Digital Commons Network^™

Growth Behavior Of Fibroblasts Influenced By Small Changes In Polymer Structure, Saraswathi Doddi

Theses

Polymers are a promising class of biomaterials that can be engineered to meet specific end use requirements. The order and processing history of the polymer, which would alter the molecular orientation of the material could have a significant contribution towards cellular attachment and in turn, cell growth on the particular polymer. Surface properties of the material were considered to directly influence the properties of the adherent cells including cellular growth and reorganization. The present study is aimed at comparing cell growth on polyarylates with that of polylactic acid in their original state or by introducing small changes in the surface …

Multifractal Analysis Of Heart Rate Variability Using Wavelet-Transform Modulus-Maxima Method, Chirag Jani

Theses

Physiological signals are complex and carry information of human health. Recent studies reveal that under normal conditions, the heart rate time series shows multifractal behavior. In contrast, HRV in the pathological state such as congestive heart failure exhibits more monofractal-like structure. Recent advances in the assessment of heart rate variability (HRV) uses a nonlinear dynamics approach. In this study, the main objective is to use the wavelet-transform modulus-maxima method for the multifractal analysis of the heart rate time senes.

The degree of the multifractality is defined by the singularities (a point in time series where a mathematical function is not …

In Vitro Evaluation Of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cell Neural Differentiation On Tyrsine-Derived Polyarylates And Polycarbonates, Yee-Shuan Lee

Theses

Present spinal cord injury treatments cannot restore motor and sensory functions caused by the injury. These functions can return in the hopes of repairing the neural cells with a tissue engineered designed scaffold complex. The scaffold complex will include cells to repair and replace the damaged cells.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are multipotent adult stem ells that are capable of differentiating along several lineage pathways. Neural stem cell and MSC differentiating along the neural lineage bave been investigated both in vivo and in vitro depicting its feasibility. MSC for neural differentiation can be achieved by microenvironmental signaling. Substrate surface characteristics …

Combined Effects Of Prozac And Hypothalmic Mediated Response On Masseter Muscle Activity In The Cat, Chika P. Nwaorgu

Theses

The present study tested the hypothesis that infusion of Prozac would serve to suppress defensive rage elicited from the medial hypothalamus of the cat. Cats are known to exhibit certain kind of behavior, known as the "defensive rage response" such as unsheathing of the claws, retraction of the ear and vocalization (hissing).

Three adult cats (2 males and 1 female) weighing (2.8 - 3.4 kg) were utilized during the experiments. Cannula-electrodes were implanted into the medial hypothalamus for elicitation of defensive rage behavior. EMG activity was recorded with a bipolar electrode attached to the masseter muscle to establish baseline before …

Parts-Based Object Detection Using Multiple Views, David Higgs

Theses

One of the most important problems in image understanding is robust object detection. Small changes in object appearance due to illumination, viewpoint, and occlusion can drastically change the performance of many object detection methods. Non-rigid object can be even more difficult to reliably detect. The unique contribution of this thesis was to extend the approach of parts-based object detection to include support for multiple viewing angles. Bayesian networks were used to integrate the parts detection of each view in a flexible manner, so that the experimental performance of each part detector could be incorporated into the decision. The detectors were …

Constructed Memories, Biffy Borg

Theses

Memories, like the gelatin that coats our photographs, affix themselves to precious family images. These photographs provide us with stories either remembered or retold. However, similar to the actual memories, the photographs only provide a partial story. A moment in time captured on film. Once the shutter clicks, once the moment takes place, it is gone, and those within the borders of the frame no longer exist. Once the moment is over, it begins to recede into memory. The preciseness of detail begins to mutate. Therefore, both the memory and image are suspect.

Through my thesis work, I explore this …

Quest For Balance, Holly Brown

Theses

This thesis project is documented in two separate parts. The first part consists of the exploratin and execution of six sculptures. The second is in the form of a written thesis, which will discuss the transformation of an idea, my influences, a body of work and the beginning of a visual voice. This project centers on the idea of a visceral state versus an intellectual state as part of the human condition. My interest lies in the interaction between these two states and how we as individuals balance them. For this project I classified an intellectual state to revolve around …

Vision-Based Hand Shape Identification For Sign Language Recognition, Jonathan Rupe

Theses

This thesis introduces an approach to obtain image-based hand features to accurately describe hand shapes commonly found in the American Sign Language. A hand recognition system capable of identifying 31 hand shapes from the American Sign Language was developed to identify hand shapes in a given input image or video sequence. An appearance-based approach with a single camera is used to recognize the hand shape. A region-based shape descriptor, the generic Fourier descriptor, invariant of translation, scale, and orientation, has been implemented to describe the shape of the hand. A wrist detection algorithm has been developed to remove the forearm …

Sparklines As Effective Graphics, George Francy

Theses

This research explores a method of graphical display called a sparkline. Sparklines are a valid method to convey statistical information, supported by an easy familiarity among users and a desire, expressed by information design expert Edward Tufte, for greater density in data display. The subject is examined in light of the broader concept of the integration of pictures and text, tracing this tradition back to medieval illuminated texts, through history to Galileo, and to such diverse modem techniques as emoticons. The historical perspective is expanded upon through an examination of perception theory and implications for data graphics. Ethical issues of …

Stereo Vision Algorithm Using Propagation Of Correspondences Along An Array Of Cameras, Danyan Ganjali

Theses

One well known problem in stereo vision is the trade-off between precision and accuracy.

