Digital Commons Network^™

Removal Of Heavy Metals From Aqueous Solutions Using Local Adsorbents, Moza S. Al-Sharyani

Theses

The recent rapid increase in industrialization activities contributed to most of aquatic pollution problems. Among aquatic pollutants, heavy metals, such as zinc, lead, cadmium, and copper have gained relatively more significance in view of their persistence and toxicity. Due to their health and toxicological effects, environmental agencies and authorities have set strict regulations to maintain the limit of heavy metals in wastewater below the maximum acceptable concentration levels.

The technical feasibility of using raw date pits and different activated carbons prepared from date pits by air and acid activation as low cost local adsorbents for the removal of different heavy …

Hyperspectral Sub-Pixel Target Detection Using Hybrid Algorithms And Physics Based Modeling, Emmett J. Ientilucci

Theses

This thesis develops a new hybrid target detection algorithm called the Physics Based-Structured InFeasibility Target-detector (PB-SIFT) which incorporates Physics Based Modeling (PBM) along with a new Structured Infeasibility Projector (SIP) metric. Traditional matched filters are susceptible to leakage or false alarms due to bright or saturated pixels that appear target-like to hyperspectral detection algorithms but are not truly target. This detector mitigates against such false alarms.

More often than not, detection algorithms are applied to atmospherically compensated hyperspectral imagery. Rather than compensate the imagery, we take the opposite approach by using a physics based model to generate permutations of what …

Developing A Spectral And Colorimetric Database Of Artist Paint Materials, Yoshio Okumura

Theses

As the project of the author's Master's thesis, the development of a spectral and colorimetric database of artist paint materials for acrylic paints was started. The goal of this research project was to: - provide the academic resource of colorant spectral characteristics - give scientifc explanations on various paint-particular phenomena (paint mixing, gloss effects and color gamut expansion by varnishing) These tasks were planned to satisfy possible interests on paint research from not only conservators in museums but also color educators in schools and color reproduction engineers in imaging companies.

Reengineering Rit Card Transactions: A Study Of Rit Identification Card Transactions, Debra A. Spencer

Theses

This thesis explores possible ways of reengineering the system for processing student identification card financial transactions at the Rochester Institute of Technology. The current system uses both a manual process and a web-based technology, and requires form completion and manual intervention by the user and the employee processor. Possible improvements explored include elimination or redesign of forms and the introduction of an electronic format. Data for this study was collected at the cashier's office on the RIT campus. The data collection included qualitative survey questions, observation, and quantitative analysis of the answers to the survey questions.

Proteomic Studies Of Pseudomonas Putida Kt2440 In Carcinogenicity Screening Via 2-Dimensional Gel Electrophoresis, Mingyi Yao

Theses

This project is part of a pilot study designed to establish a two dimensional gel electrophoresis-based protocol, which can be utilized in screening mutagencity/carcinogencity of uncharacterized substances. Currently, the Ames test is the most commonly used method, which is solely based on mutation at the genome level. In contrast to the genome, which is static, protein expression in a cell under a given set of conditions (the proteome) is dynamic. A screening method based on the proteome rather than the genome may prove more reliable and quantitative in predicting mutagenicity and carcinogenicity. In this project, Pseudomonas putida KT2440 was employed …

The Environmental Gradients And Plant Communities Of Bergen Swamp, N.Y., U.S.A., Aaron Hall

Theses

No survey of plant communities has been performed recently in the Bergen Swamp, NY, USA, a unique strongly minerotrophic mire with active marl deposition. In summer 2004, I established an array of randomly placed plots throughout Bergen Swamp survey plant communities. The plant survey included stem counts of herbaceous plant species and shrubs within 1m square quadrats. I performed a Raup and Crick clustering analysis at two different spatial scales to group plant communities and found that there were five communities at the subplot level, and three communities at the plot level. I then used detrended correspondence analysis (DCA), an …

Detection And Identification Of Effluent Gases Using Invariant Hyperspectral Algorithms, Erin O'Donnell

Theses

The ability to detect and identify effluent gases is a problem that has been pursued with limited success. An algorithm to do this would not only aid in the regulation of pollutants but also in treaty enforcement. Considering these applications, finding a way to remotely investigate a gaseous emission is highly desirable. This research utilizes hyperspectral imagery in the infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum to evaluate invariant methods of detecting and identifying gases within a scene. The image is evaluated on a pixel-by-pixel basis and is also studied at the subpixel level. A library of target gas spectra is …

