Digital Commons Network^™

The Abundance And Biodiversity Of Arthropods In Biofuel Crops: Insects And Arachnids In Corn, Switchgrass And Native Mixed Grass Prairie Fields, Caitlin Kempski

Theses

Concerns about fossil fuel prices and harmful effects have prompted research and investment in biofuel development. Biofuels have the potential to provide a stable fuel source that reduces carbon emissions. However, the ecological impacts of different crop choices should be examined. Arthropod communities in corn and switchgrass monocultures and mixed grass prairie polycultures were examined to determine the impact of the crop choice on the arthropod communities. Results show that, when compared to corn and switchgrass fields, mixed grass prairie fields had higher values for arthropod biomass, number, size, the number of orders present, the number of individuals in each …

Improved Economic Feasibility Of Green Energy And Fuel Production Through Wastewater Based Microalgae Growth, Cole Adams

Theses

A growing concern of the impacts from carbon emitting fuels has lead to the development of potentially carbon natural biofuels in the form of biodiesel, bioethanol, and biogas. Unfortunately, first generation sources such as corn, palm, and soy, have not been able to meet the needs of an environmental friendly fuel. In response, microalgae have been proposed by many as an alternative, with the potential to overcome many of the limitations of the first generation sources. Biofuel production from microalgae, however, has not been economically competitive with other petroleum based fuel, and has environmental issues of its own. The viability …

Artist Material Brdf Database For Computer Graphics Rendering, Justin Ashbaugh

Theses

The primary goal of this thesis was to create a physical library of artist material samples. This collection provides necessary data for the development of a gonio-imaging system for use in museums to more accurately document their collections. A sample set was produced consisting of 25 panels and containing nearly 600 unique samples. Selected materials are representative of those commonly used by artists both past and present. These take into account the variability in visual appearance resulting from the materials and application techniques used. Five attributes of variability were identified including medium, color, substrate, application technique and overcoat. Combinations of …

Hawa, Arzouma Kompaore

Theses

The graduate thesis film Hawa is a 29-minute drama about an immigrant African couple in the grip of their "American-dream" and mutual disillusion. When Hawa realizes having a baby is no longer a priority for her husband, she starts questioning the meaning of their ten years of marriage and, most importantly, what is in it for her. She eventually finds herself caught between the old Hawa, the typical African woman swearing by her husband's name, and a new Hawa, westernized and independent. The film was shot on the Red One MX camera in 4K with Zeiss lenses, and edited entirely …

Population Modeling With Delay Differential Equations, Shawna Nelson

Theses

We investigate a delay differential equation system version of a model designed to describe finite time population collapse.

The most commonly utilized population models are presented, including their strengths, weaknesses and limitations.

We introduce the Basener-Ross model, and implement the Hopf bifurcation test to identify whether there is a Hopf bifurcation in this system.

We attempt to improve upon the Basener-Ross model (which uses ordinary differential equations) by introducing delay differential equations to account for the gestational period of humans.

We utilize the singularity-removing transformation of the original Basener-Ross system for the delay differential equation system as well. The new …

Usefulness Of Teaching Security Awareness For Middle School Students, Hani Alhejaili

Theses

Technology and the Internet bring many benefits to students. Studies show that technology and the available online resources encourage inquiry and support student success in schools. However, there are many threats to middle school students as a result of the misuse of technology. I believe that teaching security awareness for middle school students through an online interactive program is essential for reducing the risks that could affect them. The online interactive program should be multilingual, completely visual, continually updating, and suitable for both students and their families. Since many efforts have been made to minimize the risks, it has become …

Understanding Effects Of Presentation On Concept Learning In Technology Supported Learning, Nivedita Singh

Theses

The world of technology has had a significant impact on learning and instructional domain. Today, a large number of devices and software are specifically designed to afford faster and effective learning and instruction. They have not only erased the physical boundaries to resources in education but have also helped create new interactions and engagements for learners and instructors. With this changed scenario, the content or instructional material also needs our attention to become usable and compatible with the changed learning styles and preferences of the learners today. Not only does the content need to seamlessly integrate with the delivery methodology …

Information In Formation: Cognition Inspired Objects And Furniture, Katherine Marsh

