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The thesis presents the design, fabrication, and operation of a deep ocean sediment testing platform which is operated by a submersible to depths of 8000 feet. The platform has a variable ballast system and is transportable along the ocean floor by the submersible. It has an in-air weight of approximately 15,000 pounds and is capable of maintaining neutral buoyancy. The platform is capable of taking and storing eight individual cores and is equipped with eight instrument drives, each capable of inserting a 3-inch diameter probe to a depth of 3 feet in any normal ocean sediment for in situ measurements. The platform is lowered to the ocean floor by cable and is capable of independent surfacing. (Modified author abstract)

There exists a need to increase the effectiveness and safety of quick-reaction, small-arms fire at short ranges in both military and civilian applications. Rapid target acquisition was identified as a key factor. A circular bracketing sight was designed to accomplish this. Used on an M16A1 rifle fired in the semiautomatic mode, firing with the bracketing sights resulted in maximum improvements over the standard, Army, quick-fire technique of 31 percent with stationary targets and 275 percent with moving targets at a range of 50 yds (45.72 m.). The more difficult the firing task became, the greater was the differential between standard quick-fire with unmodified sights and the quick-fire with the bracketing sight. The findings have implications for weapons design, training, and other applications of the bracketing-sight concept.

The purpose of this thesis is two-fold: (1) It seeks to investigate the current statutes, regulations, instructions, and policies regarding the involuntary separation of officers resulting from failure to be selected for promotion to lieutenant commander, and (2) It attempts to estimate a lower limit of real costs associated with each officer separation of this type.

This thesis contains a formulation of a dynamic stochastic model of corporate behavior over the business cycle and applies the basic model to firms in the U.S. airframe industry. The literature dealing with the theory of the firm is surveyed and a taxonomy is developed within which the major contributions to the literature are appraised. The basic model is formulated as an optimal control problem. The model is used to study the behavior of the firm over the business cycle and to suggest a possible reconciliation of the traditional and managerial theories of the firm. Financial considerations are incorporated into the model and the relationship between the firm's optimal operating decisions and its optimal financial decisions is examined. A model of a representative airframe builder is formulated as a stochastic optimal control problem and is used to study the impact of the government's progress payments policy and the likely impact of making interest expense an allowable cost under government contracts.

Cast ingots of three Al-Mg alloys, containing 7% Mg, 15% Mg, and 19% Mg, Were obtained from Kaiser Aluminum and Chemical Corporation Center for Technology. Billets were machined from these castings and upset forged at .9% of either the solvus or eutectic temperature, as appropriate, to a true strain of 1.5. These alloys were then evaluated by compressive stress-strain testing at various temperatures and strain rates to determine both the ambient and elevated temperature characteristics.

Instrumentation was developed for investigating the radio frequency link between the A station and the B unit in the Range Measurement System. Propagation effects are characterized using a multipath simulation in a laboratory environment. Field experiments were conducted to investigate the presence of a multipath environment at Ft. Hunter Liggett. The effects of varying the ambient temperature on the A station and the B unit were measured. (Author)

The purpose of this thesis is to trace and analyze the evolution of Reliability and Maintainability as engineering disciplines. Articles published in the open literature were used as the measurement indicator for developing the growth curves of the various branches within each discipline. The growth curves were analyzed to determine the present emphasis and to project future trends within each discipline. Analyses were conducted to determine the relative contributions made to the growth patterns by private and public organizations such as the Department of Defense, Service Industries, etc. Elements of each discipline which indicate probable future developments have been identified. Where possible, the factors contributing to future growth have also been identified. Taxonomies have been developed which provide a structured classification system for the various elements within each discipline. The authors believe that the taxonomies, in conjunction with the growth curves, present a comprehensible analysis of the evolution of the Reliability and Maintainability Disciplines. (Author)

A variety of probability models for single and multiple unit, failure-prone but repairable, systems are reviewed. The purpose of the paper is to provide methods for expressing the uncertainties in system availability in terms of uncertainties in component parameters. A log-linear transformation and the 'jackknife' are shown to be effective. (Author)

