Digital Commons Network^™

High-Reflectance, Sputter-Deposited Aluminum Alloy Thin Thin Films For Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems, Lance Barron

Theses

This study comprises an investigation of highly reflective thin film for microelectro- mechanical systems (MEMS) consisting of reflective components. For these applications, the desired film system must have (1) low stress, (2) high specular reflectivity, (3) improved nano-hardness relative to pure aluminum, (4) compatibility with traditional semiconductor fabrication techniques. This study is an in depth investigation of both the specular reflectance and mechanical properties of thin film reflectors formed by low-thermal (<200°C) processing. Six different aluminum films (containing Cu, Ti, Cr) were chosen based on extensive literature research. Each film was characterized by a variety of optical, electrical, and mechanical analytical techniques to obtain data relating microstructure to the film’s reflectivity and mechanical properties. A complete dielectric function for each deposited aluminum alloy has been developed utilizing Drude-Lorentz parameters and effective media approximations (EMA) to account for film surface topography. Results show that copper solute addition generate films that maintain much of the bulk reflectance of pure aluminum while refining surface morphology to create a more specular surface consisting of smaller, more uniform grains. Electron and atomic force microscopy and x-ray diffraction studies reveal that copper inclusion into the aluminum lattice cause both a reduction in the preferred orientation of the film and change in the lattice parameter. Copper concentrations of 1.0% and above lead to spatial variation in copper content within the films, with copper precipitating out of solution. Film hardness, resistivity, and stress increase as a function of copper content, with the absolute magnitude of stress being acceptable for MEMS applications. The addition of titanium and chromium to Al-1.0%Cu films cause further microstructure refinement as well as increased stress, resistivity, and hardness. Al-2.0%Ti-1.0%Cu and Al-2.0%Cr-1.0%Cu exhibit reflectivity spectra that differ significantly in both inter- and intraband absorption from that of pure aluminum. The Drude-Lorentz/EMA dielectric function model has been successfully applied to all alloy films explaining the observed reflectivity and showing an excellent agreement between measured and Drude resistivity. This study will enable to model and predict the optical response of thin films in terms of their intrinsic and extrinsic properties

Haptic Induced Motor Learning And The Extension Of Its Benefits To Stroke Patients, Adrienne M. Coppa

Theses

In this research, the Haptic Master robotic arm and virtual environments are used to induce motor learning in subjects with no known musculoskeletal or neurological disorders. It is found in this research that both perception and performance of the subject are increased through the haptic and visual feedback delivered through the Haptic Master. These system benefits may be extended to enhance therapies for patients with loss of motor skills due to neurological disease or brain injury.

Force and visual feedback were manipulated within virtual environment scenarios to facilitate learning. In one force feedback condition, the subject is required to maneuver …

Growth Behavior Of Fibroblasts Influenced By Small Changes In Polymer Structure, Saraswathi Doddi

Theses

Polymers are a promising class of biomaterials that can be engineered to meet specific end use requirements. The order and processing history of the polymer, which would alter the molecular orientation of the material could have a significant contribution towards cellular attachment and in turn, cell growth on the particular polymer. Surface properties of the material were considered to directly influence the properties of the adherent cells including cellular growth and reorganization. The present study is aimed at comparing cell growth on polyarylates with that of polylactic acid in their original state or by introducing small changes in the surface …

In Vitro Evaluation Of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cell Neural Differentiation On Tyrsine-Derived Polyarylates And Polycarbonates, Yee-Shuan Lee

Theses

Present spinal cord injury treatments cannot restore motor and sensory functions caused by the injury. These functions can return in the hopes of repairing the neural cells with a tissue engineered designed scaffold complex. The scaffold complex will include cells to repair and replace the damaged cells.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are multipotent adult stem ells that are capable of differentiating along several lineage pathways. Neural stem cell and MSC differentiating along the neural lineage bave been investigated both in vivo and in vitro depicting its feasibility. MSC for neural differentiation can be achieved by microenvironmental signaling. Substrate surface characteristics …

Science Assessment Of Deaf Students: Considerations And Implications Of State Accountability Measurements, Julie Mountain

