Digital Commons Network^™

Origination, Rachel Huckins

Theses

My thesis is focused on progressions found within the human life cycle, specifically on the acts of creation, birth, and growth. I am inspired by the idea that all new life contains a certain potential, yet to be fulfilled. Some of the are a series of parts, which represent a change and movement over time. Color plays an important role, visually and conceptually using a pallet of whites to create a sense of purity and freshness associated with the beginning of life. I see my sculptures as a microcosm of the human life cycle, which symbolically represent the various types …

Toward The Development Of An Analysis Methodology For The Elucidation Of Proteome Differentiation Between Two Strains Of Saccharomyces Cerevisiae, Stephanie M. Carter

Theses

Through continued development, the two-dimensional PAGE gel technique developed by O'Farrell in 1975 has emerged as the hallmark technology utilized in virtually all protein expression analyses. The principle objective of this study was the development and validation of a proteome analysis methodology using this technique suitable for use in determining the quantifiable proteome differences between prion containing [PSI+] and wild type [psi-] strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In addition to the development of an assay, which yields highly reproducible whole proteome isolates from both strains, was the elicitation of statistically significant proteome changes between the two strains. Thus, this study concludes …

Adhesion Of Copper To Photo-Oxidized Polyimides, Mayuri Razdan

Theses

Polyimides (PIs) are often used as electrical insulation between levels of circuitry in the manufacture of electronic components. Copper adhesion to polyimide (PIs) is of great importance in the construction of these microsystem devices. The two polyimides, Kapton-HN (PMDA-ODA) and Upilex-S (BPDA-PDA) were studied with low pressure (253.7 nm) and medium pressure Hg lamps (broad band of radiation centered at ca. 300 nm). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), a highly sensitive surface analytical technique, was used to observe the surface modification within the top 2-5 nm. XPS analysis showed an increase in the O/C ratio with treatment time which appeared mostly …

Spiral Of Silence And The Iraq War, Jessica Drake

Theses

Discussing controversial issues may be hard for some individuals because they fear they may become isolated. The Iraq War serves as one such controversy in which some individuals might avoid publicly expressing their opinion. Spiral of silence, a communication theory set forth by Elisabeth Noelle-Neumann can be used to explain why some individuals will publicly express their opinion of the Iraq War while others will not. A Web-based survey was distributed to Rochester Institute of Technology faculty, staff and students. This study investigated public opinion expression through interactive forms of media such as discussion forums, blogs and Web sites.

Differences In Self-Reported Perceptions Of Privacy Between Online Social And Commercial Networking Users, Jessie Hughes

Theses

Previous research suggests individual privacy is affected in an online environment, and users’ experiences while on those sites may also have an effect on their perceptions. Users’ personal perceptions of their privacy may be shaped by multiple variables such as the frequency in which they use the site, if they are a social or commercial networker, and their age. The present study investigates users of social and commercial web sites and their self-reported perceived levels of privacy when using those sites. The present study discovered that users showed concern over what information should be given when socially and commercially networking. …

Distribution And Geochemical Speciation Of Pb, Cd, Zn, Cr, And Cu In Sediments Of Major Dams In Uae, Mona Rashed Musabah Al-Alili

Theses

Assessment of availability and mobility is required to predict the behavior of heavy metals in dam's sediments, which hold up rainwater and make use of them. Therefore, a total number of ninety-three of sediments samples collected from the major dams AI-Shuweib, AI-Bih, AI-Tawiyeen and Ham dam were analyzed by several sedimentological and geochemical analyses procedures for Cu, Cd, Cr, Pb, Zn, AI, and Fe. The samples were investigated for mineralogy using X-ray diffraction analyses for non-clay and clay fractions. ICP-OES and Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) were used to measure the concentration of heavy metals. The statistical treatments and graphical presentations …

Modeling Solutions And Simulations For Advanced Iii-V Photovoltaics Based On Nanostructures, Ryan Aguinaldo

Theses

It is the purpose of the work to develop methods for and present on the computational analyses of advanced III-V photovoltaic devices and their enhancement by the incorporation of semiconductor nanostructures. Such devices are currently being fabricated as part of the research efforts at the Nanopower Research Laboratories; therefore, this work aims to supplement and ground the experimental undertakings with a strong theoretical basis. This is accomplished by numerical calculations based on the detailed balance model and by physicsbased device simulation. The specific materials focus of this work is on the enhancement of the GaAs solar cell. The aforementioned methodologies …

Robust Longitudinal Rate Gyro Bias Estimation For Reliable Pitch Attitude Observation Through Utilization Of A Displaced Accelerometer Array, Ryan Weisman

