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In Vivo Measurement Of Color Relationships Between The Maxillary Central Incisor And Canine As A Function Of Age, Marie E. Falcone

Master's Theses

Abstract

Introduction

It has long been taught that the basic shade (hue) of the patient can be taken from the canine (i.e. that tooth thought to have the highest chroma of a particular hue) and then that hue can be applied to other anterior teeth but at a lower chroma. However, this concept does not appear to derive from published measurements or observations. This study documented the color relationship between in vivo maxillary central incisors and canines to examine: (1) whether they share the same hue, but have different chromas (as commonly taught); and, (2) whether color differences (∆E values) …

Development Of An Approach To Evaluate Fractured Crystalline Bedrock Water Resource Supply And Sustainability, Helen E. Spera

Master's Theses

Groundwater derived from fractured crystalline bedrock is an important resource in Connecticut. Despite its importance we know very little about this resource. This study was conducted at the Plant Science and Landscape Architecture Research and Education Facility, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT. The objectives of this study were: to improve the characterization of the hydrogeology of the facility; to develop a method to determine the amount of recharge to the bedrock from the overburden during pumping and non-pumping periods; and to develop an approach that can be used in evaluating the sustainability and zone of contribution of bedrock pumping wells. …

Academic Abilities In Children And Adolescents With A History Of Autism Spectrum Disorders Who Have Achieved Optimal Outcomes, Eva Troyb

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

Effect Of Au Content On Microstructural Evolution Of Snagcu Solder Joints That Undergo Isothermal Aging And Reliability Testing, Patrick J. Hyland

Master's Theses

Electronics, especially, printed circuit boards (PCBs) are a widespread technology. Metal coatings or “surface finishes” are often added to PCB board pads and component leads during manufacturing to improve their performance. Electroplated nickel/gold over copper is a popular surface finish for printed circuit boards and component leads. The presence of gold in solder joints, however, is known to have detrimental effects referred to as gold embrittlement. It is generally understood that tin-lead solder joints with less than 3 weight percent (wt%) of gold will not experience reliability issues. The acceptable level of gold in lead-free solder joints, however, is less …

Characterizing Nerve Fiber Activation By Varying Fiber Diameter And Depth Within A Conductive Medium: A Finite Element Approach, Nathan Daniel Soto

Master's Theses

In some instances neuropathies can be diagnosed through a conduction velocity test. However, not all neuropathies can be classified using this method. Gaining an understanding of how the stimulus level varies for different fiber sizes at different fiber depths within a conductive medium will provide useful information for simulation studies.

Following a two-step approach using COMSOL and MATLAB, a simulation was implemented to investigate the stimulus necessary to activate different sized fibers at different depths. In this two-step approach, COMSOL was used to describe the voltage profile that would be present within a conductive medium after a stimulus was applied. …

Evaluating The Potential Of Using Passive Rfid Technology As A Real Time Location Tracking System To Assist An Individual With A Visual Impairment, Zachary Lim Tiulentino

Master's Theses

This study evaluated the potential of using Passive Radiofrequency Identification [RFID] Technology as basis for a Real Time Location Tracking System [RTLTS] to assist an individual with a visual impairment participating in physical activities, such as basketball. While RTLTSs exist based upon other technologies, Passive RFID Technology had yet to be examined for its potential in such an application. In this study, a system was designed and modified, for Passive RFID Technology, in order to enhance the performance of the RTLTS. More specifically, the first iteration of the software code employed the use of multiple RFID antennas to cooperatively designate …

Unsteady Total Pressure Measurement For Laminar-To-Turbulent Transition Detection, Akane Sharon Karasawa

Master's Theses

This thesis presents the use of an unsteady total pressure measurement to detect laminar-to-turbulent transition. A miniature dynamic pressure transducer, Kulite model XCS-062-5D, was utilized to measure the total pressure fluctuations, and was integrated with an autonomous boundary layer measurement device that can withstand flight test conditions. Various sensor-probe configurations of the Kulite pressure transducer were first examined in a wind tunnel with a 0.610 m (2.0 ft) square test section with a maximum operational velocity of 49.2 m/s (110 mph), corresponding dynamic pressure of 1.44 kPa (30 psf). The Kulite sensor was placed on an elliptical nose flat plate …

Effects Of High-Density, Short-Duration Planned Livestock Grazing On Soil Carbon Sequestration Potentials In A Coastal California Mixed Grassland, Kristina Michelle Wolf, Marc Horney, Brent Hallock, Robert T. Rutherford, Anthony T. O'Geen, Royce Larsen, William Plummer

