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2011

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Investigating Block Mask Lithography Variation Using Finite-Difference Time-Domain Simulation, Daiji Kawamura Dec 2011

Investigating Block Mask Lithography Variation Using Finite-Difference Time-Domain Simulation, Daiji Kawamura

Theses

Simulation work has long been realized as a method for analyzing semiconductor processing expediently and cost-effectively. As technology advancements strive to meet increasingly stringent parameter constraints, difficult issues arise. In this paper, challenges in block mask lithography will be discussed with the aid of using simulation packages developed by Panoramic Technology®. Halo formation utilizes a 20-30° tilt-angle implantation [1]. The block mask defines the geometries of the resist opening to allow implantation of atoms to extend into the channel region. Due to designed resolution scaling and tolerance in conjunction with substrate topography, there can be undesired influence on the electrical …


The Role Of Coastal Plant Community Response To Climate Change: Implications For Restoring Ecosystem Resiliency, Hannah June Kalk Dec 2011

The Role Of Coastal Plant Community Response To Climate Change: Implications For Restoring Ecosystem Resiliency, Hannah June Kalk

Theses

Accelerated sea-level rise and increased intensity of tropical storm events have challenged the conventional approaches to conservation and restoration of coastal ecosystems. In coastal communities, where survival will depend largely on the ability of species to adapt to rapidly shifting conditions or become established farther inland, historic assemblages may be lost. Seed banks may be an important component of resilience and recovery in response to altered inundation regimes, should they contain species able to adapt or migrate inland. This study assess the ability of seed banks to act as ecological buffers to storm surge disturbances and to instill ecological resilience …


The Competitive Response Of Panicum Virgatum Cultivars To Non-Native Invasive Species In Southern Illinois, Lauren Michele Schwartz Dec 2011

The Competitive Response Of Panicum Virgatum Cultivars To Non-Native Invasive Species In Southern Illinois, Lauren Michele Schwartz

Theses

Historically, the tallgrass prairie (TGP) was the largest ecosystem in North America, but today only about 10-15% of the original extent exists today. Some areas have experienced more extreme loss, for example in the state of Illinois less than 0.01% of high-quality native tallgrass prairie remains. Non-native invasive species are a recent phenomenon that threatens the integrity of surviving TGP communities. Ecotypes of dominant C4 grasses are the basis of numerous cultivars, many of which are utilized in prairie restorations. In this study, the effects of three invasive species (Bromus inermis, Schedonorus phoenix, and Poa pratensis) on two lowland (`Alamo' …


Common Crowd Dynamics: Shaping Behavioral Intention Models, Marcel Bouchard Dec 2011

Common Crowd Dynamics: Shaping Behavioral Intention Models, Marcel Bouchard

Theses

As the human population grows, so too does the need to understand human behavior. One particularly important aspect of human behavior is how it changes within conglomerations of people, i.e. crowds. In this thesis, a method for modeling crowd behavior is proposed. This method draws inspiration from the concept of behavioral intention and the related forces of attitudes, influences, and social norms. These topics are first defined and detailed, followed by a survey of related research. Next, the model is presented and adapted to three common crowd dynamics, each stressing a different component of behavioral intention. Observations are made about …


Erosion From A Cross Country Gas Pipeline In The Central Appalachians, Bridget Mae Harrison Dec 2011

Erosion From A Cross Country Gas Pipeline In The Central Appalachians, Bridget Mae Harrison

Theses

Increasing energy demand, coupled with the recent emphasis on domestic production, has resulted in an increase in natural gas exploration and pipeline construction in the central Appalachian region. Very little is known about the effects of natural gas pipeline construction on sediment production. The goals of this project were to measure erosion and examine the effects of vegetation and precipitation characteristics on erosion on a newly constructed pipeline in the Fernow Experimental Forest in West Virginia. The study explored whether seed rate, slope class, or aspect, influenced erosion. The cross country pipeline was buried beneath the surface on study hillslopes …


Efficacy Of Tembotrione On Grass Species As Influenced By Herbicides And Adjuvants, Mark A. Waddington Dec 2011

Efficacy Of Tembotrione On Grass Species As Influenced By Herbicides And Adjuvants, Mark A. Waddington