The budget process is the final phase in the Planning, Programming and Budgeting System (PPBS). It is divided into three phases; Formulation, Justification and Execution. Of specific interest within the budget process is the Shipbuilding and Conversion, Navy Appropriation (SCN). This thesis describes the SCN budget formulation process along with the interaction of the Shipbuilding Cost Adjustment (SCA) review. The budget process for SCN is traced through to the President's budget and the Congress where the second phase, justification, occurs. After congressional approval, the SCN appropriation is traced through the execution phase where Congressionally-appropriated funds are obligated and expended. Finally, some conclusions are made with respect to cost estimating and the SCN budget process. (Author)

A computer interface to connect both the Applied Technology Airborne Computer (ATAC) and the KIM-1 Microprocessor to a Watkins Johnson digitally tuned receiver was designed and constructed. The existing ATAC computer program was modified. (Author)

Analysts conducting experiments must frequently deal with situations in which data is incomplete or missing. This creates problems that can seriously affect classical hypothesis testing by introducing extraneous terms into the hypothesis in a complicated way. A technique exists that allows an analyst to determine precisely which experimental terms are actually present in a proposed hypothesis and what that hypothesis would actually be testing if employed. This paper examines the mathematics underlying the technique and applies the theory to a widely used data analysis computer package. A computer program is presented to facilitate implementation of the method. (Author)

Sound absorption due to single marine crustaceans was measured employing reverberation chamber technique in the laboratory. Viscous and thermal losses were measured separately by varying the position of the absorbing body in the sound field. Only primary axial modes were employed and discreet frequencies were utilized in the range 1150Hz to 3200 Hz by varying the height of the water column. Absorption cross sections (sigma) were determined for both the thermal and viscous effects for two species of crustaceans (Sergestes similis and Pasiphea pacifica) which are prominent members of the scattering layer present in Monterey Bay, California. Values of sigma due to viscous effects and due to thermal losses are given. These values of sigma resulted from measured viscous absorption coefficients of 3.19 to 8.65 dB/km and thermal absorption coefficients of 5.93 to 11.88 dB/km and resulted from a laboratory concentration of one specimen in 0.002 to 0.007 cum of water.

The problem of obtaining unrestricted line aviation officers with the requisite experience and education to serve as Project Managers has plagued the Navy's Weapon Systems Acquisition Management Program since its inception. This research is directed at identifying the causes of this problem. The conflicts and constraints resulting from the integration of Weapon Systems Acquisition Management subspecialty development program with the warfare specialty development program of the unrestricted line aviation officer are identified. Recommendations are made for the achievements of a viable career development program that will aid in the development of true professionalism in the area of weapon systems development and acquisition. (Author)

A generalized maximum entropy principle is described for dealing with decision problems involving uncertainty but with some prior knowledge about the probability space corresponding to nature. This knowledge about the probabilistic structure is expressed through known bounds on event probabilities and moments, which is incorporated into a nonlinear programming problem. The solution provides a maximum entropy distribution which is then used in treating the decision problem as one involving risk. An example application is described that involves the selection of oil spill recovery systems for inland harbor regions. Other areas of application are identified and tables of some maximum entropy distributions resulting from a variety of moment constraints are provided.

Acoustic Signal processing is a short course in electrical signal processing fundamentals and their applications in the field of underwater acoustics. It contains an introduction to Fourier transforms and their properties, sampling and quantization, filters and bandwidth requirements, random signals and noise, and an introduction to four types of processing equipment; the DELTIC, energy detectors, correlation detectors, and beamformers. Course objectives are given in terms of specific questions which a person completing the course should be able to answer. The course is designed to be presented to the personnel involved with the development, operation and employment of acoustic sensors to provide them with a better understanding of the operations accomplished by their equipment and to develop in them a better appreciation of the problems and limitations associated with signal detection in the underwater environment. (Author)

