Digital Commons Network^™

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. …

Experimental Investigation And Numerical Modeling Of Hybrid Glass/Carbon Frp Section Combined With Concrete Slab, Stephen Craig Raynor

Theses

No abstract provided.

Pressure Utilization In Water Transmission Pipelines In Alain Region Considering Transient Conditions, Mohamed Sultan Al Maamari

Theses

The residual pressure energy available in water transmission pipelines can be easily utilized via direct connection to the distribution system and bypassing the storage reservoirs and booster pumping stations. This thesis investigates the feasibility of bypassing a number of reservoirs and pumping stations in a small transmission system in AlAin City of United Arab Emirates. The system has a major transmission pumping station (AlAin Reception Pumping Station, or 'AARS') that hosts four fixed-speed pumps, a main 1200mm line, storage reservoirs and boosting pumps at three zones (Dahma, Markhania and Maqam), besides few other connection pipes. The system also has three …

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 …

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 …

Geophysical And Hydrogeological Studies Of Al-Foah Area, North Al Ain, United Arab Emirates (Uae), Sameh Yahyia Ali Suleiman

Theses

No abstract provided.

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 …

Development And Evaluation Of A Simultaneous Multithreading Processor Simulator, Carla Verena S. Nunez

Theses

Modem processors are designed to achieve greater amounts of instruction level parallelism (ILP) and thread level parallelism (TLP). Simultaneous multithreading (SMT) is an architecture that exploits both LLP and TLP. It improves the utilization of the processor resources by allowing multiple independent threads to reside in the pipeline and dynamically scheduling the available resources among the threads.

The first part of this thesis presents the development of a simultaneous multithreading processor simulator. The SMT simulator is derived from SimpleScalar, a superscalar processor simulator widely used in the computer architecture research field. The basic pipeline is expanded to allow multiple threads …

Titanium Nitride As An Electrode Material For High Charge Density Applications, Mustafa Khan Patan

Theses

Present day neural prostheses require electrodes with high current densities. Traditional electrodes are not capable of delivering such high current densities. Titanium nitride as an electrode material and other techniques like reactive ion etching, platinization of titanium were studied in this thesis towards improving charge density of electrodes.

Titanium nitride (TiN) was sputtered in a custom designed pattern of electrodes with silicon as substrate, at a deposition rate of 2 A /sec. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) analysis of TiN film showed a smooth surface for a film thickness of 1 μm. X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis of the film showed the …

Vibrotactile Sensory Substitution For Post-Stroke Rehabilitation, Carlos X. Rosado

Theses

The aftermath of a stroke leaves people with side effects such as speech and hearing problems, and loss of sensation in one side of their body. Sensory feedback in the hand is used to assess if the individual is using appropriate grip force to hold and use objects; lack of sensory feedback can lead to dropped or damaged objects, and possible hand injury. Existing force biofeedback devices are overly complex and difficult to use in the home. The goal of this project is to provide increased environmental awareness of hand grip force for individuals with reduced hand sensation. Although hand …

Adaptable Videogame Platform For Interactive Upper Extremity Rehabilitation, Sally M. Jensen

Theses

The primary objective of this work is to design a recreational rehabilitation videogame platform for customizing motivating games that interactively encourage purposeful upper extremity gross motor movements. Virtual reality (VR) technology is a popular application for rehabilitation therapies but there is a constant need for more accessible and affordable systems. We have developed a recreational VR game platform can be used as an independent therapy supplement without laboratory equipment and is inexpensive, motivating, and adaptable. The behaviors and interactive features can be easily modified and customized based on players' limitations or progress.

