Digital Commons Network^™

Dolus's Doctrine, Gretchen Schaible-Smith

Masters Theses

Marta Hoyle has lived her entire life in the safety and security of the New Republic where she tries to live a life that is in accordance with The Book of Law and Faith. Her Radical parents put her under the government's constant scrutiny, and even though she's resided with her pious Aunt Grace for over five years, she finds herself in danger of being tried and eliminated as a Radical.

When Marta receives a warning from a soldier of the danger in store, she decides to risk a visit to a Radical meeting in hopes of finding safety and …

Knowing One's Place In The Post-Millennial, South African Novels Of Van Niekerk, Wicomb, And Matlwa, Stephen C. Poggendorf

Masters Theses

The literature of post-apartheid South Africa suggests that the atrocities of the past still linger and continue to shape the mentality of the nation. Grace and hope often mix with resentment, bitterness, and vexation in the pages of contemporary South African novels. Marlene van Niekerk's The Way of the Women (2004), Zoë Wicomb's Playing in the Light (2006), and Kopano Matlwa's Spilt Milk (2010), each reflects on intersections of race, space, and gender as they occur in specific locations. These novels all unfold in South Africa, and involve highly particularized settings that conjure up specific moments from the country's history; …

From Half-Rotaxanes To Poly-Rotaxane Architectures, Heather Renee Schoonover

Masters Theses

The host-guest abilities of macrocyclic compounds made them important players in the field of supramolecular chemistry, especially those studying mechanical bonds. Rotaxanes and catenanes are among the most well-known examples of mechanically interlocked molecules. Our approach in the synthesis of poly-rotaxane systems involves the preparation of pseudorotaxanes with donor capabilities and then use metallic centers to assemble the poly-rotaxane architectures.

A pyridine-based half-rotaxane has been synthesized and the subsequent solution studies revealed a large association constant. ¹H-NMR studies show that these interlocked species exhibit a slow exchange on the NMR timescale. Using the single point method and VT-NMR several …

The Effects Of Chemical Treatment And Light Exposure On Pah Concentrations In Biochar, Fathima Nadheesha Muhammed Khalid

Masters Theses

A series of experiments quantifying extractable polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in biochar before and after various treatments were conducted. The analytical approach included solvent extraction of PAHs with toluene, further isolation and column cleanup before gas chromatography mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) analysis. The treatment methods include exposing biochar samples to sunlight and UV radiation with and without additives and reacting with hydrogen peroxide.

Two biochar samples from the Eastern Illinois University bench-type gasifier and commercial biochar were analyzed. Analyzing of three biochar types revealed that plant biochar has lower total PAH concentration than wood (W) biochar or wood and plant (giant …

Morphometric Study Of Variation In The Genus Galeopsis (Lamiaceae), Michael T. Hughes

Masters Theses

The genus Galeopsis L. of the family Lamiaceae, also known as hemp-nettle, grows naturally in Europe and Asia, with four species naturalized in North America. The number of real species is in doubt, because of conflict over whether certain taxa are species, subspecies, or synonyms. The genus consists of five to eight taxa. I studied flower and leaf size ratios to clarify the distinctions of taxa in Galeopsis. These data were analyzed statistically, using cluster analysis, Principal Components Analysis (PCA), and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The results indicated that although some measurements, such as leaf width in G. angustifolia, …

Upvoting The Audience: A Burkean Analysis Of Reddit, Doug Urbanski

Masters Theses

My thesis examines the Internet community Reddit through the rhetorical framework of Kenneth Burke, specifically his work with identification between individuals and how identification shapes communities. I focused on three sections of Reddit: World News, Ask Reddit, and Politics, and analyzed the best-voted comments of top posts from each section, focusing on how anonymous users communicate with one another and how their anonymity might influence the ways they interact. Additionally, I propose a method for instructors to use Reddit in the classroom, taking advantage of the medium's systematic anonymity.