In a conventional two camera model, as the baseline separating the two cameras becomes smaller, the images that both cameras produce become more identical. This results in a more accurate set of correspondences, however at the same time causing less precise depth measurement due to the small angle used for triangulation. Similarly, in a larger baseline model, the depth measurement is more precise while the correspondences are not as accurate as of the shorter baseline model. This thesis proposes a method that promises to solve the …

Ambulatory Biopotential Measurement, Lakshmi Chitra Penugonda

Theses

Biopotential signals measure the electrical activity of different parts of the body. Conventional bedside monitors only provide information about the body under restricted conditions. Observation and documentation of biopotential signal during daily activities and the relation to patient symptoms may be important factors for clinical decision-making. Ambulatory monitoring helps to monitor the biopotential signal of a patient in the natural environment. The effective ambulatory system can help a physician to diagnose the patient's abnormality.

In this project, a low cost and flexible ambulatory biopotential system, compared to the commercially available systems, was designed and tested. Concurrently a software program was …

Difference-Expansion Based Reversible Data Hiding And Its Steganalysis, Guangsen Tian

Theses

A novel reversible data embedding method was reported in a recent IEEE journal article. The method was based on difference expansion (DE) technique. It used redundancy in digital images to achieve a high embedding capacity, while keeping visual distortion of the stego-image low. In this thesis, this technique was studied and experimentally evaluated. An effective steganalysis scheme for this DE-based reversible data embedding method was proposed, which used 12-dimensional feature vectors and a Bayes Classifier. The proposed steganalysis scheme steadily achieved a correct classification rate of 99%.

Enabling Cost Aware Routing With Auctions In Wireless Ad-Hoc Networks, Ali Yuksel

Theses

Battery power is a precious resource in wireless ad-hoc networks, and most routing protocols that have been proposed so far do not generate cost efficient routes. In this thesis, a novel auction-based cost-aware routing scheme, called CARA, is presented. CARA is designed as an extension of the MAC layer, and is shown to improve the cost efficiency of existing ad-hoc routing protocols through dynamic power control, while introducing only minimal additional overhead. The MAC layer at each node is given the capability to run local sealed-bid second-price auctions for the user data packets that need to be transmitted, and to …

Relationship Between The Autonomic Nervous System And The Recovering Heart Post Exercise Using Heart Rate Variability, Pierre Asselin

Theses

The goal of this thesis is to determine if a relationship exists between the activity of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and the speed of heart rate recovery post maximal exercise. The parasympathetic branch of the ANS was assessed during rest by obtaining the high frequency (HF) component of the heart rate variability (HRV) frequency spectrum. The recovery time was estimated by fitting an exponential curve to the heart rate post exercise where the exponent was used to calculate the time constant to indicate recovery time. A regression was then performed on the HF and recovery time in order to …

The Visualization Of Time, Li Huai Chang

Theses

"Time" is a broad issue which has various kinds of solutions to deal with in design. The Visualization of Time takes time concept and integrates visualization for communication. I explore both concrete and abstract concept of time and intend to create an interactive environment bringing users a dynamic visual experience.

The concrete concept of time discusses the power of time in nature. Think about the floating Time River brings days and nights, changes the tinges of nature in seasons. I, therefore, decided to create a visual Chinese garden to express time magic. Image Integration, storytelling, motion graphics are incorporated in …

Corporate Identity: The Reasons For Change, Kwiryun Kim

Theses

Not Included

The Improvised Line, Edward Buscemi

Theses

Not Included

Just Business, Cara Paul

Theses

Not Included

Vision Application Of Human Robot Interaction: Development Of A Ping Pong Playing Robotic Arm, Kalpesh Prakash Modi

Theses

Robotics is a science that is implemented parallel to human behavior. This work describes and implements techniques to mathematically model the game of ping pong played by the humans, and utilization of these methods in the design and development of a ping pong playing robotic arm as an application of robotic vision. Displaced frame difference (DFD) is used to segment the ball motion from background motion and parametric calibration of single CCD camera is utilized to track the ball in three dimensions. This visual information is temporally updated and further applied to guide a robot arm to hit the ball …

Deposition Of Inhaled Particles In A Symptomatic Asthmatic Human Respiratory Tract, John N. Diflorio

Theses

Inhalation medicinal aerosol and biological aerosol risk assessment are the current motivation for deposition models to be developed. Inhalation aerosols have been around for many years for the treatment of asthma and other respiratory ailments in which the aerosols targeted the upper airways. Current research is focused to target the alveolar sacs due to their vast surface area for drug and gene delivery. Targeting the alveolar sacs Corkery (2000) requires a slow and deep breathing pattern for maximum deposition at the alveolar units. Also the particles must be fairly small (1-3 µm) to avoid deposition by impaction. Gautam et al. …

