Digital Commons Network^™

Environmentally-Integrated Optimization Modeling Of Intermodal Freight Transportation: An Application Of The I-95 Corridor Region, Jill Hatcher

Theses

Freight transportation is essential to economic health in the United States in that it transports all types of goods and materials that support commerce and meet consumer demands. However, the literature strongly suggests that the demand for freight transportation is expected to increase, and at a rate that exceeds the capacities to support such demand. The national highway network was built to accommodate a far smaller national population, and its limited capacity and expansion, coupled with a strong and steady population increase over the last century has borne a myriad of congested highways, increased travel time, increased transportation costs, and …

Mobile Phones As A Social Medium For The Deaf: A Uses And Gratifications Study, Katelyn D. Ecker

Theses

New communications technologies include mobile phones that now provide access to the Internet and text messaging. The present study used the conceptual framework set forth by past uses and gratifications research and shifted focus to the media needs of one specific population: the deaf and hard-of-hearing. Past literature focused on the uses and gratifications of traditional media, but less is known about the consumption of new media by deaf people. Using a convenience sample of hearing and deaf students at RIT, findings from an e-mailed survey instrument showed deaf and hard-of-hearing students were more likely to use instant messaging and …

Time-Measuring Device: Making Your Own History Of Remembrance Box With Childhood’S Physical Growth, Sang Hee Huh

Theses

Memories, for most of us, are precious indeed. Reminiscing helps us recall long gone events and a wide range of emotions. However, our recollection is imperfect and we know our memory is limited. Our memories may change or we may forget. We are unwilling to entrust precious memories solely to the unassisted mind. Children, in particular, undergo considerable physical, mental, and emotional changes. It is not easy for them to realize or later recall their growth process without assistance. At present, children can review their growth with different types of records: written data on a medical history, photos in family …

Flow Field Analysis In An Expanding Healthy And Emphysematous Alveolar Model Using Particle Image Velocimetry, Jessica Oakes

Theses

Particle deposition in the acinus region of the lung is a significant area of interest, because particles can potentially travel into the bloodstream through the capillaries in the lung. Drugs, in the form of aerosols, small particulates in a volume of air, may be delivered through the respiratory system. Also, toxic, airborne, particles could enter the body through the pulmonary capillaries in the acinus region of the lung. In order to accurately predict particle deposition, the aspects that influence deposition needs to be understood. Many physiological features may influence flow and particle deposition in the lung; the geometry of the …

A Content Analysis Of Black Female Athletes And White Female Athletes In Sports Magazines, Amanda N. Wade

Theses

Literature suggests that female athletes receive less coverage in media than male athletes and that representation more often focuses on femininity than athleticism. Yet factors other than gender may influence media representation. Race and gender of target readers may impact representation of female athletes. This study reports the results of a content analysis of representations of white and black female athletes in 92 magazines. Representations of black female and white female athletes in Sports Illustrated, Sports Illustrated for Women and Her Sports from two different time periods, 2000-2002 and 2004-2008, were compared. Results reveal that the race of the female …

Barriers For Telecommunication Accessibility And Needs Assessment Of Video Relay Services (Vrs): Utilization Of Vrs For The Deaf Community, Minoru Yoshida

Theses

Approximately 28 million deaf and hard-of-hearing people reside in the United States, and a majority of them benefit from Telecommunications Relay Services which is mandated by Title IV of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Title IV of ADA was drafted based on the provision for TTY services. As Video Relay Services emerged in 2002, it surpassed TTY relay services because of its efficiency compared to the traditional TTY relay. However, Video Relay Services is a relatively new relay format, and no legal mandates for VRS technologies have been established. Thus, there is a strong need for a better understanding …

Altered Brain Activity In Autistic Children Versus Healthy Controls While Performing Simple Tasks Using Fmri, Donald Martin Adams Jr.

Theses

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies dealing with Autistic children have primarily been concerned with cognitive facial recognition. Recent studies have demonstrated that Autistic children, when compared to healthy matched controls, exhibit higher neuronal activity when identifying patterns or objects, but lower levels of activity in regards to facial recognition.

The objective of this study was to examine both facial and object recognition and compare them to simple sensorimotor tasks. All subjects were administered 5 stimuli each lasting 320 seconds. Subjects were instructed to use a button press box to identify between a Person/Object and an Arrow/Object. They were then …

Process-Structure-Property Relationships Of Resorbable Desamino Tyrosine Derived Polymers : Effect Of Backbone Chemistry And Assembly On Drug Delivery, Pinar Nebol

Theses

The selection the correct biomaterial for a specific medical application plays an important role for the success of both application and the device. Since different applications require different properties, investigation and improvement of biomaterials with different properties are very important. L-tyrosine derived polymers enable the manipulation of the properties of the material by changing backbone or pendent chain structure. L-tyrosine derived polyarylate is one of the class of these materials.