Effects Of Yoga On Caregiver Stress And Feelings Towards Caregiving, Laura M. Castelon

Masters Theses

This research addressed the issues of caregiver stress and feelings towards caregiving. The following research questions were addressed: 1) Do caregivers who participate in yoga exercises feel less stress about their caregiving duties? 2) Do caregivers who participate in yoga view their caregiving duties as a more positive experience than caregivers who do not participate in yoga? 3) Is the relationship between stress level and positive feelings different between the yoga and non- yoga participants? A total of 21 participants had an equal chance of being selected to participate in either a yoga group or a non-yoga group. The subjects …

Short-Term Responses Of Fish Assemblages To Habitat Restoration In A Small Midwestern Stream, John Leon West

Masters Theses

Recent efforts to restore stream habitat have become a common practice, yet evaluations of biotic responses to these practices are not as common. I evaluated fish assemblage response to restoration in a reach of Kickapoo Creek, a fourth order stream southwest of Charleston, Illinois. Restoration included 446 meters of bank stabilization, pool scouring keys, and the creation of two artificial riffles. To have a representation of pre-restoration fish assemblages, I sampled four stream reaches of Kickapoo Creek twice before construction of habitat restoration: two control reaches (upstream and downstream) and two restored reaches within a 0.5 km restoration stretch (upstream …

A Strategic Communication Campaign To Build Effective Relationships, Lauren Kluge Padillo

Masters Theses

This creative thesis discusses a strategic communication campaign that will help build effective relationships with the use of several communication strategies and marketing plans. I used our department's move to a new location as an opportunity to initiate dialogue to solve communication problems that are currently an issue. A brochure was developed as a tool that can be later used for reference. The project was successful and did bridge the communication gaps. Based on the success of the project, we will continue to use the literature and make visits to our internal and external customers.

Characterization Of The Stability And Reactivity Of Mitoneet: A Novel Diabetes Drug Target, Morgan E. Roberts

Masters Theses

MitoNl:ET is a mitochondrial membrane protein discovered in 2004 as a binding partner of the antidiabetic drng pioglitazone. It is sold under the trade name Actos® and used to treat type-2 diabetes. The cellular function(s) of mitoNEET are unknown. Interestingly, the non-covalent homodimer contains two [2Fe-2SJ clusters that support possible functions as an electron-transport protein, an iron-sulfur transfer protein, a mediator in cellular respiration, and a redox-sensor. MitoNEl:T uniquely ligates the [2Fc- 2SJ cluster through a 3Cys-l His ligation. In this thesis, the optimization of the expression and purification of human mitoNEET is described. Possible binding partners were identified using …

The Effect Of Electrochemical Modification On The Surface Topography And Chemical Make-Up Of Strontium Titanate, Kelly J. Harmon

Masters Theses

Previous research into the oxidation and reduction of strontium titanate and the changes that result from this has been carried out. The oxidation and reduction of strontium titanate at high temperatures and high pressures has been investigated for the effect that it has upon the surface topography of strontium titanate and the chemical makeup of the strontium titanate. Research into the electrochemical oxidation of perovskites, similar in structure to that of strontium titanate, have even provided evidence pointing to the identity of the oxygen species being incorporated into the strontium titanate.

This research seeks to investigate what changes occur to …

Lexis In Chemical Engineering Discourse: Analyzing Style In Chemical Engineering Research Articles Through A Rhetorical Lens, David Lamar Young

Masters Theses

"This study examines the style of chemical engineering research articles to discover stylistic trends that may be applicable to authors looking to publish their own research. Rhetorical stylistic analysis was used as a research method to allow for thorough analysis of all articles in the sample. Ten research articles from the two prominent chemical engineering journals were chosen using specific criteria to constitute a sample of articles that could most accurately represent the population of chemical engineering research articles. Each article was then analyzed line by line to identify markers of chemical engineering research article style, including the following: ▬Use …

