Digital Commons Network^™

Electrospinning Of Ceria And Nickel Oxide Nanofibers, Jyothi Swaroop Reddy Yerasi

Theses

Electrospinning uses an electrical charge to draw very fine fibers from a liquid. It has very high potential for industrial processing. Electrospinning is cost effective, repeatable and it can produce long, continuous nanofibers. Polymers such as polyalcohol, polyamides, and PLLA can be easily electrospun. The increase in demand for clean energy combined with the research work in progress and the potential advantages of electrospun electrodes over conventionally fabricated SOFCs makes electrospinning a strong candidate. In this thesis, ceramic nanofibers (ceria and nickel oxide) that can potentially be used in SOFCs are fabricated.

A three-phase approach is implemented in the fabrication …

Museum Visitors’ Perceptions Of Mobile Games: A Case Study, Sarah Exley Ozimek

Theses

Previous research in mobile gaming focused on use among grade school students and heavy gamers (e.g., Groff, Howells, & Cranmer, 2010; Poels, Kort, & Ijsselsteijn, 2012), but little is known about museum visitor usage. This study examined museum visitors' mobile technology habits and perceived uses of mobile games in museums. A survey of individuals on a local museum's mailing list found a positive relationship between visitors' familiarity with mobile devices and their perceptions of enjoyment and learning experiences with mobile games. This indicates that mobile games may be a welcome addition to the museum experience for heavy users of mobile …

The Development Of A Performance Assessment Methodology For Activity Based Intelligence: A Study Of Spatial, Temporal, And Multimodal Considerations, Christian M. Lewis

Theses

Activity Based Intelligence (ABI) is the derivation of information from a series of in- dividual actions, interactions, and transactions being recorded over a period of time. This usually occurs in Motion imagery and/or Full Motion Video. Due to the growth of unmanned aerial systems technology and the preponderance of mobile video devices, more interest has developed in analyzing people's actions and interactions in these video streams. Currently only visually subjective quality metrics exist for determining the utility of these data in detecting specific activities. One common misconception is that ABI boils down to a simple resolution problem; more pixels and …

Meaningful Objects Through Process-Oriented Form Research, Heechan Kim

Theses

This work concentrates on the relationships between shapes and the lines those shapes are composed of as well as the process by which they are created. In this thesis, I intend to explore the different characteristics of wood and to visualize the language and meaning of the work which results both from those characteristics and from the artist.

As a maker, I have always been fascinated by the use of wood in the creation of objects. Man can control a material against its own intrinsic attributes to create something very different from that material's natural shape. My works concentrate on …

Use Of Mobile Technology Among Museum Visitors: A Case Study, Meg Miller Taber

Theses

Museums have employed mobile modes of communication for decades: pamphlets and audio tours. The popularity of mobile technology prompted museums to integrate mobile experiences with personal devices. A survey collected information from the Memorial Art Gallery (MAG) email list to understand adoption of MAG's mobile experience through the lens of the technology acceptance model to learn how perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use influence visitors use or intent to use MAGart 2.0. The study proposed two museum specific variables, MAG frequency of visitation and MAG engagement, to examine adoption of MAGart 2.0. Results suggest behavioral intention and actual use …

Parasitic Databases, Svetlin Tzolov

Theses

A parasitic database combines the fundamental principles of parasitic storage with those of traditional database theory to create a distributed data storage strategy that provides basic database functionality in a design specifically intended to ensure high data security. This approach is inspired by parasitic network storage in which information is stored within network traffic across many machines, usually unbeknownst to their owners, using a communication protocol such as Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP), etc.

The basis for parasitic data storage is that highly confidential user data is physically "stored" through continuous packet transfer between various nodes within a network. This …

Characterization Of Impulse Noise And Hazard Analysis Of Impulse Noise Induced Hearing Loss Using Ahaah Modeling, Qing Wu

Theses

Millions of people across the world are suffering from noise induced hearing loss (NIHL), especially under working conditions of either continuous Gaussian or non-Gaussian noise that might affect human's hearing function. Impulse noise is a typical non-Gaussian noise exposure in military and industry, and generates severe hearing loss problem. This study mainly focuses on characterization of impulse noise using digital signal analysis method and prediction of the auditory hazard of impulse noise induced hearing loss by the Auditory Hazard Assessment Algorithm for Humans (AHAAH) modeling. A digital noise exposure system has been developed to produce impulse noises with peak sound …

