Digital Commons Network^™

Design Strategy For The Optimization Of The Impeller In An Axial Ventricle Assist Device, Jonathan Peyton

Theses

The objectives of this study were to create and implement a design strategy to improve the impeller design of the Left Ventricle Assist Device (LVAD) here at RIT. CFD software paired with parametric design optimization has proved as a useful tool set to improve VAD performance in a timely and cost effective manner. A design search of one design variable was conducted to test the implementation of the design strategy. Performance of a LVAD is split between three individual parameters: 1) Pressure generation, 2) Rate of Hemolysis, and 3) Risk of Thrombosis. CFD simulations provided the data necessary to assess …

Species Composition And Forest Structure Of Monte Sano Park, Huntsville, Alabama, Christopher Laliberte

Theses

Monte Sano State Park lies on the edge of the Cumberland Plateau in northern Alabama. The forest is an oak-hickory forest on the tabletop of Monte Sano Mountain, but grades into mixed mesophytic forest along the mid-to-lower escarpment. The landscape was delineated into five categories based on underlying bedrock strata. Several measurements were used to analyze the species composition, diameter breast height (DBH) size class structure, and to determine if discrete communities of trees were present. Species composition varied and was a continuum and the forest was diverse by temperate standards. There were some differences in stand structure in the …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Zero, One And Two Dimensional Metallic And Ceramic Nanostructures, Seyram Gbordzoe

Theses

Nanostructured materials are of great interest because the properties of a material at the nanoscale may differ significantly from the properties of the same material in the bulk form. This has led to a lot of new applications for nanomaterials owing to their unique physical, chemical, electrical, optical and magnetic properties. The present work reports on the synthesis and characterization of zero, one, and two dimensional nanostructured materials. Nanostructured materials in the present study were all grown using a pulsed laser deposition technique. Gold (Au) nanodots (zero-dimensional nanostructure) were grown on silicon (Si) substrates and subsequently used in the growth …

Breeding And Preliminary Characterization Of Novel Lentinula Edodes (Shiitake) Strains, Dietrich J. Blum

Theses

In order to increase productivity and yield of the edible shiitake mushroom, Lentinula edodes (Berkley) Pegler, monokaryons from each of six strains, in the culture collection of the Mushroom Biology and Fungal Biotechnology Lab were inter and intra bred to produce 566 novel strains. The objective of this study was to breed and characterize progeny strains for superior mycelial growth and temperature tolerance. Parental strains, monokaryons and their progeny were evaluated for mycelial growth rate at 10-30oC. The mating type of monokaryons and dikaryotic progeny was determined. Five of six parents were found to have homozygous mating type alleles indicating …

The Synthesis And Characterization Of 3-Nitro-2-Styrenyl Benzoic Acid Amide Derivatives As Potential Cancer Chemopreventives, Brittany Lynn Nichols

Theses

Chemopreventives are natural or synthetic compounds that are used to stop or reverse the processes of carcinogenesis or tumorigenesis. Resveratrol (3, 5, 4’-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene) is a stilbenoid and natural phenol that is found in fruits such as grapes. In addition to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, resveratrol can inhibit D-type cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinase CDK4 expression. This can also lead to inducing tumor suppressors p53 and Cdk inhibitor p21. The p53 protein is encoded by the TP53 gene and responds to cellular stresses by regulating target genes that induce cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and DNA repair among other functions. 3-nitro-2-styryl amide derivatives …

Queering The Mask: Performance And Fantasy In Michelle Cliff’S No Telephone To Heaven And Tahar Ben Jelloun’S Leaving Tangier, Kanika Bryant

Theses

This text juxtaposes Michelle Cliff's No Telephone to Heaven and Tahar Ben Jelloun's Leaving Tangier, examining the texts' cultural parallels to aid in an investigation and analysis of the queer protagonists in each text in order to show that because these protagonists self-consciously suppress part or all of their sexual identities, the act of temporary and permanent performance or passing becomes a central strategy utilized to navigate through their societal positions. The consciousness studies of both W.E.B. Du Bois and Frantz Fanon, as well as examinations of queer social identities as dictated by queer theory, will enhance the theoretical framework …