Master's Theses

Planned grazing management in rangelands may improve carbon sequestration potential of soils by increasing plant biomass and the rate of nutrient cycling, which might mitigate global warming. The effects of high-intensity, short-duration planned grazing of sheep on several soil and ecosystem properties were investigated on a mixed grassland in San Luis Obispo, CA. The objectives of this study were to (a) identify soil properties related to soil C sequestration in rangelands; (b) determine if planned grazing improved soil carbon sequestration; (c) quantify changes in identified variables in grazed and rested plots; and (d) analyze any changes in plant species composition …

To Shift Or Not To Shift: Maximizing The Efficiency Of A Wireless Sensor Network Using Multiple Sinks, Chabli Boler

Master's Theses

Energy efficiency is a vital part of wireless sensor networks (WSN). Using correct techniques, we can improve the overall data throughput of the network and, at the same time, cut down the cost of running it. The efficient utilization of the life of the sensor node in a WSN is a critical problem. This is a problem since the sensor nodes closest to the sink node expend more energy because they send more messages, mostly for routing, than any other node on the network.

This decreases the life of those sensor nodes and will lead to dead spots in the …

An Examination Of The Yang-Baxter Equation, Alexandru Cibotarica

Master's Theses

The Yang-Baxter equation has been extensively studied due to its application in numerous fields of mathematics and physics. This thesis sets out to analyze the equation from the viewpoint of the algebraic product of matrices, i.e., the composition of linear maps, with the intent of characterizing the solutions of the Yang-Baxter equation.

We begin by examining the simple case of 22 matrices where it is possible to fully characterize the solutions. We connect the Yang-Baxter equation to the Cecioni-Frobenius Theorem and focus on obtaining solutions to the Yang-Baxter equation for special matrices where solutions are more easily found. Finally, …

An Extensionalist Approach To Ontological Commitment: Why Quine Is Mostly Right, William Felix Suttle Iii

Master's Theses

A criterion of ontological commitment is a formal method for determining what objects or entities a theory says exists. The most famous criterion of ontological commitment was developed by W.V.O. Quine. However, Quine's criterion has been attacked for presumably not meeting his own standards for an acceptable theory. After explaining the motivation and details of Quine's criterion, I will tum to the prominent objections against his theory. I will argue that there are problems both with Quine's formulation of his criterion, as well as the interpretation of Quine's criterion as presented by his objectors. In response to these issues, I …

A Comparison Of Two Different Methods For Solving Biharmonic Boundary Valve Problems, Megan Lashea Richardson

Master's Theses

We use the methods of compactly supported radial basis functions (CS-RBFs) and Delta-shaped basis functions (DBFs) to obtain the numerical solution of a two-dimensional biharmonic boundary value problem. The biharmonic equation is difficult to solve due to its existing fourth order derivatives, besides it requires more than one boundary conditions on the same part of the boundary. In this thesis, we use either a one-level or a two-level technique for constructing the approximate solution in the context of Kansa’s collocation method. This thesis will compare the accuracy of the methods of CS-RBFs and DBFs when applied to the biharmonic boundary …

Detection Of Hydrogen In A Two-Phase Cryogen Flow Stream With Thermal Protection Design Configurations, Anton Dmitrievitch Netchaev

Master's Theses

All commercial liquid-propelled rockets use hydrogen as means to reach outer space. These rocket boosters are tested on the ground and use hydrogen as means of purging the remaining explosive gasses left in the test tanks. To conserve helium, a non-renewable resource, a test fixture was developed to characterize and test sensors that could improve the accuracy and response of the current system. By improving response time of the system, helium waste during the purge process can be minimized. The test fixture was constructed to simulate temperatures and pressures that are encountered at the testing facilities. The test fixture is …

Face Detection And Lip Localization, Benafsh Nadir Husain

Master's Theses

Integration of audio and video signals for automatic speech recognition has become an important field of study. The Audio-Visual Speech Recognition (AVSR) system is known to have accuracy higher than audio-only or visual-only system. The research focused on the visual front end and has been centered around lip segmentation. Experiments performed for lip feature extraction were mainly done in constrained environment with controlled background noise. In this thesis we focus our attention to a database collected in the environment of a moving car which hampered the quality of the imagery.

We first introduce the concept of illumination compensation, where we …

Reconfigurable Sampling For Enhanced Energy Efficiency In Power-Constrained Wireless Systems, Timothy Kurp

Master's Theses

Advancement in microelectronics and wireless communications has nurtured the development of low power and low cost wireless systems such as sensor networks. Each node is typically driven by a battery, which has a limited energy capacity that directly constrains node, and network lifetime. This presents a bottleneck for the widespread exploitation of wireless sensing technology. Therefore, improving the energy efficiency of wireless sensing devices is of critical importance and has attracted the attention of the research community.