Theses

Field and greenhouse experiments were conducted at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale in 2006 and 2007 to evaluate the herbicide tembotrione for postemergence grass control. Tembotrione inhibits the p-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD) enzyme, which aids in the formation of essential plant constituents for photosynthesis. Tembotrione efficacy was examined in the greenhouse on large crabgrass, giant foxtail, shattercane, and fall panicum. Significant activity that could translate to commercial levels of weed control in the field was found on all species except fall panicum. Greenhouse studies also compared the efficacy of tembotrione, mesotrione, and topramezone which represent the three HPPD-inhibiting herbicides commercially available in U.S. …


Thermal Conductivity Enhancement In Nanofluids -Mathematical Model, Anand Natchimuthu Chinnaraj Dec 2011

Thermal Conductivity Enhancement In Nanofluids -Mathematical Model, Anand Natchimuthu Chinnaraj

Theses

The study on developing a mathematical model for thermal conductivity enhancement in nanofluids was based on formation of nanoparticles into nanoclusters, nanolayer thickness, Brownian motion and volume fraction of nanoclusters. An equation for the thermal conductivity of nanofluids was developed. The expression developed successfully explained the enhanced thermal conductivity of nanofluids and led to some important conclusions. It was found that in this study the nanoparticles tend to form nanoclusters and the volume fraction of the nanoclusters and the trapped fluid in the nanocluster was contributing to the overall thermal conductivity enhancement. Various types of cluster formation was analyzed and …


The Chicago Method Of Excavation At Kincaid, Jessica Ruth Howe Dec 2011

The Chicago Method Of Excavation At Kincaid, Jessica Ruth Howe

Theses

The creation of the University of Chicago archaeological field schools in 1934 at the Kincaid site in southern Illinois resulted in the dissemination of a standard excavation method, often referred to as the "Chicago Method", across the United States, primarily in the East. Before the field schools, there was no standard practice for excavating Eastern archaeological sites and little was written about the excavation methods that were used. During and after the field schools, archaeologists began to use similar excavation methods and also began to keep better records of their fieldwork. This thesis determines exactly what the "Chicago Method" of …


Mechanics Of Interaction, Ryota Takemura Dec 2011

Mechanics Of Interaction, Ryota Takemura

Theses

My work focuses on the senses that we take for granted when we experience art. We often disregard how our bodies work in relation to living our daily lives. In my piece, the Mechanics of Interaction, I highlight the experience of intertwined senses, in particular sight, touch, and sound. My thesis sculpture, the Mechanics of Interaction, is based on an attempt to avoid a purely visual experience of art. I try to redirect the audience away from the hierarchy of senses where sight is privileged. Many artworks tend to accentuate the combination of vision and thought as an "expression." Sight …


Dynamic Partial Reconfiguration For Pipelined Digital Systems— A Case Study Using A Color Space Conversion Engine, Ryan Toukatly Dec 2011

Dynamic Partial Reconfiguration For Pipelined Digital Systems— A Case Study Using A Color Space Conversion Engine, Ryan Toukatly

Theses

In digital hardware design, reconfigurable devices such as Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) allow for a unique feature called partial reconfiguration PR). This refers to the reprogramming of a subset of the reconfigurable logic during active operation. PR allows multiple hardware blocks to be consolidated into a single partition, which can be reprogrammed at run-time as desired. This may reduce the logic circuit (and silicon area) requirements and greatly extend functionality. Furthermore, dynamic partial reconfiguration (DPR) refers to PR that does not halt the system during reprogramming. This allows for configuration to overlap with normal processing, potentially achieving better system …


Determining A Relationship Between Design Characteristics And The End-Of-Life Disposition Of Cellular Phones, Ashley Devierno Dec 2011

Determining A Relationship Between Design Characteristics And The End-Of-Life Disposition Of Cellular Phones, Ashley Devierno

Theses

In recent years, the consumption of consumer electronics has increased rapidly in the United States and across the world. As the consumer electronics industry continues to innovate and turn over new products, older products become obsolete and enter the ever growing electronics waste stream, which was 2.3 million tons in 2007.The increasing volume of electronic waste (e-Waste) has gained the attention of consumers, media outlets, and policy makers across the world. This has put pressure on original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) of consumer electronics to manage their products in an environmentally responsible way at the end of their product lifetimes. It …


Optimal Economic Planning And Control For The Management Of Ecosystems, Kevin Macksamie Dec 2011

Optimal Economic Planning And Control For The Management Of Ecosystems, Kevin Macksamie

