientific areas and non-wood using
industries, but the extreme variability of wood has limited its adoption by forest
products industries. However, it is now becoming a key factor in further automation
of the forest products industry. As a very important part of machine vision,...
Interspecific predation and cannibalism and associated rates of oviposition were
assessed for adult female Metaseiulus occidentalis (Nesbitt) and Typhlodromus pyri
Scheuten when provided non-limiting amounts of either eggs, larvae, protonymphs, or
deutonymphs. Tests with all four stages of phytoseiids and larvae of Tetranychus urticae
Koch were carried out at 25°C....
Comparative morphological and anatomical studies of the dispersal mechanisms
characterizing the wheat complex (Triticum L. and Aegilops L.) have documented
patterns of adaptive radiation which may have significance for evolutionary
relationships. These patterns, which form an array of diverse types of diaspores
among the diploid taxa, appear conceptually to have...
A sample of 1,003 women, age 22 in 1983-84 and age 27 in 1988-89, were
selected from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth. Personal, familial, and
geopolitical predictors of alcohol consumption were evaluated at each time period and
longitudinally. The study integrated macro- and micro-level influences to determine
their influence...
A novel protocol for the study of protein-nucleic acid interactions is presented and demonstrated
to be feasible. The protocol combines photochemical crosslinking techniques and mass
spectrometric methods into a new strategy for identifying protein domains or amino acid residues
that are in close contact with nucleic acid in protein-nucleic acid...
The U.S. wood window and door industry has experienced much growth
for the past decade. However, to date, little information on factors that could
affect marketing strategies exists. This research represents an initial step for
providing this information.
A mail survey of U.S. wood window and door manufacturers was used...
Summer low-flow behavior in the semi-arid areas of the Pacific Northwest was studied. Long-term data from thirty-eight streams/rivers and thirty-six precipitation stations was exploited. The study area was divided into five zones based on annual average precipitation. Trends and patterns
in summer low-flows and precipitation were identified. Different zones showed...
The major purposes of this study were (1) to construct a reliable and
valid scale for measuring writing self-efficacy levels in adult basic education
students, (2) to further test the scale's validity and reliability by administering
it to a second selected group of adult basic education students, and (3) to...
The threespot damselfish, Stegastes planifrons,
maintains individual territories that are clustered on
coral patch reefs. My objective was to understand the
effects of territory clustering on behavior and fitness.
Fish with territories in the center of a cluster had
(relative to edge fish): higher mating success (number of
eggs), higher...
The fundamental aim of this study was to determine how Malaysians define both leisure
and recreation. Two ethnic groups, Chinese and Malays, and rural and urban variants of these
groups were included in the sample. The other objective was to determine if there were differences
in the definitions due to...
This follow-up study investigated the effect of a systems-oriented graduate
training program upon system thinking among practitioners who had completed training,
using a post-test only, treatment-comparison group design. The subjects consisted of
practitioners matriculated through two counselor-related programs at a medium-sized
college in the Northwest during the years 1985-1991. A...
The general objective of this study was to develop
models and datasets that would significantly advance our
ability to assess the current and future effects of global
change on the biosphere. The focus was in two areas: (1)
preparing environmental datasets at regional to small
watershed scales; and (2) developing...
The engineering design process and the advancement of future computer-aided-design systems need new design aids to be used during the conceptual design phase. This design phase is where information gathering and understanding of the problem are developed, analyzed and broken into small more manageable elements. These elements consist of customer...
To assess the consequences of increased recreational activity on bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), we studied factors that influenced their behavior and reproductive success in the Gulkana River basin, Alaska, from 1989 to 1993. Both extrinsic and intrinsic factors were associated with reproductive success. Productivity averaged 0.86 young fledged per occupied...
The body size (W) of animal species is one of the best predictors of
population density (D) when large assemblages are considered. It has been
shown that theoretically the D-W relationship can be the consequence of two
other distributions: the log-normal distribution of body sizes of the species and
of...
I examined the biomechanical factors that influence the sizes of intertidal macroalgae by studying a population of Fucus gardneri at Fogarty Creek Point, OR. I constructed a mathematical model to predict optimal sizes and probabilities of survival for Fucus under conditions of high and low wave exposure. Predicted optimal sizes...