In this work, a data-driven method has been proposed and systematically investigated. Specifically, this technique reconfigures, in real time, the rate of data …

Investigation Of The Effect Of Xanthophyll Composition On Energy Transfer And Quenching In Light-Harvesting Complexes From The Diatom, Phaeodactylum Tricornutum, Jose L. Robinson Duggon

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

Applied Control Strategies At A Cogeneration Plant, Joseph William Burns

Master's Theses

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the effectiveness of “classical strategies for dynamic control” on authentic cogeneration processes. These strategies are applied to several processes at the University of Connecticut’s cogeneration plant. Case studies of their applications are presented in this paper. Strategies that are applied include the following:

1) The classical SISO feedback structure

2) The First Order Plus Dead Time (FOPDT) process model

3) The Internal Model Control (IMC) correlations for PI controller tuning

4) Static feed forward with feedback trim

5) Cascade Control

Model Based Assessment Of Potential Impacts Of Climate Change On The Flow Of The Main Headwaters Of The Nile River: Equatorial Lakes Region And Blue Nile Basins, Fisseha G. Berhane

Master's Theses

Berhane Fisseha. Model based assessment of potential impacts of climate change on the flow of the main headwaters of the Nile River: Equatorial Lakes Region and Blue Nile basins (Under the direction of Dr. Richard Anyah).

Spatially and temporally detailed assessment of the hydrologic processes of the main sources of the Nile River headwaters (Blue Nile basin and Equatorial Lakes Region) is vital for basin-wide scale management to cope with the pressing water problems due to burgeoning populations, a growing demand for electricity, irrigation for food production and possible climate change.

The main objectives of this study were to use …

Part A: The Use Of Nonionic Associative Polymers For The Thickening And Emulsifying Of Personal Care Products/ Part B: The Synthesis Of A Manganese Sod Mimetic For Reactive Coatings, Mallory Lynn Mcmahon

Master's Theses

Part A

The use of nonionic associative thickeners was proposed for personal care applications.  Various limitations of current rheology modifiers used in personal care were discussed.  Nonionic associative polymers were examined as both thickeners and emulsifiers.  The structure/property relationship for nonionic polymers and their ability to thicken and emulsify were fully examined.  Results showed an increase in thickening efficiency for nonionic associative polymers with higher log(P) (partition coefficient) values.  This was due to the formation of smaller aggregates and increased bridging between aggregates.  The connection between oil polarity, log(P) of the associative polymer, and emulsion stability showed no relationship however; …

Structure Climbing Monkey Robot, Paul Bessent

Master's Theses

This report describes the design, building, and testing of the Structure Climbing Monkey Robot (SCMR). It is composed of seven successive joints and linkages with two grippers at the two ends. Each gripper can act as the base or the end of the robot. The SCMR has the ability to climb any structure. The gripper plates can be changed to grab different kinds of structures, but this one is made to grab 2x4‘s. A program was written to assist the user to grab four non-coplanar, non-orthogonal points.

The SCMR is actuated by a total of nine motors: two to open …

Measuring The Nanoindentation Properties Of Alendronate-Time Treated Canine Cortical, Folorunso Ashaolu

Master's Theses

This study examines the nanoindentation (energy inclusive) properties of 0.2 mg/kg alendronate treated ribs at one and three years against a vehicle treated control in a fresh-frozen, non-cold-mounted, condition.  This was to verify if the tissue-level properties for 0.2 ALN treated beagles would increase because of an increased level of mineralization despite a microdamage increase.

A total of twelve (12) skeletally mature (1–2 years old) female beagle dogs were treated daily for three years and one year with oral doses of vehicle (VEH, 1 mL/kg saline) or alendronate (ALN, 0.2 Merck, Rahway, NJ). The 0.2 mg dose corresponds, on a …

Learning To Fly: The Untold Story Of How The Wright Brothers Learned To Be The World's First Aeronautical Engineers, Daniel Lawrence Slusser

Master's Theses

This paper examines the education, events, and experiences of the Wright brothers in order to determine how they developed the necessary skills to engineer the first viable aircraft. Without high school diplomas, and with no advanced formal education, the Wright brothers were able to develop aircraft that far exceeded the capabilities of aircraft designed and built by professional engineers that had worked on the problem of flight for much longer and with substantially larger research budgets. I argue that the Wright brothers’ success resulted from their experiences in the printing and bicycle industries as well as their formal and informal …

Thermodynamic Based Model Eliciting Activities For Undergraduate Mechanical Engineering Education, Paul Nicholas Van Bloemen Waanders

Master's Theses

Undergraduate engineering education is designed to prepare students for their careers.  The rise of technology in modern engineering allows for a shift in the way undergraduates are prepared for the modern workplace.  Model Eliciting Activities (MEAs) allow students to think critically about their own work and allow instructors to analyze the students’ problem solving methods.  To ensure that new MEAs are as effective as possible they are subject to six basic principles: model construction, reality, generalizability, self-assessment, model documentation, and effective prototype.