Matched Filter Stochastic Background Characterization For Hyperspectral Target Detection, Jason West

Theses

Algorithms exploiting hyperspectral imagery for target detection have continually evolved to provide improved detection results. Adaptive matched filters, which may be derived in many different scientific fields, can be used to locate spectral targets by modeling scene background as either structured geometric) with a set of endmembers (basis vectors) or as unstructured stochastic) with a covariance matrix. In unstructured background research, various methods of calculating the background covariance matrix have been developed, each involving either the removal of target signatures from the background model or the segmenting of image data into spatial or spectral subsets. The objective of these methods …

Long Term Behavior Of The Positive Solutions Of The Non-Autonomous Difference Equation X N+1= A N X N-1 [Divided By] 1+Xn , N = 0,1,2,...., Mark Bellavia

Theses

It is our goal to investigate the long term behavior of the solutions of the following difference equation: X _n+1= A _n x _n-1 [divided by] 1+X_n , n = 0,1,2,...., Where {A_n}∞ _n=0 is a periodic sequence of positive real numbers. We will examine how the different periods of the sequence and the relationship of the terms of the sequence affect the long term behavior of the solutions.

On-Line Design Firm - Designsharing.Com: Non-Profit Collaborative Design Community Web Site, Myongill Seo

Theses

One of the most amazing inventions in the history of humankind is the internet. Nowadays, the internet environment is changing so fast that it is almost impossible to keep up with advancing technologies. It also is growing so quickly, that its use is spreading to involve almost all aspects of human life, from online banking to job searches to finding directions to researching material for children's school projects. Without the internet, many people would feel totally impotent, unable to function for a single day.

The burgeoning role of the internet, in turn, has resulted in almost unlimited growth in the …

A New Design Methodology For Mixed Level And Mixed Signal Simulation Using Pspice A/D And Vhdl, Sreeram Rajagopalan

Theses

PSpice A/D is a simulation package that is used to analyze and predict the performance of analog and mixed signal circuits. It is very popular especially among Printed Circuit Board (PCB) engineers to verify board level designs. However, PSpice A/D currently lacks the ability to simulate analog components connected to digital circuits that are modeled using Hardware Descriptive Languages (HDLs), such as VHDL and Verilog HDL. Simulation of HDL models in PSpice A/D is necessary to verify mixed signal PCBs where programmable logic devices like Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) and Complex Programmable Logic Devices (CPLDs) are connected to discrete …

Digital Sketchpad: A Portable Scetching Device, Jung-Hwa Kim

Theses

The thesis discusses the problems of sketching on paper and in using existing products that are currently on the market for hand drawing. A new display technology, electronic paper display, is introduced

Isolation And Characterization Of Hydrocarbon Degrading Bacteria From Environmental Habitats In Western New York State, Katarina Malatova

Theses

Screening of hydrocarbon degrading microorganisms isolated from three habitats in Western New York State by selective enrichment technique, resulted in the collection of 20 distinct species. All strains were cultivated in liquid media with crude oil as a sole carbon and energy source. Bacterial strains capable of degrading hydrocarbons belong to the genera Serratia marcescens, Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas sp. Carbon dioxide evolution experiments were used as the major indicator of microbial degradation of oil in biometric flasks. The measurements of CO₂ evolution rates have shown to effectively evaluate the biodegradation rates by providing significant data within …

Buddy's Alphabet Adventure, Jeremy Andrew Galante

Theses

Not Included

Pushing The Limits Of Hyper-Na Optical Lithography, Yongfa Fan

Theses

The evolution of optical lithography to pattern smaller geometries was witnessed the shrinkage of source wavelength as a way to increase optical resolution. Shrinking of source wavelength into vacuum ultra-violet (VUV) faces a number of technical barriers with respect to imaging materials. Instead of source wavelength shrinking, the optical resolution can also be enhanced by increasing numerical aperture (NA) with immersion techniques. This dissertation is devoted to experimentally studying the imaging behaviors of hyper-NA optics in the context of liquid immersion and solid immersion lithography. In this dissertation, the full-vector interference theory is described for two-beam and multi-beam interference. Polarization …