Effects Of Phase Feeding Different Levels Of Fungus Myceliated Grain On Broiler Performance And Health, Joi N. Jackson

Theses

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of phase feeding a combination of 3 different medicinal mushrooms (Lentinus edodes, Ganoderma lucidum, Pleurotus ostreatus) via Fungus Myceliated Grain (FMG) on broiler performance and health after natural and experimental exposure to field strains of Eimeria. A total of 300, day-of-hatch, female broiler chickens were weighed and randomly assigned into the following dietary treatment conditions: 1) 1 % starter, 2) 1 % grower, 3) 1 % starter-grower-finisher, 4) 5% starter, 5) 5% grower, 6) 5% starter grower-finisher, 7) 10% starter, 8) 10% grower and 9) 10% starter-grower-finisher. Each treatment was replicated 3 …

Mothering Values : An Exploration Of Generational Differences In Values, Beliefs And Attitudes, Marguerita Walsh

Theses

Maternal employment has led to an increase in the need for childcare (Horgan, 2001). In 2005, the most valuable source of childcare for children of primary school age was unpaid relatives (Share & Kerrins, 2009). 33% of grandparents are involved in childcare on a weekly basis (Jones, 2011). Therefore, childrearing tasks are shared, and children may be exposed to a variety of childrearing values.

Given the key-role grandparents, and in particular grandmothers play in childcare, this research focuses on exploring the parenting values, beliefs and roles of maternal grandmothers and mothers of children under the age of ten and how …

Forest Transitions And Environmental Policy In The Western Ghats Of India, Melanie Phillips

Theses

For several decades the amount of forest cover worldwide has followed a declining trend. Recently, developing countries such as India have begun social and political programs to support an opposite trend of forest restoration. The cause of this positive forest transition varies in each nation. This study shows the impact of recent developments in state-local forestry management programs on forest cover in the Western Ghats of India from 2001-2011. Using GIS and remote sensing technology this study analyzes recent patterns in forest extent and health in seven districts within the Western Ghats. Currently there is a serious lack of quantitative …

Optical Emission Properties Of Band Structure Tailored Semiconductor Nanostructures, Nicola Pavarelli

Theses

In the past decades, with the development of low-dimensional semiconductor heterostructures, research has been focused on studying novel materials and proposing new solutions for the improvement and optimization of numerous optoelectronic applications. Examples of these applications include optical data storage, displays and medical diagnostics in the ultraviolet and visible spectral range, or telecommunication networks, solar cells, gas sensing and imaging systems in the near- and mid-infrared. In this thesis, the optical characterization of a number of promising semiconductor nanostructures for the realization of next-generation optoelectronic devices is reported. The optical emission properties of each structure, measured by means of power-dependent …

Exploitation Of The Bacteriophage-Derived Peptidase Chapk, Pierre-Mehdi Hadbi

Theses

This project investigated an anti-staphylococcal bacteriophage-derived peptidoglycan hydrolase enzyme, namely a cysteine-histidine amydohydrolase/peptidase (CHAP_k). The study focused firstly on optimizing the production of recombinant CHAP_k, which was previously cloned in an E. coli expression system, and sets out the resulting optimal Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for production, purification and determination of concentration and activity of the resulting protein stock. A typical yield resulting from the investigation was 300pg of CHAP_k from one litre of E.coli culture. The activity of the purified enzyme was typically in the region of 190U nmol ’. Secondly, the project investigated …

Utilisation Of Spent Dairy Yeast Kluyveromyces Marxianus For The Production Of Flavoured Yeast Extracts., Brendan Mccarra