A real-time method of capturing hand movements using …

Automatic Registration And Segmentation Of Abdominal Images And Detection Of Pancreatic Cancer, Girish Kumar Maniprasad

Theses

Localized and detailed analyses of 3D abdominal images obtained through different imaging modalities help greatly in determining the progression of a disease or for postoperative treatment / evaluation. However, such analyses become difficult and sometimes unfeasible due to the effects of patient motion and breathing. This is particularly evident during analysis of the pancreas for cancer, due to its proximity to other intra-abdominal organs. Within subject registration thus becomes imperative for pathological analysis of pancreatic cancer. An intensity-based, global image registration algorithm was developed in the present work, for registration of pancreatic abdominal images. The registration algorithm was automatic 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 …

Motivation And Second Language Learning: Implications For Asl, Lisa Prinzi

Theses

Motivation is one factor which can influence second language learning. Research on second language learning and motivation influences instructional practices. In this review classic defInitions and aspects of motivation, including integrative and instrumental motivation, will be revisited. Through existing second language learning and motivation research, different instructional theories and strategies have been used and developed over time for the classroom. However, little research into motivation and learning American Sign Language (ASL) exists. Therefore, this paper wi11look into the research that has set out to study motivation and learning ASL. In addition, research centered on motivation and second language Learning in …

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: …

Technology Bridge To Employment: A Community Technology Initiative, Rosalind Bain

Theses

As the economic gap continues to widen between the rich and poor, we will continue to see people (primarily the poor) experiencing a number of social problems, including being cut off from accessing modern technology. In many small cities and rural areas throughout the United States, there is sufficient evidence that shows poor people are not as connected to or knowledgeable about modern technological advances and their application within the wider society. This puts them at a disadvantage and hinders their chances for both professional and economic growth. The author involved in the capstone served as the volunteer lead instructor …

Educational Needs Of Late-Deaf Learners, Mitchell Bacot

Theses

None provided.

Recall And Comprehension Of Signs By High School Asl Students:A Study Of Two Movie Formats For An Online Lexical Database, Maria Tedeschi

Theses

This study compared two technical sign movie formats, Quicktime (2D) and threedimentional animations (3D) and examined recall, comprehension, and rehearsal time of signs. There was no significant difference found between the formats for comprehension and recall. However, for rehearsal the high school students had significantly higher sign production scores after viewing 2D signs as comparaed to 3D signs. In addition, there was a significant difference found relating to gender. Girls scored significantly higher on all three measures, regardless of the movie format. In addition, students with more than two years experience with ASL scored significantly higher than those with less …

A Generalization Of The Birkhoff-Von Neumann Theorem, Nathan Reff

Theses

None provided.

Minimalism Maximalism, Jason Gould

Theses

Designers look for inspiration and motivation for the creation of their artwork, by studying both contemporary and historical examples of art and design. Many art and design students have spent much of their education in research and the survey of art and design history. Criticism and research are critical in the development of a solid conceptual and aesthetic base from which they develop. By understanding the work which came before them, and to view and think about artwork critically, students are able to produce work which has more meaning to themselves and to their audience. I made an attempt to …

The Other Mother: An Artist's Conception, Dean Schmiedel

Theses

The Other Mother represents the act of human conception, birth, and nurturing from an artist/man/father’s perspective. The work attempts to reconcile the divide between this ultimate creation and the creative process that we confront through art. The result is a masculinized nursery composed of a chopperized pram, a crib and rocker with hard edges and superhero symbols, and walls decorated with oversized, graphic images. To create the pieces in this installation, I worked closely with men in the traditional masculine trades of automobile customizing, welding, woodcraft, and upholstering. The resulting work is flashy and clean, without the hominess and earthy …

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 …

Printability And Environmental Testing Using Silver-Based Conductive Flexographic Ink Printed On A Polyamide Substrate, Kathryn Cole

Theses

The effect of simulated environmental exposure conditions (high heat, freezing temperature, rain, and vacuum pressure) on the performance of a silver-based conductive flexo ink printed on a polyamide (nylon 6,6) substrate was examined. Conductivity, density, color, adhesion, abrasion resistance and creasing were evaluated. The tested environmental variables did not have an effect on the performance quality of silver conductive flexographic ink when printed on a polyamide substrate for the 85 – 100% solid ink density levels. Rain and temperature had the greatest impact on print performance in the 70–80% tint range. Exposure to these elements affected adhesion properties of the …

