Digital Commons Network^™

Optimization Of A New Digital Image Compression Algorithm Based On Nonlinear Dynamical Systems, Anurag R. Sinha

Theses

In this paper we discuss the formulation, research and development of an optimization process for a new compression algorithm known as DYNAMAC, which has its basis in the nonlinear systems theory. We establish that by increasing the measure of randomness of the signal, the peak signal to noise ratio and in turn the quality of compression can be improved to a great extent. This measure, entropy, through exhaustive testing, will be linked to peak signal to noise ratio (PSNR, a measure of quality) and by various discussions and inferences we will establish that this measure would independently drive the compression …

Iir Modeling Of Interpositional Transfer Functions With A Genetic Algorithm Aided By An Adaptive Filter For The Purpose Of Altering Free-Field Sound Localization, Dereck Padden

Theses

The psychoacoustic process of sound localization is a system of complex analysis. Scientists have found evidence that both binaural and monaural cues are responsible for determining the angles of elevation and azimuth which represent a sound source. Engineers have successfully used these cues to build mathematical localization systems. Research has indicated that spectral cues play an important role in 3-d localization. Therefore, it seems conceivable to design a filtering system which can alter the localization of a sound source, either for correctional purposes or listener preference. Such filters, known as Interpositional Transfer Functions, can be formed from division in the …

Analysis Of Yeast Codon Usage Patterns Using The Movable Orf Collection, Nunut Butarbutar

Theses

The relationships between codon usage and protein expression levels have been extensively studied in various organisms. Highly expressed genes have often been shown to have stronger compositional codon bias. However, previous studies often failed to separate the effects of regulatory control from codon usage patterns. These studies have also been deficient with respect to both gene and protein coverage. In this study, we investigated the role of codon usage patterns in Saccharomyces cerevisiae using the Movable Open Reading Frame (MORF) collection library. The new collection is based on the recent annotation of yeast genome and is made with high– efficiency …

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.

Developing A Habitat Suitability Model For The Spotted Turtle Using A Hybrid-Deductive Approach, Bryan Correa-Berger

Theses

Knowledge of species with multiple habitat needs for conservation and species survival planning is scarce. In order to predict areas of habitat suitability and potential further research, suitability modeling is necessary. This research created a GIS-based model to predict habitat suitability potential for the spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata) in four counties of western New York. Because of scarce and conflicting information on spotted turtle habitat needs, a survey was sent out to experts that evaluated spotted turtle habitat parameters. The goal of the habitat model was to predict optimal habitat for sustainable spotted turtle populations in an area where viable …

Fish Predation Alters Community Predictability In Small Ponds, Elizabeth Gabor Biro

Theses

Predation can have large but variable impacts on prey species diversity. Although the effects of predation are often deterministic, stochastic processes can often influence the outcome on community assembly regardless of predator presence. Top predators can alter several properties of the community, including the abundance and richness of species, as well as the traits of species that can persist with predators. These properties, in turn, may influence the pattern of community assembly and the predictability of community structure from site to site. In this study, we investigated whether the presence of fish predators influenced the site-to-site predictability (similarity in community …

Rescuing System Design, Il-Chan Lee

Theses

There are many different technologies and equipment to search for objects underground today including mine ore, water, mineral or oil, but almost none of those technologies and equipment are applied to searching for people. This research will help to define what kinds of detecting methods exist, and what kind of technologies could be possibly applied for detecting human beings underground. ... The primary goal is to develop a new system for rescuing people under special circumstances such as building collapses, earthquakes, and being trapped underground (e.g., mine shaft collapses). There are many different technologies that could be applied to these …

On The Applicability Of Random Mobility Models For Swarm Robot Movements, Siddharth Sail

Theses

Random mobility models have been traditionally used to represent cellular or ad hoc movement patterns for PDA and laptop users. These models are critical for network traffic and protocol analysis. As robotics move to a paradigm where wireless network protocols are being utilized, it is unclear whether the same mobility models are applicable for analyzing these wireless network protocols. This thesis examines the similarity and differences between the traditional random mobility models and the mobility patterns exhibited by a team of randomly moving robots. Though the movements are driven by the same random functions, the robots need to detect and …

Inverse Solid-Liquid Fluidization Of Aerogel Granules And Its Application In Removing Oil From Water, Gaurav Babubhai Patel

Theses

Fluidization is a very well known unit operation used in the chemical industry for various purposes. Inverse solid-liquid fluidization, where the solid particles to be fluidized are less dense than the fluid, is one of the several different kinds of fluidization being studied for its potential in industrial applications. The present work focuses on finding the hydrodynamic characteristics (minimum fluidization velocity, bed expansion and pressure drop) of an inverse fluidized bed of aerogel granules and using this system to remove oil from an oil-water mixture. The solid particles employed for this study are low density (100 kg/m³) surface …

Inverse Dynamic Modeling For Characterization Of Spasticity, Katharine Markel Swift

Theses

Spasticity affects subjects with cerebral palsy, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and traumatic brain injury. The need to develop a deeper understanding of spasticity is driven by the existing limited understanding and the lack of satisfactory interventions for this disabling phenomenon.

