Digital Commons Network^™

Design, Synthesis And Characterization Of Nanosensors For Nerve Gas Agents, Thushara Gunasinghe

Masters Theses

This research is focused on the design synthesis and characterization of nanosensors to detect the nerve gas agents such as sarin at very low concentration levels (parts per billion and lower) which is very important to combat terrorism. Nanosensors constructed by the bottom up approach could provide the low sensitivity levels and high selectivity required for nerve gas detection. The sensing mechanism exploits the inherent properties of nanomaterials and signal amplification by signal transduction. The components of a nanoparticle-fluorescent monomer-nanomolecule-receptor (NMNR) sensor have been designed, synthesized, and characterized successfully. Interaction of the components of NMNR sensor with a model nerve …

Analysis Of Liquid-Phase Chemical Detection Using Guided Shear Horizontal-Surface Acoustic Wave Sensors, Zhonghui Li, Yolanda Jones, Jeanne M. Hossenlopp, Richard Cernosek, Fabien Josse

Chemistry Faculty Research and Publications

Direct chemical sensing in liquid environments using polymer-guided shear horizontal surface acoustic wave sensor platforms on 36° rotated Y-cut LiTaO3 is investigated. Design considerations for optimizing these devices for liquid-phase detection are systematically explored. Two different sensor geometries are experimentally and theoretically analyzed. Dual delay line devices are used with a reference line coated with poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and a sensing line coated with a chemically sensitive polymer, which acts as both a guiding layer and a sensing layer or with a PMMA waveguide and a chemically sensitive polymer. Results show the three-layer model provides higher sensitivity than the …

Wright State University College Of Engineering And Computer Science Bits And Pcs Newsletter, Volume 21, Number 9, June 2005, College Of Engineering And Computer Science, Wright State University

BITs and PCs Newsletter

A ten page newsletter created by the Wright State University College of Engineering and Computer Science that addresses the current affairs of the college.

Wright State University College Of Engineering And Computer Science Bits And Pcs Newsletter, Volume 20, Number 8, June 2004, College Of Engineering And Computer Science, Wright State University

BITs and PCs Newsletter

A ten page newsletter created by the Wright State University College of Engineering and Computer Science that addresses the current affairs of the college.

Wright State University College Of Engineering And Computer Science Bits And Pcs Newsletter, Volume 21, Number 8, May 2005, College Of Engineering And Computer Science, Wright State University

BITs and PCs Newsletter

An eight page newsletter created by the Wright State University College of Engineering and Computer Science that addresses the current affairs of the college.

Determination Of The Cyanide Metabolite 2-Aminothiazoline-4-Carboxylic Acid In Urine And Plasma By Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry, Brian A. Logue, Nicholas P. Kirschten, Ilona Petrikovics, Matthew A, Moser, Gary A. Rockwood, Steven I. Baskin

Chemistry and Biochemistry Faculty Publications

The cyanide metabolite 2-aminothiazoline-4-carboxylic acid (ATCA) is a promising biomarker for cyanide exposure because of its stability and the limitations of direct determination of cyanide and more abundant cyanide metabolites. A simple, sensitive, and specific method based on derivatization and subsequent gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis was developed for the identification and quantification of ATCA in synthetic urine and swine plasma. The urine and plasma samples were spiked with an internal standard (ATCA-d2), diluted, and acidified. The resulting solution was subjected to solid phase extraction on a mixed-mode cation exchange column. After elution and evaporation of the solvent, a silylating …

Biomolecule Detection Via Target Mediated Nanoparticle Aggregation And Dielectrophoretic Impedance Measurement, Philip J. Costanzo, Enzhu Liang, Timothy E. Patten, Scott D. Collins, Rosemary L. Smith

Chemistry and Biochemistry

A new biosensing system is described that is based on the aggregation of nanoparticles by a target biological molecule and dielectrophoretic impedance measurement of these aggregates. The aggregation process was verified within a microchannel via fluorescence microscopy, demonstrating that this process can be used in a real time sensor application. Positive dielectrophoresis is employed to capture the nanoparticle aggregates at the edge of thin film electrodes, where their presence is detected either by optical imaging via fluorescence microscopy or by measuring the change in electrical impedance between adjacent electrodes. The electrical detection mechanism demonstrates the potential for this method as …

Wright State University College Of Engineering And Computer Science Bits And Pcs Newsletter, Volume 21, Number 7, April 2005, College Of Engineering And Computer Science, Wright State University

BITs and PCs Newsletter

A six page newsletter created by the Wright State University College of Engineering and Computer Science that addresses the current affairs of the college.