Theses

In this thesis, a novel attitude estimation device is proposed utilizing cost-effective measurement sensors. The device fuses a rate gyroscope with an accelerometer array to estimate and eliminate the rate gyro bias online yielding accurate real time aircraft attitude tracking. Attitude determination algorithms are dependent on instantaneous and accurate measurements of translational and rotational body rates for precise estimation of vehicle orientation in three-dimensional space. Measurement error of instantaneous rate sensors, gyroscopes, is introduced via inherent biases and signal noise resulting in gyro drift. Integration of the rate signal for calculation of a net displacement amplifies these minute measurement errors …

Optimization Of A Hardware/Software Coprocessing Platform For Eeg Eyeblink Detection And Removal, Matthew Alan Chaudhuri

Theses

The feasibility of implementing a real-time system for removing eyeblink artifacts from electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings utilizing a hardware/software coprocessing platform was investigated. A software based wavelet and independent component analysis (ICA) eyeblink detection and removal process was extended to enable variation in its processing parameters. Exploiting the efficiency of hardware and the reconfigurability of software, it was ported to a field programmable gate array (FPGA) development platform which was found to be capable of implementing the revised algorithm, although not in real-time. The implemented hardware and software solution was applied to a collection of both simulated and clinically acquired EEG …

Modelling Hydrocarbons Transport In The Aquifer Of Bu Hasa Field And Evaluation Of Remediation Alternatives, Nawal Eisa Saleh Al Junaibi

Theses

The release of non-aqueous phase liquids (NAPLs) to groundwater reservoirs is a serious and widespread environmental problem. In 2000, free phase hydrocarbon was discovered in Liwa aquifer under Bu Hasa Liquid Recovery Plant (LRP). Liwa aquifer is a shallow unconfined aquifer and represents the main water supply in the camp area of Bu Hasa field. Dissolved benzene is observed in at least one observation well in the site. This research is conducted to simulate the fate and transport of the dissolved benzene plume in the groundwater of Liwa aquifer using the finite element model (METABIOTRANS).

The mam objective of this …

Communication Strategies Of Successful Coaches: A Content Analysis Of Books By Coaches About Coaching, Fredyne Yust

Theses

Communication behaviors of coaches are critical in motivating athletes and creating a climate of success. Coaches learn their techniques from a variety of sources—mentors, education, and lessons learned from other coaches. For this study, university coaches were surveyed to determine five books written by successful coaches: The Smart Take from the Strong (Pete Carril), Sacred Hoops (Phil Jackson), Leading with the Heart (Mike Krzyzewski), Reach for the Summit (Pat Summitt) and They Call Me Coach (John Wooden). Using grounded theory, the researcher analyzed these texts and discovered discernible categories of communication techniques deemed significant to the process of successful coaching. …

The Botanical Thread, Kaitlin Wilson-Bryant

Theses

My thesis is an exploration of my dual desires of creation/destruction and manipulation/transformation as realized through the remediation of botanical specimens gathered from my domestic environment and transformed into works of art. Each image questions and presents an understanding of the history of botanical representation, within Western art history, as symbols of nature and femininity and the domestic skill of needlework, a traditional skill learned by women as part of the feminine. I created a conceptual dialogue with those who preceded me, intrinsically linking the acts of sewing and botany as re-interpreted feminist acts. In this work, I attempt to …

Estimating Evolutionary Dynamics Of Cleavage Site Peptides Among H5ha Avian Influenza Employing Mathematical Information Theory Approaches, Sherry Dadgar

Theses

Estimating evolutionary conservation of cleavage site peptides among HA protein of all strains facilitates vaccine development against pandemic influenza. Conserved epitopes may be useful for diagnosis of animals infected with the influenza virus, and preventing their spread in other regions [ 1]. In the preliminary stage of this study, in silico analysis of hemagglutinin was applied to predict potential cleavage sites of each strain employing

SigCleave [2] and SignalP 3.0 server [3]. The second stage of the study focused on analyzing the structure of connecting peptides of hemagglutinin cleavage sites based on the availability of the existing experimental data. Our …

Detecting Relevant Changes In High Throughput Gene Expression Data, Anusha Aiyalu Kannan

Theses

The management and analysis of the data produced by high-throughput technologies are challenging. This paper discuss multiple hypothesis testing by focusing on developing and applying computationally intensive techniques to achieve the goal of simultaneous tests for each spotID the null hypothesis of no association between the expression levels and the responses or covariates. The software provides features where the user controls the amount of data that can be used for analyzing. The software also produce graph of the output which provide the user with easy viewing of the results.

