Digital Commons Network^™

Group Key Agreement Protocols With Implicit Key Authentication, Jisoo Kim

Theses

There have been numerous studies performed on secure group communication over unsecured channels such as the Internet and ad-hoc network. Most of the results are focused on cryptographic methods to share secret keys within the group. In the real world, however, we cannot establish an application for group communication without considering authentication of each peer (group member) since the adversary could digitally disguise itself and intrude into the key sharing process without valid membership. Therefore, authentication is an inevitable component for any secure communication protocols as well as peer group communication. In the classical design of group key protocols, each …

Electronic Voting System For Rit Student Government Elections, Sungho Maeung

Theses

Recent studies argue that traditional voting systems do not encourage increased voter participation due to constraints in time, location, accuracy, and, accessibility. To ensure the rights of a democratic society and to enhance and secure the voting rights of citizens by surpassing all the limitations of the traditional voting system, the development of an electronic voting system is an attractive solution. Research on secure electronic voting systems has been conducted for at least the past two decades. We propose to develop an electronic voting system, called the Rochester Institute of Technology Student Government Election System (SGEES) based on Damgard et …

M2mimud, Robert Whitcomb

Theses

M2MIMud is a simple MUD (multi-user dungeon) type game that is designed to run on an ad hoc network of devices without the presence of any central server. It runs over Many-to-Many Invocation (M2MI), a distributed object system API that uses broadcasts and handles, rather than IP addresses, to communicate. Most existing multi-user computer games rely on a client-server architecture with a central server storing and maintaining the state of the game. In contrast, M2MIMud runs on an ad hoc network of devices with no central server. This paper describes M2MI and its use for serverless multi-user applications, discusses the …

Efficient Encryption On Limited Devices, Roderic Campbell

Theses

Encryption algorithms have been used since the dawn of time to ensure secure communication over insecure communication channels. Once a secret encryption key is established and as long as the key remains secret, two parties can communicate freely over open channels. The question of how to obtain such a secret key is a large dilemma. Many methods of obtaining such keys have been tried from the most basic form of a one-on-one encounter to more advanced techniques like Diffie-Hellman. This paper compares three versions of the Diffie-Hellman key exchange protocol -- using arithmetic in the field of integers modulo a …

Visualizing The Inner Structure Of N-Body Data, Edward Dale

Theses

N-body simulations produce a large amount of data that must be visualized in order to extract interesting features. This data consists of thousands of particles, each with a number of properties such as velocity, mass, and acceleration, that are persisted across hundreds of time steps. Rendering these points using traditional means quickly leads to a image that is satu- rated because the number of particles is greater than the number of pixels available. Volume rendering, and particularly splatting, seeks to remedy this and allows one to see inside the volume and discern the inner structure. The definition of inner structure …

Progress On Probabilistic Encryption Schemes, Kert Richardson

Theses

The purpose of this master's project is to study different probabilistic cryptography schemes. The older probabilistic schemes, Goldwasser-Micali and Blum-Goldwasser, will only be covered briefly for a historical perspective. Several new and promising schemes have appeared in the last 7 years, generating interest. I will be examining the Paillier and Damgard-Jurik schemes in depth. This report explains the mathematics behind the schemes along with their inherent benefits, while also suggesting some potential uses. Details are given on how I optimized the algorithms, with special emphasis on using the Chinese Remainder Theorem (CRT) in the Damgard-Jurik algorithm as well as the …

Web Based Monitoring System In Wireless Sensor Networks, Kanishk Panwar

Theses

Goal of the project is to develop a scalable web application to monitor a wireless sensor network. Wireless sensor network, an upcoming technology, is comprised of multiple data sensors that send back packets of information back to the base station. The sensor network runs on a real time operating system called TinyOS and the application is implemented using Moteiv Telos Revision B wireless sensors. The web application collects the reading from the base station and generates graphical representation of the readings for the front end and creates PDF reports when readings are not within defined thresholds. This application incorporates various …

