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Chemical Defense In The Cave-Dwelling Millipede Brachydesmus Troglobius Daday, 1889 (Diplopoda, Polydesmidae), Slobodan E. Makarov, Ljubodrag V. Vujisić, Božidar P. M. Ćurčić, Bojan S. Ilić, Vele V. Tešević, Vlatka E. Vajs, Ivan M. Vučković, Bojan M. Mitić, Luka R. Lučić, Iris Ž. Đorđević

International Journal of Speleology

The troglomorphic millipede Brachydesmus troglobius Daday, 1889 (Polydesmida: Polydesmidae) secretes allomones from glands on both lateral surfaces of its body segments. The secretion was identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis with electron and chemical ionization, and was shown to be composed of a mixture of benzaldehyde, benzyl alcohol, benzoylnitrile, benzoic acid and mandelonitrile benzoate. Hydrogen cyanide was qualitatively identified by the picric acid test. This is the first identification of these compounds in a cave-dwelling polydesmid.

Assessing The Accessibility Of E-Learning, Morten Goodwin, Iain Sutherland, Frode Roarson, Tom Drange

Research outputs 2012

Equal participation for people with special needs is an important objective in education politics. Governments have a strong emphasis on enabling education for all citizens. The trend of using e-learning both for on campus and remote delivery of students has the potential of enabling new opportunities for people who previously faced challenges following education. On the other hand, providing online education bears the risk of creating new barriers. This paper examines different stages of providing educational content and delivering teaching material online. This is based on practical experiences from Noroff University College providing a bachelor degree in a security related …

Coevolutionary Algorithms For The Optimization Of Strategies For Red Teaming Applications, Tirtha Ranjeet

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Red teaming (RT) is a process that assists an organization in finding vulnerabilities in a system whereby the organization itself takes on the role of an “attacker” to test the system. It is used in various domains including military operations. Traditionally, it is a manual process with some obvious weaknesses: it is expensive, time-consuming, and limited from the perspective of humans “thinking inside the box”. Automated RT is an approach that has the potential to overcome these weaknesses. In this approach both the red team (enemy forces) and blue team (friendly forces) are modelled as intelligent agents in a multi-agent …

Micro Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Video Surveillance Platform Quadrocopter Aircraft, Michael John Skadan

EWU Masters Thesis Collection

No abstract provided.

Efficacy Of A Novel Chelator For Mercury Chelation And Distribution, David Harold Clarke

Student Theses and Dissertations

Mercury is found throughout the environment with a distribution on a global scale in nearly all terrestrial to marine environments. Biotransformation of divalent mercury and subsequent bioaccumulation of organo-mercury species is catalyzed by sulfate reducing bacteria. Trophic transport of the resultant methyl mercury, a highly toxic species, leads to upward accumulation in the trophic structure of aquatic environments and ultimately to human exposure through consumption of methyl mercury laden fish. The potential for human health risk has made mercury a high priority environmental contaminant. Research aimed at assessing the within-organism fate of mercury using a genetically tractable mammalian model is …

Android Memory Capture And Applications For Security And Privacy, Joseph T. Sylve

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

The Android operating system is quickly becoming the most popular platform for mobiledevices. As Android’s use increases, so does the need for both forensic and privacy toolsdesigned for the platform. This thesis presents the first methodology and toolset for acquiringfull physical memory images from Android devices, a proposed methodology for forensicallysecuring both volatile and non-volatile storage, and details of a vulnerability discovered by theauthor that allows the bypass of the Android security model and enables applications to acquirearbitrary permissions.

Inhibition Of Cysteine Protease By Platinum (Ii) Diamine Complexes, Chaitanya Rapolu

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Chemotherapy is the first line of treatment used in cancer. Chemotherapy drugs such as cisplatin, carboplatin and oxaliplatin are used in treatment. Cisplatin enters the cell through copper transporter CTR1 by passive diffusion and bind to DNA and proteins. Cisplatin is found to inhibit several enzymes targeting cysteine, histidine and methionine residues, which are expected to be responsible for its anticancer activity. A better understanding of how the size and shape and leaving ligands of platinum complexes affect cysteine protease, papain enzyme are studied. This could give new ways to optimize anticancer activity. The activity of papain enzyme was measured …

A Century Of Chemistry Instruction At The College In Arlington: 1895-1995 (A Memoir And Scrapbook), Thomas James Cogdell

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Publications - Archive

No abstract provided.