Implementation Of Project Based Learning Technique To Enhance Engineering Education, Dinesh Kanigolla

Masters Theses

"This study investigated the impact of introducing a semester project into three engineering courses where practical application of theoretical knowledge is applicable. Three courses were examined in this work: an undergraduate course in quality, a graduate course in Lean, and a graduate course in Six Sigma. For this research, student teams were given hands-on-projects that included collaboration with local companies. Surveys were conducted to assess the impact of project based learning on students' knowledge. Student responses were recorded and analyzed to determine how students felt the use of the semester project affected the course and to identify the response patterns …

Development Of A Postprocessor For A Multi-Axis Cnc Milling Center, Mihir Satish Adivarekar

Masters Theses

"Most of the current college design and manufacturing curricula are primarily focused on computer aided design (CAD), while less emphasis is given to computer aided manufacturing (CAM). A great opportunity has been missed as the benefits of CAD/CAM cannot then be fully learned. Postprocessor plays a vital role in integration of CAD//CAM with computer numerically controlled (CNC) machines. Hence, postprocessor must be developed accurately. This thesis is composed of one paper. Paper I proposes a novel methodology to determine compensation vectors for the post processor of multi-axis milling center. The new approach that has been implemented in Paper I involves …

Utilization Of Booster Fans In Underground Mines, Arash Habibi Javanbakht

Masters Theses

"Booster fans are large underground fans that can increase the volumetric efficiency of ventilation systems by balancing the pressure and quantity distribution throughout a mine, reducing leakage and reducing the total power requirement. The objective of this study is to provide potential users of booster fans with the necessary information on the design, installation and operation of main underground fans. The guidelines listed in this paper were formulated based on current U.S. and international standards, safe operating practices developed by the mining industry, and recommendations provided by fan manufacturers. The principles involved in the design and installation of booster fans …

A Generalized Approach For Compliant Mechanism Design Using The Synthesis With Compliance Method, With Experimental Validation, Ashish B. Koli

Masters Theses

"Compliant mechanisms offer numerous advantages over their rigid-body counterparts. The synthesis with compliance technique synthesizes compliant mechanisms for conventional rigid-body synthesis tasks with energy/torque specifications at precision positions. In spite of its usefulness, the method suffers from some limitations/problems. The purpose of this work is to investigate these sensitivities with the synthesis with compliance technique and improve upon existing method. A new, simple but efficient, method for synthesis with compliance using an optimization approach is proposed, and its usefulness and simplicity demonstrated over the existing method. The strongly and weakly coupled system of kinematic and energy/torque equations in the existing …

Comparison Of Square Root Of Time Approach And Statistical Approach To Minimize Subjectivity In The Determination Of Minimum In-Situ Stress, Soumitra Bhaskar Nande

Masters Theses

"A formation's minimum in-situ stress is an important parameter to determine for hydraulic fracturing. While minimum in-situ stress, and its orientation, can be measured from triaxial tests on core, it is more common to measure it as closure stress, by performing pressure testing of wells in the field. Closure stress is considered equal to, or a good approximation of the minimum in-situ stress for most cases. The analytical methods applied to such pressure testing include the square root of time plot, G function plot and the G-dP/dG plot. These plots require the engineer to fit tangent lines to the data, …

Dynamic Contact Analysis Of A Piezoelectrically Driven Ultrasonic Crawler-Actuator, Dwight Santiago Maness

Masters Theses

"A standing wave ultrasonic motor (SWUM) is presented in this thesis. The actuator is piezoelectrically powered and operates in the first and second bending modes to move forwards and backwards, respectively. The kinematic stability of the crawler, backed by experimental results is shown in the first paper presented in this thesis. This study demonstrates that in the absence of a preload or kinematic constraints, the crawler shows vertical stability. A full transient analysis using the finite element method is performed characterizing the speed and contact variables is conducted in the second paper. The results show that given enough time the …