Adjusting The Margins: Building Bridges Between Deaf And Hearing Cultures Through Performance Arts, Luane Davis Haggerty

Theses

This study addresses a gap in scholarship on leadership styles in the Deaf community. There is an invisible style of leadership differing from the mainstream culture that has not been previously addressed in the literature at any depth. My study was composed of three interlocking parts in a sequence that constitutes the practice of anthropology: fieldwork, analysis, and presentation. The foundation for my fieldwork was an “archeology of the structure of the perceived world” (Merleau-Ponty), using the holding environment of the rehearsal process and the structural process of an acting technique called Del-Sign. Del- Sign is a fusion acting style …

Development And Test Of A Kinematical Method For Estimating Rotation Using The Acceleration Of A Rigid Body, Douglas A. Carr

Theses

In this work, the feasibility of a novel method for combining inertial information gathered from accelerometers to calculate an estimate for rotational information independent of rate gyro measurements is investigated. The concept uses two, distinctly placed, parallel accelerometers on a rigid body to estimate rotational acceleration by comparing the difference in sensed acceleration caused by rotation. Since the estimation is independent of available rate gyro data, optimization of drift and scale factors can be used to calibrate the accelerometers in a real time fashion. Experimental trials were conducted on a small mobile robotic platform, due to the eventual objective of …

Local Norms For Deaf And Hard-Of-Hearing Students, Kecia A. Boncek

Theses

Deafness is a low incident disability and therefore deaf children are frequently not included in the norm group of norm-referenced tests (Braden, 1994). The necessity of local norms is an ongoing debate among professionals who assess deaf children (Braden, 2005). This study evaluated the utility of local norms for three different intelligence tests. One sample t-tests were run to determine significance differences between means for a deaf and hard-of-hearing sample compared to the norm group, for the Differential Ability Scales (DAS), Universal Nonverbal Intelligence Test (UNIT), and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Third Edition (WISC-III). Verbal cluster and Word Definition …

Self-Directed Work Teams: Do They Impact Employee Motivation And Accountability To Reduce, Melissa Noyes

Theses

This thesis attempted to tie Self-Directed work teams (SDWT) to safety performance through research, employee surveys and statistical analysis. The ultimate focus of the thesis was to answer two related research questions. To answer the questions required a trip down a road that is not, at this time, traveled frequently by safety professionals or other management. It is not to say that managers throughout the world are unaware of SDWT, but because SDWT are not used in many companies, it was difficult to obtain information to fully attack the problem. However, the focus remained on answering the problem, and defining …

Parent Perceptions Of School Climate And Its Impact On Their Child's School Performance, Danielle Malinowski

Theses

This study compared the relationship of student and parent perceptions of school climate to the student's academic performance and school problem behaviors (disciplinary referrals, unexcused absences, and tardiness). A sample of students (n=531), grades 7-12, completed the School Climate Survey (Haynes et al., 1996). Additional information was obtained regarding each student's academic performance and school problem behaviors. A randomly selected sample of parents were sent the School Climate Survey,

Parent Edition and were asked to voluntarily return them (n=45). Correlation results found no significant relationship between parent and student perceptions of school climate. A significant relationship was found between Parent …

Uv And Vuv Photo-Oxidation Of Fluoropolymer And Carbon Nanotube Surfaces, Bhavin Parekh

Theses

Three surface modification techniques: (1) atmospheric oxygen pressure using low-pressure Hg lamps, (2) low oxygen pressure with emission downstream from an Ar microwave plasma, and (3) high pressures of He in a rotating D.C. arc, that was designed to produce a spectral continuum from He excimers ( λ = 58 - 110 nm), were employed to photo-oxidize multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWNT) powder [1], single walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) paper [2], Teflon® polyfluorinated ethylene-propylene (FEP) [3] and Teflon® poly(tetrafluoroethylene-co-perfluropropyl vinyl ether) (PFA) [4]. Results from X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy, FT-IR, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Contact angle measurements of …

