Digital Commons Network^™

Characterization Of Putative Magnesium Transport Systems In Yeast, Andrew James Franklin

Theses

Magnesium (Mg2+) is essential for all life, and is utilized for many important biological processes. Despite the fundamental importance of Mg2+ homeostasis to life, relatively little is known about Mg2+ homeostasis in eukaryotes. The goal of this work was to identify proteins required for the active transport of Mg2+, which are essential to prevent the overaccumulation of cytosolic Mg2+, but have not been identified from any organism. In yeast, a vacuolar Mg2+/H+ exchange activity has been described but the molecular identify of this protein is unknown. To try and identify this activity, a candidate gene approach was used. Four yeast …

Prefrontal Cortex Asymmetry And The Regulation Of Communication: A Meta-Analytic Study, Michelle Elaine Pence

Theses

A rapidly growing body of research indicates that individual differences in the ability to regulate emotions depends on symmetric functioning in the prefrontal cortex. When prefrontal functioning is asymmetrical- especially when the right side is more active than the left- a lack of emotional control is more likely. This lack of emotional regulation has consequences for affective social interaction and, therefore, communication. Although a great deal of theoretical speculation abounds regarding the research literature, conclusions have been based on narrative literature reviews. In the present study, a psychometric meta-analysis of studies that examined the relationship between prefrontal asymmetry and variables …

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 …

Finding Yosemite: A Reflection On Conservation, Jennifer Witkowski

Theses

Yosemite National Park has always been a National treasure of natural beauty, making it a popular tourist attraction by providing protection for unique geological formations, wildlife, and land of historic value. The parks mission is to provide recreation while educating and preserving the history and environment in which the park resides on. Recently, the mission of Yosemite National Park has been threatened by an increase in the number of people who visit the park annually and budget cuts that have a direct effect on the amount of resources the park has available to counteract the environmental impact of the rise …

Turing Instabilities In A S-I-R Model, Hye Yon Yi

Theses

With the increasing threat of biological warfare and the fear of an epidemic outbreak of influenza, smallpox, and other deadly diseases, the field of epidemic modeling is becoming increasingly important in the scientific fields. The focus of this thesis will be to create a model to study the effects of the rates of reaction and the rates of diffusion within a network based on the different parameters used in the modeling of any disease. For this model, the exact parameters of a specific disease are not as crucial as the qualitative behaviors that occur from the changing parameters. The model …

Dynamic Inversion Of Underactuated Systems Via Squaring Transformation Matrix, Ryan Schkoda

Theses

In this thesis, a novel method for control of non-square dynamical systems using a model following approach is developed. Control methodologies such as dynamic inversion and sliding mode control require an inversion of the input influence matrix. However, if the system input influence matrix is non-square direct inversion is not possible. Pseudo inversion of the input influence matrix may be performed for control allocation. However, pseudo inversion limits the control to states where the controller is directly applied. The pseudoinverse method does not permit the engineer to designate a particular state to control or track. When accurate tracking of states …

A Link-Quality-Aware Graph Model For Cognitive Radio Network Routing Topology Management, Andrew Michael James

Theses

Wireless communications is one of the fastest growing fields in the world; however this creates a problem since all wireless signals are fighting for the same limited amount spectrum in any given space. The underutilization of licensed spectrum has created a need for a new way to use it. Cognitive Radio Networks and Dynamic Spectrum Access are a solution to this problem. By opportunistically using spectrum, devices can gain access to more wireless bandwidth while not violating FCC regulations. The concepts of Cognitive Radio Networks and Dynamic Spectrum Access are very new topics and have yet to be fully explored. …

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 …

Identification Of New Mrna Targets Of Puf3 Protein-Mediated Decay And Analysis Of Their Condition-Specific Decay Regulation In Yeast, Melanie A. Miller