Theses

As states increasingly require students to take standardized tests, it's crucial to examine the ability of such tests to accurately reflect actual student knowledge and skill within content domains. This project reviews the literature about assessment in general and written text features problematic to deaf readers. It seeks to analyze the content breadth and depth as well as the text readability and other linguistic features of Massachusetts' and New York's high school physics tests. Finally, it considers the use of tests with their potential linguistic bias for making decisions about student content mastery and potentially other high stakes decisions such …

Automated Liquid Dispensing Pin For Dna Microarray Applications, Suganya Parthasarathy

Theses

This thesis describes the research and development of a new liquid dispensing/aspiring system that is capable of producing micro sized spots/droplets for molecular biology research and analysis. In particular, the application is focused on DNA microarray fabrication with the goals of smaller spot size, higher yield, more efficient usage of biological materials, and capability to handle high viscosity liquids. The new system is based on active sensing and control and it is part of a fully integrated robotic microarray system for genomic and proteomic applications. The prototype system handles water as well as thick liquids such as 100% glycerol and …

Quantification Of Long-Range Power Law Correlations Among Healthy And Pathologic Subjects Using Detrended Fluctuation Analysis And Multifractal Detrended Fluctuation Analysis, Hardick Raval

Theses

The healthy heartbeat is traditionally thought to be regulated according to the classical principle of homeostasis whereby physiologic systems operate to reduce variability and achieve an equilibrium-like state. However recent studies reveal that under normal conditions, beat-to-beat fluctuation in heart rate display the kind of long-range correlations typically exhibited by the dynamical system far away from equilibrium. In contrast, heart rate time series from patients with severe congestive heart failure show a breakdown of this long-range correlation behavior. Two different non-linear dynamic methods namely Detrended Fluctuation Analysis (DFA) and Multifractal (MF) DFA are used for the quantification of this correlation …

Multifractal Analysis Of Heart Rate Variability Using Wavelet-Transform Modulus-Maxima Method, Chirag Jani

Theses

Physiological signals are complex and carry information of human health. Recent studies reveal that under normal conditions, the heart rate time series shows multifractal behavior. In contrast, HRV in the pathological state such as congestive heart failure exhibits more monofractal-like structure. Recent advances in the assessment of heart rate variability (HRV) uses a nonlinear dynamics approach. In this study, the main objective is to use the wavelet-transform modulus-maxima method for the multifractal analysis of the heart rate time senes.

The degree of the multifractality is defined by the singularities (a point in time series where a mathematical function is not …

Wet-Spinning And Thermal Analysis Of Collagen Fibers Incorporating Hydroxyapatite In Mixed And Coated Form, Sandesh Nathaniel Prakash

Theses

The composition of natural bone comprises of collagen (Cg) as organic phase which acts as a matrix and inorganic calcium phosphate, particularly hydroxyapatite (HA), which is used as reinforcement. This study involved the wet-spinning of collagen fibers incorporating HA in mixed and coated form. The weight percent ratio of collagen and HA in the composite fibers was 95 to 5 respectively. HA coating on pure collagen fibers was achieved by immersing them in HA solution formed by mixing HA in water. With Thermomechanical analysis, the highest breaking point temperature was obtained for the composite fibers and the least with pure …

Snp Auto-Calling Using Artificial Neural Networks, Damien Spivak

Theses

In recent years feedforward artificial neural networks (ANN) and their training algorithms have become an effective methodology for the construction of nonlinear systems that solve the statistical problem of classification. The ability of ANNs to solve this problem is highly germane to making progress in the refinement of DNA microarray analysis and techniques regarding this issue. This study attempts to deal with the classification of microarray data and the comparison and validation of simple feedforward ANNs in partitioning high dimensional data. In doing this the efficacy of using ANNs as a genotyping tool will be proven. Furthermore, it has been …

Quantification Of Regularity In Rr-Interval Time Series Using Approximate Entropy, Sample Entropy, And Multi-Scale Entropy, Nirvish Shah

