Digital Commons Network^™

A Novel Approach To Determine Arsenic Contamination In The Environment, Dean Franklin

Theses

This study examines a novel method to determine heavy metal contamination in the environment. This method will combine the established technique of atomic absorption spectroscopy with terrestrial isopods. The terrestrial isopods bioaccumulate heavy metals. The established forensic analysis by atomic absorption was used to quantify heavy metal poisoning. Spectroscopy determined the presence of arsenic and lead in four study areas. Arsenic contamination was the focus of this study. Lead contamination was done in parallel to verify the method. As part of the controls, three types of lumber were offered the isopods to feed on. Those lumber samples were kiln dried …

Rfid-Assisted Wireless Sensor Networks For Cardiac Tele-Healthcare, Laura J. Celentano

Theses

As the baby boomers head into old age, America will see a dramatic increase in the number of elderly patients admitted to healthcare facilities, such as nursing homes. Due to this rising elderly population, it will be difficult for nursing home personnel to monitor all patients at once. One way to cut down on the amount of supervision by the staff is for patients to administer their own medication. This leads to new problems though, as a patient incorrectly administering one of their many medications could lead to a disastrous end. Technology to wirelessly transmit a patient’s electrocardiogram (ECG) has …

Willingness To Pay For A Clear Night Sky: Use Of The Contingent Valuation Method, Stephanie N. Simpson

Theses

A clear night sky is a public good, and as a public good government intervention to regulate it is justifiable. Light pollution decreases the ability to view a clear, unobstructed night sky and can have biological, human health, energy related, and scientific consequences. In order for governments to intervene more effectively, an economic analysis of light pollution with regards to costs and benefits needs to be performed. This thesis demonstrates the use of the contingent valuation method to place an economic value on light pollution. Students in the RIT community were surveyed regarding their willingness to pay for a clear …

Emphasizing The User In The Usability Study: Investigating Activity Theory And Website Navigation, Heidi Trost

Theses

The effects of organizational schemes in website design have been studied using measures of speed, number of mouse-clicks, accuracy, and user recollection of website content information. This study investigates self-reported user confidence and satisfaction of websites using two different organizational schemes. Users were randomly assigned to one of the two sites and asked to perform a series of information-retrieval tasks. Time taken to complete the tasks was recorded and participants completed a survey measuring their confidence and satisfaction using a website. No significant differences were found between the two websites in respect to user self-reported confidence and satisfaction. The results …

Economic And Environmental Impacts Of Collecting Waste Cooking Oil For Use As Biodiesel Under A Localized Strategy, Christopher R. Wood

Theses

Some of the vital aspects in the diffusion of renewable energies are the cost of producing the energy, as well as the environmental impacts associated with its lifecycle. As petroleum based energy becomes increasingly costly, alternatives will be relied upon to meet the ever increasing energy demand. Biofuels, and biodiesel in particular, could be a near term solution for providing a transitional fuel to meet the energy demand of the transportation sector. However, the costs of biodiesel, as well as perceptions of a negative energy balance are hindering its widespread adoption. Using waste cooking oil (WCO) can reduce the cost …

Gardenscapes: A Harmonious Approach To 3d Art, Charmie Tate

Theses

None provided.

Manifestations Of Nature, Bethany Krull

Theses

I feel that humans in today’s society are distanced so much from their origins that we need to be reminded that our roots are deeply and firmly planted in the natural world. I feel that it is our society’s current disconnection and alienation from nature that is a key reason we have let the destruction of the environment go on for so long. This thesis consists of two parts. The first being a written investigation of the root causes of our society’s current alienation from nature and the second being a written account of the exhibition of a body of …

Modeling Wildland Fire Radiance In Synthetic Remote Sensing Scenes, Zhen Wang

Theses

This thesis develops a framework for implementing radiometric modeling and visualization of wildland fire. The ability to accurately model physical and op- tical properties of wildfire and burn area in an infrared remote sensing system will assist efforts in phenomenology studies, algorithm development, and sensor evaluation. Synthetic scenes are also needed for a Wildland Fire Dynamic Data Driven Applications Systems (DDDAS) for model feedback and update. A fast approach is presented to predict 3D flame geometry based on real time measured heat flux, fuel loading, and wind speed. 3D flame geometry could realize more realistic radiometry simulation. A Coupled Atmosphere-Fire …