An inverse model is implemented to describe the motion in the pendulum knee drop test. Inverse kinematic modeling is implemented to investigate the pathophysiology of spasticity.

Using the equilibrium point hypothesis as a conceptual framework to explain disabled and non-disabled neuromuscular control, it has been demonstrated that the equilibrium point of the passive knee is dynamic and exhibits a pseudo-exponential trajectory …

J-Horror : A Discourse In Cross-Cultural Communication And Cinematic Hybridity, Marylou Quillen

Theses

Film visually communicates the idea of culture, leaving interpretation open to an impressionable audience. Though a genre's recognizable iconography can transcend boundaries, understanding a film's intended message still requires a certain amount of foreknowledge. J-Horror, the common term for Japanese horror among fans, is a sub- genre of Horror that has been catapulted into Hollywood's limelight due to adaptations such as The Ring (2002). Based upon a novel, Ringu, by Koji Suzuki and Nakata Hideo's 1998 cinematic creation of the same name, Gore Verbinski adapted the terrifying plot for Western audiences in his 2002 counterpart.

With the cross-cultural transition, certain …

A Dynamic Supine Stander For Subjects With Disabilities Leading To Prolonged Immobility, Luis Alberto Espina

Theses

Bone tissue needs to be exposed to loading in order to stimulate the osteogenic response of the body. Disabilities that lead to prolonged immobility will result in a decrease of the osteogenic processes and an increase in resorption of bone by osteoclast cells. This disuse modeling can lead to osteopenia, osteoporosis, and subsequent non-traumatic fractures. These disabilities are varied in nature and duration, and can include load bearing bone fracture, excessive obesity, spinal cord injury, and cerebral palsy.

The following describes the concept and design of a novel dynamic supine stander that will provide loads simulating ambulation to the lower …

Development Of Enzymatic Biofuel Cell Based On Carbon Nanotube Electrodes On Porous Silicon, Fan Yang

Theses

The work presented in this thesis has focused on designing and characterizing biofuel cell electrodes using porous silicon (p-Si) as the substrate or current collecting platform on which carbon nanotubes (CNTs), both single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MiWNTs), were synthesized directly, followed by enzyme catalyst immobilization on the CNTs. Laccase and glucose oxidase (GOx) were used as enzymatic biocatalysts, which were immobilized on the CNT walls and tips using an electrochemical technique. Cyclic voltammetry showed well-defined redox peaks which indicated that the enzyme (GOx and laccase) were successfully immobilized on the CNTs. The amperometric responses of the …

Exploring Visual Expressions To Articulate Thoughts On Human Existence, Mieko Tachibana

Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to broaden my thoughts on human existence and identity in nature and the universe. It is also to explore the varied visual expressions of my thoughts, feelings, and ways to engage the audiences. ... I tried to experiment with various possible visualizations of my thoughts and feelings through four different installations. Video and installation 1 is about the existence of human beings. In Installation 1, I limited my personal visual images, and instead used language to convey my thoughts. Installation 2 is about the relationship between human beings and nature, and is expressed through …

Effects Of Soil Solarization On Seed Viability Of Serious Weeds Of Crops In The Uae, Fatema Khalil Al-Hammadi

Theses

The efficacy of solarization in weed control under field conditions of the united Arabs Emirates (UAE} was evaluated by conducting field experiments in a farm near Al-Ain. The soil of the farm was artificially infested with seeds of the following weeds: Amaranthus viridus, A. hybridus, Cenchrus ciliaris, Chenopodium murale, Launea mucronata, Malva parviflora, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Echinochloa colona, Portulaca oleracea, and Melilotus indica. The soil was plowed, rotovated to provide a smooth surface and divided into 12 raised plots, 10 x 1 m each: seven were solarized and five non-solarized. Soils …

To Establish Accurate Local Adult Reference Ranges For Routine Chemistries In A Large Diagnostic Clinical Biochemistry Laboratory In The Hse South Area, Barbara Kenneally