Theses

For this thesis, I intend to identify subject matters that reflect my interpretation of modern, relevant accounts about the world. Through research into the chosen subjects, I will gather related data and observations. This information will be processed to formulate relationships and narrative. Such graphic displays of information for these stories will be my inspiration. My interpretations will be further realized visually through my design process. Archetypes of the proposed furniture or object will be chosen based on the potential relationship between them and the chosen narrative topic. Visual abstractions and patterns will emerge from inspiration derived from the topographical …

Natural Navigation In Space And Time, Dmitriy Bespalov

Theses

Faculty at the Department of Computer Science at RIT had developed the Spiegel, a scientific data visualization framework. The system needed a natural interface to control 3D data visualizations in real-time. This thesis describes an extendable system for testing remote control interfaces for 3-dimensional virtual spaces. We had developed and compared 4 remote controls: multi-touch TouchPad, gyroscope-based GyroPad, wearable Data Glove, and Kinect-based Hands controller. Our research study revealed TouchPad as the most natural remote control.

Integration Technologies For Implantable Microsystems, Dean Johnson

Theses

Microsystems targeted for implantation require careful consideration of power, thermals, size, reliability, and biocompatibility. The presented research explored appropriate integration technologies for an implantable drug delivery system suitable for use in mice weighing less than 20 grams. Microsystems technology advancements include in situ pump diaphragm formation; integrated, low volume microfluidic coupling technologies; and incorporation of a low voltage, low-power pump actuation with a zero-power off state. Utility of the developed integration technologies have been tested through in vitro reliability and validation experiments. A four-chamber peristaltic pump was created using micromachining (e.g. thin film deposition and Si etching) and direct write …

Dreams And Memories, Sarah Arditti

Theses

In this document I analyze my work, process, and the success or failure of each piece in a body of artwork completed for the Masters of Fine Arts in Fine Arts Studio at Rochester Institute of Technology. My artwork explores personal dreams and memories through experimentation with material, color, technique and form. The works, a combination of paintings and objects, are each connected to a dream or memory and convey a paradox between reality versus illusion, or a sense of detachment from the real world.

Enzymatic Production Of Biodiesel From Fats Extracted From Lamb Meat Using Supercritical Co2, Hanifa Easa Taher

Theses

Due to the reduction in fossil fuel reserves and associated environmental impacts from using petroleum fuels, biodiesel has been presented as a feasible alternative because it is sustainable and environmentally friendly. In this study, it is proposed to investigate the feasibility of enzymatic production of biodiesel from waste animal fats using supercritical fluid technology for the extraction and reaction. The operating conditions that resulted in the optimum extraction and biodiesel production yield were identified. To the best of my knowledge of the investigators, the waste animal fat extracted by supercritical CO₂ (SC-CO₂) for the production of biodiesel …

Role Of Smarcad1 In Human Breast Cancer Cell Proliferation, Colony Growth, Migration And Invasion, Elham M. Al-Kubaisy

Theses

Breast cancer is the most common cancer seen in women worldwide accounting for more than 1.3 million cases and 458 000 deaths a year worldwide. Breast cancer patients are at high risk of recurrence in the form of metastatic disease. Genes associated with invasion and metastasis provides an aggressive edge in proliferation and growth during colonization of the metastatic site. The SMARCAD1 (SWI/SNF-related, Matrix-associated, Actin-dependent Regulator of Chromatin, containing DEAD/H box 1) protein is the human homolog of yeast Fun30 (Function Unknown Now 30) proteins. These proteins are members of the Snf2 helicase motif-containing protein families, and are known to …

Finite Element Modeling Of Temperature Elevation Due To Nir Exposure In Neural Tissue, Atabek Can Yucel

Theses

Near infrared (NIR) lasers have been used in various types of medical applications. Heating is one of the most important concerns in the neural tissue when illuminated with NIR light. Rodent models are frequently used to study laser-tissue interactions. As a part of ongoing research project in the neural interface laboratory, direct measurements of temperature in the rat brain cortex as a response to a pulsed sequence of NIR laser beam are available. In this thesis, finite element modeling approach is used to model and simulate the temperature elevation in neural tissue under the effect of NIR laser pulsing. Steady …

Nir Light Transmission Through Skin And Muscle, Deniz Ozgulbas

Theses

Light has been used extensively in the medical field for both therapeutic and diagnostic applications. Tissue optical window or therapeutic window defines the range of wavelengths where the light has the maximum transmittance through tissue. In this range, absorption and scattering effects are relatively lower when compared to the visible or middle infrared wavelengths. Knowledge of the transmittance through tissue can help determine the effective light intensities in medical applications.