Dishsoap For Clean Water: How The Design Of Everyday Objects Can Promote Happiness, Xanthe Matychak

Theses

This project began with the question: What keeps us from achieving sustainable happiness, happiness for ourselves and future generations? I have chosen to focus on the citizen/consumer conflict which occurs when our consumer choices are incongruous with our moral obligations to society. This conflict is a consequence of the market systems that are in place and consumers’ lack of a critical understanding of these systems. Thus, with this project, I am attempting to make these systems more transparent. Looking at economic approaches like price adjustment and awareness-raising strategies I have focused on the latter. Drawing from the history of semiotics …

An Alternative To The "Screen Baby Sitter" For Preschoolers, Soo Min Seo

Theses

The goal of this thesis is to isolate the problems in [avoidable situations in which television is used as a babysitter] and to determine a design-based solution. The mission of the final product is to change the target user's attitude or life pattern in an unforced manner. Ideally, parents will develop a new, more positive attitude toward parenting and children will prefer playtime to television watching, thus becoming more available to their parents.

Using Multispectral Sensor Wasp-Lite To Analyze Harmful Algal Blooms, Shari J. Mcnamara

Theses

Developing methods to monitor harmful algae is a current research “hot-topic.” One type of algae, the blue-green algae or Cyanobacteria, cause blooms that can lead to a health threat to humans and animals. This research will test the use of a cost effective and temporally efficient method using multispectral remote sensing system, WASPLITE, as a monitor of algal blooms. This airborne system will be optimized to the specific application of detecting Cyanobacteria on optically complex waters. Attempts have been made in the past using existing instruments, e.g., SeaWiFS and Landsat, to provide these data, but our solution can provide more …

A Theory Of Aesthetic Justice, John Devin Peipert

Theses

Theories of distributive justice give us the appropriate determination of who ought to have what, where ?who? are the members of society and ?what? are social goods and burdens. Traditionally, social goods have taken the form of rights and privileges, as well as more tangible economic goods. However, it is not clear that these are the only kinds of social goods relevant to justice. There is a substantial body of literature showing that environmental benefits and burdens can and should be thought of as social goods. In this paper, I will argue that we ought to make a comparable extension …

Framing The Culture Wars: A Content Analysis Of News Media Coverage Of The Mapplethorpe And Brooklyn Museum Art Controversies, Amy Holowczenko

Theses

News media play an important role in presenting issues and themes central to art controversies. Evidence suggests that media frame issues, use agenda setting techniques, and increase coverage on art controversies. Using the Brooklyn Museum and Mapplethorpe controversies, this study sought to understand why the events became newsworthy, what frames were used, and what differences were present in the news stories. News articles related to the controversies published between January 1, 1987 and December 31, 2006 in the New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Columbus Dispatch were content analyzed to measure prominence of theme, presentation of issues, frequency …

Comprehensive Food System For Outdoor Use, North Chandler

Theses

Enjoying outdoor activities has become a lesson in environmental responsibility and spatial awareness.

A hiker muse anticipate the equipment chat is appropriate for the weather and terrain conditions along with the amount of food and water that will be consumed. Once on the expedition, it becomes the responsibility of the individual to be aware of the surroundings and to minimally affect other people and the environment.

As an outdoor enthusiast concerned with the state of natural areas for recreation and environmental preservation, it seemed appropriate for this project to reflect my personal concerns and passions.

Preliminary ideas for an environmentally …

Effective Use Of Negative Space In Graphic Design, Dong Hyun Lee

Theses

This thesis will investigate the potential use of effective negative space to improve the readability of text typography in graphic design. Negative space in two-dimensional design is also referred to as "white space" -- which is void of text or graphics. Negative space is more than just the background of a design. This thesis will demonstrate negative space as an element of design itself and develop a systematic approach to address negative space as it occurs in the following: margins, background, space for the eye to rest, signal that there is a break or end in the communication, variation in …

Pressure Utilization In Water Transmission Pipelines In Alain Region Considering Transient Conditions, Mohamed Sultan Al Maamari