Theses

Eukaryotic Puf proteins function to regulate gene expression by altering mRNA stability. Specifically, Puf proteins bind the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of mRNA targets to stimulate their turnover. Yeast Puf3p was originally found to mediate rapid turnover of COX17 mRNA, which encodes a mitochondrial copper shuttle. More recently, microarray and computational analyses revealed that Puf3p physically associates with >100 nuclear-transcribed mRNAs that encode mitochondrial proteins. Moreover, it was predicted that the steady-state expression levels of these mRNAs are altered by different growth conditions. In this work, I have experimentally validated several new mRNAs that are targeted for turnover by Puf3p, …

The Link Between Emotional Recognition And Executive Functioning Ability, Alexandra Popa

Theses

This study investigated the link between executive functioning (e.g., planning, shifting, inhibiting) and emotional recognition ability based on facial expressions. In addition, differences in emotional recognition and executive functioning among college majors and year in school was assessed. Gender differences were studied as well. A sample of 53 volunteer undergraduate students were administered an abbreviated version of Ekman's Pictures of Facial Affect (AEFER) and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test: Computer Version 4 (WCST:CV$). Findings indicate a moderate association between emotional recognition and executive functioning. Participants' performance varied on emotional recognition tasks based on year and major. Also, differences in executive …

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 …

Breaking Barriers Of Regeneration: Examining The Effectiveness Of Bird Perches In Facilitating Seed Dispersal In A Tropical Dry Forest, Muldrow Milton

Theses

This project examined the use of bird perches in facilitating seed dispersal to address the lack of seed dispersal and seed rain in degraded tropical forests. The goal of this project was to learn more about this practice in order to derive more realistic expectations of its effectiveness. After four months, significantly more seeds were dispersed into plots containing introduced perches as compared to subplots that lacked perches. Seed rain was dominated by Ficus citrifolia, a mid-level successional species, indicating that introduced artificial perches may influence the regeneration of more mature forests. Seeds recovered from seed traps represented species with …

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 …

Investigating The Effects Of An On-Chip Pre-Classifier On Wireless Ecg Monitoring, Alexandru Samachisa

Theses

In past years, heart disease has been the leading cause of death in most developed countries. Timely detection of a heart condition is necessary in order to prevent life threatening situations. Even when the problem is not a heart condition, the activity of the heart can supply vital information, which makes its monitoring extremely important. A new approach to patient monitoring was taken recently by introducing wireless sensor networks into medical care. The capability of monitoring multiple patients at once makes such a system ideal for pre-hospital and in-hospital emergency care. The main problems associated with wireless sensor networks are …

Parallelization Of The Maximum Likelihood Approach To Phylogenetic Inference, Janine Garnham

Theses

Phylogenetic inference refers to the reconstruction of evolutionary relationships among various species, usually presented in the form of a tree. DNA sequences are most often used to determine these relationships. The results of phylogenetic inference have many important applications, including protein function determination, drug discovery, disease tracking and forensics. There are several popular computational methods used for phylogenetic inference, among them distance-based (i.e. neighbor joining), maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian methods. This thesis focuses on the maximum likelihood method, which is regarded as one of the most accurate methods, with its computational demand being the main hindrance to its …

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 …

Urban Middle School Students’ Perceptions Of Math And Science Teachers’ Caring Behaviors And Student’S Self Reports Of Academic Competence, Brenda Rhyne

Theses

This research examines urban middle school students' perceptions of their math and science teachers' behaviors. Specific caring behaviors (challenging questions, encouragement and praise, non-verbal support, understanding and friendly, and controlling -- which refer to teacher's expectations for classroom behavior) were evaluated by 101 students (72 girls and 29 boys) in grades 7, 8, and 9 by means of a survey instrument. Research findings support earlier investigations confirming that boys and girls interpret teacher friendliness differently. However, both male and female students reported similar perceptions of their teachers' behaviors with respect to praise, non-verbal support, and controlling. In addition, a strong …

An Integrated Water Quality Modeling System With Dynamic Remote Sensing Feedback, Yan Li