Wood and wood-based composites are being used in either
new or more demanding applications. A means is needed to
successfully analyze new materials and to predict their long-term
performance. Two techniques, dynamic mechanical
analysis (DMA) and time-temperature superposition (TTS) offer
a means to accomplish this objective. The outcome of this...
Factors affecting the persistence of mussels (Mytilus californianus) and their associated epibiont species were studied along the central Oregon coast. Interactions between mussels and their algal epibionts (Endocladia
muricata) varied in sign and strength with environmental conditions. In extreme temperatures mussel—epibiont interactions determined survival of individual mussels,
and persistence of...
To assess the context dependence of kin discriminating
behavior, I examined kin-biased aggregation behavior in tadpoles
of R. cascadae in different ecological conditions. I manipulated food
distribution, predator presence, thermal heterogeneity, and
relatedness in a multifactorial mesocosm experiment. All four
factors interacted to influence tadpole dispersion. My results
suggest that...
Previous studies suggest that vitamin B-6 supplementation can alter fuel metabolism during
exercise and plasma amino acid levels at rest. To examine the effect of vitamin B-6
supplementation on plasma fuel substrates and amino acid levels during exercise, five trained
males (age: 29±7; V0₂ max: 54.7±6.2 ml/kg/min) performed two separate...
There are many combinatorial structures which can be regarded as complexes of certain basic
blocks. Familiar examples are involutions, finite graphs, and Stirling numbers of the first and
second kind. Generating functions for these complexes have special forms relating the number
of basic blocks to the number of complexes. Previous...
When large disturbances occur in interconnected power systems, there exists the danger
that the power system states may leave an associated region of stability, if timely corrective action
is not taken. Open-loop remedial control actions such as field-forcing, line-tripping, switching of
series-capacitors, energizing braking resistors, etc., are helpful in reducing...
A concept image is that collection of all images, pictures, symbols, definitions
and properties associated with any given mathematical concept. One of the
most important components in the mental representation of concepts in the concept
image of advanced mathematical thinkers is visualization. This component, in
turn, is indispensable in the...
Shrimp waste samples were extracted with a variety of organic solvents. Each fraction was measured for antioxidant activity by determining the rate of oxidation of β-carotene-linoleic acid in an emulsion system. An ethanol extract exhibited the highest antioxidant activity. Purification of the most active fraction was accomplished by thin layer...
β-lactoglobulin (β-Lg), bovine serum albumin (BSA), α-lactalbumin
(α-Lac), and β-casein were adsorbed onto
silanized silica surfaces of low and high hydrophobicity
for 8 h, and β-Lg and BSA for 1 h. The surfaces were
incubated in buffer for 0, 5, 10, or 15 h and then contacted
with Listeria monocytogenes...
The purpose of this study was to: (a) develop a comprehensive plan consisting of a series of logical steps based upon recommendations derived from psychometric, measurement, and research literature and utilize the plan to develop a Likert-type scale to provide valid and reliable measures of the attitude of preservice and...
Students often have difficulty completing their college
education. Some leave during their freshmen year, others
later in their careers. Many factors contribute to the
decision to withdraw, often relating to the individual
student, or the institution. Literature indicates that the
decision to withdraw is frequently based on student involvement.
This...
Conversion of exogenous cis-zeatin to trans-zeatin in immature seeds of
Phaseolus vulgaris L. led to the isolation of a cis-trans isomerase from the endosperm.
The enzyme was purified over 2000-fold by chromatography on a series of FPLC
(anion exchange, gel filtration, and hydrophobic interaction) and Concanavalin A
columns. Non-enzymatic isomerization...
An approach for developing a computer-based aid to
assist in monitoring and assessing nuclear power plant
status during situations requiring emergency response has
been developed. It is based on the representation of
regulatory requirements and plant-specific systems and
instrumentation in the form of hierarchical rules. Making
use of inferencing techniques...
Accurate determinations of body composition, fat mass (FM) and fat-free
mass (FFM) are of interest to scientists as well as many individuals
who serve as health and fitness practitioners. Currently, researchers and
practitioners use a variety of indirect methods to determine body
composition. Traditional methods of estimating percent body fat...