Theses

The objectives of this project were:

i. To establish adult reference ranges for routine chemistries quoted in the Clinical Biochemistry Department, Cork University Hospital (CUH), by using samples from blood donors at the local blood bank. 120 samples of blood from male blood donors and 120 samples from female blood donors were collected from the Irish Blood Transfusion Service (Cork). These samples were analysed for 21 routine chemistry analytes, using non-parametric statistics.

ii. To study the statistics of nineteen routine chemistries of the adult population served by the laboratory over a one- month period. Results were collected for each of …

Evaluation Of Four Novel Broad-Host-Range Antimicrobial Agents., Jiahui Guo

Theses

The overall objective of this thesis was to evaluate the antimicrobial effects of four novel broad-host-range antimicrobial agents. The first was a milk-derived lipoprotein developed by Westgate Biologicals with the support of Enterprise Ireland. This lipoprotein which was designated LactiSAL, was evaluated against a wide range of bacterial species associated with humans. Essentially, the LactiSAL was incorporated at a variety of concentrations into agar media, which were appropriate for cultivation of the different genera. Agars were examined for colony formation, after which it was possible to quantify the minimal inhibitory concentration for each genus. Subsequently, LactiSAL was incorporated at levels …

Anaerobic Digestion: Decision Support Software, Marco Poliafico

Theses

Ireland has significant quantities of livestock; meat exportation is a vibrant sector of the economy. Environmental management of animal wastes has therefore become an important concern. On the other hand in the last decade, national and EU policy debate has highlighted the need to investigate alternative energy: in particular energy for transport.

This study investigates the quantities of animal wastes produced in Ireland and their potential treatment using Anaerobic Digestion technologies. In 2005 Ireland had over 8 millions animals (cattle and pigs) and the annual slaughter accounted for over 4.2 million of these creatures. These animals have been responsible for …

Conservation Of The Brca1 Gene, Matthew Gary Wronkowski

Theses

Most research has been conducted on the structure and function of many individual genes as well as complementary proteins. Many of these studies look at specific population groups' country of origin, geographic location, or ethnicity but do not correlate findings between these groups. In this project I attempted to associate the structural and functional consequences of individual mutations in Human BRCA1 to other organisms. My findings suggest a strong correlation between human geographical isolation and mutation exclusivity. Furthermore strong sequence and mutation conservation as well as structural homology exist between many species.

Indian Giver: A Screenplay In Three Acts, Brandon R. Mckinney

Theses

The texts and accompanying media bound herein represent the culmination of an intensive course of study focused on writing for the screen, or screenwriting, and are submitted as partial fulfillment of Lindenwood University's requirements for the degree of master of fine arts.

This culminating project is comprised of a feature-length motion picture screenplay, an accompanying introduction to the author/explanation of the screenplay, and a DVD copy of a televised discussion program (hosted by the author with a professional Hollywood screenwriter as guest) dealing with the craft of screenwriting.

The screenplay, titled Indian Giver, expands on the basic comedic premise of …

The Endangered, Rick Mabrey

Theses

This writing project is a culmination of essays based on my personal experiences as an educator, and an environmentalist. The work illustrates a mindset of abuse and neglect that harms nature, and mistreats children. It offers hope through those who will nurture and not turn their back on the problems of society.

The endangered list no longer singles out animals in the wild. It now includes what is left of the open land, the healthy waterways, and many of the kids I teach.

St. Francis of Assisi said, "Not to hurt our humble brethren is our first duty to them, …

This Is The Past Speaking To You: Genre And The Use Of History And Verbatim Quotes To Create Theatre, Lee Patton Chiles

Theses

Unavailable.

Epidemiology Of Hepatitis A In Al Ain: With Emphasis On Age-Related Seroprevalence, Salwa Saeed Al Shamisi

Theses

Hepatitis A (HAV) is common worldwide, but with falling sero-prevalence in residents of developed countries is an indication of improved food and water hygiene. It is well known that the sero-prevalence of hepatitis A are highly correlated with socioeconomic status. The main objective of this study was to have base line data on the age-related sero-prevalence of HAV in Al Ain district and the possible risk factors.

Blood and a questionnaire data were obtained from 280 UAE citizens' outpatients of Tawam Hospital and 333 expatriates' inhabitants of Al Ain city. The expatriate subjects were heterogeneous coming from 24 different countries. …

Development Of An Immunoturbidimetric Particle Enhanced Assay For Detection Of C-Reactive Protein, Maria Nicholas

Theses

Background: C-reactive protein (CRP) is a well-known marker for inflammation. Recent studies have demonstrated that increases in CRP concentrations are associated with future coronary events in apparently healthy men and women. The requirement for assays, capable of testing CRP concentrations within the range 1-lOmg/l, is therefore great.