Neural Networks To Intrusion Detection, Dmitry V. Novikov

Theses

Recent research indicates a lot of attempts to create an Intrusion Detection System that is capable of learning and recognizing attacks it faces for the first time. Benchmark datasets were created by the MIT Lincoln Lab and by the International Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining group (KDD). A few competitions were held and many systems developed. The overall preference was given to Expert Systems that were based on Decision Making Tree algorithms. This work is devoted to the problem of Neural Networks as means of Intrusion Detection. After multiple techniques and methodologies are investigated, we show that properly trained Neural …

Exploration Of The Correlation Between Non-Objective Painting And Sculpture In The Round, William A. Keyser Jr.

Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to explore the correlation between non-objective painting and sculpture in the round. I believe there is an opportunity to create unique work that combines, integrates, juxtaposes or holds in opposition the image, color and surface qualities of painting and the material physicality of free-standing sculpture. I will attempt to blur the distinctions between painting and sculpture. The art of Jennifer Bartlett, Eva Hesse, Robert Rauschenberg, Frank Stella and Jessica Stockholder is among the significant work that points to a hybrid art form. I intend to pursue this thesis through direct observation, library research, examination …

Illegal File-Sharing In The Academy: Assessment, Implications, And Policy Responses, Eric S. Linden

Theses

This thesis explores the Federal Government's role and prospects for combating illegal file-sharing by examining the problem from a classic three prong approach: technology development, enforcement, and ethics reform through education. Original survey data was used to assess the current state of the problem, and the analytic hierarchy process was used to examine the current state of technology development. The thesis concludes with policy recommendations for government action. The author found that enforcement is the most effective method of lowering the music, movie, and software file-sharing rates.

Expert Object Recognition In Video, Matthew S. Mceuen

Theses

A recent computer vision technique for object classification in still images is the biologically-inspired Expert Object Recognition (EOR). This thesis adapts and extends the EOR approach for use with segmented video data. Properties of this data, such as segmentation masks and the visibility of an object over multiple frames, are exploited to decrease human supervision and increase accuracy. Several types of runtime learning are facilitated: class-level learning in which object types that are not included in the training set are given artificial classes; viewpoint-level learning in which novel views of training objects are associated with existing classes; and instance-level learning …

Investigation Of A Coupled Duffing Oscillator System In A Varying Potential Field, Joseph Patrick O'Day

Theses

Nonlinear systems are known to exhibit widely differing steady-state behaviors based on small modifications to the control parameters within the equations. These small modifications may be the difference between a chaotic output and a periodic output. Many investigators choose to study the varying behaviors through varying forcing conditions, specifically the forcing amplitude or frequency. However, from a linear vibration theory standpoint, systems are often "tuned" to minimize system response to a known forcing input by varying the strength of the damping and stiffness elements within the system. It may also be the case that the parameters governing the strengths of …

An Analysis Of Standardized Testing And Deafness, Jess La Sala

Theses

This study examined the relationship of deaf students' performance on standardized entrance exams and their academic successes at both the National Technical Institute for the Deaf and at Rochester Institute of Technology. For the purpose of this study, academic success was defined as completion of degree program. The results showed that higher reading levels at entry to college were associated with successful degree completion at the AAS and BS degree levels and students who graduated with these degrees had significantly higher reading levels compared to students who did not complete a degree. Eighty four percent of the students with a …

Survey Of Teaching Deaf And Hard Of Hearing Students How To Organize And Remember Information, Gabrielle Sheppard

Theses

A survey of 32 teachers of the deaf was conducted to determine their familiarity and instructional usage of mnemonics and organizational devices in the classroom. Results yielded that teachers were most familiar with graphic organizers, rote rehearsal and acronyms. However, the instructional emphasis they gave through demonstration, required use by students and teaching focused primarily on graphic organizers, elaborative rehearsal and rote rehearsal. When asked to estimate how much instructional time they devoted to either mnemonics or organizational techniques, over 50% of the respondents said they included instruction less than a few times a month. The participating teachers also perceived …

Discovering Asian Deaf Heritage: A Curriculum Project For Deaf And Hard Of Hearing Asian-American Students, Kelly Kim