The objective of this thesis is to determine the NIR light transmission through different thicknesses of animal tissue and its spatial spread due to the scattering effect. Primarily pork skin …

Deer Impact And Plant Resistance Traits, Xueyang Fan

Theses

White-tail deer (Odocoileus virginianus), a generalist herbivore, are widely considered to influence ecological communities, ecosystems and human wellbeing by foraging preferentially on certain plant species. Previous research has shown that high deer density can change the relative abundance of tree species in forest communities. Furthermore, some evidence shows that resistance traits of plants can influence plant photosynthetic ability which is an important factor in an ecosystem. The purpose of this experiment is to test whether plant resistance traits can change within species when they are exposed to high levels of deer herbivores. The experiment, established in 1979, enclosed …

Allegories Through Material, Ian Bassett

Theses

Through my experience I have found that all things have a function. I am particularly drawn to the utilitarian object and it's ability to transform the world around us. Nails, bricks, writing quills and various other functional objects have had a profound affect on the development of humans. These objects, which were created out of need, have propelled humans on an evolutionary process allowing for mechanical advantages, that then allow for growth. The utilitarian object has the ability, through symbol and metaphor, to articulate my personal interests in words, language, labor, time, perceptions, and value. I am re-interpreting and re-contextualizing …

Lady Bits, Kristina Starr

Theses

In this thesis, the focus is on issues of identity, feminism, notions of beauty, the gendered body, and performance. I created an alter ego Lily de L'Etoile based on the Jewish Mythology of Lilith, to act as the performer in this work. Through the use of photography, video and performance I explore the notion that one's identity is formed and affected by outside factors, such as the media, and pop culture. I look at how these outside factors affect one's self-perception and permeate our lives. Key artists discussed in dialog with this work are Joan Jonas, Cindy Sherman, Libby Rowe, …

Sobject, Warren Iii Lloyd

Theses

Attempting to find a solution to the problem of how to make art that is both critical yet participatory, sobject explores subject/object relations within the development of the medical gaze in the history of medico-clinical perception and Modern Art. Sobject works both analytically, tracing these apparently parallel developments, and synthetically as it forms a methodological approach from the interpolating spaces of each. It locates and analyzes histories of objective instrumentation between subjects and objects, then works to open and redistribute these into new possibilities. It does this by developing an artistic practice that engages with contemporary forms of institutionalized instrumentation, …

Deconstruction In Nature, Joseph Tarantelli

Theses

This paper describes the development of the artwork I created for my Thesis exhibition for an MFA in Fine Arts Studio at Rochester Institute of Technology. My initial inspiration to create came from the landscape. After finding a local scene that showed the growth of life in nature, I would paint the scene outside, or inside using a photo reference. In the winter of 2010, I used warm brown under paintings to contrast the subsequent layers of paint needed to depict the cold climate. As I painted, I worked to convey a unique interpretation of nature. The palette knife allowed …

Living Fossil, Ben Gilberg

Theses

Living Fossil is a series of still lifes and portraits exploring the language of photography with curiosity and play, formal vision and descriptive candor. It looks at the speculative of materiality and spectacle in image making. This series prescribes new functionality to familiar subjects, challenging a viewer's perceptions of scale, time, significance and artfulness. The photographs document improvised temporal combinations in the construction of narrative and visual puns. Depicting the ordinary in an unfamiliar way, this series looks for beauty in indeterminacy and moments of personal catharsis in the absurd.

Exitus Acta Probat, Zachary John Taillie

Theses

There are many ways in which to tell a story. Through the years humans have told stories by speaking them, writing them and through visual art forms. Stories can define and/or reveal the limits of a person, a place, a movement, or a thought. My art work has been inspired by human stories. My thinking has been shaped by events which I feel the need to communicate through my work. I am not alone in understanding the many meanings of things at the different and deeper levels thought.