Theses

Spent dairy yeast Kluyveromyces marxianus (SDYK), a by-product of whey to ethanol fermentations, was investigated as a natural biomass source for the production of alternative flavoured yeast extracts. SDYK which was characterised by a high protein content (55.3% (w/w) ± 0.8) and comparable levels of flavor enhancing amino acids to that of S. cerevisiae was prepared for induced autolysis at different pH values in the presence of inductors sodium chloride and the proteolytic enzyme papain. An induced autolysis process was developed for the production of flavoured yeast extracts in which pH and autolytic treatment applied were found to have a …

Studies Toward The Total Synthesis Of Eletefine, Kyle Rugg

Theses

Eletefine is a natural product of the stephaoxocane family of alkaloids. It possesses an isoquinoline moiety functionalized with three methoxy groups forming an electron rich aromatic system. Eletefine also possesses a ten-membered ring with a novel bridged vinyl ether functionality, and a remote chiral alcohol, making it a conspicuous and desirable target for the synthetic organic chemist. The plant from which eletefine was first isolated (Cissampelos glaberrima) has been used in traditional medicine for the relief of symptoms from urinary tract infections and asthma. The proposed synthesis of eletefine is a convergent route which features a Sonogashira coupling and a …

Studies Toward The Total Synthesis Of Trocheliophorolide A, Jennifer Swartzenberg

Theses

Soft sea corals generate a plethora of natural products including steroids and metabolites. As such, they have been of keen interest to biologists and synthetic organic chemists. Recently the soft corals Sarcophyton trocheliophorum and Lithophyton arboretum, which were isolated from the Gulf of Aqaba in the Red Sea, have been found to produce six butenolide lipids and butenolides with unusual substitution and unsaturation patterns. The purpose of this research is to achieve the total synthesis of the gamma-lactone 1, Trocheliophorolide A, one of the six butenolide natural products. Trocheliophorolide A is composed of a lactone ring and a unique unsaturated …

Contemplative Reflections, Amy Vena

Theses

The collection of artworks encapsulated in the series of paintings, Contemplative Reflections, was completed for the M.F.A. thesis in the Fine Arts Studio program at the Rochester Institute of Technology. The artworks were influenced by similar concerns voiced by many of the romantic thinkers. Two essential components of this document are an investigation of theoretical consciousness, and the application of contemporary visual expression. Derived from romantic ideologies, the Hudson River school and the tonalist movement are often referred to in this document. Artists like Asher B. Durand, Thomas Cole and Ralph Albert Blakelock are acknowledged for their representation and admiration …

Effect Of Microwave Heating On The Migration Of Additives From Ps, Pp And Pet Container Into Food Simulants, Ruoyin Cai

Theses

Microwave food packaging has become a tremendous element in the food manufacturing process. The purpose of any food packaging regulations concerned with the safety of the food is to control and limit the migration of substances from the packaging into the food. The main objective of this thesis is to test three different microwaving packaging materials that are the most common material in the market, viz. polystyrene (PS), polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), migrated into four food simulant solutions. Four different simulant solutions were used based on the food type and FDA recommendations and regulations. These food simulants include …

The Interaction Between Hedgehog And Tgf-Β Signalling Pathways In Malignant Mesothelioma, Keyuri Koriya

Theses

Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is an aggressive cancer, the consequence of which is neoplastic transformation of mesothelial cells and is strongly associated with previous asbestos exposure. The disease is associated with poor patient survival due to difficulties in diagnosis and treatment options currently available. Therefore, it is essential to identify novel molecular targets that can be used to develop new treatment opportunities. Hedgehog (Hh) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) signalling pathways are involved in numerous overlapping developmental processes as well as tissue repair and tumorigenesis. Recently, TGF-β has been shown to induce the expression of Hh signalling effector molecules, the Gli …

Subwavelength Surface Plasmons Based On Novel Structures And Metamaterials, Ruoxi Yang