Mycorrhizal fungi in arid and semiarid rangelands have received little study in southwest Asia and north Africa, although they are important in food production and rangeland productivity. The desert truffles of the genera Terfezia and Tirmania form fruiting-bodies and mycorrhizae with rangeland plants. This thesis treats the taxonomy and the...
In 1974 Davey and Stewartson used a multi-scale analysis to derive a coupled
system of nonlinear partial differential equations which describes the evolution of a
three dimensional wave packet in water of a finite depth. This system of equations
is the closest integrable two dimensional analog of the well-known one...
A Brushless, Doubly Fed Machine (BDFM) attempts to combine the advantages
of conventional induction and synchronous types of electrical machines by its unique
architecture. The validation of BDFM designs in an actual test environment requires the
estimation of the BDFM model parameters from actual experimentation. Accurate values
for the parameters...
Mechanical behavior of Nb-Ti superconducting composites with copper matrices have
been studied experimentally and theoretically.
Experimental work includes extensive measurements of Cu/Nb-Ti composite system.
Techniques for fine fiber testing and composite wire measurement have been developed.
Experimental parameters examined in this research include geometry, hardness, Young's
modulus, Poisson's ratio, yield...
Three aspects of Subsynchronous Resonance (SSR) related problems in power
systems are addressed in this dissertation which aims at contributing to a better
understanding of these problems.
Subsynchronous Resonance (SSR) problems in series compensated steam-turbine
power systems co-exist with the beneficial effects provided by the series capacitors.
Since the early...
Distance-based algorithms are machine learning algorithms that classify queries
by computing distances between these queries and a number of internally stored
exemplars. Exemplars that are closest to the query have the largest in
uence on
the classi cation assigned to the query. Two speci c distance-based algorithms, the
nearest neighbor...
At present all vaccines for fish are primarily delivered either by injection or immersion which introduces added stress and labor. A more attractive method of vaccine delivery is oral administration using an enteric protection system, Enteric Coated Antigen Microspheres (ECAMs), which can be utilized for a variety of antigenic forms....
Knowledge-Based Model Construction (KBMC) has generated a lot of attention
due to its importance as a technique for generating probabilistic or decision-theoretic
models whose range of applicability in AI has been vastly increased. However, no
one has tried to analyze the essential issues in KBMC, to determine if there exists...
A study was conducted to determine effects of year and season on diet quality of beef cattle grazing northern Great Basin rangelands from 1990 to 1993. Forage quality was high early in the growing season, then declined as seasons progressed (P<.05). Plant chemical composition was higher early in the growing...
A continuous process for the production of ceramic materials has been studied.
This method reacted metal and oxidizer in a diffusionally controlled process,
demonstrated by reacting a magnesium particle stream and hot water vapor. Many small
rich hydrogen/air diffusion flames provide an atmosphere of hot water vapor, hydrogen,
and nitrogen...
The relationships between types of wealth components and consumption
expenditures were investigated as a means of better understanding retired
elderly household well-being. Specifically, the concept of mental account was
used to identify the characteristics of different types of wealth components, and
four mental accounts were identified: flow of investment, current...
A standard tool in general relativity is the 3+1 or ADM point of view, namely
slicing spacetime into spacelike hypersurfaces of constant time and then describing
physics in terms of time-dependent quantities on a typical such hypersurface. Much
less well-known is the 1+3 point of view, in which one foliates...
In this dissertation, multi-rate array (MRA) architecture and its synthesis are proposed
and developed. Using multi-coordinate systems (MCS), a unified theory for mapping
algorithms from their original algorithmic specifications onto multi-rate arrays is
developed.
A multi-rate array is a grid of processors in which each interconnection may have its
own...
During the past fifteen years, Professor John Keller has developed a systematic, comprehensive model to motivate adult learners. Its major elements are Attention-
Relevance-Confidence-Satisfaction (ARCS), and research with volunteers confirms that the strategies improve adult responses in learning settings. Training in business and industry, however, often involves mandatory
attendance by...