North American Bird Strike Advisory System: Strategic Plan, Russell P. Defusco , Usaf (Ret.), Michel J. Hovan, James T. Harper , Lt. Col., Usaf, Kurt A. Heppard

Bird Strike Committee-USA/Canada Joint Annual Meeting: 7th (2005)

The international aviation community recognizes the high human and economic costs associated with bird strikes. Hundreds of lives and millions of dollars have been lost in recent years because of this problem. Notably, aviation experts in North America recognize the importance and availability of potential solutions for this problem. Several models and systems such and the USAF’s Bird Avoidance Model (BAM) and the Avian Hazard Advisory System (AHAS) as well as the technological development of advanced radar and communications systems have made great progress in addressing the problem of bird strikes. However, many have argued that further and much greater …

North American Bird Strike Advisory System, Russell Defusco, Michel Hovan, James Harper, Kurt Heppard

Bird Strike Committee-USA/Canada Joint Annual Meeting: 11th (2009)

The international aviation community recognizes the high human and economic costs associated with bird strikes. Hundreds of lives and millions of dollars have been lost in recent years because of this problem. Notably, aviation experts in North America recognize the importance and availability of potential solutions for this problem. Several models and systems such and the USAF’s Bird Avoidance Model (BAM) and the Avian Hazard Advisory System (AHAS) as well as the technological development of advanced radar and communications systems have made great progress in addressing the problem of bird strikes. However, many have argued that further and much greater …

Wright State University College Of Engineering And Computer Science Bits And Pcs Newsletter, Volume 21, Number 6, March 2005, College Of Engineering And Computer Science, Wright State University

BITs and PCs Newsletter

An eight page newsletter created by the Wright State University College of Engineering and Computer Science that addresses the current affairs of the college.

Assessing The Usefulness Of Visualization Tools To Investigate Hidden Patterns With Insider Attack Cases, Amy M. Rammel

Theses and Dissertations

The insider threat is a major concern for organizations. Open markets, technological advances, and the evolving definition of employee have exacerbated the insider threat. Insider threat research efforts are focusing on both prevention and detection techniques. However, recent security violation trends highlight the damage insider attacks cause organizations and illuminate why organizations and researchers must develop new approaches to this challenge. Although fruitful research is being conducted and new technologies are being applied to the insider threat problem, companies remain susceptible to the costly damage generated by insider threat actions. This research explored how visualization tools may be useful in …

Determination Of Structure From Motion Using Aerial Imagery, Paul R. Graham

Theses and Dissertations

The structure from motion process creates three-dimensional models from a sequence of images. Until recently, most research in this field has been restricted to land-based imagery. This research examines the current methods of land-based structure from motion and evaluates their performance for aerial imagery. Current structure from motion algorithms search the initial image for features to track though the subsequent images. These features are used to create point correspondences between the two images. The correspondences are used to estimate the motion of the camera and then the three-dimensional structure of the scene. This research tests current algorithms using synthetic data …

Accelerating Missile Threat Engagement Simulations Using Personal Computer Graphics Cards, Sean E. Jeffers

Theses and Dissertations

The 453rd Electronic Warfare Squadron supports on-going military operations by providing battlefield commanders with aircraft ingress and egress routes that minimize the risk of shoulder or ground-fired missile attacks on our aircraft. To determine these routes, the 453rd simulates engagements between ground-to-air missiles and allied aircraft to determine the probability of a successful attack. The simulations are computationally expensive, often requiring two-hours for a single 10-second missile engagement. Hundreds of simulations are needed to perform a complete risk assessment which includes evaluating the effectiveness of countermeasures such as flares, chaff, jammers, and missile warning systems. Thus, the need for faster …

National Security Agency (Nsa) Systems And Network Attack Center (Snac) Security Guides Versus Known Worms, Matthew W. Sullivan