Theses

In recent years the interest on sustainable systems has increased significantly. Among the many interested problems, creating and restoring sustainable ecosystems is a challenging and complex problem. One of the fundamental problems within this area is the imbalance between species that have a predator-prey relationship. Solutions involving management have become an integral player in many environments. Management systems typically use ad hoc methods to develop harvesting policies to control the populations of species to desired numbers. In order to amalgamate intelligence and structure, ecological systems require a diverse research effort from three primary fields: ecology, economics, and control theory. In …


Optimization Of Concentrator Gaas Photovoltaic Devices With Inas Quantum Dots Through Substrate Misorientation And Electroplating, Chelsea Mackos Dec 2011

Optimization Of Concentrator Gaas Photovoltaic Devices With Inas Quantum Dots Through Substrate Misorientation And Electroplating, Chelsea Mackos

Theses

Optimization of InAs critical coverage is important to realizing controlled growth in quantum dot devices. Substrate misorientation can change the value of critical coverage but also creates more uniform quantum dots in both size and distribution. Uniform quantum dots are advantageous in concentrator photovoltaic devices due to increases in sub bandgap response. Concentration photovoltaic devices are designed to compete on a cost per watt basis with other terrestrial photovoltaic devices. This benefit can only be utilized if the fabrication process is also cost effective. Concentration devices rely on dense thick Au grid finger design to reduce series resistance, which can …


Probabilistic Framework For Image Understanding Applications Using Bayesian Networks, Mustafa Jaber Dec 2011

Probabilistic Framework For Image Understanding Applications Using Bayesian Networks, Mustafa Jaber

Theses

Machine learning algorithms have been successfully utilized in various systems/devices. They have the ability to improve the usability/quality of such systems in terms of intelligent user interface, fast performance, and more importantly, high accuracy. In this research, machine learning techniques are used in the field of image understanding, which is a common research area between image analysis and computer vision, to involve higher processing level of a target image to "make sense" of the scene captured in it. A general probabilistic framework for image understanding where topics associated with (i) collection of images to generate a comprehensive and valid database, …


Standard Furniture, Adam Rogers Nov 2011

Standard Furniture, Adam Rogers

Theses

I seek simplicity through my intention to establish a particular beauty, a certain calm achieved both visually and through the intangible feel of my furniture - itself simply a reservoir for the collection and ordering of possessions. The result will reflect the balance between the order inherent in the modest furniture forms that follow function and the emphasized personal quality of certain components of the whole. Through exercising restraint in form, the central element is emphasized, thereby omitting the unimportant to magnify the important. I chase an elusive beauty and an ethereal quality in my furniture. I intend to explore …


Differences In Aggression As A Relationship Between Sex And Levels Of Video Game Playing, Kunal Puri Nov 2011

Differences In Aggression As A Relationship Between Sex And Levels Of Video Game Playing, Kunal Puri

Theses

Video games have grown into a multibillion-dollar industry over the past 40 years. A number of studies have been carried out to explain the relationship between playing video games and the different levels of aggression it generates. This pilot study examines the differences in aggression present in males and females following video game playing. The purpose of the study is to explore the relationship between the amount of time spent playing video games and the type of video games played by both males and females with the amount of aggression it stimulates across different sex. The study uses theories like …


Endemic Top Predator Response To Goat Eradication On Santiago Island: The Galapagos Hawk And Its Diet., Jaramillo Cruz Mari Nov 2011

Endemic Top Predator Response To Goat Eradication On Santiago Island: The Galapagos Hawk And Its Diet., Jaramillo Cruz Mari

Theses

The eradication of invasive species is becoming a common approach for the conservation of native communities around the world. The current study is one component of a long-term monitoring of the Galapagos Hawk (Buteo galapagoensis) before, during and after the eradication of goats (Capra hircus) on Santiago Island. As the herbivory pressure was released, we foresaw that the rapid vegetation recovery would affect the hunting success of the Galapagos Hawk on its preferred terrestrial prey. We performed a comparative study on the feeding ecology of the hawk by direct observation of prey delivered to nests pre- (1999-2000) and post-goat eradication …


Seroprevalence Of Malarial Antibodies In Galapagos Penguins (Spheniscus Mendiculus), Jamie Lynn Palmer Nov 2011

Seroprevalence Of Malarial Antibodies In Galapagos Penguins (Spheniscus Mendiculus), Jamie Lynn Palmer

Theses

Introduced diseases such as avian malaria can severely impact the health of small populations and have been the cause of species extinctions. Island species are thought to be more highly susceptible to introduced diseases. These populations have likely evolved in the absence of various pathogens making them immunologically naïve to diseases that occur regularly in mainland species. The Galapagos archipelago still preserves 95% of its species diversity known to have occurred there. The introduction of Haemosporidian parasites in the genus Plasmodium, which cause avian malaria, have had detrimental impacts on naïve populations in other island systems. Until recently, avian malarial …