Methods: Two CRP assays were developed. The Sensitive assay is capable of measuring CRP concentrations as low as lmg/l for use as a potential cardiac marker test. The Normal assay can measure concentrations from 5-400mg/l for establishing levels of inflammation. Both assays developed are latex particle enhanced immunoturbidimetric assays designed for use on …

Characterization Of Stress Ulcer Model In Mice, Abeer Hamed Rubayea Hamed Aldhaheri

Theses

Stress ulcer is a common problem in critically ill patients. Recent statistics indicated that bleeding from stress ulcer is a common cause of death in patients admitted to intensive care units. Little is known about the cellular changes that occur in the gastric mucosa during stress ulcer formation. The aim of this study is to define the changes that occur in the mouse stomach during development of stress ulcer by using different microscopy techniques.

The cold-restraint mouse model of stress ulcer was used in this study. Mice of both sexes were restrained and maintained in a cold (4°C) room for …

Analytical Studies On Some Antiviral Drugs And Their Derivatives Using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance And Uv-Vis Spectrophotometry, Habiba Saleh Saif Alawi Jahri Al Yafei

Theses

Cyclodextrin chemistry involves non-covalent molecular interactions between the interacting species. The majority of these interactions are of the host-guest type. In the present work, UV-Vis spectrophotometry and ¹H-NMR studies were used to study the interaction between amantadine hydrochloride, acyclovir and their derivatives with β­cyclodextrin. Additionally, quantification of amantadine hydrochloride and acyclovir by ¹H-NMR spectroscopy were carried out.

This study is based on preparing amantadine hydrochloride and acyclovir derivatives. Anthraquinone-2-carboxylic acid and benzoyl chloride were used as derivatizing agents for amantadine hydrochloride and acyclovir, respectively. Derivatization procedure was based on nucleophilic displacement by an amino group (amantadine or acyclovir) …

Comparison Of Efficiency Of An Advanced Oxidation Process For Degrading Major Classes Of Dyes, Fatima Hasan Abdullah Ai-Hamedi

Theses

Synthetic dyes are a major part of our life. Products ranging from clothes to leather

Accessories to furniture all depend on extensive use of organic dyes.

There are numerous classes of these dyes. However, azo, anthraquinonoid,

Triarylmethane, diarylmethane, acridine, quinine, xanthane and nitro represent the major

Classes and are most commonly used dyes.

An unfortunate side effect of their widespread use is the fact that up to 12% of these dyes are

Wasted during the dyeing process, and that approximately 20% of this waste enters the environment (mostly in water supply). The effluents from these industries cause the water bodies …

Sustainable Shoe Design With A Single Material, Jungyun Lee

Theses

People tend to throw away a shoe rather than repair it for further use. This means more and more shoes are thrown away, and since a shoe is made out of many kinds of materials that are all glued or stitched together, it is difficult to recycle or reuse the shoe. Additionally, there is a symbolic relation between the land and shoe; a shoe is the product that connects people to the ground. It is ironic that a shoe, which provides the connection, has a negative effect on the land. If we wear a shoe longer, we can reduce the …

Using Organic Modeling Techniques To Create Scientific Models For Flow Analysis In Biomechanical Research: Exploring 3-D Software Typically Used In Creative Media For Model Creation., Jessica L. Weisman

Theses

Biomedical Engineering research utilizes digital three-dimensional models of human anatomical systems that are used as components in specific types of simulation. The data collected from the simulations provide quantifiable information that has a physical basis. The use of the digital models allows engineers the freedom of experimentation that may not be possible in the real world and allows them to quickly change the parameters. Although these models can provide reliable information, the models represent a mechanical ideal and therefore do not accurately represent organic matter. The consequence of using an ideal model to represent tissue may give flawed data, since …

Assessing Executive Functioning In Children With A Hearing Loss, Elizabeth Oberg

Theses

This study examined a variety of executive functioning assessment methods with a group of deaf children. The relationship between parent/teacher reports of 22 deaf and hard of hearing students' executive functioning, students' performance on cognitive tests and students' performance on selected achievement domains was studied. The findings showed significant positive correlations (p<.01) between the parent/teacher Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) on six of the eight clinical scales. Secondly, there were significantly positive correlations between the parent/teacher BRIEF reports and the students' scores on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, the (Children's) Color Trails Test and the Woodcock- Johnson: Writing Fluency subtest. Lastly the importance of considering etiology when assessing deaf children was examined. Students with genetic deafness were rated as significantly different (p<.05) on BRIEF scales and performed significantly different on select student measures than students with other causes of deafness.