Technology In The Fashion Industry: Designing With Digital Media, Adima Cope

Theses

The fashion industry has advanced new technologies in the twenty-first century that has made producing apparel more cost effective with faster time-to-market capabilities and greatly reduced steps in the manufacturing process. The reasons for these improvements can be linked to new apparel computer-aided-design (CAD) technologies that have come about in the market as computers have advanced and grown in processing power and reduction in size since the 1980s. Computers are revolutionizing many industries and the way business is conducted in today’s modern workplace. The fashion industry has yet to convert all processes to digital means but advancements have been growing …

Plastic Glory, Ihab Mardini

Theses

In ancient times, humans used drawing on walls as a way to express their emotions and thoughts. Then, cameras were invented to pursue that purpose through photos and videos in sharper images. And now we do animation, not just because it is pretty, but also because it is the tool that allows us to freely speak our minds, without being bothered by what we can and what we cannot do in film!

There is a Lebanese thinker, poet, artist and writer named Jubran Khaleel Jubran, who has always inspired me with his artworks and specifically his poems. Mysteriously, there was …

Privacy Sensitive Resource Access Monitoring For Android Systems, Leah Xinya Zhao

Theses

Mobile devices, with an extensive array of capabilities and flexibility, are sometimes said to be an extension of the human body. Enhancing device capabilities and incorporating them into everyday life have always been a huge focus of the mobile industry. In the area of mobile data collection, existing works collect various types of user behavior data via mobile device usage, and use the data to aid in further understanding of human behavior. Typical data collection utilizes application or background service installed on the mobile device with user permission to collect data such as accelerometer, call logs, location, wifi transmission, etc. …

Alternative Lithographic Methods For Variable Aspect Ratio Vias, Anthony R. Schepis

Theses

The foundation of semiconductor industry has historically been driven by scaling. Device size reduction is enabled by increased pattern density, enhancing functionality and effectively reducing cost per chip. Aggressive reductions in memory cell size have resulted in systems with diminishing area between parallel bit/word lines. This affords an even greater challenge in the patterning of contact level features that are inherently difficult to resolve because of their relatively small area, a product of their two domain critical dimension image. To accommodate these trends there has been a shift toward the implementation of elliptical contact features. This empowers designers to maximize …

A Novel Method For Extraction Of Neural Response From Cochlear Implant Auditory Evoked Potentials, Daniel Q. Sinkiewicz

Theses

Cortical auditory evoked potential (CAEP) tests are used to evaluate cochlear implant (CI) patient auditory pathways, but when the CI device processes sound stimuli it produces an electrical artifact which obscures the relevant information in the neural response. Currently there are multiple methods which attempt to extract the neural response from the contaminated CAEP, but there is no gold standard which can quantitatively confirm the effectiveness of these methods. To address this crucial shortcoming, this work employs time-frequency analysis, using the continuous wavelet transform (CWT), to quantify how much artifact energy remains in the neural response recovered by these methods. …

A Layer 2 Protocol To Protect The Ip Communication In A Wired Ethernet Network, Reiner Augusto Campillo Terrero

Theses

The IP protocol is the preferred data communication mechanism used nowadays. Data encapsulated using IP can be compromised if it is sent in clear text or without integrity protection, and even using known protocols to protect the confidentiality, integrity and authenticity of this data, the EtherType field of the Ethernet frames and the header of the IP packets in a wired Ethernet network still remain exposed opening possibilities for an attacker to gain knowledge of the network, cause a denial of service attack or steal information.

In this thesis, we propose a new protocol that protects the confidentiality, integrity and …

Does Race Matter?: Examining Differences In Intracultural And Intercultural Relationships, Megan Marie Morrison

Theses

The current study examined differences in intracultural and intercultural relationships. In this study, data were collected from 139 individuals currently in intracultural romantic relationships (same ethnicity and country of origin) and 120 individuals currently in intercultural romantic relationships (different ethnicity or country of origin) through MTurk. Participants completed measures for personality (20-item Mini-IPIP), individualism and collectivism (Horizontal and Vertical Individualism and Collectivism Scale), ethnic identity (Multi-group Ethnic Identity Measure), implicit relationship theory (Relationship Theory Questionnaire), relationship satisfaction (DAS: Dyadic Adjustment Scale and RAS: Relationship Assessment Scale), relationship commitment (Commitment Level Items of the Investment Model Scale), one question to address …

Putting Men Back In The Menstrual Cycle: A Qualitative Analysis Of Men's Perceptions Of Menstruation, Katherine Fishman