Theses

The residual pressure energy available in water transmission pipelines can be easily utilized via direct connection to the distribution system and bypassing the storage reservoirs and booster pumping stations. This thesis investigates the feasibility of bypassing a number of reservoirs and pumping stations in a small transmission system in AlAin City of United Arab Emirates. The system has a major transmission pumping station (AlAin Reception Pumping Station, or 'AARS') that hosts four fixed-speed pumps, a main 1200mm line, storage reservoirs and boosting pumps at three zones (Dahma, Markhania and Maqam), besides few other connection pipes. The system also has three …

Mechanical Fatigue In A Magnetically Levitated Axial Blood Pump, Amy Slevar

Theses

This research investigated some of the mechanical fatigue associated with the use of a rotary pump as a left ventricular assist device, LVAD, for long term therapy (>20 years). In this magnetically levitated axial pump, we identified one feature most susceptible to mechanical stress and fatigue. the thin-sectioned inducer blade is made of titanium and is the first point of contact between the housing and impeller should the levitation system momentarily lose control. !e inducer blade is also long and thin and will experience both normal and bending loads when contacted by the impeller. The incidence of contact and …

Environmental Risk Assessment Of Groundwater Recharge In Liwa Aquifer, Entisar Salem Al-Katheeri

Theses

The Abu Dhabi Emirate has witnessed a remarkable development in the various aspects of life during the last three decades. Such rapid development imposes a tremendous pressure on natural resources including water. Conventional water resources in the Emirate are limited. The surface water is almost absent due to the scarcity and randomness of rainfall coupled with the prevailing arid conditions and high evaporation rates. In addition, groundwater is mostly brackish and non-renewable. Over-pumping practices have resulted into a severe decline in the groundwater levels and quality. A large portion of the freshwater demands in the Abu Dhabi Emirate is covered …

In Vitro Feasibility Testing Of Floating Light-Activated Minroelectrical Stimulators, Ammar Riad Abdo

Theses

One of the major challenges of neural stimulation is the mechanical stress and resulting trauma induced on the implanted electrodes by the constant movement of the interconnects. A potential way of eliminating interconnects is to use floating micro-stimulators that can be activated through optical means. As a method of energy transfer to the micro-stimulator, we propose to use a laser beam at near infrared (NIR) wavelengths.

There are two main objectives in this project to test the feasibility of the main approach; investigate the charge injection capacity of titanium nitride (TiN) and iridium oxide (IrOx) as potential contact materials, and …

Pedigree Tool, Madhumalar Panneerselvam

Theses

Collecting the family history to find the inheritance of trait is the fundamental concept in human genetics. The collected information on the family can be presented in an easily readable chart called Pedigree. Hand-drawn pedigrees become difficult when there is a large collection of known individuals in the family. Hence "Pedigree tool "was developed which automatically creates the Ancestor tree and Descendant tree. This tool also has an option to find the unrelated individuals. Inserting individual details into the database can also be done using this tool. Thus this user-friendly java based application can help researchers and genetic counselors to …

Deaf Studies For Transfer Deaf Adolescents, Katherine Mcnulty

Theses

This capstone project focuses on developing a curriculum unit that deals specifically with Deafhood. The purpose of this curriculum development project is to help deaf students who transferred from mainstreamed schools to a school for the deaf, leam more about the DEAF-WORLD and thusly adapt to the new environment by constructing a Deaf identity and becoming confident in themselves as contributing members of society. Increasingly, transfer students are introduced to a new educational and cultural environment where sign language is free flowing, one of the primary educational and social languages ofthe deaf. The curriculum unit is divided into five programs: …

Technology Bridge To Employment: A Community Technology Initiative, Rosalind Bain

Theses

As the economic gap continues to widen between the rich and poor, we will continue to see people (primarily the poor) experiencing a number of social problems, including being cut off from accessing modern technology. In many small cities and rural areas throughout the United States, there is sufficient evidence that shows poor people are not as connected to or knowledgeable about modern technological advances and their application within the wider society. This puts them at a disadvantage and hinders their chances for both professional and economic growth. The author involved in the capstone served as the volunteer lead instructor …

Educational Needs Of Late-Deaf Learners, Mitchell Bacot

Theses

None provided.

