Digital Commons Network^™

Characterization Of The Effects Of The Human Head On Communication With Implanted Antennas, Michael A. Pecoraro

Theses

Cranially implanted sensors and electrodes have been used in practice for several years; their applications range from the recording of neural signals for use in Brain-Computer Interfaces to help the disabled, to the treatment of diseases and conditions ranging from Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, depression, etc. Current communication methods with implants, however, are lacking; they run the gamut from physical, percutaneous connections that increase the risk of infection, to wireless links that are slow and uncomfortable for patients. The present work focuses on the characterization of the effects of the human head on communication with cranially implanted antennas for its …

Qualitative Versus Quantitative Data Tools For Sustainable Package Design At Eastman Kodak Company, Elizaveta Liubkina-Yudovich

Theses

Due to the increased sustainability trends in the packaging industry during the last decade and a push from major retailers, in conjunction with the dire economic climate and internal reorganizations within the company, a need for an official design tool was born; a tool that would simplify, unify and improve the design process within the company. Following the creation of the original tool, the Packaging Development and Optimization Tool (PDOT), a critique arose that suggested an addition of LCA data, creating a more quantitatively based tool. A modified design process followed, the Sustainable Packaging Design Tool (SPDT), which utilized LCA …

High Field Induced Stress Suppression Of Gidl Effects In Tfts, Andrew Mccabe

Theses

Gate-Induced drain leakage (GIDL) is an unwanted short-channel effect that occurs at higher drain biases in an overdriven off state of a transistor. The GIDL is the result of a deep depletion region that forms in the drain at high drain-to-gate biases. The depletion region causes significant band bending which in-turn allows conductive band-to-band tunneling creating excess current. In a PFET, electrons tunnel from the drain to the body while holes tunnel into the drain. By utilizing the effects of high energy, or "hot", electrons, the GIDL current in an accumulation-mode PFET can be suppressed. This suppression is thought to …

Maximizing Societal Benefits Associated With Alternative Fuel Subsidies: The Case Of Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles, Samir Nazir

Theses

Government seeks to improve the welfare of its citizenry and intervenes in marketplaces to maximize benefits when externalities are not captured. By analyzing how welfare changes from area to area across the country in response to the same intervention informs where government should act. This thesis analyzes the case of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). PHEVs have many societal benefits, including improving national security, economic, environmental, and health advantages. The magnitude and distribution of these benefits depends on where PHEVs are deployed. This thesis develops and applies a methodology to determine if the benefits from PHEV deployment vary across the …

The Effects Of Gaas Substrate Miscut On Inas Quantum Dot Optoelectronic Properties: Examined By Photoreflectance (Pr) And Deep Level Transient Spectroscopy (Dlts), Joanne Okvath

Theses

In this work, advanced III-V quantum dot (QD) materials are discussed and examined theoretically. The significance of substrate miscut with regards to QD growth is discussed and previous experimental data are examined to show established trends with regards to favorable miscut degree. In order to examine the miscut effect further, multiple testing techniques are presented which characterize material quality as it pertains to optoelectronic device performance, including optical and electrical spectroscopic methods. The optical probing techniques of photoluminescence (PL) and photoreflectance (PR) are used to experimentally characterize the optical properties of GaAs baseline and InAs/GaAs one-layer QD samples. Experimental results …

Free-Carrier Effects In Polycrystalline Silicon-On-Insulator Photonic Devices, Oshoriamhe Ogah

Theses

Photonic systems integrated into microelectronic systems using the well established integrated chips fabrication technologies offer immense opportunity in overcoming the bandwidth and power limitations IC faces. The use of deposited polycrystalline silicon in the fabrication of photonic devices has the potential of offering monolithic integration, promising electrical and optical properties, under optimized micro-fabrication, and lower costs. In this thesis, the design, fabrication and optical testing of waveguide devices on polycrystalline silicon platform is presented. Single mode polysilicon waveguide devices were fabricated at the RIT SMFL. The polysilicon waveguides fabricated successfully coupled and guided light. The transmission was measured over several …

Particle Deposition In Replica Healthy And Emphysematous Alveolar Models Using Computational Fluid Dynamics, Edward Harding Jr

Theses

Particle deposition in the pulmonary region of the lung has gained increasing interest in the past years. Of particular interest are nano-sized particles, because they have the potential of crossing the blood-gas barrier and into the capillaries. Many factors contribute to how and where particles deposit, such as lung morphology, breathing conditions, fluid flow characteristics, and alveolar wall movement. These many factors make simulating particle deposition in the alveoli difficult. The experimental in vivo studies have commonly used micron sized particles and there is a lack of data for smaller sized particles. Due to these many factors, deposition in the …

A Pca Based Method For Image And Video Pose Sequencing, James Massaro

Theses

Problems exist in image sequence processing that require an ordered set of object views. In some cases, multiple angled images are acquired in random order and the angle of view information is not available. When this occurs, the poses have to be put into proper order. For example, in databases containing images of an object or scene taken over a period of time, each image pose or angled-view with respect to the camera or scene is unknown. This is important to achieve a complete or partial three-dimensional reconstruction. Other applications exist in photogrammetry, machine vision, computer-aided design, and military intelligence. …

Exploration Of Non-Chemically Amplified Resists Based On Dissolution Inhibitors For 193 Nm Lithography, Burak Baylav

Theses

Research described in this work includes exploration of new resist systems that can be used for 193 nm lithography. Most of the conventional 193 nm resists rely on chemical amplification in which a small amount of photogenerated acid can catalyze many reactions. Even though the sensitivity is improved drastically with such a mechanism, the printed profiles are known to be suffering from line edge roughness (LER) and image blurring. Furthermore, the resolution is limited by the diffusion length of the generated acid. For sub-32 nm technology nodes, specified LER criterion cannot be satisfied by utilizing chemically amplified resists (CAR). However, …

Ion-Sensitive Field Effect Transistor (Isfet) For Mems Multisensory Chips At Rit, Murat Baylav

Theses

This study involves the design and fabrication of an Ion-Sensitive Field Effect Transistor (ISFET), which is aimed to be incorporated into the multisensory chips fabricated at RIT. ISFETs are used for various purposes in biomedical, medicine, and chemical applications and have advantages such as small size, low power consumption, robustness, and fast response time, over the ion-selective electrode (ISE) counterparts. The capability of fabricating ISFETs in a standard CMOS process let them to be used in sensor systems together with the dedicated signal processing circuitry which in turn makes portable applications possible. The ISFET fabricated in this study have a …

Infrastructure Investment Strategies For Increased Agro-Industrial Outputs In Kosovo : [Presentation Given August 12, 2010], Siti Insiana

Theses

Not provided.

Temporal Awareness And Rhythmic Performance, Daniel J. Colombo

Theses

The objective of this research was to study the conditions under which rhythmic behavior arises and its effects on task performance and mental workload. It has been demonstrated that temporal awareness (TA) in dynamic systems draws on high-level mental resources and contributes to superior performance on some task elements but not others. Elsewhere it has been demonstrated that TA in environments with high predictability can lead to superior task performance and reduced mental workload. This research sought to examine the behavior and subsequent performance that arises under highly predictable vs. dynamic conditions. Using a computer-based time-sharing task, we analyzed task …

A Precise Analysis Of A Class E Amplifier, Brett Klehn

Theses

An analytical approach to the design and simulation of a Class-E power amplifier under typical high frequency switching conditions is presented. The analysis will optimize the loading network at the output for transistors with an exponential transition current, while accounting for harmonics injected into the circuit from the choke inductor and a non-infinite output Q. Two methods have been successfully implemented to simulate the class-E amplifier waveforms, optimize the required circuit components, and calculate amplifier performances such as efficiency and total harmonic distortion (THD). The first optimizes the circuit parameters while considering finite choke inductances, drain current fall time, and …

God In The Midst Of Human Warfare, Joseph C. Udeze

Theses

No abstract provided.

Austral Autumn And Winter Seasonal Affects On Benthic Foraminiferal Communities: Bransfield And Northern Gerlache Straits, Laura Anne Bordelon

Theses

The Southern Ocean has unique seasonal qualities due to the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) thermo-isolating the Antarctic continent. During summer months, surface primary productivity from algal blooms is very high. In the winter months, limited daylight hours (4 in winter) and formation of sea ice prevents sun light from reaching surface waters, therefore limiting productivity. The short seasons of productivity and long winters in Antarctica combined with seasonal changes in deep ocean temperatures, salinity, and fluxes of organic matter impact foraminiferal population dynamics. Fluctuations in surface primary productivity, as well as living foraminiferal assemblages have been documented around the Antarctica …

The Watchdog Role Of Newspapers: Newspaper Coverage Of Sinclair Broadcasting's Announcement To Air A One-Sided Documentary Right Before The 2004 Presidential Election., Greta Kaye Weiderman