This thesis compares the Acquisition Departments of two of the Engineering Field Divisons of the Naval Facilities Engineering Command. The two entities studied appeared at first glance to be very comparable in output but striking different in input resources required. Data was collected from various official sources and from personal interviews of the managers in each of the organizations. The evaluations made in the thesis were based on quantifiable and unquantifiable information collected regarding each organization's methods for design and procurement of facilities for the U.S. Navy. Findings involved the relative likenesses, differences, and efficiencies of the two entities, and concluded with a recommended system for better allocation of resources to the Engineering Field Divisions by the Naval Facilities Engineering Command. (Author)

Acoustic energy transfer from a tapered fluid layer into a fast bottom was investigated experimentally using fresh water and a saline solution separated by a sheet of 0.5 mil mylar. A 150 kHz pulsed signal was excited in the upper layer and a receiver in the lower fluid layer was used to determine the acoustic field. Measurements were made for taper angles of 1.52, 2.51, and 4.41 deg and for (rho)c ratios of 0.745 and 0.836. Beams were observed in the lower layer, beginning at points where the depth of the tapered layer equals a cutoff depth for a normal mode. The experimental beam patterns agree well with the theoretical predictions for angles from grazing to the angle where the maximum pressure amplitude is reached. For greater angles, experiment and theory significantly diverge. (Author)

This thesis looks at cost differences for training Navy Senior petty officers (E-8/E-9). It explores the role of those petty officers, investigates the type of professional training that should be provided to these individuals, and proposes criteria for assessing the cost effectiveness of such training. This study also identifies alternative means of providing such training, analyzes them in terms of the cost effective criteria and recommends a best course of action for the Navy to pursue. (Author)

The last decade has witnessed a marked increase in the incidence of international political terrorism. International political terrorism has emerged as a political weapon employed on a worldwide basis by those who are dissatisfied with, or alienated from, the legitimate international and/or national political process. International terrorism is perceived to represent a threat to a wide range of United States national security goals. The hypothesis examined in this thesis is that the threat which international terrorism represents to the United States national security can be measured as a function of the threat perceptions of experts concerned with combating terrorism and is correlated with terrorists' methods of operation, perceived saliency of enemy and the treatment of the event by foreign broadcasts (FBIS). Scale values are calculated which represent the consensus of expert judges' perception of threat. Content Analysis of terrorist statements is employed to measure the saliency of the terrorist enemy perceptions. The methodology of multiple regression analysis is used to determine the underlying aspects of terrorism which combine to explain the level of threat represented by a terrorist incident. The conclusions of this thesis provide the decision maker with valid early warning indicators of emerging terrorist threat and a perspective for allocating resources to counter terrorism. (Author)

This thesis presents and evaluates five manpower models which can be used to determine quotas for the U. S. Marine Corps Special Education Program. Both static and dynamic modelling techniques are used. Each model is based on a network concept which depicts the manpower flows through the Special Education Program. The quotas provided by each of the five models are compared on the basis of twenty-year average projections and on the basis of Fiscal Year 1978 projections. Same APL functions for one of the models is presented in a n appendix. (Author)

A number of repairman-type models useful for describing and evaluating time-sharing computer systems with multitype users are presented and analyzed. Several approximation methods are introduced including one which allows for performance evaluation as a function of the queue discipline. Diffusion approximations are also considered, the accuracy of each of the approximation methods is assessed by numerical methods. The models proposed should prove to be useful for planning and evaluating both new and existing time-sharing computer systems. (Author)

This report provides a summary of the state of technology, the Navy's technical capabilities and the adequacy of specifications and standards relative to electromagnetic compatibility in aircraft and ship platforms. Recommendations for improvement are made. (Author)

A statistical analysis was made of the 00 and 12 GMT surface wind analysis prepared by Fleet Numerical Weather Central (FNWC) during 1975 to describe the synoptic storm activity over the North Pacific Ocean. Temporal variance of the surface wind components at each individual gridpoint was 'band passed' (approximately 2.5-6 days) using the filtering procedure of Blackmon (1976). Both the original winds and the time-filtered wind components were used to calculate the cube of the friction velocity and the wind stress curl. Monthly mean maps of u*3 from the filtered wind components show clearly the location and intensity of the monthly mean synoptic storm activity during this period. Also, this measure of the synoptic storm activity was qualitatively related to the monthly mean sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies as analyzed by Namias., Prepared in cooperation with Air Force Inst. of Tech., Wright-Patterson AFB, OH. Rept. no. AFIT-CI-78-43.

