Embedded Software Programming to Develop a Command Line User Interface for Monitoring and Debugging a Manually Driven Gas Regulator Control System

This thesis presents a complete embedded programming model and software codes for a command-line user interface for CONCOA\u27s gas regulator control system. Control Corporation of America (CONCOA) manufactures high-pressure gas regulators, which mechanically control the pressure at their outlets. Since the control system is based on mechanical regulators, adding or stopping gas flow from the system can cause manifold fluctuation that could further cause the pressure to rise or fall with time. The main motivation for developing a command line user interface is to provide a centralized computer control to monitor and debug the gas regulator control system electronically by using a stand-alone 1BM-compatible personal computer. This project was of a considerable significance for CONCOA to increase the accuracy of the gas regulator and to operate their gas regulator system electronically and from a central control location. A user interface is developed in assembly language for Motorola\u27s 68HC12 microcontroller on an M68EVB912B32 Evaluation Board, which enables users to communicate interactively with CONCOA\u27s gas regulator system. The software written for this project provides CONCOA a complete system to monitor and debug their hardware using a set of commands consists of read (monitor), write (modify) and debug system operations. The debug program uses a set of commands to modify and dump any RAM and ROMs locations respectively, and is recommended only for expert users of the system, since it provides a way to access the RAM locations which are impossible using the monitor program\u27s command set. Mainly the two well integrated monitor and control programs are used to carry out all the operational tasks. This thesis explores only the monitor program that runs in the foreground as the main program for CONCOA system. The control program, works in the background, is used to perform AD and DA conversions to store the output pressure in the microcontroller\u27s RAM and to calculate an equivalent voltage signal for a new set point pressure for the output respectively. Finally, the successful testing of this software with the company\u27s hardware provides a very strong base to suggest the further studies of this project

Emergence and Survival of Four Introduced Wheatgrasses as Influenced by Rate and Season of Planting on Abandoned Farm Lands of Utah

A great deal has been accomplished in developing methods of restoring abused lands through seeding, yet there is much to be desired in refinement of techniques and in substantiation of previous experimental results. Controversial opinions as to the best season of planting indicate that additional trials are needed. New species need to be introduced, developed, and proved. methods are needed which lead to more efficient utilization of those factors limiting the degree of success in establishment. Since moisture is the most predominant limiting factor throughout the arid and semi-arid range land, special attention is given to more efficient utilization of the precipitation. Because of the above, a study was made involving 3 recently introduced species of Agropyron-intermediate wheatgrass (Agropyron intermedium), stiff-hair wheatgrass (A. trichophorum), and tall wheatgrass (A. elongatum). Performance of each is compared to that of crested wheatgrass (A. cristatum). The species were seeded on adjacent plots, measuring 20 by 50 feet, in all combinations of the following: 2 seasons of planting, 3 intensities of seeding, and 3 spacings between drill rows

Touch inhibits touch: sanshool-induced paradoxical tingling reveals perceptual interaction between somatosensory submodalities

Human perception of touch is mediated by inputs from multiple channels. Classical theories postulate independent contributions of each channel to each tactile feature, with little or no interaction between channels. In contrast to this view, we show that inputs from two sub-modalities of mechanical input channels interact to determine tactile perception. The flutter-range vibration channel was activated anomalously using hydroxy-α-sanshool, a bioactive compound of Szechuan pepper, which chemically induces vibration-like tingling sensations. We tested whether this tingling sensation on the lips was modulated by sustained mechanical pressure. Across four experiments, we show that sustained touch inhibits sanshool tingling sensations in a location-specific, pressure-level and time-dependent manner. Additional experiments ruled out the mediation of this interaction by nociceptive or affective (C-tactile) channels. These results reveal novel inhibitory influence from steady pressure onto flutter-range tactile perceptual channels, consistent with early-stage interactions between mechanoreceptor inputs within the somatosensory pathway

Modelling human factors in perceptual multimedia quality: On the role of personality and culture

Perception of multimedia quality is shaped by a rich interplay between system, context, and human factors. While system and context factors are widely researched, few studies in this area consider human factors as sources of systematic variance. This paper presents an analysis on the influence of personality (Five-Factor Model) and cultural traits (Hofstede Model) on the perception of multimedia quality. A set of 144 video sequences (from 12 short movie excerpts) were rated by 114 participants from a cross-cultural population, producing 1232 ratings. On this data, three models are compared: a baseline model that only considers system factors; an extended model that includes personality and culture as human factors; and an optimistic model in which each participant is modeled as a random effect. An analysis shows that personality and cultural traits represent 9.3% of the variance attributable to human factors while human factors overall predict an equal or higher proportion of variance compared to system factors. In addition, the quality-enjoyment correlation varied across the movie excerpts. This suggests that human factors play an important role in perceptual multimedia quality, but further research to explore moderation effects and a broader range of human factors is warranted

The pervasive triad of food security, gender inequity and women\u27s health: Exploratory research from sub-Saharan Africa

Objectives: This study was designed to explore the interactions between food securing activities, health and gender equity from the perspective of rural east African women. The specific objectives were to document the critical interaction among these three issues - food security, gender inequity, women\u27s health within the context of sub-Saharan Africa; to describe the nature of this triad from the perspective of women farmers in Africa; and to propose a framework for linking available interventions to the vicious nature of this triad. Setting: In-depth interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with rural women farmers in Kwale District, Kenya and Bagamoyo District, Tanzania. Methods: A total of 12 in-depth interviews and 4 focus group discussions have been included in this analysis. Transcribed text from interviews and focus group discussions were coded and thematic conceptual matrices were developed to compare dimensions of common themes across interviews and settings. A thematic analysis was then performed and a framework developed to understand the nature of the triad and explore the potential for interventions within the interactions. Findings: The vicious cycle of increasing work, lack of time, and lack of independent decision making for women who are responsible for food production and health of their families, has health and social consequences. Food securing activities have negative health consequences for women, which are further augmented by issues of gender inequity. Conclusion: The African development community must respond by thinking of creative solutions and appropriate interventions for the empowerment of women farmers in the region to ensure their health

Wool Production from Annual Pastures Intensively Grazed by Wethers in Southern Western Australia

Intensively grazing annual pastures in southern Western Australia to target amounts of feed on offer increased the greasy wool production per hectare three-fold or more compared to production from a setstocked grazing regime. Feed on offer was maintained at 0.8, 1.1, 1.4, 2.0, 2.8 t DM/ha during spring and wool growth per hectare compared to that of sheep set-stocked at the district average of 8 sheep/ha. The role of intensive grazing as a tactic to increase production and profitability of wool producers in Mediterranean environments is discussed

Studies of six grasses seeded on sagebrush-bunchgrass range : yield, palatability, carbohydrate accumulation, development morphology

Published September 1963. Facts and recommendations in this publication may no longer be valid. Please look for up-to-date information in the OSU Extension Catalog: http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalo

Effect of form and rate of active ingredient, spraying season, solution volume, and type of solvent on mortality of big sagebrush, Artemisia tridentata

Published April 1955. Facts and recommendations in this publication may no longer be valid. Please look for up-to-date information in the OSU Extension Catalog: http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalo