Digital Commons Network^™

A Party To All Secrets, Jacqueline Gentile

Theses

None provided.

A Theoretical Study Of Pure And Simple Competition Between Two Microbial Species In Configurations Of Two Interconnected Chemostat, Cheng-Ming Kung

Theses

It is known that two microbial populations competing purely and simply for a common substrate cannot coexist in a steady state in an environment which is spatially homogeneous. Hence they cannot coexist in a chemostat something which implies that a mixed culture of two pure and simple competitors cannot be maintained in a single ideal reactor in a steady state. The present study investigates theoretically pure and simple competition between two populations in two interconnected chemostats. Three reactor configurations are considered and analyzed. It is proved that two pure and simple competitors can coexist in a steady state in both …

In Vitro Comparative Hydrodynamic Study Of Heart Valve Bioprostheses Under Accelerated Fatigue Conditions And Under Physiological Conditions, Mario Cincinat Iosif

Theses

The present study involves the use of an accelerated fatigue testing system*, and a pulse duplicator (heart simulator)*, to evaluate the hydrodynamic characteristics of cardiac bioprostheses.

The hydrodynamic performance of these prosthetic valves is compared when tested using each machine, in order to assess the determining conditions that exist for each case, and try to correlate them.

Pressure drop and pulsatile flow across valves are measured, using a real-time on-line data acquisition system, which includes, in addition to the fatigue tester and the pulse duplicator, a DC amplifier, an analog-to-digital converter and a digital microcomputer. Special acquisition software has been …

Deconvolution Techniques With Applications In Cardiovascular Systems Analysis, Lakshminarayan Rajaram

Theses

System characterization by means of Impulse and Frequency Response Functions are well known in classical linear systems analysis. Impulse Response Function is a time domain description of a linear system where as the Frequency Response Function represents the frequency domain counterpart. Linear systems are often characterized in frequency domain. In many biological research applications, it becomes necessary to examine the impulse response function in order to understand the behavior of the system under investigation. One such application is the arterial system in cardiovascular dynamics. It has been shown that although both representations are identical, some aspects of the arterial system …

Prediction Of Vapor And Liquid Equilibrium Properties For 25 Organic Priority Pollutants In Aqueous Solution, Pinchieh Pai

Theses

Activity coefficients and Henry's law constants for 25 organic priority pollutants were estimated using UNIFAC thermodynamic calculations. For 6 of these compounds, the results were compared with measured values reported in the literature. This indicated errors in the UNIFAC predictions varying from 24.0% to 95.0%. Best results with UNIFAC were obtained using liquid-liquid equilibria, rather than vapor-liquid equilibria.

Octanol/water partition coefficients were also estimated for the same 25 organic priority pollutants using the fragment constant method. Results differed from values reported in the literature by 5% to 170%.

Estimated activity coefficients were also used to predict stripping rates of organic …

Biodegradation Of Phenol And 2-Chlorophenol Using A Fill-And-Draw-Reactor, Chi-Chun Tsai

Theses

The biological degradation of phenol and 2-chlorophenol was studied at room temperature in a microprocesser controlled fill-and-draw reactor using activated sludge from the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commissioners wastewater treatment plant (Newark, New Jersey). The reactor was cycled through four unit processes: fill, react, settle, and draw. Different cycle times were tested, and the system response was characterized by dissolved oxygen measurements and substrate analysis (by gas chromatography).

With inhibitory substrates, such as those tested, this reactor had much more flexibility, and was therefore much easier to operate, than a standard continuous flow reactor.

Comparison Of Several Manufacturing Techniques Used To Produce A Sterile Antibiotic Powder, Antonio Joseph Barberio

Theses

There are several manufacturing processes (crystallization, spray drying, freeze drying, and closed crystallization) that are used to produce a sterile antibiotic powder. A pharmaceutical manufacturer is faced with the problem of deciding which process is best suited for their operations. The purpose of this thesis is to propose a comparison technique that might aid in a solution to this problem. In the first step of the comparison technique, a fixed rating is assigned to a number of different categories (i.e. initial cost of equipment, product purity, etc.) for each process. The fixed ratings were established from an industrial survey, and …

A Closed Form Image Force Function For Deposition Of Particles In A Cylindrical Tube, Hsi-Chung Chiou

Theses

This study investigated the behavior of charged particles suspended in a laminar steady incompressible flow in a cylindrical tube under the influences of image , inertia , viscous and gravitational forces. A new expression for the image force was obtained by introducing an approximate potential energy function. The velocity profiles employed in the analysis were uniform and parabolic.

The governing equations derived were based on Newton's second law of motion and were solved by a Runge-Kutta numerical method. The results were obtained for different values of Q, a dimensionless inertia-charge parameter. For a value of Q equal to zero the …

Preparation And Testing Of Novel Blocked Isocyanate Dental Adhesives Based Upon Hydroxyhexylmethacrylate, Gururajan Rao

Theses

In this study dental adhesives synthesised from TDI/HHMA/pentaerythritol, with either of the blocking agents namely eugenol, o-methoxyphenol, p-cresol or o-chlorophenol were tested. Bond strengths in dentin as influenced by spacer molecules were tested. Comparison studies to determine this were performed using the same blocking agents and TDI/HEMA/pentaerythritol. The effects of i. post-extraction time and ii. dentin depth on bond-strengths were tested using two monomers: o-methoxyphenol/ TDI/HEMA/pentaerythritol and p-cresol/TDI/HEMA/pentaerythritol 1. From teeth recently extracted (2h) vs dentin aged from one to six months 2. From dentin cut from three different levels within the tooth.

The prepared dentin-adhesive samples were stored in …

On-Line Analysis Of Highly Coherent Brain Activity During Transcendental Meditation And Automated Biofeedback, Deepak Dinkerrai Rawal

Theses

Occurance of highly coherent brain activity (EEG) specific to the meditation has been reported in the literature. The present thesis is an effort to look into the mechanics of meditation using the recent technique of analysis of high coherence in the EEG. Based on previous work, reporting increased EEG coherence during practice of Transcendental Meditation, a closed loop model and hypothesis is proposed using biofeedback to close the loop. The hypothesis proposes that very high coherence in the EEG is a very significant neurophysiological parameter, reflecting instantaneous quality of meditation in the form of an average high coherence above threshold. …

Preparation And Properties Of Monomers Derived From Hydroxyhexyl Methacrylate For Dental Adfesive, Ren-Dar Ku

Theses

Although methacrylic acid is the simplest unsaturated carboxylic acid and its hydroxyl ester polymerize readily, yielding useful resins, no adequate study of the preparation and application of the higher hydroxyl alkyl methacrylates has been published. The commercially important hydroxyethyl and hydroxypropyl methacrylates are manufactured from the appropriate alcohol in the presence of sulfuric acid, a method which appears to be less suitable for production of higher hydroxyl alkyl methacrylates. The purpose of the present work was to prepare the hydroxyhexyl methacrylate (HHMA) by a generally applicable method and determine its common physical properties. In addition, the urethane methacrylates were synthesized …

Reliability Study Of Liquid Crystal Display, Kalpesh Mahendra Desai

Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to study the reliability of liquid crystal display under different temperature conditions. To accomplish this, accelerated life testing was done on the soft glass and the hard glass liquid crystal display units at 77 C and 85 C temperature without any added humidity or voltage.

As the current is a usefu1 indicator for probable wear of liquid crystal display, leakage current was measured at 0 hour, 1000 hours, 2000 hours and 3000 hours when the units have stabilized at room temperature.

The date shows higher spread for the hard glass units. This may indicate …

The Separation Of Proteins Via Charged Electromembrane Process, Chi-Wen Lin

Theses

A new method for separation and concentration of protein and other biocolloids such as hemoglobin and albumin was developed by a process called the charged electromembrane (CEM) process. The process is characterized by using a metallic membrane as a filter which can carry either positive or negative electric current.

The effect of various factors on the separation coefficient and filtration efficiency were investigated experimentally. These factors include strength of electric field, pH of colloidal solution, electric current through membrane filter and flow rate.

It was found out that the thickness of the gel layer formed on the membrane could be …

Biodegradation Of Multiple Substrates In A Batch Reactor, Nilesh Naik

Theses

The biological degradation of multiple substrates was studied at room temperature in aerated 5-liter batch reactors using mixed liquor from the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commissioners wastewater treatment plant (Newark, New Jersey).

Two substrate mixtures were used (with initial concentration indicated in parenthesis): (1) phenol(100ppm) + nitrobenzene(10ppm) + 2,6-dichiorophenol(10ppm); (2) 2-chlorphenol(20ppm) + nitrobenzene(10ppm) + 2,6-dichlorphenol(10ppm). From concentration versus time data, kinetic rate constants for zero-order, first-order, and Monod models were determined. Most of the data were best fit by either the Monod or zero-order model. For all compounds tested biodegradation was the primary removal mechanism, and in many cases the rate …

Biodegradation Of Mixed Phenolic Substrates, Prasad Gonnabathula

Theses

The biological degradation of phenol, with either 2-chlorophenol, 2,6-dichlorophenol, or nitrobenzene as cosubstrates was studied in aerated five - liter batch reactors using mixed liquor from the Passaic Valley Sewarage Commissioners wastewater treatment plant (Newark, NJ). The initial substrate concentrations were: 100 – 150 ppm phenol, 10 - 20 ppm 2-cp, 10 ppm 2,3 dcp, and 10 - 20 ppm nitrobenzene. The concentration vs. time data were fit to three kinetic models: zero-order, first-order, and Monod(assuming constant biomass). Most of the data were best fit by either the Monod or zero-order model. For all compounds tested, biodegradation was the primary …

Design Of An Expert System To Perform Cladistic Analysis, Walter Wolf

Theses

Not Included

Evaluation Of Flash And Fluorescent Sources With Respect To Recommended Ocular Exposure Thresholds, Mark Fairchild

Theses

A system was established for the evaluation of sources of optical radiation with respect to recommended ocular exposure limits. This system consists of a diode array radiometer calibrated for absolute radiometric measurements and software for the application of the currently accepted threshold limits for exposure to the various wavelengths of radiation. Absolute calibration of the array radiometer was accomplished to within 3 percent of values obtained by a conventional instrument. Day-to-day repeatability of the instrument indicates the possiblility of absolute calibration of the detector array responsivity for everyday use in the measurement of continuous sources to an accuracy of plus-or-minus …

Investigation Into The Feasibility Of Burning Hazardous Waste In Utility Boilers, Reuben Steinberg

Theses

Disposal of hazardous waste is of major concern in recent years in this country. Declining availability of landfills together with more stringent State and Federal regulations has necessitated the need to consider alternative means of hazardous waste disposal. It was suggested that burning hazardous wastes in presently operating utility boilers might be beneficial to the utilities and offer a solution to this social problem.

This thesis investigates the feasibility of this alternative given the technical, economic and regulatory considerations involved and discusses the findings of adopting this technology for hazardous waste disposal.

Based on the results of this study it …

Analysis And Evaluation Of The Developments In The Use Of Coal, Farid Najib Elkheshen

Theses

This thesis is a survey and evaluation of the developments in the use of coal. It deals with the social, economic, physical, and biological impacts of such a shift. It examines the complete coal system, from extraction to combustion, including the key steps and policy initiatives. The United States, with 6% of the world's population, consumes about 33% of its commerical energy supply - while the available reserve coal is about 80% of total energy in the United States, with coal use representing only 17%, oil and gas about 78% at present.

Technologies under development that might reduce costs, increase …

Use Of Clay As A Landfill Liner, Mayur B. Desai

Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to study the factors affecting efficient functioning of clay material for containment of landfill materials. The study of liner-leacheate interaction is done from the consolidation and vane shear tests on various clays having different activities, and chemicals that are typically found in a municipal solid waste leachate and a leachate collected from an active landfill.

An effort was made to study the use of Atterberg limits to predict the suitability of a clay as a landfill liner for a given waste environment. The study indicates that there is a decrease in permeability of bentonite …

Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity Of Brunswick Soil With Aqueous Benzene Solution, Thomas R. Pisciotta

Theses

Tests measuring saturated hydraulic conductivity and dispersivity were conducted on Brunswick soil using an aqueous solution of benzene. The tests were performed using a flexible wall permeameter which was modified to allow extraction of effluent samples immediately upon exit of the test specimen. Influent and effluent samples were analyzed with a gas chromatograph in order to quantify dispersion and sorption in the specimen.

The test was performed using a confining pressure of 70 psi. and a hydraulic gradient of 100.3. Using a sample statically compacted to 99.2% of the Modified Proctor maximum density and tap water as a permeant, stable …

A Presentation Of The Self-Organizing Paradigm; Speculation On Its Impact On Health, Gail Dahl Schomaker

Theses

This thesis explores the emergence of a new paradigm in understanding health, grounded in the scientific principles of self-organization and systems theory. Gail Dahl Schomaker presents a comprehensive examination of the shift from the traditional Newtonian mechanical worldview to the dynamic, process-oriented perspective rooted in the theory of dissipative structures as formulated by Ilya Prigogine. Central to this new worldview is the conceptualization of living organisms, including humans, as open systems that maintain and increase order through continual interaction with their environment.

The paper is structured to introduce key theoretical models from systems theory, cybernetics, and holistic health, progressively building …

A Market Study On The Viability Of Small Launch Firms, Allen George Dyer

Theses

As the United States only launch vehicle program NASA'~ Space Shuttle forced the shutdown of conventional launch vehicle operations . A system whose profitability depended on frequent use, but which, instead , incurred numerous launch delays, the Shuttle soon could not cover the cost of itself much less turn an profit. The French Ariane, albeit a simpler launch vehicle, soon successfully competed with the Shuttle for payloads.

The Reagan Administration, by various supportive measures, encouraged the market entrance of commercial launch firms . The Shuttle and Ariane, however, subsidized by their respective governments , set prices so artificially low that …

A Suggested Personal And Family Care Curriculum For The Vocational Skills Centers Of The Special School District Of St. Louis County, Ruth Elaine Hellweg

Theses

A Suggested Personal and Family Care Curriculum for the Vocational Skills Centers of the Special School District of St. Louis County is designed to provide an open entrance-open exit approach to developing skills for coping with specific activities of daily living. It is intended for use with handicapped students of all categories including BD, LD, MR, SH, and orthopedically handicapped and could be used with slow learners in any area. It is a task analyzed curriculum, written with measurable behavioral objectives to facilitate IEP formulation. Areas covered are grooming and hygiene, nutrition, food preparation, first aid, home health, safety, substance …

A Curriculum For The Teaching Of Writing At The Fifth Grade Level Using Cerebral Symmetry, Karen Sue Roth

Theses

Children's writing doesn't just happen. The transferring of private thoughts onto paper is a fragile and complicated press. To make the best use of instructional time and assure the quality of children's writing experiences, this author upon reviewing the current research felt a writing program based on integrating the right and left modes of thinking in a non-threatening environment was necessary. This is a curriculum designed to involve both modes of perceiving. It allows for the right hemisphere modes by encouraging clustering, body movement, color, image making, and metaphoric thinking. It enhances the left hemisphere modes by providing exercises for …

Determination Of Trace Quantities Of Selenium And Arsenic In Canned Tuna Fish Using Electroanalytical Techniques, Ann Marie Higham

Theses

Toxic metals are present in the environment and are known to be present in food. Selenium, which is considered an essential micronutrient, is recognized as a toxic metal at slightly higher concentrations. Arsenic is also recognized as a toxic metal. Selenium and Arsenic tend to accumulate in food, specifically fish and seafood.

Fifteen brands and types of tuna fish were analyzed for selenium using differential pulse cathodic stripping voltammetry. The cans with the high and low concentrations of selenium were analyzed for arsenic using differential pulse polarography. Three samples with three percent recoveries and a blank were analyzed for each …

Computerized Medical Illustration, Cynthia Duffer

Theses

Not Included

Microbial Characteristics Of An Industrial Mixed Liquor After Exposure To Phenolic Compounds, Patricia L. Boyle

Theses

The microbial characteristics of a mixed population from the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commissioners (PVSC) Wastewater Treatment Plant in Newark were examined. This plant handles about 250 million gallons per day of mixed sewerage, with a large industrial component. The microbial species were characterized using standard plating techniques, morphology, microscopic observation, and biochemical tests. These characteristics were determined for the fresh liquor, and after successive batch exposure to phenol (100 ppm) and 2-chlorophenol (20 ppm). Predator/prey, gram positive to gram negative bacteria ratios, and the fungi and protozoan populations were also determined. These results were compared with those previously obtained using …

A Study Of Parameters Indicating Microbial Activity In Mixed Aerobic Cultures, William Smith

Theses

Mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS), oxygen uptake rate (OUR) and general dehydrogenase activity, as expressed by the reduction of the electron-acceptor Dye 3-(4',5'-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 4-diphenyltetra-zolium bromide (MTT), were compared for their ability to measure microbial activity in mixed aerobic cultures. A fourth parameter, specific enzyme activity, was dropped from consideration because of the difficulty of developing a satisfactory experimental technique. Measurement of the parameters was applied to the biodegradation of phenol and o-chlorophenol by activated sludge from a municipal sewage treatment plant, and by two commercially available bacterial preparations.

MLSS, although the most commonly used of the three parameters tested, is …

Percutaneous Absorption And Metabolic Fate Of [14c]Hydroquinone In The Dog, Marva Louisa Hamilton

Theses

Hydroquinone is used extensively as a photographic developer. The metabolic fate and percutaneous absorption of [U-14C]HQ was determined in male Beagle dogs. The excretion of 14C was determined after dermal exposure, intravenous (iv) and gavage administrations. For iv studies, 1 or 10 mg/kg of [14C]HQ was injected and blood, urine and breath were collected for 8-12 hours in anesthetized dogs. After recovery from the anesthetic, dogs were housed in metabolism cages for 6 to 7 days for collection of blood, urine and feces. Blood 14C concentrations declined slowly, with 2 apparent phases. Half-life values for the α and β phases …