This thesis discusses the background and extent of the current national energy crisis, and reviews the alternative energy sources available to the United States Navy other than conventional fossil fuels. An in-depth analysis is made of the advantages, disadvantages and techniques of one of these alternatives, solar energy conversion. The National Solar Energy Program is reviewed, as is the role of the Department of Defense and the United States Navy in this program. Methods of 'retrofitting' existing Navy facilities with solar energy systems are discussed, as are new construction techniques. The thesis further contains techniques for life-cycle costing of alternative solar energy systems, which includes computer model programs such as BASIC Language, F-Chart calculations, and SOLCOST calculations. The thesis concludes with suggestions for establishing a viable solar energy program on an activity or individual basis. A comprehensive reference list and bibliography is provided to identify where technical and engineering details can be found. (Author)

The large lift coefficient changes attainable with Circulation Control Airfoils through small changes in boundary layer blowing suggest rotary wing cyclic control can be obtained through modulation of the blowing. Static pressure distributions were obtained to assess the unsteady behavior of a Circulation Control Rotor in a two-dimensional flow. A constant-radius hotwire wake traversing mechanism was constructed to augment the pressure data and to study the flow phenomena occurring in the region of Coanda jet separation. Through correlation of turbulence intensity data with pressure data, it was discovered that the point of Coanda jet separation could be located using the hotwire. The objective of these tests was accordingly expanded to include correlation of the location of separation with flow parameter variation.

This thesis explores the process of major systems acquisition in Britain and the United States. It describes the process of initiation and development of systems from the management viewpoint, and also the methods used by each government for control of the project and the contractor. The differences between the systems of the two countries are highlighted. Many differences are described, some of which are attributable to the geographic size or the resources of each country. Others are attributable to the fact that there are more than one way of operating efficiently, and finally, it is concluded that there are differences in which one country would benefit by heeding the practices of the other. (Author)

A method for dissecting and analyzing electroencephalograms for the presence of any distinctive characteristics is presented. Data are presented which strongly indicate the presence of a preferred frequency, in the 70 - 95 Hz range, that is a characteristic of the performance of a simulated pilot's task. A conclusive test for the presence of wideband noise in the EEG is presented with data to show that wideband noise is characteristic of myograms. EEGs taken from two closely spaced electrodes located over the motor and premotor areas of the cortex show that tegules in the 70 - 95 Hz band are not simultaneous with tegules of any other band, except by chance. (Author)

A family of ammunition is currently under development for the 8-in. major caliber lightweight gun (MCLWG) system. In this report the major alternatives for the propelling charge portion of the ammunition are examined. There are three relatively independent subassemblies in the propelling charge, namely the case, the primer, and the propelling charge itself. Cases can be fabricated of drawn steel, spiral wrapped steel, or other materials, the most promising of which is fiberglass. For primers the major options are to rework an existing inventory, to redesign the primers using the traditional technology, or to redesign the primer using more advanced technology. Propelling charge options address the chemical composition (NACO or M1A1) and physical characteristics (grain size). These alternatives are compared using the ideas of multidimensional utility analysis. In this analysis a first 'rough' cut was sufficient to enable the project manager to decide among the alternatives.

The U. S. Navy, in fulfilling its mission, requires a tremendous amount of skilled manpower. A significant percentage of this population is frequently assigned outside their respective skill areas. The resulting skill deterioration incurred during these assignments affects the amount of retraining required to reestablish currency and insure fleet readiness. This study suggests potential approaches for determining skill loss as the initial step for decision-markers in specifying the degree of retraining necessary. To this end, an extensive literature and agency survey of skill retention and related topics was conducted to identify areas where further research is required. Also, two conceptual models of possible retraining systems are formulated and discussed. Finally, recommendations are submitted which have implications in the areas of Reserve training, manpower planning, and personnel management. (Author)

An experimental investigation was conducted of the effects of fluid loading on axially symmetric flexural waves in a circular aluminum plate 25 in. in diameter and 5/16 in. thick. Measurements were made of the flexural wavelength and natural frequencies with the plate in air, and with water loading on one side, over a frequency range from 20 kHz to 80 kHz. The critical (coincidence) frequency, that frequency at which the speed of the flexural wave equals the speed of sound in water, occurs at approximately 45 kHz. The measured flexural-wave speeds with air loading are in good agreement with theory. With water loading, the wave speed decreases, the amount of decrease increasing to approximately 14 percent below the in-air value just below the critical frequency. At the critical frequency, the wave speed appears to jump to values nearly equal to the unloaded values. Radiation patterns were obtained and when edge effects are eliminated, are in qualitative agreement with theoretical predictions for an infinite fluid-loaded plate. (Author)

The influence of command and control limitations on fire distribution tactics for a homogeneous force in combat against heterogeneous enemy forces is studied through a deterministic optimal control problem. Lanchester-type equations for a square law attrition process are used to model the combat. Command and control limitations are incorporated into the model through upper and lower bounds on the rate at which the distribution of fire can be changed. The structure of the optimal fire distribution policy is examined. It is shown that such command and control limitations do not essentially alter the optimal fire distribution decision rules, although the shifting of fires is initiated earlier when command and control limitations exist than when an entire force can instantaneously shift their fires from one target type to another. Thus, when there is inertia to overcome in shifting fires, one begins to change the distribution of fire before target priorities change in anticipation of this coming change. The theory of state variable inequality constraints plays a major role in solving this problem. Of particular mathematical difficulty is the presence of a second order state variable inequality constraint in the problem. (Author)

Previous thin-wire antenna programs have either been very specialized or all-encompassing. A beginning or occasional user does not need expertise in programming to gain insight into wire antenna structures, using this general purpose user-oriented code. The revisions contained herein correct deficiencies of handling the image problem in the original code and improve the accuracy of calculations of structures over finite ground. (Author)

Various aspects of the operation of the Range Measuring System/Data Collection System (RMS-2/ DCS), which is employed by the United States Army Combat Developments Experimentation Command (USACDEC) at the Hunter Liggett Military Reservation, California, were investigated. System development, operation and reliability were summarized and two problem areas associated with RMS-2/ DCS identified. (Author)

An evaluation of the costs and benefits of the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program is presented. Focusing on economic, military, and political factors, a comparative analysis reveals that the FMS program is beneficial to the United States at this time. However, if program controls are not improved the FMS program could become detrimental to national security. The recommended approach to improved program controls is more involvement of the State Department in DOD's Security Assistance Planning, Progamming, and Budgeting System (PPBS) and better coordination and analysis of data already available in the system. (Author)

Interval Modulation (IM) of a sinusoidal carrier is a modulation technique unlike AM, FM, or PM. IM conveys the information of a message waveform by modulating an interval between bursts of a sinusoidal carrier. IM is accomplished by sampling the message waveform, producing a delay proportional to the amplitude of the sampled message waveform and, upon the completion of the delay, initiating a burst of a fixed number of full cycles of a sinusoidal carrier. With the completion of the burst, another sample of the message waveform is taken and the sequence of events repeats. Because the length of a burst is fixed and because the delay between bursts is dependent upon the sampled value of the message waveform, the IM signal is non-periodic. An analysis is made of the IM signal modulated by a constant voltage modulating waveform and by general modulating waveforms. Descriptions are given for the circuits used in generation and detection of the IM signal. IM signal parameters are also considered for use with message waveforms in the audio frequency range. (Author)