Theses

AN ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS OF Greta K. Weiderman, for the Master of Arts degree in Mass Communication and Media Arts, presented on Aug. 21, 2009, at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. TITLE: THE WATCHDOG ROLE OF NEWSPAPERS: NEWSPAPER COVERAGE OF SINCLAIR BROADCASTING'S ANNOUNCEMENT TO AIR A ONE-SIDED DOCUMENTARY RIGHT BEFORE THE 2004 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION MAJOR PROFESSOR: Dr. William Babcock This thesis is a content analysis examining newspaper coverage of Sinclair Broadcasting's announcement that it planned to air a program titled "Stolen Honor: Wounds that Never Heal" 13 days before the November 2004 presidential election. Sinclair Broadcast Group ordered its 61 …

Structural Response Including Vertical Component Of Ground Motion, Alex Joseph Piolatto

Theses

Evidence indicates that the vertical component of ground motion is more significant than previously thought, especially for near fault events. However, many design codes do not reflect the importance of the vertical component of ground motion. Therefore, the purpose of this thesis is to determine what effects the vertical component of ground motion has on a structure by way of comparison. Specifically, structural response due to the lateral components of ground acceleration is compared to structural response due to all three components of ground acceleration. Structural response includes the following parameters: story drift; axial force; shear; torsion; and bending moment. …

Theodore Wilson Thompson: Southern Illinois Pioneer, Elisha L. Szyjka

Theses

Giant City State Park in Makanda, Illinois contains graffiti created by passersby and local residents. Many deem modern graffiti in parks as a depreciative behavior. However, the inscription created by Theodore Wilson Thompson in 1862 along the Giant City Nature Trail has implications for interpretive use by park staff. This is due to the inscription being etched prior to the park's establishment and Theodore's pioneering contributions to Makanda and Carbondale, Illinois. Therefore, Theodore Thompson was the focus of this study due to his inscription and the lack of park research conducted on his life history. In 1852, as a young …

Design For Assembly Line Performance: The Link Between Dfa Metrics And Assembly Line Performance Metrics, Krishna Kamath

Theses

Design for Assembly (DFA) is a tool that has been in use for almost 40 years. While it has been a useful design tool, it is not explicitly linked to actual manufacturing line performance. The motivation for this research came from the desire to link DFA directly to line balance and cycle time performance. The natural question that arose was whether these issues could be considered at the design stage by using the metrics that are derived from a DFA analysis. It is known that the time required to assemble a product can be estimated from both a DFA analysis …

Graduation Day, Isaac Holze

Theses

This paper covers the making of the film Graduation Day and the aesthetic choices made along the way. Its focus is on the steps of the process and the obstacles each step created. Graduation Day is the story of student who has rapped his way through his final oral exam and is in danger of not graduating. He meets with his academic advisor and, through a rhythmic beat and speech pattern, convinces the advisor to see the fun in rapping. He eventually "steals" the cap and gown and goes on to graduation.

Improving Computer Game Bots' Behavior Using Q-Learning, Purvag Patel

Theses

In modern computer video games, the quality of artificial characters plays a prominent role in the success of the game in the market. The aim of intelligent techniques, termed game AI, used in these games is to provide an interesting and challenging game play to a game player. Being highly sophisticated, these games present game developers with similar kind of requirements and challenges as faced by academic AI community. The game companies claim to use sophisticated game AI to model artificial characters such as computer game bots, intelligent realistic AI agents. However, these bots work via simple routines pre-programmed to …

Perceptions And Attitudes Of College Science Students Regarding Carrers In Clinical Laobratory Science, Maureen L. Doran

Theses

Histology as a career offers many challenging and diverse job opportunities but few qualified applicants pursue this vocation. The purpose of this research was to collect data to identify factors impacting this problem. The study investigated the awareness, attitudes and perceptions of community college and university science students towards laboratory health science and histology as a career option. The goal was to develop strategies to identify and recruit potential individuals who are qualified for the histology profession. The researcher surveyed 15 undergraduate science classes from two community colleges and one university in the Midwest. The community colleges and university surveyed …

Thermoregulation Of Capsule Production Of Streptococcus Pyogenes Strain Hsc5, Trilce Michelle Galeas

Theses

Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is responsible for mild and common infections like tonsillitis and pharyngitis, and more serious invasive disorders like necrotizing fasciitis and glomerulonephritis. The ability to invade tissues is closely linked to the virulence factors expressed by the bacterium. Hyaluronic acid capsule expression is variable among all the strains in S. pyogenes and confers the capacity to evade the immune response. In a previous study, it was found that capsule production in CovR mutants was temperature-regulated, showing no capsule production at 37℃ but increased production was observed at 25℃. In this study, the objective is to find the …