Session 1 Presentation: Ocean Testing Of A Power-Capturing Wave Buoy, Kathleen Edwards

Ocean Waves Workshop

No abstract provided.

Exploring Information Technologies To Support Shotgun Proteomics, Alexander M. Mendoza

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Shotgun proteomics refers to the direct analysis of complex protein mixtures to create a profile of the proteins present in the cell. These profiles can be used to study the underlying biological basis for cancer development. Closely studying the profiles as the cancer proliferates reveals the molecular interactions in the cell. They provide clues to researchers on potential drug targets to treat the disease. A little more than a decade old, shotgun proteomics is a relatively new form of discovery, one that is data intensive and requires complex data analysis. Early studies indicated a gap between the ability to analyze …

A Novel Malware Target Recognition Architecture For Enhanced Cyberspace Situation Awareness, Thomas E. Dube

Theses and Dissertations

The rapid transition of critical business processes to computer networks potentially exposes organizations to digital theft or corruption by advanced competitors. One tool used for these tasks is malware, because it circumvents legitimate authentication mechanisms. Malware is an epidemic problem for organizations of all types. This research proposes and evaluates a novel Malware Target Recognition (MaTR) architecture for malware detection and identification of propagation methods and payloads to enhance situation awareness in tactical scenarios using non-instruction-based, static heuristic features. MaTR achieves a 99.92% detection accuracy on known malware with false positive and false negative rates of 8.73e-4 and 8.03e-4 respectively. …

Analysis Of Transient Electromagnetic Scattering From An Overfilled Cavity Embedded In An Impedance Ground Plane, Robert S. Callihan

Theses and Dissertations

We consider the transient, or time-domain, scattering problem of a two-dimensional overfilled cavity embedded in an impedance ground plane. This problem is a significant advancement from previous work where more simplified boundary conditions were used, which can limit the number of applications. This research supports a wide range of military applications such as the study of cavity-like structures on aircraft and vehicles. More importantly, this research helps detect the biggest threat on today's battlefield: improvised explosive devices. An important step in solving the problem is introducing an artificial boundary condition on a semicircle enclosing the cavity; this couples the fields …

Optimum Vessel Size (New Maersk 18,000 Teu Vessels) And Operations In The Malacca Straits, Knoll David Brian

World Maritime University Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Characterization Of The Desorption Electrospray Ionization Mechanism Using Microscopic Imaging Of The Sample Surface, Michael Craig Wood

Theses and Dissertations

Desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) is an ambient ionization technique for mass spectrometry. This solvent based desorption ion source has wide applicability in surface analysis with minimal sample preparation. Interest in improving detection limits, broadening applications, and increasing the spatial resolution for chemical imaging has led to studies of the DESI mechanism. An inverted microscope has been used to image interactions between the DESI spray and test analytes on a glass surface. Microscopic images recorded with millisecond time resolution have provided important insights into the processes governing analyte transport and desorption. These insights are the basis of a rivulet-based model for …

Icodes: A Load-Planning System That Demonstrates The Value Of Ontologies In The Realm Of Logistical Command And Control (C2), Kym J. Pohl, Peter Morosoff

Collaborative Agent Design (CAD) Research Center

No abstract provided.

A Threat To Cyber Resilience: A Malware Rebirthing Botnet, Murray Brand, Craig Valli, Andrew Woodward

International Cyber Resilience conference

This paper presents a threat to cyber resilience in the form of a conceptual model of a malware rebirthing botnet which can be used in a variety of scenarios. It can be used to collect existing malware and rebirth it with new functionality and signatures that will avoid detection by AV software and hinder analysis. The botnet can then use the customized malware to target an organization with an orchestrated attack from the member machines in the botnet for a variety of malicious purposes, including information warfare applications. Alternatively, it can also be used to inject known malware signatures into …

Sci-Tech Book News Reviews, Susan Fingerman

Sci-Tech News

No abstract provided.