Theses

As a gradual rise in the population of Deaf and hard of hearing Asian students occurs across the United States, classroom teachers of the Deaf are facing this challenge of educating a "unique" and "racial-ethnic" student population and may be somewhat inadequate to serve as role models for Deaf Asian students. Redding (1997) states that identity and role confusion are confounded by a lack of appropriate role models and negative attitudes/stereotypes about minorities in the mainstream society. Thus, issues of inequality, lower academic expectations of minority students, and lack of understanding about multicultural issues and needs of students present a …

Understanding And Analyzing Visual Arts: How It Is Used In Art Education To Assist Students In The Development Of Their Critical Thinking Skills, Caroline Koo

Theses

A review of pertinent literature indicates that there has been a great deal of discussion on how a visual arts education assists students with their critical thinking skills. In addition, it is also clear that there is no focus on a visual arts curriculum in Deaf Education. A few, but important studies imply that a visual arts education encourages complex thinking, a valuable skill for every child. Speaking from personal experience as a student teacher, I have found that Deaf students have compartmentalized knowledge, but have not been taught how to connect different parts of their knowledge to form a …

The Importance Of Mental Calculation Skills: A Review Of The Literature, Robert Gusty

Theses

This paper reviewed research related to phonological awareness in deaf and hearing individuals. A number of studies showed that individuals skilled in memory tasks and reading achievement utilize a phonological voice. Often referred to as inner voice or the articulatory loop, phonology was used by both hearing and deaf individuals considered to be skilled readers. The evidence also shows that the use of phonology for coding information is related to the ability to use memory efficiently. As reading achievement is very important in a deaf child's education, so is mathematics. Compared to hearing students, deaf students do not perform at …

Words And Their Primary Associates: A Comparison Of Deaf And Hearing Students, Carol Convertino

Theses

This word association study compared the primary associates given by deaf college students with those from a set of hearing norms. Forty common words were selected from the norms; twenty category names for which the primary associate was an exemplar (or member of that category) and twenty exemplars for which the primary associate was the category name. Overall, deaf students showed a similar pattern of responses to the hearing norms, although the strength of the primary associates for the deaf students was not as strong as for the hearing students. Comparing responses to the two groups of stimuli, hearing students …

Deaf International Students At Rit/Ntid And Their Perceptions About Learning English, Argiroula Zangana

Theses

Deaf international students are a vital part of the student population at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). Those students arrive at RIT with a variety of English skills and at various levels. The objective of this study is to investigate how deaf international students improve their English skills once they arrive at RIT /NTID. Did they improve their English skills through Spoken American English, American Sign Systems (i.e. American Sign Language and/or Signed English), and/or English classes from NTID/RIT? Furthermore, participants were asked how they felt about learning English and if their feelings changed while attending NTID/RIT. Participants were …

Drama In Education: Instructional Strategies For Teachers Of Deaf Students, Julie Stewart

Theses

Teaching tools continue to be discovered in the education field, including Deaf education. Teaching Deaf students can be challenging for teachers who want to be sure deaf students are learning. World Knowledge, applications, and developing appreciation for life long learning are several goals most teachers have for their deaf students. This thesis will focus on an innovative approach to teaching deaf students that incorporates "Drama In Education" in the classroom teaching. A workshop will be developed to prepare teachers of deaf students about Drama in Education, how to put it into practice and how to assess the students' learning from …

Black And Deaf Students: How Can We, As Educators Of The Deaf, Improve Their Educational Experiences, Avery Dominquez

Theses

In this qualitative study, seventeen black deaf college students and faculty/staff from the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) shared their personal experiences in educational setting, both residential and mainstream. These participants also shared how they developed their awareness of their black identity, how they identify themselves now, and who their role models were when growing up. Finally, these participants gave suggestions regarding how to work with black deaf students for their personal advancement; both socially and educationally

Teaching Strategies, Learning Strategies, And Communication In The Mainstream Biology Classroom. A Study Of The Perspective Of Deaf Students, Denise Lengyel

Theses

This qualitative pilot research study explores the perceptions of deaf students who are a minority in the mainstream college classroom. It focuses upon the effectiveness of teaching and learning strategies used in the biology classroom, and how communication with hearing peers affects the deaf student's ability to learn in the classroom. Through questionnaires and interviews, participants provided insight on their experiences in the mainstream biology setting. Through research articles and interview responses, suggestions for effective teaching, learning, and communication were constructed and are provided to benefit all in the education profession.