Tracing The "Enigmatic" Late Postclassic Nahua-Pipil (A.D. 1200-1500): Archaeological Study Of Guatemalan South Pacific Coast, Carlos A. Batres

Theses

This thesis addressed the Late Post-classic (A.D. 1200 - 1500) Nahua-Pipil of the central Pacific coast of Guatemala. It evaluated archaeological settlement plan data and ceramics in association with regional geography, and ethnohistorical accounts in conjunction with GIS tools for their analysis. The goal is to reconstruct Nahua-Pipil sociopolitical organization, testing the hypothesis that it was based on the Nahua altepetl system.

Design, Simulation, And Fabrication Of A Flow Sensor For An Implantable Micropump, Matthew J. Waldron

Theses

The design, simulation, and fabrication of a flow sensor to be integrated into an implantable micropump is presented. The flow sensor operates by the method of thermal anemometry, in which heat is dissipated from a resistive element held in the flow of the fluid. The rate at which heat is carried away is dependent on the flow rate and is directly related to the thermal conductance. A control circuit utilizing the constant-temperature anemometry mode of operation is used to generate a change in voltage in response to change in thermal conductance, and subsequently, flow rate. A mathematical expression describing the …

Effect Of The Internet On Reading Fiction Books For Enjoyment And Potential Interest In The Integration Of The Two Media, Jessica S. Cole

Theses

As the Internet grows in popularity, interest in the potential harmful effects that it will have on other media increases. The current study assesses the impact that the Internet has had on the leisure reading of fiction books and attempts to determine whether integrating Internet features with fiction books increases the appeal of reading them. An online survey was completed by 162 college students, which measured reading rates, Internet use, preferred Internet and book features, as well as interest in reading books that integrate Internet features. Findings show no indication that the Internet has affected leisure reading rates, that the …

Psyche + Physique, Janet Winkie

Theses

Through this thesis I explore how human perceptions are made regarding masculinity and the impact that apparel and environment have on the male psyche and physique. I perceive the function of men's apparel as providing a hinge, or entry point into the male identity, ultimately examining themes such as gender roles, sexuality, social class and age. In this thesis exploration, I intend to examine the male physique and embody it using male and female byproducts, found objects and accessories.

Incorporating themes such as space and place, this practice of assemblage and installation offers the "staging" of male-themed spaces, providing dialogue …

Realization Of Cofeb|Mgo|Cofeb Magnetic Tunnel Junction Devices Through Materials Analysis, Process Integration And Circuit Simulation, Sankha S. Mukherjee

Theses

Spin based magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) consist of two ferromagnetic thin films separated by a nonmagnetic insulating barrier. The MTJ exhibits two switchable resistive states, making them ideal candidates for non-volatile memory. The discovery of high Tunneling Magnetoresistance (TMR) in MgO based MTJs has brought spintronics into the forefronts of modern technology. A device structure CoFeB|MgO|CoFeB achieved by physical vapor deposition (PVD) has revolutionized the hard-drive industry to go beyond densities of gigabyte per square inch. There is increasing interest in the application of these devices toward other technical areas, such as sensors, logic and reconfigurable computing. In these structures, …

Vhf-Uhf Passive Filter Synthesis Based On Acoustic Resonator Structures, Melissa Sefton Dempsey

Theses

This thesis presents a novel design method for approximating standard bandpass filter transfer functions using surface acoustic wave (SAW) technology. This method is based on standard circuit simulation and optimization tools to generate physical specifications for the fabrication of a SAW impedance element filter (IEF) network. The IEF topology is verified in the design of a narrowband bandpass filter composed of commercial quartz SAW resonators. The utility of the design method is further demonstrated for a wider bandwidth filter based on custom resonators fabricated on a lithium niobate substrate. An optimum fit was obtained between the standard filter target response …

Electro-Osmotic Actuation For Micropump Applications, Sean O'Brien

Theses

An electro-osmotic actuation mechanism is explored for micropump applications where self contained, low power, miniaturized pumps are necessary. The principle of electro-osmosis through a cation selective membrane is used to develop a differential pressure which is used to deflect a pump membrane. In an electro-osmotic cell, there are electrolyte filled chambers on either side of an ion specific membrane. Hydrated cations migrate in an applied electric field, effectively pulling water molecules to the cathodic chamber. In such a setup, the polarity of the current can be periodically reversed causing the chambers to alternately fill and discharge. Since the chemical reactions …