Theses

Although menstruation is typically regarded as an indication of health (Kissling, 1996), strong cultural messages about menstruation perpetuate the belief that it is dirty, disgusting and a state that must be managed (Ussher, 2006). Many women internalize this belief and go to great lengths to hide their menstrual status (Chrisler, 2007). Negative attitudes toward menstruation have been linked to decreased body satisfaction (Schooler, Ward, Meriwether, & Caruthers, 2005), perceptions of decreased competence and likability (Roberts, Goldenberg, Power, & Pyszynski, 2002), and the belief that menstruating women are more emotional, less attractive, and more irritable than non-menstruating women (Forbes, Adams-Curtis, White, …

Axe-Heads And Mississippian Political Economy: A St. Francois Provenance Study, Rosanna Yvonne Crow

Theses

Axe-heads made of a distinctive raw material are found at Mississippian sites across southern Illinois and the Ohio-Mississippi confluence region, yet little research has been done to determine their geological provenance. In this thesis, I use geochemical methods to analyze ground stone tools and debitage from across the Confluence Region in order to prove their origins in the St. Francois Mountains of Missouri. I also compare patterns of axe-head production, consumption, and deposition to Charles Cobb's (2000) model of Mill Creek chert hoes, so as to gain a greater understanding of the political economy of these objects.

Monitoring Drought Intensity In Illinois With A Combined Index, Guanling Feng

Theses

Many traditional drought assessments are conducted based on climate and hydrologic data. The availability and precision of data limit the spatial and temporal resolution and accuracy of derived drought indices. In this study, Vegetation Condition Index (VCI) and Temperature Condition Index (TCI) were generated from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) products. The VCI was derived from Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) that was calculated with near infrared and visible red band reflectance from MOD09Q1. The TCI was derived from land surface temperature (LST) product MOD11A2. The VCI and TCI were then combined with reference to the vegetation coverage information from …

A Multivariate Analysis Of The Human Factors And Preferences Towards Digital Publishing Platforms For The Ipad, Anton Ninkov

Theses

Tablet computers have been widely adopted in America today, with 34% of American adults ages 18+ owning this type of digital device (PEW, 2013). With the emergence of new portable computer technology, reading on digital devices has become more popular than ever before. In particular, tablet computers have enabled users to read enhanced e-book material that, while still text-driven, incorporates all facets of multimedia and technology. With many different digital publishing solutions available for publishers to deploy their content, the goal of this research study was to determine whether there are significant differences in user preferences and comprehension for a …

Impact Of An Academic Success Class On Probationary Students, Nathan Hendrickson

Theses

One of the primary the missions of colleges and universities is dedicated to student success. Traditionally, helping academically probationary students has been challenging for all educational institutions, because there are a multitude of factors involved for the schools and the students including, for example, demographics, socioeconomic issues, student motivation, and student time-management skills. The complexity introduced by these various factors creates obstacles in developing effective programs to aid and assist these students. At the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), there exists a course entitled Insights on Success that is designed as an intervention step to improve individual academic performance through …

The Photophysical Properties Of Squaraine Derivatives And Their Impact Upon Photovoltaic Efficiencies, Bi Zhu

Theses

Squaraine dyes provide potential on improving the efficiency of Organic photovoltaic OPV solar cell. Characterization of the photophysical properties of squaraine dyes is going to help us find the best material for our device. A series of squaraines (DESQ(OH)₂, DiBSQ(OH)₂, and novel DiPSQ(OH)₂) in which side chains length increasing were characterized in this paper. The material photophysical properties of these squaraines were systematically characterized using various tools. Our research showed that the length of side chain plays an important role in aggregation properties of squaraines, longer side chains result in smaller exciton splitting and …

Increased Persistence Of Wi-Fi Direct Networks For Smartphone-Based Collision Avoidance, Priyanka Angadi

Theses

Inter-vehicular communication is a promising technology to improve road safety. Inter-vehicular communication over a wireless medium can be used to exchange important information such as the speed, location, and headings of a vehicle with nearby vehicles. Using this information, it is possible to calculate if a collision is imminent and warn the driver to take action. Wi-Fi can also be used to share this information, however it requires an access point hardware to facilitate communication. Wi-Fi Direct enabled devices can share information without a hardware access point.

Wi-Fi Direct provides peer to peer communication by employing a software defined access …

Interaction Of Droplet And Sidewalls With Modified Surfaces In A Pemfc Gas Flow Channel, Mihir M. Shah

Theses

A Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) is a clean and highly efficient way of power generation used primarily for transportation applications. Hydrogen and air are supplied to the fuel cell through gas channels, which also remove liquid water generated in the fuel cell. The clogged channels prevent reactant transport to the electrochemically active sites which comprise one of the channel walls and thus, degrading the performance of the cell. Proper management of the product water is a current topic of research interest in commercialization of fuel cell vehicles. Liquid water, produced as by-product of the fuel cell reaction, can …

Web Browser Private Mode Forensics Analysis, Emad Sayed Noorulla

Theses

To maintain privacy of the end consumers the browser vendors

provide a very good feature on the browser called the "Private Mode". As

per the browser vendors, the Private Mode ensures Cookies, Temporary

Internet Files, Webpage history, Form data and passwords, Anti-phishing

cache, Address bar and search AutoComplete, Automatic Crash Restore

(ACR) and Document Object Model (DOM) storage information is not

stored on the system [45].