Theses

Heart rate variability (HRV) has proven to be a useful noninvasive tool to study the neuronal control of the heart. Recently, nonlinear dynamic methods based on chaos theory and fractal dynamics have been developed to uncover the nonlinear fluctuations in heart rate. Approximate Entropy (ApEn), Sample Entropy (SampEn) and Multi-scale Entropy (MSE) are measures based on chaos theory that quantify the regularity in time series. This study has been designed to examine the ability of these measures to distinguish the RR-interval time series of normal subjects (NSR) from subjects with congestive heart failure (CHF). The study was conducted on the …

The Effective Management Of A Recycling Program At A Large Manufacturing Facility, Michael D. Nersinger

Theses

Some companies have realized the benefits associated with an effective recycling program. Xerox Corporation is one of those companies. Effective recycling can bring revenue to a company, while reducing costs associated with waste disposal. Additionally, they may be seen as good corporate citizens to their stakeholders, which can be used as an important marketing tool for the sales force.

This project examined the effective management of a recycling program at a large facility. Xerox Corporation's facilities located in Monroe County, New York have had recycling programs in place for over a decade. Because the program was mature and continued to …

Constructed Memories, Biffy Borg

Theses

Memories, like the gelatin that coats our photographs, affix themselves to precious family images. These photographs provide us with stories either remembered or retold. However, similar to the actual memories, the photographs only provide a partial story. A moment in time captured on film. Once the shutter clicks, once the moment takes place, it is gone, and those within the borders of the frame no longer exist. Once the moment is over, it begins to recede into memory. The preciseness of detail begins to mutate. Therefore, both the memory and image are suspect.

Through my thesis work, I explore this …

Perceived Social Support And Well-Being Among Gay And Lesbian Parents, Valerie Weck

Theses

Parents who identify as gay or lesbian often face discrimination from the majority population based their sexual orientation. Additionally, gay and lesbian parents may be subject to discrimination from the single-gay and lesbian community for their parental status. However, families of this type continue to grow in number and seem to fare well in the face this adversity. Research to date has not explored the resources that gay and lesbian parents rely on in order to rise above intolerance and promote healthy development of the family. Due to the abundance of literature emphasizing the importance of social support to measures …

Isoelectric Point Prediction From The Amino Acid Sequence Of A Protein, Matthew Conte

Theses

Proteins often do not migrate as expected in two dimensional electrophoresis based on their primary sequence. The predicted isoelectric point (pI) frequently does not coincide with experimental pI values obtained in the laboratory. The reasons for these differences led to this study. Initially, 2DE data from the E. coli proteome was collected and formatted. This dataset was split into three parts each consisting of different levels of pI discrepancy (ΔpI). The protein sequence data for each ΔpI subset was run through a pipeline. At each stage of the pipeline the data were analyzed by comparing each of the three ΔpI …

Techno-Economic Evaluation Of Conventional And Membrane-Based Pretreatment Before Reverse Osmosis, Shamma Ahmed Rashid Al-Malek

Theses

In this thesis, a technological and economical comparison was conducted on both conventional and membrane based pre-treatment before reverse osmosis desalination. In order to produce high quality water at the design recovery ratio, reverse osmosis membranes should receive high quality feed water in terms of turbidity, suspended solids, and biological matters. Conventional pre-treatment schemes of media and cartridge filters after coagulation chambers have been used for years. Due to the poor performance and decline in reverse osmosis recovery, membrane based pre-treatment has emerged and has been under research and study in the recent years. Few conventional pre-treatment reverse osmosis plants …

Sparklines As Effective Graphics, George Francy

Theses

This research explores a method of graphical display called a sparkline. Sparklines are a valid method to convey statistical information, supported by an easy familiarity among users and a desire, expressed by information design expert Edward Tufte, for greater density in data display. The subject is examined in light of the broader concept of the integration of pictures and text, tracing this tradition back to medieval illuminated texts, through history to Galileo, and to such diverse modem techniques as emoticons. The historical perspective is expanded upon through an examination of perception theory and implications for data graphics. Ethical issues of …