The aim of this work is to show that the fluctuations of sound caused by surface specular scattering are to some extent predictable. Thus the energy associated with these signals, normally discarded, can be utilized. The wind driven surface of a model ocean was used to study the simultaneous amplitude fluctuations of 31 specularly scattered harmonic components from 5 kHz - 160 kHz. The temporal variations of the scattered components show maxima and minima whose anticorrelation depends on the sound frequency ratio. Significant signal enhancement can be obtained through timely frequency switching between a base frequency and its second harmonic. This gain is found to depend on the effective surface roughness, the duration of the experiment, and the switching threshold.

This thesis has two basic research objectives. First to examine the political development of Morocco and to prove, despite an outward appearance of political tension, that the nation is politically stable and progressing politically at a pace which will ensure representational government. Second, United States-Moroccan relations will be examined to determine the amount of influence the United States commands in Morocco. The thesis first establishes historical perspective by tracing Moroccan history back to the initial Arab conquests which shaped Moroccan society into its unique segmentation. The roles of traditionalism, primordialism, Islam, the monarchy, elites and education are studied to illustrate their importance on Morocco's political development. The growth of Moroccan nationalism is studied as well as the formation of political parties. Theories of political development are used to predict the future course of Moroccan politics. This thesis reviews United States military and economic aid to Morocco during the last twenty years. A correlation is then made between this aid and Moroccan support for United States policies based on Moroccan voting patterns in the United Nations. (Author)

A methodology is presented which utilizes an intraorganizational structure to coordinate a modernization that requires the acquisition of facilities involving high technology. This methodology is then applied to a proposed modernization of the Technical Data Department of Naval Ships Weapon Systems Engineering Station, Port Hueneme, California. The results of this application are initial recommendations for an acquisition coordinating structure to reduce technical and organizational risks. (Author)

Galvanic aspects of aluminum sacrificial anode alloys in artificial seawater were investigated. Specifically, two mercury-bearing alloys and one tin-bearing alloy were studied. The polarization behavior of the aluminum sacrificial anode alloys coupled to HY-80 steel is discussed. Current versus time curves were obtained for aluminum/steel galvanic couples immersed in artificial seawater for specific intervals. Scanning electron microscopy was used to characterize the anode dissolution patterns and the corrosion mechanisms. A correlation is made between the dissolution morphologies exhibited by each anode alloy and the polarization and galvanic current data. (Author)

This thesis is a report on current perceptions of problems of women integrating into the ranks of the U. S. Coast Guard as seen by those women and their male co-workers. A questionnaire was developed to survey all Coast Guard women for their opinions. An equal size sample of opinions of Coast Guard men was drawn for comparative purposes. The results of these surveys are presented as statistical information and quotations of opinions of the respondees. The information presented may be of use to managerial and supervisory personnel at all levels of the Coast Guard. (Author)

This is a report on atmospheric boundary layer measurements made aboard the USNS Kane in February and March of 1978. The data has been analyzed to obtain Monin-Obukhov similarity parameters and EM propagation properties using bulk, profile and turbulence data. The evaporation duct height, Z*, was found to vary from 1.0 meters to 25 meters with a typical value of 16 meters. A comparison with profile and turbulence methods showed that the bulk method was accurate to within a factor of two, although some of the disagreement has been attributed to profile measurement inaccuracies. A sensitivity analysis showed that the relative humidity and air-sea temperature difference are the most critical measurements for bulk calculations of Z*.

Knowledge of the charge and current distributions is essential in many applications of antenna design and placement, electromagnetic scattering, and electromagnetic compatability. Although it is possible to measure these quantities directly on a given object using electrically small probes, it is an extremely slow, tedious, and expensive process. To avoid this, computer analysis of structures has become increasingly important. These models require assumptions concerning geometry, wire size, boundary conditions, and the like. In all such investigations, model verification has become important. Clearly, a technique yielding real-time measurement of charge and current magnitude distributions has obvious advantages.