Consumers' Self-Image Response To Gender Portrayal In Advertising Images, Rebecca Delaney Nov 2011

Consumers' Self-Image Response To Gender Portrayal In Advertising Images, Rebecca Delaney

Theses

Previous empirical research has examined the effect of advertising image idealization on self-image issues, but many of these studies neglect to take into account the effects on men. By developing an experiment to include key components from previous methods of research, the present study investigates the effects of gender portrayal in advertising images. The purpose of this study is to examine consumers' responses to the advertising stimulus, or the advertising images of gender. Inconsistent with past research, findings suggest there is less disparity between men and women's reactions after viewing gender portrayals in advertising images. It is suggested that there …


Parasocial Relationships And Social Media Usage, Christine Phelps Nov 2011

Parasocial Relationships And Social Media Usage, Christine Phelps

Theses

This study investigates the use of social networking sites by media figures, celebrities and celebrity brands and how consumers use and participate in brand communities on these sites. The concept of parasocial relationships has been applied to this medium and studied as a marketing tool to reach consumers and maintain relationships with them. Consumers' use of social networking sites, their participation with celebrity brands via social networking sites, and their feelings toward that celebrity brand and online community are explored. The relationship between consumers' time spent and usage of social networking sites is compared to factors of parasocial relationships as …


You Look Just Like Her, Sara Tkac Nov 2011

You Look Just Like Her, Sara Tkac

Theses

You Look Just Like Her is a process-based photographic installation exploring the limitations of any one media as a means to build a complete narrative. When I discovered that little accurate information could be gleaned about my deceased mother from her collection of family photographs, I interviewed the other participants in the visual family histories. Once the stories were complete, I transformed the visual truth into a fiction of my own by using digital manipulation to become a by-proxy participant in the early years of my mother's life. In order to create an panoptic experience for the viewer, this thesis …


[ ], Megan Metté Nov 2011

[ ], Megan Metté

Theses

[ ] explores the socially constructed notions surrounding a house and a home and those things that are necessary in order to feel at home in the world. As a way to process the feelings associated with being the child of a broken home, I reconfigure the rooms of various houses in an attempt to escape my reality, and enter into an ideal dream space. Both my photographic and video works explore how utopian architecture and the American dream have in some ways influenced my concept of the ideal and my process of making these dreams. In the end, the …


Hypothetical Thermodynamic Properties: Application Of Correlation Gas-Chromatography To The Evaluation Of The Vaporization Enthalpies Of Fluorinated Compounds, Darrell Wayne Hasty Nov 2011

Hypothetical Thermodynamic Properties: Application Of Correlation Gas-Chromatography To The Evaluation Of The Vaporization Enthalpies Of Fluorinated Compounds, Darrell Wayne Hasty

Theses

Relatively little vaporization enthalpy data has been published for fluorinated compounds. The increasing commercial use of fluorinated chemicals and their rapid spreading within our biosphere necessitates a better understanding of their thermodynamic properties and long-term stability. This paper presents an initial attempt at applying correlation gas chromatography (C-GC) to investigate its possible use in deriving the enthalpy of vaporization at 298 K for twenty-seven partially or fully fluorinated compounds. Additionally, the behavior of the n-perfluoroalkanes are examined and compared to their hydrocarbon analogues. Although published data for the n-perfluoroalkanes as a function of the number of carbons appears to be …


The Specialization Of Foreign Assistance In Sub-Saharan Africa, Kevin Michael Richardson Nov 2011

The Specialization Of Foreign Assistance In Sub-Saharan Africa, Kevin Michael Richardson

Theses

This study uses time-series cross-sectional logistic and OLS regressions to analyze data on foreign assistance and governance in Sub-Saharan Africa to determine the impact of different methods of foreign aid on democracy and democratic characteristics in Sub-Saharan Africa. Even though all foreign assistance has the end goal of promoting democratic growth, different aid targeted sectors have varying effects on democracy. The research has found that aid targeting social infrastructure, specifically health and government sectors, in Sub-Saharan Africa has a substantial, positive effect on democracy and democratic characteristics while economic infrastructure aid has no effect. This analysis could have an impact …


An Atmospheric Correction Algorithm For Hyperspectral Imagery, Lee Sanders Nov 2011