Theses and Dissertations

Internet worms impact Internet security around the world even though there are many defenses to prevent the damage they inflict. The National Security Agency (NSA) Systems and Network Attack Center (SNAC) publishes in-depth configuration guides to protect networks from intrusion; however, the effectiveness of these guides in preventing the spread of worms hasn't been studied. This thesis establishes how well the NSA SNAC guides protect against various worms and exploits compared to Microsoft patches alone. It also identifies the aspects of the configuration guidance that is most effective in the absence of patches and updates, against network worm and e-mail …

Optimal Sampling Of A Chemical Hazard Area, Jennifer R. Plourde

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis proposes a methodology for optimally sampling a chemical hazard area subsequent to a chemical weapons attack. The objective is to identify the maximum number of areas that no longer require protective gear for safe operations. We model the area as an undirected graph and employ network analysis techniques to provide a methodological framework for identifying an optimal sampling sequence within a fixed time limit. We propose four models that characterize the secondary vapor concentrations: i) static and deterministic, ii) static and stochastic, iii) dynamic and deterministic, and iv) dynamic and stochastic. Comparisons of the static cases and their …

An Analysis Of Biometric Technology As An Enabler To Information Assurance, Darren A. Deschaine

Theses and Dissertations

The use of and dependence on, Information technology (IT) has grown tremendously in the last two decades. Still, some believe the United States is only in the infancy of this growth. This explosive growth has opened the door to capabilities that were only dreamed of in the past. As easy as it is to see how advantageous this technology is, it also is clear that with its advantages come distinct responsibilities and new problems that must be addressed. For instance, the minute one begins using information processing systems, the world of information assurance (IA) becomes far more complex. As a …

Real-Time Mapping Using Stereoscopic Vision Optimization, Kevin M. Biggs

Theses and Dissertations

This research focuses on efficient methods of generating 2D maps from stereo vision in real-time. Instead of attempting to locate edges between objects, we make the assumption that the representative surfaces of objects in a view provide enough information to generate a map while taking less time to locate during processing. Since all real-time vision processing endeavors are extremely computationally intensive, numerous optimization techniques are applied to allow for a real-time application: horizontal spike smoothing for post-disparity noise, masks to focus on close-proximity objects, melding for object synthesis, and rectangular fitting for object extraction under a planar assumption. Additionally, traditional …

A Genetic Algorithm For Uav Routing Integrated With A Parallel Swarm Simulation, Matthew A. Russell

Theses and Dissertations

This research investigation addresses the problem of routing and simulating swarms of UAVs. Sorties are modeled as instantiations of the NP-Complete Vehicle Routing Problem, and this work uses genetic algorithms (GAs) to provide a fast and robust algorithm for a priori and dynamic routing applications. Swarms of UAVs are modeled based on extensions of Reynolds' swarm research and are simulated on a Beowulf cluster as a parallel computing application using the Synchronous Environment for Emulation and Discrete Event Simulation (SPEEDES). In a test suite, standard measures such as benchmark problems, best published results, and parallel metrics are used as performance …

Wright State University College Of Engineering And Computer Science Bits And Pcs Newsletter, Volume 21, Number 5, February 2005, College Of Engineering And Computer Science, Wright State University

BITs and PCs Newsletter

A six page newsletter created by the Wright State University College of Engineering and Computer Science that addresses the current affairs of the college.

Reliability For Some Bivariate Gamma Distributions, Saralees Nadarajah

Department of Statistics: Faculty Publications

In the area of stress-strength models, there has been a large amount of work as regards estimation of the reliability R = Pr(X < Y). The algebraic form for R = Pr(X < Y) has been worked out for the vast majority of the well-known distributions when X and Y are independent random variables belonging to the same univariate family. In this paper, we consider forms of R when (X,Y) follows a bivariate distribution with dependence between X and Y. In particular, we derive explicit expressions for R when the joint distribution is …

Deep Roots: The Late Nineteenth Century Origins Of American Forestry, Char Miller

Pomona Faculty Publications and Research

The U.S. Forest Service celebrated its centennial in 2005, an event that depended on a set of individuals who in the years immediately prior to the agency’s creation in 1905 labored quietly, and sometimes not so quietly, to defuse opposition to the idea of it within the executive and legislative branches. Surely the most crucial of these figures was Gifford Pinchot, then head of the Bureau of Forestry, and President Theodore Roosevelt: animating their activism was a shared conviction that conservation of the nation’s natural resources would save the United States from economic ruin and a collective faith that a …