Dynamic Analysis Of Hollow Tapered Isotropic And Composite Shafts Using Finite Element Techniques, Lindsay Larocca Parslow

Theses

Finite element techniques were used to analyze the dynamic characteristics of hollow tapered isotropic and composite shafts. Mathematical models of hollow tapered isotropic and composite shafts were developed, which were then discretized using Galerkin's Method to produce standard vibration equations. The solutions to the standard vibration equations were coded into two com puter programs, which can be used to calculate the torsional dynamic characteristics of an isotropic rotor system, and the coupled axial-torsional dynamic characteristics of a composite shaft. Several examples using each computer program are presented, illustrating their ability to predict natural frequencies and mode shapes of torsional systems.

Perspective By Incongruity In Visual Advertising: Applying Kenneth Burke's Theory To The Adbusters Anti-Consumerism Campaign, Elizabeth B. Gorman

Theses

Kenneth Burke developed the theory of "perspective by incongruity" in which he claimed that oddly juxtaposed symbols influence audiences to have new perspectives by challenging their habits of thinking. This study applies Kenneth Burke's rhetorical theory of perspective by incongruity to the Adbusters anti-consumerism campaign. Twenty "spoof ad" postcards created by the Adbusters Media Foundation were analyzed to see how they utilize the technique of incongruous juxtaposition. The analysis concluded that the cards either juxtaposed two incongruous images, two incongruous phrases or words, or a combination of incongruous words and images in order to create new insights about consumer advertising …

The Phenomenon Of Cyberstalking On The Rit Campus: Definitions, Behaviors And Normalization, Julia Phillips Dickinson

Theses

Stalking via the Internet (cyberstalking) occurs via technologies such as email, instant messaging, chat rooms, discussion groups, and social networking websites. Recent news reports indicate a growing concern about the ease with which personal information can be accessed on the Internet - a fact that is shaping new social norms for young adults and children who have grown up using the Internet. This thesis measured the prevalence and nature of cyberstalking among Rochester Institute of Technology students. A survey was conducted and the results were evaluated with SIDE theory and social conduct theory as guides to understand if cyberstalking behavior …

Predictors Of Reading Success For Hispanic Children Learning To Read In English, Therese A. Lawson

Theses

The utility of the Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS) for documenting the reading progress of English Language Learners (ELLs) was investigated. Relationships among the DIBELS measures were explored using a correlational matrix. The predictive validity of the DIBELS for determining later literacy outcomes was assessed via a series of step-wise regressions. Results suggest that the DIBELS are valid for assessing the reading progress of Spanish-speaking ELLs. Growth was seen on all measures and established DIBELS benchmarks were generally met on time. Differing from previous findings, PSF did not positively correlate with NWF for first graders, and only …

Modeling Off-The-Shelf Pan/Tilt Cameras For Active Vision Systems, Yuriy Luzanov

Theses

There are many existing multicamera systems that perform object identification and track ing. Some applications include but are not limited to security surveillance and smart rooms. Yet there is still much work to be done in improving such systems to achieve a high level of automation while obtaining reasonable performance. Thus far design and implementation of these systems has been done using heuristic methods, primarily due to the complexity of the problem. Most importantiy, the performance of these systems is assessed by evaluating subjective quantities. The goal of this work is to take the first step in structured analysis and …

Influence Of Teacher Immediacy On Student Evaluations Of Teachers In American And Chinese Classrooms, Wenli Gao

Theses

This study investigated student perspectives on teacher immediacy in American and Chinese classrooms, and the correlation between immediacy and teacher evaluation. Specific immediacy behaviors that are most associated with teacher evaluation among American and Chinese students were also examined. Two hundred seventy-seven university students responded to instruments designed to measure teacher immediacy and teacher evaluation. Chinese students perceived a lower amount of instructor nonverbal immediacy than American students, but there is no significant difference between the two groups on verbal immediacy. Significant positive correlations were found between teacher immediacy and teacher evaluation in both groups. Praising students' work and soliciting …