Theses

With the rapid development of nanofabrication technology and powerful computational tools over the last decade, nanophotonics has enjoyed tremendous innovation and found wide applications in ultrahigh-speed data transmission, sensitive optical detection, manipulation of ultra-small objects, and visualization of nanoscale patterns. Surface plasmon-based photonics (or plasmonics) merges electronics and photonics at the nanoscale, creating the ability to combine the superior technical advantages of photonics and electronics on the same chip. Plasmonics focuses on the innovation of photonic devices by exploiting the optical property of metals. In particular, the oscillation of free electrons, when properly driven by electromagnetic waves, would form plasmon-polaritons …

A Thomistic Understanding Of Happiness, Christian Stephens

Theses

Imagine that extra-terrestrial researchers land on Earth with the mission of studying humanity. As part of their expedition they wish to sit in on one University Degree, but are unsure of which degree to choose. So they decide to carry out a survey, asking each individual human what it is they want in life. Based on the results, the aliens will then study the appropriate field. After conducting the survey and processing the data, they come to the conclusion that humans highly regard this thing called happiness.1 The Head Researchers unanimously decide that a ‘degree in happiness’ is in order. …

Reproductive Timing Of The Blotched Chub (Erimystax Insignis) In The Flint River System Of Northern Alabama, Candice Allen

Theses

Important details of the reproductive ecology of many freshwater fishes of the species-rich southeastern USA are still poorly known. One such species is the Blotched Chub, Erimystax insignis, which is found in northern Alabama. To determine timing and patterns of reproductive effort, collections were made of as many as 40 individuals monthly from August 2011 through July 2012. The collection site was a 10 km stretch of the Flint River in Madison County Alabama. Female gonadosomatic index (GSI) data averages for each collection indicate that the species peaks in reproductive activity in March. Fish had reproductively competent female GSI values …

A Novel Mammogram Registration Algorithm For Improving Breast Cancer Detection, Stephanie Cleveland Cunningham

Theses

Accurate mammogram registration is vital to future breast cancer research. In order to detect changes over time and/or bilateral asymmetry, computer aided detection algorithms must first be able to accurately align two mammogram images. The registration algorithm in this thesis is a novel process designed to accurately register two mammogram images using the Pompeiu-Hausdorff distance as a similarity measure. The algorithm identifies the optimal translation and rotation that can be used to properly align the two mammogram images by computing the optimized Pompeiu-Hausdorff distance between extracted feature point-sets and adaptively fine tuning the parameters with each iteration. This automated algorithm, …

Metal Nanoridge Surface Plasmon Waveguides, Zeyu Pan

Theses

Propagating two-dimensional surface plasmon waveguide modes supported by silver nanoridges with flat-top, triangular, and elliptical cross sections are investigated. Mode profiles, dispersion relations, propagation distances, mode sizes, and figures-of-merit are calculated for these nanoridge waveguides. There is only one guided mode associated with the nanoridge, which is a quasi-TEM mode with longitudinal field components one order of magnitude smaller than transverse field components. The quasi-TEM nature of the mode reveals that free electron oscillations located at the top of the nanoridge is the main contributor to tightly confined nature of plasmon modes. When the height of a triangular nanoridge or …

Investigation Of Wastewater Treatment Plant Sustainability Potential In Terms Of Resource Recovery Essentials, Aoife Moloney

Theses

This thesis aims to explore the sustainability potential which exists in Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP's); particularly focusing on nutrient, energy, and water recovery and reuse. The core of the research will focus on the establishment of a sustainable Resource Recovery Treatment Plant (RRTP) plan for Limerick Main Drainage (LMD) WWTP, and potentially utilising this as a case study plant which could act as a foundation example within the sector.

There is a genuine need to investigate more sustainable options in wastewater treatment (WWT); increasing energy and sludge management costs are a real issue for non-sustainable WWTP's given that thousands of …

A Common Methodology To Assess The Sustainability Of Different Stages Of The Water Cycle In An Urban Environment In An Irish Context, Áine Mcgrath

Theses

The project proposes to devise a common methodology to assess the sustainability of different stages of the water cycle in an urban environment in an Irish context. With the reduction in infrastructure investment by the governing bodies, the concept of sustainable development is becoming more important.