Understanding The Cognitive Aspects Of Human Error Will Increase The Usability Of User Interfaces., Sara V. Fuller

Theses

Understanding the cognitive aspects of human error will increase the usability of user interfaces. It is important to study the cognitive aspects of human error because many disasters have been attributed to operator errors. Creating usable interfaces that reduce the likelihood of error will save industries a great deal of money and may even save human lives. A greater understanding of human errors can be obtained by examining the psychological basis of errors, the methods used to study errors, some of the problems associated with studying errors and different types of errors. Next, the current research findings can then be …

Nanotechnology: An Assessment Of Current Occupational Health And Safety Issues, Brian Mcshane

Theses

Nanotechnology is a rapidly expanding field and is expected to revolutionize many existing industries and create entirely new ones. Presently, and to a greater extent in the future, there is potential for occupational exposure to free forms of these materials in research and development labs and industrial processes. Free nanomaterials may pose a significant health risk to those exposed as described by recent preliminary data on nanomaterials but also through the work addressing exposures to ultrafine particles both in the workplace and in ambient air. There are presently no published health and safety guidelines for working with nanomaterials. This paper …

Evaluation Of Remanufacturing As A Production Alternative To Reduce The Magnitude Of Environmental Impacts Using Traci, Marielk Del Mariano Martinez

Theses

As a result of many environmental problems associated with industrial activities and manufacturing applications, several production strategies have been evaluated to reduce the magnitude of ecological impacts. Through remanufacturing, the physical form of the product is retained along with its economic value, offering a viable option to address actual ecological problems that result from production practices. One of the instruments used to evaluate process performance and product generation is Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). However, to date, all software packages used to conduct LCA have failed to incorporate remanufacturing as a production alternative. The EPA's TRACI software package utilized in this …

Instruction Of Throwing Events In Track And Field : An Historical Analysis, Marilyn Louise Coleman

Theses

Track and field throwing events (discus, javelin, hammer and shot put), originating in ancient Greece and pre-Medieval Ireland and Scotland, require complex physical interaction. An historical analysis of the features of traditional media which have been used as coaching tools in these events - books, video, audio, diagrams, photographs and hypertext - provides the foundation on which future multimedia tools can be developed.

Variables associated with effective coaching are based on technique, science, use of expert models, and motor learning theory. Training in these events is enhanced through the use of multimedia, a tool uniquely suited to the variables of …

Next Generation Satellite Orbital Control System, Thomas Gerard Nowak

Theses

Selection of the correct software architecture is vital for building successful software-intensive systems. Its realization requires important decisions about the organization of the system and by and large permits or prevents a system's acceptance and quality attributes such as performance and reliability. The correct architecture is essential for program success while the wrong one is a formula for disaster.

In this investigation, potential software architectures for the Next Generation Satellite Orbital Control System (NG-SOCS) are developed from compiled system specifications and a review of existing technologies. From the developed architectures, the recommended architecture is selected based on real-world considerations that …

Labview Controlled Study Of The Propagation Properties Of Ultrasound In Synthetic Fog Environment, Aparna Venkataraman

Theses

Diagnostic ultrasound employs pulsed, high frequency sound waves that are reflected back from body tissues and processed by ultrasound receivers to create characteristic images in varied applications such as cardiology, obstetrics and gynecology neurology and urology. Ultrasound intensity is primarily affected by the changes in acoustic impedance of the medium. Literature on ultrasound indicates that the propagation of ultrasound increases gradually as the density increases from air to water. Such studies have been confined to only the three states of matter and have never discussed a fog medium.

The primary objective of this thesis study was to design a system …

Parameter Based Synthesis Of Sign Language, Amanda Irving

Theses

The primary objective of this project is to demonstrate synthesis of signs in American Sign Language with a finite number of parameters. The parameters in this method include 22 key locations, six location modifiers, six orientation indicators, 46 hand shapes, six predefined movements and seven possible end effectors. These parameters can be used in conjunction with a computer script and they maximize precision and versatility while minimizing development time and resources. The parameters for each sign are stored in an individual text file averaging approximately half a kilobyte.

The success of this project is demonstrated using UGS's Jack Software, Version …

Video Games: Changing The Way We Think Of Home Entertainment, Eri Shulga

Theses

In this paper the various aspects of video games in modern day households will be discussed. According to marketing trends, video games will be extremely influential in the future of home entertainment, however not all gaming companies are able to understand the importance of this growing trend deep enough to make an effort in producing family-oriented¹ video games [43, par. 2]. The need for more varied video games will be discussed in this paper and examples of successful family games will be used to solidify research conclusions.

There are issues that are clearly holding the video gaming industry back …

Investigation Of Sculpture And The Whimsy Of Control, Kenneth Theodore Schmidt

Theses

Not included.

Innards, Mclain Zylwitis

Theses

Not included.