Mathematical Methods For Biosensor Models, Qi Wang

Doctoral

A biosensor is defined as a compact analytical device incorporating a biological sensing element integrated within a physico-chemical transducer whose aim is to produce optical or electronic signals proportional to the concentration of an analyte in a sample. Biosensors offer enormous potential to detect a wide range of analytes in health care, the food industry, environmental monitoring, security and defence. The beneficial impact on society as a result of the availability of such systems is immense, therefore investigating any strategy that could reduce development times and costs and reveal alternative designs is of utmost importance. In particular, mathematical modelling and …

Conjugated Polymers And Inter-Chromophore Interactions: Synthesis, Photophysical Characterization And Application, Anshuman Mangalum

All Dissertations

Ever since the discovery of conducting polymers (CPs)in the late 1970s, organic conjugated materials and polymers is one of the most popular and fascinating research area among the scientists due to the remarkably unique properties and broad range of applications of (CPs), notably organic photovoltaic (OPVs), organic or polymer based light emitting devices (OLEDs / PLEDs), field effect transistors (FETs), nonlinear optical (NLO) devices and sensor for biologically relevant analytes, metal ions and anions. Optical properties of these materials depend on intra / interchromophoric interaction, geometry and relative orientation in space. Detailed study of such materials can also help us …

A Generic Framework For Three-Factor Authentication: Preserving Security And Privacy In Distributed Systems, Xinyi Huang, Yang Xiang, Ashley Chonka, Jianying Zhou, Robert H. Deng

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

As part of the security within distributed systems, various services and resources need protection from unauthorized use. Remote authentication is the most commonly used method to determine the identity of a remote client. This paper investigates a systematic approach for authenticating clients by three factors, namely password, smart card, and biometrics. A generic and secure framework is proposed to upgrade two-factor authentication to three-factor authentication. The conversion not only significantly improves the information assurance at low cost but also protects client privacy in distributed systems. In addition, our framework retains several practice-friendly properties of the underlying two-factor authentication, which we …

Redefining Security In Sub-Saharan Africa, Winta Sintayehu Gebremariam

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

New and challenging threats to humans are currently on the rise. These threats to human well being have been neglected and ignored within the traditional conception of security. Security studies have mainly focused on traditional threats, mostly military and political. Although still important, this perspective lacks the ability to address nontraditional threats that are killing and injuring millions each year. Each year, millions die of diseases such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, hunger, and water related diseases among others. Although these threats are widespread throughout the world, Sub-Saharan Africa bears the brunt of these threats. This thesis proposes an ecological approach …

The Effects Of Eye Gaze Based Control On Operator Performance In Monitoring Multiple Displays, Allison Popola

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

This study investigated the utility and efficacy of using eye tracking technology as a method for selecting control of a camera within a multiple display configuration. A task analysis with a Keystroke-Level-Model (KLM) was conducted to acquire an estimated time for switching between cameras. KLM estimates suggest that response times are faster using an eye tracker than manual control -indicating a time savings. To confirm these estimates, and test other hypotheses a 2 × 2 within-subjects factorial design was used to examine the effects of Control (Using an eye tracker, or manual) under different Task Loads (Low, High). Dependent variables …

Using Nanotechnology To Detect Nerve Agents, Mark N. Goltz, Dong-Shik Kim, Leeann Racz

Faculty Publications

Nanotechnology has opened a wide range of opportunities having potential impacts in areas as diverse as medicine and consumer products. In collaboration with researchers at the University of Toledo UT, Air Force Institute of Technology AFIT scientists are exploring the possibility of using a nanoscale organic matrix to detect organophosphate OP nerve agents. Current techniques for detecting OP compounds are expensive and time consuming. Developing a nanoscale organic matrix sensor would allow for direct, real-time sensing under field conditions. This article describes the science behind such a sensor and its possible applications. High-performance sensors are needed to protect Soldiers and …

Context Aided Tracking With Adaptive Hyperspectral Imagery, Andrew C. Rice

Theses and Dissertations

A methodology for the context-aided tracking of ground vehicles in remote airborne imagery is developed in which a background model is inferred from hyperspectral imagery. The materials comprising the background of a scene are remotely identified and lead to this model. Two model formation processes are developed: a manual method, and method that exploits an emerging adaptive, multiple-object-spectrometer instrument. A semi-automated background modeling approach is shown to arrive at a reasonable background model with minimal operator intervention. A novel, adaptive, and autonomous approach uses a new type of adaptive hyperspectral sensor, and converges to a 66% correct background model in …