Short-Term Effects Of Bulkheads On The Bayshore Of Fire Island, New York, Dipanjali Chavan

Theses

Construction of bulkheads as a method of shore protection is common on the bay shoreline of Fire Island, New York but there are few studies that assess the effects of these structures on beach change in estuarine and lagoon environments. A short-term field study was conducted at Cherry Grove on Fire Island to assess the effect of a bulkhead on the fronting profile and to the adjacent beaches on the east side of the bulkhead. Data on winds, waves, and currents were gathered daily at high water. Data on profile change and depth of sediment activation were gathered at low …

Stereo Vision Algorithm Using Propagation Of Correspondences Along An Array Of Cameras, Danyan Ganjali

Theses

One well known problem in stereo vision is the trade-off between precision and accuracy.

In a conventional two camera model, as the baseline separating the two cameras becomes smaller, the images that both cameras produce become more identical. This results in a more accurate set of correspondences, however at the same time causing less precise depth measurement due to the small angle used for triangulation. Similarly, in a larger baseline model, the depth measurement is more precise while the correspondences are not as accurate as of the shorter baseline model. This thesis proposes a method that promises to solve the …

Analysis Of Acceleration And Deceleration During Cyclic Exercise, Jeena Vadi

Theses

The Cyclic Exercise Protocol is a novel protocol that is designed to create a series of cyclic waves of exercise and recovery. This exercise protocol involves short bursts of exercise lasting for 60 seconds or less followed by a period of complete cardio recovery. This study involves the analysis of the acceleration and the deceleration regions of the cyclic exercise sessions. The objective of this study was to develop an algorithm to quantitatively analyze the acceleration and the deceleration regions of cyclic exercise sessions. The acceleration and the deceleration regions of cycles were split into three segments and each segment …

Structure And Dynamics Of Soluble Guanylyl Cyclase, Kentaro Sugino

Theses

Soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) is one of the key enzymes involved in many fundamental biological processes including vasodilatation. It can be allosterically activated by synthetic compound such as YC-l. Recently, the 3D structure of adenylyl cyclase (AC), which is a homologue of sGC, was determined. Using AC as template and homology modeling, the 3D structure of sGC is predicted. Prior experimental work has suggested two binding modes of YC- 1. In the current investigation, molecular dynamics simulations (MD) were conducted to seek more detail of molecular mechanism of sGC activation.

From these MD simulations, a tentative mechanism of sGC activation …

Non-Linear Digital Control Of A Mckibben Muscle System, Surinkumar Patel

Theses

McKibben muscles are pneumatic actuators that have potential application in the rehabilitation of persons with physical impairments. These actuators have been known to exhibit similarities in human musculoskeletal systems. In order to better understand and improve the closed - loop control of these pneumatic muscles, a physical joint model was constructed with an agonist and an antagonist muscle operating under non-linear control. With the use of LabVIEW software, compliant McKibben air muscles and Flock-of-Birds sensor, the author was able to implement and compare a standard bang-bang controller and experimental non-linear digital Proportional (P) controller. The feedback mechanism is based on …

Ambulatory Biopotential Measurement, Lakshmi Chitra Penugonda

Theses

Biopotential signals measure the electrical activity of different parts of the body. Conventional bedside monitors only provide information about the body under restricted conditions. Observation and documentation of biopotential signal during daily activities and the relation to patient symptoms may be important factors for clinical decision-making. Ambulatory monitoring helps to monitor the biopotential signal of a patient in the natural environment. The effective ambulatory system can help a physician to diagnose the patient's abnormality.