The Effectiveness Of Captive Release Conservation Methods For Spotted Turtles (Clemmys Guttata), Kate Cassim

Theses

The spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata) is categorized as protected and a species of special concern in New York State (Milam 2001). Understanding the habitat use, movement patterns, and life history characteristics of this species will be essential for any future efforts to provide the necessary habitat requirements for their successful recovery and management. Rochester Institute of Technology partnered with the Seneca Park Zoo and the New York Department of Environmental Conservation to investigate the release of captive-bred spotted turtles. The goal of this study was to determine the movements, habitat use, survivorship, and growth of the captive-bred spotted turtles in …

Chemistry At The Cu-Fluoropolymer Interface: Relevance To Adhesion, Daliana Gava Abreu

Theses

The adhesion of sputtered Cu to fluoropolymer surfaces modified by vacuum UV photo-oxidation increased with treatment time for Teflon® PTFE while for Teflon® FEP and PFA there was cohesive failure within FEP and PFA and not at the Cu-fluoropolymer interface. Ar ion etching of the surfaces after cohesive failure showed that the depth of FEP and PFA left on the Cu was ca. 3-10 nm. The chemistry at the interface included the presence of copper fluorides. Control experiments involving Ar ion etching of untreated fluoropolymers showed no evidence for fluoride ions. Thin films of Cu were thermally evaporated and sputter …

School Climate: Comparing Student To Teacher Perceptions, Catherine S. Curione

Theses

The purpose of this study was to compare student and teacher perceptions of school climate. The participants included 51 junior and senior high school staff members, 256 senior high school students, and 109 junior high school students. It was found that teachers have strong positive views on the following school climate factors; school building, equity and fairness, and staff dedication to student learning. There is more disagreement among staff members on the following school climate factors; order and discipline, school/parent/community involvement, collaborative decision-making, and leadership. High School students do not take on a controlling role as far as school climate …

Electrophoretic Deposition Of Ferrite, Cody Washburn

Theses

The ability to integrate a material with a high permeability on chip, allows for magnetically coupled circuits and structures to be designed and incorporated along side CMOS circuitry. Devices ranging from A.C. transformers to magnetically driven MEMS structures can be designed and fabricated. Desirable characteristics of magnetic cores for integrated inductors and transformers are first high saturation flux in order to obtain high saturation current; high permeability to obtain high inductance; high resistivity to reduce eddy current loss at high frequencies and compatible deposition and patterning processes. High frequency magnetic materials are oxide based ceramics and are therefore difficult to …

Object-Oriented Lr(1) Parser Generation, Christopher Luckett

Theses

The LR parser has been around for a long time, and its workings, especially with respect to table compaction and use of the lookahead sets, have puzzled students who are new to the area of study. The aim of this project therefore is to provide an object oriented approach and discoverable algorithm to ease the difficulty of mastering these concepts. This will be accomplished by distributing the table interpreter across objects whose inter-relationships create an analogue to the state table. Hopefully this will provide a greater degree of readability and ease of trace throughout the parser generation process.

Development Of Deep Submicron Cmos Process For Fabrication Of High Performance 0.25 Nm Transistors, Michael Aquilino

Theses

An advanced process for fabrication of 0.25 μm CMOS transistors has been demonstrated. This process is designed for transistors with Lpoly = 0.25 μm and Leffective = 0.2 um on 150 mm (6”) silicon wafers. Devices with Leffective of 0.2 um and smaller have been tested and found operational. A 0.25 um NMOS transistor with drain current of 177 μA/μm at VG=VD=2.5 V and a PMOS transistor with drain current of 131 μA/μm at VG=VD=-2.5 V are reported. The threshold voltages are 1.0 V for the NMOS and -0.735 V for the PMOS transistors. These 0.25 um NMOS and PMOS …