Rub, Fold, And Abrasion Resistance Testing Of Digitally Printed Documents, Nicholas Disantis

Theses

The life cycle of commercially printed digital documents (in particular, marketing and promotional items, direct mailers, business communications, and on-demand color books) was examined to find stress points where potential permanence problems could exist. The stress and life cycle overview covers the stages of processes in printing and finishing, mailing preparation and fulfillment, distribution, usage, and recycling. Stress points found in the different stages of the life cycle, whether physical or chemical, include (but are not limited to) scratching, rubbing, cracking, solvent exposure, light exposure, moisture exposure, heat exposure, and air contamination exposure. Tests for abrasion resistance, folding resistance, solvent …

Potential Air Contaminants And Noise Levels Generated By The Kodak Nexpress 2500 Digital Production Color Press: A Study Of Its Emissions Of Respirable Dust, Ultrafine Particulates, Volatile Organic Compounds, Ozone, And Occupational Noise Exposure, Federico Leal

Theses

The printing industry is beginning to get acquainted with the environmental impact of digital printing technologies. This study addressed issues related to the electrophotographic dry toner printing technology used in the Kodak NexPress 2500 Digital Production Color Press. The importance of these topics will grow as high-speed variable data printing becomes pervasive, because these printed products will become widespread, and a greater number of operators will be exposed to these technologies. Indoor air quality and noise levels generated by the NexPress under normal operating conditions were studied: ventilation, dust, volatile organic compounds, ozone, and noise. The results of this study …

Mapping Coastal Wetland Change Based On Lake Level Fluctuation On Lake Ontario, Justin D. Cole

Theses

Using an integrated digital elevation and bathymetry model of Lake Ontario and historic lake level data from 1860 to present, coastal areas of periodic inundation were identified to generate, by association, an estimate of coastal wetland change due to lake level control. Pre and post Robert Morris Dam models were constructed to help determine the reduction of lake surface area when the dam started to control the extreme highs and lows.

The model creates annual high and low lake surface coverages. The goal of this study is to create a baseline analysis and methodology for future studies on wetland change …

Chemical Stidies On Nucleic Acids Interaction With Some Antiviral Drugs: Developing Of Some New Methods For Nucleic Aeids Determination And Their Application, Islam Kamal Ali Shams

Theses

No abstract provided.

Conceptual Design And Specification Of A Microsatellite Forest Fire Detection System, Domenico Luisi

Theses

The burning of our forests and other forms of biomass are increasingly harming the local, regional and global environment. As evidenced by studies of the earth's atmosphere, biomass burning is a significant global source of greenhouse gases and particulate matter that impact the chemistry of the troposphere and stratosphere. Current remote sensing methods used for monitoring forest fires and other forms of biomass burning rely on sensors primarily designed for measurement of temperatures near 300 degrees Kelvin or the average surface temperatures of the earth’s surface. Fires radiate intensely against a low-temperature background, therefore it is possible to detect fires …

Art Curriculum: Self-Expression By Connecting To Real World Events, Sarah Mccormick

Theses

Self-expression in art to connect with real world events is an art curriculum intended for any art teacher across America. The rational for the art curriculum project is to encourage students to learn how to express themselves visually. Actively experiencing history in art as well as the logic of certain artists' reasoning will promote understanding of the real world. Although it would be very easy to have the students follow directions, step-by-step, where the entire class will get the same or similar outcomes. These "cookie-cutter" pieces inhibit students' development as a human being. We, as teachers, need to notice the …

Air Monitoring Of Some Air Pollutants In Al-Ain City Using Passive Samplers, By Ismail Abdel Karim El Haty

Theses

Air pollution monitoring is highly valuable due to effects on economics and public health. Hence, concerned authorities in different countries as well as the World Health Organization (WHO) specified the permitted standard concentration of the main pollutants. Large number of countries also have built their air quality monitoring stations, and distributed them in several sites to monitor air pollutants over the whole year. Some developed countries established an awareness environmental program to educate the public and inform them of daily pollution level to take necessary precautions.

In this study, air pollution was monitored in AI-Ain City over twelve months, through …