To put to test the browser vendors claim, I had setup a test to confirm the

claims. During the first test the file system was monitored for all reads

and writes. On the second …

Online Social Communities Through The Lens Of Polyvore, Maansi Aurora

Theses

Traditionally, people used the Internet for simple interaction within the communication sphere.With the introduction of social media platforms the online world has become more interesting as consumers are using them to create, share, and discuss over the Internet. The growing popularity of the social online communities is bridging the gap between consumers and brands by providing them with a platform to communicate with each other. This study visually analyzes Polyvore, a social shopping online community. It sheds light upon how members use Polyvore in different ways, the hedonic motivations associated with shopping online, and the way in which an online …

The Treachery Of Imaging, Charlie C. Campbell

Theses

"The Treachery of Imaging" is a conceptual exploration of digital media's translational nature, a recognition of its ubiquity in our visual culture, and its fallibility. This work is an experiment in process; the dissection of a workflow for the purposeful obfuscation and destruction of digital imaging technology in opposition to its commonly held status as a scientifically accurate measurement tool; or as Paul Gsell referred to it, "an unimpeachable mechanical witness."

Through reflection, reference, reiteration, repetition, and the construction of algorithms "Treachery" is a process-oriented body of visual work, a documentation of this process, presentation, and context created in the …

The Role And Responsibility Of The Environmental, Health & Safety Manager In Establishing An Organization’S Commitment Towards Environmental Stewardship And Workplace Safety [As Elements Of Social Responsibility], Arthur Nagy

Theses

Background: Effective and leading Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Management is a topic of interest and necessity for many organizations and EHS professionals. The role and responsibility of the EHS Manager in establishing an organization's commitment towards environmental stewardship and workplace safety [as elements of social responsibility] evolves continuously. Objective: The purpose of this thesis is to identify the roles and responsibilities of an effective EHS Manager, and those roles and responsibilities that support an organization achieving environmental stewardship and workplace safety. Method: Salient elements, actions, and characteristics identified as a role or responsibility of the EHS manager within the …

Investigating Digital Publishing Trends Within The Consumer Magazine Industry, Sarah E. Lawrence

Theses

The introduction of the tablet is changing the consumer magazine industry. This research investigates new and developing trends within digital publishing, specifically the addition of a digital edition published on the Apple iPad. The industry is currently lacking consensus regarding digital strategy to implement these editions. This research aims to identify any existing trends, or lack thereof, through survey and interview responses. Firstly, sample magazines were analyzed to determine topics for examination in a survey and subsequent interview. Secondly, a survey was designed and conducted. The survey sample consisted of creative management of consumer magazines currently offered in Apple Newsstand. …

Development Of A Process For Producing Biodiesel From Microalgae Lipids With Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Extraction And Enzyme-Catalyzed Transesterification, Hanifa Easa Taher Al Belooshi

Theses

Lipids were extracted from microalgae using supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2), and used for enzymatic biodiesel production in SC-CO2. The growth of several fresh water and marine strains was tested under aeration with different CO2 enrichments. The highest growth found was for Chlorella sp. grown at 27 oC, 1 % CO2 enrichment and 460 mM NaCl concentration, at which carbon fixation rate was 1.7 g L-1 d-1. The highest enhancement of lipids content by nitrogen starvation was found with Scenedesmus sp., but with a lower growth rate. Two step cultivation of Scenedesmus sp. was carried out in a 5 L internally-illuminated …

Bacteriophage Therapies As Alternatives To Antibiotics In Chicken Feed In The United Arab Emirates, Wafa Awad Al Shamsi

Theses

No abstract provided.

Cross Media Communication Planning For Small Businesses, Rockie A. Hunter

Theses

The evolution of media communication formats and the focus on personalized customer interactions has created the need for effective planning and deployment of information from business to consumer. Research suggested that the area of communication media, formal marketing planning, and data collection are still in its early stages for small businesses.

This research targeted 850 small businesses in New Hampshire aimed to enhance knowledge of small business marketing habits. The analysis of the survey data found that communication habits had an emphasis on low cost options with low integration of formal planning. Data collection also posed an issue for small …