Theses

A coupled hydrodynamic-optical water quality modeling system based on Dynamic Data Driven Applications Systems (DDDAS) concepts that assimilates remote sensing data into a hydrodynamic model was developed and tested. The modeling system includes the hydrodynamic model (ALGE), a radiative transfer model (Hydrolight), and remote imagery (MODIS) as a dynamic feedback. The DDDAS was implemented through an Ensemble Kalman Filter (EnKF) with a small ensemble space. Large scale thermal structure and circulation patterns in Lake Ontario were simulated during the spring and summer seasons. High-resolution stream plume studies were performed in Conesus Lake and for the plume of the Niagara River …

Synchronicities 4:4, Emily M. Sperry

Theses

This thesis paper examines the work presented in my M.F.A. thesis installation Synchronicities 4:4. The paper explores the aesthetic and theoretical concepts compiled within this project, in order to reveal the mindset and motivations of the artist. Elements covered in this text include installation design, research of its conceptual history, and citations of various artists working in similar methods to achieve equivalent creative goals. This thesis project uses the mediums of sound and video to elucidate a greater understanding of the realms of human awareness, particularly in relation to the mystical characteristics of invisible sensory information. This thesis describes theories …

Remedies, Cassandra Straubing

Theses

By investigating how memory works and how washing and mending lend them[selves] metaphorically to healing, I seek to discover how women of today experience the process of repairing themselves after their own sexual violence. For this thesis project I was interested specifically in women's stories of how they have dealt with violence in their own lives. By interviewing a group of women, I discovered how they have tried to metaphorically wash and mend themselves after their sexual violation occurred [...]. As an artist, I have chosen glass as my primary material for its inherent physical properties. Glass resembles the concept …

Ez-Viz Movie, Laura Lynn Grell

Theses

The molecular modeling program PyMOL [1], developed by DeLano Scientific, has the capabilities to produce high-quality molecular images and animations. Although it is a very powerful tool, working with PyMOL requires the use of complex, syntactical commands that can be difficult for users to learn. To address this issue, a plugin coined EZ-Viz was developed in the summer of 2005 to provide an easy-to-use interface for interacting with PyMOL. While the interface replaced many PyMOL commands with buttons and menus, it lacked functionality that was dedicated to aiding users who wanted to create their own custom, molecular animations in PyMOL. …

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 …

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 …

Mac/Routing Design For Under Water Sensor Networks, Yamin Al-Mousa

Theses

The huge advances in communication technologies and Micro Electrical and Mechanical Systems (MEMS) have triggered a revolution in sensor networks. One major application of sensor networks is in the investigation of complex and uninhabited under water surfaces; such sensor networks are called the Underwater Wireless Sensor Networks (UWSN). UWSN comprises of a number of sensors which are submerged in water and one or several surface stations or a sinks at which the sensed data is collected. In some underwater sensor applications, autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) could be used. The underwater sensor nodes communicate with each other using acoustic signals. Applications …

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: …

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 …

Long-Term Unemployed Men: A Social Constructionist Exploration Of Identity Construction, Elizabeth A. Scott

Theses

Identity construction in long-term unemployed men over the age of thirty-five was explored using discursive psychological analysis (Wetherell, 2001). Forty participants in County Kerry, who had not engaged with statutory agencies providing employment rehabilitation services, were accessed over a three year period in order to identify the reasons for nonengagement. A grounded theory approach (Bryman, 2004) to data collection was utilised. This yielded six broad codes and eighteen categories of discursive resource drawn upon by the men in constructing identities. In explaining their continued absence from the workforce and lack of engagement with services, discourses identified by Levitas (2004) classifying …

Acceptor Splice Site Prediction, Eric Foster

Theses

Gene finding is an important aspect of biological research. The state of gene finding is such that many approaches exist yet the problem itself is still largely unsolved. The various signals involved in gene location and modification offer a window of opportunity for the accurate prediction of genes. Many algorithms attempt to break down the problem of gene prediction into smaller portions focusing on various signals and properties. The individual study of these signals becomes warranted. This work focuses on splice site prediction, and more specifically, acceptor splice site prediction. Several current approaches, weight matrix models and Markov models, are …