An Atmospheric Correction Algorithm For Hyperspectral Imagery, Lee Sanders

Theses

Radiometrically calibrated hyperspectral imagery contains information relating to the material properties of a surface target and the atmospheric layers between the surface target and the sensor. All atmospheric layers contain well-mixed molecular gases, aerosol particles, and water vapor, and information about these constituents may be extracted from hyperspectral imagery by using specially designed algorithms. This research describes a total sensor radiance-to-ground reflectance inversion program. An equivalent surface-pressure depth can be extracted using the NLLSSF technique on the 760nm oxygen band. Two different methods (APDA, and NLLSSF) can be used to derive total columnar water vapor using the radiative transfer model …


Rna-Sequencing Analysis From The Triceps Muscle Of Normal And Myostatin-Deficient Mice Using Various Tools, Richard Rodrigues Nov 2011

Rna-Sequencing Analysis From The Triceps Muscle Of Normal And Myostatin-Deficient Mice Using Various Tools, Richard Rodrigues

Theses

RNA-Sequencing technologies are being used to determine the single nucleotide polymorphisms, insertions, deletions and gene expression. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of myostatin in the triceps muscles of mice using 65 bases single-end RNA-Sequencing data from the Illumina platform. Another aim was to analyze alternative splicing events for differentially expressed genes in the above data. Finally, commercially available and open source software packages were compared for their splice junction detection abilities. CASAVA was used for determining the exon, gene and splice junction counts. Partek Genomic Suite was used to perform a two-way analysis of variance …


Relics, Rex Kalehoff Nov 2011

Relics, Rex Kalehoff

Theses

RELICS is a group of familiar, yet evocative objects, handcrafted in wood. Inspired by first-hand experiences living abroad, each sculpture aims to represent the physical remains and ideologies of past cultures around the world. The work reflects gently on universal themes of cultural persistence and survival, and presents a thoughtful investigation into our current patterns of living. My message is in support of a sustainable future, celebrating diversity, and nurturing nature.


War Letters: A Thematic Approach And Comparison Of Military Letters From World War Ii And The Vietnam War, Jeanne Yamonaco Nov 2011

War Letters: A Thematic Approach And Comparison Of Military Letters From World War Ii And The Vietnam War, Jeanne Yamonaco

Theses

Letters, a form of mediated interpersonal communication, provide readers and writers the opportunity to transcend space and time. Letters can also serve as a permanent record of communicated information. The present study compares themes of selected letters written by soldiers from two wars: World War II and Vietnam. Two research questions are posed: What are the themes expressed in soldiers` letters? Is there a difference in themes that relate to the particular war fought? This study analyzed 202 letters written by military personnel from both World War II and the Vietnam War. After content analysis of the 10 most prevalent …


Let’S Go Viral ! Bye-Bye Graffiti Vandalism : Using Outdoor Building Projection To Secure Attention About Scribbling Habits On Public Properties, Jae Yeon Song Nov 2011

Let’S Go Viral ! Bye-Bye Graffiti Vandalism : Using Outdoor Building Projection To Secure Attention About Scribbling Habits On Public Properties, Jae Yeon Song

Theses

The synthesis of design with human behavior in everyday life is a designer's fate. Overall, designers have been seeking the most effective approaches to communicate with humans. As a designer, observing human behavior and finding relationships between patterns of human behavior and my current design field is the most significant concern. In my thesis project, I pointed out one of the human behaviors that has an immoral and careless aspect such as scribbling habits on public properties. Additionally, I tested how I could bring and spread this issue more effectively by utilizing computer graphic design discipline. "Bye-Bye Graffiti Vandalism" is …


Water Availability, Carbon-Based Plant Defenses, And The Outcome Of Tritrophic Interactions In An Ant-Plant Mutualism, John Craft Flunker Nov 2011

Water Availability, Carbon-Based Plant Defenses, And The Outcome Of Tritrophic Interactions In An Ant-Plant Mutualism, John Craft Flunker

Theses

There have been few studies that examine the influence of soil water content on the outcome of interactions between ants, insect herbivores, and extrafloral nectary (EFN)-producing plants despite the potential of soil water to alter such interactions. Here I asked two questions: 1) Does water availability mediate the phenotypic expression of EFN, chemical and physical defenses? 2) Does water availability influence the outcome of tritrophic interactions between ants, herbivores, and EFN producing plants? Plants of Chamaecrista fasciculata (Fabaceae) growing naturally in a remnant prairie were randomly assigned to water addition or control and ant removal or control in a two …