This document focuses on evaluating new MEAs for their adherence to the six principles from an instructor's and …

A Frequency-Modulated Continuous Wave-Based Boundary Detection System For Determination Of Monitoring Region For An Indoor Ultra-Wideband Short Range Radar-Based Eldercare Monitoring System, Wilson Tang

Master's Theses

Falls are a cause of concern for the elderly since it can render a person immobile. A monitoring system can summon immediate aid by the automatic detection of fall events. The application of ultra-wideband (UWB) signals for a monitoring system was chosen due to its unique characteristics such as wide spectrum, immunity to interference, penetrability, and application for the detection of people. Part of this monitoring system is boundary detection with the purpose of isolating the location of fall events and to function as a mask to define an area of interest. A study of various localizing methods using measurements …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Linear And Branched Polylactic Acid For Use In Food Packaging Applications, Kyle C. Bentz

Master's Theses

Polylactic acid (PLA) resins of various molecular weights and molecular weight distributions were synthesized. Linear, narrow molecular weight distribution (MWD) PLA resins were synthesized, as well as resins containing both high molecular weight branched structures and low molecular weight chains and oligomers. Narrow MWD resins were synthesized for use as adhesives for corrugated paperboard and broad MWD resins were synthesized for use as a waterborne coating. PLA resins were dispersed for use as a waterborne coating. Success has been made at forming films utilizing various plasticizers and surfactants as well as polyvinyl alcohol as dispersing agents. A cold dispersion procedure …

Optimization And Modeling Tools For Telescope Hexapod Structures, Michael Edward Feeney

Master's Theses

Hexapod trusses are an important element in many mechanical design systems. The natural frequency and stiffness behavior under geometric and mass variations of such structures is largely undocumented. Furthermore, the ability to quickly model hexapod designs and explore a large design-space in finite element software packages is, in general, time consuming and inefficient. The purpose of this project was to develop software tools that made design-space exploration (modeling and simulation processes) for hexapod structures drastically more efficient. Secondly, the project included an experimental analysis portion to demonstrate the various modal study techniques and to validate finite element analysis predictions. Lastly, …

Onboard Video Stabilization For Unmanned Air Vehicles, Nicholas Stewart Cross

Master's Theses

Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAVs) enable the observation of hazardous areas without endangering a pilot. Observational capabilities are provided by on-board video cameras and images are relayed to remote operators for analysis. However, vibration and wind cause video camera mounts to move and can introduce unintended motion that makes video analysis more difficult. Video stabilization is a process that attempts to remove unwanted movement from a video input to provide a clearer picture. 

This thesis presents an onboard video stabilization solution that removes high-frequency jitter, displays output at 20 frames per second (FPS), and runs on a Blackfin embedded processor. Any …

Performance Of The Crack, Seat, And Overlay Rehabilitation Technique For Concrete Pavements In California, Reed Calkins

Master's Theses

Research was performed to analyze the performance of the crack, seat, and overlay (CS&O) roadway rehabilitation technique in the Central Coast and Northern regions of California. This technique was evaluated through literature review to determine the state of practice and their conclusions. California highway sections rehabilitated using CS&O were selected for evaluation based on age and location. Pavement distresses and traffic data for these sections were collected and analyzed. Prior to beginning analysis this data was checked for errors, outliers, and omissions. The analysis consisted of checking the data for correlations among distresses and regions.

The focus of this research …

Point-Based Color Bleeding With Volumes, Christopher J. Gibson

Master's Theses

The interaction of light in our world is immensely complex, but with mod-

ern computers and advanced rendering algorithms, we are beginning to reach

the point where photo-realistic renders are truly difficult to separate from real

photographs. Achieving realistic or believable global illumination in scenes with

participating media is exponentially more expensive compared to our traditional

polygonal methods. Light interacts with the particles of a volume, creating com-

plex radiance patterns.

In this thesis, we introduce an extension to the commonly used point-based

color bleeding (PCB) technique, implementing volume scatter contributions. With

the addition of this PCB algorithm extension, we …

Development Of A Cubesat Instrument For Microgravity Particle Damper Performance Analysis, John Trevor Abel

Master's Theses

Spacecraft pointing accuracy and structural longevity requirements often necessitate auxiliary vibration dissipation mechanisms.  However, temperature sensitivity and material degradation limit the effectiveness of traditional damping techniques in space.  Robust particle damping technology offers a potential solution, driving the need for microgravity characterization.   A 1U cubesat satellite presents a low cost, low risk platform for the acquisition of data needed for this evaluation, but severely restricts available mass, volume, power and bandwidth resources.  This paper details the development of an instrument subject to these constraints that is capable of capturing high resolution frequency response measurements of highly nonlinear particle damper dynamics.