My thesis work is generated from a multitude of sources that over …

Emotion In Motion: A Study On Representation Of Sculpture And Body Form By The Theme Of Human Emotion In Motion, Jiwon Han

Theses

This thesis explores the relationship between human emotion and physical expression. The ultimate objective is to communicate essential aspects of the human condition in order to improve understanding and appreciation of our common attributes. In this way, this study is intended to establish artistic identity of the human being through imaginative expressions. In the introduction, essential aspects of specific human emotions and the corresponding physical expressions will be identified. For my initial research, I studied the work of various inspiring artists in their portrayal of human emotions. I attempted to identify the expressions and techniques they used to communicate human …

Flutter-By Interactive Butterfly: Using Interactivity To Excite And Educate Children About Butterflies And The National Museum Of Play At The Strong’S Dancing Wings Butterfly Garden, Lydia Powers

Theses

The National Museum of Play at The Strong's Dancing Wings Butterfly Garden is a tropical rainforest that allows visitors to step into the world of butterflies, but lacks a more comprehensive educational element to teach visitors additional information about butterflies. Flutter-by Interactive Butterfly is a thesis project designed to enhance younger visitors' experience of the Dancing Wings Butterfly Garden with an interactive educational application that aligns with The Strong's mission of encouraging learning, creativity, and discovery. This was accomplished through a series of fun and educational games and animations, designed for use as a kiosk outside the garden and as …

Coup D'Oeil, Stephanie Quarto

Theses

coup d'oeil translates as "stroke of eye;" it also means a sudden blink or glimpse. It was used as a military term referring to a general's ability to assess with a single glance the advantages and disadvantages of a battlefield. I have titled this thesis coup d'oeil because it addresses the general lack of strategy and analysis by viewers of popular images. Images are omnipresent; they guide and influence humanity. They are not inherently adversarial, but when they assault both our conscious and unconscious minds, they can be extremely influential and destructive. The images in this thesis are similarly made …

Tailored Type: Studying The Effects Of Typography In Clothing Brand Personalities, Rita Yu

Theses

Understanding how typography influences consumer perception and brand reception is important to successfully employ typographic strategies that positively influence consumers. Utilizing typography to effectively express the intended meaning through text and perception requires extensive thought and skill. The purpose of this thesis was to examine whether specific typefaces used for clothing brands deliver particular brand personality traits. An online survey investigating this relationship between typography and clothing brand personality was created and made available to voluntary participants. A total of 251 usable data sets were collected and statistically analyzed. The findings of this study provided an insight on the association …

Towards A Characterization Of Wetland Invasive Vegetation Using A Combination Of Field And Remote Sensing Techniques, Nicole Dutcher

Theses

Creation of compensatory wetlands has been required in the U.S. since the late 1980s in an attempt to offset the massive decline in freshwater wetlands. To meet permitting requirements, vegetation composition in mitigation wetlands must be monitored for a minimum of five years following creation. Unfortunately, mitigated wetlands often lack the functionality of natural wetlands and may form hotspots for invasive plant species. However, wetland assessment is a time-consuming process that may also disturb fragile nascent plant communities. Thus there is a need for approaches that minimize disturbance, but still enable the collection of data over large portions of the …

An Investigation Of Electrochemomechanical Actuation Of Conductive Polyacrylonitrile (Pan) Nanofiber Composites, Mark Gonzalez

Theses

A polymer-based nanofiber composite actuator designed for linear actuation was fabricated by electrospinning, actuated by electrolysis, and characterized by electrical and mechanical testing to address performance limitations and understand the activation processing effects on actuation performance. Currently, Electroactive polymers (EAPs) have provided uses in sensory and actuation technology, but have either low force output or expand rather than contract, falling short in capturing the natural motion and function of muscle desperately needed to provide breakthroughs in the bio-medical and robotic fields. Previous research has shown activated Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fibers having biomimetic functionalities similar to the sarcomere contraction responsible for muscle …

Eye Scream For Candy, Aaron Ramsier

Theses

Eye Scream for Candy is an animated graduate thesis film that chronicles a boy's unplanned evening adventure and the creatures and confusion that drive this outing. It was produced using industry standard 2D, 3D, and audio software. The following paper addresses the journey taken to produce this film, including, Original Concepts, Goals, Styles and Influences, Production Pipeline, Experience, and Screenings. Additional materials are included to further demonstrate both the paths taken, and not taken.

Hyperspectral Monitoring Of Chemically Sensitive Plant Sensors, Danielle Simmons

Theses

Current events clearly demonstrate that chemical and biological threats against the public are very real. Automated detection of chemical threats is a necessary component of a system that provides early warning of an attack. Plant biologists are currently developing genetically engineered plants that de-green in the presence of explosives (i.e. TNT) in their environment. The objectives of this thesis are to study the spectral reflectance phenomenology of the plant sensors and to propose requirements for an operational monitoring system using spectral imaging technology. Hyperspectral data were collected under laboratory conditions to determine the key spectral regions in the reflectance spectra …