Indirect Camera Calibration In A Medical Environment, Bennet Tillapaugh

Theses

This thesis addresses the need to have calibrated cameras in surgery rooms. Data can then be collected during surgeries to assist the surgeons and it can later be used for postoperation analysis. Typical techniques for camera calibration are not adequate for a medical environment due to the cameras constantly moving and with no rigid area always in the cameras’ view. The proposed approach is to calibrate cameras attached to surgical lights by utilizing extra cameras placed on the ceiling. The ceiling cameras find the position of the light cameras and calibrate their extrinsic parameters. This indirect calibration method provides an …

Breeding Bettas: An Interactive Study To The Breeding And Caring Of Siamese Fighting Fish, Ali Alquraini

Theses

Siamese fighting fish also known as “Betta fish” is one of the most well known fresh water fish around the world. Their beautiful colors and long finnage is one of the reasons in which most people are familiar with these fish. Also their unique labyrinth organ that helps this fish to get oxygen from the air made it easy for people to adopt. Over the past five years, I have been adopting Bettas from different countries around the world such as Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and United States. During this time I have met a lot of Betta lovers which made …

Victorian Organ, Christine Dunn

Theses

This paper is a companion piece to my short film, “Victorian Organ”. This film is an effort to contextualize the mechanical, or man-made, within nature. It is an assertion that there really is no "man vs. nature"- (a radically illogical and inherently self-destructive notion), but only man as nature, in which case, alienation and disharmony ultimately lies in our own self-perception. The impulse to identify a relationship between the mechanical and organic is inspired not only by my observations of our human society, but as a way to decode my own inner workings –an urge to reconcile seemingly major dichotomies …

Memoir Of A Marionette, Rui Jin

Theses

My film intends to draw public awareness to the quick disappearing of traditional performing arts due to the gap caused by fast advancement of technology. Film, TV, Internet and video games have diverted public interests from old performing arts. It discusses modernity vs. antiquity. How can we progress without sacrificing all we have inherited from our ancestors. In the film, this idea is demonstrated by two trembling hands trying to reach each other – one from the marionette and the other from the old performer. They all have the same dream: laughter and cheers from children. But before the hands …

Microgripper Force Feedback Integration Using Piezoresistive Cantilever Structure, Todd R. Simon

Theses

Force feedback is an important feature in most microgripper applications, but it is commonly overlooked. To successfully implement this feature, a cantilever structure has been designed and fabricated to integrate force feedback into a microhand gripper. The piezoresistive properties of doped polysilicon are used to transduce the mechanical stress of an object pressing against the cantilever sensor, resulting in a change in resistance or voltage capable of being monitored with external hardware. The force sensing structure was designed to have a fabrication process compatible with that of the microhand, allowing for their eventual integration. This fabrication process uses both bulk …

Uniform Color Spaces Based On Ciecam02 And Ipt Color Difference Equations, Yang Xue

Theses

Color difference equations based on the CIECAM02 color appearance model and IPT color space have been developed to fit experimental data. There is no color space in which these color difference equations are Euclidean, e.g. describe distances along a straight line. In this thesis, Euclidean color spaces have been derived for the CIECAM02 and IPT color difference equations, respectively, so that the color difference can be calculated as a simple color distance. Firstly, the Euclidean line element was established, from which terms were derived for the new coordinates of lightness, chroma, and hue angle. Then the spaces were analyzed using …

Gamut Extension Algorithm Development And Evaluation For The Mapping Of Standard Image Content To Wide-Gamut Displays, Stacey E. Casella

Theses

Wide-gamut display technology has provided an excellent opportunity to produce visually pleasing images, more so than in the past. However, through several studies, including Laird and Heynderick, 2008, it was shown that linearly mapping the standard sRGB content to the gamut boundary of a given wide-gamut display may not result in optimal results. Therefore, several algorithms were developed and evaluated for observer preference, including both linear and sigmoidal expansion algorithms, in an effort to define a single, versatile gamut expansion algorithm (GEA) that can be applied to current display technology and produce the most preferable images for observers. The outcome …

Interactive Tutorials In The Marketing Of Digital Cameras: How Tutorials Benefit Consumers & Retailers, Andrew Eckert

Theses

There is a growing market for digital single-lens refl ex cameras (SLRs) that is driven by their ease of use, accessibility, and falling price points. Marketing these cameras with an interactive tutorial not only allows photo enthusiasts to improve as photographers, but also gives the retailer a profi table add-on and selling incentive. This work explores how interactive multimedia can be utilized as a source for instruction in camera mechanics. The proposed model is an interface using a virtual camera with which the user interacts. From this starting point the user can choose tutorials from corresponding elements on the camera. …

Material Selection And Optimization To Mitigate 316l Stainless Steel Corrosion In A Condensate Stabilizer, Afif Saif Nasser Harhara

Theses

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is one of the key players of the oil and gas industry of the world; with oil reserves estimated at 9% of the total world reserves, the petroleum industry is considered to be the backbone of the economy.