The project involves using the principals and procedures of a system analysis along with sustainable key performance indicators to assess the sustainability of water cycle system, which includes water treatment, the water distribution system, wastewater treatment and flood risk management.

A sustainability assessment of the combined stages of an urban water cycle will provide …

The Isolation And Characterisation Of Acientobacter Baumannii Bacteriophage, Mohamed Farag M. Elbreki

Theses

Acinetobacter baumannii is a pathogen, which has an increasing prevalence of multidrug resistance. It exists widely in natural environments, and frequently in health-care settings where it has proven difficult to eradicate using antibiotic therapy. A possible alternative to conventional antibiotics is the use of bacteriophages (phages) as antibacterials. In this project, extensive screening of environmental samples such as soils, sewage and waters was undertaken to identify suitable phages. Three phages were successfully isolated from municipal waste in the Cork area. These were subsequently characterized in detail and examined by electron microscopy, which showed that they were all of the Myoviridae …

Novel Liquid Chromatography - Fourier Transform Mass Spectrometry (Ms) And Triple Quadrupole Ms Methods For The Determination Of Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning (Dsp) Toxins., Bébhine Carey

Theses

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) appear to be on the rise globally, which not only has a negative impact on the shellfish industry but can also cause human and animal intoxications. In order to advance our knowledge of HABs, specific and sensitive analytical methods are required to aid in monitoring shellfish and algal samples for biotoxins, harmful to consumers.

Determining A New Alignment Scoring Matrix For Disordered Proteins, Adam Handen

Theses

Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) are polypeptide sequences that do not form a rigid three dimensional structure when isolated in the cytosol of the cell. These sequences are very common in most genomes, and usually are involved in many protein-protein interactions. IDPs also play a key role in many diseases, including cancer and Huntington's disease. However, IDPs are difficult to study because of their amorphous shape, high mutation rate, and unique amino acid composition. These obstacles make homology studies especially difficult.

This study focused on generating a new substitution matrix designed to aid in homology studies of IDPs. The matrix was …

Vitamin D Deficiency And Cultural Influences Among Muslim Women In Southern Illinois, Durar Kassim Shakir

Theses

This study is an analysis of the cultural influences that affect the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among Muslim women from sun-rich countries, who now reside in Southern Illinois. Previous studies examine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among this population, while neglecting to examine the extent of cultural influences which can affect the likelihood of having this disorder. Low serum levels of 25(OH)D can occur when there are low levels of vitamin D intake, and when exposure to sunlight is limited. Muslim women are more prone to vitamin D deficiency due to traditional attire, regardless of migration. Upon surveying …

Characterisation Of Pharmaceutical Grade Horse Chestnut Waste, Joanna Przyborska

Theses

Horse chestnut residue was made available by a local pharmaceutical company. The residue was subjected to compositional analysis and studied to determine potential for residual biological activity, including prebiotic, antimicrobial, anti-hyaluronidase and anti-elastase effects.

The residue had 52 % total solids, including 2.97% ash, 6.93% protein, 1.89% crude fat. Oleic acid (74.7%) was the main fatty acid components in the crude lipid component. The major ash components were potassium, phosphorus, calcium and magnesium.

Prebiotic potential of aqueous extract (HCE) from horse chestnut residue was confirmed. A new formula for calculation of prebiotic index (PI) was developed. PI for probiotics (Lactobacillus …

Semi-Supervised Heterogeneous Evolutionary Co-Clustering, Pankaj Andhale

Theses

One of the challenges of the machine learning problem is the absence of sufficient number of labeled instances or training instances. At the same time generating labeled data is expensive and time consuming. The semi-supervised approach has shown promising results to solve the problem of insufficient or fewer labeled instance datasets. The key challenge is incorporating the semi-supervised knowledge into the heterogeneous data which is evolving in nature. Most of the prior work that uses semi-supervised knowledge has been performed on heterogeneous static data. The semi-supervised knowledge is incorporated into data which aid the clustering algorithm to obtain better clusters. …