This study investigates the behavior of the tyrosine derived polyarylates under in vitro conditions. The change of structure caused by incubation in phosphate buffer solution and the effect on the …

Design And Construction Of A Novel Transpalpebral Ophthalmic Tonometer, Philippe R. Moinot

Theses

Glaucoma -- a degeneration of the optic nerve- is a leading cause of blindness which is primarily caused by large fluctuations in intraocular pressure (lOP) known as diurnal variations. Because these peak in the early morning dropping off rapidly, a self administrable and inexpensive lOP home testing procedure is highly desirable. The approach contained herein -- unlike traditional Goldman applanation tonometry which requires the use of ophthalmic anesthetics and complex diagnostic equipment- describes a novel lOP measurement method consisting of concavation of the cornea or sclera through the palpebra superior by the spherical tip of an optoelectronic photodetector suspended in …

Synthesis Of Corn-Derived Carbohydrate Derivatives As Effective Multifunctional Sunscreen, Xianhong Feng

Theses

The eighty-years-old sunscreen industry is sustained by the growing incidence of skin cancer and the continual exploration of skin aging. From the UVB-induced erythema to the UVA-induced persistent pigment darkening, scientists have used versatile methods to reveal that not only does UVB damage skin but also that longer wavelengths such as UVAIL (290nm ~ 340nm) and UVAL rays (340nm ~ 400nm) trigger skin cancer, premature skin aging and immunosuppression.

To meet a significant demand for improved photoprotection, a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high extinction coefficient has been desired. As part of our ongoing studies on isosorbide-cinnamate derivatives, this work have …

Experimental Investigation Of The Fluid Velocity Distribution In Stirred Tank Reactors Equipped With Retreat-Blade Impellers Using Laser Doppler Velocimetry, Deepak Rajesh Madhrani

Theses

Stirred tank reactors are commonly used in the pharmaceutical industry for synthesis of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API's) and their intermediates. Typically, these vessels are glass-lined and are provided with a single retreat-blade glass-lined impeller and a single baffle. Despite their ubiquitous utilization in the pharmaceutical industry for at least the past 40 years, the mixing characteristics of these systems have not been studied to any great extent, making it difficult to predict mixing performance in any given operation.

In this work, the velocity distribution inside the typical glass-lined vessel/impeller system was experimentally quantified using Laser Doppler Velocimetry (LDV), which is …

Nature And Rites Of Passage, Sowon Joo

Theses

My work tells the story of life and living. We all experience birth and death, and many complicated life events and changes occur during the living of a life. What I deem the most important areas of life are the rites of passage that everyone commonly experiences. The essential passages are birth and death, and between these two events, we all experience physical and intellectual development and growth. Throughout this thesis, my work expresses these rites of passage by metaphor.

In addition to metal, several of my sculptural forms incorporate painting on canvas and sculpted wood: the painting providing atmosphere …

A Study Of Indian Print Exports To The United States, Karthik Narayan Ravi

Theses

Offshoring is the reality of globalization. According to a survey conducted by trendstowatchgraphics.com, the percentage of American print providers who are worried about US print buyers offshoring their print requirements increased from 1% in 1995 to 7% in 2005. According to a survey conducted by the Graphics Arts Technical Foundation, 40% of the printers in the US think that their current customers are also seeking out offshore printers for their printing needs. According to UN Comtrade, exports of printed matter to the US from China in 2005 amounted to $722 million, and exports of printed matter to the US from …

The Influence Of Context On Message-Making And Audience Reception In Graphic Design, Sarah Kirchoff

Theses

The reception of a graphic design solution is greatly affected by the environment in which it is viewed: the space around it, and how it is approached and accessed. Obviously, the designer cannot control the specific life experiences that shape a viewer's personal response, or how that viewer may be situated in a broader, cultural context. Designers often have at least some degree of control over contextual factors that contribute to the message-making potential of a graphic design solution, as well as the form the solution takes, and how it is presented to an audience. When carefully constructed, content, application, …

Health Impacts From Diesel Freight Emissions: Development Of A Geospatial Analytical Framework For Policy Evaluation With A Case Study Of Sacramento, Ca, Colin Murphy