Development Of Test Targets For Microprinting Applications On The Kodak Nexpress 2100, The Hewlett Packard Indigo 5000 And The Heidelberg Speedmaster 74, Kevin Landolt

Theses

Microprinting is utilized in many types of documents for authentication and anticounterfeiting purposes. Elements of microprinting are usually text and not readable to the human eye without the aid of magnification. A series of test targets were developed to evaluate the capability of the Kodak NexPress 2100, the HP Indigo 5000 and the Heidelberg Speedmaster 74 printing systems to render micro text. The primary criterion that determines the ability of a printing device to render micro elements are: addressability, spot size, font selection, workflow (e.g. file processing), and resolution. All three devices were capable of reproducing micro text. While the …

Potential Air Contaminants And Noise Levels Generated By The Kodak Nexpress 2500 Digital Production Color Press: A Study Of Its Emissions Of Respirable Dust, Ultrafine Particulates, Volatile Organic Compounds, Ozone, And Occupational Noise Exposure, Federico Leal

Theses

The printing industry is beginning to get acquainted with the environmental impact of digital printing technologies. This study addressed issues related to the electrophotographic dry toner printing technology used in the Kodak NexPress 2500 Digital Production Color Press. The importance of these topics will grow as high-speed variable data printing becomes pervasive, because these printed products will become widespread, and a greater number of operators will be exposed to these technologies. Indoor air quality and noise levels generated by the NexPress under normal operating conditions were studied: ventilation, dust, volatile organic compounds, ozone, and noise. The results of this study …

Changes In Media Mix For Leading National Advertisers (2003 - 2005), Matthew Swain

Theses

As new communication technologies, such as the Internet, continue to grow in the United States, advertisers are re-evaluating which media mix will deliver the best return on investment. The magazine, Advertising Age, releases a list of the 100 Leading National Advertisers each year – a list that includes the advertisers’ spending in measured and unmeasured media. The seven measured media categories (newspaper, magazine, television, outdoor, radio, Internet, and Yellow Pages) include the data necessary to analyze the change in advertising spending among these leading national retailers. Using the data from both 2003 and 2005, the researcher explored three questions: 1. …

Flooding Control In Route Discovery For Reactive Routing In Mobile Ad Hoc Networks, Abedellatif Hussein

Theses

Routing is a very important function in the network layer of the OSI model for wired and wireless networks. Mobile Ad hoc Networks (MANETs) are a collection of wireless nodes forming a temporary network that is supposed to be constructed on the fly without infrastructure and prior setup. This fashion of setup demands that the nodes act as routers for other nodes. This necessitates the need of a robust dynamic routing scheme. Routing protocols are classified into three main categories: proactive, reactive, and hybrid. Reactive routing has been the focus of research in recent years due to its control traffic …

Art Curriculum: Self-Expression By Connecting To Real World Events, Sarah Mccormick

Theses

Self-expression in art to connect with real world events is an art curriculum intended for any art teacher across America. The rational for the art curriculum project is to encourage students to learn how to express themselves visually. Actively experiencing history in art as well as the logic of certain artists' reasoning will promote understanding of the real world. Although it would be very easy to have the students follow directions, step-by-step, where the entire class will get the same or similar outcomes. These "cookie-cutter" pieces inhibit students' development as a human being. We, as teachers, need to notice the …

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 …

Mapping Coastal Wetland Change Based On Lake Level Fluctuation On Lake Ontario, Justin D. Cole

Theses

Using an integrated digital elevation and bathymetry model of Lake Ontario and historic lake level data from 1860 to present, coastal areas of periodic inundation were identified to generate, by association, an estimate of coastal wetland change due to lake level control. Pre and post Robert Morris Dam models were constructed to help determine the reduction of lake surface area when the dam started to control the extreme highs and lows.

The model creates annual high and low lake surface coverages. The goal of this study is to create a baseline analysis and methodology for future studies on wetland change …