Amateur Hour: Nathaniel H. Egleston And Professional Forestry In Post-Civil War America, Char Miller

Pomona Faculty Publications and Research

Nathaniel Egleston, the second head of the U.S. Division of Forestry (1883–1886), is a forgotten figure in the history of early American forestry. The one-time minister became a tireless advocate for trees in the post-Civil War era, writing innumerable and well-received essays and pamphlets. But his enthusiasm did not translate into administrative success, and he was replaced by Bernard Fernow, who in turn was succeeded by Gifford Pinchot; the pair’s scientific training signaled the professionalization of American forestry.

The Search For A Common Language: Environmental Writing And Education, Melody Graulich, Paul Crumbley

All USU Press Publications

A stellar group of writers, scientists, and educators illuminate the intersections between environmental science, creative writing, and education, considering ways to strengthen communication between differing fields with common interests.

Wright State University College Of Engineering And Computer Science Bits And Pcs Newsletter, Volume 21, Number 4, January 2005, College Of Engineering And Computer Science, Wright State University

BITs and PCs Newsletter

An eight page newsletter created by the Wright State University College of Engineering and Computer Science that addresses the current affairs of the college.

Detection Of Biologically Important Molecules, Kyukwang Kim

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Anions play important roles in biological systems. The design of anion sensors has been of great interest. The selective detection of a specific anion is particularly challenging. In the first chapter, I describe the synthesis of a TBS-protected fluorescein dye (1.1) and its use for the selective detection of fluoride. Solutions of 1.1 either in DCM or in aqueous media at physiological pH show the excellent selectivity towards fluoride to afford color formation while solutions of other interfering anions remain colorless. The monitoring of homocysteine (Hcy) and cysteine (Cys) levels is important since they are biomarkers associated with Alzheimer’s and …

Planning And Scheduling For Large-Scaledistributed Systems, Han Yu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Many applications require computing resources well beyond those available on any single system. Simulations of atomic and subatomic systems with application to material science, computations related to study of natural sciences, and computer-aided design are examples of applications that can benefit from the resource-rich environment provided by a large collection of autonomous systems interconnected by high-speed networks. To transform such a collection of systems into a user's virtual machine, we have to develop new algorithms for coordination, planning, scheduling, resource discovery, and other functions that can be automated. Then we can develop societal services based upon these algorithms, which hide …

Analysis Of Perturbation-Based Testing Methodology As Applied To A Real-Time Control System Problem, Richard A. Stutler

Theses and Dissertations

Perturbation analysis is a software analysis technique used to study the tail function of a program by inserting an error into an executing program using data state mutation. The impact of this induced error on the output is then measured. This methodology can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of a given test set and in fact can be used as a means to derive a test set which provides coverage for a given program. Previous research has shown that there is a "coupling effect" such that test sets that identify simple errors will also identify more complex errors. Thus …

Julian Cecil Stanley Papers, Zach S. Henderson Library, Special Collections

Finding Aids

This collection consists of the research materials of Johns Hopkins professor of psychology, Julian C. Stanley. Materials range from 1950-2005 and include his published reprints, abstracts, reports, letters, and seminar papers. The collection also includes reviews of research materials and articles by prominent psychologists in similar fields.

Find this collection in the University Libraries' catalog.

Characterization Of The Mechanisms By Which The Organophosphorus Compound Malathion Induces Apoptosis In L929 Murine Fibroblasts, Laila Masoud Ali Al-Alawi

Theses

While acute organophosphorous compound poisoning due to inhibition of acetylcholinesterase is a well-established clinical entity, the existence of chronic poisoning due to exposure to low levels of organophosphorous compounds (below the threshold required for cholinergic clinical symptoms) is a hotly debated issue. In this study, we have evaluated the effects of noncholinergic doses of malathion (0.01-20 µM) on apoptosis of murine L929 fibroblasts. Employing flow cytometric and caspase activation analyses, we demonstrate that malathion induces apoptosis in L929 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The initiator caspases (caspase-8 and caspase-9) as well as the effector caspase (caspase-3) were activated …