Theses

Diesel particulate matter, emitted by many types of freight transport, poses a health risk to populations living near freight activity. Accurate information about the magnitude and location of health impacts would help inform policy decisions at a number of levels. Existing methods, including atmospheric dispersion modeling, epidemiology or air quality measurement can estimate the magnitude of harm experienced by populations but these methods often require resources or expertise beyond the reach of some stakeholders, particularly those at local levels. This thesis describes a framework by which health impact estimation can be carried out utilizing readily available models and methodologies in …

The Ephemeral Form And Objects Of Inspection, Desireé Rose Schanding

Theses

The series The Ephemeral Form is my attempt to communicate the ways in which women are similar in order to empower women so that they may overcome their differences creating a way for more open communication. This series of prints explore the notion of femaleness from a personal perspective and aesthetic. The main subject in each piece is the female torso as a static figure or a figure in motion. There is a specimen-like quality to the images as well as direct references to medieval panel paintings. Within each image the torso of the female is transparent revealing the biology …

Cancer Rumor Effects On Sense Making, Nicole M. Robinson

Theses

A cancer rumor is collective sense making in response to uncertainty or threat regarding a cancer diagnosis. This study explored the types of cancer rumors in circulation, how these rumors spread, why people believed them, and how people made sense of these rumors in order to cope. Web survey responses from 188 participants found that both negative and positive rumors were spread. These rumors were believed due to perceived source credibility and plausibility. While participants held more faith in medical sources, 71 percent changed their behavior after hearing a rumor from a non-medical person. Results suggested that rumor participation aided …

A Comparative Analysis Of Hyperspectral Target Detection Algorithms In The Presence Of Misregistered Data, Jason T. Casey

Theses

Line scanning hyperspectral imaging systems are capable of capturing accurate spatial and spectral information about a scene. These data can be useful for detecting sub-pixel targets. Such systems, however, may be limited by certain key characteristics in their design. Systems employing multiple spectrometers, or that collect data from multiple focal planes may suffer an inherent misregistration between sets of collected spectral bands. In order to utilize the full spectrum for target detection purposes, the sets of bands must be registered to each other as precisely as possible. Perfect registration is not possible, due to both the sensor design, and variation …

Measurements And Control Of Noise Pollution From Dual Fuel Engine, Abdullah Ahmed Jawi Al Aseery

Theses

This study examines the effects of adding the water to the intake air of a dual fuel engine on the performance and combustion noise. Dual fuel engine is a diesel engine using small amount (5%) liquid diesel fuel as a pilot fuel and burns a liquefied petroleum gas as the main fuel. The addition of water to the combustion chamber has known effects on reducing the dangerous emission of nitrogen oxides. Previous research has attributed the observed reduction of nitrogen oxide emissions to a suppression of flame temperature due to quenching effects from the water, thereby reducing thermal NO_{x …}

English Language And Culture Cues Found In Advertisements In Selected Print Publications For Deaf And Hard Of Hearing People, Cindy Kay Mcallister

Theses

hard This research investigated advertisements in Deaf Life and Deaf Rochester News use of written English and culture cues to communicate to deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) audiences. DHH audiences have indicated that seeing more DHH actors and sign language in advertisements will increase their response to the advertisements. English and characteristics of culture were analyzed to determine the extent of understandable English and appropriate culture cues for DHH audiences. Deaf Life did not use understandable English and appropriate culture cues to a high extent. Deaf Rochester News did use understandable English, but did not use appropriate culture cues …

Timing Considerations In Visual Communication, Ahmad Eissa Aloumi

Theses

Viewers are surrounded by visual stimuli on a daily basis. These visuals, which may have intriguing and/or exciting qualities, enable designers to propose effective design solutions that could have heightened impact on the viewer. With this in mind, some designers attempt to construct crystal-clear messages that are eye-catching and easily understood, while other designers try to deliver messages enveloped by a planned ambiguity, which offers diverse paths of comprehension. In the end, this intentional ambiguity can eventually guide viewers toward a single understanding. Since ambiguity is an outcome of complex principles related to aesthetic and conceptual decision-making, often it is …

American Sign Language: An Influence On Graphic Design Problem-Solving, Allison Ucci

Theses

In American Sign Language (ASL), variables of communication such as volume, tone, emotion, and emphasis are represented through the deliberate use of these variables which include: handshape, location of the sign in proximity to the human body, movement, direction, and repetition. ASL imposes strict rules of how and when to use each of these variables. Together, the rules and variables create a language of communication that is of equal value to spoken language. Similarly, these attributes currently exist in graphic design message making. The alternation of one or all variables in design can also result in an entirely new idea. …