Cfd Simulation Of Void Flow In Eccs, Lifeng Wang

Masters Theses

"Emergency core cooling system (ECCS) has been studied extensively for reactor safety. Emergency core cooling system (ECCS) is designed to make sure the reactor core it is protected by providing sufficient heat removal during accident conditions. In a loss-of-coolant-accident (LOCA) scenario, the ECCS is designed to take over the reactor core cooling by drawing water from a reservoir or tank. Voids may be introduced into the ECCS through a variety of means leading to total or partial loss of suction supply, or through gas depressurization resulting from difference in gas saturation pressure and ambient pressure. The transportation of voids through …

3d Seismic Data Interpretation Of Boonsville Field, Texas, Aamer Ali Alhakeem

Masters Theses

"The Boonsville field is one of the largest gas fields in the US located in the Fort Worth Basin, north central Texas. The highest potential reservoirs reside in the Bend Conglomerate deposited during the Pennsylvanian. The Boonsville data set is prepared by the Bureau of Economic Geology at the University of Texas, Austin, as part of the secondary gas recovery program. The Boonsville field seismic data set covers an area of 5.5 mi². It includes 38 wells data. The Bend Conglomerate is deposited in fluvio-deltaic transaction. It is subdivided into many genetic sequences which include depositions of sandy conglomerate representing …

Direct - Drive Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator Design For Hydrokinetic Energy Extraction, Amshumaan Raghunatha Kashyap

Masters Theses

"Hydrokinetic turbines deliver lower shaft speeds when compared to both steam and wind turbines. Hence, a water wheel generator must operate at speeds as low as 150 - 600 rpm. This thesis describes a permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) that was designed, built, and tested to serve a low speed hydrokinetic turbine. The design methodology was emphasized since designing an application specific generator poses various design and hardware construction issues. These are torque, speed, power and start-up requirements. This generator was built to operate without a speed increaser, implying very low speeds. FEA and performance results from the simulation done …

Methods For Evaluating Effect Of Operators On Drag Line Energy Efficiency, Maryam Abdi Oskouei

Masters Theses

"Draglines are dominant machines and the most significant electricity consumers in surface coal mines. With the growing price of energy, environmental concerns, and the high sensitivity of mine profitability to dragline productivity, any improvement in efficiency of dragline will be beneficial for mines. Research has shown that operator practices have a significant impact on energy efficiency of mining loading tools. However, not enough work has been done to provide guidance on how to quantitatively assess the effect of operator practices on dragline energy efficiency.

The objectives of this work were to: (i) test the hypothesis that dragline operator's practices and …

The Use Of Elemental Powder Mixes In Laser-Based Additive Manufacturing, Rodney Michael Clayton

Masters Theses

"This study examines the use and functionality of laser depositing alloys from mixes of elemental metallic powders. Through the use of laser-based additive manufacturing (LAM), near net-shaped 3-Dimensional metallic parts can be produced in a layer-by-layer fashion. It is customary for pre-alloyed powders to be used in this process. However, mixes of elemental powders can be used to produce alloys that are formed during the deposition process. This alternative technique requires that the elemental powders adequately mix during deposition for a homogeneous deposit to be produced. Cost savings and versatility are among several of the advantages to using elemental powder …

Characterization Of Rabinal, Guatemala Clay And Development Of An Engineered Surrogate For The Purpose Of Laboratory Study, Lara Anne Hubbel

Masters Theses

"Ceramic pot filters (CPFs) have been proven to be an effective, low cost household water treatment system that are commonly used in third world countries. They are made using local clay, burn out material and colloidal silver or silver nitrate. Challenges faced by researchers include difficulty in acquiring filters from their manufacturing facilities without incurring damage and the cost of shipping. Acquiring the clay material used to make the filters is also difficult due to the cost of shipping and permits necessary to import soil. There have been studies conducted that compared laboratory made CPFs made with native clay and …

