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Feasibility Of The Use Of Neutron Activation Analysis Techniques In An Underwater Environment, Michael D. Chick

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Elements when bombarded with neutrons emit a gamma ray that is characteristic of the isotope that underwent a neutron induced nuclear reaction; this is known as neutron activation. The characteristic gamma energy of an isotope can then be detected and recorded. One can then analyze the gamma energies captured and determine the elemental makeup of the sample. This form of analysis can be used in an underwater environment making it potentially a valuable tool for agencies tasked with maritime security of ports and waterways, or clean-up operations. This thesis will focus on the feasibility of neutron interrogation using pulsed fast/thermal …

Nullification Of Torus Knots And Links, Zachary S. Bettersworth

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Knot nullification is an unknotting operation performed on knots and links that can be used to model DNA recombination moves of circular DNA molecules in the laboratory. Thus nullification is a biologically relevant operation that should be studied.

Nullification moves can be naturally grouped into two classes: coherent nullification, which preserves the orientation of the knot, and incoherent nullification, which changes the orientation of the knot. We define the coherent (incoherent) nullification number of a knot or link as the minimal number of coherent (incoherent) nullification moves needed to unknot any knot or link. This thesis concentrates on the study …

Using Zinc Finger Proteins As A Diagnostic Tool For The Detection Of A Cancer Biomarker, Anu Kini

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

RASSF1A is a tumor suppressor gene which loses its function due to methylation of CpG islands on its promoter region. Detection of methylation leads to early diagnosis of cancer.

Zinc finger proteins are capable of detecting a specific DNA sequence and Methyl binding domain can bind to the methyl group on the CpG, using this idea mCpG SEER- Lac system makes use of a split protein, β-lactamase. Lac A attached to the ZFP and Lac B attached to the MBD protein. On binding to the DNA, the Lac A and Lac B come in close proximity with each other causing …

Investigation Of Carbon Nanomaterials Embedded In A Cementitious Matrix, Clarissa A. Roe

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The objective of this thesis was to investigate whether the addition of carbon nanofibers had an effect on the splitting tensile strength of Hydro-Stone gypsum concrete. The carbon nanofibers used were single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT), buckminsterfullerene (C60), and graphene oxide (GO). Evidence of the nanofibers interacting with gypsum crystals in a connective manner was identified in both 1 mm thick concrete discs and concrete columns possessing a height of 2 in and a diameter of 1 in. Before imaging, the columns were subjected to a splitting tensile strength test. The results illustrate that while there is a general decrease in …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Materials For Thermoelectric Devices, Paige M. Huzyak

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The development of organic-inorganic hybrid materials is of great interest in thermoelectrics for its potential to combine the desirable characteristics of both classes of materials. Thermoelectric materials must combine low thermal conductivity with high electrical conductivity, but in most materials, thermal and electrical conductivity are closely related and positively correlated. By combining the low thermal conductivity, flexibility, facile processing, and low cost of organic components with the high electrical conductivity and stability of inorganic components, materials with beneficial thermoelectric properties may be realized.

Here, we describe the synthesis and characterization of anthracene-containing organic-inorganic hybrid materials for thermoelectric purposes. Specifically, POSS-ANT …