Antibacterial Activity Of Conjugated Electrolytes, Thomas S. Corbitt

Chemistry and Chemical Biology ETDs

A series of water soluble, cationic, anionic and zwitterionic conjugated polyelectrolytes (CPEs) with main chains based on an arylene ethynylene repeat unit structure with tetraalkylammonium and/or alkylsulfonate side groups were found to exhibit significant antibacterial activity. A number of these complexes also showed pronounced light-induced modulation of their effectiveness, with either biocidal enhancement or suppression, depending on such properties as singlet oxygen sensitization potential and lipophilicity. These collected studies examine the biocidal activity of the CPEs, as determined by Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM) and Flow Cytometry, correlating this activity with the photophysical properties of the polymers. We demonstrate biocidal …

Characterization Of Esterase Activity From The Bacteria, Francisella Tularensis, The Causative Agent Of Tularemia, Leigh Anna Weston

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Francisella tularensis is the bacteria responsible for causing the disease tularemia and is listed as one of the top three-biowarfare agents. Among the proteins essential to the virulence and infectivity of F.tularensis are multiple esterases, which are enzymes that break down various ester, thioester, and amide bonds. In this project, the catalytic activity, substrate speci fi city, and structure of a putative esterase from F.tularensis was studied. Latent fluorophores based on the molecule, fluorescein, were unmasked by the enzymatic activity of the esterase and the increase in fluorescence was measured over time to determine how well the e tcrase recognized …

Development Of Free-Label Sensing In Plastic Microfluidic Platforms Using Pulsed Streaming Potentials (Psp), Vera Fernando Luna

Theses and Dissertations

This work deals with the development of a new label-free detection technique called Pulsed Streaming Potential (PSP). Its novelty relies on the adaptation of a classical electrokinetic phenomenon (streaming potential) into a tool which can evaluate molecular interplay in label-free fashion. Implementation of PSP to microfluidic platforms allowed the label-free sensing of binding events to plastic (modified and unmodified) surfaces. It was demonstrated the use of real time PSP in plastic microfluidic platforms for determination of kinetic parameters of the interaction of proteins and plastic surfaces. Moreover, initial change of PSP after adsorption of proteins showed to be proportional to …

Set: The Probabilities And Possibilities, Tabitha K. Bollinger

Undergraduate Theses and Capstone Projects

The card game SET involves finding groups o f three cards called SETs. Choices are based upon the individual card characteristics, including shape, pattern, number, and color. Previously, the maximum number o f cards that can be played without creating a SET has been determined as 20 cards by extensive computer work. This report further explored the probabilities and possibilities o f the game. Using discrete mathematics and probability, we explored how many SETs are possible and what strategies led to the most points. Additionally, this project exercised undergraduate logic and reasoning to generalize the results in order to be …

Spatial Analysis Of A Bioterrorist Attack On Four Major United States Cities Using An Aerosolized Hemorrhagic Fever Virus, Kathryn Prinslow

Master's Theses or Doctor of Nursing Practice

Before the attack on September 11,2001, the United States was very vulnerable to a biological attack. Since then, those responsible for the security of the United States Homeland Security have become more aware of the country's vulnerability. Biological agents have the potential to give small groups of people unprecedented power to terrorize, as indicate by the "Amerithrax" attack in 2001, and of all of these agents, none have more potential for destruction than Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever (EHF). This research uses one of the deadliest viruses that have not been eradicated to identify the number of fatalities in an outbreak affecting …

Determining The Effects Of Technology On Children, Kristina E. Hatch

Senior Honors Projects

Determining the Effects of Technology on Children

Kristina Hatch

Faculty Sponser: Timothy Henry, Computer Science and Statistics

Technology has become an essential part of Americans’ daily lives, affecting our communications, mail, relationships, the management of our bills and finances. As we have become more immersed in the benefits and capabilities of these constantly developing technologies, children as well as adults have become avid users. Laptops and cell phones are specially developed for preteens. Software and game companies have been targeting children in their game development. Video games have become common entertainment for children as young as four. Children today can …