An Evaluation Of De-Embedding Techniques For Tsvs, Nicholas Garrett Erickson

Masters Theses

"One of the most important aspects of modern electronic designs is device measurement and characterization. Without device measurement and characterization, the functionality of end designs cannot be guaranteed. At the silicon level (on-wafer), extracting the electrical performance of devices and structures has grown increasingly more complex with the continual shrink of feature sizes. Compared to the overall measurement setup (VNA, cables, probes, interposers, etc.), the ultra small size of on-wafer structures leads to their electrical performance being easily overshadowed by other, larger fixtures. Thus, many scientists and engineers have worked to devise ever more accurate calibration and de-embedding techniques for …

Libration Point Orbits Near Small Bodies In The Elliptic Restricted Three-Body Problem, Bharat Mahajan

Masters Theses

"In this study, the feasibility of using libration point orbits to explore small solar system bodies, including asteroids and comets, is considered. A novel design for a small body mission is proposed that makes use of libration point orbits as "parking" orbits. In considering a human exploration mission to asteroids or comets, these "parking" orbits may provide benefits including a safe vantage point for staging/observation, reduced perturbation effects from the nonuniform gravitational field of the body, fewer communication blackouts, ease of guidance and control of a lander on the surface, etc. Because small solar system bodies have extremely low mass …

Efficient Integrity Verification Of Replicated Data In Cloud, Raghul Mukundan

Masters Theses

"The cloud computing is an emerging model in which computing infrastructure resources are provided as a service over the Internet. Data owners can outsource their data by remotely storing them in the cloud and enjoy on-demand high quality services from a shared pool of configurable computing resources. By using these data storage services, the data owners can relieve the burden of local data storage and maintenance. However, since data owners and the cloud servers are not in the same trusted domain, the outsourced data may be at risk as the cloud server may no longer be fully trusted. Therefore, data …

Computational Fluid Dynamics Flow Comparison Between Openhole Sleeve And Plug-And-Perf Completion In A Hydraulic Fractured Horizontal Well, Viriyah Theppornprapakorn

Masters Theses

"Multi-stage hydraulic fracture completions in horizontal wells have facilitated economic development of natural gas from unconventional and tight gas reservoirs.Industry has relied on two horizontal multi-stage completion technologies: cemented and perforated liner or Plug-and-perf method and Openhole Sleeve Multi-stage method. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages. However, one of the most important questions is which method yields better gas production? Computation fluid dynamics (CFD) is a powerful tool for solving complex fluid flow problems. In well completion design, CFD plays a significant role aiding the completion engineers on making decision on well completion methods. In this study, a …

Manufacturing And Characterization Of Polyurethane Based Sandwich Composites, Stephen Robert Hawkins

Masters Theses

"Composite sandwich structures have been extensively employed in aerospace structures, ship building, infrastructure, etc. due to their light weight and high strength to weight ratio. The understanding of their behavior under impact and environmental conditions is extremely important for the design and manufacturing of these engineering structures since these problems are directly related to structural integrity and safety requirements. Vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) is one of the commonly used low cost composite manufacturing processes. Polyurethane (PU) resin system has been observed to have better mechanical properties and higher impact strength when compared to conventional resin systems such as …

Gas And Water Flow Through Nanoscale Porous Media, Songyuan Liu

Masters Theses

"This work provides a lab experiment to describe the fluid diffusion in nanoscale porous media. By using ideal ceramic membranes which have uniform pore size in nanoscale and homogeneous pore distribution instead of shale or tight sandstone which have various pore sizes and complicated pore distribution and structure, a better understanding of fluid flow through nanoscale porous media could be gained.

Core flooding test were conducted by injecting nitrogen and water separately to describe gas and liquid flow in nanoscale porous media. With all the other factors known or controlled, pressure and flow rate were measured to calculate permeability. By …