A new model for pth-order autoregressive processes with exponential marginal distributions EAR(p) is developed and an earlier model for first order moving average exponential processes is extended to qth-order, given an EMA(q) process. The correlation structure of both processes are obtained separately. A mixed process, EARMA(p,q), incorporating aspects of both EAR(p) and EMA(q) correlation structures is then developed. The EARMA(p,q) process is an analog of the standard ARMA(p,q) time series models for Gaussian processes and is generated from a single sequence of independent and identically distribution exponential variables. (Author)

This paper attempts to update the work done by Jacob A. Stockfisch on the social discount rate and published in 1969. Because of the widespread use of a discount rate quite close to his and because of the economic turbulence occurring subsequent to his periods of measurement, it seeks to examine the validity of his results when using current computed rates of return and current inflation index deflators. (Author)

An algorithm for zero-one integer programming problems with more than one objective functions is developed, implemented and tested. For a multiobjective problem the notion of optimality must be replaced with that of efficiency. A solution is said to be efficient if it satisfies the constraints and no other solution satisfying them scores as well with respect to all objective functions and better with respect to at least one of them. In the presented algorithm, the problem variables are partitioned into two sets; those whose coefficients in the objective functions are all of the same sign, and the remainder. A tree search implicit enumeration algorithm based on this partition is developed and computational results are presented. (Author)

This report investigates the scheduling of Naval Tactical Data Systems (NTDS) mockups and the associated computer facilities at FCDSSA/FCDSTCP, San Diego. We provide a design for an automated, computer based, interactive system for assisting in the management of job and equipment scheduling, equipment status recording and equipment hookup. The decision logic of the scheduling portion of this system has been developed in detail, and a prototype scheduling program has been written and tested. The results indicate that the computer program can do a good job of producing a job schedule and the associated equipment assignments. A schedule for system implementation is also suggested. (Author)

The development and implementation of refresh graphics software for the Vector General Display System on a PDP-11 minicomputer is discussed. Modification and expansion of existing software routines, along with additional software design and development is presented. As an addition to the existing C programming language, a version of BASIC was implemented as a second language capable of utilizing the Vector General software. The unsuccessful implementation of a version of FORTRAN with the display system software and the problems involved are discussed. Conclusions and recommendations are offered, and a detailed user's manual is appended. (Author)

The design and implementation of an LALR(1) FORTRAN grammar has been described. Design requirements and recommendations for a 16K byte microcomputer system, which would allow the use of the FORTRAN programming language as defined by the grammar implementation, have been presented. The proposed system consisted of three subsystems: a FORTRAN compiler based on the grammar implementation which produced an immediate language, a linking-loader that enabled independently compiled program units to be linked, and an interpreter that executed the intermediate language on the specific target machine. (Author)

Management information is of critical importance in modern decision making. The role of the computer in this process is rapidly expanding, creating challenging goals for data processing specialists and functional area specialists alike. A totally integrated computer based management information system (MIS) requires long term planning and design efforts coupled with detailed analysis of information system requirements. The MIS development generally follows a master plan; this master plan contains three major phases: MIS Analysis, MIS Design, and MIS Implementation. The different phases through which the master plan evolves are known as the system development process. This thesis describes the development of the master plan. (Author)

This study was conducted to establish a strong analytical basis for decision-making with respect to the Italian Communist Party. In order to fulfill this requirement, the unique characteristics and organizational structure of the Party as well as personality traits of the leadership were analyzed. The research was enhanced by interviews with numerous government officials in both the military and civilian sectors of the U.S. Government in Washington, D. C. Additional, the staff of the Hoover Institution on War and Peace contributed immeasurable help to the background research. The evidence resulting from this study clearly indicates that there are definable characteristics of the Italian Communist Party which can be used to form the contextual basis for scenario-building and decision-making. The primary conclusion is that, in spite of its complex goals and tactics, the Italian Communist Party is more bound to the ideals of communism than to the principles of western liberal democracy. (Author)