In one of the gas processing facilities in Abu Dhabi, UAE; a case of material failure occurred in the fractionating column twice in a cycle of less than 2 years. The materials used for the internals of the column was stainless steel 316L. The different types of stainless steel corrosion were studied with emphasis on the suspected …

Multi-Object Decision Making For Supplier Selection In Outsourcing, Pushpen K. Mohile

Theses

A supply chain is the system of organizations, people, technology, activities, information, and resources involved in moving a product or service from supplier to customer. The main and basic challenges in the supply chain are to plan a strategy to manage the resources and meet the demands, to select the suppliers that will deliver the goods and services that are required to build the product, to manufacture the product, to deliver the product to the customers and to make an arrangement for return of the products through customers if there is any fault in the product for servicing. This thesis …

A Shadow Of An Idea, Myung-Chul Jung

Theses

This story is about three cavemen’s escape from an active volcanic island. Whenever the island’s volcano begins to act up, they react to run as far away as possible from the volcano. But they cannot go beyond the shoreline to save their life. One day, the main character has had a dream of ship during taking a nap. He explains the ship to his fellow cavemen, however, he is ignored by them because they have never seen ships that float on the water. He is now faced with the additional problem of explaining his vision to them. In entering the …

Optimum Non Hydrocarbon Gas Injection Development Process And Ultimate Recovery Maximization., Abdulla A.F. Abed

Theses

A multi layered heterogeneous reservoir was selected for this study. The integrated reservoir characterization model and the pertinent transformed reservoir simulation history matched model were quality assured and quality checked.

The development scheme was identified and selected where the pattern and completion of the wells were defined to fit the heterogeneity of the reservoir characterization model. Lateral and maximum block contact holes were investigated.

The development processes studied were mainly hydrogen sulphide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen and rich hydrocarbon gas. The Water Alternating Gas/ Simultaneous Water Alternating Gas (WAG/SWAG) processes were also assured. In addition to the main gas and WAG/SWAG …

Studying A Virtual Testbed For Unverified Data, William Carl Bridges

Theses

It is difficult to fully know the effects a piece of software will have on your computer, particularly when the software is distributed by an unknown source. The research in this paper focuses on malware detection, virtualization, and sandbox/honeypot techniques with the goal of improving the security of installing useful, but unverifiable, software. With a combination of these techniques, it should be possible to install software in an environment where it cannot harm a machine, but can be tested to determine its safety. Testing for malware, performance, network connectivity, memory usage, and interoperability can be accomplished without allowing the program …

A Study Of Emerging Opportunities For Digital Print Production Of User-Generated Content, Javier Rodriguez-Borlado Martinez

Theses

Changes in information consumption habits have been especially rapid and deep in the last five years. As examples, Facebook, with more than 90 millions users at the time of this writing, was launched on 2004, and YouTube, a new model that has revolutionized the way the users are getting content, as well as the content itself, started in 2005. These rapid changes are threatening the printing industry. What will be the motivation and environment for consumers to print? What content will consumers prefer to print? What values will consumers appreciate in the print product versus the digital? What will be …

Historic Thermal Calibration Of Landsat 5 Tm Through An Improved Physics Based Approach, Francis P. Padula

Theses

This investigation is motivated by the current need for a detailed post launch calibration of the Thematic Mapper (TM) thermal band (Band 6), aboard NASA’s Landsat 5 spacecraft. The historical calibration spans the period from 1984 to 2007. It is through fusion of environmental data sources (i.e. buoy observations, surface observations, and radiosonde observations) that a vicarious calibration approach will be implemented to construct the complete calibration record of the Landsat 5 TM thermal band. The vicarious calibration process takes advantage of the long standing National Data Buoy Center (NDBC) moored buoy fleet to acquire historic ground truth measurements needed …

The Visual Analysis Of Heterogeneous Sex Role Interactions: A Content Analysis Of Popular Music Videos, Deanna Niccole Kimbrel

Theses

Hip Hop cultured music videos have raised concern among our nation’s leaders, parents and communities. Since the introduction of music videos in the early 1980s the medium has crossed cultural, regional and ethnic boundaries (Rose, 1994). This medium has been well researched since the 1980s. The focus of this study is Hip Hop cultured music videos from years 1989-2006. The uniqueness of this study is that it focuses on nonverbal sex role interactions in this genre of music videos. This study found many useful trends. For example, men were portrayed as more dominant and/or vertical than women in the sampled …