In this project, a low cost and flexible ambulatory biopotential system, compared to the commercially available systems, was designed and tested. Concurrently a software program was …

Planar Visual Fusion Scintigraphy, Jacob Puthiamadathil

Theses

Planar scintigraphy, while providing useful information about the distribution of the radiopharmaceutical being used, often does not provide adequate information about the surrounding anatomical structures. A proposed method to solve this problem is by registering and fusing a scintigraphic image with a digital visual image. Fusing planar scintigraphic images with visual photographic images to supply an anatomic correlate to regions of radiopharmaceutical accumulation has been explored in this study. The digital visual image will provide a context for the relevant structures in the scintigraphic image. The validity of using one set of affine transformation parameters for registering all patient data …

Enabling Cost Aware Routing With Auctions In Wireless Ad-Hoc Networks, Ali Yuksel

Theses

Battery power is a precious resource in wireless ad-hoc networks, and most routing protocols that have been proposed so far do not generate cost efficient routes. In this thesis, a novel auction-based cost-aware routing scheme, called CARA, is presented. CARA is designed as an extension of the MAC layer, and is shown to improve the cost efficiency of existing ad-hoc routing protocols through dynamic power control, while introducing only minimal additional overhead. The MAC layer at each node is given the capability to run local sealed-bid second-price auctions for the user data packets that need to be transmitted, and to …

Vision Application Of Human Robot Interaction: Development Of A Ping Pong Playing Robotic Arm, Kalpesh Prakash Modi

Theses

Robotics is a science that is implemented parallel to human behavior. This work describes and implements techniques to mathematically model the game of ping pong played by the humans, and utilization of these methods in the design and development of a ping pong playing robotic arm as an application of robotic vision. Displaced frame difference (DFD) is used to segment the ball motion from background motion and parametric calibration of single CCD camera is utilized to track the ball in three dimensions. This visual information is temporally updated and further applied to guide a robot arm to hit the ball …

Deposition Of Inhaled Particles In A Symptomatic Asthmatic Human Respiratory Tract, John N. Diflorio

Theses

Inhalation medicinal aerosol and biological aerosol risk assessment are the current motivation for deposition models to be developed. Inhalation aerosols have been around for many years for the treatment of asthma and other respiratory ailments in which the aerosols targeted the upper airways. Current research is focused to target the alveolar sacs due to their vast surface area for drug and gene delivery. Targeting the alveolar sacs Corkery (2000) requires a slow and deep breathing pattern for maximum deposition at the alveolar units. Also the particles must be fairly small (1-3 µm) to avoid deposition by impaction. Gautam et al. …

Identification Of New Mrna Targets Of Puf Protein-Mediated Decay In Yeast, Randi J. Ulbricht

Theses

Precise regulation of gene expression is accomplished at many levels. Puf proteins are a widely conserved family of RNA binding proteins that regulate gene expression by influencing the stability of their target mRNA transcripts. Puf family members have been characterized as transcript-specific repressors in Drosophila, Dictyostelium, mouse, C. elegans, and Xenopus. In S. cerevisiae, there are 5 conserved Puf family members. Two of them, Puf3p and Puf5p, are known to destabilize their mRNA targets, down-regulating gene expression. The remaining yeast Pufs, Puf1p, Puf2p and Puf4p, are homologous to Puf3p and Puf5p, suggesting that they too …

Nanotechnology: An Assessment Of Current Occupational Health And Safety Issues, Brian Mcshane

Theses

Nanotechnology is a rapidly expanding field and is expected to revolutionize many existing industries and create entirely new ones. Presently, and to a greater extent in the future, there is potential for occupational exposure to free forms of these materials in research and development labs and industrial processes. Free nanomaterials may pose a significant health risk to those exposed as described by recent preliminary data on nanomaterials but also through the work addressing exposures to ultrafine particles both in the workplace and in ambient air. There are presently no published health and safety guidelines for working with nanomaterials. This paper …

Electrospinning Of Biphasic Biopolymer And Polymer : A Feasibility And Characterization Study, Sherry Hsiu-Ying Wang

Theses

Electrospinning of polymeric materials have been experimented to achieve nanoscaled diameters. The approaches to the current study are to combine a natural material such as collagen with synthetic materials and determine if the interactions between the materials can be used in the electrospinning process. Collagen is a material of choice due to its biocompatibility. When collagen is combined with polymer, Polyethylene Oxide (PEG), the fiber diameters ranged from 150nm to one micron. The fibers produced have shown drastic phase separation. The next study involved using a duel solvent system to electrospin fibers. The polymer of choice is Poly (1-lactic acid) …