Neural Characteristics Of Affectionate Communicators: Trait Affection And Asymmetry In The Prefrontal Cortex, Robert Joel Lewis

Theses

Individual differences in thresholds for affectionate communication should be reflected by differences in neurological structure and function. A theoretical schema from several overlapping literatures including evolutionary psychology, social neuroscience, fundamental personality, and communication are examined to make the case that high-affection communicators have greater relative electrical activity in the left prefrontal cortex (PFC) versus the right PFC reflected in asymmetrical baseline EEG recordings. Participants (N=16) reported trait-affection levels using Floyd?s (2002) TAS-G, which measures an individual?s threshold for expressing affection. Participants? baseline electrical activity was then recorded. Asymmetry was operationalized as the difference between microvolt (μV) values of laterally opposed …

Automated Processes For Sarbanes-Oxley Risk Management In A Unix Environment, Matthew Bahrenburg

Theses

Not Included

The Use Of Molecular Scatology To Study River Otter (Lontra Canadensis) Genetics, Barbara Mcelwee

Theses

North American river otters (Lontra canadensis) were extirpated throughout all of Western New York due to habitat loss, pollution, and trapping. Between 1995 and 2000, 279 river otters were released throughout Western New York, 31 of which were released in the Genesee river watershed. Since their release there have been no followup studies on the river otters until the RIT River Otter Lab was formed in 2004. Researchers surveyed three local creeks to record data on toilet site locations and collect otter feces in order to perform dietary and genetic analyses. Through the use of molecular scatology I extracted DNA …

3d Reconstruction Of A Female Lung Using The Visible Human Data Set To Predict Cigarette Smoke Particle Deposition, Jackie Russo

Theses

A detailed comparison of particle deposition of a female smoker lung compared to a nonsmoker is vital when trying to gain a further understanding of lung cancer. To make this comparison, two airway models were created that consisted of the oral cavity, oropharynx, laryngopharynx, larynx, trachea, and generations up to the 3rd, 4th or 5th generation. The difference between the two models is in the shape of the oral cavity. The smoker model has an oral cavity that represents the mouth during the inhalation of a cigarette and the nonsmoker model represents normal oral breathing. The oral cavity models were …

Homes For The Soul, James Hardy

Theses

This thesis describes the creation of a body of paintings, "Homes for the Soul," inspired by the paintings found in Retablos and home altars in Mexico. The paintings also incorporate wooden housing structures and found objects. The themes of the paintings express the artist's Christian spirituality. The thesis presents historical background on Retablos and home altars of Mexico and the southwestern U.S., then describes the themes and creation of each piece of art in the artist's thesis show.

Portable Housing For Mexican Migrant Workers, Janet Corzo

Theses

A capable migrant labor force is critical in sustaining the United States' agriculture industry. Yet, migrant farm workers are among the most economically disadvantaged people in the United States (NCFH). The housing available to migrant workers in the United States is typically substandard and subject to other factors, such as local availability, social stigmas and legal status. While housing is usually provided by a grower (on-the-farm) or acquired by the migrant worker himself (off-the-farm), there seem to exist no examples of portable housing that a worker can transport from job to job. This study seeks to explore the viability of …

The Making And Meaning Of Gay Space : The Case Of The Castro In San Francisco, Scott Richard Lesher

Theses

Architecture is more than the history, design and construction of buildings; it is also the creation, defining, redefining, and use of space. An understanding of these non-brick-and-mortar aspects includes how the use and meaning of that space changes over time. Gay space, specifically gay male space, is studied as both material space and social space. Material space is the 'brick and mortar' space designed for this purpose or created out of existing space, such as a room, building or neighborhood. Social spaces are the areas where human interaction occurs, such as block parties and festivals; it is more about the …

Retransmission Strategies For Moving Networks Over Ricean Fading Channels, Alex Ruiz Lee

Theses

The problem of designing retransmission protocols based on Hybrid Automatic Repeat reQuest (HARQ) for moving networks over Ricean fading channels has been considered. The scenario of interest consists of one receiver traveling at a given speed while connected to a wireless network based on OFDM (e.g., WiMax) through several base stations located along the path. Five different retransmission protocols that combine HARQ with handover between adjacent base stations are considered. Their performance in terms of number of retransmissions per packet via numerical simulations, considering both frequency selective and nonselective channels are presented. The results obtained show the relevant advantage that …